Another week have passed, and events keep happening at a steady rate. New wave of orbital units have arrived unseen high above the havens and the Hermes would arrive in a few days. They have received new commands from the Spero to adjust trajectory and reach possible highest approach speed possible to reach the new world ASAP with all the shocking information and revelations. They needed direct human presence, ...”and they wanted immediately... Go figures.” note Captain Kim Lee to particularly no one on the bridge.
In this one week time the Ponies managed to find 4 drones, leave only two hidden still, which two been hole in respective areas, one in the thick and as discovered quite dangerous fauna, an lush forest, the other one high above the mountains, out of sight, exploring the valleys bellow at night times.
The drones been directed to simply surrender to the royal forces so they remain functional in turn and still able process the various samples they took from the ground, plants and in case deceased creatures inside there bellies with out the locals knew. All the drones been brought back to a mountain side city, a large castle that orbital images show was half way over the cliffs, and considering there technological level, an true wonder how they built it and how it remained in place. All of the drones been somehow teleported here by the hybrid creatures, the alicorns, who they count 4 now and become accustomed to day by they through the video feed. The abilities this 4 creature displayed was astonishing, and did generated some degree of fear in the Hermes crew. They didn't harm the drones. But when the 2nd A.A.R.D was yanked from a 3000m attitude to near ground level with teleportation and held there by there trade mark 'magic' aura, that told more then 1000 words.
They all been parked up inside a large library next to each other in a short of semi circle. So the drone didn't feel lonely, or as Alex figured it out to be the intent of this action beside the main benefit, to keep an eye on them easily, and studies. They already had files on the ponies they ever meet through the the eyes of drones. The 4 deities, the two set of guard groups, and the scholars who been massage there brains the secrets they hold. They however learn more then the natives could through the drones and the message they rally to them, they leaned that all these ponies have an unique marking on there flank, and through processing earlier images they assumed they might be tattooed once got mature enough. They gave nicknames to the ponies using these markings. Sunny, Moony, Magenta Star so on, so forth.
The most curious from all was the Magenta coloured small, youngest hybrid, who was rivalling some of the most motorist workaholic scientist they knew. She spent most time in close proximity to the drones, gone so far as many times fall asleep near them. And through gave perfect opportunity to witness the loving and caring side of the elder hybrids, not one occasion pick her up in a energy field and probably tuck her in in her own bed somewhere else, or gently woken up and reminded she really should take a rest. What they learn these creature were very human like in so many ways. They also began organising, sample the audio material, in attempt to learn more of there language and communicate with them latter on.
“Alex, how is the new message going?” Asked the Captain “It's essentially done Sir and ready to be relayed to the drones.” “That's good.. now then we need to send it and see how they react to some history lesson of our miss fortune.” Alex nod and gave a smile to his friend, with visible sign of exhaustion. “But I won't tuck you in bed with fancy magic.. go have some well earned rest.” “Yes sir, no need to say it twice.” he wave and with that fly out towards the crew quarters. After a short time Kim follow suit, and left the bridge and observation to the night crew of the ship.
Up in the mountains the last A.A.R.D been active for a few hours now, as it been night time. Survey the land and sampling minerals scattered across the upper edge of the valley. It navigated with ease with it's infra red and night vision cameras. The audio sensor detected some noise in the distance as it move down., quickly direct it's vision to the source. As it zoomed in it, saw an area that had a rock slide recently, at the bottom have identified a some short of wreckage, from wood. The AI prioritised this seen and began it's decent to the wreck. The sound that keep repeating soon been recognised as distress calls of a pony. The drone stopped and requested further commands from the Hermes. It took about 5 minutes when the new commands been received from the Hermes to investigate the seen up close, with approval of interfere if necessary and no danger detected or would pose by such actions taken.
It began it's glide at top speed to gradually slow down as got near the rubble and began it's sensor sweep. It didn't take a lot of time to pinpoint the source, trapped under some rock and wooden planks. The drone unfold it's mechanic arms and did a circling around the debris of the wooden construction, carefully pick up the first wooden panel and flung it aside short after. Didn't take to long to uncover the azure blue pony, who was in quite a pain, but cheered as soon she realised she being rescued, up until the point where she saw who, or rather, what was digging her out. The apparent shock show on her face and with surprisingly 'loud' gulp that the drone sensors picked up with ease, followed by grim silence. The drone didn't stop at all and already had it's arm stretched out to pick up another piece of wood off of her. The mare watched now and winced a little as the rubble been lifted off. She was in a terrible shape and she knew it well, at the mercy of this 'thing' with two of her hind legs broken, covered in bruises and smaller cuts. The drone finished uncover her and float there in a stand by, fold the mechanical arms back while waited for further instructions from the Hermes bridge.
Trixie work up the nerve and muttered quietly to the Alien device. “Thank you..” it just float there with out moving, but watching her, and this was scary on it's own. “What do you want with me?.. Do you wanna..” voice trailed off for a moment to force down a sizeable bolder in her throat.”..Eat.. Me..” finished with an uneven, meek voice, dripped full of panic. Yet the Machinery didn't show any reaction at all at this point. Every moment felt like an eternity to the unfortunate showmare. Then the drone suddenly move agen unfold it's arms and grab her under her front legs. She was just to terrified to react, winced in to the sudden pain and snapped her eyes closed, when open it agen few moments latter she looked eye to eye to the machine, her body dangle as being in the air, she looked down but regret it right away, the view of her captor flew up high the the air, bellow the abyss dark ground was enough to snap her eyes shut agen. She didn't want to die, be eaten or dropped, or slowly alone with out any help. “.. PleaseHollyCelestiaandLunasavemesavemeeeheeeh..” she slowly began resign her self. The breeze of the cold night air as they glide, and the uncomfortable pain from both being held and her sore broken limbs combined with the cloudy, night sky had it's effect on Trixie. She finally open her eyes and just stare ahead, into the eyes, if could be called that, of this strange monstrosity, still avoiding to look down though. At least now she had some calmness, didn't wonder about what would happen next, or what happened earlier, as it's result end up in the metallic and cold grip high above the air. At that moment she wasn't harmed, the pain emitting from her limbs was somewhat bearable.
When she snapped out from her delusive, blank mind she noticed they got close to the rock side of the mountain and there was a small creek flowing down, pause in small pool before continue downwards. The machinery gently rest her down next to this small pool of water. Trixie was surprised, and in the good way, never though an outcome like this, and was she happy. Fight with the pain she crawl closer and drank from the fresh water she needed badly. Satisfied,she push her self some and lay down, it was cold, and the rock surface was all but comfortable,. Most importantly she was alive, and not in intimidate danger, breathing heavily, mix of pain and numbness, she drifted into the dream world...
The drone then left, and return a hour latter, set down some wood, arrange it in a fireplace and some other greens and some fruits that was identified by other drones earlier and confirmed the ponies eat. Trixie did wake up to the sounds, and observed the machinery, began to realise what was doing, setting up a small camp fire, and food. She felt genuinely happy that she being cared for. What got her eyes go wide when this machine aimed two red lights, very intense light on the wood and in a few moments light it up into a fire. She never saw magic like this, and what made it more weird, she couldn't feel the magic auras from this being, an absence of it, yet it did what it did. She crawl closer to the fire a to warm up, it was a cold night. The drone then hand her some of the gathered food, she didn't hesitate, and began eat it. The realisation hit her, she haven't ate for a very long time and that how hungry she truly been. “..Thank you.. for Saving me.. Trixie will not forget your kindness..”
Back on the ship though there was some scolding going dished out by the Captain who was in a bad mood, partly the events took place with out his knowledge, and party of lack of sleep.
“Lieutenant James Conner... who grant you the authority to act with out my immediate attention, and risk expose one of the last free airborne drone of that region!?!?” Howl the captain with measure and looks that could slice up asteroids, like light sabre butter. The Lieutenant took the intense verbal assault with out move a muscle, non less tensed. Once Kim vent out some of it's frustration he deemed time to spoke up and answer the original question. ”Sir. If I may allow to explain my actions, Sir.” “Go ahead... but I swear if your reasoning not good enough I will personally show you to the nearest airlock to have some fresh air outside the ship...Have I made my self clear?!?” “Sir. Crystal clear. Sir.” “..Good..” Kim float back and took a seat at his position. “You may began Lieutenant.” “Yes Sir.” as he began. “We were doing or duties when we received a hail from A.A.R.D, requesting overruling of a developing situation at the mountain area. I have quickly assess the situation base by the video and audio feedback. It's was clear, an sizeable rock-slide happened there before the drone got in range, the cameras focused on the rubble where could see wooden debris, and the audio sensors registered repeated calls from it's center, which after amplified I could identify as distressed calls, shouts of creature, a pony. Sir.” He paused for a short time, as not been interrupted he continue. “I had the choose to ignore it and command the drone to pass by, or take direct action, and at least investigate the seen and or assist this creature.” “And you choose to help... do not get me wrong Lieutenant, noble motives, but you have to realise, if other ponies see this, a very real possibility is there they could perceive it the wrong way, as an direct attack, aggression, and we do not need any of that.” “Sir, yes Sir. I was well aware of this possibility, and I took the risk. Sir.” James paused agen. “I opted to save the life of this pony, even in light the possible dangers outcome, in hope of the best possible outcome, that the life can be saved, and ultimately score us a good point for the locals once the injured pony returned to there civilisation to tell the tale.” The commanding officer rubbed his template in circular motion to battle his headache. Then he began. “Then you are in perfect understanding of, this Pony is now our responsibility, her injuries visibly warrant immediate medical care, and there is no guarantee she will survive. And that if she do not, and it comes to light we failed, regardless our intentions being pure, potentially could backfire and make things worse.” “Yes Sir.” “Son, I respect your intentions, but it was a foolish move, pray to god or what ever you believe in for a good ending. As for the Pony, now it is your sole task to keep it alive and make sure 'quietly' returned to her herd... Also, once Dr Alex is awake I want him to supervise your actions. I do not doubt your skills as an ex-rescue worker, but it is an Alien environment, the subject is not a Human being, and the drone was never designed to fulfil such delicate tasks or be able to tend injuries of a creatures we know little in physiological stand point. Under stood?” “Sir, Crystal Clear, Sir” “Good.. now return to you post and take care of this Mare. James salute and float back to his terminal where where the assigned drone been supervised.
The captain simply decided it's better if he just takes a short nap right there on the bridge in his seat, strapped in then leave and get more unwanted surprises and aid him to an early cardiac arrest. Leave the report for later about this even, he didn't want to get a nice scolding from his superiors as there temper sure to be as bad if not worse from the mental pressure to not screw up the only chance to build peaceful relations with the natives, secure a sure future to humanity.