Crossover vs. Ponies

March 9, AN 1009

Director, our scholars have finished the examination of the golem we recovered from the rockfall at the bottom of Ghastly Gorge.

The basics of it are the same as all other golem science we have: a central animating spell matrix (the heart), with metal and gemstones leading away from it (the veins).  The materials and design, though, follow a different design philosophy than our mages’ college favors.  Instead of using gems on the outside of the golem to project animating force in the limbs, this golem uses gold inlay in an internal frame that moves the wheels and turns the head.  The thaumic battery uses an aluminum framework that combines amethyst and emerald in a very precise array to provide high storage and discharge.  Steel is abundant, but the other alloys none of us recognized.

Furthermore, where the heart would be we found only a blackened mass of fused gemstones and gold.  Our best guess is that when the golem sustained critical damage a high-heat charge went off, destroying the heart and preventing its recovery.

The fact that the golem’s creators felt the need to include a self-destruct is worrying.  Unusual components can be explained by diverging discoveries in artificing, and designing an exploration unit to be hardy is reasonable, but a self-destruct seems paranoid.

Our best guess is that the golem was designed for exploration.  There’s a complex lenses array in the head, and the wheels are durable, probably designed for long-term use.  The short stature and its lack of limbs would allow it to enter small spaces, but gives it few other options for interacting with the environment.

The patrols you ordered in the Dodge Junction area have reported no further sightings.  The golem showed no sign of weathering, which means that its destruction was relatively recent, so in theory its creators might miss it soon.  However, nothing has come looking for it.  Perhaps this will be all there is to this.

April 22, AN 1009

Our liaison with the royal court has reported that the delegation to the minotaurs has returned.  The delegation had gone to them at a good time.  Pony traders had already come with stories of the clashes between our military and the Outsiders, and the minotaurs were already considering mustering their forces in case a portal opens in their territories.  They have asked that we send a few of our soldiers to them to share what we know about the Outsiders.  In return, they can provide us with minotaur heavy infantry.

From what I’ve seen, the heavy infantry would present larger targets for the Outsiders’ ranged weapons, but minotaur axes should be able to crush one of them with a few swings.  Even if we choose not to accept the infantry, aiding the minotaurs would help their readiness in case the war expands to their lands or we need other assistance from them in the future.

Rookie Glass Sheet, Squaddie Prim Prism, Squaddie Gray Down, and Sergeant Stormy Hooves have fallen in combat since my last report.  We retrieved the bodies and have returned them to their families.  May they rest in peace.

The secrets of the Outsider ranged weapons continue to elude us.  While our soldiers can use weapons they find in the field, we have still been unable to find out how to keep the charge from draining.  Without working weapons, we can neither study how it works or test effective armor against it.

We do have another avenue of research we can attempt, though.  We have recovered several hoof-sized crystal devices from the bodies of dead Outsiders.  Our soldiers have reported that the devices are capable of projecting what appeared to be text and images into the air.  Outsiders often consulted the devices if they were going about their work and were not aware they were being observed.  Because of this, the science team has dubbed them “library units.”  If we are able to reactivate and examine the information on the devices, we could make great strides in understanding why the Outsiders are here and what their strategy is.

May 2, AN 1009

We’ve finished cleaning up the damage from the recent containment failure.  Luckily, we were able prevent our archives and much of the vital lab equipment from being destroyed.  P-COM recognizes the sacrifice of Orange Carrot, Bright Dagger, and Ink Quill in protecting our scholars and science facilities.

We have been able to gain a huge benefit from this, however.  One of our scholars, Parchment Scroll, directly observed the escaped Octopi picking up and using an Outsider ranged weapon.  The Octopi ignored Parchment Scroll in favor of fighting off our soldiers, allowing him to see how the weapon was operated.

Before the weapons can be used, a certain rune pattern must be drawn along the length of the weapon.  No ink is necessary; all that must be done is brush a limb against the weapon, as if one was tracing a pattern in dust with their hoof.  This imparts an arcane charge that causes parts of the battery to “fall” into alignment. After several minutes, the components falls out of alignment and the pattern must be reapplied. A diagram showing the pattern is attached to this report.  As soon as you give the word, we’ll begin converting the weapons we have into a form that our soldiers can use.

As far as the project we were working on before the containment failure: we have been able to turn the library units back on by recreating the energy network the Outsiders use to keep them operational.  Attempts have definitely been made to wipe the information, but in many cases the Outsiders did an imperfect job.  While we haven’t been able to translate the language yet, we have recovered a map with two sites marked.

June 29, AN 1009

The changelings have finished reconnaissance of the facility you ordered them to scout a week ago.

We have confirmed that captured ponies are being taken there.  The thaumic detectors have detected large numbers of transformation and mind spells being cast, along with more of the mutation vats we had encountered at the terror site in Baltimare.  The changelings also report that several Thinkers are in residence at the facility.  While the listener was unable to capture high-security communications, the team was able to access various unsecured communications, and copy some technical documentation.

Our scientists have examined the data captured, and we believe that the Outsiders are close to creating a long-range mind control weapon.  From what we’ve pieced together, this goes far beyond something like the Want-It-Need-It spell or other mind-affecting spells.  It allows instructions to be programmed into the target’s brain, to be triggered at a later point.  The weapon has no visible effect, and only requires line of sight to the target.  As Canterlot can be seen from anywhere in Equestria, I don’t think I need to explain the havoc this can wreck.

Our latest push to reach the launch pad has failed.  The Outsiders have dug in significantly since our last attempt to destroy the site.  Our soldiers report dense turret positions, and at least one Juggernaut armed with grenade launchers and multi-cannon.  The rocket is close to its final shape, and the spell arrays that form the payload appear to be almost completed.  In a matter of days the Outsider rocket will be ready for launch.

Both projects are on the verge of completion.  Director, we must choose.