Author's Note

Edited: June 2022

Fixed the name of what the pony evolution is called.

Chapter 3 - Ponies of Starfleet, Part 2; Unruliness

Celestia... was not an Alicorn. True, she looked like an Alicorn, had the powers of an Alicorn, even aged like an Alicorn... but it was merely a perfect puppet.

Her true body was the small star, orbiting Equus. Orbiting because she was consciously moving around the planet.

The Doctor had saved her, as he did her sister, who was now the world's moon. They were merely the first of the Refugees, the deity had brought here.

She was called a "Celestial", by lifeforms that mistook her for Divine. Though truth was, she was merely a living planet. Her power was limited, though vast. She was a giant brain, which encased itself in rock. And, unlike her ponies, she would one day die. True, she had another 15 billion years left in her, but she would die. Not even stars live forever.

That didn't particularly trouble her. She was young, by planet standards. Not even having entered middle age. The thought of death was far from her mind...

What did trouble her, was her ponies. She was always fascinated by them. Though now, thanks to the destruction of the tree of Harmony, they had been transformed into true entities. Balance must be maintained, and so Harmony worked overtime.

Just as Discord was born, when the tree was planted, the trees destruction caused the creation of a new race of Harmony... and chaos.

It was nice, not having to watch any of them die of old age. She must admit, she's gotten spoiled by it.

For the past 4 billion years. She had taken to staying on her sun, like she is supposed to, whenever she needs to recharge her Cosmic powers.

It used to be, that she refused to stay on her sun at all. So her puppet body would grow weak. However, now that she knew that her ponies would still be here, when she returned, she was better about staying on her sun, for the 7 years she needed to.

During those times, she would direct the Council of Equus Races, by video chat...

The Extra-net was another reason she didn't struggle, being apart from her ponies. As she could speak with them, even play videogames with them, whenever the mood struck her.

If she wanted physical company, her ponies would come visit her. As they could now survive walking on the surface of her sun.

Besides, the Drakehooves had long since built cities on the surface of her sun. They might be half pony, but that hardly mattered. They shared a pony's innocence and wonder. Their curious nature, and drive to see good in everyone. They were everything Celestia loved about ponies.

While Celestia's former apprentice, handled the bureaucracy of pony government... and the Drakehooves ruled over themselves. Celestia saw to matters of defense. But with how peaceful all Equuleus were, she rarely had anything to do. which was, in part, why she Contacted Starfleet.

Thankfully, Celestia recently began her cycle, where she could step away from her sun without issue. So she had 42 years to set her plans in motion.

•

• Later, in The Pony Embassy, at the Rift:

This place was amazing. Picard couldn't help but marvel, at every window he passed. Just outside, was the void of space, somehow filled with air, and radiation filters. Even a touch of friction, to control movement.

An entire asteroid belt, was sculpted into billions of large islands. Each with Earth norm gravity, and a large building... that was bigger on the inside then the outside.

Picard was having trouble keeping his mind on task. The sheer impossibility of this place. So when Picard finally reached the doors to the throne room, he was truly unprepared.

He was doing his best not to blush, as he walked into the throne room. Before him were two Equuleus females. Both were tall, even by their own species standards, with flowing hair (in a quite literal sense). One was covered in dark blue fur, while the other was whiter then snow.

Well he believed he prepared himself nothing could have readied him for their appearance. They were just so gorgeous and shameless.

They were one of the few races that believe... clothing was... optional. It helped they didn't have any obvious breast and were covered in fur, but there was still the nagging feeling that they were naked, save for a few pieces of jewelry... they also had very visible nipples going down their stomach and Picard could see even more... personal parts on display.

"Princess Celestia," Picard bowed to the white matriarch. Then to the blue one, "Princess Luna." making sure to address them as "Princess". According to his mission briefing, the Equuleus had an aversion to Queens. There past was filled by dictators which used such titles.

"I would like to introduce-" however he was cut off.

"Lady Picard," Luna looked at Dianna. "Perhaps we can skip the formalities and move onto business."

Picard felt he should finish his sentence. "-My counselor, Dianna Troi. I am Jean Luc Picard, Admiral of the Alliance Star-"

"YOU'RE the captain of your nation's Flagship!" Luna gaped.

"Loo Loo," Celestia chided, "We went over this. It is common for lower animals to have males that are not only as strong, but often stronger then their females. It is perfectly logical most species would evolve to allow their males in more dangerous positions."

"Seems like just another unruly Stallion to me," Luna's eyes traveled down to Picard's crotch.

It took everything Picard had not to cover his erection. Which was far too obvious due to his skin tight uniform. That might very well be how she identified him as male. As there species was far too different to determine that by facial features.

Dianna spoke up, "Admiral Picard has my full confidence. He has been one of the best Captain's in Starfleet's history. And an even greater Admiral. He led us to many victories against technologically superior foes, and negotiated peace between thousands of worlds. Perhaps because of his 'unruly' tendencies."

Luna seemed pacified by this, "Still, it would have been nice if Starfleet took our interests in joining them more seriously."

"Your highness." Picard gave a slight bow, "As I was trying to say, I am the commanding officer of the Alliance Flagship, the USS Enterprise. And 4 star Admiral within Starfleet itself."

"My presence here was meant to show Starfleet's utmost appreciation towards your proposal." Picard managed to say the next thing without blushing, "I apologize for my unruliness in your presence."

Celestia waved off, "It is just part of our Alicorn magic."

Picard did his best not to react to the word "magic". From the debriefing he got, he understood that Equuleus had a detailed understanding of the science behind their abilities. They just favored... 'traditional' terminology for them.

"How's that work?" Picard couldn't stop himself from asking. "Since you are not true Alicorns?"

Picard had heard, in his briefing, that it had been confirmed the two sisters were some kind of living planets. Much like the living nebulas, Starfleet had encountered.

Celestia smiled, a patient grin one might give a nosy child. "No, we might not be Alicorns, but these bodies are. We even modified them, to better fit in with the creatures the Equuleus have evolved into. I must say, I find the hands useful." she looked at her flawless hand.

The living star continued, "Due to the Alicorn biology, these bodies grow taller, and more beautiful, the older we become. There are few males, of any species, who would not become 'unruly' in our presence. Rest assured, Captain, we do not hold it against you."

Picard stood straighter. Trying not to take offense at their refusal to acknowledge his "Admiral" status. "Then perhaps we could move on? Starfleet is very interested in your offer of an exchange program between our fleets."

Celestia smiled, "We like the idea of learning more about this new galaxy, with your aid." As their entire Star Cluster, as well as every solar system in this galaxy, had been artificially moved to this corner of space.

Luna added, "Though, seeing as our magic makes Anthros immune to Borg nanites, it is a toss up who is getting the better deal here."

Picard didn't raise to the bait.

•

"Thy colt may explain," Luna addressed Dianna. "If thou art unwilling. What woulds we gain from this union?"

Picard pulled down at the hem of his shirt, as he often did... for no reason related to "unruliness". Though he failed to stop himself from blushing, as Princess Luna scuffed, dismissively, at his unconscious habit. No doubt interpreting the gesture as "immature".

Despite this, Picard tried to maintain his dignity, as he spoke. "Currently, the Alien Alliance uses many programs from the humanoids. As well as we have adopted their currency. However, alien worlds recieve only table scraps.

"The Alliance wishes to emulate the humans, and maintain their universal currency. However, we need to unite our worlds, to better share our resources."

Luna scuffed, "Art worlds are plentiful. We hast no need to share resources. If Thou wish to trade, thou my buy art goods. The Terran Empire may seek to stop trading with us, if We show favoritism to a rival government."

"You know full well sister," Thankfully Celestia spoke. "The humanoids have far too desperate a need for our Crystals. They will not stop trading with us. And our involvement, with the Alien Alliance, may result in the humans opening greater means of trade, with them."

•

Once the initial talks were over, Picard returned to his ship with Dianna. Desperately wanting to groan. He had done little to convince Luna away from her position. If anything, Celestia did most of the convincing... which also fell on deft ears.

"Their motives are sincere." The woman explained once they were in private. "Princess Celestia honestly just wants this exchange program to improve relations with the rest of the galaxy. I sense that she may wish to use this cultural exchange, as a way to convince her people, that we are not savages for putting males in dangerous positions."

Picard sighed, "You don't have to be an empath to sense her sister disagrees."

Said Empath smiled, Dianna found all this rather amusing. "She would definitely get along with the natives of Angel 1. Although Princess Luna might not have showed it very well, she was speaking from a place of genuine concern for your well being.

"Your... 'unruliness'," Dianna couldn't help but chuckle while Picard groaned, "Seemed to confirm her suspicions that human males lacked the proper levels of self control, to be left to handle possibly dangerous situations.

"She also had a very hard time grasping, that females are not the dominant sex, everywhere in the galaxy. I can't imagine what would happen, if the Equuleus ran into the Ferengi." Who had already joined the Alliance.

Picard groaned more. He, inadvertantly, just made all human males look unsuitable for leadership roles. In extension he made all Federation females seem callus in "their duty towards males".

Starfleet should have at least sent a female ambassador to accompany him. Perhaps even a female Admiral. All Picard could do was groan.

Males, on this planet, were legitimately small and weak. With very short attention spans and an almost childlike innocence. Though those last ones were likely a result of cultural gender norms, rather then genetics.

Regardless, with how sheltered and physically frail Equuleus males were, they legitimately did need the females to look after them. They couldn't protect themselves from the more dangerous predators, on their native planets, and had no ambition to leave the care of their females.

There was no call for social change, as males legitimately liked their place of lazying about, and playing adventure board games, with no desire to actually go on an adventure, as the females were known to.

The Federation had researched the Anthros in detail, as they normally do, for years before first contact. During that time the males showed a legitimate happiness and gratitude towards their female masters.

Celestia was the chairman of the Equuleus Senate, and could thereby make decisions for their space fairing fleet. Still, it was widely known that she relied heavily on Luna.

If Picard couldn't convince Luna that the majority of males weren't as helpless as those of their own species... then there was no hope of the Anthros actually going through with their own proposal...

"Why do you never listen to my advice!?" Luna glared, "I'm telling you. This is too big for the Senate not to be allowed a vote!"

Celestia rolled her eyes, "As chairmare I can make any military decisions on my own. Besides, it's not like I'm declaring war on anypony. It's an exchange program."

"What do you think the Alliance is," Luna exclaimed, completely exacerbated. "They are clearly gathering together, to strike out at their oppressors!"

Celestia studied her sister a moment, "I don't believe that. I truly believe, they just want to thrive, as the humans do. They don't wish to threaten anyone, they just want stability... and if this exchange program goes well. I will see they get it."

•

• CODEX: The Terran Empire.

A Utopia, focusing on the well being of all humanoid species. Where each species was given seats on a Senate, a seat for each planet under that race's rule.

Here, all health care is free, along with housing, and a monthly grocery allowance, as well as a separate toiletry allowance. All necessities are free. With money being used purely for luxuries.

This is thanks to the electronic currency, all humanoid governments agreed to. So money can be created as needed, by the government. So all necessary workers can be paid indefinitely, depending purely on how much they accomplished, and how many hours they work.