//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Yes, Holy One // Story: An Alien in Need, is a Friend Indeed // by Word Worthy //------------------------------// Unbeknownst to any of the inhabitants of Ponyville, or indeed most of everyone on the ground, a lone starship floated in orbit high above the planet. At its helm stood a large, immensely built alien. Cutting an ever so imposing figure, the alien had his arms folded at his chest, and a massive hammer strapped to his back. His body was furred in fine silvery hairs, and his head was topped off with a wild, sweeping mohawk. He was currently staring at a holographic projection of the planet, gazing in particular at a single large continent with jagged, meandering coastlines. The land was bordered by two oceans, a massive desert to the south, and the northern polar ice cap. “Are you certain this is the right planet, Chieftain? Does it contain the renegade of which we seek?” someone to his side inquired. The speaker uttered his words with aristocratic, highly authoritarian flare. Turning around in an instant, the large alien was greeted by the sight of another tall, slender alien seated in a floating gravity throne. “I am indeed certain, noble Prophet of Regret. Our sensor contraptions report that the slipstream space anomaly that the Huragok disappeared into leads straight to this world.” “That is exquisite news, Tartarus. You have done well. Now, all we require is to ascertain the Huragok’s specific location. I trust that you have means of accomplishing this?” The Jiralhanae replied with a grin, revealing two rows of teeth, all filed down to dagger-like menacing fangs. “I have a few warriors in mind who shall make for fine search and retrieval team material.” Regret clasped his hands together merrily. “Splendid, splendid! But do not tarry, we have a war to fight. Every Huragok is needed now more than ever!” At those words, the San 'Shyuum Hierarch drifted towards the door leading away from the bridge. “Of course. But, that is not all, I’m afraid.” Tartarus added hastily. Regret stopped immediately, then turned towards Tartarus with his brow raised slowly, ominously. “Yes? Go ahead, speak your mind, then.” “We've detected primitive communications broadcasts from some of the continents. Each and every one of them are as loud as a raging thorn beast to our instruments. The planet must be inhabited by sapients, Your Grace.” “Vermin?” “Nay, Prophet of Regret. No humans were detected. They seem to be a previously undocumented species.” Regret changed from anger to enthusiastic satisfaction in an instant. “Fascinating," he said. "Once we have captured the rogue Huragok, I shall take it upon myself to initiate first contact with this species." "Why?" "The more forces we have to throw against those Heretics, the better!” Regret turned to look back at Tartarus one final time, sternly. “Bring me back Lighter Than Some, unharmed. If any of the inhabitants deliberately get in your way despite due warning, put peace aside and forcefully remind them of their place.” The silver-coated Jiralhanae bowed deeply, putting one fist to the ground, and the other to his massive chest. “Yes, Holy One. It shall be done.” The Prophet nodded slowly, then disappeared around the bend of the corridor, the door closing behind him. Watching his departure, Tartarus refocused his attention on the planet projection. Without looking away, he barked an order at the Brute helmsman nearest him. “Pack brother!” “Yes, Chieftain?” “Summon me my most capable of captains," Tartarus said with a thoughtful smirk. "I have a task for him.” The helmsman pounded his fist into the thick of his chest. “Of course, mighty one.” Tartarus chuckled to himself as the officer carried out his commands. He zoomed the planetary projection in, showing a small village or town just outside of a large, almost jungle-like forest, “You have a task for me, Chieftain?” An deep voice inquired. Tartarus turned around at once. Standing before the Chieftain was possibly the largest Jiralhanae who had ever lived in recent memory. He was at least ten feet tall, almost rivaling even Hunters in height. His skin, quite like the majority of Tartarus’ Brutes, was covered up by a thick unshaven coat of fur. In his case, the fur was snow white, even whiter than the Chieftain’s. In his hand was the shaft of his own personal gravity hammer, and clipped at his belt was a spiker carbine, a mauler pistol, four spike grenades and four plasma grenades. He wore no armor, only bandoliers that held more spiker and mauler ammunition. “Indeed Ferus. I want you to go to the surface of this planet. There is a forest to the west of this settlement just over some hills. You shall land and make camp there. Inquire from the locals, any and all, about the Engineer’s location. If you describe him properly, they should know instantly if they have seen the creature or not. You have been selected for this task, for none would dare to challenge your imposing stature.” Ferus responded only with a churlish chuckle. Tartarus contorted his face slightly, his expression darkening. “Do you understand the task I have given you?” “I do, my Chieftain. They will tell me where the Huragok hides.” He motioned towards the personal armory he had attached to his person. “If not, pain will surely follow.” Ferus finished his statement with a cruel grin. “Go then, Captain. Secure further honor for our pack within the Covenant, locate and retrieve Regret’s engineer! Do not fail me.” Bowing, Ferus nodded. “It will be done.” The hulking brute bowed once more, then made his way out of the bridge, heading towards a hangar bay. Therein, Ferus found a Phantom waiting for him. It was carrying all the supplies needed for a small encampment and keep an infantry lance properly equipped for a week. Among the supplies were a few purple weapons crates carrying a wide variety of plasma launchers, fuel rod cannons, and the occasional spiker, carbine, or Brute-modified plasma rifle. Truly, many Jiralhanae were rather excessive when it came to preparing for operations. Firepower was equated with status and pack dominance, among other things. Strategy and finesse were second to the value of terror-based psychological warfare and overwhelming force. Whether or not the massive arsenal was excessive for his task, it did not cross Ferus’ mind all that much as he clambered aboard the empty troop bay of the Phantom. The sight of the extra heavy munitions reminded him that he could possibly have a some fun somewhere, and still manage to have time to find the little floaty renegade. He couldn't wait to see how the natives will likely respond to the demoralizing sight of his powerful musculature. The thought of mysterious alien weaklings running in fear from his hammer was too exciting to bear. Ferus cradled the weapon in his hands lovingly. “Take me to the surface of the alien planet!” Ferus barked at the pilot. “We’re disembarking now.” The Sangheili replied, with a hint of derision in his voice. Leaving the Covenant assault carrier, the Phantom quickly made its way out of orbit and into the planet’s atmosphere. Only someone with a telescope, and a quick eye, could have detected its movement, and only at night. At this moment, it was the middle of the day over the Equestrian heartlands. Meanwhile, back down to earth in Ponyville, a certain former pirate and one of Equestria’s finest dressmakers were getting along swimmingly, considering their rather turbulent introductions. “Thank you for finally returning the items you took, darling,” Rarity declared pleasantly. Chur stood next to Rarity as she went about organizing things around the shop. Rolls of fine fabric, finished and unfinished dresses, and various tools of her trade floated about in Rarity’s telekinesis field. The Kig-Yar was mesmerized by the show of magic, she was still unused to the strange esoteric force the horned Equestrians employed on a daily basis. Snapping out of her trance, Chur replied, “Once again, I apologize for stealing from you and violating the sanctity of your hospitality. Such behavior is inexcusable among even Kig-Yar, no matter the profit to be gained.” To the jackal’s surprise, Rarity frowned at her, pouting her lips. “Heavens, dear! If anyone should be apologizing, it ought to be me! I should have seen from the beginning how nervous you must have been from being in such unfamiliar surroundings. It’s my fault for not giving you time to acclimate, my dear,” Rarity explained, sighing. “It’s just so amazing having an exotic creature such as yourself wander right into Ponyville out of the blue, you know? Surely you can forgive my over eagerness?” she grinned at the alien nervously. Chur responded with a friendly chuckle, and a Kig-Yar smile. “Don’t worry, Rarity. If you are on good terms with me, I must likewise return the sentiment.” she held out her hand to the unicorn. “So, shall we be business partners, then?” Rarity’s response was a radiant smile and an offering of her forehoof. Without hesitation, the two both shook. “Partners indeed,” the unicorn agreed. Outside Carousel Boutique and near City Hall, Dadab, Spike, Twilight and the others were gathered around a podium. To the Grunt Deacon’s opposite side, stood the Mayor of Ponyville. In addition, word had rapidly spread of his and Chur's presence. The inhabitants were now eager to see and learn as much about the inherently alien newcomers as possible. With the Shipmistress occupied with Rarity, that left only one Unggoy for the job. Dadab stood nervously at the podium, his deacon training and intelligence the only things preventing his primal Unggoy side from breaking out and making him flee for the hills. His plasma pistol, and all armaments had been left at Golden Oak Library, thinking it wouldn't be needed. Seeing the size of the crowd, Dadab looked uncertainly at his new friends. Spike gave him two thumbs up, grinning confidently, while Twilight and the others smiled apologetically. “Erm, I'm not so sure about this...” Dadab’s legs began shaking involuntarily like small leaves in the sway of a wind tempest. To everybody's surprise, Fluttershy approached Dadab, and gently laid a wing on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, they seem to really like you,” she said in her low, soothingly angelic voice. Her eyes looked into his with fierce intensity. “You can do it! You had the courage to talk with us, even though we’re complete strangers to you. If anypony can tell Equestria about your culture, it’s you Dadab. Umm, for what it's worth, I believe you can do it.” Underneath his mask Dadab was grinning, taken aback at the sincerity of the mare’s words. He almost felt his eyes get a little misty. “I thank you, Fluttershy! You are a true friend, not a meanie like some in the Covenant. Us poor Unggoy have few friends outside our own species, so allies like you are super-special to Dadab!” Fluttershy felt like putting the alien in a bear hug, but her reserved nature resisted the urge. Instead, she gave him a heartwarming smile, then rejoined the others nearby. “Fair citizens of Ponyville! I present to you, alien extraordinaire, and uh..." the Mayor quickly consulted a piece of parchment Twilight handed her. "Deacon of the Covenant Empire, Dadab!” Mayor Mare gave her announcement in a loud, professional voice. “Let’s give our guest from outer space a warm welcoming, shall we everybody?” The assembled ponies greeted Dadab with a chorus of applause, stamping their hooves in the ground, giving him a friendly wave of the hoof, or gawking at him curiously. Dadab gave one final look to the others, who were all giving him reassuring nods and uplifting smiles. Kicking in the deacon and political sides of his brain, Dadab held up his stubby hands. The crowd slowly quieted down. “Thank you friends, Dadab thanks you all from the bottom of his heart! Hmm.. I'm uncertain of where to begin, so Dadab is simply going to answer your questions for now.” As Dadab and the citizens exchanged numerous words, the five mares and Spike watched him, amazed at how the grunt had changed so quickly from a nervous and timid individual into a 'master' public orator in mere seconds. Applejack patted Fluttershy gently on the shoulder, mimicking Fluttershy’s gesture for Dadab just moments before. “That’s a mighty fine thing ya did for little ol’ Dadab over there, Fluttershy!” she complimented with an approving smile. Fluttershy smiled back shyly from behind her mane. “Oh, we just all need a little encouragement from somepony every once in a while. It’s the least I could do for him.” Twilight, AJ, and Rainbow Dash nodded in agreement, while Pinkie Pie grinned at her. “You have such a way with non-ponies, Flutters, it’s simply amazing!” Rainbow noted, now hovering in the air. "Ohh! Umm, thanks Rainbow Dash." “This is turning out to be quite an interesting day, girls. Let’s hope for more rewarding ones like this; it's not everyday that members of a civilization from beyond Equis show up in town,” Twilight declared, as Rainbow Dash returned to the ground. Everyone voice their agreement, and then together they returned to watching their newest acquaintance. He was now engaging their fellow citizens with vigorous, exciting tales of space battles, descriptions of distant planets and moons, and accounts of the various treasures of the beings called Forerunner that the Covenant had found over the centuries. Out in the distance, on the mostly deserted outskirts of Ponyville, a massive figure observed the crowd through the scope of a fuel rod cannon. Seeing the Unggoy at the podium, the Brute chuckled as he holstered the cannon over his back and brought his beloved hammer to bear in his hands. The chuckle consisted of half surprise, half amusement. “An Unggoy? He must be a deserter of some kind, perhaps? Maybe conspired with the Huragok to work with the heretics.. Time to deal with the little whelp, and all else who may stand in my way!” Slowly approaching the crowd, Ferus growled to himself. “For the glory of the Covenant!”