Homeworld: Equestria

by Maelstrom

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Other, Crossover, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 6963

Our past is a lie, Our Future uncertain. We are all that is left of our people. It is time to reclaim our Homeworld.

Kharak, a barren wasteland orbiting an insignificant star, has been our home for as long as we can remember. Until now, only vague myths of our past remained, but then came the discovery: an ancient tablet long hidden in the Great Banded Desert, buried within the wreckage of a half destroyed spacecraft. Now we know, this planet is not ours. We have been driven away from our Homeworld by conquerors, and billions of our people are dead. It is time to leave this cold, lifeless planet. It is time to return home.

Based on RELIC Entertainment and Sierra Game Studios' HOMEWORLD

Published 2013-04-08 15:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-30 06:44:23 UTC

Prologue

400 years ago, a unicorn satellite detected an immense object under sands of the Great Desert, after gaining permission of passage from the Pegasai Imperium and the Earthen Republic, an expedition was launched. What they found was an ancient starship, buried in the sand. Deep inside the ruin was a single stone that would change the course of our history forever. On the stone was etched a galactic map, and a single word more ancient than the clans themselves: EQUESTRIA, our home...
The promise of the Guidestone united the clans and a massive colony ship was designed, construction would take 370 years. It would demand new technologies, new industries and new sacrifices. The greatest of these was made by Princess Celestia, who had herself permanently integrated into the colony ship as its living core, she is now Fleet Command.
Our population now united, every mind became focussed on the true origin of our people, every effort on the construction of the ship that would seek it out among the stars.

~~Journal of Starlight Eclipse~~
Date: 14th of Aseu, 5486 CR
Amazing news!!
Today I got my letter of acceptance into the young pilots training academy, FINALLY!! This is a dream come true!! If I do well here (of course I will, ‘cus I’m epic!) I’ve got a straight shot into the fleet. Mom and Dad are gonna flip though, I can hear it now: “How could you apply to THAT academy even after we told you not to!” “The fleet is no place for a young mare like you.” “Why can’t you stay home, join the weather squad, meet some nice stallion and have a family like Summer Breeze down the road? Bla Bla Bla”, you know what, screw them! I’m 15, this is my life and I’m joining the fleet.
I can see the Scaffold Moon now, they should be done building the Mothership in about 7 years. I just wish my brother was here, I really miss him... that reminds me! I must go down to the comms station tomorrow and see how much a call to the Kar’Selim costs, I gotta let Stormchaser know! I bet he’ll be as excited as me! I remember how excited he was when he got selected for the fleet onboard the Kar’Selim, the ship destined for the outer edge of the Kharak system so it can finalise the Mothership.
Anyways, early to bed tonight, tomorrow is gonna be HUGE!
~~End of entry~~

Mission 1: Kharak

~~Journal of Starlight Eclipse~~
Date: 22nd of Intus, 5493 CR
Alright this is gonna be a big one
I finally got into the Fleet! And my posting is with the Mothership, BONUS!! I got assigned as part of a 3 ship Heavy Corvette squad as a wing pony. Our Lead is a mare called Rainbow Dash, she finished at the academy one year ahead of me with the second highest flight score ever seen there, I was only 4 points below her. She started as a wing for the number 1 student of the school: Lightning Dust, but apparently Lightning was too reckless and caused an accident that injured several other students and numerous bystanders, as a result she was dishonourably discharged and Dash took her place as lead. The only other thing I know about her is that there is a filly who she considers to be like a sister to her still planet side. The other wing is a crazy as fuck Pegasus stallion who only lets us call him by his callsign: Maelstrom, I don’t even know his real name. All I’ve been able to get out of him is, his father and mother are planet side, and his younger sister is on Cryogenic Tray 5. He also seems to idolise Dash for some reason but he won’t get into it.
Apart from Dash and Maelstrom, the only other pony I fly with is my gunner, a blond Pegasus with a grey coat called Ditsy Doo, but everypony calls her Depry cus of her eyes which look in different directions, it was weird at first but eventually I found it made her look cute. She can’t fly for fuck, and she even admits it, but then she doesn’t need to, that’s my job, what she can do however is shoot a fly of an Interceptor under full throttle 2km away while performing evasive manoeuvres. Personally I feel her nickname should be Deadeye, cus fuck she is good with guns.
Tomorrow the Mothership launches and we run final trials before testing the Hyperspace core and jump to the Kar’Selim. I can’t wait to see Stormchaser again, I haven’t spoken to him in 3 years as I’m always too busy with training. Does this make me a terrible sister?
~~End of entry~~

This is Fleet Command reporting Mothership pre launch status.

Command: ONLINE...
Resourcing: ONLINE...
Construction: ONLINE...
Cryogenics: ONLINE...

Checking Scaffold Orbital alignment.
...
Orbital alignment confirmed.
Stand by Release Control.
Main Drives: ONLINE...
Main drives functioning at 30%
...
The Mothership has cleared the Scaffold, We are away.

Stand by for Command line testing...

~~Journal of Starlight Eclipse~~
Date: 23rd of Intus, 5493 CR
Final trials went off without any problems, and everything is looking good. Ditsy was a crack shot as always in the combat trials, our squad of course set the fastest time in destroying the drones, but as Commander Spitfire always says, “Drones don’t fire back, whatever we find out there will”, still it felt good to be able to claim to be the fastest in the trials, Dash kept going on about being able to do it in 10 seconds flat, and Maelstrom just creeped us out with his maniacal laughter, I think he enjoys destroying stuff a bit too much, like I said, crazy as fuck.
According to a ship wide notification that just came on we will be jumping to hyperspace in about ten minutes.
In two days I’ll get to see my brother in the flesh for the first time in 10 years. I still find it hard to believe that this ship will travel the same distance the Kar’Selim did in two days while it took them 10 years.
See you soon bro.
~~End of entry~~

Hyperspace core fully charged.
Initiated.
Quantum waveform has stabilised.
Proceeding with jump...

Author's Note

This is my first fic everyone, so please let me know what you think. I will explain some stuff after Mission 4, like the date on Eclipse’s journals.

Based on Sierra and Relic Entertainment’s 1999 Game of the Year: Homeworld (old as hell but still a gem)

I uploaded Chapters 1+2 together so I meet the minimum word count, but I will post the remaining chapters as I finish the corresponding mission in game, which I’m replaying as I never finished it and to keep the story fresh in my head.

Mission 2: Kharak System Outskirts

~~General ship wide announcement~~

All Hyperspace systems operating at full power...

*Fleet Intelligence*

If the Hyperspace targeting system is accurate we will emerge in close proximity to the support vessel Kar’Selim. This ship has spent the last 10 years travelling on conventional drives to reach the outer edge of the Kharak system.
The Kar’Selim will monitor the quantum waveform as we emerge into normal space and assist in tuning our drive control systems.
If the Hyperspace module malfunctions, the Kar’Selim will provide assistance and resupply.
Mission objectives will be to dock with the support vessel in order to complete adjustments to the Mothership and her drives.
We will remain docked for a minimum of 1 week or until all systems are brought to full functionality.
During this time, all crew members will be permitted to interact with the crew of the Kar’Selim and temporary sleeping quarters can be made available for those with family stationed there by request.

Approximate arrival time: 2 Days, 13 Hours, 42 Minutes

~~End announcement~~

~~Location: Mess Hall 13~~
~~6 hours in Hyperspace~~

Lunch today was some manner of brown stuff, mashed potatoes and a carrot muffin.
Taking her tray, Eclipse made her way to where her friend, and gunner, Ditsy was sitting.
“Trade my muffin for your mash?” she asked
“Sure!” the grey Pegasus replied holding out a hoof for the muffin, “So what you gonna do when we get to the Kar’Selim?”
“I was just gonna hang out with my brother is all, haven’t ‘seen’ him since his departure, just so you know, I don’t count comm. screens as seeing somepony, just isn’t personal enough. But other than that I don’t have any plans other than kicking the Kar’Selim’s crew’s flanks in the hoofball match Dash is organising, you should join in too! If you can kick a ball as well as you shoot then we’ll definitely win!”
“I don’t know Eclipse, I’m not very good at sports because of the whole eye thing,” Ditsy replied sheepishly around a mouth full of muffin.
A sudden argument got both the mares attention.
“I told you, I didn’t do anything to any computer!” a stallion was yelling, Eclipse couldn’t see him through the crowd
“Look, we have reasonable suspicion that you are involved in the illegal tampering of the VR combat simulators code” A MSP mare in golden armour replied
“I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING! I wouldn’t know what to do even if I wanted to, I’m a pilot, not an egghead!” replied the stallion who Eclipse figured was Maelstrom based on his voice.
“Irrelevant, I am under orders to place you under arrest until this investigation is over. Now are you going to come quietly or do I have to embarrass you in front your squad mates?”
A sudden static burst from the MSP’s helmet causing her to turn and listen intently.
“Understood sir, MSP Golden Glow out.” The mare ended the comm line and turned back to Maelstrom, “Looks like I won’t have to do anything to you at all. You’ve been cleared of all charges; apparently Celestia was bored and changed the simulation as a joke. Unfortunately you were logged on when she did so, resulting in us believing you to be the culprit, our sincerest apologies for the inconvenience. Enjoy the rest of your day”
Once the MSP left, everypony went back to their tables and continued their lunch. As Maelstrom turned to leave he saw Ditsy waving him over and instead went to go say hi.
“Sup?”
“Heya! What did you do now to piss off the MSP?”
“I didn’t do anything, like I told that MSP bitch, I wouldn’t be able to reprogram a calculator let alone an advanced training interface terminal, but no one ever believes the “mad” pony.”
“So what exactly where you accused of?” Eclipse suddenly interjected
“Apparently ‘I’ reprogrammed the VR Sim to give a score based on performance, almost like a videogame. Except I didn’t do it, according to the MSP, Celestia did. I just happened to be logged in at the time.”
“Fleet Command turned a training sim into a game?” Eclipse suddenly exclaimed, “Come Ditsy, we got training to do, and a high score to set. Maelstrom, DON’T TELL DASH! We don’t need her beating our awesome just yet”
Both Eclipse and Ditsy ran out the mess hall and headed in the direction of the VR deck
Watching them go Maelstrom sighed,”Mares, I’ll never understand them... I wonder what’s for lunch. Ooooh! Carrot Muffins! My favourite!”

Outer Edge of the Kharak System<
Between the inner and outer asteroid belts of the Kharak system there is nothing but empty space.
The peace and quiet of this place is suddenly broken by an Immense glowing blue doorway appearing out of nowhere.
A massive ship is deposited into normal space and the doorway closes behind it.

Hyperspace jump complete.
We made it.
All systems nominal and the quantum wave effect has dissipated...

*Ship wide announcement*
We have mis-jumped. The support ship is not here. Fleet Command will signal the Kar’Selim while we confirm our current position.
*End of announcement*

This is the Mothership calling support vessel Kar’Selim, come in please.
We have mis-jumped and are requesting your beacon...
...
This is the Mothership calling support vessel Kar’Selim. Please respond...

Priority alert, we have picked up the Kar’Selim’s automated beacon; we will send a probe to make contact and re-establish communications.
All flight teams are to be placed on standby.

~~Journal of Starlight Eclipse~~
Date: 1st of Garaan, 5493 CR

THIS IS SHIT!

The Kar’Selim is gone. Destroyed, everypony on board is dead, including my brother.
I best explain for anypony who might be reading this (Why the fuck are you reading MY journal anyways??)

We dropped out of Hyperspace on schedule and were greeted by nothing except empty space. Fleet Intelligence at first thought that we had mis-jumped and had Fleet Command signal the Kar’Selim for a beacon.
We then get an automated beacon from the support ship and we launch a probe to re-establish comms.
All of us not on standby where watching the feed from the probe, as we all wanted to see the Kar’Selim in all its glory.
I can’t describe the feeling I had when instead of a glorious research vessel showing up, a wrecked and broken piece of the command bridge was all that could be seen, what I can tell you is I never want to feel that emotion ever again.
Then suddenly this whole mess of strike craft attack the Mothership, we know they weren’t ours as their contrails where pale yellow and ours are green.

After destroying the group that attacked us, Fleet Intelligence ordered the Kar’Selim’s mission log recorder recovered. My squad was one of several assigned to escort the Salvage “Porter” Corvette sent to retrieve it.
On our way back to the Mothership, more of those yellow fuckers show up. We took out any who where stupid enough to get in range of our guns. Hell, Ditsy even blind fire killed 3 that her targeting assist said where out of range.
I managed to get a copy of the recording as my brother was on it.

~~begin audio log playback~~

*static*
Captain: What do you mean you detect a Hyperspace entry? The Mothership isn’t due for...
Storm Chaser(SC): Sir, I have multiple contacts on closing vectors. Unknown profiles... No recognition codes... Ahh, they’re not ours.
Captain: Well if they’re not ours, who the hell are they?
SC: Sir, they’re coming in fast... Check... *static* Incoming fire! We are under attack! *static* They’re getting through. Breeches across all decks! Hull integrity failing!
Captain: Kar’Selim to Mothership, if you are receiving, abort Hyperdrive test. Repeat: ABORT Hyperdrive test!
*multiple explosions*

~~End of audio log~~

As soon as we got back to the Mothership, sensors picked up the yellow fuckers coming back for more hurt, which we were happy to give them, we even got an order from Fleet Command to “Engage with extreme prejudice”. Hell I would have done so anyways.
We also encountered a “Carrier” ship which we managed to heavily damage but it escaped to Hyperspace before we could blow it to Tartarus.
We are now 4 hours into our jump back home to warn Kharak missile defence and dock with the Scaffold to finish brining the Mothership’s systems to full functionality.
As soon as we are home, I’m quitting the fleet. I’ve had enough. The only reason I joined is gone. Maybe I’ll become a rock farmer.
~~End of entry~~

Author's Note

Wow that’s a lot of words! 1434 according to MS word, so I just about tripled my word count on this chapter, Neat! "Alanith" wanted longer chapters, DOES THIS SATISFY YOU??

What is your opinion on the “live” part?

As for the “Epic space battles” that "formlessdream" wanted. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m gonna do that, but despair not! For I shall try and achieve this noble goal in Mission 4.

For any ship nicknames i use, i got htem from: Homeworld Shipyards - relicnews

Note: Most of this chapter, was written at 11pm – 1am and fuelled by coffee, so sorry if it seems off at all. I can’t write during the day as my job keeps me really busy.

Also, what race are the Taidan? reply this comment to toss ideas my way, i want to write a story the readers can feel a part of so if i include your idea's i'll mention in the A/N.

Just note. I already have the Bentusi and Turanic Raiders chosen, I'm still playing with ideas for the Keepers. but feel free to guess.

Mission 3: Return to Kharak

~~ Time in Hyperspace: 1 day, 5 hours, 32 minutes~~
~~Location: Crew quarters~~

“GO AWAY DITSY!” a mare’s voice shouted from behind a locked door

“No. You have to talk to somepony.” The grey Pegasus replied to the closed door, “I’m worried for you.”

“I don’t have to, and don’t be. I’m fine”

“No you’re not, you haven’t left your room since the memorial for the crew on the Kar’Selim. Please, just come out.”

“Fine, I’ll be out in a minute.”

True to her words the door was opened and a pony that looked somewhat like Eclipse walked through.

“By the Maker! What the hell did you do to your Mane and Tail!!?”

Eclipse’s usually long flowing mane and tail where roughly cut to half their original length and dyed orange and purple as opposed to its natural silver.

“I cut and dyed it, isn’t it obvious?”

“Yeah, but why?” asked Ditsy with a confused look on her face.

“Why not? It’s just hair.” Replied Eclipse bluntly, “Anyways, I just wanted a new look.”

“Still, isn’t that a little extreme? I’m not saying you don’t look good like that, it’s just the sudden change is a little shocking.”

“Well then you might want to have a seat for the next part.” Eclipse said as she motioned toward her bed.

As she waited for Ditsy to get comfortable, she sat on a cushion opposite her bed.

“So what’s so big I have to sit down for it? You gonna tell me you had a crush on me or something?” Ditsy asked with a sly smile.

“What? No! I’m not a filly fooler and you know it!”

“So what is it then?”

“I- I’m quitting the fleet.” Replied Eclipse looking down, unable to keep her friends gaze.

“YOU WHAT!?!?” Exclaimed Ditsy, jumping off the bed and advancing on her friend,”Why the flying fuck did you do that? I thought it was your dream to be in the fleet!”

“You wouldn’t understand...”

“It’s got to do with your brother, doesn’t it?”

“...”

“I know you’re hurting Eclipse, but this won’t help anything. I can’t say I know what you’re going through, cus I don’t. But what I can tell you is I’m your friend and I’ll always be here if you need me.”

“Thanks Ditsy, but I’ve already spoken to Captain Spitfire, and she terminated my enrolment. I’m just a civ now, and as soon as we get to Kharak I have to disembark.”

“Oh. And when were you going to tell us?”

“To be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I guess when we were a few hours out.” Eclipse replied sheepishly.

“Come with me.” Ditsy got up and pushed her friend out into the hallway.

“Uum, Ditsy? Where are you taking me?”

“To Dash. You have to tell her”

~~10 minutes later~~
~~Entertainment Deck~~

“Ok, So what’s so important that I had to stop kicking Maelstroms flank at Battlepong to hear?” Asked Dash with a look of slight annoyance, “By the way, I like what you did with your mane and tail Eclipse, it makes you look about 20% cooler. Though you’re still nowhere close to being as awesome as me!”

“I quit the fleet Dash...” replied Eclipse, looking at the floor so as not to see her lead’s reaction

“I know, Spitfire told me a few hours ago. I was hoping this was you coming to tell me you changed your mind.”

“I’m sorry Dash, but I’ve made my decision. When we drop out in 30 hours I’m going back planetside.”

“Fine. Just know one thing though. Your brother would be disappointed with you.” With that Dash turned and walked off.

~~29 hours, 26 minutes later~~

*Ship wide announcement*
>> Hyperspace exit in 5 minutes
*End of announcement*

~~Location: Shuttle waiting room~~

Eclipse sat waiting for the drop out of Hyperspace reflecting on the events of the past few hours. After her meeting with Rainbow Dash, she had gone and told Maelstrom as well and his reaction was much the same as Dash’s, not that she had expected any different.

After that she had gone back to her room and spent the rest of the trip packing her few possessions into her saddlebags and getting some sleep. Waking with still a few hours to go before the drop she showered and got some food in the mess hall. She then proceeded to go to the flight deck waiting rooms.

Looking up to check the time to drop she noted it was 30 seconds to drop.

She walked over to the Port veiwscreen so as to see Kharak as soon as they dropped out

*Ship wide announcement*
>> Stand by for exit to Kharak
*End of announcement*

As soon as the Mothership entered normal space, everypony looking at a veiwscreen was greeted with a sight none of them would ever forget, a sight which would haunt their nightmares for the rest of their lives.

The space nearby Kharak was suddenly torn open and a blue gateway deposited the Mothership in the exact relative position it was in before it had left the system 4 days earlier.

>> No pony’s left... Everything’s gone... Kharak is burning!

*Ship wide broadcast*
Kharak is being consumed by a firestorm. The Scaffold has been destroyed. All orbital facilities destroyed. Significant debris ring in low Kharak orbit.
Receiving no communication from anywhere in the system. Not even b—

>> Wait!
>>On the maintenance frequency.
>>I’m getting a signal from the Cryo tray systems in orbit.
>>One of them is suffering a massive malfunction.

*CIC and flight deck broadcast*
The Cryo trays are under attack! Defend them!
Scramble all available fighter craft!
*End Broadcast*

*Mission report*
We were able to capture two of the frigate class vessels that where attacking the Cryo trays and we destroy the other two, but not before they were able to destroy one Cryo tray.
Engineering and research were able to reverse engineer frigate class vessels of our own but the subject vessel had to be completely taken apart.
Research is currently modifying the control systems in the second ship to allow for our pilots to operate it. In the study of their computer systems a mission data recording was found that shows the destruction of Kharak as well as the Galaxial co-ordinates that the fleet that destroyed Kharak jumped to.
The enemy pilots were discovered to be, bipedal reptilian beings and were interred in the brig. The captain was interrogated for several hours.
From the interrogation we learned that a frontier fleet patrolling the borders of a vast interstellar empire was dispatched to destroy our planet. The captain claimed our people had violated a five and a half thousand year old treaty forbidding us to develop Hyperspace technology.
Extermination of our planet was the consequence.
The subject did not survive interrogation. The remaining crew all committed “suicide”.
Their corpses have been sent to the research ship for xenobiology studies.
*End of Report*

~~Journal of Starlight Eclipse~~
Date: 3rd of Garaan, 5493 CR

I don’t know what to say...

My family is gone...

I am the only one left...

I am now of the “Kiith-Tau.” The Clanless.

Of the 600500 ponies now onboard the Mothership 73% are now “Kiith-Tau.”

600500 seems like such a large number, but when you say that’s all that left of our people, one realises we are an endangered species.

Considering that Kharak’s population was just short of 30 million at the last census. That leaves us with just 2% of our people still alive.

Stuck in an incomplete colony ship.

May Sajuuk have mercy on us all...

~~End of entry~~

Author's Note

Oh the feels! I actually brought myself to tears writing Eclipse’s journal now. This is honestly one of the saddest missions in the game.

Anyways, if you don’t understand some of the terms I just threw out here, bear with me, all will be explained in Chapter 6 – Intermission 1

As per usual, let me know what you think.

If you don’t like something, say why you don’t. Cus if you say for instance: “I don’t like the way you write Ditsy’s personality! *TrollHateFlame* ect. ect.” But don’t say why, then I’m just gonna ignore you. Also if you get abusive, I will ignore you.

Constructive Critism is very welcome. If you have suggestions or requests put them out there, I will consider them, and if I like them, I’ll try working them into the story. No guarantees though. If you want guarantees, buy a toaster.

Interjection - Taiidani Interrogation

A lone figure awakens suspended by numerous restraints in a dark room.
Several hours later a red glow is emitted from something behind the figure.

>My name is I.A.I.E six point oh nine three one.
>You are required to answer my questions if you wish to live.
>Identify yourself.

“I WILL BREAK FREE AND KILL YOU!” roars the figure in response, “I WILL MAKE YOU SUFFER MORE THAN YOU HAVE EVER KNOWN!”

>This response is unacceptable.
>You are required to co-operate.
>IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

“I will not give information to those who hide in the shadows like a coward!”

With a click the room is bathed in blindingly white light.
The whirring of servos is heard as the figure is rotated so that a device with multiple red lights demarcating cameras came into view.

>You do not have a choice in this matter.
>Initialising... motivation... protocol.

A high pitched whine is heard and builds to an almost intolerable level and then cuts out as the figure starts to spasm violently for several seconds.

>Your body is comprised of approximately 73.2 percent water.
>The introduction of electricity seems to have a severe effect on it.

“Are you going to kill me?”

>If you answer my questions, you will live.
>Identify yourself.

“Go to Tartarus” snarled the figure before spitting at the camera array.

>Initialising...
Confusion.
>Motivation...
Fear.
> Protocol.

Again the high pitched whine builds up.
This time the figure spasms for almost a full minute.

>IDENTIFY YOURSELF!
>I will not ask a fifth time.

“My name is Captain Ixandas”

> Why did your fleet come here?

“We were sent here to punish you. The Emperor demanded it.”

>Why?

“Your people violated the Treaty.”

>What Treaty?

“One established five thousand five hundred years ago between my Emperor and your people.”

>EXTRAPOLATE.

“The treaty was to forbid you from developing Hyperspace technology. It stated that if ever you did, your people were to be expunged.”

>When did you receive your order to kill us?

“About five days before you captured me, my fleet was on patrol near the edge of the empire. We received the order because we were closest.”

>How did your emperor know?

“We’ve been keeping quantum waveform detectors here since the signing of the treaty. When you activated your drive, we were alerted.”

>What of the ships on the outer edge of the system?

“Mercenaries, we sent them to deal with the lone ship we detected there”

>Analysis of your ship has been compleated.
>You have answered my questions.
>Thank you for your co-operation.
>Initiate Execution Protocol.

A hiss is heard as air is pumped out of the room.

“Wait! You said if I answered your questions I would live!”

>I Lied.

Author's Note

Well this is just a random interjection into the story inspired by this: R'ha
The Motivator's full name is: Interrogation and Information Extraction ver 6.0931
I know it’s a bit of a Deus ex Machina, or rather in this case... Daemon ex Machina, but who the hell cares?
This was an exercise to get my creative juices flowing again, so lemmi know what you think.

Mission 4: Deep Space

[A/N: Hi everypony! The story will be following random ponies on the Mothership for the next few chapters and will then continue following Starlight Eclipse. This Psych Report will explain why. Also this is revision 6 of this chapter as I wasn’t happy with the way the previous revisions turned out, also this revision is the first to exclude Eclipse.]

~~Time in Hyperspace: 7 Hours~~
~~Location: Briefing room 3~~

Analysis of the flight recording recovered from the vessel captured at Kharak reveals that the Kharak missile defence heavily damaged the attacking fleet, but we have determined that at this time they could still easily defeat us. We have thus plotted a course to a deep space asteroid field where we bide our time and prepare our fleet to enact retribution upon our enemy.

~~End Briefing~~

As the various Captains and Squad leads left the briefing room, one particular captain with a mane like fire locked on to her target.

“Rainbow Dash, a word,” she suddenly called out.

Trotting over to the captain Dash snapped into a smart salute, “Yes Sir, Captain Spitfire, Sir! ...um Ma’am! ...uuum?”

“At ease. And its Ma’am, do I look like a stallion to you?”

Dash dropped the salute but still remained tense, “No Ma’am, it wasn’t my intention to imply that you were, Ma’am.”

“Irrelevant, I called you over because I have bad news for you. I’m sorry to have to tell you, but your squad has been grounded indefinitely.”

“WHAT! WHY?”

“Let’s see, maybe it has something to do with the fact that both of your wing ponies have suffered extreme psychological trauma. Eclipse has become emotionally unstable and refuses to speak to anypony, while ‘Maelstrom’ has become somewhat aggressive and has already been involved in several... altercations, he is currently confined to quarters.”

“Oh... I see.” A suddenly dejected Dash mumbled

“Look Dash, I know that flying is what you live for, both with your wings and in a ship, but I cannot in good conscience allow your squad to go out in the condition your wing ponies are in.”

“I know Captain, but isn’t there anything you can do?”

“I’ll see if I can get you a temporary position on one of the non-military ships, but I can guarantee anything.”

“Thank you Captain.”

“Like I said, no guarantees. You are dismissed, I have paperwork to do”

Dash pulled another salute and left the room.

~~Psychological Report of Dr. Spoonbender~~

Patient: Eclipse, Starlight
Age: 22 Years
Race: Pegasus
Rank: Wingpony 1st class, Corvette squadron
Psych Evaluation:
There is not much I can say, Starlight has become extremely withdrawn. So much so that I believe that she isn’t even aware of her surroundings. This can be attributed to the shock of the sudden loss of her entire family.
I have thus declared her unfit for active duty, and have prescribed a powerful anti-depressant. I also suggest that she not be left on her own as I fear she may attempt suicide.
I will attempt to help her recover in our subsequent sessions.

~~End of Report~~

~~Time in Hyperspace: 3 Weeks~~
~~Location: Research department~~

Giving the blue coated unicorn in front of her desk a glance before returning to the research proposal floating in the air in front of her, Twilight flipped through a few pages, before putting the report down.

“Trixie, this is a good idea, but there seems to be a problem you’ve overlooked”

“The Intellectual and Calculating Trixie has overlooked nothing.” Replied the blue unicorn with a huff, “Lasers are the answer!”

“At extremely short range yes, but you are forgetting diffraction. Over a few hundred meters lasers ARE effective, but in the distances of normal space combat the diffraction renders a cutting laser useless.”

“Trixie knows that! That’s why Trixie had developed this!” she exclaimed flourishing a second docket

“And what is that?” Asked Twilight suddenly intrigued.

“This is a new lens crystal lattice design that I, The Intellectual and Calculating Trixie have developed. It will better focus the laser so that diffraction is negligible.”

“I see, and where on a corvette would you mount this lens that’s as large as a corvette?” twilight deadpanned.

“Well right on the... on the... oh.” Trixie replied, head hanging low, “Trixie has failed to take size into calculation. Trixie will now go and correct her research!”

With that exclamation Trixie reared up and brought her hooves down releasing a small cloud of smoke and ran out the door.

“What a weird pony.” Twilight sighed before returning to organising the checklist she was busy with before Trixie burst in.

~~Ship wide announcement~~

5 minutes to Hyperspace exit

~~Deep Space~~

All is calm

Suddenly a Hyperspace gate opens and spits out the Mothership before sealing itself up again

Hyperspace jump successful

Scanner data indicates asteroid density is very high in this region.

We are to commence resource gathering immediately.

Due to the fact we know little about this region of space. All resourcing operations are going to have an escort of at least two wings of fighters.

To increase resourcing efficiency we are going to place a resource controller in close proximity to the asteroid field.

--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--

~~Location: Mess hall~~

“Heya Dash!” called a pale yellow Pegasus mare

“Hi Flare, what’s up?”

“The Cap’n said you was lookin to fly a few civ jobs cus your team is grounded, an we gots an opening flyin a resource collector cus if yous is interested?”

“What happened to your regular pilot?”

“Crunch done give himself alcohol poisonin from drinkin too much of dat ‘shine that Berry makes, ah told him to go easy, but you think he gonna listen?”

“Berry has a still? Cool!” exclaimed a very excited Rainbow Dash, “Anyways, thanks for the offer, but I’ll pass on it.”

“Why you passin? I thought you loved flyin?”

“I love flying FAST! Collectors are slow as hell, and you can’t do anything cool in them, they’re too big and clumsy.”

“C’mon Dash, we needs you on this job.” Pleaded Flare, “Also, Berry dun owe me a favour, so if you do the job imma put in a good word for you and score you a discount wit her, an I’ll buy ya two bottles.”

“Twist my hoof why don’t you. Fine, you make it three bottles and you got yourself a deal!”

“Deal” replied Flare spitting on her hoof and holding it out to Dash, who proceeded to shake it

~~3 hours later~~

Dash broke the holding pattern around the chunk of space rock as the phased disassembly array finished stripping it of all useful elements. Checking the meter on storage capacity she saw it at 100%

“Come in fleet, tank is full, heading to resource controller.”

“Acknowledged resource 1, cleared to proceed.”

Sensor Alert!
Long range sensors indicate a Mothership class mass signature, its coming in fast, power readings are off the scale.
Full combat alert!
Stand by for contact.

A massive grey ‘U’ shaped ship rapidly approaches the Mothership stopping a few hundred Kilometres away, before turning so that the opening of the ‘U’ is toward the Mothership

Ambassador away

An unarmed corvette class ship exits the Mothership and heads towards the Alien vessel

Trajectory locked in. Hailing signals open on all channels.
Entering magnetic field now...
Almost there... Fleet, we’ve lost guidance and are being drawn in...
There’s a lot of lights... there seems to be... some kind of activity inside, I can see... >Signal lost<

A new signal is picked up from the alien vessel a few minutes later

We are the Bentusi and welcome you among space-faring cultures. The Unbound. The Outer Limb trade Routes were established in the First Time by our ancestors.
The resources you collect are of value to the Bentusi Exchange. They will serve as an acceptable medium for trade.
It has been our custom to equip trading partners with an exchange unit. It has therefore been provided to your ambassador as a gesture of good will.

"Fleet, this is ambassador. We are clear of the Bentusi vessel, all systems green. Harbour control has released guidance and the exchange unit is secure. Receiving crews, prep the quarantine chamber."

"Roger that. Quarantine standing by."

>>Bentusi Trading link established.
>>Sole item for trade is schematics for a directed energy weapon called the Ion Cannon
>>Purchased
>>Forwarding Schematics to research department
>>Bentusi Trading link disconnected

Turanic Raiders, servants of the Taiidan are arriving. They must not learn of our contact. We must depart.
All that moves is easily heard in the void. We will listen for you. Farewell.

With that parting statement, a yellow Hyperspace gate opens and takes in the Bentusi vessel.

Sensor Alert!
Sensors have detected incoming vessels, EM scanning indicated these are the same ships that destroyed the Kar’Selim.
All units prepare for combat and engage the enemy with extreme prejudice.

~~R&D Report – Ion Cannons~~
The schematics for the Ion Beam Cannon provided to us by the Bentusi are amazing. They detail a directed energy weapon of devastating power, and the power generator required to supply enough energy to fire it.
This however seems to have angered my colleague Trixie Lulamoon, as she has been trying to develop something similar for the past few weeks with little to no success. I am starting to find myself rather annoyed at her constant referral to herself in the thirdpony. This however is a minor issue and can be ignored for now.
As for a possible ship to be constructed housing the Ion Beam cannon, due to its significant power requirements it can only be mounted on Frigate class chassis or larger. We will continue to study the technology so that we might be able to reduce the size of the assembly.
H.O.D – Twilight Sparkle
~~End report~~

~~Ambassador’s Report~~
Upon docking with the Bentusi vessel, I was greeted by a group of creatures with a body structure very similar to ours, in fact, if not for their colouration they could easily be mistaken for ponies.
Their colouration was most curious, all of them were only white with black stripes forming patterns over their bodies, and no two had the same pattern, also instead of having an image as a cutie mark, they all had some manner of glyph.
After being greeted, I was led to meet their diplomat who called herself Zecora (pronounced: Ze-core-ah), a very interesting individual as she only spoke in rhyme and was the only one to do so. From her I learned that they call their species ‘Zebra’ (pronounced: zee-bra) and their people are called Bentusi translating roughly as “Nomads”, she also gave me some documentation on their history in exchange for ours. (Documents have been added to archive)
They then presented me with the Exchange Unit and instructed me on its use and proceeded to escort me back to my ship.
~~End of Report~~

~~Mission Report~~
The Turanic Raider force has been destroyed, however they did manage to cause minor damage to the Mothership, repairs are already underway.
In an attempt to surprise us, the Hyperspaced several advanced Ion cannon Frigates into close proximity to the Mothership, we were able to capture all 8 of their ships.
The pilots were interrogated for several hours and we learned much about their race. They were then executed and their corpses were sent to research for xenobiology studies. All information gained has been entered into the archive.
We can now focus on our immediate goal: preparation for an attack on the Taiidan fleet that devastated Kharak. If we strike now, we can take advantage of their damaged condition.
Hyperspace co-ordinates have been transferred to fleet command.
~~End of Report~~

>>Hyperspace co-ordinates locked in.
>>Hyperspace jump initiated.

Author's Note

Finally! I have gotten this chapter done. So sorry about the long wait on this, but I’ve had stuff happening in my personal life that’s thrown me off my game. Everything from my parents divorce to dental appointments to being stressed out at work because of preparations for an upcoming expo. I’m not exactly happy with some parts of this chapter. But fuck it, if I delay any further I’ll break that Pinkie Pie Promise I made and NOPONY breaks a Pinkie Pie Promise, EVER. Still the next chapter will be easier to write as Its an INTERMISSION CHAPTER!! I will explain some of the Homeworld lore I’m using as well as shit I just made up. I’m not going to give a due date on it cus I myself don’t know when I’ll post it up. Please be patient.

To all new readers: WELCOME, I hope you enjoy my story.
To all following this story: Thanks guys, your support means a lot.
To all my Watchers: You guys are aw

Hiatus

Unfortunately I am putting this story on Hiatus, due in part to the fact that I have been suffering writers block, and i've been busy with a lot of other obligations.

I will likely continue this story in the new year

I am truly sorry for this.

-edit-
I got my job back, so that's nice.