In the dark void of space over a desert world, a ship warped into existence before a series of panels on the hull opened up and vented out all the extra heat that the engine had accumulated during the warp jump. Inside the cockpit, Lyra checked the instruments for any problems, but everything checked out as she sat back and waited for the heat sinks to cool off.
With the coordinates that Trixie had provided, Lyra was able to warp to their destination with little incident. Thankfully, with the boastful mage busy keeping Skyfall’s condition stable, the jump had been relatively peaceful for the unicorn mare, albeit a little lonely. The mint green unicorn looked out the cockpit window and stared at the world below.
Like many of the worlds in the Consortium, New Sydney III was a mining world owned by one of the merchant guilds in the Consortium. However, due to the richness of the ores found below the planet’s surface, New Sydney III has come under attack by rival guilds as well as pirates looking to grab a slice of the profits.
Since the United Fleet couldn’t always be there to scare off would-be claim jumpers, the guild hired mercenaries to carry out the task of safeguarding the world from outside attacks. Knowing that they couldn’t protect a whole world indefinitely, the guild provided the mercenaries with an orbital platform left from the Guild Wars to serve as their base of operations.
With the orbital platform, the mercenaries were able intercept any raiding parties or sneaky saboteurs before they could even reach the planet’s surface and the miners working under it. It was an ideal setup, so long as the mercenaries kept the planet safe, the guild would pay them and let them do with the orbital platform as they wished.
Unfortunately, putting so many different groups of mercenaries in one location was a disaster waiting to happen as they soon started turning on each other when some of the larger groups wanted a bigger cut of the profit. This started a small-scale war on the platform, which lasted only a few days, with one mercenary company coming out on top, the Iron Claws.
The Iron Claws was originally a small all-griffon mercenary group, but after eliminating all the competition and obtaining control of the platform, the mercenaries that survived the conflict flocked to join them with more joining when they heard their reputation, quickly turning the Iron Claws into one of the largest mercenary company in the system.
Lyra felt a sense of dread as she piloted the ship towards the very same orbital platform where the Iron Claws headquarters was based. The ghost balked when Trixie told her that she ran a clinic on the platform and had considered threatening the mare to keep her partner stable long enough to return to Korhal, but the mage could just as easily use some spell to kill Skyfall without her knowing it until it was too late.
“Trixie, we’re here.” Lyra spoke into the intercom.
“About time! Trixie was getting sick of being cooped up in such a tiny room.” The mare replied haughtily. Lyra only sighed as she moved the shuttle to one of the platform’s many docks. She expected some guards to stop her and ask for identifications, but reminded herself that she was going to a den of mercenaries, which meant that she would need to keep a close eye to her surroundings while she was there.
With that in mind, the unicorn mare looked down at her uniform and realized that she would need a disguise to hide her identity as a Dominion Ghost since she can’t maintain her invisibility indefinitely. Thankfully, she kept a small wardrobe onboard the ship for such situations. Now she just needed to figure out how she was going to move her partner through the platform without being seen.
Lyra adjusted the collar of her jacket to cover her face as she looked around the platform as she followed Trixie past the gate to the platform interior. She had expected to see the place to be in a state of disrepair and for cutthroats and thieves to lurk in every dark corner and alleyway, but much to her surprise, the platform appeared to be well maintained and there were guards in power armor patrolling the streets as they kept the peace.
Regardless of its orderly appearance, the platform was still run by mercenaries and the ghost didn’t want to take any chances as she briefly touched the spot on her jacket where she had hidden her weapons. She soon heard voices of dozens of merchants advertising their wares when Trixie led her to the market place.
There, the merchants hawked their wares to her as the pair passed them by. Unlike the typical wares one would find at a normal marketplace, many of the items on sale were of the illegal variety. Everything from narcotics to military grade hardware were on display. She ignored them all as her partner’s well being was all that occupied her thoughts.
They kept walking until Trixie led them around the next corner and turned around to face her, her robes billowing in a magical breeze, “Behold, and gaze upon the home of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” she declared before she stepped aside and showed Lyra her home and clinic.
“You have got to be bucking kidding me.” Lyra muttered as her eye twitched at the rather flashy shop front as a large sign with the words ‘Great and Powerful Treatments’ written in golden lettering was set above the doorway while a cutout of the blue mare wearing a flared purple cape stood atop the letters. “This is supposed to be a clinic?” she asked hesitantly.
“Of course it’s a clinic!” Trixie insisted.
“Then what’s with the huge sign?”
“Trixie simply put up the sign so that people will know that Trixie’s clinic is here.”
“Right…” Lyra said as she kept staring at the sign. She was quickly losing confidence in the boastful mare’s ability to heal her partner and was reconsidered her options but realized that all of them would most likely end in Skyfall’s death.
“Well, let’s get the patient inside already. Trixie doesn’t have all day.” Trixie said as she unlocked the door and went through, leaving it open for Lyra to follow.
Letting out a sigh, she held her hoof in the air and gave a signal to someone hidden in the shadows. Moments later, Seeker appeared by Lyra’s side in a puff of black mist, carrying Skyfall on her back. Lyra lifted her partner off Seeker with her magic and place him on her own back, grunting at how much he weighed. Either he needed to lose some weight or she needed to work out some more.
She turned to Seeker and said, “Thank you, but I think you should return to the ship. Sovereign must be getting lonely by now.” The dark mare bowed to her before vanishing into a shadowy mist.
Once she had safely secured Skyfall on her back, she entered the clinic, only to see the hulking form of power armored guard aiming its rifle right at her head, cutting off any attempt at retaliation less she wanted to try dodging a bullet at pointblank range. The standoff was interrupted when Trixie stepped between them.
“Stand down! They’re guests of Trixie’s.” the guard did as Trixie told him and lowered the rifle. Trixie then turned to Lyra and said, “You’ll have to excuse it, Trixie forgot to warn you about the guard. Never can be too careful in this neighborhood.”
“Wait, it? So is it a robotic sentry?”
“A robotic sentry? Please, those things are worthless compared to Trixie’s Shade Knight.”
“Shade…Knight?” Lyra asked as she leaned in closer to examine the power armor. The armor was larger and far more ornate than the ones she has seen worn by those in the Dominion Marine Corp. The enlarged shoulder armor and rounded chest piece reminded her of the medieval knights she once saw in a couple terran fantasy movies, it even had a massive sword strapped to its side as gold markings of Celestia’s Sun were etched into the blade as well as the armor. The helmet’s visor was larger so as to give its user a wider range of sight, but she stopped when she saw that there was swirling mist behind the visor.
She jumped back when the mist formed into the ghostly form of a pony staring back at her, almost dropping her comatose cargo to the floor in her panic. “What the buck was that?” she shouted as she pointed a hoof at the misty pony.
“That is a Shade. The spirit of a fallen soldier bound to the confines of enchanted power armor. One of the many serving in the Vatican’s Eternal Legion.” Trixie explained. “They never tire or grow hungry, which makes it perfect for guarding Trixie’s clinic when she’s out.”
“How…how did you get your hooves on this thing?” Lyra asked as she marveled at the thought of the Dominion possessing such a soldier, or an entire army of them. The Dominion would be able to match the zergs used by the Confederates with these shades in their ranks.
The blue mare simply shrugged her shoulders, “Trixie isn’t sure, but after Trixie was excommunicated from the Vatican, this thing started following Trixie for some reason.” She said as she gestured to the silent sentry, “It can’t or won’t talk so Trixie can’t find out why it’s following Trixie, but at least it listens to Trixie.”
“Oh, I see…” Lyra replied disappointedly, her plans for a promotion already ruined before it began. She was reminded why she was here in the first place when Trixie levitated Skyfall off her back.
“Come, let’s get the patient ready for his operation.” Trixie said and trotted into the operating room. Lyra quickly followed the mare into the room, curious on what kind of tool or spell the mare would need do to heal Skyfall of his injury.
The operating room didn’t look like any other operating room she had ever seen before, as dozens of tomes lay scattered around the room. The only objects that looked like they belonged in a clinic were the surgical scalpels and forceps lying on the small table next to the operating table where Trixie laid Skyfall facedown.
“Step back. I’ll need plenty of space for the procedure.” Trixie said as Lyra noticed that the mare had stopped referring to herself in the third person, the procedure, whatever it was, must be very serious. She did as she was told and stepped back, giving Trixie the space she wanted.
The blue mare then pulled a hidden lever, causing the ceiling to open up as a mechanical arm lowered itself down towards Skyfall’s body. At the end of the arm, was a strange looking stone which was covered in runic symbols and had an emerald set inside it
“What is that?” Lyra asked.
“This is a Focus Stone. It will amplify my healing spells so I can operate on your friend and remove the bullet without him bleeding out on me.” The blue mare explained before she aimed the stone at the bullet wound on his back, lit up her horn, and sent a jolt of her magic into the stone, causing the symbols and the gem to glow with power as a stream of green light towards the wound.
Lyra raised a brow when the light didn’t do anything special besides putting up a lackluster lightshow but didn’t say anything as she turned towards Trixie who was putting on a surgical mask before she looked at her and asked, “Would you kindly leave the operating room? Trixie doesn’t want to be distracted.”
However, the ghost was reluctant to leave her partner alone with the mare and stood her ground, causing Trixie to frown under her mask, “Fine, if you wish to stay, would you like to hear the story about how Trixie lost a patient when their friends and family refused to do as Trixie asked?”
The mint green mare wanted to argue with her but remembered that her partner’s life rested in Trixie’s abilities as a healer. She begrudgingly conceded to Trixie’s request and left the room. She turned around just in time to see Trixie levitating a scalpel and a pair of forceps off the table before she slammed the door shut and locked it with her magic.
With nothing else to do but wait, Lyra walked over to what she assumed to be the waiting room and sat herself down on a chair facing the door to the operating room. She prayed that Skyfall would come out of the operating room alive and well, but thoughts of uncertainty crept into her mind as she feared that she might have just left Skyfall to die in the operating room.
She stopped when she felt the floor trembling a little and turned to see that the Shade Knight had left its post by the door and now stood next to her. The ghostly mist within the helmet swirled around until it took the shape of the pony from before but this time, the look in the spirit’s ‘eyes’ were not as hostile like before, it looked caring as it placed his massive hand over her shoulder in a reassuring manner.
It felt a little odd, being comforted by a ghost but she smiled at the Shade who nodded and smiled back at her before its face changed back to its misty state. It then lifted its hand away from Lyra and returned to its silent vigil over the entrance to the clinic, leaving the mare in higher spirits than before.
Inside his quarters aboard Hoketa station, Starsong looked out the glass dome of his veranda with an agitated look on his face. The repairs on his ship were going far too slowly for his liking, but he had to put up with it after Amaka had explained to him that she was already diverting most of the repair drones to his ship and that doing anymore would cause more problems for her and the station.
However, what bothered him more was that it has already been over a week since he first arrived and there was still no word from the Grand Matriarch about his request for supplies and fresh troops. He knew he could directly contact the Supreme Matriarch and request for reinforcements, but remembered the secretive nature of Seeker’s mission and dismissed the option, leaving him no other choice but to wait.
His crew on the other hand, didn't object to the short reprieve from their Overseer's obsession with retrieving the abducted Dark Templar. Many of them had become wary or even resentful of him due to his overly aggressive, and admittedly dishonorable actions. He had even heard some of them spreading rumors that Seeker had placed him under some kind of mind control to make him act the way he did. He brushed aside the ridiculous rumor as he sat himself down on his bed.
The Overseer himself did not have much to complain about. All of his needs were taken care of, and Amaka had made his stay more than pleasant at nights. Though he would never admit it, sometimes he would be the one looking for her company. Over time, he realized his thoughts were slowly drifting away from the mission at hand, and towards that of Amaka.
Whenever he thought of the Matriarch, his heart and mind would be filled with emotions, many of which were new and unfamiliar to the stallion. Even when connected with the Khala, he still felt troubled by them. He realized that he was developing feelings for the Matriarch, but shook the notion out of his head as he got up from his bed and headed out the door. He still had a mission to complete.
He knew that the Radiance’s repairs were far from complete, but most of the systems had been restored to working order. The only thing the red unicorn currently lacked were the personnel and supplies. As he neared the door to Amaka’s room he hoped that she had grown as fond of him as he did her. Fond enough that she would fulfill his request.
He knocked on the door before he heard Amaka’s voice ask. “Who is it?”
“It’s me.” The stallion replied. The door then unlocked, allowing him entry. He disconnected himself from the Khala before he opened the door, a habit he picked up since he first came here.
As he entered Amaka’s quarters, he saw that the Matriarch was in the middle of having her lunch. Her eyes lit up with delight when she saw Starsong entering her room. She smiled as she put down her wine glass and greeted him. “En Taro Discovery, Overseer Starsong. Would you care to join me for some lunch?” She offered before her eyes became half-lidded. “Or would you prefer some company?”
Starsong remained stoic as he bowed and returned the greeting, “En Taro Discovery, Matriarch Amaka. However, I must decline both your offers as I’m here to talk with you about something important.”
“Oh?” She let out, before asking. “What is it that you wish to discuss?”
“I need to know if the Grand Matriarch has approved my request yet.” He bluntly replied.
The white unicorn paused before shaking her head. “I'm afraid that we haven't received any word from the Grand Matriarch yet.”
“Then can you provide me with some supplies and warriors yourself?” Starsong asked, hoping that the mare would grant his request.
“I’m sorry Starsong. As much as I want to help you, I can’t give you my men without compromising the safety of my station.” Amaka replied as she continued her meal while avoiding eye contact.
Starsong sighed at his failed gambit before he continued, “Very well then, I must leave and make do with what I have.”
“What?!” Amaka exclaimed, almost choking on her meal. “But Overseer, that’s suicide! You can’t go with your ship so damaged.”
“The Radiance is more than ready to make the journey.” He argued in return. “Every hour I spend here is another hour more for those damnable ghosts to escape!”
Amaka’s expression grew serious as she got up and walked over to Starsong. “I am sorry Overseer, but as Matriarch, I cannot allow you to endanger the lives of your crew because of your reckless impatience. The Radiance will not be permitted to leave the dry dock, until its repairs are complete.” She finished sternly.
Starsong scowled at Amaka and wanted to object, but calmed down when he realized the weight of her words. He sighed in defeat before pleading to her. “Please, Amaka… there has to be something you can do to hasten my return to my mission.”
The sternness in Amaka’s eyes left her as she shook her head at him. “I am truly sorry Starsong, but there isn't anything I can do. I would offer you and your men one of my ships, but none of the vessels I have at the moment are built for battle like yours.”
Starsong’s ears wilted at the disappointing turn of events. Amaka was going to comfort him when they heard someone knocking on the door.
“Come in.” The Matriarch called out.
When the door slid aside, Erina walked in, with her holopad floating next to her in her telekinetic grasp. “Apologies for the intrusion, ma'am.” She said as she bowed to Amaka, but quirked her brow when she saw Starsong was in the room as well. “I see that you have a guest. Shall I return at a later time?”
“No need for that Erina...” The white unicorn returned. “The Overseer and I were merely discussing business matters.”
“I see. Speaking of business matters...” The secretary began. “There are two things I need to notify you about.”
“Go ahead.” Amaka said as she gestured for the mare to hurry up.
After respectively bowing her head, the blue mare reported. “A pirate ship was recently found crossing the border into the system by our patrols.”
“I thought you had fixed your pirate problem?” Starsong asked as he turned to Amaka.
“It wasn’t a raiding party, Overseer. Our warriors boarded the ship and found most of the crew dead. They scoured the ship and only found a handful of survivors. They claimed that they were attacked by two unicorns, a stallion and a mare...and the mare was reported to have been using a warp blade during the attack.”
Her statement caused Starsong’s ears to perk up and his eyes to widen before he asked. “When did that attack happen?”
The blue unicorn looked at her holopad before she replied. “A little over a week ago. The pirates said that after the attack, the mare destroyed the ship’s engine, leaving them to simply drift in space all this time until our patrols found them entering our borders.”
“Did they give our men any other information?” The stallion asked again.
“No, Overseer” Erina said as she shook her head. “They refused to tell us any further information until they see the one in charge of the station. Which was why I came to see you, Matriarch.”
After hearing that, Starsong turned to Amaka. “It's them, it just has to be. I have no doubt that those were the ghosts who I am after.”
“That may be so Overseer, but it appears that your Dark Templar has apparently gone rogue, which makes your task even more difficult.” The white unicorn returned. Afterward she addressed her secretary. “What's the other matter you have to report, Erina?”
“The mining ships from the ‘Whirlwind Cluster’ and their escorts have returned from their assignments. The Sub-Overseer’s shuttle has just docked aboard the station and he wishes to see you in person.” The black robed mare returned.
“Oh?” The Matriarch let out, a smile forming on her face before she turned to Starsong, “Overseer, I do believe that a solution to your problem has been found. If you'd please come along with us.” She instructed before she left the room, Erina following closely behind. Starsong reconnected himself to the Khala before leaving the room.
As Starsong quietly followed the two mares through the golden corridor leading them down to one of the docking bays, he noticed that both mares were trotting at a brisk pace and had subtle but eager smiles on their faces. He wondered if it had something to do with the Sub-Overseer he was about to meet.
They soon reached the docking where dozens robots were unloading crates of minerals off the cargo shuttles. However, their attention was focused on a military shuttle where they saw a unicorn stallion wearing the golden robes of a Templar Champion, was talking with one of the dockworkers.
From what he could see, the unicorn’s size rivaled his own. He had a royal white coat, seemingly identical to that of the Matriarch's. His mane and tail were a dark shade of gray. He turned to face them when he saw them approaching, showing Starsong his piercing green eyes as he smiled at them.
He was caught off guard when Amaka suddenly bolted ahead of them in a full gallop towards the stallion who smiled at her as they pulled each other into a warm embrace and happily exclaimed, “Oh my dear, I’m so glad to see you back safe and sound! I really missed you!”
“I missed you too.” The stallion said as he returned the hug and nuzzled the Matriarch affectionately, who planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, causing the stallion to chuckle in embarrassment.
Starsong’s heart sank as he watched the scene unfold before him. Was he in the presence of the Matriarch’s consort? While the Khala kept him calm, he wondered if the nights he had spent with her were just a brief affair to her and if his growing affection towards her was only one-sided.
He buried those thoughts deep into the recesses of his mind when Amaka and the stallion turned to him. Amaka gestured to the stallion and introduced him, “Overseer Starsong, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to the commander of Hoketa Station's defense garrison, my son - Sub-Overseer Rylus.”
“En Taro Zeratul, Overseer Starsong. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.” The stallion said as he bowed to him.