“So..... wait.... it’s if it’s broken, what exactly are we supposed to do with it?” Avitus asked. “You don’t expect a ship that’s in several pieces to be able to work do you?”
“I agree. This is just foolish. Does your Princess even know what exposure through the warp even do to anyone?” Cyrus said.
“Well.... I had a few conversations with your Techmarine. He mentioned something about a warp drive. Maybe if you can retrieve it or.....” Twilight began.
“Does she have any idea how large those things are?” Thaddeus cut her off. “Even if there were hundreds of us we couldn’t as much as move it off the ground.”
“No! Will you just listen?!” Twilight said raising her voice in frustration. “We don’t expect anyone to move any giant devices or try and fly a broken ship, but I was wondering if maybe we can fix this ship and you send you lot back to wherever you belong.”
The space marines looked at one another. The technology of this planet is rather primitive. Is it really worth the risk to accept the help of primitives in such a delicate task in which their lives depend upon?
“May we see the wreckage? Any pictures or viewable recordings?” Jonah asked.
“Well..... no. We did try and send a few scouts to look at the thing, but they never came back. All I know is that the ship is in a few pieces. We’re gonna have to go check it ourselves.” Twilight said looking at the ground.
"Then how do you know the Ship is broken or if it's even a ship?! Avitus asked. "This is just stupid!"
"I agree, we're going to get nowhere. For all we know, this may just be an asteroid." Cyrus said.
"I guess that's why we need to take a look of it. I mean things from space normally don't land in Equestria, so this is a fairly good bet right?" Twilight said smiling nervously.
“Very well.” Angelos said admist grumbling and mutters of doubt. “We travel tomorrow.”
“Nice!” Twilight smiled. “I knew this would help!” She said as she opened the door. “I think maybe my friends may want to come along as well!”
“Just wanted to say a final goodbye?” Tarkus said as he got up. “Well... that’s a first.... again.”
"I also hope this isn't some hoax or a waste of time." Avitus said rolling his eyes.
“Can I puh-leeze come?!” Applebloom asked Applejack as she got a saddlebag on. “I just want to say goodbye to the aliens!”
“Oh sugarcube, their not going just yet! We still have to fix their contraption!” Applejack said. “You’ll have plenty of time in saying goodbye or whatever afterwards!”
“But maybe we can help! We can earn out cutie marks in Spaceship repairing!” Applebloom said
“We?” Applejack asked nervously. Before she could say anything else, the rest of the cutie mark crusaders entered the kitchen giving each other high hooves and saying.
“Cutie mark crusaders, space ship builders!”
“Oh.... horseapples. Fine. You can come. Just don’t make any trouble.” Applejack sighed.
“Yes! You’re the best Applejack!” Applebloom said as she nodded to her two friends.
“Darling, are you SURE you want to come along?” Rarity asked getting on a beautiful cloak and combing her mane. “The walk will be very long, and it’s no place for a little filly.”
“I am POSITIVE, Rarity!” Sweetie Belle said. “I want to help the aliens build their ship!”
“Oh fine, just wear something nice. I have a feeling Mister Martellus would accept help from someone that at least LOOKS professional.”
“Yes!” Sweetie Belle beamed jumping up and down. “Thanks Rarity!”
“Don’t mention it.”
“So... everyone ready?” Twilight asked the next morning. Everyone had gathered here for the trek to the crash site. Whether it was a half ton giant or a small filly, they were ready. This was it.
“So, can you tell me more about Terra?” Twilight asked Jonah as they made their way up a hill. “If I remember correctly, is it like a capitol planet?”
“More than just that.” Jonah said. “It is the holiest place to all of mankind. There in the imperial palace, is the Emperor. Our god. While his body may be broken, his spirit is as powerful as ever.”
“Ever been there?”
“Not yet. But I would make a pilgrimage but a few things do prevent this unfortunately.” Jonah sighed. “But what really interests me it’s just that this planet.... it’s the same as ancient Terra. Maybe the same as it was I’d say 38,000 to 39,000 years ago.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight asked. “Are you saying that your planet looked like ours?”
“Yes... but not just in that way. I might as well as of said almost everything was exactly the same. Martellus had done some looking around. Almost every form of vegetation and animal he found has matches to something back on Ancient Terra.”
“What is Martellus exactly? An encyclopedia?” Scootaloo asked. “He must be smarter than Twilight.”
“He probably knows more that Princess Celestia!” Twilight said. “That one... um..... techmarine.. knows almost everything that this galaxy has to offer.”
“Indeed he does.” Jonah said. “I, being a librarian have my own fair share of knowledge of this galaxy. But, your planet... even you.. ponies... has it’s matches to something on ancient Terra.”
“Yes, Equus ferus caballus as they were called.” The Techmarine said. “They had gone extinct some time during the 27th millennia, though I have a feeling maybe in the Emperor’s garden there is some left. Along with all other traces of creatures on this planet.”
“Wow.... do you think we can ever visit this place?” Rainbow Dash asked. “It sounds cool! I can only imagine meeting someone more awesome than Princess Celestia!”
“I doubt the Custodians would let something that doesn’t walk on two legs in his throne room.” Thule said. “If you’re lucky, they’ll toss you in the garden because you conveniently look like an animal from ancient Terra. If you’re not lucky because they deem you a xenos and not from Terra, you’ll probably be dead then.”
“Well........” Rainbow Dash stuttered
“But all the animals! Maybe if they can put me in the garden, well only for maybe a day.... or so...” Fluttershy said.
“She must really like animals." Someone muttered as they kept walking.
"So.. what do you do on a daily basis?" Scootaloo asked. "I mean do you fight aliens that try to invade and steal your cows?"
"What's a cow?" Thaddeus asked. "I don't think we have any of those."
"Not any more that it is. Bos primigenius, was a creature native to Terra and seems to exist here. Was used primarily for it's meat and milk." Martelleus said.
"Steal our farm animals?" Thaddeus said. "No. Some aliens just want to kill things. Others dream of conquest, while some we don't even know of their intentions. Then there are the traitors. Those who would try and tear down everything that had taken countless years to build. Wait, a minute... weren't you there when those chaos space marines began to raid you town?"
"You mean those big scary guys in the huge armor?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Yeah. We remember. Mister Thaddeus saved many ponies just by himself!"
"At least Discord was nice enough to fix everything and every pony who lost their lives." Rarity said.
"Some daemon, to fix the damage he had done." Avitus said. "Maybe the other dark gods cast him out because he was too much of a failure."
"Well, right now he's a lovely rock statue in Princess Celestia's garden." Rarity said. "And wouldn't it be best if someone made amends to their horrible deeds?"
" If that ever happens, it will be miracle." Cyrus said. "I have never met a single traitor who decided to make amends. Once you sell your soul to the dark powers of chaos, you will always be theirs."
"What about your other enemies? Haven't they tried to make things up for their past wrongs?" Twilight asked.
"Never. I can think of countless..."
"Stop right there Tarkus." Angelos said. "The Eldar were more than willing to help me when I had a sorceror to kill. They had tried to warn me. But by not listening to them, that would be a folly I had paid the price of. However, I just wish if we ever have to work together again, the eldar would tell me WHY....."
"Eldar. I owe them several debts of vengance." Tarkus said. "So many dead brothers...."
"Aye, and let's not forget the necrons." Avitus said. "That's the reason Thule only has one eye now."
"I can think of even more foul enemies." Cyrus said. "Reason why I only have one eye as well."
"Can we please stop talking about people or things we'd rather not want to see ever again?" Applejack asked. "I mean, have you ever tried to solve your problems?"
"Aye, with my bolter." Avitus said gesturing proudly at his weapon. "It's killed more heretics and xenos then dinners you've had."
"Trust me. Our people have tried." Thule said. "I can only think of one time it actually worked. And a few times it worked tempoarily. I doubt any long term relations will be built any time soon with any of our countless enemies."
"But.... I see an exception." Angelos said. "Tell me, did you say dragons existed in the south?"
"Yeah! But you totally don't want to go there. BIG MISTAKE, even for you guys." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well.... I have an idea." Angelos said. "But that's for another time."
"Liking this planet captain?" Tarkus asked. "I will have to admit, this place would be a crown jewel to any sub-sector. Maybe even a rival to holy Terra. Where else can you find all the native creatures to Terra?"
"And sentient versions of a pack animal?" Avitus said. "I like this place too, but I doubt we can ever have people here without having to get rid of the natives."
"That wasn't my idea." Angelos said. "I said, it's for sharing another time."
"It's beginning to get late." Twilight said watching the sun. "Maybe we should find a place to camp?"
"How about that cave?" Scootaloo asked. "It looks fine."
"Provided that cave doesn't have a titan-sized animal." Cyrus said. "I will be fine staying there. Judging from some of the predatory creatures of this planet, I don't want to be seen in the open."
"Oh... of course not!" Twilight said. "It's only in certain places of the everfree forest! This is just regular treeland!"
"Fair enough." Tarkus said. "See anything in that cave?"
"No lifeforms detected." Martellus said. "It should be safe for the night."
"Alright. No mobs of dragons?" Cyrus said.
"What are you worried about anyways?" Rainbow Dash asked. "We saw you all kill two dragons in like ten seconds flat!"
"And if we made one mistake, we'd all be dead in ten seconds flat." Thule said. "It happens more than we all think. I made a mistake with the Necron lord and I lost an eye. A few others made a few more, and they lost their lives."
The cave was pretty big and it was located at the foot of a large hill. Getting inside, the ponies and space marines found themselves in a fairly comfortable place.
"Apples anyone?" Applejack asked unpacking. The ponies right away helped themselves to the fruit. Avitus watched with a frown as he saw Cyrus and Thaddeus take a few.
"Are you really trusting them?" Avitus voxed. "How do we know this doesn't end with us getting knives in the back?"
"Does it LOOK like we're going to get knives in the back? From them especially?" Cyrus replied. "While I may not stake my life on them, I think the best we can do is show a level of trust."
Avitus sighed and watched with a frown as the two captains also accepted food from the aliens. To a certain degree, he understood why Angelos would accept help from xenos. He had been quite known for such a thing in the past. But the fact Captain Thule was trusting them was rather disturbing to him. However he decided not to say anything in fear of receiving backlash from his brothers.
"Apples. Another relic from Terra." Martellus said.
"Our chapter would be forever in glory if we were to ever bring these back." Cyrus said. "To be in possession of the fruit of Terra, I don't think there ever will be any greater honor."
"What about defeating chaos?" Someone said.
"Nevermind."
Twilight watched the space marines for a while until she got bored. Then taking a notepad and a telescope, she looked up into the night sky.
"To think they come from up there." Twilight said as the she made her way to the top of the hill.
"Indeed." Jonah said from behinhd her which made the purple unicorn jump. "And to think that most of the stars you see are in fact, owned by the Emperor."
"How did he do all of that?"
"When you are a god, nothing is impossible." Jonah said. "The same I suppose goes for your princess. While she raises the sun, the Emperor guides his people in a similiar manner."
"Why does your Emperor dislike anything that's not human?" Twilight said suddenly looking up into the sky.
"That's a rather difficult question to answer. But I think it's roots was that 15,000 years ago, aliens were our oppressors and sworn enemies. Something had to be done, and so it was that our leaders declared that it was time to take vengeance. Many crusades were taken and we had done much to destroy our enemies. Provided of course they were enemies. We had initially allowed a group called the Tau to be left alone. Only to find out a thousand years later that they were gnawing at the outskirts of our great imperium. The Eldar aren't bothered with unless they want war. Captain Angelos at times even seems to have friends in their ranks. While there are some who doubt him, I trust him with my life as do all our brothers." Jonah sat down and took a deep breath watching the purple equine jump around in a circle.
"So.... you don't trust others merely because of a bad experience you had?" Twilight asked. "I am sure out there, there are those who would be more than willing to lend a helping hoof.... or hand."
"Like those among your race?" Jonah asked.
"What are you talking about? You aided us." Twilight replied. "We wouldn't of beaten Discord without you."
"I know. It's fine. Your Princesses opened a portal to allow us to leave. This portal leads straight to sub-sector Aurelia. How they learned of where the exact location of it was or how they managed to do this will be a mystery to me." Jonah said.
"You..... can read my mind?"
"Indeed I can. I have a feeling that's a trait that's rather uncommon here." Jonah said. "I have my hope that a race of your benevolence truly never has to face with the horrors that we do on a daily basis. This world is untouched for the most part, I would hope it stays that way."
Twilight nodded and watched as three fillies in the background began to run up the hill.
"Hey Twilight! Looking at the stars?" Applebloom asked.
"No, just having a discussion with a friend." Twilight said gesturing at Jonah who at the mention of the word gave a quizzical expression for a few moments but then sat down.
[friend, friend/ He thought. A word that he would never expect any alien to use to describe him or any of his brothers. He starred at the sky for a moment for a few seconds and gave a smile for a fraction of a moment.
"Best off to bed with you three." Twilight said. "We got more walking tomorrow." The purple unicorn left Jonah alone on the hill to shoo away the three fillies. The librarian looked up into the stars, thinking for a moment about what friendship truly was.
"Is she doing what I think she's doing?" Avitus asked looking up.
"Yep. She's on a cloud alright." Cyrus said. "Emperor knows what more we can expect from here."
"Can you sleep on a cloud on your planet?" Pinkie asked bouncing right up to the two.
"No. Clouds aren't supposed to be that low either." Cyrus said. "How much more walking do we have?"
"I'd say another four hours worth." Twilight said holding her map. "I am only wondering how long would it take for you to get off the ground."
"And I am wondering if we actually need a warp drive anymore." Thule said to Jonah. The librarian had told his brothers of the conversation with Twilight last night. It seems that all they needed really was just a Thunderhawk. But then there was to consider about WHERE in sub-sector Aurelia was the portal located. So deciding to just stick with the plan, he moved on.
After a few more hours of walking, the group had moved to the top of a grassy hill. Around them, the smell of the plains made a pleasant welcome.
"Well, the ship should be about in a few mile radius of this area." Twilight said.
"I will have look around." Thaddeus said. "Rest of you stay here."
"Can we come?" The three cutie mark crusaders ask at the same time. "Maybe then we can earn our cutie marks!"
"Not this talent thing again." Avitus muttered.
"Do whatever." Thaddeus said as he got his weapons just in case with the three fillies following him.
"What is that?!" Some voice rang out as Thaddeus and three fillies walked on the dirt road.
"Who goes there?" Thaddeus asked taking out his chainsword and bolter in case of trouble.
"Sweet Celestia! It can talk!" Another voice said.
"Show yourselves!" Thaddeus said his thumb straying to the trigger of the bolter as he waved it around.
"Yeah, come out! Stop hiding! Mr. Thaddeus doesn't like tha...." Scootaloo was cut off by Sweetie Belle who put a hoof over her mouth.
"Come out. I don't mean any harm." Thaddeus said. "Do you wish to speak?" He asked lowering his weapons. A few moments passed until two ponies walked out from the bushes. A mare and a stallion both who appeared in terrible condition. Both were gaunt eyed and seem to have been injured in some manner.
"What happened to you two?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"We got attacked by something that walked on two legs." The stallion said. "I hope your friend over there doesn't have anything to do with this."
"Why would Mr. Thaddeus hurt anypony? He's a hero!" Applebloom said. "He's saved lives!"
"What, by beating ponies to death with that thing in his hand?" The mare said pointing at the chainsword.
"Take me to these.... whatever they are." Thaddeus said.
"What?! Are you crazy?! These things kill, break or destroy whatever they see!"
"Take me to the them. Seems we may have something in common." Thaddeus said.
"You really want to buy huh? Well that way." The stallion said pointing down the road. "Now if you excuse us, we don't fancy dying."
Thaddeus gave them his thanks then went down the path followed by the cutie mark crusaders.