"The Alliance celebrated a large victory today, as they discovered and seized twelve Hypren Class Dreadnaughts from the ULF, three of which were still under construction. While these ships are considered obsolete by today's standards, intelligence reports that these ships were to be used to capture raw materials and ship yards in various planets. Security at those locations has been increased tenfold with some key locations receiving additional-"
The sky had an faint orange glow to it, indicating the approaching sunrise. Today was the first day of observation and I had to get there before every...pony woke up.
With a slap on the button, the GN reporter was silenced, and the air filled with chirping birds.
I got up. At least I was alive. There were plenty of stories about rookies that didn't even last an entire day. I grabbed a few berries hanging from a nearby vine. My lessons, however hurried they were, taught me that this was edible. Red with two leaves right? Or was it three...? Bah. Who cares.
From here on, I would have to stick with being a unicorn due to being so close to a populated area. And so for the first time on this world, I gave up my hands for hooves, and turned into something straight out of a cartoon. I closed my eyes, pressed some buttons on my watch, felt weird, and then I was a pony. Just like that. I did feel sorry for the poor bastard who tested the prototype Spy Watch though. He said he felt much pain, and couldn't walk for weeks. Thank god this method was refined.
With some trouble, and getting my head unstuck, I donned the camouflage suit. Other than changing color or turning invisible, it also apparently changed depending on what form I was in. Whoever thought of this was a genius.
With some fiddling around and using some of the willow branches, I was able to tie the bag so that it wouldn't fall off. Not too comfortable, but it was...well...good enough. Memorizing the location of my base, I headed out as the first researcher in this new world, observing ponies in their natural habitat.
Movin' out.
***
Oh fuck. Oh fuckfuckfuckfuck. How did it get to this? One moment I'm walking in the bushes, the next I come face to face with a zebra with a mohawk. My heart's pumping, the sweat is making me feel like a sauna, and I feel like a deer in the headlights. I gasp and she hears me. She gets into a stance which I presume is a defensive or a threatened one. Come on, not even a day and I already make contact? This was not supposed to happen. Not supposed to happen. Oh god, she's moved her...she moved her head like...Like she's looking for something? I then realize that instinctively I turned on the invisibility on my suit. It would only last for a minute, but it had saved me from being seen.
She slowly backs away when suddenly a small animal behind a bush makes an equally small noise. Panicked, she continues backing away until she suddenly decided to start running.
I just stand there. And I breath...Breath like I fell from the sky. Oh wait.
Thank you to whoever designed this suit. Really.
Eventually my heartbeat goes down and the sweat dries up. That was too close. I decided to take advantage of my enhanced and trained body by staying in the branches. After a moment of dizziness, it was actually much easier to get around. I could go where I wanted without having to hide behind bushes and avoid clearings.
***
Observation Position #1 - Southwest of Populated Area
I picked out a spot south of a cottage that looked like it had been ripped out of a Disney movie. The immediate area also seems to be an animal hotspot. Must avoid.
Picking the highest tree in the area, I made my position not unlike the base a mile away. There seemed to be no movement, with the exception of a grey spot flying around. The sun was just below the horizon and that gave me enough time to set up the binoculars.
Looking through the binoculars, the town was a whole different picture. The whole town looked like it had been copied from a Disney movie. The grey spot changed into a mailpony who later backed through (Yes through) a building that looked like to be the town center/hall/mayor's office.
A pair of ponies were already up and kicking trees. A closer look revealed the trees were in fact, being harvested, as each kick resulted in apples falling from the trees and falling into wooden containers.
Returning my attention to the town, the inhabitants seemed to be getting up at once. Plugging the earphones in the binoculars, I started listening to the town. The first thing I heard almost blew out my ear drums.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER ALARM CLOCKS!"
Various noises, up to and including an air raid siren, were then heard throughout the town.
Oh joy.
***
Noon. After getting sick of listening to GN during lunch (the same kind of berries from breakfast plus some leaves I decided to try out as a pony) I decided to use my free time to ah..."Fix" my radio so it could listen to other stations. ARCH News, whatever music station happened to be on, radio soap operas, talk shows, etc. By that time I figured I'd seen enough of the town, but I kept listening and brought my attention to the alarm clock radio.
Only fours screws. Should be easy enough.
"Ready to go to the spa darling?"
"Oh yes. I hope-" Foals playing drowned out the rest.
Find tuning device.
"Hey Pinkie!"
"Hi Rosemary! How are the flowers doing?"
"Good!"
Remove tuning device.
"Triple check the double check checklist?"
"After that we need to write my report to the princess and and if we get that done, we may have enough time to-"
"Re-shelve the entire library...?"
"No Spike, we may have enough time to make tomorrow's schedule."
Install adjustable tuning device.
"Apples! Get yer freshly bucked apples!"
"Ooh. I'll take a dozen."
"Thanks miss. Here, have an extra!"
Reconnect with main board.
"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER...um...CRUSADERS?"
"Admit it. We're all out of ideas."
Test connection. I removed my earphones to listen to the stations that should be playing.
"The oppressive Alliance continues-" Yup. There was ARCH News.
"Maybe you'll learn. And you...will be free! " Station sucks, but it's music nonetheless.
"'I love you.'
'I love you too'
*Insert kissing noises*
'N..no it's too early'" Oh good, soap operas.
"Thing is, they elected a warrior but they got a wimp." And talk shows. It's political, but it's better than being force fed news.
I plugged my earphones back in just in time to catch the words of a certain unicorn that nearly made my heart stop.
"-because they want to learn about us! Bon BonBonBonBon do you know what this means? Humans. ARE. COMING.
"Lyra, for the last time, humans are just an old pony's tale-"
"But I can PROVE it!"
"Not now Lyra."
"But-"
"Not. Now."
Specimen 012 - Female, Unicorn, light aquamarine with lyre mark.
...And to answer your question, yes we did use probes.
***
Sundown. Other than a faint barking coming from what looks like a hospital, the entire town was silent as if there was an enforced curfew.
I packed up my gear and headed back. While the observation position would be left as is, I would be choosing a different location tomorrow. I might be able to look at something new, or maybe I could travel to...what was it...Canterlot?
Ah well. I'll keep the option in my mind. But for now, back to base.
***
"As the Alliance continues to deny our right to fight as people and forces the brainwashed soldiers and pilots to fight like mere worthless drones, the ULF has promised to all that they are welcome to fight alongside us. They claim that the ULF has a fragmented leadership. This is as truthful as their council. They have gathered their forces and are planning an attack in the near future. Please wish our warriors luck and may the free live on. This has been ARCH news. Good night/morning/afternoon."
I had this bitter taste in my mouth after ARCH news stopped shoveling propaganda in my mouth. Or maybe it was that rabbit I ate for dinner...Ah well.
My little base had grown into a small tree house. The floor stopped creaking, and I actually had room to stand up in. After hearing about how "unnatural" or "haunted" this forest was, I figured I could make a bigger base if ponies weren't going to come along here often.
I had only five more months of this. I knew I could live indefinitely here, but there's a limit on sanity.
Entry #3
Specimen 012 A.K.A. Lyra Heartstrings
Initially encountered in a forest near a populated area, 012 was captured for study by remote drone. Lab tests indicate an unusual tolerance to sedatives, and has repeatedly regained consciousness during testing. Field reports confirm that 012 has retained memory of encounter, and has tried repeatedly to convince others of our existence. While this was unintentional, it has convinced others that 012 is delusional, thus hiding us further. No attempt to modify her memory is necessary.
It has also been confirmed that humans exist as mythological creatures. Further observation is necessary to determine whether humans have previously been in contact with inhabitants.
Entry #4
Ponies
Ponies are the main inhabitant of the country of Equestria. There are three common types, regular earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns. Earth ponies are more physical, pegasi have the ability to fly, and unicorns have the ability to use magic for psychokinesis and presumably for a countless number of abilities. It is currently unknown if the abilities of all three can be combined into one "Superpony."
The marks on the flanks of ponies seem to relate to their profession, although the circumstances that such a mark appears is unknown.
Other than that, they're all really cute.