//------------------------------// // Chapter XIX // Story: The Nautilus Protocol // by Knight Breeze //------------------------------// Chapter XIX “Jolly Roger, this is Major Kurai. I should be at the Griffon Arie within ten minutes. How's things on your end?” Kurai asked curiously. “We've started laying mines in the surrounding space, and Major Jivat has already begun placement of the sensor arrays on Equis's moon. Admiral Zelgius has reported that Miss Sparkle and Princess Luna have already begun training the anti-mind rapers, stating that they will be ready for when the time comes. Our marines have already begun meeting with the Equestrian Military to begin training soldiers, while our engineers have begun retrofitting armor and weapons for equestrian use,” Major Morris reported. Kurai scratched his horns at that, wondering how the engineers would get around the equestrian's 'no digits' handicap. “I've got to say, they've got their work cut out for them. How do our engineer think the equestrians will be able to use the new weaponry?” “Some of our engineers have suggested implants and power armor, but the equestrians shot them down on that one,” Major Morris answered. Kurai sighed at that. “I can't really blame them. Up to this point, the most technologically advanced thing they've dealt with are movie projectors and radios. The idea of having machinery implanted in your skull is an advancement that a lot of our troops are still having trouble stomaching. I mean, this is an elective surgery we're talking about. It's not like they're just taking a pill and are suddenly able to speak with computers.” “You're right, though the engineers think that they might have a workaround. The chief says that they might be able to rig together an external neural pickup for the armor,” Major Morris said. “An ENP? Aren't those a little primitive?” Kurai asked. “When compared to neural implants, yes. But, they will still get the job done. Even with the slower reaction times, the equestrians will still be highly effective, considering that they have access to this 'magic', however it works. They'll be able to withstand a pulse rifle blast, as well as wield a beam rifle, so it's better than where they were before,” Morris answered. Before Kurai was able to ask anything else, however, he was interrupted by his pilot. “Sir, we're approaching the Arie, though I think we have company, if those Griffons flying alongside us are any indication of that sort of thing.” “I'm going to have to call you back, Morris. Looks like we've arrived,” Kurai said. “Good luck. I've heard that the Griffons are supposed to be a proud lot, so I do not envy your current assignment,” Morris said, before signing out. Kurai let out a sigh as he put down his datapad, not at all relishing what was about to happen. “Lieutenant Reynolds, what are the griffons doing? Have they started freaking out and attacking us yet?” the peli major asked. “Uh... no sir. They appear to be directing us to land. They don't seem too surprised to see us, either,” the lieutenant answered. Huh... did Celestia send word that we were coming? I certainly hope so, it will make negotiations so much easier... Kurai thought to himself. After a few minutes of smooth flying, Lieutenant Reynolds landed the pod with a slight bump. Kurai took a moment to steady himself before exiting, needing a little time to prepare before facing the Emperor of Griffania, fully aware that the survival of these people rested on him being able to make a suitable case. Zelgius had told Kurai that the Griffon Emperor would be easy to sway, stating that Emperor Phelan and the Princesses had been friends and allies for quite a number of years. That didn't make Kurai feel any less uneasy, though. Finally, after stalling for what seemed like forever, Kurai opened the pod door and stepped out onto the griffon tarmac, fully expecting the worst. Imagine his surprise, then, when he stepped out to several rows of soldiers, all standing at attention. Each of the griffon warriors wore old, medieval style full plate that shined brilliantly in the sunlight. In their talons they each gripped a pike, while at their sides they each wore a curved, nasty looking sword. However, none of them looked threatening. In fact, they looked like they were on display. This impression was further solidified when, as soon as he had fully exited the pod, the ranks in front of him parted with a distinctly metallic chunk sound, allowing an aged griffon to approach the landing craft. “Welcome, noble visitor, welcome to the capital city of Griffania!” the wizened old griffon said with a bow. “I am Chief Steward Neese, by what name shall I announce you to the Emperor?” “I am Major Jelinor Kurai of the Galactic Alliance Space Navy,” Kurai answered weakly. “Might I ask why you seem so... unfazed... by my arrival?” “Chancellor Gustaf had sent word ahead that you were on your way. He didn't seem to know what you would look like, only that your vessel would be 'unlike anything we have seen before',” the steward said as he motioned for the major to follow him. “I admit, he was quite right about that. You very nearly gave me a heart attack when I saw you coming in. I thought to myself: So help me, if you and your kind turned out to be some kind of slime monstrosities, I don't know what I would do. The halls alone would take ages to clean.” “Um... yeah, that would have been a problem...” Kurai said, trying to make sense of what the babbling steward was saying. As the steward continued to talk, Kurai couldn't help but take note of the halls he was being led through. They were pretty impressive, in a distinctly medieval sort of fashion. Intricately woven tapestries hung from every wall, and decorative suits of armor dotted the corridor every twenty feet or so. “Oh, but where are my manners? I need to take you to the Emperor immediately. He is already aware of your arrival, and will want to talk to you as soon as possible, to hammer out the details of our new alliance,” Neese said, bringing Kurai back to the present. “I must say, though, the thought of a war with an alien species does not sit well with me in the slightest. I only hope that we will be able to win the day. We are already drafting more soldiers, preparing them for the bloodshed that is to come.” Before Kurai could ask the old griffon to elaborate, however, the two and their escort stopped in front of a set of impressively large double doors. The guards on either side pushed the doors open, allowing the steward and his charge into the hall beyond. On the other side of those elaborately carved doors was the Emperor's throne room, which was truly worthy of that title. It was large and imposing, clearly designed to impress, or at the very least intimidate. Running down the center was a large, red carpet with gold trim, while on either side of this carpet were statues of crowned griffons, each holding some kind of weapon in their claws. In the back of the room sat the throne, upon which the Emperor of Griffania sat, flanked by two more Griffon soldiers. The emperor was smaller than Kurai expected him to be, but no less imposing for what Kurai had to do. His plumage was a pure white, while his lion half was a much, much darker brown, almost looking black in comparison. On his head was a gold crown with green gems set in it, while at his side was a ornate, ceremonial sword. “It is with great pleasure that I announce Major Jelinor Kurai of the Galactic Alliance Space Navy,” Neese said, waving a claw towards the major with some flourish and falling into a bow. “Major, this is his Excellency the ruler of all Griffania and its provinces, the Sovereign of the Skies, Emperor Phelan.” “It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency,” Kurai said with a bow. Phelan just shook his head at that. “No, the pleasure is all mine. It is not every day that I get to entertain an alien visitor,” The Emperor said as he rose from his throne. “I hear from my envoy that you and your kind are here to defend us from some sort of terror?” “Yes, Your Excellency. They are called 'the Dridune', and are-” the major started to say, but stopped when he saw that Phelan was quickly approaching him, the emperor's guards following close behind. “I apologize for my rudeness, but before you begin to explain yourself, your reasons, and the enemy we will face, I would show you something,” he said with a gesture of his talon. Slightly perplexed, Kurai fell in line behind the Griffon Emperor, acutely aware of the guards who were giving him the stink eye as he followed. The Emperor led him through a side passage, through a maze of corridors, stopping finally at a seemingly random tapestry. The Emperor then turned and faced the peli, a single eyebrow raised. “What has Celestia told you of the Lady Alala?” he asked him curiously. Kurai was caught a little off guard at this, but attempted to answer as best as he could. “Very little, Your Excellency. One of my compatriots is currently on his way to meet with her, to petition her for aid in the coming war. I do not know how well she will fair, however,” Kurai answered. The griffon nodded his head solemnly, then looked up at the tapestry. “I would assume that your envoy would fair quite well...” he said, lost in thought. “Why is that, Your Excellency?” Kurai asked. Phelan did not respond immediately, instead choosing to study the tapestry in front of him more closely. Finally, after what seemed like hours, he spoke. “Two hundred years ago, my nation went to war with the island kingdom of Minos. For months, my ancestor planned the assault, down to the very last detail. We thought that we had the number advantage, the time, and the resources to easily take the minotaur's tiny island nation. It seemed like we were poised for victory,” he said with a bow of his head. “However, the day before the invasion, a blind zebra came to our doorstep under the banner of the Zebrican Tribes. She claimed that she had a message for my ancestor, and that it was urgent that she speak with him.” “My apologies, Your Excellency, but I fail to see what this has to do with the matter at hand,” Kurai said politely. “Patience, my friend. Patience. I am getting to that,” the emperor said with a sigh. “Again, my apologies. Please continue,” Kurai said politely. Phelan rubbed a single claw on his forehead, clearly thinking about what he had to say. “My ancestor let her in, purely by virtue of political niceties. At the time, my great, great grandfather had very little respect for the equine races. He saw them as slaves of the earth, the skies, and the heavens, rather than their caretakers, not even realizing just how powerful a bond like that is. He expected some sort of tribute, or message of friendship, or some other silly thing from the zebra. She was an annoyance to be humored, and little more,” Phelan said with a negligent wave. “What he got, however, was a warning. The blind oracle warned my grandfather that if he did not retract his design, not only would his army be shattered, but his family tree would be uprooted and burned, with only a single seed remaining of his once mighty line. Needless to say, my grandfather did not take kindly to that and had her thrown out. He ignored her, thinking her nothing more than a mad zebra, intent on scaring him into submission with her prophecy.” Major Kurai kept his mouth shut, but inward he marveled at what he was hearing. Prophecy? Like the ancient seer Baznalt? He thought briefly. “At any rate, he proceeded with his invasion. He said that history would know him as Kelwyn the Conquerer, the Emperor who finally brought Minos to its knees. He boasted that he would enslave the people of Minos, and bring their riches under his heel. He claimed that afterwards, he would begin a campaign that would sweep across the entire face of the earth, placing him as the Emperor of the whole world,” Phelan said sardonically. He then gestured towards the tapestry, his feathers ruffling slightly at the movement. “What actually happened was that he forever became known as Kelwyn the Foolish.” Kurai finally examined the tapestry, his mind trying to make sense of the unfamiliar art form. It seemed to depict a large number of griffons, fleeing from what appeared to be large men made of stone. “I take it that the assault didn't go so well.” The griffon emperor just shook his head at that. “That would be an vast understatement. We weren't just defeated, we were utterly annihilated. The people of Minos are masterful artificers, capable of imbuing stone and metal with a semblance of life. We were slaughtered down to the very last griffon, unable to even flee properly due to the nature of the weapons wielded against us.” Artificers? Semblance of life? I think we need to have a long discussion with these minotaurs. Kurai thought to himself. The emperor then turned and began to walk down the hallway, still explaining the horrors of that battle. “Thousands of griffon warriors died that day, while the people of Minos's casualties only numbered in the tens. In his pride and arrogance, my ancestor had thought to take what could never be his, with only the strength of steel to back him up. My people have never been particularly skilled with magic, preferring to instead let our talons speak for us, and to save the spell-work for the enchanters,” he said, shaking his head ruefully. “If we had even a quarter of the battlemages that Equestria employs, we may have stood a chance. That being said, Kelwyn's arrogance not only cost him his own life, and the lives of his soldiers, but also the lives of his sons, as well as the lives of his brothers and sisters. In a single day, the entire family of Kelwyn was wiped out, with only a single child surviving the carnage, on account of him being too young to join the fray.” Phelan stopped at another set of double doors, through which Kurai could faintly hear the sound of steel against steel, and looked Kurai in the eye. “This day was later known as the blackest day in our history. Our greatest failure. But we griffons learn from our mistakes. At least, we do if we want to continue breathing.” “And what did you learn from this?” Kurai asked, genuinely curious about what the Emperor had to say. “We learned to listen,” Phelan said as he turned and opened the door. On the other side was a balcony, which overlooked a large courtyard. In the courtyard, Kurai saw a large number of griffon soldiers, all preparing for war. “I don't know if Celestia has told you this yet, but hours before you arrived, a blind zebra arrived in Canterlot. She foretold your arrival, stating that if we did not unite with you, we were doomed to extinction. I don't know if your people believe in prophecy, or in revelation, but mine do. We still bear the scars from when we refused to listen. We remember what happened when we passed off the seer as nothing but a madmare. It is not a mistake that we are willing to make again.” Emperor Phelan then cocked his head to one side, a curious expression on his face as he looked up at the peli. “Major, it doesn't matter what you need of my people. It doesn't matter what lands you require, or how much tercelpower you need. What does matter is the survival of my people. I may not trust you, simply because I do not know you. However, I trust the Oracle of Time. I trust her when she says that to reject you is to court death.” “Your Excellency, does that mean what I think it means?” Kurai asked hopefully. “It means that we are mobilizing and preparing to fight. The Empire of Griffania will stand beside you. Your cause is our cause. Your enemy is our enemy. Your rage is our rage. By this, we make our pact, that we will stand beside you, or fall beside you. Of this, you have our solemn oath,” The Emperor said with a bow. * * * King Thunderhoof sat with his head in his hand as he listened intently to the lion-like alien messenger. All around him, his retainers had bored expressions as they listened, already sure of how this meeting was going to turn out. The hall that the meeting was taking place in was impressive, to say the least. It had carvings depicting the history of the Minotaur race on every wall, intimidating stone columns that looked like minotaur statues holding up the ceiling, as well as a rather large stone throne, representing the power that the King of Minos held. The whole setup spoke of power, strength, and wealth in abundance. The kind of wealth that was too tempting to pass up on. Time and time again, nations have come to Minos in hopes of exploiting the wealth that the island kingdom hid underneath its craggy hills. Its mineral rich mines being the aim of many a would be conquerer, not to mention quite a few dragons. Many had come, seeking not only the large amount of gold that could be found there, but also the large deposits of arcanite that lurked just beneath the surface of those red hills. However, all had been repulsed, due mainly to the same arcanite deposits that the invaders sought. Arcanite was treasured not for its rarity, though it was still plenty rare. No, the allure of arcanite came from its worth as a magical conductor. Artificers needed this material to practice their craft, and any non-unicorn spellcaster needed the substance if they wanted to shape even the simplest of spells, as it was a required component in any form of wizardry. Because of its abundance in the islands, the Kingdom of Minos had become a superpower. Their artificers knew no equal, and their golems were among the most feared and deadly automatons known on Equis. The kingdom had refused to expand, however, seeing the folly in such a tactic. They had power, yes, but the only avenues of expansion were into griffon territory, or into Equestria. While either prospect was tempting, Griffania's mountains made them untouchable, allowing them to defend themselves with the bare minimum required effort. Equestria had no such natural defenses, but instead held a great deal of magical power, due to their rolls as guardians and caretakers of the world. No, the kingdom of Minos was fine with its isolationist tendencies, only trading for what they needed, and sending only the token diplomat to the other nations. That being said, Thunderhoof wondered how this alien would react to his answer. Thunderhoof and his forefathers had heard all of this before, and while the messenger was different, the message itself was still the same. I wonder how this species will take our answer, he thought to himself. Will they follow the griffon and walk into the slaughter? Or will they follow the far wiser kirin? “All that we ask is that you lend us a small portion of your land, so that we might place our defensive weapons to protect you from the coming storm. If you would care to also lend us some of your troops, all the better. We would be honored... to...” Battle Watcher Jenthis was saying, but trailed off as Thunderhoof rose to his feet. “The answer is 'no',” the king said dismissively. There was a pregnant pause as the messenger processed this answer. Finally, he cleared his throat, and looked back up at the king. “May I ask why?” “Because you are not the first to come, claiming to grant us protection for some tribute. We have played this song and dance before. 'Grant us place to rest our heads, and food for our troops, and gold for our weapons, and we will protect you from the barbarians at the gates!'” ThunderHoof said with a negligent wave of his hand. “The people of Minos have yet to be taken in by such honeyed words, and we do not intend to change that now.” “But Your Majesty, we-” “Spare me your lies,” ThunderHoof said, sweeping his arm over his expansive, extravagant hall. “The people of Minos have carved out a living on these islands. We have fought wars to protect ourselves from would-be invaders like you. We have become strong, and we cannot be broken. If this alien menace does exist, and does come to our shores, we will end them like we have ended all others who seek our riches.” The battle watcher raised a single eyebrow at this, then bowed in respect. “If that is the will of the King of Minos, then we have no choice to comply. But I would give a gift before I leave. A token to allow you to petition for aid when, not if, the Dridune come,” Jenthis said as he held up a small black rectangle. The Minotaur King snorted in contempt. “The equestrians may trust you implicitly, on no other proof than the words of a child and the mutterings of a madmare, but I will not. Keep your 'gift'. Minos calls for aid from no one.” The Lionel just nodded in respect at that, then turned to leave. When he reached the door, however, he stopped and turned back one last time. “I assume you have some way of contacting the Solar Diarch? If you find the battle too great for you to manage, please contact them.” Before the stubborn king of Minos could give a rebuttal, though, Battle Watcher Jenthis left, firmly shutting the door behind him.