Sins of Harmony

Volume 1: Balance of Power

Chapter 6: Voyage to the East


February 15th, 1005 ANM

Equestria, Frozen North, Western straits.

A brief farewell to her friends, and shirking off a leaving party that Pinkie had offered to throw for them, was all that occurred before Twilight and Discord set off for the Far East.

Working together, they made the journey in several jumps, teleporting 200 miles each time. To aide them, they opened a viewing portal to give them a visual target to focus on, such as a hilltop, a quiet road, or a river bank. With a clear target, they avoided missing their target through this long distance teleportation.

Now, having teleported to the North Western tip of the North western continent, they had reached the edge of the Frozen North, and territory under Equestrian influence. From here, they were on foreign ground.

"We'll clear the straits, then by the maps here, it should be a strait shot down the coast." Twilight unfolded the map she had, a magical sphere protecting them from the cold and the high winds.

Discord looked out to the sea, the rough waters churning in the 100 mile stretch separating the Canineberia tundra. Down the coast along the thousands of miles of further Canineberia wastelands, until they passed through the Pandarin Republic, and passed through the massive island chain that housed various Oceanic Alliance member races. Their destination: Dingolia, the Oceanic Alliance's largest member state, and home to its current headquarters in the city of Caninberra.

With a breath, Twilight nodded to Discord: "Lets go, we have to get this matter sorted."

"You play the politics Twilight, but even if I find it tediously dull I'll do my part if it helps." Discord offered. He snapped his fingers, as it was his turn to take the strain of this next teleport jump.

A dozen jumps later, and they had reached Dingolia's north coast, with no trace of them being in the countries along the way.


February 16th, 1005 ANM

Singapaw

Sat right in the middle of the Oceaniac region archipelago, Singapaw was the intersection of Komodo, Orang-utan, King Cobra, Changeling remnant and far eastern trade, along with Dingolia to the south.

Originally established as a Bulldog colony, during the Bulldog empire's golden age in the early 800s, Singapaw had grown a great amount due to the cooperation with the numerous native species, and acting as a trading port to the rest of the world for the Oceanic region.

Now, despite the Bulldog empire having disbanded over half a century ago, Singapaw was more prosperous than ever. It was the central trade hub of the region, and had a great deal of wealth as a result.

It was here that the Hephaestus Research Company held its more 'low profile' operations. Part of Singapaw's wealth had come from allowing less regulations on commercial enterprises, including science and technology development.

Inside the base, a Komodo sat at his desk, watching the video recordings while his agent in the Dingolian government spoke to him over the audio line:

"They're asking for negotiations, targeting the company for unwarranted attacks and theft of artefacts, and as such questioning the Oceanic Alliance about whether it authorized this. The reports say they're willing to negotiate methods of decreasing fears of the power that Equestrians hold in some individuals."

Watching the videos of the political meetings taking place in Caninberra, the Komodo scowled, massaging his right arm as he saw who had come. Discord, perhaps the least trustworthy of Equestria's big five, and Twilight Sparkle, perhaps the most powerful.

It wasn't the best of their choices, but there was something at least about the Alicorn of Friendship that didn't irk the Komodo completely.

"Discord seems to be there more as an associate. I think Celestia has him as security, because he's the most powerful at his base. Miss Sparkle seems to be the one doing the negotiating more."

"She is quite eloquent, and seems to exercise patience naturally. If only all politicians were like her."

His Dingolian contact, a trusted advisor in the Dingolian President's cabinet staff, spoke praising words about the Alicorn. The Komodo seemed to agree:

"Its a shame she is such a potential danger. Unlike Celestia and Luna, she hasn't had her power for too long so as to be determined to keep it. If we are forced to take action at least we can reason with her better."

"She mentioned that those artefacts that were stolen were a definite crime the Hephaestus group committed. Where are they now, off the record?"

"Back where they belong, with their rightful owners. And no, they won't be returned."

"You realise that this line of action will only divide Equestria and the Alliance further?"

Maintaining his cool, as years of experience had taught him to, the male Komodo, black in colour, replied: "You listen here. The Hephaestus group, both this and the old one we leapt from, provided the Dingolian Republic the tech, resources and strategic knowledge they needed to succeed in the revolution, and we boosted the economic situation for many Oceanic Alliance races. We are the leader in developing technologies to improve food production, medicine, defence, transportation, communications, anything the general public holds as important."

"I seriously doubt that the general public, or the politicians of any Oceanic Alliance race, will want to reprimand us after we've done so much for them. But if it worries them so much, you can tell them that if Equestria does wish to take action, they can forgo going though the Alliance for a solution, and come after us themselves."

"Sir, what are you saying?"

"Tell the Equestrian representatives that we are a very large corporate entity, and that while we have influence over the Oceanic Alliance, these actions against them are entirely of our own interests. We own them, mistakes or justified, and if they want to be taken seriously, they should confront the ones actually responsible. We are prepared to make our case."

"But know that the Oceanic Alliance may not take so kindly to an attempt to downsize or destabilize a corporate body that their economic success owes so much to."

He disconnected the call.

Turning to face the wall behind him, he opened the vault door via a remote, briefly gazing at the contents from his desk.

Inside, various carvings, bone fragments, a skull or two, all of Komodo, Dragon, Wyvern, and even some Changelings and Orang-utans. All many years old.

But passed from a longer period, sat in the centre, was a single, white Alicorn horn. A trophy from the last Wyvern's plan to cripple the sun, and strip her of the Elements that gave her deity level powers that no being deserved over others.

He only hoped that it wouldn't come to such things again, but the Hephaestus group had evolved since then. Adapted, advanced.

In the meanwhile, Equestria had developed isolated, high on its own hubris and magic aided prosperity, not having to work as hard for such success as the rest of the world.

Their own fortunate gifts and magical resources blinded them to the rest of the world and any problems.

The Hephaestus group sought to even the odds, like the name suggested, by creating weapons of such gods for use, to give the little guy an even opportunity. Technology to match Magic.

A world divided, with Magic more in the West, and Technology in the East. One the gifts of a few lording over others, the other gifts that can be handled by all, yielding equal benefits or cost.

Without magic, a species or government survived based on its own merits. No quick fixes.

But to the male Komodo sitting in the chair, staring at the white Alicorn horn in the display case, he couldn't help but wish that such magic could have helped him at least once, the one time he was so close to his lifelong ambition.

Only once had he wished magic could help. Never again.


February 18th, 1005 ANM

Caninberra.

Inside the hotel they'd been holed up in, Discord and Twilight marvelled over the news that had arrived through a letter.

It had become quickly apparent that the Oceanic Alliance had not been involved in the attacks, just as thought.

But Twilight and Discord stared at the letter from the Hephaestus Research Company head office. It was an open declaration of the actions, but instead of an apology, they challenged them to come and compare sides of the story.

"They can't be serious." Twilight spoke to herself.

"I didn't take them as the cocky sort." Discord wondered. He quickly projected a vision portal, seeing the head office of the Hephaestus Research Company. Situated at the base of the island's mountains, a few dozen miles away from Singapaw's outer city limits, it was a old office building, but with modern, high tech looking structures behind it. Further up into the mountains, more buildings, and what looked like an abandoned aircraft hanger and large airport of sorts, sat within a valley 4 miles north of the main office.

The challenge was readily accepted.


February 19th, 1005 ANM

5 miles east of Singapaw, Caran mountains.

Hephaestus Research Company, Headquarters.

Having teleported back to Singapaw, Discord and Twilight had quickly appeared at the front entrance of the Hephaestus groups's main office.

A perimeter fence stopped them from getting within half a mile of the main building, with a checkpoint guard station radioing in their arrival.

Waiting, Discord was first to see the approaching van.

It was large, a military intended transport, one of the group's innovative designs during the late 900s years after the Dingolian revolution.

It pulled up to the main gate, which slid open its electrified fence to open the entrance to them.

Out of the van, a single female Komodo, flanked by 2 more male Komodo security guards, approached them. She somehow was more intimidating than the armed guards, her walk to them precise, methodical, yet effortless. Her lizard face showed little emotion, even for her kind's appearance.

"Princess Twilight. Discord. Welcome to the Hephaestus Research Company. My name is Faral Kol, personal assistant to the owner of the Company."

"We're here to see your boss." Twilight spoke.

"The owner is different from the CEO, but both have close links in the workspace. I can take you to my 'boss' and he will bring in the CEO to begin discussions."

Her voice was distinctly cold, giving the vibe of concealed superiority and hate at the same time somehow.

Sharing a concerned look with Discord, Twilight and him soon found themselves headed on the van to the main building.


2 hours later

Main building, 6th floor, central office.

The CEO of the company, a large male Orang-utan, named Maurik, sat at the desk as he discussed the details of the attacks and the current situation:

"The artefacts are going to be held here, until they're ready to be returned to their rightful resting places, and there's no stopping it!"

"Those artefacts were stolen, guards were wounded. I personally was attacked during one of the raids." Twilight responded.

"And what of the attack on Canterlot? The weapons used are too dangerous to allow to be so freely set off against us." Discord responded.

The Orang-utan narrowed his eyes, responding: "And leave others who may be interested in safeguarding against a magical threat with no tools to pick from? I think not! Our customers have numerous contracts invested into specific programs such as the ones used. And actually, they were used to break out a wrongly imprisoned Hephaestus Group member!"

"Ohmen Magnes was Oceanic Alliance, not Hephaestus." Twilight reinforced.

"Hephaestus effectively IS the Oceanic Alliance."

A voice sounded, and Discord, Twilight and Maurik turned to see the Black Komodo enter the room, having heard much of the conversation on his way through the open corridor.

"We brought technology to the Oceanic region and Dingolia that helped them shape their own futures, we help them improve their situation, let the people decide their future, provided they keep investing in us. In exchange, we can operate more free from restrictions. At least from them that is."

"Who are you?" Discord asked, scratching his lower jaw beard with his eagle talon.

"I'm the owner of this company, and the Hephastus Group is as much the Oceanic Alliance as Miss Sparkle's horn is to her body, a useful asset, but part of the body."

"My name is Karrav, and I don't take kindly to Alicorns on my property normally, but I'm making an exception today."

Twilight stood up, facing Karrav:

"You have a lot to answer for, along with some of your members who attacked Equestria in many places."

"Do I?" Karrav challenged her. He looked at Maurik, who said in agreement: "You should give her the tour, let her know exactly what goes on here. We have nothing to be concerned about at this stage from Equestria."

Not smiling, not expressing himself at all, Karrav gestured to both the still seated Discord, and Twilight:

"Follow me."


Descent into the wasp's nest.

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