//------------------------------//
// Nimbus Uprising 
// Story: PonyHammer 40,000: Magic of War II | Discord Rising 
// by Dragon Heart 
//------------------------------//

	They managed to return to the Retribution in one piece, but the situation was just beginning to fall to pieces. Captain Pegalos appeared onscreen.

"Your victory at the Iceworks has stirred the enemy to further action, Blood Phoenixes." said Pegalos. "Dark Legion forces are attacking our scouts on Dolmaska, and pillaging our assets on Salika. I am relaying details to your planetary display. You must put an end to these raids. Maintain absolute secrecy about this mission, Commander Hammerheart. Pegalos out."

Another call came to the Retribution, from Galantius, and the Planetary Governess appeared onscreen.

"Commander Hammerheart, Governess Fluttershy here." She said. "Brae Tyre and Dark Legion forces have taken Spire Nimbus. They have erected artillery batteries and emplacements that make a large-scale assault impossible. We could use any aid you can provide, Commander."

The call ended, and Hoovitus stepped up. "Let us hear that transmission again." He said. "From the array."

"Yes, definitely." said Rainbow Dash.

"We have recovered some additional audio," said Pinkie, "but the speaker's identity is still hidden."

Pinkie played the recording from the very beginning, and the voice came out still very unintelligible. *This transmission includes the access codes for battlefield vox. I will not be party to the murder of fellow Blood Phoenixes.*

"No." Applejack breathed silently.

"There is a traitor in the Chapter." said Twilight.

"We now know how these heretics lured us to Arctika with a false distress signal." said Pinkie.

"And how that Discord freak could taunt us over our vox channel." Hoovitus added, his expression growing more murderous. "I will kill this turncoat will my bare hooves!"

"Assuming we could uncover who it is." said Rainbow Dash.

The Retribution was set for Galantius. As it made the trip, Hammerheart could only wonder who the traitor was, and why they betrayed the Blood Phoenixes to begin with. Like all other questions, they had to wait until further revealings of answers. They arrived.

Hammerheart quickly brought focus upon Spire Nimbus, and Fluttershy appeared onscreen.

"Commander Hammerheart, the Brae Tyre heresy continues to spread." The Governess said. "Brae Tyre and Dark Legion forces have taken Spire Nimbus. They have erected artillery batteries and emplacements that make a large-scale assault impossible. If you can disable these defenses, however, the Equestrial Guard can retake the spire. If not, the population of Nimbus will remain at the mercy of these heretics and daemons."

"How do we disable the defenses?" Hammerheart asked.

"The Brae Tyre heretics are using field generators to power their batteries." said Fluttershy. "Destroy these generators and the black temples defending them, and the batteries will fall silent. Foul Unicorns have also established Warp Portals which allow the Dark Legion to bring in reinforcements. Sealing these portals should stem the tide of enemies long enough for you to destroy the generators."

The transmission ended, and Rainbow Dash boldly approached Hammerheart. "You are sending me to Spire Nimbus, Commander Hammerheart." She said rather commandingly.

Applejack raised an eyebrow to the Pegasus. "Is that an order, Sergeant Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow Dash blinked and slightly shook her head. "No... No. Forgive me, Commander." She reevaluated herself with what she truly had to say. "I request to be part of the strike force. Long ago, Spire Nimbus was my home. I will not see its citizens sacrificed to Discord."

Hammerheart smiled and nodded to the Pegasus Marine's request.