//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: At the New Lunar Republic/Senate Meeting. // Story: The Equestrian Civil War: A New Hope // by Admiral Producer //------------------------------// Hawk and his army reappeared in the industrial city of Cantropolis, the capital of the New Lunar Republic. When Luna had split up to form the new nation, Hawk was one of the founders of the city. It was modeled exactly like Canterlot, only with a large Capitol Building-like structure in the place of the castle, which served as the Lunar Court Senate. The Lunar Court Senate was the supreme legislature of the Republic, and it was also where the President lived. The current President was Princess Luna herself as the country was too busy with the war to hold nationwide elections. He had extreme pride in his country and would do anything to defend it. The Republic was modeled after the United States of America all the way in the Human Territories and shared many similarities, down to the Constitution itself. “W-where are we going?” a soft voice asked him, interrupting him from his thoughts. Hawk looked to his left. Silverstream was looking up at him, her big violet eyes worried. “That’s none of your business.” Hawk told her firmly, “We’re going to get you taken care of. That’s all you need to know.” Silverstream nodded. Hawk noted how she barely spoke and made no move to resist the other guards, who were leading her. He was interested in her species and knew of Hippogriffia’s reputation as a great power. But he didn’t think she had any use to the Lunar war effort due to her being a servant of the Empire. So if she couldn’t help the country, then she was of no use to him. They passed by a few townsponies, who stared at them both curiously and worriedly, seeing them tow a prisoner in chains. Military parades were not common around the center of the town. They continued on until they reached the Lunar Court Senate. The guards there instantly let them come in as they were from the military. Inside the Senate chambers, there were about several hundred stallions on the pods, debating endlessly with each other. Hawk was not worried as had learned to block out the bureaucratic bickering years ago whenever he entered the Senate. At the middle of it all was Princess Luna herself, looking like she hadn’t slept in days. But her voice was as authoritative as ever, using the Royal Canterlot Voice to conduct the meetings. They headed down the ramp. Hawk was about halfway down when Luna noticed them. “Ah,” Princess Luna said, “I see the mission was a success? Come. We can talk in my private chambers.” Hawk told his comrades to wait there and took Silverstream with him, the two following Luna out of the main chambers and into a small bedroom with a TV. Hawk had a serious bone to pick with Luna, “With all due respect, Princess, this is the secret weapon of the Empire?! A slave?! This is who we needed to retrieve?!” Silverstream heard that and tears come to her eyes, although Hawk didn’t notice. “You misunderstand her importance,” Princess Luna explained, “I’ve known that my sister had a slave for the longest time, and I know she can help the Republic.” She called Silverstream over, “Come, child. It’s okay. I won’t hurt you.” Silverstream looked uncertain, but cautiously approached Luna, “Y…you’re…n-not going to hurt me, r-right…?” “No, I won’t.” Luna assured her, “Now just hold still while I unlock those chains.” Her horn lit up a royal blue and the chains unlocked. Hawk tensed, preparing to grab Silverstream should she try to run. But Silver stayed there as she was told. “Y-you’re…you’re not evil…” Silver spoke softly, “M-Mistress always said you were evil…but…you’re not evil…a-are you…?” Princess Luna shook her head, “My sister is the true evil one. She has filled your mind with lies and deception while keeping you down. Not any longer. You’re free now.” “Oh so we are just letting her go?” Hawk asked, “Princess, she was Celestia’s personal slave. No doubt she’s going to run back and tell Sunbutt what she’s discovered here. We can’t just let her run free.” “She doesn’t belong here.” Princess Luna told him, “She has a family back home in Hippogriffia who misses her dearly. I will find some way to contact Novo. You have a point that we can’t let her run back to the Empire and tell Tia about what’s happening here, however…” She thought about it, “She can serve some purpose in the meantime though. While I sort this out, she’ll stay with you.” Hawk was shocked. He shook his head, “What?! No. No. No. No. I can’t take care of her. I am far too busy.” Princess Luna sighed. She faced him, “Hawk, you are a brilliant soldier and an exemplary patriot. But you’ve lost your sense of being a part of a family again. Ever since your parents died two years ago-“ “We don’t talk about that.” Hawk was instantly on the defensive. Whenever the subject of his parents’ death come up, he tended to avoid it. His parents, Echo and Lightning, were senior members of the Armed Forces who had encouraged him from an early age to one day serve alongside them in the Equestrian Army. When Equestria split into the Empire and the Republic, Hawk, having been brought up as loyal to Luna, declared his allegiance to Luna along with his parents. They fought together for many years until the Fourth Battle of Canterlot in which they were brutally massacred by the Solar Imperial Army. The battle was a devastating loss for the Lunar Republican Army and since then, Hawk had changed a lot. From then on, he had vowed to avenge his parents by winning the war for the Republic, putting aside any personal feelings and devoting his life to his country. “Hawk,” Princess Luna said firmly, “This is not an option. I feel that raising Silverstream will be good for you. Tell you what: I’ll give you three weeks with her. If you can’t handle her, then I will take matters from there. If you like taking care of her, you may keep her until I am able to contact the hippogriffs. Just try this for me, Hawk. I will grant you temporary paid leave from the military to accomplish this task. This is a direct order from your commander. Understood?” Reluctantly, Hawk nodded. “I understand. But know that she is just a distraction and nothing more. Let’s go, Silverstream.” Silver followed Hawk out of Luna’s private quarters and out of the Senate. Once they were gone, Luna sighed deeply. She knew how important winning the war was to Hawk. She hoped she had made the right decision.