//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 - Amicitia Ubi Minime Exspectes // Story: Star Trek: You Can't Go Home Again // by Aceman67 //------------------------------// I didn't say much after I found what state the communication system was in. Not that there was much to say anyways. Had I been an engineer, things might have been different, but I was never quite smart enough in my studies to pursue that course. If I had the right parts, I'm sure I could build a new system, but the shuttle's replicator wasn't designed for fabricating anything more than lunch or the odd needed tool, and then there was the raw materials that would be needed if it was even possible. Odds were that this planet just didn't have the materials needed. "So, what now?" Twilight asked me, her voice soft and caring. "I don't know. I just don't know. Without the communications array, there's no way to contact my people to let them know where I am since I'm going to miss my scheduled arrival, and that's in a little over a day," I told her, my voice on the edge of panicking. "Then factor in a few days to search my logged flight plan to see if they can find where I ran into trouble; if they can even do that! "There's a very real chance that the ion storm destroyed any evidence I was there." I handed Twilight a PADD that had star-chart data of the area the storm occurred that was translated into her language, which she took in her magic and began to look it over. "That area of space has a half dozen uninhabited star systems that are candidates for where I could have gone, each of them with several habitable worlds and double that when you factor in moons." I continued, the panic in my voice giving way to resignation. "The emergency beacon for the shuttle was destroyed, I have no subspace communications, and this shuttle isn't going anywhere, ever; they're never going to find me. After a month searching, I'll be declared missing. Year after that, legally dead." "But you're not dead. As long as you're alive, there's always hope. That and you have ponies here who are more than willing to aid you in any way they can. We may not have the technology you have, but we'll surprise you." "Yeah, what she said." Rainbow Dash chimed in. I flashed the pegasus a glare that made her flinch, but slowly began to crack a smile which seemed to ease the mare. "It's getting late, why don't we see about getting you something to eat and finding you a place to stay for the night," Twilight told me, offering me her hoof to help me up off of the deck. I take it and together, we pull myself up. "Alright, but I have to get a few things," I informed her, to which she gave a nod and followed Rainbow Dash outside. While I did trust Twilight when she told me the town's guards would keep anyone away from the shuttle, there were things in here that couldn't be left unattended. Grabbing an empty duffle bag from a storage locker, I keyed my command code into the shuttle's armory locker and took out the two Type III phaser rifles, four Type II hand phasers, all their extra power-cells and the five photon grenades. With the contents of the armory loaded into the bag, I grabbed my suitcase that had my belongings, which thankfully wasn't damaged in the crash and headed out the aft hatch. After closing it, I turned to Twilight. "Where too, Princess?" I said with a sly grin. "Darling, just who designed that uniform? It's positively ghastly." The white unicorn introduced to me as Rarity commented. "You know what? I don't know. I never really liked the look of it either, but it is comfortable." I told her, taking another forkful of my salad, mildly surprised that they even had forks, given their lack of hands. Erring on the side of caution, I didn't bring up the fact that the cafe Twilight brought me too didn't have any protein on the menu, and ordered what I guessed was a garden salad. Everything in it, the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, all of it tasted like what you can get on Earth, which I found odd. Something to think on, I guess. "I just wear what they tell me." "Don't go worry'n yourself, sugar cube, ah think it's just fine. Wouldn't wear it out in th' sun though, you'd pass out from th' heat!" An orange pony wearing a stetson reassured me. Applejack! That's her name. "Rag on it all you want, it is comfortable, and functional. It's flame retardant, tear resistant, breaths well in the heat, and keeps heat in when it's cold." I tell them, taking another bite of my salad, wishing it had some grilled chicken. "Have you found out where you're going to stay," Rarity asked. "Twilight said I could stay with her at the library," I told them, not even looking up from my meal, but a loud, exaggerated, gasp drew my attention to the other side of the table. "But all Twilight has is a couch, and the library is no place to throw a 'Welcome-to-ponyville-we-totally-aren't-afraid-of-the-alien-please-don't-abduct-us-extravaganza'!" The one Twilight told me was Pinkie Pie said, her voice getting louder as she spoke, then ended with a 'squee'. What struck me as odd is that while she was directing her speech at me, she seemed to stare past me knowingly at something or someone else. Now I know what Twilight was talking about when she said she was odd. "Twilight, surely you were not expecting your guest to sleep on your couch?" Rarity asked in a chiding manner. "The Inn doesn't have a spare room, and as far I know, none of you have any room to spare either," Twilight explained. "Applejack you've got family visiting," "That's true," Applejack confirmed. "We couldn't dare impose on Mister and Missus Cake with the twins running amok." Twilight continued, turning to Pinkie Pie, who had stopped smiling at the mention of Pound and Pumpkin, the circles under her eyes becoming more and more visible. "I have a spare room." A quiet, meek voice said. "Rarity, you have that clothing order you're filling," Twilight said to the unicorn next to her, carrying on. "Indeed, I'll be working through the night." "Excuse me, I ha-" The quiet voice said again, even softer, only to be interrupted. "So I guess he's staying with me." Twilight finished. "Ahem." I coughed, getting everyone's attention. With everyone at the table facing in my direction, I turned to the pegasus next to me. "Fluttershy, you were saying?" "I have a spare bedroom. I've been using it for storage lately, but with some cleaning up, it'll work." She said quietly, with some annoyance showing through in her voice. "I'm sorry Fluttershy, I didn't know that closet was a bedroom, so I didn't think to ask!" Twilight said in surprise. "And I'm sorry I didn't hear you." "It's alright, really," She assured everyone. "If you would like James, you're welcome to stay with me, and my place is the closest to where you crashed." "That'll be just fine, thank you. I'll even help you clean up." I told Fluttershy. As great as Twilight had been today, spending the night on a couch didn't sound at all appealing, even if it meant working through the pain from my shoulder. "Hey, no one thought about asking me!" Rainbow Dash pointed out loudly. "And who's going to fly him up there? Surely not I." Rarity said not even bothering to hide the sarcasm. The moment when Rainbow realized what she had said, and the dumbfounded look that it brought, was priceless. "Oh." She said finally, drawing laughs from everyone. The night was crisp and quiet, and like the day before it, not a cloud was in the sky. The moon was brilliantly bright and made the walk to Fluttershy's cabin a simple task. Breaking the silence, Fluttershy began to hum to herself as she effortlessly glided through the air beside me. The soft melody was in perfect key and very pleasant. "Thank you." I said to her. "Oh? For what?" She responded, settling down to the ground, keeping pace with me. "Scootaloo told me that you were the one that brought me to the hospital. Thank you." "It's no trouble at all, I would have done it for anypony." She told me with a genuine smile. "I'm just glad you were ok." "Twilight tells me you take care of animals?" "Oh yes, I'm sure they'll be happy to meet you, although I do have to warn you-" Fluttershy was saying, right up until she walked right into my back. What had stopped me was a small white rabbit with a death glare. "Angel can be a little protective of me." She explained. "Angel, this is James, he's going to be staying with us. Be nice." She cooed at the small creature. Kneeling down, I got as close to his level as possible. Pulling a piece of carrot from my salad out of my pocket, I gave it to the little mammal as a peace offering. Gingerly sniffing it, he quickly took it a scampered off into the house. "How'd you know?" "Twilight warned me about him," I said with a wink. The main living area of Fluttershy's house had a way of instantly setting you at ease, everything placed with care, giving off very homey atmosphere. A soft cooing drew my attention to the rafters where a small family of birds was sleeping soundly. "Your room is upstairs, across from mine, if you want to get to work," Fluttershy told me, making her way to the stairs. Placing my bags by the front door, I followed her upstairs. It took about two hours to clear out what was needed to make the room livable, but it felt great now that it was done. "Would you like some tea?" Fluttershy offered, giving her wings a light flap to get the dust from cleaning off of them. "That would be great." I told her, then watched as she flew down the stairs. Walking down, I took note of all the pictures she had lining the staircase, ones of her with her friends, others with her animals. One did draw a laugh from me though, in one there was Fluttershy and Rainbow dash, looking to be about teenagers I guessed, and there was Fluttershy next to her friend with a bright smile, her teeth covered with braces. A very candid picture. Sitting down on the couch, I instantly found myself with company. Beside me sat Angel, and he was poking at my pocket. Reaching back into my pocket, I pulled out the last remaining carrot I had and gave it to the rabbit, who set upon it like a ravenous beast. Stretching out on the couch, I let out a sigh. For the first time since I got here, I felt relaxed. It didn't take much to drift off to sleep. "James, I made some chamomile tea to help you sleep," Fluttershy said walking into the living room carrying the tea tray her back. "Oh my, I guess you wound up on a couch after all." Before her, sound asleep was myself and Angel, who had snuggled up next to my chest. Gently setting the tray down, she carefully covered us both with warm blanket.