//------------------------------//
// T-2 weeks 
// Story: Maiden Voyage 
// by Reviewfilly 
//------------------------------//

The Lux Aeterna stood finished in the Central Canterlot Dry Docks after nearly two years of construction. It was the biggest airship ever created by Equestrian engineers. Even though it was docked as deep as possible, its bowsprit poked out from the building. No expenses were spared for the creation of this wondrous craft after all, including heavy-duty crystal lamps placed all across its tan envelope, enchanted by powerful unicorn magic to be able to pierce the darkest of nights. Standing on the gangway and staring down the giant, Celestia nodded approvingly, allowing unashamed smiles of pride on the muzzles of a few nearby supervisors.

The craft’s financing had taken considerable budget cuts and Celestia was certain the backlash would be hers to bear later, but so long as the plan worked, everything would be fine. In total the project gave work to over two thousand ponies of all three races. Earth ponies providing raw strength to transport and weld materials, pegasi serving as the logistical backbone for delivering wares and tools all over the gigantic frame of the ship, and finally unicorns pouring weeks’ worth of magic into crystal batteries that would power the rotors of the vehicle.

Everything about the operation had gone smoothly. Everything, except the time-frame. The Griffon King made it clear that if Celestia wished to parley, then he would not wait for more than a year, and even unofficial back-channel concessions could hardly bring him to wait another. Though she didn’t want to admit it even to herself, war was on their doorstep and everypony was feeling it. The end of construction swept over not only the brigades, but all of Canterlot as a sigh of relief.

Yet this was not the end of their woes. Not even a week passed and a letter was placed in front of the princess, in which the king demanded the airship’s immediate departure towards the Griffonlands. Posturing, likely, Celestia thought, or perhaps he’s simply anxious to see just what we are capable of. Either way, the message was clear: There would be no more extensions, no more cordial letters, and no more patience. Equestria was to send her minister of war posthaste either on hooves to receive the declaration or on the Lux Aeterna to sue for more favourable terms.

“Are you certain it is safe enough to fly?” Celestia turned to chief-engineer, Heavy Wrench.

The addressed pony wiped her brow with a dirty rag before throwing her soot-covered green hoof into a salute. “Absolutely positive, Your Highness. We worked tirelessly day and night to make sure everything was as safe as possible. The chance of catastrophic structural collapse, ehm, that is to say to crash is one in a million,” she said with a beaming smile.

Celestia nodded. “Good, I myself intend to lead the diplomatic party.” As she expected, the earth pony immediately began to silently stammer and mutter. This is where the truth would rear its ugly head. “Is there a problem, my little pony?”

“Your Highness, the craft has not been tested, I cannot guarantee your safety!” she protested loudly.

“You said ‘one in a million’.”

“Well yes, but...”

“That means it would take extremely unusual circumstances for anything terrible to happen, correct? You made sure of it during construction, didn’t you?”

“Yes, Highness, still...”

“Well, then I hope accommodating me will not interfere much with upholding that promise.”

“As you wish, Your Highness,” Wrench relented.

Celestia sensed she still needed something to butter up the deal so that Wrench didn’t feel so apprehensive right up until the journey was underway. She draped a wing over her little pony, using the other to sweep over the hull of the ship in front of them. “I’m certain your name will be known for generations to come if we pull this off. I certainly shan’t forget it anytime soon,” she added with a wink.

That did it. Wrench positively shone from pride and happiness. “Thank you so much, Your Highness! You’re too kind! I’ll go and, uh, make some final preparations now!” she added quickly before excusing herself and rushing off... only not towards the ship, but rather the crews’ quarters. Celestia just smirked. She supposed Wrench had plenty to talk about with the others.