Project Rift

Score One for Humanity

It has just been a while since the small incident with Spitfire and Soarin'. Their memories of encountering humans are now nothing, lost forever in time, yet barely few memories of these humans remain and their devoted dreams that have been dreamt throughout the ages...

"Are both of their memories completely erased?"

  "Yes, Sir...They won't even remeber a single detail about this place or us"

Townes was back in the same office room where Spitfire and Soarin' were held earlier. He stared out the window at the vast airbase that occupied these lands. It was a quiet, peaceful scenery that has endured for this moment without any disturbances. Townes couldn't help, but smile at the peaceful moment. He then turned and faced Victor who was behind him, waiting silently for him to speak his next words.

"Will there be any small fragments in their memories of us in them?" Townes asked

"Possibly, but that's likely a five percent chance that they will remeber any of us," Vicor said

"Where are they right now?"

"Still in the medical rooms unconscious"

"How long do we have before they wake up?" Townes asked again

"About 5 to 6 hours"

"That's plenty of time..."

Townes knew this was enough time to get rid of both Spitfire and Soarin' before the wake up from their slumber. Now, all he needed to do was to quickly assemble the small strike force and prepare them for the journey. "Corporal, your dismissed, but the briefing starts in thirty-five minutes, and I need everyone to be there on time," he said. Victor saluted, and exited out the room, leaving the general by himself in the room. He went down the hallway, passing by the many unknow doors to both sides then entered made a left, and headed towards the door where Spitfire slammed into. Victor stopped and examined the infamous door. The door had a small dent where Spitfire crashed and a few scratches on it. "Geez...how hard did she slam into this thing?" he asked himself.

He turned the knob and entered its domain. The door led to another hallway, but there were three signs on the ceiling that pointed in different directions. One pointed to the left and said Outside Access, another pointed to the right stating Hangars, and the last one lead straight ahead saying Briefing Room. Although, Victor was by himself in the area, it turns out he wasn't. Two vending machines down the hall by the briefing room quietly humming as the 'Great' Andrew Velazquez stood infront of them, deciding which of its contents to choose.

"What you trying to buy there?" Victor asked

Velazquez quickled looked to the right at him surprised that he made a sudden appearance out of nowhere. "I don't know, maybe some chips or a drink. Victor began to walk towards Velazquez to see what the machines had within them. He came right next to the machine, and also became interested in what they contained. "Hey there's a lot of good stuff in here," Victor said "They got chips, gum, cookies, and a few other things"

"Now, those look really good!" Velazquez excitingly said "Beef Jerky for the trip might come in handy!" Velazquez put in a few dollars and typed in the code to acquire the long lasting dried meat. The vending machine slowly started to push the bag outwards then the packaged meat fell to the metal floor. The small thud sound came next, and Velazquez reached down to grab his purchased food. "Well at least I got something to eat when there's nothing to eat." Victor was puzzled at Velazquez, knowing that there was going to be food during the operation. "You know that there is going to be food while we're on the otherside, right?" he asked

"Yeah, I know. But this is just going to be something small when we're on the move," Velazquez said

Victor stared at the vending machine, deciding what he too should decide to get. It didn't take long for him to decipher what he wanted. Victor put in a few coins and ordered for a bag of chips. "I think this might do for now because I'm getting a little hungry." Velazquez looked at a clock on the wall and saw that the briefing would begin in twenty-five minutes. "So, now what do we do now until the briefing for this whole entire thing starts," he asked.

"I don't know. You want to go see what is happening outside?" Victor asked

"Sure, why not?"

Both soldiers walked towards a window nearby and stared outside to see if any activity was ongoing. There wasn't really much activity happening, just the crews outside unloading cargo from the Globemaster that landed earlier ago. While he was staring outwards, Victor wondered what the other planet might have once they cross into portal and end up on the otherside. It raced through his mind like lightning strikes. I wonder what will happen once we crossover into Spitfire and Soarin's world, but will there be more of their kind or any other types of creatures that doesn't exist in our world? Man, I hope this turns outwell!...

"Hey, what's that?" Velazquez suddenly asked, interrupting Victor's moments of thought. Victor came out of his mind and looked at Velazquez. "What is what?" he asked again. Velazquez pointed a finger at what he spotted. "It's right there flying..." Victor looked at the object that was flying, and was unsure what it was. "I think that's a F-15 or a F-16 flying through here," he said.

The object rapidly turned to left, dissapearing behind a snow covered mountain with the green land at its base. Th object reappeared again and was heading in their direction. "Woah, it's heading this way," Victor said. The object got closer and closer and closer. The object was now in clear eyesight, and revealed the body of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft screeched by; creating its large thunderous sounds of speed. The windows violently vibrated and the walls shook as the jet flew by the airbase. Victor winced at this, not by the sounds or the shaking, but that hopefully that it didn't wake up the unconscious Spirfire and Soarin'. "I wonder if that pilot is assigned here to this place," Velazquez asked

"Probably...but who knows," Victor said in return

Victor remebered the briefing and looked at the clock on the wall for the time. The briefing began in just about ten minutes. "Oh crap! We have to be in the briefing session right now!" Both of them quickly headed towards the starting session before it became late. They went down the hallway and entered the metallic doubled doors and stopped to look around the place. The large room was filled with many soldiers and personnel with their voices consuming all the sound in the area. Victor searched left and right to find a seat, but Velazquez interrupted over the loud chattering voices, "Hey there's two seats right over there!" The two walked towards the two seats and, squeezed right in the row filled with personnel.

"Hmm? I wonder where my buddies are at?" Velazquez asked

"They're probably in here somewhere..." Victor said "...But by the way, how did you that we were trying to capture Spitfire and Soarin'?"

"So that's their names? Kind of weird, but...yeah, I was by the vending machines and I heard all the commotion going on. I decided to check what was happening then I heard something was heading my way, and I suspected it was those two. And by all the noise I knew you guys were trying to get them, but unfortunately, by opening the door one of them slammed right into it..."

"Well at least that worked to stop them both, actually!" Victor said

They waited for about five minutes then a door opened at the front left side of the room. General Townes and Granger stepped in, and the area went suddenly into dead silence, All personnel paying full close attention to the two generals. Granger grinned at the sudden disposure of sound, Townes kept a straight look, and cleared his throat to begin. "Welcome, I believe we all know what we're here for, right? Then let's guet started."

The sound of a light switch being turned off was heard, and all room went dark. A projector was turned on, barely brightening the room with its light. A photo of an area was displayed on the screen that was easily recognizable that it was taken by some surveillance craft. "This image here was taken by one of our drones that entered the portal," Granger said "This area is about four miles wide, its cleared out of almost everything, and a perfect spot to send anything through."

The personnel in the room were surprised about the size of the area in the photo. "We don't know exactly what this area might contain, such as plants, creatures or anything else," Granger said. A hand rose in the crowd, and Granger noticed it right way. "Have any of the drones at least spotted any creatures in the area?" a soldier asked

  "I'm afraid not, that is one of the things that concern us very much right now," Granger said, then faced Townes "General, would you like to say anything here?"

"Yes, Do we all recall our little incident with our two pegasus friends?" he asked. Large murmurs of agreement were heard among the crowd. "Well that's good to hear because I think they might be more out there..." The room fell silent again at stunning words. Another hand rose from crowd, and Townes answered it, "What's your question?"

"If we do encounter any of those things on the ground or in the air, are we allowed to use lethal force against it?" another soldier asked.

"Very good question you asked there." A staff member suddenly entered the room, and handed Townes a small metallic rectangular item, all the personnel in the room were confused why randomnely a member of the base just entered and handed Townes a small rectangular metallic object to him. "You will be using this device here that will neutralize anything within its range. It does this by spreading harmless radiation we've created into the area. Anything that's not human will be affected and weakened by it. How do you suppose those two pegasus out there suddenly collapsed without any of us using any force?" he said, with a small menacing grin forming on his face.

Again, large murmurs were heard. Some, were about the surprising details about it and the others about if it was safe to us eat all. A hand was raised, and Townes spotted it, "What's on your mind you have to ask?"

The room went silent as the soldier was about to ask his question. "How are you sure it will be safe to use? Since, it is radiation after all".

"We've done numerous tests on it, and has appeared to have no affects on humans. The only things that will be affected are going to some animals or any likely creature you may encounter, and possibly some plants, but that's still unclear," Townes answered. All the personnel were amazed on how such a advanced device was created to handle almost anything. Velazquez had few words on the device, and that was "Damn...". Victor was also surprised, but kind of annoyed that they could have given them that device when they were ordered to capture Spitfire and Soarin'.

"You will all be equipped with this device," Granger added in "And will use any non-lethal force to keep yourself and others safe and to maintain your presence a secret from anything. If you can't turn the device on or it malfunctions or for some apparent reason you lost it, which I hope that doesn't happen, and suddenly you are spotted or caught by any of the inhabitants....you will then have permission to use lethal force to keep humanity's presence a secret, understood?"

"Yes, Sir!" the crowd said in unison. Townes decided to continue on the briefing to keep everything on track. "Now, that you have been informed of the device, I'm going to explain what your orders are going to be once your on the planet. The mission will be called Operation Galactic Footstep. You will patrol the planet and report anything you spot out there. And what I mean by 'anything' I mean everything! Every single mountain, river, hill, creature, location! We cannot afford to be compromised on this very crucial mission that man has always dreamed of! Are you all with me or will you fail and let down everyone you know!"

"No, Sir!" the crowd roared

"Very well, You will work together with Stryker's and there will be six squads in the beginning of this operation: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta plus two extra. The Stryker's will transport you across the portal then begin your patrolling missions. Alpha and Bravo will be together and choose any direction to patrol. Charlie and Delta will also do the same thing, the two extras will be called Echo and Foxtrot. Echo will be with Alpha and Bravo, and Foxtrot with Charlie and Delta"

"Where are my two helicopter pilots that participating in the beginnig of the operation?" Granger asked, scanning left and right to spot the pilots in the crowd. "Over here, sir!" a voice called, right in the middle of the room. The two pilots stood up to make it more easier to be visible to Granger.

"Oh there you are! Well since you are likely going to be seen by anything out there, just make sure you're not followed around while patrolling, especially on your return to the portal where all our troops are! Now, the good thing is no one will know who you are or what the helicopter is. And if your are persued back to the portal, you are allowed to terminate the target".

"Now, that everything has been practically explained, is there any questions anyone will like to ask?" Townes asked. A hand rose up, and Townes gladly answered it. "What's your question?"

"Will we be patrolling during the day or night?"

"Both. You will constantly be patrolling with the Styker's, but I may recall them back because I have different plans for them".

"And one more thing, General. If we do come across a farm, house, or a town during the day, what should you advice us to do?"

Townes rubbed his chin at the critical question that all should know during the operation on the other planet. "Observe the location and its dwellers, if it has any. When night falls, enter the town to investigate and report anything based upon your findings. Is there anymore questions before the operation begins!?" he asked. There were no hands that rose in the air for a question. "Good, now you will all be deployed in one hour! So, get ready!" Everyone in the room filed out quickly, and went to prepare themselves for a mission that they could have never imagined.

Townes turned around to face Granger with a grin, "Well, General. Here it begins..."

One hour later...

"Ohh Man, this is so amazing!" Alveraz said excitingly

"Yeah, but I wonder what's on the other side?" Ray asked

They were all back in the massive hangar, fully geared and prepared for the mission. Six Stryker's were lined up in hanger waiting for the operation to begin. There was one Company Commander Stryker and five ICV Stryker's, all the vehicles had supplies strapped down on top of them and protected by slant armor. Ray had a piece of paper in his hand that listed the squads and what Stryker they were assigned to. "So, we're in Bravo squad and the squad leader is Staff Sergeant Boxer and we are assigned to Stryker Two," he said.

Velazquez was crouched right next to Alvarez, checking his combat backpack to make sure he had everything in check, and especially making sure his beef jerky was there when he felt a tap on his right shoulder. "I guess we're in the same squad, Andrew!" a familiar voice said. Velazquez got up and turned around to find out it was Victor. "Well, isn't that amazing," he said, in a joking sarcastic tone. "Shut up! At least we're all in the same squad!" Victor squawked.

  "Hey! Derri-...Bigfoot! Bigfoot! Hey that's what I'm going to call you for now on, Derrick!" Velazquez said

Derrick groaned and turned to face Velazquez, and surprisingly spoke words, "What do you want, Velazquez?"

  "Nothing, I just wanted to tell you that's what I'm going to call you while we're out there! Hahaha!"

"Whatever..."

The majority of soldiers that was participating in the operation were equipped with one eyed or two eyed night vision googles, but all were equipped with the device that spreads the non-lethal radiation to put down targets. It was like if they were the ultimate soldiers, but as always they were still the ordinary human, but highly trained. "Hey look! Two giant walking mutated monster plants!" Velazquez joked, pointing a finger at two Ghilie snipers that were by Charlie squad. The fireteam laughed at his joke, even Derrick formed a smile at his joke. "So, where's your friend?" Velazquez asked

"Oh he's on his way right now. He went to go use the restroom," Victor said

  "Better go now or be taking a piss on an alien planet!"

The sound of helicopter blades was suddenly heard, meaning it was almost time to begin. The AH-64 that was participating in the event came into view outside the large hangar doors, hovering above the runway. Some of the soldiers turned to look at it while they were chatting then turned away continuing their conversation. "Does anyone think bringing a Apache helicopter during the 'nice and quiet' part of the operation is a good idea?" Alveraz asked

"Come on, what will be the problem? That helicopter can take care of anything if it's attacked or followed around," Victor said

"I guess your right...But if that thing is spinning out of control and crashes, I am going to be yelling "I knew this was a bad idea!" '

A sudden gust of wind came from within the hangar, and the portal appeared before them infront of the Styker's. Everyone went quiet and faced the portal in awe. The speakers in the hangar were turned on, and Townes voice came through.

"It is time to begin the first step of what man has always dreamed for. The success of this mission will mean you have lead humanity far beyond into the future. You will enter the doorway human, but exiting out will mean you are alien and no one knows who or what you are. We hope for you a safe journey, but you will arrive as heroes upon your completion to the operation. So, commence Opeartion Galactic Footstep! And don't get yourselves or others killed out there!"

After Townes finished his speech, everyone immediately rushed towards their positions. The Styker's lowered down their ramps on the back, and all squads piled into them. The Bravo squad leader was inside the Stryker motioning a hand to enter. The sound of footsteps on a metal surfaces was loudly heard then queitly fell silent. Two soldiers suddely appeared carrying stretchers with a body covered in a dark green tarp over it.

"Hehehe...you guys get the honor to take this pegasus here, and leave it somewhere else before it wakes up", the soldier said.

The two soldiers placed the stretcher in the aisle between the squad. One of the soldier's dusted his hands after placing the stretcher. "Have fun!" he said sarcastically. The ramps raised up, and everyone silently sat there waiting for the Styker to enter the portal. Victor reached down from his seat with a large smile, and pulled the tarp away from the head of the pegasus, "Hahaha! It's Spitfire!" he laughed. The squad was completely shocked that it was the pegasus from before that was wrapped up.

"Holy....This is what we have to ditch out there!" the squad leader Boxer squawked

"Oh this is going to be fun..." Velazquez sarcastically said

"How long does it have until it wakes up?" asked one of the soldiers in the same squad. "Three hours," Victor answered, still with his smile. He covered up Spitfire, and the sudden motion of the Stryker moving was felt.

"Here we go!" Boxer said

"I hope this portal doesn't beat up the vehicle," the driver grumbled

The Stryker slowly entered the portal, and everything inside got a little brighter for the moment. The brightness was then dimmed, and the squad leader opened up the hatch to see what was on the outside. "Holy!!" he yelled "Where the hell are we!?" The squad was starting to get concerned about the sudden reaction from Boxer, and knew that this couldn't be any good. "Hey, what's going out there!?" the rifle team leader yelled.

"Check for yourself!" Boxer yelled back

The rifle team leader open up the hatch above him to see what the situation was all about, "What the...Are we in space!?" Ray opened the hatch right next to the rifle leader, and was awestruck by a sight that he had never seen before. They were in a large tunnel filled with the heavens and cosmos of the universe. His eyes went very wide at the astonishing sight. The sound of the hatch opening by Boxer was heard, and the Vehicle Commander poked his head out of it, "What's all the commmmottioonnn...." The VC also went silent at the sight. The crews from the other Stryker's did the same action, and had the same result. The crews were yelling back and forth from Stryker to Stryker in amazement of the universal tunnel.

Ray looked at the Stryker's in the back of the one he was riding on, and they appeared just as dark silhouettes in the tunnel. Maybe it's the lighting in here that makes them look like this... Ray looked forward ahead of the first Styker, and saw the exit poin of the portal. The Stryker in front was about to reach the exit point then dissapeared into the white light. Ray and the other three quickly closed the hatches and prepared for the exit point. "Next stop alien planet!" the driver said

The brightness returned for the moment, but then immediately became almost dark. "Hey, turn on the lights," Boxer said. The lights inside the Stryker came on. Boxer poked his out of the hatch to check the surroundings of the Stryker "...Clear!". The VC got on the communications system to message the other Stryker's it was clear. The ramp dropped, and the whole squad piled out. The day was almost over with sun barely above the horizon. Ray took a few steps away from the Stryker, and breathed in the first alien air of his life, "Score one for humanity finally setting foot on another planet," he said under his breath.

"Check this place out!" Velazquez said out loud. Large murmurs were heard among the other squads as they took their first steps on the planet. Some of them put on their night vision goggles just for the heck of it since it was getting darker by the minute. One of the soldiers took off his glove, and reached down to feel the grass below. He felt the cold smooth grass run between his fingers, and breathed in a breath of relaxation; "Just like home..." Derrick saw the squad leaders and the Styker Company Commander gathering together, planning for the next big step for the mission. One of them pointed in the direction towards the land that was covered in nightfall, and Boxer pointed out towards the direction where land was barely being covered by the last sunlight. Their body movements meant that they have come to a conclusion of their planning. The Alpha squad leader climbed on top of one of the Stryker's, and faced the crowd of different squads.

"Everyone! Listen up!" All the squads went dead quiet at the voice of the Alpha squad leader. "Alpha, Bravo, and Echo will recon the area where the sun is setting! Charlie, Delta, and Foxtrot will head towards the darkened area of the land!" he ordered, pointing a finger in the direction where the three squads will patrol. "...We're moving out in thirty!" The squads resumed their conversations, and continued to observe the planets features with great curiosity.

"Ray!" Boxer called out "Get your men, and take the 'body' somewhere far from here.."

Ray got Derrick, Alveraz, Velazquez to take Spitfire, and lay her somewhere far from the DZ of the portal. Boxer got his fireteam, and did the same action. Ray and Derrick carried the stretcher, and they headed towards a random unknown direction without delay. The Stryker's were now starting to become nearly invisble by the rapid falling of darkness over these mysterious lands. "So...where are we going to put this pegasus or "Spitfire"? Because that's what Victor called it back there," Velazquez asked, as they walked farther into the unknown land.

"I don't know, but we have to make sure that when it wakes up it's not near any of us or the others..." Ray said

  "Why not kill it? It would make our jobs easier" Velazquez asked again, this time completely halting the fireteam's movement. Ray stared at him with a face of disapprovement at him with Derrick copying the same expression, but Alveraz had a confused stare on his face. "Because..." Ray said, in a irritated tone "If we take its life away, that could lead this whole operation being a total disaster. We don't know how may of these things are out here..."

  "Ohhh...well good point," Velazquez sheepishly said

They contnued on throught out the darkened land, trying to find a spot to put down Spitfire. Velazquez put on his night vision googles; watching out for any unknown movement in the vicinity. Alvarez looked up to the night sky, admiring its celestial features that it displayed unlike the ones back on Earth. The only light they got to see the way was the faint moonlight that was above; glowing over the alien planet. Alveraz stared at the moon, but found something very odd about it. "Hey, guys...why does the moon have a unicorn on it?" The team stopped again, and turned around at Alveraz's peculiar question.

"What do you mean a unicorn on the moon?" Ray asked

"No, seriously!"

All of them looked up at the moon, and did in fact find out there was a unicorn on it. "Woah! There actually is a unicorn on the moon!" Velazquez exclaimed. Ray and Derrick were dumbstruck that moon did actually have a marking that resembled a unicorn, however, even if it was a sight to see Ray knew they had to put down Spitfire somewhere before the Stryker's rolled out without them. "That's nice, but lets move on," he ordered. As they continued on, a dark small forest began to appear infront of them. "We can ditch the pegasus there," Velazquez said. They entered the forest which made them go on complete high alert since anything can easily ambush them out of nowhere."Stay on guard..." Ray cautiously warned

They continued deeper into the forest, and it was starting to become pitch black. The thick tree canopies blocked any small trace of moonlight. Up ahead it appeared to be some light penetrating the forest from above. Ray cautiously took a few steps to the edge of it, and discovered it was a small clearing that the moonlight shined upon. It looked tranquil and if it was left untouched by anything. "Alright, this is a good place," he whispered. They approached the clearing with Velazquez aiming his rifle right and Alveraz aiming left. Ray and Derrick quickly uncovered the tarp from Spitfire, and removed her from the stretcher then gently laying her down on the soft moonlit grass. Derrick carried the stretcher by himself, and Ray patted Velazquez' on the left shoulder meaning they were done, "Let's go!"

All four them retreated back to the Stryker's in a rush before they were left behind..

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

Twilight's Home...

The night had already fallen upon Ponyville and all of it's nearby neighbors who lived on the land. Twilight was eagerly awaiting for the arrival of Princess Luna with the objects for her to study upon. The night had already fallen, and it would not be long for the arrival. "I wonder when Princess Luna will get here?" Twilight asked herself. "It's already nightfall so, where is she?" Spike came into the living room with the heavy sensation of sleepiness weighing down on his small tired body, "I don't know what you're doing, Twilight, but I'm going to go to bed. And are you even tired at all?" he asked. Twilight looked at Spike with a sme, but then made a concerned look. "Spike, I'm going to tell you something that is very important, but don't tell anypony about this, got it?" Spike tiredly saluted at Twilight. "Princess Luna is going to be here in any minute with these strange objects that nopony knows where they even came from."

Spike had a confused state under his tired eyes, "What do you mean 'strange'? He asked. "Are they just a bunch of old temple artifacts or something like that?"

"Spike, what I mean by strange is that..." Twilight hesitated to continue, and tried to find a way to explain the situation "Go on," Spike urged. " *sigh*...Spike, they are believed to be alien..."  She muttered. Spike completely came out of his state of sleepiness, and was trying his best to hold in his laughter. Twilight noticed that he believed the explanation of the objects that were soon to arrive as a whole joke. "Spike! I'm telling the truth here! These objects look far beyond our own civilization!" Spike broke down in laughter at the belief of the objects were alien. "You!...You!...You think that 'aliens' created these objects! Hahaha!" A sudden knock was heard on the door, and abrupted Spike from laughing.

"Oh good! She's here!"

Twilight trotted to the front door, and opened it. Princess Luna stood at her doorway with her starry mane and tail gently flowing in the air with her two lunar guards behind her. "Greetings, Twilight Sparkle. I have brought forth the strange objects that you have demanded for personal study. Even I cannot figure out what these things are, but with you studying them I anticipate we should have a answer to them soon".

"I thank you so much for bringing the objects here, Princess!" Twilight thanked excitingly

"Why your very welcome, Twilight Sparke" Luna turned around to face her guards. "Guards, Grab quickly the items, and place them inside!"

"Yes, Princess!"

There was another group of her guards that brought a separate a carriage with the items. They quickly unloaded the packaged objects, and placed them inside Twilight's home. Spike curiously watched the multiple rarely seen guards as they placed these boxes into the living room. After for about ten minutes, all the boxes we're safely inside Twilight's home. "I'm afraid I cannot stay for long, and I must be off. I hope that you will find a explanation for these things. Farewell, Twilight Sparkle". Luna quietly departed, and mounted upon her carriage. The guards quickly hooked in back on both carriages; galloping off then rising swiftly in the air, and into the night sky. "Good bye, Princess Luna" Twilight said, even though her voice wasn't likely going to be heard by her.

Spike was standing right next to the boxes with a claw on his chin. "Twilight, are you actually being serious that these things are alien?" he asked. Twilight approached one of the boxes, and slowly started to open one up. "Ohhh I hope it's not the skull," she whimpered. She opened it, and it was the ball shaped object with the ring at the top of it. "Well I wonder what this is?" she asked "Spike, check what else the other boxes have". Spike opened up a box, and reached his claws inside to grab the object. He pulled it out, and it was a helmet that was similiar that Spike once wore Hey, this helmet looks almost the same as this one!" he said, grabbing a olive drab WWll style Army helmet from a shelf then placing it beside the unknown helmet. The unknown helmet was larger and had a greyish green camo pattern on it with a small plastic plate that was strapped on to the front of it.

"Twilight, why do you think it has this part on it rather than mine just being plain?" he asked

"I don't know, but I wouldn't touch it at all. Who knows how delicate these things can be. But why would they look so similiar?"

Spike placed the helmet back in the box, and opened another one to see what it contained. He pulled out a slim tubular object that had a tip at the front of it. "Woah...what is this thing? Is this some sort of pencil or writing utensil?" He asked, feeling its metallic texture, and noticed that it was a shell on the outside, but contained the rest of it inside. Spike tried to pull the inner part of object out, but was tightly sealed in. "I give up..."

"GAH!" A sudden shriek from Twilight was heard, and Spike quickly turned his head at her. "What is it, Twilight!?" he asked concerned. Twilight sat on the floor, trembling in fear of something. She stared at the box that was infront of her, and Spike approached the box infront of Twilight cautiously. "Twilight, is there something in the box that's real or is there something you need?"

Twilit calmed herself down, and regained her composure. "No, Spike...Just don't get terrified about what I'm going to show you right now," she muttered. Spike was confused on how could something that's just a small object can scare Twilight so much. Twilight used her magic to levitate a object that was a pale white. She rotated the object around for Spike to see what it trully was.

"Twilight?....what is that thing?" he said, in shaky voice.

"Spike, I wish I could tell, but nopony knows what this skull is..."

"So, is that actually a....alien skull?"

Twilight signed and shrugged at Spike. "It appeared out of nowhere with the objects sharing the same story...I hope that they haven't possibly shown up, yet," she said. Spike was puzzled why Twilight was concerned if something or pony has arrived and appeared somewhere. "What do you mean "they" haven't possibly shown up, yet?" he asked

"Spike...Princess Celestia and my brother believe that possibly if these objects are alien, the aliens may are already be here in Equestria or may arrive soon. But the other case is that the skull is from a extinct race of monkeys that nopony had ever discovered". Twilight placed the skull back into the box and sealed it.

"Aliens!" Spike cried out "So are they invading or taking over!?"

"No, Spike. That is just a theory, but it can be true..."

Spike's was trembling at the theory that aliens are likely among them in Equestria or on their way. But he suddenly remebred the mountain range that was said to be unexplored by anypony. How it had that ominously look did also raise a few suspicions for him. "Twilight, do you plan to go to that mountain range that's far away?" he asked. Twilight was surprised by the question, and remebered the star that disappeared over it the other night. "Spike...how about tomorrow we go and explore those mountains?" she asked

"Umm...okay, sure!"

"Well good. Because we're leaving early in the morning"

Spoke groaned at the fact that they were going to wake up early which he very much disliked. "Do we really have to get up that early?" he complained

"Unfortunately, yes. But we'll have much more time to explore the place if we get up early, and now it is time for your bedtime..." she said, with a mischievous smile.

"Fine..." he grunted

Spike went up the stairs, and tucked himself in his bed for the night. Twilight looked back at the box where the skull was contained, feeling a sesnation that meant it was something beyond or menacing. She took the skull out, and trotted upstairs to place it in the drawer right next to her bed. She opened it and placed it inside then closing it with a lock attached on. Well at least that's taken care of, but now I have to go organize the other boxes as well... Twilight went back downstairs, and started to organize the boxes all over home where they wouldn't be easily recognized as suspicious.

Now, I guess its time for me to go to bed too for tomorrow...

Twilight turned off all the lighting in her home, then went upstairs again. She covered herself under the bedsheets, and was about to close her eyes, but suddenly opened them again. Twilight stared down below at the area of the balcony; the moonlight faintly shining upon it. She got herself out of her bed, and went down towards the balcony. She felt the cold air swiftly passing through her mane and around her body. Twilight stared in the direction of the unknown mountain range, it was visible this time under the moonlight, but appeared transparent or ghostly. There were few clouds floating over the mountains; darkened by the night sky.

I wonder what's over there? It doesn't look like anything has been there, but what is it that?...

Some of the dark clouds moved away, and exposed a faint small blue light glowing behind the mountain range. It flickered for the moment then suddenly faded away. Twilight felt her heart skip a beat as the theory of extraterrestrial visitors came to her when the light dissapeared. Please don't tell me it's them! Please be a pony, pegasus, or thing that's not alien... Twilight continued to stare at the mountains, but it was all dark; no light came from it or around, complete silence filled the night. Nothing else appeared, and Twilight gave up on observing the mountains. She turned around, and entered her home; tucking herself back in bed again. The light of the moon came through the window by her bedside, shining lightly on her.

Just wait until tommorow, I bet there will be a answer to these objects once me and Spike explore that mountain range...

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

Ray's fireteam were running hastily back to the Strykers. They quietly traversed the alien land, keeping a low profile from anything that might be resting upon nearby. They had about ten minutes before everyone would start their recon missions.

"Stop!" Ray whispered, the team immediately halted at Ray's sudden command. "What is it?" Alveraz asked. Ray pointed a finger upwards at the night sky. Everyone looked up, and spotted a silhouette flying above ahead of them. Ray suddenly realized the grass reflected the moonlight, making them easy to be spotted from above. "...Drop!"  The whole team hit the deck as the object stopped, and floated there looking around in all directions. Derrick looked up at it, and noticed it had wings and a tail, resembling a body of a horse. "I think it's one of those pegasus..." he whispered

The object rapidly flew away, becoming a small speck as it continued into the distance. "Shit...You think we could've been spotted if we didn't drop?" Velazquez asked. "I don't know, but maybe," Ray said. They got up again, and carried on back to rejoin the others. A small mound was just ahead of them, and that's all they needed to cross to regroup. Ray was about to step on the mound when "...Drop!" Ray instantly dropped to the ground at Alveraz's alerting voice. He slowly looked up, and saw it was that same object that flew above them just barely a minute ago. It hovered right above them; turning in random directions. It flew away again, dissapearing over a hill.

  "Seriously! What is that thing!?" Velazquez asked

"I think it was another pegasus...it looked almost looked like one," Derrick said

"Pegasus or not, we still have to get back right now!" Ray grunted

They made their journey up the mound then carefully traversing downwards. The Stryker's were still there, and they barely made it just on time. All the soldiers were starting to climb in back into the Styker's, and readying to pull out. Ray and his team entered there Styker, and the ramp closed behind them. "Where did you guys ditch that horse?" Boxer asked. "Hehehe...we 'ditched' it in a forest about a mile away," Velazquez answered "Where did you guys leave the other one?" he asked back

"Somewhere far away from here...I hope it won't spot any of us," Boxer said

The motion of Stryker moving was felt, and their recon mission was about to begin. It was dim inside the vehicle, no one said a single word. The VC was looking at the the computers, observing a map that has been made by the drones while they were observing this planet. "Hey are we able to communicate with the others back on Earth?" Alveraz asked. The VC turned around at Alveraz, "The Company Commander has a very small communications portal that is a implement of the vehicle so...yeah, we can communicate with others back on Earth". The squad was fascinated that a small portal was created to allow communications from any distance everywhere they went. All the lights were off on the outside of the Stryker, and the driver was looked through his thermal sights to see the road ahead, it was all quiet for now...

Fourty-Five minutes later...

  "What exactly are we doing again?" Velazquez asked, in a bored tone

"We're suppost to be patrolling, but nothing has been spotted, yet," the VC said "All I see is just a bunch of hills, and the area is just a forest so...it's not a real great idea to drop you guys here..."

  "It doesn't feel like patrolling, it feels like we're taking a boring ride..."

It's has been already half an hour, and nothing has been spotted, yet. The VC looked through the night optics through the camera from the gun on top, and started to notice the area was becoming a bit different. The forest stopped spreading to this area, and now the land was becoming plains with a few hills in the background. But a large treeline started to appea, but there was fencing around them this time. "I think we just found some private property," he said.

"What do you see out there?" Victor asked

"All I see is a....well a bunch of fences and I think that's a farm, the angle I'm viewing it at is not helping" the VC said "Hey make a left right here!"

The driver turned the Stryker to the left, and entered the vicinity; the VC quickly radioed the two other Strykers about the situation. The Stryker parked to the left side of the barn, and the other on the right side then one right in the back of the farmhouse. Boxer poked his out of the hatch above him, checking the surrounding area. He gave the word it was clear, and the ramp lowered down.

"Well lets greet our new "neighbors" '....