> Ave Deus Mechanicus: On Equestria > by PleaseDoNotDeleteMe > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Uplink One: Arrival > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Uplinking.... Loading.... Loading.... Loading.......... Auto shunt found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Byzantium command throne. Uplink successful +His servants+ Crimson warning sigils lit every screen. The bridge shook and rattled sparks raining down on the various shrines and alters where servants of the machine god stood or sat hard plugged into their consoles focusing on their tasks. No words were shared between them too focused where they on ensuring their debt to the Omnissiah was paid. The only light was that from warning, blinking bathing the bride in crimson then darkness. Crimson then darkness. Everything shook, the blessed metal threatening to buckle. Through it all the arch Magos sat hard plugged into his command throne expression unreadable even through the noosphere, the invisible data network that bonded all their souls to data. He was too focused on guiding his ship through the immaterium the hellish flip side to reality where all ships of the Imperium are forced to traverse, it is a realm of thoughts and emotions rather than stone and steel, their navigator had died shortly after they made the jump leaving Cassius, Captain of the Byzantium and Arch Magos Explore of Mars the only one capable of guiding the ship, and failing miserably. They had been trapped in the warp storm for what felt like an eternity. The shifting tides preventing any hope of returning to real space. The Ark Mechanicus was lost, battered on all sides by the tides of unreality against its gellar field. The only barrier between the servants of the Machine God, and the native inhabitants of the realm they traversed. Despite the battering it held firm, the holy machine spirit dutifully holding reality in and the abominations out. But that would be useless unless they could— There Just for a second, Cassius saw a spec of light and aimed for it. Plowing the Ark Mechanicus through a wave of pure raw emotion, he pierced the vail between what was unreal and what was and finally freed his ship from the tides of the warp. +++ Cassius asked in binary to the helm servitor. The simple minded slave drooled out a report from chapped lips in its usual monotone. Cassius allowed himself to sigh, he didn’t need to since his lungs had long since been replaced with an augment that breathed for him, but it helped his mind relax his mind. the Magos asked allowing curiosity to flow through him. Another tech priest answered in place of the servitor. A lower ranking one still mostly human, aside from the most basic of augments, he could understand lingua technis just not speak it. According to his noosphere tag, he was Maximal. “According to the hymns, power had not returned to Deck 13.” He started reading off the terminal before him. “Also hanger 55’s door is nonfunctional, and we are leaking promethium from a spare directional thruster.” The young adept turned from his position to look at Cassius directly now. “Aside from that... well done piloting the Byzantium.” The young adapt's face was holly organic aside from a single green optic on his right eye. His skin was pale with some fuzz growing from his chin and black hair down to his ears. In many ways, he reminded Cassius of a younger version of himself. Given enough time maybe he to could rise the ranks of the cult. “All operational.” Looking in front Cassius for the first time noticed the planet. It was a blue green orb dominating the viewer, appearing to have multiple biomes and continents. He didn’t recognize it from his database, but it seemed untouched. New planets for the Imperium were discovered every day, but seeing one untouched by... well seemingly anything was a rarity indeed. Cassius contemplated to himself. His cogitators could be heard spinning in his head. He knew he would regret this next question before he even asked. Settra responded. He was the ship's astronomer, even older than Cassius, his augments were large and bulky giving him a bloated appearance underneath his crimson robes. Cassius asked the sensorium operator. Her legs were completely removed, replacing them was a set of slender hooves that magnetized to the deck. She reminded the Magos of a Sicarian Ruststalker in that regard. she reported. This got Cassius to sit up. the Magos asked. the Magos quickly amended. Settra immediately interrupted the report making Cassius feel anger before he deleted the emotion. The astronomer continued on regardless. If Cassius still had his eyelids they would have widened in shock. Geocentric planets were incredibly rare, but they did exist. But one so small? Much less one supporting life, and industry? It went against logic. Settra nodded and continued. If Cassius had eyebrows, one would have raised at that. <‘near perfect sync’> Cassius quoted back. Cassius contemplated to himself, his internal logic engines wired to life in sync with one another. He was alone with no way of contacting the wider Imperium, in an uncharted system, in a ship full of the Omnissiah’s devoted. And a planet rich in rare minerals. They would need resources to do another warp jump just to get their bearings, but now a warp storm was raging, and Emperor only knew when that would pass. He needed time. Something to occupy his thoughts while he waited for the storm to go away. The planet had inhabitants and resources. Along with a mystery of how it came to be the center of a solar system, and teaming with life. Yes, this would work. He would occupy his mind in solving the mystery layed before him. In time he would return to Mars a changed man. They missed there target, but this would be their new goal. He would plunder it’s resources. Collect all the knowledge of its inhabitants, then return with all he could carry leaving behind a dead rock... or perhaps, a new and enlightened forge world. Either way, the Omnissiah’s will would be done today. Cassius stood from his throne. Many cables disconnect from his multitude of sockets in his flesh slinking back into their holes like predatory serpents, some even hissing. He felt the manafold leave him as he disconnected from the Byzantium’s machine spirit. He stated through the noosphere so all could hear him. With that he left the bridge his centipede like legs clicking under his robe. The doors machine spirit opened automatically allowing him to exit. +++Transmission concluded+++ New Uplink? [Y/N] Y Loading... Loading.... Loading.. Loading..... New Uplink Found Designation: Rohn 55 Rank: Skitarii Alpha Location: Alexandria Lander Uplink successful +His Will Be Done+ Rohn sat strapped into the crash couch with the rest of his squad numbering 5 in total, while the Arch Magos stood in the center of the lander never taking his optics off the door. The Alpha admitted he was exited. Never had he seen a Magos before. Especially not Cassius. He had served on the Byzantium for almost a century, and never once did any of the skitarius, tech priests, or slaves talk of a time when the Arch Magos left the bridge, much less journeyed down to a planet. There was even talk in the noosphere that he couldn’t leave the bridge, that he had permanently attached himself to his ship so that were he ever removed both his and the ships vital systems would fail. That was proven false due to him being right in front of him alive and well. To Rohn the Magos was absolutely beautiful. He towered 3 times the height of a Skitarius even while he hunched to fit into the lander. Most of his body was gone, with no flesh visible at all. His form bristled with archaic augments crafted in gold and steel. His hunched back showed the hints of a heavy miniature nuclear reactor chugging away dutifully keeping him alive. His optics were baleful crimson, reminding Rohn of his home world of sacred Mars. Rohn knew he could never reach the level of augmentation as Cassius. Being a Skitarius his most augmented part were his legs, replaced from the knees down to allow him and his fellow rangers to run for great distances without tiring. He also possessed a gas mask and optics fused to his skull like all others, with a power pack on his back and antenna. Soon enough the craft reached the ground and the door slammed down the machine spirit sighing having fulfilled its purpose. The bar around Rohn 55’s battle chase swung up and him and his four companions moved out the door in a V formation riffles at the ready blood red robes flapping in the breeze. In contrast to Mars, the meadow they found themselves in was incredible green and smooth. Green rolling hills replaced red rocks. The blue sky having none of the pollution of continental factories. The mountains were tall and jagged, no mines or quarries in sight. The air was clean and pure, even breathable to humans without oxygen filters. It disgusted Rohn 55. Another major difference was the gravity. Mars had less gravity than Holy Terra. Thought he had never set foot on Old Earth, the Ark Mechanicus was equipped with a chamber where he could experience the gravity of the Throne World. This world’s gravity was more that Terra. He didn’t know precisely by how much. But he estimated the planets gravity sat at almost double or even triple that of Mars. With no threats in sight he issued the all clear code to Arch Magos Cassius, he exited behind the formation, taking in the sights and deploying various tools from his body to test the air. He then ordered Rohn’s rangers to fan out and examine the surrounding area. The meadow sat on the edge of a dark forest that Magos Cassius almost immediately ran towards his dozen legs clicking in perfect synchronization under him. Rohn 55 let the Magos go take his studies while he investigated a near by stream. The water flow was low, likely due to the high gravity but the Alpha took out a clear glasstek jar gathering a sample. Holding it up to the light he could make out small insects inside. Even if they were small, the little Xenos fascinated Rohn as they swam about in their prison. He heard a twig snap and turned his gun sights on the noise issuing an order his squad to form up around him. Exiting the brush was a red entity. It had a muzzle and long white mane styled into a spike pattern. It approached without fear, cloven hooves stepping on the grass. It was no bigger than Rattling, it walked on all fours curious of them rather than afraid, The Alpha kept his distance unsure what the beast was capable of even if it only came up to his waist. His metal legs backed away from the unknown beast servos whining and clicking. The Xenos stepped over the stream leaning down to sniff the sample Rohn 55 had just taken. The alpha turned off his weapons Safty hearing the machine spirit hum to life ready to kill. As it got closer Rohn lined up a shot right between the eyes. Before he could fire a red robe filled his scope and Rohn looked up to see none other than Cassius himself standing between him and his target. Rohn demanded. He would apologize later, right now he needed to protect his master, but he was in the way of the shot. His fellow rangers came into position lining up their shots. Was all Cassius said asserting his authority through those simple words. The Magos extended his hand to the creature allowing it to sniff his palm similar to how a Guardsmen greeted a Canid. The Xenos equine sniffed the hand of the priest before the Magos brought his metallic claw to the creatures head... and unexpectedly began petting it. The beast enjoying the motion got closer to the Arch Magos, allowing the tech priest to pet him more leaning in. The Magos said to himself. The beast looked up to Cassius smiling, then displaying brief shock, before passing out cold, eyes closed. It’s chest rose and fell signaling to Rohn that it was still alive, only asleep thanks to a potion Cassius injected hidden beneath his robes. Cassius stood and pointed to the Xenos. he ordered the cohort. Rohn nodded before two ranger grabbed the quadruped and took it to the lander. Uplink Interrupted > Uplink Two: Experiments > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sugar Dance watch from the bushes the odd creatures as they left their red bird flying machine. The creatures didn’t look like ponies at all. They seamed to be made entirely of metal, and walked on two legs with flat bits of metal at the ends of their legs. There upper legs had odd talons that reminded him of a griffin’s. In their claws They held carved wooden sticks with golden swirling designs on the side that they pointed at everything. Sugar remained incredibly still. After a few moments the one in front made a noise that hurt his ears and out of the metal birds mouth came a hunched larger version of the creatures with even more shinny arms and legs and even a few tentacles. The shining creatures then split up with the big boss one going over to the boarder of the Everfree Forest along his many insect like legs. The lead small one walked slowly over to a stream. Sugar Dancer was afraid it noticed him, but it didn’t seam to, he watched as it pulled out a clear cylinder then collected some of the water. He thought it was going to drink it from the cup but he just kept staring at it like it had never seen water before. After a few seconds Sugar decided to say hi. He left the bushes only for the shiny creature to drop his glass and start pointing his carved stick at him. Sugar approached slowly trying not to scare the creature who kept backing away from him the closer he got. Soon he crossed the stream and leaned down to sniff the creatures glass, it had wired symbols along the side sticking out in a line and looked scratchy. He gave it a small sniff, it didn’t smell like glass, it smelt kind of like the material in clothes, but older and also odd. He twitched his ears as the metal thing turned a switch on the side of his stick pointing it at his head. Just then the big red boss one was standing in front of him looking down. Red eyes aglow in his crimson hood. It stood before him draped in cloth what was visible didn’t look pony at all. It radiated heat with several spiky bits poking from the darkness of his cloak, he felt they to we’re watching him curiously just as much as the head was. It reached out a talon to Sugar Dancer who gave it a sniff. His talon smelled like melted bits. Sugar smiled up at it showing he trusting the scary creature not to hurt it. The being raised it’s talon above him, then began stroking him behind his ears. Sugar had never been pet like a dog before. It felt, good, the strange friends claws dig into his coat just right, sugar leans in looking up into the strange beasts red eyes, smiling. He knew he wasn’t a bad creature. Just scary looking. Just then something pricked Sugar Dance in the neck. Looking down he saw a black snake with a needle head retreat into the creatures robes, then nothing else. +•+ When light returned he saw two of the creature, but they were both different. They towered over and were screeching at one another in their harsh tong. Looking around he was in a dry cave choking with alien smells. Neither payed him any mind as they argued. Sugar Dancer tried to get up and sneak away only to realize he was strapped down to a table. The two beings stopped arguing and looked down at him. Before he had time to open his mouth a snake emerged from the one on the lefts robes and stung him in the same spot as last time. As he went under he could hear them getting back into their argument again like he was nothing. •+• When Dancer next awoke he was alone. He was in a black metal cube with a single glowing orb above him. The orb was suspended by a black wire and let out a low buzz that hurt his ears. Looking around he saw a door, but it didn’t have a way to open it from his side and seamed unnaturally tall and narrow for a pony. There was a small slit on the bottom another piece of metal blocked. Looking down he was horrified to find is coat criss crossed in stitching. Odd metal plugs were also inserted into his elbows. He felt a buzz at the back of his head and tried to take out the plugs to no effect. His skin was opened up and sealed again by these interlopers. They saw what was inside and left their metal probes in his guts for easy access. Sugar Dance thought of his friends and family, his younger sister. What if they had a way to read his mind through the plugs in his head? The buzzing between his ears could be them listening to his thoughts at this very moment. He curled into a ball and began to cry. •+• Connection reestablished Loading.... Auto shunt found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Byzantium Medicae Lab Deck 22. Uplink successful +The Flesh is Weak+ Before Cassius stood Shearia the Biologis of the Byzantium. She was a strange priestess by Mechanicus standards, preferring instead to augment herself with extra organs and biological limbs rather then mechanical ones. Her shoulders were draped in a white sash where 8 extra organic arms were stitched to her flesh, that being said she was not entirely against nonorganic augments when it suited her. Possessing a green lease in place of an organic orb. As well as a medical mechadendrite complete with various potions and administrators. Cassius asked the medicae. Shearia pulled up a data slate held in one of her arms, scratching across it with a stylus that replaced one of her would be organic fingers. “Specimen 12445 is male, possessing organs consistent with that of old Terran Equines although shrunken down and with exaggerated features: the head, brain, hooves, and eyes for example are much larger then that of a standard equine.” Shearia answered reading almost directly off her notes. An annoying habit, especially for Cassius who possessed internal logic banks but each priest or priestess had their preferences. Cassius asked. “Unknown.” Shearia answered before continuing. “Muscle structure is also increased.” The Biologis continued. Cassius interrupted with his own observations from the planet. Shearia rubbed her chin ponderously. “Possible.” She added that to her notes. “The nerve plug I installed indicates higher brain functions, as well as vocal cords I found earlier in surgery.” Cassius repeated back intrigued. Shearia nodded. A whole new language by a race that had just developed locomotive engines on a geocentric planet. Imagine the philosophies they had come up with, the myths to explain their place in the universe. The lore in their archives. It would all be his if he had the key to their tong. Cassius was starting to let his excitement get the better of him. “Not with just one specimen.” Shearia replied. “I’d need more specimens from the same area.” Cassius nodded. An unexpected message flashed into Cassius’s manifold. The door to the Med bay sighed open revealing a tall thin black hooded figure. Various antenna sprouted from its back mounted power pack. It strode in on a tripod swinging counter cog wise clawed feet scraping the metal floor. It wasn’t in a hurry but reached Cassius in 5.6667 seconds after it entered coming to a stop. The figure removed the hood revealing a bowl shaped head covered in emerald optics all evenly spaced. Cassius recognized her immediately, his fluids running cold it was the one priest he hoped to deal with the least. “Don’t you start with me Arch Magos.” she put special anger into flesh voice that wouldn’t be possible through the hymnals of the noophere. Primus Dominus Catherine is the Tech Priestess in charge of all Skitarii maniples of the Byzantium. A woman of rigid structure and a short fuse. Unlike Arch Magos Cassius who removed most of his emotions long ago. Catherine preferred to keep hers in for (she claimed) combat purposes, even (Cassius suspected) enhancing her normal human emotions. Particularly her anger. As such she was not a priestess to be angered lightly. And it looked like she was very very mad at Cassius. Catherine said switching to a form of binary only available to high ranking officers, keeping Shearia out of the conversation. Before Cassius could respond Catherine interrupted him for yet a third time in as many minutes. It was really starting to anger him. Catherine continued her rant. Catherine took the binary version of a inhale before continuing, allowing her cogitators to cool for a second before heating up again. Cassius responded. She pointed to her chest which displayed the cog Mechanicum. she then pointed to Cassius. Their was logic in what the Primus was saying. A commander being part of the initial team to an unknown world was against logic. Cassius admitted defeat and bowed his head to Catherine bringing it to about eye level with her mask. Cassius admitted defeat to her logic. Catherine folded her uppermost arms together, likely smirking underneath her rebreather at her victory over her superior officer. “What is known about the life forms?” Catherine asked Shearia not even bothering to turn her head, but she did focus four of her optics on her. “Going off of Specimen 12445 we are dealing with sentiment quadruple equines, of increased strength, capable of speech on a world three times Terran standard gravity, that is also geocentric.” Shearia quickly read off scrolling through her notes fast. “Unknown tech level, but we couldn’t find any nonorganic air craft in their atmosphere.” Catherine nodded turning her attention away from the Biologist and to the captain. “Mission?” She asked her hands going straight to her sides. Cassius responded. The Primus nodded rotating her waist 180 degrees and striding back her same path. Cassius amended to the mission parameters. The door sealed shut behind her. Uplink Interrupted > Uplink Three: Hunting > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Uplinking. Loading... Loading.. Loading.... Loading... Loading..... Loading.. Loading... Auto shunt found Designation: Catherine Rank: Primus Magos Dominus Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +For the Omnissiah+ Approximately 5 Martian standard months have passed since the discovery of planet designated VP- 23336789432. In that time Dominus Catherine and her cohort had managed to capture 10 equines who wondered into the Forest of Horrors (as her Skitarii called it). To raise moral she would sometimes lead her troops through the woods on hunts. They were entertaining, with many deadly creatures, but didn’t have the same feel of a Death World jungle like Catachan. The creatures where just as massive sure, but they weren’t as smart and seamed to only blindly charge at her troops. They chose a clearing in the forest to set up a landing pad for the lander as well as camp, a few basic pre fab structures were erected but nothing that would go noticed by an average fly over. They abducted those who wondered in figuring few would come to investigate a disappearance in what was likely one of the most dangerous woods on the planet. During these abductions they had found three classes of equine of various hues, designated: Terra, Aerial, and Aethereal. Terra Equines have enhanced muscle and bone structure, they are the most similar to the creatures of Old Earth. Aetheral Equines posses long bone spikes protruding from their skull. They are their version of psykers no daemonic possessions have been observed but their bodies are executed and incinerated after study concludes just to be safe. Aerial ones have so far only been observed, capture has proven most difficult of the three equine races seen. Unlike some species the equines did not appear to be divided by race or appearances. There were no observed biases between the different classes which seamed odd given there obviously different biologies. The biologus was currently determining if interbreeding between the classes was possible. During one of the hunts through the woods in search of what the Skitarii called a "rockgaiter" Catherine was suddenly struck by a living ballistic missile. She was taken far away from her troops and slammed into a rocky cliff leaving an indent. She groaned as her cogitators ran self repairers informing her of all the damage done. She blinkclicked it away and stared at her attacker. Before her stood one of the rare Aerial class. It's coat was a cyan shade that matched this worlds sky perfectly, it possessed a prismatic mane cut short and spiked. It's wings appeared strong and fit, along with the rest of its body having clear muscle definition, this was clearly an alpha flier, it’s flank was branded with a sigil of a white cloud producing a prismatic lightning bolt matching the mane. The beast snarled at her as she stood her dislocated joints welding into place with a smooth clicking of blessed titanium, it would take more than that to put her out of the fight, still... she had fought orks with less of a punch. His face was the very image of wrath. Hers, she quickly amended. The beast had the trademarks of the female genus, shorter muzzle, larger eyes, leaner frame etc. But she knew how to use it to her advantage. The xeno spoke to her in its native tong, still beyond her cogitators ability to translate a single word, probable an insult. Catherine brought herself lower to the ground feigning injury. The xeno approached slowly, asking a question in its odd scratching voice. Once it was close enough Catherine lashed out bringing her electro whip from her cloak and rapping it around the xeno's leg. It tried to ascend and escape her, Catherine merely activated the whip with a flick of the switch on the side. Motive force coerced through the beast, it convulsed crying in anguish. But it still remained conscious ripping the whip from the Dominus's grasp. All of Catherine’s augments at the moment we’re geared towards close combat, but she wasn’t entirely out of ranged weapons. From her cloak she produced an arc pistol, lighting exploded from the barrel striking the beast dead on. It forced the beast down to her level. Finally on the ground the leader of the Byzantium Exploritor skitarii legions didn’t relent her attack. She held down the trigger getting closer to capture. Once with a few feet the xeno bucked at her hand flinging her pistol into the brush. 'Cleaver girl.' Catherine thought to herself. The xenos tackled her forcing the primus down under her body weight. Catherine kicked digging a claw into the midriff of the beast. It backed off the dominus, but it still didn't retreat. The two warriors circled each other, scanning, waiting for the other to make the first move. Finally Catherine grew impatient and charged the beast. Instead of flying up the creature instead ducked underneath the tech priests wide legs becoming tangled in her robes. Catherine pivoted a leg, slashing along the creatures stomach spilling red life fluid onto the grass, the beast reared away, the scratch open to the elements clearly causing the xenos great pain. While it cried it pulled itself free, scrambling away from the tech priestess. Still it didn’t run away. Unsurprisingly the cyan and prism xenos charged yet again, soaring through the short distance on her wings, the blood flowed from her side like the tong of a canid sticking its head out a Leman Russ hatch. Catherine pivoted her self away from the living projectile at the last possible second then sliced down with a vibrio blade hidden in her cloak. The perfectly crafted shivering sharpened steel tore through flesh, muscle, bone, muscle, then finally flesh again, as if it were cutting through water. Once the crawling milliseconds passed by the beast zipped by in front of the dominus loosing control and slamming into a tree. The beast was finally incapacitated. It lay there, dismembered, crumpled, and twitching in a pool of its own blood. If Catherine had a mouth she probably would have chosen that moment to spit on it. Still... That had to be the best fight of her life. The adrenaline, the unpredictability, the rage on both sides. The dopamine in her brain was unmatched. It was like when she got her first mechadendrite grafted to her spine. She could feel the excitement flowing through her brain like a drug. To think it all came from such a being. She looked down at the wing by her feet. Stabbing it with her leg she brought it up to her optics examining it closely. It would make a fine trophy to add to her collection... but it seamed such a shame to cripple an opponent of such skill. It defied logic she knew, but she couldn’t deny that she wanted another challenge like this beast had brought. a skitarius asked over the noosphere. It had taken them quite a while to get in communication range of her. The xenos must have brought her miles away from her troops in but seconds through a hostile environment. There was definitely more to this then she knew. She reported sending a location tag so her troops could meet up with. She received affirmations of the tag from every single one of the troops in her squad. So this wasn’t an ambush. This creature acted alone. Primes Dominus Catherine thought about what to do with the still living creature when her troops would find her. She could kill it now, easily in fact. But they needed an aerial. It was such a waist of good potential. When the alpha came through the brush the rest of the squad followed bowing before her and requesting status updates to her condition. She calmed her troops with soothing binary and explained the events as efficiently as she could. Some of the skitarii wanted to execute the xeno and were already aiming their weapons at it. Catherine halted them however, pointing out one of their objectives was capture and abduction not extermination. This satisfied the more zealous skitarius who holstered there weapons. She instructed her troops to carry the xeno back with the utmost care and if possible see if Shearia could provide medical aid. Her troops let out confusion codes but followed their orders all the same. Two carried the incapacitated mare while the rest acted as guards, taking off into the woods as fast as there legs could carry them. Now alone (aside from the alpha ranger that first contacted her, who insisted on not leaving her side) she pinned the blue wing trophy to her belt as a show of respect for the enemy. With that settled she took off into the Forest of Horrors with the alpha ranger following close behind. This mission just got more interesting. Uplink Interrupted [1/6] > Uplink Four: Meeting > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sugar Dancer sat hunched in the corner of his cell mumbling to himself. He had been alone for a long time, he didn’t know how long exactly. The orb above him never went out, always buzzing in his ears, buzzing in his head, buzzing when he slept, buzzing when he was awake. The metal snakes in his head and skin. A constant pain that brought him back to reality. He tried counting the seconds but always lost track eventually. Too many numbers. His mouth tasted like bits, his mane was shaved, and several plugs lined his spine. He was glad their wasn’t a mirror in his cell, he was terrified of what he would find in it. Every once in a while the slit at the bottom would open and a single apple would be slid inside. He always ate it in a hurry, then regretted not rationing it since the next one would show up for longer than it took him to get hungry again. Seemingly at random the tall narrow door would slide open and one of the shiny red wraiths would enter. Sometimes they just stood there. Watching him with there gem eyes before leaving for unknown reasons. Other times they would get close to him. He no longer resisted them. He was weaker now and he always lost. They would take him and then inject him with something before he woke up again in his cell with a new scar or bit of metal sewn into him. He couldn’t even tell if it was the same cell. The dark metal was too hard for his hooves to scratch so he couldn’t even mark the passage of time. All he could do was sit and wait until either food arrived or the door opened again. Then as if summoned by his thoughts without warning he heard the hiss of the door opening. Turning from his sobs he saw it was another of the red wraiths like always. But this one was different. They all looked the same in some way, some may have even been the same, since his imprisonments he only saw them one or two at a time. But this one was definitely a new one. It’s body was wider and squat the head came to a cone shape. Instead of the tubes and wires below the eyes, this one had what could best be described as a speaker. It’s shoulders had metal plates on them, not unusual for the odd beings but these were of a different style to the others, they were more rounded for one. It still wore the robes but beneath he could make out thicker armor. The creature entered on tracks instead of legs and at first Sugar feared he would be taken yet again backing against the wall. But instead it stopped and tilted its head at him. It didn’t even bother closing the door. Then it made a low humming noise in its speaker before saying something that would finally break Sugar Dancers fragile sanity. “Hello.” +++ Connection reestablished Loading.. Loading..... Loading.. Auto shunt found Designation: Settra Rank: Magos Location: Byzantium Meeting Center 00987 “The Round Table” Uplink successful +Circuit Preserve Us+ The room was heavy with the smell of incense and smog from the activation ritual. Around a hemispherical metal table 6 feet in diameter, four tech priests sat or stood around the circumstance opposite at least one. Cog wise around their was: Magus Biologus Shearia, Dominus Primus Catherine, Magus of Astrogation Settra, and of course Arch Magus Captain Cassius. All four tech priest were hard plugged into the table by primary data spikes at the base of their spines. The Round Table was a piece of archeo tech dating back to the mechanicums earliest known records, it aloud non verbal communication within its confines free of any eves dropping thanks to the outer shell nullifying any communication. The Round Table would later delete their meeting so it was only stored in the tech priests presents own engrams. Though it cost them their perception of the outside world while in use. That is why they had guards outside, and a single door to the chamber that could only be opened from the inside. They were alone in this room, aside from the company of one another, the artifacts machine spirit, and the Omnissiah of course. With the ritual completed and pleasantries out of the way, they began their meeting in earnest inside the black table. King: Status update, Shearia. Bishop: We have made considerable progress in deciphering the equinus language my lord. Thanks to all the wonderful specimens provided by Dominus Catherine. We should have a full verbal translation in 5 rotations local time. Outside the table Catherine nodded, despite the fact no one could see her do this. King: Progress is always desirable... in moderation of course. Any way to decipher the meaning of the glyphs on their hips? Bishop: None yet. However I can confirm they are not branded on. King: Clarify. Bishop: From the test I have conducted the brands are... how to say?... a part of them. Bishop: They can’t be removed or altered by any means available to us, aside from extraction of the flesh around it. We have also encountered no duplicates of the marks. Once more they hold a certain... influence over the owner, but do not total control. King: Elaborate. Bishop: During testing, when presented with various objects. 8.666666667/10 times they will gravitate towards the object similar to the one branded on them. Knight: What about specimens with more... abstract branding? Catherine asked. She was curious as to the meaning of the cloud and prismatic lightning bolt she had encountered days ago. Bishop: Those are... difficult. She admitted. Bishop: The meaning of the abstract brands seam to be related to... mental characteristics. Such as bravery, or duty to a cause, if I am interpreting the abstract meaning correctly. They exhibit more mental activity in those portions of the brain when displaying characteristics of their traits. Though deciphering their actual meaning is particularly challenging. They may relate to local phrases. King:Any other reports? Bishop: The equine specimen brought in by Dominus Catherine displays features... unique to the species. Aside from the obvious wings, hollowed out bones for flight, and enhanced strength typical of the world. Their is also the addition of... I can’t really find the exact words for it. Closest approximation is an “aura” or “shield”. It’s some form of non visual radiation. It’s their... but it also doesn’t exist. I was only able to detect it at all largely by accident when I used an instrument incorrectly. It was. Not detected per say. But their was something interfering with the other readings... it seams unfinished. Like I’m missing something. It might be harmonic with another frequency, but I’m not sure. Rook: Could this possibly be the radiation of the aether? Settra asked some what concerned. Bishop: I wouldn’t rule that out... King: What of your progress Astrogation? Have you uncovered the mystery of the worlds geocentricity? Settra straightened in his chair. Rook: We have made... less than desirable progress then I would like. He admitted his failure in front of the magos, silently releasing a quick prayer of forgiveness to the Machine God for forgiveness and not punishment from His agents, even though the room was data shielded, he hoped it reached his god. Thankfully no punishment seamed to arrive immediately so he continued his report of what he did know. Rook: We have ruled out it being a natural occurrence. It is too coincidental for that. And have ruled out automation on par of the surface dwellers. Their tech level isn’t sufficient to move celestial bodies with the ease displayed. King: Could this be the work of. The Soulless Ones? Rook: I find the probability low on that. We could find no trace of Necron activity from any of our sensors. King: Update me at even the hint of Soulless Ones activity. Rook: Of course my lord. Everyone knows xenos are to be exterminated on site. All three other magos present remained silent for a time. Rook: ... Right? King: Shearia, once you have translated the equinus verbal language, report your findings to Maximal for the construction of a program capable of verbal communication. Bishop: Of course magos. Rook: Verbal communication? You are seriously considering talking with xenos? We ARE still going to exterminate them once we uncover the secrets of their world right? Cassius ignored the astronomer. King: Once the translation cogitator has been sanctified, I will descend to the world with a squad of five vanguard as my honor guard and negotiate requisition of knowledge from the locals. With your permission of course Dominus Catherine. Knight: Granted arch magos. Rook: 'negotiate requisition of knowledge from the locals.'? Sire. With all do respect, this is lunacy. Why not take the knowledge by force once we have the translation? King: Because a verbal translation is useless for the written language adept. Even in the dark void of the Round Tables skein, the astronomer could feel the arch magi's anger at being questioned. King: We need both for a full collection of knowledge. After that I will decide weather or not this worlds inhabitants can be of use to the Ommnissiah. Any further questions? No one spoke. King: Matter resolved then. Begin ritual of deactivation. I will sooth the machine spirit. Uplink Interrupted New Uplink? [Y/N] Y Loading..... Auto shunt found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Byzantium Meeting Center 00987 “The Round Table” Uplink successful +Iron Shield Us+ In the realm of bodies Cassius’s relaxed. He remembered his youth. Frexxal Prime. The Forgeworld he called home, or used to. Until the three Days of Darkness. The sound of mechanical footsteps in perfect, unnatural sync with one another. The screams. The cries of mercy only to be met with uncaring discussed butchery. The green light. So much green. So much silver. The bodies of his parents crushed under the mechab constructs right in front of him. As he hid in an ammo crate, unable to even cry without risk of being found. They passed him by without even checking as he watched their endless hoards stream down the streets. One after another. Row by row. Ever onward a never ending tide of death. Then one in the back wearing gold and blue with a head crown worked into the design turned it’s dead face to watch him. Voids of long dead emerald star points stared pass his soul as though he where not even their. NO! He wouldn’t allow that to happen again. Any slight hint of Necron presents was enough to make him scrap their plans and wash the surface clean with plasma fire. His mind returned to the present. 0.0005 seconds had passed while he relived the trauma of his long ago youth. An unexceptionable amount of deficiency to some, but he would never delete those memories. They made him who he was. Reminded him of his dept to the Omnissiah, for protecting him when he needed Him most. +++Transmission Concluded+++ > Uplink Five: Contact I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~ The purple alicorn princess of friendship paced in her crystal tree palace uneasily. As her hooves struck the crystalline floor, a soft but powerful clop reverberating throughout the chamber, she thought of what to do. It had been months since the first disappearance, and still she was no where near finding a solution. Every pony she sent to investigate only ended up disappearing them self. First she had sent volunteers to search for their loved ones, then guards, and finally, worst of all, her friend, the cyan streak Rainbow Dash. She had hoped that whatever she saw, the wonder bolt would be fast enough to escape it's clutches and report back to her with more info on it. When she didn't return that's when the element of magic feared the worse. Whatever it was that was causing this it wasn't natural. "Twilight." It was so bad that the princess had postponed her own coronation until the threat was dealt with. Not that she minded of course. After Dash's disappearance entering the Everfree forest was forbidden until a solution was found. Just what that solution would be she still didn’t know. "Twilight." Guards where placed along the perimeter and no one was allowed in. She hoped Zecora was safe, but couldn't risk sending any pony to check. It was too great a risk. This was bad. She had no idea what was happening. None of her spells where working in finding any of the missing ponies. It was as if they fell off the edge of Equis. "Twiiiiilight." Now with Rainbow gone the elements would also be useless. What was she going to do? Ponies don't just disappear. At first she thought to was one of Discord's jokes. Obviously. But the lord of chaos said he had nothing to do with it. Naturally he was lying. He had to be. Who else co-- "TWIIIIIIILIIIIIIIGHT!!!!!!!!!" Spike's voice rang through her head like a church bell, shaking her out of contemplation. Rubbing the ear that he had shouted in, she saw the pudgy face of her dragon assistant. Her faithful companion for all these years. The one constant in her life. The only friend she had from Canterlot that had come with her. "Sorry Spike." Twilight said. "I'm just..." she trailed off. "Under a lot of stress, I get it." Spike sat on her back. "You can't get all worked up though. It will all work out. Remember when you first arrived in Ponyville?" Twilight smiled, how could she possibly forget that day? Her mind slipped back to a different time, had it really been that long ago? So much has changed. She had wings now, more responsibility, a palace, her friends. Back then she was Celestia's star pupil, a total shut in from the capital, practically raised by an immortal being that raised the sun and moon every day for the past one thousand years. After reading a book she became convinced that Night Mare Moon would return from her millennia of imprisonment and reek all the havoc that came with an eternity of night. In her fear she brought this matter to the princess, who responded by sending her to Ponyville to see to the Summer Sun celebration. In her hurry for answers she breezed throught the day, trying to get to the Golden Oaks Library to find a solution. In her craze she rushed through everything to try and get a moment to study. She was so caught up in the details of the prophecy that she blew off the solution right in front of her. She turned out to be right about the prophecy, but if things had been different... Luckily she had her new friends with her. She didn't know what would have happened otherwise. Actually she had a few ideas of what would have happened, but it was best not to think of them. She breath in. Then out. Spike was right. As long as she had her friends everything would be fine. She just needed to relax and the solution would emerge. She needed to trust in the elements. Everything would work out. Just like always. But... Rainbow Dash was missing. They where down an element. That wasn't good. Not good at all. They had never been down an element. Well, except for when they fought Discord, but even then they knew where the elements still where. It was different now. This was wrong. So very wro-- The door to her personal library slammed open and a white guard stallion in golden armor entered. She had almost forgotten that some of the guards had been moved to her castle while the disappearances remained unsolved. "Your highness!" He bellowed in a deep voice, galloping over before bowing just three hoof steps in front of her. "Forgive me, but... we... there is... there are... they... the..." he stumbled over the right words. "Follow me." He finally said galloping out Twilight trailing close behind. Hopefully this was the solution she sought. ~~++ Loading.. Auto Shunt Found Designation: Dox- 66 Rank: Skitarii Alpha Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Xeno Settlement Delta Uplink successful +Lies of the Flesh+ The town was constructed primarily of wood and plaster with a façade that resembled some feudal worlds he had seen, the xenos tread the soil bartering and conversing with one another, living their daily routine uninterrupted by the phalanx of armored cyborgs armed with radium weapons surrounding their lord, some avoided them but others paid them no mind what so ever. Cassius goal was obvious. The massive crystalline structure in the town center, it’s offensive alien architecture dominated over all. A thick purple trunk latusing out into something clearly emulating a tree, with various castle like structures tangled in the arms. Fractal branches of purple holding the hollow construct aloof. The thing looked to have been grown rather than constructed, similar to the degenerate eldar. The structure was solitary however, unlike the eldar who constructed everything from wraith bone. Regardless of the race, the structure was offensive to the Omnissiah and should be smashed like the works of many other xenos abominations. At its top, an eight pointed high above all. Not the normal eight pointed star used by the Ruinous Powers, but the coincide of it stirred harshly in Dox- 66’s augments. The vanguard formed a cog around the Arch Magos, watching the xenos intently for any sign of threat. The tech guard moved in perfect sync carful to keep their optics open for anything out of the ordinary. Under normal circumstances any complex life within this distance of Dox- 66 and his troops would be writhing on the ground before them. Their very flesh melting away from the intense rads of their armor and weapon barrels. Tumors forming in just minutes, their flesh blackening. The very soil turned to red dust behind them. However the Arch Magos had forced them to cleanse themselves of the majority of their protective radiation. Their saturated war plates where replaced with shiny new ones, and normal weapons swapped for ones that hadn’t been fired in at least a century. Even the priests of Mars couldn’t cleanse them of all their radiation however, and Magos Cassius wasn’t going to waist the resources of full replacement of organic and biological parts just for null rads. Nor did he apparently want to, but instead of intense organ failure, most of the xenos felt discomfort at their presents and avoided them. That certainly made getting through the settlement easier. But it would be even easier if the xenos dropped dead as they passed. Still, the barrier did its job, albeit not as effective as it would be fully powered. Non of the xenos dared to approach the sons and daughters of Mars while they marched through their very streets. The magi had also installed a cogitator capable of translating any verbal utterances of the foul xenos tong. Though why the Arch Magos bothered with all this was still a mystery to the Alpha. It's not like it mattered if the xenos joined the Omnissiah willingly or not. They would be exterminated eventually, and the resources present put to bette-- “Hey!” A pink creature Dox hadn’t seen before shouted in a high pitched tone before him. Dox hadn’t blinked in more than half a century. His eyelids where removed so he could remain always vigilant like all Skitarii. So he couldn’t fathom where the thing had come from. Their was nothing their. Then the creature was in his path staring up at him. With no words or signals all five of his fellow vanguard surrounded the beast, weapons level at its disproportioned head. The creature sat on it's hinge legs and began perspiring, though weather that was related to stress, or the residual rads from their gun barrels Dox didn’t know or care. Dox asked. Cassius responded not even stopping his pace for a second glance at the creature. “Hey don’t ignore me!” The creature responded pouting and crossing it's front legs. “That’s so rude.” Cassius calculated stride suddenly hauled in an instant, some of his legs still raised in the air. Slowly his hunched body turned to face the xeno, the grinding of metal on metal clearly audible. Cassius asked. Dox didn’t lower his weapon for even a fraction of a micro second. Neither did his squad. The beast rolled its eyes, and Dox tightened his grip on the trigger out of lingering organic reflex, but still didn’t fire. “Of course I can silly.” The creature went on “Your just talking normally, but with chomping things instead of quotes. Hurts when I hear it out loud though.” The being stated as an ork would explain how paint works. “Can I talk like that?” Suddenly the creature had left their kill box. None of the Skitarii had or even could have blinked, but they all now stared at an empty circle of ground. Turning around they now saw the beast had some how displaced it self meer inches in front of the tech priest. The warriors once again surrounded their lord, all barrels pointed at the threat. Cassius backed away somewhat uncomfortable by the revaluation. The arch magos stammered, his binary clipping into one another like a servitor being tested for residual intelligence. he finally found the right words. The tech lord didn't sound sure himself. This creature wasn't natural. He suspected the Dark Gods where here in some way now. "Awesome!" The creature jumped up. "Now how would I do it?" The xeno knocked it's skull several times, Alpha Dox- 66 too notice of a certain hollow noise. "MAYBE LIKE THIS? The being said in a mechanical monotone that should have been impossible for an organic. "Nope. Hmmmmm..." "01001101 01100001 01111001 01100010 01100101 00100000 01101100 01101001 01101011 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101001 01110011 00111111" The creature stated perfectly. "No that's waaay too long. How about..." [Perhaps Like Thiiiiiiiiiiishhhhhh?] The creature verbaly produced an archaic form of binary screech from it's mouth before erupting into several hacking coughs. Shaking it's head it looked up again. "Wowy wow that's hard to do. How do you do that without your tong getting in the way?" The hoofed beast pressed its face directly against the Alpha's helmet, he was unable of seeing what it was standing on, since his vision was taken over by the pink creature. He answered honestly. The creatures jaw contorted unnaturally large, sucking in such large amounts of air and the alpha was worried it would consume him. "Don't have a tong! DON'T HAVE A TONG!!!" the xeno shouted as if he had blasphemed. "How do you eat ice cream then?" Dox noticed a small sunburn on the creatures forehead where it must have touched his helmet. His translator must not have been working correctly. he asked for clarification. Once again it's jaw defied the creatures own biology. "This is a Level One Ice Cream Emergency!" The creature some how pulled a helmet with a blinking crimson lumo from possibly the Warp itself. The helmet had a white parchment on the forehead with script the Alpha could not read. "I'll be right back with my top thirty three favorite ice cream flavors, do not move from this spot until I return." The creature stressed producing yellow and black tape and rapping it around them all. With that the creature vanished leaving behind a puff of smoke in the creatures own shape. None of the individuals present had any idea how to move forward from that experience. Transmission Interrupted [2/6] > Uplink Six: Contact II > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Twilight left her palace following the guard pony. Upon exiting she saw none other than Pinkie pie barreling from the direction they where heading screaming: ‘Emergency!' and 'Clear the way emergency!' over and over again wearing a helmet complete with blinking light on. Twilight grabbed the mare in her magic. The earth pony didn't stop her stride. "Pinkie! What is th--" "Sorry Twilight I can't talk now, this is a Level One Ice Cream Emergency!" The party mare stated. Rolling her eyes Twilight let her go to whatever game she was playing and returned to following her guard. Leave it to Pinkie Pie to have different levels of an Ice Cream Emer— Wait level one? Before she could finish her thoughts she saw them. Standing upright were six towering figures in total. Four of which were uniform in shape dressed in open red robes various cables wires and plates covering their strange bodies. If they had bodies at all underneath. The line between what was armor and what was them was incredibly blurry. All wore the same domed silver helmet, save for one who’s appeared more ornately designed complete with a one fourth cog acting as a mane along the back of its head. They surround a larger figure, this one towering over them like a father to his foals, his body was even stranger. Hunched with multiple tentacles, claws, legs, and cables dangling out. The stances of the smaller ones seamed hollow and void of thought. As if they were puppets of the larger construct. They might have been, possessing no minds of their own. Mechanical slaves to a mechanical master mind. The little ones all clutched uniform bulbous metal rods. Twilight had never seen anything like it. Or anything like any of them. What she had seen before was the black and yellow tape rapped around all of them curtesy of Pinkie Pie. The hooded figure turned to face her. Underneath it’s hood Twilight could make out several crimson gem eyes. Their was intelligence behind those eyes. But on what she couldn’t determine. He was old. Very old. It stared at her like she might a dog or a cat, tilting its head as if expecting her to say something. Before she could, it let out a high pitched screech, Twilight was forced to cover her ears, her enhanced alicorn hearing picking up every frequency the thing vomited. The noise dug into her brain like rusted claws, then it stopped. “Sorry about that.” She heard a low metallic voice say. Tilting her head up it was the creature. “Umm. No harm done.” She said rubbing her ears. “Mind telling me what you... what you are doing here?” “Gladly” the creature stated with mild enthusiasm. “We are... explores. Seekers of knowledge in all its forms, and when we happened upon this great vibrant land of yours we naturally couldn’t resist.” The voice was... off. Strange and hollow. It didn’t sound entirely like a ponies it was... unnatural. Like someone had recorded many different pony voices and was just playing them back in a new order over and over till you couldn’t tell them apart. In a way it fit the, things odd mechanical mismatched appearance. “Umm.” Twilight started. “Good to know. Would you like to come to m—“ “Your highness!” The guard pony interrupted before bowing his head. “Forgive my outburst, but I strongly advise against such an action.” The armored creature with the gear mohawk turned to face the guard pony. “We don’t know these...” He stopped himself before he said the word ‘creatures’. “The whole point of the School of Friendship is to spread the knowledge of friendship to those outside Equestria.” Twilight stated. “If they wish to learn of the Magic of Friendship it is our duty to teach it to them to the best of our abilities.” The guard pony bowed his head. “Of course your majesty.” With that matter settled Twilight turned around and started back to her home expecting the metal things to follow her. Something she could tell they did from the clicking and hissing behind her. Privately she agreed with the stallion, she had no idea what these things where capable of, for now it was best to do as they said and hope not to anger them. ~~~ Back at her castle the big one left his escorts at the door, while Twilight lead him to her personal study. Starlight had just woken up and was watching their guest wearily, the creature scanned the various tomes in Twilight's study taking in the lore like Pinkiepie would a trey of cupcakes. For all Twilight knew they could literally eat knowledge, defiantly wouldn't be the first time she encountered a creature like that. At least the words where intact. The hunched creature asked for the princesses aid in reading the books however, though their ponish was... passible, they had obviously never read the language before. Twilight gave some basic lessons on reading and soon the metal behemoth was off tearing through the tomes in her library, occasionally halting and coming to Twilight with a whole list of words curious of their definition and pronunciation. With every time it did this however the list got shorter and shorter, it may be that he had deciphered the roots of their language and was using that to figure out a words meaning. The more he read the less threatening he seamed to be. Twilight saw a lot of herself in this stranger, the insatiable apatite to learn and grow, the hunger the hunger for knowledge only a good many books could provide, the collection of lore that grew and grew till only the knowledge was left and your own being slipped away bit by bit brought back to yourself by an outside voice calling you out of the trance of all consu-- "Twilight." Starlight's voice pulled her out of contemplation, "Can I talk to you outside really fast?" Her voice conveyed she was worried about something, it probably was alright to leave the thing alone for just a bit, what harm could happen? Loading.. Loading..... Auto Shunt Found Designation: Dox- 66 Rank: Skitarii Alpha Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Xeno Settlement Delta Uplink successful +We are much wiser now+ Dox Stood at the entrance way to the xeno palace, his squad was surrounded by the xeno matriarchs solders, though they did not do so in a threatening manor, instead they stood idle around them. The rads of their war plates slowly bleeding their strength. Over time their stance became more heavy as the life left their bodies, under his helmet the alpha smirked. Sure they weren't dead, but at this rate permeant damage was being done to the vile creatures, and they had no idea. Soon the xeno mistress approached with one of her maidens, on of the psykers by the look. Dox- 66 sent a message to his master for confirmation on engaging them, and he replied that they should be aloud to leave, as one the rad troops parted and let the hybrid pass. Once the gate was closed the guard closes to Dox fainted curling into a ball on the ground, Dox got on one knee leaned in close to the creature. He opened verbal communication with the inferior flesh thing. "Are you alright creature?" Transmission Interrupted [3/6] > Uplink Seven: Contact III > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~ "Twilight I don't trust these people." Starlight stated plainly and bluntly to her teacher making sure they were out of earshot of the creatures guards outside. "Starlight, you need to be more open minded to individuals and their traditions. We can't just turn away everyone willing to learn." Starlight sighed. "Twilight, helping people is a noble cause, but these people are dangerous." "I agree that they are a bit... off, but they haven’t done anything wrong." Starlight was stunned, had she really not put two and two together yet? "They appear out of nowhere from the Everfree Forest right when the ponies start disappearing in the Everfree Forest! I’d say that’s pretty malicious. Have you really not figured that a might bit suspicious?" "We can't link them to that, and when Zecora came from the Everfree forest everyone was scared of her without even getting to know her. Have I told you that story yet?" Starlight face hoofed. "Yes you have, but this isn't like Zecora, their dangerous. Twilight listen to me." Starlight stressed every one of her words putting a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Take it from a former villian. The first step, if your smart, and they seam intelligent, is always information gathering. Learning the weaknesses and where and when to strike. What better way to learn a weakness than have the enemy tell you it flat out? Think about it.” “I will admit their behavior is a bit... strange. But they seam genuinely interested in their ‘quest for knowledge’ as they put it.” “How do you know that they aren’t just going to imprison us in a dungeon once they read every book you have?” “They wouldn’t do something like that.” “YOU. MET. THEM. FIVE. MINUTES. AGO.” Twilight turned away ignoring her student and began trodding back to her palace, “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to check up and se—“ ~~~ Twilight was blocked from entering her own home by one of the armored creatures. “Access denied.” The thing spoke in a monotone voice. “It’s my house!” Twilight demanded. The thing looked annoyed, not that she could tell how they felt under those helmets of theirs. Did they have faces under? What did they look like? “Access Denied.” It repeated in the same voice. Twilight heard a hiss of repeating code from somewhere behind the door, then the thing stepped to the side. “Access Granted.” It replied sounding annoyed. How did they do that? Twilight definitely heard something, but it definitely wasn’t words. Was this how they talked? It was only just for a second as well. ~~~ “Soooo.” Starlight looked at the guard awkwardly “Where are you from exactly?” “Mars.” The construct responded flatly. Mars? Starlight repeated, she tested the word a few times in her mind. It didn’t ring any bells. Was it a land? A country? A city? A town? “Can you elaborate?” “No.” ~~++ Loading... Loading... Loading..... Loading.. Loading....... Auto Shunt Found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Xeno Settlement Delta Uplink successful +The Numbers Have Spoken+ “So let me get this straight...” Cassius stated repeating what he just heard again to make sure his translator was functioning properly. This was his fifth visit to the xenos library in as many local days. Each time he came he returned to the Byzantium with new lore for it’s ever hungry archives on this race of xeno mythology, legend, and history. Each day Princess Twilight of house Sparkle would regale him with the tales of her own life and those of her companions, the events often seamed too fantastical to be believed. Cassius suspected some exaggerations in her telling of events, however she spoke with such conviction her stories may very well be true. “You actually saw the tree produce this latic work construct fully furnished and decided to live in it?” “Yes, and we also later found out this tree was planted by the Pillars of Equestria, legendary heroes from our past.” “The more I learn about this world the more questions I get.” “I’m sorry.” “No, no, no you misunderstand this is wonderful!” Cassius allowed excitement to flow into him as he went on “The whole point of the quest for knowledge is uncovering information by journeying out and finding it. Unlike my colleagues, I see the knowledge inherent to those life forms outside our influence, just by talking to you over the course of these five days I’ve already learned more about your fascinating species then I ever would simply though observation from a far.” By that he also meant dissection. The arch magos lifted one of Twilight Sparkles front hooves and patted the top with a different claw. “I truly wish to thank you for your contribution to my cause.” Twilight awkwardly backed away from Cassius. “Don’t mention it. It really is nothing. But you know so much about us. And yet we know so little about yo—“ “This ‘Lord Tirek’ you mentioned in your story.” The Arch Magos interrupted. “Could you describe him for me? You mentioned both ‘hooves’ and ‘hands’ when relaying your confrontation.” “Oh right, sorry.” Twilight abandoned her own inquiry not for the first time. “Let’s see. He was almost about six times the size of a pony when I first encountered him. Though his size increased the more magic he absorbed. He stood on four black pony like legs, but coming from the spot a head would be was a second torso bracketed by buff red biceps. Like a minotaur. His face was long with a white beard, and two curved horns at the sides of his head.” Cassius paused his recording cogitators. Red skin. Hooves. Horns. Hands. Hatred of magic? It couldn’t be. Could it? If they where here. How much did she know? Did they know? This wasn’t good. This needed to be discussed, but with whom? “Twilight I need to speak with your leader.” “Oh, you mean princess Celestia?” Cassius shook his head. “Negative. I said leader not one with the same rank as you. If you are matriarchal then the one I am looking for would be a ‘queen.’” Twilight tilted her head considering this. It looked like she was trying to work something out in her mind. But soon she just shook her head. “No you’re referring to Princess Celestia.” +++Transmission Concluded+++ > Uplink Eight: Contact IV > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~ “Alright, come on out.” The white unicorn called. Emerging from behind the silken curtain a large form clad in shining white cloak, the threads visibly glistening in the morning sun. From the sides emerged four pink limbs, out of a hole in the back of the outfit was a thin cable like tail ending in a bulky box bristling with needles with a ribbon tied around it. The creature was clad in a glossy white dress with a purple bow tied around the waist. The being examined it self from several angles in the boutique mirror before turning to the white equine, the green orb staring into her soul. “I love it!” Was the response. Rarity let out a sigh of relief. The alien’s body was one of the most challenging design of her entire career. Every one of their bodies was unique, except for a few of them that didn’t talk much. She had been trying for days to get the opportunity to design outfits for them to replace their drab and dirty trench coats and robes, all of them denied her request, except for one. The one standing before her. It wasn’t easy but seeing the customers reaction to her hard work made it all worth it, even if she likely wouldn’t get paid. “The fabric is lined with gemsilk, ensuring it won’t tear or break easily. It also sparkles fabulously as is quite obvious.” Rarity bragged. “Very engaging design.” Shearia responded examining herself from every angle. It seamed she also took particular note of the geometric patterns Rarity had weaved into the lines, the dress maker had taken inspiration from both gems, and a few of Twilights math books. “You said this material is derived from gem stones that you refine into thread with your horn correct?” “Fancy way of putting it but yes.” “This will do fabulously for my research.” “Might I ask you a question?” “I will try my best to answer if I am able.” The tech Priestess bowed her head slightly. Rarity gulped. “Do you know anything about the ponies who went missing in the Everfree Forest before your arrival?” ~~++++ Loading.... Loading.. Loading............. Auto shunt found Designation: Catherine Rank: Primus Magos Dominus Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +Plague of Rust+ the Primus Dominus whispered through the noosphere. They made their way through the grove as stealthily as they cook, keeping their optics calibrated for any signs of local xeno life. Slowly her and her cohort crept through the trees picking the local fruit as they went to later be fed to the equines they still had imprisoned in the Byzantium, they where to only take a few from every tree as to not arouse suspicion in the lands cultivators. This was an area the translator called “Sugar Fruit Hectare”. This was a delicate operation, one requiring the utmost stealth and discipline. Favron 44 streamed. Catherine sequenced her optics with the sub alpha now staring down the scope of a galvanic riffle iron site pointed straight at the head of a terra equine that hadn’t seamed to have noticed them. Catherine streamed over Catherine watched as the young creature meandered about getting momentarily distracted by this and that, the large pink bow tied to the back of it’s head making it an easy target. Favron 44 disengaged the safety on her rifle. Catherine responded without much hesitation. Favron responded, yet she still didn’t lower her weapon. The skitarius still kept the young ling in her sites. Catherine forced emphasis into her words. With that she finally lowered the riffle from her shoulder and continued on the march. Catherine briefly turned to get a better look at the small creature. She couldn’t clearly see it from her position, good that meant it couldn’t see them. At any moment she had to be ready for her orders to change. Transmission Interrupted Loading... Loading.. Auto Shunt Found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Bizantium Deck 78 Uplink successful +Strength and Certainty of Steel+ “This is madness! Why even negotiate?” “Because they have resources vital to our efforts.” Cassius retorted back. “I am well aware of resources present with the amount of crystals present under their capital alone we could arm three entire regiments of guardsmen with las guns, but how does that justify this level of xenophilia with a race that hasn’t even developed functional fire arms? They are no match for us, so why are you playing diplomat when we could be masters over them in but a few days.” Maximal argued. “They are smarter than they first appeared.” Cassius admitted. “Down their I witnessed lumen orbs, pict screens, and vox devises. They may not have advanced weaponry, however they show incredible potential in many things. Also, I sense they are hiding something...” the Magos shook his head “Guided along the right path, they could ultimately prove useful to the cult Mechanicus as potential subjects even.” The tech priest remaining human features where twisted into an expression of object horror as realization dawned. “Your not honestly considering...” he couldn’t even finish it. To think such a thing, it was entirely blasphemous, utterly heretical. And on top of that, it was coming from an arch magos of all places. “That is my decision to make, not yours.” The arch magos stated plainly closing the issue. The matter settled, he scuttled off to the arvus lighter Constantine. The lander was packed with ten Skitarii rangers on each side, most notably the alpha Rohn 44, looking forward to accompanying his lord down to the surface again for this vital diplomatic mission. The landers doors rose up, magnetized clamps engaged sealing them inside as light signaled the pressurizing of the cabin. The Magos mumbled a short prayer and like that the engines began to rumble. [4/6] > Uplink Nine: Negotiations > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Princess Celestia the hierarch of the ponies sat upon a throne of gold awaiting the arrival of the odd visitors from the Everfree Forest. She had no idea what to expect from them, but given her former students description. The “Adeptus Mechanicus” as they called themselves, appeared to be a reasonable if slightly eccentric people, mostly interested in the pursuit and preservation of knowledge, understanding and furthering the scientific method. They apparently valued reason and logic above all things, but still had a few odd tics about them, along with them actually ticking apparently. If that were true then she could see why they would want to meet with her considering she had lead the ponies for well over a thousand years. In that time she had seen and learned many odd things that have never been recorded. She still had a hard time getting a mental picture of them just based on Twilight’s descriptions: “Two to a dozen legs with metal bodies and long red cloaks. Shining claws on some and hairless pink dull fleshy paws on others in place of front hooves.” It was difficult to imagine even for someone who fought the horrors of Discord. Speaking of the Spirit of Chaos, she had wrote him a letter requesting his presence, but had no way to verify if he received it or was just ignoring her. If they truly sought knowledge then Discord was the one creature Celestia knew more knowledgeable than herself. Weather that knowledge was factual was another matter. Another thing that bothered Celestia was the fact that they supposedly came from the Everfree Forest. Granted their were many odd and horrific creatures there that even she had no knowledge of. But she had lived their for many years and believed she had a general feel for the type of strangeness in the forest. In those many years she never met anything close to the descriptions she heard of the Adeptus Mechanicus. A royal guard pony entered crossing the threshold to the throne room appearing most troubled, he swallowed then announced the arrival of one one Arch Magos Cassius of the Adeptus Mechanicus, followed by a long list of honorifics and titles that meant absolutely nothing to Princess Celestia, but she made sure to memorize as to show respect. She smelled them far before they arrived, a smack across the muzzle of something tangy burning, oil with a hint of copper, dust, and ozone. Bone constructs the size of parisprites hovered in first, swinging metal chain spheres where their jaws ought to be, filling the chamber with more of the odd smelling smoke. Two rows of bipedal metal constructs marched forward in perfect sync side by side with one another along the walls of the chamber, bright red hooded trench coats flapping behind them and identical black and white symbols on their breast plates that matched the bone constructs. On Celestia's left, the warriors all wore smooth helmets and carried bulbus metal and gold rode, where as on the right the warriors had hoods and carried wooden and gold sticks. In the middle of the formation, skittered oddest being Celestia had seen. It wore red robes like the other constructs, but it’s spine was arched, and on its back rested various archaic and advanced tools and devices. Inside it’s hood Celestia made out several glowing red eyes hidden in a nest of cables, tubes, and darkness. Behind it was a thinner construct on three clawed legs, in contrast to the larger constructs red eyes and robes; it was clad in all black with emerald eyes on a bowl shaped head. They all stopped as one, and the largest construct tilted its head forward in what was probably the closest thing to a bow of respect its body would allow. Celestia returned the gesture of respect thusly. “I welcome you to our realm and extend my hoof in greeting and kindness towards you.” Celestia then listed off the full list of names and titles the guard had recited before raising her head. “My name is Princess Celestia of Equestria. Co monarch to my fine subjects, I hope your visitation to our lands has most enjoyable so far.” “It has been more than I hoped for.” The being responded in a voice that sounded like it was stitched together from several other ponies. “Tell me magi.” Celestia began to tilt her head. “What is the reasoning for you coming to my castle?” The behemoth construct tilted its head to the side. “I’m afraid that is a private matter unfit for plebian ears,” the creature turned to look at the palace guards “If you would be so kind?” Celestia raised a hoof and the guard ponies bowed their heads before marching out of the throne chamber closing the doors behind them. Arch Magos Cassius seamed to be momentarily surprised by the gesture of trust, but nodded it’s head in approval. “I will speak plainly.” The tech priest began. “We represent a far larger organization covering many worlds, in our journeys we seek to take back what was lost or stolen from us in ages past. However in our travels we have encountered some... shale we say, Great Enemies.” The way Cassius said that made Celestia think he was understating whatever threat he was talking about. Still she let him go on. “Let us be frank.” He continued. “Your world could prove a massive boon to our causes, and our allies, however a certain... restructuring of power would need to take place. Nothing major.” He amended “but the full extent of these changes is unknown even to me. My order is focused mainly on tech and knowledge where as others are on matters of... ‘faith’ shall we say, they aren’t as shall I say, enlightened as our organization and may take offense to your society. If you cooperate we may be able to lessen the burden of punishment placed on you. All we ask in return is access to your raw resources." Cassius clenched one o his many hands into a fist. "In exchange we are willing to trade knowledge as well. Maybe in time some of your numbers may even join us.” His clenched hand opened and he gestured to one of his clock work warriors at the front of a line. ~~~ New Uplink Found Loading.. Loading.. Loading... Designation: Rohn 55 Rank: Skitarii Alpha Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Xeno Capital Uplink Successful +Motive Force+ The Alpha listened to his lords demands of the xeno matriarch, by Imperial/ Mechanicus standards they where incredibly generous offers. Serving as a vassal state was rarely offered to such primitive creatures, not unheard of, but still very rare especially among such a primitive culture, they where basically going to be in a similar position to the Jokaero. The matriarch clearly wasn’t seeing it that way however. “You come to my realm and threaten my subjects under the guise of peace yet conceal threats of subjugation.” The princess stood from her throne, her voice was booming and commanding but Rohn 55 still felt that she didn’t grasp how out matched she was. True her fighting prowess was an unknown variable, but without augments she stood little chance warriors of the Omnissiah. The Princess began to make demands of them to leave her realm and never return, along with passing over any info we had acquired on the whereabouts of her missing subjects. If Alpha Rohn 55 would have been capable of it, he likely would have started chuckling. But he wasn’t, his face was as always an impassive metal mask. Before the Arch Magos, or even the Primus Dominus could respond however, his immaterial geiger counter suddenly began clicking. He whipped around to the source training his weapon on what appeared to be a floating metal plate with two holes connected another solid metal plate by a loop of iron. The archane slab descended revealing a screaming vortex of purple, pink, and black energy threatening to swallow up his very soul as he gazed deeper into it’s hypnotic beckoning depths. Harsh iron interlocking teeth lined its edges. Soon a feline paw emerged from the side, than an avian talon from the other, pulling a twisted serpent like body from the shifting tempest. Unlight silhouetted the beast, none of the creatures features matched one another. It had a long serpentine body ending in a reptilian tail tail tufted with fur, a cloven hoof and drake claw. The chimera raised an avian talon and snapped it, and the rift was no more. A sense of dread filled every one of the faithful present there. Then the creature opened its snaggletoothed maw and spoke. “Terribly sorry for the delay your majesty but I had a matter of ut—“ the alpha shouted interrupting the warp born entity. His warriors followed his will without a second thought loosing servo bullets and radioactive rounds mere nano seconds later. The creature held up a hand and the rounds froze in place they didn’t stop until their clips ran dry. Hovering like meteors in the void, the rounds where frozen in time inches from the beast where it stood without a scratch. Energy crackling off the rounds, then they fell down. The Skitarii classifies getting ready to order another attack as soon as all his men reloaded. The daemon cleans out his ear. “Stop your inessential squawking.” The beast snapped yet again. Rohn 55 felt a phantom grip rap around his body lifting him several feet off the ground, he saw in horror he wasn’t alone, his comrades each hovered around the neverborn. The creature brought its hideous visage close. “You sound like birds, in fact...” the abomination snapped its claw again. Rohn 55 felt a burning sensation throughout his organic components. He looked down, much to his horror he saw cybernetic hands warp and bend. His for arms lengthened and bent like melting candle wax. He felt his internal cybernetics turn to slurry as his torso shrunk and spine curved back, his legs reversed and his feet spread open. All the while his armor and trench coat shrunk with him. Rohn 55 tried in vane to cry out as his rebreather fused with his face on a level no Magos could replicate, it sharpened out into a silver beak. His neck grew and his eyes shifted to the sides of his head, in this way he saw he was not alone in his torture. All the skitarii where now shifting into mutated biomechanical forms. The last bit of Rohn soon left him as his mind shrunk to no more than a lug nut. Rohn was now gone. In his place was a chicken dressed as a Skitarii. ++++CONNECTION LOST++++ New Uplink? [Y/N] Y Loading... Loading.. Loading.... Loading.. Loading... Auto Shunt Found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Xeno Capital Uplink successful +Toys of the Dark Gods+ “That took longer than normal.” the warp born said somewhat amused as the Skitarii chickens pecked the ground. “Usually the effect is instant but here it took a few seconds.” The chimera rattled his hand and a jangling of rocks was heard, “Am I loosing my touch?” The daemon didn’t dwell on it too long as he turned his attention to the servo skulls hovering closer to him. “What are these even ment to be?” He questioned lifting rapping one in his clawed grasp “Imitations of... wait. I’ve seen these.” Cassius reared up to his full height, towering over all in the room even Celestia. The underside of his body bristling with archaic weaponry. Artifacts of war no tech priest could possibly replicate since the days of the Horus Heresy; Volkite, plasma, las, radium, digital weapons, mini neutron lasers, and several others even the arch Magos himself had no name for. He fired all of them at once at the abomination with just one thought from his head. Kill it. Distracted by the servo skull the beast raised a paw by reflex yet again. Several shots froze in mid air, but not all of them. A lance of volkite, an arc of orange lightning, a ball of plasma. These struck true and seared the creatures flesh. Balls of plasma, streams of volkite slammed into the beasts flesh, for a second it staggered back and it's form rippled like a still pond of muck before after a stone was tossed in. The muck resettled into place The daemon winced back clutching its side. “That... shouldn’t happen.” The creature slinked back. “This is impossible. This is not something that... How could you hav—“ “You utter fool!” Cassius shouted “Martian science is the finest in the galaxy!” The creature didn’t notice or care about his declaration, too focused on the fact it was actually wounded for the first time in many thousands of years. “This burn. I know it. I felt it when...” Shock realization spread across his face. “No nonononononono! No! It can’t be. You can’t be here. That’s against the rul—“ Cassius began firing again, the creature blocked less of the shots Celestia covered her ears to block out the terrible noise of the war machines. Not just that, she heard a terrible scream. As much as she tried to block it out it still rattled in her mind. More of the creatures flesh was torn, but instead of blood blue flames poured out. “Witch fire.” Cassius classified. That confirmed it. This was a daemon. “How is this— Aaaaghh!” “I bless my weapons every day. Your false hoods are no match for the power of raw faith.” Cassius spaced out his firing now, allowing for constant bombardment while other weapons reloaded or recharged. Eldritch and advanced beams of light seared into the beast with every shot, with every miss the floor and wall turned to dust or simply melted into a glowing slurry, most of the mutated skitarii were killed by his shots as well. A warning ruin flashed in Cassius's vision informing him that the reactor on his back was over heating and risked melt down. He ignored it and kept up his calculated assault taking slow deliberate steps forward. He allowed a small bit of dopamine to flow through his head for every successful shot, a reward for wounding the creature. More and more it cried out, the lord of the Byzantium took slow deliberate steps forward, believing himself the upper hand. Soon the beast could take the pain no longer and lashed out, sending a shock wave that sent him flying onto his back and up onto the platform the throne rested on, nearly crushing the trembling xeno ruler by inches. He tried to raise some of his weapons and fire again. But safety protocols prevented another shot from leaving the smoking barrels, he cursed. Now it was time for the agent of chaos to make his move. His flesh slinked off in chunks, revealing the beasts true form beneath. An avian hunched creature covered in blue feathers and racked with mutation. The creature couldn't have fit inside the patchwork suit, yet it emerged from it little by little. It rose up, it's neck now hunched as it parted it's lips it spoke with a voice in their heads rather than their ears. The mask slipped off revealing a birds head underneath. The equine monarch clutched her temples and scratched at it her head trying to dig out her brain with her hooves. The words had no translation in gothic and shall not be repeated here or anywhere else. Cassius felt true fear growing in him with every inhuman uttered syllable. Whatever terrible spell it was trying to cast, was interrupted by Catherine. Somehow she over came her fear and was able to act were all others could not. The dominus leapt onto the creatures back and jammed her black vibro blade into it's neck silencing it with one stroke. Though this maneuver was not without a great cost. As now she was at the mercy of the daemon. Who reached back and threw the dominus off. Her body struck one of the palaces many stain glass windows with such force that it shattered instantly, sending her plummeting down the mountain beneath. Multi colored glass rained down the cliffs edge breaking into ever smaller pieces on the way. Her sacrifice was not in vain however, as it allowed Cassius's weapons to cool down just enough for him to fire one last shot into the creature's severed throat, cauterizing the wound and preventing it from regenerating. It tried to speak again, but all that left it's hideous bladed beak were rasps. Franticly it clawed at the scab, trying to get back use of its tong. By then Cassius was on his legs again preparing another barrage. Sensing defeat the Changer fled back the way it came crushing a skitarii chicken that had somehow survived all this time. It tore open a portal with it's taloned claw and dived in, sealing the rift behind him. Cassius let his weapons cool and stared into the spot the creature had entered from. Analizing for any more traces of immaterial energy. "What was that?" The equine monarch asked reminding Cassius of her presence. ~~~ “Where we come from these creatures are called Neverborn." Cassius explained narrowing his optics. "Beings born in the darkness of unreality by the thoughts and fears of those in ours. They crave only destruction and ruin and the blood of all those who worship or despise them. They can not be bargained or reasoned with. Their insatiable apatite have brought down countless civilians.” Celestia’s mind was still trying to grasp what she just saw, so his words didn’t fully penetrate the maelstrom in her mind. They just shot Discord. Discord! And not just shot him. But actually made him bleed. Discord bled in her own throne room. The most powerful being in the universe was wounded by them. "If there is one in your presence, so close to you... their are undoubtedly more hidden among your kind. The spread of their taint is nearly invisible but worse than deadly. That even one so powerful was here invites damnation upon your whole world." He actually managed to make his patchwork voice sound like it was full of regret. "It pains me greatly to say this..." Now she realized they were about to declare war on her people. Her stern appearance crumpled to ash at the shear cosmic horror of such a concept. “Please, we had no idea.” She pleaded, ignoring the blood coming from her ears and staining her coat, she somehow managed to remain standing on trembling legs till now, but at this moment she was kneeling, pleading, begging, anything to prevent the slaughter sure to come. She promised land, jewels, gold, metal, books, livestock, food nothing worked. The Magos's face was an impassive mask of purpose, it didn't speak any further. Just walked forward down the steps of the throne room, his robes waving the wind from the shattered window. Before leaving he paused "I suggest you find somewhere safe princess." Then the door closed behind him and the guards rushed in. ’Safe?' Was that a joke? They stood no chance against them and he knew it. No one did. If Discord, DISCORD! Was hurt, what could they do to stop them? What would they do to her subjects, to her? As her guards questioned what happened Celestia didn't answer. Only wept. They where doomed. +++Transmission Concluded+++ > Uplink Ten: Tactics > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Uplink Found Loading... Loading... Loading.. Loading.... Auto Shunt Found Designation: Theta Pi-66 Rank: Skitarii Trooper Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Mechanicus Surface Base Camp 1-A Uplink successful +Blood of Machines+ The original landing sight of the expedition was full of activity. The sky’s above darkened with the trails of arvis lighters and bulk landers disgorging crates of: Skitarii warriors, dune crawlers, skorpii, and prefab plates, along with both battle and industrial servitors. In the beginning the camp set up had been modest. A few tents for Skitarii and servitors and a flattened area of ground for the landers. Now they no longer had to hide in the shadows of the Forest of Horrors, they could begin to show their devotion to the Omnissiah the only way they knew how. Through industry. The canvas tents were replaced with honest steel and rockcreat barracks and bunkers. Lumbering servitors cut down the surrounding trees or burned away brush, these workers were in turn protected by their much smarter cousins in the legions. Progressively bigger and bigger machines were deposited for the specific purpose of bulldozing away any imperfections in the land. Holes were dug and foundation lay in what would soon become a vast slab of concrete to bring in air support. Eventually a single landing pad would become a massive landing strip, and the big guns could be deployed. Pi-55 watched all this from his post at what used to be the front gate, now it was just part of a layer of defense. Dutifully keeping his hands clutched on the very weapon that was slowly but surely sapping away his life. He knew he didn’t have much longer left, however he still felt an incredible sense of pride. This was what he was chosen to fight for. Uplink Interrupted New Uplink? [Y/N] Y Loading.. Loading..... Loading.. Auto shunt found Designation: Deccius Thrane Rank: Sub Dominus Location: Byzantium Meeting Center 077786 “The War Room” Uplink successful +Let None Survive+ Many levels below the Round Table was the War Room. In contrast to the tightly packed space and circular table of their superiors. The war room boasted an impressive scale and was dominated primarily by a rectangular mass produced hololithic table which currently projected a wire frame outline of the surface of VP- 23336789432, mainly centered around the capital, with red markers for forces of the Omnissiah currently on the planet and white markers for the estimated location of the xenos and their forces. Much of the map was incomplete, with some buildings only existing as box objects outside of the main settlement the tech priests had visited. Around the table sat five dominii or sub dominii. Each one commanding roughly 1,000- 5,000 Skitarii or similar units. Cog wise around was: Sub Dominus Attalade. Renowned for her skills of infiltration and assassination, it was no wonder she had the largest amount of sicarian infiltrators out of all of them put together. Her augments focused on efficiency and subtlety, broadly speaking she looked like an arachnid stretched out into a marionette, Thrane had once seen her put on a human skin suit for an assassination, her spinally body perfectly folded inside. Sub Dominus Kars preferred a more head on and brutal approach, fielding mostly Skorpii and Dune Crawlers, along with slow battle servitors. Unsurprisingly him and Attalade got along the least. Contrasting her subtly, Kars had replaced his legs with treads, and much of his body was covered in plated, with large mechadendrites coming off his back, Thrane even heard a rumor once that his head was nothing more than a puppet for communication, and his true mind lay in his chest under several layers of steel. At one short end of table was none other than Sub Primus Dominus Deccius Thrane, he preferred a balanced approach to war on most occasions, taking what he thought would mirror the enemies tactics rather than counter them, his strategies had a fifty fifty success rate, however he did recognize when a battle was lost and to pull back. Unlike Dominus Xeth on his left, Thrane had suspicions that in another life he was some form of Eversor assassin, always charging blindly into combat damn the consequences, his strategies favored striking hard and fast before the enemy had time to react, then occasionally pulling back so the enemy could have a momentary breadth before attacking again, was it any surprise his preferences lay in the Ruststalkers and Pteraxii? He even modeled himself on the areal troops, sporting a large set of wings and jet pack along with talons and a bird like face with goggles like ancient doctors wore. Then their was Fash Mu-8887, what to say about Fash? For one his body had been altered so much he barely retained human shape, if he even really was a he. The voice used by Fash was always monotone. Thrane wasn’t sure what tactics he preferred on the battlefield, just that Fash had been a Dominus under Catherine for longer than any of them. And that large amounts of xeno tech tended to go missing whenever Fash was involved. He rarely spoke preferring instead to observe and record other people, unless it was to make fun of Xeth. One seat was still empty, at the end opposite Thrane was the spot Catherine would sit, she was the unquestioned leader of their little order, able to determine which was the best strategy of the five they presented, or formulate her own. At the moment they were arguing over who should take her place just as much as what strategy to use. They each didn’t stand a chance against Thrane’s strategy. “We should form a spear head and cut off the head’s of all their leaders.” Argued Attalade her mechedendrites practically shaking with the thought of execution. “Then who would defend them from a side attack.” Kars retorted. “Your ‘plan’ leaves too much of your flanks exposed. We should fortify every base we capture.” “Take too long.” Xeth injected like a poisonous stinger. “I agree with Xeth.” Said Attalade, “By the time we finish one base, they will have amassed a larger force and be ready for another attack.“ “Xeth thinks we keep moving.” Said the Dominus know by that name “Xeth thinks we never stop until all is dead. Xeth plan best.” Fash chuckled to himself, the effect was ominous as with each breath a chilling fog left his lips. “Of course you simpletons can only think of attacking and not the vast array of resources at our disposal.” Xeth slammed one of his upper talons on the table making it flicker. “Xeth not simple.” He squawked “Xeth complex.” “Suuuuuuuure you are.” Dominus Fash pressed. Xeth began scraping his lower talons on the floor. A tick he knew annoyed the other dominii, he didn’t care. In fact he was trying to get them to attack him first just so we could have the excuse. “We make our way straight to their capital and capture it and the gems underneath.” Dominus Attalade continued to lay out her plan moving her forces along the map. Kars face palmed. “You are clearly delusional, there is no way to deploy on the mountain with nearly enough effective troops.” He used his own data spike to delete several companies of Attalade’s icons to illustrate the point. “Along with that, they have several confirmed aerial assets.” Kars added some white icons hovering above Attalade’s army and subtly deleted a few more icons. “How will you deal with that?” His voice oozed smugness. “Xeth will help pretty lady!” Xeth interrupted Kars dumping icons of his own forces above in an attack pattern that made no sense, it was basically amounted to a bunch of scribbles crossing out the hovering pony icons. Fash once again chucked to himself turning to Xeth. “Don’t tell me that mess is meant to be yo—“ Xeth scratched his claw across the table. “Fash, I swear to the Omnissiah if —” “Alright if everyone is done acting painfully stupid, we can start this operation.” Thrane had enough of their pointless bickering and inserted his own spike uploading his plan and pushing aside everyone else’s. “Here is my plan.” Thrane made a ring of troops around the first xeno settlement they visited. “We attack in a omega formation with cavalry at the edges; two lines of Vanguard, three of Rangers, slowly moving in.” He added some boxy icons at the opening of the omega. “Kars can attack from here any that try and retreat across the river. Attalade, you command this side,” he added Attalade’s symbol to one side of the omega, “Fash, this side.” He mirrored the action. “Me right here.” Thrane inserted his own icon at the bottom of the omega. “Once the village is ours we hold it hostage till they surrender, if they don’t...” Thrane shrugged, “use your imagination.” The organic half of Thrane’s face smiled. “Use your imagination, any questions?” Xeth raised his hand, Thrane sighed. “Yes, you can fly around up top and take shots at the ‘groundies’ and kill any aerials trying to escape.” Begrudgingly Thrane added a few icons for Xeth and his men. Xeth brought down his fist hissing a: ‘yes’. They would work out the finer details over the next few hours but for now they at least had a plan that satisfied most of them and gave them tasks to work on. The next local day, their attack would begin. Uplink Interrupted > Uplink Eleven: Attack > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~ General Shinning Dawn of the Canterlot 3rd infantry battalion stood on the field surrounding the Everfree Forest in perfect formation. They were ordered to expect an attack at any moment, so he had drilled his ponies and kept them alert for the past three days now. In that time he had seen many large metal constructs descend from above the clouds and land in the cursed forest. He had considered sending his pegasi to investigate but every time he did they were kept away by the barrels off to the sides of the iron contraptions, spitting fire and tiny round balls at them. Those barley grazed reported intense pain and agony, along with wide holes visible. Thankful no one had died yet however after his fourth pegasus returned with an eye hissing he never ordered another to take a closer look. Thankfully the craft never pursued, only returning to their path once left alone. For three days he watched as they came down then left, always on edge for the attack he knew was coming. In truth the general had never actually been part of a war of any kind. He achieved his promotions through study and wargame exercises. His grandfather told him the stories of his grandfather’s time on the front lines during the third griffin war, and he admitted to only joining to see some action in his younger days. With his mane now turning grey those days of imagined adventure never happened. But now faced with an enemy so utterly alien it stood on two legs, with magic so strange they didn’t even need to cast?... it was a good thing his coat was brown. ~~++ Connection Reestablished Loading... Auto shunt found Designation: Deccius Thrane Rank: Sub Dominus Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +None May Stop Our March+ Deccius Thrane watched the xeno’s army through the lenses of an infiltrator hidden in some flora right in front of them. To even call it a “formation” was laughable. Their organizer clearly had no idea how to properly structure an army, he had arranged all his troops in neat little lines in the middle of a field without any cover. It was possible they had no ranged weapons as their biology had no hands to speak of. Along with that in mind, their armor was clearly ceremonial, made of decorated gold and leaving much or the neck exposed. Their weapons were mainly spears, since they themselves served as cavalry it did make sense. With all the information gathered, Thrane ordered the lone sicarian back, cutting the connection, and began preparations for his spear head march. ++~~ The first thing Shinning Dawn noticed was the shifting of the trees, from the inside of the dark forest they were pushed aside as if some great beast were shoving them aside to make way. Then he saw the beasts. They were unlike anything anyone had seen before, flat faces and cyclopean off centered glowing eyes bulging from slits, from the top several iron spikes jutted, at their fronts some had lights, others stubby mismatched clawed arms, all had four legs but they where that of a crab. They were also bright red contrasting the dark green and browns of the forest, or the bright green of the well tended grass of the field. They smelled of dust and smoke, and moved unnaturally swift for something that size, chewing into the dirt. No matter how their quad legs moved, the main body remained largely stationary. Then as one the alien beast machines stopped and Shinning Dawn finally got a good look at them. At their sides the general saw strong black boxes with metal dishes at the end, the general suddenly realized these weren't creatures at all, they were some form of alien tanks. For several tense seconds they just stood there, unmoving golems with a single glowing eye focused on them. Dawn gulped not sure what to do, several of his solders stood beside him just as afraid as he was. What was he supposed to do? Would they speak? Then their was yet more rustling. Then shining bipedal warriors from the report emerged from the brush, they wore trench coats of red with cog teeth lining their sleeves and edges, some among them also had golden gear plumes mirroring their own helmet design. Before he could even utter a single order all Tartarus broke loose. The walking tanks let out yellow streaks of light that annihilated everything they touched, the silver armored clockwork solders brought those bulbus sticks to their shoulders and let loose a torrent of glowing beams. Anyone unlucky enough to be struck by them found their existence ended almost instantly if they were lucky, if not they fell on the ground in agony as their flesh burned and their fur falling off in clumps. Shinning saw in horror the destruction they reeked, just their very steps were begging to scorch the earth below their feet. They stood no chance and he knew it. He had to think of something, ANYTHING. But soon it was too late. One of the yellow cones of destruction managed to hit him. In a blink General Shinning Dawn thought no more. ~~~ Some distance back Corporal Falcon Streak of the Cloudsdale 2nd squad stood with her ponies forming a defensive line around the river that ran ran between the Everfree Forest and Ponyville. Her solders were trained and disciplined, unlike those pappy softies at the capital. How someone like General Shining Dawn was even aloud to command anything was a mystery she dare not contemplate at a time like this. She needed to be utterly focused on the task at hoof, which was doing everything in her power to defend the ponies at her back with her life. She had ordered all the citizen to remain in their homes, but of course, some curious onlookers had set up picnics chairs. For now she ignored them and remained focused ahead. In front of her was a series of grassy hills, they would have plenty of warning if the first line was broken, which she fully expected it to be, since the incompetent general had moved his forces so close to the forest that four ponies could lay down in a row and reach the edge. "Defiantly going to bite him in the flank later." She mumbled to her self. "ma'am?" A private asked her. "Nothing, just thinking out loud." She said. "Any word from the front line?" "None yet ma'am." Before he even finished, Streak saw a pegasus making their way over the hill as fast as they could. The corporal saw they were clearly in a panic and trying to get as far as possible, she was about to send a squad out to retrieve them, only for a loud pop to ring out over the field and suddenly the unknown flyer was falling fast before crashing into the soil. Streak swallowed, but decided now was not the time to show fear, it was time for bravery. Fear only shown on her face for a heart beat before it was replaced with grim determination. “Prepare for battle!” She shouted. Everyone got into their proper positions, they formed a circular perimeter meaning any enemy would need to spread themselves to attack. Then she saw the metal creatures cresting over the hill. They were monsters in every sense of the word. Crab like monstrosities with glowing eyes and stabbing limbs chewed up the ground. In between them were odd iron bath tubs on balloons gliding across the planes. They passed over the corpse of the fallen pegasi without slowing. In that moment she knew for sure they were doomed. However unlike the late General Shinning Dawn, Corporal Falcon Streak was able to actually think on her toes. Falcon Streak grabbed the same private from earlier by the collar of his uniform and pressed her nose right up to his looking him dead in the eye. “Send a runner to Princess Twilight and tell her to engage plan C NOW!” The private nodded nervously then took off at a gallop. The corporal composed herself, now wasn’t the time for fear. She suppressed her emotions then hovered above the ponies. Giving plans of attack. The first two line would advance and buy as much time as possible while the fourth protected civi’s, the third row was to maintain position for now in reserve. Everypony was too afraid to object, a few were frozen in place. Every one of those in the front line had already resigned themselves to their fate. This wasn't war, it was mechanized butchery. What followed was a slaughter beyond words. Infantry didn’t even get a chance to clash before getting cut down, reduced to piles of smoking black armor by yellow cones of destruction. Walls of blessed iron came hurdling toward them crushing bones. Projectiles the size of pebbles moved at the speed of sound, toppling them over in electrical agony. At the front some of the warriors even possessed strange swords or clubs that dismembered or unleashed caged lightning. In a panic several unicorns accidentally unleashed spells. Slamming the warriors into one another, creating walls or flame or cones of ice. These were the only ones who seamed to do damage. However with how tightly packed the ponies were they often did more damage to their comrades than the enemy. Even worse after they unleashed a spell the metal warriors would then focus their attention on the obviously higher priority target and quickly eliminate them. Falcon Streak saw all of this as she flew over the battlefield. She wanted to join in, help her doomed comrades, save as many soldiers as she could then get out. Their were wounded she could easily grab. But she couldn’t, she stayed behind. She just needed to buy time, as much time as she could afford. She was of no use dead. ~~++ Connection Reestablished Loading.. Loading. Loading......... Auto shunt found Designation: Deccius Thrane Rank: Sub Dominus Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +Our Might Has Come Online+ Decius Thrane torso protruded from the hatch of the Skorpius Tank he rode in. Though he hated to admit it, his organic parts were enjoying the sensation of the clean wind in them. Even if the gravity of this world was still a bit much. The advance of his troops was much slower than he would prefer, due to the worlds abundance of gravity. This meant the blessed rounds of the Omnissiah also traveled much less than they would in Martian standard gravity. Still resistance was light, as expected. His Alpha’s and fellow dominii were reporting minimal resistance, no surprises yet. Aside from the occasional panicked xenos psyker. Ahead was the xeno settlement he had visited just a few months ago. The architecture was abominable, but it had the rustic charm of certain agri worlds he visited. He thought back to his visitation and the knowledge it opened up to him when a sudden flash of pink energy emanated from above the town. A curtain or opaque energy flowed down from above like a waterfall. Deccius ordered his troops to double time, the machine spirit of his own Skorpius disintegrator was pushed to its limits, fans kicked up a cloud of dust, the reactor beginning to over heat. It wasn’t enough thought. Just as the last equine was killed the wall of energy reached the ground. Deccius reached the shield shortly afterwards. As the force field formed he received an icon in his vision alert him about noospheric messages. With a thought he opened it and was met with the voices of his dominii. “What in the Omnissiah’s name is that!” asked Attalade. ”That’s not fair!” Before Thrane could respond Xeth chimed in. “The xenos appear to have some form of shielding technology...” Then came Fash Mu-8887 trailing off into another one of his speculatory rants forgetting the connection was still open. Soon the voice of his alphas and primus alphas came in. "Unknown xenos wall of energy detected, should we proceed?" “My lord, what are your orders?” One asked. “Instructions honorable tech priest?” added another. ”We stand by until new orders are given.” Dominus Deccius Thrane had enough and cut his connection to everyone so his cogitators could think clearly. As his tank slowed to a stop meters from the shield edge and disembarked. Already several Skitarii were going over the wall of force with their auspex and other censors. The leader of the Martian ground forces looked up, the organic half of his face formed a grimaced, noticing the shield was centered on the crystal tree structure with the eight pointed star. Gazing to his right the capital was in a similar pink bubble also surrounding it and cutting off the flow of the waterfall underneath which was already beginning to flood. It had to be some form of void shield. But this appeared beyond anything they were capable of. Void shields took the energy exerted upon them and deflected them back strengthening the shield. The stronger the force, the stronger the shield in that area, however they had two main weaknesses; one being of too much force was applied then the generator would over load. Another being if not enough force was exerted then it was entirely possible to pass through them. With a shield of this size passing through it should be a trivial matter. However pressing his hand against it he found it to be solid as a wall of iron. This confused him but he wasn’t worried. Omnissiah willing they had more than enough ordinances onboard the Byzantium to over load the generator. He ordered three troupers bearing transuranic arquebus to the front row of the formation. Within heart beats the mono pods were set up aimed directly at the wall of force. This would give some idea of just how much energy the shield had. With a burst of binary they fired in sync. However instead of falling harmlessly on the ground their energy spent. The tank piercing rounds were blast back at them, the shield indenting like a wall of gummy. Two Skitarii were struck in the leg by the same round. A third was hit in the chest, bionics and organs exploding outward and coating several in oil and gore. The third round sailed past Deccius’s head. This was going to be more difficult than he thought. Transmission Interrupted > Uplink Twelve: Escape I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- •+• Like most of the time, Sugar Dancer was alone in the dark with the buzzing. He tried several times to block it out. Covering his ears, screaming at the top of his lungs, hitting his head against the wall. It was all pointless, the tone was inside his mind already. Worming around his thoughts like a parasite. A part of him, inside his very soul. Currently he sat in a corner matching the pitch with his own voice, as he has done many times. He could have been asleep, he slept with one eye open now, not by choice, his right eye was now permanent held open with a simple drip providing moisture. There was no way of telling how long it had been since he was taken. Could have been years for all he knew. It wouldn’t surprise him. What did surprise him was the banging coming from the door. For a few heart beats he thought it was imaginary, then the door began to bow inward. Of course this could have also been a hallucination as well. But after that the door came crashing down kicking up a cloud of dust. Standing their was none other than the element of loyalty her self, Rainbow Dash. Badly bruised and with bandages rapped around her abdomen. “Oi, you.” She said pointing a hoof in his direction. I took his wet ware a few more heart beats to recognize he was the one being selected. “Yes you, you see anyone else in here?” Sugar Dancer shook his head from side to side. Rainbow Dash cursed then looked around. “Alright, you’re coming with me that a problem?” “No.” Said the stallion in a slightly scratchy voice, it had been ninety thousand, three hundred and fifty seven, point eight eight repeating seconds since he last had water. As they turned a corner, a lightly augmented robed figure blocked their path holding an iron tray on top of which lay a single apple and a steel bowl of copper tasting water, Rainbow Dash tackled the adept, knocking them out and spilling the water on the floor. “Let’s go, hurry.” The mare ordered. The two equines galloped further down the hall. ~~~ After they left, the low ranking adept reached into their robes and pulled out a palm sized device. Mumbling a quick hymn they held down the activation stud at the top till their thumb was red, only releasing when a single high pitched chime resounded from the device. Lastly they prostrated them self and began reciting the three prayers of forgiveness back to back until a higher ranking adept would show up and ask them to explain why they activated their device. ~~~ To put it simply, Rainbow Dash was not having a good day. Not that the past few months have been particularly pleasant. Originally she was sent by the soon to be ruler of Equestria, her long time friend Twilight Sparkle to investigate the recent disappearances near the Everfree Forest. Given she lost a wing and had to be nursed back to health by the very alien robot creatures doing the fillynapping, that obviously didn’t go as she planed. Once she was able to walk again, the cyan athlete hatched a plan to escape her cell. One even she was surprised worked. But now wasn’t the time to worry about that. All that mattered was getting out of here. And of course, keeping the heavily tortured stallion she found alive as long as possible. Given the state of his body, she could only imagine whatever he had gone through was far worse than anything she experienced. They where just beginning to stick bits of metal into her wing stump, but him on the other hoof, the pony's body was covered in plugs, his mane was shaved and one of his eyelids was removed completely. On top of that he appeared malnourished, how he was keeping pace with her, if slightly behind was a miracle, but none of mattered. They needed to find a way out. Continuing down the corridor Rainbow Dash found that she could run for far longer than she could normally, which was still a substantial amount. Along with that, whenever she jumped it was always much higher than she suspected. The mare had no clue where they were now, but for whatever reason her body felt incredible light. Their were still no windows, but they must be incredibly high up she suspected. Her current plan was to take the stallion she rescued, find the nearest ledge to the outside and jump hopefully landing on some soft clouds. However even finding a window in this place was proving to be as easy as telling Pinkiepie she couldn't have any sugar. Every corridor they turned just lead to another, with no map it was impossible to tell if they were headed to the edge or deeper into the boules of this metal labyrinth. Occasionally they came across another red hooded construct. However they always seamed busy with something else, making them very easy to sneak past or in some cases knock out. After entering yet another metal door in the hopes it was an exit, they instead found themselves on a grated bridge stretching across a vast iron chamber filled with various glowing shelves. Rainbow Dash guessed this was some kind of library for them. They made their way over the grated floor trying to make as little sound as possible to not alert the red hooded creatures below. Most didn’t have as much metal as the beings they saw before. Indeed a great number were even rather plane looking compared to the wild tentacle and spider monsters that patrolled the area they left. Though some still did have the occasional extra claw arm or three. Not even half way across, the door behind them slid open and a group of warriors emerged. Several had those odd stick things, but a few behind were double their height and had their upper limbs pinned behind their backs. The leader one carried a mace in one hand, and brass and steel cylinder made of smaller cylinders in the other. Without a word be pointed the maw at them, and the ninja like tall ones leapt over their brethren. Their tiny hooves landed almost magnetically on the side railing. All four of them removed their upper limbs from their backs, brandishing black humming swords Rainbow Dash recognized all to well. With reflexes matching her own, the slicing androids dashed forward closing the distance in mere blinks, with little time, and no other options Rainbow Dash grabbed the other pony and pushed both him and her self off the edge under the railing, just in time as the vibrating sword cut off a tuff of her tail. The two ponies fell to the library below. ••++ Connection reestablished Loading. Loading.......... Loading.. Loading............... Auto shunt found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Byzantium Specimen Observation Bridge Uplink successful +The Dragon Sleeps+ Biologus Shearia still wore the the dress made for her by the equinus xenos, as she typed on her data pad. She hadn’t spoken a word since Arch Magos Cassius had asked his original question 10.36 minutes ago, so he repeated himself. “How did the specimen escaped Biologii?” Shearia let out a long sigh. “One of my acolytes opened the window to feed Specimen: 12457 when he noticed she was not in her cell." She finally explained sounding annoyed "In panic he forgot himself and opened the door, only for 12457 to then swing down from the door frame where she was hiding and knock out the adept.” The biologus shifted unfortunately then continued on. “Once freed Specimen 12457 made their way down the hall looking for others to help, the only one being Specimen: 12445.” Had Cassius possessed teeth then he likely would have been grinding them in annoyance at that moment. “What usefully knowledge were you able to gain before they escaped?” Cassius asked looking to take his mind off his subordinates failure at containing the xeno. “Ohh a great deal!” She said exited. “For one, though their flesh appears soft, it’s actually all muscle thanks to their home worlds heightened gravity their bodies are incredibly durable.” She scrolled down her notes on the data pad. “Along with that, their dialect is also quite fascinating, they replaced the noun for singular with the noun for their species.” she then scrolled through more of her notes happy to take her mind off the mater of this containment breach “Finally Specimen 12457 was truly fascinating, possessing a unique energy field frequency that, among other things, made her immune mind scarabs—“ “MIND SCARABS!” Cassius interrupted, his rage overtaking his mind. “Uhhh, did I say ‘Mind Scarabs?’” Shearia’s face was now visibly perspiring. “What I meant was, umm, neural plu— *UUuuuuuuuuuugh* *Gasp* *Hhhugghghggbhg*” Before she could utter another word, one of Cassius’s many mechadendrites had rapped around her throat and was lifting her up off the ground. “You dared to bring Necron tech aboard my ship!?” He squeezed even tighter, bringing her mostly organic face so close to his all metal one, he could see it reflected in her eye. “Choose your next words with exceptional care.” He then looses his grip just enough to allow her a single gulp of O2 before she uttered: “I’m... not.... the only one...in this chamber... who has sinned.” Cassius threw her against a wall in disgust, all Shearia could do was laugh as she sat up. “Yes, I still know the real reason you ran away from Mars.” The white robbed broke out into a giggling fit yet again before it descended into coughing. “This doesn’t concern that.” “Even if it didn’t the Mechanicus is full of those who don’t follow the rules.” Shearia finally stood up again. “Fash couldn’t be more obvious in his Xenorites beliefs. The Eldar have had hover tanks for millennia and Cawl just so happens to ‘invent’ some after an alliance is formed? For Omnissiah’s sake; the Lord Commander of the Imperium li—“ A hand smacked across her face and finally the Mechanicus medic shut her heretical lips before she further damned herself. “Apologies my lord I was... I got carried away there.” Cassius turned to leave but Shearia called out to him. “Answer me this.” She began “Apart from me, Catherine was the only other one to have known the truth. Will...” The magos biologus paused fighting back tiny tears “Will I meet her same fate?” Cassius didn’t respond. Instead he just left her alone. Uplink Interrupted > Uplink Thirteen: Escape II [Edited] > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~ One surprising soft fall on to a stack of books later and Rainbow Dash was up again. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said for her companion. Who was now out cold. The cyan athlete had just enough time to hoist the starved stallion onto her back before one of the clockwork constructs landed next to her with a loud clang. It reached for her, on an instinctive level she knew that those claws should never be allowed to touch her. As fast as her body would allow, she arched her spine up, then ducked down. The stallion’s body flew up as her’s went down and the humming talon swiped at the useless air in between. As the gears in the creatures head turned and it got ready to make another move, Dash spun on one hoof sweeping its legs out from under it. The blue flyer couldn’t even gloat, as the other three were now touching down. The prismatic maned mare once again draped the stallion over her back and galloped down away shoving past the hooded figures. By the time she reached the exit the tripped Ruststalker’s body finally hit the ground. ~~~ Once again Rainbow was running through the iron halls at full speed, skidding under legs or tripping as many as she could. Most of the warriors seamed to be busy with other matters, it looked to Rainbow Dash as if they were preparing for battle. Maybe the Canterlot royal guard has shown up to rescue them?... Yea, not likely. Even as she ran she couldn’t help but take in her odd surroundings. Despite the presents of overhead lights, some corridors were lit by nothing but candles. Every once in a while she also came across a sealed door, or a shrine of some kind. It began to occur to her that perhaps these creatures didn’t originally build where ever they were, and just inhabited it. As she was contemplating that line of thought, she made another turn down a rather large hall way with smooth metal floors. Another turn and suddenly she was sliding down a ramp. The ramp had been constructed with those Omnissian servants with magnetic feet, it was definitely not meant for an organic xeno with hooves. The two equines slid underneath some kind of four legged boxy crab thing then came to a stop at the base of the rampart. All around them warrior constructs stood in ready formation and bald servant idiotically continued their menial tasks, oblivious. The chamber was wider than in front, stretching to the horizon at either sides, but ahead was a wall decorated with that strange gear and half metal half bone thing she occasionally saw floating around like parasprites. The whole place stunk of metal, five different flavors of smoke, and spices. The chamber was also full of flying machines of many different types. Some with bat wings, others looked like metal square fish. Curiously they seamed to be in the process of loading the fish with the flying ships, along with strange troops and other contraptions that fell somewhere in between boxy or cylindrical. As odd as the machines were, that was nothing compared to the aliens themselves. All shapes and sizes were represented. Some having thin needle like legs. Others had caterpillar tracks. And some even had hooves, however these seamed to be carrying the two legged ones. Some had faces like the floating parasprite things with those half gear head mane things. They seamed to be the ones in charge of the smaller ones. Much to her horror she saw dozens of the gas mask ninjas, some even wearing robes that made them look like reapers of death, as well as a few that seamed to be wearing bowls on their heads and carried massive forks. For a few seconds they just stared into each others eyes. Than the average sized ones pointed their sticks at her and opened fire. Dodging as much as she could, dashing from cover to cover still hailing around the rag doll of a pony on her back. Then their was a chime and the sound loud mechanical screeching over the speakers. In his sleep, the red stallion began to mumble to himself ones and zeros in a seemingly random order. “01000001 01101100 01101100 00100000 01110000 01100101 01110010 01110011 01101111 01101110 01100001 01101100 00100000 01101111 01100110 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01000010 01111001 01111010 01100001 01101110 01110100 01101001 01110101 01101101 00100000 01110000 01101100 01100101 01100001 01110011 01100101 00100000 01100010 01100101” The screech began just as Dash ducked behind a stack of some barrels three high, some of the constructs stopped firing, though Rainbow Dash suspected that whatever they were hiding behind was very dangerous. “01011000 01100101 01101110 01101111 01110011 00100000 01110011 01110000 01100101 01100011 01101001 01101101 01100101 01101110 01110011 00100000 00110001 00110010 00110100 00110100 00110101 00100000 00100110 00100000 00110001 00110010 00110100 00110101 00110111 00100000 01101000 01100001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01100101 01110011 01100011 01100001 01110000 01100101 01100100 00100000 01100110 01110010 01101111 01101101 00100000 01111000 01100101 01101110 01101111 01110011 00100000 01101111 01100010 01110011 01100101 01110010 01110110 01100001 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 00100000 01100100 01100101 01100011 01101011 00100000 00110001 00110010 00101110 00100000 01010000 01101100 01100101 01100001 01110011 01100101 00100000 01100010 01100101 00100000 01100001 01100100 01110110 01101001 01110011 01100101 01100100 00111010 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 01111001 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01110000 01110010 01100101 01110011 01110101 01101101 01100101 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100010 01100101 00100000 01110101 01101110 01100001 01110010 01101101 01100101 01100100 00100000 01111001 01100101 01110100 00100000 01110000 01101000 01111001 01110011 01101001 01100011 01100001 01101100 01101100 01111001 00100000 01100011 01100001 01110000 01100001 01100010 01101100 01100101 00101100 00100000 00100000 01001100 01100101 01110100 01101000 01100001 01101100 00100000 01100110 01101111 01110010 01100011 01100101 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01001110 01001111 01010100 00100000 01110000 01100101 01110010 01101101 01101001 01110100 01110100 01100101 01100100 00100000 01110101 01101110 01110100 01101001 01101100 00100000 01100110 01110101 01110010 01110100 01101000 01100101 01110010 00100000 01101110 01101111 01110100 01101001 01100011 01100101 00101110 00100000 01001000 01101111 01110111 01100101 01110110 01100101 01110010 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 01101001 01110010 00100000 01110010 01100101 01100011 01100001 01110000 01110100 01110101 01110010 01100101 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01101110 01101111 01110111 00100000 01000100 01100101 01101100 01110100 01100001 00100000 01110000 01110010 01101001 01101111 01110010 01101001 01110100 01111001 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101111 01110011 01100101 00100000 01101001 01101110 00100000 01110011 01100101 01100011 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 01110011 00100000 01100111 00101101 01110110 01111001 00110111 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01100001 00101101 01110101 00110110 01100001 00100000 01100010 01100101 01110100 01100001 00101100 00100000 01101111 01110010 00100000 01110111 01101000 01100001 01110100 01100101 01110110 01100101 01110010 00100000 01110011 01100101 01100011 01110100 01101001 01101111 01101110 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 01111001 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01100011 01110101 01110010 01110010 01100101 01101110 01110100 01101100 01111001 00100000 01110010 01100101 01110011 01101001 01100100 01101001 01101110 01100111 00100000 01101001 01101110 00101110 00100000 01010000 01101100 01100101 01100001 01110011 01100101 00100000 01110010 01100101 01110100 01110101 01110010 01101110 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01110011 01110000 01100101 01100011 01101001 01101101 01100101 01101110 01110011 00100000 01100001 01101100 01101001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01110100 01101111 00100000 01001101 01100001 01100111 01101111 01110011 00100000 01000010 01101001 01101100 01101111 01100111 01110101 01110011 00100000 01010011 01101000 01100101 01100001 01110010 01101001 01100001 00100000 01100001 01100110 01110100 01100101 01110010 00100000 01100011 01101111 01101110 01110100 01100001 01101001 01101110 01101101 01100101 01101110 01110100 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110010 01100101 01100101 01110011 01110100 01100001 01100010 01101100 01101001 01110011 01101000 01100101 01100100 00101110 00100000 01010100 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101011 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00101100 00100000 01111110 01000001 01110110 01100101 00100000 01000100 01100101 01110101 01110011 00100000 01001101 01100101 01100011 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101001 01100011 01110101 01110011 01111110” The pony drowned on and on the same two words, Rainbow Dash suspected they must have messed with his lungs at some point, as he continued on without breaking a beat or even breathing. This began when the screeching started, perhaps they had some kind of magic spell tha— Their was a loud clang of metal on metal. Just as both the screaming and the stream of ones and zeros from his lips stopped. Looking up, one of the dome heads stood above her. It was reeling back it’s arm getting ready to stab her with the fork. Rainbow didn’t even want to contemplate what it did when it touched her, so instead she bucked the barrel, toppling them over. Just then a door behind her opened, and a long legged construct on a hover treadmill dragged by a bald servant came out. Dash didn’t even contemplate the strangeness of this place anymore and instead just ran into the elevator, jumping up to slam the door closed button. By the will of Celestia, the aliens only made it to the elevator just as the doors closed. Rainbow Dash let out a long sigh of relief then pressed the top button and smashed the panel so they couldn’t open the door. Ascending the elevator looked like it would take a long time, she had never seen the outside of the structure, however the lift had many buttons and she had just pressed the top one before smashing the panel. Hopefully now she could take a short nap. ~~~ > Uplink Fourteen: Escape III > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connection reestablished Loading... Loading.. Loading..... Auto shunt found Designation: Cassius Rank: Arch Magos Location: Byzantium Captains Quarters Uplink successful +Sacred Designs+ “Status report.” Cassius ordered. “The xenos shield domes have so far proven impervious to our blessed ordinance my lord.” The emerald projection of Thrane spoke, his voice coming from the servo skull that held his image. “So far three have been observed, one in the xeno settlement closest to the landing sight. One around the capital. And one in the northern region. Aside from that all other settlements are seamingly undefended for the most part. Requesting access to use of Terrax assault drill, as well as higher grade ordinance, to deal with the domes.” “Access Granted.” Cassius said without much thought. “What of the other non equine xenos species present on that world?” ”From what knowledge we have gathered, their was once some kind of empire uniting most of their world with this continent providing the only place free of influence.” Thrane began “However they have now crumbled into several smaller feuding territories seemingly just a short time before our arrival. Currently the Equis empire sits to be the most well organized of them. Though few seamed to have challenged their reign as of yet. Until our arrival of course.” “Fascinating.” Said Cassius as he mentally added to look up this so recently destroyed empire after they had captured Twilight’s books.”Anything to add to your report?” ”Weeeeeellllll.” Deccius Thrane looked away seaminly unsure of himself. Most peculiar. ”The, fauna has been most... strange in recent days.” “How strange?” ”Launching attacks. Not well thought out attacks, but several predator and prey species are working together to harass us simultaneously.” “Most peculiar indeed.” Commented Cassius, try as he might he couldn’t think of a logical reason for the animals of Equis to behave in such a manner, unless... “A psyker perhaps?” Thrane nodded. ”Most likely though we have little evidence.” “Assign Sub Dominus Attalade to the investigation at once.” The arch Magos ordered. “If it truly is a psyker of this capacity, than she is the most capable of handling it. Given her first hand experience with the xenos know as Eldar Exodites.” Deccius Thrane nodded and Cassius could tell the Dominus was already informing her via their noospheric connection. ”Task completed, will their be anything else?” “Am I in the right thing?” Thrane was taken aback by his masters comment. The question almost didn’t even seam directed at him. He almost needed to ask him for clarification. ”I’m... sorry my lord? “Apologies Dominus Thrane, it was just a slip of the tong.” Even though he didn’t have one. ”Of course my lord, whatever you say.” The mood thoroughly awkward, Dominus Deccius Thrane cut the connection. ++~~ “Wake up.” Rainbow Dash awoke still in the elevator being shaken by Sugar Dancer. She then noticed they had come to a stop, and the door in front was opened. “How long was I out?” Dash asked. The stallion shook his head. “I have no idea, I awoke just mere moments ago and found our selves located in this abominable place, then roused you shortly hence.” Dash blinked a few times rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “At least you seam to be doing well enough to talk now.” “Indubitably.” What had he said? Was this guy some kind of egg head? He barely talked earlier, so it was possible. His voice was still very scratchy though. she thought to herself. What is up with the change all of a sudden? At least she didn’t need to carry him. Ahead of them was a hall way leading up to some spiraling stairs. However in contrast to the grimy red and black, warm iron of the facility. The hallway and stairs before them were made of stone and had lit torches on the walls. If she didn’t know any better, she would think that they were standing in the Castle of the Two Sisters, however their were some differences. For one the torches were far too high for a pony to reach without magic, and their was also the height of the stairs. Their were also stained glass windows lining the wall, much like the throne room in Canterlot. With no branching paths, the two xenos make their way to the curved stairway. After a few steps they came upon the first stained glass window depicting a group of the hooded figures and giant colorful robot knights looking up to a swirling golden cloud in a red sky. The next glass mural they saw depicting a figure in golden armor and a black mane standing in front of a golden city with the same hooded figures looking on. The flyer couldn’t help but compare the figure in some way to Celestia, given his obvious likeness to the sun. Then the next window after that showed the figure shooting one of the giant knights in the leg with a beam of light, a circular x ray showing the inside of the knights knee and the silver circuitry within. Another window showed them all bowing to the figure, now towering over them and sporting a set of mechanical wings with an even larger halo. A little ways on was the largest window, taking up the space of two of the other windows. It showed the golden armored figure sitting on a throne of gold on a bed of wires and cables. To his left was another golden armored figure. Though his was less decorated and he wore a cone helmet with a red tuff of hair sticking out the top. However what was most striking was the golden figures face. Directly in the middle of the window, his head was now one of bone with half of it machine and a gear behind it. Was this the man who’s face was stamped all over this place? Though she didn’t have much context for the figure, not even knowing his name or even what had truly happened, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but get a feeling of loss looking up at the window. Though as to why she couldn’t say. She hadn’t known this man, this was the first time she had seen him. Yet, those eyes, one black and cold the other red and hot. She turned away, they wouldn’t get anywhere if she just kept starting at a stain glass window. The last window was strange, it didn’t follow the same pattern as the others, probably added later and felt tacked on by another artist. It showed one of the knights in greater detail, stomping and slashing at a floor made of something purple and black with many eyes and mouths, above him the half mechanical half bone sun radiated down upon the knight. Unlike the other ones message of loss, this one was meant to convey a message of duty and loyalty, even she could tell that it being her element and all. After staring at the murals they went up the stairs, a few steps up their was a simple wooden door with well worn iron handle. Again Rainbow Dash wondered just what this place was. The stairs kept going up in a spiral, however when you saw a door like this, you just had to peak inside. Pushing open the door, bright light spilled out into the dim hallway. The room was made of the same stone as the outside, the first thing she noticed was the giant horned skull hanging from the wall opposite her. The thing was probably big enough to eat a minotaur in one bite. The next thing she saw, was the alien in silky white robes sitting at the table at a table holding a gas of something red and smelling of grapes. He wasn’t made of metal like the others. Instead he was bald and pink, with the exception of short black hair coming from the top of his head, along with a goatee and mustache. Next she noticed the golden plugs and tattoos on his flesh. These weren’t the plugs of the stallion next to her though, grey and surrounded by scar irritated tissue. These had long since healed the flesh around them, and allowed the bits of metal to become part of the skin. For a while the three of them just stared at one another. Not really entirely sure how to react to the site before them. Then the alien broke the stand still by shrugging and offering the ponies glass of the red liquid. Dash shook her head then slowly backed away closing the door. “So we’re just going to ignore that?” Asked Sugar Dancer. Dash nodded. The two made their way further up the tower. Their weren’t and more stained glass windows or normal windows for that matter. But eventually their was another door at the top. The stairs could take them no further so the to equines exited. In front of them was a sight that made their jaws drop. The room was indeed the top of the tower as they had intended to reach. However it wasn’t open to the air. Instead a crystal dome surrounded the top of the tower. Inlaid into that dome were various gold and metal rings that criss crossed one another. Along the inside were lines and symbols acting as measuring points. Several magnifying glasses were also present. The craftsman ship in the dome must have taken years to master. Several gem encrusted cogs were also visible in the design, because of course they were. The design was perhaps the most beautiful sight Rainbow Dash has ever seen, seconded only by what lay beyond. Below was a city, perhaps the largest city Rainbow Dash had ever seen, even Manehatten would look like a small country town by comparison. Even then, it wasn’t just the city it self, but the architecture. Manehatten had tall buildings sure, these were on another level. Instead of concerete and glass blocks, they built this place to resemble both a church and a factory. Sweeping flying buttresses, needle thin towers, mountain sized temples, gothic architecture, and all of it covered in lights and pipes. It was as though sompony took several Castle of the Two Sisters, kept building on top of them, then changed their mind and decided to make a factory instead, but instead of starting over, they just kept on going and going. The city of metal didn’t go on forever, it had a horizon that was closer than normal. Beyond the edge was a never ending veil of stars. The rings in the dome magnifying certain points to appreciate the space in between. It was sublimely beautiful. The curtain of stars streaked across in waves of light surrounding the dark spiky city. The city was active in the dead of night, even from way up here she could make out silhouettes moving about. But even that wasn’t the end. For far above them was an all to familiar green and blue ball. They weren’t beneath Equestria as she had originally thought. They were far far above it. The whole world lay in front of her in more detail than any pony made map could possibly replicate, she started to cry. Weather that was from the beauty or the terror would remain a mystery. As Sugar Dancer chose that exact moment while she was distracted and her back turned on him to knock her out with a well placed hoof blow to the back of the head. Her vision blurred and her head filled with fog, she blearily turned around, and received a second hoof strike to the face, then the world went sideways. As darkness creeped around the edges of her vision, she saw the stallion she risked her life to save walk away from her unnoticed, then pressed a hoof to a device on the wall and began speaking into it. The last thing she noticed was his eye. The one permanently clipped open was now glowing an emerald green.... Transmission Interrupted > Uplink Fifteen: Surprise > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Uplink Found Loading..... Loading... Loading.. Auto shunt found Designation: Deccius Thrane Rank: Sub Dominus Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +By the Omnissiah, I will find a way.+ The forces of the Machine God had, in all things remained dogmatic in their duties. Never stopping in their mission till the job set forth before them was done. For the past 18 days the servitors had dug a network of trenches and defenses around the shield bubble. The trenches were constructed precisely because during their entire bombardment, every single attack they made had been bounced off right back at them, the only thing to leave the bubble, was the occasional wisp of green flame, always darting to one of the two other bubbles, likely some form of communication. Craters and scorch marks now dominated a radius around the dome, the once picturesque green fields and rolling kills were now replaced with sand bags, bunkers, craters, and orderly trench lines. To the north, bulk mining equipment and greedily plunged their sucking drills into the sides of the mountain face the capital rested on. Dunecrawlers and skitarii rangers scaled the cliffs towards the capital. All the while Archaeopter fusilave's streaked across the sky, disgorges their payloads, and left for resupply as their bombs bounced harmlessly off (undetonated in some cases) and rained death on their own allies. Thrane looked through magnoculars into the pink dome, once again he knew with certainty the eight pointed crystal star at the domes center was mocking him. Inside the xenos had set up barricades just along the perimeter. A crude and throne together barricade made of furniture, and whatever loos boards and trees were inside at the time. Though it was mildly impressive they managed to set up sand bags in certain places. The xenos resistance would crumble once the damn shield was down. It was only a matter of time, for his plan to fall into place, and step one was was already in motion as sure as the cog turned. "My lord." a voice behind the dominus asked. Thrane turned and saw it was Kars. "Do you not think this amount of force is a bit, excessive? Should we not focus our efforts on the other settlements that remain unshielded? Or even redirect these forces to the capital siege?" Thrane fought to hold back his rage at the notion. "When dealing with these xenos, their is no such thing as 'excessive force.'" Thrane said gravely. "Despite their outward appearance, They're abilities are not to be underestimated." ~~~THREE WEEKS AGO~~~ Dominus Deccius Thrane stood in the xenos settlement, even back then taking in all the data he could on potential weaknesses should the Arch Magos decide to mount an attack. To one side he saw Fash engaged in a conversation with one of the aliens, in hindsight he probably should have been suspicious of that, but it was put out of his mind for now. Their were a great many of strategic weaknesses, open spaces, large alley ways, wooden buildings, the most defendable positions appeared to consist of their capital building, and the crystal tree. The eight pointed star at the top brought him back to memories of fighting traitors. He marked them as potential hold outs on hi-- "Hey what are you doing!?" A high pitched xenos asked him, surprising a tech priest who had fought the Night Lords. His body twisted 170 degrees and he tilted his spine downwards to see a pink equine with incredibly fluffy mane. The horse beamed up at him with those massive eyes that took up most of it's skull. For several moments he considered feigning he did not recognize their language, as many of the tech priests that came down here indeed didn't. Then he considered the potential tactical information that this one could provide. They live in these villages, perhaps they could reveal many weaknesses he couldn't see with an initial inspection. However before he completely ran through both potential scenarios in his head, the xeno unexpectedly lunged at him and pressed it's nose directly against his rebreather, rapping it's forelegs' around his neck in an embrace. "What's with the half metal face?" It asked, the creatures breadth invading his nostrils with the foul smell of... sweets? "Couldn't decide if you wanted to be a robot or not so you went with half in half out? Ooooooh I live playing halvsies!" The xenos let go of it's embrace and landed perfectly in front of Thrane. "Have you ever had a half chocolate and vanilla and half mint brownie pie?" The equine asked. Before the dominus could respond the xeno had already zipped behind him and was tugging on his robe. "Oohh I love these dresses you guys wear, they make you look like red ghosts." She then brought the robe to her muzzle and sniffed it. "Blech, they smell like dust and oil though, why do you even wear them?" Again before he could answer the the pink horse interrupted. "Ohh, sorry I'll get you that Coco- Vall- Min- Brownie pie right away." And then the creature zipped away leaving behind a puff of smoke vaguely in its shape. Thrane was left utterly speechless as to what just happened. He then noticed a skitarius ranger holding one of the frosted xenos delicacies while his pink feeding tube sucked it down. The ranger looked at him and froze, then slowly backed away acting as though he didn’t notice the dominus. Thane again wondered what this place was doing to his men, then looked up into the crystal palace and saw a figure looking down at him. ~~~THE PRESENT~~~ Starlight Glimmer looked down at the street of Ponyville and let out a long sigh. For almost two and a half weeks the invaders had kept dropping bombs, firing rays of light, and casting lightning at their shield non stop, the domed sky rippled like water at all these attacks. Twilight Sparkle had been locked in her room for all that time, using all of her energy to keep up the barrier, only Spike was aloud to enter, bringing food and occasional sending a message. From what he said, Twilight was in a near constant state of meditation and had gotten almost no sleep in almost three weeks. That left Starlight Glimmer reluctantly in charge of leading the sheltering residents of Ponyville. As much as the former dictator was loathed to admit it, she was a natural leader. Her past experience leading a village in a lifeless wasteland also made her an expert in rationing limited resources when cut off from the outside world. She tried to delegate as much of her tasks as possible, emphasizing the point that she was not the soul individual in charge and was merely filling in for the princess of friendship while she was indisposed, however whenever their was a problem they always went to her, and many thought of her as the leader. Starlight Glimmer was the most qualified to lead, Mayor Mare was... not doing to well, it hadn’t even been a full day and already she was talking about cannibalism, putting her in charge of paperwork seamed to calm her down though. Being in charge at least distracted the unicorn from the existential threat the invaders posed, at least somewhat. She desperately hoped this nightmare would end. That at any moment she would wake up in her soft bed, without Ponyville under siege, and all the missing ponies would be their to. But with each passing day and rising tension, that possibility seamed to drift further and further away. She had no idea how long Twilight could hold a shield spell this big for, but it probably wouldn't be much longer. Why did it turn out like this? What had she done to deserve this? Had her own personal sins really warranted the the suffering of others? Rainbow Dash, was she still even alive? As she contemplated this she felt the ground shake a little and noticed a slight bulge forming in the ground. What was it now? ~~~TWO MINUTES AGO~~~ Uplink Reestablished Loading................. Loading....................... Loading............ Loading................... Loading.......................... Auto shunt found Designation: Dravak Rank: Enginseer Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +I hold the secrets of the machine+ Enginseer Dravak knew this was a suicide mission. Why else would they put him in charge of a group of disposable servitors rather than highly trained skitarii? However he didn’t complain when Dominus Thrane gave him his orders and told him to board the Terrax assault drill. He did as he was ordered, because that was what the Omnissiah willed of him. The drill was on a pre programmed course that was nearing its end. Dravak took this time to check/ bless his gear and the instruments of destruction the servitors wielded. He was the furthest from the door as his duty required him to be the most protected. The Termite drill’s cabin shook, then it’s incline leveled out with a slam, the subterranean craft coming to a stop. The doors slid open with a hydraulic hiss, the pressurized air equalized with the alien world, and the automaton servitors began their work. Surprise was total, all around them the panicking xenos were being butchered. Smashing and burning everything in their paths the servitors opened up on them without pity or remorse. After a while Enginseer Dravak finally left the cabin, slowly his organic eye adjusted to this worlds tinted sun, this was his first time on this world. All around him the sky was pink and rippling like an ocean. The shield bubble was indeed impressive to have stood up to such a torrent non stop for so long. Privately he thought that perhaps their methods could be adapted in some way to serve their own needs. Looking down he saw the corpse of a xeno and sneered under his rebreather. It was utterly disgusting, walking on four legs with enlarged eyes and a disproportionally large head, even the things colors hurt his eyes. He reminded himself that anything a xeno made would always be inferior to the creations of the Machine God, and brought down a metal boot onto its skull, crushing it in seconds. That out of the way, he pulled out a data slate and started his mission while the servitors kept the equines at bay. He was just about done with the final preparation when he heard a loud popping noise, almost like air particles being shoved out of the way of a teleportation. The tech priest turned and saw a light pink xeno with a dark purple mane highlighted by a light blue streak. A servitor with a servo claw noticed the sudden appearance and lunged at her, quickly the psyker’s horn glowed, and it shot a beam from it that instantly vaporized the servitor. Then their was a flash and the xeno was gone. Their was another pop and the xeno was behind a flamer armed servitor, again it shot another beam and the construct vanished, it then called a bucket of water into being and doused the flames, vanishing yet again. A third pop and the xeno took out two more servitors before vanishing again. Another pop, another servitor gone, another flash. Another pop, another disappearance. Another pop, and gone. One by one Dravak watched the beast teleport as though it was nothing, struggling to keep up, till he realized the only one left was him. He drew his side arm and readied his axe in anticipation. A second past, then another, then another, then a third, then a fourth... Finally their was a pop. Dravak whirled around to fire his las pistol, but it was too late, and the blue beam struck him right in his chest, then he was gone. Uplink Interrupted New Uplink? [Y/N] Y Loading.. New Uplink Found Loading... Auto shunt found Designation: Deccius Thrane Rank: Sub Dominus Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +Iron Fist+ Thrane and Kars had watched the whole exchange from outside the dome marveling at how fast the xeno teleported. CLANG! Soon after the first servitor disappeared they heard a loud clang from being and to the right of them. THUMP! Then another thump when the second disappeared. Then a third thump. It didn’t take them long to figure out that it was raining servitors, one by one the bodies fell. CRACK!!! The last body landed right on the edge of the trench with with a very painful sounding crack. “How did the surprise attack go?” Asked Thrane. Responded the bent tech priest through the golden text of the noosphere. “You alright Enginseer Dravak?” “Of course old friend.” Thrane nodded. “Did you manage to leave behind the servo skull undetected?” His organic eye rolled back while his bionic one blinked a few times, then his gaze again returned to the Dominus. “A fine job soldier.” Commented Thrane carefully removing the slate to check it wasn’t damaged from the fall. “With this, we ca—“ Another voice interrupted. It was a Skitarii ranger with an enhanced data tether. The tech guard rushed through the trench, antenna waving about. "Well that avenue of attack is closed off." Commented Dominus Kars, only to turn and see that Dominus Deccius Thrane was practically grinning. "After this attack they will now be expending double their energy to protect them selves." Announced Thrane, "Along with that their moral will be almost certainly shattered from the phycological effect." Kars gaped speechless, before regaining his voice again marveling at his fellow dominii genius. "Not only did you weaken their resolve, you've cut their energy supply, and defenses in half to cover their flank. As well as implement a way to spy on them." "And all without a single casualty." Added Thrane not even trying to hide the emotional pleasure he took in his own genius. The data tethered skitarii pressed a finger to his ear, receiving a new data packet. Reported the Skitarius. "That confirms they can control the weather." Thrane already began reallocating troops to the east, as well as formulating a plan do deal with both the fauna, and the weather control device in the north. This war was far from over. Uplink Interrupted > Uplink Sixteen: Assassination > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Uplink Found Loading..... Loading…... Auto shunt found Designation: Tevassi IV- Sigma Rank: Sicarian Infiltrator Alpha Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +Psalms of War+ The sky above was pitch black, any stars that would normally be shining from the heavens were obscured by a storm crafted by xenos. Rain hammered down in thick sheets throughout the pitch black forest soaking everything, the only illumination coming from the occasional flash of lighting strike, exposing the tall lengthy forms of some 30 Sicarian Infiltrators and Ruststalkers. Slowly and delicately, the cyber assassins crept through the storm. Their iron hooves sinking into the mud. Unlike their brothers and sisters in the Vanguard or Rangers, they required no lamp to see. Instead relying on info red or night vision, illuminating the darkness with the faint glow of there optics. Alpha Tevassi watched as his troops carefully moved, his chem treated cloak soaked with this worlds pure rain fall. Their squad was given a simple mission from Dominus Attilade herself: ‘Find the source of the xenos fauna attacks and eliminate it’, never suspecting one among them had another objective, regardless of this stealth was invaluable for their goal. He so wished to see his Dominus perform again, but she had other matters to in attend to, in a land far to the east of this one. No matter, Attalade would be pleased by his work. In the flash of yet another lightning strike, they witnessed their first obstacle. A large spotted feline stalked the grounds ahead of them. It’s damp fur rippled with taught muscles beneath as it prowled around. Without a word, two ruststalkers intercepted and decapitated it before it could even register that it wasn’t alone. Unceremoniously they moved on, now taking point, scanning the darkness for more creatures. Finally Tevassi reached the edge of an artificial habitat, inside was every manner of beast this world had to offer. Some with fangs and paws, others poisons and scales, many of the beast were clearly prey animals to the larger ones, yet they un naturally huddled together sheltering from the storm. It was clearly the work of some form of witchcraft. Keeping all these beasts in the same area and preventing them from attacking one another as their instincts should permit. The habitat was a lazy construct, any fences long since destroyed or now lay open, this land was tainted with a perversion of the Machine Gods grand design. Tevassi sent a data packet, informing the other squads he was in position. Once conformation was received in tern, they moved down the hill, extermination all animals in their path. The rain hid their sent from most of the animals. Along with the pattering mostly hiding the hum of the Ruststalkers vibro blades, however it didn’t hide the white noise of the Infiltrators. Their domed heads broadcasted a wave of death, those animals with heightened hearing proved most vulnerable, pawing at their ears as blood trickled out. Some of the smarter creatures realized what was happening and stuffed mud in their ears, a few even doing the same for the larger beasts before they expired. The animals still breathing were now on high alert, scanning the darkness for signs of danger. Only for blades of darkness to slice into them or their comrades. The hum of black blades, and crackle of power swords, lightning and taser goads filled the night, sometimes followed by the pop of a flechette blast. Every once in a while an animal would get lucky and manage to bite or swipe just as a skitarii was there. Once that happened they would then dog pile on it, ripping into its suit and skin. Sacred martian blood and holy oil mixed with the tainted ichor of xenos predictors and prey. The more this happened the more chaotic the night became, wave after wave of animals woke up and swarmed the machine gods chosen with reckless abandon for their own lives like insects protecting a queen. Swarms of animals came after them, blood dribbling from their ears and noses, but they fought on through the pain determined to attack even at the cost of their own lives. These swarms of animals were effective but unsustainable, still the flow of bodies appeared for now to be endless. The more the Ruststalkers cut and sliced the more appeared. The more of the smaller creatures the Infiltrators shot, the more rose up to take command. Wave after wave of the beasts came upon them without limit. Then the end was in sight Tevassi IV- Sigma’s servo skull relayed a chime to him. He turned his domed head and saw their prize in the distance. An overgrown cottage, almost appearing to be another hill in itself, were it not for the large windows clearly glowing with light. Tevassi ordered his troops into a new chevron formation, with their tip aimed squarely at the habitation. Once the xenos minds realized their goal they somehow found yet even further strength to continue pushing back. The tide of animals was relentless and seamed to defy logic. Surely this amount of animals in one place would turn any natural ecosystem into a wasteland devoid of plant life. Soon Tevassi had enough, he leapt over his squad, then planted one foot in the skull of a horned creature, then another on a large vulpine, and finally his third leap landed on the back of a gargantuan lizard before finally stomping into the mud. All the glory would be his, he alone would cut the head off the snake. The alpha made a mad dash for the cottage door digi legs taking just a few steps to reach the entrance, only for a furry white missile to strike him. The Sicarian infiltrator alpha tumbled down the hill into a stream over flowing up to his knees and looked up, on the high ground was an albino rabbit eyes red with rage. The beast snarled at him foam dripping down clearly this beast was feral, but it would be easily dealt with. Without hesitation the beast lunged, Tevassi tried to raise his power sword, but somehow the beast was already gnawing on his shoulder before he had time. In desperation the alpha infiltrator let go of his flechette blaster and grabbed the scruff of the beasts back, ripping of the white leach. As he tore it off, the bunny took a chunk of flesh with it, the stained red creature then kicked Tevassi right underneath his domed helmet, breaking free of his grip as he was disoriented. The alpha had never fought anything like this. His closest comparison would be a tyranid ripper, even then he had never fought one. However even then those creatures where mindless, where as this one definitely had the spark of intelligence behind those eyes. Now free from his iron grip, the creature landed on a rock then rocketed up to slam into him yet again. As he devoted more of himself to fighting this creature, he failed to notice a lone ruststalker enter the cottage. Uplink Interrupted New Uplink? [Y/N] Y Loading….. Loading.. Loading……. New Uplink Found Loading... Auto shunt found Designation: XV- 999 Rank: Sicarian Ruststalker Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +Modus Operandi+ XV- 999 crept into the cottage, the floorboards creaking under her steps, every step leaving a muddy hoof print. Her red and black armor was wet with both water and blood. She was armed with a chord claw and vibro blade. Before her was a vision of the utmost heresy. On the ground drawn on in animal blood was a circle, in the middle was a symbol, lining the outside of the circle was nine other circles each with a unique symbol drawn inside. And above it all was a yellow and pink equine floating in a bubble of raw physic energy stirring in a slumber no doubt full of laughing daemons. <~~cccccccc~~~…..epe@%t d0 $ou copy?> an all to familiar voice rang through her augments. It was the voice of her master. Not that alpha outside. This was her true master. One she followed even above the Arch Magos known as Cassius. XV- 999 responded. She had distracted the Alpha by hurtling a small ravenous xeno at him, and made sure to pick her moment to leave when the fighting was thickest so no one would notice. The voice responded. The Ruststalker walked around the circle a few times, then relayed her findings. Responded the voice. XV- 999 didn’t ask who he was, if it was important to the mission, then her master would tell her. XV- 999 responded. The master thought. XV- 999 reached into her pocket with her chord claw and pulled out several black stone pebbles with circuit like ruins carved on them. She looked down then hesitated. He interrupted. The tech guard did as she was told, placing the correct ruin stone on top of the right symbol as ordered. Once all the pebbles were in place she played the audio file included in the instructions. The ruins on the pebbles glowed with an unnatural emerald light, then solid beams of the light shot up six feet, and branched off forming a daisy chain with the other rods around the bubble. Beams them shot into the circle forming three dimensional ruins that crackled with power, dissolved then was replaced with yet another complex design. Then repeated three times before finally the bubble popped, freeing the xeno. XV- 999 caught the xeno in her deactivated chord claw. She said, cradling the alien like a mother might a child. Her master commended She repeated. The Sicarian Ruststalker then leapt through the back window. By the time the area was purged and another skitarii made it into the cottage, their was no sign of them aside from a ritual circle made of dried blood which was soon put to the torch by Tevassi, who declared victory to his master. Uplink Interrupted [5/6] > Uplink Seventeen: Flight I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ~~~ “Pegasi of Cloudsdale! Over these past few weeks a force of unknown invaders from the Everfree forest calling themselves ‘The Adeptus Mechanicus’ has been in the process of capturing town after town and kidnapping our brothers and sisters on the ground. The cities Canterlot, the Crystal Empire, and Ponyville have been protected by their respective princesses underneath bubble shields, however it is unknown how long the four princesses will be able to hold out. In over a thousand years Cloudsdale has never been conquered, largely thanks to our position, we have little reason to fear this war will be any different. However this does not mean we are abandoning our cousins on the ground. We have attempted to stall their advance with regular storms as fast as we can churn them out. However these efforts have had mixed results, despite being made mostly of metal they have little to no aversion to water, however this doesn’t mean they can not rust. Should our efforts continue I am confident—“ “Umm… Captain Spitfire?” The captain of the Wonderbolts turned to her side prepared to reprimand someone for interrupting her. Only to find it was Soarin. Spitfire blinked, then looked back to the audience, they weren’t soldiers, they were civilians. Scared stallions and mares, likely with friends or in some cases family down on the ground. She didn’t need to go on that big long speech, they weren’t going into war. Just stick to the basics. She coughed then continued. “I’ll cut this short. We need more water for the Cloud Factory so every pegasi is being drafted to form a tornado. A vanguard will be sent to protect you during this time. Admiral Storm Front will take over with further instructions. Dismissed, Altius Volantis” … The two wonderbolts made their way down the white cloud hallways, the captain following behind her subordinate as they went. Soarin didn’t talk, he didn’t even bother to look at Spitfire. “What’s on your mind Clipper?” Soarin remained silent for a while before finally speaking. “You are lying to them.” He said darkly. Spitfire froze, surprised they the stations dark mood. “Excuse me?” “The invaders.” He continued walking, and soon Spitfire had to gallop a few steps to catch back up. “You’ve read the reports. They’re not from the Everfree. They come from far above.” Spitfire let out a sigh. “They don’t need to worry about what’s going on above their heads.” The captain continued “If they were sta—“ “It’s still a lie thought!” Soarin snapped whirling around on his commanding officer. “If they panic then nothing will get done.” She tried to reason, even as she started shaking slightly. “They’ll all be too afraid to even—“ “How many? Hmmm?! How many do you think are dying right now on the surface not even sure as to why!?” The blue stallion pressed into Spitfire, he was clearly not in his right mind. “What do you think they want with us?! They sometimes take prisoners, and sometimes slaughter whole towns for no reason! Every one of their commanders in maddening to look at, with no way of knowing what goes on underneath those robes they all wear! They command terrible beasts that can kill at a glance!” Soaring now started laughing hysterically “Some even look like us but snort fire and carry them around!” Spitfire’s flank now pressed against the cloud wall, Soarin was so close now she could see the veins in his bloodshot eyes. Had he stayed up all week? She suddenly noticed how skinny he looked, his bones were jutting out of his skin tight uniform. When was the last time he ate? “And that’s not the worst of it! Oh no! The worst is they keep coming!” Soarin twirled a hoof in the air. “Down and down from up above. Always coming, it won’t ever stop. Bringing bigger and bigger toys each time.” Again he started laughing. “Soon enough they’ll crush us like the ants we are!” Just when Spitfire was beginning to fear for her safety, Soarin was tackled by three pegasi and dragged away kicking and screaming. “Shame to see them snap like that.” A gruff stallions voice said behind her. Admiral Storm Front was one of the most decorated officers still in service today, a veteran of the forth Griffin War, everyone knew and respected him. Captain Spitfire gave a quick salute which the admiral returned. “Will um… will he be alright?” He didn’t answer, and that was all she answer she needed. “Any word from the griffins?” She asked. He huffed, still a bit annoyed that we had to rely on ‘those feather brained back stabbers’ as he put it in the meeting. “No word back yet.” He grumbled. Spitfire nodded, then looked down the hall. She had known Soarin since they were foals. Seeing him like this… “Are the civ’s ready?” Storm Front asked reminding the mare their were more pressing matters at hoof. “Yes…” she said distantly. The admiral straightened his uniform. “If you ever need anything...” Spitfire just shook her head. “I just… I’m gonna get some air.” He nodded and stepped out of her. Technically she had another meeting to attend, but he didn’t stop her. … Spitfire soared around the edge of Cloudsdale for a few laps trying to clear her mind. Her father had been her reason for joining the Wonderbolts. He always regaled her with stories of his time in service, now she was… She noticed something odd, an all to familiar grey and blond pegasus was staring out over the edge with a set of binoculars. Spitfire landed next to her and approached cautiously. “What are you do—“ The wall eyed mare shoved the binoculars into her hooves and pointed in the direction she was staring. Spitfire was confused, but interpreted her meaning. Looking out she saw a few black specks with bat like wings headed their way. Straining her eyes she could almost make out what looked like… her blood suddenly ran cold with realization. “Oh buck.” ~~~ > Uplink Eighteen: Flight II > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Auto shunt found Designation: Gamma Theta IV Rank: Pteraxii Skystalker Location: Unknown World assigning designation: VP- 23336789432 Uplink successful +To Speak As One+ Far above the world of Equestria, Gamma Theta IV sat in an Archaeopter Transvector with the rest of his squad, by sheer chance it also happened to be the one shared by Dominus Xeth. This was the first time the Skystalker had been this close to the Dominus, he was very excited to prove himself in front of his master. Rather than sitting on one of the benches like the rest of the squad, the raven like tech priest instead stood gazing out the windows of the Archaeopter, waiting for his moment to leave its confines. Inside the aircraft Theta IV could tell he felt as though a caged bird of prey wanting nothing more than to leap out and hunt as many xenos as possible. And for that very reason had he had wound up in Theta IV’s Transvector, right at the spear tip of the formation. As soon as the lumen above the door activated, Dominus Xeth slid the door open so fast sparks flew and leapt out of the cabin fast enough to leave behind claw marks. Gamma Theta IV was left scrambling to stand up, check his pack, deactivate the safety on his carbine, and then jumped out through the very same door. Before the pteraxii was a mountain of clouds swarming with pastel colored xenos like some kind of hive. He could make out columns and structures crafted from pure white in the style of the ancient Romanii. Cocking his weapon he and his brother and sisters began their assault on the kingdom of the sky equines. He started by opening up with his carbine, several equines fell before his shots. The planet’s high gravity had given it such dense clouds that it’s races flight capable species had been able to construct structures with them as well as fortifications. In thousands of years the city of Cloudsdale had never been conquered. The only attacks it ever suffered were from the griffins, and even then the grand pegasi legions of old had proven capable of defending their home. For as long as the ponies had written record, the heart of the pegasi was thought of as invincible. However no matter how thick they were, at the end of the day all of their fortifications were still just condescend water vapor. Avengers and Stratoraptors tore through ancient pegasian buildings as though they were nothing. Sterylizors phosphor torches igniting entire families as they sheltered behind walls that the children of Mars merely passed through as though they were nothing. Skystalkers achieved shots through multiple cloud barriers set up in the hopes they would affect the invaders in any meaningful way. It all proved pointless. Within seconds of the assault beginning charred equine bodies rained down below. However though the assault was overall a cake walk for the Pteraxii, a few problems began to occur. For one, the clouds were so dense visibility was almost impossible while inside of one, on very rare occasions an aircraft or Pteraxii would also bump into something solid on top or inside of a cloud, sometimes even each other. These accidents often damaged a wing, or blended a pteraxii in the Avengers engines, or caused a pilot or trooper to dodge, leading to further problems. Secondly a small group of fliers was in possession of military training. A few even able to fly at speeds even the Skitarii had trouble keeping up with. These fast moving targets were also incredibly difficult to hit, and multiple instances of friendly fire occurred. Weather these accidents were intentional on the part of the equines is unknown. For this reason some Pteraxii had taken to employing their talons, slicing into bellies, slashing wings, and slitting throats. The Alphas striking with their taser goads causing them to spasm then plummeting down to the green fields below. The militarily trained equines engaged in duels, clutching swords in their mouths. A female with a teal body and pink mane managed to get the jump on Theta IV, the Skystalker tumbled, managing to flip around his body just enough to latch his talons around her skull and gouge out her eyes with his inner talons. After that, a male let out a cry of distress and dashed at him faster than he could process, caving in the skull of the dark green equine with the butt of his rifle, perhaps this was her mate? he absently thought before refocusing on the battle. Gamma Theta IV spotted the Dominus cornering a grey xeno with miss matched eyes and a blond mane, his power sword was covered in blood already evaporating on its field. He slowly hovered closer wings barely flapping, Theta IV got closer eager to see his master perform the will of the Omnissiah first hand. He raised his weapon, then brought it down. Only to pause mere centimeters from the xeno’s face. Xeth said to himself. The xeno hadn’t stopped shaking or opened its eyes too afraid of the blow that was now put on halt. Xeth asked himself or rather, he was speaking with someone, but whoever it was Theta IV didn’t have the codes to be privy to their conversation. he suddenly stopped, the other individual likely cutting him off. Xeth’s attention shifted away from the xeno and to the conversation. again he stopped. Whoever the Dominus was speaking to wasn’t letting him get a word in. Finally Xeth grunted, The Dominus sheathed his blade then grabbed the creature and tossed it to Gamma Theta IV, who caught it out of some primitive reflex not yet removed by his augments. Xeth ordered him directly in his headset. Responded the Pteraxii Skystalker looking down at the still trembling xeno in his hand. The thing was actually somewhat cute… somewhat. Xeth asked putting a finger to his auditory augment, a few seconds later he looked down and shook his head. ”Typical...” He mumbled to himself in his flesh voice. A new voice entered the general channel, looking at the tag it was Cagus 7789 a Skystalker, so clearly not the one ordering the Dominus. Ordered the Dominus. The Dominus ascended through the clouds, Theta IV following close behind. After halting in the air he produced a set of magnoculars that directly interfaced with his optics. The Dominus then generously shared his vision with the other Pteraxii that accepted it. Several specs were visible surrounding a large blob before the Xeth zoomed in and enhanced the pict. Plainly visible were feline and avian hybrids of a similar build to the equines. They surrounded a rainbow colored balloon based air ship crewed by… Theta IV said out loud. Xeth responded cutting the connection. Theta IV was taken aback by this. before the words had even left his rebreather he saw the Archaeopters hovering into a more defensive position hidden by the clouds. Several Pteraxii doing the same. The Omnissiah’s sky warriors got ready to defend the ruins very cloud structures they just ripped apart. Xeth nodded. Uplink Interrupted > Uplink Nineteen: Interlude I > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Starlight Glimmer slowly walked the halls of Twilight’s crystal castle almost in a daze. Twelve. Twelve ponies had died. Twelve funerals in as many days. Twelve living breathing equines had perished under her watch. The cemetery was outside of the dome, so they had to make due somewhere in town but still far enough away from the barrier they could conduct the ceremony without hearing the battle outside. Not an easy task. The location was marked with temporary wooden head stones, with any luck they could rebury them at a later date, but for now their grave markers would be a monument to Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer’s failure to keep the ponies under her watch safe. She couldn’t bring herself to share this information with the princess of friendship. As far as she knew, they managed to tunnel underneath the dome before Twilight extended it under ground and Starlight teleported them outside again, but nothing more. She needed to focus on protecting everypony, and so did Starlight for that matter. She couldn’t be anything less than a total rock in a situation like this. Was this what is really meant to lead? She couldn’t talk to Trixie about this, she wouldn’t understand. No pony would understand. Twilight might, but she doubted it, this was a total mess. For some reason her wondering lead her to Twilight’s room just in time for Spike to leave it. “S- S- Spike I… I…” she croaked out then swallowed to wet her throat. “Huh? Oh hey Starlight, what’s up?” Starlight Glimmer didn’t know where to start, she ran through several sentences in her mind but they all eventually fell apart. She blinking her eyes to fight back the tears. Getting ready to just say something anything. As her mouth opened though she thought she saw something out of the corner of her eye. It looked like an albino parasprite but as soon as she focuses on it, the thing disappeared behind a corner. “Did you see that?” Glimmer asked pointing a hoof behind Spike. “See what?” He asked turning around. “… Nothing.” She decided it was just her imagination. She was just loosing it. She just needed some time to herself to… “Well if you don’t need anything else then I’m heading out.” Starlight blinked. “Come again?” “Twilight wants me to go to the dragon lands and see if they can help. Twilight’s going to concentrate on making a small hole for me to fly though in a few minutes so I gotta hurry. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone for but you’ve got everything here handled right?” The unicorns legs started shaking. “F-f- fine, I can handle things here all by myself. I got it all in hoof.” She lied through her teeth. “Awesome good luck Starlight we’re all counting on you.” And with that the dragon flew out leaving the still shaking Starlight Glimmer. His parting words finally broke her. The current acting ruler in crisis of Ponyville collapsed onto her haunches and started to whale like a filly. … The high arching halls of the Byzantium echoed with the soft footsteps of adept Maximal, the tech priest was still mostly organic only possessing a singular bionic eye, however he was an eager youth born on the very ship he now tread. As he made his way turning a corner he knew by heart he suddenly saw something unexpected. Astrolonomer Settra was seemingly waiting for him, blocking his path. The young Maximal gave a polite bow to his superior and attempted to pass. Only for him to move into his way. “Umm, pardon me my lord, do you wish to discuss something?” The Magos of Astrogation nodded and gestured for him to follow. Maximal considered sending some kind of message, but decided against it. “Tell me, young one.” Began Settra “How long have you served aboard the Byzantium?” “My entire life sir.” “And in that time, have you ever… doubted Arch Magos Cassius?” Maximal froze in place. “Sir, are you seriously considering mu—“ The Magos hushed him. “Just a simple question child.” Maximal thought for a moment, in truth many of Arch Magos Cassius’s actions seamed, strange especially as of late. Several times he recalled the arch Magos making requests for seemingly random warp jumps from their now late navigator, thinking back that may have even lead to their death. The Magos also seamed to be actively avoiding Mechanicus outposts. Then their was there arrival here. He almost seamed relieved to learn we were in an uncharted sector with no way of knowing how to return to the Imperium. Almost like he had… “Your flesh betrays your emotions child.” Settra interrupted his contemplations. “I would follow him into the Eye of Terror if he requested it, but…” “This isn’t the Eye of Terror, this is some backwater xenos infested mud ball he refuses to simply sterilize and be done with.” “For the most part the inhabitants—“ “Listen to me boy!!!” Settra shouted. “Something is wrong with Arch Magos Cassius, weather it be spiritually or mentally. He has by his actions or lack of actions dragged us into a conflict with primitives that should have been whipped out before they left their primordial ooze. This campaign has dragged on for far too long for my liking and it’s time we enacted drastic measures to end it sooner rather than later.” Maximal was shocked by Settra’s words. Never in all his life had he seen such a senior member of the cult Mechanicus show such passion, such rage, such emotion. For his entire existence he was taught to cut away at the flaws that made us fall victim to primal irrational emotions, yet here was Settra, perhaps second only to Cassius himself displaying such illogical behavior in front of him. He was at a total loss of what to do, especially since parts of what he said made sense. This war was going on for far longer than it should. Granted he didn’t have access to what was really happening, but mopping up a xenos species like this should have taken days not months. Yet here they remained. “What exactly are you suggesting?” “Drastic actions for drastic times…” > Uplink Twenty: Interlude II > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The heat of Celestia’s sun scorched much of the realm in all directions. Without the pegasi to moderate the weather much of the land was now left parched and arid. The Invaders also had started constructing massive iron castles belching fire that further raised the temperature, or so Sidewinder had been told. A few settlements that the Invaders didn’t seem interested in had managed to survive thanks to shipments of water much like the one he now carried in his train. As the golden sun reached its zenith in the sky, Sidewinder looked out across the vacant dusty planes and sighed. He had done this trip five times now, and the hairs on the back of his neck always stood up in this specific valley. "The Devil's Hoof" they called it, just a few miles away was one of those factories the Invaders. Dumping Celestia knows what and benching clouds of smoke into the air so hot it burns the surrounding land. Today was different from his normal trips though. Today he saw some shadows in the distance. The shapes soon became more defined, they definitely weren’t ponies. Sidewinder shoveled more coal into the engine, picking up speed, using all his earth pony strength to dump more coal into the firebox. Sweat streamed down his brow, but still, they gained on the locomotive. Their silhouettes gain solidity and color. Nine in total, seven rode of them on biomechanical constructs that looked just like ponies, but bigger and with their hooves having hooks added to the top. The faces of the steeds were peeled back exposing bone and flat teeth, grotesque bug eyed goggles inlaid into the skulls. Curiously, their mounts ran like timber wolves instead of Equestrians. The two constructs to either side were not as morbid, instead resembling chickens more than anything, though their size was still nothing to sneeze at. Sidewinder redlined the engine, pushing it to its absolute limits, but still they gained. Their leader, the one in front drew a cylindrical weapon and started aiming at the water tanks. There was a loud bang and Sidewinder saw a hole open in his tanks. Precious water now ran free in the wasteland, turning the parched soil from red dust to brown mud. The equine stead then leaped up off the side of the tank, digging into the gushing holes the hooks on top of its hooves. Three more loud bangs rang out giving the creature more holes to grab onto, and the cybernetic monsters made their way closer and closer to the engine. Sidewinder couldn’t outrun something that was on one of his cars. Nor could he hope to abandon the engine and survive. Another bang, and the sound of straining metal and rushing water. He was out of options, nothing he could do could stop. Then it hit him, one last play. Disconnect the cart. He rushed back to the coupling only for his muzzle to run into the smoking barrel to the reaper. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He said in perfect Equestrian. The thing it rode was panting like a dog, was it actually alive somehow? “Now I know what you’re thinking.” The creature said. Could they read minds? Side Winder thought. “Did he fire six shots or five?” That wasn’t what he was thinking. “Well to tell you the truth in all this excitement I’ve kind of lost track myself.” He continued “However given this is an Archeo Revolver the most powerful handgun on this world and would blow your head clean off. You got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’” He then pulled the hammer back. “We’ll do ya xenos?” Slowly Sidewinder moved his hoof away from the coupling. After that the rider asked him a series of questions related to the operation of the engine, eventually working out how to stop the locomotive. “Thank you for your service to the Omnissiah.” He said drawing the pistol again and aiming it at his head. Sidewinder put up his hoofs and waited for his brains to paint the cabin, instead, he heard a click. The wraith looked at his weapon and cocked his head. “Your lucky day xeno.” He said, before pistol whipping him out of the stopped carriage. Alpha Gamma Mu 1367 said into his personal transmitter. Very few skitarii were privy to the master that responded. Most answered to Cassius, but some like Alpha Gamma Mu 1367, his squad of Serberys, XV- 999, and a few other Skitarii and Tech Priests knew who the true master of the Byzantium. The all too familiar voice rang in his head, and he nodded, taking control of the train and preparing it for its new route change on the tracks ahead. +++ Meanwhile, in the frozen north of Equestria, Kars was fairing little better than Thrane in the south at cracking his assigned bubble. Craters, trenches, and unexploded artillery shells littered the frozen ice. Kars's tread legs having difficulty in the ice, but his bunkers remained firm against the onslaught of their own weapons. Still, something was bothering him. Something deep inside his core. "Hmmmmm," He thought to himself. "Come with me." Him and an alpha be didn't bother knowing the name of moved along the perimeter of the fortifications. Passing dug-in skitarii, trenches, and artillery emplacements. They came across an enginseer in the process of repairing a skorpius disintegrator's reactor. Kars called up to the engineer who glanced over then ignored him focusing on his work. "These vehicles aren't made for extended deployments to fridged environments," he said pulling out a pipe and tossing it off the side where a servo skull caught it. Without missing a beat, another skull hovered by with a replacement pipe that he grabbed and jammed in. "Ok, try it now." The skitarii that was sticking out of the disintigrator's hatch gave a salute and then ducked inside. Soon enough there was the familiar hum of a reactor and the skorpius lifted off the ground. The enginseer hopped off, his heavy legs sinking into the snow. “What is it Kars?” The tech priest asked, not even looking at the Dominus as he grabbed his tools and moved on to the next project. The two had been friends for long enough to be casual with each other. “I’m worried about our progress on the northern front. What are your thoughts on the matter?” The enginseer paused and looked at his long time friend. “If I’m being honest things could be better.” He answered honestly. “ We’re stretched thin across too many fronts, and we may have an ark mechanicus but if we don’t start living off the land we’ll run out of ordinance and parts long before the xenos run out of food.” "So what do you suggest we do then?" The enginseer strokes his chin thoughtfully. "My recommendation is that we start scavenging from the land. Processing oars in minerals found here to shape into weapons for the war effort." "Thank you my friend," Kars nodded "I'll run the request up the chain. Ave Deus Mechanicus." "Ave Deus Mechanicus." +++ Sub Dominus Thrane entered a bar on the Byzantium. He was beaten, it was months since the siege started and he wasn't making significant progress. He was beginning to doubt himself. Turning to his side he spotted a group of sicarians joking about one of their members apparently getting beaten up by a small mammal no bigger than a skull. Thrane sighed to himself, similar stories were common. These xenos were dangerous when underestimated. He sat at the bar and slumped his shoulders, the old wooden chair creaking under his weight. "Bit for your thoughts?" He tilted his head up and saw a familiar pink equine with a fake mustache. He didn't even question it at this point and just ordered his drink. "Amasec." Thrane said then downed the alcohol in one gulp and put it down for Pinkie to refill. "What has you being mister moppy mopersen?" she asked. Dominus Thrane sighed and took another swig. "Well, this war has been dragging on for too long. I can tell Cassius is running low on patients." He began, "What's worse is we haven't even run into signs of chaos aside from the arch magos's original encounter. It's getting hard to justify the expenditure of resources when we have so little to show and have barely made any progress. Chipping away at this just isn't working." With that the sub dominus finished his drink and Pinkie refilled it. "That sure sounds like quite the pickle. Well, that sort of reminds me of this one time I was put in charge of Sugar Cube Corner and Misses Cake told me to get rid of this big old batch of cookies. I tried eating them one at a time but that was taking too long so instead I just ate them all at once." The tech priest looked at the reality bending xeno before realization dawned on him in his drunken state. She was right. He needed to get things over and done with. And thankfully he knew just how to do it.