//------------------------------//
// Gilda? 
// Story: We have our Reasons... 
// by dragon191917 
//------------------------------//

Protect all those good....

The Crescent, while in teleport jump, was a madhouse. Apparently, they hadn't engaged an enemy for a long time.

Really, this just brought back old disgust for Twilight. These barbarians who slaughtered innocents. But again and again, she reminded herself that they had done it in defense. Their crew was small, almost an extended family, and they had to try to protect that family.

Finally, she found Gilda. Twilight was surprised to see her alone. She immediately trotted up to her.

Gilda noticed her pretty quickly. "Ah, Twilight, you're here to shout protests to why I ordered the death of all those on board those ships?" she said with a sarcastic smile, while grabbing an apple from a tray and biting into it.

Twilight shook her head. "No. I want to know why your so polite. Why you've changed. And why are you on the Republic's side?"

Gilda choked on her apple. After a moment, she swallowed and said; "Alright. Come to my quarters if you want to find out."

So, after getting through to Gilda's quarters, the pair found themselves seated in a lavishly decorated room.

Gilda sighed. "What do you want to know."

Twilight immediately started bursting out questions. "What happened after you left? Why are you so nice? How did you get into the space program? Why did you join the Republic? How did you become a captain?"

Gilda sighed. "Well, let's go in order, shall we?"

Twilight nodded.

Gilda smiled, "No interruptions please." she laid back in her chair and started her tale. "Well, not long after I left you at and your friends at Ponyville, I started contemplating what Dash said. Dash really had been my only friend, and I realized I'd just dug myself a hole. I had no friends, no one to get help from. So, realizing what Dash said about being a bully was probably true, I shaped up. I stopped stealing, I started being kind and generous, etc. When the space programs began, it sounded like my type of thing, so I signed up. By now, my reputation was getting better, so I was allowed to join up. I fought among the soldiers against the Discordiant Insurrection, where I met Fury. That's where we gained renown. Then, when the Republic started up, Fury and I signed up. We both saw how corrupt the Equestrian govenernment was getting, and we decided to do our part against it. Because of our previous fame in the battles against the insurrection, we were both elevated to status of Lieutenant. I soon took over this ship, and Fury was made my right claw stallion. And, finally, I took control of this ship because of a certain resident on board. You've already met."

Twilight frowned. "Who?"

Gilda laughed at Twilight's confused expression. "The moonjumper." she said.

Twilight's eyes widened. "He's on this ship?"

Gilda shook her head. "No. She is on this ship."

Twilight's jaw dropped. The Moonjumper was a mare?

Suddenly, the alarm again sounded, and the ship lurched out of light speed.

Fury's voice came over the comm; "Gilda, bridge. Now. Interdictor AND an enemy fleet!"