Chapter 16: Welcome to Earth

Chris steered the Gator towards the Earth gate, where he noticed both human and Equestrian guards standing watch. He waved as they approached. "Hey!"

The gate guard waved back.

Chris slowed his Gator to stop, then got out and gestured at the Equestrians waiting in the vehicle. "We're heading through to Earth."

Seeing Princess Celestia, the Equestrian guards saluted.

"Hold for a moment please," the human guard said. He typed on a small terminal, waited several seconds, then nodded. "Okay, you're cleared for entry."

Chris stepped forward. "I'll go through first, give me a few seconds, I'll be back. I want to be sure everything is okay."

"Take your time," Celestia said.

Chris smiled, then turned and stepped through the gateway.

The liquid transition came and went, and Chris was walking on the stone floor of the Earth-side gate facility. There had been numerous changes overnight. Several armored vehicles were parked at the gate perimeter, their mounted weapons aimed directly at him. Large remote-controlled combat robots stood on watch, as well as numerous armed guards sheltered in defensive fighting positions. Automated heavy defense turrets stood by, silently tracking him with their sensors.

Jeff stood nearby, neatly dressed in a suit. A group of armed guards, also wearing suits, stood behind him. He stepped forward, smiling. "Welcome back."

Chris grinned. "Nice suit. Go ahead and relax the weapons. I'll be bringing a Gator through with our new friends aboard."

"This is huge." Jeff leaned towards Chris and spoke in low tones. "I'm actually pretty nervous."

Chris grinned. "Don't worry. They're really cool. You'll see. I'll be back in a minute."

As the turrets and firearms swung politely towards the ground, Chris returned through the Gate anomaly. This go around, his timing was perfect as he walked out on the other side in a flash of light. "Just like stepping off an escalator," he said to himself. He headed over to the Gator. "Everyone ready?"

"Indeed yes," Celestia said. "What is traveling through the gate like?"

"It's a piece of cake," Chris said. He slid back into the driver's seat next to Emmy, who was smiling broadly at him. "Although I haven't driven a vehicle through," he added thoughtfully. "Maybe you all should hang on, just in case. Ready when you are, Celestia."

"I am ready."

Chris leaned out and waved at Sanchez and McAllister driving the other two Gators behind him, then drove forwards into the Gate. The vehicle rolled into the liquid distortion with slight resistance, pressing through the anomaly's surface tension. The roll cage seemed to push back the water effect, and inside the passenger compartment, no difference was felt. Light flashed around them, there was a slight sensation of falling, and then the vehicle wheels were squeaking on the coated concrete floors of the Earthside Gate dome.

"That was cool," Emmy said. "Wow."

"I know, right?" Chris drove the vehicle slowly away from the Oblivion Gate, then brought it to a halt. "All ashore who's going ashore," he called out cheerfully. His passengers disembarked.

There were several gasps of surprise and a few excited exclamations amongst the human guards as Celestia alighted gracefully from the vehicle. Several of them appeared to recognize her by name, and there was a note of expectation and awe in the air.

Celestia stood on the concrete and looked around. Her eyes got big as she took in the humans and their unfamiliar technology, and the gate mechanisms rotating slowly above her like the clockwork of a monstrous mechanical globe.

Jeff quickly walked towards her, a massive smile on his face. "Welcome to Earth, Princess Celestia. My name is Jeffrey Peterson, owner of Protean Advanced Cybernetics Technology."

Celestia regained her composure with admirable speed. "Good day sir, it is a pleasure to meet you and to visit your world. I only wish it was under better circumstances."

Jeff looked somber. "Although a great danger hangs over our head, this is truly an historic moment. This is the first time people of our world have greeted extraterrestrial visitors in friendship."

As they spoke, the other two Gators came through the Oblivion Gate, one after the other. Their passengers disembarked and formed a circle, ponies and humans intermingled. Pinkie Pie somehow managed to be the only one to fall flat on her face as she exited the vehicle. Hamilton peeled her off the ground with care, and she sprang up wildly.

"Oh! This place is so exciting!" She bounced forward energetically, openly curious about everything in sight. "What this? Oooh, what's that? What is that thing!?" She scooted towards the heavily armed hulking machines.

Marky looked at her solemnly. "I suggest you do not get to close to those devices, Pinkie Pie. They are not toys."

Pinkie looked disappointed. "Oh, okay."

The tension seemed to leak out of the room with her silly behavior.

Rarity was admiring Jeff's suit. "Such a nice outfit. I had no idea humans have such fashion sense!"

Chris looked at Jeff and shrugged. "I told you it was a nice suit. This fine lady confirms my good taste."

Marky walked towards Chris, gesturing towards the millions of dollars in weapons technology placed strategically around the room. "An impressive display of armaments. Quite interesting, many of your combat robotics are bipedal. Ours are usually quadrupeds."

Chris raised his eyebrows. "You have attack robots?"

Marky hesitated. "Yes, but I can't exactly go home to pick up armaments anymore, and I'm not an engineer who remembers how to build one, so it doesn't help much now."

Chris nodded. "Yeah, a shame. I wish I could see what your people had created."

Celestia swung a hoof around. "Mr. Peterson, allow me to introduce my friends. This is Applejack,"
" Well howdy there pardner it's a pleasure to meet you!" Applejack took off her hat and held it in her hoof while she reached out with her right. Jeff smiled and leaned over to shake her hoof.

"Rarity."

"SO pleased to make your acquaintance."

"The honor is all mine, ma'am."

"Fluttershy,"

"Oh, hello there sir. It is so very nice to meet you," Fluttershy said, almost inaudibly. She seemed to be hiding behind her own long pink mane.

Jeff squinted down at her carefully. "Charmed, I'm sure."

"Rainbow Dash,"

The winged blue Equestrian was hovering in the air above his head. She sank down to his level and dangled in the air vertically, reaching out a hoof in greeting.

"Yeah, cool to meet you, dude."

Jeff shook her hoof, a genuine smile of amusement lighting his face up. "You fly?"

The blue pony struck a pose. "Well obviously, I'm doing it right now, right in front of..."

"Rainbow Dash! Behave!" Rarity hissed.

The winged pony drooped in the air. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."

Jeff laughed. "You're right though... It was a dumb question. By the way, how fast can you fly?"

She perked up immediately, a huge smile beaming on her face. "I'm INCREDIBLY fast. You wanna see?"

"Hmm, very much, actually. But a bit later. We do have things to take care of first."

Visibly trying to hide her disappointment, Rainbow Dash flitted upwards slightly.

Celestia gestured towards Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship."

He bowed to her slightly. "Princess."

She bobbed and held up a hoof. He took it and she shook his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you," she said, smiling widely.

"Very nice," Jeff said, momentarily lost in her pearly white teeth. "You have a beautiful smile."

Twilight blushed a bit. "Well.. Thank you."

Jeff shook his head slightly. "I'm sorry, I was thinking that and it just came out."

She smiled even wider.

Celestia waved at the green unicorn standing near Chris and Marky.

"Emerald Resonance."

"Just call me Emmy, please," she said, a bit shyly.

"Oh, and this is Marky," Chris said, directing the black Alicorn towards Jeff.

"Hello," Marky said. He offered a hoof as well. "Pleased to meet you."

"And yourself as well." Jeff smiled genuinely as he shook Marky's hoof. Then he spoke louder, to all of them. "And again, welcome to Earth. If you don't mind, I would like to take all of you to our lodging facility and provide you with rooms and a site briefing on the local amenities and safety procedures."

"That sounds very educational." Princess Celestia started to return to the Gator.

"Ma'am, would you like a more comfortable conveyance?" Jeff asked, some concern in his voice. "There is a VIP bus waiting nearby."

Celestia hesitated, looking at the beautiful scenery surrounding her. "I... Ah, is it okay if we use these? I greatly enjoy the fresh air, and the view."

"If you so desire, that is not a problem." Jeff climbed into the back seat next to Celestia. Emmy scooted into the middle of the front bench, pressing up against Chris's right elbow. She waved at Marky and patted the seat next to her. He squeezed in so they were three across in the front. Chris started the engine, and led the convoy out of the Oblivion Gate dome.

Celestia and the others gazed around outside, looking at the rising tiers of green land and the myriad waterfalls cascading down it. The sound was soothing, and rainbows sparkled in the air where rays of sunlight illuminated spray mist from the cataracts.

"This place is so beautiful," Celestia said softly as they rolled along the bridge.

"I'm glad you, ah, like it," Jeff replied, momentarily fascinated by the reflection of the waterfalls in her huge, shining eyes. "I, uh, do always enjoy coming here myself."

He tore his sight away from her curious face with an effort of will and pointed out sights of interest as they traveled through the valley.