Queen Carmine, Princess Dahlia and the drones of the Ruby Hive were given quarters in the diplomat wing of the castle to use at their discretion, although most of the drones had homes and even a few families connected to their disguises that they were hesitant to leave behind. After a short discussion about what to do with the drones who had such circumstances at play, it was decided that they could go back to living their previous lives, with the implicit understanding that they were not to use another pony form unless by direct order of Princess Cadence or Shining Armor. None had issue with this, and a few even expressed that they would be very upset with the one giving such an order if it meant leaving behind those that they cared for.

Much to the surprise and happiness of a certain Princess of Love, who supported such sentiments wholeheartedly.

Princess Dahlia had expressed an interest in working closer with Kepler and the ponies who were heading the research and development of new technology, intrigued by the advancements based on Kepler’s knowledge and the captured gryphon weapons. Carmine had given her consent, alongside Cadence and Shining Armor, which resulted in the young royal tagging alongside Kepler and Gloria while they coordinated with the development team. Dahlia proved to be a quick study, her sharp wit and unique perspective spearheading several new projects after only a few hours talking with the researchers. Kepler was impressed, to say the least, but more than that, he was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the ponies adapted to having a changeling in their midst, given Dahlia had forgone resuming her form as Blank Slate.

“That form had no attachments,” she explained when asked, “no family, no property, just a bank account with a few hundred bits that can be easily transferred to somepony else.”

Kepler had no argument against that, and with the researchers being so welcome to the new ideas and perspectives, who was he to question it?

While Dahlia worked with Kepler and Gloria, Carmine had taken on another project alongside Cadence and Shining Armor. Together, they hoped to bring Princess Twilight out from under Chrysalis’ control, either through magic, or perhaps a more direct method. Unfortunately, after inspecting the unconscious mare in the infirmary, Carmine was forced to admit defeat.

“It is vexing that I cannot be of more help,” she growled to herself as they gathered for dinner in one of the castle’s smaller dining rooms, “but the magic controlling Twilight’s mind has been enhanced by a physical component that makes breaking it nearly impossible without hurting her in the process.”

“Explain, please.” Kepler requested, his inner fury at Chrysalis rising as Carmine continued.

“The changeling venom and royal gel you witnessed Chrysalis drug Twilight with has bonded to her brain and nervous system.” A unanimous shudder rolled through the group at the mental image that created, “The gelatin acts as a catalyst for the magic possessing her thoughts and actions, binding the spell to her body while making it more powerful than a spell could ever be by itself. The venom suppresses any ability her body has of fighting off the spell or removing the gel, making it nearly impossible to free her without causing extreme damage to her physical body. Even worse, if you remove one without extracting the others simultaneously, it would be horrific what kind of backlash might occur.”

“What kind of damage could it cause?” Shining asked, fearful but resolute.

“Paralysis, madness, unhindered mana meltdowns, instant death, to name a few.” Was her reply, “At this point, it looks like the only reliable way to free Twilight is to kill the caster. Without the spell controlling her actions the gel should be processed by her body in due time, while the venom can be countered by using Chrysalis’ corpse to create an antivenom.”

“And my Aunt Luna?” Cadence added, “How do we free her from the Dream Realm?”

A sinister smile crossed Carmine’s face at that, “Well, as the saying goes, ‘two birds, one stone’.”

Kepler shared that smile, “Sounds like we need to draw out that cockroach so we can squash her.”

“It won’t be easy.” Carmine warned, “She knows how much is at risk. She would be reluctant to do anything when she could send a drone in her place.”

“Then we make it impossible for her to do so.” Kepler countered, “I know that between your early warning and the improvements we’ve made with Equestria’s military, they’ll have to change tactics if they have any hope of beating us.”

“But what kind of change would they employ?” Dahlia spoke up from Carmine’s side, “It’s not like they have Kepler’s knowledge to rely upon now that he has switched sides.”

“Never underestimate the creativity of the depraved,” Kepler’s words were ominous as they brought a hush over the table, “the truly heinous actions of a madman often come from the most unlikely of places.”

Nods of agreement followed his statement, a pause in conversation that took several moments to break.

“So, now that the fighting has been slowed down by your help and the new gear we’ve designed for the soldiers,” Shining’s gaze locked with Kepler’s, “do you plan to stay in Canterlot?”

Kepler’s eyebrow rose in confusion, “Meaning?”

“We could very well continue this war on our own,” Shining’s words made the former human bristle with indignity, “but I know that your sense of honor and your devotion to duty would never allow you to do so. So, instead of keeping you cooped up in the castle like a glorified advisor, I was thinking you might want to take the fight directly to the enemy.”

“I was never trained for land-based operations,” Kepler replied after his hackles lowered, “I’ve always been a sailor at heart and that is where my skills are best utilized. Give me a ship, and I will sink any threat that comes to your shores.”

“Even the Tyr?” Shining’s words hung in the air for a moment, the eyes of the others all shifting to rest on Kepler, waiting for his reply.

He nodded once, with a deadly resolve in his eyes, “It was my nation’s technology that gave rise to this conflict, the Tyr being the greatest threat we have yet to address. I will sink her even if I must do so with my bare hooves, but I get the feeling that you have something else in mind.”

Shining’s smile lit up the room as he nodded in turn, “Indeed, I’ve received word that the construction of the ship we designed off your technology is nearing completion. She should be seaworthy in a matter of a few weeks. When she is ready, I would like to offer you the position at her helm.”

Kepler’s eyes widened in shock, “A few weeks?! But they only began construction a month or two ago! How can they be almost done?!”

Cadence giggled behind her hoof, “Never underestimate the power of magic when ponies are pushed to do something.”

A gusty sigh escaped Kepler’s lips as he sat back in his seat, “Apparently. To think it makes that much of a difference. The gryphons took the better part of a year to do the same thing.”

“So,” Shining pressed, “what do you say, Captain Kepler Wolff? Will you do it?”

Kepler’s grin was predatory, “As if you even need to ask. I will gladly put the Tyr to rest beneath the waves, but I have some conditions.”

Shining and Cadence shared an uncertain look before the pink alicorn turned to face him, “Such as?”

“I have loyal allies still stationed on the Tyr.” Kepler replied, “They are currently waiting for my return so they can extract themselves from the ship. I won’t abandon them or destroy the ship without giving them a chance to escape. My only condition is that you give me the chance to save them before we destroy the Tyr.”

“And how do you propose we do that?” Cadence asked, “We have no way of communicating with the Tyr.”

“Yes, you do.” Kepler’s counter brought confused looks to most of the table, “I know how the radio and speaker systems were enhanced by magic crystals. I might not know how to cast magic, but I read enough of the schematics and was told by the enchanters how they were integrating the two. If we make a similar system and put it on the new ship, we can communicate with the Tyr once we get into range of their transmitter.”

“And tell them what?” Carmine spoke up, “How will they know what you are trying to do without alerting the entire ship?”

Kepler’s fangs glinted in the sunlight, “I gave them a code phrase. One that I can add to our demands for the ship in its entirety without drawing suspicion. By the time they realize it, half of the crew will be abandoning their posts.”

“Leaving the ship unable to counterattack properly when we strike.” Shining’s eyebrows rose in respect, “Well played.”

Kepler nodded, “I respect my friends and allies in the crew too much to abandon them. I must try and get them out of there before we sink my former post. I will never allow Chrysalis to control the lives of those I care about ever again, not while I’m still breathing.”

A soft round of applause followed his words, a quick kiss on his cheek from Gloria cementing her approval of his words. Cadence nodded while Shining tapped his hoof on the table. The only one who seemed out of sorts was Dahlia, who was staring at the table with a hard look in her eyes.

Carmine noticed her daughter’s state and asked in a soft tone, “What is it, Dahlia?”

The younger royal lifted her head to address the table as a whole, “I would also like to take a post on this new ship.”

Shock overcame the faces of most of the table, the only exception being Kepler as he lifted an eyebrow. Carmine, on the other hand, was extremely vocal in her response.

“Absolutely not!” Her voice echoed slightly from the force of her shout, “You will do no such thing!”

“And why not?” Dahlia countered, “Kepler is much more important to the cause than I am, yet he will be commanding the ship once it is ready to sail. I want to do my part in this war, so why can’t I help?”

“Because you are the future of this hive,” Carmine argued, her wings flaring and her eyes slit in frustration, “if something happens to me, who will lead our hive if you are struck down in battle?”

“And what does it matter about the future if we lose this war?” Dahlia’s voice cracked as tears began to run down her face, even as her furious gaze bore into her mother’s, “It won’t matter who leads the hive, because there won’t be a hive left to lead! I’m going mother, and you can’t stop me.”

Carmine opened her mouth, most likely to say something she would regret, but was interrupted by Kepler’s firm tone, “Hold for a moment, Your Majesty.”

Carmine shifted her glare to Kepler, the bite in her voice still as sharp as a knife, “This is between me and my daughter. Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

“Pardon my intrusion, Queen Carmine,” Kepler continued, “But I had a question, a curiosity, that I think has relevance to our discussion. Please, a moment before we lose our heads.”

A snort escaped Carmine’s muzzle, her answer interrupted by Dahlia as the younger changeling replied, “Ask me then. What is so important that you think we need to know right now?”

“What purpose would you serve on the ship?” Kepler asked, “What skill can you bring to the table that cannot be performed by someone else?”

Dahlia opened her mouth, paused, then lowered her gaze to the table. Carmine was just opening her mouth to speak, when Dahlia’s head snapped back up to lock eyes with Kepler.

“I can provide updates to my mother, through the hive mind!” Dahlia’s words tumbled from her muzzle in a rush as she carried on, “I could relay information about what is happening to her and the Equestrians as the fight happens. I could also help to coordinate any changelings that are part of the crew so they can be more effective working together.”

“Both of those duties could be performed by a drone as well,” Kepler countered, “I’ve seen Chrysalis’ drones communicate with her while I served on the Tyr. Is there anything else that you can do that could not be performed by a drone?”

Dahlia’s mouth opened and closed a few times, but when no answer was forthcoming, she lowered her head to glare at the table once more. Carmine lifted a hoof to her daughter’s shoulder, only to be shrugged off as the younger changeling stood up and marched out of the room. Carmine made to follow but was stopped by Shining Armor as he placed a gentle hoof on her chest.

“Let her cool off for a bit,” his words were calm and caring as he gazed up at his fellow royal, “she’s frustrated and too upset right now to be receptive to anything.”

Carmine sighed before nodding in agreement, “I understand. I see how much drive and passion she has, but her youthful stubbornness blinds her to the true gravity of the situation.”

“She will learn, in time.” Cadence added as she joined her husband standing at Carmine’s side, “It’s part of growing up.”

A small smile graced Carmine’s lips, “True enough. I fear that we have lost the focus of this meeting. Perhaps we connect later to go over plans again, once frayed nerves are cooled?”

Agreement followed her words from all parties, “Then I bid you good evening.”

Kepler stayed seated as the royals exited the dining room, leaving just him and Gloria. A sigh escaped his muzzle as he leaned into her side, a wing gliding over his back to curl around his body as a soft kiss landed between his ears.

“Sometimes I wish I had actually died when my ship sank.” He grumbled into Gloria’s feathers, “Then I wouldn’t have to deal with being part of royal family squabbles and international politics.”

Gloria giggled, “True, but then you wouldn’t have met me either, and I like you too much to think like that.”

A talon lifted his chin until she could plant a much deeper kiss on his lips, her arms moving to wrap around his shoulders as she pulled him against her chest fluff. Kepler gladly embraced his love and welcomed the distraction from the day’s stress as he returned the kiss, allowing the world around them to fade away for a moment as he lost himself in Gloria’s presence.

Try as he might to block out reality, there was one little thing that kept him rooted in the real world, even as he did his best to kiss Gloria into a stupor. He was fully aware of the young changeling hiding behind the cracked doorway, the glint of her eyes having given her away as Gloria had turned his head to kiss him. Stealthy changelings might be, not so much when their glowing eyes are reflecting sunlight like a twin pair of lamps. While he wasn’t exactly a fan of the attention, he didn’t want to ruin the moment with Gloria calling her out on it. So, he continued to kiss his amazing girlfriend, even as the young princess watched them from afar. He had suspected that there was an ulterior motive for asking to be part of the crew, but he hadn’t been expecting it to be this.

Now he had a whole new mess to deal with, along with the not so inconsequential detail of winning a war.

Author's Note

Hey there once again everypony! I'm back and better than ever with this latest issue of your irregularly-scheduled updates.

A huge round of applause for my dedicated editor LeadlessSteed for their tireless efforts to make my garbled mess of a story into something worth reading. Couldn't have done it without you, seriously.

As always, comments and likes are an author's food, so FEED ME and you might get the next chapter out sooner than you think.

Hope to see you all next time, and hoping my chapters continue to entertain and delight,
Shadow Quill, Messenger of the Moon.