Chapter 1: Behold a Pale Horse
0600 Hours, May 9th, 2558 (Military Calendar)
"I think I've had a good run with the UNSC but..." I never finish that sentence as I am interrupted by the Infinity leaving my view. Hmm, this went a lot faster than I thought it would. "Thank the covenant." Ok I'm definitely never saying that again. I don't care how good their technology.
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2 weeks later.
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A planet comes into view that... has the same look as Earth but the continents are in different places and it looks more... untouched. "What is that?"
"There is no data regarding that planet. But what I do know is that there are life-forms inhabiting this planet, ranging in species. No humans detected." My AI which is named Lingering Doubt replies back to me.
"Take us there." I order my AI. He nods and the ship resets it's destination straight for a random part of the planet. "We don't know what we're up against if anything. I need a weapons and ammo check immediately. The AI taps some screens and one of them appears in front of me.
"Reporting covenant weaponry now: 1 Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer, 4 Type-1 Energy Weapon/Swords, 1 Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher or needler as you like to call it. Each of these weapons I've reported have supple amounts of munitions so we don't have to worry about that.
"Can you skip the technical names please?" I never really was one for the data.
"Fine. 3 DMRs, 2 Battle Rifles, 1 Sniper Rifle, 8 Assault Rifles. I also by request got you some rocket launchers and railguns. All loaded up." Lingering Doubt finally takes out the formalities and gives a status.
Ok, so incase you didn't know, How do I have all of this? Well I'm currently on a frigate class cruiser and the crew isn't here but don't tell ONI! They don't know this! And no, I'm not flying. The AI is responsible for everything that is happening right now.
The frigate starts to get hotter but it holds. For now at least.
"I need something to wear." I say as I inspect my current crewman uniform. "This won't do." As if on cue a panel slides over to me, outfitted with standard ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Trooper gear. "I'll make it work."
Canterlot Palace, Equestria
Panic has sneaked its way into the streets of every major city and town of Equestria as an apparent alien spaceship floats above with the words "UNSC Shattered Silence" on its side. Think of a similar version of Forward Unto Dawn and you'll understand.
"Sister, we must stop this ship!" Luna argues in the Royal Canterlot Voice.
"No, it appears to be stopping of it's own accord." Celestia declares.
As the Silence (Shattered Silence in short) slows down and starts orbiting the planet I am directed to the ODST drop pods. "Are you sure this is a good idea? What if someone finds the ship? How will I get back on?" I inquire.
"I'll direct a landing to the planet's surface and extract you." Doubt (Lingering Doubt in short. Sorry but you might be confused at first) reminds me.
"What is our estimated time of arrival?"
"Well, as soon as you get in the pod I'll tell you." I hesitantly walk into the launching bay which is relatively close for whatever reason and enter pod number 4. It has a DMR and a magnum inside of it with decent amounts of ammunition. I already have my Energy sword for backup so it shouldn't matter. I also have the invisibility cloak I looted from an elite zealot. Don't want to get detected or even worse, killed.
"Ready when you are." I state. All of a sudden I feel the pod get loose but not yet launch.
"Launching in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Hold onto your helmet!" After Doubt finishes their countdown I immediately feel a change of gravity as the pod rushes downward into the planet's atmosphere. It all happens so fast I don't even notice that the ship is leaving my view. Good thing I still- My thoughts are interrupted when I feel everything stop moving. I kick the pod open, but not before activating my invisibility. Don't want to get detected at all. I quickly strap my DMR on my back and my magnum to my left side holster and then advancing out of my drop pod.
"Strange, I could've sworn that somepony was in there..." A squeaky feminine voice says. I immediately turn around and see... What the fuck. I see a blue mare in medieval armor. Oh, this is laughable. I decide to remain discreet in appearance but not voice.
"Name your purpose!" Oh my god, that sounded way better in my head.
"Who said that?" Oh fuck it. I deactivate my invisibility and appear in front of the mare. She goes wide-eyed for a second before retaining her composure. That being said, she advances towards me with a sword in her left hoof. How the fuck is she holding that? Oh it doesn't matter.
"Move one more step and I'll-" The mare decides it's wise to interrupt me.
"And you'll what?"
"I'll shoot you. This gun will put a hole through you and you'll die. That's a warning."
"Wow, very hospitable. Nice first contact." She says sarcastically.
"If you take me to your commanding officer I'll be nicer." I say hopefully.
"And why should I do that?"
"Ah fuck it, I'm Lieutenant Junior Grade Brayden Smith of the UNSC Shattered Silence. I only threatened you so you wouldn't attack me." I speak briskly.
"Fine." She finally complies and leads me over to what appears to be a Castle a few kilometers away from the crash site.
After about 15 minutes she finally speaks again.
"Take this pathway over here and you'll be in the throne room." I follow her lead and am not unimpressed. The throne room has a lot to marvel at. Oh and I apparently interrupted a court session.
"Excuse me but are you the leader here?"
"Yes, but you interrupted an important session. I am Princess Celestia, Regent of the Sun." Interesting.
"I'll wait." The session goes on with many ponies hesitantly going over their issues but sneaking glances at me from the corner of their eyes.
2 hours later...
The ponies have since left the room and the princess looks unoccupied.
I walk in front of her and instead of bowing like she expected, immediately go to an "at attention" stance before saluting. "Ma'am, Lieutenant Junior Grade Brayden Smith of the UNSC Shatter Silence requesting permission to speak." I say.
"Go ahead."
"I need a place to stay, as you can see I'm in a bit of a situation. Don't worry, I'm not a terrorist or the like and my people are very far away so you don't have to worry about them. The billions of them at least." I request. When Celestia hears "billions" she goes wide-eyed for a second.
"What are you doing here if you are one of billions?" Princess Celestia questions. Oh shit...
"I'd prefer we don't talk about that." I say firmly with a this isn't to be questioned stance. She glares into my helmet trying to decipher my emotions so I decide to turn off the VISR mode of my helmet so she can see my face. She gasps but doesn't lose control. "I really need a place to stay, I'd prefer not to stay on that ship in space for longer than I would need to, so if you'd please." I ask politely.
Celestia sighs and thinks what I said over a bit before speaking again. "I'm sending you to Ponyville to determine if you are safe for our country and if you are, I'll let you come here as well as the other parts of our nation. Do you understand?" I nod. "You will ride by carriage over to-"
I quickly interrupt and speak. "Ma'am I have a faster way, can't you just teleport me?"
"Oops, I hadn't thought of that." I am enveloped in a golden aura of which I assume is safe and wait. I feel myself being disintegrated and reintegrated again but this isn't the first time I've had that feeling so I don't get nauseous.
"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?"