With the storm picking up again, the twins turned their attention back down to Glare, who lacked the strength to do more than sob quietly. Leaning over, Shift whispered to his brother, “What do we do now?”
“I … I’m going to keep watch. Stick with Glare until Lightning returns. There’s no way she would have missed that light show.”
“Wait, what about Khamari?” Swift looked around, remembering he saw the Gaalsien’s body somewhere near by. Off to his right, he found Khamari face down near the outer edge of the trench Glare had carved out, and set off to retrieve him. Still alive, Swift searched the Gaalsien for injuries, finding only a trickle of blood from the top of the head, noting the destroyed respirator in loose fragments. Careful not to exacerbate any potential neck injuries, the pegasus lifted Khamari and returned to the others.
As he landed, the sound of an approaching gunship rumbled overhead. Punching a hole through the sandstorm, the gunship came in fast, leaving a swirling sandy wake that obscured the sky once more. At the last moment, Lightning lost her speed, landing less than gracefully in the sand as close as she could safely allow.
Sighting the already open cabin door, Shift carried Obsidian’s body, while Swift followed with Glare, who remained delirious after releasing her spell. Depositing them on the floor of the gunship, Swift flew out again to retrieve Khamari. The rest of the gunship’s occupants looked to Shift for answers. “We were too late. We lost him just after we touched down. Khamari is still alive, but I’m not sure how bad his injuries are.”
“As much as I wish we had the time to mourn, I’ll need you all to wait a little longer.” Pausing as Swift returned, Lightning ordered, “Get that hatch closed, and treat Khamari later. We’re racing the clock.”
Placing Khamari on the floor, Swift stumbled while he sealed the cabin, as Lightning lacked the time to wait for a reply. Pushing her throttle as far forward as it would go, she heard Khamari and Obsidian sliding back as the vessel accelerated. Holding on to an internal support structure with one hoof, Swift caught the Gaalsien with another. Glare followed suit with Obsidian, though without anything to grasp nearby, the pair slid back, smearing a faint trail of Obsidian's blood across the floor from the unicorn's stained hooves.
Establishing herself in the best rate of climb, Lightning remained tense, eyes flicking every so often between her primary flight display, and a countdown timer. Passing through thirty thousand metres altitude, the timer dropped to single-digit seconds. “Here we go. We’re either going to feel nothing, or be knocked out of the sky. Either way, we’ve done our duty.”
No one replied. Those that had access to a screen remained fixated on the rear external camera, while those further away squinted and leaned as close as they could. Shortly after the timer reached zero, a dazzling flash of white lit up at the detonation site, before collapsing on itself. The momentary display was a mere pinprick, compared to the shades of deep red and dark orange that followed in a rapidly expanding spherical flammagenitus, and an even faster pale yellow condensation ring that raced out in every direction.
Lightning watched the explosion play out. To think what one of those could have done to Equestria. It would have wiped out everything all the way to the Crystal Empire. Glancing behind her, everyone else’s expressions suggested they shared her sentiments. Or at least, everyone aside from Glare, who sat at the back, rocking to and fro with Obsidian in her hooves.
Exhaling slowly, Lightning faced forward again. As she passed through each atmospheric layer, the turbulence lessened. “I think it’s safe to say we’ve beaten the ADW,” she commented as she approached orbit and set drives to idle. “It’s over. If anyone wants to check Khamari over, we’ve got a few minutes.”
Volunteering, Shadow unfastened her harness. “I’ll do it.” Heading toward a large medical kit secured against one of the cabin walls, she searched for several diagnostic tools and moved to the Gaalsien’s side.
Coasting along to their destination, the cabin remained eerily quiet. Though still moderately disoriented, Glare’s ear flicked and swivelled to the faint sound of something pressed against it. “L-Lightning?”
“Yeah, Glare?”
“You cut the engines, right?”
“A few seconds ago. Why?”
Pressing her head closer to Obsidian, the unicorn’s eyes widened. “I think … Lightning, I think he’s still alive!”
Snapping up, Shadow yelled, “Swift, take over! Bon Bon! O2, BVM, IV saline, and whatever procoagulant you can find!” Moving over to Obsidian, she instructed Glare to lay Obsidian flat.
Bon Bon arrived with the first set of equipment. “Oxygen bottle at six litres a minute, and bag valve mask with tubing attached.” Without waiting for a reply, the mare took off toward the medical kit once more.
Attaching the mask to Obsidian, Shadow looked at Glare. “Squeeze the bag every five seconds, like so …” Demonstrating, she observed a visible rise in Obsidian’s chest, and allowed Glare to continue for her, while palpating one of the changeling’s hooves near a joint. “Please tell me his physiology is close enough to ours.”
While Bon Bon fished out a small IV infusion pump, saline bag, and a small liquid vial, Lightning called out from the front, “Just a heads up. We’re approaching the Lamaat. Glare, are you able to teleport us over, or are we going to have to jump overboard?”
The unicorn still felt as if her head would split open at any second. With newfound energy, she did her best to ignore it, and responded, “I’ll try. Obsidian’s suit is ruptured anyway. He can’t do vacuum.”
“Do what you can. We’ve got company. They’ll be well clear of the Lamaat, even if we did have to go through vacuum, but I’d rather the extra safety buffer.”
Continuing her intermittent ventilation for Obsidian, Glare squinted at one of Lightning’s secondary displays, monitoring the distance to the Lamaat. Preparing her spell, a throbbing, burning sensation washed over her horn as she visualised her destination, discharging her magic as the gunship flew abeam.
A sudden feeling of weightlessness hit everyone, as they appeared on the Lamaat’s darkened bridge. Freezing temperatures penetrated their suits shortly after. Securing herself to the commander’s seat, Lightning restarted the main powerplant, and set temperature and oxygen to suitable levels. “Life support online. Using minimum power, we should remain undetected in the debris. We can stay here as long as we need to.”
Having finally found a vein, Shadow administered a saline solution for Obsidian. Activating the pump, she relaxed slightly. “That should buy him some time. But … Shift said he was gone, Glare. How did you determine—”
“Look at his VMUI.” Showing Shadow the device attached to Obsidian’s right forehoof, Glare explained, “It never registered a pulse or pressure, but the device is otherwise perfectly functional. I had no reason to think it might have been defective.”
The zebra tilted her head and read the appropriate page on Obsidian’s vitals, which did indeed suggest the changeling was not among the living. “I doubt it’s defective. I don’t think they were ever designed with changelings in mind, though.”
Glare’s eyes showed a flicker of hope. “So, do you think he’ll make it? We—we didn’t make anything worse, did we?”
Shadow looked back at Obsidian. After a moment’s silence, she gave her honest opinion. “I don’t know. You’ve likely stopped most of the bleeding on Kharak, but unless he can clot the remainder himself, I don’t see a positive prognosis, especially in zero-G. On top of that, our brains can’t go more than ten minutes without oxygen, before there’s permanent damage, and that’s under ideal conditions.”
Glare’s ears fell. Hunched over, she stared at her reddened hooves. “It would have been over ten minutes since I stopped compressions.”
“As much as I’d like to see him make a complete recovery, I do not wish to get your hopes up. That said, a more accurate monitor would do us a lot of good here. Bon Bon!”
“On it.” Retrieving a black and orange carry case, Bon Bon set it down near Obsidian and opened the back half of a medical monitor. Removing electrodes, a pulse oximeter, and a blood pressure cuff, she attached the relevant equipment to the changeling, and waited for the readings to show on the device’s screen. “Well, if changelings are anything like us, he’s still in trouble. Pulse is almost triple normal, and blood pressure is definitely low. Shame we don’t have a bag of changeling blood on hoof.”
Without missing a beat, Glare asked, “What happens if I give him some of mine?”
Shadow hummed. “Not sure. Between equine species, its possible, assuming the blood types are compatible, and I know of some cases where more dissimilar species have done so successfully, but is that a risk we’re willing to take?”
“Khamari’s stasis pod, then,” the unicorn suggested. “We can keep Obsidian there until we can get him proper treatment.”
“I don’t know if those work on all lifeforms, or if they are designed specifically for Hiigarans. Plus, I’m not sure if there are consequences for using it on someone in this condition.”
Glare looked down at the changeling, as she thought. Considering the options, she met Shadow’s eyes. “Alright, worst case for stasis?”
“The process could be fatal, either instantaneously, or during the thawing process.”
“And transfusion?”
“At worst, kidney damage, and pulmonary edema, which would eventually be fatal. The rate and severity of symptoms would be based on the type and amount of blood given. I think we can get back home in time to prevent any lasting kidney damage, but the lungs … ? Hard to say. That’s the extent of my medical knowledge. Five hours perhaps?”
“If it helps, I’m a universal donor,” Swift called out, still keeping an eye on Khamari. “Shift, too.”
“Thanks, Swift. But will five hours be enough time for us to jump back to the hyperspace gate and return home? Lightning?”
Lightning ran the numbers as she talked. “I’ll need twenty minutes to charge the hyperdrive, and a two hour jump to Tandall Gate. Khamari’s gate sequence commands are saved, so I can change the destination to Kyre Gate. Charge drives once again, and we’re a short jump from home. Or at least, to a Navy patrol that could help us.”
“Two hours and forty minutes. We’re already pushing it as it is.” Glare took a deep breath before making her decision. “Alright, Shadow. Let’s do it. Give him the absolute minimum you think he’d need.”
The zebra nodded. “Bon Bon, run a line directly from Swift to the pump. We’ll do half a unit and take it from there. Lightning, any chance we could get some gravity?”
Lightning hesitated. “I can bring artificial gravity online, but we’ve got another problem. The Raiders are searching the area and seem to be getting closer.” Humming, she came to a realisation. “If they think we’re part of a bigger force, they might also be thinking we have cloaked ships somewhere. I think they’ll pass by in a bit, but until then, artificial gravity would risk giving away our position. Can it wait?”
“I’ve got Obsidian on coagulants. Gravity would lower his risk of clotting in places we don’t want him to.”
Inspecting her surroundings, Lightning found another solution. “I think I might have just enough room to spin the Lamaat instead. Still a risk, but only if there’s someone in visual range searching in our direction.”
“We’ll take that risk.”
“Then secure any loose items, and position yourselves upside down on the ceiling. Once I start, everything will be pushed in that direction.”
Nudging themselves toward the ceiling, Glare, Shadow, Bon Bon and Swift positioned themselves, Obsidian, and their medical equipment upwards and upside down, while the other passengers followed suit, looking after Khamari.
Lightning moved the Lamaat on thrusters just far enough from the scaffold debris to prepare for her manoeuvre. Holding position, she put the vessel into a roll about its longitudinal axis, slowly increasing the rate of rotation, until she felt the G forces were a reasonable approximation of gravity back home.
Haunches planted firmly on the ceiling, Shadow called out, “That’s perfect, Lightning. Bon Bon, do what you need to for Swift.”
Still strapped in, Lightning remained at the controls instead of joining the others. “Sparky, you may need to take over for me, if I have to stay like this for an extended amount of time.”
“Got it.”
“I thought we were going to leave soon,” Glare commented.
“As soon as I start charging the hyperdrives, we might as well be broadcasting an open invitation for all Raiders to swing by and say hello. I want to make sure they’re far enough from us when that happens.”
The unicorn groaned. “Anything else to work against us?”
While Lightning dangled from her seat above everyone else, Bon Bon hooked Swift up to the infusion pump, and set the volume to be transferred to Obsidian on the device. After the pump purged Swift’s line of air and primed it, the transparent tube filled with the pegasus’ blood, making its way slowly toward the device and mixing with the rest of the liquids bound for Obsidian.
“Half a unit will take about four hours to fully transfer,” Bon Bon explained.
“Four hours?” Swift almost shouted in surprise. “Last time I donated, I was done in twenty minutes!”
“If it weren’t for the urgency, I’d have hooked you up to a bag instead, and you would have been done that quickly. Since this is a direct transfusion, the limitation is how much we can put into Obsidian in one go. If he does survive, my other concern is that we lacked the time to even test your blood.”
“Hey, I’m clean, if that’s what you’re concerned about! My medical was not that long ago. Besides, I don’t know about you fellas, but if bad blood saved my flank, I’ll take it, regardless.”
Bon Bon couldn’t argue with the logic. “I suppose so. Alright, get comfortable.”
Two hours passed in relative silence, and the Raider search parties had yet to give up. Since then, Lightning had swapped with Sparky twice, and once with Shadow. Now back at the controls once again, Shadow resumed her watch over Obsidian with Glare.
“Any change?” the zebra asked.
Glare shook her head. “Blood pressure is still low, but it looks like it’s rising steadily. I don’t get it. He should have woken up by now.”
“We’ve made a lot of assumptions about his condition and treatment, Glare. Please understand that there is a chance he may not recover, whether fully, or at all.”
Glare sniffed and nodded, never taking her eyes off Obsidian. Gingerly holding the last remnants of the changeling’s right wing, she asked, “Do you think his wings grow back?”
“Probably not. If he survives, I doubt he’ll fly again.”
“I just wish we could leave already,” the unicorn muttered.
Without moving from his prone position, Swift commented, “Hopefully he takes it better than a pegasus.”
Glare gave Swift a confused look. “What do you mean?”
“Well, flying is kind of a big thing for us. Lotta fellas back home who suffered from major depressive episodes, just from being temporarily grounded, let alone from permanent conditions.”
The unicorn made to reply, when Lightning caught her attention. Looking up, she found the pegasus running simulations on one of her screens. Eventually, Lightning raised her voice. “Well, the Raiders haven’t put that much more distance on us, but I think I might have a way to increase that gap.”
Standing, Glare positioned herself so Lightning could see her. “Let’s hear it, then.”
“In one go, full powerplant output, charge the drives, and burn as hard was we can in the opposite direction to the Raiders.”
“… Right into Kharak?”
“Close. We’ll soon be in a position to make the most of some gravity assist. Point the engines in the right direction, and we can go faster than we normally would with our limited time. We then break from orbit so as to maximise our distance from the Raiders. Or, at least limit how fast they gain on us.”
“A slingshot manoeuvre,” Bon Bon mused. “Clever. We go faster, and the capital ships can’t hyperspace in so close to a gravity source. No heavy weapons to deal with.”
“And no hyperspace inhibitors in range. Now, everyone move back down to the floor. Artificial gravity will soon return,” Lightning advised, as she commenced starting sequences for various systems. Applying opposing torque through thrusters, she slowed the Lamaat’s rotation until the stars stopped spinning, giving everyone a chance to reposition to the floor. The faint humming throughout the ship intensified, as power output increased. “Hyperdrives charging. Artificial gravity increasing. Course plotted for slingshot.”
Slipping away from the scaffold debris, the Lamaat dipped and weaved through the smaller chunks of metal and wire that floated about. Clearing the derelict, Lightning adjusted her heading, and accelerated with a heading just below Kharak’s horizon. “And with that, I can see large heading changes on Raider strike craft. They know we’re here.”
“Do we have the distance to escape?” Glare asked.
“I’ll have to skim the exosphere, but the Lamaat can handle it. I’ve got it flying on auto, but let me concentrate, in case I need to take manual control.”
The minutes ticked by, and while the distant Raiders continued their pursuit, Lightning brought the Lamaat closer to the planet. Reaching Kharak’s periapsis, the pegasus adjusted to a purely prograde heading and continued with maximum engine output.
With seven minutes left before the hyperdrive would be ready, Lightning noticed an unusual reading. “Hey, I’m picking up a hyperspace signature. Looks like the Raiders have called in— … Wait, that can’t be right. Mothership class signature?”
Though Kharak now stood between the Lamaat and the new arrival, Lightning checked the drive signature of the new arrival against known vessel types in the ship’s database. When a match was found, her eyes widened. “It’s Aurora!”
Swift frowned. “Just Aurora? Even fully loaded, I’d have expected a fleet to accompany her.”
“Aurora is never alone,” Bon Bon replied.
“And I’m fairly certain I know what’s about to happen,” Lightning added. Though unable to see Aurora turning transparent, or shining with increasing intensity like an ever-growing star, she could make out part of a rainbow shockwave that blasted out from its source, in a supernova that passed through every ship it touched. As it raced past the planet and toward the Lamaat, its occupants felt the wave wash over them, before continuing further out. A glance at several warning indications revealed the Lamaat’s weaponry had been disabled. “Yep, that was a blast by the Elements. Most, if not all weaponry in the area would have stopped functioning, which clears the way for … Yep, additional hyperspace signatures detected.”
Lightning detected at least twenty hyperspace signatures around Aurora in a loose spherical formation. Two unfamiliar capital ships appeared to zoom out from their windows and turn with incredible ease, given their size. Lightning scrambled to pick up some sort of fleet network, and sure enough, she was able to use standard Navy codes to decrypt data transmitted to friendlies. Searching the visual feeds for the unknown ships, Lightning found one of a cog-shaped vessel that had moved to the far edges of the battle zone, circling prey and pelting them from afar.
Two supercarriers split off, launching their contingents of interceptors and bombers. Additional spherical fighters emerged from the carriers, through instead of flying off with the rest of the interceptors and bombers, they remained close to their carriers as escorts. Two Hiigaran battleships joined, along with three carriers, while three destroyers and eight torpedo frigates accompanied as escorts.
“Er Khar Lamaat, Aurora.”
Lightning took a moment to realise Aurora’s fleet had come for them. “Aurora, go ahead. Glad to see some friendlies for once.”
“Good to know you’re still out there. Transmit your position if safe to do so.”
“Willco, transmitting now.”
Sending her location, Lightning returned to monitoring the situation. Several new hyperspace signatures registered, though this time, they showed up as Raiders. Sure enough, a Rancor, four Vindicators, and two Honorguards arrived in the thick of the fleet, each escorted by a pair of Daggers.
Aurora’s fleet reacted immediately, shifting attention to the arrivals that had not been affected by the Elements of Harmony. To a Hiigaran battleship’s delight, one Vindicator had the extreme misfortune to emerge directly in front of the vessel, and was subjected to the full force of its quad ion cannon battery. Along with two twin ion turrets, an artillery battery, and fourteen pairs of kinetic mass drivers, the Raider vessel was unrecognisable long before its hyperspace window dissipated.
The Honorguard battleships altered their headings for the Hiigaran battleships. While multiple frigates and destroyers rained torpedoes and mass driver rounds down on the enemy hulls, the Honorguards fired a single slug each, tearing straight through the ventral armour that surrounded each vessel's engineering compartments. Within seconds, the lights on the Hiigaran battleships flickered and died out, leaving basic systems and a few mass drivers online.
Another transmission from Aurora pulled Lightning away from her external feed. “Er Khar Lamaat, position identified. We’re detecting a quantum signature from your ship. Can you jump to our fleet?”
“Negative, not for another two minutes.”
“That will give us time to bring down the Raider’s hyperspace inhibitor. We’re sending you exit coordinates now.”
A few seconds later, the relevant data had been received, and Lightning amended the data in the hyperspace targeting computer. “Coordinates received, Aurora. We’ll be there in one minute. Request a medical team on arrival. One in a serious state, and another critical.”
“Copy. Vortex Sleipnir, cancel attack orders and intercept for pick-up.”
The vessel in question took a few seconds to respond, as it completed its final revolution around a disabled Vindicator with multiple holes punched through its armour. A female’s voice joined the comms channel. “Willco, Aurora. ETA, two minutes, Sleipnir.”
“Everyone hear that? We’re going home.” Putting herself to work, Lightning cancelled the Lamaat’s original navigation sequence and readied the ship for hyperspace, confirming no inhibitor field remained near her destination. As quickly as the hyperspace window consumed the ship, it ejected the Lamaat closer to the battlefield.
“Lamaat, Sleipnir,” the same voice returned. “We’re sending you automatic guidance vectors for our starboard hangar entry, and you’re cleared to dock. Receiving crews and medical teams standing by. Sleipnir out.”
Inputting the received vectors, Lightning allowed the Lamaat’s systems to take over. Making minor speed and heading alterations, the vessel positioned itself on the required approach profile, and intercepted Sleipnir. Closing in, the Lamaat paralleled the larger vessel, until it slowed to a crawl abeam the hangar at a hundred metres. Turning ninety degrees, the Lamaat fit through the entrance, coming to a halt by the nearest set of compatible couplings.
Multiple dulled clangs echoed throughout the ship, signifying the engagement of the couplings, and the attachment of the Sleipnir’s gangway to the airlock. Shutting down her engines, Lightning rose from her seat, following as the others started making their way to the airlock.
The group stood in uneasy silence, while cabin pressures equalised. At the completion of the procedure, Shadow opened the Lamaat to those on the other side. Six armed unicorns entered first, two of whom spread out to search the vicinity. A seventh one entered shortly after, bearing the insignia of a Lieutenant Commander. The officer looked around at the Lamaat’s crew, his eyes lingering on Glare’s forehooves, before simply asking, “Who is in charge here?”
Glare opened her mouth, but Shadow stepped forward first. “That would be me.”
Turning to the two unconscious figures, the officer added, “I assume those are the patients?” Receiving a nod from the zebra, the officer spoke into his comms, “Immediate area secured. Send them in.”
Two pairs of medical crew crossed the gangway and boarded the Lamaat, pushing one of two gurneys toward Obsidian and Khamari. While they worked with their patients, the ranking officer addressed his security detail. “Take the rest to the brig.”
Glare looked as if she had been slapped in the face. “Brig? But we—”
“Glare,” Shadow interjected. “After everything that has happened from their perspective, this is just standard procedure. They’ll need to know what happened, and why.” Turning to the officer, she added, “Commander, Specialist Swift will need to stay with the Chief until he is stabilised.”
The Lieutenant Commander looked between Obsidian and Swift, noting a pump and tubes connecting the pair. He nodded. “Very well. He’ll be escorted to the brig afterwards.”
Glare cast a worried look at Obsidian, then to Swift. The pegasus gave a reassuring smile. “He’ll be fine. I’ll update you when I can.” Waiting for the medical crew to transfer Obsidian to a gurney, the pegasus turned, taking care not to trip over his tubing, as he followed a medic and guard onto Sleipnir.
As Khamari was loaded onto the second gurney, the others disembarked in pairs. Additional guards waited aboard Sleipnir, and a pair split off to escort Swift and the medical crew elsewhere. Once out of sight, the ranking officer inhaled sharply, and faced Shadow. “You. Follow me. Aurora has requested individual statements from you and the others.” Turning to one of his guards, he added, “Take the rest to the brig and keep them there until I return.”
As the groups left, a tone sounded throughout the ship. “This is the Captain. Stand by for immediate hyperspace jump.”
Somewhere overhead, a ticking echoed subtly with each passing second. The sound was familiar to Obsidian yet he couldn’t figure out where he had heard it. Stirring, he forced his heavy eyelids open, and a hospital room came into focus.
Turning his head to one side, he found a pony with her back to him. Judging by the attire, and her replenishment of medical equipment in sterile packaging, the changeling assumed the beige unicorn was a nurse. Pushing himself up, Obsidian found the task painfully difficult. His hooves felt like lead, and a tugging pain shot from his wounded side as he positioned himself in a semi-reclined position.
Hearing the rustling of sheets, the nurse glanced behind her, before dropping what she was doing. “I would advise against unnecessary movement. It won’t be pleasant to fix any torn stitches,” she started, moving to the nearest side of the bed and pausing to give Obsidian’s injuries a quick look over. “Can you tell me your name?”
“Obsidian. Where am I?”
“Canterlot Hospital. You were recently in surgery aboard one of the Navy vessels,” the nurse explained. “Princess Celestia herself transferred you down from orbit after you were stable for transit.”
“Did she? Interesting.”
“Mmhm. She asked to be informed when you woke, but before I do, I must inform you of the surgery outcome. The surgeons did their best to preserve as much—”
Obsidian extended his right wing and interrupted, “I assume you were going to inform me that two thirds of my wing is missing? And that I’ll be ground-bound for the rest of my life?”
“I guess you were aware of that already. As for your other injury, you lost a lot of blood, and we only recently received an urgent delivery from your hive. Your squad bought you some time with an incompatible blood donation, but we’ll need to treat you for that, as well.”
“How long will I be stuck here?”
“The Doctor handling your case will be able to give you more details, but given your case is unique, she may need some time to gather more information. To be honest, nopony expected you to pull through, with that much blood loss for that much time.”
“Most likely my stores of energy bought me time,” Obsidian guessed.
“I hope you realise how incredibly lucky you are, then. Any questions before I leave?”
Shaking his head, Obsidian watched the nurse close the door to his room as she left him to his thoughts. Sinking back down into his bed, he stared blankly up at the ceiling, flexing what little remained of his wing. Trying to understand his lack of reaction to what happened, the changeling was unsure if he had already accepted his new reality, or if that reality had yet to sink in.
After a couple of minutes alone, Obsidian heard the sound of galloping. As the sound drew nearer, he pushed himself upright again, with barely any time to register the door being thrown violently aside, or a yellow fur missile that filled his vision.
Obsidian winced at the impact. “Oof! Not so hard, Glare!”
Glare wrapped her hooves around the changeling, tears streaming down her face. “I thought I’d lost you on that planet.”
Obsidian chose not to reply, and simply returned the hug. After a moment of silence, he said, “You were a fool to return, you know that? You risked everyone else’s lives just for me.”
“And I would have done it again if I had to.”
“I know. Thanks.” Releasing the mare, Obsidian allowed her to pull a nearby set forward. As she sat down, the changeling noticed Glare’s stained forehooves. “What happened to your hooves?”
“Your blood,” the unicorn stated. “I did what I could to stop you from bleeding out on Kharak.”
“Speaking of, how did you fight off the Raiders on Kharak? Last thing I remembered was you, the twins, and your shield.”
“I’m not entirely sure, myself. I don’t know if it was the result of that massive energy transfer of yours before you jumped overboard, or if it was the reaction to thinking you hadn’t made it, but … Well, you once referred to my spell as an underpowered solar cannon, remember? Whatever I did wiped out everything around me. Almost blasted Swift and Shift’s heads off. Khamari, too.”
“The transfer …” Obsidian repeated, recalling what he had done. “Glare, I’m so sorr—”
“Leave me to worry about those memories. The emotional hit was a bit delayed, but I worked through the worst parts already.” Glare sighed, adding, “I knew your history with Equestria was bad, but this new perspective? That emptiness from those that passed away? I never knew.”
“I wish I hadn’t done what I did to you. It was selfish.”
“How so?”
“I intended to return to Kharak’s surface for good. My reasoning was that someone should carry my strongest memories.”
“In a way, I’m glad you did.”
“I didn’t expect you to come for me. It never crossed my mind that you would have to deal with those Raider deaths on top of everything else.”
“The strange thing is, it didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. It was them or you, and I made my choice, no hesitation. Was I in a fit of rage after seeing you in the sand like that? Absolutely. Did I wish there would have been an alternate? Of course.”
Obsidian gave a weak chuckle. “And you were once worried you’d go from one self-defence kill, to a serial killer relishing each life taken. It’s not so black and white, is it?”
Glare looked down at the ground. “No. I think my sheltered life is to blame for that. Both within my family, and within Equestria. We take peace for granted, even with the occasional monster or villain. Out there across the galaxy, though? That’s the raw reality.
A soft knock caught the pair’s attention. Getting up, Glare opened the door to find the royal sisters facing her. “Princess Celestia! Princess Luna!”
“We were informed that Obsidian has woken,” the eldest spoke. “May we come in?”
Glare turned to Obsidian for his approval. Receiving a nod, Glare stepped aside and allowed the pair to enter, before returning to her seat.
“I am relieved to see you awake, Obsidian. The reports I’ve read were interesting, to say the least. I’m sorry about your wing.”
Obsidian hummed. “Doubt I would have lost it if proper action had been taken in Hiigara.”
“Perhaps. I’ve already made arrangements with a Hiigaran and Equestrian team to develop a working prosthetic. It’s the least we could do. We can discuss those details at a more appropriate time, however. After reviewing the events that had transpired, my sister and I had to discuss the more unpleasant consequences of your mission. Disobeying orders, abandoning posts, stealing military equipment, assaulting allies, and what amounts to piracy, are the list of charges some in the Navy wish to court martial you and your team with. Despite all the good that your team did, the Navy does not wish to … how did Admiral Foxtrot put it?”
“Reward bad behaviour,” Luna quoted.
“Yes, the Navy does not wish to reward bad behaviour, as it may encourage others to do the same. It worked out for your team, but history shows this to have negative outcomes most of the time, thanks to glory seekers, or those who try to play hero,” Celestia finished. Pausing, she could see the weight of her words sinking it, but continued before anyone had the chance to interrupt. “Fortunately, my sister managed to get the good Admiral to back down, while I smoothed things over with Hiigara. Officially, there is to be no record of the past few days, beyond your original orders, and anyone involved will be signing non-disclosure agreements.”
“So that’s it? We’re pretending nothing happened?” Glare asked.
“Essentially, yes. Regardless, my sister and I felt it was fitting to reward you for your actions on Kharak, Obsidian.”
The changeling gave the Princesses a quizzical look. “Why? What makes me so special?”
“It’s not so much what makes you special,” Celestia explained. “Rather, it is something you lack that the others possess. Luna?”
“We understand the history of conflict between our nations, and the level of mistrust that remains. However, in light of your actions, which not only safeguarded your people, but those of our entire planet, we felt that the cold, calculated response of our military was an insult. While my sister and I lack the authority to speak on behalf of every nation of our planet, we will say this. As you have bled for us, we see fit to formally recognise you as one of us. From this day forth, we grant you Equestrian citizenship and all the rights it carries.”
Obsidian blinked. “I’m … not sure what to say.”
“You need not say anything. Should you accept, visit the palace at your convenience, and one of our assistants can finalise the paperwork.” Nodding to her sister, Luna turned and started for the door. “Unless you have any questions, we’ll leave you two alone.”
“Actually, I have an unrelated question,” Glare started. “What happened to Khamari?”
Luna stopped, facing the unicorn again. “The Gaalsien? He requested political asylum the moment he woke, and asked that if Hiigara does not provide amnesty for the Gaalsien, that we offer a safe haven from them to leave the Raiders. We’re still figuring out what to do with him, and discussing whether his request is reasonable.”
“Can you keep me in the loop if anything changes with him?”
Looking to her sister, Luna allowed Celestia to answer instead. “I think we can do that. Oh, and before I forget, Obsidian, Queen Chrysalis is currently tending to Khamari's energy needs. My sister and I need to speak with her afterwards, but she should come by to visit in about two hours. If that’s it, I think all that’s left is to wish you a speedy recovery.”
As the sisters made for the exit, another knock sounded. Opening the door, Luna greeted the Elements of Harmony and turned to Obsidian. “Seems you’re quite popular today. We’ll leave you to it.”
The six newcomers parted for the departing Princesses, before filing in, with Rainbow Dash hovering above the others, and a bouncing Pinkie bringing up the rear.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” Glare remarked at the six at the foot of Obsidian’s bed.
“Believe me, some of us were just as surprised,” Rarity replied. “Fluttershy was quite insistent that we marched down here to apologise as soon as you woke.”
“What for?” Obsidian wondered.
“Well, for one, we didn’t exactly give you the warmest of welcomes,” Applejack started. “We treated you with suspicion.”
“And hostility,” Rainbow Dash added.
“The worst part is, we set the example for the Navy to follow, from our very first interaction,” Twilight finished. “In that sense, we failed you.”
“Umm …”
“Sorry, Fluttershy, I didn’t mean to include you.”
“Hey, I didn’t do anything either!” Pinkie spoke up, stomping a hoof. “I wanted to put together a celebration for the Navy’s first changeling, but nooooo, the big pony is a bug meanie! No, wait, bug pony, big meanie. That’s the one.”
Twilight nodded. “That’s fair. Some of us were more at fault than others. For the longest time, I thought my attitude toward you was rational and justified, and I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t been monitoring you to an unhealthy extent.”
“Spying,” Rainbow Dash stated bluntly. “She means spying.”
“Yes, I suppose I should call it what it is. Thing is, the more I spied, the more I started to question myself. Chief, I won’t even try to understand your experiences around the Canterlot invasion, but I should have trusted a member of our Navy. For that, you have my sincerest apologies. If you ever need anything, from any of us, just say the word. If you want another role in the Navy, I can arrange it. I think you’ve more than earned your equivalent changeling hive rank with us.”
“I haven’t decided how to proceed from here, but I’ll keep that in mind. Will need to discuss with my Queen whether I’ll stay in the Navy, or return home.” Looking over at Glare, Obsidian added, “Or remain in Canterlot.”
“Whatever you choose, you have our full support,” Fluttershy affirmed.
Twilight gave an agreeable hum. “Especially now that you're legally a pony, your opportunities have opened up.”
“Legally a pony …” Obsidian mused. “Yeah, let's not use that particular description.”
“Alright then. Well, that’s all we wanted to say. We’d better get back to Aurora, before they realise we’re missing.”
As the six started exiting, an idea struck Obsidian. “Rainbow. Before you leave, I have a request.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”
Obsidian glanced at the others, before motioning the pegasus to come closer. Leaning forward, he whispered into Dash’s ear. The pegasus eventually pulled away, raising an eyebrow at the changeling. “Uhh, no guarantees, but I can try. I’ll ask her tomorrow.”
After the group left, Obsidian faced Glare. “Guess I’m stuck here for a while. What are you going to do for the rest of the day?”
“What I’m doing for the rest of your stay is keeping you company,” the unicorn insisted.
“No, don’t do that. You’ll be bored out of your mind within hours. Go home. Spend some time with your family.”
“Like it or not, you’ve been slowly turning into family for a while now. How about I stay until I get bored, then go home? Good compromise?”
Obsidian gave a smile and nod. “Good compromise. I might lie back and have a nap, until the Doctor arrives.”
Obsidian woke to the familiar sight of Glare’s bedroom ceiling. Though still dark, he found the other occupant of the bed missing, and a distinct lack of warmth suggesting he had been alone for some time. A quick check of the nearby clock indicated it was just past six in the morning, though the careless turn to his left side shot pain through his first injury. The sudden jolt was enough to fully waken the changeling, and after a more careful stretch, he decided to emerge from the covers and seek out the unicorn.
With four hooves firmly on the floor, he gingerly touched the area around his wound, wincing at the contact. It had been less than two weeks since waking in the hospital, and a day since he was discharged, though the healing process would require additional rest and self-care.
Exiting the bedroom, a dim, flickering light caught his attention downstairs, and the faint crackling and popping of firewood could be heard from the living room. Descending the staircase, he rounded the corner to find Glare under a fluffy grey blanket on the sofa to the left of the fireplace. Watching the flames dance about, she warmed her hooves with a half-filled mug of hot chocolate between them.
Taking a sip, the unicorn caught sight of Obsidian standing near by and faced him. “Hey.”
“Hey,” replied Obsidian. “Everything alright?”
“Can’t sleep. Didn't want to wake you with my tossing and turning” Yawning, Glare lifted the blanket up and beckoned the changeling over, allowing him to squeeze between the her and the sofa, before covering themselves up again. Levitating her mug, she offered it to Obsidian. “It’s snowing outside. Seemed appropriate.”
Accepting the drink, Obsidian held it in one hoof, while strategically placing a couple of pillows to keep pressure off his bandaged side. Attempting to drape a wing over Glare, Obsidian fell short, forgetting for a moment that most of that wing no longer existed.
Glare noticed the attempt as well. “We can move to the opposite sofa if it makes you feel better.”
“Something to keep in mind for another time,” Obsidian declined. “By the way, Celestia sent me a letter yesterday about that prosthetic.”
“When are you getting it?”
“I might not. I’m considering turning down her offer. Unless it gives me the ability to fly again, it’s useless. Can’t hover, glide, or even feel anything with it. I don’t know, perhaps I was expecting something a little more advanced than some slow responding actuators and set myself up for disappointment.”
“Do you have the option to get one later if you change your mind?” asked Glare, feeling Obsidian nod behind her. “Then I see no issue. I’d say I understand your choice, but I’d be lying, given I’ve neither had wings, nor lost them. I’m relieved you’ve taken the loss of your wing well, at least. Heard that pegasi usually don’t. You … You are alright, aren’t you?
Obsidian did not answer immediately. Looking into the fire, he thought about the question as he took more sips from Glare’s hot chocolate. Passing the mug back, he answered, “There was a time when I wouldn’t have been. Such an injury would have meant I no longer served a purpose.”
Concerned by the potential implication, Glare repositioned herself slightly to face the changeling. “Meaning what? What would your hive have done to you?”
“Nothing like what you’re thinking,” Obsidian reassured. “There are always other tasks I could do, but let’s face it. I was a soldier. More than that, I was the Queen’s personal guard. Now, with me on medical leave, and questioning my future, I’m not sure what to do with myself.”
Glare hummed. The topic was one she definitely understood. Lying back down, she sighed. “Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m not sure what I’m going to do, either. As glad as I am to have filed for discharge, of course.”
“Fortunately for you, I might be able to help with that.”
“How so?”
“Well, you like history, archaeology, and all things ancient, right?”
“… right?”
“For now, let’s just say I have a surprise for you. I’m hoping it’s something you’ll like. Let’s just say it will help with having a home of our own.”
Glare tried to piece together any potential clues from Obsidian’s words. “I take it you’re not going to tell me what it is?”
“Wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I did,” Obsidian replied, leaving the matter at that. Pushing as close as he could to Glare, he closed his eyes. The sound of Glare’s mug floating to the coffee table met his hears, and the unicorn followed suit for another attempt at sleep.
Their rest was short lived, both jolting awake to the sound of the doorbell ringing. Glare’s head came up first. Looking around, she found daylight filtering in through the windows, and the fireplace dark. Though judging by the lack of any other activity, her father and sister were likely still in bed.
“It’s the weekend,” Glare stated, getting to her hooves. “Who’d be visiting this early?
Obsidian did not answer, merely grunting as he got off the sofa as well. Following Glare to the door, he found Flare descending the stairs and asking the same question.
Looking through the peephole, Glare froze, spying a khaki-furred pegasus mare dressed in an olive vest, with a pith helmet that sat atop an unkempt greyscale mane. Stepping away from the door, Glare looked at Obsidian in shock. “You didn’t!”
Knowing who was on the other side of the door, Obsidian responded a simple, “Surprise,” before opening the door for her.
Their guest made eye contact with the changeling first. “You must be Obsidian.” Turning to Glare, she added, “And I take it you are the ‘totally awesome field assistant’ Rainbow Dash recommended?” Extending her hoof, she introduced herself. “Daring Do. Nice to meet you.”