The Pony Marines entered the ship through the access point, and their second perilous mission begun.
"Every second aboard this accursed derelict puts us at risk." said Twilight. "We must recover the geneseeds quickly."
They trotted deep into the halls of the hulk, checking every nook and cranny for beasts and monsters. By pure luck, they found the first geneseed at the end of the hallway. They turned the corner and progressed on. Paranids jumped out of hiding and attacked, but were quickly dealt with by Equestrial firepower. By sheer coincidence, one of the Paranids dropped a geneseed. Hammerheart picked it up and they moved on.
They came up to a four-way intersection. Applejack and Hoovitus went right, Rainbow dash and Pinkie went left, and Hammerheart, Twilight, and Goliath went forward. The three separate squads encountered more Paranids. Applejack blasted Plasma and Hoovitus fired bolter bullets. Rainbow Dash slashed and shot while Pinkie carefully sniped.
Hammerheart's squad encountered Warrior Beasts along with lesser Paranids. The Commander slammed his Thunder Hammer into their hides. Twilight obliterated them with her magic. Nule smashed them to pieces. When the swarms were dead, the squads kept going until they met up with each other at another four-way point. Their was another geneseed laying on the floor, and Hammerheart picked it up.
They grouped back up and traveled down the hall. When they reached the very end, two Hive Alphas awoke from their slumber, roared, and attacked. The Blood Phoenixes unleashed righteous fury upon the animals, and in minutes the Alphas were dead. One of the Paranids dropped the last geneseed, and Hammerheart grabbed it.
"We have the gene-seed samples, Commander." said Applejack. "This deed will make our Chapter stronger."
With their mission complete, Twilight used her Magic power to teleport them back aboard the Retribution. Thankfully, the effects of the Warp had not gotten to any of them.
"These gene-seeds will... ensure the future... of our Chapter." said Goliath. "Well done... Commander Hammerheart."
No longer needing to linger near the damned hulk, the Retribution made its way back to Galantius to help Governess Fluttershy against the Brae Tyre traitors. But Captain Nule appeared onscreen with some important information regarding the turncoat.
"Commander Hammerheart." said Goliath, "I have discovered another transmission... from the traitor... in our ranks. The master of scribes... found this message. He came to me. He did not know whom else to trust."
The message was played for Hammerheart and the others to hear, as distorted as ever. *You must get Philosophies to put a leash on Pegalos.* it said. *He still has us chasing them, and that is putting me at great risk. I am not the only one who will be discovered if it comes to that, do you understand me, Boldo? 'Knowledge is power', as you are all so fond of saying.*
"This was... sent to Dolmaska... and the Royal Guard." said Nule. "Corruption worms its way... into the Chapter's heart. You must stand against this."
Spike appeared onscreen after Goliath. "Commander, we have received a priority signal from the Chapter Royal Guard." He said.
Hammerheart brought up the message sent from the Royal Guard, and it was Philosophies who spoke.
"This is Captain Philosophies." He said. "All Blood Phoenixes are to cease crusade, recruitment and other operations within the Arctikan Sector. Return to your muster points and prepare for mobilization to the Revan Rift Crusade. Knowledge is power. Guard it well."
Rainbow Dash gave a look of stupefaction. "He abandons the sector so easily." She said. "How can we follow such a steed?"
"We are receiving another priority signal, from Captain Pegalos." said Spike.
Pegalos appeared onscreen. "Commander Hammerheart, we must not abandon this sector to the Traitor Legions." He said. "I am headed to Dolmaska to discuss the matter with Philosophies. Continue to oppose the Dark Legion. Pegalos out."
"Michael is correct." said Nule. "We must continue. We must... find the traitor... in our ranks."
For now, though, Galantius needed aid. Hammerheart contacted the Governess, who immediately appeared onscreen.
"Commander Hammerheart." said Fluttershy. "Praise Equestria you have come. The Brae Tyre heretics and the Dark Legion are overrunning the Capital Spire itself. We still hold the Equestrium Palace, but they have taken the rest of the spire. I will die before surrendering the palace to these treasonous curs. Without your aid, Blood Phoenixes, I will make good on that pledge before long."
"How did this happen?" Hammerheart asked.
"You have brought us key victories, Commander, but we have been fighting a hundred other battles." said Fluttershy. "The 85th Stabelson and my other loyal troops have all suffered massive casualties. The Dark Legion, however, never seems to run out of mad ponies and daemons to throw at us. Loyal forces are converging on Capital Spire, but they will not be here in time to make a difference."
Indeed, the Pony Marines must help save the palace, and the Governess from certain destruction.