Chapter 5: Intentions

UNSC Infinity Spartan-IX program training deck (MERCENARY training deck)

August 6th, 2728

"What's the difference between these 'MERCENARY' folks and us other Spartan IVs?" Spartan B56 asked.

Standing in the middle of the Arena was Spartan 100. About 4 Spartans were charging towards him. Echo-100 whacked all four of them out of the way. Then Nova; Echo's team leader smashed there heads into the floor. She then proceeded to pick them and toss them against the wall.

"Ok Sorry I asked." B56 said.

Suddenly a Viper the team marksman picked up B56 and tossed him on the floor.

"FUCK!"

"Well that's enough ass kicking for one day!" Nova said.

"I dunno." Viper said. He kicked B56 as he was on the ground.

"Don't kick a man while he's down!" Echo said.

"He's not a man; he's a muppet."

The MERCENARY crew walked back to there special quarters. Nova took her helmet off and revealed her wavy blond hair and freckled face.

"So what do we have on the ship on the moon?" Nova asked Viper.

"Nothing except that it is the ship that was stolen off of Reach."

"The Dashing Loyalty am I right?" Echo asked.

"Yes," Nova said. "Reports say that the innies stole the ship."

"Well we're gonna need to blow it up!" Viper said.

"No shit."

Viper was checking the scans.

"It's gone."

"What do you mean it's gone?"

"The ship! It's gone!"

X Dashing Loyalty

En route to the Pegasi Delta system

"Well empress we are on our way to that covenant grave yard." First officer Foster reported.

"Good set up a transponder on the private rebel channels." Samborn said.

Caleb Foster went to the communications to signal support for the covenant ship grave-yard at Pegasi-Delta. Hundreds of old Covenant ships that are mostly intact at the insurrection's disposal! Ha! Ha!

Canterlot, Equestria

"ARE YOU SERIOUS I WAS SLOW DANCING A PONY!?" Anthony yelled.

"Yes and you drank down most of the hard cider at the party as well as your hidden Brazilian ale." Hicks said.

"Jeez!"

Hicks, Anthony, Fernando, Church, and Donut stayed over night in the capital. The others went up to the ship.

"Well what did you do after your history talk with Celestia?" Fernando asked.

"Ummm…"

(Flash-back)

Canterlot Royal castle

August 5th 2728

Hicks was now chatting with Rainbow Dash. He had in the last few minutes swigged down some cider.

"So you're like the greatest flyer in the lands?" Hicks asked drunkenly.

"Yep. That's me!"

"Well maybe I'll give ya a tour of the Infinity some time soon."

"And I'll show you my place back in Ponyville."

"Sweet." Hicks drank some more cider.

Canterlot Royal Castle

August 6th 2728

"Fuck!" Hicks said.

"What?" Anthony asked.

"I was supposed to hang out with Rainbow Dash today!"

Hicks ahem dashed out the door.

Pegasi Delta

Covenant ship grave yard

Kig-Yar, human innies, Jiralhanae, and there Unggoy slaves came in all sorts of vessels that they would break down to repair about 10 of the minorly damaged super carriers. All of them were led by Samborn who was declared Empress of the new Galactic Empire that was formed by these thousands of haters of the UNSC. The letters ISS were painted where the X was on the capital ship Dashing Loyalty. It had been fitted with covenant shields and plasma weaponry. The engines now had covenant tech built into it that increased its speed and accurate slipspace.

2 of the Covenant ships had been repaired and brought into orbit already. But they were at minimal power and still under repairs. Other vessels in the Imperial fleet included a UNSC Halcyon Class ship known as the Satan's Vengeance. Or the UNSC destroyer Here comes the Calvary.

Samborn Marveled over her fleet. About a hundred ships could be used including five covenant ships recovered from the ruined factories on Pegasi Delta. 50 of the ships in the fleet were innie frigates. 5 were brute carriers. 5 more were brute Corvettes. 10 of them were Innie destroyers including the Staff of Charon. The rest were UNSC corvettes and the salvaged Covenant ships.

"Do you think that this is enough to take on the Infinity?" Samborn asked her first officer Caleb Foster.

"A hundred assorted Covenant and human ships? I believe so."

"When can we get the fleet back to Equi-1?"

"About a day to bring the fleet back to fighting status."

"OK get it done."

Caleb bowed down and went back to his station.

Ponyville, Equestria.

Hicks had spent the day touring Ponyville with Rainbow Dash. He was beat. He still owed Dash that tour of the Infinity. He was now napping in the library with Twilight. Celestia let them all go home after the first contact party. He would take Dash back to the Infinity that night along with the rest of the mane six. But for now he would nap.

Ponyville town center

August 6th 2728

7:00 PM

Dash, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, Rarity, Aqua team, Church, and Donut were waiting for the pelican to land. The pelican was about 2 feet from the ground when the landing gears kicked in. The rear doors opened and they entered the Pelican.

"Interesting." Twilight said. "How does this vehicle fly?"

"It runs on a small nuclear reactor that powers the thrusters and air jets." Hicks explained.

"How fast does it fly?" Dash asked.

"Not as fast as you." Fernando said.

Dash smirked a bit.

The Pelican pulled back into the hanger of the Infinity.

"Admiral Hicks to the bridge!" Morgan said over the intercom.

It sounded urgent.

"Sorry Dashie I'll have to give you that tour later."

"It's ok."

UNSC Infinity bridge

"What's going on?" Hicks asked.

"This." Morgan replied.

On the view screen was a diagram of a large fleet gathering in the Pegasi Delta system.

"What is it?"

"A fleet of a 100 united rebels. They call themselves the United Empire of Planets."

"Whose the emperor."

"Not emperor empress."

A video of Samborn appeared on screen.

"We are the United Empire of Planets. The Infinity is to vacate the Equi sector immediately or you will be destroyed."

"We got this message about an hour ago. The fleet will be battle ready by tomorrow and will be here."

"She's alive!?"

"Yes and now she's got a fleet."

"What does she want with equestria?"

"Probably slaves or using unicorns to power there shields."

"Well then we stand our ground; alert Celestia, prepare Midnight squad and Sierra. We'll see if equestria will help us fight for them. Prep the freelancers as well."

"Yes sir!" Morgan said.

Now we get some action!