//------------------------------// // 5.a) A unexpected find (Twilight) // Story: Civilization: Beyond Equestria // by May I Cut In //------------------------------// Author: May I Cut In Co-Author: Brother Malachai “There are so many things that we can still discover about this planet. But something just came up. An alien device. It's purpose unknown. Only one thing we know for sure. I don’t think we are alone in this dimension.” Twilight’s Personal Log. Dated Day Three, Month One, Year Zero. A few days after the rather awkward meeting with Moondancer, Twilight Sparkle, the leader of the Union found herself conducting some minor experiments. Someone had pointed out that their current trajectory programs were not suitable for use in the current environment. With most of the scientific staff busy analysing samples of the local flora. Twilight herself had volunteered to run these old fashioned experiments and tests. Right now though, she was trying to contact anypony who was able to help her run another experiment that she had devised. She did not contact Fluttershy nor Applejack as she had no idea of the distance between their cities, a crucial fixed variable that she needed. Rarity was currently busy with some matters (as she found out from Sweetie Belle). Pinkie Pie was occupied with a special project of hers. So that left Rainbow Dash. The hologram flickered to life as soon as the connection was established. “Hey Twi. What’s up?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Hi Rainbow,” Twilight said as she looked at the hologram. I need to ask for some help with an experiment I want to do.” “What kind of experiment?” The cyan alicorn asked “Well, it's more of a mathematical experiment. I’ve need you to measure the degree of the sun’s ray relative to the surface of the planet. What I need you to do is to plant a 30m pole perpendicular to the ground at the center of your city. Then, at a predetermined time, I need you to measure the angle of the shadow cast.” Twilight explained. Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight as she tried to understand what she said. “So you want me to stick a pole in the ground and measure it’s shadow with a protractor? Yeah, no biggie. I’ll get it done.” “But you need to do it at the right time.” Twilight said before she was interrupted. “We just do it during high noon...” Rainbow Dash said. Meanwhile, at Ponyville. Braeburn suddenly stood up and started scanning the corridor he was in for targets. His right hoof ready to pull out his revolver. “It’s high nooonn!” he caught himself saying. After staring down the corridor for five seconds or so he however stopped. “Wait. Why am I doing this?” he asked aloud to no one in particular. He got back on all fours and continued walking. “I swear, I thought I heard somepony said high noon,” he muttered to himself. …… After she concluded the meeting, she headed back to her private studies to continue her calculations. Now with the only factor being the little measurements that she had devised. All she could do is only wait till tomorrow. She spied her personal tablet and decided to check on the no doubt large pile of emails waiting for her. “Lemme see,” she muttered to herself, “Moondancer’s update on the power output, Trixie’s updates on dealing with the various citizens’ legal cases, Sunset’s own report on one of our explorers finding an unknown, possibly artificial device...wait. What!?” After recomposing herself, she shouted over her shoulder to a resting Spike, “Spike! Fetch me Sunset immediately!” “Ugghhh...give me five more minutes,” murmured Spike from a nearby gigantic bunk bed. Twilight, not in a mood for games yelled back, “NOW Spike!” Yanking the bedsheet, and by extension Spike, off of the bed. “Ugh...okay okay. Sheesh,” grumbled Spike as he slowly got up and rubbed his head. Twilight sighed, “Look I’m sorry Spike, but this is really important Spike. I need to talk to her about this in person.” “I know I know,” Spike replied with a claw wave as he lumbered over to the restroom to give his fangs a quick brushing, and to put on some deodorant and cologne before he had to fix his bunk up to military standard and then fly off. …… As per the orders given by Cpt. Flash, Tracer kept himself away from most of the curious native wildlife as he went about to map the terrain. For the past few days, he had mapped out the area between Princess Twilight’s colony and Princess Rainbow Dash’s. Nothing out of the ordinary has shown up apart from more of the orange crystal formations, floating rocks and one or two bubbly green ponds (He did not stick around to see if it was water). So it was a pleasant surprise when he found what appeared to be polished stones. After a few days of letting the ground radar scan the site and digging up anything the radar showed (Most of them were just metal ores with high amounts of metals that the radar picked up). He finally found something unique and worth sending to the scientists back at base to take apart. After reaching communications range of the city, he sent his report of his findings and was told to wait for help with unloading. So he waited on a nearby hill. With his rifle incase the wolf beetles from a week ago decided to say hi again. It was then that he heard somepony trot up behind him. He turned around to see Dr. Sunset Shimmer trot up with a pair of Marines in tow. She had a few bottles of water, a communicator, some scientific instruments and a notepad with pen. Sunset levitated one of the bottles and passed it to the the sergeant who accepted it and started drinking. “This is absolutely amazing,” Sunset started, “To think that we may have found evidence of even more lifeforms out there. The only question is though, where are they?” “Well, ma’am,” Tracer replied, “I have no idea. All I found was a clearing with some polished stone jutting out of the ground and I thought it a good of a place to check out.” Ms. Shimmer put away her etchings into her rucksack and tapped the “chin” section of her helmet; her mind was deep in thought. “We just need to figure out what this artefact is “Well, I’m sure between you, Dr. Glimmer, Dr. Trixie, and Princess Twilight you’ll be able to figure it out,” Tracer replied as he gave his personal rifle a quick glance-over. He continued, “Ma’am, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’m out of testing modules. After this, I will have to return to base for some replacements.” “I understand,” replied the orange unicorn, “You can accompany us back to our main colony. Besides, I think you earned a short rest after our recent discoveries.” It was then that a large shadow enveloped them and they heard a loud whooshing noise from above. They looked up to see a rather large and purple dragon flying down towards them. “Twilight would like to see you once you are in the city.” Spike rumbled as his flapped his wings a bit. “Excuse me,” he continued, “I just needed to give them a good stretch after that long flight over here.” “Fortunately for you,” Sunset replied, “we were just about to start packing up our new artifact to bring it back. Besides, the Explorer needs new modules for field examinations.” She then continued, “Inform Twi we will be back as soon as possible. However, the drive over and loading and unloading will take a bit. By the way, why didn’t you just call us?” ‘Well, I prefer to fly here to check on you all myself.” Spike murmured. He wiped his brow off before continuing. “Whew! I tell you, this unusual combination of lower than Equestrian standard of oxygen, lack of magic, and slightly stronger than homeworld gravity is taking a toll on my flight.” “It is on all of us big guy,” Shimmer replied with some sympathy as she gently patted one of his front leg. She would’ve patted him on the shoulder, but he was a bit too tall for that now. Such a far cry from the unusually intelligent and loyal “baby” assistant assistant dragon she met so many years ago. Both dragon and pony went to the explorer and pulled out the case labeled artifact. “So, this is the thing that he found huh?” Spike said, looking at the weird device. The thing consisted of a V-shaped base. 2 small, similar constructs were attached to the middle of both arms with a larger central structure on the middle of the ‘V’ base. “This… device does look intriguing and fascinating. And obviously not natural,” Sunset said. “We would need to take it back to the main colony anyway for proper examinations, scans, and testing. Spike, you mind getting on the horn with Twi and tell her we’ll start going back as soon as we got this object packed up and secured? And to possibly send us some reinforcements for the security detail? The wildlife seems to have been more...twitchy than they had been recently. Not that they were friendly to begin with.” “Right. I’m on it,” Spike then tapped the side of his helmet and started to speak, “Twi. Yeah, it’s me. I made contact with the tangos. They said they will return to base and Shimmer will personally come visit you for debrief. Yes. Yes. They will be bringing the artifact over. The one who found it, Sgt. Tracer…? Yes, he’ll be needing a refill for his rover. So far he only mentioned exam kits, but he might need a refuel and checkup, yes. Yes, I’m sure we can arrange a debrief for him too if you want to speak to him. Right. Uh-hmmm. Okay. Say, can you arrange for the Sgt. to get a few days R n’ R before he goes back out? I mean, he did find something very important? Good. Glad to hear you’re being reasonable about this. Ha-ha. Very funny.” Spike then snorted in slight derision and annoyance and continued, “Oh yes! Sunset requested reinforcements for the security detail back. Yes, I know we’re understaffed at the moment, but still, this is a very big artifact and even though I’m not a techie, I can tell this is very important. Very well. We’ll take what we can get. Yes, we got the tracker on so they can find us. Yes, I’ll forward you a text right before we leave. Look, I’ve got to go ok? All right. Spike, over and out.” “Wow, that conversation sure was...lengthy,” Sunset commented. “Yeah, you should’ve seen her when she found out about this,” Spike replied, “She was like a foal on Hearthswarming Morning in front of a tree surrounded by presents. Alas, due to shortages of troops and other personnel, she could only sent a squad of Marines over and another dozen or so scientists and technicians to help you out.” “I understand,” Sunset nodded, “We’ll take what we can get.” She then looked over to Tracer and commented, “Tracer, how long until we can get this device loaded up and moving?” “At present, about two more hours, give or take a few minutes,” he replied. “Good, I don’t want to be out here after dark,” she continued, “This place is Wolf Beetle Country.” …… The artifact was quickly brought to the labs. It was put safely behind a large ballistic glass barrier in a heavily-armored laboratory chamber. There they began to disassemble the artifact to study each part closely. But after a few days, they were stuck with a problem. A small capsule detached from near the base of the main structure, it was hard to open both normally and by force. Scans also showed nothing inside. It could have been dismissed as an useless part but the other parts of the artifact showed no clues as to how it was possibly used. Throughout the week, Tracer was constantly questioned of where he found the device and technicians trying to disassemble more and more of the device. But still no clues or ideas surfaced. “Thanks for your team's help and findings” Twilight told Shimmer. “Sure thing Twi. Still, it’s a shame we can’t discover more about what this...thing...is,” Shimmer admitted. “I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it...in time,” Twilight said in consolation as she patted her on the shoulder, “For now, both of you get some zzz’s. I’m going to head to my quarters in a bit after doing something.” “Ok. See you around Princess.” Sunset replied before heading out of the lab to call it a day. Twilight stayed behind to finalise the updated formulas before sending them over to the scientists at her friends colony. Turning towards the door, she too wanted to trot out of the research wing when she saw the artifact behind the glass. Without any control, Twilight walked up the the armor-resistant plexiglass and put her hoof upon it, deep in thought. “What in the blown-up Tartarus are you!?” she thought to herself. “What were you made for and who made you?” She whispered to herself. “In Celestia’s name, one day I will find out what you are. I Pinkie Swear on it."