Star Ponies

Back on Earth while the griffons were being debriefed the crew of the Wonderbolt indulged themselves in the hobbies they enjoyed. Rarity visited in a tailor’s shop she founded and assisted in designing and creating Confederation uniforms and off duty outfits. Pinkie visited with her old baker friend and together they created some of the most delicious confections. Fluttershy went to visit an animal shelter and helped with sick and injured pets. Applejack visited her family cider production factory and assisted in quality control. Twilight visited the department of science and magic and talked to the students about the importance of study. Rainbow Dash visited the pegasi daredevil school to assist in skydiving classes. Each of them found joy in their various crafts even if it was only for a few days. On the last day as dusk fell each of them went outside and stared up into the sky each one thinking of the other 5 and how they were doing. When they went home they all had a message waiting for them it was from admiral Celestia requesting meeting the next day at 09:30 hrs.

The next day they met with Celestia who told them “the Griffins have disclosed the location of Nightmare Moon she is on the planet Koros. I want you to take the Wonderbolt there and see if this is true during the debriefing a special device was placed on your ship it’s a prototype interface device built into the shield generator. When activated it creates a time phase displacement that puts the ship slightly out of phase with space time. In essence you will be invisible. I should caution you while the displacement shield is active your shields will be non-active.” She smiled and said “it should not be a problem unless they scan you with an anti-lepton particle beam good luck if you are ready I will teleport you to your ship”

They all nodded as Celestia’s horn began to glow and in a flash the crew was on the bridge of the Wonderbolt.

As every pony took their stations Twilight said “Apple Bloom set course for Koros velocity 7.2”

Apple Bloom pressed a few buttons the ships wings extended folded back 45° and the ship was underway she said “course set, time to arrival 14.6 hrs.”

Twilight nodded. When they arrived in the Korosian system Twilight said “activate the displacement shield.” Applejack pressed a few buttons and the ship faded out of space time.

Fluttershy said “I found the planet Koros it’s the 5th planet in a system of 8.” Then she looked at her console and said softly “oh my, the 5th planet is surrounded by a very powerful magic field and there are Vol-Ponika ships patrolling the area.

Twilight said “on viewer.”

The screen lite up and 5 star shaped ships passed by them as the ships continued on their course.

Rainbow said “good they didn’t see us set course for Koros.”

As they approached the planet they saw it was surrounded by a blue green aura Twilight thought the shield looked familiar it resembled one of Shining Armors protection spells. The difference with this one was it was much stronger.

Fluttershy said “um Capitan I’m picking up a magic amplifier on the surface."

Applejack said “confirmed there is no way our weapons can penetrate that shield.”

Rainbow said “bridge to engineering.”

A voice replied “chief engineer Big Mac here.”

Rainbow said “Cmdr. we require your assistance on the bridge.”

Big Mac said “I’m on my way.”

Several minutes later the lift doors opened and a red stallion with blonde hair and a green cut apple cutie mark emerged. He said “chief engineer Big Mac reporting.”

Twilight said “commander see if you can find a weakness in that protection shield."

He went to a console and said “transfer engineering controls to bridge."

He pressed a few buttons and looked at the screen then turned to face the crew. “The amplifier can be overloaded and the shield broken. But it will take a blast of energy greater than our weapons can produce.”

Just then an alarm went off Mac went to his station. He pressed a few buttons and said “we have to leave now the displacement module is overloading. If we don’t leave in the next 5 minutes it will overload the shield generator relays and our shields will be inoperative.”

Both Twilight and Rainbow nodded and Twilight said “Apple Bloom take us back to Earth velocity 7 as soon as were clear of the system disengage the displacement shields.”

Apple Bloom pressed a few buttons and the ships wings extended and accelerated.

At the same time on Zaqar Chrysalis is looking over the schematics Mandamar gave her. She slowly came to the realization that this new form of propulsion could potentially render current means of travel obsolete overnight. She thought with this means of travel I could spread my empire across the galaxy.

She summoned her top scientists and engineers and gave them the schematics and said “I want you to build this engine.”

Later that day in the research and development facility a meeting was held to evaluate the feasibility of the project. The lead scientist addressed the group he said “greetings I am Dorgar as you are all aware we have been commissioned to construct a new type of engine. One that uses a means of propulsion that will render all current forms of propulsion obsolete.”

He then showed the schematics and what it could do after making the presentation he asked “any questions?

One of the scientists who had some reservations about the project raised a hoof Dorgar said “yes Nackbar?”

Standing up Nackbar said “is this really possible? We are being asked to in essence construct a faster than light propulsion system when noting can go faster than light.”

Dorgar replied “yes you are right light speed cannot be exceeded but it can be circumvented. A ship with this engine does not actually move the engines create a field that distorts the space around it. Causing the space in front to expand and the back to compress this pushes the ship forward just reverse the compression to slow down. Computer simulations predict since the ship is not traveling through the fabric of space rather the fabric of space is moving around the ship. Therefore there is no limit to how fast it can go an inertial inhibiting field that surrounds the ship protects the crew” looking over the group he says “any other questions?”

Another scientist raised a hoof and asked “what is the power source?”

Dorgar replied “the engines power source is separate from the ship. Anti-matter powers the ships systems but the engine is powered by dark energy, according to the schematics” then zoomed in on the section that described the fuel. “The universe is made of 80% dark energy using the collector.” Imposing a picture of the engine over an imperial cruiser pointing to a square in the center of the aft section “here is the collector.” The anti-matter system is used to initiate the collector once it is activated it absorbs the dark energy and powers the engine. He then looked at the schematics and said with a smile “we can adapt this to our ships. It would save us months or even years of construction I want each of you to adapt this to a cruiser. Now if there are no more questions you’re dismissed.”

As the group dispersed Dorgar smiled thinking this technical revolution is going to place the empire so far in advance of our enemies. Just then a communication came through snapping him pout of his daydream. Slightly annoyed he went to a console and pressed a button and Chrysalis appeared on the screen.

He bowed reverently “greetings my queen what can I do for you?”

Chrysalis said “what have you found about those technical engine schematics?”

Dorgar replied “good news my queen we can adapt them to our cruisers.”

Chrysalis smiled “very good how long will it take?”

Dorgar replied “not long a few days”

Chrysalis said “very good I just received a message from Kosmaras Zana Discord has almost fully recovered and had requested our support on the planet Koros.” Our spies in the Confederation have said they are planning an attack soon and we are to provide support.”

Dorgar smiled “we will be ready” the screen went blank.

Meanwhile on Voltor news of the loss of not only a ship and crew but that a secret agreement with Kosmas Menses has reached without the chancellor’s knowledge. When Gilda found this out she was less than pleased.

She summoned the chief military officer general Ornicondira she asked him “why was I not privy to this secret agreement?”

Ornicondira replied “my apologies your Excellency we were going to disclose the information once the agreement was established. But after the loss of a battle cruiser to Vol-Ponika ships we could not take that chance.”

Gilda said nothing at first then said “you know all military operations are to be approved by me right? Ornicondira nodded.

Gilda smiled and said with a wicked overtone “if you tell me everything you have done, I may spare you from gladiatorial combat or maybe throw you into a Krakadon pit.”

He cringed at the thought thinking to an event several months ago. A condemned prisoner was placed in a Krakadon pit. A hole several meters deep with a pool of water and some land surrounding the pool of water. The victim was thrown into the pit and the monster would come up extend its tentacles and drag them to their doom. The image of the monster gave him nightmares it was a creature with 10 arms on its back and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. The eyes were the most frightening feature large and black, giving it an advantage seeing in the dark. He shook his head and told Gilda everything about the arrangements and how failure was not an option.

Gilda thought for a moment then said “I am not going to place you in the arena” Ornicondira felt a sense of relief Gilda instead decreed “you are hereby exiled form Voltor forever.”

He asked what about my family?”

Gilda replied “they are not however, if you wish to remain a family I suggest you take them with you the choice is yours.”

Ornicondira bowed and left the chancellery Gilda went to a communication console and sent an encrypted message to an old friend. Back on Earth the computer wakes up a sleeping cyan pegasus with a lights and sounds.

Rainbow looked at the clock and said “computer what’s with the alarms its 0:800 hrs.?”

The computer replied “Cmdr. Dash there is an encrypted message designated priority urgent from Voltor.”

Rainbow arched an eyebrow send it through to this terminal.”

The computer said “voice authorization code.”

Rainbow said “Rainbow Dash 20% cooler.”

The computer said “authorization confirmed.”

The symbol of the Equestrian Confederation appeared then a familiar face appeared on the screen.

Rainbow said “hey Gilda what’s up?”

Gilda said “hi rainbow we need to talk I can’t discuss it over communications channels meet me in the Syreenian system.”

Rainbow nodded the screen went blank not sure what to think of the situation she thought this is a great way to spend leave. She flew to a ship rental place and procured a ship with velocity drive that only required a single pilot. After she entered orbit she set course for the Syreenian system when she arrived, there on the other side of the no travel zone was a Griffon thunderbird.

She opened a channel Gilda said “I’m glad you could come meet me on the planet Syreen."

Still not sure what was going on they both landed on the devastated planet as they both stepped out.

Rainbow said “ok now what is so important you had to disrupt my leave time to drag me all the way out here?”

Gilda said “I can assure you this is very important.”

She then told rainbow what Ornicondira told her.

Rainbow sat down and said “come with me to station Equestria as my personal guest and tell this to the Confederation’s leaders."

Gilda reluctantly agreed as they boarded their ships and departed for the station. Once they arrived rainbow contacted the 3 admirals and asked them to come to the station in orbit.

Rainbow said “I have a very special guest an old friend from a long time ago with very important information.”

They came to the station and went to the guest quarters the door opened and they entered the room. Rainbow asked they all sit down they did.

Rainbow said “ok you can come out.”

Gilda slowly emerged from one of the sleeping rooms all 3 admirals looked at each other then at Rainbow she said “Gilda meet Admiral Celestia, Luna and vice admiral Cadence. Admirals this is Gilda an old friend from before the Griffon Confederation rift she has some rather shocking information.”

Celestia said “welcome what is it you wish to disclose to us?”

Gilda told them the story she told Rainbow the 3 sat there in amazement then Cadence said “if the one you call Kosmas Menses has terminated the alliance with you then it means she has more than likely allied with the Changelings.”

Celestia said “it seems we have a common enemy we ask that you join us.”

Gilda said “alright” then looked at Rainbow and continued “I would hate for Voltor to be the chaos capital of the universe.”

Rainbow just smiled. Gilda continued “yes we share a common enemy one that threatens everything we hold sacred and dear. For this reason I am willing to put our differences aside and fight along with you.”

Celestia said with a smile “we have 3 Griffins who were rescued by the Wonderbolt. They came here seeking asylum if you wish for them to return to Voltor they can.”

Gilda arched an eyebrow “I was told there were no survivors” she nodded “very well we will join you against Kosmas Menses.” Every pony in the room nodded Gilda smiled.

Celestia said “we will arrange for you to meet the 3 refugees and after you leave we will rally our ships let us know when you are ready” Gilda nodded.

At the same time on the planet Koros Nightmare Moon is preparing the Vol-Ponika army when Discord comes into the room he has a smile on his face “I have recovered and now it’s time to have some fun.”

Nightmare Moon said with a smile “excellent news my lord I am positioning the soldiers across the planet in case anyone should be foolish enough to attack.”

Discord said with a wicked grin “I have an idea place a few on the surface and put up a some intermittent holes in the magic shield but they’re not really holes just illusions.”

Nightmare Moon smiled and said “yes they will crash into the shield and bounce off sending them tumbling.”

Discord chuckled “oh the looks on their faces.”

Nightmare Moon grinned wickedly. Then she turned a console and pressed a button and a cover slide horizontally to the left and a microphone rose up. She pressed another button and said “attention Vol-Ponika prepare for battle alpha squad proceed to the surface. Beta squad protect the magic amplifier delta squad proceed to your ships and await further instructions.”

The cyber-ponies went to their assigned locations and awaited further instructions. Nightmare moon’s horn glowed as she modified the magic bubble giving it the illusion of holes that appear in random places for short periods of time.

Just then a message light began blinking on the console Nightmare Moon pressed a button and Chrysalis appeared on the screen she said “I have ships on their way they will arrive soon.”

Nightmare Moon said “let me know then they arrive so I can cast an anti-chaos spell on them.” Chrysalis nodded and the screen went blank. Her horn lite up and she cast a bluish light straight upwards it enveloped all the cyber-pony ships. Then descended to the surface to cover all the others turning to discord she nodded “all Vol-Ponika are protected."

He smiled and curved his fingers and placed his hands close together. A blue green sphere appeared and radiated outwards it soon engulfed the entire planet and all laws of physics began to break down. First the sky turned green, red, polka dot even plaid he grinned as multi colored rain fell upwards and sometimes sideways or even wavy.

The ground seemed to rise and fall and at times even spin around he said with a smile “this is only the beginning.”

Nightmare Moon turned her own off the anti-chaos magic and see the effects of the chaos turning it back on she smiled wickedly and thought this should confuse anyone who dares to come here.

Just then Chrysalis contacted Nightmare Moon she said “my armies have arrived” Nightmare Moon said “prepare to receive the anti-chaos spell.”

Her horn glowed and she enveloped the ships in a blueish aura she then opened a small hole in the magic shield.

Chrysalis said “alpha fleet stay in orbit and patrol the system with the Vol-Ponika delta fleet come with me to the surface.” The ships landed and as they exited the ships they could not see the chaos going. Then Nightmare Moon showed them what was going on Chrysalis thought someone has been busy.

She went to the base and met Discord and said “the armies are in place.”

Discord came out of the shadows and said “you have done well just think any who refuse to follow us will be just like what you saw outside” Chrysalis smiled wickedly.