Title: Captain Anonymous - Chapter 29 - Hero Worship Author: somewritefag Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/YhzXZxca First Edit: Sunday 9th of August 2015 11:54:47 AM CDT Last Edit: Last edit on: Sunday 9th of August 2015 12:21:56 PM CDT                                         Captain Anonymous - Chapter 29 - Hero Worship -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     >The Admiral questions your change of heart regarding the secrecy of the mission, but she eventually agrees to let you hold your award ceremony on the stage of the largest theater on the ship. >She helps you begin preparations. When you change your mind about keeping this confidential, the ship goes up in flames with gossip, and word spreads like wildfire. As you’re making your preparations, a small civilian ship drops out of QT jump and hails the flagship, and then two more after that. The second in command contacts the admiral upon their arrival.   >”Admiral from bridge.”   >”Go ahead, bridge.”   >”I’m sorry ma’am, but I’m afraid the press is here. They want to broadcast this award ceremony live to the whole Confederacy. What do you want me to tell them?”   >The Admiral groans and sighs in frustration. “If we don’t let them, then the perceived secrecy is going to cause a lot of rumors to spread that I don’t want to deal with right now. Allow them on board, see to it that their press credentials are properly certified before they’re allowed to pass, and direct them to our location. Admiral out.”   “Have the comm systems still been blowing up from the first mission?”   >”Nonstop, Anon. Maybe if you give a nice little heartfelt speech live it’ll cut a lot of that shit down. Our communications officer would appreciate it.”   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   >Anon has been gone a little over a day now, and Twilight is starting to get a little worried about him, even feeling guilty about making him feel so terrible when he really was just trying to protect her. All she can think of is how badly she just wants to be held by him, and to tell him how much she truly loves him. That if he needs her to be a fighter, she’ll be a fighter for him. The loss of life will never be easy, but Twilight has come to accept Anon’s words that it was all in Equestria’s best interests, and retrospectively is glad she helped him.   >”Hey Twily, you wanna go out for dinner?” Shining says as he peeks his head into her room.   >She sighs, already missing her lover   >”Sure, brother, that would be nice. Might help take my mind of certain things for a while. I know this place in town we can go to where…”   >Twilight and Shining Armor disappear down the castle corridor walking side-by-side.   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   >The 4,000-seat theater is absolutely packed, standing room only, the crowd murmuring loudly in front of an empty stage. There are a ton of people standing in the aisles and to the sides since all the seats are taken. Eighteen different major media outlets have set up live camera feeds all in a row next to each other at the best vantage point in the room. Word had gotten out about the first mission, but almost nobody had any clue who was responsible for it. It still isn’t even common knowledge that you’re still alive. The first video stirred up a great sense of nationalism and loyalty, greatly boosted morale of citizens and soldiers alike, and had sweeping positive effects across the entire Confederacy. When people find out that you’re still alive AND you commanded the missions that destroyed so many enemy shipyards it’s going to be nothing short of sensational.   >You peek out from behind the curtain at the massive crowd. You go over your dress uniform for the fifteen billionth time making sure it’s perfect, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly.   >”Stage fright, Anon? That isn’t like you at all. You love the limelight.”   “I’m more worried about the repercussions of the entire Confederacy, and the rebels, finding out I’m still alive.”   >”You deserve any attention or celebrity status you get, Captain. You dealt the rebels a huge blow. Not a killing blow, but you gave us enough room to breathe to catch up with them. I don’t have to tell you what a huge deal that is.”   >You sigh   “I know. But you also know that I hate the ‘hero’ treatment when I’m just doing my duty, doing what’s right. I don’t know why that makes me so special.”   >”The thing that makes you so special is that you’re so goddamn good at it. You gave up everything to befriend these ponies. You had the wisdom and foresight to know that they would be an important ally, even when everyone in charge was fearful and paranoid about them. If it hadn’t been for your sacrifice, and the friendships you’ve formed here, none of this would have been possible. Anon, it was that one simple judgement call you made so long ago that not only helped us deal a serious blow to the rebels, but may ultimately be responsible for winning us this war and reuniting the Confederacy with the least bloodshed possible.”   “They’re going to go ballistic when they all actually see me, aren’t they? This ceremony isn’t about me goddammit, it’s about those five men who risked their lives. It’s about honoring their bravery and willingness to sacrifice.”   >”What about your pony friends? Shouldn’t they be here receiving some kind of award too?   “They don’t…exactly know that I went on a second mission, and I prefer it stays that way. Twilight is already upset with me enough as it is, I don’t want to make her any angrier. For the first time in our relationship I’m terrified that there may be a real possibility, however so small, that I may lose her. She was afraid of me… she’s never been afraid of me… I want them kept out of this as much as possible. I’m still willing to get my hands dirty, but like I said, they just aren’t cut out for it.”   >One of the press people checks the hidden microphones under all of your uniforms to make sure they’re all working. He gives a thumbs up to some of the other backstage assistants, indicating you’re all wired for sound and good to go.   >You sigh again.   “You wanna go warm ‘em up for me, ‘liv?”   >”Sure, Anon, but I’m saving the big grandiose speech for you. Don’t expect me to be out there for too long.”   “Fine, fine,” you say as you flick your hand, “just go stall ‘em for me a couple minutes until I get my head on straight here.”   >The Admiral steps from behind the curtain and approaches a large podium with the flag of the Confederacy on one side and the flag of the Confederate Navy on the other, and is met with immediate applause. When it finally dies down she begins to speak.   >”My fellow citizens of this great Confederacy that we love and cherish, it is my pleasure to welcome you to this evening’s proceedings. Every member of the Confederate Navy swears a vow when they join, to protect the Confederacy and its citizens with their very lives should they be called upon to do so.”   >”For centuries that call has never needed to be made, as we all flourished in peace and harmony. There was never any need for our brave heroes to make that oath-bound ultimate sacrifice in our defense. However, given the recent splitting of worlds that has us fighting and killing former friends, it’s a call that has had to be made far, far too often in recent months, and I have had far too many sleepless nights recalling the daily casualty reports that hit my desk.”   >”Many brave and noble warriors have given their lives in this conflict, to push back at those who would destroy our very way of life and subvert the ideals we all hold so dear. However, amidst this turmoil, there have been times when our brave heroes have survived against all odds or performed feats with dramatic repercussions on our conflict. Tonight we gather to honor several of those warriors that are here with us.”   >”It is now my honor to turn over the podium to Captain Anonymous, yes THE Captain Anonymous, another hero we all believed we had lost long ago but has been found again, and is fighting for your safety and security once more.”   >As you step from behind the curtain you maintain a strict, stoic, official stance. There are several gasps from the crowd, some screams of adoration, but mostly indecipherable chaotic talking. You wait several minutes for the scene to die down.   “Ladies and Gentlemen in the audience, could we please-“   >You’re drowned out by uproarious applause before you can even finish your sentence. You try not to let your frustration show, instead raising a hand sternly, causing them all to fall dead quiet almost immediately.   “Thank you. Let me start out by saying I hate fluffed up speeches, and I’m not exactly eloquent, so I’m afraid I’ll be letting you down if that’s what you were hoping for. All I can do is speak the truth, and speak from my heart. When these treacherous rebels broke away from us, there was nothing noble about their reasoning. They sought violence for so long and craved it so badly that they finally created it themselves. These beasts want to conquer our great Confederacy. They want to spread their fear, hatred, and violence to any new races we encounter. They wish us to be a nation of conquerors. As the Admiral stated, their ideals go against our very nature and way of life.”   “When I heard about the victims of Karnaria Prime, my heart wept and my blood boiled. We were given a chance to strike a heavy blow to the rebels. These five brave soldiers answered the call, for what could easily have been a suicide mission. Only hours ago I led these five heroes on a covert mission to sabotage rebel shipyards. Our mission was a massive success. We destroyed twenty two rebel shipyards across three star systems.”   >There’s deafening cheering, clapping, whistling and celebration from the audience that doesn’t die down for several minutes   “In addition to the sixteen shipyards that were destroyed in the Ytria system, this has been a disastrous setback for the rebels. While they still maintain the advantage of higher capacity for ship production than us, this critical mission has bought us precious time with which to bolster our forces and try to catch up with our foes. It was initially my call to keep this mission classified. After seeing these soldiers in action I changed my mind. I want those rebel scumbags to see that we have heroes in our midst that are willing to strike at the very heart of their territory despite the danger and risk to themselves. That while we are peace-loving, there is fire in our hearts and courage in our deeds when the need arises for action to be taken.”   >You look back at the curtain   “Marines!”   >”SIR YES SIR?”   “Move out!”   >The five men move from behind the curtain across the stage single-file in perfect rhythm.   “Companyyyy HALT. Abouuut FACE.”   >You turn to the podium again.   “Take a good look at these men that stand before you. Burn their faces into your memory. And to the rebels, you treacherous scum, know this. These men fear nothing, these men love the Confederacy, and you WILL meet them again in battle. Them, and many others like them. Know that their conviction and dedication is stronger than yours. And that ultimately, thanks to heroes like these, the Confederacy. Will. Prevail!”   >Once again the audience is on their feet with deafening applause, cheering, and celebration. Once again it takes several minutes for them to settle back down enough for you to continue.   >A lower ranking officer marches out onto the stage, holding an open velvet-lined box containing the medals to be presented. You stand next to her and look out at the audience, waiting for their silence. You retrieve the first medal from the box and approach the first marine, the two of you salute one another.   “Owen Wells. For acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty in defense of the Confederacy, I, Captain Anonymous, by the power vested in me by that rank, do hereby award you the Silver Honor Star.”   >You pin the medal to his uniform, saluting him once again before stepping to the next.   “Guierrmo Briggs. For acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty in defense of the Confederacy, I, Captain Anonymous, by the power vested in me by that rank, do hereby award you the Silver Honor Star.”   “Neil Ramos. For acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty in defense of the Confederacy, I, Captain Anonymous, by the power vested in me by that rank, do hereby award you the Silver Honor Star. Additionally, as a result of being wounded during an action above and beyond the call of duty in the defense of the Confederacy, I do hereby award you the Warrior’s Golden Cross.”   “Shane Smith. For acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty in defense of the Confederacy, I, Captain Anonymous, by the power vested in me by that rank, do hereby award you the Silver Honor Star.”   “Kenneth Garrett. For acts of bravery above and beyond the call of duty in defense of the Confederacy, I, Captain Anonymous, by the power vested in me by that rank, do hereby award you the Silver Honor Star.”   “Gentlemen, step forward to the edge of the stage so everyone can get a good look at you,” you say, beginning to clap your hands, the audience is clapping as well, and eventually they’re all on their feet, clapping and cheering.   >’Finally, the spotlight is on someone who deserves it,’ you think to yourself. They revel in the praise of the audience for several minutes until things start to die down.   “Abouuut FACE!”   >They all turn to face you. You salute them and they return your salute.   “It was an honor and a distinct privilege to have you serve under me on this mission.”   >You shake each of their hands as they exit the stage, one by one, the audience’s enthusiasm seems to have died down some, but then for some reason they start cheering wildly out of nowhere again. You turn and see the Chief Fleet Admiral himself entering the stage. You immediately salute and maintain your position as he takes the podium. The audience falls completely silent as he begins to speak.   >What the hell is he doing all the way out here attending an award ceremony for low-ranking officers?   >”Captain Anonymous. Your reputation always precedes you. You are a well-known and highly respected officer in the Navy. You’ve violated many regulations on several occasions, but your reasons were always noble and ultimately justified. You’ve defied the High Council’s wishes on some occasions, risking their wrath and prison time, yet once again your reasons were always noble and ultimately justified. You’ve been court-martialed twice for violating the direct orders of a superior officer, and you were cleared both times for your reasoning.”   >”You don’t always play by the rules and you’re no yes-man. This is a big part of what makes you such an excellent officer. You defied multiple regulations, when your starship, DSEV-28, was fired upon by the inhabitants of the world below us, by remaining on the surface alone. You violated regulations by returning to the planet after your shuttle had been fired upon. You violated regulations when you ordered DSEV-28 back to base before retrieving you. You may have faced arrest and dishonorable discharge had you returned with DSEV-28, and if certain traitorous elements of the High Council hadn’t convinced everyone you were dead”   >”I don’t bring up these things to try to shame you or to glorify defiance to authority. I bring them up to illustrate that you have always done the right thing, despite what the rules say. Many of you have seen the video of the destruction of the 16 heavy shipyards at Ytria. Those responsible were unnamed and it was considered classified by those of us who knew.”   >”Anonymous was marooned on this world because of his overwhelming faith that the inhabitants would be powerful allies to the Confederacy. Anon was more perceptive than anyone at fleet command or in the High Council. They feared these ponies rather than wanting to understand them. Their power frightened those in charge.”   >”You gave up everything these past… almost three years now has it been? You gave it all up because you knew you were right. You struggled here to build bridges with these ponies and befriend them. You suffered terribly in your quest, but you were ultimately successful. You forged such powerful bonds with some of these ponies that they were willing to risk their lives to aid the Confederacy.”   >”This is why I had to declassify this information and make it public. Captain Anonymous, along with two of his closest pony friends, were the ones solely responsible for the victory at Ytria. They came forth of their own free will with a plan they devised themselves that was outrageously successful. Not once were they ever asked by us for their assistance.”   >Damn it damn it DAMN IT. Why did he have to put it out there?   >”Captain, had it not been for your defiance, your instinct, your perseverance, and most importantly your sacrifice, the thirty eight shipyards that you managed to destroy within a span of 24 hours – an absolutely stunning and unbelievable turn of events for us – would still be standing, we would have no connection to the inhabitants of this world whatsoever, and to be quite frank Captain, we may have eventually lost everything after a protracted and bloody war with the rebels ultimately emerging victorious. Captain Anonymous, please step forward.”   >One of his personal assistants brings out a similar box to the one you just handed out medals from.   >Ugh. Please don’t be another Silver Star or something like that.   >The Chief retrieves the medal, hiding it in his palms so you can’t see it.   >”Anonymous, for a wide variety of indescribable acts of cunning and courageousness far beyond any I have personally witnessed in my entire life, and other reasons far too numerous to list, I, Chief Fleet Admiral, with unanimous consent of all ranking members of the Confederate Navy Headquarters, as well as subsequent order by the Confederate High Council, do hereby award you the Badge of High Champion of the Confederate Worlds   >The crowd goes absolutely ballistic. You freeze and your jaw drops slightly. Only eight people in the history of the entire Confederacy have ever received this honor. Everything feels surreal as he pins the medal to your uniform, then bows and salutes to YOU.   “Sir… I…” you stammer.   >He reaches into the box again for something else.   >”Additionally, as Chief Fleet Admiral, by the power vested in me by the Confederate High Council and the ranking members of the Confederate Navy Headquarters, do hereby promote you to the rank of sub-Chief Fleet Admiral,” he says, pinning your new rank insignia to your uniform. You were just made a historical figure that will be remembered for thousands of years to come, and in the same breath you were also promoted to second-in-command of the ENTIRE Confederate Navy.   >It’s too much for you. You pass out but are caught by the Chief. You wake up in the ship’s sickbay, severely disoriented. You see a nurse standing over you with a brainwave scanner taking a few readings. You groan loudly.   >”Mister Anonymous, are you back with us?”   >You blink your eyes. You try to sit up but are forced to lay back down due to lightheadedness.   “Oh jeez. Ugh… yeah, I’m here. What happened?”   >”Well you had a little fainting spell, sir. We’re just checking you out to make sure there was nothing physiological that caused it, and from what we can tell there’s nothing to worry about.”   “I had the craziest dream… the…”   >You touch your chest and feel the medal. You feel your collar and the rank insignia.   “Oh… it was real…”   >You finally notice the Admiral is sitting at your bedside.   “hey ‘liv… what just happened?”   >”Oh nothing major, the most celebrated hero in the Confederacy of all time and second-highest ranking officer in the Confederate Navy just fainted in front of millions or billions of people.”   >You groan again, finally sitting up.   “Please just get me to the Pegasus, all I want right now is my Twily…”   >”If you say so, but I thought maybe you’d rather take the ship the Chief brought you as a gift instead.”   “Fine, let’s go to the docking bay and check it out I gue—“   >”Anon, it doesn’t fit in the docking bay. Come on, she’s docked at airlock 6.”   >When you finally get there you look out the window and your heart leaps out of your throat. You’ve never seen such an elegant design before. You don’t notice several key features that are standard on a typical Confederate starship. You don’t see any exhaust ports for the sublight engine for one. It’s a fairly good sized ship too, five or six decks.   >”Well are you going to go inside or just stand and stare all day?   >When you enter the small bridge of your ship you only see one chair, barely any consoles, it seems rather Spartan.   >“She’s in single pilot mode right now. When she goes into crew mode the other stations and seating emerge.”   >You take a seat.   “Uh… this doesn’t really look like any helm configuration I’ve seen before… and I don’t see any weapons controls either… what good is single-pilot mode if I can’t even fly or shoot anything?”   >The Admiral puts a hand over her face.   >”Lean back in your seat, dumbass.”   >As you do you feel a metal restraint surround your forehead   >”Close your eyes, Anon”   >You hesitantly comply   >”Computer, initialize neural interface.”   >You feel a pat on you shoulder before the Admiral leaves   >”Have fun, sir.”   >All at once you feel paralyzed. You can’t move or open your eyes. You start to panic. Your brain’s urge to see is interpreted by the neural interface. All of the ship’s sensors are activated and you have a 360 degree view of everything around you in your mind.   “Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?”   >The more you try to regain control of your body, the more of the ship you become aware of. When you relax and stop struggling, you feel your physical body melting away. As the neural interface examines the physiology of your nervous system and slowly adapts, everything begins to feel more natural.   >You can FEEL this ship. You feel yourself docked to the flagship, and on a whim you release the docking clamps and move away, it didn’t even take any effort. You have the sensation of flying, still seeing everything around you all at once. It’s overwhelming at first but you slowly get used to it. You very quickly get the hang of speed control, maneuvering takes a little longer. This is the most amazing thing you’ve ever felt in your life. You can feel your QT drive, and it feels powerful. You decide against testing that one out right now. You fly around the solar system until you find some asteroids, deciding to test your weapons.   >You see an asteroid you want to shoot, and you open fire on it, every single shot of the pulse cannons impacting with perfect accuracy.   >Alright, yeah, this is stupidly amazing but you really want to get back home to Twilight.   >When you think about wanting to get back to Twilight, you fly back to Equestria, reaching the planet and breaching the atmosphere in mere seconds. You can see Ponyville up ahead as you slow down and take up a position near Twilight’s castle. The landing gear takes you a few seconds to figure out, but eventually you’re able to extend your landing struts, powering off your engines.   >The mere thought of “I’m finished for now” is enough for the neural interface to release you and the ship to power down all systems.   >You feel dizzy as you exit the ship, holding your head and stumbling around. You soon see both Twilight and Shining Armor approaching you. They see the ship and the fancy new medal on your uniform and also notice your disorientation. They’re both incredibly curious as well as extremely concerned for your well-being. They decide to save the questions for later, helping you inside and laying you down on Twilight’s bed. The dizziness slowly subsides as you lay there, Twilight curled up next to you, keeping a close eye on you, Shining sitting on his haunches at the side of the bed also watching over you. Finally you feel like you can speak.   “Twily baby… I love you so much…”   >she gives you a gentle kiss and nuzzles your cheek   >”I know Anon, I love you too…”   “I know I have a lot to explain…”   >”Well, yeah, that much is readily apparent. Take your time though, Anon, don’t stress yourself if you’re still not feeling well,” Shining says as he rears up on the bed and puts a hoof on your arm.   “I’m still in shock from it all… I know what happened but it’s like my mind just can’t process it…”   >”Did someone hurt you, Anon?” Twilight asks. “Did you work yourself too hard up there?”   >You shake your head. After a few more minutes you finally feel like you can maintain a steady conversation. You give a lengthy, almost run-on, explanation without pausing long enough for either of them to reply.   “Twily, Shining, I just became a fucking legend… you see this medal on my chest? I’m the ninth person in the Confederacy’s several-thousand-year history to ever receive this honor. The last one was over 800 years ago.”   >You grab your collar   “You see this brand new rank insignia pinned here? I was just promoted to second in command of the ENTIRE fucking Confederate Navy. Of the Confederacy’s billions of citizens, I only answer to about 100 people now. My orders can only be countermanded by the Chief or the High Council.”   >You point toward a window.   “That ship out there? A gift to me from the Chief himself. It’s nothing like anything I’ve ever flown before. Twily, it has this.. this thing, that reaches out over your body and links up with your nervous system, allowing you to control the entire ship by thought alone. I really felt what it was like to *actually* fly, and it was incredible.”   >You begin to hyperventilate slightly as you continue   “So many things that I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams, I keep wondering when I’m going to wake up. Twily, I hope you’re not mad at me for this, but while your invisibility spell was still active I let them borrow the Pegasus to send an elite squad on some more raids.   >”Were they successful, Anon?”   “They took out 22 more shipyards Twily, 22! Ugh… they did all of this to me without me expecting, and they broadcast it live to billions of people. There’s probably not a single person on a single world that doesn’t know who I am or what just happened to me. This promotion and the medal… it just drew way way way more attention to me than I ever wanted.   >You grumble in frustration   “I didn’t want any more attention, Twi, I just wanted to protect you, protect Equestria, and be left alone by the Confederacy, and that was it. And now suddenly out of nowhere I’m right in the thick of things with them.”   >You try to slow your breathing and calm down   “I’m going to setup my headquarters here, aboard my ship so I don’t have to go very far to help plan fleet movements or whatever else they need me to do. I already told them I’m not leaving Equestria. If they don’t like it they can take their stupid promotion, medal, and ship all back, I don’t even care, I just want to be with you, Twi.”   >”Okay Anon, I… think I caught most of that,” Twilight replies. “I’m just glad you’re home now. I didn’t mean to drive you away, Anon. I’m sorry… me and Shining both have been thinking and talking about what you were saying to us, and we get it now. After talking it over we also agreed that, if you want to plan any more missions with us, we’ll be at your side.”   “Let’s forget about the war for now, taking out 38 of their shipyards in a day was a pretty big bloody nose to the rebels. They’ll be reeling from it for a while, that gives us plenty of time to plan our next move. In the meantime all I want are my ponies. I just want the two of you to cuddle me like you’ve never cuddled anypony else before, like your lives depend on it. I want to feel your warm, soft fur over every single square inch of my body possible. That’s all the love and attention I need, not all this garbage hero worship bullshit they threw at me all at once…”   >Shining and Twilight smile at you warmly. They help you take your uniform off so you’ll be as comfortable as possible. Shortly afterwards you feel almost your whole body touching warm body fur, mane or tail hair, or feathers.   >”Shhh,” Twilight whispers, “it’s okay Anon. We don’t have to talk about anything else. You have your ponies now, and they have you. Relax and empty your mind, try to get some rest, I promise we’re not going anywhere. Me and Shining will be right here with you when you wake up in the morning.”   >Twilight gives you a gentle, lingering kiss that you savor, giving a contented sigh as your lips part and she settles back down onto you. Surrounded by their luxurious warmth and softness you’re soon fast asleep.