Orion and Raven lived a relatively quiet life in Equestria. Settling in Ponyville, raising their children... by all accounts perfectly normal. Over the course of a few months, Raven began acting erratically, oftentimes forgetting simple things like her husband's name, or how many children they had. She had also started going out for a "nightly stroll," always insisting that she go alone.

Luna's moon shone brightly over the town, and Raven once again was making preparations to go for another stroll. "I won't be long, dearest," she calls out.

Orion had grown to be very concerned about his wife in the last few months, and tonight he resolved to follow her, to see where she went every night. "I'll see you in a couple hours!" he calls out, waving to her as he always did.

"Okay, I love you, Oscar-err, Orion!" she replies, opening the door and stepping into the crisp night air. She walked through town toward Sweet Apple Acres, enroute to the stargazing hill, glancing around every so often and nodding greetings to the ponies that were still active at this time of night.

"Oscar? That's a new one..." he comments, grabbing a green trench coat and adjusting his bow tie, before heading out into the autumn evening. He follows Raven's hoof prints, having waited to make sure he was well out of sight this time.

Also keeping out of sight, a tall figure shadowed Raven as she made her way out of town. This figure was definitely not of this world. Tapping a metallic object on his chest, a chirping sound could be heard. "Data to Riker. Subject in sight, heading in your direction," the figure said quietly.

"Acknowledged. I am in intercept position. Out." came the reply voice.

Turning to continue his surveillance, Data suddenly found his path blocked and was knocked to the ground. As he looked at what he stumbled over, he made note of the small equine creature before him ... and the clothing it wore. He said not a word, but continued to watch in the event the equine cried out in alarm.

Orion Shadow accidentally bumps into Data, thanks to not entirely looking out for where he was going... he looks up, smiling apologetically, "Oops! Sorry about that, I-" He stops in mid-sentence, taking in Data's appearance with a wide-wed expression, "…What?"

Data is momentarily taken aback by the apology utred by the creature. "Hello there. I ask that you not be alarmed. I am no threat to you. I am Commander Data of the USS Enterprise, representing the United Federation of Planets. May I ask your name ... sir?"

"Orion Shadow," he says vaguely, concentrating more on what Data was saying... it didn't make any sense to him. "United Federation of what? Can't say I've ever heard of you... what are you doing here, anyway? And actually, what -are- you? Not a minotaur, that's for sure..." he stops, "Sorry, I'm rambling."

"It is quite all right, Mister Shadow. Meeting an entirely different species can be unnerving. I am an android, crafted in the appearance of a human male." He again studies Orion. "You have the basic appearance of equines from a world I call home. Is it safe to say that you are the dominant species populating this planet?"

Orion Shadow shrugs a bit, "I wouldn't say dominant... there are other creatures here too, like griffons and changelings, but I'd say we're one of the biggest... this country is called Equestria. I am a unicorn, one of the four types of ponies. There are also pegasi, who have wings and control the weather, earth ponies, who have neither a horn nor wings and traditionally grow crops, and alicorns, who are a mix of all 3. There are 4 alicorns currently in existence: Princess Celestia and her sister Luna, who rule our country and control the rising and setting of the sun and moon respectively, Princess Cadance who controls the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Ponies, a sub-group of the earth ponies, and Princess Twilight Sparkle, the youngest and most recently ascended of the lot... quite a nice mare, actually, if a bit neurotic."

"This is quite fascinating," said Data, with what passed for a smile on his face. "Tell me, have there been any other recorded instances of contact between your world and others?"

"Riker to Data. I have the subject and am back on the ship. We're ready to transport you."

Tapping the metallic badge on his tunic, Data replied, "Understood, Commander. Unfortunately, I do have a situation regarding first contact that needs to be resolved. Specifically, I have been spotted by one of the indigenous inhabitants. I request further instructions."

After a pause, Riker's voice announced, "Prepare your guest for transport. The captain will meet with them upon their arrival. Please signal when ready. Riker out."

Orion Shadow blinks, pulse quickening, "Transport? Subject? What subject? I was only looking for my wife! She's been having these strange memory lapses and is forever going out on nighttime strolls... I think she needs a doctor."

"If you are referring to the ... pony we both were following, I believe the captain can explain that as well. And transporting is a very simple task. All that is required is for you to stand next to me," Data said, getting up. "I promise you that you will not be harmed in any way. We will be transported to the Enterprise, which is a starship currently in orbit around your planet. Once again, I assure you that our intentions are peaceful and we will cause no harm to you. Will you accompany me?"

Orion nods, "You seem like a peaceful fellow... onwards and upwards then!" He stands beside Data, waiting for something to happen.

"Very well. Please remain still." Data tapped the badge again. "Energize." The world around Orion shimmered, with bright flashes of color and sparkles and an odd feeling of being disassembled and reassembled again.

Once the flashes dissipated, Orion found himself in a room that looked dark and like nothing he had ever seen before. He was standing on a platform lit from below, with six lights above. Ahead was some type of console, with three of these "humans" standing behind it. One wore a green tunic like Data's and he was busy adjusting something on the console. The other two wore red tunics, one a younger male with well-trimmed hair on his face. The other was a balding male, with graying hair. This was the one that stepped forward.

"On behalf of the United Federatrion of Planets, we bid you welcome aboard the United Star Ship Enterprise. I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard, and this is Commander Riker," he said, indicating the other red-tuniced person. He had a pleasing accent, almost like a native of Trottingham.

Orion smiles a little at the familiar accent, bowing his head politely to them both, "A pleasure, Captain Picard and Commander Riker... I am the Right Honorable Sir Orion Brownmane Baronet, but everypony calls me Orion." He extends a hoof. "I've never been in a place like this... or encountered any creatures quite like you... it seems this will be a first not only for me, but for all pony kind." He chuckles a little, "Wait until I tell Luna…"

Picard smiles and nods. "A pleasure, Sir Brownmane. I expect you would like an explanation as to what's been going on, and I would be happy to provide you with one. If you will accompany me, I will take you to my ready room on the bridge." He loks over at Data. "Mister Data, would you go with Commander Riker and check on our other guest?"

"Yes, sir," Data replies, following Riker out of the transporter room. Picard follows, standing at the doors. "This way, sir," he says to Orion, gesturing with an arm toward the corridor.

"I keep hearing something about a guest," Orion remarks casually as he follows Picard down the corridor, the floor felt very odd beneath his hooves. "But I can wait a little longer." He smiles up at the captain, "Do you have earl grey? Hot?"

Picard was taken aback momentarily by Orion's request. "Indeed," he said, "I can provide that for you if you wish." Arriving at the turbolift, the doors swooshed open and Picard stepped in, motioning for Orion to do likewise. After Orion stepped in and the doors closed, Picard grabbed what appeard to be a strange handle and turned it slightly. "Bridge," he announced, and the turbolift began its ascent. "It seems there are some analogues between our worlds. I'm looking forward to conversing with you about them once our main business is concluded."

Orion Shadow grins back, "As am I, Captain... I'm just glad to finally meet someone who understands the importance of a good cup of tea, first of all!" He adjusts his glasses, "Main business?"

"Yes... it concerns our being here in the first place, and unfortunately, it involves you as well." The turbolift stopped and the doors slid open. Picard stepped out, gesturing for Orion. "Welcome to the bridge."

Banks of glass-covered panels covered the walls, each illuminated with different sets of controls and displays. More of these "humans" sat on chairs at the foot of the platform, each one in front of a console similar to the one in the transporter room. Seated behind them was a female, dressed in a different style of uniform than the rest but still wearing the same metallic badge.

The most striking feature was the viewer, displaying an image of Orion's planet that nopony had ever seen before, and probably would never see. Land masses stood out against the deep blues of the oceans, clouds in place where the weather pegasi had set up preplanned precipitation events ...

The female rose as Picard and Orion entered. "Ah, Captain," she said with a slight accent that Orion could not place. "Is this our first contact?" she inquired, smiling warmly at Orion.

"Counselor Deanna Troi, this is Sir Orion Brownmane Baronet of Equestria."

Orion notes there is, as ever, rain in the general vicinity of Trottingham when he sees the all-around view of his home, and smiles to Counselor Troi. "A pleasure to meet you too, m'lady. Call me Orion please, everypony else does."

"It is my pleasure, Orion." She smiles, and gives a barely perceptible nod to Picard. Picard nods in return. "Orion, this way please." He leads Orion into his ready room and goes to a panel on the wall. "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot. Two." After a series of beeps, two steaming cups of tea appear in an alcove beow the panel. Picard carries the cups to the desk, setting one down in front of a seat and motioning for Orion to sit. He goes behind the desk and sits. "Now then, Orion ... may I inquire how you managed to run into Mister Data this evening?" he asked, sipping his tea.

Orion sips his own, marveling at how quickly it came, and how he didn't need to prepare it at all... it tasted very nice, actually. At Picard's question, he nods. "I'd gone out to see what my wife, Raven, was getting up to... she's been having strange memory lapses lately, and is always going out on walks during the evening... I've never discovered why, until tonight when I decided to try." He frowns concernedly, "We've been married for years, we even have two foals... I'm worried about her... if your ship has a doctor, I'd like her to see them, because I'm afraid she'll need it."

Picard nods, and sets his cup down. "I can understand your concern about your wife's health, but I can tell you that what you were following wasn't your wife at all." he takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Orion ... your wife was replaced by what is known as an allasomorph. Essentially, allasomorphs are shapeshifters that can assume the form of other species, but in their true form appear as beings of pure energy." He leans forward. "The pony we apprehended is an allasomorph that is wanted for a crime on their homeworld. We suspect that it made its way to your world and somehow took the place of your wife to avoid capture. We received a tip from a freighter it took passage on, and how it acquired another passenger after it left ... that of a pony. She is safe and unharmed, just extremely confused about what's happening."

Orion is, for once, silent for several minutes as he contemplates this... by the time he does speak, his tea cup is empty. "I want to see her... this allasomorph... get her side of the story. Do you have any objections?" He fixes Picard with a surprisingly serious expression, born out of concern not only for Raven's whereabouts, but for the one who had replaced her as well.

"It will have to wait until our questioning is concluded. Otherwise, I have no objections. You will, however, be under observation the entire time, more for policy and safety concerns than anything else. I can ask Counselor Troi to accompany you if you would prefer." He smiles. "We are not an unreasonable people, Orion. In fact, we would like to learn more about you and your culture, if you would be willing to talk about it to us."

Orion Shadow smiles back, ears perking back up. "I would love to, Captain! And I'd like to learn a bit more about you too, actually. What is it you -do-, exactly? Explore?"

"Our primary mission is exploration, seeking out and learning about new lifeforms and civilizations. Naturally, making contact with a new species is a delicate affair, which is why we were attempting to be as discrete in our activities as possible."

Orion Shadow ahhs, "I expect you'll want to meet the ruling Princesses then... lucky for all of us, Princess Luna and I are very close."

Picard sips his tea. "Ah, a monarchial society, I presume? And, from what Commander Riker had mentioned upon his return, fairly agrarian, is that correct?"

"Diarchical, actually. And yes, very much so! We've also harnessed the ability to control weather, and control of the sun and moon. Life in Equestria is, for the most part, idyllic."

"Quite interesting! And what of diversity between species? Are there many conflicts between different groups?" Picard asked, intrigued. "And, would you like some more tea?"

"I would!" he answers with a smile, before continuing. "Besides ponies, there are changelings, a shapeshifting race that gain energy from love and are led by a queen, and griffons, who are led by a king." He hums thoughtfully, "We ponies have had little quarrel with the griffons, but fairly recently the changeling queen led her entire swarm to our capitol and attacked, intending to invade, at least until they were repelled.

"Yours is quite the wonderful world, Orion," Picard says, setting down a fresh cup of tea. "I am actually quite pleased that we had the chance to meet." He smiles, sitting down and sipping his tea.

"As am I, sir, as am I." With a smile, he is led to some temporary guest quarters.