//------------------------------// // Star Trek: Pony Contact // Story: Robot Pony // by Dreadnought //------------------------------// “Fire.” A half dozen starships began pouring in fire upon the Borg Cube. Photon torpedoes tore gaping wounds into the vessel while phaser fire inflicted terrible carnage. Once a sufficient hole had been created, the Enterprise fired a salvo of three quantum torpedoes. The bright white lights streaked forward and buried themselves deep within the hull before detonating. Immense explosions swept through the ship, instantly killing tens of thousands of cybernetic Borg drones. Green flames burst from various points on the wrecked hull, signaling the ship was in its death throes. At the last possible moment, giant doors opened and a Sphere escaped from the ship and headed toward Earth. Seconds later the Borg cube blew apart in a terrible explosion, sending pieces of debris hurtling in every direction. The Federation starships sped away to safety, dodging and turning to avoid the wreckage. A few were impacted, though none experienced serious damage. The Borg Sphere continued to fly towards Earth. “Mr. Hawke, pursuit course – engage,” commanded Captain Picard. The Enterprise raced after the Sphere that still posed an imminent danger to the billions of people on the planet. Chronometric particles began emanating from the Sphere, creating a streaking white bow wave that spread into a massive twisting torus. “They’re creating a temporal vortex,” said Picard. “Time travel,” explained Commander Riker. “Quantum torpedo – fire!” ordered Picard. A white flash emanated from the Enterprise’s saucer section and shot towards the cube. As it approached the Sphere it hit the temporal wake and veered off course. It passed the Sphere and impacted the vortex, which instantly began radiating strange pastel colors. The sphere entered the vortex and vanished. “The Borg Sphere has passed through the vortex,” reported Lt Commander Data. “Analysis of their destination?” asked Picard. “I detect a large planet on the other side.” “We must follow them and stop them from assimilating the inhabitants of the planet,” said Picard. “Mr. Hawke, take us into the vortex.” The Enterprise entered the vortex, which collapsed behind it.... ~~~ “La-la-la!” sung Pinkie Pie as she bounced along the path that led to Ponyville, a large smile across her face. It was a truly beautiful day. Celestia’s brilliant sun shone overhead, spreading warmth throughout the land. A gentle wind blew through the trees, while birds sang happily from the gently swaying branches. The perfume of fields of flowers drifted on the breeze. She heard a strange noise as a flash caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she saw two strange figures standing in the meadow. They were nothing like anything she’d ever seen. The creatures stood on two legs. They possessed strange black armor that bristled with wires and tubes and mechanical devices. The only skin she could see was the pale white of the face, though even this was partly obscured by a large eye-patch that produced a red beam of light. Pinkie Pie bounced over to the two. “Hello, I’m Pinkie Pie. What’s your names?” “We are the Borg. Surrender yourself. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.” “Hmm... Borg. Sounds Pommelranian. Ooo – you must be new around here.” She pulled a colorfully painted wagon from seemingly nowhere. She pushed a large red button and the top popped open, revealing horns and flags and kazoos and sweet treats. It started to play a little tune to which Pinkie Pie began singing and dancing: Welcome welcome welcome A fine welcome to you Welcome welcome welcome I say how do you do? Welcome welcome welcome I say hip hip hurray Welcome welcome welcome To Ponyville todaaaaaay! Ding! The oven on the wagon burst open shooting a stream of confetti over the two strangers. Sploosh! The kazoos shot a large amount of goo upwards, before hitting apogee and falling down, coating everyone in a sticky mess. “Oh, silly me! I must've put the confetti in the oven and the cake in the confetti cannons! Again! When will I ever learn?” Giggling, Pinkie Pie stepped forth clean from the cake batter and in one bite ate the whole thing. “Mmm, that’s good!” The two figures stepped forward. One grabbed her while the other one reached out, a spike protruding from its appendage. It impaled Pinkie Pie in the neck before the three beamed away. ~~~ The Enterprise emerged from the vortex. “Mr. Worf – quantum torpedo.” “Weapon systems are offline,” responded the Klingon. Turning to the con, Picard asked, “Mr. Data – position?” “Unknown Sir. Our present location matches no record in the stellar database.” “What can you tell us about the planet?” asked Riker. “It is a Class M planet. Sensors indicate it is emanating an unknown type of radiation.” “Explain?” enquired Picard. “The radiation bears a resemblance to that seen at Farpoint, but of a different phase and modulation.” “Source?” asked Riker. “There is no source. It appears to be a natural phenomenon of the planet.” “There will be plenty of time for investigating this world, but we have a mission here,” said Picard. “How long until we have weapon systems back?” “The temporal vortex buffeted the phaser banks. They will have to be realigned before they can be used. We have lost control of the torpedo system.” “Can we bypass it?” asked Picard. “We cannot bypass it here. Several conduits have been overloaded,” explained the android. “Bridge to engineering.” “Engineering here,” replied Chief Engineer La Forge. “I need torpedo control.” “Aye Sir. I will dispatch damage control teams to bypass the destroyed conduits.” Turning to the con, Picard continued, “Mr. Data. Is the planet inhabited?” “Unknown Sir. There are signs of an early industrialized civilization. I am detecting two Borg on the planet.” “Is the radiation harmful?” “I do not believe so, Sir.” Turning to Riker, Picard said, “Number One, take an away team to the surface.” Riker said, “Data, Counselor. Bridge to Sick Bay.” “Crusher here,” came a voice over the comm link. “We may need a doctor on an away mission.” “I will meet you in the transporter room.” Riker, Troi, and Data entered the turbolift. Picard turned to Riker. “We don’t know what we’re dealing with here. The Prime Directive still stands.” “Understood,” replied Riker. “Deck 4.” ~~~ A flash appeared, and four figures stood in a meadow. Drawing their phasers, they secured the area from any hostile Borg. The android pulled forth his tricorder and began scanning. “Were the sensors off?” asked Troi. “Scans indicate that the Borg were here, but they have departed.” “I’m picking up the radiation you mentioned,” said Doctor Crusher. “Is it hazardous?” asked Riker. “I don’t think so. Still, I’d like to run some scans when we return to the Enterprise.” “Sir, there is a village four kilometers southeast of here.” “Are the Borg there?” queried Riker. “Unknown. I suggest we move in that direction to look for any signs of the Borg.” “Agreed. Stay out of sight. We don’t want to violate the Prime Directive.” ~~~ Ponies moved about the market buying, selling, and trading all sorts of goods. In one stall a pale yellow pegasus with a raspberry mane sold a variety of beautiful flowers. In another stall, Carrot Top sold fresh produce... heads of lettuce... carrots... turnips... onions... cabbage. Maize proudly displayed bins overflowing with yellow sweet corn. At the far end of the market sat a large apple cart, staffed by the most honest pony in all of Equestria – Applejack. Suddenly a deathly quiet fell, with all eyes falling upon the figure entering the market. She was a pink pony, clad in black clothing and armor. The other ponies parted ways, allowing her to reach the center of the market. She addressed the masses, “We are the Borg. Surrender yourself. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.” Suddenly the crowd began to laugh. “We are the Borg –” Cheerilee remarked, “Pinkie, you’re funny.” “Surrender yourself –” Lyra Heartstrings asked, “Pinkie, is that your Nightmare Night costume?” “We will add your biological and technological –” “I should hope not,” observed Rarity. “That is a ridiculous outfit.” “distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.” Applejack walked up. “Say Pinkie, what are ya supposed to be anyways?” Pinkie reached forth and impaled Applejack in the neck. “Ah!” yelled Applejack, writhing in agony. Shock swept through the masses and ponies gasped at Pinkie’s action. Slowly the crowd began to step back from the two mares. Within a few moments, Applejack stood up, a blackness spreading through her bulging veins. Turning to the crowd, she started, “We are the Borg. Surrender yourself. We –” Before she could finish ponies were running screaming from the market. ~~~ The away team carefully surveyed the village. They had taken a vantage point on a hill overlooking the town below. Dozens of small simple structures populated the town, most bearing thatch roofs. A few buildings stood out with fantastical achitecture – a gingerbread house, a multi-tiered carosel shaped structure, a buidling that looked like a jester hat. Data turned to Commander Riker, “Sir, scans indicate the village has been overrun with the Borg.” “If we can’t contain the invasion here, this planet could fall.” Troi pointed to a large shimmering structure in the distance. “That looks like a castle, perhaps we will find their defense leadership there.” Data scanned with his tricorder. “I detect no Borg in that direction.” Riker said, “We’ll head that way. Watch out for the Borg. Riker to Enterpise.” “Go ahead Number One,” came Picard’s voice over the comm badge. “The Borg have established a foothold on the planet. We are moving to what we think is the government building.” “Understood. Assure the residents that we are here to help them in any way possible. Picard out.” Riker turned to the group, “Not the best circumstances to make first contact.” The four officers skirted the village, constantly keeping their tricorders scanning and their phasers at the ready. They approached the grand staircase that led to the castle. “Halt right there!” came a voice. Instantly the four were surrounded by two dozen ponies, some magically weilding swords. “Who are you?” demanded a pony in shining armor. “The horses are talking,” observed Crusher. “Fascinating,” responded Data. “We’re ponies,” replied the aggitated pony. “Are you with the invaders?” Riker spoke up, “No. We followed them through a temporal vortex. We are here to help in any way he can.” He eyed them suspiciously. “The princesses will decide if you are telling the truth.” He led them upstairs and into the castle. “Counselor?” asked Riker. “I sense they are frightened and suspicious, but they are willing to hear what we have to say,” explained Troi. “Sir?” asked Data to Riker. “Yes Data?” “I’m detecting high concentrations of the radiation coming from the ponies.” “My tricorder shows the same,” confirmed Crusher. “Your highnesses,” informed the pony, “these strangers say they are here to help us.” Two ponies with wings looked up from a map they’d been studying. One was tall, white, and had a sun symbol on her flank. The other was small and purple, with a stylized star on her flank. They trotted over to the away team. “Who are you?” asked the tall one. “I am Commander Riker of the Federation starship Enterprise. These are members of my crew,” he gestured to those around him, “Lt Commander Data... Counselor Troi... Doctor Crusher.” “I am Princess Celestia of Canterlot, and this is Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The purple pony spoke up, “Where are you from? Who are these invaders? What are they doing to everypony? What can –” A raised hoof from Celestia cut off her off. “We are from the United Federation of Planets located in the Alpha Quadrant. We followed the Borg here after they attached our planet.” “The Borg?” asked Twilight. Data spoke up, “The Borg is the designation of the species attacking your planet. They are cybernetic creatures with a collective intelligence. They assiminate other species against their will to gain their knowledge and expand their territory.” “Gain their knowledge,” mused Twilight. “Is there a way to stop them?” asked Celestia. Data continued, “The invasion must be stopped as soon as possible. They quickly adapt to any countermeasures.” “Pirncess Celestia?” spoke Twilight. “Yes Twilight?” “I think I know how to defeat them.” “You do?” “I’m going to befriend them.” “The Borg are not interested in friendship but conquest,” said Riker. “Princess Twilight has had much success in reforming our enemies. I will let her try,” said Celestia. “I will accompany you to your ship to confer with your leadership,” said Celestia. “Where is it?” “It’s in orbit above the planet,” explained Troi, causing Celestia to raise an eyebrow. “Riker to Enterprise.” “Go ahead Will,” came Picard’s voice. “One of the leaders would like to come to the Enterprise to coordinate the defense.” “Understood. We will beam them up.” “Beam?” questioned Celestia. “The transporter system converts matter-to-energy and back again, enabling transport from one location to another.” “It’s perfectly safe,” assured Crusher. “We have something like that here,” said Celestia, eliciting a confused reaction from the away team. “Riker to Enterprise, one to beam up.” Within seconds Celestia was gone. ~~~ Twilight approached an assimilated pony. It was herding a group of recently assimated townsfolk into a central collection area for beam up to the Sphere. “I have come to join you,” said Twilight. The pony turned to her and impaled her in the neck. ~~~ Picard had met hundreds of species, and made first contact with many of them. He had commanded three starships, losing two of them in battle. He had traveled time, faced death on countless occassions, and brokered galactic shaping negotiations. But nothing could have prepared him for this. Across the conference table sat a regal white unicorn, with large majestic wings, and a tiara on top. She had spoken to him about the Borg invasion to her land and how it might be stopped with friendship. “Bridge to Picard,” came a voice over the comm system. “Picard here,” he replied. “We are being hailed by the Borg.” “I’m on my way.” Turning to Celestia, he asked, “Won’t you accompany me?” The two left the staff room and entered the bridge. “On screen,” he ordered. Instantly the screen showed the inside of the Borg Sphere. In the foreground stood a purple unicorn, fully assimilated and covered with implants. Standing beside her was a female Borg, who had white oily skin but lacked the implants of other Borg. She addressed Captain Picard, “Hello. We came to this planet to assimilate its inhabitants and aquire its technology. We did not understand friendship. But by assimilating Princess Twilight Sparkle, all of us have learned the magic of friendship. We want to extend the hand of friendship to Equestria and the Federation.” Celestia gave a small smile. Twilight had put herself in the gravest of danger for what she believed. Now all creatures – ponies, humans, Borg – would live in peace in friendship. She could sense a new golden age for all. Picard spoke up, “Thank you for your kind words. They were truly good to hear. All I have to say is ‘Now Mr. Worf!’” Worf pushed a button on the tactical control. Instantly three white quantum torpedoes streaked across space and slammed into the Borg Sphere. It blew apart in a massive explosion that could be seen below in Ponyville. But most were focused on the Borg, who started short-circuiting and writing in pain before they collapsed and died. A horrified and shocked Celestia turned to Picard. “What did you do?” “I’ve saved your world and mine,” declared Picard.