Chapter 20
Next Move
After putting Iron Spear in the brig and burying the bodies of his dead soldiers, I took a more thorough look around the ship. The ship was fairly massive, and was definitely built like a warship. I had seen some other airships while I was in Canterlot, but they had mostly been the types used by the rich. Big, fancy, and decorated like parade balloons. This one was more like the ones used by the Royal Guard. Big, practical, and the only decoration being the flag hanging from the mast. It had rooms for soldiers, a kitchen, a hold for weapons and supplies, a bridge, captains quarters, and a training room. This one however had one thing other ships didn't. A massive hold for captives. Their was a giant section at the bottom of the ship for holding captives to sell. There were chains laying everywhere and various stains on the floor, mostly from blood. The sight of it made me want to lose my lunch.
After we had cleaned out the entire ship, I held a meeting to decided our next move. Nebula didn't want to leave Lily's side, so we allowed her to stay with her in the medical ward. The rest of us met in the bridge.
“Okay guys, we need to plan our next move,” I said.
“I say first order of business is to execute Iron Spear. After all he's done I can't see why you've kept him alive this long,” Scarlet said.
“We may need still need him. We know next to nothing about what he's been doing apart from kidnapping ponies and selling them as slaves. We need to find out where he's sending them and who he's selling them to,” I said. Scarlet was about to say something, but re-thought it and sat back down.
“What I want to know is how you turned into that...whatever it was earlier,” Nova said. Jade nodded her agreement. I looked at Scarlet, but she nodded in agreement. I guess my earlier explanation to her was a bit rushed. I'd want a thorough explanation if someone I knew had come back form the grave.
“You're right Nova, you do deserve to know what happened. All of you,” I said as I began my story. I told them everything, from how iron Spear killed me, to meeting the Ursa in my mind, to turning into a hairier version of the Hulk. After I had finished, they all looked at me with a look I can only describe as a cross between fear, confusion, amazement, and anger. Fear at what I was, confusion at my coming back from the dead, amazement that I had, and anger at Iron Spear.
“I know it's a lot to process, but I've never lied to you before. What I speak is the truth,” I said sitting down. They all looked at each other, unsure of what to say. Surprisingly, Jade was the first one to speak up.
“I believe Shadow. Shadow honest pony, not lie about something like this,” she said.
“Even if he's telling the truth, how do we know this Ursa Major thing won't try and kill us. I saw what it did to Iron Spear's soldiers. It may have spared us today, but what about next time?” Nova asked.
“He won't hurt you,” I said.
“How can we know that Shadow?” Nova said
“Because, he can't. He doesn't have to power to take control of my body on his own. We both need to be in agreement or else he stays in his cage. He even said if he could find a way out he would've by now,” I said.
“Well what if he does find a way to take control Shadow. I saw what he did. It ripped those soldiers apart like they were paper. What do we do if he gets loose?” Nova asked, his face the most serious I'd ever seen it.
“Then you'll have to kill me,” I said. The second I said that, Scarlet sprang from her seat, and clocked me in the face so hard I flew against the wall.
“What the hell Scarlet!” I said as I tried to ready myself. Scarlet grabbed me and pushed me against the wall.
“Listen up Stripes, you say any kind of shit like that again and I'll never speak to you again. I lost you once and I am not losing you again!” she yelled at me. I could only stare at her.
“Well, what do you have to say for yourself Stripes?” she said.
I rubbed my jaw, now sporting a fresh cut across my face “I'm starting to think you like punching me. Then again, I don't mind if it's you,” I said winking. She blushed and punched me in the gut.
“Okay, too far. Truce?” I said extending my hoof. She sighed and helped me up.
“Well, now that that's over, we need to think about our next move. We need to find out where Iron Spear has been sending these ponies and who he's been selling them to,” I said.
“Didn't we find some records or something of what he's been doing. Why can't we just use that?” Scarlet asked.
I shook my head “I've already read through them all. No mention of a location apart from here. If we're gonna find out where the captives are being taken, then we need to find out another way.”
“And how do you propose we do that Stripes? It's not like Iron Spear's just going to tell us where he's sending them,” Scarlet said. That's when a devious and evil grin spread across my face.
“I think he'll tell us everything we need to know, given a little incentive,” I said as I turned to leave.
“Where're you going?” Nova asked. I turned and gave them a very evil smile.
“I'm gonna go have a little chat with our friend Iron Spear. I should be able to get all the information I need,” I said as I headed down to the brig for a “chat” with Iron Spear.