Twilight and Applejack were trotting towards the transporter bay to beam down to the station. Twilight wanted to talk to the administrator himself, the whole situation was very troubling. From what Applejack told her, everything on the station appears soley based on the desires of the pony. True, the new replicator technology exists but these things just appeared without any materialization. If one wanted something, it just simply appeared. And if it already existed, it could be changed instantly based on desire.

Applejack turned to Twilight, “It don't make any sense ma'am. It's true this planet has a lot of geothermal energy to power the station but the materials are way to advanced for this planet to have.”

“Maybe the materials appeared because of this magic you told me about.” Twilight knew unicorns had the ability to materialize things but not on the scale these ponies used. Twilight knew that if she was going to get answers out of the administrator, she would need an ace up her sleeve. She and Applejack stopped at Rarity's quarters, who was working on some fabric. “Rarity, I need you to come down to the station on an away mission. We need to get answers out of the administrator.” Twilight knew that Rarity's emotional reading would give her some help. Twilight would be able to tell if Zorn was lying or not. “Oh and this is our new first officer, Commander Applejack. Rarity turned around and glared at Applejack.

Do you remember what I said to you a long time ago in Appleooza, Imzadi? Rarity was beaming her thoughts into Applejack's head. Rarity had the ability to do this if she got on a personal level with a pony, an extremely personal level. Applejack could only stare back with a disgruntled look. Twilight looked at the two confusingly.

“I'm sorry do you two know each other?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, Captain.” That's all Applejack could say on the matter. Discussing their relationship right now wouldn't really help anything. Twilight decided to leave it alone.

“Good, I'm happy I have officers that know each others abilities right off the bat.” Twilight gave a big smile.

“We do Captain, we do.” Rarity looked to Applejack again. I never did say good bye that day did I? Applejack's stomach turned. After that the three continued to the Transporter pad and beamed down to Administrator Zorn's office. They materialized there where Zorn was sitting.

“Oh, this must be Captain Twilight Sparkle.” Zorn said enthusiastically. “It is a pleasure to meet you Captain.”

“Likewise Zorn, my crew and I want to discuss a few more things before we negotiate anything.” Twilight said as she sat down. Zorn looked over to Rarity.

“It won't be a problem Captain, however I am troubled about one of your crew mates, that Beta Pony of yours. Is she going to probe my thoughts?”

Rarity gave a heavy sigh, “Sir, my abilities allow me to feel your emotions, not probe your thoughts.” Rarity was giving a very annoyed look to Zorn.

“I'm sorry for getting it wrong. But I have nothing to hide regardless.” Rarity rolled her eyes.

“Oh it's quite alright darling, everypony makes that mistake.” Rarity trotted up to one of the seats in the office. “Quite the office you have-” Rarity stopped, her face beamed with a great sense of pain.

“Rarity, are you okay?” Twilight asked.

“I'm feeling very strong emotions here Captain. And they're not coming from Zorn.” Rarity began to cry a little bit. Zorn began shifting around a little bit.

“What is it that you're feeling Rarity?” Applejack asked. Rarity began to sob a little bit.

“Pain, pure pain and loneliness.” Rarity said with her body buckling under the stress. Twilight turned to Zorn.

“Can you explain this Zorn? These emotions she's feeling?” Twilight looked to see how depressed Rarity was, she had gotten worse. “No one pony could be able to cripple her like this.”

“I have no idea what's wrong Captain.” Zorn said with a look of fear on his face. “And frankly, I find this session most distasteful.” Twilight gave a glare to Zorn and was about to say something when her communicator went off.

“Enterprise to Captain Sparkle. This is Lt. Colgate.” Twilight tapped her badge.

“Go ahead Lieutenant.” Twilight heard the distress in Colgate's voice.

“Ma'am there's a large object coming towards the planet at high speeds. We've tried hailing it but there has been no response.” Twilight frowned.

“Alright Lieutenant, I need you and Ensign Doo to beam down here and assist with the investigation while I beam up. I'll handle the ship.” Twilight knew that if there was going to be a crisis, the best place she could be would be commanding her ship. Twilight turned to Applejack.

“Commander, you, counselor Rarity, Lieutenant Colgate, and Ensign Doo will investigate this place further. Find anything out of the ordinary.” Applejack nodded and said,

“No problem Captain, but why do yah need Ensign Doo down here ma'am? She's an engineer.” Twilight nodded.

“That she is Commander, but her special condition with her eyes, grants her the use of a visor that enhances her eye sight and grants her the ability to detect energy anomalies. You would be wise to make use of her.”

“Aye Captain.” Applejack gave a salute and went to assist Rarity who was still recovering from the large burst emotions that hit her. Twilight turned to Zorn.

“We'll continue this discussion later Zorn. And next time, I hope you will be of better assistance to us.”

“We've done nothing wrong Captain. If . . . you're not interested in our wears, then perhaps we should negotiate this station to another potential buyer, such as the Diamond Dogs or the Romulans.” Zorn was trying to play negotiator with Twilight, but she knew how both the Diamond Dogs and the Romulans worked. They would exploit the station and the people to no end.

“If you think they would treat you better, then by all means administrator, go play ball with them. Just remember that if a Diamond Dog is not satisfied with a deal,” Twilight went face to face with Zorn, “they have a tendency to eat whoever is on the opposing side of the deal.” Twilight stepped back, leaving Zorn with a face of horror. Twilight went to a clear area and tapped her Comm Badge. “Twilight to Enterprise, One to beam up.” And with that Twilight transported herself to the ship. She made her way to bridge as fast as she could. She exited the turbo lift and trotted on to the bridge. “Status report Mr. Worf?” Twilight asked.

“Still no response from the ship Ma'am. However it has gained speed.” Twilight turned from Worf and made her way to her chair. She turned to Luna who was sitting at the helm.

“Is it within visual range?” Twilight asked.

“Aye Captain.” Luna said.

“On screen.” The viewer displayed a large “disk” shaped ship. It was, in a word, titanic. Luna tapped a few buttons on her console.

“Ma'am, sensors show that the ship is approximately five times the size of the Enterprise.” Luna said looking at the view-screen. Twilight could only stare at the object before them. The Enterprise had been one of the largest ships ever built by the Federation. Just then, Luna's console went off. Luna looked down and then turned to Twilight.

“Captain, there is a large spike in energy coming from the ship. It would appear to be weapons of some sort.” Twilight turned her head to the view-screen and saw the ship light up.

“Charge those shields Mr. Worf, the Enterprise may be put through its paces today.”

To Be Continued in . . . Clarity.