Author's Note

Spoilers for those who haven't read most of or even heard of the Starlight series by Arad (Which I cannot recommend you read enough. In fact, if you like stories about XCOM and ponies than leave to check him out right now):

Yes, the intro to this story is an obvious spoof of the starlight series with the names of the characters slightly changed to avoid copying and spoiling, and the exaggerations of the characters are purely for emphasis; I hold a very high respect for Stardust as it inspired me to write this story.

Here are some other answers to possible questions:

"How is the intro important to the current state of the story?"
My idea was to further drive the point home that this story was about XCOM and to lightly sprinkle this chapter with foreshadowing of events that actually relate to XCOM

"Is the intro functional without prior knowledge of the Stardust series?"
I assume so, as to the unknowing reader it should look like an elaborate intro with the same reasoning as to its relevance to the story.

"Will this be a clone to Stardust?"
I hope not, but some parts may be pretty close to it, and not just through spoofs

"Will there be cursing or lewd language?"
Obviously

"Are you allowed to reference Arad's work without his permission?"
Probably not

"Do you care if you aren't?"
Probably not

Thank you for reading, and don't expect any updates to come soon after this as I'm just starting, that is if you are even interested in this fiction.

Chapter 1

Red lights bathed one of the many narrow hallways twisting all around the subterranean lair that was the other-worldly ACOM facility. It was these red lights that were all Captain Mart Harold could think about as he ran down the corridor with his squad members—well, that what he would be think if he could over the head splitting alarms. But it wasn't the just the warning sirens, it was another instance of perpetual brooding that plagued his mind; a brood that only a most awesome, most hard-boiled captain such as himself could brood, as awesome and important captains often do. This brooding that not even the loudest of alarms could completely vanquish from his thoughts, was shockingly stirred by the faintest arousing of a nearby subordinate. Although such a feat was nearly impossible, if not highly incapable of any living creature, this wasn't just any creature that stirred him. It was the alicorn, Princess Dusk Shine of Equestria, Mart's loyal companion who he single-handedly saved from the alien Invaders.

From the second their eyes met, they fell madly in love, but would never admit such feelings to each other or their peers as it would jeopardize their placements in the project and offend the other rulers of Equestria. But in this time of great danger, Mart could see the fear in her eyes, the shaking of her voice, the only voice that could have distracted him from his hard-boiled brooding. The insatiable need to comfort her overtook his imposing alien composure, but before he could reach out and hold her tight, a pluton crashed through a passing door on the right, finally striking after stalking them. The ambush was followed by the firing of Mart's weapon, a heavy lightning rifle. Ignoring Mart's assault, the pluton, now realized as the charging class, ran right through the hail of bullets with little hindrance and even deflected some of the fire back at Mart's squad, killing the few that did not flee from the beginning of the attack.

With his quick thinking, Mart overturned his weapon to bare a bayonet outfitted below the barrel of the rifle. Hitting a chink in the pluton's armor, his strike cleanly decapitated the offender, dropping the body to the floor instantly. Mart turned to face his squad only to find that the remaining had been slain, save for Dusk who had barely survived a near fatal blow to the flank, crippling her. He rushed to her, catching her in his strong, minotaur like arms as she tried (and failed) to stand. her breath hastened as the pain of her legs subsided at the increase of adrenaline. Mart could feel her heart heave in her chest as she trembled in his arms. Clutching her closer still, he reached up a hand to stroke her mane, a comforting gesture to the pained mare. Her deep violet eyes welled with tears of pain and emotion as they bored into his.

"BASE DETONATION IN TEE MINUS 5" screamed the speakers along the corridor walls

He leaned towards her face-

"4"

"Dusk" He whispered-

"3"

"Mart" she echoed-

"2"

Their eyes closed-

"1"

"SPIIIIIIIIIIIIIKE!!!" called Twilight from downstairs.

"C- coming Twilight!" stuttered a very flustered Spike. He was just about to reach a heavy climax in the new comic series he was reading. It was the first issue of the ACOM: Alien Allies series that Twilight picked up for him on her trip to Manehatten to meet with the city council. Apparently, one of the comic industries in the area took to the new sci-fi genre that was on the rise of popularity. Twilight told him that the comic would be aired a few months from now and he would get to read it before anyone else. You sure have a way with ponies he thought as he remembered when she said it was a gift for buying so many of the other comics in the past. Of course, he knew that wasn't the only reason, the CEO of the corporation must have known she was an avid reader and hoped to gain attention from her purchase. After all, who could resist a product that a princess had read?

Even though she ultimately intended to give the comic to him anyways, he was grateful that she went through so much to get it for him. With all the nagging and demands everypony throws her way, her recent change in status quo had really put a number on her; gone were the days of privacy as the constant legal and regal responsibilities drew so much attention to her with relentless reporters, and even more so paparazzi. Getting back to those responsibilities, it would be an understatement to say they were crushing her. One time, she received so many letters and forms at once that she was literally buried in late paperwork.

With this juxtaposition from the quaint, slow task of a librarian to a big time, ruler of Equestria, her life was completely consumed by the sheer size of it all, and her free time was merely an appetizer. The fact that she can still find time for Spike was a great appreciation on his part. I really should make it up to her a some point he thought as he rubbed the length of the book's spine. As hard as she tries to keep up with this job, it's still too much. She's already earned my respect by being my parent, but doubly so as a peer for her unyielding determination to keep up with the pressure.

He jumped off of his bed and looked at the floor boards on the stairs, thinking of something- ANYTHING, he could do to show his gratitude. His eyes strayed to the deflated balloon in the corner from Twilight's coronation a few months ago—the after party Pinkie threw at the library. Wait a minute. Spike reached an epiphany, I'll talk to Pinkie about throwing another party! One celebrating her accomplishments as a princess so far! There will be friends! Games! Food! Gifts! He paused for a second. And I know just what to get her!

Spike tossed his book back on his bed and made a mental note to talk to Pinkie about a party for Twilight. With a happy little plan formed in his head, he practically floated down the stairs to meet twilight, beaming all the way down.