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

Captain Robertson is peering over the heads of his subordinates in the Command Room. His posture is sunken into the leather of his seat and the urge to close his eyes is growing by the minute. The Captain looks over at the clock to his right and learns it is now 0600. It is the second week of the fleet's voyage and the Captain was looking forward to the shift change. In fact he was a little annoyed that Commodore Hooves was a few minutes late to take command of the ship. Finally he heard the familiar sound of the Command Room door that signified his release.

"Good Morning Captain Robertson. Do you have my navigational report ready yet?" Commodore Hooves said while on her way up to the Captain's seat.

"They are right on the desk. Oh, and today is the day we leave Equestrian waters. If you would like me to stay awake for the transition I could manage to wait a few hours but I would prefer to sleep if at all possible," the captain replied as he yawned.

"It's all right Robertson I can manage. Besides old men need their sleep," Commodore Hooves jokingly retorted.

"I am serious kid, the transition into enemy waters needs to be subtitle. You must be deep enough and have your eye on the radar at all times. And still, you must communicate to the other captains do exactly the same as you do. If you are not absolutely sure you can manage that there is no shame in asking for my help. I would not be so foolish to let my pride get in the way of keeping all six hundred sailors safe," the Captain said more serious in tone than ever before.

"Thanks for the offer Captain Robertson but I truly believe that I can accomplish this without issue. Besides you look like you are halfway out the door already. Go get some sleep," Commodore Hooves responded confidently.

The Captain nodded in agreement and headed back to the Officer Quarters. Commodore Hooves strolled up to the desk and flipped through the navigational report. The fleet was heading northwest at 25 knots while being currently positioned at 15 degrees above the equator. The transition would begin in a few minutes and the Commodore was prepared.

"Alright everyone wake up! We got work to do! The transition into enemy waters is ETA two minutes. I want to pull back five knots and start our descent to nine hundred feet. While I am on the phone with the K.S. Bravery and K.S. Valiant I want eyes on the radar," Commodore Hooves shouted out.

The Commodore picked up a white phone and flipped a few switches. The crew in the background began to adjust levers and shuffle around.

"This is Commodore Hooves of the K.S. Pride calling out to the K.S. Bravery and K.S. Valiant. Reduce speed by five knots and start your descent to nine hundred feet in preparation for the crossing. From here on out no more radio communications, if you need direction please respond with the encoded morse code that is in sealed orders 14a. Am I understood?" Commodore Hooves communicated through the phone.

"Rodger that K.S. Pride, K.S. Bravery going dark," A captain responded.

"Rodger that K.S. Pride, K.S. Valiant going dark," Another captain replied.

Then there was silence.

Commodore Hooves sat down the phone and faced the Command Room. All there was left to do now was wait.
Soon the only sound was the pong of the radar with two pings every time it did a full sweep.

"Commodore we are now in enemy waters. The time is 0605 on day 14 of the voyage. The fleet is 2 hours ahead of schedule on the timeline," an officer shouted.

The Commodore nodded and sat back. A couple hours passed by and nothing appeared on the radar nor did any of the other ships have problems keeping up. A gradual sense of comfort blanked the Command Room. Officers breathed a sigh of relief once the ships hit their first checkpoint on the plans. 150 nautical miles deep into enemy controlled waters without incident was cause for most to sink back into their seats and watch the clock go by.

This was the defining moment in the journey. If a certain incident didn't occur right here everyone would have completed the mission with honors. There would be no crying at the harbor nor striping of rank but fate has a funny way of throwing a wretch in all of that. Just as everyone sat back in their chairs and began to let their guard down the whole room went black. The sudden darkness was startling but only lasted long enough to make a reasonable case for the idea that it didn't happen in the first place. The reboot of all major systems did alert the Commodore to the fact that something was very wrong.

"Get the radar back online! I want a full report of all systems!" The Commodore directed.

There was a shuffle in the Command Room. Officers getting print-outs, checking dials, and pushing buttons. The radar was offline for a good minute but as soon as it did come on there was different. When it cycled there was only a resonate pong and no pings. The K.S. Bravery and K.S. Valiant where not on there. It was impossible, each ship was only a few hundred feet behind the K.S. Pride and now they have vanished.

"What is our current location?" Commodore Hooves shouted.

An officer got up from his station and reported, "We haven't moved!"