A/N: Hello there readers and critics, and welcome back. On the subject of OCs, I think I myself was not clear enough on what to send me. For human OCs, I need name (full), ethnicity (if not included, I will make them whatever I want), and personality. Any extra info after that would be appreciated, but is not necessary. If certain details are left out, I will either make it up myself or not use them (depending on the situation). For pony OCs, I need name, physical details, what race, and personality. Also, take in mind once you let me use your OC, they will be subject to my dastardly mind (MUAHAHAHA). Seriously though, don't get all heartbroken if they die. You did hand the leash over to me. Finally, I will be starting a deviantart account in which some of the content will deal with this story, such as how the ships look. I'll announce when it's up. Now, for some review responses.

DatAss111: Hmm, interesting username. Anyways, thanks for the review. On the subject of giving AJ a big role, I can't promise anything. Please don't hate me!

Major Simi: Thank you for your positive review! I aim to please.

ShiningShadow1965: I congratulate you for deducing a location. Fortunately for Equestia's sake, it was wrong. And once again, thank you for your ever positive reviews.

With that out of the way, ONTO THE CHAPTER!

Disclaimer: Yeah….

Ch 6: Close Calls and Unexpected Feelings

UUA First Fleet

SFG-0041 Under the Shroud

Location: Unknown

Objective: Locate the Column of Faith

"Shit!"

Half the bridge crew, including Cpt. Peterson, exclaimed as the Shroud raced at a collision course. "Hard port! Full reverse!" Cpt. Peterson yelled.

There was no answer back, but the order was obviously received as the cloaked frigate banked and turned to its left. The super-cruiser on the view-screen was quickly growing in size as the frigate hit full reverse in an attempt to avoid ramming it. Everyone on the bridge grew tense as the maneuver left only yards between the frigate and the massive flagship. Any crew near starboard view-ports tensed and braced for an impact that thankfully never came. The Shroud quickly made its way to a safer distance.

Peterson fell back into his command chair in the CIC, visibly relaxing as the cloaked frigate moved away from what could have been death. The reprieve only lasted moments though as the tactical officer shouted, "Sir, they're powering up weapons!"

"No rest for the weary," Peterson said to himself before continuing, "Divert secondary generators to shields, keep weapons at minimum. We don't know if they really know we're here or not and I don't want to give ourselves away." A quick 'yes sir' was all he got before he turned his attention back towards the view-screen. There was a few tense moments as they saw most of the Ominous Justice's many guns come alive and start to align themselves to a position. Peterson's heart felt like it skipped a beat as the guns passed the position were the frigate lay silent now and position themselves towards were the Shroud had exited the void.

The moment the super-cruiser's guns were aligned, numerous weapons ranging from pulse guns, to plasma and kinetic, all fired their deadly payload towards the unoccupied space. This caused mixed feelings and thoughts to race through the captain's thoughts. Ok, they know we're here, but not where or what. As he thought this, the super-cruiser's multitude of weapons disengaged from the singular point in space and brought their load to bear down on the space around, sending plasma, projectiles, and lasers alike flying out at random trajectories in a hope that it might hit something solid.

Damn, think quick, Peterson thought. "Launch a cloaked probe and make sure they hit it before they hit us," he commanded. "Let's let them think it was just a probe that came through." After a quick 'yes sir', the warning sound went off, signaling the launch of the probe. After 30 seconds of waiting and a couple of close calls, the probe was hit and exploded, its IFF tag disappearing off the tac-display. Peterson was relieved to see the Ominous Justice's guns return to their original positions, power levels decreasing.

Too close. Now down to business, he thought. "Passive scan the area, see if you find anything that matches the Faith. Keep it at a low frequency. We've already fooled our friends here once. I have a feeling it won't work again," he ordered.

As the bridge crew followed the order, Peterson stared at the flagship on the view-screen. Why do I have a feeling that we're not done with you just yet, he thought.

{-}

I awoke the next morning to some talking upstairs. I rolled off the bed onto my hoofs and walked up the stairs and to the door Twilight had showed me last night. Not wanting to jump into a possible group of people, or in this case ponies, unaware of what was going on, I stuck my head against the door to eavesdrop on their conversation. Most of the voices I recognized, but there was one or two that I was at a complete loss as to who it was.

"… and he just showed up from nowhere and told those creeps to leave me alone." I recognized the voice belonged to Rainbow Dash, and picking up on the content of the sentence, I figured she was sharing last night's story with the rest of the group. "After they refused, two of them went to attack him while the third stayed behind with a knife on my throat, probably to make sure I didn't leave."

"Oh, dear that's horrible," the almost inaudible voice I identified as Fluttershy said.

Rarity's voice came in, "Yes, that's absolutely dreadful," putting a bit of emphasis and drama on dreadful.

Next came the voice I remember belonging to Applejack, "Well what happened next? You're ok and ah assume he is too, then what else happened?"

"Well," Rainbow continued, "they started to charge him and in no time, he knocked them both out. I mean I BLINKED and one was already out cold! The third one ran off after seeing him beat up his friends."

"Did he tell you anything about himself?" This voice I didn't recognize, but Rainbow's answer identified the speaker. "No Princess. All he said was that his name is Star and he's been living in the Everfree forest for the past week, maybe longer."

After that statement, I heard them gasp. One of them, which I assumed was Pinkie Pie, held hers longer and continued rapid fire saying, "Thatmeanshe'sbeenherethewholetimeandIdid n'tknowaboutitandhaven'tthrownaparty."With that I heard a gasp for air as I think she was trying to regain her breath.

There's definitely something wrong with her head, I concluded before I continued listening.

"Slow down there partner," Applejack said. "Ah think we need to worry a bit less about throwing him a party and more-so on who he is."

"Applejack's right," I heard Twilight finally speak up since I began listening. "Even though he did save Rainbow's life and mine, I don't trust him. I mean, why?"

"Maybe he was just being a gentlecolt," Rarity spoke up.

"I would trust him," Rainbow spoke up, getting some shuffles as I assumed the group turned to look at her. "I…I mean… he saved me last night and he didn't have to. He could have just left me there for those….. monsters. He risked himself to save me." She paused and added off to the side in a whisper, "He's kinda cute, too." That last comment was almost inaudible. Almost.

Did she just call me CUTE?!, I thought as I found myself blushing furiously as I thought about it. THE FUCK! STOP BLUSHING! She's a PONY for Christ's sake. Sure, some crew members have fallen in love out of species, but those were humanoids. This is wrong on SO MANY LEVELS! DAMNIT! I shouldn't have broken protocol. Ahhhgg, but I couldn't just leave her to have that happen. DAMNIT!

I managed to pull myself back together as I heard Twilight, "What was that? Are you alright Rainbow? You're getting kind of red…"

"I'm fine!" I heard Rainbow frantically try to recover herself.

I heard the Princess clear her throat to quiet the room and heard her say, "I think our guest would like to join."

Damn. There was some shuffling and I assumed they were all facing the door I was behind as I could practically feel their stares. Well, I got myself into this, I mentally sighed as I proceeded to open the door, steeling myself in preparation for the questions I knew were to come.

{-}

UUA First Fleet

SFG-0041 Under the Shroud

Location: Unknown

Objective: Find new leads to the location of the Column of Faith

"Sir, it's a perfectly viable plan."

Peterson was in the briefing room along with other lead crew members on the ship. They were there thinking of plans or ideas as to just where the Faith may be. He had just listened to one of the tactical commanders give him this plan, and frankly, he thought it was stupid and wasn't afraid of voicing his opinion.

"Yes I know, but given that it's a stupid ass plan and a possible waste of lives, I've elected to ignore it," Peterson commented bluntly.

Another officer continued, "I think it's one of the only REAL options we have. The scans came up negative and a small, highly trained squad could pull this off."

Peterson again thought on this. He was right, and he knew just the team for the job. "Fine," he said. Peterson reached over to the com button and announced ship-wide, "Sargent Major Burt Rodriguez, report to the briefing room immediately."

There we have it, Ch. 6. Nothing much to say down here, so I'm just going to sign out. Arwingmaster1, out.