Our Days are Numbered

Prologue:

Commander Ren

“What do you just say?” I yelled into the monitor at one of the reporting soldiers. We found out a few days ago that ships in a certain sector filled with pilgrimaging humans and other alien species had never reached their destination and had disappear around a certain sector. As our job in the Galactic alliance, we have to check any sectors within our area of the galaxy and stop whatever was causing this. Everything seemed to be going alright, until this transmission was sent in.

“The entire end of the ship has been destroyed sir. Its nothing but rubble.” He replied with his radio. It was obvious that this wasn’t space pirates anymore, they never had that kind of firepower and would have taken what they want before leaving.

I was about to reply when I heard a sudden explosion through his side of the radio. Static played for a few seconds before fading away. I looked at the green ship on the monitor that marked the spaceship I was in contact with, the one we sent to investigate the disappearance, only to see it had out of existence telling me the main engine of the ship was destroyed.

“All contact with the ship has been lost. Battleship has most likely been destroyed by camouflaged attacker.” Was the reply of the Stations A.I. Omega, confirming what I could clearly tell. This was clearly no normal threat as far as I’m aware of, nothing ordinary forces could handle.

The ships weren’t the only thing that had gotten attention from Haven Stations citizens. I similar group sometime ago led by a rogue A.I. had also attacked ships, but those were purely human ships and was defeated. What was it’s name again… Ultima! That was the one who had attacked humanity, the one our lead researcher had built to try and find a planet that humans could live on. This was far beyond him though as we also had confirmed yesterday that an entire planet seemed to have been wiped out. We have sent rescue missions to save those who survived but a planet with billions of creatures was - for the amount we have seen so far survive - quickly reduced to hundreds.

Then, came the word from Omega that had given me some light “Shall I contact team Fallen about this incident” I was shocked. Not because he mentioned a horrible group or anything as Team Fallen was far from that, but because I had totally forgotten about them. “It seems that they would be more suited to the task”

Omega was right. If we were to stop them this was the only choice. They had another mission right now, investigating a string of murders and catching the culprit, who has targeted a well known family. Even with this, the only hope at this point was them. So I gave Omega the following command “Yes, but contact them when you have confirmation that the threat they are currently dealing with is eliminated before sending it, both are high priorities” I then turned around to head out the door as Omega gave its reply.

“Yes I shall send it right away then”

Ellith

“Pilot please respond, I am nearing the location” I spoke through the radio as I closed in on a nearby bar.

“Got it Ellith, ready to knock out power on command” Came the response of my friend and ally Pilot. We had confirmed that the next target is in fact none other than Captain Reiss Lewis, who was on vacation when the murders started happening. Well, to be honest Pilot’s brother Haydn was the one who figured this out and who we are looking for.

As I approached a guard walked in front of me “Sorry kid, adults on-” I quickly held up my Galactic Special Forces badge to him. Not only was he not letting me in but he just called a 17 year old a kid. I am not a kid, I am an almost adult with a small chip on my arm that turns into a giant cannon-claw thingy when in battle. This guy would have immediately back away if he knew this.

“Ellith Celestial of Galactic Special Forces Team Fallen, here on business to take care of a small problem in the bar you’re guarding. I demand you let me in before I decide to break your bones” I said to him. He easily recognized the name and stepped back, not wanting to get on my bad side.

“S-sorry I had no idea. P-please c-come on in” He said scared. I just gave him a small smile and walked in. Of course I have the harder way in. As far as I knew, Haydn and Asa were already inside disguised as bartenders or something like that. At least I got in, it usually is much harder with places guarded.

As I walked into the main room of the bar, I immediately noticed two of my companions at the bar serving some drinks. Asa was a human like species known as Quillis that’s only non-human trait was the porcupine needles on her face, arms, and legs. Her long blond hair and enthusiastic waving made her stand out easily to me. Next to her was the before-mentioned brother to Pilot, Haydn. He was in uniform unlike Asa and had a very focused glare. With them was another human, this one was definitely Reiss Lewis as she tilted her head to say to come over.

I  took the empty seat Reiss and Asa saved for between them and looked to Haydn for the where-abouts on the attempted murderer. “That's him there” He said in a normal and strict voice. I followed his gaze to see a guy and a group of what I was guess are thugs talking. “They tucked their weapons into their shorts so they weren’t noticed. Sadly for them, I was able to notice a distinct bump on the sides of their pants that is attached to their belt,”

The took one last look around and, knowing we weren’t going to leave, got up and took out their weapons. Sadly, they didn’t have the upper hand.

“Pilot, now” I ordered to a younger boy in one of the booths. At that command he turned off all lights in the bar and quickly took out a rapier and took out one of the goons who went after him.

With that I touched a button on a small part of my arm which started to take on a very much different shape. Before they could get to Asa, Reiss (how had taken out a pistol at this point), and I the earlier mention rust colored Energy Cannon with Sharp Crab-like claws fully formed and quickly realised a blast of energy at the group before us. As they close in Asa jumps over use running at them. Easily dodge the incoming knifes she lands a clear uppercut into her attack and sends him flying across the room.

This is where they finally came into contact range as I launch another Beam of energy at them. That’s when I hear the music. As we battled a few began to look around wondering who the music is playing without the lights on. This is one of the reasons Pilot’s the leader as we see our weapons slowly become stronger with each hit of the beat we hit.

An quick fact about Pilot’s Rapier, Rhythmic Buster. It has a unique ability were ally weapons get stronger with each beat they hit. It’s worth not going full on rampage in order to do some extra damage. This made the fight go much easier as goons easily fell before use. The main target, was much more prepared and experienced than his mooks and used elemental essence (magic to you fantasy fanatics) to attack.

Pilot ran up to me “Time to end this?” he asked, clearly eager to get this over with. I nod and before we know it a gray light formed around the two of use.

“MONOCHROME”

With that, everything around us went black and white except for us. Monochrome was a spell that froze time for a few seconds with only those touching the caster and the caster itself able to move. Those few seconds we used to deal some pretty deadly blows to the enemy and he quickly collapsed to the ground once time resumed. Everyone stopped once they saw this, Haydn bending over in exhaustion, Reiss look at us with a face of relief, and Asa being her usual pouty self.

Before she could speak we got a transmission from our radios and Pilot quickly answered “This is Pilot Rose of Team Fallen, mission completed”

“Roger that Pilot, Commander Rens would like to meet with you and the others for something of grave importance” Omega replied. This must have been urgent if the Commander wanted to see use. The last time we met was when we cut Ultima down, so it must be bad if he wants to meet.

“Affirmative, we’ll be there as soon as possible”

Rainbow Dash (yeah, finally ponies)

“Welcome Dash, what can I do for you” Rarity asked with shock. It wasn’t often that I come here on business but with the shape the uniform was in, I really had no choice. I set the uniform down on the counter, it was worn out from all the practicing I have been doing. Their was a show tomorrow and I needed to have this fixed up by tomorrow.

“Yeah Rarity, can you fix this up by the end of the day?” I asked, I really needed this to look just as awesome as it was before but in as little time as possible too.

“Why of course Dash, I can have this fixed in an hour or so. You can wait here if you like” She pointed a hoof at the table and I nodded in agreement with nothing better to do.

I poured a cup of coffee and sat down to drink while Rarity got to work on my uniform. I knew she was going to make it more awesome than before and was really excited to see it brand new. I suddenly heard what sounded like an explosion of in the distance and screaming ponies. I looked outside to see an unfriendly ray of light coming straight for the boutique. I quickly flew to the side as it incinerated half of the boutique with the upstairs suddenly falling on both me and - from what I believe - Rarity as well. I was Completely buried in it when I suddenly saw a weird mechanical thing come up and punch at the ground, hearing a sound I never wanted to hear. The scream of a pony dieing.

(So… yeah. I know I didn’t get to the ponies until the end but I thought it felt right to talk about the other human characters in this first as they do play a big role. I promise that most of the questions you are probably asking do concern what just happened to ponyville, who Ultima and Team Fallen are and what they have to do with this, and if any of the other main six besides Rainbow - since you probably got the picture of who that scream was from - are still alive. These will all be answered in time, but for now I will leave it up for you to decide. Also, next chapter will have the first of many choices you will have to make throughout your journey so be prepared)