(Original) Chapter 7: Frozen Secrets

Chapter 7: Frozen Secrets

Gliese 411 System

Planet Aurora

Research Outpost Alpha

July 3, 2551

8:00 AM

Once the battle had concluded, as per Princess Luna's order, the Imperial Marines of the Second Fleet began setting up forward outposts.

The outposts in question were three pre-fabricated structures situated around an entry shaft the late survey team had dug into the ice sheet. Each outpost served as complete defense posts, barracks, as well as field laboratories. Together they formed a triangular-shaped perimeter around the site.

Pelicans flew through Aurora's breathable but unforgiving frigid atmosphere. As they arrived into Alpha's hangars, they delivered the preliminary excavation crews who would finish the shaft and break through to the anomaly in the ice.

The crews got to work right away, and it was not long before they reported back to base with news of a figurative, and actual, breakthrough.

Alpha's Commander stood at the Command Center's briefing table, awaiting the dig crews' report. Eventually the radios began to ping.

"Commander, it would seem the previous surveyors had indeed stumbled upon something. We've managed to excavate some kind of massive door. Whatever it opens up to, seismic scans indicate its absolutely gargantuan!"

"Copy that. Standby for the research teams' arrival in thirty, we'll leave it to the eggheads to figure out how to open it."

"Yessir."

The Commander looked out a nearby window. A blizzard was raging across the region.

"By the Goddesses, I really hate snow." The young man sighed.

"Relax sir, have some hot chocolate!" A Earth Pony stallion nearby offered a cup with a grin on his face.

"Lieutenant, how did ya know I was a chocaholic?" The Commander now had a grin on his face.

"Just a hunch sir."

Meanwhile...

Planet Equis

Canterlot Palace, Canterlot

Luna's pelican had arrived back home in a matter of minutes, but Celestia had insisted that she get rest right away, refusing to let Luna discuss the outcome of the battle or anything else until she got a few good hours in.

With The Empress' Sun gracing the sky in a beautiful morning, it was time at last to finally reveal what had transpired earlier in the morning. Celestia shifted in her throne uncomfortably as Luna informed her of the battle, including every little detail she could recall.

"We annihilated the Covenant Force above Aurora, and suffered only minimal casualties." Luna concluded, her face and eyes stern.

"I see. What were our losses?" Celestia asked sadly.

" The fatalities while boarding the enemy flagship, combined with confirmed crew and pilot losses, is estimated to be at least 300. While we annihilated the enemy force, it was only a small group of ships, and we outnumbered them almost 2:1." Luna replied.

Empress Celestia sighed, and got up, walking to look out a nearby window. "So Luna, based on this battle, how would you say our naval forces fared against the Covenant?"

Luna's stern expression intensified."We won the way we did because of luck, sister. If it had been a larger fleet, or if they had become aware of us earlier, we could have payed dearly if we lost."

"I see. Then that means we must continue to work hared in training and building up our military. From what I understand, the UNSC is nearing the end of its ability to fight this war. Earth and Reach are more threatened than ever. By extant, that means Equestria is as well. Now do you realize why I worried for you so, little sister?" Celestia now had a pained look, as if she were about to break into a sob.

"Worry not my sister! I understand our situation. I bear more news than just a minor victory. The flagship I personally boarded, my loyal sailors are bringing her into orbit above the Moon as we speak. I ordered the Navy Unicorn and Human scientists to begin studying the vessel to learn the enemy's technology and weaknesses. And, that's not all."

The Monarch cheered up ever so slightly, her sadness being replaced with curiosity. "Oh?"

"Our surveyors the Covenant had...murdered," Luna paused, closing her eyes and taking a breath. "Had indeed discovered something. I just got word from our outposts when I awoke that the excavation crews had found an entrance to some kind of massive complex, and has requested a research team to arrive before they quote, 'crack it open'. They also said that the complex in question was massive. I don't know anything else beyond this."

"Do you believe we may find the key to our victory within?" Celestia wondered.

"Let us hope so, my sister. Given what little we know right now, It could in truth contain any nature of things...or nothing at all. We shall see. What I wonder, is who shall be the one to explore and reveal this new discovery?" Luna replied.

"I have actually been considering just that when we first heard of the anomaly on Aurora. Twilight and Dr. Anders are arguably the greatest minds in all our Empire, I couldn't think of better candidates to study the findings than them."

"Very well, sister. I shall inform our teams on the ground to prepare for they and the other scientists' arrival." The two Alicorn sisters nodded to each other, and Luna turned to leave.

"Oh, and Luna?" Luna stopped, and looked back at her sister. "I've been talking with James over the communications network. Since you lead the battle over Aurora, he has agreed to offer you his position, while he takes over the Navy as Chief Admiral. That is, if you still wish to lead, after all you saw...Luna."

The Princess saw something in the Empress' eyes. Something she couldn't quite place. After a second of hesitation, she nodded. "Yes my sister. It would be an honor to be the central figure of the military. If this is what it takes to solidify our subjects' faith in me, so be it. In that case, I shall prepare for my arrival to Reach at the conclusion of the Gala."

The two nodded at each other a final time, and Luna set out for her chambers, passing the statue like guards as she went. No, I shall go to the gardens I think. I need some time for peaceful contemplation. There is just something about the look Tia had in her eyes. I think this war is taking more of a strain on her than she lets on. Once I've given it all some time, I shall prepare for our expedition into the Auroran artifact. And when I return, she must tell me what is wrong. Equestria needs her leaders clear minded at times like this.

The morning sun shined upon the garden, creating a peaceful scene of serenity. It was as if nothing was amiss with its mistress, who raised and lowered it everyday. After awhile of sitting there on one of the exquisite marble benches, a guard's voice broke into Luna's meditations.

"Your highness, my apologies for interrupting. The Pelican is here to take you to Aurora whenever you are ready." The Pegasus said.

"I am prepared, for now. Let us be off." Luna replied.

Planet Aurora

Research Outpost Alpha, Hangar bay 0-1

8:37 AM

After the thirty-minute wait which had felt like an eternity to the dig crews, the first group of Imperial scientists had at last arrived in their pelicans.

A group of excavators on break were gathered around a stack of crates, observing the new arrivals. "So who in the hay do you suppose was unlucky enough in the Ministry to be sent to this iceball?" One worker, an Earth Pony, wondered.

"Some poor chumps, by the looks of it." Another, a Human, replied. The pelicans' bay doors opened up, revealing their passengers. "Do you suppose they're being payed for this?"

The Earth pony shrugged. "All's I know is, it's damn cold here. Whatever it is we dug up, it better be worth the eggheads' time."

The third worker, another Earth Pony, nearly spit out his coffee when he saw who the scientists were. "Stow it, you numbskulls! Don't you know who those two are?" His attention was focused on an older Human women and a younger Unicorn mare with a violet-colored coat. Both were largely covered in thick, hooded parkas that were well suited for the tundra. The parkas were as white as the snow and had elaborate trimming and embroidering, indicative of Rarity's work. It would seem the Unicorn's fashion business was nearly as extensive as the Empire itself.

"They, are Doctor Ellen Anders and the Twilight Sparkle." The third hissed.

His two co-workers stared at him slack-jawed.

"Aw cripes! The freaking legendary Dynamic Duo, in person? This job just became a bit more interesting!" The first Earth Pony exclaimed. "Hey, try to keep your eyes on the ice, and off miss Sparkle, eh?" The Human said jokingly. His coworker's face became a shade similar to a stop sign. This made the Human and the other Earth Pony burst out laughing, giggling like little school fillies.

The two scientists payed the guffawing diggers little notice, instead making their way to where the base Commander and the head of Excavation could be found.

"Ah, The Minister of Technology herself! A pleasure to meet you, Dr. Anders. And you as well, Twilight Sparkle."

"The feeling's mutual, Commander." Anders replied back. "As you know, the Empress sent us to investigate this anomaly in the ice. What's your teams' status on the excavation work."

"Actually, I'm the one to ask about that." The Chief Excavator said irritably. The grey-coated Earth Pony was obviously displeased at the Commander for not being introduced to two of the Empire's most revered figures.

"We have broken through to a door or entryway of some kind, and we're waiting on you two and your colleagues, to find a way to open it. We figured it would be more professional and proper than just having the Marine grunts blast it open. We're not careless tomb robbers" The Chief said the last part glaring at the Commander, who maintained his professional demeanor.

Twilight looked at the Chief with a friendly smile. "Thank you for that. We wouldn't know what to tell Empress Celestia if that had happened, only to find that something fragile inside had been destroyed in the process."

The Earth Pony smiled back. "Just doing our jobs, ma'am."

"So you are waiting for us then?" The Chief nodded. "I see. Well, let's not waste any time, then. Come on Twilight, let's go see the anomaly we've been hearing so much about."

"Sure thing Ellen. What if it's a library or hall of records of some kind? Oh, the possibilities!" Twilight was practically bouncing at the prospect of making a potentially groundbreaking discovery. Nopony could guess for sure what may be laying under the ice, awaiting to be unearthed and studied.

Anders grinned at her friend and colleague's natural curiosity and enthusiasm. Just like me when I was younger. She mused to herself.

Main Excavation Shaft

Approx. 250 meters under Auroran Ice Sheet

The ride down had been surprisingly easy. By the time Ellen and Twilight had arrived, the Naval engineers had already miraculously built a transit system that could haul heavy equipment and personnel with surprising speed and efficiency.

As the two got off the train, they chatted a bit.

"This is all so very exciting, but I miss my friends in Ponyville already. I wish Celestia would have let us bring them along too." Twilight said sadly.

"Don't worry Twi. We'll be back home soon enough to share with everypony what we've found. I imagine they'll be excited to be able to say they personally know one of the first ever Equestrians to explore the ruins of a lost alien civilization." Ellen replied, trying to cheer her friend up.

It seemed to work, as the Unicorn had reverted back to her usual, enthusiastic self. They approached the main chamber of the Excavation.

It was a massive cavern cut into the ice. On their side was a series of small buildings for research, administration, and communication. Along the length of the cavern's main ridge were portable spotlights that all shined on a single point.

Their focus was on, sure enough, a massive exotic looking door. It was of a perfect geometric shape, made predominately of a silver-grayish alloy of unknown composition. Running along its surface in lines and glyphs were various blue lights. Numerous Pony and Human workers milled about near it, running from building to building, checking on lights and equipment, or taking a break and just gazing at the door's immense size. Others were still working to cut away at the ice, revealing more of the wall the door was set into.

With all the din and noise of the digging machines, the cavern could have been mistaken for a subterranean town of sorts.

Twilight and Anders took one long look at the alien door, and said "Forerunner" simultaneously. The Excavation Chief, who had accompanied them down, looked to them curiously.

"I see you two already have an idea of what this thing is?"

"Yes, and we may just have a the key to opening it already." Anders said quickly.

The Chief frowned at her, obviously wanting further explanation.

Twilight spoke this time, motioning towards the Humans in the cavern. "Ellen has said that Forerunner technology responds only to human touch."

The gray earth pony began scratching at his black mane, his frown now replaced with an exasperated 'o' shape. "You mean to say we could have opened it, the whole time we were waiting for you guys? Well ain't that a kick in the..."

By now they were mere feet from the door. It's massive figure dwarfed the three. It was wide enough to fit in two scorpion main battle tanks, with plenty of room to spare.

"Well, let's get this open, shall we?" Twilight said.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained." Ellen replied with a smile.

The human scientist held out her hand at the middle of the door, which possessed what seem to be a holographic control panel set into the metal. Seeming to act on instinct, the Doctor manipulated various buttons, and panel made a loud 'beep' sound, which echoed across the cavern.

This caught the workers attention, and now everyone was looking at the door. For a few moments, it remained inert. Then without warning, the door began opening with a loud groaning of metal. A squad of marines who had kept watch nearby readied their rifles, in case something dangerous lurked just beyond the door's pitch-black threshold.

Instead of a horde of monsters however, a gust of stale, musty air rushed past the tense Equestrians. "Oh man, someone could use some airing out!" A marine exclaimed, coughing.

"Alright people, lights up! Let's getta move-on!" The marine sergeant ordered.

Technicians worked to set up the portable lights. As they blinked to life, they illuminated the pitch blackness on the other side. The lights revealed a massive corridor, which seemed to branch off into a series of rooms and additional, smaller hallways. The floors and walls were covered in a fine layer of dust, and the faint glow of Forerunner consoles and machines could be seen, as if beckoning everyone inside.

"The technology is still active, even after all this time." Anders mused.

"Maybe that means we can get this place's lights on." Twilight wondered.

"You heard the lady, get some of the techies in here! See if they can get the alien lights workin'. I hate dark places, and caves." The Sergeant said the last part in a whisper, hoping nopony would hear him.

Inside Forerunner Facility

A group of humans and unicorns streamed past, accompanied by the marines. They approached some of the consoles, and inspected them, the unicorns providing illumination as they went.

"Hmm, power systems seem intact." A human engineer murmured.

"Where's the 'on' switch then?" A unicorn engineer muttered back.

"I can't read these things. Why don't you have a go"

"Me? I don't know how you can even interact with it. Just press something!"

The human scoffed. "Humph! Ten years at Ponyville Poly-technical, and the best we can come up with is 'press the shiny button'! Well, here goes nothing!"

Another beep echoed across the corridor. Suddenly, with a loud humming noise, the ancient lights kicked back on one by one. Everpony looked up, stunned at how surprisingly bright they were, given their supposed age.

"Finally!" The sergeant said, trying to cover up the relief in his voice. He turned towards the two scientists.

"Alright Doctor, miss Sparkle, where to first?"

At the end of the main corridor they all stood in, their was a large bank of computer consoles and servers of some kind. Behind it was a massive window, which peered out into nothing but more darkness.

"Let's go investigate that control room area up ahead." Twilight suggested.

"My thoughts exactly." Doctor Anders nodded.

They approached the computers, which blinked online in Anders' presence. Strangely, all the Forerunner tech seemed to do that when Humans were around. A Unicorn attempted to interface with one of the terminals, but it blinked red, denying her access.

Ellen activated what looked to be the main console, and after manipulating a few buttons, activated something. This was accompanied by more beeps and another humming noise. The lights on the other side of the window blinked on. What they revealed, took all of the Equestrians' breath away.

On the other side was a cavern, at least 10 times the size of the one they had entered from. Within it were massive structures that contrasted from the usual Forerunner design. But what shocked everyone, was what the structures contained.

In each, there were tethered what could only be massive star ships. Half of the ships were of Forerunner design, the others were of another, unverifiable design style.

Anders recognized the Forerunner vessels in an instant. "Those, those are a fleet of Forerunner Dreadnoughts! They are exactly of the same design we encountered when we were still aboard the Spirit of Fire twenty years ago! What are they doing here?"

"And what about the others?" Twilight inquired. "A lot of them look like our ship designs that we came up with Ellen!"

"That, doesn't make any sense! I thought our designs were completely unique."

Before Doctor Anders' confusion could get any worse, a voice cut into the two intellectuals' conversation.

"Minister Anders, miss Twilight! Princess Luna has arrived to inspect our findings." It was a royal guard, and he was accompanied by four of his comrades.

"Thank you, soldier. That will be all." Luna said, appearing before them.

"Yes, your highness." The guard bowed slightly, and his squad assumed watch in the corners of the Forerunner control center.

The Princess approached the window, taking in the massive vessels that were docked just outside. "Celestia must see this." She said finally.

"Communicator, please." A guard nodded and handed her a small data pad. Luna took it in her hoof and cast a spell at it. The device turned on and began projecting a holographic field.

The image of Empress Celestia's body appeared before them. "Hello, everyone." She said.

Everyone present bowed in greeting. "You may arise."

As everyone did so, Luna addressed her. "Sister, you need to see this." The Princess moved the projector's camera so Celestia could see out the large window. The Empress' face registered as much shock as everypony else.

"Are those spacecraft!"

"Yes sister. It appears to be an entire fleet, left to sit all these millennia. They are completely abandoned, but look to be in prime operating condition. What perplexes me is the design of some of them. I, Anders, and Twilight have noted that they strangely resemble the design of our Harmony, Gryphon, and Sovereign-class cruisers."

"Weird, just weird is all I can say Luna." Celestia chuckled at her own lack of words.

"Princess Luna, your highness". A human technician looked up from a terminal he was inspecting.

"Yes?"

"I've managed to get access to this facility's database. It contains records on its operational history, it's contents, everything."

"Put it up on a viewing screen."

The technician complied, and his unicorn partner summoned a holo-screen. A series of strange glyphs began scrolling across it. "Translating now. Some of the data appears corrupted, my apologies."

"You are doing your best, you do not need to apologize." Celestia said softly.

The glyphs began to morph into the familiar Equestrian phonetic alphabet, revealing sentences and paragraphs of records. There were occasional streaks of red string code where the data were indeed corrupted or missing.

"Facility seized by Warrior Servant Corps, by order of.. Shoot!The name is corrupted." Twilight said, reading the records out loud. Ellen read a few as well.

"Enemy naval forces routed on home planet. Surviving enemy commanders and vessels captured, put in stasis within seized facility for future questioning. Subjects identified to be..." The Doctor sighed in irritation. "Also corrupted."

"Wait, did it say, 'stasis'? Then that means there may be living beings still within this facility!" Celestia declared.

"Affirmative, your majesty. The terminals are telling me that there is a series of cryogenic-stasis chambers down one of the nearby hallways. Systems indicate at least four life forms are occupying them." The technician confirmed.

"What species?" Anders inquired.

"The system won't say, Madame Minister."

"We should try to wake them up! They must be able to answer whatever questions we have about this place." Twilight suggested, barely containing her growing enthusiasm.

"I agree, Twilight. There could be no better sources of information than the builders of this structure. Do you have medical personnel available?" The Empress asked.

"Yes sister, we have a squad of Marine combat medics nearby, but that's it." Luna replied

"I see. You may attempt to awaken them, but only with great caution. Oh, and take me with you."

Luna nodded, and attached Celestia' projector to a clip on her shoulder, where it sat like a flash light. Luna lead the way, with her guards, the medics, Twilight, and Doctor Anders in tow.

They entered the room that contained the cryosleep chambers. As the tech had noted, four of the room's ten pods had green lights, indicating that they were operational. And occupied.

Twilight couldn't contain her anxious curiosity any longer. "Which one should we open first?" Her face would not be out of place on a typical child in a candy store.

"Hmmm, why not that one." Ellen pointed towards the one set into the far corner, away from the other three.

"Very well. Medics, stand by! We have no idea what species it will be, or even what condition they'll be in!" Luna cautioned.

Twilight began inspecting the surface of the chamber, while Ellen interfaced with its control panel.

"Hey Ellen, this one looks like it was opened and resealed in recent years. The dust is not of the same accumulation as it is on all the other chambers." Twilight noted.

"Weird. Everything about this place just keeps getting stranger, and stranger."

After several seconds, Anders found the way to release the chamber's occupant.

The chamber opened with an audible pop and hiss as frozen air drifted out of the large container. As the mist cleared, revealing the being inside, what they saw almost made Anders faint in shock.

"Sergeant...Forge? How..what? But..you.." The Doctor stammered like a madwoman.

The being inside was indeed a human soldier. As he got up from the floor, still in a daze, everyone got a good look at him. Sure enough, the name 'Forge' could be read scrawled on his right shoulder pauldron. Attached to his left pauldron was an old ace of spades playing card. His hair was brown and shaven. He had a set of brown, intelligent eyes with which he now stared at the Equestrians with absolute incomprehension.

"Wha..where am I? Is that you, Anders?" Forge quickly recovered from his daze. "What year is it? How long have I been frozen?"

"It's 2551, John." Doctor Anders said finally, recovering from her own shock.

"Wait, you are the John Forge, of the Spirit of Fire?" Celestia's image asked suddenly.

Forge look at the Empress, Luna, and Twilight with a funny look. "Yeah...who, who want's to know?"

Celestia looked back at him with a sympathetic smile. "I apologize, all of this must seem so strange to you. We will try to explain everything as best we can. But first, I am Celestia, Empress of the Equestrian Empire. This here is my sister, Princess Luna, and this here, is my ever loyal student, Twilight Sparkle."

Luna tried to imitate her elder sister's smile as best she could, while Twilight waved at the Human with a friendly smile. Forge waved back, still with a confused, funny expression on his face.

"We are from the planet Equestria. And while this may sound strange, your ship crashed there over twenty years ago. Your friends and fellow crew helped to build our kingdom into an empire. We are now allies with the UNSC in fighting your enemies, the Covenant."

The Sergeant frowned and began to run this new information through his mind, seeming grasp it, he replied. "So we're still fighting those Covie bastards, huh? Wonderful." His voice carried only a hint of actual sarcasm.

"I take it that's why you're here, Ellen?" Forge now looked at Anders.

"Yes. Believe it or not, I am actually the Imperial Minister of Technology and Science. A lot can change in only two decades."

Forge nodded, his frown being replaced with his typical grin of years past. "You're telling me! Erm, while I'm at it, It's a pleasure to meet you three." He gave an awkward bow.

The Alicorns and Unicorn nodded kindly back at him. "Do you require anything from the medics? Are you well?" Luna inquired.

The Sergeant nodded, his grin growing. "Well, I'm good, aside from being a little stiff. I could use a beer or a good hot shower though."

Anders rolled her eyes. Hasn't changed a bit.

"Now that we know you are alive and well, what about the other three in the chambers?" Luna asked. "And how did you survive?" Anders added.

Forge merely shrugged his shoulders. "When I detonated the slipspace drive up in the Apex of the Shield World, the rift sent me to wherever here is. I fell asleep for awhile near those big computers, then started looking for a way out. That big door wouldn't let me open it, and I found these cryo chambers already occupied. I just figured I'd join em'. You know, get some beauty sleep. Never tried to open them, and I honestly didn't quite worry or wonder about them either. I just froze myself. Until you guys woke me up. So in short order, they could be anyone." He concluded.

"Fascinating." Twilight said. "A lost member of the Spirit's crew, you're going to be a celebrity back in Ponyville, Mr. Forge!"

The human blinked at her. "Wha? Where again?"

"Sergeant Forge, as you know, we have much to discuss. I trust that you would like to see Commander Cutter as soon as possible?" Empress Celestia asked.

He blinked at her as well. "Wait, Commander Cutter? Ugh... yeah of course!"

Celestia nodded. "I thought so. Luna, what are we to do about the other three chambers?"

Luna shrugged and looked to Anders and Twilight for a solution. "I believe we could make the systems portable, they are self-sustaining, after all. We just need to detach them and hook them up to a heavy lifter." Ellen said. This seemed to satisfy Luna.

"Very well, we shall have the engineers get to work freeing the chambers. Also, we shall have the other research teams begin combing through the facility for anything else of value. I'll leave it to the Navy to excavate and study the massive shipyard we just stumbled up on. Once the chambers are free, I shall order them shipped directly to Canterlot for our personal research."

"Very good, Luna. Excellent work everyone! I look forward to seeing you all back home for the Grand Galloping Gala in a few days, and to hear more about what you've found here. Lastly, I would like to speak with you in person, Mr. Forge, if you could be so kind?"

"Of course, erm...Empress." He replied.

"Take care everypony!" Celestia's holographic image then disappeared as she logged out of the network.

As her sister disappeared, Luna turned to Forge, Ellen, and Twilight. "You three can go back home now. I'll stay here and oversee further exploration and excavation of the site. I'll be back to join you both when the Gala starts. Fare thee well."

The two scientists and the newly unfrozen Sergeant said their goodbyes and made their way back to the main cavern. On their way back up to the surface, Forge commented on the cold weather. "Please tell me this isn't Equestria! I'm freezing my ass off all ready!"

The Unicorn and Human grinned at him. "Don't worry. You're on the ice world Aurora right now. Back on Equestria, the area around Ponyville is actually very nice this time of year. I think you'll like it there!" Twilight reassured him.