Broken Mirror, Part One

Canterlot Castle

“You’re an ass, you know that?” asked Dart as she and Dusk walked off the Pelican.

“Well, you never bothered asking where we were going.” Noted Dusk. “As such, I reserve the right to be a killjoy.”

Dart simply flipped Dusk off as she walked into the castle and made for the throne room, guards saluting her as she went.

“Dart!” Princess Luna came running up behind her and Dusk. “My sister isn’t in the throne room.”

“Ok... Where is she then?” asked Dart.

Luna waved for her to follow, and they ran into a rather eclectic group as they rounded the corner. “I take it everyone is already acquainted?”

“I’ll reiterate that I would very much like to know what the hell is going on.” noted Palmer.

Luna pressed a brick into the wall, and a hidden door slid away. “Paul, I believe you know the way.”

The Spartan nodded, leading the other members of his former team, Palmer, Halsey Meteor Shower, Dart, Dusk and Steeljack into the dark tunnel.

“Love what you’ve done with the place Luna.” snarked Dusk. “The whole dark and depressing vibe works wonders.”

“I aim to please.” replied the Princess as she lit her horn.

At the bottom of the staircase, DeMarco stopped before a brick wall. “How do I open this again?” Seemingly on cue, the wall slid upwards to reveal a dimly lit chamber. “Nevermind.”

As the group filed in, Dusk looked around the room shaking his head. “Dark room, one way in and out… Ya, it’s a trap.”

“It’s not a trap Dusk.” said Celestia as she walked in with Luna and Lord Hood. “This is the Nexus.” As she said that, the room got brighter and a number of portals lit up, revealing a number of different realities. “Think of this room as a crossroads between universes.”

“Alright, so it’s not a trap.” admitted Dusk. “But it’s still fucked up.”

“Dusk, allow me to level with you for a moment-” noted Celestia solemnly “-the universe as a whole is fucked up.”

For a moment, most of the group developed blank stares, before Dusk and Meteor Shower started laughing hysterically.

“What’s so funny?” asked Steeljack.

Meteor wiped a tear off his cheek, still chuckling. “Steeljack, I’ve seen Celestia do the whole super-serious act before, but never quite like that.”

“So, what’s this ‘Nexus’ anyway?” asked Dart.

“It’s a location in this universe where others intersect.” stated Lord Hood.

“Hence you can travel between an unlimited number of realms from this location.” added Celestia. “Which is also why I brought all of you here. With the recent Enclave attacks, there is a direct threat to the security of the Nexus. Should this location be compromised, untold horrors can be turned onto our own universe.”

“But it’s a double-edged sword.” pointed out Thorne. “We could use these portals to find some help.”

“As long as it’s within this universe, that shouldn’t be an issue.” Celestia looked over at one of the portals before turning back to Thorne. “Going between universes at random, however, is far more risky. You don’t know what you’re looking for, or how to get back.”

“So, we could figure out where there’s a bunch of free guns and go grab em? Sign me up!” yelled Dusk. “Quick, someone toss out an idea.”

“Spirit of Fire…” snickered Hoya.

“That works. Celly, find me that ship!” Dusk turned back to Hoya. “So what are we talking here. Frigate? Corvette?” rubbing his hands together, Dusk smirked. “Maybe a Crusier?”

“It’s an assault ship.” stated Lord Hood. “And I doubt you’ll-”

“Is that it?” asked Celestia as she pointed at a portal, showing a large angular vessel orbiting a tan planet..

Hood’s eyes went wide before he drooped. “I shouldn’t have even asked.”

“Is it loaded with weapons?” asked Dusk

“What do you think, it’s an assault ship?” snarked Madsen.

“There are also these pesky things.” stated Celestia as she snapped her fingers, four small squid-like creatures popping into the room.

Dusk and Palmer exchanged worried glances before the two pulled pistols from their belts and shot the creatures.

“Fuck. It had to be the flood.” said Dusk as he returned his pistol to it’s place.

“Lucky you, they were the only ones on the ship.” said the solar princess as she rolled her eyes as the portal view changed to that of a bridge. “I’ve also taken the liberty to stabilize the ship’s descent into the planet’s atmosphere.

“Palmer, with me.” said Dusk as he strode up to the portal. “I can just walk through, right?” As the princess nodded, Dusk walked through onto the bridge of Spirit of Fire. As Palmer joined him, the portal shut and Dusk noticed the stale air that perforated the cabin.

“So… We’re on our own?” asked Palmer.

“We’re watching from our end Commander.” chimed in DeMarco over the radio.

“Creepy…” whispered Dusk as he tapped away at a bridge console, showing a cryo-status menu. “Found the crew.”

Palmer looked over Dusk’s shoulder. “Looks like they’re in cryo…”

An AI avatar appeared over a holotable in the center of the bridge. “Who the hell are you two?”

“Uh… We’re the new bosses?” Dusk looked over at Palmer and shrugged.

“Look, where’s the captain?” asked Palmer.

“He’s right here.” stated an older man as he walked on the bridge. “Well Serena, you were right. Something did happen.”

“Ya, we found you.” stated the unicorn. “Look, can the ship make a slipspace jump so we can get this bucket of orbit?”

“If you brought a spare slipspace drive, then be my guest.” groaned the human. “We used ours as a bomb.”

“I’m liking you already.” said Dusk as he punched a few buttons on the holotable, showing a display of the ship.

“Commander, how much longer you gonna be? We’ve got a problem.”

“What sort of problem DeMarco?” asked Palmer.

“Three Carriers, five Battleships, and two Frigates. That kind of problem.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity

“Got it DeMarco. We’ll try to make it quick.”

Lasky sighed as he listened to the radio conversation. “Lieutenant James, have those ships responded to hails yet?”

“Negative Captain.” responded the conn officer. “Looks like the Carriers and Frigates are breaking off and charging up their slipspace drives. Battleships will have us in weapons range in five minutes.”

“Deploy the sub-vessels, standard formation. Have the Equestrian ships fall in with us and broadcast general quarters.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“Do you really expect me to believe you’re being invaded from another universe, and that the Office of Naval Intelligence has been in on it?” questioned the human.

“What, it’s true!” insisted Dusk. “Granted it sounds way out of whack for someone who’s been lost for… Palmer, how long were these guys missing again?”

“Twenty-seven years.”

“Ok, so someone who’s been lost for nearly thirty years might find that hard to believe, but how can you not believe this face?” asked Dusk as he pointed at himself and smirked. “Palmer, help me out here.”

“Captain Cutter, you have every-”

“Palmer, I thought you said you’d make it quick?” asked Lasky over the radio “I’ve got zzzzzzttttttt……”

“Lasky, you there?” Palmer’s radio was met with static. “Fuck!”

“Serena, wake the crew up and go to yellow alert.” ordered the human as he sat down in his chair. “And tell Anders to get her ass up here. We might need her.”

“Captain, what if I could show you what I’m talking about?” asked Dusk as he cocked his eyebrow. Pulling out a small thumb drive from his pocket, he plugged it into a bridge terminal. “Just watch.”

The group sat back, as Dusk’s helmet footage from Dodge City began to play on the bridge displays.

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Paris

“All ships, engage!” yelled Lasky over the radio.

“You heard the man you pansies, let em’ have it!” yelled Baxter.

Trails of smoke flew out from the Archer pods, followed by the blue trails of the ship’s crystal turrets, shields flaring at the impact of fifty calibre rounds from the opposing battleships.

“Captain, MAC is ready to fire.” reported one of the bridge officers.

“Target the lead battleship-” before Tremble could continue, the familiar shape of four Enclave airships dropped from slipspace. “Forgot those could handle a vacuum. Tell Regent and Coral Sea to form up and cover our flanks. We’re going after those airships.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

Captain Cutter sat back in his chair, crossing his fingers together as the bridge screens returned to normal. “That was a few days ago?”

Dusk nodded. “Totals came in at five hundred dead, twenty five wounded and two still missing.”

“Alright, we’re in.” noted the Captain

“Might I point out we have no way to get to this ‘Equis’ without a slipspace drive?” asked Serena.

“Serena’s right Captain.” noted a human female. “We aren’t going anywhere.”

“Please, are you forgetting who you’re talking to?” asked Dusk before he pulled out his radio. “DeMarco, is the Princess there?”

“I’m here.”

Dusk smirked. “Well then Celly, I could use an act of god.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity

The deck shook from the impact of another volley of missiles, knocking Lasky to his knees. “Report!”

“Shields are gone!” yelled Lieutenant James.

“Bring us about, stand by Hyperion missiles.” ordered the Captain as he scrambled to his feet. “How long until we can recharge the shields?”

“It’ll be a few minutes Captain.” stated Roland as his avatar appeared at one of the bridge consoles. “Port side armor is showing minor stress fractures, and I’m having some issues with the Hyperion controls. Looks like one of the conduits took a hit. I’ve got damage control en-” Roland paused. “Those Frigates are back and on an intercept course, and I’ve got some sort of weird readings off the starboard side-”

Roland was interrupted by a song that began to play over the radio, as a large ship appeared to exit a slipspace rupture.

“Roland, is that what I think it is?” asked Lasky as the ship passed the bridge, the name on its hull clearly visible.

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“We’ve cleared the portal Captain.” stated Serena. “Although I’m still questioning why we had to make such an entrance.”

“Every stallion needs a theme song Serena.” said Dusk.

“Serena, hail the lead frigate, tell them to stand down or we open-” Cutter was interrupted as the ship shook from the impact of an Archer missile. “Lock all forward weapons on the lead frigate.”

“Target locked Captain.”

“Serena, how’s the lower part of the hull holding up?”

“Still at one hundred percent Captain.” reported the AI. “Can I ask what you’re thinking sir?”

“Oh, nothing crazy at all.” snarked Dusk.

“Serena, fire all forward weapons and put us on a collision course with that frigate.” ordered the Captain as he hit a button on his chair. “All hands, brace for impact.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity

“Captain, Spirit of Fire is on an intercept course with the Hampstead.” reported Roland.

Lasky looked out into the void, watching as the Spirit of Fire started firing away what looked like its entire arsenal while steaming towards the Strident-class vessel. “They’re insane.” he muttered as the prow of the old assault ship smashed through the Strident’s hull in a fiery explosion.

“Captain, Spirit of Fire is hailing.”

“Put it through Roland.”

“Infinity, this is Captain Cutter of the Spirit of Fire. We’re on station and ready to engage.”

Lasky nodded for a moment. “Spirit, pull back to low orbit and make sure no transports make it to the surface. We’ll deal with the heavy hitters.”

“We’re on it.”

“Roland, can you give me some good news?” asked the Captain.

“Well, the coffee’s hot.” snarked the AI. “Other than that, I’ve got nothing.”

“Alright, move to intercept the Venture. Get us in as close as you can.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“Captain, Infinity is making a run at the lead battleship.”

“You said they had shields, right Palmer?” asked Cutter.

“Looks like they’re down sir.” responded the AI. “Probably doesn’t help that we took so damn long.”

“One step at a time Serena.” stated the Captain. “Is our combat air patrol ready to go?”

“Leaving the hangar now Captain.”

“Tell them to cover the planet’s orbit and move on the lead Battleship.”

“Uh, weren’t we supposed to cover the rear sir?” asked Serena.

“And our fighters can handle it. Just get us in close and keep them distracted so Infinity can finish them off.”

“I’m sorry, but you’re insane.” stated Palmer. “I doubt this old thing has weapons to put a dent in a Vindicator.”

“Serena, how many nukes do we have on board?”

“Inventory is showing thirty Shiva-class warheads loaded and ready.”

Cutter turned to Palmer and smirked. “You were saying?” Turning back to the fore, Cutter straightened out his coat. “Back in the 19th Century, during the American Civil War, there was a Union Admiral, Farragut. He had one of his vessels refuse to proceed into the harbor because of a bunch of torpedoes.”

“And why would that matter now?” asked Dusk.

“Because damn the torpedoes-” stated Cutter pointedly “-full steam ahead.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity

“Captain, Spirit of Fire has launched its fighters and is on an intercept course with the Venture.” reported Roland. “Can’t seem to raise them on comms.”

“Damnit…” Lasky sighed. “Where’s the Paris?”

“Engaging the Johannesburg. Coral Sea and Regent are supporting, but they aren’t getting anywhere.” The deck shuddered beneath the Captain’s feet. “And now we aren’t getting shields back at all. That last hit just took out the main generator.”

“Focus fire on the Venture, just try to take out their-” Lasky was thrown to the deck as a massive explosion rang through the ship. “What the hell just happened?”

“MAC round just cut a hole midship. We’re venting atmosphere and power to the engines is failing!” yelled Lieutenant James. “We can’t take another hit like that, or we’re done.”

“Roland, I need that hull breach patched now!” yelled Lasky as he ran over to a bridge console. “Full axis rotation to starboard, fire all ventral batteries!”

Another explosion shook Infinity, blowing out some of the bridge consoles in a fiery display of sparks and glass. “We’re losing main power!” yelled James as he scrambled from his station. “Mark 2551 cannons are down, and the point defense grid is failing. Captain, we need to get the hell out of here!”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“Captain, I’m having issues raising Infinity.” reported one of the Spirit’s bridge officers.

“Serena, what’s their status?” asked Palmer.

“Main power is failing, major damage to the port side armor plate, engines are losing power, weapons systems are fluctuating and their shields appear to be completely inoperable. If that battleship keep it up, Infinity’s toast.” responded the AI.

“What about that battleship?” asked Cutter.

“Looks like their shields are down.” reported Dusk. “Assuming we can get close enough, we could take them out with a few nukes.” The unicorn snapped his fingers and grabbed his radio. “Hey Celly, you there?”

“Yes Dusk, I’m here.” sighed the Diarch.

“Listen I’ve got a plan, but I need a favor to make it work.”

“Alright then, let’s hear it.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity

Klaxons were blaring across the bridge as Infinity continued to shake at the missile bombardment from the Venture. The bridge was for the most part filling with smoke while damage control teams were rushing about trying to put out some of the flaming consoles.

“Captain, engines just went dark.” reported Roland. “We’re done sir.”

“Roland, give the word.” ordered Lasky. “We’re abandoning ship.”

“Understood-” Roland paused. “Sir, Spirit of Fire is gone.”

“What?”

“They’re just gone. One minute- Holy shit, they’re behind the Venture.”

“Son of a bitch.” said Lasky before he started laughing. “Roland, cancel that order. I think we’ll be fine.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Spirit of Fire

“Let em’ have it Serena.” ordered Cutter.

“Aye sir.” The soft thud of the Spirits deck guns rang through the bridge, followed by streams of Archer missiles and tracers from point defense guns, all converging on the Venture’s engines with the resulting explosion that blew a hole in the rear of the ship. “We’ve breached their rear armor Captain.”

“Open a channel.” Cutter stood from his chair and straightened his uniform once more. “UNSC Venture, this is Captain Cutter of the Spirit of Fire. Stand down and prepare to be boarded.”

“They aren’t responding.” said Dusk as he walked up the Captain. “Call me biased, but I say fuck patience.”

“Agreed. Serena, fire the Shivas.” A loud roar was heard from beneath the bridge, and streams from the missiles flew out from under the bridge and smashed into the crippled battleship, followed by explosions along the length of the ship.

“Paris to Spirit, save your nukes, we’ll finish em’.”

The Paris blew past the Spirit of Fire’s bridge, spraying fire into the Venture as it began to break apart.

“They’re dead sir.” reported Serena. “The other battleships are making an escape run.”

“Target our remaining nukes on the trailing ship and fire.” ordered Cutter. “Prepare a firing solution for the MAC and fire at will.” The Spirit blew through the debris field left by the broken Venture, speeding after the trailing battleship before firing off the last of their nukes and strickening their quarry. “Serena, where’s my MAC?” questioned the Captain.

His answer came at three shots from the main cannon, all of which tore through the battleship and broke the engines free of the hull. “The Johannesburg is down and signaling a surrender.” reported the AI.

“Have Red Team take some marines and secure that ship.”

“Spirit, Paris here. Infinity looks like hell and we can’t raise them. You having any luck?”

“Paris, this is Serena. I’ve got nothing.”

“Captain, you have any damage control teams that you can spare?” asked Dusk.

“Consider them yours.” said Cutter as he walked over to the holotable and pulled up a scan of the Johannesburg. “Serena, tell all departments to stand down from combat alert. I want damage assessments on my desk within the hour.”

______________________________________________________________________________

UNSC Infinity, 2 Hours Later

“Fifteen hundred dead?” questioned Dusk. He had arrived moments before with Steeljack, Lord Hood, Palmer and Captain Cutter.

Lasky nodded before nodding at Roland’s avatar. “All marine casualties. The hull breach was right through their main barracks. Most are unaccounted for, but I think it’s safe to assume that they were all pulverized or sucked out into space when the barracks depressurized.”

“Alright…” Steeljack drew the attention of the assembled group. “But where did these fuckers come from?”

“We’re still trying to figure that out.” sighed Lasky. “They didn’t register on sensors until they dropped from slipspace.”

“I don’t think at this point it matters.” stated Hood pointedly. “It’s obvious to me that Osman either is still giving orders, or someone else is acting on contingency plans that ONI established. For now, we need to fall back to Earth and effect repairs.”

“And be gone for how long?” questioned Cutter. “You’ve seen the damage Terry, Infinity will be down for months.”

“Which is why I want you to stay here.” said the Admiral. “I’ve already got engineering teams stripping the Johannesburg apart. We’ll get her slipspace drive in the Spirit, rig up their shield generator and weapons, and reinforce the hull with its armor plating. All said, it should take two days to get everything squared away.”

“And it’ll take us three until Infinity’s good for a slipspace jump.” added Roland. “In the meantime, I’ll transfer the surviving marines and their equipment planetside. Odds are they’ll be of better used down there than on a failing starship.”

“Then its settled.” said Cutter. “We’ll patch up and hold here.”

“We should plan for a counterattack.” suggested Dusk. “From what we know, the Pioneer blew up on atmospheric entry, so unless gravity brought the debris down right on top of them the Enclave base in the Badlands is still intact.”

“Just tell me where it is, and I’ll form a plan in the meantime.” Added Cutter.

“And why do you want to take two days to plan an assault?” asked Dusk.

“Dusk, just trust Captain Cutter.” Consoled Lord Hood. “The man is an expert tactician. If he spearheaded the retaking of Harvest, I have no doubt that he can help take out one little base in the desert.”

“While I don’t disagree with Terry’s-“

“Hold up a minute.” interjected Steeljack. “Why the hell are you calling him Terry?”

“It’s what I called him when he was my first officer.” Pointed out Cutter. “Now, while I do agree with the sentiment, I need time to actually plan out an assault. Figure out what I have to work with, things of that nature.”

“Alright…” Dusk sighed as he went for the door. “I’ll make sure my team is ready to roll.”