++Astropathic Choir Intercept ZX965, Kyne's Fury 3.681.873.M39++

++Message to Inquisitor Tas Rovini++

++ Transcript Appended++

Thought for the Day: Sorrow awaits the foolhardy.

My Lord,

Several updates on xeno specimen #2891. The creature's digestive system appears quite hardy, and it accepts the nutrient gruel we have prepared without complaint, which is more than I can say for several of our crewmen. Observation of the creature has at least partially confirmed its claims of psychic power. When left alone for an extended period, the creature began using telekinesis to juggle the furniture in an attempt to entertain itself. That it did so with such consummate ease aboard a ship with the Gellar field up is quite worrying. We lack the proper wards to contain such power here, and I was forced to give it some puzzles and games in an attempt to keep it busy, and warned it in the harshest of terms to stop its psychic activities immediately. It appeared puzzled by this, but has thus far complied.

I have ordered the guard outside its room doubled. In a further precaution, I have dimmed the lights in the surrounding corridors to almost nothing. My hope is that if the creature tries to escape, these will trigger a psychological breakdown. Still, if this creature genuinely attempts to fight us, I am not sure we would win. I request orders: do we kill the creature in its sleep for being too dangerous, or do you feel the opportunities presented are too great?

We were able to obtain blood and tissue samples from the xenoform, which we have been analyzing. The DNA sequences do not greatly divulge from the common equine species, which has lead me to form a hypothesis of the species' origins. Due to their cultural similarities to certain human societies and identical language usage, it is my theory that these creatures are descended in some manner from domestic equines. Perhaps they are a creation of some culture from the Dark Age of Technology, or perhaps they were twisted by the Warp. Either way, I theorize that these creatures, consciously or unconsciously, adopted much of the culture of their former masters even as they forgot their existence. Until further proof is obtained, this remains merely a guess.

I performed two more interviews with the xeno filth. Sullying as it is to contact alien scum in any non-military manner, the creature still seems to respond positively. Transcripts, amended by my notes, and conclusions to follow.

++Interrogation the Second++

Setting: Cell 59XBA. Cell remains brightly lit. Xeno is lying on cot, engaged in word puzzle. Still does no show discomfort at light levels.

Kylara: *enters cell* Hello again.

Twilight Sparkle: *looks up, appears embarrassed* Oh, hello again Ms. Kylara. Have I done something wrong? [It refers to the prior incident in which I was quite vehement in discouraging its use of psychic power.]

K: *shakes head, smiles* No, no. Nothing like that. I just wanted to ask you a few questions.

TS: *attempts puzzle away with hoof, fumbles* Sorry, I'm not used to doing things without magic.

K: It's quite alright. *puts puzzle on cot*

TS: I'd… *appears nervous* I'd like to apologize for what I did last time we tried this. I should have been more helpful. You came all that way to get me and I can't even answer a few questions for you. [The xenos has developed the belief that we knew it was there from the start and came to aid it. As this makes it more likely to divulge information, I have refrained from correcting it.]

K: *comforting smile* Please just try to do better.

TS: I will.

*K and TS assume seats at table*

K: Let's try this again. What is your name?

TS: Twilight Sparkle.

K: Where are you from?

TS: Canterlot, capital of Equestria. [As suspected, but not confirmed until now.]

K: What species are you?

TS: An alicorn pony.

K: What other kinds of ponies are there?

TS: *sniffs, shivers*

K: *grabs TS* Stay with me.

TS: *nods* Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns.

K: How many other alicorns were there? [Trying to confirm or debunk my prior theories.]

TS: T-T-Three. Princess Celestia, who raised the sun. Princess Luna, who raised the moon. Princess Cadence, who led the Crystal Empire. [Four. And all female. Not enough for a viable breeding population.]

K: What about your parents? [Shouldn't they have been alicorns too?]

TS: They were called Night Light and Twilight Velvet.

K: I mean, what species were they?

TS: U-Unicorns. *shaking* Mom… Dad… BBBFF… [So she was born a mutant? The xenos revered mutation?]

K: *grips TS* Stay calm. You're safe.

TS: *panicked expression* They took them! They took them! *screaming*

K: *puts right hand on forehead* Not again.

TS: They'll take me! They'll take me! We're all going to die! *screaming*

K: Emperor dammit.

TS: *sobbing, begging position* Please, have mercy! No! NO!

K: *cradles head in hands* Just stop the recording already.

++Interrogation Ends++

++Interrogation the Third++

Setting: Cell 59XBA. Xenos is absently staring at the ceiling. Expression suggests deep thought.

Kylara: *enters cell*

Twilight Sparkle: *looks at K, expression distant* Hello, ma'am. *tone suggests weariness*

K: Hello again, Twilight.

TS: Can I have a hug?

K: What? *appears disgusted* [The idea of affectionately embracing a xenos makes me want to undergo ritual cleansing on the spot.]

TS: *appears surprised, shakes head* Did I offend you? Is that wrong in your culture? Please, I don't know anything about you! I'm sorry! Please forgive me! *hangs head*

K: *warmer tone* No, it's alright. I was just a little… surprised.

TS: *raises head cautiously* So…

K: You can have a hug.

TS: *smiles, claps hooves together* Yes! *rushes forward, embraces K*

K: *brief look of revulsion, replaced by warmth, embraces TS* [I still can't believe I did this. The things one sacrifices for the Imperium.]

TS: *sobbing quietly* T-T-Thank y-you.

K: You're very welcome.

TS: I-It's just… I've been alone for so long. My friends, my family, my teachers… It's been so long since I've gotten a hug from anypony. *pulls K tighter* Can we… can we be friends?

K: *smiling* Of course. [My skin crawls as I remember this.]

TS: *cheerful smile* Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! *crying, nuzzles K in gesture similar to domestic cat*

K: *uncertain expression, replaced by happiness* You're very welcome. [Why me, Emperor?]

TS: *releases K* Oh, we'll have so much fun! We can read books and play games and talk and… *goes on for several minutes, describing at length activities TS wishes to do*

K: *weak smile* O-Okay.

TS: *grinning broadly*

K: Wait here just a moment. I think I have just the thing. *exits cell, reenters a few minutes later with a game of Regicide*

TS: *bright eyes* Ooooh, a strategy game! I love strategy games!

K: *explains rules of Regicide* Any questions?

TS: *shakes head* Nope, I've got it all in here. *points hoof to head*

*K and TS play three rounds of Regicide, TS losing all three*

TS: *laughing* You're good at this.

K: *smiles* You weren't bad for a first-timer. [I hate my life.]

TS: *grins proudly* Thanks! Care for another round?

K: *places hand over commbead, listens for 21.8 seconds, shakes head* I'm sorry, but there is an emergency. I have to go. [Specifically, we'd arrived at an Imperial colony at last only to find it under attack by Ork pirates. Our transition from the Warp must have been exceptionally smooth – I didn't even notice.]

TS: *downcast* Alright then. *brightens* You'll come back soon, right?

K: Of course I will. *exits cell*

++Interrogation Ends++

++Thoughts++

My Lord, I feel that I've hit on the tactic to coax information out of this xeno. It seems to desire companionship after the extinction of its race. Not surprising, given that equines are herd animals. I believe that, by offering it, I can psychologically stabilize the creature to an extent that it will divulge what I want it to know without having breakdowns. Perhaps we can even find a use for the creature's psychic powers after we're done interrogating it. With your permission, of course, Lord.

Your servant,

Interrogator Kylara

++Message Ends++