In a system located in the satellite galaxy which orbited the Milky Way galaxy, the USS Equestria sat in orbit of an unknown planet. Onboard, in a seemingly empty cabin sat an apparatus with a mobile emitter attached to it. All was quiet, before the intercom sounded off. “Junior Warrant Officer CyberSpark, report to the Science Lab.” Came the voice of Cmdr Prestine.
The emitter lit up and projected the likeness of Harmony CyberSpark, the emitter being at a perfect height so her hooves were touching the ground immediately. The apparatus released the emitter and Harmony herself held it up under her own power. “On my way Cmdr.” Harmony responded as her now signature black bow appeared, concealing the emitter. Dressed in her Starfleet observer uniform, Harmony made her way out of the quarters that had been assigned to her and headed for the Science Lab.
(Start to about 1:24)
Space: The final frontier. This is the story of the USS Equestria. A ship fresh out of construction, with a crew fresh from the Academy. Together they will embark on a mission of discovery, and evolution. They will explore a strange new frontier, seek out new life and a new civilization, and boldly go farther than anyone has ever gone.
“Science Officer’s log: Stardate 32120703.0930. The Equestria has entered orbit around an M class planet that’s much like Earth back home. Captain Maxima has ordered a survey of the planet be done in accordance with our secondary mission out here. This affords our aspiring Junior Warrant Officer the opportunity to shadow our Science department in our element.”
“Surveying a planet. Nothing says Starfleet’s mission of exploring strange new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilizations, and boldly going where no one has gone before more than a simple survey mission.” Prestine told Harmony as they prepared to beam down to the planet. “It is at the core of Starfleet’s primary function in the Federation.”
“What might we get down on the planet that our sensors up here cannot?” Harmony asked, intrigued. “Our sensor array is second to none is it not?”
“Correct.” Prestine responded. “But there are some things sensors cannot obtain. Samples for example.” She explained. “Our tricorder scans may very well detect something that our shipboard sensors cannot. That can be due to anything from precision to proximity.”
“I see.” Harmony said. “And what might we be after in particular?” She asked.
“There’s a phrase you’ll hear a LOT when assigned to a Survey team.” Prestine responded. “Record EVERYTHING. Even if it’s the height of grass. Record it. The more detail, the better.” She told Harmony. “And I suspect that out here, each Survey we do will keep Starfleet Scientists busy for decades.” She said.
“Noted.” Harmony said with a smile, eager to do well on her first mission. “And are we going to need anything special for this mission?”
“For us humanoids, nothing we don’t have already.” Prestine responded, pointing behind her to a backpack she was wearing. “But for you, you’ll need a mission saddle. Like what Captain Maxima has.” She said.
“Mission Saddle?” Harmony asked.
“Yep.” Prestine responded. “You see Harmony, due to your anatomy, you can’t wear a backpack like us humanoids can. And Proxima has the same problem. So when Proxima joined Starfleet, a mission saddle was designed so that she would be well equipped for missions…of course that was before she made captain right out of the academy but still.” She explained. “Everyone ready to go?” She asked the other members of her team.
“All set to go Cmdr.” An ensign science officer said.
“Great. Let’s roll.” Prestine said as she headed out of the lab, followed by her team.
Harmony watched them go, and glanced back into the lab in confusion. “Wait?” She asked as she followed after the team. “What about the mission saddle? Do I not need it?” She asked.
“Cmdr Baker’s gonna meet us in the shuttlebay with it.” Prestine responded.
“Oh. Ok.” Harmony said. Her worry subsiding.
A few minutes later, in the shuttlebay, Blitzwing shook his head. “You are NOT riding me Cliff. If you want to go down to the planet either beam down there with one of their nifty combadges, or, ride the shuttle.” He told him.
“Come on Blitz.” Cliff said. “You know your jet mode has better gripping surfaces than the smooth bubble shaped shuttles they use.” He said. Ever since he found out they had stopped at a planet, he had been trying to get Blitzwing to take him down there.
“Remind me again what you want to do down there?” Blitz asked.
“Just like you want to stretch your wings every day, I want to stretch my wheels.” He said.
“You realize that A, there are no roads on this planet. And B, if you want to stretch your wheels you have the ability to mass shift down to the size of these organics. Your car mode then would be the size of a toy car. You have MORE than enough room to do that here on the ship.” Blitz told him.
“Driving on a smooth, clean surface isn’t the same as driving on a planet’s surface. I want to feel the dirt on my wheels, experience the bumpy terrain.” Cliff tried to justify his going down to the planet.
“You could use their holodecks for that.” Teletran, who was listening in on the conversation, said.
“Not the same.” Cliff responded. “Tried it last week, I kept seeing glitches in the scenery. Guess there’s some calibration issues.” He guessed.
“I got someone looking into it.” Cmdr Baker, who was there waiting for Harmony, said. “Our Holodecks are designed to adjust to each races’ optical capabilities by doing an initial scan and recording it for future calibrations. My guess is that it's having trouble with you because it was designed for biological beings, not technological beings.” She reasoned.
“That makes sense.” Teletran responded. “After all. Very few times in Federation History, at least that I have observed, have you guys encountered technological beings. Not enough to make such modifications to the Holodeck a priority.”
“Exactly.” Baker responded. “Starfleet just never saw a need.” She said.
“Well, they might want to think about it.” Blitz suggested. “And on that note, I’ll see you guys later.” He said before he transformed into a jet and blasted off towards the planet.
Cliff watched him go and facepalmed. “Oh for Primus’s sake Blitzwing.” He said, shaking his head.
“Cliff, you can fit in the shuttle.” Baker pointed out. “The miniaturizer?” She reminded him.
Cliff raised an eyebrow at her, before it dawned on him what she just said. He looked at the control device on his forearm, and used it to shrink down to Baker’s size. Once that was done he let out an embarrassed chuckle. “Heheheh. Right…can we all just pretend my processor didn’t just fail?” He asked.
Baker and Teletran couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sure Cliff. We can do that.” Baker said. She found it kinda cute how Cliff was adjusting to being able to shrink.
Baker noticed something off her peripheral vision after a moment and she turned to see Prestine and her team enter the bay, with Harmony in tow. “There you guys are.” She said as she approached them.
“Cmdr Baker.” Harmony acknowledged. She glanced at the thing Baker was holding. “Is that my mission Saddle?” She asked.
“Sure is.” Baker responded as she gestured for Harmony to approach. “The second Mission Saddle in service alongside Maxima’s, it’s got everything an Equine needs to function like a humanoid on an away mission. Plus one.” She stated.
Harmony approached Baker, but raised an eyebrow when Baker said plus one. “What does Plus one mean?” She asked.
Baker started suiting Harmony up with the saddle. “In addition to the normal features. Storage container, more powerful equipment, emergency kit in case of emergency, your Saddle also comes armed with a pair of side mounted phaser pistols. An armament the captain neither has nor needs because her horn has been classified as a weapon.” Baker explained as she tightened the strap to secure the saddle.
“That makes sense.” Teletran commented. “I’ve seen what she can do to a Terrorcon, scary stuff.”
“Luckily she’s on our side.” Prestine said.
Baker nodded as she secured the saddle. “And there. How does that feel Harmony?” She asked.
Harmony craned her neck to look at the saddle. “Fits perfectly. How do I control it?” She asked.
“Proxima uses her thoughts. But you have something better. An electronic device with interconnectivity between it and all other devices attached to this ship. So you can directly tell it you want the phasers.” Baker explained.
Harmony glanced at the saddle, and she thought to pull out the phasers. The programmable matter embedded in the saddle got to work and formed a pair of phasers situated on either side of the saddle. “Whoa. Cool.” Harmony commented as she put the phasers away.
“I know right? It’s awesome.” Baker responded.
Prestine nodded. “So, now that Harmony is mission ready, let’s get going team.” She told Harmony and the other science officers.
Her teammates nodded and followed her to the shuttle, before they all heard Sela’s voice over the intercom. “All hands, be advised that we detected Terrorcons near the system. They have not detected us yet. Yellow alert is in effect.” She said.
“Terrorcons. Just great.” A science officer responded.
“Good thing we have cloaking tech.” Prestine said as she tapped her combadge. “Cmdr Prestine to Cmdr Sela. Confirm the survey mission is still authorized?” She asked.
“The survey mission is still authorized Cmdr.” Sela responded. “Exercise caution. And I need not remind you that Harmony must return in one piece above all else.” She said.
“Aye sir.” Prestine replied before the connection was cut.
Harmony raised an eyebrow. “I am guessing that the mission was called into question because of the Terrorocons, but what was that with the call out from Sela?” She asked.
“You ARE the ship. Without you, our ship would most likely be brain dead and not work anymore. So protecting you at all costs is priority.” Prestine responded. “Speaking of.” She turned to Cliff. “Cliffjumper, might we employ your services to ensure Harmony’s safety?” She asked. “I seem to recall your mission being to protect the titan you were sent out to find.” She stated.
Cliff just chuckled and shook his head. “It’s not like much can hurt her with that emitter concealed, but sure. I can keep tabs on her.” He said, agreeing to the task.
Prestine nodded as she, Teletran, Harmony, Cliff, and the rest of the science team boarded their shuttle. “Harmony, how about you take the helm. Good pilot practice.” Prestine suggested.
“Aye sir.” Harmony responded as she took the Helm seat. “Hooves or Remote control through my emitter?” She asked. She learned early on that she could still control the whole ship and its complement of auxiliary craft through the interconnected emitter she had.
“Whichever way you want.” Prestine said.
Harmony nodded and took control of the shuttle via her emitter and the shuttle lifted off, exiting the shuttlebay and flying down towards the planet’s surface.
On the planet, in an undisclosed location, a Terrorcon minion approached its superior. “Sir! Starfleet shuttle inbound for our planet. It does not appear they have detected us yet.” It reported.
“Find them. And when you find them, Destroy them.” The commander said.
“Yes Commander.” The minion said as it scurried off.
The commander meanwhile pressed a button on the nearby console. “Terrorcon advance fleet 987, the Equestria is in this system. FIND THEM.” He ordered.
Several minutes later, the shuttle landed in an open field and cloaked after the survey team disembarked. Harmony Stepped onto the grass, and had to pause to process the sheer difference it felt over the metal surface of a Starship Deck that was all she had ever known prior. “Whoa.” She commented.
“Everything OK Harmony?” Prestine asked. All eyes turned to Harmony.
“Yeah.” Harmony responded, collecting herself before moving forward. “Yeah, this is just the first time I’ve ever been off the ship like this.” She said. “It feels so different…”
“Feels soft right? And squishy in comparison to metal?” Prestine asked.
“Yeah…it feels nice.” Harmony replied, stepping out fully onto the grass.
“Cherish it Harmony. You’ll probably be stepping onto many surfaces during your career. And a great many of them are coarse desert and the like.” A Science Officer explained.
“Intriguing.” Harmony said.
“And on that note.” Prestine said as she motioned for her team to gather. “Pair up and spread out. Harmony, with me. Cliff too.” She gave out orders.
Cliff smiled, enlarged to his full size, and transformed into his alternate car form, while Teletran paired up with another science officer. “This is going to be fun.” Teletran said.
“Hell yeah it is. Let’s roll out team!” Cliff said.
And with that, the team paired off and dispersed, all heading off in different directions.
In the air, Blitzwing weaved through clouds and blared his thrusters, enjoying the feeling of air blowing past him for once. “I’ll give Cliff this, he does have a point about reality versus the Holodeck.” He said.
“Equestria to Blitzwing, do you read?” Blitzwing heard Norman say.
“I copy Equestria. What’s the problem?” He asked.
“We detected Terrorcons entering this system. They haven’t detected us but they might detect you. Stay alert.” Norman told Blitz.
“Roger that. I’ll—“ Blitz started before he spotted something on the ground, something strange. “The hell?” He asked as he decided to take a closer look. As he got closer, the object on the ground started becoming clearer, and his hidden optics widened when he realized what it was. A base, crawling with Terrorcons. “Blitzwing to Equestria. The Terrorcons are on world. I repeat, they’re—gah!” Blitzwing was cut off when something slammed into him and sent him careening to the ground. He recovered enough where he quickly transformed into his robot mode before punching the full sized Terrorcon off him and landing on his feet in a forest area. The Terrorcon landed a bit away from him, also on its feet.
“Blitzwing? Are you OK?” Norman asked.
“I’m fine. But this Terrorcon won’t be when I’m through with him. Warn the Science Team.” He said as the Terrorcon growled.
“Who are you! This is a restricted Star System!” The Terrorcon told him.
“Funny. I don’t recall any signs mentioning it as such!” Blitzwing retorted as he charged the Terrorcon.
Up in orbit, on the Equestria, Norman checked his sensor logs. “I do not get how we didn’t pick up on their signal, there’s a base SEEPING with Dark Energon and we completely missed it.” He told the bridge.
“Is our Science team in any immediate danger?” Commander Sela asked.
“No, The nearest Dark Energon signature to any science team asset is 30 miles north.” Norman said. “However, thanks to Blitzwing they’ll probably be looking for us down there. Shall I get them back up here Commander?” He asked Commander Sela.
“That fleet is headed our way, we must deal with them before we recall our team. Shron, enemy fleet position and composition?” Sela asked.
“At their present course and speed, 1 cruiser, 2 frigates and 4 corvettes will intercept us in 10 minutes sir.” Shron responded.
“That’s the most powerful fleet we’ve come across since we’ve been out here. How are we going to fend them AND any boarders off? Even with Multi Vector mode?” Paris asked.
“Simply by applying what we know works. Remodulate shields so they cannot beam aboard, and having security at every entry point to fend off potential boarders.” Sela replied. “Red Alert, Weapons hot deflector to maximum. Shron, acquire target locks and aim for surgical decapitation.” Sela ordered. “We shall bring out Multi Vector Mode after we surprise attack them.”
“Aye sir.” Shron responded as red alert started blazing.
“Norman, raise the alarm with the Science Team. Tell them to watch their backs.” Sela said.
“Way ahead of you sir.” Norman responded. “Science team be advised. Terrorcons are onworld. Sending you geographical locations of Dark Energon relative to your positions. Be prepared to run like hell when we give the order.”
On world, Cliffjumper skidded to a halt. “Terrorcons?! Here? How did we miss that?” He asked.
“Your guess is as good as ours. But Blitzwing may need help.” Norman said.
“Send me his location. I’m going for him.” Cliff said as he opened his doors. “You two, you better get out.”
Prestine and Harmony both got out of Cliff. “Should we double back?” Harmony asked.
“There’s a fleet bearing down on the Equestria so even if we wanted to, it’s ill advised to try to get back onboard right now.” Prestine responded.
“Watch each other’s backs you two.” Cliff said before he sped his tires and peeled off at full speed. “Maximum Overdrive!” He called, his speed increased 10 fold and he disappeared into the woods.
Prestine and Harmony watched him go, and Prestine pulled out her phaser. “Phasers ready Harmony, we could have Terrorcons on us at any moment.” She said.
Harmony nodded and drew her saddle phasers. Although her mind zoned out as the implications of a Terrorcon base being on world despite sensor scans prior to a landing came up negative came to the forefront. Have my sensors ever failed before? She thought, trying to go through the ship's service logs to try to find an instance of recent failures. but she couldn't find any instances beyond the Aurora Nebula, which she had already written off as a result of her having an allergic reaction which she had no control over. Did I have control this time? She asked herself. Much like stepping onto grass for the first time, this was a new experience of her, and she wasn't sure if she liked it.
"Harmony? Warrant Officer CyberSpark, are you there?" Harmony heard Prestine call to her, pulling her out of her thoughts.
Harmony shook her head to brin herself back to reality, before turning to see Prestine giving her a look of concern. "Huh?" Harmony asked.
"I asked you if you knew how to fire those things." Prestine asked. "If Baker programmed in some instruction manual into it for your emitter to connect to." She explained.
After a quick second to check her internal memory, Harmony nodded. "Yeah, yeah I know how to fire my saddle phasers." She said.
"You OK Harmony?" Prestine asked. "Seemed a bit distant there." She observed.
"Yeah...Yeah I'm fine." Harmony responded, deciding to push the thought of sensors failing to the side. "Let's continue our mission shall we?" She asked.
Prestine, having a better affinity for recognizing unspoken signals due to her being a Vorta, could tell that something was going on with Harmony, but she didn't push it, instead simply nodding and the two proceeded with surveying the planet.
They did not get very far before Harmony felt something brush up against her left hind leg. She craned her neck to look at what was brushing up against her, and saw a small creature nuzzling her leg. “Uh, hi?” She said, confused.
Prestine glanced down to where Harmony was looking and she saw the creature nuzzling Harmony. “Why hello there strange creature.” She said as she pointed her tricorder at the creature.
The creature responded by crawling up Harmony’s leg and settling on her back. The creature looked atHarmony curiously, as if wanting to ask a question. Harmony studied the creature back. “Are you curious about something?” She asked.
“If I had to take a guess.” Prestine responded. “This creature is mammalian in nature, and is a quadruped. It might see you as a massive version of itself Harmony.” She deduced.
“Oh, huh.” Harmony replied as she smiled back at the creature. “Is that it? You think I’m one of you?” She asked.
The creature just walked along Harmony’s back until it could reach her head, and sniffed her face. After which the creature licked Harmony’s face.
Prestine couldn’t help but snap a quick picture from her combadge as she smiled. “Aww. It seems to like you Harmony.” She said.
“It does appear that way.” Harmony responded, giggling a little as she was licked.
Back in space, Captain Maxima entered the bridge. “Report commander.” She told Sela.
“Terrorcon fleet has just entered weapons range captain.” Sela replied. “They have not detected us yet.”
“They have to have detected the shuttle. I’ll never understand how they thought removing the clicking devices off the shuttles was a GOOD idea.” Shron suggested.
“Norman, issue a work order to Baker. Retrofit our shuttles with cloaking devices as soon as possible.” Proxima responded.
“Aye sir.” Norman replied.
“In the meantime, distance of the Enemy fleet?” Proxima asked.
“5KM and closing.” Paris responded.
“Security teams standing by at all entry points.” Yamik reported.
“Let’s unleash the hydra on these terrors. Mr Shron, drop the cloak, and fire.” Proxima gave the order. “Attack pattern Alpha 4.”
“Unleashing the Hydra.” Shron responded.
Outside in space, the Terrorcons move toward the planet, momentarily unaware that the Equestria was in their flight path until the Equestria decloaked and opened up on them, firing its phasers and quantum torpedoes at them. While firing, the Equestria split into Multi-Vector Mode and charged the Terrorcon fleet. The Terrorcons onboard scrambling to retaliate.
Back down on the planet, Blitzing had taken to the air again and had engaged the full sized Terrorcon in a dogfight. “Eat Missiles you piece of scrap!” He growled as he unloaded his payload on the Terrorcon, unfortunately he had no heat seeking missiles so the Terrorcon easily dodged all of them. “Damn you’re good. But let’s see you dodge this!” He said as he fired his laser canons at the Terrorcon. Scoring several hits and knocking the Con off course. While Blitz took the offensive, he heard Cliff’s voice through his com.
“Blitz! I’m on my way. ETA 10 minutes.” Cliff said.
“Turn back autoboy!” Blitzwing said as he transformed and roundhouse kicked the Terrorcon out of the sky. “I got this all covered. You should be protecting the organics and Harmony. Ya know, the reason we’re even here?”
“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Cliff asked.
“I’m sure Cliff. Turn back now!” Blitz ordered.
Cliff did a hard U-turn and made a BEELine back while the Terrorcon Blitz was fighting crashed to the ground, it tried to get up, but Blitz was already nose diving in for the final blow. He drew his ax at the last second and slammed it right into the Terrorcon, blowing it up instantly. From the fires of the debris, Blitz walked out. “Blitzwing to Equestria. I got a target down here that needs an alpha strike brought down on it.” He called the ship.
In space, the Equestria segments managed to down another Corvette as the battle waged on. The bridge shook as it took a direct hit. “Gah. Little busy up here Blitz!” Maxima responded. “But paint the target and we’ll blow it to hell when we can.”
“Copy that.” Blitz said as he transformed into his jet mode and took off, flying right for the base, the base's defenses open fired on Blitz, But the decepticon seeker evaded all their shots while he fired his own shots at the defenses, he didn't know if the Equestria would come down to the surface, but he was going to take out the point defense weapons to give them a clear shot.
Back in space, the Equestria segments had managed to destroy the escort ships and were focusing now on the retreating cruiser. “Damage?” Sela asked.
“Their engines and shields are offline sir.” Shron responded. “Shall I deal the final blow?”
“Blow them to hell. And once it’s destroyed, send a segment planetside to blow that Terrorcon base.” Proxima ordered.
“Aye sir.” Shron responded as he pressed the fire button. All three segments unleashed their weapons on the cruiser and after several direct hits, the Terrorcon ship broke apart in a massive inferno, completely destroying it. “Terrorcon fleet completely destroyed.” Paris announced.
“And Security reports no boarders. I call that a successful skirmish.” Yamik commented.
“It’s not over yet. Segment Beta enroute to Terrorcon base.” Shron said as one of the Equestria’s Segments blasted off full speed towards the planet.
Down on the surface, in the base, alarms were blazing and Terrorcons were panicking. “Sir!” One reported. “Incoming vessel! It’s on an attack vector.”
“Send word to Unicron, summon the--” The base commander Didn’t get to finish his sentence as the Beta Segment fired all of its weapons at the base from above and leveled it and the Terrorcons inside to dust.
From afar, Blitzwing smiled as he watched the base go up in flames. “Heh. Kinda nice getting a swift and easy kill for once.” He commented as he transformed into jet form and flew off after the segment, which was now setting course to rendezvous back with its fellow segments. “Now those Science heads can work in peace, without any more trouble.” He commented.
To Be continued.