ôItÆs coming this way!ö Pinkie Pie managed as an enraged Ursa Major tore through what was left of the downed airship, heedless of the minor obstacle as its furious claws reached for the group.
ôRun!ö Megan shouted, hurling a small sphere, which burst before the great beastÆs eyes in a shower of light and sound. The enraged monster reared back, swiping about blindly as the mixed group scattered. Applejack and Rainbow Dash dragged a terrified Fluttershy behind them as Spike, showing hints of his future draconic potential; heft an unconscious Rarity over his head as he dashed for the tree line. Somehow, Pinkie pie had beaten them all to cover and was frantically waving them on.
Megan grimaced as she looked around at the devastation wrought in the clearing by the attack upon, and subsequent crash of their Airship. Things had been going so well before disaster struck. SheÆd made tentative but friendly contact with Equestria, and had managed to convince Princess Celestia to send her most prized pupil, along with her friends and ward, to learn more about Megan and her people, these æHumansÆ. Megan had hoped this cultural exchange would lead to good relations between the two nations, and now due to the actions of some Gnolls all her work was being undone.
Megan fell back, putting some distance between herself and the beast. Her crew, at least what was left of it after the Gnolls brought their airship down, on top of an Ursa Minor, was either harassing the poor deceased childÆs enraged mother with discouragement prods or tending to the wounded. Megan tossed another dazzler, allowing one of her prone crew a few extra moments to roll out of the way of a heavy stomp of the UrsaÆs foot. The beast took a swipe at another brave crewmen but a boulder, tossed by Twilights TK managed to turn a deadly attack into a scathing blow. The crewman was down, but if they dealt with the Ursa he had a solid chance at living.
Megan grimaced and activated her com bead ôThis is Ambassador Megan to Republic Command. Priority Omegaá Alpha. Requesting immediate assistance with Ursa Major threat in grid five, two, seven, six.ö She aimed her 'Befriending lance's thermal discouragment beam and caught the beast in its eye, turning it away from Twilight, its blazing eyes glaring at her as it roared its sorrow. ôArchangel Protocol invoked.ö She waited for it to move towards her before firing again, gaining itÆs undivided attention. ôPlease act with all haste.ö And then she charged off into the woods as an enraged Ursa Major tore off after her.
*****
The command codes Megan spoke cut through the red tape, mobilizing the Republics military command. Planes were in the air ready to provide medical assistance or eliminate threats as was warranted. The nearest boots on the ground were in route towards the attacking Gnollsá formation long before the beasts had stopped congratulating themselves on their kill. The looping gait of powered armored Men and women eating up the terrain at an alarming rate. When they found their prey the men and women turned their Befriending lances, and arm mounted Vulcan Negative reinforcement Kinetic launchers upon the offending Gnolls. The Republic militaryÆs short communication conveyed their opinions upon the Gnolls action with a swift, precise and clear expression of disappointment that the Gnolls involved would never have the chance to forget.
Every single one of them.
The Long range communication missiles armed with æDonÆt make this mistake againÆ warheadsá that would later be launched at numerous Gnoll enclaves were simply meant to ensure the message was understood by all parties involved.
****
The Brigadier General watched as around him subordinates went about their tasks. The room was a study in controlled chaos as information and orders were relayed. The big screen showing the shot from orbit as the image zoomed down, closing in on the scene on the ground far below
ôUrsa Major detected in hot pursuit of the Ambassador.ö
ôSatellite CannonÆs capacitors chargedö
ôAll systemsá locked on target, minor adjustments made.ö
The General slowly chewed his unlit cigar, a habit from his youth heÆd never managed to fully give up despite his granddaughterÆs best efforts, and her disappointed frowns.
ôSir, Friendship 1 is in position and ready to fire upon your command.ö
He nodded as he took the Cigar out of his mouth and glared at the satellite image of the Ursa that dared to attack HIS granddaughter. ôBefriend it.ö His deep voiceá growled.
ôFiring Orbital Friendship Beam!ö
****
Megan hit the ground as the sky lit up in a gorgeous prism of colors. The sudden change cut through the UrsaÆs anger and for a moment it stopped to look up at the brilliant sky. For a flicker in the worldÆs history, a rainbow outshone the sun as Kilojoules of energy bathed the beast in a shower of light and death. For a moment its silhouette existed and then it was nothing more than dispersed particles.