Chapter 1 - Snowbound

As Daniel McKenna and Sean Walker, following after Sarah Briggs, entered the briefing room on the MCS MacAllan II, the two Pilots were surprised to see the rest of Daniel's squad, Kilo Team, waiting for them.

"So, Commander…" Daniel asked. "What's the op?"

"You'll see in a moment, Pilot." Briggs replied. "However, I won't be briefing you today. He will."

The Pilots took one look at the aforementioned figure and spun to a sharp salute.

"Admiral Graves, sir!" Daniel spoke.

"At ease, Pilots." Fleet Admiral Marcus Graves replied, as he took the podium at the front of the room. "We've got a priority alpha objective for you today."

"Last night, at 2200 Hours, one of our Recon Satellites picked up these images and bio-scans on a planet near Typhon."

As images flickered across the holoscreen of a small village made from wood and thatch, to a magnificent city on a mountainside, to a spire-centered city surrounded by snow, like a frozen oasis.

The Pilots looked at each other in shock and awe.

"As such, we have concluded that we are no longer alone." Graves continued. "However, due to this planet's proximity to the remains of Typhon, we are taking this carefully and slowly."

"That is why I am sending the MacAllan II on a diplomatic mission to this planet, in order to establish first contact." Graves said. "We have established a preliminary landing zone at a plain south of the frozen city. Kilo Team, you have been selected to be the recon and introductory forces for the Militia. You will deploy via your Titans and move northeast to the City to establish negotiations."

"This is a dangerous if not uncertain mission, so pack extra ammunition in case things go south. However, maintain weapons low and peaceful relations at all costs"

"Am I understood?"

"Sir, yes sir!" the Pilots replied.

"One question, sir." Daniel spoke. "I'm seeing eight names on the roster here. There's seven of us here. Who's coming with us?"

"A Pilot by the name of Jack Cooper." Graves said. "He's recently been inducted into the Marauder Corps, along with his Titan, BT-7274."

"So, a rookie?" Chase Dawes asked.

"On the contrary, he's a veteran Pilot who made quite a name for himself on Typhon." Graves said. "He's the Pilot who destroyed the Fold Weapon, eliminated several Apex Predator Mercenaries, and captured the IMS Malta."

"Damn." said Romero, a Pilot Spectre. "He sounds good."

"And now he'll be a part of your team." Graves replied. "We deploy in 2 hours, Pilots. Prepare yourselves accordingly. Dismissed."

The Pilots saluted and headed for the Deployment Bay. As Daniel took point, they were soon joined by their newest member, Jack Cooper. Cooper gave a salute and approached.

"You're Kilo Team?" he asked.

"Yep. Lieutenant Jack Cooper?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Good to meet you. Daniel McKenna, I'm your new squad leader." Daniel replied as they shook hands. "Your Titan's good to go?"

"Yep." Cooper said as he fell in with the other Pilots. "BT's finishing the last few tests and diagnostics right now."

"Why's that? Was he damaged?" asked Helena Sieman.

"Yeah, he sacrificed himself to destabilize the Fold Weapon." Cooper said. "Somehow, his datacore remained intact. We found his chassis, what was left of it, and repaired him. Third time it's happened, actually."

"Impressive." Kelly Wright nodded. "What are the odds of that happening?"

"From what the techs told me, it was a miracle his datacore survived the blast. We did have to do a lot of repair work to it, but his main data was intact." Cooper said as they entered the deployment bay, where their Titans were waiting.

"BT, how are you doing?" Cooper called out to his Vanguard-Class, who was at rest near the drop chute.

"I am fine, Pilot Cooper." BT-7274 replied. "All systems are functional. How are you?"

"Same here." Cooper said as he mounted up. "How's the new chassis working for you?"

"The systems data transfer is complete and diagnostics show no errors." BT replied. "I have also been cleared for combat."

"Good to hear." Cooper smiled as the other Pilots mounted up while the MacAllan II entered a Faster-Than-Light jump, making everything on board shudder. "Captain, we're all set!"

"Good to hear." Daniel said as he settled into his own Vanguard-Class Titan, IN-2632. "We've got plenty of time before we reach this planet, Pilots. Let's get some rest. I have a feeling we'll need it."

====
Equestria, Ponyville

Castle of Friendship

"So, Princess Luna?" Twilight Sparkle asked as the two alicorns cleared their breakfast dishes. "Is there any other reason you came?"

"Actually, yes." Luna said. "It appears that Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor have invited you and the Element Bearers to the Crystal Empire for a week's vacation."

"That's great! I'd love to!" Twilight smiled. "And so would my friends once I tell them!"

"Oh, I already did." Luna smirked. "They're waiting for us at the train station. It pays to think of things ahead of time, doesn't it?"

Twilight flinched, but nodded as Spike hopped onto her back, ready to go. As the three of them sealed the Castle and headed for the Train Station, they were greeted by the other Element Bearers.

"You all packed?" Twilight asked, seeing the five suitcases being loaded onto the train.

"We sure did." Applejack replied. "Princess Luna kinda startled us, though."

"I apologize for anything of the sort." Luna smiled. "Shall we be off?"

"You're coming too?" Spike asked.

"There is some Royal Business I have to attend to in the Empire." Luna replied. "Now, let's get going."

As the eight of them boarded the train and found their seats, the train lurched forward and picked up speed, heading for the Crystal Empire.

====

"Huh." Twilight murmured as she looked out the window, frowning slightly. "The wind's picking up its pace, and the snow is coming down a lot faster. I think we've got a blizzard on our hooves."

"That's certainly not good." Rarity replied. "I can't fathom having to walk outside to the Crystal Empire in that kind of storm."

"We might not have a choice in that." Luna frowned as the train came to a sudden stop and the lights flickered slightly, but stayed lit. "Looks like we're stranded for the moment."

"So, what now?" Rainbow asked. "We can't just stay here."

"Somepony will dig us out eventually." Fluttershy said. "For now, let's just wait and see."

"Yeah, Fluttershy's right. We'll be fine, we always are!" Pinkie grinned. As the ponies came together, if they had been able to look up to the sky, they would've seen a bright blue flash appear on the horizon.

Author's Note

Update!

And yes, the Eight Militia Pilots will land in the blizzard soon.

Plus, Jack Cooper's here much earlier than I planned. What could be better?