//------------------------------//
// Ponynaut Dossier: Spitfire 
// Story: Ad Astra Per Derpy Aspera 
// by SparklingTwilight 
//------------------------------//

Applicant Dossier #002: Spitfire

"Spitfire, ma'am." The orange mare grinned and stood at attention.

"Canterlot born and reared, ma'am."

"I was Captain of the Wonderbolts for over a decade. Fourth-longest tenure. Glad to have hoofed it over to Rainbow Dash, though."

"No, I didn't hoof it over because I was, as you incorrectly assert, ma'am: 'tired and done.' I kept up training after retirement. I hoofed it over because Dash earned it and I had an opportunity to win the Pegasusitarod."

"The Pegasusitarod is an endurance race across extreme environments. Teams of three use orientation techniques to grab pre-arranged checkpoint flags. We perform aerial acrobatic challenges and we drag massive quantities of equipment over harsh terrain and past gusty fjords and peaks to replicate Mage Meadowbrook, Somnambula, and Flash Magnus's historic delivery of necessary medical supplies to an isolated village.

"I could have done it as a Wonderbolt. In fact, I did do it as a Wonderbolt, and we fielded a couple of teams. But, this is something ponies don't win unless they train for it specially. At least, unless their leader trains for it specially. Last time, I ran it with myself, another retired 'bolt--Fleetfoot, and Soarin."

"Sure it was tough to do without an earth pony taking Meadowbrook's part. I took that part. Pulled the darned thing twenty one miles. See this scar."

"Ow!" Spitfire jerked away, then snorted at the interviewer.

"Not a problem. Wore a pack over it last week for training. Just didn't expect you to squeeze. Next question."

"And after my team won it, did I regret leaving the Wonderbolts? Yes. Tartarus yes, ma'am. Not going to deny it. But I took a month off, then joined the Appleloosan weather fighting team and wrangled fire tornadoes, haboobs, desert monsoons, and more. I kept my plot in the game--sorry, my hide in the flying game. And I trained the new Wonderbolt recruits and the Reserves as coach emeritus."

"Don't need to watch my bucking language? But this is a matter of public record. Don't want young ponies thinking a former Captain of the Wonderbolts supports potty mouths, Ma'am."

"If a pony in charge lets minor infractions go... ignores minor transgressions and deficiencies, then it's more like that greater infractions will be missed. Then, an accident might happen. And some pony under that Captain's watch might end up laid up in a full body wing and hoof cast drinking through a straw."

"The training I conduct does not get in the way of Captain Rainbow Dash. She takes a hooves-off approach. Rather, she focuses on individual training in the field. I work on theory and general lesson plans. Dash doesn't like being behind a desk, but she's a darn good coach one-on-one, and she had great ideas about performances."

"Parents?"

"Father died three years ago. Mother's in an old pony's home."

"Other dependents?"

"None."

"Relatives?"

"Got a cousin, Sunburst. Don't talk much. He's a bookish type. And a unicorn. Don't have problems with unicorns. I just usually am in the sky."

"Earth ponies? They're fine."

"Never been married."

"Had a few lovers. Strictly mares. Not seeing anypony now."

"Pegasi and earth ponies. One unicorn. Didn't like how unicorns use it, at least that one. I'm sure that not all unicorns are obsessed with using it that way. And one crystal pony pegasus during the Equestrian Games in the Crystal Empire.

"You awarded that location? Neat. A well run event! It had many challenging new courses nopony had ever seen before."

"I like frolicking with earth ponies because of their strength and straightforwardness. Didn't have one on my Pegasuitarod because it would have been too distracting. All those days bivouacking together without anything happening? I'm disciplined but I needed to focus all my energy on the immediate prize. Time enough for fun after hours. No, I'm not winking at you."

"Opinions on orgies? You coming on to me? No. Fine. It wouldn't be professional at this moment."

"Understood."

"You're right. I didn't answer the question. Sharp, ma'am, sharp. This is about our fitness for the space program, though. I don't see how it's necessary to answer."

"Fine. The question's because you don't want me to be influenced by foreign influences. I realize there are rumors of griffon spies. I'll tell you this in simple terms. I've never coupled with any nonpony and although other creatures are fine as friends, they aren't ponies. I don't feel anything saucy around them."

"I suppose it's difficult to feel saucy around creatures that I don't spend a lot of time with, sure. Maybe my opinion might be different if I had more exposure. But I went to flight school with some griffins and their smell--" 

"Sure, if I was profligate, somepony could honeypot me and pass on information to griffons. You want me to sign an agreement to not fool around while I'm a candidate? Fine. I'm a professional."

"Glad that's taken care of. What's next?"

"No offspring. Mares only, ma'am."

"I am aware of the options. No adopted or surrogate or whatever. Don't like foals. They're fine for other ponies but I'll be happy enough to have calm every night and drink nice cool tall mixed strawberry energy drinks."

"That was a funny quip, ma'am. Seems like we have some common opinions. After this program's over if you wanna drink and know each other socially, I'll take you up on it."

"Fears?"

"Nothing."

"Fine. Enclosed spaces. Don't like them."

"But space is about as wide open as it can get."

"I can keep to a straight line, follow orders. I'll get to a planet and back without any deviations."

"Helmets? This one and this one from your chart. Yes--none of the others. I wear padding, but nothing that restricts my eyes--save tight goggles. We call these two crash-pads. Got to see where I'm going. A full field view. Never been a fan of Pegasopolitan Empire's helms. I prefer Pharoahonic or Spartan accoutrements."




Spitfire's record was supplemented by her awards, achievements in the Wonderbolts, her rescue flyer commendations, weather fighter evaluations, Pegasusitarod medal, and of course her excellent flight school grades.

There was also a psychologist's report, appended after the interview. She was not cleared to enter small spaces. She'd been tested and although she performed, her physical tests had been in the danger zone. Her heartbeat--elevated. She'd been covered with sweat and had been breathing ragged breaths. And the test had only lasted an hour. 

But Mrs. Harshwhinny liked watching Spitfire fly. It was a minor discrepancy from procedure, but Harshwhinny justified passing her by adding a note about "spunk and inherent experience." Spitfire was the Wonderbolts former Captain. She had the Right Stuff on her resume. The Program could use her experience. From a governmental point of view, it was also efficient. With a retired Spitfire on board, they wouldn't need to poach another active Wonderbolt into the program... or risk a self-proclaimed hotshot weather pony somehow squeezing in. Mrs. Harshwhinny had nothing against weather ponies, she told herself. Lots of Wonderbolts started there. But, Mrs. Harshwhinny's face soured, weather ponies weren't used to speed. So, when the rockets roared, they probably were going to fail. Wonderbolts were all about speed. And speed was what the government decided was best for the Program's success. Follow the requirements, fill out the right forms, and everything would be fine.

Harshwinny later noted in red, somewhat hypocritically, but she worked hard to justify the exception: "Not Cleared for space operations or rescues. Continue to test with the supplemental oxygen helmet? May overcome her difficulties given time."

Cleared for project Marred Mare.