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

"I want to know what the hay is going in my Submarine! Can anyone give me a proper report of what in Equestria is going on?" Commodore Hooves shouted over the chaos.

"Your submarine? Bubbles I thought we talked about this. The submarine is mine and when she starts acting up I am the first to know!" Captain Robertson hollered as he barged in the Command Room.

The Captain rushed up to his station while almost knocking down several officers on his way. He was immensely concerned and started to look over the monitors and flick switches.

"What did the mean lady do to you? You can tell me because I am going to make it all better. Now just cooperate with me!" Captain Robertson told his submarine in a soft voice.

"The fault occurred out of nowhere captain. I would assume that it was a power failure and would suggest that the engineers take a look at the reactor," Commodore Hooves said to the Captain.

"I will send send them at once but what is important is what our current position is. We won't be able to do jack if we are sailing blind!" Captain Robertson replied.

Captain Robertson walked off towards the Command Room door in frustration. Then he turned around to face Commodore Hooves.

"Shall I fetch the sealed orders? The Admiral made it clear that there was to be no second guessing in enemy waters," Captain Robertson asked Commodore Hooves.

"I think it would be appropriate. I believe the protocol for unknown system failure in enemy waters would be under Packet 6B but go ahead and bring out Sealed Orders 14A as well. The K.S. Pride needs to regain contact with the rest of the fleet, even if it means breaking radio silence," Commodore Hooves directed.

The Captain nodded and rushed out into the corridor. The Commodore sat down in order to think about the situation. If the fault was just a power surge than it could be monitored and remediated. This situation was most likely and the Commodore hoped it was that simple. Why was the radar indicating an empty ocean? If it was just a power surge why would the radar give false readings? Two Class lll submarines don't just disappear. Perhaps the surge damaged the navigational system. It would explain why no motion would be indicated when the engines are running at full power. What if the navigational system can't be fixed? Radio contact with the other two submarines would be necessary if the K.S. Pride was sailing blind. There would be no way that the submarine could surface since the K.S. Pride was now within range of UFFE radars. All of these questions raged in the Commodore's mind but she wanted results. Commodore Hooves got up and approached the group of engineers working on the radar.

"Hey eggheads! How is the radar coming along?" the Commodore inquired.

"No disrespect ma'am but you insist on calling the ship's sonar the radar. The sonar is cycling normally and there would be no reason to assume that it would be giving a false reading if we didn't know that it couldn't possibly be correct. I would focus on the navigational system since that might be more of a pressing issue," an engineer said.

Commodore Hooves was a little embarrassed but told the engineer to keep an eye on the sonar for any changes. The revelation made her think about whether she really belonged in the Command Room of a nuclear submarine. Even though Commodore Hooves passed all her competency exams she felt that the fine details of things gets away from her every now and then. The thought didn't stick around too long since an engineer was rushing towards the Commodore and he looked like he had something important to say.

"Ma'am there is two objects that have popped up on the sonar," the engineer reported.

"Great, the K.S. Valiant and K.S. Bravery I presume. Call Captain Robertson and tell him that the sonar is back in order," Commodore Hooves said with relief.

"Actually I would go as far to say that ma'am since the objects are 7 kilometers in ahead of our current location," the engineer retorted.

"That doesn't make any sense! The Valiant and the Bravery where 2 kilometers astern when the fleet when dark!" the Commodore shouted in confusion.

"Well if the navigational system is not faulted as originally thought then it is possible for the fleet to have moved that distance while the K.S. Pride remained stationary," the engineer stated.

"Why would they move so far ahead if the K.S. Pride stopped abruptly? Wouldn't it not cross the minds' of the other captains to check in about the change of course?" the Commodore reasoned.

"I deal in possibilities but the probability is your call. I can't make sense out of either theory there is just too many questionable variables to validate either at this point. Perhaps the K.S. Pride's communications are down as well and the other subs are desperately trying to make contact or the sonar is damaged more than previously thought and the objects indicated don't exist at all. Either way I would suggest that any conclusion based on the information given should come under strict scrutiny. All we know at this point is that one or more of these systems are giving inaccurate readings," the engineer explained.

The Commodore stepped back and was torn on what to do. The objects could not even be there. It is not out of the question that the navigational system could be incorrect and the K.S. Pride could be sailing along side the rest of the fleet like nothing has happened. It seemed the conundrum was whether to trust the sonar, the navigational system, or neither. Then it hit the Commodore that no matter which was true it would be hard if not impossible to find for sure without exposing the fleet to the watchful eye of the UFFE. The sub couldn't surface now nor could it break radio silence even if the messages where encoded in the secret Morse Code. The UFFE would likely be alerted both ways. Even worse was the thought that the two unknown vessels on the sonar could be enemy submarines. The Commodore was more unsure of herself than ever before. What should the K.S. Pride do?

Just as the Commodore was about to slam her head on the desk the Captain finally returned to the Command Room with the packets in hand.

"Commodore! We have a problem!" The Captain said uneasily.

"Tell me about it Robertson. I have no idea what to do!" the Commodore Moaned.

"I don't either if we don't find the interloper soon I will have to seize up the missiles and turn this submarine around!" Captain Robertson exclaimed.

"What are you talking about old man? The sonar and navigation systems are on the fritz and I have no idea which one, if any, to trust," Commodore Hooves said with a confused voice.

"We have bigger problems than that Bubbles. The packet 6B is missing. I have my most trusted boys combing the ship for the traitor!" Captain Robertson stated while darting his eyes to the corners of the room.

"That is impossible! The sealed orders are kept in the safe that only you and I have the keys to. I personally placed the packets in the safe on the first day of the voyage. All of them were there I quadrupled checked. My key has been around my neck the entire time but I don't see yours! Did you lose it Captain Robertson!" Commodore Hooves said in horror.

"Calm down, mine hasn't been messed with either. I keep it "below deck" if you know what I am saying," Captain Robertson replied.

"What are we going to do now? I don't know where we are, where the fleet is, whether we are about to be attacked or have an UFFE agent onboard with plans of ill-intent, and the only thing that could be are saving grace has slipped out from under our noses. We are up the creak without a paddle!" the Commodore shouted hysterically.

The Captain looked over at the Commodore and replied, "I wouldn't say all hope is lost now. I would rather think we are just in the dark about what is really going on in our submarine."