PONYVILLE TOWN HALL    

5/5

9:30AM

Aaron, AJ, and Zeke left the Express for Ponyville earlier in the morning to meet with the mayor of Ponyville as promised. Since the SPARTANs were once again relieved of duty for a bit, they could wear their light military clothes. They were currently waiting outside the doors of the Town Hall to be let in by one of the mayor’s associates.

“I wonder why the mayor is so curious about what you found on the Covenant tactical network?” AJ asked Aaron.

“I really have no idea,” Aaron replied, shrugging. “But she does have the authoritative rights to know what’s going on, just like the princesses.”

“What concerns me is that she may not be the most trusting,” Zeke stated.

Both Aaron and AJ turned to him, raising a brow.

“What do you mean by that, Fredrickson?” AJ asked.

“Well you know how most mayors are. They think their ideas for what’s best for their town and its citizens will save them; and their reputation. But it turns out it will lead to disaster instead,” Zeke explained.

Aaron and AJ both looked at each other, then focused back on to Zeke with uncertain stares.

“What?” Zeke asked.

“I think you’re being a little stereotypical if you ask me,” Aaron finally said.

“Yeah man,” AJ added. “We can’t make false assumptions about someone we haven’t even met yet. Plus, are you forgetting that it was her consentment that allowed UNSC personnel like us to stroll around Ponyville to study its traditions, and look after its inhabitants?”

“No. I haven’t forgot at all,” Zeke excused.

“Then lets not make up anymore accusations, alright?”

“Alright, fine. Sorry for opening my big mouth,” Zeke backed, not wanting to sound anymore stupid then he already made himself seem.

A few moments later, a young mare with a light tan coat, orange eyes, and a dark brown mane and tail tied up in a bun came out of the main doorway to greet Aaron and his friends.

“The mayor will be seeing you now. Please follow me,” she said in a matter-of-official tone.

The three Spartans just nodded, and followed the mare in. She had to be one of the mayor’s associates just by the way she looked, and the way she addressed them.

While they followed the associate, the Spartans glanced around at the decorative interior, which consisted of stone pillars, light white linoleum floors, old time looking but beautifully renewed furniture, and portraits of previous mayors.

After a brief moment of strolling and sight-seeing, the door to the mayor’s office was reached. Unlike most of the doors in the building, these were double in frame, and size. They were also the double-door model as well, and decorated with grand wood engravings of plants and ponies.

The mayor’s associate placed both her hooves on the door, and pushed them open to reveal Mayor Mare, ready at her desk with her forehooves clasped in front of her, and giving the Spartans not a stern look, but a very expectant one.

“Hello, gentlemen. I’m glad that Princess Twilight has notified you of my request,”  she said.

“Pleasure to be here, ma’am,” Aaron said respectfully. “You wish to know what we’ve found in the Covenant citadel. Correct?”

“Very,” Mayor Mare replied, nodding. “I wish to find out if you have found any relevant information on what this, Covenant intends on doing with our world. Princess Twilight has informed me of a possible evacuation, but I have no idea how the towns ponies are going to react to this. We can’t have a full blown panic, if you know what I mean?”

“We all do, ma’am; but as far as we know, the Covenant have been excellent at keeping below our radars lately, until now that is. It was at the citadel that we’ve found that they have been setting up camps in both an ancient castle that resides deep within the Everfree forest, and on the moon where they have somehow picked up on our tactical info. We have also just learned from a captured Elite Zealot that we interrogated yesterday, that the shipmaster of the invading fleet is interested in the powers of the alicorn princesses.”

The mayor's eyes widened.

“You mean that’s the main reason they're here? To capture, and possibly harm our most respected monarchs?”

“We don’t know about harm, since they want to protect any valuable assets they acquire, or wish to acquire,” AJ explained. “They only harm or kill those that stand in their way of that goal; which is us humans of course.”

The mayor then seemed to settle down a bit, but still expressed concern.

“I see,” she said. “Have you discovered where this shipmaster is currently residing? Surely if you found him, then maybe you could take him down and force these aliens off our planet.”

“We intend on doing that,” Aaron said. “But not before we bleed information from him about Jul ‘Mdama’s whereabouts.”

“Who’s he?” the mayor asked, raising a brow.

“The leading hinge-head of all the Covenant Remnant fleets,” Zeke said. “He’s a threat to all humanity, and with that traitor Halsey; who knows what he can do. Hell, it might partially explain how this fleet got the jump on us like this.”

“As for finding the shipmaster and his carrier, we’re currently on that, but scouting Broadswords have not yet confirmed a sighting of the ship,” Aaron explained. “We have to assume it’s well cloaked, or holding a distant position from ours.”

“What about the camps then?” the mayor asked. “Haven’t any of your soldiers checked them out yet?”

“The captain did send out a couple of small nimbled recon parties to do so,” AJ confirmed. “We haven’t received any reports yet, though.”

“Can you check?”

“Yes, ma’am,” AJ replied, and activated his COMM watch.

“Pony Express. This is Harrison. What’s the news on the reconnaissance of the forest castle, and the planet’s moon?”

“Harrison. This is Kenwood. I read you. I was going to just report to you now that both recon parties have spotted multiple Covenant ships vacating the area and retreating to the North, leaving both areas empty and deserted. I have already issued all available units to give chase and engage.”

“Understood, sir. Thanks for the update. We’ll be with you as soon as we can. Harrison out.”

He then faced Aaron and Zeke.

“We should get back to the corvette, the Covenant are on the move with unknown intentions.”

“Okay,” Aaron said nodding. He then faced the mayor. “Sorry, ma’am, but we have to cut our meeting with you short. We’re sorry for the inconvenience.”

“It’s perfectly alright, sir. As long as they’re moving away from my town, I’m fine with whatever you need to do,” the mayor replied, looking even more relieved.

Receiving their light, the Spartans just nodded, and walked out of the office in unison. A possible new mission was awaiting them once they got back on to the Express. What it is? Who knows what.

However, they already may be too late for what was to come.

SAVIOR’S LIGHT

SOMEWHERE HIGH ABOVE THE SKIES OVER THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE

“So, this is the empire one of your scouts mentioned?” Dzen asked Chrysalis while admiring the elegant and flat landscape pattern that could be seen from orbit.

“Yes it is,” Chrysalis replied smirking. “Looks like it has changed quite a bit since Sombra ruled it all those years ago. I preferred it when it was ominous and full of despair. Now it’s bright enough to burn out anyone’s eyes.”

“What are we looking for here exactly?” Dzen asked, suspiciously. “You mentioned to me that you wished to pick-up something while we are here to provide food for you, and your remaining changelings. You told me it was love. Who or what can give your species such a thing?”

“Why, the Princess of Love herself,” Chrysalis replied. “Feel free to annihilate any foe that stands in your way, just make sure you save some ponies for extra snacks; or use them as laborers, I don’t know. The main thing is to get Cadance in one piece, nothing more than that.”

Dzen hesitated for a quick moment to think before turning to one of his pilots.

“Initiate our descent into atmosphere, and ready all units on board for an assault. The princess is to be left unharmed. Understood?”

“Understood, shipmaster,” the pilot said and began a descending course into atmosphere.