Six months after the expedition had been approved Poppy found herself on a train just outside Portmareland. The Crystal Palace had already been loaded with most of the supplies needed for the expedition and was now waiting for her arrival and the specimen jars that she carried in her luggage.
As the train pulled into the station Poppy could see the great clock tower that had become the symbol of the city. The tower was famous throughout Equestria for its Go By Rail sign on two of its faces and its clock on the other sides. The letters were large and brightly lit so much so that one could see them for miles around.
The journey had taken the better part of two days to travel from the Crystal Empire to Portmareland. Luckily for Poppy the society had paid for a private cabin with a bed and shower.
The ride was mostly pleasant except for the noise that came from the neighboring cabin. That cabin Poppy had discovered contained a family with some rather rambunctious foals. The little fillies seemed to never sleep since they had bordered with their mother at the Vanhoover train station on the first day. The noise had kept Poppy awake and so as she stepped onto the platform of the Portmareland Union Station, she had to suppress a rather loud yawn with her hoof.
Stepping off the platform and into the station Poppy could not help but marvel at the station interior. The walls were covered in beautiful mosaics depicting the history of the northwestern coast of Equestira. Looking around Poppy found many ponies also admiring the station interior including the massive grand dome that made up the ceiling. The dome was painted white with many delicately carved flowers. Poppy recognized the design as that of prenationalization railway. There were examples of this design throughout Equestria.
A few pegasi were hovering around the ceiling taking photos of the flowers and Poppy had to smile as she noticed a family hovering off to one side. The parents were trying to photograph their clearly bored foal who was not willing to sit still. He began flying loops around the ceiling as his exhausted mother and father tried once more to get him to be still. After a few more tries to get the little colt to stop the parents seemed to finally give up. The mother sighing before putting her camera back into the saddle bags she had strapped to her back.
After taking the time to take in the stations beautiful interior Poppy trotted up to an info sign. After a moment Poppy found where the baggage claim was located.
The baggage claim area was a rather small cordoned off area to the right of the main waiting room. It lacked much of the design that the main portion of the station had.
The line to the counter wound around several stanchions that had been placed to keep the line in order. The counter had three windows, two of which had signs that read Go to the Next Window Please. Poppy grumbled to herself about the lack of service with the rail system.
The stallion at the only open baggage claim window seemed haggard as the line to his window continued to grow longer. Despite what seemed to be his haggard demeaner he was rather smartly dressed in his equestrian rail uniform. The uniform itself consisted of a neatly pressed vest and under shirt which was tucked into his plaid trousers.
The stallion at the window greeted each pony as they approached to collect their luggage. The stallions smile seemingly fading with each customer. Poppy began to feel bag for the poor guy.
Poppy had took her spot in line just a few paces behind a pegasus who was hovering just above the ground. The pegasus seemed jittery with her wings flapping at a fast pace that seemed unnecessary to keep her only a few inches above the ground.
After a few minutes it was Poppys turn to collect her bags. Poppy hoofed over her claims ticket that she had received from the stallion's counterpart in the Crystal Empire. The stallion accepted the ticket before trotting off to collect her bags. When the guard returned Poppy double checked the claims ticket before taking the bags.
With her bags now in tow Poppy trotted over to a bench in the main waiting area. Both of her bags were marked as fragile and with the bags having spent two days in the baggage car on board the train Poppy was concerned that something may have been damaged. Opening each of the bags she checked their contents for any signs of damage. Hoofing through everything it appeared that nothing had been damaged so, with that Poppy rezipped the bags.
Trotting out of the station Poppy found several cabs already waiting for fares. Approaching the first cab Poppy noticed the name on the side of the cart. Radio Cab was printed in black letters on top of a checkered pattern. Poppy had heard of the cab company before. They had made national headlines for being the first company to use unicorn magic to help the dispatchers to talk directly with the cabbies. The idea had made them one of the largest cab companies in Portlmareland.
The cab was being pulled by a well-built unicorn. His uniform included a beige shirt with a white hat that had the same checkered black checkered pattern that his cab did. The uniform was slightly worn around the sides and his fur was matted and dirty at his haunches where the dirt of the streets clumped to him.
As Poppy approached, he greeted her with a friendly smile. Using his magic, the cabbie unhooked himself from the cart before trotting around to the back of the cab and opening the luggage compartment. He then came back over to where Poppy was waiting on the curb. As he came up to her, he tipped his hat giving her a friendly greeting. The cabbie then levitated her luggage in the air placing each one into the rear compartment. He then guided Poppy to the passenger door. Using his magic again he unlatched the door before offering his slightly dirty hoof out to help Poppy into the cab. Poppy took his hoof, only wincing a little as she felt the grime rub off on her own hoof. Once inside the cab she settled into the seat folding her legs under her barrel. Once settled the cabbie closed the door before going back around to the reins. His horn lighting as he levitated the reins back into place.
“Where to Miss?” He mumbled around the bit in his mouth.
“Naval Point Portmareland please.” She answered.
The cabbie nodded before pulling away from the curb and into the busy street.
The city of Portmareland was built up along the Willamette and Columbia rivers. The area's abundance of fertile land and access to a large river had allowed industries to thrive here.
As the cab made its way along the cobblestone street the industries of the port started to come into view. Most of the port was dedicated to the city's many industries but just past a large drydock was the city's naval station.
Looking out the cabs windows Poppy watched as the sails of the great ships of the Equestrain Navy appeared. The larger sailing ships were inspiring works of modern Equestiran engineering and were the backbone of the Equestrian fleet.
The entrance to the Crystal Navies moorings was a bit smaller than that of the main entrance of the Equestrian Navy but it was unmistakable which entrance was theirs with the massive sails of the Crystal Palace lurking just beyond the gates.
As the cab came to a stop just before the gates Poppy thought about the fact that most ponies in Equestria did not know that there were two navies that served Equestria. One that served Equestria as a whole while the other served the Crystal Princess and the empire. The crown jewel of the Crystal Navy is the R.E.S Crystal Palace. The ship was well armed with its 38 guns and a massive, embroidered sail with the Princesses cutie mark. The vessel served as both the personal pleasure craft of the princess and her family and as one of the main ships of the line for the Crystal Navy. The Crystal Palaces main mission normally would be to protect the trade routes of the empire from pirates that plagued the seas around northern Equestia.
The ship's long time captain was the infamous Captain Compass himself. He had served with great distinction during the Storm King invasion leading the Crystal Fleet with its contingent of Crystal guards and pegusi on daring defense of the port of Vanhoover. The fleet had been outnumbered and out maneuvered by the Storm Kings airships, but the captain had managed to defend the city without a single civilian being killed. After the battle he had become a hero of the Crystal Empire, but the princess had kept him out of the limelight due to his proclivities with mares. His proclivities had become so well known that he had once been accused of rutting the princess herself. Now of coarse Poppy knew that this was not true, but it had not helped the captain's reputation. The Princess had once told Poppy that the reason she had never fired the captain was that for the good of the kingdom we must put up with him.
The cabbie helped Poppy unload her bags before turning and heading off.
Poppy watched him for a moment before picking up her luggage. With luggage in tow Poppy trotted up to the ports guard post.
The guard house was staffed by two stallions. The first of the guards, a broad stallion with a sheriff's badge as his cutie mark came out of the small security building. Holding up his hoof as she trotted up to the bar that blocked the entrance. The second guard came up behind the first watching with suspicion in his eyes.
Poppy had delt with the Royal Guard for years so took no offence by the guard's suspicion. Poppy watched the second guard as the first began to ask her questions. The second guard had placed his hoof on his holster that was positioned around the lower part of his barrel.
“What is your business here Miss?” The first guard asked.
“I have orders to report to Captain Compass of the Crystal Palace.” She responded.
“I will need to see your orders Miss” He replied.
Looking through her bags Poppy found her papers. She hoofed the document to the guard. The stallion examined the orders, eying them closely. Poppy was about to comment that the orders had the official seal of the crystal princess herself, but then a shout from the deck of the Crystal Palance drew everyponies attention.
“Let her through.” The captain hollered from where he was standing on the ship's main deck.
The two guards turned and saluted the captain before moving to the side. The broad guard gave Poppy a curt nod as she trotted by.
The gangplank leading up to the ship's main deck was steep. By the time Poppy managed to climb up to the main deck she was starting to get winded and was breathing heavily. The captain stood where she had seen him from shore expect now, he was smiling at her.
“Mrs. Poppy it's been a while. It’s nice to see you again”. He said, greeting her with a quick bow.
“You as well Captain.” She replied.
The captain was dressed in his uniform although from the look of it he had not been taking very good care of it. His normally well-kept features were just a bit ragged, and he looked like he had not slept for days.
“Is everything alright captain you look not quite yourself.” She asked.
“Yes, I am fine. It's just been quite a bit of work preparing for this expedition and I guess I have not gotten a lot of sleep.”
With that answer the captain seemed to almost drift off right there in front of her.
“Captain. Are you sure you're alright?”
It took the captain a moment before he shook his head. “Yes, I am fine.” He replied.
“Sorry Mrs. Poppy let me show you to your cabin.” He said as he gestured towards the entrance to the gun deck.
Poppy followed the captain into the spacious interior of the ship where the cannons were kept. As the two trotted trough the deck Poppy looked around at the crew ponies going about their duties. Most of the crew were not wearing uniforms and those that did were covered in black stain from the gun powder. The captain continued to guide Poppy to a set of stairs at the stern of the ship. The stairs led down to the berth deck. This deck was much more enclosed featuring a long hallway with doors on either side. The captain stopped in front of a door waiting as Poppy took in the surroundings. Once she had joined him, he opened the door revealing a small stateroom. The cabin was well furnished with a large bed covered with pillows. In the corner of the cabin was a work desk with the Crystal Heart etched into the wood on each leg.
“This will be your cabin for the duration of the Expedition. I hope that it will be suitable?” Poppy nodded at the captain.
“If you need anything just howler for me.” He said.
With that the captain turned to leave but not before giving Poppy a quick flick of his tail. Poppy rolled her eyes before thinking this was going to be a long trip.
With Captain Compass gone Poppy turned back towards her saddle bags and luggage. She removed her notebook and expedition journal. She then reached for her quill and ink and began her first log entry.
Day 1
The crew is making final preparations before we get underway. Captain Compass is his usual flirty egotistical self. I can’t believe Princess Candence agreed to let her flagship be used for this expedition. I hope to have lots to report once we reach the island.
The moon was setting when Captain Compass came by Poppy's cabin again. She heard his knock on the cabin door.
“Come in.” Poppy answered.
The captain opened the door.
Poppy turned from her journal to where he was standing. He was dressed much nicer than when she had seen him earlier. He now had on his dress uniform and was quite the site to see. His mane was nicely combed off to one side and he wore his naval cutlass that hung from a clip on his side.
Poppy thought it was like he was a completely different stallion than the one she had seen that morning. Poppy's eyes roamed over his appearance, and she could not help but notice just how handsome he looked. Her muzzle started to feel just a bit warm. The captain must have noticed because he gave her a sly smile before saying “I hope you like what you see.” This only caused Poppy's face to blush even more. Luckly for her the captain was done teasing her for now, obviously getting the reaction he had wanted.
“Mrs. Poppy, I would be honored to escort you to the princess suite where the other officers are waiting for us so we can toast to our successful voyage.” Poppy had been on enough of these voyagers to know that this get to gather was a tradition in the Crystal Navy. Poppy followed the captain to the princess's suite where she found the other officers were already sharing drinks. The two of them took their spots around the table in the center of the room. With everypony now present, the officers and Poppy took their seats. The officers continued chatting as the captain used his magic to levitate a large bottle of Wild Pegasus from a cabinet that was along the room's exterior bulkhead. Using his magic to pour each of those gathered a shot from the bottle. The captain was the first to raise his glass as he proposed the traditional blessing. The rest of the officers followed his lead, each raising their glasses as well before bowing their heads.
Clearing his throat, the captain began to speak, his voice reverberating against the ship's bulkhead.
“To all those gathered here today and those that accompany us on this voyage to the unknown I ask this blessing. Crystal Heart that keeps us safe at home I ask that you extend your protection to my passengers and crew as we journey in the name of our princess to face places unknown. If we are to fail on this journey in our princess's name, please take this blessing to hearth and heart so that our families know that we are safe in your protection and await the moment that we get to feel their warm embrace again.”
For a moment every pony was quiet. Each regarding their drinks in solemn contemplation. This too was tradition Poppy knew and as she regarded her own drink she thought of home and of Well Kept.
The captain was the first to drink his shot and the rest followed. With all the shots finished each pony placed their glasses on a shelf along the bulkhead. Each glass was placed with the open side down. With the blessing over the captain turned to the officer next to him who Poppy recognized as the ship's first officer. Leaning over, he whispered something into the first officer's ear. The officer saluted and trotted out of the cabin. The remaining officers stayed finishing off the bottle of Wild Pegasus. Just as the officers finished off the bottle a few stewards trotted into the cabin, each carrying a silver platter. The stewards placed the trays in front of each of the officers.
The captain's platter was the first to have its lid removed revealing a meal of roasted fresh vegetables and a side of hay fries.
The smell was wonderful, and Poppy wasted no time sampling a few of the roasted carrots. The carrots were wonderfully seasoned, and the flavor was marvelous. The stewards came back around again, this time bearing several bottles of champagne.
The festivities continued for some time before the group began to disperse. Poppy was one of the last ponies to leave and head back to their cabin. The walk back to her cabin was more challenging than she remembered early with the alcohol starting to catch up with her. By the time she made it back to her stateroom the Wild Pegasus was hitting her hard.
The motions of the ship only made her lack of balance worse. A hard wave hit the side of the ship knocking Poppy onto her mattress. Now lying in bed, Poppy just decided to blow out her lantern and go to sleep.
As dawn broke on the second day Poppy awoke to waves crashing against the sides of the ship. In her cabin Poppy could feel her stomach trying to evacuate yesterday's dinner. The soft cushions had helped her sleep, but her stomach hated the rough seas, and the hangover didn't help. The night had been spent mostly tossing and turning. She hated these long sea voyages, but it was part of her job and most of those in her department had families that kept them from going.
Turning to look at the small clock on the writing desk, Poppy noticed the time. The clock displayed 12:00 pm.
Poppy decided she should try and get out of bed. With an audible grumble Poppy pulled herself up. For a moment her visions blurred as her headache increased with the motion. Poppy held her head with a hoof as the pain slowly faded to the back of her head.
Finally managing to get out of bed Poppy peered at her reflection in the small gold inlayed hoof mirror that sat on her writing desk. The reflection revealed that her mane and tail were all out of place with strands of loose fur tangled up around her forehead. She also noticed that she had developed bags under her eyes from the lack of restful sleep. As Poppy proceeded to try and brush her fur a large wave rocked the ship. Groaning loudly again Poppy quickly dropped her brush and leaned over her cabins small trash can. For a moment she thought she was going to lose her dinner, but the sea settled and with it so did her stomach. The rocking had still left her head in agony.
“Oh, Celestia, my head hurts.” She groaned into the empty room.
Poppy decided that it was not worth trying to continue combing out her fur, especially when she was on a ship full of dirty sailors who could care less what she looked like. So, with her fur as is Poppy decided to try and make it to the ship's galley to find something to help settle her upset stomach.
The hallway outside her cabin was deserted with just the swaying lanterns lighting her way down the swaying hallway. Her head swayed with the motions of the rocking deck below her hooves.
Princesses she felt bad.
Trying her best to keep balanced Poppy made her way to the galley.
In the ship's galley, Poppy found the first officer going over some papers and sipping at a mug of what she only could assume must be coffee.
Poppy grabbed herself a mug off the counter. Looking around she found a freshly brewed pot of tea. Placing her mug down she proceeded to pour herself a piping hot cup of what turned out to be earl gray. Once her mug was sufficiently filled with the life giving liquid Poppy grabbed her mug and trotted over to where the commander was busily going over his papers.
“May I join you?” She asked.
He looked up at her before nodding and clearing away some of his papers. With a small space cleared the commander gestured for her to sit. Poppy took the offered seat placing her mug down on the table before sitting herself. For a moment the two ponies sat in silence. The commander continued not to pay her much mind and for the moment she was okay with that instead focusing on her tea. The vapors were helping to clear her foggy head. As head began to clear somewhat Poppy idly looked over some of the commander's papers.
“So, what's all this commander.....?” Poppy paused midsentence for a moment, realizing she did not know the commander's name.
“Sorry commander I don’t think I know your name yet.”
The commander without taking his eyes off his work replied, "My name is True North.
“Nice to meet you, Commander North.” She Replied giving him her best smile despite the hangover. The commander did not reply, opting instead to nod.
“So, what is with all these papers commander?” Her curiosity peaking as she read over one of the documents she had picked up. Poppy read the document's title.
Equestrian Intelligence Agency.
Request for ship movement analysis
The document included map references and information regarding ship moment before and after attacks on civilian vessels.
“What ships is this document talking about?” Poppy asked as she picked up another paper, this one with the Seal of the Crystal Empire at the top.
The commander stopped reading, setting the document he had down on the table. Sighing, the commander rubbed his temple with a hoof.
Poppy for the first time noticed how tired the commander looked reflecting her own mood at that moment although she doubted his tiredness was due to to much drinking.
“Mrs. Poppy the ships this document refers to are pirate ships that have been harassing merchant vessels up and down the coast.”
Poppy had heard in the news about the attacks and that the princess had sent the fleet to help around the small coastal nation of Dear Hollow. She realized that was about all she knew about the incidents. The commander noticed that Poppy seemed to have a look of confusion on her face.
Signing again he continued.
“Their what’s left of the Storm Kings forces after he was defeated by the Princess and the other element barers. Now please Mrs. Poppy I need to finish going over these reports.”
With that silence fell over the two ponies. For an officer he sure was no gentalcolt as his attitude seemed very rude but Poppy figured it probably had something to do with the fact, he would rather be fighting pirates than escorting her on an expedition to look at flowers.
Poppy eventually, not wanting to bother the commander any further finished her tea. Leaving the commander to his work. Getting up Poppy dropped off her dirty mug at the galley sink before trotting back to her cabin.
Back in her cabin Poppy took a seat at the writing desk deciding to try and keep her mind off the still lingering hangover by updating her journal.
Journal entry day 2:
The E.S Crystal Palace is still a few days from the first of the new uncharted island that we plan on exploring. I shouldn’t have had so much Wild Pegasus last night as my head is throbbing with a sever hangover. I don’t understand how the commander isn't also suffering.
The crew is already preparing for our first landing by getting the supplies ready for the expedition.
As evening fell Poppy found her hangover fading. Using the time in her cabin to prepare her own away bag with all the necessary equipment. She was just going over her small first aid kit when there was a knock on her cabin door.
“Come In” Poppy shouted.
The captain opened the door with his magic. Stepping into the cabin he eyed her on the floor. A small mess of supplies was scattered around her. The captain seemed to pay this no mind as he spoke to her.
“Mrs. Poppy, I wanted to apologize for Commander Compasses attitude. He told me what he had said to you and he feel bad that a member of my crew would treat a lady in such a manner.”
“It's ok. I know he didn’t mean anything by it. He probably hates having to escort me to an island to look at plants.
He smiled at her and nodded his head. “You would be right about that. He feels that with the fleet stretched so thin dealing with this pirate threat that the princess should have canceled this expedition of yours. On top of that he had just heard that a friend of his a unicorn name of... Oh, what was her name. Oh yes. Main Sail was her name. Anyway, she was killed in an accident on the EQS Royal Crown.”
“I understand.” She said, giving the captain a genuine smile.
“Anyway, I just wanted to explain and apologize besides it got me in your room.” He said smirking at her. Poppy smiled before throwing her pillow at him. The pillow made contact with his muzzle with a muted ooof. As the pillow fell away it revealed a big grin on his face.
“So you want to play” The Captain said his voice becoming a bit huskier.
“Oh, for Lunas stary ass Captain did you really need to shake that ass of your in my face.” He chuckled loudly as he left the room the sounds of his chuckle echoing down the ship's wooden interior. Once the captain was gone Poppy closed and locked the cabin door before continuing to go through her go bag. Once Poppy had finished and stowed her bag for the next day she took a seat in front of the mirror. Grabbing her comb Poppy decided she felt well enough to concentrate on her combing through her mane and tail. With her mane brushed she blew out the cabin's only lantern and laid down in her bed pulling the cover up before trying to fall asleep.