Endeavor’s Bridge, Twenty Minutes after Briefing
Archer

Dusk had been pacing the bridge for most of the last half hour since ordering the launch of some communications drone. He didn’t say where it was going, but I had a rough idea. He had been pouring over every piece of intelligence that we had on the Storm King… Which, admittedly, wasn’t all that much. But he seemed to know something… I don’t know what, but when Dawn finally arrived with Dart in tow, she seemed to think that it had something to do with his encounter on the dead world with Daybreaker.

“Uh, sirs?” An officer called out. “We’re receiving a transmission from the communications drone.”

“Put it up.” Dusk ordered. When the hologram finally developed my suspicions were proved to be correct. “Ah… The Storm King decided to answer this time.”

The saytr on the other end of the hologram frowned. “Well your robot was rather persistent… So what can I do for the new Crown Prince?”

Dusk shrugged. “Well Barrow, for starters you can tell me why you called off your planned invasion about ten years ago.”

It took me a second to realize what Dusk had called the Storm King. Where’d he get Barrow from? Looking at the Storm King he looked floored, so some part of that must’ve been spot on. “What did you call me?” The King finally asked.

“Well Barrow was your birth name if memory serves.” Dusk admitted. “Believe me when I say that you didn’t as good of a job as you thought when it came to ensuring your history remained secret. But hey, it was a top notch effort.”

“For a pony who until recently hasn’t been in the public eye much, you certainly seem to know quite a lot about me…” The Storm King admitted. “Obviously you don’t care too much about old military plans that were tossed, but you care enough to put in some significant research. Why?”

“Because I want an audience with you in your court.” Dusk replied. “Are you willing to allow me a visit?”

“Of course I am, but on one condition.”

“Before you even ask, yes. I will more than willing to tell you how I learned of your history and your canceled invasion plans.” Dusk admitted.

“Then I think we’ll have quite the fruitful discussion Your Highness…” The Storm King observed. “I look forward to meeting you.”

Immediately on that the transmission cut out. “So who’s going with you?” I asked.

“No one, I need to do this alone.” Dusk replied. “If I show up with an armed fire team, the entire meeting could go sideways.”

Now as much as I agree with the sentiment, going into hostile territory alone is a step off the deep end. Especially when it involves a despot that only Dusk seems to have adequate knowledge of. “Dusk, at least let me have someone go with you as a bodyguard or something.

But for whatever reason Dusk seemed convinced to what he had to do. “Sorry Archer, but I’ve made up my mind. I’m going alone.” Dusk punched a few buttons on the holotable and a comm line opened up. “Flight deck, this is Dusk. Prep a Broadsword for me, I’m going to be wheels up in five.” Obviously I couldn’t stop Dusk from leaving. But as he walked off the bridge, I got a sinking feeling that something rotten was afoot.

Twenty Minutes Later...

“-and the engines haulout is all set. We’re back at one hundred percent General.” Endeavor’s new Captain reported.

“Alright, good to know. Glad you’re settling in well Jellico.” I observed.

“I didn’t really-” The Captain stopped as the doors to the bridge behind me slid open. “-have much… Who the hell are you two?”

Turning around I saw that Dawn and Starswirl had finally arrived. “Hey, glad you two decided to join us.”

“Now’s not the time. Where’s my father?” Dawn asked.

“Uh… He went off to a meeting with the Storm King. He was going to try and get us access to the old Imperium bunker that’s beneath his city.” I replied.

“Oh no…” Dawn muttered. “This is bad. This is very bad!” She protested.

“Why, what’s wrong?” I asked.

“The book that he took copies of the pages from. It’s not an original.” Starswirl replied. “That’s where we were. We were going through the book, and that’s how we found out.”

Wait, the all-important Book of Faust isn’t original? “So what, it’s a forgery?” I asked.

Starswirl shook his head. “No it’s a copy that had a number of pages added. For instance, the maps and references to the bunker under the Capital. Faust made sure to avoid any mentions of the bunker because she didn’t want it compromised.”

“Wait, compromised? What do you mean?” Jellico asked.

“The entrance isn’t collapsed. The entire bunker is inaccessible because it’s isolated in a pocket dimension. That’s how it survived the fall of the Imperium.” Starswirl explained. “That’s also why Dawn here is in her mid twenties, instead of the premature birth that Faust removed a few days ago.”

“Archer, my father can easily get into that bunker. We can’t let that happen.” Dawn implored. “If he does, then there’s nothing to prevent Euripides from reaching Faust and the hundreds of Alicorn artifacts that she’s accumulated.”

From what these two are describing, and judging by how concerned the two of them are I could only draw one conclusion. “It’s not a bunker, at least not anymore. Faust assembled a veritable armory.” Dawn wordlessly nodded, and I slapped the comms to life. “This is General Archer to the Atlas and Illustrious. Prepare for takeoff.”

“Aye General, what’s our heading?” I heard Captain Sandstorm ask.

“Escort duty for Endeavor.” I replied.

“Alright, you all heard the mare. Let's get this bucket airborne!” Jellico yelled as he made for the Captain’s chair.

“Wait, what the hell are you doing? We don’t need to scramble half the fleet!” Starswirl protested.

But whatever his thinking was, the old stallion was wrong as far as I was concerned. “I’m sorry, but if that bunker gets opened before we get there we’ll need every bit of firepower we can muster to try and keep Euripides out of it… And if that doesn’t work we need to be able to destroy the bunker.”

“This is still madness. You’ll be leading most of your forces into a three-way shooting match.” Starswirl pointed out.

By this point I’d made my decision. “Last I checked, war is madness Starswirl. If I’m going to be stuck fighting in one, then I do it on my terms.”

***

The Storm King’s Court, Concurrent to Fleet Deployment
Dusk

Landing the Broadsword in the middle of the plaza at the foot of the Storm King’s palace was bound to draw unwanted attention. The locals stopped their daily activities and started crowding around the fighter, likely not knowing why I was here. But as the Storm King’s massive guards came marching out of the palace flanking the King, the crowd immediately dispersed. “Ah, Prince Dusk. So kind of you to join us!” The Storm King declared as he descended from the entrance to his palace.

“Well thank you for having me.” I replied halfheartedly. “I do apologize for my… Unorthodox manner of requesting to speak with you, Your Excellency, but it was imperative that we spoke.”

“Obviously it was for you to have done as much research as you have…” The King observed. “Now come, walk with me. We have much to discuss.”

Following the ape-like figure up the stairs I noticed that one of his guards seemed to be sizing me up. “I take it that your help hasn’t seen many Equestrians…”

“Aside from their Commander, no they haven’t. And they certainly haven’t seen Equestrian Royalty before...” The Storm King replied.

“Admittedly I’m not so used to it myself.”

“Then why are you here?” The Storm King asked as we reached the top of the stairs. “I have a feeling that you want something…”

“And you would be right.” I admitted. “Now tell me, what do you know about an Alicorn named Euripides?”

The Storm King cocked an eyebrow, seeming intrigued. “Where did you learn that name?”

“Well, apparently that old coot really doesn’t like me or my daughter all that much…
And he’s had his hand in the major crises going back at least a decade.” I replied. “And considering you seem to know who he is, you must know the heritage of your capital.”

“I know it had something to do with the Imperium, at least if the artifacts we’ve accumulated mean anything.” The King replied.

“Well then, I think I know something that we both can benefit from…” I said. “You see, the bunker that the Imperium survivors took shelter in lies under your citadel. They lived there for years and accumulated most, if not all, of the records of the Imperium in that time. Now I need everything I can find on Euripides if I’m going to beat him, and that bunker is the best place to start.”

“But what’s in it for us? This seems rather one sided…”

“All I want is the information on Euripides. I’ll copy it, and then the bunker and its contents are yours.” I countered. “Now… Do we have a deal?”

“Hmm…” The Storm King hummed as we walked into the throne room. “As long as my Commander accompanies you, you’ll have all the access you need to the bunker.”

I nodded as a slight smile crossed my lips. “Thank you Your Highness.”

While I did turn to walk out of the throne room, the Storm King cleared his throat rather loudly, prompting me to turn back to him. “And Dusk? If you’re lying to me… I promise that you’ll never leave here alive.”

***

Meanwhile, on the bridge of HMS Endeavor…
Archer

“Jellico, what’s our status?”

“We’re holding just outside of the Storm King’s territory. Alert fighters are ready to launch on orders, and Marines are standing by for hot deployment.”

I nodded as I glanced at the map suspended in pale blue light over the holotable. “What about comms? Have we been able to raise Dusk at all?”

“I wish…” Jellico sighed. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say that something is jamming communications going into the area.”

“What about radar contacts? Are we seeing anything?”

Jellico shook his head. “Nothing, not even a flicker.”

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a bit worried. While we know that someone tampered with the Book of Faust, that doesn’t mean that Euripides is watching Dusk’s every move… Although admittedly I wouldn’t put it past the alicorn. “Then run a diagnostic on the scanners… I seriously doubt that there’s nothing out there.”

“General, everything is still showing green. Are you sure-”

“Incoming missile!”

BANG!

The deck violently shook against the sudden impact. “Where did that come from?!” I yelled over the dull roar of call to general quarters.

“Bearing was zero, zero, zero. We only detected the missile fifty feet off the bow. So far I don’t know where it launched from!” One of the gunnery officers yelled.

“Give me a volley of rounds on that heading, now!” I could feel the dull thump of a dozen cannons firing off ahead of the Endeavor, and for a few seconds I could see the trail that they left before the glowing rounds vanished. “Can someone tell me where my rounds went?”

“I don’t know sir… They’re just gone!”

“Archer-” Greyscale chimed as his avatar glowed into existence. “I think we can safely assume that we’re facing down a cloaked vessel.”

“And just what’s that supposed to mean?” Jellico asked.

But I put it together rather quickly. “It’s means that whatever it is, it doesn’t have shields up… All batteries, open fire!”

The drumming of point defense guns immediately restarted, and streams of tracers immediately flew forward before disappearing under a now shimmering field easily the length of a frigate. “General, I’ve got sensor contacts! Five large bogies approaching the target area!”

As the ship ahead of us crashed to the ground in flaming death throes, I keyed up the fleet-wide comms. “All points this is Endeavor. Advance to target, launch alert fighters and prepare ground teams for deployment!”

“You hear the mare helm, all ahead at best possible speed.” Jellico ordered as we turned back to the holotable. “Alright Archer, what now?”

“Well I guess it isn’t obvious…” I observed. “Get me Blaze Squad.”

***

Under the Storm King’s Fortress
Dusk

If I had to guess what I’d be looking for, I probably would’ve wagered a collapsed tunnel of some sort in the middle of some cave system. Yet the bowels of the Storm King’s seat of power were not only clean, but they were very well built. Following the map however led my escort and I to a solid concrete wall.

“So much for your bunker…” Tempest chided.

I shook my head and rapped my knuckle against the wall. “That doesn’t feel right…”

“What do mean?”

I gestured for the mare to feel the wall for herself. “That doesn’t feel like concrete, does it?”

Tempest obliged and grew a quizzical expression across her face the moment her hand made contact with the wall. “You’re right, it doesn’t… Almost feels like some sort of clay or putty. What could do that?”

“I don’t know, but I think you spoke too soon.” I said as I ran my fingers over the section of wall, feeling out a distinct border between the hard and gritty concrete and the smooth texture of whatever it is we were examining.

“What do you mean? We still don’t know if this is actually the way into this bunker of yours.”

I nodded. “True, but we’re definitely on to something…” I quickly fished a pad and scanner out of the inside pocket of my jacket and flicked them both on. “Whatever this stuff is, this scanner is saying that there’s nothing there… It has to be some sort of illusion spell.”

“But an illusion wouldn’t be solid.” Tempest replied.

“We’re dealing a civilization far more advanced than anything on Equis right now, so I’d wager it’s a possibility… But we break it the same way. Feel around for the center of the matrix and split it.”

Off to the side I could see Tempest roll her eyes. “And just how do you plan on doing that?”

I shrugged. “With your help Fizz. Come on, put your-”

“What did you call me?”

It took me a second, but I realized what I called Tempest. “I called you Fizz.” I said, steeling my nerves against what could readily dive into dangerous territory. “You know, short for Fizzlepop Berrytwist? Your real name? Am I ringing any bells here or am I just making you want to stuff a knife in my throat?”

“I… How?” Tempest asked, suddenly looking rather frightened.

Well it’s pretty clear I’m not getting stabbed, so I grabbed the mare’s right hand tightly. “Look, I just threw you for a hell of a loop. But I know you Fizz. Right now you’re wondering how the hell I think you have the capacity to deal with complex magic like this when all you’ve dealt with for years is brute force… Well just look at this as another brute force application and you’ll do just fine.”

Tempest was quiet for a moment before she finally seemed to make up her mind. “You’re definitely a bit south of normal.”

“I hear it’s one of my endearing qualities.” I replied as I placed my hand on the wall. “Now come on, follow my lead.”Once Tempest had her hand on the wall, it started glowing pale blue in concert with the golden glow of mine.

Breaking a spell can be done in two ways. Either casting a second spell to deactivate the matrix, or simply breaking the matrix. Without knowing what that second spell is, breaking the matrix will have to do. With an illusion, searching for the matrix is a matter of feeling around the illusion until you feel the charge of magic you’re using start to drain, at which point you’ve found the matrix as it’s recharging itself on the magic you use to find it. Once found, you pour raw magic into the matrix until it fails, as it can only absorb so much magical energy.

What readily worried me is how quickly the two of us found the matrix, easily a circle one foot across towards the center of what was the likely entrance to the bunker. “Why the hell is it so big?” This should just be a tunnel entrance…”

“What’s that mean? I’m a bit rusty on my illusion spells.” Tempest pointed out.

“It means we’re talking about a spell a hell of a lot larger than you need to hide the bunker entrance… Step back Fizz, you’ll burn yourself out trying to bust this open.”

As the mare stepped back and out of sight, I tossed my instruments to the ground and placed the now free hand on the spell matrix. Then I cut loose, putting as much raw energy into the matrix as I could. The wall began to flicker yellow very quickly, and I started feeling waves of heat wash over my face with every pulse before finally-

CRACK!

The matrix broke, dissolving immediately to reveal a grey metal sliding door. “Well I didn’t see this coming…”

“I thought you said that the bunker entry was a tunnel.”

“I did.” I said to Tempest as the door slid open. “Come on, let's take a look.”

Walking through the door was like stepping forward in time. We were in a large chamber, with screens lining the far wall. Along the floor were dozens of computer panels and display cases loaded with contents so spotless I would’ve thought they were brand new.

“Dusk, look at this.” Tempest said, pointing out a display case off to our left. “It says ‘Artifact Recovered from Aszod Shipyard, Human Calendar May 4, 2554”

In the case was a battered Mjoinir helmet of some sort, with a shattered visor and burn marks on nearly every surface. “That was Spartan’s helmet… But what the hell is that doing in here? And how is it here? This bunker has been sealed for millennia and Reach fell almost twenty years ago.”

“Ya… Tell that to tall, dark and brooding.” Tempest said, gesturing to a massive case on the wall directly behind the case.

“Holy shit…” The case that Tempest pointed out was massive, and held the familiar shape of one of the power-armor equipped super soldiers that served Humanity. The plaque read ‘Spartan S-052. Listed missing during Fall of Reach. Recovered from deep space debris field August 15, 2552 in critical condition. In maintained stasis for enactment of Resurgence Contingency.’

“What the hell is going on here?” Tempest asked. “Artifacts from a planet that was razed decades ago, a dead soldier, and from the looks of it a lot of rather modern weapons? I thought this was an Alicorn Imperium bunker.”

“It is.” A female voice bellowed out. It’s source stood, a red-maned Alicorn at the head of the room beneath the monitors. “And congratulations Dusk, you’ve royally fucked up this time.”

Author's Note

And there we have it. FINALLY got around to editing another chapter. WOO! Took me long enough. Anyway, enjoy away, I'll get to editing the next chapter sometime this weekend.

Anyone got questions? Like what you're seeing so far? Hell, maybe have some gripes? There's a comment section and the Mirrorverse Codex. Read and comment away, because I want to hear from you fellow denizens of this corner of the internet. Until next time gang!
-Striker