Firefly Chapter on the way · 3:09pm Mar 10th, 2020
I guess I missed writing it because it's coming quickly; I've already got 5600 words of the next chapter written and may well have a completed draft by Thursday. If so, I will aim for a weekend release. And since you've waited a few months for new content, have a teaser. The following is told from the viewpoint of then-Commander Tailwind:
EAS Loyalty
Just north of Lake Luna on Thestralslovakian border
September 4th, 1139 AC
0002 hours
“Captain on the Bridge!” the customary call from the ship’s mainly unicorn security detail went up as Captain Shady reentered the bridge, followed by…
Everyone stopped to stare at the dark-furred, bat-winged newcomer wearing an exotic uniform and rank insignia I roughly recognized as a Nightborne Colonel. ‘Twould seem that the tales of their extreme sensitivity to light were true, as although the lights on the bridge were dimmed, she grimaced at the bright glow of various crystal controls and displays, her slitted eyes watering.
Shady noticed quickly. “My apologies, Colonel. If all stations would be so kind as to dim their instrument displays--”
“‘Tis no need,” the thestral mare spoke in a thick but understandable accent, pulling out a set of what looked like flight goggles from a uniform pouch and donning them, sighing with relief as she pulled them on. From our point of view, they looked almost completely opaque, giving no sense of her eyes beneath. That in turn left me wondering why they hadn’t been wearing them when they’d first menaced our ship, given we could have dazzled them with flare shells and flash spells, leaving them easy prey for our archers and pegasi. “I would advise all shipboard lights be turned off for your approach, however, else this vessel will be like a lighthouse in the fog to Nightborne eyes.”
“Our approach? Then we are going to Cloudsdale, Captain?” I asked Shady hopefully.
“We are,” she confirmed tersely as she reached her command chair, “and without permission, just as soon as we lay some mists.” She clicked a gem button on the armrest, causing a very specific tone to sound. “All available on-duty Air Wing and Corps pegasi report at once to the topmost observation deck for weather work. You will follow the instructions of Corps Storm Sergeant Blue Bolt and Master Sergeant Firefly. Shady out.”
“Impressive,” the Colonel pronounced as she looked around the bridge, her hidden eyes seeming to settle briefly on the darker coat and tufted ears of Lieutenant Azimuth, who was staring at her in something approaching awe. “Your airship ‘tis far more advanced than what we recalled of our long-ago service in Luna’s Navy.”
“Thank you, Colonel. I would offer you a drink and a tour, but time is pressing,” Shady replied. “Everypony, this is Colonel Aegir Ale of the Nightborne Army. She has very honorably--and against explicit orders--offered to escort us to Cloudsdale.”
“I thank you for your kindness, Captain, though I fear I will not have my rank much longer.” She slumped slightly before turning to Lieutenant Azimuth. “As ‘twould seem you are the navigator, I will give you the city’s coordinates and a path to proceed on. With your permission, that is, Captain…?” she caught herself.
“Granted,” Shady invited, and Aegir Ale immediately trotted over, ignoring the eyes on her.
I couldn’t help note that Aries Azimuth treated her almost reverently as she helped him plot the course.
* * * * *
Twenty minutes later a thick fog had set in courtesy of pegasi efforts. Thanks in large measure to the meteorological mind of Corps Storm Sergeant Blue Bolt, they’d enclosed us in clouds by generating simple but gentle updrafts from below.
“We’re hidden, ma’am,” I said perchance needlessly as nothing was visible out any of the viewports; even the blood-red moon was shrouded, leaving me wondering briefly how long the Princess would keep it at such an ominous hue.
“Then it is time we make our way to Cloudsdale. All decks, rig for silent running! All lights are to be extinguished and anything that makes noise to be turned off or secured. Flash Fix, you are to keep our propellers as quiet as possible,” she reminded him, speaking softly into her communication crystal as if afraid the volume of her voice would carry the ten miles distance to the border.
“Aye, ma’am! If it would help, perchance we could slap a soundproofing spell over me bairns as well—“
“Do not do so!” the Nightborne Colonel stated urgently, gaining our immediate attention. “We can detect unicorn spellcasting, even at a distance. If my brethren sense a sudden flurry of spells getting steadily closer, they will go on immediate alert. For us to not be detected as we cross the border, you must use as little magic as possible—even levitation spells and communication crystal use must be eliminated once we begin our approach!”
“I see…” Shady frowned and exchanged a glance with me. “That is… troubling. For it also means that they would sense a sudden absence of such spells as well.”
Aegir Ale fell silent; the movement of her facial muscles giving the impression she blinked hard beneath her light-filtered goggles. “I… did not consider that. But I fear you are correct, Captain. For all spellcasting to suddenly cease would also be deeply suspicious to an alert unit—which my regiment is. In this matter, I fear I drilled my forces too well.” She went downcast.
“Not at all, Colonel. So we somehow need to approach without any magical emissions whilst still making it seem like we remain here. Any suggestions, Mister Tailwind?” Shady turned to me.
Thankfully, I had one, having coming up with it as I listened to them talk. “Load up a lifeboat or two with unicorns and give them some ship communication crystals. Tell them to act as if they’re doing regular duties and continually use a few levitation or communication spells.”
“An excellent idea,” Shady granted. “Would it work?” She turned back to the Nightborne Colonel, who thought about it only to shake her head in defeat.
“I fear not. We are also alert to any changes in magical patterns; both type and frequency, and we have had plenty of time to establish yours. ‘Tis doubtful to me that a few unicorn crew could exactly duplicate normal shipboard operations. And if my forces sense your patterns suddenly change…”
“Then they’ll still be alerted,” Shady grimaced, and this time I had no answer, uncertain how we would thread this particular needle.
“I believe I have an answer, ma’am,” Firefly’s voice suddenly sounded over the air wing crystals; she’d been listening into our conversation as was her due for being commander of the Corps troops. “Summon First Sergeant Still Way to the bridge and explain to him our situation. I believe his rather potent and unique magical arts may be the solution to this quandary…”
Expect a very tense time to follow as the Loyalty attempts to sneak across the border against a race who knows stealth better than anypony, save perhaps the changelings. And that's just the opening sections! More updates will follow as we get closer to release, though I'll probably decline additional teasers for what's planned.
Awwww yeah, stealth levels are my favorite