Minisode
Celestia's Monday
There were a lot of things that could be said about Celestia, president and founder of CelestiaCorp. She was either a wise, pleasant and motherly figure who always treated those who worked for her with kindness and respect, or she was a mischievous woman-child who made jokes and pranks at others' expense at inopportune moments...or she's a coldhearted dictator who runs her company with an iron fist...all depending on who you ask.
The truth of the matter was a bit different though. And if you asked Celestia herself, she would probably answer that she's mostly the first one...with a dash of the second...and nothing of the third.
Still, there was no doubt that she was one of the most powerful people in all of Canterlot, rivalled only by Mayor Mare, Senator Blueblood, Governor Fancy Pants and the mysterious Kingpin of the city's criminal underworld...and that power did not just come from her impressive wealth, but also from the respect she had earned in the minds of those who knew her.
Yet, despite all that power, she never really flaunted or abused her influence in any noticeable way. And ironically, that was exactly what made people distrustful of her at times, as she often seemed a bit too perfect in the eyes of many.
Even that was a misconception though.
She has made mistakes, many in fact. However, her closet was mostly skeleton free...at least in comparison to some other people with her kind of influence like the owner of Storm Tech and her biggest rival Rex Storm for instance...who could probably fill an entire graveyard (if not a catacomb) with what he had stored in his closet.
It was no secret that Celestia and Mr Storm did not like each other very much.
Celestia didn't like Rex mostly due to his complete disregard for ethics in order to get more money, and he didn't like her because of her tendency to call him out and interfere with his work whenever he did something she didn't like. Plus, their companies were in direct competition with each other when it came to the creation and distribution of advanced technology, so their rivalry was only natural.
Still, they were on civil enough terms to not resort to punches, kicks and nosebleeds when they argued...even though that was secretly what both of them wanted.
The days Celestia used brute force to solve her problems were, alas, long behind her...
Today, Celestia spent this beautiful Monday morning watching the sun rise through the big open window that the far wall of her office was mostly comprised of.
In truth, there were only two things she demanded when it came to her office. One of them was a constant supply of exotic tea and a coffeemaker, the other was a large open window that let a lot of sunlight illuminate the room.
She had the appearance of a woman in her mid-thirties, yet it was often speculated that she was far older than that...if the rumours of her falsified birth-date had any merit. She was also really tall. At 1,9 metres, she towered over most full-grown men she knew. Her height could make her just a tiny bit intimidating to some people in fact. Her most recognisable feature though must have been her vibrant multicoloured hair that reached a bit below her hips in length. Though unlike the prismatic hair of Rainbow Dash, Celestia's only had four colours: green, blue, pink and lavender. Another thing she was recognised by was her yellow semi-formal suit jacket she always wore in public that never failed to bring a certain warm and sunny image to herself in clear contrast to her more darkly-dressed younger sister.
Also in contrast her sister Luna (who mostly lived in the shadows and had a busy night-life), Celestia had always felt a great connection to the sun, and spent at least an hour every day doing nothing but basking in its magnificent radiance, allowing its light and warmth touch her skin and fill her with the energy she would need to get through her days.
Sunbathing was actually one of Celestia's favourite hobbies...which may seem surprising actually considering the fact that her skin was very pale and showed no signs of tanning whatsoever. Some may explain that away as her just using an excessive amount of sunscreen, but the truth was actually quite different.
A glimpse of why that was could briefly be seen when a small swirl of golden energy emanated from her fist as she clenched it ever so slightly.
'I think that's enough sun for today,' she realised as she felt that small spark reveal itself.
After slowly opening her eyes, she turned around and walked over to the coffeemaker at the other end of the room and prepared a mug of what she'd also need to get through her day.
Once she'd filled it with a healthy dose of her favourite coffee type, a knock came at her door.
"Come in!" she answered politely, while she walked over and sat down at her desk.
At her urging, three people came through and stepped inside. One of them being Twilight Sparkle, another Sunset Shimmer, both of which being Celestia's own students...while the third was a woman named Doctor Silk Mane, the slightly eccentric head scientist of the company's Bio-Labs.
Easily recognised by her long teal-coloured hair and very feminine glasses, Dr Mane carried herself with a certain commanding confidence as she fixed her eyes on Celestia's welcoming smile...a clear contrast to the far more overly excited Twilight and Sunset who looked very eager to have a chance to talk to her.
"Good morning, Twilight, Sunset, doctor!" Celestia greeted when she saw them come in. "Am I right to assume you have some news on your latest project?"
"Hehehe, oh we got some news alright." Dr Mane replied with a small chuckle. "When you said you would send a pair of teenagers to work on my science team, I honestly expected them to be little more than those intolerable interns you keep throwing my way. What I didn't expect was for those teenagers to be smarter than the rest of my team combined!"
Celestia smiled proudly, "That was why I enlisted them, doctor. Though do try to be less dismissive of your co-workers. They're all doing their best."
Mane simply scoffed and rolled her eyes at that.
"So...Sunset, Twilight, now that the doctor's vouched for you, why don't you two tell me about your project?" Celestia requested.
Twilight had only just managed to open her mouth to answer that question, but was cut off when Silk decided to answer it for her. "With their help, I have now discovered to key to unlocking the power of cross-species genetics! All it took was to combine Shimmer's work on the Symbiote creature and match it with the decay-rate algorithm Sparkle provi-"
Celestia help up a hand to silence her, "I believe I was asking Twilight and Sunset about this, Doctor Mane."
The reminder instantly made Silk Mane's haughty grin vanish, and was soon replaced with an insulted glare instead while she crossed her arms and bit her tongue for the moment.
Seeing an opening to speak, Sunset explained, "Well, after an extensive study on the Symbiote, I finally found a way to mimic its ability to transfer genetic traits from on life form to another, so that, in theory, you could take the healing powers of a newt and give it to, say, a man with a missing limb. That way, you could have it grow back in just a day or two."
"But there was a problem," Twilight continued. "The formula didn't work as we expected, and instead it just made things...let's call it...'worse'. The problem was that we hadn't fully grasped how different the symbiote's cells were compared to that of an organism that had originated on this planet."
"That was when we discovered the missing component."
"Yes, something we called the...'decay-rate-algorithm'. It's an equation that could calculate how quickly cells with the new genetic makeup would generate and affect the body. If only a few of the subject's cells were affected, then it could lead to cancers or unstable mismatched mutations. I have spent the last few days trying to find a way to prevent that from happening."
A bit intrigued over what she was hearing, Celestia asked, "And did it pay off?"
With an extremely dorky smile plastered on her face, Twilight screamed out, "YES! I! DID! Just yesterday I discovered exactly how the decay-rate-algorithm worked and how to implement it with Sunset's research!"
"That's wonderful, Twilight!" Celestia exclaimed with a certain aura of pride in her prized students' accomplishment.
With a bright blush colouring her cheeks, Twilight nervously muttered, "Just doing what you taught me, Celestia." Always getting a bit flustered when the woman she idolised so much gave her a compliment, no matter how small.
However...Twilight may have left out the part where the breakthrough actually came from studying some of Rainbow Dash's mutated DNA that she had...(ahem)...gotten her hands on in a totally-not-creepy-way when she wasn't looking. She figured it would probably be best for everyone involved if she didn't mention that little detail.
"Well, you have certainly made me proud of your achievements," Celestia said, then gave Sunset a look as well, "...both of you."
Sunset gave a coy smile at that statement, but didn't say anything.
Dr Mane however, looked even more insulted after hearing that and angrily questioned, "And what about me?!"
Celestia got up from her chair and gave the geneticist a slightly playful smile, "Now, now, Doctor, you were already a very competent scientist when I hired you, with several doctorates under you belt and many successes to your name. So in comparison, I'd say that the accomplishments of a pair of teenagers coming right out of high school might be a bit more impressive. However, of course I'd be glad to hear of your own contribution as well. So please, lay it on me."
"Contribution!?" Silk sputtered. "I own this project! This whole thing was my idea, and I was the one who spent years of my life developing the Catalyst Factor needed for the formula to even have a chance of working!"
"There's no need to be so defensive, Doctor Mane," Celestia stated calmly while holding her hands up. "Now please, do calm yourself and why don't you tell me about this...'Catalyst Factor', as it were."
"Very well," the scientist conceded. Then after taking a deep breath to compose herself, she explained, "Now, even with Shimmer's research on the Symbiote and Sparkle's work on the 'decay-rate-algorithm', we need something to speed up the procedure and actually force a rapid genetic change in the subject. Otherwise it would just stay there and do nothing. Which, of course, is why I created a highly reactive chemical formula I choose to call the 'Catalyst Factor', the name is trademarked by the way."
That last statement made Celestia pause for a brief moment, then say, "I'll, uh...I'll see what I can do about that."
"Anyway..." Mane continued undeterred. "The formula has the power to alter every cell in a living body at a genetic level and make them change into a new form. Then, if you combine it with the cross-species genetics formula, the desired traits will appear a lot quicker than it would without it."
"And what happens if you just insert the Catalyst Factor without any additional DNA?"
For the first time so far, Dr Mane's know-it-all attitude faltered a bit, "Actually, I'm...not entirely sure, but a guess would be that the compound would force a completely random mutation...depending on the dosage."
"How so?"
"Well...let's say you want to transfer the regeneration ability of a newt onto a human, as Shimmer suggested. A small dosage of the factor would adapt only the desired regeneration to affect the subject, but...if you use too much of it, far more traits would pass over. Next thing you know, the subject could be transformed into a human-salamander hybrid or something. But we won't cross that line...I hope."
Celestia slowly sat back down in her chair, a thoughtful expression forming on her face. The notion that something like that could happen unnerved her just a bit...especially when it brought up a few very unpleasant memories.
"Those kinds of risks are not exactly making me feel very comfortable," she said, sounding a bit concerned.
Twilight noticed something in her mentor's expression. "Is...something wrong?"
After letting out a sigh, Celestia replied, "It's just...I know all great advances in science have all had great risks, and I'm not someone to deny anyone progress based on what might happen, but...I formed this company on the basis that nothing like what happened at Starswirl Laboratories ever happens again. We need to be careful with our research, I cannot stress that enough. One mistake with something like this and...well, we could be dealing with another Sandman, and I'd rather not have that on any of your resumes."
"Don't worry, we will be beyond careful," Twilight assured with a proud little grin.
"Definitively!" Sunset agreed. "We know what we're doing, and I can assure you we won't even try human trials until you say the word."
All eyes then fell upon Dr Mane, who noticeable hesitated before she said, "...Of course."
With all in agreement, Celestia concluded, "Well then, if that is all then I suggest you start working. If you have any results till Friday you may showcase it in our annual presentation. Who knows, it might steal the show this year."
"Oh it definitively will," Sunset confidently assured. "Starlight's Arc Reactor may be cool and all, but this project will help a lot of people out there."
"I don't doubt that. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do, and so do you."
Silk Mane put a firm grip on Sunset and Twilight's shoulder each (which were just a bit too tight for either of their comforts) and put a huge smile on her face. "Yes, of course, we'll get on that immediately!" she informed, speaking very quickly, almost as if she was in a hurry to get back to her work.
Then she all but dragged the two teenagers out of the room, leaving Celestia to her own devices. Once outside, the doctor let out a small chuckle. "Heheh, now we can finally get down to business..." she noted with a haughty smirk on her face...then, in an instant, she suddenly switched over to an impatient slightly angry tone as she looked down at her interns and ordered, "What are you two standing around here for, get to work pronto, chop chop!"
"Okay, okay," Sunset responded with, a bit shrunk back by the scientist's rude impatience. "But really, we aren't in that much of a hurry. We still have all wee-"
"You know what they say?" Mane interrupted, levelling her eyes at the intern. "Science waits for nobody...least of all you."
Sunset flinched a little. That comment sounded just a bit too personal for comfort.
Though before Silk could say anything else, a noise that sounded strangely like a woman letting out a gasp then blowing a raspberry interrupted her, prompting the scientist to reach into her coat and fish out her phone...revealing that the strange sound was actually her phone's messenger signal.
The message she got however was a short declaration of 'I have my tools now. Great work. Now I just need you to finish the project and we'll move on to phase 2'...from someone labelled on Mane's phone as simply 'Nightmare'.
Her reaction to seeing that text though made the doctor pause for a second...then she quickly put the phone away before Sunset or Twilight could see the message and excused herself. "I have some things I need to do, but I'll meet you back in the Bio-Labs in half-an-hour. I expect you to have made at least some progress by then."
And then...she turned her back to them and left, walking briskly and decisively to...wherever she needed to go, while Twilight and Sunset was left in the dust, not really sure what got their project leader in such a hurry.
When Mane was out of eyesight and probably out of earshot, Sunset looked at Twilight and asked, "Is it just me, or am I getting a bad vibe out of her?"
"Who? Doctor Mane?" Twilight wondered.
"Yeah..." Sunset affirmed while looking deep in thought.
Twilight shrugged, "She seems pretty okay to me. Why?"
"It just feels like...I don't know, like there is something off about her. I can't really place it."
"I admit, she is a bit eccentric, but I don't see why that's a problem."
"It's not just that," Sunset assured, still keeping a suspicious look on her face. "I mean, who does she keep calling or texting all the time, and why is she so hellbent on getting this project ready so fast? Also, she's kinda mean. Yesterday I heard her scream at one of her employees just because he wanted to leave early for a personal matter, and seriously, have you heard that name she keeps calling Doctor Glimmer?"
"I'm pretty sure that's just a reference to that chest-harness device she's always wearing," Twilight pointed out. "Also, maybe she's calling her friends or family...and we are kinda on a deadline if we want our project to be in the presentation."
"Sure, but come on, 'Doctor Octopus', seriously? That still doesn't sound like a nice thing to call somebody."
"It's just a name. I know I was called a lot of things back in High School. 'Twilight Snarkle', 'Egghead' or 'Dorky Bangs' were the most common."
"Yeah, but it's still..." Sunset trailed off as she realised what her friend just said. "Wait a minute, 'Dorky Bangs'? Who the heck called you that?"
Slightly embarrassed, Twilight answered, "Oh, quite a few actually. I...think it was Lightning Dust who came up with it and then everyone else started saying it. I was hardly the most popular girl at Canterlot High."
"Then it's a shame we didn't meet before Celestia practically shanghaied us here after that science fare. I would have made sure those guys thought twice before saying those things to your face if I'd been around."
Twilight blushed and began to play with her hair a little, "You...would do that for me?"
Sunset put a comforting hand on Twilight's shoulder and assured, "Of course I would. What are friends for?"
That comment drew out a warm smile from her, one that Sunset shared once she reminded, "Anyway, let's head back to the lab before Doctor Mane has an aneurysm or something,"...getting a giggle out of Twilight in the process.
And with her two most promising students and her top scientist off to work on their latest project, Celestia could return her attention to the cup of coffee that had been waiting for her on the table throughout the whole conversation.
However, after she had picked it up and was just about to bring it up to her lips...a very annoying beeping sound came from the computer embedded in her desk. On the screen past its smooth glass surface, a red blinking light accompanied that beeping with her sister's face and the word 'Luna' written on it.
Celestia sighed...then forced a smile on her face.
Knowing what this meant, she used the hand not currently holding the cup to press a finger down on the blinking red icon, causing a holographic image of her sister Luna to appear through her needlessly high-tech desk.
"Hi, Luna. Is there something you need?" Celestia greeted before taking a small sip from her coffee cup.
Luna, who her sister could tell looked quite worried through the digital image, skipped any kind of small talk and answered, "Tia, we have a problem."
"Is it a big problem or a small one?" Celestia wondered, quirking an eyebrow.
"That would be a big one...a very big one."
"Oh my...that sounds ominous," she added with slightly out of place sarcasm.
Luna rolled her eyes at that remark, then revealed, "Last night, someone broke into the building and stole a huge amount of our technology from the engineering labs right under our noses, then left without a trace."
Celestia's eyes widened a bit after hearing that, "Well, that...can't be good."
"It's worse," Luna enforced direly. "Right before the theft happened, all alarms and security monitors in the tower suddenly just turned off...just like that!" she snapped her fingers for emphasis. "I have no idea how they did it, but it's possible this was an inside job. Though who it might be, I can't even speculate. Since the cameras were off, we don't even have a lead."
"Hmmm..." Celestia mulled over that piece of information for a moment, drinking a bit of her coffee to get her brain working. "So what did they actually steal?"
Luna cringed and noticeably hesitated a little before she answered that question. "Right, I was afraid you were going to ask me that. You might want to brace yourself for this. Ahem, the objects that were stolen are as follow: a huge collection of our advanced smart bombs, the lightning sabre, the adaptive mobility armour, a couple of directed plasma emitters and...our prototype military-grade tech-flight glider."
Unfortunately for the older of the two sisters, she was in the process of downing a large quantity of her coffee when she heard that list, causing her to spit out half of it, then scream out, "WHAT!?"
"Thinking back, it might have been a bad idea for me to suggest building so many weapons..." Luna muttered more to herself than to her sister.
"To say the least," Celestia affirmed with a hint of dread in her voice. "You don't steal that much weaponized hardware just for fun. Whoever stole them must be planning something terrible."
"That's what I fear," Luna admitted guiltily.
"Then I suggest we contact Captain Shining Armour at the precinct and tell him everything we know as soon as possible. The police must know what they're getting into."
"I'll make the call as soon as possible, but, Tia, do you really think that will be enough to stop someone who not only managed to get past all my security measures, but also now has their hands on some of our most advanced weapons technology?"
"We will have to hope that it is...for all our sake," Celestia decided, leaning back in her chair with a sigh.
This was not the way she hoped this morning would go.