Chapter 3:Interrogations........joy

"This doesn't look like any courtroom I know" Lucy commented, noting how baron the room was.

"Well that's because it isn't. This is the throne room but over the years it's been used for multiple purposes. Such as the way we are using it now." Celestia responded. "Not to mention this isn't the actual courtroom. I'd think it unfair to put 3 beings who don't know the laws to trial. Especially after they've just arrived."

"Hosssspitality? On my home worldsss an action like we've committed would result in hossstility." Kazaaak said remembering when he was put on trial for not wanting to pursue a warrior career. "Thievessss are not generally accepted in Mantisss communityssss."

"A thief? This is unexpected. Criminals are quite rare in Equestria. You may have noticed how empty the prison was." Celestia said as she called for the servants who brought in a small table and a few chairs."Please. Have a seat. I'd much like to discuss things over tea."

"Princess? one, well two questions. One, if you're a princess where is the king/queen. Two, thanks to Horrigan we shouldn't be breathing but here we are." Lucy said attempting to pick up a tea cup.

"Good questions. There are no queens or kings only princes and princesses."

Kazaaak made a loud clicking noise unbeknownst to the others he actually cursed in Mantis.

"As for the second question, after some observations we decided to put a slight magical aura around your quiet friend here. Speaking of which I'd rather see your true form."

Horrigan nodded and melted into the metal puddle, only to reform as his Lanius self.

"Besides I think I should be the one asking the questions here. First off and most importantly who are you and what are you doing here." Celestia took on a slightly more serious tone.

"Issss thisss the part where we get interrogated? Joy!" Kazaaak said with a false clap of his claws. "I sssssupose we sssshould get thissss over with. Firsss-"

"What's with all the slurring of your "s" sounds you don't usually do it this much." Lucy interrupted.

"If I am forced to ssssspeak your language I can basssstardize it as I please." Kazaaak responded."Now I guesssss you want me to sssstop with thissssssssssssssssssssssssssssss? Too bad. Now. I am Kazaaakplethkilik the great thief. Scourge of the eight sectors and fear of all good captains. I wa-"

"Where did your slur go?" Celestia wore a puzzled look upon her face.

"My great legacy will not be lossssst even if it meanssss I cannot sssscrew with your language. Now would you sssstop with all the interruptionsssss. I was the great thief until I was picked up by the Osprey and it's crew, the reason I had to be picked up was...." Kazaaak mumbled something unintelligible.

"Pardon?" Celestia asked

"I was defeated by them."

"I hate to repeat myself but pardon?"

"I WAS DEFEATED BY THEM! There I said it. Happy?"

Lucy giggled.

"But that is besides the point! For I the great Kazaaakplethkilik am no longer a thief instead I am an officer of the "Galactic Federation of United Races" Or GFUR for short. Our mission was simple deliver information regarding the rebel's secret weapon...." Kazaaak trailed off. "THE DATA CHIP! THAT BLASTED ENGI HAD IT AND BROOD KNOWS WHERE HE IS!" Kazaaak wore a worried look on his face, which was uncommon for the mantis.

"Calm down Kazaak." Celestia attempted to calm the panicked mantis.

"It's Kazaaak! And I will not calm down. That chip is vital to our mission it contains information on the rebel's flagship! Including a full analysis of It's "Starburst" Super weapon! By Brood I hope that robot is alive."

"This is a fine mess you've gotten us into captain! Almost beats the incident at the cantina in slug nebula 885!" Cronos said with as much anger and sarcasm as the Zoltan could muster.

"I'll have you know that I had no Idea they were siphoning our fuel while simultaneously drugging me! Besides that little tale beats this one easily." Ryan replied, reminiscing on past adventures.

"Projected level of intrigue-"

"Shut up Mallard!" Both interrupted.

"Do you three always argue this much?" Rainbow was slightly confused at the 3 creatures she and her friends were looking at.

"Oh believe me we were much worse in Engi maintenance circle 10 you should of heard us back then."

"Uhhhh-huh."

"Well I try to refrain from arguments and hostility they go against the ideals of the Zoltan." Cronos said as he began to assume a more proper stance. "Speaking of hostility, is the prison cell really necessary? I could easily burn through the lock again. I assume that wouldn't end well for us would it?"

"Like I said, we have no choice you have broken the law and must be punished for it." Twilight began.

"You sound like a Zoltan." Ryan quickly commented.

"Oi!"

"You know it's true Cronos."

Twilight visibly twitched. "Can you go five minutes WITHOUT ARGUING!"

"We tried to once but then Kazaaak threatened to butcher us out of boredom. Oh crap. Kazaaak....Lucy.....Frank Horrigan..."

"It's just Horrigan captain." Cronos corrected.

"I know I just used to call him that, reminded me of a little something from earth. But still...I hope their alive."

"Were these ponies-er people yer friends?" Applejack spoke up from the group of ponies.

Ryan's translator beeped upon recognizing her accent. "Yeah they were part of my crew, and some of the best damn crew in the galaxy. Kazaaak could go claw to claw with a mantis warlord and come out unscathed. Horrigan best damn hull repairs this side of the nanobot clouds! And Lucy a body made of rock but she had a heart of gold!" Ryan took a valiant pose, or as valiant as he could standing in a jail cell.

"I'm s-sorry for your l-loss." A quiet voice spoke up.

"It's....fine really if I know them they're still alive. But we can mourn later. Hurts every damn time i say that. I'm guessing you have questions. So shoot. Don't actually shoot we've had that happen before."

"You ruffians! Why did you blow up my boutique?!" Rarity walked up to the bars.

"Now that. Is not our fault. We have a weapon." The pony's faces grew pale. "I take it you don't have many weapons. Anyway we have a laser that...malfunctioned. Now normally this wouldn't be a problem, if we didn't cause it. You see we did something wrong I won't go into specifics until Mallard tells me them. But let's say that's how we got here. The second time it malfunctioned, the ship kinda.....exploded.....Oops."

"Oops? You destroyed my home. You destroyed my work. You destroyed my job. You destroyed my livelihood and all you have to say is OOPS!?"

"Captain. Protect me! I die easily!" Cronos hid behind Ryan.

"Listen. I'm really sorry but if you would just give me my ship, or at least half of it. We would gladly leave and not come back."

Twilight looked nervously over her group of friends who looked back to the crew. "About that.....We kinda decided that we should send it to canterlot to get it researched." Twilight scratched the back of her head.

"YOU WHAT!?" The usually calm captain lost it "YOU SENT THE OSPREY AWAY FROM THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO KNEW WHAT IT WAS!? DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS THAT SHIP IS? THE CARGO HOLD IS FULL OF EXTREMELY VOLATILE FTL FUEL! THE COILS USED TO POWER THE VINDICATOR COULD MELT METAL! BUT NO NOOOO YOU'RE A PRINCESS RIGHT? THAT MUST OF BEEN FREAKING RIGHT! BLOODY HELL I'VE DEALT WITH SOME CIVVIES WHO WERE THICK. BUT MY GOD!"

Twilight said nothing. Instead choosing to push past her friends and leave the prison, leaving a trail of tears in her wake. Pinkie and Rarity ran off after her, leaving Ryan and his crew with Rainbow, Applejack and Fluttershy.

"Projected chance of survival: Zer-"

"Mallard?"

"Yes?"

"Not now." Ryan said as he backed away from the bars and the now furious Rainbow dash.

"Captain. I believe we have found one of our data beacons." A rebel said as he saluted.

"Interesting.....Tell me, which ones?" The captain said between coughs.

"The plans for.....Our ship."

The captain grinned. "Set a course!"