Log 1 Date Summer 56, Year 1045 of Celestia’s reign:
The screen turns on, showing the Commander, flicking several switches. She has a determined face, and is focusing on her job intensely.
“This is commander Airheart, reporting into Com center. All of the systems are online.” Airheart looks at a screen, her face scowling, "C'mon, hold on. Just one more mission, and you will retire." A slight pause occurs, as the other two crew members overhear her talk to the ship, and give her strange looks. She smiles at them, and continues her work.
A voice interrupts Airheart in her pre-flight check, “Commander, I’ve checked everything and this bird is ready to fly.”
Airheart frowns at the camera, and turns her attention to the former Wonderbolt and co-pilot, “Do you remember last time you said that everything was ready Fleetfoot? The microwave exploded, and got food all over my mane!” At that point, Airheart was yelling at Fleetfoot. "I know you aren't good with tech, and I don't know what got you kicked out of the Wonderbolts, but this is serious business! Are you sure you checked?"
Fleetfoot looks away for a moment, looking at a screen, "I'm sorry if I'm not taking this serious... It's just that this is my first time up there... I wanted today to be special. After the Wonderbolts, I didn't have anything... I saw this as my second chance. Not for the fame, but to fly. I may have traded my wings for yours, but I still want my first time in the sky to be special. I wanted this day to go perfectly."
Airheart sighs, "I know, but I want this done right. After all, just passing the pre-flight check doesn't get us into space. We need to actually get there. If our systems don't check out, who knows what will happen? Don't worry though, I will make your first time in space amazing. I'll show you things that will blow the Wonderbolts out of the water. Why do you think I never went to their shows?"
A different, somewhat indifferent voice can be heard over the speaker system, “This is Command Center, do you read us?”
North Pole rushes for the microphone and begins talking to Com using a posh accent gained from Canterlot, “This is North Pole, Horseton. We read you. Can we get this started though? I’ve got a really bad tingling feeling… I may become sick soon if we don’t launch. It may be from dietary issues. The food here was never as good as it was in Canterlot. Besides, couldn't we get a bigger shuttle or something. I mean I know you said we can't bring much up with us, but I don't have all my luggage! Besides, the other two won't mind if I use up their space, I'm certain!”
Both Airheart and Fleetfoot groan at and grab the mic, “Com, this is Commander Airheart and Co-pilot Fleetfoot. We have finished pre-flight checks, and are ready to launch.”
The two turn their attention to the unicorn and Airheart holds back the fuming Fleetfoot before speaking to North Pole, "Look, I know you want to bring your 'essentials' but... we didn't bring much either. Besides, it leaves more room for souvenirs!"
Fleetfoot's frown flips into a smile, "Souvenirs? Wow... now I'll really have a story to tell when we get back!" She begins to smile like a madman as she thinks about what North Pole had said.
Fleetfoot takes the microphone and adds one last note, “Are you sure about today? After all, I think some of you down there know what happens when North eats too many burritos. We may have to cancel and call in a chemical leak!” Fleetfoot begins laughing and rolling around in her chair.
North Pole gives Fleetfoot a dirty look. Airheart watches and smiles at the two, “You know Fleetfoot… this is just your first time up right? If the mission cancels, we may not have enough finding for a co-pilot anymore… and they need me to pilot this old mare…” Airheart thinks for a moment, I can't believe I missed that! You win again this round Fleetfoot...
Fleetfoot’s expression dies almost instantly as she quickly turns on the microphone, “Hey, on that note of cancelling the mission… I retract that. Everything is all good up here! No need to evacuate Nose Plug over here!” North Pole gives Fleetfoot another dirty look before resuming checking the scientific equipment.
The crew waits silently for a response, “This is Com. The mission is still a go. However,” The crew’s expression grows worrisome, “in case of mission failure pre-launch, we do have a chemical crew nearby for containment of all of North Pole’s chemical leaks.” The sound of laughter continues over the speakers. Airheart begins to chuckle, while Fleetfoot is practically roaring out of laughter. North Pole ignores the comment, attempting to salvage what dignity he had left. He couldn't contain it, and begins scowling at Fleetfoot, wanting to give her a piece of his mind.
Fleetfoot calms down enough “Oh, I almost busted a rib there!” She calms down further, and looks at the scowl that North Pole is giving her.
North begins his lecture, “I say! I was making a comment about not feeling well. You should be ashamed of yourself. I could be in serious danger!”
Com responds, “North Pole; we completed a physiology test, and you came out with extremely good health. It would be impossible for you have gotten sick. Also, strap yourselves in, and prepare for launch. The mission is a go.” A humming noise turns off in the background and Com speaks again, "Alright we aren't live for now due to 'technical difficulties'. Project Black Sun is a go. Once you have completed primary objectives, resume with the regular mission. Luna is counting on you. Equestria is counting on you. Don't fail. North Pole, this will be your time to shine, make sure that equipment stays active. If we lose that, you might not be able to finish the mission." The humming turns back on shortly after Com finished their final breifing, and the crew members calm themselves for the show.
Airheart says, “Roger Com, mission is a go. This isn’t a hot air balloon ride fillies! Strap yourselves in!” The crew members put on their helmets and strap themselves into their chairs. They touch a small button on a part of the helmet near their left ears to turn on in-suit communication.
“Commander Airheart, checking coms.”
“Lieutenant Fleetfoot, checking coms.”
“North Pole, checking communications. Wait, why don’t I get a title?”
“This is Com. Prepare for liftoff.”
The shuttle begins to shake, and a large humming noise begins to permeate the cockpit as the engines flare to life. A large booming voice begins countdown
Fleetfoot turns her head towards Airheart, “Hey Commander… I have to pee.”
Airheart groans over communications at the same time as North Pole. Airheart turns her head towards Fleetfoot for a moment as if to address her, when the engines begin burning fuel, and the shuttle rockets upwards and she quickly locks her head in forward position. The shuttle shakes, and the pilot and co-pilot can vaguely hear the screams of North Pole.
The noise continues for what seems like forever, as the sky darkens. Eventually, the noise of the engines fade, and communications between Com resume, “This is Com. How do you read?”
Fleetfoot takes the moment to interject, “Whooooo! That was amazing! Was it like this your first time Airheart? The Wonderbolts never did anything like this!”
Before Airheart could respond, North cuts in, “Well, I don’t think I ever want to do that again. Ugh, I’m surprised I’m not bleeding out the ears. That was almost worse than that newfangled music. Honestly, I don't remember why I signed up for this.”
Airheart, with a frown on her face responds to Fleetfoot’s question, “No. My first ‘flight’ if you could call it that was an explosion. It took out my crew. I was late, because I slept in, and they decided to start without me.” She smiles, and a tear falls down her face, “My first time up here however, was amazing. But you haven’t seen anything yet.” Airheart turns off the connection to Com, “We can stay out of stasis for the first teleport, and you will see something most ponies only see at night.”
Fleetfoot looks at Airheart, sadness on every feature of her face, "So you lost all your friends? All of them? I'm guessing we are the replacements... After all, they told me that there was a chance I could get it, but I wasn't anywhere near the top of the list. I guess this is why they let me in... I'm so sorry for you..."
North Pole looks warily at the walls around him, "So, when you said that the shuttle exploded... We could still explode? As in... right now?"
Airheart looks solemnly for a moment at the screen, "Yes." She begins to smile, thinking, I may have lost them, but I may have just gained a couple new friends. I will do everything in my power to keep them alive!. "Well, with my piloting skills, and with Fleetfoot's help, we'll make it out safely."
North Pole smiles, "Well, it seems somepony has more confidence than the average Canterlotite."
The communication system switches back on and Com begins to speak, “Hey up there! We lost you for a second, must have been some unexpected interference. Nothing happened right? Well, you are reading this so you didn't blow up. That's good news. Well, the first teleport is coming up, and well, good luck out there. From this point on, it will be mostly one way communication, since you will be traveling faster than we can send the signal!”
Airheart speaks up and says, “Any last words everypony? It will be dark from here on out.”
Fleetfoot quickly turns on her microphone, “Hey Com! Can you tell Soarin and everypony else that I’m flyin’ higher and faster than that newbie they replaced me with? Her and that rainbow can’t fly up here now can they?”
A few seconds pass before Com responds, “Roger Lieutenant Fleetfoot, we will inform the Wonderbolts. Prepare for the first teleport. We are now going dark.”
North Star turns on his microphone, “Wait? What about me? How could you imbeciles start without asking what I want to say?”
Airheart says, “You’ll get your chance to say what you need by the time we get back.”
North Star frowns, “No I won’t. I needed to say it before we left… I’ll never be forgiven.”
Airheart replies, “Well, it’s too late now. You can tell me later, and they may get it in one of the early logs if we are lucky. They might even pass it on!”
A strange shimmering begins to form over the viewports. Once it covers the shuttle, it disappears in a flash of light.
Automatic log end due to large magical or anomalous interference.