//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Warm Reception // Story: Steam Tyrant // by duvagr007 //------------------------------// Chapter 7 Cornelius awoke to the sound of Pip's voice over the intercom. He couldn't make out what he was saying, due to his grogginess. Eventually, his ears began to properly function, and he could make out what his pilot was saying. "-ade it! Were here Cornelius! I can't believe we... what the?" A dull thud could be heard on the upper deck, signalling something had impacted upon it. Cornelius stood, and made his way to the stairs that led outside. As he opened the door, he could see a couple of griffons talking. Once they noticed him, they began to approach, both wielding spears. They had a look of murder in there eyes, and Cornelius was outnumbered, and outgunned. So to speak. He knew the griffons were a very warlike tribe, and they had all trained since practically birth to fight. Wait a sec... warlike tribes respect battle achievements right? Okay, maybe I can reason with them... "Greetings gentle-griffons. My name is Cornelius. I come seeking-" "Silence." The larger one spoke, and due to the fact that his armor was more ornate than the others, Cornelius guessed him to be the commanding officer. "Lay down any weapons you have, and have every other pony in there come out. You are trespassing in griffon skies. The penalty is dungeon for as long as the Flock Father sees fit." His voice was deep and monotone, commanding fear and respect. Cornelius, knowing when to back down (when he was in his right mind at least), quickly complied to the griffons commands. "Very well then," he replied. "Allow me to call my crew out and we will come quietly." Cornelius turned and retreated back inside the metal interior of his ship. He went straight to the cockpit to alert Pipsqueak to the situation. He opened the door and saw Pip spinning around in his chair. "Pip!" "WAHH!" Being startled by Cornelius, Pip lost his grip and fell to the floor in a heap. "Ow." "Get up, I need you on the intercom." The marbled stallion rose to his hooves and returned to his chair, turning on the ships loudspeaker. He turned his head and looked at Cornelius, waiting for further instruction. "Tell everypony to get up on the upper deck. Bring no weapons. We're going with the Griffons." "Uh..." "Just do it!" Pipsqueak relayed the message across the ship, then set the microphone down and walked back to the deck with Cornelius. "So, what are we doing exactly? Are they going to let the Princesses go?" "No, we're being taken into custody for trespassing. Hopefully they take us to the Flock Father first, so I can try to reason with him." About that time, Zach, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle joined them. Confused looks on their faces. "Hey Cornelius," Sweetie said. "Why are we going up to the deck? Is there a welcoming party or something?" "You could say that. Where's Apple Bloom?" "Don't know. Still sleeping maybe?" Cornelius sighed. "I'll go check. Pip, let the griffons know what I'm doing. Try not to tick them off." "Right, uh... will do." Cornelius turned and headed back inside the ship, closing the hatch behind him. Pipsqueak turned and faced the two large griffons before him, gulping slightly as they came his way. The one on the left, Pip assumed him to be the one in charge, glared at him. If looks could kill, the young pilot was sure he'd be mere ashes at this point. He gulped again, and spoke up. "Uh, C-Cornelius went b-back inside. There's another c-c-crew member still b-below deck." He couldn't help his stutter, as he was literally shaking with fear. His condition wasn't helped when the younger griffon put the tip of his spear against Pip's throat. He gulped again for what seemed like the tenth time today as the griffon spoke to him in a voice that would have fit better with a handsome prince, rather than a war-mongering griffon. "Well then, you had better hope your captain finds this missing crewman soon, lest I sever your head from your little body." "Calm down Silverwing. We were sent up here to bring back prisoners to the Flock Father, not the severed heads of six ponies." Pipsqueak let out a small sigh. The obvious commander had probably just saved his life, though he still wasn't too fond of going before the leader of the strongest army in the world, it certainly was better than... the alternative. "Hrrmph. You always have to ruin my fun Iron Claw. I just wanted to scare him a bit." "We are soldiers Silver, not circus clowns. We don't get to have fun." While he griffons talked, Pipsqueak moved over to his friends near the door to the lower deck. They were all talking quietly, but he couldn't hear until he got closer. "-can't just up and attack two griffons! We're unarmed, and even if we were, we could start a war!" "Zach is right Scootaloo. Tensions between Equestria and Griffonia have been high for years now. Attacking those two would be the spark that starts the whole thing burning. We can't handle another war right now, especially after that whole Changeling business." "Please Sweetie Bell, that was nearly ten years ago! And besides, we could overpower them, and just fly away! They wouldn't even know what happened." Pip decided to jump in at this point, having seen the many flaws in that plan. "There's no way we could overpower two griffons. And even if we could, what would the rest think, seeing us fly away when we're supposed to be in chains! We would be swarmed for sure!" Scootaloo opened her mouth to protest further, but closed it again. Sighing, she sat down in defeat. There really was nothing they could do, but she felt helpless siting there doing nothing. After a minute or so of sitting in silence, Cornelius reappeared with Apple Bloom in tow. The griffons took notice of this, and walked over to speak with the group. "Now then," the leader said. "Your pilot alone is to go back below deck, and follow us in to the Skyport. After that, you will all come with us to the main hall. The Flock Father wishes to have a word with you." The younger griffon smiled evilly at this, and gleam in his eye. "But of course good sirs. Pipsqueak, if you would be so kind as to follow these two wonderful griffons to their Skyport?" Cornelius looked to Pip, and gestured for him to do as he was told. Pipsqueak reluctantly went below deck and started the ships engines back up. He looked up and saw the two griffons out the front glass and gave them a nod, signalling he was ready to follow them in. They nodded in return, and began to fly towards their city. Pipsqueak opened the throttle and stayed with them. He wasn't sure what the Flock Father had in store for them, but it couldn't be good.