//------------------------------// // 4: Contact // Story: The Jolly Rogers // by lockheed //------------------------------// Spitfire's jaw went lax as it sank in that here, in these photographs, was very possibly the thing that could destroy their peaceful world. "We need to report this to Canterlot. Sargent! Get Canterlot on the phone immediately!" A stallion in a blue uniform saluted and began to take off in a sprint before I stopped him. "Sargent! That won't be necessary! Colonel, do ya know what's wrong with that idea?" "No." "The flaw in your plan is that Canterlot is a big place and word is bound to get out. And if word gets out 'bout the nature of the cargo on that aircraft and what it can do, it's liable to start a panic all across the world. And if that happens then all civil order breaks down and chaos ensues." "Alright, so what do we do?" "Send in a rescue team to get the man and make sure they have hazmat suits incase that missile is leaking radiation. Other than that there ain't much we can do." "And wouldn't someone notice a bunch of ponies in hazmat suits roaming about?" "That's what cover stories are for. If folks ask questions just tell them it's a research team studying radiation in the mountains or something." "Alright, I'll call the headquarters in Vanhoover and tell them that we need to borrow their hazmat suits. We have a small rescue team here on base we can send out. I know that they have another team waiting in the Crystal Empire for us." "Good, good. So how are we supposed to help with all this? It ain't like we're going to shoot down a crashed plane." "I suppose you stay here or fly to Canterlot and wait for the prisoner." I looked over my shoulder to see my men looking around in wonder at the base. "Ah think we'll stay here for a bit before we take off for Canterlot." "Well don't do anything stupid." "Yes ma'am." Before I got turned around to tell the guys not to wander off they had all made mad dashes in every direction to explore the airfield, and no doubt cause trouble. 'May as well check this place out myself.' I began walking in the direction of the far end of the runway where there was nothing but clouds for as far as the eye could see. When I finally reached the end of the runway I looked down at the cloud in front of me. 'If pegasi can step on clouds Ah wonder if Ah can? Best not jump right on just incase.' With that thought running through my mind I carefully placed my right foot out over the cloud and brought it down gently, only to see it go through. 'Damn.' I turned and looked around at the few buildings on the solid ground of this plateau. The first on to catch my eye was a hut with the words Fliers Lounge painted in bold black letters on the door. I walked over and carefully opened the door to see two rooms on either side of the main doorway. In one room there was a card table with several stallions and a mare engaged in a game of poker. A thick light blue fog filled the room from their cigarettes and cigars. I peeked into the other room and saw a few more stallions and a few mares sitting and talking or reading a book. I stepped into the second room which got the attention of all the ones in the room. With the talking now hushed the jazz emanating from a small radio was the only sound in the room. Across the hall a roar of laughter went up and momentarily drew their attention away from me. When all eyes focused back on me I began to feel extremely awkward until one of the mares finally approached me. I noticed her mane was light brown and went down to her back while her coat was a deep olive color. "Who and what are you and why are you in our lounge?" Her blue eyes stared daggers into me, looking for even the slightest threat. "Ah'm a human. My name is James Jones and Ah'm a Lieutenant Commander with the United States Navy." "An officer huh? Well in the lounge ranks aren't recognized. You may as well have a seat. Are those your flying machines out there?" "Eeyup." "We heard them flying over and watched them land but we didn't see the pilot." "They're noisy bastards Ah'll say that. We waited until my wingman landed to get out. We're gonna takeoff in a bit for Canterlot. Until then yer Colonel said we could wander about." I stepped over to a pony sized sofa and sat down as gently as possible so as not to break it. "So what are you going to Canterlot for?" "Well from what Ah've been told just another human who got pulled through the same time as us." "Why wouldn't he be with you now if he came through at the same time?" "Cause he was in a different aircraft so from what Ah can guess is that they kept flying until they crashed." She nodded but I doubted she fully realized what I was talking about. They obviously had never had airplanes here, let alone fighter jets. 'If Ah ever get down time Ah may have ta change that.' I look down at my watch, 12:15, we still have about an hour and a half until we have to take off again. "So you said you're a Lieutenant Commander?" "Eeyup." "Well I never introduced myself. I'm recruit number 25 but you can just call me Thunderstreak. Normally I'm in Manehattan with Pegasus Squadron 19 as a flight nurse but the Wonderbolts began a new program this year where military fliers can tryout with the civilian fliers too. They try to put one civilian with one military flier so it's more on the level for everyone." She plopped down on the couch next to me and leaned over until her muzzle was almost against my ear. "But just between you and me it's not. They put the better fliers together so the less skilled ones will drop out from shame. It's not right but we can't stop who they put together." She leaned back before continuing. "Anyways I'm a single mom so this is the best chance a mare like me has of making big money." "How many kids ya got?" "Three. A fifteen year old son, a sixteen year old daughter, and another son who’s six." "That's nice." "Yeah." She sighed and laid down next to me. We both sat in silence for a few minutes as most of the room went back to what they were doing before I came in, which consisted of reading, smoking, or a game of dominoes in the corner. As we sat I reached into my inside chest and felt only my small metal lighter. "Fuck. Any of y'all have a smoke?" At the same instant several ponies in the room reached into the pockets of their uniforms and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. I reached over and took the pack that was closest to me from the dark brown stallion who was holding it and opened it and was surprised to see they were the same size as the ones back home. I took a cigarette from the pack and handed him back the pack before reaching in my pocket and retrieving my lighter. My finger ran across the small words engraved on the lighter as I flicked it open and lit the cigarette. "Thanks for the smoke." The stallion nodded and stuffed the pack back into his pocket. I took a long drag from the cigarette and immediately noticed a difference from cigarettes back home, this was the most disgusting cigarette I'd ever smoked. "What kind of cigarette is this?" "It's Clover cigarettes. I prefer these over the Lucky Lights." The brown stallion replied. "Well no offence but that is the most disgusting cigarette Ah've ever had the displeasure of smoking." I put the cigarette out in the ashtray and leaned back on the sofa. My eyelids slowly grew heavier and heavier the longer I sat until there was nothing but darkness. After what I thought was just a few seconds I opened my eyes and looked around the room. There were only a couple of ponies left in here but the few that were looked board out of their minds. I looked down to see Thunderstreak still sitting next to me with a book now in front of her. "How long was Ah out?" Thunderstreak looked up from her book over to a small clock on the wall. "I'd say about an hour and fifteen minutes." "Did Ah snore?" "You sounded like you cut down a forest." "Sorry. You said it's been over an hour?" "Yeah, why?" "Because Ah have got to get gone. The intel Spitfire had said they were supposed to teleport the prisoner to Canterlot when they got back to the Crystal Empire capitol. It's 'bout fifteen minutes until the time Ah wanted to take off and Ah've still got to find my men and then do the pre-flights then takeoff for Canterlot." "Sounds like you have quite a bit on your plate. I'll help you as much as I can but when it comes to those flying machines of yours I have no clue." "That's alright. Any help Ah can get is better then no help at all." Thunderstreak stood up next to me and we headed for the door. As I opened the door a large green blur flew past me towards the ground and landed with a thud. "Austin? What in the hell are y'all doin'?" "I'm trying to parachute goddamn it." "That would explain the crushed beach umbrella. How'd ya get on the roof?" "I climbed up there. Who's yer lil' friend?" "This is Thunderstreak. She's supposed to help me gather all of ya up so we can take off." "Oh. Can you help me up Skip?" I descended the couple of steps to the ground and extended a hand to Austin who grabbed for me to pull him up. When he was on his feet again I detected a smell I had hoped wouldn't be there. "Austin, have you been drinking?" "No sir." "Bullshit Miller. Tell me the truth, now!" I grabbed Austin by the collar of his flight suit and shook him in the moment of rage. "Yes sir I did. There were a few stallions who had a glass bottle of what looked like water and I took a swig and it was all downhill from there." "Tequila. Thunderstreak, what are base rules regarding alcohol?" "Only alcohol that is allowed is beer and wine. No other alcohol is permitted." "Now Miller, tell me who the stallions were and Ah won' t ring yer neck for drinking." Austin pointed a finger over towards three stallions stumbling towards barracks on the other side of the runway. "Thunderstreak do you know who those three are?" "Yeah." "Good write down their names, that they have banned alcohol, let me sign it, then go deliver it to Colonel Spitfire." "Yes sir." Thunderstreak trotted back into the lounge and returned a minute later with the note rolled up and in hoof. "Here you go James. Their names, ranks, and the alcohol story. All I need is your signature." "Alright. Ya got a pencil or something I can use?" "There's a pencil rolled up in there." "Thanks. Austin, turn around." "Why?" "Because Ah said so. You're lucky Ah didn't knock yer ass out for drinking so just turn around." Austin reluctantly turned around while I unrolled the letter and put it up to his back to sign it. After signing it I gave it back to Thunderstreak who then took off towards a large building three fourths of the way down the runway. "Come on Austin. We're supposed to be takin' off right now. Where are Will and John at?" "They went back to their Tomcat to take a nap." With that I started off towards the Tomcat's while watching Thunderstreak flying away out of the corner of my eye. 'Poor gal. Air Force nurse and a single mom. Glad Ah never had kids.' I reached the Tomcat's and found Will and John fast asleep in their seats in the cockpit. "Will, John, wake up. It's time to take off." They both began rousing and stretched before grabbing their check lists and going over the preflight. I walked over to my Tomcat and climbed the ladder to see Austin grabbing his head in pain. "Aww what's the matter you jackass? Too much to drink? Ah've got to applaud your stupidity." I began clapping as loud as I could and chuckled at Austin cringing in pain from the sound. "Not funny Skipper." "To me it is." I climbed in to the pilot's seat and reached down on the floor and searched for my flight helmet. Finally I found it and picked it up, stopping to look at the light shining off the yellow paint around my callsign on the front of it. After a couple of seconds my eyes looked away from the hypnotic glow over at Will's Tomcat. 'They look about done. Best hurry up so we can go see Rusky.' I quickly began going through the preflight, which had become second nature to me, and managed to finish before Will and John. My hands brought the helmet up and slipped it over my head and strapped it on before switching on the radio. "Hawk, Cobra, can y'all hear me?" "Loud and clear Skipper." "Alright. Wonderbolt tower this is Tomcat flight, request permission for takeoff, runway 1-8.” “Tomcat flight, this is Wonderbolt tower. Taxi into position and hold on runway 1-8.” “Roger that, taxi into position and hold.” I reached down and pushed the throttle forward and listened to the engines roar louder with every little movement forward. The Tomcat began rolling forward and I began pulling the throttle back to keep it around five knots. We reached the end of the runway and spun the jets around towards the far end. “Hey Skipper, look over there.” I looked up from the instrument panel down the runway to see ponies setting up several cameras along with pegasi hovering above them with more cameras. “Looks like they want our picture boys.” “How’s my hair?” “Will, you’re wearing a helmet.” “Oh yeah.” I shoved the throttles forward and saw the cameras begin flashing. As we neared the cameras I could see more flashes from them trying to get as good a shot of us as possible. “They want a picture, let’s give ‘em a picture.” When we got almost directly in front of them I brought my right hand up from the control column and gave the camera a quick one fingered salute. “Did you just flip off a camera Skipper?” “Ah don’t like folks taking my picture.” “Will if you think that was bad his senior picture had to be adjusted to not include his middle finger.” I chuckled at that. “Got me a week of staying after school but it was worth it.” My eyes looked down at the airspeed indicator, one hundred sixty knots. “Ok fellas let’s start climbin’ and head fer Canterlot.” I began pulling back on the stick and felt the jet begin climbing like a homesick angel. My eyes looked out the canopy trying to find the mountain from yesterday. After a few seconds of scanning the sky I found the mountain that I was seeking of to our left. "Bank right to 0-9-0." "Roger that Skipper, 0-9-0." Both jets banked hard left as we turned to the desired heading. We leveled out to avoid missing the heading and I found Canterlot in the middle of my windscreen. Keeping it subsonic like before it took nearly an hour to reach Canterlot. As we flew over the plateau at the base of the palace we searched for a landing spot, and probably the final resting spot for our Tomcats. "Skipper, small field at eleven o'clock. Looks like our best option because I'm running on vapors over here." "Roger that Hawk. Let's just land in that field 'fore we run out of gas." "Yes sir." We chopped the throttles and dropped from the cruising altitude of five thousand feet down to around five hundred feet above the city and lined up with the field. "Alright boys, this field looks smaller than the one back in Ponyville so we're almost gonna have to hit the fence comin' in to get stopped in time." We swung the wings forward, lowered the flaps and landing gear, barely missed the fence around the field, and landed with a loud thud. I slammed on the brakes and heard them let out a bloodcurdling screech. Finally the Tomcats began to slow before coming to a stop mere inches from crashing through the fence ahead of us. We shut down the engines and all the systems now that what we figured was our last flight. We all climbed out of the jets and set off for the palace, which required walking through the center of the city if we wanted to get strait there. After several minutes of walking we got to one of the cobblestone streets, our boots echoing of the nearby buildings making it sound as though a small army was marching. The further we got into the city the more ponies we saw and the more weird looks we got. Twenty blocks into the city we were almost to the center when I heard a familiar song from the record store up ahead. I hurried up to the store and saw the record spinning on a player in the front window. I went inside and approached the store clerk in surprise and shock. "Excuse me, where did you get that record?" I pointed towards the record player in the window. "That one we just got in yesterday." "Well who's singing that?" "No clue. The company that owns those songs doesn't put the singer's name on them." "Who owns that company?" "Princesses Celestia and Luna." "Thank you." The bell above the door jingled as I left the store and found the other three waiting on me. "What was that about Skipper?" "The song that's playin' is one I used to hear all the time. My main question is how the hell did Celestia get ahold of a Vera Lynn record?" "Who knows. Don't we have something more important to get to anyways?" "Yeah. Let's go." We set off again for the palace and continued to draw more stares for ponies until we reached our destination. As we approached the palace gate the guards snapped to attention and gave a quick salute before approaching us. "Lieutenant Commander Jones?" "Yes?" "Princess Celestia has stated that you would be coming. Please follow us." The guards turned and opened the gate before proceeding onward to the palace itself. We followed close behind so as to not get lost somewhere inside. The guards led us up several flights of stairs before turning down a large corridor towards two large doors with the word INFIRMARY painted above them. "The prisoner is in here. We'll be out here incase you need us." "Thanks. You three probably ought to stay out here too." "Yes sir." I opened one of the doors and stepped inside to see a man with thick black hair laying in a hospital bed along with a doctor and Princess Celestia by the bed. My boots made a thud with each step on the infirmary's wooden floor as I approached the bed. "So this is the prisoner huh? How badly is he hurt?" "Well he had several broken ribs, a piece of one of his vertebrae was damaged but no damage to his spinal chord, a punctured lung, and a piece of aluminum embedded in his left leg. Other than that nothing major. He's very lucky he got here when he did other wise he might have died. He should be better by tomorrow night." "But you said he could have died. How's he gonna be ok that quick?" "We used magic to heal him." "And how did you know how to fix him up if we're the first humans here." "That's classified. I'll leave you three here." The doctor trotted out of the infirmary leaving only me, the prisoner, and Celestia in the room. The Russian airman began to stir and opened his eyes. "Где я?" (Where am I?) "Вы находитесь в больнице." (You are in a hospital.) "Вы говорите по-русски? Но вы американец." (You speak Russian? But you are an American.) "Я говорю немного. Я считаю, это мудро знать способы своего противника." (I speak a little. I believe it is wise to know the ways of one's adversary.) "As do I." "You know English?" "Of coarse. Like you said, it is wise to know the ways of one's adversary." "What is your name?" I walked over and sat on the bed next to the airman's. "Major Anthony Nelson." "I watched I Dream of Jeannie as a kid so don't think that name is going to work." "Very well. My name is Major Marko Loginov with the Soviet Air Force and KGB. Well, formerly KGB. I was a pilot with the KGB to fly agents and agency leaders around. I had top level security clearance which is why I was selected to fly the mission that ended here." "What kind of mission were you flying?" "We were supposed to take out the Nimitz with a new type of weapon we had developed. It is a two hundred forty kiloton anti-ship missile. It was supposed to be a suicide mission but the crew and I planed to ditch the bomber near the Nimitz and defect. The fighters had no idea what we had planed so they naturally attacked." "You said you had top secret information?" "Yes." "Like what?" Marko sat up in his bed and looked over at Celestia before back to me. "You see the big white unicorn too right?" "Yeah." "Good. But some of the information is highly classified. For example, the Americans were not the first to land or walk on the moon. You were just the first ones to make it back alive." "So Armstrong wasn't the first?" "No he wasn't. Yuri Gagarin was on the moon over a year before Armstrong but their suits lost pressure and they died. They just said he died in a plane crash so they wouldn't face the embarrassment of losing more cosmonauts in space." "Makes sense. So you were just trying to defect yesterday?" "Yes." "Good. Then I see no reason you would be a threat." "Thank you Mr.?" "Jones. James Jones. Ah'm a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy." "Thank you Mr. Jones for not deeming me a threat." I nodded and gave him a quick smile before turning for the door. As I was about to open the door I heard hoofsteps behind me and turned to see Celestia behind me. "Can we have a talk James?" "Of coarse your highness. May Ah ask what about?" "It is about your future here in Equestria. I was hoping to talk you into joining the Royal Equestrian Air Force. Joining also comes with a rank increase. How does Colonel sound to you?" "Sounds absolutely fantastic!" "I was hoping to get your men to join as well. Maybe even the man over there in the bed. All of you will get rank increases with joining." "Ah'm sure my men would join as well as Marko so when do we start?" "Well the Grand Galloping Gala is in two days so how about we swear you in then?" "Sounds great. Also, where did you and your sister get a Vera Lynn record?" Celestia grinned before giving me a simple two word answer. "That's classified." I chuckled and opened the door to the corridor outside the infirmary and found all three men and the two guards all sitting against a wall asleep. "Ah what the hell." I went and sat down with them and drifted off into sleep.