Shining trotted through over the walkways of the Citadel’s wards, passing all sorts of aliens who were going about their day and barely noticed the passing pony. Shining took a turn to arrive at his final destination, a small restaurant he’d found in his exploration of the space station’s districts.
“Ah, hello there mister Armor, it’s good to see you again,” a quarian server greeted as he walked in.
“Good morning, Laani. Business going well today?” Shining asked as he took a seat at the table he usually sat at.
“We had a decent group of asari come by this morning, they appreciated the food though I don’t think they appreciated me,” the quarian admitted, getting her tablet to place Shining’s order. “The usual?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about those asari, I’m sure your service is highly appreciated.” Shining smiled as she nodded and walked off to the kitchen to get the order. Shining had found himself strangely attracted to the quarians as they had a good understanding of how it felt not being able to get home. He also knew of the bigotry against the species a lot of the other species towards the quarian so the restaurant hiring one was a rarity indeed, one that.
“You seem troubled,” Fidelis said, only broadcasting through the earpiece in Shining’s ear. “Shouldn’t you be elated that the investigation couldn’t pin anything on you?”
Shining sighed and shook his head. “I just despise the lying I have to do on this matter. I guess I’m at least a little glad I can focus on other things again. Admiral Hacket wanted to have me measured up so that he could have the equipment he owes me custom made.”
“I could help out with that? I do have pony physiology stored in my databanks,” Fidelis offered.
“I think Hacket is trustworthy but if word goes out about you… well, you know what the Citadel’s laws are.”
Laani then came back with a tray holding a salad, a glass of water, and a set of apples. “Have a nice meal, mister Armor.”
“Thanks,” Shining smiled as he was left alone again and dug into his salad.
“Yeah, I know. I just feel useless sitting in here. I used to have the assembly lines to make all of this myself,” Fidelis huffed, slightly annoyed at her own failure to find anything.
“I know the feeling. I wonder how Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are doing out there with the Commander,” Shining sighed as he finished the salad, levitating over one of the apples and biting down on it.
“I’m sure they are fine, your yellow pegasus friend is a fine warrior.”
“I guess so...” Shining sighed, taking another bite from his apple. “Anyway, how is your search for Equis going?”
“Nothing on my part sadly. I checked out Earth’s records but it seems all our installations that used to be placed were thoroughly removed,” Fidelis grunted, “My inquiries into any low tech worlds on record have yet to confirm any anomalies or direct observations of the planet. If what Princess Luna has told me is true then that’s what we should have expected.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine the Citadel races, or any for that matter, around here looking for invisible planets,” Shining sighed again. “We’ve got a stupidly tough job, don’t we?”
“Could have been easier, yes, but I won’t complain. It’s better than being stuck and slowly freezing to death over the course of thousands of years,” the AI plainly stated, making Shining cringe.
“Sounds like a much better fate indeed.”
Finishing his drink and second apple, Shining paid for his breakfast and was back on his way. Taking a taxi shuttle up to the presidium again to meet up with the Princess. After landing close to the embassy district the unicorn walked the final bit of distance towards his destination. Luna had managed to procure a small building adjacent to the Human embassy to use as a consulate, something Shining was very impressed with considering how sought after buildings in the area were. Not that the size was anything amazing, as it only had a small lobby with one office and a storage room.
“Good morning, Princess,” Shining greeted as he found Luna behind the console in the office. The Princess had her hair tied back into a ponytail and was wearing a simple white dress, the races of the citadel didn’t seem to appreciate anyone but the hanar move around without any clothes.
“Good morrow, Captain,” Luna said absentmindedly, focussing on her screen as Shining walked up to the back window to look out over the presidium. Fidelis appearing on a holoprojector next to the Captain. “Any news about Equis?”
“Nothing yet. Earth was a dud and there are no references in Citadel records, I checked.” Fidelis answered for Shining as she was the main researcher on that front. “I still need to search through prothean relics for mentions of outposts or colonies but I fear that I won’t find anything there either. I would like to access the Mars ruin but I’d have to get someone to take me there.”
Luna sighed as she looked up from her work for a moment. “I’ll see what I can do but don’t expect miracles.”
“Wasn’t expecting you to. Thanks, Princess.” Fidelis made a little bow to Luna as Shining turned around again.
“If you don’t mind me asking, Princess, what are you working on?” He asked as he glanced at the screen.
“Fluttershy had a significant amount of personal savings she gave me access to, I’ve been ‘managing’ it. I have a couple of investor’s meetings today and tomorrow to attend to.” A small devious smile found its way onto her face, “I’ve found it very gratifying to put cocky asari in their place once they realize they are but children to me.”
“I’m sure you do, Princess,” Shining chuckled, his omni-tool starting to beep from an incoming call. “Fluttershy? I wasn’t expecting a call from you,” he stated, putting the connection on speaker so Luna could listen in.
“I wasn’t expecting to have to call. Dash is in trouble.” Fluttershy stated, her face appearing on the projector of Shining’s omni-tool. “She was badly hurt while… resolving an issue. We’re currently at Huerta’s. I just wanted to fill you in, could you tell the Princess?”
“I’m here, Fluttershy,” Luna informed the pegasus. “What are her injuries?”
“From what I understand she was hit by multiple pulses of electricity, the last one being a substantial shock. From what Normandy’s scanners could determine she’s heavily burned.”
Luna frowned and thought for a moment. “I’m canceling my appointments if she suffered such grievous wounds from lightning then her magic might be depleted.”
Shining’s mind immediately reminded himself that he knew the spell to refill another pony’s wellspring too. “Princess, I can go as well. I know the spell and my appointment can be moved much easier than yours.”
“I could also give medical advice?” Fidelis suggested, lines of code flashing in front of her as she was probably already looking into treatments.
“Absolutely not, that would require you revealing yourself. Dash would not want you to sacrifice yourself for her because have no illusion about what they’ll do to you.” Fluttershy immediately protested. “They will de-activate and destroy you.”
Shining grimaced as he saw the Princess look back at her screen to her work…
1. Let the Princess go, she’s way more knowledgable on magic depletion.
2. Urge the princess to let himself go, but keep Fidelis hidden.
3. Urge the princess to let himself go and allow Fidelis to assess and help.