Chapter 3: New order of business or diplomacy

Despite this disturbance, both slept pretty well for the rest of the night. As the day approached, the colts yawned, Tungsten reached for his glasses. "Morning, Pip."

"Good morning." The pinto colt returned it. Quietly going outside and peeking through the bedroom doors, they saw their hosts; the human adults and children were still asleep. It gave them an idea.

Walking into the kitchen, they decided to make breakfast for their hosts, toast and juice; despite the futuristic appliances and technology, the toaster worked the same as at home, so it was no problem to get the breakfast done. Pip walked towards the daughter's room, as Tungsten towards the parents. As expected, the hosts sniffed at the warm food and slowly fluttered their eyes open, yet a small smile grew on their faces. "Thank you." Oscar said happily, dishing in with his wife; their daughters did the same.

Then the colts breakfasted themselves, taking a bowl of oatmeal with juice each.

It's very kind of you but leave the cleaning to us," Zoe told them, and they nodded in return. As they went to the living room, the siblings quickly cleaned their dishes and followed them, with the younger sister slightly nervous as she spoke up.

"I know this isn't the best moment, but…can you tell me a bit about your home?"

Both colts took a deep breath, trying to fight the feeling of homesickness swelling up in them. "As you know, we live in Trottingham," Pip started, "But we go to school in Ponyville, a small but nice town. My mother…had a rough life. My father beat my mother and me." The pinto colt shivered, only to be wrapped into a hug by the young girl.

"You don't deserve this!" She cried out with sympathy.

"She had a dead-end job with a meager income, yet she cared deeply for me, and I tried to brighten her up regularly. That and Tungsten's mother, an old friend, and my godmother kept her going with me. Blue Murder also taught me much. B-but…"

Pip stuttered, trying to hold back tears. "I had a familiar accident before, making her very worried…I hope…"

Tungsten rubbed his back. "I am sure they will find us; you said that yourself."

His younger friend nodded, and the older colt continued for him. "As for me, given my mother is friends with Nancy, it was bound to happen we would meet. I barely remember my father, who died in a traffic accident when I was very young. As my mother already lost my father, I dread…." His emotions started to swell up, only for the older sister to wrap him in a calming hug.

"I know its hard, but you got to stay positive." Loa spoke in a comforting voice with a weak smile.

"Righto…" Both colts nodded, knowing she had a point.

"It's okay to cry, it makes us... normal after all, it's never good to hold it in." Oscar added with a weak smile of his own.

Before they could form any reply, the doorbell rang, and he answered it. To his surprise, a pair of policemen were standing outside.

"Officer, can I help you?"

"Sorry to bother you, sir, but we got an inquisitional order to question your guests." One of them holding up a paper with the Inquisitorial seal, making Oscar fear the worst with a deep sense of fear. He knew if he resisted them, it would only get him a death wish, not just to him but to his whole family.

"I see…Can we go with them?"

"Yes, the inquisitor wanted to hear your part as well."

He got back inside to inform his guests and family; he saw his wife hugging their daughters, whispering calming words to their youngest, assuring everything would be alright. Pip and Tungsten tried to look brave, although fear was visible in their eyes as they followed him outside.

The policemen wore black uniforms but with custodian helmets, similar to the police in Trottingham; their squad cars had a black and white scheme with a blue/red light bar.

They got into the backseats, the family got in other cars, and no one said a word as they got driven through the streets. It was nothing but a sense of fear, dread, and awkwardness, but eventually, an enormous palace appeared, causing the colts' eyes to widen at its sight. It had several high towers, similar to Canterlot Castle but larger. Men in the same green uniforms as the poster guarded the entrance, escorting everyone inside or standing guard.

The enormous halls were highly decorated with grand white walls and shiny black floors that glistened with portraits of what the ponies assumed to be past leaders, everyone dressed in a green uniform with a red and yellow cape, the 2 headed eagles that rested on the shoulders, belt, chest-plates, and helmets.

One of the soldiers opened a massive set of double doors, and they saw the man in the same uniform and pose as an artist painting a perfectly matching portrait of him; his hair was greying of old age, yet he looked surprisingly athletic and strong for his looks, having his back to them.

"The unknown xenos have arrived as per your order, Governor Finkle." The soldier told him.

The Governor turned around, revealing his broad face with a single brown eye, his other replayed by a cybernetic eyepiece, giving an intimidating red glow.

"Thank you." Then he turned towards the painter, a tall but thin man with dark brown hair and green eyes. "Kyle, leave us." He just nodded without a word and both painter and soldier left the room.

The Governor turned toward his guests, and his expression became neutral. "I would have never thought that one of my own citizens would get the attention of the Inquisition. I was told by Inquisitor Sturhof that you sheltered xenos." Just as he said this, another man came out of the shadow. He wore brown armor with dark green shoulder pads, a seal on the right pad, a winged skull on the chest, and an eagle on the belt. His expression was neutral as he eyed the colts with icy blue eyes and black hair.

"With all due respect, Governor," Oscar spoke up. "We found them late in the evening, not thinking much of it, given we have steeds in the Imperium. And as they are foals, children no less, it was the most rational instinct to help them." He tried to explain before Sturhof stepped forward.

"I understand your point. But still, their sudden appearance is very suspicious. What do you have to say yourselves on that matter?" With another cold glare, he eyed the colts, making their hearts race and tremble in place.

Yet, they managed to stay calm as Pip tried to explain. "Please, s-sir, we mean no harm to any of you, we are just lost. We don't know how we got here or how we came to this world."

His words were slightly fearful as he and Tungsten recalled what had happened. The Inquisitor stayed silent for a brief moment. "Hmm…fascinating…although, I have to check the truth in this. A Psyker might help to prove this."

"You requested a Psyker, my Lord? As I foresaw these."

It was a male voice that sounded in everyone's ears; the voice was rough, with every breath sounding near a wheeze, as if in constant pain. With awe, Pip and Tungsten saw a man in a purple robe walking in, his eyes hidden by a large domed helmet that reminded them of a crown, several hoses connected to the helmet's back. He gripped a large staff with the eagle and a seal on top of it as he held it, leaning onto it as if it was supporting his body from falling to the ground.

"As it will my lord, but it will be… painful, but it can prove your statement in the shortest way possible."

"Indeed, search their minds to prove what they say is true," Sturhof ordered before turning back to the colts as the Psyker slowly walked over to the colts holding a hand over their heads as they watched, afraid to see his hands tremble and twitch. Steeling themselves as best as possible, both nodded and rubbed a hoof on each other's shoulders to comfort each other. If it would get their hosts out of trouble, it might be worth it.

The Psyker touched their heads, they felt a slight headache, and their hosts were surprised to see them only slightly hissing and grunting; their eyes were held shut as they embraced the Psyker’s power over the warp seeing their minds and memories played out.

Then suddenly, they gasped to see the two colts playing with a Periwinkle-grey unicorn filly, listening to a story told by a brown stallion, who traveled with a blue box, fighting various enemies, a blue-winged unicorn, apparently using a spell to raise the moon and three ponies in dark blue armor fighting by her side. They saw both colts talking in a park before being sucked in by a storm in the sky, proving they were right. But their eyes blinked, the family was shocked to see both colts restrained on a table in a dark cave, frantically looking around as ponies in the ark, dull blues, greens, khakis, and grey armor, their face covered by masks that looked like sort of amalgamation of eyes, skulls, and tentacle prepared to use surgical instruments on them. Seconds later, Humans in uniforms similar to the Imperial Guard. Some wore heavy armor with gas masks that had red lenses; others used flame-based weaponry. They saw soldiers in camouflaged uniforms fighting with dogged determination as they all defended a town from those masked ponies, who supported what could only be described as flying demon monsters. They gasped and breathed heavily as it ended, with the Psyker holding his head in slight pain.

"Their statement is truth, though they have suffered, it is sufficient my liege." Sturhof was emotionless with only a sigh as he turned toward the Governor. "It would appear that under my judgment and jurisdiction has proven them innocent, for now. Sanction them I have other matters that are more pressing to attend to."

"Well then, welcome to Heidrum; you two, I will make sure you two are seen as citizens of our glorious world." Finkle said, turning to Oscar.

"In consideration you just tried to help and your distinguished service record… I will part ways with it just only this once." He smiled slightly, and Millan saluted, being quite relieved and surprised.

"Th-thank you, sir."

A stone fell from Pip's and Tungsten's hearts, also relieved everything went well. They turned to leave, only to notice a ship landing outside the palace. It was formed like a plane at first but small in size, like a small private aircraft. The colors were a mix of red, black, and bleached bone.

"An Astartes holy Stormbird, here?" Finkle sounded surprised and walked outside to meet them. Curiosity got the better of the colts as they watched 4 large figures stepping out. They looked like heavily armored humans in her nightmare, but in the same color as the ship, their helmets had beak-like muzzles, with the left shoulder plate featuring some studs. One wore white armor on the helmet and chest, while the legs and arms stayed red, and another had an eyepiece and a mechanic arm on the back.

"His angels, how may I be of service to you and his will?" The Governor bowed respectfully.

I am Uwe, Techmarine of the Blood Raptors, and I have come by order of my," he paused as if considering his words carefully, "superiors, to this world for in need of supplies of our crusade efforts." The massive armored man with the mechanical arm answered.

"Of course, my lord, I and all of Heidrum will offer all supplies and requests you desire and need."

Pip and Tungsten wanted to get out of sight, but their bodies were frozen in awe, unable to move as the man called Uwe spotted them. "You have…guests, Governor?" He sounded Intrigued.

"Ah, yes I... it's a complicated story, my Lord," The Governor admitted, slightly nervous.

"Well, we have time now for you to explain your reason for housing of these xenos." Uwe stated calmly in return. With that said, Finkle tried to explain to his guests while the Tech Marine and his followers listened patiently and intently to every detail Finkle said from his mouth.

"I see…" Uwe walked towards the colt; their hearts jumped as he looked down at them. "You fear me young ones, you shouldn't, I mean you no harm." he then turned his black visor towards the man standing at their side and made a curt request, "Mr. Milan, keep them safe."

He saluted. "By his will and your order, I'll shall care for them as if they were my own, my lord!"

They watched after the tall armored giants followed the planetary leader who led them away. "W-what…where those?"

"They are called the Adeptus Astartes, holy angels of the Emperor of mankind's greatest warriors, the Space Marines; the perfect soldiers armored and armed in the entire Imperium, or special cases... the beings of death and fear incarnate. They are divided into holy chapters or legions, each having their own colors that serve under the emperor's light. I felt the fear as you did too when I first encountered them, It's a great honor to fight alongside them let alone see one or even speak to one." Oscar explained with a sense of pride. "I fight among many different chapters…Blood Ravens, Imperial Fists, Ultramarines, just to call a few. Although..." He put a hand to his chin, thinking about something.

"I believe I've never heard of these Blood Raptors but read old records and battle reports with their names during my post under the Governor's orders, but I am not sure.…."

Suddenly, the stomachs of the colts growled, causing both to blush in embarrassment. "Ah, time surely passes by, huh? Let us fix that for you and bring something for lunch, there's a good restaurant, and the owner is well known for her good meals." Oscar's wife suggested.

Just as they got outside, a PA vox-com system ranged through the streets. "Attention, citizens. Xeno species visitors. Be advised they are sanctioned, and are under watch of planetary forces, Caution is advised, glory to the Emperor." It was the voice of the Governor.

"That was fast." Pip commented in surprise.

"Yes, Finkle is a very efficient and well-respected leader. Don't worry, nobody will bother you with us around." The veteran assured them.

Not long after, as they walked through the streets, getting some surprised looks from other citizens, they came past a stable, hearing the neighing of the horses inside.

"Are you sure the owner can be trusted?" The bespectacled colt asked, unsure, only to receive an assuring nod from Zoe.

"Yes, she's always kind and friendly, respecting our soldiers greatly. She always gives Oscar and a few soldiers some free meal as veterans and doesn't charge them war bonds or credits."

"If you say so." He looked at Pip, who opened his mouth to speak, only to yelp slightly as he felt his mood lighten up.

"Hmm?" He looked up to notice one of the horses, having a pinto coat like him, had picked him by the scuff and carried him into the stable.

His friend held his hoof over his mouth as he struggled not to laugh, chuckling before laughing slightly in amusement.

"Hey!" A male voice called out, and they saw the farmer rushing in. "Put him down; you can't just pick up random foals!" The mare did as told, and Pip nodded, walking back to his friend and hosts as the farmer apologized. "Sorry about that, Oscar. Are those...?"

"Yes. Yes, they are. Please, they don't mean any harm."

The farmer just shrugged. "I see no problem with foals, even if they are xenos. Cute looking though." He then went back inside, and they continued their way again. At the end of the road was a restaurant, which looked like an average house but had the letters "Jan's Restaurant, all you can eat!"

It was mostly empty at the moment due to their surprise, but a woman with brown hair, green eyes, and a thin build was cleaning behind a counter, spotting them with delight. "Ah, Oscar! Brought the family, I see."

"That's right Jan, we thought we come to lunch; I hope that's no trouble." He asked, slightly nervous, but her happiness did not fade as he feared.

"Not at all, I got some surplus of doggie bags, you can have some for free due to your service. And…" Her eyes fell on the colts. "Who' are those cute animals?"

"Did you hear the announcement?" The woman nodded in response." They are the reason for it." He then tried to explain everything, with her expression becoming one of sadness.

"Oh, you poor kids. You really look like you're starving. Let me make you a big meal to fatten you up."

"Oh no, Mrs. Jan, please, you don't need to make a fuss!" Tungsten exclaimed in surprise as she left for the kitchen, then looked at his younger friend, who shared his reaction. "I did not lose that much weight while my mother was gone, did I?"

"I dunno, you look not changed to me." Pip replied.

Nonetheless, the cook was done within a few minutes, giving the children some lemonade and warm vegetable casserole. It tasted fresh and delicious as they returned home, not expecting such a good taste.

"She really knows how to cook." The pinto colt enjoyed every bite.

"Yes, some say Schaeffer's restaurant is the best in town!" Lara replied in glee. "I know a good spot that overlooks the river, Can I show them?" She asked her parents, who just nodded.

It was only a short way until they came to a hill overlooking the river and forests, eating the remains of their still warm food. "It's really a beautiful view from here-"The younger colt commented with a smile.

"Yes, I love to go there after a hard day; it helps me to relax," Lara explained with a relaxed tone as they watched the skies. Was there an odd sound that greeted their ears? The sound of a roaring engine.

Out of the clouds flew orange and yellow transport ships. It was formed like a cuboid but rounded at the front, with four small cuboid-like engines, two on each side.

Oscar's eyes went wide as he recognized it. "What the- a Tau Orca? What are they doing here?"

"T-Tau?" Tungsten asked, confused.

"A very advanced Xeno race far from the Eastern Fringe of the galaxy, believing that they can help the rest of the galaxy find their way to peace and prosperity by having all under their flag for something called "The greater good." Of course, those that follow under that banner put them at the edge with the Imperium's views and laws, but they are not out for war if they can't avoid it. Still, this could be unpleasant" He sounded unease,

"We better get back to the palace to see if Finkle has organized your sanction IDs yet."

They followed him without hesitation; the Governor waited already for them. "Good timing, it went well." Finkle pointed to two dark green cloaks, having the skull on them. They fitted them perfectly.

"I also arranged that some Flak Armor for them to be made, just in case."

Then he went with his visitors to a large meeting room, seeing the Space Marines were already waiting. Just moments after, a humanoid creature walked in. It was tall and slender, with pure red eyes with blue skin, dressed in a white robe with a brown rounded hat. A small round drone was hovering next to it.

"Greetings, Governor. I am Por'O Pech Nase'fa, diplomat of the Tau Empire." The alien spoke with an echoing, graveling voice.

"What brings you here, xeno?" Finkle asked in a surprisingly neutral voice.

"To ask you to join our Empire and follow the Greater Good of course." Pech replied in return.

"And why should we do that?"

"You want only the best for your people, don't you, Governor. You can still worship your Emperor, I assure you. But, all those who contribute towards it have a meaningful and valued place within our society. And as you know, the Imperium has high tithes and excessive bureaucracy. We can free you of that. Is that not what you want?"

Finkle stayed silent for a moment, appearing to think about it, yet the colts noticed a hand of his slowly going towards his belt.

"It is indeed a very promising offer, Por'O Pech. But I am afraid…."

Before the Tau or his drone could react, the human drew a pistol, firing a red beam hitting Pech in the chest, making him fall back to the ground. The drone exploded in a shower of sparks, falling to the ground, smoking.

"What did you do, Finkle?!" Pip exclaimed in shock.

"A peaceful resolution is no longer an option, and while violence wasn't needed it has happened. There is nothing we can do to change the course now set, youngling." Uwe added in a gruff yet fatherly tone. He sighed before turning his helmeted gaze towards Governor Finkle, "Truly there are diplomatic methods that would have resulted in a better outcome other than gunning the blueberry down." his shoulders shook ever so slightly as a light chuckle escaped his lips, "I shall inform the Consul of this development and see what my kinsmen wish to do."

Finkle sighed. "I am sorry, but I can't allow my people to suffer for this. Humans working with xenos are seen far worse than traitors to the Emperor and humanity, there are different cases of entire planets destroyed due to this, something I dread for Heidrum."

"So…" Oscar took a deep breath. "This means we are at war with the Tau Empire."

Author's Note

Dark Crusade anyone?

Jan and Kyle, OC's of my good friend Midnightwolf GX and the Blood Raptors, the Space marines of Dr K-MoonShard