Landing And Locals

Considering I woke up as a...whatever I was; a mini rollercoaster ride like that didn’t leave me panicked for too long. I was fine after ten seconds or so, ready to analyze my new surroundings.

You can only imagine the joy on my face when the command-bridge for the shuttle looked exactly like the one on the spacepod. More importantly, how the hell does a space-shuttle fit in a space-pod? Nothing makes sense right now.

“Siri, are you here,” I asked the all-white room illuminated only by ceiling lights that were small and round. When I didn’t get an answer instantly like all the other times, I scrounged my face up in confusion, “Siri? Siri are you there?” I sat up in my seat as I looked to and fro for any sign of the A.I.

During my frantic search, I noticed some key features about this shuttle. One feature was that the chair I was sitting in had been scooped up by a completely glass, egg-shaped container. I couldn’t help but think about the futuristic chairs from Earth and those chairs from robot-centered anime.

The next feature was me sitting atop a raised platform, which matched the all-white room. From here, I noticed six other platforms that lowered the further away they got from mine. Three on the left and three on the right. The platforms were circular and contained the same glass-bowl chairs that I was currently seated in. Next to the six platforms were all-white, metal stairs that led either up or down.

Lastly, there was a wide platform five or six feet below my own. To be blunt, it took up the center of the command-bridge. But unlike the other platforms, this huge motherfucker didn’t have a chair.

What the hell is it?

“I’m sorry for being away, Captain,” I gave a sigh of relief as that monotone voice of her’s reached me once more, “But I was most of the power from the spacepod into the space-shuttle, which made me unable to maintain contact with you. I apologize for any inconvenience this might of caused you.”

“Nearly gave me a heart attack, you overgrown Ipod,” I responded jovially, “But what’s the latest update? Are we ready to go?” I asked, to which Siri went quiet again. I knew better now than to start panicking, but I couldn’t help but feel a little vulnerable without her. I know it might sound pathetic, but why don't you try waking up aboard a spaceship in a body that’s not fucking yours and see if you can keep your shit together!?

I think I handled the situation quite well....

....Until the screaming, but you get my point!

“Power is at 93%, making this space-shuttle close to fully charged. I’ve also prepped the launching sequence. We will be headed for the planet in T-minus one minute. Are you ready?” For some reason, I could detect just the faintest trace of excitement in that question.

“Shit, son! I’m ready to go right now if you’re able to!” I crossed my right leg over my left and leaned my head on my right palm. There was also an ecstatic smirk, showing a little more of my snaggletooth apparently, that had decided to open up shop on my face.

“It just so happens that power has been restored completely. I’ll display the planet on the Astral Dais in a few moments. As for right now, would you like any refreshments?”

"What the hell is an Astral Dais?"

“What the hell is an Astral Dais,” I repeated the question that instantly popped into my head as the words left her mouth,

“And that water from earlier that I never got? Yeah, I’m going to need that ASAP! My throat feels like camel fur.” I quipped.

“This A.I recommends a different career than humor,” Oh no the fuck she-, “Refreshments will be supplied shortly. Also, the Astral Dais will now project the planet and its layout.” And she was gone as all the lights dimmed in the white room, leaving me slack-jawed in response.

I unfolded my legs and sat forward with a hungry gleam in my eyes. I just knew something badass was going to happen! The lights in a room don’t just dim all movie theater-ishly for no reason, after all.

Remember that huge platform I was telling you about? How about a fucking huge, and I mean HUGE, digitized version of a planet enlarged from its center! Like, it was small when it appeared, and then just...BOOM!!! This place is the bomb. Hands down.

Now because it was digitized the planet was made up out of blue and white fuzzy light. The white parts of the planet are what I assumed to be landmasses whilst the blue was oceans and rivers. To be honest, I actually believed the planet to be Earth for a while. But then I noticed that the planet only had four continents instead of seven. Most of the landmasses were concentrated in the north, separated by a huge patch of blue that went around in a ring shape.

The image was slowly spinning, casting a dim glow of blue all around the command-bridge as I looked on in awe. I’ve only seen shit like this in comic books and futuristic anime. Needless to say, seeing it in first person makes it all the more exciting!

“Oh yeah, there has to be something on this planet! Siri, are we leaving now?” I rubbed my hands together in anticipation. My mind was instantly acting out a plethora of scenarios, which would involve me making first contact with the locals.

I gave a chuckle as I entertained the notion of being above Equestria.

"Pssshh, as if!"

“I’m starting the countdown now, Captain.” Siri began before I interrupted her.

“Wait. I want you to stop calling me Captain. It’s somewhat annoying.” I stated dryly.

“Then by what name shall I be addressing you?” Siri asked, making me clam up.

I really didn’t think this through! If I tell her a different name, then will she stop working for me? For some reason, I believe she thinks I’m this Silas guy, but I’m just suffering from amnesia! If I tell her I’m not Silas, then will she have me killed!? Will I be shot out into the farthest reaches of space and asphyxiate!? Will she hold me in front of the thrusters as they ignite!? Will she leave me here to starve!?

No, it’s too dangerous to come clean. My life isn’t in my hands up here.

“Just...” I began but looked around nervously, “Just call me Silas. Silas is fine!” I put on a forced smile as a bead of sweat rolled down my forehead. I nearly jumped and screamed when a beep came from the vicinity around my left eye.

“Right. I’m starting the countdown, Silas. Is there anything else you might need?”

I raised my index finger, about to ask her for some water, but a wine-glass filled with water came up from the floor next to me. The method was like the one used in the spacepod. I opted to use my already raised hand to grab the wine-glass and down it in one go. I gave a satisfied exhale afterwards as I felt my throat moisten up.

“Nope! Now let’s go meet some locals!” As I said this, the room brightened up and the image of the planet below us disappeared. And for the first time since being on this command-bridge, I noticed the window that was twenty feet from my position all the way in the front of the room.

I couldn’t see anything besides space and stars.

“Oh yeah,”  I thought in realization, “The planet’s belowus.”

After that thought, the sound of an engine being fired up rocketed through my eardrums. Oddly enough, the smell of fuel didn’t accompany the noise. What did, however, was Siri’s voice deducting seconds away from a countdown.

“Blast off in T-minus...10...9...8...7...”

By this point the entire shuttle was shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, making my teeth clatter and my world fade into tremors of white and black. The noise from what I assumed to be the engines crescendoed as well, starting to become a little painful as it increased.

“6...5...4...3...2...”

I offered my last prayer to whatever higher power there was. If they were even listening. I prayed that this launch went off without a hitch and that I would be safe and unharmed. I prayed that whatever was down on the planet is friendly and sentient. I prayed that my friends and family back home would remain safe.

I closed my eyes and gripped the glass armrests tightly as I ended my prayer, slightly surprised that we hadn’t launched when it ended.

“1....”

This is it!!!

“...................Engines primed and ready for action. Awaiting further instructions.”

Fucking robots.

“FLOOR IT!!!” I yelled as my body was instantly slammed back into the chair form the sheer force of the take-off!!!

*KRA-KOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!*

I felt my stomach churn as the space-shuttle went into a sharp nosedive. I saw the planet instantaneously, a blue pearl with shards of emerald displaced awkwardly. A swirl of clouds forming beautiful wisps as the shuttle closed the distance quickly. With how fast we were going, I was starting to panic.

Aren't we going to burn up!? Shouldn’t she slow the fuck down!!??

Ah, what do I know!? I’m just an idiot tagging along for the ride!!!

“THIS IS FUC-KING AWESOME~!!!” Most of that scream/song was undecipherable. It sounded as if someone threw those four words in a blender and proceeded to turn said contraption on high. Such was the force of the shaking this shuttle was going through!

“We’ll be within the stratosphere momentarily. All systems are green and everything is proceeding as planned.”  And she was gone again.

It was still awesome experiencing this, but after awhile of experiencing the rumbling it became mundane. Don’t get me wrong, the event itself was still unbelievable! It’s just that the initial excitement had run out.

I resigned to just watching now, awaiting the moment of sweet arrival with bated breaths and twinkling eyes.

“We have now entered the stratosphere of the uncharted planet. Adjusting G-Diffuser by 23%. Heat shields are at max and are holding true.”

The shuttle began pulling up as we smashed through a cloud. I could make out the outline of a continent just before Siri pulled up the ship. It won’t be too much longer now.

With the shaking done and the worst part of the flight done, I decided to ask Siri something just to pass the time until we landed.

“What’s our ETA, Siri?”

“ETA is about five minutes. Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Of course! Have you figured out a place to land?” I asked as I drummed my fingers/claws on the armrest, a bored expression plastering my face.

“My sensors picked up an unusually high spike of magic near our vicinity when the shuttle entered the stratosphere. Since then, I have been flying towards it. Oddly enough, this magic spike seems to resonate with your magic almost indistinguishably. Do you know the reason for this?”

Huh, now that’s weird. There couldn’t be other Not-Quite-Dragon-Thingies like me living down here? Could there?

“Sadly I don’t. But maybe there are others like me that you’ve picked up on? I wouldn’t exactly be surprised, what with waking up in a bo- I mean waking up from hyper-stasis in a place that’s off-course!” I finished lamely. I now began praying that she didn’t catch on to my slip up.

“Your logic may prove to be sound. Be advised, we have reached our destination,” Siri began as I felt the shuttle slow to a complete halt, some clouds drifting by lazily beyond the window confirming my claim, “Beginning our descent now. ETA till planetary contact is five minutes. Please be patient until then, Silas.”

And from here, in my Captain’s chair, I watched the clouds and blue sky on the other side of the window begin to ascend. Of course; I knew they weren’t really ascending, just staying in place while the shuttle descended. For some strange reason, I felt my wings itch as the clouds passed my vision.

To be honest, I was actually feeling pretty nervous. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, and for me to be meeting the locals; that would make me a delegate for Earth in something along those lines, right? I can’t be the representative of over 7 billion people!!! I was only in my sophomore year of high school, for Christ’s sake!

I felt the ship give a jolt and then stay still, the roar of the engines dying down over the course of a few moments. I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat and stood, stretching instantly. If I wasn’t going to make first contact then who will?

“Touchdown successful. We have landed safely on the uncharted planet. Do you wish to exit the shuttle and meet the locals?”

I gave a sigh, trying to eject all the nervousness I was feeling, “Yeah....I am.” And after saying this, I heard a hiss from the right of my position. I turned my head and offered a quizzical stare to where the sound came from, being rewarded with a door-shaped hole in the wall about five feet away from me on my right.

I could see the sunlight and trees in the distance. Evergreens, if I wasn’t mistaken. I hardened my heart and soul despite the overwhelming sense of fear threatening to rip me apart........

....And began my walk to the door that led outside.

Slowly....oh so slowly, did I peek out the frame of the door. Below my head were steps; about ten of them, that went diagonally down to the soft emerald blades below. For those of you without an imagination...

...I mean the grass.

Anywho, the steps were not hard to traverse. Once my feet were on solid ground, my face lit up like the Fourth of July. I was finally on thefucking ground, where I fucking belong, oh my fucking God!!!

.......Gordon Ramsay would be proud.

I snickered at that thought as the steps retracted back into the shuttle’s hull from a hidden compartment. The door also shut, leaving me looking at a solid shuttle with no way of returning.

“Guess she’s kicking me out until I find something.” I thought haphazardly, wasting no time in devouring the shuttle with my eyes.

....Well, what used to be shuttle, that is.

I felt my jaw drop as I noticed the wheels that had just appeared underneath of it. They were about the size of a boulder and were colored the same black as the underbelly of the shuttle/rover. The top half of the shuttle/rover was white, reminding me of the NASA space-shuttles. It even had the window in the front.

I then noticed that generic, spinning satellite dish swiveling about on the roof of my new home.

“I could make love to that A.I.” I thought in appreciation.

The rover itself was no taller than a trailer, but kept the outer-space appearance of a spaceship. Which means I have a cool looking trailer. That’s a contradiction if I’ve ever heard one.

I picked my jaw up and turned my head to face the sky. It was a beautiful day, where the birds were chirping and a gentle breeze rolled about the long blades of grass all around me and my new home. I was in a clearing, with evergreens surrounding us on every side.

In the distance I could make out huge mountains that seemed ready to pull the sky down. Such was the jaggedness of their tops, giving them the appearance of claws that remained primed and ready for use. Curiously enough, the mountains were black instead of the normal blue and white.

"Where the hell did Siri land us?"

I adjusted the sheath and its strap, getting it to lay more comfortably on my back before beginning my walk towards the mountain. For some reason, I just found it...alluring; like I’m supposed to be there and nowhere else.

My feet didn’t even cycle their motions twice before the sound of voices reached my ears. I froze up instantly and got low; so low in fact, I was only centimeters away from the ground with my chest. Without knowing it, I had assumed an all-fours position, making myself as small as possible.

“I’m not crazy, ya’ old bull! I saw something massive just float down from the sky!” Even though the voice sounded far away, I could make out the gender just fine. Hell, even his age. That boy was a kid, and by the sound of the other guy with him, a son.

“Watch yer mouth, kid! And shut up! Ya’ don’t want to go scaring the little alien now do ya,” The father’s voice was raspy and deep. It almost sounded like someone had lodged a stone in his vocal chords, “Ha! A spaceship, he says! What ya’ need to do is stop hanging out with that foreigner and start helping me out around the farm!”

Okay, they're getting closer.

What do?

Ummm.......HAHA!

Maybe they’ll just walk on by and-

*Rustle!*

....Well, shit.

“I....Don’t....Believe it.” I slowly dropped all the way to the ground and began retreating back to my ship, right as I heard that gruff voice laced with disbelief.

“I told ya, Papa! You owe me 90 bits when we get back home!” The kid shouted. It was actually kind of cute hearing a gruff voice at his age. It made him sound awkward and unreal. Kids, you just gotta love the-.....

.....Wait.

What did he say?

.....Did he say....bits?

As in the small gold coins that the ponies used in Equestria???

....There’s no way. It has to be a coincidence.

“Don’t go near it,” The father yelled, and I heard what sounded like two hooves approaching stop. Good thing too, because I’m pretty sure he would've seen the bright-ass blue clothes I had on clashing against the green and brown ground, “What if the alien grabs you, ya’ dumbass!? Get back over here!”

“Dad, aliens don’t grab you. Plus, you even said that aliens don’t exist. And that Ms.Shimmer wasn’t all that bright in the head. Well, now I’m gonna prove you wrong again and show you that the alien is a nice guy!” I head the son stomp one of his hooves as emphasis. So he’s in the rebellious phase of his life. Not good for either me or his dad, given the situation I’m in.

It was pointless to remain hidden anymore, since I was right in front of the kid’s path. Both of them had emerged from what I believed to be the west of my rover, which is where it opened. The mountain I was looking at was to the north. Just to clarify.

So, steeling myself, I rose from the ground slowly just as the kid was turning around. My eyes widened as I noticed something peculiar about him. He was about half my height, wearing a pair of black overalls that looked worn down if the patches were anything to go by. He was somewhat chubby around the stomach and arms, but had the most adorable green eyes I’ve ever seen. They were large, but not bulbous, almost cartoonish in size.

Hisfur was a light tan, with a military-styled dark-brown mohawk at the top of his head. Two white studs, which were curved at the tips, protruded from the sides of his head above hisfloppy but short ears. It was a bull. A bull that stood on two legs. Which could only mean one thing......

.....................................................Minotaurs.

........There’s no way.......