Chapters “Someone give me an update on Maverick's condition and location.” A voice requested.
“Vitals were stable last time we checked.” Replied another.
“What about the locator?” Asked the first voice in concern.
“It was shorted from solar radiation. Possibly a solar flare during from earlier refueling.” Answered a different voice.
“Any planets that are habitable?” The others shook their heads as they displayed the planets that had below expected to no matching conditions identical to Earth. "Are we able to contact him?"
"I'm afraid not sir. Even with our strongest communication mediums, we can't reach him and he can't reach us." One answered for everyone.
"So then he's on his own." They hung their heads. "Godspeed Maverick."
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The pilot in question, simply called Maverick, had finished his routine scan of the area. 10 planets came onto the monitor, reading everything from 0 to 0.72 on the radar, the small number representing the living conditions for humans on a planet, with the number 1 representing Earth. While an exact copy is not needed, it gives a sense of home.
“All these planets and not one of them in the higher nine-tenths, much less eight-tenths.” Commented Maverick in concern and annoyance. "And with my locator destroyed, there is no chance of a rescue." He was always realistic when it came to situations like this, easily affected but he can keep himself busy and cheer up quickly. "I'm on my own from here on out huh?”
[That is how it looks Maverick.] Responded Ada, the ships AI. Made to be a learning program that gained sentience, Ada always kept Maverick company and tried to keep his spirits up as much as possible and often chooses to leave her operator to his own devices unless he needed important updates and motivational support. She was like a little sister to him and was treated as such. She didn't like it sometimes, but she knew it showed acceptance and bond so she let it slide.
Maverick left the bridge and headed down a series of stairs/elevators as he headed for the training room. “Begin simulation Alpha 7.” The room was filled with a whirring sound as a hard light image of an armored creature was made, a human scaled, anthropomorphic Desert Locust. It’s jumping strength made it fast and a hard kicker. On its own, a formidable foe. If mixed with a Roach, worse. Maverick fought the hard light creature bare handed, not wanting to rely on any of the weapons he’d mad thus far.
The simulation ended when Maverick rushed and ripped the hologram’s limbs apart, with an effeciency score of 89.22%. [Excellent combat skills bro!] cheered Ada.
“Could be better.” He entered one of the available facilities where only speakers were found.
[Had it been Alpha 7-2, you'd have a more varied outcome.] Ada remarked with sass.
"I don't want to die just yet." Maverick did his business before navigating the ship, entering the game room.
[You playing one of the games from the early 2000s?] asked Ada excitedly.
“Yep.” He booted one of his favorites. “I’m glad Warframe is still active. A future where humans took multiple paths, becoming new creatures all there own, and the tech was so inspiring, just like Prey.”
[You are glad the fabricators of that level exist, huh?]
“Very, since Prey’s fabricator can 3D print anything of equal scale, even the ammo, while Warframe’s fabricator was so advanced it could do whole suits.” Maverick said as he attended a spy mission.
[They may not be needed, or possible, but I do wish some existed, like Nova or Ember. They are so pretty.] Ada commented with a little jealousy.
“Don’t worry sis. You may not have a body yet, but you are always good company.” Maverick said comfortingly as he saved his progress and walked to the theater room.
[Which one?] Ada asked.
“I’m between Predator 2 and Terminator. They’re both so good.” Predator two started to play as the creature made little appearances but still making and intimidating mark. Maverick finished the movie before yawning. “Prepare my pod please.”
[Certainly, Operator.] Replied the AI.
“Please don’t call me that sis.” He smiled and stepped into the pod and started to drift off. ‘I don’t want to die out here.’
Ada read out the condition of its pilot. ‘Commencing scan.’
Ada took control of the fabricator to try and make a body for herself. She was always jealous of the female structured frames, even if Maverick didn't see them that way. She wanted to comfort him when he was having his grief moments and to knock sense into him when it was called for. Her interaction are her way of saying that he's never alone, but she could only do so much, which is why, every night, she tries to make a body for herself and take control of the drones to recycle what she can't use, which is, by extension, everything. After another failed night, she powered down to rest and defrag her disks.
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The sun rose over the kingdom of Equestria, with its capital of Canterlot receiving the warm rays the earliest. Within her chambers, princess Celestia stirred as she woke. Donning her lion cloth, bra and regalia, she headed to the throne room. In her own castle, a princess may wear as little as she desires, even walk around naked, but thought it bad form to do so, and she had a nation to run, not libido to wet.
Making it inside, she was getting ready for day court when two ponies came in. “Princess.” The pony bowed.
“Rise, Concept. You need not bow to me.” She said looking over the scrolls. “What’s the latest news on the artificial embryo?”
“Princess, I do have good and bad news.” Started Concept. “The good news is that the artificial embryo has an 82% fertilization rate, leading to a health foal.” Celestia smiled at the news but Concept did not smile. “The bad news is that we did not find a single Y chromosome, baring more fillies than colts.”
“Even with this advancement, we would have less stallions in the future.” Celestia frowned sadly.
“I’m sorry to have gotten your hopes up princess.” Concept apologized dearly, feeling ashamed of his lack of results.
Celestia smiled again. “Worry not Concept Art, you put forward your best efforts. You and your team have earned their rest.” Concept bowed again before taking his leave as Luna walked in.
“Sister, does something trouble you?” Asked the moon theme mare.
“Concept Art’s embryo was successful, but nature was cruel to even that.” Answered Celestia as her sister rushed in to comfort her. “I wish we had a solution.”
“We will.” Luna cheered, hoping to help her sister keep high spirits. “We just need time. Now get ready for day court.” Celestia smiled but it dropped after Luna left.
‘Please, mother, Harmony… anypony, bring a solution to our current despair.’ She pleaded. Little did she know, one other was pleading for her subjects lives louder than she.
Author's Note
Who is this other being, pleading for her subjects lives, and will her voice be heard by fate to guide their salvation to her and save them from what has befallen their lives? Stay up to date on the next Terra Equestria.
She had endured the failure of her invasion, and endures her failure and responsibilities as queen. Her subjects suffer starvation and she has no way to provide food for them. She sees grown males fight the hunger, females struggle to move, and children ask when their next meal was with a look that shattered her heart as she would openly bawl in front of her subjects. 'Please don't cry." One child pleaded, hugging her and Chrysalis just pat the child on the head as she headed to her chambers.
"Your highness." The guards bowed, wince in pain from hunger.
"Rise, subjects. You need not trouble yourselves with me anymore." She hung her head with shame. "Go, and be with your families." The guards bowed in respect and left as the queen enter her chambers. Many see her as evil, her subjects see her as a mom but she thinks she is a monster. "I, Chrysalis, am a failure to my subjects." She looked at the night sky, clasped her hands together and began to pray. "To what ever benevolent and holy deity is listening, I beg of you to spare my people, spare what the world considers outcasts to their way of life for mine. Give my people a chance to live, to love and to grow." She had tears in her eyes again. "Spare them this torment, deliver them from this agony and place it upon me. I can't bare to see the children starve, the males struggle and the mothers fall." She started choking on her words. "Save them, and take me. Please. Let me suffer for my crimes, but spare them your cruelty." She couldn't say anymore as she was sobbing again. Once she was seen as a malicious creature, now she is a defenseless girl.
The guards who reported back heard her and went to the others to start a movement. All of them clasped their hands, looked to the sky and pray. "Give our queen a true and faithful lover." The woman prayed. "Bless our queen with a protective and powerful mate." Pray the males. "Please give our queen a lover, so that she can love and be happy." The children asked. Voices upon voices were heard by something that hummed in melancholy, knowing the pain of solitude.
"You're blessing shall be granted for your heart and love." Spoke the entity.
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Maverick's hibernation pod hissed as warm air vented inside, waking him. [Good morning bro. It is 7:48 A.M. Central Standard Time and we are refueling.]
"Thanks Ada." Maverick yawned as he headed to the kitchen area to cook the day's meals, starting with quick-stop chili for carbs and protein as he moved to something else. Frying some mushrooms and peppers with salt and soy, he put that and some of the chili on eggs with some cheese and broiled. "Any planets Ada."
[24 scans bro. Would you like to see the numbers?] She asked very excitedly.
"Display them please." Requested the fighter. Each planet appeared with the following number.
[Planet unknown. Atmosphere mix, Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21%, Argon 1% and trace amounts of 12 other elements. Oceanic conditions, stable, life signs detected. Land fauna detected. Avian Fauna detected. Flora growth abundant. Caution, unknown species dominates planet, cautious interaction is advised.]
"Ada, chart a course to that planet." Maverick ordered happily. "We're checking it out."
[Yes sir.] The large craft changed movement as it headed to the marked planet.
"So what kind of wildlife are we looking at?" Asked Maverick in relief and excitement. "Is it the same, identical or different?"
[Aside from a few anomalies, the wildlife is the same.] Said Ada with a little uncertainty.
"Is something the matter?" Asked the now concerned pilot.
[There seem to be floara and fauna that are behaving in an unknown manner and have a biology that is vastly different from anything we've seen.] The veteran fighter smiled. 'This may be fun.' He went to the training room with a smile. [What training series?]
"Series of one on one fights in the form of a tournament, from Alpha to Omega, no variants." The projectors warmed up as Maverick started to fight holograms one on one as an algorithm was working the other matches, including unknowns that Ada worked thanks to her processing abilities being less binary than an average computer and thanks to her brother and father helping her learn and advancing her abilities, but there is a limit to what technology alone can do. After the tournament, Maverick heading to the facilities to wash up and prepare for arrival to the planet. His attire consisted of stronger fabric wrapped, tied and rolled to just beneath his shoulders, loose fitting gi leggings, shin guards and a belt and harness with holsters for the firearms and a sheath on the belt for the kodachi. "What's our ETA?"
[Even with you taking your time, we still have five hours before reaching our destination.] Maverick hated waiting that long and he would need Ada's help at some point, but nothing could withstand any transmutation minus belt and pants. While he was one that, he remove the armor in place of covering that do not obstruct the heel or toes and used elastic bands where the fabric strips were tied. He went through his weapons and got the R601 Ion Magnum, two M73 Thermanite Pistols and the HFR Kodachi. These were his trademark as he rarely used a rifle and instead used weapons that were versatile. [Are you bored?]
"Do you even need to ask?" Asked Maverick rhetorically. "I have an armory of weapons and we are still-" The craft shook violently. "What was that!?"
[We've hit an unknown anomaly! Origin is magnetic!] Ada replied in worry.
"Compress and boot into external emergency drive." Ada got on that. As data got bigger, better compression was needed to take even terrabytes of data and compress them to smaller than Megabytes if needed. This made saving AI cost effective should the need arise and Ada was the first 'sentient' AI to test this. She made a successfully compressed file and loaded it onto an SD, an SSD and HDD for security and posterity. "Ground level coming up." He took the cards, and connected them before putting the into a special case and grabbed an earpiece.
[I'm doing what I can to slow our descent.]
"Forget that Ada! Move to a crash landing, I want as easy a skid as possible!" Using the thrusters , Ada angled and moved the ship to slow and angle the descent. The craft hit the ground, leaving a trench as Maverick held on for dear life. He didn't need to but a dirt nap is not what he wanted. Before he could see where he was stopping, a panel hit him clean in the head, effectively knocking him out. Adas cries went unheard as she was stopping the ship.
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The Badlands were covered in night, a blanket of stars show through the night as Luna's moon was nowhere to be seen. Chrysalis had already gone to sleep, tears still fresh from all the crying she did earlier. A call from her guards disturbed her sleep. "What now?" Whined the queen. She needed her sleep to face her subjects.
"My queen, a falling star approaches the Badlands. It will pass the castle and from the trajectory, it will land just beyond the border. Your orders?" His detailed report was followed with a request.
"Leave it for the ponies. I'm just... so tired." The queen was giving up, wanting nothing more to do with anything. Not a princess and her stagnating rule, not a pony with blind loyalty or any pony for that matter, much less her own subjects. She just wanted to spare her people, curl up and rot away. She cried at the thought. She didn't want to die, much less alone. She just wants to feel love, from herself and for her. She wants to exchange genuine feelings for the first and possibly last time. Just as tears were flowing, the object passed overhead. Her eyes snapped open as an image came to view, the image of a hairless ape on a strange panel of glass, but she noticed her hand was different, just before the image faded and her perception of time resumed. "Captain, where in Equestria is that object landing?"
"Just beyond the border of Ponyville withing the Everfree forest." The guard replied. "If the topography checks out, we may get lucky with it landing closer to the Castle of the Pony Sisters." Continued he.
"I want you and the others to remain. I'll take a small escort to investigate the object." Order Chrysalis, unknown that she made her guard smile.
"Yes ma'am." The guard left as she lay back on her bed.
Chrysalis thought back to the image she saw. The creature, for whatever reason, looked familiar, and cute. 'Cute?!' She blushed as her heart beat stronger from the thought. "Was he on the- No! Of coarse not!" She pondered briefly. "But then what does that mean?" She shook her head in frustration. "I'll find out tomorrow."
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Luna was engaged in a night court with her more modest attire. She tried to convince her sister to dress more modestly after returning and did her best to stop Twilight, among other mares, from getting a nasty habit. Luna liked showing off her curves but not her bits. To her, a mare's nude form or exposed bits are for romantic/love making intimacy and senseless/lustful sex if she was in the mood but never, at any point to her mind, should it ever be for display for the world to see. She wants to tease her stallion with a show, not a bar.
While she was keeping herself busy as a boring, whiny noble was being boring and whiny, she felt the air shake. Something had pierced the atmosphere. "-and so that is why-"
"I'm going to ask you to stop." She gestured for the record to quickly read over it and saw that the noble wanted to allow for all spas to include a sex service. She looked at the aghast audience, who were staring at the noble, then at the noble who had a smug look. "No, no, no, no, absolutely not!"
"But princess-"
"SILENCE!" She boomed with her royal voice. "I will not stand by as you try to turn mares into a service item." She fumed strongly. "If you wish to satisfy your droll fantasies, the door and border are behind you." The noble felt insulted and tried to fight the refusal only to be thrown out of the room. "This court will take a recess for an hours time if not more. Something has turned up that requires an overview for investigation." The nobles left as she two five of her guard to investigate what entered the planet's air. She found when the new object was thanks to some reflections of what appeared to be metal. She and her guards headed closer and found it was within the Everfree, closer to her and her sister's old castle. She turned back to her guard. "We shall investigate this tomorrow. Go and inform my sister as a precaution." They saluted and left as two ponies and an annoyance came into view.
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"Thank you for coming over Twilight." Fluttershy had invited her friends Twilight and Discord for tea time and had to hold it late with Discord wanting to make a grand, acceptable entrance.
"It's no problem Fluttershy." Answered the bookworm. "I am not missing out on my friends if I have time to spare."
"You always have time to spare." Chortled the chaos joker, Discord. "You just choose to use it on books and paper. Letters I don't mind, but books are so boring." He said with a smirk.
"Now Discord, be nice." Spoke Fluttershy friendly.
"I am, I'm just trying to be sassy." He joked before his expression went serious. Before Fluttershy or Twilight could say anything, he screamed "Get down!" and shoved them to the floor with him over their bodies as he made barriers to protect the, the cottage and the property right before the shaking started before quickly getting violent and settling down. The barriers lifted and Twilight teleported herself and Fluttershy outside before the two started flying. They took notice of six figures in the sky and flew to them, with Discord just behind.
"Princess Luna!" The addressed alicorn turn to her caller. "What happened? The whole land shook!"
"Not an accurate statement young Twilight but yes. An Earthquake occurred from the object that landed." She turned to it.
"What is that?" Wondered Twilight aloud.
"Whatever it is," Discord began, "something dangerous lay within."
"I shall collect my sister and investigate the site on the morrow." Luna stated.
"Can my friends and I come with you?" Twilight asked.
"My sister would say yes, but I must firmly say no." Answered Luna.
Twilight's face showed disbelief. "But why?" She whined.
"Discord himself stated something dangerous lay within. I know to restrict you ventures when even he says something out of the ordinary." Stated Luna with firm authority. Twilight started whinning before she had enough. "ENOUGH!" Fluttershy flinched before Discord took hold of her to comfort the timid pegasus. "If you wish to go, gather your friends tomorrow and take the earliest train for Canterlot. We shall let Celestia have the final say." Twilight smile to Luna's and Discord's bemusement, questioning when this girl would stop putting herself at risk for knowledge.
The two stronger entities looked to the crashed object. Whatever was inside needed to be dealt with, either diplomatically or forcefully. Luna hoped for the former, as did Discord. All that was left to do, was make a decision.
Author's Note
Which race will make it to the sight first and which will meet their visitor? Will they encounter one another, resulting in a fight? And what of Maverick, who lay unconscious with the crashed ship? Check back for the latest chapter of Terra Equestria.
The streets of Ponyville were empty, more from the fact it was still early in the morning. Twilight and Fluttershy had informed their friends on the matter of what was happening and most of them were up bright and early for the train. It came in as soon as they reached the station and they got aboard. Unlike most train, this one had only one passenger car for priority of acceleration and what extra speed they could use. This allowed the group to reach Canterlot in 35 minutes and they were then escort to the castle in a timely manner where Twilight met with the other princesses. "Princess Celestia." She greeted her teacher.
"Greeting Twilight." Celestia's usually greeting smile was not present.
"Is something wrong Princess?" Applejack asked worried from her look.
"Word has reached the nobles of the object. They think it's valuable but Luna has warned my gravely." Everyone was confused. "I trust Twilight only gave you the basics so I'll give you something worse." She took a breath. "Discord himself said something dangerous lay within the mountain." Aside from Twilight, and Fluttershy, though still affected, the six ponies flinched. Rainbow tried to blow it off, but she when Discord's word was worrying.
"They can't be serious." Said Applejack, slightly irritated.
"Luna and I are holding an investigation to determine the inside of the mountain and if its residence is a danger to Equestria." Celestia looked back to the crashed mountain. "And as for your request Twilight," Twilight's face lit up bright, "I must deny it." She sank.
"But- but... Princess!" She whined sadly.
"No Twilight. Even I know when Discord is serious. I inquired about your friends joining and he got brutally defensive. That tells me this is dangerous." Explained the Sun diarchy. There was a knock on the door. I will be gone for the day, so do not worry if I do not reply to your letters immediately. Take care." The solar princess left the room as the door closed behind her.
"Well I guess I'll be heading home." Said a smug Rainbow Dash before she was stopped.
"Not so fast Rainbow." Twilight said, her horn lit.
"You heard the princess Twi." Applejack spoke up. "You could get in so much trouble with her."
"Come on girls," started Twilight, "this is a chance to learn about something from beyond." She beamed again. "And something dangerous?" She brushed it off. "We all know Discord loves his pranks, this maybe one just to ruffle Princess Celestia's feathers. What do you say?" They looked at each other and sighed. If nothing else, they would keep her from getting hurt.
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Chrysalis woke up, feeling oddly refreshed. She had a dream that she was unable to recall but she felt good. Stretching out her form to get the blood going, she got out of bed and got in her combat attire. Steel shin guards and arm guards with plating for her chest, belly and shoulder, with a steel helm. I loin cloth as her fabric for movement with actual underwear for modesty. She often wished she could be a bad girl for her man but no such fate as no one wanted her. She collected two of her best guard and four that were in training as this was meant to be a recon mission, so as to give them field experience.
Stepping out of her castle, which she had placed in a forest within the badlands for camouflage, she felt the warmth of the sun against her skin and chitin. After soaking in a little heat, they set out into the forest. Given their location they'll have to fight, but these creatures, while annoying sometimes, were necessary for defense against intruders and training her more combat ready subjects. In the back of her mind, she wished she could move them to someplace safer, but many are too weak to do so on their own, and no one will help them. She cried briefly before regaining her composure enough to deflect a tongue with her shield. She saw what kind it was and paled.
Looking to her assailant, it was the Devil Tongue Toad, a large toad with lures for antennae, a tongue coated with poison and and actively aggressive appetite. These things were any changeling's natural enemy with their biology being close to a few actual bugs and the toad being just that. "These things always remind me that fate and nature can be so cruel." She was ready to give up before that ape's image flashed in her head, reigniting her flame as she staved of the tongue again with a determined glare, boosting her guards' moral as they finish of theirs and she was ready to do the same until it jumped into the air, dodging her sword as it lashed at her with her tongue. It fired it's tongue, hoping to catch her, only to get one of her guard in its mouth. The screams of pain were heard, fading slowly with each chomp of the toad's mouth as the guard's blood leak and dripped from the beast's mouth. Chrysalis was reminded again of nature's cruelty.
Chrysalis fought and slashed at the beast as she was struggling to survive, but something else was running through its mind about her and had other plans. Its tongue became coated in acidic saliva and smacked her across the stomach, some landing on her chitin with the rest dissolving her armor she was left with questions before the smell told her what it was planning. Holding her sword up, Chrysalis was shaking a bit from fear, rage, anxiety and all other manner of emotion. It jump to her as she struck only to be pinned. She struggle to break loose from the beast's grip before feeling something against her before screaming bloody murder. Struggling as her as she could, the beast smiled lightly as it tease her unwanted and terrifying fate. "Get off of me! Help! Help me!" She screamed and cried, the beast enjoying its prey before something connected with its teeth, knocking it back and another hit to the jaw, sending it sky ways before a third strike knocked it to the ground. Chysalis was horrified, so much she didn't register her her safety immediately. Her mind came back to her when she heard a voice.
"You indecent bastard. You couldn't have waited for for to get here for a fair fight?" Before her was someone in a fighting outfit that seemed to forget the shirt, with some tools on the body that she was not familiar with. The voice and body type registered male as did his figure. "So I'll give you a choice of her you want to be killed. You have dismemberment, Triad Bleeding Cuts, internal lacerations... take your pick." The beast launched its tongue, tired of it's target already before a hard force ruptured the tongue, causing it to bleed. "Internal damage. Excellent choice."
Only one question ran through Chrysalis' mind. 'Who is he.'
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Maverick woke up with numb pain, his body feeling as though it finished healing. "Thank the many creatures that have regeneration." He got to his feet and turned on the earpiece. "Ada, you there?"
[I'm here bro.] He breathed a sigh of relief.
"Coordinates?" [Unknown] "Status."
[Thrusters, online]
"Send out some surveillance drones to scan the topography and geometry of the surrounding area within 500 meters and have the maintenance drones work on the electrical and structure of the craft. The outside can wait." Drones were dispatched as ordered as they got to work. "Okay, while their working, let's have a look outside." Navigating the halls, Maverick made it outside the craft to see a castle. "The time period is definitely past medieval era."
[The stone in the ruins show age of approximately 1000 or more years. Reason for vacancy is unknown.] Ada called out factually.
"Let's have a look around." Maverick adjusted his body with his Mosaic Organ, the pinnacle of technological and biological science, for wings of a dragonfly. His Mosaic Organ, like many of the latest MO, was cultivated and improved upon with technology, making its cells a type of Organic Nanite, an Organite, after the first MO types became wide spread. The reason was to have an MO that could transmute the user without the use of the drug, effectively giving them any level of conversion possible. But being from the family he is in, his was specially made. His was purely controlled by him, allowing him supremacy over his body. He had time to get use to it, but never found the limit to its, or his, transmutation.
He surveyed further than the drones, taking in the damage the ship did. The crash left a long trench in the ground and he hoping nothing and no one died. He went further before hearing a scream. [I know you heard that.]
"What, like you expected me to ignore that?" He said playfully, knowing full and well he needed to be serious.
[If you did, then I'd ask where my brother is.] She sassed him playfully.
He flew to the scream before another was heard as he picked up the pace. He looked to see a feminine figure under a toad, but that smile reminded him of something his family fought. His rage kicked in as his legs changed, having exposed muscle, held firm by a strong exoskeleton as he went in for the strike.
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Maverick stared down the beast before it jumped up above him, planning to flatten the human. Chrysalis had another image, causing her to react to his safety before it was satisfied with him kicking the thing into the air, following close behind with the wings of an insect before the sharp sound of an explosion was heard. Within a few moves the beast was bleeding heavily and its predator landed before it. Its meal beyond, it rushed past, hoping to have its meal before there was a sharp pull and multiple impacts against its body as it faded, before a hard punch liquefied the insides as the majority of those liquids spilled out the opposite end, along with chunks of who knows what as it lay on the ground like a deflated balloon.
It turned to Chrysalis, as she squeaked, doing her best to cover her modesty. But its eyes did not reveal malice or lust, but concern and care. "Are you alright?" His voice reflecting a mostly cheerful tone yet pleasant to her ears as she relaxed only to remember she was naked. "It came from here." She tensed from the voice and was ready to fight before he walked past her.
"Collect your dead and go. Meet me at the gold ring mountain next to the castle at midnight." He continued walking and she did as he told her, knowing his words were out of respect and care. He came face to face with a girl with cyan fur and wings with rainbow hair and sports wear. "Yep I'm crazy." This put her off. "I meet a bug like woman, who looked quite the catch and now-"
"A bug woman!? Chrysalis!" She got in his face. "You're a changeling too!" She started to fight the being she though was a changeling before his hands were restrained by purple and blue aura. A lasso wrapped around his arms for good measure as five girls could be seen and two women came through the brush. The cyan girl tried to punch him before a scorpion tail coiled around her wrist, redirecting her motion. "What the-"
The white furred woman was shocked. "Detain him." Maverick had a done reaction as his arms shifted and he pulled them apart.
"And that is with the common Black Ant. Sometimes I wonder what the Newton family was even thinking when they started this." He was not happy being this strong sometimes but it did have its pay off. "So any reason you girls were being racist just because I mentioned meeting a bug lady?" They got defensive again as the rainbow maned girl primed a fist only to be stopped by a different blue aura. The white furred woman walked up and there was a blinding light before dimming again as they heard gasps. He was unchanged. "Is there a reason you almost blinded me?" His wrists were released and his arms were unbound. "Again, what is this about?"
The white furred woman spoke again. "Take him to Canterlot, we'll talk with him there."
Author's Note
What does Celestia have in store for Maverick, who has revealed himself as one of the Newton family, and what of Chrysalis, who felt strange sensations in her mind interacting with him. Answers for a later chapter of Terra Equestria.
(I apologize if the writing seems clunky or rushed. I'm trying to take my time to build and develop it so please pardon my mistakes.)
Relaxing Flight with a Side of Emotion
Author's Note
I'm not doing the author note epilogue as that may reveal spoilers on accident or get hopes up for something that isn't delivered so I'm stopping that. Also if you like the story or any parts of it, leave a comment. If something needs to be edited or addressed for the sake of consistency than please tell me so I don't screw it up on accident.
Anyway, enjoy the story.
Relaxing Flight with a Side of Emotion
Maverick sat in the chariot with his hands bound by magic as the cyan girl glared at him. "I got my eye on you mister!" Declared she as her eyes showed no signs of faltering from his position. His position wasn't glared at by just her. Every one of them was glaring at him, minus the larger women. "Hey, say something!" The cyan girl demanded only for him to remain silent, closing his eyes to meditate. "Why you..." She cocked a fist only for the orange girl to stop her. "What are you doing AJ?"
"He hasn't done a thing yet. While I want to punch him myself, that wouldn't be right without cause." She had an agitated look on her face, which Maverick found, now that his brain had settle from making Frog's Legs, had an equine shape like the others that was more rounded than an actual horses. If it weren't for the glare, she, her friend and their friends would look cute. Well minus the pink one who looked like she would accept hugs, something Maverick liked. "But it would be better for us if you spoke a little."
"Worry not my little ponies." The woman called. "We're here." Maverick looked out and saw a castle on the side of the mountain.
[Either that is a structural nightmare or an architectural dream come true.] Ada commented. [I'm sorry for not speaking much. Taking care of The Derelict and operating the drones takes time and concentration, even with my CPU and OS.] Maverick transmuted, growing a pair of antennae for communication.
{And your servers?} He asked mentally.
[Let's keep it to me being glad the off-site drive I'm on is so fucking big, or I'd be scrambled like an egg.] He was thankful she wasn't since losing her was be like losing family that mattered. [But I did send a few drones into the atmosphere for worldwide topography and geometry scans.]
{Continue your scans and report as needed, I don't need my sister getting stretched thin and overworked.} Ada made a kitty face to herself as she got back to work.
Before that she made a sassy comment. [Treat that woman you met well okay?] After meeting three, he didn't know which one she was talking about. From the sound of their voices, all of these girls were possible of legal age, though he could be wrong. The women he knew were of age from their figure, posture, mannerisms and voices being so mature. The chariot set down before the girls got out and Maverick was escorted to the castle through the city. Many of the nobles were saying things under their breath, calling him things like animal, hairless ape and what not. [They're... not... wrong.] Ada felt so ashamed saying that but he didn't mind. Twilight removed the earpiece before Ada shut it off, making it practically useless.
"What is this?" She turned it around while examining it. When no answer came, the girls started to ride him for information. He didn't give but the questions kept coming including "Where is Chrysalis?!", "Are you a changeling?", "How are you still in disguise?", "Are you going to hurt us?", "Do you like cupcakes?" and that's when the ponies and Maverick stopped. Pinkie, with her big smile and fluffy mane, made Maverick crack a heart felt smile and a cute laugh. Her smile grew bigger and radiant from his expression. The others were confused to his reaction, even drawing the attention of nobles and guards. Celestia and Luna were caught off guard by his laughter, not finding any sinister tone within it.
"I say, that animal is mad." One noble said.
"Indeed. Such a vulgar creature." Said another. The remarks were purposefully hateful before he calmed down.
"Oh dear." He chuckled. "That was very random and as equally refreshing." The guards restraining him were thrown for a real loop when the cuffs didn't bind him any more as he wiped a tear away, shocking them and scaring the girls. "Hug?" Asked Maverick as he held his arms out, shocking them again. Pinkie smiled and went in for the hug only to be stopped by Twilight.
"Don't fall for it Pinkie." Warned her friend. "Changelings will do anything to extract your emotions." Said Twilight. "He may even steal you laughter and ruin parties." While Maverick felt a little insulted, Twilight knew how to motivate Pinkie so that she didn't slip up on accident so it wasn't really underhanded. Pinkie then gave him a glare that was cute, enough that he almost squeed. They made their way into the castle and to the throne room where a third woman, with a white furred male, was waiting.
"Aunty, what is that?" The woman asked.
"We found him close to the large stone." Luna explain. "We believe he is a changeling but my sister's illusion eraser either failed or it's using more advanced magic."
"Just you wait buddy, when Cadence exposes you, it'll be knuckle city from here." Rainbow boasted proudly. Cadence flashed his form with a spell as, same as last time, nothing happened, confusing everyone. "Uh..."
"This can not be." Cadence said.
"His hair turned into a ponytail than a scorpion tail, I saw it!" The others vouched for her.
Cadence pondered for a bit before something came to mind. "Perhaps a medical opinion will clear this up." She went to her Aunt. "He may also be human." She suggested.
"HUMAN?!" Within moments, Maverick was jumping and doging everything that was coming his way, from spells to kicks and punches, seeing little need to fight back. Befor long they were all held by a gold aura.
"We don't have time for such childish things. The human shall be dealt with accordingly." Celestia stated boldly. "Take him down to the dungeons." Her guards followed the order as he willingly went to the dungeons with the guards. "We'll figure out what to do with him later. Just don't let your guard down around him." The ponies nodded, ready to fight the human again, knowing his tricks a small bit. 'I know he's human, but that power and grace... No human should be able to do that.'
"I shall retire then Aunty." Cadence stated. "My hubby and I have plans." Shining Armor, her husband, blushed lightly from his wife's forwardness as they departed.
"I'll head to the library to find some information on our guest. He may look human-" Said Twilight before she was interrupted.
"As if that monster is a human. Besides, it's already in the dungeon." Boasted Rainbow with a smile.
"BUT!" Shouted Twilight out of annoyance, "no human should be able to do what he did. So it's either a changeling or a hybrid of a human and a changeling, which I doubt." She headed off as Applejack was calming Fluttershy, who was trying to convince her friends to not judge the human, but give the history of humanity from Equestria's last encounter, she'll keep an open mind as she can't say for certain about her opinion. Rarity left alongside Rainbow who went off to fly or nap.
Celestia, on the other hand, was in her chambers. 'Those violent creatures haven't been seen in centuries, and here this one comes without the aid of their fancy wormhole.' She thought with increasing irritation. 'No race can develop powers that quickly, much less be in space at this point.' Her thoughts started to go into unreasonable theories. 'They could be using magic to speed up their subjects age and use that to evolve and advance. They would be that malicious, or they could have harvested the organs of animals and are now stripping their world for conquest of other worlds, or they might be-' A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in."
A Solar Guard walked in with a letter. "For you, from the prisoner."
'Can he read minds?!' She took the letter. "Thank you." The guard saluted and left before Celestia opening the paper.
Greetings Ma'am,
I don't know your name so I'll get to the point. I requested this parchment to request a minimum of two meals a day of the following: One meat, three vegetables, two fruits, yogurt or milk, water or tea, and a small desert. If it is not to much trouble, I would like to write my orders and let the chiefs prepare them under their own time. Thank you kindly.
Sincerely, Maverick Newton
Celestia was fuming. How dare he, a being of his horrid race, request anything of her. As far as she was concerned, he could starve down there. His race defiled her subjects and their home and he can suffer the same fate they did. Centuries of blood doesn't go away like that and she wasn't going to give ground just because he's showing kindness. She knew it was a ruse and she would not fall for it.
Twilight was in the library going through book after book about the humans. She had studied them before and read their habits and pastimes, which involved murder, rape and torture among other things. They made weapons for murder and toys for their sick pleasure. The more she read, the more of a threat she knew they could be, or would be as the human in custody had abilities similar to a changeling. 'Which would still raise the question of him being a changeling but how would they know what the humans look like?' It clicked in her head. The changelings don't know what a human looks like. That IS a human, with powers humans did not have and should not have. Celestia has one in a dungeon right now, and it can shapeshift through unknown means with only one plausable. She shut the book and ran to the throne room, forgetting her use of magic from her stress.
The doors burst open, and during day court. "What is the meaning of this?!" A posh pony asked.
"Princess!" She stopped to catch her breath.
"What is wrong Twilight?" Celestia asked rather concerned.
"It's the prisoner. (gasp) Its powers may be (gasp) stolen." Celestia was now even more shocked.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes ma'am. Those beasts can't shapeshift unless they dissected a changeling" She caught her breath but Celestia was terrified.
"I'm calling a recess for this court. I need to take care of something." She left the room, heading down to the dungeon where the prisoner's cell was cleaned of dust and wear from age. He sat on the floor, his back to the bars, sitting close legged with his arms out slightly, the thumb and finger touching. "HUMAN!" He jumped.
"Holy fucking Christ woman!" He screamed before getting to his feet. "You could have given me some-" He was cut short as a hand grabbed him after she teleported inside.
"SILENCE YOU FILTHY, CARNIVOROUS BEAST!" She screamed, the volume disturbing his hearing violently and triggering his fear response.
"Ma'am, please calm down." He pleaded. "Why are you so angry?"
"You know why!" He was forced against the wall. "Your kind castrated stallions, raped mares and forcefully submerged children until they drowned!" Fumed the princess. "To top it off, you have the nerve to harvest the organs of a changeling for more power!"
"Ma'am, please be calm and slow down. I don't-"
"YOU WILL BE SILENT YOU FILTHY BEAST!" She raised her free hand before it was stopped. "WHO DARES-" That was all she said before turning back, seeing it was princess Luna. "Why do you stop me sister?"
"It has been well over two centuries Tia." Stated Luna. "It has even been over a millennia since the last visit by the humans correct?"
"It doesn't matter Luna! They are all monsters!"
"And if you strike him when he hasn't even thrown the first strike, you will be no better!" Celestia was stunned by her own sister's words. Was she standing up for this thing, or was she put under a spell. "As I said last night, that large asteroid fell to Equestria. So we have no indication on his intention as far as I'm concerned."
"Um... can I be-" He was cut off by a small, sharp jerk.
"Are you defending him Luna or are you under his spell?" Celestia interrogated.
"I am merely stating the facts before me, with the most prominent being that he has yet to hit you, now put him down." Celestia gave her sister an ugly glare before setting Maverick down and Luna approaching him. "Apologies for the rough treatment. I shall take you to your craft and catch you up on recent events during such time." Celestia was ready to say something before Luna teleported herself and Maverick out of the castle.
"That little girl is in BIG trouble."
Off in the Badlands, the queen had just come down from her steamy activity before her mind was filled with frustration. "AAAAHHHHH! WHY!? Why does that image haunt me?!" She screamed at herself. "All because I met that creature! DRONES!" Everyone changeling flinched from her call. "I want all the information you can find on Equestria's visitor. I do not want a single piece of crucial information left out! Find the history of this creature and report back to me!" Many of the drones left before she cried to herself. No one had seen her and talked to her in the same day. She replicated the form and beauty of others to still their love, but that creature openly shared its compassion with her. It looked at her with no fear in its eyes and what malice she did see was immediately replaced with confusion, then curiosity, then finally wonder. "What brewed its malice?" She thought of everything possible, from past trauma or fights to a personal grudge. "However you look at it, one thing is certain," she recalled his topless form and blushed, "he's hot!"
The drones had infiltrated a number of old libraries in the hope of finding any information on their visitor, but with no reference to go off of, they decided to find him and talk to him. They took on whatever appearance they could to bypass certain restrictions, eventually locating him with Princess Luna and taking an initiative to follow them. The changeling disguised himself as one of Luna's guard and followed as closely as possible without being seen. He often did this for reconnaissance, and given his target, it was needed.
Maverick, at this time, was taking in vital information that Luna was sharing, how humans came to this world some centuries ago, and while things started peaceful, they soon turned violent when religion was thrown into the mix, as many of the religious humans were forcefully trying to convert the ponies to their faith, an action Maverick did not see as humane by any regards. She also informed him that humans, last they visited, they did not have powers. "So what makes you different from other humans, even with the powers?"
"I'd like to explain," they landed in front of the hatch, "but I think we should let our guest in." He turned and made eye contact with the changeling, with a smile that made the insectoid blush. The changeling stepped out, knowing that running would give away its position and so opted to reveal itself, even dropping the disguise. This did not go over well, as Luna ran over to it, and cocked her fist only for it to feel a grip. She turned and saw it was Maverick holding her.
"What are you doing?"
"I don't see the problem in having a guest, preferably without the disguise." The changeling flinched in surprise.
"A guest!?" Luna questioned with a harsh increase in volume. "This is a changeling!"
"And?"
"They feed off of love from other beings!"
"And?"
"They disguise themselves to feed?"
"And?"
Luna and the changeling were right stunned with shock. This being was brazenly challenging Princess Luna, respectfully, and respected the changeling. "Why do you not feel hatred or fear of them?" A curious Luna asked in bewilderment as Maverick released her, knowing she had calmed down.
As he walked to the panel in the wall, he explained. "All lifeforms have adaptations they've acquired over the years to better their survival. Charles Darwin himself stated that weaker traits of a race or species are expunged for the sake of survival so that the life form or species can adapt, even evolving if need be so that they species may propagate." Both guests were stunned at what was said as the door opened and he beckoned them in and continued speaking. "For humans, it was our minds and methods of learning that evolved, along with our bodies as a result." Luna was confused by this. "Any creationist will be pissed by this, but I believe that the higher thinking minds of the one primate we came from, used tools for its survival, evolving in mind, and its form changed overtime as a result, giving us humans more upright stances, higher brain capacity and even innovative foresight, that sometimes isn't used to the fullest." They made it to one of the grand halls. "My abilities are the result of this innovation, alongside the greed of my family and the process in which its descendants became stronger genetically."
Luna stopped. "Your family is greedy?" The changeling was shocked to.
"Indeed they are." He said factually. "Over a millennia ago, , The Newton Clan had started breeding humans for the sake of heightened survival, regardless of personal connections or wealth, only looking for genetic traits to breed the ultimate human. Eventually, they needed the money to avoid persecution and continue their work. Once the work was done, they would push it even further with organs or traits not found in human bodies, so the clan worked with humanities enemy and worked the strings for a natural Mosaic Organ - more on that later - to breed the ultimate life form."
Luna was now very skeptical of human, and moved for a sword to kill this being as he was working. "What were your plans?"
"Well, I was sent into space to look for planets like Earth so that we could leave our system should the need arise." Luna had gotten a blade. "I was looking for a home, but one that didn't involve the Newton Clan, China or the roaches. I couldn't bring everyone, but I would bring people that know what it's like to live with this fear and self-hatred." She was poised to strike when she heard that. "I do believe in humanity advancing, but why can't it be at our own pace, where we will reach a point where our bodies and minds can compare to demi-gods but only if we come together and find the traits that are best not for survival, but for life." She took the sword back. "And I understand your position Luna" She flinched. "I've wanted to take that sword and let it drop on me, but thanks to Ada, I feel better when talks me out of it."
"Who's this 'Ada'?" The changeling asked.
[Hello.] The two guests flinched as Maverick and Ada thought the same thing. 'This may be fun.'
Author's Note
This chapter will intentionally keep the changeling from being the basis of the mosaic organ. As much as some would want that, that may infringe on the Terra Formars Manga/Anime and cause confusion as I do believe it was cultivated in a lab or harvested from the roaches. I'm reading the mange now to find out. May use the wiki if I can't get to that part soon enough.
Apologies if this story is not perfect (what story is) so please leave a comment if something needs to be addressed.
Enjoy.
Theories and Differences
Maverick had finished warming up a device in The Derelict, which could fit his massive frame easily. He stepped in as a film of light shone over him. "What are you doing? The moon princess asked.
"I'm scanning myself for a reason." He got it ready again. "Okay sir, I need you to step inside." The changeling was very skeptical. "It's okay. The light will pass over you only once, and it won't hurt." The changeling reluctantly did as he was asked as his biology appeared. He punched in a few keys and walked away. "Ada, let me know when it's done please."
[You got it. I also got the topography and geometry of this planet ready for reference.] She said, chipper than a chipmunk.
"Thank you." He reclined in a nearby chair. "So, what do a princess and a changeling want to know?"
"We'd like to know everything you are able to tell us." The changeling requested politely.
"Anything specific?"
"How about your space craft?" Luna asked with great interest. "It is for space travel, right?"
Maverick nodded with a smile. "It's called the Derelict." He began. "It's a marvel of science that was made from the inside out, using a large asteroid as the foundation and carving out the inside to fill with all the necessary accommodations, including space travel. Measuring in at 3 square miles, it can house a small town if needed, and I put all that space to use with cryopods, entertainment rooms, observation decks, a courtroom and more, with one sector of it, no bigger than a house, all for me to act as a captains quarters like a voyage ship." Luna looked almost appalled. "Now, this does not mean I'm heartless. This was its test voyage to analyze the distance and efficiency of travel, with the record transmitting back to its designer on Earth... at least until a week ago during solar plasma refueling."
"What was that scan for?" The changeling asked.
"Well I'm very certain, but I want to double check and see if the Mosaic Organ was harvest or made, after seeing you in action." Maverick answered. "I'm certain it was evolved by the roaches and cultivated later. Another hundred or so years later, the roach and human were finally combined through me, the pinnacle of survival." They were both questioning one thing. "Mind you, the human form is like a stand by mode while my transformed state, by default, is the cockroach, but because of the roach's higher adaptability, which is what the Newton Clan was shooting to have anyway, I can use the Mosaic Organ for damn near anything."
"What can you turn into?"
"Taking several factors into account, from the individual creature, to how many and the severity of the transformation............ I'm guessing anything." His answer was vague but he didn't know the full extent of his abilities so they were fine with that.
"When you say 'severity', what does that entail?" Asked Luna.
"When I say severity, I mean it almost literally. The transformations are not fatal by any stretch of the imagination as they're like levels for a transformation, divided into multiple severity columns, from the form itself to the extras of that form. To simplify things, the severity is for these categories: Type, body, organs, appendages or limbs, wings, growths and any other manner of parts."
"So you can control what you get or turn into and by how much?" The changeling asked in astonishment.
"You bet." He said with a pleased smile.
"Does that mean you can't use weapons?" Luna asked.
"I use weapons as a first form of self-defense, starting with blades and then going up if human CQC fails." They were thrown by the letters. "Close Quarters Combat, much like mixed martial arts only with no fixed style, just honed discipline."
[Which this lovable idiot lacks sometimes.] Ada sassed playfully. [Scans are done. I went ahead and took the liberty to find anything remotely similar to the M.O. with you and the Changeling and found no match.] Maverick relaxed a bit. [You're welcome bro.]
"Bro?" Luna asked with much confusion.
"We're like siblings to one another. As for M.O., she was referring to the Mosaic Organ, which I'm glad was not harvested." The two visitors shared his relief. "Anything else?" The two shook their heads but he knew they'd have more questions at a later date.
The changeling left and flew as fast as he could back to the hive. Upon entry, he went straight to his queen, who was in bed and depressed. The drone hoped to change that with the news he has. Three hard knocks on the door awoke the queen as she spoke up. "Enter." The drone entered to find his queen notably nube under the sheets from the lack of bra straps, thankful the sheets were hiding her breasts.
"My queen, I have information about our guest." Chirped the drone, very excitedly, raising Chrysalis' intrigue. "Our visitor is a human." Chrysalis was up and afraid.
"Did he hurt you?! Did he violate or harm you in any way?!" Chrysalis did not tell her hive about humans, but she did remember them from stories by her grand mother. She hoped to never see one, much less fight one. Worse yet, it was the same human that she was certain she met before.
"Quite the opposite my queen!" Spoke the chipper drone, easing his queen's fears and confusing her. "He was very hospitable, defending me from Luna, even after hearing about what we do and did, a gracious host as he offered us a seat and said nothing about us eating and drinking. I want you to meet him my queen!" Chrysalis blushed from her drone saying that last bit. Remembering her last encounter made her blush. "My queen?"
"I'm fine." She answered shyly.
"Well here's one bit you won't believe." She was ready for anything her drone could say. "From what I heard, he can change any part of his body into anything, maybe even a changeling." Except that.
"Please leave." The drone flinched in fear before Chrysalis got under the sheets. "I need to do.... things..... and stuff." The drone blushed and backed out of the room as moans could be heard by the nearby changelings.
Back at Canterlot, Luna has just landed and the Elements of harmony approached her in worry, bombarding her with questions of her safety and well being. "It's okay girls, I'm fine, honest. Maverick was a very gracious host." She decided to leave out his powers if possible and to definitely leave out the changeling.
"Are you sure? He didn't use his fancy mane changing powers?" Rainbow inquired with suspicion.
"I am fine Rainbow Dash. Honest." The girls were still skeptical. "He will have my Lunar Guard watching his base of operations at all times, and will not enter, even with his permission." The girls eased off a bit with a sigh of relief while Celestia was coming out. She was in her modest regalia when she hugged her sister firmly.
"Thank mother you are alright." She said with tears in her eyes. "If that human had hurt you he would pay for every mark." Luna smile, but she knew what her sister would really do to him.
"Well, today has been fun but I need to assign some of my guard to survey him." Celestia was still fuming at her sister's plan, thinking it was childish.
Maverick was going over the data he had of the Mosaic Organ as always. Originally, it was a unique organ, found in the Terraformers after their five centuries of evolution. This was used to grant humans a synthetic metamorphosis, which became more natural after some time and a few generations, especially with the organ that produced a more naturally occurring version of the drug that acted as the catalyst for these transformations. The Mosaic Organ soon became more mainstream, gaining the flexibility to turn humans into near anything, but there was still a limit as the Drug Organ could only store one type of the substance per person. His Mosiac and Drug organs were cultivated and enhanced with technology, a type of Organite for both. This allowed for him to do what he said he can do and maybe more. It was amazing how far it's come since BUGS 2 had their surgery. Back then the survival rate was below 30% and now it's higher than 90%. Granted that is over a century or two since it was first discovered but it was still a huge leap.
[Do you need a movie Maverick?] He nodded as he was heading to one of the closer entertainment rooms. The movie was one of his preferred from his younger days, Voltron. Since Netflix was still a thing, he bought the episodes for personal use, watching them for his favorite characters, Pidge and Hunk. Hunk was a squishy sweety cakes to Maverick, a joy at a party and a chef in the kitchen. Pidge was his favorite as she goes from tech geek to scientific enthusiast. At the start of the series, he thought Pidge was a boy until the reveal in episode 4 or 5 when he feel head over heels.
After a few episodes, he headed outside. "Ada, deploy Heaven Step, I'm going on a flight."
In the event of maintenance needing to take place within the exosphere, a special exosuit was developed. Primarily developed to be worn at the legs, this unit allows for movement within zero G and low atmosphere environments. This is made possible with the high shield output to protect against the vacuum of space and from its hazards such as unfiltered solar and cosmic radiation from all many of entities. Not all maintenance was without risk though, as the unit came equipped with its own weapon and equipment systems. Handheld weapons weren't an issue as they can be user preference and made for the called situation. [System check: Weapons; online, Shields; online, Thrusters; online, Equipment; online. All systems go brother! Rip up the sky!] The launch hatch for the hanger opened and, with a smile, he took off, but not at full speed. [So where are you headed?]
"Where the changeling went. Location?" The HUD came up, showing the coordinates. "Thanks Ada."
[When will you be back?]
"About an hour, maybe two."
[Reason?]
"I want to see them, plus it gets me away from that sour Red Giant." Ada laughed, knowing exactly who he was talking about, not knowing that a Thestral, or bat pony, was headed for Luna to tell her what transpired, still processing it himself.
Maverick was enjoying the air, the wind and the scenery before him. The unit names lived up to their credit. He can fly on his own, but the effort would make it feel like a job just for a visit. The only weapons he had were a sword, three guns, the unit and its weapons. After that it's CQC, which can get mundane if the target is not on his level, making him feel a little like Koro sensei, just not as over powered... or contrived. Hopefully.
The Thestral had made his way to the courtroom, where both princesses were currently present. "Princess!" The nobles were appalled that a Thestral came in during an important meeting. "I have news to bring you regarding the Human." Celestia's neck tightened slightly, thinking it had already hurt someone. "Earlier today, the craft opened to reveal a sort of tube, and the creature, with speeds exceeding what we work for, shot out like a spell made of light. Celestia and Luna were shocked to here this.
"How was this achieved?" The former asked in worry.
"Mechanically, princess." The Thestral answered.
"Impossible." A posh noble said. "No machine can out pace a pegasus in flight, not even a prosthetic can achieve that."
Celestia stood up, addressing the guard. "Do you recall the direction it went?"
"Yes ma'am, the direction of the Badlands." A place filled with pirates, outlaws and who knows what else. She couldn't do anything. Leaving now would throw the court back further, worse yet it could be seen as a trip to somewhere unimportant. For now, she had to stay.
One thing was still baffling her. If the craft could fly, why incorporate small flying machines, ones that could be worn no less? Was it to boost military power, or to empower their soldiers to rule the land and air. With something mechanical the water would be safe from their reach and her little ponies could seek refuge. But something was terribly wrong with the visitor. Something that could seemingly kill her subjects with a flick of the hand. She sent out one of her fastest Royal Guard to head over to the badlands and keep surveillance on the Human.
Speaking of Maverick, his Heaven Step had reached the bad lands and it lived up to the name. Flying to a structure, he notice some kind of power, other than his own, getting cut off. 'So, the land had a limit where it's power can reach. This may be useful later for when I need privacy, but the wasteland kills it a bit. Though I'm here for someone not something .' He landed outside the gate where a whole band of Changelings gathered. "Well, a welcoming reception. That is nice but I'm here for more specific reasons." Said Maverick smiling. "Could one of you be so kind as to lead me to your ruler?" They aimed their spears and his smile dropped. "Okay, I know when I'm not wanted." He turned to leave, a little disappointed, but not upset until a guard addressed him.
"Wait." He turned to the guard. "Our queen has just requested your audience." He smiled again, staying two inches above the ground as he followed them. The scenery became less regal and more... personal.
"Are we heading to the throne room?" The human asked.
"The queen has requested you in her chambers. You will respect her while there." Maverick did his best to hide his blush until they got to the queens room. The doors were opened for him and he levitated right inside.
"This is certainly not what I expected." Thought Maverick aloud.
"Sorry." A voice broke his concentration as a girl came out of what seemed to be the bathroom. "I was getting ready for your visit. When I felt your power I started getting ready and did everything in a rush." She was frantically getting dressed as Maverick turned in embarrassment. "I won't be much longer."
"No it's cool, take your time." Maverick waited as she got dressed, with every ruffle of fabric, his senses were screaming for him to turn around. He did his best to resist but, thankfully, she was quick with getting dressed as he let out a sigh of relief.
"Sorry. I suppose you want an explanation to your sudden invitation." She inquired with a shameful expression. "To be brief with you, I had plans for a small task force to come and fetch you, but with Luna's guard we could not take the chance.
"I can understand that. Not wanting to rile an enemy or put your own troops at risk." She smiled at his warm heart. "But, happy fortune that I come to you instead huh?" She nodded with a rather cute smile on her face. "So, what do you want to know?" She asked her questions on how he can change the shape of his body so freely. "Well, that's all thanks to the Mosaic Organ, which wasn't part of human biology until its inception." She asked about the Heaven step. "They're meant to be used in a vacuum so that maintenance can take place even during a long voyage. It can serve combat but only at the civilian level for now." The questions continued as he answered without a second though. It wasn't that he trusted her, he needed an ally for this strange world and Celestia was not on his list, as apposed to Luna and now Chrysalis, as he came to know her as.
"Will you stay here?" She asked, hiding another motive.
"Well not immediately." She frowned slightly. "I'll need to relocate The Derelict past where that power cuts off. As far as staying on world, that isn't a problem." He looked back to her with a smile as her heart and wings fluttered in quick affection. "Well, I should go, before they barge in. Ada, I'm heading back, deploy Angel wing."
[On it.]
"It was nice talking with you Chrysalis. Perhaps we should do this again." Angel wing came in and attached itself as Heaven Step changed colors of the phase plate. "I'll see you again soon, count on it." He flew off, his trail leaving a blue glow. Ever since meeting him, Chrysalis thought she was a monster. Now her chest felt warm and she had no way of explaining it. All she knew was that she was fascinated by this human, Maverick. Her eyes, with his smile, were soft as air that day.
"I want him. I want his embrace, his attention, his affection and his love. But why does my heart feel... warm?" She questioned herself as to why she felt so... different. She knew the answer would be there. For now, she'd enjoy her company.
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