The Eclipse Civil War

*Entering system: Equestria. Sector ownership: Saurian Union.* The female robotic voice finished.

With a fleet larger than one hundred ships, ranging from station constructors to the latest destroyers and carriers and even planet destroyers, Fenrir was ready to enforce their presence on this sector. Equestria, once a land of harmony, is plagued by this civil war. He will put an end to this. And this time, he were serious. And there was nothing that could stop him. Fenrir even decided to bring a space legend on his newly acquired sector. Something that will scare off the biggest fleets that dared trespass this sector. The legendary flagship that was supposedly decommissioned after the Second Intergalactic War. The flagship served the Dictator and ended the Second Intergalactic war. The flagship with a history of countless planets conquered, wasted or even turned totally destroyed. And turning hundreds of species extinct in the first fifty years of service. This was the aging pride of the Saurian Star Fleet.

This is the 'Armageddon': the Saurian-Class Flagship System Conqueror.

.

Three times bigger than the Star-Class Fleet Command Selsius, the Armageddon poses as the symbol of war for the Saurian Union. Armed with special and unique, almost paranormal weapons and technology that only the Saurians could conceive, this ship outdated all the Council ever came up with in regards of space warfare. Nothing that touched this ship was ever disclosed. And only the best of the best in planetary system warfare entered this ship. It's colors and design were inspired from space: as dark as possible, to barely be detected by either the blank eye or telescope. Radars were a problem if the ship was attempting to flank a base or try to ambush sector, though the problem could easily be countered if they had their discrete jammer ready.

Entire empires cowered at the sound of a Saurian-class ship, let alone the Armageddon. It was an intergalactic legend. Hybrid energy weapons that could destroy entire frigates or destroyers with just one shot. The ship did not need specialized weapons against small ships, because the reactive shield thundered them into wrecks. It also absorbed the energy from enemy fire by merging the energized enemy fire with the own shield and supplying more power of the shield. A reactive hull that literally returned firing back to its original shooter, sometimes the shot being even stronger than it originally was. Its rather heavy weight however, slowed the ship down if there wasn't enough power to the engines. But this did not mean that it could not warp into sectors. On the contrary, its advanced integrated computer could easily and precisely calculate the location where it could warp and combined with its firepower, rarely (if at all) there were any survivors if there was the case of an enemy space base. And the tales of those survivors were short-lived however, since they were too spectacular to be believed for good. The Saurian laboratories and military architects from all around the Union made a breakthrough with the design of the ship. The breakthrough was the fact that the exterior could barely be seen during the night or in space. Because the ship was huge, a cloaking system would be too expensive and only maintenance of this ship was way too high for its own good, the laboratories managed to merge metals into a special type of reactive metal that looked like the deep sky itself. The whole exterior of the ship was made with this type of metal (there were no glass panels, interior HUDs were showing the exterior together with information about hings outside) and combined with the discrete jammer, it did not exist at all. It was perfect for decisive surprise attacks.

However, the Armageddon was not unstoppable. Like all of their capital ships and large ships, it was impossible to fully power the whole of the ship. It was clear as day for them that with the resources they have from all of their colonies and territories and treaties, they could create anything from everything. And they did so, just that their creations needed a ridiculous amount of energy to be fully powered including: engines, weapons, shields, and even computing power sometimes. However, basic life support systems and core functions of the ship and its computer had their own generator that was separate from the ships main core. The main core was capable of powering and entire overpopulated planet and all it's satellites. Yet, that one full core powered at maximum safe capacity in proportion of 50% to 60% all of the ships shields, weapons and engines by default.

Fenrir began speaking. "Attention fleet. This is President Fenrir speaking. I want this sector defended against any possible trespassers. Whether they are pirates or not, allies or not, if they are not members of the Augustian Council, they are to be shot without any warning. None of the trespassers are to be left abandoning this sector once they enter. That being said, begin the sector enforcement. The plans will be sent towards the construction fleet and as soon as this transmission is over, you will begin to construct the necessary space stations and defense emplacements assigned in the plans. As for the rest of the fleet. Proceed in creating the capital patrol squadrons and establish the patrol routes accordingly. Also, establish escort force for the construction ships. If you see any non-Augustian ships, shoot them down. That is all for now. Proceed accordingly. Flagship out." The President finished speaking to the microphone provided by the visor as the ship sent information the fleet. The fleet then proceeded accordingly.

[It's about time we arrived. Good thing Hekaz still had some fleet left after maintenance. Reserves, yes, but this doesn't mean they were urgently needed either. After all the security there is there, and also knowing that our orbital gates are all linked to other Saurian sectors that are again protected like our homeworld is there, I think Hekaz can spare those reserves. Nothing could attack it, and we are not at war. By the way, can I have a word with you privately?] Arceus asked his friend telepathically.

[Of course. Come to my private office.] Fenrir said as he left. Arceus followed after letting his trustworthy second in command in control. As soon as they arrived in Fenrirs considerably larger office, this time with a HUD that was made out of small hexagons and far more decorated walls and floors, Arceus wasted no time beginning the conversation.

"Fenrir, I understand what Equestria means to you. It means a lot to a lot of species, as well, should they know it still exists. We both know what will happen if we pull back now, however. We already risked a lot abandoning it in the state which it is. I had to go to great lengths to get this fleet out of Hekaz. My justification was that we may have found a world that can be our new colony. Of course this was thin lie. Both of us know what this world means. Nobody on this planet or on that moon knows. Nobody from anywhere inside this sector knows. But the Universe did not forget, Fenrir. And what scares me most, our people may have not either. I fear for all the scandal you will face when all this breaks out. And lets not forget the fact that the Apocalypse is here. This ship has it's history with wars. Although I understand why you sent it here, I don't think you are fully aware of the risks you are taking, Fenrir." Arceus ended in a worried tone.

"I am fully aware of the sacrifices and risks I have in my hands now. But this is truly the miracle we just have to nourish. We have to ensure that this planet will remain in it's harmonic state. We are not here simply decide who is going to win. We are here to because we are the peacekeepers of the universe. And this is a title we will maintain. We will maintain it with utmost dedication. We will be sure that Equestria will survive. This is the last resort for harmony. We are the last resort for ever-lasting peace on this nation. This is the last resort of our impossible dreams. The dream of a world without wars. Without corruption. Without poverty. It is our duty as the Peacekeepers of the Universe to stop this war from destroying such nations. And we will fulfill this duty. Or die trying. For every world deserves a second chance to live a life of eternal balance. We will handle this, Arceus. It's not our first war. It's my not the first time we are in such a situation. We can handle it. We will handle it. Don't worry of the press wither. I fought them as well. I'm not scared." Fenrir responded confidently. His fiery blue eyes could confirm this.

Arceus, deciding that is not worth pursuing the matter, he ended chuckling: "You are crazy, my friend... Really crazy. I like that. But let's not get too crazy, alright?"

"Hey, better to be crazy and daring rather than a being a normal and anxious wolf, right?" Fenrir laughed.

He continued. "Don't worry, my friend. I know what I'm doing. And believe me, this world will be the first pillar of hope for harmony for the Universe when we are done with it." The President ended smiling as he pulled the bottle of wine and two glasses telekinetically, poured wine into the glasses and then gave his friend a glass, who took it by hand. Fenrir took the glass of wine by hand as well, ready to fill their simple, yet respected tradition. Because they have a passion for wars, the tradition says that at the beginning of every war they participated, they drank a glass of pure red wine, to symbolize the blood or life force of their enemies being drowned and absorbed. And at the end of every war, they drank a glass of pure white wine. To symbolize the blankness war leaves behind disappearing, letting reconstruction and recovery begin.

The two clanged the glasses together and spoke in order. The highest in rank always spoke first:

"For the wars..." Fenrir began.

"...in the name of the future" Arceus ended.

Smiling, the two drank the pure red wine and putting the glasses on the table, leaving for the Eclipse Civil War.

***

Celestia stayed yet again in her throne room, contemplating at the recent events as she looked at the mosaic that was made for Discords defeat. Although today was supposed to be another day of reports, it was far more than that. By her request, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were to be examined by the Princess privately, to see how mentally prepared they are. She also had a lingering but dismissed thought of offering them a second chance to abandon military service, but that would be immoral and unfair. Just because they are the wielders, this meant nothing for the military service for Equestria, or rather said 'The Solar Empire'. The everlasting feeling of contempt for herself intensified over the past few days: her own exiled sister returned, the New Lunar Republic, the volunteers who have no idea what war is to join the army and the total isolation of Appleloosa. This should have never happened. The Elements of Harmony were supposed to purify Nightmare Moon; so why didn't they? Celestia didn't fully believe the idea that Nightmare Moon broke the friendship between the six ponies. They had old relations, save for Twilight, whom might have been more than happy to be friends with. Deception would be the case. But then again, she could not believe that the elements were not used against Luna first. Nightmare Moon could not survive the power of such magic. Not a single chance. Maybe she have had a separate power to help her out? She could feel the storm approaching. The firestorm of chaos war delivers.

But there was no time to think as Silver Point entered the room, with Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie standing behind him ready and willing. Celestia smiled and dismissed the captain. With him leaving, it was time to see how did they survive.

"I hope you have manged the military training well for you may enter the battlefield very soon." Celestia spoke firmly.

"Yes we are, Princess. Let them try to get us!" Rainbow responded alongside with the united agreements from Pinkie and Twilight.

"Though, Your Majesty?" Twilight asked humbly, unaware of the interruption she made in Celestias analysis.

"Yes, my dear Twilight?"

"I have been asking myself for some time, and this may seem a bit too intruding but: Who are the alien species and what are they doing here?" Twilight asked, trying her best not to take the question back.

Celestia then used her magic to phonetically isolate not just the door, but the entire room. "The Saurians... My knowledge of the is limited and it should remain hidden from the ears and eyes of the everypony, my little ponies. This are things that must remain secret. However, I shall share with you a portion of my knowledge, but only if you are prepared." Celestia ended, with her typical poker face.

This time, instead of the three little ponies thinking through the supposed consequences of such information, they immediately agreed and said they were ready. Celestia could already see the training changing them. They were taught not to hesitate. Something they did in the past. Despite this may have consequences later on, Celestia decided that they deserve to know.

"I trust you made the right decision, Twilight. This alien species you speak of are known as the 'Saurians'. Their leader, whose name is President Fenrir Goldengod the IVth, is the leader of the Saurian Intergalactic Democratic Union. Such Union represents an immense power throughout the Universe. The President seeks to end this civil war with minimal casualties and ensure our peace is re-established the way it was. If we win their support, this war will be over before they even know it. They are the ones who truly have the power to end the war with one strike. They are peacekeepers, and they seek pure justice in their actions."

"So why don't we win their support? We are the ones that are attacked. Shouldn't it be fair that they protected us then?" Twilight spoke her confusion out.

"It is not as simple as it looks. We may have been attacked, but we have been attacked by rebels not by another universally recognized nation or state. They have the full right to suspect that we deserve to be attacked, because this is an insurgency. Those insurgencies happen only when the government of a nation completely fails to either please the population or to succeed in improving the state of the nation."

"Or when there are lies in the middle of everything..." Rainbow Dash answered as she crossed her hooves in midair.

Celestia shook her head. "They are fully entitled to believe what the NLR tells them. They do not know much about us, and the case of NLR seems more plausible based on the reasoning of the question 'If the Solar Empire was so good, why did the New Lunar Republic rise in the first place?' Ponies don't simply leave the planet, make a separate state and then declare war on the original state because it was too good for them. On the contrary. While we could prove to them this is the movement of Nightmare Moon who is vengeance-driven and that she deceived many ponies, the war effort would be damaged. And this will risk the Solar Empire. The Presidents decisions of this Civil War can be affected by our actions,yes. Yet, in an unknown impact.

"I wish I could speak to you more on the matter, but you have to return to your training. I hope you know what this means and if we lose it." Celestia ended with a steely gaze as Silver Point was ordered telepathically to return them to their military training routines. They all bowed and left, leaving Celestia contemplating again. She failed to analyse their mind correctly. And another question had risen in her mind.

'Am I too kind for the good of my own nation?'

***

The atmosphere was relaxed in the bridge of the flagship. Arceus already scattered and watched the fleet and the whole scenery, with the planet and moon and sun, through the large HUD that displayed it whole They wanted to make this place more than a sector, because this place was more the a sector. It housed Equestria. The President and the Starlord felt as it was their duty to nourish this world. He knew how bad war was. He knew too well what could happen to this world. They also knew that were the catalyst of either their doom or their balance. There was no way him or Fenrir would allow any non-saurian alien forces or species or even material enter the atmosphere. This world needed to be pure and concealed from the darkness of the world.

Starlord Arceus knew the situation of Equestria and the Eclipse Civil War because Fenrir told him on their way back to Sauria. And he analysed the situation while he was overseeing the enforcement operation. There is The New Lunar Republic. The so-called 'rebels'. They claim they fight to eliminate the tyranny Celestia covertly imposed and brainwashed Equestria. Although there is no real evidence to back this up, there was evidence that would go against them. Namely, NLRs very own supporters and population. If Celestia would use a mass mind control or memory wipe telekinesis power, then why are there supporters in the first place? Celestia seemed as if she was strong enough to make such spell yes, but neither did they truly have the chance to collect more data about this. If only that group of ships did not attack in the first place, they would have met with the leader of the NLR and understand this better. There was no clear connection between Celestia and Nightmare Moon at the moment other that they were once co-rulers and blood related. It was interesting for him this, because he always thought of the concept of families being united forever and at worst. So why would one of them start an entire war against her own nation and her sister. Vengeance? Although acceptable for many, and ultimately accepted by him, why would she risk the lives of many civilians? Could she be insane or misguided?

Suddenly, a small group of overlapped red triangles with their point upside down appeared from the sun. This was bad news. Renegades. And judging by the numbers and the symbols that was not a squadron of small ships; but an small fleet of renegades. And from the looks of it and it's distance and direction being showed, it was clear. They headed towards the planet. Already the other ships in that side of the sector signaled him of this enemy activity. The fleet needed to be destroyed. They were going far too straight for the planet. And their scanners now proved it. There were harvester-class ships there as well. They want Heaven? Then they will have to pass through its gates first.

Arceus immediately activated the battle stations alarm. His visor immediately connected with the on-board ship and displayed all the information the ship offered about the enemy fleet. He then began to speak towards the fleet. "Attention all fleet. Flagship speaking. Enemy activity present in the sector with the clear intention of damaging the planet. Use of deadly force is authorized. No warnings offered. Do not let them get close the planet or moon. Any damage dealt on this planet or moon is unacceptable. Begin offense. Flagship out."

His position was very disadvantageous. The enemies were on the other side of the sector. Luckily, there were small fleets at their flanks. But if they arrived there before the fleet got dangerously close to the planet, the fleet was dead before they knew it. "Activate engines for combat situation. Escort fleet: disengage from the Apocalypse and engage in conflict with the renegade fleet. Shoot their engines down if possible. They must not close the distance with the planet too much." Suddenly, the ships speed was immensely boosted. However, due to its size, it was still relatively slow compared to the big escort fleet who already outran the main ship.

Below the scenery, there was an animation: A rectangle that stretched through the lower part of the HUD, showing in the middle a green planet, on the right a group of blue ships that had the form of their own capital ships, behind the group there was only one big ship: them. On the left red ships with their own form. A line connected the planet with those ships. Left side had a red line with an occasional white orb going towards the planet in a rhythm and the line disappeared behind the group of red ships. Same with the left side, but it was blue and it disappeared behind the their flagship, the white orb starting from both the ship and the fleet at a faster rhythm. That was the distance calculated, with a time on top of the planet. They had little time. Those ships were fast. But theirs were faster.

After one or two minutes, the fleets from the sides of the ship were fighting the enemy, lasers of a multitude of colors and occasional rockets could be seen by the zoomed vision that was provided for Arceus by his visor. The escort joined shortly afterwards. At less than halfway thorough to the danger zone. One saurian at the computer then began to speak to the Starlord. "Sir, we are in range for firing the long range artillery cannons."

"Very well, commence firing and proceed advancing. Turn the ship horizontally at 90 degrees as soon as the side cannons are in the calculated range." Arceus responded as he saw the beams of white and light blue and blue lights piercing the space for their unfortunate prey.

'They will not have this planet. Not on my watch.' Arceus thought as he prioritized the targets for the cannons. But he came fast to a realization. The ships were evading the attacks and made it harder to hid from that distance. This was getting worse by the moment. Arceus needed to act fast. He will not accept such stubbornness from renegades. It was time to show the superiority of the Saurian ships.

"Activate the E-Web. Transfer maximum acceptable amount of energy into the engines core. I want 100% as fast as possible, the rest goes into weapons. Shields will have only 10% on a temporary basis. When we reach the correct position for cutting their path with the planet, turn the ship 90 degrees left and transfer all the energy to the weapons systems and the shield generator. All engines will have the least energy. Execute! Now!" Arceus said angrily. Those ships were too smart to be renegade and far too well organised too. And then the visor provided him with elements of the fleets cargo and equipment. It was clear as day now. He was dealing with them wrongly. Those are not renegades. Those are mercenaries. Arceus contacted the whole of the fleet immediately after re-checking the equipment the enemy ships had.

"Warning. Saurian fleet. The enemy we are fighting against is not a renegade or pirate ship. Those are mercenaries ships. Switch battle tactics immediately. The Apocalypse will be there shortly." He ended as he saw the distances close faster and faster for the blue, slower for the red because of the E-Web. Also, the tactic was working. The damage sustained by the engines of the enemy fleet were damaged and slowed them down. And shortly after, the slowed ships began to explode, one by one. From the looks of it, they were doing very well. This seemed to be an easy victory. And before the Apocalypse arrived, the enemy fleet was teared apart. No survivors. But the problem was the surprise debris that was falling in the ocean or even on the ground! That had to be stopped. Who knows what catastrophe that may create. The heavy planetary interceptors sent from the carriers were already pursuing the debris, tearing apart into small pieces the falling metal meteorites. It was until Arceus finally received confirmation that the debris was destroyed and it didn't hit the planet, when everything calmed down a bit. The side fleet was not even attacked during their desperate run.

Arceurs suddenly remembered how the E-Web was made. The Saurian Government before Fenrir issued an order to continue development, from the government before, a means to counter the missing 50% or 40% Saurian capital ships (like the Armageddon and smaller ships as well) suffered. But during that time (and also during Fenrirs Presidential term), there was literally no energy source compact or strong enough to achieve such impossible task. With the pressure of the old government stronger, the Saurian Space Warfare Science Department attempted a different approach on the problem: If it was impossible to get resources that will create the desired energy core, why not allocate the energy provided by the main core instead? And this is what happened. After years extensive research, they managed to discover a way to successfully transfer energy allocated to one part of the ship (such as engines) to another part of the ship (such as weapons). The idea on its own seemed one that could be worth following, so the old government did not reject the concept. A few months later, the department managed to create the E-Web: An advanced network that was designed to connect all of the ships engine, weapons and shield generators and the main core that will then be capable of transferring energy from one point to another instantly, efficiently and leakage proof. The government approved the project the moment it saw its full effect unfurl. And this is what made the Saurian ships so different from the rest too: the ability to change a large ship from an impenetrable fortress into a total destroyer into an ultra fast pursuer at will in the blink of an eye. And what was even better, the energy transfer was never total unless the captain ordered. It could let some energy for the shield and weapons while the engines were fully powered, for example. No other species thought of this concept before hand, giving them the edge in space warfare they needed and the time to improve this system so well that nothing could replicate it.

Getting back to the space theater, there was a deaf silence. All of the fleet remained in full combat readiness shifting their position into a formation, while the construction fleet hurried the operations. They will remain like this until the flagship gets out of the combat awareness situation. The Apocalypse moved and moved. Until it in front of the planet and proceeded into turning its side towards the origins of the attack. It could be felt how the ship turned around slowly, not to turn anything inside upside down or to the sides. It was a stable turn. And the HUD remained the same, showing the scenery as if the ship did not turn at all. They remained like this, until small patrols were dispatched throughout the sector. And suddenly, a bigger group of mercenary ships showed up. This time, judging by their equipment and size and even design, the fleet was directed not directed towards the planet but to them. Both fleets stood there, motionless. The Saurians knew what to do.

'Crap.' Arceus thought as he mentally issued the orders through his visor. Twenty orders at a time. Arceus was ready for another round. Commanding the ship to make the energy transfer. It was not moving from here. Engine power was completely transferred to the secret equipment the Apocalypse had, as a safety measure.

And then it came to him.

"Sir! We have confirmation of a nation-wide unrest across Equestria. There are riots in ten different cities, including the capital!"

'Double Crap.' Arceus had no choice at the moment but to dismiss military intervention. It was the worst possible moment for an riot time.

"Worse sir, we detect abnormal readings on the surface of the nation in those specific locations." The map of Equestria was showed on the upper left corner of the HUD. It showed targets at a forest, a pathway through the mountains and a city.

'Triple Crap.' Arceus stared at the red triangles. But then he smirked. 'It will take more than that to put me into trouble, Life.' He thought proudly. "Planetary surveillance will remain active and will keep an eye on the on-going Blitzkrieg in the background. In this moment I want all wolves at their battle stations. The ship and the fleet as a whole will now be under specific attack. Activate fleet-wide-cross-command linkage protocols and brace yourselves for imminent armed contact." He ended with his hands behind his back, standing there with his fleet under his command, ready to fight.

He smiled like an evil mastermind. 'Let games begin. He thought as the Saurian fleet was fully formed up and began closing the distance, with the Apocalypse firing cannons already.