Where Nopony Has Gone Before
Introduction
Space, the final frontier
These are the voyages of the Starship Canterlot
Her continuing mission:
To seek out new life and new civilization
To Boldy Go Where Nopony Has Gone Before
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Captain's Log, Stardate: 41134.59
I've recently gained command of the USS Canterlot. The old captain has retired, and he will be sorely missed. However, I've already received my first mission as captain. Starfleet has asked me to deliver blueprints for new techonology to Starbase 74 in the Zetan System. The Canterlot is currently being refitted with new weapons and a faster warp drive. We leave at 1400 hours.
Comet put on his new pin. There were four of them on his collar now, showing his new rank of Captain. As he put it on, he glanced in the mirror. He noticed that he had a more gallant appearance. He also noticed a few wrinkles under his eyes, his black mane streaked with grey. Five years he had served on the Canterlot, not including the twenty-six years he put into Starfleet, and she was finally his. His father would've been so proud of him.
The Canterlot was a fine ship. In fact, it was the Federation's flagship. She was a battleship, fitted with four (soon to be six) phasers and three (soon to be four) photon torpedo banks. For years, the Federation of Equine Planets gave the title of Canterlot to its flagship, and this vessel was no exception. The USS Canterlot 1210-D was the latest, and some might argue greatest, vessel in Starfleet. Every captain envied Comet now, especially since the Canterlot was being equipped with a warp drive that could hit 9.4 for 26 hours.
"She's a beauty, no denying that." said Admiral Raindrop, commander of Starbase 1. He was the one that promoted Comet, and he was also a friend of Comet's father. He continued, "Your father would've been so proud, Comet. I know it. It's the Canterlot for Celestia's-sake! I assume you've been briefed on the new mission?"
"Yes, sir." replied Comet. "We're supposed to deliver the blueprints for some new technology to Starbase 74." Despite years of being away from home, Comet still kept some parts of his southern accent. His voice still had a slight twang reminiscent of .
"That is correct." Admiral Raindrops continued, "I'm sorry about the dullness of the mission, but its a fairly important one. The rest of the details are in this packet." The admiral took a sip of his tea. He pushed the papers across the table to Comet. Comet carefully reviewed each paper, looking for some sort of difficult task. However, it was a simple mission. In the most simple terms, it was like delivering a package.
Comet said, "Wow. We're developing technology for a Warp 10 Drive? That's incredible! These new phaser designs are great, the photon torpedoes are excellent...wait, what's this? This piece of paper's blank."
The admiral replied, "Yeah, that's for Admiral Red Phaser's eyes only. Even I don't know what this is. But I know it's really, really important. So take extra care when delivering these blueprints, ok."
Comet nodded and said, "Yes sir. Thanks for everything. I'll be sure to keep the Canterlot in working condition."
Admiral Raindrop smiled and waved Comet off.
All those years I put into Starfleet, and now I'm their delivery boy, Comet thought. Well, orders are orders. He left the admiral's office and trotted off to the Canterlot. Starbase 1 orbited around Earth, and Comet could clearly see the continent of Equestria from the base's windows. He traveled throughout the base, seeing many types of griffons, zebras, ponies, horses and other equines. Not to mention equines from other planets.
Comet knew that his first officer was a zebra. From a little planet called Vulcan. Vulcan, despite having a humid climate, was one of the centers of the Federation, along with Earth. Earth ponies, being the most dominant species on Earth, and the Vulcan zebras, the dominant species on Vulcan, were two of the most influential races in the known universe. Having Earth or Vulcan blood was one of the best assets an equine could have in the universe.
Two guards saluted Comet as he entered the Canterlot. "She's gorgeous, ain't she?" Comet asked the cadets, his southern accent ringing throughout the halls. They nodded in agreement, each of them sporting a smile on their faces. Comet trotted down the halls of the ship, saluting everypony that passed him. The crew of the Canterlot had known Comet for years, and they couldn't think of a better pony to take the reins of the ship than him.
The sliding doors opened, and Comet found himself on the bridge of the Canterlot. It was spacious, and there were stations for everything: Communications, Science, Security and Engineering. The ponies on the bridge clapped their hooves when he entered, many of them shouting their individual congratulations. The captain calmed them down and said, "Thank you all very much. It is an honor to command such a fine ship. Especially when it's run by a crew like yourselves." Everypony took his words to heart. If there was one thing that the crew knew about Comet, it was his sense of honesty. Ponies had always said that Comet's honesty and humility came from his work on his family's apple farm.
The clapping continued until Comet said, "Ok, ok. I get the point. Now, we've got a mission to Starbase 74. It's a simple delivery mission, hopefully we'll get a good mission soon." He moved towards the center chair in the room, sat down and said, "Engineer, set our engines to full power. Ensign, set a course for Starbase 74, Warp 6."
"Not so fast..."