//------------------------------// // 296. Aiming High, Falling Short - Part 4 // Story: Blaze the Pony Tale // by Wolven5 //------------------------------// The silence was a little unsettling for Blueblood as he gazed hopefully at his colleagues, having just shared his idea with them. “It could work,” Midnight finally spoke up, all eyes and ears turning to him (while Blueblood quietly sighed in relief), “I’m certain, with the right alchemy, we could find a way to make Solar Sails a reality.” “But could the Solar Sails harvest enough sunlight energy not only to fuel the ES Engine but enable the engine to power the crystals imbued with the right magicks to allow the airship to get airborne?” Doctor Whooves brought up. “I mean, the concept of an airship that flies without a gasbag has been discussed before...” “It can work,” Looking excited, Blueblood levitated some notes he’d written after he’d come up with his idea, “but I’m going to need the help of everypony here.” He pointed to the notes he’d given to Midnight, “First, we need to come up with some kind of alchemical agent to soak the sails in to give them the solar absorption properties the sails will need, maybe some kind of powdered spell crystals.” “I’ve got some ideas,” Midnight answered confidently. Then he pointed to the notes he’d floated to Techorse, “And Tech, we need to make these sails with a specially-intricate weave of wiring to serve as conduits that concentrates the solar energy to a specific point.” Then he looked to Doctor Whooves, “Doctor, you have a knack for engineering and chemistry. You and Midnight can work on preparing the crushed spell crystals to be made into the alchemical agent that will be applied to the sails, as well as a conduit that will connect a centrifuge for the solar power to direct the absorbed solar energy to the ES Engine!” Stepping back, he gave them a moment to look over his notes, “We can do this, gentlecolts! Not only can we make a new engine, we can pioneer perhaps the most efficient method of solar energy harvesting in innovative history! Powering airships will be but the start of what we will accomplish. Imagine, clean free energy, not only for the ponies of Equestria but for the sentient creatures across the globe!” “This is going to be spectacular indeed!” the Doctor cheered, clapping his hooves together, “Midnight, I propose we-” “We’re going to need a specialized grinder for the solar-absorption crystals,” Midnight interjected, “enchanting those may take some time and concentration, but we need a machine that won’t ruin the enchantment with blunt force.” “I can build the crystal grinder,” Techorse declared, grabbing a screwdriver, "it'll be like the ore processor I invented." He pointed the screwdriver at the white unicorn in the room, “Also, Blueblood, I’m going to need some supplies you don’t have in the warehouse for the sail sewing machine,” Techorse declared, grabbing a screwdriver, “Since you want to incorporate conduits, I’ll need a machining table, four hundred kilograms of steel plating, a null magic rotary conduit splicer, some welding tools… and a can of Colt Cola Zero.” “Why do you need the soda can?” asked the prince with a raised eyebrow. “I’m thirsty,” came the witty answer. Blueblood smirked and cast a spell he had memorized to teleport in supplies from one of his other workshops, a useful tool for bringing in just what he needed during a burst of inspiration. A big pile of scrap metal crashed into the warehouse, spooking Dr. Whooves and eving making Midnight flinch a little. A red toolbox filled with welding gear, the strange conduit tool Techorse had requested, and a batch of gears came in next in a flash of white light. Finally, the agreed upon drink appeared next to Techorse’s head, and he eagerly grabbed it with his saddle’s robotic arms. After cracking the can open and taking a nice swig, Techorse smiled and dashed into the middle of the provided parts. The warehouse filled with the noise of air wrenches and welding as the inventor went to town on his new supplies. “That stallion can really build!” laughed Blueblood. “Yup, that’s my friend!” chuckled Midnight, “Come on Doctor, let’s get to work on the crystals!” Blueblood went to supervise Techorse’s rapid construction efforts while Midnight found a large cache of clear crystals in a bin marked for them halfway across the warehouse. “These clear gems are just what we need,” Midnight told the doctor, “they’re small enough to grind up, made of the right material, and will hold an enchantment. Now I just need to cast the Sun-Catcher Charm into them...” He held one of them in front of his head and started to fire a jagged ray of energy into it, symbols of arcane knowledge leaping off of the target. Dr. Whooves could see Midnight strain to imprint the solar absorbing behavior on the gem, and knew his eagerness was getting the best of him. “You are overloading the enchantment,” he said, “you’re going to imbalance them if you don’t slow down and cast properly!” “I know what I’m doing,” he answered, eyeballs fixed on each passing gem, “these need to be highly enchanted to produce the most power, Dr. Whooves, I’ll be finished with this one just as soon as I...” POP The crystal lost integrity from the lack of time needed to absorb the enchantment energy properly, and it exploded like a dropped lightbulb, nearly getting fragments in the stallions’ eyes. Each piece of the destroyed gemstone hit the ground, the two ponies looking at them in disbelief. Dr. Whooves looked up at the startled Midnight, and placed a hoof on his heart. “Poor thing never stood a chance in this cruel world...” “H.. hey!” Midnight stammered, “I just got carried away. There’s got to be a better way to do this.” “Try holding up each of the crystals in a ring, then enchant them a little bit, rotating to a new crystal after each spell,” suggested his friend while adjusting his tie back to where it was before the explosion, “that way, there’s less chance we’ll overload them.” Nodding, Midnight hovered twelve more of the clear stones out of the container and put them into orbit around his head. This time, whenever he charged one of the crystals, he turned the ring to the right to bring a fresh one between his eyes. His horn arced energy over to each one, the crystals turning black as they absorbed the sun-catcher charm. “There we go. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go get a dustpan for the deceased on the floor,” joked the other pony, trotting off to grab the janitorial supplies. “Half wrench,” Techorse called from underneath the machine, his hind hooves and robot arm sticking out. Blueblood smiled and rummaged through the toolbox, pulling out a silver crescent wrench and dropping it into Techorse’s manipulator. The machine pulled it underneath, only for Techorse to snort into laughter. “This is a nine sixteenths, Blueblood!” “Seriously, Techorse?” Blueblood muttered while rolling his eyes, “I ought to do this myself...” “I’m kidding,” he answered, sliding out from under the machine, “that wrench still did the job. Now that we’ve finished the grinder for the crystals, we can get to work on the sail sewing machine!” Blueblood helped Techorse get up off his back by offering a hoof and pulling him up, “Splendid! Now, since I already know how to build a normal sail sewing machine from my airship facilities, I only need your help integrating the conduits between each thread.” “I’ve got a mechanism in mind,” Techorse responded with a smile, “but I don't have that machining table to build the rest of the sewing machinery.” "Oh yes we do!” Blueblood answered, “Follow me.” The team got to work, Midnight working with Doctor Whooves to create the alchemical agent for the sails’ sunlight absorption, and Blueblood with Techorse to make the sails themselves, as well as all of them working together on the ES Engine. Midnight started by making the mana liquid and then imbuing them with the sunlight absorption spell before using the Crystallization Spell his master, Prince Sombra had taught him, to make the liquid spells turn to crystallized form. At the same time, Doctor Whooves constructed a grinder based on instructions borrowed from Techorse to process the spell crystals into a nice fine powder. Once that was done, they very carefully inserted the crystals into the machine and waited for the device to do its work. Before long, it had produced the powdered crystals and they then began working to turn them into an alchemical agent that they would apply to the sails. Midnight converted a decommissioned arcane laboratory centrifuge into the perfect mixer for the agent, adding the powder along with some other elements and allowing it to run unattended. While the chemicals were being concocted, Midnight also took the time to create the storm-chamber for the ES Engine. This involved using bonded crystal to form the primary chamber, along with building the conductive floor panel and probe for the miniature storm’s lightning strikes. He had completed the cylindrical storm chamber just in time for Doctor Whooves to remind him that he'd need to leave room for the suspension device at the top. After a groan and a facehoof, Midnight cut the proper space for the rotation ring and put that component in place, two holes left in the ring for the casting tubes Techorse had completed earlier. While he worked on trying to connect the tubes to the rotation ring, Doctor Whooves put together a frame for the engine assembly, making sure it would be large enough to house the rest of the work. Unfortunately, he forgot to check his welding torch's fuel supply, and ran out of flames halfway through which forced a quick dash to the back of the warehouse for another canister. Blueblood had explained how the enchanted machine bench worked at this point to Techorse a couple of times, but it felt like the earth pony had ignored him and was trying to force it to do things it shouldn't be doing, namely print out machine parts way too small. Just like his mechanical saddle, Techorse was used to doing a lot with a little, and hadn't yet adjusted to a parts making device that worked at a larger, bulkier scale. The first prototype of the sail-sewing machine that he had created was barely the size of a poster printer, and had several looms mounted on the top spun up with canvas and conduits, with the idea being that the sewing apparatus would “print out” a fresh sail with the push of the button. Techorse smiled at Blueblood and adjusted some of the knobs and levers he had installed to set the desired size of the sail, then hit the green start button. BOOM Within seconds the machine exploded in Techorse's face, darkening it with soot and frazzling his already messy enough mane. The inventor coughed and sputtered, getting out a handkerchief to clean himself off. Blueblood explained that he was trying to cram things together, and inspected Techorse's plans for the printer carefully. Indeed, there were several tiny components squeezed together so tightly, that they had ended up tangling up in the moving canvas fibers and conduits, causing the machine's motors to self destruct. The prince adjusted the numbers of the machine to be twice as large, assured Techorse that they had plenty of room, and worked with his machining bench's arcane devices to produce a set of larger parts. Unsurprisingly, Techorse was able to put together his own machine on a larger scale fairly easily once he had stopped being stubborn about making it “efficient”. On its first test run, it produced a nine foot square cloth woven with conduits, a great platform to test the energy harvesting capabilities of the sail. Ultimately, these designs created by the stallions were meant to see if they could even come up with basic prototypes. Each day brought a more complete engine chamber as Dr. Whooves and Midnight installed more parts, and the sail maker slowly got larger, more complex, and less susceptible to blowing up. Midnight also started to get better at producing crystals for the grinder, which itself needed upgrades to meet the growing demand of crystal powder to coat the solar sails which were increasing in size each day. When the final day came around, not only was the primary engine chamber complete, the stallions had a massive solar sail as large as what could be seen on Equestria's galleons, and the crystalline alchemical mixture had been produced in a large enough batch to coat it. Midnight opened up the centrifuge, and a thick, tar-like substance had been created which he smeared all over the easily-unfurled sail. Stepping back from their hard work, each of the four felt a surge of pride in seeing the completed prototype engine connected to the pitch-black solar sail for the first time. “Gentlecolts, I say some congratulations are in order,” Blueblood chuckled as he and his colleagues admired their hard work. “We put them together, now all that’s left is to test them,” Midnight agreed with an eager nod. “Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow,” Techorse peered out the window of the warehouse, “the sun’s already going down.” “That’s fine with me, gentlecolts, but Great Whickering Stallions!” Doctor Whooves cheered, “I just can’t wait to see how this new technology fares, and it only took us the rest of the week to make it all.” “Yes, it was a lot of work,” Blueblood nodded, “but all the time we spent will be well worth the-” Rest of the week. Rest of the week. Rest of the week... Blueblood felt the words resonate in his head, a rising anxiety welling up in his chest before he realized what he had just heard! “THE REST OF THE WEEK!?!?!!” Midnight, Techorse, and Doctor Whooves flinched back from Blueblood’s outburst, as the white unicorn began to hyperventilate, “Th- The time- The order- I GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE!!” Blueblood hurried out the door, ignoring Midnight’s call for him to come back. How did I let this happen?! Blueblood hurried as fast as he could back to Carousel Boutique. I got so caught up in my work I completely forgot about completing the last order, and I haven’t even sent the first two dresses to the clients who ordered them! The clocktower was ringing ,and Blueblood looked up in horror to see it was already seven o’clock. The post office closed at eight, so he only had exactly an hour to complete the last dress and mail them all off to the clients who’d ordered them! There was no time to- “Blueblood!” Blueblood almost tripped while stopping to see Sweetie Belle coming his way, a paper floating in her pale green magic aura, “Blueblood, I’ve been looking for you, I-” “Sweetie Belle!” Blueblood levitated the filly onto his back and resumed his frantic hurrying to the boutique, “No time to talk, we’ve got to finish the last dress and get them all mailed before eight!” “But Blue-OO-oo-OO-ooo....!!” Sweetie Belle tried to talk but the way Blueblood ran stymied her effort as the stallion ran hard. In no time at all, the reached Rarity’s boutique, and Blueblood all but crashed inside, quickly setting the filly down while panting like a dog. “Okay!” - Pant! - “We must...” - Pant! - “find the order and...” - Whoo! - “the first two dresses...” - GASP!! “Blueblood, I need to tell you-” Sweetie Belle tried to speak, but Blueblood lit up his horn, levitating out the sewing utensils and several random rolls of fabric. “Must prepare! Sweetie, find that order and get the dresses folded and boxed!” Blueblood set up one of the sewing machines as well. “Blueblood, you need to listen to me-” Sweetie tried again. “Sweetie Belle, please! Get the dresses ready for delivery!” Blueblood pleaded with a manic look, “There’s so much to do and so little time-” “PRINCE BLUEBLOOD POLARIS, YOU STOP AND LISTEN TO ME!!!!” Sweetie Belle screamed from the top of her lungs, phasing Blueblood, who froze... before sitting down on his haunches, finally giving the filly his full and undivided attention. Clearing her throat, Sweetie Belle explained, “I already mailed the two dresses you completed. But while I was at the post office, Miss Ditzy Doo gave me this letter for Rarity. Take a look.” She levitated the letter to the stallion who accepted it and saw that the letter came from the client who’d ordered the third dress. “‘Dear Miss Rarity’,” Blueblood read. “’I must deeply apologize, but unfortunately, due to unexpected developments I’m afraid I have to...’ cancel my order?!” The stallion gaped at Sweetie Belle who shrugged but prompted him to read on. “’I do apologize if this sudden turn of events caused any undue and undeserved fuss, stress or bother. “’Yours truly, Sunny Topaz” ... ... ... “Oh...!!” Blueblood collapsed onto his belly, sounding so relieved, but Sweetie Belle would have to have been blind to not see the look of disappointment on the stallion’s face. “Um, are you okay, Blueblood?” the filly asked, “It’s okay! So, the client canceled, the other orders got delivered, and everything’s fine!” “That’s just it, Sweetie Belle,” Blueblood sighed, looking ashamed as he got up onto his haunches again but slumped in guilt, “I promised your sister that I would take care of her business while she’s away. I may have taken care of the first two orders, and I thank you for making sure they got mailed, but I allowed myself to be distracted by my own work, and if the client hadn’t canceled I would have failed and disappointed Rarity! The fact that this happened doesn’t excuse my negligence.” “Maybe,” Sweetie Belle said in understanding as she went over and nuzzled up to Blueblood’s side, “but your work is important too! Rarity knows that, and she understands how you feel about your work because it’s the same she feels for her own! You both make amazing things, your airships and her dresses, and you both put your hearts and souls into it! “Even if this hadn’t happened, Rarity would understand.” “Rarity will never trust me when this reaches her,” Blueblood still worried, “I shouldn't have over extended! I should have asked for help!” “Don't worry,” Sweetie Belle assured. “I've done the same thing. Over extend and fall flat when the project assigned is canceled. It's been a pain, nd, truthfully? We aren't the only ones in that boat.” Blueblood smiled softly at the young filly when... *Knock-knock-knock* Sweetie Belle answered the door to see it was Ditzy Doo, “Hi there, Sweetie Belle, letter for Blueblood. It arrived shortly after you left the post office.” “Thank you, Miss Ditzy,” Sweetie Belle accepted the letter and bade the mailmare good night before closing the door. Looking at it, she said, “Blueblood, this letter is from Rarity!” “Hmm...” Blueblood accepted the letter, opened the envelop and read: “‘My dearest and dependable Blueblood, I regret to inform you that my stay in Canterlot has to be extended by another week. my new boutique, Canterlot Carousel, has made quite an impact here and the manager I hired, Sassy Saddles, and I are smoothing things out as the novelty of a new fashion store in the city dies down. I hope things have gone well for you, but I am confident you are doing well and have done well in handling my clients’ orders on my behalf. I do so admire that about you, my darling. Truly, you have shown yourself to be a paragon and I feel so blessed to call you the stallion I love. I miss you everyday, and the thought of being back in your hooves helps me keep moving forward. on a side note, I hope you’ve had time to see to your own work at your warehouse and the meeting with your colleagues went swimmingly. I look forward to seeing what technological marvels you unveil next, and I encourage you to do your best, and I will do mine. All my love, Rarity P.S. I hope Sweetie Belle has been helpful and that the two of you are getting along’” Those were just the words he needed to hear. Or read, Blueblood thought with a chuckle when smiled at Sweetie Belle. Getting up, he walked over and pulled her into a hug and chuckled softly. “How about dinner on me tonight. As a special thank-youfor having been my little helper,” he offered. “Not a problem and that sounds good,” Sweetie said sweetly as she gave her futue big brother an extra squeezy hug. The two chuckled and headed out, as the sun set on a day full of stress, breakdowns and repairs. As the rest of the world says, tomorrow's another day.