//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen: Foreign Powers // Story: Strokes of Fate // by Silbern //------------------------------// Link Dusk was fuming at this point as several guards followed him about although at a greater distance away from before. They had been following ever since the recently evolved Alicorn discovered a small trail which to follow. It was the most basic of all hunting sensors yet almost impossible for Ponies to use this accurately. Dusk lowered his muzzle to the edge of the sidewalk and gave a few sniffs before raising again to follow the troubling smell of Fiddlesticks blood. It was faint which either meant the trail was old or there was little bleeding to actually have occurred. Anything yet? Not yet, Hive Mind. Celestia has insisted with speaking to you but I have blocked incoming transmission from your selected Ambassador. She has the right to fear my wrath if I find a hair missing from Fiddlesticks head. I also have a troubling point to bring up, Hive Mind. Dusk paused for only a short moment to raise his eyebrows before continuing on the scented trail. Choose your next words carefully. I must warn you, Hive Mind. This assailants may have had outside help. Outside help? What? Do you mean from the Deer Lands? Boar? Gryphons? I mean outside of this solar system, Hive Mind. Nothing I've seen from this world so far has the capabilities to block out Zerg Psionic powers and Swarm Neural Communication. Are you saying one of those “Protoss” creatures have been assisting common thugs? It's impossible to be one hundred percent certain, Hive Mind, but it's something to keep in mind. Dusk let out a long hum as he thought of the possibility of interference of a powerful race. He was completely outnumbered and outclassed in that case. He wasn't exactly a veteran in combat but the Zerg was one of the best teachers. His trail of thought was suddenly derailed when he gave the air another sniff. His lip raised along with a growl as he shifted his attention to a large house before him. It seemed old but well taken care off much like rest of the neighbourhood. Dusk noticed the garage which he snarled at much to the displeasure of the nearby guards. What really surprised the guards was the sudden explosion of energy as shards of what remained of the garage door were spewed in all directions. The smoke quickly cleared with a subtle shift of Dusk's wings to reveal a carriage inside the garage's confines. Snarling, Dusk continued his venture towards the house until a sound of taught string snapped suddenly. It only took Dusk a second to realize the sudden arrow shaft sticking out from his neck. Dusk grunted but it wasn't one of pain. It almost seemed like it was a grunt of entertainment as the Alicorn lowered his gaze to witness the wooden shaft protruding from the small space that the carapace didn't cover. To Dusk, the pain was very minimal and he knew exactly what was wrong with his body as if he had an entire team of medical professionals in his head doing a self examination. The arrow head was barbed to cause maximum amount of internal damage while piercing the body and to remove as well. It seemed to have barely missed an artery but then again, the amount of time it would take for Dusk to actually bleed out is far beyond the damage capability of one arrow. Another sudden thwack of the hidden archer's string caught Dusk's attention but this time he was well prepared. The arrow was suddenly enveloped in a dark purple aura stopping it mid flight. The Archer, whoever he or she was, seemed to correct their aim as the arrowhead was a mere inch away from entering Dusk's right eye socket. “Show yourself,” Dusk ordered into the darkened garage until another projectile approached from the doorway at blinding speed. Dusk quickly reversed both arrows and kinetically pushed them to speeds far superior to the bow used against him. The projectiles sounded out with a loud crack as if embedding into wood before a quiet crackling of energy was heard. Dusk's vision immediately caught why he couldn't see his attacker before. The Mare that was launching the arrows was slowly becoming visible as if altered from an invisibility spell. The only odd thing about her was the skin tight suit she was wearing. Dusk almost found her form curious if he didn't already have something more pressing to take care of. Ignoring the two arrows sticking out from the Mare's heavily bleeding neck, he continued into what looked like a grand dining area. An expensive chandelier hung from above although by the layer of dust many of the objects had within this room, it would almost seem completely unused. “Your Highness!” a voice tried poorly at a hushed tone which caused Dusk to turn. He eyed up and down a brown mare in the black city guard's uniform. Her wheat coloured mane was tied in a bun as her dark blue eyes searched left and right for possible invisible attackers. “What is it?” Dusk questioned her. “I have to inform you, your Highness, that you are breaking and entering along with murder. Can you please come back outside?” she asked although Dusk could practically taste the fear on every word. Her very form quivered as she reached for the hoof braces. “Don't be stupid, Girl,” Dusk muttered before continuing on to the next room. “Excuse me?” she asked although Dusk was confused by her tone. Was she angry or confused? “There is not a single Pony in this City that could stop me. How much of a chance do you and your puny little hoof cuffs stand?” Dusk explained as his eyes searched over what seemed to be a large family room filled with book shelves and fine furniture. Much like the Dining room, the furniture was covered in a thick layer of dust. Dusk even had to smile as he heard the Mare follow him as he continued his search to a stairway leading into the basement. “I'm still a guard of Trottingham! It's my duty to apprehend you!” she squeaked out as she reached forward with her hoof cuff's. Dusk only groaned in annoyance as he began warping the metal that consisted of the cuff's with help from his trusty horn. Free form the Mare's distraction he made his way for the basement until he felt something cling to one of his hind legs. “Your coming to the station, your Highness!” Dusk couldn't believe it. The Mare was putting all of her Pegasus strength into pulling him back towards the front door. Dusk even gazed at her when she flapped her wings for extra momentum albeit unhelpful. All of this bravado and energy however paid off with little reward. “Release me, Guard,” “No!” “So be it,” Dusk muttered as he continued to drag the Guard along with him. He didn't look though he could hear her panting at the amount of energy she was trying to get him moving. Dusk simply ignored the pull upon his body as he tried to descend the darkened stairs. Reaching the bottom was a strange arrangement as he was meet with but a single metal door. “Please return with me, your Highness!” Dusk rolled his eyes at the plea before stepping closer towards the door. He reached out with a single hoof until he felt a strange numbing effect run up his foreleg upon contact. Tempting fate, Dusk tried once more only to get the same tingle run up his limb. It seems like my suspicions are correct, Hive Mind. The Protoss are helping out thugs? Not exactly, Hive Mind. Although the Protoss staying oblivious to your Brood forever is highly unlikely, it is not them who have shown interest. This construction looks Human in nature. Human? The hairless humonoid? Yes, Hive Mind. I find it highly likely that someone has made contact with Human contacts and somehow gained favour with them. So these Humans helped in the ponyknapping of Fiddlesticks? Possibly, yes. Dusk growled with sudden hatred that fueled the Psionic push that crumpled most of the door into the room. The room was empty besides a single tinted glass hanging on the wall. The room was completely metal however and it was absolutely covered in Fiddlesticks scent. I was THIS close! “Good evening, Dusk Breaker, Emperor of the Zerg Empire,” Dusk narrowed his eyes as the blackened screen flickered to life. It didn't show much except a darkened Pony behind a desk. “Not even brave enough to show your face?” Dusk asked as he eyed the figure in the screen. “Do not think me a fool, Dusk Breaker. I didn't get as far as I have through carelessness and childish ideals,” he quickly responded with a cool tone. “You know that I have Fiddlesticks in my possession and that I have the means to hide her quite well,” Dusk remained quiet for a moment to reflect on the metaphorical scale. He had power and the means to end life quite easily while this mysterious crook holds one of the most precious thing to him. Not only can he hide her from his Swarm connection but obviously trick even his basic sense of smell. “I won't lie, Dusk. I hate you. I hate your species and every fibre of what makes you what you are,” the shadowed figure spoke out with well disguised malice. “I however need you to take down my other enemies,” “I'm not a slave for you to contort to petty whims,” Dusk growled out with the most amount of control he could muster. “You should watch your tone, Dusk. I have been giving Fiddlesticks the utmost amount of care thus far but it can change with your upcoming actions,” the Pony raised a hoof to silence Dusk. “The tasks that I will be sending to you will be easy for one of your stature plus I am a generous being,” “Generous?” Dusk repeated with a snort of derision. “Complete each task that I assign and you will be rewarded with a five minute conversation to your beloved Fiddlesticks,” the Pony explained further as he leaned back in his chair. Dusk paused at this sudden change in conversation. He would assume that there would be a ransom of some sort for Fiddlesticks but this was something he didn't expect. Dusk grit his teeth before asking his next question. “What if I fail even one of these missions?” “Use your imagination,” Dusk only growled at that answer. He was stuck with a dagger to his throat. If he even failed one insignificant assignment, it was all over. The room was quiet before a voice sounded behind Dusk. “What's your name, sir?” the ignored guard enquired shyly from behind Dusk's rear legs. “You can call me Mr. Fang,” a small shine could be seen from the Pony's smile. “I believe Dusk Breaker already knows me,” Dusk glared at the Mare behind him which only made her somehow hide behind his own form. How she made it to the position of a Guard was beyond Dusk comprehension. “Is she with you, Dusk Breaker?” Mr. Fang questioned which Dusk shook his head left and right slowly. “No one must know of our little chats, Dusk. Kill her,” Dusk paused in shock for a moment as he started hearing sobbing from behind him. He turned to find that she was trying to quietly crawl away from the same creature that was just ordered to end her life. Dusk ignited his horn to drag the guard back even as she screamed for help. It was almost scary to Dusk as he witnessed his power spent on the innocent. There was nothing to hold him back or a safety net to stop him from doing something unthinkable. “Please don't kill me!” the Mare begged as Dusk held her aloft by her wings. Her cheeks were now damp with tears as her eyes reddened. Dusk took in her every feature and knew for certain that she was about as innocent as it got. The only reason she was here was because some coward probably ordered her to follow in after Dusk. Does she deserve this death? “Get it over with, Emperor,” Mr. Fang spoke with eagerness. Dusk ignored the bastard as he pressed a hoof against the Mare's head to grab her attention. “Look at me. Do you have a husband or other close family?” “What?” she mumbled through gasp of air until Dusk gave her a quick shake. “My Mother lives in Ponyville!” she finally muttered out as she tried to huddled in her levitated position. “This will be easy then,” Dusk spoke clearly moments before spearing the Mare through the gut with his very own horn. The Guard simply let in a sharp breath before falling to the ground as Dusk released her. “Very good, Dusk. I will contact you again in a few days but in the mean time, I suggest you prepare you and your so-called Swarm,” Mr. Fang practically spoke with childish glee. Dusk only took a moment to look down at the bleeding Mare at his hoofs before looking back at the screen. “You know how this will end, right, Mr. Fang?” “How, Dusk?” “I will kill you. Slowly,” The room was quiet for a moment as Mr. Fang's smile disappeared. “We'll see, Mr. Breaker,” The screen went blank at that verbal battle crescendo. The quiet was an attack Dusk wasn't quite prepared for. It reminded him how alone he actually wad without Fiddlesticks. She was always there for him, not just as a friend but as a stone to keep him grounded. “I don't want to die. . .,” a small, pained plea interrupted Dusk's inner destruction as he lowered his gaze down to the brown furred hoof that stretched out to him. “I won't let you die for that assholes ambitions,” Dusk swore as he lowered his mouth to the bleeding wound. His mouth hung slightly above it as he let his saliva drop down into the wound. Work with me, Swarmy. How can we save her? We can infect her, Hive Mind, but I must protest. Is she worth the time? You will have to drag her away from everything she knew; bothersome delay. Just get it done. As you wish, Hive Mind. She will require time for the infection to spread the proper healing agents. I suggest finding a medical professional as soon as possible, Hive Mind. “Dusk! Where are you?” a familiar shout came from the ground floor of the house. “Speak of the Devil,” Dusk grinned. “Down stairs, Doctor!” Fiddlesticks groaned as she felt a painful pressure in her head. Her vision was blurry for only a moment as she tried to slowly get her footing. The floor was smooth but as she tapped against it, it was obviously made of metal. As she took in her surroundings she noticed that all of it was made of metal. It was nothing but a single metal room with an oddly large mattress and bathroom equivalents. “Ah'm in a darn prison,” Fiddlesticks cursed as she sat on her haunches. Dusk? Hun? Fiddlesticks waited for that familiar, warm voice to respond within her own mind. An ache resounded throughout her as she couldn't feel even an inkling of his consciousness through the Swarm collective. Swarmy? Smokey? Nothing. Fiddlesticks lowered her gaze to the floor as a tear begun to wet her fur. “Miss Fiddlesticks,” The country Mare turned Empress jolted her head up at the odd voice that filled the room. Not a single pony was here yet there was no mistake something was talking to her. “Good to see that your awake, Miss Fiddlesticks,” the male voice spoke out again although with much more glee. “For starters, I would like to introduce myself as Doctor Otterman. I will be the senior scientist on this project and would like to give you a . . .,” the voice paused for a moment. “warm welcome,” Fiddlesticks was about to open her mouth until a hiss sounded from the lone door. It wasn't long till she was confronted with a creature she didn't expect to see. A single Zergling leaped from the door way as he held his talons up to strike. It was too quick. Everything happened in almost a flash as Fiddlesticks held her forelegs up in defence. “Stop!” Fiddlesticks yelled with eyes shut closed awaiting the fated killing blow. A few moments went by as the voice of the doctor came on again. “Good! The subject has some control of the Zergling specimen! Very promising!” Fiddlesticks breath came in an unsteady fashion as she held her hooves up to fend of the creature. Almost a full minute passed until something nudged Fiddlesticks hoof that caused her to flinch in fear. The nudging action happened once more to cause Fiddlestick to lower her fore hooves to see the Zergling looking at her as if expecting something. “Now, Miss Fiddlesticks, try and command the Zergling to move to the other side of the room,” the scientist's voice filled the room. Fiddlesticks ignored the order as she slowly stood to see the Zergling better. Her eyes were even shocked to see the deep purple marking along the carapace! This is one of Dusk's personal Zergling guard! She thought as she ran a hoof along the creature's face before pulling it into a hug. “Dusk would go crazy if he knew that you were stolen away,” she whispered into where she suspected the Zergling's ear was. “That specimen is incredibly dangerous, Miss Fiddlesticks! Back away from it!” “Oh he's dangerous alright. . .,” Fiddlesticks muttered with a growing grin, something that the Zergling growled with eager delight. “Miss Fiddlesticks!” The Mare groaned in response to the constant nagging as she separated from the only thing that reminded her of home. She took a few steps backwards before concentrated on the only thing that occupied the Swarm network. She could feel most of the creatures senses although the connection felt weak; distant. Letting out a low breath to calm herself, she opened her eyes and focused on the far corner of the room. Move. Without a hint of hesitation, the Zergling moved to the far corner as instructed with only a few short leaps. It then turned on the spot to look back for further orders. “Excellent!” an overjoyed voice called out along with some cheering in the background of whatever room the speaker occupied. “You are doing a fantastic job, Miss Fiddlesticks!” Fiddlesticks ignored any of the good cheer as she let out her own growl of annoyance and anger. “Where am Ah? Where's Dusk?” her questions almost came out like demands as she searched the room for any sort of escape. The Zergling, reacting much on Fiddlesticks emotions, screeched in sudden ferocity as it charge walls at random as if to bowl right through them. “Calm down, Miss Fiddlesticks,” the familiar voice sounded out until Fiddlesticks cut him off. “That's Empress Fiddlesticks to you!” she shouted back as if the title was suddenly going to grant her freedom. “You are stuck in a cell far from any help, Miss Fiddlesticks,” the voice sounded confident, almost cocky in his assumptions. “You are a specimen along with the rest of your atrocious race. You will do what is asked of you or we will make sure you never see the light of day again,” The room fell quiet once more as the Mare simply fumed at her hiding opponents. “That's better,” Dr. Otterman's voice came in calmly. “The next test will commence tomorrow morning. I highly advise getting some sleep, Miss Fiddlesticks,” the Doctor's voice filled the room but there was a sort of hissing as well. Fiddlesticks took one whiff of the strange odour before stumbling a few steps. It didn't last long before she collapsed in a heap which caused the Zergling to rush to her side moments until a large electrical current streamed through his body. The two laid unconsciously as the door hissed open to reveal a muzzle of a rifle aiming directly at the Zergling's head. “Target's are out cold, Sir,” a voice came from the lone, armoured individual. His form eased slightly as he stood over Fiddlesticks with his rifle at the ready. He gave the Mare a few shoves with the muzzle only to confirm she was out cold. “Prepare the Zergling for transport and place the damn pony in her bunk,” Otterman's irritated voice came over the hidden speakers as the guard bent one hand down around the chest of Fiddlesticks. “Be careful not to damage her!” Otterman stressed as he gazed from his own control room. “Bitch, bitch, whine, whine,” the Soldier muttered as he lowered his rifle in one hand as he dropped the limp pony onto the mattress. “I swear my wife doesn't even complain this much,” he joked before he heard something clamour onto his back. “Watch out!” Otterman's voice called out too late. The only thing that the guard remembered seeing before the long Zergling talons imbedded into his face shield was the Pony grinning back up at him; an eye that held a slit pupil. In moments an alarm rang out along with a gurgling scream of agony. “All security staff! Emergency at Containment Cell Alpha!” Fiddlesticks was quick to awaken from the rather poor attempt at drugging her. Thanking her new found Zerg DNA, she got to all four hooves before rearing up her back legs and kicked out to send the Marine onto his back. The Zergling leaped from his perch atop of his armour as he made for the open door. Fiddlesticks was close behind as the two came to another door much like the one from her cell. “Step away!” Fiddlesticks ordered. The Zergling quickly cleared to the side as Fiddlesticks concentrated all her attention on the door. Dusk's words came with ease into her mind as she remembered his teaching ever since they left Canterlot. Focus on the object then what you want done to it, Hun. That was all she needed as she slowly concentrated on the door. At first nothing happened but then a screeching of metal echoed in the room. Beads of sweat quickly became apparent as her fur grew increasingly damp in perspiration. Concentrate, concentrate! In one fluid motion she sent the door crashing out to strike a surprised Marine against a metal support beam. She grinned with sudden pride before taking a step out only to get several laser sights levelled on her. The Zergling beside her screeched readying himself to attack until a whistle was heard across the platform. “That is quite enough, Miss Fiddlesticks!” the voice spoke out as a man stepped forward amongst his large squad of Marines. He wore a long, white lab coat with a simple name tag that read 'T. Otterman'. “Why do you have to resist this so much?” “Why?” Fiddlesticks snorted at his question. “You take me from my friends and family to become a lab rat. Give me one good reason why I should even hold back,” “I am the sole decider if you get to talk to your beloved Dusk Breaker or not. Do well in your tests then I shall give you privileges; something many are not welcomed too,” Otterman spoke out as a much younger woman came out from behind him. Fiddlesticks noticed she wore a science coat much like Otterman although she also held some sort of tablet the made funny sounds and blinking lights. Her hair was a shade brighter then Applejack's but it was long and straight. Fiddlesticks studied all of these strange creatures with guarded curiosity. “It's ok, Empress Fiddlesticks,” she spoke, also much softer then her elder male counter part. “Alexandra!” Otterman scoffed at her in sudden anger. “It's too dangerous here! Get back to the control room!” “But, Dr. Otterman,” she protested slightly as her gaze shifted from Fiddlesticks to Otterman. “She's not a mindless killing machine. Maybe if we tried to just be more civil with her,” “Civil?” Otterman cried in outrage. “She just had a man killed barely two minutes ago!” “We did place her in a cage away from loved ones,” Alexandra spoke in failing confidence. “I would be upset too if I were her,” Fiddlesticks eased up from her attack stance as she eyed the female Human once more. “Ah will do these damn tests if she's involved. She at least knows some common sense!” Fiddlesticks pointed at the two scientists before spitting on the ground. A tense silence was filling the air before Otterman just sighed. “So be it. Miss Yarko,” Otterman gestured to a smiling Alexandra, “will be more involved in the projects as you requested. I hope for your sakes, Miss Fiddlesticks, that the next testing goes far more smoothly,”