Chapters
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Probe penetrates the atmosphere. 72%Twilight gave her order, but it wasn’t as though that meant for an instant delivery of all the answer they wanted. They sent off their command, and then began another long period of silence while they all waited to know what would become of the probe.No one got anything done, not even Spike. To the extent that Spike could get anything done anymore. Twilight knew better than to ask him. Twilight took the time she had to make a brief tour around the Equinox, catching up…-
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Work on their personal projects Twilight had her own ideas about what the crew of the Equinox ought to be doing. But ultimately, the decision not to micromanage her ponies was a simple one. It wasn’t just that she couldn’t possibly know as much about their own disciplines as they did—though that was certainly part of it. Far more than that, she just didn’t have the energy to ride them all. It was a long trip, enough time for much to be accomplished. Much more than last time, given they no longer…
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Refuse to give the order. “You know I wouldn’t do that,” Twilight said. “If you’re willing to go through the process, or maybe to use the contingency device, then that’s your choice to make. I won’t force you to… subject yourself to that. I would suggest that you should spend more of your time near medical, if you want to be alive when we arrive at… wherever we’re going.” She raised a wing, interrupting whatever Sunset was about to say. “I’m calling a general meeting of the crew.…
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Send the Probe. 68% There was much Twilight could’ve suggested they do about the strange new information, but in the end she was left with one decision that rose above the others. “We’ll send a probe. A month from now, we’ll use what we learn to decide if we want to try and send another message. Talking to them now won’t let us get there any sooner, assuming there’s anypony to talk to.”Some members of the crew grumbled, but none was quite brave enough to argue with her. Twilight helped with…
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Reinforce the Reactor 59% Repairs took about a day, a day Twilight spent helping members of her crew where she could. She spent most of her time with Pinkie in Hydroponics, replanting trays they had left sealed against their long time on the surface. They had at least five months of real food left in storage, certainly no reason to worry about abruptly running out. But the best way in Twilight’s mind to stay ahead of all that was to never fall behind.Finally—though some part of her still ached slightly…
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Gather camp first. 77% After everything that had happened, Twilight couldn’t imagine leaving Proximus B with every one of their turrets and other automatic weapons behind. She sent Rainbow, Apple Bloom, and Pinkie back down to get everything packed, while she set her engineers loose on the remaining damage Cozy Glow had done to the Equinox.Or is it even the Equinox anymore? Did they damage Spike instead? But those thoughts hurt her brain, so she banished them quickly enough. Just like she banished all…
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Take the chance to get them out intact. 48% “I don’t understand why I shouldn’t just let them decide,” Spike said, meeting Node’s eyes with a flat stare. “Why would I bet the one to make this decision?”“Because some of them don’t want to leave,” Node said. “I am one of those. But I am as unreal as you are, so I do not have the luxury of an excuse.” She tugged towards Spike, forcing him to listen. “Just imagine for a second what your farmer would say. The perfect excuse for her to…
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Node's: Use the truth. 84%Spike raised a claw to knock, but the door swung open on its own. He retreated a step—but it was only Apple Bloom on the other side. She was wearing one of those strange harness-things, making her stand vertically like he was. She was also entirely biological, just like he was. Just like Node. “I was wonderin’ when you would show up,” she said. “After Pinkie found her way here… she said you’d finally found yer way in to bust us all out of this place.”“I have,”…
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Try to force her. 52% “Your civilization might be gone,” Spike began. “But that doesn’t mean their impact on the world has to be. You chose to stay behind, and because of you my friends are still alive.”Node just stared at him. Spike had no idea if he was getting through to her, or if she was plotting some transfer that would remove him from the system for good. Assuming she can even get out without my help. It is a honeypot.“Why should that matter to me?” she asked, voice as empty and bleak…
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Investigate the contingency system. 45% Spike wanted to go straight into Node and retrieve her, the way Rainbow seemed to want. In particular, this seemed like the pony he had the best chance of rescuing. There was no telling whether the Contingency would have any system in place for returning ponies to their bodies. For all they knew, they were dead forever. But Node was just a machine, and there was some solidarity there. Some paternal affection as well, for the system Spike had built? If so, he never…
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