//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen // Story: Horse Play // by Alden MacManx //------------------------------// Captain Somers woke up in his quarters, the formerly supernova-sized headache now down to a quiescent neutron star in size and intensity. Slowly, he let awareness and sensation flow back to him. He knew that if he tried hurrying the process, it would hurt more and take longer.  He gradually became aware of two presences in his cabin, two very familiar presences, one sitting on his chest, the other beside the bed. “Jamie, one thing we could always trust you to do is to plunge in to help somebody else, no matter what the price,” an older man’s voice said, from Jamie’s chest. “But you and Mother taught me how to do so, Salem,” Jamie said quietly. “As Mother says, ‘If you have to cheat, cheat outrageously.’ I just hope my cheating is outrageous enough to win.” He opened his eyes to see a large black cat staring down at him with brightly luminous golden eyes, concern evident in the position of his ears and whiskers. Having grown up with the cat being a constant presence, Jamie knew he could reach up and pet the cat between his ears without risking the loss of the offending hand, so he did just that. “Always nice to know you care, Salem. I’m ready for your tongue-lashing, but I believe Mother has first crack at me.” “Damn right I do, Jamie Brennan Somers, and I’m going to take that crack right now!” Jamie’s mother Raven said from her chair next to the bed, taking Jamie’s free hand in both of hers. “I’m the one who is supposed to be running the cosmic Dirty Tricks department, along with Salem and your Uncle Gideon. Yet you didn’t hesitate when you saw a chance to slip in and end this damned war. For that, we’re all proud of you, as well as you getting the Equestrians into the ISA. The ponies are very good people, just a bit insular. Now, they know about the universe, and the universe is reaching back to greet them.” “Just trying to keep up the family business in whatever ways I can, Mother,” Jamie said, looking at her. He could see the worry lines had become prominent in her face, but they were fading. He let his eyes follow Raven’s long black hair as it cascaded down to below the level of the chair seat. “I knew you were doing your usual behind-the-scenes meddling to ensure a smooth reception, so I focused on the Ratzis. Why could you not deal with them yourself?” “The Ratzi Master’s power supply caused Harper to have fits if he got within one AU of the planet. He says it’s like he is allergic to it,” Raven said, referring to her personal high-speed starcraft and its AI controller. “Plus, Salem and I have trouble getting near the planet without our presence setting off all sorts of wards and alarms. You forced a hole and used it. Now, tell me about this Harmony stuff. You nearly blew more than a few synapses doing it. What prompted you to even try it?” Jamie gently urged Salem to move over enough to let him sit up, keeping a hand around the big black cat so he wouldn’t go far. “Look at who took part, Mother. Xarenna Mulholland and Beau Davis have served under me for years, making it easy to form a rapport. Lee and I grew up together, and L’Dan and his daughter are distant relatives, also making it easy to go en rapport with them, then taking it the next step to the gestalt that is Harmony. We were able to react much faster that way. “Yes, it was completely untried and unproven with us, but seeing the example Princess Twilight and her friends provided, I figured it was worth a try. Worked, didn’t it?” Jamie finished with a small smile. “Not without a cost. You’ve been unconscious for over a week while your brain healed from the stress you put on it. Commander Seiryuu’s been doing a good job in your absence, and the ISA has sent a fleet out this way to help put the Ratzis to rights. They should be here the day after tomorrow,” Salem said from his spot on Jamie’s bed. “Princess Twilight and her team have been working with the Ratschancellor, getting information from him and helping him not only right himself, but the entire Ratzi Dominion. It’s a good thing many of their colonies are set to run essentially autonomously, only needing minimal guidance,” Raven told Jamie. “I’ve been helping out as well, so long as I stay away from the planet.” “The power source keeping you out? Is anyone working on that?” Jamie asked. “Commanders Davis and M’Ranx have been down there, examining the power source. Their first report said, in essence, their version of a zipper has some teeth missing,” Raven said with a small smile. “L’Dan does have a way with words, doesn’t he?” “Five to one says Beau dreamed that one up. Did anyone start my coffee pot? I can use some,” Jamie said. “That, and some breakfast.” Almost as if on cue, the door to Jamie’s cabin slid open, to reveal Doctor Harris with a breakfast tray as well as some med scanners. “Coffee you want, Jamie, coffee you get! Hello, Aunt Raven. Let me check you first before you have your coffee,” Lee said as he put the tray down, picked up a scanner and looked Jamie over thoroughly. “Hope you enjoyed your nap.” “You know I do, Lee, it’s just that I like to decide where and when. Is my head intact?” Jamie asked. “Reasonably so,” Lee said as he put the scanner down, picked up a hypo and injected Jamie in the neck. “This should deal with the last of your headache. You may now sip your coffee. Any questions?” “How’s the Chancellor?” Jamie asked as he sipped some hot black coffee. Raven also took a cup while a smaller one was for Salem, who handled it telekinetically, after adding a little sugar. “Remarkably healthy, for being a brain in a box for thousands of years. Apparently, this Harmony grew him a new body when he got sprung from his habitat,” Lee said as he found a seat. “He’s quite concerned about the future of his species. Apparently, now that he’s out of the box, he’s having trouble operating the equipment needed to keep the species thriving in the long term. Beau, L’Dan and Sardon are looking into the problem, with help.” “That’s good to hear. Now, since it has been a long time since we were all together, shall we just relax for a half-hour?” Jamie suggested, and the family members chatted about the family for the next half-hour while Jamie worked his way through ham, eggs, bacon and a rather large butter croissant. Thus refreshed, Jamie went to check his ship over, first finding the Exec, Commander Seiryuu. Raven and Salem headed off in their own way, while Lee went back to Medical. Jamie’s chat with the Exec ran over an hour, with Jamie asking a lot of questions and being satisfied with the answers he got. “I knew I picked right, Luke. You haven’t disappointed me.” “Thank you, Captain. I do try my best,” the red-haired Exec said, with a little pride. “Well, it worked. Once we’re done here, we will be heading back to Equis, to return the Princess and her friends. I am going to suggest you become the liaison between the ISA Navy and the Equestrians. Think you can handle that?” Jamie asked. Luke looked like he had just been hit by a cattle prod set on high. “Me? Liaison with a new species? Why do you think I can pull that off?” he nearly squeaked. “Because you can change into a dragon, and dragons may not be common, but they are known and accepted. Tell me, How many dragons or dracoforms do you know well?” “Not many. In fact, I’m not very close to Major Ryudan, despite his being a dracoform. Dragons are not too common in the ISA,” Luke said after a little thought. “Well, now you know why I’m recommending you for this job. It will benefit you, by having more contacts, and they will benefit because you can change into a species they are familiar with, and you can teach all you want about the ISA and technology.  “I’ve had faith in your capabilities since we first met aboard the Gilgamesh years ago. Looks like my instincts are right. Once this hullabaloo settles down, I’ll get the paperwork started to put you off and find me a new exec,” Jamie finished. “But, I’ve only been aboard for a few months!” Commander Seiryuu protested. “How can you be sure I’m ready for the next step?” “I’ve been a commanding officer for a long time, Luke. Plus, I have long since learned how to read and gauge people. Call it my main Sagan talent, amongst others. You’re ready, even if you don’t think you are. Besides, it will give you a chance to be with Spike, right? Think about flying with him.” Commander Seiryuu looked thoughtful. “Something I had not considered, Captain. Okay, then, pending approval from those higher up in the food chain, I will accept the posting. Besides, it would be good to fly around some. I’m getting out of practice, confined aboard a ship. Two flaps and impact into the side of the gym. Not comfortable,” he said with a small smile. “Glad to hear it. Now, fill me in on the ship itself. How did the crew perform after I passed out? Who took charge of the landing party?” Jamie asked, putting on his commanding officer’s hat. “Details this time.” The Captain got his details, the Exec calling upon Hurin for backup and displays. Next on the Captain’s to-do list is a meeting with the landing party members. Turns out all were on board, except Inquisitor, who was down in the Ratschancellory, working with his fellow level-ones and the Ratschancellor in setting the planet to rights. In the week Jamie had been unconscious, much progress has been done. He got reports from everyone and everypony involved with the landing party, asking for impressions both in and out of gestalt, then comparing reports with Princess Twilight to see how his experience compared to that of Harmony. To his surprise, everyone on the ship's crew said it seemed to be the ‘most natural thing to do’, as Commander Davis said. “Captain, it looks like you were correct in your guess when we spoke the night before the mission,” Twilight said. “In your people’s case, Leadership is a good substitute for Magic. It is my theory that it is your crew member’s faith and confidence in your leadership led to you being able to form your version of Harmony. It could also be being in the presence of us when we entered Harmony enabled you to do so too.” Rainbow Dash settled lower in her chair, next to Lieutenant Khaball. “And she’s off and running with the geek speak…” she muttered.  “This happens often, yes?” Annelise asked in a whisper. “Too often,” Rainbow Dash muttered back as Twilight went into a technical description of a comparison between the two versions of Harmony. Every being present, except Captain Somers, assumed a position of glassy-eyed attention during Twilight’s discourse. When Twilight began talking about how magic worked with the Ratzis, Captain Somers held up a hand. “Let’s make this a private conference in the dayroom, Princess. I’m sure everyone else is up to speed on that topic.” Twilight blinked as her stream of consciousness talk was interrupted. “Of course, Captain. Let’s do it.” “Meeting adjourned and the Officer’s Lounge is open for all here. Dismissed!” Jamie ordered. Hurin later complained he just barely got the doors open in time before the crowd reached them. Next on Jamie’s to-do list, after dinner, is to contact the approaching relief fleet from Camelot, the mission under the command of his ‘nephew’, Grand Admiral Gordon Chambers. The two had a long discussion, about how to integrate the Ratzis into the ISA. “General consensus is to put them in a protectorate status until they get their act together, then move towards admittance,” Gordon told his uncle. “I’ve been getting frequent reports from both your crew and the Equestrians about the Ratzis. The guidance has been invaluable in making decisions AND getting them past the High Chancellor.” “Let me guess, Robedlea is on a superiority kick again, right? I can’t deny his capability for being a leader, but he simply must get over his provincialism!” Jamie snapped.  Gordon sighed. “He is, and the other High Chancellors are getting sick of it. Elections are next year, but I think they’re going to pull a no-confidence vote on him. He wants the Ratzis, and their home world, blasted out of existence.” “Thing is, we can do it, and he knows it. Give CR a call. As an Emeritus, he can settle Robedlea’s hash fast,” Jamie said, referring to his much older brother, Christopher Robin Somers, a past High Chancellor, who still retains a lot of influence. “I’ll call Dad,” referring to his father, Christian Raffaele Somers, the sitting Deputy High Chancellor. “You do that, Jamie.” After a short phone call to his father, who had similar feelings and thoughts about the High Chancellor, Jamie decided to head planetside to meet the level-ones and the Chancellor. He was met by a level-four Ratzi who brought him to where the leaders were meeting. Jamie did not think it unusual to be at a table with seven rats, six of which are identical except for eye color, which happened to match the primary color of their Equestrian counterparts. The seventh is the grey rat, the Chancellor, who was wearing a wire-mesh helmet with a lead that plugged into a console. “This is necessary to maintain my links with the planetary command circuitry, Captain Somers,” the Chancellor explained. “They were not designed to be operated from the outside without a staff of thousands operating and monitoring. Not having such a trained staff, I have to improvise. For this, I have to thank your Engineering and Science staff, as well as Princess Twilight.” “I will be sure to pass your words on, Chancellor. Now I know why they were so pleased with themselves.” “Please, call me Jack,” the Chancellor said. “New times, new body, new name. I like it, though I do not get the meaning.” Jamie literally facepalmed himself. “I do know the meaning, and I can think of several beings who would give you such a name. I find it completely appropriate. Who bestowed the name onto you?” he asked. “Doctor Harris did, during an examination. Just what does it mean?” Jack asked. “When we have some time together to spare, I will explain just what a jack-in-the-box is, and how it applies to you. That will have to come later. Now, we have some talking to do before the ISA fleet gets here. Let’s get to it.” Jamie said, and the eight beings began discussions. The six level-ones have taken numbers instead of names, because their previous titles no longer fit. The discussions were serious, yet fitting, the Ratzis, in essence, will allow the ISA to step in and help manage the Ratzi Dominions until the Ratzis were able to generate enough leaders to have local control instead of remote telepathic control. The Ratzis also agreed to allow ISA scientists to look into their technology, which had stagnated since the Great War. They could maintain what they had, but they lacked the spark to innovate. “In no way are we going to surrender completely to the ISA, Captain Somers,” Jack said towards the end of the meeting. “What we are asking is for help to maintain what we have. We expect to resume control of our dominions once we are capable of doing so. At that time, I will see about having my species join the ISA.” “That is what the negotiating team would want to hear, Jack. The ISA will not tell you HOW to run your planets or society. We will make SUGGESTIONS, but it’s all up to you. The war will not be forgotten, and reparations will be asked for,” Jamie cautioned. “And they will get the reparations, once we have our act together,” the level-one formerly known as Power said. “We did what we thought was right to protect ourselves. Now that we know we were wrong, we hope to atone for our errors.” “Keep up that attitude and you will succeed,” Jamie told the group, stifling a yawn. “Is there any coffee down here?” Four, the one formerly known as Inquisition, spoke up. “The investigating crews did bring some down. I’ll go see if there is any nearby. I must admit, I found myself becoming partial to the brew while I was your guest, Captain.” “It is habit-forming, Four,” Jamie said as a level-five entered the room, bearing a tray with two cups of steaming black coffee. “One advantage of being in the system is knowing where everything is,” Jack said as the two were served the coffee. What with all the reorganization the Ratzis needed, the Hurin Tascheter was not freed to return to Equestria for a good three weeks, plus ten days travel time returning. The reception the Tascheter and her crew received upon their return could only be described as ‘monumental’. Much had been done in their absence, like the construction of an embassy building for the ISA representative and staff to live at, with generous allowances made for ponyforms. The party went on for several days, receptions being held at the Embassy as well as at Canterlot Castle. Every crew member on the Tascheter, all the way down to the lowest Spacer Apprentice, received a medal of appreciation from Princess Celestia, the Away Team members given ceremonial knighthoods in the Equestrian nobility, and Captain Somers was made a Baron in rank. All honors were seen by the ISA as legal and binding, so there was no trouble there. The Officer in Charge of the Equestria Fleet Detachment, Commodore (soon to be Rear Admiral) Bev Harkennon, also had awards to be handed out to the ship’s crew, the successful First Contact badge (with repeat pips for those who already had one), the Medal of Valor for the Away Team members, and two officers getting promotions and transfers to Equestria, Commander Seiryuu becoming a Captain and Naval Attache to the Ambassador to Equestria, U Po, and Lieutenant Khaball becoming a Lieutenant Commander and put in charge of training those Equestrians who wanted to to fly ISA spacecraft. “I’m holding you to your promise to teach me how to fly your ships, Annelise!” Rainbow Dash called out from the crowd. “I will, so you don’t have a Rainbow Crash, Dash!” the Baastari shouted back, to much laughter from Rainbow’s friends, both ISA and Equestrian. After the awards ceremony, there was a conference at Canterlot Castle, which included Princesses Celestia, Luna and Twilight Sparkle, Commodore Harkennon, Captains Somers and Seiryuu, and Ambassador U Po. One of the topics is the planet known as Cold Hearth. “I have a preliminary survey crew there now, with the science vessel Shoemaker. In about three months, I’m going to send another ship out there for some crew rotation. I hereby extend the offer to Princess Celestia to select a survey team of Equestrian nationals to assist in the survey. Can you think of any ponies willing to go?” Commodore Harkennon asked the Princess. Celestia looked to Twilight Sparkle. “Think you can handle some responsibility on your own, Twilight? You choose your team and train them, then go out and prove the planet.” Twilight could barely control her enthusiasm. “Oh, yes! First I’m going to have to  make a checklist to make sure I don’t forget anything, then to find out what I need to do a proper survey, then find the right ponies, then…” Twilight got cut off by Jamie’s loud hand clap and Celestia’s hoof stomp, both synchronized. “That’s one reason why Luke is staying here, to help you guide the survey. He’s done it before,” Jamie told the startled alicorn. “Great! That’s good! Someone I can learn from!” Twilight managed to say, recovering quickly. “That’s why we’re here, right? To learn from each other,” Captain Somers said gently. “We have a lot of planning to do, so let’s get started at it,” Princess Celestia said firmly, gathering everyone’s attention.