The Equestrian Synarchy once ruled the world. Her military was strong, her technology leaps and bounds above her rivals, and her feats of engineering were marvels of civilization. Her touch even reached the stars, and a colony was founded on the planet of Auris, light years away. It was to be the crown jewel of Equestria's achievements, a haven for ponies in the vast wilderness of space. There was nothing she couldn't accomplish.

And then she died.

Nearly two hundred winters have passed since Auris received its last transmissions from the home world of Equus. Not yet self-sufficient, the colony collapsed into chaos, lawlessness, and civil war. In the end, any semblance of a functioning society was destroyed, and the colonists scattered to the winds to escape the carnage. Now, their descendants scrape out meager lives, hoping that the dangerous wildlife and local bandit groups will pass them over, unaware of the fate that befell their home world.

And then, one day, a satellite dish perched high atop a mountain received a signal from deep space, and The Silence ended...

First book in a four-part series. All art provided by Ruirik. Editing provided by LoyalLiar and Solidfire.