Hope in the burning skies

Chapters

Prologue
Begining of the brighter future
Uncovering
Consequences
Lies consume us
Elenei
Rainbow Bridge
There's more than one of everything

Prologue

Planet: Avalon – Pegasus training grounds and resupply zone.
Year: 15

White calm sea of clouds unfurl to the endless horizon with sun in its zenith above it. Sea itself was home for many wonderful beings, like crimson dragon which just slowly emerged from cloudy midst. Shining, bulky creature was lying in hard sleep, black smoke bursting from its nose stained pure white sea. Big, armored chest was cutting it in two as she moved towards the sun leaving behind wavy trail. On her right school of sky fishes flew calmly by her side, each one with different color, jumping high above and then disappearing in clouds creating multicolored tide.

All of the sudden school changed course and started to get away from dragon as far as possible. Smoke stopped flowing and red eyelids lift up to uncover fully aware eyes.

“Shoot” dragon grumbled “It was such a great spot”

She raised head and yawned showing sharp teeth, each one size of adult man. Moment later idyllic silence pierced low loud sound with origin somewhere below her.

“Ok, ok. I am…” she couldn’t finish her answer when she started to gain speed. Claws instinctively clutched on the place she was lying all along creating awful piercing noise. She has straightened her forelegs and spread wings ready to flew off, but instantly she was pinned to the same place she was before, constantly speeding up. Another loud sound echoed thought the empty area and from flat cloudy carpet bursted out golden hull. Dragon was terrified and without thinking clearly she just let go the iron grip of claws and started to slide downhill shining slope. She tried to grab something but metal was too plain on this side and angle was narrowing dramatically with every second. Vortex of the powering up engines and momentum of ship sucked her mercilessly into hellish exhaust on its very end.

Dragon surrendered to its fate when shattered claws don’t even slow down her descending into end. Noise coming from thrusts started to be unbearable to her and only thing she could do, was short prayer to gods. Couple of words to carry her last wishes, but somepony else heard these far earlier. Streak of orange and violet appeared out of nowhere and landed on back of dragon and in an instant both of them disappeared from sight.

Now large ship was fully visible, stripped of white cloak in full grace floated up to stratosphere it would give convenient home to more than hundred dragons. Gold oval like shape with green and violet stripes was mirrored perfectly in cloudy sea, on its stern shined even brighter white unicorn with purple mane holding in his hooves dragon scaled shield. Short while later corvette hung in mesosphere while white magic bubble covered whole unit. Then with wave of violet light coming from a prow ship disappeared revealing blue sky.

Clouds slowly arched hole made by corvette and other object revealed itself. But now it was something totally different than ship or creature. Steadily floating rock with blue crystal on its bottom was making its way through white sea. It was like in invisible sphere where clouds obligingly floated over it making shade to place which was situated on top of rock. Slightly curved but flat area was covered with green grass cut evenly all over place. From lowest part of rock there was straight rod with green slowly blinking bulb on the top, it was starting point for a path made of round amber pieces. Path was leading to a wooden house placed on the highest point. It clearly resembled windmill from old former times but its wings were connected together creating wide balcony without borders. Wide windows were open and light orange curtains fluttered silently, porch with two white rocking chairs with green pillows asked for troubled passerby to sit and talk. On the right side of the building was quite long plot filled with many kinds of full grown vegetables.

Edges of floating rock was not fenced anywhere so misplaced footstep could be the last one in life. Suddenly bulb changed its color to fast blinking white and short after a black unicorn with gray spiky mane materialized on nearest amber step stone. He swept area to confirm his destination and started to cast magic. Moment later, one by one, seven human children appeared before him. Six of them seem to be really excited to be here but one redhead, smallest one turned around to see unicorn.

“Thank you, your assistance will be not needed anymore!” boy exclaimed “Dismissed!”

Unicorn nodded and disappeared from where he was standing.

“Don’t yell like that, Kevin” tallest girl with blonde hair poked his arm with long finger.

“He was utterly deaf! Just like this amber…” he kicked nearest piece “Ups”

His action alarmed defending system on the flying island and whole group turned around in the direction where strange metallic clunks were coming from. From beneath nearest piece of amber emerged strange angled machine, double size of biggest boy in group throwing buzzing noises. Turret. Below two grayish death bringing holes was big orange speaker, screaming noiselessly “Look at me! Don’t mind my two angry friends!”

Designer should be proud with outcome, because every youngster focused their eyes on the speaker.

“Why are you here?” crystal clear voice of middle aged man flowed through machine

“Dad. Cut it off” redhead replied with discontent “You know very well why.”

“Wrong answer! Now I have to ask you real question, little one” voice became more warm and curious “Time, explain it to me”

“Bueh, time is fully abstract, it have no particular explanation”

“Good. You and your friends can pass, but for the record: don’t damage my precious ambers. I almost lost a kidney for these” Loud clunk marked the end of conversation and turret hid slowly within island noiselessly.

“A kidney?” chubby boy wearing round multi lensed glasses on his nose asked with ruffle.

“You don’t want to know, Ruf” again blonde girl replied “Now let’s go”

She jumped off the brown stone, floated in midair for a two seconds and ran in direction where house was standing slalomed between other pieces in path, she was very fast and agile in doing that. Kevin shrugged his arms and followed her with other kids. In front of the house was waiting for them man which voice welcomed them here. Long red hair was fluttering freely on the wind and composed great color balance with tanned reddish skin. That indicated he was outside lately, a lot. Muscular body and long arms were more than enough to manage near small plot in great condition. His blue eyes were matching t-shirt with smiling rainbow-maned mare and sentence Now 20% cooler just below her. Black jeans trousers were shortened to be above his bare ankles.

Girl met him on porch and exchanged handshake then she disappeared behind the closing lower wing of the door. When group managed to get near porch, Kevin instantly jumped into his arms.

“Hi, dad” he muttered into shirt while both of them started to spin around.

Rest of children just threw greetings and after evading both of them also went inside house.

After they stopped and fell into chairs Kevin question hanged in air.

“Why is she not here?”

“And you are talking about, who?”

Kid started to roam on chair and his eyes focused on gray serpent which was basking in direct sunshine. Man looked at his shirt like it would contain answer for question.

“She know that today is the day. Something important stopped her. For sure.”

“She ran once…”

Man clasped his hands and straightened neck with loud crack sound of relocating bones but on his face glimpsed short smile. Moment later his sight hung in place just behind Kevin’s rocking chair and smile got even wider but in the obvious purpose he also focused on serpent, which is now changing position to get more heat to belly. Orange mare with violet mane with exceptionally big shiny eyes and yellow folded wings was snaking behind kid. Sure now that she won’t be disturbed she continued to carefully place hoofs on wooden floor, but that rendered useless because of golden haired girl which jumped on her back. Surprised pony spread her wings and launched in the air evading both, Kevin and his father without touching them.

“Whoa, ladies!” man in an instant run in front of the house “Get down here right now!”

Pegasus and girl fought in the air for moment and child with grace settled herself on the Scootaloos back. Then both landed directly before feet of Kevin’s dad.

“We both agreed that we will make little trip around planet and…” girl started nervously correcting her hair with rubber stripe “we will come back in no time! Then I will do everything you tell me to” pony ended sentence for her when she dropped little mirror on the grass.

“Sheesh” two pairs of butter eyes settled problem right away for them “very well, but don’t do anything stupid you two!”

Scootaloo gently flapped her wings and lifted her head on his eyes level and touched tip of the tanned nose with her own. Man’s tightly folded arms loosen up a bit when he felt warmth of pony alabaster skin. After this little ritual she turned around and flew to border of island. Girl waved eagerly her hand for good bye and both of them disappeared in the cloudy sea. Serpent again changed its position not giving anything about near commotion.

“So…” he turned around to face group of children gathered in doorway “you want to hear our tale I believe?”

“No!” Kevin opposed instantly “We want to hear the truth!”

“We are old enough, sir” said youngest looking girl with pony tailed green hair

“a-a-a-and brave e-e-enough, s-s-sir” added tallest boy with narrow eyes

“So take your places” man took his place on porch letting other kids to place themselves on heated from sun ambers “As a scribe of Empire I will start from the beginning, we know that…”

Begining of the brighter future

Planet: Perks – supply transit and exchange planet
Year: 2493

Dominion is vast and powerful, yet even with enormous military strength and wealth of hardworking people cannot be everywhere. Milky Way was challenge that no ordinary human can overcome, so big bunch of corrupted, overconfident and with this stupid chaps rendered it almost impossible. To ensure illusory secured space unspoken and unwritten assumptions were made. Trough creating zones for fringe, outer and inner colonies with capital planet Earth in center doubtful peace was secured. In order to preserve control over free trade special transit planets were established and trough them flowed every kind of things between zones. Once big and green terrestrial planets, changed to be monstrous industrialized hubs cored out of air and cut off from daylight, because of orbiting harbor platforms. From space these planets looked like infected hive covered in shiny iron shell full of buzzing metallic flies. Perks did not differ from this description.

Even if these hubs were crawling with Dominion forces, popular Kahel Combine inhaling masks connected to Kahel Combine helmet with anti-hazard Kahel Combine outfit made difficult to distinguish enemy from ally thus making planet like this perfect place for hiding. Darkest place is always in the shade of lantern. Eve knew that very well too and has chosen this planet for her hideout. It was placed between inner and outer colonies so it was easier to gather all important info from her remaining allies in inner colonies with hiding remnants of her family in outer. After evading couple of drunken men dancing noiselessly in doorway she entered to labor bar. Place was full of people standing in couples near small round tables, wearing same gray cloaks and masks with wide curved visors covering their faces. One thing that differed was small colored patch on left breast. Uncanny feel that she was joining hollow ordeal was oppressive for her intellectual mind creating many final scenarios. Including a way of juicy group suicide. On ceiling spider like machine having tubes full of glowing blue liquid dispensed it directly to wearer mask, then hovering flew to another thirsty customer.

Eve pottered around a bit and found the patch she was looking for, almost in the center of the room. Convinient she thought. She stood in front of man or woman and pass fast nod. Then second later inside mask on crystal clear visor appeared prompt about safe encrypted connection, with eyes she chose answer. Yes. With selective filter of light synchronized with other user visors cleared picture for both of them. In front of her was standing young boy, about eighteen years old with sharp green eyes and freckles all over oval skinny face.

"Hi Rabbit, you are famous in these parts" kid started to talk with voice just before its mutation "like thirty million credits famous"

"Neat" she agreed with satisfaction "so more idiots will want to drag me out on open field with vision of great wealthy future"

"Rather your cold and still body for thirty millies" he showed silly smile "alive notorious killer, human eyes eater with huge persuasive skills cost five times more. I am proud and standing right here rabbit, whatha you want?"

Eve rubbed her arm and stared threefold intense with her yellow dim from exhaustion eyes at boy.

"Have you found what you were asked for?"

"Yes, but I think you will be not pleased with results" suddenly HUD in boy's visor flowed with many floating windows, stripes and buttons. His eyes were dancing freely in this festival of glowing pictures.

"Shoot" pupils in her eyes narrowed quickly

"So this is what I recovered from this marvelous piece of paper… Order was destroyed to the ground and servers by future Dominion executives in init XXII century. Group of madmen, utopists and fascists what spread false and utterly wrong ideas to the society. So this is quite standard for labeling this kind of groups but…" he staggered a bit in his speech

"But? Faster, I don’t have time."

"This scale, devotion and resources needed to wipe them from history is unbelievable. Every, single, thing… erased."

"So you got nothing for me?"

"No! There is a man… but it is unimaginable he could be possibly in the Order."

"Who is he?"

"Head operative and owner of Grathius Corporation also high commissar of Dominion weaponry assimilation and technologies."

She trembled with both excitation and terror unwillingly showing her teeth in creepy smile.

"You want to know what I think it is?" boy started to cheep even more "It is a trap. To lure remnants of Order into Dominion hands, this is what it is Rabbit. You can’t denied it!"

"It all makes sense… this scheme… this monster…"

"No it doesn’t!" he exclaimed "You know that I can spy here and there and get locked for couple of nights eventually. But I will not make my face appear in every fridge or friggin’ mirror with thirty million credits on it!"

He looked into her eyes but they were clearly somewhere else, far away in other places that he couldn’t hope to know. She shook of suspension, neared visor as close as she can and looked directly into his eyes making him blush a bit

"You will deliver this" she pulled paper envelope and slipped under his right palm "to him, scan what is inside and send. You are great hacker. He will want to meet you for sure to get original" she suddenly catched his arm "This is last thing I can hang on. This is it, the end! You can do it champ. Take care."

"Whaaa…?"

Eve cut connection and turned around in direction of door. She had big hopes in this boy even if she had used him a bit. A big bit, but she will repay him in nearly every way after all of this. He stayed in place where they were talking before and hid envelope in his side bag, she passed through doorway and went in front of the Bar. Hollow lights of the plasma lanterns blinded her when visor was still regaining light synchronization. She needed to board her shuttle ASAP and met with prominent gang leader in Anarchy Reigns. Navigation lights in mask showed her way to appropriate bay she turned her cloak net and as a blurred shadow vanished in nearest corridor into iron maze.

This was the last time they have seen each other.

--- Two days later ---

Planet: [Unknown]
Year: 2493

For Grathius Corporation this way of ending business conversations was not good way for making suitable profit, any profit. Newly developed Nion weaponry was a breakthrough in weapons of mass destruction. Miracle: easy to deploy, easy to target, easy to transport, with no radiation and full resources recycle. With one critical flaw: huge demand for initial energy surge. This is reason that you better develop something from its foundations not copy and redesign from old scraps of ancient paper.

These were thoughts of quite young man who was lying on bed with plastic bottle on side wearing sleek white suit. Short dark brown hair shined brightly thanks to ultra-strong gel with this stressed evenly tanned skin. He put his hands on face and breathing deeply asked loud:

"Is there something for me mrs. Tanel?"

After couple of seconds to spherical room entered old lady in black and white plain servant outfit.

"Nothing in particular, sir. I have taken care of these jealous pricks."

"Thank you. There is nothing more for you to do for me today. Have your time."

"And you, sir. Good night."

She turned around and slowly toddled inside the apartment. Doors to room shut without the slightest noise creating fully spherical room with arched ceiling. Man lifted his hands and clapped twice, command was accepted right away and all of curved walls lighten up with green pleasant light and with soft transition ended on the live picture of night sky with glowing stars.

"Maybe you have something for me?" his next question pierced the silence

"There is about two thousand sixty seven holographic messages, twice as much interactive video ones and…" impassive computer voice mercilessly continued to give informations about every noticeable thing

"Cut it! Anything have special interest for me?"

"Two holographic, seven i-video and thirty one written."

"Get it over with, start with holo."

There are great things with being rich and have almost every single thing you can imagine. Likewise you get everything you didn’t imagined and more importantly don’t want. False compliments, false friendships, marriage offers, trials to use new batch, health insurance, training programs. Everything worthless as it is to proud, rich and well born. Everything false, created only to extort money, even by using something so abstract: feelings.

Time slowed down when man was listening to wall of micro implants who can still call themselves humans. Bio-tech. Easily killed when cut from their computer enchantments and their puny Grid. He could not bear sight of these abominations and passed along to written messages. Mrs. Tanel can talk to these monsters for him it is too much to even watch. I am pitiful echo of self-conscious rattled inside his head. Sheets of digital paper passed on curved walls before his eyes and only more negative feelings gathered somewhere around his stomach to squeeze it mercilessly like big slimy tentacles of gruesome creature trying to kill its pray.

But very last message was odd, it was blank yet it passed his firewalls and Tristan. Tristan is a very popular AI created by Sentient Science for mass use yet with much advancement than primary version especially for advanced customer it passed through. Message like this brought message equal to head of the horse in bed: your life will be short and will end painfully.

"Tristan why you gave me blank message?"

"It is not blank, sir. It has an attachment, displaying now."

His mind couldn’t comprehend the view he was seeing right now, his mouth opened widely and pupils nearly covered brown iris. Just before him, slightly curved, was fully vivid Polaroid picture precisely scanned but with slightly bent corners. Unforgivable! On upper part of wide white rectangle was blurred square picture of messy colors and below it, poorly written with marker code. This code was so familiar for him that he jumped off the bed, knelt before it and from below he pulled out wooden casket. On its lid was palm reader and it accepted the hand print from boy. Insides hid two gray envelopes, he threw them on bed and left opened casket in its place. He carefully opened them and drawn two other Polaroid pictures.

"Make it smaller to fit it and turn up brightness" he commanded calmly.

"Done" digital voice announced second later

He took deep breath and stacked all pictures in one place. Now everything was clear.

"Scan it and give me all old designs."

"Done."

Whole empty area was filled instantly with many kinds of old brown paper and blueprints, engineering heaven. But one little picture was fully colored and it took whole attention of young man.

"Contact me in this instant with Emily Hargreave."

"On Halo will be night, sir."

"It is important and I don’t really care. Just do it! By all means necessary."

Two loud knocks took him out from thinking about how to play it out with this woman to get everything he wanted. With wave of his hand door opened and behind it in dressing-gown was standing mrs. Tanel with cup on silver plate.

"Sir is in high spirits right now I assume? So I have prepared sweet cocoa for young gentleman" she said calmly.

Without words he took cup and sat in the same place as before, sipping bit by bit brown hot liquid. Mrs. Tanel bowed and slowly leaved the room without turning around. Door closed as she gave last step and boy impatiently waited for answer. His eyes stopped on newly discovered picture composed of one digital scan and two real pictures now lying in tidy pile just next to him. Now stare battling with picture of equine, young violet filly with horn and big shiny violet eyes that looked into Polaroid’s lenses.

For him, everything was clear, this is his chance to finally do something for himself.

Uncovering

Planet: Halo
Year: 2493

If somebody could have hope for finding planet that resemble haven in space it would be Halo. Holidays resort and hub covered with partial management coming from Kahel Combine and no Dominion war assets assistance, terrestrial giant stayed unharmed and pure with over the top flow of transit. It was waiting for unaware fat flies to eat up every single credit and enslave it for good with grim ending like sundew. This was not a place for people with closed mind and stereotypes.

Halo owed its name from huge strip of untouched mountain formation coming across whole planet creating gargantuan ring now a bit repurposed and suited for humans and other races. Besides this strap of terrain unfurled vast sea with rare volcanic islands mainly to check and store supplies coming from outer colonies.

In neighborhood of such island was floating illusive violet submarine with glassed deck showing its insides. Sun shined brightly and bulky ship resembled half submerged purple tin can with label advertising vegan food, this was very old kind of submarine. Through windows can be seen wide arched swimming pool with fountain in the center, it was surrounded by floating greyish sculptures of birds created with laser light precision. Water shimmered on their stone wings and drops of crystal clear water splashed in air creating perfect conditions for little rainbows. In greater picture birds were flying in opposite directions leaving behind rainbow colored ghostly trail. Shades of nearby palms growing out directly from shiny metallic floor covered woman lying on wooden sunbed. She was wearing expensive orange gala dress, plain fabric folded in many places on fit body. Artificial wind constantly dispelled her long black hair putting curls into horizontal holes of deck chair. In her palms she was holding glass with brown liquid, well cared red nails shined brightly.

From the other end of swimming pool double winged doors stylized like paper Japanese ones from former times opened seamlessly. Through newly created way flew little object resembling plain white china teapot with two constantly blinking green and blue lights. It stopped levitating just above woman shaded head.

“Incoming message, top priority, consider to view immediately”

Electronic piercing voice echoed throughout whole chamber, but there was no response from lying woman, she just waved her hand and enjoyed her drink. Saucer repeated the same information now with slight touch to uncovered right thigh. Feel of cool porcelain casing made no difference, woman just corrected her dress and straightened long legs to take more comfortable position.

“Immediately!” little computer changed approach to more harsh by vaporizing remaining brown fluid.

“Just kill meeee… choke to death! Erase my blood and make huge ass wrinkles useless vampire!” woman exclaimed and threw empty glass somewhere above saucer.

“Command unrecognized” notificator replied to drunken cry and once more repeated initial information.

“Identify contact, dimwit!”

“Encrypted source, encrypted transmitter, official Dominion expertise call, moderate class”

“Give it moderate time to wait!” she stashed her legs and sat down on chair “I go!”

With these words she jumped into swimming pool and dive to its very bottom, notificator once more repeated information about no recognition and contact information but boozy recipient couldn’t hear that. Persistent machine didn’t fear water bursting from fountain but hard coded intuition was fully aware that water directly from pool will fry its precious systems after even slightest touch to the surface. Swimming pools and other cavities in wealthy people daily living areas were popular and served other purpose than leisure or decoration. It was perfect place to hide from mech assassin or other electronic predator, common things if you have enough powerful enemies to afford this kind of technology smuggled before Dominion big greedy eyes.

Loud sound of spilled water echoed in room when woman placed her naked body on sleek metal. Two other white saucers were floating just before her with long amaranth towel, she grabbed it and wrapped around young body. With one swipe of hand she arranged her hair into single pod and threw it behind. Once more notificator floated just before her yellow eyes, now silently just hung in place, waiting. She grabbed it with left hand and using three fingers from right one, by drawing three complicated shapes, she summoned blurry and jagged head projected from center of the disk.

“Ahh… it is you… cunt” she answered with utter despise with obvious boozy accent

“I have another code” that one sentence coming from tired flying face kindled small fire in her eyes

“Five minutes, my conference room” with one touch connection was cut “prepare fitting outfit, now!” she commanded to now freed machine while other one dried her hair. She got around sunbed and after couple of unsure steps approached tall square pillar with three horizontally arranged buttons. After pressing middle green one with small microphone she commanded to column “Submerge, operative depth!” in seconds elderly woman voice answered “Yep.”

Instantly whole ship budged violently and woman fell on her knees and short after was lying flat on metallic surface. Heaving a dose of alcohol anesthesia she felt nothing at all and after lifting a bit pressed next button making whole place started to change its character. Only pillar and small area around it with sitting and resting now woman stayed in place when every other thing hid in the midst of the ship giving space to emerging furniture and accommodation.

Now place resembled typical living room with wide light brown leather sofa and round table in the middle both in far old Victorian style in quite poor condition. In near neighborhood separated with island sleeve was kitchen full of old furnishing like manual meat grinder or porcelain mortar. From ceiling now was coming wavy light arched by water and colored with natural fashion because of passing over it fauna.

Woman take from saucers new orange top and khaki jeans then she ran to the fridge, opened it and draw bottle of expensive red wine. Without command bronze saucer detached itself from the wall and opened bottle while woman was choosing in what kind of glass she should store her red nectar. After short show up of bar tricks she slowly approached sofa and sat with crossed legs.

“I am ready” she declaimed and just above round table hologram appeared but this was vastly different than one from before. Light flowed from the surface of table creating fully visible image of a man dressed in gray exercise tracksuit with family crest on his left breast.

Little sweaty on forehead boy started conversation “It is really hard to make you answer, is it not? We are both high commissars, yet…” he lifted both hands to show his inability to understand why it took so much time.

“Cut to the chase, clown” she replied with clearly annoyed tone

“You are drunk, are you?”

She risen glass to her lips and took first sip of wine and started glaring expectantly “You know why I am talking with you right now so don’t test my patience or this conversation is over”

He folded his arms “You really have huge problems to make ends meet after your father and to your information lady” he ignored loud chucking and continued ”I am still interested in buying Kahel Combine and all its subordinate companies.”

That last sentence boiled blood in woman veins.

“With this yours father petty target will be fulfilled” she spat in holographic man’s face “Sword, shield and assplate of Dominion. Everything in one! Perfect form!” glass in her hand took role of Hamlets scull “Over my dead body, twat! Nor your grandfather or your father and especially you, will threaten me!”

“That was just an offer lady, like any other you receive recently.” He still tried to calm situation.

“Only MY combine guard this forgotten galaxy, only I give place to settle and prosper in peace, you pest!”

“Don’t get over your head lady.” He changed his stance to be more demanding and powerful “Now back where we started, I have brand new code.” Small smile glimpsed for second.

Woman didn’t notice this because of newly refreshed excitation and curiosity which refuted anger “From where? This is particularly exclusive line of special text, it don’t lie just anywhere.”

“From a reliable source, I have dispatched party to intercept contact with original scrap. It is threat to Dominion and will be disposed of right after confirmation.” He smiled widely “I will have original picture and picture of his head in one tidy envelope.” As he was saying this data connection was established between two destinations.

“No loose ends?” she asked quietly looking at glass surface when automatic script translated received code.

“No loose ends.” He agreed “So, what we have got there? This will be the last code, I am certain.”

“Useless junk” below holographic man whole table changed to wide oval screen “What the hell is that, old battles reconstruction outfits?” She changed her position to see everything.

Whole surface now covered scanned piece of yellow paper full of blueprints. Every single of them like always started with the same beautiful written word: Shield. So much different than other sentences and words on sheets that she believed that it was not written by human. But she also noticed that it abruptly disappeared on three last ones with most sophisticated patterns she had ever seen. Digital paper contained clothes for horses that clearly resembled medieval armors with cutting edge technology, variety of very strange vehicles and explanations how to assimilate unimaginable feats with these small constructions. That was biggest pack of data she ever received with these codes, with formerly provided information she was able to develop shields and cloaking for Dominion starships even immortality essence for few rich ones. With this pack she could see the whole picture, everything she developed had purpose to be a profounder base for this, final pack.

Why horses? this question roamed loudly in her head. In former she had big sheet with variety of drugs, but they were not working on anything she tested on, she dropped monstrous and costly project and burrowed deep below others as total failure. I tested them on horses, I am certain.

Same information showed in not visible screen on man’s side “Interesting”

Woman was torn with uncertainty “I know that you polish freaks love horses but seriously?!” man face flinched with shock with ugly grimace “Yes. I know your little dirty secret, wimp”

He regained his power and might attitude “I am not proud of my ancestors faults lady. Also I don’t blame son for father faults”

“Yeah, right philosopher, back to useless things: Where do you put rider? Huh? These scripts and designs are brilliant, like always dwarf our tech, but will not work in any battle conditions.” She took another sip of wine “Will not help MY company to repair budget, who would give a single credit for something like this?” another sip changed to big mouthful one nearly emptying glass.

Young man took initiative “That matters not. I want you to prepare five top secret factories. By top secret I mean that not a single soul will know about these.”

“Impossible”

Once more big grin unfurled white well positioned teeth “I managed to grant Grathius full government foundation for my weaponry program, I will write your Combine into costs, tax free”

“Now quite possible” she replied with interest

Loud snap of clapping hands pierced silence ruling in room “Excellent, we got a deal. I will notice you with further instructions, take care Miss Megan. ‘K’ out” and vision vanished second after leaving room dark with wavy trail of light.

“But who?” this question was not answered, silence ruled once again.

Woman once again glanced on table to see what else she might find interesting for her. After couple of minutes of painstaking work she found nothing and agreed to take little nap with hard thinking about what happened this day with this new concern in mind. She was just about to give killing command her sight set on last word in very last sheet. It has the same style of handwriting like word ‘Shield’. Beautiful, freely with mystical touch nearly inhuman or did such an impression. This one was different than main one. Letters didn’t hold line and were separated with bolded last word.

“I want to live” without knowing she read it quietly to herself.

Suddenly with scratchy noise table hid below floor, woman exclaimed something in fear that maybe someone triggered room change and she will be swallowed into angry machinery. Yet it didn’t happen, idle saucers now calmed her with touchy music hanging behind her. She was amazed because floating pots gathered from every corner of submarine, more than thirty created acoustic shell behind and a little over her head.

They were add-ons to submarine which she bought couple years from little crippled grandpa near Sol system, it was grave class viewing and living submarine. She love old things and it was perfect even old man charged her like it was nothing, occasion like never before. Everything she wished for in one place, things that were old like mountains, for nothing. Also it is convenient and more secure to travel under water between headquarters and transit islands.

Now other saucers created twin tower speakers and in empty area emerged old kinescope tv with video recorder which normally was standing in her sleeping room. One thing focused her attention, she never realized that in sleeve of recorder was tape now clearly in view waiting to be pressed into old machine. Last floating saucer gave her glass full of water she took it and placed between her legs.

“Play it” she said to saucer kindly, knowing that it will recognize her command to the letter.

And it done what she was asking, tape loudly placed itself in the socket, saucer floated to tv’s console started it and turned on AV mode with white and black ants. Finally pushed button with green arrow and with couple of moments with black wavy screen woman appeared. She couldn’t believe her own eyes, in the screen she was seeing herself.

Immediately she looked around for hidden cameras or floating ones but there was nothing, empty area. She grabbed her glass of water and spilled it with on face to try rousing herself from drunken self. It did nothing the other self in kinescope was still there grinning friendly.

“Is it workin’ Kal?” woman in tv asked someone away behind camera, from her perspective he or she would be in the kitchen. In HER kitchen, woman was sitting in her sofa, having the same pictures on the walls and same glassed ceiling, even cuts in leather were identical.

“It certainly is” manly, strange familiar voice confirmed the state of recording by shaking a bit camera and he returned to cutting something in kitchen.

“Very well then, hello Shield!” now Megan was sitting with widely opened mouth while she was seeing whole recording “I will introduce myself, my name is Megan Page Moske daughter of Martin Boreski. I believe that is a shocker for you and with this everything is accordin’ to my father’s plan.”

She grinned even wider “Did you ever question yourself why you built so powerful company under the nose of World United Nations?” she waited for not coming answer ”You always gained information for your development from Sword didn’t you? Now this final clue was given from Faith to you or in bad case from Sword as well” smile on her face disappeared “if first case is true then you know about everything and how important your mission, no, your life is for all of us.” She sighed and looked to right side of the room.

In this place of submarine was placed small pedestal with silk coverage for Megan it was useless because she didn’t have any pet and this place was prepared for this kind of inhabitant.

“In other case you don’t have a clue what is going on. Sword will protect any kind of information because it can’t trust you, it will guard its interests against everyone it cannot trust or WUN even if it always operate very near highest ranks of WUN, it can’t predict everything. You will need to help it, Shield. Only you can change it now!” her voice changed and now she was pleading to her with sappy eyes she dried them right after.

“These blueprints you are giving to Sword are not for horses my dear” for actual Megan it was getting weirder and weirder when listening to herself was becoming more personal “Ekhm, maybe not exactly for them but they are pretty much alike” she now faced in direction of pet resting place and asked quite loud “Sapphire, mind coming here?” After couple of seconds of looking in that direction tv Megan asked man “Could you help her come over here? Please.” Her voice started to tremble a bit.

“No can do, I am preparing something for her” man hit harder at something wooden in kitchen.

“It is always like this” she told to camera and once more called in former direction “Come on girl, come to Meg” now she twice struck her hands on the knees and after realizing that it will not give the wished outcome she just went there for the thing.

After short commotion she returned with most beautiful and cutest thing she had seen in her whole life alive or on picture. It was horse, small with two things that clearly showed she is something out of this universe. Pure white fur shined with own light and with every stroke of woman hand little lights flew into air and looked like short living fireflies. Equine was looking now in the floor showing big pointy horn able to easily pierce a foot thick rock, white wings folded now had gorgeously sharp edged feathers that could embarrass every single bird she knew of. But even all this miraculous things were nothing compared to her mane, it was living its own life. She could not believe that this dazzling sapphire blue sea was hair and she could touch it with her fingers, smell them and embrace.

“Sap! Look up here, girl!” equine just started to more thoughtfully analyze floor “Up!” with this woman put her hand below filly’s mouth and lifted without problem to make her look at the camera.

In first sight it was quite normal, real Megan seen couple of times a cow or a horse but after looking at these two faces she realized what is wrong. That was terrifying to just imagine what kind of monstrosity filly saw to get these big eyes in ultimate end. Two wells without bottom, utterly black, without a single glimpse of light, dead. If old saying was real then inside beautiful body was nothing, just echo of former glory.

“No more eyes for you” tv Megan told to camera and turned alicorn filly head to lie secure on her right leg “She is sick but constantly getting better. We have found this miracle on famous mountain in Australia…” she continued to brush coat with her hand.

Against woman declaration equine yelled silently and started to kick everywhere with her hooves but she clutched her in trained grip. You cannot fight against all odds alone swift thought roamed inside real Megan’s head as she was watching miserable struggle.

“Kal! She has seizures!” she screamed wildly with tears in eyes

“Catch this” man threw a wooden stick over the counter and she deftly caught it in air still holding little horse now puling softly from pain inflicting by couple times bigger and heavier human “and this!” he threw drug injector with same outcome.

“What about recording?”

“We will make another take, I will erase this. Maybe she will get better tomorrow.” Man catch up to the camera and turned it off.

Vision changed to pure black with white falling straps. Nothing more she thought and began to understand what did she just watched. It was true that they used a lot of ‘outsourcing’ information but that was not everything they done so far. In the answer tv showed again a picture. Now same equine lay in comfy silk bed, breathing calmly slept in security. After five minutes, somewhere within the room alarm clock ringed with one loud sound, pony foreleg shuddered in the surprise and lifted her eyelid uncovering lively green and curious eye.

She smiled softly directly to camera’s lenses and did another feat by saying “Hi, Megan”. Real Megan expected this but it was still astonishing view. She also could not define when this was taken, before or after previous clip.
“Hi, Sappie. We are going inland today”

Pony lifted her head and opened mouth in awe “Really? Like for real? I-I-I-I need to prepare!” probably after tv Megan nod, she dropped from couch and swiftly slid on floor with her hooves in direction of wooden doors with attitude of overhyped child.

Now that’s why this floor is like that real Megan had awful selfish thought that this submarine was constructed for this creature exclusively. View disappeared once again to make place for known stripes.

After realizing that she was holding glass all the time she was watching video, woman placed it on the floor to give a rest for her fingers. The overwhelming unknown feeling was stronger than her bitchy self and she moved in direction of tape recorder to rewind and see once again clip of filly.

Tv showed picture once again. Now it was in not known place and camera trembled with every step of cameraman wielding it. Surroundings resembled small village after attack of hurricane, everything was destroyed or pummeled. Flakes from multicolored flowers covered path.

In front of camera showed a tired face of worn man “There will not be another take.” He told directly to lenses to turn it forward in next second. He showed the wide site from where he was running. From corner of nearby red brick building pepped dog. Big, bulky monster with froth all over its jaws filled with sharp teeth, two more crept on the other side hissing wildly. Each one of them wore dark blue vest with red circle on it.

First dog make his run to the center of path and prepared for jump.

“Die!” with this words he shoot to hound with big white pistol and missed a hair from head, click of empty energy slot echoed through space. Not distracted creature changed position to make sure it will get runner with a single jump. Other ones took place on both sides of their leader in the safe distance ripping ground with armed claws. It gave man time to reload and he not missed again when dog leaped on him. With short kick he thrown flying corpse to side and get instantly clear view for next targets. Two other shoots made short work with remaining ones and he continued to run further.

“Meg passed away, they took Sapie. I-I couldn’t protect them” camera now only recorded fast passing ground and he started to lose confidence “If I will sell you Archives I will admit that her father was a genius and I am an utter moron. Everything you need is in there” now she realized from where she know this man. On screen once again showed face of destroyed human, physically and psychologically with begging tone “Now everything is up to you Remnants, save them and save us! I count on you!”

“About what are you blabbering there?! Hop on!” another voice coming from vehicle sounded in space.
“Nothing! Just get us out of …” answered man and transmission cut right before he could end the sentence. Tape emerged from recorder leaving snow on TV.

She repeated whole recording once more and more after that. It did nothing to silence small voice in her head. This voice poured only one question to her head

What now?

Consequences

Planet: [Unknown]
Year: 2493, one month before first contact.

Old zebra gathered in nearby oasis pile of grayish dry herbs and threw them into pit within sandy ground. Last and single palm on the border of oasis threw shade covering zebra from sun. She started to whispers enchantments and swung small totem in pits direction. After couple of slowly passing minutes she straightened her wise neck and with hooves in air begged spirits for aid. Spirits answered to her almost instantly but not in the way she wanted to. Wheezing noise coming from the sky alarmed equine to move her long black mane from pit. Short after enchanting hole was a place for tall plain totem, standing straight and proud, reflecting sun rays. It was hard for her to look directly at this but she couldn’t recognize this shape from any tribe she knew of.

Familiar sound echoed again trough space and she witnessed another four totems falling around oasis, similar to one before her. All straightly pointing at clear blue sky remained silent and motionless.

Five elements are before her, long awaited sign is before her, future is before her and she could do nothing just tremble in awe and fear. The ordeal was done for but she could still make her own sacrifice with this in mind she started looking for sharp stone to do so. After an hour of thorough search she had nothing, last thing she could use was totem itself.

Four sharp edges to choose from and she was looking at her reflection in one of the elements. Wrinkled and dried from sun skin with partial patches of fur with addition of long messy mane created terrible sight. She forgot about sacrifice ordeal and touched the pillar with her left hoof.

Monument reacted suddenly with swirling noise but zebra stood in place motionless. Green lights coming from place she put hoof escaped to top of the pillar and vanished in its apex. Top of totem opened itself revealing spherical shining with green light object. Shortly after that two nearest pillars did the same thing triggering last ones.

Not really knowing what is doing, she placed another hoof on the surface despite her weak hip. Wave of blue light flashed and vanished inside now trembling pillar and suddenly it sunk in sand to half of its height.

She sat and observed in wonder as the oasis was slowly lifted in air, breathing with cyan dyed air coming from pillars she still could feel the flow of weird energy which shortened her hair and healed hip. Swirling sound grew to unbearable noise and suddenly oasis disappeared leaving huge hole now slowly covering with nearby sand.

For the short while she was connected with the spirits, she was one of them. They took sacrifice of the land to make her anew. They showed and shared the wisdom of every creature in this world to her. Or it was something she was thinking of.

Zebra once more looked in direction of molted sand now mirroring everything around it and admired her new self. Younger self.

~ *** ~

Year: 2493, two weeks before first contact.

Between Gorge and Palomino Desert were great lands for big and sound Copper Weed plantations. Dry winds and wet currents created many storms which greatly hardened weed. One of the biggest plantations on planet was property of Rain family. They were abnormal in equestrian terms. Other farmer families were attached greatly to their work and inheritance but Rain family was attached to weather more, despite of being earth ponies, than harvest itself. These emotions drove them to special interest in magic and machinery. They were unique even if other ponies didn’t see that.

Youngest colt in family after the rear field harvest was saying goodbye to operating machine unicorns. Last spell closed the lids of small barns securing sharp tips of burning red plants. It was a color of young earth pony’s mane too contrasting with blue coat.

With all preparations and attentions done he had his time to rest. Or he thought that will have it but short roar dispelled the doubts. Source of commotion was a dragon. Dragon in these parts was rare sight but lonely ones were coming from Badlands to Even Shores to find other nesting dragons.

Big lizard was struggling with something hanging freely in air without anything resembling wings. It was flying without wings fast thought roamed through his head when object started to fall after another swing of dragon’s strong arm leaving black smoke. Reptile lingered a bit and blasted off in seas direction. After coming to place where object landed, colt called for his father as hard as he could and older pony arrived in the snap. With short relation father was concerned on the same level as his boy.

“Well Sieg Rain, it is time for us to take the skies!”

~ *** ~

Year: 2493, three days before first contact.

Tonight is the night

Highest balcony in northern tower of Canterlot Castle was perfect place for star management. Princess Luna took advantage of this and once again checked the star map in her hooves with the clear sky. Her newest schemes with one brand new constellation marked start of Princess finest designs era which will be written in many history books. Only last triangle of blue dwarfs waited patiently for relocation. With closed eyes she started to build appropriate spell to move stars and light coming from them alike. After short flare of blue light she opened her eyes to witness effect. Surprisingly there was no effect at all, triangle stayed in the same place as before. Luna turned her head astonished that her spell didn’t work as always. She did the same thing with furthest star in Ursa Major chain and star politely changed the way its light was coming to an Equestrian Empire. Luna reversed the effect with flare of blue light. Then she tried to reposition triangle once more. Without any effect and now highly irritated she started to check nearby scrolls.

“That was quite remarkable” sleepy voice flowed from inside of the tower and Princess turned her head to check whereabouts of her new guest. New pure and clear star light entered the insides of the room and rose pink alicorn smiled bluntly.

“Is there something that bother you Princess?” Luna lost interest in stars and plans sending them to large crate and closed lid flawlessly ”Your face can say more than you want to Princess.” now she was facing Cadence with all might and dignity closely advancing to royal voice.

“It is nothing really. My apologies for disturbing your work, but it was only time when…”

“There is no need for such things. The matter?”

Cadence realized that she was in not favorable position and she wanted to end this conversation as soon as possible and try some other time in other place if something will go not as planned. Princess of the night was scary especially in the middle of the night. That was enough for today.

“This!” She threw plain envelope and after fast turn Princess galloped to the stairs and vanished in shades.
Princess Luna became accustomed to this. She even started to recognize her own royal service when they didn’t put their faces to the floor. The envelope contained invitation for get-along party in renewed Canterlot gardens with all friends after Chrysalis assault. Her eyelid flinched a bit but she forgot about the stars matter and slowly walked the same path as her surprise guest.

Unknowingly for Luna stars slowly changed position to desired one but sky on their path was like shattered mirror making transition very unclear and blurry.

In Ponyville's library, unicorn Twilight Sparkle witnessed the most beautiful stars flares she ever seen in her life. All night and day after this she sought answer to this rare event with Spikes great dissatisfaction.

Lies consume us

Planet: Halo
Year: 2493

Wind heated from sharp rocks near coast dispelled long black hair. Megan dressed in grey Halo Militia operative outfit with handful of badges was about to end conversation with her new unwanted but necessary friend. Upper lid of compact in her left hand was launching static view of her conversation partner’s voice sound wave.

“I have read up your suggestion about codenames for us” little giggle peaked last wave “It is quite hilarious because both of us don’t even know their real names… Shield”

“It will just increase disinformation in our opponent spies, handy don’t you think Sword” she added more accent in last word causing another giggle.

“Yes, yes, yes” words slowly leaked trough small speaker “If I may, I will continue my fencing exercises. Fitting thing to do for your Sword, don’t you think?”

After disconnection lid closed itself silently and she set her sight on coastal view of her planet. Communicator tinkled on bottom of the arm sachet and she admired sight of unauthorized construction.

Coast was a place for the tall strapped white lighthouse with connected wooden house near edge of green coniferous forest. Time in this place stopped or gave the impression of that. She slowly approached front of the house attentively looking around building for uninvited guests, her motion and heat sensor also remained silent. After confirming that only one registered signature is in the nearby area she turned it off.

Now she was standing in front barn like door. Whole building was made from wood except tall lighthouse. Wood was perfectly cared and reinforced with smelly lacquer. From border of the roof on long strings hung drying mushrooms but Megan didn’t see them in her life. She curiously touched tangled fungus when solid wooden doors slowly opened revealing shady insides.

“Please don’t touch them, they are essential for my diet and don’t quite ready. Please, come in.” weary voice asked politely somewhere from inside building.

Vestibule connected lighthouse entrance now closed with strong metallic doors with yellow twenty seven number, it was strangely similar to Dominion hatch painting.

“You don’t need to take off your boots” same voice from behind shook her out from thinking “If you were thinking about something like that.”

She turned around and awkwardly smiling faced old man. He smiled back and with short hand sign showed her poor chair near fireplace. Light from it illuminated single chamber. It was full of all necessary things for leaving. Essential ones, many made probably by resident.

Surprisingly chair was very comfortable and she could lay eyes on her host. After three years she last time saw him he didn’t changed. Little bald grandpa with crippled leg placed another poor chair just before her. In certain moments time let go and allow to stay the same for certain amount of time.

“I need to hear and see you properly” like he was reading in her mind “Age is not favorable for me you see.”

Moment later they were looking in each other eyes, light blue eyes observed her with great interest and single tear escaped to the wrinkled skin disappearing immediately on dry skin. Place was filling with weird, but refreshing aroma coming from copper cattle it was hanging just above lively fire.

He waved his fingers and smiled slightly “I believe you have a lot of questions young one”

“You bet Kal.” Megan thought if she would be easy going with new friend she could get more information, but outcome was completely different.

“If you may, I don’t want to hear my name from you anymore if you want to talk with me long.” He said reservedly and put hand on his chest “Corpses don’t talk too much.” She realized suddenly that he is seeing ghost of the past. Obvious things are sometimes too obvious.

“Resemblance…?”

“A lot” slight blush came on wrinkled pale skin “I miss her but we will met again very soon”

“Not too soon! I have so many questions, you don’t even…”

His loud laughter shook Megan insides. Dwarfish man had big and healthy lungs and throat. He looked on the watch which hung just above bed in the right room corner.

“I have another meeting with unwelcomed guests and soon so ask what you want to know.”

“Guests?”

“Yes, I will have to change my… residence to somewhere near Sol system. I need to meet somepony on the Moon.”
Megan involuntarily opened her mouth in silent awe. She could not bring her thoughts together and brain started hardly grind information.

“You don’t believe me? That does not matter I will do it anyways. Don’t mistake me. I am your ally and friend. Old man can take care of himself, youngling.”

She still couldn’t believe what she heard. Even if she had her top questions carved in her mind she could not focus on them right now. Curiosity won once more “You need to meet some-Pony?”

“A messenger. I have debt to repay, it is the last piece I need to do.”

“Debt?”

“It is becoming quite strange conversation about me…” he raised his head in acted distaste.

“You see my dear, my last recording would be last thing I have done in my life.”

He stood up from chair and approached nearby shelf. After couple of seconds of search Magan held old creased picture. When she examined the picture Kal escaped to his pleasant memories. Picture was showing large group of smiling people. More than hundred of them gathered near seven multicolored equine animals.

She spotted them right away. Sapphire was lying in Kal’s strong hands smiling widely. Megan was holding his shoulder and waved to the camera. Frail man from helicopter was very near them, kneeling. His face was on the same level as green pony with horn, big pinkish eyes shined brightly. All of them, even ponies, were wearing camouflaged uniforms. Some of them in energy suits with grand rifles ready to battle. On the second plan five tall towers shined even more with their own light, like crystal mountains in full glory. She recognized these buildings right away, father told her about them many times. Tiara towers on Earth’s moon. Then proud monuments, proof that humanity can make great things together despite where they live or what they do. Now glassed and radiated wasteland, an example what Dominion will do with ones who will think to oppose it. Earth’s tourist attraction.

“Fine chaps I have to say.” He said suddenly.

“So many…“ Megan pointed with fingers known people and showed him picture ”I recognize pilot, you and her.”

“We were surrounded by Dominion forces from every direction. Copter has been shot short after we climbed to the sky, I broke the camera that day. That is why I didn’t record something else. Worth hyping you up to your task.”

Another loud laugh pierced the silence and Megan nearly dropped picture to the fire. She returned it immediately to the rightful owner.

“Megan and Sapphire were taken to the remains of Dominion fleet above planet. I searched for them but…”

“I understand. So a mysterious pony stroke from the skies and saved you?” She swiftly changed topic.

“Yes! Something like that. I don’t remember her name but she was quite tenacious. After the evil ride and escape with Sergei, the pilot, we came to agreement about her name: Lightning. He didn’t agree to add pink, I really don’t know why. Pink roses are so…”

“How many?” he looked at her awkwardly “Exactly, how many of them are out there?”

“You will know soon, very soon and I hope you will share all you know with me. I will help Order if you didn’t hear it earlier.”

His light and lenient answer touched her open nerve “Mysterious magic horses, order, Grathius and… Dominion”
Silently burning fire, smell of unknown herbs and suspiciously comfortable wooden chair were enough foreign to make her more emotional than she would like to be.

“That is why I am here, old man. This is crazy! Madness! I cannot do it, I barely manage to run corporation inherited from old fool just like you!” More and more thoughts attacked her mind but man looked at her with the same lenient style, even stretched out a bit angering her even more

“Look around! This house is your friggin’ order! Rotted and decayed. You are Order, one man army and submarine. Take it for free and all this bullshit with it!” Megan couldn’t take it anymore. This little smile, way of speaking, eyes, everything about that little crippled grandpa angered her. She suddenly stood up and started to walk around man and furnance.

“What ‘we’ can confront against Dominion power, huh?” She pointed him with long finger. Red nail flashed just before his face, but he didn’t even flinch. Torrent of thoughts now just simply flowed through her lips.

“Cute little ponies? What you want to do, hug them to death, drown them in rainbows? You want to fight with everyone. Dominion IS humanity you know. Planets, fleets, knowledge, armies and people!”

After every single word, her mind glimpsed vivid and saturate picture of witnessed somewhere things. Planets with monstrous factories. Huge cities with even smallest buildings that touch the skies next to horizon long agricultural zones populated with hundreds of workers. Fleets stationing above planets and nearby space platforms, every single one big enough to cover the sky. Highly trained soldiers on each with finest Grathius weapons. Armies of scientist and metallic soulless machines. Galaxy full of enemies and innocent civilians. Her knees started to tremble and vision blurred. Kal was sitting in the same place but look on his face changed to concern one. Megan didn’t saw that.

“If it is not enough they have slaves, anarchy reigns and council!” Last thing in her mind was the meeting room, big round chamber with many richly inlayed chairs. Dominion parliament in the Nations Spire building, jewel in the New Manhattan’s crown. Capital Earth and all subjected colonies need to be free of totalitarian regimes. This is what she needs to protect. What she can use to save Dominion and its citizens from madness. She turned to small hanging mirror and saw proud woman, daring. Dare to oppose.

“High commissar Emily Hargreave, Dominion defense and integrity enforcer, important part of something you want to destroy. Dominion is ruled by people, it is just and right. Secure and joy place for everyone.”

Old men stood up, straighten and relied on back of the chair, tacit.

“I am your enemy American.” Wide insane smile reappeared on her face showing beautiful white and straight teeth “You are race traitor. Unworthy to be called a human. I will kill you, here and now.”

Skirts of her uniform folded and she nimbly pulled out two silver pistols, loud snap signed energy fillers ready and two heated tri-bullets swirling leaved barrel. Kal took chair and deflected first packet of energy throwing it through the window with furniture. Chair immediately stood up in flames burning nearby dry yellow grass. Second one smashed into hundreds of sparks on the stone wall. Megan underestimated him and not continued to shot another times. With cats agility he caught up to her and with two swings disarmed her completely. She again was looking deep inside his eyes, motionless.

“I've had enough of this child’s play!” His words hung in the space for the moment. Now his voice was as strong as his previous laughs. Drilling in ears, crushing hart and making goosebumps all over body.

“What is your name?”

Something pointy was touching her skin just above breast and she noticed broken wooden chair leg ready to pierce her chest.

“W-w-w-what?” Piece of old wood approached even more. Weird sensation embraced her whole body.

“Emily Hargreave”

“It is a lie.” He threw the shard aside and put his hand on her forehead. Suddenly all her strength disappeared, she could barely stand on her legs. Eyelids closed up without notice.

“You cannot lie to me sugar cube.” Usual black gave place to foreign orange light. It filled her whole field of view where pleasant warm flowed through the body.

“Honesty is one of the most important things you have to learn once more. We as people need to remember simplest things and think for ourselves once more.” These words, so pure, impressed her deeply. They were coming from the light itself instead of heard sound. “It is easier said than done and we cannot do it alone.”

“Whole galaxy is in chain of the eternal lie. We can break it. We need to break it and we will break it.” With these words whole fatigue and doubt vanished, burned off from orange light. False pictures of Dominion galaxy vanished too. She didn’t remember when she was that happy.

“No more lies.”

“What is your name?”

“Megan Scott.”

“Well Megan here and now history is being created, my next visitors have arrived.”

He pointed at broken window, Megan immediately looked out of it. Three figures were approaching from coast, each one wearing shimmering cloaks, with drafted sabers.

“My God. They are… assassins, real assassins on MY planet. You will die today either way…”

She couldn’t believe her own eyes. In front of her was standing the Kal from video tape. Tall and bold, muscles hardened trough work and war, eye catchy. Everything changed but eyes, still the same.

“H-h-h-h-ow it is even possible!? I am dreaming? Please say I am dreaming!”

“You were sleeping all your life. Time to wake up, Megan Scott.”

“What kind of game are you playing? Who are you? What are you?”

“A promise. I sorry for this costume party, I will explain youngling. Pegasister.” He once again put his hand against her forehead “We will meet again, take care of Grathius and Sword, I count on you. See you later!”

With flash of violet light she fell to black well of her consciousness.
‘Sleep, death or something far worse?’ She asked herself.

Elenei

Planet: Unknown
Year: ∞

Megan couldn’t even comprehend what was going on. Pleasing violet light disappeared as fast as it appeared and she was hanging in the empty black space. A pitch black allowed her to see only own fingertips and she wasn’t sure it was her imagination alone. ‘I will surely kill this guy next time, if he will be still alive after visit of his new friends.’

Eventually black well, that she was thrown into, had its bottom. Tips of her toes touched cold surface. It was plain and cold, after little while of scratching witch nails she was sure it was made of glass. Megan still hung above and she could only barely touch it.

Suddenly, far away on the horizon, she saw little white point. It was growing with every breath and illuminated nearby area. She couldn't do anything to move herself, just observe the incoming beacon.

She witnessed a lot strange things today but this toppled everything else. It was a snowflake white horse with attributes she saw a couple of times already in old tv screen. Despite surroundings she trotted in air with fully expanded wings, beating vigorously. Mane and tail created lively blue wall. Equine landed couple of meters from levitating Megan. Woman was certain that the pony looking at her was Sapphire from the records, much bigger but still the same pony. Green big eyes were set on her and inspecting her thoroughly while walking around vulnerable body.

After a bit of consternation Megan noticed that something about her was wrong. With the light coming from alicorn she realized that she is completely naked. Weirdly enough her chair was just like her, ignoring basic principles of physics and floated freely high above her head. She shrieked and curled up to fetal position still hanging in the space.

“Oh, forgive us. We didn’t have any visitors lately.” Warm and pleasing words filled empty space, yet Megan still felt unsecure and instinctively closed her eyes.

“Modesty, would you kindly dress our guest? You see, we don’t normally wear clothes.”

“Yes, Princess.” another voice answered to white mare, gentle and soft.

“She is not a princess! How many times I have to tell you? Not a princess, silly!” this voice belonged to, as she assumed, colt.

“She is!”

“No, she is not!”

“She is powerful and kind! Beautiful and wise! She is a princess!” steppe of hoof echoed loudly.

“I am handsome and wise too, but I am not a princess… I mean prince! Princess needs subjects and kingdom! She doesn’t have any of these things! Sooooo… not a princess, alright!”

Curiosity got the better and Megan opened one of her eyes. Two ponies quarreled about Sapphire apparent heir. Princess was smiling widely purely enjoying this eager disagreement.

She recognized pegasus and unicorn because of the picture which Kal gave her earlier. Equines were drastically different than Sapphire. When she was purely the same as on the tape and picture, they resembled shrouded in mystery ghosts. White coats and manes with transparent eyes completed the whole assumption.

Sapphire tapped pegasi on the shoulder and pointed at the guest “Please.”

“Oh, my deepest apologizes, Princess.”

Now unicorn remained silent and he became more concerned about his friend rather than prove who is who. Modesty closed her eyes and Sapphire with her horn took something liquid like flowing from her closed eyelid.

Megan accepted with relief return of gravity when she gently settled on the floor. Cocoon of blue light embraced her and with flash of light she was in the most gorgeous dress she could possibly order anywhere in the universe.

“It is sewn from colier web and pure diamonds.” Modesty gently answered to unspoken question. She was observing her work with one eye and Megan realized that pony done more than she can imagine. “You are pretty.” Megan could now normally stand on the floor and get used to low gravity.

Unicorn approached mare and gently rubbed her arm with hoof. After good words said with this kind of sincerity it was too much for Megan and tears went to her eyes. “I am very sorry for your eye, Modesty.”

“It didn’t hurt or anything, it is my purpose and pleasure, Miss?”

“Yes, who are you? Are you a clone?” Sudden change in Sapphire mood dispirited human and she backed a bit but pony didn’t even flinch “I know human just like you, she is my great friend.”

Strong feelings she had just before a second evaporated with a snap of fingers “You need to answer my questions! Real Sapphire is in Dominion hands not in some crazy gee-whiz glassy land!”

“This ‘crazy gee-whiz glassy land’ is Elenei where time and space ends!” winged mare jumped to Sapphire and stood just before her and faced Megan.

“I believe we started from wrong hoof. My name is Modesty, nice to meet you.”

“My name is Star Breeze, reconnaissance unit, ma’am!” unicorn saluted eagerly.

Sapphire waited patiently for her to answer and ruffled gorgeous mane. She knew what to say.

“Megan Scott, but friends call me Shield.”

Alicorn straightened her long neck and slowly exhaled air.

“Everything finally is in motion. Breeze go to old bearded fool and say that pony land need his help once more.” Unicorn nodded to princess and Megan then galloped in unknown to her direction disappearing in the shadows. “Modest use gems and refill completely your and Star magic. Use my portion if necessary.” Pegasus did the same thing as her friend for goodbye and took off in the air.

“You were right, I am not Sapphire.” Megan eyes widened a bit and braced her for new information’s. “I am an idea magically wrapped to certain form. This is very advanced magic and we can only exist in this place, Elenei.” Alicorn looked directly at her eyes, green sea was taking her away.

“When ponies perform magic that involve use of time and space, like for example teleporting, they need to go into transfer space.”

“So you are saying that…”

“Yes, you are now teleported somewhere and I with friends are here to let you survive whole process. Humans have so fragile hearts and practically no magic. After couple of minutes here alone you would turn insane.” Megan severed eyes connection and admired for second her reflection.

“That is my purpose. Modest and Breeze are here for certain purpose. She fulfilled her but stayed here to accompany me.”

“That’s nice, but you are a spell, nothing more. Remember that.” Megan had experience with unconstrained AI’s and this situation seemed exactly like giving the machine free will. Magic make it even trickier.

“Yes. Sapphire performed spell for each of them. Last seven ponies willing to stop the madness you created. They just wanted to say last words to humans they valued the most in their lives before they parted forever. I respect that. You don’t seem to.”

“Fate is predicted in our case. War is like it and we love war.”

“Elenei was periodically a home for every single one of us who run from homeland. They hoped that we will return with help to defeat powerful enemy in our real home or live somewhere happily without mark of chaos.” She unfolded her wings and stretched leg muscles with round moves.

“We ended up on your home world and I don’t know which fate was worse. Stay there or land here.”
She launched herself in air and floated above Megan.

“Now our paths are separating. Stay in good health. You going to need it Shield.”

“You will need something?”

“Only a couple of magic gems with little paper umbrellas.” She sent her big smile and rocket somewhere to the shiny horizon illuminating it even more with her inner light.

Megan looked at her reflection last time. Floor under her feet started to simultaneously crackle in many places. She will never forget this smile.

Next chapter 'Rainbow bridge' coming in Monday Tuesday GMT+1 Warsaw 9.10.2012

Rainbow Bridge

Place: Edge of Milky Way galaxy
Year: 2494

Trip to the edge of galaxy always made him nervous. Sweating all over body, shaky hands and eyelid tick was uncontrollable. Just glimpse in the hollow that marked the end. Nothing more, just thick dark blue space without any source of light.

Sitting in the command chair of his corvette didn’t help to stop this kind of sensations. Huge viewing window on the head of the ship was crystal clean, except for notification areas. Walls of text displayed on it were inestimable help for his crew. He didn’t have any special gift for science or engineering. These lacks gave him a lot of headache in his personal missions. Just like this one.

“Is everything all right sir?”

“No, nothing is all right. I feel uncomfortable on this high quality bench.” His personal adjutant and psychologist in one black average girl, it was miraculous for outsiders that she could still endure his presence for that low salary “Note that all Grathius flotilla needs to replace them for the right ones!”

Holopad in her hands filled itself with his whim in more official style instantly. She nodded and moved away to nearby dispenser. Black uniform emphasized all her positive values for management and mind peace. Platinum crest studded with diamond letter G on her heart shined brightly attracting envious glances. She noticed his look and corrected golden leather strap, slight blush on her face didn’t escape his attention.

For Dominion records and population his employees were just bunch of slaves working for daily protein paste. He liked it this way and he hoped to stay like this a bit longer in minds. Sending video materials about poverty on Uriel, capital world of Grathius, warmed imagination enough to withstand waves of immigrants from Dominion wastes. For his people, although it might sound crazy, credits served no practical purpose for services driven society. Space ruled by Dominion’s slave corporations, as they were imagined, was living hell.

Organized chaos on his commanding bridge worked flawlessly. Every mind and thought shared in cacophony of voices, individuals living with the same dream. Proudly wearing insignia of one of the most vicious and fascistic organization in the known universe. Blind devotion and ultimate loyalty build on trust and he was on its helm. Price for this trade was even, it was freedom backed with eons old law born in once powerful imperium.

“Station is visible sir.” Navigation commander issued loudly obvious statement “Orders?”

Far before bow of ship showed first biggest ring of Calipso Technology research center, their target and prey. As plans say station is huge energy container with three antimatter arc reactors and accelerator tube with ten thousand hands onboard, mostly scientist. ‘Throw particles in space and see the magic’ said the last words in report.

“They detected our presence!” shouted analytics wing mate “Sensors discovered various energy peaks, they are heating up stationary weaponry!”

“Establish non-secured connection.” Adjutant took the initiative “Let them know with who they are dealing.”

With clunky noises big screen lowered just before commanding seat. Current ship commander took the plastic cup from adjutant and seated him as comfortable as possible.

On screen appeared very young whitey bit younger than him, blue piercing eyes inspected his callers and stopped for second on Grathius insignia.

“This is head of station security. State your business.”

Grathius leader slowly drank his drink and woman spoke without emotions “Dominion weaponry assimilation and technologies special envoy. Dominion assets check.”

“Done and done. Welcome High Commissar in Calipso Station for dark matter research. I will greet you right with station owner. Goodbye.” With blink interlocutor disappeared while screen lifted itself instantly.

“All values are going down, threat denied.” All teams’ leaders lined up before commanding seat giving reports “We have the dock and ship is prepared to land.”

Boy handed over cup and wiped his mouth with silk handkerchief.

“Listen to your orders and listen well because I will not repeat. First word to crew.” Four of them stood at attention instantly with short salute “Dock the ship and take care of it. Then follow orders coming from station commander Karl and Unicorn forces according to rank.”

“Yes Sir!” Arms once more sliced air and leaders followed order. Two other men suited in Grathius carbonized armor still remained in line.

“Now for task force.” Reaction of two soldiers was vastly different. They kneeled before him and hit the floor with armored fists. „Master.”

“Hear me Unicorns! You are branch of new Grathius force that will topple Dominion.” Characters remained motionless but on screen of commanding showed two readings which he likes to observe. Two separate readings with vastly raised heartbeat numbers were very promising. ”Today I will witness your leader skills. Objective is simple, search and destroy mission, leave no one alive. I will lead initial strike, do not disappoint me. You are free.”

“Wherever you go we will follow, master.”

Through central naval information speaker flowed long awaited announcement “To all hands, prepare for boarding.”
Adjutant helped him to stand up “Everything is ready and waiting in your room.”

“Thanks Alice, it will be a long trip today. I needed to build up my strength.”

“You will not need me there?”

“No, I will deal with it.” She sent to him half-hearted look “Really, I will.”

***

Waiting another minute in front of the stations airlock made him tired of doing nothing. Briefcase weighed on his hand and he realized that his tie is not correctly tied. In certain situations look have grand impact of how we see other person, five critical seconds. He inadvertently looked at visor of soldier standing next to him and he returned look.

“We can override them if you want, boss.”

“We are not hosts here, little respect for our inviter”

“Yes master. He just approached the door with two other, seems like female.”

“Leave him to me and remember to be more economic for energy bullets. One clip is more expensive than ten grenades.”

After these words, round metallic doors opened widely. Rich and brightly illuminated wide lobby unfolded just before them. In other circumstances he would really appreciate the greeting for his high commissar majesty. Huge white Dominion flags were floating in nearly every empty place of the room. Snow white carpet extended through whole area ending in another round door. Even one and only screen was displaying good and beloved Prime Minister in his weekly speech. Two beautiful girls accompanying much older fellow held in their hands baskets with spherical sweets, wrapped up in white collars, smiled widely. Owner of the station had the same attitude and approached him vigorously, light reflecting on his bald head blinded him every time he passed line of the ceiling lights.

“Welcome, welcome! It is our pleasure to meet such an important figure in our facility.”

They were onboard and now one thing left to confirm “Where is your head of security?”

“Oh, this young man? He is on the way here.”

“Your mother never told you not to open the dock to a stranger craft or at least uninvited one?” Old man realized something was wrong and smile on his face faded. Girls were still standing and smiling.

“You are not here for Dominion matter, don’t you?”

“Did I ever say that I am?”

Old man slowly stepped back and looked in direction of nearest doorway. Grathius leader turned head to the nearest soldier and said magic words.

“Carry out the mission.”

Many months passed when he last experienced two barrels shooting near both of his ears. Little bells ringed in his head while heated mono-bullets met their targets. Blood and parts of brain spattered glorious carpet and flags. Small candies flew all around lobby leaving tidy wooden baskets. Shock gripped old man and he couldn’t move or speak, just look at young man before him. Groups of soldiers poured from both of his sides like black tide every one with engraved silver unicorn on dark violet armband.

Old man recovered from first shook when Grathius brat started to walk towards him. Hand went for weapon from leather pistol holder. None of the soldiers paid attention when he emptied whole magazine at their leader. Heated projectiles just bounced and bust in flames just an inch from his face without any harm done.

“What the fuck was that!?”

“Special gift from my dearest friend. Just like this!”

Long and slim sword with hexagonal texture stopped near elder carotid. Blade sliced without effort past metal of pistol cutting its tip. He threw remains of it on the floor and run to the nearby defense drone. Hits and screams fizzled out to his expectations.

“Norman what are you doing! Activate defenses, we are under attack!”

To confirm station owner words loud sounds of nearby explosions and white smoke filled lobby. Unit remained silent, doors shut down, with last hope he reached console. Selecting channel after channel he tried to communicate with someone else. Only white noise and hellish screams answered to his wild calls. They grimly completed the loud steps of leather boots hitting metallic floor just before old man.

“What do you want?! I have money! I have research data! I have friends! Everything you want!”

“There is one thing I want to have trough you. But it will not make you happy.”

“Wh-a-a-a-t?”

Instantly boy made two wide strides and his face meet the face of elder.

“Loyalty.”

Old man didn’t realized what happened but suddenly he lost control over his lower body. Legs bended against will and he ended sitting in steadily increasing pool of red liquid. Locked up door opened and from other side slowly emerged his former head of security.

Norman suited in black soldiers uniform with unicorn band stood just before him. Same as adjutant shield tightly covered way to his heart.

“Loyalty, huh?” blood got into lungs and he needed to split it but didn’t reached to boots of his nemesis “Such a rare thing in these weird times.”

Long haired whitey knelt before Grathius leader and hit his bare hand against floor.

“Master, command me.”

“I treated you like a son. I gave you everything little, ungrateful fucker.”

No one paid attention to his words.

“Don’t play with me Karl. I have an important thing to do after this little party of yours.”

Youngster named Karl nodded and picked up nearby sliced pistol. He aptly dismantled it and only one part left in his hand, glowing blue cube. Elder suddenly realized what will happen next.

“Kill me son of the bitch!”

“I have heard that you want to live forever. Why not to try old fashioned hibernation?”

With nail he scratched the surface of the cube and threw in old man despaired face. Cube smashed to pieces against his forehead and blue mist enveloped body and surroundings. Crystallization was rapid and with blink of an eye he turned into ice statue.

“This station belongs now to you and whole Unicorn unit as it is you are head of it.” He cleaned his sword against biggest cloth of white and put it to sleek scabbard “Commander Karl Becker.”

“It will be an honor sir.”

Despite all around chaos Sword focused on nearby floating model of station “I have heard that when you launch particles from this huge cannon thingy you get very particular effect.”

“Yes sir, when station is accelerating particles to transfer them, it visualize as normal light diffraction. It is now a mystery why it is doing this way.”

Sword laughed audibly “How come you were in security duty?” he raised his eyebrow giving him the answer “Eh, very well. Last thing I can do now is rename this babe.”

“By any means, It is all yours sire.”

He knew all along how he will call it. He glimpsed to console where Karl awaited for little change in database. For him that was simple erase and type but for Sword it was beginning for a new era.

“Rainbow Bridge.”

Next chapter 'There's more than one of everything' coming in nearest weekend.

There's more than one of everything

Place: Edge of Milky Way galaxy, ‘Rainbow Bridge’ Grathius research facility.
Year: 2494

“Station is secured, no casualties, awaiting your commands master.”

“Gather whole force and remaining human resources on Mist. After that Unicorn squad leaders have to return on my position.”

“Acknowledged.”

Sword looked around. Now white and red flags reminded him of something but he couldn’t remember what. He stopped on lying dead women. Sisters, exactly the same.

“They are clones.”

“Yes, like I reported. Whole station was filled with these walking corpses.” Karl kicked near body to be sure it will not get up “Now thanks to Unicorns they patiently lie and wait to be disposed of. Lockdown is lifted, we can proceed to launch chamber master pioneer.”

Main door opened and wall instructions leaded the way to chamber OO.

“Very well, initiate transfer sequence. I will do a little trip.”

Their steps echoed in long and spatial corridor. Signs politely directed them through maze, from time to time passing tainted red cleaning bots. Each of three station’s arc reactors generated enough power to supply small planet for month, inner shell transferred dull and tiring noise coming from them.

“Andy! Here you are!”

Tightly organized group of young children, elderly and people in smock led by floating orb, source of the voice emerged from airlock. Sword recognized it right away.

“Where are YOU?”

“Already on Mist, they will manage without me in person, just follow the light. My little sheep flock.” Orb spin around its own axis “You have lovely adjutant, do your things and don’t forget about our drinking beer contest tonight.”

“I will not make it tonight and remember that Aysi have higher rank than you.”

“I noticed this huge piece of metal protecting heart which I wanted so badly. You always stick a knife in my back, no beer for you.” Orb spin once more and addressed the group last sentence “Follow me.”

They were protected part of infiltration mission. Pack passed both of them but small child approached him with closed hands, hiding something within ghostly white palms. She was wrapped in violet towel made especially for freed young specimen, spiky hood with plushy horn hid her bruised head. Sword knelt on one knee and focused all his attention on young human. Act of raw affection baffled little one and shaky hands meet his face. Fast reaction for clumsy move was sufficient and there was no problem to receive gift hand to hand.

It was little paper horse or something highly resembling it.

“Will you…” her voice softens with every word “really help us?”

“Yes and I will see you later, Grathius unicorn.”

Girl sent him wide smile and ran in the direction of the moving away group joining other children heartily discussing her achievement.

“This is very interesting way of getting loyalists master.”

“Did I give you permission to speak?”

Glimpse of eyes make him realized that they were something more. Monitors hung on ascetic walls politely showed the way to go. They walked silent and finally end up in front of enormous gate. Multiple locks freed the wings, hiding in the walls and revealing big spherical room. Sword read about this in reports but his imagination was too shallow to fully describe magnitude of this. In the center of bright white sphere stood small brilliant black pillar with blinking white lights. He sprinted and slid his way to see up close object which was heart of the station.

On top of the pillar in calm stasis floated a gem. Shallow strings of energy covered, heart shaped flawless ruby. It would be a jewel crown in his little set but here served far more important task aside from dusting under lock.

“Beautiful. Prepare transition!”

“It is done master. You need to locate yourself in the post right there.”

When he stood in the desired place and asked “Do I look all right? Honestly.”

“Very good and handsome, master. Have a nice trip we will await eagerly for your arrival.”

Karl turned around and stopped just before the door from outside and vanished as they shut creating perfect sphere. One of the nearby tiles rose up and mechanized arm coming from uncovered hole placed sleek briefcase just before him. Another one took gently his left hand and placed golden bracelet watch. After this both hid and tiles once again covered the floor. Lights turned off and place filled with utter black. Just one red point in center hollowly illuminated space.

Pillar started to shine his own light and sent huge wave of energy into gem. Red color filled whole room as whole energy went inside it. Jewel shined for brief moment and red energy escaped its oppression trying to disperse into the void. Energy with speed nearly not noticeable for human eye bounced off the walls and ended in the center of the sphere, without certain shape. Tiles below him changed to mirroring ones and he noticed the revealing slowly opening in the top of room.

Sword focused his eyes on now a bit dimmed light and somewhere inside he realized that energy is likewise observing him. It slowly floated in his direction with every passing second started to take the form. They looked now in each other eyes, elegant human male and dazzling red unicorn.

“I am an element of love.” echoed somewhere in the depths of his head making it heavy. “Why you need my help?“

“I need you to lend me your power for a great cause.” he said in his mind “It is not like you have a choice.”

“The cause is just and proud but you are going for your little and pitiful goals. You will need to see it for yourself then embrace real cause.” With every word warm energy flowed into him and pony silhouette was vanishing ”It is fascinating and sad that you want to be loved so much. Love is not to be created, but to be earned.”

Voice vanished with the energy. He felt a weird sensation in his stomach and opening in the top of the sphere started to suck him in. His body changed to energy itself and other object floated around him like nucleus and electrons. He couldn’t move his joints or react, just surrender to the flow.

Later he was traveling with rainbow current to location he desired and wanted.

***

“Something is odd.” Karl said to himself silently “Transition is not as clear as always.”

He changed position to easier access to module and called the arc reactor maintenance squad.

“Boss here, there is slight change in final destination course. Is there calculating problem on your side?”

“We wanted to connect you earlier, everything is alright but OUR coordinates changed. It never happened before!”

Little sweat drops appeared on his forehead as he saw the message lights all blinking crazy. Transition stole all his attention. He accepted first connection from station’s control room.

“We have company, boss. We need permission to activate and engage station defenses. Unicorns are ready for orders.”

“Enemy?”

“Crown, it is fucking crown, sir. One ship, heavy cruiser. It is pulling us on collision course. We don't know how!”

The most elusive branch existing in midst of Anarchy Reigns is here in power. “Permission granted. Light them up.”

“Acknowledged.”

He checked once more if transition process will not be aborted and ran to forces waiting for him. Matthew said they are the best of the best. Time for a real test has come.

***

Journey has ended. He landed without problem on the grey dirt and rocks in the middle of the night. First he thought that he ended up on somepony plot, but after his eyes became accustomed to the darkness he realized this is normal landscape. This was not a place he wished to be.

Cloudy sky permitted for little light coming from the stars. It illuminated the area for him to see small dead trees and burned to the ground grass. As far as he could see the same monotonous grey landscape. Lifeless.

He placed his briefcase on the muddy ground and turned on his wrist watch. It was personal multi-tasker shaped to be a fancy watch. Its wealthy shield with engraved G shined as the starlight reflected in it. Mechanisms were easy to see and small cogs moved simultaneously. Synchronized for three hours he stays here, after that he will end up in station once more.

He pushed top of three buttons and holo-pad appeared. All test receptors acquired data faster than he could say ‘ON’ and results were grim. First environmental observations stated that he was in area after big catastrophic event. Radiation levels were far bigger than normal. Land unsuitable for cultivation or sustaining microscopic life. He was on nuclear wasteland, ready to be embraced by nuclear winter. Localization stated clearly that Sword was between apple plantation and pony village.

Right planet, wrong time. He opened a briefcase and choose cylindrical item, green screen was counting time and showing coordinates. Not right ones. Change was made in sector count when he was traveling here. Realization hit him with power of bare hammer, old man’s theories were right. The time was right, planet was terribly wrong. Planet in parallel universe. He still could see energy levels in cylinder giving him two more jumps with one hour time lapse between them. Even thinking about one hour staying here made him sick. He needed to find shelter and fast.

Apple plantation was near so he chose to stay there for time being and jump once more. Correctly.

He changed watch mode to analyze current subject situation. Surroundings, life state, objectives and location. Sound of closing briefcase echoed through empty space. He took two kind prototype Grathius guns with holsters and his folding sword and started to walk in acres direction. Watch remained silent and he was passing dead trees one after another. He felt like in crazy little girl room of dwarfed things. Remains of narrow road with same remains of small wood fence. If the trees were healthy he could take every apple without stepping on toes.

Cold wind swelled in strength lashing his face and he noticed remote source of light. Probably campfire set by locals. It would not hurt him if there is pony knowing the violet filly and where she might be in this deserted land. This was not a pony he was looking for but he might help her. If she needed help. Suddenly, with the watch notice, surroundings detector gave him four readings. One, one, two in neighborhood of the fire. Making campfire need some more effort. Maybe resting group of natives, good place for start his little side adventure.

He came close enough to source and Sword noticed lying equine. One of the readings lying in his sight within light of the fire, three others hidden in shadows. With this, not welcoming land was enough evidence backing theory for obvious passersby trap. Sword decided to play a game with them a bit and then resume approach to apple acres.

Sword approached prepared scene enough to be seen by all his new friends. Lying beige unicorn was more terrified with his appearance than he assumed. It was a crying matter. Dust covered silenced and chained equine mercilessly left here to lure unaware ponies. He was deeply surprised that they could do something like this to themselves, in the brink of extinction. Other ones remained in shadows as he approached lying one. With one swing he spread out his sword, making pony fight mercilessly against his gag in mouth. He put the tip into filthy piece of cloth and cut in half. Gag fell on the ground but unicorn was looking at him in shock saying nothing.

Pony needed little push. “I think you wanted to tell me something.”

“It’s a trap!” loud cry hit his ears. Watch still showed four not moving readings and pony stood on his hooves.

“No need to scream, I know that Sherlock.” Unicorn twisted his head in wonder; another two swings freed him completely.

“Stand behind me and STAY there… Sherlock.”

Pony servile did what he said. In the end of this little standoff, unicorn would be one last source of information for him.

“I presume you three are too ugly to show yourselves? I need information and then I will let you throttle away.”

This little statement has dared other three to stand in the light of fire. They remained silent watching him carefully. Likewise. Reality showed hiding truth about living here ponies. Fully armed and prepared, in leather, standing before him pointing with improvised weapons. Magically even. Watch synthetic voice pierced the remaining silence.

“Tier zero race, self-aware, using slow non-energetic projectile weaponry, strength value normal, Nion users. Threat level is very low.”

Lifeless voice from nowhere baffled whole trio uncovering leader now in front of the pack. Other two were terrified and shaken. Floating one could not be in the place and other in mouth nearly falling on the ground.

“You are one, buckin’, monster!”

“Nice to meet you.”