The Passing

by Anchors Away

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Alternate Universe, Human, Adventure
Length: 23568

When an unknown explosion is recorded in western Equestria, many fear war has finally come to their shores. Upon investigating, Equestria found it has some new visitors. And something sinister has followed them there.

[Declaration of Quarintine. Presented at the 'Second Global Conference on the "Project 7" Incident'. New Canterlot, Equestria, 21'st year of the 5th Era.]

By general consensus, the nations of this world have come a the conclusion. Equestria must be quarantined if the rest of the world is to survive this catastrophic event. It is by decree that henceforth, the nation of Equestria which is lost beyond salvagable measure, is to be quarantined off from the rest of the world. The nation and all its landmasses are now prohibited territory and a no fly zone is being enacted. Anypony attempting to leaving it's shores will be stopped with force, if necessary, for the good of the rest of the world. May we all have mercy on their souls.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-05 02:10:01 UTC

Prologue

(From the Diary of Princess Twilight Sparkle. Presented at the 'Second Global Conference on the "Project 7" Incident'. New Canterlot, Equestria, 21'st year of the 5th Era.

May 15th                                                                 4th Era, Year 1004

        Finally moved everything that was salvaged from the Library into the castle today. On one hoof I am extremely excited for my beautiful castle as well as my new role in Ponyville,. On the other, I can’t help but wish for my old library again. But, I am moving on, slowly but surely. The girls have been helping me move in over the past weekend. They all seemed a little shaken up after everything that happened with Tirek. After the battle I passed out in my new bed for what seemed like a day and a half. Now with most of my belongings salvaged and accounted for I was hoping to just have a week of peace and quiet; maybe a few days where I can just relax. That plan will have to be put on hold for now, as usual. The Princess has called me to Canterlot for some unknown reason. Spike and I will probably be heading out tomorrow morning on the earliest train. She sounded pretty urgent.

[Pages missing]

May 21st                                                                 4th Era, Year 1004

        The Princesses along with the royal court and myself have finally come to a consensus. After the incident with Tirek it is evident Equestria is unprepared to defend itself. That is why we as a nation must focus on the advancement of our defenses, so that our peaceful way of life is not threatened once again. For too long has Equestria been bullied by powerful creatures and tyrants. Celestia has personally chosen our top scientists, thinkers, engineers and inventors to form a new committee to bolster and advance our defenses nationwide. It will be called the “Equestrian Defense Committee” or EDC. I couldn’t be happier. Even with the Elements of Harmony, my friends have constantly been put in danger. I cannot risk putting them in harm's way anymore.

[Section missing]

3 years later

March 8th                                                                 4th Era, Year 1007

        I’m glad to be back from my trip to Canterlot. The past few days Princess Celestia has been showing me the progress the EDC has been making since our last visit. It is really quite remarkable what ponies can do when they have a common goal. The things they have created are astounding. Technology that we never could have dreamed to be possible, yet here it is just within our grasp. Theories that can change everything we know about science and the magical arts. And we’re not just talking about advances for our military. These marvelous things will change life as we know it.  The possibilities are endless with what this technology could do for the good of Equestria.

[Section missing]

2 years later

July 12th                                                                 4th Era, Year 1009

        The latest diplomatic meeting with the Tsar of The United Socialist States of Maretonia ended yesterday without reaching an agreement. They continue to stick to their argument that our advances pose a threat and are seen as hostile actions. To make things worse, our latest intelligence shows that they have indeed copied our technologies. At the moment it appears that they are massing a military force of their own. This isn’t what we wanted. We just wanted to live in peace without fear of evil. I know Maretonia isn’t evil, but if they're looking for a fight, I fear we won't have much of a choice.

[Section missing]

4 years later

October 19th                                                                 4th Era, Year 1013

        Saddle Arabia fell last week under the power of the USSM. Already the latest images from our newest spy satellite shows what appear to military installations being installed. One by one the nations across the western sea have fallen to the USSM. There have been rumors from Canterlot that the enemy now has satellite capabilities and have been watching our progress as well. I fear that war is inevitable. As I write these words our forces are still hard at work preparing for a war that many say is just beyond the horizon. I have confidence we can peacefully overcome these tense times, but Equestria is prepared for the worst. If they shall come, let them come. We are prepared.

Eternity was a bright white expanse. An endless void. This was what Dr. Mark Harrison director of Project 7, was seeing. Eternity. Or at least that’s what it felt like. A large, infinite, white, nothingness and he was in the middle of it. He couldn’t seem to tell if he was floating or standing on a solid surface, he wasn’t quite sure. He looked around himself trying to make sense of where he was. But in truth he was neither here, nor there, nor anywhere. He was surrounded by everything and nothing. It was both infinite and infinitesimal. The Dr. could not feel anything nor hear anything. He looked down and was relieved to see his physical body, it being covered by a torn and dirtied lab coat. Something felt different though. He soon realized that he was not breathing. He tried to inhale but no oxygen graced his empty lungs. Despite this he did not get the sensation of suffocation, nor did he feel the need for a breath. He felt no hunger, no thirst, and no pain. Is this death? he thought. He tried to remember how he got here, but it was like his memory had been wiped. He probed his memory searching for answers.I know who I am, he thought to himself. My name is Mark Harrison, and I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm 67, or at least I think I am. I...I worked in D.C. at the National Institution of Scientific Studies as a Nuclear Physicist. But something was missing from his memories. It was as if the final chapters and been ripped out a book. Harrison continued to search his empty surroundings until, at last he spotted something in the distance. It was a faint glow, but he could not tell how far off it was. He watched as the glow grew in size and intensity until it seemed to envelope his entire surroundings. His fears and troubles vanished as he basked in the lights warmth. It was a feeling he had not felt in a long time. Peace. He closed his eyes and a smile crept across his face as the light enveloped him. The Dr.’s eyes snapped wide open. He remembered now. He was falling.

Chapter 1

***********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.”

Chapter 2

*******************Sweet Apple Acres******************

“It looks like Command opted for ariel transport insead,” said Whiplash. “It must be pretty urgent for them to be using the new aircrafts.”

“Look at the creature at your hooves. Didn’t he blast your feathery butt outta tha sky?” quipped Applejack in a mocking tone. “And ya wondering why they’re taking caution?”

Whiplash returned the smug look.

 The large gyro touched down in the center of the iconic apple farm and two strangely dressed ponies stepped out carrying an enclosed stretcher. Twilight noticed one of them had a device similar to Whiplash’s MAG unit, though smaller, strapped to one of his hooves. The two slowed for a brief second at seeing the unconscious Lt. Jackson being closely watched by Applejack. Command had warned them they would be transporting a strange creature, but neither of them were expecting this.

        “Major Whiplash, I hear you gave your team quite a scare earlier,” one of the suited ponies said through an external speaker.

“And I thought I taught them better than that. You must be my ride out of here.”

“Yes Sir. But I hope you don’t mind company. Your unconscious friend there is tagging along.”

“You can have em’,” said Applejack backing away from the Lt. body. “What's with tha fancy getups though.”

“It’s just precautionary Miss. If you all just clear away we’ll take it off your hooves now.”

        The two suited ponies awarkly grabbed each end of the Lt. and heaved his body onto the waiting stretcher. The clear lid was shut and the air-tight seals checked. With a deep breath the two heaved the stretcher on their backs.

“Flyers, this things heavy.”

        “Where are they taking it?” questioned an ever curious Twilight looking at Whiplash.

“Their taking it to a military base outside Canterlot as far as I know. Command wants me to go with them,” said Whiplash heading toward the waiting aircraft. “I’d love to stay and chat, especially with someone as refined as you Miss Applejack,” Whiplash yelled over the aircraft’s engines, his voice dripping with sarcasm aimed at the fuming orange pony.

“Dontcha worry. We can meet up again and chat over the repair bill I’ll be serving ya for the holes in ma barn,” shouted Applejack, a hoof shaking in the air.

Twilight could only chuckle at how the two seemingly rubbed each other the wrong way.        Soon the aircraft had lifted off and was fading from view.

“Ooh...argh...that arrogant...gahh!” steamed Applejack surveying the damage Whiplash has caused, seemingly oblivious to the incident with the strange creature earlier.

        “Twilight!” called shy, yellow pegasus coming up the footpath.

“Fluttershy. You're still here? I thought you and Spike were on the train out of here.”

“We met up with the rest of the girls and tried to board, but the Equestrian Royal Army came and quarantined the entire town. They’re not letting anypony in or out.”

“Things must be worse than I thought,” said Twilight evidently worried at the latest news.

“Umm...what happened to Applejack’s barn,” asked Fluttershy looking past Twilight. Applejack, muttering curses under her breath, was placing a temporary piece of plywood over a large hole in the side of the barn. It did little to cover the massive hole.

“Err...it’s a long story. I’ll explain it all but I have to get in touch with Princess Celestia. Let’s get back to the castle.”

Turning around to call to Applejack Twilight was met with a gruff, “Ahm kinda busy right now Twi, ah’ll meet ya’ll there later as soon as ah got this covered.”

Fluttershy and Twilight turned to each other Twilight saying, “Like I said, it’s a long story. I’ll explain along the way.” The two turned back down the footpath and hurried back toward Ponyville, Twilight recounting the harrowing event leading up to now.

The gyrocopter carrying the Lt as well as Whiplash made a sudden course correction as it approached Canterlot. Whiplash inquired what was going on with the co-pilot.

“New instructions just came in from Central. We’re being directed to the CED headquarters. It seems like the guys back at Site Alpha found three more of these things along with some unidentifiable toxin.”

“Toxin?”

“Yea, evidently some poor little critter was exposed to some black substance. They said it was pretty gruesome from what I heard. Some weak stomached Private lost his lunch. Flyers this is crazy.”

“You’re telling me.”

The pilot turned in his seat to face Whiplash, his voice real low.  “Rumors are going around Central. There’s talk of these things being...like...otherworldly.”

“You mean like aliens?” questioned Whiplash skeptically.

“Think about it. They said our friend here shot you out the sky with that shiny black device of him,” nodding toward the Lt.’s pistol in an evidence bag. “You ever seen anything like that. I know I haven’t. And Princess Celestia calling in the CED, before they even found anything. This thing is obviously some sort of intelligence creature like Equestria has never seen before, and Command is leaving out the details”

“You may just be right. Maybe…”

 The aircraft soon flew past the large city of Canterlot and headed around the side of the mountain. Ahead of them was a flat section of ground into which the entrance of the CED was located on the side of the large mountain. Designed to contain diseases and toxins of all sorts, the CED was at the forefront of protecting Equestria from all sorts of deadly organisms and substances.

        Dr. Haze was bent over the sink in her office bathroom. Her breathing was shallow and it was a struggle for each breath. She reached for the medicine cabinet. Her forehoof didn’t want to respond. Come on. She tried again, and this time her hoof slowly reached for the mirrored cabinet. She grabbed a clear pre-filled syringe, her hoof now shaking violently. With a quick jerk, she stabbed the needle into her opposite shoulder and depressed the plunger. Relief. Her breathing slowly returned to normal and the muscle tremors soon settled down. They’re getting worse, she told herself. How much longer do I have?. All she needed was a little more time. But deep down inside she suspected it was a futile attempt. The technology she needed just wasn’t there. Her mental resolve broke. I’m going to die alone, she thought to herself. For a moment she almost broke down in tears. She looked up at her reflection in the mirror, her face contorting into an angry scowl.

“NO!” she yelled aloud.

You can do this. Get yourself together. Success was just with her reach. Just a little more time.

Dr. Haze, now calm and collective, was wearing a white lab coat and heading out the CED’s main entrance. She strolled out onto the landing pad where she greeted a stallion who looked like he had a rough day.

“Hi. I’m Dr. Solar Haze. You must be the fellow who subdued the creature outside Ponyville.”

Whiplash stood outside the aircraft, letting the Ensign and co-pilot lug Lt. Jackson through the entrance built into the mountains. “That’s correct. Major Whiplash. Pleasure to meet you Ma’am,” he said extending a hoof.

“Fascinating!” said the excited Dr. “Please, if you follow me we just need to recount some of the details you observed about the creature.”

Dr. Haze led the Major into the instillation. Built into the very mountain on which Canterlot sat, it was theoretically impossible for any contagions inside to be exposed to the outside. After passing through the main airlock, Dr. Haze led Whiplash down a large corridor past several laboratories. “I take it you heard the team at Site Alpha found three more of these creatures?” questioned Haze as they continued deeper into the facility.

“Yea, I also heard of some sort of toxin.”

“That’s what the evidence points to so far. I just so happened to be halfway back from delivering some protective suits when they started to frantically call us back. I went ahead and sent several aircraft to retrieve the three other creatures along with a sample of the toxin. They should be here within the hour.”

 The two stopped at an observation room perched above a medical bay. Down below them a group of ponies in protective quarantine suits were sliding the unconscious Lt. onto a medical table.

“Whiplash?” began Dr. Haze not diverting her eyes from the scene below. “We need you to recount your interactions with the creature.” She pulled a voice recorder from a pocket. “Do you mind if I record this.”

“Not at all,” replied Whiplash.

For the next fifteen minutes he relayed the earlier event being stopped every few minutes for questions and clarifications from Dr. Haze. As he recalled the events the medical team below began a initial analysis of Lt. Jackson. Wires led from his now exposed chest to a video display to monitor his vital signs. Whiplash finished recounting his harrowing tale as Dr. Haze switched off the recorder and walked over to a nearby intercom.

“What do you have so far?”

“Initial observation points to a possible concussion as well as a suspected fracture of his lower right appendage. Vitals seem to be similar to most warm blooded species, though we can't be sure until we get a baseline on the other three creatures. Judging from its tooth structure we can assume it’s an omnivore, though I wouldn’t put bits on it. Oh, and it appears to be a male”

“Keep me posted.” replied Dr. Haze.

A lanky brown colored pony stepped into the observation room.

“Dr. Haze, the other creatures just arrived along with that toxin sample you wanted analyzed. The sample is being analyzed down on the level four containment lab.”

“Thank you Trotter. What's the status of the other creatures?”

“Unfortunately it looks like one had expired before they were discovered. The other two seem to be stable, yet still unconscious for the moment.”

“Thanks for the update. If anything changes I’ll be in the level four lab. I’m sorry Major but, I’m afraid we have to cut our time short. If you follow my colleague Trotter he’ll lead you back to your aircraft. I’m sure your higher ups will want to debrief you themselves.”

“No problem,” said Whiplash quietly looking at the Lt.’s unconscious body one last time before silently heading out the room.

**(Level Four Containment Lab, Center for Equestrian Diseases)**

        “What do we know?” said Dr. Haze through the comms unit of her protective suit.

“Our initial observations point to something viral, but it’s not like any i've seen before. It seems to have been modified,” said a similarly dressed lab tech

“Modified? Why do you think that.”

The lab tech directed her to the microscope.

“See the head of the virus. It’s been enlarged almost five-fold. It must contain a massive DNA strand from what I can tell. One thing I do know is that nature doesn’t do that. And that’s not even the dead give-away. Their genetically tagged.”

“Tagged?”

“Yup. Each and every one. My theory is that this virus was modified to only attack certain types of cells.”

“Which ones?”

The tech shrugged “No idea, yet. Labs will take at least another week, and that’s a conservative guess.”

“Could the USSM have created this?”

“Not possible. Even with OUR best technology could we even do this. This is borderline science fiction. I can tell you for certain though, you definitely don’t want this thing getting out. This has biological weapon written all over it.”

Dr. Haze looked up from the microscope deep in thought. So then where did come from.

“Ok, here’s what we do. Run the labs, but this thing says on level four; full containment. We destroy any possible contamination sources. We need to tell the Princesses. I think we just received a  golden opportunity.” she said a smile creeping across her face.

“What about your new pets upstairs?”

“I’ll leave them in Trotters control. This is way more important.” replied Dr. Haze looking in her microscope at the answer to her problems.

************(Princess Twilight’s Castle, Ponyville)************

Back in Ponyville, Twilight had just finished recounting the earlier events to Rarity, Pinkie and Spike. Fluttershy had gone back to her cottage to check on her animals since it was getting late. Already the Sun had begun to set, the moon rising over the horizon to take its place. It had definitely been a long day full of danger and worry. While most of the townsfolk had returned to their normal routines under the Army’s vigil, Twilight was still up and restless.

“I have to talk to the Princesses. There are so many unanswered questions,” said a worried Twilight.

“I’m afraid it’s not possible dearie. The army has shut down all the communication towers and the trains as well,” explained Rarity. “Unless you want to travel all the way to Canterlot, I’m not sure how you could talk to Princess Celestia and Luna.”

A grin spread across Twilights face. “There is one other way to get in touch with Canterlot. Spike!”

Spike came strolling into the room after having recently raided the castle’s pantry. Besides being little older and a little moodier, the teenage dragon had not changed much since arriving in Ponyville alongside Twilight.

“Yea, Twilight?”

“I need you to send a letter to Celestia.”

“A letter? Jeez, I haven’t sent a letter to anyone in years since they put in those radio towers.” said Sike as he rummaged around for paper and quill.

        Twilight dictated out the letter to Spike, urgently asking for information about the recent events from her former teacher and fellow Princess. With a bright green flash the letter had disappeared and was on its way to Canterlot.

 The three ponies sat in Twilight’s study as they anxiously awaited a reply. Spike had seemingly wandered off to carry out a second raid on the kitchen pantry.  Rarity finally started up a conversation to pass the time.

“So Pinkie, do you have any ideas yet for Rainbow Dash’s visit next week?”

“Oh no! Is that next week? I totally forgot,” said Pinkie jolting up in her chair. “It’s going to have to be the most awesome welcome back party ever. There is still so much planning to do.”

Twilight chuckled at the pink pony’s hyperactive behavior. “Don’t worry Pinkie. She only has five days leave before she has to leave again for training. I’m sure she just want to see us and spend the day around town. I can’t believe it’s been almost six months she’s been gone.”

  It had been a long road for Rainbow Dash, that Twilight remembered well. It had been close to five year ago that Rainbow had joined the Equestrian Royal Army with the hopes of becoming Commander of the Wonderbolts. While she wasn’t quite there yet, she was still a well respected member. Evidently she was involved in some of the new development programs, testing and flying some of the newest flight gear. She rarely talked about her job though. But that was usually normal for ponies in tech development. Everypony always so concerned with espionage and what not. They had kept in touch, but work had always seemed to take priority, save these few visits.

In the background Rarity and Pinkie continued the conversation on Rainbow Dash’s visit while Twilight paced around her study. She still could not shake the bad feeling that had been following her most of the day. She tried to shake it off as just her normal worrisome self, but something told her there was more to it. Spike came strolling into the study, a bowl of chips tucked under an arm.

 Twilight sighed, “Spike, don’t be eating those in the study. You always leave crumbs everywhere.”

“Oh, sorry Twi-BURP-light.” A sealed scroll had magically materialized and fallen to the floor.”

The conversation between Pinkie and Rarity came to a stop as Twilight retrieved the scroll and broke the seal. She read the contents of the letter aloud for the others to hear.

“My dear Twilight. I am so sorry I did not contact you sooner. Things have been hectic hear to say the least. We have many important things to discuss. I will send an aircraft for yourself and friends at first light.” Twilight placed the letter down on the table.

“That’s all there is.”

Rarity stood up from her seat. “She want’s to see us? But why. We placed the Elements of Harmony in the Canterlot Vaults over seven years ago.”

“ Do you think they need us to use them? We haven’t had to since that nasty Tirek guy,” inquired Pinkie equally confused.

“I don’t know.” said Twilight, annoyed. “Thats why I wrote Celestia. To try to get answers. Evidently she needs to meet us Canterlot. Better tell Applejack and Fluttershy. It looks like we’re needed one again,” replied Twilight, eager for some answers.

Just as Princess Celestia had said, a gyrocopter touched down in Twilights backyard in the early morning light. Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Applejack, and an excited Spike boarded the aircraft and strapped themselves in. A few minutes out of Ponyville an excited Pinkie pointed out the aircraft’s window at the ground below.

“Look!”

Below them was a large group of ponies coming through the large debris field of site Alpha. Applejack noticed something odd about the ponies down below.

“Twilight, look. They’re all wearin’ those protective suits we saw yesterday when they took that thing away.”

Twilight had noticed them, too. She knew the suits were to protect against contamination. So what were they afraid of and where did all that debris come from? What were they looking for. Still more questions.

Less than an hour later the group was being escorted into the large Royal Castle by some guards. They sure have increased security since I was last here, noticed Twilight. Everywhere ponies and administrative workers were hustling about. There were even some military brass milling about. Things sure are tense here.

 They were soon herded into a spacious meeting room by the guards who shut the doors behind them and posted on either side.

“Twilight. You made it.” said a bleary-eyed Princess Celestia who stood beside her royal sister Princess Luna. She didn’t look any better than Celestia.

Niceties and quick hellos were passed around the rooms occupants before they all took their seats around a long table.

“Before you begin Twilight, I know you must have so many questions. I myself have many, too,” began Celestia. “Let us just lay some facts on the table. Luna, could you begin. I need some coffee.”

“Sure.” replied Luna as her sister made her way to a coffee urn in the corner. “So here’s what we have so far. At 0900 yesterday morning satellites picked up an explosion followed by an unknown signal outside of Ponyville which was labeled Site Alpha. The cover story right now is that it was a satellite that was knocked out of orbit and crashed. Initial reconnaissance by a team of Wonderbolts discovered an unknown hostile which grounded a pilot with a projectile weapon. Twilight here along with the downed pilot confronted the target outside ponyville where he was subdued and transported to the Center for Equestrian Diseases. Along with the creature recovered at Sweet Apple Acres, the team at Site Alpha recovered three more, one of which had expired from its injuries.”

“Oh no,” squeaked Fluttershy.

“Along with the creatures, the teams have found multiple items of concern. One in particular appears to be some sort of enhanced virus pathogen that we believe was modified to be a weapon.”

“A bio-weapon?” interjected Twilight. “Was this the USSM?”

“What troubles me is that it doesn’t appear to be. This is something much worse. The teams at Site Alpha have recovered evidence of a highly advanced technological race of intelligent beings. Technology that is way ahead of our own and the USSM combined. I’m talking otherworldly beings.”

The room was deathly silent. The group sat in stunned silence, letting the reality sink in. It was Applejack who finally broke the silence.

“So why do ya’ll need us here.”

“It’s merely a precaution,” explained Celestia returning with a cup of coffee. “The Elements have and always will be our last line of defense. Technology can break. Systems and backups can fail. But the spirit of the Elements endures above all. You all are a clear example of that philosophy,” said Celestia, a smile returning to her face.

“We just think we had better play things safe for now,” explained Luna.

It was Twilight’s turn to speak up. “Can..Can we see them?”

“I can arrange something if that’s what you all would want,” offered Luna. “I haven’t see them up close myself.”

“Count me out.” exclaimed Rarity in a fluster. “I don’t want to see some scary monster.”

“Monster? I...I think I’ll stay here, too.” said a scared Fluttershy.

“I’m with them,” exclaimed Spike. “Wanna see what the kitchens are cooking up Pinkie?”

“Ohhh, I could go for some cake now that you mention it.” With that Spike and Pinkie strolled off toward the kitchens.

Twilight turned toward Applejack. “What about AJ?”

“Ah, I guess I could tag along and see the others they found,” she said, not fully sure of herself.

“Ok then,” said Celestia, rising from the table. “I have some advisors to meet with for now, but Luna can show you to the tram.”

One of the latest achievements of Canterlot esteemed engineers, the tram line led into the mountain, connecting all parts of the massive city. It even ran to the Wonderbolts Hanger as well as the CED on the opposite side of the mountain. Twilight, AJ, and Princess Luna descended lower into the Castle’s underground chambers where a section of the tram line was located. A simple open car design sat on steel rails.

“We’re still waiting for them to install the passenger cars. This will have to do for now,” said Luna hopping in.

After Twilight and AJ boarded, Luna pushed the throttle forward and the railcar was soon speeding down the track.

******************(CED, Isolation Level)*******************

        Lt. Jackson was floating above a dark, black, sea.

Where am I.

He looked around but didn’t see anything.

Wait. Are those voices?

He could barely hear someone, though he couldn't tell where it was coming from. Slowly the blackness began to brighten, soon becoming a bright light that filled his vision. It was beginning to clear. Then the pain hit him.

Ahhhhhhh, he groaned internally. It felt like something had kicked him in the head. Something big. Like a horse. The good news was that he could now see clearly.

I’m in a hospital bed? How did I end up here?

He slowly reached down toward his leg holster only to find it was empty.

Not a good sign. His bloody and dirty camo jacket was splayed open, wires running from his chest to several monitors. I’m in the hospital. But I don’t remember… The Lt. jumped upright in his bed.

The flying creatures… getting shot at...running for that red barn. He recalled these vivid events from what seemed like just yesterday. Was all that real? No. That all must have been just been a bad dream. The Lt. relaxed and eased back into his bed. Just a bad dream. The Lt.’s eyes fluttered as he began drifting off into slumber. Man, I’m tired. Just before he closed his eyes for good, the sound of a door opening and a voice roused him up into a sitting position.

“...always getting put on these weird cases. They must think I’m sort of vet..”

A white pony had entered the room. She jumped back violently upon seeing the clueless  Lt. now awake and propped up in his bed.

“Sweet Celestia, it’s awake!”

The Lt. stared blankly at the white pony who was plastered in fright against the wall. Is this a dream too.

The pony reached for a black device clipped to her white lab coat.

“T-T-T-Trotter! Subject One is awake!”

“He’s awake? What’s he doing? Don’t move! I’m coming!” crackled a voice on the radio.

“H-He’s just sitting there. Hurry, please!”

The Lt. levered his legs out of the bed and stood up, still in a bit of a daze. It sure seems like a dream. He attempted to walk toward the unusual talking pony. This is one weird dream. The leds from his exposed chest were ripped off. “Ow.” That felt pretty real.

The white pony gasped at the Lt.’s exclamation. The Lt. looked down at his hands, his eyes soon drawn to the rough metal splint on his leg. His fingers inspected the splint, feeling the cool metal and soft bandages. It slowly dawned on him. The flying monsters...running for the barn...it had been real. His heartbeat and breathing were increasing.He looked up at the white talking pony, a wild look forming in his eyes. Their gazes locked, the pieces starting to add up in the Lt.’s still foggy mind. The flying things that attacked me… the orchard fire-fight...the talking pony looking creature in front of me. There the same? What were they doing to me? His fight or flight instinct kicked into gear. His eye’s scanned for anything around the hospital room to use as a weapon. A metal IV hanger in the corner caught his attention. As he lunged and grabbed the makeshift weapon, Trotter burst into the room flanked by two  rather large orderlies. Trotter threw the petrified attendant out the door and blocked the exit. He faced the now armed Lt., taken aback at the crazed look in the creature’s eyes.

“Let’s just calm down, mate. You’re hurt. You’ve been in an accident.”

The scared Lt. was startled at hearing the brown pony talk.

That thing just spoke English.

“I don’t know if you understand me but you have to put that down. We’re here to help.” Trotter turned his head to address the orderlies at his side. “Just back up a bit. Give him some space.”

In the tense silence that followed Lt. Jackson’s wild eyes danced around the room, no one daring to move. Slowly he lowered the metal IV pole, not taking his gaze off Trotter.

“There. See. He doesn’t want to hurt anypony. He’s just scared.” said Trotter smiling back at the shaking orderlies.

It was then, their guard down, Jackson charged.

        “This tunnel seems ta’ go on forever,” said AJ, still taken aback at the size of the tram’s unfinished tunnels.

“We’re still extending it to other parts of the mountain. Ponies will soon be able to travel from Canterlot to their places of work all over Canterlot.” explained Luna. “With the city’s expansion we had to get creative with how we got around.”

The tram car sped down the track passing several unfinished tunnels where crews expanding the line. Large tunneling devices tore at the rock, the tram passing through several dust clouds.

        A short while later the tram slowed as the cart turned down a smaller, finished tunnel. A sign above read “Center for Equestrian Diseases”. The cart came to a stop at a brightly lit terminal, several armored Royal Guards standing by. An orderly stood off to the side, introducing himself as the group stepped out the tram car.

“Ah, your Highnesses, Princess Celestia said you would be honoring us with a visit. Please follow me.”

They walked from the station down several passageways eventually passing through several airtight doors before they came to the main facility.

“I was told you were all quite eager to see the creatures we recovered earlier.”

They were shown into an observation room perched above a room similar to a hospital bay. Down below two of the strange beings were lying in beds, several monitoring instruments attached to them. In the far corner a large object on a table was covered with a white sheet. Stains of a red substance were covering parts of the sheet.

“So far, from what we can tell, they seem to be an intelligent bipedal species. They seem to resemble  mammalian organisms. They have organ and nervous systems that are quite similar to our own. Heart, lungs, brain, and what not. Their hemoglobin is even iron based. It’s quite fascinating.”

“So where did they come from?” asked an astounded Twilight.

“Well, um, we have no historical records of such creatures ever existing and considering some of the technologies they possessed we had to look at other options.”

“You mean aliens,” stated Applejack matter of factly.

“Err...well...yes. The one thing that baffles us however is how they got here. The debris we found them in could not have come from any vehicle. The patterns just don't match.”

“How so?” questioned Luna.

“For one, most of the debris is rubble and what appears to be a concrete like rock. The impact area doesn’t match a crash either. It would seem it was all simply dropped there from a small height from what ballistic test tell us.”

“Interesting,” mumbled Twilight deep in thought.

        “So what happened tha’ dark skinned one that appeared at ma’ farm? I don’t see him down there.” said Applejack.

“We placed him in another room for the moment. Being the least injured and having heard that he attacked somepony we felt it best to isolate him.”

“So what do you plan on doing with them?” asked Twilight.

“For now we just want to try and tend their injuries as best as we can. Then, if possible, find out if we can establish some sort of communication with them. Hopefully get some answers.”

        The orderly was about to show the three ponies to the facility’s cafeteria when lights began to flash outside in the passageway. A moment later an alarm similar to a fire alarm could be heard throughout the facility.

“What in tarnation is that?” asked AJ, annoyed by the loud alarm and flashing lights.

“That’s a containment alarm. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about, but we might have to cut our tour short I’m afraid.”

        Outside the sound of hooves could be heard running down the corridor. The orderly began herding the ponies out of the observation room and down the passage toward the tram station. The group came to the airlock they had passed through earlier. Pulling a keycard from his pocket the orderly stepped toward the access panel.

        Twilight hear something running behind her as they stood waiting to pass through the entrance. She turned just in time to see an enraged Lt. Jackson swing a metal pole at the unsuspecting orderly. She cried out but was too late.

“Look out!”

        The metal pole stuck the orderly under his jaw, knocking him back onto the floor and out cold. Luna in the blink of an eye, pushed them into an adjacent room. The latch on the door slid into the locked position right before a massive thud hit the door. The three ponies jumped back as the deranged Lt. looked through the door’s window.

“That’s the one from Applejack’s farm,” said Twilight more curious than afraid at seeing the strange creature for a second time.

“How did that thing get out!” exclaimed a frightened Applejack, her courage failing her at seeing the creature dash out of view.

“This isn’t good,” said Luna looking through the window at the direction Jackson disappeared. “It’s heading toward the tram station. We have to stop it before it disappears.”

After a tense minute of hesitation, the girls unlocked the door. Outside the orderly lay against the wall out cold, his keycard not gone. The three quickly ran toward the tram station, Luna leading the charge.

“Our carts gone. It took it!” said AJ looking down the bare terminal.

“Over here!” yelled Luna from a spare cart. “Get in. The only place the track leads is the Castle. We have to stop it before it hurts anypony else.” With an shriek the cart sped off towards Canterlot Castle.

        Back at Canterlot Castle Fluttershy and Rarity were relaxing out on one of the castle's beautiful balconies. Spike, who had gladly stayed behind, was lounging inside taking advantage of the well stocked food cellars.

“I need more days like this,” said Rarity from her lounge chair. “Between running the boutique and taking Sweetie Bell to her choir practices, I haven't had much time for relaxation.”

“I know what you mean,” replied Fluttershy. “It is hard to find time to just relax.” She looked over at Rarity. “What do you think of all of this commotion over those things they found? Can’t you help but think about what else is out there,” she said looking toward the bright blue sky.

“The less it involves me, the better Fluttershy. As far as I see it shouldn't concern us. Let the military handle it.”

“Oh...yea,” mumbled Fluttershy. But isn’t it situations like this that their friendship was founded on. Over the past few years, they had slowly been drifting apart it seemed. Everypony caught up in moving forward with their lives. Sure, it was nice them not having to save something from destruction every other week, but it just didn’t seem the same, thought Fluttershy.

“Oh my, this heat is starting to get to me. What do you say we get a drink.” said Rarity, breaking Fluttershy’s train of thought.

“Oh, sure.”

The two rose out of the lounge chairs and made their way past Pinkie and Spike. They had evidently just demolished a rather large cake and were passed out in a food induced nap.

 Rarity and Fluttershy strolled down one the elegant halls of the castle.

“I think the kitchen is somewhere down this way,” noted Rarity. “I can never remember how to get around this ridiculously large castle.”

They walked on, suddenly aware of a loud clunking coming from around the corner ahead. They rounded the corner and froze in their tracks. A Royal Guard, his armor suit suit dented around the helmet area, fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. What stood behind him was what caused the two to freeze.

I have to get out of here, was all that had gone through the Lt.’s head as he ran down corridor after corridor. He had just finished knocking out one of those pony critters in armor. His makeshift weapon now dented and bent was held firm in his grip. He looked up out of breath. A white pony stood in front of him, frozen in shock, with another behind it.

You’re not going to take me alive, whatever you things are.

 He raised his battered IV pole and charged ahead blindly.

I’m not going down without a fight. Rarity leapt backward with a bloodcurdling scream, taking off down the hallway. The Lt. prepared to bring down the pole on Fluttershy. She could only crouch down and cover herself whimpering in fright. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, his pole still raised above his head. Time seemed to stop.

What are you doing? Clobber that thing, his training told him. But something else inside him stopped him. The yellow pony peeked out from under her hooves, quickly covering them again.

It...It’s scared.

His training tried with all its might to bring the pole down on the pony, but some part of his brain said no. He slowly lowered the pole, it falling out of hand and onto the floor.

I give up. He sank to his knees, defeated. It’s all a bad dream, he told himself, tears rolling down his face.

The yellow pony timidly looked up, not ducking back this time.

A croak escaped Jackson’s throat. “I just want to go home,” he sobbed quietly. Just let it end, he pleaded with himself. And is by magic, everything flew into a familiar darkness.

Thankyou.

“What did you do!?” screamed Fluttershy as Lt. Jackson’s body fell limp on the floor. Behind him a stunned Luna stood, her glowing horn still pointed at the creature on the floor. Fluttershy grasped the limp figure of the Lt. as Twilight came running up to her.

“Fluttershy. Are you Ok,” she asked, her voice shaking. Fluttershy looked up, a tear running down her face.

“He was scared Twilight,” she whimpered. “He was scared and he just wanted to go home.”

Chapter 3

*****************Center for Equestrian Diseases*****************

A shaking Dr. Harrison sat in a stark white room. A bag of intravenous fluids was seated on a pole next to him, a clear tube trailing into his wrist. A clean white sheet was pinned around his shoulders forming a makeshift hospital gown .  His bare feet  were propped against the chairs leg rests to avoid contact with the cold floor. It had been an interesting morning for the Dr. to say the least.

A brown pony entered the room, causing the Dr. to stiffen in his chair. The pony, sensing Harrisons uneasiness, took slow movements, eventually seating himself in a chair opposite Harrison.

He was the one by my bed this morning, noticed Harrison.

The pony, for whatever reason, had a rather large bandage covering the top left portion of his head.

The pony pulled out a small box from his coat setting it on the table in front of him.

“My name is Trotter,” he said slowly in a calm controlling voice. “Do you know where you are?”

Harrison shook his head, still taken aback at hearing the talking pony.

 “Can you understand me.”

Harrison nodded.

  “Do you remember my team and I waking you up in the hospital ward this morning?”

This time Dr. Harrison managed to answer in a stuttering croak.

  “Y...Yes.”

“So you speak in Common tongue?” asked Trotter clearly fascinated even after hearing Harrisons crazed rants earlier upon waking him.

 “Uh...um...I suppose you could say that.”

“Do you remember what happened before you got here?”

“To be honest I’m still try to convince myself this isn’t real,” said Harrison beginning to relax. “The more my memory comes back, however, the more real it begins to seem.”

“Lets try to help that memory of yours. Do you have a name? What is it?”

“It’s Harrison, Dr. Mark Harrison.”

“Interesting. Can you tell me where you’re from?”

“I’m from Atlanta, Georgia. But I assume you mean planet. I’m from a planet our people call Earth.”

Trotter was confused at this statement.

“Wait, you're from Earth? But we’ve never had any records of your kind before.”

Harrison returned an equally confused look. “So you know about the planet Earth?”

“Well I should say so. We’re standing on it,” said Trotter. “This is planet Earth.”

Harrison stared back confused. “And it also has one moon. With eight planets in the solar system.”

“Well, yes, we have a moon. We don't have any other planets in this solar system, ” replied Trotter confused.

Dr. Harrison furrowed his brow deep in thought. “You wouldn't happen to have a map of Earth on you by any chance?”, now visibly calmer.

“Actually I can pull one up.”

Trotter pulled a familiar looking device from his lab coat. He handed Harrison the electronic tablet. It was strikingly similar to the tablet he grew up with as a kid, a touchscreen covering one side. The screen displayed an image of a blue planet complete with continents and land masses. The title on top labeled the planet “Earth.” It was then Harrison began to notice something. The continents. They were roughly the same as his Earth. Besides several differences in land masses it was almost like looking at a map back home. A blip on the screen showed up on screen over the continent similar to North America. It stated “Current Location”. He handed the tablet back to Trotter his hands shaking and his breath rate increasing.

“Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. It’s ok.”

“No,” muttered Harrison. “It’s not ok. You don’t understand.”

Trotter tried to diffuse the situation without having to  call the orderlies stationed outside. He hadn’t forgotten the incident two days ago with the darker skinned creature. His head still throbbed.

“Well, try to help me understand. Why don’t we start at the beginning. Tell me your story.”

Harrison calmed down, his breathing returning to normal.

“Ok. But it’s going to sound pretty crazy.”

“I think we’re way past that,” chuckled the brown pony.

“Ha, I think you’re right,” said Harrison finally breaking into a small grin. “Now. Where to begin…?”

(Data files recovered at Site Alpha. Presented at the 'Second Global Conference on the "Project 7" Incident'. New Canterlot, Equestria, 21'st year of the 5th Era.)

***Powering on…

Running Start-up…

Enter Dept. of Defense Login Id: ***************

Authorized User Identified: Commander George Krugan

***BEGINNING TRANSMISSION………

Establishing link: CERBERUS Satellite………

Link established…………Beaming transmission.

BEGIN MESSAGE Subject: Project 7 Update

   To: Dr. Mark Harrison

   Attached Files: Dossier (Hartman, Alexander)

Dossier (Matheson, James)

The DoD’s staff has been analyzing the data you sent over last week from this end, and it’s not looking good. They can’t seem to find the source of the malfunction that caused the mass failure during last week’s test. Computer simulations haven’t turned up much insight to the problems we’ve been having either with the equipment. To add onto the bad news my superiors have gotten ahold of the project’s records and reports, and they are not pleased. Look, Harrison, I’ve held back my superiors just about as long as I can. If we don’t start producing results soon, they will forcibly take over control of the Project 7. They don’t take it too well when they don’t get results, despite the amount of finances they have contributed. This is why I have no choice but to send in two new recruits, a Mr. Alexander Hartman and James Matheson. I’ve attached their info, but judging from their recent accomplishments in the science circle you might have already heard about them. I think you will find them a welcome addition to the team. This is one of our last shots if we want this project to succeed and I have a feeling these two may be the key to making it happen. Need I remind you of the importance of the success of Project 7? I’m authorizing full clearance for Mr. Hartman and Matheson. Your head of security, Lieutenant Jackson, will be receiving orders to head to Washington where he will pick up them up and arrange transport to the facility. Bring them up to speed ASAP and have the project ready for the next test in a month’s time. If the next one fails I can guarantee that my superiors will appeal to the President for a full military takeover of the project. We both know what’s at stake here so this is our last chance to make a breakthrough we desperately need. Expect Hartman and Matheson’s arrival by the end of the week. I’ll keep monitoring progress from this end. And Harrison, stay safe friend. Luck.

***END TRANSMISSION***

**************************Earth****************************

Year 2138

Dr. Mark Harrison, director of Project 7, read the message with weary eyes as he sat at his computer terminal in his private quarters. The past week’s events were evident upon him. His face, unshaven, had lost its usual cheery color and his coveralls were rumpled from five straight days of use.  As his sleep deprived body rose unsteadily from his chair, he tried to sort out all the information that was currently rushing through his head. Now at the ripe age of 67, he began to wonder how he got himself into such a mess in the first place. A jack-of-all-trades, Dr. Mark Harrison had been the leader of this project since it first began. While he had a master’s degree in nuclear physics he also supervised the projects advanced electrical systems and other scientific equipment.

He desperately needed a shower and some rest, but both eluded him for the moment. Grabbing his work tablet, Harrison made his way out the door of his quarters and into the corridor outside. He made his way down the plain passageway toward the mess hall, thinking to the weeks ahead of him. It was plain to see that he would not be getting the sleep he desperately needed anytime soon. Harrison arrived at the mess hall to find it mostly deserted, except for a few guards and the cleaning staff on break. Not in the mood for anything to eat at the moment, he simply made himself a cup of coffee and sat alone in the corner of the room. Harrison pulled his tablet from a zippered pocket and waited as the camera compared his facial features to the ones saved on the DoD’s database. Satisfied, the tablet granted him access and pulled up his personal files. Opening the message from the Commander, he downloaded the two attached personnel files.

The Commander had been correct when he assumed Harrison would recognize the two new recruits. However, he could not recall much of what he knew about them except from what he read in the few science magazines that they had gotten. Alexander Hartman and James Matheson, two young scientists with knowledge and skills ranging from Computer Sciences to Theoretical Astrophysics. It was evident why the Commander had chosen these two. He recalled an article published on the two young scientists, remembering that they had been making waves in the science community. He believed the article had something to do with some breakthroughs in cold fusion, but he could not recall more than that. He opened the first file marked “Hartman, Alexander”.

Harrison was greeted with a picture of a young dark haired man with brown eyes.  The file gave Harrison a clear picture into Hartman’s life. Alexander Hartman, now 27 years old, was born October 10th, 2110 in Houston, Texas. He was raised by his mother Jane Hartman, and father Benjamin Hartman. He graduated high school by the age of 15 with numerous awards and scholarships, and a GPA of 4.0. He attended MIT and exited their graduate program in 2129 at the age of 19. The file continued on showing that he had worked for NASA for a brief time. Several weeks after ending a work contract with NASA it showed Matheson had been hospitalized with minor radiation positioning after being caught in fallout from Atlanta, Georgia after the “Moscow Incident”.

Harrison’s chest tightened as memories flooded his mind from that tragic day. The day that his old life ended and this new one began. The Second Cold War between the U.S and Russia had finally erupted with Russia throwing the first punch. Moscow gave the signal for their advanced orbital missile station, named “Wolfhound”, to launch ten nuclear missiles, each targeting a major U.S. city. The U.S., who had always prepared for the worst since the start, had the Cerberus Defense System to protect them from such attacks. Cerberus was the culmination of the most advanced military hardware used to ensure continental protection from ICBMs and other threats.  As the ten warheads descended toward the earth, computers on the ground automatically recognized the threat and coordinated missiles and orbital lasers to target the nukes. Cerberus, which had initially performed up to pre-war expectations, had, unfortunately, not been able to target all ten warheads at once. Of the ten missiles launched, one had made it through the defenses and struck the city of Atlanta causing untold amounts of death and destruction. The U.S., wounded, but not broken, retaliated with full force, launching its arsenal of nukes at Russia and wiping the entire country from the map. In the aftermath the clouds of dirt and dust thrown into the atmosphere had remained even to this day, hanging over the entire world, including the desolate, irradiated wasteland that was now Russia. Scientists said current studies concluded the land would not be inhabitable for the next 10,000 years. The city of Atlanta was no more than a fenced off crater that cast an ominous glow into the darkened skies, especially at night.

Harrison remembered being called into work in D.C. that day. He had been at the Pentagon, consulting with other scientists on Project 7, when he heard the sirens go off. As he and the other staff from all across the massive building were herded into the bunkers underground, he knew that it was not a drill. From the bunker the watched the DoD’s computers as they registered the nuclear warheads enter the upper atmosphere.  Chiefs and Commanders rushed around him monitoring Cerberus and coordinating a counter attack. All he could remember doing was watching the flight paths of the missiles as they fell toward their individual targets. This was the end, he thought, this is where I'm going to die. I'm going to die in a hole in the ground never to see the sky or feel the sun on his face again. Suddenly an icon representing a warhead disappeared from the screen. Then one by one the other blimps on the screen began to disappear until just one remained. Cerberus had been activated, destroying the inbound missiles. But something went wrong, one of the targets still remained. The seconds ticked by but the target continued on. One of the chiefs in the command center yelled, “We have a confirmed detonation! One of them made it through and hit Atlanta.” The words felt like a punch to the gut. He remembered falling to his knees gasping for breath. In the end they had remained in the bunker for two days with the DoD staff coordinating the counterstrike and accessing the damage from the bunkers command center. He had sat in that concrete box, sobbing in the corner for the one he had lost. Harrison remembered walking out of the bunker like a zombie and into the sunlight, feeling its warmth on his skin. It was a feeling that he had not felt in seven years.

Dr. Harrison snapped back to reality, turned his mind from the past, and repressing the memories that were trying to surface. He turned his attention back toward Hartman’s file. It listed Alexander was lifelong friend and business partner to a James Matheson, a neighbor of his growing up. The file went on to give psychiatric conclusions that determined Hartman stable although these were only guesses. It also included other minor details such as his workings and accomplishments with Matheson, including their latest achievements in cold fusion that had slipped Harrison’s mind. The achievements the duo had accomplished were mostly minor.

Exiting the dossier on Hartman, the Dr. pulled up the file marked “Matheson, James”. Immediately he could tell that while the two were life-long friends, that they were polar opposites. James Matheson picture appearance could only be described as a mixture of punk rocker turned scientist. Matheson had light brown colored hair that was cut short on the sides and wore thick-framed black glasses that covered hazel colored eyes. Matheson was born September 17, 2111 to parents Paul Matheson and Kate Matheson in the suburbs of Houston. James’s Mother dies when he is two leaving his father to raise Matheson on this own. The file continued. While Hartman was product of studying for years at the finest of America’s education programs, Matheson dropped out of high school to pursue his own studies. A self-taught genius, Matheson was a computer wizard and a natural at advanced mathematics. Psych profile pinned him as a risk taker and a possible security risk. The file also raised questions to an explosion that occurred at Applied Energy Laboratories, where the two had worked on their cold fusion reactor. Although no one was hurt, an investigation was not able to determine what caused the reactor to explode, although Matheson was the prime suspect.

Harrison came to the part that must have convinced the Commander that the two were of importance to the project. Before their breakthroughs in energy, Matheson had been working on some advanced equations with a think-tank at NASA pertaining to Astrophysics. Eventually, Matheson convinced Hartman to come work with him at the NASA project. When the project had come to a conclusion in the weeks before the Moscow Incident, the data had, seemingly, been “passed along” to an unnamed organization. Harrison could only assume that this had been the DoD. They were always delegating work to other government agencies.

Harrisons red, sleep deprived, eyes lit up to a certain degree when he read the attached synopsis of their findings at NASA. So, they could be the potential breakthrough we’ve been hoping for thought the Dr. With renewed energy. The scientist rose from his chair with a smile on his face that had been absent since last weeks failed test. He returned his tablet to his coverall’s pocket as he walked toward the facilities command center. Had the NASA project been made public, Harrison thought, it probably would have been publicly criticized as pseudoscience, pure science fiction. But, coincidentally, that was Project 7’s area of specialty. With pride in his eyes, Dr. Harrison looked down from the command centers perch above a reinforced containment chamber at humanity’s greatest technological achievement; Project 7.

James Matheson and Alexander Hartman sat in their lab at Applied Energy Laboratories and were packing away their equipment and paperwork they had been using for their latest project. Alex stopped to looked out the window at the dark monotonous sky that had hung over his head the past.

“Its not going to change things you know,” Alex said looking back at James who was packing equipment into a metal container.

“What do you mean?” James said looking up from his work.

“I mean the fusion reactor. The world’s energy problem won’t change, even with this new clean energy source. And I don’t just mean the world’s energy problem. Just look out the window at what humanity has done to the world.” Alex looked back toward the gray clouds that hung over the world since that terrible day.

“So now that our contract is up, what are some of our options,” James said trying to change the subject.

“Well since the success of the reactor we’ve had quite a few job offers and contracts streaming in,” replied Alex as he handed James a stack of contracts.

James leafed through the stack reading them aloud as he went

“One for an aeronautical engineering company, three for pharmaceutical research, a handful of automotive corporations and two for weapons companies. Any of those sound good?”

 “Anything that doesn’t involve you blowing stuff up would be a good change of pace.”

“I keep telling you, the first reactor design wasn’t supposed to explode, though it would make for a cool new fireworks design”

“Your lucky they only took away a quarter of your payment from your contract.”

 “It was worth it for that fireworks show, and I would do it all again if I could, and I so wish I could.”

“Lets just hold off on these for now.”

As they began to load their equipment crates onto a wheeled cart a low whining sound resonated throughout the building. The sound increased until whatever it was stopped directly over the top of the lab, which was located near the top of the eight-story building. With a slight thump the whining sound slowly started to recede.

“Did something just land on the top of the building?” Alex asked quizzically.

Leaving the cart near the doors to the lab the two scientists headed for the stairwell. The two ascended the stairs until they came to the roof access. When Alex opened the door using the access card on a lanyard along his neck he was greeted by a sight not seen everyday. He looked from the door out on a Marine V-38 Osprey that had seemingly decided to land on the roof. As the jet turbines continued to wind down, the rear door descended to reveal a Marine in fatigues walking toward the duo. Still dumbstruck the two remained speechless even as the Marine asked,

“Are you two Alexander Hartman and James Matheson?”

Alex simply looked ahead nodding his head and gave a simple “Yes.”

The Marine pulling a file from his fatigues said, “My names Lieutenant Jackson.  I came to personally deliver a business proposition that you might be interested in on behalf of the Department of Defense.”

Dumbly, Alex took the folder from the Lieutenant’s hand and asked, “The DoD? What do they want with us?”

“I’m sorry, but that information was not made evident to me. The details, however, should be in that file there.”

Alex and James broke the seal on the folder and pulled the contents out. Inside was a single piece of paper authorizing the transportation of a Mr. Alexander Hartman and a Mr. James Matheson. At the bottom of the page was a line for both of their signatures.

“This is strange and all, but it doesn’t mention what the project is or give any of its details,” James said.

“That’s classified information.”

“How do you expect us to work on a project when we don’t know what it is?” Alex asked bewildered.

“That information will be revealed by my superiors if, and when, you accept that authorization.”

 “You’ve got to be crazy if you think we're going to sign onto a project when we don’t even know what its about.”

“This came out specifically for both of you from the top of the Department of Defense. I could only guess they know something about you that I don’t.”

“And if we do accept?” James said, starting to get interested.

“Then I am to transport you to the Pentagon in D.C. where you will be briefed on the situation and then to another location that is undisclosed for the moment being.”

“Well that’s great just, no idea what this project is, or where you would be carting us off.” Alex said turning toward James.

“What do you think James?”

“I don’t like the looks of this. A Marine lands on the roof of the lab where we work with a mysterious proposition from the DoD. How do you think I feel?”

“I don’t know. If it’s the DoD I can only guess what we might be doing. Maybe it has something to do with the new National Defense System upgrade rumors that have been going around.”

“So, like, more weapons, which could lead to us blowing stuff up?

“Possibly.”

“Well sign me on if it means I can get my hands on some DoD tech.”

Alex still unsure hesitated as he looked from James back to Lieutenant Jackson. It was true he had wanted a change of scenery now that the fusion reactor project was done. Maybe this would be the change that he needed. It was true that the government had large budgets for their projects. Focusing back on James, Alex asked,

“Are you sure we should do this?”

“Alex, come on. You’ve been dreaming of playing in the big leagues ever since we were kids. Well this is our golden ticket.”

As Alex turned around the Marine stepped out with pen in his hand and held it out toward Alex. Visibly hesitating at first Alex took the pen, signed the bottom of the sheet, and handed it off to James. James quickly signed the dotted line and handed the paper back to the waiting Lieutenant.

Alex turned back to the waiting Marine.

“So when and where do we report to begin this job?”

The Marine looked at the two and without missing a beat said,

“ My orders were to transport you and anything you need to the Pentagon as soon as you signed the agreement. Seeing as how I have both your signatures that would mean right now.”

“Wait, you mean RIGHT NOW, right now.” James said confused.

“That is what I said.”

“But we have all our equipment here plus more in storage. And, what about our apartments?” Alex exclaimed.

“We can bring whatever you have here on the Osprey and arrange to have anything else you might need picked up later. We will send a detachment to pick up whatever you need and we will station a guard to watch over your houses while you’re gone.”

James and Alex looked at each other wondering what mess they had gotten themselves into. A group of Marines appeared from the rear of the Osprey and walked toward the Lieutenant. Turning toward the men Lieutenant Jackson said, “You will help these two men load up their equipment whatever else they might need. Is that understood?”

“SIR, YES SIR!” the Marines answered in unison.

The Marines turned and started to follow Alex and James down the stairs toward their lab. With their help, the rest of the sensitive equipment and documents were packed into the still waiting crates. Not bothering to use the carts, the Marines hauled the crates by hand down the hallway and up the stairs toward the roof. Employees from other offices watched the strange scene unfold before them, but soon returned to their work. The Marines continued to load the crates as Alex and James wrote out detailed instructions on what items and personal effect they would require from their apartments. It really didn’t bother Alex, leaving his apartment for months at a time. It was actually quite normal for the two not to return to their apartments for long periods at a time. James’s apartment happened to be able to rent out the apartment across the hall from him.

With everything squared away one of the Marine that had helped load the crates informed Alex that it was time to go. With faces of anticipation James and Alex approached the Osprey and walked up the rear ramp. Finding seats located near the front where their equipment sat secured to the floor, the two began to strap themselves in. With a hydraulic whine the ramp closed and the pilots began the engine startup procedure. With the noise of the jet engines increasing, dust flew from around the Osprey as it lifted off from the roof. Ascending, the aircraft began to tilt its engines as it moved forward through the air. Turning toward the north, it began to pick up speed as it headed for the U.S. capital.

Commander Krugan exited his private office, and was about to head to a meeting when his phone notified him of an incoming call. Answering it, his secretary informed him the aircraft transporting Alex Hartman and James Matheson was about to land on the pentagons helipad. Informing her to cancel his current meeting, Krugan ended the connection and started off for the helipad. As he walked, he wondered if the two scientists could actually help with Project 7. The duo was certainly qualified but he wasn’t sure how exactly they would react to the projects full details. Not that it really mattered since this was their final shot at success.

Alex and James watched out the window as Washington, D.C. flew by them outside. Crossing the Potomac River the aircraft angled for the Pentagon and stared to slow down. Its jet engines tiled back until they lost all forward momentum and touched down on a pad just off to the side of the massively large building. As the engines shut down Alex noticed a man with a briefcase walking toward the helipad. The rear door of the aircraft opened and the two scientists stepped out onto the pad.

“Hello, I’m Commander Krugan with the Department of Defense, you must be Mr. Hartman and Matheson.”

“Yep, that’s us,” replied James.

“You both must be full of questions; why don’t we find a place a little more private to discuss this.”

Looking toward the Lieutenant, Krugan gave him a knowing nod of the head, which Lt. Jackson returned.

The group moved toward a guarded entrance near the helipad. They passed one by one through a security scanner once they were inside, and continued down a large corridor.

“Lets just step into this office here,” the commander said producing a keycard that opened the door.

Inside was a simple office setup with a plain, bare desk. The Commander took his seat behind the desk and motioned for the two to sit. Laying his briefcase on his desk he took out a large manila envelope, which he opened and laid the contents before him.

“The U.S. government happens to know a lot about you two, the DoD especially. What I’m about to tell you his highly classified. I’m going to need you to sign some security release forms.”

 “And what exactly happens if we break these?” James asked with suspicion in his eyes.

 “You are locked up in a federal prison that technically doesn’t exist and you never see the light of day again. But, then again, if you are locked up, it won’t matter anyway as everyone will be dead in a years time.”

“What exactly do you mean dead in a years time,” asked Alex feeling a knot growing in his chest.

 “I mean every living thing on this planet will die and cease to exist in a year.”

 “How is that even possible,” stuttered James, obviously taken aback at the Commander’s bluntness.

 “Well for you to know the details I’m going to need you to sign the release forms.”

Alex and James looked at each other with skepticism and distrust toward this strange man in their eyes. However, the two cautiously grabbed the pen and papers from the Commander’s outstretched hands and signed their names. With the signed papers now in a new sealed folder, the commander continued.

“About a year before the Moscow incident scientist at NASA detected a massive explosion toward the center of our galaxy, about 9,000 light years from earth. Further observation concluded it was a hypergiant explosion. A massive star billions of miles across collapsed in on itself and exploded with the greatest amounts of energy this galaxy has ever witnessed. When it exploded it sent out a gamma ray burst, a massive jet of radiation and energy that wipes out whole sections of galaxies. Our solar system just happens to be directly in one of the jets path. About a year from now the jet will reach our solar system and hit the earth. First the upper atmosphere will disappear and then the ozone layer will be destroyed. Next the side of the earth facing the jet will be roasted alive from the radiation if the earth isn’t completely disintegrated from the blast. With the ozone layer destroyed, the remaining survivors will be killed off from radiation from the sun. If someone were to somehow survive all of that, nitrogen dioxide created from the gamma-ray burst will completely block out the sun and freeze the world over. Were not just talking about a global catastrophe, were talking the end of all life on earth.”

Alex and James sat in their chairs not speaking a word. Could this really be true wondered Alex, the end of all life on earth? He knew there would be no saving the earth if the burst really did hit earth.  Looking up, Alex met the Commander’s eyes, which were dead serious.

“Who all knows about this?”

“Currently the U.S., U.K., and Germany are even aware of the gamma-ray burst. The U.K. has been helping us with the problem, lending us their top scientists, while Germany has been supplying us with their finest scientific equipment.”

“So, how do we fit into the picture,” Alex asked still dumbfounded?

“The Department of Defense and myself in particular believe you and Mr. Matheson may have the answers to some of our recent problems.”

“You obviously must have a plan to somehow save the earth or shielding it from the blast?” Alex asked.

Before the Commander could respond James finally broke the silence he had been maintaining.

“How is that even possible? How can earth even be saved?” James asked visibly shaken by the conversation unfolding before him.

“Earth can’t be saved; we’ve already determined that,” said the Commander. “But we can save some our species.”

“What do you plan on doing, send everyone to space or something,” asked James.

“Not even leaving our solar system can save us. This blast is the largest in recorded history, spanning hundreds of light-years. We simply don’t have the technology to shield us from the blast or even avoid it,” replied Krugan.

“So then how can the human race continue if earth is going to be destroyed?”

“We currently have a plan, but more on that in a second. It says in your files that the DoD has complied that you two worked with a think tank at NASA for a time.”

“Yes, we worked on equations that would confirm wormholes cannot exist and undiscovered subatomic particles. Are you suggesting using a wormhole to avoid the blast?”

“Again, no, but I’m getting to the point. You see it was the DoD who set up the project at NASA in the first place. Needless to say that after we received the results we were sidetracked with the bigger problems with Russia. We were actually interested in your study of subatomic particles. A year before the Moscow incident our nations top scientist confirmed our fears that we would be caught in the gamma ray blast and that there was no possible way to avoid it. Humanity would be destroyed no matter how far we traveled from our solar system with our most advanced technology. We sought for other solutions including possibly using wormholes. However your findings with NASA proved this impossible.”

“Yes, I remember, we proved wormhole travel was impossible since they require this elusive material called ‘exotic matter’ to form and they rip apart all matter that enters them,” replied Alex.

“Yes, initially we had looked to solving the wormhole travel problems but you findings on theoretical particles gave us another idea, Project 7. The answer that humanity has been looking for the last decade.”

“What exactly is ‘Project 7’?” Alex asked intrigued.

“I’m afraid I'm not the person you should be asking for all the technical but I do know who could. His name is Dr. Mark Harrison, a genius in the field of theoretical physics and nuclear particles. He is the current leader of project 7. He will explain everything you need to know about the project. But for the moment we need to get you to the projects headquarters.”

“Where exactly is it located?” James said, visibly calmer.

“It is located deep underground at the abandoned Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository in Nevada. It turned out to be the best possible location, far from prying eyes and isolated from external forces that could disrupt our experiments.”

“You're telling me the project to save mankind is located in an abandoned nuclear waste dump full of radioactive material?” Alex asked with skepticism.

“Actually that’s not entirely true. You see, when funding for the repository was cut altogether in 2010, the facility had not yet received any hazardous waste. It was nothing more that heavy duty reinforced abandoned tunnels and chambers when it was closed. In 2051, it was reopened by a joint committee consisting of high-ranking government officials from numerous organizations, like the DoD, Homeland Security, NASA, and the armed forces.  The facility was renovated and repurposed as a classified multi-organizational laboratory and testing facility where the government could work away from prying eyes. It turned out to be perfect with its extensive tunnels and large empty chambers.”

“I don’t think I have to tell you how much we have riding on this project,” the commander continued. “I need you to know that if you do help us, that we need your full cooperation. In return we can provide you with whatever you need. If Project 7 were going smoothly you probably wouldn’t be sitting here. Without both of your help I'm not sure if we can finish the project. For now we need to get you over to Dulles Airport where an Air Force jet will be waiting to take you to Nevada. Your equipment and your requested belongings should already be on the way to repository now with Lt. Jackson”

“One last thing,” said Alex, standing up from his chair. “What do we get in return for helping you with the project?

“You get nothing for helping. But, if you help make the project a success, you get to survive. So, are you in or not?”

Dr. Harrison was running diagnostics tests in Project 7’s control center when his phone received an incoming call. It was from the Commander. Hoping to hear some good news he accepted the call.

 “They accepted.”

 “Was there ever any doubt that they wouldn’t?”

“Not much of a choice not to help anyway. Anything new to report from your end?”

 “We think we determined the cause of the mainframe’s failure during last weeks test. One of the breakers in the upper sectors was damaged and failed completely. We replaced it with a new one but were still trying to get the control center back online. Repairs and diagnostics should take no more than an hour or two tops.”

 “That’s good to hear. Hartman and Matheson left about five minutes ago for Dulles. Expect them to touchdown within the next hour or so.”

 “How did they take the news?”

“They both seemed pretty shaken, Matheson more than Hartman”

 “Its not everyday someone is told that the earth and everything on it will be destroyed in a year.”

 “More like this whole section of the Milky Way Galaxy.”

“Your not helping.” Harrison said as he ended the call and went back to work.

Alex woke up from a short nap aboard the Air Force jet and checked his watch, which read 4:40pm. He had been asleep only an hour but it had given him the energy that he greatly needed. He sat up in his seat and peered out his widow. The deserts and hills of Nevada greeted him as the jet began to descend from the atmosphere. They must be coming in for a landing he realized. Alex looked across from his seat to see James staring out the window. James turned from the window toward him.

 “Looks like you finally woke up.”

 “I was only out for about an hour.”

“Everything always seems longer on a plane. The pilot came on about five minutes ago saying we were making our approach. We should be touching down shortly.”

The jet lined up on a long paved runway set next to a long ridgeline that dominated the dry landscape. As the plane landed and coasted toward the end of the runway, Alex noticed a pair of massive steel doors installed in the rock face of the ridge. The jet turned at the end of the runway and pulled into a large hanger, which had seen better days. Its outside was corroded and had been subjugated to the desert environment. Inside however sat a small fleet of aircraft ranging from small passenger jets like their own, to a familiar looking Osprey that sat in the corner. Alex and James unbuckled their restraints and moved toward the exit. A familiar face greeted them as they stepped out of the jet and into the massive hangar.

“Welcome to the Yucca Mountain gentlemen.” Said Lieutenant Jackson with a grin on his face.

A technician stuck his head through the open door of the control center.

“Dr. Harrison, your new arrivals just touched down.”

“Excellent!” he said as he stood up from the terminal that he was working on. Let me go give them a proper greeting.”

Harrison exited the control center and walked toward the cargo elevator. Pressing the number 0 he waited as the doors closed and the carriage ascended. With a metallic clang the steel box came to a halt after about a minute. The door opened to reveal the large steel doors that were the entrance to the installation. The Dr. walked over to a control box set off to the side and entered through its small door. A guard looked up as Harrison entered.

“I heard we have some guest waiting outside,” the Dr. said.

“Yes sir, I just got security clearance for the personnel and was about to open the door.”

“Well best not keep them waiting now. Let them in.”

Swiping his keycard the guard entered in a passcode into the terminal and hit the enter key. With a loud bang, massive bolts inside the door disengaged the gigantic locks. Moving at a snails pace the massive steel door began to swing inward. Outside stood Lt. Jackson flanked by the two civilians.

“Ah, Lieutenant Jackson, I didn’t know you were already back,” the Dr. said as the Lieutenant walked inside without even glancing at him. Harrison ignored the Lt. usual cold demeanor and focused his attention to his newest guests.

“You two must be Mr. Hartman and Matheson; I'm Dr. Mark Harrison, the head of Project 7. The Commander informed me that you would be arriving earlier today.”

“Yes the Commander told us you have some answers for us?”

“All in due time. Why don’t we step inside so we can get the doors closed first? The guards don’t like to leave the doors open long.”

As the trio moved inside, the gray skies and the biting wind vanished as the steel door closed and locked with a low thump.

“I understand how crazy all this must seem and I promise you all you questions will be answered. Let’s get both of you to your accommodations first.”

They entered the large cargo elevator and started descending into the repository. Alex watched the numbers ticking by above the elevator, wondering just how deep they were going.  The elevator came to a stop a minute later to reveal a large concrete and steel corridor. It almost seemed like any other building hallway had it not been thousands of feet underground. The Dr. led them to their room down a separate hallway. The inside was surprisingly well decorated with tasteful furniture that gave the room a homey feeling. Alex noticed several suitcases set off to the side.

“A plane arrived earlier with some of your personal effects. I heard you two didn’t exactly have time to pack.”

“You could say that,” James said with a sour look on his face.

“Why don’t we go get a bite to eat from the mess hall and talk? I promise to be an open book.”

“Ah, we're in luck, its taco Tuesday,” Harrison said as they entered the mess hall. The trio grabbed trays and loaded their plates with food.

“So, what is it you know so far?” the Dr. asked as the group seated themselves around one of the many empty tables?

“The commander filled us in on a few of the details. The gamma ray burst and something that had to do with you needing our help.”

“Mostly just doom and gloom that guy,” James added grimly.

Alex continued. “He said there was a way we can survive the blast, something to do with our work at NASA. We supposable have the answer to some of the problems you were having.”

 “I had to read up on some of your findings but, yes, that is what we believe,” replied the Dr.

“So what exactly is this device that is supposed to save us from the blast?” questioned James.

“Its probably easier if I show you,” the Dr. said standing up. “If you follow me I can show it to you.”

Alex and James stood up and followed the Dr. out of the mess hall and into the corridor. As they walked a familiar knot began to form in Alex’s chest. They came to a stop at an armored metal door. Producing a keycard, Dr. Harrison open the door that opened to reveal a dark lit room filled with computer terminals, which filled the room. On the far wall were several large windows. Stepping inside Alex moved toward the windows and looked out with awe. He stood above a large chamber that looked to be heavily reinforced with steel on all sides. Down below on the floor of the chamber stood a large device with electrical wires snaking all around it. The device was pointed at the far wall of the chamber where a large round disk about 15 feet tall stood upright. The disk had a metal outer edge and had a strange metallic mesh that was stretched across its main surface. Alex looked to either side of the disk and noticed a tunnel that ran on either side of it. He could make out a metal tube that was sticking out of each tunnel.

“What is it that I'm looking at?”

“You’re actually looking at several devices. The tunnels on either side of the disk are part of a circular tunnel containing an extremely powerful and compact particle accelerator that functions as an atom smasher. That device with all the electrical wires pointed at the disk is the most powerful laser in the world, courtesy of Germany. The disk at the far side of the chamber is where everything comes together. The outer edge of the disk is made of super dense neodymium, what’s found in powerful magnets, while the inner mesh is a metallic microlattice. All these components come together to form the Project 7 device.”

“So what exactly does it do?” asked James, equally amazed.

“It rips a hole in the fabric of space and time to create a portal.”

“But our theory on how wormhole travel was impossible was confirmed,” replied James confused.

“Wormhole travel might be, but this doesn’t create a portal to another spot in our universe. Instead it leads outside our universe and into the multiverse.”

Lieutenant Jackson, head of security at project 7, was having a bad day at work. No, check that he thought, a bad three years of working in this cursed hole in the ground babysitting these eggheads.

Since the repository had been retrofitted into a secret testing facility back in 2051, lots of classified tests and experiments had been conducted here. Now most of the remnants of these test sat down here in sealed vaults. And now it was his job to keep these nosy scientists away from it all. It wasn’t that some of the stuff down here was still classified as much as most of the stuff was downright deadly. Everything from explosives, to experimental technology, to chemical and biological weapons sat behind the numerous steel doors. Just the other day he caught a lab tech snooping around one of the secure vaults. Besides providing security he was also in charge of protecting the repositories main power supply, a large advanced nuclear reactor that was located on the lowermost level. With security came the necessity to make sure the reactor was operating properly, something he had been failing at lately. Just last month during the last test the reactor went haywire and had disrupted the whole instillation’s electrical grid. The techs down on the reactor level were still trying to figure out what caused the surge. But for now he just had to keep everyone on check until they could open the portal.

The Lieutenant had been informed like the rest of the people down here of the destruction to come from the gamma ray burst. To tell the truth, it didn’t really bother him he thought as he walked back to the instillations security center. Everything dies at some point he told himself. But up until then, he had a job to preform. Protect the scientist and their project and maybe he would get to see the sun again.

Back in the control center Dr. Harrison was explaining the complex dynamics of traveling the multiverse. In front of him sat Alex and James who were listening in great detail to what the Dr. was saying.

“It’s quite simple actually,” the Dr. said. “With the multiverse we have an unlimited number of possible universes to choose from. All we have to do is look for the most suitable one to colonize.”

“What do you classify as suitable,” asked James.

“We’re looking for one just like our universe, but with a few minor differences. We look for universes where the earth is still in its natural state today, minus all the pollution and cosmic explosions of death.”

“But with an infinite number of universes and possibilities isn’t that almost impossible?” asked Alex.

“We’ve created a unique way to find exactly the type of universe that we want. It’s a lot like tuning into a specific radio station. What we’ve done is took pictures of our universes background radiation and run it through computer simulations. The computer creates a new picture of our universes radiation as if earth was nearly pristine and similar in composition. The change is incredibly small but it makes all the difference in the world. One miscalculation and you are stepping into the vacuum of space or worse. We then convert the data into a digital signal, like a radio signal and feed it through the laser. When it gets fired into the portal it matches it up with an alternate universe with the closest match. Or that’s how it’s theoretically supposed to work.

“So then why do you need our help? You mentioned our knowledge of subatomic particles earlier,” continued James.

“Yes, we’ve run into many problems lately, one of them is with the particle accelerator. What it does is collide super heavy particles together to distort and ultimately rip the fabric of space-time. We haven’t had much luck with the particles we’ve been using lately and we could use your help in fine-tuning it to use heavier particles. Last month we ran a test without actually opening the portal, to see if we were heading in the right direction. Aside from the problems with the particle accelerator our electrical grid got overloaded and failed. We think we’ve fixed the power problem but now we need your expertise to operate the accelerator.

“We’ll take a look at what you have set up so far and see if we can make some modifications,” said James looking toward Alex.

“Excellent!” said Dr. Harrison with a wide grin on his grandfatherly face.

************One Month Later************

        “Ok, is everyone ready for the pre-launch procedures?” asked Dr. Mark Harrison. “Let’s start with increasing the reactors energy output. Bring it up to fifty percent capacity to start us off.”

A moment later a technician at another terminal said, “Reactor is at fifty percent and holding.”

“Alex, James, have you put the new parameters in for the accelerator?”

“They should give the desired effect this time,” said James looking up from his station.

“Good! Bring the particle accelerator online and bring us up to twenty percent.”

“It’s coming online now said Alex. We’re holding steady at twenty percent.”

“Great, hold the beams in position and wait for the signal to collide them together. Ok, lights are showing green across the board. Lets get ready to collide the particle beams. If everything holds we should be able to at least create the space-time rip. Remember this is just a test; we don’t want to activate the laser and dock the portal to the target signal just yet. With luck the portal should open up to the empty space between universes. Everyone ready?”

Everyone nodded with approval.

“Ok, let’s proceed with phase two. Bring the reactors up to eighty percent and increase power to the particle accelerator. Matheson, be ready to collide the beams on my mark.”

With an audible hum the accelerator increased the particles’ speed inside it to 99% the speed of light as more energy flowed into its superconducting magnets.

“And…now, Alex.”

Inside the tunnels of the accelerator the two beams of ultra dense particles collided at the center of the disk with unbelievable force. With a flash the disk lit up as the strong magnets that formed its edges contained the energy within the center of the disk. The light formed into a glowing ball that hovered at the center of the device and slowly began to spread to its edges. As the light began to dissipate a dark black surface was left in its place. Dr. Harrison looked with awe at the disk from his perch in the control center. He stepped closer to the window and looked down at the feat they had just accomplished. They had torn the fabric of space and created a portal outside of their own universe; A portal that while for the moment was a doorway to the nothingness that existed between universes, but would ultimately lead them to a new earth and new hope.

“It’s kind of mesmerizing,” said Alex as he noted how the portal had a rippling effect similar to water.

“How are the readings looking?” asked Dr. Mark, not taking his eyes from the portal.

“Were getting some small energy spikes registering from within but otherwise the portal is stable,” said a nearby lab tech.

“It’s beautiful,” was all Harrison said.

Down in the security center Lt. Jackson was sitting back reading an old issue of his favorite magazine.

“Would you look at that beauty,” he said in a low voice as he opened the centerfold.

Oblivious to his surroundings the Lt. didn’t notice the warning light flashing on the console behind him. A comm device buzzed on the wall opposite the Lieutenant. Setting down his issue of “Assault Weapons Monthly” he answered the comm with a gruff,

“Yea?”

“Sir, this is the chief engineer down on the reactor level,” replied a voice with a hint of hysteria. “We have a major problem and I can’t reach Dr. Harrison in the control center. You have to get word to him immediately!”

“Calm down, what’s the problem this time?”

“Something is wrong with the reactor. We started reading some energy spikes, and now the reactor is heading for a meltdown. It’s spitting out massive amounts of energy. You have to tell the scientist to stop the test immediately. If we don’t get it under control the fail-safes won’t be able to contain the excess energy. The control chamber will take the brunt of the surge.”

“Shit!” the Lt. exclaimed jumping from his chair. He tried to contact the control center in the intercoms but all he got was static. Seeing no other choice Lt. Jackson barged out the door and began running at a sprint for the control center.

        “What’s the clock at?” said Dr. Harrison, not taking his eyes off the shimmering black portal.

“Were at four minutes and counting. The portal is stable and holding strong. Congratulations Dr., you did it,” said the technician with a smile on his face.

“No,” said the Dr. turning to face Alex, James, and the other scientists in the control center. “We did it. This might not be the final result of our efforts, but it is one of the proudest days of my life. With this accomplishment we are one step closer to a new home and a brighter future.”

The scientist and technicians broke out in smiles and applause as they reveled in their accomplishment.

“Ok, now there is still work to be done everyone. Proceed with the final phase and let’s begin to close the portal.” Scientist and technicians moved about as they prepared to turn off the magnets holding open the rift.

“Sir, my controls aren’t responding,” said a tech with concern.

“Mine aren’t either,” said another. “The magnets aren’t responding to the shutdown code.”

“Hold on,” said yet another person. “I'm reading a massive surge in energy. I’m trying to trace its origins now.”

“Shut down power the portal now,” Dr. Harrison said with concern.

“Controls aren’t responding; the energy surge is spiking.”

“Begin emergency shutdown procedures, now!” shouted the Dr. “Isolate where the surge is coming from.”

“It’s the reactor, sir. It seems to be going completely haywire.”

“Well activate the fail-safes!”

“They should have already activated by now,” replied the startled tech.

With a massive shower of sparks the energy surge fried several of the terminals in the control center and caused several lights above to explode. Below them in the chamber the giant laser began to hum to life as it was struck by the power surge.  Dr. Harrison watched this with fear in his eyes as the situation began to spiral out of control.

“How did the laser come on? Shut it down immediately!” he roared.

“I'm trying everything I can, but all the controls are fried,” exclaimed the tech.

Down below them, the laser had finished powering up and began to run its pre-programed sequence.  Within a millisecond mainframe computers generated the required signal that would match the portal with a similar universe. The signal was then digitized and fed into the laser. A visible beam of light appeared from the tip of the laser and traveled into the black portal on the far side of the room. James and Alex watched as the frantic Dr. leapt around the room trying in vain to control the catastrophe down below. James watched as the portal began to move. It started as a slow rippling effect that appeared on the portals black surface. The ripples soon began to look like waves, which began vibrating with an increasing frequency. Dr. Harrison starred out of the window helplessly as the portal began to turn from black to white.

“My g-g-god,” he stuttered in a low voice. “The portal recognized and accepted the signal.”

“Sir?” said the first tech. “I'm reading a negative atmosphere drop in the chamber.”

“What do you mean?” said Alex.

“I mean the portal is sucking the air out of the chamber, and it’s getting stronger by the second.”

“We have to evacuate this section of the facility,” said the Dr. “We can’t shut down the portal from here at least.” Before the Dr. could say any more, he froze at a new sound that filled the control center. He slowly turned around to see spider-web like cracks appear on the blast-proof glass.

“Dr., the pressure is dropping in the chamber at an exponential rate,” stated the startled lab tech.

The rest of the people inside watched in fear and awe as equipment below them was plucked off the floor and sucked into the chamber. The metal beams supporting the reinforced walls groaned as the suction from the portal continued to grow.

The cracks in the window had reached the outer edges of their reinforced frames. The Dr., realizing the inevitable, turned to face his friends and colleagues and said in a somber tone.

“I’ve had a wonderful time with you all. Maybe we will meet again some day, if you believe in that sort of thing.”

With a deafening roar the entire front of the control center was ripped open like a tin can, the Dr. being sucked through. The other scientist and Alex and James were caught in the vortex emanating from the portal. James tried to scream, but the air was sucked from his lungs. Within seconds they had been sucked through the portal, which had continued to grow in size and strength.

        Lt. Jackson was halfway to the control center when a low thump resonated down the long empty corridor. That cannot be good he thought. He rounded a corner and was met by a strange sight. Ahead of him to the side of the corridor was one of the massive steel doors, which guarded a secure vault. The door, which could withstand a sizable blast, was shaking on its large steel hinges. Slowing, the Lt. cautiously approached the door marked “T4H” and slid back the peephole. The chamber, which should have been dark on the inside, was lit up by a bright light that shone through a large hole on the far wall.

“What the…” was all that escaped through Jackson mouth before the door imploded with tremendous force. The portal, which had begun to break through the walls of facility and its numerous vaults, had consumed the Lt. and everything inside the vault as it continued to expand.

Eternity. Eternity was a bright white expanse. An endless void. This was what Dr. Mark Harrison director of Project 7, was seeing. Eternity...