Exodus

*Note: Rest assured, Pinkie Pie’s presence in this time period will be explained further along in the story.

*Note the second: REWRITTEN

The various VIPs of the fleet were broken up into groups depending on their skills. Each group had been elected by those they represented, and then spokesponies within those groups had been elected by the representatives to represent them. Celestia and Luna were still scratching their heads at Tacita Scolaris’ confusing and rapid manner of speech when he began making the actual introductions.

The captains of the warships comprising the Exodus fleet were led by Captain Star Breaker, commander of the battleship Emperor’s Justice. A bellicose and outspoken earth horse who had become popular among his crew for his jingoistic, warlike beliefs, Captain Star Breaker was a middle aged naval officer whose brutish tactics on the battlefield accurately reflected his personality off of it.

The laborers and craftsponies taken onboard the ship for their practical skills were represented by Agricol Malus, or Apple Buck as he insisted he be called. Luna had stopped and marveled at Buck’s great height for several seconds, while Celestia’s eyes had almost wandered over to his muscular flank before she had been able to restrain herself.

The scientists and engineers were spoken for by a small black unicorn pony dressed in a pristine white lab coat by the name of Scintia Caelum, or Shining Sky, as she introduced herself as after Tacita had done so for her. A bookish, highly intelligent and introverted sort, Shining Sky had been chosen for her incredibly expansive knowledge and expertise concerning magic and its practical applications, as well as her ability to work constantly, without breaks in between, until she accomplished her goals or collapsed from sheer exhaustion. This ability was regarded as a severe mental disorder by most, but had been hailed as a shining example of dedication and true commitment by the Equestrian scientific community.

Finally, the artisans, artists, historians and other cultured types were represented by the unicorn Delicae Gaudia, or Shimmer, as her low Equestrian stage name went. She had been renowned among the artistic community of Canterlot for her beautiful sculptures and works of art, and had caught headlines numerous times with her more philanthropic pursuits, which had been labeled publicity stunts by her detractors, but which she insisted were merely attempts to ease the plight of the less fortunate citizens of the Imperium.

When the introductions had been concluded, the twenty delegates of the Exodus fleet took their seats around a large holographic projector in the center of the bridge and began their deliberations.

Admiral Argo began the briefing by pressing the projector’s control panel and bringing up a star map of Equestria Prime and its surrounding systems.

“At this point in time, the Exodus fleet is in dire straits. Our main concern is supplies. Every member of our warship escort is at least moderately damaged, having narrowly escaped Equestria Prime intact. In addition, none of them were supplied for extended tours of duty.” Argo nodded at Tacita, who was fidgeting beside him with an enormous sheaf of papers levitating nearby.

The bureaucrat stepped forward, eagerly shuffling and straightening his documents. Many in the audience began to dread the coming tirade.

“The Ark was supplied with sufficient food to last fifty thousand passengers for four standard months. However, with the addition of twelve warships of varying size, the number of equines comprising the Exodus fleet has doubled to almost one hundred thousand. With each warship only carrying sufficient supplies for two weeks, The Ark will soon be forced to transfer its own supplies to each warship. To summarize, food supplies will run out across the fleet after a little more than two months. Given the time frame necessary for space travel over significant distances, finding a reliable food source should be our highest priority.”

Many in the audience began muttering, several glancing at the warship captains in their midst. In response, Captain Star Breaker looked up and fiercely glared at anypony who so much as glanced his way, as if he were daring someone to voice their complaints to his face. Celestia stepped forward and laid a hoof on Star Breaker’s shoulder, silencing the entire room and defusing the impending conflict which threatened to erupt.

“My subjects, this conflict is beneath you.” Celestia turned to regard admiral Argo. “What are our options, dear admiral?”

Argo’s voice carried a little more respect as he replied, having understood Celestia’s method of preventing Captain Breaker from throwing one of his famous tantrums and breaking some jaws, an unfortunate tendency which had prevented him from rising farther than the rank of a ship captain.

“Every star system within several weeks travel is heavily fortified and controlled by the Federation.” Argo spat the word with disgust. “However, extensive trade lanes lie between these systems. By choosing our targets and striking simultaneously, our naval complement can raid unsuspecting trade fleets quickly and escape before the enemy arrives.” At this, the assembled delegates straightened, some with fear and trepidation, others with anticipation at the prospect of a way to strike back at the Federation. Celestia betrayed no emotion for her part, her face serene and composed as ever.

“Is conflict strictly necessary, admiral?” Now Celestia’s brow furrowed with mild displeasure. “Surely our ponies are tired of conflict, and death.”

“There are no other options, your majesty. We cannot reach a world unoccupied by the Federation and suitable for our purposes with only three months worth of food.” Admiral Argo said, his tightly controlled voice revealing his own misgivings about such a course of action.

“I say that we haven’t fought enough!” Captain Star Breaker stood, bowing his head respectfully to Celestia and Luna as he did so. “There are thousands of ponies within the fleet who want nothing less than revenge for Equestria Prime and for Emperor Galaxis!” His voice was loud and impassioned, and garnered several nods from among the delegation.

“The need to restore our honour by striking back at the Federation should be reason enough! Once you add in the fact that we must operate predatorily to survive, our course of action becomes clear and unavoidable.”

"Surely, you would not risk the lives of our ponies," Shimmer spoke, eyebrow raised questioningly. "for petty revenge? Might I remind you that we are the last of our people, and that we-" She was interrupted as Captain Star Breaker scowled, contempt on his face.

"I expected a civilian such as you," Star Breaker emphasized the word as he sneered "not to understand matters of honor and pride." The members of the civilian delegation all bristled, clearly offended at Star Breaker's words but unwilling to challenge him directly.

"On the contrary, my dear captain, I believe that I understand matters of pride more than you do." Shimmer's eyes flashed, outrage clearly simmering beneath a carefully composed facade. "You would have us attack defenseless trade caravans and innocent civilians in order to exact revenge?" She chuckled. "What sort of martial glory lies in that?"

Before Star Breaker could speak again, she continued, clearly relishing her tirade. "Lo and behold, the venerated war hero who wishes to fight defenseless civilians to prove his might. If the ranks of our military were filled with your ilk, I can see why we lost Equestria Pri-"

“Enough of this!” Luna shouted in the already thunderous royal Canterlot voice, silencing the argument and forcing every equine on the bridge to grip their ears in pain. “This bickering is unacceptable. We are in a very trying situation where the fate of our entire species literally hangs in the balance, and if this delegation cannot function cohesively and effectively then it is a liability which I will not tolerate.”

Captain Star Breaker was seething and aching for a chance to speak, while Shimmer was serene and composed, clearly satisfied at having gotten the last word.

Then Shining Sky spoke, her voice cautious and trembling a little.

“I have studied the star maps of this section of the galaxy and I think I might have found a solution to allay all our concerns.” The eyes of the entire delegation turned to regard the unicorn, causing her to quail and shrink back under the attention.

“Speak, child. Whatever suggestion you might have is most welcome.” Celestia’s voice was soft and comforting, and subtly magically enhanced to physically calm and soothe anypony who heard it.

The unicorn nodded, regaining a little confidence and levitating a small black square to the holographic projector. She inserted it into an empty slot, telekinetically pressed a few keys on the control panel, and brought up a laboriously labeled and annotated map which she had spent the past night working on.

“As you can see, every system within our operational range is under the control of the Federation and likely to be heavily defended.” The systems in question were labeled by neat red arrows drawn on the map itself. “However, one system on this map lies on the edge of the known universe and contains an agricultural planet colonized only ten years ago. It is a backwater colony which survives by exporting food to its neighbouring systems. It is also likely to be poorly defended, with the population not nearly large enough to warrant a full military garrison.”

“And how can we get there? That journey requires more than three months of travel.” Admiral Argo asked, his voice unconvinced.

Now Shining Sky eagerly levitated an enormous folder filled with hundreds of pages. “I have compiled a list of rationing procedures and measures which would allow us to stretch our supplies for an extra month comfortably. An extra three if we become desperate.” Now she smirked, her expression that of an eager student awaiting praise for her work. “With luck, the planet will have completed one of its harvest cycles by then, and will have a surplus of food stored. Considering the size of the planet’s farming population, the surplus alone could feed the entire fleet for months on end."

"Another advantage," Shining Sky now seemed very much like a student giving a presentation to her class and hoping for a high grade. "is that the lack of a military garrison will allow us to secure what we need with minimal expenditure, of time, resources and effort. We have practically nothing to lose and everything to gain from this course of action."

"Have we stooped' ta petty theft and robbery now?" Apple Buck spoke up, his distinctive drawl drowning out everything anypony else might have said. "Ah think that as ponies, we're supposed to have honor. That's one'athem elements of harmony our society is built on. Now wut honor lies in just takin' somethin' from people who can't even defend themselves?"

“And how can we be sure that this isn’t a trap?” Star Breaker asked, his voice professional now that he had regained some control of his emotions. “This all seems much too convenient. I wouldn’t be surprised if we entered the system and found a Federal fleet waiting for us.”

"I thought you relished the prospect of battle, captain." Shimmer's voice was artificially sincere and innocent, and Star Breaker bristled.

"This is about more than honor." Shining Sky, her voice testy. "If you hadn't noticed, we are in a very desperate situation. We have to be willing to do what has to be done to survive. Because if we don't, we will die!"

"Death before dishonor!" Star Breaker roared, the warship captains and several civilians voicing their assent.

"You would destroy this fleet for honor?"

"We are nothing if we do not stay true to ourselves. We ruled the galaxy because our society was the strongest and most honorable this galaxy has ever seen! We must maintain that noble heritage or we-" Admiral Argo held up a hoof, halting the rapidly degenerating conversation.

"My Princesses, you have heard the views of this delegation. What is your decree?"

Celestia and Luna glanced at each other, Admiral Argo’s attempt to place them in the spotlight making them both suspicious.

“My father charged my sister and I with ensuring the survival and security of this fleet at all costs.” Celestia walked around the delegation, making eye contact with each member as she spoke. “He would not want us to throw our lives away for the sake of petty revenge.” Shimmer smirked while Star Breaker glowered, suppressing his choler. “However, he would also not want us to behave cowardly and, from fear, refrain from doing what must be done.”

Celestia turned to regard Shining Sky with approval. “This course of action is our best hope for survival. Elsewhere, the enemy will almost certainly be waiting for us to come to them. We must appear where they least expect it and escape just as quickly, to avoid their wrath.” Celestia nodded at Luna, who then spoke up, her voice projecting in the traditional Canterlot voice.

“Admiral Argo, make best speed for this planet. With luck we might be able to outrun the Federation and achieve our purposes expediently.” Luna stepped back and gestured to Tacita and Shining Sky with a nod of her head. “Let us discuss these rationing measures.” As the three equines left the bridge to converse privately, a young bridge officer walked up to admiral Argo and coughed politely.

“My lord, the fleet is entering real space to recharge its warp drives.”

Admiral Argo nodded and quirked an eyebrow at Celestia, who took the hint and nodded in turn.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, this meeting of the fleet council is adjourned. Return to your duties.”

As the delegates dispersed and filed out of the bridge, Celestia lightly trotted up to Argo and smiled radiantly at him.

“Would you care to give me a personal tour of the ship, dear admiral? I am afraid that I have not been properly introduced.”

The warships of the Exodus fleet dropped into reality on the edge of an uninhabited star system after weeks of warp travel and opened massive panels on the tops of their hulls to vent built up heat from their overworked warp engines. The Ark and Hive Queen, the Exodus fleet’s carrier, discharged several fighter wings which proceeded to sweep the immediate area for threats.

Squadron Commander Spectral Blaze reclined in the pilot’s seat of his Predator strike craft and admired the massive blue star at the center of the system as he led his fighter wing through a standard patrol sweep. The pegasus had only recently recovered from his concussion and had demanded to be let back on active duty early. As a squadron commander, only Admiral Argo held the authority to confine him aboard the ship, and he’d been preoccupied with Princess Celestia’s tour by the time Blaze had strapped in and prepared his predator for flight.

“No contacts yet, Cappy!” Lieutenant Pinkie Pie’s bright voice broke through the customary din of the predator’s cockpit, which was usually composed of the engine’s hum and the beeping of gauges and status lights. Blaze had to allow a small smile as his wingpony began humming under her breath, singing a song to herself as she operated the two-pony strike craft’s long range scanner. Blaze had met Pinkie Pie in training, and the two had rapidly become inseparable friends despite numerous regulations and rules forbidding close personal ties.

They had been wingponies since the start of their military careers, each finding a kindred spirit in the other as fun loving daredevils who didn’t give two shits about rules and regulations. Their lack of respect for authority and discipline had stopped the two of them from rising further in their military careers and had led to an early retirement opportunity in the form of a suicide mission, a common practice among Imperial commanders who needed to relieve themselves of bothersome subordinates.

Blaze and Pinkie had not only survived, but achieved victory and almost legendary status among their squadron mates. Blaze had proved to be an unmatched flier fully capable of following through and surviving the daredevil feats of flight which had become his hallmark, while Pinkie had shown a secondary talent for gunnery. Her uncanny skill had led to an extremely high kill record, and many who knew her claimed that she possessed the power of precognition, a claim which might not be entirely unfounded. She seemed to know almost exactly where an enemy fighter would be in the next few seconds, and involuntarily reacted physically in the face of unexpected impending danger. Blaze had learned to trust the lieutenant’s ‘pinkie sense’ as she called it, and had survived dozens of battles as a direct result.

“Keep scanning, Pinkie.” Blaze replied, idly turning a knob on his control panel with a clenched hoof. He normally enjoyed the simple pleasure of flying, with his wings or with his predator, but a month long stint from active combat had driven him stir crazy, and he needed some action before he went ballistic.

Crumbs sprayed the back of Blaze’s flight suit, followed by the sound of enthusiastic munching as Pinkie demonstrated that she was just as bored as Blaze was and had decided to eat one of the many treats that she routinely stored in her flight suit pockets.

“Aw Blazey Wazey, I’ve been thinking.” Pinkie spoke, her chipper voice only slightly muffled by the crumbs spraying out of her mouth. “Everypony on The Ark’s so unhappy. When’s the last time you saw somepony smile there?” Before Blaze could reply, Pinkie spoke again excitedly.

“I wanna throw a welcome to The Ark party. We could invite the whole ship and everything. Fifty thousand ponies, can you imagine it?” That was Pinkie’s true special talent. Some had said that her cutie mark should be a crosshair or missile, but those who did had just never been to one of her amazing parties, which she had frequently thrown in boot camp and still threw now, much to the frustration and outrage of any officer who happened to find out. (And they always did. Pinkie’s parties were not known for silence or subtlety.)

“The whole ship Pinkie? It’s hard enough to throw a party just for the squadron.” Blaze replied, bemused as he turned his control joystick and maneuvered the predator through its patrol pattern.

“What’s this about a Pinkie Pie party? Blaze, are you killing our buzz again?” A voice crackled through the squadron comlink as one of the pilots under Blaze’s command cut in, bemused.

Blaze chuckled in response as he recognized the owner of the voice. “You don’t need any more of a buzz. You’re high 24/7 anyway, Bolt.” Light laughter filtered through the communications line as the rest of Blaze’s squadron overheard the conversation.

“Woe is me, my professional pride is being called into question by our indomitable leader!” Bolt’s voice was theatrically loud and filled with feigned hurt.

“You are such a massive geek, Bolt, its unbucking believable.” Came the amused, feminine voice of Silver Blur.

A chorus of agreements echoed across the communications channel, and Pinkie giggled, spraying even more crumbs across Blaze’s back. Bolt responded with his theatrical voice, undeterred.

“Hey, I’m just thinking about this squadron’s wellbeing. We haven’t had a party in…weeks! Weeks!”

“Aw Bolty, if you wanted a party so bad, you should have just asked!” Her voice became coy, yet retained its tone of customary good cheer. “You only need two ponies to throw a party, after all.” Wolf whistles filled the channel, and Bolt fell silent, probably from confusion. Blaze didn’t mind Pinkie’s blatant trampling of com regulation. He liked an informal squadron anyway, as he wasn’t the biggest stickler for regulation in the navy. He knew that he could trust his subordinates to become the very images of professionalism and military efficiency when the bullets were flying.

“Squadron report. Contacts?” The laughter and friendly banter abruptly fell silent, and a chorus of emotionless negatives filled the air as the strike craft squadron wheeled around to return to The Ark. Blaze turned in his seat and nodded to Pinkie. “Open a com channel to the fleet. Call in the all clear.”

Pinkie nodded, completely professional, all trace of crumbs and stains mysteriously gone from her lap.

The Exodus fleet entered the system fully, the frigates and lighter warships fanning out into a picket line ahead of the larger ships, while Hive Queen and Emperor’s Justice stayed close to The Ark, shielding it with their massive hulls and failing to notice the tiny black ship trailing behind them.

“Maintain speed with that Imperial battleship.” Commander Hu’lak Kar called out to his bridge crew, staring at the Exodus fleet through a monitor connected to a camera mounted on the outside of the Stalker black ops vessel's prow. The ship was in stealth mode, with all non essential electromagnetic and heat signatures turned off. That, combined with the ship’s tiny size and sizeable electronic warfare suite, allowed it to show up on enemy scanners as a random piece of space debris, or not at all.

Hu’lak walked over to one of his subordinates as the ship stealthily approached the Imperial fleet and looked over his shoulder at the long range camera feed.

“Can we confirm the identity of that ship?” Hu’lak pointed to the massive black ship at the center of the formation with one of his four arms, and the human ensign increased the camera’s magnification, zooming in on the side of the ship where he knew the evidence he was looking for was located.

“Yes sir. It’s The Ark.” The human smirked and leaned back, looking up his barathi commander. “We’ve found it.”

Commander Hu’lak struggled to contain his elation at seeing days of waiting in this decrepit system finally pay off and gestured at his communications officer.

“Prepare a message for Lord Admiral Steiner. Priority code black. Tell him we’ve found his prize.”