//------------------------------// // Sabotage // Story: Hunters In Equestria // by DarthRevan //------------------------------// At first glance the ship appeared to be a barren landscape of metal and red lights. However, every once in a while something would flicker, a shimmer would hang in the air longer than it should. This particular shimmer was humanoid in shape, but was quite larger than any normal man. With a few clicks of a button the shimmer solidified. Standing in the metal corridor was a seven foot tall monster. Armor covered head to toe. It's boots had claws built in near the toes, it's leggings designed for movement and protection, it's chestplate decorated with scratches and dents, and it's helmet was built from the skull of an ape with tusks. This Predator had seen many battles and lived to tell those tales. With a few more button presses on it's wrist mounted computer a holographic map appeared from it. The map was red and detailed the plans for the ship he was on. With a low chuckle, it realized it was near the engine room. Cloaking once again, the monster disappeared from sight. ------------------------- Quite different from it's engine room counterpart the training room was bustling with activity. Yautjas of all ranks sparred and trained with the various fake weapons in the room. On one side was the sparring mats. Where the Yautja trained in hand-to-hand combat, as well as their ordinary weapons. On the other side laid the holographic obstacle course. The computer would be assigned a rank. These ranks were based on the class of Yautja. From lowest to highest this included Unblooded, Youngbloods, Blooded, Warriors, and Honored. The highest Yautja class of Ancients, sometimes referred to as Elders, did not take part in such games. One particular Youngblood was about to run the Blooded course. His armor was new and untouched. Not a good combination for a up and coming hunter. His armor had no personal details and was simply the default armor. His sole means of self-identification amongst the other Youngbloods was his mask. He had carved many occult runes, gathered from Earth culture, all over it in a chaotic fashion. His name was Ciede. "Are you sure about this, Youngblood?" The Warrior trainer asked once more. Ciede nodded. "The Blood Rite is coming up, warrior! I must be prepared if I am to join my brother." Ciede explained. The Warrior shook his head. "C`jit, this kids going to get himself killed." The warrior activated the console and a red holographic landscape appeared. The course was very urban and was based on the human city of Los Angeles, where one of the few humans who bested a Predator in combat had been based out of. Ciede got into a starting position. The Warrior started up the countdown sequence. Three dashes appeared in Ciede`s heads up display. Two dashes. One dash. A loud beep rang out as Ciede took off across the `rooftops`. Ciede leapt and ran through simulated gunfire and debris. Some of the bullets hit his armor but did very little damage. A red human appeared behind Ciede and shot at his back. Ciede spun around andnlet loose with a plasma caster shot. The hologram shattered like red glass. So far the simulation was very similar to the previous rank. What would be different? When a reptilian hiss rang out Ciede immediately recognized it. Xenomorphs. The red Aliens leapt from all sides at once. Ciede threw his spear at one and shot another before one of them tackled him into the ground. Ciede kicks the offending Alien off and quickly rose. Just in time to see an inner jaw attack his head. With his `death` the hologram ended. The Warrior looked Ciede over. "Train more before you even think of hunting the hard-meat, Youngblood." He said. "Of course, Warrior." Ciede said with a bow. The Warrior chuckled. "Go to the mess hall. Your brother wants to speak to you." ----------------------- Ciede entered the mess hall cautiously. His brother was a honorable hunter and one of the most respected Predators of the clan. As such, he was not easy to approach. The mess hall was fairly empty. The only Yautjas there were Ciede and a small group of Honored sitting at their own table. Tales of glory and hunts rang out from the table. One in particular caught Ciedes attention. "And after suffering the barrage of plasma casters and spears, the hard meat Queen had fallen! Its infernal skull is now located in the trophy room of The Silver Blades!" The voice boasted. Yautjas commonly formed hunting parties with like minded individuals. The Silver Blades were based on the belief that Xenomorphs were the greatest hunt. While not a rare thought to pass through a Yautjas mind, the group had a low member count due to one fact. They believe the dreaded Abomination, a Xenomorph birthed from a Yautja, were holy and needed to be created. This was a hated thought and The Silver Blades were ostracized from many establishments. The voice had belonged to none other than Cresun, Ciedes brother. Cresun was tailored in bright silver armor. The design was based upon the body type of a Xenomorph. Cresun soon noticed his younger brother. "Ciede! Join my brothers in drink!" He called out with a wave of his hand. "Before you object, I must remind you that we have something to discuss." Ciede nodded and approached the table. Cresun scoffed. "Sit down, brother! Let us have one last drink with my friends before I have to send them away." Several arguments rose from the table but Cresun let loose a low growl. He was the Alpha here and he will be respected. "I have something serious to discuss with my blood brother." Ciede grudgingly sat down. A transparent green liquid was passed around the group of Yautjas. The drink was sweet yet caused his eyes to water with its spices. After the drink was emptied, Cresun sent his friends away. "What is it you wanted to tell me, brother?" Ciede asked. "You're going to be Blooded soon. Once you learn how to fight the hard meat, that is. And with that honor comes a generational secret." Cresun started. "Our family has a generational secret?!" Ciede asked. Generational secrets were created when a Yautja learned something that could damage the clan. The last generational secret to go public was who created The Silver Blades. Cresun nodded slowly. "Our family were first contact with a pre-space age race. They were...not humanoid. In fact, they were equine." Cresun said. Now it was Ciedes turn to scoff. "Sentient horses, Cresun? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?" Cresun looked at his brother. With a sigh he began digging throughout his armors various packs. Soon, he found what he was looking for and brought it out. It was a physical photograph. A heavily outdated technology. Cresun handed the photo to his brother. Ciede looked over the photograph. It depicted a Yautja dressed in ceremonial armor standing next to a robed horse. No, not a horse. Closer investigation revealed the fact it was a unicorn. The photo was black and white so Ciede couldn't decipher its coloration. The unicorn was bearded and wore a hat that covered its face. Written in the Yautja language were the words `to an unlikely friend and ally, Starswirl.` Ciede carefully studied the unicorns face. "Now I know this doesn't seem like much but you must believe me! That world, Equestria, is dangerous to our clan." Cresun warned. "If you believe it to be threatening, then so shall I." Ciede said. His brother breathed a sigh of relief. "Now that that's settled how about we go spar?" Cresun offered. Before Ciede could respond the lights went out and the low hum of power was silenced. "The power!" They both cried out. "You go to the engine room! I'll go to the technicians!" Cresun ordered. Ciede nodded and bounded down a hallway. Going towards the engine. ------------------------- Ciede arrived at the engine room cloaked. His wrist blades extended. His helmet quickly scanned the room for life. There was nothing. He uncloaked and approached the engine. It had been torn apart and broken down. Plasma burns hinted at a caster or bomb being used. Ciede growled. This was no accident. This was sabotage. Ciede was no engineer, he wouldn't be able to fix this. With a grunt of frustration, Ciede exited the room. He needed to find someone to fix this. Without the engine the ship would slowly die. Oxygen, artificial food, and power were all gone. As he was running down the hall an explosion rocked the dark ship. Ciede began picking up the pace. That came from the Elder Councils chambers. ------------------------- The hallway outside the chambers were littered with corpses. They were the bodies of the Yautja who had tried to defend their Elders. Ciede growled in rage. Whoever did this will die. He kicked open the chamber doors. Standing near the ceremonial thrones was a Yautja Ciede did not recognize. The tusks on its helmet were covered in blood. At its feet were the corpses of three Elders. The Bad-Blood looked at Ciede in surprise. It was sure it had killed all the Blooded. Ciede looked at The Bad-Blood in rage. "You shall die for this, traitor." He said. The Bad-Blood looked at him with amusement. It reached to the ground and brought up a severed head. Ciede could only stare at the helmet with shock. It was Cresun. "You bastard!" Ciede roared and charged The Bad-Blood. The Bad-Blood shot a plasma shot at Ciedes feet. Using this distraction The Bad-Blood ran up and kicked Ciede with its clawed foot. Ciede hit the wall with a grunt. The Bad-Blood brought up its wrist computer and tapped a few buttons. More explosions rocked the ship. An automated voice booted up. "The Ship has sustained substantial damage. Evacuate the ship. Women and unblooded first." The Bad-Blood looked on with amusement before taking off towards the hallway. Ciede rose and began the chase. The two hunters dodged each others plamsa shots and throwing knives. The Bad-Blood threw a circular device that attached itself to Ciedes armor. Ciede looked down in shock. "Oh, pauk." The device sent electricity coursing through his body. With a roar Ciede fell to the ground in convulsions. Once it settled The Bad-Blood was gone. Ciede growled and took off running towards the escape pod hanger. When he arrived he discovered one of the pods were missing. Ciede climbed into one of the working ones and began inputting directions. Follow the other pod. With a hiss, the escape pod was launched out of the doomed ship. ------------------------- Princess Luna was watching the night sky from her tower in Canterlot. Something had gotten her attention. Two flaming meteorites were falling from space. While this was an ordinary occurrence several things were different. For one, the second meteorite was constantly changing course in order to stay on the tail of the first. Secondly, they were entirely composed of a metal unknown to her. The two objects crashed far outside Equestrias borders. If she had to guess they had landed in one of Zebranias many jungles. She decided to take Daring Do and Celesias student there to investigate in the morning. If only she knew a bloody war for revenge was about to unfold.