Back on board the Ponigeddon, Hoovitus stomped his hoof in outrage.
"The animal witch escaped!" He growled. "She laughs at us while our worlds die!"
On screen, Administrator Fluttershy appeared. "Commander Hammerheart, I share your Sergeant's frustration, but I have far graver news. I have finally obtained the master control codes for Alicorn Forge and have transmitted them to your ship, and to Captain Pegalos's fleet. I fear it may be too late to do you any good, however. Another Paranid swarm is driving into the forge area. Massive defensive walls guard the approach to the forge, but the Equestrial Guard forces stationed there are being overrun."
"Your delaying and politicking has doomed us all, Fluttershy!" Rainbow Dash said angrily.
Fluttershy's demeanor turned serious. "If so, I'm sure my end will be suitably horrific, Sergeant. I only wish I could say the same of Governor Brae Tyre."
"What do you mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I make no excuses for my mistakes," said Fluttershy, "but I have been fighting to get those codes for you for days. The Governor simply ordered me to continue delaying you and then stopped answering me altogether. When I finally dealt with the House Tyre soldiers guarding his residence, I found that he had left the Galantius system for some private retreat three sectors away. I did find the codes for Alicorn Forge, however."
"You took a real risk, Administrator." said Applejack. "They could hang you for treason if the Governor returns."
"Governor Brae Tyre turned tail and left the sector to die." Fluttershy stated. "Your Commander is here fighting to save it. If anything, I was far too slow to see where my loyalties belonged."
Hoovitus raised an eyebrow and smirked at Fluttershy's words. "I think she missed her calling. She should have been a Filly of Battle."
The orbital map of the Hub Spire Nimbus started blinking. Hammerheart brought focus onto the location.
"We have located the ruling creature of a major hive, Commander Hammerheart." said Pegalos. "The Hive Alpha is the vital link between the Hive Fleet in space and the organisms on the planet's surface. Eliminating the Alpha will leave the Paranid forces in dismay for a time, compelling them to withdraw. These are the vulnerabilities you must exploit if the sub-sector is to hold long enough for the Chapter Fleet to arrive. Bring this beast down."