//------------------------------//
// Launch 
// Story: Mission: Astro 
// by Robert Emerald Fountain 
//------------------------------//

To make sure neither Flurry nor any of the Young Six would get sick during their mission, they were quarantined a week in advance. Once they were suited up and breathing filtered air, they boarded a helicopter that took them to the launchpad, which was constructed on a massive barge in the North Luna Ocean. They took an elevator up to the hatch on the shuttle they would use to reach the Alicorn in space. Prior to entering the white-room, they walked down a bridge with hundreds of citizens clapping and seeing them off on their voyage. Among them were Luna and Celestia. 

Once the crew members were strapped in their seats, the hatch was buttoned up and the countdown started.

“T-Minus 15 seconds and counting.”, said Flurry.

“Fifteen.”, said Yona.

“Fourteen.”, said Gallus.

“Thirteen.”, said Smolder.

“Twelve.”, said Ocellus.

“Eleven.”, said Silverstream.

“Ten.”, said Sandbar.

“Nine.”, said Flurry.

“Eight.”, said Gallus.

“Seven.”, said Yona.

“Six.”, said Ocellus.

“Ignition sequence start.”, said Smolder as the fuel began spewing from the engines.

“Five”, said Sandbar.

“Four.”, said Silverstream.

“Three.”, said Ocellus.

“Two.”, said Gallus.

“One.”, said Yona.

“IGNITION!”, yelled Flurry.

A loud roar and a harsh shake broke through the air as the fuel was ignited and the shuttle began moving upward. Seconds later, the rocket had cleared the tower and was flying higher into the sky. Five minutes after takeoff, the shuttle was on its way to dock on the space station so the crew could board the Alicorn. Fifteen minutes later, the shuttle was docked and the crew began moving over to their ship. After the crew had boarded the Alicorn, they took off their space suits and got into their seats on the bridge.

“Canterlot, this is Flurry Heart. We are setting off on Mission Astro.”, said Flurry as the Alicorn left its hangar on the space station.

“Copy that, Flurry. Godspeed, and good luck.”, replied Twilight.

Silverstream and Ocellus set the destination coordinates for Ludus, which was the closest planet and then the crew went into stasis after the warp drive had kicked in.