Diamond grinned as she looked at herself in the mirror. She wasn't used to wearing armor but at least it wasn't a full body suit. It was only a Scalemail Cuirass with Boots made from the shredded scales of a dragon... Those dragons sure charge a lot for the bits of skin that fall off them. Of course Dragon scales were extremely dense as well as held a lot of eternal magic to the point enchanters could make permanent enchantments. The enchantment on this armor made it harder to land a hit on the wearer.

Under the armor was a thin full body suit made out of a similar cloth as the Wonderbolts uniforms. It was a stronger, lighter, and more flexible fabric then Kevlar as well as easy to enchant.

Where the Wonderbolts enchanted their uniforms to protect against weather the spacers enchantment allowed the wearer to survive the vacuum of space. Unfortunately this enchantment wasn't permanent. It had to be activated and used up some of the stored charge each time it was. Still this was a really good enchantment which lasted 30 hours when activate with enough charge to be used everyday for a year. Then you could just use a magical crystal to charge it back up.

The uniform also came with a belt with a bunch of pouches that were bigger on the inside. This Extention charm allowed each crewpony to carry thousands of pounds of equipment without weighing them down.

The enchantments weren't the only features either, although they were the coolest. The color of the armor reflected the rank of the wearer well the color of the cloth showed their position. Gold Armor was for Captains, White was for Senior Officers, Silver was for Officers, and Black was for Deck Hooves.

All jobs were seperated into one of 4 departments.

Medical Officers, who wore blue suits, looked after either the mental or physical health of the crew, which included moral maintenance such as planning parties. It might sound silly to races like the Ferengi (as Diamond had meet a few of those since they landed in Ponyville) but party planners were so necessary to pony survival they were government employees with parties being paid through taxes. As a pony's mood altered the area around them it was very important to keep them happy. Because of this the party planners onboard the ship were listed as Medical Officers.

Then there were Enchanters. They wore yellow and were tasked with scientific and magical research (as they were one and the same thing) or maintaining the enchantments of the ship and it's equipment. Those that worked on the enchantments themselves were also expected to make new enchantments to benefit the ship and her crew.

Helms Ponies wore green and were charged with either piloting the Ship, Navigating it, Tactical, or observing communications.

Well Deck Hooves wore red and did all these jobs as well as cleaned and maintained the ship and even cooked.

Diamond was wearing the Attire of a Deck Hoof. Technically she was Doctor Wolf's apprentice but since she was coming with him on the ship he arranged for her to study with the other 20somethings onboard. Diamond was learning to be a therapist under Doctor Wolf but she never imagined that would lead her to becoming a spacer. Still the idea of traveling the galaxy well at the same time using her cutie mark to help people just seemed like a match made in Heaven.

Diamond's special talent was getting other ponies to do what she wanted and through that it gave her the ability to read them pretty well. She was good at understanding and manipulating ponies but realized she could use that to actually help ponies. She could understand them and so help them understand themselves. Then walk them through doing what was best for themselves.

Father was proud of her well Mother was ashamed. Mother wanted Diamond to focus on the family business instead of "running off into space". Of course the older mare had never approved of her daughter's desire to become a therapist. She always insisted it was a phase.

Diamond sighed, she never really got along with her mother and stopped trying to live up to her messed up expectations a long time ago. The grown filly was looking forward to being a Deck Hoof.

Deck Hooves were Apprentices learning all the trades onboard a ship well also doing the Grunt work. Because of how they were trained Senior Officers were expected to be well versed in all jobs in their department. At least those were the best of the best ponies Twilight had hired for those jobs.

Twilight had worked hard with the other Elements of Harmony. They came up with the rules of Ponyville's space exploration fleet. Weird as it was just one ship so far but Twilight was always one to obsess over every little detail. Diamond had gotten to experience that first hoof ever since she become friends with the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

As Ponyville was a City State now Celestia entrusted them with running the Space Fleet. Of course that only made sense as Twilight invented the Warp Enchantment.

Each City had their own little duty for the betterment of all Equestria and as the Elements of Harmony spread Friendship all across the planet that was kind of their thing. They had repaired relations with all races on the planet and united them under Celestia's rule. It just made sense Ponyville would also be charged with forming diplomatic relations with other planets.

"Diamond!" Father called from downstairs, "Stop admiring yourself and come down to breakfast,"

The young mare blushed. Okay so maybe she was still a little vain but you can't expect her to magically rid herself of all her flaws.

"This will probably be your last good breakfast for the next 5 years," Father called up, "You don't want it getting cold do you?"

"C-coming!" Diamond called back. She took one last glimpse of herself before heading downstairs.

Father and Mother were sitting at the table waiting for her.

Father grinned widely seeing her, clearly proud, well Mother looked disgusted by her uniform.

As Diamond seated herself Mother stock up her nose and clapped her hooves together. Immediately ponies flooded in and laid out large bowls of food that would make any herbivore's mouth water.

"Madam Rich," Their butler bowed as the staff quickly fled, "The Chiefs prepared a great feast in honor of young madam's journey to the stars. Starting we have a nice strawberry salad with s-"

"I can see what it is," Mother scoffed, "Now kindly get out,"

The old Butler flinched but did as he was told, leaving the dining room as quickly as possible.

"Honey," Father tried, "There was no call for that. He was just doing what-"

"Not now Filthy," Mother brushed him off before glaring at her daughter, "Just how far are you going to take this little rebellion of yours,"

"I'm not rebelling mother," Diamond tried to keep her voice calm.

"Are you actually planning on flying off in that death trap just to spite me?" Mother huffed, "I've allowed you to waste all the money I had saved up for a proper apprenticeship on that horrid rodent,"

"He's a wolf," Diamond correct.

"That's not the point!" Mother snapped, "Now you're going to follow that lowly thing off on some half baked adventure. I've waited patiently for you to come to your senses but that was my fault for not realizing you had long since lost ever ounce of sense. I'll give you one last warning young mare. If you get on that ship don't expect me to support you any further,"

Diamond glared, "You think I'd care if you cut me off. I've been working to earn my own money since I was 15," true it was helping out her father at his shop but he did pay her. It was a real job and everything.

"How about if I disown you?" Mother sneered.

Before Diamond had time to react to that her father roared, "Over my dead body you will!" He banged his hoof on the table, "I'd sooner divorce you then let you drive away my daughter!"

Mother put on her best fake smile, "Come no Filthy I wasn't serious. I just want Diamond to-"

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Filthy yelled.

"Filthy please, you need to understand. I'm just worried for our daughter,"

"You're just pissed that she's no longer a good little pawn for your ladder climbing schemes!" Filthy roared, "You obviously think I'm a door matt but you clearly overestimated yourself if you think I'd EVER choose you over my daughter! I don't even LIKE you! Get out! Get out of my house now!"

"Fine!" Spoiled stood up, "I spend some time over at our summer home as you get over this little hissy fit! Come find me when you're ready to apologize!" and with that she stored out.

Diamond just sat there, dumbfounded.

Filthy just sighed, "Sorry you had to see that. The last thing I want is for you to be thinking of something like this well your out there,"

"S-she wasn't serious," Diamond tried to assure even though she knew it was a lie, "You know mother. She's always making idle threats"

Filthy looked at his daughter a moment and she could practically see the gears turning in his head, as if he was debating with himself what he should tell her, "You're not a little girl anymore... you should know what goes on behind closed doors,"

"Ewwwwwww!" Diamond exclaimed, "What's THAT have to do with anything!?"

Filthy chuckled but quickly grew more serious, "I meant you should probably know what your mother talks about in private,"

"... Do I really want to know?"

"... probably not... this isn't the first fight we had about your future... nor the first time she made that threat. I told her what would happen if she tried it. She seemed to think I loved my money more then you... she really is a despicable mare..."

"... You're... you're going to divorce mommy?" Diamond felt her whole body go numb. This wasn't something fully grown mares should have to deal with!

"The only reason we stayed together so long was because of you. You deserved a mother to teach you how to be a strong Mare,"

"What about the business?" Diamond tried to focus on Father's real passion.

"I'm only the CEO. As head of the family mother, technically, owns it well not having any real power over it. Spoiled couldn't force a single share out of my control,"

"But... but..." Diamond started grasping at straws, "What about grandmother? Won't she be upset?"

"Mostly at herself when I tell her the mare she found for me tried to make me choose between her and my daughter,"

"But your money! Mom will get half of everything!"

"Honey. My cutie mark might be a bag of bits but I've never been greedy. Business is my passion, money is just a nice side effect... and it could never be more important to me then you,"

Diamond felt like crying. Her parents really were breaking up, and it was all her fault. If she didn't take this stupid job-

"Sweet cake," Filthy got her attention, rightly guessing what his filly was thinking, "You've always made me so proud. Please continue to do so. You're mother might not see it but you're making history here. A real adventurer on the crew of Equestria's first space ship. How can you pass that up?

"And I couldn't be more proud knowing you earned it. You didn't ask for my help, not even once. You worked your flank off through the training program all on your own. This is your destiny. Please don't let this moment taint that,"

"I'll... try..." Diamond held back her tears.

"That's all any of us can do," Father smiled at her, "I love you,"

"I love you too daddy,"

###

Meanwhile, at the Ship

Twilight sat at the table in the Observation lounge of the Ship with it's Senior Staff, going over all the last minute details well her friends made themselves comfortable in their quarters. The Elements of Harmony were only acting as ambassadors. They had little to do with running the actual ship. Twilight was only being informed of the ship's progress as she would be giving them their missions but it was up to the Captain how to execute those orders.

Twilight trusted that job, and the Senior Officers, to the highest ranking members of her court. They were originally entrusted to serve her crown when Ponyville became a City State, on Celestia's recommendation. Now that Ponyville was being named in charge of diplomatic relations between planets, Twilight was bringing everyone she could.

Commander Firebrand had been promoted and made Captain of the Ship. He was the head of the Ponyville Royal Guard but his skills were needed more on the Ship.

The Royal Guard was mostly charged with handling domestic problems in Ponyville and... well... Truthfully it was just a way for Stallions to serve the crown and the military well keeping them out of any actual combat. They would fight from a distance with spells, bows, and cannons but the military insisted on Stallions receiving specialized training for close combat.

The Royal Guard was mostly a Ceremonial position meant to keep Stallions happy. They kept the Princess company, kept tourist from wandering into restricted rooms, and offer eye candy at state functions. There most important job was mostly reconnaissance. They made observations of any possible threats and then report them to the Ponyville Defense, the mostly mare dominated Infantry.

Twilight went a step further and put them in charge of domestic police work. However Ponyville was such a quite town no real laws were broken outside children skipping class.

However as leader of the Royal Guard Firebrand directed both the Royal Guard and the Ponyville Defense. Firebrand also had real combat experience. He formerly worked as a field medic for a monster hunting organization until it was disbanded. Then he went to work as a Canterlot Royal Guard on Celestia's insistence. There he enlisted in the Royal Marching Band. He was actually a very young Stallion, younger then the Crusaders, but he was very worldly and accomplished for his age.

After Ponyville became a City State Celestia transfered him over here to act as it's commanding officer. He was very dutiful, if a bit overly snarky. He liked to play ogres and Ooglets with Spike, Big Mac, and Discord.

Twilight's Primary Helmspony was also formerly in Celestia's Special monster hunting agency. Bon Bon, who's real name was apparently Sweetie Drops. She was a retired Secret Agent but she often provided tactical support to Twilight ever since Ponyville became a City State.

Her wife, Lyra Heartstrings, was actually an old friend of Twilight's from before she moved to Ponyville. Although honestly Twilight wasn't a very good friend to her back then. Luckily she repaired things with Lyra some years ago. Twilight was looking forward to this trip with her. It give them some time to talk.

Another Pony on her court was one that she didn't actually know all that well. She did know him and talked to him a lot but knew nothing about his past as it was largely classified. Doctor Clockwork Whooves was the 1st Enchanter onboard as well as the First Mate and the Head Wizard on her court. Surprising seeing as he was an Earth Pony.

He was skilled with a magical tool called a "wand" which acted much like a unicorn's horn, allowing him to channel his internal magic in the form of spells. However that was more a hobby of his. His real skills laid in invention. He was a brilliant inventor who created magical enchantments through scientific principles. He was a master of Runes, Enchantments, and Potions. He also had Doctorates in nearly every scientific field there was, outside medicine.

He was responsible for the train network, cameras, movies, cellphones, laptops, even adapting Crystals as a power source was discovered by him. Nearly every scientific breakthrough in the last 200 years was made by him. He was considered the Starswirl of their age.

Although Twilight thought that was like comparing apples and oranges. Starswirl had invented countless spells but not actual inventions and Whooves only knew basic spell casting, specializing in the crafting side of magic but using scientific principles to do so. His discoveries were in science, not magic. A field Starswirl never stepped hoof in but Twilight as sure if he had he would have done brilliantly.

The good Doctor was married to Derpy Hooves and they had a now 20 something year old daughter named Dinky Hooves who had enlisted as a Deck Hoof.

The last member of her Senior Staff was a Hippogriff. A medical doctor by the name of Silver Quill. He was a bit of a goof and liked to tell ponies he didn't have a medical licence (Even though Twilight could see it in his file). His joking nature gave him an nice bedside manner but he was a bit... silly

Twilight blinked as she looked over the crews files, "Doctor Whooves?"

"Yeeeeeees?" The Earth pony grinned smugly, pleased to have been called on.

"All the Deck Hooves, every single one, is listed as to having gone to your school,"

"Really? How odd," The good doctor pondered.

"The same school that Firebrand, the Crusaders, and even Spike went to,,"

"What a coincidence," Whooves gave a sly smile, like he had a secret.

"The same one that only enrolled one batch of students then closed down when they graduated,"

"I do believe your right,"

"Doctor," Twilight glared then sent a similar glared at Firebrand, "Captain. I understand that you don't want to be without your friends for 5 years but you need to actually hire QUALIFIED Deck Hooves,"

Firebrand's expression of shock slowly morphed into one of anger, "Come again,"

"I realize most of the crew is made up of qualified individuals but just because Deck Hooves are the lowest ranking members doesn't mean-"

Firebrand banged his hood on the table, "Are you accusing ME of showing favoritism Princess," He sneered her title.

Doctor Whooves put a hoof on Firebrand's shoulder and shook his head.

"Your Majesty," The Doctor said calmly, "I can assure you. My former students are the most qualified ponies in Equestria for this. I made sure they would be from the moment I took them under my wing,"

"I know what your school was Doctor and personally I think you did a great thing," Twilight assured with great sympathy, "Ponies with Atypical Classifications of Magical Manifestations, or Classes, like Pinkie's cosmic powers or Firebrand's fire bending, often feel confused and even scared. Their magic acts up in ways unusual for their species and few ponies know how to teach them to control their unique gifts,"

Twilight didn't even know magic could really come out in such bizarre ways like that until she met Pinkie. She thought it was just an old pony's tale, "It was a great thing you did to take it on yourself to teach them how to control these gifts. Something I'm sure Pinkie would have appreciated having around when she was a filly,"

"However," Twilight went on, "Just because these ponies are gifted doesn't make them qualified to be spacers. We needed ponies who were capable of topping the charts during boot camp and training,"

"Which they did," answered the good Doctor.

"Are you telling me that was just a coincidence?" Twilight glared, "That the cadets that just happened to go through your school just happened to be the ones you PERSONALLY chose for this missions,"

"No it's not a coincidence. It's precisely the reason I chose to teach them, and only them,"

Twilight eyed him for a second, "Are you claiming you somehow KNEW these would be the Cadets that would be chosen. What did Pinkie get one of her 'visions' and just forget to tell me?"

"No," Firebrand said quickly, "Celestia did,"

Twilight froze and got thoughtful.

"No need to lie to the girl," The Doctor scolded his former student. Then said to Twilight, "I'm a time traveling alien who has been devoting much of my time to this planet to insure our little dimension wouldn't implode-"

Firebrand quickly covered his mouth with a hoof.

Twilight... blinked... then looked too Firebrand.

The Captain smiled nervously "He's got a weird sense of humor your highness,"

"Well I don't appreciate it," Twilight groaned, rubbing her temple with her hoof, "So Celestia had a vision,"

Firebrand nodded, "She saw the future captains of a space fairing fleet. She sent Clockwork to teach us the various scientific theories we'd need to know in addition to controlling our Classes,"

Twilight thought on this as it was a pretty reasonably explanation. Alicorns often saw visions of the future. Twilight remembered freaking out the first time it happened to her. They saw glimpses of possible futures. It was how Celestia knew Twilight had the potential to become an Alicorn, even how she knew who her friends would be and what they could all do for Equestria. She even saw a future where Discord was reformed and risked everything on the off chance he could be saved. Taking steps to help the future captains of Equestria's space fairing fleet reach their potential? Honestly that sounded exactly like something Celestia would do.

After the meeting, when everypony but the Captain and his first mate left, the Doctor found himself fiddling with his scarf. It kept getting caught in the armor.

"She's going to find out eventually," The Doctor rolled his eyes as Firebrand repeatedly banged his head against his Captain-y desk, "And she's going to be maaaaad when she realizes you lied to her,"

Firebrand slammed his head down one last time and groaned into the wood, "I know you have trouble understanding this but routinely foalnapping children to take them on adventures across the galaxy is frowned on by most ponies,"

"You had permission slips!" The Doctor defended.

"No... we didn't..."

The Doctor blinked, "... Really? I was sure I sent those home," he stopped to think it over.

Firebrand just groaned. Then something clicked in his mind, "Doctor... you never told us why,"

"Hum?" The Doctor made an absent-minded sound in his throat.

"Why you chose us, why out of everypony on the planet, you invited us to your school and showed us the wonders of... everything... but you just let something slip and I'm not sure I want clarification,"

The Doctor looked at him more closely.

"What did you mean 'to insure this dimension wouldn't implode'?"

The Doctor froze for the briefest of moments before getting a strangely serious air about him. It was in moments like this when Firebrand could see his age. He was so much older then anypony knew, older then pony civilization itself. The young Stallion could feel the power radiating off the Earth Pony and knew why so many cultures out in the verse thought of him as a god. However it only lasted a moment as his features quickly shifted into a goofy grin, "Oh I was just being over dramatic. Don't worry about it. Just continue being your brilliant self and everything will work out,"

The Doctor was always more of a "Do as I say not as I do" kinda teacher, scolding Firebrand for lying to Twilight then not five minutes later reminding the young Stallion who was the real master of lies.

###

Solopax stood on the Deck beside the Senior staff behind the helm, right next to the Chief Medical Pony. Although he wasn't sure why he was called that seeing as he was a Hippogriff. Equestrians insisted on calling everyone "pony" even those that weren't. It reminded him of humanities insistence that all races were part of "mankind". It didn't matter, he'd just have to try and get them to say "people" as to not offend the more sensitive races.

Solopax watched the expressions of the crew as they all looked out at the Stars. They marveled by the fact that the universe had turned black dispite being so close to the sun. It was strange that their planet, at the edge of the solar system, had a dwarf star just small enough and just far enough away to not fry the planet.

Solopax didn't know stars could be so small. It was only about 500 miles in diameter. Plasma usually didn't form without a much greater gravity well. None of the ponies seemed troubled by it. They all just stared at it as they passed the small star. The ship was shaking a bit but that was too be expected when breaking orbit.

The whole crew was up here on deck, along with the Princess and her Entourage, and even their families. Solopax had to admit, it was pretty amazing to be walking on the deck of a wooden ship with all of space surrounding you. He could literally feel the warmth of the sun yet it felt good. They were right next to the hottest substance in the universe and the environmental bubble made it feel like they were on the beach. You could even stare directly at it without fear of going blind thanks to the shields.

They all watched as they passed the star and it shrank off into the distance.

"We've broken orbit" The Helms Pony called as the ship stopped shaking, "We're officially in Outter Space!"

The entire crew began to cheer well confetti exploded from everywhere. Solopax just blinked, not understanding what the big deal was. It was a bit mundane to him.

However he jumped as the entire crew began to glow. They flashed with strange lights and vibrated a bit. This obviously wasn't normal based on their own reactions. They started to scream and panic, thinking something was wrong with the environmental bubble.

"Calm down every pony!" when no one settled down the Princess exclaimed, "LISTEN," her voice was somehow loud enough to shock the crew into silence, "There is nothing wrong with the bubble. It's the Cutie Map. It appears to be calling us, the entire crew, somewhere,"

Solopax, and as many as the crew as was possible, crowded around the Cutie Map behind the helm. He'd never seen such a sight. there was an image of a ship on the table. It sailed across the map to...

"Oh no," Solopax stared.

Twilight loudly declared, "To Ferenginar!"

"You can't," Solopax tried.

Twilight blinked, "Eh? Aren't you excited to visit home,"

"There is a reason I left!" Solopax exclaimed, "The same reason my crew decided to settle on your planet when you let us out of prison! Ferenginar is a war zone right now! Ever since Nagus Rom was put into office he started giving females more rights and workers mandatory benefits and higher pay,"

Rainbow Dash blinked, "Isn't that a good thing,"

"Sure if you ignore the fact that all the people clinging to the old ways are rioting in the streets and getting in fights with new age protesters. Ferenginar is NOT the stablest of planets right now,"

Twilight looked at the map, "Must be why the map is sending us there,"

Solopax gaped, "How can you blindly follow this thing!?"

Twilight thought on it as that deserved an answer, "Honestly we don't know exactly what the map is but it has always lead us to exactly where we needed to be. This map has helped us repair friendships, give life to fallen civilizations, and even stop wars before they begin. If it's sending us there and we ignore it I guarantee you something horrible will happen in our absence. The map believes our crew can help your people Solopax, please let us,"

Solopax rubbed his temple, Should have known better then to get on a ship with a bunch of Superstitious..." He stopped himself from saying something nasty.

Twilight smiled, "I know you think we are naive but we have experience dealing with cultures on the edge. You've seen our planet. Did you think Dragons, Changelings, Griffins, Minotaurs, and Yaks were always living peaceful in each others cities in a united government? We had to work at it. We had to listen to each other and compromise. We had to learn that we're all different in our beliefs and values and be willing to accept there is no one right answer. We had to learn, so much, and there is still so much more to learn. Let us share our knowledge with your own ponies and learn the next steps together,"

Solopax stared at her a moment, "I agreed to show you around the galaxy and I will but don't say I didn't warn you. The Merchants Guild won't take kindly to you rubbing your noses in our affairs,"

Twilight smiled, "It's what we do,"