Long Haul

Chapter seven

Nebs lay on the bed in her quarters. Captain Arcturus had let her use one of the VIP quarters. The area was divided into two rooms, a bedroom, and a living area/kitchen, both decorated with potted plants and bulbous chrome sculptures. There was no way she was getting any sleep,however, she had a mix of excitement and nervousness. She was on the Luna’s Wrath! It was the most prestigious ship in the Equestrian Navy. During the so called Pirate War, the Wrath had the record for highest number of successful missions. Not one crewpony died under it’s first captain. He was an admiral now.

She could remember her father talking about the war during it’s closing years. She was only a filly when it happened, but it seemed important. Most of what she knew was from history books. It was a twenty year period of sporadic skirmishing and raids between every pirate gang, and the zebra and pony nations. Eventually, it stopped, Piracy in Equestrian and zebra space was ended. Every few years, however, a few ships would come out of neutral space and try to get a little revenge.

A knock came at her door, and she clambered to her hooves. The door opened before she could respond. It was Greyhorn.

“Great,”

“Miss Dusk.” The Lieutenant spoke

“A little privacy, please, “Nebs replied, a blush forming on her cheeks. “I’m not dressed!”

He had no right to be in here!

“I can see that,” He said, eyes fixed to her face, “But, I have to ask you a few questions, now.”

Nebs scowled. “Get out!”

She bit onto a pillow, and with a swing of her head, flung it at him. He didn’t even flinch.

His eyes narrowed, “Very well. I will be waiting in the next room, when you are finished.”

The door slid shut behind the unicorn as he left. Nebs let out a frustrated sigh, then put on the dingy grey jumpsuit heaped on the floor next to the bed. There was a thump in the other room, then two ponies began arguing.

She recognized both voices; one belonged to the captain, the other was Greyhorn. Cautiously, she opened the door and poked her head into the living area.

“What are you? A creep?” Isov shouted. “Do you honestly think that barging into her room like that was okay?”

Greyhorn replied cooly.

“Captain, I don’t believe you fully realize what bringing this mare on board could mean for this nation's security. After all, she is a pegasus.”

“What does me being a pegasus have to do with anything?” Nebs interrupted.

“Not a Damn thing,” Isov replied, “Greyh...”

“It means, that you are under ONI investigation on the possibility of being a traitor, Miss Dusk.“ Greyhorn spoke turning towards the white pegasus. “The majority of these ‘Insurrectionists’ are pegasi bigots.”

“Insurrectionists?” Nebs asked, “You mean the terrorists that were attacking the Zebras a while back?”

“Yes,” Isov said with a nod. “Our allies finally asked us for help.”

“Not to mention the one-hundred-and-twenty-eight equestrian citizens they killed on that zebra liner.” The lieutenant added, “They think pegasi are the only pony race worth anything. Racists”

“Says the pony that accused me of being a traitor just because I’m a pegasus. “Nebs retorted, placing a hoof on her chest, “I’m from Eridani! Loyalty’s kind of our thing.”

Greyhorn huffed, then began walking out of the room, then turned back.

“I am sick of this argument,” He started, “I have my eye on you, Miss Dusk.”

After he exited, Neb stuck her tongue out at him, then glanced at Isov. He grinned.

“Eridani, huh?” He asked, “Know any Wonderbolts?”

Nebula Dusk was a very bored pony.

What the hell did they do for fun on this ship? Count stars? Nebs sighed, her ears drooping. The ship's lounge was empty, save for the zebra bartender. The Wrath was running on a skeleton crew, and most ponies were working almost twenty-four-seven to keep her going.

“You seem glum, pony.” The zebra mare said, walking to the stool Nebs sat on, “No need to be so groany.”

She glanced at the stripped equine with a small smile.

“I think you need a drink,” The zebra continued, “Maybe a beer will give you some cheer?”

“Sure...”

“Tzerra”

Nebs cocked an eyebrow.

“My name, silly pony.”

“Right, I’m Nebs.” The pegasus replied, “I don’t suppose you have any Wild Pegasus?”

“That reminds me of a funny story,” The zebra replied, “would you like to hear it?”

Nebs nodded.

“Yeah, I could do with a funny story.”

Setting two shot glasses on the counter, the zebra inhaled deeply, then removed a bottle of orange liquor from the shelf behind her. After pouring two shots, she began.

“Long ago, there was a young zebra merchant who wished she could fly,” She spoke with a easy grin, “So one night, while she was traveling the savannah, she happened to look up to the night sky, and see a star. So she demanded that the star give her wings.”

As the zebra paused, Nebs downed her drink and poured another.

“What happened next?” Nebs asked politely

“Well, you see, the stars are fickle things. Their gifts, may not always be what they seem,” She paused again, “The next morning when she woke, she found that she had grown a lovely pair of wings, finally she could fly like a pegasus, Or, so she thought. She went outside to try her new wings, but no matter how hard she flapped them, she could not leave the ground. But she was a stubborn mare, so, she made her way to a very high cliff. Then she ran towards the edge and leapt, spreading her wings. But alas, the silly zebra still could not fly. Instead, she fell.”

How in space was that funny?

“I’m sorry if you don’t find it funny, Nebs. Zebra tales aren’t often as funny to ponies”, she said, frowning, then taking her shot of whiskey.

“Well, you are a very good storyteller, at least.” Nebs replied.

Nodding, Tzerra glanced at her with a grin, “Thank you”

CAITI appeared on one of the terminals in the lounge.

“Hey, uhh, Nebula. Nebs? Miss Dusk?”

“Yeah, What’s up,” Nebs replied with a quick smile

“Hanger wants you in the Capt... I mean, Captain wants you in the hanger.” The AI’s avatar rolled her eyes, then muttered, “Stupid old speech processors.”

A very confused Nebs stared at her for a second.

“Right, uhh, yeah, Chief engineer wants to talk to you about your ship.”

“Lead the way.”