Weeks Later

Howling Tempest sat in his new office in the academy. His orientation was over, yet his arrival was in the middle of the semester, so he was left to build his lessons for next year.

Supply stretching and counter piracy. He typed up the headline more to inspire further writings than anything else. grumbled at the concepts before deleting the line. “As if that hasn’t already been done to death.” He sighed in frustration at his career change. “Maybe I just need to read up on it and see if I have anything to add.”

A knock on the wooden office door was a welcome distraction, he didn’t care who it was. He waved the holographic keyboard to disappear. “Come in.”

The eather stallion that entered made Tempest jump up and salute. “Superintendent Darkwood.”

Returning the salute, the dark furred stallion spoke with professional courtesy. “At ease, Captain.” He claimed the guest chair, allowing Tempest to sit back down. “I wanted to compliment you on your presentation on independent carrier operations this morning. Being so soon after Celestia put out word of the exploratory captain program. You turned a lot of heads.”

Giving a not entirely happy grin, Tempest fidgeted in his seat. “I merely benefited from some ‘insider trading’ on the matter. That, and my years with the Rainbow Dash and our supply problems in Lilian gave me some useful experiences to draw from.”

“So I gathered from your lecture. I want you to focus on this. Draw up a class on this peacetime use of exploratory, hybrid carriers. Something that can hold its own, but not necessarily a war-capable ship. I already ordered the ship architect instructors to start drawing up purpose built vessels. You’ll be doubling up by offering insights there as well.”

Humming in contemplation, Tempest mulled over it. “Perhaps it would be a good idea to make students of command and engineering see these two classes as electives for the other. See what synergies we can produce from it.”

“I was thinking the exact same thing.” The commandant gave an amused snort. “I think you’ll do well here, Captain.”

Nodding firmly, Tempest spoke with partial conviction. “Perhaps so.”

Thaddeus and Felin stepped off the Phallus and onto the hard steel floor of a proper Alliance space station. Ignoring the soldiers and officials waiting for them, it was a relief to be among proper disciplined sailors again.

The pair barely got a moment to collect themselves when a gruff centauri in ambassadorial garb closed the short distance between them. “There he is. Good tidings, High Admiral. I trust the ponies treated you well.”

Thaddeus stumbled a bit as the ambassador gave a heavy, jovial slap on his back. “Callthor! It is good to see you still wear the sash. As for the treatment, it was far better than those they executed.”

Callthor was never a fan of a sash being his badge of office, but tradition always stilled his tongue. “And Lieutenant Felin, glad to see you kept this old war hound in one piece.” Even as she responded, Callthor guided them further into the station.

“It hasn’t always been easy. But then again what is these days?” A fierce look of pride swept over her scaly face.

“Truer words have never been spoken.” Mindful of unwanted ears, Callthor pushed the conversation down until they arrived at his personal quarters. It was decorated for someone of his station, but he had no intention of unpacking.

Felin and Thaddeus felt an emotional weight slide off of them. It took them strong effort to avoid sitting down before their host went into the kitchenette to bring out some pre-ordered food. “How did the war go, old friend. I was able to read the pony side of things, but I would prefer your word over anything of theirs.”

“It was glorious!” Callthor cheered as he busted out a wine bottle. “The ponies have always been worthy adversaries, and they have yet to disappoint. The ponies would have you think they won by defending their claims over the Feldwind Expanse, but we all know it was never about territory.” He set the glasses down and had a serving drone deliver the plates of piping hot food. “I am also to extend your wife and children’s apologies for not welcoming you here. In your wife’s words ‘I fear my husband would prefer to clean himself up first before his grand return.”

Snorting in agreement, Thaddeus nodded. “Aye. Seathora was always about appearances.”

“Don’t you worry,” Felin proclaimed with a sly grin. “I’ll make him presentable by day’s end.”

“Of that I have no doubt.” Callthor noted how Thaddeus was avoiding his wine, and discreetly had the drone fetch something non-alcoholic. “Now, before we delve into matters abroad, did you hear what the ponies did with your… detractors?”

“Afraid not.” Thaddeus tested the dish and found it sublime. “I know they planned to execute the lot of them.”

“Oh they did indeed.” Callthor took a bite to organize his thoughts. “While tales of blood are welcome at my table, the…” Callthor idly grinned widely. “Flurry’s revenge is a bit too much. What I will say is that it involved being entombed into a coffin with air holes, a milk bath, honey, and being placed in a jungle.”

Thaddeus stopped his effort to eat and stared up at the ambassador with growing discomfort. “She certainly is… inventive.”

“I for one think she still went soft on them,” Felin stated while having no such lapse in appetite. “But it is an acceptable punishment all the same.”

The conversation lapsed as everyone ate for a minute or so. “So then,” Callthor began anew with more dour words. “These Waylan. Our spies say one thing, but I want your take. Are they a threat?”

“Absolutely,” both survivors replied strongly. Felin gestured for Thaddeus to continue. “Death was near instant with little warning and of no effort on their part. Anyone with chrome wired to their nerves are at risk. They have no qualms about desecrating the dead either for whatever purposes drive them. It is my opinion that we need to abandon any future wars with our brother species, and focus on this threat.”

Callthor stopped cutting his steak, and mulled over the idea. Honor was always a concern, but Callthor liked to entertain the idea that the alliance ultimately conducted regular wars to keep itself strong and focused. The ponies and other species may hate them for it, but no force of arms remained powerful in the peaceful times the alicorns would have liked to have ushered in were it not for the Alliance. “So you believe these Waylan are the foe we’ve been waiting for?”

“I do.” Thaddeus put all of his command voice into his tone. “What happened to us in Lilian could just as easily happen to the entire sector. The Waylan would not even have to fire a single shot to wipe us out.”

Callthor eyed the two survivors’ implants. Outwardly they seemed normal, but he had noticed the slight limp Thaddeus had, marking his false leg as being autonomous. “Decyberization will be difficult, doubly so for the navy, and I fear the junta and the admiralty are too comfortable warring against our brother-species.”

“Then we must make them see the threat for what it is.” Felin stated sharply while stabbing her food with a fork. “The ponies, and even worse, the hippogriffs, will use this new FTL to explore abroad. They’ll bring the Waylan right to us whether the junta are prepared or not.”

“I fear you’re right.” Callthor mentally started writing missives and sent them out to his contacts. “That FTL is still limited for now. I must speak with Cadenza as soon as possible to try and limit its use for as long as possible.” He stood up. “Forgive me, but this can’t wait. Eat and rest, there is much to do in the coming days.”

Wiggly Sprocket wobbled through the hallway in a fatigued slump. Her muscles burned and her energy was gone. She was only kept on her hooves due to a mechan giving her support. For the last twenty hours, she had been neck deep in repairing a navy cruiser that was being pulled out of mothball and retrofitted to serve as an asteroid miner. Her position as imperial engineer and local hero had opened many opportunities for her, and working on a naval ship was such a joy that the work chief had to order her to go to take a break. Not that it was enforceable, but Wiggly heeded it all the same.

So she retreated to the Akira’s mess hall for the day and crashed onto the expensive restaurant sofa they had salvaged. She shared quick greetings and some accolades before Mote came in and tactfully claimed the nearby chair. The mechan retreated as the alien warmly waved at her. “Observation. I see you managed to pull yourself free from work.”

Wearing a tired smile, Wiggly struggled to stay awake. “Is it really work if you love what you do?”

A smirk played across the alien’s face. “Statement. My people believe in ‘shalthe’ or peace through productive labor. Cherish such efforts, as they come rarely.”

The two fell into sluggish small talk for a short while as Wiggly drifted in and out of sleep before heavier hoof falls tugged on Wiggly’s ears and quieted Mote.

“Mind if I join you?”

Looking up with bleary eyes, Sprocket jumped at realizing Flurry Heart had snuck up on them. “Your highness!” Wiggly scrambled to make room and tried to hide rubbing the drool off her face. “Of course, of course.” She shot Mote a quizzical look, only for the gynoid to shrug helplessly.

The larger mare sat down with casual thanks before offering a silver drink can. “Want some power thirst? You probably need it after skipping two meals.”

“Never had it.” Wiggly accepted the dubious can out of curiosity. The image of a racing pegasus chased by lightning felt enticing. Taking a sip felt like a power line had landed on her tongue. She recoiled so hard she threw the can. Expecting it, Flurry caught the can in her magic. Sputtering badly as magical steam wafted away from her muzzle, Wiggly tried to cool off. “By the stars what was that?!” Wiggly coughed raggedly.

“Only the toughest drink outside of alcohol,” Flurry chuckled as she took a drag in solidarity and her face twisted like she just downed some whisky sours. “Oph, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that, but boy does it wake you up. Want some more?”

Wiggly baulked at the can being shoved her way. “No no no… I mean, ah - just no thank you.”

Giving a coy grin, Flurry directed the can towards Mote. “How about it?”

“Statement. Logically, I should pass… but I’ll do it anyway.”

“Aahhh, I knew I liked you!” Flurry gave the can over, and eagerly watched Mote take a swig.

At first, Mote tasted nothing. Instead of a flavor, she saw machine code detailing the content of the drink. So she faked a response as best she could. Mote went straight into coughing and hacking, and turned away, hoping her act was believable. Wiggly was still too out of sorts to notice, but Flurry could see the act for what it was.

What Wiggly did notice, was that Flurry put the can aside instead of taking a second sip. Did I just get pranked by a queen? Shaking that thought away before it got her into trouble, Sprocket sat back down. “Thanks for the wake up, I guess.”

Laughing richly, Flurry sighed wistfully before replying. “Stuff like that got me through my tutors. Part of the problem with agelessness is that I never develop a real tolerance for the stuff.”

Shivering to finish her recovery, Wiggly adopted a more friendly tone. ”Did you need something your highness, or was the prank it?”

Though she hid it well, Flurry still felt uncomfortable with Wiggly addressing her so formally. “I wish I could say this was just a spur of the moment, but - well - yes I do.

“As you know, Lilian wasn’t the only system isolated by the war. Our little relief effort was thrown together faster than a bread sandwich because of the Waylan threat. I received word this morning that proper relief fleets have finished rallying up. Celestia and Luna will be going to separate systems, but there is a fourth one, including Lilian. I was hoping you would go with the last group.”

“Me?!” What scant few vestiges of fatigue Wiggly had were cast to the wind. “I’m not a - that’s too much for me.”

Trying to give off a disarming laugh, Flurry tried to press Wiggly on. “Trust me, I wouldn’t dream of placing you in charge of something you’re not ready for. You’d be there for morale purposes,” Flurry rocked her head back and forth a bit. “And to lend your wrench wherever you can. This isn’t the first war where a system’s been isolated. Tradition says a high queen is the first one through the repaired portal station, but there aren't enough of us to go around. My mother has to ‘hold down the fort’ so to say. The fleet you’ll be joining has plenty of administrators and the like to do the heavy lifting. All I want is somepony that can rally the survivors, and you’ve done a great job of it here.”

Wiggly glanced about the room, only now realizing Flurry must have gotten the others to leave without her noticing. Licking her dry lips, Wiggly soldiered on. “This is because you named me the engineer, isn’t it?” The silent nod was all Wiggly needed to get a bit desperate. “Why though? Sure I’m good with a wrench, but I’m not a star. Lilian is my home, but I’ve got no connection with a different system. Why are you putting so much faith in me?”

Flurry Heart began with a somber expression. She saw so much of her aunt in Wiggly her heart ached with a twisting agony. “Because…” She so dearly wished to unburden her with the truth, but after her second life, Flurry couldn’t risk it. “Because I know you. Nothing as mundane as your favorite food or who you crush on. I told you once that I am the talent hunter of the queens. I know you to be a pony of greatness in both character and talent. There are those who can only excel under constant duress, and others who must drag themselves up from nothing to realize their potential. You are the kind of pony who needs only the opportunity to realize who you can be. You can do it. Yes you’ll stumble,” Flurry said almost dismissively. “But who doesn’t? What matters for the moment is that ponies will rally to the imperial engineer. I leave it to you, to make ponies rally to Wiggly Sprocket.”

“That’s - pretty heavy, your highness.” Wiggly scratched the back of her head as she tried to come to terms with such celebrity. “Twilight and Shining were giants. They’ll take one look at me and think I’m a joke.”

“Do the ponies here think that?” Flurry countered.

“Well - uh - not to my face at least.”

“Encouragement. That is a better start than most.” Mote developed a coy expression and her tail swished lightly. “If I were you, I’d think of the position as a hereditary one. A freshly promoted prince to king is not always fully prepared for the role, yet it is thrust upon them. No?”

Flurry shot a dark look at the alien, an act missed by the introspective pegacorn.

“Hereditary… psh, if only I could claim to be even remotely related to those two. Is this an order or a- oh who am I kidding.” Wiggly stumbled to stand back up. “I’ll tell the crew and we’ll be ready to go by tomorrow afternoon. I’ll just need the details And some sleep.”

Giving a thin smile, Flurry nodded. “You’ll have them within the hour. And I agree, you do need some actual rest. That one taste you had won’t last you another five minutes and you’ll crash, hard.”

Freaking out a bit, Wiggly hastily bowed. “I think I’ll go to medical first then.” As tactfully as possible, Wiggly bolted away.

With the room cleared, Flurry scowled at the gynoid. “You haven’t been sprinkling little hints like that which is going to make her freak out the day she finds out about her past have you?”

“Confession. I wouldn’t dream of it.” Mote raised her hands to ward off any further ire, even as she kept a slightly playful grin. “I simply thought it was the best way to approach the issue.”

Not entirely buying it, Flurry let it go all the same. “Perhaps. I wish I could see the Akira off, but duties rob the powerful of their time.”

Mote paused long enough to be sure that Flurry was intending to leave. “Statement. I must say, I’m surprised you haven’t tried to speak to her flame.” Mote remained seated as she watched the alicorn stop her departure. When Furry did not speak up, Mote continued. “Morales is the one being trained enough in the technique to do it safely. He may say he wishes to stay, but he and I have been out of contact with the homeworld for years. He could change his mind before we return from this new endeavor.”

Turning at last to look at Mote, Flurry felt like chastising herself. “You are quite the needling spy, aren’t you? Always going for that gossip you won’t find in databases or reports.”

Feeling nervous, Mote’s tail started swishing quickly. “Clarification. I am merely a final witness. I carry the last thoughts and prayers of each crew member who dies under my watch and confess them to who you call Terra when I too pass on. My purpose is centered on death, so to see someone who is a genuine reincarnation is fascinating beyond measure.”

Furry turned to face the alien, her protectiveness still on high alert. “Wiggly Sprocket is far too precious to me to risk those little snippets of yours before she is ready for the truth. They stop, now.”

Bowing low, Mote hoped to defuse the tension. “Compliance. Your will be done.”

Mollified enough, Furry magically pulled Mote back up to her feet. “If recollection is so central to your job, remember that.”

Nodding once more, Mote still tried to press her luck. “Query. When she is ready? Dare I ask how that will be determined?”

Narrowing her eyes, trying to gauge Mote closely, Flurry erected a privacy field and weaved a spell into her voice. Her words came with a noticeable reverb and echo as the spell etched itself into Mote’s mind. “What I am about to say, you will be incapable of repeating. And I only tell you because I rather like you.

“Wiggly will be ready when the day comes that Live Wire dies and later returns to her. On that day, she will know who she truly is.”

Mote’s eyes dilated as far as they could go. “He is a bound spirit?!”

“He wouldn’t see it that way.” Flurry Heart looked passed the walls into the direction of the siblings’ quarters. “His first real life was by the name Pinkie Pie. I do not know what prompted Terra to bind them together, but come hell or high water, Pinkie Pie always seems to find her way back to Twilight Sparkle, no matter what life she is in. Yet Pinkie changes much more than Twilight does, save her eternal devotion to her sister, and the notion that they are siblings and not lovers.

“Through means I can only guess at, when Live Wire dies, he will reincarnate and feel utterly driven to seek Wiggly out as soon as possible. In both her previous lives, Wiggly knew it was her guardian upon locking eyes. It matters not what form Pinkie takes in each life, they instinctively trust and love each other implicitly.” Flurry Heart turned back to Mote with watery eyes. “As a child of love itself, their relationship is unequally beautiful to me. Which is why I won’t let you poison Wiggly’s… innocence.”

Mote was left shell shocked, as she believed every word. “ Euphoria. I had no idea. Is - are they unique, or are there other paired flames among your people?”

“It is difficult to say for sure.” Flurry Heart thought on the issue, but nothing immediately struck her. “Wiggly and Wire are only noticeable because Wiggly has been a long—lived pegacorn all three times. I also see Twilight more as a second mother than an aunt, so I have always looked out for her after death.”

Mote gasped as a thought struck her. “Revelation. That is why you gave her the power to rebuke a queen’s action. A mother’s chastisement.”

A begrudging nod of approval left Flurry. “You do catch on quick. But I have lingered long enough.” The magical alterations to her voice vanished. “While you can’t speak of this conversation to anyone, I am not entirely sure how effective my magic is on you. Do not try to find a loophole, and I better not get a call from Wiggly or Wire asking about any of this, or I will give you the same mercy I did the pirates.”

Not even waiting for a reply, Flurry departed, leaving Mote feeling as if she was dancing on a cliff’s edge. Statement. Perhaps I am slipping from courage to recklessness. Still though, when I stand before Terra, I hope he will listen to me long enough to hear this. Or… perhaps I should hold my tongue even then in case Terra decides to break their bond because of my loose lips.

The house had come, and Wiggly’s bridge crew were conducting final checks before departure. While Wiggly was a bit annoyed by having to leave, Live Wire was quite enthusiastic. “Engineering reports green across the board. We’re good to go, sis.”

Replying with more neutral professionalism than joy, Wiggly craned her neck to look backwards at the tube. “Well that’s it then. Mores, would you do the honor?”

“Gladly.” He tapped into the intercom. “Attention all personnel. Prepare for hyperspace transition.”

Space warped and bent until the Akira vanished from the colony’s orbit. Mote kept a close eye on the sensors and breathed easy. “No contacts on sensors. We’re free and clear.”

“Good. Winter, lay a course.”

As her crew finished ensuring the Akira didn’t develop any issues from the jump, Wiggly tried to mentally prepare herself for the job to come. Ready my tail. For all I know, the whole system is in chaos and it’ll be my head if it can’t fix it.

Still, come what may, it’s a far cry from where I started. That was more than enough for her.

Author's Note

And here we come to an end. I had originally planned for longer, but I feel that this is a good enough stopping point. I’ll likely be moving on to an independent IP from here on out. Thanks for coming with me all this way, and I hope you enjoyed the ride.