Chapter 1

Welcome To Vera Station

24 hours earlier...

Beep! Beep! Beep! Bee-!

Vinyl Scratch slammed her hoof on the small alarm clock, silencing its repetitive and quite annoying ring.

Fuck. Already?

The last thing Vinyl wanted to do right now was get up and start her day, knowing full well what was coming. Now granted, her job didn’t consist of anything difficult or strenuous...most of the time. On a typical day, she would only watch and patrol areas that she was positioned in. Here and there she would have to break up a fight between CEC workers or on rare occasions, actually arrest somepony.

But today was different.

Today, a special event was taking place within the Church of Unitology and the CEC in all their wisdom requested that her team specifically be there to ensure security. Vinyl wasn’t what you would call one to obey orders on the first go and she made clear how much she...disliked and disagreed...with her particular assigned task.

Alas, even with such protest, here she was lying in bed, loathing and cursing in her mind.

Why the hell would the Church of Unitology need security? This is complete bull.

The white unicorn slowly opened her eyes to reveal a semi-dark room lit with a few candles.

She had a simple room compared to most on the station, though some wondered why, since she was the captain of Vera Station’s security detail. Vinyl wasn’t one who needed much, just the basics. She had a bed, her holo-television, a desk for log work, and a bathroom. This was all that she required to be happy.

Okay...let’s get this shit done.

With reluctance, Vinyl slowly lifted herself up from her bed, rubbing her eyes and yawning.

“Lights on,” Vinyl commanded as she slid off the side of her bed and began blowing out flickering candles.

The overhead lights flashed on and a robotic voice was heard, though Vinyl really never paid any attention to it. If anything, it just annoyed her.

“Good morning Captain Vinyl Scratch. I hope you slept well.”

“Whatever,” Vinyl replied as she made her way to her bathroom.

As always, it was routine of the mare to freshen herself up before she started her day, though now she was wishing she was in some type of coma, at least until tomorrow. Vinyl entered the restroom and walked into the small shower.

“Please set preferred temperature,” the same robotic voice asked.

“Sixty degrees Fahrenheit.”

A small blue holographic screen appeared under the shower head and read sixty degrees, just as she wanted. In moments, a solid stream of water splashed against her body. It wasn’t hot or too cold and Vinyl had to admit that this was probably going to be the best part of her day.

She hung her head and let the water hit her blue mane, flattening it and letting the water’s soothing touch splash across her head.

Her eyes began to droop and her body was becoming more and more relaxed. It would be so easy for her to just go back to sleep, ignore today, come back to reality tomorrow, and-

“Incoming video call for Captain Scratch.”

“Huh?!” Vinyl yelped, her eyes shooting back open and her body going into full alert.

She snapped out of her lethargic state and quickly opened the shower door to make her way to the monitor in her room. She snatched a towel from her rack that was beside the shower and wrapped it around her body.

“Incoming video call for Captain Scratch.”

“Yeahyeahyeah! I hear you!”

Vinyl went back into her room and quickly sat down at her small desk. The blue holo-screen flashed a small green light in the corner, signaling that there was a call waiting. She looked at the caller information on the monitor.

Incoming Call: 1st Lt Dash, Rainbow
Request: Video
Subject: N/A

She pressed the green light with her hoof and in an instant, the pony who was trying to call her came on.

“Hey Vinyl! About time you answered. Thought for a minute you were still sleeping and I would have to come and wake your ass up again.”

Vinyl rolled her eyes.

“What is it Rainbow Dash? I was in the middle of a shower.”

Vinyl didn’t mean to sound annoyed with Dash or anything, but she couldn’t help it. This day was already going to be bad enough for her and she just wanted to be alone right now, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t one to call without reason. The pegasus was a good member of the team, despite her ego that she liked to flaunt at times, but Vinyl knew that Rainbow Dash always had her back, thus the reason Vinyl hoof picked her personally to be part of her team.

“Well sorry, but I wanted to tell you that our new suits and RIGs came in today from EQ Gov. finally.”

Vinyl raised her brow in surprise.

“Are you telling me we’re just getting them now? I thought CEC put in a request two months ago for them? Didn’t the Director forward that request?”

Rainbow Dash simply shrugged on the screen.

“Hey, don’t ask me. You can take that to the Director and ask.”

“I would but I can’t. EQ Gov. along with the Director, issued a 8934 Delta on the sector. They will only let authorized personnel in.,” Vinyl replied flatly.

“Still? They’ve had that in place for the past week ever since Celestia came to the station.”

Vinyl knew full well what her comrade was talking about. A week ago, Celestia, head of the Equestrian Government Vector in the entire Sol System, came to Vera Station. For what reason, Vinyl didn’t know and didn’t care. In all honesty, Vinyl could care less what EQ Gov. did. She worked under the CEC and those were the ones that she answered to, with the exception of the Director.

“Yeah, well, that’s none of our business Dash.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her magenta eyes on the screen.

“I don’t know Vinyl. You already know how I feel about all that.”

“Oh hell, not this again Dash. Just save-” but it was too late and the pegasus began onto her spiel.

“I mean, look at it. Ever since Celestia has left after last week and Gov. sector basically shut down, shit has gotten weird here; the murders, the suicides, the reports of hearing scratching in the walls? That shit didn’t start until after Celestia came.”

“Again, that’s not our concern. They have Gov. Specialists taking care of that. Probably just ponies going nuts from being on the station too long and with today’s event at the church, I can see ponies going a bit crazy,” Vinyl stated, but she shared the same question.

After Celestia had left the station and the Gov. Sector issued its delta command, murders and suicides had spiked by the middle of the week and had been continually rising since then. These weren’t just simple murders with obvious motives or suicides with reason though. What struck Vinyl as weird is that the ones who committed the murders and suicides. Little did her team know she was able to snag a few medical reports while she was stationed in the Medical Sector and what she found didn’t make any sense. Report after report showed ponies that were in good health, physically and mentally just a week before Celestia came to the station. Vinyl didn’t understand why now all of a sudden they would go and kill their own co-workers, friends, and themselves.

Then again, it wasn’t her place to understand.

“Okay whatever. Anyways,” Rainbow Dash continued on the monitor, “Your new RIG should already be stored within the station’s database and synced with all systems that you have clearance to. That’s at least what I heard from the eggheads up in Central.”

Vinyl nodded.

“Alright, thanks for the info Dash. Is there anything else you need, because I really need to get ready unfortunately.”

Rainbow Dash laughed openly.

“You’re really hating our detail today aren’t you?”

“You have no idea,” Vinyl laughed in response.

“Well can’t really blame you there. You should’ve heard the drunken rant that Berry was having last night about it and how she might be tempted to take a Force Gun and shove it through the preacher’s ass.”

Vinyl smiled wide and shook her head. Berry Punch, their newest member on the team, was a character to the say the least. She joined her team only but a few weeks ago due to a transfer the mulberry mare had requested from Sierra Station. Though she was a rookie, Vinyl couldn’t help but love the mare’s company. She was always a good laugh when she decided to have a few drinks and also good to have for morale.

“As much as I would like to see that, I rather not have her do that and put the team into a shitstorm with CEC.”

“Yeah, I don’t need any more write-ups on my flank either,” Dash answered with slight dismay, “Well I’ll let you go and get ready. Are you down for a quick smoke later at the Market Sector before we have to go listen to some sermons?” Rainbow Dash asked jokingly.

Vinyl smirked at her best friend and comrade.

“You’re bringing the sticks.”

****

Vinyl walked down the large hallway, now packed with ponies walking to whatever their destinations were. The metallic walls were plastered in electronic ads trying to sell merchandise and messages telling ponies how to get somewhere or if they’re arriving to a new sector. Vinyl didn’t really understand why there were messages like that considering that every RIG was outfitted with a locator.

Welcome to Vera Station! One of the messages scrolled.

Yep. Welcome to Vera, the station out in the middle of bumfuck nowhere.

It technically wasn’t a station out in the middle of space. It was established a few years before she was born and acted as a hub to transfer resources to colonies on different planets from the
spoils of planet-cracking.

This is what kept the equine race alive.

Vinyl was told stories by her mother, which were passed down from her grandparents, of Earth and the actual kingdom of Equestria and how beautiful it was. Grass, birds, flowers, and even the different types of woodland creatures that lived on the planet were described to her and they teased her imagination as a filly.

But soon enough, the resources that they were using from the planet eventually became scarce and as all things, came to an end. Generation by generation passed and the planet died more and more with each passing.

So, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna rose up and helped pony kind develop technology and persuaded their subjects to branch out into the stars and harvest planets for their resources needed to survive. In this, government was established and the two regals that once held the titles of ‘princesses were now head of EQ Gov. and CEC.

That was the story every filly or colt that was born now was told, but it wouldn’t matter when they finally realized that they will never see that once beautiful planet their elders spoke about. They would never know how green that grass was, how beautiful those birds sounded, and how cute those small woodland critters were.

She would never know but that was a sadness she had back as a filly. She no longer cared and accepted that this was her life and she was going to make the best out of it.

Welcome to the Market Sector.

Vinyl entered through the large mechanical doors as they slide open for her. She entered the sector with the door shutting behind her. A mass of ponies walked the artificial sidewalks with shops lining every pathway and corner, and a large glass ceiling that showed off the stars and other parts of the immense station.

This was a place ponies came to shop for necessities such as food, water, and clothes. Not to say that it wasn’t a place to have an enjoyable shopping experience either. There were shops that sold artifacts from Earth, some with upgraded RIGS and designs, others for certain professions, and even some for ponies who are looking for a bit of lustful fun. Regardless, this was the place to be if one wanted or needed something.

But Vinyl didn’t need any of this. Right now, she needed to get over to the smoking hub at the corner of the sector and find Rainbow Dash.

With her pulse rifle slung over the back of her security suit, Vinyl made her way over to the smoking hub and saw her rainbow-maned comrade sitting on one of the silver benches inside it, waving over to her.

Vinyl opened the door to hub and entered the glass chamber. A small air filter was running inside it and there were ashtrays installed in the sides of the bench, ready to incinerate their haysticks when needed.

“Look Cap, I know you’re really not about the whole Unitology detail thing, but do you think you could’ve taken any longer getting here?” Rainbow Dash jested.

Vinyl sat beside the mare.

“Hey, don’t try and say that you’re into this either Dash,” Vinyl answered with a smile and nudging the pony in her shoulder, “And you know I don’t like you calling me ‘Cap’ when we’re not on duty.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head and laughed as she pulled out a small white box out of a compartment in her suit. She wore the same exact security suit as Vinyl but the only change was that it had a blue color to it, unlike Vinyl’s suit which had a red. This was to be expected though due to their ranks.

“Sorry Vinyl, just like screwing with you at times,” Rainbow Dash laughed as she handed a haystick to her.

Vinyl took the haystick and thanked her real quick before putting it in her mouth.

“Yeah,” Vinyl said with the small white stick in her mouth, “You and CEC both seem to like fucking with me.”

Dash grinned at her.

“You know it,” she answered and popped in her own haystick into her mouth.

Within moments, the two haysticks flickered with a small flame at the tip and lit themselves. Vinyl inhaled deeply, taking in its flavor and puffing the smoke out. The smoke didn’t get a chance to linger and the air filter in the ceiling of the hub sucked it up in an instant.

“So is the rest of the team supposed to be meeting at the church?” Vinyl asked, now thinking about her upcoming task.

Rainbow Dash nodded her head and puffed out a plume of smoke.

“Yeah, Berry, Big Macintosh, and Applejack will meet us there. I told them that we were just going to stop for a quick smoke before getting on the tram.”

“Alright cool,” Vinyl said, taking another hit of her haystick.

“Oh hell, check that out,” Rainbow said, jumping up on her hind legs and taking a closer look.

Vinyl looked to where her friend’s eyes were staring at and noticed a mass of ponies forming in the middle of the Market sector, dressed in robes and clothing with strange symbols on them.

“Look Vinyl, your favorite type of ponies,” Rainbow laughed.

Vinyl simply scoffed at such a statement.

“Yeah the fuck right, I wouldn’t be caught dead being any type of friend to a Unitologist.”

“Well there’s some that aren't all hardcore about it,” Dash said with a bit of seriousness, “I have friends that are Unitologists you know? What do you have against them?”

Vinyl had plenty against them. A secret she kept to herself and didn’t really want to talk about. It was already bad enough she had to be in their company, she didn’t want to go into her past and what not about them too.

“Just not my type of pony.”

Rainbow Dash threw her hoof into Vinyl’s shoulder playfully.

“I guess-but hey- let’s get out of this hub real quick,” Rainbow now suggested as she threw her haystick into the tray, instantly turning the item into ash,” I see the mining teams are coming up for some breakfast and I want you to meet a couple mares I met last week while I was on duty down there. They’re pretty cool.”

“Well we got time, why not?” Vinyl answered, throwing her haystick and the same result following suit.

Rainbow Dash picked up her pulse rifle and slung it over her back. With her leading the way, Vinyl followed and just took in the different kinds of ponies that were now beginning their days in the market.

There were the Unitologists dressed in their attire, probably getting ready for their event in the church today and she saw multiple mining teams dressed in their gray and black pants and sweatshirts with the CEC logo patched onto their clothing. It was typical for workers, miners, engineers, and others of profession to come to the market sector and dine for their meals.

Rainbow Dash took a turn and into a small coffee shop that read Sol Jo. The smell of purified air disappeared and was replaced by the strong aroma of artificial coffee beans and breads.

“There they are,” Rainbow Dash announced to her captain and pointed at two mares that were sitting across from each other at a table.

One mare had a dark purplish mane with moderate violet and brilliant rose strands running down through it and her tail, and her coat being soft lavender. She was a unicorn and what Vinyl could tell from her CEC patch that read EG-01, it seemed her profession was an engineer for ships.

Oh, so we got a nerd. What about the-oh wow.

Vinyl was taken off guard by what she was seeing. The other mare had a yellow coat and angelic pink hair along with a wavy tail. Her eyes were a watery blue and she wore the same uniform that the purple mare had but her patch was for something different, reading M-33.

Medical Assistant?

Vinyl had to admit that the mare was kind of cute for a medical assistant.

“Hey Fluttershy, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash greeted the two as her and Vinyl made their way to their table, “What you guys up to?”

Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle turned to see what pony was talking to them and noticed the two security mares.

“Oh, hello Lieutenant Dash,” Twilight greeted first, “We’re just having a cup of coffee before we go down to the mines. How are you this morning?”

“Oh, um, hello,” Vinyl heard the yellow mare, deducing the medical assistant to be Fluttershy.

“Nothing much, Just me and my captain here,” Rainbow Dash said, pointing her hoof at Vinyl beside her, “Getting ready to do some security work over at the church for the day.”

“Oh!” Twilight Sparkle said and looked over to Vinyl, handing out her hoof, “So you must be Captain Scratch that Lieutenant Dash has told me about.”

Vinyl shook the unicorn’s hoof and smiled while darting her eyes over to her friend with a look of ‘WTF?’

“Yeah, that would be me.”

“Pleased to meet you. Over here is my friend Fluttershy,” Twilight pointed out.

Vinyl looked over the pegasus who now had one of her eyes behind her angelic hair and looked extremely nervous.

Vinyl held out her hoof to the mare, admiring a bit how innocent she looked.

“Hello Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy looked at Vinyl for a moment and slowly held out her hoof to meet hers. Vinyl shook it gently and noticed how soft the mare’s hoof felt.

Wow. She looks real good up close.

“Uh Vinyl?” she heard Rainbow Dash say and looked over to her.She noticed her friend’s eyes looking over to her hoof and Vinyl immediately realized that she was still shaking the ponies hoof.

“Oh! Sorry,” Vinyl nervously laughed, having her hoof retreat from the open.

Fluttershy chuckled a bit and pushed a side of her hair away from the side of her face. Vinyl was pretty impressed on how innocent and cute the mare looked.

“It’s okay Captain Vinyl,” Fluttershy assured with meekness.

Rainbow Dash snickered a bit, making Vinyl turn to her and giving her a look of annoyance though it was also in part due to her own bit of embarrassment. Rainbow Dash was a good friend but there were times that the pegasus could really annoy at her times.

“So are you two working the Tritan mines or Zerox ones today?” Rainbow Dash now asked Vinyl’s now new acquaintances.

“Well I’m working in the Tritan mines today. Fluttershy here has the day off and has a little ceremony to go to today at the church.”

“Wait what?” Vinyl blurted, taken a bit guard off this statement and looking over to Fluttershy, “Are you a Unitologist?”

Fluttershy nodded with a small smile.

“Oh yes. I've been a Unitologist for three years now. I’m still pretty new to it though, but I’m excited for the ceremony today.”

Vinyl felt her insides turn and felt a sudden disgust as she heard the word ‘Unitologist.’

Great. The good looking pony is a Unitologist.

“Oh yeah? Well Vinyl and me-”

“Vinyl and I,” Twilight Sparkle corrected, making the whole group go silent for a few seconds.

“Uhhh alright then, anyways, Vinyl and I are going over to the church and taking the tram to get to the Unitology recruiting center so if you want Fluttershy, you can come with us since we’re heading the same way.”

Vinyl huffed under her breath. She already saw that coming considering that if her friend had any chance of making her feel uncomfortable, she was going to take it. To make it worse, Rainbow knew full well how much Vinyl disliked Unitologists and was using it against her.

“Isn’t that right Captain?” Rainbow Dash nudged.

Vinyl nodded her head with reluctance.

“Yeah. Sure. She can come with us.”

“Oh no! I couldn’t let you two do that. I’m sure you two have other important things to-” but she was interrupted by a very persistent Rainbow Dash.

“Hey don’t worry about it. We got you,” Rainbow Dash proclaimed, now pulling the delicate mare by her hoof and onto her hind legs, making her emit a small audible squeal, “C’mon. Let’s get over there.”

“Oh alright. Well, I guess that’s a sign for me to get my flank on over to the mines,” Twilight said as she finished her mug of coffee and got up, “It was nice to see you Lieutenant Dash.”

Rainbow nodded her head in acknowledgement and Twilight turned her head to Vinyl with a warm smile.

“It was nice meeting you today Captain Scratch. I hope that I see you around more some time.”

You have no idea.

“Oh don’t worry, you’ll see me around,” Vinyl half-heartedly joked.

Twilight Sparkle waved and the three mares waved back, watching the unicorn walk away and off to her tasks for the day.

“Well let’s get going Vinyl. We got to take Miss Fluttershy here over to the church and get to the team before they start thinking we bailed out or something.”

Vinyl turned to her and nodded though she knew she wasn’t going to like this train ride over to the church. Today was just an all-around shitty day but now instead of just listening to services and ponies who were batshit crazy, she now was going to escort one to the damned place.

To make it worse, the Unitologist named Fluttershy was actually cute.

The trio made their way to the tram station, with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy talking to each other, and her behind the two in silence.

What a fucking day this is turning out to be.

But she was going to regret that thought. Today was going to be more fucked up than she ever imagined.

And possibly her last.

Author's Note