(Jhera and Fernleaf reside on the Soft Rains for the moment) As Jhera set up his various assortment of pans and ladels, a voice spoke over the intercom. "Fillies and Gentlecolts, this is your Captain speaking. We have made contact with a friendly fleet of ponies and are attempting to dock with them. Please remain calm and continue with your daily errands. Thank you." The voice clicked off with a small buzz. Jhera shrugged and continued to work. If she had paid any attention to him whatsoever, Fernleaf shouldn't go waltzing onto the connected ship...right?
As Cobalt boards the ship, he is greeted by two ponies wearing red and green armor. "Hello, captain," the mare soldier said, "We will be taking you to the briefing room, so if you'll please follow us, you can meet Wind." Cobalt is taken to a room that simply has a table with a hologram machine in the middle of it. Then, in comes a pony in a rather large, red and green helmet and armor. He takes off the helmet to reveal a young looking Stallion. "Captain Cobalt," He says, "It's very nice to meet you."
Cobalt smiles slightly but professionally at him, his right hoof raising to a simple military salute, "and you aswell, Captain Wind I presume?". Cobalt is dressed in a simple officers uniform, 3 gold stripes on the end of each foreleg, black fabric making up the hoof stitched jacket and beret.
"I hate to come to a meeting in my armor, but I didn't have the time to drop it off in my quarters. Now, on to the subject of trading. Do you plan to set up colonies on Magnasaltus as well, or are you going to continue searching 'Hope' for another world to populate?" Firebreeze said as he pressed a few buttons to bring up a hologram of Magnasaltus.
Cobalt rubs his hoof on his chin thoughtfully "We wish to set up on a system that is rich in certain rare metals. From what I can see this planet is the appropriate ecosystem for such, but we cannot risk an expedition at this time; our primary landing craft has a damaged reactor."
Fernleaf tried her hardest to suppress a giggle. She was sure that her face had turned beat red by now. She watched the two ponies converse with their guards looking bored as ever. She hunched down and moved silently across the notch in the wall. 'Wonder what goodies this ship has in it' she wondered as she continued past the ponies and down the hall.
"I see," Fire says as he hits another button to bring up the rest of the Hope system, "We have a few engineers who would gladly assist in fixing your landing craft's reactor, if you want."
"Captain!" A pony watching a monitor shouted, "We just received a message from The Flames of Trail. They are going to colonize at these coordinates." Ecliptic paused for a moment before saying, "Take us into orbit, pilot. Data, when we arrive, scan it for resources. Let me know if you find anything." Ecliptic turned back to his equipment, and sent the message: Captain Firebreeze Wind- My cargo consists mainly of machinery necessary to establish a proper colony. If you need anything maybe we can work something out. With your permission we would like to build a trade outpost and perhaps a colony of our own on "Magnasaltus". I hope there will be no hostilities between us, but know that we are armed and will defend ourselves. ~ Captain Ecliptic
"I'd appreciate your assistance, Captain. What is your current cargo and passengers?" Cobalt looks at the guards that watch over, admiring their taste in weaponry. "We have a fully stocked armoury, plus enough consumables to maintain our flock for a decade."
"We've got a ton on building supplies and around 1,500 citizens on board. I'm not getting into specifics on weaponry and my troops, but we've got some of the best." Fire said. Then, a soldier walked into the room with a messaging pad, "Sir, you have a message from another fleet captain." The soldier said. "Thank you, soldier," Firebreeze grabbed the message pad, "Will you excuse me for a second, captain?" He read the message and typed a reply: Captain Ecliptic Feel free to build on the planet as you wish. I hope we can meet there. ~Captain Firebreeze Wind
"Of course. Take your time" Cobalt smiles when he returns. "But be warned, Captain... Our fleet may be small but we hold enough firepower to destroy your colonies and glass this entire planet... It is not wise to betray us."
Firebreeze laughed, "My friend, we are a very trust-able people. Betrayal is for scumbags, which I am not. Anyway, i'll be sure to send some of my mechanics to your ship with you in order to fix your reactor problem. Hopefully we'll have Magnasaltus bustling with pony life within a few months."
"Sir we just exited warp around the seventh planet. Initial sensor sweeps confirm the placement of two other small fleet strike elements," comes a call from the sensorium area. (presuming that is where you all are) "Good get me a hail connection with the main ship there," says Rashall turning to the screen in front of him waiting for a reply to his hail.
Suddenly, the hologram system began to beep, "looks like somepony wants to chat..." Fire said hitting a button, "Hello, my friend. What do you want?"
"One would hope." Cobalt then stands and salutes once more, before briefly turning to face the airlock back to his craft "Is there any other matters you wish to discuss?"
"Captain, we noticed your ship in the area and we wondering what was going on," asks Rashall over the open link.
Jhera walked into his room and closed the door. He turned the lights on and stopped. He stared over the room and unconsciously dropped his supplies. "This....is NOT happening!" he shrieked. He slammed the door wide open and bolted down the hallway with all his adrenaline forcing its way into his body. 'NO NO NO NO NO NO' he kept repeating in his head. He slammed into a guard when he turned a corner. "WOH THERE!" the guard exclaimed. "Is there a problem?" Jhera looked him in the eyes, clearly terrified. "I have to get on the connector ship PRONTO!" he yelled, and ran off down the hallway before the guard could respond.
"Well, I did send a message about my business here, but i'm currently heading towards the coordinates of a planet that my people and I are planning to colonize."
