Chapter 1
~Contact~
(Video Journal 1_.mov, Date: Nov 17th, 1378) *record*
"I'm scared.
Don't get me wrong, I love it out here. The silence, the vast expanse of beautiful stars.
But I'm scared.
I wouldn't be up here if I was scared of everything around me. They wouldn't have picked me as a candidate if I was.
But I'm scared, not of the emptiness the universe holds, but rather, I'm scared of going back down. I don't have anyone down there waiting for me to return. I don't even have anything to return to.
I'm just here.
Ok, so maybe I should explain a bit better. My name is Star Step, which is kind of fitting for my occupation. I'm an Astronaut Pony, and my mission? Nothing. I'm up here orbiting the planet at more than what could be said is a safe speed down there in Equestria, and it's really a wonder why I'm not performing Sonic Rainbooms every five seconds. It's too bad thats just an old mares tale.
But yea. I'm going super fast, I live on a space station, and tomorrow, they are sending a shuttle to restock my food and such. My station is huge, and you could say its a mansion fit for Princess Luna herself. Although, if you ask me, I'm pretty sure she had enough space those 1000 years to last her forever.
Ok, ok, I still haven't explained my mission. I can't exactly tell you myself either. So go ahead. Read my official paper thingies. It's not like they can stop me from doing that at least.
~~~~
Subject Profile #487:code27A36Y
Name: Star Step
Cutiemark: Rocket Boot
Talent: Performing dangerous high up stunts
Age: 26
Sex: Male
Race: Pegasus
Mission:
To spend any amount of time within a space capsule(s), for Psychological and Behavioral research. Subject is to perform routines and exercise as outlined through daily messaging via Epsilon MSGSAT. If, at any time, subject feels in any way that he/she is under too much stress, Anxiety, or the like, he/she is to press the fail-safe button in the main Capsule.
Additional info: Subject is a volunteer, and as such, acknowledges that any accidents that can end in either fatality or injury are the sole fault of themselves. Natural Disasters or other problematic issues do not fall under this category.
(Via Epsilon MSGSAT: Sender+code=572hdg9:EASA)
~~~~
So yea. This is what they sent me. I've got a counter up here, that tells me what time it is, and how long I've been here. According to it, I've been up here approximately 1 year, 2 days, 27 hours, 8 minutes, and 15-.....no 16 seconds. Feels like my hoof is stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place.
Happy New Year Everypony.
I don't know exactly. I can't seem to find that first piece of paper from when I got up here, so I don't know what the date itself is. It didn't say on my profile sheet either. I'm not allowed to hack the computers, even though I built my own from parts delivered by shuttle. And no, there's no Big Red Button, at least not one that causes a self destruct sequence. But as far as I see it, there isn't a date in space yet. So, even if it's a bit late, Happy Space New Year. Because who knows? Maybe the Princesses Parents really did create space time.
I really enjoy all this quiet. Nopony talking to me. Just silence. I had too much noise down there at home.
I really like the Zero Gravity too. Well, 0.0000000314 to be exact. All there is in space is centrifugal gravity. Nothing is held down, but just kept spinning forever. It's nice. Reminds me of a merry go round at a fair, where the pretty bell and organ music never ends its cheer.
I may just be an experiment...
...But I'm still scared."
I sighed as I shut off the camera, my hoof trembling slightly as I tapped the button. I think I did good for a first recording. Maybe. Shutting the screen off, I shoved off with my hooves towards the kitchen. I needed food.
Maybe I was right.....
....Maybe I am just an experiment.
But good things come from experiments. Or at least thats what I was told. Of course, at EASA, they told you a lot of things. They told you how to close an airlock properly, how to dock new capsules by remote. They even told you how to eat your sludge food.
But they hadn't told me how to be prepared for what would come if I ever went insane.
-+-+-+-+-
(EASA Interneightional Space Station: Luna-R Class. Nov 18th, 1378. Subject: Star Step. Status: Normal.)
(Access file: Video Journal 2_.mov)
*record*
"I'm really excited. Today, the shuttle comes, and they are actually bringing a huge amount of upgrades to the station that I can install! Now I'll have scanners and cool nerdy stuff like that to look around space so that I actually have something to do! I mean, EASA knows everything about space thanks to Princess Luna, but maybe I get to do a little firsthand exploring.
Oh, and they are also bringing me a large amount of food for restock, and you have no idea how happy I am about that. They actually acknowledged my request for Grape Juice! That's gonna be one of those things I save for special nights, like my Space New Year that I unofficially put into effect last night.
And they are bringing me some reading material. Yea, a lot of it is boring scientific stuff, but they also said that Princess Twilight Sparkle herself, Director of education and knowledge, has sent along a package full of copies of her own personal favorite books!
Ok....maybe I did order one or two copies of the new Daring Do Comic Novels, but hey! I'm a bit of a fan of Yearlings works. Nothing wrong with being a nerd right?
I'm just happy that I don't have to stare out the window forever.
It's kinda...
...lonely...
...way out there.
But, now the shuttle is here, all thanks to the big flashing light above the console telling me. I'm so excited. Bye for now!"
I shut off my camera once more, and waved it away gently, watching it bounce gently off the wall as it floated slowly towards my sleeping chambers. I moved upwards into the remote docking bay, and seated myself at the controls. It was a difficult process, mainly because I not only had to guide the shuttle, but also control and check the alignment of the gate on the station as well. Lots of looking back and forth.
I leaned forward, the viewer covering over my eyes like a pair of blacked out swimming goggles. I watched the view from the shuttles cameras as it was actually floating straight towards the gate. For once, and probably the only time, EASA had launched a shuttle towards the space station at the perfect time and perfect angle. Huh. Had to give them credit for some things. I waited until the shuttle came within locking distance, and initiated the mechanism. Inch after inch, the shuttle slowly pulled into the gate, and the lock was complete.
Success. Learning and sweet sustenance was mine!
~~~
[Epsilon MSGSAT: Initiate]
Subject: kudos
Sender: StarryEyes647
"Hey you guys down there at EASA! Star Step here, with a report saying that your launch of the delivery shuttle has been received! And might I say, I have no clue if you did it on purpose or not, but you launched the shuttle perfectly. I didn't even have to adjust the angles for docking.
Many thanks,
Star Step."
[End Message. 8:16 PM-Nov 18th-1378]
~~~
I was grateful. I mean, even if I didn't get to have any personal communication, which I admit was lonely to a point, at least they sent me items and messages every once in a while.
I like it up here.
Its quiet. Nopony is partying.
I get all this space to myself. All this room to breathe the sweet air of the O2 talismans.
I'm still scared of leaving.
I don't like the noise.....