Lighting The Fire

by Reaper-Of-Harmony

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Dark
Length: 331

The first FTL-capable spacecraft leaves Equestria's orbit, for whatever will meet it on its journey.

The ponies of this world have long been trapped beneath their atmosphere, refusing to come out. But, as more and more ponies grew to accept and enjoy the night, the feelings of conformity and isolation were slowly replaced with a boundless curiosity for the things beyond.

Unwilling to submit to their confinement, the ponies prepared themselves for space. First came the launch of a crewed orbiter. Next came the technological moon launch. After that came the first space station. Soon, ponies were skirting on the edge of Equus' gravitational field, ready to leave their ancient home behind for the cold, lonely, and infinite void that lay beyond.

Now, the final step is ready. Now, ponies are ready to skirt the laws of physics, to remove their shackles, to discern the transmundane. Now there are ready to go Faster Than Light.

But once you've stopped an unstoppable force, how you do restart it?

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-06-07 17:30:31 UTC

A Moiety of the Maximal

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am writing to inform you that the final stage of our first interstellar spacecraft has reached the construction site in geosynchronous orbit over the Antlertic ocean. The project is nearing completion, and will soon be ready to deploy. The void walkers are currently assembling the ship, heartily referred to as the “Kestrel”. The FTL drive has reached orbit without complication, and will be ready for the volunteer crew when they are launched up to the Space Station. I have confirmed that the vessel has enough antimatter for at least two light-years of travel, if not more. The scientists and engineers on board are ready to make contact with whatever the void will grant them.

Despite early complications with the project, we are finishing ahead of schedule, with just two thousand bits under budget. Again, we at the Equestrian Centre For Space Exploration thank you for your generous amount of funding. Without your support this project could not have been possible, nor have run so smoothly.

This is a momentous occasion in the history of ponykind, dear Princess. This marks the first time anyone from the plant Equus has left its boundaries without the aid of magic. Although our technology may pale in comparison to the arcane magnificence you weld, we understand your reasons for not wishing to use them.

We hope that your best wishes are with our crew as they begin preparations for launch. They have trained long and hard for this occasion, and are prepared for anything that may come their way. As a final gesture of goodwill to the brave ponies in the ship, I will be making a farewell speech at the launch site on the day of the launch. I hope you will also be willing to inspire our explorers as I plan to do.

With Thanks,

Central Commander Star Struck, Jr.

Equestrian Centre For Space Exploration, Trottingham, Equestria

Equus International Spatial Exploration Initiative, Equestrian Branch