Lieutenant Red Glare glanced down at her sidearm, secure in its holster around her foreleg. In her mind's eye she could picture it: unsnapping the holster, drawing the pistol, removing the safety. She'd been imagining it for over a minute now, but her brain was refusing to act on it.

“...and their flagrant use of illegal and horrific warfare tactics today shall only strengthen our resolve.”

She returned her gaze to the bridge of the Raptor 'Nimbostratus'. Commander Winter was continuing his speech over the Enclave command frequency from the captain's chair beside her. The bridge crew were staring at them with a mixture of fear and unease. The ensign mare at the communications station looked like she was about to cry.

One more time. She had to try one more time.

"Commander, please." Red Glare fought to keep her voice even. "There are civilians with foals down there. Non-combatants. We need to stop the attack and withdraw. Until we can re-assess our orders."

Her commanding officer released the microphone and turned in his seat. "Enough of this!" he declared sternly, fixing his icy blue eyes on her. "I will not tolerate insubordination on my ship! Operation Cauterize is in effect, and we have our orders." The stallion looked away from her and across the bridge. "All of you, back to your posts! Resume the bombardment." His hoof retrieved the broadcaster again. “Fly steady!...”