//------------------------------// // The Plan // Story: My Little Pony: Exiles of the Empire // by Hikarikurai24587 //------------------------------// Chapter Twenty One: The Plan     Anakin gritted his teeth, he knew what he would do. What he would have done before, spring the trap with a surprise. Yet he would have had Clones fighting at his side, not against him. He knew that the ponies were counting on him to get them out of this. He turned to look at Celestia who appeared calm. "Princess, I have to be honest with you. In the past I would have had my usual plans of attack but for once...I'm not sure. I know that doesn't exactly inspire confidence, I just wanted to pick at your brain a bit and see if two heads are better than one." Anakin told her, though you could tell he was really uncomfortable doing so. Celestia looked at Anakin asking. “What is wrong with your plans?” "Usually I would play them at their own game, my squad following close behind me. There's still a lot I don't know of what your people are capable of doing unlike knowing the Clones like the back of my hand. So if you're able to give me an idea to work with I can do the rest." Anakin answered as he folded his arms, he was sounding less uncomfortable than before. Celestia thought for a bit before saying. “Me and my sister can provide you support on the outside of the ship with the unicorns. We can project an atmospheric barrier similar to the one that protected our planet. This would allow our ponies to launch an assault at any fighters. I am sure that you want to test out our own fighters with Spike and the… Bad Batch?” Celestia raised her eyebrow as she glanced over at Thunderlane who nodded his head. Nova Explorer and Star Glider exchange looks but kept quiet. Spike could tell they were itching to ask a question, he just couldn’t figure out what it was. "Speaking of which, I haven't seen the Bad Batch recently, where are they?" Anakin asked Celestia, tilting his head. Celestia glanced around before saying. “They’ve been doing their best to help Rainbow Dash and Tech has been working on a few projects. If you wish I can summon them to the bridge.” Before Anakin answered he saw Spike staring at Nova Explorer and Star Glider. He walked over to him and looked at them with him. "You think they're wanting to get in on the action?" “I think so.” Spike said before realizing something. “They don’t have cutie marks. Um… marks that represent their talent.” Anakin smiled as he moved over to the two ponies as he folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. "You two have something to say?" “We want to do the run with you, we want to test out the amulets now and do the run.” Star Glider said and Luna froze, not wanting to lose anymore ponies to Grievous. “You’re going to need all the help you can get.” "Then that's what you will do. I don't need to sense how you're feeling when your faces say everything." Anakin told them as he swung around to look at Celestia. "Any objections?" “I may not like putting my ponies in danger, but we do what we must.” Celestia said before looking at Luna. “He will keep them safe and we will keep the ponies on this ship safe. Star Glider, Nova Explorer, put these on and head to the hanger.” Celestia levitated two amulets over to them as Spike glanced up at Anakin. When the two ponies put on the necklaces and placed their hooves against the gemstones in the middle a magic swirled around them. Two young human females took their place, their hair the same color as their manes. They didn’t seem to mind that as much as they had to get used to walking on two legs. They observed Spike for a moment before adjusting their stance and headed for the lift. "Well...that was something else." Anakin stated as he told Celestia. "Go ahead and summon the Bad Batch." Celestia closed her eyes as she sent a telepathic message to the Bad Batch warning them that they will be teleported to the bridge for a debriefing. She waited a few seconds for them to confirm their exact location before teleporting them to the bridge. Anakin watched them teleport in when he saw Rainbow Dash walk out from the middle of them. He looked at Celestia as he asked. "Did you mean to summon her Princess?" “Rainbow Dash, is a part of the Bad Batch.” Celestia said looking at Anakin. “It is the path she has chosen. I hope that you understand.” "Yeah, she's one of us now!" Wrecker shouted with a fist in the air. Hunter looked at Celestia and asked. "So what's the plan?" “All of you, General Skywalker, Spike, and two others will spring Grievous’ trap. While Luna and I will take all able bodied unicorns to the outside hull of the ship to keep them away from the ship and hopefully disable one or two of their vessels.” Celestia answered as she projected an image of the ship in front of them with the surrounding area. “Where do you suppose the ambush is waiting?” "Knowing Grevious, he'll be at our rear first and foremost. We'll want as much defensive capabilities we can muster on that side." Anakin said as he pointed to the space behind the ship. Luna nodded her head saying. “We will have to make sure that the ship itself is surrounded in a three layer barrier then shields on top. Any of the fighters, would you prefer it if we disable them or….” "We can't risk any damage to the ship, we'll want nothing disabled." Anakin told Luna. "Our fighters will spread out in a pincer formation around Grievous’ ship while Wrecker, Rainbow Dash, myself and Spike make our way onto his ship to sabotage it from the inside. The fighters outside need to keep the attention of their guns, if there's any enemy fighters out be sure to then keep a distance. Hopefully the shield can hold while my party disables the guns." “Hopefully you can procure a transport of some kind.” Luna warned looking at them all. “If your ships are damaged in any way that you can’t fly them again, we might not be able to teleport you out.” "That's a risk we're going to have to take. We are at a disadvantage so we need to do what must be done in order to survive. If everything goes as planned we should be able to get out of here without any casualties. As for a transport well...let's just hope there is one. Knowing Grievous, he most likely does considering all the running away he does." Anakin pointed out. “Then let’s go before he makes another round!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed her good wing flapping for a moment. “Anything I should know, like how we're getting there?” "Just stay with Wrecker...he knows how." Anakin said, earning an eager chuckle from Wrecker. Rainbow Dash nodded her head as Celestia said. “May the Force be with you. Now, let us spring this trap.” Spike kept close to Anakin as they departed from the bridge, he was feeling a little more nervous without the support of the Princesses. He knew anything could go wrong, but he was swallowing it down. He had to do his best to protect the ship and the ponies on board it. Anakin sensed Spike’s uncertainty and bent down to look at him. “I know that we don’t know what happens, but we have to muster our courage and not give in to fear. I’ve been very proud of you Padawan, you’ve come a really long way.” He placed a hand on Spike’s head and smiled. “I get it, just a lot riding on us. How do you manage not to feel overwhelmed?” Spike asked looking up at Anakin. “I think about those I care about and my desire to protect them and others, it motivates me to continue on.” Anakin replied as he stood back up. “I believe in my heart that you share that desire too.” “So how am I going to defend myself?” Spike asked, having an idea of what weapons the Empire used. The strange ranged weapons that fired something that looked like a short burst of the lightsaber blade. Rainbow Dash walked behind him before patting him on the back with her hoof causing a small burst of flame to erupt as she spoke. “Fire breath and a wall, you can also be used as a flamethrower.” Anakin sighed as he looked down at Spike. “I know that this seems a little bit extreme, but we’re going to be put into situations like this when we least expect it and there’s only one way you get experience. If you would prefer to stay behind Spike, I won’t judge you.” “No, it might also be a good chance to get an idea where they’re holding Hallow Glow.” Spike pointed out looking at Anakin. “And you’re going to need all the help you can get.” Anakin smiled as he turned around. “Let’s get going then.” Spike nodded his head as he continued with the group. When they got to the hanger Nova Explorer and Star Glider were in pilot uniforms making sure everything was in place. They saluted Anakin as he walked in, something they learned with their lessons with Rex. Spike looked at the fighters, he was sure he was going to be in one with Anakin or he was being trusted to fly one himself. “This way Spike.” Anakin gestured to one of the fighters. “I had this ship specifically designed to work for the both of us. It’s designed like a, well I guess you wouldn’t know. You will be sitting in a seat directly behind me with our backs facing each other. There’s guns positioned on the rear front of the ship that you can use to fire at anyone tailing us. I made sure that it was easy enough to get the gist of, you up for the challenge?” “Yeah.” Spike said as he glanced at the fighters before asking. “Do you think we will need more of these in the future or different kinds?” “It depends on what the future holds Padawan. I know you have more questions but they’ll have to wait, we need to get moving.” Anakin said with a serious but kind tone. Spike nodded his head before getting into his spot glancing around. Nova Explorer and Star Glider were in single seat fighters, Nova glancing at him and tapping her helmet. Spike nodded before putting his on. “How are you feeling Spike?” Anakin asked as he sat down in his seat looking back at Spike. Spike checked his radio before answering. “Little bit nervous, but it is my first time in a starfighter, I’m sure it’ll fade.” “That’s understandable, I’ll guide you through it as best I can. You see the handle in front of you? Kinda looks like a wide prong? You can steer that slightly to the left and the right to aim the guns, to fire just finger the buttons on top. Careful not to just fire both lasers repeatedly because they can overheat. There’s a screen to the right of the handle that shows the condition of the gun.” Anakin explained as he closed the hood of the ship. Spike nodded his head. “I see it.” “Are we all ready?” Rainbow Dash asked over the radio. “Spike and I are ready.” Anakin responded. “We’re ready!” the sisters said over the radio giving them a thumbs up through the cockpit window. Celestia’s voice spoke through the radio. “You best get going now, it seems like Grievous’ fighter is coming around for another pass. When he starts heading back to where the trap is I need you to launch.” “Roger that Princess.” Anakin spoke through his radio. Celestia was silent for a moment as the starfighters powered up before speaking. “Launch now.” Wrecker was the first to start his engines, followed by Anakin. Nova Explorer and Star Glider launched out behind the Bad Batch. Spike watched them fly around with ease as a barrier began to form around the ship. He took a deep breath thinking. ‘Here we go.’ “Alright, get ready everyone. Fighters inbound at 10 and 2, spread out and remember your objectives.” Anakin instructed as he stayed a steady course towards Grevious’s ship. “Understood sir.” Spike heard everyone respond through the radio. “Alright Spike, this is it. Fighters inbound are circling around behind us.” Anakin said as he took some evasive maneuvers. “I believe in you!” Spike began to fire, remembering a few of the arcade games he used to play. He made sure to keep the fighters in sight before Nova Explorer flew past chasing down another fighter. She did a barrel roll causing some of the fighters to begin chasing her. “Is that flying?” Spike asked over the radio. Anakin chuckled as he said. “It’s definitely flying, and a good trick too.” “I take it you used to do something like that.” Spike mused as Star Glider flew past firing at the enemy fighters chasing after her sister. Spike was doing his best to keep up when he saw the larger ships coming into view. “Rainbow Dash, how are you holding up?” Anakin asked over the radio. “Good sir, which ship do you think is Grievous’?” Rainbow replied with determination in her voice.  “I saw him retreat into the flagship up ahead, that’s our target.” Anakin responded as he sped up his ship. The ships began their approach as Spike took down more vessels. He knew that this was to protect the ponies but he couldn’t help but feel bad for the soldiers in the ship. Perhaps it is because of how he grew up, he pushed it aside as Nova made a pass performing a flip to get behind the one chasing her. “We’ll keep these guys off your back! Just get to that ship!” Star Glider said over the radio. “Wrecker, I’m giving ourselves an opening!” Anakin shouted as he fired his front lasers at the guns on the side and flew into the magnetic shield of the ship for a quick landing. Wrecker let out an excited laugh as he landed next to Anakin. Anakin opened up the ship and hopped out, extending a hand to help Spike out. “How are you holding up buddy?” “That was intense.” Spike said as he looked around them. “Where is everyone? Wouldn’t there be guards or troops down here?” “It’s possible that most of them are out fighting...or Grevious expected us to get on the ship and has his net set up for the trap.” Anakin said as he walked over to Wrecker and Rainbow Dash. His eyes looked down to Rainbow Dash as he asked. “How about you?” “Despite everything, still alive.” Rainbow said with a huge grin on her face. “What she means is sir, she was cheering and having a blast flying with ol’ Wrecker.” He said as he softly punched Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash was about to return the gesture as the door opened causing them to move off to the side. Clones moving in to investigate the hanger bay.