Commander Briggs looked over a holographic display on the MacAllan II's bridge, viewing the battle below. The IMC forces were falling back, and the Militia Grunts and Pilots were in pursuit. Furthermore, the initial objectives for the operation had been completed. The IMC's comms relay was down, and their turrets were disabled.

Briggs smiled, knowing the element of surprise was completely on the side of the Militia.

"Lt, grab me a Crow." Briggs said. "I'm heading down."

"Roger that!"

As Briggs headed to the hangar, meanwhile the Militia had not only gained the upper han, they had surrounded the remaining IMC Grunts and Spectres inside Ponyville Park.

====

"Surround them!" Daniel ordered from his Titan. "Don't let them escape!"

As the Militia Grunts moved to surround the IMC, Daniel disembarked from his Titan and reloaded his R201. Sliding into cover, he motioned for three Grunts to move up.

Then, the gunfire ceased. Daniel stood up to see several Militia Grunts had the IMC on their knees, disarmed.

"Good work." Daniel said. "Radio our ships in orbit. We've won. Secure the perimeter."

As the Militia Grunts started to cheer, while others rounded up the prisoners, Daniel stopped at a final Crow dropship landing near their position. Commander Briggs disembarked, and the assembled Militia forces snapped to salute.

"Everyone, good work." Briggs said. "The IMC are completely unaware of our position here."

"Now what?" Daniel asked.

"Now, Pilot McKenna?" she replied. "Find the locals. I'm not one for fancy speeches, but I can give it a try."

"Roger that." Daniel said. "Two squads, with me!"

====

As the inhabitants of Ponyville uncovered their ears, they heard something that startled them. The cacophony of battle had ceased, and the IMC forces were nowhere to be seen. As a few ponies unbarred the entrance to Ponyville Town Hall, they murmured amongst themselves.

Then, Twilight and Spike teleported into the main atrium.

"What's happened?" she asked. "The guns...they've stopped."

As they looked around, a sudden trio of knocks on the door startled everypony present. As Twilight opened the door, she was greeted not by an IMC soldier, but something unexpected.

A Pilot. However, this Pilot did not wear the white, gray, or drab blue of the IMC. Instead, he wore brown, black, and a pale orange. As he stepped into the room, he looked around before motioning over his shoulder. Two teams of Grunts, wearing the same colors, filed in.

Then a woman entered. She wore a combat jumpsuit with a vest, and her hair was tied back with a bandanna.

"Stand down, teams." she said. "We're clear."

As Twilight approached, the woman offered her a handshake.

"You're in charge, I presume?" she asked.

"Indeed." Twilight replied. "Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic."

"Sarah Briggs." the woman replied. "Commander of the Marauder Corps and SRS, Frontier Militia fleet."

"Militia?" Twilight asked. "You're not affiliated with the IMC?"

"No." Briggs said. "We've been fighting the IMC for the past four years or so...and winning."

As Briggs walked past a stunned Twilight, she took the podium and spoke to a stunned crowd.

"Greetings." she said. "As I told Princess Twilight, I'm Sarah Briggs. Commander of the Marauder Corps and SRS, of the Frontier Militia fleet."

"For too long, the IMC has devastated the Frontier, polluting and robbing our planets, stealing our resources, and killing us off if we resist them. The Militia seek to combat them, to free the Frontier from the IMC. They call us terrorists, but we are anything but that. We are freedom fighters who want a life free of oppression."

"The Militia seeks not to conquer planets, but to free them." Briggs said. "We have fought long and hard to achieve our goal of freedom for the Frontier. But...we can't do it by ourselves, because it's not solely our fight. This is not our battle alone."

"The IMC may seem powerful, but they are not. They have lost crucial battles, wasted countless lives, and destroyed planets, all for what? What have they given you in return?"

Briggs tightened her grip on the podium.

"Now, it's time to show them true power, true strength. Rise up. Show the IMC that this is not their world for the taking! Show them that they cannot oppress you without consequence! Show them that you can fight!"

"And we'll be with you…Every step of the way." Briggs said proudly as the Militia forces cheered. "Now, who's with us?"

There was silence. Stunned, inspired silence.

Then a single clap echoed through the room, followed by a roar of cheers and applause. As the ponies began to celebrate, Twilight strode forward.

"Commander, we're with you." she said. "Show us the way."

"Gladly." Briggs said, shaking her hoof. "Let's get to work, everyone!"

As Briggs and Twilight thrust their hand and hoof into the air, the ponies cheered once more.

"Lt, this is Briggs." she said into the radio. "Send Crows down with supplies and munitions. We're establishing a base here."

"Roger." the Militia Grunt replied. "Dropships are inbound."

As Briggs, the Militia forces, and Twilight headed outside, the Militia ships began their descent from orbit, filling the sky.

"LIke what you see?" Briggs asked a stunned Twilight.

"I do." Twilight said. "I see freedom for Equestria."

====

As the dropships landed, the Militia grunts stockaded the IMC prisoners in Ponyville Jail, before beginning to distribute supplies and medicine to the starved Ponyville residents. As the crates were passed around, Graves pulled Pilot McKenna and his team aside.

"Great work, Pilots." she said. "However, our battle is just beginning."

"Roger that." Helena replied. "What can we do?"

"Whatever needs done." Briggs said. "I'll remain here to set up our base of operations. McKenna, can I trust you to report to Admiral Graves of our success?"

"Certainly, ma'am." the Pilot replied. "I'll get right to it."

As the Pilot headed off, Briggs smiled to herself, for the first time in a long while. She eventually motioned to the Pilots, and they headed back to Ponyville to rejoin their forces.

Author's Note

Yep, the Equestrians have allied with the Militia. Next time, we'll see the IMC's response.