open Celestial Conquest: Equestria Fallen

[Salacious B. Crumb 13]

Link to OOC Topic: http://mlpforums.com/topic/35277-celestial-conquest-equestria-fallen/

There are two possibilities:

 

Either we are alone in the universe

Or we are not.

 

Both are equally terrifying.

 

Arthur C. Clarke

 

We are here. Why? We have yet to find out. Until then,

there are problems to be solved. The Coalition of

Equestria is on the brink of total anarchy. After

their Zebrayik allies left them, they are near helpless

against the advance of the merciless Changeling

Empire and the constant growth of the Rebel Fleet.

The future is an unpaved road, and somepony

needs to pave it.

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

(OOC: Sorry that this is long, but I want to set up why he's going on this adventure effectively. I also control the changling a bit out of necessity, and i apologize for that as well.)

 

DeadEye waded through a crowd of excited civilians, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of their ruler, Princess Luna. She was to make an appearance in a matter of minutes, to speak to the civilians of the capital of the Coalition of Equestria. This was not a pleasure visit though. He had recently got a tip that there would be a changling assassination attempt on the princess's life today. He scanned the crowd like a hawk for any suspicious individuals. Currently, the Coalition and the Empire were in conflict, but the death of Luna would mean the shift to total war, either bringing the Rebel Fleet and Zebrayik areas to side with the Empire out of necessity, or dying in the middle of the conflict. It would mean the death and suffering of millions or even billions. The princess must not die.

 

He spied a shifty looking pony, fiddling with a camera near the rear of the crowd. DeadEye walked up beside him and leaned on the guardrail behind him casually. He pulled the front of his hat down low, hiding his scarred, white eye. Suddenly, he suddenly reached out and grabbed the camera, which felt like no camera he had ever seen. It was a magic blaster rifle, disguised using changling magic. He pulled it to the air so none of the civilians would be hurt, and then he pulled the changling off of the ledge behind them, falling about ten feet to another platform. They rolled around, struggling for a while, both trying to avoid alerting the crowd. Finally the changling managed to escape, by pushing himself off of the unicorn and flying away, leaving behind his weapon and a piece of cloth from the garment he was wearing, which DeadEye bit off during the struggle.

 

He examined the cloth, and he recognized it immediately. It was from a planet in Zebrayik territory, Delta 9OG136. He had been there before...

 

The planet was once an important trading partner with the Coalition, but when the the changlings came, they put an end to that, further destabilizing the relationship between the different major factions in this galaxy. To this day, it was still part of the Empire. Getting there would be tricky. He would have to board a ship headed that way, but first he needed more information about why this attack had happened in the first place. It was rather out of the blue, afterall. He needed to get access to Celestia's computer systems.

 

He stalked off, wanting to avoid detection. He knew just where to go.

Edited January 6, 2013 by MelancholicMemory

[Ian 69]

Not currently having anything to do, Axel sat in the part of the cantina where pilots waited for work, sipping his apple cider.  One of his favorite past-times was to listen to the more experienced pilots' stories and fables. The specific one that caught his ear at the moment, told about a run-in with a Changling fighter squadron, and how the teller's skill and ship's speed were all that saved him.  Axel chuckled, catching man of the contradictions of the story.

[irobern2857 95]

Usaf landed his ship near the outskirts of Caanterlot.

 

"Sir, why have you come to see Princess Luna's speech if your or no longer part of the COE?" came the automated voice that belonged to his computerized co-pilot, FILIS.

 

"Just because im not part of the COE dose not mean that I have no interest in the goings on of the world." Usaf then looked to his gunner "Simmons, you coming with me or not?"

 

"No sir, I will stay with the ship."

 

"Ok then don't get into trouble. FILIS lock-down protocol."

 

"Yes sir."

 

And with that Usaf headed out into the streets to join in with the crowd. It was not long till he saw two ponies fighting over what appeared to be a camera "Drunken fools" he muttered under his breath and waited around for the speech to start.

Edited January 7, 2013 by irobern2857

[Blitz 127]

Purplepower stood near the back of the large crowd relatively unnoticed. "Ugh I'm not sure how much more of this I can take." She said to herself hoping that she could leave soon. She hated crowds in general, and even more so when there wasn't a way to avoid them. Sheesh I've gotta stop fidgeting it's making it worse. She looked around trying to see if there was somewhere where it wasn't so crowded. Hmm doesn't look like there's anywhere- Wait, what's going on over there? It looks like some sort of fight or something..... "Eesh....The dumb things ponies do." She rolled her eyes a bit at the fight thinking it was a bit immature. "Just another reason to try and find somewhere away from this madness." She left her spot in the crowd and continued to look for somewhere less busy.

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

Meanwhile, the Canterlot Intelligence and Surveillance Centre was in chaos. Assistants stumbled from one office desk to the other, ferrying hologram messages, intelligence reports, and high-caffeine coffee. 

 

The security techs in the Intel Centre has been working overtime since Celestia's speech had been announced several months ago, and Smart Flanks was feeling the brunt of it. every hour he had to check that all of the Ministry's files were present and correct, that the firewalls were configured correctly, that no one without permission had even risked a cursory scan of Equestrian systems. Everything had to be in order and if even the slightest glitch appeared in the system the head supervisor would have him fired and definitely make sure he never went anywhere near a computer again.

 

It wasn't normally like this. There was always the occasional script kiddie who thought he'd have a go at the Equestrian administration but it was never anything to worry about, and most of the day consisted of looking at firewalls, trying to hack your neighbour's databases to check their integrity, and eventually it would get to the point where there was literally nothing else to do and you and the team would do stupid stuff like spinning in chairs or engaging in intense moral debates over the meaning of life. But whenever some sort of bug event came around... Things got hectic, to say the least.

 

Now, not only did he have to do all of the above, but he had to monitor surveillance channels near the port and listen out for any anti-Coalition chatter on native frequencies. He hadn't slept in a day now and he was pretty sure that caffeine was the only thing keeping him awake right now. It took all of his effort just to stop his eyes from closing.

 

However, an event on screen caught his eye as he tapped away at the keyboard with his hooves. Near the port to the town square there seemed to be something causing quite a ruckus amongst the crowd. He checked his watch; there were still 10 minutes to go before the Princess's speech. Perhaps he'd better call in a security team...

 

"Sir!" he called out to his supervisor, who had a desk in the centre of the room "Trouble near the central port, sir!"

 

"Oh?" his supervisor responded, his concentration on his monitor as he typed furiously.

 

"Permission to send in a security team sir?"

 

"Yes, yes, of course, make it quick."

 

"Yes sir!" 

 

Continuing to type, he whipped the security radio from its holder on the front of his desk and spoke down it "Security team 3, we have trouble in the central port, just outside the city square. Request that you check it out, over."

 

The radio crackled for a moment before he received a confirmation; "Of course, moving now."

 

Despite a vague feeling of relief, he kept his eyes fixed on the surveillance cam and his ears listening out for trouble over the radio. He had a feeling this could get ugly...

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

Before security could reached the site of the disturbance, DeadEye had already stealthily made his way back to his small ship, The Blue Moon. There, he changed into his old CoE military uniform, placing his scarlet beret upon his head. Someone dressed as an officer with such a high rank could walk right into the Canterlot Intelligence and Surveillance Centre easily without question. This is precisely what he did. He made his way inside of the CISC, using his percieved authority to clear any guards.

 

No one would be better at getting into the computer systems than a tech worker in the CISC who worked with it anyway, so it was necessary to convince one of them to help him. He walked through a busy, chaotic area until he came to a beige earth pony whose name-tag said, "Smart Flank."

 

"Sir, may I have a word with you...in private," he asked in a hushed voice.

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

"Sir, my I have a word with you.. in private..."

 

Smart Flank looked up from his screens, stopping his hoof halfway through a keystroke. Standing before him was a high-ranking officer of the Equestrian military, all in dress uniform. He must have come from the city square and was probably on guard duty. Then again, something seemed a bit off about him... but it was probably just his mind playing tricks, as it did. Lack of social life led to paranoia; at least that's what Smart Flank told himself.

 

"Why of course, sir, but assuming this is a matter of security wouldn't you prefer to talk to my supervisor? He's just over there," he gestured to the circular desk in the centre of the room "I'm sure he can deal with your issue better than me, I'm just a security tech, sir."

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

"Perfect, he defered to an authority figure. I know just how to deal with him," he thought to himself.

 

 

"No...No, I think you're just the stallion I'm looking for. Now, if you do not mind, would you please lead me to a place where we can speak...away from prying eyes and ears. This is a very urgent matter."

Edited January 8, 2013 by MelancholicMemory

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

Smart Flank looked up at the stallion with narrowed eyes. It was quite clear to him now: this was no true military officer. The Coalition's officers were disciplined and respected the chain of command. They wouldn't continue to bother a security tech in such a busy time.

 

He rubbed the panic button beneath his desk, considering pressing it and summoning the security teams to take care of the trespasser. But he refrained from taking such action. Perhaps it would be more fun to obstruct the "military officer" from reaching his undobtedly malevolent goal.

 

"Look, I have work to do here, as you know this is a very stressful and busy time for CISC and I would appreciate it if you would cease to bother me and talk to my superior," he struggled to supress a grin; this was too good "Besides, what could possibly be so secretive that you have to drag me, a trusted member of the Ministry of Intelligence, away from my desk to speak privately so as to avoid the ears of fellow civil servants."

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

"Besides, what could possibly be so secretive that you have to drag me, a trusted member of the Ministry of Intelligence, away from my desk to speak privately so as to avoid the ears of fellow civil servants."

 

 

He leaned in and whispered to him, soft enough that know one else could hear him, but loud enough that he heard it loud and clear, "The murder of Princess Luna. There was an assassination attempt made this morning. I thwarted it. Now, unless you want to stay and feel up that panic button all day, let's get somewhere quiet before all of Equestria goes into a panic."

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

His eyes widened at the claim the officer made and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Someone had tried to murder Princess Luna? How could this happen? CISC had been on red alert al day, couldn't they have found something?

 

His train of thought stopped as he considered the stallion's words; of course this news wouldn't have gone outside black ops channels, it could cause a mass panic amongst the people of the Coalition! Now he understood the secrecy.

 

He stood from his chair and began to lead the officer to the store room just behind his desk. If he was legit there was no way this information could get out.

 

"Please, come with me."

 

 

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

"As I have just told you at your desk, there was an assassination attempt on Princess Luna this morning. He was a changeling, disguised as a tourist. You're probably called Smart Flank for a reason, so I assume you spied a disturbance in the crowd earlier and sent out a patrol to check it out. They should return with the changeling's weapon, left on a ledge below the visitor platform. Keep in mind that none of this information can ever leave this room. You must make sure that no one ever knows this has happened, and you especially must make sure this never leaks to the general public. If this information gets out, it could mean not just the destruction of the Coalition, but possibly the galaxy as a whole.

 

Anyway, the changeling escaped, but we will be hunting him down. However, I have another very important task for you. I fear, that the Coalition has been compromised. I require vital information from some of the most secure databases in Equestria, but I cannot pursue it through the normal channels for fear that this information would leak to the changelings, leading to another, more terrible attack on Canterlot. You must understand now, why I must keep such secrecy. I need your technological expertise to access this information," he said, handing him a file. He put a hoof on Smart Flank's shoulder. "Equestria's fate lies on your shoulders, my friend. So, what do you say? Do you accept this great responsibility?"

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

"I don't understand," Smart Flank began, rubbing his forehead "Why would I be of any use to you? I might be part of the Ministry of Intelligence but I still don't have access to every file in the system. Plus, what intel could possibly pose such a huge threat to Equestria or even the Changelings? If we had such intel to destroy them we would have done so, and if it could be used against us it would be in a highly secure network or possibly even stored as a physical file like the one you're holding." He shook his head and let out a sigh of frustration "Oh, buck it. I'm in. I assume everything I need is in the file?"

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

"Good. I know that this must be confusing. We're entering a rather confusing time, I fear, but we must still persevere. This information is confidential tactical information; plans which the Emire could use to outmaneuver the CoE, and bring us under their rule. It is essential that this does not fall into the wrong hands, and I know that you will be able to retrieve it for me, to help us keep this nation secure from he changeling menace. And yes, all the information you will need is in there including how to contact me to send me the information you retrieve.

 

One last thing. Smart Flank, when I was young, I lived in a much different world than we live in now. The galaxy has changed tremendously, and I've suffered for it. It seems like we are going to go through another such period of great change again. Take care of yourself." He turned to walk out, but then he turned back to casually say one last thing.

 

"Oh, and if you share anything I've told you today, I will kill you myself."

 

He left he building and returned to his ship. He changed out of the uniform and back into his normal gear before heading off to the local cantina to find a ride to Delta 9OG136. He needed a capable ship and crew who wouldn't suspect his true intentions.

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

He looked on, his mouth slightly open and a puzzled expression on his face, as the stallion left the store room. He had no doubt the impostor would have any trouble killing him, at least when he was alone. Heck, he supposed that even if he was in public he would find some way to take him down; a sniper round through the head, a knife in a dark alley. It was all the same to people like that. 

 

"Bloody scum of the galaxy..." He muttered to himself, but nonetheless took the folder back to his desk for later perusal. He turned his attention back to his screen, and noted the Coalition fanfare blaring through the speakers; Celestia's grand speech was about to start.

 

"This is it, team," He heard his supervisor shout "Keep your eyes and ears open and look out for any suspicious movement. If anyone lays a finger on Celestia I'll have you all hung, drawn and quartered."

 

Most of the team gave a nervous chuckle, but Smart Flank had no doubt that his supervisor would carry out his promised of execution. In such stressful times, normal, rational punishments went out the window, and in their place was the quick and easy option of a summary execution.

 

Now was the time to divert his full attention to his surveillance screens and network defenses. He settled back into a comfortable sitting position, and fixed his eyes on the glass screen.

[Ian 69]

Axel leaned back on his chair and put his hooves up on the filthy table.  He closed his eyes and tapped his hoof on the table to the beat of the music.  He ran his bank fund through his mind, wondering how many and what kind of jobs he'd need to update the navigation system of his ship.  Oh yeah.  I need to repaint it.  Banned pirates...

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

DeadEye walked up to the bar and ordered a drink. He then sat at a table, leaning forward casually, blending in as just another drunkard in the cantina. Meanwhile, he listened in to those around him for any sign of pilots heading in the direction he needed, or smugglers who work in the region.

[Blitz 127]

Purplepower was still looking for somewhere empty, but so far she was unsuccessful. I can't believe that there's not one place here where it's not crowded! She thought, continuing to be bumped around by the other ponies. Good grief am I invisible or something? She accidentally got shoved causing her to face plant into the window of a building. Must be. After she unstuck her face from the glass she looked up and saw several ponies in what appeared to be a Catina looking at her. Well that was graceful......

[irobern2857 95]

After being pushed around enough by the fellow ponies trying to get a glimpse of the speaker Usaf got feed up with tight quarters and the load noises.

 

"Ahh Buck this! I'm finding a different spot."

 

With that he pushed the ponies around him away and took to the air. There it was a nice cantina roof. Not to far to hear the speech but distant enough to escape the crowd. He imediatly took off in that direction landing on the roof with a solid "thud".

 

"Now this is more like it." Usaf said to no-one in particular. 

[Blitz 127]

"Great, just great that's all I need is to run into a window." Purplepower said to herself, facehoofing. I'd better keep going its bad enough that I did that in the first- wait a minute it looks like there's an empty corner in that Catina..... Ugh I really don't like places like this, but I guess it'll be worth it if I'm not shoved around the whole time. She went in and walked over to the corner of the Catina and sat down virtually unseen by most of the ponies there. I think as long as nopony notices me it won't be a problem... She thought as she practically disappeared in the corner.

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

Smart Flank watched with interest as a purple mare attempted to push through the crowd, came to a standstill, and subsequently found her face crushed against a glass window of a cantina. He suppressed a laugh at her inability to make any headway, and as she tore her face away from the glass pane he noticed that, from the point of the view of the surveillance camera, she was actually rather attractive.

 

He looked on as she entered the cantina, promptly switching to the camera installed in said establishment; the CISC installed surveillance in pretty much every public building just in case of attack. After all, this was the cultural and historical capital of the Coalition. He glanced around briefly, seeing her come in through the entrance, but also noticed what looked like a pilot also sat in the establishment and... wait, was that the impostor he'd seen earlier?

 

He leaned into his screen, eyes narrowed, his observation only broken as he heard Celestia cough through her microphone on her pedestal.

 

"Damn it, keep it together Smart Flank. Gotta stay focused..."

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

DeadEye heard a loud thud from above. Probably some obnoxious pegasus had carelessly landed on the roof to watch the speech. Some ponies had no sense of decency these days. He considered investigating the noise, but he didn't want to attract attention by climbing up on the roof. Immediately afterward, his thoughts were interrupted by a purple pony smacking into the adjacent window. This pony soon walked in and sat nearby in the cantina. 

 

Well, there were certainly a lot of things going on in here, but nothing was particularly helpful. He noticed that the nearby security camera followed the purple pony, but suddenly turned to stare at him. He  looked down, obscuring his face and identity. It must be Smart Flank doing his own little investigation. It didn't matter right now though. Hopefully he would overhear some smuggler or mercenary headed in the same direction as him soon.

[Archi the Atmomancer 564]

A chuckle escaped Smart Flank's lips as he saw his co-conspirator take note of his "eye-in-the-sky" and tilt his hat at just the right angle to obscure his face. This stallion intrigued him; what were his motivations, why did he need access to classified information, why couldn't he have gotten it illicitly if he wanted to be sure of a result? After he'd got the information he needed, he would ask him a few questions himself.

 

He would have turned his attention back to the rather stunning purple pony trying her best to look inconspicuous in a bar full of rough-and-tumble rogues, but Celestia's stunning radiance was practically leaking out of the monitor. Her presence had that way of getting ponies' attention in an intimidating sort of way. Well, that was the best he could describe it at any rate.

 

He'd seen the speeches as a colt and remembered being terrified of Celestia. Not just scared, but horrified to the core. His parents said she hadn't always been this way, that she was once kind and caring, and Smart Flank believed it. She didn't look like she was born to rule in wartime. A sneer and scowl didn't suit her face like how he imagined a smile would, But that was then, and this was now, and he turned back to the task at hand.

[MelancholicMemory 2,027]

Time was growing short, and so far DeadEye wasn't getting anywhere. For his wallet' s sake he hated to get information this way, but he had no choice. He walked up to the bartender, whispered something to him, and covertly handed him a small bits. In exchange, he was directed to Axel, a  pilot sitting across the bar listening to his elders' tall-tales. DeadEye pulled up a chair and sat beside him."Hello, Axel, right? I hear you're the stallion to talk to if I'm looking for a good pilot."