A Space Dragon in Princess Celestia's Court

Chapter 1 - The Star Shell

I was awoken from my wonderful nap by the sound of the computer’s alarm. One of the first things I changed was non emergency alarms to sound like old Earth wind up alarm clock bells. Making this change has proven time and time again to be worth the sudden jarring the noise gives me. Heck I have a REAL working non-replicated Earth antique wind up clock in my quarters. Looking out of the Sphinx workpod window I see its arms finish attaching the habitat module to the relay station. I was scheduled to be woken up soon anyway.

“Computer report, please.”

“Compliance. VISION probe nine has detected an anomaly along its travel vector. Anomaly is on the extreme edge of VISION probe nines sensors and is currently boosting detection range.”

“Computer, please tell me if VISION probe nine has the anomaly in viewing range?”

“Compliance. VISION probe nine does have the anomaly within viewing range, but the resolution is only thirty percent of optimum.”

“Computer compare with known data and extrapolate a possible identity for the anomaly, please. You have permission to use full power if necessary.”

“Compliance. Comparing VISION probe nines sensor data along with visuals to extrapolate a possible identity for the anomaly. Full power restored for calculation purposes.”

I type into the Sphinx workpod console the commands to suspend the current operation and return to shuttlebay one. As the Sphinx workpod maneuvers around and toward shuttlebay one I speak to the computer. “Computer would you display any video data from VISION probe nine on this screen, please.”

“Compliance. Displaying active VISION probe nine video data on Sphinx workpod three display beta.”

I look at the video feed with its horrible resolution. Sitting there in the center of the video is a dull gray orb. I peer at it moving my face closer and closer to the screen. “Well that’s no moon nor is it a rogue planet. It’s too round.” I say inside the cockpit to noone. I tilt my head to the left then a moment after to the right and then back up again. A little habit I got from my mother. She does the same thing when thinking upon a problem.

At about the same time I think I have an idea of what I’m seeing the computer chimes in, “Initial analysis complete with a seventy percent chance that the object is another star shell. Analysis also shows with a probability of ninety five percent that over fifty percent of the star shell is intact.” Exactly what I was thinking by just looking at the image on the screen. Without all the extra probability and percentages. “Thank you computer. Return operations back to Gray mode please.”

“Compliance. Operations returning to Gray mode.”

 It was then I felt the Sphinx workpod hit something. It was the floor of the shuttlebay. I was back on board “The Father’s Pride.”

“Computer, close shuttlebay one doors, activate the artificial gravity in shuttlebay one, return the atmosphere to shuttlebay one, and reactivate the life support to shuttlebay one at Gray Mode levels, please.”

“Compliance. Closing shuttlebay one doors. Activating artificial gravity in shuttlebay one. Returning atmosphere to shuttlebay one. Reactivating life support to shuttlebay one at Gray Mode level.”

After a short moment I exit the Sphinx workpod and walk on over to the turbolift. After the turbolift doors open I enter it and wait for the doors to close before I say “Bridge, Please.”

“Compliance. Turbolift destination; the bridge.”

After waiting inside the turbolift a moment the doors open and I exit the turbolift and enter the bridge. I walk down to the left side of the bridge where the ops chair and console is and sit down in it. I start to type in commands in the console relating to VISION probe nine’s findings. The main viewscreen turns on and begins to display VISION probe nine’s video data. Looking at the greatly enlarged image of what I, and the computer, believe to be another star shell I lean back in the ops chair, just staring at it. This makes the eleventh one I’ve found since leaving the Milky Way Galaxy. A few more commands and the main viewscreen shows the other ten star shells that I’ve discovered in their own ‘windows’.

“Computer would you tell me what is the calculated diameter of the new star shell, please?”

“Compliance. The calculated diameter of temporarily designated Star Sell eleven is one million, four hundred thousand kilometers.”

“Wow,” I say in surprise, “that’s small. About the size of Earth’s sun if I recall correctly.” I type more commands into the ops console to compare star shell eleven to the other ten. Yes, definitely smaller than the rest. Star shell eleven seems to be approximately fifteen percent the size of the next largest star shell from itself; number four.

I’m figuratively drooling over this information. I really, really want to go and check this star shell out. All the others so far were severely damaged, broken and smashed like fragile eggs. Whatever star, planets, or life that was inside stripped clean. I only know of two species in the few universes that I’ve been to capable of such destruction. Mother may know of more. All the other star shells size the ship's sensors were able to show the damage from afar. Each one has a class nine long-range multimission warp probe ‘parked’ nearby for future research of the star shell.

I close my eyes to think on what to do. I mentally go over my Starfleet mission parameters. My primary objective is to deploy and assemble as many automated subspace relay platforms as possible headed toward the Andromeda Galaxy before having to return for more supplies. The secondary objective is to map the ‘path’ I’m taking for future Starfleet use. The tertiary objective is to find any habitable planets or systems suitable for a colony or base to be set up at about every ten percent of the total distance. There really is no other official objectives. Unofficially however… I can do just about whatever I want.

I look over the ship's probe inventory for a little bit before making my decision. Decision made I speak to the computer. “Computer, deploy two class nine probes along VISION probe nine’s flight path. Pallet and module loadout for long distance communications relay. Label them “Shell Relay Alpha” and “Shell Relay Beta”. Shell Relay Beta is to maneuver to VISION probe nine’s position. Shell Relay Alpha is to be positioned between Shell Relay Beta and “The Father’s Pride”. VISION probe nine is to proceed to Star Shell eleven’s far side to verify its integrity, please.”

“Compliance. Deploying two class nine probes, one labeled “Shell Relay Alpha” and one labeled “Shell Relay Beta”. Pallet loadout and module loadout set for long distance communications.”

I smile as I watch the two probes launch. A distraction now and then from things can be nice especially if this star shell is intact and habitable. I stand up from the ops chair and rub my hands together. “Well I have a fusion reactor to get running. Might as well get back to work while I wait.”

Back with Fluttershy and Discord the mare seems a bit confused over her friend’s declaration. “Did you say someone?” Fluttershy asks of Discord.

“Oh, yes my dear. Someone I haven’t seen a while. I know him through his mother, a kind old soul that you really don’t want to anger.” Discord rubs his shoulder as if massaging a pain away. “He’s more like a nephew to me. He never really hated me for some of the things I did. He’s a bit of non serious studious type. Twilight and him would get along very nicely when she’s not being… excitable.”

“If he’s near you should go see him. You said it has been a while. Is he close enough? By the way that was a very nice way to comment about Twilight’s behavior. You're learning quite well.”

He looks at Fluttershy. “I can go anywhere I want with a snap of my claw! Distance means nothing to me!” A smile slowly makes its way onto his face as he says, “Yes, yes I will go visit him. In due time. Right now I’m visiting you. Right here is where I want to be right now.”

Fluttershy blushes and smiles at Discord and the two of them continue drinking tea and talking to each other.

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Excerpt from the Datapad 002; The VISION variation probe.

Twilight inserted the chip about custom technology into the PADD. It flickered and then displayed the table of contents. “They sure do love their acronyms now don’t they?” Twilight chuckled. Scrolling down the list as she was taught she came to and entry she remembered hearing about a lot when Shin was here. The VISION variation class eight probe. The same type of probe that allowed Shin to find Equus.

Reading the entry left her intrigued. Much of the terminology she just didn’t understand, yet. Luckily for her Shin put some notes at the end of the entry that summed it up in less ‘fancy’ terms. The VISION probe is a class eight probe stuffed with every spatial detection pallet and module possible along with a telescope in the front. Add in extra computing power and an over powered subspace transceiver. Don’t think too hard on what VISION is an acronym for, there isn’t one. ;)

“Did he really end that entry with a winking smiley face?” Twilight asks to the empty kitchen.