Chapter 9 Stellar Revelations

Chapter9
Stellar Revelations
Thanks To ADMKLINE for editing the chapter!

After the dream visit from Luna and Celestia, Markus was cornered by Princess Twilight Sparkle while eating breakfast. She wanted more in-depth knowledge about human culture. When she found out that humans were not the only space fairing race among the stars she almost went spastic, wanting to know about them all. Of course Markus had to tell her that if he tried to tell her all of their histories they would be talking for a hundred years or more. He would tell her a bit of human history as well as an overview of the U.C.A.S.. With Twilight's friends wanting to know about him she invited all her friends. Twilight also invited her brother Shining Armor and her sister-in-law Cadance.

The strong sunshine of the courtyard had been a welcome change from the inside palace. Along with Princesses Twilight Sparkle and Cadance, Shining Armor, and the Elements of Harmony, Markus was relaxing under a tree. He told his audience a tale similar to the one he had told Princesses Celestia and Luna about the rough history of human space flight, including the civil war. Twilight Sparkle of course had written down every detail in one of her books. Each of her friends had also been interested. Twilight, or rather Princess Twilight Sparkle asked, "So these two tribes of humans, those of the United Coalition of Allied Systems and the Sovereign Terran Imperium. Do you think that the two will reconcile their differences?"

"Not likely, The S.T.I. as you said is different tribe. They have used drugs to alter themselves, making themselves faster, stronger and quicker. These alterations to the body if not done carefully can lead to extreme aggression and emotions. They call themselves Homo Superior. If you think talking and diplomacy will work, in simple terms if you put three humans in a room and presented them with a problem there would be a dozen opinions on it and at least six points of view. No, the only way our people would be united would be for one group to conquer the other. That's what the S.T.I. tried to do. They tried to conquer Earth and all of humanity."

Markus had intended to explain what happened during the war but Pinkie Pie interrupted Markus to say "I hate to interrupt, but everyone who is reading this knows all about how savage humans can be. Let's avoid all the nasty icky details so we can keep the rating to a PG or PG-13 at least? We don't wanna give Fluttershy nightmares do we?" she asked making the writer do a spit take with his coffee in shock. Looking to Celestia all she could do was shrug to the writer and readers as the rest of their group just stared at Pinkie Pie like she was the one from another world.

Taking a drink of his apple cider Markus complimented Applejack on the product. "Wonderful! Very similar to what you can get on Earth Applejack. You would make a lot of bits if you could export it to the U.C.A.S.."

"Ah thank ya kindly. Ya really think ah could export it?" Applejack asked.

"Depends on what sort of trade agreements would be struck, The U.C.A.S. as a general rule is very conservative about contact with pre-FTL worlds," Markus said having already explained the concept of faster then light travel. "Unless there is significant reason that warrants an override of standard conduct."

"Oh! Oh I know! Unless they have important materials that your government needs?" Pinkie Pie shouted out.
The Ponies simply shook there head at the pink mare as Markus said "Actually that is not too far from the truth. There are some materials which are vital to starship construction and rare enough that if we find them they have to be taken advantage of, even if they are on a world that is not ready for first contact."

"How do you obtain them if the world is not ready for contact?" Cadance asked. Her question was a valid one. He couldn't help but admire Cadance. She was so gentle and caring. Her pink coat colors were accented with the multicolored red, yellow, and purple mane. It was perfectly clear that she would represent the Element of Love in Equestria. While he understood the concept of the Elements of Harmony he had tried to reason them out, which only made Celestia smile. Luna and Celestia could only tell him that he was not correct. They also expressed sympathy for Markus' race to be so untouched by magic at large. It was honest sympathy.

"It depends on the circumstances, Princess Cadence. If the material can be mined without alerting the populace, it is mined."

"You steal from the inhabitants?" Cadance asked almost shocked.

"Nothing so simple," Markus said with a soft laugh. "Now the S.T.I. they would simply attack and conquer the planet in question turning the populace into slave labor. Any resistance would be met with the harshest retribution. A common tactic for one S.T.I. death would be the death of a hundred ponies of each type...." he said, shocking everyone with the brutality of the S.T.I. "I've seen them do... much worse."

"Now the U.C.A.S. would set up a trust fund, like a deposit where the payment for the materials is accumulated. When the inhabitants reach the right level of technology they are repaid for the materials we took in full. If the material we need can't be obtained covertly we send highly trained people down to pose as traders, altering their appearances so they look like the natives of the planet. The U.C.A.S. has even gone as far as finding a very large uninhabited landmass, or making one, and set up an entire populace there. Again when technology starts to progress to a certain point, the populace is removed and the island reclaimed. It becomes a major mystery and part of legend and lore. It does no real harm."

"Sounds like the U.C.A.S. has a plan for just about every possible situation. How would Equestria fit into that?" Shining Armor asked. Of all the ponies Shining Armor was the one he most respected. As a fellow soldier the two held a mutual respect. Both of them had sparred when Markus was sure that he was well enough. It had been an interesting fight. Shining Armor's magic had given him the advantage. Markus won by fighting dirty but Shining Armor had not gone down easily.
"Well they have been around for nearly two thousand years. It gives them a lot of time to plan for various issues. As for Equestia... had I not arrived your world would be quarantined." The statement left Shining Armor and most of the others dumbfounded.

"Magic is rare, and especially to have it as powerful as it is on your world. It would be imperative that your culture be allowed to grow and mature naturally until you either developed space flight or the proper level of technology before contact was made. That would have been the plan had I not arrived. If the U.C.A.S. does show up I will be taken into custody and questioned. They will attempt to determine the level of cultural contamination then decide if I made the right choice of saving the Cutie Mark Crusaders."

"Ah dun believe it! How in tarnation could they fault ya fer doing th' right thang?"

Applejack's outburst caught most by surprise as Gilda sauntered out into the sunshine. "Because that's how politics work. A lot of rules that seem to be stupid or plain unneeded because the time may come when they are needed. Similar situations could have happened when the gryphons began to interact with the ponies. "

"Gilda!" the blue pegasus known as Rainbow Dash called out as she jumped from the cloud she had been resting on and joined up with her friend. Markus was still wondering how pegasi were able to manipulate the weather, much less lay on something that was effectively water vapor. It also begged the question of why the cloud had not evaporated or turned to water with it down this close to the ground.

"Hey Flutters," Gilda said causing the yellow pegasus mare to squeak out a greetings. "I have news from our king. He's agreed to send rubbings of the ancient tablets as per your request Mr. Ordain but he views this of such importance he has chosen to come himself and should arrive in time to attend the Grand Galloping Gala, then we can attend to uncovering history. Should also give the princesses time to convince other groups to do the same. I will openly admit... he's not thrilled with someone rewriting history, even if it is ancient history."

"Well at least the inhabitants of Equestria are not opposed to it," said Markus as he stood up, adjusting the Blade of Forest which he now had on his belt sheathed in a emerald green scabbard. The Princesses did not like the idea of the blade being in the control of anyone but when Markus had summoned the blade in his dreams, it vanish from the vault and appeared next to his sleeping form. As a sign of peace, Markus had used a tasseled cord that he wrapped around the scabbard, hilt and pommel of the sword in a very elaborate knot that Celestia had made for it while Markus was recovering. The scabbard had been enchanted to prevent the blade from being drawn, but the blade proved otherwise difficult to contain.. Markus stretched, putting his hands on his hips and pushed them forward as his back and spine started to pop. "Anyway I was wondering if there would be any danger if I asked for permission to get out of the castle."

Giving his question some thought, now that things had settled down Celestia spoke softly. "I do not see any harm in allowing it. Queen Chrysalis notwithstanding, I do not believe any of the other races are ready to open hostilities over your presence but I cannot guarantee your safety outside of Canterlot. The barrier that keeps the changelings out of Canterlot does not extend to Ponyville."

Thinking on the reply he was given Markus said "I understand, and I will be careful of my conduct and actions as well."

"I was wondering something,” Spike asked as Markus could finally answer it. “Where are we in relation to either group you spoke of?"

"I actually have an answer for that now." As Celestia and Luna both looked at each other he said "When my ship was tumbling to Equestria, I released a device into the sky so high it has been recording, documenting and sending all the data and information it has gathered to my wrist computer." Coming over he once more opened up the holographic emitter and with a smile he brought up a holographic image of the planet Equus. The land mass of Equestria was brought up first as everyone, Gilda included, came over. They could see the mountains and the other land masses as Markus used his hand to rotate the globe.

"So as you have told me, Celestia is the one who raises and lowers the sun while Luna raises and lowers the moon correct?" As that was once more confirmed Markus said, "Here is the image of your world with the moon." The image of the planet got smaller to allow for the moon to be seen as it is in relation to the size of the planet. "Here is your star." At that point the image shrank and it pulled out to show the image of the sun of Equestria which was roughly ten times distant as Equestria's moon but it was also the same size as the moon.

"Star?" Fluttershy asked. "You mean sun."

She and everyone there began to look at each other when Markus simply looked at her softly and smiled. "No... I mean star."

As the reality of what Markus said finally set in Rarity asked In wide-eyed disbelieving shock "You mean that the stars in the sky are just like the sun?"

"Yes. They are all basically the same thing - a sphere of fire that provides light.” It was an over simplified explanation but he wasn't sure they would understand exactly what stars were in reality. "But that is where the similarity ends. Your world is utterly unique." Markus set the animation into motion, showed the moon and the faster moving sun as they orbited Equestria. "This is the only geocentric system ever discovered."

"Geocentric?" Gilda asked.

"It's an old term one that fell out of use because any other documented system is heliocentric. Earth is one such example." And he brought up a picture of earth, as he allowed them all to see around it, and then he pulled it out to show the Earth's moon. "We actually call our moon Luna," he said eliciting a blush from the Princess of the Moon. Then he pulled the hologram back until they could see the sun in the picture. "And this... is Sol. Our star."

"It's so large. How does it not burn up your world?" Celestia had asked almost shocked.

"Earth is far enough away from the star that we get the heat and light but there is no danger of burning up." He set the image into motion. "This is how every other solar system known to either the S.T.I. or U.S.C.A works. Equestria is utterly unique. If a world like Equestria had been discovered by either group it would not remain secret for very long. We have powerful telescopes that allow us to see stars that you can't see with the naked eye, telescopes so powerful they are beyond anything you can imagine. That is why I can say Equestria is far beyond ether's sphere of influence and reach."

After the revelation that their world at least for the time being was not in danger of invasion it took a moment for the realization of what that meant for Markus to set in. Everyone went silent as it was Luna who gave voice to that realization. "There is no rescue coming for you... is there?"

For the first time Markus showed incredible sadness. "No," he said softly and then moved to lean back against a tree to rest. "No, I am stranded for the rest of my life. If I had my ship and If I could get it back into orbit I could have gotten home. But no, there is no chance of anyone finding me."

The full realization of how dire things were for Markus had set in. Even Pinkie Pie was surprised. "Now wait a minute!” she said. “The synopsis says.... MMMMRMRPH!"

At that point The Writer clamped his hand over Pinkie Pie's muzzle. "Pinkie Pie,” he said. “Relax, I will take care of it so chill out. I'm not gonna let you ruin the surprises for later chapters. Now please refrain from breaking the fourth wall in the future."

"Pinkie please control yourself." Twilight said. "Don't ruin the surprises for us all." At that point everyone there glared at her and Pinkie Pie was standing on her hind legs, her front legs crossed and with a sour look. "Oh alright."

Hoping to change the sour mood Princess Celestia smiled as she said "I know that this is hard for you but you will find that we are a very welcoming society. I am certain you will find friends among us."

"I thought I already had found friends," Markus said making Celestia and the others smile while Pinkie Pie offered a Cheer.
"Indeed you have. I have this for you," Celestia said as a golden ticket appeared in front of Markus. "A ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala, a party held once a year in Canterlot. Consider it a formal invitation from me," she said softly.

Markus simply closed his eyes and said "Thank you. With Rarity's help I am very sure I can have something formal and acceptable for the party." The idea of attending a party of this caliber did not sit well. He hated formal gatherings.

*****************

Deep in the Everfree Forest Queen Chrysalis was seething with anger. Not only had her attempts to have her revenge against Markus by inciting a war failed but worse, the gryphons had uncovered the deception and managed to prevent it. She was still in mourning for her lost children. The murderer would die. Those who protected him would also pay the price. Before she had simply wanted to imprison Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Twilight Sparkle while she ruled in their stead. Now she desired their total destruction.

The Darkwoods Changeling hive might have been viewed by many as opportunistic parasites, taking advantage of any culture or race. While Queen Chrysalis did not care for the other races she did care for her own and the loss of those changelings when Markus Ordain had destroyed his ship had hurt her, like having her own children killed.

She was young at only two hundred years old compared to most other previous queens of her hive. Her race would barely consider her an adult. Once every thousand years the old queen would die and a new queen would be born from the last egg. As a result her race had one of the oldest collections of ancient legends, lore and documents in Equestria, one that rivaled the private archives of Canterlot.

That was where she sat going through various tablets and scrolls on swords until she found the answer to her problem. She knew that if she slew Celestia and Luna their very nature would simply have them reform in new bodies. But there was a way to kill them... permanently.

The legend on the tablet she was reading told of the blades of Earth, Fire, Air, Water, and Forest being forged to defend inhabitants from dangers, the chief among them being Discord. The Blade of Forest had been intended to be enchanted by humans so that it could slay Discord but Discord had succeeded in fouling the enchantment up. While it could hurt and cause a lasting wound to an immortal that magic could not heal but slowly, it could not kill them. But an evil human had discovered the secret of the magic blades and sought to make an enchanted dagger that could kill an immortal. While the blade had been completed and enchanted it had never been used.

The Elements of Harmony had been created which allowed for the imprisonment of Discord and the blade bearers had defeated the evil human. They then shattered the black Blade of Death into four parts, each part hidden by the last humans of Equestria. Each part was sealed in a hidden vault that could only be detected and unlocked by the blades of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water, each vault requiring a different blade to unlock and unseal.

The tablet spoke of a map carved on a stone tablet that held the locations of the four pieces in a chamber that could only be unsealed by the Blade of Forest, just in case the day ever came when such a horrid weapon was ever truly needed. To protect the world from that evil dagger, a powerful spell was placed upon the Blade of Forest so that unless the blades of Earth, Fire, Air and Water had already been drawn The Blade of Forest could not be drawn. Curling her lips into a wicked smile Chrysalis bared her fangs. She now had the map within reach. The question was how to get Markus to open that chamber for her so she could get the map, track down the other blade holders and then gain the shards of the dagger.
While she would be held responsible for the murder of Celestia and Luna, the entire pony race would no doubt blame Markus for his race constructing such a horrid weapon. Now she began to formulate a way to get Markus to heed her will.