//------------------------------// // Episode 1: Pilot // Story: Star Trek: Equestria: Starfleet Academy Season 1 // by Captain_Cosmos //------------------------------// In the year 2152, the United Equis had launched it's first ship. Since that time it has developed warp drive technology, made first contact with alien species, and has joined the United Federation Of Planets. Now, in 2252, 100 years after the launch of the Equis, UE's first space craft, it's time for Equis to send its first cadets to Starfleet Academy on earth. On the planet Equuis, in the city of Canterlot, Princess celestia awaited the arrival of Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Moments later, she saw the nine ponies and spike gallop through the door. Twilight sparkle in the lead. "Princess Celestia, we got your message. What's the situation?" The gang stopped and bowed. Celestia smiled. "Rise my friends, there is no need for that." The gang rose. Celestia continued. "As to why I called you here. You all know that Equuis is now part of the Federation right?" Twilight nodded. "Of course, it's been a member for 15 years now." "And you all know about it's navy, Starfleet?" Sunset smiled and nodded. "Who doesn't know about the Federation's finest?" Everyone in the room giggled. Celestia continued again. "I have called you all here because I believe that the time has come for Starfleet to receive its first officers from Equuis." Starlight's eyes widened. "You want us to join Starfleet?" Rara arched an eyebrow. "Wait, wouldn't that mean we'd have to go through their academy? I heard that Starfleet had an academy that all who want to be officers have to go attend." Celestia nodded. "You heard correctly, it's a four year academy where you'll learn the skills needed to command a starship and explore the galaxy." "You mean we get to spend four years learning new things? Sweet!" The rest of the reactions were, more average, Rainbow had the most audible groan. "Oh come on, you're asking me to sit in class for another four years? I already went through grade school and wonderbolts academy. I'm not looking to spend another 4 years in school." Pinkie smiled and began hopping. "Come on dashie, it could be fun, we get to be with our friends, we get to go to another planet, and we get to make even more friends! Sign me up big time!" Everyone else voiced their agreement. Rainbow sighed. "Alright fine, I guess I'm in too. It would be cool to spend some time off world." Celestia smiled. "It is settled then. I shall send word to the academy and they should be here to pick you up in a week." The gang nodded. Applejack turned to her friends. "I reckon we all better split and say goodbye to anypony close to us. It'll be a while before we see them again." The others voiced their agreement. Lightyears away, at Starfleet Academy on earth, a girl in a cadet uniform was walking the halls of the academy, tapping away at her iPhone when her combadge sounded. "Cadet cosmos, report to commandant Forrest's office immediately. He wants to talk." The girl tensed up as she responded. "On my way." The girl immediately put her iPhone in her pocket as she immediately made for the commandant's office. Within moments, she arrived at the door and pressed the doorbell. In a second. "Enter." The door opened and the girl stepped in. Stopping at the desk and standing at attention. "Cadet Jessica Cosmos reporting as ordered sir." The man behind the desk smiled. "At ease cadet, have a seat." Jessica eased up and sat in one of the chairs across from Forrest. "I suppose you are wondering why I called you here?" Jessica nodded. "If I may be frank sir, I was wondering if I had done something against regulations." Forrest chuckled. "That's usually why a cadet is called here. However, that's not why I called you here. So you can relax." Jessica inwardly sighed in relief. Forrest continued. "I called you here to tell you that we are getting some new cadets." Jessica arched an eyebrow. "This far into the semester sir?" Forrest nodded. "This particular group hails from one of the more recently admitted member worlds of the Federation, The planet Equuis." Jessica's eyes widened. "The planet inhabited by evolved ponies?" Forrest nodded. "Indeed. I just had a meeting with their princess of the night. Princess Luna, and we agreed that it was time that Starfleet received its first pony officers." "Now that's surprising. Considering Princess Luna is one of only two ponies to have traveled this far from their solar system before, the other being the galactic explorer Daring Do. Having a group of them here will be interesting to say the least." "And it could be frightening for the group, which is why, I'd like you to be their guide. Show them around, help them adjust, things like that." "Me?" "I've been following your record here at the academy, and not only is you're academic record astounding, but you're ability to diffuse a situation and make people feel welcome is exactly why I chose you for this job. Think you're up for it?" Jessica smiled as she stood up. "Sir, I'd be honored to welcome our new cadets to the academy." Forrest smiled. "I know you won't let me down." Forrest stood up and picked up a PADD. "To help you out. I compiled a complete list of the ponies making up the new cadets and included a full profile of each. This should help you help them adjust." Jessica took the PADD and smiled. Nodding her head. "This should be very helpful, I'll look this over immediately." "You have a week to familiarize yourself with them. That shouldn't be too difficult right?" Jessica shook her head. "Not at all. And even if it were, I'm not gonna say no to making new friends." Forrest smiled. "Then I wish you luck cadet. Dismissed." Jessica saluted, then turned to leave. A couple hours later, Jessica was in her dorm, having plugged the PADD into her computer for better reading. "Alright. Let's see who's coming to the academy from pony land." She turned the screen on and started reading. Twilight sparkle. Species: pony Subspecies: alicorn Bio: Twilight is a kind of neurotic perfectionist who loves reading and almost always has her muzzle in a book. She is a born leader and an intelligent and dutiful scholar who sometimes gets in her own way. She is currently one of the most powerful alicorns on Equuis. Her specialties include levitation, teleportation, and forcefields. "A scholar huh? And one of her specialties is magical forcefields? That could come in handy for her away team. Next." Sunset Shimmer. Species: pony Subspecies: unicorn Bio: Sunset was the protege of Princess celestia herself before twilight sparkle. Under celestia's tutelage she became an immensely powerful unicorn, sharing most powerful unicorn with Starlight Glimmer. She too is a born leader with specialties similar to twilight. She has a dark past that she's always trying to atone for, with the help of her friends. "A reformed villain by the sound of it. This should be interesting." Jessica continued reading the ponies' profiles well into the night. Noting the wide range of diversity in this group. One week later Jessica speedwalked through the halls of the academy Friday morning. Normally she'd be headed to her first class, but commandant Forrest excused her from all her classes that day so she could spend as much time as she needed with Equuis gang to get them acquainted with the academy. it helped that she had the foresight to work ahead in her classes so she wouldn't fall behind. She entered a turbo lift and turned to face the door. "Shuttlebay." The door slid closed and the lift ascended. While waiting, Jessica lifted a small case she was carrying and opened it up, inside were 10 black cadet combadges that were cadet issue. Fresh from the replicator. "10 combadges. Check. Stick on version—" she flipped one of them over to make sure they had the sticky backing. "Check. Now to check in with uniform requisition." Jessica tapped her own combadge to signal uniform requisition just as the turbolift door opened to the shuttlebay. "Cadet cosmos to uniform requisition, mr. legington do you copy?" A voice came from her badge. "I copy Jessica. And again, you can just call me Harry." "Force of habit Harry, sorry. Anyway, our new cadets should be arriving any minute and we'll be headed straight to you. Are the new cadet uniforms ready yet?" "Yes they are, Thank god Forrest gave the new cadet's measurements, and only required them to where the top part of the uniform." "From what I'm told that's the norm on their world and Starfleet welcomes diversity." "That they do. Anyway, yes, 9 pony uniforms and one dragon uniform all done." Jessica saw the a shuttle landing. "Good, see you in a bit. They're here." Jessica cut the connection as she stopped in front of the landed shuttle. She stood as the rear hatch opened and the ramp extended. It was then that Jessica got her first in-person look at the new cadets, and it answered a few questions in her head. Not the least concerning housing. 'Well, that solves the problem of how they'll fit into the standard cadet quarters. They're just at belly level.' Jessica was brought out of her thoughts by the conversation she was hearing. "I still can't believe that a vessel this size can reach warp 6 speed, that's fast for a shuttle like this isn't it Twilight?" The pony Jessica recognized as Rara said to twilight. Twilight nodded. "Federation technology never ceases to amaze me. I mean, if a ship like this can reach warp factor 6, imagine what the larger ships can do." Jessica cleared her throat to cut in. "Right now, warp 6 is the fastest we can go." The ponies and dragon stopped and turned their heads to look up at the creature that just spoke. The one named twilight smiled and stepped forward. "Oh, you must be the cadet the pilot said would meet us here." Jessica nodded. "Yes. I'm cadet Jessica Cosmos, though you can just call me Jessica. On behalf of Starfleet and the United Federation Of Planets, I welcome you to Starfleet academy." The gang smiled as twilight spoke again. "Glad to meet you Jessica. I'm Twilight Sparkle and these are my friends..." Twilight pointed out each of her and they all voiced their greetings as they were pointed out. It was only then that Jessica noticed that one was missing. "...And finally, pinki...wait where's pinkie pie?" Everyone else noticed that the pink pony was gone. Jessica turned around to see if the pony was behind her anywhere, when she was hit with a blast of confetti coming out of nowhere, followed by the pink pony herself exclaiming. "Oh my gosh this is so exciting are you excited because I'm super duper excited this place is huge and full of so many potential new friends that I can't wait to meet Come on lets go!" Jessica stared as she saw the pink pony drop from the air and try to gallop off, only for a light blue aura to surround her and keep her still. "Pinkamena Diane Pie! What did I tell you about bombarding our new friends with your randomness as soon as you meet them?" Pinkie frowned. "But I wanted to throw a big welcome to Starfleet Academy party and invite everyone here." Rarity dragged pinkie back to the group. "I know darling, but first, we need to follow our guide today. Got it?" Pinkie nodded. "Good." Twilight turned back to Jessica, who only just then unfroze. "And That is pinkie pie, she's rather, unique." Jessica nodded. "I can see that. Anyway, it's nice to meet all of you. Again, welcome to Starfleet academy. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to get your new cadet uniforms." The Equuis gang nodded. "Lead the way Jessica." In uniform requisition, Harry Leginton was surrounded by 10 new cadet uniforms, all designed for the ponies that were cadets. "Starfleet's first Equuis cadets. This will certainly be interesting. I wonder how they'll adjust to life on earth?" At that moment, Harry saw Jessica and the Equuis gang enter his workshop. "Ah, if it isn't Jessica and the Equuis cadets. Welcome to my workshop. I'm Harry Leginton, you got any issues with you're uniform, I'm the guy to talk to." Jessica faced the Equuis gang. "Harry here is the best tailor in Starfleet. He's made all your uniforms and there is an incredible chance that they'll fit perfectly. He's just that good." Rarity eyed the uniforms and arched an eyebrow. "Darlings, are you sure these are our uniforms? Because surely Starfleet wouldn't clothe their cadets in something so drab?" Harry and Jessica sighed and shook their heads. "Yeah, we know, not the most fashionable things ever." "But it's Starfleet regulations. Which we can't do anything about." "But if it's any mood booster Rarity, they don't say anything about hairpins." Rarity's ears perked up slightly. "At least I can work with hairpins." Twilight nodded. "Well, you can work with hairpins later Rarity, for now, Jessica, Mr. Leginton, can you two help us get into uniform?" Jessica and Harry nodded. Jessica turned to Harry. "Harry, you designed these things, whose is whose?" "Match the colors of the stripes to their fur coats, and for the dragon, the smallest one." Spike eyed Harry. "The name is spike, and yeah yeah you don't need to point out the obvious, I'm small." Sunset patted spike on the head. "Don't worry spike, you're still our friend despite your size. Now, lets suit up." Each pony then grabbed hold of their respective uniform and began slipping them on. Jesica and Harry helped get wings through. Within moments, all 10 were in uniform. And Rarity had changed her mind. "You know, I take back what I said about these things looking drab, now that I've put one on. I'd say I look gorgeous." Everyone in the room smiled at Rarity's assessment. "You look stunning Rarity." Pinkie nodded. "Yeah Rares, you look like a secret agent in training." Jessica and Harry giggled. "I guess Starfleet cadet uniforms do give off that impression." "But, there's still one piece missing." Jessica opened the case she was carrying and set it down on the floor for the ponies and spike to see, inside, they saw ten rectangles with what they were told was the Starfleet delta on them. "Uh, What are these things?" Jessica picked one of the badges up. "These, are your Starfleet cadet combadges. They signify many things. What year you are in, what career path you're taking, but most importantly, they're your way of communicating with each other, and anyone else in the academy." Starlight arched an eyebrow. "Communicating with each other? You don't use letters for that?" Harry chuckled. "We did away with paper communication LONG ago. No, now, the standard form of communication is satellite transmission." Jessica nodded. "To activate the communication function, simply tap the device, say the name of the person/pony you want to talk to, and it'll automatically route you to them." The ponies and spike looked at each other. "Federation tech never ceases to amaze huh twi? I second that." Jessica smiled. "Yeah, when they distributed the new combadges I too was amazed. Now, lets get these on you and you'll officially be cadets." Jessica passed out the combadges, spike getting the smallest one. "They have a sticky backing so all you have to do is press it onto the left side of your chest and you're all set." The ponies nodded and stuck the badges where Jessica told them to stick them. Upon doing so, each badge lit up for a split second, then dimmed, indicating that all badges had been fully activated. Jessica and Harry smiled. "Ah, it's always so wonderful to see new combadges activate for the first time, in a way they kind of have their own story just like the cadet who wears it." Jessica nodded. "Just like every ship has its story, just look that the Enterprise. It's been on the front lines of history since the days of the first wooden sailing ships." Just then, a beeping sound came from Jessica's badge, loud enough that Fluttershy jumped. She started frantically looking around. "What was that? What made that sound?!" Jessica chuckled. "Calm down Fluttershy, it's just my combadge. It makes that sound whenever someone is calling me, it'll also make that sound for your guys' badges too." Jessica tapped her badge. "Cadet cosmos here." A voice came from the badge. "Cadet cosmos to commandant Forrest's office immediately, along with your tour group." "On our way. Cadet cosmos out." Jessica turned to the ponies and spike. "Come on guys, sounds like commandant Forrest wants to meet you." "Commandant Forrest? Who's he?" Harry answered "He's the man in charge of the academy. If you get into trouble, he's the guy you're gonna talk to, and probably get disinclined by." Fluttershy squeaked. "What did we do wrong? Did we break a rule without knowing it?" Jessica shook her head. "Unless pinkie pie seemingly breaking the laws of physics somehow got to him and that's not allowed, I'm guessing he just wants to meet you. Seeing as how you 10 are the first pony and dragon cadets." Twilight nodded. "So I'm guessing he has our class schedules, our dorm assignments, guidebooks, and other new cadet information." Jessica nodded. "That's probably it." Harry gestured towards the door. "Well then, you wouldn't want to keep commandant Forrest waiting now would you." Jessica nodded. "No we wouldn't. Come on guys," Commandant Forrest was skimming through multiple PADDs, making sure they were all loaded with the right information when he heard his bell ring. "Come." He looked up to see the door slide open to reveal Jessica along with 9 ponies and one dragon. He smiled and stood as they all filed in one by one. Jessica cleared her throat. "Commandant Forrest, allow me to introduce the new recruits..." she introduced and indicated everyone. "Cadets. This is commandant William T Forrest. Commandant in charge of Starfleet Academy." The ten new cadets snapped to attention and Twilight stepped forward. "On behalf of me and my friends, it's an honor to meet you commandant." Forrest nodded. "At ease cadets. I've heard a lot about you, welcome to Starfleet academy. I trust cadet cosmos is taking good care of you." The ten cadets eased up as spike nodded. "Yes sir, Jess—I mean, cadet cosmos, has been very helpful in our transition sir." Forrest eyed spike. "Son, I know you're new here and you've probably been taught how to address your higher ups, and I respect that. But, there's one thing you all should know about me. Unless you get sent to my office for poor conduct, I'm not one for formalities very often. Usually a salute and standing at attention until told otherwise is enough around me. Is that clear?" 11 people bellowed out. "Sir yes sir!" Forrest smiled. "Now, for the reason I called you all here. One, so I can lay my eyes on the new blood myself." Forrest picked up the PADDs from his desk. "And two, because I got you're New Cadet PADDs right here. You'll find your class schedules, room assignments, academy handbook, and a map of the academy. In case Cadet cosmos here neglects to give you the full tour today." Jessica shook her head. "Never sir, I know this academy like the back of my hand, I'll make sure they all know how to get around." Forrest let out a soft chuckle. "Good. Perhaps you'd like to get started on that tour immediately?" Applejack nodded. "I reckon a tour would be helpful sir. From what we've seen from the balcony upstairs, it's easy to lose needle in this haystack." Forrest chuckled. "Now there's an analogy I've never heard before." Jessica nodded. "I have a feeling there's a lot more where that came from sir. Cadet pinkie pie seems to have a unique gift for breaking physics." Forrest arched an eyebrow at pinkie. "Breaking physics?" Rarity cleared her throat. "Let's just say that pinkie here has a tendency to literally do the impossible. And when I say impossible, I mean by Equuis standards." Pinkie nodded. "Yeah. Like my pinkie sense for example, I can sense when something big is about to happen—" pinkie started shaking like crazy. Rarity's eyes widened. "Oh dear, it seems as though her sense has activated." Jessica and Forrest arched an eyebrow. "What does it mean?" Twilight studied pinkie for a second, then turned to Jessica and Forrest. "Well, this reaction means something big's about to happen. Though no one can be sure what exactly until it happens. But don't worry, more often then not it's completely harmless and pinke'll be fine." Forrest eyed twilight. "Are you certain it's not a medical issue that we need to worry about?" Twilight shook her head. "Nothing medical. Believe me, I triple checked. This is just how pinkie is. Random, unpredictable, and a serious party planner." Forrest and Jessica looked at each other. Jessica shrugged and Forrest turned his attention back to the ponies and spike. "Well, Uhm, ok then. As long as it's safe I guess I can trust you." Twilight nodded. "Don't worry, Rarity's gotten very good at handling pinkie's randomness. We shouldn't have any problems." Forrest nodded. "I'll hold you to that. Now. The tour. Cadet cosmos, might I suggest you hit the mess hall first? It's nearly lunch time." Jessica smiled and nodded. "That's a good idea sir, I admittedly overslept a little this morning and only had something quick and light for breakfast, and, the dorms are on the way, we could stop by there and drop off your luggage." Sunset smiled. "That would be nice. My back is getting kinda sore, haven't worn a saddle for this long in a while." Jessica nodded. "Then it's settled, dorms, then we all get something to eat." Everyone voiced their agreement. Forrest smiled. "Then you all are dismissed." The 11 cadets saluted. Then turned to leave. Forest suddenly remembered something. "Wait, cadet cosmos, a word?" Jessica turned back after nodding for everyone to wait out in the hall. In a few seconds, only Forrest and Jessica were in the office. "What is it sir?" "You know how you have one of the few dorms that have space for three cadets." Jessica nodded. "I admit I was a little taken back to learn that I had the dorm to myself, but admittedly it's been nice not having to deal with other roommates. You know how roommates are sometimes." Forrest nodded. "Yeah. But more often then not roommates become the best of friends." Jessica nodded, but arched an eyebrow. "Sir, Where are you going with this?" "I've assigned cadets Sparkle and spike to your dorm." Jessica's eyes widened. "What?! You assigned them to my dorm?" Forrest raised an eyebrow. "Is that a problem cadet?" Jessica realized what she might've sounded like and shook her head. "Oh, no, of course not sir, I'm happy to share it with them, it's just, permission to speak freely sir?" "Always." "I don't handle surprises very well often. I'm a planner, I plan things all the time, I set schedules, things like that. And I'm not the best at handling something not on my schedule. Usually I prefer more of an advanced warning. When did you decide to assign them to room with me?" "The other day. Would you have liked me to have told you then?" "Yes sir. I would've liked the warning. But again, I'm not against the idea. I'll gladly welcome them into my dorm." Forrest smiled. "Good. Because I expect you to act accordingly to your new roommates." Jessica nodded. "Yes sir." "Dismissed." Jessica saluted then turned to leave. She stepped out the door and quickly found the gang engaging in small talk a few feet from the door. "Ok guys, lets go find your dorms." The gang smiled and followed Jessica. The door opened and let Jessica and the Equuis gang into a hall with several doors on either side. "Alright guys. Now, you say that all your dorm assignments are on this floor?" Everyone except for twilight and spike nodded. "Yeah, plus, we're pairing up with our friends! This is amazing!" Twilight and spike frowned. "Maybe we should go back and see commandant Forrest again." "Because spike and I can't seem to find ours in our PADDs." Jessica arched an eyebrow. "Wait, you two mean your dorm assignments aren't loaded?" Spike handed his PADD to Jessica so she could look for herself. Much to Jessica's surprise, she couldn't find the dorm assignment. "Hm, now that's strange. I assumed he would've loaded it onto here with everyone else's." Twilight nodded. "Yeah. Jessica, do you know why he didn't with us?" Jessica shook her head. "Not definitively. But, it's not that much of a problem because I know exactly where you'll be staying." Twilight and spike perked up and smiled at Jessica. "You do?" "Where?" Jessica smiled. "You two are gonna be rooming with me in my dorm." Twilight and spike sighed in relief. "Oh, that's good, for a moment there, I thought commandant Forrest forgot about us." At that moment, pinkie seemingly exploded with confetti as she began bouncing off the walls. "That's it! That's what I was sensing! Twilight and spike are gonna a be rooming with our new bestest friend Jessica! This is so exciting! I've got to throw a party and invite everyone!" Rarity groaned and lit up he'd horn again, capturing pinkie in mid air with her magic. "Darling! There are other cadets on this level and they need not be disturbed by you! Am I really gonna have to keep you surrounded in my magic 24/7 while we're here?" Rarity turned to Jessica. "Please excuse pinkie Jessica. She gets overly excited way to easily." Jessica chuckled. "It's fine Rarity, truth be told, I'm very interested in seeing what kind of party pinkie pie can throw." Applejack chuckled. "Her parties are legendary on Equuis. She knows just how to make a pony feel welcome." Jessica nodded. "I don't doubt that. Anyway, how about we drop off the luggage then head down to the mess hall." "That sounds good Jessica. I'm starving." "Right. Come on everypony. Let's unload, then see what this place uses it's Apples for. I could go for a good apple pie right about now." The others voiced their agreement. Jessica smiled. "Sounds like we already know what we're ordering. Let's do it. Twilight, spike, follow me." In the mess hall, a boy sat down with his meal at a table with fellow cadets. "Hey Luke, hamburger again? Don't you eat anything else?" Luke smiled. "Yes, but for lunch? Hamburgers every day." A cadet chuckled. "How does your sister put up with you? She's a vegetarian right?" "To each their own. Just because we're twins doesn't mean we need to have the same eating habits." Luke took a bite out of his burger hummed a satisfied noice. "Replicated hamburgers, there's literally no better food in the galaxy." Just then, from behind him, he heard his dear sister's voice. "2 large apple pies cut in fifths And a veggie burger." Luke arched an eyebrow at that because he never heard Jessica order 2 pies and a veggie burger at once. He turned his head and saw his answer. Jessica was with a group of ponies and one dragon in cadet uniforms. His mind raced as he remember his sister's job today. Luke smiled as he watched them go to a table and sit down. Luke turned back to his own table. "Hey guys, I'm gonna go sit with my sister and the new cadets." His friends all arched an eyebrow. "You mean the animals from Equuis? Don't you think a pony as a cadet is a little strange Luke?" Luke's smile faltered. "What do you mean? It isn't any weirder then any other alien at the academy." "But no other alien we know of walks on 4 legs, and has access to the supernatural." "You mean magic." His friends cringed at that. "Luke, don't call it magic." Luke eyed his friends. "Ok, I'm getting the vibe that you don't think ponies belong here." "Because they don't, they belong in stables and on farms, not sitting in class in a cadet uniform, with a dragon that can breath fire and burn us all alive." Luke picked up his tray and stood up. "You haven't even met them yet. From what Jessica told me the dragon has his fire breathing under control. I'll see you guys later." Luke walked off towards his sister and her new friends. As he got closer he heard the lavender pony say in an excited voice. "Not even a day here and we've already learned so much, I mean, turbolifts, combadges, PADDs And now the replicators? If every day is this packed with new things to learn, I might be in Elysium!" Luke chuckled as he spoke up as he approached. "I should think today would be informative for you guys. Seeing as how Jessica pretty much is an encyclopedia of whose who and what's what around here." Jessica turned her head to the new voice and smiled. "Luke, perfect timing, I'd like you to meet our newest recruits." Jessica turned to the ponies and spike. "Everyone, this is Luke. Luke, these are new cadets spike, twilight sparkle..." Jessica sounded off each of the ponies names for Luke. "And pinkie pie." Luke smiled and held out a hand to shake with all of them. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. It's always nice to see some new faces around here." Jessica scooted over a notch to make room for Luke to sit next to her while pinkie was smiling. "Hiya Luke. Isn't this place awesome? So many new friends to make. Do you want to be friends? Because I'll totally be your friend!" Pinkie would've leaned in closer to luke, but was held back by Rarity, Luke smiled and nodded. "I'll never say no to making a new friend. So, yeah, of course I'll be friends with you Pinkie." Rarity nodded as she took a bite of pie. "So, Jessica, how long have you known Luke?" Jessica and Luke smiled. "Well, I was born 10 minutes ahead of Luke so I've known him since the ten minute mark of my life." "Jessica and I are twin siblings. The cosmic duet." "For good reason too. Because we were rarely seen out in public without each other when we were younger. We were, and still are, inseparable." "Up top." Jessica and Luke fistbumbed. Twilight smiled. "You two seem to have a deep connection." "We're best sibling friends forever. Always have been, always will be." Twilight nodded. "I'm glad you two have such a wonderful connection. On Equuis, family's one of the most important things in the world. I think we can all say we have a deep bond with our siblings." Nods went around the table. "Yeah. Thank goodness spike's firemail has an unlimited range. Otherwise we wouldn't have any contact with our families while we're here." Jessica and Luke raised an eyebrow. "Firemail?" Twilight nodded. "Spike has the ability to send letters via magical ashes that will go to the other end of the link, Princess celestia." Jessica nodded. "Yeah, I've heard about one of the ruling princesses of Equuis, from what I've read she controls the sun in your star system right?" Everyone nodded. Luke rubbed his chin. "You know, I've always wanted to visit a planet like Equuis, imagine what I could learn there." Jessica giggled. "Luke here is studying to be a science officer. He wants to explain the science of Equuis magic." Luke gained a determined look on his face. "There's Nothing That can't be explained. Magic is no exception. And now that you're here, I can further that research. If you're willing of course, I won't force any of you to help me." Sunset and Starlight giggled. "Oh, you aren't the first one to set that goal Luke. I once knew a girl in another dimension that tried the exact same thing. But she never could, even with my help." Luke smiled determinately. "Challenge accepted!" Jessica couldn't help but laugh. "Oh great, now you've done it. Now there's NO deterring Luke from his goal of explaining magic." Everyone else joined in the laughter. Spike in particular. "Oh, I know the feeling Jessica. Sometimes it's impossible to convince twilight to stop working." Rara chuckled as she nudged Applejack. "Try getting Applejack to stop working on the farm sometime. Even when she has a broken leg she refuses to sit still." Applejack smiled sheepishly. "I can't help it, it's just who I am." Everyone at the table stopped chuckling after a solid minute. "But. I think we all have that little fire in us that refuses to be put out. That's the kind of attitude Starfleet wants in its officers." "Definitely. So, I'm glad to see you all have that in you." Rainbow nodded. "Hey, on Equuis, we faced evil that would make anyone else flee for their lives. You bet we'll never surrender. Right guys?" Everyone nodded. "Right." Jessica chuckled. "Good. Because you'll need that attitude this weekend. Since you all started here late, commandant Forrest has asked me to get you up to speed." Twilight smiled. "You mean we're gonna spend this weekend studying? Awesome!" Rainbow frowned. "Wait, we're studying all weekend? Awe man! I was planning on performing this planet's very first sonic rainboom this weekend!" Luke sighed. "Sorry Rainbow Dash. But if you want to succeed here you can't be behind." Applejack nodded. "He's got a point sugarcube. If we don't do this now, we'll be completely lost later on." Jessica nodded. "That's right. You do not want to be behind around here. Especially during the exam period. Failure just isn't an option." Rainbow sighed. "Fine." Jessica gave her a smile. "But we can worry about that tomorrow. Today we can just relax and have some fun. After this, we can go see the rest of the Academy. The botanical gardens are a favorite throughout the academy." Fluttershy perked up at this. "Ooh, I'd like to go there. Do they have cute little critters there?" Jessica nodded. "Mhm. And the gardens are open 24/7, so you can go there whenever you want." Fluttershy smiled at that. "Can that be our first stop?" Jessica thought for a moment, bringing up the academy map in her mind. After a few seconds, she smiled. "Sure." She turned to Luke. "Hey Luke, you don't have classes the rest of the day right?" Luke nodded. "Right." "Care to join us?" Luke smiled and nodded. "Sure. After all, even you can't keep an eye on 10 fresh cadets on your own. Always good to have a fresh pair of eyes to make sure no one gets lost." Jessica playfully jabbed Luke in the ribs. "Hey, I have the eyes of a hawk, no one, big or small, escapes my sight when I don't want them to." Sunset noticed somepony missing from their table. "Hey where's pinkie?" Jessica's eyes widened as she realized they were missing pinkie. "What the, how did she slip away from us?" Rarity groaned. "Grah, I swear, I'm gonna have to keep her in my magic 24/7 if she keeps up this disappearing act!" Luke had an idea. "Well, fortunately you all have your combadges, meaning we can call her." Jessica nodded and tapped her combadge. "Jessica to pinkie pie. Pinkie, do you copy?" It took a minute, but Pinkie's voice came through. "Pinkie here. Wow, it's like your voice is inside my head Jessica." Rarity directed her gaze at Jessica's badge and nearly shouted. "Pinkie! Where did you go?!" "Exploring silly, I was finished with my pie and couldn't wait anymore. So I decided to get up and see what there is to see." Jessica rubbed her forehead in slight frustration. "Pinkie, were you not listening when we said that this place was massive and it was easy to get lost in?" "I was gone when you said that." Rarity groaned. "Ok, pinkie, stop right where you are and don't move from that spot, we're on our way, and please don't go off again unless you know where you're going." "Jessica and Rarity out." The connection was cut as Jessica pulled her phone from her pocket. "Thank goodness for my combadge tracker app. Just need to enter pinkie's name and..." the screen showed a map of the academy and a pink dot blinked on, on the opposite side of the map relative to their position. Everyone looked at the map and arched an eyebrow. "She's on the other side of the academy? How the heck did she get there so fast?" Rarity sighed. "When it comes to pinkie, I find it best not to question her seemingly uncanny ability to ignore physics." Luke arched an eyebrow. "Ignore physics?" Jessica nodded. "She can make confetti appear out of nowhere and she can seemingly fly without wings, if what I saw in the shuttle bay was any indication." Luke just stared at Jessica for a moment before responding. "Ok then." Rarity got up from her seat. "So, who wants to go rescue pinkie?" Everyone voiced their acknowledgement. Jessica's mind was racing. 'So, we got four unicorns, one of whom's my roommate, 2 Pegasi, a dragon, my second roommate, and 4 wingless and hornless ponies, one of which can break the laws of physics whenever and wherever she wants. Yep, there's no way things will get wacky on a weekly basis.’ A sigh escaped Jessica as she came to a conclusion. "Well, they said There wasn't a dull moment in Starfleet. Then again, I didn't join for its dullness. If I can't handle a little Equuis magic. Then clearly I should resign." She heard twilight chuckle. "Don't worry Jessica, we'll try to keep the weirdness to a minimum. And Rarity'll keep pinkie in check." Jessica nodded. "Speaking of that pink crazy pony, lets go see where she ended up." Jessica and twilight got up out of their seats and caught up with the rest of the group. In a small house in the state of New York, a happy couple was having dinner when their computer sounded. "Message from Jessica and Luke cosmos at Starfleet academy." The couple smiled. "The weekly message." “About time, They're late." The woman tapped the screen and they heard their children's voices. "Hey mom, dad, it's me and Luke." "Hey mom, dad." "Sorry we're a little late on the message. We have a lot to tell you." "And we started recording this late because we were busy today." "Luke, wanna tell them about You're week first?" "Nah, ladies first." "I went first last week. And we agreed to take turns." "Alright fine." They noticed that the message cut. "There, now you guys can hear me without the noice going on in Jessica's room, she'll explain when she gets this recorder. Anyway, my week was good. Classes were good. Got an A+ on my first astrophysics exam. Gotta love having a genius twin sister whose always willing to help. Anyway, besides that, my week was pretty average. Right up until this afternoon when I met some new cadets. I won't steal Jessica's thunder because the new cadets are actually her assignment from the commandant of the academy himself and I'm sure she'll tell you all about it. What I will tell you, is that the new cadets are great and I'm looking forward to a great year with them. Anywho, gotta get this message recorder to Jessica. Darn these limited storage capacities. Anyway, I miss ya guys and I'll see ya when you visit in a few months. Love ya." The couple smiled as they heard their daughter's voice through the computer. "Hey guys, it's Jessica. My week was good. Great even because guess what, commandant Forrest himself asked me to welcome a group of new cadets to the academy. Can you believe that? But that's not all, these cadets are from Equuis, the planet inhabited by ponies and dragons with human level sentience. Oh, it's always a thrill when a new cadet trickles into the academy, but 10 cadets from a world where no cadets previously came from? My excitement over learning all about them and their planet is through the roof. And what's even better still, I have 2 of them as roommates. Twilight sparkle and spike. Twilight's a girl pony and spike is a dragon. Don't worry, spike's got his fire breathing under his complete control and he's actually a sweet dragon once you get to know him, which is what I've been doing since we got back from a tour of the academy. Twilight, spike and I have been having a get to know you're roommates session. Anyway, the rest of the new cadets seem pretty cool. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them more often. I mean, once Luke and I help them get up to speed in their classes. Which pretty much steals our whole weekend but we're not complaining. Anyway, I'm running out of storage so I better wrap this up. Luke and I are doing great, we miss you and we can't wait for your visit in a few months. We'll make sure to introduce you to the Equuis cadets then. Anyway, I love you and will send another message next Friday. Take care of yourselves." The message cut out. Leaving a smile on the couple's faces. "Well, sounds like they're doing good." "And it's awesome that they made new friends." "Yeah. Yeah it is." The couple smiled at the thought. Happy that their children were doing alright, and made new friends. To be continued.