New world mean new enemies

Chapters

Prologue : fight for nal system
Ch1: status report
Ch2: small ones and big one
Ch3: stop calling me a bat pony /Turn 1

Prologue : fight for nal system

Author's Note

Note to the reader the first chapter is long sorry I got carried away with it.

Prologue : fight for nal system

As the Clone Wars neared their dramatic conclusion, Republic fleets were swiftly mopping up the remnants of the CIS strongholds. One such fleet had been dispatched to neutralize the CIS forces in the Outer Rim's Nalsin star system, a troublesome thorn in the side of nearby fronts.

As the Republic fleets emerged from the shimmering veil of hyperspace, they were immediately met with the formidable sight of the CIS forces lying in wait. The tension was palpable, the silence of space broken only by the hum of engines and the whir of droid mechanisms preparing for battle.

Without warning, the battle erupted into life. Swarms of Vulture Droids, their metallic bodies glinting in the harsh light of distant stars, swooped past the Republic ships. Their movements were swift and precise, a deadly ballet of machines programmed for destruction.

Among the CIS main force, one ship stood out. It was a behemoth, its silhouette stark against the backdrop of the cosmos. With its forked front, it was a menacing sight, a ghost from the past. It bore a striking resemblance to the Harrower-class dreadnoughts, the formidable warships from the era of the High Republic.

The sight of the dreadnought sent a ripple of unease through the Republic fleet. These ships were thought to be relics of the past, their designs lost to the annals of history. Yet here it was, a specter from a bygone era, ready to engage in a battle for the future.

As the fleets prepared to clash, the vastness of space became a stage for a battle that would determine the fate of the Nalsin star system. The outcome of this battle could tip the scales in the ongoing Clone Wars, making every move, every decision, every shot fired, of utmost importance.

/Break/

"Sir, a Republic fleet has just emerged from hyperspace. Our fighters in the vicinity have already engaged them," a metallic voice reported from my right.

From my position on the bridge, I could see the fleet of Venators through the window. A surge of confidence welled within me as I watched our recon fighters already engaging the enemy, their dogfights painting streaks of light across the void of space.

"Order the fighters to fall back. Let the Republic fleet come within range of the Bismarck cannons. I want to see my ship bring the pain," I commanded calmly, my gaze fixed on the unfolding battle.

The bridge was a flurry of activity as my orders were relayed. The B1 droids tapped away at their consoles, their metallic voices filling the air with a cacophony of binary code. The super tactical droid, W1SH, stood by my side, its pink and blurple paint scheme a stark contrast to the cold, metallic interior of the ship.

"Admiral Winter, as the general of your ground units, I must advise that this plan of action carries a 78% chance of the fleet sustaining heavy damage. There are no nearby dockyards for repairs," W1SH warned, its voice devoid of emotion.

I turned to face W1SH, its unusual color scheme a reminder of the day it was presented to me. "W1SH, this is not a time for probabilities. It's a time for action. Draw the fighters into the Bismarck's range. Have our Munificent-class frigates move forward to shield our carriers and dreadnoughts," I ordered, watching as W1SH relayed my commands in binary to a nearby B1 droid.

"And stop speaking in binary! I can't tell if you're insulting me or actually carrying out my orders," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. I pulled up a screen from the side console, preparing to issue orders to the second fleet hidden behind Nal's moon, Nein.

As I worked, the bridge was filled with the chatter of B1 droids. "Roger, roger," one droid said, its voice echoing in the bridge. "Moving to coordinates," another reported, its metallic voice blending with the others. The battle outside continued to intensify, the fate of the Nalsin star system hanging in the balance.

"Affirmative, Admiral," W1SH responded, its voice a monotone contrast to the escalating tension on the bridge. I watched as it relayed my orders to the B1 droids, their metallic voices echoing in a chorus of binary code.

"Coordinates set," one B1 droid reported, its voice blending with the others. "Munificent-class frigates advancing," another chimed in, its voice a metallic echo in the vastness of the bridge.

I turned my attention back to the unfolding battle, my gaze fixed on the holographic display that dominated the center of the bridge. The Republic fleet was advancing, their Venators moving in formation like a pack of wolves closing in on their prey.

But we were not prey. We were the hunters.

"Prepare the Bismarck cannons," I ordered, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. "Target the lead Venator. I want to see how they handle a direct hit."

"Roger, roger," a B1 droid responded, its voice echoing in the bridge as it relayed my orders.

As I watched the battle unfold, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This was the moment we had been waiting for. The moment when we would show the Republic that we were not to be underestimated.

The moment when we would strike back.

"Admiral," W1SH's voice broke through my thoughts. "The second fleet is ready for your orders."

I turned my attention to the screen on the side console, my fingers dancing over the controls as I prepared to issue my orders. The second fleet, hidden behind Nal's moon, Nein, was our secret weapon. A surprise for the Republic fleet.

And it was time to reveal our hand.

Just as I was about to issue my orders, a new development unfolded on the holographic display. A fresh fleet of Republic ships burst forth from hyperspace, their sudden appearance casting long shadows across the battlefield. Among them were two Victory-class Star Destroyers, their imposing silhouettes a stark reminder of the Republic's military might.

"Admiral," W1SH's voice cut through the sudden silence that had fallen over the bridge. "New Republic reinforcements have arrived."

I stared at the display, my mind racing as I took in the new arrivals. The Victory-class Star Destroyers were formidable opponents, their heavy armaments and robust shields a significant threat to our forces.

"Change of plans," I said, my voice steady despite the sudden shift in the battle's dynamics. "Order the second fleet to engage the new arrivals. Have the Munificent-class frigates form a defensive line around the Bismarck. We need to protect our cannons."

"Roger, roger," a B1 droid responded, its voice echoing in the bridge as it relayed my orders.

As the new orders were carried out, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The arrival of the Victory-class Star Destroyers had complicated things, but it had also presented a new opportunity. An opportunity to show the Republic that we were not to be underestimated.

And Iintended to seize that opportunity with both hands.

As the Republic fleet advanced, a sudden explosion erupted on one of the Venator's bridges. A squadron of twelve nimble fighters narrowly dodged the ensuing flak, soaring just above the fiery chaos. In sync with this, our Munificent-class frigates unleashed a barrage of fire on the leading Venator.

Meanwhile, Republic fighters began their assault, advancing towards our defensive line composed of frigates, Providence-class dreadnoughts, and Lucrehulk battleships. They were met head-on by a swarm of our Vulture Droids, their numbers a menacing cloud against the backdrop of the star-studded void.

Caught up in the escalating battle, the Republic Admiral was fervently coordinating their fleets and fighters to counter our Vulture Droids. However, their focus on the immediate threat left them oblivious to the danger creeping up their flank. Three large, imposing figures emerged from the shadows - our Enforcer-class attack cruisers.

Without a moment's hesitation, the Enforcers opened fire on the unsuspecting Republic fleet. Caught off guard, the Republic scrambled to respond. Their Venators attempted to target the Enforcers, but the cruisers were too close, and the Venators ended up taking damage from their own cannons.

The battle was far from over, but the scales were tipping in our favor. The Republic had underestimated us, and they were now reaping the consequences. Amidst the chaos of the battle, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. We were proving to the Republic that we were a force to be reckoned with.

As the battle progressed, I found myself puzzled by the Republic's actions. Despite witnessing the firepower we had displayed and the heavy damage they were sustaining, they continued to press forward. Their persistence was admirable, but it seemed like a futile effort.

My confusion deepened when our Munificent-class frigates suddenly ceased fire. I turned in surprise, only to see B1 droids collapsing onto their control panels. W1SH, standing beside me, turned to look at me.

"Admiral, the shutdown code has been activated," W1SH informed me, moving towards a control panel and inserting a disc.

As W1SH worked, I received a hail from the second fleet. I quickly pressed the button to answer, eager to relay the necessary orders in person.

The hologram flickered to life, revealing three identical droids. The one in the middle was the first to speak.

"Admiral, what happened to the frontal assault?" it asked, its voice echoing in the suddenly quiet bridge.

I took a deep breath, preparing to explain the situation. The battle was far from over, and we had to adapt quickly to this unexpected turn of events.

"The shutdown code has been activated," I explained, my voice steady despite the sudden shift in the battle's dynamics. "We're working on a solution, but for now, I need you to engage the new arrivals. Target the Victory-class Star Destroyers."

"Roger, roger," the droid responded, its voice echoing in the bridge as it relayed my orders to the rest of the second fleet.

As the new orders were carried out, I turned my attention back to W1SH. The super tactical droid was still working on the control panel, its fingers moving swiftly over the controls.

"Any progress, W1SH?" I asked, my gaze fixed on the droid.

"Negative, Admiral," W1SH responded, its voice a monotone contrast to the escalating tension on the bridge. "The shutdown code is complex. It will take time to override."

I nodded, turning my attention back to the unfolding battle. The Republic had thrown us a curveball, but we were far from defeated. We were the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and we would not go down without a fight.

I abruptly cut off the hologram, my attention riveted on the incoming Republic fighters and vendors. They were rapidly approaching my disabled fleet, but the Bismarck and Enforcer were still capable of offering some resistance.

Swiftly, I deactivated the manual controls of the Bismarck's cannons, hastily aligning them to face forward. They were primed to fire as soon as the Republic fighters dared to venture towards my flagship. I initiated the four forward light turbo cannons, their rapid-fire creating a flak wall. The numerous laser arcs filled the front of the Bismarck, a formidable barrier against the oncoming assault.

Despite our best efforts, some Republic fighters managed to penetrate the hail of flak. One of our heavy triple cannons was hit by a missile, sustaining significant damage. The Mark 10 interceptors were quickly deployed to engage these fighters, aiming to prevent further damage to the Bismarck and the rest of the CIS fleet.

Meanwhile, the second fleet was grappling with their own problems. The Victory Star Destroyer had them in its sights, forcing them to execute evasive maneuvers. They eventually had to go broadside on one Victory Star Destroyer that had ventured too close for comfort.

"Admiral, I have managed to reverse the shutdown code, but it will take time for the rest of the fleet to restart," W1SH reported, his attention shifting to a B1 that was slowly powering back up after being shut off.

I barely registered his words, my focus solely on commanding the Bismarck single-handedly. The situation was desperate, but I was determined to hold the line, to protect my fleet at all costs.

Ten minutes, fifteen minutes, almost thirty minutes went by as I struggled to navigate the Bismarck's guns into different areas to avoid the rest of the fleet from taking damage.

I couldn't keep it up much longer as the Republic fighter assault started to become more intense. The Enforcer hadn't moved one bit as they were facing the same problem, but had a much easier time due to the droids commanding being prototype tactical droids. But I couldn't keep the Bismarck going much longer until I heard the sound of servos moving in the front position of the bridge.

"Ah, what happened?" a B1 droid said to my left. Another spoke to my right, "I think I overworked my processor again."

I listened to the B1s speaking as if they had just woken up from a hangover. This went on a bit more until another attack of Republic fighters heading for our port side caught us off guard.

"Ahhh, not again! I just restarted my processor!" a B1 screamed as it took control of its designated turret.

I could only watch as more and more B1s turned back on, taking control of systems and getting back to tasks that couldn't be ignored.

I turned away from the B1 droid to survey the ships in front of the Bismarck. About four of our Munificent-class frigates had taken significant damage, and the rest were starting to follow suit. The situation was growing desperate as our main fighters, the Vulture Droids, had all shut down. The advancing Republic fleet was closing in on us.

"All hands, prepare for a frontal assault," I commanded, my voice echoing through the bridge. "Load the main cannons from one through six with experimental rounds 99-E." I stood from my seat, mygaze fixed on the unfolding battle.

W1SH moved to my side, a questioning look on his face. I turned to him and nodded, indicating for him to speak.

"Admiral, we have droids still on the planet surface. Around 40 divisions' worth. That's a significant portion of our ground forces," W1SH reported. His words were cut off as the Bismarck's cannons fired, shaking the bridge. "I recommend deploying any available dropships to transport some of the divisions to the Lucrehulks," W1SH finished, as a B1 in front of us reported that the Bismarck was ready for another salvo.

"Ten are available. You have one hour," I responded, turning away from him. "Move the Bismarck forward. Deploy all remaining fighters in the Bismarck's hangars," I ordered, raising my voice to be heard over the din of the battle.

The Bismarck jolted forward, moving towards the battle line where some of the Munificent-class frigates were back online. The situation was dire, but we were far from defeated. We were the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and we would not go down without a fight.

Both sides were locked in a fierce battle, exchanging salvos and pushing each other to their limits. The second CIS fleet soon joined the fray, their additional fighters providing much-needed support to the CIS forces that had managed to reactivate.

In the midst of this chaos, the remaining Victory Star Destroyer was making a beeline for the Bismarck. The Bismarck noticed it, but was too preoccupied with three Venators and a handful of Arquitens cruisers.

As the Victory Star Destroyer came into range, it unleashed a barrage of fire on the Bismarck. After a short but intense exchange, the Bismarck's shields flickered for a moment, then disappeared.

In that moment, the Bismarck ceased its fire on the surrounding Venators and support ships. It began moving towards the Victory Star Destroyer, slowly at first, but soon picking up speed.

The Victory Star Destroyer attempted to evade, but it was too late. The Bismarck rammed right into its hull, breaking through the shields and tearing the ship into two pieces. The CIS fighters and the rest of the fleet followed suit, making a break for the open gap that the Bismarck had created. They soon received a signal from the Bismarck to jump to random coordinates.

Fighters docked in the hangar as the CIS fleet's hyperdrives warmed up. Soon, they entered hyperspace, leaving behind a battlefield littered with the wreckage of both Republic and CIS forces.

The war has not ended yet for the CIS nor for the galaxy. The fight continues.

Ch1: status report

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Ch2: small ones and big one

The sharp, rhythmic knock echoed through the quiet house.

"Open up, Weather Field! The flyby is about to start!" A short, bipedal pony with bat wings called out, rapping on the door once more.

After a few more futile knocks, the pony stepped back, ears perking up as the door finally creaked open. They didn't need to turn around to know who it was; the voice was instantly recognizable.

"Ah, Grim, my apologies. I didn't expect you so early. My little Rain is still getting ready," Weather Field said, inviting Grim inside to wait.

The living room was a sea of oversized plushies, bunnies, and dogs taking up most of the furniture. Grim found a spot to sit amidst the plush menagerie.

"Why do you still have these plushies, Ms. Weather?" Grim asked, eyeing one that had claimed a recliner.

Ms. Weather's gaze swept over the room, landing on the plushies that had taken over her living space. A memory seemed to surface, casting a shadow over her face. She turned back to Grim, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I couldn't bear to throw them away, even if she's been gone for so long," Weather admitted. "Rain misses her, and I wish he could understand that she's never coming back."

Grim nodded, understanding the sentiment. The plushies were more than just toys; they were reminders of a time filled with laughter and joy, a time before the loss. They represented a connection to the past, a tangible link to the memories of a loved one. And sometimes, holding on to those memories was the only way to keep going.

"Hey, Weather, you've done well becoming the Lord of this planet," Grim said, twiddling her thumbs until the sound of hooves stepping upstairs could be heard.

Weather looked towards the stairway, rising from her seat to walk to the door. She then turned around to face the stairs. At the top, she saw her little son, Rain Field, all dressed up in a t-shirt and blue jeans. Seeing this sight, Weather smiled as her little bundle of joy descended the stairs, all ready to see the annual Royal Guard fly-by that had been agreed upon when she became the lord of this planet.

"Mommy, has Auntie arrived already?" Little Rain asked, struggling to navigate the stairs due to his small size.

Weather nodded and put a finger to her lips, indicating that Auntie was already here. She then turned away and quietly walked towards the living room. Rain hadn't noticed when his mother left for the living room; it had become slightly darker than it was before he started walking downstairs. He attempted to follow his mother, but it felt as though something was tugging at his clothes.

Rain tried to move down the stairs, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't go forward. After a few seconds, he saw a lock of blue hair in front of his face. Looking up, he saw his aunt. She just smiled at him, then picked him up and gave him a bear hug while gliding down the stairs to meet his mother, who was waiting for them at the door, ready to go for the fly-by of the Royal Guards.

"Auntie Grim, how did you get behind me?" Rain asked, surprised and giggling at his aunt.

Grim raised one of her eyebrows and grinned, not saying a word to Rain, letting his mind run wild with all the possibilities.

As they pass by the front door rain seen that his mother was on the phone again talking to someone.
Grim seen it as well and took rain out of the house to enjoy the fly by while her sister works.

Weather look for a bit as they left for only to go back to her phone and continue talking as she went up stairs to get ready for an unexpected meeting.

*Time skip*
*Pov change*

'This meeting wasn't supposed to happen this soon, not until another month,' I thought to myself as the car moved down the street, heading towards the diplomatic building.

Crossing my arms, I leaned back, gazing out the window. A squadron of Wonderbolts zoomed by in their vibrant blue and yellow fighters, a sight that usually brought me joy, but today it only deepened my existing gloom. I glanced at the window separating the driver and passenger compartments, feeling a wave of boredom wash over me. I pressed a button, rolling down the window.

My driver, a young earth pony from a farming planet known as Ponyville, belonged to a family called the Apples. I had done some research on them, learning about their family history and their reputation for honest trade practices. As I was mulling over the Apple family's place in the wider galaxy, my driver, Apple Maple, began to speak. I didn't quite catch what he had said.

My mind was elsewhere, pondering over what I might have missed by not spending enough time with my little one. The regret was subtle, but present, making me reconsider my priorities. The sight of the Wonderbolts, the phone call, and now the conversation with Apple Maple, everything was nudging me towards the realization of the importance of time spent with loved ones. I had been so caught up in my work and responsibilities that I had overlooked the simple pleasures of life. The thought of my little one growing up without my constant presence was a sobering thought. I resolved then and there to make changes, to give my little one the time and attention they deserved.

"Sorry, Maple, I didn't hear you. Can you repeat that?" I asked him apologetically.

Looking into the rearview mirror for a moment, I saw him nodding his head. This time I was ready to listen and not be distracted by thoughts of my missed day with my little Rain.

"Lady Weather, I was saying that I will be leaving for a week to attend my family's reunion in the Galactic Kingdom of Equestria," Apple Maple said, keeping the car heading straight for the meeting place.

Hearing this news, I wondered if trade could be done with the Apple family for my small lordship of Notrcal. I had always wondered how Maple syrup made with apples tasted. Going through all the things Notrcal could offer the Apple family in trade, I could only think of something minor due to our lack of wealth.

"Maple, you can have the month off. I'll find someone to drive me around for that month," I told him, then looking in the mirror, "but I have to ask if you can bring back some Apple family treats for the people of Notrcal to enjoy."

Apple Maple heard what I said and thought about how he could fulfill such a large request from his employer. He knew that the Apples hardly ever spoke to him after he left the family to explore the stars. Seeing that we were soon approaching the building where I needed to be, he gave a thumbs up and pulled to the side of a building with a large white statue of a bat pony holding a sword and shield from an ancient race called the Storm Beasts.

"I still can't believe that you hired me because I knew who that bat pony was. It seems odd if you ask me," Apple Maple about it jokedBut I didn't find it amusing. Almost no outsiders knew who that statue was meant to honor, and I didn't want the other races to be forgotten. I turned my head to face him, my face showing my anger and other emotions. Apple Maple saw me in the rearview mirror and stopped talking, as this was a common occurrence with me.

"Look, Maple, I get it, you're young. But understand this, I hired you to help me make my home something more. This planet is my family," I paused to let my anger cool down a bit. "If my family gets hurt, it hits me hard, more than you will ever know," I said the last part softly, for it to only be heard by my ears.

I didn't let Maple speak anymore. I left the car and began walking up to the building, then entered it, leaving my driver confused by my actions. Looking around the main room of the Equestrian embassy, I saw the room where he wanted to have the meeting. I walked towards the doorway to my left where two royal guards were standing still with spears and reflective shields at the ready. They saw me approaching the doorway and instantly used their spears to make an exit to the entrance of the meeting room. I didn't say anything as this had become common with their customs towards the bat pony race.

"Guards, let her in. That's the one I'm supposed to talk with right now. Chop chop, my time is running thin," a familiar voice commanded. The guards promptly returned to their original positions, just as they were a few minutes ago.

As I entered the room, I saw him - the only one, the diplomat, Baron Revan of the Cloud Dal system. I walked towards my usual seat in this room, which was at the opposite end of the table. Sitting down, I noticed this year's tribute papers were already placed right in front of me.

"So, straight to business and no small talk, Revan?" I asked before reading the first paragraph. Revan only looked at me with a frown, pulling out a pipe that began to smoke as he gazed out a window to his right.

I said nothing and began reading the first page. The beginning seemed to be our normal yearly tribute, starting off with them showing up with a fleet above our planet. Midway through, I read how this year's tribute was to be twice as much as last time.

This seemed odd to me, but I passed it off as pirates becoming more frequent in our area of space. This was just the price they wanted us to pay for their protection. The next page was just about renewing some deal that had been made last year, something about mining privileges and being allowed to conduct business without taxes. This seemed unfair for my home, seeing how my world is on the edge of three galactic nations, but it could only be obeyed.

After going through seven more pages about how this year's tribute was going to work and how it was to be sent to Canterlot, I reached the final page. Reading the first paragraph, I found myself reading aloud, not keeping it to myself.

"Dear minor nation on the outskirts of the Galactic Kingdom of Equestria, you have been receiving much aid and the princesses have agreed that you are to be integrated into the kingdom under Baron Revan, as he has been the only one to have contact with you," I spoke aloud without realizing that I had risen from my seat, shouting at the top of my lungs at Revan, which made him put out his pipe.

Revan looked at me with a blank expression on his face, sighed, and walked towards a window. The room went silent, allowing me to think about what the paper said and how Revan seemed to hate hearing it as well.

"Look, things in the Senate have been getting out of hand. More trade ships are being attacked by pirates, and the Griffioen Empire is becoming more active at the borders," Revan paused to catch his breath, "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but the royal navy has begun to weaken its hold on Equestrian space, and my fleet is not what it once was. So please, think a bit before doing anything," Revan said quietly as he looked out the window, gazing up at the sky.

I only looked at him as I processed what he was telling me. Then, I realized something seemed strange about what he said. I turned to face Revan as he was still looking out the window.

"Revan, how many other small planetary nations have been given this same paper?" I asked softly as I looked back at the papers, still where I left them.

Revan turned to face me, his expression revealing a fear that others had been given the same paper. Seeing his face and the silent realization of my predicament, I reached for a pen that I kept in my shoulder pocket. Suddenly, a loud boom was heard, and a few seconds went by until the building started to shake. Turning to face Revan, I spoke aloud so everyone could hear.

"Revan, sorry to ask this again, but is this flyby starting early, or am I just going crazy?" I asked with a frown on my face as I stood up from my chair again.

Revan's gaze met mine, his face etched with confusion. "I'm uncertain, Weather. The flyby wasn't scheduled to commence for another hour," he replied, striding towards the window for a better view.

As he peered out, his face drained of color. "That's not the flyby," he muttered under his breath, "That's a fleet."

A shiver of dread coursed through me. A fleet? Here? Now? This was not part of the plan. I rushed to the window, nudging past Revan to confirm for myself. There they were - a fleet of ships, their metallic hulls shimmering in the sunlight, descending ominously towards our planet.

As we were both looking out the window, the two royal guards came running into the room, one of them holding a hologram device that was already activated, displaying a unicorn wearing the Equestrian navy uniform.

I turned around after hearing their armor clanking, but continued to look out the window.

"Baron Revan, I regret to inform you, but we need to evacuate this planet at once," the unicorn said urgently. But as he was speaking, the sound of alarms began to blare.

Another unicorn soon ran up next to him. They seemed out of breath and in complete shock of their current situation.

"Captain, our shields are failing and the left engine bay is on fire," they reported. But soon another voice from the background spoke.

"Sir, the reactors are failing. Another message from the Shining Whine - they're going straight for their bridge," the voice reported just as the hologram shut off.

Suddenly, a thought struck me. I turned to Revan, determination burning in my eyes. "Revan, I need to retrieve my son."

Revan looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. But he didn't argue. He simply nodded and pointed towards his two guards in front of us. "Take them with you. I will also come along. But we should move quickly and quietly."

I nodded, thanking him, and began to run with the three of them following me out of the main building. As we exited, I saw Apple Maple engaged in combat with a creature that had not been seen since the days of old.

"Storm beast," I muttered aloud.

We moved swiftly, the two royal guards rammed up and used their spears in one quick motion. Apple Maple, seeing me, nodded his head, went to the car, and grabbed my blaster and rifle.

We went forward into the city that had entered a state of chaos. We ran down block after block, seeing Noctral militias and normal citizens attempting to fight off the storm beasts, but it was a losing battle.

Avoiding a large group of storm beasts, we saw in the sky that Wander Blots fighters were also engaging with the enemy fighters.

This chaos that was unfolding around us. The once peaceful city I had helped build was now a battlefield, with the Equestrian navy and the invading fleet clashing in the skies above. Buildings were ablaze, and the air was filled with the sounds of explosions and screams.

Despite the chaos, we managed to reach downtown where I would go with Rain to see the annual flyby. But when I got there, all there was were limp bodies of both storm beasts and bat ponies, along with a small number of earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns.

The sight in front of me sent me into a state of fear, seeing all these bodies on the ground. A frenzy began as I started searching through all of them, trying to find my son. Revan helped me as well, along with his two guards keeping a lookout.

It took me a while until I got halfway across downtown when I heard crying. It was the sound of a foal. It was coming from a body that was five feet away from me.

I slowly walked towards that direction and saw it was a little filly with a white coat and a soft sky-blue mane.

Placing my blaster on the side of my hip, I picked up the filly from what I believed was her mother's limp body.

I tried to calm her down as this was bad to have a little filly near a battlefield.

"Sister, get down," a familiar voice said.

In the next moment, I was on the ground with the filly still in my arms, the sound of my sister firing off a blaster right above me. Then hearing a big thump nearby, I looked up to see my sister, Grim, and more of the Noctral militia. But a small figure caught my eye.

It was my son, Rain. He seemed scared but stuck close to my sister as a sense of safety. But seeing me, he instantly left Grim and ran up to me, his arms hugging my neck.

"Mommy, I am scared. What is going on? Why is everyone sleeping?" Rain said to me as a wet feeling went down my neck.

But before we could do anything, the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard from all around us. In just a moment, we had been surrounded without even knowing it.

We had fallen right into their trap, and as I looked around from the ground, I saw we had no chance of escaping. I held both the young filly and my Rain close to me, trying to give them some comfort.

"So this is the so-called Lord of Noctral. You really only help others rather than building up your strength while you had the chance to do so," a gruff voice said. I didn't move my head; I stayed holding them.

I heard nothing but the sound of blasters and rifles being raised. I held them tighter.

"Make ready, take aim, fir..." the gruff voice was about to say those words until he was cut off by the sound of a high-pitched screaming sound.

Then heavy blaster fire opened up, but not on us, but on the storm beasts themselves. In another moment, the sound of boots and armor hit only a couple of meters away from me. That's when I looked up, seeing the biggest bat pony that I have ever seen in my life. They said something I had never expected.

"Why are you on your knees, B1A2 0129? Help take care of her burdens; she needs the help."

"Roger, Roger, Roger," the voice responded.

The chaos around us seemed to pause for a moment as the new arrivals took control of the situation. I held my son and the filly tighter, a glimmer of hope igniting in my heart.

Ch3: stop calling me a bat pony /Turn 1

Author's Note

Ps before you start reading dorid are all most non-existent in equestria due to them reallying on magic for simple and hard task. Also this chapter is very long for one reason am doing planet battle.

Languages used in this chapter

German
Polish

Ch3: stop calling me a bat pony /Turn 1

"Ma'am, could you please hand over the baby?" the tan-armored being requested. I barely had time to process the situation before I realized they were asking for the little filly in my arms.

I scanned my surroundings, noticing more of these beings clad in tan armor, all dutifully following the commands of a towering bat pony. A moment of hesitation seized me, but I held rain closer, while I handed filly over to the one designated as B1A2 0129. My mind was in a haze, grappling with the reality that I was on the brink of losing not just my life, but losing rain.

"Back off, now!" Grim's voice echoed with a fierce anger, seemingly unconcerned about the potential fallout of his boldness.

Grim swiftly snatched the filly from the tan-armored being and began cradling her, his eyes never leaving the retreating figure. The filly's cries filled the air, and my sister tried to soothe her, but her attempts were in vain.

Maple approached me and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him, the chaos finally breaking me down to the point where tears were my only response. I held Rain tighter, my sobs echoing in the silence. The sound of heavy footsteps drew nearer. I looked up to find the tall bat pony approaching. His presence was intimidating, yet oddly calming.

"A lady of your stature shouldn't be shedding tears, especially in such perilous times," he said, his tone unexpectedly soft.

His words, though surprising, offered a sliver of solace. I wiped away my tears, clutching Rain even closer. The bat pony's stern gaze softened, and for a fleeting moment, amidst the turmoil and fear, I felt a spark of hope. His words echoed in my mind, a beacon of comfort in the chaos. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever was to come.

The tall bat pony continued to approach, his gaze fixed on my sister and the filly in her arms. With a surprising gentleness, he took the filly from her, cradling her in his strong arms. Almost instantly, the filly calmed down, her cries replaced with soft giggles. The sight was strangely heartwarming amidst the chaos.

The bat pony looked down at the filly, a soft smile playing on his lips. "My mother used to tell me," he began, his voice a soothing rumble, "that holding a baby in one's arms is a sight to behold."

His words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the simple joys amidst the turmoil. The bat pony's gaze softened as he looked at the filly, a moment of peace in the midst of chaos. It was a sight that, despite the circumstances, brought a small measure of peace to us all.

However, this moment of tranquility was abruptly shattered when a brown-armored being rushed towards us, two more of his kind trailing behind him.

"Sir, WI-FI CT reporting. The enemy is advancing in our direction in large numbers," they reported, their voice muffled as if they were speaking through a muzzle.

I watched as the tall bat pony's once gentle expression hardened into a stern mask. He handed the filly back to my sister, his gaze lingering on the little one for a moment before he turned to face the brown-armored being. The height difference between them was striking. I, standing at a modest five feet seven inches, felt dwarfed in their presence. The bat pony towered over me, standing at an imposing eight feet three inches - a true giant among us.

"What's the status of the fleet, and how many fighters managed to break through their blockade of the planet?" he asked, his voice carrying an authority that could make even Baron Revan bow in respect.

"The situation is unclear, sir. I've been having trouble with communications since the planetary drop happened before your arrival to the battlefield," WI-FI responded, holding out his wrist communication device.

The bat pony nodded, his gaze focused on the device. His brow furrowed in concentration as he studied the flickering screen, his fingers deftly navigating the controls. The rest of us could only watch in silence, the tension in the air palpable.

"Prepare the troops for an imminent attack," he finally ordered, his voice echoing in the stillness. "We need to hold them off as long as we can."

WI-FI saluted, turning on his heel to relay the orders. The bat pony watched him go, his gaze distant. He then turned back to us, his expression softening slightly.

"Stay safe," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. With a final nod, he turned and strode away, leaving us in the relative safety as he went to face the oncoming storm. In the midst of the chaos, only one thought came to mind.

"Stay safe, bat pony from beyond Notrcal!" I shouted, hoping to convey my well wishes. However, my words seemed to have the opposite effect.

The tall figure in front of us halted and spun around, his eyes flashing with indignation.

"I am not a bat pony, I am a Nal Thestral!" he retorted, his voice echoing with a mix of anger and pride. He then turned back around, storming off. As he moved away, I caught sight of his ash-colored mane and the stark white of his coat.

Despite the tension, I couldn't help but smile at the exchange. It was a brief moment of levity amidst the turmoil. However, my amusement was short-lived as I was suddenly hoisted to my feet. I hadn't even realized I had fallen to the ground amidst the chaos.

As I dusted myself off, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Even in the midst of a battlefield, there was room for a little silliness. I watched as the bat pony, or rather, the Nal Thestral, disappeared into the distance, his figure growing smaller against the backdrop of the impending battle. I held Rain closer, whispering words of comfort to her. Despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, I knew we had to remain strong. For my Rain, for the people and for the hope of a better tomorrow.

Else where above the battlefield

As the relentless fight rages on the ground, the battle for air supremacy has only just begun. The sky, once a serene canvas of blue, is now a chaotic battlefield. star Fighter, like metallic birds of prey, streak across the sky, leaving trails of smoke in their wake. The deafening roar of engines and the piercing whine of missiles fill the air. The ground below trembles with the impact of each explosion. The pilots, encased in their steel birds, engage in a deadly dance of dogfights and aerial maneuvers. Their mission is clear - to dominate the skies and turn the tide of the war. The battle is fierce, the stakes are high, and the fight for air supremacy is far from over.

One hour before storm beast attack

The Wonder Bolt, Equestria's finest naval unit, was founded by the legendary hero, General Firefly. Today, one of their squadrons had been performing aerial acrobatics, their QE-12 fighters dancing gracefully in the sky. Their performance was abruptly interrupted when a unknown fighter shot down one of their own, causing the squadron to break formation. As the fallen QE-12 plummeted towards the ground, the remaining pilots disengaged the safety on their main weapons and retaliated, opening fire on the lone Storm Beast fighter.

The enemy fighter fled towards a massive cloud bank, a tactical move to lose its pursuers. Only two QE-12s, piloted by Soren and Spitfire, dared to follow it into the cloud, while the remaining ten veered around, wary of being caught off guard.

Inside the cloud, visibility dropped drastically. Soren and Spitfire could barely see five meters ahead, their vision obscured by the dense cloud cover.

"Soren, are you experiencing the same visibility issues?" Spitfire asked over the radio, wondering if the problem was with his goggles.

A moment of static-filled silence passed before the radio crackled back to life.

"Spitfire, I'm having the same issue. This cloud isn't normal. I'm trying to gain altitude," Soren responded, adjusting his throttle to gain some elevation.

A sigh echoed over the radio, followed by Spitfire's voice. "Alright, Soren... Wait, I see the unknown fighter. It's about to exit the cloud. Brace yourself."

As Spitfire's warning echoed in his ears, Soren readjusted his goggles quickly and put them on, preparing for the imminent confrontation. The cloud was a strategic disadvantage, but they were seasoned pilots. They would face this challenge head-on, just as they had faced countless others. The battle for air supremacy was far from over, and they would fight with everything they had.

As they both exited the cloud, instead of seeing the unknown fighter, they were only accompanied by two other members of their squadron.

"Blitz, Pearlwing, you're in front of us. Speak," Spitfire said snappily as she and Soren approached.

There was no response for a bit until a moment later. The radio started crackling before returning to normal.

"Yeah, that's Blitz. Still hasn't fixed his comms even before a show," Soren spoke as he began to circle around Blitz and presumably Pearlwing's fighter.

As Spitfire soon approached Pearlwing's fighter, she heard a screaming noise and began looking around quickly, trying to see where it was coming from, but it was too late. Pearlwing's fighter exploded, consuming them as the unknown fighter came from below them from a cloud mass that wasn't there a moment ago.

In that moment, it seemed as if time was moving at a snail's pace. But it quickly caught up with two shots hitting Pearlwing's fighter. They sustained some damage, nothing too bad, and realized what had happened. Again, the four split in order to avoid getting hit.

Pearlwing's fate was sealed when a second round of fire hit their fighter, but it came from the other direction. This time they were not so lucky. Their QE-12 went up in a blaze, with the pilot ejecting from the cockpit just to be gunned down. When it happened, there was only Blitz hearing their screams of fear. He turned his QE-12 to face five more unknown fighters and then pushed forward, sending the vital power to his fighter's nozzles.

"Blitz, what are you doing? This is not a time for revenge," Spitfire barked over the radio comms as she and Soren turned their QE-12 fighters around to give support to their comrade.

The air was filled with the deafening roar of engines and the sound of light laser cannons firing off from Blitz's QE-12 in rapid succession. This could be seen as a futile move on their end, but Soren and Spitfire knew how Blitz fought. The now designated hostile force moved out of the way from his sporadic shooting, but Blitz himself was still heading towards one, halting his fire. They did a loop, having the enemy's much faster fighter pass right behind them. Repositioning themselves, they pursued them, not letting them rest, but he continued to fire upon them, not once did they stop firing.

"Keine Gnade für dich," was said over the radios. This was the first time during the air battle that Spitfire and Soren had heard Blitz speak with no crackling coming over the radio comms.

In the next moment, the hostile fighter was hit by seven direct hits to the left wing and to the body as it exploded, with Blitz flying right through it. Not stopping, Blitz regrouped with Spitfire as she was trying to outrun the hostile fighter with little luck, but it was soon hit by crossfire that came from Soren as they flew right past them.

Blitz passed Spitfire and went into a dive as more hostile fighters came out of nowhere. Spitfire and Soren saw this and were angered at what Blitz was doing, leaving them to fight for themselves. But they couldn't do anything but try to dodge and return fire.

As minutes passed, more and more hostile fighters arrived in their area. Their dodging was becoming the only thing keeping them alive. They only prayed to the two sisters to let them have their final moments known as their finest.

But Spitfire had a different plan. She couldn't allow someone inexperienced to take over as the captain of the Wonder Bolts. She turned her fighter to the left hard, bringing one of the hostiles into her sight picture. Then, opening fire, three hits before it exploded. Then, making a break for it, she took a dive down with Soren right behind her, also taking two hostiles down with one flying right into the other.

"Soren, leave and get in contact with the admiral. And if you find Blitz, shoot to injure. He will face trial for bucking abandonment of their unit," Spitfire said over the radio comms as they returned to the fight.

Soren was in a dilemma but understood that if he died, the fleet would be unaware of what had happened. This made these new orders top priority over all other things, but leaving his captain and close friend, he couldn't bring himself to do so. But about to speak, he made up his mind.

"Captain, don't die on me before I get back. Over and out," Soren said before racing off, pushing his star to its limit as it sped off out of orbit.

Spitfire, the seasoned pilot of the Wonder Bolt, Equestria's finest naval unit, knew that her comrade Soren expected her to survive. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, she had to at least try. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself amidst the chaos. As she exhaled, she reopened her eyes, her gaze hardened with determination, ready to face the storm of battle.

She was in the cockpit of her QE-12 fighter, a machine she knew as well as she knew herself. Every gauge, every control, every warning light was familiar to her. She knew how to push it to its limits, and how to coax it back from the brink of failure. She was a seasoned pilot, a veteran of countless battles. Her hands moved with practiced ease over the controls, adjusting the throttle, tweaking the rudder, keeping her fighter steady despite the damage it had sustained.

The sky around her was a whirlwind of chaos, filled with the roar of engines, the whine of missiles, and the crackle of laser fire. But in the cockpit of her QE-12, Spitfire was calm, focused. She was in her element, a warrior in the sky, fighting for her comrades, for Equestria, for survival.

Executing a series of barrel rolls, she evaded the barrage of enemy fire aimed at her position. Each roll was a calculated move, a dance of death in the sky. She was getting closer and closer to an enemy fighter, with only a few meters of space separating them from a potential collision.

In a swift motion, she lifted a cover that concealed her QE-12's single missile launcher. Pressing the launch button while sharply pulling up on the controls, she felt the g-force pressing against her. The cockpit shuddered under the strain, but held firm.

An explosive shockwave rocked her fighter, signaling a direct hit from her missile. A quick glance to her left revealed a monitor displaying her QE-12's status. Fuel levels had fallen to a quarter of the tank, and her main weapon power was left with enough energy for a couple of engagements if timed correctly. The missile bay was now depleted.

This didn't deter Spitfire one bit. If anything, it only fueled her resolve to keep fighting harder, to make the enemy pay for the lives they had taken. Her eyes darted between the enemy fighters and her instruments, calculating distances, angles, and trajectories. Every move she made was a calculated risk, a balance between survival and victory.

As she weaved through the enemy fighters, she fired off a few well-aimed shots, taking down another enemy fighter. The satisfaction of seeing it explode was short-lived, however, as more enemy fighters swarmed in to take its place.

But Spitfire was not done yet. She was a Wonder Bolt, Equestria's finest. She would fight until her last breath, until her last bullet. And when that time came, she would go down fighting, a true warrior of the sky.

The battle raged on, the sky filled with the deafening roar of engines and the piercing whine of missiles. The ground below trembled with the impact of each explosion. The pilots, encased in their steel birds, engaged in a deadly dance of dogfights and aerial maneuvers. Their mission was clear - to dominate the skies and turn the tide of the war. The battle was fierce, the stakes were high, and the fight for air supremacy was far from over.

Spitfire's heart pounded in her chest as she maneuvered her fighter, dodging enemy fire and returning her own. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, fueling her determination. She was a warrior, a fighter, a survivor. She would not go down without a fight.

As the battle raged on, Spitfire could see the toll it was taking on her fighter. The damage was extensive, but she refused to let it slow her down. She pushed her QE-12 to its limits, coaxing every last bit of power from its engines. She was a seasoned pilot, a veteran of countless battles. She knew her aircraft like the back of her hand, every gauge, every control, every warning light. She knew how to push it to its limits, and how to coax it back from the brink of failure.

Despite the damage, despite the odds, Spitfire fought on. She was a Wonder Bolt, Equestria's finest. She would fight until her last breath, until her last bullet. And when that time came, she would go down fighting, a true warrior of the sky.

Que music

As spitfire continued pushing her fighter to it limit she look in rear mirror to see four hostile fighter on her tail one began opening fire on her whole shot were she was going to move to avoid fire. As this continued one hostile fighter gone below and out of sight leave spitfire trying to keep up this game of cat and mouse all over again.

When turned again she was hit on her right the her left a caution message pop up with saying 'fuel level below 1/16.' As another one hit tail wing she soon began losing control. But her radio comms roar to life.

"Kapitän, ich habe dich noch nicht verlassen." As the same voice said that had returned to be dead once more.

Spitfire said nothing as she couldn't understand why blitz would have returned now with what she expected was himself alone.

But when sound of unfamiliar fire came around her but the roar can after words that was something else much louder then what the QE-12 is possible of making, but spitfire couldn't think before to explosion happen then moment later one more happen. Just as three fighter that she couldn't recognized due their black and gray paint color scheme followed by a familiar QE-12 soaring by her.

The soon change as more of these new fighters arrived followed by a another new that was completely blue. I just moment the one against twenty had change to three to two. Just spitfire soon to join the battle once again she seen a fighter that was more of a shuttle flying pass with its doors open and what appear to be a tall pony hold a handle seen before what to be them yelling at the pilot to get them out of this area at once. Then the shuttle pass with it door closing.

"Damn that was big bat pony if I seen one." Spitfire remark but soon felt like someone said something about not being a bat pony.

Present time

Our push into the city was swift, a stark contrast to the initial drop from the BE-111B that had left some of my unit needing quick repairs. However, when I encountered another nal thestral, I felt a sense of camaraderie, a feeling that I was no longer alone. This feeling was comforting, a welcome change from the usual isolation.

Holding the young nal in my arms, feeling it calm down, left me in a state of tranquility that I couldn't quite put into words. But as I was lost in my thoughts, reflecting on the events of the past few hours, I was interrupted by an older model of the B1 droids.

"Admiral sir, the scouts have returned. They've spotted a crashed BE-111A," the B1 informed me, pausing to let the information sink in. "There were survivors from a heavy gunner squad. They've received quick repairs and are ready to move out."

The droid finished its report and left, presumably to inform the scouts to continue their search for potential enemy units that could pose a threat. I was left alone with my thoughts once again, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. But I was not alone. I had my unit, the survivors, and the young nal. We were all in this together, and we would face whatever challenges lay ahead as one.

Looking behind me, there were a few of the newer models of the B1A2 ready to move out. I pointed to them using hand gestures, telling them to follow me as other B1 droid commands had already been given orders to find the original landing units and to take the city.

Taking a left down an alleyway, I saw two civilians hiding behind a dumpster. They saw me walking down the alley with seven B1A2s right behind me. They raised their blasters towards my group, seemingly threatened by our presence. I lowered my blaster towards them, but the B1A2 that was behind me didn't seem to care and kept moving forward before getting shot in the chest, causing it to stumble a few steps. This only seemed to somehow anger the B1A2. The civilians saw this and went to shoot once more before I got in front of the B1A2.

"Don't shoot him, please forgive them. This is his first combat mission," I said before they took another shot at the B1A2 that I was shielding from them.

They saw this action I was taking just for one simple soldier, even risking my own life. They relaxed and lowered their blasters as a sign of trusting me. Turning to the B1A2, I looked at the blaster shot to his chest. It didn't seem to penetrate his outer armor.

"What are your names so I know how to address you properly?" I asked while checking more on the B1A2 just to make sure there was no unseen damage.

I could hear them whispering something but couldn't catch onto what they were saying as I was still putting a wire back in. After that, I turned around and saw them standing up with their blasters lowered, staring right at me.

"S.M.P.L Duskbane and this next to me is what's left of my platoon. They hit us hard and it seems your folks are not from around here, bat pony," Duskbane spoke to me calmly.

I was once again mistaken for their race. It had begun to bug me. But the one next to this bat pony waved at me and smiled. I wondered what was going through their head.

Meanwhile, inside their head
The sound of an old radio and static filled an empty and destroyed room with one wall showing the outside where the radio stood on a small wooden desk.

Moi towarzysze broni,

Stoimy dziś w środku trwającej wojny, bitwy, która stanowi dla nas wyzwanie i testuje naszą determinację. Ale stoję przed wami, aby powiedzieć wam, że nigdy nie możemy się poddawać. Musimy walczyć, aby bronić każdego centymetra naszego kraju.

Ta wojna zabrała nam wiele, ale nie możemy pozwolić, aby pozbawiła nas nadziei i wiary. Każdy z nas ma w sercu część tego kraju, którą nazywa domem. Każde wzgórze, każda dolina, każda rzeka – one wszystkie są częścią nas.

Musimy pamiętać, że nie jesteśmy sami. Nasza społeczność stoi razem, zjednoczona w naszym oporze wobec wrogów, którzy chcą nas ujarzmić. Jesteśmy silni, gdy trzymamy się razem, gdy się wspieramy i nie pozwalamy, aby ciemność nas ogarnęła.

Pokażmy wrogom, że jesteśmy gotowi walczyć o każdy skrawek ziemi. Niech cena będzie wysoka za każdy centymetr, który chcą podbić. Nie pozwolimy im zniszczyć naszej ojczyzny i odebrać nam wolności.

Droga może być trudna, ale nie poddamy się. Będziemy walczyć aż do zwycięstwa. Pokażmy swoją determinację i wspólnie walczmy o naszą ukochaną ojczyznę!

Razem będziemy silni i pokażemy wrogom, że nigdy się nie poddamy. Pozostańmy zjednoczeni i walczmy o każdy skrawek ziemi, który do nas należy!

Za naszą ojczyznę, za naszą wolność, za zwycięstwo!

Returning from the mind of the bat pony

"Do they normally blank out like this a lot?" I asked, snapping my fingers in front of their face.

Duskbane nodded sadly, then reared back and began to slap them awake. They stumbled back, hitting the dumpster, blinking rapidly and shaking their head before looking at us.

They smiled sheepishly before picking themselves up, grabbing their blaster, and running to the end of the alleyway. They took a kneeling position on the right side.

B1A2, who had been shot, followed behind the bat pony, covering his left flank while checking the left side of the street. Seeing them, I immediately turned around and gestured to four other B1A2s, pointing them towards the street. They got the message and swiftly moved forward. When they exited the alleyway, two went left and the other two turned right.

"Clear, sir," a B1A2 from the left side of the street called out. The right side remained silent.

I moved forward with the last two B1A2s, with S.M.P.L Distance following right behind. Looking to the right, I saw three B2 Super Battle Droids near a downed BE-111A. One was receiving a droid version of medical treatment from a B1M2. The two that seemed to have already finished their temporary repairs turned towards us. The one with a silver stripe on its shoulder walked up to me and saluted. I returned the salute.

"Admiral Winter, it's surprising to see you here on the frontline," the B2 said, sounding both surprised and pleased.

I didn't waste any time. I looked at him and the other B2 next to the BE-111A, then turned to face the local forces that had followed me for some reason instead of regrouping with other units. I hadn't noticed, but Duskbane had walked up to me and saluted as well. It seemed like he had something to say.

"S.M.P.L Duskbane, what do you need?" I asked quietly, aware that we were still in a war zone.

He nodded at me and pulled out a map of the city, laying it on the ground and pointing to a road.

"This is where we are, sir," Duskbane said, before pointing to another area on the map. "Here is the comms station that my group was in charge of but failed to protect. It may have the strength to contact other units in the area."

Hearing this, I nodded and waved my hand in a large circle. Everyone in the area who knew what this meant began to gather around me. Knowing our destination, we began a slow march into the hostile city where no area was safe.

End of Turn 1.