Tenacious Tabbris: Space Adventures—commentries by Rainbow Dash

"Damn it! The external shield dampeners are fading fast! Ugh, escape shuttles... how I loath them. Of course I don't normally find myself in these situations, being reliable and all... What do they even want with me?!"

That was the question that has been plaguing her mind since the true intentions of the job were revealed. Why her? In all honesty, the question is not that much of an enigma... when one peruses an 'independent trade' like hers, enemies are made as a mandatory requirement. Still, there's a 'dodgy atmosphere' to this one... Normally pirates just want to board your ship, kill you; then take all your possessions, or worse. But these were certainty not pirates, I mean, the way they carry themselves is, well...fluent. When pirates attack they just barge in out of warp, charge toward you with no thought of their own safety, then try to take you out guns ablazin'. But these guys, well, they just play a whole different game; not only do they actually have a warp vamp--something that doesn't even exist above the shady dealers for the 'conventional' black black market dealers--but they still knew that the drop-off point was, and they were waiting, with a cloak! Which means that they have friends in high places... even worse. "Who are these people? Ugh!, no time to contemplate now, times running out!"

"Or is it?"

That's when it hit her, at no point during the skirmish did they actually try to actively harm her. Try to disable the craft, yes, but they never attacked anything that was truly vital to her survival. Normally the first target on the agenda is the ability to survive in the aftermath, namely: escape crafts.Clearly this was not the case, and they were far too well trained not to miss such a thing. The only reasonable deduction is that they don't want to kill her, but want to disable her escape. "So lets give it to them."

Tabbris had all of her shuttles built with a 'kill switch', which basically turns off all the systems, both essential and not. At which point, the interior filter for her air supply kicks in, and because it's not connected to the ship, it doesn't emit a strong enough signature to rouse suspicion, genius! Or at least, that's the idea... The entire plan relies on her being right on the hunch that 'they just want to disable her ship', because if not... oh to Tartarus with it!

*SYSTEMS SHUTTING DOWN*

*BLACK-OUT MODE ENGAGED*

*HAVE A GOOD DAAYYYYY....*

"Well, that's it, no going back now. Only time will tell if Luna is on my side this time..."

A sudden book being closed very quickly (and loudly) roused Rainbow from her 'reading' trance, "Rainbow Dash! Wow, you really get into things once get you get started reading, huh?"

"Wha? Oh yeah. Before I just used to read out-loud, but recently I've been trying to just follow the words in my head, so I can imagine it better. Despite what you might think Twi, I don't always love the sound of my own voice..."

"Ha! Nice one. But yeah, I know; we all know that you don't really. It's one of the best things about you y'know: your 'soft side'."

"Aww, thanks Twi." Twilight raised her eyebrow in a quizzical expression, "what, were you expecting me to say 'I'm not soft!'? I know you don't mean harm, and you girls mean a lot to me." Rainbow gave Twilight a soft smile to accompany her own one, which soon sprouted during Rainbow's little admission.

Giving her friend a nuzzle on the cheek, Twilight joined her friend on one of the many comfortably sized 'reading area cushions'; peeing over her shoulder, "I see you found one that's to your liking, how is it so far? I haven't read that one yet--as much as it might surprise you, so don't spoil it please..."

"Heh, I wouldn't dream of it Twi; I know how much you love to discover things for yourself."

Pressing her body closer against Rainbows, Twilight let out a long breath. Who knew Rainbow could be such a great mare to read with? She truly is full of surprises... "Thanks. How does she compare to Daring? I know she's a lot to live up to, that and she has you to compete with for 'coolest mare in all of Equestira'."

"Damn straight! Although she doesn't technically live in Equestira. So she can't really compete with me..." Rainbow rather smugly pointed out.

"Ha ha ha, yes I know. Although it seems your haven't gotten very far; do you mind reading to me a little, I'm sure it wont be detrimental to my reading experience, and you have a such passionate reading voice. Once you get into it of course..."

Rainbow couldn't help but raise her brow at this remark, "Do I now? Well then, guess I'll just have to prove you right!"

"Who's amazing? I am!" Tabbris was doing a jig in the shuttle craft; she had lost the perusers. Or at least, she couldn't see them. After all, she had no use of the sensors or any other electronic equipment linked to the ship, but hey, what's the life of a space pioneer without a little excitement?! "Time to test my theory I think..."

*ARE YOU SURE YOU WAN--* "Yes, yes. I'm sure!"

*BLACK-OUT MODE DISABLED."

"Aaaaaanddd, they've gone! Or have they? Yes, yes they have; that's a rock." Self-assured at her once again brilliant plan, Tabbris set her course for the nearest neutral space-port, post-haste; not wanting to get into more trouble than she already is. Not too surprisingly, she's cautiously suspicious to the enemy ship suddenly disappearing. It's almost too easy convenient in her eyes... "The Griffon Syndicate know not to poke their beaks into 'interdependent proceedings' at least; unlike The Provincial Democratic Sisterhood. Perhaps I can meet up with some contacts there, I do need a new ship after all! He owes me a favour, and it's time to collect I think."

Tabbris--now with a plan in her minds-eye--punches in the final co-ordinates of the the free space-port of Iian. "This old jalopy better not fall apart mid-warp... Well, only one way to find out! YEEEHAWW!" letting out a cry reminiscent of a legend of the past, she was off into the last; truly vast unknown.