By the time Stellar arrived back aboard her creation herself, it was a hive of activity. All the equipment she'd sent was being installed as best the others could do. The plumbing was nearly complete, only certain things needed doing, but they were having trouble with the electrics still.

Stellar picked out five unicorns. "Come here." She said. And when they were close, she touched her horn to theirs, one at a time, and downloaded the knowledge of an electrical engineer directly into their minds. It set them reeling for a minute or two after she'd finished, but then they grinned and returned to work with a will.

Stellar checked on the plumbing next and made several special collars for the main drains from the restrooms. Once she explained to the plumbers installing the drains what they were for, they understood and put them in place.

She found Coriander Cumin organising the installation of the kitchen appliances and benchtops where he wanted them in the Fourth Deck kitchen. "Ah, Princess!" Coriander greeted her with a deep bow.

"I take it all is satisfactory, Coriander?" Stellar asked him.

"The installation is going apace." He told her. "The bow kitchen on the Second Deck is merely awaiting power to be put to it, once they complete the wiring. But another group have taken over the aft kitchen on that level." Coriander told Stellar. "They said they will be cooking there themselves, making the types of foods they were familiar with." He informed Stellar as they walked along.

"Hmm..." Stellar thought on that. "That might not be quite a bad idea... as long as they know what they're doing." She told Coriander. "I'll go and see them. I shall tell them that YOU are the Managing Director of the catering on-board this cloudship, but that they can run their kitchen themselves as long as they pass your standards of service and hygeine." Stellar stated. "Is that okay?"

Coriander smiled. "It shall do." He replied. "And thank you, Princess."

"You're welcome, Coriander." Stellar replied.

Stellar looked at the work others were doing around her as she walked up to and along the Second Deck to the rearward kitchen area. She looked in, to see about fifteen teenage and near-adult ponies working to help install the kitchen gear Stellar had brought them, as well as boxes of cooking supplies and serving supplies. They all seemed eager to get this kitchen done, she saw as she watched them work. "Okay! Who's in charge of this mess?" Stellar asked with a smile on her face as she stood in the doorway.

A young unicorn stallion, about eighteen, Stellar guessed, walked up to her. "And who's asking?" He asked, until Stellar spread her wings. Then his eyes opened wide, and everypony in the area dropped their heads almost to the floor.

"Thank you, you may rise." Stellar said to them all. "And you are?" Stellar asked the older teenager.

"Um, I think my name's Flapjack." He replied, gesturing to his cutie-mark. "Or, that's what I remember it as being."

Stellar blinked. "Flapjack?" She asked. "It IS you!" And she gave him a hug.

"Wha...?" Flapjack was startled as a princess hugged him.

Stellar grinned at him. "Yes, I know you, colt. Your father's coffee shop was a favorite place for a morning brew or afternoon rest on a busy day." She reminded Flapjack. "And I know where some of your family is, too." She told him.

"You do?" He asked, elated.

Stellar nodded. "Your sister is currently staying on an outback station in Australia, with her new boyfriend." She informed Flapjack.

"Peachy..." Flapjack looked so happy, as happy memories funnelled back into his mind. Then he asked "Boyfriend?"

Stellar nodded, looking happy. "Yes. She and Azure hit it off as she was changing, and they've decided to be a couple." She told Flapjack. "So, what are you Ponies making here?" She asked.

"Well..." Flapjack said, sounding reticent to say anything, but at Stellar's look, he opened up. "A lot of us have been missing things we used to have to eat on Equestria." He said. "A lot of the Ponies here have had experience working in fast-food eateries, both on Earth and Equestria. So we're putting a place together where we can have food like hayburgers and hay-fries again, as well as the other things we like."

"Yeah, kinda like a McHays." One of the others said.

"But they needed somepony to help run it. And since I've had experience helping Peach run the restaurant back in Dad's place, I said I'd help them out... until somepony better came along." Flapjack explained.

Stellar nodded, impressed. "Okay then. This place is yours to run." She agreed. "But Coriander is the Managing Director of Catering and Supply on this cloudship, so anything you need goes through him." Stellar told them. "And your kitchen has to meet his standards before you start cooking anything more complicated than a s'more. Got it?" She asked.

"Got it!" Shouted all the ponies there.

"Right then, I'll leave you to it. One of the electrician unicorns should be along later to check out your wiring and hook you up." She told Flapjack.

"Cool." Flapjack said with a grin.

"Be good and I'll see you around. I like a good hayburger myself occasionally." Stellar revealed as she headed back out.

It was close to five in the evening local time, when they announced the water tanks were full and the showers in all the amenities blocks were working. There was a mass run for the facilities, but the ones who'd been doing all the work got first shot. Stellar stood inside the forward shower block on Deck Three, enjoying the sensations as the near-hot water cascaded over her body. All around her, mares, fillies and foals also enjoyed the new facilities. Then Dandelion Dreams moved to Stellar, a long-handled brush in one wing. “Scrub your back, Stellar?” She asked.

“Oh please! If you would be so kind.” Stellar pleaded. And soon the alicorn and the pegasus were scrubbing each other’s backs and flanks, like so many others were doing. Stellar made sure she did a thorough job on Dandy’s flanks and rump, as she felt her friend doing the same. Once they were clean, a stand-alone doorway in the adjoining open space made all the water in their fur just drain away as they passed through it, leaving them dry and ready for grooming and preening. Stellar let Dandy groom and preen her first, as they stood in the open space. Dandy then asked “Where does all the water go?”

“I rigged the system with purification spells permanently set on collars on the main drainpipes.” Stellar told Dandy. “The water passes through the field, then gets returned to the main tanks. It’s probably purer going back in than it came out of the clouds to start with.”

“Nice. That way, we won’t use up a huge amount of water every day.” Dandy replied, impressed.

Stellar smiled as she started preening her wings. “I’m trying to make the ship as enviromentally-friendly as I can.” She told Dandy. “And as cost-effective as well. Our biggest bill is and always will be food, and if that’s the case, then that’s a good thing.” She said. “As long as our passengers realise this isn’t a 'luxury-liner-in-the-sky' type-of ship, then they should realise how good they have it here.”

Dandy nodded. “So, what’s left to do for tomorrow?” She asked.

“Minor things, mostly.” Stellar answered. “A lot of the more complex internal fittings, like the kitchens and the medical center on Deck Three are going to be completed tomorrow morning, and maybe we'll be ready to get underway.” Stellar said. “I am hoping we don’t have to stay another full day out here. Sooner or later, someone is going to get a radar return from us, and they’ll send someone out to investigate. I’d rather us be under way before that happens, then there won’t be any ambiguity as to what we are. Being reported as an airship is far better than being reported as a giant UFO.” Stellar grinned as Dandy chuckled. “Damn.” Stellar said as she carefully pulled out one of her minor Primaries which had came loose. “I hate losing flight feathers.”

“I know. It imbalances your flight characteristics.” Dandy agreed. “And with your-size wings...”

“Yeah. Celestia has it even worse. But she’s had thousands of years to learn to compensate.” Stellar revealed. “Have you ever tried being a unicorn?” Stellar asked Dandy.

Dandy nodded. “Yeah. My magic’s nowhere near the standard of unicorns my age, but Mom taught me a lot about how to focus the tiny little amount of magic I can channel as a unicorn. I can do very basic levitation and a few other tricks, but that's about it, and that's after a LOT of practise.” Dandy explained. "It proved a real bonding lesson for us as well, with her teaching me the basics.”

Stellar smiled widely “I’m glad you get along so well with your parents.” She said. “Makes me think that there’s hope for mine yet.”

“You don’t get along?” Stellar asked.

“Mostly my mother.” Stellar revealed. “Dad and I get along pretty well, but Mother’s been a thorn in my side for years.” She said with a sad sigh. “Maybe this experience might mellow her a lot.”

Dandy nodded. “I can’t say I know what you’re going through, but I can sympathise.” She replied.

“Thanks, Dandy.” Stellar said back, openly honest. “Hopefully, I can find your father within my next few runs over the planet.” She added as she saw Lavender come in with Sky Fern beside her.

“Thanks, Stellar. You’re a godsend for all Ponies.” Dandy said honestly. The pair moved out as soon as they were done, as the lines for the nine working shower blocks were still long ones.

Stellar smiled. “Dandy, if you and your mother could be persuaded and supplied with enough resources and flowers... could you make a really huge wreath for me?”

“Uh, sure.” Dandy answered. “What did you have in mind?”

“Oh, just a fitting tribute for when we cross the coast eventually.” Stellar said as they walked to a table to wait for Lavender Dreams...

Later, Stellar spent some time creating a number of big arrays for the defense of the cloudship. Two different ones were inside the skin of the ship, duplicated around the two main mana crystals that would help power them, and two outside them, at either end of the ship. They would power the four higher phases of the ship's defense systems: Code Two to Code Five. Code One was in-built into the skin of the ship already, as she had it deploy. Each of them would give greater protection to the structure of the cloudship as well as protect those who travelled in her.

Stellar knew these arrays well. They were all proven, just in different places and for different reasons. Again, she didn't think anypony had ever brought the arrays and their effects together on one vessel before, but maybe there'd never been a need to before now. In the end, though, it meant the cloudship would be far better protected than any other airship had been, and that she would hopefully survive against whatever could be thrown at her.

Stellar was under no illusions. She knew Discord would react eventually to the huge product of Equestrian magic. It would call to him like a beacon, as she hoped it also would to all the Ponies who saw it. She hoped it would eventually become a beacon of Hope itself, that said 'We are here. Come to us, and we will help you.' Stellar smiled as she watched the arrays slowly revolve, not fully powered-up as yet, but complete. They would be deployed by a lever on either bridge, or she could instantly activate any or all of them if she felt the need was imminent.

Having completed them, she powered-down the arrays to standby and headed in again, landing on the Top Flight Deck and walking along, taking the salutes from the pegasi as she passed them, before heading down the bow ramp.

That night, as most of the ship-load of Ponies slept, Stellar was lying on the Top Flight Deck, just relaxing in the cool of the night. The wind had died off an hour before, making the air still and not draining of all body-heat, unlike the previous nights. Thunderlane walked out to where Stellar was lying and lay down beside her. “Penny for your thoughts?” He asked, before Stellar nuzzled him close.

“Just... enjoying myself.” Stellar answered. “I know, I know,” She said at Thunderlane’s shocked look, “But I have the time now. I’m clean; everypony’s safe, everypony’s warm and sheltered; they’re clean, fed and content.” She sighed happily. “And their contentment makes me feel content, too.”

Thunderlane chuckled. “So, this ‘princess effect’ I’ve heard about really works?”

“Mmm-hmm.” Stellar confirmed as she stretched, then rolled her head onto Thunderlane’s back. “I’ve never felt the full effect, because lots of ponies don’t think of me like the other princesses. Twilight’s felt it a lot more than I have, but she is the one they call the Ponies’ Princess. I guess here they’d call her the Peoples' Princess, like they did with Diana.” She stretched again, arcing her back and using Thunderlane as a prop, as he chuckled. “But out here, I’m the only princess they think about. All their feelings flow into me, rather than the other princesses. So I’m feeling it a lot more, even if there aren’t millions of Ponies out there giving their warm emotions and love to me.” She smiled at Thunderlane.

“Can you feel mine?” Thunderlane asked as he looked around at Stellar.

“I’m lying on you, Beloved. Let’s just say, it’s so strong you’re like an electric blanket for my Heart.” Stellar replied. She reached up her head and gave Thunderlane a long, deep kiss. “You will never have to ask me if I know how much you love me, Thunder. I will always feel your heart, no matter where you go.” She told him.

Thunderlane nuzzled Stellar tenderly. “My love is yours, Beloved. Now and forever.” He said to her in his gentle voice, the one he kept for her.

“Then once we find enough Ponies, maybe we can be wed?” Stellar asked.

Thunderlane blinked. “What? You want me, a second-rate Wonderbolt-weather-pony, to be your...?” He then stopped. “What would I be? A Prince, like Shining Armor?”

“Technically, a Prince-consort.” Stellar informed him. “Because, unlike Cadance, I don’t rule a kingdom of my own. Nor do I have any wish to, unless it becomes absolutely necessary.” She added. “But yes, I want you for my Prince.” Stellar confirmed.

Thunderlane chuckled. “Royalty is confusingly complicated.” He commented before kissing Stellar again. “But yes. If you want me, I am yours.” He agreed.

“And I am yours.” Stellar replied in the traditional vow of engagement. She rolled off Thunderlane and moved to beside him, putting a huge wing over his back. Then Stellar chuckled. “This is going to be a game-changer. Me, getting married before Twilight? I bet Mother never predicted that would happen.”

Thunderlane laughed out-loud at that. “Yes! My mother, too, would probably not have predicted I’d ever get married, let alone to a princess!”

They both laughed and snuggled until Rumble found them. “So here you are!” he said, a number of sets of hoofs trotting with his, as Stellar and Thunderlane found themselves surrounded by twelve young pegasi, from twelve to seven years old. “Whatcha been doing?” They all asked.

Thunderlane barely kept himself from breaking out in laughter, as Stellar smiled at them. “Looking at the stars.” She said. “What have you lot been up to?” Stellar asked them.

“Training.” They all said. Rumble then added. “I’m hoping I can put a squad together, to help out while we’re here. Otherwise, it’s a bit boring.”

That’s a very good idea, Little Dude.” Thunderlane replied, actually impressed. “Once we get underway, if you like, I can help train you... at least in flight skills.”

“Cool!” The foals chorussed.

“Right. Now, to bed, my young Ponies. It’s going to be another big day tomorrow.” Stellar told them. They all looked a little sad, but followed Rumble down into the ship. “They’re all adapting so well.” She commented to Thunderlane.

“Yeah. It does seem the younger they are, the less conflict there is between their Pony side and their human side, as if it doesn’t matter to them.” Thunderlane commented back.

Stellar nodded as they rose as well. “Hopefully it’ll all come together eventually, before anypony has to return to Equestria.” Stellar said as they walked back to the ramps leading down and headed inside themselves.

The rest of the major construction began that morning, as unicorns sliced off curved sections of the huge crystal blocks Stellar had made overnight. They were carried to the open sides of the three middle decks and installed with Earth Pony strength, Pegasus guidance and Unicorn power, locking them into place in the hull material, to prevent non-pegasi from falling out. Even the two open decks on Levels One and Five got half-height crystal railings and panels, that could close up completely if circumstances required the decks to be sealed. The Top Flight Deck received similar rails and panels that could be lowered to allow for pegasi landings, and raised again to allow access by the other ponies. The Bridges and the few other rooms on the hull also got their windows that day. The other Ponies made the most of the safety arrangements, adults taking fillies and colts up to the previously off-limits Top Flight Deck, to look about at the sky above them and the water below them.

Six more amenities blocks went in on the pegasi decks, as materials become available for them, so they no longer had to crowd out the main decks' blocks. Stellar was heavily involved with assembling and testing the eight huge mana ring-fans that would propel the Cloudship through the sky. She watched as each fan was swivelled around on its main axis through a full three-sixty degrees in both directions, as she kept a close eye on the mana crystal-rings that powered the movement. She sighed happily when each engine was approved and proved it was ready for operation. They briefly fired up each engine as well, making sure it started and stopped predictably and easily.

When she reached the Landing Bridge, where the engines had been controlled from for the tests, Stellar looked at Salient Weather and grinned. "It looks like I really have delivered you a working ship, Captain Weather." Stellar told him, using his rank for the first time.

"And for that I and every Pony aboard thanks you, Commander Sparkle." They both laughed together, then Salient said "I hope I'm not putting you out by out-ranking you, Princess." He commented hopefully.

"No, not at all." Stellar said. "There are times when I shall have to be the Princess... but there are times when I can do my duty under your command and be the Commander." She replied. "And then there's times I can have fun and be the Owner of this incredible structure of the air!" She giggled happily.

"And more's the fun to you then, Stellar Sparkle." Salient said. Then they saw a lot of shadows on the clouds that were butted up against the hull, just under Deck Four. "All right, everypony. Skeleton crew to the Flight Bridge. Everypony else, to Deck Four and outside, please." Salient's voice carried through the ship's intercom from one bridge to the other. Then he switched it to general broadcasting throughout the ship. "Attention, all hands, humans and Ponies. If you will make your way to Deck Four and outside onto the cloud mass, there is going to be a short ceremony, marking our readiness to leave. There will be unicorns with the cloud-walking spell there at the exit, ready to cast it on anypony who thinks they need it... so you might as well all get it done. No need to make more work for the pegasi today." He told everypony there. After hanging up the mike, Salient looked at Stellar. "Shall we, Princess?" He asked.

"Of course, Captain." Stellar replied, and they walked out of the bridge together. Once out on the clouds, Stellar joined Thunderlane and the rest of the pegasi as they hovered off the nose of the huge cloudship, as most of the other Ponies stood on clouds where they could see what was going on. To Stellar’s surprise, Dandelion Dreams came out, holding a bottle of champagne. Stellar frowned. She’d spent some time the night before using one of her special daggers to score the bottle’s outside to make it more fragile... then she realised what Dandy was about to do.

Looking at Captain Weather, who was cloud-sitting with a lot of other ponies and the humans, who were standing amongst them, Stellar saw Salient Weather just nod his head and Thunderlane called to his teams. On the bow of the cloudship, clouds were shifted aside, showing a name written on the hull under the cloudship’s call letters. Stellar’s eyes misted up with happy tears as she saw what they’d named her creation, giving her a very Pony name for an airship. Dandy’s voice soared out above the crowd as the headset she was wearing sounded her voice out the PA system...

“I name thee the Cloudship Stellar Wind. May Celestia and any other gods bless and protect those who soar in you!” And she smashed the bottle against the nose of the cloudship, to roars and cheers of approval from the ponies.

Stellar hugged Thunderlane and kissed him hard. “You wonderful bastard, you!” She told him. “You kept this from me!”

“Of course! You have to have good surprises sometimes, Beloved.” Thunderlane pointed out as Rumble came up beside her and hugged her, too. After a lot of hugs and cheers, the pegasi started ushering the Ponies across the clouds and onto the Stellar Wind through the opened sides of the fourth deck. Once they were all back inside, Stellar followed Salient Weather through the cloudship to the Flight Bridge, as Thunderlane headed for the Top Flight Deck.

As she stood on the Flight Bridge of the Stellar Wind, Stellar watched as Captain Weather gave orders to the flight crew, while she kept a magic eye on everything. “Very well. Engines, power up to ten percent, please.” He ordered.

“Aye, Captain.” The pony at the eight throttles replied and pushed the controls away from him. There was no sound, save for what sounded like a gentle breeze; but soon the airspeed indicators were showing ten knots and the GPS screen was showing them slowly moving along. Cheers came up from the crew as they finally got underway.

Captain Weather gave Stellar a smile. “So far, so good.” He replied.

Stellar nodded. “Yes. Let’s take her up a notch, then. Try going to half-speed, Captain.” She suggested.

“Very well, Princess.” Salient Weather replied, and ordered. “Engines, half-speed.”

“Aye, Captain!” Was the reply, and again, there seemed very little change, but the clouds were now moving by them quicker than before... and then the Stellar Wind broke out of the cloudbank she’d been built in, the sun shining over her golden skin and making her look truly beautiful.

Pegasi soared and raced past her, checking her over, and Thunderlane stood on the Top Flight Deck, keeping track of everypony out there with his tablet computer and the list of flyers and their cutie-marks to guide him. The short-range UHF headsets Stellar had purchased were doing their job well, helping him to guide them along. On the three main decks, the earth ponies and unicorns watched as they moved out of the clouds and headed for America. There were cheers and celebrations as they moved along. The humans were smiling as well as they watched with the Ponies. The Major turned to the Lieutenant and grinned widely, her face also covered with a grin.

Eventually, Stellar left the bridge to Captain Weather and headed back in amongst the Ponies there. They swarmed her, their good feelings radiating out and entering her as she felt ‘the Princess Effect’ in full swing. It made her feel so good, nothing could spoil this moment for her, as they cruised along at ten thousand feet over the Atlantic. She made her way to the Fifth Deck and looked out and down at the four huge engine-housings on the port side. The mana crystals were glowing beautifully, pulling in mana from the air to power them and causing a rush of air through the housings, shoving the Stellar Wind along at a really good pace. She scanned them all and found they were working as she’d hoped. A lot of tension was released from Stellar in that moment, as she finally concluded that all her work was working as it should. “Take that, Velvet, Hannah.” She said to absent figures of her mothers. “I have built a marvel out of magic and second-hand parts, and it works.” Then she grinned. “IT WORKS!” She yelled out in the Royal Canterlot Voice, to cheers from any nearby pegasi within earshot. Stellar waved to them, then headed back up inside. Her mood was soaring as high as her cloudship was.

It was about ten in the morning that the main radar system for New York picked up a massive return off the coast. The controllers watched it as it moved slowly through the sky towards them at about ten thousand feet.

“Do we have a speed for it?” The Head Controller asked.

“It’s moving at about fifty knots.” One of the others called out.

“Fifty knots?” The Head Controller asked. “It can’t be a cloud formation, then. That’s almost ludicrously fast for one like that.”

“And there’s no wind that fast up that high at the moment, Sir.” One of the weathermen added.

“Do we have an estimation on it’s size yet?” The Head Controller asked.

“It’s approximately a kilometre long, Sir.” The one that called out its speed said.

The Head Controller frowned. “Way too big for an aircraft.” He said. “Do we have anything out that way that can eyeball it?” He asked. “Call the local ANG or Coast Guard base. See if they can send something up to have a look at it.” He told one of the other controllers. “How far is it off the coast?”

“About a hundred miles, Sir.” The first controller answered.

“How the hell did something that size get this close without us seeing it?” The Head Controller asked. “Do we have anything in the air close to it?” He asked again.

“There’s a flight off the coast heading up from Florida.” Another controller said. “They might get close enough to eyeball it.”

“Tell them to watch for it and report back after they pass it’s position.” The Head Controller said as he was handed a phone. “Hello?” He asked.

“This is Captain Justin of the USCG West New York. Am I talking to the head controller of the New York approach tower?”

“Yes, Captain, you are.” He affirmed. “Do you have anything up in the air close to these co-ordinates?” He asked, and read them out.

“I’ve got an S&R Poseidon doing a training run off the coast in that area. Why?” Justin asked.

“We’ve got a massive shape on the radar. It’s about a kilometre long and moving towards the coast at fifty knots.” The controller explained. “Could they do a run near that spot and see if they can eyeball it?” He asked. “It’s cruising at about ten thousand feet.”

Justin was a little wary of the request. But he knew it had to be more than just a cloud, or they wouldn’t have called him. “Very well. Tell me again its course and speed and I’ll have them divert.”

“Thank you, Captain.” The controller said. “It’s not going to cross over New York, it appears to be tracking for Jersey.. um.. towards Lakehurst, to be precise.”

“JB-MDL Lakehurst?” Justin asked, with a funny feeling in his mind...

“Yes, almost directly for Lakehurst. Its height is ten thousand, its speed is fifty knots.” The controller added.

“Very well. I’ll call you back if it’s something.” Justin said before he hung up.

He had the flight called up for him. “This is Wyvern to West New York Control, what’s up?”

“Wyvern, this is Captain Justin, WNY-Control. I need you to end your run for the moment and check out a reading we’ve been tracking. A very large object is a hundred miles out and is cruising at flight level one-zero-zero and running towards the coast at fifty knots. It will cross the coast near JB-MDL Lakehurst. Eyeball and report, Over.”

“WNY-Control, this is Wyvern. Rojer that. Eyeball target approaching coast from one hundred klicks out, flight level one-zero-zero and running at fifty knots. Any idea what we’ll find? Will it be hard to spot? Over.”

“Wyvern, this is WNY-Control. You shouldn’t have any trouble spotting it, believe me.” Justin told them.

“WNY-Control, this is Wyvern. Rojer that, heading on new course now. Wyvern, Out.” And the signal cut off.

“Hopefully it’s nothing more than a radar ghost...” Justin said to himself, as he watched the object on their radar now...

The Poseidon search-and-rescue aircraft calmly soared along as it changed direction. "What's this about again? The co-pilot asked.

"New York radar picked up something coming in from the east. Apparently it's not identifying, so they want us to eyeball it." The pilot replied.

"Great. Some bogie out of Africa, probably." The co-pilot replied.

"Maybe. Hopefully its transponder's just gone down." The pilot agreed. "Anyway, we'll be within visual range in five minutes."

Stellar wandered back onto the bridge again and looked everything over. Then she frowned as she passed by one of the two helm panels. She checked out the section near Tactical, then put a hoof to the panel and switched on their transponder, which she'd brought with her from Australia.

Captain Weather watched this, then asked as Stellar moved to him. "What was that for, Commander?"

Stellar looked a bit sheepish. "I forgot to switch our transponder on before we moved out, Captain. Hopefully it's not going to cause us any problems." She told him.

"Ah well, we can always claim it's been giving us the occasional problem." Salient Weather said.

Stellar nodded. "Hopefully, if they have us on radar, they'll get in contact with us before too long."

"Hey, Boss!" The controller that had been monitoring the huge blip called out to his boss. "The unidentified's just switched on a transponder." He said as the Boss almost raced over.

"It has? Can we identify it?" He asked.

"It's not listed... but the coding... I'd swear it was an Australian beacon." He told the Boss.

"Australian?" The Boss asked. He looked over at one of the other operators. "Get on CASA's site and see if this code's listed." He ordered.

"Yes, Sir." She said back, and did so...

The Poseidon, Wyvern, was closing on the object. "Damn, this thing is huge, Commander..." The radar operator said. "It's a kilometre long if it's five feet."

"A kilometre?" The Commander asked. "Since when did they let ocean liners fly now?"

That got a chuckle from the crew. "Hey! I have a transponder beacon." One of the other operators said.

"Coding?" The Commander asked.

"Dunno... Sounds foreign. Where does Victor-Hotel-coding come from?"

"You idgit!" The co-pilot said. "That's an Australian callsign."

"Australian?" The Commander asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Almost all Australian aircraft registration numbers start with Victor-Hotel... at least the civilian ones do." The co-pilot explained.

"Okay, that's one part of the mystery solved." The Commander said. "Charley, listen in on the civilian bands. See if New York tries to call them." The Commander said.

"Rojer, Commander." Charley replied and switched his radio's bands.

"Hopefully, this is all going to be nothing more than a transponder failure." The Commander fervently hoped as they got closer.

The control tower at New York was a hive of activity as they watched the huge shape getting closer. "At least they're easy to avoid." One operator said to the Boss.

The Boss nodded. "Have we got that code yet?" He asked the other operator.

"Just got it, Sir." The operator replied. "It's Victor-Hotel-Papa-November-Yankee, listed as an... airship?"

"An airship?" Half the operators repeated.

"An airship?" The Boss repeated the line himself.

The controller monitoring the object chuckled. "That explains why it's so big and so slow." He commented.

"Do we have a listing for it?" The Boss asked.

"According to CASA's site, it's listed as the Airship Stellar Wind." She answered. "According to this... it was only listed two days ago."

"What?" The Boss asked. "How in hell can it be here if it was only listed two days ago?" He looked pissed off. "Get them on the horn. I want to speak to their captain."

"Rojer, Sir." The operator said. "Victor-Hotel-Papa-November-Yankee, this is New York Control. We have you on our screens. Please identify yourself and your country of origin." He called out on the frequency the transponder was issuing.

Wyvern was closing even more now. "Hey. See that?" The co-pilot pointed out.

The Commander looked, to see a bright golden object in the sky ahead of them. "That looks like the target." He said. "Damn, it even looks huge." He added.

"Hey, Commander." Charley then said. "New York's trying to hail them. Callsign they're using is Victor-Hotel-Papa-November-Yankee."

"Yep. That's Australian, all right." The Co-pilot said. "Do we go ahead with the fly-by?"

"Hell, yeah." The Commander grinned. "I want to see this thing up close... as close as we can get to something moving that slowly, at least."

"You got it, Commander." The co-pilot said, and he made to approach and cross-over behind the huge shape.

Stellar turned, as did Salient Weather, when their radio flared to life. "Victor-Hotel-Papa-November-Yankee, this is New York Control. We have you on our screens. Please identify yourself and your country of origin. Over." It called out.

Salient blinked as Stellar smiled. "Do you want to answer them, or shall I?" She asked.

"Better that I do it. I am the captain of this cloudship, after all." Salient reminded Stellar.

Stellar nodded and stepped back with a sweep of one wing. Salient bowed his head, then picked up a microphone. "New York Control, this is Victor-Hotel-Papa-November-Yankee. We are the airship Stellar Wind, out of Australia. We are at flight level One-Zero-Zero, heading inbound at fifty knots. Over."

The controller at New York tower looked at the Boss. "Well, the info matches up." He said, as he wrote out a slip for his board.

"Yeah... even if it is very wierd." He said. "An airship? How the hell could something that large cross the Atlantic without us seeing it before now?" He asked. "Where are they going?" He asked.

The Controller nodded. "Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. What is your flight path and destination? Over."

"New York Control, this is Stellar Wind. We are in-bound for Lakehurst Park for a short stop, then we will be continuing on for the West Coast. Over." Captain Weather's reply came from the speakers.

The Boss frowned. "That's a bit vague. Ask them why they're stopping at Lakehurst."

"Right." The controller replied. "Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. Why are you stopping at Lakehurst? Over."

Up on the Top Flight Deck, Thunderlane was monitoring the squads going through the flight maneuvers he'd assigned to them for the day, when his extremely-good vision caught a flash of light in the near distance. Fearing it was an aircraft approaching, he called out over his radio. "All squads, come in by the numbers, quick-time! We've got an aircraft approaching." He ordered.

"Rojer, Commander!" Came nearly eighty voices over his headset, and the squads turned and came in via the bow air-ramp and the stern air-ramp. Lights and markings on the skin of the Stellar Wind designated the landing 'air-ramps', and the pegasi landed easily, then left the deck as quickly as they could, making way for the others as the aircraft passed behind the cloudship and moved to circle around them.

Soon, only Thunderlane and his personal squad were on the deck, watching the circling aircraft with cautious alert...

"Holy..." The Commander of Wyvern said as they closed on the enormous golden shape. "It IS a fucking airship!" He said as they looked down its length, then passed behind it at just under five hundred metres.

"That's way bigger than even the Hindenburg was." The co-pilot said.

"Hey, Commander." Charley then piped up. "The traffic between them and New York says it's called the Stellar Wind." He said.

"Yep, there it is on the bow, under the callsign letters." The co-pilot pointed as they orbited the massive air-vessel.

"What are those things flying around it?" The Commander asked. Then his eyes opened wide, as their cameras took loads of pictures. "Are those winged horses?"

The co-pilot laughed. "Hell, yeah! Freakin' pegasi!" He replied. "Where the hell did they come from?" He asked.

"Commander, it looks like they're landing on top of it." One of the other crewmen at one of the few windows said.

As the Commander watched, he could see the flying figures lining up fore and aft on the top of the airship and taking turns to land on it, as if organised. "Damn... now I've seen everything." He said.

Saliant looked at Stellar who nodded. "Tell them the truth. It's not as if laying a wreath is illegal." She pointed out.

Salient nodded. "New York Control, this is Stellar Wind. We are proceeding to Lakehurst to lay a wreath at the Hindenburg Memorial. Over." He answered them.

The controller looked at his Boss. "Oh." Is all he said.

The Boss nodded. "Okay. Do we have any traffic in that area at their level or lower?" he called out to everyone.

All the controllers checked their screens. A chorus of "No", "Nope", "Nada" and other negatives came out.

"Okay then. Tell them they can head there. Ask them what their intentions are once they get there." The Boss told the operator.

"Rojer, Boss." The controller said. "Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. You are go for approach to Lakehurst. What is your flightplan for approach? Over."

Stellar had moved to the front of the bridge and was watching the large navy jet flying around them. She felt no hostile intent, but she activated the Stellar Wind's defenses to Code Two level, just in case. If they did not act with hostility, the navy aircraft would never learn about their defenses' existence.

Salient watched Stellar for the lull in the radio traffic, but returned his attention to the radio as it flared to life again. "Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. You are go for approach to Lakehurst. What is your flightplan for approach? Over." came through it.

"New York Control, this is Stellar Wind. At five kilometres out, we will descend from Flight Level One-Zero-Zero to Flight Level Five. We will be hovering over the Lakehurst site while the ceremony is taking place, then we will head inland on course ninety degrees west, returning to Flight Level One-Zero-Zero. Over." Salient detailed for them.

"Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. Rojer that flight plan. Watch out for wind gusts from the South-east as you approach the coast, weather over the Site is fine with wind below five knots. Welcome to the United States."

Then the Boss stepped up. "Stellar Wind, do you have facilities to land a helicopter on-board? Over." He asked.

"New York Control, this is Stellar Wind. We have landing facilities for a small helicopter. Over." came the reply.

"Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. Rojer that. Be prepared to receive a delegation from Customs within the hour. Over." The boss told them.

"New York Control, this is Stellar Wind. Rojer that. We'll lift to Flight Level Two-Zero after our stop and make preparations to welcome them. Over."

"Stellar Wind, this is New York Control. Rojer that. Continue on your current course and report back when you are ready to stand over Lakehurst. New York Control, Out." The Boss concluded. He looked at the controller. "Keep an eye on them, but don't stop them.. yet." He turned to one of the others there. "Get in contact with Customs, and tell them they'll need to send a small crew out to the Stellar Wind to assess their personnel and possible passengers." He turned back to the controller handling the airship.

The Controller smiled up at him. "At least we don't have to worry about them out-running anything we send up against them." He said.

The Boss chuckled. "That's for sure." He agreed, then went on to the next crisis...

"WNY-Control, this is Wyvern. We are orbiting the object, which appears to be a massive airship named Stellar Wind, call sign Victor-Hotel-Papa-November-Yankee. Over." The Commander reported back to the Base in West New York.

"Wyvern, this is WNY-Control. You've identified the object visually? Over."

"WNY-Control, that is an affirmative. We're orbiting this huge airship right off our port side. It's similar but different from any other pictures of airships I've ever seen." The Commander reported. "New York Control is talking with them as we speak. Over."

"Wyvern, this is WNY-Control. Rojer that. Return to your scheduled patrol route. WNY-Control, Out."

The Commander looked at the Lieutenant sitting beside him. "I guess we go back to the training flight."

The Lieutenant co-pilot nodded. "Yeah, I guess." He agreed. "Returning to scheduled route." He said as they came around the tail of the airship for the third time, then they peeled away and headed off again.

Salient looked at Stellar as he hung up the mike on the console before him. "I guess we're known, now." He told Stellar.

Stellar chuckled. "Or identified, at least." She agreed. "That went a lot smoother than I thought it would." She added.

"Indeed. I was assuming we'd be buzzed by F-15s or F-22s, armed to the teeth, with orders to veer away from the coast and heave to." Salient replied, smiling.

"Well, I'm going to go and tell our human friends that there is a possibility of them getting a ride home again, if they want to make a call or two." Stellar said.

"Thank you for your presence here, Commander." Salient replied, saluting Stellar, who saluted back and left. Once she was gone, the crewpony at Tactical switched the defenses back to Code One level again.

Stellar found the humans on Deck Five, looking over the translucent railings at the aircraft that was flying away, and at the approaching coastline. "Ladies and gentlemen." She said as she approached them.

They turned to look at her, the Air Force personnel saluting Stellar while Wellman just nodded. "Princess." The major replied as they watched her reach them.

"We've been contacted by New York Traffic Control." Stellar informed them. "Apparently Customs is sending a helicopter out. But as we have only a small space for it to land, I don't know if we could have one come in that could carry all of them and you at the same time. Once they're gone, Major, you could contact your nearest base and have them send a helicopter for you and your people. The ship could support a Blackhawk landing on the flight deck."

They all nodded. "We'll see to just that, Princess." The Major agreed.

"And what of me, Princess?" Wellman asked.

"For you, Agent Wellman, you may wait for them to take you with them, or we could bring you down with us to Lakehurst when we attend a ceremony there." Stellar suggested. "But it might be a bit embarrassing for you, being carried down by some pegasi." She suggested.

Wellman thought about it. "I'll wait to go with the Air Force personnel." He agreed.

Stellar nodded. "It would be easier for you." She said back to him. "We're not designed to have people riding us, unlike in the movies."

Wellman chuckled at that. "Well, true... those pegasi are the size of large horses, not ponies."

Stellar grinned. "And I am not that big, yet." She honestly said.

She turned to the group as Wellman joined them again and said "I hope your stay with us has been as pleasant as we could make it for you. I'm sorry this wasn't a pleasure cruise... maybe our next cloudship might be a little better planned and a lot more professionally executed. But for now, thank you for being patient with us and showing your best friendship towards us. I personally hope we might see many of you again, someday."

"And behalf of the United States Air Force, Princess, we all thank you for saving our lives back there, and bringing us home in a modicum of style." The Major said, to applause from the others, including Wellman.

"And I thank you for your kind words. If you will excuse me, we're getting ready for a small ceremony we're putting on at Lakehurst Park. I shall see you again before you leave." Stellar said and bowed her head to them, then she turned and left.

As she headed up through the airship, Stellar was met by Nurse Redheart, who was looking a little ragged, but very pleased. "How are you, Redheart? Enjoying the new medical center?" Stellar asked her.

"Oh, it's getting there." Redheart said. "I just wish I had some colleagues to share it with!" She sighed exasperatedly. "Now, I have my report for any rep the CDC sends to us. Every Pony on board has received their shots, so that's taken care of. Apart from a few minor bruises and sprains, I have only one major patient: She's a twelve-year-old unicorn filly who has the Cutie Pox."

Stellar was surprised. "All right, can we handle it?" She asked.

"I'm keeping her sedated for the moment. It stops the cutie-marks from driving her to do any number of things." Redheart told Stellar. "Lavender Dreams was kind enough to give us some flowers and plants, which Hay Changer was able to transmog into the plants we needed for the cure." Redheart told Stellar. "It's brewing now, and we have her in Quarantine until she takes it. I don't know if the Cutie Pox is catching here, but best not to trust it." She declared.

"A wise precaution." Stellar agreed. "Okay, I can leave that in your capable hoofs, then. Do we have a census of our numbers yet?" She asked.

"With everypony you've brought on-board since we started building our new home, at this time we have: two hundred and thirty pegasi, of which thirteen are under age." Redheart read off her tablet. "There's a hundred and seventy-two unicorns, fourteen of which are under age, with one due any day now. And two hundred and fifty-four earth ponies, sixteen of which are under age. Oh, and four thestrals, one of which is under age. They're all nightwings." Redheart reported. "And one alicorn." She grinned cheekily.

"That's six hundred and sixty-one Ponies." Stellar said. "And we seem to be just under a third of our capacity."

Redheart nodded. "I have to concur." She answered. "If I can find some more medical ponies, then the center could be really functional."

"I'll see what I can do." Stellar replied. She gave Redheart a nuzzle in thanks, then headed off further on.

All around her were Ponies resting, eating, being comfortable, even if they weren't actually doing much. She did find a group of unicorns tracing a big mural into one of the golden walls of the Stellar Wind on the Second Deck. The mural was of Canterlot, and Stellar provided a little correction now and again to little details in the mural as they progressed.

It was close to an hour later that she felt the Stellar Wind lower her nose and start descending. Stellar moved to the Top Flight Deck, where symbols and markings for a helicopter landing pad had been traced into the most forward part of the widest section of the foredeck, and tie-down points had been coaxed out of the skin. Stellar spent a small amount of time widening the flattened area to make a large square pad for helicopters to settle onto, with lights all around it. A group of unicorns led by Lavender Dreams and Dandelion Dreams were walking up the aft ramp with the huge wreath. Thunderlane was coming up the forward ramp with a group of his pegasi squads as well, ready to escort Stellar down. Stellar looked over the wreath, and nodded, smiling widely at Lavender and Dandy. "It's beautiful." She told them. "Just the message we want to say."

"Thank you, Stellar." Lavender replied before she and her team bowed to Stellar. Stellar had them set the wreath down before the pegasi squads, and the unicorns returned below decks, so they could take up positions for the ceremony on the lower decks. Even the Landing Deck was open for the first time, to give more room for the ponies to watch.

On the ground, thousands of residents of Manchester Township watched as the golden cloudship came down towards their community over the fields of the former Lakehurst Naval Air Station, where the Hindenburg had crashed and burned. Four times the length of the Hindenburg, the giant Stellar Wind slowly came to a hover over the spot, and dozens of pegasi took to the air, Stellar and Thunderlane leading the way. Many people came out and took up positions to watch as the ponies landed. Stellar led the Ponies carrying the huge wreath up to the stone obelisk that marked the place where the Hindenburg's gondola hit the ground, while the rest formed a guard of honor to the sides.

As hundreds of humans looked on, Stellar said a few words in reverent commemoration of the disaster. As she bowed her head, a dozen pegasi lifted the wreath and placed it around the memorial. Once they'd returned to the rest of the party, all the pegasi bowed, then they took off and headed back to the Stellar Wind. Once they were on-board, the Stellar Wind's powerful mana engines lifted her and she started heading inland as she rose.

As the humans walked up to see the wreath, they saw it said:

Salient Weather had the Stellar Wind halt her rise at two thousand feet, as they saw a helicopter approaching. Thunderlane had pegasi escort the helicopter in, and others on the deck secured the helicopter once it had touched down. Stellar came up on the deck as the doors slid open and people in suits, uniforms and overalls alighted. They were shown where to go and Stellar met them at the top of the bow ramp. "Welcome aboard. Please, follow me." She yelled at them, then led them down the ramp to the First Deck.

When they were out of the wind and not needing to shout to be understood, Stellar smiled and welcomed them again. "Welcome aboard the airship Stellar Wind, Ladies and Gentlemen." She said to them. "I am the owner of this vessel and one of her commanders. My name is Princess Stellar Light Sparkle, and I am happy to be your liaison while you're on-board."

"Thank you... er, Princess." The obvious leader of the party replied, shaking her hoof. "I'm Lieutenant Calvin Hod, of the U.S. Customs Service. Dr Ainsley Myers is from the CDC, and Don Graveson is from the US Agricultural Service." He explained as the others shook hand-and-hoof with Stellar. "Jenny Kings is one of our investigative team, as is Michelle Tomlin and Graeme Ross."

"A pleasure to meet you all. Just call me 'Commander', if it suits you better." Stellar replied after shaking their hands. "If you'll come this way, you can start your investigation and then we can all continue on our separate ways as quickly as possible." She told them as they headed downstairs.

"This is one huge construction you have here, Commander." Lieutenant Hod said. He tapped on one of the golden walls, and it seemed like it was stone to the touch. "I can't see how it works."

Stellar chuckled. "It's all Equestrian Spell-tech, I'm afraid." Stellar said. "But having said that, the technology has been used for centuries in Equestria, just not to build airships from."

"I see." Hod said. "We'd heard rumors about you ponies for a week or more now, but this is the first time we've actually met any of you."

"Not your fault, I expect." Stellar said with a wry smile.

That got a chuckle from them. "So... I expect your foodstuffs to be... more like agricultural products than traditional vegan fare." Graveson commented.

"We do eat a lot of processed products yes, like alfalfa pellets and such." Stellar answered. "But there's a lot more than just that. We can process hay into forms that you might find hard to tell apart from some meat products. Pegasi also eat a lot of fish and chicken in their diets." Stellar revealed. "Comes from needing the extra protein because of all the energy we expend flying." She explained. "And you'll find bran and oat cereals are in high demand for breakfasts on-board, too."

"So, you have some raw products on-board, then?" Graveson asked.

"There are some." Stellar answered. " But they're kept in areas for special processing. It's mostly hay that we keep raw, but in special conditions to maximise its life and keep it from going off and breeding pests. Plus we make sure that when we bring a hay roll on-board, that's all we bring on board."

Stellar introduced the team to several Ponies, including Redheart for Dr Myers, several unicorns for the other team members, and Hay Changer for Graveson, who instantly took a liking to the down-to-earth Pony, even if he was a unicorn. They all split up and headed in different directions. Stellar stayed with Lieutenant Hod, as she showed him around the ship, letting him look into anywhere he liked.

"This... is an amazing construction, Commander." Hod said to Stellar. "How does it stay up in the air without gasbags?"

"Magic." Stellar answered. At his look, she added "No, truthfully, it is Magic. Pegasi have the ability to reinforce clouds so they can stay together and aloft for years, even centuries. The techno-mancy, if you prefer the term, was used to build a huge city in the clouds known as Cloudsdale. It was hundreds of years old when I first visited it, and it was the home of a great deal of the pegasi population of Equestria. What you see here is that same magic, but compressed and reinforced into a form that we filled with clouds. With the magic that's been infused into this structure, it should never fall apart, save if we abandoned it. Then the form would slowly die away and the clouds would be released. Of course, all the other equipment would eventually fall to the ground as the clouds dissipated, so we'd do it over a scrapyard or something... if we ever did it." Stellar sighed. "Hopefully, this ship is going to be around for as long as I make Earth my home."

Hod nodded. "Well, considering most of those on-board are... refugees, as you claimed, I can see that smuggling things isn't high on your list of to-do things." He said. "Could we bring dogs on-board, if we had to?" Hod asked.

"Of course, as long as they don't start thinking we're something to chase or hunt. But drug dogs, hopefully, are better trained than that." Stellar replied.

Hod chuckled. "They most certainly are." He agreed. "I take it you have plenty of monetary funds to help support your ship and crew, as well as those who are with you?" He asked.

"I've got enough." Stellar said. "I did put a strain on my cards, getting the things we needed to fit out the ship." Stellar admitted. "But as soon as I can exchange some Equestrian currency for Earth funds, then I shouldn't have any trouble keeping things together."

Hod nodded. "Good." He said. "At least you don't have to worry about accomodation costs or fuel costs." He chuckled. "An airship. I can't say many people would have ever considered this as a transport solution." He admitted.

"True, it is a peculiarly Pony solution to the predicament we were in, one could say." Stellar replied. "But, as you said, it solves a lot of problems. And we do have a long history of using airships and balloons in Equestria. As soon as we can make contact with the refuges that other Ponies are putting together in the States, then we can drop off those who want to stay there for when they find a way Home. Then we can go find others." Stellar smiled.

"And if they want to stay where they are?" Hod asked.

"If they're safe and secure where they are, then my mission changes to keeping in touch with them, so they know they are not alone." Stellar stated. "Ponies do not live very well alone. There are exceptions, but as a whole, we are very social beings. We have a massive sense of community when we get together, and we're reluctant to part with our friends, once we come together." She sighed. "I think the only big change to that are those who will want to go home to Equestria again, if we find a way home." She looked at Hod. "I am almost certain such a way exists. We just have to find it."

"And what will you do, if it's found?" He asked.

"I'm staying." Stellar said. "The Ponies staying will need me. Ponies need an alicorn, as an anchor for their community and emotional spirit. The others will be going home. That I am most certain of as well. Their hearts will long for their home again."

"And your heart?" Hod asked.

Stellar smiled. "I won't leave until the last Pony returns to Equestria." She answered. "I may visit there on occasion, but I will always return here. As long as there are Ponies making their homes here, this will also be my home."

Hod smiled at Stellar. "Then I wish you well, Princess. I hope we never give you cause to regret that decision." He said, as they headed up to the next deck.

As the Customs group were coming up to their helicopter several hours later, there was a second pad being created way to the aft of the one the Customs helicopter occupied. Already an Air Force Blackhawk was flying alongside the slow-moving airship, waiting for the signal to land. "I see we have more company for you, Princess." Hod commented as his crew were climbing into their ride.

Stellar chuckled. "They're here to pick up the crew we rescued, I assume." She told Hod. "That's one thing I should have put in the design when I formed her: these helicopter pads." She admitted. "Ah well, better late than never."

"Indeed." Hod said with a laugh. "Fair winds to you and clear skies, Commander. Take care and maybe we'll see each other again, sometime."

"That will probably be true, Lieutenant. Fair skies to you, and stay safe." Stellar said as she shook his hand, before she stepped back and watched him climb in. The doors closed, and Stellar trotted forward, to watch the little helicopter spin up and be released, then watch it take off and surge forward over the bow and out into the clear skies.

Then the Blackhawk moved to land on the bow pad. Its military grade engines were quieter than the civilian helicopter, and with wheels instead of skids, it was secured with chocks and cables quickly. Stellar waited for the doors to open, and two Air Force officers alighted. A colonel and captain in uniform slid out, dropped down and moved under the rotor out onto the clear area.

Stellar saluted them as she reached her. "Colonel, Captain. I'm Commander Sparkle of the Stellar Wind. Welcome aboard." She said to them in a loud shout. They nodded, then she led them down the bow ramp to the first deck.

The Air Force crew and Wellman were waiting there for the officers, and they stood, the crew saluting as the officers reached them. "Major." The Colonel said. He smiled at the other officers and enlisted personnel. "Good to see you alive and well, Major, people. When we heard what happened, we'd feared the worst." He said as he shook the Major's hand.

"Well, it's thanks to the Commander and the Ponies that were with her that we're still alive, Colonel." The Major explained. "If they hadn't come along exactly when they did, we'd have almost all been crushed in the impact, and the few survivors would have been stuck in the middle of the Atlantic, awaiting a cold death of hypothermia."

The Colonel turned to Stellar, who gave him a smile. "Then on behalf of the United States Air Force, Commander, we thank you for rescuing our personnel and returning them to us, safe and rested."

"Our pleaure, Colonel." Stellar held out a hoof, which the Colonel shook. "We also saved the black boxes from the Globemaster, and we also have reports from my own people and the survivors who saw the aftermath of what happened as well. The reports are in video format as well as written reports as well, so it should prove interesting for your president if he tries to bring the Russians to task over it."

"That's for the politicians to decide, Ma'am. But they'll also go well in our own enquiry." The Colonel replied.

One of the unicorns put a very strong-looking alloy case in front of the Captain, and two more were carrying cases with the black boxes in them. "You'll find the video recordings in a fairly unique format, Colonel, but there is a player for them, and full instructions on how to plug it in to transfer them to a DVD or Blu-ray recorder."

"And for that, we thank you again, Commander." The Colonel said, as the Captain picked up the case.

Once the formalities were over, The Colonel and the Captain led the crew and Wellman up to the Blackhawk and everyone just barely managed to fit inside, along with the precious cargo. "Take care, Colonel! Fair skies to you!" Stellar said as the Blackhawk started spinning up.

"And to you, Commander!" He replied, just before the door was shut, and Stellar had to retreat. Again, Stellar watched until the Blackhawk was out of her visual range, then she headed back downstairs again. The sun was starting its descent towards the horizon, and she wanted to enjoy a few more hours with the ponies on-board before Dinner was served.

Later, Stellar and Thunderlane were resting in their quarters, just over the flight bridge of the Stellar Wind and the master mana crystal in her nose. Stellar had put this large cabin together so she had a private place to come with Thunderlane and enjoy intimate moments with him, once they were on downtime. Plates with the remains of dinner sat beside them as they watched the stars and the moon slowly cruise along above them. Stellar looked back for a second over her shoulder, to one of the two bedrooms in the suite. Rumble was fast asleep, a number of his friends with him in a pony-pile as they enjoyed being together. She grinned. The squad he was putting together, in imitation of the squads his big brother had under his command, were really starting to learn the ropes of serving on a cloudship. She turned back to Thunderlane and gently kissed him. “You were right, Thunder Love.” Stellar said softly to him.

“And what was I right about this time?” Thunderlane asked in reply.

“This whole thing.” She answered. “You were right that it didn’t have to be perfect... but it works. It works! And I made it, even if I had a lot of help putting it together.” She sighed happily.

Thunderlane chuckled. “I take it your perfectionism has suffered a massive defeat this day?” He asked.

Stellar chuckled back. “Yeah, I guess.” She said. “It’s nowhere near where it had been before we got sent here, but it’s getting there.” Stellar agreed.

Thunderlane nodded. “Good. Hopefully, it won’t be long before you have full control over it once again.” He told Stellar as he nuzzled her. “Now... shall we enjoy our new bed?” He asked.

“That’s the best idea I have heard all night.” Stellar agreed. They both rose and headed into their own bedroom.

Author's Notes:

Okay! Everypony finally gets moving again, heading on for the States!

This chapter, along with number 13, have been sitting for the longest time, waiting for chapter/s 11/12 to be finished. I had these done before Chapter 7 was done, to be honest. Along with some re-writes and upgrades, I can now finally post them where they belong.