I tried hard to hide my smile, but I just couldn’t. Luna was sitting on the floor of her room a very large book on military history in front of her. She had a pile of smaller books next to that.
"As you know originally you and your sister had the army of the sun and army of the moon, the forces who were willing to fight discord evenly divided…"
Luan sighed. "We don't wish to think of that time, and we asked for a brief synopsis of what has happened since our banishment in terms of organization."
I bowed my head. "Sorry your majesty, but the foundations of the military…"
"Yes, yes. In fact we are quite sure you are about to quote us. In short the two forces were divided into three branches of the equestrian military, though I was never sure about that, and the night and day guard."
I nodded absentmindedly. "Yes. Not much has changed with the Army, Navy and Air Force, though you'll be happy to know an advance in technology helped integrate even the Air Force."
Luna smiled. "Ah, of course. Air ships mean earth ponies to build and maintain them, and unicorn magic to control them most effectively."
"And power them. Not all equestrian airships are zeppelins your majesty."
Luna clapped her hooves together. "Ooo, we simply must tour the fleet at some point."
"Yes. However the biggest change is two the two branches of the guard. First the Night Guard while always more concerned with crime has become a police force. Most often referred to as simply the watch or the guard."
"What of the Day Guard?"
"It is now officially the Royal guard. The name and purpose were officially changed. The Sun Guard still exists but the distinction between the rest of the Royal Guard and Celestia's guard has blurred. To the point where they have the same captain."
"So Shinning Armor…"
"Is captain of both, yes. In fact I don't think I've seen Sun Guard mentioned on any official document produced at any point during my lifetime."
"Only older documents, but officially the distinction is still there. So do they truly serve all royal interests now?"
I nodded. "Yes not just Celestia, but all nobles. Also since there is no overlap Celestia tends to have fewer guards available."
Luna laughed. "Oh, mine sister, you are ever the sneaky one. By making the organization more general purpose for the sake of efficiency she rid herself of a proper guard entirely."
"Not quite, it is more there is an invisible line. The armor is the same, but there are differences in the oaths taken. There is some talk of creating a night guard, since most ponies have forgotten the Watch is the Night Guard and…"
"If we really must have special soldiers guarding our palace simply place the royal guard in different armor. There is no point in making things more complicated."
I nodded. "Of course. However it has been stated many times the Moon guard should be restructured and…"
Luna shook her head. "Oh no. While it was certainly not intended the Moon Guard has formed quite a nice niche for themselves. We think we will keep things mostly as they are. Your plan is still excellent."
Then she stood and with a flash of her horn the books were gone. I followed her out the room as she quickly left in a swift trot. I had to take to the air to keep up. I was simply relived she hadn't teleported.
"Your majesty where exactly…"
"Just my own library Captain Sky, worry not. I think everything else can wait. I understand enough now." Then she stopped. "Hold."
I did. "Yes?"
"Does this mean that Equestira's police force answers to my sister?"
"No. In fact I think that is one reason she chose the night guard beyond the obvious is because they answered mostly to you. Over time the oath has been changed to the people of Equestria, just as the royal guard oath has done nearly the same."
"Nearly?"
"Well it talked more about the nation of Equestria rather than specifically the ponies as in the current oaths for the watch. Protect and Serve means the ponies of Equestria, not just it's nobles and rulers."
Luna nodded, and began walking again. "Very good. Though am I correct that the term police is also used?"
I nodded. "Yes. Though truthfully all part of the same organization, and given the same training the night guard…"
"You know, in all ways that isn't really appropriate, is it? Unless they do indeed still operate only at night."
"I suppose not. In fact beyond the capital they rarely even wear armor, opting for cloth uniforms instead. They are enchanted of course, but far less heavily."
"Are the enchantments even necessary?"
"More than ideal, but not often, no. Oh, there are also a few special bureaus. REBI is the Royal Equestrian Bureau of Investigations. They handle crime on a large scale."
"Such that it effects all of Equestria. Yes, we are also aware of the EMI, and their role in insuring we do not have to fight."
"Yes, we get a lot of our work from military intelligence."
Luna laughed. "I am glad that my rather dark training regulations were put to good use, but I still feel odd about that."
"We live to serve. If you wish us to stop or otherwise alter our actions in any way you need but ask and we will comply."
She shook her head. "Not for now. No for now I am quite pleased."
She stopped for a moment, nodded, then continued on. She wasn't walking as slow as she had been so I had to once again take to the air to catch up.