private After Destiny

[Mario3D13 167]

Solar just let Amber squeeze her in a tight hug, though she couldn't help but think of how comfortable it was. Her tough body meant she was quite a hugger, though her coat was surprisingly soft and warm.

 

She couldn't stop herself from smiling at the kiss and nuzzling into her marefriend.

"Yeah, you're right," she sighed, though sounding much happier, "I just want to be some use to you guys, y'know?"

Lightning heard this and thought, She doesn't realize what she's done, does she? "Solar, do you realize what you've done? Without you, Amber wouldn't be with us right now. You saved her life. That's something not many ponies have the opportunity to do. And don't worry. I'm sure there will be more opportunities for you to be useful, given all that's happened since we got here. Now, we should get going to the gate room and make sure everything is okay. While we're at it," he looked at Solar and Amber, "I'd like a word with you two."

[The Original 571]

Lightning heard this and thought, She doesn't realize what she's done, does she? "Solar, do you realize what you've done? Without you, Amber wouldn't be with us right now. You saved her life. That's something not many ponies have the opportunity to do. And don't worry. I'm sure there will be more opportunities for you to be useful, given all that's happened since we got here. Now, we should get going to the gate room and make sure everything is okay. While we're at it," he looked at Solar and Amber, "I'd like a word with you two."

"Lightning, Mir has made it very, perfectly, crystal, exclusively clear... That the generators will be of no use to us. They are incompatible with the ship" he said, only half flanking his acting to try and seem downtrodden. "However... I reason that the ship must have a mechanism which replenishes its own energy. Why would a ship this big run on an nonrenewable resource? It would be wasteful! No. I believe this ship draws energy from stars... An interesting concept. Very advanced... I can only hope I am right though." Cyril was lost in thought, wondering what number of applications such technology could apply to. "Mir, try and find where the input for this direct solar energy is located, if any. If inconclusive, return as soon as possible." Mir immediately whisked away down the halls and corridors to find the requested site. It's internal maps suggested engineering first, and then core, engines, and outward. If nothing was found, or if nothing could be found, Mir would cancel her request.

 

"You see, solar panels would be ineffective to power a ship of this magnitude... Too simple too. I don't think a ship AI would care much about whose on the ship. If it is smart in any way, it would see we mean it no hard. Only its betterment. But, pulling energy from a star... we wouldn't be allowed too close..." Cyril stopped for a long moment. He quizzed himself, how would one use the energy of the sun, without being cooked to a crisp? "...A solar flare... Scarlett is genius. Be in a position to harness that outburst..." Cyril stopped himself. When it came to science, he often did this. Ramble on and then catch himself. "Sorry... If i'm correct, we've nothing to worry about. If not... we'll surely be cooked alive."

Edited February 9, 2016 by The Original

[Chaton 3,766]

"However... I reason that the ship must have a mechanism which replenishes its own energy. Why would a ship this big run on an nonrenewable resource? It would be wasteful! No. I believe this ship draws energy from stars... An interesting concept. Very advanced... I can only hope I am right though."

"You might be right, but we're headed towards a blue giant. We'll get incinerated before we even get close to it, and solar flares are impossible to predict."

 

After a few moments of going throught the data on the console Scarlett realised something "Wait a moment, we're not headed towards the star. I mean, we are, but not directly. We won't actually enter any part of the star. I think the Destiny made some last minute adjustments just before the power went out to slingshot us around the star instead of straight into it."

[Mario3D13 167]

"You might be right, but we're headed towards a blue giant. We'll get incinerated before we even get close to it, and solar flares are impossible to predict."

 

After a few moments of going throught the data on the console Scarlett realised something "Wait a moment, we're not headed towards the star. I mean, we are, but not directly. We won't actually enter any part of the star. I think the Destiny made some last minute adjustments just before the power went out to slingshot us around the star instead of straight into it."

 

"The Ancients never overlooked anything, did they?" Lightning looked at Scarlett, and the rest of the group. "They must have known something like this would happen, and prepared. Their foresight never ceases to amaze me." 

 

@1Bit, @Unicorncob, @Ethan Sawyer, @The Original, ,

 

Lightning looked at Amber and Solar. "Solar, Amber, please follow me. Scarlett, keep me posted on anything new that pops up. I also need ETA to slingshot. Sapphire, Cyril, make sure everyone is notified of what's gonna happen. If anyone asks something, either answer it yourself, radio me, or radio Scarlett." Lightning started towards the door.

[Chaton 3,766]

"The Ancients never overlooked anything, did they?" Lightning looked at Scarlett, and the rest of the group. "They must have known something like this would happen, and prepared. Their foresight never ceases to amaze me." 

 

@1Bit, @Unicorncob, @Ethan Sawyer, @The Original, ,

 

Lightning looked at Amber and Solar. "Solar, Amber, please follow me. Scarlett, keep me posted on anything new that pops up. I also need ETA to slingshot. Sapphire, Cyril, make sure everyone is notified of what's gonna happen. If anyone asks something, either answer it yourself, radio me, or radio Scarlett." Lightning started towards the door.

 

"They hardly overlooked anything, you're right. But I think this was mainly due to the on-board AI not wanting to destroy itself. I'm not sure whether or not it actually cares that we're on board, though it did stop at that desert planet to allow us to get filtration materials. That could have just been a coincidence though."

 

"Right, we have 3 hours until we begin the process of actually looping around. Best get comfortable."

[1Bit 1,531]

"Well let's just hope we don't all die or something!" Amber chirped, before returning to a glum looking face, trotting out of the room to follow Lightning. "You know, you gotta love it really...Icarus blows up, I almost die in a desert, I get an awesome marefriend and we almost die from a giant star! What a wonderful day or so." She said sarcastically.

[Unicorncob 5,740]

"Well let's just hope we don't all die or something!" Amber chirped, before returning to a glum looking face, trotting out of the room to follow Lightning. "You know, you gotta love it really...Icarus blows up, I almost die in a desert, I get an awesome marefriend and we almost die from a giant star! What a wonderful day or so." She said sarcastically.

 

"Pfft, right?" Solar snickered, smirking as she walked alongside Amber, and nuzzled up to her marefriend, "Hey, I'm not gonna let some dumb star keep us from kissing anymore." She grinned and pecked her on the cheek.

 

That star isn't exactly the kind of warm I want to feel right now.

[1Bit 1,531]

"Pfft, right?" Solar snickered, smirking as she walked alongside Amber, and nuzzled up to her marefriend, "Hey, I'm not gonna let some dumb star keep us from kissing anymore." She grinned and pecked her on the cheek.

 

That star isn't exactly the kind of warm I want to feel right now.

 

"Jeez Solar and I thought I was gonna be the clingy one in this relationship." Amber giggled, whipping around to lock lips with her marefriend. She hugged her and let out a deep breath as she let herself sink into the kiss. How did it take me so long to realise how amazing this is? 

[Mario3D13 167]

@1Bit, @Unicorncob,

 

Lightning looked at the two fillyfoolers (Lightning is very politically incorrect) and could only shake his head. I know what being in love is like, but this is ridiculous! Those two can't take their eyes off each other. "Uhh, guys, I'm still here. Can you please follow me? I've said this once before, but I need to talk with you two, and while we're at it, we have to secure all supplies for the slingshot."

[Unicorncob 5,740]

"Jeez Solar and I thought I was gonna be the clingy one in this relationship." Amber giggled, whipping around to lock lips with her marefriend. She hugged her and let out a deep breath as she let herself sink into the kiss. How did it take me so long to realise how amazing this is? 

 

Solar smiled and moaned into the kiss, stroking down Amber's mane with her hoof.

 

Oh, buck yes. What have I been missing?

 

 

Lightning looked at the two fillyfoolers (Lightning is very politically incorrect) and could only shake his head. I know what being in love is like, but this is ridiculous! Those two can't take their eyes off each other. "Uhh, guys, I'm still here. Can you please follow me? I've said this once before, but I need to talk with you two, and while we're at it, we have to secure all supplies for the slingshot."

 

She rolled her eyes and gently broke free from the kiss.

 

"Luna's sake, can't even get five minutes?" She sighed, rolling her eyes and putting on the most sarcastic tone she could possibly manage, "Whatever is it that you need, oh great, important one?"

[Chaton 3,766]

Scarlett spoke to everyone else who was in the room; "Right, so. Unless any of you have something you need or want from me, I'll be going to my room to relax for a couple of hours and think."

 

She then left the room and headed to her room, before closing the door behind her and flopping on to the bed.

[The Original 571]

"So we have not power, almost no means to charge it and magic doesn't work, I'm sorry for being the thick pessimist here but we are going to plow into the star and all die. Unless we can magic up a solution to the problem despite us having what seems no means to fix it." Sapphire was expecting to be told to shut up for that but she was simply speaking her mind.

Cyril turned towards the mare, noting her as the one who was always aggressive or sad, and tended to try and boss others around. Fun. Cyril has had enough of ponies like this back in MIT.

 

"Well, it's you and I now. Most ponies are likely to be in their rooms. Don't suppose there is an intercom or anything on this ship? It's doubtful. Let us look for that first. If there is none, we will just try and get everypony to meet in the gate room for a debriefing. Sound like a plan?" While he formed a question, he really was looking for a simple nod or one word response. Perhaps just a reaction even. The mare did not seem of best moods.

 

"Or... Perhaps it would be best to be formally acquainted first? It is helpful when I'm on at least a last name basis. First name preferably. However, I am Cyril Coltefeller. Magical Instutute of Technology masters graduate. I specialize in the general modern application of magic in today's equipment. And you are?" He gestured his hoof towards her in a gentlecoltly manner. If he was going to get ponies to like him, whether it be politically or friendly, he needed to start as soon as possible.

[Chaton 3,766]

Scarlett, after a few minutes, sat up on the edge of her bed and began to think. I started a program before we had to evacuate Icarus, did I save it on my laptop? She then grabbed a laptop from the tech crate she had dragged to her room earlier and found that she had indeed saved it. She the began furiously typing to program her new program.

[Mario3D13 167]

Solar smiled and moaned into the kiss, stroking down Amber's mane with her hoof.

 

Oh, buck yes. What have I been missing?

 

She rolled her eyes and gently broke free from the kiss.

 

"Luna's sake, can't even get five minutes?" She sighed, rolling her eyes and putting on the most sarcastic tone she could possibly manage, "Whatever is it that you need, oh great, important one?"

 

"Well, once I've been able to talk, I'll give you 20 minutes. Okay?" He then saw the look on their faces. "Look, I'm usually not this grumpy. It's just that I get all tense when I need to talk about something important and no one seems to give a buck. Now, I wanted to talk to you both because," he says while gesturing towards Solar, "you're probably wondering who I am and why Amber got so mad at me earlier." He turned towards Amber. "And you're wondering why I'm even here."

[1Bit 1,531]

"Well, once I've been able to talk, I'll give you 20 minutes. Okay?" He then saw the look on their faces. "Look, I'm usually not this grumpy. It's just that I get all tense when I need to talk about something important and no one seems to give a buck. Now, I wanted to talk to you both because," he says while gesturing towards Solar, "you're probably wondering who I am and why Amber got so mad at me earlier." He turned towards Amber. "And you're wondering why I'm even here."

 

"Oh no, I mean, it's perfectly normal!" Amber raised her hooves in the air in annoyance. "I fully expect to find a friend that I buried in a grave on the outskirts of Canterlot to be alive and well, on the same project as me on a distant planet, and absolutely TOTALLY fine with everything!" She grunted, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure there's an absolutely wonderful story behind all that."

[Mario3D13 167]

"Oh no, I mean, it's perfectly normal!" Amber raised her hooves in the air in annoyance. "I fully expect to find a friend that I buried in a grave on the outskirts of Canterlot to be alive and well, on the same project as me on a distant planet, and absolutely TOTALLY fine with everything!" She grunted, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure there's an absolutely wonderful story behind all that."

 

Lightning eyes got big when he heard the words "buried in a grave on the outskirts of Canterlot." "Wait, did you say 'buried'? You BURIED ME?! Is that what they told the squad?!" He was in absolute shock. "Sweet Celestia! The NERVE of those...those...THOSE DISGRACEFUL INCONSIDERATE MOTHERBUCKERS!" Lightning bucked against the wall, leaving a considerable dent. "So THAT'S why I was never able to see the squad again. To them, I was dead, because the brass told 'em so! I...I can't believe it." Lightning took deep breaths. 

 

"Well, there is a story to be told, and, knowing that you were lied to, you need to hear it. After I was shot down, I was sent for immediate surgery. I survived, obviously, and was moved to another compound, where the smartest and strongest ones were sent. I continued my last 2 years of regular studies and studied for a doctorate in Cybersecurity for an extra 2 years. Afterwards, I was appointed as Head of Cyber-Security at Icarus Base, due to my development of the AES-256 Plus encryption protocol, a much needed improvement over the original 256. And now, here we are. So now you know what REALLY happened to me. Now, what I'd like to know is what happened after my fake 'death', if you would tell me."

[Child Of Darkness 285]

With the events over, now was as good a time as any to stop Ghosting. Nothing more would be gained from this now. He returned to his shell, appearing in an upper corner of the Observation room. 'I swear my Auto-Pilot takes me to some random places at times. Need to make myself a private area. I can get into the areas of the ship no one else can, maybe I'll make a home there. Sounds good to me. Later though. Some peace and quite can be nice.' 

 

With the observation room to himself, Specter accessed the terminal in the room, connecting to the remote hacking link he had put in several hours ago. More problems with the ships AI trying to block him out. That and the major systems for the had been locked behind a firewall that was far too complicated for even Specter to crack without the access codes. 'Just what did I know about you before my corruption? And what secrets are you hiding from me? Something dark and mysterious I hope. Ahh, it feels rewarding to finally have a challenge again.'

Edited February 11, 2016 by Child Of Darkness

[1Bit 1,531]

 

 

"Well, there is a story to be told, and, knowing that you were lied to, you need to hear it. After I was shot down, I was sent for immediate surgery. I survived, obviously, and was moved to another compound, where the smartest and strongest ones were sent. I continued my last 2 years of regular studies and studied for a doctorate in Cybersecurity for an extra 2 years. Afterwards, I was appointed as Head of Cyber-Security at Icarus Base, due to my development of the AES-256 Plus encryption protocol, a much needed improvement over the original 256. And now, here we are. So now you know what REALLY happened to me. Now, what I'd like to know is what happened after my fake 'death', if you would tell me."

 

"Pfft...what didn't happen?" Amber fell to the floor, muttering to herself. "There wasn't a squad anymore. Classes were long. Every day just another...empty and pointless twenty-four hours of existence. Sure, in time, everypony forgave me but do you understand what it's like living with all that pent-up guilt?" Amber's lower lip trembled as she spoke. The cold edge to some of her words perfectly displayed her anguish. "I...I was a murderer!! I bucking got a squadmate killed out of my own idiocy! Corbulo has a fatality rate of 0.01%! I was literally the first leader in 20 years to get a pony killed in training!" She shouted. Not at anypony in particular. More to the wall than anything. "I-I..."

[Unicorncob 5,740]

"Well, once I've been able to talk, I'll give you 20 minutes. Okay?" He then saw the look on their faces. "Look, I'm usually not this grumpy. It's just that I get all tense when I need to talk about something important and no one seems to give a buck. Now, I wanted to talk to you both because," he says while gesturing towards Solar, "you're probably wondering who I am and why Amber got so mad at me earlier." He turned towards Amber. "And you're wondering why I'm even here."

 

Solar took a look back at her marefriend, then looked back at Lightning. "The thought's crossed my mind once or twice, yeah."

 

 

"Oh no, I mean, it's perfectly normal!" Amber raised her hooves in the air in annoyance. "I fully expect to find a friend that I buried in a grave on the outskirts of Canterlot to be alive and well, on the same project as me on a distant planet, and absolutely TOTALLY fine with everything!" She grunted, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure there's an absolutely wonderful story behind all that."

 

"Wait, you--"

 

Lightning eyes got big when he heard the words "buried in a grave on the outskirts of Canterlot." "Wait, did you say 'buried'? You BURIED ME?! Is that what they told the squad?!" He was in absolute shock. "Sweet Celestia! The NERVE of those...those...THOSE DISGRACEFUL INCONSIDERATE MOTHERBUCKERS!" Lightning bucked against the wall, leaving a considerable dent. "So THAT'S why I was never able to see the squad again. To them, I was dead, because the brass told 'em so! I...I can't believe it." Lightning took deep breaths. 

 

"Well, there is a story to be told, and, knowing that you were lied to, you need to hear it. After I was shot down, I was sent for immediate surgery. I survived, obviously, and was moved to another compound, where the smartest and strongest ones were sent. I continued my last 2 years of regular studies and studied for a doctorate in Cybersecurity for an extra 2 years. Afterwards, I was appointed as Head of Cyber-Security at Icarus Base, due to my development of the AES-256 Plus encryption protocol, a much needed improvement over the original 256. And now, here we are. So now you know what REALLY happened to me. Now, what I'd like to know is what happened after my fake 'death', if you would tell me."

 

"Uhh, if I could jump in for a sec--"

 

"Pfft...what didn't happen?" Amber fell to the floor, muttering to herself. "There wasn't a squad anymore. Classes were long. Every day just another...empty and pointless twenty-four hours of existence. Sure, in time, everypony forgave me but do you understand what it's like living with all that pent-up guilt?" Amber's lower lip trembled as she spoke. The cold edge to some of her words perfectly displayed her anguish. "I...I was a murderer!! I bucking got a squadmate killed out of my own idiocy! Corbulo has a fatality rate of 0.01%! I was literally the first leader in 20 years to get a pony killed in training!" She shouted. Not at anypony in particular. More to the wall than anything. "I-I..."

 

Solar had no idea what to do, or say. Lightning returned from the dead, Amber didn't like it because she apparently killed him... what was even.

 

All she could do was lower herself down and offer a comforting hoof to her marefriend's hair. Words would have to come later.

[Mario3D13 167]

"Pfft...what didn't happen?" Amber fell to the floor, muttering to herself. "There wasn't a squad anymore. Classes were long. Every day just another...empty and pointless twenty-four hours of existence. Sure, in time, everypony forgave me but do you understand what it's like living with all that pent-up guilt?" Amber's lower lip trembled as she spoke. The cold edge to some of her words perfectly displayed her anguish. "I...I was a murderer!! I bucking got a squadmate killed out of my own idiocy! Corbulo has a fatality rate of 0.01%! I was literally the first leader in 20 years to get a pony killed in training!" She shouted. Not at anypony in particular. More to the wall than anything. "I-I..."

 

"What in Tartarus makes you think you're a murderer?! Because of a mistake you made, and then, you were led to believe you're mistake had killed me?! Well, now you should do away with those thoughts because I AM ALIVE! And also, there's something I've always wanted to tell you, but I never could, because they never let me near anyone from the squad. I forgive you for what happened."

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,028]

@@The Original, 

 

She shook his hoof with some disdain she was still not really in a good mood. "My name is Sapphire and I'm the nut job around here who can't do anything right and can't help with anything and have been removed of her command and is suicidal at this moment, nice to meet you." There was sadness, anger, sarcasm and more in her voice and looks.

Edited February 11, 2016 by Emerald Bolt

[1Bit 1,531]

Amber welcomed the hoof that began running through her mane, letting out a deep breath and resting her head against Solar's chest. "That's nice and all Sparkie, but I doubt it's much use." She uttered quietly. "You can tell me its not my fault all you want. You can tell me you're alive all you want...but I've been carrying the weight on my shoulders for so long, I don't know any different. And nothing's gonna take away the pain."

[Mario3D13 167]

Amber welcomed the hoof that began running through her mane, letting out a deep breath and resting her head against Solar's chest. "That's nice and all Sparkie, but I doubt it's much use." She uttered quietly. "You can tell me its not my fault all you want. You can tell me you're alive all you want...but I've been carrying the weight on my shoulders for so long, I don't know any different. And nothing's gonna take away the pain."

 

"Umm, Amber, your head is resting on your painkiller's chest." He gestured towards Solar. "I hate to admit it, but you two have a really special connection. From all I've seen, Solar really does care for you. When you have friends and family supporting you, any mistakes you've ever made eventually fade away. And besides, in my honest opinion, Corbulo should have a 0% percent fatality rate, because there's no reason to use live ammunition while training your cadets. Why would anyone risk killing the future protectors of Equestria? That just escapes me." He looked at Solar. 

 

@Unicorncob,

 

"So, you wanted to say something?"

Edited February 11, 2016 by Mario3D13

[Unicorncob 5,740]

Amber welcomed the hoof that began running through her mane, letting out a deep breath and resting her head against Solar's chest. "That's nice and all Sparkie, but I doubt it's much use." She uttered quietly. "You can tell me its not my fault all you want. You can tell me you're alive all you want...but I've been carrying the weight on my shoulders for so long, I don't know any different. And nothing's gonna take away the pain."

 

Solar bit her lip while listening to Amber talk herself down, and gently pulled her in for a soft cuddle.

"Well I'm gonna damn well try," she promised, petting down the back of her mane, "Stop beating yourself up for something that wasn't your fault. Whoever you two were talking about, that definitely wasn't you. Because you're not a killer... though you're killing me with love." She smirked and pecked her on the cheek.

 

 

"So, you wanted to say something?"

 

"...nah, it's fine."

[1Bit 1,531]

 

 

Solar bit her lip while listening to Amber talk herself down, and gently pulled her in for a soft cuddle. "Well I'm gonna damn well try," she promised, petting down the back of her mane, "Stop beating yourself up for something that wasn't your fault. Whoever you two were talking about, that definitely wasn't you. Because you're not a killer... though you're killing me with love." She smirked and pecked her on the cheek.

 

Amber let out something which seemed like a mixture of a cough, crying and a laugh at Solar's remark. "killing me with love? Sweet Celestia, Solar, when did you get so cheesy?" She reached her head up and nuzzled her marefriend's neck, planting soft kisses up and down it. "I kinda like it~"