STAR WARS - EMPIRE'S EDGE

by Chadbane

Chapter X - "Gathering Forces"

Chapter X - "Gathering Forces"

Shining Armor’s mind was a whirlwind of otherworldly possibilities. Just one day ago, he had simultaneously learned of the existence of extraterrestrial life and met the brainchild of one of those intelligent beings. ST-013, or as he preferred to be called, Kalani, was a machine forged from metal and electricity, engineered with technology so advanced it bordered on magic. The towering iron giant was the commander of a skeletal army that had crash-landed in the mountains of the Crystal Empire—and it was, without question, an army. The small vessel they’d arrived in carried little more than a platoon of dangerous, clanking droids, but Kalani had made it chillingly clear to the Prince that beyond orbit, out of scanning range, a magnificent alien dreadnought lurked, strategically positioned to avoid detection. The droid had confessed he was the last commander of a coalition of planets called the Separatist Alliance—or the Confederacy of Independent Systems. His mission? To rebuild their armies and resist the galaxy-spanning tyranny of an evil Galactic Empire.

Shining Armor shook his head as he strode down a crystalline hallway in the heart of the Crystal Empire’s castle, hooves clacking against the polished floor. The revelations spun through his thoughts like a storm. On one hoof, it was a relief to hear from the strange metal giant that he had no intention of invading Equestria. On the other, the idea of a galactic conflict spilling onto his home planet’s doorstep was as troubling as if Kalani had declared war on them outright. Worse still, the droid had admitted he’d crash-landed here after being pursued through a bizarre anomaly by that very same Empire—though he’d assured Shining Armor the retreat was tactical and that the Empire couldn’t possibly have followed.

Shining Armor narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t so sure. The tales Kalani shared—of a struggle against an oppressive empire—echoed Equestria’s own battles against tyrants like Lord Sombra, but trust was another matter entirely. The only way to quiet the unease gnawing at him was to ask more questions. That was why he now marched toward the droid’s temporary quarters, determined to confront the so-called “General” once more.

With a burst of magic, Shining Armor threw open the doors to Kalani’s chamber. The room had been hastily retrofitted to accommodate their unusual guest while the royal family deliberated his fate. The droid stood near the center, his gleaming frame catching the light, and turned his head as Shining entered.

“At last,” Kalani said, his voice a flat, mechanical hum. “You’ve arrived. Twenty-three seconds later than I anticipated, but within the margin of error. I will adjust my calculations to further accuracy."

Shining Armor snorted.

“How do you even begin to calculate something like that?"

"Quantum probability is one of many features that distinguish super tactical droids from their inferior counterparts," the droid replied, matter-of-factly. "The ability to factor unforeseen variables can be a crucial advantage in battle. My processors integrate data from countless simulations, analyzing potential outcomes at speeds exceeding organic comprehension. For instance, I have already calculated a 93.7% probability that you will question my intentions further within the next 180 seconds—though your species’ penchant for emotional deviation may skew that margin."

Shining Armor blinked, momentarily thrown by the droid’s precision. "That’s… impressive, I suppose," he admitted, though his tone carried a hint of unease. "But it doesn’t explain why I should trust you. You’re a machine built for war, not a diplomat. How do I know this isn’t some elaborate ruse to drag Equestria into your conflict?"

Kalani’s head tilted slightly, his glowing optics narrowing as if assessing the prince’s words. "Trust is irrelevant. My programming prioritizes efficiency and victory, not deception for its own sake. If I intended to subjugate your world, I would have already deployed my B1 units to secure key infrastructure points. Your castle’s defenses, while formidable against equine threats, are ill-equipped for droid infiltration. Instead, I stand here, answering your queries."

Shining Armor’s ears flicked back, a mix of irritation and grudging respect flickering across his face. "So, what, I’m supposed to be grateful you haven’t attacked us yet? That’s a low bar, General."

"Gratitude is not required," Kalani said, his mechanical voice unwavering. "Mutual benefit is. Your planet’s isolation makes it an ideal place of refuge for my exhausted forces; while their presence ensures your protection from Imperial incursion. A strategic alliance is logical."

The prince snorted, crossing his forelegs. "Only if you are implying the Empire can track you here—which you already assured me they could not."

Kalani’s optics flickered briefly, a subtle hum emanating from his chassis as he processed the statement. “My initial assessment stands: the anomaly through which we escaped disrupted their sensors. The probability of Imperial pursuit remains below 4.2%—for now. However—” He paused, his head tilting with mechanical precision, “—I deem preparation for Imperial invasion advisable. As it stands, your planet remains wholly incapable of repelling invasion from any galactic threat."

Shining Armor’s tail flicked in irritation, his gaze hardening. “Preparation isn't the issue here. You presence is. If you were ever discovered by the Empire on this planet, what's to say these Imperials wouldn't just take your mere existence on this world as a sign of our allegiance to your cause? If this Empire is as bad as you say it is, I doubt they would give us the benefit of the doubt. We'd be facing an army of imperial invaders in no time."

“An army,” Kalani replied evenly, “is precisely what I command. My forces, though diminished, are sufficient to deter an initial incursion."

"Again, that's not the issue. The issue, is an intergalactic war on my doorstep with my ponies getting caught in the crossfire. If there's an even 1% chance of that happening--I have to treat it as an absolute certainty."

"By implication, you infer our absence would ensure your world fare better against the imperial threat?" the droid quried.

Shining Armor gave that a moment of thought.

"Maybe. I don't know. Equestria’s faced tyrants before—Sombra, Tirek, Chrysalis—we've never lost, not even once.”

“Your victories were against foes bound by the limitations of this world—magic, emotion, hubris," the droid replied, calculatingly. "However, the Empire operates on a scale you cannot possibly begin to fathom: fleets of starships, legions of soldiers, weapons that could reduce your crystalline cities to ash in moments. To face them alone is to invite annihilation.”

Shining Armor gave the towering machine a look that betrayed his resolve. Kalani’s logic was cold, calculated, and disturbingly persuasive—but it clashed with everything he’d been taught about harmony and peace. The Empire’s potential as a threat was one he couldn’t ignore, yet he couldn’t trust this machine or its warlike solutions either. The weight of it all pressed down on him, a storm of unease he couldn’t shake.

“I don’t trust you,” he said, honestly, “and I don’t know if I can trust them either. But this is bigger than me.” He straightened, meeting Kalani’s unblinking gaze. “You’re coming with me to Canterlot. Princess Celestia needs to be informed of this—to hear you out. We’ll decide what happens next when we've convened with the other princesses.”

Kalani tilted his head, processing. “A logical compromise. Your suggestion is acceptable. However, I advise haste. The Empire does not remain idle.”

Shining Armor didn’t respond. He turned away, his hooves heavy against the crystal floor, his mind a tangled mess of duty, fear, and suspicion. Whatever came next, he knew one thing: this wasn’t just about the Crystal Empire anymore. Equestria’s fate—and perhaps far more—hung in the balance.

Author's Note:

Gonna try to pump this out more frequently. Here's another chapter to make up for the crazy amount of time between last chapter and the one before!

Comments

[Bronycommander]

a short but good chapter

[MarioBrony]

Seems to me that considering whats already happening, they wont have to wait LONG to decide!

However, I do wonder what does Cadence think of all this?

[Joe Toon]

I can honestly say, compared to the first generation Tactical droids, the super tactical droids truly are a massive upgrade. They don't look at an unforeseen problem and say, "That's impossible," they processes the problem, adapt, and improvise.

And of all of them, Kalani really is a cut above them. For a droid, he has more ingenuity and intuition than (Disney Clone Wars) Grievous.

[Chadbane]

12128693
I totally agree. I feel like it isn’t elaborated on enough in the shows what distinguishes Super Tactical Droids from inferior models, so this was really my take on that.

[Joe Toon]

12128745
Will you be giving them a means to mass produce Battle Droids?
Because I shudder to imagine Magic-powered Battle Droids.

[MarioBrony]

12128067
fixed.