My Little Rogue Trader: Maretime Sector

The first thing that anyone would notice upon seeing the fabled place itself is the sheer amount of neon lights, original architecture, and palm trees there. The buildings that made up Maretime Sector were lit up by calm blues, pinks, purples, and yellows, and the shapes of the buildings themselves had more curves than edges. A massive setting sun light was set in the far wall, lighting up the whole of the sector, but only in a way that would make it seem like the sun itself was setting on this entirely-indoor place. This moody light did little to light up the ponies and humans who walked the streets, as they partied and played. In the middle of Maretime Sector, there sat a large, artificial lake, which reflected the lights of the city-within-the-city. As the real yellow sun set on the world of Hassia, so, too, did the artificial sun of this recreation district. A sun always watched over by the aquila and the alicorn, ever present. Ever watchful. The setting sun also allowed the false stars to show in the sloping roof, one of the few places in the Hive that didn't have hanging dwellings.

Sunny and Tabby disembarked from the Kraken cruiser, onto the platform station above the lake itself, the rail line aqueduct running through the lake and everything else through this sector. Sunny looked around, mouth agape. She had come all this way... to witness all the lights! The sounds of a thousand party clubs! The overwhelming smell of a thousand exotic restaurants!

This evening had already caused Sunny to sport a grin that nearly split her face in twain. She rushed to the edge of the platform, marveling all the while at the sight of the near-endless amounts of attractions, shops, exhibits, and amenities. She reared up, planting her hooves on the reinforced wire fence that served as a safety barrier with a metallic rattle. Her eyes wandered, the vista full of the new and the wonderful.

"Incredible!" Sunny shouted with a near-dopey look on her face. Just like on the ticket! With a smirk, Tabby followed close behind at a more sedate pace. There was no rush, even for the crowd who disembarked. Many eyes also saw the sector for the first time, a similar sense of wonder lighting up each of their own eyes. Still others carried about their way, all-too-familiar with their fantastical surroundings.

Tabby wistfully chuckled, "Good Lord in Heaven. Maretime Sector. Wow..." Seeing Sunny turn back to face him, Tabby wagged his eyebrows and continued, face lit up by the neon lights, "Y'know, they call her the Crown Jewel of Hassia Prime."

Sunny looked out to see all the splendor, the awe-inspiring sights. They twinkled like gems in Sunny's eyes. "Yeah," she thought aloud. "They got the crown part right..."

With a tilt of his head, Tabby ushered Sunny onward. "C'mon," he invited. "I run a place here. It's a kind of night club and..." He grinned. "Candy parlor."

That caught Sunny's interest. Her ears twitched with a flick, but the manner of speech in which Tabby had said it... Sunny's eyes narrowed, just a tad, as Tabby led the way off the platform, and onto one of the walkways into the streets. "I like candy," she admitted. It was always a treat whenever she and... her parents went for a good time, tasting sweet morsels of colorful drops after she had come home from the schola and they were done with the work shift.

"Real deal, real sugar, Sunny," mused Tabby. Sunny could've sworn she also saw a twitch in Tabby's smile, as if unconsciously signaling that was not all that was in the... candy.

The possibility gave Sunny pause. They both walked along a long bridge that connected the train station to one of the streets. Already, Sunny could see the neon lights beckoning. Other humans and ponies walked to and fro.

"We'll be entering Maretime through Hoofbeat Boulevard. Great place to lose yourself."

Admittedly, even here, Sunny was somewhat distracted, looking out from the bridge, over the water, at the distance, where the tube that housed this place housed a good many multi-storied buildings, all whom had their lights on. Soon enough, Tabby Baker and Sunny Starscout stepped onto the smooth streets of Maretime Sector. Hoofbeat Boulevard was full of shops, each with enticing banners and signs. A lot of goodies... for free? Just how valuable was this ticket, really?

Another question suddenly entered Sunny's mind. One she had voiced aloud before she had thought about it, "So... if you run a place here in Maretime, what were you doing out?"

Without looking back at Sunny, Tabby simply said, that damn smile never leaving his face, "Oh, y'know... business. Networking. Messing around in the other Hives."

Sunny missed a step and blinked hard. That's right, there were other mega cities on the planet of Hassia. What else... wait.

Sunny asked, "Are there other Maretime Sectors?"

Tabby Baker laughed, and wistfully replied, "Nah... Maretime's the one and only. The entertainment districts of the other hives aren't exactly slouches, though. If I wasn't here, I'd be at Adeptus Amusement in Hassia Tertium Hive. Those crazy goddamn ponies from Residuum sure know how to party."

Hassia Tertium... that would be the third hive city. Dedicated to Princess Silver Sword, and the brave huntsponies of the distant world of Residuum. The official headquarters and staging ground of the Hassian Mercator Guard, the official ground forces of the Hassian Protectorate. Sunny thought a little as they walked, past sights and sounds and smells. There was a faint memory... Sunny vaguely remembered meeting a Residuum pony once... a pegasus. Weird mane-cut. She was very proud of her origins... even if she admitted that she was born in Hassia Tertium, not Residuum.

Tabby might've been waffling off about something else, cursing as he did so, but Sunny was distracted with thinking.

The titanic arcologies... there were six built upon this world, after the Great Crusade. There was Hassia Prime, where Sunny lived and worked—the capital for the whole sector.

There was Hassia Secundum, the nerve center of the Hassian Mechanicus. Many dragons followed Magos Polarscale in making a utopia of industry. Nearly every techpriest that Sunny ever saw was a dragon. Wait, does that mean every dragon in the sector was a cyborg? ...No, the House Seneschal wasn't augmented... that she could see.

Then there was Hassia Tertium, a veritable Superfortress, an entire mountain of guns and the souls to use them. Every megastructure on this speck of sand in this infinite cosmos could be considered a citadel of civilization, but the level to which they were entrenched, from what Sunny heard... the fortifications of Tertium bordered on the... excessive. Dedicated to the Princesses of Residuum, and overseen by Princess... oh. Sunny Starscout smirked. The Princess in charge there was called Sunny Heart.

There was also Hassia Quartum, the personal fiefdom of Princess Azure Fire. That Hive was home to a supermassive vertical farm, very fitting for the former ruler of a feudal agri-world. There was a good chance that the hiveberries that Sunny drank on the train came from Quartum. The overly medieval trappings and culture were very tempting... Sunny could almost smell the hydroponics... hear the rushing water and see the swaying grains. The thought made her smile.

Finally, there was Hassia Quintum, taller than all the rest. The city itself transitioned to the orbital infrastructure that surrounded the planet. Many who would leave Hassia for parts unknown would do do through the port of Quintum. Headquarters of Battlefleet Skeinan, named in honor of Princess Twilight Sparkle's brother of yore, Prince Shining Armor. The frigates, cruisers, battleships, and other ships of that fleet were all painted in white, blue, and gold colors, after the colors of that honored royal. As for why the armada was called "Skienan" instead of "Shining"... yeah, Sunny didn't quite know.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Tabby bumping slightly into her. "Hey," he teased. "Something distracting you?"

Sighing, Sunny admitted, "Well, just remembering that there are other hive cities than Hassia Prime, I guess."

Tabby's grin widened. "Hah!" He chuckled an aged chuckle. "I know that there are some ponies convinced there isn't even an outside to this city. They never use their PTO to go walking on an exterior view park, the dumb bastards."

Sunny recalled a day... one when she was much smaller, when she was brought with her class outside. The view of the Hive and the sea was surreal, as was the feeling of sunlight on her fur. Real sunlight. There was no ceiling at all, but an ocean of blue beneath the hive, and an expanse of dark blue above. Sunny scoffed in amusement, and then decided to make a joke. She said, "Think their brains will melt out of their ears if they're dragged outside?"

Another hearty, phlegmy laugh from Tabby. He cleared his throat, then joked back, "That's assuming they had brains to begin with!"

Sunny couldn't help but share in his mirth and mockery. Laughter came quick and easy here. It was as if the air itself here was full of stimulants.

...Maybe it was.

Tabby came to a sudden stop, causing Sunny to halt with a more abrupt motion. She followed Tabby Baker's gaze up, to see what had caused him to stop. They had walked all this way to a tall, square, 4 story building with oriel windows running up the middle. A display, shown in blue fluorescent colors, read, "The Crystal Stallion Club". Accompanying it was a sign of a prominent glowing outline of a reclining unicorn colt with a rather saucy expression on its face.

A colt with a rather familiar Stetson hat and jacket.

Sunny looked back to see Tabby's stubbornly smug grin. "Call me biased," he chimed, eyes full of that aged joviality. "But my club is the best in all this sector."

A new voice, from a new pony. One whose voice was soft, and sweet, yet carried across the street as if she was raising her voice.

"Making new friends, Baker?"

Tabby and Sunny tore their gaze from each other and looked at this new pony, who cantered up with an air of casual confidence. She was a flax-haired vixen, with a gorgeous blonde mane, brilliant blue eyes, a pale coat of fur, and a gorgeous, sparkling crimson dress that hung off her Earth pony body. Her red lipstick matched her dress.

In short, what confronted Tabby and Sunny was a supermodel of a mare. Without further announcement, the mare waltzed up to Baker and kissed him on the forehead, at the base of his horn.

"Missed you, baby," she cooed.

"Shit, Casey," moaned Tabby as he rubbed the back his head with a hoof over his hat, eyes closed. "Making me feel like a little colt."

This mare, Casey, then looked to Sunny, and offered an immaculate hoof. She introduced herself with a more professional, level voice, saying, "Casey Heartthrob. Nice to meet'chu..." She smiled as she read the nametag on Sunny's uniform. "Sunny Starscout."

Sunny, after a second, placed a hoof on Casey's own, completing the hoofshake. They both got back on their hooves, and both watched as Tabby lead the way to Crystal Stallion.

"Data clerk, huh?" Thought Casey aloud, her voice full of silky intent. "It must get so mind-numbing to read all those numbers and figures, day after day..."

Sunny and Casey started to trot after Tabby, who was lost in his own little world. Sunny chuckled, saying, "Yeah, it does get a little boring, sometimes." She decided to follow up wit, "It's... why I'm here, I guess. To... unwind. Relax. That sort of thing."

Casey hummed, the pair of them reaching the door, which was held open by a smirking Tabby Baker. Casey nodded, as did Sunny. After they had gone through the door, Tabby clicked his tongue and followed.

Inside, Sunny could see a few tellers to her left and right, but they were empty. However, ahead, the dance floor was illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colors, as if a myriad of jewels were casting their radiant light upon the partygoers, both humans and ponies. Actually... to Sunny's surprise, she also noticed a few zebras here, as well. They were rough-looking, tattooed and scarred. However, one of them wasn't on the dance floor. He trotted right up to Tabby Baker, leaving Sunny to stand around, wondering, waiting.

The stallion had large, round, golden-rimmed glasses on, concealing his eyes. The zebra's muzzle was covered in a short-cut beard. Dark dreadlocks ran down his head and spilled onto the black suit jacket he was wearing., which covered his body and legs. Sunny found herself remarking that the colt was even wearing dress shoes, something leathery, very fancy.

The party continued on. Sunny looked above the bar that sat across the room from the dance floor, which lead up to a great big statue of the Rogue Trader, a great smile on his face as he held a bottle out in an outstretched hand. Above the statue of the immortal Hassian lord, the fourth-story office window stood. To look down on the partygoers?

With a voice rich with baritone, the stallion said, "Welcome back, boss. How did business fare?"

"Business is damn good, Neighsara," Tabby replied, walking right up to his confidant. "You get any word from Quintum?"

Nodding, Neighsara reported, "Indeed. A new vessel has come in from New Hayti. Our numbers swell with new piratical talent."

That brought a big grin to Tabby's face, who cheered, "Woo! Hell yeah! That's what I'm talking about!"

"And who is this? New talent?" Neighsara wondered aloud, his bespectacled gaze coming to a rest on Sunny.

Tabby looked back at Sunny with a critical eye, and said, "Nah... just a new friend I met on the train ride here."

"Ah, I see." Neighsara put on a professional smile. "Just a budding acquaintance." Baker nodded.

A new voice, from a new source. It was boisterous, loud. "We got the talent, you got the guns! Sounds like a new season's almost upon us!"

Sunny turned her head to see this new arrival, a pale, blue-eyed pegasus with a spiked biker jacket, facial piercings, black-painted cheeks, and the dumbest green-dyed short mohawk mane cut she had ever seen. Instantly, Sunny froze. She already knew this pony from hearing her father criticize this pony's looks. Loudly.

"Aw," this new pony said, "Looks like our newcomer's familiar with Nuffle's chosen!"

Casey tapped a hoof against his shoulder, and said, in a chiding tone, "It isn't every day that a girl has her first day here in Maretime, and it isn't every day that she meets a celebrity, Touchdown."

That raised Touchdown's eyebrows, and then he said, eying Sunny up and down, "Is that right...?" He grinned. "I think I can help a sister out, ey?"

Unceremoniously, Touchdown tossed a rubbery, spiked gridiron hoofball towards Sunny. Her eyes widened as she scrambled to catch it. Finally, she held up the offered sports memorabilia and noticed, after a brief inspection, that Touchdown had left his chicken scratch signature on it.

"I..." Sunny offered back, before stowing it away in her bag. "...Thanks?" One of her eyebrows was cocked. Was this supposed to help her, somehow?

"Hah!" Touchdown laughed. "You can get a lot from selling that, baby. It'll easily be enough for a lifetime pass to Maretime Sector. All the fun and games you could ever want...! Terms and conditions apply."

That... sounded both good and... unlikely.

Instead of saying her doubts aloud, Sunny said, sheepishly, "If... you think so."

It was Baker's turn to laugh aloud, taunting, "Shit, Touchdown! You're losing your touch!"

Sighing, Touchdown lamented, "Yeah..." before being the first to march up the stairs behind him towards the staff-only section, followed by Neighsara and Casey.

Briefly, Sunny thought if she should follow, but... she turned to Tabby Baker, who curtly said, "Have a good time, Sunny," before following his... business partners up the stairs.

Sunny let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in. Smiling, she then decided that she should at least attempt to enjoy herself here. She shivered away the energy of meeting so many eccentric personalities at once. She figured that she need another drink... maybe a bite to eat, too. The song that was playing started to transition from a bumping, bassy electronic tune to a slow, light rock track, accompanied by nice vocals. The sound allowed Sunny to breathe, being destressing, and focus on what she should get from the bar. All this excitement has left her now feeling a bit peckish. Sunny decided that she could chance whatever smelled good at the bar.

Sauntering across the perimeter of the dance floor, which was flanked by a few tables that had ponies and humans at them, she arrived at the bar, where she hopped on up to an empty stool, eyes glancing over the drink and menu options on the far wall. After a moment of breathing, and thinking, Sunny was confronted by a new colt, who smiled at her widely from behind the counter. He was an amber-coated, seaweed-green-haired, golden-eyed earth pony. The first thought that entered Sunny's mind was that this was the type of healthy-looking colt that would make her Mom give her an encouraging smile.

Maybe.

The colt introduced himself, saying, "Welcome to the Crystal Stallion! My name is Hitch Trailblazer! Can I take your order, Miss Sunny?"

At this point, it was nice not having to introduce herself. Sunny looked at the menu again, and said, "Water, and..." She looked at the menu again. "I'll take a garden salad sandwich with fries, please."

Hitch nodded, moving away to prepare Sunny's order. As for her, Sunny pivoted her ears to listen around. She rested her hooves on the counter, her ears twitching as she heard snippets of chatter. Their easygoing, even cheerful voices revealed to Sunny a mundane existence even here in Maretime. To her left, she could hear a pegasus mare, chatting with another about something. The first wore a pale jumpsuit. With a start, Sunny realized that this was an Enforcer, like the man on the train. Her first clue was the shock maul hanging off her belt, alongside her other police gadgets. The suit matched well with her pale coat, blue eyes, and—...okay, the only way Sunny could describe the pony's mane, whose suit nametag read "Zipp Storm", as a healthy drop of toothpaste. The same went for her tail, she realized.

Then, there was Pipp Petals.

Huh?

Sure enough, the pony chatting with this "Zipp" was the same artist those songs Sunny had been listening to the other day. Her purple mane, her gorgeous pink fur and wings, and those happy, leaf-green eyes. She also wore an emerald-embedded golden band on her head; a testament to her success. Her music was something that Sunny could rely on to soothe the stress of a work day. Its folksy, hip, upbeat tones were a nice departure from hymning or official Imperial anthems. Those anthems which always blared on Holidays from every loud-hailer, thanking the Imperial Pantheon for their continued survival against the Dark.

Father and Mother in Heaven, we thank thee for Hassia, our Home amidst the void. May it last forever. Sunny saw a few Christograms on some golden decorations.

Emperor of Man, Solarch of Equestria, timeless rulers of the universe, may thy light shine through the Astronomicon forever. The aquila and the alicorn watching over all.

Primarchs who number Twenty, protectors and champions, may thy guns at last be stilled when the final foe lies slain. Sunny recalled seeing the new chapter of Hassian Astartes on the news, their new base of operations to be constructed right on this very world.

Rogue Traders... Sunny looked up to see the golden statue of her liege, Edo Von Hassia. She could've sworn it was glancing at her before she looked. The hand at his side carried necklaces, laden with marbles; the worlds of the Protectorate. A golden chain that held up the lives of all who lived there.

May the road of thorns prosper us all.

Even so, with the prayer out of her thoughts, Sunny remembered the more mundane, mortal hopes and dreams that Pipp would sing of.

"Everything's going to be okay," Sunny sang quietly, a smile on her muzzle.

That immediately got the attention of the pegasus singer, who looked past Zipp to address Sunny, asking, with a gasp, "You know my songs?"

Well, she came this far. Sunny nodded, her grin widening. "Yeah. They've really helped me out recently."

Hearing that also caused Pipp's grin to widen. Before her energy could burst out her mouth, Zipp also leaned in, her lower face somewhat darkened by the bright lighting of the club. Zipp interrogated, "Are we gonna have any funny business?"

Such a hostile remark caused Sunny to pause, but then Zipp grew a mischevious smile. She laughed, "Nah, I'm just messing with you. Gotta protect the sis from any rabid fans, am I right?"

Sister? Sunny eyes darted between Zipp and Pipp. Putting it like that... didn't make it seem so strange anymore. Sunny was interrupted by a tray, with some remarkably good-looking food on it, and a bottle of water. She excused herself with a "I guess so," before digging in.

It was then that a new pony, a unicorn, came to the bar. A lilac-furred, ocean blue-maned, filly with magenta eyes took a bottle from Hitch and took a good swig, the drink floating in her magic field. This new mare was wearing red and gold robes, with a candy-colored rainbow running all over it. She looked over, and asked, with a small smile, "Making new friends, Pipp?"

"Yep, Izzy!" Came the answer from the pegasus. "This is Sunny Starscout, and she loves my music!"

Izzy's eyebrows bobbed in surprise, and she offered a hoof, saying, "Hi, Sunny. I'm Izzy Moonbow, Temple Artist."

A Temple Artist?

"What's that?" Sunny asked before taking another bite.

Smiling, Izzy explained, "It's about expressing our love for one another, and for the Imperium. I've got quite the following in the more... church-loving circles."

At that, Sunny nodded. It was like a whole other way of life, one dedicated to serving others... maybe Sunny should follow in those hoofsteps.

The club's music transitioned again, the lights changing to cast a blue light on all. It was a thoughtful, yet energetic piano piece, accompanied by drums and snares.

With how fresh the salad sandwich was, it would not surprise Sunny if an exotic agri-sector was right next to Maretime.

Just another reason to love it here.

New friends, new places, new foods... a genuine sense of cheer started to rise in Sunny's chest.

"It's my first day in Maretime," Sunny admitted. "I hope I can make the most of it."

A gasp caused Sunny to turn around, only to be met with another new pony, another unicorn. This one carried a bottle aloft in her magic, the blue light cast down on her bushy, dark green mane, blue fur, and minty green eyes.

"That would explain it!" She gasped aloud.

"Explain... what?" Sunny asked.

"Ahem," the new unicorn gunted, clearing her throat. "I'm Misty Brightdawn, Baker's Secretary. He asked me to give you this."

Taking the bottle in her hooves, Sunny's eyes widened to read the colorful labelling on the bronze-colored glass bottle with dark liquid.

"This is Star Rum," remarked Sunny. She looked up, and saw a grinning face look back at her.

A whistle from Sunny's right. "Outside of Maretime, that would cost you quite a few aquilas," spoke Zipp, her eyes narrowing.

"I thought... never mind," said Misty, before shaking her head and putting on her work face. "Be sure to enjoy yourself!"

Sunny turned around as she opened the bottle, a very potent smell immediately assaulting Sunny's nose.

"Just a word of warning," Hitch said, softly, to Sunny. "If Baker offers you some 'candy', don't eat it."

Huh? "O-Okay..." sputtered Sunny now. She worked up the courage to drink. She could taste the pirate's life, with lemon, gunpowder, and an exotic alien fruit making itself known to Sunny. What was the fruit called, again? Sea Nemos?

Sunny swallowed down the liquid fire, her hooves already tingling with the excitement of having such an expensive drink here in Maretime Sector. Putting the bottle down, Sunny breathed, then laughed.

This was going to be great!

Sunny's head hurt. She should not have taken that bottle... and the bottle after that. She lost count.

At least the bed was soft. Wait, bed? Sunny's bloodshot eyes snapped open, and she looked around, in a daze. This was... a hotel room? She was on... a queen-sized bed, the biggest and softest she ever slept on... huh? With a bit of effort, Sunny crawled out of the bed and onto her hooves. Besides the hangover, Sunny felt... her joints loosened. Was that a massage? She looked at her hooves, perfectly cared for and even painted. Sunny stepped, feeling the soft white carpet beneath her hooves.

It was still night-time, so Sunny could see out the bay window that lined the wall that Sunny got off the bed near. She looked at the dazzling lights of the city, seeing that the party was still on, despite the late hour. She then noticed her reflection, something new about her looks caught her eye. She looked over at the vanity in front of the bed, a wide mirror showing off the room, which was filled with boxes... of some kind. Even the vanity itself was a mess of stuff that had been piled on it. Sunny couldn't see much of what it was with the light off, but she did still march over to the mirror and inspect her mane.

It was braided, as it ever was, but it now sported new colors, a line of yellow, blue, and red. The colors in her otherwise purple mane came down all the way through her braid. Sunny swished her head, noticing all the new colors that were dyed in. If she was honest... it looked good on her. Her agape mouth slowly turned into a smile.

Then the door opened. A violent shiver ran up Sunny's back as she saw an Enforcer flick the lights on the room. The human was heavily armored and armed. He swept a visored gaze around, a shock maul in one hand and an oval clear plasteel shield in the other. He opened the bathroom stall, then swept his gaze around the room Sunny found herself stuck in. Frozen. Under the gaze of the law.

"Clear!" He shouted, allowing more Enforcers into the room. To Sunny's wide-eyed expression of horror, one of the ponies was Zipp, who winced to see Sunny there. It was then that Sunny looked around to the mess that was lit up now. The boxes were full of stuff, but one caught her attention.

It was full of guns. And the stand for the vanity mirror? Covered in clear plastic bags, full of bright, blue pills. The bags themselves had a Stetson hat sticker on them.

"Candy".

Sunny couldn't even hear the orders the Enforcers were shouting past the rushing blood in her ears. As Zipp closed in with a pair of cuffs, there was only one thing that Sunny could think to say.

"Ponyfeathers."