Star Ocean: A New Frontier

Chapter One

New Planet

“Nelsha...Nelsha. Can you hear me!?” Vi yelled as the fellpool let out a groggy grunt. Nelsha could feel pain all over her body as she slowly began to open her eyes. Normally, this would scare the fellpool as she thought she was out in space due to the ship crashing into something and because she was floating. Though when she noticed that she could breath, she began to notice that she was still inside floating about in the ship. “Oh thank god, you’re alive. How are you feeling?”

“Like I just got thrown around like a ragdoll.” She answered before pulling herself up, but winces from pain she felt from her body. “Vi. Status report please?”

“The ship is still intact, but sadly the warp engine is no longer working.”

“What do you mean no longer working?”

“For some reason, the symbology runes on the warp core are...well gone.” Vi said before pulling a digital screen of the warp core to the warp engine. “This might be due to the wormhole we went through that might be the cause of it.”

“So you’re telling me that we won’t be able to use the warp engine to get back home?”

“It’s not impossible to get home. There are a few options that we can do to get back into the kappa section.”

“Name them please.” Nelsha said before slowly making her way over to the pilot seat. “And also do a scan on me to see if I have anything broken.”

“Option one, we fix the core ourselves by manually replacing the lost spacetime symbology runes. Option two, we activate a distress signal by sending a probe into orbit around the nearest planet and pray that someone from Kronos gets the signal. Option three, we travel through space in hopes of finding the same wormhole.”

“Let’s go with option two for the time being. Can’t go wandering off into a section of space that we have no idea of where to go.” She said before pressing a few buttons to start the engines to the ship. “Locate the nearest planet with some kind of life on it and head towards it.”

“Acknowledged.” Vi said before taking control of the ship and began to fly through space. “Also I’ve finished with scanning your vitals. So far, other than a few bruises. You’re okay with not having any broken bones or internal organ damage. Though there has been a change in your D.N.A”

“The hell do you mean by that Vi?”

“This might have something to do with the wormhole we went through. But there have been some slight changes to your D.N.A structure. I’ll have to scan deeper to see the changes, but for now try not to push yourself too much when you do explore the planet we’re going to.”

“Noted, but I doubt I can not push myself if I’m going to search around the planet we’re heading towards...you did find a planet right?”

“Indeed I have. I took the liberty of taking us there, so we should be there in a matter of minutes. So until then, get some rest and while I take us to the nearest planet and continue scanning you to see what the issue may be with your body.”

“I suppose for the time being I can do that. How long before we reach said planet?”

“Two minutes. We should be thankful that my scanners were able to pick up a planet with life on it while you were asleep.”

“How are we doing on supplies and other stuff?”

“Well enough food and water to survive a year or two in space before dying of starvation or dehydration. The ship only suffered minimal damage and is only missing one cannon, which I can fix and replace. But it will take a month or two seeing how I’ll have to do it bit by bit. Ammunition for your firearms are at an all time high. Two-thousand five hundred to be accurate.”

“That’s good. And what about the digital smith station?”

“Enough material to make parts needed to replace the ones we lost from the fight, and a couple of things if needed. So far we’re set on everything we need. Who would’ve thought your habit of stocking up on supplies after a mission was useful...It also would explain why you’re always short on money.”

“You’ll never know if you end up stuck in space with little to no supplies to survive until rescue.”

“Fair enough. But you’ll need to save your money in case of emergencies.”

“I’ll worry about it later. Right now, I’m more worried about the planet we’re about to land on.” Nelsha said before leaning against the seat she was in. “If it’s a planet with low civilization, then it will be a problem trying not to be noticed by the beings on the planet...or if there are any beings on the planet.”

“I’ll have to send a probe to the planet to scan for life forms. But I’m sure we can manage it. After all, Kronos did train you to be prepared for the unexpected. And with my guidance, we can make it back home in no time.”

“I do like the boost of confidence you’re having.” She said before feeling the ship coming to a slow stop. The lesser fellpool looked forward to seeing a planet in visual. “Looks like we’re here.” She said before seeing three probes quickly being launched towards the planet. “You sure sending probes would be a smart idea?”

“They won’t be going on the planet, but scan around it to see if there’s life on it and breathable air.” Vi said as the lesser fellpool heard a dinging sound coming from the monitor as the probes returned to the ship. “And so far there is life on the planet along with it being breathable.”

“Alright, guess I’ll be exploring the planet.” Nelsha said before stopping the ship from landing towards the planet and having it placed above the clouds.

“You sure it would be wise to go to an unknown planet? I did suggest you get some rest given what happened.”

“Normally I would, but right now we need a place to set up base. While I’m on the planet, you send out a distress signal or try to get into contact with HQ.” She said before getting out of her seat and heading towards the hanger of the ship. “I’ll be taking the Denshi Bunny with me to the planet’s surface.”

“Think that’s a good idea?”

“And bringing in a transportation ship towards the surface is any better? A smaller means of transportation is the best solution for traveling on the surface. That and I prefer to have my fighter craft be taken then my means of traveling the cosmos.”

“Fair enough, but be mindful in trying not to cause trouble. And do remember your mission as well.”

“Yeah, yeah, I haven’t forgotten about that. See if the planet can be useful for the Kronos Organization.” In a matter of minutes, the lesser fellpool made her way into the ship’s hanger. Once there, she begins to prepare herself as Vi preps the fighter jet for take off. “Alright, photon rifle, storage device, swords, medical supplies, and ammunition. Yep, everything is set on my end. What about you Vi?”

“The Denchi Bunny is ready.” He said as the floors to the hanger open up to reveal her fighter craft. “Kinda odd that you didn’t go with the rabbit theme given the name you picked for this spacecraft.”

“Normally I would, but I couldn’t due to money issues...and Lady Blizzard kinda banned me from making any changes to the ship and anything else that isn’t my room.”

“I’m pretty sure it was both out of revenge and punishment for turning her hair neon pink...was it really worth the money?” Vi asked as the lesser fellpool hopped into the cockpit of the craft as it closed behind her as she entered. Once inside, she pressed a few buttons causing the craft to hover above the ground.

“Yes….yes it was.” She answered before placing her hands onto the controls. “Everything set on your end Vi?”

“All systems are a go. Preparing to launch in 5...4...3...2...1….Launch.” The doors to the hanger opened up as the lesser fellpool was launched out like a bullet and into the vast sky of the planet that Vi found.

“Any suggestions on where to land VI?” Nelsha asked as she made her way into a group of clouds to hide her fighter craft from anyone that might see it.

“I would suggest landing in a forest of some kind. It’ll provide coverage and a means to harvest materials for you to analog and use.” The AI said before pulling up a digital screen in front of her. “I don’t have an accurate scan of the planet seeing how it was a quick scan. But I was able to pinpoint forestation next to what appeared to be a giant clearing.”.

“A forest...really?”

“Well it is the best place to hide out in. The only downside would be the unknown wildlife that lives there.”

“Oh yeah, that makes me feel much better.” She said sarcastically. “Do I really have no other options other than the forest?”

“Well we don’t know if the natives are open minded to the whole life out in space. So it’s either you make camp out in the forest, or deal with the natives that might kill you for being different.”

“...Okay, you make a fair and annoying valid point.” Nelsha lets out a sigh of annoyance as she begins to make her way over to the destination given to her by Vi while staying hidden in the clouds.

“If only you were this stealthy during your other missions when it was required.”

“Hey, I’m not that bad when it comes to stealth...I’m...just not a huge fan of it.”

“And you're trying to sneak off during your training, is you being not a huge fan of it?” Vi asked as the lesser fellpool deadpan. “Your silence gives away your hypocrisy.”

“You know, sometimes you can be an ass.” She said as the traveling duo reached their destination. Once there, she began to descend into a clearing in the forest. “Makes me wonder why you’re with me to begin with.”

“To make sure you don’t cause trouble like you always do when given too much freedom.” Vi said before pulling up a digital screen for the soldier to look at. “Be sure to make a layout of the area you’re in. I would prefer to not use the ship to track you down… again.”

“Yes mom.” She said before making the fighter craft land. Once the craft landed, she quickly opened the lid to the cockpit and hopped out of it with her rifle in hand as she scanned the area. “Vi, send a probe to scan the forest and make sure no one notices it.” The lesser fellpool’s ears twitched as she looked over at her spacecraft to see a red orb shooting up towards the sky. “How long before the scan is done?”

“Twenty-four hours. Maybe even more if it’s a big forest.”

“Wonderful. So while that’s happening, I’ll make a layout of the land, as per your orders.” She said before making her way forwards into the forest.

“It’s the military’s orders. Unless I need to remind you of what happened last time when you got lost on earth?”

“I was twelve at the time! Don’t judge me on how I got lost. Didn’t think trying to catch a balloon would lead me to a different area of the city I was in.”

“Well given how your a fellpool from a low level planet-”

“If you finish that statement, I am going to mess up your AI program. Mainly how you look-” Before Nelsha could finish her threat, she heard the sound of rustling coming from a bush a few feet away from her as she aimed her rifle at the area she heard the sound from.

“Life forms are currently surrounding the area we’re in. Should I bring the fighter craft back to the ship?”

“It would be helpful, yes.” She answered before hearing more movement around her. “Less than a minute and I find myself in trouble. Any info on what I’m dealing with?”

“All I know is that I’m detecting a lot of life forms swarming around you. My suggestion for dealing with this, is see what they look like and try to make your escape if they try to attack you.” he said as the lesser fellpool noticed a pair of glowing eyes gleaming from the darkness of the forest she was in. More and more of the same pair of green color eyes gleamed from the darkness of the forest as a rather tall, dark skinned humanoid like being slowly made her way out of the forest as she glared down at Nelsha in both annoyance and slight interest.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here? A lost child, wandering into my forest?” The being said as Nelsha blinked in surprise at her being able to understand her language.

“Huh, wasn’t expecting a planet that had the same earth language. And I’m not even using the universal translator device on me to translate them.” Nelsha thought before activating the translator for herself to talk to the being. “Not lost. Just exploring the forest for fun!”

“Really? For fun?” The being said before making her way over to Nelsha as she examines her up, down, and around her. “It’s rather suspicious that a donkey wearing clothes like this would be having fun in the forest. Especially the domain of myself, Queen Chrysalis.”

“Hey, who are you calling a donkey, buttface!?” The alien yelled as Chrysalis snapped her attention towards the child with malice in her eyes.

“And here we go again.” Vi said as he watched the scene play out.

“You dare insult the queen of the changelings, child!? I have half a mind to kill you where you stand!”

“Half a mind? No wonder you live in the forest, because you must be the villager’s crazy lady or person of the place~” Nelsha said with a cherian grin appearing on her face. Chrysalis on the other hand gritted her teeth as she raised her hand towards the lesser fellpool.

“You must’ve fallen on your head when you were a filly if you think you can get away with insulting me like this.” She said as a sickly green colored flame appeared in her hand. “Now you better answer my question donkey. What are you doing here in my forest!?”

“Might I suggest not pissing her off more than she is? Less you need a reminder, we’re on a planet with no information on it, and no means to contact HQ for assistance.”

“Whoa, easy there lady. I was just joking around. No need to go all fire and brimstone on me.” Nelsha said as she waved her hands forwards in defense. “The truth is...um...I got lost while playing hide and seek with some of the children in...town?”

“You expect me to believe that? How do I know you’re not a spy trying to snuff me out?”

“Well, believe what you want, big butt. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be heading back-” Before she could turn around to leave, a ball of green colored energy flew past her head and landed onto a tree as it burst into flames. “Town… I get the feeling that you’re angry.”

“I was willing to let you leave seeing how you were just a snot nose brat of a donkey, but given how you insulted me three times, my limit has just been reached.” Chrysalis said as her drones started to make their way from out of the darkness as they hissed and growled at the lesser fellpool. “When I’m done with you, you’ll be begging for mercy when I take you to my personal dungeon!”

“... Well, you’ve done it now.”

“Now’s not the time for one of your ‘I told you so’ speeches. Now is the time for suggestions seeing how we’re kinda surrounded by bug like humans getting ready to eat my ass. And not in a sexual way mind you.”

“I wasn’t even… ugh,” Vi groaned. “You’re the one holding onto the rifle. Use it.”

“Yes, I do. But keep in mind, I’m trying not to waste the ammunition I have.” She said before noticing the group circling around her closing in slowly. “Fuck it, not like I’ll be getting more anytime soon.” Nelsha looked around for a moment before seeing a clearing off to the side. She soon took aim at the changelings blocking her way and fired two pulse blasts at the drones heads. Upon making contact with the drones, their heads were blown clean off as it caused the group to stop at what just happened. “Back off freaks! Anyone else takes another step, and I’ll blast your heads off or worse!”

“Or worse?”

“Shut up smartass. I’m trying to be threatening.” She whispered before turning her attention back on to the group with her rifle aimed at Chrysalis. “What’s it going to be, bug lady!?”

“Oh, such anger~” Chrysalis said before taking a whiff from the air. “I’m a bit impressed by that donkey. Something tells me that you’re not from Equestria, are you~?”

“I just blew off two of your soldiers' heads clean off like water off of a duck. How are you not scared or not freaking out by this?”

“We changelings feed on emotional energy. Be it happy, sad, romantic, etc. But what we really enjoy the most, emotion wise. Is anger, rage, wrath. And you child, have such an interesting smell and taste of anger~”

“Uh… that’s just disturbing…”

“Yet, very informative to know for the most part.” She said before trying to slowly make her escape. Only for her to quickly jump to the side to avoid an oncoming firebolt heading towards her chest.

“Don’t think I’m going to let you escape me child. When I’m done draining you of your emotions and claim your weapons for myself, I’ll be sure to find out where you live and get more of your kind to serve under me as my army to take over Equestria!”

“... Hey Nelsha… remember when I said not to piss her off?” Vi asked, “Well… forget that. Because if you don’t do something, both of us are going to be goners.”

“So you’re saying I have the authority to lay the smack down on her, right?”

“... For this one time, yes.”

“Finally!! For once, I get to beat someone up without getting in trouble!!” Nelsha declared as she placed her rifle back onto her back and grabbed her saber as she got into a fighting stance and focused on the changeling queen and the drones surrounding her.

“Really? You think you can take us on by yourself?” Chrysalis asked as she, along with the others, couldn’t help but laugh. “You have a better chance using that strange weapon than that sword.”

“I’m pretty sure I can handle it with just hand to hand combat. Plus it’ll make it more humiliating to get your butt handed to you by a kid~”

“... First changeling to rip out her tongue, gets first dibs on sucking her off.” Chrysalis ordered

“... Nelsha… Shut them up.”The lesser fellpool nods as she quickly jumped in the air to avoid an oncoming changeling trying to tackle her from behind. While above the drone, she quickly impaled her saber into the back of the changeling before she landed onto his back. Her ears twitch upon hearing two more changeling charging at her as she quickly pulls her saber out of the dead changeling, and lunges herself backwards while firing a barrage of jet black and purple color needles from her symology symbol from her hand.

“Shadow Needles!” She yelled as the two changelings were impaled in the face and upper bodies with shards of black crystal like needles.

“Since when can a donkey use magic!?” Chrysalis yelled before flinching from the feeling of the shadow needles shot past the left part of her face. The queen ran a finger along the cut on her face before glaring dagger at the fellpool who in return winked at her with her tongue sticking out. “What are you idiots doing!? Get that stupid mule!”

“Will you stop calling me a donkey, you old hag!?” Nelsha yelled while using the flat part of her saber to knock the nearest changeling coming at her to the side and fired off another barrage of shadow needles aimed at the queen, only for her to quickly summon up a barrier as the needles bounced off and scattered off in different directions. “Didn’t see that coming.”

“Three more, on your left,” Vi alerted her. The lesser fellpool looked to her left to see them coming towards Nelsha as her sword was coated with a darkish purple aura.

“Blade of fury!” Once they were close, she quickly lobbed off two of their heads with a vertical and horizontal slash. The last changeling of the group that was charging at her was impaled in the chest. Upon making impact, she quickly pulled her saber out of the dead changeling’s body before taking up a defensive stance as she looked over Chrysalis and her drones. “Please tell me there isn’t anymore after these six-?”

“GET HER!!”

“Does that answer your question?”

“Not helpful, Vi!” She yelled and noticed more changelings coming from out of the forest and began to fire beams of sickly green energy at her, causing her to dodge and use her saber to block the oncoming beams. “Suggestions would be nice though.”

“They can’t sustain these kinds of casualties for long. If you have something that could eliminate a good portion of their forces, they’ll be forced to retreat.”

“Might have one, but you better not tell HQ about this-” Before she could finish, she felt three of the beams hit and shoot through her left leg, right arm, and her left collar bone as she let out a loud cry of pain as she stumbled backwards into a tree.

“Whatever you got, use it.” Vi told her.

“Surround her, fools! And one of you, prepare a sleep spell to knock her out!” Chrysalis ordered, grinning in triumph at her victory. Only for that grin to disappear as she head a weird beeping and buzzing sound coming from the area they’re in. “What is that noise?” She asked, only to see the drones that were surrounding Nelsha drop to the ground like flies as her eyes widened in shock at what’s going on. “What in the name of tartarus just happened!?”

“Normally, I wouldn’t do this. But seeing how you really are trying to kill me, I’ll make an exception.” Nelsha said as five machine-like orbs floated around herself as they began aiming in different directions of her surroundings. “Radiation Bots, kill them.” She ordered the bots which began to fire laser beams at Chrysalis and her changelings, the drones would either be sliced in two, burn to death from being hit by the laser, or get a limb or two blasted off. Chrysalis soon turned her attention to Nelsha as she glared in anger at the child. She was about to charge at her in an attempt to kill her, only to stop as one of the bots noticed the queen and shot off her right arm making her yell in pain and fall to the ground while holding her stump of a arm.

“YOU MISERABLE LITTLE BRAT! I AM GOING TO RIP OFF YOUR HEAD AND MOUNT IT OVER MY FIREPLACE IN MY PRIVATE CHAMBERS!!!”

“Not in that state, she isn’t.”

“You have two options, bug butt. Leave now and never bother me again… or I can have my bots here turn you in swiss cheese,” Nelsha glared at the wounded queen, “And given how many holes you have on your arms and legs, I doubt you’ll be up for more holes. Not to mention that you’re down to three soldiers at this point.”

All Chrysalis did was grit her teeth, before glaring to her soldiers. “This is NOT over, you hear me! NOT OVER!!” With that, the changelings retreated into the forest, leaving Nelsha by herself as she let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank god, they left.” She said before the bots scattered into digital pieces. “The bots wouldn’t last long if they choose to continue fighting.”

“You should tend to your wounds quickly before you succumb to them,” Vi suggested. “I can prepare the medical bay for you.”

“That… might be a problem.” She said before pulling herself up from the ground and staggering to move forward. “Is there a town nearby from what you were able to scan by now?”

“There is, but-”

“Then I’m heading there to get patched up. Bringing the denchi bunny here would cause a problem. Especially when you would have to knock out some of the trees around me. Thus getting the attention of the locals on this planet.”

“You make a point there. Though, we don’t know much on if the inhabitants are hostile or-”

“Don’t have any other options here. That and I’m bleeding out a lot, so...yeah there’s that to add to the factor.” She said before leaning against a tree to try and catch her breath. “Ugh, fuck… this is the second worse pain I have ever experienced!”

“... Second?” Vi asked, “What was the first?”

“I accidentally shocked myself when I was modifying my gauntlet to act like a taser...it came out pretty well. Though I have to remember to keep the safety on so I don't shock people. Less they want to get shocked by ten thousand volts of electricity.”

“... Is this the reason why HQ told me that you shouldn’t modify any of your tools? No matter what kind of improvements you manage to make?”

“No… maybe… yeah that’s pretty much the reason.”

“... That includes the ship as well.”

“Hey, I can make the ship move faster...if only I had the right parts for it.” She said before going back to walking in a staggering manner only to fall onto her hands and knees. “Okay, time to use one of the med kits.” She said as she reached for the pack tied around her waist, only to deadpan as it had a giant hole in the center of it. “....The universe just loves to see me in pain doesn’t it?”

“Hold on… someone’s coming,” Vi told her, “They appear to be from the nearby village.”

“...Better keep the safety off on my gauntlet if they look like the ones from the forest.” Nelsha said before pulling herself up and headed towards the person or people from the village. “Set all weapons security settings on if I pass out. Have it set to stun if they try to touch my weapons.”

“That… might not be necessary,” Vi told her, “From their appearance… it looks like three of them are just children and one’s an adult. They don’t appear to be hostile at all.”

“Yeah...keep it to where it’ll cause them not to touch my weapons. Because keep in mind, my blaster did kill those bug human hybrid things. Not to mention children tends to let curiosity get the better of them.”

“I think they’re here because they noticed the probe that you asked for me to send out earlier.”

“...Who would’ve thought them seeing something like that would save me.” Nelsha said before letting out an audible groan of pain as she leans up against another tree while on the ground. Her vision began to fade in and out of consciousness as she slapped herself in an attempt to keep herself awake, but it failed due to how weak the slaps were getting due to blood loss. “I’m...having a bit of a problem staying awake Vi…”

“...You’re going to hate me for this, but place your gauntlet onto your leg.”

“The hell are you on about Vi?”

“Trust me on this Nelsha. I have a plan.” The lesser fellpool simply shrugs as she placed a hand onto her leg. “Good...now.forgive me for what happens next.”

“What do you….oh you mother-” Before she could finish her sentence, a surge of electricity flowed throughout her body as she lets out a loud cry of pain for a good few seconds as Vi deactivated the gauntlet. The lesser fellpool coughed before passing out from the pain, but not before saying one last thing before her vision faded into darkness. “....asshole…”