//------------------------------// // The Journey Begins // Story: Clash of Worlds // by Gunner59524 //------------------------------// The six mares followed Gunnar towards the northern edge of town, wondering why they weren't heading towards the train station. "Uh, Gunn... Where are we going?" Dash asked curiously. "My workshop is near Sweet Apple Acres. In the letter, the princess said that I should provide guidance and protection. Therefore, I am acquiring the tools that will enable me to do so, and acquiring a faster means of transportation for our group," Gunnar explained, showing off his intellect with his way of speaking once again. "And I called you an egghead... he's like another you," Dash whispers to Twilight, smirking. Twilight sighed and kept walking, moving a little faster to catch up to Gunnar. "So what exactly is this transport you'll be taking us there in?" she asked curiously, "My cutiemark may tell you where it came from in the first place," Gunnar chuckled. "Wait you built whatever you're taking us there in?" Twilight was bewildered. "My cutiemark may suggest I build only futuristic weapons, but I actually build multiple futuristic technologies. High speed aircraft among them," the stallion explained. "Whoa whoa whoa.... I don't exactly trust anything to fly me anywhere except my own wings," Dash stated promptly upon hearing Gunnar, not liking the idea of an aircraft. "I assure you, its completely safe, tested it myself in every possible way. It's also the quickest way to get there so please don't be judgmental about it," Gunnar stated plainly as they arrived, "We're here. Now you mares wait out here while I go get my equipment ready." He opens the door to go inside and sees the mares nod an affirmative to him before he closes it behind him. They waited in silence, wondering how these events were gonna turn out. Each mare had a plethora of questions in mind. Most questions scared them right away whenever they came to mind. They almost didn't notice when Gunnar came back out... except... he looked different. He was wearing a full suit of teched out armor with saddlebags and an odd looking object across his back that apparently resembled the item displayed in his cutiemark. A helmet with tinted visor was visible inside the saddlebags. "What's with the getup?" Rainbow wondered out loud. "This is my combat equipment. You can't expect me to protect you from a technologically advanced enemy without something to supplement my abilities and allow me to keep the fight going till I turn out victorious.... am I right?" Gunnar explained. "That was a mouthful," Rainbow laughed, then became serious, "But, to answer your question, no I guess not." "There you go then," Gunnar finished before turning to lead them to one of the larger garages next to his primary workshop. "He could have made it a bit more fashionable at least," Rarity whispered to Twilight, who could only roll her eyes and smile. Gunnar pulled the handle of the garage door and lifted to reveal a large VTOL transport jet, with swept back wings, T shape tail, and four engines thrusters, two on top of the wings, two on the bottom. "This is the Phoenix Class Fast Response Troop Transport," Gunnar mused. "Okay... I have to admit it. THAT IS PRETTY SWEET!" Rainbow yelled out, entertained by the awesomeness of the craft. ===================================================================================== 2558, unknown star system, Covenant Assault Carrier Shadow of Remorse. An elite with a large build, even for his species, stepped onto the bridge of his vessel. The creature, called Tanar R'aagamee, watched the holodisplay on the bridge as it showed him the downed human vessel known as the Infinity. The equivalent of a grin played across Tanar's four-mandibled features, as he remembered the words of the Didact's Hand: "Toy with them if you will, I care not. Show them no mercy and no remorse. Eliminate all who stand against you." Tanar's rather sinister chuckle could be heard from beyond the bridge.