------------------------------------ The Commander ------------------------------------
“We are approaching the hangar.” Jane spoke.
I stayed silent as we approached the battle cruiser. I had too much on my mind to acknowledge her. Determining the identity of the ships was all I could focus on. If they were from the council it is possible that word has not spread to the ships out in these far reaches of this galaxy. If they were not sent by the council…
“We have landed.” Jane said as the rear door to the cargo ship opened.
I got up from my seat mimic following behind me. He asked to come along to see the battle cruiser. I do not blame him as it is much larger than the scout ship I crashed with. With a crew complement of three thousand and a much larger arsenal of vehicles, weapons, and amenities this ship far exceeds mine. Though it has its drawbacks. I exited the cargo ship and made my way through the corridors Mimic following in tow. I ignored the soldiers' salutes as I passed. The trip felt like an eternity but in reality it only took five minutes to reach the bridge.
“Welcome aboard commander.” General Ace saluted as I entered.
“You know how I feel about formalities.” I replied. “Have the recon ships identified the incoming ships?”
Ace let out a light chuckle. “Same as always. They should be in range in five minutes.”
“Good, have you sent down the technicians and equipment to repair my ship?” I asked.
“They should be arriving shortly.” Ace smiled. “Also I sent down some reinforcements and launched eight defense satellites to orbit the planet.”
“Excellent.” I sat down looking out the observation window. It was a beautiful sight. Crystal clear blue skies filled my vision. After looking out into the vast empty sky for what felt like only a brief moment an alert broke my concentration.
“The scouts are in range and relaying data.” Ace pulled up a live link of the three scouts. The observation window that once showed a beautiful sky was replaced with three live feeds. “R1 do you copy.”
“Loud and clear, General.” The pilot relayed through his comms. “Approaching the tagrets now, we will have confirmation in thirty seconds.”
“Woah.” I looked down to see Mimic utterly fascinated. “Are they actually in space?”
I laughed, I guess seeing is believing for some. “Yes, they are.” Mimic intently continued to watch and I did the same.
“Targets in sight.” The pilot relayed again. “Ship identifications confirmed. One Alperion class battle cruiser and two Galaxy class frigates.” The pilot paused for a moment. “They have the Gaius Corporation emblem.”
I let out a sigh of relief. The Gaius Corporation was under the councils rule, at least that means they could be friendly. Unless they have had recent contact with central command. Then we might have problems. The two Galaxy class frigates alone would be easy prey for this Archer class battle cruiser we were currently in… but that Alperion out matches what we have, that combined with the frigates… chances of winning would be almost nonexistent. The only thing that worries me is their reasoning for being this far out in uncharted territory. Hopefully it was just to set up a mining operation and not to hunt us down.
“Sir, we are being hailed.” The pilot continued after several seconds.
Fuck they were spotted. “Put it through.” I replied as I looked to Ace. “Well Ace this is up to you.”
“Of course.” He sighed as he took his seat in the command chair.
After a few moments of silence it was broken by a new voice.
“Longbow, this is Cerberus do you copy.” The new person spoke through the comms.
“Longbow copies. What is your purpose in this region.” Ace replied.
“Give me the comm.” Another new voice spoke up sounding irritated.
“Ma’am.” The first voice replied.
“This is Hellen Wright, the CEO of Gaius Corp. Is General Ace there?” Hellen spoke.
This is odd, why would a CEO travel out here.
“Speaking.” Ace replied.
“I have come to offer my assistance, to the Commander.” I was taken aback by this. I had recruited factions before, in fact I had amassed a large amount of support, but a large corporation like this? There was no way the entire company would follow suit.
“I have no clue what you are talking about.” General Ace casually spoke. “Just talking like that is treason.”
“Don’t give me that fucking bullshit!” I heard Hellen throw something on the other end, the loud crashing made it evident. “I risked my life getting here.”
“How can I be sure of your intentions?” Ace replied before cutting off his mic. “Arm the Archer missiles in battery seven.”
“I took out your tail.” She paused for a second.
“Sir we are receiving a transmission.” The communications officer put a video up on the main screen.
What it showed supported her story. The video was of a battle between their Alperion and six Delluth stealth frigates. The ships bore obvious signs that they belonged to central command, they were part of an elite unit.
“Sir, the video is authentic.” The comms officer removed the video from the main screen.
Ace sighed. “Well commander, what do you think?”
It was a risk. We had the advantage now. This battle cruiser was a long range power house. We could most likely win a fight at this distance. If they close enough distance the tides would turn. It was a tough call. Judging the distance we would still hold an advantage for about thirty six hours.
“Accept the offer, meet me in your quarters once you finish.” I turned heading for the door out of the bridge.
Ace unmuted. “I graciously accept your help.”
“Excellent, we can…” The conversation was cut off as the door closed behind me.
------------------------------------ Canterlot ------------------------------------
Midnight’s anxiety was reaching new heights. The execution chamber was already prepared. A small group of Torches' family and friends were invited to see his final moments. The execution was going to be public, but an hour ago a small group of three human soldiers and an officer arrived. She didn’t catch the whole conversation, mainly because she was outside the throne room during the conversation, but she did hear the part about a public execution being ‘bad optics’. They were also going to bear witness to the execution to confirm the death.
“Why did I agree to this.” Midnights was pacing. It was too late to back out now, not like it was a real option in the first place. She also knew why she agreed. It was to help Luna. Someone knocked on the door. This startled her causing her to misstep and almost fall. “Who, who is it?”
“You wouldn’t know me.” She might not know him, but she recognized the voice from earlier.
“Come in.”
He opened the door. Midnight noticed two of the soldiers she saw earlier on each side of the door standing guard. She knew this was an officer as he was not wearing any protective gear but what she assumed was formal military wear. A dozen pins also adorned his clothing.
“So, you are the executioner.” He stared at her with an intensity for a few moments as if he was looking into her soul. This caused Midnight to back up uncomfortably and look away. His expression lightened. “You haven’t killed before, have you?” His tone was gentle and caring.
“No.” Midnight looked down.
“Odd.” He walked closer to her and kneeled in front of her getting close to her face.
“What?” Midnight blushed and backed up quickly her wings fluttered startled by his actions.
“You are.” The look on his face puzzled her. He was thinking, but she didn’t know why.
“Why are you here?” Midnight asked after a moment.
The man before her stood back up. “To introduce myself. My name is Richard.” He smiled extending his arm.
“I’m Midnight, Midnight Blossom.” She extended her wing and they shook. “You didn’t come here just to tell me your name.”
“No, I didn’t. I have been observing you ponies for a while. I have only seen four of your kind who had the mettle it takes to end life.” He smirked. “Five now.”
“What do you mean.” Midnight asked, defensive her wings fluttered briefly.
“I can see it, the anticipation for your first kill.” Midnight's heart skipped a beat. “Your lust for blood.”
“Wha… what are you talking about?” Midnight stuttered. She felt vulnerable, as if he was reading her mind. She wanted to be anywhere but here. Or more accurately anywhere away from him.
Richard laughed. “It is written all over your face.” He turned to leave. “The execution takes place in thirty minutes. Have fun.” With that he left the room shutting the door behind him. She heard their footsteps slowly fade and she took a breath.
Midnight's heart was racing. How could he read her so easily? It was frightening. She took a deep breath and exhaled trying to calm her nerves. Everything was going to be fine, right? She walked over to her armor, it was a special set designed for execution. The helmet not only covered her face, but the body armor also covered her cutie mark. This effectively made her anonymous. She stared into the eyes of her helmet before grabbing her armor and began putting it on.
------------------------------------ Outside the Execution Chamber ------------------------------------
It was almost time. Midnight’s anxiety seemed to disappear. It was replaced with a sickening excitement. She hated herself because of how she felt. She pulled out the vial Shadow gave her earlier. She looked at it as if it held an answer. The red liquid tantalized her. She didn’t know if drinking the blood would help like her friend said it would, but she trusted her. Midnight popped off the lid and she immediately smelled the sweet scent of the blood. It made her mouth water. She looked at it a while longer before taking the vial to her lips. She instantly felt a craving for more. She greedily drank everything in the vial. Her thoughts became clouded, but something was clear. She needed more. The armor on her back seemed to become weightless, her once heavy axe was now like a feather. Her skin felt electrified and senses seemed to be amplified.
“What is this?” She said to herself.
She felt incredible. a euphoria washed over her. She was free.
“You ready?” A voice came from behind the door to her side.
“Yes.” She walked over to the door and opened it. However, she misjudged her strength and the door came off its hinges and fell outwards.
“Holy Celestia… what happened?” The guard on the other side asked in shock.
“The hinges were old.” She walked past him toward the door that led to the execution chamber. She more carefully opened this door.
Inside the chamber there was a single light. There was also a large balcony where a dozen ponies were. Among them was Richard, the three soldiers. and both princesses. She could hear them clearly.
She ignored the voices and focused her attention on Richard. Their eyes connected. A sick smile was on his face. Her attention was drawn away from him as another door opened. In walked four guards and the condemned. Two were in front of Torch while the other two were behind him. Her grip on the axe handle tightened. A smile graced her face.
“You can’t do this to me!” Torch saw Midnight. “I cannot be killed by one if those wretched beasts!” He tried to run for it but one of the rear guards horn lit up and in an instant he fell, paralyzed. “You cannot do this!”
There was a commotion in the balcony, but Midnight ignored it. Her focus was on the prey that lay before her. The two front guards used magic to carry Torch over to the steel restraints where a wood block lay.
“This isn’t happening, this isn’t happening.” Torch was frantic. Midnight could smell his fear. “This is just a horrible nightmare!”
The guards put on the restraints before positioning his head on the wooden block, beneath it lay a basket to catch his head.
“This isn’t happening, it's just a horrible dream.” Torch mumbled frantically. “I am going to wake up.”
Midnight walked into position next to Torch and one of the front guards that escorted him took up the otherside.
He pulled out a scroll he had in his armor with his magic and began reading. “The condemned before us, Golden Torch, has been charged and found guilty of treason and the deaths of seven royal guards. As well as dereliction of duty. The sentence for these crimes is death.” The guard put the scroll away. “Golden Torch do you have any last words?”
“I am gonna wake up, this is just a dream. This isn't happening.” He continued to mumble in fear. His denial of the situation was evident.
“The condemned has no final words.” The guard backed away taking a few steps backwards. “Executioner at the ready.”
Midnight turned towards Torch raising her axe in the air.
“Commit sentence.” The guard spoke his words hung in the air as she brought down the axe.
“THIS ISN…” Golden Torch wasn’t able to finish.
The axe easily and cleanly sliced through his spine and the rest of his flesh. The axe itself was swung with such intensity that it was buried an inch into the stone floor.
The expression on Torches face was that of pure fear as if at the last moment he realized this was reality, not a dream. Midnight pulled her axe out of the stone easily. His blood glistened off the blade.
Midnight smelled his blood, an extreme hunger hit her. She wanted nothing more than to tear into his headless neck or just drink the free flowing blood that was pouring like a waterfall of crimson. She bit her lip, holding back the urge. Midnight heard something that broke her attention. The sound of clapping. She looked up in the balcony to see Richard, a large smile on his face. Clapping his hands. “Wonderful.”
Midnight couldn’t help but smile as well