//------------------------------// // Season 2 Episode 4: "A Dazzling Introduction Part 1" // Story: Star Trek: Phoenix // by Dewdrops on the Grass //------------------------------// STAR TREK: PHOENIX S02E04 “A Dazzling Introduction”  Part 1 “Allen, Thompson, good morning!” I said, giving the pair of junior officers a cheery wave with the tip of my wing as I glided past. My ears caught a few whispers from them about my mood as I moved away. I whistled a happy tune as I casually weaved through the corridor like a pegasus out for an afternoon flight. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this calm, this rested, this whole. It’s amazing what getting your sister back in your life can do for a mare. It caused my heart to soar, my smile to grow, and happy butterflies to fill my stomach. “I have my sister back,” I whispered, silently wishing I had the room to twirl and spin for joy. But I’d done plenty of that in the shower, among other things. It was just the first step, of course. We still had a long way to go. The doors to the lab swished open before me, revealing Twilight waiting for me. “Hello,” I said, giving Twilight a casual wave. A small smile graced Twilight’s face. “Ma’am,” she said with a polite nod. “So while we wait for Lieutenant Cadeneza,” I said, “let me bring up the schematics for the thaumometer.” Twilight leaned forward, her forehooves bouncing in excitement. Then she frowned. “Wait, that looks almost the same as the one we created yesterday.” “That’s because it is, minus a few changes we had to make.” Using my magic I pointed out the changes on the screen. Twilight’s frown deepened, furrowing her brow as she stared at the screen. “But then how did you solve the scanning problem?” “Well, we didn’t so much as solve it as it came up and slapped us upside the head,” Cadeneza said as she strutted through the door, a smug smile splitting her face. “She’s gonna turn the Phoenix into a magical starship – gonna shit rainbows and everything. Now tell me, Sparkie, what’s the one thing every spell needs in order to work?” Twilight glanced my way, her head cocked to the side. “Huh? I don’t… oh!” She clapped one hoof to the floor. “Fuel! Magic! Or in the case of the thaumometer, the user’s magic. It needs it to be calibrated or else it can’t function. So to get the ship’s long-range sensors working, we need the ship to make its own magic.” I beamed at her. “Got it in one. Here, we came up with this design for a converter, using the warp core as a base.” “Hmm.” She examined the specs. “We might want to rearrange this component here. If it remains connected to these two pieces we could risk an overload.” “Really?” I said, looking closer. My face paled. “Holy crap, you’re right. What was I thinking last night? This could’ve blown up the entire ship if we plugged it in!” Cadeneza chuckled at me. “Not all of us can do our best work when buzzed, I guess.” “Buzzed?” Twilight repeated, giving me a flat look. I had the good grace to laugh sheepishly even as my face flushed with warmth. “Err… yeah. Not my best decision.” Twilight stayed silent for a moment, her expression going neutral in a way that caused a frisson of fear to filter down my spine. Then she said, “As an Ensign, I have no right to say anything to my commanding officer regarding what she does.” A sly grin crossed her face. “But as her sister, I’d say: come on! Don’t act like my boss. It is bad enough when she does it, I don't need my sister doing it too....” Cadeneza and I shared a laugh, and after a moment, Twilight joined us. “Okay, okay,” I said after we’d all had a chance to get the giggles out of our systems. “Point taken. No more tipsy engineering work. So, how does the design look apart from that?” Twilight glanced back over it, and then made a quick swap of two additional components on the screen. “That should do it. Those were backwards. Would’ve reversed the polarity.” “What would that do?” Cadeneza asked. Twilight and I exchanged a look and shuddered. “You… you don’t want to know.” Twilight said. “Let’s just say it’d make a warp core breach feel like a walk in the park,” I said. “Uh huh.” Cadeneza snorted. “So that’s two ways you would’ve killed us all, huh Sunset? Sure you didn’t go for a third?” “I’m certain,” I said at the same time Twilight said, “Positive.” Cadeneza crossed her arms over her chest and glared at both of us for a moment. She shrugged and let her arms fall to her sides with a clap. “Fine. So we should get this built, huh? Can we replicate it like you did the basic magical thermometer?” “Thaumometer,” Twilight corrected with a slight growl. “No,” I replied with a shake of my head. “This is a bit too complex. We’ll have to assemble it, preferably in Engineering. Cadeneza, you and Sparkle head down there and get things prepared. I need to update the Captain on our progress, but I’ll join you as soon as I can.” “Aye, ma’am,” Cadeneza said, flashing me a wink as she and Twilight stepped out the door. I thanked my lucky stars she didn’t do something gauche like pat me on the rear as I tapped my combadge. “Shimmer to Liang.” “Liang here. Good morning, Number One. What can I do for you?” “I’m reporting on the progress on creating magic sensors for the ship. We believe we’ve come up with something that will work, but it’s going to require an extra piece of equipment.” I briefly went into detail about the converter. “I see. Level with me, Sunset. How dangerous is this?” I winced, grateful that Liang couldn’t see my facial expression over the combadge. “Somewhat. Between myself, Twilight, and Wattson’s team, we’ll have Equestrian and Starfleet safety protocols covered, but… it’s still risky.” “Understood. Nevertheless I believe we should take the risk. Starfleet has made it clear to me the recovery of the sirens is a number one priority. We cannot risk the Dominion having any access to magic.” “Yes, sir.” I swallowed, weighing my next words carefully. “Sir… about the sirens. Do we know what Starfleet intends to do with them?” “...we’ll discuss that later. Not over an open comm channel. Come see me in my ready room once we’re under way.” My breath stilled in my throat. “I… I see, sir. I’ll get to work on the converter straight away. Shimmer out.” I tapped my badge again as I trotted for the turbolift. By now I could count each of the eighteen decks I was zooming past by the slight change in the pitch of the lift’s drive motor. A scant minute later the door swished open, and I strode across the hall into Main Engineering where a buzzing hive of activity swirling around a table set up in the open space near the warp core. “Commander!” said Wattson, who pushed her way out from the crowd to stand before me, glaring at me with her hands on her hips. “Is there a reason my Engineering has turned into a construction site?” A snort of laughter escaped me before I cleared my throat and put on my serious face. “Yes, Wattson. We’re building a converter to siphon power from the warp core and turn it into magic, to be used by the sensors.” “Oh really, huh?” Wattson turned to cast her glare at the center of the crowd, where Cadeneza was barking orders to her junior engineers. “I guess that explains why Jacquie keeps saying she’s here to build a magical thermometer.” “It’s thaumometer, actually,” I corrected gently. “I need to go over the plans with you, actually. As you can imagine this is not without dangers to us and to the ship, so we need every safety precaution we can think of.” “How dangerous?” Wattson snapped. I showed her the plans and she winced. “I see what you mean. But there’s plenty of things we can do. For example...” She began outlining procedures as we walked. “Oh, but, just a quick heads up: Twilight’s here too.” “I know, I ordered her to be here,” I replied. Holding up the PADD I pointed to the converter’s overall structure. “I’m thinking we need to rig this so it can be ejected in case of emergency, just like the warp core.” “Hang on, what do you mean you ordered her to be here?” Wattson asked. She tugged on my uniform just enough to stop me in place. “Are you crazy? Do you want Liang to kick you both off the ship?” “That’s not going to happen,” I answered as I pulled away. Before Wattson could say anything else I approached Cadeneza and Twilight. “How’s the setup going?” “Very well, ma’am,” Twilight answered as she floated a few tools in her magic. She’d already begun constructing the most vital piece, the dilithium crystal lattice. “Lieutenant Hill’s been an amazing help.” Sure enough, Hill approached carrying several more dilithium crystals in a sealed container, along with an assortment of metal wiring taken from the replicator. “This should be everything you need for the core,” he said as he set it all down. “Thank you very much, Lieutenant,” Twilight said as she leaned in to focus carefully on her task. “Alright, I’ll leave you to it for now,” I said. “Ensign, let me know when it’s ready to be enchanted. We should do it together to ensure the spell is as stable as possible.” Twilight looked up at me, a worrying frown tugging at her muzzle. She blinked once, then nodded and said, “Oh, um, right. Good idea ma’am.” I smiled at her. “Good. In the meantime I’m going to get to work modifying one of the sensor pallets. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.” “Aye, ma’am,” Twilight chirped as she returned to work. I bustled my way to the other end of Engineering, fully aware of Wattson trailing in my wake, gaping all the while. “What the hell happened?” she breathed. Shrugging casually I answered, “We made up this morning.” “Just like that?” I glanced back, trying not to laugh at the look of disbelief on Wattson’s face. “Yes, just like that.” Wattson’s lips thinned as she pointed towards her office. “Can I see you privately for a minute, ma’am?” “Sure.” I followed her over to her office, the sounds and sights of Engineering fading into quiet silence as the doors whisked closed. “What do you need?” “Permission to speak freely?” I sighed and nodded. “What is it, Amelia?” Wattson plopped herself in her chair. “I’m feeling pretty suspicious about this. I went looking for you last night. I wanted to talk to you about finding some way to help you and Twilight get along. And you know where the computer told me you were? Jacquie’s quarters. Care to explain?” “Oh come on, Amelia,” I grunted as I sat down in the other open chair. “It’s not really any of your business.” “Since Jacquie’s been my best friend for most of my life, hell yes it’s my business,” Wattson pressed, jabbing a finger into her desk. “You better not be taking advantage of her. I checked the computer. You were in there all night, and then suddenly Twilight shows up there this morning too. What the hell is going on?” “Amelia, it’s nothing bad, I promise you. Look, here’s what happened.” I told her everything – from Smith’s message to my breakdown in front of Cadeneza, to solving the converter and then somehow falling into bed with her. “Twilight showed up in the morning of her own volition. She was coming to see Cadeneza about the thaumometer. I dunno why but she ended up apologizing to me when she saw me, and, well… we agreed to try to make amends.” Wattson steepled her hands and stared at me for a few moments. “Okay then. Sorry, Sunset. I’m… I’m very protective of Jacquie.” “I know that,” I said, chuckling. “I’ve only been your friend since the Academy.” “It’s just, after what happened between you and Smith,” Wattson continued, “I… was worried.” “If you were so worried, why did you encourage Cadeneza to admit her crush to me?” I asked. “Because I know Jacquie, and sooner or later she would’ve talked you into bed anyway.” Wattson sighed and rested her chin on her propped up fist. “You ask me, I think the only reason she didn’t do it to Twilight was out of respect for you. I was hoping her admitting it like that would scare you away. I didn’t want her to get hurt.” Those words pierced me like a flurry of daggers. I sat up straight, my lips beginning to ripple with a snarl. “Amelia, what the hell? I’m a damned fool sometimes but I’m not a monster. You know I regretted what I did to Smith. Hell I just told you about how her message tore me to pieces. The last thing I want to do is hurt someone like that again.” Wattson had the good sense to look contrite and ashamed, at least to my eyes. “You’re right Sunny. I’m sorry. But, with the way you and Twilight have been acting, and with what happened before, I… I was scared. I care about Jacquie a lot. She’s like my sister. She’s suffered a lot in her life and she’s had a tendency to compound that with a lot of her own mistakes. I didn’t want you to be one of them.” I bristled at her tone, but I managed to fight off the temptation to snap. I could see where she was coming from, given my past behavior. “I hear you, and I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand. But if you’re worried about something like this, Amelia? Talk to me. We’re friends, or we’re supposed to be. Friends don’t manipulate each other like this.” Wattson pressed her lips together and nodded. “I… I know that. I apologize.” I held out a hoof. “Apology accepted. Now why don’t we get back to work? I’ve got about six sensor pallets to modify and the quicker we’re done the better.” As the turbolift emptied us out onto the bridge, I found my breath stilling in my chest. After everything Belle and Inanna showed me, after what I experienced… Standing before Captain Liang felt worse than being summoned to Mom’s office at the Academy. “Ah, Ensign Sparkle,” Liang said as he hopped up out of his command chair, cane tucked under his arm. “I’d like to see you in my ready room please, before we begin testing the new sensors.” My throat, suddenly parched, burned as I tried to swallow. I glanced back at Cadeneza for support, but she shrugged and turned away, focusing on a console. Wishing like hell Sunset wasn’t still stuck in Engineering monitoring the converter, I followed Liang into his ready room. I never liked being in this room. Ostensibly it was serene and peaceful, but to me it always exuded an almost dictatorial aura that left me more than a little pissed off. Though, I realized as I clamped down on the sudden rising anger in my heart, that was probably just me projecting when it came to Sunset. “Please, sit down, Ensign,” Liang said, gesturing to the chair as he took his own seat. I did as commanded at once, and in a scratchy voice I said, “What can I do for you, sir?” Liang set his cane down on the desk and steepled his hands. “I wanted to touch base with you, regarding your… rapport with my first officer. By now I’m certain Miss Hendricks and Miss Eresh have made clear the stakes.” “Err, yes sir, they have,” I replied with a rapid series of nods. Liang eyed me for a moment, his cool gaze studying me, making me feel like a bug under a microscope. “I was being sincere about the orders I was being given by Starfleet. Many of the top brass hated the fact we had the only two Equestrians in Starfleet on the same ship, and a few of them were all too eager to press the issue. Had we not been redirected from Starbase 375 into this search for the sirens, well…” He reached for a PADD and handed it over to me. I shuddered, every instinct in me screaming to run as I took the PADD in my magic and turned it on. “T-transfer orders,” I whispered. Right there, in bold amber letters, were orders from Admiral Matthew Dougherty requiring my immediate transfer to Starfleet Headquarters for ‘special assignment.’ I set the PADD down, my eyes brimming with unshed tears. “Sir, I… I don’t--” Liang held up a single hand for silence. “I know, Ensign. These orders have been stayed, pending further assessment of your behavior aboard my ship.” He reached for another PADD. “This is a report that Miss Hendricks gave me after your session with her the other day. I quote, ‘Twilight Sparkle has responded well to the altered treatment plan. She shows a willingness to improve, and I believe it more important than ever she be allowed to stay aboard the Phoenix.’” “It’s true, it’s all true,” I insisted, breaking into a babbling stream as my anxiety got the better of me. “I-I’ve been improving, just ask Cadeneza! A-and her staff, my coworkers in the science labs, I-I--” “Ensign.” The single word slammed my mouth shut and sealed it with a duranium deadbolt for good measure. “I am aware of all of this and more. I do keep my eyes and ears open. However... there is still one critical issue.” He tapped his combadge. “Commander Shimmer, please report to my ready room immediately.” I sat in my chair, waiting like I was in line for an executioner’s axe, until the doors swished open to reveal Sunset. She glanced at me briefly, but the only reaction I could see was a slight widening of her eyes. “Yes sir, reporting as ordered,” she said promptly. “I have just one question for you, Number One, and your sister.” Liang stood from his chair, prompting me to stand as he grabbed his cane off the desk and stepped around it. He came to a stop ahead and extended his cane to form a barrier between us. “Are you, or are you not, able to work together?” I felt a slight tug on the back of my withers, right where Sunset used to give me a reassuring pull with her magic when we were younger. I barely managed to avoid gasping as I glanced over at her. But then she winked, just like we had winked at each other this morning, and I understood.  She faced the Captain. “Sir, I can officially state we will no longer have any issues working together whatsoever.” “Oh?” Liang’s eyes narrowed, and he turned to focus that fiery gaze upon me. “Ensign?” In response, I summoned up my courage, and deliberately winked back at Sunset to let her know I got the message. “I concur, sir. I will have no problems working with Commander Shimmer. We have some work to do as sisters, but as officers? No problems at all, sir.” He eyed the two of us for several long moments. If his examination before was like a bug under a microscope, this felt more like a prisoner under an interrogation spotlight. Then his gaze softened considerably. “Very well. I’m glad to hear it.” I started to relax, only for my blood to freeze again when brought his cane back up to point at us both. “I have bought you as much time as I can, madams. But I’m all out of favors to call in, and the Starfleet hounds are chomping at the bit. If there is even one more incident between you two in public, I will have no choice but to place you both in the brig pending reassignment. Is that clear?” “Aye, sir,” I echoed in unison with Sunset. Liang’s whole demeanor shifted as he gave us a far warmer smile, as if spring had finally ended winter’s chill. “On a more personal note, I am glad to hear you two are making amends. You’ve both made an impact on me in the short time we’ve served together; had you not, I would not have bothered fighting so hard on your behalf.” He held a hand up to his mouth and cleared his throat. “Now then, I believe we have a converter and magical sensors to test. Return to your duties. Dismissed.” We pivoted on our hooves and left the room. As we wandered up the ramp towards the rear science consoles, Sunset paused next to the turbolift and said quietly, “Good job in there, sis. That was pretty scary, even for Liang.” I bristled, the bitterness inside my heart rising to the forefront before I deliberately pushed it back down. “I… thanks. It was terrifying.” “I can imagine.” Sunset faced me. “I need to get to Engineering. Good luck up here, okay?” I nodded. “You too, ma’am.” She snickered as she entered the turbolift. I made my way over to the science station assigned to me and sat down in the chair, pulling up the necessary readouts. We’d already installed all six modified sensor pallets, and preliminary testing showed they were able to function in a limited sense when held in Sunset’s magic. But now it was time for the real test. Liang emerged from the ready room and returned to his command chair. “Liang to Engineering. How’s the converter coming along, Chief?” Wattson’s voice replied clear as day. “Everything looks nominal sir. The converter has been brought online, all safety measures activated. We’re ready to begin operation.” “Sir,” added Sunset over the open comm channel, “I should add that while we have planned for every contingency we can, there could still be some unanticipated side effects as we start up the converter. If parts of the ship start glowing or crew members report tingling sensations we should terminate at once.” “Understood, Number One,” Liang replied. “Let us hope no one else sprouts a pair of wings, then. Very well: begin.” “Aye sir,” came Wattson’s response. “Connection established. Conversion matrix activated.” “Ishihara, Williams, any unusual readings?” Liang asked. I glanced over my shoulder to see Williams shaking his head. “Not yet, sir.” “Nothing, sir,” Ishihara added. “We’ve got the converter running at twenty-five percent capacity now, Captain,” Wattson reported. “But it will take some time before the ship has generated enough magic to utilize the new sensors.” “How long?” “At least twenty minutes, sir,” Sunset answered. “But I wouldn’t recommend running the converter any higher than twenty-five percent, at least for now. Every diagnostic spell I’m using says it’s running just fine, but--” “But we must be cautious, I agree,” Liang finished. “Very well. Let us wait patiently then.” While we waited out the time I busied myself customizing the displays on the console and setting up everything I’d need to get proper readings. I made sure to call up every last sensor scan of the Jem’Hadar shuttle’s ion trail, though by this point there was little left to go by. We were never going to find it that way, but it couldn’t hurt to have the extra information. Right on cue twenty minutes later, Wattson announced, “We’re ready to bring the modified sensors online, sir.” “Excellent. Ensign Sparkle, if you would?” I nodded in acknowledgement. “Aye, sir. Bringing the sensors online now.” I tapped the keys in rapid succession, engaging the sensor array. The modified sensor pallets we had installed provided omnidirectional coverage that in some ways was superior to the ship’s standard sensor array. As they engaged, I brought up the sensor readings and transmitted a duplicate readout to the main viewscreen. “Sensors online, sir.” “Good, good,” Liang said. “Well, let’s begin the tests. Focus them internally, if you please.” It took me just a few seconds. The image changed, resolving into a wireframe layout of the ship, like a Master Systems Display schematic. To my delight, not only did the ship have two bright lights blinking on the bridge and in Engineering respectively, but throughout the ship were small trails of magical energy, flowing from the EPS conduits into the various sections where we’d installed the sensor pallets. “Preliminary reports look good, sir.” “Indeed, well done,” Liang said. I could hear the smile in his voice, even if I couldn’t see it. “Then by all means, Ensign, let the search begin.” To my irritation, we detected nothing. No traces, no trails. “Engineering,” I said, “is there any chance we can boost the power? I don’t think the sensors are getting enough yet.” “We’ll see, Ensign. Wattson, let’s boost the power to thirty percent.” “There!” I declared in satisfaction. I’d picked up a signal. I focused the lateral sensors on that point and found a trail leading far away from the Basin, matching the remnant ion trail perfectly, only now it kept going instead of petering out after a short distance. “We’ve got a match, sir. Sending coordinates to the helm.” Liang clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Mr. Rodriguez, set a course to follow those sensor readings, maximum warp.” As we traveled through space chasing the sensor signal, we had to drop out of warp a few times to recalibrate the sensors and to wait for more magic to be built up in the storage units. I could hear Liang chafing a bit every time we had to halt, but whenever he asked if we could ramp up the converter further I chimed in agreement with Sunset and Wattson that that was a bad idea. Better to charge up slowly and safely than risk a core breach. Or worse. Eventually, we reached a star system twenty lightyears away from the Bouman Basin, one known to have a class-M planet with a sapient race inhabiting it. Sunset came back up to the bridge just as we dropped out of warp, moving to stand by Liang’s side. “Slow us to one half-impulse, Mr. Rodriguez,” Liang ordered. “Take us into orbit, nice and slow.” Sunset spoke up from beside him, “Williams, what do we know about this planet?” “Erm, not much, ma’am,” he said as he checked his console. While he did so I brought up the information on my own screen so I could read it with him. “Looks like a pretty standard M-class world. Twenty-seven hour rotational period, average temperature 11 degrees Celsius, gravity at 1.05 G. Pre-industrial humanoid-society, roughly akin to Earth’s 1st century C.E. Least that’s what the records say. Sensors aren’t picking up any energy signatures or signs of advanced technology.” “Nothing?” Sunset questioned. "No sign of the shuttlecraft?” “No, ma’am.” Liang hummed and tapped his cane on the floor. “Ensign Sparkle, if you would scan the planet more thoroughly.” “Yes sir, though it might take a few orbits,” I said as I turned back to my console and brought up the sensor sweeps. Fortunately for everyone’s patience, mine included, I was wrong about my guess. Barely five minutes into the first orbit a massive magical energy signature appeared on sensors. “Got something, sir. Southern hemisphere, larger of the two continents. There’s an enormous amount of magic occupying what looks like a large city.” “On screen, Ensign,” Sunset ordered. I chuckled quietly under my breath and did as commanded, focusing the viewscreen on an overhead view of the city, which sprawled in three sections between the confluence of two major rivers. Stout buildings of stone and marble arose from the city, some stretching as tall as twenty meters, though most stayed below ten. Smoke trailed up from most of the residential homes, most of which were built up around wide open squares that seemed set up as a kind of market district. Dirt and stone roads criss-crossed the city in several directions, with tiny alleys twisting around the buildings seemingly at random. “This is the city in question. And this–” I added lines of rainbow to indicate the strength and intensity of the magic “–is the extent of the magic.” A great rainbow dome covered the city like the lid on a silver platter. I took the liberty of zooming in to get a closer look at the dome’s epicenter, – a small island to the north end of the city, and the palatial looking building that dominated the space. The sensor readings spiked like crazy the minute I focused on the palace. Magic coated every inch of the expansive building, plus a radius of at least a hundred meters around it. “I think we’ve located the sirens,” Liang concluded. He sat forward in his seat and tapped a button on his seat arm. “Liang to transporter room two. Locate the sirens’ life signs then lock onto them and–” “Sorry to interrupt, sir, but we can’t do that,” Williams interrupted. He had the good grace to look contrite. “Sensors can’t penetrate that dome of magic. Whatever they’ve done down there, it’s blocking everything except the good old Mark 1 eyeball.” Liang sighed and sat back. “Belay that, transporter room.” He jabbed at the button to cut the connection. “So much for the easy route.” “If I may sir,” Sunset said, “I think beaming them up all of a sudden would’ve been a terrible idea anyway. If they assumed we were with the Dominion–” “We’d have a hell of a fight on our hands,” Liang concluded. “You’re right, Number One. Very well. If we can’t bring them to us, we’ll have to go to them. We’ll need intel first, however. Ensign Sparkle, can you bring up some details on the locals?” “I think so, sir,” I said as I shifted the sensors. After a moment a humanoid life form appeared on the screen, wearing a variation of a toga combined with a set of pantaloons. With skin pale as milk, narrow eyes of silver, and elongated ears, I found myself wondering if this is what an albino Vulcan would look like. That picture quickly faded, however, when I noticed this race’s long bronze-colored hair, muscular build, and elongated fingernails that looked just as sharp as their razor edged teeth. “A face only a mother could love,” Williams quipped. “Hah! I like them already,” Zhidar declared, grinning to show off his own scraggly fangs. “Looks can be deceiving, Zhidar. And right now we don’t know anything about these people.” Liang rubbed at his chin a moment, then nodded and tapped his badge. “Liang to Cadeneza.” “Cadeneza here, sir.” Her voice was strong and firm, showing no sign of the hangover she’d suffered earlier this morning. “How would you feel about leading an away mission?” I didn’t need to see Cadeneza to picture her bouncing in place like a schoolgirl. “Yes, sir! What’s the mission?” Liang briefly explained. “I need you to take Ensigns Maia and Clairica down to the planet to survey the situation on the ground. Before you go, report to Sick Bay and work with Doctor May to disguise yourselves as one of the local residents. Unfortunately we don’t have any anthropologists aboard, or else I’d send one with you.” “Actually, sir, that’s not entirely true,” I said, raising a hoof. “Oh?” He arched one eyebrow as he looked back at me. “Counselor Eresh, sir. She was an archeologist and a historian before she became a therapist.” I frowned. “I know that’s not exactly the same as an anthropologist, but…” Liang nodded, tapping his fingers on his cane. “Well, I can hardly order her onto the mission, but I can certainly ask her to participate. Good suggestion, Ensign Sparkle.” He glanced down at his badge. “Report to Sick Bay at once, Cadeneza. The others will be joining you shortly. Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can’t talk Miss Eresh into joining you.” “Aye, sir.” “One more thing, Lieutenant: try to keep a low profile. This is recon only. No heroics.” “So no Captain Kirking, got it, sir.” Liang exchanged a brief look of disbelief with Sunset. “Indeed not, Lieutenant. Liang out.”  He eyed me once more. “Ensign, it will be your duty to monitor them via live feeds, with Commander Shimmer’s assistance. The two of you will know what to look for when it comes to magic. Once they’ve gathered sufficient intelligence we’ll bring them aboard and plan our next move.” “Aye, sir,” I chimed in unison with Sunset, causing her to let out a soft whinny of laughter.  “Very well, let’s get to it, people,” said Liang. “Wow,” I whispered to Sunset as the camera feeds switched on. Thanks to the magic dome blocking sensors, the away team had been forced to beam down near the outskirts of the city, into a small alleyway strewn with amphoras and other pottery. As they stepped into the sunlight, they emerged into a crowded street lined with market stalls full of locals hawking wares. “It’s almost like back home, isn’t it?” “Eeeh…” Sunset murmured as she pointed to stall after stall lined with various meats, fish, and other local animals hanging dead. “If we were griffons, maybe.” “Okay, stay close, everyone,” Cadeneza ordered. She looked right at her team, letting us see Inanna, Maia, and Clarica all modified to resemble the locals, wearing togas and pantaloons, albeit with a few modifications to let them hide tricorders and hand phasers. The butt of one poked out of Maia’s pocket, just the barest hint of silver against the white of her toga. At least I thought it was Maia; they’d been so changed by May’s surgery I hardly recognized them. “Fascinating,” Inanna uttered as she stepped ahead of Cadeneza, her head moving like a ball on a swivel. “There is a distinct resemblance to Earth’s Roman Empire in the architecture, but the clothing and artistic elements resemble Greece. Look at this–”  She pointed to a large amphora sitting atop one stall, carved with an artistic rendition of a humanoid figure stabbing some sort of beast with a spear, complete with a spray of blood. “Very similar to Grecian designs at the time.” The owner of the amphora stall glanced her way and shouted a long string of sing-songy nonsense before rushing out from behind the stall to shake her fist in Inanna’s face. As she continued to babble her words shifted from unintelligible to something more resembling language. “...you think/thought/ speaking/saying/talking like that about me/my/ works/possessions.” I saw Maia and Clairica freeze, Maia’s hand slowly drifting to her pocket, only for Cadeneza to hold up a hand and then approach the stall owner casually. “Excuse my friend,” she said. “We are strangers to this city, and did not mean to cause offense.” The stall owner only seemed to grow more angry with this display, bringing her hand up with her fingers extended to bear those claws. She hunched down as if ready to charge. “You sniveling barbarian!” she screeched. Maia’s hand lashed out, backhanding the stall owner across the face before anyone could blink. The woman crumpled like a sack of potatoes. “She said, we did not mean to cause offense.” Bouncing to her feet faster than I might have expected, the local stall owner wiped a smear of blue blood off her lips, then bared her teeth in a wicked grin. “Eeeh, perhaps not so sniveling after all. Go. I’ll not make more trouble with you.” The four of them grouped together and fled, ducking down another alleyway. Only then did Cadeneza turn to Maia and said, “How’d you know that would work?” “I didn’t,” Maia said with a shrug. “But she reminded me of Nausicaans, and they don’t respect you unless you’re aggressive, so I thought she might be the same.” “Certainly seems that way,” Clairica said, a dark scowl on her face. Even with the surgical alterations she somehow managed to look stunning as ever, like her inner Deltan beauty shined through it all. “Calling us barbarians. Feh. They wouldn’t know culture if it slapped them in the face.” “Now now, let’s not be too judgemental,” Inanna said, holding up a single finger. The effect was lessened by its claw-like appearance. “For all we know that was an outlier.” “Perhaps,” Cadeneza snorted. “But if they all start acting like that we’d better be ready to kick some ass.” I heard Sunset grumble something under her breath next to me, followed by the chirp of her combadge. “This is recon only, Cadeneza. No Kirking, remember?” Cadeneza pointedly positioned her hand so she could flip off the camera for just a second. “Yes, ma’am,” she muttered. “I’ll pretend I didn’t see that,” Sunset replied, though as I glanced over I caught a hint of amusement in her eyes. She turned her attention back to the screen, where we watched Cadeneza and company move back out into the nearby market. This time they kept mostly to themselves as they wandered about. The throngs of locals all dressed similarly in shabby togas and pantaloons blockaded much of the scene, while the stone and marble buildings all around barely rose up more than a few meters above the crowd. Occasionally they’d spot small groups who pretty clearly stood out as the upper class in this society. They were dressed in much finer clothing than most – elegantly sewn togas made from what looked like silk or some other expensive fabric, fairly thick sandals, and colorful trousers that looked like they had been pulled backwards from Earth’s 18th century. Most of them rode atop large beasts of burden, lizard-like creatures that vaguely resembled dragons, but with turret-shaped eyes and flattened teeth. A few carried swords tied to their belts, long, tapering things more resembling a foil or an epee than a broadsword. On nearly every street corner a guard stood watch, each one covered nearly from head to toe in chainmail and rough plate armor, and each one armed with both a weapon and a shield. Watching through the cameras, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the illustrations I had once studied of the famous centurions of Pegasopolis. Those in particular eyed Cadeneza’s group warily, baring their teeth every so often as their hands inched closer to their weapons if they so much as glanced at the soldiers. “Hey, is it just me,” Cadeneza whispered, barely audible to the camera feeds as she elbowed Inanna. “Or are all the guards chicks?” “Not just the guards,” Clairica added. “I have not seen a single man this entire time.” Inanna pointed down one street. “I believe you’ll find them there.” Cadeneza pointed the camera in that direction, revealing several small groups of local aliens, these ones shorter, thinner, and wearing long robes and hoods over their faces. They kept their heads down as each group followed a pair of females who walked in front and behind them carrying long whips. Every so often one of the men stumbled out of line, only to be struck instantly with the whip, leaving him crying out in pain as he was roughly hauled to his feet and shoved back in line. “Huh.” Maia shrugged. “Guess it’s a good thing we didn’t invite Williams or Hill along.” “Matriarchal, certainly,” Inanna said. Her usual serenity seemed disturbed, like a thunderstorm rolling onto an open plain, the wind roaring fiercely. Her eyes narrowed to near slits, frosted over so cold I shivered even from up on the ship. She raised one hand, her claws extended. “In a way I find detestable.” “Yeah seriously,” Cadeneza agreed. “Treatin’ their men like slaves...” “Should we really be judging this society?” Maia interjected. She cast Cadeneza a flat expression. “We’re talking about one city on this entire planet, and one with a culture far less advanced than our own.” “I’m shocked to hear you of all people defending this,” Cadeneza growled back. Maia’s expression barely shifted, save for a brief narrowing of her eyes, but I’d been her friend for far too long not to know how to tell when someone just pressed one of her buttons. Maia’s hand slowly drifted back to the phaser in her pocket. “I know what you’re referring to, and no, that was worse. These people probably don’t know any better. But them? They knew. They just didn’t care.” “Ensign Maia is correct, loathe as I am to admit it,” Inanna said, injecting a bit of calm into the growing tension. “The Prime Directive applies. This society still needs to develop along natural lines. Which is why we’re here: to remove the outside influence. Not change things ourselves.” Cadeneza threw out a dismissive hand. “Whatever. Let’s just get to that palace and see what the fishies are up to.” The four left the alleyway, and hurried along the streets in the general direction of the palace. As they grew closer, the camera feed started to fuzz. Their words began to come back patchy, with the occasional bit of background noise or static interfering. “Ensign?” Sunset asked, her tone telling me all I needed to know. “Working on it,” I answered, my magic dancing across the keys. “Whatever the sirens are using to interfere with sensor signals, it’s beginning to block all forms of communication.” Sunset brought up one wing to scratch at her chin. “I think I might know what it is, actually. They’re probably using some variation of a Nullification Charm. Which means we can probably overpower its effects.” I clapped one hoof to the deck. “Of course! Why didn’t I see that before?” I shifted over to the magical sensors and drew more magic from the Phoenix’s mana battery. The signal cleared up almost instantly. “There. I don’t know if that’ll work when they get into the palace itself, but hopefully that’ll let them get close without losing contact.” “Phoenix? Helloooo?” Cadeneza’s voice filtered through loud and clear. “Sorry about that, Lieutenant,” Sunset answered. “Magical interference. Be advised: the closer you get to that palace the less we’re going to be able to communicate.” “Awesome.” We watched Cadeneza’s group as they grew closer. For every block or so they passed through, the area became more and more opulent. The dirt road shifted to one of cobblestone, while the market stalls began to vanish, replaced by larger and larger homes, each one more opulent than the one before it. And the crowds grew exponentially. So many locals milled about that Cadeneza’s group had a hard time sticking together. They heard whispers and snatches of conversation. “The goddesses have returned!” “They have not forsaken us!” “The prophecy came true!” They entered a massive plaza, with a central fountain decorated with bits of what looked like platinum and gold, while the entire plaza itself was lined with marble and spotted with trees and rows of meticulously trimmed hedges. Atop the fountain was a statue that caused me to pause, only for my body to jump in fright as the true realization struck me. At first, I thought it was a statue of the sirens, a trio of severe-looking women carrying tridents and bearing long lizard tails, and hairstyles vaguely similar to what the sirens wore. But as I looked closer I realized that apart from these details, the statues looked just like the locals, complete with the elongated ears and claws at the end of their fingertips. “Oooh shit,” Cadeneza swore as she panned the camera up and over the statues. “How much you want to bet the sirens are those goddesses we’ve been hearing about?” Before anyone could answer, the crowd around them stilled as a single woman climbed atop the fountain. This one wore long robes of crimson silk with a shawl of deep forest green laid across her shoulders. She took a book out from under her right arm, opened it, and held it out like some kind of trophy. “Women of the People! Hear me, your Priestess!” “Damn, she’s got some pipes on her to project like that,” Cadeneza whispered. “Sssh!” Inanna hissed. “We stand this day with newfound hope! As written in the book of prophecy, the Sisters, our Goddesses, have returned!” The priestess held up both hands and spread them in an odd gesture. “One thousand years ago it was written that they would rejoin us, afloat on their flying chariot, here to once more bring justice to our wicked society! To mete out the punishments that those who sin so righteously deserve!” “Oh for goodness’ sake,” Sunset moaned as she slapped on the mute button. “I’m sorry, Ensign, I can’t keep listening to that garbage.” “I don’t blame you, ma’am,” I replied, my face a picture of disgust. Sunset and I watched in silence until the priestess finished her long, drawn out speech and stepped down from the fountain. As the crowd around them dispersed, Sunset said, “Can you try to get closer to the palace now?” “Not sure if we can,” Cadeneza replied in a quiet whisper as she glanced over at the parade of guards that followed in the priestesses' wake. The priestess marched herself in the direction of the palace gates, where at least a dozen guards stood watch over a line of prisoners wearing chains. Every so often a prisoner would be brought into the palace and the line would shuffle forward a meter or two. “Then return to the ship,” Sunset ordered. “Soon as you’re aboard I want you all in the conference room so we can plan out our next move.” We all gathered in the conference room, the away team plus myself, Sunset, and Captain Liang. “So, what have we discovered?” Liang asked, tapping his cane once on the table. Everyone glanced over at Cadeneza, who quickly deferred to Inanna to start things off. “Well, Captain,” Inanna said, “the society below is matriarchal, warlike, and highly religious. It seems the sirens have taken the place of their goddesses, deities who apparently preside over justice and law. They’ve been put up in the palace, and criminals are being led to them to be judged.” “I take it these judgements are harsh,” Liang mused. “Extremely,” Inanna replied, shuddering. “If the speech their priestess gave is any indication, many of those convicted are burned alive or crucified, both common forms of justice in the similar culture of Earth’s Roman Empire.” Liang’s mouth twisted into a muted scowl. “To be expected of such a world, of course. Very well. So we know the sirens are in the palace, and the locals think them to be divine beings. What else?” “The palace appears impregnable,” Clairica replied. “The perimeter is swarming with guards, and as you saw the magic dome blocks communications as well as the transporter.” “She’s right, sir,” I added. “I had to tie in the magic sensors just to keep communications working close to the palace, let alone inside. If anyone goes in, they’re going to be radio silent.” “Unless we want to assault the palace,” Maia considered. “Take it by force. A single shuttlecraft could–” “Out of the question, Ensign, and I’ll thank you not to make such suggestions when dealing with a world protected by the Prime Directive,” Liang snapped. “I’m well aware these sirens are already interfering, but if what you’re telling me is true, I have to wonder if they took the position deliberately, or if they only adopted it to save their lives.” “Probably the latter,” Cadeneza said. “These aliens are mean. It took us, what, two minutes to get into a fist fight?” “Their priestess spoke of their goddesses returning on a flying chariot,” Inanna said, a pensive look on her face. “This is common in many mythologies. If they crash landed in the Dominion shuttlecraft, it could’ve easily been mistaken for a flying chariot.” “And we still don’t know where that shuttlecraft is either,” Sunset said as she pulled up the sensor logs for the planet. “We haven’t detected any warp signatures or other signs of advanced technology. So either it was destroyed, or whatever’s left of it is in the palace.” Liang sat up straight and steepled his hands. “That presents a problem. We cannot allow this society to hold onto that shuttlecraft. It violates the Prime Directive. Nor can we leave the sirens down there. Suggestions on how to get inside?” “Perhaps a stealth mission at night?” Clairica said, raising a clawed finger. I shivered and without meaning to I inched away from her. None of the away team had bothered with being altered to look normal again and their appearances were… haunting. “We could sneak inside, stun any guards, then escort the sirens out.” “That presumes they want to leave though,” Sunset said with a shake of her head. “If the sirens refuse to cooperate, you’ll be lucky if all they do is call the guards down on you. If you’re unlucky, well… you saw what happened at the Dominion base.” “Agreed,” Liang said. “We need to find some way to make contact with them and communicate our intentions. I realize, Number One, that you described them as dark sorceresses, but surely they’d be willing to listen to reason.” I exchanged a long look with Sunset. “That’s… not something we can rely on, sir,” I said after a moment of contemplation. “If the legends are true and they did turn to dark magic, there may be no getting through to them. Dark magic corrupts the soul… it twists you into an evil, cold, empty shell of yourself. There’s a reason why every creature who ever tapped into its power was banished from Equestria.” “And the history that I can remember never showed them in anything but a negative light to begin with,” Sunset added. “It may have been why they were banished in the first place.” Liang let out a low chuckle. “Strange to think I’m taking such a concept with complete seriousness… do forgive me, Ensign, Commander. You make a fair point, but I still feel our best course of action is to try and communicate with them first.” “Well we’re not going to accomplish that by walking up to the gate and asking to say hello,” Maia said, her expression grim. “Not unless we have a death wish.” Cadeneza snapped her fingers and burst into sinister laughter. “Wait, wait, that’s it. That’s genius. I’m a genius.” Liang pointedly coughed into his fist and glared at Cadeneza. “Do go ahead, Lieutenant.” Straightening in her chair, Cadeneza said, “So, like, they’re arbiters of justice, right? That priestess said it herself. Every criminal is to be taken before them to be judged. So that’s our in. We break the law, we get dragged before them, and then we negotiate.” Clairica spluttered, her eyes wide with what I could only assume was disbelief. “Are you mad? What if they’re surrounded by local guards? What if we have no time to talk? What if they simply decide to cast us into an oubliette for all eternity?” “And you’re assuming we’ll be allowed to say anything,” Maia added with a snort of dismissive laughter. “Why would they assume we’re anything but low life criminals to be disposed of?” “Hmm…” Liang hushed everyone by leaning forward and rubbing at his chin. “I believe your idea has some merit, Lieutenant, but the others are correct. There are holes. We need to find some way to communicate to the sirens that you’re not locals and that you need to talk.” Sunset looked over at me and mouthed, “Magic?” I raised my eyebrows and pondered the idea. Magic made the most sense. There had to be some way to use it to communicate to the sirens, some way to get a message across that the locals couldn’t see. A small smile formed on my muzzle, growing larger by the second till I said, “I’ve got it, sir! Suns--err, Commander Shimmer and I, when we were younger, we developed a way to use magic to write messages that no one else could see.” “Oooh, I see where you’re going,” Sunset said with a chuckle. “Usually something like that would be useless in our world, where everyone has magic, but here, it’d be the best way to let the sirens know we mean business.” “Yeah, there you go,” Cadeneza said. “Like glow in the dark paint.” Liang coughed once more. “And you think this would work?”. “Yes sir, I do,” Sunset said.  She tapped a few buttons on the display to bring up an overhead view of the palace. “Here’s what I’m thinking. Cadeneza, you and Maia will go back down to the planet, along with me. I’ll tag along using magic to hide myself from the locals, and I’ll cast the magic message spell on you, as well. You’ll deliberately get arrested and brought before the sirens, who hopefully will see the message I’ll have enchanted onto your clothing and heed our request to speak with us later that night.” “We should test that first before we rely on it, Commander,” I interjected. Sunset nodded to me. “We will.” “Question,” Clairica said, raising her hand. “How will you hide yourself with magic?” In response, Sunset’s horn glowed until she swirled and vanished from her chair. Startled gasps and murmurs filled the air as she said, “It’s an invisibility spell. I based the idea off of a cloaking device. It’s no good for anything except visible light though. Try a tricorder.” Maia pulled out her tricorder and ran it in Sunset’s general direction. “Yeah you’re showing up bright as day.” In a swirl of light Sunset reappeared. “Exactly. I came up with it when I was sixteen, but it only blocks light, so it’s never been very useful for anything other than a cool party trick.” Cadeneza’s face fell. “Aww, man, Sunny, why’d you never tell me about this? We could’ve pulled so many pranks at the Academy!” Liang coughed. “What was that, Lieutenant?” Cadeneza jumped and sat up straight in her chair. “Nothing, sir.” Sunset rolled her eyes. “So here’s the rest of the plan. Once it’s nighttime, I break you out and the three of us meet with the sirens. I’ll negotiate for them to leave with us. Assuming they’re cooperative, we all leave the palace, get far enough away, and the Phoenix beams us up.” “Hmmm.” Liang closed his eyes and tapped his fingers atop his cane. We all quietly waited for him as he continued to drum his fingers, saying nothing, until his eyes shot open. “I’m not fond of this plan, Number One. It relies too much upon the sirens being willing to cooperate, and gives you no safe way to exit should something go wrong. But… apart from violating the Prime Directive, I see little alternative.” He stood up from his chair, prompting the rest of us to stand as well. “Miss Eresh, Miss Danielle, thank you for your assistance in surveying the surface. Please report to Sick Bay to have your alterations removed. Cadeneza, Maia, Shimmer… you have the go ahead. You’ll have one local day to carry out your plan. In the meantime I will be contacting Starfleet for approved contingencies. Good luck.” He left the room and we all began to file out in turn. At the last moment Sunset hung back and said, “Ensign, wait a moment, please.” “Hmm?” I turned around and gasped when my face filled up with Sunset’s chest. “Wha, hey!” Sunset wrapped her forelegs around me tight and squeezed, letting out a sigh before releasing me. “Sorry, Twilight,” she said with a sad smile. “I know I’m breaking the rule we agreed to, but...I just wanted to do that in case something goes wrong.” Irritation and aggression warred within me, along with offense that Sunset still wasn’t taking my request to stay professional while on duty as seriously as she should. A spark of my old rage flared up as my lips pulled back from my teeth. Then my brain caught up with my body and I forced myself to calm down, bowing my head for a moment so Sunset couldn’t see my rapidly changing expression. “It’s okay, Sunset,” I said, giving her a matching smile. “But you’ll be fine. You’re an alicorn… you can handle anything.” Sunset’s face flushed red as she scratched at the back of her head. “I uh, I dunno about that.” A wry chuckle escaped my lips. “Come on, you’re Sunset Shimmer. You had a warp core explode in your face and all that did was give you a pair of wings. You’re not going to be taken down by a bunch of primitive aliens with bows and spears.” “It’s not them I’m worried about.” Sunset turned away from me. “It’s the sirens. You didn’t see first hoof what they did on that base. They annihilated those Jem’Hadar, Twilight. Smashed them into paste. They coated everything in blood and organs and mashed up bones. They even crushed a shuttlecraft.”  She took a shuddering breath, her knees wobbling and her tail lashing. “They… look, I’m good, but you and I both know how little magic we truly know. These are sorceresses who’ve been around for at least a thousand years, maybe more. We’re betting a lot on them being willing to cooperate. What if they won’t? What if they decide we’re a threat? If it came down to a fight, Twilight… they’d probably win. That scares me. A lot.” Hearing her voice shake, seeing the quiver in her knees, the way her eyes grew so wide… it tore at my heart. I found myself rushing over to give her another hug, this one accompanied by a nuzzle, like we used to do when we were kids. “It’s going to be okay, Sunset. I believe in you.” She looked up, a hopeful smile tugging at her muzzle. “You really mean that?” I shrugged. “Yeah… yeah I do. We’re…” I had to take a moment to choose my words. “Look. You still make me furious, when I think about it. I’m not going to just get over everything I felt because we had an apology moment. Recovery doesn’t work that way.” “I… I know that, Twilight, but what–” “What I’m saying, Sunset, is that even though I had every reason to hate you… I still love you.” I nuzzled up to her again and gave her a second squeeze for good measure. “You’re my sister.” “Hehehe,” Sunset laughed, her smile growing. “BSBFF?” “Eeeeeh… you’ll have to work to get that title back,” I replied with a snicker. “Fair enough, Twilight, but I’ll get it back. I promise.” Sunset said. She gave me one last hug, then broke off. “I need to get to the transporter room. Cadeneza and Maia are waiting for me.” She stepped towards the door then turned around. “See you later?” “Definitely,” I said, nodding. Right after the doors swished closed, my combadge chirped. “Liang to Sparkle. Would you please see me in my ready room?” “Oh what now?” I moaned. I tapped it and replied, “On my way.” Passing through the conference room doors I ascended the ramp, entered the bridge, then made my way around the side into the Captain’s ready room. Inwardly I quaked. What was this about? Sunset and I made up, so it couldn’t be about the transfer orders. Unless he decided to transfer me anyway! No, no, that was ridiculous. I hunched my shoulders and took some deep breaths to calm myself. He wouldn’t do this to me now. “Reporting as ordered, sir,” I said as I entered. Liang smiled my way. “I’m sure you’re feeling concerned. Please don’t, Ensign. In truth I called you in here to discuss a few contingency plans.” My eyebrows rose. “Contingency plans, sir?” “Yes. I need some options in the event Commander Shimmer fails to sway the sirens.” Liang adjusted his uniform and sat down, indicating for me to do likewise. “Ensign, I need to swear you to secrecy. I’m about to reveal to you something classified above your standard security clearance. Be aware that disclosure to anyone without sufficient security clearance will be grounds for termination and imprisonment under the uniform code of Starfleet justice. Do you understand?” I blinked in confusion. “Err, yes sir, but why are you revealing it to me?” “Special orders.” Liang pulled out a PADD and pushed it over. “These came from Starfleet Intelligence during our journey from the Basin to this planet. I’ve already made Commander Shimmer aware of them. You and her are the only people aboard apart from myself with authorization.” I picked up the PADD in my magic and switched it on. My eyes darted down immediately to the name signed at the bottom, my face screwing up in disgust. “Nechayev.” Liang chuckled. “Yes, believe me, I heard an earful from Shimmer. I’m well aware of your family’s personal opinion of the woman and frankly they’re not totally wrong. But she’s still our superior officer. More importantly, look at her orders.” I nodded, reading carefully: To Captain James Liang,  Stardate 51015.3 You are hereby requested and required to take the individuals known as “Sirens” into custody with all due haste. They are to be kept prisoner aboard the Phoenix until such time as they can be remanded into the custody of Starfleet intelligence. Under no circumstances are they allowed to remain free. Should they prove to be too difficult to contain, you are authorized and required to eliminate them using any means necessary, including magical assistance from Commander Shimmer or Ensign Sparkle. You will be permitted to violate the Prime Directive in order to carry out this order. Signed, Admiral Alynna Nechayev A sick feeling rose in my stomach until it filled my mouth with its disgusting sour taste. “This is absurd! E-even if they’re evil sorceresses, they’re still people! We can’t just take them prisoner, or-or execute them!” “I agree with you in principle, Ensign,” Liang replied. “That’s why I approved Shimmer’s plan. Any chance for a peaceful resolution to this, I will take. I am doing everything I can to fight this order. I have no intention of imprisoning them unless they violate Federation law in some manner, which they have yet to do. However…” He sighed and slumped in his chair, bringing one hand up to rub at his brow. “However, we must be prepared for the possibility our peaceful resolution will fail. That’s why I need you, Ensign. As the only other being in Starfleet capable of using magic, I’ll need whatever suggestions or methods you have for neutralizing their powers and, if necessary, their lives.” “Err, well…They’re still planet bound, sir. We could…” I swallowed, hating myself more with every word I spoke. “We could always bombard their location with photon torpedoes.” “Destroying an entire city of innocent aliens in the process,” Liang replied in a low, heavy voice. “That’s the last option I want to take.” “Then… high intensity tachyon beam,” I suggested. “Surround the palace with enough emitters to short circuit the magic dome and we should be able to beam them out on the spot.” “Risky,” Liang commented, rubbing at his chin. “And it could be interrupted by the locals. Though you’ve yet to suggest anything Shimmer didn’t already. Are there any other options you’re aware of?” “Err, no, not really, sir,” I answered straight away. “She knows more magic than I do, she’s an alicorn… I’m just a unicorn who learned everything second-hoof. I… wait.” He sat up in his chair and hunched forward. “Yes?” “There is one thing I can do that Sunset can’t.” I swallowed again, wishing like hell I had some water. “I can enchant a device with a special version of the nullification charm. This version would… shut their powers down instantly, by blocking the flow of mana.” “Curious. Shimmer never mentioned such a spell.” Liang eyed me warily. “Why is that?” I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed before opening them again. “Because it’s illegal, to put it mildly. There are dampener rings that Equestria uses for unicorns who commit crimes, but what I’m talking about… it’s more than that. It doesn’t just dampen the magic. It seals it away so they can’t use it, even though they’re aware of it. Like a prisoner trapped behind a glass wall, but no one outside can hear them scream.” A shudder forced its way down my spine and straight through my hooves. “I discovered the spell in a tattered old book in the basement archive of the Canterlot library, while preparing for my entrance exam to enter Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. It’s a dark magic spell, sir. I have no idea how or why the book was there. It wasn’t even registered in the library’s records. But I… I still remember the spell. I read it only once yet still it sticks to the back of my mind like glue. I’ve never cast it. Never even thought about casting it, But yes, it is possible.” “I’m not sure I understand how that’s dark magic,” Liang replied as he drummed his fingertips on his desk. I choked, staring at him in pure shock for a moment before I remembered who I was talking to. “Magic is everything to our species, sir. To everyone of every species on our world. Cutting off the flow of magic like that… The only real analogy I can think of is losing a limb, but it’s so much worse than that. It’s like having your soul ripped in half. You’d be crippled, cut off from the force that all life on our planet depends upon.” Liang gave me a solemn nod. “I see. So not something to take lightly.” “No sir. I… I don’t know if this is true or not, but Sunset told me about stories she read, about the spell being used on a group of ponies who had done some truly heinous acts. In her story they were all subjected to this spell, and only days later they all died, because they...” Another shudder slipped through me. “And that’s without taking into account the cost t-to me for using such magic to begin with…” Liang looked at me wordlessly for several long moments. “You know, I’m both glad you’ve told me about this, and disappointed. Glad, because it means we have a solution that won’t result in the loss of tens of thousands of lives. Disappointed because it means I can’t ignore the possibility if it becomes required. Ordering you to do such a thing, I...I suppose saying I would feel horrible is putting it very mildly indeed.” “Yes, sir,” I said. “Permission to speak freely?” “Granted, of course.” I sat up straight in my chair. “I don’t think we need to worry about Sunset. If anyone can somehow talk the sirens down and into cooperating, it’s her. I believe in her.” Liang smiled warmly at me. “Ah, Miss Sparkle... it warms my heart to hear you say that, after all the conflict between the two of you.” Liang brought up his cane and drummed his fingers atop it. “Well, I shall share in your confidence, then. I know my Number One, and you’re right. If anyone can do it, she can.” He inclined his cane towards the door. “Dismissed.” “Aye sir,” I said, pivoting on my heels and walking out the door. I returned to the science station to monitor the away team. They’d chosen not to use the cameras this time, but I could still keep an eye on their vital signs and track them, at least until they wandered too far into the palace’s blockade field. It gave me something to do at least. Because otherwise, all I could do was wish Sunset good luck.