Author's Note

As promised, Dead space but with ponies. This chapter is clean and would be rated "Everyone" if not for the rest of the story. If you want violent dismemberment, stay turned for ch.2

Chapter 1: The Message

The Message

“Metal, It's me ...” said the most beautiful unicorn in the galaxy. Her coat was a shimmering silver grey that sparkled like diamond dust in the hologram. Her blond mane had fallen into her eyes and, in a motion that that I found just so adorable, she brushed it back behind one ear. Her golden eyes were fixed on the camera.

She hesitated for a moment before pushing on. “I wish I could talk to you ...” Her words were gut-wrenching, especially compared to how giddy I’d been feeling before I received her message. I fumbled with the newly purchased black velvet box between my hooves, not quite sure what to do with it.

“I’m sorry.” The sadness of her words gripped me in a vice, my brain numb. Her long, haggard face was a contradiction to the bubbly, energetic mare I knew her as. She sounded tired, so tired, as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

“I'm sorry for everything,” she continued. She had been staring fixedly at the camera, and now at me, through me, all the way to my soul. The shimmering at the corner of her eyes hinted at the tears she was bravely fighting back.

“I wish I could just talk to someone―” I tentatively reached over a hoof. It hovered above the stop button as I felt my insides squirm. I couldn’t bear to see her this way. I had to make it stop, had too, or else it would spoil the image of the mare I so deeply loved.

She took a moment to look right and then left, then returned to gazing longingly into the camera, right at me. “It’s all falling apart here,” she said. “I can’t believe what’s happening …” She took a moment and sighed, casting her eyes down in defeat.

I felt split, torn between two responses. The first half of me wanted to crush, pound, and stomp whatever or whoever had done this to my very special somepony. The other half wanted to dive through the hologram and hold her in my loving embrace, promising to never let go.

“It’s strange … such a little thing …” The message crackled with static. I brought my hoof down, bringing the message to an end. The hologram winked out. I blinked for several moments afterwards, clearing the moisture from my eyes.

I had received the message late last night. Now, glancing down at the time piece next to my bed, I cringed at the hour. I would have to get ready for work soon. How many times had I re-watched this video and still I couldn’t fathom a reply? What do you say when someone is pouring their heart out to you billions of miles away?

White Rose was the senior medical officer on board the CMC Sparkle. That massive planet cracker was currently orbiting Aegis 7, a planet on the outer rim of explored space. In this instance, we were literally separated by half a galaxy.

My monitor sprang to life. The otherwise darkened room was bathed in a ghostly blue light. A S.A.M. (special alert message) flashed on my screen. The computer beeped twice in quick succession. I glared at it. Again the twin beeps sounded. The annoying sound wasn't going away until I answered it. The computer demanded my attention, again with another set of beeps. Reluctantly I pulled myself away from White Rose’s message and opened the S.A.M.

I leaned forwards, trying to focus my sleep deprived brain on what was before me.

Dear Employees of CMC;

At 0200 hours communication with the CMC Sparkle was lost. A volunteer repair team is being dispatched to the CMC Sparkle to bring communications back online. Any employee interested in earning extended overtime pay please reply to this message immediately. A list of open positions is attached to this message.

Sincerely,

Apple Seed, CMC Senior Staff Member

It took me a moment to process what I had just read. When it finally did click, I felt my heart skip a beat and all my muscles tighten like there was an electric current coursing through my body. “White Rose!” I hissed to the darkness.

I opened the attached document. Sure enough, there was an opening for someone with my skillset. I couldn’t hit the reply button fast enough. I hastily pounded out a message on the keyboard.

Dear CMC;

This is Engineering and Ship Systems Specialist Metal Dash. I volunteer for the repair mission to the CMC Sparkle.

I hit ‘Send’.

White Rose’s message, coupled with a communication breakdown, meant something was going on. What it meant I had no idea, but something. White Rose better be alright ... or else.

The wait was becoming unbearable. One minute ticked by, and then another. I found myself chewing on my hoof. I yanked it away from my mouth, returning to absentmindedly toying with the velvet box in my hooves.

A message popped up on my monitor. I hastily opened it. The message was short and to the point.

Dear Metal Dash;

Request granted. Report to the CMC Marco Polo in docking bay 2 in one hour. Your RIG objective has been updated.

I grabbed a suitcase from the closet and rapidly filled it with two sets of casual clothes and any other personal items I would need for an extended stay. On a whim I selected a suit jacket and a matching vest, carefully folded the clothes, and placed them on top of the other items. I slipped the black velvet box into the pocket of my suit jacket. I shut the lid, the latch sliding into place with a soft “click”. I hosted the suitcase up onto my back, balancing it in place.

Before leaving the apartment, I paused briefly in front of the mirror. Any spots or grime were practically invisible against my chocolate-brown coat. Black mane was buzzed short and didn’t require any upkeep. A set of tired looking golden eyes stared back at me. Overall I looked ... good enough, but needed to take a shower at the next opportunity. With a quick nod to my reflection I dashed out the door.

Hold on White Rose, I’m coming.

*** *** ***

I was encased in a monstrosity. Nothing else can quite describe the CMC Class One engineering RIG (Resource Integration Gear). It was a bulky, unwieldy piece of equipment, with gravity plates in the boots, a full encompassing metal helmet, a UHM (Universal Health Monitor) displayed along the spine in glowing tubular lights, a HUD (Heads-up Display), and a three-dimensional holographic projector in the wrist. The suit served as a communication hub, environmental control module, and work station all rolled into one. Its grey exterior made it as aesthetically appealing as the walls of the cargo elevator on which I was riding.

The hologram to my left was regurgitating the news. Its constant babble was making it terribly difficult to think about White Rose. Even with all the power and training granted to me by the CMC, I could not turn the darn thing off.

“Equus 5,” chimed the hologram in its permanently cheerful voice, “located in the Bridle system on the outer rim, went dark Monday. A spokespony from the government was quoted as saying ‘We are investigating the blackout with Equus 5 and other colonies but at this time have nothing to report. At this moment travel to this colony is restricted. Any ship attempting travel to Equus 5 will be met with lethal force’. The blackout with Equus 5 makes it the latest in a string of outer rim colony blackouts.”

The hum of the elevator began to wind down. It finally came to a stop with a thud and a lurch. I stomped out of the elevator, the sound of each hoof step echoing inside my RIG.

I activated the RIG’s O.M. (Objective Marker). The computer system in my suit automatically updated my path in real time to compensate for congestion. A blue neon line flashed on the ground, the hologram guiding me to my destination. Without it I would have been lost in the barely suppressed madness that was the Jupiter Station docking port.

The ponies of Jupiter Station had made a fine art out of controlled chaos. On the ground floor pegasi and earth ponies used the kinesis modules in their suits to lift small to medium objects. The unicorns utilized the same modules, but instead to enhance their own telekinetic abilities, enabling them to lift massive objects without tiring. The various shipping contains shifted from one energy aura to another, before being loaded onto platforms for transport. In the open sky of the station Pegasus zipped by with hover wagons stacked high with even more shipping containers. The granddaddy of the show was the massive crane running along the ceiling, transporting several metric tons worth of cargo to the zero gravity loading docks.

A deafening drone saturated the air.

The walkway rattled as a unicorn galloped towards me with a metal crate held in her magical aura. I sidestepped, hastily shifting my hips to keep my suitcase from sliding off my back. The unicorn barreled passed without so much as a word.

The Objective Marker sharply turned ninety degrees to the left. I followed the O.M. as it led me down a deserted corridor until it disappeared at the door hatch to a ship.

The CMC Marco Polo was pitiful in comparison to the other ships around her, as far as cargo transports ships were concerned. The ship was barely 250 feet long and 30 feet wide at her narrowest, stretching out to nearly 60 feet where the cargo compartment was attached to her belly. She resembled a fat turtle instead of the graceful bird her designer had envisioned. Her two massive boosters hanging off the port and starboard sides of the ship like a pair of stubby wings. She wasn’t the prettiest ship in the port―her red and brown paint job doing her no favors―but she was fast. And right now time was of the essence.

I set my suitcase down and raise a hoof up to the ships holographic interface. I paused a moment, taking a second to glance at my suitcases. My mind was wandering back to the black velvet box. I smiled. The smile in turn stretched into a foalish grin as I thought about White Rose and how surprised she would be when I presented it to her. I entertained the fantasy for a moment but then shook myself back to reality.

With a single hoof tap the hologram sprang to life. It expanded to show a horn surrounded by a mass of purple mane with black streaks. The unicorn in question was facing down, typing furiously away at the keyboard before it. I loudly cleared my throat and said, “Hello, I’m Metal Dash, Engineering and Ship Systems specialist. Permission to come aboard?”

The unicorn looked up, his green eyes locking with my pink ones. “Two seconds,” he said as he rapidly glanced around for something outside the view of the camera. “Ah ha! There you are.” and he levitated a tablet over to him in his magic. “Metal Dash,” he read aloud, “Engineering and Ship Systems Specialist. Gotcha! Permission granted.” The unicorn hit a button and the hatch opened.

The unicorn in question met me just inside the ship. He gripped my extended hoof in an artificial one. “First Officer Comet Chaser, pleased to meet you,” said the dark red unicorn as he practically shook my hoof off. My gaze was fixated on his artificial leg, following its entire length until it connected with his barrel. “Don’t mind that,” said Comet Chaser, following my eyes. “Lost that in the service three years back. Still itches sometimes.”

I took a quick look around the ship. The single room was cozy and plain, but clean. Four bunks were set into one wall. The pilot’s pilots care, crew seats, and the adjacent area were crammed with computers, monitors, and equipment. There was hatch set into the back wall, apparently leading to the cargo and maintenance areas. The floor pulsed with the low hum coming from the MARE (Magical Alicorn REaction) Drive.

“Choose a bunk,” said Comet Chaser, gesturing towards the bunk beds. “It’s going to be a 14 hour trip to the CMC Sparkle. You’re the first one here so you get first pick.”

“What about you and the Captain?” I asked as I threw my suitcase onto a top bunk.

“We’ll rest once we arrive at the CMC Sparkle.” As Comet Chaser walked away, I got a good view of his cutie mark: a solitary red puzzle piece. I briefly wondered how he got interested in flying spaceships, or being a soldier for that matter. It usually took a special kind of pony to join the United Equus Forces.

The stallion in question gave me a backwards glance before resuming his post. “Feel free to strip out of your RIG. Like I said, it’s going to be a long flight.”

I had just sprawled out on the bed, pulling up White Rose’s message for another repeat, when three more of the crew members arrived. They were the ships security personnel. The lead pony was a rust colored earth pony named Iron Hoof and towered over Comet Chaser with an extra head of height. What I could see of his black mane was buzzed short. Iron Hoof was referred to as ‘Sarge’ by the two ponies flanking him: a light blue unicorn named Grinder and a dark green earth pony named Bash; their black metal security RIG’s giving them an ominous air. The trio shrugged off Comet Chaser’s greeting with a grunt and lodged themselves in a corner. They produced immaculate triple barreled pulse rifles from their luggage and began to clean them. Their rather crude jokes filled the single room.

The next to arrive was another engineer. He too wore an engineer’s RIG, but his was a class four. It came complete with a full metal muzzle shield, build in status mod, tracking optics, and protective plates. The engineer removed his helmet before greeting Comet Chaser. The pony in question turned out to be a unicorn, with flecks of grey in his otherwise bright red coat and white mane. He gave his name and title in a rather sharp tone. “Lunar Dust, Senior Engineer and Ship Specialist”.

Lunar Dust surveyed the ship, frowning. “Do you not have private quarters for Senior staff?!”

“Sure,” said Comet Chaser with a smile, indicating the hatch at the end of the room. “Maintenance and Cargo are open for your pleasure, but things may get a bit noisy once we enter subspace."

Lunar Dust’s frown only deepened. He surveyed the security goons with indifference but downright glared at me. “What do you think you’re doing out of uniform?” he growled at me, pointing an accusatory hoof at my neatly stacked engineering RIG. “This isn’t a pleasure cruise,” he snapped.

The First Officer came to my rescue. “I told him he could dress down.”

“But we are in the middle of a job!” Lunar Dust practically shouted. “CMC regulation clearly states that …”

Comet Chaser cut him off. “ My ship, my rules.”

“It’s not your ship, it’s the Captains!”

“True,” agreed Comet Chaser, “but until she returns, I’m in charge.”

Lunar Dust grumbled something to the floor. He chose a seat next to the port side window and pulling up a holo-screen. The unicorn continued to grumble to himself, occasionally shooting dark glanced at Comet Chaser.

The next to arrive was Calendula Blossom, a yellow unicorn with strands of her pink mane sticking up out of her collar. She wore only a plain civilian’s RIG: white cloth with only a spinal health display and holographic projector in the wrist. Comet Chaser greeted her like he had all the others: with an artificial hoof and a “welcome aboard” speech. Calendula ignored the hoof. “Hi-yeah!” she squealed as she wrapped Comet Chaser in a full hug. Leaving the First Office dazed and more than a little perplexed she danced her way over to my bunk. “Hug?” she offered with her fore legs spread wide.

I briefly debated her request. Hugging a perfect stranger was just a little out of my comfort zone. “Only if you can climb up here,” I said, tearing my eyes away from White Rose’s message.

Calendula’s smile faltered, but then bounced back brighter than ever. “Aww, you look like you could really use a hug,” she said. She looked cute enough to melt a frozen heart; and darn it, her smile was infectious. The corners of my mouth were rising to mirror hers. If I wasn’t fixated on White Rose at the moment we might have had a longer conversation.

“That’s better,” said Calendula Blossom as my smile blossomed before her. She twirled her way over to the security trio, giving them each a hug in turn. They only grunted in fictitious protest.

She turned to Lunar Dust. “Don’t even think about it,” he said, glaring daggers at the mare. “Oh mister grouchy pants,” giggled Calendula as she twirled over to him, “everypony loves hugs”. Lunar Dust eye’s narrowed to the thinnest of slits. “Don’t!” he warned.

Calendula only shrugged, “Your loss.” She grabbed her two suitcases in a light yellow aura, one of them stamped with a bright red cross, from just inside the door and tossed them onto the bunk just below mine. Gliding gracefully across the room, she sprawled out in the Captain’s chair and produced a paper bound graphic novel. She started humming a cheerful tune, much to the annoyance of Lunar Dust.

The older pony ground his teeth until he couldn’t stand it anymore. “Stop that you stupid mare!” he snapped at Calendula Blossom. The mare wiggled around in the chair until she could look at him. She smiled with all the love and care of a viper.

“Sir,” she said, making a mockery of any attempt to be polite, “there are three ‘golden’ professions that you should never piss off: law enforcement, payroll, and medical. Guess which one I am?” She pressed on, not waiting for a reply. “If you should be wounded on this expedition, I don’t have to rush to your aid until the zone has been declared ‘safe’. You might want to munch on that metaphorical apple.”

Lunar Dust promptly shut up.

The door slid open and a pegasus marched in. Heavy bags hung under her, her grey mane was sticking out at odd angles and her lime green coat looked like it hadnt seen a brush in days. A picture of a rudimentary rocket decorated her flank.

“Captain on deck!” barked Comet Chaser. Everyone scrambled to their hooves, or in Calendula case, straddling the chair to see above it. The Captain glanced briefly at the ponies around her before striding over to her First Officer. “Prepare for departure,” was all she said before turning to her seat. She glared down at Calendula Blossom who in turn smiled at her sheepishly. “Out,” the Captain ordered.

“Yes ma'am,” replied Calendula Blossom with a mock salute and tumbled out of the chair. The mare twirled her way to the other end of the ship, nearly colliding with another pony as they entered the ship. “Oh…” was all Calendula said as she stopped and stared on in amazement.

“Navigator on deck!” bellowed Comet Chaser. I found my eyes riveted to the new arrival, unable to turn away from her glowing, luminescent body. My jaw was sliding uncontrollably to the floor. I wanted to reach up a hoof and close it yet I found my body petrified.

I had seen synthetic alicorns from afar, but never close enough to get a good look. Now that one was standing before me, I couldn’t string two words together. She was a beautiful pale green with solid black eyes that reflected the infinite depth of space. Her horn spiraled into a fearsome point more than a foot from its base. Two massive wings shrouded half her body in long silky feathers. Her towering height forced even Iron Hoof to look up, although not by much. She was beyond beautiful, radiant to the point that I could almost look beyond the sad predicament that afflicted all synthetic alicorns: she bore no cutie mark.

The Alicorn rolled her eyes. “That’s quite alright, Comet Chaser,” she said with a dismissive wave of her hoof. “Just call me Navigator ... or Thunder Clap.” She looked around at all of us gawking stupidly at her.. “The formality is really not necessary.” She gave everyone a full smile. “As you wish,” said Comet Chaser with a low bow.

And like that the spell was broken. I sucked in a deep breath, along with everypony else. Calendula Blossom wobbled over and collapsed into my hooves. “Was that real?” she asked, looking up at me slightly dazed.

“Prepare for MARE Drive!” ordered the Captain. Everypony hastened to obey. I buckled Calendula Blossom into a chair just behind the pilot and then myself next to her. The Captain turned to Thunder Clap and politely asked, “Navigator, would you please assume your position?” The Alicorn positioned herself on a red rectangle just behind the Captain’s chair, Her horn coming to life. The metal under her hooves rippled like water and she sank beneath the floor. Then came a hissing sound and a large tank slowly rose up. The Alicorn was suspended inside, surrounded by a clear blue liquid.

“Ship integration complete,” said Thunder Clap, but this time her voice projected from the intercom system. “Beginning pre-flight systems check.”

“Skip the check and launch immediately,” commanded the Captain.

“Understood,” said the Alicorn. “On a separate note, the onboard supply of Navigator Stimulants are nearly depleted. Although we do have enough to reach our destination, a return trip will be impossible unless a new supply is acquired.”

The Captain typed out a message on the holo-screen before her. “Your concern has been noted. Proceed with mission. Disengage clamps.”

“Disengaging clamps,” echoed Thunder Clap. There came a hiss and rumble. The ship came free and began to drift away from dock. “Ship is clear of all obstacles. Comet Chaser, please guide us out.”

“Firing port and starboard boosters,” called Comet Chaser. The ship lurched forwards and then began to pick up speed as We passed through the energy barrier separating Jupiter Station from the vacuum of space.

“We are clear of Jupiter Station,” reported the Alicorn. “Request for F.T.L (Faster than Light Travel) has been granted. Setting destination as Aegus 7. Total travel time will be fourteen hours and ten minutes. Diverting all power to MARE Drive. Entering subspace in thirty seconds. 30… 29…”

“Everypony have their barf bags?” called the Captain. “If you puke it you clean it.” I reluctantly held mine up. I hadn’t eaten anything recently so hopefully I wouldn’t need it.

A high pitched whine filled the cabin.

“You think Princess Sparkle could have invented a better way to travel,” gripped Lunar Dust.

“Hey,” I retorted, “just deal with it. It will be over soon enough.” Lunar Dust glowered at me but did not reply.

“This should be fun,” chimed Calendula Blossom with a huge smile, though she was already looking a little green.

“Captain, we are being hailed,” reported Thunder Clap. Comet Chaser echoed the same statement a second later. “What? By who?” asked the Captain.

“Military ship,” reported the Navigator, “directly behind us; five hundred miles and closing.”

“Playing message,” said Comet Chaser. He pressed a few buttons and the intercom blared out a rigid, no nonsense voice.

“CMC Marco Polo, this is Captain Black Shield of the UEF Destroyer Laffey. Disengage your MARE Drive immediately and stand down. I repeat: disengage your MARE Drive or you will be fired upon.”

“What?!” gaped the Captain at the disembodied voice. “Who the heck does he think he is? You can’t threaten civilian like this. Navigator, how much time left until we enter sub space?”

“15… 14… 13...” counted Thunder Clap. Suddenly she paused and then said in a calm, clear voice “Warning. Missiles launched.”

I sat there in shock, unable to believe my ears. Calendula Blossom silently clutched my foreleg to her barrel in a death grip. Everyone else was screaming themselves hoarse in a vocal avalanche of panicked energy.

“Evasive maneuvers!” screamed the Captain.

Iron Hoof charged up to the front of the ship, yelling “Where are your countermeasures! You’ve got to have counter measures!”

Comet Chaser was already responding to his Captain. “Turning to vector 2-5 by 7-2 … What the Buck! I’m locked out!” he howled. “The Alicorn is still trying to jump to subspace!”

The Captain rounded on Thunder Clap, furiously bombarding her with commands and violent threats until her voice cracked.

Lunar Dust pulled his limbs in tight, screaming at the top of his lungs “I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die! Oh, Celestia, Please! Someone do something!”

With nothing else to do, Comet Chaser pulled up a holo-screen, watching helplessly as the missiles streaked towards them. “10… 9… 8...” he counted off.

I was frozen in place, silently sitting there like petrified wood as Death approached with his scythe held high. I tried to say something but my throat was scratchy and coarse; I couldn't even find enough moisture to wet my lips. Somewhere inside of me a little pony was huddled in a corner, crying. The only thing I seemed able to do was turn slightly and offer Calendula what I hoped was a comforting smile.

“5… 4… 3...” continued Comet Chaser.

“Engaging MARE Drive,” said a calm, clear voice. The engines reached a fevered pitch. A great gaping black maw opened before us. The front of the cabin was stretched out impossibly before me, and then I slammed back into my seat. A blur went shooting past and impacted the rear wall with a thunderous crash. In an instant the force crushing me against my seat vanished as the cabin returned to its original state.

I felt a surge of bile climbing up my throat. I forced it back down. Calendula Blossom had one hoof clamped over her mouth and the other waving frantically. She had lost her bag in all the excitement. I held out mine. She snatched it away and retched. Several other ponies copied her.

“Welcome to subspace,” said a rather smug voice from the ships com system. “Oh ye of little faith.”