Space is a Dangerous Place

Chapter 7

Proof of a Good Heart

I stared at the ceiling of the ambassador's room. I couldn't sleep, something was nagging at me. Other than how fast everything started moving once I accepted Princesses Celestia's request. I barely had time to grab anything. I rolled onto my side and look at the picture of Hot Wire, one of the few things I had time to pack. I was tired, a long day of reading legal documents and signing them was quite draining.

“And yes, Hot Wire, I read them all before signing.” I said to her picture.

She always made me read anything that required a signature. Good thing I did to; Apparently, Princesses Celestia's student can make diplomatic and militaristic decisions if nether of the Princesses are available. You'd think that would put me on edge, but no, that's not what's keeping me up either. It's that Rough was carted off before I could say a word. Now he's rotting in a cell while I'm laying on a literal cloud trying to sleep.

“Yeah, this isn't right.” I sighed.

I kicked the covers off and jumped down grabbing the top cover throwing it on my back. With a pillow in my mouth I made my way to the brig. I had memorized the layout of the ship from a small diagram on the wall in the hanger. There weren't many other ponies moving about and I made my way to where they were keeping Rough quickly. I now faced two big problems.

The two guards on either side of the door where in full armor. It looked like the same armor from ancient times, but I knew better. Under that golden facade was the most advanced technology and spell craft meant to protect and enhance the wearer. They stood a few inches taller than me and had more muscle in one leg than my whole body. Even as I approached they didn't move an inch.

Their unwavering stance was quite intimidating. It didn't help that I must have looked pathetic with a blanket and pillow. Which I had dropped in a moment of awe in their presence. But, that's not why I was here! With all the courage, I could muster, I stepped forward.

“I wish to see the prisoner.” I ordered in my most authoritative voice I could. Neither moved at all. “Please?”

If I didn't look pathetic before, as I squeaked out that last word, I did now cringing under their gaze. A moment of silence fell over the hallway and a voice in the back of my head was telling me: run. One of the guards looked to the other, then back to me. He suddenly sighed and turned to the door. I nearly turned tail and ran at the sudden movement. The door slid open and the guards step aside. I picked up my pillow and cautiously entered the room; It was not what I expected.

I've seen plenty of brigs and jails before, this was not one of them. The room was almost as big as the one I was staying in. There was a nice bed, a desk and two sofas around a coffee table. Beyond the sofas was an open door to a bathroom. The metal deck was covered by a rug with the Navy's symbol on it. Once my eyes finished scanning the room they fell on the stallion sitting behind the desk working the holo terminal. Rough closed his work and shutdown the display. He stood and walked past me to the door.

“You two can go now.” The two guards nodded and left. Rough shut the door, turning to me and sat.

“I trusted you.” Those words were laced with a building hatred.

I immediately regretted saying it the moment they left my mouth. This stallion that I had come to know as the toughest pony I've ever met clenched with pain as if he had been run through with a sword. His response was not what I expected.

“Was it misplaced?”

Rage boiled deep within me. Of course, it was. I trusted him with my ship, my crew, my love, my life! And all along HE was one of THEM! HE... He... he... My mind raced to find even one time my trust in him was misplaced. But, it never was.

“No, no it wasn't. Just one question. Why? Why me? Why choose me?”

“I didn't. You chose me.”

“No, I didn't. Hot Wire did.” I smirked remembering how I met Rough Hooves. “But, why? Why were you, an officer of the Navy, masquerading as a pirate?”

Rough drew in a deep breath and let it out as a long sigh. He only did this when a long story was about to come next. Knowing this I chose to sit too. When he looked up at me his face was different, soft. This was Rough with his guard down, this was the true him.

“I had a wife and son.” Sorrow filled his eyes, but not tears. “My son died in an accident, my wife unable to live with the grief left me. She now lives in a ward, slowly recovering. I went to the only thing I knew at the time, the Navy. I let my work consume me and I quickly rose through the ranks. I was offered command of a ship, but I refused. A broken pony can't command other. That's when Princesses Celestia came to me with a new idea on how to deal with our pirate problem.”

“Put a pony on board and try to change their mind. When I first met you I thought you were nothing but a cocky little colt. But, I joined your crew and quickly found a young stallion trying to find his way in life. That's when I chose to defy orders and became your mentor. I felt that I was given a second chance and started to truly help you to grow into a good pony.”

Rough stood and walked over to me. He placed a hoof on my should and smiled.

“I'm proud to see the kind of pony you've grown into.”

Before I had a chance to say anything he pulled me in and wrapped his other fore leg around me. I never knew my real father. Rough was the closes think I had. But, he was always distant. Now I knew why and in that moment I final got to know what it was like to be hugged by your father. My fore legs wrapped around him on instinct. I began to cry. But, not tears of sorrow. Tears of joy, tears of relief, tears of pride.

As our first real bonding had just started it was quickly interrupted by both of us getting thrown to the floor. I was staring up at the ceiling blinking away tears wondering what had just happened. I looked to my side to find Rough on his back too. We both stood and braced ourselves for anything. The InCom cracked on.

“All ponies to battle stations! We are under attack!”

“A bit late there.” I grumbled. “Last I checked my battle station was by Celestia's side. So, bridge?”

“Bridge.” Rough agreed. We charged through the corridors to the bridge. Everypony was rushing to their assigned locations. When we got to the bridge Celestia was talking to someone.

“What do you mean only business?” She asked.

“Someone is offering 2 billion for your head. Like I said, only business.”

I recognized the voice as I entered the room. Moving from behind Celestia's chair I could see her on the monitor. Her brown coat was marred by several scars. Her mane was dark gray at the base and light gray at the tip giving the impression of a blade.

“Razor Wing...” I scowled. Her eye's lock onto me as I entered view and her wings flared showing the blades on the edge of them.

“Glimmer! What are you doing over there?” Her surprise of my presence quickly changed to a sadistic glee accompanied by an equally wicked smile.

“Oh, nothing much, just became Celestia's personal student is all.”

“Oh really? Well I'm glad you’re here. Means I can collect the bounty on your head too.”

“Not any more. It's been lifted.”

“Oh well, I'll take it anyways. It'll look good on my wall.”

“You won't be getting anymore trophies today, Razor.”

“We'll see about that!” The Com-line cut.

“Well that went well.” Rough jested. “Did you get enough time?”

Before I could answer Celestia stomped her hoof down.

“What was that?” She demanded. “I was trying to talk to her. Trying to discern her motives and come to a peaceful resolution. Explain yourself!”

Before I could answer, again I was interrupted. But, this time it was the captain of the ship.

“I told you Princess, pirates only know one thing. Violence!”

“Excuse me, but what do you know about being a pirate?” I inquired.

“I know their dirty honor less thieves that only care about money!”

“My point exactly! You know nothing about us or why we do it.”

“Who car-”

“ENOUGH BOTH OF YOU!” Celestia shouted followed by a much calmer voice. “This is not the time for debating a pirate's reasons.”

“My apologies Princess.” The Captain bowed and stepped back slightly.

“I'm not.” I quipped and Celestia gave me a stern look. I glanced away.

“Now, Glimmer. Why did you interrupted my conversation with, what was it?”

“Razor Wing, the most ruthless headhunter I've had the pleasure to meet. She doesn't care who you are or what you do, if you have a price on your head high enough for her to notice she'll kill you without a second thought.”

“Surely we could have worked out a deal with her.” Celestia stated.

“Not a chance. Remember the part where she said my head would look lovely on her wall?”

Celestia nodded.

“She wasn't kidding. She literally has ponies’ heads mounted to her bedroom wall! If we don't fight back and win. She's going to kill both of us and cash in on your severed head.”

The bridge went dead silent when I finished. One of the bridge crew next to me gulped holding his neck and I'm sure I heard a stream of liquid hitting the metal floor. Regardless of the crews’ reaction, my point was made and Celestia had closed her eyes in deep thought. This was clearly a difficult decision for her.

“Very well. Captain, Prepare the ship for battle.”

“I'm sorry Princess, but I don't think you understand the situation we're in.” The Captain explained. “The enemy has two heavy cruisers and a battle cruiser. This isn't a battle we can win.”

Celestia's eyes went wide at the news. Yet, Luna calmly looked to her sister then to me.

“Pff. Typical Navy.” I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “Your standing on the bridge of the most advanced ship in the galaxy, Celestia's ship, and you say it can't be done.”

“It can't be done from a tactical stand point!” He barked back at me.

“Celestia. I ran circles around this mare for years with a light cruiser. Just give the word.” I smugly smiled at the Captain waiting for Celestia's decision.

“Princess you can’t give command of a Royal Navy vessel over to this Pirate!” He stated.

Celestia looked between us for a moment then to her sister, who was still staring at me. She followed her gaze then signed. She sat up right and cleared her throat.

“Captain Radiant, you are relieved of command. Glimmering Stars, you are to take commend of my ship and defeat this threat before us.”

Captain Radiant didn't look happy about Celestia's decision, but kept his mouth shut. He bowed to her and stepped back. His head snapped to me. I expected him to say something or at less scowl at me. Instead his face softened, he looked me square in the eyes and begged. Not with words, but with his soul. My smug look quickly faded with the realization of what had just happened.

This stallion's sole purpose was the defense of his Princess and I just ripped that away from him. Now his hopes laid on my shoulders, an unknown pony with a background as a pirate. His entire world was falling apart and he pleaded with me to save it, to save her. I slowly nodded to him fully understanding the job I just took on. Now it was time to make sure everypony understood it too. I turned to the crew and put on my Captain face.

“Rough, ship wide.” Rough nodded and turned on the InCom to the whole ship. When I heard the whistle I pointed to a random crew member.

“What's your purpose on this ship?”

“I fly the ship.” He stated.

“Wrong, anypony can do that.” I didn't wait for a response and pointed at another.

“What's your purpose on this ship?”

“I operated the sensors.” She claimed.

“Wrong!” She winced at my abrupt yell. I pointed to the weapons officer. Maybe she can get it right.

“What's your purpose on this ship?” I nearly growled.

“To coordinate the ships weapons?” she shrugged.

“WRONG!” I slammed my hoof down. “Captain Radiant, what is our purpose on this ship?”

“To protect the Princesses from harm at all cost!” He barked like a recruit getting drilled.

“Correct! Our top priority is the protection of the Princesses. My top priority is their safety. With that knowledge if you still can't follow the orders of a pirate, then get out of the way for somepony that can.”

Silence fell over the ship. Now was the time for anypony to speak up. After a moment, the InCom broke out with sections calling in.

“This is Engineering, main power at your command.”

“This is Medical, standing by.”

“This is Gunnery Chief, all weapons ready.”

“This is Damage Control, try not to wreck our ship too badly.”