//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The Weapon of Ultimate Power // Story: Star Trek Online: Sacrifice - Part II // by Admiral Wyatt Stone //------------------------------// "This station is now the ultimate power in the universe! I suggest we use it." Fear. Fear is something we all experience at least once in our lives, whether it'd be from someone who's just trying to screw with you or from something that genuinely terrifies you. I was afraid when I saw the depravity of the raiders at Twilight's library, I was scared of the power the alicorns had when we fought our first one back in Old Appleloosa, I feared the fate of my friends and I if we hadn't escaped the hellhounds in Old Olneigh, and I was fearful of the fate of the Equestrian Wasteland if we'd lost to the Enclave. But nothing had made me more afraid in my life than the thing I would see sometime after my reunion.... --------- "So let me git this straight: y'all we're asked by an elite group o' people callin' themselves the "Universal Alliance" t' help protect other universes, " "And have been pursuing a dangerous entity named J'ula across these many different universes," "Who has gathered enough strength to threaten not just us, but the entire multiverse as a whole?" Calamity, Velvet Remedy and Xenith (in that order) asked me as I nodded, replying to the group listening to my story. "Yep, that's about what's happened." My friends, along with the rest of my audience, gasped in shock as they took in the news. After getting reacquainted with my friends and family (my mother seems to have taken a rehabilitation program ever since Velvet literally smacked some sense into her), along with the arrival of my precious Homage, Xenith, Twilight's crew, the Applejack's Rangers' elites and Fluttershy (our Fluttershy), everyone sat in the bar as I explained my story, hearing about the shocking attack on the Laurentian Starbase, my exciting mission to the Lukara and the rescue of several ponies, and my explanation of how Steelhooves returned to us, especially when he showed off his suits upgrades and his 'fresh' appearance. I had also shown recordings of my journey, my audience sharing my excitement and fear as I shared the story in a visual manner, straight from my memories. (Yeah, I forgot to mention that being able to record my memories was another one of the upgrades.) I even heard our Fluttershy say something about Steelhooves' new body, I think it was along the lines of, "Oh my, you look much better than how you did ten years ago." After I confirmed my story to everyone, the amber mare that led the Wasteland Crusaders spoke up. "Well, that's one hell of a story!" I let out a chuckle as I replied. "Yep, but that's not all we have to talk about." The crowd listening to my story gave looks of concern, some either tilting heads or raising eyebrows as I continued. "After my mission on the Lukara, Steelhooves and I have uncovered some new information about J'ula's plan." "Like what, Littlepip?" Velvet Remedy asked as Steelhooves stood. "Like what they've added to their arsenal." Steelhooves said as he tapped his helmet, his visor glowing green as it displayed a large structure. It consisted of a sphere with four large pylons that extended far beyond the sphere in the center. There were also several windows along certain areas of it's hull. The crowd gasped in unison as they witnessed the massive structure, Steelhooves speaking as they quieted down. "I don't know of its origins, but J'ula's assets have called it the "Star Forge". I've heard it's a massive structure that can create an infinite army of warships by harnessing the energy of a star. Fortunately, I've heard that J'ula is still trying to figure out how to use it. But if she succeeds and creates her new fleet in time, then all hope will be lost." The crowd gasped again as Homage spoke up. "Can we stop it?" "I believe so, my friends aboard the Harmony and I are planning an assault on the station, if we can find a way to access the stations main controls, then we can destroy the Star Forge, and J'ula will have lost her best chance at stopping us." The crowd gave several smiles and cheers as I finished, Calamity, Velvet and Xenith looking to each other with smirks and calmed expressions as I spoke up again. "But... that's not the only concern we have to worry about." My friends and the crowd looked at me curiously. I hadn't told the whole story involving my escape from Taloraan, fearing the response from my friends. But, it would be best if I did. "I'd been hesitant to tell you all this, but I feel I should." I said as I stood, the crowd looking perplexed as I spoke. "Guys... Red Eye is back." "WHAT?!" The crowd, along with my friends, all said in a chorus, some spitting out their drinks and staring with wide eyes as I announced the second worst bit of news. "Now hold on a minute, Ah thought ya took 'im out at the cathedral!" Calamity said as the crowd gave surprised expressions, some angry that one of our greatest enemies was still alive. "That's what I thought as well, but it seems he was recovered by J'ula before the bomb I'd set under the cathedral went off." I said as some of the crowd murmured in dismay. "How did you find out about this?" Velvet asked me as I sat back down, getting ready to tell another part of my story. "You remember when I said I escaped J'ula's clutches during my time over Taloraan?" Everyone in the crowd nodded as I explained. "Well, there's more to it." I tapped my Pipbuck to display a recording of my adventure to Taloraan. "You see, after stealing back Wedge's starfighter, J'ula was clever enough to place a transport inhibitor on the ship, ensuring I couldn't beam out. So, I retreated to the surface, but I wasn't done yet. As I flew to the planet, I was attacked by an enemy ship that'd destroyed a vessel asking for my identification. Fortunately, as I was being chased, I'd found an auto turret button that helped me destroy the attacker." The crowd let out several whoops and cheers as they watched the sight of my ship firing on the small fighter, destroying it in one shot. "After that, I landed at the city on the surface. But I wasn't done yet. J'ula sent one of her elites to pursue me through the city, but if it weren't for a guard that escorted me to the deepest part of the city, I would've been so screwed." The crowd watched as Tavin and I made our way to the elevator outside the city, both marveling at the sight of the city and shaking as we entered the elevator. As the memory showed us down in the air-processing vane, I spoke up again. "I thought I was safe, but..." I stopped as I let the recording speak for me. The crowd gasped in horror as they saw Tavin get impaled by the elite, myself pulling my disruptor pistol out and shooting at the elite. Velvet cried out in terror as she saw me get struck down, Calamity cringing as well as he held his wife. I also cringed along with them, remembering the pain of not only having my hoof cut off, but having nearly lost my two best pieces of equipment that, in a way, were also some of my closest friends. As the recording showed me backing up to the beacon, I continued. "As I was cornered by the elite, he came around, offering me the safety of you all if I agreed." I heard scowls and saw hateful expressions from the crowd as Red Eye appeared onscreen, his voice sounding through my Pipbuck as I continued. "Of course, I refused, and dropped myself through one of the vents. Fortunately, if it wasn't for these three lovely ladies," I pointed a hoof to the three alicorns I'd rescued from the Lukara, who all smiled as the crowd gave cheers and happy murmurs to the trio. They'd beamed down to rejoin the people of the Wasteland and hear my story. "I would've been dead. As Wedge picked me up in his ship, I saw the city being destroyed by the Klingon fleet." I said as the scene appeared above us, the crowd letting out squeals of terror before letting out cheers as the evacuation ships appeared onscreen. "We then arrived back on the Harmony, which escaped the system thanks to the wits of her crew." As the crowd saw the Harmony fire its repulsor beams and go to warp with its escorts, the crowd was filled with smiles and yelps of excitement as the holoscreen shut off. "After I healed up, we heard about the attack that was going to occur here, so we came and fought off the enemy fleet... and that's where we stop at." My audience gave several cheers and smiles as Calamity, Velvet and Xenith stood and trotted up to me, smiles on their faces as my best friend spoke. "Well, we're all happy that y'all are back, Lil'Pip. We would've been dead if ya didn't help out." I smiled as I looked to my friends, their faces beaming with happiness. "Yeah, but I didn't just come here to save you all." My friends' expressions turned to puzzlement as I said that. "I need your help again." My friends, including Steelhooves, all stood with shock, the crowd gasping with surprise. "I understand that I'm asking a great amount of assistance from you, but I can't do this all alone. Trillions upon trillions of lives are at stake, and I can't save them all on my own." My friends looked to me as I walked in between them, Steelhooves trotting over to join us as I finished my speech. "It's time for us to stand and fight again. Not just as heroes, but as friends." I said as the crowd looked to us, Homage standing as she spoke. "Littlepip, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that you and your friends are our only hope. We're all counting on you." She said with a smile as the crowd stood, cheers and woots from all around the room as they looked at us. As the crowd quieted, I could hear my mother say, "Well, since we have time, why don't you show us some of your little gadgets? I'd love to see what my daughter has come up with while she's been gone!" The crowd murmured happily as I smirked, feeling pleased that I could share some of my achievements in technology. "I'd be happy to! How about we start with my old friend back from Stable 2?" I said as I lifted my upgraded Pipbuck to the crowd, receiving nods all over as I got started on my showing-off. -------- My friends and I trotted out of the bar as my audience went back to their stations, Xenith smiling as she spoke to me. "I'm very impressed with your improved fighting prowess, Littlepip. I haven't seen you fight like that." I smiled as I thought back to that moment. I hadn't just shown off my upgraded equipment, but I thought I'd share my skill in physical combat as well. After showing off Little Macintosh Mark II to the crowd, I aimed my Pipbuck to deploy two holographic officers, wearing outfits that resembled 21st century wrestlers from Earth. After kicking one in the air, I let the other swing at me before ducking and grabbing him by the leg, using him as a meaty bat as I smacked the first one into a nearby wall, the audience cheering in surprise and amusement. I'll never forget the look on Xenith's face when she saw my performance. "Yeah, and I wanted to ask. During the clip of my shuttle flying over New Khitomer… what did you think?" I replied as she looked confused for a moment, but she smiled as she got at what I was getting at. "Oh, the stars, yes. I was... amazed by its beauty. Perhaps the stars aren't so malevolent after all." My zebra friend said as we walked over to the school, Xephyr standing at its door. "Hello mother, are you giving a tour of the school?" The daughter of Xenith asked as her mother replied. "Yes, I believe we should show off the new improvements to the town in person." She looked at me as I responded to her. "Yeah, the views from the S.P.P. just don't feel real enough for me." I said with a smile as Xephyr opened the door to the inside of the school, the cold and mother I'd saved during the attack standing inside. They both waved as they saw me enter, the colt trotting up with a drawing that reminded me of the one Silver Bell gave me. It was a picture of me bucking some of J'ula's Klingon warriors, a crude but cool little picture. "I drew this for you!" The colt said as I took the picture in my magic, lowering my head as I thanked the colt for the picture, then lifting my head back up to look at Xephyr. "If you'll follow me ple-" She stopped as we all heard a low boom outside. I grew worried as we walked outside, looking for where that noise had come from. I heard a beep from my communicator and tapped it, Na'Zev's voice sounding through it. "Bad news, Littlepip. Two Birds of Prey have arrived out of another anomaly, along with this moon-sized structure. We don't know what it is." As he said that, I looked up to see a large, ball shaped structure with a circular dish on the upper section. I also saw a trench going along its equator. "SWEET MOTHER OF CELESTIA AND LUNA!" I swore in shock as my friends and I saw the large station, the residents of Junction Town looking up a few seconds later. My friends looked down to my communicator as we heard Snowdrops let out a yelp of fear before saying, "I'm getting a large energy signature from the dish, it's charging up a laser!" I heard my friends gasp as we saw a faint green glow pointing down at us, it was bright enough to illuminate the sky. I heard another voice sound on my communicator, looking down as I listened. "Not on our watch. Computer, enact emergency order 1174, beam all officers excluding the bridge crew to the surface. Ensign, take us in front of that stations crosshairs, maximum speed!" I grew a fearful expression on my face as I heard Na'Zev speak through my badge. "Ticonderoga, what are you doing?!" The townsponies gathered closer to us as we listened in. "Saving lives... It's been an honor, Captain." As she said that, the green light darkened as the beam fired. "NO!" I screamed as my friends and I closed our eyes, waiting for our doom until the green glow faded completely. We looked up to see a faint orange glow above. "Oh... Oh Goddesses!" I said as I grew frantic, Snowdrop confirming my fears as we heard her voice. "The Ticonderoga... She's gone!" Snowdrop cried out as we all watched the orange glow fade away, the ember that was the Ticonderoga disappearing a few seconds later. "We don't have time to grieve right now, Snowdrop. Get a scan of that station, we must not let the Ticonderoga's sacrifice be in vain!" Na'Zev said as my friend on the Stratus replied. "...Aye Sir." We waited as Snowdrop did her work, getting an answer a few seconds later. "I've found a weakness, Sir. There's an exhaust port within this trench. If we can get a torpedo or two into it, we could blow it out of the stars in no time!" I smirked as this presumably devastating weapon had a very exploitable weakness. "We'll send the Aquarius down to take care of that!" I heard Flash say as I looked up, seeing the giant station looking down on us. "My friends and I'll keep an eye out for the fireworks, Littlepip out." I said as I looked to my friends, frowning as I said only one thing before we went near the school's playground to sit and relax. "I've got a bad feeling about this."