//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Ghosts of the Future // Story: The tale of an Exile // by KRissCHu573 //------------------------------// The shuttle shook violently, waking up Karn and Rain Sight. After each of them rubbed their eyes, Starburst’s voice was heard through the ship. ‘Okay fillies and gentlecolts, our several day voyage is at its end. We will be touching down in Augustgrad’s starport in a couple of hours. I’d recommend getting your luggage.’ The two ponies looked at each other, after which Karn sighed, and said with a faked happy tone. “I guess this is our stop.” “Yeah…” She returned with a sigh of her own. Then they began to collect their stuff. As they neared one of the space platforms, Starburst, the pilot and the co-pilot were addressed through the coms. ‘This is DSP Gorger 45 Delta. Approaching space craft, identify yourself and state your business.’ The blue stallion leaned closer to a microphone, pressed a button underneath it and said. “DSP Gorger 45 Delta, this is cargo shuttle Moya. We are transporting food, minerals and two passengers, father and daughter. Requesting permission to land on world.” There were a few quiet moments, after which the pony on the other side spoke. ‘Roger that. Permission granted. Prepare for ship inspection upon landing.’ “Copy that.” Starburst returned. When they landed, several armored ponies from K-Sec came and inspected the ship. Once their luggage was checked, and they were given the all clear, Karn and Rain Sight waited for a bus, which could take them to an apartment building, in which to stay. They were dropped off in front of a seven story building, with a large neon sign atop of it, spelling ‘Sunset Apartments’. They entered, walked over to the register, and the filly got to ring for the receptionist. A goldish-brown pegasus mare, with an orange/yellow mane and teal eyes trotted over, and said in a cheerful voice. “Welcome to the Sunset Apartments. How may I help you?” “Good day. We just moved on world, and we would like a place to stay.” Karn said. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. We have a great room for two, with a view of the city park, on the fifth floor, for only 1000 bits a month.” She replied with a smile. “That does sound good. We’ll take it for a few months.” The unicorn said as he pulled up a suitcase on the table. From it he took 3000 bits, and handed them to the mare. She took the money and placed it in a safe behind the counter. Next she pulled out large open book, and handed Karn a pen. "Now just sign your name, surname, and signature." She said, pointing at the required spots. The stallion did so. Then she put the book back under the counter, turned around to a board, on which hung many keys. She took one, and handed it to Karn, while saying. “Thank you for choosing the Sunset Apartments.” The stallion gave her a smile, after which he and Rain Sight walked off to their apartment. It consisted of a bathroom, small kitchen with a table, four chairs and a tv in front of the table, one bedroom with two beds in the opposite ends of the room and a large window next to them. Each went to his bed, and began unpacking. “So what are we going to do next daddy?” Rain Sight asked. “Well, first thing tomorrow, we have to find you a school to go to. After that I need to look for work. The bits we got for the farm aren’t going to last forever.” He replied. “Do I have to go to school?” She asked with slight irritation in her tone. “Young lady, what talk is that?” He exclaimed. “I thought you loved to learn new things?” “I do, but…” She got quiet. Karn’s expression turned from one of surprise to one of understanding. “You’re afraid they will treat you bad because of our name?” He enquired with a quiet tone as he walked up to her. “Why did grandpa have to be a Confederate?! Why did he have to ruin my life before it even began?!” She cried out, barely holding back her tears. Suddenly a sharp pain made her put a hoof over her cheek, as her father’s made its way through her face. He lowered himself to her eye level and spoke sternly. “Your grandfather was a great stallion. Caring, loyal, loving, kind and a good friend. He did not choose to be born a Confederate. No one chooses as what to be born. I have tried my best to be patient with you, but I will not stand you speaking in such a manner about him. By doing so, you besmirch not only his memory, but also that of your mother and your brother. Do I make myself clear?” She slowly nodded, as tears made their way from her eyes. The unicorn’s expression softened as he pulled her in for a hug. “Shh, shh-sh-sh-sh. It’s alright. I’m sorry sweetie.” He tried to calm the filly, as she continued to quietly sob. In about a minute she stopped, and pulled back. He put on a gentle smile and said. “Listen, we still have about half a day, and some bits to spare. How about we go out for ice cream?” She sniffed once and asked. “Banana-pineapple?” “Yeah. We will search this city from top to bottom if needed and get you the best banana-pineapple ice cream this world has to offer!” Karn said enthusiastically. It appeared to have an effect, as the filly wiped her eyes, and put on a smile of her own. It seemed like the moment was better than any other he would get today, so he added. “As for the issue with our name, it’s not of utmost importance to share it. Just use High Ground and keep the other part to yourself.” She nodded in understanding. “That’s my girl.” He said and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Now let’s go.” He stated, getting the filly to smile, and the two walked out. __________________________________________________________________________ *the next day* When they had walked in the search of the ultimate banana-pineapple ice cream, they had passed by a school, which was near the apartment building. There, Karn met with the principal and had Rain Sight registered in the school. With the ice cream at hoof, he brought the filly back home, letting her watch some movies, after having Lenora - the receptionist mare, block certain channels. Then, with a list provided by the principal, he went school books shopping. In the evening Rain was pleasantly surprised with a new duffle bag filled with new books for her to read. It was the first day at school all over again for her. Accompanied by her dad, Rain Sight was led to and introduced to her class. Despite her insecurity at the start, the fillies and colts were very friendly and accepting towards her, each offering her a seat. She decided to station herself next to a few fillies, who appeared to share her desire for learning. That formed the image of a dork in the opinions of some of the “popular” fillies, but the colts did not think the same. With that done, Karn went out to find himself a job. When they had walked in the search of the ultimate banana-pineapple ice cream, they had passed by a school, which was near the apartment building. There, Karn met with the principal and had Rain Sight registered in the school. With the ice cream at hoof, he brought the filly back home, letting her watch some movies, after having Lenora - the receptionist mare, block certain channels. Then, with a list provided by the principal, he went school books shopping. In the evening Rain was pleasantly surprised with a new duffle bag filled with new books for her to read. *the next day* It was the first day at school all over again for her. Accompanied by her dad, Rain Sight was led to and introduced to her class. Despite her insecurity at the start, the fillies and colts were very friendly and accepting towards her, each offering her a seat. She decided to station herself next to a few fillies, who appeared to share her desire for learning. That formed the image of a dork in the opinions of some of the “popular” fillies, but the colts did not think the same. With that done, Karn went out to find himself a job. He bought a newspaper from a stand, and began looking through the ads. Through the day he crossed a large portion of the options. "Alright, scratch The Taste in China china shop. What's next?" He spoke to himself as he walked, and held the newspaper and pen in his magical grasp. As his eyes rolled down the ads, the next one slightly disturbed him. "Korhal Security hiring new officers..." He sighed. "Well I guess two grand per month is worth the risk." In about an hour and a half he found himself in front of the K-Sec department. Inside he walked up to a mare behind a desk and asked about the ad. She gave him a blank CV form and pointed him over an empty table with a pen on it. When he filled it, careful to leave out certain details, he returned the form to the mare. She put it inside a vent and it got sucked to parts unknown to Karn. Next she asked him to wait until the interview supervisor was done with the pony who was currently in his room. So he walked over to a set of chairs and sat on one. Ten minutes later, the door of the interview room, which was down a visible hall, opened as a green unicorn stallion with a brown mane walked out. "Next." The mare behind the desk said loudly. Then he got up and made his way over to the room. Inside he was greeted by a deep blue furred unicorn stallion in his mid forties, who had an orange mane and moustache and red eyes. He wore a blue uniform coat, with a golden badge on it, suggesting he was the sheriff, if not of the whole K-Sec, then at least for this establishment. "Sit down son." The stallion gestured the chair in front of the desk he was at. His voice was pretty loud, which only added to his already angry looks. Karn followed and stationed himself. Then the stallion pulled out a sheet of paper from some sort of machine and said. "Alright, let's see what you wrote about yourself." He carefully scanned the sheet from top to bottom, occasionally giving the gray unicorn a cold glance. "So, what is the reason that made you take this interview?" He sternly asked. "Well I-" Karn began, but was interrupted. "And don't give me that 'I felt my duty towards society call' bull. I want the truth." The green eyed stallion sighed, and decided to actually be honest. "The truth is, I've looked for employment at pretty much every possible place in the city. This the only place I have not yet been given the 'We'll give you a call.'." "Uh-huh. I see." The stallion nodded, writing something down on something hidden behind the desk, before shooting another question. "What is the thing which made you seek employment even at a job as dangerous as Korhal Security? The local hospital now make discounts for knee wounds of officers." "I just moved on world with my eight year old daughter." Karn replied, but before he could continue, the stallion took over once again." "I see. Alright, here..." He lifted the CV into view. "...it say that you are good at tracking. That true?" "Yes, it is. I was...uh-..." The gray unicorn put on a tense expression and rubbed the back of his head. "...into hunting. I also used to often help the local militia when they got lost." "Good. Well welcome aboard. NEXT!" The stallion yelled. "Wait, I'm hired?" Karn asked in disbelief. "Didn't ya hear me. Yes." The sheriff returned. "But, don't you have any other questions? A test or something?" The green eyed stallion questioned. The blue unicorn looked him right in the eyes, and spoke slowly. "Question 1 - you showed me that you are honest, and ready to follow orders. Question 2 - you showed you have a great motivator to both do your job properly and to still come out alive at the end of the day. Question 3 - you have a skill K-Sec could use. As for tests, if you lied for anything said here, then you will mess up at the job, either losing a good number of bits, cripling yourself, or dying, which will result in your daughter growing an orphan, which on this world will most probably turn her into a problematic for society individual, ending with her either in prison, raped, and/or killed in some cold back alley. And I am pretty sure you don't want any of that. So tell me, do I need to hear or see anything else from you?" Karn was dumbfounded for a moment. Then he got a hold of himself and replied with certainty in his voice. "No sir!" Before the stallion could say anything, his phone rang. He pushed a button on it, and asked sternly. "What?!" 'Sir, Eye Glass is here.' The mare which was in at the desk in the lobby said. "Good, tell him his new partner will be arriving shortly." 'Whoa, what new partner?!' A stallion spoke through the phone. 'Boss you know I work alone.' "Listen you ungrateful ten-eyes, if you wanna work alone, become a private detective. Until you get your pay checks from me you will work with whoever I say! Got that?!" The orange maned unicorn shouted. There were a few moments of silence, the stallion on the other line replied with a groan. 'Fine.' Then the line closed. Karn just stared silently at the sheriff, who turned his attention towards him and stated rather loudly. "And what are you waiting for? The Spanish Inquisition? Get out!" Not waiting for a second warning the gray unicorn got off the chair and walked for the door. After he got out, he walked down to the lobby to meet his new partner. When he reached there, he was met by a chubby looking red unicorn stallion with a brown mane and blue eyes. He wore a plaid shirt, in the chest pocket of which could be seen a pair of black shades, which Karn recognized from a certain movie series, and brown pants. 'Oh no. Not another movie fan. I can barely hold myself around Rain, now I have to work with one?' He thought as he stared, his expression showing a little disgust. Eye Glass noticed that and walked up to him, saying. "Are you looking at me?" Making a quick gesture with his hoof first at Karn and then at himself. "Sadly yes..." The gray unicorn began. "I take it you are my partner Eye Glass?" "Oi! What was that 'sadly' supposed to mean?!" The red stallion exclaimed. "Sorry, because of the glasses I thought you were a movie fan." Karn tried to apologize. "That's right, I am. So?" Eye Glass enquired. "Oh brother..." The green eyed stallion sighed, after which shivered, despite the fact that the cooling system had been turned off. "The boss expects me to work with this guy?" The red unicorn retored, gesturing at Karn and turning his head towards the mare behind the counter. 'Yes I am!' The voice of the sheriff was heard through the building. "How'd he even-" Eye Glass tried to question, before the mare tapped his shoulder and pointed at the clock on the wall. "Oh, it's that time." The red stallion said. "What? What time?" Karn asked. "Every day at about four seventeen pm, someone, somewhere in the building asks a question regarding the sheriff's judgement, so he replies through the coms. Guess today I am one of the few." The detective explained. "Wow. He knows that's kinda messed up, right?" The gray unicorn retored. 'Yes I do!' The transmitters announced. That made Karn give another questioning look to Eye Glass, who sighed and said. "Four twenty pm. Questioning his way of handling questions about his judgement. Don't worry, you get used to it. So, now that we are partners, and there is not much of the day left for a case to crack, how about we go out and get to know each other a bit?" "I guess there's no harm in that." The gray unicorn said. The two started walking off and then Eye Glass spoke. "Bye Ginger." That earned him a wave from the mare, who was reading a magazine. "Bye boss." 'Just get lost already!' The red stallion gave his companion a smirk, to which the gray unicorn replied by shaking his head and saying. "I don't - I don't even!" That made his partner laugh. __________________________________________________________________________ The two stallions sat at a corner cafe. A waitress brought each a cup of the dark liquid, and then the socializing began. "So, you are a good tracker?" Eye Glass asked. "You can say that I have an eye for detail." Karn replied. "Really? How good are you?" The red stallion enquired. "Well I can't say for sure, but it seems the detective thing sells pretty well." The gray unicorn said. "What do you mean by that?" His companion questioned. "Have you UVed that shirt lately?" Karn replied with a question of his own. "What the- DAMN IT!" Eye Glass exclaimed. His horn lit up in a blue hue, which revealed a pair of lip prints on the collar of his shirt. "I am never using that laundry company's services again!" He again exclaimed in displeasure. The sight made Karn chuckle. "What's so damn funny?" The red stallion asked. "I must admit, despite you being a 'geek', you are a nice guy to hang with." The gray unicorn replied. That in turn made Eye Glass chuckle, after which he said. "Well to be honest, even if you are an unbearable a-hole, you are not bad for company as well." Then both of them raised their cups and sipped. When they put them down, Karn asked. "Why'd you want to get coffee?" "Man, I know this place, where the hard cyder flows like water. You need to get your throat ready with some coffee, before we go there." Eye Glass explained. "I'd love to come, but I don't want my daughter to see me come home drunk after her first day at school." The gray unicorn said. "Don't worry. Help yourself to a mug or two, and I'll drink the rest for you." His partner said with a laugh. "Well in that case, think one cup of coffee is enough?" Karn asked. "Most definitely." Eye Glass returned. Each left a few bits for the coffee, and made their way to the 'Misty Grove'. Despite the off start they had, the two stallions appeared to complement each other perfectly, which resulted in both doing their job well, and building up a strong friendship. __________________________________________________________________________ *a few months later* One night, after cracking another case, Karn came home, but something felt…odd. He walked over to their room, to be met by a black earth pony stallion, with a black mane and golden eyes, and wore a black full body suit and two precision gloves on his forelegs. He had leaned on the wall, and twisted a knife between his metallic fingers. The green eyed unicorn immediately took up a battle ready stance and slowly said in a threatening tone. “Who are you?” “Whoa, easy there killer.” The stallion removed himself from the wall, raising his palms in defense, before continuing. “I am commander Goldeneye Fleming from the DI, and I have some things to say to you.” Suddenly Karn vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving a slightly surprised Francis, and reappeared several seconds later, now bearing both of his warp blades. The stallion raised his hands, as the templar spoke. “Well I don’t want to hear anything from you.” “Oh I think you do.” Goldeneye sneered as he looked outside the window. A red dot appeared on Karn’s forehead, as his gaze shifted in the same direction. He saw a red pegasus stallion, with a black mane and eyes, wearing a red and black suit, the model being the same like the one the pony with whom he was in the room wore, held a sniper rifle and waved to the gray unicorn, still keeping his aim. The two once again looked at each other, and the templar asked. “You think your buddy’s trigger finger is faster than me?” “First of, he is my brother, and second - true, you may be able to dodge the bullet…” He began. Then he gave a light nod to the sniper. The pointer shifted from Karn, it went behind Francis and stopped itself over Rain Sight’s head, who was still sleeping in her bed. “…but I am pretty sure, she can’t.” He gave him a devilish smirk. The gray unicorn glared daggers at the stallion, while imagining some making contact with his body. He in turn lowered his arms as he said. “So, shall we talk…Karn?” The templar’s eyes widened slightly, before he sighed and lowered his weapons. ‘Good job Moonraker.’ Goldeneye said in a comunicator earpiece. ‘Any time brah.’ Moonraker returned. “Now, as you are probably aware, DI knows everything about everyone in K-Sec.” The black earth pony began. “You were a very peculiar case though. I had the boys dig up as much as they could about you.” He made several ‘tisk’ noises. “Dark templar, lost family, killed his own son…” He looked over his shoulder to the sleeping filly. “…half-zerg daughter.” That earned him a grunt from Karn. “Despite that I have no idea what got you on Meinhoff, or what you’ve been doing before that-” “Get to the point.” The templar interrupted. Goldeneye stayed silent for a moment, before continuing. “I was building to that. In any way, you are not like any other dark templar I’ve had the pleasure of sniffing out. You’ve not made contact with the DO for a good 14 years, you have settled down and gotten a family, and now you’ve come to the most dangerous place for any dark templar, or Confederate to be, and got a job in its police force. Also I really admire your organization skills. Never thought a full grown stallion can fit a box that size.” The templar grumbled. “To the point, right. SO, as someone, who is open-minded for possibilities, I want to make you and offer.” “An offer?” Karn questioned. “More of a choice, really.” Goldeneye returned, before explaining. “Option A - you and your daughter become Dominion Intelligence agents. You get a triple increase in salary, a house to call your home. Today’s schools are pretty dull. Your daughter will receive proper education in everything they teach in school, plus mechanics, tactics, computers and ect. She will also receive martial arts and firearms training, she will be able to defend herself.” “Why do you want her as an agent?” Karn asked sternly. “You don’t find cooperative people, who have zerg DNA in them at your local stores now days.” The black earth pony chuckled. “And what is option B?” The templar enquired. “You get killed, and your daughter either dies as well, becomes a test subject for the DI science boys, or we send the Khalai something they consider an abomination as a sign of good will, and proposal for future cooperation.” He said lightly. The templar fell in deep thought for a few moments, when the stallion asked. “Well? What’s it gonna be?” Karn thought about it for a little more, before saying. “Okay. Deal.” “Splendid.” Goldeneye spoke in a cheerful tone. “I’ll take my leave, and let you break our little talk to little sleeping beauty.” He walked off. On the door he stopped and said. “Oh by the way. Your partner is also getting a promotion. You two are continuing to do your job.” “And what exactly is our job?” The templar enquired. “Catch other dark templar and do any task the DI gives you. Simple as that.” Goldeneye then left. As he exited through the front door, he yelled back at Karn. “See you around coworker!” ‘Moonraker, operation successful. Abort termination.’ He messaged his brother. ‘Copy.’ He returned, and picked up his rifle. “Daddy…?” Rain Sight groggily said. The yell had woken her up. Karn walked over to her bed, and sat next to her. “Daddy, what is it?” She asked worriedly. He sighed before answering. “Daddy just got a new job sweetie, and you got transferred to a new school.” “Does this mean we have to move?” She enquired. “Yes, but this is the last time. And we get a new house.” “Really?” “Yes, really.” He gave her a tight hug, which she returned. “Things are about to turn for the better sweetie.” He said.