Aboard the Silver Wing; one of her highness's support ships. The engineers were on edge. Watching their consoles, as much as the engine themselves.
They were traveling within the confines of the magic field, at a speed which was exceeding the engines 'conventional' theoretical safety margins.
Her highness had issued the order to head back to conventional space, to deliver a summons on her behalf.
As communication across the field's perimeter was spotty at best, they had to travel past it, in order to deliver it.
And the engines were running hot, dangerously hot. Dumping coolant across manifolds; they were using years worth of coolant just to shave a couple of days from their trip.
As the empress's order contained the phrase: 'All due haste', meant that her needs were extraordinary. The contents of the summons backed the assertion as well.
So, they were going as fast as technologically possible. Depleting the reserves as much as they needed to, in order to make it to the gate in the shortest time.
Back on Equus, in Equestria; things were deteriorating rapidly.
Responding to their dream probes, the princesses were horrified to see Canterlot change practically overnight.
In three days, they observed compulsory guard training go into effect for the entirety of the cities population.
Even ponies too young to enter into the guard, were being trained in combat.
Though the princesses were dismayed, they didn't appreciate the purpose of it until platoons of seasoned guards begin marching from the city toward Ponyville, as well as disembarking trains in Baltimare as well as Fillydelphia.
The ponies of Canterlot were attempting to seize control of the nation, by occupation of the surrounding areas.
The battalion that was marching for Ponyville; disappeared just outside of its village limits. Bring transported aboard her highness's support ships; they were encased in crystal, and stowed in the cargo holds, in the same fashion that were done with the empress's quarry.
The attempted occupation of Baltimare and Fillydelphia; had backfired, and worked in the princesses favor;
Transporting to the train station itself; they confronted the guards in broad daylight.
The ponies around them seeing what was happening, what the princesses were doing, and with themselves on the front lines; won the appreciation and favor of those who witnessed it.
And word spread like wildfire...
So much so, that the offices of Civil Order responded by sacking a portion of their officers, and hiring new recruits.
However this was a mixed blessing, as those they removed; were largely the empresses allies. After the fact however, it would turn out that their power play had exposed ponies that were part of the attempted seizure, and illustrated where they stood in matters.
At the same time, newsprint suffered the same machinations. Articles started being circulated that painted the princesses in a terrible light.
However the ponies on the streets took to confiscating them and dumping them in the rivers en masse. Some audacious enough to publicly urinate on the propaganda in defiance.
Throughout the information warfare debacle, some ponies names would be remembered for their contributions to it. And they would come to rue their fame; As the princesses would remember those names as well.
Ponies of the empire were now in every city and town, except Canterlot. All hooves that could be sent, were dispatched from the ships orbiting the planet.
Ferrying information back and forth between towns and cities, as well as observing what the powers were up to; they reported everything back to the princesses.
In response to the attempted dissemination of occupying force, the empress gave the order to collapse the tunnel servicing Canterlot's rail line. Greatly stemming the flow of deployments.
In turn, Canterlot tore up the rail lines passing around and through the mountain; Cutting off supply lines across Equestria.
Her Highness's ships now being utilized to relay supplies between the trains around the Canterlot no-go zone; She made the call to summon more ships. Any and all that would answer.
If she was going to put a stop to this madness; she needed transporters, lots of them. Enough to scoop this menace from the mountain city, and pluck its influence from its surrounding habitations.
And so the Silver Wing flew. Almost flying itself apart; it arrived at the Equus Gate in three and a half days.
Passing through, it immediately resumed its rapid course to the Earth Replenishment spacedock.
Opening a channel; Captain Lightning Bolt contacted the Information Network headquarters.
Appearing on the screen was Sunny Vale, happy to hear word on how things were going.
"Hi captain, how are things on Equus?" she asked cheerily.
"Equestria is in chaos. Her Highness has issued an emergency situation summons. Put me through to the senior operations manager please" Lightning's tone firm.
Shocked, Sunny put him through right away.
"Oh my! Yes, Oh course!" she replied before her image was replaced with a 'transferring' image.
Appearing on the screen, was Fire Cracker;
"Yes captain, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"No pleasure this day, Ma'am. I come bearing a summons from her highness. She has issued an emergency situation. The official order is coming through now on the side channel. To explain in detail; is Captain Shadow Blade of her highness' Ceremonial Guard" he said, introducing the other captain and standing aside.
At once, all of Fire Cracker's ease dissipated. Sitting up in her chair, she saluted the other captain.
Saluting back, Blade addressed her.
"The situation on Equus is deteriorating rapidly. Supply lines have been severed, attempts to deploy troops have been made, and campaigns are being run against the populous as well as the princesses."
Taking a breath, he continued;
"Her highness is meeting these challenges head-on, however she calls for everyponies aid in putting an end to this quickly. She calls for all ships that can be spared; to stock energy supplies for transporter usage, and set course for the Equus gate and Equestria with all due haste" He finished.
Having already taken to scribbling with a pen, she nodded fervently and saluted once more.
"Immediately Sir! I'll begin preparing the emergency call as my aide verifies the summons!" she replied.
Saluting her back and sporting an impish grin, Blade replied;
"Let's show her what the empire can Really do!"
With the verified summons being broadcast, ships in mid course had detoured. Picking up speed, they headed to the nearest gateway.
In the spacedocks, ponies flocked back to their ships. And within two hours, departed with full crews and full supplies.
Orbiting ships, made calls to their crews to return, as the ships were leaving in an hour; With them or without. Having to resupply, they couldn't wait for them to tarry.
The communication channels were awash with coordinates, speeds, and navigation details of the field past the Equus gate.
A fleet of ships began to converge at the gate and shuffle to form a convoy. Passing through, they headed for Equus as fast as they could safely go.
Heeding the summons, and responding in Equestria's time of need;
The empire cometh.