18:00 - 20/08/1003 - Riverpool, Manesbury
“Behold! The T-28!”
On Hawkrich’s command, a pair of unicorns pulled away the tarp and revealed the mechanical beast beneath. The Lunar Empire’s newest tank prototype already towered over Hawkrich in height and was several ponies in length with the tarp on, but the imposing multi-turreted war machine presented an undeniable aura of absolute dominance. Massive rugged tracks wrapped around its series of wheels. A thick, heavy turret crowned the top of the tank, with two smaller machine gun turrets jutting out at the front. A moving fortress of steel.
Surprise and astonishment touched the faces of all the officers and members of the Lunar War Council gathered in the warehouse, a chorus of gasps and expressions of curious wonder followed the reveal. They’d all seen tanks before, but none as big, breathtaking, or bizarre as this.
“No, your eyes do not deceive you friends, this magnificent thing is the latest work of the Experimental Design Bureau. I instructed them to design a tank capable of crashing through fortified enemy positions. They worked through the prototype with me first, and now you all get to gaze upon the beauty of our results.”
Among the audience were General Selenite and Empress Nightmare Moon, the latter swelling with pride at the sight while the former baulked in bewilderment.
“Forty millimetres of steel armouring! A top speed of forty-two kilometres per hour! An operational range of two hundred and twenty kilometres! A seventy-six-millimetre main gun with four heavy machine guns! Our current tank models should now be considered obsolete. With your approval, this will be sent into full production and will replace what we have now as our primary armour,” Hawkrich explained. “Any questions?”
Selenite swiftly raised her hoof. Several others followed.
“Yes, Captain Gray Matter?”
Captain Gray Matter, an armour officer, stood up. “How does it fare in freezing temperatures?”
“Exceptionally well, as it was designed for this environment. You’ll receive the full results of all field tests shortly,” Hawkrich answered swiftly. He pointed out someone else. “Yes, Major Pimento Cheese?”
Another officer stood. “Are those multiple turrets?”
“Your eyes do not deceive you, Major!”
Hooves kept going up, with Hawkrich prompting those speakers, and a whole raft of more technical questions followed. All the while Selenite stubbornly kept her hoof in the air. She felt like she was in school again, where teachers avoided letting her speak after they got sick of her taking over their lessons with what they called ‘pedantry’ and she called corrections. Only now, everypony here was an adult in what was supposed to be an environment of mutual respect. She figured at this rate Hawkrich would sooner take questions from the janitor than her.
Her suspicions were soon confirmed when the only hoof in the air was hers.
“No more questions then?” Hawkrich’s voice carried through the warehouse. “Excellent! In that case-”
“Warmaster.”
Silent tension descended on the warehouse. All eyes turned to Nightmare Moon, standing up tall as her massive wings reached slightly from her sides.
“General Selenite raised her hoof,” said Nightmare Moon. “I want to hear what she has to say.”
The smile never left Hawkrich’s lips, but his eyes morphed to a scowl. “Naturally. I must have simply missed her hoof next to your eminence. Go ahead, General.”
Everyone’s attention quickly switched from Nightmare Moon to Selenite. Hiding any intimidation she may have felt from the dozens of pairs of eyes now on her, she raised her head. “What is the estimated cost and timeframe of switching production to this new model, Warmaster?”
For a moment, Hawkrich said nothing. “That is yet to be determined, General. But given our situation, I doubt you’ll need to concern yourself with that.”
“Warmaster, I’m only asking for estimated time and financial figures,” Selenite added.
“And I’m telling you that we’re positive that the mass deployment of this fine vehicle will outweigh any financial cost,” Hawkrich insisted.
Selenite raised an eyebrow. “How exactly, Warmaster?”
Hawkrich snorted. “Because it’s a damn good tank!” he asserted, punching the tank’s hull causing it to emit a solid thump. “It’s passed every test with flying colours, and our troops deserve the very best!”
“I’m not doubting that, it looks… impressive,” Selenite said, hiding her instinctive reservations regarding multi-turreted tanks. “But is it necessary? We already have effective armour in the field, and Sombra’s forces lack any kind of anti-tank capabilities, let alone adequate enough to counter anything we currently field. Really, what does this system do that current systems can’t?”
“It’s-” Hawkrich started, only to pause and glance at the floor. He looked up, his jaw tense. “It’s a statement! A statement-”
“Do we really need to spend however many millions of bits for, what, prestige? Again, we’re not facing an opponent whose soldiers can be cowed into surrender or whose leaders care for a negotiated peace,” Selenite said. “The only language they understand is the swift and precise application of force.”
“General, I do believe it was you who argued that time was on our side and that we should take the time to develop advanced capabilities, argued it before the whole war council if I’m not mistaken,” said Hawkrich, bearing a smirk. “And now you complain when we do as you ask because it’s too expensive and time consuming?”
“My concerns and advice didn’t mean that our armoury should waste time on expensive gadgets like this, what I meant was that we need to leverage our advantages and not leap headfirst into hasty decisions. To strengthen the capabilities we need to fight the war we’re fighting, and this looks like it was designed for a different war entirely,” Selenite said. “On a related note, Warmaster, how has your procurement of forklifts been going? I believe there was a great emphasis put onto those.”
“We-” Hawkrich grunted, his ear twitched. “We are still working on that. I don’t have all the details.”
“It’s been ten nights,” said Selenite.
“Nothing gets done in ten nights,” said Hawkrich, his voice growing slightly louder. “And there are more important things-”
“Like tanks we don’t need?” Selenite countered. “How’s that more important than logistics?”
“This has been months in the making, General!”
“Still took the time for this-” Selenite threw a hoof out to gesture at the tank. “-instead of ensuring basic logistical needs are met!”
“Even if I spent every waking moment shipping forklifts, it wouldn’t be done any faster! Do you even know where to buy forklifts?”
“Well have you at least-”
“Silence!”
All talking ceased, as if Nightmare Moon’s voice held the power to force her will into reality. She stood up, her wings spread. If she wasn’t towering over everypony else before, she certainly was now. Selenite went stiff and still, slowly turning towards her Empress.
Nightmare Moon’s face was still, but she could still be seen pulling in a deep breath. “It is apparent to me that this machine is unproven for the battles we face,” she declared. “Until a proper review of the cost estimates and the necessity of this model has been conducted, production will not be switched. Current models shall remain in production until further notice!”
Hawkrich flinched. “Oh, Your Highness-”
Nightmare Moon clapped her hoof against the ground like a gavel. “That is my word, and it is final!”
Hawkrich’s jaw clenched shut. Nightmare Moon took her eyes off of him and glanced around the room, seeing every other pony in the room stunned into silence as well. Then, seemingly on a whim, she turned around and marched out of the warehouse. Not even following up with anything. She simply left.
Only infrequent blinks distinguished Hawkrich from a statue, being that still. Gradually, the utter silence was replaced by a murmur that rose over the warehouse as ponies started talking in hushed tones. Most just talked about getting out, keeping their thoughts on what just transpired unsaid. If Nightmare Moon left, perhaps they assumed the meeting was adjourned. A few slipped out of their chairs. One pegasus was even stretching their wings.
Hawkrich blinked and shook his head. His eyes darted around the room, definitely noticing how a few ponies were already getting ready to go without his approval. “Well! Thank you all for coming!” He forced a grin that did not reach his eyes, shifting his weight as he spoke. “I believe many of you would appreciate the work of the Experimental Design Bureau, even, if… I want you all to return to your duties.”
That was the confirmation everyone needed. Just about everypony who wasn’t already leaving hopped out of their seats, while those who were prepared already were halfway to the exits.
“But before you go, General Selenite,” Hawkrich spoke again. Selenite looked over, seeing his stare squarely on her. His grin morphed into a scowl. “I want you in my office at twenty hundred hours.”