Title:           Prologue - Star Trek: Equestria
Author:          TrekAnon
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/1h4nj7Xe
First Edit:      Thursday 11th of August 2016 01:44:15 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Last edit on: Sunday 14th of August 2016 03:12:36 AM CDT

>Be Anon
>Ensign Anonynous Poster of the Starship Fur'Chan
>It's your first day on the ship and you must say that you're impressed.
>They really made upgrades while your crew was on shore leave.
>Computers are much faster, new paint, the works.
>Of course, that's not your immediate concern.
>You have orders to report to the science lab.
>As the doors open, you see Lieutenant Meyers and Commander Inchayfe working on their PADDs.
>Ensign T'pala turns to you.
>"Greetings Anon. We are on assignment together."
"I see. What are we dealing with?"
>"Nothing major, just a simple survey mission."
>T'pala brings up a local star chart.
>"System NGC-1337 Eta Alpha Xi appears to be emitting a copious amount of energy, even though basic astrometrics shows the star to be quite stable, so something may be amiss."
"Why wouldn't a science vessel be sent out to investigate?"
>"The local area has been pacified due to recent Starfleet expansion into the region. It is also a simple G-Type star. While likely to have a small solar system around it, life is doubtful in a system with those levels of radiation."
"I see. Very well. I'll prepare my gear and meet you in shuttle bay two."
>With that, you part ways.
>Why would Starfleet send out two Ensigns into an area of relatively new space?
>Still orders are orders.
>Now, to pack the essentials.
>You grab several texts for the journey. Some lighter fare mixed with some deeper reading when you get truly desperate.
>T'pala wasn't a bad person, but she was a Vulcan.
>Boring AF.
>While a shuttle could make it to the system at Warp 5, it still took a few hours.
>Space is big bro.
>Standard issue hand phaser, because away team.
>Spare clothing, your belaklavion, and finally some of them old style "cartoons".
>Crude and simple methods of entertainment from ancient Earth. Apparently many were broadcast via cable to the homes of many of the worlds' citizens.
>Some even inspired cult-like following and huge communities.
>Impressive fore sure, though the holo-novels of today were second to none.
>With all of the essentials eventually packed into your duffel bag, you head over to the shuttlebay.
>Of fucking course T'pala made it here first.
>She's always running diagnostics on the vessels you use for away missions.
>If she weren't Vulcan, you could swear she was afraid of something.
"You know, I heard the port stabilizer is a bit finnicky."
>"Your joke is not very amusing, Mr. Anonymous. The stabilizer is operating at peak efficiency."
"You damned Vulcans always know how to take the fun out of the room."
>T'pala doesn't react to your barbs.
>Fuck it, doesn't really matter.
>You board the shuttle and prepare the diagnostic system.
 
>Double checking everything, the ship has a clean bill of health.
>T'pala boards soon after you finish.
"Ready to begin?"
>T'pala nods ad begins the start-up sequence.
"Ensign Poster to Hangar Operations, we're reading green across the board and are prepared to depart."
>"Roger that, Ensign. Hangar doors are opening, proceed along projected course. FLy safely."
"Very well. We will be back here in two days. Don't destroy the ship on me."
>"We'll keep her afloat for you."
>With that, the comms cut and you guide the shuttle out of the hangar.
>The Chaffee-class shuttlepod was a work of art and technology, although apparently the recently produced Delta-Flyer types were proving to be more effective for away missions. You're quite interested in flying one someday.
>The engines engage and you feel the slight pull of warp speed as the inertial compensators adjust to the increase in speed. A few hours away from the Centaur-class light cruiser you had just departed was a whole new system of adventure.
>Who knows? You just might find something interesting.
 
>Several hours later.
 
>As the system draws near, your scans show a high level of natural energy emitting from the area.
>Surprisingly, it's not from the star itself, but rather the singular planet in orbit around the Star.
>You plot a course towards the planet and begin the survey.
>While not close enough for a geological survey, you take multispectral scan of the planet.
>High levels of EM energy are being spewed into orbit from the planet's poles.
>This is unusual, but the planet appears to be green and lush, with a vast ocean surrounding the continents.
>A small sea runs through two of them.
>A large peninsula also just out from the side of the western continent.
>These continents cover most of the northern hemisphere, with deserts, forests and mountains each taking up a prominent place in the scenery.
"Damn. That's a gorgeous planet. You think we'll ever get a chance to live on it?"
>"That is doubtful. If we discover a primitive intelligent species, we must avoid contact unless possible."
"Yeah, yeah, the whole Prime Directive thing."
>"Do not worry. I am sure that you will have a chance to visit on this trip."
"Thanks T'pala. Can you tell if there are any signs of civilization down there?"
>"Actually, I'm detecting-"
>Suddenly the ships alarms go off, followed shortly by a jolt to the right.
>Orbital debris, rocks mostly, are pelting at your shields.
>Not just randomly, either. They appear to be targeting you!
"Evasive action, get us out of here!"
>BOOM!
>"Warp engines offline. Engaging full impulse to the edge of the system."
>Another shake as you accidentally rocket yourselves into more of them.
>You man the phasers and attempt to shoot as many as you can target, but it seems impossible.
>They just keep coming from nowhere!
"T'pala, put us down on the planet, we need something to hide us from these things!"
>"Are you sure that is wise? They could be defending the planet for all we know."
"Right now, I just want to get to safety. Our best bet is down there. SET A COURSE!"
>You yell that last part. They train you to hold in your emotions to focus on the situation, but for the first time in your life you feel truly threatened.
>"Very well, adjusting heading."
"Shields at 30% and dropping!"
>"We are entering the atmosphere."
"Thank God. The missiles aren't chasing us. Looks like we're in the cle-"
>A massive blast of laser hits your ship.
>The energy from the blast sends a surge through the EPS conduits.
>T'pala's control console explodes, knocking her out.
>The ship is now hurtling as another blast knocks out your stabilizers.
>You deploy the atmospheric brakes to slow your descent.
>Then your readjust course for crash landing.
>With T'pala out, you must pilot the craft to a secluded location.
>There is a small town within a few clicks of a dense forest. You could land there and get supplies if you need them.
>There aren't any logging operations here, so this forest must be dangerous to them.
>Which could also be a threat to you.
>Doesn't matter, you need to get this craft down.
>You slow down the barely functioning engines and brace for impact.
>The impact is hard. Repulsors were taken out in one of the hits.
>You feel your head smack across the console.
>Then everything goes black.
 
>Be Luna.
>You awake from your daytime slumber.
>There is something...off.
>It feels like a presence is in your domain.
>But how could this be? Surely nopony could dwell in the cosmos.
>Perhaps this is worth investigating.
>Your eyes flash a deep blue as you project your consciousness to the moon.
>Ah, good times up here.
>And many, many lonely ones...
>Off in the distance, you see a small glint, like the sun reflecting off of something.
>You focus on that point.
>A metal...pod? is floating around Equestria.
>A silent rage builds up inside of you.
>How dare something come to invade your territory!
>Summoning all of your strength, you begin to feel the materials of the Celestial bodies.
>You must destroy this leech.
>You focus on the orbits of debris circling the planet below.
>And whip them at the pod.
>You can see a couple of pings of light just off of the surface of the ship.
>By the Gods, this thing has magical shielding.
>You smirk. You haven't had a challenge like this in ages.
>You continue to pelt the capsule, increasing the frequency and damage when larger rocks show up.
>The pod begins firing beams of orange light with astounding accuracy.
>But not enough speed.
>The shields fizzle as bits of material are let through, denting and exploding against its shell.
>Something begins glowing in the back. Can't have that.
>You focus the rocks, causing a small explosion in the rear.
>It was trying to escape somehow!
>Short red streaks appear as the metal pod moves through space.
>A few rocks knock those out as well.
>With small bursts of some gaseous substance, the pod moves towards the world below.
>No, you will not let it hurt your people.
>But the exertion of such magic leaves you weak.
 
>Be Celestia.
>Quietly observing the daily hustle and bustle of paperwork.
>Luna runs through the door and past the guards.
>Panting and out of breath, she slowly looks up at you.
>"My sister! There is an intruder from the cosmos threatening to land on our soil. My power is limited, but I was able to disable it. Please, help me end it."
>You stair into her eyes.
>Fear is all you see.
>Not much disturbs your sister.
>Half of her job is tending to nightmares.
>This must be a grave threat.
"Very well. I will attempt to stop it once and for all."
>The two of you trot to the nearest balcony.
>It is a good thing that Canterlot is so high up. You can see everything.
>You breath deeply, letting the sun's warmth fill you with energy.
>Your mind is now hyper-focused, eyes locked onto the burning object in the sky.
>You breath and release, channeling as much energy through your horn as possible.
>A massive laser pierces the sky.
>YOUR massive laser.
>You've never channeled so much energy.
>A last minute adjustment saves the pod from certain death.
>Whatever creature resides inside must be quite a formidable foe.
>You fire again.
>A direct hit this time, causing a small series of explosions along the side.
>Some smaller fins pop out of the craft, slowing its descent.
>But not enough. You see it crash down in the Everfree forest.
>Relaxing as you see a massive cloud of black smoke rise in the distance, you turn to head inside.
>"My sister, you performed so well!"
"Thank you, Luna. Head back to bed, you will need to save your strength for tonight."
>"And what about you, Celestia?"
"I will retire soon, but first I must send a letter to Twilight."
 
>Be Anon.
>Your eyes slowly flutter open.
>A massive headache is pounding away at your skull.
>Fuck, that landing was bad.
>You slowly sit up and look around.
>T'pala is slumped over her console.
>You reach to check on her, but you see that it is pointless.
>A metal beam has pierced her back.
>And gone through her.
>Vulcan or not, she's lost too much blood to be alive.
>A pool of green lies below her, several drops falling regularly.
>Shit.
>You notice a large red stain on you hand.
>Your head suffered a nasty gash.
>Superficial, but you almost certainly had a concussion at best.
>The consoles around you are flickering as the last of the reserve power supplies run dry.
>Warp core is offline, gonna need some dilithium and equipment to get that working again.
>Computer core is down, no way you're gonna be able to determine your location that way.
>The first aid kit is still good though.
>You lift it off the floor and apply some basic first aid.
>Some hydrocortilene and a dermal regenerator fix your head up real good.
>You stand, grasping at your tricorder.
>You open it up and scan the surface of the planet.
>Class M, 25% oxygen atmosphere, 72% Nitrogen, 2% Methane, and trace gases.
>Interesting. This world would appear to be in a late agricultural stage of development, as little carbon dioxide exists.
>First things first: Honor the dead.
>You grab a collapsible shovel and start digging.
 
>Be Twilight Sparkle.
>Celestia has some news for you!
>Apparently there was an impact of some sort of metal pod in the Everfree Forest.
>Implying you didn't feel the tremor.
>It had woken up half of Ponyville!
>That was about 3 hours ago.
>You had received the letter from Celestia several minutes after the impact.
>Somehow Spike had slept through all of that.
>You'll never understand how he does it.
>You let him sleep, your friends are more than enough to check it out.
>You'd already had your saddlebags packed when your friends came to the door.
"Good day everypony! I've called you here today for an investigation into last night's tremor."
>"Didn't feel like no earthquake Ah every seen."
"Well, no, it wasn't, Applejack. It was some type of meteorite."
>"A meteorite! Why, darling, wouldn't it be much more dazzling then just a plain 'thud' in the ground?"
"If by 'dazzling' you mean explosive, then yes, it should have been. That's what has the princesses worried."
>"The princesses are worried? Whatever for? I hope the forest critters are okay..."
>Fluttershy and her animals...
"Listen everypony, Princess Celestia told me that we needed to go check out the crash site. Apparently Luna felt it was something, how do I say this...foreign?"
>Everypony does a little gasp.
>Well, at least they're not freaking out.
"I think we'll have more answers if we move out and find this thing."
>"Well that's an easy one, silly! Just follow the big cloud of smoke!"
>Looking out the window to the forest, a thin cloud of black smoke.
>That could be a problem. No forest fires wanted here.
"Then let's get going. Rainbow, since you're the fastest and best flyer here, take the sky and report anything unusual."
>"You got it Twi!"
>She busts out of the doors at lightning speed.
>What are you going to do with her?
>"So are we just gonna stand around 'n braid each other's manes or are we gonna get to the bottom of this?"
>You all understand. It's time to go.
 
>Be Rainbow Dash.
>Finally, some action.
>The Elements of Harmony haven't been called in for anything since the Tirek incident.
>That's not good for a pony like yourself.
>You need ACTION.
>Flying around in the air, following that smoke trail is getting you excited.
>Your heart is racing, pumping your blood.
>The slight hint of danger is growing in the air.
>Now, to find a good place to land and...
>Wait, you saw a flash.
>A small, orange flash, almost like a small magical beam.
>It's only a little bit away from the site of the impact.
>A tree looks like it's being felled.
>Nopony is stupid enough to do any logging in Everfree.
>And there are some pretty stupid ponies in Ponyville.
>After finding a good place to duck under the trees, you start a sweep of the area.
>Once the vines get too thick to fly through, you land and start trotting.
>What could have caused a tree to fall from that?
>Out of the corner of your eye, you spot movement.
>You dash (heh) over to the bushes and catch sight of a crouching...ape? Monkey?
>It seems to be doing something with the wood from the tree.
>Another flash and a small explosion and you see that the tree has been cut into pieces.
>Apes shouldn't be able to do that!
>Historically, they have been the weakest magic users, if at all.
>You learned that the only trace of their existence were the ancient tools that they made.
>They were invented much before anything of similar purpose was made for Equestria, but the apes were gone long before that.
>This wasn't good.
>You needed to do something.
>You prepared a dashing tackle, but then the ape stood up.
>It stood at least twice as high as you did.
>And it was carrying at least 6 logs in its arms.
>Only an Apple could carry that much! The average pony could only carry one or two!
>What was this creature?
 
>Be Rainbow Dash, still.
>You must investigate this creature further.
>You're about to sneak away when it whips around and stares at you.
>Its eyes are small and beady, nothing like any creature you've seen before.
>It stands on two legs, towering over you.
>What's even weirder is the fact that its made is tiny compared to any creature you've seen.
>It doesn't even have a layer of fur to keep it warm!
>It's mouth begins moving, forming some sort of sound that you can't decipher.
>Your friends arrive behind you, you mustn't be too far away from the edge.
"Girls, I don't know what to do! I can't understand its language."
>"Don't worry, Rainbow, darling. None of us can either."
>"What Ah don't understand is how this creature, who's on Equestria for land's sake, doesn't understand the world language!"
>"It's quite simple, Applejack: This creature must be from some undiscovered corner of the planet!"
"Um, not to burst your bubble, but isn't that a bit far-fetched?"