Sufficient Velocity vs. The Conversion Bureau IC

Dalek Ix · Apr 19, 2018

[Valerie von Brandenburg]

Cyreni said:
There was a long pause as Shift weighed and considered everything that had happened so far, and everything she had been raised and taught to know. "No. No I don't. Why should I? We're enemies. I'm a prisoner. You did something to Princess Cadence. You hurt her somehow, despite giving me your word otherwise." A worm of doubt found her. Did she do something to me?

My facial quills droop for a second, and then twitch back up again.

<<I regret that state of affairs,>> I say, <<However, despite appearances... I have not failed my word to thee.>>

I raise a hand, palm out. <<I know that you have no reason to trust me when I tell you this. However... the Prince and Princess (who should be an Empress, given that she rules the Crystal Empire) is here with us. If you'll allow me a moment->>

I halt. I tense. I stand up, turning.

Something has happened. Something has gone terribly, terribly off the path in the control room, judging from the cacophony of thought coming from there.

<Excuse me,>> I say, and hurry off, at just barely under a run.

[Sunset Shimmer]

Cyreni said:
Flurry squirmed and tried to telekinetically steal Shimmer's boot."

I hopped around on one foot for a bit, and then carefully try tried to slip a telekinetic field between Flurry's and my boot, letting me pull away from her grip.

"Easy there..."

Cyreni said:
"I don't know the specifics about how it works, but it's being developed at the Laboratories in the Canterlot Caverns. That's right below Canterlot itself. From what was given to me, it embeds an enchantment onto somepony's spine and brain that manipulates their brain chemistry directly. If the enchanted knows that what they're doing is contrary to the Empress' goals- even thinking wrong -it causes them pain in proportion to the transgression, and when they are given the approval of the Empress or those she appoints, they're given pleasure. And it maintains itself by feeding on a trickle of their magic."

Armor cradled Flurry to his chest. "My ponies already have little choice available to them. If it's not stopped, soon, everypony will have no choice."

I stand back and listen closely to what's happening. I'm not supposed to be fighting anymore (and Valerie hadn't been happy about me going to the Empire) but I wanted to at least know what was going on.

Which was mostly us being informed of the most recent crime against everything that This Equestria was up to now.

I shudder, my wings flaring slightly. Yeesh! Things like this made me want to...

And then Jason spoke to Miriam.

And then everything went to bucking Tartarus.

shubzilla said:
Before Miriam could ask me to step out; before anyone could step away, I spoke up. Not until the end did any frustration seep into my voice. "Oh, I don't think it would be that much of a bother. The Captain was there, and if the view from where we picked them up is as good as it seems, the Princess is likely just as aware as her husband of the results of your decision to knowingly allow a bloodthirsty psychopath loose in their country without adequate supervision to make sure she didn't chop ponies up to use their body parts as weapons. And yeah, I was in charge, so part of that's on me, but you didn't give me any choice. There was no way for me to keep an eye on her while also doing the rest of my job because there were only three of us out there."

Agent 99 said:
As Jason was gearing up for his speech, Miriam cast the the soundproof barrier. Jason's mouth was moving, but if there were any words coming out, no one else in the room could hear it. Miriam looked at Jason, her face a mix of resignation and annoyance.

No...

shubzilla said:
Between the movement of Miriam's hand, the tingle on my skin, and the fact that everyone was already looking surprised, I somehow knew that she had shut me up. I didn't know how she did it, or how I knew that, but I knew.

I knew that she wasn't going to take responsibility for this. That she was keeping me from speaking so she could blame me for the problem.

Again.

And the red haze, normally held in balance by kindness, normally channeled by justice, normally pacified by love, broke loose.

And that was about as far as Miriam got before a very angry and suddenly audible teenager landed a perfect tackle on her, yelling "-OU DON'T GET OUT THAT EASY! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!" while wrapping his arms around her and driving his shoulder into her solar plexus.

After an eternally long instant, the two of them crashed into the floor. Hard.

No!

Agent 99 said:
It was a second after casting the barrier, that Miriam realized that it was a mistake.

Was she angry at Jason? Yes. They finally had a mission go off without a hitch. The first one since leaving boston. No allies leaving. No one dying. No one spilling secrets in an... inconvient way half an hour before you could.

And after a rough patch, there was some actual dialogue between Candace, Shining, and their people.

And then Jason had to try and ruin it.

If Miriam ahd a second to think, she'd realize that this wasn't like Jason. Normally he'd be able to just walk to the other room. But Jason started ranting then and there. Miriam cast the soundproof barrier to keep any pr

And, for her own satisfaction, Miriam thought, thought she'd never admit it.

Miriam let the barrier down. Yeah, it was rash on her part. Maybe she could try to smooth things over before anyone did anything even more rash.

"Look, Jason, I'm s-"

Nonono!

Agent 99 said:
Miriam tried to create another barrier, this one focused on defense. But Jason was on her, crashing through it in the split second before the barrier could take a solid shape.

Miriam felt the wind get knocked out of her before getting sent tumbling to the ground. There was a loud thud as the back of her head hit the UFO's floor.

Miriam's head was swimming. She could barely think. She could hardly breath. She only had two thoughts that penetrated the haze.

1. I wish I had worn my fucking vest.

2. Ouch.

The events played out in slow motion for me.

Jason speaking up. Miriam wanting to have this conversation somewhat else. Miriam then casting a silencing spell on Jason. Jason tackling her to the ground and now Spark's there too-

"NO!"

I am bucking sick and tired of this.

Then air around me ignites.

"EVERY TIME!" I roar, "EVERY TIME WE GET A LITTLE FURTHER SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE HERE DECIDES WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS! FIRST ETHAN! THEN JUGO! THEN THE GOLEM! THEN I TURN INTO A DEMON FROM (please cover Flurry's ears Cadence) BUCKING TARTARUS! THEN WE FORGET THAT PROMETHEUS IS AN ALIEN AND DOESN'T BUCKING UNDERSTAND HALF OF OUR BUCKING THOUGHT PROCESSES AND NOBODY HAS STILL THOUGHT TO FIX THAT! THEN WE JUST BUCKING FORGOT TO BUCKING TELL PEOPLE ABOUT CELESTIA, WHICH NEARLY GOT VALERIE AND TRIXIE TO LEAVE, PISSED OFF A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE, AND MAY HAVE MADE RYTHIAN LEAVE! THEN WHATEVER OTHER BULLSHIT HAS HAPPENED THAT I'M NOT EVEN GONNA TRY TO REMEMBER! AND NOW THIS!"

Around me... There's an awful lot of fire. There's the smell of sulphur in the air, and for once, I don't mind.

I blink away the steam rising from my eyes and... Well, it's a noise. Somewhere between a growl, a snarl and a hiss.

"So here's what's gonna happen," I growl, landing on the deck (when did I start to fly?) "Someone's gonna cast a healing spell on you two. And then..."

Breathe Sunset. Breathe.

"And then... We're going to have a sit down... And we're going to talk about this. One at a time. WITHOUT silencing spells. And once we get EVERYTHING sorted out, you two are going to apologize for whatever you need to feel VERY SORRY for. Or I swear to Faust I will BURN YOU BOTH TO ASH!"

The Fourth Monado · Apr 19, 2018

Nathan froze as everything went to hell around him. Seriously, silencing the dude when he wanted to talk was kinda dickish, but something is really off here. Okay, what is Nathan seeing? Nathan keeps looking at the combatants, even as Spark shocks them. What can he tell-?

Dalek Ix said:
The events played out in slow motion for me.

Jason speaking up. Miriam wanting to have this conversation somewhat else. Miriam then casting a silencing spell on Jason. Jason tackling her to the ground and now Spark's there too-

"NO!"

I am bucking sick and tired of this.

Then air around me ignites.

"EVERY TIME!" I roar, "EVERY TIME WE GET A LITTLE FURTHER SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE HERE DECIDES WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS! FIRST ETHAN! THEN JUGO! THEN THE GOLEM! THEN I TURN INTO A DEMON FROM (please cover Flurry's ears Cadence) BUCKING TARTARUS! THEN WE FORGET THAT PROMETHEUS IS AN ALIEN AND DOESN'T BUCKING UNDERSTAND HALF OF OUR BUCKING THOUGHT PROCESSES AND NOBODY HAS STILL THOUGHT TO FIX THAT! THEN WE JUST BUCKING FORGOT TO BUCKING TELL PEOPLE ABOUT CELESTIA, WHICH NEARLY GOT VALERIE AND TRIXIE TO LEAVE, PISSED OFF A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE, AND MAY HAVE MADE RYTHIAN LEAVE! THEN WHATEVER OTHER BULLSHIT HAS HAPPENED THAT I'M NOT EVEN GONNA TRY TO REMEMBER! AND NOW THIS!"

Around me... There's an awful lot of fire. There's the smell of sulphur in the air, and for once, I don't mind.

I blink away the steam rising from my eyes and... Well, it's a noise. Somewhere between a growl, a snarl and a hiss.

"So here's what's gonna happen," I growl, landing on the deck (when did I start to fly?) "Someone's gonna cast a healing spell on you two. And then..."

Breathe Sunset. Breathe.

"And then... We're going to have a sit down... And we're going to talk about this. One at a time. WITHOUT silencing spells. And once we get EVERYTHING sorted out, you two are going to apologize for whatever you need to feel VERY SORRY for. Or I swear to Faust I will BURN YOU BOTH TO ASH!"

wait

hold the fuck up

what

From Nathan's throat issues a choking sound as he gets to his feet. "Is-is this sort of thing regular?" He asks, looking around before focusing on Celestia. "Do-do these sort of meltdowns just keep happening?"

It's blatantly obvious Nathan is beginning to reconsider his life choices leading up to this point.

@Mina

shubzilla · Apr 19, 2018

Umbra said:
Spark's cheeks sparked, and a web of blue lighting struck the both of them.

I think both of them should sit in timeout.

As we crashed into the ground, any thoughts of how good it felt to be this liberated were interrupted by another static wave over my body and a new realization. Movement was difficult. The possibility of landing any good blows to drive the message home was gone. I took comfort, no, pleasure in the pained look already on her face. Maybe it would be enough.

Dalek Ix said:
"And then... We're going to have a sit down... And we're going to talk about this. One at a time. WITHOUT silencing spells. And once we get EVERYTHING sorted out, you two are going to apologize for whatever you need to feel VERY SORRY for. Or I swear to Faust I will BURN YOU BOTH TO ASH!"

As Jason was pulled off, Sunset got a good look at his face. There wasn't a trace of the kindness he'd shown when moving unconscious ponies around the ship, even though they were his enemies. Gone was the concern he'd shown her when she was at her low points dealing with this demonic curse. All that was left was a fury, a fire that she'd seen too many times in the mirror.

Mina · Apr 19, 2018

The Fourth Monado said:
From Nathan's throat issues a choking sound as he gets to his feet. "Is-is this sort of thing regular?" He asks, looking around before focusing on Celestia. "Do-do these sort of meltdowns just keep happening?"

Looking up he could see her teeth grit for a split second, then relax.

"Yes," came the low, flat reply.

@AMCS @Umbra @Cyreni @Dalek Ix @Agent 99 @shubzilla

There was a clear, ringing sound as Celestia clashed a hoof against the deckplating.

"Spark, Daniel, please facilitate their removal to the central chamber and keep them separated for now. Anypony else," she called out to dissuade the usual rubberneckers and dog-pilers, "give those four clear space. We will get to the bottom of this in good time and without further unpleasantness."

The Princess gave Cadance, Shining and Flurry a look of concern before rounding on Sunset.

"Out."

The flames died to a few small blue tongues at best.

"Sunset..." Celestia gave he former student a sad shake of the head. "I'd hoped for better from you."

Dalek Ix · Apr 19, 2018

[Sunset Shimmer]

shubzilla said:
As Jason was pulled off, Sunset got a good look at his face. There wasn't a trace of the kindness he'd shown when moving unconscious ponies around the ship, even though they were his enemies. Gone was the concern he'd shown her when she was at her low points dealing with this demonic curse. All that was left was a fury, a fire that she'd seen too many times in the mirror.

I'm about to go off on another rant about Why can't you people just settle your differences like normal people with a side of
Jason you just got here what the Tartarus!? when I notice something off about Jason.

For a second, I'm afraid that demonic shenanigans are contagious and Jason just caught it from me. Then reason strangles that thought in the crib and offers all the other ways that someone could be mind-slammed. Potion (not enough Praising of Celestia for that), mental magic (I would've noticed something like that being cast), psychic powers (Valerie is too honourable for that), changelings-

Mina said:
"Sunset..." Celestia gave he former student a sad shake of the head. "I'd hoped for better from you."

The fire all goes out with a whump. But the heat haze around me is still there.

Changelings. Doppel.

Also Celestia is Disappointed in Me but I can fix that! I've figured it out!

"Celestia," I say, my voice perfectly, perfectly normal, "I'm sorry... Where's Doppel?"

Mina · Apr 19, 2018

Dalek Ix said:
"Celestia," I say, my voice perfectly, perfectly normal, "I'm sorry... Where's Doppel?"

It wasn't Celestia's first rodeo, and certainly not difficult to see where Sunset was going with it.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps you, and Clear Gaze would like to calmy and politely go see how she is doing, and if any light can be shed on this business here?"

Some days you just wished to drown your head in a cider barrel.

The Fourth Monado · Apr 19, 2018

Mina said:
Looking up he could see her teeth grit for a split second, then relax.

"Yes," came the low, flat reply.

For a split second, Nathan very visibly contemplates turning to Shining and asking him about the Legion's recruitment policies. Surely it had to be better than dealing with this bullshit, right?

shubzilla said:
As Jason was pulled off, Sunset got a good look at his face. There wasn't a trace of the kindness he'd shown when moving unconscious ponies around the ship, even though they were his enemies. Gone was the concern he'd shown her when she was at her low points dealing with this demonic curse. All that was left was a fury, a fire that she'd seen too many times in the mirror.

Oooo-kay, this is hideously out of character for what Nathan knew of Jason. So what could have caused him to flip out like-?

Oh.

Dalek Ix said:
The fire all goes out with a whump. But the heat haze around me is still there.

Changelings. Doppel.

Also Celestia is Disappointed in Me but I can fix that! I've figured it out!

"Celestia," I say, my voice perfectly, perfectly normal, "I'm sorry... Where's Doppel?"

Mina said:
It wasn't Celestia's first rodeo, and certainly not difficult to see where Sunset was going with it.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps you, and Clear Gaze would like to calmy and politely go see how she is doing, and if any light can be shed on this business here?"

Some days you just wished to drown your head in a cider barrel.

"That sounds like a good idea," Nathan replied, fluffing his wings and casually kicking the Monado even farther away from Flurry Heart. He then proceeded to start walking to the nearest doorway where Miriam and Jason weren't. Time to find the changeling, he guessed...

AMCS · Apr 19, 2018

Waiting for an opportunity to enter the control room might have been a mistake, denying Pienaar the opportunity to actually meet the ones he had wished to see. It was perhaps a bit fortunate for him then that Jason had come by and knocked for entry, gaining it promptly. Seeing his entry, there was another moment where the medic was silently and mentally kicking himself for something rather stupid. Well, no better time to get inside than now.

And so shortly after Jason's entry followed Daniel's, stopping just inside the barrier with the intention of waiting for an opportunity to talk. However, events would transpire as to postpone the opportunity.

First, Jason (@shubzilla) proceeded to immediately confront Colonel Green (@Agent 99), who made it clear she wanted to not have the matter done right in front of the group. Jason was showing quite clearly he wasn't having any of it, and the Colonel proceeded to respond by seemingly silencing the Red Ranger. DIE FOK!? What kind of tyrannic act is this!? Jason has hardly warranted any suppression like that, and now just like that it warrants silencing him!? What kind of leader would do such a thing!?

Already Pienaar was finding himself questioning Miriam's command with the matter of being rather uninformed of his position relative to the company on what he could and could not do, but with this act coming to the fore he had now found himself at the point of no longer being willing to follow her command unquestioned. This was for him now the elephant in the room.

Or at least would be, since Jason took the silencing as well as the medic expected: lurching towards her, he took Miriam to the ground with her in what he had to admit was quite the impressive tackle. However, whatever amount of impressed Pienaar felt about the act was overridden by the sudden need to address another spontaneous problem: insubordination.

Before Pienaar could so much as bring the meditool up however, Spark came to the same conclusion and proceeded to bring both down and to a stop from further fighting.

Umbra said:
Spark's cheeks sparked, and a web of blue lighting struck the both of them.

In an earlier time, Pienaar would have been surprised by such an act coming from what he could only figure to be an alien of some sort. But now, having spent a fair amount of time among alien species and witnessing a bout that could not allow to continue there was hardly even a reaction from the medic at this point. "Good thing this was put to a stop," he muttered.

Or at least he thought so, for Sunset Shimmer proceeded to show that the internal fighting was too much for her to stand any longer.

Dalek Ix said:
"And then... We're going to have a sit down... And we're going to talk about this. One at a time. WITHOUT silencing spells. And once we get EVERYTHING sorted out, you two are going to apologize for whatever you need to feel VERY SORRY for. Or I swear to Faust I will BURN YOU BOTH TO ASH!"

With the amount of fire that was erupting from Sunset's form, Pienaar found it difficult to do much else besides wait for her rant to stop. Mentally, though, it was the final piece to the puzzle that he had been trying to figure out.

Steel Company was rumored to have situations like this in the past, but the medic had never really seen them personally. He dismissed as being too implausible for a group to have done as much as they did to be so dysfunctional, but with this scene it was undeniable. Being freshly assigned, Pienaar simply felt too new to believe he had any meaningful amount of say about how the group was being run in spite of his concerns over how such command would work, but now it was obvious to him that it was an issue that could wait no longer.

For the good of the Company - for the good of both Earth and Equestria even - Miriam would have to step down. Willingly or otherwise.

He would first want to try to talk to Miriam directly, but the current situation would have made that awkward. Fortunately, it would not remain so. Nathan (@The Fourth Monado) made a comment to Celestia about the matter, and she proceeded to immediately take charge of the situation with Miriam no longer being in condition (and perhaps standing at this point) to do so.

Mina said:
"Daniel, Spark, please remove them to the central chamber and keep them separated for now. Anypony else," she called out to dissuade the usual rubberneckers and dog-pilers, "give those four clear space. We will get to the bottom of this in good time and without further unpleasantness."

A long huff on the cigarette was taken as Pienaar sighed in relief at finally having the opportunity to act.

"Wilco." Without another word, Daniel put away his meditool and strode towards Colonel Green and Jason, motioning to Spark to come over.

"Think you can get Jason by yourself? I'll see to Colonel Green. If there's anything off with him physically you let me know soonest possible, at least before we get outside where I can do a wellness check. If he's too big, you can come along with me, watch Green while I go get Jason," he requested, before taking a moment to mutter how he felt about the situation and the events that just transpired.

"Fokken hel, dit is dom."

As he turned Colonel Green over to prepare to pick her up and bring her to the central chamber, Pienaar could not help but find the situation all too absurd to remark upon, amplified by his glancing at the Company's newfound allies in Cadence and Shining Armor before looking at the Colonel.

"And they're saying this is not just a one time affair?" He remarked. "In South Africa, something like this happens once your career is over. If you didn't value service you got to do kak duty for the rest of your time in it. And yet somehow the Company not only survives, but perhaps accomplishes the most achieved by any resistance group to date in fighting the invasion."

Heaving her up into a carry position, Dan continued his commentary as he carried her out of the control room. "I'm not sure if that's more a ringing endorsement of your leadership or of the Company's tenacity in the face of the impossible. I'm sure our newfound allies won't be all too thrilled to learn of how things have seemingly worked on the inside under your command, but at least the record in fighting the invasion itself isn't anything to brush off," he noted.

Who knows, you might even retain a combat command! Pienaar finished to the Colonel in his head.

Dalek Ix · Apr 19, 2018

[Sunset]

Mina said:
"I'm not sure. Perhaps you, and Clear Gaze would like to calmy and politely go see how she is doing, and if any light can be shed on this business here?"

The Fourth Monado said:
"That sounds like a good idea," Nathan replied, fluffing his wings and casually kicking the Monado even farther away from Flurry Heart. He then proceeded to start walking to the nearest doorway where Miriam and Jason weren't. Time to find the changeling, he guessed...

I nod, still acting perfectly, perfectly normal in spite of the glowing heat haze that's darkening the floor.

"She's in one of the engine rooms," I say, "It should be through the door..."

Which is when Val bursts in, hand on the pommel of her sword, all gleaming armour and knightly authority. She scans the room, and pauses for a moment, staring at Jason, she turns to me.

<<Go,>> she tells me, <<I'll handle Jason's condition...>>

And so I leave, and Valerie strides into the room, and begins to ask questions.

Umbra · Apr 19, 2018

The Fourth Monado said:
From Nathan's throat issues a choking sound as he gets to his feet. "Is-is this sort of thing regular?" He asks, looking around before focusing on Celestia. "Do-do these sort of meltdowns just keep happening?"

It's blatantly obvious Nathan is beginning to reconsider his life choices leading up to this point.

"Turns out dumping people into a group, usually without consent, from all over the multiverse with different values, cultures, and priorities does not make a coherent team." Spark admitted quietly to Nathan.

Mina said:
"Daniel, Spark, please remove them to the central chamber and keep them separated for now. Anypony else," she called out to dissuade the usual rubberneckers and dog-pilers, "give those four clear space. We will get to the bottom of this in good time and without further unpleasantness."

Spark paused, thinking about the action.

"I'm pretty sure I can't do that without dragging." He noted.

Mina said:
It wasn't Celestia's first rodeo, and certainly not difficult to see where Sunset was going with it.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps you, and Clear Gaze would like to calmy and politely go see how she is doing, and if any light can be shed on this business here?"

Some days you just wished to drown your head in a cider barrel.

Spark blinked.

Doppel caused this.

Doppel fed on Jason, and that meant Doppel was hungry.

If Doppel was hungry, Doppel hasn't been eating.

If Doppel hasn't been eating, Doppel hasn't been eating since Boston. When Sam was still with us.

Oh Arceus. And she's too scared to tell us.

I have to fix this.

The Fourth Monado said:
"That sounds like a good idea," Nathan replied, fluffing his wings and casually kicking the Monado even farther away from Flurry Heart. He then proceeded to start walking to the nearest doorway where Miriam and Jason weren't. Time to find the changeling, he guessed...

Dalek Ix said:
I nod, still acting perfectly, perfectly normal in spite of the glowing heat haze that's darkening the floor.

"She's in one of the engine rooms," I say, "It should be through the door..."

Which is when Val bursts in, hand on the pommel of her sword, all gleaming armour and knightly authority. She scans the room, and I feel a small pressure as she asks to know what's going on, and I give her what I saw.

The lady knight pauses for a moment, staring at Jason, and then she nods.

<<Confirm this with Doppel,>> she tells me, <<I'll handle Jason's condition.>>

Spark walked in front of the pair before they left.

"Clear, your first meeting with Doppel is her trying to feed on you, and there hasn't been any others." The Pikachu reminded with a sigh. "It'd be better for you to keep an eye on Miriam with Daniel, Celestia and Val, if nothing else because you can actually lift her and I can't. Sunset and I'll talk with Doppel and get to the bottom of things."

The Pikachu paused for a moment, turned back to the mess happening alongside, and winced.

"And, uh. Sorry about leaving that job to you."

The Fourth Monado · Apr 19, 2018

Umbra said:
Spark walked in front of the pair before they left.

"Clear, your first meeting with Doppel is her trying to feed on you, and there hasn't been any others." The Pikachu reminded with a sigh. "You keep an eye on the pair with Daniel, Celestia and Val. Sunset and I'll talk with Doppel and get to the bottom of things."

The Pikachu paused for a moment, turned back to the mess happening alongside, and winced.

"And, uh. Sorry about leaving that job to you."

Nathan looked back and visibly paled. His ears pinned themselves to his head. "Spark, please don't tell me to stay here near the insanity," he half begs. "Please."

Mina · Apr 19, 2018

Umbra said:
"Clear, your first meeting with Doppel is her trying to feed on you, and there hasn't been any others." The Pikachu reminded with a sigh. "You keep an eye on the pair with Daniel, Celestia and Val. Sunset and I'll talk with Doppel and get to the bottom of things."

The Pikachu paused for a moment, turned back to the mess happening alongside, and winced.

"And, uh. Sorry about leaving that job to you."

Celestia smiled at Spark and moved over to lean down and whisper in his ear.

"The Colonel is our mess to clean up Spark, and it will not wash out if not even you can follow an order, or trust a subordinate to carry on capably. Little Doppel has gotten on so well with both Jason and you tending to her, I think a change is necessary, yes?" The princess' voice was soft in tone but steel at its core. "We are in Equestria now, and I'll be bucked if I let this motley, dysfunctional crew consign my world and theirs to Tartarus."

She withdrew and nodded to Clear Gaze and Sunset.

The Fourth Monado said:
Nathan looked back and visibly paled. His ears pinned themselves to his head. "Spark, please don't tell me to stay here near the insanity," he half begs. "Please."

@Dalek Ix

"Just a little confusion. Run along you two, and be kind." The look in her eye suggested Royally unpleasant outcomes if they weren't.

The Fourth Monado · Apr 19, 2018

Mina said:
@Dalek Ix

"Just a little confusion. Run along you two, and be kind." The look in her eye suggested Royally unpleasant outcomes if they weren't.

"Yes'm," Nathan nodded gratefully, before scurrying off to find Doppel.

Cyreni · Apr 19, 2018

Agent 99 said:
"If you know anything more about the labs. The entrances, defenses, size, layout... anything would be useful."

The Fourth Monado said:
"That sounds... pleasant." Nathan grimaced. "So that's what you were gonna use on me, huh."

Mina said:
"Thank you Cadance, that is..." she paused, "very timely. We will need everything else you two know about resistance cells and locations, and you," golden light wiggled Flurry's little hooves, "must not be so grabby with Au-- Ms Celestia's friends."

Flurry just giggled at the princess while Cadence solemnly nodded to Nathan. Armor looked to Miriam first. "We don't know the specifics, but it is incredibly well-defended. We can share everything we have whenever you're ready. And you as well. Princess." He gave a respectful nod.

Mina said:
Celestia nodded. "Cadance I could use some help with a few additions to the ufo, and perhaps Charming could take a look at the shields in the meantime?"

Another nod. "Of course I can, but I don't know how much I can do to aid your saucer's shields if they aren't magic."

"What would you like me to-" Cadence began, right before imminent disaster struck.

Agent 99 said:
"It seems that he's referring to the conduct of one of my people on the battlefield. If so, while I dread to ask, what happened?"

shubzilla said:
And that was about as far as Miriam got before a very angry and suddenly audible teenager landed a perfect tackle on her, yelling "-OU DON'T GET OUT THAT EASY! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!" while wrapping his arms around her and driving his shoulder into her solar plexus.

Umbra said:
Spark's cheeks sparked, and a web of blue lighting struck the both of them.

Dalek Ix said:
"NO!"

I am bucking sick and tired of this.

Cadence was using her wing to shield Armor and Flurry. Armor had an actual shield shielding all three of them. Both parents were staring on in shock and exchanging frequent glances with each other, dead silent though the only silencing magic was around Flurry to keep her calm and free of yelling teenagers and adults.

Dalek Ix said:
<Excuse me,>> I say, and hurry off, at just barely under a run.

Strike just looked on, bewildered and confused, and called after Val. "Wait, wait, what's going on? What's happening?"

Blackout · Apr 19, 2018

Cyreni said:
She put the pen to the clipboard and focused on it intently, but didn't actually write anything for a moment. Tap tap. "As long as you aren't looking for anything exotic or scarce from us, that is acceptable. We'll see about finding someplace your two friends can hide and a way to contact the Equestrian defector custodians, but for our security and their safety, they cannot enter the city." Scribble scribble scribble. "We have a few shelters out here they can stay at for the night. We'll requisition a storage unit. How much space and what materials do you need?"

"Just a room should be enough, and some scrap metal if you can manage it."

Rythian considered for a moment, then added.

"And maybe some food as well."

Umbra · Apr 19, 2018

Mina said:
Celestia smiled at Spark and moved over to lean down and whisper in his ear.

"The Colonel is our mess to clean up Spark, and it will not wash out if not even you can follow an order, or trust a subordinate to carry on capably. Little Doppel has gotten on so well with both Jason and you tending to her, I think a change is necessary, yes?" The princess' voice was soft in tone but steel at its core. "We are in Equestria now, and I'll be bucked if I let this motley, dysfunctional crew consign my world and theirs to Tartarus."

She withdrew and nodded to Clear Gaze and Sunset.

Spark shook for a moment, before sighing.

AMCS said:
"Think you can get Jason by yourself? I'll see to Colonel Green. If there's anything off with him physically you let me know soonest possible, at least before we get outside where I can do a wellness check. If he's too big, you can come along with me, watch Green while I go get Jason," he requested, before taking a moment to mutter how he felt about the situation and the events that just transpired.

"I'll think I'll just ask Val, since she's already working on Jason." Spark admitted.

@Dalek Ix

"Val, can you help me lift Jason? I'd do it myself if I actually learned Strength." He admitted sheepishly.

---

Walking out the room, he sped up towards the pair, and tapped on Nathan's wing.

@Dalek Ix @The Fourth Monado

"I thought she was eating the ambient emotion from everybody doing things, and that was sustaining her. If that's not the case - if she was hungry enough to feed on one of the few people that talks to her and the one that sleeps with because she was starving to death and afraid to tell us - then that is our fault. Not hers."

"Go easy on her."

@shubzilla @Dalek Ix

A quick hop, and he was back to Lady Valerie's side.

"Can you keep a mind out for Doppel?" Spark questioned. "Because I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure it's Jason that asked to be fed on, not Doppel feeding on him maliciously."

The Fourth Monado · Apr 19, 2018

Umbra said:
Walking out the room, he sped up towards the pair, and tapped on Nathan's wing.

@Dalek Ix @The Fourth Monado

"I thought she was eating the ambient emotion from everybody doing things, and that was sustaining her. If that's not the case - if she was hungry enough to feed on one of the few people that talks to her and sleeps with because she was starving to death and afraid to tell us - then that is our fault. Not hers."

"Go easy on her."

"Understood."

shubzilla · Apr 19, 2018

@Dalek Ix

I was not a happy camper, but there was not a lot I could do about that. I was slung over a shoulder and being hauled off.

This sucks.

Umbra said:
"Because I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure it's Jason that asked to be fed on, not Doppel feeding on him maliciously."

"Well, duh." I said, not contemptuous, but still somewhat abrasive. I may be angry, but Spark is one of the few worth trusting here. My voice raised so that others in the UFO could hear it "It's not like anyone else was going to care about her starving to death!"

After a moment's consideration, I looked back down towards the ground and the yellow mouse scampering alongside. "Well, maybe you would."

Agent 99 · Apr 19, 2018

Umbra said:
Ah, damn, that was a little louder than I thought it'd be. Hope she doesn't start crying.

Spark's cheeks sparked, and a web of blue lighting struck the both of them.

I think both of them should sit in timeout.

Miriam, pinned to the ground tried to move her body. To punch him. To shock him. Hell, to even spit at him. But her body was numb, robbed of it's movement.

"What the fuck is wrong with you' Miriam tried to yell, but all that came out was a short gasp as her lungs fought for air.

Miriam knew that this wasn't normal, even for Jason. She expected him to yell louder. Or at least wait five seconds before tackling. And then his ranting about her blaming him again? She hadn't blamed him for anything. At least, as far as she could remember. And then she saw a green tint that wasn't there before.

"What the fuck..." Miriam choaked out.

There were two possibilities. One was that her vision was starting to go and she'd start seeing green everywhere. The second was that Jason had been fed on by Doppel. She vaguely remembered the same tint in Sam's eyes when he was fed on.

'God dammit...'

Fuck, Jason should've cleared that with the Company first! He knows what getting fed on does to people. And now, well this happened.

Dalek Ix said:
The events played out in slow motion for me.

Jason speaking up. Miriam wanting to have this conversation somewhat else. Miriam then casting a silencing spell on Jason. Jason tackling her to the ground and now Spark's there too-

"NO!"

I am bucking sick and tired of this.

Then air around me ignites.

"EVERY TIME!" I roar, "EVERY TIME WE GET A LITTLE FURTHER SOMEWHERE, SOMEONE HERE DECIDES WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROBLEMS! FIRST ETHAN! THEN JUGO! THEN THE GOLEM! THEN I TURN INTO A DEMON FROM (please cover Flurry's ears Cadence) BUCKING TARTARUS! THEN WE FORGET THAT PROMETHEUS IS AN ALIEN AND DOESN'T BUCKING UNDERSTAND HALF OF OUR BUCKING THOUGHT PROCESSES AND NOBODY HAS STILL THOUGHT TO FIX THAT! THEN WE JUST BUCKING FORGOT TO BUCKING TELL PEOPLE ABOUT CELESTIA, WHICH NEARLY GOT VALERIE AND TRIXIE TO LEAVE, PISSED OFF A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE, AND MAY HAVE MADE RYTHIAN LEAVE! THEN WHATEVER OTHER BULLSHIT HAS HAPPENED THAT I'M NOT EVEN GONNA TRY TO REMEMBER! AND NOW THIS!"

Around me... There's an awful lot of fire. There's the smell of sulphur in the air, and for once, I don't mind.

I blink away the steam rising from my eyes and... Well, it's a noise. Somewhere between a growl, a snarl and a hiss.

"So here's what's gonna happen," I growl, landing on the deck (when did I start to fly?) "Someone's gonna cast a healing spell on you two. And then..."

Breathe Sunset. Breathe.

"And then... We're going to have a sit down... And we're going to talk about this. One at a time. WITHOUT silencing spells. And once we get EVERYTHING sorted out, you two are going to apologize for whatever you need to feel VERY SORRY for. Or I swear to Faust I will BURN YOU BOTH TO ASH!"

Miriam looked Sunset right in the eye with one eyebrow raised. She was still gasping for breath

The Fourth Monado said:
From Nathan's throat issues a choking sound as he gets to his feet. "Is-is this sort of thing regular?" He asks, looking around before focusing on Celestia. "Do-do these sort of meltdowns just keep happening?"

It's blatantly obvious Nathan is beginning to reconsider his life choices leading up to this point.

Miriam looked at Sunset, unimpressed. She was fucking sick and tired of people threatening, even outright assaulting her. She had a long speech prepared which loosely translated to "I'll talk this out. This looks like a big misunderstanding, but stow your shit, Shimmer"

But all that came out was another gasp for air.

Miriam knew she shouldn't have canceled her gym membership.

Mina said:
There was a clear, ringing sound as Celestia clashed a hoof against the deckplating.

"Spark, Daniel, please facilitate their removal to the central chamber and keep them separated for now. Anypony else," she called out to dissuade the usual rubberneckers and dog-pilers, "give those four clear space. We will get to the bottom of this in good time and without further unpleasantness."

The Princess gave Cadance, Shining and Flurry a look of concern before rounding on Sunset.

"Out."

The flames died to a few small blue tongues at best.

"Sunset..." Celestia gave he former student a sad shake of the head. "I'd hoped for better from you."

Miriam, still gasping for breath was relieved when Celestia had shown up. Yeah, Miriam would have to explain herself. And she isn't exactly blameless, but she could at least trust Celestia to look at things objectively and not kill anyone.

And just a few days ago, that same mare nearly got them all killed.

What a time to be alive.

Umbra said:
"Turns out dumping people into a group, usually without consent, from all over the multiverse with different values, cultures, and priorities does not make a coherent team." Spark admitted quietly to Nathan.

Mina said:
Celestia smiled at Spark and moved over to lean down and whisper in his ear.

"The Colonel is our mess to clean up Spark, and it will not wash out if not even you can follow an order, or trust a subordinate to carry on capably. Little Doppel has gotten on so well with both Jason and you tending to her, I think a change is necessary, yes?" The princess' voice was soft in tone but steel at its core. "We are in Equestria now, and I'll be bucked if I let this motley, dysfunctional crew consign my world and theirs to Tartarus."

She withdrew and nodded to Clear Gaze and Sunset.

"Um... a little help? I still can't move"

Agent 99 · Apr 19, 2018

AMCS said:
Waiting for an opportunity to enter the control room might have been a mistake, denying Pienaar the opportunity to actually meet the ones he had wished to see. It was perhaps a bit fortunate for him then that Jason had come by and knocked for entry, gaining it promptly. Seeing his entry, there was another moment where the medic was silently and mentally kicking himself for something rather stupid. Well, no better time to get inside than now.

And so shortly after Jason's entry followed Daniel's, stopping just inside the barrier with the intention of waiting for an opportunity to talk. However, events would transpire as to postpone the opportunity.

First, Jason (@shubzilla) proceeded to immediately confront Colonel Green (@Agent 99), who made it clear she wanted to not have the matter done right in front of the group. Jason was showing quite clearly he wasn't having any of it, and the Colonel proceeded to respond by seemingly silencing the Red Ranger. DIE FOK!? What kind of tyrannic act is this!? Jason has hardly warranted any suppression like that, and now just like that it warrants silencing him!? What kind of leader would do such a thing!?

Already Pienaar was finding himself questioning Miriam's command with the matter of being rather uninformed of his position relative to the company on what he could and could not do, but with this act coming to the fore he had now found himself at the point of no longer being willing to follow her command unquestioned. This was for him now the elephant in the room.

Or at least would be, since Jason took the silencing as well as the medic expected: lurching towards her, he took Miriam to the ground with her in what he had to admit was quite the impressive tackle. However, whatever amount of impressed Pienaar felt about the act was overridden by the sudden need to address another spontaneous problem: insubordination.

Before Pienaar could so much as bring the meditool up however, Spark came to the same conclusion and proceeded to bring both down and to a stop from further fighting.In an earlier time, Pienaar would have been surprised by such an act coming from what he could only figure to be an alien of some sort. But now, having spent a fair amount of time among alien species and witnessing a bout that could not allow to continue there was hardly even a reaction from the medic at this point. "Good thing this was put to a stop," he muttered.

Or at least he thought so, for Sunset Shimmer proceeded to show that the internal fighting was too much for her to stand any longer.With the amount of fire that was erupting from Sunset's form, Pienaar found it difficult to do much else besides wait for her rant to stop. Mentally, though, it was the final piece to the puzzle that he had been trying to figure out.

Steel Company was rumored to have situations like this in the past, but the medic had never really seen them personally. He dismissed as being too implausible for a group to have done as much as they did to be so dysfunctional, but with this scene it was undeniable. Being freshly assigned, Pienaar simply felt too new to believe he had any meaningful amount of say about how the group was being run in spite of his concerns over how such command would work, but now it was obvious to him that it was an issue that could wait no longer.

For the good of the Company - for the good of both Earth and Equestria even - Miriam would have to step down. Willingly or otherwise.

He would first want to try to talk to Miriam directly, but the current situation would have made that awkward. Fortunately, it would not remain so. Nathan (@The Fourth Monado) made a comment to Celestia about the matter, and she proceeded to immediately take charge of the situation with Miriam no longer being in condition (and perhaps standing at this point) to do so.A long huff on the cigarette was taken as Pienaar sighed in relief at finally having the opportunity to act.

"Wilco." Without another word, Daniel put away his meditool and strode towards Colonel Green and Jason, motioning to Spark to come over.

"Think you can get Jason by yourself? I'll see to Colonel Green. If there's anything off with him physically you let me know soonest possible, at least before we get outside where I can do a wellness check. If he's too big, you can come along with me, watch Green while I go get Jason," he requested, before taking a moment to mutter how he felt about the situation and the events that just transpired.

"Fokken hel, dit is dom."

As he turned Colonel Green over to prepare to pick her up and bring her to the central chamber, Pienaar could not help but find the situation all too absurd to remark upon, amplified by his glancing at the Company's newfound allies in Cadence and Shining Armor before looking at the Colonel.

"And they're saying this is not just a one time affair?" He remarked. "In South Africa, something like this happens once your career is over. If you didn't value service you got to do kak duty for the rest of your time in it. And yet somehow the Company not only survives, but perhaps accomplishes the most achieved by any resistance group to date in fighting the invasion."

Heaving her up into a carry position, Dan continued his commentary as he carried her out of the control room. "I'm not sure if that's more a ringing endorsement of your leadership or of the Company's tenacity in the face of the impossible. I'm sure our newfound allies won't be all too thrilled to learn of how things have seemingly worked on the inside under your command, but at least the record in fighting the invasion itself isn't anything to brush off," he noted.

Who knows, you might even retain a combat command! Pienaar finished to the Colonel in his head.

Miriam was about to respond. To make a lengthy response to Dan about how it really was a one time thing, and that she realized that what she did wasn't the best move. That she really did value Jason's work, despite her problems with him personally. Especially since he wasn't in his right mind when he tackled her.

"Neither of us are usually like this. Time's been stressful for everyone" Miriam managed

Dalek Ix · Apr 19, 2018

[Sunset]

Umbra said:
"I thought she was eating the ambient emotion from everybody doing things, and that was sustaining her. If that's not the case - if she was hungry enough to feed on one of the few people that talks to her and the one that sleeps with because she was starving to death and afraid to tell us - then that is our fault. Not hers."

"Go easy on her."

A pause.

"I'll try," I say.

The Fourth Monado said:
"Yes'm," Nathan nodded gratefully, before scurrying off to find Doppel.

"Here," I say, my voice perfectly normal as I beckon Nathan over, "She should be over-"

shubzilla said:
@Dalek Ix

"Well, duh." I said, not contemptuous, but still somewhat abrasive. I may be angry, but Spark is one of the few worth trusting here. My voice raised so that others in the UFO could hear it "It's not like anyone else was going to care about her starving to death!"

And then I stop.

Slowly, carefully, calmly, I turn around to face Jason.

"... Go on." I say. The floor at my feet begins to warp.

[Valerie von Brandenburg]

Umbra said:
"Val, can you help me lift Jason? I'd do it myself if I actually learned Strength." He admitted sheepishly.

Keeping an eye on the barely contained furnace that is Sunset Shimmer, I float towards Jason and lift him with the aid of my telekinesis.

Umbra said:
A quick hop, and he was back to Lady Valerie's side.

"Can you keep a mind out for Doppel?" Spark questioned. "Because I'm guessing here, but I'm pretty sure it's Jason that asked to be fed on, not Doppel feeding on him maliciously."

I nod. <<Aye,>> I say, <<Honestly, I should've known about this sooner...>>

I spread my awareness towards Doppel, checking on how she is doing at the moment.

shubzilla said:
@Dalek Ix
I was not a happy camper, but there was not a lot I could do about that. I was slung over a shoulder and being hauled off.

This sucks.

"Well, duh." I said, not contemptuous, but still somewhat abrasive. I may be angry, but Spark is one of the few worth trusting here. My voice raised so that others in the UFO could hear it "It's not like anyone else was going to care about her starving to death!"

After a moment's consideration, I looked back down towards the ground and the yellow mouse scampering alongside. "Well, maybe you would."

I pause.

I put an armoured hand on Jason's shoulders as I look at him in the eyes, brown meeting ruby.

<<Jason,>> I tell him, spreading a trickle of my power to his mind, rousing the depleted parts of his soul back, <<Ordinarily, that you would imply such a things about myself would be an insult to my character and my honor; 'tis not for nothing that Gardevoir art called the "embrace Pokémon". I may be more in love with carnage than any Gardevoir should be... but I am one nonetheless, and had I even an inkling of what she'd been through, I would've spared no expense to aid her. But... you are not in full possession of your reason. Thus, I cannot fault thy words.>>

Mina · Apr 20, 2018

Cyreni said:
Cadence was using her wing to shield Armor and Flurry. Armor had an actual shield shielding all three of them. Both parents were staring on in shock and exchanging frequent glances with each other, dead silent though the only silencing magic was around Flurry to keep her calm and free of yelling teenagers and adults.

Dalek Ix said:
Slowly, carefully, calmly, I turn around to face Jason.

"... Go on." I say. The floor at my feet begins to warp.

For the love of Harmony

"Sunset, there had been quite enough of that today." Celestia spread her wings to block Jason and the Gardevoir from view. "Valerie, kindly get him out of here now."

"You are in front of guests Sunset. This is not how you want them to see you is it? How you want us to see you?"

Celestia stepped closer, feathers ruffling in the heat.

"Clear Gaze will see to Doppel. You... Will you come to the bridge with me, please?"

Her head dropped slightly and she gave the demon-girl a sad, but reassuring smile. "Come now. For me."

Umbra · Apr 20, 2018

shubzilla said:
"Well, duh." I said, not contemptuous, but still somewhat abrasive. I may be angry, but Spark is one of the few worth trusting here. My voice raised so that others in the UFO could hear it "It's not like anyone else was going to care about her starving to death!"

After a moment's consideration, I looked back down towards the ground and the yellow mouse scampering alongside. "Well, maybe you would."

"I feel that a lot more than just me would if they realized or knew this was happening." Spark stated.

Dalek Ix said:
And then I stop.

Slowly, carefully, calmly, I turn around to face Jason.

"... Go on." I say. The floor at my feet begins to warp.

Dalek Ix said:
<<Jason,>> I tell him, spreading a trickle of my power to his mind, rousing the depleted parts of his soul back, <<Ordinarily, that you would imply such a things about myself would be an insult to my character and my honor; 'tis not for nothing that Gardevoir art called the "embrace Pokémon". I may be more in love with carnage than any Gardevoir should be... but I am one nonetheless, and had I even an inkling of what she'd been through, I would've spared no expense to aid her. But... you are not in full possession of your reason. Thus, I cannot fault thy words.>>

"My point is made." The Pikachu noted with a small hint of amusement. "I would have tried to help if you asked. Sunset would have tried to help, if you asked. Val would have, but you'd need to explain it first, and you haven't even talked to her yet, so I'm a little less surprised you didn't ask her either. And that's just the people immediately here. If there was an inkling of an idea that she wasn't eating enough, there would have been things done almost immediately to help."

"Just take a bit and try to calm down for now. And when you're back to 100%, we're going through the whole list of shit you caught us missing and we can work on getting it done."

shubzilla · Apr 20, 2018

Dalek Ix said:
Slowly, carefully, calmly, I turn around to face Jason.

"... Go on." I say. The floor at my feet begins to warp.

Dalek Ix said:
<<Jason,>> I tell him, spreading a trickle of my power to his mind, rousing the depleted parts of his soul back, <<Ordinarily, that you would imply such a things about myself would be an insult to my character and my honor; 'tis not for nothing that Gardevoir art called the "embrace Pokémon". I may be more in love with carnage than any Gardevoir should be... but I am one nonetheless, and had I even an inkling of what she'd been through, I would've spared no expense to aid her. But... you are not in full possession of your reason. Thus, I cannot fault thy words.>>

Umbra said:
"Just take a bit and try to calm down for now. And when you're back to 100%, we're going through the whole list of shit you caught us missing and we can work on getting it done."

I look past the knight that had just set me down back to Sunset. I consider what she's done; that she's probably closer than anyone other than Doppel. "Okay, fine. Spark, Sunset, you probably would have helped. But I wasn't taking the chance. Not with her." I look back to Val. "You're helping Sunset, but I don't know you. I can't read your mind."

Mina said:
"Sunset, there had been quite enough of that today." Celestia spread her wings to block Jason and the Gardevoir from view. "Valerie, kindly get him out of here now."

And then I get irritated at the Princess. Interrupting my friend from talking to me? Talking down to her like that? "And then there's you. Yes, you freed her mind, and then turned around and left her shackled up and at your mercy because it was soo important to appease a lot of pointless fear. And then there was the betrayal of having to find out from someone else entirely that the person she owes that to is just another version of the tyrant that imprisoned her in the first place. Oh, I totally was not trusting you with this."

I turn to walk away, the stun somewhat reduced, and put an arm over Valerie's shoulder to steady myself. "I'll leave, but for Luna; not because you want me to."

Cyreni · Apr 20, 2018

The Fourth Monado said:
"Yes'm," Nathan nodded gratefully, before scurrying off to find Doppel.

Doppel was in the engine room at the doorway, staring out from around the corner with an expression that suggested she knew everything that had just transpired, and was regretting every decision she'd made. Her mouth was pulled back in a grimace and her ears were pulled back, and as soon as she saw Nathan approach she waved her legs at him and said, "I swear by the Queen that Jason let me feed on him, and that I wouldn't have if I thought it would cause that to happen!"

Blackout said:
"Just a room should be enough, and some scrap metal if you can manage it."

Rythian considered for a moment, then added.

"And maybe some food as well."

"Those are acceptable," she said. Jot. "How long do you expect your portal will require to construct?"

- - -
Rythian ended up being given a small farming complex on the outskirts of Brussels. The original owners had long since moved on, and the farm itself was abandoned and choked with weeds. The barley crop was stunted, but a few vagabonds were out in the fields, picking by hand. They gave a momentary look towards the small convoy of an old truck and a few other vehicles, but never came over to investigate.

The interior was as ratty as to be expected, while the structues themselves hadn't gone quite far enough to start falling apart at the seams, the wooden floors were covered in thick, heavy dust that smelled of fertilizer, and a few of the interior walls had the telltale color and pattern of Potion stains. There was untouched farm equipment and harvesting supplies, steel and aluminum and iron and other substances all ready for transmutation, though the grainary was empty save for a few scattered piles of moldy, rotted seed that not even the rats would touch.

Trixie and Snowflake were kept with him, and a pair of watchmen with constant contact to the city proper that rotated every eight hours. All were interested in watching the mage work- from a distance -as the next couple days passed and Rythian assembled a working gateway, after dismantling everything not nailed down for raw EMC and then going back for the nails and everything else of the silo.

The lady came back on the third day to evaluate his progress, flanked by two armed and armored men. His gateway to Equestria stood completed amidst a bare room, humming softly as it revealed a vastly different place: a rocky desert from atop a mountain, with clear blue skies overhead and a forest in the distance. All perfectly normal for Earth, if it wasn't for the southern mountain topped with a skull visible with a telescope, and northward, farther away, the brightly-colored city built on the side of another mountain.

Trixie and Snowflake, the former who had been studying his magics intently and occasionally asking questions, and the latter who had mostly kept to himself and stayed quiet, waited anxiously. Trixie had identified both landmarks immediately: a fabled, long-dead Equestrian beast, and Canterlot itself.

"No trouble, ma'am," said one of the watchmen. "This guy's done nothing but work, the ponies haven't tried anything, and nothing's been in or out since it turned on."

It was a moment before she responded, transfixed by the portal. "...Good, good. Mr. Rythian, if you would, please? A report on its capabilities and limitations."

Sufficient Velocity vs. The Conversion Bureau IC

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