Mister Crowley

Mr. CrowleyBy: Die Philosophen- -

        “Major Metro Light, commanding officer of the Sixteenth Elite Guard Platoon reporting. Units are prepared.” Earpieces announced through the masses of pink and sapphire blue barding, organized columns of mares and stallions of the Equestrian Garrison standing with rapt attention, boxing in what were vehicle caravans. Each was armed akin to a train, with the front car acting as the cab with a engine wagon attached from behind, each caravan either hauling defended wagons of supplies, trailers showing portable shelters, and specially designed trailers marking labs. These caravans were specially made varieties of the steam-powered vehicles that debuted across the Equestrian Empire in the recent few months, acting as reliable and durable replacements over manually pulled wagons which utilized the concept of magically charged gemstones to power the steam engines.

        The vehicles were conceived by the Royal Scientific Board of Technology for the growing industrial revolution almost three years ago. They had undergone severe changes from the original concept until they were pushed into prototyping various models until satisfaction was met. However, even with the revolutionary concept, the vehicles were slow in reaching commercial markets, and the influences by the government had put these vehicles in high demand. Though some ponies claimed that the Princesses were intentionally holding back the vehicles, Celestia citing the reminder that Ponies should remember that even with a revolution coming on, the people of Equestria shouldn't rely simply on the technology but in their race’s respective specialties. Most ponies had simply pushed this off as gossip, but who truly knew of the Princess’ intentions?

        “Ponyville Garrison, attention!” The sharp voice drove the idling guards to attention.

        “Ready? March!”

        Hooves stomped in unison as the vehicles roared to life and began a slow pace along side the marching soldiers, the odd residents of Ponyville watching on as the soldiers marched by. It was spectacle for the residents who'd never even heard of a military beyond the town guard, and to see the caravans passing by simply amazed them. Slowly, they passed through town and into the outskirts, the tip of the caravan directing them across a freshly grounded unpaved road and into the infamous Everfree Forest.

- -

        Deep within the forest, six bipedal figures carefully trekked through the shadowy woods on the hunt. Two were dressed in roughly patched and unkempt casual clothing while the others showed a disparity compared with their well-kept body armor with the latter four armed with military-grade equipment. These four were on a hunt, not a hunt for a challenge or game, but a trek for a recently triangulated transponder-receiver. These four were sent to retrieve the cache, which wasn't an uncommon sight as these supply caches appeared and disappeared at random intervals. However, it became clear that it wouldn't be easy to retrieve these caches when a two-man group failed to return, with what remained of their equipment and bodies never found. The subsequent search party possibly suffered the same fate, in exception for the remains of their equipment.

        Today, their hunt for the radio cache would take them some way out from their home and into the less familiar lands tracked by their people, but they could only hope in the end it'd be worth it.

        Sliding his hand down towards his utility belt, one of the armed military personnel carefully held his radio's transmitter and activated it. Soon enough a quiet pinging came from it’s speaker, which gradually grew louder as they soon found the familiar symbol of their land, a ribbon tightly woven into a tree branch. Carefully checking their surroundings before continuing, they began searching the source of just where their target was, the radio briefly giving a monotone note. As soon as the solid note was given, they immediately began scouring the area, which soon presented them with their goal. Hanging in a branch above them was a overstuffed bag.

        One of them turned to the others, “Right, everyone. Form a defensive perimeter.” Quickly as it was ordered, the military personnel staged a perimeter while the casually clothed two began various fruitless attempts to retrieve the supplies.

        Their endeavor soon bore fruit as one of them carefully scaled the tree and successfully retrieved the bag. A quick check through the bags uncovered possibly one of their best hauls, in their opinion, to this day. Both of the casuals tightly held the handles of the sides as they began their hike back home.

        During the hike however, they were stopped by a peculiar sight. Taking up cover, they watched as they witnessed a sight unseen by their eyes for the longest of times: a convoy passing through their land, via a roadway they hadn't seen when they'd passed through in previous hunting trips. What caught their interest was the colorful columns of horse-like creatures marching beside it. Soon enough a single comment came up amongst them.

         “This...can't be right.” One of the casuals stated

        Watching the convoy slowly pass by, they soon began attracting attention to themselves, and soon enough the unexpected intruders were sending some of their own towards their direction, eliciting a single order from the group's leader,“RUN LIKE HELL!”

        Supply bag in hands, and firearms at the ready, the group was swift in their retreat towards the direction of their camp. But from above they were already being tracked.

- -

        Metro Light watched from the top of a vehicle, his scowl hidden under the helmet’s mask. He'd sent a detachment towards the suspected bandits just ten minutes ago, and there's been no update since then, which only increased his irritation alongside babysitting the eggheads who wanted to explore one of the most savage lands in a district he, in all personal honesty, hated with a burning passion. It wasn't that he found the ponies here terrible, but he had a specific distaste for such a backwater district. Even for being close to the capital. Honestly, he never understood how or why they hadn't come to terms with the new times, but he didn't care, it wasn't his district.

“Major!” His earpiece activated, the officer grunting as he reached his hoof up and activated his transmitter.

        “What is it, Lieutenant...” He stated sharply, receiving a wince from nearby soldiers who heard the sting in his voice.

“Sir...we've found the bandits.”

        “And?”

“They're not Diamond Dogs...they're humans, lots of them..”

        Metro Light paused a moment before giving his response, “Haybale, you better beDAMN well sure. Hold position until further notice.” Switching channels to his earpiece, Metro's voice boomed across the caravan, “All expeditionary infantry, we're heading out in two minutes. We've located a possible bandit camp harboring an unknown species. Anypony who isn't prepared will be left behind.”

        Soon enough the convoy was tearing through the roadway, catching up to the forward elements carving out the makeshift roadway and sweeping them back into the fold. Before long the convoy had formed a defensive perimeter just a partial way off from the camp, on a ridge overlooking said camp. Almost immediately the Major had found himself a pair of binoculars and began scanning the camp.

        Instead of seeing a horde preparing for battle, Metro Light had to raise his visor in disbelief as he scanned it again. It was a shantytown. Shacks aligned over ancient ruins, obvious signs of poverty amongst it’s residents, and the tell-take signs of a weak and hasty defense built near the supposed center. “This truly isn't a bandit camp....it's a bucking shanty full of humans. Shit....”

        Taking his eyes from the binoculars and glancing towards the ridge, his own platoon was prepared to attack at a moment’s notice while the regular guard had formed a defensive perimeter around the scientist’s caravans. Metro raised his hoof up to his ear and spoke slowly, “Platoon, stand down immediately. Captain Star, take three of your soldiers with me, we're going down to negotiate.”

“Sir, you can't be serious!? We don't know if they're hostile or not!”

        Metro Light sighed, “Lieutenant, shut your bucking muzzle. I understand the risk that either of us could die, but we're going for diplomacy.”

- -

        After a half-hour of negotiating with the shanty’s appointed “sheriff”, Metro Light had secured the right for the scientists to enter the shanty with a limited military escort in exchange for compensation for their presence. Pulling it from the ridge, the convoy was brought around towards a less-populated section of the town.

        Metro Light kept his hoof firmly planted on the side railing of one of the camper vans, keeping his visor up as he kept a sharp eye on the residents of this Celestia-forsaken shanty while ensuring the eggheads weren't out to cause any trouble. Though what caught his eye was one of the humans, who was standing on a platform and giving a speech. Dressed in sharp black suit under a dark brown overcoat; his dirty blond hair reached down to his mid-back. What caught his eye closer were the parts of his face which had metal grafted to it, his hands made from the same metal. He couldn't help but feel unnerved by the sight of him, who soon disappeared when he turned the corner.

        Soon after, they found their way into an ancient square, forming a circular band around a overgrown garden with what had remained of a statue's base. Sure enough the science team was absolutely excited at this discovery, their chatter audible over the retrieval and establishment of their equipment. Metro Light raised his visor and let out a sigh, he could already see some of the human patrols watching them as his half-dozen unit patrolled around the forum in pairs.

Already mid-day and he was beginning to regret calling for the Sixteenth Elite's call to guard, of which he'd hoped was a New Equestrian mission, but thanks to misinformation, it was still going to another backwash shantytown.

- -

        Dr. Galileo was suitably excited alongside his fellow colleagues as they traversed around the shanties, taking notes and performing interviews to the various residents, who seem to have taken a rather positive light to their presence. Cooperation was impeccable, in his own words. They watched as the humans went about their day, from the various shopkeepers to the temporarily visiting farmers. Notably he saw the difference between their languages, besides the linguistic vocabulary being the same, their accents were radically different and made it quite a struggle to understand. But in the end, he was able to find common grounds.

        Written vocabulary, on the other hoof, was nigh impossible as he was given five different basic vocabularies in exchange for Equestrian Scripture. One of the residents, a slant-eyed 'colt' named Koga, volunteered to be their translator, showing them the names of their structures and the names of villagers. Galileo had opted for his assistant to record as much as he could and keep track of their names the best they could. As far as his entire career went, this was equivalent to being the first Head of the Technology Sub-board at the behest of Princess Luna. He'd practically just proven the existence of theHumus genus, which would boost his prestige to higher levels.

        After leaving his anthropologists to study the 'commercial block', Galileo had caught sight of a junior ekistic talking with the supposed leader of these people, which seemed to be going south rather quickly. Carefully, he made his way to the two, watching as the metallic human point his finger towards the fresh-faced student.

        “What I said is final, sir, you're not entering Argamak, PERIOD.” His voice slightly amplified, but failed to shake off the adamant student.

        “Sir, my team and I just want to study how your settlement is receiving their food, that's all! Why are you refusing us access to the manor!?”

        The leader let out a annoyed groan, “Because, you thick-headed pony, Argamak is my personal property. I own it. The only reason my farmers are even allowed into the fields is because they're sworn under oath. You, however, not just one hour ago gained access to Sibeki. Go back and study the ruins.”

        Galileo let out a fake cough, gaining the attention of the human and the student, who both seemed to take a slight glee in his appearance. Almost immediately his student turned towards him and began.

        “Sir, can you please talk some sense into this person? He's restricting anypony from entering the manor up on the mesa.” The students hoof pointed towards said mesa, which was connected to the town by a series of steps. Galileo turned towards the leader with his eyebrow raised.

        “Look, I'm not going to debate with either of you, stay away from Argamak or you'll be ejected into the forest.” The student had prepared to argue, if not for Galileo's foreleg holding him back.

        “Stop, just go back to the campsite. I need to talk with him.” The student simply surrendered at the order,  and Galileo turned his attention towards the leader and took in a sharp breath before releasing.

        “Sir, wait a moment!” The man turned his head slightly, slipping on a pair of half-rimmed glasses and giving him a questioning look. “Sir, my name's Doctor Galileo, Head of the Royal Scientific Board. If I may ask, could you please tell me of...Sibeki?”

        Raising an eyebrow at the request before replying, “Very well then, sir. Please, come.” Motioning him to walk with him, Galileo wasted little time getting to the point.

        “If I may ask, what is your name and title?”

        “My name is Julius Gordon Crowley Demirci, First High Lord of Sibeki & Argamak.”         Julius stated simply as he pointed towards a guard and directed him away before returning to their discussion.

        “Could you tell me about Sibeki and Argamak's history?”

        Julius raised his finger and began, “We don't know much about this land, but we've settled here and etched out our lives since the civil war. We used supplies at hand, and what was gathered to build our shanties and establish our homes. There's not much to talk of beyond our attempts to find other humans, and...well, the darker sects of our history.”

        Julius’s last comment piqued Galileo’s interest.“Please, sir, don't skimp on the detail, please tell me.”

        Julius wearily looked towards the doctor and noticed he was looking a tad bit overexcited about his history, but gave him the benefit of the doubt. “When we arrived in the town, we were almost two hundred strong. But no matter how much we unified, some left on their own will, others defected into banditry, and a few openly attempted to kill others. Last time we checked, we were down to just eighty.” He pointed towards the graveyard as they passed, Galileo noticing a group of body bags set aside at the entrance. “We've placed the graveyard in the most secluded section of the town. It houses the fallen we've found....and those of others.” Galileo's attention peaked but stopped himself abruptly, knowing that the question he was about to ask would unintentionally cause a rift.

- Several Hours Later, Dr. Galileo's Expeditionary Log -

Log Number One, Summer of Epoch Four; Year Three Thousand Five Hundred and Sixty-two.

Marvelous! We've come into contact with a tribe of humans, altogethera tad-bit dysfunctional but extraordinarily connected basic civilization. Consisting of advanced carpentry, masonry, and agriculture, they've passed on in just ten years of seclusion from the Empire before discovery. I've met with their leader, Sir Julius G.C Demirci of Sibeki & Argamak, and learned of it’s history, which I've kept logged within the archives. They were friendly, the whole town, spot for a few skeptical guards and the wounded. And to note, they're unlike what Constellations had written on them were, by chance, wrong!

I'm just rambling, but I'll add a little note here that I wrote.It's a speech that Sir Demirci gave to the people of Sibeki after the Princess herself requested Julius' presence for the upcoming Human Convention to deal with his people:

'My people, listen closely!

Today we've come into contact with a greater power, but not one of those who'd left us to die in the mountains of our old homes. These Equestrians, as they're called, are people of scientific nature being led through the forests that surround us to explore and understand more. These...Ponies are of the Equestrian Empire, and they wish not for harm, but for peace and harmony. I ask you, have we heard of such words from our own politicians from before? No!

I, personally, have been invited to their capital of Canterlot by their incumbents, Princesses Celestia and Lunaria for a convention to see our new future. It hurts to say that we may no longer become the Independent people we are, but hear me! Do not fret! This convention was at our request, with a promise for a better life! One where our children will have a true education, one where you won't starve or wither from dehydration, one where our wounded will live to see the following years!

NO LONGER, MY PEOPLE! (The emphasis was that he's shouting now) WE WILL FIND TRUE PEACE, TRUE FRIENDSHIP, AND OUR GUARANTEED EXISTENCE! THE FOLLOWING WEEKS WILL MARK OUR DAYS AS BECOMING PART OF A EMPIRE OF PEACE, A PARAGON WE WISHED FOR! MY PEOPLE, WE'VE FOUND OUR NEW HOME!'

After the conclusion, he was given such major applause, I was beginning to think many of my scientists were becoming deaf! I need to investigate more first thing tomorrow morning.

Dr. Ignacio R. Galileo'