One of the most important (and most often forgotten) parts of a societies entrance into galactic politics is just that: Its entrance. The first contact, and the social, political, and economic transitions that follow one, tend to reshape the way entire species view their world.
Join 63rd century Uranian investigative reporter Ian Miligaux, as he travels approximately 30000 light years from Sol in order to learn from eyewitness accounts about Equestria's own first contact with galactic civilization, a scant 54 years ago.
(This story takes place in an alternate universe of my own creation titled "Magitek". If you wish to learn more about it, you can find it here: http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/58435)
Guys, if you honestly didn't like it enough that you felt the need to dislike, please tell me why in the comments. I would appreciate constructive criticism, so if you have a problem with grammar or feel their are inconsistencies in the story or whatever, please bring them to my attention.
Okay, if anyone here knows French, and would like to help, you can help me by telling me if the parts where Ian speaks French are accurate, and if not, what I should replace it with.
What he should say If translated from French to English:
(At the booth)
"I would like to exchange 6000 H.G.A. (Human Galactic Alliance) credits for Equestrian bits."
(In response to the nicker)
"What?"
(In reaction to the paper work)
"Damnit"
I translated this on Google Translate, so I know it is likely not accurate.
Also, to those who care, Dinky's interview should be arriving by 6 AM on the 26th, at the latest. (that's site time, I live about 6 hours behind it, so that would be midnight on Saturday for me.)
Also, you guys better see what I did there with the name Oxheart Carrot.
Eh, need more to see where going... pretty good start though
GL.
Instead if "Fichu" you should use "Merde", more people say it in french...
This could be very interesting. It's pretty clear that some citizens of the HGA thinks that Equestria needs to 'adjust' to their more technological way of life. It might be possible that the Equestrians think that the HGA is the one that needs to adjust. It should be very intersting to see what the natives of Ponyville have to say on the matter. I would also like to see how M. Miligeux adjusts to Equestria's food and general social pace.
The glitch with the universal translator was funny. I always wished that they would have used that plot device more often in Star Trek as it would be hilarious to have everyone in the scene talking different languages and suddenly realise that they have to switch to Standard.
FLUTTERSHY IS THE PRIME-MINISTER?!? Wow! Talk about "beware of the quiet ones"!
I am a little sad that most likely the Mane 6 is dead or really old by the time this story takes place. I'd rather have the story interacting with them in the present, instead of getting it through a recount. While it would be intresting to learn the "history" through others eyes, we wouldn't be able to tell exactly what each individual character was thinking at the time of the event. But it is an intresting setting none the less.
1141483
While a large portion of the group is dead (from old age), at least 2 of them are going to be interviewed in person by Ian.
I raised my eyebrow at the description. You have my attention.
1141452
I'm glad you picked up on the adjustment thing!
While the H.G.A. means well, and wouldn't do anything to purposefully harm the Equestrian's, they do kind of have a tendency to view cultures that are less technologically advanced as inferior. Perhaps a better term for the way they see them would be as "incomplete". But I am glad someone noticed that!
Additionally, he won't have a problem with the food (he's just not eating hay). However, while he will remain professional during interviews, he is very uncomfortable with the perceived emptiness of the world around him. Even the city of Manehattan is considered extremely small by Galactic standards. Basically, you won't see it in the interviews, but he is going to be really upset with his surroundings whenever there are bonus chapters.
This seems interesting, I'll be tracking.
Interesting. I'll be tracking.
Good start to an interesting premise.
Aussi, j'ai besoin d'un francophone.
1141986
Bro, I don't speak French, the character does.
I have no idea what you just said.
1142358
basically, "Also, I have need of a French speaking person"
1142405
Oh. Okay.
1142410
Read a lot of sci-fi by chance?
1142989
Not really, surprisingly, considering this is a sci-fi story.
bonus information related to story
http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/59873
I have no problems with the story. Well, I am distinctly annoyed that equestria's prime minister is an introverted, shy, submissive former veterinarian! She has no skills in leadership what so ever, worse, she is a pleaser and enabler. The only way she knows how to be agressive is with the stare (mindrape) and something tells me other civilizations might not take kindly to their dignitaries being brainwashed anytime Equestria's PM has a breakdown. I know with the princesses she probably doesn't do much but meet with minor officials and things too trivial for the princess, especially cause most of the laws are likely made in each individual town. I would say Twilight Sparkle would make the better PM, but she is likely doing important work at a magical school somewhere, where her knowledge of magic and skill at organization would do more good.
Overall I think even an OC would've done the part of the PM and no one would notice. There is no need to stick a reference of the mane six in any and every important position. (and yes I hate fluttershy. why? cause of the stare and her personality.)
1149433
I will admit that looking back, it was a silly decision on my apart.
However, I will defend it by saying this: Its been 65 years since the show began, and 8 since she was elected to that position. People (and ponies) change over time. While she still does not very much enjoy the concept of meeting new individuals, she has lost most of her submissive streak over time.
Basically, I am saying you are correct, but since I have already mentioned it in the story, am planning one of the interviews to be with her, and actually have reasons beyond "herp-derp insert Fluttershy" (reasons that will be mentioned later), her position stays.
Thanks for the feedback though, and I am glad you are enjoying the rest of the story.
1149675 if the char has the same name but a different, albeit slightly similar traits, it is a reference to be used in passing. Im trying to say dont be afraid to use OCs of your own design.
<-celestia, cause I love that smile.
Yes, Firelock is a real background foal.
Note on age: In my headcannon for the magitek universe, Ponies reach what is socially considered to be mature at the age of 14. For comparison, I would call a 19 year old human "Socially mature".
Additionally, though Dinky is 69 years old, she is not too terribly old. Post- contact average lifespan for a pony is, as of 6268, approximately 95 years, up from the pre-contact (time of show) lifespan of 60 years. (Granny Smith is a complete exception, so shut up.)
Comparing that with today's average human lifespan of 76 (At the very least, that's what it is in America, so if it is different in your country, sorry, but I only know the American version of that factoid.), and considering the time that is spent before becoming socially mature, she is currently the equivalent of someone in their early 50's.
Oh, and if anyone cares to know, the average human lifespan in the year 6268 is currently 160 years. At 37, Ian looks like what we would consider to be 19.
Oh, and new chapter next Saturday. It will be an interview with aging musician Double Bass, only a foal at the time of Contact. Bass will talk about changes that came to the artistic side of culture, specifically music.
Additionally, if any of you read plateball and say "dafuq is dat?" here is what dat is:
Basically, it is an equivalent to baseball, except for the fact that some of the rules are different. Honestly, I differentiated them for the same reason one would make ponies and humans speak a different language. Two civilizations, 30000 light years away, wouldn't have exactly the same things. Unfortunately, we know baseballs (or baseball equivalents) exist due to screwball's cutie mark. Additionally, I needed a simple "weapon" to be used for that line. So, for the sake of what little realism I am putting into a story about tiny polychromatic horses, Equestrians do not use baseball bats, they use plateball bats.
Bonus info for chapter: http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/60596
And for additional fun, think of how spazzed out Twilight must have been during the panic!
An interesting and realistically-written account, from the panic and the initial fumbling by the authorities to the rise of less-plesant factions.
This quote pretty much sums up the only way such a thing could possibly be remembered.
Oh god, yes!
I still wish you told it in the present form one of the element's point of views...
But still a good read, looking forward to more chapters!
1157840
Thanks!
My primary goal in writing this story is to create a universe with ponies and sci-fi, while trying to be realistic and loyal to the source material.
1158128
Thanks!
1157966
I'm guessing you are enjoying the story so far?
1157717
The highest average life expectancy in the world currently belongs to Japan at a venerable 83-ish. You actually may be underestimating the increasing average life-span in terms of time-scale. For instance, 200 years ago, the highest average life expectancy of any country was 40. So, even if we assume that that trend slows down considerably (which there has been no indication of slowdown at all. In fact, many have put forward good arguments for acceleration), 160 might be a bit too little for 4000 years of technological progress. Especially if you fully develop certain fields of science, like nano-robotics or genetics.
Still, a wonderfully written first contact story with an obviously thoroughly developed universe. Definitely enjoyed the parallels with our own culture. I'm very interested to see where you choose to take the narrative once it really gets rolling.
1158162
Indubitably.
1158251
Yeah, when I came up with the average age, I basically made a complete and utter guess (you'd be surprised how much of this story was uninformed guesses about what sounds right, or things that were made up on the spot.) Looking back I realize that its actually pretty low for that far into the future. For now, 160 being an average age is staying, but if I ever do a massive world re-write for this story, its at least going to be doubled.
1158263
What's your opinion on Dinky's interview?
1158382
A good view on things, very realistic...
But to cut it off so short doesn't seem very likely. he probably would've contacted her again the next day to finish the story...
I dunno, I'm just being picky...
1158456
nah, you're not being picky, you're just pointing out a valid flaw in the story's logic.
I might revisit interviews and have part 2s later on, but for the most part I will just be moving on to the next interview.
Here's an in-story reason (that I just pulled out of my ass): This is Ian's first real project. What you are seeing here isn't a professionally made thing, instead it is a student project. So, Ian does make unprofessional mistakes, examples of which include not coming back for a follow up and being impatient in general.
1158523
Ah, okay.
Very nice. I like the bit about ponies writing science fiction to theorize about what the future might hold, and using that as a medium to distribute those concepts to the rest of the population.
Sort of how we did it.
"It was hello. Hello repeated in every language that was spoken by that giant society you live in."
Reminds me of the Voyager craft.
Srry i skipped most o fit not much action in the beginning so it was boring
The Griffin gets a French name because so far all Griffins that have appeared in the show have had European names.
img822.imageshack.us/img822/1356/slogoi.png
Double Bass/ dROP's logo
some of you may ask why an Equestrian's (who doesn't speak any Earthly language) logo is in Latin letters. my answer is shutuptranslatorsorsomethingidontknow
made with my impeccable skill in ms paint
img526.imageshack.us/img526/704/doublebass.png
Image of a slightly younger Double Bass
made with my impeccable skill in General Zoi's
Mary SuePony creatorIf you haven't figured it out, "Mother" is the title she uses for Vinyl Scratch and "Mom" is the title she uses for Octavia Philharmonica.
also, while it is neither large nor matching my description, the Hangar 9 is the name of a real place, one which my dad performed at all the time when he was in college. If you can tell me in the comments where the Hangar 9 is really located, WITHOUT using google, you win bonus points.
Ian's dubstep/dubstyle confusion is a reference to the fact that with music, I am not genre savvy, but my friends are. I'll be in a car listening to music, and I'll be all like
"Yo G, I really like this <insertgenrehere>, its the fashiznit"
and my friend who is in the car will be all like
"Bro, you're enjoying the muzik and Imma let you finish, but you just went full retarded cuz thats actually <insertcompletelydifferentgenre>"
Also if anyone cares, my favorite genre of music is electroswing.
I was waiting for the second chapter to say anything and to actually give this the thumbs up I wanted to give it; this chapter was the real test.
Love it!
I only know of 4 'ponies in space' type scifi fics worth mentioning but this one is in the top two so far. Bravo! I love the idea of a space craze era coming not long after the time of the show, the return of Luna would definitely bring in a new interest in the stars and moon in what is somewhat of a slow industrial age for Equestria. And I like that this story isn't the center of the universe. Equestria isn't a planet with any significance or grand power in the universe worth mentioning, it's instead a humble little place none of the bigger players have likely even heard of.
The premise of this story is fantastic too. We get first contact but also get to see the long term effects that contact has had. I just love this, keep it up!
1163657
Glad you like it!
My only problem for the long term effects are the negative effects of the first contact. I mean, I have the basic history of what would occur, I have positive/ neutral changes (longer lifespans, less disease, technological advancements, cultural exchange) but I am still working on what the negative affects would be. Sure there was a panic, but that was pre-contact. I'm thinking of having something about unfair offworlder business practices that took advantage of the native Equestrians, but I need to do it in a way where I don't come across as humans are bastards.
Anyway, thanks for the like, BG!
1163758
Well likely there are enough alien races that it wouldn't be "humans are bastards" level. But then aside from the "loss of our old ways" card that many of the ponies would play with the changes the contact would bring, with how you described the difficulty in getting to Equestria it sounds like no one would even consider them worth taking advantage of, much less noticing. Likely they'd only have a few connections with local, and still lesser known planets, as the far end backwater part of a trade route. With that setup in mind I'd suggest more political worries would be the most important negative effects. They're now an almost non-existent player in a much grander game, and the planet wasn't exactly unified at the time of contact either. They probably have a lot of worries about what would happen if someone did take an interest in them and would want to make more political friends and allies, even without much to offer them other than friendship.
I just got to reading this.... and I can say that I do like where you are going with this. It is a nice concept, so keep it up!
this is amazing can't wait to read more
1174437>>1172830
thanks!
Hmmm, the galactic conglomeration seems to have destroyed much of equestrian culture, not to mention government (seriously, what civilization lets someone else design the form of government they use). The music industry seems to have dropped any direction they were going in to copy the many styles that earth and such has. This is exactly the reason things like the Prime Directive, and the U-P3 (Underdeveloped Planet Protection Pact) would be necessary and contacting undefined cultures that are pre-colonization of their system (at least that much) would be harmful to the inhabitants of that world.
To me a galactic organization making these mistakes is about as believable as playing Doctor Who science with straight and serious face. All I see is how they are wrecking cultures, and you aren't pointing out the moral ramifications at all! 
I love this story. Just so much. I have one thing to ask though. Have the Mane Six passed away?
1175711
Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Applejack are still alive. The others passed away from old age at various times.
I plan on having interviews with Twilight (ex-ambassador to Sol) and with Fluttershy (current Prime Minister). I've yet to figure out if I will have an Applejack interview, and if I do, what it will be about.
I currently have ideas for the next 6 interviews, and I like to have concepts worked out before I sit down and type.
very nice, like how realistic some of the problems that pop up for Equestria. You going to do the CMC next or something?
1175994
Oh shit!
I totally forgot about them!
I should probably think of something for Ian to talk with them about.
1175522
Okay, I'm going to try to address your concerns bit by bit.
First off: Destruction of culture
I'll admit that they have done a bit of this. However, what happened was more of the introduction of a competing culture. The old Equestrian culture is still there, but there are a rising number of youth who consider themselves less and less a part of it. Bass is/was a part of this, and she enjoyed being a part of this. She isn't going to talk about the still existing "Old Equestrian" styles, because she was in no way part of it.
Second off: Allowing another culture to choose your government.
This part was poor wording/poor description. The H.G.A. didn't say "Oh hey, your absolute diarchy is nice and all, but we're about to FUCKITUP."
What occurred was more like this.
After Celestia and Luna had both decided they wanted in, one of the things that came up in the discussion was who would represent Equestria on the H.G.A. council. Celestia and Luna decided to share a vote on the council. Unfortunately, this position they volunteered for would leave at least one of them light years away from Equestria at all times. They began working on a modified version of the government that would allow for them to still have power, while being able to leave Equestria for extended periods of time. The H.G.A. didn't tell them which government to use, they helped them write it, (although it was less helping, and more of discussing what would be effective.) Eventually, Luna and Celestia settled on a Constitutional Monarchy.
Third thing is that the H.G.A. is not a utopia. They are generally peaceful, but that does not mean you are a utopia. In fact, they kind of have a history of fucking things like this up all the time.
There's also the fact that the H.G.A. was rushing to get a presence in this system.
After the great war with Hergzine, (which you would know 'bout if you read my blog) Hergzine was not destroyed. Hergzine, deciding that they could not continue to antagonize the H.G.A., moved in the last available uncololonized direction. It just so happens that Equestria (and about 30 billion other systems) lies in this direction. Noticing this expansion, the H.G.A. decided to begin colonizing before Hergzine could.
To understand why the H.G.A. felt it was necessary to begin establishing a presence before Hergzine could, you have to understand Hergzine's philosophy on expansion: enslave it or burn it to the ground. Hergzine is known for practicing, among other things:
Casual genocide.
Eugenics on a species wide scale.
Slavery.
Strip mining worlds down to the core without a care for any native life.
The entirety of Hergzine is either the Hergzine themselves, who act as a ruling class, or one of the many species the Hergzine have enslaved and bred to be used for a specific purpose. While the H.G.A. has hundreds of thousands of member species, the Hergzine have only a few hundred, not because they are smaller, but because everything else was deemed unnecessary and driven EXTINCT.
With Hergzine expanding, the H.G.A. looked into uncolonized space, and were forced to make the moral decision of either
a.) possibly being responsible for derailing the cultures of potentially thousands of societies
OR
b.) Standing by and watching as hundreds upon hundreds of billions were reduced to dust by an oppressive and militaristic regime
I think they made the right choice, given the situation.
1176000
HEY EVERYONE, I HELPED OUT! YAY ME!
static4.fjcdn.com/thumbnails/comments/+_5a9c13fa943f1260e7926d82ca518b4f.jpg
I'm wondering if Equestria might have been in trouble, either politically or economically at the time of First Contact. The Princesses seem to have been awfully enthusiastic to get admittance in the pseudo-Federation to the point where they fast-tracked lots of changes. I disagree with the proposition that they were forced to do anything, although I bet that there was a very clear 'Our Way or the Highway' message given to them. However, the speed that they did things suggest that there were pressures on them that were not entirely under their control.
Nice job with the post-Contact terrorism. It was a very well-observed bit of social fact. Fundamentalism is difficult in a world where the Gods literally live amongst you. However, racial and political extremism remains easy as does the strange thesis of "We must destroy our society to save it" that seems to underly most terrorist campaigns. Fear of "The Strangers From the Sky" would make that hate ever stronger.