Earth, North American Continent, United States of America, Washington DC Police Station, October 25, 2012
Agent Green of the FBI’s missing person section quickly got out of his car after parking in the front of the DC Police station to gather information about this unique missing person. In fact he was the head of a small special section. Cold Cases or those of people who would just vanish. Most times their branch had found them, halfway around the world or in some other place of the world having vanished while on vacation. Still the information he had received was concerning to him. If it was true then he may be very well facing the first documented eyewitness alien abduction. He walked into the main doors and walked up to the front desk where he showed his badge, and papers to prove that he was here on official business.
“Right, interrogation room one, and don’t believe a word he is yelling, we already asked the Navy for divers to search the Potomac for the body.” The Officer behind the desk grumbled. “Man’s raving mad, must be some new drug on the street, been going at it for almost twelve hours.”
Agent Green only look at the name plate and the rank on the shoulders of the officer before putting his badge away. “I will keep that in mind Sergeant Higgins.” He smiled before speaking again. “I need to check in my firearm,” he replied and was slide a piece of paper where he signed it and then surrendered his firearm to Sergeant Higgins. He then turned to a single door that was reinforced with a single window in the middle, from that door another Officer stepped out and held it open for the FBI agent. He walked to the door and nodded his thanks to the officer before following the officer to one of the room. Without saying anything the officer opened the door and let the agent into the room before closing it behind him. The petty gang member was currently wearing an orange short sleeve jumper with tattoos traveling up and down his arms. “Mr. Turnbull, I am Agent Green with the FBI, I understand you witnessed something strange causing the disappearance of a United States citizen.”
“Yeah right,” Came the gruff rebuttal, “You just saying that so you can lock me up in a padded room, you all say we did our deed and dumped the body. The police have his information that I took from him. But I saw what I saw, he just vanished into black dust and flew up to the moon it looked like.” Agent Green placed the accent almost instantly as a rather normal Brooklyn accent.
Green moved and sat down at the table. “So, you are saying that he just vaporized?” he raised an eyebrow you could see above his sunglasses. “I will request to see these items you turned in.” he told Mr. Turnbull. “As for what you saw, can you elaborate?”
“What? You believe me?” He asked with a snort and his body shook a little from the forced laugh snort.
“More akin to taking the information around me, and seeing what fits. Sherlock Holmes stated, that once eliminated...”
“What remains no matter how improbable, is the answer.” Mr. Turnbull replied before smirking. “What, even us gang members like to read the classics and it helps us in trying to cover o..” he paused and glared. “Nice try getting how things work inside the gang.”
Agent Green didn’t smile but he did decide to go a different tract. “Why the cooperation with the police and even I in this, don’t you want to hide that you did someone in?”
“Look, We didn’t kill him. He just stared at us, that sweet fear in his eyes before he suddenly clutched his heart and screamed as black smoke rose and that started to take his form. When I say dark smoke type dust. I mean it. It seemed to glitter, as one of our members whose mind got burned on acid, he said it glittered like stardust and I am not kidding when it flew up to the moon, I don’t know what happened but it just put the hairs on the back of my neck on end.” He shivered, “The poor man I thought had lost it with insane laughter yet what scared us the most and made me the scapegoat to turn myself and the evidence in was that the laughter was in the air, pressing in on us…” He leaned over the table, his next words chillingly sober. “...and not a single one of us was laughing.” He looked at the Agent. “Just what or where can one hear laughter when all mouths are shut tight?”
Agent Green only nodded his head as he took notes on his small handheld electronic device, he looked up again and smiled. “I think we may be willing to transfer you to a place that would be more willing to listen to your words.” He had typed in the information and had said this right before his screen turned red and everything locked out. A second later a small window popped up with a text.
where are you? It read. Then more words started to appear. Bring in Mr. Turnbull for question and report to the Marines who shall be picking you up. Congratulations Mr. Green, you are about to enter the Rabbit Hole.
Agent Green only smiled. “Seems that whatever you have been telling me has gotten the interest of not just the FBI but the military as well, I think I can safely say that you are being taken very seriously.”
He blinked as both Mr. Turnbull and Agent Green heard a knock on the door and a Police Officer came in with a few clear plastic bags. “Agent Green, we just were ordered to turn over any evidence concerning last night’s killing slash missing person report.” The Officer sighed as he looked at the thug. “Seems that you are getting a nice change of scenery I hope it is into a psych ward for that Mumbo Jumbo you were sprouting.” The Officer smiled and placed the bag upon the table. It showed a wallet, a set of keys, and one large metal coin. Each item was in its own separate baggy.
Agent Green looked down and noticed the name on the bag. “William Jefferson Howard.” he read out the name. “Well, thank you.” he got up as he saw two Marines dressed in their dress uniforms they scanned the room before moving back out of the room. What or Whom came in next made Agent Green actually wonder just what rabbit hole he stepped into. Two agents with black sunglasses, ear pieces, and little pins on the lapel that identified them with the Secret Service looked around and nodded to the two. The one on the left spoke. “Mr. Turnbull, once you have been released from the chair you currently are sitting in, you shall be transported to the Marine Barracks for holding, while enroute, you shall be reminded of your rights as a US Citizen and briefed on why it is you are being held at a Military installation.” the Agent actually smiled a little. “Trust me, it is nothing that your past has marked you for, it is rather the incident from last night.” The Agent then turned to Agent Green. “You shall be placed into a black SUV and driven to an emergency Meeting with President Erickson.” The Agent placed a finger to his ear. “They are also requesting you keep ahold of anything that you might have recovered from Mr. Turnbull.”
Agent Green only nodded and picked up the items on the table as two more agents moved to take care of Mr. Turnbull. He quickly gathered up the evidence bags and left the interrogation room behind Mr. Turnbull who was remaining silent as one of the Agents spoke to him telling him his rights, as well as reciting the fifth amendment of the Bill of Rights. This strange group of folks left the station after Agent Green retook his firearm and while one group got into one SUV, the other group the one that Agent Green was in got in an identical looking vehicle. They both started up and left the Police Station parking lot as Agent Green saw an FBI Pickup team arrived to drive the company car back to the garages at Headquarters.
The Drive to the White House was short, and thankfully without incident, the SUV that drove Mr. Turnbull left the group quickly and then they were at the entrance to the White House, the driver lowered his window, presented his badge, spoke to the guy. Agent Green deliberately tuned them out so as not to present a security risk for later. It was surprising when he was addressed from the outside. The way he reacted was more of a startled yes and wha? Which seemed to be the response they wanted as they drove through the checkpoint.
After getting out of the SUV in the garage and another checkpoint, Agent Green was escorted through some hallways and found himself very suddenly in the Oval Office with the doors being closed and one other fact. He was the only one there in the room. Gulping Agent Green slowly moved to one of the couches in the room and sat down as he took the evidence bags out of his pockets and placed them on the coffee table in the middle of the room. It was here that a side door opened and the President walked out, his daughter pushed by a Marine and behind the Marine.
Agent Green stood quickly and with wide eyes as he saw a rather, he was not sure what to think as a Robin eggshell blue pony with a horn sticking from its forehead and a mane the color of straw. He just stared as he heard, was the President’s daughter and the Unicorn, his mind was really trying not to believe that moment. Still he was finding it hard to deny that the two were carrying on in a conversation. Then behind the Unicorn in a tailored suit was the President’s son as he stood next to a Secret Agent.
Mr. Green only sat down again unable to say a word. He blinked as he realized that the President was actually laughing. “Looks like Bright Light owes me a pancake.” He smiled as, Agent Green shut his eyes, President Erickson’s daughter was translating it.
“He says he is okay with that Daddy.” She smiled a little and when Agent Green opened his eyes she waved to him. “Hello Agent Green, I am Susan and I am the US Translator for the Kingdom of Equestria’s temporary diplomat.”
“Diplomat?” Agent Green muttered. “No offense but the diplomat looks a little small to be one.” He paused as the Presidential Family and the two Marines and Unicorn looked at each other with smirks.
“Well yeah,” came the President’s son’s voice, which Agent Green could not remember. “He’s just a child like Sussy is, but, he is all we have so defacto, he is the diplomat.”
President Erickson nodded his head. “Right I already had a quick background check done on the name of the missing person that was turned to black starlight.” Was it him or did the President look worried suddenly. “So far, we have not found anything too worrisome, the worst that happened we could find was an altercation between him and a militant peacenik.” Agent Green was actually surprised to hear that coming from the President. “Only assaulted the man after suffering a broken arm, and hearing a threat to burn down a ROTC building on his campus.” The President was handed a folder and he raised an eyebrow. “Fled to William and Mary College due to pressure from the extended family of the man who broke his arm, and has not returned since two thousand and nine.” he looked at his agents. “I want this quiet but I want you to see if you can put a little pressure on the local police to find out more about this family.” He moved and with the folder sat down behind the desk. “Appears he was two semesters away from getting a Masters in History.” he smiled, “Volunteered at Williamsburg in the summer, which turned into a paid job after two months.” he looked up at Agent Green. “I want you to fly out to Fort Howard Museum to interview his step grandfather, grandmother and any family who might be living there. Also talk to the folks in the nearby town. Fort Arnold, they should be able to tell us the character of Mr. Howard as he grew up.”
Agent Green blinked as he raised an Eyebrow. “How are you so sure the town would know Mr. Howard?” he looked at the others feeling like he had a good question but also feeling very out of his depth on just asking the President a question.
“Because Fort Howard, the Museum is in the middle of the Eastern Colorado plains and the town nearby is a small one, mostly ranching. Also piece of advice, about ninety percent of the town is either in the National Guard or retired.” He looked down at the paper. “To give you one leg up, the Museum was a B-17 staging ground during World War Two. As well as a training for the bombers and some infantry, the Museum was started after the base was closed during Vietnam.” President Erickson smiled. “My Father was trained at that base and flew in Europe in a B-17, was shot down and spent the last of the war as a POW in Germany.” The President smiled before he shut the folder. “Congratulation Agent Green you are now in what is going to be the biggest shake up to the World’s Political scene since we dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. First Contact with an Alien species.”
One of the Agents looked at his watch as if keeping track of something for later in the day. “Just a heads up, you are thirty minutes away from announcing this to the world. Also we just had word that like requested the owner of that news website, Eq.. Equestria something just arrived and is sitting in the Rose Garden with the other members of the Press.
Agent Green just paused. “You, you're going to announce this? Today? But, but didn’t this just happen last night?” He blinked as the son laughed at him and he turned to rebuke him only to have him speak.
“You think we can keep a Pony, that can do magic, cooped up in the White House? The staff will find out, they will eventually leak out. What better way to leak it then the President himself giving the information.”
President Erickson smiled wondering when his son had gotten that tidbit of wisdom. “Yes, what Robert said is correct, the sooner the better, and if we do it sooner, the more that first Bright Light as he says his name is, the more protection he will receive, the better we can use movements to observe how the world will react.” He looked to Bright Light. “I am sorry to say but you might end up speaking to all the world leaders soon,” he paused and looked at Sussan, “That means a day off school, but I expect you to make up the missed day.”
“Of Course Daddy.” She smiled as she looked at Agent Green. “Would you like to take a seat in the back and watch the news broadcast?” She smiled and turned to the Marine behind her. “Garth, that is okay right?”
The Marine only nodded his head to the delight of Susan who clapped her hands and turned to face Agent Green and smiled even more when Agent Green nodded his head. “Oh goody, more people to know the secrets.” She replied with joy.
White House Rose Garden. Noon Washington DC Time,
October 25, 2012
The members of the press were all sitting in chairs in front of the iconic doors with the podium with the seal of the President of the United States attached to the front. While they were sitting they were not still and were chatting back and forth. In the back of the group sitting a little off to the side was one reporter who was a little nervous. In fact he was a little shocked that he had been woken up in the middle of the night before with three agents from the Secret Service, with a notice of recommendation from Seth. He looked down at the badge in wonderment. In protecting his name, as well as perpreputaing the fandom names, he saw the name, Ink Well. He shook his head, he had asked to join the EQD as a Con Reporter and was told Seth would think about it. Instead he got his answer by that knock and was now sitting in the Rose Garden. He looked up and wondered just what Seth was thinking. A better question was why did the White House suddenly want a Pony news site for what had been a relatively unknown event. Heck it only was on for three seasons with the season finale on the horizon and the fandom in an uproar over what might be a Twilight Alicorn. To be here with a small video and tape recorder. He shrugged, no matter what it was going to be was still an humbling experience, he had a sneaking thought that whatever happened, Sweetie Bot was going to get this to Seth before he did. He chuckled at that as he found someone sitting next to him.
He looked over and blinked before looked back at the podium, that was before he took a double take, it was a CNN badge but was that, did he catch a Twilight Sticker on the back of the badge. He blinked and while he looked back to the podium he learned over a little. “The Night shall last forever.”
The reporter from CNN turned and looked before slowly smiling a little. “What fun is there in making sense?” She only smiled as she looked back at the podium before she turned and looked more at the badge. “Okay, Discord is real, what are you doing here? Don’t you just follow the fandom stuff?”
“Yeah, no clue how I got an invite but I thought I would use it today.” Ink Well replied with a slight chuckle, it was then that one of the Secretaries for the President walked up to the Podium.
“Mic Check,” he began and smiled, “Testing testing one two three,” He looked down at the notes. “Presidential order for mic check, Look To the Stars above and Unite the world.” He paused and blinked before sighing. “Robert was here.”
This caused some chuckles from the Press while the CNN reporter smiled as she leaned in. “Usually Robert sneaks in a quick joke here and there before the cameras roll. Last time it was a G.I. Joe reference, today appears to be a Pokemon reference.”
Ink Well only nodded his head in hearing that. “Makes sense I hope.” The rest of the lawn fell silent as President Erickson slowly walked up to the podium. He cleared his throat and smiled to the audience.
“Welcome to the Rose Garden and I can say that for once the DC weather is being nice for us.” He smiled a little bit. “I hope that with what we have to tell not just you members of the press but the world is a good omen that it is sunny and happy.” He looked to a doorway that had the drapes drawn before continuing. “Now, usually we have a long winded speech prepared, but at the moment I really don’t have anything to say that can prepare for what is going and is currently happening.” He smiled a little. “Yesterday as I prepared to read my children a bedtime story, a, ball of light appeared in the White House and, my daughter became the first US Citizen to make First Contact with an alien race.”
The President took a drink of water as the lawn was utterly silent. “Now that may be hard to believe, trust me, I woke up this morning thinking it was a dream, still, Susan will now translate questions you may have.”
The Press here began to mill and speak amongst themselves before the lawn turn utterly silent. For behind Susan as she wheeled herself to the steps with a Marine behind her for protection. Trotted, stepped, walked like an equine. Was a being that A few members of the press were actually staring and blinking. Ink Well muttered and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing things, yep there was a Unicorn, small one at that standing next to the wheelchair as he? or was he a she? Still the Unicorn slowly looked at the Press with worry.
Susan smiled as it was a few hands suddenly shot up. She looked to her father who smiled. “I will call on members of the Press, but please address them either Ms. Erickson or Susan.” He pointed to the back row. “Yes Janet from CNN?”
Janet smiled and looked a little nervous. “Uh, can you perform magic or do you call it something else? I also have a follow up question if needed.”
To all present the little Unicorn smiled and turned to the podium and with a visible aura picked up a glass from underneath it and took a drink from the glass before setting it down on the ground next to it.
Susan only smiled, “What is the follow up Question?”
The Unicorn only smiled and spoke, spoke an actual alien language. The recording equipment many of the Press were looking at wondering who could they get as experts to study the tapes, they were wondering that even as Susan responded in a short response in the language, then another string of words from the Unicorn. It was Ink Well who wondered how many other of the press were realizing this was to prove she could speak the language. She smiled and turned to look at Janet.
The Press amazingly seized on the one word spoke, the Unicorn was a he, and it was again more hands raising up into the air. The President only smiled as he pointed to another hand. “Hank from Fox News.”
Hank stood up in a suit and looked at his pad of paper before looking up. “Ms. Susan, does our first contact know about the show My Little Pony?” He asked. “I only ask as I have a daughter who watches the show and she most likely will be overjoyed with this knowledge.”
Once more, only this time was much longer dialog before Susan returned. “He has seen most of Season one, and the start of Season Two, or started to, I had to stop the playback as he hide under the bed due to memories from the changeling invasion.”
Ink Well just stared in shock. The Royal Wedding happened? He looked around and saw others as well, in fact he was shocked by what was asked by Hank.
“Are, are you okay with humanity with what you have seen? Are we worse than the Changelings?” Ink Well blinked and wondered if Hank was really asking for his daughter or because he had liked the show? He wondered even as the dialog occurred more, it was frustrating that he could understand it, but then again another race, another language. He almost laughed as he realized that many headcanons were being ruined by reality right at that moment.
Susan looked right at Hank. “He is fine with it, he actually likes how the show shows the strengths of Equestria, and focuses on the present and not some of the past events in history.” She looked at the Unicorn who was shaking his head. “That is all he is willing to say at the moment.”
Hank only nodded as he sat down. The President smiled and pointed to another member of the Press. “Gary of MSNBC.”
Gary stood and nodded his head. “Two Questions if you do not mind. How many intelligent races are there on your world? Also, do you have a name?” He sat down and waited for the information.
Susan translated once more and came what sounded like a list of names. Susan smiled and spoke up. “He answered in reverse order, so his name is Bright Light.” She paused, “As for the intelligent races, there are Earth Ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns, Thestrals, Minotaurs, Dragons, Griffins, Donkeys, and Changelings.” Susan took a breath. “Their might be more but he cannot remember at the moment.”
The President smiled and while hands went up, he only looked to the back and smiled even wider. “I think I will ask if the representative from Equestria Daily has any questions for our friend.”
Ink Well gulped and stood up as he looked right at the front of the podium. “I, I have one. What is Equestria’s plans with Earth now that First contact has been established?” He gulped and remained standing while Susan spoke back and forth before turning back.
“Nothing, you see, it was a magical mishap in Canterlot, and he was sent here, meaning he is the only one here, just a child like me, and scared. There will for the moment no further contact, no further reports, nor relief. That also means no speaking in front of the United Nations. While being treated as a diplomat as he thanks my father for that status, he fears that he might upset the Princesses, and he is scared of Princess Luna.”
There were a few light chuckles, which however underlayed another problem or question. What were they to do if, maybe this was a test to see how they treated their own kind? Ink Well shook the thought from his mind, Trollestia might do that, but he doubt it would be.
Susan chuckled, “Any more questions?”
“Oh, uh, you ever meet the Mane Six?” he quickly amended the question, “ I mean to say, did you ever meet Twilight Sparkle or the other Elements of Harmony holders?” The question was translated, an answer given and then retranslated into English.
“Did you meet any of your generals in person? Or anyone famous in politics Before today?” The question made a few more of the Press to laugh in a show of them laughing with the answer and not at the question. The silence was the answer.
Susan waited a little longer before continuing. “While he would like to meet heroes of Equestria, he has not meet them, he has seen them in stained glass while taking a tour of Canterlot castle after the invasion.” Ink Well only smiled and sat down slowly. His head spinning as he realized he had just seen and been part of first contact of the press, and, he paused as he realized that a few other members of the Press were looking at him. One older gentleman raised a hand.
“Lary from the Washington Post.” President Erickson called out. Larry only stood being a slightly overweight man in a suit and tie. He adjusted the tie as he cleared his throat.
“I know we are all wanting to ask about politics and the geopolitical situations in your country.” He chuckled a little. “But I think we can speak and say we are putting those off to the side for the moment so as not to scare you too much.” He cleared his throat again. “As for my question, I am wondering if you have any favorite foods from your home?”
The conversation back and forth occurred and it was here that a few trained ears were starting to pick up a few words, amongst the reporters at that moment they could maybe understand five words among the jabber. They being: The, and, I, and you.
“Well,” Susan began and found another glass magiced over to her by Bright Light which once more memorized the entire audience this made Bright Light chuckle before getting an odd expression that would later prove to be his mischievous face. He began to move the glass around and caused it to make circles figure eights, and then he did a new trick, the glass vanished and then the glass landed on the grass with a pop, the glass was also empty. A second later the water from the glass fell on the head of a Marine. The Marine did not move or say a word as the ice water splashed on him. Bright Light only smiled and laughed at the faces of the Press and make a comment that caused a surprised reaction, a slight bap on the head with Susan’s hand. “First of all, I did that to show it was impolite to call the Press a bunch of cats going after a moving red dot.” She turned around and looked at the Marine. “Sorry,” her voice showed shame and she bowed her head. This action erased the fall out of her bapping the head of an alien. She turned back to Larry and began to speak directly at him. “As for the question, he likes Carrots, Celery, Corn, Brussel Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabbage, and Icecream with chocolate cake with white frosting and sugar coated strawberry slices.” In just one sentence, the populations of the first world, parents found it rather, easy to get their kids to eat their greens. After all if an alien eats it, maybe eating it isn’t so bad after all. The trick parents soon realized was learning to cook it just right.
The President only smiled and nodded his head before he looked to an older lady in the audience. “Ms. McGraw from the New York Times.”
Ms. McGraw stood up wearing a business blazer and pants. She was the modern image of a working women in business. “Yes, I have a question, I mean this is all fascinating, but surely the laws of the universe are just so, that for you to arrive here. Wouldn’t something else have replaced you in your world?” She was grinning a little. “Like another little child, who surely wants to be back with his mommy and daddy? Would you like the world to join together and build a way to go back home?”
The reaction that happened was one that many did not expect, but one that Ms. McGraw had hoped for. The little colt sniffed and promptly turned and bolted away, a moment later Susan was turning around only to have a Marine step up behind her and began pushing her as they quickly made their exit.
Ms. McGraw like a viper turned to the President. “President Erickson, why are you letting your daughter take on such heavy burdens, surely you have others who can learn his language and why force him here. They are children, don’t you like children? Surely you have had a hard time raising them, and running the nation since your wife died last year.”
President Erickson stepped up and only placed his hands on the podium. “The Conference is over. Ms. McGraw if you ever pull something like that again, I will ask that your paper send someone else, I can take all the slings and arrows on how you feel that I should not be President because of my children, but you leave them and their friends out of your campaign. Is that clear?”
Ms. McGraw only nodded her head not showing any emotions. “We will see Mr. President, a father comes first or maybe the DC Protective agency should find them better homes with parents who are home.”
The President only glared before turning around and walking away, before stopping and talking to one of his aids who came up next to him. He turned and began to walk out more towards the private garden area of the White House.
Ink Well was getting up and turning around only to see two Secret Service members walking up to him. “Mr. Ink Well, the President is wondering if you would like to be the first to hold a Interview with a citizen of Equestria.” Ink Well looked and smiled. “Only if I can have Janet hold the camera from CNN for us to film it. If they agree not to air it until we do upon EQD.”
The two men placed a hand to their ear and then nodded. “We believe that is acceptable.” With those words the group of three humans followed into what was at the moment an enclave of solitude, and as Ink Well walked around the corner he heard it before seeing it. Crying. He blinked as he saw the President, Susan, and Bright Light huddled close with the two at the moment powerful people on the planet, one for being President of the United States, the other as the only link to communicating with an alien race.
Ink Well was about to turn around when he felt and saw two more secret service members. The same one that spoke before spoke again. “Mr. Ink Well, Mr. Bright Light requested to do his first interview with EQD or Equestria Daily as it would be most friendly and respectful of any of the news media.”
Ink Well paused and looked at the group and wondered if what started as just a place to gather pony news as Seth said, would become something bigger. He gulped and then sneezed before looking up as the others turned to look at him. “Well,” he began, “Maybe we can hold off on the interview and just chat a little, what is the phrase for small talk?”
The phrases once more went back and forth and Susan only smiled. “Grazing the Grass.” She smiled a little more as she found it a little funny thinking about that phrase.
Ink Well only nodded his head. “Then, shall we graze the grass a little?” He smiled as the President only motioned for a seat and found that Bright Light was already talking as he did so.
Meanwhile in a off limits hallway in the White House the Marine who had been splashed by water was more relieved that he did not even flinch from the event. He paused and finally began to chuckle a little bit. At least till his Master Sergeant showed up.
“Gunnery Sergeant Fitz, I just want to say I have never been more proud of what you have done then just then. You kept your composure, and remained unmoved. I could see the Press actually hold their breath. So, what are you going to do with that trouble maker?”
“Master Sergeant, I was going to get him a glass of water and work with him so he may not make that mistake again in front of not just the American People, but the Marine Corps as well.” He did not smile, and all his Master Sergeant did was nod and turned around, giving approval of the plans that Gunnery Sergeant Fitz had made.
While the start of a small talk, or grazing the grass occurred the rest of the world was starting to stir from first the shock of an alien appearing in the White House, and second. An alien was at the White House.
In Berkely University. Three completely different protests sprung up within the hour, one demanding the release of the Alien from military and government custody, Another demanding that the Government come clean with the other UFO stories, and the third, was one that was starting to form the idea that the governments should work on conforming to the ideals that have been given as a gift for humanity to prepare for further contact with Equestria.
Within bars in San Francisco, they ranged from only shrugging before going back into yelling about the current going ons in the sports world both current and future. It also ranged to that of wondering just what kind of enlightenment they would give them. Six bars also evicted sixteen individuals with bruises who even suggested the thought of forming a defensive force in case the actual contact was not good, it was later that day reported that one man was missing after saying that same thing in a seventh bar.
Meanwhile at Westpoint it was the complete opposite, most of the staff, and students ended up gathering around maps and tables, even just in places of gathering during off times and were discussing just what might need to be done to both created a peaceful contact, but at the same time, meet with the rifle within reach in case things went south.
This sentiment was also mirrored in every military of the Earth, Except for North Korea who within the hour declared that the US would feel the wrath of North Korea for kidnapping one of the sacred Unicorns that live in their mountains. Needless to say, the rest of the world only raised a proverbial eyebrow at North Korea and just put up a few more planes and just kept their satellite cameras to keep an eye on the country.
Meanwhile all across the internet one group of people literally exploded in excitement. Anyone that might have been a closet brony online quickly broke any vows of silence and quickly was hyped over the news of just what happened. Equestria Daily’s servers actually crashed due to the flood of people trying to just even come up with an idea of just what the bronies were. Those that were already known for being a Brony were almost invaded on all sides from Messaging to Skype, to even their PM Boxes, Deviant Artist who drew Ponies were also flooded. In just four hours, a fandom that was almost looked at by weary eyes and parents pulling their children to the other side of the toy aisle were suddenly being attacked verbally to answer questions all over the place. If Discord had been present for that one moment, he would have out right smiled at what he would call spawns of Discord. It was also in some ways too much for some fans and the Fandom literally fluctuated in a manner of hours. Still in all the chaos a few fans were actually feeling meh about it or even didn’t care, they were fans but they also had jobs to finish, and to accomplish. As for the Military Bronies, they were rather quietly gathered up by their respective units and asked to create a think tank on what to do next. By the end of the first, well Day Zero, the world was shifting suddenly in a lot of events.
Agent Green only shook his head as six hours later at six at night Washington time he boarded a jumbo jet to fly from DC to Denver Colorado before spending the night and the next morning driving Eastward onto the plains of Colorado and visit and stay in Fort Arnold, named after one of the Commanders who fought in the Native American wars. Arnold Cook. He shook his head as got up as he heard his plane being called and shut off the smart phone he was using to check the news since the first contact broke, As he saw it, it was everywhere from twitter to facebook, to every news agency and newspaper. He smiled as he walked up the gangway and handed the Stewardess his ticket before boarding the plane. All his luggage was below the plane so he really had nothing to carry on with him. He quickly found his seat in the business section of the plane, a policy that had slowly been implemented among agencies under cover of darkness was to start flying out of first class if possible. After sitting down in his seat next to the window he looked at the dark skies as the sounds of passengers boarded the plane, the background noise of the AC unit running, as well as just beeps and bells going off as a kid in front of him stood on a chair and pushed the lights on and off and called the stewardess while his mother and father did their best to try and not cause too much of a scene, it brought a smile to Agent Green’s mouth as he saw an American family play. well a child playing and two parents trying to get ready to travel.
Agent Green looked to his left and into the plane as an middle aged man sat down next to him. He was looking at a special edition newspaper that had a picture from the Press Conference early with the Picture of the President, Susan, and then Bright Light standing there with smiles. Agent Green did not remember that pose when he was there so it must have been another shot taken after he had left. The middle aged man smiled as he noticed the man dressed in a suit looking at the paper. “Crazy right?” The man extended his hand. “Frank.”
Green blinked and smiled giving a name on his head. “Will,” he paused and shook his head. Why did he take the name of the kid he was back ground checking, it didn’t matter, he would have to answer to Will during the flight. He smiled a little. “As for being Crazy, I guess so.” he looked to the front as he noticed that the stewardess were getting the cabin finished for leaving. “Still, I view it more as another step forward into the great beyond and learning more about the universe around us.” Green or Will at the moment faked a frown. “If only it was in a real life spaceship with warp drives.”
Frank only laughed a little. “Yeah, that would have been fun, but still… can you believe your eyes? On live TV even, that Unicorn did all these tricks that didn’t even or wasn’t possible till today. That poor Marine, I hope the kid lives to see tomorrow.”
‘Will’ only smiled a little. “Nah, got some Marine friends, if anything the kid, I recall the name Bright Light being given. Anyway, I think they are going to rather teach more control. I think they would rather they learn about this hiccup instead of having it happen to the face of say, China’s diplomat, or Russia’s.”
Frank only nodded his head. “Yeah, while it would be fun to see that smug smile washed off Putin’s face, I agree I’d rather not have it happen as it might cause a war.” He laughed aloud at that. “Attack Bears.” he paused in the middle of his laughing. “Oh, video game reference, just, nevermind.”
Agent Green shook his head, One of his interns last summer had yammered on about this Red Alert series. Still it was amusing and he was blinking a little. “I am sorry Frank but today as you said has been crazy and I would like to take some shut eye during the flight.”
Frank only smiled. “Nah, I don’t mind. Let’s me reread a nice book I found in DC, sad my ex girlfriend threw out my original copy of the book, something about being politically outdated and promoting the fears of the past generations.” Frank muttered something more but Green did not catch it as Frank pulled out a thick book and Green only smiled.
“I remember that book, good movie as well.” he spoke as he nestled into the chair as Frank started to read a book by Tom Clancy, The Hunt for Red October. Both of them became oblivious to the rest of the world as one slept, and another started reading a book that contained fond memories. Amazingly the rest of the flight really speed by fast and soon the plan was touching down at Denver International Airport. Where Frank and Green departed the plane, picked up luggage and Green acted like the kind friend and helped Frank with one troublesome bag that was a little large for him to pick up on his own and the two separated at the doors.
“Nice talking with you Will.” Frank called out. “I hope you have a nice business trip.”
“Well, not the same for the business trip, but you have a safe travel home.” Green replied as he looked for his driver. “Where is home anyway?”
“Oh, Fort Arnold, I am going to surprise my mom with an early visit, Going to retake my classes when I can.” he shivered and shook his head. “Someone found a window smashed and a letter proclaiming that they killed a friend of mine. No one saw or caught the vandel but the note shook up the school a little, I just have to get home and… rally the troops and circle the wagons.”
Agent Green nodded. “I am guessing for when the folks arrive to question about your friend?” He sighed and looked Frank in the eye. “Agent Green, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Missing Person division, we have, been asked to find out about Mr. Howard’s life, I cannot say why, but this was ask by the President himself.” He pulled out his badge to show Frank.
Frank blinked and laughed a little as he blinked back emotions. “Dang. Just, I hope you understand a few folks don’t like,”
“I know, my dad served in Vietnam, don’t worry if anything I’m wanting to be on your side of any disputes… and trust me, If any of my other friends try to give you grief, I’ll try to help where I can.”
“Well, may you not need it, but if so,” He didn’t finish as Agent Green finished for him.
“You’ll believe it when you see it.” This caused a little laughter. “Anyway, I won’t be driving out that way till tomorrow, you be safe, and I am already planning one tourist activity. Visit the museum.”
“A good place to visit, I hope you have a day set aside, it is a little big, we pride ourselves in having an actual missile silo for visiting.”
Agent Green only nodded his head. “Right, good night and don’t go trying to skip town, there are questions we need answered.”
Lone Pine Motel, Sixteen hundred Mountain Daylight Time, Fort Arnold Colorado, October 26, 2012
Agent Green paused as looked at the row of single floor rooms at the small cheap motel that was on the outskirts of the town. He shook his head at what his boss had reacted to when he sent in the name of where he was staying. He didn’t mind as it first, put him into a better position to keep an eye on the town as well as acting quickly on any leads that he might come across with this research subject.
He sighed and pulled out the small paper print out that the desk clerk had given. He already called ahead and was scheduled for a private meeting in one of the hangers of the Museum, he was meeting with William’s Stepgrandfather. Nathaniel Fredrikson, he started in his head as he walked to his car. Married Gabriel Howard two years after the death of Benjamin Howard due to complications incurred as a POW in Japan. His Mother, Hope Erickson, common immigrant in seventeen fourteen, yet unaware of the family ties to the President, Married to the Name Howard. William has three siblings. Two brothers and one sister, deceased.
He paused as he get into his car, turned the key and backed out onto the road into town, he would take the same road till he reached the guard gates of Fort Howard Military Museum. He chuckled in that they really did capitalized the words in the official name. He continued on his mind journey. His older brother George, age thirty, is serving as a Captain currently stationed in Iraq. he is married and has two children, a boy named Ethan age five, and a daughter named Elizabeth age three. Family story states that she was named after the ship Queen Elizabeth that ferried an uncle, who met his future bride who was a nurse on board.
He paused as he stopped at a stop sign and continued on to the next brother after moving through, having no more stop signs till the gates. The second brother Henry age twenty five, has graduated College with a degree in Business and is currently helping run the family business, a Military Museum out in Colorado. He is married and currently has one child, a daughter named Victoria age two. William is the youngest of the living family. His sister died in a flash flood and her body never recovered. Name Ruth. He pushed that information out of his head as he did not want to dwell on that at the moment.
He finally found his thoughts fully interrupted as he found the gates, and standing at the guard post was Henry in a Vietnam dress uniform with the MP armband. Agent Green slowed down to a stop and the MP looked inside the windows and then used a mirror to look under the car. Agent Green chuckled it was a quick move more to immerse any visitors into the experience than real security.
“ID please,” Heny asked, yet did he not ask to have the window rolled down. Agent Green only smiled and feeling a little like his first day as an agent he pulled out his badge and flipped it open. He smiled more while he lowered the sunglasses he was wearing at the stunned look on Henry’s face. A moment later Henry turned around and pressed a button in the sack and the gate in front of him slowly slide to the side and Agent Green was waved through the threshold. He know what he needed to stop first, building one, the visitor center combined with gift shop, from there he would meet with Colonel retired Nathaniel.
He looked at the hanger as it grew bigger and bigger into the windshield. He looked to the passenger seat where he had notes and a IPad to record the verbal words. He looked back up and the signs directing the cars to the different buildings. He paused as he thought of something. “Just how many are we going to be pulling down the bottom of this rabbit hole?” He just blinked as he parked the car and saw an older man with a cane, dressed in the uniform that he had once worn while in active duty. Agent Green got out of the car as he adjusted his sunglasses before he walked to the gentleman his hand outreached in a greeting.
Unknown Location
Two figures sat around a small round drawing room table that had in the middle a tea set with another plate that held small tea biscuits. The two figures were sitting in the plush chairs that matched with the tea table
“Now your majesty,” The distinguished looking gentleman replied with a look to the TV that was mounted to the wall. “I am concerned with the fact that the US Government has what could very well be a key in reopening the pathways.”
The older women who many would actually recognize as Queen Elizabeth the second only smiled softly. “Let the Americans have their time in the sun, if nothing else we can use them as the scout ships into uncharted waters.” She chuckled. “Besides this would give a reason to invite President Erickson for a visit, and, bring in some of the Americans.” She lifted her tea cup to her lips and sipped it a little. “Merlin, when they find the family of the poor soul that was taken to create a one time jump, I want you to compensate them as well for the lose from the Royal Coffers that you still have control over, I doubt their Congress would be parcel to having a Lord and Lady of the Realm living in America so make is a monetary with honorary citizenship passports.”
They continued to watch the muted TV that continued to show the images of Bright Light to the world. A Confused, scared colt that was wanting to be safe after a terrible ordeal. Merlin only smiled. “While I am overseas you want me to visit and talk to Sir Bright Light as well?”
Queen Elizabeth only shook her head in the negative. “Not yet, you can do so when it is the guise of an official visit. With the Americans visiting England.” She smiled a little. “Make sure that Bright Light and Ms. Susan Erickson come as well.” She smiled a little as she picked up a small electronic device and started to speak into it. “Important guests. President Erickson, the Marines that are familiar with the situation, Sir Bright Eyes, Dame Susan Erickson, and a member from the Equestrian Daily who was at today’s Press Conference.”
She pressed another button on her device and placed it down on the table. “Amazing devices,” She looked to Merlin. “Then again you invented some form of it back during the Battle of Hastings.”
Merlin only nodded his head after taking a sip. “Of course your majesty, you are correct, all technology has been doing is catching up with what it was that I could perform.” He smiled a little. “So many tiny wizards and witches and they do not even know that what they do today is literally sorcery to the mindset of the medieval ages as you so lovingly call them.”
Queen Elizabeth just looked at Merlin before sipping her tea cup before setting it down and Merlin moved to fill it up again. As he did so, she responded. “Still, what we have gathered from the time of Arthur is, starting to finally move forward.”
Merlin only nodded his head. “Of course, and all it took was to swap two living creatures into elements that will either kill them, or make them some of the most powerful future leaders of relations in this collection.” He moved to fill his tea cup as well. “Now, before you say anything your majesty, I only say that as they will be our most knowledge about each others culture having lived in it.”
Queen Elizabeth sipped her tea and set it down before speaking. “Makes sense, still that is going to play havoc over the American’s Constitution, what with the coming conflict.”
Merlin only smiled. “We could always play the Avalon card.” Merlin replied with a raised eyebrow and a smirk as he took a sip. “King Arthur will return and when he does, we either give him Wales or the Eastern Seaboard of the Americas.” He smiled as he took another sip of tea as Queen Elizabeth just stared at him.
“You wouldn’t dare, that would cause the yanks to,” She paused and ignored Merlin as she took another sip of her tea. “You did that to just get me to call them that word didn’t you?”
Merlin only chuckled lightly. “Of course your Majesty, Still, might teach a little of those upstart yanks just who will be holding the reigns of control.” He looked darkly. “I did warn George Three that he might lose his colonies if he continued down the path without even attempting to meet them halfway.”
“Still,” Queen Elizabeth replied as she waited for him to sip his own tea. “What if this Equestria gets so enamored with Americans they want to emulate their government?” The tea that got spit back into the cup only caused a smirk to form on the Queen’s face.
“I highly doubt that. Even,” He paused and sat up a little taller as his own device chimed and he moved to pick it up where it projected some information in a rather arcane text and images. His eyes widened. “They got a two year cadet.” He muttered actually looking worried. “Assessment from our eyes in the District of Columbia says that they got a war historian.” His face fell. “Celestia’s sun I hope Princess Luna does not get involved.”
“Ah yes, this mythical princess you mention from the kingdom you came from before helping King Arthur.” Queen Elizabeth replied as she took a sip. “I take it this Princess Luna is in charge of military?” She only smiled, “Maybe now you will stop trying to cause mischiouve for the Americans, let it go, we lost the colonies for real in eighteen twelve, not even King Edward the first of Canada could hold their capital. We were beaten, and while no one won anything land wise.” She paused and looked at Merlin as if expecting him to finish the thought.
Merlin sighed looking glumly into his tea. “They won the right to be taken seriously as a nation.” He smiled a little. “At least they still hold the original portraits of their two Generals. Washington and Arnold.” Merlin it seemed took a little bit of mirf from that fact.
“Yes, still, try not to upset the American delegation too much when they arrive in the next few weeks.” She picked the device up again. “Invite King Russell of Australia as well as Peter the first of Canada to meet with the Americans.” She sat the item down and moved a hand to pick up a piece of the biscuits next to the tea pot. “Come Merlin, show me the progress that my scientists have advanced on the knowledge of what you have been having the Royal Family studying since William the Conqueror landed on the shores of England.”
“Very well your Majesty.” Here Merlin picked up his own black device and moved a hand over the screen and placed it on the table as it projected images and figures, Merlin reached out and pointed to one item. “Seems that we have located the remains of three mana batteries off the coast of Scotland, I would like to salvage them as soon as possible.” The two continued to talk as the sun moved on its course through the sky while Earth rotated around the Sun.