PELICAN CRASH SITE

4:28PM

When Aaron and Twilight arrived back at his Pelican’s crash site, they found that the smoke and small fires around the area had dissipated. Thank goodness there was no strong wind that afternoon that would cause the fires to spread and cause more damage to the crops, or even the entire farm.

Aaron climbed into the cockpit and carefully and steadily removed the COMM radio from its cradle. Great caution had to be used incase the radio was badly damaged either by the jump, or the rough landing.

Aaron then began fiddling with it to see if it would react. Miraculously, the radio activated properly without a short circuit!

“Well how about that?” Aaron said sounding rather glad.

“What is it?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Looks like the power systems were only temporarily disabled after the jump.” Aaron explained.

“Does that mean you can get your Pelican operational again?”

Aaron looked back at the gunship with a disappointed expression hidden under his helmet.

“If it wasn’t completely totalled as it is now, then yes,” he replied. “As you can see, I had to kind of destroy the airlock mechanism above the cockpit in order to escape the wreckage. The systems in my helmet do allow me to breathe in space though--but only for an hour at least. If I performed another jump into slipspace, I would easily be stretched and ripped apart atom by atom until there was nothing left of me.”

The girls cringed at the thought of such a gruesome sight.

“Well if your device is working fine, does that mean you can contact your home ship without assistance?” Twilight asked.

“Hmm,” Aaron said and took a closer look at the terminals. “Apparently not. The signal’s too weak and patchy. It would need a high energy boost of power in order for it to work at full function.”

“I think I may know a few energy spells that may be effective,” Twilight stated.

Aaron wasn’t at first sure of how he felt about about Twilight using her magic on UNSC gear because what if something went wrong, or that it does even more damage then fixing it? However, Aaron knew he had no other choice. Life was all about taking risks.

“Okay, see what you can do,” Aaron said, giving her the green light of approval.

Nodding, Twilight closed her eyes as she channeled all her magical mana into her horn which began glowing its natural pink, much to Aaron’s amazement.

It was truly astounding to him to witness actual and real magic being performed in front of him, and not just those cheap illusions used in magician shows. This was the real deal.

Aaron noticed that the exterior of the radio began glowing the same color of Twilight’s mana, which steadily began to get brighter and brighter, before Aaron and Twilight’s friends had to shield their eyes and look away.

This only lasted for a few seconds before Twilight’s horn stopped glowing along with the radio when she finished her spell.

When Aaron looked back at the power terminals, he couldn’t believe his eyes!

Whatever Twilight’s spell did increased the transmission levels way above the necessary amount required; but it was nothing bad at all. This meant he could easily contact the Express no matter where he was in the universe!

“Outstanding work, Twilight,” Aaron praised. “Hailing the Pony Express should be a breeze now.”

Everypony raised a brow.

“Is that the name of your mothership?” Twilight asked.

Aaron chuckled. “More like a command ship actually. You know it kind of strikes me funny now that I’ve landed on a planet inhabited by ponies, and that I came from a ship that has the word ‘pony’ in it. Kind of makes you want to wonder, huh?”

“I guess so,” Twilight replied shrugging. “Does that mean that there are actually ponies aboard this ship of yours?”

“Oh no, not at all. The ships name originates from a mail delivery system used back in the early 1860’s,” Aaron explained. “The people who would be responsible for delivering the mail would ride the fastest horses they could find to a checkpoint. Once they reached it, they would receive a new horse that was ready to go while the previous one rests. It sort of works as a relay system. Something tells me that method is what invented the sport of Track Relay Racing.”

“So wait. Equines exist where you're species are from?” Twilight asked.

“And that they were used for such horrendous labor?” Rarity gasped.

“First off, I should mention that the horses were not abused in anyway. They were trained and got the breaks they deserved as I mentioned before. Plus, that system isn’t even used anymore. It only lasted from 1860 to 1861. You could say the system was useful, but not very efficient as anyone would think. From then on, new and more effective systems were invented throughout the years. Secondly, yes there are species of equines on most human worlds, but none of them can talk, or have wings or horns.”

“So you’re saying they're basically all earth ponies, right?” Fluttershy asked.

“Basically, yes,” Aaron replied.

“Well it is true earth ponies are well known for their strength and energy,” Twilight stated.

“That explains why I’m never too tired to throw a party!” Pinkie said enthusiastically while wearing a party hat and having a noisemaker in her mouth that wasn’t there a second ago.

Aaron wondered if Pinkie possessed some sort of supernatural power, but that seemed rude and ridiculous to ask. Plus, he realized he had wasted more time conversing then contacting. He needed to stay focused.

“Okay, I’m going to try hailing the ship now. Let’s just see how well your magic worked, Twilight,” Aaron said.

Twilight just nodded. She wasn’t exactly sure how well she did.

Aaron activated his suit’s COMM transmitter to help relay the signal he was about to give out by pressing the power switch on his helmet.

“Pony Express, this is Sierra-408 Aaron Jensen. I have survived the slipspace jump, but I’m shipwrecked and in need of assistance. Over,” Aaron said into his helmets build in COMM mic.

Since he wasn’t receiving static this time, Aaron knew that his signal would patch through; hopefully.

***

BRIDGE OF PONY EXPRESS

1612 HOURS

Captain Kenwood stared out of the window of his ship, thinking about what needed to be done about continuing to run the idea of Pelican slipspace travel. Should it still happen, or should the idea be cancelled since it seemed that they have lost Aaron?

It had been three hours since the test jump, and the ship hadn’t received a single attempted transmission from the presumably dead Spartan--yet. He was already assumed dead shortly after the jump was completed when he didn’t report in after an estimated amount of time a slipspace jump took, depending on distance of course.

They still had the coordinates that Aaron provided through, but they needed his confirmation to see if the jump was safe, especially for the corvette that had its own Shaw-Fujikawa translight engine.

After a while, Kenwood finally made his decision.

He ordered that the provided coordinates be terminated, and that the plug on the new slipspace project to be pulled before more soldier’s lives were taken unnecessarily. It’s more worth perishing by Covenant then technology.

Before he gave the go ahead, one of the corvette’s COMM officers received a strange, but familiar signal.

“Captain, I’m getting a UNSC signal,” he reported.

“Where is it coming from?” Kenwood asked.

“Apparently somewhere from the vector that Sierra-408 provided us with.”

“Is the channel secure?”

“I have no idea sir, but the signal is way off the charts. It’s something I’ve never seen before at all.”

“Well secure or not, let’s hear what it is!” Kenwood ordered.

“Yes sir,” the officer said, letting the transmission play.

“Pony Express, this is Sierra-408 Aaron Jensen. I have survived the slipspace jump, but I’m shipwrecked and in need of assistance. Over,” it played. Aaron was alive!

“Quick patch us through! Who knows how long the strength of that signal will last!”

The officer obeyed and quickly activated the response signals from the Express.

***

A few moments quickly passed after Aaron sent his transmission that would hopefully reach the location to where the Express was located in the universe. So far he didn’t get an immediate response like he had hoped.

Twilight looked a bit worried.

“Do you want me to try another spell?” she offered.

“No, just give it a little more time,” Aaron replied. “If nothing happens, then you may.”

“Okay.” Twilight said.

A few more moments had passed. There was still no response. It was then that Aaron gestured to Twilight to let her try another spell.

Nodding, Twilight once again closed her eyes as she concentrated her mana into her horn.

Before she could get into her full concentration, she was interrupted when a response miraculously transmitted from the radio.

“This is Captain Kenwood of the UNSC: Pony Express. Spartan Jensen, is that you?”

Aaron didn’t hesitate to respond. “Affirmative sir,”

“What happened to you? We thought your status was KIA.”

“Apparently the systems onboard the gunship were disabled after the jump was complete, and I was knocked unconscious as well,” Aaron explained. “Luckily I’ve crash-landed on a hospitable planet teeming with life. It also has friendly contacts.”

“Well, what are they? Is it human?”

“Not exactly,” Aaron replied while looking at Twilight and her friends who seemed a bit uncomfortable. “But they seem to have the same kind of intelligence like humanity. The atmosphere is even tolerable to us.”

“You still didn’t answer my question about what they were.”

Aaron became a little sheepish.

“Well if I told you sir, you would think I was crazy. With respect, I suggest that you follow the coordinates I provided you with before I made the jump--if you haven’t already gotten rid of them that is. It might be best if you came to see for yourself.”

***

Kenwood sighed in relief on the inside. He couldn’t believe he was about to recklessly delete valuable coordinate data. If he did that, Aaron may have never been found if he was still alive!

What concerned him though, was as to why he would think a respectable soldier like Aaron would be off his rocker? He never talked anything like this before, but decided to go along with it.

***

“Okay, just mark an LZ for us, and we’ll be on our way to make contact with you, and whatever else is there with you. If these beings are intelligent like you claim they are; this could be a historical first-contact scenario for all the UNSC.”

“Understood sir. I should also recommend that landfall should be done via Pelican. No need to make an impressive entrance with the corvette in atmosphere if you know what I’m saying?”

“Consider it done Spartan. Pony Express out.”

With that, the COMM radio clicked off as Captain Kenwood disconnected for the time being.

Aaron turned toward Twilight and her friends.

“Well looks like we’re all set. Do any of you know any place that is wide enough and clear for a good LZ?” he asked.

Twilight and the girls thought for a moment.

Fluttershy then spoke up.

“Um...excuse me Aaron, but what’s an LZ?” she asked.

“It’s a military initial meaning landing-zone,” Aaron replied. “It’s where the captain’s dropship is going to land and meet up with us.”

Twilight was the next one to talk. Apparently she knew a perfect place for the dropship to land.

“I believe Ponyville Park would be your best bet. It has many wide open spaces that should accompany your captain’s ship well,” she explained. “I’ll just have to warn everypony there to clear the designated area of choice.”

“Thank you, Twilight. Now I believe would be a good time to get your friend, Applejack. If she wants to get information about the debt we owe her and her family, now is the chance to do so.”

"Okay," Twilight said. "I think I'll be best if we teleport to the farmhouse. Celestia will lower the sun in a couple of hours to make way for Luna's moon to rise. It's the only way your comrades can arrive while it's still daytime."

Aaron wasn't sure how he felt about teleportation, but he knew Twilight had a point. Better to get reunited today then tomorrow.

"Okay, I'm up for it," he finally said.

"Then take my hoof," Twilight said extending one of her hooves to Aaron. It was the only way she could teleport him and her together. Good thing she got all her energy back to perform teleportation spells.

"Me and Fluttershy will see you there," Rainbow said.

"Wait! What about me and Pinkie?" Rarity asked rather perturbed about having to trot all the way.

"Can't you teleport? I mean you are a unicorn," Rainbow asked.

"Well I know that darling, but I've always used my magic for designing and styling. I've never had time to learn such advanced magic," Rarity stated proudly.

"How about you guys take my other hoof then," Twilight suggested. "I'll be able to bring us all."

"Okey dokey lokey!" Pinkie said excitedly and grabbed Twilight's other hoof.

"Well if it must be done to avoid getting my hooves dirty, then so be it," Rarity said and grabbed Pinkie's hoof which completed the conduit to teleport them all.

"Okay, here we go," Twilight said as she closed her eyes and channeled her magic which eventually made all four of them to vanish in mid-air leaving Rainbow and Fluttershy to travel by their wings.

Back at the Apples’ farmhouse, Applejack told her family members about the incidents that had occurred, from the alien ship resting in their cornfield, to the encounter with Aaron in the Everfree Forest, and then to the reception they got in town.

The Apple family was intrigued about this human called Aaron, but had the same kind of frustration toward their crops being vandalised.

“Your great grandfather worked day in and day out to perfect every inch of that cornfield,” Granny Smith started shaking her head sadly. “Shame tah hear about its state now.”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed sadly.

“Well didn’t ya say he was not awake or somethin’ when he arrived?” Apple Bloom asked. “Ah’m sure it was jus’ an accident.”

“An...ACCIDENT?!” Applejack snapped, startling the little filly. “You should know damn well that it was no accident, Apple Bloom!”

“Applejack!” Granny Smith scolded. “You should know better than to use that kind of language and tone in front of Apple Bloom. Ah know yer frustrated darlin’--so are all of us, but there’s no reason to take it out on yer little sister!”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac agreed a bit sternly now.

Applejack’s ears went down to a sad droop as she stared at the floor shamefully.

“Ah’m sorry granny,” she said. Her tone was now quiet and full of regret. She then looked at Apple Bloom who was afraid now to make eye contact with her.

Applejack gently trotted over to her frightened little sister and softly placed a hoof on her shoulder, making Apple Bloom flinch a little.

“Ah’m sorry sis fer screamin’ at ya like that. Granny’s right. Ah shouldn’t be angry at you. Ah jus’ let the worst of mah emotions get the better of me. Ya must think Ah’m a terrible sister.”

“Ah didn’t think that at all, Applejack. Ah should've never made that assumption in the first place.” Apple Bloom said, still not looking into Applejack’s eyes.

“No, it was a good assumption," Applejack reassured. "Ah mean Ah would probably cause an accident too if Ah wasn't awake. What irks me through is that he fled the scene of the crime after he crashed. Ya would think he would immediately come over here and tell us himself."

"He was probably scared sis. Considerin' we're alien to him like he is to us."

"Scared or not, he owes us all big time for what he's done to our crop," Applejack stated officially.

"Did he at least promise that he would help pay for our damaged crops?" Granny Smith asked.

Applejack thought for a moment.

"Ah don't recall him sayin' anything like that when Ah was with Twi an' him. If he does decide ta show up 'round 'ere, Ah'll make sure ta make him promise; whether he likes it or not."

It was then that a bright flash of light emitted from outside the windows of the farmhouse. Applejack somehow knew that was Twilight's teleportation magic. a wave of concern then washed over her.

"Y'all find somewhere ta hide," Applejack suggested to her family members. "If that alien is still with Twilight, Ah don't want him ta hurt ya."

Granny and Big Mac both nodded, but Apple Bloom didn't. Her curiosity was at its breaking point now.

"But sis, Ah wanna see this alien. Ah promise Ah'll be careful," she pleaded.

"No, Apple Bloom. It's too risky. Ya gotta go with granny and Big Mac now. When it's safe, Ah'll let y'all know alright?" Applejack argued becoming more testy.

Apple Bloom knew she wouldn't get through to her big sister by just using words, so she just decided to use action instead.

She bolted toward the front door where the flash emitted from.

"What do ya think yer doin', Apple Bloom! Get back 'ere now!" Applejack ordered, but Apple bloom refused to heed her sister's demands.

When she opened the door, she did see Twilight and her two friends Pinkie and Rarity, standing at the door which would've relieved all stress in the Apple family home, but when she spotted the tall and intimidating stature of Aaron, that stress would become even worse!