Suvin-Sal felt the heat of the sun beating down on him as he pushed the hoversled. Fresh construction supplies were being delivered to Voss-ka all the time, he was one of the many Voss who volunteered to help the work force. He was proud to be part of something like this. A discovery had been made: a portal to a whole new universe had appeared on the surface of Voss. The natives, "ponies" or "Equestrians" as they were called, were friendly despite having been involved with the greater galactic conflict between the Republic and the Sith Empire recently. Their home, Ponyville, had been heavily damaged by the fighting and so as part of an agreement, the ponies had been allowed to rebuild on Voss in exchange for allowing Voss refugees passage to their universe. Suvin-sal found the entire situation nothing short of inspiring.
He began to sweat a bit but that only made him push faster. The cart was heavy, laden with durasteel containers full of material for constructing new buildings for the new pony citizens. Suvin-sal imagined what this other universe full of colorful ponies might be like. A world of peace recently touched by war, it had been said. Voss was supposed to be a neutral planet in the conflict between the Republic and the Empire but when the portal opened, that changed everything rather quickly. The Empire invaded this other universe and Voss in the process, ignoring the Voss' neutrality in order to wage war with a newly discovered world and enslave its inhabitants. Many Voss had been killed in the process, something that had made the Voss less than neutral in the conflict now. The Republic came to the aid of both the Voss and Equestria, thereby cementing both planets in an alliance that maybe one day would change the galaxy. Suvin-sal felt privelaged just to be a part of it all. He ignored the heat as he pushed the hoversled into the construction site of the new town.
Several buildings had already been completed. The ponies worked fast and effecient, some even sang as they built things. He looked up overhead. Some flew amongst the clouds, dancing and kicking them away. They had shown not a single instance of aggression or violence, they had demonstrated only kindness. While many were still wary of the aliens, Suvin believed their kindness was genuine. Many of his own people had volunteered to help along side them and together, New Ponyville, as the city would be called, would soon be a shining example of the new friendship between the Voss, Equestria and the Republic. It made his heart swell with pride.
Suvin finally pushed the cart into the building that would serve as the town hall. A cool breeze welcomed him as he passed the doorway. The roof still wasn't finished but a pair of pegasi had positioned a couple clouds above the opening to provide shade and comfort. A remarkable two-story building, it was already nearing completion despite having only been started two solar-cycles ago. He watched as fellow Voss and ponies worked together to move supplies, work on various fixtures and build new parts of the building. And he was a part of it all. He stopped the cart in the center of the main foyer and wiped the sweat from his brow.
One of the ponies, a purple one descended from the cieling carrying a tray on one hoof. The creature offered a mug brimming full of amber liquid to Suvin with a friendly smile. Suvin returned the smile and happily accepted the offering. He lifted the mug to his lips and was about to take a sip when the bomb he just unknowingly delivered exploded.
The blast rocked the surface for a kilometer in all directions, the town hall and several buildings around it were destroyed in an instant. Duracrete burned and turned to ash, the ground was scorched and buildings around it were pulverized by the explosion. The inhabitants, laborers, Voss and pony alike were vaporized. A rising coloumn of smoke pierced the skies above the town, several pegasi flew away in panic from the eruption. Others plummeted to the ground, knocked out by the explosion.
The shockwaves finally subsided and the surface of Voss became silent. The site of a new town had just become the location of a new cemetery.
Bruschelle didn't turn around as the cloud blocked out the sun behind her. She'd done her job, that was all that mattered. Hadn't fired a single shot, especially not at any of the new aliens and that was disappointing but her mission parameters were clear: no trace of involvement was to be left behind. Finding new species was rare; she hoped that she'd be able to hunt them soon enough. For now, she would take the hefty sum the Imperial contractors were paying her and wait until they contacted her again for another job.
The destruction of the town sent ripples throughout the galaxy. Both Equestria and the Republic demanded an answer for the crime that had occoured, they did not have to look far. A broadcast over the holonet by the attackers soon followed:
"Citizens of the galaxy, the Sith Empire does not acknowledge the Treaty of Canterlot." The words were being spoken by a thin man in dark robes, twin silver spikes adorning his shoulders. The cloak on his robe was pulled back to reveal a pale, balding head, cybernetic attatchements on both sides of his lower jaw.
He looked more like a beauracrat than a Sith Lord but his voice, almost dripping with venomous hate, gave hint to an underlying corrupt nature. "The actions taken by renegade Dark Council member Darth Karux and those under his command were not sanctioned by the Emperor. As per the Treaty of Coruscant, the Republic and their newest 'member's choice not to surrender them to our custody is an act of war. The Republic's intent is clear in these events that they are willing to harbor fugitives and savages in direct opposition to the justice of the Emperor.
The man raised a hand, as if to write the next words into the stars themselves: "There can be no peace without justice and so to ensure greater galactic security, the Empire disavowes the Treaty of Coruscant and declares open war against the Republic anarchists and their allies." The holomessage finished. Transmitted to all corners of space, the Empire had made their intentions clear.
The Republic sought immediate conference with the Equestrian government but Princess Celestia had prepared her own response already. Amidst a crowd of gathering reporters, representatives and onlookers both from Equestria and the Republic, she made her own intentions clear:
"I believe in our alliance with the Republic. This unprovoked attack on Equestrian citizens violates the Treaty of Canterlot and rather the Empire disavows it or not, Equestria will not tolerate this unmidigated act of violence. We stand by our pledge to support the Republic as they support us in our time of need." the Princess declared. Her own tone was calm and resolute, it conveyed both concern and empathy, an urging voice that motivated the audience both in front of her and those watching as it was broadcast throughout the galaxy.
"It is in this regard that I have announced the formation of a new defense force to bolster the Republic's own armies, one composed entirely of pony volunteers." the announcement shocked many. A collective gasp echoed from different parts of the crowd followed by loud deliberations.
The Princess didn't need to try talking over them. Her mouth opened again and immediately all eyes were on her and all other mouths were silent. "The Wonder Gaurd will answer directly to Equestrian rule and will be overseen by members of the Republic. Equestria WILL defend its boarders and those of the Republic from ruthless acts of aggression from all sources. We are here in this galaxy and we are here to stay!" Applause erupted from the audience amongst questions and camera flashes. The Princess turned and walked off the stage and back into Canterlot Castle. Her citizens, her kingdom had been attacked. These new enemies wanted war. It was time to demonstrate to the galaxy how ponies did things. Once again, there was only one pony she could turn to.