Spoiler: Captain's Log - Day 5 My crew has become settled in quicker than I originally predicted. Both Port and Starboard Decks are set up and settled, and our final crew counts have been finished. 67 ponies, 13 griffons, 2 dragons, and 4 changelings... that we know of. Our seekers are currently working their magic with the Space Ripper Drive, while our mechanics are working tirelessly to make sure every seam of our Purium Engine is intact so it can withstand the jump through Torn Space. While Violet Dream assures me no harm will come to it in Torn Space, I've seen technology and magic pull away from each other before... and while I don't quite understand what goes on inside of the equipment, I know that safety never hurt anypony... and I need to earn the trust of my crew if we're to be successful in finding the Ultimate Magic. Our first destination is a point in space where we've detected high energy radiations which the seekers believe could be magic. Could be. Or not. We shall see, and either result will allow us to gain a greater understanding of what we all seek out. Welcome to the Mysterious, crew! Our Security and our Seeker both have their crew quarters on Starboard deck. 3rd floor. Our Technician has a large room nearer to Aft. Bigger than most of the crew. Our Scouts are both on Portside deck. 3rd floor. Weapons are only accessable from the top deck, (except the bottom rotation energy cannon,) and are locked by doors that open for Security. Engines are near the Aft... I bet you didn't see that coming, aye? Main Bridge is on the 2nd floor, and there's a secondary Observation Deck on 3rd floor, and a Planning Room on the 1st floor. Debriefing rooms, mess hall, recreation hall, library, and security office are near the central area of the ship, and the armory is near the main bridge. (Any questions on directions can be directed to the OOC thread.) Viola is in the chamber of the Space Ripper Drive. A large circular room on the third floor above the engine. The drive is a large metallic cylinder with clear round orbs in key locations all around it. When a unicorn, (or otherwise magically capable being like Viola,) focuses their magic upon one of the orbs, it begins to fill with energy, which then transfers to power lines that cris-cross all over the large cylinder. The energy lines go away quickly, however, and are only increasing in the speed they dissipate. This is causing seekers to try and focus more, and quicker. It's really getting tiring, but it does... at least a little... make you feel like you're bonding with your crew mates. Even if they initially look down on you because of your birthright. Gear Burn is running over the last-minute checklists. Less and less problems all time time, but still issues. It's as if the crystals used in the creation of the engine were actually acting up the further the Mysterious got from Equestria. Like they had a temper of their own. Then again, tests on land were not able to prepare him for anything like this. The pressure of space was unexpected, but the earlier space tests allowed the hull of the ship to be ready. The Engine though... The head Technician, Steel Hooves, came out from the supply room and called to the workers. "Come on ponies, we need to make sure that this thing's maiden voyage is not its last!" The rest of you? Outside of the ship, for those who would be watching, particals of grey and orange were gathering at the nose of the ship, gliding back along the frame and creating streams of energy. It was quite a spectacle to watch, and dramatic to anticipate the actual jump that was building. "Fillies... gentlecolts... today we mark a great day in history. When we make the first leap into the great unknown and the jump to find the Ultimate Magic. I want to thank you all for being on the ship, and I look forward to working with you all individually to make this a successful mission, and to return without loss."
"Steel, things are looking pretty good after examining the engines I have called for some parts to be brought from the hold. I might be able to create some crystal stabiliser rings. You know what once there done we should get together with the other ponies behind the test as a celebratory meal what do you think. Anyway I'll be at my workbench creating the stabilisers for the crystals if you need me". Gear galloped off to his workbench and started working on the stabilisers.
Kazaul stood on the Secondary Observation Deck, which coincidentally was near her room, facing the window. It was one of the few times she wasn't talking somepony's ear off. Instead she was deep in thought. She never talked to herself. That would mean she was cray-cray. Like, fuhrealz. Wow... Misty was right... Space is way huger than the lab back home. I wonder how she's doing? She crinkled her nose. She's probably totally eating ice cream right now. Peanut butter tin roof sundae, my favorite! She tapped her chin and glanced at the ceiling. I should see if they have some in the mess hall later. Just then, something caught her eye: along the sides of the ship, she could see tiny sparkles of grey and orange. She pressed her face against the glass in order to get a better look. As she twisted her head this way and that, she could see that the particles seemed to be coming from the nose of the ship and going all the way to the back. "That's, like, so totally cool..."
The orb in front of Viola glowed with its usual green color as she focused harder and harder on it. The sphere was, once again, causing her to feel drained and exhausted. She had expected the journey to be fun and interesting, like one of those rides in Fillydelphia a host had taken her on once, but every day still ended with the same level of fatigue as it did back at the hive. Just keep it up, you've endured worse! A bead of sweat pushed its way onto Viola's forehead as she poured magic into the little ball. Her best was not enough, and the lines once again retreated and dissipated. Somewhere behind her, a seeker was snickering at her failure. Why is this so difficult!? she thought with frustration. Determined not to be outdone and seen as weak, she resumed her work on the orb, pumping it with energy as quickly as she could.
Rifter was looking out, into the patterns and lights of the outside. They seemed so... Magestic. Coming from him, that was quite an odd thing to say. Although, quite frankly, he didn't care. He stood there, and stared.
Steel Hooves looked down on the floor of the engine room and called back to Gear Burn. "We're far too late to be making modifications to the-" As he watched the over-zealous colt wander off, he mused; "I wonder if he realizes we don't have that kind of time?" Spoiler: Viola's Concentration Rolled a 90(On 1d100)+20(Magic) Viola's force of will and her training for this paid off, giving her the extra energy she needed to push her naturally green glow into the containment orb. It lit up brightly with the eerie glow, and the line filled completely, sweeping over the top edge of the device and disappearing into the generator. Things like this sure take it out of somepony. The nearby unicorns stay their tongues, as their silence gives an inward satisfaction: There was some good proof of your power. As orb after orb lights up, the center of the device begins to pour out an orange pillar of energy, shooting up into the ceiling. The ribbons of energy surrounding the ship multiply, as the energy at the tip grows in power. The crew on the Observation Deck and across the ship stare in awe as the power envelopes the Mysterious. The orange energy finally began to part, making a hole... A HOLE in SPACE! The magical energy pouring around the ship causes a sudden shift of turbulence. The sudden shift causes a shake to rumble through the ship, sending ponies to the floors in surprise. Even the engine team and seekers ended up on the floor. The Space Ripper Drive lit up with a bright glow, going from grey to orange as all of the lines of power disappear, and soon the room was bathed in its blinding light. The ship began to thrust forward, the engines rumbling to a high power which slowly moved the ship into the growing portal. The ponies on the observation deck were the first to be swallowed up by the orange energy. Looking around, it appeared that everyone lost their colorful pigment and were drawn in orange lines. An occurrence which made many ponies "freak out" from the sudden change. They began to panic, and run for the call boxes as the ship became engulfed in the orange energy. As the ship was fully covered, a sudden pull occurred. Everypony felt like they were being wrenched through a giant vacuum. The force was strong, and many ponies once again gained vertigo and fell to the floors. An explosion occurred, and a burst of magical light bathed everypony, as the ship suddenly returned to normal pigment. The feeling was like coming to a sudden HALT after a very tall roller coaster drop. The murmurs of questions rising from everypony on-board filled the Observation Deck as they looked out... out into space. A large, blueish red planet floated in space, slowly spinning on its axis. In the chamber of the Space Ripper... Master Seeker Violet Dream looked over the device as all of the energy drained from it. Energy that had taken weeks... neigh, months to fill... and half of it was back on Equestria. She sighed heavily and amid the groans from the seekers on the floor she pressed the communicator. "Captain... the device looks like it's used all of its power. It'll take a while to get back up and running." "Work on it, but don't tire your crew out. We have a new world to explore, it appears." "Understood Captain." In the Engine Room, it seemed to be calmed down after the jump, and the gentle hum of the engine coupled with the burning of the jet stream. Steel Hooves picked himself up from the grating and hit his communicator. "Captain. I'm happy to report that the engine has taken no visible damage. The readers are showing green lights." "Excellent. I expect a diagnostics report in the conference room later." "Yes sir." He looked around the Engine Room at the technicians with a grin. "Friends and colleagues... we have made it!" A cheer and hoof-stomp were given in celebration of the success of the jump.
Gear picked himself off the floor. a year of failed prototypes and the final result worked with a few problems at the beginning. he stored the unneeded parts into the storage rooms hoof bumping fellow technicians. "the engines worked let me do a quick engine check and then clean myself up". he trotted to the engines noticing the crystals stabilised by themselves. "fascinating, after going through the warp hole the crystals stabilised I wonder how". he pulled out a notepad and began scribbling down equations and important technical stuff. he signed it off with his signature and removed the three pages of equations and data and handed it to steel. "there you go I believe you'll find it quite interesting. if you need me ill be in my room cleaning myself up".
Viola lay down a moment before recovering from the shock of the movement. "We...we made it?" she sighed. Getting back to her hooves, Viola displayed a giant grin on her face, even if none of the other ponies returned it. Beat that, you pastel colored wusses. she thought with satisfaction as she trotted out of the Space Ripper Drive room. After her accomplishment, Viola felt she deserved a break from all the work. Perhaps she could go chat with one of the other changelings, maybe even have a little fun messing with the security's brains. Viola grinned maliciously at the thought. Her break was going to be an interesting one.
(Never Mind, found it!) - - Auto Merge - - Intrude sat on the Portside, moments after the lurch. She got up quickly and continued watching with a keen eye.
(Eluuna, as I said in the OOC Thread... twice... I need cutie mark and talent. You left that out. I don't like going into OOC bubbles in the RP thread, but you didn't seem to see them over there. Please post your cutie mark and talent in the OOC thread. Thanks in advance.) The speakers come on, and proceeded with a gentle chiming sound, the Captain's voice comes on. "Fellow ponies, I hope you are as pleased as I am to see the jump was successful. It seems we may be spending a good amount of time here, so get comfy with your fellow crew members. Scouting parties are being organized this very moment." A pause occurs and some computer chiming sounds can be heard. "Now, the head seeker has opted to call this world, which has a similar atmosphere to our own New Equestria. I want to hear your opinions on this. Submit your ideas for a planet name, or vote on ones submitted over in the mess hall. Scouts and Security, we'll be calling upon you as you are selected for transport to the surface of the planet." Conversation, mostly excited, begins to erupt on the observation deck as everypony who knows another pony of the ship strikes up with wonder and comments about the new planet, and the fascenation of the teleportation. The comraderie of some of the other crew members would be enough to make somepony feel left out. One of the unicorns follows out after Viola. "Hey, changeling!" Realizing how abrupt she was, she stops short and shakes her head. "I mean uh... hey. That was some impressive magic." She paused, and you could see it on her face gosh that was weird. Then she bobs her head with a smile. "Uhm... good job."
Kazaul was feeling particularly giddy at the moment. She was going to get to explore a brand new planet! Like, omigosh! This is going to be soooo cool! We'll, like, get on the planet and be all like, "Hey, planet-people! What's up? Does your sun and moon move on their own, too?" and they'll be all like, "Well, like, chyah!" and we'll be all like, "That! Is totally awesome. We just found out that the sun and moon move on their own, so we were all like, 'Like, Oh! My! Gosh! because before that, there were these two winged unicorns who moved the sun and moon for us," and they'll be all like, "No! Way!" and we'll be all like, "Shyah way! It was totally rad. But then something happened to them," and then we'll all be totally sad, but it's okay because- Kazul's thoughts were interrupted when she nearly tripped over a pony who was standing in front of the mess hall. She glanced around confusedly at first, since she was, like, totally not heading to the mess hall at first. "Well, that's okay. Maybe I can put in a suggestion for naming the planet. 'New Whateverland' is, like, totally overdone. It's, like, played out. We should totally call it 'Equestropolis' or something. That's, like, way cooler, dontcha think?" she said to anypony/dragon/griffon who happened to be listening.
"Hey, changeling!" Viola froze her steps at the address. Preparing for verbal abuse, she turned to the unicorn behind her menacingly. The unicorn suddenly hesitated before saying "I mean uh... hey. That was some impressive magic." Viola was about to throw a remark about how she couldn't do any better when she realized the unicorn wasn't bashing her talents. Did she just... compliment me? Viola thought with bewilderment. Nobody, not even the other changelings, had given her a compliment the entire time she had been here. She couldn't even get a compliment while under disguise! "Uhm... good job." The unicorn smiled at her and all she could do was stare at the mare. "I- err. Thank you." She said awkwardly. "That's the first compliment I've had in... well, ever, really. Viola kept her defenses up. Ponies bearing good intentions towards her weren't common, if they actually existed at all.
A Navy Blue Draft Stallion near Kazul gave her a strange side-ways glance. "Equestropolis? Uhm... I was gonna put in Beta. Seems appropriate." Yeah... appropriately boring. The line for meals seemed appropriately lengthy, but since there was always a small selection of fish available for the silvermanes on-board, it seemed worth it. Everypony else went for the various fruits, vegetables, and grains, stockpiled to the brim for a long journey. "So, I heard there were dragons on the ship, but I hadn't met any until now." The blue-eyed, cream-furred unicorn mare smiled gently... maybe awkwardly. "Well, uhm... I meant it." She looks down a bit and shifts a hoof. "Friends are a... premium... and I know that it's no fun to feel left out." She wasn't sure what she was saying anymore so she just shook her head a bit and stated. "My name is Peachy." The other unicorns passed by, obviously keeping their eyes averted. Only a white colt with an orange afro mane stopped for a moment and shifted his eyes at Peachy. She looked at him a moment and shook her head lightly.
Intrude was in the mess hall, waiting for food. She was in the vegetable line, thinking about how exciting it all was..If we find any life on the moon, we could possibly find out more about the planet. If we can even talked to them. If we can even land, due to the possible toxic fumes, though I'm sure the engineers have thought of that...." she mused.
"Then hello, Peachy. Back at the hive, I was named Viola after I accidentally turned a violist into a husk, so I just stick to that name" Viola was not going to be overly friendly to this pony yet, seeing as it could easily be a trick, but something about this particular unicorn told her that she should give her a chance. "It's interesting to meet one of the other seekers on this ship for once, nopony has ever actually taken the time to speak to me. I'm glad we were able to finally get this thing working, I want to hear what they find on the new planet. The old Equestria was getting... well, old."
Gear was walking to a table filled with other techies. he had some onion rings, a hay steak in a peppercorn sauce and a lavender muffin. Gear sat down and they began discussing everyones previous work and life as well as possible names for the planet.
Rifter looked out of the window more. Seemingly forgetting he should be security. He stayed there and thought. What if... What if we find a planet with... Other life? What would we do? What would happen? Would they be friendly? Hm....
Kazaul, being a few good feet taller than the pony that spoke with her, looked down at the pony and flipped some of the ridges on her head with one claw. "Actually, I kinda like 'Beta'. It's a kind of fish. Anywho, there's only, like, two dragons on this ship. Me, like 'huhduh', and this hottie name Edragor'zak. Well..." she continued on, while twirling a fin with her claw, "I guess he's a hottie... I, like, didn't get to see him yet, since he's, like, totally a Seeker and stuff. I'm a Scout, ya know? I'm all terrible with magic and stuff so I'd probably, like, blow up the ship or something if I tried, but that's kinda cool that he's a Seeker because, like, magic and stuff is really hard, so that must mean that he's, like really smart and stuff." She continued down the lunch line and placed a few fish on her tray. "Anyway, Edragor'zak is a totally cool name because it means 'Truth' in your language." She suddenly smacked herself on the forehead. "Oh, wait, no. It means 'Justice'. Like, adoi! Herpa derp, you know what I mean? Like, total brain meltage! Anyway it'd be totally lame if he had a name that meant, like Ralph, you know? Omigosh! Does that make me sound superficial? 'Cause, I'm, like, totally not! Like, my BFF is, like, a pony, and that was all like taboo and stuff a few years ago, like, No way, you're, like, friends with a pony, that's, like, totally lame. And then they'd call you names like...like...well, I'd rather not get into it. Like, bad memories and stuff. So, do you, like, think that I should try to bump into him or something?" Having finally stopped talking for two seconds, she stuck a fish into her mouth, sucking on it was one would a lolipop as she awaited a response.
Digi stepped into the mess hall. He was in the storage room when they jumped, and it had taken a few minutes to clean up the scattered parts when he fell into a shelf of them. He picked out a salad and moved to the table with the rest of the techs.
Rifter streched his claws. He'd been standing there long enough. He went to go to the mess hall. Might as well grab a quick something to eat.
