The Resoluteby Lucky424ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 1The port city of Baltimare, which had always been busy being Equestria’s largest shipping port, had changed drastically in the last ten years. Any pony who hadn’t been there in that long would be shocked to see it now, for the city’s footprint now straddled the coast for a hundred miles. The country, and world at a whole, had an explosion of technology during the last half century, bringing forth fleets of airships that rendered the ocean going passenger and cargo ships obsolete, though quite a few ponies still preferred to use them. It was from a hill a few miles outside of the city a young stallion looked over the hustle and bustle, giving a sigh. All he carried was a single duffel bag, filled with his belongings from before he joined the ERAF, a few bits from his service... and a few he should have left behind. Picking it up, he began his trek down the mountain, which would take several hours on its own; he’d have gotten the train, but all he had left was a few half crowns, the rest of his money having been spent on his last meal... Two days ago. A few long hours later, he stumbled his way through the outskirts of the city, where, as expected, the homes and businesses were not as glamorous as those further in; they weren’t quite slums, but nothing to write home about, that’s for sure. The ponies here gave him inquisitive looks, but kept to themselves, sliding in and out of each other's’ way as they went about their tasks for the day. The stallion quickly managed to match their movements, something he’d learnt to do years ago, slipping his way through. Mentally recalling the one map he’d seen of the city, he guessed he was barely a quarter of the way to the coast, meaning he’d still have to be wary until he was in a more... affluent area, because, as everypony knows, a city of this size would certainly have a criminal element... and now the stares were more threatening. His wings twitched as he sensed somepony nearby, and he glanced over his shoulder to find he was alone. Furrowing his brow, he went to continue on his way when he came face to face with a pony covered from head to toe in black, except for the eyes, the unfriendly orange orbs glowering. He felt a sharp pain in his side and winced, realising he’d just been stabbed. The knife was pulled out and his duffel bag snatched, as he slumped against a wall, sliding down it and leaving a trail of crimson down the grey brick. The last thing he saw before his vision faded was several of Baltimore’s guard chasing the assailant down a side street, whilst one spoke to him, but it just came through as a muffled hum. Batlimare’s East Hospital was not the most elegant looking place, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was due for demolition, due to the fact it looked abandoned and several walls were already falling down. The establishment didn’t receive many supplies either, being well known for treating victims of crime and sometimes the criminals themselves. It could do a pretty good patch job in an emergency, but the patient would always need to visit another location for proper treatment. Today was a pretty dull day, mostly check ups, and one little colt who’d gotten into a scrape at school, who was being seen to by the on duty nurse. “Now then,” she said, having already cleaned the cut on the colt’s arm. “How would you like the stitching? Standard, or something cool, like a Wonderbolts lightning bolt?” The colt made a face, which cause the mare to giggle. “Not a fan, huh? Okay, standard it is.” She hummed lightly as she worked, and a few minutes later was waving the colt off, watching him run out of the garden in front of the hospital and past the low wall. Once he was out of sight she sighed and went to head back in, but stopped when her ears twitched, as he heard the sound of a voice she knew. Turning back to the garden, she saw several of the guards running in, the one at the front being a squad leader she had thrown out of the building a few dozen times for worrying her patients. Her first instinct was to shut the door and lock them out, but she took a moment to look at the rushing group, seeing the stretcher between them. Instead of blocking their entrance, she held the door open for them, eyeing over the casualty as they passed. “Room three, now!” She instructed, the guards knowing exactly where to go, and she turned to the squad leader. “What happened?” “Poor colt just got to town, can’t be more than twenty five. Got stabbed by our friend The Ninja.” The guard sighed, sitting down. “Almost caught him but... we want one to at least make it. Please, save him?” The nurse smiled and patted the guard on the shoulder, then stepped in, heading to the room where she’d sent the others. Another nurse was already present and had hooked the casualty up to the standard monitoring devices. “Pulse is weak and breathing slow, but no signs of any infection.” “None at all?” The head nurse asked, more to herself than the room. But The Ninja uses a poison blade. We can treat the physical wound, but that always gets them in a few hours... Cutting the thought off, she quickly scrubbed up and made her way over to the table, finally getting a proper look. “It... the knife didn’t go in all the way! Quick, let’s get this sealed up!” Her, and several other staffs’, horns glowed, medical equipment floating into place. They worked quickly, starting at the deepest point and sealing the ruptures. The nurse looked at where he’d been stabbed and realised how fortunate he was, for a centimetre to the left and the colt would only have had one kidney. Soon, all ruptures were stitched up and dressing laid on the outer layer, and the team eased him onto his back. It was then the head nurse got a good look at his clothing and knew why the knife hadn’t gone in all the way; it was partially armoured. “Get him to room fourteen immediately. And call the guard back.” She had recognised that uniform, and the entire country was to report any sightings to the highest authorities in the area. The insignia on the chest plate confirmed it. This colt was from a particular squadron, he was the only one left... and wanted by the crown for punching one of the royal sisters square in the face two months ago. Chapter 2“WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?” The few ponies in the cargo hold of a docked airship watched as the captain backhanded a pony hard, knocking them to the floor. The large pegasus mare towered over the pony on the deck, glaring down at them, holding a bounty note. “I gave you free run of this city to help fund us, not attack a member of the Goddess damned Royal Guard!” She pointed to a duffel bag to the side, a tag on it giving name, rank, and service number of the owner. “I didn’t know!” replied the pony, who took their black hood down to reveal a zebra mare, who wiped her lip to see if it was bleeding. “He wasn’t wearing any armour I recognised, and besides...” She stood up, meeting the captain’s gaze defiantly. “...he should be dead by now.” Sighing, the captain turned towards the stairs at one end, looking over her shoulder. “Z’naja... you have one chance. You find where he is, and if he’s dead, fine. But if he’s alive... you get him back here so we can sort this out.” She started walking away, but stopped when she heard the response. “I thought we were criminals anyway.” Z’naja pulled her hood back over her head, then sprinted off for the open access hatch on the port side, past the ponies loading the ship. The rest of the crew quickly returned to their tasks, lest they get smacked around by the captain themselves. Mindful Behaviour watched with a scowl as several boxes were set down on the delivery bay of the hospital. She held a clipboard and pen, checking the crates against the manifest as well as scanning each one with her magic. It was that she didn’t trust these ponies, it was that she didn’t trust the whole supply chain. That, and these weren’t exactly legal supplies. “So, captain says we’ll be doing another run next month, but after that the ship’s gonna need some time in dock, meaning we won’t be able to help,” said one of the ponies carrying the items. He smirked as he looked over the mare, sliding his hand up her arm. “We could use a mare like you on board, especially with how I heard your bedside manner is...” The mare glanced at the arm briefly before returning her gaze to the crates, her magic now taking his appendage off of her. “A nurse or doctor is not the kind of pony you want to annoy. We know how to heal you... but we also know how to really injure you.” The stallion swallowed nervously before stepping back. “I was just joking with ya, no harm intended!” Checking on his compatriots, he saw they were finished, nodding at them that is was time to leave. As he turned, he saw a figure in black running into the yard. “Z’naja? The hell are you doing here?” She said nothing as she jumped at the nurse, a knife held just a milimeter away from her throat.”Get back to the ship, now. Captain's orders.” None of the group even considered challenging the zebra, quickly vacating the area as she kept her eyes on the unicorn. “You had any stabbed ponies come through here recently?” she asked, getting a nod as an answer. “Good, take me to him.” Mindful nodded again, slowly turning around, fully aware the tip of the steel blade followed her so it was still against her throat. She led the zebra into the hospital and past the shocked staff and patients that saw them enter. She didn’t know what would happen if anypony tried to help, but luckily none did, so she was safe for the moment. The pair made it to one of the rooms, marked with a big fourteen on it, and they stepped in. Inside was the pegasus stallion, who had since come around, and was trying to pick the lock of the cuffs keeping him attached to the bed and preventing him from leaving. He looked up, glanced at the nurse, then at the pony behind her. He quickly leapt off the bed, positioning it between them, wings fluttering in agitation. “Here to finish the job, huh?” he said, as his free hand felt along the side, finding a scalpel and picking it up. “Let’s see what you got!” “No... I’m here to take you to my captain,” Z’naja replied, letting the nurse go and allowing her further into the room. The zebra thought about her options for a moment, then sheathed her knife and picked a different item from her belt. “We don’t have much time, I passed three guard squads on the way.” She placed a small silver key on the bed. The stallion looked at it and Z’naja a couple of times before shrugging and picking it up, a click following as the cuffs were unlocked, the pegasus rubbing his wrist before grabbing Z’naja’s throat and squeezing slightly. “Tell me,” he said with a growl, tightening his grip. “Why shouldn’t I just kill you right here?” “Be... because I know who you are,” the zebra said, struggling to breathe but not too much at the moment. “...and I’m here to help!” The stallion looked between her and the nurse, whose horn was glowing. Z’naja suddenly took a deep breath as the hand was removed from around her neck, the stallion having turned at the other pony in the room. “So does she, which is why I was in cuffs,” he said, slowly moving towards the nurse. One hand still held the scalpel, whilst the other picked up the aforementioned restraints. “I hope your captain doesn’t mind hostages. Nurse, please turn around. I don’t want to hurt you.” Mindful let her magic die down, knowing that the others would have gone for help by now, and complied with the request, moving her hands behind her back, feeling the cold steel snap tight around her wrists. The stallion turned her towards the door and started walking her out, though she tried to fight back a little. “You won’t get far, they’ll have the place surrounded by now.” “We’ll make it,” the stallion remarked, looking over his shoulder at the zebra. “Lead the way, buttfuck.” Z’naja was about to protest the name, but felt like she deserved it, as she was the cause of the situation she was sure all three of them didn’t want to be in. Stepping out of the room, she went to head back to the loading bay when she saw the guards again, every route blocked, except one. “Up!” she commanded, the trio slowly backing up the flight of stairs. The guards followed for two flights, but then stopped, no doubt looking for a way to get behind them and corner them. Z’naja had other ideas though, and kept going until they reached the roof, where she turned to the other two. “Are you well enough to fly?” she asked the stallion. He looked at her and then nurse, blinking. “Is that with or without a passenger? Cos if you don’t want a witness, we could just throw her off of here.” He walked her over to the edge, so much so that the toes of her shoes were hanging off the edge. “Well?” The mare took a deep breath and spoke before Z’naja was able to. “You won’t do it,” she said calmly, the wind whipping at her mane. “You’re right, I do know who you are. You’re not a murderer. And I’ll prove it to you.” Before he or the zebra could ask, she stepped off the roof, closing her eyes. Most other ponies would have thought her suicidal, but she knew she was right, and sure enough not even a few seconds later she felt arms around her chest, the feeling of another pony close against her back. She opened her eyes to find herself gliding into a clearing half a mile or so from the hospital, the pair landing in an abandoned foals’ play park. “I told you,” she said to the stallion with a smirk. He looked like he wanted to say something, but a shadow to the side drew their attention, where Z’naja waved them over to a thick set of bushes. “We’re past the guards, but they saw you in the air. We’ll have to go another route.” Stepping around, the trio ended up face to face with a cracked sewer entrance, the stench of which would have made even a diamond dog pass out. “Unless you want to go back, best follow on.” She jumped down, splashing in the fowl liquid as she carried on, not waiting for the others. A moment later there was another splash as the stallion jumped in, with the still cuffed nurse over his shoulder. The pair nodded at each other and made their way down the tunnels. “Captain,”, came a voice from the doorway, where the airship’s first mate stood looking concerned. The slender earth pony slipped in and closed the door behind him, crossing his arms. “We need to talk about Z’naja.” “No, we don’t, Stamper,” replied the pegasus, spinning around in her chair to look out of her cabin’s window at the open sky beyond it. She sighed deeply, for though her crew knew of her violent past, they’d never actually seen it until now. “I know you all want her off my tub, but without her, we’re not getting back into Zebrica for more of our dwindling supplies any time soon.” “Actually, we want to keep her. It’s about her... attacking other ponies.” That got the captain’s attention, her ears pricking to him. “You know this is the first one she’s actually done herself? She’s been claiming credit for another pony, one who uses poison to kill. It’s because she doesn’t use it you sent her to get this stallion.” “Claiming... credit...” She stood from her chair and walked over to her window, seeing the aforementioned zebra slinking her way along the stacks of crates, followed by two other ponies. “Tell me, how exactly do you know this?” “It’s how my brother was killed last time we were here,” he said, moving back to the door but pausing with his hand on the knob. “I... I hope your decision doesn’t bring ill times to the crew, most of them don’t like guardsponies of any sort.” With that he was gone, leaving the captain to think on the new information and what their next step would be. Mindful was careful to mentally note what she could about the layout of the docks, but the problem would arise if the stacks and stacks of crates got moved, meaning her planned escape route would be wrong. For now, she kept up with the pegasus stallion who had a firm grip on her arm, not quite dragging her along but not leaving her to her own pace. “Look, I won’t say anything. Just let me go here!” He remained silent, pausing as the zebra ahead of them checked the next gap was clear, before continuing on. It didn’t take them long to reach the airship, though the bay was a couple of hundred meters of empty space. “Wait... I know that vessel.” it was the first time he had spoken since they left the hospital, and he passed Mindful over to their guide. “It’s... it’s not possible. This thing went down the day I was born, just over thirty years ago!” Seeming to no longer care they were trying to be stealthy on their approach, he left their hiding spot and slowly walked over. “It was during the last Pony-Griffon war, which saw devastation on both sides. We retreated, but one ship, the ERAF Resolute, stayed behind to shield the damaged vessels and let them escape. It was never heard from again.” By the time he was finished, they were stood next to it, and he slowly placed his hand on the metal hull. Mindful and the zebra looked at each other, seeing there was a lot more on his mind than what he had told them, especially when he sighed and moved his hand away, a sad look up on his face. Someone speaking behind them made them turn around, but he did more than that; he stood at rigid attention. “I couldn’t have asked for a better pilot back then, I’d never seen somepony with such skill.” “Captain, I...” the zebra started, but stopped when the imposing mare raised her hand. “Z’naja, take our... guest to the brig and place her there.” she said, gesturing to the nurse. “And make sure to fit her with a magic blocking horn-ring. Don’t want to find a hole in my ship.” Z’naja nodded and pulled Mindful away, whilst the other two stood staring at each other. “You have a question?” “Yes... what the actual fuck?” the stallion replied, his hands balling into fists before he relaxed, blinking. “I mean... Wing Commander Tempest, what... you’re dead.” It was clear the encounter was confusing to him, making the mare chuckle. “First of all, Pilot Officer Fourth Class, I go by Cloud or Captain now. You’re no longer one of my cadets, so relax.” She stepped closer to him, placing her hand where his was a minute ago. “Your dad saved hundreds of lives that day. I wish he was still here.” “I wouldn’t know, Cloud,” he said, some distate for the mare clear in his voice. A moment ago there was respect, now that was gone and replaced with hostitly. “Because of you I never got to meet him. Just a photo album, mess hall chatter, and a legacy I could never live up to!” She tried to meet his fiery gaze, but found herself turning away. “The great airship fleet commander, Cloud Tempest. It’s how I was once known. Did you know your father disobeyed a direct order from both Princesses?” she asked, smirking when she saw his anger subside a little bit. “They were on board at the time, and told him to retreat. He knew one ship with a crew of a couple of hundred was better than dozens of ships with thousands of lives to be lost.” “Why are you telling me this,” he asked her, frowning now, not sure why this had never been included in any of the official reports by the Royal Sisters themselves, other surviving members of the crew... or by the mare standing in front of him. “By rights, as the officer in charge of this vessel when it went down... you should be dead too!” It was then his anger seeped over and he swung for her, but she simply side stepped and tripped him over. “You always had poor balance in your stance, which is why you’re now on the floor.” Cloud offered him a hand, but he knocked it away and stood himself up. “I’m telling you this so you know the truth, not what they teach you. Your father was a damn hero and they covered it up! I was on board, when it went down. I spent ten years in a slave labour mine for those griffons. You know that. What you don’t know is when I got back and found out about the cover up, I decided to hand in my commission. Your class was the last I ever taught.” All of the stallion’s anger had dissipated by now, and Cloud placed her hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eye. “You’re not a Pilot Officer anymore, I know what happened last year. They’re hunting you now. This..” she said, gesturing to the ship,.”this is your chance to feel the same rush in your blood your father did when he piloted the Resolute. What do you say?” She stepped back and held out her hand. “You need to escape, I happen to need a new pilot.” He stared down at her hand, the last of the crew glancing at the pair as they returned to their ship. Chapter 3Mindful was grateful that the cuffs were removed from her wrists and her hands were no longer stuck behind her back, but the antimagic ring on her horn was making it tingle, and she hated that feeling. She turned around when the cell door shut and was locked. “Z’naja, right?” she asked the zebra, who took a step back. “Why didn’t he die like the rest?” Z’naja looked confused and almost hurt. “Rest? What do you mean rest? I’ve... Never actually... He was my first one...” She looked around, making sure nopony could hear her. “I’m a thief, not a murderer. I... Was trying to cut his bag off, but I missed.” “You’re lucky you didn’t kill him!” the nurse stated, shaking her head as she sat on the surprisingly comfortable bed in her cell. The two stared at each other until a door opening further down caused Z’naja to vacate the area, the zebra being replaced by the captain and the stallion. “Kidnapping a pony is illegal, you know?” she said to them with a hint of sass. “Yeah, well holding somepony against their will is illegal too, so I guess we’re even,” the stallion replied, turning to the captain. “If she’s coming with us... Then I would like her to have better accommodation.” “That can be arranged,” she said, looking to a pony behind her who was writing things down. “Though I have to insist she remains in the brig until we clear Equestrian airspace. There are a hundred ways she could signal somepony from this section alone. One moment, please.” She moved over to her aide, talking to him in hushed tones. “So...” began the stallion, stepping closer to the bars. “You got a name?” Mindful turned away from him with a huff, making him roll his eyes. “I would have prefered to leave you behind, but I didn’t really have a choice. If I didn’t, I’d be in a cell like this halfway back to Canterlot by now” “Good, no more than you deserve!” she retorted, standing up. “You’re a disgrace to that uniform and the memory of your squadron!” He reeled back from her at that, but the fire in his eyes was more stoked than ever; she knew she was getting to him because he looked like he wanted to kill her. “And punching Princess Celestia too!” “I... I am going to ignore what you said about my friends, about my family,” he stated, rather calmly, wings fluttering in agitation. “But there is one thing I am going to clear up right now. Whilst I may have aimed for her in my anger... I didn’t hit her. I hit General Thunderhoof instead.” This caused the captain to burst out laughing, making her way over. “You hit that knucklehead? No wonder the country is out for your blood!” she managed to get out between her guffaws. “Did you at least knock him to the floor?” “Only to his knees, felt like I broke my bones,” he said, which was too much for the mare who ended up leaving the brig almost crying with laughter, leaving the pegasus and mare to look at each other thoroughly confused. Shaking his head, he started to leave, but stopped, looking over his shoulder. “If you need anything, get them to find me. I’m Pilot Off... Lucky. My name’s Lucky.” “Mindful Behaviour.” She blinked at his dumbfounded look. “You asked my name, it’s Mindful Behaviour.” With a nod he was gone and she was alone. Lying on the cot, she would at least attempt to catch up on what she lacked most of the time; sleep. The bridge of the Resolute was large for a vessel of its size, though it was also a large vessel, from the older fleet of warships at least. Now it was a small size vessel, a medium tonnage of the current ERAF easy to do its job plus the job of five similar sized ships. A single, large curved window was the only way light got in, with no access to it from the outside; there was a hatch to the roof, but that was for emergencies. It had all the usual stations, navigation, engines, and such, but there was only one that remained dark, the weapons console. The command station, which had once been a slightly raised platform had been replaced, now with a trio of seats, one further forward than the other. Lucky took it all in as he walked around, eventually winding up at the other trio of seats right at the front, his hand on the centre one. “Captain, we need...” “Give him a moment, Stamper,” she said to her first mate, watching the pegasus with curiosity. “The last time he flew his squadron was wiped out.” “I understand that, but we really need to go!” Stamper insisted, pointing out the window to port. Approaching from the west were several small vessels and one medium, all on the same heading, the Resolute, coming from the morning mist. “I’ll get the crew to batten down.” With that he was gone, Cloud moving to the central chair and strapping herself in. “Alright, let’s see if his blood really does flow in your veins!” she said loudly, getting Lucky’s attention. “It took them long enough to catch up with me.” A glance at the encroaching ships revealed two more large vessels; a full battle group. He looked up from the chairs and to where their extra party guests were coming from, jumping into the central chair. It was going to be interesting for him as Resolute-class vessels were supposed to be flown by three ponies, not one, and he didn’t even know if he had any copilots. “Let’s see what this rustbucket can do.” He cracked his fingers and placed them on the console in front of him, waiting a moment. It was then his training and natural ability kicked in, his digits dancing gracefully over the controls. Luckily Cloud had told the engine room to keep at least one of the four running at all times, which meant the ship slowly moved sideways away from the dock before rumbling and starting to move forward. The rest of the bridge crew had now assembled from their previous tasks, quickly moving to their own duty stations. Two other pegasi stood by the captain’s chair, looking nervously at the two empty pilot seats. She nodded them forward, the pair strapping themselves in and looking at the pony between them. Lucky glanced left, then right, then left again, shaking his head. “Fucking twins... This is going to be fun.” A quick scan of the three consoles as one and he finally realised just what this ship could do. “Okay, Lefty, give me twenty degree roll right, and Righty, keep an eye on those engine readouts, let me know when we get to forty percent.” Cloud watched on, smirking to Stamper as he re-entered the bridge and took his seat, for she knew he had reservations about their new crewmember, but so far he was doing the job she asked him to. “You know,” he suddenly called over his shoulder. “Even though they’re thirty years out of date, the boomers could still help!” “No, I will not fire on an Equestrian ship,” she flatly stated, hearing him mumble something along the lines of ‘whatever, it’s your boat’. Feeling eyes upon her, she turned to Stamper. “Boomers, the big sticks. There are two massive cannons in the hull of this ship, and despite a dedicated team of ponies, have not been fired since I retook this ship.” “I wish I knew about them last week...” “We made it past that Ibexian blockade without them.” Cloud looked out of the window and saw the ERAF ships coming closer. “Lucky, they’re about to be washing your windscreen. I hope you have something planned.” “If I remember from ship history, these things are reinforced, meaning they can pull maneuvers nopony would expect... Like this.” The first ERAF ship had reached them, the more advanced weaponry already raring to go like red hot stove tops, the magic powered cannons coming to bear. “Heh... I know that ship. Let’s see if you’re still a good rival, Minty. Righty, engines?” “Just hit forty percent!” “Good.” Everypony on the bridge tightened their straps as the Resolute pitched forward, the first shots fired at them arcing harmlessly over head. Lucky could hear Cloud saying something, but he was too busy to notice, then the twins start protesting as well. It might have been something to do with how quickly the water was coming up to meet them, but right at the last minute they levelled off, flying less than a metre off the surface. “Moving target in the air, easy pickings. Moving target below them... Still easy, but not as...” The ship suddenly lurched starboard as the water next to it seemed to explode. “...they upgraded their weapons.” Stamper watched the pilot with renewed interest, especially with how quickly he took control of the twins, something he found to be frustrating when he tried. It was like the pegasus had somehow made them an extension of himself, but he was a trained pilot, whereas Stamper was simply a tired old soldier with a knack for seeing other options. “He... He reminds me of another pony who once sat in that seat.” “He should, Stamper,” Cloud said, now looking sad instead of elated that their new pilot was avoiding every shot at them with ease. “His father died in that seat.” It was then the earth pony fully understood why she’d given a job to this pegasus instead of simply returning his things and sending him on his way. Stamper suddenly felt his gut go tight as the ship pitched up at over forty five degrees, heading back into the sky. “Sons of bitches had actual fucking boats out there,” Lucky called, glancing over his shoulder at the small fleet that was doing its best to surround them. “Righty, what’s the max we can get for engine power?” “Eighty seven percent, engine three is not pumping out fully,” the mare replied. “That’ll do, hold onto your hats everypony!” Cloud wondered what the hell he was about to pull off when the pitch of the ship started to increase, the Resolute groaning as stresses it hadn’t felt in decades once more graced its structure, and the captain realised what her crazy new pilot intended to do. “Lucky, no!” “LUCKY, YES!” he shouted back her as the airship pitched back so that they were upside down flying the other way now. “LEFTY, ONE-EIGHTY ROLL RIGHT FOLLOWED BY FIFTEEN YAW STARBOARD!” Cloud did the calculations in her head and then looked out of the window as the airship righted itself and moved to the new course, putting them on a direct heading for the largest ship in the fleet. “What in the actual fuck are you doing, Pilot?” “You’ll see!” he replied as the incoming fire came towards them... And over shot them by a hundred meters or so, “If they wanted us dead they’d have saturated the area with fire, they want to capture us.” He spoke quietly to the twins, who giggled and nodded, then the trio remained silent. The only sound on the bridge was that of machinery until a collision alarm sounded. “NOW!” Lucky unstrapped himself from his seat, staring at Cloud as once more the airship rolled so that it was inverted, the stallion using his wings to hold himself in place. The large vessel started to flash before them, and just as they passed over the bridge... Lucky dropped his trousers and pressed his rump to the window, wiggling it at the opposing crew. “Thunderhoof had new orders to lock down this sector. He’d have been on the biggest ship.” The fire coming from the vessel suddenly increased, like the crew, or at least the pony in charge, had gotten angry and decided to forget orders, but was too late. The Resolute sped past and rolled over, Lucky once more taking his seat, giving the twins a high five before correcting their course. “What’s the route, Pilot?” Cloud asked sternly, wanting to beat sense into the pegasus stallion, but also thoroughly impressed that he could pilot such an old airship in the way he did. “We’re going to loop the city,” he said, hearing the confused murmurs from the crew, talking about them waiting for the ship. “But only half of it. Time to buzz the penthouses.” Cloud decided not to protest his course of action and let it just happen, much to the amazement of the crew. “Righty, I need a hundred percent power. I don’t care if you have to go down there and hit with a hammer, I need it ASAP!” The mare looked at Cloud, who nodded, then typed the message to the engine room. Several moments later she smiled, looking out the window. “Full power to engines.” She looked at the stares coming her way, then checked her console. “There.. Was something stuck in the engine. Hitting it with a hammer dislodged it.” “What the fuck have I gotten myself into?” Lucky whispered to himself, tapping his controls. He guided the aging relic through the wider streets just below the tops of the buildings like a sailing boat on a calm lake, using them to shield from sensors and visual checks. Soon the streets widened until three Resolutes could pass each other easily in opposite directions, meaning they were visible once more. Not that it mattered, because the fleet was no longer in visual range, waiting miles down the coast for them to emerge from behind the city. Except for one. The small airship that had first approached was waiting for them, and due to its smaller size was faster and more maneuverable, quickly getting in front of the Resolute. A pony appeared from a hatch, spreading their wings before jumping, a thud heard moments later on the roof. “Son of a changeling whore! They’re on my ship!” Cloud went to unstrap herself, but somepony had already beaten her to the hatch and opened it. “Lucky?” “I’ll take care of it, captain,” he said, and he swung himself out. The rush of air hit him fast, but he quickly adjusted, making his way after the pony heading to the starn. “MINTY!” he called out, the pony stopping and looking over their shoulder. “I KNOW YOU’RE ONLY FOLLOWING ORDERS, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS!” The pony ignored him and continued, making him sigh. “I’m sorry, my friend.” He spread his wings and let the air take him, flying down the ship quickly. His attack worked, his boot landing right between Minty’s wings and knocking them over, the object they were holding falling harmlessly over the edge of the ship... Where it exploded in mid air. “DAMMIT, LUCKY, SEE SENSE!” came a mare’s voice in the wind, Minty attempting to stand. “THIS ISN’T YOU!” He’d hit her hard and she fell once more, rolling down the curved part of the vessel. Lucky jumped and grabbed her flying harness just as she slid off, holding on tight. “COME HOME WITH US!” “THIS... THIS IS MY HOME NOW!” With that he reached for a cord on her rig and pulled, letting her go, watching the back of the ship. He saw it a moment later, a large piece of yellow fabric, a pilot’s parachute, slowly floating down. Turning around, he saw the airship very off to go rescue her, and he carefully made his way back into the bridge, where Cloud was waiting. “...it’s taken care off.” He said nothing else as he took the pilot’s seat once more, feeling all eyes upon him. “Make our heading north east, pilot,” Cloud said, the ship turning a moment later. “Keep us at full power until we clear Equestrian air space, then drop us to sixty percent.” She made her way to the hatch that led to her ready room. “Stamper. You have command.” He nodded back at her and the bridge fell into silence, everypony focusing on their own task, now free from pursuit. Mindful sat on the cot, one hand on her head and one on her stomach, wishing that the ring around her horn was not present so she could quell the upset she felt. Whoever had been piloting this airship was quite clearly insane and should be locked up, but now they were flying level at least and had been for a few hours now. The sound of the cell door opening caught her attention, the mare looking up to see her zebra captor stepping in. “If Cloud knew what I was doing, she’d kill me,” Z’naja said. She took a small key from her belt and unlocked the horn ring. “Please, we need your help.” Z’naja exited the cell, waiting. Knowing this might be her once chance for freedom, Mindful stood up and followed Z’naja, who led her two decks down and into a large room. She instantly felt at home, knowing this was this ship’s infirmary because of how it looked, and the dozen or so injured ponies waiting to be seen; they were probably hurt in the rough ride. “Any other medical staff?” she asked her guide. “Our last doctor decided to remain in Zebrica,” Z’naja answered, shrugging. “Something about a death sentence should he skip out out on the chief’s pregnant daughter.” “Congratulations, you’re my new assistant,” Mindful stated flatly, ignoring the protests being given and passing a notepad and pen to her new aide. “First things first, triage, we need to find out who is most need.” The two moved around the room, Mindful checking the injured and Z’naja writing down what they had and needed. Neither of them saw the trio of ponies watching from the corridor, the pegasus mare of the group no longer concerned about filling in her last remaining empty crew slot.
Chapter 1The port city of Baltimare, which had always been busy being Equestria’s largest shipping port, had changed drastically in the last ten years. Any pony who hadn’t been there in that long would be shocked to see it now, for the city’s footprint now straddled the coast for a hundred miles. The country, and world at a whole, had an explosion of technology during the last half century, bringing forth fleets of airships that rendered the ocean going passenger and cargo ships obsolete, though quite a few ponies still preferred to use them. It was from a hill a few miles outside of the city a young stallion looked over the hustle and bustle, giving a sigh. All he carried was a single duffel bag, filled with his belongings from before he joined the ERAF, a few bits from his service... and a few he should have left behind. Picking it up, he began his trek down the mountain, which would take several hours on its own; he’d have gotten the train, but all he had left was a few half crowns, the rest of his money having been spent on his last meal... Two days ago. A few long hours later, he stumbled his way through the outskirts of the city, where, as expected, the homes and businesses were not as glamorous as those further in; they weren’t quite slums, but nothing to write home about, that’s for sure. The ponies here gave him inquisitive looks, but kept to themselves, sliding in and out of each other's’ way as they went about their tasks for the day. The stallion quickly managed to match their movements, something he’d learnt to do years ago, slipping his way through. Mentally recalling the one map he’d seen of the city, he guessed he was barely a quarter of the way to the coast, meaning he’d still have to be wary until he was in a more... affluent area, because, as everypony knows, a city of this size would certainly have a criminal element... and now the stares were more threatening. His wings twitched as he sensed somepony nearby, and he glanced over his shoulder to find he was alone. Furrowing his brow, he went to continue on his way when he came face to face with a pony covered from head to toe in black, except for the eyes, the unfriendly orange orbs glowering. He felt a sharp pain in his side and winced, realising he’d just been stabbed. The knife was pulled out and his duffel bag snatched, as he slumped against a wall, sliding down it and leaving a trail of crimson down the grey brick. The last thing he saw before his vision faded was several of Baltimore’s guard chasing the assailant down a side street, whilst one spoke to him, but it just came through as a muffled hum. Batlimare’s East Hospital was not the most elegant looking place, and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was due for demolition, due to the fact it looked abandoned and several walls were already falling down. The establishment didn’t receive many supplies either, being well known for treating victims of crime and sometimes the criminals themselves. It could do a pretty good patch job in an emergency, but the patient would always need to visit another location for proper treatment. Today was a pretty dull day, mostly check ups, and one little colt who’d gotten into a scrape at school, who was being seen to by the on duty nurse. “Now then,” she said, having already cleaned the cut on the colt’s arm. “How would you like the stitching? Standard, or something cool, like a Wonderbolts lightning bolt?” The colt made a face, which cause the mare to giggle. “Not a fan, huh? Okay, standard it is.” She hummed lightly as she worked, and a few minutes later was waving the colt off, watching him run out of the garden in front of the hospital and past the low wall. Once he was out of sight she sighed and went to head back in, but stopped when her ears twitched, as he heard the sound of a voice she knew. Turning back to the garden, she saw several of the guards running in, the one at the front being a squad leader she had thrown out of the building a few dozen times for worrying her patients. Her first instinct was to shut the door and lock them out, but she took a moment to look at the rushing group, seeing the stretcher between them. Instead of blocking their entrance, she held the door open for them, eyeing over the casualty as they passed. “Room three, now!” She instructed, the guards knowing exactly where to go, and she turned to the squad leader. “What happened?” “Poor colt just got to town, can’t be more than twenty five. Got stabbed by our friend The Ninja.” The guard sighed, sitting down. “Almost caught him but... we want one to at least make it. Please, save him?” The nurse smiled and patted the guard on the shoulder, then stepped in, heading to the room where she’d sent the others. Another nurse was already present and had hooked the casualty up to the standard monitoring devices. “Pulse is weak and breathing slow, but no signs of any infection.” “None at all?” The head nurse asked, more to herself than the room. But The Ninja uses a poison blade. We can treat the physical wound, but that always gets them in a few hours... Cutting the thought off, she quickly scrubbed up and made her way over to the table, finally getting a proper look. “It... the knife didn’t go in all the way! Quick, let’s get this sealed up!” Her, and several other staffs’, horns glowed, medical equipment floating into place. They worked quickly, starting at the deepest point and sealing the ruptures. The nurse looked at where he’d been stabbed and realised how fortunate he was, for a centimetre to the left and the colt would only have had one kidney. Soon, all ruptures were stitched up and dressing laid on the outer layer, and the team eased him onto his back. It was then the head nurse got a good look at his clothing and knew why the knife hadn’t gone in all the way; it was partially armoured. “Get him to room fourteen immediately. And call the guard back.” She had recognised that uniform, and the entire country was to report any sightings to the highest authorities in the area. The insignia on the chest plate confirmed it. This colt was from a particular squadron, he was the only one left... and wanted by the crown for punching one of the royal sisters square in the face two months ago.
Chapter 2“WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?” The few ponies in the cargo hold of a docked airship watched as the captain backhanded a pony hard, knocking them to the floor. The large pegasus mare towered over the pony on the deck, glaring down at them, holding a bounty note. “I gave you free run of this city to help fund us, not attack a member of the Goddess damned Royal Guard!” She pointed to a duffel bag to the side, a tag on it giving name, rank, and service number of the owner. “I didn’t know!” replied the pony, who took their black hood down to reveal a zebra mare, who wiped her lip to see if it was bleeding. “He wasn’t wearing any armour I recognised, and besides...” She stood up, meeting the captain’s gaze defiantly. “...he should be dead by now.” Sighing, the captain turned towards the stairs at one end, looking over her shoulder. “Z’naja... you have one chance. You find where he is, and if he’s dead, fine. But if he’s alive... you get him back here so we can sort this out.” She started walking away, but stopped when she heard the response. “I thought we were criminals anyway.” Z’naja pulled her hood back over her head, then sprinted off for the open access hatch on the port side, past the ponies loading the ship. The rest of the crew quickly returned to their tasks, lest they get smacked around by the captain themselves. Mindful Behaviour watched with a scowl as several boxes were set down on the delivery bay of the hospital. She held a clipboard and pen, checking the crates against the manifest as well as scanning each one with her magic. It was that she didn’t trust these ponies, it was that she didn’t trust the whole supply chain. That, and these weren’t exactly legal supplies. “So, captain says we’ll be doing another run next month, but after that the ship’s gonna need some time in dock, meaning we won’t be able to help,” said one of the ponies carrying the items. He smirked as he looked over the mare, sliding his hand up her arm. “We could use a mare like you on board, especially with how I heard your bedside manner is...” The mare glanced at the arm briefly before returning her gaze to the crates, her magic now taking his appendage off of her. “A nurse or doctor is not the kind of pony you want to annoy. We know how to heal you... but we also know how to really injure you.” The stallion swallowed nervously before stepping back. “I was just joking with ya, no harm intended!” Checking on his compatriots, he saw they were finished, nodding at them that is was time to leave. As he turned, he saw a figure in black running into the yard. “Z’naja? The hell are you doing here?” She said nothing as she jumped at the nurse, a knife held just a milimeter away from her throat.”Get back to the ship, now. Captain's orders.” None of the group even considered challenging the zebra, quickly vacating the area as she kept her eyes on the unicorn. “You had any stabbed ponies come through here recently?” she asked, getting a nod as an answer. “Good, take me to him.” Mindful nodded again, slowly turning around, fully aware the tip of the steel blade followed her so it was still against her throat. She led the zebra into the hospital and past the shocked staff and patients that saw them enter. She didn’t know what would happen if anypony tried to help, but luckily none did, so she was safe for the moment. The pair made it to one of the rooms, marked with a big fourteen on it, and they stepped in. Inside was the pegasus stallion, who had since come around, and was trying to pick the lock of the cuffs keeping him attached to the bed and preventing him from leaving. He looked up, glanced at the nurse, then at the pony behind her. He quickly leapt off the bed, positioning it between them, wings fluttering in agitation. “Here to finish the job, huh?” he said, as his free hand felt along the side, finding a scalpel and picking it up. “Let’s see what you got!” “No... I’m here to take you to my captain,” Z’naja replied, letting the nurse go and allowing her further into the room. The zebra thought about her options for a moment, then sheathed her knife and picked a different item from her belt. “We don’t have much time, I passed three guard squads on the way.” She placed a small silver key on the bed. The stallion looked at it and Z’naja a couple of times before shrugging and picking it up, a click following as the cuffs were unlocked, the pegasus rubbing his wrist before grabbing Z’naja’s throat and squeezing slightly. “Tell me,” he said with a growl, tightening his grip. “Why shouldn’t I just kill you right here?” “Be... because I know who you are,” the zebra said, struggling to breathe but not too much at the moment. “...and I’m here to help!” The stallion looked between her and the nurse, whose horn was glowing. Z’naja suddenly took a deep breath as the hand was removed from around her neck, the stallion having turned at the other pony in the room. “So does she, which is why I was in cuffs,” he said, slowly moving towards the nurse. One hand still held the scalpel, whilst the other picked up the aforementioned restraints. “I hope your captain doesn’t mind hostages. Nurse, please turn around. I don’t want to hurt you.” Mindful let her magic die down, knowing that the others would have gone for help by now, and complied with the request, moving her hands behind her back, feeling the cold steel snap tight around her wrists. The stallion turned her towards the door and started walking her out, though she tried to fight back a little. “You won’t get far, they’ll have the place surrounded by now.” “We’ll make it,” the stallion remarked, looking over his shoulder at the zebra. “Lead the way, buttfuck.” Z’naja was about to protest the name, but felt like she deserved it, as she was the cause of the situation she was sure all three of them didn’t want to be in. Stepping out of the room, she went to head back to the loading bay when she saw the guards again, every route blocked, except one. “Up!” she commanded, the trio slowly backing up the flight of stairs. The guards followed for two flights, but then stopped, no doubt looking for a way to get behind them and corner them. Z’naja had other ideas though, and kept going until they reached the roof, where she turned to the other two. “Are you well enough to fly?” she asked the stallion. He looked at her and then nurse, blinking. “Is that with or without a passenger? Cos if you don’t want a witness, we could just throw her off of here.” He walked her over to the edge, so much so that the toes of her shoes were hanging off the edge. “Well?” The mare took a deep breath and spoke before Z’naja was able to. “You won’t do it,” she said calmly, the wind whipping at her mane. “You’re right, I do know who you are. You’re not a murderer. And I’ll prove it to you.” Before he or the zebra could ask, she stepped off the roof, closing her eyes. Most other ponies would have thought her suicidal, but she knew she was right, and sure enough not even a few seconds later she felt arms around her chest, the feeling of another pony close against her back. She opened her eyes to find herself gliding into a clearing half a mile or so from the hospital, the pair landing in an abandoned foals’ play park. “I told you,” she said to the stallion with a smirk. He looked like he wanted to say something, but a shadow to the side drew their attention, where Z’naja waved them over to a thick set of bushes. “We’re past the guards, but they saw you in the air. We’ll have to go another route.” Stepping around, the trio ended up face to face with a cracked sewer entrance, the stench of which would have made even a diamond dog pass out. “Unless you want to go back, best follow on.” She jumped down, splashing in the fowl liquid as she carried on, not waiting for the others. A moment later there was another splash as the stallion jumped in, with the still cuffed nurse over his shoulder. The pair nodded at each other and made their way down the tunnels. “Captain,”, came a voice from the doorway, where the airship’s first mate stood looking concerned. The slender earth pony slipped in and closed the door behind him, crossing his arms. “We need to talk about Z’naja.” “No, we don’t, Stamper,” replied the pegasus, spinning around in her chair to look out of her cabin’s window at the open sky beyond it. She sighed deeply, for though her crew knew of her violent past, they’d never actually seen it until now. “I know you all want her off my tub, but without her, we’re not getting back into Zebrica for more of our dwindling supplies any time soon.” “Actually, we want to keep her. It’s about her... attacking other ponies.” That got the captain’s attention, her ears pricking to him. “You know this is the first one she’s actually done herself? She’s been claiming credit for another pony, one who uses poison to kill. It’s because she doesn’t use it you sent her to get this stallion.” “Claiming... credit...” She stood from her chair and walked over to her window, seeing the aforementioned zebra slinking her way along the stacks of crates, followed by two other ponies. “Tell me, how exactly do you know this?” “It’s how my brother was killed last time we were here,” he said, moving back to the door but pausing with his hand on the knob. “I... I hope your decision doesn’t bring ill times to the crew, most of them don’t like guardsponies of any sort.” With that he was gone, leaving the captain to think on the new information and what their next step would be. Mindful was careful to mentally note what she could about the layout of the docks, but the problem would arise if the stacks and stacks of crates got moved, meaning her planned escape route would be wrong. For now, she kept up with the pegasus stallion who had a firm grip on her arm, not quite dragging her along but not leaving her to her own pace. “Look, I won’t say anything. Just let me go here!” He remained silent, pausing as the zebra ahead of them checked the next gap was clear, before continuing on. It didn’t take them long to reach the airship, though the bay was a couple of hundred meters of empty space. “Wait... I know that vessel.” it was the first time he had spoken since they left the hospital, and he passed Mindful over to their guide. “It’s... it’s not possible. This thing went down the day I was born, just over thirty years ago!” Seeming to no longer care they were trying to be stealthy on their approach, he left their hiding spot and slowly walked over. “It was during the last Pony-Griffon war, which saw devastation on both sides. We retreated, but one ship, the ERAF Resolute, stayed behind to shield the damaged vessels and let them escape. It was never heard from again.” By the time he was finished, they were stood next to it, and he slowly placed his hand on the metal hull. Mindful and the zebra looked at each other, seeing there was a lot more on his mind than what he had told them, especially when he sighed and moved his hand away, a sad look up on his face. Someone speaking behind them made them turn around, but he did more than that; he stood at rigid attention. “I couldn’t have asked for a better pilot back then, I’d never seen somepony with such skill.” “Captain, I...” the zebra started, but stopped when the imposing mare raised her hand. “Z’naja, take our... guest to the brig and place her there.” she said, gesturing to the nurse. “And make sure to fit her with a magic blocking horn-ring. Don’t want to find a hole in my ship.” Z’naja nodded and pulled Mindful away, whilst the other two stood staring at each other. “You have a question?” “Yes... what the actual fuck?” the stallion replied, his hands balling into fists before he relaxed, blinking. “I mean... Wing Commander Tempest, what... you’re dead.” It was clear the encounter was confusing to him, making the mare chuckle. “First of all, Pilot Officer Fourth Class, I go by Cloud or Captain now. You’re no longer one of my cadets, so relax.” She stepped closer to him, placing her hand where his was a minute ago. “Your dad saved hundreds of lives that day. I wish he was still here.” “I wouldn’t know, Cloud,” he said, some distate for the mare clear in his voice. A moment ago there was respect, now that was gone and replaced with hostitly. “Because of you I never got to meet him. Just a photo album, mess hall chatter, and a legacy I could never live up to!” She tried to meet his fiery gaze, but found herself turning away. “The great airship fleet commander, Cloud Tempest. It’s how I was once known. Did you know your father disobeyed a direct order from both Princesses?” she asked, smirking when she saw his anger subside a little bit. “They were on board at the time, and told him to retreat. He knew one ship with a crew of a couple of hundred was better than dozens of ships with thousands of lives to be lost.” “Why are you telling me this,” he asked her, frowning now, not sure why this had never been included in any of the official reports by the Royal Sisters themselves, other surviving members of the crew... or by the mare standing in front of him. “By rights, as the officer in charge of this vessel when it went down... you should be dead too!” It was then his anger seeped over and he swung for her, but she simply side stepped and tripped him over. “You always had poor balance in your stance, which is why you’re now on the floor.” Cloud offered him a hand, but he knocked it away and stood himself up. “I’m telling you this so you know the truth, not what they teach you. Your father was a damn hero and they covered it up! I was on board, when it went down. I spent ten years in a slave labour mine for those griffons. You know that. What you don’t know is when I got back and found out about the cover up, I decided to hand in my commission. Your class was the last I ever taught.” All of the stallion’s anger had dissipated by now, and Cloud placed her hand on his shoulder, looking him in the eye. “You’re not a Pilot Officer anymore, I know what happened last year. They’re hunting you now. This..” she said, gesturing to the ship,.”this is your chance to feel the same rush in your blood your father did when he piloted the Resolute. What do you say?” She stepped back and held out her hand. “You need to escape, I happen to need a new pilot.” He stared down at her hand, the last of the crew glancing at the pair as they returned to their ship.
Chapter 3Mindful was grateful that the cuffs were removed from her wrists and her hands were no longer stuck behind her back, but the antimagic ring on her horn was making it tingle, and she hated that feeling. She turned around when the cell door shut and was locked. “Z’naja, right?” she asked the zebra, who took a step back. “Why didn’t he die like the rest?” Z’naja looked confused and almost hurt. “Rest? What do you mean rest? I’ve... Never actually... He was my first one...” She looked around, making sure nopony could hear her. “I’m a thief, not a murderer. I... Was trying to cut his bag off, but I missed.” “You’re lucky you didn’t kill him!” the nurse stated, shaking her head as she sat on the surprisingly comfortable bed in her cell. The two stared at each other until a door opening further down caused Z’naja to vacate the area, the zebra being replaced by the captain and the stallion. “Kidnapping a pony is illegal, you know?” she said to them with a hint of sass. “Yeah, well holding somepony against their will is illegal too, so I guess we’re even,” the stallion replied, turning to the captain. “If she’s coming with us... Then I would like her to have better accommodation.” “That can be arranged,” she said, looking to a pony behind her who was writing things down. “Though I have to insist she remains in the brig until we clear Equestrian airspace. There are a hundred ways she could signal somepony from this section alone. One moment, please.” She moved over to her aide, talking to him in hushed tones. “So...” began the stallion, stepping closer to the bars. “You got a name?” Mindful turned away from him with a huff, making him roll his eyes. “I would have prefered to leave you behind, but I didn’t really have a choice. If I didn’t, I’d be in a cell like this halfway back to Canterlot by now” “Good, no more than you deserve!” she retorted, standing up. “You’re a disgrace to that uniform and the memory of your squadron!” He reeled back from her at that, but the fire in his eyes was more stoked than ever; she knew she was getting to him because he looked like he wanted to kill her. “And punching Princess Celestia too!” “I... I am going to ignore what you said about my friends, about my family,” he stated, rather calmly, wings fluttering in agitation. “But there is one thing I am going to clear up right now. Whilst I may have aimed for her in my anger... I didn’t hit her. I hit General Thunderhoof instead.” This caused the captain to burst out laughing, making her way over. “You hit that knucklehead? No wonder the country is out for your blood!” she managed to get out between her guffaws. “Did you at least knock him to the floor?” “Only to his knees, felt like I broke my bones,” he said, which was too much for the mare who ended up leaving the brig almost crying with laughter, leaving the pegasus and mare to look at each other thoroughly confused. Shaking his head, he started to leave, but stopped, looking over his shoulder. “If you need anything, get them to find me. I’m Pilot Off... Lucky. My name’s Lucky.” “Mindful Behaviour.” She blinked at his dumbfounded look. “You asked my name, it’s Mindful Behaviour.” With a nod he was gone and she was alone. Lying on the cot, she would at least attempt to catch up on what she lacked most of the time; sleep. The bridge of the Resolute was large for a vessel of its size, though it was also a large vessel, from the older fleet of warships at least. Now it was a small size vessel, a medium tonnage of the current ERAF easy to do its job plus the job of five similar sized ships. A single, large curved window was the only way light got in, with no access to it from the outside; there was a hatch to the roof, but that was for emergencies. It had all the usual stations, navigation, engines, and such, but there was only one that remained dark, the weapons console. The command station, which had once been a slightly raised platform had been replaced, now with a trio of seats, one further forward than the other. Lucky took it all in as he walked around, eventually winding up at the other trio of seats right at the front, his hand on the centre one. “Captain, we need...” “Give him a moment, Stamper,” she said to her first mate, watching the pegasus with curiosity. “The last time he flew his squadron was wiped out.” “I understand that, but we really need to go!” Stamper insisted, pointing out the window to port. Approaching from the west were several small vessels and one medium, all on the same heading, the Resolute, coming from the morning mist. “I’ll get the crew to batten down.” With that he was gone, Cloud moving to the central chair and strapping herself in. “Alright, let’s see if his blood really does flow in your veins!” she said loudly, getting Lucky’s attention. “It took them long enough to catch up with me.” A glance at the encroaching ships revealed two more large vessels; a full battle group. He looked up from the chairs and to where their extra party guests were coming from, jumping into the central chair. It was going to be interesting for him as Resolute-class vessels were supposed to be flown by three ponies, not one, and he didn’t even know if he had any copilots. “Let’s see what this rustbucket can do.” He cracked his fingers and placed them on the console in front of him, waiting a moment. It was then his training and natural ability kicked in, his digits dancing gracefully over the controls. Luckily Cloud had told the engine room to keep at least one of the four running at all times, which meant the ship slowly moved sideways away from the dock before rumbling and starting to move forward. The rest of the bridge crew had now assembled from their previous tasks, quickly moving to their own duty stations. Two other pegasi stood by the captain’s chair, looking nervously at the two empty pilot seats. She nodded them forward, the pair strapping themselves in and looking at the pony between them. Lucky glanced left, then right, then left again, shaking his head. “Fucking twins... This is going to be fun.” A quick scan of the three consoles as one and he finally realised just what this ship could do. “Okay, Lefty, give me twenty degree roll right, and Righty, keep an eye on those engine readouts, let me know when we get to forty percent.” Cloud watched on, smirking to Stamper as he re-entered the bridge and took his seat, for she knew he had reservations about their new crewmember, but so far he was doing the job she asked him to. “You know,” he suddenly called over his shoulder. “Even though they’re thirty years out of date, the boomers could still help!” “No, I will not fire on an Equestrian ship,” she flatly stated, hearing him mumble something along the lines of ‘whatever, it’s your boat’. Feeling eyes upon her, she turned to Stamper. “Boomers, the big sticks. There are two massive cannons in the hull of this ship, and despite a dedicated team of ponies, have not been fired since I retook this ship.” “I wish I knew about them last week...” “We made it past that Ibexian blockade without them.” Cloud looked out of the window and saw the ERAF ships coming closer. “Lucky, they’re about to be washing your windscreen. I hope you have something planned.” “If I remember from ship history, these things are reinforced, meaning they can pull maneuvers nopony would expect... Like this.” The first ERAF ship had reached them, the more advanced weaponry already raring to go like red hot stove tops, the magic powered cannons coming to bear. “Heh... I know that ship. Let’s see if you’re still a good rival, Minty. Righty, engines?” “Just hit forty percent!” “Good.” Everypony on the bridge tightened their straps as the Resolute pitched forward, the first shots fired at them arcing harmlessly over head. Lucky could hear Cloud saying something, but he was too busy to notice, then the twins start protesting as well. It might have been something to do with how quickly the water was coming up to meet them, but right at the last minute they levelled off, flying less than a metre off the surface. “Moving target in the air, easy pickings. Moving target below them... Still easy, but not as...” The ship suddenly lurched starboard as the water next to it seemed to explode. “...they upgraded their weapons.” Stamper watched the pilot with renewed interest, especially with how quickly he took control of the twins, something he found to be frustrating when he tried. It was like the pegasus had somehow made them an extension of himself, but he was a trained pilot, whereas Stamper was simply a tired old soldier with a knack for seeing other options. “He... He reminds me of another pony who once sat in that seat.” “He should, Stamper,” Cloud said, now looking sad instead of elated that their new pilot was avoiding every shot at them with ease. “His father died in that seat.” It was then the earth pony fully understood why she’d given a job to this pegasus instead of simply returning his things and sending him on his way. Stamper suddenly felt his gut go tight as the ship pitched up at over forty five degrees, heading back into the sky. “Sons of bitches had actual fucking boats out there,” Lucky called, glancing over his shoulder at the small fleet that was doing its best to surround them. “Righty, what’s the max we can get for engine power?” “Eighty seven percent, engine three is not pumping out fully,” the mare replied. “That’ll do, hold onto your hats everypony!” Cloud wondered what the hell he was about to pull off when the pitch of the ship started to increase, the Resolute groaning as stresses it hadn’t felt in decades once more graced its structure, and the captain realised what her crazy new pilot intended to do. “Lucky, no!” “LUCKY, YES!” he shouted back her as the airship pitched back so that they were upside down flying the other way now. “LEFTY, ONE-EIGHTY ROLL RIGHT FOLLOWED BY FIFTEEN YAW STARBOARD!” Cloud did the calculations in her head and then looked out of the window as the airship righted itself and moved to the new course, putting them on a direct heading for the largest ship in the fleet. “What in the actual fuck are you doing, Pilot?” “You’ll see!” he replied as the incoming fire came towards them... And over shot them by a hundred meters or so, “If they wanted us dead they’d have saturated the area with fire, they want to capture us.” He spoke quietly to the twins, who giggled and nodded, then the trio remained silent. The only sound on the bridge was that of machinery until a collision alarm sounded. “NOW!” Lucky unstrapped himself from his seat, staring at Cloud as once more the airship rolled so that it was inverted, the stallion using his wings to hold himself in place. The large vessel started to flash before them, and just as they passed over the bridge... Lucky dropped his trousers and pressed his rump to the window, wiggling it at the opposing crew. “Thunderhoof had new orders to lock down this sector. He’d have been on the biggest ship.” The fire coming from the vessel suddenly increased, like the crew, or at least the pony in charge, had gotten angry and decided to forget orders, but was too late. The Resolute sped past and rolled over, Lucky once more taking his seat, giving the twins a high five before correcting their course. “What’s the route, Pilot?” Cloud asked sternly, wanting to beat sense into the pegasus stallion, but also thoroughly impressed that he could pilot such an old airship in the way he did. “We’re going to loop the city,” he said, hearing the confused murmurs from the crew, talking about them waiting for the ship. “But only half of it. Time to buzz the penthouses.” Cloud decided not to protest his course of action and let it just happen, much to the amazement of the crew. “Righty, I need a hundred percent power. I don’t care if you have to go down there and hit with a hammer, I need it ASAP!” The mare looked at Cloud, who nodded, then typed the message to the engine room. Several moments later she smiled, looking out the window. “Full power to engines.” She looked at the stares coming her way, then checked her console. “There.. Was something stuck in the engine. Hitting it with a hammer dislodged it.” “What the fuck have I gotten myself into?” Lucky whispered to himself, tapping his controls. He guided the aging relic through the wider streets just below the tops of the buildings like a sailing boat on a calm lake, using them to shield from sensors and visual checks. Soon the streets widened until three Resolutes could pass each other easily in opposite directions, meaning they were visible once more. Not that it mattered, because the fleet was no longer in visual range, waiting miles down the coast for them to emerge from behind the city. Except for one. The small airship that had first approached was waiting for them, and due to its smaller size was faster and more maneuverable, quickly getting in front of the Resolute. A pony appeared from a hatch, spreading their wings before jumping, a thud heard moments later on the roof. “Son of a changeling whore! They’re on my ship!” Cloud went to unstrap herself, but somepony had already beaten her to the hatch and opened it. “Lucky?” “I’ll take care of it, captain,” he said, and he swung himself out. The rush of air hit him fast, but he quickly adjusted, making his way after the pony heading to the starn. “MINTY!” he called out, the pony stopping and looking over their shoulder. “I KNOW YOU’RE ONLY FOLLOWING ORDERS, BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO THIS!” The pony ignored him and continued, making him sigh. “I’m sorry, my friend.” He spread his wings and let the air take him, flying down the ship quickly. His attack worked, his boot landing right between Minty’s wings and knocking them over, the object they were holding falling harmlessly over the edge of the ship... Where it exploded in mid air. “DAMMIT, LUCKY, SEE SENSE!” came a mare’s voice in the wind, Minty attempting to stand. “THIS ISN’T YOU!” He’d hit her hard and she fell once more, rolling down the curved part of the vessel. Lucky jumped and grabbed her flying harness just as she slid off, holding on tight. “COME HOME WITH US!” “THIS... THIS IS MY HOME NOW!” With that he reached for a cord on her rig and pulled, letting her go, watching the back of the ship. He saw it a moment later, a large piece of yellow fabric, a pilot’s parachute, slowly floating down. Turning around, he saw the airship very off to go rescue her, and he carefully made his way back into the bridge, where Cloud was waiting. “...it’s taken care off.” He said nothing else as he took the pilot’s seat once more, feeling all eyes upon him. “Make our heading north east, pilot,” Cloud said, the ship turning a moment later. “Keep us at full power until we clear Equestrian air space, then drop us to sixty percent.” She made her way to the hatch that led to her ready room. “Stamper. You have command.” He nodded back at her and the bridge fell into silence, everypony focusing on their own task, now free from pursuit. Mindful sat on the cot, one hand on her head and one on her stomach, wishing that the ring around her horn was not present so she could quell the upset she felt. Whoever had been piloting this airship was quite clearly insane and should be locked up, but now they were flying level at least and had been for a few hours now. The sound of the cell door opening caught her attention, the mare looking up to see her zebra captor stepping in. “If Cloud knew what I was doing, she’d kill me,” Z’naja said. She took a small key from her belt and unlocked the horn ring. “Please, we need your help.” Z’naja exited the cell, waiting. Knowing this might be her once chance for freedom, Mindful stood up and followed Z’naja, who led her two decks down and into a large room. She instantly felt at home, knowing this was this ship’s infirmary because of how it looked, and the dozen or so injured ponies waiting to be seen; they were probably hurt in the rough ride. “Any other medical staff?” she asked her guide. “Our last doctor decided to remain in Zebrica,” Z’naja answered, shrugging. “Something about a death sentence should he skip out out on the chief’s pregnant daughter.” “Congratulations, you’re my new assistant,” Mindful stated flatly, ignoring the protests being given and passing a notepad and pen to her new aide. “First things first, triage, we need to find out who is most need.” The two moved around the room, Mindful checking the injured and Z’naja writing down what they had and needed. Neither of them saw the trio of ponies watching from the corridor, the pegasus mare of the group no longer concerned about filling in her last remaining empty crew slot.
