Date:4/28/2012
Location: 2nd Echelon HQ
Objective: N/A
"Please, sister!" exclaimed Luna. "An intelligence branch would serve well for the Equestrian military. With it, we could be one step ahead of any threat!"
It was only a week after her return when Luna had suggested an intelligence agency, one that would extract the information from the shadows of Equestria.
"I do not wish to invade the lives of my subjects, Luna." answered Celestia, "I don't wish for you to harm them."
"Sister, we assure you, we intend to help our subjects, not harm them! The 2nd Echelon will help us prevent crises before they happen!"
"But I do not wish to have a military branch as... aggressive as your Ecliipse Echelon." retorted Celestia.
"You misunderstand us sister," assured Luna. "This second Echelon will only monitor chatter from suspicious suspects and simply keep in touch with your scouts. They will not comprise of field agents, we can promise you this."
.
. .
Luna regretted that promise. While the 2nd Echelon was praised with success inside the halls of the castle for being the chief reasons Celestia could quickly respond to a disaster, such as the incident with the sleeping dragon and the riot in Ponyville over a doll, Luna was frustrated with the poor execution of the wedding a few weeks ago. Despite the 2nd Echelon's interception of the intel regarding a plan to attack Canterlot, despite the fact that they successfully relayed the message to Princess Celestia and drastic measures as radical as a forcefield were performed, all of Canterlot was caught by surprise when the changelings attacked.
"What troubles you, your majesty?" asked a deep voice from behind Luna's back. The princess of the night turned to greet the concerned guard.
"General Stargazer," addressed Luna to the sarosian guard. "I feel as though I am losing faith in my sister's military force."
"Your majesty, I believe, under Shining Armor, the Canterlot Royal Guard has been at its strongest-"
"But that is only half as strong as the 1st Echelon, which would have been perfect to accompany the 2nd."
"Your majesty, may I ask, what are you trying to say?"
"I am trying to say that The Canterlot royal guard fails to keep up with the efficiency of the 2nd Echelon. We need a force that can strike as soon as we receive new intel. I know I promised my sister that I wouldn't use such a force, but I believe we need an army as aggressive, an army as effective, as the 1st Echelon!"
"But Princess Celestia-"
"Would be perfectly safe because of an army, and would not to find out. Who would tell her? The 2nd Echelon?"
General Stargazer found Luna's logic hauntingly true.
Luna spoke. "It will be like the 1st Echelon, with technology that far outranks our current level. We will need to be ahead of Celestia to outrun her suspicion."
"Your majesty, this is treachery! We shouldn't be conspiring behind your sisters back."
"This is no conspiracy, General. This is an agency that will protect her from the shadows. Unknown to even her. A guardian angel, if you will."
The General was quite, deep in thought.
"General, I will need you to recruit scientists from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. The 3rd Echelon will be awaken soon."