“I know it’s been far too long. I can’t possibly say enough to apologize for the silence, nor will I ever be able to. But still, I have to say it. I’m sorry.”
“I can’t apologize enough, either,” Cadence mumbled as she gave the windows below her a passing glance.
The San Palomino Spaceport slipped across the great panes of reinforced glass. Built in the middle of the eponymous desert, the enormous silvery facilities stood out from the golden sands around them. An enormous track jutted out of the hangars and ran thousands of kilometers west, across the oceans. A launch loop, Cadence had once heard Twilight call it such, built back during the infancy of Equestria’s space program. It was a relic, but still saw a great deal of use. Even now, Cadence could spot a glimmer of reflected sunlight as a shuttle departed.
She waved as the craft rocketed over the horizon; no one down below would ever see the gesture, but Cadence did it regardless. While it was probably a mere cargo shuttle, there was a small chance that it would be a private ship destined for the stars. And Cadence made a promise to never again miss the chance to bid someone farewell or wish them safe travels.
The shining spires of Canterlot drifted into view. Those towers seemed to reach into the black of space, having grown in height over the centuries. They almost rivalled the size of her own castle, which peeked over the horizon to the north. Maybe in a few more decades, they would eclipse it.
Cadence sighed at her memories of the ancient capital. She had not set hoof there in years. The last time was for some ceremonial duty, celebrating the incorporation of a new colony. While vast amounts of activity still took place down there, the real leadership had moved thousands of kilometers farther up. Sitting up in a stationary orbit, Caballus Station One was the de facto capitol of the entire Federation.
A hologram of Twilight shook Cadence from her reflections. It leapt and clung to her neck. The lack of any physical weight was disconcerting, but the hug was welcome nonetheless. Cadence continued down the hallway and the projection followed along. It made for an odd sight, a phantom alicorn sliding across the floor, but Cadence had to hurry to catch a flight. Besides, experience told her that the recording would stay that way for a while.
“I miss you. I really do. I can’t possibly express how much I do. But you know I have to keep going. You of all ponies know what it’s like.”
She nodded straight ahead, avoiding Twilight’s gaze, and picked up the pace. There was another two minutes for Cadence to make the next shuttle to Station One, and half of the orbital transfer terminal to trot across. While the shuttle would definitely wait for her, the launch window would not. Missing it would result in a four hour delay, and would mean missing out on an emergency meeting of the Senate.
“Thank you, for everything you've been doing. I won’t lie, though. I… don’t think we’ll ever see each other again. There’s nothing left for me back at home. Out here, there’s everything you can imagine, as long as you’re patient enough to look for it. But I promise to stay in contact. No more disappearing for decades at a time. Until next time, Cady.”
“I’ll hold you to it, Twily. Until next time.”
Cadence passed through the airlock and strapped herself down with mere seconds to spare. Immediately after settling in, she was sent hurtling through the void. With nothing but the stars to keep her company, Cadence mentally prepared herself for the battles to come. While her political feuds weren’t as glorious as Luna’s search across the stars, nor as great as Celestia’s black projects, they were her little way of making amends. History showed that she hadn’t been willing to do everything in her power for Twilight, but Cadence would be damned if she didn’t do everything she could now.
The Senate was vicious, more akin to sharks than the ponies, minotaurs, and zebras that most actually were. They even made the average griffin, dragon, or yak of the Federation seem gentle. But they had not seen fury like that of an alicorn’s. Even the fiercest of savages could be cowed by a true force of nature.
“While the cat’s away, the mice will play. But when she returns… oh, her prey will pay.”