"Hey brother," Tek says on the comm, making Arcane pick up for him.
"Hey…what's going on?" he asks, trying to think about what to do now as he has to figure out how the heck he will get a ship and crew together.
"Dad and I thought you could use some help so here is a list of all the students that graduated with you that do not have a plan just yet," Tek says before he received a list with the students, their skills, and what they took, and how well they did.
"Wow…uh…thanks…" Arcane says surprised, starting to read through the listings.
"Better hurry. Some will be leaving soon and you can only pick four. That is the number that dad has agreed to pay the signing on fee. Originally, it was going to be two, but mama Applejack, Octavia, and Spitfire talked him into that many," Tek informs.
"Wait…really? Why? Wouldn't dad make it that tough?" Arcane asks, confused again for the second time like this. What is with this family at times?
"Time is ticking. Some are getting ready to head out to buy shuttle tickets. I would suggest hurrying as the best pilot on the list is amongst them," Tek informs.
Arcane quickly filters to the pilot section and sees the name with the highest score and frowns. "You are joking…" he sighs before teleporting away to the transport area.
The hub area was crowded with many coming and going. Arcane could see the usual Mandalorians coming through, a few he recognized as apart of his clan walking by with what looked like the skulls of a species of a feline-like creature with saber teeth mounted on their armor in different places. Some Krogans laughing before headbutting. Some of what appear to be Aria's people talking to a few local authorities with a prisoner in chains. 'Poor sod. What did you do to make Aria send you to us?' Arcane thinks as he looks around.
Looking to the ticket counter and areas, he can see the equestrian locals running the booths as they try and deal with the new graduates before Arcane's eyes land on a particular one among the many large lines of people. One turian that he always had an eye on in the academy. Taking off, he flies over the lines, with many not paying him mind as he isn't trying to cut in. And then stopping before the line where she is and lands beside her, making many eye him now, including her. "I have an offer," he says, looking to the turian in the eye.
The female turian said nothing, eyeing him back.
"Be my pilot and you can be paid with a good signing fee," Arcane offers.
"How much?" she asks before her omnitool buzzes with a message. After checking it quickly she looks back to him then steps out of line. "Fine."
"Just know this, we are out of the academy. Time for the rivalry is over. We shouldn't fight, especially if a mission is almost life-threatening," Arcane says before turning to his omnitool and marks her down. Another message from Tek of where he should go coming up after. "Go to hangar bay ten. I will meet you there. I have more to recruit," he says.
"Alright," she says walking away, leaving Arcane alone.
Arcane takes a deep breath as he looks through for a gunner now. Need an expert on weaponry. Arcane filters out the list again as he takes off and leaves some of the new graduates jealous that one got picked like that. As he looked over the profiles, he filters out a bit more, not just going for the top either, but keeping it open until he saw one that he saw in class first hoof and even worked with.
'Academy weapon shop,' Tek sends to him, almost like he was watching…
"Hey!" Arcane complains as he starts to fly towards the academy.
"Sorry, bro. Mom wanted me to keep an eye on ya for this," Tek chuckles.
Arcane groans as he kept flying before reaching some of the buildings outside the academy and steps into the weapon shop, eyeing for one particular trandoshan. Until he saw him. "Jaix!" he calls happily, stepping up to the reptilian male browsing the rockets. "Hey man. I got an offer for you if you don't have a job or heading back home or something."
"I was actually thinking of attempting to join one of the clans," Jaix says.
Arcane hums. "Doubt I can tempt you with credits. You aren't that type. More like my little bro. Always into new stuff," he smiles at fondly.
"Your father is the chieftain of the Blitzkrieg clan though, right?" Jaix asks.
"Yeah…want to join that one?" Arcane asks curiously as he sits down on his haunches, almost wondering what Blitz will put Jaix through…maybe painful training regimens.
"It would be good to join a clan with such a strong chief," Jaix says.
"Alright. The bonus comes with joining anyway," Arcane says as the trandoshan's omnitool beeps. "Pick out something nice for yourself and meet me at hangar ten. I have to get a few more."
"Hey bro. Since you went with a gunner, I highly recommend a medic and a tech for your ship," Tek says over his comm.
Arcane nods as Jaix starts to browse again, wanting to find something good with his bonus. Before turning to his omnitool and starts to filter out for a medic now. Heading out of the shop and flies into the air to be ready. "Who would be good?"
"You have to choose for yourself," Tek says before being pushed out of the video by his lover.
"Try force," Eve says before being pulled away by Tek somewhere and the line was cut off.
Arcane raises an eyebrow as he starts to fly again. Filtering to those that can use the force to heal instead of just medical supplies and techniques. "Here's one…" he says and looks over her profile before stopping to a dead stop. "Shit," he mutters, seeing a note that this one grabs the herbs of the Everfree Forest. "She is almost like mommy Zecora in a way…even better!" he cheers, flying off towards the forest.
After flying for a bit, he sees a flash of red past the treetops and quickly dives into the forest, somehow the forest vines actually moving away from him. Eh. Probably the wind. Arcane shrugs as he continues flying after the woman in red until he slides to a stop across the ground and captures her attention as the woman in a red cloak with red eyes turn to see the new arrival with a basket of flowers in her arms. "Hi…so I need a medic for my crew," Arcane starts almost cheekily like Blitz would do at times with his moms.
The woman seemed to raise an eyebrow at him. Chiss, Arcane concluded. "For how long or is this permanent?"
Arcane sighs softly and smiles. "More permanent really. Signing bonus, a possible big ship, and a good medical office to boot. I'll make sure of the last one," Arcane promises nodding and bowing his head slightly. Just like Auntie Celestia and Luna taught him how.
The woman hums before slowly nodding. "It is agreed on…" she says before her omnitool beeps and she looks at it before being surprised.
"Hangar ten after your done. It would be good to have some medicine from my home planet. Might even get you in touch with a good family member who knows her stuff so you can learn from her tricks," Arcane says starting to take off. "Thank you, Xin, for your acceptance."
Xin stares after him as he flies off before looking down to see a zebra mare step through the woods and smiles at her. "Many at times, but few who could handle crimes," she recites and places a blue flower in her basket. "Don't touch," she says bluntly before walking away past her. Leaving Xin to stare after the zebra but also to notice the crest on her hoof ring of the Blitzkrieg clan.
Arcane hums a tune as he filters out another section now. This time for tech. "Let's see…filter that out and…" Arcane mutters, scrolling through the list before he comes upon one that handles the scoring a little less than stellar, but it is what she made. A set of attachments for almost any gun and even a lightsaber. Little added to the weapons but very well made. "You," he says before flying off to the convention tech expo. Tek couldn't make this one…mostly because of the new graduates. But he did say he wanted to see the biggest and worst thing around now…oh boy. To him, that is everything.
After landing at the entrance, he steps in to see the new inventions for both public and another section for military with, obviously, a lot of turians looking over the tech and weapons. As for the public, it's mostly in computing but also for public utilities to help them. Sometimes you would get a thing that is out there, thank goodness. It would get boring if you are new to tech.
As for his last member…there. Next to the new versions of the CPUs. "Fun? Or rather powerful?" Arcane asks walking over to the mirialan woman.
"More like amazing. I'm not a sucker for power. I'm a sucker for features. This thing has a system built from the ground up that allows the whole computer to communicate with each other instead of all of it going through the CPU. It's amazing," she swoons as if it was the best meal around. "And it's cheap. Better than the powerhouse."
Arcane smirks a little. "Is it out right now?"
"Oh yes!" she cheers, a gun holster slapping against her side as it hung from her belt. "Got the three versions of the three versions and I can't wait to upgrade."
Arcane rolls his eyes. Another Tek. "Okay. Then I got a job proposition for you," he says and turns to her. The woman looking to the alicorn with a coy smile. "Join me and my crew and you can build your strongest computer ever and take it with you," he says chuckling.
She slowly starts to grin before holding out her hand. "Dadea."
"Arcane," he says in return as he places his hoof in her hand and shakes it.
Dadea hums as she looks at and squeezes his hoof. "Wow. So that's how it feels like."
"Yeah. We're awesome," Arcane playfully boasts and looks proud like a Canterlot member and she gives a dismissing chuckle before her omnitool beeps and she turns to it. "Hangar ten. Grab and buy your parts and meet us there," he says before leaving the shocked woman at the stand before rushing off to find a salesperson and then loud yelling out of many item numbers.
"Now…me," Arcane says taking a deep breath and heads to the hangar to see what this surprise is about. If Blitz is anything, he loves surprises. And his family always surprises him with his birthday.
Taking off, he starts to fly towards the hangar, almost imagining what it could be.
Arcane hums as he flies around the hangar area and goes over to hangar ten, seeing a group of his chosen crew waiting by the closed doors. Landing nearby, he smiles as he folds his wings and looks over them all. Finding they have some supplies, bags, and boxes ready to be placed on board whatever ship they might get.
"Ah. Good. You all arrived," Blitz says walking up in his armor, but no helmet. "Shall we see your new home?" he asks smartly, his hair starting to catch a bit of grey, but still looking good…according to Arcane's mothers.
"Are we? Don't keep us waiting," Dadea says, visibly excited.
Blitz chuckles as he presses a button on his hoof armor and makes the large doors clank and roll open, showing off a very large ship. A corvette of almost a dark military green. Almost large, wide, bulky, and seems like a cargo ship. Wait…
"Is this a cargo ship?" Arcane asks, turning to him.
Blitz nods. "Very astute. Yes. Equestria's official first homemade ship…sorta. This is prototype version two."
Now they all turn to him as Jaix keeps eyeing the turrets. "What's version one?" Arcane asks curiously.
"Tested at R&D for what else they can do with it," Blitz shrugs before walking towards the ship. "Let me show you around," he says leading them as they all look over the undercarriage of this large ship.
'A cargo ship?' Arcane thinks disappointed, taking in its hammerhead like appearance. 'Dad…are you teaching me again?'
"So we have two little entrances for people and small cargo," Blitz starts to describe as an elevator descends down from the side of the ship. "There is also a cargo and vehicle lifter as well in one on the back. The thing can lift that stupid Mako easily," Blitz shrugs and gets a few chuckles.
'So not a large transport,' Arcane thinks as one of the elevators lowers.
Blitz hums a bit happily as the lift stops on the floor and they all step on before Blitz presses a button on the panel to lift them up into the ship. "We will start in the back and work our way up and around this thing. It is almost like a circle after all. So if you wanted to run laps and train that way, you can," Blitz informs as they rise up into the ship before entering the slightly cramped ship corridors. So low, Arcane had to carefully lower his head to not let his horn grab onto a loose wire.
"Okay. Moving on," Blitz says, leading them towards the back. "Blast doors every section. Something goes wrong, close and deal with it appropriately. Controls are both on the doors, engineering, and the cockpit," he says tapping the strong-looking open hatch doors. "Over to my right is the back left turret section and some escape pods up in the other hallway just in case. Eight of them aboard in case you are wondering with four on each side. Back here near the back end is a bit of both. So in this main hall, we have a bunch of stuff to go over. Here in the middle to my right side is the captain's quarters. Quaint little studio size room. Behind me is the top turret seat," he says pointing to the curved doors. "The elevator next to the captain's quarters would take you to the next floor. You got almost three if you count the cargo bay. Heading to the back around this left corner and you would find the secondary engineering area. Good just in case you can't get to the back end in time. To the middle again is the crew's quarters. With eight bunks and toilets are on one side with showers on the other," he says walking past the door as they take a peek in.
As Blitz continues walking down to the back end with large heavy doors with small windows in the open to show the cargo and engine room. Two side systems and machines showering off blue energy flecks that blink blue lighting that lights up the room. "Back of the ship over there is another undercarriage tail turret. And up above with the large window overlooking this place is the main engineering room," he says pointing a hoof to the room where many screens were on one side of the wall and terminal while an elevator stood on the backside and a door on the left side from their view. Leading them to the elevator, they ride up and head upstairs before going through the doorway.
"Approaching on your right is the mess hall with a good enough storage in the back. Don't worry. You have a window up above to watch the stars," he says walking past the area. "Shield generator access to the left and elevator over there takes you near the captain's quarters elevator," he says before taking them down the elevator and leading them to the front. "And here is the main airlock," he says pointing to a large airlock door. "Got eight suits…mostly equestrian. We'll have some humanoid ones put in soon," he chuckles and leads them on the other side of the hall with a door marked 'Bridge'. "Bridge sits right under us," he says taking them down and shows them to a cockpit with two hanging and swinging chairs. "Someone really wanted this style," Blitz comments as they all step forward and look over the place. "So…that's everything. We'll give some basic supplies, but after that, it's all you. Any questions?"
"Why is there no weapon racks or security station?" Jaix asks.
"That…blame R&D. They wanted to try modular first with shipbuilding. Those windows and empty space you saw in the first ride up, that's supposed to be a module room. But, I'm sure with your skills and ingenuity, you can come up with a spot for your purposes," Blitz compliments.
"So is it ready to fly?" Arcane asks.
"You can literally take it right now if you wanted. But like I said, we will give you some basic supplies, a full tank of gas, then you can grab some stuff for yourself, set up, and then take off," Blitz says smiling over to him. A smile that Arcane felt was of real happiness. Maybe he is just happy that his son is growing up or he got this far. "Now, I am off. So settle in and do as you will," Blitz says heading for an elevator.
"Dad?" Arcane asks following, both of them taking the ride up as the rest stare after him as he said that. "Just one question…"
"Speak your mind son," Blitz assures as they stop at the top.
Arcane starts to follow him as they head for the elevator out. "Why are you giving this all? Wouldn't it have been better to let me go on my own for a bit? Maybe even let me catch a ride to somewhere to get some bounties? Because you would rather let us do that than give it all away," he asks carefully, trying to work it all.
"I was, but then your mothers convinced me to give you a little help starting off," Blitz says.
Arcane hums as he steps onto the elevator. "So…is it better to fall blindly than to fall with sight?"
"Yes, now I must go before a few of your mothers come looking for me," Blitz says and Arcane shivers, remembering what that can be like.
"Bye, dad…thanks," Arcane says smiling a little at him, but Blitz can see some twitches from that smile. Almost turning into an annoyed one at the corners.
"Hey," Vinyl says smiling, waiting for him at the bottom.
Blitz chuckles. "And to what do I owe the family's best DJ?"
"What do you think?" Vinyl asks before kissing him, allowing to taste the flavor of beer in her mouth.
"Yeah…drunk and carry home," Blitz concludes.
"No, but I am a bit buzzed. Come on now," Vinyl says smiling as she leads him away.
"Oh. Little fun in the armor," Blitz says cheekily as he is dragged along.
Arcane hums as he looks to the captain's quarters. The bed, desk, and bathroom, along with organizing some stuff he has brought as some workers brought in supplies and put them in the cargo hold while fueling them up. Trying to make sure it is as neat as possible otherwise his mother might give him another lecture of keeping things clean. It was one sock!
"Hey, cap," Dadea says knocking as she leans in and sees him with his head against his table. "Is this a bad time?"
"No…bad memories…so many ways of organizing," Arcane says hauntingly as he picks himself up and looks to the ceiling.
"How…?" she starts.
"One thousand nine hundred and fifty-two," Arcane recites and slowly looks to her. "And know them all."
Dadea slowly blinks at that.
"My mother…well, the one that bore me. She is very organization prone," Arcane informs.
"Huh…that…might come in handy," Dadea tries to think positive about before shrugging and then smiling. "Want to see our places? Make sure you don't stumble your hoof into something and knock it all down?"
"Sure," Arcane sighs as he takes one last look over the room and makes sure everything was placed. Even his current weapons hooked up on the wall of his lightsaber and blasters. "Let's go. Show me how this excited girl lives," he says chuckling as he follows her out.
"Sure thing, cap," she says, leading him to the secondary engineering room where they enter and Arcane blinks in some surprise. This woman…completely made use of the empty space and still had enough room to move around for the panels and terminal. "Say hello to my working room," she says moving over to the makeshift desk of sturdy and filled boxes where a really lighted up and large computer tower sat with a notable monitor as well. All along the opposite wall of the terminal were parts and boxes of various things while unrolled sheets and blankets laid in the corner, taking up space for sleeping. Arcane keeps looking and turning his head around. Seeing how she almost made use of such limited space and turned it into her play and work studio room. "Like it?" she asks almost cheekily. Now sitting on her makeshift bed. "I even got a small bed set up here. So if something happens, immediately up and at em. Just tell me what to change, cap."
Arcane nods appreciatively before looking to her. "Not bad. I'm sure some parts will come in handy. And your guns and all that?"
Dadea nods her head to the wall beside her bed before hitting it with her fist and it opens up to a set of hanged pistols. "Done as well."
Arcane smiles now and looks over the work. Taking a working panel and making use of even more space. "You have to do this to the rest of the ship."
Dadea pats his head and he flinches, pulling his head back with a slight neigh. "Cute. Sure. I'll take a walkthrough of the place and talk to Jaix about where it can be most useful to do that."
"Do that…" Arcane mutters, shaking his head a bit and quickly walks out before she can put him in a collar and treat him like a real pony…are equestrians dreaded to face the cuteness syndrome? Blitz did talk of the time Aria tried that with him.
File that away for not to be dealt with and go over to crew quarters to see what the others did. Walking inside, he can see that four beds were designated for them all, but Dadea's hasn't been set up or any stuff placed obviously. As for Jaix, he seems to have lockers lining the door wall. All of them having someone's weapons and sets. And now, he is over at his bunk closest to the lockers while a heavy military trunk is right beside it. Strapped in, but can be easily open and possibly full of guns. "Captain," Jaix says walking past him with a box full of ammo. "Coming to check up on us?"
Arcane nods as he spies Xin and Mevea at their bunks. Placing their things next to it and even whatever else nearby. "Yeah. Plus it would be best to see where our medical room is set up considering there is no official one."
"Redid part of the cargo bay. If you need something, it will be among the medical boxes. Bed, equipment, and supplies, all for one person, is there," Xin replies as she still sorts her things.
"Thank you, Xin. And you Mevea? How are you doing?" Arcane calls out to her. Seeing her carry a case and dragging it around.
"Fine," she replies, making sure she is set up.
"Noted…I will be taking a few last looks around the ship and then, once we are free and given the go-ahead, we can leave. Mevea, I will need you in the bridge soon for that," Arcane says, watching her move stuff around and even bring over her weapons to place into the lockers.
"I know," she says and Arcane frowns a little, looking down at the fact that part of their academy rivalry is still there. But he can't deal with it at the moment as it is still fresh and it won't change much for now. So he would have to wait.
"Hey bro, got a warning for you," Tek says appearing on his comm again.
"What's up?" Arcane asks, stepping out and walking down the hall.
"The twins are on there way too," Tek says.
Arcane blinks. "Oh…shit…um…can I get clearance to take off early?"
"Our brother took his shoulder-mounted anti-ship rocket launcher with him," Tek informs.
"…shit…"
"Just be glad all of us aren't mobbing you," Sunshine says next to him.
Arcane shrieks like a mare and jumps up high at that before suddenly frowning from the ceiling. "Sunshine…"
"Yeppers. That's me. Your lovable little sister," Sunshine says. Arcane was about to open his mouth on something. "Don't worry. I didn't bring the hammer or flamethrower this time."
"Keep it that way," Arcane orders, flapping down with his wings.
"I did bring something though," Sunshine says.
"I am afraid to ask," Arcane says dryly.
Sunshine took out a scroll and let the bottom end drop to the floor and started to roll down the corridor. About a minute later, the end came back, completing a lap around the ship. Arcane sat there stone-faced. "From mom?"
"From mom," Sunshine confirmed.
Arcane looks to the last one on the list. "Bed at nine thirty-six? Come on. Missions could change a lot of things."
"She cares bro," Sunshine says as the entrance lowers.
"I can only guess that one," Arcane sighs as it comes back up to show two twins, one looking very excited. "Hey, little sis and bro."
"Nice ship. Can I take it for a spin?" Rainbow Spectrum asks.
"No," Arcane says flatly as he looks to the mare.
"Oh, come on. I test piloted the prototype and I never crashed it. The new mark seven trilifium engines this ship has may give it a little more oomph, but I know how to handle her," Spectrum says.
"No," Arcane orders again, poking her chest. "Besides, I need my pilot to get used to taking off and all that. It's like any ship. All different, have the same style, but different in feeling. And you can tell what's wrong by just feeling it as well."
"Who designed this launcher?" Arcane hears Lightning Blast a bit away, now sounding very disapproving.
"First model! We are going to fix it up soon anyway!" Arcane calls over. "And get your flank over here."
"Just because you're the prince, doesn't mean you can order us around," Lightning says walking over with a very disapproving frown.
"Blast, you can't take that missile with you," Spectrum says and Arcane sees he was holding one of his ship's few missiles already.
"Hey. That's the only stock we have," Arcane says, grabbing it out with his magic. "You two so have mommy Rainbow's style."
"Mine," Blast says yanking the missile out of Arcane's hold and nearly throwing him to the ground from the sudden movement.
Spectrum frowns and slaps him on the back of the head. "Bro, let it go," she seethed to him and he drops it from the sudden dark tone which both Spectrum and Arcane catches it with their hooves and magic.
"I can't tell at times. Are you taking after mommy Spitfire or Rainbow at times?" Arcane says.
Spectrum smiles at him. "That is both and none."
Arcane just stares at her as Jaix comes around and grabs the missile before taking it back to the launcher.
"Oh, is that so?" a familiar voice asks.
Arcane gulps and slowly steps away.
"What was that young lady?" the voice asks as all three turned to see Spitfire there with a waving Sunshine behind her.
"…can we all please get off the ship now? We are taking off in about an hour," Arcane tries to request.
"You can delay for seeing the family young man," Spitfire says in her motherly tone.
Arcane sighs. "Do I have to go back to the castle?"
"No, but you can delay the launch because of weather conditions," Spitfire informs.
"Stupid weather conditions," Arcane mutters under his breath and Spitfire raises an eyebrow at him and he chuckles nervously.
She then smiles at him. "We face the same at times."
"…you arranged for that?" Arcane asks.
Spitfire chuckles. "Last day with your family before you head off. Now come on. Some want to see you," Spitfire urges on, pushing him along.
"Finish with the ship guys and be ready soon," Arcane calls behind him.
"Mom," Blast says hugging Spitfire.
"Hi sweetie," Spitfire coos, hugging him back.
"Are you going to stay for a while?" Blast asks smiling.
"Yeah. Figure with one of our foals leaving for a long time," Spitfire says as she pats Arcane's side.
"Have you seen dad, yet? He seems to miss you a lot," Sunshine says.
Spitfire hums. "Not yet. Hoping to surprise him," she says before grinning happily.
"Oh, that reminds me. From momma Pinkie," Sunshine says handing her a note.
Spitfire hums as she reads it over before nodding. "Yep. I should."
"Come on. We are throwing a little party," Sunshine says before walking behind some wires.
They all watch for a few seconds before Arcane clears his throat. "So…do we follow and do the same steps…or what?"