Prologue: Launch of the Hydra
“Begin systems diagnosis.”
“Engines check.
“Thrusters check.”
“Defense systems check.”
“Weapons check.”
“Life support check.”
“Sensors check.”
“Communications check.”
“All systems check. We’re green across the board.”
Cmdr. Trixie took a moment to collect her thoughts. Here she was, commanding the largest Airship in the Equestrian Navy, the E.N. Hydra, on her maiden voyage. With a crew of 1,500 brave men and woman, room for an additional 300 passengers, the latest in electromagnetic propulsion technology, state-of-the-art radar-sonar-thermal detection systems, and enough firepower to level all of Manehatten, the Enforcer-class Hydra was truly the pride of Equestria.
Not bad for the daughter of a traveling showman.
“Listen up,” Trixie began, “This is a simple delivery mission: Pick up Princess Celestia at the Ponyville Airport, drop her off at the Aquialian capital of Gryphos for the peace summit, and look good at it. Lets be on our best behavior, everyone. All of Equestria is watching us!”
“Begin launch sequence!”
A hustle of activity began as the crew started up the Hydra. Outside, crowds cheered as the ship hummed to life. The showwoman part of her relished the sound of applause, and even her commander side enjoyed it. After all, she had worked hard to earn her position as commander, and she worked even harder to earn command of this fine Airship. Satisfied, Trixie retired to her quarters to prepare to meet the Princess.
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“That. Was. Awesome! Totally worth ditching!”
“Shh-shh-shh! Not so loud! If we get caught, we could get detention!”
“Relax, Twi. When’s the last time I got caught?
“Last week, at the Wonderbolts show…”
The two young woman, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, were sneaking through a virtual maze of alleyways and tunnels back to the Akademy. Rainbow Dash had ditched classes or even skipped school altogether more times then anyone cared to count, to the point where she was on a first name basis with all the truancy officers. She was usually caught at the arcade, or catching a nap in some secluded spot somewhere in Canterlot, but if the Wonderbolts, the best Stunt Pilots in Equestria, were in town, you could bet your bottom dollar she would be there. Twilight Sparkle, on the other hand, was a model cadet in almost every way. She had perfect grades, always showed up early to class to get the best seats, had mastered the often-difficult Magicka Drive, and got top scores in Airship and Fleet Command Simulations. Her only shortcoming was that she often had trouble applying her extensive knowledge in the various quick-paced combat-oriented Simulations. Rainbow Dash, however, proved her natural skills and talents in the fast-paced Simulations, especially in Ground Combat and Fighter Piloting.
It was Rainbow that had convinced Twilight, her roommate at the dormitory, who had never missed a class before, even when she was sick, to sneak out with her to see the Hydra. It was the single biggest Airship in the Equestrian Navy, she argued, which meant that it would also be deployed the most often. It could be away for months at a time, only returning for repairs and resupply, if at all. This could be their only chance to see it in its prime, and besides, one truancy on her perfect record couldn’t do much damage to her reputation and career, especially if it was for a such a special occasion like this.
Despite her misgivings about skipping school and her worries about getting caught, Twilight had to agree that this could be their only chance, and had consented, after making Rainbow promise that they would go right back after.
“You worry too much,” Rainbow said. “Look, we’re nearly back already, just a left turn here, hang the next right, straight ahead two blocks, then we’re homefr- oomph!”
Rainbow crashed into one of the truancy officers, a tall, muscular fellow that barely even flinched when Rainbow walked into him. He wore a red shirt with an apple half on the back and long blue jeans, and he was chewing on what seemed to be a long blade of grass, though Twilight was too scared to look closer.
“Oh, hey ya Big Mac,” Rainbow Dash said, having fell down after walking straight into him.
“Rainbow,” he said in a deep voice. “Twilight,” he added, glancing at the terrified young lady.
“Listen, do you think you could let us off easy, just this once?” Rainbow tried to persuade him. “It’s just, seeing as how the Hydra was setting off today, we thought-”
“That you could skip your classes? You know you can’t keep this up, what with the Final Exams being so close and all.”
“Yeah, I know that, but it‘s still not for another week, and the launch-”
“You could easily see later, on the Holonet. And you,” Big Mac said, looking at Twilight, who looked ready to pass out. “I’d expect this from Rainbow Dash, but you should know better.”
“I know, and I’m very sorry,” Twilight stammered. “I assure you, if you could find it in your heart to overlook this one instance, it will never happen again, I promise.”
For what seemed like an eternity, he simply stared at the two of them, his steely gaze impossible to read. Twilight hung her head in shame, and was about to accept her punishment when Big Mac finally spoke up.
“Well, seeing as how today’s being a special occasion, and you being such a good student and all, I suppose I could let you off just this once, if’in you can keep your promise.”
Relief washed over her in waves, making her feel lightheaded. “Thank you so much, I promise it will never happen again!”
“T’aint much. Now you two best be hurrying along, now, ‘fore somebody else finds you. And good luck on the Final Exams.”
They didn’t need to be told twice. Rainbow Dash rushed off before he could change his mind. Twilight Sparkle gave him a bow and a final “Thank you” before going after her.
They arrived back in their dorm room several moments before the bell rang. Twilight collapsed onto the bottom bunk of their bed, exhausted after the nearly-disastrous run in with the truant officer. Rainbow, on the other hand, practically leapt onto the top bunk, exhilarated.
“That was awesome!” Rainbow said. “Getting to see the Hydra take off, skipping a whole day of boring lessons, and we got away with it!”
“We almost didn’t,” Twilight said. “That was way too close for comfort. I am never doing that again!”
“Suit yourself.”
“And you aren’t going to either!” Rainbow immediately leapt down to protest, but Twilight didn’t give her the chance. “The Final Exams are coming up, and so far you’ve missed more than three quarters of your classes. At this rate, you’ll flunk for sure unless you start cramming!”
“Hey, everyone knows that the written portion doesn’t mean much,” Rainbow countered. “It’s the Simulations that counts!”
“And knowledge of what you’re doing. For instance, what’s the main difference between a Portable Fighter Repair Kit and an Automated Midflight Damage Control Kit? Where’s the blind spot in a standard Spear-Wing formation? What are the strengths and weaknesses in a Aquialian Advanced Recon Support Frigate?”
“Uhhh…”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about! The Portable Fighter Repair Kit can only be used when you’re docked, but it repairs more damage then the Automated Midflight Damage Control Kit. The Spear-Wing blind spot is underneath and to the right, and the Frigate’s large engines are easily disabled with missiles aimed at the thrusters. Even the first years know that!”
“Hey, you can’t expect me to remember everything they’ve taught us!”
“I can when the instructors have been going over everything the past few weeks,” Twilight said. “It takes more then talent to pass the Exams, you know.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll start studying,” Rainbow reluctantly said. “Happy now?”
“Not yet. No more skipping, no more ditching, and pay attention in class! Promise?”
“Fine, I promise.”
“Good! Now, if you’re going to catch up, we’re going to have to be quick. Luckily, I foresaw the need for this, and I’ve already prepared a special tutoring plan just for you! We’ll start with Airship Maintence, then move on to Flight Maneuvers and Protocol, catch up on Survival Training, cover Basic Magicka Drive Usage, then…”
What have I gotten myself into? Rainbow thought.
