Cosmic Dust

Dear reader,

If you have followed me up to this point, then I must congratulate you for withstanding my poor excuses of sophisticated metaphors. I am a scholar, not a bard. While my previous entries to this diary were... pretentious at best, I now take the chance to continue in a more down to earth manner, discussing matters more directly and to the point.

And why is that? The answer to that question is just as pretentious as my previous literary assessment. While I do my best to be humble among the populace, my position grants me a degree of recognition and fame (which I’d live without given the chance), not only by my own achievements but by being who I am: my master’s prodigee. Therefore, long after I am gone from this world, this diary will still be target of study to many the researchers to come. And while I do not doubt they will be knowledgeable, I fear they may not fully grasp the wisdom that I detain.

So yes, I am dumbing down my own diary for the sake of others. And then she says I don’t care about anyone but myself! Every day she babbles on how I should leave the library and enjoy life... But I am! This is life! The continuous absorption of knowledge, the completion of one’s self. If she continues I feel like I will need to have a very serious talk with her! She above all others knows how important my researches are for our people. But that is for another entry.

“This is outrageous! Never in my life have I committed such atrocities!”

“Silence!”

Dust shrinked as the eyeless alien’s voice echoed in the atrium, the red walls seeming to pulsate along with him. His face appeared to be covered in brown scales, although the holographic imagery didn’t make it very clear. Jake’s expression was one of worry: he knew things were not going right. He didn’t need to know Krall to decypher it.

“Fifteen hours ago thousands of sentient beings of a variety of species fell victim to your actions: Akro, Volkar, Cerberus, Leija, Dumah, Ootori, Marekus, Ys,...”

“What, no...” the pony stumbled back as the woman enumerated the species. “I never did such a thing! I may have had to defend myself against a certain one, but...”

“Stop playing around!” the supposed commander intervened, the tone of his voice revealing the anger behind his helmet. “Do you deny that in that camera data” he looked up at the video feed “your actions led to the catastrophic failure of the Melchiah district’s power plant?”

“How would I? I never even saw that energy plant!” Dust defended herself. “Why would I risk my own life in the process?”

“Maybe because your hatred against them made it worth the price.” the commander added.

Dust shook her head. “No, I’m not like that.”

“Why, you...”

“Why don’t you let me continue, Master Sevaaris?” the woman interrupted, seeming to the clear her throat with a cough. “You say you are innocent. Please describe your actions represented in the video imagery.”

“Big Boss was going to shoot me, so I defended myself. I used my... psychic manipulation to get the best of her.”

“And what are the side effects of the manipulation?”

Dust looked confused. “Side-effects?”

“You can see that a strong electromagnetic interference irradiated in the room from the artifacts in the video feed.” the blind one added. “You mean to say that was intended? You were trying to cover the camera and hide your tracks?”

“No, no! There were things going off all over the place, it was unintentional.”

The woman smiled. “Including obstructing heat venting systems?”

Dust felt the strength leave her legs, either by hunger or shock. Adding one plus one, she understood. ‘I... It is really my fault...’

‘What do you mean? What’s going on?’ Jake asked feverously in his mind, impatient for being kept out for so long.

“We are expecting an answer, pony Dust.” the golden berserker pressed on.

Dust gulped, and looked forward, accepting her fate. ‘As long as I can keep him safe.’ she thought. “There may have been some ventilation equipment ruined in that encounter, yes.”

“You realize that an Atlantian district’s ventilation system is fully connected? If one area fails, the rest follows. The damage you caused in that room caused a major power outage in the whole district. So far according with the latest report from the berserkers stationed at Atlantika, about six thousand bodies have been accounted for. Most of the deaths are due to drowning, electrocution, concussions, among others.”

Dust could feel tears forming in her eyes. She felt awful to remember that she was more worried with the volkar spectacle than with the massacre happening behind her back, as she escaped the ocean.

‘I can’t let them win me over. I have to fight back.’ Quickly snapping out of her growing despair, the pony fought back: “If you further investigate that video footage you will see that they deserved no different punishment. The crimes they committed there over the years are horrifying!”

“How dare you give US lessons in how the law works?” eyeless head bobbed in the air. “Two wrongs do not make a right. Perhaps yes, some of them deserved nothing other than death. But there are those who didn’t, yet your rash actions led to an indiscriminate punishment! Yes, we are aware of how important your contribution was. The black market is a mud stain in the Alliance that has to be wiped.” he stated bluntly, earning a stare from his two companions. “Upon reporting this operation, you shall be credited fully for it.”

A spark of hope ignited in Dust’s heart, but it was not there to last, as the woman completely extinguished it with her words: “Yet that recognition will not be enough to cover for your own crime. Considering the evidence we had as valid, we already determined a sentence. All we needed was for you to confirm it.”

‘Confirm? You manipulated me into saying those things... not that they are wrong... buck!’

‘Damn it Dust, talk to me!’ Jake insisted once more.

“No sentient being has the right to take the life of another sentient being without permission from the highest of courts. Such is the law.” the commander commented. “Pony Dust, for the crime of taking countless lives, you are sentenced to termination.”

“D-death?” Dust stammered, her head feeling numb all of the sudden.

“You called me?” Captain Naden asked, appearing from behind them.

“Take her away to the termination chambers.” commanded the berserker superior. “We will now interrogate the other one.”

“At once!” the subordinate promptly answered, grabbing Dust by a hind leg, dragging her on the floor.

Jake jumped to stop him, kicking the berserker on the chest. As expected from someone holding the rank, the berserker didn’t even flinch., the hit hurting more Jake’s foot than anything.

Reacting fast, Naden pointed the weapon embedded into his armour at the human who was lying on the ground, holding on to his foot. The weapon’s barrel lighted up, heat exhaling from it. Too fast to be tracked by normal eyes, the charged plasma shot left the weapon and hit Jake in the chest.

“NO!!!” Dust screamed, kicking the berserker off and trotting to the human.

“Captain! Control yourself!” the golden berserker spouted, his voice filled with rage. The captain pulled himself back, holding the gun above his head as smoke escaped from it.

Dust’s hooves scrambled all over Jake’s chest, not knowing what to do. Jake was dumbfounded, the shock being too much to even react to the pain. From the hole that run across where his heart was supposed to be, an intense beam of light peered through, first with great intensity and then slowly fading. When it was gone, he was just as before of being shot. No scorched skin, no puncturing wounds, nothing. Just smooth skin. Dust felt slightly weaker, but the sense of relief was enough to overshadow that.

Tears ran across Jake’s face as he smiled, too confused to understand. “What just happened?”

“Impossible!” Naden yelled in frustration, more from not comprehending than failing to shoot him down. “A charged plasma blast could rip the toughest dumah skin! How can such a wimpy humanoid like you survive?”

Dust turned to him, a deep hatred worn in her eyes. “You are lucky he did, otherwise you would be next.”

“Why, you...”

“ENOUGH!” the woman representative shouted, seemingly appalled with the whole situation. “I have seen too much. Captain Naden, report at the officer’s court later today for a punishment, after you deal with the pony.”

“No, wait...” Jake struggled to speak.

“Jake, they can’t understand you.” Dust reminded him.

“Then translate.” he suggested, while pulling himself up with the pony’s help. “Have you found anything against me on those surveillance data?”

Dust promptly translated, worrying however he could be worrying only about himself. ‘That wouldn’t make any sense, he’s linked to me... unless he thinks they can break the link? Perhaps it is for the best...’

‘Don’t be silly.’ Jake responded mentally, making the pony blush for her own insecurities. At least he managed to spy on her thoughts once, in contrast with the many times Dust eavesdropped on him.

The blind alien answered. “So far nothing, but you have to understand that we are not just interested in the Melchiah district, but the whole city. It may take awhile to find evidence that you may or may not be guilty, humanoid.”

“Then you are making a mistake by condemning me. I am biologically linked to Dust, we share a relation of... parasitism.”

“Jake, I don’t consider you a...”

“I know. If you kill her,” he continued “I die.”

“I think the plates on the balance are heavier in our favour, humanoid.” the scaly representative replied. “One innocent life at the expense of punishing a mass murderer is nothing.”

This time it was Dust’s turn to step up for herself. No, step up for both. “But you said it yourself, two wrongs don’t make a right.”

The three exchanged eyes in doubt. Breaking the silence, the blue skinned alien spoke: “I believe I can arrange a solution to this dilemma. I expect your support on this one Sevaaris”

The golden berserker looked to her, and nodded in agreement. “You have my word, Paladin Nadyna.” She then continued:

“One of our main goals as an Alliance is the expansion to unexplored territory. The galaxy is immense, and although so is our reach, we are far behind from knowing everything we can. Scientific research is the way to evolve as a community, and besides local development, finding new communities and cultures could prove fruitful to these goals.”

“Besides these goals,” Sevaaris interrupted “we have more pressing needs at hand, no offence, Senior Paladin, but population distribution and resource harvesting are a priority. Fortunately, both our interests have the same solution. What do you think, Ghrok?”

The eyeless alien bobbed his head in agreement. “I see what you are suggesting, and I must say I too agree. We have been discussing this project and now is the perfect time to execute it.”

“It is settled then,” said Nadyna while turning her attention back at the audience. “Captain Naden, step forward.”

Without acknowledging the pony and human’s presence, the berserker humanoid walked by them. “Yes!”

“We have new orders for you. With the Atlantian mission finally coming to an end, you will be reassigned for this new project. The Galactic Exploration Project. GEP, for short.”

“Exploration, ma’am?” Naden asked in disbelief. Jake almost understood his reaction, as Dust kept translating their intrication conversation mentally. Someone as aggressive as the berserker wouldn’t be interested in exploring.

“Yes, Captain. Currently less than a third of the galaxy has been documented. The acquisition of the Atlantian database will boost our archives for sure, as criminals use routes previously unknown to us, but that will be a minimum improvement. You are to travel to uncharted worlds and report what you can about them.” the Paladin smiled, oddly displaying some sort of excitement for what she was saying.

“And how does the pony and the humanoid fit in all of this?” the berserker Sevaaris questioned.

“Simple,” she explained. “they will assist our Captain here in his enterprise. Due to the large influx of marekus prisoners, we can assign them to different teams, each led by a berserker, and increase our search range.”

Ghrok smiled. “Yes... I like the sound of that.”

Staring down for awhile while considering the situation, Naden finally decided to interject: “Allow me to object! I...”

“I don’t care what you think of this decision, Captain.” his superior grunted. “You fired a weapon in this Supreme Court. This is your punishment.”

“Then... what about them? How is this a punishment to them?”

“May I suggest a condition to their collaboration?” Ghrok asked to his fellow representatives, who both nodded. “Life for life. It is the humanoid’s life that led to us sparing yours, pony. To finally clear your debt, you will need to save as many lives as you took. It’s that simple.” A ohhhh was heard from the other two.

“Save lives?” Dust asked, confused. She was fine with avoiding, death, she was more than fine! But if it required her to run shady contracts like she had not just a day before, she would have to refuse.

“I see...” Sevaaris hand showed on his holographic representation, stroking his metallic shin, pondering. “War is a natural occurrence among sentient beings. Conflict, hate. You will be likely to come in contact with species that the Alliance has never met. And likely they will exhibit such behaviour. As a token of good fortune, and as incentive for future relations, we wish that you try to solve such conflicts. We will keep track of how many lives have been spared through your reports, Captain Naden, which I expect to be accurate.”

Jake didn’t know what to think of it. It was exciting, sure, but under different circumstances. He couldn’t imagine how it would be to finally experience such an adventure on a leash. The berserker captain sighed, finally accepting defeat. “Very well. I will arrange for a spacecraft and supplies.” he turned around, ready to leave, but remembered something. “What about the marekus that accompanied them? What is to become of him?”

“We haven’t come across anything on him, yet.” Nadyna explained. “For now, he will too join the party.” Naden trembled in place, and then left in silence. Once more Jake and Dust were alone with the glowing floating heads. “Do you have anything to ask?”

Dust caught on that she was expected to have left as well, but took the opportunity to clear some misconceptions. “How many others of my species do you have in the Citadel logs?”

“Allow me to check.” The Paladin woman disappeared, only to rejoin the trial moments later. “Currently none, in fact you are the first of the kind we have here. Are you sure you’re just a traveller? We could use the information-”

Dust was not listening ‘No ponies? How can that be? There were so many... similar ones. And Mother, of course.’ Knowing there had to be more to it, she asked: “What is the current spiral year?” ‘Spiral year is the time that takes for the two suns to go from one alignment to another. It is the standard system for all the Alliance worlds.’ she explained, anticipating Jake’s question.

“We are on the 320th year of the 93rd cycle. Do you live on the other side of the galaxy not to know this?” Ghrok asked, a tid bit of sarcasm in his voice.

Dust froze. She simply nodded, and just like the captain, she turned around and left to the dark corridor. Jake followed, looking over his shoulder as the three representatives faded, the red pumping light dominating the room once more.

“Stupid idiot! Let me go! Take cuffs out!””

“If you stop flouncing around I just might!”

As they approached the elevator, Jake and Dust noticed Captain Naden releasing the cuff's magnetically lock from the ground, but not from each other. Koopak noticed, and jumped over the berserker to get to behind them. “You okay little Dust? Not hurt?”

“I am fine...” she assured, although the tone of her voice said otherwise. “We are in your hands, berserker, but I have to ask you something of great importance.”

“What is it?”

Dust’s belly rumbled as an answer “I have barely ate anything the last few years, is there someplace we can eat?”

“Thank you for bringing us here, I was really needing it!”

“You are... welcome.”

Dust assaulted the metal box filled with stewed exotic plants, digging her muzzle through the food. Bits of food flied everywhere, earning them the stares of the many aliens frequenting the restaurant. No one dared to complain though, the presence of a Captain was intimidating enough.

The elevator’s AI was something to be reckoned with. Just by speaking “vegetarian food”, it lead them to the luxurious restaurant whose choice of design baffled Jake. Sets of chairs and tables floated about, making use of the full verticality of the room.

A leaf jumped out of Dust’s recipient and landed on Naden’s helmet, which he simply picked with the tip of his fingers and tossed to the side, containing any reaction he might have had. Koopak also assaulted his own bowl, ecstatic to taste something different than the common Atlantian food.

The same could not be said for the human. He was never a fan of veggies, and even though meat was on short supply on Earth, the artificially made varieties were a perfect replacement. He could only dream of having a nice slice of inorganic bacon on his watering mouth now. Instead, he munched on dry leaves that did next to nothing to alleviate his desire. ‘Do I even need to eat this?’

“What?” Dust turned to him after swallowing the food in her mouth.

“I think it’s obvious, isn’t it? How I never run out of breath, how that shot didn’t kill me. Sure you could have brought me back, but I didn’t even pass out. What should’ve blown my heart to shreds caused nothing more than a flesh wound, which your magic quickly closed. So I ask you this: do I still have my organs or am I solely living off of your energy?”

Dust gulped, choking on the food she was chowing down again. After coughing it out, she answered in a stuttering voice “Y-you have to understand t-that I never used that spell before, and that while I am a really good spellcaster” she struck a pose, her arrogance conquering her hesitation. “I may have failed to fully restore you...” her ears suddenly deflated. “I’m sorry. I was supposed to heal your insides and instead I replaced them with my magic.”

“That explains how you couldn’t cast spells with me around, but could when I was still frozen on that video. This is important, you should have told me! I have been relying on your powers to keep us safe, if only I knew...” Jake’s words only increased the pout forming in the pony’s mouth. The sight was unbearable, so Jake simply stated: “Still, I am here alive thanks to you, so I guess I can forgive you.”

The berserker witnessed the conversation unfold, until he called for Dust’s attention. “The human, he doesn’t speak like us?”

She shook her head. “Unfortunately no, I hope you can bare with it.”

“No way, I can! What if you two are plotting behind my back? I’ll arrange for him to learn Krall.”

“I think I am good teacher? Can I?” Koopak broke his silence after licking the veggie package clean.

Naden didn’t bother to answer. “Follow me.” he commanded instead. Clicking on a button in his seat, it lowered back to ground level, and then he walked back to the elevator, pointing his weapon to force the other three to follow.

The four entered a bathhouse where dozens of humanoids moved about, sets of armour cramped in the wall closets. Dust was perplexed at the amount of different species and what set them apart, either be it small details like the shape of the ear, to more noticeable ones like the number of limbs or eyes. Jake on the other hand couldn’t conceive how aliens could look so similar to humans. For his own sake he stopped staring at the naked human lookalikes, specially the female ones who had just left the showers.

Dust then realized how they were. Their hair was messy, dry from the cold water. A large dry blood stain extended itself around her shoulder wound, the bandage probably lost during their water escape. The pony shuddered at the thought that there could still be traces of Rhaiku’s dry blood in her hooves. “Do you mind if I...”

“Go ahead, get yourselves clean. And don’t try anything funny. Everyone here is a berserker, and they won’t hesitate in turning you to toast.” the captain warned, specially at Koopak who he stared at. His body was dry, the decrease in his skin’s flexibility preventing the marekus from performing the usual stunts.

The moment the humanoid captain left, everyone turned their attention to the trio, as if they were waiting for the chance.

‘This is creepy!’ Jake thought while goosebumps sprouted all over his skin.

‘I wonder if they were in the hangar earlier.’ Dust commented, realizing how many humanoids stared at her over their shoulders.

She was not however the center of attention. Most of the present recruit's gaze focused on Jake, the humanoid stripe that no one had even heard or seen before. Some examined curiously, others laughed at his poor physique. The feeling of uneasiness that assaulted Jake was no novelty to him, but after being exposed for a whole day, he wasn’t about to let that get to him. Or rather, not let Dust notice it was getting to him. “Let’s get this over with.” he said, acting overconfident, walking towards the showers.

By coincidence (although improbable) the entrance to the bath area became packed with people chatting about things Jake could not understand. Willing to make a stand, he began pushing the bodies of many different colours and textures aside, making a path. He felt curious hands feeling him all over, pinching his ear lobe, weighing his arm, touching his hair. Blood rushed to the human’s face the moment he felt a slap somewhere he shouldn’t.

Finally getting past them, he noticed how Dust and Koopak were already on the other side, realizing they were offered no resistance.

The showers were divided in individual sectors. Upon stepping in one, the floor would lit up in a Krall letter, releasing the water flow. It seemed to detect his body temperature automatically because the water felt perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. Brushing his hair, Jake noticed he had an algae sticked to it. He smiled, the not so distant memory of finding Dust for the first time coming to mind. In his perspective it had only been three days and yet it felt like forever.

The rest of the bath went uneventful, each one of the present humanoids minding their own business. Jake could swear there was someone he couldn’t see on a nearby sector, as the light kept itself lit and the water appeared to clash against an invisible shape. Koopak rejoiced with the chance of rehydrating himself, his skin regaining its shine.

Having cleaned themselves, they stepped outside the bathhouse, a force field forming as they approached, keeping the water inside and instantly drying their bodies. Koopak however, whose reserves were replenished, become wet just as fast. Naden had already returned, and signaled for them to approach. Specifically Jake.

“Tell him to put this on.” he communicated to Dust, who relayed the translation at once.

The captain was holding a set of armour with similarities to his own, but different enough to be noticeable. Jake grabbed it, surprised by how light it felt. Either it was a very light material, or his new condition granted him super strength. He found the former more reasonable.

The plating didn’t seem as thick as Naden’s, the chest piece only covering his chest and shoulders. The helmet was identical to Naden’s yet it lacked the smoked glass visor, leaving his face, hair, and ears exposed. The lower half of the armour was, for his relief, a pair of black silk pants, with sections of armoured plate attached in the front, over the knee. Finally, a pair of metallic boots that felt oddly comfortable on the inside. Unlike the deep red of a captain, Jake’s armour was dark blue with streaks of black running across.

As soon as the last piece was worn, the baggy pants tightened, air being sucked from the inside to adjust the wearer’s physiology. Jake let out a little squeak, being taken by surprise. “How... how do I look?” he asked Dust.

“Odd.” she responded, scepticism in her face. “But I guess it will do.”

The human waved his arms around, jumped in place, stretched. The armour almost felt like an extension of his own body, offering no resistance to movement. ‘Oh, this is so cool.’

“This will offer him basic protection, it’s the equivalent of a cadet’s training gear.” Naden explained.

“What about me?” Koopak spun around Jake, examining the armour. “Can I have one too?”

“I’m afraid there isn’t armour in monkey size...” Noticing the stare Dust was giving off, he coughed and rephrased: “Our technicians will come up with something for you and the marekus. But that will take time, so don’t expect it before our departure.”

“Thank you.” Jake said to the captain, offering his hand. It didn’t take him to hear Dust’s translation to understand.

He extended his arm all the way to his elbow, and grabbed it with a powerful grip. “It is my job to keep you three alive until the Council says otherwise, and I will.” Jake caught on and grabbed the armoured elbow as well, returning the shake. “I am not a Captain for nothing.” he added, displaying strange amounts of empathy towards the human.

Dust and Koopak exchanged looks, but shrugged it off and headed into the elevator. Metallic sounds echoed every time Jake’s feet touched the ground. ‘This will take some time getting used to.’

“You are lucky I was the one who found you three in the water.” the berserker said while stopping to command “Sleeping Quarters” to the elevator AI. “Anyone else might have not been able to contain their guns.”

Dust patted her muzzle, and then asked: “Speaking of which, how did you manage to invade Atlantika? Weren’t the laser cannons preventing you from reaching atmosphere?”

“That might have been also another reason why the Council gave you a second choice, pony.”

“How so?”

“You are the reason the district’s power mainframe failed.” He began, everything becoming clear in Dust’s mind, and by extension, Jake’s. “The moment our fleet’s sensors detected a blind spot in the atmosphere, we charged in. Once we were in a certain altitude the nearby district’s defensive weapons would be useless.”

“I see... so why wasn’t I told that? I was in a disadvantage in the trial!” Dust complained.

“Let’s just say the Council wanted to evaluate the motif behind your actions. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.”

“Big Captain?” Koopak called for his attention, pulling his left hand. “What will happen to other marekus?”

“They will be investigated, and until then, they will be assimilated into exploration teams. If the investigation turns out clean, they will be released. If not however... they will be punished accordingly.”

Koopak fell flat on the ground. Dust knew why, and trotted next to him, patting his back. Once being disgusted with the touch of marekus skin, she now didn’t mind. He was a friend, and they had been both under extraordinary circumstances.

The elevator stopped, and Jake was so lost in marvelling over his new apparel he didn’t remember to prepare for the push. He leaned forward, but managed to regain his balance.

On the corridor that followed, the captain unlocked a door with his voice, revealing what Jake took as a bedroom. A large round blue bed stood in the middle, taking most of the room, made so that any species could accommodate itself with ease. In fact it was the only thing in the whole division.

Dust jumped on the bed, and the moment she touched it the fabric wrapped around her as if it had life of its own, the mattress swiftly taking the shape of her body. ‘Oh, I don’t think I can move from here...’

“What are you doing?” the captain broke her out of the ecstatic trance.

Koopak went to help her up, but stopped himself before he made a mess out of the fabric. Jake went instead, each step looking awkward due to the new extension of his body.

“Sleeping, of course.” the pony answered. She really needed it, her body had been pushed to extremes she never had gone before, and anything soft below those ill-treated bones would do wonders. Being in the bed sent her to paradise.

Naden opened a door on the other side of the room. “You three sleep in here.”

“A private room? Oh, you shouldn’t have.” Dust hopped over the bed, trotting by the captain.

They felt as their hopes and dreams were crushed. This new room was just like the previous one, with the important exception that it lacked a bed. The door being locked behind their backs broke them from the initial shock. “What is the meaning of this?”

“You are prisoners,” the captain explained. “you’re lucky I haven’t sent you to the common cells. Sleep.”

“I want fluffy bed!” Koopak complained, trying to pull the ventilation grid on the wall, even if it was too slim to allow an escape.

Cold. Oh it is so cold. And dark... My eyes are closed. Why can’t I open my eyes?! What’s going on? And my arms! I can’t move my arms! Can’t move my legs either! Damn it! Help! Someone help! I’m trapped! Get me out of here!

The air is getting colder. My throat hurts... it burns. I feel as if my skin is being sliced. I can’t take this. I feel the cold inside me. The ice is getting closer. I can feel it around my face. No! No!

“NO!”

Jake jumped from the floor, sweat running across his face.

“What’s wrong? Are you alright?” the pony next to him asked while containing the volume of her voice. Koopak was fast asleep on the ground, and Naden probably would be too.

Jake held his head between his hands, trying to shake off the dream. “It was just a nightmare, I’m fine.”

“I’m glad...” Dust sighed in relief. While the lamp was only strong enough to dimly lit the room, Jake could see the tears around the unicorn’s swollen eyes.

Sitting better on the floor, he asked, bringing the tone down as well: “What about you? Are you crying?”

“No, silly.” she assured, smiling gently. “It is just a shared feeling, that’s all. You had a rush of emotions there...”

“You’re lying.”

“Wha-”

“I couldn’t do it before without you allowing me, but now I kind of can. I listened to your mind and you were thinking in the trial. What’s the problem?”

Dust closed her eyelids, the tears breaking free around her cheeks. “This is the 320th year of the 93rd spiral cycle. Before I was sent to Earth, we were still on the 90th cycle...”

Jake frowned. “What does that mean?”

Dust stopped for a moment, calculating in her mind. “Over a thousand Earth years have passed since I last saw her, Jake. Somehow, I was asleep this entire time, until I finally fell on your planet. I thought... I thought that she’d be out here, but I wasn’t there for her. I failed Mother.” Jake’s mouth opened to say something, but stopped, mesmerized. Dust hit her hoof on the floor, suddenly becoming angry. “She’s long gone and I wasn’t there! Damn! Why couldn’t I be there? What went wrong?!”

“Shhhh!” Jake shushed, reminding her that an angry military officer was sleeping just next door. “Look, I don’t really know what to say that will fix this, but it isn’t your fault.”

“How can it not be?!” she whimpered.

Jake grabbed her by the shoulders, turning her to him. “Think! You told me a group of beings made of light took you from your mother, and sent you to my planet. You’ve been blaming yourself for everything and that’s not good for you... even though I’m probably not the best person to say this.”

Her eyes widened in realization. “It was them, not me...”

“Yes! It isn’t your fault!” Jake agreed, glad to see the pony was getting her thoughts straight.

“It was HER!” the rage was back, her roar making Koopak slightly move but not completely waking up. “Celestia! It has got to be her!”

“Calm down, you are not thinking properly...”

“But it was her!” she shook his grip off. “Forever had Mother been hiding, and Celestia finally got her! And I bet she’s still sitting on her royal ass as we’re speaking. Damn her!”

Jake couldn’t take it anymore, so he held her mouth shut with a hand. “Okay, let’s say it was Celestia. What will this rage bring you? You don’t know where Equestria is, and I pretty much doubt the Council has information on it, seeing as they couldn’t identify your species.” she seemed to calm down, so he removed his hand. “And I understand! If I could, I would take a ship back to Earth and blast General Shitlord out of existence. But I can’t. We have to fulfill our current assignment as explorers and-”

“That’s it!” the pony clopped her hooves together. “Jake, you’re a genious!”

“I... I am?” he stuttered, confused by her sudden change of attitude.

“Don’t you see? That’s what we’re going to do! Explore uncharted territory! If we keep at it, we might even find Equestria!”

“I’m not su-”

“It’s perfect! I clear my debt and bring Celestia to justice! Yes, it is settled.” She seemed determined, but then realized the extent of her decision. “That is, if you agree on it.” she asked, reminding herself of her other half.

Jake sighed. What could he say? Revenge... He understood the feeling. He felt it. But why wasn’t he so bent on returning home then? What was the difference? Finally, he nodded in agreement. “Very well, if, and I repeat, if, we come across Equestria, I’m with you on this. But the Milky Way is enormous, and we’re just one of the search parties, so don’t get your hopes up.”

The last few words met deaf years. Dust was pumped with excitement, plotting courses of action in her mind. Jake gave up and curled back on the hard floor. Although afraid of falling asleep, fatigue finally got the best of the human.

“Why don’t we travel on one of the weird round ships?” Koopak questioned, jumping around the vessel that looked much like the Mk.II, but thinner as it required less components to work, a testament to the Alliance’s level of technology.

Naden rotated his neck, stretching his muscles. “Those are for invasive atmospheric entries, they are ill-suited for long expeditions. This one is a Viper. It allows for long travels while still possessing desirable maneuverability and firepower.”

The hangar was almost empty, a few berserkers accounting for the present spacecrafts. After last day’s enterprise the units were taking a day off, and it seemed that the concept was not present in the captains dictionary. He had woken them up harshly, and brought them there at gunpoint. There had been a transport awaiting in a departure balcony, the outside traffic as intense as ever.

“How fast can it go?” Jake asked, curiously inspecting the ship.

“Uh... With non-FTL thrusters, we can easily go one system’s edge to another in minutes. With FTL, it takes a handful of hours to cover the whole charted region of the galaxy. It’s one our finest ships.” the captain explained, a subtle hesitation in his voice.

But he wasn’t the only one taken aback. Noticing the following silence, Jake looked at Dust and Koopak, only to find them staring perplexed at the human before them. “What?”

“The hume spoke! The hume spoke and I could understand!” Koopak pointed out, excited. Dust kept trying to formulate words but couldn’t.

Jake’s eyes widened as it finally clicked. He wasn’t speaking english. He was speaking krall. But how? ‘How the hell? This doesn’t make any sense! I don’t know what I’m saying, thinking... and at the same time I do!’

“Allow me to explain.”

The party looked around, trying to locate the source of the automated voice. Everyone else in the hangar was minding their own business.

“Over here.”

The bright flash of pink gave it away. In Jake’s chest armour, the circular communicator gave off a pink glow, its intensity heightening every time the voice echoed.

“What is this? Have you tampered with the armour?” Naden inquired.

Before Jake could deny it, the voice spoke once more: “Please, do not dish out on the boy. I assure you the Council gave me permission after my hearing.”

“Who is talking anyway?!” Dust talked vaguely into the armour, feeling unsure.

“Why, I am almost offended!” the automated voice complained in an overly dramatic tone, while keeping the characteristic buzz of an electronic sound. “After we courageously fought side by side against Big Boss I expected for you to remember me.”

It all made sense then. “You’re that volkar!” the pony exclaimed. “To be fair, you really never told us your name.

“A volkar inside the armour?” The captain activated his weapon, pointing it at Jake’s chest. “How dare you violate berserker technology!”

“Would you lower that?!” Dust yelled. Koopak jumped at Naden’s arm, hanging on it in an effort to pull it down..

“I am known as Tokra, and as I said,” the volkar continued. “the Council gave me permission to enter this piece of equipment. If you have any complaints please head them to the one who gave the final order. How was he called... oh, yes. Master Sevaaris.”

Jake could swear he heard the captain gulp as he lowered the weapon. “What are his orders?” he asked, the initial aggressiveness gone.

“I am to accompany you and keep an eye out on this boy. I told them about the unfreezing of his body, and they are interested in his physiology, Sevaaris specially said you would understand why.” Naden looked away, groaning. “Anyway, I came in your room last night through the ventilation system (I didn’t want to wake any of you up, you all looked so peaceful), and made myself at home. I hope you don’t mind.”

“That still doesn’t explain how I am speaking like this!” Jake pointed out, stuttering at each word as his brain struggled to find a right way to talk.

“Oh, that was simple. I simply instructed your brain to learn it.”

Dust tilted her head. “Instructed?”

“Absolutely. I came inside his cranium through his facial cavities and manually instructed him! Just like a machine! Manually, ihihih. Such a silly word to be used by us volkars. Krall doesn’t take our species much in consideration does it?”

Jake’s hands ran all over his head in horror, the thought of the slimy pink creature entering through his ear or nose.

“You could have hurt him!” Dust shouted. “The brain is a very sensitive organ!”

“Oh, I assure you, it would be worst if I had told him in advance.” the volkar said without losing a grain of excitement. “If the patient was aware that he would be boarded by an alien organism, he would have instinctively put up defences, which would have made my work much harder, and dangerous.”

“I suppose that dispenses the need for the krall lessons I had arranged for the human.” Naden pointed out. “We are losing time here, every one of you, board.” he commanded, an entrance unfolding on the ship’s outer shielding with a set of steps leading in, much like an airplane.

The inside of the Viper was what was to be expected of a spaceship: seats, terminals, storage, deck. Much for Dust’s relief, there was a bench made of the same material as the captain’s bed, but of much more malleable consistency, offering the pony perfect accommodation.

“Before we take off,” Naden began. “I need you three to drink this.”

He extended a small set of silver vials from his hand, human, pony and marekus each taking one. “What are they for?” Dust curiously asked.

“Drink them first.” the berserker answered, his arm twitching as to warn them of who was in charge.

Removing the plastic top covers from the vials, the three drank in one go. The trio made funny expressions as the acid feeling from the silver liquid lingered in their mouths. “Agh! Care to tell us now?” Dust said, her tongue sticking out.

“A culture of nanomachines that will kill you upon my remote command.” Bewildered by the answer, Dust prepared to charge at him and demand for their removal, but the captain anticipated. “Only if you try something funny. Keep in line and it won’t even cross my mind.”

“I... I would never!” Jake pushed Naden, doing as much as making him step back. “I have nowhere to go! I don’t know anything of this new world! I have no reasons to betray you. In fact, I want this!”

“Please, understand...” the captain stuttered, taken aback by the human’s harshness.

“No! There is nothing to understand. Yes, many unfortunately died in the incident. But it was self defence. It was all an accident! And yet your Council,” he said with a mocking tone. “decides that Dust should be punished! If it wasn’t for me she’d be dead! What kind of justice is this?!”

“Little Jake?” Koopak poked him on the side, attempting to call for his attention, but to no avail. Dust didn’t know what to say. The mix of anger and difficulty in speaking had Jake in tears.

“I always dreamed that somewhere beyond the stars a perfect place existed. A place where everyone lived in harmony. But I guess I was wrong. If this is the best life has to offer, then what’s the point?” Jake sat down, looking away from everyone. “If we come across an inhabited planet, do not count on me on persuading them to join the Alliance. They’re better off.”

The berserker was ready to answer, but was interrupted by the electronic voice: “I would love to leave you two alone and settle your quarrels, but I cannot. Can we move on?”

Koopak kept scratching his tongue to get the liquid’s feeling off, already ignoring what was happening. Naden sighed, and sat on the deck chair, shaking his head. “We are departing now. Be seated.”

The pony obliged, Koopak having to be brought to attention by Dust. Unlike the assault vessel, this ship hummed slightly, obviously not made for stealth operations. From the front window a gate could be seen sliding open in the ceiling, allowing their passage.

‘I’m sorry,’ Jake apologized. ‘I got carried away.’

‘Don’t be. I’m just as angry.’ Dust comforted him with a hoof.

The bluish colours of the planet quickly disappeared as the speed increased exponentially, leaving the planet behind. The inertial dampeners worked wonders, and if Jake wasn’t looking he could swear they were still on the ground.

“Here we go.” Naden finally announced, activating the hyperdrive.

“So exciting! I can barely contain myself!” Tokra buzzed.

“I am coming for you...” Dust whispered, still loud enough for Jake to hear.

A flash of light sparked in the sky as the Viper entered FTL speed, leaving the Citadel far behind.

Oh, yes. Adventure. Today I went through some of my old belongings, and found an old diary I kept when I was younger. Nothing close to this journal, I was appalled (to say the least) at my writing style upon reading it. Yet, the memories those words brought back made it all worth it.

I was thrilled by the prospect of adventure when I was still a young buck. To cross the Ghastly Gorge, to take a balloon ride to Cloudsdale, to venture into the Everfree Forest. Dreams that never came true. I was too focused on books and studies to make anything of it. With time, it simply faded away...

Which is a shame now that I truly think about it. Was it really worth it passing such opportunities? Am I too late? I am not the colt I once used to be, age finally caught on and I’m afraid I wouldn’t last long should I head out into peril.

I know that throughout this journal I talk about the most interesting magical facts and experiments, and even incentive you, the reader, to take part in them. Our understanding of the magical arts is always evolving, and it will greatly change even after I stopped contributing. But let’s stop talking about science, magic, and studies. For a moment, even if we are deluding ourselves with such a preposterous ideology, let’s consider reading books boring.

Do you wish to travel? Do you hunger for adventure? Have you dreamed on becoming a smith? An artist? Life is long, but it can feel short. Do not let your dreams die. Grasp them with your magic, pursue them to the best of your capabilities, make them come true. Because one day you might find yourself being an old colt searching around his chest of memories, and regretting everything you never had the courage to endorse.

Think about it.

No.

Do something about it.