“Command, this is Alpha team…systems are in check and everything’s ready for launch.”
It still seems like only yesterday I heard those words; but before I start rambling…let me tell you about who I am, and what happened. My name is Techno, I and a group of eight other ponies have been sent up into space under the orders of Princess Luna herself. We are a team of three unicorns, three pegasi, and three earth ponies; we each have a different part on this ship. The three unicorns, me and two mares, handle the technical and the medical stuff (I worked alongside one of the mares); two of the Pegasi handled piloting the ship while the third was our captain. Finally, two of the earth ponies handled growing our food and the final was our second doctor.
Luna had given us specific orders, to explore the galaxy and report back to her when we could. We were to find planets and look for life; thankfully we were all trained in advanced firearm combat just in case. The Princess said we were the best qualified for these jobs, she said she had this idea years ago but…couldn’t find the right ponies…so, to make sure we didn’t have to be replaced…she basically gave us immortality. We experienced more than you can imagine out there, and saw things you wouldn’t even begin to imagine possible. Our ship was named The Eclipse, and she was the best ship anypony could ask for. Let me start from the beginning, and when I say the beginning…I mean the very first day, but not of our journeys in space…our first day of being called upon.
The day before I was called, I was sitting in class and taking a few notes. It was college at Canterlot University, and I had just turned 19 so, needless to say I wasn’t expecting much of anything to happen. I was studying to become a computer technician; I could fix or take apart a computer like it was nothing so, I felt it was my calling. Naturally, I didn’t feel quite as smart as everypony else in that class, but I still did pretty well; maybe it was because I didn’t want to get a big head and become a douche. Our professor was speaking about something pretty boring, not going to lie, but we heard a knock about halfway through the lecture. The door opened, and before my eyes, was Princess Luna herself! I stared wide-eyed as she entered into the classroom; I had heard the Princesses might visit a class from time to time but, I never thought I’d witness it. Even our professor was in shock as she entered the classroom, but who could blame him? She trotted in and looked around, a small smile on her face.
“Greetings, everypony,” she said in a regal, and echoing, voice. I was still in shock as she talked in her voice; thankfully it was pretty easy to hear her.
“You are probably wondering why I have come here, well,” her horn gave a bright glow, and all of a sudden I saw this weird looking suit appear.
“You see, we are in need of a technician for a…’trip’,” she said, laying the suit down. “Naturally, I will be taking requests for anypony who thinks they’re qualified; Please don’t be shy, anypony can apply.”
I looked around as the whole class quickly went down to apply; I, on the other hoof, decided to stay and sit. There was no way I would get in, what did I have that was special about me?
My thought process was cut-off by her voice again, “Excuse me, you in the back…brown mane, glasses…Why aren’t you applying?” I looked around, eyes resting on her as the thought of “Oh, sweet Celestia, I offended her…now I’m dead,” ran through my head. She trotted up to me, past the crowd, and stopped right in front of me. I was panicking, the Princess had come right up to me, and she could do anything and probably get away with it!
“Do you not want to apply? The position is available for anypony,” she said in a very calm voice. “Oh, uhm…your highness,” I managed to get out, “I…I would apply but, I don’t think I’ll get it is all…I think somepony else should get this privilege.” She looked me over, a small smile coming to her face as her horn gave a quick glow. “Come with me, I would like to conduct a little interview with you.”
My brain completely stopped working for a few seconds, not even joking…everything just shut down. “A-…okay…Princess…” I stood up, following her as everypony watched us leave. “Mister Techno, you seem to doubt yourself a lot,” She said, looking back at me; “but…how…I never told you my name?” She laughed a little, tapping her horn; “Magic, Mister Techno,” she said with a smile. “Oh, right right…I knew that,” I said, chuckling nervously as she lead me into a small room.
I looked around, taking a seat in one of the chairs; “So, Princess…what are…” my words were cut short as she started to scan me. I froze up and looked at the aura around me; it kind of tickled a little bit, to be honest. After a couple of seconds, she tapped her chin and started to write something down; “I think I have all I need…thank you, Mister Techno.” I looked around, tapping my fur and stomach in confusion, “That was…interesting?” She laughed, “Techno, I simply conducted my interview, your name has been put into the list of potential candidates.”
I was confused for a second, what exactly did she do? “You might want to get back to class; I think your professor is starting again.” My eyes widened, “Oh! Right, right, thank you for your time Princess; it was truly an honor,” I gave a quick bow, and ran back to class.
After class, I lay around my dorm and just thought…”What did she mean? What’s this trip thing? Who’s going to be chosen?” I sighed, looking up at my ceiling as I just continued thinking and thinking. “Heh…would be kind of cool to wear that suit thing…” I smiled, imagining myself in that suit and looking heroic and strong.
My fantasy was stopped, however, when I heard a knock at the door. I sighed, slowly opening the door with my magic; as luck would have it, thankfully, it was my best friend. “Coastal!” I said, already feeling a little better, “you have no idea how happy I am to see you.” He looked at me and laughed a little, “Well…glad you’re excited?” The green pegasi plopped down on my couch, “So, Techno, why are you so excited to see me?”
I thought about that question, “Could I tell him the Truth? He’s my best friend, but I don’t know if I should keep this a secret or not…” I sighed, “Oh…you know…just happy to see my bro, Coastal Shores, is all…boring day, need something to do with my bro.” I smiled through the lie, feeling terrible I had to lie to him. But, he believed it, so I was off the hook.
“Well, what do you want to do?” He asked, standing back up and stretching his wings. I scratched my chin, thinking for a few seconds, “Hmm…cake?” He chuckled a little at that, “Sure,” he said with a smile. I smiled also, a piece of cake sounded like just the thing right now. I stood up, popping my neck and spine, “Alright, but you’re paying,” I said with a smirk. “Oh, ha ha…I’m paying for my slice, and that’s it,” he said, returning the smirk. I chuckled, trotting out the door with him.
It was a nice day, kind of warm but with a cool breeze, a little cloudy but not too much to block the sun, was a really nice day. So we arrived at the nearest bakery, got a slice of cake each, and began eating. I couldn’t really enjoy the chocolate cake I had as much as I wanted to, I was so worried about what Princess Luna said and what she could have meant. “Hey, dude, everything alright?” Coastal said, having finished his cake already. “Whoa…think you could have eaten that any faster?” I said with a laugh. He looked at the clock, then back at me, “We’ve been here for about 10 minutes…you sure you’re okay?” He asked, getting a little worried.
I sighed, pushing my half eaten cake to the side, “Just…have a lot on my mind is all…lot of stuff happened…” I looked around, signaling him to follow me. He did, and we ended up behind the bakery; “Uhm…why are we behind the bakery?” He said in a confused voice.
“Look…you’re the only pony that I true enough to tell this secret to…” I sighed, and started telling him about what had happened today; I didn’t leave a single detail out, I told him everything. After I finished explain the events, he stared at me wide eyed; “Dude…” he said in a low voice, “that’s awesome!” He grinned at me, while I looked at him confused; “Wait, what?” I asked him. “You got to talk to, and meet Princess Luna…that’s something not everypony can say.”
I sat back, mauling over what he said. “You know…you might actually have a point…I got to talk to Princess Luna herself!” I smiled, I knew telling him would help. “You should feel lucky; you might be working for her one day.” My eyes widened at that thought, “I might be working for a Princess someday…” I shook my head, coming back to reality; “I went out of it again…didn’t I?”
Coastal laughed, nodding with a smile. “Yes, you did.” I chuckled a little, sighing, “I should be getting back to my dorm; I have a paper to write.” He nodded, “Alright, nice getting to see you again.” I smiled, giving him a quick hug; “Same, see you around, dude.” I waved and teleported back to my dorm room.
Once I arrived, all I could do was what I was doing before; sit on my bed and continue thinking about the events of today. The events ran through my mind again and again, and only one question stuck out among the others; “Why me? What’s special about me?” I sighed, looking at the clock for a couple seconds; thinking this much, and the events of today were making me tired. “Eh…I got nowhere to be for the rest of the day…” I said with a yawn, pulling the covers over myself and quickly falling asleep.
I awoke to a loud knocking at my door, which took me a while to full wake up and answer. I yawned, not even fully aware I was out of bed right now. “Hello…?” I said in a quiet, low voice. “Mr. Technological?” I heard a strong voice say before me, causing me to wake up a little.
I looked over, seeing that it was 2 in the morning. “Uhm…who’s there? You know it’s pretty late at night…” I looked over at the ponies at my door, seeing that 2 royal guards were standing in front of me. “Oh! Sorry, Sirs…what seems to be the problem?” They kept their serious expression, looking me dead in the eyes with a piercing gaze. “We need you to come with us; you have been summoned by the Princess.”
My eyes widened, had it not been so late I might have been able to recover quicker; but sadly, I stood for about 8 seconds, simply trying to wrap my mind around this fact. “Uhm…okay…why?” I asked with a slight yawn. “She didn’t give many details, other than to collect a Mr. Technological; aka, you…correct?” I rubbed my eyes, nodding a little; “Yea, that’s me…do I just…go with you guys?” The guards nodded, trotting down the hallway and looking back at me.
“Just follow us, and you’ll be fine.” I sighed, grabbing my phone and wallet, and followed the guards. I was tired, confused, and had no idea what was about to be set before me; guess I had no choice, my fate was pretty much set at this moment in time.