Author's Note

In loving memory of a true brother and friend Thomas Ray Lyel A.K.A Biped, 1997-2018. "I support the military, equality, and the ability to speak without being disrespected."

Birthday Pt2

"Athena damage report," John coughed as he felt gravity pull him into his seat. Unclasping from the position and looking to Melody. John couldn't see any breaches in the suit from where he sat. Getting closer to Melody, John checked her vitals and was relieved that the suit held up. "Athena damage report," John repeated as he made his way back to his chair to check up on the Shelters systems, as the sun rays that made it into the cockpit began to turn orange giving him a sense of local time.

"Daddy!" Melody shouted, getting John's full attention as he heard the sound of boots rushing towards him before Melody jumped on to him and hugged him with all her might. Returning the hug, John patted Melody on her back.

"Shh, it's okay sweetheart we are alive, we made it," John said to Melody reassuring her, but himself as well.

"I..I thought we were going to die!" Melody shouted before she began to outright cry in her helmet.

"We made it Mely," John replied, tightening his hold on Melody, causing her cries to die out a bit as she felt the security that came with a tight embrace. John stayed holding on to Melody until her crying became a light whimper.

With his daughter in his grasp, John looked to his systems panel on his right-hand side and began checked the damage to the ship. Hull was down to 20%, and most of the modules had been rendered inoperable save for engines, life support, shield generator, and AFMUs. Releasing his hold on his daughter John grabbed hold of controls. "Hold on, Melody; I'm going to try to move the ship." Feeling Melody tighten her hold on him. John gunned the thrusters in reverse, causing the ship's superstructure to groan as the ship began to drag itself out of the trench it had dug. Leveling out the vessel and leveling it out at 500 meters before scanning around for the closes flat clearing, he could find. In less than a minute, he saw a large enough clearance for the ship. Lowing the landing gear and setting the Shelter down in the clearing. Shutting down the engines, John began to punch in the commands for a full ship reboot.

Shortly after that, everything in the ship powered down, causing the Life support to kick in once again. In less than a minute, the ship's systems came back online; after the Reboot/Repair sequence was complete rebooting the shields and setting them back to 50%. John went to work on power up the AMFUs and using them to repair the modules, but with the massive power draw of the AFMUs, John powered down the engines again, leaving the Shelter in-mobile.

"Ship AI Athena now online," Athena's voice came over the intercom. "New contacts detected 2 kilometers North North East closing. ETA 10 minutes," This got Johns's attention.

"Athena, hows the atmosphere of this planet?" John asked as he stood up, making Melody protest his movements.

"Air samples analysis shows air quality on par with earth pre-industrialization, "Athena replied while John held Melody tighter against him.

"Understood refill emergency o2 with atmosphere but keep the scrubbers on," John said while getting up from his seat with Melody still clinging to his chest. Using one arm to keep Melody secured, John placed Melody in his chair before making his way to the elevator. "Athena, polarize the canopy after it's repaired. I don't want whatever it is to be able to look inside."

"Understood Commander," Athena replied while John walked up to the panel located just a bit to the right of the Coffee maker that all Federal vessels came standard with, somehow—causing a holo screen to appear. Placing his hand on the screen, a low hiss could be heard as the panel slid down into the wall showing several weapons ranging from Carbines to Battel Riffles and PDWs to Pistols. All made by companies long since forgotten by time. Along with two backpacks stuffed with emergency items, and utility belts that could hold any one of the weapons and the magazines that came with them.

Grabbing one of the belts and securing it to his hip, John then took one of the carbines an ACR made by Remington in the early 21st century. The ACR used the dated round 5.56. The bullet was an excellent all-rounder that had good range and damage, allowing for accurate hits on target up to 3000 meters away. The ACR had on it a 3 point sling that allowed the user to quickly drop the weapon without worry about losing it as the weapon would still be held to the user. Another add-on to the Riffel was a Holographic site that gave the user a clear sight of the targets but also had the bonus of providing the user all the information that came with the weapon. And should the weapon come off the operator, the location of the weapon of the field would be marked.

Another weapon he grabbed was an M9 Beretta that used a 9mm round a smaller round compared to the larger 5.56 allowing for an effective range of only 50-100meters away. The smaller round allowed more energy to be transferred to the target whereas the 5.56 was made for accuracy at a range. Looking over the M9 John's hud began to stream him information of the weapon. Just like the ACR it gave off ammo count, and location. Holstering the weapon John made his way to the elevator and punched in for the entrance of the vessel.

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"Ahh, nothing like a good sapphire after hard days wo-," Spike managed to say before a loud boom shattered his peace and his meal and the beautiful window that gave him a nice view on to the Equestrian countryside. Grunting Spike got up from his bed and begun to count down the seconds before his adoptive older sister, Princess Twilight Sparkle, would come knocking. "10," Spike said under his breath as he looked at himself in the mirror he was now a little over 4ft tall, his purple scales shown great care as none of them have come undone ever since his wings came in some time ago. "9," Checking his wings and ensuring that all feeling had returned since he had been resting on his bed. "8," after checking his wings, Spike looked at the shattered glass that littered the beautiful red carpet that laided the room. "7," moving away from the mirror. Spike finished his sapphire dust and now moved to the door. "6,5,4,3,2,1," Spike took a step back as the door rocketed open. If Spike were any closer to the door, he would have left a drake shaped hole in the wall.

"Spike!" a girl shouted as she looked at the young drake who was only a foot shorter than her. "Oh, you're awake."

"Yeah, kinda hard to sleep when your window explodes," Spike said as he looked to Twilight, who stood in the doorway holding at 5ft 4inches; she was still wearing her dress. A light blue ensemble with stars finally stitched into the dress, adding to the ends and along the collar. It fit well on her at least as far as Spike can tell he was never good with fashion, but if Rarity's name was on it, he knew it was designed to fit the wearer.

But he did know how long the girls took to ready themselves. Twilight had spent a good portion of the morning, brushing her hair to perfection as it reflected off a bit of light from the hallway and looked silky. Her fur was well taken care of as well as far as Spike could tell, considering he had scales, and all he needed was to shower, and he was done.

Twilight looked to the window that used to hold back the gusts of wind that now invaded the room, lowering the temperature of the room. "let's get going then we need to find the girls and go see what that was!"

"Wouldnt it be better to leave it to the guards, Twilight?" Spike said as he followed Twilight out of the room and walked next to her.

"I know we should, but I want to get there before they begin to move things and possibly mess it up!" Twilight began to become a bit more animated in Spike's eye as he could see her arms move a bit, and her wings ruffle and shift from her back.

"I know you want to study whatever cause that loud boom, but do you think that would be a good idea? I'm sure that the guards and or the princesses would come to you for something."

"Twilight! Spike!" A hyperactive voice caught both Twilight and Spikes's attention as they passed another window that had practically exploded inward as shards of glass littered the ground. "Did you guys hear that doozy! Oh, it looks like you can see the doozy too!" The girl shouted as she looked out over the countryside as dirt was still falling and reflected minute traces of light.

"Pinkie pie, watch out for the glass, and would you help me find the other girls. I would like to go see what caused the explosion-" Twilight stopped mid-sentence as familiar voices began to grow behind her.

"See, I told you she would want to go check out that thing," a smug tomboyish voice said as the sound of heels could be heard throughout the hallways.

"I never doubted it for a second," another voice spoke up with a country accent.

"I do hope Angel, and the others aren't too frighten by that loud bang," a softer, almost motherly voice spoke next.

"I'm sure there are just fine Darling, but I must say if we are going out to find out whatever it was that caused that explosion. Can we change out of our dresses? I would be very displeased if we got them dirty." Another voice spoke up with a somewhat posh air to it.

"Looks like sleep won't be on the agenda tonight Spike said to no one in particular as Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow dash and, Flutter shy rounded the corner of the hallway.

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"Are you sure this is a good Idea, Twilight?" Rarity spoke up as she, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack where being pulled in a hot air balloon by Fluttershy, Rainbowdash, and Twilight.

"Getting cold feet already, Rarity?" Rainbow dash said, promoting Rarity to cross her arms against her chest and pout a bit.

"I'll have you know that I am just as curious as anypony here, maybe not as much as Twilight here, but still, I'd like to know what it is." Rarity rebounded.

"So, what do you all think it was?" AppleJack asked, still unsure of what they should be expecting.

"I think it's just an asteroid," Spike said as he flapped his wings to keep his momentum.

"I'm with Spike on this one. I think its just a space rock," Rainbowdash added with a grin, and besides Egghead over here likes rocks, right?"

"Hey! Just because I like to study earthen things as well doesn't just mean that I cant be interested in whatever it could be." Twilight tried to defend herself as they race through the sky, trying to get to where the object had landed."

"I just hope its a rock," Fluttershy added.

"I hope its aliens!" Pinkie Pie shouted, getting everyone to stop and look at her with befuddlement.

"Pinkie Pie, you hope its alines?" Spike asked with more concern then skepticism.

"What I like making new friends." Pinkie defended herself as the group made its way to the crash site.

_______________________________________________________________

"Sir, contacts are a kilometer out and closing fast," Athen said over the comlink.

"Understood, hows the canopy looking?" John asked as he stepped down from the stairs that protruded out from underneath the ship.

"Canopy is at 100% and polarised," Athena replied.

"Understood Athen, work on major systems next, and keep me posted on repairs. Also, shut down the exterior light and pass me sensor data." John said while he finished his descent. Bringing up his weapon John had a decision to make. How would he deal with a first contact situation? "One small fuck up for me, and giant fuck up for my brand." John sighed to himself as he made his way in the darkness to the front of the ship. Keeping under the vessel, John could see the readings that the Shelters sensors were picking up. "I just hope They're not Thargoids," Signing to himself againJohn waited and counted down the meters in his head.

_______________________________________________________________

"What in the?" Spike questioned as he saw the deep trench that marred the planet's surface. Taking in the sights, Spike saw the trees that had been uprooted from the ground and thrown about like toys.

"Uhmm, what in the buck," Rainbow managed to get out as her brain was struggling to comprehend what could of cause the new trench.

"Pinkie Pie," Applejack as she was like Rainbowdash, struggling to comprehend what had happened. "I do hope whatever or whoever causes that likes that Pie you brought."

"Not to be a bother darlings but it looks like the guards are on the there way here as well." Rarity said as she pointed towards a large group of Pegasus that lead a massive airship. On the side, a broad picture of an eclipse with the corona of the star it blocked showing both the power of both the Moon and Sun.

The Eclipse an airship with four Vertical routers meant to provide lift and two Main horizontals for forward, reverse, and Directional control. All part of the new designed to provide as much maneuverability as possible. And allowing the Equestrian Military to project its power across the lands of Equis. Being able to propel itself through the air at 70 Kilometers an hour the Eclipse flies proudly with a length of 262 meters and a beam of 33 meters, the Eclipse could bring forward the most potent cannons ever build by the country to date. nine, 406mm guns, each barrel being 20 meters long, allowing the weapon a range of 20killomiters. The Shells themselves were of Armor pricing or Explosive each one weighing in at 860 to 1220 Kilograms. With six of the canons on deck three forward and three aft, that left for the final three to be mounted below the vessel; the weapon placement allowed the Eclipse to fire on anything Above it or bellow. Just the presence of the ship meant that the princesses deemed whatever its face to be worthy of its awesome power.

"Not to put a downer on our party, but it looks like two pegasus guards are coming this way." Spike pointed out as a pair of pegasus guards' race towards them with their silver plate armor shining under the full moon.

"I hope we're not in trouble." Fluttershy managed to get out as the guards closed in.

"Princess Twilight, Mares, Drake," one of the guards said with a stoic nature paying homage to their training in the royal guards as he and his partner hovered in place flapping their mighty wings.

Twilight stared at the guards then nodded her head. "Lead the way." Nodding at the princess, the guards took the ropes from both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash the most robust flyers of the group and began to pull the hot air balloon in the direction of the Airship.

"So do you girls think that we'll be in trouble for this?" Spike began. "I mean before we left. Blue Blood told us not to go; he even said that the princess ordered him to tell us. Do you all think we all should've listened to the prince for once?"

"I will not listen to that excuse of a stallion!" Rarity huffed, causing the basket to rock a bit.

"Hey, watch it." Applejack shouted while Pinky pie squealed with glee while AppleJack grabbed onto the sides of the basket, keeping herself in all the while the true scale of the Equestrian Airship began to make itself known as the guards pulled the hot-air balloon closer and closer to the ship.

"Hey, Twilight," Rainbow dash called as the balloon was pulled next to the Airship before it was secured to the deck allowing its occupants to walk out.

"Yes, Rainbow?" Twilight replied with frustration noticeable in her voice. It almost sounded like Twilight snapped at her. Rainbow winced at this and decided not to push a subject with Twilight.

"Nevermind, it's nothing," RainbowDash said as she and Twilight landed on the deck of the Airship next to where Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Spike landed. Walking up to the group, Twilight followed the Guards who began to lead them into the ship itself.

After some time of walking through the somewhat spacious and spartan steel corridors, the group made it to a door with both Celestia's and Luna's cutie marks. Standing in front of the doors, the two guards knocked on the iron door with the heavy clang of the steel plate and door meeting.

"You may enter," a majestic motherly voice could be heard from the other side of the door. Without pause, the guards opened the door leading the girls and the drake into the room before bowing to royal sisters. "You may leave us guards." The voice said again. Doing as they were told, the guards stood from their respective bows and left the room, closing the door behind them.

Spike looked on at the Royal sisters and noticed something he'd never seen them wear until today both Celestia and Luna wore their battle armor. Celestia, the older of the two sisters, wore a Gold armor with her cutie mark Stamped on to her shoulders along with the equestrian flag below it. The color of the armor added to the natural beauty of her white fur and purple eyes. Thought something else he noticed was the absence of her flowing mane. He found that odd but pushed it to the back of his mind. Focusing on Princess Luna, he could see like her older sister she wore a black obsidian armor with her cutie mark much like her sisters on her should with the Equestrian flag underneath. And like her sister, her flowing mane that would resemble the night sky still held its stars but did not flow. It wasn't until Princess Luna spoke up that Spike took heed to the defining silence of the room.

"Tell me, Sister did we not instructed your," Luna motioned towards Twilight, "dear student," Luna said as she adjusted her sword on her hip afterword, "to stay back at the Gala."

"I believe we did tell her, but I would like to know her reasoning for disobeying," Celestia replied as she looked onto Twilight with a gaze that would crush any lesser mare it reminded Spike of the glare Twilight Velvet would give to him when she caught him sneaking an extra cookie. Spike shivered.

"I want to study what landed on equestrian before the guards had the chance to move anything from where they were. Think of what could be learned from whatever it is!" Twilight nearly shouted, getting her friends to gasp at how she talked to the rulers of the nation.

"Watch your tone of voice with us young sparkle. I am grateful for your assistance in purging me from the parasite nightmare moon, but don't let that cloud your mind on how you talk to my sister and I." Luna said with little to no emotion, "My sister may hold a reservation for you, but I will not keep if I feel your actions would bring harm to either my ponies or my sister."

Twilight winced at this, "my-my apologies."

"Good," Luna said, nodding to her sister.

"Well, since the bearers are here," Celestia droned, making it visible that she was displeased with their actions to come here and investigate against what she told them back in the castle. "But before I speak, let me just warn you against speaking of what you are about to hear outside of this room. What I'm about to tell you is considered top secret, and all who speak of this will be considered an enemy of the state. Do I make my self-clear?" Celestia stated as she looked on to each and every one, ensuring that the weight of the situation was felt and understood to its fullest. One by one, the group began to voice their acknowledgment. "Good, good."

Sighing, Luna spoke up next. "I'm more than sure you all had heard the explosive sound that echoed through central Equestria. The explosion could be heard from as far as Ponyville. "Luna walked to a table located in the center of the room that Celestia herself was standing over. Following Luna, Spike could see that the map depicted all of Equestria. "From the guards, we've sent out as soon as the explosion was heard, we've come to learn that the object that had crashed is not of this world." Twilight's face lit up as the prospect of learning of something undiscovered by pony kind began to race in her head. They've reported that the object seemed to have survived the crash into solid rock, and as you saw, was still able to uproot all those trees and even then managed to get back up and move to a clearing not too far from here. We should be there right about now," Luna said as the shift in momentum could be felt followed by a low buzz.

"Princesses, we've reached the location, and the reports are accurate. The object seems to be completely intact. What would you like us to do?" the voice said while the room grew quiet. Celestia crossed her arms across her chest and closed her eyes.

"Sister, I do advise we go about this half and half," Luna stated flatly. "You go with the proverbial olive branch while I go with the proverbial sword."

"A fair idea Luna, but I fear if we show too much force, we will cause more harm then good." Celestia leaned against the wall. Her facial features not giving any hint to the storm of thoughts brewing in her mind. A thousand choices but with only two outcomes. Either peace can be made, or war could be waged with an unknown creature.

"Ohh, I know what we could do!" Pinkie pie shouted, getting everyone's attention. "We could throw them a Happy birthday/Welcome to Equestria party!" And then swiftly sending everyone but Luna and herself to the floor for her outlandish idea.

"Uhmm, not to burst your bubble sugar cube, but I don't think they'll like a party." Applejack said, being the first to recover.

"I agree with her, Darling. I highly doubt that aliens would like how you throw your soiree as we do." Rarity adds while she got up from the floor and begun helping up Twilight, Rainbow, and Fluttershy. Spike was getting up on his own.

"Sister, I believe I have a better idea, one that we may secure peace over war." Luna began while she moves to help her sister up.

"Do tell sister you where always far better at wat than I was." Celestia managed as she righted herself with Luna's help.

"You and I could go and bring along the Elements as well. This way, we bring both branch and arrows by keeping the Eclipse and our platoons out of a fighting situation, but close enough to be used in our situation calls for it." Luna looked to the bearers. "With them with us, they can prove to be Ambassadors of some sort for our country."

"This sounds like a promising plan, but I don't like having to put my student and her friends into a possible harms ways if it could be helped," Celestia said as she looked over the elements.

"We wouldn't have to, but they did go against a direct order from us both. I only say we use what we have, and right now, I see ambassadors of goodwill in front of me. They themselves are the embodiment of Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, Generosity, Laughter, or goodwill as I call it, and finally, your student represents one of the most influential elements of magic." Luna pointed to each individual as she went through their individual traits. "And remember we won't be sending them by themselves we would be with them, so if anything goes wrong, we will both be there should it become a quagmire."

"Wait, don't we get a say in this!" Rainbow piped up, earning the ire of Luna's gaze.

"You lost the right to when you disobeyed our order!" Luna shouted, nearly going full-blown Canterlot voice. "We told you to stay at the castle and wait, but no, you disobeyed our word. Just be glad that you and your friends aren't in chains."

"Sister, that's enough; we'll deal with there flagrant disregard of our word later. Right now, we have to deal with an event far more pressing." Celestia said, getting Luna to calm down. "We will go with your plan Luna, but I would like to keep the guards and Eclipse on our heels." Luna smiled a bit at this. "Guards," Celestia said, and shortly after, the two very same guards from earlier came into the room and bowed. "Take my student and her friends to staging deck. We'll be there shortly. "

"At once," The guards said as they broke from their bows and led the group out of the room.

"You are too soft on your student, Sister," Luna began. "One of these days she will do something that even you can't forgive. And when she does, I fear what might become of her." Luna looked at Celestia and stepped closer before wrapping her arms and wings around her older sister, sharing a caring embrace that Celestia returned.

"I fear she will as well Luna."

_______________________________________________________________

Leaning up against the front landing gear of the Shelter, John watched the object close in. "Well, no time like today, I suppose." Pushing himself off the landing gear, John walked out from underneath the Shelter as the object entered his view, John was a little thrown back. He saw what looked to be a crude tiltrotor aircraft. It reminded him of the V-22 Osprey used by the United States before the Federation ever came about. "So they are sort of advanced, just not space-faring.........FUCK ME!" John shouted in his helmet.

"Dad?" Came Melody's voice through his headset.

"Yes, Mely?" John replied, mentally reprimanding himself for using strong langue with his daughter now being able to listen to him.

"What's going on outside?" She asked.

"Daddy is about to meet a new life, sweetheart. Just stay inside the cockpit, and I'll be there when it's all done. Okay?" John replied while he followed the tiltrotor down to its landing nearly 150 meters away from the Shelter.

"Okay, Dad," came Melody's reply.

"Athena, power on the external lights might as well show our new host what landed on their front door," John said while he walked halfway to the aircraft. Taking note of the soft crunch of grass under his boots, he would be lying if he said he was more than glad to be on a planet again as the wind blew from east to west from what he could tell comparing the bending of tall grass in waves and his compass.

Stopping at his halfway mark, John stopped and waited again. "Athena, any weapons ready to go?"

"Already hopping for the first encounter to go south, Commander?" Athena said as an image of the Large Turreted Beam laser showed its operation capacity at 100%.

"Deploy, and tie its targeting system to my hud," John replied while still waiting out in the open field. "And no, I hope this first contact goes well."

Keeping his focus on the Tiltrotor aircraft, John could see and hear the engines whine down as the back end of the craft came down. Not long after, he was thrown through another loop. Out came humanoid furry creatures, all of them in some form of clothing and or armor. All except one, from what he could see, this one looks more reptilian in nature. With both purple and green scales and leathery wings, this one was the strangest of the 9. The next two, he found his eyes drawn too where armored in what he could tell to be Gold and Silver. These two seemed to be the tallest of the bunch, with the one with the gold armor stod standing at 6ft, and from what he could tell, it had white fur with a motley head of hair. The one in the silver armor stood at 5'11, her coat was of dark blue and shared a similarity with her hair color as well. Yet, the most curious thing was in its hair, it looked as if a picture of the night sky above was captured and them permanently transfigured into her hair.

From there, the oddities began to cease, but the odd coloring started to become more apparent as the six charters drew closer. One was white like the tallest of the nine, but her hair color looked to be a royal purple and curled at that. Next was one that shared similarities with a candy back in the 21st century.

"Hehe, I can now say I've seen the rainbow." John laughed to himself.

The others were that came forward seemed to follow with the strange fur color. One seemed to have pink hair and fur that closely resembled a golden yellow. One was lavender with an almost darker shader of purple. Another one had blond hair and practically orange coat, but this one had a hat that was most popular with farmers on planets. The last one was somewhat plain to the others with was pink fur and pink hair, but it had a smile on its face, unlike the others who shared confusion, fear, mistrust, and stoic.

Keeping an eye on the group, John could see a new contact on the reading he was getting from the Shelter's systems, and it was massive. More massive than what the Shelter would register.

"Let's see two somewhat tall. One looks dragonish if those holovids have anything to say about it, and six more that look like they just came from a ball or something." John stood still sidearm holstered, and rifle slung against his back.

Keeping an eye on the approaching nine, John began to formulate his next choice words as the group stopped no less than five meters away.

"Hello, my name is Johnathan Neilson, CEO of Scorpius Arms Syndicate."