The Passing

***********Canterlot, Equestria***********

4th Era, Year 1014

“We’ve got a hit,” yelled a uniformed pony at a computer terminal.

Another uniformed pony walked over to where he was seated and asked, “What have you got?”

“I don’t exactly know, sir. One of our satellites picked up an explosion followed by a massive energy signature in western Equestria.”

“Is it magical?”

“Whatever it is, I’ve never seen its energy signature before. Could this be an attack sir?”

“I don’t know but we're about to find out. Give me an exclusion zone of 30 miles from the event. Is anything located in it?”

“Let me look..Um.. just the small town of Ponyville, sir.”

“Give the order to evacuate that town and inform the Royal Guard to get the Princesses and the royal court to the bunker immediately. I'm calling in the Wonderbolts.”

“What was that!” exclaimed Fluttershy.

“It sounded like an explosion,” said Twilight Sparkle, stumbling out of the kitchen. “Is everypony OK?”

Spike poked his head from around the door. “Whoa! Did you guys feel that?”

From the windows of her castle she could see smoke rising off in the distance, and she groaned—couldn't she enjoy breakfast with her friends without something going wrong in Ponyville? Just for once in her life?

“Could this be an attack?” asked Fluttershy in a worried tone.

“I don’t know.” replied Twilight. As if to confirm her fears a siren began to wail over the town. “This can’t be good, though.” Down below she could see ponies exiting their houses, milling about in groups in the street. Some, who were heeding the town’s evacuation plan, were heading toward the train station at the opposite end of town. “Spike,” said Twilight turning toward the stubby purple dragon. “I want you and Fluttershy to head toward the train.”

“Wait, what do you mean? Where are you going?”

“I have to go find the others. Don’t worry; I’ll be on the last train out of here. You just get on the train with Fluttershy. We’ll meet up in Canterlot,” said Twilight turning for the door. She had to find the rest of her friends.

On the side of the mountain on which Canterlot sat was a large, metal, hanger door. Inside the mountain  the Wonderbolts division, which kept a silent watch over the capital of the nation. Major Whiplash was sitting in the gym getting in an early workout when the general alarm was sounded. An announcement came on over the speaker system a second later, “Rapid Response Team make your way to the floor for a SITREP immediately. All other divisions muster at your stations and wait for further instructions. We’re at threat level four from this moment on.”

Whiplash quickly made his way to the large hangar like room to report with the four other members of the Rapid Response Team. Their division, which Whiplash commanded, was tasked with being the first to provide air support. Whiplash arrived with the others at the staging area to find the Colonel waiting there for them.

“Ok, listen up for the mission parameters. At 0900 an explosion followed by an unknown energy signature was picked up over western Equestria. At this time we do not know if it is a coordinated attack or some other sort of occurrence. You will suit-up and provide forward command support for the other division if it is indeed an attack. You will also be providing us with a live video feed so that we can get a sense of what we are dealing with. Any questions?”

A mare in the back raised a hoof and asked “What are our orders if it does happen to be an attack, sir?”

“Then you will take the offensive,” replied the Colonel. “Now, suit-up and may the wind be at your backs.”

Whiplash and the rest of his team stepped over to their JUMPsuits  Jet- Utilized-Main-Propulsion suits. The JUMPsuits were the latest in military tech, designed specifically for the Wonderbolts. The suits stood on stands off to the side of the main floor. They featured two jet turbofans, which sat on either side of the suits. On top sat short, flared, metal wings, which were controlled from two sleeves slightly below. Since the speeds the suit reached would harm the wearer’s wings, the wearer would fit them into the two sleeves below the suits metal wings. From here they controlled the aircraft electronically by tilting and moving their wings. With speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour the suits made them the fastest thing in the sky. Each suit hosted a marvel of advanced weaponry. Inside each wing sat a computer regulated, arcane unit, ready to fire at designated targets. Designed by scientist and energized by unicorn magic, these powerful devices could fire a directed blast of magical, pure energy at enemy targets, with devastating effects. Accompanying each suit were advanced radar and defensive countermeasures to ensure the safety and success of the combat team as well as the wearer.

The team stepped over to the suits and stood at attention as a support team began to fit the team with the complex suits. The task was extremely arduous, but the highly trained support teams had Whiplash and his division suited and fueled up in less than five minutes. Whiplash put on his helmet, which gave him a heads up display, and went through the pre-systems check.

“Ok, is everyone ready?” Whiplash said over the helmets internal comm system. After everyone gave the go ahead he said, “Start em’ up then.” With a high pitched whine that continued to increase by the minute, the other five members of his team started their engines and lined up in a column facing the massive door at the far end of the floor. With a loud bang the door lowered to reveal the morning day outside. The team began to run toward the edge of the tarmac, the whine from their engines increasing with every second. When Whiplash, who was leading the charge, got to the edge he leapt into the sky and dived down toward the ground far below. Tilting his wings back in their protective sleeves, the suit copied him, pulling up in a fluid motion. Adjusting their course the team rocketed off into the distance toward Ponyville.

        Down in the Canterlot bunker, located deep within the mountain on which city stood, the two royal princesses were conferring with their top advisors.

“What do we know so far?” Celestia inquired as she looked at the screen in front of the bunker’s control center.

A uniformed pony stepped forward “At 0900 this morning, less than 20 minutes ago, our satellites picked up an explosion followed by a massive energy signal to the west of here. It appeared about two clicks from the edge of a rural town of Ponyville.”

Oh no, thought Celestia, thinking to her former pupil and fellow ruler whose home residence was in Ponyville.

“She’ll be OK Celestia,” said Luna sensing her sisters concern. “She’s more than capable of handling herself.” Princess Luna turned to the uniformed pony. “I assume an evacuation order has been given for the town.”

“Of course your highness, we gave the order less than fifteen minutes ago.  After that we gave the order to deploy the Wonderbolts Rapid Response Team. They should be in range in a few minutes.”

“What can you tell us about the signal,” said Princess Celestia.

“We have our top officers looking into it now but it appears to be broadcasting on multiple wavelengths. It's appearing on all radio waves and our advanced imaging satellite is even picking up lots of infrared radiation in the area. We’ve run it through audio filters and we’re starting to isolate the signal.”

“Could you play it for us Commander?” asked Luna.

“Certainly.” The uniformed pony stepped over to a terminal and hit a switch. Static emanated from the computers speakers, but in the sound they could make out something else.

*static* This is Anthony La....Seven….destroyed....came from Yucca Mou....spread like wild fi....is collapsing…everyone is gone. *static*

“That’s all that we’ve been able to isolate so far.”

Luna looked over to Celestia with a confused expression on her face. “Who is Anthony?”

The gentle vibrations of the engines did little to calm his nerves as Major Whiplash and his team approached the target location. It could have just been a computer error, thought the Major. The eggheads at Canterlot must have screwed up he assured himself. The enemy wouldn’t dare attack them this close to the Capital. He looked below to see that they were passing over a small town. Whiplash spoke over the mic.

“We’re three minutes from the target location. Take the safeties off your weapon systems and get in formation. If we run into a hostile situation you have the green light to engage. Remember our primary objective for now is reconnaissance and intelligence gathering though.”

With that the team positioned themselves in a V-formation and began their descent.

“Your highness, the Wonderbolts are in position,” said the uniformed pony.

Luna turned to look at the screen in front of the room. A video feed from the Wonderbolts helmet camera filled the screen. A voice said,

“We’re in position, sir.”

The uniformed pony spoke into an electronic device attached to his foreleg,“You're clear to proceed.”

The video showed the team passing through a cloudbank as they began to decrease their altitude. They broke through the clouds a moment later to reveal a sight the princess had never seen.

“It looks like some sort of crash, sir; I can see debris littering the ground everywhere,” said one of the Wonderbolts.

Another member of the team spoke up. “This doesn’t look like any crash site that I’ve seen. I can see some sort of rubble down there. This is way too big of a debris field to be an airship.”

“Could we be looking at a crashed satellite?” inquired Celestia.

“No ma’am. All satellites both foreign and domestic are accounted for.” “Major, bring us in for a closer pass.”

“Yes sir,” replied a voice on the other end. The camera turned back around and came in for a lower shot. “I’ve never seen anything like this before. I can see large chunks of what appears to be stone along with large struts of metal, Sir. I’m going in closer.”

Luna looked at the screen with curious look on her face. She thought she saw something down in the debris. “Tell the team to come back around and to the right a bit. I thought I saw something.”

The team adjusted their course a moment later. “There!” exclaimed Luna, “By the outer edge.” Something appeared to be moving.

Lieutenant Jackson, head security officer of Project 7, tried to stand up on unsteady feet, but collapsed onto his knees.

“What happened?” he said aloud to no one in particular. He tried to stand again, but fell forward retching on the ground in front of him. His head was pounding. He reached a hand up to his forehead to feel something warm flowing through his fingers. He pulled his hand back, which was now covered in blood, and wiped it on his ruined cammies. Resting on his knees, the Lt. surveyed his surroundings. He was surrounded by chunks of concrete, metal beams, and all sorts of unidentifiable odds and ends. He quickly reached down to his side, his hands falling onto his holster. His pistol was still tucked inside safely, to which Lt. Jackson was visibly relieved.  He tried to remember how he ended up here, but his memory turned up blank. A loud whoosh overhead caused him to turn his head skyward. The Lt. recoiled at the bright white ball of light high up in the sky. This cannot be right, thought the Lt. as he continued looking up, confused.

“This can’t be right,” the Lt. repeated, this time aloud. “Where am I!?” he shouted to the sky as he cringing back in fear.

It was there high above the clouds and atmosphere that the Lt. saw a ghost from the past, an object absent to the skies above earth for a long time. The Sun.

(From the JUMPsuit recorder script of Major Whiplash, Rapid Response Team, Wonderbolts. Presented at the 'Second Global Conference on the "Project 7" Incident'. New Canterlot, Equestria, 21'st year of the 5th Era.)

Whiplash:Command. Command. We have Bogey in sight.

Commander:Come again Major, we’re picking up interference with you comms equipment.

Clip:I-I-It’s some sort of animal; it’s down in the wreckage.

Commander:Major, please clarify. We have lost your video feed. What do you see?

Whiplash:I’ve never seen anything like it. It appears to be some sort of bipedal animal.

Commander:Animal? What do you mean? You're not making any sense Major. What type of animal?

Whiplash:It’s not like any animal that I’ve even seen or heard of. It’s more like a CREATURE! Flyers, that thing is scary looking. It appears to be…clothed?

Commander:Major can you give a description of the creature.

Whiplash:Well, it’s standing on its two rear legs and seems to be looking around. It appears to be dark brown and hairless. It’s wearing some sort of camouflage, like a military uniform.

Commander:Did you say military, Major? Could this be something of the USSM?

Whiplash:I’m not sure. We’re moving in for a closer look.

[Silence]

I think it sees us.

[Silence]

Yup. It sees us.

[Silence]

It’s running.

Commander:Major, we have ground forces en-route to your location. Continue pursuing the targetwith your wing-mane and have the rest of your team fall back to the debris field. How copy?

Whiplash:Roger, that command.  Clip, you’re with me. The rest of you fall back to the debris location.

Clip:Here, sir. What do you want to do?

Whiplash:Let’s come in a bit lower. I need a better look.

Clip:Roger that. Right behind you.

[Silence]

Major… I think it's armed!

Major:Let pull back—

[Bang]

Pull up now!

Clip: What kind of weapon is that?

[Bang x 4]

Major:I’m hit! Engine failure in the number two unit! I’m losing controls! Clip, fall back to the others. Do not engage. I repeat, DO NOT ENGAGE!

Clip:I can’t just leave you, sir!

Major:I’ve made plenty of emergency landings before. Just get back to safety. I’ll see to this myself.

[Silence]

Command this is Major Whiplash in the blind. Do you read, over?

[Static]

Command! Command! This is Major Whiplash in the blind. I have engine failure and I’m losing control, over.

[Static]

Shit, my rescue unit is hit! Mayday! Mayday! MAYDAY! This is Major Whiplash of the Wonderbolts in the blind, I’m hit and cannot eject. I am attempting an emergency landing outside the rural town of Ponyville. Does anybody read me, over?

[Static]

Mayday! Mayday! Mayd---

End of recording.

Lieutenant Jackson was running for his life. Someone, no, something was chasing him in the skies above.

“What the hell was that!” he yelled aloud. His body ached all over, yet he still sprinted ahead. He heard it again; it was the sound of a jet engine. It’s coming back, he thought. The Lt. turned his head attempting to catch a glimpse of his pursuers. What he saw next sent chills down his spine. He saw a pair of what appeared to be four-legged creature flying right behind him. They looked to have metal wings, and were descending closer toward him. Struggling to pull his pistol from his leg holster, he fired off a round at the closest of the flying creatures. The first round passed harmlessly to the side, and still they continued on. Unfazed, the Lt. fired off four more rounds. Two of the four rounds struck the side of one metal beast and sparks burst out of its side. A moment later the uninjured winged creature pulled away and flew off. The wounded creature dipped toward its port side, and started to lose altitude.

“Whoo! Yea, take that!” shouted the Lt. as he slowed to watch the hit creature continue its descent. It soon passed over a high hill and was lost from sight.

The Lt. slowed his pace and eventually came to a stop, gasping for breath. He winced and grabbed at the lower portion of his right leg. That can’t be good, he thought. Pulling up his pant leg, he was greeted with radiating pain. A large portion of his lower leg was badly bruised and was swelling to unhealthy proportions. Something heavy must have fallen on it during whatever happened back in the debris field. Everything was still kind of fuzzy. Right now he was moving on instinct alone.

 While the bleeding from his head had ebbed, he now had to deal with what was likely a fracture. The adrenaline rush that had kept him sprinting was wearing off and he could feel the pain increasing. I need to find help, was the only thing he could think of. Keeping his pistol drawn, the Lt. limped toward the hill the creature disappeared behind. The hill might not have been steep but just putting pressure on his leg was agony. He crested the top hill and stopped to take another breather. What lay before him was a village of straw thatched houses. It was like a picture out of a peaceful countryside. However, he could see signs of technology in the distance. He could just make out what appeared to be a radio tower. He could faintly hear a siren blaring from afar. The Lieutenant’s eyes wandered from the town before him to something in the distance. It looked like a large mountain, but something quite large was jutting from the side of it.

For the second time that day he said, “Where the hell am I,” as he limped down the hill toward the distant town and its blaring sirens.

Princess Twilight Sparkle was running through Ponyville against a stream of worried ponies. They were all headed for the train station at the other end of town. Whoever she asked, she got the same answer. Something happened over the hills to the west of the town. Several townsfolk gave descriptions of the loud explosion that she had heard from her castle. Others reported of a bright flash of light in the sky.  She had to make sure her friends got on that train. While most the ponies lived near the center of their small rural town, there was one family who live on the outskirts. The Apples.

        Sweet Apple Acres was the closest to the unexplained explosion. She had to see if AppleJack and the rest of her family were alright. Twilight hurried down the street that would lead out of town toward the famous apple farm. Just as she reached the edge of town, she heard a sound overhead. She looked up just in time to see a pony falling out the sky directly toward her. At the last moment, the pony pulled out of his steep dive, barely missing the princess’s head. Twilight turned to see that the pony was trailing a dark trail of smoke. “It’s a Wonderbolt,” she said to herself in astonishment, recognizing their iconic JUMPsuit. The pony had eased into a glide, but gravity soon took effect. The pony slammed into an open field, the wing of his metal suit carving a rut in the soft soil. With a jerk, the pony was thrown into a roll, metal flying out in all directions. The downed Wonderbolt eventually came to rest in a pile of twisted metal and charred avionics. Twilight, who had been petrified witnessing the horrific crash, ran toward the Wonderbolt.

The pony was lying on its side, his helmet ripped from his head and unmoving. She could hear an automated computer voice, as she got closer.

“MAG unit integrity at 45 percent.”

As Twilight cautiously approached, the pony’s eyes blinked open.

“I wouldn’t come any closer if I were you.”

“Oh my gosh! You're OK.”

“I wouldn’t say OK, but I’ve been worse. One of my weapon units, however, is not OK. I think it was damaged from the impact. She’s gonna blow any minute.”

As if to confirm this, the onboard computer chirped, “MAG unit integrity at 35 percent.”

Twilight saw that one of the wings of the suit was starting to glow hot orange. “We have to get you out of here.”

“Give me a hoof. My escape system is damaged. You see the small panel on my side, right in front of the wing? Open it up. There should be a manual release.”

MAG unit integrity at 25 percent.

Twilight quickly found and opened the panel. In side was a simple lever that read PULL UP TO RELEASE. She tried to pull on the release, but it didn’t budge. “It’s stuck.”

“Come on. Pull harder! This suits getting hot you know.”

MAG unit integrity at 15 percent.

“I’m trying!”

MAG unit integrity at 5 percent.

With a click the release engaged and explosive bolts holding the mechanical suit sections together shot off into the sky. The Wonderbolt quickly pulled himself from  the pieces of his wrecked suit. “RUN!”

With a quick dash the two ponies sprinted away from the wreckage.They had scarcely gotten fifteen yards before the suit exploded behind them, the blast knocking the two ponies to the ground. Debris and smoke were blown in all directions, one piece of metal zipping over Twilight’s head.

As the smoke cleared, the male pony slowly stood up, groaning, one of his wings hanging by his side at an awkward angle.

“Damn, Command is not gonna be happy about this.” Looking down he recognized for the first time who his rescuer actually was. “Oh my gosh, your Highness. I didn’t recognize it was you. Are you OK?” he said reaching out a hoof to help Princess Twilight up.

“Yea, I’m OK. Just a little shaken up. I’m just glad I was able to get you out in time.”

“You have my eternal gratitude Princess. Major Whiplash, at your service,” he said bowing his head.

Twilight gave a little chuckle. “Please Major, call me Twilight.”

“Of course your Highne..I mean..er..Twilight.” The grin on Major Whiplash face thought suddenly disappeared. “We have to get you out of here. It’s not safe.” The Major limped a short distance to where the other wing of his suit had been ripped off early in his crash. Righting the dented piece of metal he opened a large access panel.

“Not safe? Does this have to do with the explosion we heard earlier?”

The Major talked as he continued to rummage inside the wing.

“Command sent us to determine the source of the explosion and an unexplained signal appearing on all known wavelengths. When we arrived at the scene we found a large debris field of stone and metal along with an unknown armed hostile.”

“Hostile?”

“A more precise term is creature. It's like nothing I’ve seen before. And it is dangerous. It posses some form of projectile weaponry. You can thank it for taking down my suit.” The Major pulled a metal tubular device trailing wires from the inside of the wing. “And I’m about to repay the favor. First we need to get you and the rest of the town's ponies out of here.”

“I can’t Major. One of my friends is still out there,” said Twilight pointing in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. “I have to make sure she’s OK.”

“It’s too dangerous with that thing out there. We have to get you out of here.”

“I’m not asking Major,” replied Twilight with a stern tone in her voice.

Sighing the Major looked off in the direction she had pointed. It was right toward the source of the explosion, and that creature. Looking back toward Twilight he replied, “Fine. We’ll get your friend. But once ya’ll are to safety, I’m going after that thing that shot me down.” The Major slung the tubular device across his back, tying the wire into a makeshift sling. “It’s just a good thing each suit carries two MAG units. That thing is going down. Hard.”

***************************Canterlot, Equestria********************

        “Ma’am, we've lost communication with Major Whiplash and the rest of his team. It appears that the unknown signal has affected most of our communications' equipment.”

Celestia sighed and kept her calm, cool demeanor. “Keep trying Commander.”

Luna looked over at Celestia. “You saw that thing too, before the video cut out. What was that?”

“I’m not sure. But I don’t like it. Commander, pull up the video feed right before it cut out.”

With a few seconds the video was displayed on the bunkers front monitor.

“Now bring us forward to where we saw that thing in the rubble.”

The recorded video from the Rapid Response Team’s helmet zipped across the screen.

“There. Stop.”

In front of them on the video display was a low-resolution picture of Lt. Jackson in full view. The occupants of the room sat in mute silence, staring at this creature that none of them had ever seen before.

“In all my years…” was all that Celestia said, evidently deep in thought.

“What was that sister?”

Celestia looked to Luna managing a faint smile. “Nothing, just thinking.”

“Commander?”

“Yes, your highness?”

“What’s the status of our ground forces in the area?”

“They’re standing by and waiting for your orders Ma’am.”

 “Give the order to move in. We need to contain and get to the bottom of this. It definitely isn’t the USSM.”

Celestia turned to a pony standing by at a communications terminal. “Get me a link to the Center for Equestria Diseases.”

Lt. Jackson had wandered into what appeared to be some sort of orchard. All around him were tall leafy trees with fruit on them. They appeared to be apples. Bright, red, delicious apples. His stomach grumbled, but as much as he wanted to stop and enjoy one his training told him to keep pushing on. He limped down the rows of trees, pistol in hand, still trying unsuccessfully to remember where he was. The last thing he could recall was him sitting in his security center at Project 7. Had he dozed off? Was this just a dream? The pain in his leg told him otherwise. None of this made any sense he told himself. After the Moscow Incident the Sun had constantly been hidden behind an unending cloud of dust and radioactive fallout. Yet, there it was shining ever the brighter above his head. It was like the past was nothing but a distant bad dream. The constant cold, the radioactive dust storms, food shortages and gloom all but a distant memory. But it wasn't just a memory, but a reality. So then where was he? And what were those things that had been chasing him? So many unanswered questions and few answers in sight.

The row of trees gradually came to an end. Before him was a scene out of an old postcard. A red barn with matching farmhouse lay before him surrounded by even more rows of unending apple trees. The Lt. steadied himself, lowering his pistol for the first time since drawing it. The picture had triggered a distant, yet vivid memory deep within the him. Home.

        “There it is! Get down!”

Major Whiplash pushed Twilight without hesitation behind a nearby low wall. Rearing on his hind legs Whiplash brought the MAG unit up to his shoulder and lined up the barrel with Lt. Jackson. With a click and whir a charged blast shot out from the barrel of the MAG unit. Had Whiplash’s aim been spot on the blast would have hit the unsuspecting Lt. Instead, the tree to his right exploded in a shower of charred branches and splinters. The Lt., taking the brunt of the shockwave, was thrown a considerable distance. He landed in a crumpled heap against a stack of baskets containing apples. Dazed, but not out, he struggled to his feet firing off several shots in the direction of his yet to be seen attacker. Everything was a blurr. Ducking behind a wall the Lt. narrowly missed another blast. Popping up on his good knee, he emptied the rest of his clip in the direction the blast came from. Back down behind the wall, he ejected the now empty magazine from his pistol and racked home a fresh one from his holster's pocket. Before he could stand and let loose another volley, a large portion of the wall to his left was blown apart. He had to find better cover. The barn. It was a short distance away and had decent cover. All he had to do was get to it. Ducking low and keeping his head down he ran down the length of the wall. He stopped at the corner to catch his breath. The barn would be a short distance away he told himself. Lt. Jackson brought his pistol up to the ready and took a deep breath. He had barely rounded the corner when there was a movement in the corner of his vision. He turned his head to only be met with a flash of orange and then enveloping darkness.

        “Twilight! Over here!” yelled Applejack from where she stood over the Lt.’s unconscious body.

Major Whiplash cautiously approached with his MAG unit still at the ready. Twilight followed close behind.

“What the hay is that thing?” said Applejack in amazement at the creature she had bucked in the face.

“That would be the thing that shot me out of the sky,” said Whiplash slowly lowering his weapon. “That,s the weapon he used to damage my suit,” he said nudging the pistol away from the Lt.

“Are you OK Applejack?” asked Twilight in a worried tone.

“Yea, I’m fine. My farm on the other hoof seems to have a few more holes in it than usual. I take it that would be your fault.” proclaimed the orange pony looking smugly at Whiplash.

“With all due respect Ma’am, that thing started it.”

“I’ve never see a creature like this before.” said Twilight edging her way around the Lt. She could see two circular bruises already starting to form on the side of Jackson’s face.

“I wonder where he came from.”

“We can't sit around here long I have to get in touch with command. Miss Applejack is it? Would you happen to have a radio?”

“Yea, I got one in the house. You're not bringing that thing inside though,” said Applejack pointing at the MAG unit.

“Here then,” he said handing her the weapon, “you watch that thing. If it moves, blast it.”

“Ha! I've got all the protection I need right here,” she said kicking the air with her hind legs.

The Major walked off toward the house while Applejack and Twilight watched over the unconscious Lt.

“I take it you heard the explosion earlier?” said Twilight breaking the silence. “Are Applebloom and Big Mac aright?’

“I reckon. Big Mac and Applebloom were both in town when it happened. I hope they're alright. I heard the evacuation sirens, but someone had to stay and protect the farm.”

“I’m sure they’re OK. They’re probably boarding the train right now.”

Twilight's attention then turned to the Lt.’s pistol which was lying in the dirt. “Look at what that thing was using. I've never seen technology like this before.” Looking at where Major Whiplash had been firing from she walked over to inspect a nearby tree. It had several holes punched into the tree’s bark. She then turned to inspect the wall she had taken cover behind. She noticed it was pockmarked with several similar holes. She bent down to observe something shiny wedged in between some of the stones. It was a small piece of metal. “It’s some sort of projectile weapon. Whiplash said that thing shot him out of the sky. This is definitely some sort of advanced technology,” said Twilight examining the pistol a bit closer.

“Where do you think it came from?” questioned Applejack staring at the strange thing she had kicked in the face.

“I think that's the question everyone is trying to answer.”

        Whiplash found the box-like radio unit sitting on a shelf in the kitchen of the farm house. He quickly powered up the unit and dialed it to the correct wavelength.

“This is Major Whiplash calling Canterlot Command. Do you read, over?”

Static was the only answer he received.

“Canterlot Command, this is Major Whiplash of the Wonderbolts in the blind. Do you copy, over?”

This time he received an answer.

“This is Canterlot Command. Are we glad to hear from you Major. What's your status, over?”

“The unidentified creature from the debris field used a weapon to damage my suit. I was forced to make an emergency landing on the outskirts of Ponyville.  I was able to salvage a MAG unit from my suit and subdue the creature at an apple farm a short distance away. How copy, over?”

“Roger that Major. What's the creature’s condition, over?”

“It appears to be unconscious for the moment but I don't know for how long. What's the status of those ground forces?”

“We have them enroute to your location now. You are to wait for forces to arrive and help prepare the creature for transport.”

“Transport? To where? Shouldn’t I be more helpful evacuating the town?”

“That’s a negatory. Evacuation of the town has been called off. As of right now we have forces cordoning off the town. No civilians in or out until we get this situation under control. We are transporting the creature and anything salvageable from the debris field which has been labeled Site Alpha to Sierra Base outside Canterlot. How copy, over?”

The Major hesitated in his reply. Canterlot; why there?

“Major do you copy, over?”

“Roger that command. Over and out.”

**************************Site Alpha**************************

Inside a mobile command base on the edge of Site Alpha a uniformed pony sat beside a bank of communications equipment. One of the units lit up and announced an incoming transmission. With the flick of a switch a link was established.

“Team Leader. Team Leader. This is Canterlot Command. How copy, over?”

“Roger, Command. This is Team Leader reading you five by five. Transmission link is clear and stable, over.”

“Acknowledged Team Leader, we have a new set of directives coming from High Command. Continue to keep Site Alpha contained, but the containment zone is being extended to include the town of Ponyville to you west. New parameters are being sent to you now. In addition we have a request for a priority transport. Coordinates are included. How copy, over?”

On an opposite side of the communications trailer a screen projected a satellite image of Site Alpha and the surrounding landscape. The projection showed the updated containment contingency plan that Command had sent. A moment later a blimp popped up on-screen showing the coordinates of Sweet Apple Acres for the priority transport.

“WILCO, that Command. What are the transport procedures, over?”

“Destination is Sierra Base outside Canterlot. Full quarantine gear required, though it’s just a precaution for the moment. The Center for Equestrian Diseases should be delivering the proper quarantine gear to you any moment now. Armed security is also required. Cargo is possibly dangerous.”

Quarantine? Dangerous cargo? The CED? This cannot be good.

“Loud and clear Command. Priority transport is being sent. Over and out.”

The uniformed pony stepped out of the communications trailer into the commotion outside. Everywhere the eye could see, scientists and armed forces were coming through the debris field. A makeshift landing pad had been set up to allow ariel transport to bring in more equipment and forces. An incoming gyrocopter was approaching the landing pad. The uniformed pony could see the words “Center for Equestrian Diseases” painted on its side in bright orange letters. The large gyrocopter approached slowly, and touched down softly on the landing pad . The uniformed pony walked up toward the aircraft’s opening door. A simply dressed brown pony hopped out and met him halfway.

“Flyers, what happened here?” he asked in a whiny voice.

“A satellite crash,” the uniform pony lied to the awkward pony. “I’m told you have some quarantine equipment for me.”

“Oh, yea, of course.”

“Well don’t just stand there help me with this Trotter,” yelled a pale yellow mare from the door of the aircraft.

“Sorry, Dr. Haze,” apoligised the brown pony running back to help the yellow unicorn unload a rather large crate.

The uniformed pony inspected the contents of the crate after it was set down. Inside were three positive pressure suits and a large clear-lidded containment stretcher. This was getting interesting.

“Sorry to have to leave so quickly but were kinda busy back in Canterlot. The suits are pretty user friendly. Put them on and just make sure that none of the seams or seals are leaking air.” yelled the yellow earth pony from the door of the already warming-up aircraft.

Simply nodding the uniformed pony watched the aircraft lift off and head for Canterlot. Turning back toward his communications trailer the pony called for an Ensign standing nearby. Instructing the young soldier to put together a team to carry out the priority transport, the uniformed pony instructed caution to be taken.

The uniformed pony watched the aircraft dust-off and turned back toward his trailer. Before he could step inside however a breathless Private stopped him.

“Sir, you had better come take a look at this.”

“Sigh, this had better be good.”

The Private hurriedly led him toward a growing crowd near the center of the debris field. They quickly pushed through the ring of crowding scientists and military personnel. When they broke into the middle, the uniformed pony was stunned at what he saw amongst the rubble. For the first time in a long time he was left speechless at what lay before him. Was he seeing things.

Before the stunned group lay three creatures none of them had seen before amongst the rubble. Two of the creatures chest rose and fell steadily, but one was deathly still.

Nearby was a metallic container labeled “T4H” which was slowly leaking a dark viscous substance. As the tar-like liquid oozed onto the grass, whisps of smoke drifted into the air.

He slowly turned to the Private that had brought him. In a low yet commanding voice he said, “Get on the wire and tell that CED copter to turn back around now. I don’t care how you do it, just get them back here. Command is going to want to see this.”