//------------------------------//
// Interlude: Laika 
// Story: Interstellar 
// by Distant Horizons 
//------------------------------//

The force was extreme as the lone dog was shot into space. She whined and whimpered as the noise scared her, but couldn't escape from her invisible attacker as the force continued to press in. The suit she had been shoved in hours earlier itched and made her movements stiff. The dog, Lapis, continued to whine until suddenly, the pressure stopped. 

Lapis was lifted off the ground like a bird, however no matter how much she tried, she couldn't quite run anywhere. 





Machines beeped loudly as Stella Lulamoon paced back and forth, ponies rushing left and right to their stations. 

"How is she doing?" Trixie finally asked one of the passing ponies.

"The noises from the launch terrified her, and the pressure build in the cabin did as well, but she seems to be calming down slightly, although she may be disoriented." The pony replied quickly.

Stella nodded, looking up at the large display screen showing the status. After a moment, she finally risked the question;

"What do you think the media will do?"

"What do you mean, miss?"

"We've just shot a dog into space with no intention of it's return, and it's a descendant of the Element of Honesty's dog no-less. What will we do about the backlash?"





Lapis panted heavily as she sweat, filling the cabin with wet-dog smell. She'd long since given up on trying to maneuver around the little cabin, and instead chose to float about. Lapis caught a glimpse of the world outside the window. The beautiful white dots shone with such intensity as if to greet her. Lapis' tail wagged.

'Good girl!' Her master praised her as Lapis hopped into the shuttle all by herself. She was rewarded with several treats and belly rubs.

Lapis' tail wagged even more as the shuttle's temperature increased, choking her in it's heat. Lapis' eyes slowly started to close.

She was a good girl.