3038 Celestial Calendar-mining colony in the Free Moons League

Starbright Shimmer stood on the lift in the hangar bay of the DropShip Xerxes looking up at the Applejack that she'd been using for the past two years. She still remembered lucking out when they found this 'Steed buried in an old collapsed bunker out in the periphery while executing a pirate hunting contract. Spot Weld and Matchstick had practically creamed their jumpsuits. It had taken the company six months of taking any job, no matter how low paying and selling her old Star Spider, to get up the S-bits so they could get the replacement parts needed to get it up and running. It may not have been the most glamorous model out there, but considering that the Star Gallopers weren't a very big merc outfit, consisting of one 'Steed jock, one aerospace jock and one vehicle jock, it was more than enough. Of course their whole company was understaffed, at a dozen individuals, meaning that this flying bread box of a DropShip has barely enough to keep basic operations working, and as long as everycreature didn't slack off or get sick, they would be working at above skeleton crew status.

Across the hangar, Firecracker was climbing into her Parasprite helicopter and Spring Ember had just opened the main hatch on her MRM carrier. Starbright pushed the lever forward on the lift, causing it elevate up to the catwalk. Once reaching the catwalk, she walked onto her BattleSteed, flung open the hatch on the cockpit and climbed in. Climbing into the piloting couch, she slipped on the control helmet and began flipping switches, initiating the pre-launch sequence to check the status of individual systems. Grunting in satisfaction, she set everything into stand-by mode.

"So what'cha think about the rumors of a weird ship seen on the edge of the periphery? Think it's aliens?", Firecracker asked over the radio, "You think it could be aliens?"

"No, I don't think it's aliens. If intelligent aliens existed, we'd have seen them by now.", Starbright replied.

"Besides, if it turns out to be aliens, we can always go the whole 'Do you come in Peace?' route.", Spring Ember replied.

"I'm sure you're dying for an anal probing." Starbright couldn't help herself.

The kirin that was currently sitting in the MRM carrier stuck the upper half of her body out of the hatch, blew a raspberry and gave the "up yours" signal.

"Hey, that's supposed to be my thing. If you keep horning on my schtick, I'm going to rough you up.", Star Burst quipped.

"Plus, why is that the only ones who claims to get abducted and probed by aliens are inbred hicks who think it's okay to spend all day fucking their sisters in the mouth and smoking salts?", Firecracker asked.

"An' thar I wuz, out in th' woods with mah sister-niece an' my brother-cousin when we saw a bright light an' then the ellee-ahns took us up in their ship an' one o' 'em stuck a probe intah mah plothole.", Spring Ember said in a stereotypical backwater hick accent. "Yeah...that wasn't aliens. That was Skeeter and Bubba with a flashlight and a rake handle."

"Besides, why would aliens want to probe some inbred hick when they could have my fine plot?", Star Burst asked, "I'd even be all like 'Oh yes space daddy! Show this stallion why you're the superior race!'"

"O-kay. I think it's time we changed subjects.", Starbright said, "Let's go over the mission specs one last time before we get the green light to drop."

"Standard hoof-holding contract followed by a bandit smash. The Seven Suns mining collective has been having trouble with a new bandit gang harassing their convoys. StarCom even reported that they rolled up to an MPG and took a few potshots.", Star Burst said.

"These folks must be real water-heads to think they can shoot at StarCom property.", Spring Ember said.

"So what's the pay?", Firecracker asked.

"Two-point-five mil S-bits and enough salvage shares to repair our gear and maybe even upgrade the Applejack.", Star Burst said, " StarCom has offered an extra three percent for every bandit we take alive and turn over to them."

The kirin, the unicorn and the pegasus all three whistled into their radios.

"That's some serious milk money. StarCom must really hate those fuckos if they're willing to toss in anything extra to convince us to bring them in alive.", Spring Ember said, "Maybe we can hire a couple of janitors as I'm tired of plunging toilets."

"Maybe you wouldn't clog the toilet so much if you ate fewer tacos on taco Tuesdays.", Firecracker quipped.

"Fuck you! I'll eat all the tacos I want on Tuesday!", the kirin snapped.

"Fuck yourself, you'll get more dick that way.", the pegasus fired back.

Starbright chose to ignore the two doing their usual pre-mission bickering. "What's the reports on enemy strength?"

"According to Seven Suns scouts, they've got got mostly Bunny APCs, a hoofful of Chimera tanks, a few carriers, a Star Spider, a Pipsqueak and a DerpySteed.", Star Burst replied.

"So outside of some tanks, a few carriers, a Spoder and a Squeaker, the only real threat they have is a Derp. So what's the catch?", Firecracker asked.

"According to StarCom flyovers, the bandits' base has a series of automated turrets, two 'Steed repair bays and a 'Steed hangar. Plus there were enough spare parts lying around to indicate that there's probably an inoperable medium-class 'Steed.", Star Burst said.

"So you're saying that if we're lucky, we could probably steal ourselves a 'Steed?, the pegasus asked.

"Maybe, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. Just because they've got the parts for it doesn't mean they've got one. These bandits could just be part of some sort of smuggling op.", Star Burst replied.

"Which means if they are smugglers, we could be dealing with with periphery-based pirates or 'Sphere-based mafia.", Starbright said, "That might explain why they decided to take on StarCom. When you get a chance, shoot a message up to JSU about potential unregistered JumpShips coming in on a pirate point."

"Already ahead of you.", the earth pony co-owner of the merc company and DropShip pilot replied.

"What's the mission parameters?"

"It's a two-parter. Today we're going to escort a Seven Suns convoy to a base a hundred kliks away and in fourteen days we're to link up with another lance to hit their base.", Star Burst replied.

"Who's the lance we're linking up with?", Spring Ember asked.

"According to the contract, they're a small contingent the Bon house guard.", Star Burst answered.

"think we'll see a full Bon stealth lance?", Firecracker snarked.

"The Free Moons League must hate them if they're going to allow Lyra Commonwealth forces this deep in their borders uncontested.", Spring Ember said.

"Not really.", Starbright replied, "Think back to the Equus Treaty. If an enemy force is disregarding the rules of war, then the great houses may call on any other great house for aid and offer safe passage to any forces they send. Plus, I think we're dealing with a small part of a much larger operation, otherwise House Glimmer would have just simply swooped in with their forces and wiped them out."

"We just got the green light. We're going struts-up in thirty seconds and will be within the drop zone in the hour. Strap everything down and yourselves in.", Star Burst said.

***

The repair and rearming crew scrambled around the hangar of the DropShip, ensuring the helicopter, MRM carrier and BattleSteed were combat ready when Star Burst spoke through the radio, "We're ten minutes out. Eagle One, how copy on status?"

"Lance command, this is Eagle One. Status is all-green and ready for launch."

"Eagle One, spin up and prepare for launch."

"Roger-Roger!" The parasprite's rotors began spinning, filling the hangar with wind. The DropShip shook as it came to a hovering stop. The floor below the helicopter opened and it dropped into thin air."This is Eagle One, Lance Command. Clear and away. Commencing holding pattern Zeta."

"Confirmed Eagle One. We have you on sensors. Hothead, we're one hundred-eighty seconds from your drop, how copy on status?"

The MRM carrier's engine roared to life and its boxy turret twisted side-to-side. "Lance Command, this is Hothead. Status is all-green and ready to roll out."

"Landing in fifteen seconds."

The DropShip gave a lurch as it touched down and the ramp lowered. The MRM carrier accelerated to full speed as it rolled down the ramp. "Hothead clear and moving into position."

"Roger Hothead. We have you on sensors.

Matchstick knocked on the armored glass of the Applejack's cockpit and Starbright once more went over the pre-launch check before giving a hoof's up. "Lance Command, Runner is green to go.", the dragon said into the radio.

"Roger Wrench two, launch when ready."

Spot Weld and Matchstick shouted commands at the repair crew. The umbilical lines were unhooked and reeled in as the automated repair arms and restraining carriage were retracted. The BattleSteed gave a lurch as the floor underneath began rotating, the panels and consoles in the cockpit began lighting up while the onboard computer began the automated startup process.
Reactor: Online
Sensors: Online
Weapons: Online
All systems nominal

The weapons arms on the Applejack raised into position a moment before the ramp dropped down. Starbright pressed her hind hooves into the actuator pedals, making the forty-five ton 'Steed begin walking forward, while her forehooves manipulated the steering yoke. "Lance Command, this is Runner. I am clear and moving to NavPoint Alpha."

"Roger. We have you on sensors and are moving to high altitude over watch."

Starbright quickly set the weapons groups on the console. She set both AC-2s and all four M-lasers into the configurations she was most comfortable with. "Eagle One, Hothead, form up on me in standard patrol configuration and let's go say hi to our employers."

"Roger." "Roger."

After several minutes Starbright saw the convoy on sensors.

"Runner, Hothead, I have visual on the convoy at about one thousand meters.", Firecracker said over the radio.

"Confirmed, Eagle One. I have them on sensors, range confirmed. Begin approach in a wide-hook pattern and let them see you coming. Hothead, break formation and assume a ninja approach. I'll move forward and open comms."

Her lancemates gave their responses in affirmation. She watched as the carrier split to the left and stayed close to a series of hills and bluffs, traveling towards a forest and the helicopter gained altitude as it flew in a right-hook trajectory. The unicorn moved her 'Steed forward at fifty KPH and keyed up the radio. "Seven Suns Convoy, we are your escort from the Star Gallopers."

The response crackled over the radio."This is Seven Sons convoy command. We have you on sensors. I was hoping the company would spring for more than a whirlybird and a 'Steed as escort, but I guess short help is better than no help."

"Confirmed Convoy Command. We are moving into an escort and over watch formation." Starbright smiled slightly, if the convoy didn't detect the carrier, then there was a chance that the bandits might not detect it until too late, but she also remembered the first rule of combat, 'No plan survives first contact with the enemy'. She sent a text-only message to Spring Ember. 'Maintain radio silence until we make contact with the enemy.'

'Affirmative.'

Starbright maneuvered her Applejack parallel to the convoy, keeping them just within three hundred meters to her right. She kept an eye on her sensors, a flicker of something that read as a 'Steed for a second before it faded from the HUD. "Eagle One, I just picked up a 'Steed signal, type and size unknown, for a second on my three o'clock, distance unknown. It either just powered down, is using the land as cover or has an ECM suite. Can you confirm whether it's friendly or hostile?"

"A Jammer sounds a little advanced for some bandit scum. Will confirm."

Starbright watched as the Parasprite flew off from her three o'clock to investigate. "Hey boss, I'm getting something on sensors, but it's weak. I think you're right about a jammer. Moving closer to investigate. Standby." A moment later Firecracker spoke up again."I have visual confirmation on one SRM carrier, two AC carriers and a Squeaker, that's where your jammer is coming from. Hold on, I see something--HOLY SHIT!" Starbright watched as the helicopter veered away hard as a tracer from an auto-canon narrowly missed her. "THEY'VE GOT A CELESTIA-DAMNED ROCKHOOF!"

"Get out of there Firecracker! You're no good to anypony if they swat you down! Spring, we've made contact, prepare to break cover and engage." Starbright switched frequencies. "Convoy Command, we've just made contact with hostile forces. The have three vehicles and two 'Steeds. I suggest any non-combat vehicles put the hammer down and get out of here, I'm moving in to distract them. If any of you that have weapons and want to provide backup, it would be appreciated." She turned her 'Steed towards the direction the hostile lance was coming from, increased speed to the full sixty-five KPH and flipped the radio to the general broadcast frequency."Hostile lance, you have opened fire on those employed by the Seven Suns mining collective. Disengage and leave now, and we'll allow you to survive today."

"Big talk for somepony who only has a whirlybird and an Applejack. Counter offer, you leave and we don't shoot your dick off.", came the reply.

"Sorry, but we won't be leavin'."

"Then I guess you just chose death."

Starbright switched the frequency back to her lancemates. "Hothead, try to stay in cover while you move in. If they haven't spotted you by now, then we may have a small bit of fortune. Eagle One, strafe 'em and see if you can piss one or two of 'em off enough to break off and chase you."

"Roger.", both lancemates replied.

As Starbright moved close enough to pick out individual targets on her sensors, but not quite close enough to make visual contact, the images on the HUD wavered from interference from the Pipsqueak's ECM. The Parasprite flew over and unleashed a few staggered shots from its twin M-lasers, a second later a plume of smoke and fire blossomed upwards. "I didn't hit 'em that hard boss. Either they put cardboard armor on their SRM carrier or they set it to self-destruct." "Roger that Eagle One. Set yourself up for another pass as I move in."

Starbright moved her Applejack through the trees until she could could visual confirmation on the enemy lance. Taking careful aim as the Pipsqueak's ECM was still messing with her sensors, she lined up a shot with the lead AC carrier and fired one AC-2. The explosive shell impacted on the rear quarter of the vehicle, the engine erupted in flames, splitting the vehicle in two. Two burning form of still living creatures tumbled out and rolled on the ground in a desperate attempt to put out the flames, several seconds later they stopped moving. She kicked her 'Steed into reverse, backtracking the way she came for several meters before turning into a wide hooking path.

The Parasprite swooped down in a strafing run again. "The last carrier is down...*shkrrt*...fuck! That got toasty!" Starbright turned her attention to the helicopter and noted the smoke coming off of it. "You good Eagle One?" "I took a hit from the Squeaker and am leaking fuel. Sorry to shoot and run boss, but I gotta find somewhere to set down." "Alright. But if I find out that all they did was knock that dick pic off of your dash, I'm kicking your plot and docking you pay."Hey! That dick pic is an integral system!" Starbright chuckled as she remembered the stallion that the penis in the picture belonged to, she honestly could say that if she had the one to bed him, she would have done the same.

The unicorn mare steered the Applejack back into the fight and burst though the trees. Lining up a shot on the Pipsqueak, she unleashed both auto-canons and all four M-lasers in an alpha strike. The ultralight 'Steed shook and wavered as armor plates shattered into metal slivers or melted into slag, but it didn't shut down or fall over. Starbright found that her HUD cleared up and she was able to get a clear reading n the two 'Steeds. The Pipsqueak had both of its M-pulse lasers and both S-lasers knocked out, leaving only its flamer intact. The paper doll display of the ultralight 'Steed showed that almost all of the armor on the right side had been stripped off and even had sustained some significant internal damage. She immediately engaged the Applejack's jump jets, sending the forty-five ton 'Steed skyward just as the Rockhoof fired its auto-canon.

Starbright was thrown about the pilot couch, causing the restraining harness to dig into her as the explosive shell slammed into her 'Steed. She gave a quick check on her Steed's status, she had been fortunate, taking only a glancing his on her 'Steed's right foreleg, but it still stripped off nearly twenty percent of the leg's armor. She rotated the Applejack midair and lined up her shot on the Rockhoof's shoulder where the AC-20 was housed. Fortunately these bandits never did put much in way of armor plating and maintenance on their 'Steeds, sacrificing protection for speed and as much ammo and weapons they could mount instead, the reading showed it only had twenty percent remaining on the most vital areas. Unleashing rippling fire to keep her 'Steed from overheating and shutting down. First all four M-lasers fired one after the other, impacting on the AC-20, the first two laser blasts melted the armor away, allowing the the other laser to hit the internal structure, then the two AC-2 shells impacted. The Rockhoof shook from a series if explosions as AC-20 shells cooked off, filling the air with fire and shrapnel, shearing off the 'Steed's powerful auto-canon, effectively cutting down on its firepower. Heat warning alarms blared through the Applejack's cockpit as it touched down. She took a quick look at the Rockhoof's paper doll readings to confirm what she had damaged, it had lost its AC-20 and ammunition, three heat sinks and suffered significant internal damage, it was a minor miracle that the 'Steed jock was still conscious. She kicked her 'Steed into reverse, to make distance and allow the heat sinks to do their job. That was when the Rockhoof's jock remembered that he still had lasers. Green and red beams lanced out through the trees, setting their canopies ablaze and causing a few to explode in showers of flaming splinters, but missing their intended target. That showed either the enemy jock was panic-firing or his sensor suite had been knocked out.

Starbright steered through the forest, letting her heat sinks cool her 'Steed when she picked up the signature of a 'Steed powering up. She slammed her Applejack hard to the right when an auto-canon shell slammed into her 'Steed sending her bouncing around the pilot chair, the restraining harness crushed the breath from her lungs. Shaking off the cobwebs and forcing herself to suck air back in, she gave a quick check of her systems. One AC-2 and two M-lasers had been knocked out, as well as stripping almost all of the armor from the Applejack's right shoulder, fortunately the internal damage had been minimal. Looking around, she saw the clumsy, awkward and slow gait of a DerpySteed. Turning on the spot, she fired the remaining weapons. The Derpy shook and rocked from the impact, but didn't fall. The remaining AC-2 jammed. Using her 'Steed's greater speed, she moved away from the DerpySteed and circled around as she jockeyed for better position. She'd have to deal with having no auto-canon until the automated loader figured out how to clear the blockage.

Starbright narrowly dodged a shot from the Derpy's AC-20, but its M-laser scored a hit on her right side. As she lined up a shot on the enemy 'Steed, that's when twenty missile contrails arced through the air and the back of the DerpySteed lit up with explosions. The light 'Steed rocked and reeled before falling over.

"Sorry I'm late boss!", Spring Ember shouted over the radio, "I ran in to a couple of Chimera tanks and had to show them how to go home!"

"I'd suck your dick right now if I didn't have a Rockhoof on my plot!", Starbright said. A second later a green laser cut through the forest, slicing trees in half, shattering many of the into flaming splinters. She kicked her Applejack into max speed, when she caught the Pipsqueak on sensors, trying to use the trees as cover. She lined up the shot and unleashed a pair of green lasers.
Target destroyed.
She smiled at the message from the onboard computer through her headset confirming the kill.

The Rockhoof stomped forward, firing its lasers as quickly as they recharged.

Starbright kept her Applejack in motion. The enemy 'Steed jock was good, but he was firing lasers like his heat sinks were made of ice. The Rockhoof slouched as it overheated and the safeguard kicked in, shutting it down. She gave a wicked grin as the display showed her remaining auto-canon had cleared the jam. Turning the Applejack in place, she came to a complete stop, letting the heat sinks bleed off as much heat as possible, while she carefully lined up for a head shot. As the Rockhoof restarted, the Applejack stagger fired all remaining weapons. The armored glass on the enemy cockpit melted away as the green lines from the Applejack's M-lasers hit, then the AC-2 turned the enemy pilot into mush and pink mist. With smoke pouring from its now destroyed cockpit, the enemy medium 'Steed stood stock still, almost like it was surprised at the shot that happened, then tipped over, crashing to the ground.

Starbright left the 'Steed she just head shot to confirm the kill on the Pipsqueak. She found the 'Steed on its side, fire from the ruptured fuel canister for the flamer blazing inside the cockpit. She felt a moment's remorse for the pilot, nocreature deserved to die burning to death, even if they were bandit scum. "Hey Spring, what's the condition on the Derp?"

"I think I got an engine kill, it's still mostly intact. Can't tell if the pilot's alive or not. What about the Rocky and the Squeaker?"

"Head shot on the Rock and a burning cockpit on the Squeak."

The unicorn and kirin took a few moments to signal the locations of the destroyed and knocked out vehicles and 'Steeds up to the DropShop. She'd leave it to Star Burst to maneuver the DropShip in for salvage, after all their employers couldn't make a MRRB claim against them for any salvage they didn't know about. The two then moved off to catch back up with the convoy.

Starbright and Spring Ember sat in the shade between the Applejack's legs, both had partially stripped out of their barding as the last of the vehicles from the convoy pulled into the depot, it had been a successful mission, the bandits APCs hadn't shown up, probably opting to turn back after their tanks, carriers and 'Steeds had been knocked out, but still left the Star Spider unaccounted for. The Xerxes descended from above and hovered in place before landing. The unicorn climbed up the rope ladder and back into the cockpit as the kirin sauntered over to her carrier. Once the flying bread box of a DropShip's struts had settled into the ground, two of the ramps dropped down. The two piloted their vehicle and 'Steed respectively into the hangar bay.

Starbright shook her head when she saw Spot Weld and Matchstick standing on the gantry, scowling at her. Powering down the Applejack for the last time for the day, she reached out with her magic to open the hatch as the restraining cradle was moved in place and mentally prepared to be verbally accosted by the two head mechanics.

"Look what you did to my baby!", the dragon shouted over the rising din of machinery, "I just got her freshly painted and detailed! She was the belle of the ball, then you had to go and ugly her up!"

"It's not all her fault.", Spot Weld replied, "You know they don't teach jocks how to take care of their toys and leave it to grown-ups like us to clean up the mess. I mean come on, first Firecracker smashes up her Parasprite, then Spring shoots the engine out of the Derp, and Starbright practically blew the Rocky in half and plays arsonist on the Squeaker. Whoever gets a hold of that one won't be able to clean the smell outa the cockpit for a month."

"I got something you can blow.", Starbright quipped.

Star Burst walked into the hangar and shouted up to the gantry, "Back off of her for now boys. You can dress her down after you inspect everything and hoof her the damage report."

"So I take it that you weren't able to snag anything before Seven Suns salvage crews were able to show up.", Starbright says to Star Burst.

"We showed up before anypony from Seven Suns, however, StarGuard showed up right as we started inspecting the wreckage.", the earth pony replied.

"Oof! Well it sucks that you weren't able to snipe some primo loot before everypony and their brother got there."

"Actually the weirdest thing happened. They said they'd look the other way if we helped them pry the still living pilot out of the Derp and didn't take anything too big.", Star Burst replied.

"So what were you able to get?"

"We were able to haul the Derp aboard, though we did try to beg and plead to let us pull the engine out of the Squeaker, but no dice.", Star Burst replied.

"A DerpySteed with a busted engine and full weapons, not too bad. That'll score us a mil to the right buyer. Tartarus, if we really need the S-bits, we could score a few hondo-thou at a scrapyard.", Starbright said as she started to leave the hangar.

"Off to see Wrecks?"

"Yeah. I got a little banged up dealing with that Derp and Rocky. I'm a little sore, gonna make sure it ain't nothin' serious." Starbright remembered one of the most important lessons from her time at the MRRB academy, 'Always have medical check out any injuries you have, no matter how minor they seem. Sometimes the most serious injuries seem like something small.'

The unicorn mare sat on the examination table while Wrecks, their diamond dog doctor, checked her over over. "Other than some bruising to your shoulders and chest, you're okay. In about two or three days you'll be in perfect working order. Thank the princesses and the mother lode that your harness was working properly, or you might've been in pretty bad shape." He shoved a packet of two pain pills into her hoof. "If the pain is too much for you, take these with plenty of water. If you start having any other symptoms, increased pain or stiffness in you legs, chest or back, any difficultly breathing or any dizziness or nausea, come see me again. Otherwise just get some rest."

Chrysalis sat in the (officially) retired princesses conference room as they entertained a class who had stopped by their retirement palace for a field trip. Ugh! If there's anything I hate more than those alicorns, it's foals, with their perpetually sticky hooves and their snotty snouts and their poking anything and everything! She set aside her perpetual hatred of anything and everything to double check the datapad she had in her possession. It was the last transmission from the JumpShip that went out nearly twenty years ago to find out what the odd reading the MPG listening posts had picked up was.

"And remember everypony, if you do your homework, eat your veggies, pay your StarCom bills and follow your dreams, you can become anything you want to be, even an alicorn.", Twilight said outside the meeting room door, in an overly chipper tone.

"Remember, I believe in each an every one of you.", Celestia spoke up next.

"Remember to follow your dreams.", Luna said, "Oh wait, Princess Twilight Sparkle already said that. Sorry everypony, normally I'm asleep at this time.", the foals chuckled before she continued, "Never forget to reach for the moon, even if you fail, you'll still land among the stars."

"Remember that I love each and every one of you.", Cadance said.

"And remember...Friendship is Magic!", Flurry Heart said, the foals saying the last part with her.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. You went from the most powerful ponies in the galaxy to spouting mindless taglines to insipid younglings.

The sounds of pens scribbling on paper and the clopping of many small hooves going down the hall prceeded the doors to the meeting room opened and the retired princesses trotted in. Once the doors were closed, the five alicorns dropped their smiles and took their seats at the conference table. Chrysalis shuddered in a mixture of disgust and fear as Twilight lit her horn, dissolving the illusion that concealed the mass of burn scars on the right side of her body and face, plucked off the prosthetic wing and pulled out the glass eye from her right eye socket, revealing a floating lavender point of light where the eyeball used to be. It had been said that alicorns were beings of pure magic and every time Chrysalis looked into Twilight's empty socket as the lavender pinprick stared back out at her, she believed it.

Said lavender alicorn scratched at the stump that was left of her right wing. "I'd lick all the filth off a hobo's nut sack if that meant I could get a prosthetic that didn't itch like a bitch!"

Chrysalis cleared her throat, nine eyes and one lavender pinprick locked on her.

"just a moment before we start.", Twilight said holding up a hoof. She stood up and walked over to a small refrigerator in the corner. Opening the door, she pulled out a bottle of liquor, magicked up a glass, poured herself a drink and drained the glass.

"Twilight, I thought you said you were cutting down.", Celestia said.

"Well you didn't have inferno gel pour into your 'Steed cockpit and then had your barely alive carcass chained up to an Abbysinian's 'Steed and forced to watch as they launched inferno missiles into building full of civilians!", Twilight snapped. She poured another glass and quickly drained it. "Sorry.", she said putting away the bottle, "I shouldn't snap at you. It's hard to look in the faces of foals and not see ponies throwing their foals from windows so they could save them the pain of burning to death."

Chrysalis shuddered at the mental image. While she was on Equus during the civil war, she saw Amber Glow's forces commit atrocity after atrocity. It had prompted her to pick up the pistol that had been used to kill the last lord of the Harmony League and blow the head off of Cozy Glow's last surviving descendant. It was the princesses idea for her to take on the likeness of the tyrant and order her forces to surrender, then pose for a faux execution.

After Twilight had retaken her seat, Chrysalis turned on the HoloVid in the center of the table and synched her datapad up to it. "As you know, nearly twenty years ago we sent out a JumpShip to find out the ultimate fate of the HLDF after they left the Equestria Sphere and to also investigate the strange readings the MPG network had picked up beyond the far periphery. They discovered something about one thousand light years out." She swiped a holed hoof across the screen of the datapad. The HoloVid displayed first the readings of several signals and then the short video of a planet just before a pair of WarShips materialized from a jump a couple of seconds before the feed cut out. "If you check the timestamp, these data packets were sent eight years into the Belerophon's expedition. As you can see here, the signal is almost identical to the same ones our MPGs use and they're using codes very similar to the old HLDF." She played back the video, pausing it right after two WarShips materialized. "The symbol displayed just to the fore of the wolf's head logo is almost identical to the Harmony League Defense Force's. Unfortunately the communications that were recorded by StarCom crew had degraded too much by the time we received it to make out any words."

All five princesses scowled as they stared at the holographic images. "I guess it's true what Timberwolves Dragoons sent us over encrypted MPG comms.", Twilight said leaning forward, "Now that they know that we know where they are, it will only be a matter of time before they launch their invasion."

"I think we should allow the crown prince of the Lyra Confederation, Hot Cross Bon and the crown princess of the Federated Hives, Flitter, to marry without our interference.", Cadance said, "I know they have a mutual dislike of the Free Moons League, but having at least two of the great houses allied to one another will help deal with the invasion, though it could trigger another succession war."

"The Free Moons have always been more affable to me.", Luna said, "I think I'll take up House Glimmer's offer for a visit, and I'll let them 'accidentally' see a couple of schematics for a couple of 'new' 'Steeds, if there is another succession war, it could help even the odds and give all the houses a much needed tech boost."

"I'll handle the Draconic Combine. The dragons have always been more open to me.", Twilight said, "And I'll see if Spike has woken up from his nap."

"And if he's still asleep?", Candance asked.

"I'll simply power up with his Big Mac. Dragons hate it when you mess with their hoard. Besides, it's been too long since I've seen a Macie up close and personal that wasn't in a museum."

"I'll head to the Zebra Magistracy. I might be able to convince them to loan us some of their chemical warheads.", Flurry Heart said.

"That leaves the Minotaurian Concordant and new Yakyakistan and the Yaks have made it clear that they want to be isolationists, even if they still trade with the 'Sphere.", Celestia said, "I guess I can deal with the minotaurs."

"I can authorize...with your permission of course...", Chrysalis shuddered, hating to ask the five princesses permission for anything, "...the locations of a few bunkers be found...nothing with too much advanced technology, and allow a few techs to 'discover' some 'new' engine, weapon and sensor schematics."

The five alicorns looked back and forth between each other, sharing an unspoken conversation. Though they had officially retired centuries ago after Equus had created a new unified world government and constitution, the Amber Glow civil war had proven that the creatures of the Equestria Sphere still needed guidance. Though they had maintained their official retirement to the public eye, they had maintained an active hoof in the politics of the 'Sphere and periphery, ensuring that none of the great houses ever gained too big of an advantage over the others and that any wars that were fought didn't get to be too big and out-of-control. The five gave a nod. There had always been an old mare's tale that alicorns were psychic, and it was times like this when Chrysalis wasn't too sure if it was true or if their long centuries meant that the long centuries they spent together meant they knew each other well enough that they didn't need to talk to convey to each other what they were thinking.

"Make it so.", Celestia said.

Starbright stood atop her Applejack looking down at Matchstick and Spot Weld were putting the final detailing on the 'Steed's paint job. Fortunately the AC/2 and M-lasers that had been hit weren't destroyed, just damaged and needed to be repaired, which had taken about ten days to complete. She had whined and begged to take the AC/20 off the DerpySteed and mount it on the Applejack, which the two head mechanics had said 'no'. Hocking up a loogie, she let it linger on her tongue for a moment, lining up the shot. She let it slip past her lips and watched as it fell towards its target. The loogie splatted directly between the earth pony's ears. "Hah! Pay up ya feather brai--woop!" She ducked, narrowly avoiding a dog bone wrench that Spot Weld had hurled, sending the tool sailing overhead and skittering across the back of the 'Steed.

Firecracker flew from her hiding spot in the rafters of the hangar bay of the DropShip. "No fair, ya stick head! You used magic or someth--" *splat* A paintbrush hit the pegasus mare in the face, covering the side of her face in OD-green paint.

"You're just mad that you just lost fifty S-bits. Now pay up."

The pegasus mare, wiping paint from the side of her face, flapped over the 'Steed, pulled a stack of bills and dropped them to the unicorn mare, who caught them in her magic.

"You know you're giving us both part of that.", Spot Weld called up to Starbright.

The unicorn mare made an over-dramatic pose. "Oh dear me! If I give you two anything, what will I use to buy the orphans their gruel tonight?"

Spot Weld raised a nonplussed eyebrow. "You feed orphans? Hah! More like you make orphans. Now pay up, or you'll find out just what happens we pull out just a couple of bolts."

Starbright pulled out two stacks of ten and levitated it down to the two mechanics. She knew well enough not to make wrench jockeys too mad. "There, you two take your filthy bribes."

"I prefer the term extortion.", Matchstick said, "The X makes it sound cooler."

"So how much long will you two be at it?", Starbright asked.

"just a couple of more hours, unless somepony keeps spitting on our heads, then we might just decide that the Applejack's reactor needs a full rebuild.", Spot Weld said.

"Fair enough, fair enough.", Starbright said, "Let me be the one to apologize for that. But you'd do the same if there was money on the line."

"Fair enough."

"Come on Firecracker, let's leave these two to play with their tools while we do some real work." Starbright stepped onto the lift and lowered herself to the hangar floor.

Spot Weld and Matchstick blew raspberries at the two mares as the walked off, who in turn made ugly faces back.

***

Starbright sat in the cockpit of her Applejack preparing for the drop. Spring Ember and Firecracker had already been deployed an hour earlier, as it would be safer for them to have their helicopter and MRM carrier respectively deployed so they could use the terrain as cover, seeing as they didn't have the same armor as a 'Steed.

The DropShip shuddered as explosives rang outside. "Taking AA fire.[.i]", Star Burst said through the radio, " Eagle One, Hothead, see if you can get eyes on those turrets and do something about this flak."

"Roger.", the kirin replied. "I'll try, but I'm having to juke this flak too.", the pegasus replied.

The explosions outside died down."Lance Command, I managed to get two AA turrets." "Roger, Hothead. Thanks for the aid. Continue on to NavPoint Alpha and keep an eye out for more turrets."

Starbright cracked her neck and all four legs as the Applejack powered up. The section of the floor where the 'Steed stood rotated, facing inwards as the DropShip slowed."Ten seconds to drop." "Roger." As the floor opened, she braced for the drop. The restraining carriage retracted and the forty-five ton 'Steed went into freefall. Starbright lurched as the 'Steed made touchdown. She quickly looked over her readings, making sure there had been no damage done. "Lance Command, this is Runner. All-green across the board." "Roger Runner. Happy hunting." She quickly set her weapons groups as she turned the 'Steed towards the coming attack on the bandit base and kicked it into max speed. "Hothead, you're on my eight o'clock. Eagle One, you're our eyes in the skies." Both lancemates gave their reply in the affirmative.

As the Applejack trudged along, Starbright noted the incoming vehicles. "In coming vehicles, identify yourself or be fired upon.", she challenged through the radio.

"[i[Runner, this is Dog Alpha of Timberwolves Dragoons. We are your fire support.",came the reply.

"I was under the impression that the elite guard from House Bon was supposed to be joining us", Starbright replied.

"They were delayed by some spacial anomalies and had to withdraw."

Starbright knew that sometimes weird things happened out in space that would confuse sensors on JumpShips or even make jumps impossible, she had even once personally witnessed one of those anomalies, strange pink clouds. "Affirmative. So what kind of backup have you brought us?"

"One Party Cannon, three APCs and one Manticore. We have on hot drop standby a Celestia and a Party Howitzer."

"We got a heavy tank, a heavy 'Steed and a bunch of troops as backup, along with a medium 'Steed and an assault 'Steed in reserve, not too bad.", Starbright said to herself. She keyed the radio on again. "Let's hope we've got enough firepower on hoof and we don't need to call in players from the bench."

"Affirmative."

As the enemy base came in to view, Starbright noted the skyscraper-like structures that were scattered about inside its defensive walls, it reminded her of picts of the old HLDF FOBs. Her trained eyes picked up that a few of the tall buildings were in a state of disrepair or had been partially torn down and cannibalized for their materials, one or the other.

Firecracker chimed in over the radio. "Hey boss, I've picked up that Star Spider on sensors. It's not in the base, but two kliks to the east."

"Understood Eagle One. Maintain over watch and get ready, we're about to kick the bee's nest." Starbright switched her radio frequency over to a public channel. "To those in the base, power down all vehicles and 'Steeds you have, come out, throw down your weapons, lay on your bellies, place your hooves, paws, talons and claws on your heads and surrender peacefully and we will ensure you are treated equinely as laid out in the Equus treaty."

The Party Cannon began back-pedaling as it climbed up an incline to get to high ground. The MRM carrier and Manticore tank began rolling forward into optimal range as the Parasprite gained altitude and began circling. The three APCs moved into cover behind a series of hills. Sensors lit up as automated turrets came online. Starbright switched the radio's frequency back to the one that her lance and Timberwolves's Dragoons were using. "Alright Hothead, time to ring the doorbell."

"Foal Scouts! I got a buncha cookies for ya, motherfucker!",the kirin shouted into the radio just as the air filled with contrails from the medium-range missiles. A few seconds explosions wracked a section of defensive wall, causing it to collapse.

Starbright, her Applejack already in motion, unleashed her M-lasers at the automated turrets, burning the weapons off some, frying control mechanisms on others, or detonating the power packs or ammo magazines on others, as she maneuvered her 'Steed towards the freshly made gap in the wall. "Eagle One, keep an eye out for power generators. Knock 'em out or mark 'em. If we disable those turrets, maybe they'll come out to play." The Parasprite circled the base as it fired its M-lasers, knocking out turrets.

"Boss, that Spoder is moving in.", Firecracker said over the radio.

"Gottcha. Dog Alpha, can you get a bead on that incoming 'Steed?"

"Already on it." Contrails from the two LRM/15s streaked overhead towards the Star Spider. Though the light 'Steed was too far out for accurate fire, the hope was that enough long-range missiles would hit and land around it to make the pilot scramble for cover, slowing them down long enough so the two lances could set up a firing line.

Starbright maneuvered her 'Steed through the gap in the wall. She caught sight of a generator, it was too small to power very many turrets, but knocking it out might power down some of them, plus the EMP from it exploding might scramble some of the turrets sensors. Using her 'Steed's sensor package to lock on to the generator, she zeroed-in her weapons and fired the twin AC/2s. As the explosive shells from the two auto-cannons exited their respective muzzles, an SRM contrail from a shoulder-fired launcher streaked past her cockpit, followed by red beams from laser rifles that sparked off the 'Steed's armor plates. Though the laser rifles were only a threat if the scored enough hits on the cockpit to burn though and hit the pilot or hit some important consoles, the SRM launcher was the real threat. Throwing the Applejack into reverse, she twisted the 'Steed's upper half and unleashed staggering fire from the four M-lasers into the building. Molten glass and metal flowed down the side of the building as bodies of armed bandits were incinerated in a flash. "I need somepony to knock the top of the building off I'm standing by, they've got a shoulder-fired SRM.", she said into the radio as she kicked her 'Steed into reverse.

"Roger, firing for effect.", Spring Ember said over the radio. Twenty the medium-range missiles arced through the air, slamming into the top few stories of the skyscraper, sending rubble raining down to the ground as they collapsed.

Starbright lined up her sights on the support columns of the skyscraper and fired and alpha strike. She quickly turned ger 'Steed around and galloped away from the building as entire section collapsed into tons of rubble. She weaved around the interior of the base, moving her 'Steed in a serpentine pattern to keep the automate turrets from getting a clear shot. She locked onto the generator again and unleashed staggered fire from the M-lasers. The external housing of the generator melted away as the green lasers cut through the structure. She then unleashed the twin AC/2s in a staggered volley, the first explosive shell ripped open the internal supports, exposing the magical fusion core and the second one plunged deep inside. The Applejack's sensors were filled with static as the generator was consumed in a light blue light of an artificial sun for a fraction of a second before a multicolored fireball lifted into the air.

"That knocked something out, just not the turrets. They must have an independent power supply.", Dog Alpha said over the radio.

"Ya think?", Firecracker quipped back.

"Easy Eagle One. Just pull back and search for another generator.", Starbright responded, "We'll track that Spoder while knocking out as many turrets as possible. Hothead, Dog Alpha, on me. We'll come back to the base after we finish hunting the Star Spider."

"What about the troops?", Dog Alpha asked, "They're under orders to secure the base while I provide covering fire."

Starbright cursed under her breath, she had forgotten about the troops. "Call down the bench players. One can help me hunt that light 'Steed while the other helps hunt that bandit 'Steed."

The Parasprite, MRM carrier, Party Cannon and Applejack circled the base, opening fire on the turrets and keeping an eye on the Star Spider that was still keeping its distance, the DropShip for the Timberwolves Dragoons swooped down from low orbit. It quickly disgorged the Celestia and the Party Howitzer, then quickly rocketed back up. The Applejack and the Celestia peeled away to hunt the Star Spider, while the Party Cannon, Party Howitzer, Parasprite and MRM carrier provided covering fire for the APCs.

Starbright moved her Applejack out ahead of the Celestia. The two 'Steeds were hunting the much lighter Star Spider. The Applejack slowed as the Celestia fired its LRM/5 after gaining a lock. The light 'Steed scrambled for cover, trying to avoid the long-range missiles. The unicorn mare kept an eye on her scanner. "I'm reading tanks, Dog Two."

"Affirmative. Moving to intercept."

The Applejack and the Celestia split directions, keeping the Star Spider and the newly detected tanks on sensors. The assault-class 'Steed launched its LRM/5 at one of the tanks. "Runner, my missiles didn't score a hit. The tanks are acting strange. They're not using evasive maneuvers."

"You think they're using a spoofer, Dog Two?"

"Only one way to find out. Dog Alpha, this is Dog Two. Requesting fire support eight hundred meters to the twelve o'clock of my position."

"Roger, Dog Two. Giving fire support at eight-zero-zero meters to your twelve o'clock.", Dog Alpha replied.

Long-range missiles from the Party Cannon and Party Howitzer arced high into the air and impacted in the area signaled. The tank signals didn't try to move to avoid the incoming missile, just continues to move in their patrol.

"That proves it. They've got a spoofer.", Dog Two said,"I'm not picking up any hits or even weapons on those tanks. Where are these bandits getting their tech?"

"I don't know,but I have an idea.", Starbright replied, "Let's pull back to the bandit's base for now." She switched her radio over to the Xerxes' frequency. "Lance command, we need a sensor sweep of the base and the surrounding area."

"Roger.", Star Burst replied. A few minutes late he radioed back, "Runner, our scans aren't complete, but we found evidence of an underground facility."

"I think they're sitting atop an old HLDF facility.", Starbright said over the radio, "We need to be careful as they might have more 'Steeds sitting powered down waiting for a signal to their jocks to activate or even 'Steeds with stealth armor."

"The only way to find out for sure is when the troops take control.", Dog Alpha replied.

Star Burst radioed, "Watch out, we had a little help from the Timberwolves Dragoons' DropShip's sensors to get a better reading on the base and the surrounding area. That generator that was knocked out wasn't powering the turrets, it was powering the 'Steed bay and the repair bays, though we haven't detected any signs of any other 'Steeds powering up. Hold on, I'm receiving a new message." The radio cut off for a few minutes. "Runner, Eagle One, Hothead, I just received a message from StarCom. They've requested that we hold our ground until StarGuard arrives. They've also offered an extra compensation of S-Bits and salvage shares."

"That's a bit unusual, Lance Command.", replied Starbright, "Dog Alpha, has your command received a similar message?"

"Affirmative, Runner. Usually if StarGuard shows up, nopony gets anything extra, they just swoop in and take control of everything and radio out to the employers that we have completed our end of the contract and then we just wait for the payday. These bandits must have really pissed off StarCom if they're gonna send in StarGuard and pay us extra."

***

The two lances waited an hour as they circled the base, taking shots to destroy any turrets that were still active or returning fire that can from bandit infantry. The whole time the Star Spider held its distance. Two DropShips appeared on sensors, one coming down near the base and the other three kilometers away.

"Boss, the Star Spider is bugging out.[/i}, Firecracker radioed, "Should we pursue?"

"Negative Eagle One. Let StarGuard handle it as this is now their mission."

A midnight blue DropShip bearing the StarCom logo, the hull looking like it was a mishmash of spare parts welded together, landed outside the walls of the bandit base. "To the lances of the Star Gallopers and Timberwolves Dragoons, this is StarGuard actual, provide fire support." The rampson the DropShip dropped, out walked two Flash Bee light 'Steeds followed by five APCs. Five kilometers away, the other DropShip touched down on top of a butte.

"It wouldn't kill them to say please.", Starbright grumbled to herself. "Affirmative StarGuard Command actual.", she replied over the radio.

***

"It was the weirdest thing.", Starbright said to Star Burst in the mess hall on the Xerxes, "StarGuard took control of the base after with minimal casualties. It was almost like the bandits' defenses either shut down or turned on them. I had heard the rumors that StarCom's preists have some sort of technomagic. I had always thought that they were just old mare's talesuntil I saw one of their freaky priests that wear those star-spangles black hooded robes chant some weird words at that 'Steed bay and the doors dropped open, revealing a nearly complete Maud."

Star Burst pushed a datapad across the table. "You should see the salvage shares they offered."

Picking up the datapad in her magic, Starbright looked it over. "Holy Tartarus! That's enough to completely build a 'Steed from the ground up! That Maud has two prismatic projector cannons! I hope we can get that 'Steed along with the ER M-lasers, those Ultra AC/5s and at least one of those XL engines, both if the princesses are willing. That'll be the upgrade we need to get better paying contracts, instead of just picking up these piss ant bandit smashes." She dropped the datapad back on the table.

Star Burst picked the datapad back up. "Unless the Dragoons also make a salvage claim on the Maud, we should scoop it up. If we only get one of the engines and a few weapons, we can sell them along with that DerpySteed to get enough to pick up a thrashed heavy--" His communicator beeped. "This is Star Burst, co-commander of the Star Gallopers."

"This is the MRRB claims approval, you claims have been approved. Please relay the coordinates to where our hauler can provide you with your goods."

Chrysais sat behind her desk looking over the MRRB approved claims. She knew that the 'Sphere stock market speculators might freak out at the 'new' 'Steeds and parts that would be entering into the market in a few weeks and might begin selling out of fear that their claims on the companies that are producing the current generations of 'Steed stock prices might be at risk. StarCom had plenty of agents in place to placate the, and in case that failed,they could simply alter or garble the communications, the Equestria Sphere didn't need creatures dumping their stock and throwing the economy in to a tailspin.

Of course with a couple of major conflicts potentially looming on the horizon, that would always make the stocks increase, it might even increase the value of the S-Bit and house bits.

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading and I hope you all enjoy.

If you spot any typos or misspellings, like the story, hate the story, have any comments or questions, wanna throw shade or pure bane, leave them down below.

I referenced sarna.net to help with the poniefied versions of the BattleMechs. It's a great site if you wanna learn more about the BattleTech universe, wanna use it for your own fic or just wanna oogle giant stompy robot porn.