//------------------------------// // Chapter 15: Unity // Story: Ace Combat - Battle for Equestria // by Lonewolf78 //------------------------------// Hangar 12, Whitemare AFB 6 October 2017 21:11 hours. Maverick and Glory landed the planes safely and taxied them to the empty hangar. Instead of returning to their bases, Dash and Derpy's squadrons landed also, parking in empty spots on the tarmac. The Shadows parked next to the remaining Lunar squadron planes. Nearly everypony on the base was in the hangar looking at the two planes that Maverick and Glory had brought in. One member of the ground crew had brought a sandblaster over, and took enough of the paint off one side of each plane to reveal their LoD markings. "Is Moonstone coming?" Maverick asked Tex. "Yes. They left 17 minutes ago. They should be here in an hour," he replied. "This could be the war ending event we need", added Dash. "What about photos of the site? Those would have been handy," added Derpy. Glory pulled her camera phone out her flight suit. "Well imagine that," Whiteblaze said. "Let's get everything into the situation room and get it ready," Tex said, and him, the squadron, and a few others went into the base headquarters. ___________________ Discord's palace 21:15 hours. Discord was enjoying some TV when his 2inC came in. "Uh. Your Highness?" "What is it?" "I have, bad news." "It better not be something to do with the project." "No. That's good news I've got after this." Discord relaxed a bit. "So what is it?" "The cover on our plan to spread distrust between the Empire and Republic has been blown off." "How?" "Those two pilots that got shot down? Somehow they found our secret base where the planes were. They took them and every bit of correspondence they could find." Discord literally exploded with rage. "HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?" he screamed. "I don't know! Dumb luck I guess." Discord's claws started glowing like he was getting ready to shoot something at him. "The good news is the ray will be ready tomorrow!" he quickly said. Discord immediately calmed down. "Oh well. I guess them finding out about our plan doesn't matter then. By the time they peace with each other, if they do, it will be too late," he replied. "We do need you to sit in the chair for a bit so we can get stuff calibrated and run some tests. Will you be available tomorrow at noon?" "Of course I can", Discord replied. "We will see you tomorrow then." Discord turned around and looked out of the window towards the direction of Equestria. "Soon." __________________ Whitemare AFB 22:21 hours The group stood outside on the tarmac and watched the presidential jet fly over the base, being escorted by the Morgans of the 9th Special Fighter Squadron, and the Razors which was the other SU-37 squadron of the Air Force. Soon all of the planes were on the ground, and the presidential one pulled up in front of the group. Moonstone got off first, followed by high ranking members of the NLR government and armed forces including Wigiwam, commander of the Air Force, July Larkspur, Admiral of the NLR Navy, Lightning, commander of the Army, and Roseluck, commander of the Marines. Also present was Microchip. The computer geek of the NLR Intelligence agency. Tex greeted them. "Welcome to Whitemare Moonstone." "The first time i've met you ponies in person," she replied. She then introduced the other officers. "Everypony wanted to see the evidence eh?" Maverick asked. "THAT IS RIGHT." Everypony recognized the voice. They looked up to see Princess Luna herself standing on the stairs to the plane. "Princess Luna!" Dash said. And everypony knelled as she walked down the stairs to in stand in front of them. Tex was a little nervous. "We weren't expecting you. Otherwise we would've had more of a welcoming..." "That is okay," she replied. "We must see this evidence ourselves." "OK. Follow us." and they headed to the hangar. The brass was enraged over the planes. "So it wasn't rouge pilot. It was all trick!" snapped Wigwam. "A trick that got ultimately got hundreds of ponies killed, including one of our own wingponies," replied Sunfire. Next they went to the situation room and looked over all of the evidence, and the photos Glory took. Microchip got on the laptop and started pulling stuff up. Luna was completely shocked by all of the evidence. "All this time. The bombings. The distrust. The backstabbing... All caused by HIM." "What should we do your highness?" Moonstone asked. "What else? My sister must know about this. We will contact them now and try to arrange a cease fire meeting here." "At this base?," Tex said. "Yes. It's roughly the same distance from Thorinia and Canterlot, and it's close to the border. I don't want to risk an engagement from uninformed ponies by going to Everfree or Neighlis." "Understood your highness," Tex replied. "I'm going to contact my base and see if we can stay here. I don't want to miss this," replied Dash. "That would be great. My sister will no doubt bring her best squadron with her so I want our best squadron here also." "I'm certain I can hack into the LoD intelligence agency's computers with this, since it has the correct identification and coding," the white unicorn with glasses said. "I'll see what else I can get." "Excellent," replied Moonstone. "Shall we get started?" "Yes. Pilots, try and get some sleep. There's no telling what tomorrow will bring," Luna said. "Yes your highness," replied Maverick. And they started to leave. "Oh and one more thing Lunar Squadron", Luna said. The group turned around. "It's been a pleasure to meet you all. Your successes in this war have provided strength for the Republic, and now it's clear you will be responsible for helping end this war too," she said with a smile. "Thank you princess," Maverick replied. "We're just doing our job," Sunfire added. So as the pilots went to get some sleep; Tex, Luna, and her entourage remained in the situation room to do the planning. __________________ Canterlot Castle 7 October 2017 03:39 hours. Celestia woke up to a knock on her door. "Nggggh. Who is it?" "It's Rarity your highness. We have just received a communication from the Republic. Princess Luna wants to discuss a cease fire sometime today". Celestia jumped up so fast she tripped over her pillow and fell on her face. She got up and ran over to open the door. "Are you serious Rarity?" "Yes. They're discussing it downstairs now." "OK let's go." And they headed downstairs to the castle's conference room. Already present were Shining Armor, commander of the Royal Canterlot Army, Starshine, the commander of the Air Force, and of course Twilight, who was head of the Solar Empire Intelligence Agency. "What's the story Twilight?" "We have received communication from the Republic that they want an immediate cease fire. They apparently got ahold of some evidence that proves Discord has been behind the war between us and them." "Oh really?" Celestia looked skeptical. "And where do they want us to meet them at?" "At the airbase South of Las Pegasus." "That's where that damn Lunar squadron is based!" Yelled Starshine. Shining Armor spoke up. "Whoa now. We can't just fly in there. You know it's a trap!" "And they would think the same thing if we ask them to head to one of ours," Twilight replied. "Isn't there someplace in between we could meet them?" Rarity asked. "I'm afraid not", Celestia replied. "I have no objections to flying to their base, as long as I'm escorted by our best squadron. Besides: Seeing our planes fly over Applewood would be very shocking to the citizens." "We can send VF-10 with you, and have three others waiting just on the other side of the border," said Starshine. "I will go there with some of our guards," Shining announced. "Very well. Make the arrangements for the meeting at 2PM today. I'm going to get a little more sleep." "Yes your highness", replied Twilight. As Celestia walked back to her room, she kept saying something inside of her head: "Please, let this be the start of peace." ________________________ Whitemare AFB 12:20 hours. The situation room was buzzing with activity. Luna and the others were going over the last minute details of the meeting. "Just got word the Solar Empire group is 100 miles from the border and closing", announced Wigwam. "What are they bringing?" Tex asked. "there's a squadron of ten fighters escorting what would be the transport, with over 30 aircraft trailing behind them which are no doubt backups if something goes wrong. We've got 5 squadrons standing by 40 miles South of here including the Hologram, Ocelot, and Nightstalker squadrons". "Very well. I guess it's just a waiting game now." And Moonstone and Tex headed for outside. Outside the Lunar, Razor, and Shadow squadrons were talking and looking at Glory and Whiteblaze's new planes: She got the last spare SU-37 the squadron had, while he got one from the Razor squadron. "So what about me? I need a plane," Maverick said. "Nah. You're good enough we're just gonna' strap a Vulcan under your belly and send you in," Dash said. He just gave her a strange look. "You're hiding something aren't you?" "Looks like he's got us guys. Might as well show him," Whiteblaze said. And they walked to the hangar next to the one that the Flankers were in. They stood in front of the doors as they opened, and Maverick's jaw dropped. Wigwam was standing in front of his new plane. "Maverick, say hau to the Nosferatu," he said. Maverick walked around it. It was painted in the solid midnight blue with navy blue tail the Special Fighter Squadron planes were painted in. On the tail it said "3rd SFS". Instead of a small NLRAF flag, the whole tail was covered by the wing and moon logo. The ground crew did paint the wingtips with the "lunar" white squadron colors. "How did we get this? The 44 is a plane the Empire developed," he asked. Wigwam and Blaze started whistling and looking around. "We kind of... stole their plans," Wigwam said. "It's the only example we have so far so don't wreck it, or we give you scalp treatment." He noticed what appeared to be two large weapons bays on top of the aircraft that were empty. "What goes here?" "The Empire developed a special weapon for this plane called the All Direction, Multipurpose Missile. The weapon consists of three pods: two on top and one on the bottom, and hold a total of 216 missiles which fire in bursts of 12. Unfortunately we didn't get the plans for the weapon so they're empty for now. We're not even sure if they got the weapons deployed as we have never heard of them being used," replied Moonstone. "Damn. Those would be nice," Maverick said as he flew back down. "Well are you going to test it out before the Empire get's here?" Whiteblaze asked. "I guess so," he replied. Several minutes later he was strapped in, and he taxied out and took off. He did some simple flying to get adjusted to the new controls and the handling of the plane. Once he got used to it he started maneuvers. The Nosferatu responded a little faster than the Terminator, and he easily did the same moves with it. It did seem less stable at low speeds, though he could still perform the Cobra with it at a higher speed. He flew it for nearly an hour before landing. "Well how was it?" Glory asked. "We need more of them," he replied. "Do you think it's a good idea for the Empire to see it when they get here?" Dahlia asked. "Good question," Wigwam said. After thinking about it he decided. "Meh, it won't hurt anything. Except maybe some feelings." Tex and Moonstone showed up. "Remember to be standing next to your planes as they land. I want a nice show of force," Tex said. "You've got it," Dash said with a salute. About 25 minutes later some dots appeared on the horizon. "there they are," exclaimed Glory. The dots materialized into a 747 flanked by 10 Typhoons, 5 on each side. They flew over the base, at which point the airliner turned around and landed first, followed by the fighters in pairs. Soon the planes were taxing up to the tarmac. "Attention!", Tex yelled, and the pilots stood at attention next to their planes. The presidential plane passed by first. It's solar empire colors and insignia shining brightly in the sunlight. It taxied to the unloading spot on the tarmac. Next the fighters passed by in a line, one by one turning towards the NLR planes and stopping on the tarmac. A few of the NLR pilots cursed them under their breath. One of the planes almost got rear ended by another because they nearly stopped when they saw Maverick's plane. As they passed, Dash saw the cutie mark on the squadron commander's plane and did a double take. "No way. It can't be..." She thought to herself. Unlike their planes, the only indication of who was piloting a Solar Empire one was the pony's cutie mark on the side under the canopy. "Never thought I'd see this at my base," Tex commented. "Let's go everypony," Moonstone said. They headed for another building near the hangar housing the planes, where the meeting would take place. Inside the building, Luna, Moonstone, and the NLR brass were waiting at one end of a large table. With the evidence ready for presentation. Celestia was still on her plane so they waited. A few minutes later they heard a commotion outside on the opposite side of the building. "What is that?" Luna asked. "Maverick follow me, I just heard one of my pilots," Dash said. And they went to check it out. Outside members of her squadron and the Razors were facing off with the Empire pilots. "OK break it up you guys now!" Dash yelled. Then she heard the Empire commander saying the same thing. "Oh please don't fight. This isn't the time for it. Please?" Dash's eyes grew huge. "Th-That voice", she said. As the pilots broke off from each other the two ponies saw each other. "DASH?" "FLUTTERSHY?" The other pilots fell silent as the two stared at each other. Soon they quietly left, leaving just them and Maverick, who quietly headed back into the building. He knew what it meant. Dash finally broke the silence. "When did you become a fighter pilot, and squadron commander?" The last time Dash saw her she was an AWACS pilot. "Oh, um... I became a fighter pilot last year. My squadron commander was killed a month ago, and I was made the new one, even though I wasn't as experienced as some of the others." "I thought Celestia didn't want want the four of you engaging in combat?" "I thought so too because Twilight and Rarity became part of her cabinet, but I guess she changed her mind because Applejack is in the Army now also," she said. "Wow. I guess things did change," Dash replied. After looking around for a bit, she spoke again. "I'm... glad we met here... and, not in the air," she said with glassy eyes. Dash did here best to keep her emotions in check. "Y-Yeah. Likewise." "So why are you here? I thought you were stationed at Thorinia?" "I flew in with the squadron that found this evidence we're looking at. This could end the war between us". Fluttershy's eyes brightened up. "Oh I hope so. My worst fear of this war was having to fight ponies I knew at some point." "I know. Same here." Tex interrupted them. "Come on girls. It's time for the meeting." And they went inside. Finally it was time. Everypony stood at attention as Celestia entered the room. With her was Shining Armor, Rarity, Starshine, and a few other members of her cabinet and the Royal Guard, plus Kimono, Admiral of their Navy. "Hmph. This room is far from being fit for royalty," Rarity said. "Oh. Dash. Long time no see." "Yeah. You haven't changed any," she replied. "Welcome sister," Luna said. "It's been over a year since we last met. I see you haven't changed." The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. "So why are you suddenly wanting peace? What is this evidence you have?" Luna used her magic to put the papers and photos in front of them. After a few minutes of reading Celestia's eyes went from showing slight anger to worry. The brass mumbled amongst themselves. "I...I don't, believe it," She muttered. So what about these planes? Did you find them?" Starshine asked. "Follow us," Moonstone said. And they headed for the hangar. The group stepped inside through the main doors, which were open slightly. There before them were the two planes, showing their sandblasted sides that proved they were LoD aircraft. Celestia and her group examined the planes briefly. After a moment she bowed her head, looking like she might start crying. "All this time. This war.... All of the ponies that have died...." "I know sister," Luna said, putting her hoof on her shoulder. "I'm going to be sick," said Shining Armor. "That rotten son of a bitch." "It all makes sense now," replied Starshine. "Get the two sides you're going to attack fighting each other, then when they are weak, finish them off." "So what do we do your highness?" Rarity asked. After a moment of silence, Celestia snapped her head up. "As of now, the war between us and the Republic, is over." Fluttershy started jumping up. "Yahoo it's over!" "Aww, yeah!" Dash yelled. The crowd started chatting until Celestia spoke up again. "We know who the real enemy is now, but this war has left both of us weak. So. Little sister. Will you join me in destroying Discord once and for all?" "Of course Tia'." "Hell yeah! Let's do this!," yelled Ice. "Moonstone. Can you set up your video conference system so we can talk to both of our intelligence agencies?" Rarity asked. "Yes, I'm sure we can," she replied. And they left for the situation room to go over the peace accords, and plan for the new operation against Discord.