The End of Command
Admiral Scootaloo stood at the helm of her flagship, the Rainboom, staring out into the depths of space. Her gaze followed a small freighter as it flew away from her starship, pursued by several small fighters. The freighter elongated into a streak as it jumped to hyperspace, and Scootaloo felt as if her stomach had followed it.
Silence descended upon the bridge as her crew stared at Scootaloo. They had failed in their mission. The freighter had escaped, carrying schematics of the defenses and structure of the Moon. With those plans, it was possible that the Rebels would be able to find a weakness in the Lunar Empire’s secret battle station.
Lord Dash had made it explicitly clear that no Rebels were to leave the system alive. For several years, Empress Luna and Lord Dash had managed to keep their battle station a secret, through blackmail, murder, kidnappings. and assassinations, but Admiral Scootaloo’s fleet had let the Rebels escape, carrying much more than rumors of its existence. Discipline would be harsh and quick, Scootaloo knew. But she had to do her best to prevent any harm to her crew, and that meant that she would have to shoulder responsibility. Alone.
“I will inform Lord Dash of my failure. Continue your responsibilities, crew.”
Scootaloo walked to the door, ignoring the looks that her crew gave her.
“Please allow us to escort you to Lord Dash’s quarters, Admiral.”
Flanking Scootaloo was her two most trusted captains, Captain Bloom and Captain Belle. Allowing herself a small grin, Scootaloo marched down the corridor to Lord Dash’s cabin, her two friends in sync with her.
Approaching the door, it slid open with a slight whoosh, leaving Scootaloo standing in front of the dark entrance. Gesturing to the two captains, Scootaloo entered, alone. Following the dim hallway, she came to a large room with a central capsule, currently split in two. Standing patiently, Scootaloo watched the pony within.
Without her normal dark armor, covered in scars and burns, gashes crossing her skin, the pony within would normally be considered nightmarish and horrific, but Scootaloo could only see the pony beneath the scars, the one she had loved and admired as a filly. Though she no longer looked or acted like it, Scootaloo knew that somewhere within was the pegasus she knew. And that was enough to win her Scootaloo’s loyalty.
“Admiral.”
Snapping to attention, Scootaloo saluted Lord Dash. “Lord Dash?”
“You have failed me.”
It was a statement of fact. “Y-yes, Lord Dash. The Rebels have escaped the system, along with the plans for the Moon.”
Dash was silent for a few seconds, deep in contemplation. “The Rebels will surely realize that this battle station will crush any chance they have once it is complete. Their only option is to mount an assault. I will forgo your punishment for now, but know this: this is your last chance. Fail me again and I think you will find yourself in an... uncomfortable position.
“You will lead the defense of the Moon when the Rebels invade. Though their chances will be slim, I trust that you will crush them accordingly.”
Recognizing her dismissal, Scootaloo saluted and hurried from the room.
~~~
“Sir! Rebels have jumped into the system, Sector 23!”
Slipping into battle mode, Admiral Scootaloo brought up the enemy formation on her viewport. She watched as the larger ships pulled to the outside, drawing fire as the smaller fighters rushed towards the Moon.
“Scramble all fighters; the Rebels are attempting a fighter attack. Iron Hoof and Delegator, focus fire on the forward capital ships, Moonlight and Orbit on the rear guard. Intercept and destroy all fighters.”
Scootaloo watched as the Lunar Empire’s Navy crushed the smaller band of Rebels, sinking shot after shot into the hulls of the ships and turning numerous fighters into small clouds of flame and shrapnel.
A few fighters escaped the dogfight into the Trench, a ring cut into the Moon to allow it to focus energy into one beam. Little did they know that it was the largest areas of overlapping fire, where nearly all of the laser towers on both hemispheres had a shot at them. Thinking it a safe haven, they would soon find out the true firepower of the battle station.
~~~
The Imperial forces had nearly finished mopping up the Rebels when a slight rumble ran through Scootaloo’s ship. Silencing the bridge, Scootaloo and her crew stared in horror as the Moon began to shake and crumble. As the shaking intensified, Scootaloo realized what would shortly occur. “Signal all ships to move away from the Moon!”
But it was too late. The Moon shattered, exploding outward, crushing any ships that lay within the blast radius. The Rainboom lay just far enough away that the shields held long enough to prevent fatal damages.
Scootaloo sighed, looking at the desecrated remain of her beautiful navy. But the destruction would not end with the Navy. Scootaloo had once again failed Lord Dash. And this time, she had no possibility of survival.
“Captain Belle, Captain Bloom? May I see you in my quarters?”
Walking briskly to her quarters, Scootaloo had just poured herself a drink when the pair got there. “I am aware that one or both of you is about to receive a combat promotion, most likely to the rank of Admiral. I want you to know this, so you can be prepared. Once Admiral, you must give everything you can to the Empire and more. The Empire demands it of you, and the Empire is never denied.”
“But Admiral, you—”
“Yes, I am aware that there can be only one Admiral at a time. I am in a unique position to know the advancements of my subordinates.” Scootaloo gave her friends a self-disparaging smile. “It’s a hard job, it can’t be denied. But the Empire needs you to sacrifice. Just as it needs me to sacrifice.”
Tears were in the eyes of her friends. “I will always remember you two, and perhaps we will meet again, in another life. But the Empire has called my name, and it is my turn to serve. Goodbye, my friends.”
As if on cue, Scootaloo’s comlink buzzed. “Sir, Lord Dash wishes to see you.”
Taking one last look at her friends, Scootaloo marched to meet her destiny.
~~~
Lord Dash was standing at the helm when Scootaloo returned to the bridge.
“Lord Dash.”
Dash turned around to regard the Admiral. “Admiral Scootaloo.”
Scootaloo stood firm against the crushing presence of Lord Dash. Sweat broke out across her forehead and she felt light of breath, almost as if someone was holding her by the throat.
“You have failed me for the last time. The Empire has no further need for your services.”
The pressure against her throat grew stronger, completely cutting off her breathing. Grasping her throat and struggling to draw air into her lungs, Scootaloo collapsed to the ground, darkness spreading across her vision.
“You are dismissed.”
The last thing Scootaloo saw was Rainbow Dash staring at her as she strangled the life from her, and Scootaloo found she could only love her for it.