//------------------------------//
// Heading for the Launch Pad 
// Story: Equestria Trek: Where No-one has gone before 
// by Robert Emerald Fountain 
//------------------------------//

April 17, 2047

Fourteen individuals from Equestria and the lands beyond were waiting patiently for when the train would arrive to take them to a shuttle launch facility. They had applied to be the crew of the E.S.S. Harmony. During the meeting to form the interstellar exploration project, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor were given the offer to be involved, but they declined it because they had to concentrate on their royal duties. When asked if Flurry Heart could be a part of the project, Cadance said yes. Starlight and the Main Six had been involved with the Astro missions at different times, and the Young Six had either been involved as well, or had been in training for space travel. It was 2:00 AM, so everyone was extremely sleepy.

"I think I can hear the train coming.", Silverstream said as she woke up to a slight rumbling noise in the distance.

Everyone looked in the direction of the noise and saw pinpricks of light from the train's headlamps. They got up from their seats and grabbed their luggage. When the train stopped, they immediately began boarding and the doors closed once everyone was situated. The train shot into motion, going 250 MPH they reached the launch facility two days later at dawn. They were led to their quarters where their space suits were hung ready for them. The launch was three days later, so they had time to go through any training they still needed.

Roles in the crew were as follows:
Twilight Sparkle -- Captain
Rainbow Dash -- First Officer
Fluttershy -- Doctor
Rarity -- Archives
Pinkie Pie -- Cook
Applejack -- Cook #2
Starlight Glimmer -- Lieutenant
Flurry Heart -- Engineering
Sandbar -- Weapons Maintenance
Smolder -- Transporters
Yona -- Shuttle Maintenance
Gallus -- Tactical
Ocellus -- Nurse
Silverstream -- Analysis of any finds

The shuttle was already in position on the pad, and ready to take off. It was not fueled yet because that was considered dangerous.