Pony Space: Blackened

“Welcome to the USG Cruzer, Sergeant, uhh. What was your name again?” The registration clerk said to me.

I replied in my usual stern voice, “Ex- Sergeant. My name's Nuclear Strike.”

He looked at me with a puzzled expression, Perhaps due to me being ex- military. A lot of ponies were surprised that I quit the service so quickly, after rising in the ranks. I knew why I did it, but I kept my reasons close to me.

The registration clerk spoke again, “Ah, Strike, Well, here's your ID Badge. There's a store over there, so you can, uhh, get equipped.”

I took the badge and trotted to the store. I never really got friendly looks from anypony, considering my stature and general demeanor towards others. I was viewed mostly as bitter, with a hint of resentment in my voice. I didn't make friends well.

The reason I was aboard the Cruzer, was to serve as a Utility Engineer. It was the only work I could get after leaving S.C.A.F., considering my qualifications.

The store's monitor flipped open and chimed, “Military personnel detected. Altering inventory. Welcome,  Sergeant Strike.”

The hologram screen filled with various tools and utility items as well as various weapons out of my credit range. I accessed my chit and obtained my advanced engineering RIG. My military RIG was available for free, but I definitely didn't need it for my work. The monitor flipped closed and the suit chamber opened. I stepped inside and it threw the shackles. I had never liked these things, too claustrophobic. After a few seconds the door opened and I was let out, donning my new RIG.

“Damn, this thing is tight.” I said while stretching the fabric and testing the thrusters. I kept the helmet down, I didn't need it at the moment, and all it did was obstruct my view.

The lift ride was silent, as I was alone during it. I usually used elevator rides as time to just sit and think. At this moment I was thinking about how my career had shifted from bad to worse, First stuck on the Sprawl, and then transferred without notice to this little backwater vessel. Always fun. Before I knew it the elevator had stopped on the quarters deck, and I was yelled at for staring mindlessly in the lift. I apologized and stepped out to find my room. They took my history into consideration and gave me a decent quarters chamber, no bunk sharing for me. Yay. I had only stopped by to drop off my stuff and check my home-system messages. 'Great, someone already has some crap for me to fix' I thought to myself. It would probably be a simple repair, busted door or something.

Before leaving I stopped into the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and saw my face. Dark grey coat, red eyes, glasses. My mane wasn't exactly ecstatic. Just dim yellow with a few black stripes. My most prominent feature, unfortunately, was a set of 2 horrendous scars across my left eye. All of this made me look like a pony who you wouldn't like to bump into in an alleyway. I turned off the lights and left my quarters. Pulling up my locator's map I noticed someone exit their quarters. A mare, tall, with a light tan coat. She was wearing a CEC standard engineering RIG, and looked quite nice for her line of work. I figured I should at least say hello,

“Um- Hey.” She turned and looked at me, with a meager expression. -Must have the same disposition as me- I thought.

“Hi,” she said, “You, um, you CEC too?”

I must have been staring at her blankly before I finally replied, “Oh! Uh- Yeah.  Class VII. My name's Nuclear Strike. Yours?”

She looked at me again and said, “Star Gazer. But my friends call me Star.” She seemed to be looking at my scar.

“Well, it was nice meeting you. Maybe we can talk some more some time.” I said. We both turned and walked in opposite directions, To different areas of the ship.