Personal Log, Commander Applejack,

The USS Star Swirl has dropped me off at Farpoint Station, where ah await the arrival of the new USS Enterprise to which Ah've been assigned as First Officer. Meanwhile ah have been asked to visit the Farpoint Administrator's Office, in the old city.

Applejack entered the administrator's office, looking at the rather dark scenery. She looked over to the administrator, an earth pony with a white coat, a long white mane, red eyes, and clothes even Applejack the farm pony would cringe at. The administrator waved his hoof to Applejack and said, “Ah Commander Applejack come in, come in. I thought you'd want to know that we have received no contact from your vessel. I trust we've made your wait . . . comfortable?”

“More like luxurious Administrator.” Applejack didn't get treatment this good anywhere in the Federation, even on Riza, the paradise planet.

“Please Commander, call me Zorn! Everyone does!”

"Oh, well ah was wondering Zorn, if Ah could trouble ye for some information.”

Zorn reclined in his chair. “Anything Commander.”

“Well, the materials that you used for this Space Port are really advanced.”

“One of the many blessings of this planet Commander. Great materials, amazing energy from the planet-”

“And you managed to build this place so quickly after you proposed it to Starfleet. Ah have to admit, Ah'm a farm pony and we couldn't get a building up in the time you took to get a this entire Space Port up.”

“Would you like an Equestrian delicacy, Commander?” Zorn asked with a smile, motioning towards a bowl of fruit.

“Well if ya'll have an apple, that'd be swell.” Applejack hadn't had an apple in months.

Zorn looked disappointed and said, “I'm sorry Commander.”

“Aw, don't get so down on yourself Zorn, it don't ma-”Applejack looked to where the bowl was and found another bowl right next to it and it was filled with big red apples. “Well, Ah'll be damned.”

“Oh yes, there was another selection there.” Zorn grew a big smile on his face.

“Zorn, Ah could have sworn that it wasn't here a minute ago.”

“And did your failure to notice it make it unwelcome?” Zorn appeared to be putting on the all knowing face, the kind of face that a first year teacher put on.

“Not at all Zorn.” Applejack was being completely honest, but also being very suspicious of Zorn.

“I trust it will be the same with Farpoint Station, Commander. A few easily answered questions about it won't make Starfleet appreciate it less.” Applejack ate the apple in one bite.

“And this is mighty delicious Zorn!” Applejack's mood was always brightened with a red delicious.

“Thank you Commander, I have a good morning.” Applejack took another apple and left the room, leaving Zorn alone. He then looked down, looking at nothing in particular and said, “You have been told not to do that. Why can't you understand? It will arouse their suspicion. And if that happens, we will have to punish you. We will, I promise you.” Zorn reclined in his chair and clasped his hands together.

Applejack entered the Farpoint Markets, hopeful that she would find the assigned medical officer for Enterprise, Doctor Fluttershy. Fortunately, her hopes were proven true and she found the doctor, along with a tiny filly named Scootaloo. “Doctor Crusher!” yelled Applejack. Fluttershy jumped and hid behind the filly for a second. Scootaloo turned to her mom with a disappointed look and said:

“Aw mom, calm down, it's just Commander Applejack.”

“Hey Scoots, enjoying Farpoint Station?” Applejack asked.

“Yes Ma'am, this place has EVERYTHING!” Scootaloo said with excitement. Applejack laughed a little at the young one.

“Oh . . . hello Commander, we were just doing a little shopping before the Enterprise arrived.” Fluttershy said with a soft voice.

“Ah've been meaning to visit the mall myself, would ya'll mind if ah joined ya?” Applejack asked with a big smile.

“Oh um, of course.” Fluttershy said with a weak smile.

“If you're wondering about mom, Commander Applejack, she isn't unfriendly, she's just really shy. I mean REALLY shy.”

“Scootaloo!” Fluttershy yelled in a whisper. “She means, she'd like us to be friends, Commander.”

Applejack was confused at first, but then put on a big smile, took Fluttershy's hoof and started shaking it repeatedly. “Well of course Ah'd be willing to be your friend doctor. But in the meantime, while the Enterprise ain't here, Ah was thinkin, we could serve Starfleet in another capacity.”

“How do you mean Applejack?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well, Ah've been seeing a lot of strange things around here, things that just ain't natural. My first piece of evidence is with this red delicious.” Applejack showed the apple to Fluttershy.

“What does a piece of fruit have to do with it?” Fluttershy asked as she was looking at animals in the market pet shop.

“Well, Ah wanted an Apple, and it just appeared.” Applejack had an inquisitive look on her face.

“You know Applejack, it could be that these beings have an advanced Replicator system, and they just haven't fully presented it to us yet.” Fluttershy then saw the a beautiful bird cage, where she could keep some pets if she ever came across any. “Hmm, it'd look a lot nicer if there was a bit of gold on the cage, it'd give it a bit more personality.”

“Doctor, this apple doesn't taste like any old apple or any replicator apple. It tastes like the apples from Sweet Apple Acres. And that's a taste that can't be copied.” Applejack said with a stern and serious face.

“Oh Applejack you're taking things too-” as she turned towards the cage she saw that the gold that she thought would look good on the cage had in fact appeared on the cage. “But I could have sworn that-”

“Mom, that gold wasn't there before.” Scootaloo said with a curious look on her face.

“Yes well . . .” Fluttershy was at a loss for words. She turned to the vendor of the store and said: “I'll take the cage, send it to the Enterprise when it arrives please.” The vendor gave a nod and took the cage to some place in the back. “Sorry Commander, I thought you were being paranoid but it looks like it was well founded.”

“It's alright Doctor, no problems here.” Applejack said with a smile on her face.

“Maybe this is something Twi' could investigate.” Fluttershy said with her hoof to her chin.

“'Twi'? You mean Twilight Sparkle? As in Captain Twilight Sparkle of the Enterprise?” Applejack asked in astonishment.

“Yes, we have known each other for years, since I was little in fact.” Fluttershy said with a smile.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo said, “I know her too . . . she brought my father home when . . .when . . .” Scootaloo could only look down.

“It's okay Scootaloo.” Fluttershy said with a caring face. “We better be on our way, we will see you later Commander.”

“It was a pleasure. Scoots.” Applejack said. Scootaloo looked up, “Ah'll see you on board okay?”

Scootaloo put on a big smile. “Yes ma'am! I can't wait.” Applejack turned from the Pegasi and continued on her way. Suddenly, a gray mare with blonde hair in a red uniform approached her. But there was something strange about her. She was wearing some sort of visor on her face. Applejack would have to inquire about this later.

“Commander, the Enterprise just arrived.” the gray mare said.

“Is this an official report Lieutenant?” Applejack asked with a hard face.

“Oh. My apologies.” The mare straightened up. “Ma'am, Lieutenant Ditzy Doo reporting in. The Enterprise has arrived but without her saucer section ma'am.”

“Only the Stardrive portion?” Applejack asked. “What in tarnation happened?”

“I don't know ma'am, I do know that Captain Sparkle has ordered for you to be notified to beam up to the Enterprise immediately.” Ditzy said with a smile.

“Our new Captain doesn't waste time does she?” Applejack said with a smile. “Thank you Lieutenant.”

“Aye Ma'am” Ditzy said with a salute.

Applejack moved into a clear position and tapped her communicator. “Enteprise, this is Commander Applejack at Farpoint Station, standing by for beam up.”

“Roger that Commander, stand by.” the communicator said.

Suddenly, Applejack began to glow and with that she was teleported away.

To Be Continued in . . . The Pecking Order.