Deep in the jungles far from the city, Pony Marine structures fell from the sky ready to be built. The stronghold was landed softly on the ground by aircraft, and the Dragon Servitors began their construction. Pegalos, Unidor, Luna, the Colonel, and the Sergeant trotted to the construction grounds of the base.
"This Warp Storm could trap us here for a month or for a century." said Luna. "We can not risk staying here. We must evacuate Tartaurus before it arrives in three days time."
"The Equestrial Guard and Holy Fleet can attend to the evacuation." said Pegalos, not looking at the Alicorn. "The Blood Phoenixes have more pressing matters to contend with."
Luna looked at Pegalos with curiosity. "Such as?"
"I believe agents of Discord have taken strong root here."
"I sense no taint here." said Luna as she took a few steps forward. "Even so, were there a Discord presence on Tartaurus, it is best we leave them here with the Hogs than waste more lives fighting them. We could wish no worse fate for either of our enemies than to be trapped with the other." She turned to face Pegalos, and her tone grew serious. "But we must leave here. Now."
Pegalos also took a few steps forward. "That is a matter for my Siblings and I to decide." He said. "We will use these three days to settle our affairs and satisfy our suspicions. Meanwhile, you have our transports to facilitate evacuation."
Luna turned to face the Colonel. "Colonel Runn." She said, "The Captain and I must attend to matters of faith. If you would leave us, please."
Runn raised his eyebrows at the request. "But surely this involves me as-"
"Forgive me for not being clear on the matter." Luna interrupted. "I said please when in fact I meant, now." Colonel Runn, knowing better than to argue with an Inquisitor, simply walked away from the conversation.
"This does involve him," said Pegalos, "you should have given him a modicum of respect."
Luna ignored his suggestion and proceeded with what she had to say. "Captain. You uncovered extensive heresy on your home-world. Cyrene, was it?"
Pegalos turned away. "That has nothing to do with the events here on Tartaurus-"
"But I believe they do." said Luna. "You requested the Inquisition undertake an Exterminatus, the destruction of your planet's entire populace, which we obliged-"
"I still fail to see..."
"Captain, I am not questioning your loyalty. But I must wonder if your actions on Cyrene have not affected your judgment." Pegalos turned to face Luna with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps that was a... poor choice of words. I merely fear that you might see Discord where it does not exist. I ask that as a loyal subject of the Empress... you serve the Equestrium's interests before your own... agenda." With that said, Luna trotted away to leave Pegalos with his thoughts.
"Captain," the Sergeant said as he walked up to Pegalos, "that Inquisitor had no right to speak to you in such manner, but perhaps she is right. The coming storm will trap our enemies here where they can consume one another."
"And what if the Forces of Discord escape the system before the storm?" Pegalos asked. "No. We will not use this freak occurrence as an excuse to avoid our enemies, or our responsibility. They are here for a reason, and we will discover that reason."
Unidor stepped up. "We are with you, Brother-Captain. As always."
They never noticed the hooded figure with antlers and a rifle hiding in the trees behind them. "The ponies are coming your way in full force." He said to someone. "You should hear their heavy hooves long before you see them. And smell them long before that." And he turned invisible and disappeared into the foliage.
Outside the base camp, three Pony Marine scouts traded information with each other. Two headed off into the forest, and the other approached the Captain. "Orbital Command has indicated the Drop Ship landed in this general proximity." The scout said. "We have discovered a path Captain, it's obvious someone has been digging here."
"Cut by Hogs?" Pegalos asked.
"Hmm, I've never seen a Hog lend such a careful hoof to a task."
"If it wasn't Hogs," Pegalos rubbed his chin, "then it must be the forces of Discord." Meanwhile, in the forest, the two scouts were suddenly killed by an unseen force that quickly fled the scene without any trace. "We will follow this path and discover the truth that has transpired here."