//------------------------------// // Home I // Story: Equestria's first warp drive // by CCC //------------------------------// Five hours before arrival at Equestria And now the bridge was almost empty; by joint request of Celestia and the Admiral, everyone except Twilight had stepped out and gone elsewhere; and Admiral James had switched the screen so that only Celestia was visible on it(1). “Have you had a chance to speak with Sunek yet, Twilight?” asked Celestia. “Yes, Princess.” nodded Twilight. “And what are your impressions of him?” enquired Celestia. “He is very intelligent, Princess. He is also very... controlled. He doesn't do anything without thinking about it very thoroughly first, and he doesn't show much emotion. He asks very insightful questions, and a lot of them, and he learns very quickly.” “I see.” said Celestia. “And do you think he is a good pony at heart?” Twilight considered the question briefly, before answering “Yes, Princess, I do.” “Very good. And do you think he is adaptive enough to survive, and even thrive, in an environment entirely unlike what he is used to?” Twilight considered the question. “How 'unlike' are we talking about?” she asked. “Canterlot,” replied Princess Celestia. Twilight again considered the question. “Without one of those universal translators, he won't be able to talk to anypony until he can learn the language.” she mused. “And, while there may be some Equestrian food he can't eat, there is some he can eat, like oats. He should be fine, as long as he can bring one of those translators along. Is he planning on staying in Canterlot?” “No,” said Celestia, “but the Admiral is planning on asking him if he would like to. We're each going to be opening a small embassy in each other's territories.” “We are?” asked Twilight. “Um. Princess, do you know...” “I already have some ponies in mind, yes,” nodded Celestia. “Do you think...” began Twilight. “Would you like to leave your friends in Ponyville?” asked Celestia. “No! But, perhaps they could...” “Would you ask Applejack to leave her farm, Rarity to leave her boutique?” asked Celestia. “Well... no.” said Twilight. “Not to mention which,” continued Celestia, “you do bear the Elements of Harmony. Do not worry, Twilight; I will extend the invitation to all the friends you have made on this journey, to join the embassy here.” “Thank you, Princess.” * * * Arrival at Equestria “...and there.” said Var'aQ. “Circumpolar orbit, smooth as you like.” “Cooooooooool.” Scootaloo jumped up, buzzing her wings to get a clearer view of the globe on the screen in front of them. “Where's Ponyville?” she asked. “Right now, 'tis around there.” said the dark blue alicorn who had suddenly appeared on the bridge. Var'aQ leapt out of his seat in a moment – the sudden appearance of a stranger could hardly be anything but an attack – and leapt, hands outstretched... ...and stopped in mid-leap, surrounded by a dark blue glow that matched the one from Princess Luna's horn. “Is that Sweet Apple Acres?” asked Applebloom, pointing at a small smudge on the image. “Nay,” said Luna, “I think that's the lake. Sweet Apple Acres is under yonder cloud.” She nodded at the levitated Klingon. “My apologies for appearing without warning, but we have not quite thy communication technologies. And after a recent incident of kidnapping, we have developed a protocol of arriving on a ship very quickly once 'tis in Equestria's orbit.” She gently set the Klingon back down in his seat again. “I am unfamiliar with thy appearance,” continued Luna, “art thou perhaps the one called Sunek?” The Crusaders giggled. “No.” said the Klingon, sourly. “I am the one called Var'aQ.” “Ah! So 'tis thou that hath guided this ship back to Equestrian shores!” said Luna. “Equestria owes thee a debt of gratitude indeed. And I hear that thou art training some of the Bearers in the art of self-defence as well? Then it may well be that Equestria will owe thee two debts!” It was at this point that the bridge door hissed open, and a purple unicorn hurried in. “Princess Luna!” said Twilight, rushing forward and then remembering to bow. “Twilight Sparkle! 'Tis most wonderful to see thee once more, and with such success having attended thy mission!” “Not complete success, unfortunately,” said Twilight, standing up. “We couldn't do anything to save Red Dawn, the buffalo.” “Indeed.” Luna nodded. “But there is much strangeness about her – for there does not appear to be any sign of any buffalo of that name having ever existed on Equestria, never mind gone missing. 'Tis most perplexing, indeed.” (1) Celestia suspected that the Admiral could see and hear everything that either side said; for the moment, she didn't particularly care. If it became important, she would send a note via Spike.