Aces In Exile

**Chapter Ten:

Heroes welcome**

"Touchdown in three, two, one. Landing complete, setting engine output to idle." The pilot called off. "Good work, have the boarding ramps lowered and have medical prep the injured for transport." Artemis ordered his officers. "Aye sir!" They all responded.

"Captain, accompany me please." He requested as he headed for the elevator. "Yes sir." Leona answered as she entered with him.

"So what's on your mind Leona?" Artemis asked as they descended. "Well sir, I kind of think you accepted their request a little too readily."

Leona voiced her concern. "Ah yes, I thought so. Do you know why I accepted to lend aid so quickly?" He asked his second in command.

"No sir." Leona told him. "Simple, innocent lives were at stake. This ship was built to protect others, and as long as I live it will continue to do just that captain." Artemis informed her as they stepped out of the elevator and headed for one of the boarding ramps to oversee the disembarking of the ambassadors and minotaurs.

Down on the ground, royal guards as well as doctors from both Canterlot and Ponyville had arrived to assist in directing the rescued ambassadors and warriors. Carriages had already arrived to take the few who were injured to hospitals for proper care by doctors with knowledge of their anatomy. "Alright, let's get the more heavily wounded out of here first." Ordered one of the ponies as the patients were loaded up to be taken away. As Artemis and Leona found their way outside, they were greeted with salutes from members of the crew and the many thanks of minotaur soldiers and the ambassadors.

"Commander, it is good to meet you. I am honor guard lieutenant Steel Fist." Greeted the leader of the minotaur troops as they shook hands.

"You have my gratitude for our rescue commander. Both you and your crew are forever in our dept." Steel Fist continued as he bowed slightly.

"Thank you lieutenant, you are very welcome, but let us save the formalities for another time. Your people need you right now."

The commander returned the bow as Steel Fist nodded and returned to his men.

As the last of the injured were taken away, more carriages arrived to take the ambassadors to Canterlot castle, from where talks would be brought underway to decide what should be done about the rebellion. The minotaur guards who were left behind were offered temporary bunks at the royal guards barracks at twilight's castle in Ponyville.

Asterion capital:

"You mean to tell me, that you stupid fools just let every last one of them just.... fly away?" And outraged Iron Heart questioned the commanders in charge of the embassy siege. "M-my lord, there was nothing we could do, their weapons were far superior to ours. We couldn't even get close t..." The commander who spoke up never got to finish his explanation as a broadsword was rammed into his throat.

"Are there any other excuses?" Iron Heart asked as he slowly removed his blade from the unfortunate victim's throat, allowing him to drop to his kneed before slumping over. The rest of them just shook their heads in terror. "Good. Though this is bothersome, but nevertheless it makes no difference. My empire shall rise in the end, and those fools who stand in my way shall be swept aside."

He said as he cleaned his blade, while outside the window, scores of dragons flew through the skies. 'Soon, all of the lands shall belong to me.'

Ponyville that evening:

Even though trouble could be seen on the horizon, there was a great celebration inside one particular tavern. Many of the pilots and crew of the Pride, along with a few of the minotaur guards, celebrated the first successful combat mission of both the ship and it's squadron.

Among them, all of the pilots of Red, Blue, Green and Runner flights as they retold the tale of their exploits over the city to all who would listen. Of them, the members of Blue flight were the toast of the celebrations, being the first flight to score the squadron's first air to air kills.

"So there we are as we come out of our dive, perfect broadside shot, the lieutenant gives the order and BOOM! Down they go, biggest fireballs I'd ever seen!" Lynne told the others excitedly while using her hands as a visual aid. Her tale being met with great cheers from all of the others and the sounds of tankards and glasses coming together.

Over at the bar, the owner smiled as everyone celebrated. Once again his establishment was seeing record business with both the humans and now on top of that the minotaurs. If things kept up, he would have to close early because of running out of drinks to serve.

As he served more drinks to his patrons, he listened to the bar's radio behind the counter, which was nearly being drowned out by his customers. Though not drowned out enough that he missed the start of the news announcement being broadcast. Quickly turning it up he called for everyone to settle down so that everyone could hear.

From the radio, they could hear the voice of princess Celestia as she addressed the entire country.

"My faithful subjects, for many centuries Equestria has enjoyed a great era of peace. And for just as long have my sister and I worked hard to maintain it, so that each and every one of you, could live your lives without fear. Thus it pains me greatly to admit, that this era of peace is soon to come to an end. Today, in the nation of Asterion, a coup was launched which has resulted in the deaths of the members of their council of elders, leaving the country under the rule of a tyrant by the name of Iron Heart.

My fellow citizens of Equestria, for a good part of this day, we have been in council with the ambassadors who have been rescued from the Asterion capital embassy as it fell to the rebel forces, and a decision has been made towards the matter at hoof."

There was a long pause as everyone around the country who was nearby to a radio murmured to each other about what this could mean before Celestia's voice returned.

"My dearest ponies, as of this moment, the great nation of Equestria, is once again at war."