Sins of Harmony
Volume 3: Crisis to Ashes
Chapter 37: Assets and Artifice, Hounders.
March 6th, 1008 ANM
Early Morning
Equestria, Canterlot
Defence Department building
The lieutenant, a young but skilled Unicorn female, was nervous as her superior seemed to be riled up by the documents she'd delivered to his desk.
General Hardhooves rubbed his forehead as he once again examined the documents before him.
The Stone Giant had submerged too quickly, finding an underwater canyon to very quickly get too deep to be attacked. By the time reinforcements, and even Celestia and Discord themselves had arrived, it was too late. And they would be at a disadvantage combating it while using magic to not die thousands of feet underwater, and neither could they effectively bombard it through said thousands of feet of water.
All that could be done was monitor, and their allies in the New Gryphon Republic had already set one of their military satellites to track its movements. Just last night, it had finally stopped, right where an underwater volcanic eruption was taking place.
Too similar to how the Maldives site began 2 years ago.
On the plus side, they had one advantage. One of the Element bearers had given a testimony, along with her friends, of the events that Starswirl helped them, save her, escape from. That ancient fortress ruin had been sealed, a problem for later.
But the capture of an Aeternum drone, albeit damaged and somewhat disconnected from its 'bretheren', was a massive gain. All the ones found before were dead.
The Element bearers had been discharged and returned home, while Starswirl had ensured the drone was taken to a secure place. And already, he had called a few individuals of his choosing, to help with the interrogation and probing.
They had been at it for two days now. And yet, the drone was in a barely conscious state, seeming to be in some sort of depressive state.
But before him, he couldn't believe he was seeing this of all things. The only thing they'd found out, yet again. It had imprinted on Applejack, constantly asking for her.
Looking at the lietenant Unicorn, Hardhooves asked her: "Get me Princess Celestia, tell her that we'll have to ask of Miss Applejack to go and help break the creature's state."
The female Unicorn saluted, before she turned and left the room.
Slumping back, Hardhooves groaned as he recalled what other matters had come up. Ones that the mass media hadn't hesitated in making known. Aeternum was a hot news topic nowadays, and its followers such as the Reborn also.
Looking at a newspaper he had, Hardhooves grimaced as he saw the article title, but wanted to be aware of how the media was spinning what he and others in governments had to directly deal with right now.
Trottingham Gazette
March 6th edition
Cult of Aeternum on the move. Multiple raids and crimes worldwide by Reborn cultists and Aeternum creature drones.
First, it was the growth of a new volcano at a rapid pace underwater in the Mustific, and the emergence of an Ancient Stone Giant in Northern ,Equestria leaving a trail of destruction as it made its way to the coast to travel the distance to guard it.
The first, of many actions done by the dangerous and mysterious faction led by the Energy Being.
3 days ago, Professor Archwind Macros, Theoretical Physicist of the University of Clawhagen, Gryenmark, was kidnapped as he made his way back home. Cameras captured brief images of a female Gryphon with a handful of Aeternum drones disappearing into a strange submarine and escaping the city underwater before they could be stopped.
4 days ago, a Pandina based mining company, Jaikal mineral works, was raided in the night. Strangely, the Aeternum drones and male Komodo involved stole many tonnes of Thorium, a common, slightly radioactive mineral disposed of in many mining operations for lack of industrial use. Pursuit was given, but the large truck used was found abandoned by a river bank, and satellite mapping later showed another submersible used, larger than others seen. Local governments tried to cover up this event, but a passing cargo barge witnessed the events and posted online before it could be quashed.
And 2 days ago, an Aeternum submarine was fired upon as it rapidly passed north up the Hoofez Canal, before disappearing once it reached the Mareterran sea.
Could these events be part of a larger scheme? The increase of activity all of a sudden has many around the world worried, as such bold tactics on a small scale are unlike anything seen from Aeternum so far. Councillor Trenchhoove Vernon issued a statement, a leading figure for many who voice anti-Aeternum sentiments, saying that like with wars in the past, these could well be the signs of an impending attack.
While the-
"BAH!"
Hardhoof threw the paper aside, more out of aggravation. He wasn't one for paranoia, but annoyingly, the paper, and Trenchoof the fear mongerer, was right to think such things.
The signs were all there.
March 7th, 1008 ANM
Mid Morning
Equestria, Ponyville
Sweet Apple Acres
Applejack came here, her mind distracted too much from her work. She needed time alone with someone who would listen, regardless of what she said.
"Ah just don't know what to do.. The letter said he's askin' for me. But, after what happened just to get his boss back to strength, what happened to ya', I, I was so mad at him. But, he seemed to be just... It wasn't his fault, but he, It, is one of them. Ah know they want to open its mind up, find out, but ah tried that with hi-it. Ah think they'll just kill it before they get anything from it, it seemed to be cut off from the others enough to depress it. And, ah don't like how it seems to have, imprinted on me. We helped each other, that's it. But, how come ah've had dreams about us, him, quick ones, in the night?"
Before her, Granny Apple's gravestone was silent as ever. But, to the Apples, Granny Apple had always been a good listener, and now even in death. It just meant that right now, Applejack had to listen hard to feel what her granny would say if she were alive to say it.
Staring at the stone, Applejack sighed, as a small puff of wind rustled through her mane when she made her decision.
"Ah can't leave this. Ah have ta' go back, finish this."
The Orange Mare would tell her siblings and friends what her decision was. She would be on next military skiff to wherever they were holding Socium very soon afterwards. In the least, Starswirl and his handpicked help would be there, in case the drone tried anything.
Early Afternoon
Ponyville, Friendship Castle
Main Hall
Ever since the Stone Giant, and the Fortress Ruins beforehand, measures had been taken. The small drone acting in Twilight's throne to keep the map functioning when all 6 were present seemed too much a risk. A few friendship related issues would need to be handled or found in other ways.
Spike had all too eagerly smashed the mouse sized drone with a fist before it could even try and run or strike with its stunner antennae.
Now the throne room held only 5 occupied thrones, plus Spike. Applejack's choice was understood, and she would go alone as required.
"I've already got some friends around Ponyville who can help fill in your farmwork while your gone. 6 ponies and more if you want."
"Pinkie, ah think 6 is a bit much just to do mah work-"
"Yeah, but since your such a super-duper hard worker and great at what you do, I figured we'd need a lot of ponies to fill in where-"
"Alright Pinkie dear, you're embarassing Applejack with your appreciation of her." Rairty admonished the now quiet Pink mare, while Applejack stifled the faint blush across her face. Clearing her throat, Rainbow Dash just pointed out:
"Just don't let it mess with ya. You were lucky to get away as you did."
"But they were together for hours on that giant, and it didn't harm her. Maybe this drone is different." Fluttershy pondered to herself aloud.
"I say its faking." Rainbow Dash shot down Fluttershy's musings. Behind Rarity's throne, Spike asked: "Did Starswirl say who he had as help interrogating it?"
"Just ones skilled in mind reading type magic, but no one was said by name." Applejack said.
"He always seems to keep things to himself, and yet when Twilight was here she idolised him." Rarity murmured. Still, the wizard had been a great ally in Siral's fortress, against the ghost of that other Unicorn from so long ago.
As for certain other things found in that fortress, those were matters more personal to certain long lived beings.
Canterlot, Royal Palace
Archives
Late Afternoon
"Well well, I didn't think you had the patience to read as much as Twilight seemed to."
Discord's head turned to see a White Alicorn trotting slowly down the archive shelves towards his work desk, the Draconeraqus surrounded by scrolls and books older than Canterlot, some others nearly as old.
Celestia knew Discord had been spooked by what Starswirl said he'd found in Siral's ancient, Civil War era fortress ruins, but not this spooked. He'd not committed a single prank on any ponies, and had asked Luna to help him use his dreams to try and peek into his earliest parts of life.
Every time he tried, as far back as he could remember, he was in a secluded part of Equestria during the late Civil War, nearly 1100 years ago, learning his powers and living alone and carefree, and his eventual rise amidst the chaos the civil war sowed among ponies. Easy pickings back then.
But the other creature, and the 5 massive caldrons that were too ruined to see what creatures came from them, and the one that held his visage on it. It haunted him, even if he hadn't seen it in person. Starswirl had projected his memory of it to him, showing the proof.
"What happened to your meetings today?"
"I do get short breaks between them you know." She answered with some humour, though his visible stress, and probably bags under his eyes, quelled it quickly.
Discord dropped the scroll in his magical grasp as Celestia leant her head over his side, letting Discord's worry fade slightly in her presence.
"I've searched every scroll, every book old enough, for anything on that one other creature, or 5 others anything like myself, and, NOTHING! No mention of anything else like me or that other thing, just how the war got so much worse in its 2nd stage before I came on the scene! I have no memory of any such creature, no memory of what would be child age for me, I just, GAH!"
Slamming his head facedown on the desk in frustration, Discord felt Celestia rub the back of his neck with her hoof, murmuring with understanding:
"Discord, you need to rest. You can think more clearly on this if it bothers you so much, when you're better rested. You can't let your worry eat away at you."
"This along with the Stone Giant getting away, and everything else IT is doing, doesn't help. That drone in the fortress, examining it, I worry it might have found something we missed."
"If Starswirl couldn't find it, its unlikely it did. But, maybe you are right. Regardless, you need to rest, now."
Celestia's stern tone was punctuated by her golden magic dragging the Draconeraqus through the air with her, his lithe form limp and not resisting.
"I'm notorious in Equestria's history. If there were others like me, you'd have thought they'd have been recorded better in these dusty archives."
Discord's somewhat prideful remark was true at the same time, as Celestia let her magic relax slightly, her wing more physically pulling Discord along in his hover to give some comforting contact for him.
"Maybe. You are enough now, I pity those long ago if there were more."
"Yes, enough for many ponies, you especially." Discord mumbled tiredly. Celestia ignored the burning face she got from Discord's crude, subtle remark. Right now, she wanted him back in her quarters to rest, where he could be kept an eye on. They were a public couple now, to mixed reactions at first, but by now Discord was a common sight.
Anyway, Celestia had enchanted her room so Discord had to enter or leave through the doors only. A better prison for him than Tartarus, but a comforting one until he was better from his stress.
Still, she wouldn't have Discord any other way, and cared for his well being as much as she could, despite what some politicians may say about his antics.
They'd remarked loudly that he'd been peaceful these past few days, not pranking anyone. Celestia wanted him back, for his well being, and to annoy those smug politicians who made such remarks about her lover.
Discord was one of few comforts she had in such stressful political times.
March 8th, 1008 ANM
Dawn, Local Time
Wolfyria, 15 miles north east of Polnyra town.
Sunset across the large, yellow wastes.
The small mountain ridge passing nearby, a lone truck passed, a canvas backed farmer truck driving across the sand towards the town to the south of the mountains.
Inside, pleased with himself, the Pakistan Dog was relieved that the Yihadi group he'd just made a weapons deal with for his employer hadn't pulled a double cross they were known for. Of course, they needed the weapons badly, with the recent spate of New Gryphon drone strikes. They wouldn't if they wanted to continue their losing battle.
Polnyra was not as much under the heels of the Yihadi warlord living in the mountain, but he still ruled the town in subtle ways. His cave systems were harder targets, but travelling out in the open was ideal.
A sandstorm was brewing, mild in power, but ideal for concealing the truck from any marauding drone's cameras.
Hound could relax more once he left, but he needed a few more days to wait for the weapons. Besides, Niraz had warned him that he'd get the 2nd half of payment on delivery, or if anything went wrong, as many bullets as he wouldn't get in Malaks.
Reclining as the truck bounced over a larger dune, Hound was unaware of another party closing in on him, aside from the Yihadi he dealt with, or the New Gryphons behind the marauding drones thousands of feet above the insurgent held province.
Late Evening
Polnyra town, local tavern and inn.
Hound had seen to the delivery truck of weapons a few minutes ago, and now waited an hour for the Yihadi members to come by and pick them up at sunset.
Sat at the Inn's restaurant, having eaten a basic meal of lentils, chicken and various beans, the Pakistan Dog smuggler enjoyed the place. Basic, but comfortable, and well within his budget for both a room and meals whenever he wanted.
Coming over, the serving dog, a fully veiled female Wolf, as by the more radical rules of the Mooselim influenced Yihadi Warlord, Niraz. He used religion as his means of indoctrinating young males, and females, to his cause, like so many others like him. Brainwashed tools for an older dog's own use. Hound was a smuggler, he saw many things, and saw them for what they really were, but said nothing as long as the money was good.
The female dog took his empty plate, but handed a small piece of paper to him, murmuring quietly:
"From the front desk."
Oddly looking as she took his plate into the kitchen, Hound opened the paper. A short message:
Arrived Early. Niraz wanted to be sure they were ready to move the cargo by nightfall. Show our first member, meet in your room, you will get your 2nd payment, and we are done.
In the corner, a veiled, combat dressed Dog stiffly gestured from a doorway he'd slipped in through. Hound saw the hidden rifle, and knew not to resist.
Upstairs, Hound's room
Walking calmly, Hound had showed the Yihadi Wolf member the weapons, who simply nodded in approval before gesturing to go up for the payment.
The Pakistan Dog fumbled with his keys, unlocking his room and slipping inside.
Switching on the light, the shabby, but reasonable room had only a mattress, a small TV, basic phone links, and rotting wall tiles, along with a bathroom connected nearby.
"Okay, what's going on? There's no one here!"
Hound whipped around to the Yihadi dog, who quietly locked the door. Behind him, Hound heard footsteps emerge from the bathroom.
"Keep your voice down, unless you're a glutton for punishment."
Turning, the Pakistan dog saw a strange site unfolding, before he felt the Yihadi Wolf's paw on his shoulder, and kicking his back legs to send him sprawling down with a faint thud.
Behind him, Hound glimpsed to his horror that the Yihadi clothing was discarded, and a rock bodied creature was shapeshifting into an utterly alien shape. An Aeternum drone.
The drone extended a tendril, clamping over Hound's mouth to silence his scream of panic. In front of Hound, the Female Komodo and Male Wyvern of all things walked up, the Komodo, Faral, being the one that spoke.
"WHUU ARRR YUUU!?"
Hound's muffled yell came out as faint as a breath, while Varkan gestured with a tattered wing for 2 others to come out.
A Purple Alicorn female, her horn restrained, and a Female Python big enough to eat him whole. Both looked uncertain, while the Male Wyvern explained.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle is the Alicorn. And I am Varkan, the Wyvern that went rogue, kidnapped her, and brought her as a hostage for Aeternum. The names ring any bells?"
Hound shook slightly, trying to keep calm, while Varkan gestured once more. The tendrils forcefully flipped Hound over, restraining him in a lying down pose on his back, mouth slowly becoming ungagged, but his limbs restrained.
Standing over the Pakistan Dog, Varkan said with an almost expectant calm: "Some of us have a few thing we want to ask of you, and a few names as well."
Gasping for air, Hound fought slightly against his restraints: "What did I do to you!?"
"VX." Faral spoke in a deadly tone.
Hound gulped slightly, as they hovered around him restrained to the floor. They had him.
But they had little time, as the real Yihadi buyers were due soon.
I'm back in the game now.
Things are heating up, as Aeternum begins moving the last few pieces.
Meanwhile, Hound is located, and now in a short time, is being interrogated.
And Applejack's time with Socium, the drone, will be coming into play.
More in the next chapter.
As usual, please review/critique as one would. Detailed reviews/constructive criticism welcome.