At the Fifth Company's base, Equestrial Guardponies were saluting to General/Governor-Militant Duke Rockvolter and Commissar Tonnes Gidyup before them.
"Fifth Company," said Duke, "this is the moment of truth. You will not fear. You will not falter. You will not give a single step to the enemy."
A Guardpony step out of line and approached the Governor. "But sir-" the stallion said before Gidyup shot him with his laspistol.
"If you will not serve in combat, then you will serve on the firing line!" Gidyup said fiercely.
Duke went into the headquarters and turned on the intercom. "Enemies of the Equestrium, hear me." He said, his voice echoing all around Firstion Bay as soldiers, tanks, and walkers moved out. "You have come here to die. The Immortal Empress is with us and we are invincible. Her soldiers will strike you down. Her war machines will crush you under their treads. Her mighty guns will bring the very sky crashing down upon you. You cannot win." More soldiers and tanks moved out to fight against the invaders.
Rockvolter continued to speak. "The Empress has given us her greatest weapon to wield. So make yourselves ready." The Maelstrom Cannon's lights turned on, and the beast of a weapon roared with power. "We are the First Cronus Regiment and today is our Victory Day!"
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The Pony Marines had set up a base, but were still trying to convince the Guard to leave. Goliath had made contact with Duke through the Equestrial Vox Channel. "General Rockvolter!" Nule called, "This is your last chance. We purge this world under the authority of the Chapter Master of the Blood Phoenixes. Withdraw your stallions to orbit and our conflict can still end peacefully."
"I have the utmost respect for the Empress's Pony Marines and their millennia of service, Captain Nule," Duke stated, "but my orders are explicit and come directly from Segmaretum Command. I cannot withdraw."
Nule sighed through his vox. "Then the time for talk is over."