Chapter XVI
A small, dark ship made its way through a most curious star system. The ship had observed dozens of worlds, had borne witness to hundreds of battles, and had recorded thousands of civilizations. The black vessel had been watching the war between the Alliance and Dridune since it had started, silently observing from the shadows of the void. This star system, however, was unlike every other known system in the galaxy. It lay within Alliance borders, but unusual gravitational forces made navigation difficult, and the Alliance was too busy with their war to properly finance an expedition of the system.
It traveled to the small life-bearing world, its magnetic propulsion drive struggling against the gravitation tidal forces as it entered orbit. It raced across the world's sky, collecting probes as it circled the globe. The ship had been here several times on its way from home to the war's front, each time it collected a little more data about the strange planet. Meteorological data, flora and fauna, all was of interest. Most importantly, though, the probes recorded the strange intelligent creatures of the world. They were of special interest.
The ship was nearly done when it detected something. Immediately the ship left orbit, leaving a few uncollected probes behind. It watched apprehensively as a fleet began to approach the planet. The ship moved quickly, hoping that the fleet wouldn't detect it.
That was unlikely since the ship had been built for stealth.
As the fleet headed directly for the planet, the ship ran, taking note of how the fleet began to take up positions orbiting the world as it left the system. The ship had to get beyond the boundaries of the star system, had to alert its superiors of this new development before it was too late. Once it had left the system's distortion field, it sent an urgent message, hoping that the armada would make it in time...
* * *
Rear Admiral Petran looked over the assembled ponies, simultaneously excited and dreading this meeting. It was always hard, briefing a new species about the enemy they faced. Luckily for him, Admiral Zelgius had done most of the hard work, having been the one to convince the natives that the threat they faced was very, very real. However, as helpful as that was, it still fell to him to make sure that the natives knew that their previous tried and true tactics were obsolete. He had seen it all; disbelief, rage, fear, mistrust, pride, all because some alien species had made it its mission to wipe out the fundamental concept of free will.
...And it was his distinct honor to plan the defense of this world, while simultaneously heading off both native resistance and native panic.
Yay me... he thought as he mentally shuffled through his presentation. Sure, Admiral Zelgius was there to back him up if needed, but Zelgius was in charge of Naval Intelligence, not Naval Operations. As such, Zelgius's gifts lay in long term planning and espionage, not in the actual planning and tactics involved with defending a world from invasion.
That was why he had shoehorned Rear Admiral Petran into joining him on this crazy endeavor. Not only did Rear Admiral Petran have plenty of experience in the area of planetary defense, but he also owed the crazy simiate a favor.
However, most of the ponies present were military, which meant that he wouldn't have to stop and explain certain aspects of his presentation. They would understand such basic concepts as choke points and key areas, but they might be stubborn about the new tactics that he was about to introduce to them.
After all, it's been over seventy-five years and the Lionel Prides are still having trouble adapting their tactics to evolving tech and circumstance, Petran thought in exasperation. No reason to suspect anything different here, especially given that their tech is so much further behind the Lionels when we first encountered them.
The dark skinned human ran a nervous hand through his hair as he thought about the task in front of him. No matter how many times I go through this, it never gets any easier. Not to mention that these people actually have the key to winning this war. No pressure. Just that, if you mess this up, the whole galaxy is doomed... he thought grimly to himself.
As he cleared his throat, with worries and hopes both chasing themselves around in his head, he was surprised when a hoof shot up before he even began his presentation. “Excuse me admiral, but before we get started, I just needed to know a few things,” the gray, 'children of the night' themed pony said boldly. He seemed to be a pegasus, though instead of the classic feathered wings, he had bat-like ones. There were a few other differences as well, such as the slitted, cat-like eyes and the fangs that poked out to give him a slight overbite, making him look like nothing less than a vampiric pony.
Rear Admiral Petran had to seriously fight the desire to ride that magnificent pony into battle.
“Yes...?” Petran asked, a little distracted.
“Captain Nightfall, sir, I was just wondering, is it safe to assume that current military doctrine is obsolete?” the pony asked, completely taking Petran by surprise.
“...Um, what?” Petran asked, not quite sure if he had heard the pony correctly.
“Well, it's obvious that spears and arrows aren't going to cut it, especially if we're dealing with interstellar vehicles and futuristic, comic book-style armor and weapons. Thank you again for talking to us instead of bombarding us from orbit, by the way,” a dark blue, wingless, hornless pony with tri-colored hair quipped.
“Not to mention that the enemy is probably going to be arming its ground troops with higher caliber weapons than what we can produce, probably on level with any of our battlemage's AOE spells, so rank and file tactics aren't going to work either,” a white unicorn cut in with a thoughtful look on her face.
“Uh...”
“In fact, its probably safer to count the number of things that aren't obsolete. I'm thinking Unicorn magic and, to a smaller extent, Pegasus and Earth pony magic,” Nightfall said as Petran tried desperately to figure out what was going on.
“That is, of course, if you assume that magic even works on these bloody nightmares. For all we know, they could have some sort of magical cancellation effect, where even our most powerful spells simply dissipate against their hides,” the dark blue 'normal' pony said grimly.
Admiral Petran was totally thunderstruck. He had seen generals scoff at his tactics, been shouted at by a room full of angry lizards, and had had an entire planet basically tell him that his services would not be required.
This was something new entirely.
Before Petran could even think to attempt to regain control of the situation, a loud hoof stomp echoed through the room, quickly silencing the assembled soldiers. “Ponies, as much fun as it is to speculate at how our tech and tactics stack up against our comic book fantasies, I believe it would be far more productive if we actually let the poor admiral tell us what we're dealing with,” a rather large bat pony said with a huff.
“Thank you...?”
“Dark Seeker, Captain of the Night Sentinels,” the pony said briefly.
“Well, thank you captain. I don't get to say this very often, but Nightfall and the others are completely right. Anything you thought about tactics are effectively null and void, largely because of the radically different technology that the enemy is going to be using on the field. Melee weapons and tactics are largely unused except in very rare circumstances, and even then it is only used as long as it takes to get to your ranged weapons,” Admiral Petran said as he pressed a few buttons on his projector. Instantly the specs and readout for a 98-Chilsta Beam Rifle replaced the static image of the planet Equis.
The assembled ponies looked suitably impressed, but unsure at what they were looking at at the same time. “Is that some kind of weird crossbow?” Dark Seeker asked in confusion.
Petran shook his head as this. “It is a ranged weapon, but unlike any you have encountered. This is a beam rifle. It is a weapon that fires an incredibly focused beam of light, which reaches its target with a high degree of precision and speed. It is fast, has little to no downtime between shots, and is able to cut through two inches of steel after only a single shot. Its beam cannot be maintained for an extended period of time without overheating the weapon, which is why it fires in short bursts. Most, if not all, of the enemies you will face will be armed with a weapon very similar to this one.”
“Kind of sounds like Glitter Stone's Solar Cutter spell," the white unicorn from earlier said slowly. “If they are able to arm their common rank and file soldiers with these weapons, we're going to be in sorry shape indeed.
"...Wait, what?" Petran asked quickly.
"Yes, but that also means that the dissipation wards on our armor might still be an effective counter, meaning that our soldiers might stand a chance against that kind of firepower," the dark blue normal pony said.
"Not if it's against a hundred of those things. Those wards only stop so much," the unicorn countered.
“Quiet you two," Dark Seeker said in irritation. "Will we have access to these weapons?”
Petran just shook his head in disbelief. “You will, we will even train you in their use. But if the enemy arrives before we are finished with the training, we will have no choice but to refrain from arming you with these,” Petran said briskly. There was an outcry at that last statement, to which Admiral Petran simply raised a single hand and shook his head. “I'm sorry, but we cannot afford any friendly fire on the battlefield. We only brought so many weapons with us, and they would serve far better in the hands of those that actually know what they are doing.”
The assembled ponies grudgingly agreed to this, which allowed Petran time to gather his thoughts as he switched the projector back to the view of the planet. Wards? Spells? I really need to know more about this "magic" stuff. What can it do? What are its limitations? he thought to himself.
He didn't brood on that subject for long, however, seeing as how he had a much more important matters to discuss. “However, all of that is somewhat moot at this point. Most of the battle isn't even going to take place on the ground. Instead, the whole planet's fate is going to be determined among the stars.”
Instantly the three dimensional representation of the planet Equis was surrounded by a large number of ships. “The enemy, if given the chance, would either bombard the planet from orbit, or deploy their Planetjackers. They would never even bother with ground combat if they could manage it,” Admiral Petran said as the holographic globe was bombarded by the fleet. The fleet then disappeared to make way for a pair of tooth-shaped craft that Zelgius had shown them earlier. The two devices then made their way to the poles of the planet and speared them, slowly turning the whole planet a sickly yellow color.
At this, the assembled ponies began to mutter amongst themselves nervously, many of them pointing at the globe as they tried to figure out a counter for this strategy. Finally, the dark blue 'normal' pony from earlier raised a hoof, a look of confusion on his face. “I'm sorry, but if things are that hopeless for the ground battle, why even gather us together? And why show us these 'Beam Rifles' if we are never going to be using them in battle? It seems to me that you've either got the whole battle yourselves, or we lose our planet,” he said.
“What was your name soldier?” Petran asked as he eyed the pony.
“Low Captain Knight Breeze, sir,” the pony said with a salute.
“Well captain, I gathered you together to show you this,” Petran said as he pressed a few more buttons on his holoprojector. The projection was replaced again, this time with what looked like a dome with several cylinders sticking out of it. “This is a Mark-VI Anti-Orbital Kingfisher Cannon. A single cannon is capable of repelling most ships over a small area, while a whole network can defend an entire planet. They are not infallible though. If there are too many targets, they will be unable to properly do their jobs. They require both aerial support and ground support if they are to function correctly.”
“Why ground support?” a white unicorn asked.
Once again, the view changed to reveal a large number of silver, pod-like craft descending towards the gun. The gun immediately began to fire upon them, but it quickly became apparent that there were too many for it to take on by itself. “The guns are equipped with protective shields and are programmed to give anything headed straight towards them top priority. However...” Petran trailed off as the silver pods made planetfall, then opened to reveal several humanoids armed to the teeth.
“They are weak to ground assault, and since too many targets can overwhelm them, can easily be defeated with a landing force.” Nightfall finished for him as the ground troops quickly overcame the gun's defenses. “I would also guess that enough firepower from above could overcome them as well, hence the need for air support.
“Correct. We will handle the air side of things, but we may not be able to take out all the landing craft that they send your way. The cannons are going to be the last line of defense, and your job will be to make sure that they do not fall.” Admiral Petran said grimly. The assembled ponies straightened up at this, their job now clear in their heads.
“That brings us to our next point of interest: we need space to place these weapons. Our computers have already scanned the planet, and we have determined that a placement like so,” at this, the ruined Kingfisher was replaced with a view of the globe once again. This time their were a number of red dots positioned in an almost random way all across the globe. “Would give us the best coverage and allow our ground forces the best possible chance of defending those guns.”
Admiral Petran swept over the assembled ponies with his gaze. “Defending those guns won't be easy. Many will die, we may lose many of those guns before the day is done, but you won't be alone. We have brought with us a small army, each individual ready and willing to lay down their lives to protect your homeworld. However, as I have stated before, it is a small army. They will not be able to defend all of those guns by themselves. We will be stretched thin to the greatest extent of the word. At a guess I would say that we will only be able to send, at the most, a hundred men to guard each cannon. Because of this, the defense of those guns will fall largely into your... hooves...” he finished awkwardly.
Petran swept the assembled ponies with his gaze, only to stop on the alabaster hoof of Princess Celestia herself. “Excuse me good admiral, but there is a problem with that particular placement of your guns. Many, if not most, of those guns will be placed on land that we do not own,” she said, her lips turned down in a frown.
That's not good... Admiral Petran thought to himself, a little taken aback by this statement. He was quick to recover though and sunk into a deep bow. “I apologize for my gall, but I had assumed that you and your sister ruled the entire planet. Please forgive me.”
“There is nothing needed to forgive, but tell me, why did you think that I and my sister ruled the entire planet?” Celestia asked with a tilt of her head.
Whatever the answer was, however, it was going to have to wait until later. “It is unimportant at this time. What is important is convincing the other nations of this planet to allow us to place our weapons, and hopefully help us protect them as well,” Petran said as he waved off the question.
“You are quite right,” the Solar Diarch said as her horn began to glow. In response, a single spot on the holographic globe lit up, detailing an area in the southern hemisphere. “I would suggest you begin here...”
* * *
“What do ya reckon it means, Mac?” Applejack asked her big brother as she nervously eyed the strange, glowing object that could be seen hovering in the night sky over the distant city of Canterlot.
Big Mac didn't respond immediately, instead choosing to move the piece of straw between his teeth from one end of his mouth to the other. “I don't rightly know, AJ,” he said calmly. “I think it's gonna spell trouble for all of us, however.”
“The ponies in town are going to be panicking, they'll be ask'n fer answers, and I got none ta give,” Applejack said with a sigh.
“Eyup.”
“Applebloom thinks it's aliens, and I honestly don't blame her. She says it's only a matter of time before we're all thrown into pods, if'n Spike's comic book collection can be believed about that sort of thing,” Applejack said slowly.
“Eyup.”
“What's worse is that we can't use the elements on this one, on account of Twi being missing and all. Would they even work on somethin' like that?” She asked, pointing in disbelief at the strange object.
“Wouldn't know, but it gives me the willies whenever I look at it,” Mac said as he spat out the piece of straw between his teeth.
“Do you reckon Dash, Pinkie and Spike are safe? Pinkie and Dash went to Canterlot to visit Spike over the weekend,” Applejack asked, her face a mask of concern.
“I don't reckon I know. I do know that the Princesses will do their best to see them safely home, not to mention they'd do their best to see us all safe from that thing,” Mac said after a bit of thought.
“Yer right, but it don't feel right to just sit here and-” Applejack started to say, but was interrupted when she heard a familiar voice calling her name.
“Applejack!” Dash called out as she rapidly approached the two farm ponies, her rainbow colored contrail painting the sky behind her.
“Rainbow Dash! What in tarnation is going on? And what is that thing?” Applejack demanded, relief clear in her voice.
“Aliens, AJ, that's an alien vessel, but that's not really that important right now!” Rainbow said as she landed, a little out of breath from her rapid flight from Canterlot.
“How in the hay is that unimportant! If'n we're being invaded, we got ta do somethin and fast!” Applejack said as she turned and started to move towards her house. She was stopped in her efforts, however, when Big Mac held out a single massive hoof in front of her.
“Nope,” he said, his eyes locked onto Rainbow's.
“What in the blue blazes do you mean by that? We gotta-” Applejack started to say, but was cut off again when her big brother gave her 'the look'.
It clearly said 'I know you're worried, but let her finish before you make a mistake.'
Applejack just turned at that, fixing Rainbow with the stink-eye. “Okay Rainbow, spill. Why is the fact that aliens are invading not important?” she asked.
“Because they aren't invading! They brought Twilight home!” Rainbow Dash said excitedly.
“What!?” Applejack asked in disbelief.
* * *
Low Rider walked with purpose as he made his way back to his room. On the outside, he was the picture of calm, exuding nothing but confidence as he opened the door and ducked inside.
Once inside, however, he became a whole different pony as he quickly locked the door and threw his saddle bags onto his bed. His expression was that of worry, and his whole mannerism screamed 'I am in trouble'. Quickly, he stalked over to the mirror that stood beside his bookcase, then closed his eyes in concentration.
Almost instantly he was consumed by green fire, and his once cute pegasus exterior was rapidly replaced by a more frightful, insect-like one. His carapace was a sleek, black color, with a teal plate on his back and pupil-less eyes that matched. His limbs looked like a carpenter had gone to town on them with a drill, while his gossamer wings had a distinctly ragged flair to them.
He shook himself a little, his natural form feeling alien after so much time spent as a pony. He quickly recovered, however, then stepped closer to the mirror in front of him. His sharp, rhinoceros-like horn glowed green, causing the mirror in front of him to ripple like a pool of water at his approach. He then closed his eyes and stepped through the mirror without hesitation, vanishing from the room and from Canterlot entirely.
He opened his eyes as soon as the world stopped spinning, only to be greeted by the sight of the extra-dimensional space inside the mirror. In front of him was a large, green crystal, whose many-faceted surface revealed the face of his queen. He dropped into a deep bow in respect, awaiting his queen's will.
“Arise Zigg, what news from Canterlot?” she asked impatiently.
“My Queen, strange beings have come from beyond the stars and have landed in Canterlot. They claim that another alien species is coming to Equis to lay waste to everything around us,” he said as he got to his feet.
Chrysalis stared at him for a bit, trying to detect if the drone in front of her was attempting some sort of prank. “Aliens? Really?” she asked flatly.
“It is true, milady. Already the news of a fireball across the night sky is spreading through Equestria, and by tomorrow you will have reports of a strange metal object hovering above the city,” Zigg said without guile.
“What do they want?” she asked, her piercing glare fixed on the changeling in front of her.
“Apparently they are here to protect the planet from an alien menace known only as 'the Dridune'. I do not trust them in the slightest, there is no possible way that they come here to defend us against this unknown threat, with no other motivation than the goodness in their hearts,” Zigg said.
Chrysalis however did a double take when she heard the name of the so-called invaders, her double ringed eyes narrowing in fear. However, Zigg seemed to not have noticed this, as he continued his report of what had happened. “The aliens wish to place a number of weapons around the planet to ensure our 'safety', and will be sending a delegation to our hive tomorrow to negotiate for a portion of our land as well as military aid,” he said with a bow.
“Do they know where our hive is?” Chrysalis asked quickly.
“They do not, my Queen. The Equestrians did direct them towards the badlands, but since they themselves do not know our home's location, they will never be able to locate-”
“Zigg, I want you to give the Equestrians an anonymous tip, telling them that we will meet these visitors in the Valley of Kings,” Chrysalis said, interrupting him.
“...Yes my queen,” Zigg said in confusion.
“Also, release Low Rider and return home, you will be needed here,” Chrysalis said grimly.