open Faster Than Light (Check OOC before joining)

[Props Valroa 26,027]

@Illiad Easle

-Inside-

"Uplifting...that sounds like a really rare chance. You drive a good goal in mind although that all seems to be too good to be true. But it may discourage contact, however this is not a normal thing. You crashed here, you are going to need the help of others here in order to get back to where your from. In doing so, I think its a good idea for you to establish relations with others here so you can get back. Surely, with our help you'd have to give us something in return? Perhaps maybe an...exception to your rules?" she asked with a slightly rebellious filly look.

-Outside-

Afterglow nodded. "Alright, we have agreed to come aboard the vessel. We wish to see the interior for ourselves, and see if that other filly is aboard. Don't mind the guards." he spoke calmly. With a gesture, he would motion for Fly Heart and Preston star to come over as well as three other stallion guards. They would also be boarding the ship with them for security measures. 

Meanwhile, Arch Stone and the two other guards were searching for the crystal in the designated area. If it was found, they would head back. If it was not found, they would keep looking for a little while longer.

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Inside

The Captain nodded, "Uplifting is exactly what we're offering, specifically to you and your friends as, despite everything that's happened, you're still open to the idea. It will take time to get approval to open trade negotiations in any case, so why not open the negotiations with you three as examples of everything the Federation can provide? Still, that's all irrelevant if we don't get off the planet, or worse... if the Rebels find us here before the Federation does."

The engineer and the metal-born helped Applebloom put the last panel back into place, a large collection of thruster components sitting behind them ready to be installed outside the ship, the engineer spoke up, "All the components are acquired, Translator can convert the raw materials we were given into the rest of the parts. We need simply hook up these thrusters to the outside, and we will be one step closer to leaving." The engineer bowed to Applebloom, "You have been an excellent apprentice so far. If you choose to specialize in repairs as I have you will certainly go far."

With that they would start to lug the components outside to the front of the ship, Applebloom had received a jumpsuit like Sweetie Belle's by this point to keep the oil and other machine fluids from staining her coat, so she looked like a proper member of the crew with her toolbelt included.

 

Outside

"I see you're already at the back of the ship, come in through the wing access." The door opened for them on the left wing, opposite from where the rogue guards were being held. Princess Luna would follow the guards into the ship, stooping to get through the door given her height was apparently higher than the vessel had been designed for.

Once Luna and Afterglow were inside the doors closed suddenly behind them, securely locking.

 

7 hours ago, Starforce said:

If it was found, they would head back.

Sure enough they would find a few fragments of what was no doubt the crystal that had been spoken of, it was almost transcendent in it's quality and craftsmanship, if the shards were anything to go off of. At first glance it appeared to be some sort of quartz, but if Arch Stone looked closer she'd find that it wasn't quartz at all, but rather Berlinite, and a rather large quantity of it.

 

Holding

The Captain's talk with Sweetie Belle was cut off by the door closing and securely locking them in.

Over the comms, but not directed at anyone in particular, the slug spoke, "Their ruler is now in our custody, along with the so called captain of their so called guard. Imbeciles of the highest calibre to be so easily fooled."

The captain responded, "Slug, I did not authorize thi-"

"Silence! It's high time someone more qualified was the Captain here Pilot. It's pathetic you'd waste your time trying to 'uplift' these savages, barely evolved from the animals they truly are. Unlike every other creature on this ship they descend from Prey, they are not fit to join the Federation. They are hardly fit to be sold as pets or oddities."

"Warrior! Translator! Execute the traitor."

Everyone in the area would hear a harsh humming as an antenna extended from the ship, then everyone felt a strong weight pressing on their mind to obey the slug. "No. Execute the Pilot, then the young."

 

Princess Luna extended some sort of shield over Afterglow that shielded him from most of the effects, but the rest of the guards were overcome with the murderous intent imposed on them.

[Props Valroa 26,027]

@Illiad Easle

(Oooh, kicking up the ante. I like this.)

-Inside-

Sweetie smiles at the Captain's suggestion. "That sounds like a good idea. I hope that that can happen soon, considering what has happened was kinda bad but there are always a few gems in the dirt, you know? Gotta go through the bad to get to the good." she said with a bit of a nervous stance, but she was convinced in her words. She was happy, and trusted the Captain here. Her smile was so sweet, so genuine. Unfortunately, that smile would be ruined and be replaced by a look of fear across the filly's face once the aggressive and negative voice came over the com. She stood there in shock at what she had just heard. "...Rebels. That is what they are....t-they must have gotten onto your ship here! T-he rebels must be the ones with opposite goals! They want to kill us! We have to do something! You can probably I dunno...close all the doors on the ship so they can't get to us! Please, we must do something! Send a warning to the guards outside, or escape!" she would say in panic as she looked about the room they now locked into for anything that may be of use in this situation. Her thoughts were racing faster than light. 

Applebloom by this point had gotten used to the tasks at hand thanks to the thoughtful instruction of the metal-born. She smiled with a look of honest pride across her face, she was quite thankful for the words she had just received from her mentor. "If anythin' mah big sister taught me is that with hard work comes great results! Our repairs here ain't gonna take no more time at all if we keep it up." she'd say with glee as she had helped the metal-born in the hauling of the components to the front of the ship. Her suit was stained from the oils she had come into contact with, but her smile shone brightly and she was truly enjoying the tasks at hand here.

-Holding-

Afterglow glanced back at the doors as they closed. He warned Princess Luna about that but it all happened too fast to react to at the moment but he stood there calmly, his anger would not get the best of him in this situation. A calm mind could go a long way, and he would make sure to remain calm and collected here as his thoughts percolated. But he couldn't help but sneer somewhat and look the slug right in it's eyes. "And you are hardly fit to even fit to say such words. You are the barbarian here, limiting your mind in such violent and regressive thought. If you are trying to scare me into submission, it won't work." with that his tail flicked a red button on the back of the guard armor by his leg.

What the button was, it was a distress beacon that would trigger in the captain's carriage and that of some of the other guards. It was only outfitted to a few guards recently, and was rather expensive so not all of the guards actually had it. The three stallions who had been overcome with violent emotions would then charge at Luna's shield in an attempt to slam through it as they shouted expletives. Fly Heart had joined them, while Preston Star was trying to blast through the shield using magical blasts from her horn. Their minds were unprepared for this, and they had been completely consumed by it. If the slug or any of the others noticed, on one of the stallion's legs there was a little red flashing rune stone on the back piece of his armour by his tail. 

Afterglow would draw his blade, and get into a fighting stance. "If this is the path that has been decided, than so be it." he would grip his blade, narrowing his eyes as he was now prepared to fight. 

-Other guards-

(If the antenna's effects affect the other guards within the holding cell, then feel free to ignore this section although I think it would be interesting if they were unaffected.) 

On Serenity's left leg she would feel a little buzzing sensation and looked to the flashing red beacon on her leg. She looked to Snapshot and Evergreen, who had their ears up to the door outside and were conversing over the yelling on the other side of the ship. It was too distant for any clear words to be made out, but something had been going on there. "The beacon is going off. Something must be going on." Serenity spoke calmly. 

Evergreen looks back to Serenity. "Sure seems like it. You know, it just so happens we are inside this ship and something goes down on the other side while we are forgotten in here? We can do something about it." 

"Like what?" Serenity slowly raised her eyebrow.

"Break out of here and find out for ourselves. Beats just sitting in here, and rotting away like a stump, don't you think?" Evergreen grinned slyly while Snapshot stood to attention in the back.

"Alright. Shields up. It's time for us to see what is going on. Snapshot, Evergreen, laser out an exit for us and then I'll break us out." Serenity stated as she steps back while Evergreen and Snapshot step forward and begin firing a continuous laser beam from their horns at the door in a circular motion in opposite directions. If the metal is able to be cut through then they would be able to bore through it. If a success, Serenity would slam into the piece that was cut out and it would fall off. Then they would begin their escape.

-Outside-

(I'll suppose the guards on the outside aren't affected? Or are they affected? You can decide that if you wish. Depending on what you can do, you can void the actions of the guards since I am assuming they are unaffected for now.)

If the distress beacon is able to penetrate the hull of the ship and be able to be relayed to the guards on the outside, the ones with the beacon would warn the others. They would take note of the antenna extending out of the top of the ship. Quickly, they would shout commands to each other and begin moving the carriages and themselves away from the ship and raise defensive shields around themselves and expected oncoming attacks from the vessel. They had assumed something had happened to Afterglow, and some of them thought the creatures onboard the ship were lying about being reasonable.

Meanwhile, Arch Stone and the two other mares were far enough away from the main scene and didn't notice the events that had transpired. She would collect the shards and would save a few of them for further study. She tucked them into her pocket, and sat down behind a nearby rock to begin inspecting of the shards while taking notes. The guards would have some idle chatter with Arch Stone, that was until one of them had the beacon go off. The guard looked over and would see the others moving off.

"Something has happened. I suggest we stay put behind this rock." she spoke, then the other guard nodded.

Arch Stone only looked up at her with her monocle. "I will trust you two to be able to deal with this. I have some careful work to do." she said calmly. The other guard would object, but then Arch Stone told her of the seriousness of the shards here, and how important they were to be analyzed and studied by the most talented geologists and specialists back in her lab in Canterlot.







 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

(I originally intended that all would be affected in the area, but I agree that having a mix of affected and unaffected would be more interesting. Let's say only those within a few meters of the shield are affected, and of those only unicorns are overcome by the force given only Sweetie Belle was researched of the CMC, Sweetie herself being the exception as a member of the crew.)

The Bridge

22 hours ago, Starforce said:

"...Rebels. That is what they are....t-they must have gotten onto your ship here! T-he rebels must be the ones with opposite goals! They want to kill us! We have to do something! You can probably I dunno...close all the doors on the ship so they can't get to us! Please, we must do something! Send a warning to the guards outside, or escape!"

The captain sighed and shook his head, pulling what was likely a weapon out from his coat as he turned to face the door, "No, not rebels. Rebels would have shot down from above, done their best to destroy the ship and move on. This is just a classic mutiny, that greedy [expletive] slug has been nothing but trouble since we picked him up. It's time he was dealt with, permanently." He went over to the door controls and started tinkering with them, "The mind control system works in five minute bursts, we'll need to move fast once it wears off to get to a safer location, Warrior should be able to keep us safe until we can get to the slug and deal with him."

 

The Front

22 hours ago, Starforce said:

"If anythin' mah big sister taught me is that with hard work comes great results! Our repairs here ain't gonna take no more time at all if we keep it up."

Standing at the front of the ship they'd be able to see the effects of the mind control system being fired off, all the nearby unicorn guards entering a murderous rampage, some attacking the shield and others attacking their comrades. If they got too far away from the ship they stumbled about in a dazed state for a few moments before seemingly coming to their senses, falling back into the rage if they got too close to the ship again. Engineer was quick to scoop up Applebloom and bring her back into the ship as the slug gave his traitorous speech, locking the door behind them as he got her to the weapons room where Warrior the mantis was anxiously adjusting the targeting systems to account for the sudden increase in hostiles.

"What do we do? Should we fire on them? I can't reach the Captain on the comms."

The Engineer shook his head, "Hold. Only shoot if they try to breach the doors, best if we repel them at the door."

 

Port Holding

The unicorns would not hold back in their attacks, but in their rage filled state they were unable to use most of their training, reduced effectively to rabid animals in their strikes rather than highly trained guards.

Luna would move with the shield over to the door that led deeper into the ship and started to cut it open with her impressive magic.

 

Starboard Holding

Unlike the other guards, the unicorns here were not affected, perhaps since they had already been disarmed the slug didn't consider them useful?

They were able to make good progress on the door, if they cut along the seam the door would eventually shunt open once the locking mechanism had been defeated.

The next room appeared very active, at least according to the amount of activity on the screens. A timer seemed to be counting down on one of them, but they were unable to make heads or tails of the symbols themselves, meaning it was near impossible to tell how long was left on the timer. A door sat to their right and straight ahead. Straight led to the Port side of the ship, right led to the front.

 

Outside

(See The Front)

 

[Props Valroa 26,027]

@Illiad Easle

(Perfect!)

-Bridge-

Sweetie eyes the weapon the captain had drawn out with his hand and she breathes heavily as if trying to calm herself down. "Okay okay okay...so the slug is a traitor and not a rebel and we have to somehow escape from here, and hope that the traitors aboard can be dealt with? Why does he have access to a mind control system...and why does this ship have such a thing? T-that is quite dangerous...I suppose he had somehow been granted access to it, or stole access to it so he could do this?" Sweetie asked quickly.

-The Front-

Outside at the front, Applebloom looked on at the scene of the guards fighting each other. Some of them were acting like animals, and had managed to engage in direct conflict with the other guards who were further away. Some of the guards managed to pull the others away or had gone out of range and would return to their normal mental states but the guards not affected would not go in as to not get affected by the affects of the situation, and those not affected would begin backing off a great distance. However, there would be a few guards who were ravenously attacking the ship itself. Being in their animalistic rage, they didn't think to try the doors. Yet.

Applebloom was relatively easily able to be scooped away thanks to her small stature. "W-whats goin' on?! They are all actin' haywire!" she shouted, but was largely at a loss for words and held on tight to the engineer in fear of the situation. Upon them being inside the weapons room, the mantis would see the scared filly holding onto the Engineer. She didn't say anything, and appeared to be too afraid to talk. Perhaps the guards fighting each other outside traumatized her a bit.

-Port Holding-

Afterglow would remain close to Princess Luna as they moved within the shield. Preston Star, and Fly Heart were reduced to mere animals and ravenously attacking the shield. Afterglow was quite concerned at what had happened to them, hoping it would not be permanent. Since he was not a unicorn, he couldn't cast any spells and could merely only guard over Princess Luna and would warn her if anything became more dangerous outside of the shield.

-Starboard holding-

Once they entered into the next room, Snapshot would perform some sort of spell. His eyes would flash white as his horn glowed white. He was taking a highly detailed photograph of the room itself by using the spell. Serenity and Evergreen stay close along the walls. They discuss what door to go through, but decide to cautiously go through the front door. Their shields were raised, and they hoped they could make it through un-noticed.



 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

The Bridge

As the Captain worked on the controls he answered over his shoulder, "Slugs are innately telepathic, and he was in charge of the sensors and communications systems, so it made sense to put him in charge of the mind control array as well. We had the module installed as convincing your enemies to surrender or at least to not fight is much easier when they have no other choice. In our previous mission, time was of the essence, the Rebels would win if we didn't get to our destination with all due speed."

With that the door slid open, revealing the empty engine room, "Engineer and Translator must have taken Applebloom somewhere else, hopefully safe."

Engineering

The Captain moved to the door on the left, heading to the Starboard side, "The mind control system is on the other side of this door, if we break that he won't be able to control everyone anymore."

 

Weapons

The mantis would come over to Applebloom and do her best to comfort her, "Don't worry little one, I'll make sure none of them hurt you." She'd then head over to the door, when the affected ponies attacked, she'd be ready for them.

 

Port Holding

The door slid open once Luna had done enough damage, allowing her and the guard Captain to pass into the next room, a mirror image to the one found by the guards in the Starboard Holding. A door heading towards the front was on their left, even more fortified than the previous doors, another in front of them heading towards the Starboard side had the same level of security as they one they had passed through. "What say thee Captain? Which door should we choose?"

 

Starboard Holding

(Assuming they chose the door in front of them, heading Port, rather than the door to their right heading to the front)

The door was just as securely locked as the door they had just gotten through, though they could hear some muffled words on the other side of that door, it sounded like one of the aliens.

 

Outside

After enough attacks the shield failed, allowing the affected unicorns to approach the ship en-masse 

[Props Valroa 26,027]

@Illiad Easle

-Engineering-

"Well that makes sense but have you ever thought that it could be used against you?" Sweetie asks as she hurriedly follows the captain into the engineering section. She would hesitate upon seeing the door though. "I feel like we are going into a trap, he would likely know what our plan is, since it seems simple enough. It feels too easy to just open that door and fix our solution. Is there a way to make sure we aren't being lead on into a trap here?" she'd ask with a puzzled expression.

-Weapons-

Apple Bloom would be comforted soon enough by the mantis's words. "W-what is goin' on, if you know what is goin' on? It sounds like there is some fightin' goin' on out there."  she looks to the door in a concerned manner. She wondered who, or what was about to come through the door.

-Port Holding-

Afterglow weighs the options here before stepping forward. "One on the left. Looks like it leads to somewhere more important. Perhaps we could find some sort of method to stop what is going on here, preferably. I am surprised the traitor slug didn't attempt attacking us directly, though. Must be planning something." Afterglow surmised before stepping back, allowing Princess Luna the room she needed so she could cut through the door.

-Starboard holding-

The three approach the door.

"Sounds like there are some of the creatures behind them. We shouldn't fire upon them, if they don't fire upon us first. Should we attempt to exit this ship?" Evergreen asked.

"No. Not yet. And besides, Snapshot here wants to see everything. And so do I, quite frankly. Evergreen, do you remember that trick you used when you uh, forged your acceptation into the guard?" 

"Yes I do. I picked the lock on that door...let me try to pick this one. If it doesn't work, we will simply laser through it." she stated, and pulled out a small kit and tried to pick through the lock of the door, if it had one. If it didn't, they would simply try lasering through the door.

Snapshot silently observed, readying a spell.

-Outside-

Upon seeing the affected unicorns approach the ship, the others who were unaffected tried to drag them back with telekinesis or various spells. 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

On 2021-06-24 at 8:48 PM, Starforce said:

"Well that makes sense but have you ever thought that it could be used against you?" 

The Captain shrugged, "Well, he can't use it to control any of the crew, and I never figured anyone would try to take over the ship. Regardless, it seemed like a far better alternative to this outcome, and it is thanks to it that you're alive right now."

On 2021-06-24 at 8:48 PM, Starforce said:

"I feel like we are going into a trap, he would likely know what our plan is, since it seems simple enough. It feels too easy to just open that door and fix our solution. Is there a way to make sure we aren't being lead on into a trap here?"

The Captain started working on the door controls, "He most likely locked himself up in either the Comms, Doors, or the mind control room. So we'll either fight him now, or remove his method of controlling everyone to flush us out. It may well be a trap, but there's not exactly an alternative here."

 

Weapons

Engineer responded, "The slug decided to try and overthrow the Captain, I calculated that this was an eventuality, but overestimated his intelligence. He should have waited until he could get the ship in orbit."

 

Port Holding

On 2021-06-24 at 8:48 PM, Starforce said:

I am surprised the traitor slug didn't attempt attacking us directly

Luna went over to the indicated door and began to cut through it, taking much longer than the previous one. "We're far more valuable alive than dead Captain, I don't believe we were the intended targets of the guards' madness."

 

Starboard Holding

The door didn't have any obvious mechanical lock, so traditional lockpicks would be useless on it. They wouldn't be cutting long before the door opened of it's own accord under the Captain's efforts, revealing the Captain and Sweetie Belle to the captured guards.

The Captain immediately put himself between Sweetie and them and pointed his weapon at them, but didn't immediately attack unless they attacked first.

[Props Valroa 26,027]

@Illiad Easle

-Starboard Holding-

"Well I am um, sure we can deal with it if none of the crew is affected. I hope this will be over soon..." Sweetie said in a hopeful manner before backing away from the door a bit. The door would open, and reveal the guards to them. The three guards stood there silently for a second, with magical shields around them. They didn't attack first. 

Serenity and Evergreen were shocked upon the sight of the alien creature with a filly. They seemed to be scared, horrified while the other black stallion stood there with an almost emotionless expression. His eyes flashed white, Sweetie and the Captain felt like there was a subtle flash in the room despite seeing none. He stepped forth as if nothing happened.

"I find it highly interesting that there is a filly with you. I hope she is not harmed." he spoke in an ominous nature. Sweetie was too afraid to talk.

Evergreen and Serenity looked to each other. "What is going on? There is...fighting and yelling in the halls. What is happening?" she asked in a puzzled manner. Serenity seemed to be afraid of the human, but stayed put. Serenity stepped forward slowly, looking to the filly with caring eyes. "I-it will be okay..."  

Sweetie didn't say anything. 

-Weapons-

Applebloom rose an eyebrow. "If yah calculated that before it began, then why didn't ya do anything about it before it happened?" she asks, not really understanding why he wouldn't stop this before it began. "I learned somethin' important, it is better to be proactive rather than reactive." 

-Port Holding-

Afterglow stood and kept watch over her. "According to what they said, they wanted to kill the captain. At least the traitorous slug. If the captain is killed, we will have a hard time reaching peace with these creatures. We must stop that Slug before he is able to do that." Afterglow said firmly.

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Engineering/Starboard Holding

The Captain pointed his weapon at the guard that moved forward, gesturing for all of them to back up, he spoke over his shoulder to Sweetie, "Tell them to back up, and sit against the wall in the room behind them. I don't want to shoot them if I don't have to, but if they don't listen to you I'll have to assume they're being controlled, guarding the system so I can't disable it."

 

Weapons

On 2021-06-26 at 6:45 PM, Starforce said:

"If yah calculated that before it began, then why didn't ya do anything about it before it happened?"

Engineer cocked his head, "It isn't my place to act in such a way. My calculations alone do not prove guilt, only possibilities. The Federation has determined that one must commit a crime before they can be considered guilty. One cannot be punished for something they might or are likely to do, only things they have already done."

On 2021-06-26 at 6:45 PM, Starforce said:

 "I learned somethin' important, it is better to be proactive rather than reactive." 

Engineer nodded, "I didn't simply wait of course, I sabotaged the Mind Control station so that your kind could not be effectively controlled. Had I not, the guards outside would no doubt already have breached our defenses."

 

Port Holding

It didn't take much longer for Luna to get the door open, revealing the Slug furiously interacting with the terminal. It spoke directly into their minds, "Earlier than expected. But not ruiningly so. You won't kill me I don't think, your society is too primitive for that. You'll no doubt try and capture me so I can be put to some sort of trial? Giving me ample time to escape or control the guards in the process. I bet you couldn't kill me anyway, Clearly too strong for you no doubt."

As if to punctuate that, the slug pulled a weapon and began firing on the pair, aiming most of his shots at Luna, all while the controlled guards came up behind them, starting to act more cohesively as they drew closer to the slug.

[Props Valroa 26,027]

@Illiad Easle

-Starboard Holding-

Sweetie listened to the captain. "Um, I think it would be a good idea for you to back up and sit up against the wall in that room there. We need to see if you are being...controlled or not." she said innocently, this wording confused the guards but they did as she said. "What do you mean by...controlled?" Evergreen asks in a rather puzzled manner. "There is a traitor on this ship and they somehow are controlling the minds of others aboard the ship. They want to kill the captain...can you help us?" Sweetie asked.

The explanation dumbfounded the guards. "Well alright...but I hope this isn't a trick. I have had enough tricks lately." Serenity huffed somewhat. They stayed seated though and didn't seem to believe or trust the situation. They remained on alert.

-Weapons-

"I see, I am pretty glad that yah disabled the mind controllin' stations, but what do we do now? Surely there has gotta be a way tah fix this one and for all, right? What can we do?" Applebloom asked, shifting slightly as she sat there in thought. "Gotta find this traitor, and blast em' from behind?" she suggested.

-Port Holding-

Afterglow wouldn't bother replying to the slug. It would be best to deny the slug any information as to his thoughts or plans proceeding forward. In such situations as now, he maintained a degree of calmness one would expect of a well seasoned guard. Focusing on the controlled guards he would engage in combat with them but did not leave Luna's barrier. If he was able to, he would attempt to disarm the guards. The more weapons for him, the better. He would allow Luna to focus on the slug herself, when he dealt with the controlled guards. 

 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Starboard Holding

The Captain wasn't sure if he fully trusted the guards' actions, keeping his weapon trained on them as he made his way over to the console, "What are they saying? Are they cooperating?"

After a few moments pressing buttons on the console the Captain grew increasingly frustrated before taking a step back and opening fire on the console, then each of the surrounding panels until everything that had previously held a display was now damaged into non-functionality. "That should take care of that. Now let's get you over to Warrior. Tell them not to follow us."

He'd head over to the other door out of the room and start messing with the panel like he had in the previous rooms.

 

Weapons

Engineer chuckled, "You'd get along well with Warrior. No, we will stay here, he can't leave without the thrusters we haven't installed, and he can't use the weapons while we're here keeping them from firing. I've got a feeling the Captain is on his way here now, and will likely take care of the Slug for us, if the ponies do not."

 

Outside

As the Mind Control system had been destroyed, the antenna that broadcast the signal retracted back into the ship. After about five minutes the controlled unicorns would briefly fall unconcious before returning, groggily, to their previous mental state.

 

Port Holding

Except for the unicorns close enough to the slug to be controlled by him directly, they got stronger the closer they got to the slug, "I could make them kill each other you know. If one survives they'd remember everything, they all will, that must be so-"

The slug was cut off as Luna's magic crushed him flat, the controlled unicorns in the room immediately falling unconscious like the ones outside. She sighed before moving on to the next door, "Take care of the guards, we aren't done yet."

 

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@Illiad Easle

-Starboard Holding- 

The guards observed the captain's movements silently with varying expressions. Snapshot was eerily stoic, while Evergreen and Serenity were more skeptical. They all winced as the consoles were destroyed, Sweetie had backed away. "They are, yes...but they don't understand what is going on and don't trust us." Sweetie states and told the guards not to follow. They didn't follow, Sweetie and the Captain had left leaving them alone in the room. Once Snapshot was sure they weren't being watched his eyes and horn glowed a white color and there was a brief white flash in the room. He had been taking snapshots of the areas he had been in. 

Once in the other room, Sweetie watched the captain's actions intently. 

-Weapons-

"Warrior? Who would that be? I think he sounds like the...one in charge of the weapons here? At least ah' think." she stated and stood up. She looked around at the various weapons around the place. Wondering what they were, in most likely hood she would not recognize what they were. "I hope the repairs ain't for nothin'..." she said somewhat quietly, absently.

-Port Holding-

Afterglow had managed to disable some of the weapons of the controlled guards. He hadn't cared about what the Slug was saying until there was a sudden squish sound. "Well, that is the end of him I suppose. Can't say I really feel sorry for him." Afterglow said in a rather cold manner as he had tended to the collapsed guards and began to set them up against the wall in a more comfortable position before following Princess Luna.

-Outside-

The unaffected guards were rather concerned at the sudden collapse of the guards who were now formally controlled. After a bit of hesitation, they would lift their fallen comrades and carry them off to the carriages. After a few minutes, the guards had awakened groggily but were returned to normal. All of them weren't really sure what to do now considering they were without their captain. They just waited and would re-group.

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Starboard Holding

As the captain worked on the panel he spoke over his shoulder, "What's that one doing, that their eyes are flashing? Is that normal for your kind?"

Not much longer he had the door open, and he was quick to close it behind him and Sweetie Belle, "Even with the mind control off, they're close enough that the Slug could control them directly. Can't risk them getting too close."

Oxygen

With that he moved on to the next door. The room they were in had large cannisters on the walls, and a number of symbols that Sweetie somehow recognized, the cannisters were filled with highly flammable concentrated oxygen.

 

Weapons

Engineer nodded, "Warrior is in charge of the weapons, she is the mantis who brought you and your friends aboard, and is also a capable fighter."

In response to asking that the repairs wouldn't be for nothing Engineer nodded again, "I'm confident that the Captain will prevail. The Slug has a history of being short sighted, likely hasn't planned this far ahead."

 

Port Holding

Princess Luna shook her head, "Given the supposed resurrection of Sweetie Belle, we can't be sure that even death is permanent on this vessel. The slug practically asked us to kill them, so I think it likely that is not the last we've seen of it."

She hept working on the door, which was proving more stubborn than the last one.

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@Illiad Easle

-Oxygen- 

Sweetie looked back to Snapshot and then back to the captain as the entered into the Oxygen room. "I don't know. I've never seen that before. Each pony is different because of our cutie mark, a mark on our flank that is...what we are meant to do or what to be." she said, looking back to the guard's cutie mark. "He has the mark of a camera with a white flash over it. Maybe he is good at taking photos...but what would that have to do with white flashes?" she asked quietly in a manner so the guards wouldn't hear her. "What will we do with the oxygen?"

-Weapons-

"If the captain ain't gonna prevail, we better have a plan to counter the slug and whoever is working with him, don't ya think?" Applebloom asked as she looks over to Warrior (presumably) who would be at the door guarding. "See anyone out there?" she asks with a slight turn of the head. 

-Port Holding-

"Entirely reasonable conclusion. Perhaps that was just part of a greater plan to be prepared for. I have a feeling to go through all the effort to do this, there is no possible way for it to just suddenly end there." Afterglow said with conviction, standing back and being on guard for what would lie in the next door.

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Oxygen

The captain seemed confused by Sweetie's question, until he looked around and saw where they were, "Ah, we aren't going to do anything with the oxygen, we're just passing through."

With just a few more tweaks he got the door open. -> Cloning

 

Weapons

18 hours ago, Starforce said:

we better have a plan to counter the slug and whoever is working with him, don't ya think?

Engineer shook his head. "The chances of the Captain failing are astronomical. There is no need to waste time considering an impossible outcome."

18 hours ago, Starforce said:

"See anyone out there?"

The mantis looked over, then shook her head, "Not yet, they were banging on the door earlier, but they stopped before they got through. Still, not going to step away until we're sure that it isn't a trick. Don't worry about Engineer, his kind don't have much of an imagination, I do have a plan if the Captain fails, though it is mostly running away from the ship and starting a new life out on those sand dunes. You can come with if you want."

 

Port Holding

They could hear a bit of a commotion on the other side of the door before Luna finally got it open. -> Cloning

 

Cloning

Oxygen-> When the door opened for the Captain and Sweetie they saw the Slug messing with the medical instruments, a number of Sweetie Belle clones around him, "Pilot, I didn't expect you to make it this far."

"I didn't think you'd stoop to breaking galactic treaties."

The slug shrugged, "Not that the federation will hear of it."

With a wave of an eye-stalk the Sweetie Clones started to attack the Captain, who started firing on the clones, most of them falling after one or two shots, being reduced to ash in the process

Port Holding-> That is the scene that Princess Luna and the guard captain were greeted with, the Captain killing the last Sweetie Belle clone they could see, before opening fire on the Slug.

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@Illiad Easle

-Cloning-

Sweetie would let out a shriek upon seeing the Sweetie Clones before hiding behind the Captain's leg and clinging on tightly to him. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see what was happening. The poor filly was rather scared by what was going on but thankfully none of them had managed to reach Sweetie and the Captain himself, and she would look up just in time to see Afterglow come charging in with his sword drawn. Afterglow didn't say anything, or waste any time. He charged, angling his sword in a certain manner. First he attempted to slice off the Slug's eyestalks before going in for a direct stab. 

-Weapons-

Applebloom walked closer to the door, looking up at the Mantis. "If all else fails ah am sure we could work something out with the locals or I could try to find a way to keep you hidden. Maybe back home in the loft in my family's barn. But that's a long way from here and no doubt my big sister and the others are looking for me and my friends." she stated, looking a bit concerned at the manner the mantis spoke to the engineer and hoped that it wouldn't offend him. 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Cloning

The Captain would push the real Sweetie back into oxygen to keep her safe saying softly "Stay" before entering the cloning room again and closing the door behind him.

The slug proved rather nimble, avoiding the guard captain's stabs is if he knew where the attacks would be before they arrived.

The Captain stepped in between the slug and the guard captain, motioning with his weapon for the captain to back off.

The slug looked sarcastic, "My hero."

The captain spoke over his shoulder, "Shut it, you'll get what you deserve soon enough."

The captain then noticed that the guard captain had the translator, he adjusted something on his wrist so the guard captain could understand, "Back off, I'll take it from here."

 

Weapons

Warrior chuckled, "I'm sure I'd be fine on my own, I've plenty of experience being thought of as a monster, but I appreciate the offer."

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@Illiad Easle

-Cloning-
 

Sweetie heads into the oxygen and would stay put, hiding herself behind the canisters if that was possible. She really didn't want to get hurt since she had no defensive ability, at least not yet. Meanwhile the captain was confused how the slug knew his incoming movements and chalked that up to the slug's telepathic ability. Afterglow would simply do a nod before backing off, looking to Luna. He wasn't really sure what to say and would just observe. However if the Captain had any issue, he would aid him if that happened.

-Weapons-

"Monster? Well, yer anything but! I think most ponies would be scared of ya as everyone hasn't seen ya before and ah I don't know if there are creatures like ya here." Applebloom said. "Are we just sittin' in here waiting for trouble to come or what?" 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Cloning

Once Luna and the guard captain had backed up sufficiently, which was to say back through the door, the captain adjusted something on his wrist, when he spoke again it wasn't broadcast through any of the translators, so it wasn't understood by any who could hear, but the Captain kept the weapon trained on the slug while interacting with the console in the room, before removing a vial from the strange machine.

The slug tried to attack the Captain then, and was shot dead. Followed with the captain setting the vial down before shooting it as well, shattering it and scattering the liquid contents.

He took a deep breath before adjusting his wrist again, this time talking so all the crew could hear, "The traitor has been dealt with. I'm ending the lockdown, back to your stations."

He adjusted his wrist again, this time when he spoke the guard captain could understand, "Apologies. Now that that situation is taken care of, and we find ourselves on more equal footing, we should negotiate."

He leaned heavily against the wall adjacent to the corpse of the slug, which was dissolving before their eyes as tiny machines, like metal ants, reclaimed the raw materials and carried them away.

 

Weapons

On 2021-07-01 at 6:58 PM, Starforce said:

Monster? Well, yer anything but! I think most ponies would be scared of ya as everyone hasn't seen ya before and ah I don't know if there are creatures like ya here.

Warrior smiled weakly, "If only everyone saw the same way you did... still, the title isn't wholly undeserved. My kind are warriors by nature, and have done some monstrous things in the past, including the fact that we are often pirates and slavers, and have no qualms with consuming the flesh of other sentient creatures that we defeat in combat."

On 2021-07-01 at 6:58 PM, Starforce said:

"Are we just sittin' in here waiting for trouble to come or what?" 

Warrior was about to respond when the Captain's announcement came over the recently liberated ship, she visibly relaxed as the shielding on the doors retracted. "I guess not anymore. I'm going to make sure the Captain is alright. You can come if you like, Engineer can man the weapons in the mean time."

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@Illiad Easle

-Cloning-

Afterglow observes this scene without any issue, such a display he found un-nerving but the captain couldn't tell how Afterglow was feeling about it. That was until Afterglow scoffed somewhat, "He said something about how our kind would spare him and do some sort of trial. That is not the case for those of this nature. I don't have any sympathy for him, he knew what he was doing and he would have done far worse things to us and the others in this area if he had gotten what he wanted. So for that, good riddance." Afterglow said with a passing calmness as he strode closer to the captain himself.

"Unfortunately, there are those like him among our kind who would do as bad or worse things if they could. I've seen it myself in various situations. From the changeling invasions, to other situations but I have a lot of questions for you now that we are...here in the flesh. Captain to Captain." Afterglow spoke, his mouth curling into some sort of grin as he would step past the corpse of the slug almost too casually. 

"You seem to have some kind of cloning ability, that is for sure. Either you upload the consciousness into another body, or you create more bodies to serve your purposes. This would have many medical benefits here. Your technology would be something I am definitely interested in, because there are are a lot of ponies here on this world who are in desperate need of care that we cannot give simply because we are not advanced enough." he said with a more solem look on his face. The captain could probably tell what Afterglow was interested in. 

-Weapons-

Applebloom visibly recoiled at what Warrior said. "W-well ah'll be...ain't that...unexpected? Ah' hope ya won't be eatin' anyone anytime soon...haha." she laughed nervously but didn't object to follow warrior to look for the captain.

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

Cloning

On 2021-07-04 at 12:18 AM, Starforce said:

So for that, good riddance.

The Captain shook his head, "It is wrong to speak ill of the dead. We all will die one day, and so it is better to respect all than to accuse those who cannot defend themselves."

On 2021-07-04 at 12:18 AM, Starforce said:

Your technology would be something I am definitely interested in, because there are are a lot of ponies here on this world who are in desperate need of care that we cannot give simply because we are not advanced enough.

The Captain shook his head again, "That is not something I can offer at this time. What you saw as demonstrated by the late Comms Officer was a gross misuse of the technology, and for such transgressions of galactic treaties he was executed. By those same treaties I am required to limit as much as possible my affect on your civilization. Giving you such technology could drastically alter the course of your society's evolution. This is what I can offer, and I assure you it is very generous: The three young of your kind we rescued, we would like to take them with us back to the Federation. Over the course of a few galactic rotations, which I calculate as a half dozen seasonal cycles on this planet, they will be taught everything they can be about what the Federation knows. If they successfully meet all the academy's expectations, at the end of their training they will be given their own ship loaded with the technology and information they have been trained to use, and given permission to return here and distribute it as they see fit. This process is called Uplifting, it is a rare honor to have it offered."

The captain sighed, "All I can offer as an alternative, is that we leave quietly, allow you to keep whatever you've collected so far, and mark your system to be evaluated every so often until you meet the requirements for First Contact. Given what we've seen, that could take several hundred seasonal cycles."

Princess Luna looked over at the guard Captain, "What sayest he? Thou hast the only method of communication with him. Is the filly Sweetie Belle safe?"

 

Weapons

On 2021-07-04 at 12:18 AM, Starforce said:

Ah' hope ya won't be eatin' anyone anytime soon...haha.

Warrior smiled slightly, "Not if they're as cute as you and your friends, you're all too cute to fight, much less eat. Besides, the ship produces more than enough food to keep me satiated."

After passing through a few chambers they entered the cloning bay where the Captains and Princess Luna were standing.

 

Cloning Again

"Captain," Warrior said, such that only Applebloom and the Captain could hear, "Are you alright? Who are these ponies?" She went over to share an affectionate nuzzle of sorts.

"I'm fine, just tired. These are representatives of the ponies... apparently. I'm seeing if they'll allow us to Uplift the small ones you rescued."

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@Illiad Easle

-Cloning-

The Captain listens to this and he turns to Luna. "It is complicated. They have some sort of directive of how they contact civilizations and we have not reached the guidelines of how they usually do it. They are offering these three fillies something called 'Uplifting' in which they will be taught anything their Federation knows and will be granted command of their own spacecraft like this and be granted the chance to teach us this knowledge they have received." he looks to the Captain.

"It is not up to me to decide the lives of these fillies. It is their choice, but their families also must know of this event too. Half a dozen seasonal cycles is about 6 years. Several hundreds of seasonal cycles on this planet would be quite something, and I most certainly wouldn't be around to see it. Neither would most of anyone on this planet. But like I said, the Uplifting Process you speak of is not up to me to decide." he tipped his hat in respect, for it was not his choice to decide. At least in his view. "Another thing, are the fillies safe? I know one of them is with my guards outside. But are the two others in good condition?"

Apple Bloom smiled to warrior and giggled slightly, following to where the captains were as they talked. "Oooh, the cap'n of the guard is here." she said and tilted her head at the mention of uplifting. Afterglow looks over to them curiously, but does not engage yet. He raises an eyebrow as Warrior nuzzles Applebloom. He couldn't help but smile at that, to the Captain it would be interesting to see him smile so innocently at a display before he looked back as his smile faded. 

[Illiad Easle 2,971]

@Starforce

(I should clarify, Warrior nuzzled the Captain, not Applebloom)

17 hours ago, Starforce said:

"It is not up to me to decide the lives of these fillies.

Princess Luna looked less sure, "If this offer is to be believed... it would be in the best interest of all Equis to do anything in our power to encourage this to happen." She spoke softly to the guard captain, "While cooperation is preferred, we may need to explore alternative methods to ensure the fillies are able to participate. The fillies themselves should be easy enough to convince, our sister should be able to convince the families."

17 hours ago, Starforce said:

But like I said, the Uplifting Process you speak of is not up to me to decide."

The Captain nodded, "I hardly expected so, more so as the governing body you had the right to deny them, but I appreciate that you are unwilling to obligate them."

17 hours ago, Starforce said:

"Another thing, are the fillies safe? I know one of them is with my guards outside. But are the two others in good condition?"

The Captain nodded, "Of course. Were it not for my Weapons Officer's decisive rescue they would all three be dead out there. They are all safe, though I should note, the white one suffered fatal injuries from the creature's venom, we used our technology to save her life, but given we only had an incomplete template of her kind we were unable to restore her exactly the same. By our Medical Officer's opinion, her physical body is a bit more matured now than it was, which is to be expected as we used scans of the ponies outside to complete the template, no doubt they are fully grown. Despite this, she has shown no abnormality."

The Captain spoke into his wrist, speaking directly to Sweetie "You can come in now, it is safe."

The Captain turned his attention back to the guard Captain and Princess Luna, "Now that we have your permission... what process is required further before we can prep the fillies for departure? On our end all we need is their consent, but I assume you need more information on your end. There is plenty of time, once we get the remaining materials we'll release the remaining guards in our custody, then it will be a few hours before we are ready to attempt to depart."

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@Illiad Easle

(Ah, my bad!)

Afterglow agrees with Princess Luna. "Very well. I think it is for the best that we allow this offer to occur, and encourage it. It will offer us a great opportunity to improve our world and hopefully get to become as advanced as they are, some day. I can only hope for the best." he stepped forward with an optimistic look. "I am glad that you were able to save the lives of these fillies, no matter how matured they may have became. For this, you will be remembered for your kindness and decency. I have no doubt in that. I am very interested in your technology, I wonder if you would be willing to give any of your knowledge to us. Blueprints, anything you are willing to give in exchange for what we know."

Sweetie Belle steps in after hearing the Captain speak to her through his wrist. When she walks in she was greeted with the sight of Princess Luna and the guard Captain. She bows before Luna to show respect and seemed to be afraid of earning his ire. "Woah! Princess Luna. A guard. Is e-everything safe now?" Sweetie asked them.

"Everything is fine. You have nothing to be worried about. There is no more fighting. Now, Sweetie. You are given an opportunity here, one you will not get again in your life." he looked to Applebloom "That goes for you as well. You are given the chance to go back with them so you will be able to learn what they are able to teach which is far more than anything we can teach you. Even the smartest ponies here do not know what these ones know. I highly would encourage you both to go with them, and take advantage of the opportunity that has been presented yourselves with. Your families will know of what has happened here in time. With that being said, would you like to go with them?" Afterglow asked with a calm grin.

"I would. I would be proving all of those who doubted me wrong, and I would be getting a chance to become something nopony ever had the chance to be. There is no possible way I would deny. While I will miss home, I'll be coming back...eventually. Perhaps I may even get my cutie mark?" she asked with a grin, going over to Applebloom. "W-well uh, it ain't a chance no pony ever had, so who am I to deny that? Ah am sure my family would understand as they always wanted what was best for me and ah think I'm makin' the right choice." Applebloom was more unsure but definitely is interested in accepting this offer.

Afterglow was pleased. "Now, as for your materials they may arrive at any given moment. My researcher, Arch Stone is probably out there with the other guards. If she is lucky enough she would have found some of those crystals you were speaking of. If you need additional help in repairing this vessel I am sure my guards would be willing to accommodate that. They will be remaining in the area until your departure, but while you are here on this world I am sure you would like a chance for us to trade as well. We have something you don't, magic. We can give you knowledge about it if it is allowed by our government to grant you it, perhaps even showing you our cities." he stated, looking to Princess Luna.