Chapters Reach, Epsilon Eridani System
UNSC Saratoga Captains Report
"It has been a rough few days for this ship, yesterday we took part in the battle of Viery on the surface of the planet. We were not prepared when the UNSC Grafton took a direct hit from a Covenant supercarrier that was camouflaged above us, the Grafton was lost, thankfully we managed to rescue a few survivors, our pelicans scattered soon after to return to the ship. Soon we were ordered by Vice Admiral Stanforth ordered us to the main fleet to aid in the evacuation efforts. Our job, to hold a place in orbit for colony ships to make their escape, it's unfortunate only half of those numbers survived."
The young officer sighed.
"I fear the end of this battle is coming, and humanity is not the victor, without Reach, I'm unsure what is next for humanity."
"Is that all Captain?" The onboard ship AI asked.
The young Captain frown looking at the metal floor of his observation deck.
"Captain Snowden, signing off."
The AI remained silent, the bridge was quiet because outside the observation window was the destruction of Reach, the surface turned to glass.
"Ben, enact cole protocol, we can't lead the Covenant back to Earth,"
The ship's AI remained neutral, "Yes, Captain."
"Listen up ladies and gentlemen," the Captain began turning to face his crew."
His crew at this point was demoralized, this defeat was going to hurt the UNSC and everyone knew it too. The trick was finding the right words.
With nothing better to say he began.
"I know this hurts, we are all in the same boat here," he spoke letting his crew hear him.
"The loss of Reach is going to hurt is in more ways than one, I'm sure some of you had family on Reach. I sure did," The Captain said closing his eyes trying not to think about his wife and daughter, hoping they made it out in one piece.
"That is precisely the reason we can't give up now, we cannot allow this cycle to continue," Snowden knew they'd all heard this spiel before but there was nothing else he could say.
"We have to fight on for the rest of the colonies, even if it takes us back to Earth we will fight, we will fight until there is nothing left to give," the anger in the Captains voice began to rise as he got into his spiel.
"For this, I will quote Winston Churchill, 'If you are going through hell, keep going,'" the Captain finished his speech.
He didn't expect much but he could tell it gave them the will to keep going, that's all they needed.
"Petty Officer Grant, get us out of here," Snowden ordered, the female behind the nav computer nodded, "aye, sir," she replied as she began her inputs.
As she finished they felt a jolt and the ship complained loudly as the crew was knocked down including the Captain, he leaned up and looked up.
"Captain, enemy slipspace rupture they warped in off our port side!" that was one hell of a coincidence.
"Battlestations, Grant get us out of here!" The red lights and klaxon began to light up the ship.
"I'm trying Captain, the computer just shut off!" Grant replied in a panic.
In a flash, Captain Snowden hurried over and gave the computer a hard slap on the side, to his surprise the screen lit up. The ship also would be entering slipspace in 5 seconds.
"Grant please tell me you finished the coordinates before this happened?!" Snowden exclaimed.
With a look of horror, she looked at him and shook her head. The color drained from the Captain's face, they were going in blind as the slipspace portal opened and the ship was pulled in.
All they could do now was find out where they were going.
1 week later.
Unknown System,
The Saratoga was finally spat out of its slipspace venture.
"Captain, wake up, we are out of slip space," Ben said as Snowden's cryo pod began to thaw. It took a while but the Captain began to come to. Rubbing his face and coat free of any excess ice from cryosleep.
Captain Snowden's pod opened allowing him to step out. He took a few extra minutes to collect his bearings falling flat on his face he splayed his hooves on the floor to catch himself.
Wait. Hooves? The Captain looked puzzled by what he was looking at.
"Captain, I was about to tell you you've," Ben paused, "changed." The still human-looking projection of Ben said to him. "No, you don't say," Snowden's voice dripped with sarcasm. He had what appeared to be white fur, but he needed to see what exactly happened.
Carefully he stepped out and reached for his hat next to the cryo pod. Strangely, he found himself able to hold it with his new appendages, or lack thereof depended on how you looked at it. He went to put it on his head to discover something protruding from his head. It caught him by surprise. Okay, he really needed to see himself in the mirror now.
Walking in of itself now was a chore, he was some kind of quadruped now and it took everything for him to walk one deck up to his quarters.
Upon entering his quarters the automatic doors opened and Ben appeared on his desk.
"Captain, you should know our skeleton crew we had up is experiencing the same phenomenon," Ben informed the Captain who grabbed the nearest mirror. What he saw jolted him awake. He took a closer look at his features, the best way he could describe it was a white unicorn, he now had silver hair, or well, mane, and his uniform seemed to mold to fit him which was also odd. What was happening? Why was he a horse now?
"I won't lie, Ben, I'm at a loss for words," Snowden said turning to Ben. Ben returned the look of confusion. Truthfully Snowden was beginning to feel uneasy, even Ben was confused if the A.I. didn't have an answer then this was definitely strange waters.
"We need to come up with something, I don't need my crew jumping out the airlock." Snowden said, Ben nodded in agreement. "I will try to find something Captain." Ben replied standing at attention.
Snowden looked over a thought suddenly coming to him.
"Ben," Snowden began, the A.I. gave him his attention ", assemble the crew that was awake in the mess hall before you do that, it might help to better understand what happened." Ben then nodded snapped to attention and saluted. "Right away, Captain." With that, Ben disappeared leaving the Captain to his thoughts.
UNSC Saratoga
"Commander, we're exiting slipspace soon." Grant said, Dunkirk stood behind the Holotable in the center of the bridge. "Let's not wake the crew just yet," Dunkirk began walking over to the closed observation, "we still have no idea where we will spit out." Grant nodded, "aye, sir." Grant began the exit sequence as the ship exited slipspace the helmsman reached over and opened the blast door covering the windows. It was then that it began. A white light washed over the ship, some of the crew shrieked in surprise, and almost as soon as it began it ended.
Dunkirk looked over himself, what he saw surprised him. He was not human anymore, he looked around, a majority of the crew was reacting the same way. "Okay everyone, remain calm, what the fuck just happened?" Dunkirk struggled to his feet, or well, hooves. No answer came as everyone was in utter shock of this sudden transformation. So Dunkirk opted for a louder approach. "Hey! Status report, you can admire yourselves later!" This got the crew's attention. Grant sat up and looked at her computer looking at her new chocolate-covered hooves. Her new mane matched the color of her coat as she looked confused on how best type on the computer. "Well, all systems appear normal, sir." One Petty Officer on a computer near the back said until Grant figured out that she could somehow use the keyboard with her non-existent 'fingers'.
With a look of confusion Gruntered how 'that can't be right.' Dunkirk came up behind Grant to see what the fuss was about. "Sir, I don't think you are going to like this." Grant got up from her seat stumbling and Dunkirk caught her and held her upright letting her get her footing. "Thank you, sir." She said as she typed a sequence into the computer transferring the data to the holo table. Dunkirk and the rest of the crew nearly dropped. Some actually did from them not being used to the new bodies they have acquired. "Grant. Is this a prank?" Dunkirk asked approaching the holo table still struggling to get his footing.
"Unfortunately I am not sir, we are not in the Epsilon Eridani system or the Milky Way Galaxy for that matter. I have no idea where we are either." Grant spoke blowing up the nav chart showing them in an entirely new system. Just as Grant was about to continue Ben showed on the holo table.
"Commander, I see you have changed as well." Ben interrupted. Dunkirk nodded turning his attention to the ship's A.I. "Is this new change affecting the entire ship?" Dunkirk asked Ben who nodded. "Yes, sir, I just woke the Captain who experienced the same thing, I also just completed a scan on the rest of the crew, it seems they have all been changed, in different variants too." Ben informed. Dunkirk looked around the room noticing a few things, a few had horns, a couple including Grant, had wings, and most including himself had neither. "Thanks Ben. You are dismissed." Ben nodded before disappearing.
"Okay Grant, let's figure this out," Dunkirk said getting a nod from the mare.
As soon as they found any possibility as to what they found Ben appeared again to inform them the Captain wants the skeleton crew in the mess hall. Dunkirk thought it best to wake Lieutenant Colonel Grace and Sergeant Major Ramirez. Walking down into Cryo having finally gotten used to walking in his new form. He found the two, they had insisted on having their pods next to each other. He walked over and hit defrost on them both. Grace, having once been a black female was now a Yellow pony with a horn and an Orange mane. Her Sergeant Major who was once also a black male was now a brown pony with a black mane, they both thawed out and began to come to.
"Okay you two, you are not going to like what has happened so the first thing is first you need to remain calm." Dunkirk began fixing his navy cover. The two ponys rubbed their eyes and their pods opened. "Don't get out, just listen to what I am going to say first." Ramirez opened his eyes and made eye contact with Dunkirk. "What kind of drugs are you using in these things?" Ramirez said rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. "I can assure you, Sergeant Major, you're not seeing things and the drugs are not having an effect on you." Dunkirk said earning a puzzled look from Grace as she also came too. "What in Sam's fuck happened to you, Commander?" Grace replied shock evident in her voice. "Colonel, if you will allow me to explain I'll tell you, you might wanna inspect yourself as well." Having said this they did and Ramirez was first to speak. "You are sure there isn't something in the drugs?" Ramirez said skepticism evident on his face. "Well Sarge, if we're both seeing a talking horse wearing a UNSC uniform I'd say we're both very much awake."
Dunkirk explained to the two of them what happened as they began to move around and learn how to walk again. "So you are telling me we came out of slipspace looking like this?" Grace asked fixing her patrol cap to her head. "Yes Colonel, the entire crew is affected by this and the Captain wants a sit down in the mess hall to get to the bottom of this. Ramirez lit a cigarette and nodded in pleasant surprise that he could still hold things. "We leaving everyone else on ice until then XO?" Ramirez took the cigarette out of his mouth to speak. Dunkirk noded. "For now, yes, until we can find a way to break it to them. Plus we don't need to be concerned about the Covenant, being where we are." Dunkirk said as the trio began to make their way out of the cryo room and towards the mess hall.
"I hope y'all put coffee up, Commander, I'm gonna need it." Grace spoke up as they made their way towards the mess hall. Dunkirk and Ramirez smiled and chuckled. "I'm sure the Captain is on it."
Snowden poured himself a cup of coffee in the mess hall as the crew began to file in. Pretty soon so did Commander Dunkirk and the two marine command staff. Grace found herself gravitating towards the coffee machine as well stopping in front of the Captain. She rendered a salute to him. "Good day Captain." Grace greeted, the Captain put down his own coffee and returned the salute. "I wasn't expecting you, Colonel." Captain Snowden responded. Grace poured her own cup of coffee. "Commander Dunkirk thought it best all of the high command should know what is going on, plus I like being up before the rest of battalion." Grace replied taking a sip from her coffee. "You are taking this well Colonel." Snowden commented picking his coffee back up from the table.
"I'm taking this as well as anyone who gets turned into a colorful horse, sir." Grace replied with a smile. A chuckle escaped Snowden's lips. With that, Grace left to go sit down at a table and listen in.
"Okay people, so I understand what just happened is a bit of a mystery, from what info Ben has collected, this is affecting the entire crew. I have awoken Doctor Bowman who is currently working on finding the cause of all this." Snowden spoke taking a sip from his coffee. "However, we do have more important problems to figure out right now, like the question of where we are. Commander? Has Grant found a star coordinate yet?" Dunkirk stood up. "Not yet, sir. She's pretty much hit a brick wall, she has figured out that we are not in the Milky Way Galaxy." Dunkirk answered. Snowden took another sip from his coffee.
"Alright, then, until we can come up with that we may as well try to find a planet that can support life. We need to see if we can contact the fleet command. For now, let's activate our distress beacon and comms will broadcast an emergency signal to the fleet." The Captain finished off. "Aye, sir." The crew replied as they got up.
As the Captain went to leave Ben appeared next to the door. "Captain. Petty Officer Grace needs you on the bridge, says she found something." Ben said, Captain Snowden nodded and finished his coffee setting the cup in the trash.
Ben appeared on the bridge as the Captain walked in.
"Attention on deck!" Grace called snapping to attention followed by what bridge crew was on the bridge. "At ease! What do we have, Grace?" The Captain said eagerly. "Well, sir. I still don't know where we are. However, have detected that we are indeed in a solar system." Grace informed the Captain took a look at the holo table to get an understanding of what he was looking at, he saw a map of his ship and a solar system on the outskirts of it. "From what I can see, sir. There is one planet in this systems habitable zone, it seems habitable, I did send the relevant data to Doctor Bowman." Grant said. The Captain thought for a moment before looking to Ben. "Ben set a course for that system. We can find out if it's habitable when we get there." Ben stood at attention. "Aye, sir." Ben disappeared once more as the bridge doors opened to a lime green stallion wearing glasses, his blue mane was a mess, and he had a white lab coat, over his UNSC Naval uniform.
"Doctor Bowman, I was just about to come to see you." Snowden turned to face him. "Captain, I found something intriguing." Bowman said. "That's great. What did you find?" Snowden replied. Bowman walked up and set the data he found on the table. It showed tons of graphs and numbers most of which Snowden didn't understand. "English please Bowman." Snowden grimaced as the number of numbers made his brain hurt. "Heh," Bowman scratched the back of his neck, "right, sir. What I found here on this graph," Bowman pointed to the graph, "Is what appears to be a magnetic field." The confusion on the Captain's face grew, but before he could ask Bowman began to explain. "However it is not magnetic, with how powerful this is the ship would have imploded if it were actually magnetic, it's something else, my magnetometer just happens to be picking it up." Bowman said.
"Okay, how does it relate to us?" Snowden deadpanned. "You see, it is important because whatever I am picking up. If it is magnetic in nature, is more powerful than Earth's magnetic field!" Bowman exclaimed in excitement. This peaked Snowdens interest. "More powerful than Earths? In space?" Bowman nodded. "Doctor, try to get more of an understanding of this. I wanna know if it is dangerous, and what it is. It could be the cause of this." Bowman snapped to attention and saluted. "Aye, sir. I'm on it." Bowman retreated back to his lab, and Snowden turned back to the table as the ship approached the planet. According to the timer, they would arrive in an hour. "Helmsman, full speed ahead, let's try to cut our arrival time in half." Snowden called out. "Aye, sir." The Helmsman replied.
"Ben," Snowden began. Bens projection promptly appeared, "wake the crew, officers first, have the officers brought up to speed before the junior enlisted are awoken." Snowden ordered. Ben promptly nodded.
Snowden looked back at the map as Grant returned to her station.
"What is out there?" The Captain mumbled to himself as the ship drew closer to the planet.
Author's Note
Next chapter we go.
I wonder what planet they just found. Hmm.
What did Bowman pick up on his science thing? Find out in the next chapter.
Unknown System, Unknown World
[UNSC Saratoga Captains Report]
We exited our slipspace route and found ourselves in an unknown quadrant of space, all alone out here, and on top of that we all got turned into horses, I know that sounds crazy. I honestly think it is, I've slapped myself just to make sure I wasn't dreaming. A lot of the crew is feeling the same way, I just woke them from cryo sleep about an hour ago and they are getting ready. Doctor Bowman says from his understanding the planet we now find ourselves in orbit of is habitable for equine life, it still feels weird to call it that. I've only been in command of this vessel for 2 weeks and we've already lost a battle, and found ourselves adrift in space with no known way home. We activated our emergency beacon as well, hopefully, we are close enough to reach UNSC space. I really hope we aren't drawing in anything else though, namely the Covenant, or since we're in a new system, heaven forbid another civilization just as hostile. Maybe we will find answers on this world.
Before I forget, Doctor Bowman found something in the air around us. It is registering on one of his devices. I'm unsure what to make of it since it's also in the space around us. I just hope it isn't dangerous. Doctor Bowman has told me he will keep me informed on his findings. Nothing else to report as of now.
Captain Snowden, Albert
Captain Snowden sat at his desk in his quarters, mostly pondering what he was doing, he looked up at the picture of his wife and daughter. He could remember the moment they took the picture at the New Alexandria Carnival three years prior. A wave of depression finally hit him and he lowered his head refusing to look at the picture. He folded it down to stop himself from looking at it. He couldn't, he needed to be strong. For his crew.
"Captain?" Ben appeared behind him. Snowden sighed. "What is it, Ben?"
"Scans are showing signs of life on the planet's surface, sir." Ben informed. Snowden turned his head slightly. "What kind of life? Snowden replied with intrigue.
"Unknown at this-" Ben paid putting a finger up to his ear as if listening to a radio transmission. Snowden left his quarters heading up to the bridge at a quick trot.
Snowden made his approach on the bridge, a pair of marines stopped and saluted him as he passed by. Within a minute he stepped through the doors of the bridge. "Attention on deck!" Dunkirk called rendering the usual salute. "At ease. What's the situation?" Snowden asked walking up to the holo table which showed a terrain scan of the surface of the planet. What was on the map though was why he was here.
"Are those structures abandoned, or inhabited?" Snowden asked.
One of the crew ponies brought up another layer which was the life scan which showed population density in colors. "Populated, sir. It appears this is a first contact scenario." the purple pony informed. Snowden nodded, pinching what would have been the bridge of his nose.
"Still no contact from Fleetcom?" Snowden asked, the radio officer just shook his head. "No, sir, not a peep. Distress beacon is still active though."
"Looks like it's on us then." Snowden said pointing to an unpopulated location on the map, a forest to the south of a population center. "Here seems like an unpopulated area, if we drop in here via pelican we can bring the ship into the atmosphere here once night falls." Snowden gestured to a pair of mountains in the forest. "Put some of those Marines on the ground. I wanna make sure they're not hostile before we attempt to make contact." Snowden finished.
"Aye, sir."
"Come on Marines, tactics are the same, nothing has changed!" Ramirez shouted as his marines struggled to maintain their bearings.
"We're in a different body, Sarge." A marine retorted.
"Shut your dumb ass up Marine, get used to it, the enemy doesn't care what you are, they gonna try to kill you whether your a squishy human or a fucking horse, so reset! Jackson, I want you to start doing flutter kicks for insubordination!" Ramirez shouted as the Marine in question jumped down and began doing flutter kicks with his MA5 resting on his belly.
"Sergeant." Called Grace as she made her way over to them.
"Group, attention!" Ramirez called rendering a salute to his CO.
"Carry on!" Grace looked at Ramirez and returned the salute. "You know I hate it when you call attention for me." Grace teased.
"Why do you think I keep doing it?" Ramirez smiled.
"Keep it up Sarge and you can join that sap down there." Grace looked to the Marine doing flutter kicks.
"If I go down there I'll probably smoke that poor boy to death." Ramirez replied earning a laugh from the unicorn mare.
"Anyway, orders come from the bridge, we're headed to the surface." Grace handed Ramirez a map of the area.
"Now you're speaking my language ma'am. What's the op?" Ramirez replied looking over the map.
"Recon, Captain wants to know what the population is like, whether they're hostile or not." Grace replied, Ramirez, nodded in earnest.
"Sergeant Carlos!" Ramirez called over his shoulder.
"Moving Sarge!" The light purple pony called out moving from his position at the start of the course.
"Alright Carlos, load up, we're going on an op to the surface, Recon!" Ramirez called to him as he approached.
"Oorah, Sarge. You heard the man, get tactical marines!" Carlos shouted to his squad who responded by moving to the armory! "Oorah!"
"Move your ass, Private Jackson! You can do flutter kicks later!" Carlos yelled to the Marine. "Moving Sarge!"
Ponyville, Equestria
Dear Princess Celestia,
It has indeed been a while since my last report, but this isn't a friendship report, it's merely a letter to give you an update on everything that has happened since my last report which was approximately 1 year, 4 days, and 23 minutes ago. Everything is going great, as you know I have taken on my own student, Starlight Glimmer and she is such a great student, I think I should open a school for friendship here in Ponyville. She's learning so much, and I couldn't be more proud of her. I think you would like her if I introduced you two. I think it would be great if my student met my teacher? I think it would do great things for and show her I'm just as much of a learner as she is. I look forward to the next time we can have tea together, maybe Starlight could join us there!
~~Your faithful~~
P.S. Please forgive my little mistake there, old habits die hard!
Twilight rolled the scroll in her magic and wrapped her seal to it before giving it to Spike.
"Who are you sending a letter to Twilight?" Spike asked taking the scroll.
"Princess Celestia please Spike." Twilight replied, the drake blew his flame onto the scroll which it promptly turned into a wisp of smoke and trailed out the open window.
"Why a letter to the Princess all of a sudden?" Spike asked with an innocent smile.
Twilight picked up the crumpled pieces of used parchment and dumped them in the nearby trash can. "Just sending a report, for old times sake." Twilight replied as she walked out of the library.
Spike stayed behind with the pile of books left behind needing to be put away. Spike turned to it and scowled. "For a pony with OCD, you sure are messy." He said to himself as he went to put them away.
Twilight oblivious to the drakes trash talking made her way to the exit with a smile on her face. She was going to enjoy the sunlight. Stepping outside she took in the fresh air. With that Rainbow Dash flew by and waved. Twilight returned the wave with a wing flap.
"Hiya Twilight!" a pink blur came bouncing on the road towards her.
"Hey, Pinkie. What are you doing?" Twilight asked.
Pinkie bounced to a halt in front of her. "Oh just handing out invitations to Pound and Pumpkins birthday party. Can you believe they are already turning 2?!" Pinkie exclaimed in glee.
"Wow, already?" Twilight replied, she couldn't believe it had already been that long.
"Hope to see you there Twi!" Pinkie turned to leave.
"Wait, Pinkie what about my-"
"Whoops, almost forgot to give you your invite. How dumb would that be?" Pinkie said leaning back in and handing over the invite. Twilight took the invitation and waved goodbye. "Thanks, Pinkie!"
Pinkie was already gone.
Twilight decided today would be a good day for some reading down by the pond in the park. With that, she went back inside to collect a book.
"Full body twitch! It's a doozy!" Pinkie yelled.
Unknown Planet, Unknown territory
[UNSC - 1st Squad, 3rd Marine Infantry Company, 69th Marine Infantry Battalion]
A single Pelican flew low over the forest, to avoid detection.
"Foxtrot 9 to Raider 7, we will be on the DZ in five mikes."
Ramirez stood up from his seat in the back fixing his helmet to his head.
"Remember the Op Marines, weapons on safe unless told otherwise!" Ramirez shouted.
"Roger that sarge!" Carlos shouted standing up himself.
Ramirez raid his hoof to his helmet and pushed the comms button there.
"Raider 7, to Saratoga. Starting our deployment." Ramirez said. "Roger, that Raider 7, I got you lima, charlie."
The pelican continued its decent approaching a ruin the map indicated in the forest. Ramirez looked out as the ramp began to lower revealing the vast jungle that awaits them below.
"Touchdown, in one mike."
"Semper Fi marines!" Ramirez shouted back.
"Oorah!"
"Touchdown, in three, two, one."
The Pelican landed.
"Move it out Marines!" Ramirez shouted jumping off the Pelican onto the ground.
The Marines followed suit all jumping off and forming a horseshoe perimeter of the Pelican entrance.
"Foxtrot 9, to Saratoga, we have made the splash, I repeat we have made the splash returning to home base."
"Saratoga, to Foxtrot 9, read you lima charlie, come on home."
Ramirez watched as the Pelican took off back towards the ship. The sounds of nature suddenly came to everyone's ears. Ramirez listened to the crows, and the occasional woodpecker noting it surprisingly similar to a forest you would find on Earth.
"Don't admire the scenery boys. We got work to do." Ramirez said much quieter now. "From here forward we communicate through arm signals and whispering, noise and light discipline." Ramirez finished the cigarette he was smoking and snuffed it out in the dirt with his hoof.
Ramirez made the signal to move out. So they did. They trek through the woods eventually coming across a wooden bridge, and it looked very unsteady. Ramirez gave the 'All Halt' signal and looked down into the valley. Carlos came to the front and looked in the opposite direction. "Doesn't look like there's any way across Carlos."
"I guess I'll test the bridge Sarge since it's our only way over." Carlos replied taking the first step onto the rickety bridge. "Careful Carlos, I won't be able to see you through that fog so once we're all clear, radio in, and yell if you take contact." Carlos nodded continuing his careful steps. He stepped across each plank, one by one, testing each one as he went. Eventually, he reached the other side and searched his surroundings. Nothing but forest and a dirt path. "Raider 3-1, to Raider 7, all clear."
It took a little bit but eventually, the entire squad was across, and they were able to continue on. That was until they came across a river. It was flowing pretty fast too. Carlos this time called to 'All Halt and the Marines set up a perimeter. Ramirez came up and met with Carlos and pulled out his map. "Personally I don't know why they didn't build a bridge here, there's a path after all." Carlos said.
"Well, it leads to that ruin back there. It probably hasn't been used in a while." Ramirez replied pointing to the map. "It looks like the river leads all the way to the town up the road, if we follow the river we might find an area to cross over."
"Hello there!" Came a voice from in front of them.
One of the marines screamed out loud and raised his MA5. "God, dammit, shut your mouth, and stow that weapon Marine before I shove a grenade in it." Ramirez barked.
"But that thing can talk!" The Marine bellowed in fear.
"Yes, yes, we all heard him, Marine, you transformed into a talking horse overnight, am I supposed to scream about you till the cows come home?" Ramirez scolded poking his hoof into the Marines armored chest plate. "N-no, sir." The Marine calmed down.
"Excuse me, sir. I'm sorry about my friends' outburst!" A sky blue mare removed her helmet to reveal her horn and white alabaster mane. She looked up at the serpent with a genuine smile.
"Marine. What in blazes are you doing?" Carlos called to her. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. "Oh, just making friends Sarge." With the look in her eyes, you could tell she had a plan ready.
"Oh, I'm mighty sorry if I scared him." The serpent replied. Looking almost hurt.
"Oh it's quite alright, he's just a big baby. Listen, me and my friends are lost, we're just trying to get back to town. Can you maybe help us get over?" She asked earning an approving look from Ramirez.
"Of course! One second!" The serpent dived down creating a sort of bridge for them to get across.
The mare thrust her helmet back on her head and began to jump across, followed by Carlos, the squad, and eventually Ramirez. When Ramirez was across the serpent came up finally. "If you ever need me again, my name is Steve." The Serpent said before diving back down and swimming away.
"Steve, what an oddly human name." Ramirez commented turning back to the mare who stood by and waved him goodbye.
"Good thinking Marine." Ramirez complimented.
"Just making new friends Sarge." She said again with a grin. Ramirez grinned back at her. "What's your name, Marine?" Ramirez said.
"Janice, sir. Corporal Janice, platoon corpsman." She replied.
Ramirez rested a hoof on her shoulder. "Add diplomat to that resume Corporal, you're my new embassy."
Janice nodded. "Sir, yes sir." So they again continued on, until they saw an opening in the road ahead. Ramirez called 'All Halt' one last time and then made a rallying point in the forest off the path.
The squad moved to the rally point and established security. Ramirez pulled out his touchpad from his assault pack and brought up the map and zoomed in on the edge of the forest. "Alright, Marines, front and center it's time for a little show and tell." Ramirez turned the tablet so it was facing the crew, Alpha team, I want you on the overwatch, on the western end of town, Bravo, and Charlie will take the center, and Delta will get the right flank. Any questions?" Everyone shook their heads and team leaders headed off with their teams.
Jackson and his team leader made their way towards the left flank with their third team member who was carrying a sniper rifle with him.
The trio moved to their position and prone themselves out behind the shrubs. "Lemus, get that rifle downrange." The Orange-winged pony nodded before crawling forward and putting his rifle on its bipod. The team leader, a Grey Mare pulled out her binos and began to look. "I mean it looks peaceful, looks a bit like-" She gasped once setting her gaze on the town occupants. "You boys seeing what I'm seeing?" She said. Jackson nodded. "Roger that Sarge." Jackson replied Lemus nodded adjusting his scope. to zoom in.
"All teams confirm eyes on the target."
The mare put her hoof to her helmet. "Roger that, sir."
"Affirmative."
"Eyes on target sarge."
"Not seeing any military traffic sir, I'd say they are peaceful."
"Can't go making assumptions Marines."
As the radio chatter continued. The Grey Mare and Jackson, the blue-winged pony. listened and watched the town, Lemus however turned head and his eyes turned to pinpricks.
"Do you think they're friendly?" Jackson asked. The mare nodded still looking through her binos as a pink blur squeezed between them.
"I'd say so, they're positively adorable." The mare replied.
"Ooh, are we playing I spy? I spy, a freaking out Orange Pegasus!" Jackson and the grey mare both looked towards each other in surprise at the pink mare. The mare gave a sheepish look. "Oops, sorry. I Gave it away."
"Sarge?"
"What is it, Benson?"
"We've been made."
Twilight now lay with a smile across her face as she read her book next to the pond. 'Today couldn't be any better.' Twilight thought as she reads through her newest book. Glancing up she saw Pinkie looking through the bushes in the forest just past the park. 'Just Pinkie, being Pinkie.' She thought returning to her book. She flipped through the page and went to keep reading. "Oh! Hey Twilight!"
Correction. It 'was' a good day.
"Yes, Pinkie?" Twilight deadpanned having her reading interrupted.
"I'm playing hide and seek with some strange ponies in the Everfree. You wanna play?" Pinkie bounced as she stuck her head into some shrubs.
That got Twilight's attention. "Strange ponies? How are they strange?" Twilight looked up from her book and looked right at the pink mare.
"Oh, they were just laying in the forest on the edge of town just watching us. I mean a few of them pointed these long black pieces of metal at me and told me to get lost which was kind of rude but then they ran off back into the woods. So I said. Gasp . I love hide and seek! Which at this point I'll admit they're pretty good at hiding."
"Pinkie! What did they look like? How long ago did they run off?" Twilight got up from her book now, her interest now piqued.
"Oh, I think they were playing dress-up too, they were wearing his like metal armor, and clothes that were blending into the shrubbery. Huh, maybe that's why I can't find them, ooh, they're good." Pinkie said. Twilight face hoofed.
"Pinkie. How long ago did they go?" Twilight asked.
"Oh! About 5 minutes ago. You wanna help me look?!"
Twilight looked into the Everfree a bit unnerved by the fact there were armored ponies watching them all. "Pinkie. Can you go and get the girls? Tell them what you told me and that I went in to get started on the search." Twilight said. "Okie Dokie Loki!" Pinkie replied promptly bouncing off.
Twilight looked up and saw it was starting to get dark so even if they were being suspicious the Everfree was no place to be after dark.
Twilight lit her horn and stepped into the forest walking the pack to the Castle of the Two Sisters.
"What the hell happened?" Ramirez asked sternly to Gunnery Sergeant Benson.
"We were just doing recon when this pony came up behind us and started talking about I spy or something. Of course Jackson pointed his weapon at her." At this Ramirez facepalmed and shook his head.
"Jackson. What am I gonna do with you?" Ramirez asked rhetorically.
"Either way Sarge, we're made. We need to exfill, and I think we have our answer about whether they're friendly or not so I say mission accomplished." Carlos said.
"Agreed. Janice, get ready to call your serpent friend. We're headed back to base."
"Aye, sir." Janice replied but as they turned to walk away cracking of sticks could be heard from behind them.
"Whoa, watch your motion trackers people." Carlos said as the group formed 360 security. What they saw chilled them to the bone.
Glowing green eyes, and the sound of wood clanging into each other. "Whoa, people remain calm, keep your bearings. It's the local wildlife." Ramirez stated as everyone trained their weapons.
As soon as they came, they scampered off. "Stand down people."
A scream echoed through the trees and every Marine looked to the road.
"Looks like this recon mission just became a rescue op Marines! Move out." Ramirez gestured towards the cries of terror.
Author's Note
Ooh, what happened to Twilight?
Will 1st squad get to her in time or will her friends beat them to the punch?
Captain Snowden looked out his observation window. He watched the planet, pondering what was down there. The door to the bridge opened and Lieutenant Colonel Grace entered, a pair of sailors saluting as she walked by.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" Grace saluted as the Captain turned to her returning her salute.
Snowden turned back to the viewing port."Anything from Sergeant Major Ramirez yet?" Snowden decided to get straight to the point.
Grace shook her head. "Nothing but regular location updates, as of right now they are making observations of a town to the north of their drop location."
"So the mission is progressing as planned," Snowden said. Grace nodded in response. Snowden watched the light of the sun slowly moved over the planet. As soon as the planet went dark, they would be moving into position.
"Sir." Grace got the Captain's attention. Snowden turned to meet her gaze. "Is that everything, sir?" Grace asked eager to get back to her task.
Normally this would be seen as rude however Snowden wasn't most senior officers in the UNSC, he knew she was busy, and that she was dealing with a lot. Quite a lot indeed.
"Yes, you're dismissed, Colonel," Snowden replied looking back at the planet, and with that Grace took her leave as the automatic doors opened her serious expression cracked for but a moment before the door closed behind her.
1st squad moved in a wedge formation rapidly towards the calls for help. The Marines raised their weapons and ducked through the shrubs advancing on the position.
"Check your targets Marines," Ramirez ordered as they came upon the location.
They lined up behind the same wolves as they advanced on a purple mare. The marines got low and trained their rifles on the wolves. All of a sudden the purple mare dropped a shield around herself. The marines watched still waiting for orders. Carlos looked at Ramirez. Ramirez stood up and pulled out his magnum.
"What's the plan, Sarge?" Carlos asked watching Ramirez's actions.
"Let's not waste the ammo Marines, we don't have an unlimited supply," Ramirez said. Carlos nodded, the Marines took their weapons off safe as a 'just in case' insurance policy. Without warning, Ramirez lifted his magnum towards the first wolf.
'Crack!'
The shot permeated the air, the bullet struck the hound in the hindquarters causing it to yelp in surprise. The rest of the pack seemed alarmed until the alpha turned to the Marines after spotting them.
The wolf howled before it turned and began walking off with the rest of the pack. The wolf watched them as the pack began to skulk off.
Twilight had dropped to the ground upon hearing the loud crack as her panic got the better of her. Her shield dropped, and she began to hyperventilate. Stars filled her vision when the growling started again.
"Get you filthy beast!" A rough voice snarled. However, the Timberwolf was evidently hungry enough to ignore him.
The Timberwolf lunged forward to claim the Alicorn prize.
Twilight at this point was out of it, she felt as if she couldn't breathe until something latched around her leg, it was sharp, then it was painful as it began to pull and chomp down harder, that spurred Twilight awake. Twilight went to flare her horn but was beat to the punch by another gunshot.
"Weapons free!"
'Bratatatatatata!'
Automatic gunfire peppered the Timberwolfwith bullets. The wolf released his grip and yelped in pain multiple times before falling backward and splintering to pieces.
Twilight looked at her leg and immediately regretted it. The Timberwolf had evidently had her long enough to shred part of the skin on her leg but left a gash that began to ooze blood at a slow rate.
Twilight seethed in pain as the pain began to extend up her leg.
"Ah hell." The voice approached. "Corpsman, get over here!"
Twilight looked over to see the owner of the voice, as 13 ponies swarmed out of the treeline moving around her. In a moment of panic, she raised her shield around herself once more, alarming everyone. "Take it, easy miss, we're not gonna hurt you," Ramirez said. The soldiers formed a 360-degree circle around the bubble.
"I don't think it can understand you, sir." Carlos approached.
This rubbed Twilight the wrong way. "I can understand you, just fine," Twilight responded earning an alarmed look from all but Jackson, Lemus, Benson, and Ramirez.
"You speak English?" Carlos replied in alarm.
"Not the time Sergeant, go check on your squad." Ramirez pointed. Carlos nodded. "Yes, sarge." Carlos moved off to check on his Marines.
Janice approached the shield and removed her helmet.
"Miss? I'm Petty Officer Janice, I'm the field doctor with this unit." Janice showed Twilight the red cross symbol on her helmet. Twilight looked at her own injury and winced. Backed against the wall. Then again, judging by what they did to the Timberwolf they had more than enough opportunity to kill her.
"It's alright if you don't trust us ma'am, but at least allow her to help you," Ramirez said.
Twilight looked back at her injury one more time as the blood oozed down her leg and spread into the dirt.
Twilight nodded and a small opening appeared for Janice.
Ramirez nodded to Janice who looked ahead and stepped through. The window closed, trapping Janice inside.
Janice noted to herself she had no experience with horses but she couldn't tell her that. As Janice got closer she looked into the mare's eyes. She was watching Janice regarding her with suspicion. More to the point she was watching what was dangling around her neck, her MA5.
"I get it, I'll put it down," Janice said, slowly grabbing the top of the rifle. The tensed and her horn buzzed with what looked like electricity. With slow deliberate movements, Janice walked towards Ramirez hoisting the strap over her head and set the weapon gently on the ground.
The mares expression softened, and the buzzing stopped. However, Janice made deliberate slow movements towards the mare. As she approached she got a bearing on the extent of the injury. It was basic, she wouldn't die. "Well, the good news is, no arteries have been severed," Janice said.
"Mhmm," Twilight replied with a bit of malice. Janice removed her backpack and opened it grabbing the biofoam, however she stopped. Biofoam contained a few medicinal properties including morphophetamine, and polyethyltriphosphate, which Janice had no idea if it was toxic to her species. So instead she busted out something more simple, old-fashioned first aid with gauze, and a tourniquet.
Twilight watched with a mixture of fear and curiosity, she wasn't performing any medical spells but was doing something, she wasn't sure what though. Janice pulled out the tourniquet and unbuckled the release.
"This might pinch a little ma'am," Janice said. as she lifted Twilights leg to fasten the tourniquet. "Hey." Janice began, Twilight looked at her instead of at the strange strap she had. "What's your name?" Janice mustered the most genuine smile she could.
Twilight looked away. Janice frowned and fixed the tourniquet to Twilight's leg.
"Twilight..." Twilight finally said. "My name is Twilight Sparkle." She finally said. Janice's smile returned as she hit the button on the buckle and the tourniquet tightened, causing Twilight to wince.
"What is that thing?" Twilight asked in curiosity. Janice looked at the tourniquet.
"This is called a tourniquet, it cuts off blood flow to your bleeding extremity." Twilight regarded it with a fascinated expression.
"So primitive, but effective." Twilight looked at Janice and looked at the mare's horn. "Aren't you a unicorn? Why not just use a healing spell?" Twilight asked as Janice went for the gauze.
Janice regarded the question. How to best answer the question tactfully. A white lie never hurt anyone. "I just never really practiced spells," Janice replied. This drove something in Twilight to push for more answers but when she went to speak a painful surge erupted in her leg as Janice began to pack the wound.
Pained whimpers came from Twilight as Janice finished packing the wound and began to wrap it. Twilight picked her head up and eyed Janice dangerously. "Sorry, Miss Sparkle, but that should be that. I'm done." Janice informed, Twilight looked inspecting her work. It was surprisingly clean. Despite the leftover blood on the ground, it was holding nicely, despite the pinch from the 'tourniquet' as she called it that she used.
"She good to go Corporal?" Ramirez asked from beyond the barrier. Janice nodded.
"I'm done sarge, but she'll still need to get to a hospital to get this wound properly treated," Janice said.
Ramirez winced. "We can't just take her back to her town. All of us going into town would likely cause a panic, and we need to be mindful of disease." Ramirez said.
"Now hold on. You can't just leave me here." Twilight deadpanned.
"We won't, we will just have to take you back with us," Ramirez replied.
Twilights horn flared. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"Relax Twilight. We won't do anything to harm you." Janice attempted to deescalate the situation.
"Well you can stay here or come with us, and I'd rather not have let a poor girl get eaten by giant wolves." Ramirez shot back.
"My friends know I'm out here, I sent my friend Pinkie to find them before I came looking for you," Twilight replied.
Suddenly a howl sounded through the air.
"Well it sounds like leaving you is out of the question." Ramirez pointed out.
Twilight winced weighing her options. She knew she could easily take on a pack of Timberwolves, but not like this. "Times running out ma'am." Ramirez looked at the approaching pack.
Twilights options were non-existent at this point. As Ramirez turned to leave Twilight lowered her shield. "Once I'm well, I can leave on my own terms?" Twilight asked.
"I'll make sure we get you back here as soon as possible," Janice promised as she thrust her bag to Jackson. "Jackson. Help me get her on my back." She ordered. Jackson came over with Ramirez, they each lifted Twilight onto Janice.
Janice adjusted herself before reclaiming her MA5.
"Let's move 1st squad." Ramirez lifted his hoof to his ear. "Saratoga, this is Raider 7 requesting distort, we're moving to LZ now," Ramirez said.
Twilight looked confused but was trusted from confusion when he pointed forward. Deeper into the Evetfree. 'Are these ponies crazy?' Twilight thought.
"Form a diamond formation around doc, let's move to evac." With the order, they were off the path and heading towards the nearest opening in the trees.
The forest slowly became darker and gave way to a swamp.
"Where are we going?" Twilight asked.
"Were heading to our ship," Janice replied
"You're ship? Did you come on an airship or something?" Twilight again asked.
"Something like that," Ramirez answered, annoyed.
Twilight picked up she was asking too much and went silent.
Janice smiled and looked back. "It's alright, he just doesn't like civilians," Janice reassured.
"Can it Corporal." Ramirez chastised.
"Roger sarge," Janice replied.
They finally came into the open area and began to spread out to form their security.
"Alright, spread out," Ramirez ordered. Janice carried Twilight up to the LZ.
As they stood Janice could feel the weight start to weigh down on her. Then the sounds of the pelican approaching drew Twilights curiosity once more.
When it came into view her shock became very evident.
The shock didn't end as it landed and she began to move towards it. Another pony walked from the door to the back of the compartment.
"Who is this?" The pilot asked as Janice walked onto the pelican.
"We found her in the woods. She's hurt, sir." Ramirez replied. Janice set Twilight in one of the seats and began to strap her into the seat.
"Now I gotta quarantine." The pilot complained walking back into the cockpit mumbling something about 'alien bastards' before the door closed.
The troops piled in and took their seats.
"Who's hungry?" Jackson said, everyone, looked at him.
"I guess I could go for some grub," Benson replied.
"You guys can go get grub once we gear down and decon. God knows what diseases she's immune to that were not. Keep your distance from the other crew members." Ramirez said touching his earpiece. "Saratoga, Raider 7. Requesting to enact quarantine procedures on 1st Squad. I'll also need the Chief Medical Officer in the hangar." Ramirez said getting grumbles from the squad. "Hey, I didn't ask for the pea gallery!" Ramirez seethed.
Twilight watched the exchange and felt almost bad for the ponies eyeing Ramirez carefully. If he noticed he didn't say anything.
With that, the ship took off and began to fly low for the mountains.
The Pelican flew over the Everfree for close to seven minutes. All the while, Twilight looked around the strange flying machine she was in looking at the various lights, the straps holding her to the seat. Curiosity got the better of her, she pulled on the strap and it didn't budge. Her next thought went to. 'How do I get out of this?' As she pulled once more but then noticed the buckle in the center of her chest. As she reached for it, a hoof stopped her and she turned to meet Janice's gaze and she shook her head 'no.'
Twilight took this opportunity to ask some questions. "Why are you so adamant about taking me with you to your airship?" Twilight asked.
Janice gave a reassuring smile. "Let's save those questions for a little later after we close that injury of yours, then I'll answer any questions you might have," Janice replied. Twilight nodded seeming to understand the mare.
"However, for the record-" Janice started, Twilight looked back at her. "-it's more for the good of your society. We need to ensure you don't bring any of our diseases from our world back to your people."
To Twilight this made sense, but they were ponies. Wait, did they say their world? Twilight looked back at her. "Wait you said 'your world?'" Twilight asked a tinge of shock crossing her face.
"Miss Sparkle, I'll answer your questions later but now is a very bad time," Janice replied, leaving Twilight to ponder what she meant.
Muffled chatter started up, coming from all around her but she couldn't make out what they were saying, and nopony was saying anything.
Ramirez stood up and faced the ramp as it opened, Twilight could recognize the mountain she and her friends defeated the dragon on, and then they entered what seemed to be a cave and the Pelican turned itself to reveal it in fact wasn't a cave. A pony wearing some kind of uniform, and red vest was on his rear hooves holding orange glow sticks waving them towards himself directing the flying machine they were in.
When the Pelican touched down in the hangar Janice was the first to her hooves and placed herself in front of Twilight.
The rest of the Marines stood up after her and began to make their exit, their hardened boots thumped against the metal deck. A pony in a white hazmat suit stepped on when the ramp dropped.
"What do we have petty officer?" The pony asked.
Janice unbuckled Twilight and released her from her confinement. "Have a..." She looked to finally notice she had both wings and a horn. "A pony civilian ran into her in the forest she was injured by the local wildlife."
"Okay," The pony turned back to a pony with a similar coat color to Twilight except her mane was a smokey black. "Ensign, get up here and help us get her to the med bay."
She abandoned the stretcher and stepped onto the Pelican.
"Okay Miss Sparkle, we are going to lift you and take you to the med bay," Janice said as she positioned herself to pick up one side of her.
On a three-count, the three ponies lifted her out of her seat and carried her out of the pelican and onto the stretcher.
"Miss Sparkle was it?" The first pony asked.
Twilight nodded, "Twilight Sparkle," she said looking at all the ponies still baffled by her surroundings. More to the point why were the unicorns not using their magic to carry her?
"My name is Doctor Bowman, I'm the chief medical officer on the UNSC Saratoga." Twilight had so many questions. 'What on Faust did UNSC stand for? What kind of airship are we on? Where did these ponies come from?' She needed answers and she vowed mentally she was going to get to the bottom of it.
Ponyville, EQ
"What if she's hurt? Or worst?" Rarity held a hoof to her mouth.
"We need to go in and find her, I'll beat those jerks into the ground if they hurt her." Rainbow made a punching motion.
Applejack shook her head at her friend's antics. "She's an Alicorn Dash, I'm fairly certain she can take on anything that comes her way."
"She's right darling, but I still can't help but worry," Rarity cringed willing certain thoughts to go away.
Applejack looked into the dark forest. "Well, it's too dangerous to go in at this time a night."
"What are we supposed to do? Leave her in there?!" Rainbow scowled.
"I don't like it as much as y'all do sugarcube," Applejack replied.
"I think it's worth talking to the mayor on the matter," Rarity suggested turning to head towards the town hall. Applejack sighed and fell in behind her.
"Yeah, I reckon you're right Rares. I just hope there's somethin' she can do."
Later
"Unfortunately there's not much I can do at the moment," Mayor Mare answered. The three mares looked fearfully.
"Wha'? We can't just leave her out there!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Yeah! If you won't do anything then I will!" Rainbow Dash barked turning to fly out the manor door, that was until Applejack gripped her tail in her teeth halting the blue pegasus.
"Whoa nelly, ya' can't just go flyin' into the Everfree like a tornader'. That's wha' got Twi' in this mess," Applejack reasoned. Mayor Mare sighed and looked at the three mares that appeared at her door.
"Look, I can send a message to the regional guard but that's about as much as I can do." Mayor Mare replied.
Rarity scoffed, "That still does nothing until morning."
Rarity stomped her hoof against the wood floor to insinuate her point, Mayor Mare furrowed her brow at this. "Well, what do you expect me to do, galivant off into the Everfree Forest with my advisors in the middle of the night?" Mayor Mare quipped silencing Rarity.
"Well, we have to do something!" Rainbow flew up in the mayor's face. The mayor pushed Rainbow away gently with her hoof.
"Wait maybe we can!" Rarity suddenly lit up in a sudden moment of clarity.
"Like what Rares?" Applejack asked. Rarity looked over at her friend.
"We can send a message to Princess Celestia! Twilight is missing after all and she's a Princess too, that makes it royal business." Rarity lifted her hoof to drive the point home.
"Well, what are we waiting for?!" Rainbow lit up flying out the door.
"I'll get that message sent out right away," Mayor Mare called to them as they left leaving her in peace once more.
The three mares ran across town to Twilights castle and proceeded to knock on the door. They asked Spike to send Princess Celestia a letter and informed him about what was going on.
