Gregor set down a small device that would speak to the ship, and through that, get to his superior. "I come with new words."
His face appeared, a bust figure that floated there, showing in light. "Have you returned from your visit?"
"I have not. I was overwhelmed, but felt it urgent to report immediately." Gregor bowed towards the image, his fingers pressed together from one hand to the other. "They have shown trust in one hand, and ability in the other."
"In what way is this? Speak plainly, for their judgment rests in what you say." His superior was frowning slightly as he floated there.
"She has proven in word and demonstration that her people plan for the future, and are ready to bleed for it. They are far above any animal species," he started, remembering the grand vision of the city from above and the sacrifices that were made to create it. "They have erected a vast monument to their light, to cast its brilliance across the majority of their nation, for all to see and be warmed by."
"They are not far unlike the Shantor in appearance, are they not? Do they not share--"
"They are nothing like the Shantor," cut in Gregor before holding up a hand. "I apologize for speaking out of turn, Father."
"How strongly you speak... Enlighten me."
"They have long since overcome the limitation of their hooves. They build cities, not herd. They construct monuments of grand beauty, not primitive monuments. For better or worse, they understand the dark temptation of magic, but they rise from it, their souls collectively pure." He extended his fingers as he counted off each distinct difference, spreading his hands. "They know of our threat and of the universe, and their eyes are turned to it with curiosity and acceptance, not fear."
"You speak of their souls, but what do you know of that?" His leader leaned towards him as far as the image would allow. "You know precious little of soul theurgies."
"I would need to be blind," defended Gregor. "They have shown me their vision of hell, a real place of cold stone, where their most wicked are imprisoned, punished in separation from the warmth of the light. I have felt his forked tongue, wagging with lies and manipulation."
"You speak with clear conviction. Tell me then, what is your decision?" He was watching Gregor intently. "What would you proclaim of their souls?"
"I dare not assume I have that rank. In my untrained eyes, their souls shine with His brilliance. Their way is not ours, but it is not a bad way."
"I see." He blinked out, the room becoming darker without the image, leaving Gregor facing an inactive device, without answers.
Aboard the ship, the elder priest scowled as he turned, waving a hand towards another device, soon a new head appearing. "He stands aside the aliens, as his sort are quick to do. He sees not even a speck of darkness in them and singe their praises. Amaltheans be damned for their impure thoughts."
"It is as we saw it. He would defend the right of a common dog to hear and howl the words of God." replied the other floating head, a concerned look on his face. "But it is not just his words that speak idle lies, seduced by furry demons with kind faces. Our agents hear that one of them grows heavy with the blasphemous production of the sin of bestiality made physical."
The first faintly cringed with disgust.
"It was Hawkwood's own agent that has slept with these animals," added the other. "This only deteriorates. The universe cannot suffer this. We were bade by the Pancreator to hold dominion over all."
"Are we to declare their souls unfit then?"
The other hiked a brow. "Unfit? That is to assume they have any to start. Unclean and sinful, they need to be purged with the hottest flame we can manage. Already I have sent word for reinforcements. We will clean this world of filth."
"As you wish it." He bowed towards the image, remaining bowed until the image faded. "Pancreator watch over us."
Laud was poked in the chest with a wooden sword. It was held in the mouth of one of his wives, Bon Bon. "I challenge you," she firmly stated, eyes locked on him.
"I am not of the habit of accepting challenges without a basis." He brushed her sword aside, but she swatted him on the chest almost instantly.
"You are guilty of making me criminally bored while waiting on your spawn to finish ruining my figure." She prodded at him, stepping forward. "Do you not defend yourself, or are the rumors of Hawkwood bravery just so much hot air?"
He suddenly grabbed her sword, knuckles taut in his firm grip. "Do not make jests of my house. I know you are suffering, and for that I put it--"
She yanked the sword clear of his hand, dancing back. "Enough talk. Draw or admit you're a coward."
"Wife... I will not cross blades with you, not right now." He held up his hands. "You can pummel me if that makes you feel better, just leave my house out of it."
She huffed loudly, spitting the wooden blade to the ground. "What's the fun in that? Entertain me, damn you."
He offered a hand, and she took it, approaching and resting her cheek against it. "I am sorry," he spoke gently, starting to stroke over her form. "This is something I can know little of, being a man."
"That's a 'you' problem," she grunted before backing up a step. "The thing I hate most is that you all treat me as if I were about to fall apart at any moment."
"We care for you. I won't deny that, or feel guilty for it."
"I care about you, moron. I still could give you a poke and thrash you in a spar if you'd let me!" She stomped a hoof. "I can't run my shop. I can't do anything but... be."
"Have you tried that?" he ventured, brow raised.
"Then I have to think about what's coming, and that's hardly comfortable right now..." She glanced away and back, looking to the wooden sword on the ground briefly. "I'd rather cause some bruises right now."
"But not without a fight," he ventured gently.
"If I wanted to bash a stone, I'd already be doing that." Bon Bon rolled her eyes softly before stepping back into his reach. "If you won't allow that, get to rubbing. I want the itches banished and the sore spots shown love."
"This is a request I will oblige." He began to gently stroke and scratch at his filling wife, willing to work for her comfort.
Gregor emerged from his room, prayers still warm on his lips. It was a new day. "Good morning," he bade Spike.
Spike looked up from his chair, just finishing breakfast. "Hey! You want to head back or check out the city?"
Part of him wanted to see the splendid city of the ponies, but the way he had been dismissed... "We should head back, I feel... (We are returning)." He directed the last bit towards his guard who rose, ready to move. "Thank you, for serving as our guide."
"Not a problem at all." He hopped down from his chair and started walking. "You get good sleep? You look a little... off."
"I'm fine," he lied with an equally false smile. "Just some lingering thoughts bothering me." That much was truth. "Thoughts I feel may be banished when we have returned. It is nothing, certainly nothing involving you, Good Squire."
"Well, alright." Spike shrugged lightly. "If you need anything, just ask. It's my job to make sure everything's good for your trip."
Gregor could not think of a way Spike could meaningfully assist. "Thank you for offering. I will be sure to inform Laud of your commendable service."
Spike beamed proudly, leading the way back through the city to the train. He'd see his wards back to Ponyville without a single problem. He had done well, as far as he could see. He'd even held his own in a spar against a real noble. What a day... "You should come back sometime, when you're not busy. You know, enjoy the sights."
"I would like that." Gregor nodded as he boarded the train that would take him back towards his ship and his faithful. "But not today, unfortunately."
They arrived in Ponyville later. Without being told, Pinkie was there to greet them. "Welcome back, Spike!" She was waving a sign in her hooves that showed a doodle of a dragon with a knight's helmet and two humans equally crudely depicted and was eagerly bouncing it as she cheered their arrival.
"Did you tell her we were coming?" asked Gregor with a soft smile, stepping free of the train.
"She's just like that. She has a hunch for things." Spike shrugged softly. "Good thing she's on the good guy side. Hey, Pinkie!" He waved a little, half his attention on making sure his human wards got off the train properly, not that they seemed to have much trouble doing it.
"Spiiike!" She threw the sign aside and jumped at him, wrapping him up in an eager hug before she threw out a hoof towards Gregor. "And you're the important human Spike was showing around Canterlot, right? Nice to meet you! I'm Pinkamena Diane Pie, but Pinkie will do just fine."
"And I am Father Gregor." He offered a hand towards her, and she grasped it quickly, pressing but one hoof against it and somehow getting a firm dry grip as she shook it in the firm fashion of any human.
"We haven't really had a chance to talk. You busy?"
He glanced to Spike and his guard and off to the star ship landing pad. "I... should get back."
"Oh, that's too bad." She released him and sank to her haunches. "Lemme know when you have a moment." She held up two hooves close to each other. "Shouldn't take long, promise! I know you're an important one." She threw a hoof towards his guard. "Hello to you too! Don't be shy!"
The guard stood there impassively, not reacting to the offered hand. Gregor raised a hand with a gentle smile. "He does not understand Ponish, and doesn't speak often while charged with his duties."
Spike suddenly saluted. "He's a soldier, with responsibilities. Kinda like me, with less awesome titles involved."
"Ohhhh," gushed Pinkie, bobbing her head with comprehension. "Like the Royal Guard, got it. Sorry." She gestured towards the landing pad. "Welcome back to Ponyville! Heading to your ship?"
"I am. Thank you." With the kind smile he had long cultivated, he nodded to her and began his trek back to his ship, his guard trailing behind.
Spike did not follow them. "I'm heading back to the castle." He hiked a thumb towards the great crystal structure that held his family. "Gotta tell Laud how things went."He suddenly giggled, balling his fists with a big grin. "He's gonna be sooo proud!"
"Ooo?" Pinkie leaned forward. "Did you do something super amazing? Do tell!" She began to bounce alongside him, looking eager to hear the story.
"Well, I ran into an old friend. Remember Blueblood?"
Pinkie stuck out her tongue. "Bet Rarity won't ever forget him. What about him?"
"Did you know he likes to sword fight?" His grin took on a wry smirk. "And some squire showed him just how rusty he was at it?"
Pinkie burst into gay laughter, throwing an arm over Spike's shoulders. "Oh wow! You have to tell Rarity about that! She'll go right over the moon I bet!"
Spike froze a moment. He hadn't even considered that angle. But... "Huh... maybe..." Could he win the lady Rarity's heart with a tale of subduing her former antagonist? Wouldn't that be nice...
The humans that Gregor spoke to are idiots and will likely learn that too late. They don't even know about Discord who could defeat with a snap of his fingers.
9686368
That too.
I was planning to say "Oh dear. I hope not too many Equestrians get hurt before these the fools receive an attitude adjustment via lunar/solar mace."
As far as i can tell the hawkwood's are not stupid they most likely started getting a fleet to together the moment the church arrive as well as went ahead with he plan to get a merchants guild involve if they can pull that off before the church gets it's fleets together they might be able to hold them in orbit
aside from that i am not familiar with with the setting are orbital defenses a thing?
and dont forget just throwing the moon/sun at what ever fleet comes there way lol the gravity problems all ready crashed one ship lol the church might just have made a huge mistake can they afford the total destruction of a fleet, again not i'm not familiar with the setting can they?
9686371 was typing this out before i got to see your comment lol great minds think alike
9686368
o fuck i forgot about discord yer the church is so fucked
Sweetest Mother of Arceus' dirty underwear!
The church will disgrace the Pancreator, won't they ..?
9686376 If they hurt Fluttershy having someone make it make back home with a warning would be considered lucky.
Gregors superiors are the reason the Borg was so successful. they at least took all the useful bits from everything they met before disposing of the rest, instead of going by Exterminatus By Photo.
Maybe Discord could drop a little chaos into the Jump Gate, so it was only useable at random intervals, for only the smaller ships like Lauds, and reacted to lifeform number so a batallion couldnt be stuffed in cryopods in a luggage rack either?
Then again, to Gregors crew, do they have access to Vulcan Bombs and similar small planet busters etc? Red Weed and similar biologics?
9686381
you think if there was people/pony getting harmed Fluttershy would not run head first into the danger to help them Fluttershy getting hurt is just a matter of time if the get to they get to the planet at all that is
9686387 Not at all. I was saying that Flutters is Discord's one true berserk button, and the only way to truly piss him off is to harm her. If they were stupid/unlucky enough to do so, I don't think any of them would make it back to human space alive.
9686391
i dont think discord would stop until the church was nothing but a forgotten memory for good or ill
Ahhh, now there's that element of religion I am used to loathing. Honestly, Laud and Gregor made it really hard to critique their religion. But this? This is a field of densely packed targets and given a shotgun. All the usual players are there: "we are superior because we say the big guy says so", and "we say the big guy says we are destined to rule the universe", "that means we get to kill you no problem" and even "anyone who sides with you is a heretic."
And Bon Bon is a grumpy pregnant mother to be. Good thing Laud has patience to spare.
Celestia protects....
9686368
They land in droves Drawing Flowers from their holsters, their shields dripping off them like pudding, while the world around them starts dancing mad.
9686376
Celestial objects are the Domain of the Local Guardian deities, so the projectiles will most likely be high velocity Asteroids, commets, planetoids, and other anomalus materials typically ignored as background noise and obstacles by Enhanced radar. If luna is informed she can just keep pummeling their vessels with an unlimited amount of Debris while Celestia catches the larger ships with her sun like a Giant fly swatter. Obviousely this will throw the worlds ecosystems out of alignment for a few years but wiping out an army with Celestia objects with little to no fleet in orbit would be a feat in and of itself. any that land will have to face the locals without orbital support.
Oooh, so the church is getting uppity huh? They'll learn of their mistakes. Hopefully before they can do any serious damage.
... said every utterly worthless religious zealot everywhere. Weak fools with weak minds.
"from the warmth of the light and warmth. I"
Was that supposed to be worded differently, and not have the warmth of the warmth?
...Well, good going there, you two; you've just decided to pick a fight that, at best, you're not going to be able win. At worst, well, maybe it's my lack of familiarity with the Fading Suns universe, but I'd not say that a schism over this is outside the realm of possibility, especially if much of your purging force is captured and shown pony hospitality (and talked to by Gregor) rather than killed.
"and scratch as his filling wife, willing"
As she what?
9686704
filled. Got heavier. Was pregnant.
9686748
Ah, no, sorry, I meant the "as" in the sentence.
"He began to gently stroke and scratch as his filling wife, willing to work for her comfort."
What is his filling wife doing while he's stroking and scratching, to produce the "as"?
9686782
Fixed
9686438
There's one element of what those guys are saying that does somewhat hold outside of their religious fanaticism, and that's considering human-pony relationships to be akin to beastiality. I think it's fair to say that there's going to be a strong emotional reaction in that direction simply because of the "look and feel" of quadrupeds versus bipeds, even among people who fully recognize that ponies are sentient beings.
9686379
Especially since, from a genetic view, the ponies are humans (albeit a variety previously unknown)... That was what the "compatibility analysis potion" Zecora used determined.
9686379
Its sadly a fact of reality and of fiction, the most devoted to their beliefs are usually the ones who do the most to taint them.
9687266
I do believe that the ones tainting the Word are usually the less devoted...
But then again, I don't perform perfectly the Word either...
9686792
Ahh, thanks. :)
9686925
Sure, it's new and strange and not what humans are hard-wired to consider attractive, so revulsion is a an expected and -dare I say it- natural reaction. But there's a difference between going "ew, that's a horse you're having sex with!" and "*gasp* sin against god! Heretic!"
9687456
Well yes, that's the religious zealot aspect shoving its oar in. But it's fair to say that even from a more moderate point of view, House Hawkwood is very much pushing things by pushing a political marriage before ponies were even legally recognized as sentient beings by the central government and/ or the Church. While their intent isn't purely rapacious, they are really pushing it and it feels like they deserve to hit some serious pushback even outside of the fanatics.
Laud should have just blow up those stupid church ships when they arrived, and moke up the rest.
9687679
That would have catastrophic political implications if he just did it cold; the Universal Church has tremendous political and social influence.
9688539
Although Father Gregor's sect does not seem to be in on it, so fortunately they will not be facing down the entire Church. It is still quite possible they will be facing down multiple sects however, and one seperate sect of a Church can only do so much.
9687277
from my experience the people most devoted to religion have the easiest time justifying amorality in service of a god, for them the ends justify the means and their god will rectify any mistake they make in life and judge them on intent not action. This is how a great deal of people have and do understand a God, a being who forgives anything so long as you worship correctly.
9688983
True, true...
Interesting, so Gregor it seems is indeed a bit more true than anticipated. Will it be enough? At least he tried. Will Pinocchio cut his strings?
Bored BonBon is adorable, but surely she can find things to do? Everyone else has had their turn at spying on the Church, after all...
Keep going! ;)
9687456
Well, in all fairness, we do not have the Pancreator's holy book in front of us, so we can only speculate here. But their revulsion at bestiality is fairly common from Judaism and Christianity, and the Universal Church seems to be heavily influenced Roman Catholicism, which may make it logical they hold a similar position on bestiality.
Though the Universal Church seems to take a more.... Imperium of Man stance of only mankind has the right to rule the stars and xenos will be subjugated or cleansed with fire.
9690357
The funny thing is that the Biblical prohibition on beastiality is found *solely* in the Old Testament and never reiterated in the New Testament; it's just that no one really argues about it, unlike the Old Testament dietary restrictions that early Christians who weren't from a Jewish background refused to adopt.
9690794
At the same time, it was never countermanded either, as Christians can point to in regards to foods like shellfish and pork where Peter had a conversation with Jesus after Jesus returned to Heaven. Long story short, Peter refused certain foods and Jesus replied with, "I made it, does that make it sinful?" It is a massive oversimplification but it gets the general drift.
The same cannot be said for other sins. Such as murder, theft, adultery, etc. Just because it isn't mentioned or countermanded does not mean it is no longer a sin. In fact, I would think that it really was a "no duh" sort of thing for the time as most people today still find the subject taboo, much less 2000 years ago in the Middle East.
So he's going to "cleanse" this world is he?
Typically short-sighted zealotry this
Yeah... That's gonna go over about as well as the conflicts with the Vau (I hope I spelled that right, my Fading Suns lore is a bit rusty) or about as well as the Inquisition's attempts at landing on Fenris after the War of Armageddon (Warhammer 40k) and that's BEFORE Celestia and Luna literally throw the sun and moon at them.
Of course the religious nuts are going to call a crusade.
Meant to say this on earlier chapters, but this is slightly interesting. The formal definition of faith according to many large religious institutions is to believe something without evidence. The fact that they can use their prayers as proof of their religion means they have evidence, which means that they technically don't have faith according to this definition.
9927120
But does that power come from the pancreator, or is it just magic, which other faithless people have, dressed up pretty?
Ahhhhh shit