Dead Space: Uprising

Docked on the side of the USK Acestile were a collection of small 'Skip' ships. These ships were designed for short space travel between stations or other ships, carrying only two individuals at a time. Being a cargo ship, the USC Nalu was equipped with Skip docking stations, for supply deliveries to other ships while in space. Today the Skip was being used to transfer the 6 individuals who volunteered to visit the USC Nalu on a simple repair job. Aria sat in the front seat of her skip, staring curiously at her RIG screen. She was busy studying the whereabouts of her partner Slate, who she was impatiently waiting on. Aria had been sitting there for 10 minutes already, and getting tired. It was quiet in the Skip, very quiet. While still connected to the ship, the skip was actually in the vacuum of space; save for the skip itself and outside the entrance, which still had air. Aria kept her helmet on nonetheless, just in case there were any 'leaks' in the hull of the skip. The sound of her own breathing into her helmet was the only sound in the skip, which to her was somewhat comforting. It was very peaceful, despite the fact that her objective would be unpleasant.

She'd rather be in bed.

The skip door opened rather quietly as Slate crept inside the small ship in a seat behind Aria. Aria switched off her RIG display.

"Where have you been for the past 10 minutes?" Aria's tone was noticeably annoyed. Slate looked forward to her friend, only getting the back of her head.

"I was just collecting some stuff for the assignment. I brought some extra health kits, just in case we need them" she explained. "I bought some from the store"

"The store? I didn't know that, I thought you could only get them if they were prescribed"

"Nah, you can get them easily. Anyone else left yet?" Slate asked, looking out the front window. Aria shook her head.

"Nope, I think we'll be the first to go. This is gonna be fun" she replied confidently. Using her magic, she began the start-up process. She brought up her RIG again, opening a communications channel to the bridge. "Skip-1 to bridge, this is CEC Engineer Aria Cackles, requesting permission to disengage, over" The Skip began to power up, humming loudly as the engines started. Behind her, Slate's helmet assembled over her head as she also brought up her RIG.

"Affirmative Cackles. Remember your objective. You are to get to the USC Nalu, and fix any communication issues they have, along with any problems with the engines"

"Got it" she confirmed. The skip disengaged completely from the ship. Now they were truly in space. The skip drifted away from the ship before accelerating forward, en route to the Nalu. Aria used her magic on the controls, keeping it steady.

"Apart from Steel, who were the other 3?" Aria asked. Slate looked up from her RIG.

"Dunno. All I know is we have a pegasus pony and two Earth stallions with us. So that makes 2 Earth, 2 pegasi, and unicorn and an alicorn. They should call us 'Team All-Star" she chuckled. The two flew quietly, until Aria broke the silence.

"Hey, Slate? I never got to ask, where were you from?"

"Hm? I grew up in a small town on Earth called Ponyvillie. I had a nice childhood, quite a few friends, but we all sort of went our separate ways as we grew up. I remember my mom telling me all these fantastic stories when I was little"

"What kind of stories?"

"She told me all about the six "Elements of Harmony" and the ponies that represented them. They kinda sounded like superheroes to me. They defeated all sorts of monsters like Spirit of Chaos and a Changeling queen! I think my mom told me a story about how one of the ponies befriended the Spirit of Chaos. I forgot either of their names...Those ponies more than 200 years ago though, but I'm sure they had families" she continued. Aria knew those stories well, perhaps better than Slate. "What about you?" she asked. It was an armour piercing question for Aria. She didn't like to discuss it.

"Well, if you must know, I also grew up in Ponyvillie, but I was born in Canterlot. My life was filled with high expectations" she explained drearily.

"Why was that?"

"I don't want to discuss it" she replied firmly. Slate sighed and looked out the front window again. The USC Nalu was in sight. Slate quietly began singing to herself.

""Far over... the misty mountain cold. To dungeons deep... and caverns old. The pines were roaring...on the height. The winds were moaning... in the night..." she quietly sung. Aria suddenly spoke up.

"What song is that?" she asked curiously. Under her helmet, Slate was smiling warmly.

"I don't actually know. My granddad taught it to me. I think he said it was from a very old book he once read" she replied. Aria didn't say anything back, only giving a curious "Hm". She was more concentrating on flying the Skip. Slate resumed singing peacefully. "The fire was red, it flaming spread, the trees like torches, blazed with liiiight..."

...

"WoahwoahWOAH!!" yelled Aria as the Skip jolted suddenly to the left. Another skip almost crashed right into the back of them, racing toward the Nalu. "What the hell? What maniac is flying that thing?!" she screamed. Slate shook her head.

"I have no idea. Must be one of the teams. Probably the two stallions"

"What makes you say that?"

"Can you imagine Steel Mills driving like that? Or, even better, letting someone fly like that?" she cracked. Aria laughed quietly.

"Heh, well whoever it is I'm gonna have a stern word with them once we land. Nearly killed us" she grunted. The skip was now approaching the Nalu as they got a better view of the ship. It was around half the size of the Acestile, pretty big for a cargo vessel. It was an eerie sight. No lights were on at all, and the ships engines were inactive. It was as if the ship was totally abandoned. Aria spotted the other Skip land at the side of the ship.

"Well at least the docking works" Slate noted. Aria slowly brought the Skip up to the ship, connecting it to the side. Effectively, they landed. "My RIG is showing that there is life support by the way, so we know that's working". Aria brought up her RIG in order to contact the ship's bridge.

"USC Nalu, this is CEC Engineer Aria Cackles from the USK Acestile. Do you read?" she asked loudly. There was no reply. No static, just silence. "I repeat, do you read?" Again, there was only silence. "Well, looks like the communication issues are short range as well" At that moment, the 3rd skip daintily flew in behind them.

"All right, let's bail", and with that, Slate left the skip. Aria followed after her, entering a dark metallic room, before the main station. "How sweet home, huh?" joked Slate. Aria was less that enthralled to be on another ship, never mind one that wasn't working right. They could hear male laughter. The room opened up into a station, where the other two stallions were waiting. Their faces were clearly visible. One was the green stallion from earlier, while the other was grey with hair over one of his eyes. They turned to Slate and Aria, both spouting smug grins. Aria and Slate both lowered their helmets.

"Hey, dumbasses. You know you two almost killed us mid-flight, right?" Aria growled. The grey stallion just scoffed as he walked toward her.

"What? Didn't you enjoy my little display, baby?" he sneered. He got close to Aria.

"Considering me and my partner almost got killed, no. I didn't." she put bluntly.

"Aw, don't worry, I would never dream of hurting a pretty face like yours" he teased quietly, bringing his face uncomfortable close to Aria's, as if he was trying to steal a kiss. His 'attempt' was greeted by Slate, pushing the stallion aside.

"Back off asshole" she defended. The stallion's smile disappeared as he narrowed his eyes on the two. The tension was interrupted by Steel Mills and the other pegasus entering the room.

"Speedster, Welder, was you trying to murder Aria and Slate back there? Try that crap again in the Skips and you will both regret it. Understand?!" she shouted. The two stallions rolled their eyes and turned away from the older pony.

"I take it you saw what happened then?" Aria asked.

"Oh yeah, they almost hit me as well. I don't have time for smart asses who think they are cool because they can fly fast. Anyway you two, this is Sunflower Seeds. She is our technical pony" she introduced. Sunflower was a younger yellow pony with a long red mane. Unlike everyone else, she didn't wear armour of any kind. "She'll be the one in charge of fixing comms while the rest of us do more 'practical' work, understand?"

"Yes ma'am" confirmed Aria and Slate in unison. The young pegasus stepped forward. Her voice was soft, yet comforting.

"It's nice to get a real chance to meet all of you. We never got to speak back on the bridge" she spoke softly.

"Nice to meet you too", replied Aria. Once the pleasantries were done, their attention turned to the ship itself. It was very quiet for a cargo ship.

"Can you guys hear that?" asked Aria.

"Hear what?" replied Slate. The whole group looked at Aria.

"It's like...scuttling...as if something is running around the ship"

"Well of course, there is obviously someone else on here" replied the green stallion, Speedster. The scuttling became louder as it travelled around them.

A faint roar was heard, luckily traveling away from them. Aria felt a shiver go through her. "That did not sound like a pony" she muttered. Steel Mills took front.

"Whatever it is, we'll find out soon enough. Come on, we're moving to the bridge. That was we can see if there are anyone there to tell us what's up" and with that, we pressed on. The other followed on as Aria looked around the ship curiously. Slate gently nudged her.

"Hey, what's up? You aren't scared are ya?" she teased. Aria managed to crack a smirk.

"Nah, just a little creeped out" she replied quietly. The six walked off into the darkness of the ships corridors.