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    When everything seems dark, don't be.

    Chapters

    • Chapter 21: Linking Map Cover
      by Starscribe Jackie began to doubt her decision the instant she saw the starship’s outline behind the trees. It wasn’t as though they had any other choice, and she pointed and started running towards it as though it was an exciting relief. But she’d seen the old Merlin ships before in museum sims about the early history of space, and she was hardly filled with confidence. The distinct hump of its main hydrogen tank rose along its back side like a tumor left to grow untreated for decades.Bree seemed to be thinking…
    • Chapter 22: Transition Function Cover
      by Starscribe As it turned out, Sir Bradley had prepared more than food down here. Without anything better to do, they took the time to open all the crates, revealing bedrolls, tents, basic cookware—an entire camp’s worth of supplies.Of course Sunset and any other Builders there wouldn’t have needed it, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t help. They set up everything, arranging the sleeping bags before making a cooking circle with chunks of crystal and the crates themselves as fuel. While Trixie cooked a batch…
    • Chapter 23: Memory Mod Cover
      by Starscribe “I’m going to see her,” she announced, rising to her hooves and marching straight for the airlock. “This conversation is fucking over.”Of course, the hatch didn’t open. Despite Jackie’s confidence, an AI like the OMICRON Core couldn’t be intimidated so easily.“You will not be permitted aboard,” Edison said. “I’m sorry, my acting captain’s orders are absolute. You are too much of a security threat. We do not know what abilities the Tower has developed since the war. A single…
    • Chapter 24: Secure Cell Cover
      by Starscribe “Well if that ain’t the craziest thing I’ve seen today,” Xavier muttered, finally shattering the timeless illusion that was their heartsong contact. “You still speak their language pretty well for not having a translation program in your brain, Sir Bradley. What I wouldn’t give for a core dump right now.”Suddenly the harsh reality of their situation came crashing back down on her. Sunset couldn’t feel the glowing crystal walls anymore, or the sense of sourceless hope that had convinced her…
    • Chapter 25: Tone Lock Cover
      by Starscribe “I’m not sure how long this works!” Jackie called, without even stopping to look over her shoulder. “But we need to move, right now!”There was now a solid wall of bodies in front of them, with thick brown smoke congealed around it like mortar. But even looking at it from a distance, Jackie could see that the Federation marine had been right. It wasn’t going to last long—the wind was blowing and soon it would be gone. They couldn’t just wait here for the entire city to march into it.Jackie…
    • Chapter 26: Digest Cover
      by Starscribe The next few days were a blur to Sunset Shimmer. Most of what had to be done involved her very little. First came the supplies to the front, refreshing the troops that were fighting off invasion from the south. A few days without food had crippled morale, but they had kept fighting.The city itself had to be made secure, but Sunset had little to do with that. She wasn’t a warrior, so she didn’t join the squads of ponies tracking down the last of the changeling-like creatures and fighting them off. It…
    • Epilogue Cover
      by Starscribe So the war went on, with Jackie forced to watch from the sidelines. She did her best to help as the great dragons attacked, running supplies along underground tunnels and giving what support she could to the terrified ponies there.But the Father of Dragons was an enemy beyond her power, or any other human for that matter. She watched from hidden cameras along with the rest of the Crystal Empire, as the combined power of the Alicorns banished a creature ripped right out of hell’s worst dreams.Then the war…
    • Not What He Was Expecting Cover
      by Starscribe “What do you mean they didn’t approve my permit?” Spike was indignant—it took all his concentration to stop from burning the rejection slip in his claws. But there was no mistaking the bright red stamp at the bottom of the page, along with Mayor Mare’s signature.“I wish I knew,” Arclight said. “I tried to ask, but employers aren’t privileged to that kind of information. I’m afraid you won’t be able to work here at the plant without it.” The pony sounded almost as disappointed as…
    • Chapter 14 Cover
      by Starscribe Chapter 14It’s… kind of amazing you have time for this,” Jackie said, when she was laying down with her back against a metal headboard. The princess had chosen one of the identical beds for her at random. It was comfortable enough, but she found herself unable to enjoy it. Not when she knew what was coming. “Trying to help all of us, I mean. They tell us about you in Unity… the two of you rule this whole country. You’re like… half of the president. With enough time to be a doctor…
    • Chapter 15 Cover
      by Starscribe Chapter 15It was a good thing that Sigil had come during the night. Even in Equestria Jackie found the day was difficult for her, particularly without caffeine. Canterlot had coffee, but it didn’t have energy drinks, and that was critical.At least Sigil was willing to wait a few minutes while they got ready. They hadn’t been told anything, hadn’t been anywhere near the palace again since Jackie’s treatment. “I thought we would have another week,” Harley said, emerging from the bathroom in her…
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