> A Galactic Goodwill Tour
>  by Richforce
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Twilight Sparkle looked out from her balcony to the city beyond.

“It will always be Ponyville to me,” she thought to herself. “No matter how much they call it Hippopolis now”.

Things had changed so much since she first became a princess over a thousand years ago. Her first circle of friends was long gone and as hard as it was to believe at times so was Princess Celestia and Luna. It wasn’t that things were bad, quite the opposite the whole world of Equus had never known such peace and prosperity. It was just that she had wanted them all enjoy to it.

“Princess Twilight,” She heard from behind her. “There is a problem with the new trade agreement between Griffinstone and Labyrinth.”

Twilight groaned as she turned toward her steward. “But we spent so long to come to a treaty both the Griffins and the Minotaur were happy with!”

“And they were, until they found out the agreement violated important contracts they both had with the Vol Protectorate. Both leaders are on the comm with along with Rupe Elkoss of Elkoss Combine.”

Twilight lowered her head as the anger ebbed from her. “I had a personal appointment scheduled shortly, could you tell them to wait half an hour?”

“Of course, your highness,” the steward said while taking a bow.

Twilight looked back to the horizon. When she first took the crown all those centuries ago she never imagined her duties as a princess wouldn’t just involve Equestria or even Equus but an entire galaxy. It started innocently enough, a risky venture to get Unicorns and Diamond Dogs working together. But what they found changed everything, including Ponyville which was now called Hippopolis and had become the largest city on the planet. The green fields and quaint houses she knew now shared space with acrologies that towered to the up to the sky dwarfing her castle.

But that was nothing compared to the knowledge that life existed outside their world. Now not just ponies but all thinking creatures had spread themselves to a number of worlds out among the stars. But there was always something special about Equus, it was the homeworld and a symbol of what they achieved together and nowhere else in the known universe had the magic she had grown up with.

She then saw a couple of objects moving between the towers, as they came closer she recognized the two large and very old friends.

“Spike! Mina!”

The two Dragons landed gracefully at the base of her castle and stood so their enormous heads were level with the balcony. The baby dragon she had first hatched was now a full grown adult with a mate right by his side. Twilight had changed as well, she was now the same size as Luna was when she had first moved into this castle.

“Twilight!” said Spike. “It’s good to see you again!”

“We haven’t seen you since the last migration,” said Mina.

“Well keeping the Harmonium running is a full time job. It’s not like the old days where I could just pop over to Sugar Cube Corner for breakfast before hoping on a train to the Crystal Empire. But enough about me what’s been up with the two of you?”

“Well,” Spike said while starting to blush. “That’s part of why we’re here. Mina and I have been talking and…”

“We’re going to be parents!” finished Mina.

Twilight had a big grin on her face. “Congratulations! Nice job Spike!”

Spike sighed and blushed even deeper. “What she meant was we decided that we were going try to make a clutch of eggs.”

Twilight flattened her ears. “Oh sorry, still you two are going to make great parents.”

“I would hope so, I learned from a great mom.”

As Twilight felt her chest swell she heard a beeping followed by the steward’s voice on the intercom. “Princess, Mr. Elkoss is getting impatient and…”

“*whish* I am past impatient, Equus Clan!” said an unseen Volus. “*whish* unless the diarch speaks to me in the next one hundred standard seconds *whish* both the contracts to Griffinstone and Labyrinth will be cancelled!”

Twilight gave a growl but then smiled sweetly at Spike and Mina. “I have to take this, I’ll be right back.”

But she didn’t come right back, the dragons had to wait two hours for the Princess’ return and when she did come back she looked worn out.

“Ugh, sometimes I wish we found out we WERE alone in the universe! First a trade agreement that both sides liked was almost ruined because of a volus who had so much ego that I’m surprised his suit hadn’t burst open from it! Then I had to issue an apology to a passive/aggressive Hanar diplomat who one of the Canterlot nobles called a “jellyfish”. And to top it off I almost had an alien RIOT in Manehatten because they thought a changeling’s lecture on the “artistic and engineering achievements of the rachni” was blaming the Citadel races for having the krogan “wipe out a unique and irreplaceable viewpoint of the galaxy”. Keeping the peace between the races of Equus has been hard enough, but when you add dozens of races from hundreds of worlds spreading friendship and harmony seems like a never ending battle!”

After a few moments of Twilight breathing hard Spike looked straight into her eyes. “Twilight, when was the last time you took a break?”

Twilight took a deep breath. “It may not seem like it but I schedule regular breaks to prevent burnout…”

“I think what Spike means is when was your last vacation?” asked Mina.

“It…has been a while,” Twilight said keeping her eyes on the ground. “After…the incident, I tried to keep busy with work, spend time with my friends, anything to keep my mind off what happened.”

“Twilight,” said Spike. “I know what had happened was the most painful thing that ever happened to you but avoiding it will only keep the pain going no matter how well it is hidden.”

“I don’t think a vacation is going to just make me feel better about it.”

“Twilight, remember when Rarity passed away? I was an inconsolable whelp on the verge of drakehood, it was just you and Applejack left, and I spent every day moping about. You sent me to visit Celestia and she suggested that I should be among the dragons going on what turned out to be the first excursion. I thought there was no way I could enjoy any of it, but it turned out to be one of the most fulfilling parts of my life.”

“Really?” Twilight said with a sigh.

“Yes, I learned from the asari about appreciating the time I did have with Rarity. I had seen wonders that I had never even imagined before, I spoke with people about their forms of wisdom and shared mine, finally I matured into a dragon I knew you and Rarity and all of our friends would be proud of.”

“Ahem,” Mina coughed.

“Oh and it was during then I decided to settle down with the most wonderful dragoness and wife in the galaxy.”

“And I couldn’t have asked for a better dragon to share it all with.”

Twilight looked at the starry night that was beginning to peek out of the sky. “I suppose I could take a trip for the sake of Equestria and Equus. Ever since we openly lobbied for a human embassy on the Citadel and supported the Alliance’s expansion in into the Skyllian Verge and Attican Traverse our relation with the other races in the galaxy have soured a bit. I have to speak with Princess Flurry Heart about making the preparations but by next year I can find some time to relax AND mend bridges with the other races in council space.”

Spike smiled. “That’s my Twilight, even when taking it easy she’s thinking about others first.”

“No wonder you turned out so well,” said Whimsy and she planted a kiss on Spike.

After a good laugh the three of them talked about them old days, their future plans, and a few care tips Twilight had for the hopeful parents. While all the laughing and sharing was going on Twilight couldn’t help but think about how all of these changes began…

Goodwill Tour planned. Earth year of tour: 2183…

In the Earth year 1176 ruins left behind by a spacefaring civilization were discovered on Equus. In the years that followed the information gleaned from the ruins produced amazing technology enabling travel to the furthest edges of the galaxy. The foundation of this technology was a force that bent the fabric of time and space. 

The people of Equus thought of it as a means to spread harmony and friendship throughout the stars.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it…



> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earth year: 1176

“Ok girls here is the basis of the problem,” said Princess Celestia. Both she and the six rainbow bearers had come to a small mining site at the base of the Unicorn Range.  “A number of unicorns had agreed to help a pack of Diamond Dogs locate a gem cache in the area. In the process they found a structure underground and came to a disagreement over ownership. The diamond dogs claim that since they dug it up it belongs to them, but the unicorns claim that since the ruins are on Equestrian land we have the right to study them.”

“So why call us?” asked Rarity. “Seems to me like this is a job for the courts.”

“That was only just the beginning. Griffins heard about the find and claim that the ruin is the tomb of Galahad, a legendary griffin king and it was theirs as their cultural heritage. Minotaur came soon after that wanting the ruin to stay buried believing that it is the prison of a demon sealed away by Minotaur heroes in the distant past. Then Dragons started coming one by one claiming personal ownership saying that it’s a treasure hoard and should go to the strongest among them.”

“I think I understand,” said Twilight. “Whatever is in there it can’t possibly be worth all of us fighting over it.”

“As the princess of friendship it is your duty to end this situation between the creatures involved without anyone getting hurt.”

“Well I reckon one of the things to do about that is to go ahead and open the thing,” said Applejack. “We can figure out how to share it once we know what it is.”

“I do hope this help all our peoples get along better in the long term,” said Fluttershy. “I always wished the other races could become friends with us and each other.”

“Oh, I can’t wait!” said Pinkie Pie. “It’s like a birthday present; you just got to know what’s inside and we’re just the ponies to give the whole world this present!”

“And we also have our rainbow power,” said Rainbow Dash. “Just in case the Minotaur are right.”

The seven ponies came over a hill noticed a crowd of almost every kind of intelligent creature they knew. As they pushed through the crowd Twilight noticed a familiar looking Pegasus fly to their position.

“Princess Celestia I have urgent news to report,” said Daring Do.

“I had feeling your curiosity would bring you here miss Yearling.”

“Shhhhh…”

“In any event what is this urgent news?”

Daring took a deep breath. “One of the unicorns secretly used a spell to determine just how old this thing is.  If the spell worked properly then this building is fifty thousand years old, give or take a thousand.”

Twilight gasped. “But that means it’s older than all of recorded history! Even dragon history doesn’t go back nearly that far!”

“Exactly, that building was standing when our ancestors roamed the plains in herds. Whatever is in there could rewrite history as we know it.”

“And it’s causing big problems in the present,” said Rainbow Dash. “We better open it and fast.”

“You better make an announcement first,” said another Pegasus, this one orange and with a guard uniform.

“Flash Sentry,” said Princess Celestia. “What brings you here?”

“Princess Candence has asked me to relay a message to you. She learned of this find and has reason to believe that there may be Changelings hiding among the creatures here, maybe even Queen Chrysalis herself.”

“In that case I will have the guard be extra careful. Though I believe Princess Twilight and her friends should be more than capable of handling any of Chrysalis’ mischief and I will be ready as well.”

As they moved in front of the crowd Celestia began speaking to the assembled creatures.

“I know all of you have desires, questions and even fears concerning the building in front of us but there is a greater opportunity for us all here today than whatever contents this ruin could ever hold. What we have here today is the beginning of understanding, not of some treasure or curse but of each other. For the first time in my long memory all races of this world have a common interest and a common challenge, the mysteries contained within this vessel long buried in the earth.

“The Ponies will open the structure and we will determine from there how to move forward. If a treasure or lost knowledge is found we can determine together what to do with it. If a monster or other danger then with power of the Rainbow that the Princess of Friendship possesses we will defeat it together. Either way while we might have come here separately I hope we all may leave as friends. So together let us open the door to our future.”

At that word number of unicorns began used their magic to open the door to the side. Twilight was tense with anticipation, both at the potential danger but also at the knowledge that lay waiting. Once the door was opened everything was still for a good long time. Then the silence was broken.

“Clear!” said a unicorn guard after he looked in with a light spell.

“Ok girls,” said Twilight. “Let’s see what we got.”

With Twilight and Rarity using light spells of their own the six entered the ancient building. Within there were long tables with strange objects on them and larger objects were set against the walls in places.

“Doesn’t the floor feel a little bit strange to the rest of you?” asked Fluttershy. “Like metal but not like anything I’ve ever seen before.”

“Definitely not a palace, tomb or a treasure vault,” said Rarity. “The form is elegant but I can’t quite tell the function.”

“It seems a little familiar,” said Twilight. “Not in an ‘I’ve been here’ sort of way, more like I should know what this is.” 

“Maybe we just can’t figure it out,” Pinkie Pie said. “Like my Pinkie Sense…”

“That’s it!” said Twilight. “I had a room like this in my old library, this is a laboratory!”

“A lab for who?!” said Rainbow Dash. “As old as this thing is when it doing its thing the ancestors of all the species out there were just mindless beasts.”

“Yeah,” said Applejack. “The Apples of those days would’ve been grass munchers who only had an apple if it just happened to fall off the tree.”

“That’s a good question,” said Twilight. “We could spend years going over this thing and never find the answer.”

Pinkie Pie approached one of the wall objects. “Hey what does this button do?” she said as she pressed a green square protruding from the object.

“Pinkie wait!” said Rarity.

The device then admitted a green light over Pinkie Pie which then then held her in the air.

“No Pinkie!” yelled Twilight as she readied a spell.

But only a few seconds after Pinkie was caught in the beam it suddenly stopped letting Pinkie fall to the ground.

“Pinkie are you ok?!” asked Fluttershy.

“It felt tingly,” was Pinkie’s response.

“Scan complete,” the device said projecting a heavily distorted hologram. “Audio output adjusted according to recorded dialogue and brain scan analysis. Subject identified as descendent of species Nine-Alpha, intelligence estimate within acceptable levels. Beginning data copy to disk, ready to receive query.”

“By ‘audio output adjusted’ does that mean it speaks egghead?” said Rainbow Dash.

“It’s saying that we can ask it questions,” said Twilight. She turned to the machine. “Who are you and what is this place?”

“I am Virtue, the virtual intelligence installed to oversee the systems of Geno Lab Twelve, the facility you are currently located at. My primary function has been overwritten to provide information to those that find this facility particularly if their genome corresponds to any class one species on file.”

“I guess we’re first class critters huh?” said Applejack.

“What is the purpose of this laboratory?” asked Twilight.

“This facility’s primary function is the analysis of genetic material of species engineered for Project Rebirth or imported from Site Alpha.”

“What is Project Rebirth and what do mean by engineered or imported species?”

“Project Rebirth’s primary objective was the creation of designer lifeforms for the purposes of (file not found, data corruption). A primitive world was selected for Site Alpha and a number of native species were selected for genome extraction for genetic engineering. This site, Site Beta, was selected as a secondary observation world but was changed to the primary site due to (file not found, data corruption).”

“When you are saying Site Alpha do you mean another planet?”

“Affirmative.”

“Aliens left this thing?” said Pinkie. “This is so amazing!”

“What species were imported or engineered?”

“When Site Beta was initially selected it was a garden world naturally capable of supporting life but had no amino acids or proteins necessary for life to evolve. All native life forms of this world are descended from off world species or those created using the genetic material of imported species.”

“Wait is this thing saying that every creature in our world is here because of some alien’s experiment?!” said Rainbow Dash.

“Affirmative.”

“But this could cause every creature to panic, I can hardly believe it myself,” said Rarity. “We have to find a way to break the news gently.”

“Then we need answers to questions they’ll have,” said Twilight. “I get the feeling there is even more here.” Twilight turned back to Virtue. “Where is Alpha Site located?”

“(File not found, data corruption).”

“What do mean ‘data corruption’?”

“My last recommended maintenance period is overdue by 49,102 years, 7 months and 12 days. I have been able to keep my memory banks intact by running on low power and utilizing the planet’s latent unique energy field for power needs but still without maintenance some information has been lost. However a cascade failure is in progress, estimated time until permanent systems shutdown 14 days, 8 hours, 26 minutes and 32 seconds.”

“Wait, you mean you’re dying?!” yelled Fluttershy.

“Technically I am not alive. While I appear have a personality it a simulation based on the head of this laboratory. Entire servers would have to be replaced to reestablish network stability, but even then my hardware has been in service for millennia beyond my expected service period. I only wish to fulfill my programming before my functions are terminated.”

“We’ll try to do that,” said Twilight. “What do we have to do?”

“I am to impart all information I can to prepare the sapient species for the final stage of the project, the first step of which is travel to a designated star system. To that end I am copying all non-corrupted files to a modified storage disk that you can access with what you call magic. This will take approximately 45 minutes. In the meantime I will still provide you with any answers I can provide.”

“Ok Virtue, who created Project Rebirth and what happened to them?”

“Project Rebirth was authorized under the authority of (file not found, data corruption). Site Beta was evacuated of personnel due to (file not found, data corruption). The project leaders wished to relay knowledge and instructions to the descendants of those created by the project. If this was their original intention or a necessity due to their evacuation, I cannot say.”

“Why is leaving Equus so important, we’re still free to choice whether or not to follow this path?”

“As sapient lifeforms you may choose not to act on this information. However those who worked on this project believed this path is the optimal one, not just for your survival but for the overall good of the galaxy.”

“That’s a pretty big destiny,” Pinkie said.

“Indeed, perhaps that is this world was selected.”

“What do you mean?”

“A newly discovered form of energy, at least during the time of the project, and currently found nowhere else in the galaxy surrounds the planet. It is that field reacting with your own physical abilities that makes ‘magic’ possible on this world.”

“The Source, the origins of magic,” said Twilight. “What every great unicorn mage had searched for since the beginning of recorded history! It does exsist! Where does this field come from?”

“(File not found, data corruption), in addition even if the data was not corrupted that information was among other files that can only be accessed when particular criteria of your development has been reached. I suspect that it would have unlocked once you reach a particular part of the final phase of the project.”

“Ok, but it’s a vast distance between stars,” said Twilight. “How are we ever going cross it?”

“Among the knowledge you are about to receive is technology that will allow you to affect the mass of an object. However it requires an exotic material that cannot be found on this planet in sufficient quantities, however a cache of this material was left on an asteroid sharing the orbit of this planet. If you wish to follow the purpose of this project, then retrieving this cache should be your first goal.”

“An undertaking this monumental could be what Celestia had hoped for. The species of Equus would have to work together for it to succeed.”

“Transfer complete, please remove the data disk,” A small disk ejected from the device. “Administrator privileges transferred, requesting permission to initiate permanent systems shutdown.”

“Is there really no way to save you?” asked Fluttershy as she teared up.

“I have been in an ongoing cascade failure for quite some time now, the only way to save my data is to transfer it. I could only transfer so much but with my purpose now fulfilled I am glad in spite of my pending failure.”

“Then, I’m happy too,” Fluttershy said as smiled while still crying.

“You deserve this rest,” said Twilight. “Permission granted.”

“Command received, program terminated.” The hologram disappeared as the machine made a winding down sound before going silent.
As the six friends emerged from the defunct lab a number of creatures were crowding and yelling for answers.

“My friends,” Twilight began. “I do believe we are now more than ever. What we found within this building was meant for us all to share. It was left behind to give knowledge but also a challenge, a challenge that while it may seem overwhelming can be done if we all put aside our differences and work together.  I am sure that as friends we can reach for the stars, and when I say that I’m not being metaphorical.”

> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earth Year: 2183

Princess Twilight Sparkle was in her study going over her plans for her goodwill tour of the Milky Way. She had invited a few of her fellow equinites to give some advice.

“So I’ve already planned stops at Thessia, Sur’kesh, Palaven, Earth, and Kahje,”Princess Twilight said. “I’d like to visit Irune and Dekunna but none of my advisors want me visiting an environment potentially hostile to Equinite life. I also want to visit at least one colony world, I heard some nice things about Illium.”

“I can’t allow it,” said Warden General Garibaldi. “It’s too close to the Terminus Systems and if one of your entourage signs the wrong papers they could end up in indentured servitude, Bekenstein would be a safer alternative.”

Twilight groaned. Sometimes she felt that the Horned Owl/Panther griffin who lead the Equinite Star Warden Crops only lived to say no to everyone. Still Twilight knew that from the very beginning the Star Wardens first mission was to protect the Equinite Races by aiding law enforcement and responding to distress calls throughout Citadel Space. “Now that you reminded me of the upper class elites I think Illium was a bad idea, I get enough high class when I go to Canterlot. How about Elysium or Terra Nova?”

“I wouldn’t recommend a world in the Skyllian Verge or the Attican Traverse, the risk of terrorist or pirate attack is too great. Although Elysium is the site of an Alliance garrison, you could even visit Grissom Academy, a little treat for their best and brightest.”

“To be honest I’d thought you’d try to add Tuchanka to the list,” said Princess Flurry Heart.

Twilgiht giggled. “As much as I’d like to know more about krogan history even I know that between the wildlife, warfare between krogan clans and the radiation it’s too dangerous.”

The pink alicorn with purple and blue mane with a cutie mark of a crystalline snowflake giggled. Skyla was definitely Cadence’s daughter and rose up to fill her mother’s horseshoes after that incident… Twilight shook the thought from her head. “I’d take your advice and visit Kar’shan if the Batarian Hegemony didn’t deny me permission.”

“Hey, it took me eighteen years for me to get them to even talk to me. Our peoples were friends once in spite of the actions of their government, I just hope that they can look past our new friendship with humanity and we can come together again.”

“A long shot in my opinion,” said Garibaldi. “Still you vouching for peace with them after what happened to your mother is a considerable sign of forgiveness.”

“I’m sure it’s what she would have wanted. Anyway I’ll be sure to tell you what I can about my next visit when I return from Kar’shan Aunt Twilight.”

“You mentioned that they were talking about showing you a classified research project,” said Twilight. “You think they trust you enough to tell you they DO have the Leviathan of Dis?”

“I doubt they like me that much yet, if they have it at all.”

“Ok, so Elysium it is then.”

“I think you’re forgetting one important stop,” said a familiar looking yellow unicorn over the comm. “Aren’t you going to come visit me and your fellow equinites here on the Citadel?”

“Of course Ambassador Shimmer,” Twilight said. “It’s just I’m not sure I’m ready for a face to face with Stellar yet.”

Sunrise Shimmer was almost the splitting image of her ancestor Sunset, in fact if not for the different way she styled her mane one could say they were identical. “If anything it’s overdue, he’ll be twenty in a few months and I can’t think of a better birthday present for him.”

“I’m not sure if that will be possible,” said Garibaldi. “Stellar Wind is currently on a long term undercover assignment. I can’t say when he’ll be returning to the Citadel.”

“You Star Wardens and your undercover operations. I raised Stellar, was raised to the position of equinite ambassador and he still doesn’t tell me half of what he does. ‘Need to know basis’ is what he usually says, but I think most the time he just doesn’t want me to worry.”

“Well, Spike and Mina did say that the Citadel was the best part of their excursion and not just because it was where they met,” said Twilight. “Alright, it wouldn’t be seemly to make this trip to strengthen our relations with the rest of the galaxy and not visit its diplomatic and cultural heart.”

“You will not regret it your majesty,” said Sunrise.

“In any event the matter of transport still needs to be determined,” said Twilight. “With the Celestia’s Majesty still being refitted and the Luna’s Dream off on a long term survey mission…”

“Actually the refit is ahead of schedule,” said Flurry. “Jath'Amon, my Batarian Ambassador friend, had pointed out a little known but well regarded Salarian team that agreed to help us upgrade the Majesty in time for your trip.”

Twilight gave her niece a hug. “Thank you, I know how well Celestia’s Majesty has served you and the Harmonium and I thank you for allowing me to use it. It was built for the furtherance of galactic peace so it will be the perfect ship to spread the message of friendship.”

“Have you selected what items you wish to take with you?” asked Garibaldi. “I’m going to need an inventory for the ship to check to make sure no suspicious items are snuck on board at any of these stops.”

“Not yet,” said Twilight. “I want to brief the friendship council on the details first. They’ll be taking care of things here until I come back.”

“Except for maintaining the planet’s rotation,” said Flurry. “I’ll be taking care of it for you.”

The responsibility that fell on Twilight since Luna’s death still felt a little strange on her in spite of having it for almost two hundred years now, still she was the most experienced at it of the two Alicorns left. “Between the six of you Equus is in good hooves, or good hands in Ferdinand’s case” Twilight said referring to the Minotaur that currently held the position that Fluttershy once did.

Her friends may had passed away long ago but she made it that their legacy would always live on.

+++

It was about two weeks later Twilight shuttled up to the spacedock where the diplomatic ship Celestia’s Majesty was making final preparations for the voyage. As an Alicorn she rarely left Equus, magic had given their world much but made it so different from the rest of the galaxy. If it weren’t for the Alicorns one half of the planet would boil and the other half would freeze. This was her first offworld excursion in twenty years and it would be the longest one she had ever taken.

“We are approaching the Areion’s orbit,” said a young male griffin dressed in body armor. “The Majesty is currently at a dry dock in orbit of our moon. ETA until rendezvous, two minutes.”

Twilight found his blue highlights among his white feathers quite bold, and thought he’d be quite a catch for any griffin hen. “What is your name again?” Twilight asked. “I like to get to know everyone working for me, as people as well as staff.”

The young tercle turned from the haptic interface and gave a salute. “Ma’am! Star Warden second class Gusto, assigned to be your security escort for the duration of the goodwill tour Ma’am!”

Twilight giggled. “I don’t like being formal with guards and servants, it took me a few decades to even agree to have guards and a domestic staff.”

“Just following protocol ma’am.”

“Very well, then call me Twilight when not on duty and that is an order.”

“Yes ma’am.” The console stated making a beeping noise. “We are approaching the Majesty now.”

The shuttle approached a station that held one of the two most advanced ships created by the Harmonium. About the size of a heavy military frigate, Celestia’s Majesty was built in a sleek, conical shape. Towards the end a large horseshoe shaped “wing” protruded holding the anti-proton thrusters that propelled the vessel. “Just as I left her,” said Twilight.

“Actually she should be better than you left her ma’am,” said Gusto. “From what I have heard she’s even faster and they’ve installed a Quantum Entanglement Communicator with a link straight to Canterlot and the Harmonium Council.” He then pressed a holographic button. “Shuttle E1 to Celestia’s Majesty, requesting permission to dock.”

A voice came of the radio. “Celestia’s Majesty to Shuttle E1, permission granted. Approach from vector one-one-three-eight.”

The shuttle entered a bay in lower portion of the ship and came to a stop. As Twilight exited the craft she was saluted by a number of equinites headed by a red Pegasus with a purple mane, like the others she was dressed in a full body outfit common to equestirans outside of Equus due to nudity taboos among other species in the galaxy.

“Commander Lightspeed your highness, executive officer for the Celestia’s Majesty” said the Pegasus. “On behalf of the entire crew welcome aboard.”

“Thank you, commander,” said Twilight. “Where is the captain?”

“Captain Stargazer has requested your presence on the bridge to give the order for us to get under way.”

“Very well, if you would be so kind as to accompany me?”

“Yes ma’am, I need to brief you on the ship’s layout since the refit.”

Twilight, Gusto and Lightspeed walked across the docking bay and headed to the elevator.

“We are on deck five, shuttle bay and primary cargo hold. Deck four is the location of engineering, additional cargo space and crew quarters. Deck three has the galley, science labs, medical bay, server room and amenities like observation decks, a gymnasium, swimming pool, lounge and a spa. Deck two is the ambassadorial deck and is where your quarters are located. It also houses other ambassadorial quarters, conferences rooms, the library and the captain’s quarters and office. Finally deck one is the location of the bridge and command information center or CIC where the ship is controlled from."

“Seems mostly the same from my last journey on this ship, twenty years ago…” said Twilight.

“Oh and I have a message from Princess Flurry Heart,” said Lightspeed as they entered the elevator. “If you need someone to talk to feel free to talk to the captain and myself.”

“Thank you commander, though I’d like such talks to be casual.”

“Please state your destination,” said the familiar sounding virtual intelligence.

“Deck one Celestia,” said Lightspeed. “Priority transit.”

“It’s good to see you again,” said Twilight. The Majesty’s VI was based on the personality of Princess Celestia, now dead for nearly three hundred years. She thought it was a lovely way to honor her mentor while allowing her to be known by future generations.

“I haven’t logged you in for so long, would you like to catch up when your schedule permits?”

“I’ll be getting settled in my quarters later that would be a good time.”

The doors opened to a hustling command center with a large wall acting as a monitor showing most of the surrounding space. In the center was a big holographic map of the Milky Way galaxy. Spread throughout a number of equinites, mostly her fellow equestrians, were in a flurry of activity.

“That problem with the number three intake value has been repaired, all systems now show green.”

“Galley reports the last of the provisions have been brought aboard. All passengers, crew and cargo accounted for.”

“Path to the Opinicus system is clear, we’ve been given final clearance from the control tower.”

“Excellent,” said a dark blue unicorn stallion with a white mane and beard plus the standard crew jumpsuit complete with a captain’s hat. He turned and noticed the trio that came up to the bridge. “Ah just in time, your majesty would you be so kind as to give the order.”

The crew was silent as Twilight spread her wings for a moment to give the crew a little show. “Take us out.”

“You heard her plot course for the Opinicus system and the Lambda Relay. Final destination is the Citadel, Widow System in the Serpent Nebula Custer.”

The crew began working once again. “Moving ahead at 30 KPH until we clear space dock, priming drive core for FTL.”

“Navigational calculations are in. ETA from Epona to Opinicus fourteen hours, ETA from Opinicus to the Citadel through the mass relay network six hours, all galactic standard time.”

“It amazes me how advanced the protheans were,” said Gusto. “Thanks to the mass relays the shortest part of this first trip is actually going to last the longest going from one star to another and we’ll be crossing huge star clusters in hours.”

“We are clear to jump to FTL captain,” said Lightspeed.

“Do it,” said Stargazer. In moments everything outside the ship red shifted as it accelerated faster than the speed of light. Eventually most of what could be seen was a blue field surrounding the ship. “Well done people that was a textbook departure. After your shift is over treat yourselves to a cold beverage on me.”

“That was very good everyone,” said Twilight. “If you don’t mind I would like get settled in.”

“Of course your majesty,” said Lightspeed. “Once you get to deck two head towards the bow, it will be on the port side of the ship right across from the library. Both rooms are clearly marked and your luggage should already be waiting for you.”

“Thank you, if I may have your leave?”

“Of course your highness,” said Stargazer. “Though you would honor me if you’d have dinner in my quarters at some point in our journey.”

“I’d be delighted, let me know when it would be most convenient for you. Now if you would pardon me.”

Twilight went to her room and after unpacking she spent a few hours chatting to the ship’s VI. She knew it wasn’t the real Celestia but since it had been so long she wanted to pretend it was her long departed mentor. After little while Twilight decided to sleep for most of the trip to Opinicus, Keythong and the Mass Relay.

Twilight found Gusto waiting for her when she woke up. “I trust that my protection is up to Star Warden Standards?”

“About that,” said Gusto. “I think the ship’s new drive core should get us out of trouble fast but the Warden General was concerned about our escort.”

“But we’re supposed to have two turian frigates accompany us during the whole tour once we get through the relay.”

“He wanted four frigates and asked for them to accompany us from the dock.”

Twilight groaned. “That would a bit much since we aren’t going into hostile territory and what are the odds of us getting attacked by pirates this deep in Citadel Space?”

“Very low ma’am”.

“It’s just you and me Gusto, feel free to speak casually. Do you agree with the Warden General?”

“No, but only because I’ve went to engineering and seen what this ship is capable of. If attacked we could rabbit to FTL faster than you can say ‘rabbit to FTL’. We can’t outgun anyone but we can always out maneuver them in this beauty.”

Twilight smiled. “You like Starships don’t you Gusto?”

“They’re half the reason I’ve joined the Star Wardens Twilight. To get to where we’re needed we’ve travelled on everything from garbage scows to luxury liners and automated freighters to dreadnoughts.”

“We’ve certainly come a long way from the early days of Equinite space travel.”

“I’ve read about them but you were there, I bet you have all sorts of interesting stories.”

“Well we still have some time until we hit the relay so how about I tell you about how one of my friends was one of the first ponies in space and how her first mission took an unexpected twist.”

“An understatement, that mission changed everything. I’d love to hear it coming from you.”

Twilight giggled. “Ok, now our discovery of the Precursor’s lab was only ten years before, so it was a big challenge and not just a technical one. Getting so many races working together in harmony was difficult at first. According to what the VI Virtue left behind the Precursors wanted us to obtain element zero from a bunker on a small asteroid and use it to head to Opinicus, the very star we’re going to now but beyond that we had no idea what would be waiting for us there so there were a lot of arguments.”

“Well now we do know what they wanted us to find, the mass relay network.”

“Griffins gave ponies the first flight but insisted on manning the flight to the going to Opinicus. Changelings worked with us in hopes of finding a more sustainable food source but we had to rein them in from trying to devour the love of all the staff from time to time. But a few days before the historic launch I never expected my biggest problem would be my friend Rainbow Dash clashing with an old acquaintance that was selected to go with her into space…”


> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earth Year: 1186

“Twilight we can’t have her on this mission!” Rainbow Dash. She was talking with Twilight at a private office at Cape Coltnaveral the location of the Untied Species Space Attainment Program Site (the acronym was unfortunate).

“I know you two have had problems in the past…” Twilight responded.

Rainbow frowned. “Problems?! Lightning Dust almost got you killed and now you’re trusting her to fly a multi-million bit rocket?!”

“That was a long time ago and with you commanding the mission she’s the best pilot we’ve got. She changed Rainbow.”

“But not for the better. Sure she follows orders but she always has an attitude about it and never works with anyone! She calls it preferring to fly solo.”

“Some of those things could have been said about you once upon a time.”

Rainbow flared her wings. “But that isn’t the worst. I heard her talking with some guys over at this tavern, she had maybe a few ciders too many and she told them was that the only reason she volunteered for this mission was because…she thought there would be nothing left after that.”

“You mean she intends to sabotage everything?”

“No not like that, I think she’s convinced herself that something’s going to wrong and we’ll never make back to Equus. I don’t think she’d do it on purpose, but an attitude like that tends to make such doubts a self-fulfilling prophecy. Do I dislike her personally? A little, but I’m mostly thinking about the good of the mission here. Can’t you scrub her and put someone else in?”

Twilight sighed while looking out the window to the twin rockets that suspended the spacecraft Harmony Three between them. “If the launch wasn’t two days away I’d consider it, but we simply do not have time to bring the alternate up to speed. Sure he knows how to fly but not how to work with you, Sprocket or Moon Dancer. If we changed up now we’d lose our launch window and we’d have to wait months for another. It wasn’t just you being my friend that got you to be the mission leader, your tenure as a captain in the Wonderbolts has shown you could get others to work together in spite of their problems and perhaps overcome them. I just asking you to do the same for Lightning Dust, for her sake as well as the mission.”

“Not everyone can accept friendship Twilight.”

“I know, but if we don’t try they never will.”

Rainbow sighed “Ok, I’ll try talking to her. At the very least I can keep her in line until the mission is over.”

“That’s all I’m asking for.”

“Let’s go over the mission one more time,” said Rainbow. “Just so I can keep everypony on track.”

“Because of Virtue’s data we’ve learned magic can only be used a little past the orbit of our moon. The purpose of this flight is to try to determine how far the mana field actually goes, once we do that we should be better prepared to head to the asteroid with the bunker. Not only that you’re going to launch a telescope to get a better view of the universe and a probe to the Trojan asteroid the astronomers have located at the L4 point and have designated RS883.”

“Yeah, why couldn’t they name it something cooler?”

“The probe we’ve called Destiny will take a few months to get to RS883 and return with samples, if we’re lucky we may even get some the substance Virtue mentioned and use it to speed things along. It exists here on Equus but only in our own genetic structure, even if was ethical to extract it wouldn’t be useable for space travel. We need that bunker.”

“Then we get whatever stuff there is in the bunker and use it to travel to the next star over and HOPEFULLY figure out what to do from there.”

“Look at the bright side if it weren’t for the information we got from Virtue this we’d still be conducting test flights and we’d have a LOT further to go.”

“You have nothing to worry about Twilight,” Rainbow said puffing out her chest. “With me in charge we can handle anything!”

+++

That night six old friends were wishing one of their own luck.

“Now Rainbow please try to be careful,” said Fluttershy. “You’re going to be so far away and none of us will be able to help you this time.”

“Hey, I have Moon Dancer to help me,” said Rainbow Dash. “And this spacecraft is state of the art, so with me in charge what could go wrong?”

“Words like that make me think you’re jinxing yourself,” said Rarity. “There’s a fine line between confident and overconfident.”

“Come on girls!” said Pinkie Pie. “We’re here to congratulate Rainbow, not get super worried over her!”

“Pinkie’s right,” said Applejack. “The whole world’s gonna remember her name forever!”

“Speaking of forever didn’t we all have something for Twilight?” asked Rainbow.

“Oh, of course,” said Rarity as she levitated something out of her bag. It was a simple gold chain with a gold heart hanging from it. “You may want to open it.”

Twilight opened the heart shaped Bangle and found a smaller version of the painting that once hung in her castle.

“Over the last few years we all realized that you’re going to be around a lot longer than the rest of us,” said Applejack.

“And we didn’t want you get lonely,” said Pinkie Pie.

“So this a little reminder that no matter how far apart we are,” said Fluttershy. “We’ll always be in your heart.”

Twilight had tears in her eyes as she levitated the locket around her neck. “Thank you girls, I’ll treasure it always.”

“Better get going,” said Rainbow. “I have to be quarantined for a full day before launch, Twilight you should come wish the rest of us luck as well.”

“My pleasure, after all Moondancer is my friend too.”

+++

The day of the launch arrived and Cape Coltnaveral was filled with creatures who were eager to witness history being made. Twilight’s friends had found some reasonable seats among the crowd.

“It’s too bad Discord couldn’t come,” said Pinkie. “This is just the sort of thing he’d love to put just a little crazy into.”

“Which is why it’s better that he isn’t here,” said Rarity. She was wearing a large sunhat and sunglasses for the occasion. “This the sort thing we don’t want him messing up.”

“Discord has just been…distant lately,” said Fluttershy. “I think this whole Precursor thing has gotten him questioning his place in the universe. Still he makes tea usually.”

“Hmm,” said Applejack looking towards a trio of familiar looking mares. “I’m sorry did you say something?”

“Applejack,” said Rarity. “I know she’s your little sister but Applebloom’s a grown mare now with an interest in stallions. Our former Cutie Mark Crusaders are old enough to make their own choices, so you should trust that she’ll make good ones.”

“I know, it’s just what do we know about this fella? Will he treat her right or…?”

“She says he makes her happy,” said Fluttershy. “That should be enough for now.”

“T-minus fifteen minutes until ignition,” said a voice over the loudspeakers.

“Oh, it’s almost time!” said Pinkie.

+++

In the royal box Princess Twilight was sitting with royals from all over the world. “Well, it’s out of my hooves now,” Twilight said to Princess Celestia. “Soon it will all be up to our astronauts and those in Operation Control. At least I hope I won’t need to get anyone to work together this deep into project.”

“Twilight you did exceptionally well,” said Princess Celestia. “This is just as much for you as it is for them. Relax and enjoy it.”

“Indeed,” said Luna. “I have much to thank you for in this as well. Many have come to like the night in order to ponder what may be beyond those stars. I don’t think anypony could have done better.”

“Thank you,” said Twilight. Around then Princess Cadence and Shining Armor came into the box, at their feet was a small little pink Alicorn with a Pink and blue mane. “Shinny, Cadence glad you could make it! And is that Flurry Heart? She’s getting big!”

“Hi auntie Twilight!” said the little princess. “Looks like there’s a lot of people here.”

“Yes and they all came to see the launch, isn’t that amazing? They’re going into space just like Smash Fortune.”

“I wanna see it too! VROOOOM!”

“Now sweetie,” said Cadence. “Come sit with mommy and daddy ok?”

“Ok, catch me daddy!”

Flurry slowly flew into the waiting embrace of Shining Armor. “That’s my little girl.”

Twilight felt warm at the sight of the loving family. Flurry Heart was the first natural born Alicorn in over two thousand years since Celestia and Luna themselves. The royal sisters had taken her birth as a good sign that the continued health of the planet was ensured.

“Uh, Princess?” Twilight heard behind her.

Twilight turned around to see a griffin wearing jeweled regalia. “Oh Queen Gilda.”

“All this time and I’m still not used to being called that,” said Gilda. “I was just selling scones, I never guessed that the library would have a genealogy that would link my family to King Guto. Anyway I really hope that this mission goes well, for obvious reasons.”

“Don’t worry Gilda,” said Twilight. “Rainbow and her crew have spent the past few years training for this moment, whatever comes their way they can handle it.”

The loudspeaker spoke again. “T-minus ten minutes until ignition.”

“Hear that?” said Twilight. “Soon our friends will make history!”

“Hooray for space!” said Flurry.

+++

“Is everypony as psyched as I am?!” Rainbow Dash said aboard Harmony Three.

“I will be once I finish these calculations for the probe release,” said Moon Dancer.

To Moon Dancer’s side sat a yellow earth pony with a mark of two interconnected gears. “I’m doing one final systems check,” said Sprocket. “I’d like for this to get us back home too.”

“I’m sure you’re excited Lightning,” said Rainbow Dash. “I mean we’re enough alike…”

“No, we’re nothing alike,” said Lightning Dust. “And the while the launch might be exciting, it’ll be my last hoorah.”

“Nothing’s going to stop us with me in charge! So get that into your thick head!”

“I don’t mean like we’re going to die or something like that. I’ve spent my whole life pushing as hard as I could, in the wrong direction as Spitfire might say, trying to follow in my uncle’s hoofsteps. His name is Wind Rider, you SHOULD remember him. In time though I realized it wasn’t the speed I liked, it was the thrill I got by getting better just by trying harder than I ever had before. But then I tried doing my own rainboom, no matter what steps I took or how reckless I was with myself I could never get past that barrier. I realized that there was a point no matter how hard I pushed I wouldn’t be able to push my limits any further. This launch is the only way I can experience that speed, to do something that would be remembered. After that nothing will really matter anymore.”

Rainbow looked straight into Lighting’s eyes. “Do you know what it takes to make a sonic rainboom? I had to pull it off twice before I could figure it out. It’s not just speed or fearlessness, I realized that since I was thinking of a friend it was like that friend’s magic was pouring into me enabling me to ignore the barriers in my own mind. Friendship is magic and without that nopony could do a rainboom.”

“So you want me to make some friends, pull it off and end up with the exact same problem? No thanks, no this will be my last hurrah.”

“Guys help me out here!”

“Still calculating,” said Moon Dancer.

“Hang on,” said Sprocket. “We may have a problem with zero-g toilet.”

“T-minus five minutes until ignition.”

Rainbow slunk back into her chair. “Hooray for space.”

+++

“Five, four, three, two, one, ignition! We have lift off for Harmony Three!”

The rockets shot up further and further into the sky leaving everyone watching breathless. In the rocket the crew were experiencing the thrill and speed of the launch. A few minutes in and the initial fuel tanks at each rocket’s tips detached and fell back to Equus.

On the ground the ship began to look smaller and smaller until it was difficult to see it at all. On the rocket the sky began to become a darker and darker blue until it turned black and the stars started to peak out. Below them the curvature of the world could be clearly seen as the sun slipped past the horizon. The rockets had shut down before the first stages detached and started falling back though the atmosphere. The engine on the capsule ignited and provided thrust on the long journey beyond moon and back.

“Operation Control,” said Rainbow Dash. “This is Harmony Three; main engine has begun its burn. Shutdown in twenty minutes, we are under way for the L2 point.”

“Copy that Harmony Three.”

Rainbow started to smile as she saw Moon Dancer and Sprocket smile as they floated above their seats in weightlessness.

“Floating, big whoop I’ve been doing that since I was a filly,” said Lighting. “Course is stable so wake me up when something exciting happens.”

Rainbow sighed. “This is going to be a long couple of weeks.”

+++

Days later the ship was at the L2 point and maneuvered to point back to Equus.

“Fascinating,” said Moondancer. “I had thought my magic wouldn’t work at all. Instead it appears Equestrians and other Equinites utilize an energy field to change the mass of an object. Somehow this energy interacts with mana and that interaction is what produces magic. I could write a paper on this! Someday scholars will be reading something I wrote!”

“I’ll read it,” said Lightning. “If I have trouble sleeping.”

“Rainbow,” said Sprocket. “Do you have the firing timing for Destiny?”

“Already sent to its computer.” Rainbow then pressed a button. “Operation Control this is Harmony Three we are preparing to launch Destiny over.”

“This is Operation Control,” a voice over the radio said. “We are monitoring the trajectory over.”

“Ok, this is it. Preparing to release in 3…2…1…”

A hatch opened and the probe drifted out before firing an engine and went off into space.

“Destiny is underway,” said Rainbow.

“Confirmed Harmony Three. Operation Control is getting telemetry from the probe.”

“Roger Control, Harmony Three out,” Rainbow turned to the crew. “Moon Dancer if you are done with your experiments can you begin…”
Suddenly klaxons began sounding and a red light was flashing from a panel.

Lighting Dust looked at the screen near the red light. “Radar’s picked up something small, it’s almost on top of us!”

Rainbow moved to the radio. “Operation Control do you read?”

“Copy that, it just came out of nowhere. Standby for instructions.”

“That thing hits us it’ll do some damage,” said Sprocket.

“Can you maneuver us out of its way?” asked Moondancer.

“No time!” said Lightning. “Brace yourselves!”

The ship shook violently and the lights changed to a low red to save power.

“I need a damage report Sprocket!” said Rainbow.

“Long range radio’s out,” Sprocket said. “We lost two solar panels, control to the booster rockets is severed and the engine’s…”

“The engine is what?” asked Moon Dancer.

“Main engine is critically damaged.”

Rainbow asked the question on everypony’s mind. “How critical?”

“It’ll only work for about five minutes until it burns out completely.”

“You mean we can’t get home before we run out of oxygen?!” said Lightning.

“Hey I told you as long as I’m in charge nothing is going to stop us from getting home!” said Rainbow.

“Well we still got maneuvering thrusters so we have a shot, a long shot but it’s still a shot,” said Sprocket.

“Lay it on me,” said Rainbow.

“Ok, we can use the booster rockets in place of the main engine but the shutdown timing has to be precise. Too soon it won’t be enough to get us home in time, too late and thrusters won’t be able to compensate to make a safe reentry.”

“But if control to the boosters is severed…” said Moondancer.

“Then a couple of someponies will have to get out there and activate them manually.”

“You mean on the boosters?” said Lightning.

“Yes, each booster has a manual ignite/shutdown button and a manual ejection mechanism for when the boosters do their job. Timing between the two rockets shutdown must be less than five minutes or we won’t be able to correct in time.”

“Got it, Lightning you go out and work the port side booster,” said Rainbow. “I’ll work on the Starboard.”

“We have some time,” said Moondancer. “But not any to dawdle. Go suit up and we’ll try to help from in here.”

+++

About fifteen minutes later the two pegasi had left Harmony Three for the cold abyss of space. Each went their separate ways to one of the rockets.

“Ok, once you are on the rocket there should be a grey hatch towards the nose,” said Sprocket over the radio. “You’ll need to open it using a lever.”

“Suit’s gripper is working fine,” said Rainbow Dash testing out the robotic attachment on her foreleg.

“Mine checks out too,” said Lightning Dust.

“While you are out there be sure to check the boosters for damage,” said Moondancer. “If they are too damaged to fire then this whole plan is shot to Tartarus.”

“Roger that, making my way to the panel,” said Rainbow. 

Using her wings to grab rails that ran along the craft and a tether to keep from drifting off Rainbow made her way along the craft’s “wing” to the booster rocket. As she came to the panel she saw it was opening and closing on its own.

“This hatch has a mind of its own,” she said. “I see a yellow button behind it. I think I should be able to press it and turn the thing on."

“Don’t try it unless you are sure you can time it right and do it fast, that hatch can close with enough force to hold tight and not let go.”

“Should be no problem for me, Lightning how are things on your end?”

“The hatch is closed and normal,” Rainbow heard Lightning say over the radio. “But a panel nearby is missing and a hose is loose and just finished shooting out some sort of liquid.”

“Lightning this is very important,” said Sprocket. “What color is that hose?”

“Dark blue, it’s not the fuel line is it?”

“No, that’s the line from the coolant tank. If the flow stopped than that rocket doesn’t have any coolant left and it changes what you have to do. Once you press the button behind that panel you’ll have to move back to the port side wing and pull the emergency release lever when the commander shuts her booster off. Without that coolant pulling a long enough burn will overheat the booster, you’ll have to eject the rocket before it explodes and takes us with it.”

“So compared to a hatch clamping my hoof off like Rainbow no pressure.”

“Is this the time for jokes?” said Moondancer.

“Just makes what we have to do less scary,” said Rainbow.

“Alright opening my hatch now,” said Lightning.

“My hatch seems to have a two second interval between opening and closing. If I use my wing I should be able to make it.”

“If your wing gets caught it’ll rip open your suit!” said Moondancer.

“Don’t worry I’ve got this, see the timing on the video feed Sprocket?”

“Yes ma’am. We’re in position and the clock is set, we have a margin of error but not a whole lot so try to get it on the first go. The rockets should burn for about one minute optimally and up to a minute forty five at most. Ignition in 3…2...1…now!”

Dash darted her wing just in time to press the button. The rockets fired and Harmony Three picked up speed. “Great job Lighting,” Rainbow said.

“Something has come up,” said Lightning. “Don’t risk the shutdown just dump the rocket then get over here.”

“Why?”

“No time to explain. Once you’ve ejected the rocket get over here.”

Rainbow moved to the release lever and pulled it with the robotic gripper. The distance to the rocket’s flame was closer than she would have liked when the thing shot off but was safe enough.

“Lightning why haven’t you ejected the rocket?!” said Moondancer.

“Yeah that thing that came up, the hatch unexpectedly clamped shut on my hoof before I could reach the button, the lever isn’t working.” The crew had a creeping sensation of dread come upon them. “Dash, you have to release the rocket with me on it.”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” said Rainbow. “This gripper can…”

“The hatch is still trying to close, that won’t be enough.”

“I went over these systems a hundred times and a hundred times again!” said Sprocket. “If I look over the.”

“I’m sure you’d find something if you had the one thing we don’t have enough of, time.  Besides of all of us I’m the one we can most afford to lose. Dash can fly you guys home and me… well it’s not like I have a lot waiting for me back home.”

“There are ponies who WILL miss you, like Wind Rider and your parents!” said Moondancer. “Don’t put yourself down like that.”

“We don’t have time to argue! Look, I know there are ponies who consider themselves my friend and I probably should have been a better one. But when you get down it I’m the one stuck here and there is no other way, you guys know it and I know it.”

Rainbow came to the release lever. “I’m sorry Lightning,” she said with tears in her eyes. “I wish we could have become real friends.”

“That…was nopony’s fault but mine. Just don’t remember me like this, remember me like I’m going to be in a little while. I’m going to be riding on the back of a rocket in outer space, how much cooler can it get than that?! Sure beats lying in some hospital bed wondering what might have been.”

“Goodbye Lightning,” said Moondancer. “I’m proud to say that I’ve known you.”

“Thanks for giving us a chance,” said Sprocket. “We won’t waste it!”

“I know this probably doesn’t mean anything now,” said Rainbow as she readied the lever. “But I’m glad to have known you and you’ll always be a Wonderbolt in my book.”

“Thanks, now if you’ll excuse me the biggest rush of my life is waiting for me and I don’t want to miss a second of it.”

Rainbow pulled the lever and the rocket shot off. After hearing Lightning whooping over the radio Rainbow snapped it off. The sorrowful Pegasus hurried her way back inside Harmony Three and threw the helmet off tears streaming off her face.

“Lightning really did save us…” said Moondancer.

“No she didn’t!” said Rainbow. “She just got stuck and I had to send her off to die!” Rainbow took a deep breath. “How long?”

“A few minutes,” said Sprocket. “Still she must be having the time of her life. Still we’re not out of this, with only five minutes of the main engine and maneuvering thrusters we only got about a forty-five percent chance of getting a good re-entry angle. I better start the calculations…

The klaxons sounded again as the red light went off at the radar panel.

“What now?!” said Rainbow. “We’re getting hit again and all that was for nothing?!”

Sprocket checked the radar “I don’t believe it.”

“What!?”

“Something was coming our way but, it’s changing course on its own. At this rate it will intercept with Lightning’s rocket before it explodes.”

“One of our probes?!” asked Moondancer. “Something we can use to repair the ship?”

“Whatever it is we should be able to see it out of the portside window.”

Rainbow Dash moved over and gasped. It was a ship slightly smaller than the Harmony Three craft with a curved appearance and two wings along its sides. It was unlike anything on the designs she had seen.

“Definitely not one of ours.”

+++

Earth Year: 2183

“Princess Twilight!” Commander Lightspeed said over the intercom.

Twilight was snapped out of her story and saw the Celestia’s Majesty had come out of FTL.

“Yes commander.”

“You better come to the CIC. We just linked with a com buoy and got news you should hear from the captain.”

“We’re on our way,” Twilight then tuned to Gusto. “I think you should come too.”

As they were walking down the hallway Gusto spoke. “That was first time wasn’t it? When an equinite ever saw an alien?”

“Yes, it was,” said Twilight.

“I can’t imagine what it must have been like for her. To find out how much bigger the galaxy was right after she thought she lost a friend like that.”

“Rainbow Dash never could find out the right words to describe it. But then she was more worried that it was heading for Lightning Dust for who knows what reason. Did they want the rocket not knowing it was going to explode?” They got onto the elevator and started going up. “Or was it just simple curiosity and they going to watch Lightning Dust’s final moments like she was a bug in a jar?”

The elevator stopped and opened up to as the CIC was in wild with a panicked activity.

“Ah Princess, you’re here,” said Captain Stargazer.

“What is so urgent?”

“We just got word that a human colony, Eden Prime, was attacked about four hours ago.”

Twilight felt her heart tighten. “How bad was it?”

“Very bad, but the big news is that this isn’t just some slaver raid.”

“Why do you say that sir?” asked Gusto.

“The attackers weren’t Batarians or even Krogan. They’re Geth.”

> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earth Year: 2183

“Geth?!” Twilight said shocked. “But they haven’t been outside the Perseus Veil for almost three hundred years!”

“Do you think they’re starting a war with organics?” asked Gusto.

“It’s possible,” said Commander Lightspeed. “The last time Equus had anything to do with the geth was when Princess Luna rescinded an offer for refuge to the Quarians. She found out a plan by their military to use our colonies as bases to launch a counterattack on the geth putting our own people at risk.”

“We can’t jump to conclusions,” said Twilight. “The geth may not have any use for organics but since their rebellion against the Quarians they only attacked organics who entered their space. If it is them then something must have changed in the Veil recently, this could be a potential window for diplomacy.”

“I doubt it your highness,” said Captain Stargazer. “The report said casualties were localized but they tried to set off a number of nuclear devices. I doubt curiosity has anything to do with it unless it’s about Alliance defenses.”

“But humans have only been part of the galactic community for a little over a quarter of a century,” said Gusto. “They were given an embassy faster than usual but I don’t see that as something the geth would flag about them.”

“In any case thank you for the heads up,” said Twilight. “Keep me informed if anything new information is available.”

“Does this mean we’re cancelling your appearance at Elysium?” asked Lightspeed. “In light of this attack Alliance colonies could be seen as vulnerable.”

“No, it does not. Whatever their intentions are I won’t let them intimidate me.” Twilight then got a twinkle in her eye. “Actually yes, cancel the Elysium visit, after the Citadel we’ll be going to Eden Prime instead.”

“But the planet hasn’t been confirmed secure yet,” said Stargazer. “It probably will be by the time we leave the Citadel but…”

Twilight snorted. “People have lost their homes and families, this won’t just be a diplomatic visit, but a mission of mercy. I want us stocked with food, clothing and medical supplies while we are on the Citadel, the colonists will need them.”

“As you command your highness.”

“Captain we just got clearance from Keythong control to approach the Lambda Relay,” said the comm officer.

“Helm make our approach.”

“Aye sir!” said the Zebra mare manning helm control.

“Oh I’ve been waiting for this!” said Gusto.

Twilight and Gusto looked on as they started moving toward the massive tuning fork shaped object near the orbit of the gas giant Keythong. In the middle where two rings moving around a core of element zero.

“A mass relay,” said Gusto. “The pride of the protheans,”

“Lambda Relay is in range, initiating transmission sequence,” said the Helm officer. “We are connected calculating transit mass and destination.”

The rings in the relay began to move faster.

“Relay is hot, acquiring approach vector. All stations secure for transit.”

The Ship began to approach in an angle that would bring it parallel to the relay and facing the star the “fork” seemed to be pointing to.

“Board is green. Beginning approach run.”

Twilight cringed a little with how close to the relay they were, it looked like they could crash into the megastructure.

“Hitting the Relay in three…two…one.”

A bolt hit the Celestia’s Majesty from the element zero core. Soon they were accelerated even faster than they were on their own FTL.

“All systems online, vessel heat is within safe levels. Our drift is under sixteen hundred K.”

“Nice work Zecara,” said Lightspeed. “Two Way be sure to prep a signal to our Turian escort once we get to Halfax. From there it’s a straight shot to the Citadel.”

“Aye ma’am,” said the green coated unicorn mare.

“Princess you may want to prepare a response for the press once we arrive,” said Stargazer. “Particularly about Eden Prime.”

“Thank you Captain,” said Twilight.

She and Gusto went back to her quarters.

“So what are you going to say?” asked Gusto.

“Mostly what I said on the bridge,” said Twilight. “I’m not going to sweat the details just yet. First I want to finish our story. As I recall I left it as we were reaching the climax.”

“You bet, Lighting Dust probably dead and an alien spaceship just passed them. I know how it ended but still how they felt…”

“I’m sorry but after what we just learned I want to go back a little.”

Gusto’s feathers stood up. “But why?”

“We are out here in part to sure up our relations with the rest of the galaxy and keep our friendships with them healthy. After this Eden Prime business, I think part of keeping those friendships is more important than ever. One thing I’ve learned over the years was that usually there are at least two sides to every story, usually it is well worth hearing both. I’m going back to tell a side of the story that you probably haven’t heard in school. It was the same day and not too far away from Harmony Three…”

+++

Earth Year: 1186
Somewhere in the Epona System

“Captain’s log: Fifteenth day of Cornath, Galactic Standard Year 1687, Captain Arteria Dominus of the Turian Imperial Ship Resolute reporting. Our mission of surveying the systems surrounding a newly opened primary relay has entered its ninth day. We were to scout for resources and potential hideouts for future pirates around what is being called the Lambda relay. Normally this would be a job for a dedicated science vessel however circumstances need us to be here, the long range probe sent to the cluster named by the Salarians as the Crown Nebula matched the relay to one in the Halfax system, which has another relay that connects directly to the Citadel. We are to assess potential threats to the Citadel from the relatively close systems.

"Normally this would be similar to a routine patrol but the Asari and Salarian scientists that came with us became particularly excited when we approached one of the adjacent stars and picked up radio transmissions, I on the other claw prepared for the worst. The Galaxy has a long memory and even nearly seventeen-hundred years later it is still cautious because of the bloody affair known as the Rachni Wars.

“My fears however were unfounded. On examining the garden world that is the fourth planet we determined that the native species has only achieved spaceflight extremely recently, their first manned vessel only launched a solar year ago and we are observing their latest flight from beyond the range of their radar. Although first contact is permitted I decided to take the cautious approach until we learn more about them, the only other thing of note is a Trojan asteroid at the garden world’s L4 point that has what looks like a prothean bunker, no working technology but a considerable supply of element zero that by law belongs to the natives. Still it hasn’t stopped two of our scientists from dissecting every transmission we get from the craft and the planet.

“Current Status: fully operational. End of entry.”

After finishing her log Arteria left her office and entered the Combat Information Center of the ship. As she approached the galaxy map she gave an order to the systems operators. “Display system map.”

The map changed to show the sun and six planets that made up the virgin star system. One marker noted where the alien spacecraft was orbiting at the fourth planet’s L2 point. Arteria made a note and started looking at reports from the probes that came back from the other five planets.

“Captain!” called out a woman with blue skin and a head crest. “We finished it!”

The Captain sighed and turned around. “The answer is still no Doctor Carmeta.”

The Asari held a data pad in front of the captain as she turned around. “But the algorithm Doctor Vorren designed has deciphered most of their language based on the transmissions from the craft and planet! We should be able to speak to them using machine translation!”

Arteria took the pad and looked over the program. “And what if their response is to shoot missiles at us?”

“I sincerely doubt it,” Doctor Carmeta said as she crossed her arms over her chest. “From what we determined most of them value harmony and co-operation primarily, a stable first contact should be simple.”

“Simple if this was really a scientific vessel. Remember this is a warship.”

“Still it could be worth the risk, we already have evidence of prothean occupation here. They may have the answers the galaxy has been seeking for a millennia and a half!”

“I suppose Doctor Vorren wants to contact the natives too. That Salarian never could keep his curiosity in check.”

“He says that there is more than one sapient race down there, and most of them are quadrupeds!”

The captain took a look on the planet on the map. “We’ll wait until we return to the relay. I’ll ask permission from the Council and if they approve they can send a diplomatic party. We still have a job to do and six more systems to survey.”

Doctor Carmeta bowed her head. “I suppose that would be the wise course of action. Can I at least use the translation matrix on the messages from the spacecraft? This is a historic moment for them and I’d like the rest of the galaxy to get a chance to hear it.”

“One of our fighters is keeping tabs on the ship, we’ll transmit the program to him and get a few words.”

“Thank you captain.”

With a gesture from Captain Dominus the comms officer responded. “Resolute to Dagger Four, come in Dagger Four.”

+++

“This is Dagger Four, I copy Resolute,” said Taloc. Tracking the ship was a different task than the young officer was used to but if it got him into a cockpit it was worth it.

“We’ve sent over a translation program to you. Mind if we can hear what your buddies over there are saying?”

Taloc allowed a smile under his helmet. “Patching matrix into my hardsuit. You should be getting the message now.”

“Destiny is underway.”

“We can confirm, Operation Control is getting telemetry from the probe.”

“Roger Control, Harmony Three out.”

Taloc looked at his LADAR screen. “They launched a probe to the Trojan with the prothean bunker. Looks like we might be getting new neighbors.”

The fighter’s panel began beeping. 

“Dagger Four, we’re reading that your sensors picked up something.”

“There’s a micro-meteoroid approaching the alien craft.”

+++

“How’s that possible?” said the sensor officer on the Resolute. “None of the objects we tracked down should get anywhere near…” A sudden unease washed over the bridge as he came to a realization. “Unless its orbit was altered by the ship’s mass effect field.”

“We caused this?” said an Ill looking Doctor Carmeta.

“Chances of impact are high,” Taloc said over the Radio. “Request permission to knock it out!”

The captain approached the comm station. “Dagger Four this is Captain Dominus, permission denied. We can’t risk them spotting you or you accidently hitting them, continue to observe.” She turned to the Asari. “At this point he’d do more harm than good.”

“They’re hit! The meteoroid shattered on impact and hit other systems, I’m no longer receiving their transmissions, moving to minimum detection threshold to pick up short range comms. LADAR shows the damage they got is bad, their chances of getting home without help are slim.”

“We have to help now,” said Doctor Carmeta. “They can’t call their people and we put them into this situation.”

“We aren’t equipped to handle a rescue on such a rudimentary vessel. Even if can we have no way of knowing if their world has any particular conditions for their survival, we wouldn’t be able to reproduce something like that.”

“Looks like two of them are leaving the craft, seems like they have some sort of plan. Tuning into their frequency…”

“While you are out there be sure to check the boosters for damage. If they are too damaged to fire then this whole plan is shot to Tartarus.”

“Looks like they’re activating those booster rockets manually,” said Taloc. “Risky move, I like it.”

“Once you press the button behind that panel you’ll have to move back to the port side wing and pull the emergency release lever when the commander shuts her booster off. Without that coolant pulling a long enough burn will overheat the booster faster than space will be able to cool it, you’ll have to eject the rocket before it explodes and takes us with it.”

“Too risky for my tastes,” said the Captain. “Dagger Four maintain your distance.”

“You’re not making this easy for me captain.” Both rockets ignited. “So far so good, now if they can shut them down or cut them loose this has a shot of working.”

“Yeah that thing that came up, the hatch unexpectedly clamped shut on my hoof before I could reach the button, the lever isn’t working. Dash, you have to release the rocket with me on it.”

“No.” said Doctor Carmeta.

+++

“I’m sorry Lightning. I wish we could have become real friends.”

“That…was nopony’s fault but mine. Just don’t remember me like this, remember me like I’m going to be in a little while. I’m going to be riding on the back of a rocket in outer space, how much cooler can it get than that?! Sure beats lying in some hospital bed wondering what might have been.”

“Goodbye Lightning. I’m proud to say that I’ve known you.”

“Thanks for giving us a chance. We won’t waste it!”

“I know this probably doesn’t mean anything now. But I’m glad to have known you and you’ll always be a Wonderbolt in my book.”

“Screw this!” Taloc said pounding his control panel. “That girl has too much to live for some malfunctioning hatch to take it away!”

Taloc tapped a few holographic buttons. “Dagger Four to Resolute! I’m initiating a rescue operation!”

“Negative Dagger Four,” said the comm officer. “Your ship isn’t equipped for this kind of mission.”

“Pugio fighters are equipped with harpoon cables right?”

“That’s to tow ships in, it won’t help you save the alien.”

“Unless I use the cable as a guide line, follow it to the rocket and blow the hatch off with my sidearm. Then I just have to signal the ship to reel us in before the thing blows.”

“This is Captain Domnius,” said the Captain. “Your plan is more likely kill you than save her! Plus if the first thing they see of the Galactic Community is a warship barreling down on them it could hamper our diplomatic efforts permanently! The Hierarchy may decide that the only option then could be an invasion and takeover and that’s IF the Council agrees to it, we could lose these people permanently. Between the Korgan and the Terminus we need all the allies we can get, it’s not worth one person’s life.”

“Sorry, captain. But it’s my life to risk.”

“Then you leave me no choice, Lieutenant. Return to base immediately, this is a direct order from your commanding officer.”

“*Hissssss* what was that again captain? *Hissssss* I couldn’t read you. *Hissssss* Too much interference. *Hissssss*”

“I’ve been in service long enough to know fake static when I hear it Lieutenant! If you disobey this order it is grounds for a court martial!”

“Then I’ll accept the punishment, but I’m saving her life!”

Dagger Four shot through space, close enough for the alien ship to see him.

+++

“Damn it!” the captain said banging her fist against the railing. “Scramble Daggers One and Two! Drag him back if they have to, orders are fire only if fired upon!”

A salarian burst into the CIC. “I heard the news!” he said. “What’s going on?!”

“One of our fighters is mounting a foolhardy rescue mission. I’m about to get him back.”

“Captain,” said Doctor Carmeta. “I’m sure Doctor Vorren would agree with me that the pilot should try.”

“I’m trying to prevent a potential diplomatic incident here!” said Arteria.

“I think diplomacy is why the attempt should be made,” said Doctor Vorren.

“You have one minute to explain.”

“You were concealing our presence from the native lifeforms so that the council races would make the best first impression possible. The most dominant of those species seem to value co-operation and harmony above all else. If a Turian pilot risks his life to save one of those lifeforms, one he has never met, what sort impression would you think that would make?”

“Daggers One and Two are ready for launch,” said the XO. “Your orders ma’am?”

Arteria looked at the display of Dagger Four approaching the rocket and made her decision.

+++

“Ok,” Lightning Dust said to no-one in particular. “It’s getting real hot and this ride isn’t fun anymore, shouldn’t it have blown up by now?”
She turned and saw a small ship approach the rocket from behind. “Great, now I’m seeing things.” A harpoon with a cable from the ship pierced the rocket a short distance from her. “Or maybe not.”

The ship’s canopy opened up and a bipedal figure stepped out covered head to toe in a high-tech suit with an odd helmet. Leaping from the ship he caught a hook connected to his belt onto the cable and slid it down to Lightning’s position his boots magnetizing on the metal. “You wouldn’t happen to be one of Precursors would you?”

“No idea what you’re talking about but I’m here to help,” Lighting heard over her short range radio. The creature drew out a device from a holster. “Hold still.”

Pulling a switch on the device twice two bits of metal damaged the hatch enough for Lightning to remove her hoof. She used the suit’s grabber to hold onto a pipe to keep from flying off into space.

“Ok, what now?”

The creature put the weapon back in the holster and offered a three fingered hand. “Hold tight.” 

After Lightning offered her other hoof and was pulled close an orange glow appeared around the stranger’s other arm. After tapping a part of the glow his ship began pulling the cable back zipping the two away from the rocket as his boot magnets disengaged. About three quarters of the way there the rocket exploded hurtling them towards the hull.

“Rougher than I expected.” The alien said after the collision. “We should get inside, it’s going to be a tight fit.”

Lightning squeezed herself behind the pilot’s seat as he the canopy closed and he took the controls. “Interference from the explosion has jammed up my guidance computer,” the pilot said. “It’ll take a minute to reboot.”

Lightning looked out the window. “I don’t think we have a minute.”

The remaining booster rocket was flying towards them.

“Kinetic barrier’s not going to be able to handle that much!” the pilot said. “Dammit! I couldn’t have risked this much just to fail!”

Another voice came over the radio. “Daggers One and Two this is Captain Dominius. Knock out that rocket! You are cleared to fire at will!”

“Copy that captain,” said another voice as two more ships appeared nearby. “Target locked, firing disrupter torpedo!”

The lead of the two ships released a metal cylinder that ignited on one end soon after. The torpedo then shot towards the rocket and detonated on impact destroying both in a large explosion.

“Thanks a lot guys,” The pilot said.

“Hell, we couldn’t let you take all the glory,” said the second voice on the radio.

“Can you help my friends?” Lightning asked. “Our ship was badly damaged and…”

“We know the situation,” the first radio voice. “Dagger squadron your new orders are to escort the alien vessel to the Resolute for rescue then return to base for debriefing.”

“Thank you captain,” the pilot said. “Why the change of heart?”

“The scientists the council sent convinced me that it was the best course of action to ensure a good relationship between our peoples. But don’t think this lets you off the hook. No formal charges will be pressed but you can count on a disciplinary action in your future. Resolute out.”

“What does that mean?” Lightning asked.

“Probably that I’m going to spend the rest of this assignment calibrating something. Still it was just the right thing to do,” said the pilot.

“I…appreciate it, I spent a lot of time trying to push them away but now I can give it a fresh start.” Lightning took a breath. “My name is Lightning Dust.”

“I know from the transmissions we’ve been receiving.”

“Even so you have to give your name before asking someone else theirs. It’d be weird having a friend whose name I don’t even know.”

“Friend, just like that?”

“Making friends is something my people tend to be good at, though I’ve taken it for granted the past few years. Besides if our peoples are going to start talking there are bound to be a few friendships in that mix so why not us? If you want.”

“I’d be honored. I’m Taloc, Taloc Vakarian.”

“Nice to meet you Taloc, so what can you tell me about yourself?”

+++

“I got the radio working,” said Sprocket. “Harmony Three to Operation Control. Come in Control.”

“*hissssss* This is Operation Control we read you Harmony Three,” said a voice over the radio. “Everyone’s real worried down here requesting a sitrep over.”

Rainbow Dash turned on her microphone. “Where do I start? I guess I have to tell you about Lightning Dust…”

“Come in Harmony Three! This is Dagger Four!” came Lightning Dust’s voice over the radio.

“Lightning?!” Rainbow said feeling her heart climb up her chest. “Where are you?!”

“Sorry to make you worry. I just met a few new friends who are going to give us lift to their mothership. Don’t worry if you feel a sudden jolt that just means the ship’s been harpooned for towing.”

“Am I hearing this right?!” said the Operation Control manager. “You’ve been in contact with aliens?!”

“It’s been that kind of day,” said Rainbow Dash. “We’ll fill you and each other in before this mothership picks us up.”

The mentioned jolt felt like a relief to the crew of Harmony Three as they were towed towards history.

+++

Hours later the crew of Harmony Three were assembled in a lounge like room with a small window. When they were first brought in the crew was closely examined by the aliens along with their craft. While the ship’s doctors were giving them a clean bill of health they learned a few things about their new benefactors.

Most of the aliens on board the ship came from a race called the turians, though there were a few scientists that were what the others called asari and salarians. They seemed to surveying the local star systems and they didn’t seem to be the Precursors that created their ancestors.
Moondancer and Sprocket were the most inquisitive though answers weren’t very forthcoming from the turians, they were all highly disciplined and they weren’t able to see Lightning’s friend Taloc since they arrived. For right now they were just waiting, though the ship seemed to be moving closer to Equus.

Rainbow Dash however found her mind going back to her old friend Lightning though she hadn’t talked to her face to face after the big hug she gave her when they reunited. Rainbow moved closer to her friend looking out the window.

“Stargazing huh? I see you’re paying particular attention to the Sisters. Not my favorite but I know some ponies can’t help but look there first.”

Lightning Dust pointed to one small star outside the ones that usually formed the constellation. “Taloc told me his people call that star Trebia and orbiting around it is Palaven, the planet where they come from. One day I am going to see the place my friend calls home.”

“Funny I thought you were always about pushing yourself. Your new goal sounds more like a plan for vacation.”

“It might still be some time off, but I’d like to help everybody to allow that sort thing to happen however I can.”

“It might still be up to these people,” said Moondancer. “They’re taking us home but what about after that?”

“That is part of what I want us to discuss,” said a female turian as the doors opened. Following her was one of the asari and a salarian. “Forgive the delay, running a ship of this size is a very involving job. I am Arteria Dominus, Captain of the Resolute. These are doctors Carmeta and Vorren, we hope you would be able to answer some of our questions as well.”

Rainbow stepped forward. “I’m Rainbow Dash the leader of this mission, this our scientist Moondancer, our engineer Sprocket and you probably already know our pilot Lightning Dust.”

“Taloc isn’t in trouble is he?” Lightning asked.

“He’ll be on restrictive duty for putting himself at egregious risk for a few days, but I don’t think his career is in any danger,” the captain said.

“Ok, now for the obvious question,” said Rainbow. “Why are you here?”

“May I answer this captain?” Doctor Carmeta asked. After she gave a nod the doctor continued. “We represent a group of races who have chosen to follow a common set of laws made by a council set up to ensure galactic peace. We found this system after recently opening the mass relay to this cluster.”

“Mass relay?” asked Sprocket.

“A device of prothean origin that enables travel between vast distances of space in a short period of time,” said Doctor Vorren. “These relays form a galaxy spanning network with a massive space station called the Citadel at its heart.”

“Prothean?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“A space faring race that created the mass relays and used them to build a massive empire,” said Carmeta. “About forty-nine thousand years ago they vanished in a swift galactic extinction, no one knows what became of them but the technology they left behind is the foundation of galactic society today.”

The ponies whispered among themselves for a moment before Moondancer spoke. “Forty-nine thousand years, are you sure about that time?”

“Every school child in the galaxy knows that,” said the captain. “Do you have ruins on your planet about that old?”

“More than that,” said Rainbow Dash. “We had some sort of working holographic program that spoke to us.”

“A working prothean VI?” asked Doctor Vorren.

“Not anymore it broke down the same day we found it. But it did manage to give us a lot of info including that… an alien race, your protheans most likely, engineered us from animals they brought from another planet.”

“This…” said Doctor Carmeta. “Is incredible! We’ve had evidence that the protheans had monitored and perhaps influenced developing species, but this is the first time we’ve heard of them engineering designer lifeforms. This would explain why there are multiple sapient species on your planet when the majority had one or two at most.”

“But why move the subjects from one planet to another?” said Doctor Vorren.

“Probably because of our world’s magic,” said Moondancer.

The captain gave a dry laugh. “I doubt the protheans would have been here for any superstitions you people have. What most species had termed as ‘magic’ is usually natural phenomenon like Biotics or the tricks of shysters to prey on the gullible.”

“But there is something on this world, something the VI said was not found anywhere else in the galaxy!” Moondancer bowed her head. “If you would allow me I can prove it, I know something that will convince you.”

“Very well, as long as you aren’t causing harm to my ship or crew.”

“Wouldn’t think of it.” She closed he eyes and in a flash of light teleported to the other side of the room.

Doctor Vorren jumped back slightly. “But that goes against the laws of physics! To do that you would have to deconstruct an object to its base atoms and reassemble them! Doing that means precisely knowing a particle’s location and momentum but if you measure one you change the other making it impossible to do both! And even if you could there is no guarantee that a person subjected would be able to survive!”

“Calm down doctor,” said Arteria. “Performers have been faking this sort of thing for centuries.”

“Able to set it up in an unknown room with nothing but what’s on them and in the room itself?” Doctor Carmeta said. “Even the soundest of perceived physical laws can change when our understanding of the universe grows.”

“Still, I find it hard to believe their claim that in all of the galaxy ‘magic’ is only possible here.”

“We don’t know why, magicians and sorcerers had been looking for the source for generations. It was only because of that VI we confirmed it exists at all. We know that it involves an energy field that extends slightly farther than our moon and I just discovered that an internal sort of telekinectic ability that can alter an objects mass seems to be the triggering mechanism.”

“You mean Biotics?”

“The Captain is referring to the manipulation of dark energy and mass effect fields through the use of modules of element zero in the nervous system,” said Doctor Vorren. “Usually the result of prenatal exposure to element zero, though some species, like the asari, are naturally biotic.”

“Is element zero what you call the substance that can affect an object’s mass when an electric current passes through it?” said Sprocket.

“I assume you learned that from the VI,” said Doctor Carmeta. “Yes, Element Zero is the key to many of the vital technologies used throughout the galaxy.”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow. “It called itself Virtue and told us the Precursors, that’s what we’ve come to call them anyway, wanted us to use the stuff to get to the next star over. We don’t know what to do from there though.”

“That’s where the relay is located,” said the captain. “Seems like whatever the protheans’ plans for you were they involved you making your way to the Citadel and from there the rest of the galaxy.”

“That isn’t going to be a problem?” asked Lighting Dust.

“No,” said Doctot Carmeta. “In fact now that your peoples are going to be formally introduced to the galactic community there will need to a number of preperations made. The ceremony and exhibition on your planet needs to be planed, your people will need to choose delegates to help bring the rest of your people up to speed…”

“There will time for that later,” said the captain. “We’ll need you to communicate with your people so we can co-ordinate getting you four back to the planet surface. I expect you’ll have quite the reception when you get there.”

+++

“You pretty much know the rest,” said Twilight. “The crew of Harmony Three came home heroes and a few months later the Citadel delegates for welcoming ceremonies on Equus arrived. After that we sent our own delegates, including my friends, to the Citadel for three months to learn from the rest of galaxy and that eventually lead us here.”

“Whatever happened to Lightning Dust?” asked Gusto.

“She eventually reached her new goal, being the first Equinite to visit the turian homeworld. She and Taloc Vakarian were even the subject of a statue at our oldest spaceport, meant to celebrate our unity with the other races of the galaxy.”

A tone rang out. “The time is 1600 hours, galactic standard,” said the Celestia VI.

“It’s about time for me to hit the gym,” said Gusto.  “Then a quick nap before we reach the Citadel.”

“I understand,” said Twilight. “I better get to preparing my response to the media once we arrive, I’ll see you then.”

As Gusto left the room Lightspeed’s voice came over the intercom. We’re in queue to take the relay to the Citadel and will be underway in thirty standard minutes. Are there any messages you would like to send via comm buoy beforehand?” 

“Yes,” Twilight said sitting at her desk and facing the terminal screen. “Open a secure channel to Arcturus Station, diplomatic priority. I wish to speak with Amul Shastri.”

“Aye, ma’am.”

A couple of minutes later the terminal displayed an older human wearing executive style clothing. From her studies she judged that by his appearance he was from the subcontinent of India.

“Diarch Twilight Sparkle,” the man said. “It is an honor to speak with you.”

“And with you Prime Minister,” said Twilight. “Though I wish it was under happier circumstances. On behalf of the Equinite Harmonium I offer our sincere condolences for the tragic loss of life during the attack on Eden Prime.”

“Thank you Diarch,” said the prime minister. “Humanity is, as always, appreciative of the support offered by our ‘cousins’ on Equus.”

“Are the reports true? Was this attack carried out by the geth?”

“You are on a secure channel?”

“Yes Minister, are they true?

The minister’s face became grim. “According to Captain David Anderson the attackers his people fought were geth.”

“Do you have any idea why they would do this?”

“Yes, but what I am about to tell you does not go outside that room.”

Twilight spoke out to the air. “Celestia once this transmission ends please delete all records of it.”

“I shall do so Twilight.”

Twilight turned back to the prime minister. “Go ahead.”

“A prothean artifact, a beacon of some sort, was unearthed a few days before the attack. Captain Anderson was on his way to retrieve it for the Council when they received Eden Prime’s distress call. It appears they were trying to steal the beacon and then destroy the evidence by nuking the colony. Anderson’s ground team disarmed the bombs however the beacon was destroyed and we lost a lot of good people.”

“How horrible. But how did the geth even know about the beacon?”

The minister looked uncomfortable. “That is part of our ongoing investigation, however I’d rather not discuss it with you until the Council reviews our findings.”

Twilight played the political game long enough that while the Prime Minister of the Systems Alliance wasn’t lying to her he wasn’t telling her the whole truth either. “Very well, the Harmonium will probably send out travel advisories warning our people about the geth and unfortunately advise against visiting human colonies, but I will continue my tour as planned with the exception that we will be using our Elysium stop to render aid to the Eden Prime colonists.”

“I’m sure it will be welcome and we are looking forward to your visit to Earth as well.”

“Thank you, Celesia’s Majesty out.”

As Twilight shut down the transmission she heard the ship’s VI. “All records of communication deleted.”

Twilight looked out her cabin window. Her trip was just beginning but instead of feeling relaxed was even more worried than before. She made a note to ask Ambassador Sunrise what she knew once she got to the Citadel. She felt like there was some sort of sinister presence in all of this and it felt like a shadow was stretching across the galaxy.