It's the year 3021, and a commercial spaceship known as "The Celestial" has just finished an expedition collecting diamonds for the biggest fashion sale in Ponyville. Within a month it would become as crowded as Hoofstock with all the fellow ponies there. As the Celestial made its course back to earth it's built in A.I. picks up a signal from a nearby planet in it's path. With this info in tact it halts it's route and shuts off its hypersleep mode; meanwhile; a room within the ship containing sleeping bunks lights up and awakens the crew of the ship. Seven members total, captain Shining Armor, executive officer Braeburn, warrent officer Twilight Sparkle, navigator Fluttershy, medical scientist Doctor Whooves, engineers Spike and Rainbow Dash and their team pet, Winnona. Braeburn rising out of stasis first then the other soon following, got dressed and headed over to the dining room for a good post sleep breakfast. They all sat around, joked and stuffed their faces with chow.
They made light conversation while Braeburn lighted up his old fashioned cigar and filled the room with air; causing Dash to cough, "Still with us dash?" Spike exclaimed, "Yeah yeah" Dash said she cleared her lungs of the toxic smoke. Spike nudged Dash hinting her to ask the question they both were wondering..."When will we get payed?"
"Ah yes you see me and my buddy Spike here were wondering,after all this boring exploration...what's are status on our pay?". Twilight sighed in annoyance as this was typically Dash and Spike "When we're all through you'll each paid a fair amount bits....or gems in your case Spike"; "Mmmmm geeeeeems" Spike slurred as his long spiked tounge licked his lips,clearly his breakfast didn't quite settle his appetite.
"Now I hope you all heard the announcement the computer made this morning,about that distress signal,it says it's vital and we need to check it out." Shining Armor exclaimed. "What kind of distress signal?" Fluttershy said curiously, "I'm not sure but it's coming from a nearby planet,maybe there's a radio beacon there" said Shining. "Woah Woah Woah!!" Spike announced franticly, I thought we just space mining here not performing rescue missions". "Spike it's required by the company to seek out any calls or messages we receive out here...it could mean a potential diamond source...or even a new lifeform" said Shining. "Hmm strange,it didn't say that in the contract I signed!, why should I waist my energy just to pick up a call we don't know the purpose of?"
Doctor Whooves suddenly got a wide grin as he knew just the answer "Any sudden breach in protocol is an immediate withdrawal of all gratuities you could've possibly earned" he said quick and sincere in his baritone voice. Dash and Spike sat there puzzled and wide eyed, Dash thought for a bit till she said "Pfft...what in the hay are we waiting for?!..let's get this ship going!", while the rest of the crew gave her death glares, "Uhhh....hehe"
