Prologue:The mission.
Far into the space of Horsehead Nebula, in a solar system down to the world call Equis something begin to activate. This thing that activate is a beacon, a beacon that is calling for help, a signal that transmits far out from the world it inhabits across through space and possibly time as it is begin to be heard at a remote station in an asteroid belt.
The station itself is within the asteroid as a mechanical being, a two leg upright machine, with a pair of goggle eyes, a curve helmet covering the head, a metal mask covering the mouth going downwards to the neck.
the chest is form like an average bodybuilder, the same with the arms and legs, but that is only the shape of the body, the arms are cover with tech gear, the shoulders are cover in shoulders pads, the belt around the waist is surround by gizmos and things of engineers can describe to a simple person.
The shoulders on the looker of the screen shows a symbol, a shield with four things within it. The symbol of his allegiance.
The color of the shield is blue, a cross of yellow is covering it, within the four corners are four things. The upper left is a yin-yang symbol of balance, the upper right is four things in a circle. The first in the upper left of the circle is a drop of blood, the upper right is a single letter, the lower left is fire, and the lower right is of something falling down.
The lower left of the shield is a moon with the shadow of a wolf looking upwards, and the lower right is a heart with a pair of wings within it, behind the heart is a pair of swords. Behind the shield is a pair of swords of english longblade design.
As the eyes look at the transmission the engineer turn his head as he call out in a young man tone. “Captain! We have a transmission from sector 56471-dash40b!” Metal against metal is drowning out the sounds of soldiers and engineers as the metal boots went toward the engineer, the Captain looks the same as the engineer by him, except for two pair of glasses surrounding his eyes, the Captain looks at the signal and nod his head to the one by him.
“When did this show up Corporal?” ask the Captain, his voice is of an middle age veteran.
“Sir, it just appear sir, what are your orders?” The Captain move his head to the younger engineer. “Take this signal to the higher chain of command and request someone to find the exact location of this signal, because if it’s what I think then we need to go pronto.”
The Corporal nod his head as his fingers begin to type in the request and add the signal with it as it is sent. “Sir, the message went through sir, permission to ask what signal it is sir?” ask the Corporal, the Captain nod his head.
“Granted, this transmission is an old one corporal. It’s a S.O.S., one that hasn’t been use since the War of Corruption.”
“You mean,” starts the younger soldier, the Captain nod his head once more. “Yeah, it means some troops are finally heading home.”
***
“So you’re saying that this signal is from an old beacon across from a universe at the Horsehead Nebula?” ask a fourteen year old voice, the speaker of the voice is a teen with black hair cover his face down to his chin, his hands are together as he look across from his desk to an armor Knight, the mechanical soldier nod his head toward the one before the desk.
“Yes m’lord. We haven’t seen one since the Corruption time.” reply the Knight in a mechanical veteran voice, the head is cover by slit blue eyes, the mouth cover in slots, the front showing the ranking of his group, a large shield of blue it with two blades before it, the lines of blood of red shows of five, a skull that is all broken down just under the blades show how high he is, making him the rank of High Warleader.
His entire body cover in the armor, his hands are holding together behind his back as to await his lord decisions. “Hmm, we cannot send an average troop to find the signal and hopefully the troops. No we need an veteran for this one.” said his King. “Sir, are you not worry that this is at trap?”
The fourteen year old nod his head.
“It is true, for all we know it can be one, but there is a slight possible chance that this isn’t one, but if it is we need a veteran for this job.” reply the lord. “Sir most of our veterans are either busy or gone from missions, only way to send someone is a one man team. And there aren’t many of those around here.”
The King thinks for a moment as he snap his fingers. “What about Major Clankers?”
The Warleader Knight looks surprise. “Sir, are you joking?” The Kind shakes his head. “No, like you said most of our soldiers are either too busy or on missions, and again like you said before the only way is to send someone who is already a lone wolf of sorts. Major Clankers is one of the greatest and oldest veterans that ever live.”
“But the question remains sir, will he accept?” ask the Warleader. The King form a smile on his face as he leans in. “Well he doesn’t have much to do around here, beside if anyone stubborn in not finding troops from the War it’s him. Bring Major Clankers here, I’ll prepare the assignment.” The Knight salute with his left arm. “Of course my King.”
As the Knight left the King sighs as he lean back on his comfy chair. “Hmm, but I wonder,” He said to himself in a quiet tone. “Just who did activate the signal?”
***
“So what’s the job?” the voice is old, but the tone is of a fighting spirit that refuse to go down, the voice belongs to the mechanical soldier that stands before the King in a casual look. Arms cross each other and his left side is leaning on a wall. The helmet on him is point upwards in a spike shape, slowly going backwards with small scratches on it.
A large scar at the forehead on the helmet down to the eye, and ends just at the mouth cover to his right side. His eyes are goggles cover, but the color is a fade yellow, his neck is cover in lines going horizontal, down to the chest is a large breastplate that covers the upper body and stops at two foot before a set of abs on his front.
His waist is cover with a cup of sort covering the groin area, with a sort of armor pants that stops at the thighs, knee guards are on his knees and the same speaks for his elbows.
His legs on the lower part is cover by a large scar that starts from behind the back of the knee and curves to the left down to the front of the knee itself. While the other leg has two small scars across on both sides, one on the bottom and the other at top.
His arms are cover in smaller scars and scratches down to his hands, his fingers are all dark gray with lines of large horizontal from the tip, to the end. On his chest is the symbol of his allegiance, showing proudly of who he serves.
“The job is finding possible troops within the Horsehead Nebula, a beacon was sent in that area and I am curious on why it was activated now of all times. We have no more information other than the location and the possibility of finding anyone.” explain the King.
“And if it’s a false trail?” ask Clankers.
The King shrug. “Well, at least we’ll know it and not just wonder if it is one or not.” reply the King. The Major nod his head as he stops leaning on the wall and walks toward the desk. “How long is this going to take?”
The King leans back as he let his left hand hold his chin and give a little hmm. “Honestly from the way to it is going to be somewhat short, but staying on the planet to find the beacon is going to be stander time limit.” said the King.
“So about a year.” reply Clankers. The King nod his head as he went on. “Yes, you might want to get extra ammo, you won’t get extra help sadly, and neither a ship for support. We’re going to do the usual drop pod way for this mission. So if you need anything best pack it with the pod.” told the King.
The Major look at him and soon stand straight, his left arm forming a salute toward his King. “I accept this mission King Grey.” Is all he said as Grey nod his head. “Good, now get your things and head to the shuttle bay to head toward a ship that I prep for you to travel in.” told King Grey.
“Sir, permission to ask what ship sir?” ask Clankers. “The Warship of Chance, the one captaining it is High Admiral Falocona.” reply King Grey. Clankers lower his salute as he lift his head up and look at the ceiling. “Ah, going to be nice to see that bastard again.”
***
“Sir, we’re almost there, ETA two minutes.” said the pilot. Clankers nod his head as he lean forward on the seat in the passenger seat within the gunship carrier he is in. He look to his left to see the pilot driving upwards through space as their destination is slowly getting closer.
He look toward his right, as he see five seats before him with three soldiers across from him, by him are the exact number of seats, but no troops. By Clankers left is a large metal backpack with the necessary survival gear, extra ammo, weapons repair kit, ammo conversion which allow him to change things into ammo for his three weapons.
And five bottles of his special home made drink.
On his right side is a special rifle that is given to veterans who fought for Radiant for a long period of time. Right now it’s in passive mode, which is to say that it’s all tight up in a small box, but if taken out, it’ll transform into a kickass assault rifle.
On his behind waist is his favorite knife in a sheath, the front is curve with the back in a zigzag form going downwards. Most knifes like his are obsolete, and rare to find at the same time. Their obsolete for how useless they are for attacking a machine enemy, but so rare because they date back to the time of the Madding.
A time where things were absolute chaos.
On his left side is a older model, but the same as his rifle, in the shape of a small box to hold your hand in but transform into a gun. Said gun is like the knife, not obsolete, but rare. It’s one of the few pistols that can recharge it’s own ammo and when charge enough it can make a hole to a wall about the size of a cannon ball.
But the after effects of the overheat are damning as it literally burns the handle, unless of course you’re a machine.
Then it’s one of the greatest weapons you ever have. And speaking of such thing Clankers look down on his lap to see his signature and closest weapon that any ally has the pleasure knowing and every enemy fear as it blown their brains out.
Candash.
This shotgun, this worn out, battle scar weapon, is not only Clankers main weapon, but the closest thing as a companion to him as ever. This weapon is what he fought back in the Madding, help him survive during the Madness Times, brought soldiers down in the civil war of Radiant, and help him kill more soldiers during the Corruptions.
This weapon, is his partner.
The recoil pad is flat on the end, the stock is longer and with a carve name in the metal ‘Candash’ shows on both sides of the stock. The handle of the weapon curves as it’s the magazine to put the ammo in, the safety is right before the trigger guard is. The ejection port is on the left side of the weapon as the sight is at the start of the barrel, rather than the end part where the muzzle is.
The forestock is a foot long as it ends halfway on the barrel, a few centimeters away from the muzzle, the shotgun itself is covered in scratches all around it, most of it is around the stock as Clankers place the weapon off of his lap to see it before him as he lay it on his back.
One of the soldiers speak, a organic as the species is of Vixerian, which is a bipedal fox, the armor is almost like the Major’s, except for a few differences. For one the helmet is curve back more, the armor a bit more bulkier and more stronger.
“Sir, is it true that you’re going to be on a rescue mission on a planet we haven’t discovered yet?” The soldier sound young, a Private from the way he sound in that tone of his.
Ah greenhorns, always around you asking the repeating questions even if they’re already been told. Thought Clankers as he reply. “Yeah, his lordship want me see if one of our own did activate it and bring them back home, going to be a while before we’ll get back, but it’s going to be great.” The Private sound amaze, but hold doubt in his voice. “But sir, isn’t it dangerous to go out by yourself.” the soldier by him, a mechanical Sergeant give a grunt. “Kid, Major Clankers is the oldest veterans in the whole damn Radiant beside the King himself. This guy can handle himself better than an entire group can.”
Before they went on the pilot speaks. “Sir, entering the Warship now, prep for landing.”
The gunship temporary shakes a bit as they feel the carrier land, the door to the right open downward, Clankers grab his bag, attach his rifle to the bag, and place it on his back. His Candash is within his hands as he and the troops get out of the carrier, all around them are ships, mostly their carriers and fighters.
But the sight of seeing so many troops of different races all as one is sometime amazing to see.
Clankers look to his left to see a soldier, the armor is slightly different as a long green coat is covering his upper body, on the lower part seem somewhat reveal as Clankers greet the Special Operations trooper with a nod as the soldier returns with a salute.
“Sir, I was order by High Admiral Falocona to guide you to the Commanding Center, sir!” Clankers walk by him as he reply. “Well let’s get going, shall we soldier?” The soldier salute with a sir out from him, then walks ahead of the Major to guide him.
***
“Hello Clankers, how are you?”
“Hmph, not too bad Birdy.” told Clanker as he sees a being that is seven feet tall, a beak of metal shown on his face, with curve eyes in the shape of a thunder bolt look at him with blue within them.
On each side of his head are three metal pieces which form the ‘ears’, on his chest is a small symbol of Radiant which connects to his long silver cape down to his claw feet. Most of his body is hidden from the cape that’s covering him, but what can be seen is three long claws as the High Admiral move toward his seat, on his left side show a long scar on the top of his head down to the the chin under his beak.
The chair is surround by people wearing gray suits as they tap on the screens they’re assign on. Falocona sit down as he speaks out in a commanding tone. “Are we all ready?” A mechanical woman nod her head. Unlike the other troops her body looks smooth, with wires for hair and a humanoid look.
“Yes High Admiral, we have all green from the engine department.” Falcona turn his head to the one by the woman on the right of her side. “Sir, all weapons are ready.” He turn his head to the the other as he hears the reports.
“Sir all troops are in and everything is good in the cargo hold.”
“Everything green in the ship shields.”
“We’re all good to go High Admiral, we’re waiting on your word.” Falocona went up as he raise his left arm, wires shown in the arms with some scars on them, his hand shows of four fingers and two thumbs on each side of the hand as he call out. “Ready the warp. Now!” Order Falocona.
And at once one minute they’re were just waiting, the next they move through the stars. Falocona turn his head to Clankers as he sits back down. “Better get to the pod old friend, good luck and good hunting. May you bring honor to Radiant.” Clankers nod his head as he begins to leave. “Same to you Beaky. Same to you.”
***
Clankers lean in his seat as he place the backpack on his left side, his shotgun in the small gun rack on his right, including his rifle and pistol. The pod begin to move as the cover is close up with darkness covering everything in the inside, the pod move for a while until it stop. Then the radio begin to patch in, the voice on the other line is no other than Falocona voice.
“Hello Clankers, we’re approaching the Nebula system soon, however there are some bad news. For some reason we cannot get any closer to the world, it’s possible that it’s warded somehow, thankful we found a way around that. We sync up your pod and try to make the landing as close as it can to the beacon transmission, after that you’re on your own.”
The pod moves slowly upwards as it stops again.
“We’re here Clankers. We’ll see you in a year time Major Clankers, May the Guardians watch and guide you.”
The pod drop as the radio is cut off.
And all went quiet as the the mission begins.
***
“Sister, do you see that?” Luna ask, Celestia turn her head up to the stary night sky, the two celestial sisters were spending time on one of the balconies in their castle, until Luna point out something interesting.
“...Lulu, did you plan for a meteor shower tonight?” ask Celestia, Luna slowly shakes her head as they both see something falling from the sky, at first it’s straight, but then it begins to move in a strange form, like it’s curving, and it’s heading past Ponyville, past the Everfree, and even passing Canterlot.
It moves past the mountain that Canterlot leans on, Celestia moves her head as she see the thing going across the Foal Mountains, which means five places it will land in. Celestia trots as she search for a map, then her magenta eyes look upon the map. Four places are seen in her sight.
Manehatten would be a possible landing place, but what about Fillydelphia? That’s another place where it can be, but she can’t take out Neighagra Falls like that, but the most possible place that she can think of is,
“Hollow Shades.” answer Luna, Celestia turn her head as they both see on the map a small place where the thestrals live, a small town where the night ponies live away from everypony else.
“Sister, we must send word that whatever land can be either a possible threat,” said Luna, Celestia finish as she nod her head to her younger sister. “Or a possible ally.”