“Freakin’… Hide that horn, Celestia! Make it invisible or someshit!” Lieia hissed as the tram began to slow down. The mare-turned-woman closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating on the spell. Once finished, she turned to Lieia, who nodded in response.

“It worked. Nice one, Cel. No sign of that horn there.”

“It’s merely invisible, Lieia. I dare not remove it for that would severely limit my magical abilities.”

“Well, okay. Just take care.” The doors slid open and they headed towards the rows of various shops, the wide streets and walkways full of soldiers off-duty. Celestia noted that they all would nod to Lieia, uttering a respectful ‘My Queen’ to her.

“They hold you in great regard, Lieia.”

“I’ve worked hard to forge our merry alliance of dissidents and deserters. We’re all we’ve got. We don’t have the resources and manpower the Loyalists have. But we make do with what we have. We’ve been trying to secure the Lower South-Eastern Wastes, seeing as it’s an untapped motherload of ore, but asteroids collide there all the time, making for a very dangerous mining operation. We’ve barely managed to even scratch the surface.”

“I could help you, Lieia. Perhaps with my magic, I could create a safe pocket from which your people could operate. A shield spell of sorts that would ward off any stray projectiles.” Lieia offered her a quick smile

“I’ll gladly accept any help you can offer, Celestia.”

“I’m not impatient, but you should really hurry up a bit, Cel.” Lieia muttered; eyeing Celestia as she indecisively wandered through the aisles.

“I’m not guilty there’s so much to choose from, Lieia.” Celestia replied, letting her eyes wander across the selection of apparel.

“Just pick something simple and practical. No fancy dresses.”

“Don’t hurry me, Lieia. Nothing good can come of that. You know I have no experience with human fashion.” Celestia answered, irate, finally finding something that caught her fancy. After having assembled a whole new outfit, she occupied one of the stalls, changing into her new clothes.

“But why?”

“First, your hair is liable to get snagged somewhere. And, it’s a tad too attention-drawing.” Lieia brandished the scissors threateningly.

“Don’t worry; I’ll just cut it shorter. The colouring should help convince others you’re an off-worlder. Throw in some tattoos and we’re good to go.” She grasped a handful of Celestia’s hair carefully and she winced involuntarily as she heard a shirrk as the scissors cut some of her voluminous hair away.

It took the better part of thirty minutes to finish with Celestia’s haircut.

“Well, this is different.” Celestia turned her head sideways, examining her hairdo. Her long hair had been severely shortened by Lieia’s scissorwork, but it still retained its rainbow colouring. With her new clothes, it took her a moment to recognise herself.

“And now, for the piece de resistance… tattoos.” Lieia flashed a grin, leading Celestia towards a whole new location.

“Is this completely safe?” Celestia cast a hesitant glance at the strange machine.

“Totally. It used to be needles and stuff earlier, but now, it’s sprayed on your skin. Doesn’t fade away or wear off easily, but can be washed off with a special solution if you want to. Now, take off your shirt.” Celestia blushed slightly.

“I don’t think this is the best place for having sex. What if someone walks in?” That earned her a flat stare from Lieia.

“Get your mind outta the gutter, Cel. The machine can’t spray the tattoo on if you’re wearing clothes. Besides, it’s all automated and the door can be locked if it makes you feel better.” Somewhat disappointed, Celestia removed her shirt and bra, sitting down in the chair as Lieia busied herself over the glowing screen, her fingers dancing over the keys.

“Just sit still. I’ll apply some local anaesthetic so you don’t get tickled.”

“Ever so kind and thoughtful, eh?”

“And don’t you forget it.” The metallic limbs of the machine jolted to life and hovered over Celestia’s bare chest and arms, painting curling lines of black and red across her bare skin. Celestia watched, slightly dizzy as the robotic arms moved around fluidly, tattooing her without a hitch. As Lieia had assured her, she didn’t feel a thing. Lieia was humming a song quietly, waiting patiently.

“To answer your question, it’s Tikai tribal patterns. And to answer your other question, we’re in low orbit, so the shuttle ride will only take an hour or so.” Lieia returned her attention to the high-calibre sidearm in her hands, slapping its magazine back in place and handing it to Celestia, who slipped it in the holster on her hip, with additional ammo secured to her belt.

“With a bit of luck, you won’t have to use it while we’re down there. Well, let’s get going. We have a shuttle to catch.” They left the armoury, heading for the hangar bay.

“Good heavens… how big is this place, Lieia?”

“Huge. You could park a Marza in here, actually.” The cavernous hangar bay was alive with the thrum of shuttle engines, the din of tools and innumerable conversations.

“Really, now?”

“No one’s actually tried it, to be honest.” Lieia chuckled, smiling dreamily. “Just imagine. As if it isn’t bad enough a Titan shows up. Then said Titan launches an additional capital ship. Shit gets wrecked.” They wandered over to a small booth. As soon as the man inside it noticed them, he snapped to attention, saluting Lieia.

“My Queen! What can I do for you?”

“At ease. I’d like to requisition a shuttle to Linv.”

“At once, my Queen!” The crewman bowed to her respectfully, turning to the array of holoscreens. After a minute, he turned back to them.

“It is done, my Queen. I am uploading the shuttle location to your PDA right now. Have a good one.”

As they headed to the shuttle, Celestia leaned closer to Lieia, whispering.

“They seem to be very devoted to your cause.”

“Well, if the news networks are anything to go by, the people seem to be glad that there is again a single leader for Linv, unhampered by politics. And while I do have absolute power, I listen to others’ counsel. I do my best to keep everyone happy. They all look up to me.” They arrived at a waiting shuttle that had several crewmen attending to it, fuelling it up. As soon as they noticed her, they stood up.

“My Queen!”

“How can we serve you?”

Lieia eyed them good-naturedly.

“At ease, men. Is the shuttle ready?”

“Yes. We are almost finished refuelling it.”

“Good job.” She pulled a credit chip out of her pocket, tossing it to the team leader. “Here. Have a drink on me.”

“Thank you, my Queen!”

“Think nothin’ of it.”

“So, how about you tell me what you’ve been up to, Celly? I know next to nothing about what’s happening back on Equestria. How’s Luna? Twilight? Applejack and everyone else? I want to know everything.” Lieia activated the autopilot, leaning back in her seat and turning to Celestia.

“Oh, where to begin? Rarity’s famous now. Her fashion lines are among the finest to be found. People from distant worlds flock to Equestria, intrigued by our lands. Rainbow Dash made Captain of 7th Company of 2nd Regiment. I imagine the Wonderbolts are furious at not accepting her earlier. Fluttershy is still a Sergeant, though. She seems content with her position. Twilight’s thinking of applying for Officer Academy at Canterlot. Her brother’s not really all too happy about that. Applejack’s brother, Big Macintosh has joined our Engineering Corps. As soon as I make my allegiance public, you can expect my troops and fleets to arrive, ready at your disposal, Lieia. We recently purchased a Dunov-class freighter from Naos Reservists and are nearly finished refitting it for combat. It’ll be our second capital ship.”

“Second?” Lieia looked surprisedly at Celestia and she nodded in return.

“Indeed. Our other capital ship is a second-hand Sova-class carrier. It was a bargain, really. Only seventy-five million credits and change, though we had to invest a considerable amount of budget to bring it up to full readiness.”

“Where’d ya pull that amount of creds out from?”

“We trade with other worlds in ore. And tourism brings a significant inflow of money to Equestria as well. While our fleet isn’t big, we are attempting to increase the number of combat-ready vessels.”

“You’re really a very shrewd politician, Cel. I’m glad to have you on my side.” The small shuttle hurtled through space as it dropped into Linv’s atmosphere as they spun their long-winded conversation.

“It is, or at least was, Liiyah Tavrian’s castle. Now, it’s my castle.” Celestia looked out the window as stray wisps of clouds whizzed past, intrigued by the large castle sitting in the edge of a cliff.

“A castle fit for a queen, no? It certainly looks rather grand.”

“Thanks. It’s right beside the spaceport as well, so I’ll be able to show you around a bit before we leave for Ring. And then… well, prepare for the craziest time of your life, Celly.” Lieia returned her attention to the controls, slowing down the shuttle. Celestia, ever curious, watched as the launch lanes whizzed past below the small craft. Looking up, she saw the low-set spaceport grow larger as the shuttle grew slower. Expertly handling the shuttle, Lieia alighted on one of the numerous landing pads, and then cut the power to the engines. Celestia hadn’t really noticed how omnipresent the thrum of the engines had been until it was gone.

“We’re here. The heart of the Rebellion. Linv.”

As they entered the castle-turned-museum-turned-castle, Celestia could not help but be awed. Large, domed halls made up the majority of rooms, supporting their weight on tall, painstakingly engraved pillars of marble. Numerous people, both human and alien, were busily moving about, occasionally approaching Lieia and delivering a report or two. As she followed Lieia, who was walking with purpose in her gait, a breathless man ran up to them, bowing to Lieia briskly.

“My Queen! Admiral Brusilof arrived yesterday, requesting to see you!”

“Brusilof? Where is he?”

“We don’t know. He said he’s taking a look around. Should I assemble a security team?” Lieia waved him off.

“Nah. I think I know where to find him. Return to your post, and thanks for bringing this to my attention.”

“As you wish, My Queen.” He bowed to her, walking away.

“Well, this day got a lot more interesting. Let’s go.”

Lieia’s personal chambers were quiet. But that was expected to be so. Lieia had deposited the mare in disguise there, and then wandered off in search of the elusive admiral. Celestia sat comfortably on a chair, letting her eyes wander over the wide array of weaponry, both modern and ancient, on display in the spacious rooms. She did not doubt Lieia knew well how to use most of them. Wandering over to a rack of greatswords on display, she carefully lifted one out, inspecting it. The blade was certainly old, but well-kept and sharpened. Intricate curls and words had been engraved on its hilt by craftsmen long dead. She placed it back on the rack, wandering over to the firearms.

“Are you supposed to be here, missy?” A deep, gruff voice alerted her and she spun around, seeing a tall, grizzled man enter the room. His right arm was missing, the fabric of his coat’s sleeve folded and buttoned up so as not to get snagged anywhere.

“I could ask the same question to you.” She responded, wary.

“I was looking for Grisova. Figured she’d be here, but I guess I was wrong ‘bout that.” Something clicked in Celestia’s mind.

“Admiral Brusilof?” The weathered man grinned, walking over to her, and extending a hand to shake.

“The very same. High Admiral Sunnar Gilva Brusilof, at your service.”

“Nara Odenall, bounty hunter.” Celestia responded, accepting his handshake. Lieia had come up with a false name and bio for her to use while planetside. Brusilof merely nodded, before leaning closer to her.

“You’re a bad liar, princess.”

“I’m sorry?”

“You heard me, Princess Celestia.” Brusilof repeated, straightening out, a knowing grin on his face.

“But how-“

“The hair colour. The skin tone. And you’re far too polite for a bounty hunter. So, what brings you to Linv?”

“I’ve decided to join the Rebels.”

“Have you, now? That’s good to hear.”

“And what about you, Admiral?”

“Well, I needed to talk to Grisova about something important. But I suppose we can wait until she returns here, eh?” He walked over to the sword rack, selecting a shortsword, handing it to Celestia and armed himself similarly.

“Let us have a duel.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Surely you know how to handle a blade.”

“Well, yes. But that was in a completely different body, as you can imagine.”

“Too late!” Brusilof called out, lunging at the woman in front of him, disarming her in a heartbeat. The sword clattered across the floor.

“Again, Princess.” She picked the weapon up, steeling herself as Brusilof swung again. This time, she blocked his blade. Steel ground against steel as she forced his sword aside, and she tried to disarm him like he’d done to her moments ago. In a flash, he parried, forcing her on defensive.

Lieia was right. I have grown soft. I should have trained more with my blade.

Celestia grunted, attacking again, getting a tad luckier this time. Her opponent stumbled slightly, and she went to disarm him. Sparks flew as steel clashed, and this time, it was Brusilof’s blade that clattered on the floor. Celestia offered a hand to the man on the floor.

“Again, Admiral?” Brusilof chuckled in response, grasping Celestia’s outstretched hand, pulling himself up.

“Maybe some other time, Princess. I really should meet Grisova.” Celestia nodded, picking up the two swords, placing them in the rack.

“I’m right over here, Admiral.” Celestia heard Lieia’s amused voice and she saw the woman herself leaning in the doorway, a lopsided grin on her face.

“A good day to you, my Queen. I have finally decided on a response to your request. You shall have my tactical expertise at your disposal.” With that, he turned about, leaving.

“Uh, Cel? What just happened?”

“He swore allegiance to you. I think that’s fairly obvious.”

“But why? I’ve been trying to get him to our side for weeks! He’s the best tactician Coalition has! He’s a strategist without compare! Wait, what were you two doing here? You know what? It doesn’t even matter. He’s with my forces and that’s all that matters. You’ve done a great thing for me already, Celly. Ask anything of me. If it is within my power to provide, you shall have it.”

“Well, how about a kiss, Lieia?”

“I think I can do better than that, Cel.” Next Chapter: Chapter 30 Estimated time remaining: 51 Minutes