Across the Stars

A field of black. Strewn across it, as innumerable as the sand on a beach, stars. The stars are of all colors and sizes, reduced to pinpricks by their immense distance. Amidst this display, a starship glided along, its engines are humming a low and subtle song. Its prow extends forward, ovaline in shape. Behind this, rectangular nacelles extend on short pylons from the lower section of the ship. Its shield generator glowed soft blue. On the front of the ship, bright lights proudly display its name.

USS Voyager

NCC 74656

Inside of Voyager, on the fifth deck, a dark blue stallion was frantically walking in circles in the corridors. His face was tearstained, but he ignored any requests after his condition, walking right past a concerned security officer. His gaze was focused inward, and he was only paying enough attention to where he was going to avoid any collisions. He could feel his heart throbbing painfully, tearing itself apart with every beat. Why? Why why why why why-

“Ensign?”

He looked up from his hooves. Next to him was Voyager’s resident Talaxian, who was known as Neelix. He was walking quickly to keep pace with the stallion’s quick stride.

“Are you alright Ensign...?” Neelix asked, puffing slightly as the stallion pulled a sharp turn around corner.

When no name was forthcoming, he tried to get in front of the rapidly moving navy legs. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

After several more laps, it was too much for the stallion’s legs. He tripped, narrowly missing Neelix, who jumped out of the way.

“Ensign?!” he said, hovering overhead.

“Orion.” supplied a passing pony.

“Ensign Orion? What’s wrong?”

Orion ignored him, instead curling up on the floor and sobbing loudly. His body shook from his misery, his breaths coming in sharp gasps. He ran frustrated hooves through his grey mane. His pain became so great, he put his foreleg on his mouth. Somehow, it made its way in, and he bit down. Hard. And momentarily, the physical pain overcame the mental. He could taste the iron of his blood, but he didn’t release his hold. The pain in his heart resurged. Why?

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Earlier

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“I’m finally going to do it!” said Orion, straightening his uniform and stepping out of his quarters. “I’m going to tell the most beautiful pony in the universe that I love them!”

He walked cheerfully through the corridors, turning the familiar corners and taking a turbolift to the correct deck. Exiting, he made his way to the mess hall. Inside, crew members were still eating their lunches. He spotted his friend, Sirius, who was talking with Lieutenant Paris. They must have been talking about something funny, because Paris was laughing. Orion made his way through the tables and chairs, sidestepping Seven of Nine, who was arguing with one of the Engineering staff. Paris noticed him coming, and grinned.

“Hey,” he said, some of the laugh still audible in his voice, “Orion!”

“Hi.” said Orion, coming to a halt in front of them. He felt nervous now. “Sirius, can… can I talk to you?”

“Sure.” he said. “You just did.”

“I-I meant alone.” Sirius raised an eyebrow, but his smile remained in place.

“I’m coming.” he said, standing.

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