The Remarkably Short, Yet No Less Interesting Career of Commodore Derpy Hooves of The Equestrian Nuclear Submarine Fleet

0500 reads the digital clock from across the briefing room. The night has been long for the young Commodore Hooves yet she remains strong in her convictions. The last bit of paperwork and navigational reports have been signed and approved while the K.S. Pride is being loaded up with the last few crates of supplies. The Commodore grabs a mug off of coffee and takes a walk out on the dock. A cool sea breeze and dense fog fill the harbor and the sun is barely visible. A figure in the fog comes closer as the jingle of medals and badges of honor become increasingly audible.

"So you're the new Commodore? I heard some things about you and wanted to see with my own eyes if they where true," the figure says in a rough voice.

The figure comes closer and reveals the body of an old Captain. His gait is slow but by no means feeble. The Captain has a weathered face and a long white beard. He looks over Commodore Hooves with a fine eye, trying to sense any weakness.

"Aye, it is as I have been told! You look like you just walked out of the doors of the Academy, Whatever it is that makes you special make sure it doesn't interfere with my command of the K.S. Pride!" the old Captain chuckled half-serious in his words.

Commodore Hooves looks the Captain straight in the eyes and says, "Captain Robertson I presume? We were all missing you at the mission briefing yesterday. Can you please explain your absence or does the faint smell of vodka tell me all I need to know?"

Captain Robertson takes a few steps back in disgust them slowly marches up into the face of Commodore Hooves.

"Listen here bubbly, I have something you don't and that is trust. The crew looks at you and sees you as an insult to their seniority. This Navy has ran fine in the past without the position of Commodore for years! I don't know and don't care why Princess Celesta has appointed you personally to an archaic rank. If it is some sort of cruel punishment to My crew and I, so be it! But, I will warn you now that I am not expecting you to stand over my shoulder and play backseat driver of my submarine!" Captain Robertson shouted in anger.

Commodore Hooves started to walk away and the Captain tried to open his most one more time but decided to pursue Commodore Hooves across the dock.

"Look, I am not here to take anyone's job or tell them how to do it. I still expect you to honor the chain of command or I will call the mission off right now. The Princess has assigned me to this post based on my skills of leading a fleet and something else that many of the Captains do not have," Commodore Hooves said without raising her voice.

"What skill is that?" Captain Robertson asked more reserved in his tone.

"Restraint, the skill is restraint. The Princess orders the fleet out carrying nuclear arms and she intends that they never be used over anything more than a threat. I believe you have a submarine to attend to Captain Robertson. I will join you as soon as I have finished my mug," Commodore Hooves retorted.

The Captain nodded and walked back towards the K.S. Pride. The last pallet of supplies was being lifted by crane into the cargo bay of the submarine. In the distance there was the march of sailors adorned in white making a slow procession to the harbor. It would be the last time they would see land in months, for some of them this would be the last time they would see land at all.