"I, Princess Twilight Sparkle, regret to inform you that your daughter, Sunset Shimmer, was killed in the line of duty. She sacrificed herself to protect the rest of her team in the face of the enemy...

She was my friend...

I can't do this..."

-Discarded letter to Sunset's parents

Chapter 9

Lift Up your Eyes

Stargate Command

Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado

Earth

Although still pretty sore from the shot to her flank, Sunset Shimmer was back on her hooves in a few days. As long as she was supervised by a member of SG-1, she could actually explore the base. She had learned a lot in her time on Earth. Although their tech was less advanced than the Tlak'khan, it was clear these people had experience. She especially liked talking to Dr. Jackson and Colonel Mitchell. With Jackson, Sunset felt comfortable just talking about her home. Mitchell... she was wanting to learn from his experiences as a team leader.

The training sessions also helped to build up her strength again in a form of physical therapy for her injured leg. While there was going to be a scar, it could have been much worse.

It was amazing seeing SG-1 work. A far cry from the amateur performance EG-1 provided. But given the fact that Equus hadn't seen war in over a thousand years, and Earth had several in the last couple hundred... it made sense that they would have more skill.

By the end of the week, Sunset was ready to call home. She knew that the shield would be up the second the gate started to activate. With some work using her headset, they figured out how to contact SGI via radio.

Sunset sat in a chair in the control room with her headset on in case Plan A doesn't work. Sgt. Harriman was at his console, ready to start the dialing sequence. SG-1 and General Landry were also present.

"Dial it up Walter," Landry said. With a nod, Harriman tapped in a command into his keyboard and the Stargate started spinning. Sunset figured it was because the SGC didn't have a DHD.

"Chevron One encoded."

As the gate dialed, Sunset watched in awe as the experienced members of the SGC worked. Unlike the ad hoc setup at SGI, this was a well oiled machine. They knew what they were doing. She just hoped they could learn something from this.

"Chevron Six encoded."

"Anxious Captain?" Mitchell asked.

"A little," Sunset admitted. "I mean... they probably think I'm dead."

"Well... here's hoping."

"Chevron Seven... locked!"

With the now familiar kawoosh, the Stargate came to life. Sure enough, Sunset's transmitter indicated that the defense shield was active. They had connected to Equus.

Moment of Truth...

Firestar Base

Stargate Initiative Headquarters, Cascade Mountains

Equestria

"We have off world activation! Shield active!"

Princess Celestia stepped into the gateroom and observed everything that was going on. Twilight still wasn't in the best condition to lead, so Celestia had stayed on to provide support. Ever since the first mission, the gateroom had been built up to a more defensible and official nerve center. Not only would a defense team take up positions, but they now had two mounted Arc Casters aimed at the gate at all times, ready for action at a moment's notice. The mounted Arc Casters were actually a suggestion from the Griffons, and a good one at that. Meant anypony could potentially step in to assist in base defense.

Twilight stood next to Celestia, a mere shadow of her former self. Losing Sunset had all but destroyed EG-1 and the base commander.

Celestia thought for a moment as... nothing happened. The gate was just open for no reason.

"Princess... we're... receiving a transmission?" the gate technician reported. Even in her funk, Twilight's ears perked up. A mystery to solve. Both Alicorns approached the communications station. The tech brought a hoof to his ear again before looking at the royals.

"They say they want to speak with Princess Twilight," he reported.

"Put it on speaker," Celestia said, having a feeling that Twilight wouldn't say anything yet. With a flick of his hoof, the tech switched the channel.

"This is Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria. To who am I speaking with?"

"General Henry Landry, United States Air Force, Stargate Command. I was under the impression that a Twilight Sparkle was in charge of your Stargate Program..."

"I... I'm here," Twilight spoke up.

"How did you learn of us?" Celestia asked, narrowing her eyes. This was a total unknown. How did they know to contact them in this manner rather than try and send anypony through?

"Well... we had a little help," Landry said before a new voice came over the line with some hesitation.

"Yea... they kinda... saved my flank."

"SUNSET?!" Twilight cried out, rushing over to the console and knocking the poor tech out of his seat.

"Still alive and kickin'. Turns out an SG Team came through the gate on Pandora and found me knocked out. They brought me back here to Earth and patched me up. And get this... they're human Twilight. Humans in our own reality. And they're the Tau'ri we heard about from Wu!"

Celestia could see the gears working in Twilight's mind as she processed this turn of events. It was a pretty big shock to her as well, as she was about to actually write a letter to Sunset's parents informing them of her death, but now it seemed that wouldn't be necessary. If this was true...

"General Landry, how soon would you be able to send a team to meet up with us?" Celestia asked, taking a calculated risk.

"SG-1 can be ready to go in five minutes," Landry replied. "And honestly I'd like a chance to meet you in person as well. Your Captain has said nothing but good things about you, and is pretty eager to return home."

"Very well. Reconnect when you are ready, and if Sunset truly is with you, have her transmit the shield code as well as contact us. We are taking a risk in opening up for you General, considering the circumstances."

"I'd probably do the same if I were in your shoes your highness. We'll reconnect in fifteen minutes to give you time to prepare. I look forward to meeting you. Stargate Command out."

With that, the gate shut down. Twilight still had a look of disbelief on her face as she turned to face Celestia. The older Alicorn turned to face the Stargate before saying they had to get ready. She also suggested assembling the rest of EG-1 for this before asking if they had a conference room set up. Twilight admitted they didn't, as more immediate needs were dealt with, such as the gateroom itself. With a nod, Celestia decided to forgo the conference room and just take this General Landry outside for some fresh air and to take advantage of their location in the mountains. There were some trees here, but they also had a pretty good view of the countryside.

Fifteen minutes later, the gate activated again, and the tech confirmed they were receiving EG-1's shield code after getting audio confirmation that it was Stargate Command. The defense team had assembled into a makeshift honor guard, while still maintaining a defensive posture. Celestia herself stood at the center of the formation, looking as regal as ever, while Twilight stood next to her and fidgeted with her barding once again. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Vinyl Scratch stood behind the formation. The Earth Pony and Pegasus still looked pretty depressed. No one could really see the Unicorn DJ's eyes behind her ever present sunglasses, but her ears were still down.

"Drop the shield," Celestia ordered. The magic barrier blocking passage through the Stargate dissolved, in turn sending a confirmation signal through the gate. A couple minutes later, six figures stepped through the event horizon. Five were bipedal, one wearing a dark blue uniform jacket while the other four were in green outfits with a black vest. While they were armed, they were not in a ready position to attack. In fact they were standing pretty casually. The sixth figure was a familiar fire maned Unicorn in full SGI gear. As soon as they were clear, the gate shut down. Now that it was clear that there was no immediate threat, the defense team stood at attention. The man in blue stepped forward and saluted.

"General Landry, US Air Force."

"Welcome to Equestria General," Celestia said as she stepped forward. "I am Princess Celestia."

She hesitated for a moment before extending a foreleg in an offer of a hoofshake. Although a little hesitant himself, Landry accepted the offer by extending his hand and taking her hoof in a show of trust.

"Captain Shimmer wasn't lying when she said you were something else," he said as he let go.

"Well... it has been a long time since I saw her myself," Celestia admitted as her gaze shifted to the redhead. Sunset visibly shrank back, feeling nervous in the presence of her former mentor.

"Allow me to introduce our flagship team, SG-1," Landry said before introducing each member of the team. Celestia in turn motioned for EG-1 and Twilight to step forward. After introductions were finished, and EG-1 was reunited, Celestia invited Landry to walk with her. SG-1 was welcome to refreshments in the cafeteria.

Before Sunset could say anything, she was instantly hugged by Twilight. The rest of her team gathered around, thankful that she was alive. Behind them, the members of SG-1 watched, three of them smiling at the display of camaraderie. Teal'c, just raised an eyebrow wit a hint of a satisfied look.

"We thought we lost ya sugarcube," Applejack drawled as she dropped her hat onto the Unicorn's head.

"Yea..." Vinyl Scratch chirped. "Was a serious mood killer."

"Don't you ever scare us like that again!" Rainbow Dash said, pointing a hoof at Sunset.

"I'll try," Sunset replied, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Why don't any of you hug me like that?" Vala asked.

"We're not that friendly," Jackson replied.

"You still mad at me for suggesting we make babies that one time?"

Jackson facepalmed as Mitchell stepped in.

"So... someone mention food?" he asked, changing the subject.

General Landry looked on in awe at the number of different beings around the base as he and Celestia walked outside. It was like a who's who of mythology. Everything from griffons to a dragon. But the majority appeared to be ponykind. Everything from the basic Earth Pony, as Sunset described, to Pegasus and Unicorn. There were even a few that looked like ponyfied African Zebras.

Celestia led him to a nearby rail, and Landry just looked out over the countryside in wonder. He had to admit this world was majestic, and he could understand their desire to protect it.

"So I understand your people are experienced in interstellar warfare," Celestia said.

"Well... more or less," Landry replied. "While we still don't have anything that really qualifies as a fleet, SGC personnel are still some of the best our world has to offer. And most of our engagements have been on the ground."

"Still... we could use that experience in our conflict with the Tlak'khan. Although... I would understand if you consider it not to be any of your concern..."

"On the contrary Your Highness. If the Tlak'khan are planning on expanding their sphere of influence, that will lead them into conflict with our allies, and the SGC. The way I see it, we might have a chance to nip this one in the bud. We already knew a bit about the Tlak'khan from one of our allies, the Tok'ra."

Celestia closed her eyes and smiled.

"Then... I formally request assistance on behalf of not only Equestria, but all of Equus," she said. "We're facing a war we are unprepared for, against an enemy we know very little about."

"Would it surprise you to learn Earth was in a similar position years ago?"

To tell the truth, Celestia was surprised. As she listened to Landry, she gained a whole new respect for the humans. While some of their motivations could be considered selfish, they sought to maintain the highest of ideals when dealing with other species. They didn't steal from allies, and they did everything they could to help those less fortunate. Most of what they had was either salvaged, given to them by an ally, or adapted from their enemies.

Then again, in a way SGI has done the same thing by adapting the Tlak'khan weapon. While the technology was too advanced to replicate, it inspired the Arc Caster in response.

"General Landry, what kind of support can we expect from the SGC?" Celestia asked.

"Well... we can offer some more training for one thing. Captain Shimmer did say your people were not experienced fighters. We can also help you develop more weapon types based on your current designs, due to us already having several of our own that can be used as a reference. And... if necessary we can perform joint operations between the SGC and SGI. Naturally I would suggest your people take point, but we'd assist you. Provided we get the go ahead by the IOA and Homeworld Command."

"I will certainly accept any help you can give. And someday soon I may very well ask for your aid in attacking a Tlak'khan stronghold that we know was the source of the initial attack on Canterlot. We have the gate symbols from that attack, but we haven't sent any teams."

Landry nodded in response. She wanted to launch an offensive, but only when she felt they were ready.

"I'll file a report as soon as I return to Earth. Until we can get an ambassador out to negotiate any kind of formal treaty though... I guess you can consider us an ally."

Word had spread pretty quickly around the base that not only was Sunset alive, she brought some new friends with her. Naturally Pinkie Pie whipped up a massive chocolate cake in record time for a "Welcome to Equestria" party. Even Princess Ember, who had just arrived with another shipment of supplies from the Dragonlands, came to meet the Tau'ri.

Meanwhile, Sunset was taking a moment to get checked out in the Infirmary before joining everyone. On the insistence of Twilight. Although the new scar was a concern, the doctors cleared her for duty, provided that for the next few weeks she check in with them.

As she made her way back to the cafeteria, Sunset came across Colonel Mitchell standing in the hallway. He gave her a smile and said that he just needed to get some fresh air, as the pink party pony had made the impromptu celebration rather raucous.

"Yea... if she's anything like the Pinkie Pie I know from that parallel world... I can believe that," she replied with a laugh.

"You know Captain, its ok to admit you need help. Your team will support you," Mitchell said.

"Yea... I know. Its just... I'm still getting to really know them. I mean I know them in a way, but they're not the same people I knew. You know?"

"I think I do. We had an incident involving alternate versions of SG-1 one time. Was pretty crazy seeing a version of myself driven to do whatever it takes to save Earth, even doom an alternate version."

"That's pretty crazy."

"Yea. I had some pretty big shoes to fill when I learned I was going to lead SG-1. But you get the right band together... you can do anything."

"Yea. I kinda feel the same way about my team."

Sunset then looked up at Mitchell.

"Thanks," she said. "For everything. And... just call me Sunset."

"And you can just call me Cam."