Chapter 1
“Welcome aboard the UNS Reficere, one of the most prestigious repair ships in the whole orbital navy! Our crew is well know for its hardworking demeanor and intelligent minds. Our job is to repair Planetcrackers, destroyers, and the many other kinds of ships in Equus’ orbital navy.”
Starburst was one of the many ponies onboard the repair ship Reficere. However, while the others were enthusiastic to be cruising the stars, meeting interesting crews, and chowing down on local interplanetary cuisine, Starburst was a different case. Starburst was not a mechanic, nor a scientist, or an adventure, she was a security guard; a reluctant one at that. Her dream was to be a royal guard back home on Equus. Unfortunately, family matters had pushed her into the stars.
Despite her unfortunate circumstances, Starburst vowed to join the Royal Guard, as soon as she could. If it meant working on a repair ship for a short time, then she would work. This did not mean she gave up on her dreams, as she continued to train for the Royal Guard onboard her space bound home. Often times using impromptu training gear, like she was now in the ships laboratory section.
“I appreciate you teaching me all of this, but really, what am I ever going to use this for in the Royal Guard?” Starburst sighed, tired of fiddling with Eclipse’s technology.
Eclipse, a dear friend of Starburst's smirked knowingly. “I’ll tell you what. If you can finish repairing this one servomechanism, I’ll let you use it for your training.”
Starburst's ears darted up as she looked at Eclipse in surprise, but the words came out easily enough:
“Deal.”
Eclipse slid a toolbox full of gadgets to Starburst, who started rifling through the tools, searching for the proper instruments that would lead her onward to her goal.
“I find all of this technology very interesting. The way it works with other modules, the elegance of it all…” Eclipse rambled as he stared at the surrounding mechanics. “It’s breathtaking.”
Starburst quickly found herself being covered in grease from fixing the servomechanism, something that Starburst was less than thrilled about, But she would manage, she was a Royal Guard after all.
“Still, it’s not as beautiful as being back home, on Eden." Starburst countered "You can’t deny that you miss it."
Eclipse turned around. “Of course I miss it. We all grew up there, it’s only natural to want to go back.”
“Then why didn’t you stay? At least you weren’t forced up here.” She strained as she tightened some bolts with a wrench.
“I know you’re still a little sour about not being able to get into the Royal Guard, but trust me, this is much more exciting!” Eclipse encouraged.
“How?!” Starburst spat.
“Why just sit around a throne room, waiting for disaster to strike when you can run to disaster?” Eclipse grinned wide.
Starburst groaned as she set down the wrench on the cold metal floor. She wiped her greasy hooves on a nearby cloth.
“I’d rather have stayed in Equestria with my family.”
"Meh, I say that this does you some good. You never know, maybe you'll find something up here?"
Starburst stared daggers at her friend, sliding back under the device to take another shot at the servo.
“I will say, though, I’m impressed you got here. Repair ships have surprisingly strict prerequisites to join.” Eclipse said.
“Pfft, please. Getting in here was a joke. “ Starburst said nonchalantly
Eclipse rolled his eyes. “Maybe for you.”
The device that Starburst was under started to sputter and spark. Its motors hummed as it repositioned its barrels to face straight up.
“It works! You did it!” Eclipse said as he watched the security turret boot up.
Starburst started to laugh. “Now I get to use it for my training!”
Eclipse’s smile quickly turned into a frown.
“Star, please. I could get fired. You could get really hurt…”
“A promise is a promise, Poindexter.”
Eclipse sighed and lowered his head. “Alright, you know the rules.”
Starburst jumped down into the pit often used for containing specimen, in place were many red mannequins and shelves scattered about simulating cover. The turret was lowered into a position that would give it sweeping access to look around the entire area.
She grinned as she stretched her wings and legs in preparation. “Neutralize all of the mannequins, and dodge the turret’s fire, all before time runs out, got it.”
Eclipse approached the turret that Starburst had fixed and placed his hoof over a lever on its right side.
“Three… Two… One…”
He flipped the lever and quickly trotted behind it, ducking under a shelf.
The turret sparked and slowly booted up, turning its guns to face Starburst, who got ready to run from the fire.
She hid behind one of the dolls, which got its face blown off by the onslaught of magic. The turret took a few seconds to spin its barrel and reload. In the short amount of time she had, Starburst ran over to one of the desks and grabbed a tool before retreating behind another target.
Her breathing felt awfully heavy, and her mind was fuzzy with the edges of panic. Controlling her breathing Starburst was capable of regaining control of herself.
The turret shot through the target’s torso, dangerously close to Star’s wings. She let out a gentle shriek as the pulled them in closer to avoid fire.
'I am a Royal Guard! I am a Royal Guard! I can do this!' Starburst repeated the mantra in her head as she readied herself.
As the turret once again reloaded, Star jumped out and threw the tool at its guns, which bent the barrel.
Star didn’t move away when the turret finished recharging. The crooked gun caused the bullets to hit the shelf next to her. The shelf’s legs bent and caused the entire thing to fall over onto another mannequin. Star slowly trotted over to the final target, not worrying about the dysfunctional turret. She knocked down the target and shouted for Eclipse to turn it off.
Eclipse got out from under the desk and flipped the lever again, checking his watch.
“You’re two seconds away from your record. Sorry.”
Starburst shook her head. “I don’t know what’s been with me lately. Usually, I could do this with my eyes closed.”
The shook-up scientist looked around the room at all the damage. “I’ll tell you one thing. If you keep taking this long, there might not even be a room for you to practice in anymore.”
“It’ll all be worth it, once I’m in the Royal Guard…”
Eclipse looked at his friend and trotted down the stairs to go console her.
“Hey, you did great. I don’t know why the Guard didn’t want you, but I do know that you are a great security guard for this ship. Be proud of that.”
Star took a deep breath. “Thanks, that does make me feel slightly better. But I don't think ill be looking to make a career out of guarding ships."
A crackle of static came through the P.A. system followed by a synthetic mares voice who wasted no time in relaying message.
“The time is 11:00 ante meridiem Equestrian time. Our destination, the UNS Merrychippus is point five parsecs away. Expected time of arrival… Two hours. Have a nice day.”
“Well, it’s time for my lunch.” Star leaned in to give Eclipse a hug. Looking around she noticed the amount of damage she caused to the pit. “Sorry about your lab.” she added sheepishly.
“Oh, it’s alright. Nothing a little bit of plaster and duct tape can’t fix. You worry about your training.” Eclipse stated friendlily.
Starburst nodded, and took off to fly out the door, waving goodbye to her friend.