To say the ponies of Equestria had seen better days would be fairly accurate. Just four days ago their beloved Princess Celestia could not raise the sun, let alone do any magic at all. Thankfully her sister, Princess Luna, stepped-up to the plate and raised the sun to start the day. However it did not take long for panic to spread like wildfire. Accusations of power theft against Princess Luna shortly followed; ranging from the lowly conspiracy-theorist all the way to some nobles and even soldiers of the guard. The pony hit the hardest in all of this was the Princess of Friendship: Twilight Sparkle.

In the library wing of her castle¹ the young alicorn was actually fast asleep, face-down in a nondescript book. Another night of research having taken its toll on her.

Spike shortly walked in and grimaced at the sight in front of him. “She did it again. Twilight, time to get up,” he said while walking over.

Twilight groaned as she stirred from her slumber. After picking her head up she stretched in her seat. “Oh morning, Spike,” she yawned while trying to rub the sleep from her eyes.

“Morning Twilight.” He stole a glance at the book's contents, “Still trying to find the cause of Princess Celestia's problem?”

She nodded while placing a bookmark, “It's bad enough already that the doctors can't find a trace of magic on her anywhere. With every other pony practically accusing Princess Luna it's not making things any easier.”

“The best we can hope for is that it's just temporary.” Spike motioned her to follow, “Come-on, better get some breakfast and maybe take a good break.”

Twilight smiled, “You're right, maybe a distraction is what I need.”

Captain's Log: Supplemental

I've arranged a meeting with my senior staff to discuss the details of this irregular away mission. As expected most of my officers are against this, though there are a few who are rather optimistic despite the circumstances.

The observation room was filled with all of Minevera's officers. They included the Gorn helmsman Tthass, chief engineer Lieutenant Commander Zero of One (a liberated Borg female), chief medical officer Lieutenant Danny Fonder, and chief of security Lieutenant Violeta Bogue.

“What I'm saying is we have an opportunity to actually study the lifeforms on this planet,” Judsai explained. “The original expedition didn't have a chance to beam-down and have a look around. We'd be the first.”

Carie disagreed completely, “Opportunity or not, Lieutenant, this goes against the Prime Directive any way you slice it. We shouldn't even be bowing to the whims of this 'Discord'.”

“Even with the entire ship running at peak efficiency, Commander, we still won't be going anywhere,” Zero of One stated. “I've run every known diagnostic and even ran some Borg algorithms. Whatever hold Discord has on this ship it's a tight one.”

“I agree with Zero,” Minevera began. “This is still bound to leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth, including mine, but I'm proceeding with this away mission. This is my decision and mine alone. Any objections and grievances I'll have noted in the ship's log.

“Doctor Fonder, Ms. Bogue, and Tthass will accompany me on the surface. Zeabe, I know how much you want to be there, but I need you on board. I need every last bit of information known about this planet on Starfleet records as well as sensor readings for whatever anomalies that may appear; including fluidic-space rifts.

“Ms. Christopherse, if any rifts are detected I want you to do whatever you can to stop the Undine if they decide to show-up; even if it means literally ripping the ship apart.” Minevera made that last part clear. “We embark in one hour, dismissed.”

The senior staff soon left to return to their stations or make preparations for the coming mission. Minevera and Carie had remained behind.

“Minevera, I sure hope you know what you're doing,” Carie said with a hint of worry in her voice.

Minevera sighed, “I'd like to think so. I'm not forgetting why Starfleet Command assigned you here and replaced Commander Hoiseth.”

“Then you know the moment you set foot back on this ship you'll be confined to quarters along with the others.”

Carie then left, leaving Minevera to brood over what will happen.

“I really hope there's a soul in there.”

During the hour Judsai wasted no time gathering all relevant information on the planet: culture, anomalies, and government to name a few. Unfortunately the only significant amount of data available was about an unexplained phenomenon regarding the rotation of the planet dating back ten years. With Minevera's permission she sent a low-orbit probe to gather more details: one being major population hubs.

Minutes before Minevera, Danny, Violeta, and Tthass were to depart, Judsai intercepted them. While walking down the corridor to transporter room one she talked with them on what to expect.

“Lieutenant, do you realize the odds of two unrelated species sharing the same language?” Minevera was stunned from the images displayed on a PADD. Just about everything displayed from signs to books read in Standard².

“The kind of odds similar to getting a 'royal fizzbin'?” Judsai joked. “I still don't know about the spoken dialect used, but I have a good feeling it's the same.

“As for the main population hubs –” she took the PADD back as they walked into the transporter room “– there are several cities and towns scattered along this continent with their capital located here,” Judsai finished by showing Minevera and the rest of the team a general map marking each city and town. “I suggest beaming-down between these areas known as 'White Tail Woods' and the town of 'Ponyville'.”

Minevera smiled and nodded, “Very good, Lieutenant. This should come in handy if this Discord being overlooks something he should be telling us.”

Judsai joined the transporter chief as the Captain and the rest of the away team stepped onto the platform. “I've selected a secluded area in case there are any lifeforms present in the general vicinity. Good luck and stay safe, Captain.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Minevera smiled before looking to Danny, Violeta, and Tthass; all nodding that they are ready. “Energize.”

The control console beeped in confirmation as the away team became enveloped in the familiar blue energy beam. When the transport was almost finished problems began to happen.

Judsai walked behind the console, “Chief, what's going on?”

“I don't know, sir. Something is interfering with the annular confinement beam,” said the transporter chief.

“Bring them back.” She tried assisting him, but the familiar buzz of a console lock-out was heard. The transporter soon powered down as dread shook through Judsai's bones, “Run a level one diagnostic immediately. Lieutenant Zeabe to Captain MacDougal. Captain MacDougal please respond!”

Author's Note

1) The place is big enough to have its own library. Deal with it. B-(

2) That would be known as "English"