Manics: Thunderball

-Chapter 2-

…2 hours prior to Jordan in the snare…

Ugh… who put my head in a vice?

Jordan rubbed the back of his head when he woke, keeping his eyes closed. He could smell rain, smoke, O-zone, and apples at the same time. Wait a minute… apples? He opened his eyes, it was dark, but a tear in the wall (which he assumed was made on impact) revealed that the sun was rising. He was still in his room, but he wasn’t in the ship; there was a system that ejected occupied rooms just before a crash.

As his eyes adjusted, he noted that, to his right, 0001’s pod was safe and a set of blast doors had descended around the glass.  He also saw that, by some miracle, the computer was still operational.

        Guess I’ll call in if the com is on, he thought. He stood and heard a squishing as he stepped forward. Looking around, he noticed a shallow puddle of rainwater had collected inches away from wear he was laying just moments ago. Rain… smelling O-zone… so that’s why there’s a hole in my wall. He remembered something Kit had told him: that the Thunderball had a tendency to cause atmospheric anomalies when landing- or in this case, crashing- that it wasn’t a good idea to land during a storm. The lightning bolts would become burning plasma bolts that could potentially rip a gash in the hull, they were so powerful.

After moving to the computer on the wall, he pushed several buttons. Let’s see, show me everyone? Yeah, that’ll work.

“Computer, what is the status of the rest of the crew?” Beep beep. The monitor began to bring up a series of profiles and locations that tracked everyone’s Lightning Rod, which was a personal tool or weapon, like a futuristic multi-tool. The profiles and maps started to cycle.

“Jastike, Capt. Mayurpo

Status: Minor Injury since last medical update.”

The computer was using their complicated Manic names. Jordan didn’t have one, because his father was human and his mother agreed to the name. He was half-Human, half-Manic, simple as that. It cycled to Malotov’s profile.

“Parilk, Quartermaster Malotov Cai

Status: Confidential.”

“Creepy. It won’t give me his medical file?” Jordan was left to wonder why his superior, who always acted like an impenetrable safe mentally and emotionally, would have his medical files confidential. He had little time to wonder: the cycle continued.

“Q’fel,  Communications Officer Jolupni-“ Joni.

“Status: Broken right index and ring fingers.”

Ouch…

“Muldol, Security Officer Winduryp-“ Walker.

“Status: Minor head trauma.”

He’ll live, hard-headed guy like that can take a few.

“Q’fel, Weapons Engineer Gearna-“ Gunny.

“Status: Fractured right ulna.”

“Oh, Gunny.” She had a broken arm, but it’s not the first time. She actually vaporized a rib by accidentally shooting herself with an experimental laser once. Fortunately, Kat was able to grow it back.

“Kiton, Engineer Alnea-“ Kit never liked her first name. It’s a pretty sounding name, though…

“Status: Minor injury.”

“Godru, Science Officer Kopique-“ Cop! I didn’t trade small-talk with him before the-

“Status: Deceased. Cause: Attacked by infesting Slime Gouches. Acid burns over %70 of body and face. Time of Death: Estimated 5:36 AM in current region.”

        Cop was killed by pests, what a way to go. Jordan wished he could really feel some sorrow for this guy; wished he could mourn. He only knew the guy on an impersonal level, and he knew that Cop went down fighting. Jordan regretted thinking about how he would honor the guy after burying “whatever the gouches left of him”.

As much as he hated to admit it, he DID mourn. It wasn’t fair. How the hell could simply watching a stupid little planet like this turn into a nightmare? He started to panic inwardly, but caught himself.

        Take it easy, Jordan, he said to himself. It’s not THAT bad yet.

“Yet?” He couldn’t believe he added that word into the mix. Washing himself of his apprehension and… “angst,” he continued reading the monitor…

“Course of action taken: MUNI-1 “Kat” has been deployed to treat injuries based on seriousness. Weapons Engineer Q’fel’s injuries are currently being treated.”

Enough of this shit, he thought as he tried to push Cop’s face out of his mind. “Computer, set up a communications link to the others.” The computer issued a series of negative beeps. “Unable to make connection.”

“Well, it was worth a try,” Jordan backed away from the computer and walked to the tear. The sun was just starting to come up. Alright, time to get that PRE-C Data! He looked back at 0001. Ah, he’ll be fine. I wonder what it’s like outside? Probably looks nice, aside from some crash-site thing going on with it.

Thinking enthusiastically or sarcastically didn’t help the fact that he was walking out of his room and into a crater. He took in the sights: smoke billowing off areas debris hit, trees fallen around and into the area, the ship towering over the entire scene… The ship looked like a cone sticking out of the ground, easily jetting 100 feet into the air. This amazed him, because the ship was 200 feet long and diamond shaped. The diamond shape probably saved the area by imbedding itself into the ground, since a bell or cone would have a greater impact range and sit hazardously on top of the ground.

A fallen tree had landed near the ejected quarters, still adorned with red fruit.

Apples. So that’s why I smelled them. He dismissed them, even though he was hungry, and started to carry on to-

CRRRRZ! “Jordan? Get back in here.” Jordan turned back into the detached room. The computer had a familiar symbol displayed on its monitor…

The symbol that’s on all the pods? And this voice is… 0001?

“Jordan, can you hear me? This is 1,” the voice said.

        Jordan didn’t have time to speak before the voice came again. “Don’t say a word, because I‘ve only got a short time to explain. One: I’m only able to speak because I’m out of the coma, but, as I said, it’s only temporary. On top of that, realize that this means the rest of us Proto Manics are also out of the coma.” Pro-What Manic?

“Two: Some of us didn’t take too kindly to being transferred, so one of them somehow snuck out of their pod and sabotaged Thunderball. I don’t know who or how long they planned it; I only realized they had done it when the bombs were activated.” A pod had woken up? Bombs? On the ship? What about the security screenings?

“Three: Once the PRE-C Data is uploaded into the computer, I’ll deliberately hijack the line so it goes through the pods first. Upon downloading it, the program keeping us asleep will end and we’ll be out. Even though this means the bad ones are gonna get out too, the good ones will back you up faster than they can fight.” Jordan had mixed feelings about this. Now that he knew a… “Proto Manic” had done this. “Your gonna have to trust me on this one.” I can trust him. I don’t know why, but I will.

“Four-“ CRRZ!! “Sorry, starting to lose control, I’ll make this short. Four: Don’t worry about the inhabitants finding us. We crashed late at night and there was a storm, so they don’t know what happened themselves. There is a settlement somewhere in a southern direction from this valley, I wish I could be specific. I don’t have to mention the big ‘don’t’, right?” Don’t get caught. If caught, well, try to think your way out and get them on your side. Got it.

“Five, this concerns the gouches that killed Godru. They’re practically eating the hull, and the structure will probably collapse in a week. Some of them have mutated from the radiation in the engineering section (which, I hope you know, should be kept OUT of the atmosphere on this world).” The crash had caused some problems to the environment, and Jordan knew that, but if the radiation got out, the crater was the least of the planet’s worries.

“I have to shut down the link,” 0001 said finally. “Good luck, and the pot is just outside.” CRRRZ!!! The monitor went dark again.

        The what? Oh! Mom’s strainer! Jordan went out side and scanned the ground. A shiny metal object caught his eye, and he picked it up, dirt trailing out of it.

It was a spaghetti strainer- the only thing he could remember from his family. He never knew why, but he had most of the memories from them removed long ago. This kitchen utensil was the only thing he remembered. He remembered how much his mother loved it when he put it on his head as a kid.

Well, Mom, this is for you. He placed it on his head like a helmet, tapping it a few times to feel the vibrations it could make over his head. Feels nice, could use this as a weapon… nah… don’t wanna lose it. Wait, what’s that? Another glint got his attention: a small section of pipe sticking out of the ground. He reached down, touching it gently with the back of his fingers to judge if it was hot or not. It wasn’t, so he grabbed it with his left hand and tugged hard, but it wouldn’t budge. He gripped it with both hands and pulled harder. The strain gave him a headache, but the effort was worth it; his reward was a simply pipe, about half a meter or two and a half feet in length. He put it down and went back into his room, coming out with a backpack he originally used when he brought his stuff on board (apparently, since that memory also left when he forgot his family) and sliding the pipe into it. It stuck out a little, but he thought he could use that to his advantage: as easy access to a weapon should something go wrong.

Taking a look around again, he nodded to himself and made his way south, using the morning position of the sun as a compass. Jordan knew basic survival skills when it came to survival, but he left the fire to Walker. All Jordan could do was manipulate vibrations, which at best could be used to get fruit. He looked around at the trees as he walked. Apples hung from every branch in sight… but something was off.

This isn’t a forest… the trees lined up. Only then did he realize he was on land owned by one of the planet’s inhabitants. He had stepped into an orchard.

His train of thought, regarding the orchard, was interrupted by his stomach. They won’t miss a COUPLE of apples; it’s just ONE tree. He pulled the pipe out of his pack and took it off, opening it wide and laying it down. He moved next to the tree and rapped on it a couple times with his foot. A low hum sounded in his brain, telling him that he got the right amount of force. He focused on two of the apples and, by complicated means, made the hum in his head louder. The stems of the apples snapped, causing the fruits to fall into his hands. He slid one into his pocket and threw another into the bag. He kept doing this, ending up with five apples in the bag and one being munched on.

I love apples. Not as good as the pie, though… He ate the apple, but wondered what to do with the core. If he buried it, it might grow later on; not what he wanted. If he just left it, he would leave a trail; REALLY not what he wanted. He decided to just hold onto it. He packed his things and kept walking.

---M~A~N~I~C~S---

Here it is. Finally! It feels like I was walking for freakin’ DAYS! Jordan let out an exhausted sigh as he finally left the orchard field, welcoming the site of the town by getting on his knees. The day had gotten hot, and his face was dotted with drops of sweat. He raised his hands in respect of whatever was keeping an eye on him.

But there wasn’t time for any spiritual enlightenment, he had to get the PRE-C Data. This is where it gets tough, he realized. I’m gonna have to pretty much be among them without getting caught. Hiding and stuff… damn. He started with a bush near his location and proceeded from that point.

Getting around was easier than he had expected, he actually made it far enough to see the inhabitants… and almost let his cover blow when he saw them.

Horses? The hell? Indeed, he spotted three of them talking about flowers (he assumed by what he had seen as a tattoo of a flower on each of them). He stayed low until he was sure they were out of sight of his next cover point. He continued, keeping an eye on every inhabitant near him. Wait, was that a unicorn? And a pegasus? Well, this is certainly… familiar.

Jordan kept rolling and ducking under and behind anything he could (Joni, if you were here, I would thank you for teaching me how to do this stuff) and eventually, he smelled… pie! Glad I ate before I came here, or I would be growling. He located the source and took a peak into a nearby window, spying a pink horse with three balloons as a tattoo humming happily as she mixed something in a bowl. She suddenly stopped and raised a hoof to her eye. “Ack!”

An orange one with a large lower jaw leaned in. “You ok, Pinkie?” The pink one nodded.

“Mmhm! I just got a new Pinkie-sense, Mr. Cake!” Pinkie what?

“Uh… how bad is it?” The one called Mr. Cake asked with a nervous look.

“Well, last night I sensed a DOOZIE! I also got twitchy tail, and you know what that means!” She laughed. “This time, it’s something else. My eye felt like it was on FIRE! Like… WHOOSH!” She punctuated the “whoosh” by throwing her hooves into the air.

Mr.Cake smiled, but Jordan could tell he was still nervous. “Well, what do you think that means?”

“It means Jordan should go to the library!” THE HELL?! DOES SHE KNOW I’M HERE?! Jordan panicked a little, but he listened into what was said next.

“Who’s Jordan?” Mr. Cake asked.

“Jordan? That’s a silly name, Mr. Cake. Is it the name of somepony new to town?” Pinkie seemed very enthusiastic about the thought of some… pony… new to town. Somepony… I want to laugh… thank you again, whatever is watching me. Thank you for preventing me from cracking up here and now.

“No, it’s-“ Mr. Cake started.

“OH! I think he should know that the library is the giant tree that looks like a house in town!” She bounced a little bit, but saw the unfinished business she had in the bowl and continued working. Mr. Cake shrugged and leaned back out the door.

A library… has books. Books have information. Information is data. Thanks… Pinkie?

“Yep! That’s my name!” Uh… okay then… to the tree it is…

Jordan sneaked around again, looking for the library. He finally found it, and it WAS a giant tree.  It had windows, a door, even a balcony. It was interesting to say the least because Jordan described it as “epic” in his mind. The door in the front opened and a purple unicorn came out with… a dragon on her back?

Dragons… this place has my approval. Dragons make everything better.

Jordan watched the pair as they went towards the bakery Jordan saw that pink pony in. He decided to stick with calling them ponies; it sounded better than horses. Confident that no one was watching, he quickly made his way to the door and opened it. This door doesn’t have a lock, so what’s the crime rate around here? No crime whatsoever? That’s crap. He went inside.

The first thing Jordan saw was books. The second thing he saw were the massive shelves of them. He instantly looked for a book regarding anatomy, and then another book on how this world works. It was basic information, and a start for getting the PRE-C Data. He dropped his stuff and sat on the floor against one shelf. As he opened the anatomy book, he heard a noise from outside, but he didn’t worry about it. The noise sounded like someone next door had invited MaQuasi to host a party. So… they have Dubstep here?

“Who?” He jumped a little and looked around frantically for the source of that sound, resting his eyes on an owl perched on the central table. “Who?”

“Ah,” Jordan sighed. “You scared me there.”

“Who?”

“You scared me.”

“Who?”

“You did.”

“Who?”

What am I doing? Jordan shook his head and went back to reading the book, confident that the owl wasn’t going to report his presence.

Fifteen minutes and two skimmed books later, he finally got the basic- although weird- information about the world. As he put the books away, he summed the information up in his head.

So in a nutshell, there are these two deity princesses that control the sun and the moon. Not too long ago, one came back after being banished to the moon for a thousand years- which is tough love, but kinda funny since I know Walker did the same, sorta. She was banished in the first place because everypony- wait… did I just think that? Anyway, everypony feared her nights, so she refused to lower the moon one day, resulting in her banishment by use of the “Elements of Harmony”. A thousand years later- or about two and a half years ago, she came back for revenge, but six ponies in this very town wielded said elements and defeated her… kinda. She apologized for pissed and all. Also, there was an incident with something called “Discord”… too long; didn’t read. In short, Discord was defeated by the same six ponies with the Elements of Harmony. These elements- and the ponies with them- are Honesty- Applejack, Kindness- Fluttershy, ngggh these names… Laughter- Pinkie Pie… wait, the same Pinkie from before? Well, it would make sense, she IS a bit “woohoo”… Generosity- Rarity, Loyalty- Rainbow Dash. Those were five… apparently when those five were together, a “spark” revealed the sixth: Magic- Twilight Sparkle.

In other news, there are three main types of ponies: Earth ponies- who have a connection with nature. Unicorns- who can use magic. And Pegasi- who can fly, walk on clouds, and control the weather. As confusing as the weather bit is, I can deal with it.

He heard something behind him. Expecting the owl, he turned with a smile… and there was that purple unicorn and her dragon from earlier.