//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Alliance Assembly // Story: Equestria Wars Episode III: Rise of the Equestrian Empire // by sonicdash123 //------------------------------// The fleet floats over Canterlot as fighters landed inside the Super Star Destroyer. Shuttles, cruisers, and various fighters dotted the blue sky. Hundreds of Rebel commanders were assembled in the war room aboard the Super Star Destroyer. Rainbow Dash was squirmed uncomfortably in her seat as she watched the display screen alongside the other pilots. In the center of the room, on the holographic display. Blueblood made his way through the room, moving to the control panel of the holographic display and pressed some buttons. "Well look at you," Rarity said to Octavia. She was wearing a white officers outfit with a badge on it. "An admiral, huh?" "Oh, yes," Octavia replied. "Ever since the battle of Canterlot, I have been promoted to admiral of the whole fleet." "Well don't look at me. I was just helping the ground forces with Applejack during that time." "I'm surprised I didn't ask you to do it." "Well, who says they didn't," Applejack said from behind. "But I ain't crazy. You're the respectable one, remember?" Octavia silently laughed as the room got quiet as Charming Thunder and the princesses entered and took their seat. Blueblood cleared his throught as he began to speak. "Thank you all for coming to this briefing," Blueblood said. "I trust that you all know why you are all here." The lights in the room turned off as the holographic display showed the model of the half-completed Death Star and the Badlands floated and turned. "The data brought to us from Applejack has pinpointed the location of Chrysalis' new battle station. The weapon systems of this Death Star are not yet operational so are chance to strike is now. But we've learned that the queen of the Changelings herself is overseeing the final stages of the construction of this Death Star. Admiral Octavia if you please." Octavia stood up and walked to where Blueblood. She cleared her throat and said, "You can see here that the Death Star is over the Badlands. Although the weapon systems on this Death Star are not yet operational, the station does have a strong defense mechanism to wipe us out. It is protected by an energy shield, which is generated from the Hayseed Swamps near the Badlands." The hologram then showed a shield around the Death Star as Octavia continued. "The shield must be deactivated if any attack is to be attempted on the station itself. Once the shield is down, our cruisers will create a perimeter, while the fighters fly into the superstructure and attempt to knock out the main reactor." A concerned murmur made its way around the room. "Spitfire has volunteered to lead the fighter attack." "Good luck," Rainbow whispered. Spitfire nodded her head. "You're going to need it." "Thunderlane," Octavia announced. She stepped to the side as Thunderlane moved to center stage. "We have stolen a small Sheathipede transport shuttle," Thunderlane said. "Disguised as a cargo ship, and using a secret Republic code, a strike team will land at the swam and deactivate the shield generator." The assembly began to mumble among themselves. "That sounds dangerous," Fluttershy murmured. "I wonder who they found to pull that off," Applejack said to Rarity. "Rainbow Dash, is your strike team assembled?" Thunderlane asked, looking directly at Rainbow. "Uh, my team's ready," Rainbow replied. "I don't have a command crew for the shuttle." "I'm in," Rairity said. "Me too," Applejack said. "Me three," Pinkie Pie said. "I'll come too," Fluttershy said. "Count me and my wife in," Shining Armor said. "Rainbow, count me in," Twilight said. "I'm with you too," Charming Thunder said. "Besides a princess needs some protection." The group walked up to Twilight and embraced a group hug. --------------------- The YT-2400 rested in the hangar with the stolen shuttle. Spifire walked with Charming Thunder to the shuttle as he said, "I want you to take the freighter. I mean it. Take it. You are going to need all the help you can get. Its the fastest ship in the fleet." "Alright, Charming Thunder," Spitfire said. "Though I know how much it means to you. I'll take care of it so it won't get a scratch. Okay?" "Right. I got your promise now. Not a scratch." "Would you get going, you old wizard," she returned, laughing. "Good luck." "You too." Charming Thunder walked up the ramp of the stolen shuttle and headed to the cockpit. Rainbow was flipping some switches. "Got it warmed up?" "Yeah," Rainbow replied. "The engines are starting up." Charming Thunder sat down in his seat as he stared at the ship that helped him escape Canterlot from the clutches of the Lunar Republic. "Hey, are you awake?" Twilight asked jokingly. "Yeah. I just got a funny feeling. Like I'm not going to see the freighter again." Twilight placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Come on. Lets move." Hearing this, Charming Thunder snapped back to life. "Right. Rainbow, lets see what this piece of junk can do. "Everypony ready?" Rainbow asked. "All set," Applejack said. "All right. Hang on." Rainbow pulled the throttle an the engines roared to life an left the Super Star Destroyers hangar. It then flew to the direction to the swamp. "Looks like its going to be a long flight," Rarity said. The troops were seated in the back of the ship as passengers during the flight.