//------------------------------// // 4: Meet and Greet // Story: Culling of the Hives // by law abiding pony //------------------------------// Stratholme was a thriving boomtown when Spinning Compass and her husband first discovered it, and by the time Twilight set hoof within its boundaries the city had tripled in size. The prospect of an untamed land with government subsidized sea travel to all colonists coupled with the seclusion a new continent offered caused the city to overflow with people of all walks of life. While the city proceeded to grow well past the ring of hills that served as a natural wall, vast stretches of dock homes and warehouses began to crowd the shallow waters surrounding the natural harbor. Twilight felt waves of powerful magic emanating from three large stone towers located at the far edge of the docks. As to what they were for, she couldn’t tell without a closer inspection. Ventras was already profoundly embarrassed from Rainbow Dash’s display of technological power shaming him into conceding the position of power to the natives. That shame was compounded by the presence of sphinx citizens crowding the streets and air to gaze upon the parade of VIPs along the road and the two strange airships above. As if the echoing thunderclaps didn’t cause enough chaos, word among those who had witnessed the display of power spread like wildfire, and the story of the destroyer sized warship materializing out of thin air was on everyone’s lips. Twilight sat in the Royal Guard drawn carriage with her sister and Luna at her side as Ventras and his escorts guided them towards his Governor’s Manor. The sights and sounds of so many strange new onlookers sent the scholar in her flying into a tizzy as she allowed a filly version of herself to squeal for joy in a private Linkscape. That was the only way she was going to keep from doing the same thing in the real world. Rainbow Dash was just eating up all the attention. Her prismatic mane already set her apart from the rest of the royals, and the rumormill identified her as the one who commanded the steel behemoth in the air thanks to word of mouth. Rainbow even waved at her “adoring” fans, yet showed impressive restraint by not calling out to them for more praise. Finding a tactful way to keep Rainbow Dash from making an ass of herself, Luna poignantly cleared her throat and started speaking in Vespid. Luna wasn’t the best at the language, but she was more than passable at it. “Now that we have their attention and, for the moment, their cooperation. We need to learn as much as possible about these sphinxes.” Rainbow inwardly groaned at having to deal with matters of state, but Twilight was highly enthused. “Right, we need to know if they always value strength over courtesy, and at what times is the opposite true. We need to know body language, slang, what manner of speech to use, the list goes on and on.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, if we screw any of that up, they’d better realize that it’s out of ignorance. And if they don’t, we’ve got two and half thousand tons of firepower to smooth over any social muck ups.” Twilight arched an eyebrow at her sister and gave an approving hum, while Luna frowned at the idea. “Crude, but in the end, the warship should make treaty negotiations easier.” “At the very least, it will give us time to show we mean no harm,” Twilight added decisively after catching Luna’s tone, “but that we are more than capable of defending ourselves.” Aegis, who had been listening intently, absorbing all of the wisdom she could, had something to add. “Assuming they never find out we only have one frigate and the two gunboats back home.” One of which is still in dry dock for another two weeks. Despite herself, Luna couldn’t help but to give off a light chuckle. “It’s strange how apt the name of your flagship is, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight was glad that Aegis inserted herself into the conversation, and used it as an excuse to speak to her. “Aegis, I have an important mission for you, one that you’re perfectly suited for as a princess.” Aegis stiffened into attention out of old habit and saluted her queen-mother. “Name it, and it’ll be done.” Luna tapped Twilight on the shoulder before she could state Aegis’ objectives. “I should have thought of this earlier. We don’t know how the sphinxes learned Equestrian. It is possible they might be able to pick up a language just by hearing it. You better use your hive mind from here on, no need to speak aloud on my account.” Twilight smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Luna.” The carriages turned a corner to reveal a large manor situated on a hill. Rainbow Dash had been listening in and thought of a few things to add. Twilight scowled at her sister, but Aegis flashed a predatory grin at the prospect. That same grin was seen by every sphinx along the road, and they all knew that grin well. Twilight groaned used her magic to pinch her brow. Rainbow conceded the point with a submissive shrug with Aegis nodding apologetically. Wanting to derail her sister’s irritation, Rainbow Dash hummed aloud. Aegis shook her head at the observation. Twilight allowed with a slight warning tone. Rainbow jumped in excitement at such a deduction. Twilight conceded with a thoughtful rub of her chin. Everyone nodded in agreement, and the order for discretion was passed down throughout the changeling ranks while Rainbow passed the warning on to Princess Luna. A bump in the road returned their attention to the three story tall manor, and only now realized that they were nearly there. The manor was situated on an artificially flattened hill with only a short vine-covered garden fence to denote the edge of the estate. If Twilight had to guess, she would estimate the manor was roughly a third the size of her childhood home: the Sparkle Estate. That places it much larger than the average house, but still… I will have to see if the size is to denote status alone, or if it’s a live in city hall. Aside from a layer of white paint to protect the wood from the elements, there was very little colorful decoration. Could be a sign that these sphinxes can’t make dyes in these lands, and importing them is a low priority. Yet if there was any doubt in her mind about the Federation being poor in the arts, the virtual forest of statues that practically covered the whole city threw such thoughts out the window. Twenty lined the driveway alone, while yet more statues and gargoyles dotted the windows and roof of both the manor and on every street corner and building. I can’t help but think they use them as business signs as well. As the group of royals departed the carriages, Aegis noticed the small dog sized statues along the stairs to the front door were newer than the rest thanks to the slightly richer black paint. Unlike all the other statues, these had an even mix of winged and wingless sphinxes in black priest robes with hoods obscuring their faces. It was only when everyone disembarked from the carriages and started walking up to the front entrance that she saw each priest was holding a gem-capped staff in what looked like a minotaur’s hand in place of their right paw. Hands?! Is that artistic license or for real? Her fixation on the hands abated as her senses touched more heavily on the ingrained magic of the black statues. Those things give me the heebie jeebies. They’re giving off some kind of creepy magic. The eeriness of the statues was not quite enough to make Aegis warn the others of them. Even so, she used her magic to pull her jacket a little tighter around her chest and hurried up inside where Ventras, Thaddeus, and Rasua bowed and swept a foreleg towards the dining room across the main hall. Ventras was still fuming, but was able to hide it with ease. “I greet you and your houses with all the honor and respect that I can give. Let it be known that no sphinx will harm you while under my roof.” Even with the double doors being wide open, the interior was much warmer by far, and did much to take the edge off. Twilight let Luna’s greater and older wisdom in diplomacy take the lead while Rainbow Dash was indifferent unless called upon or if there was a threat of violence. The dark alicorn mirrored the sphinxes’ bow, but did not bow quite so low, prompting the queens to do the same. “We thank you for your hospitality. Shall we move straight onto business, or is there an event we need to participate in first?” Thaddeus couldn’t tell Luna’s tone was sincere or that of warlord patronizing her lessers. I’ll act like it is the former. “It is tradition for our people that those who have the most power during first time negotiations to dictate how negotiations are conducted.” “I see,” Luna replied evenly. She turned to whisper to Twilight in Vespid. They spoke briefly and without emotion, unwittingly putting the sphinxes on edge. They wondered why they didn’t seem to include Rainbow Dash, but to their confusion, Twilight and Rainbow would meet eyes every so often yet no words seemed to be shared. After a minute or so, Luna turned back to Ventras who had recovered from his bow. “While we came here looking for our explorers, we also came to make new friends, not enemies. In the spirit of such cooperation, and the fact that we stand in your house even if the land is still in dispute, we would like to take part in one of your ceremonies to mark the occasion. Provided my explorers are returned to me without delay.” Ventras and all the sphinxes who listened in weren’t sure how to take that. Within their own culture, abdicating the right of ceremony, which was viewed differently than simply choosing not to have one, was a sign of cultural poverty on the level of a barbarian. All the rules go out the window with these foreigners, Rasua mused darkly. They’re playing it smart. They want to know more about us, while at the same time revealing less about themselves. But at the same time, that makes it easier to accidentally insult them. She inwardly scoffed. Father’s too old to adapt quickly enough to keep up with an entirely new set of rules. To his credit, Ventras showed none of the smoldering embarrassment from earlier, and passed himself off as a welcoming host. “If that is what you desire.” He looked all three royals in the eyes to try and sniff out any dissent, anything he could use to gain favor with at least one of them. Finding none, he moved on. “Today marks the darkest hour of the year, and lowest point on the Great Cycle. A few priests of Lerasium were consecrating my house and evening meal when word of your arrival interrupted the event. I know they are eager to continue. As for your explorers…” Ventras turned to one of the ten guards in the room and barked a short command. “The one we captured recently has been unharmed, and proved to be very talkative.” “And what of Spinning Compass, and her husband Trail Mix?” Rainbow suddenly snapped. “They better not have been treated unfairly.” Fearing Ventras would word his response poorly; Thaddeus stepped forward with his head low. “The one calling himself Slippery Shadow resides on the second floor, no doubt aware of your arrival by now. If you mean the two explorers sent here many seasons ago, all we can provide is our deepest apologies.” He hesitated out of respect. “They are dead,” he said apologetically. “If anyone is to blame for it, it is I.” Twilight feared that was the case. Explorers willing to go this far would have been resourceful enough to get word back sooner. She could feel Rainbow’s indignation surging to match Luna’s own, and feared her sister would act before the princess. She watched Rainbow’s indifferently pursed lips quickly shifted to boiling anger as Thaddeus explained the married couple’s fate. She was in the process of surging forward when Twilight stopped her with a hoof. Rainbow shot her a look between disbelief and fury. Twilight knew Rainbow’s argument the moment it came into being. The request wasn’t for mercy, or to hold back for diplomacy’s sake, and for that, some part of Rainbow Dash was grateful. Twilight replied with steel. For her part, Luna was equally angry, but also sad for the loss. “You had better to explain yourself, immediately. I tell you now that every one of my loyal subjects is precious to me.” Ventras knew what his old friend was doing, and as much as he wanted to spare him whatever wrath the royals would demand, he knew that trying to intervene would only dishonor his majordomo and his family name. Rasua, however, was inches from intervening on her oath-brother’s behalf, honor be damned. Thaddeus took a brief moment to choose his words carefully. “My sister and I were talking on the roof of this very house. I pulled over a clump of hillside to,” He trailed off because he hated sounding childish in front of everyone, and the native rulers only made it worse. “To drop on Rasua to pull her away from her hobby for a moment,” he partially lied to protect Rasua from her bout of laziness. “When I crumbled the dirt, one of the ponies dropped right on top of us. I was so stunned I dropped the rest of the dirt on us. The one who fell tried to jump back up the hill where its mate was waiting for her with a rope. Caught unawares, Rasua was struck with something and was momentarily thrown from the roof. I attempted to halt the ponies’ escape by pulling the hill down around them, while doing so I was hit by the male’s weapon that launched this into my gut.” Thaddeus morphed a paw into a hand, much to the Equestrians’ astonishment, Aegis chief among them, and withdrew a small bag from a pocket. Thaddeus then emptied the contents and presented it to the natives. Luna’s suspicions abated when she saw the deformed musket ball, and further confirmed when Thaddeus pulled his jacket and underclothing aside to reveal a large dimple-like scar the size of a bit right below his ribcage. Rainbow Dash’s anger waned a little the sight of it with a chilling thought crossing her mind. Yikes. That’s a musket wound alright. What would I have done if some random new creature had shot me? I haven’t seen a firearm among them at all, so I bet they were freaking out. Thaddeus continued his tale with a stout determined tone. “I was too injured to give chase so I summoned a Chevalier and ordered her to retrieve the fleeing ponies. I was less than clear about how I wanted them retrieved.” “I can understand your confusion,” Luna said at length. As with Rainbow, her anger was slipping as well, but was by no means disappearing entirely. “But you make it seem that the soldier killed my explorers. They were not fighters or warriors, they were scouts. Why did she feel the need to slay them?” Rasua knew Thaddeus too well. That idiot will just give no excuse, and these natives will demand his head! Seeing no alternative, she jumped into the conversation before Thaddeus could throw himself to the wolves. “You must understand, your majesties!” Ventras barked a curt command to shush her for speaking out of turn, but she ignored him. “We come from a land where we are the only masters of logic and reason. My brother was too stunned to clarify his orders, and the Chevalier acted out of ignorance until it was too late.” Out of all of them, Twilight was shocked the most by that. “What?!” She pushed ahead to be just in front of Luna who was far too mired between flabbergasted and doubt to object. “There are changelings, ponies, dragons, zebras, minotaurs, sea serpents, and griffins just to name a few of the intelligent species that inhabit the known world. Do you seriously expect us to believe that your lands gave rise to only one sapient species?” “As weird as it sounds, it’s all true, your highness,” came a voice from the stairwell a few meters away. Everyone looked up to find Slippery Shadow and his guard escort. The thestral looked no worse for wear. So much so that Luna almost thought he had gained a little weight. Shadow flew over to bow before Luna and the other royals. “I’ve had the pleasure of discussing a great many things with my hosts. They were dumbstruck when I told them of all the races of the world.” He leaned in and whispered to Luna. “Much like I was when I arrived at the hive.” Luna had been prepared to demand harsh reprisals in the event of her explorers’ death, yet with Shadow being unharmed, she reevaluated her options. Seeing only one recourse that her morals would agree to, Luna elevated her voice a little. “Both nations of the Equestrian Alliance were founded on the principles of peace and friendship. For that, I believe Spinning Compass and Trail Mix would rather have their deaths prevent further loss of life, instead of being an excuse to end more.” In fear of sounding weak, Luna’s voice took a hard edge. “But I still demand recompense. Two indentured servants, not executions, as payment.” Luna stared directly at Ventras as she spoke. “I have little use for a corpse.” Every sphinx in the room who could rub two brain cells together instantly saw this as a “Des'tai”, a test of character and honor that Luna had challenged their entire civilization with in one deft stroke. Thaddeus’ thoughts mirrored those of his kind. I’d wager my right eye she’d accept anybody, even a couple of street rats as her servants. But what would that tell these Equestrians about the honor of our people? I for one will not see our glorious civilization be seen as dishonorable barbarians by those who have undoubtedly risen above their prey ancestors. Rasua cursed that fateful day when the married explorers found Stratholme, and of what Thaddeus’ honor demanded him to do. I won’t allow them to take my oath-brother. Rasua stepped forward before anyone could speak. “I volunteer to serve you.” “Rasua!” Ventras yelled worriedly, but his daughter pressed on. Even Thaddeus was caught flat footed. “I am a capable warrior and a renowned blacksmith,” Rasua stated firmly at Luna and the queens, momentarily ignoring her father’s protests. “I know that honor requires my brother accept your demands, but I beseech you that he is too important to the colony’s success to leave. For the good of my people, and that of your lost explorers, allow me to go in Thaddeus’ place.” “That is acceptable,” Luna replied evenly. Few were able to catch the glint of respect in her eyes. “It would not do well to disrupt the governance of your city.” Thaddeus glowered at his oath-sister, but couldn’t bring himself to speak. “Even so, you are only one of two that I require.” “There can be only one acceptable choice,” an old thready feminine voice called out from behind the guards to the right. The line of guards parted to reveal two sphinxes, one of each kind, garbed in the same black robes that Aegis noticed on the statues earlier. The aged wingless female of the pair leaned against her ornate staff as she guided her younger winged male counterpart along with her. “The vision I warned all of you about has come to pass. ‘A blasted hill and terrible warmachine will herald the Great Death. The exiled metal-shaper, and one of the cloth must venture into the howling dark, lest we all be swept away.’” Rainbow Dash was as skeptical about such things as her sister, but more so out of stubbornness than the need for scientific evidence. Yet the supposed vision only ranked second on her groan-o-meter. “Just how many of you guys speak Equestrian now!?” Slippery Shadow shrank a little where he stood. “I umm…” He self-consciousnessly clapped his hooves together and sweated at her coming response. “I sort of convinced most of the people in the manor to take the language spell so I would have a bigger audience for my reenactment of Marelet.” What a foalish idiot. Had she been anywhere else, and if Slippery was an actual soldier, Luna might have taken the time to berate him for the next hour. Nevertheless, Luna was nothing if not cunning. A priest? Or at least a seer, and a willing one at that. One of them could tell me all I want to know about the sphinxes ideology and mentality. Luna leaned over to beckon Twilight into a hushed conversation in Vespid. “An interesting proposal. How would you feel about splitting them up and taking Rasua with you?” Twilight found it difficult to keep the exasperation out of her voice. “Personally I find this whole punishment thing rather archaic, but I can’t think of a better one other than imprisonment.” “You know it’s the perfect excuse to learn more about their kind,” Luna retorted as if she was surprised that Twilight wasn’t reading between the lines. “Believe me, I know. If you’re really dead set on this, we’ll go along with it.” Twilight paused a moment as she listened to her sister over the hive mind. “Plus RD thinks we’d be better off gauging the sphinxes’ level of technology if we had the smith anyway.” “Then it’s settled.” Luna returned her attention to Ventras who was caught between fear and pride for his daughter’s foolishness and courage. “The priest will come with me to my capital, and your daughter will go with Queen Twilight Sparkle and Queen Rainbow Dash. But I will tell you this: they are not our slaves, nor our property in any way. Nor will they be treated as such. You have my word that both of them will be treated with all due dignity and respect. Their willingness to accept our demands grants them that much.” I had no intention of treating them otherwise, but let them think the opposite, Luna mused. “For the time being, shall we begin this ceremony of yours before talks begin?” Fear for his daughter coursed through Ventras like lightning. I know she’s a member of the Sestapo, but they never trained her to be a spy. Shaking off his worries for the moment, he nodded at Luna. “If it is my daughter’s wishes, then I agree.” A solitary black carapace drone hid in a tree on the outer edge of Stripped Gear. It’s painstakingly crafted lithe body easily blended into the backdrop of greenery surrounding it. Here in the equatorial jungle, winter’s frozen touch was rarely felt. The edge of Stripped Gear’s caldera loomed upward with the barest trace of the illusion dome rounding it out, making it impossible to spy what lay within. Ever since Cadista gained access to Equestrian magic, it’s been impossible to scry what she’s doing anymore. Attacking her with an army at this point is far too wasteful, but where there’s a will, there’s a way… Scattered out along the edge of the hive were the heads and broken thoraxes of hundreds of drones from almost every other changeling hive. The macabre sight was not there to scare away any would-be spies, due to other queens caring nothing for the life of a few drones. A warning on how prepared she is against infiltration. She’s no fool. She knows a large enough swarm could defeat her, but it would undoubtedly be a pyrrhic victory, one the other queens would capitalize on. So she tightens the noose on spying. Well, I’ll just have to see if they measure up to this latest infiltrator. The queen puppeteering the drone grinned wickedly, even its fangs were dull so they wouldn’t glint in the bright cloudless day. The prospect of the operation sent a primal thrill through the puppet’s mistress. I couldn’t ask for a better test. With nary a whisper, the drone slinked out of the tree. Negotiating the empty expanse between the tree line and the edge of the caldera was child’s play. The puppet expected there to be guards right behind the illusion dome, but they were not a concern just yet. With the volcano’s edge being a hundred meters high, any guards there would be more concerned about seeing a swarm attack them, than a lone drone. The puppet reached the edge where the illusion shield and the natural rock of the caldera met. The controlling queen wouldn’t dare to use any magic to peer through. I could magically peer through at this range, wards or not, but I have to expect secondary warning spells are in place. Without any other recourse, the puppet stuck its head through to the loud din of an industrial hive. The first thing the puppet noticed was the slight polluted haze that permeated the air. The interior of the wall was actually a steel plated rampart with a few fixed gun emplacements built so they couldn’t be turned in towards the hive in the event of being overrun. If the puppet had a better understanding of such technology, it may have noticed the trap door hatches that might have housed hidden weapon platforms. The overbuilt urban center of the hive sickened the puppet. So much wasted effort on unliving technology. The puppet looked around to find two of Cadista’s drones a few meters to the left who were distracted as they picked apart another hive’s drone with rifle fire further down the wall. The rival spy was cut down with ruthless efficiency, yet that did little to dissuade the puppet’s queen dim view on inorganic technology. With the guards distracted, the puppet pulled itself fully through the shield. My camouflage magic should work even in this urban environment, but I’d better not take any chances. The distance between the edge of the wall and the drop off of the caldera was short but that was no excuse to be sloppy. Over half of all of the queen’s earlier attempts at infiltrating Stripped Gear ended shortly after underestimating the hive’s defenses. The puppet found a couple metal crates of ammunition to duck behind as two more riflelings flew in at a low hover to aid their kin in searching for more spies. Good, they’re going in the wrong direction. I hope my luck holds. Waiting a full hour for things to die down and to gauge the patrol patterns of the guards was a serious pain. The infiltrator’s camouflage was made to be sustainable for weeks, but it destabilized badly while moving. Cadista’s guards were good and the puppet saw no less than three other spies try to breach the shield within half an hour. All of them were cut down almost immediately, if not by those on the walls, then by the flying cavalry that always seemed to be a stone’s throw away. Such attacks were to be expected, and the puppeteering queen didn’t even bat an eyelash at the spectacle. Word has it Cadista’s building something new. For how long I don’t know, but in the end it won’t matter if she’s taken out before she can bring this new weapon to the battlefield. The infiltrator’s musings were cut short when it saw an opening. The wall guards were being relieved and the flying cavalry were momentarily distracted by their replacements. In a flash of movement, the spy raced to get off the wall and used its hooves to cling to the inner side of the caldera wall. In a moment of impatience, the controlling queen wanted to press the advantage and slip further down towards the urban sprawl below, but caution won out and the puppet stayed where it was. The act had been fortuitous as the spy soon discovered more teams of cavalry were watching the interior of the walls like hawks. I should have expected as much. Cadista may be a fool when it comes to having intelligent drones and using technology of machine and metal, but when it comes to security… The controlling queen made sure her grunt of approval came from her real body and not the puppet. That is a long way down to the nearest building. I better leave the puppet here overnight to study the patrol paths. Cadista can wait another day.