Chapter 4: Homecoming
UNSC Infinity en route to Equestria
October 2nd 2728

"You mean we're going home?" Dash asked Hicks.

"That's right. We'll be in orbit in about 10 minutes." He replied.

"Can we have a homecoming party?" Pinkie asked.

"No the Pure of Heart is 2 hours away and the odds are that they're coming here to finish what Samborn started."

"We'll be ready this time." AJ said.

"Yes we will. Get in your armor girls there will be a battle on home turf."

"Admiral Hicks to the bridge." The voice of Athena boomed over the speakers.

"I gotta get to the bridge; get in your armor."

Hicks exited the girl's room and went into the nearest bridge access lift. The ride up was speedy. Of course it was a TURBO-lift. The door slid open and Hicks stepped onto the bridge.

"We've arrived." Athena said.

On the view screen was the luscious world of Equestria. A single supercontinent is what dominated the planet surrounded by sparkling blue Ocean. All of the scars left by Samborn were gone. They're survivors and it only took a month to rebuild an entire planet.

"I wonder if this is what Earth looked like back in the early years." Elizabeth asked.

"I dunno maybe." Hicks replied. "Contact Celestia, tell her that an unknown ship is inbound and that there may be ground fighting."

"She's replied: She says to send down Twilight and her friends. She's prepared an Arial strike force in the past month. They'll be supporting the Celestial's when the fighting begins."

"Good, O'Brian get us directly over Canterlot and launch automatic defense satellites."

"Yes sir!" O'Brian replied.

"Sir Contact slipping in." Shar de Yeh reported.

"What? We should have had at least two hours!"

"Detecting RSN signature. It's the UNSC Shining Armor."

"We're getting a signal from her." Elizabeth said. "She's here to assist in defending Equestria. She says that a small fleet has formed and is being led by the Pure of Heart."

"I heard from ONI that negotiations with the rebels had begun to break down but not like this. We've got 3 fleets heading to this position." Shar said. "If we lose here this will escalate to a complete civil war."

On the view screen a ship exited RSN slipspace. It was an Infinity -IV class. On the side
painted in Black letters across the grey hull was the words Shining Armor.

"I wasn't aware that there were any other Infinity-IVs in service." Jeff said.

"Got out of dry-dock an hour after we did." Hicks explained. "We're basically invincible now."

"Not quite." O'Brian said. "The first fleet is comprised of the Pure of Heart which is an Infinity-III and an old Infinity-I called For the love of Pete. The rest are destroyers and cruisers. About 50 ships. Fleet 2 is being led by an Infinity-II the Ghost of Reach and also contains another Infinity-III the Tyrant. The rest of the fleet is comprised of Destroyers and Frigates about another 50 ships. Fleet 3 is the worst. A modified Infinity-III the Red Mist and another refitted Infinity-III that has been upgraded to support Theta shields and has Twin MAC and PAC guns. The rest of the fleet is comprised of Corvettes and Destroyers. In all about a 150 ships. If we win the rebels will not have a fleet and there cause will die. If they win... Civil war."

"We can't let the UNSC to fall into civil war. We will crush them 1 fleet at a time." Hicks said.

"The girls are requesting use of a pelican." Jeff said.

"Let them use it. They're gonna need some ground defense because those corvettes will drop an invasion force. Scans have shown large amounts of Titanium ore are buried within that planet. If they win they'll strip mine the whole planet and build a huge fleet."

"Alright confirmed Pelican 748 ready for dust off." Jeff said.

(Halo theme (halo wars version) - Martin O'Donnell)

Pelicans went to and fro from the Infinity carrying mounted guns and warthogs. Pelican 748 landed in Canterlot at 3000. As an added bonus the UNSC had a full supply of battle saddles for the defense.

"Enemy fleet ETA now." Athena said.

On the view screen the space behind the Shining armor shimmered and erupted in multi-
colored light. An Infinity-III materialized from the portal along with an Infinity-I.

"There here. Send communications."

"No response."

"They're charging weapons!" O'Brian yelled.

Plasma lashed from the Pure of Heart and struck the Infinity's shields. The shields
shimmered blue with ripples. The Infinity retaliated with plasma cannons that cut through the For the Love of Pete's shields and hull.

The For the Love Of Pete's shields collapsed in red plasma. The hull boiled and cracked under the heat.

"Get another volley ready."

"Aye sir!"

The Infinity dished out some more plasma and it enveloped the bridge in super heated
energy; boiling the bridge into twisted white hot metal. The ship then sped towards the
Infinity.

"They're at ramming speeds!"

The For the Love of Pete smashed into the Infinity. The shields rippled under the pressure of the impact and glowed orange. At this range all weapons could be killing blows. The Infinity fired it's PAC gun. The small in comparison Infinity-I shattered into ionized and melted metal alloys.

"The Pure of Heart is firing another round!" Athena yelled. "Sir they are launching dropships."

"Alert Celestia. They're about to have company."