Star Wars: Galaxy of Disharmony

Unknown Planet, Unknown Region: Local Settlement, Ponyville; 371 days after Battle of Geonosis

Aldair pinched the bridge of his nose while the com chattered away in Atto’s voice. The Major was resolute that he should be going to meet the local leaders rather than Leonis and continued his tirade as he had for the past minute. For all their accelerated growth to churn out fully grown and battle ready soldiers, far too many clones seemed to hold on to that immaturity of the ten year old they were. Not real growth in the end.

“Captain, are you even listening anymore? Even I know that as a commanding officer, I should be attending this diplomatic meeting and not the droid. I have rank on him and he’s only a consultant anyways. He doesn’t even deserve Darren’s-”

That was it. “That’s enough Atto!”

Once again, Aldair found himself calling a clone by name and scolding him as a father does a child. He had never had children of his own, much less a mate. He never even knew his parents and hardly had any parental example outside of a few kindly elders he had come to know in his youth. But the reaction was almost instinctual nonetheless.

Technically, none of the clones had a name, much less a full name of anything more than a single word. The Kaminoans had simply numbered them and the use of nicknames was something started by a few clones and Jedi that spread in use thanks to the Jedi. Despite that, the use of Atto’s name had the same effect as calling a child by his or her full name.

The com was dead silent and Aldair could practically see and feel Atto’s shame and shock. He allowed the moment to linger a second before lowering his voice but keeping a firm tone. Why he was treating a trained soldier as his own child, he could not tell. Perhaps it was because Atto was acting like a child more than a soldier. For the moment, it hardly mattered.

But the second of lingering silence turned into two and Aldair found himself without more parental scolding to bring to bear. Instead, he fell back on military discipline. Or was it more the instinctual parental tone as before? It was hard to tell at this point. How did you really handle a fully trained and disciplined soldier who was, biologically, in his mid to late twenties but chronologically, and perhaps partially mentally, only ten years old?

“This is why I left you behind. You don’t have the discipline and control to handle a situation like politics. Words are delicate and you don’t have the delicate touch. If you want more reason, it’s because I said so. Even you should know that as the commanding officer, I can make this kind of decision. If you want something to do, then start by figuring out how to get supplies from Rising Dawn and quit your whining.”

For once, since Aldair had known the Major, Atto was at a loss for his usual sarcasm. “Yes…Yes sir.”

As the com cut out, the tension in the air around Aldair seemed to exhale violently like a being holding its breath until nearly passing out then left gasping for air. In the new silence, Aldair could hear and feel his own breathing as he exhaled with the tension. He leaned against the back wall of the home he had ducked behind for his private talk and found himself envying the clones and the privacy of their helmets. For whatever reason, he could only smile.

“What will I do with you boys?”

Aldair rolled his head right and found Leonis standing at the corner of the home, waiting patiently in silence. He grabbed the walking stick that the young Princess Twilight had provided him after their arrival in her home town and stood, staring straight ahead.

“How long have you been there?”

“Not long.”

Despite the expert control of his voice to hide his lie, probably combined with a bit of anti-interrogation training, Aldair found the lie near comically obvious. “You were there the whole time, right?”

Leonis was likely caught off guard at being found out as he waited a full second to respond. “Yes, sir.”

Aldair casually turned towards the corner of the house and made his way passed the ARC, looking passed the clone but smiling the whole time. “Come on son. Our young princess should be ready to go by now.”

During the walk back to the gunship, Leonis gave his report on the clones under the care of the natives and the others who had opted to remain in the settlement to maintain security of Grand Army property and to watch over their injured brothers. As it turned out, the quick actions by the natives, due in no small part to young Twilight’s command decisions, saved nearly all who were not killed instantly in the crashes. Local medicine and healing practices had even proven effective enough to get about a third back on their feet and ready for duty.

Everything else had been worked out to move the clones out of the native settlement and into the outpost until the diplomatic side had been dealt with, save for a few with more serious injuries that prevented immediate movement. With the wounded no longer in danger and politics deciding things from here on out, there was no need to keep the natives on edge with armed and armored clones in their midst. Anything to settle things until talks were concluded.

Aldair and Leonis waited at the gunship for a few minutes before Twilight arrived, hovering in using her wings and apologizing profusely for being late. While Leonis maintained his discipline and distance, Aldair simply smiled.

“Don’t worry yourself about that dear. Are your family and friends alright?”

Twilight looked at the ship captain in shock, clearly not expecting the mention of family or friends. “Um…Yes. How…?”

Aldair maintained his smile. “Never mind that dear.”

Twilight straightened herself, trying to get back to the situation at hand. “I have sent a messenger to inform the Princesses of the full situation and that we will be arriving shortly for diplomatic talks.”

“Well then,” Aldair said, motioning all to board, “I don’t think should make them wait much longer.”

Canterlot Castle; 10:00 am

The knock on the door returned, louder and accompanied by the imploring call of the guard who had been sent. “Princess Luna, Princess Twilight has arrived with the visitors and your sister continues to request your presence.”

Luna opened her eyes and stood from her meditative pose. Despite the hated philosophies that had once accompanied the act, the very act of meditation helped to ease her mind and focus. And even up to now, the meditation did occasionally bring insight in various forms. This time, the insight was the continued feeling of dread that she had felt since all of this had begun.

She stood in front of her private cabinet and visualized the contents within. She inwardly begged that such actions would not have to be taken. She begged that the dread she felt was far more futuristic. The vision she and Celestia had seen so long ago would come to pass, one way or another. But was the planet ready for such a time if it should be now? Did fate even care?

Luna gritted her teeth at the thought of fate and destiny. She despised it. Once a slave to fate, she had lived a life of control over her own fate. Lived to survive in the chaos of life. Mistakes had been made and she had sworn to never duplicate her mistakes after each. She could not stand the thought of an unavoidable event or to have her life dictated for her. Even if the dictator went unseen. She had mastered her own life. Or had she?

The guard at the door called for her again and caused her to wince in anger. She breathed deep and released the rage that had begun to build. The past was gone. That which would be was dictated by the actions of the present. None could predict the future. Guesses were only so good and visions were always vague and subject to change. All that could be done was to seek the best path, make the best choices. Should a future be desired, one only need to chase after it and not wait for it to arrive. Even if the future was set in stone as the past was, one had to write it first.

With another deep breath Luna calmed herself and focused on the present. The meeting with the visitors and the events that would follow. She informed the guard she was on her way to the throne room and apologized for making him wait. She gave one last deep breath and made her way to meet Celestia and the visitors.

“It is difficult to sleep with such life changing events is it not, sister,” Celestia said with a playful tone as Luna entered the throne room.

The elder sister lounged on the red cushioned throne set upon the dais, head resting on a fist and elbow resting on an arm of the regal chair. A smile of comfort sat upon her face and she winked with a playful smirk at her young sibling. It was all meant to calm Luna of the trouble she could feel. They had always been able to sense the emotions of the other ever since they were young. And thus, Luna could feel the trouble her elder sister hid behind the veil of playful smiles and happiness.

Luna returned the smile, comforted by the gesture alone if nothing else. “Yes it is, sister.”

Celestia sat up and began to rise from the throne but Luna put up a hand. The act to comfort her and ease her mind was enough. She made her way to the base of the dais and took her position.

During the talks, Celestia would remain on the throne as her role as ruler of the day demanded. It would be she who would play the greater role in the diplomatic talks. She was better at speaking to others and forming bonds as it was. For Luna, she preferred the more direct approach and would act as a more intimidating presence. Each would display their power and position to the visitors. Watched from above and from below, day or night. A powerful image, one that had worked in negotiations before during other delicate situations.

With both sisters in place, Celestia nodded to the guards at the door. The guards opened the grand doors, surrounding it with a blue and yellow aura. A guard on the other end entered and announced the arrival of Princess Twilight and the representatives of the visitors. One identified as Captain Jan Aldair and the other Captain Leonis.

But as Twilight and the visitors entered, Luna was struck with intense shock at the sight of the one who wore the ornate white and red armor. The T-shaped visor that marked the face of the helmet stood out along with the military mannerisms that the soldier carried about him. While the armor as a whole was unfamiliar, the skirt he wore and the piece attached to the side of his helmet were also all too familiar. These were not simply similar features but identical.

With his armor, he did not appear to be one of them but there had to be a reason for the similar features. And why did he carry himself as one? The other was clearly not one of them. What was going on?

Luna inwardly struggled to control her reaction and managed to maintain her outward appearance of control and command presence. She kept her peace and eyed the other, a mid-aged being using a walking stick to support him from a healing leg injury. He displayed calm and control though was far less intimidating upon first glance than his fully armored companion. But his eyes betrayed him and she could see him take in everything, examining and gauging the guards and princesses. Cunning.

As the visitors were led to their place before the sisters, Twilight stepped off to the side of the room to observe. It would be good to keep her as part of the talks as she had made first contact and already knew some things about them. The young pony eyed the scene with worry for both sides, clearly sensing the heavy atmosphere building as the princesses and the visitors prepared for a potential battle of words. Hopefully, it would remain as no more than a battle of wits and sharp tongues.

Luna could feel her sister giving off her royal presence and prompting the visitors to introduce themselves first. The armored one remained silent but the other spoke, giving a short and respectful bow.

“My name is Captain Jan Aldair of the Grand Army of the Galactic Republic. This is Captain Leonis.”

He held his bow a moment more and rose as Twilight spoke in the pony language to translate. Celesitia’s response took both Luna and Twilight by surprise as she requested that all guards and other court officials to leave the room. Twilight looked to Celestia, wondering if she should leave or stay. Celestia simply smiled and gave a short nod, prompting her to keep her place. When the doors had shut, only the visitors and princesses remained.

Sensing the confusion of the visitors, Celestia explained and followed with a nod for Twilight to continue translating. “I wish to keep this discussion as private as possible.”

“I understand your Majesty,” Aldair said.

“I first wish to know how long you expect to remain on our world, Captain,” Celestia said, keeping a kind but commanding tone.

“It is hard to say your Majesty, as our ship is no longer fit for flight. It was all but destroyed upon impact with the planet, and was already hardly functioning prior. We are far out of contact of our government or the military command or even our allies. It would take some time to contact anyone to provide us with a way home.”

“I see. And where are you and your forces currently located and how many are there?”

“We have set up camp just on the very outskirts of a small town, Ponyville I believe the young princess called it. As of now, there are approximately fourteen hundred men in total. Several are wounded, some serious but better thanks the aid of Princess Twilight and your people. The crash took a bit of a toll on us.”

“How much contact have you had with the ponies of Ponyville and beyond?” Luna asked, more commanding than Celestia.

“I could not give a precise number but there were not many outside of medical personnel. Captain Leonis and I are the only ones to have contact with any outside of Ponyville right now.”

“And those in the transport here?” Luna continued to question.

“We followed the instructions of Princess Twilight and kept it in an isolated location, one already manned by your local military. There are only three on board and I have informed them to remain there and not speak to anyone.”

“They will obey?”

“You have my word.”

“Very well then,” Celestia said, cutting Luna off from more questioning. “Following this, you are to move all of your forces to your encampment and remain there. You will remain under watch and you will speak to none outside of your own.”

“I understand and we have already begun moving some already. However, with all due respect your Majesty, there are some who cannot be moved now due to their injuries.”

“I am afraid you will have to move them carefully then.” Though Luna could sense the worry Celestia had for those in need, Twilight reacted in respectful shock at the response.

“Princess…” she began to retort, leaving the statement untranslated, but was stopped by Celestia who simply put up a hand. She relented and relayed the response.

“As soon as you make contact with the others of your kind, you will leave this planet and never return.”

Aldair was silent for a moment then spoke. “Very well. But may I ask a question before we conclude this meeting?”

“You have my permission. Please ask.”

Aldair looked over to Twilight. “No need to translate anymore dear.” All three princesses were surprised and his question only added to the shock. “How much do you know about us already?”

Twilight responded before either Celestia or Luna could. “I…I don’t understand.” She looked to Celestia, as if curious herself now.

“It’s simple,” Aldair replied. “Your young princess knows the language we call Basic, a common language through the galaxy. It’s hard enough to imagine it being spoken on a remote planet such as this and more so to imagine that she would be the only one to know it especially given the location of your planet. One far out of contact with a vast majority of the galaxy.”

Luna felt as though a wall was being torn down between her and the visitors. His cunning and perception were exquisite but it hardly should have been that obvious even with Twilight speaking their language. Aldair continued.

“While your people scrambled in panic and fear, your military was mobilized to suppress the situation and now you demand us to make no more contact with your people and leave as soon as physically possible. With all due respect, your Majesty, you’re hiding something and it seems that it is something that only you know and even your young princess here is unaware of.”

Luna felt her hands clench into tight fists and could even feel Celestia’s own anger rise at this outsider’s questioning. “You would do well to hold your tongue,” she said, speaking so they may understand and ignoring the reaction by Twilight.

“Understand this,” Celestia said, lifting the veil of the language barrier herself, “this is not your planet nor your people. It does not concern you how much we know or understand about you nor should it. You are trespassing on our home far away from where you belong. As my sister said, you would do well to hold your tongue.”

With this, the sisters surrounded the door with their respective auras and flung it open wide. Celestia commanded the guards to escort the visitors back to their transport. With the two gone, the doors were shut and Celestia released her anger. In its place was regret for such harsh language.

Twilight looked at the princesses, “I…I don’t understand. What is going on here? What did he mean by all of that?”

The young princess looked on with questioning, tear filled eyes as confusion visibly coursed through her. Celestia looked down with a smile and descended from the throne to comfort her former pupil in an embrace.

“Worry not Twilight. I will explain everything when the time is right.”

As Twilight held to her former mentor, eager to ease the confusion in her mind, Luna turned to leave. The sight of the two was comforting and helped her to release some of the anger from the meeting. Although, this is what she and Celestia had been afraid for. The ponies were not yet ready and this situation threw too much at them all at once. Such would be too much for any to handle.