Chapters Hard Landing (Edited and Extended)
"Warning, collision with unregistered planet imminent," blared the alarm system as the command crew desperately fought against the near useless controls.
"Main Engines Offline! Stabilizers thrusters at 50% integrity and falling! Leakage in main Fuel tanks! Fuel reserves Critical! Decompression in 5 sections!" shouted Daniel Farley, brown eyes glued to his screen, his youthful face drawn and grim. The Proud Mary had suffered a catastrophic failure in her experimental slipspace engine, and was unable to resist the pull of a nearby celestial body They were god-knows how far from Earth, venting fuel and oxygen, dragged in a decaying orbit around a massive class M Planet. They were desperate, scared, and the PA system wasn't helping, stuck on a loop playing Elton John's Rocketman .
"Keep fighting, Farley! We must soften our landing," Captain Roux said, her french accent becoming thicker with stress as damage and casualty reports flickered across her screen.
"Too late! We've hit the upper atmosphere! WE’RE IN FREEFALL! I CAN NO LONGER CONTROL THE SHIP!" shouted Daniel, as The Proud Mary Sped towards her demise. Fire and debris scorching her red and white hull. She was quite large, With enough room to carry 8,000 souls aboard her and keep them fed, entertained and healthy through long trips through the void, as well as the materials and equipment to build a colony on all but the most inhospitable of worlds. All of that meant that they were big, heavy, and dropping like a stone.
Time slowed as they impacted the earth, gouts of dirt and debris streaming through the now-shattered windows, and ruptured blast shields of the bridge. Captain Roux was impaled by a pipe torn out of the walls, pinning her to her chair and snuffing out her life instantaneously. Lieutenant Torres, her first officer, was thrown from her seat and slammed against the bulkhead, her skull crushed in a spray of blood and gore as her limp corpse bounced around the cabin. Equipment was torn from its mountings and screeched across the floor and ceiling, crushing those unfortunate enough to be in the way. Daniel let out a silent scream as a console rammed his station, and everything went black..
********
The six mares that were the Elements of Harmony stood a few hundred yards from the strange alien craft that had fallen out of the sky. It was Large, and shaped much like a Manehattan building, but in far grander scale. The gold, red and white paint visible through the scorch marks gave the observer a sense of how this craft must have looked before it’s final voyage.Smoke and fire filled the wasted landscape of ground zero, and debris had been reported miles from the crash site.
Twilight could only thank Faust that the area was mostly uninhabited.
Behind herself and her friends, both Celestia and Luna stood, accompanied by their most senior commanders and most capable battle-mages. Should their "Visitors" prove hostile, they would teleport the elements away from the danger and move in.
"Twilight...I am serious. At the first sign of danger or hostility, I want you and your friends out of harm's way. This is an unprecedented incident. Even I am at a loss for what to do.” Celestia paused, looking over the young alicorn that had grown so much from the excitable purple unicorn filly she had taken under her tutelage. “Be safe, My student" Celestia pleaded, nuzzling the purple mare.
"I'll be fine, Princess. The girls and I can take care of ourselves. I also don't think these creatures had hostile intent. Their craft looks badly damaged, and nopony's come out of it yet," said Twilight, adjusting her tiara.
“I still don’t like the Idea of sending you in alone, but I suppose you did write the book on first contact scenarios,” Celestia intoned, furrowing her bow.
"Yeah, Princess, I'm sure we can handle a few dumb old aliens. Especially with me here." Rainbow Dash was inspecting her hoof nonchalantly.
"I don't know, what if they're hurt! We... we should help them...If that's okay with them that is..." stuttered Fluttershy, clutching a first aid kit nervously.
"Well, shucks. Let's get over there and see what in tarnation's goin' on then," drawled Applejack, eyeing the wreck with suspicion.
"I must agree with Applejack and Pinkie, there is little time to waste," Rarity said, starting to trot towards the remains of the ship.
"Come'on slow pokes! We gotta go help ’em," giggled Pinkie Pie, already halfway through the debris field.
"Pinkie! Wait for us!" Twilight and her friends galloped to catch up to the pink blur.
******
The girls entered the ship through one of several gashes in the hull, Each easily wide enough to pull a wagon through.. What they found was a horror show. Dozens of dead aliens lined the slanted corridor, some burned, others torn apart blood coated nearly every surface. The girls were all cowed and horrified by the sight, and Fluttershy teared up. . The few bodies that were identifiable were similar to that of minotaurs.
“U-Unrecognized L-L-L-Life signszzzz detected," stuttered an electronic voice.
"What the hay was that?!" shouted Dash, her fur bristling.
"I dunno Sugarcube, but I think we should leave..." said Applejack backing up, Only to freeze as a hatch slid open, revealing another alien, this one terribly injured, but alive. Bones were visible through an obviously broken arm, and much of his face was blistered from terrible burns.
"I...I can't see....Oh, god...It hurts!" It said, collapsing. Fluttershy Immediately forgot her fear and rushed over.
"Oh, Just hold still! I'll help!" a bandage over the creature’s bloody face.
"N-No...Kids...The kids are a bit further in...They need help...." The creature gasped, grabbing Fluttershy's shoulders with his hands before stiffening, “Please! Please! Get the kids out! They’re stuck in the schoolroom M-My Daughter…” Before it could say more, the creature went limp.
"Sir? Mr. Alien?! S-stop kidding around..." said a thoroughly disturbed Pinkie, her mane drooping. Twilight just swallowed and set her jaw.
"W-We've got to keep moving. You heard the Alien, their young are in trouble!"
*****
Dan opened his eyes and was immediately greeted by searing pain in most of his body. Dan couldn’t help but let a low moan escape across his lips as he fought to remain conscious. He didn't have to be a medic to realize his legs were badly broken. They were bent at an odd angle and half crushed by the dented metal wall he normally used as a footrest. He was pinned by the wreckage of the bridge, but his terminal was working.Daniel breathed a sigh of relief, happy he could still communicate with the rest of the ship. He considered himself lucky that the eggheads back home had figured out how to make terminals NOT explode. Dan looked around, finding himself alone amongst the dead
The captain was pinned to her chair, one of the pipes from the auxiliary power unit jutting from her chest. Her lifeless eyes stared straight ahead, just as determined as they had been in life, and her freshly pressed forever frozen in their final moments. Lt. Torres was lying in a crumpled heap to Daniel’s left, much of her body contorted unnaturally. Daniel could not bear to look at her long, as the image brought bile to his lips. He’d never been able to remember the name of the poor lad that worked communications...and now he wished he had. The poor kid had been crushed in the impact, only his hand peeking from the ruined earth and metal.
By rights, he should be dead too.
Gritting his teeth he shook his head, banishing the thought, and checked his terminal.
"At least I can be useful for a bit..." he muttered to himself, checking over damage and casualty reports. The damage was extensive. There were entire sections unstable, and at least one of the living facilities was a raging inferno. What caught his eye however, were six life-forms hurrying up Corridor 1C, towards the onboard school. They had no IFF, so they hadn't been part of the crew or colonists. He hoped for a minute they'd landed on a human planet, and keyed the intercom.
"Hello? This is Acting Captain Farley. Can you hear me?"
******
"Hello?, This is Acting Captain Farley, Do you hear me?" asked a voice from above, causing Fluttershy to jump and the rest of the girls to take attack positions. "Yes! You! can you understand me?" This time the voiced seemed slightly desperate and strained.
"...We can hear and understand you, Captain," Twilight answered cautiously.
"Okay, good...Thank Christ. Look, I'm injured pretty badly, and I can't move, So I'd like your help. We need to get my people out of this wreck. I see you're already closing in on the school… I can see life signs inside, so Hopefully the kids are alright… Will you help?"
Twilight looked at her friends, each of whom had a look of determination.
"We'll get you and yers outta this mess, Sugarcube. Don't you worry none," Applejack promised, adjusting her hat.
"Of course Darling! We'll be happy to help," cooed Rarity, nodding at her friends. Pinkie and Dash just shared a look of determination and nodded.
"Good to hear... Let's hope we can meet in person soon." Relief was evident in Farley’s voice.
“Leave it to me. Ten seconds flat!” boasted Dash, secretly relieved to be out of the nightmare for even a few moments. Pinkie just nodded, her normal smile replaced with naught but grim determination.
"Alright, Dash, I'll need you to grab the princesses and the guards. This is now a rescue," Twilight ordered, her horn glowing as she levitated debris out of her way, while Fluttershy zipped off to triage the injured. In her heart, Twilight knew Equestria would change.
For better or worse.
Author's Note
Edited By ScrambledCrackers and Stupidhand, Look'em up and check'em out, they're significantly better at this!
Dan was the last to be rescued from the ship. It had taken hours to extract the survivors, and would likely take days to collect the fallen. Bodies lay in tidy rows on the trampled, torn earth near the ship, and more were already being carried or dragged towards the area... far too many of which were younger than 10. Of the 8,000 souls aboard, 3,839 remained alive. The amount of severed or amputated limbs on the ground outside the surgical tent told a chilling tale. Sheets were becoming rare, and several fights broke out over who would get one, but most were broken up by the remaining ship security and guards.
The Princesses looked upon the scene with lumps in their throats. The cries of anguish and loss were the worst. Celestia and Luna hadn’t heard such cries in a thousand years, and each despairing wail tore at even their experienced hearts.
At some point during the rescue, Shining Armor and Cadence had arrived with a contingent of their own guards and medics. Cadence, being a new mother, was hit hard by the sight of parents mourning their young, and was doing all she could to ease their pain. Unlike her elder aunts, she allowed her tears to flow freely.
The Elements sat tiredly as they watched the scrambling medics, doctors, and guards. They took comfort in their friends proximity, silently watching. Fluttershy was inconsolable, And Pinkie was uncharacteristically quiet. Celestia landed near them, her face worn from the events of the day.
“Twilight. You and the others can do no more for these people. Go home. Rest. We’ll be very busy come the morning.” She moved stiffly, and her voice was hoarse from barking orders most of the day. Luna Looked little better, large bags visible under her eyes even from a distance.
Twilight merely nodded tiredly before looking at Applejack.
“Could we stay at the farm tonight? It’s closest,” she asked. The farm pony nodded and turned to the other mares.
“C’mon y’all. We’ve got nothin’ more we can do here. Let the Princesses and the others handle it.” Applejack nodded her head towards the weeping pegasus. Rainbow Dash draped a wing over Fluttershy as she shakily stood up, hiccupping and sobbing still. Pinkie leaned against her, and they started a slow, shuffling walk towards the farmhouse. Applejack and Rarity sighed as they followed their friends.
“Are you coming, darling?” Rarity asked, looking at Twilight, who had hesitated.
“Uhm...In a minute. I just want to check on Captain Farley before we go. He was a big help in leading everyone around the ship,” Twilight answered, looking over towards the injured human. His head and chest were bandaged tightly, and his legs were in hardening plaster casts. Another human stood over him, in a bloodied and slightly scorched labcoat. As Twilight approached, she caught the tail end of the conversation
“I do not blame you for her death Dan. You have been a good friend of our family for years, and she knew your skill in piloting and navigation. If she hadn’t had faith in your ability, you would not have been chosen. Plus, I would have lost my daughter as well if not for you leading these kind aliens to her. We are all mourning Dan, but you don’t have to bear this weight alone.”
“I know, Jean,but It feels like I’m responsible. Like there’s something I missed. So many people are gone, and I feel like it’s my fault,” Dan croaked, holding back tears as he looked over the reports on his datapad. Twilight stopped, and sat down, as the conversation continued, neither man noticing her.
“Danny… The slipspace drive ruptured during our jump. You had no control over that. So stop. I’ve got other patients to see. Get some rest, acting captain. We’ll need some leadership to get through this mess, and I need you to do that, for everyone's sake. You're the last officer we have.” Jean turned and walked away, revealing his deep brown face, greying hair, and bright, intelligent brown eyes.
“Princess… Sparkle, correct?” he asked, with a french accent. Twilight blushed at being discovered eavesdropping.
“Ah, y-yes. Sorry. I didn’t mean t- didn’t want to interrupt,” she stammered, pawing the ground sheepishly.
“No, I was just finishing with Danny. Please, go ahead,” the man assured her, walking away. Twilight sighed and walked over to Daniel.
“Princess Sparkle! Uhm, hello. Thank you for helping us. I wish we could’ve met under better circumstances.” Daniel forced a small smile onto his lips. He was pale, and drawn, but he looked much better than when they’d first pulled him from the wreckage.
“It’s no problem. Call me Twilight. Are you going to be alright? I mean….So many of your people are…” Twilight choked on her words, the reality sinking in as her eyes watered. “I wish...if we had been here sooner...” She was stopped by the feeling of an arm draping itself over her shoulder.
“Look, Don’t blame yourself. We’re an alien species. We could’ve been hostile, or brought some crazy disease here. I’m not even gonna question how we can speak the same language right now. It’s because of your people that so many of mine survived, and I can’t ever begin to thank you for that. Go get some rest, I’ll try to do the same.” With that, Dan withdrew his arm and sighed, closing his eyes. Twilight stood there for a moment, a bit surprised, but nodded.
“Thanks, Captain Farley...I think I needed that. Goodnight”
“Good night princess,” Dan yawned, his injuries and exhaustion already tugging at his consciousness. Within moments, he was asleep.
Twilight looked up at the stars as she walked away. The future was uncertain, and many worries nagged at her mind, but for the first time in the last few hours, she felt a glimmer of hope. Within Minutes, she’d arrived at the Apple’s farmhouse. Applejack sat on the porch, her hat in her lap as she watched Twilight approach.
“C’mon Sugarcube, I got Apple Cider and some cold fritters in the kitchen. Then it’s off to bed.” Applejack stood and opened the door, allowing Twilight through.
“Thanks. Are you okay AJ?” Twilight looked deep into her friend’s eyes. AJ wasn’t one to cry very often, but Twilight could see the dampened fur around her eyes.
“Ah’ll be alright. Ah’ll probably have a few nightmares, but Princess Luna’ll help with that. I’m more worried about ‘Shy and Pinkie. This was pretty hard on them. Prolly best if we keep an eye on ‘em for awhile. For now, we’ve gotta get to bed. G’night Twi. See ya in the mornin’.” With those final words, Applejack stood and trotted towards the stairs to her room.
“Good night, AJ.” Twilight called after her, walking towards the guest room. The others were already asleep Twilight noticed as she walked past with care and settled onto a worn easy chair. She too, could no longer fight her exhaustion, and fell asleep.
Author's Note
Well, i was going to have 3k words, but I Freaking suck at time management, and figured 20 week was a bit too long a wait.
New Day
The morning brought with it a flurry of new activity, as Human engineers and Pony laborers started building prefabricated shelters from the ship’s cargo holds. Replacing the tents that had sprung up around the crash site. A quarantine had been set into place as the humans and ponies tried to contain any possible outbreaks, and researched common diseases that may pose threat to either race (Or any other on the planet).
Thankfully, cross species diseases were rare, and ultimately harmless. Twilight Wandered about, Her nose deep in a Holobook, as she studied the technologies the humans had shared with them in return for their help. Twilight couldn’t help but drool over the detailed instructions and schematics. However, Her mind was constantly drawn to her friends, Worrying about their conditions from last night. Plus, despite their bustling activities, she knew the aliens were still mourning.
It was obvious they’d thrown themselves into their work to try and ease the pain. Twilight saw Fluttershy in the new medical ward, Helping those with new prosthetic limbs with their therapy. She had a serious face, and her eyes were red, but she seemed more stable than yesterday. Pinkie was busy as well, Entertaining the young children. She seemed tired, and her smile was weak, but she looked much more poofy than the day before. Applejack was helping the laborers and engineers raise large metal walls onto a prefab frame, due to the human’s construction machines being too damaged to use. As the wall slid into place, humans would rappel down the sides, Riveting and welding the piece into place. Twilight was Surprised to find rarity with her tailoring tools, however.
“Rarity? Whats with all of this?” she asked the white unicorn, waving a hoof at all the fabrics and boxes in her friend’s blue aura.
“Captain Farley lost most of his belongings in a fire, and asked for a suit, so that when he recovers enough, he can give a speech.” She replied. Smiling. “I know what you’re going to say, Twilight. That fashion isn’t important, but This time, It is. Truly So. He wants to make a good first impression, and being seen in a hoof-made suit would show he considers us as equals, and perhaps partners in future endeavors. Now, I’m sure that's not what he meant when he asked me, but it was because Celestia suggested it. I must be off, I have my measurements and a magazine on human fashion and I. MUST. CREATE!” Rarity the galloped off, Squealing with delight at the chance of a lifetime, leaving twilight speechless. Shaking off the Fashionista’s Antics, She strode into the newly built “Command center” as the Humans called it. She found Doctor Roux and a wheelchair-bound Dan in the middle of a conversation with a Pony Physician.
“...And if the data we’ve gathered on human interactions with magic, Your Technology, and the medical records of the survivors, We should be able to speed up your and others Rate of recovery at least tenfold. In fact, I doubt very much you’ll spend more than a week and a half in your wheelchair, Captain. Of course, With breaks this extensive you will likely Require leg braces or a cane to walk Normally.” The Pony Said, handing a datapad to the intrigued-looking doctor Roux.
“....The Science in this simulation is sound.” The Doctor Agreed shaking his head. “Never expected to say that about magical ponies though”
The Pony Chuckled. “Never expected to meet a talking primate myself, So we’re even” The pony turned to dan Lighting up his horn. “If you’ll hold still, I’ll give you your first Dose of healing magic. You may feel a bit of numbness and a tickling sensation. This is normal.” Dan took a deep breath and nodded.
“I’m ready when you are, doctor.” He replied. The Pony Doctor’s Horn Glowed a gentle white, and dan was encased in the same color glow. Dan tensed for a moment, But relaxed with a sigh.
“Very good Captain Fielder.” The pony said, Stopping his treatment. “A few more days of this and you’ll be right as rain”
“You have no clue how relieved I am to hear that, even with nanites, these things take months to heal properly.” Dan Said, A small smile on his face. As the pony walked off, Dan Sighed, Donning a pair of glasses. Barely visible from the other side of the glass, was a constant stream of information.
“Everything here is so...Amazing. Magic, Sapient Ponies that speak English, We literally could not have crashed anywhere better. There were so many ruptures and breaches in the hull that if we’d landed in a vacuum, or any planet with a toxic atmosphere, more of us would be dead...I’d almost say it were divine intervention.” He mused, Noticing the Purple Alicorn. “Princess Twilight? How can I help you?”
Twilight jumped, having been caught once again listening to private conversations. She smiled, albeit sheepishly “I uh, I didn’t mean to listen in. I just didn’t want to interrupt you.”
Dan shook his head. “No worries, your highness. It was just some medicals stuff for my legs. Nothing too sensitive.”
Twilight Smiled more earnestly, relieved. “It's good to hear you’ll be recovering quickly captain.” she beamed, opening her saddlebags. “I’m here to return these Datafiles to you, and collect another set, as well as drop off the Encyclopedia Equestria complete set, as well as other important texts, ranging from medical, to engineering, law, and even Roughshod Gourmand’s compendium of Perfectly palatable pastries!”
Dan and Dr. Roux were nonplussed, but quickly shook off the adorable quirkiness of the purple princess, Gratefully accepting her kindness.
“I’m sure these will be Useful in adjusting to our new home here. When you next see the other princesses, could you pass along my thanks? Your people have done and continue to do so much for us, and been so friendly that I can’t help but feel indebted to you.
Twilight smiled warmly, Shaking her head. “No need, we’re just doing what any decent pony, or person, would.” She replied, grabbing the newest datapad in a box marked “Cultural/technological exchange” and trotting off. Dan looked into the ceiling, sighing.
“Roux, We got lucky. Insanely lucky. Unfathomably lucky...or maybe..just maybe, someone is really pulling at the strings of fate…”
Dan brushed his silken suit down as he rolled up to the podium overlooking the gathered crowd. He swallowed nervously, trying to gather his thoughts before adjusting the mic.
"To those gathered here, we have come together, as you all know, to honor those lost in the cataclysm that brought us here. Less than a month ago, the slipspace engine of our ship, had a catastrophic failure during transit. as a result, we crash landed on an alien world, and it was only through the efforts of the native population, and the heroic actions of passenger and crew alike, that we survived. However, a majority of those onboard did not. 4,161 souls passed on in this disaster. We have all lost someone precious to us. Coworkers, Friends...family..."
"I wish I could offer words of comfort. I wish I were a man who could offer you guidance, salve your pain. I wish I could bring back all those we have lost...but I am just one mortal man. However, I ask you to join me in a tradition my family has held dear. What we call a celebration of life. Instead of mourning and weeping for the lost, we consider it just another step in a journey. We would gather the friends and family of the deceased, and host a party in their name, reminiscing about the good times, sharing stories, remembering the silly things. We would laugh and cry in equal measure as we celebrated this individual who had brought so many together. I know we will all mourn in our own way, but I hope you will join me for a bit of food, fun, and share your stories of the lost in the newly installed interactive memorial wall."
Dan sighed, gesturing to a glass structure in the newly built plaza, with pictures of the lost fading into and out of view.
"But first, we must commend our dead. They chose to go into the void, to explore further than any human ever has. They knew there was danger, but they stared it in the face, and were not found wanting."
At this point, Dan, and many others were weeping openly, and the four princesses and prince of the realm had joined him on stage, as well as the elements, as a large, tarped object was brought before the gathered crowd. It was about six foot tall. The tarp was thrown away to reveal an ornate rocket, filled with ash.
"and so, it seems fitting that we send them into the void once more, to become a guiding star in the night." Dan said, as the area around the rocket was cleared and the engine started.
"And so, without further ado, we send forth the brave dead. Knowing it is not the last time we will meet." As the rocket lifted off, the sweet sound of the song "Aloha Oe" filled the air. The security detail fired off twenty rounds, and the royal guardsponies saluted. After a few moments, the rocket was lost to normal sight, appearing as a speck of light in the distance, until Luna's horn lit up. With an explosion as bright as any light, A new star formed in the night sky, a bright, twinkling light not unlike the north star. The crowd gasped, and many began cheering.
"Let us not forget the fallen, and let us remember the friendship the ponies and others have shown to us in giving us so precious a gift. Let this star be an inspiration, and a comfort, for those who have lost so much. Now is the time to celebrate, my friends. So go, be merry, make friends, tell the stories of the lost, and ensure they are never truly forgotten. Good night, and god bless"
