You could see the grand towers of the castle, lit up in the night, casting a beam into the infinite abyss above. We where close, probably about 15 minutes away at the most. Over the radio, I could hear the pilot making docking arrangements with Canterlot Royal, which is what woke me up in the first place. I trotted over to the still active radio. Why it was still on, I have no idea. I must have left it on before I fell asleep but, nevertheless, it was quite happily chatting away to itself whilst I tried to get some rest.
It was placed on the lip of the round window that overlooks the one of the six main engines that help keep this monstrosity afloat. The window faces east, as our current course is taking us directly north to one of the many docks out-stretching from the castle, and Manehatten is just about visible, glowing softly under the sea of stars above. The night is beautiful. You can see the ring of our galaxy, thousands of bright and dim stars, and the soft omnipresent glow of the moon casting long shadows over the huge balloon.
Turning the radio off, I noticed they the night sky was beginning to be engulfed by the polluting glow of Canterlot. The engine below the window flipped 180° and accelerated, slowing us down as we came in to dock on one of the west landing ports. Our overnight trip was over, we are here.
I put on some, smarter, attire (consisting of only just a tie and a shirt collar) and headed up to the deck of the airship. I wasn't alone on the bow, other ponies where gathered watching the pilot expertly navigate the airship towards the dock. The view of Canterlot was breathtaking. The complexity of the intertwined roads and the towering buildings was astounding, and the decorative glow of the hundreds of interior lights that dotted the grand city just made it... magical.
After we docked, and the airship came to rest in its new stationary position, I headed back to my room to gather my things. The airship will be staying here for another 3 days. As it is a cruise ship, most ponies are flying for leisure. For me, it's business. 3 days should be enough time; in, make deal, out, but I have no idea what these ponies are like, so, this experience should be educational at best, disastrous at worst.
It was 2:37 AM when I left the airship, most ponies where still asleep, ignorant of the knowledge that the airship is now stationary. I needed to be at the Canterlot Royal University in half an hour which was a short walk away from the Canterlot Royal. The deal that was about to be made needed to be top secret. The tech that I have with me right now could revolutionise everything from transport to storage, and if the worst found out about it, the entirety of the castle - no, all of Equestria could be in more danger than when Queen Chrysalis attacked.
2:49 and I finally got to the University. A grand building towering over the grounds and courtyard, consisting of a multitude of modern and classic looking architectural designs. The front gates where locked, of course, but I was warned about this. I took out the radio and spoke clearly into the mic the words 'four, seven, twenty-four, zero'. Just after I resealed my saddle bag, I heard a large click followed by a short buzz. The gates easily swung open and I headed through the courtyard to the main doors where I was greeted by an old looking gentlecolt.
'Rhodium, you're early.'
'Is that a bad thing professor?'
'No, and call me Canterford, you don't study here.'
Professor Ian Canterford is the head of physics and astronomical studies here at the University. His research on the multiverse theorem is ground-breaking and is the reason that I am talking with him today.
'Do you have it?'
'Of course, sir'
'Don't call me sir'
'Ok... How about, Ford?'
'No, anything but Ford'
'Professor?'
'Canterford will do, just fine.'
The entry hall spanned for half of the entire campus and continued upwards for a total of 3 floors. We headed towards the east wing which is where most of the science laboratories are located in the main building. A huge double door confronted us as we rounded the corner under the stairs to the second floor. Canterford unlocked the doors and pushed them open to reveal a large room with one table in the centre. Sat around it where 5 gentlecolts, each with a mustache as magnificent as the next's.
'Sorry we are early gentlecolts, Rhodium showed up earlier than expected, I think that he is a bit anxious to get started.'
All eyes turned towards me but I was starstruck. I recognised everypony sat in this room, each an expert in their respective fields of science and magic, however the majority of my attention was drawn to, for sat in front of me, the Equestria famous Professor Nikola Tesmare.
'Professor Tesmare, it is an honor to meet you!'
'The honors all mine, Rhodium, for you are about to present to us a miracle of modern technology and magic, are you not?
'Uhh, yes, professor.'
His sudden question, and modest reply, caught me off guard but I regained my posture and pulled out of my saddle bag a thick case with my magic. I laid it on the table, clipped back the hatches and opened the lid. I lifted out what was inside and placed it on the table. It was a silver and bronze spherical ball. It had a seem along the centre and a control panel on top with rudimentary legs acting as a stand on the bottom.
'This is not the final design but it works as intended'
As I said that, I picked up the device and twisted both halfs apart along the seem. The halfs popped apart slightly, revealing blue lights along the seem which slowly started to rotate. I placed the device on the floor against one of the walls to the side of the table, aligning it so that the control panel faces me. I typed the connection code into the control panel, and a small green light flashed and a button below the control panel extended. It had one word inscribed on it, open.