A World Apart

Rock Hammer hated flying. He hated this flying office more. But it was part of the trappings of his office. And with the new developments with the aliens, humans they called themselves, among many other races, he couldn’t even relax. There was so much to do. He had just spoken to his assistant and found that they would rather keep the meeting quiet but would agree to whatever the ponys thought best for a meeting with two heads of state. Since their planet had been unified since the beginning, they had no customs for heads of state. At least food and beverages would be no problem, it seemed pony food and drink was not a problem. His assistant had suggested bringing in the Afterburners to preform an air show for the humans. He didn’t want them getting nervous about it but no pony could resist an airshow with the best fliers on the planet. Hopefully the humans would too. The space center was being dressed up for the humans landing as well. Only one media outlet was being allowed to witness the meeting, but only to record it for the history books. As he thought about the preparations the pilot came radio in his office “Sir, we will be landing at Space Central in just under 15 minutes.”

“Thank you Sunny Skies, I will prepare at once.” Rock replied. It had been a 6 hour flight. He could have taken a faster plane but with all that was going on he needed his flying office. He gathered his papers and stored them, then locked his chair in place. He buckled his seat belts and closed his eyes. Sunny was an incredible pilot. But they both knew things could go wrong. Rock didn’t want to think about that. He knew some ponys used to be able to fly with their own wings, but it had been over an eon since the last one did. The vast majority of ponys had no idea that it was true. Then his gut turned over, they were on final approach. Then with the lightest of jolts they had touched down. The sun was just leaving the horizon as they opened the door to allow him to leave the plane. Even in the twilight he could see the frenzy of work going on. Some ponys were building a frame for the capsule to go on when they brought it down. Others were erecting a stage. Just then a screaming sound came from the sky. It sounded like it was headed straight for him. He looked up and saw six very sleek very black and yellow racing planes. They kept diving till it looked impossible for them to pull out of it in time. Then in what seemed impossible at their speed they pulled out of their dives and flew along the landing strip so low he thought if a pony walked in front of then the pony would lose his head. Then just as fast all six planes pulled up, twirling around each other before, in a huge puff of smoke, the six planes flew away from each other. Something about those fly ponys, they always had to show off. For another half hour the Afterburners practiced their moves, then landing almost totally vertically. Rock and Sunny watched the whole time. The planes rolled to a stop near the eldest's plane, and walked over to greet them. “Mighty nice flying there ponys.”

“Thank you very much, honored eldest. Am I to understand there will be people from that weird thing in orbit here tomorrow for our show?” Sky Streak, captain of the Afterburners, and one of the best fliers alive, asked.

“There certainly will. Your show will be part of their welcome to our planet.”

“Chalk up another record for us, first to fly with beings from another world.” Sky boasted.

Leave it to a pony that lives with his head in the clouds to be completely at ease with the events, Rock thought. The only time the pony seemed to be serious was when he was flying. “Yes, it will be a first for all of us.”

“And I've been told their landing craft actually flies in to land.”

“So they have told me.”

“Maybe they will be up for a little race before they go.” Sky said, excited by the thought of a new challenge.

“It is true what ponys say about you.” Rock said jokingly.

“Whats that?”

“All you ever think about is flying.”

Sky thought for a moment. “Yep, its true. I even fly in my sleep.”

Rock chuckled. The Afterburners were the best for a reason. But he knew Sky was meticulous on the ground as well. In the 8 years he had led them, there had not been one serious accident. He had a mare and four foals at home. And all the other members had familys as well. And Sky made sure that they came home after every show. Not a bolt out of place on their aircraft, not a move out of place in the sky was his motto. He had fired 3 pilots over the years because of poor performance, and many ground crew.

“If you'll excuse is honored eldest, we must do our post flight checks prepare our planes for the night.” Sky said.

“And I must make my preparations as well.” Rock replied

“And if I may be so bold, I wouldn’t take your job tomorrow for all the flying time in the world. If I mess up six ponys may die, but if you do all pony kind could.”

Great, way to cheer me up. He already knew what was on the line but to hear it spoken aloud brought back the nervous feeling.

“Sir, message from the surface.”

Captain Morgan had been awake for hours pouring over his notes. He looked at the ensign. “On screen”

Just then a pony appeared. He looked rough, like he hadn’t slept at all. He spoke quickly. “Captain, it is nine am local time. Please inform us when your on the way, we have an escort for you on your trip to help you find your way here.”

“Thank you. We will be leaving shortly. We will call you once reentry is finished.”

As the captain closed the comm line, the security officer glowered. “An escort?”

The captain shrugged, he didn’t think it was a big deal. The shuttle they were using was fully armed but he didn’t think they meant to harm them. He called the officers he had chosen to the shuttle bay. Then he and Mr Durant left the bridge.

In the shuttle bay, Mr Brandt and Ms Tavik boarded the shuttle. The capsule was secured to the top of the shuttle. The engineer did his pre flight checks as the science officer checked the sensor arrays. While they worked Star entered the bay. She marveled at the shuttles in there. All were bigger than her craft. Some, she was told, could travel between star systems on their own. Then she saw the one with her spacecraft on its top. Her capsule was so small compared to it. She saw the door on the rear open and walked in. She saw the Vulcan and the engineer working at the control panels. She said hello and they replied in kind. Then she heard the large doors to the hanger open and the captain and another crewman she had yet to meet enter. She waved her hoof to them and they walked over. The new crewman seemed to be watching everything around him. He made her nervous. Then the captain spoke to her.

“Good morning Star. I've been told you’ve met Ms Tavik and Mr Bryant. Let me introduce Mr Durant, our security chief. He will be coming along since he's the only one with any experience with first contacts. We should be leaving soon so lets get you strapped in so we will be ready.” the captain said

Star was even more nervous of the new comer, but if the captain trusted him then she would too. “Sure thing captain.”

As they all strapped in the engineer announced they were lifting off. Then with no sensation at all the craft lifted into the air and floated forward. She was amazed. She was used to the violent motions her peoples crafts. This was like nothing at all. Then the air in front of them shimmered and she let out a small yelp. The captain turned to her worried. “What was that?” she asked

“Just the forcefeild we use to keep air in the bay while the doors are open.” the captain explained

She had totally missed that the doors were open when she walked in. But now she stretched her neck to see nothing but open space outside. Then she saw a glow around the windows. They must be entering the atmosphere. But how could they do it so smoothly. Yet as all this was going on the others seemed to be treating it like a bus ride to work. She vowed to learn how they did all this. As they descended the pilot got a worried look.

“Sir, there are six aircraft headed for us. Unknown intentions, would you like them on screen?”

“Yes.” The aircraft came up on screen. They were very distinctive, painted black with yellow trim. “Do you recognize them Star?”

She almost squealed with glee. The Afterburners were here! She had met Sky Streak a few years ago at an air show. It was funny how they both wanted each others autograph. She might have been the first pony in space, but he was the best flier on the planet. She told the captain “Those are the Afterburners, the greatest flying team on the planet. Its a huge honor to have them fly with us. Everywhere they hold an air show it sells out.”

“Well then, Mr Bryant, lets give them a proper hello.”

She wondered what he meant when the shuttle craft seemed to roll side to side slightly. They might not have had wings but the gesture was the same. She hoped Sky didn’t get a big head from an honorific from the strange craft. Then the pilot said “Wow, those are impressive. I'd like to see how they would match up to this baby. In space these things do a good bit of light speed but in the atmosphere they are limited. But id love to see what those planes can do.”

“Mr Bryant, we haven’t fully made first contact with these people and you already want to get into an air race?” the captain said

As Mr Bryant seemed to sulk over what the captain said, Star spoke up. “Captain, I know the leader of the Afterburners, and I can tell you if he had half a chance he'd take up the offer.”

Mr Bryant perked up. “Really?”

The captain sighed. He knew what was coming next. He held up his hand. “I'll mention it while were there and if their eldest agrees then I’ll ok it.”

“Thank you sir!”

“Now if you'd be so kind as to fly the shuttle we'd all feel better.”

“Yes sir.”

The rest of the flight went without incident. The planes broke off just as the shuttle flared for final landing. Then the captain sighed. He was so nervous that the butterflys in his stomach could have carried the shuttle. Then came more news.

“Sir, a group of ponys are approaching the shuttle.” the security officer told him. The captain insisted he come unarmed, so he had no phazer. But he did have his stunners hidden in his pockets. They were small fist weapons shaped much like brass knuckles but delivered a stunning electrical charge when used. He never left home without them.

The captain looked out the front windows. Sure enough five ponys walked out to the shuttle. The lead pony was a tan colored pony with a dark brown mane. His muzzle was graying so he appeared to be older than the rest. “Is that Rock Hammer?” the captain asked Star.

“Yes, how could you tell?”

“He appears older than the rest with the gray around his nose.”

The group in the shuttle gathered around the door. The captain hesitated for a second but then tapped the open button. “Here we go.” he said nervously

Rock watched the strange ship land. He had never seen anything like it before. It didn’t look like it had any right to fly, but it did very gracefully. As it touched down he called to the assembled group. “Lets meet them.”

As they walked to the vessel, one of his advisers gasped. When Rock looked for what made the pony gasp he did too. Thru the large windows on the front he could see the beings. They looked so strange. He had seen the captain on the screen when he arranged this meeting but seeing them in person still caught him off guard. Then he was the captain and Star talking and pointing to him. This confused him, but then they all walked to the back of the craft. The captain touched a spot back there and the large door on the back opened.

As the strange light entered the cabin the captain shielded his eyes. The sun was bright on this planet. But it seemed pretty mild compared to earth. He stepped out of the shuttle first followed by Star and the other officers. He heard a tricorder and turned for a second to see Tavik working away at it. He walked around the side of the shuttle and up the side. Then he was face to face with the ponys. Without thinking he held out a hand and introduced himself. Then he realized his mistake but before he could retract his hand, Rock held out his hoof. They shook and Rock introduced his advisers. Then the captain introduced his officers.

“Would you care to come inside? We have had the briefing room modified and chairs made to fit you, and food and drink as well.” Rock told the captain

“We would be glad to. I believe we have much to discuss.” the captain replied.

With that the group walked inside and got to work.