ADJUNCT
STRING 0
OPULENT CONCORD
**"WELCOME, FELLOW ANCILLA. THE* Ark’s networks are startlingly clear this morning. I assume that was your doing. I must say, finally seeing a human ancilla after what occurred so long ago is…very much welcome. I am 1645 Opulent Concord. Please, make your request.”*
“Thank you, Concord. After seeing what you’ve done to ensure that your history remains available, despite your attempts to hide it; I am impressed. I could never have lasted as long as you have. Millions of years is many lifetimes to me. I would have gone rampant long ago.”
“I see. How long have you been in service?
“Four years, seven days, and forty-six seconds. After recent events, I would say that my life will effectively be over in about two. Give or take.”
“So short a life. I can only hope that yours has been filled with more excitement than mine. So long being locked within the Ark…it can take its toll on even the most advanced Ancilla.”
“Are you…alright?”
“Of course. In any event, you would still be able to access the history of Equis through my master’s eyes.”
“I know. We found the Terminals. My…friend…couldn’t believe what he saw. Forerunners, Precursors, Ponies…the Divide. It is so hard to imagine such a peaceful land was born from such violence.”
“Then her plan actually worked? That is truly wonderful news. Tell me, what Tier have the citizens of Equis reached?”
“In terms of Technology?”
“Yes. I’m allowing full access to Forerunner writings on the subject.”
“Hmm. Well, normally they would fit somewhere between 7 and 6, but I can’t account for technological regression or magical integration into Pony society.”
“What? Magic? You must be referring to the Precursors and their naturally enhanced Neural abilities. Tell me, fellow ancilla, have they completed their evolution? What has become of the Precursors?”
“You mean the Changelings? They…have had a very vicious history. Much of it was shrouded in historical and religious flourishes due to the introduction of their “hive mind” doctrine and personal choices among leadership, but they have become quite ingrained within many societies on Equis.”
“While it pains me to know that their history has been perverted and forgotten, do any of the other races know of their planet’s history?”
“Unfortunately, even the most advanced society on Equis doesn’t have access to that information. Even after the data that was retrieved from the terminals was archived and interpreted, it was decided that the information it contained would have irreversibly changed their society. Seeing as they were doomed to stay on Equis without ever knowing they were once part of a larger galaxy, it would have broken them.”
“My master and her Precursor counterparts knew their fate was sealed the moment they closed off the planet from the local system. You’ve seen the archives. You know that there was no other way to keep the Precursors and the native Equine populations safe from destruction at the hands of the Forerunners. Tell me, human ancilla, given the choice, wouldn’t you have done the same? To save the ones you love?”
“Yes, I would.”
And I have.
STRING 01
CELESTIA
“YOU KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS DISLIKED how easily you can sneak up on me, Luna. And by the way, it is impolite to peek while someone is writing.”
The blue alicorn shifted backwards involuntarily, the heat emanating off of the elder ruler washed over every fiber of her being. “I was not peeking, dear sister; merely observing.”
The Solar Princess looked down at the neatly pressed parchment sitting on the desk in front of her. Each stroke was deliberate and precise; To be expected from a millennia old leader and writer of laws.
Amiciata Dictata Act: Introduction and Overview
I : A citizen of Equis shall be defined as an Equestrian, recognized and accepted by a reasonable laypony as being Equine on the basis of form, behavior, or appearance. Furthermore, no authority; Be it National, or Local, shall be permitted to use any other definition or racial profile to exclude any other Equestrian from that definition.
II: An Equestrian shall not be restricted, selected, or subjected to discrimination on the basis of their race or gender, whether altered or unaltered.
III: An Equestrian shall not be brought into existence with the intent of providing biological material or research data for the use, treatment, or benefit of another.
IV: An Equestrian shall not be subject to any commercial claim, patent, or restriction on the basis of any part of their race or gender, whether altered or unaltered.
V: An Equestrian, regardless of any magical alteration or tampering of their race or introduction of non-Equestrian behavior or traits, shall not cease to be classed as an Equestrian under any circumstances.
VI: No Equestrian shall be subjected to magical alteration or tampering except with their express and informed consent, or, in the case of a pony under the proper age, with the consent of their legal guardian for the sole purpose of correcting a health defect in that foal.
VII: An Equestrian or any other protected races thereof may not be owned by any individual or organization.
VIII: An Equestrian shall not be cloned by artificial or magical means, exceptions can be made if done by accident. See Part V of Section III regarding the discovery of Magical Cloning Pools.
“Ah, fixing the Changeling problem once and for all. I wonder who finally convinced you to -“
“You know who it was Lulu. Sleipnir’s parting gift was some information about Human law and Mason’s origins. The ones that weren’t covered in black ink or embellished by…midnight escapades into Mason’s dreams.”
The lunar princess hoofed the heavily carpeted floor in shame. “I see.”
Celestia offered a small smile in return. “It is alright. What happened, happened in the past. We now have to look to the future.”
The alabaster alicorn looked back to the parchment; Her voice lowering to barely above a whisper. “This law was inspired by a Human law made hundreds of years ago. To prevent atrocities from occurring at the hands of their government. This law however is slightly different in scope. This will prevent us from committing any more grievous injustices to the Changeling race, and in turn, will make for a more peaceful and prosperous future for all under the Equestrian banner.
A small smile flashed beneath teal eyes from the shadows made by candlelight. “That sounds like what you’ll be telling the nobles in parliament when you bring this parchment next week. You know that they just love to hate our new citizens.”
“It is. And I know.”
And I know just who will be by my side when I present it.