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Contact: Apple Harvest

by ty500600

Chapter 1: 1. Among Friends

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///PASSWORD?
///************
///LOGGING IN...
///WELCOME GOVERNOR APPLEJACK
///ONE NEW MESSAGE
////DO YOU WISH TO PLAY?
>>PLAY MESSAGE

May 20th, 2302, SET.
Second Lieutenant R. Dash.
Private Audio Log

Hey guys, it’s me! Now, I know I left home without much warning, and I’m sorry for that, but you should see me now. I’m an officer in the navy, a Second Lieutenant! I’ve been in training to be a pilot for about a year. I know I should have sent this message sooner, but I didn’t have the time or the ability to do it. This is the first time that us pilots had a real break in this long year. I miss you guys, I really want you to know that. I also don’t know how long it will be before you will get this message, or the next one for that matter. I’m sending these messages from the Solstice Flight Academy, and it’s really far away from Apple Harvest. Oh, by the way Applejack, if you get this in time, good luck on that, establishing a colony cannot be easy. I’m sure you’ll be a great Governor/Mayor thing. Everypony else, you guys help her out when you can. She won’t admit it, but you know she’ll need all the help you can give her. Well, I got to go. That was the small amount of down time I got. I miss you guys, love you all!

///END OF MESSAGE


June 2nd, 2307, SET. Apple Harvest Colony

“Whoa, Rainbow Dash! First Lieutenant? Way to go!” Applejack yelled as she slapped her friend on the flank. “Ya look mighty fancy in that uniform I might add. So, what brings you around these parts anyhow?” They were in Applejack’s office in the middle of town of Apple Harvest. There were pictures hung up all over the wall. They varied from old pictures of Applejack and Rainbow together with the rest of the crew to Applejack holding a large flag in the town square.

“Thanks Applejack, you’re not doing to bad around here yourself, what with having to manage this new colony and stuff. I bet your family would be very proud of what you’ve done!” Rainbow returned the flank spank. “Anyways, I’m here with my squadron and the Dauntless.” Rainbow pointed out of the window up towards the sky at the small New Equestrian Navy Ship Dauntless. “Our job is to escort some Equestrian Space Intelligence spook and his science vessel around the system. Stupid escort duty, it’s so boring. Between you and me, I don’t trust the ESI. Not since they went from a science division to a branch of the military. All those upper class, high ranking officers in one room? Sounds like a load of horse apples if you ask me.”

“I hear ya, but I know you Rainbow, you won’t let anyone down. You’re too loyal,” Applejack said with a grin, poking her friend in the chest. “How long you here for anyhow? I’m sure the gals would love to see their old friend, don’t ya think?”

“Sure thing! I’ve got a little bit of shore leave so we won’t be heading out for a few more hours.” Applejack nodded and led Rainbow out onto the streets. “So where is everypony?” Rainbow asked, walking next to her old friend. She had left her friends five years ago to join the New Equestrian Navy, and now she was looking to make up as much lost time as she could.

“Well, and this should come as no surprise, Twilight headed up the research center in the middle o’ town. I’ll bet Rarity is in her office as requisitions officer; you have no idea how excited she was to have the job managing all the supplies n’ stuff of the colony. Fluttershy is probably tending to the animals, ya know how she is, and as for Pinkie Pie...” Applejack swung her head around, as if looking for something. “Your guess is as good as mine. You never know with that one,” she finished.

“Well, lets find her later, who is the close--” Rainbow was cut off in mid-sentence by a large gasp from behind her.

“Dashie!” shrieked a voice. Rainbow knew what was coming next and relaxed her body, waiting for the inevitable tackle. A flying pink blur smashed into her at full speed, sending them tumbling several feet away from where Rainbow was standing not moments ago.

“Hey, Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow yelled, wrapping her hooves around the mare who was lying on top of her, embracing her in a hug. “It’s great to see you, but you should really get off. I don’t wanna know what my squadron leader would do if she saw my uniform all dirty,” she said with a chuckle. Pinkie elevated herself off her old friend, allowing Rainbow to rise to her hooves. She didn’t offer much reprieve however, and quickly held her cyan friend again.

“Oh my gosh, it’s been so long! Like a bazillion years too long! How was the naval academy? Are you a pilot? Have you fought any aliens? Are there aliens? What’s it like flying your ship? What’s—” An orange hoof stifled Pinkie Pie’s never-ending stream of questions.

“C’mon Pinkie Pie, lets go find the others. I’m sure they’ll have questions for Rainbow too,” Applejack said with a grin, prying Pinkie off of Rainbow.

“Oh my gosh! We need to throw Rainbow a good ol’ fashioned welcome party! Rainbow how long are you here for? Please say a long time?” Pinkie pleaded.

“I’m sorry Pinkie, but I’m only here for a few hours and I—” Rainbow couldn’t finish her sentence. Pinkie had, again, cut her off.

“Only a few hours! Then we need to have a quick party! Come to the warehouse in an hour! I’ll have everything set up! Bring everypony!” Pinkie yelled before bolting off into the distance.

“Just like old times, eh Rainbow?” Applejack laughed.

“Just like old times AJ. Now, as I was saying, who is closest?”

“Well, Twilight’s research center is right in the middle of town and...”


The two ponies walked through town, discussing past events and swapping stories. The first pony they picked up was Twilight. After pounding on the metal door to the building for a full minute, a loud crashing of metallic objects responded and the door flung open. A pony in a shiny silver suit walked out and stared at the two ponies before taking the helmet off. “Applejack, I told you not to... Rainbow Dash!” Twilight yelled in surprise, flinging her helmet back into the building behind her.

“Hey Twilight, long time no see,” Rainbow said with a smile, drawing her friend into a tight embrace.

They broke the hug. Twilight said, “Oh Rainbow Dash, it’s been so long! How long are you in town for?”

“Well I’ll be in system for a while, but I’m only here for a few hours. Pinkie Pie bolted away a few minutes ago, she went to set up a welcome party. You wanna go?” Rainbow asked.

“Sure thing, let me go inside real quick and get out of this suit, I’ll only be a minute,” Twilight replied. She turned around and disappeared inside. The sound of metal scrapping metal erupted from the dark room, “Uh... two minutes,” came a voice. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at each other and smiled.

“Old times?” Rainbow asked.

“Old times,” Applejack said.


///PASSWORD?
///************
///LOGGING IN...
///WELCOME GOVERNOR APPLEJACK
///ONE NEW MESSAGE
////DO YOU WISH TO PLAY?
>>PLAY MESSAGE

January 1st, 2303, SET.
Second Lieutenant R. Dash
Private Audio Log

Happy new years guys! Sorry its been so long since the last message. I would have sent one on Hearth’s Warming Eve but the time we had off was spent doing extended duties on patrol. I know I’m a pilot but they needed a small recon team and I couldn’t help but volunteer. I knew I would have a break over the rest of the holidays and I only got back two days ago. But, anyway, I’m fine, almost two years now of flight school. I should be getting my metal wings soon! I’ll do you guys proud. Spending the holidays without you all was... hard, to say the least. I knew it was going to be difficult being without you for so long but... I miss you all. I’m sorry that you can’t reply to these messages. I don’t even know if I should be sending them to you, what with the strict rules and all. I guess it’s whatever though, I hope you guys all had a great holiday season. I love you!

///END OF MESSAGE


The group of three friends started walking towards the outskirts of town while Twilight and Rainbow talked about life. They approached a field of grass with several cows grazing here and there and a barn off to the side.

“Still love them old barns, eh’ Applejack?” Rainbow teased her orange friend.

“My ancestors used barns, so I’m gonna’ use barns,” Applejack shot back with a smirk.

“Okay, Applejack, you keep telling yourself that. Where’s Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked. They had reached the barn doors and they pushed their way through.

“Fluttershy, come down here! We have a guest!” Applejack yelled into the balconies of the barn.

A “shhhhh” was the response from above. Fluttershy poked her head over the edge. “The newborn kittens are trying to... Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy squeaked.

Applejack leaned into Rainbow’s ear and whispered, “That's the loudest I’ve heard her yell in a while.”

Rainbow responded with an elbow to the side. She turned to her yellow friend. “Hey ‘Shy, come down here and give me a hug!” The yellow pegasus leapt from her perch, landing softly in front of Rainbow, then slowly embraced her friend.

“Oh, Rainbow, it’s been so long, I had hoped you hadn’t forgotten about me,” Fluttershy said.

“Fluttershy, I would never forget you!” Rainbow replied and tightened her embrace.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I hope I didn’t offend you,” Fluttershy whispered.

“Fluttershy, it’s okay, you would never offend me. Now, Pinkie Pie is throwing me a welcome party, but I’m only on the ground for a few more hours, wanna come?” Rainbow asked, splitting the hug.

“Of course, I would never miss a Pinkie party, let me just make sure the animals have enough food and water...”


The group of four turned back towards town, enjoying each others company. They reached a large building that looked like a storage facility. As the group went inside, Rarity’s influence was obvious; forms and documents lined the walls everywhere and couches and chairs were spread out, very much organized. “This must be it, nopony else could design this,” Rainbow said, laughing. The group proceeded through the building, passing an occasional employee who nodded at the passing friends. In the back of the building stood a large purple door with a sign that said “Manager.”

Applejack began rapping on the door, “Rarity, get your flank out here!”

“Applejack, I told you once, I’ll tell you again, I won’t have your order until next week!” shouted a voice from behind the door. The door cracked open to reveal Rarity. “And furthermore, I don’t appreciate you bringing everypony here just to tell me that you want your order.” Rarity opened the door fully. Her eyes widened as she noticed Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow! Oh I’m so sorry my dear, I didn’t know you were coming! I would have tidied up a bit.” She paused and shot a small glare at Applejack. “Now tell me, how have you been? How long are you in town for?”

“Well I’ve been great, I’m a First Lieutenant and fly with a great group of pilots. But I’m not here on of my free will to be honest; I’m here with a small task unit. While we will be in the Apple Harvest system for a while, I’ll be spending most of my time up there,” Rainbow said, raising a hoof towards the ceiling. “But Pinkie Pie is holding a welcome party for me at the warehouse. Would you like to come?”

“Oh Rainbow I would love to but I’m really behind on an order and I—”

“Rarity come now, I’ll give ya a break on that order, come on and let’s be with Rainbow. It ain’t everyday you get to see an old friend, right?” Applejack interjected.

“Yes, you’re right, very well, let me get my things...”


///PASSWORD?
///************
///LOGGING IN...
///WELCOME GOVERNOR APPLEJACK
///ONE NEW MESSAGE
////DO YOU WISH TO PLAY?
>>PLAY MESSAGE

April 17th, 2303
Second Lieutenant R. Dash.
Private Audio Log

Hey girls, it’s me. I’m sorry but this will probably be my last message I can send from flight school. Complications have put the flight academy in a bind. We are moving to Eclipse, an operation base that isn’t far from Apple Harvest, but I will be out of contact. I don’t know much of the details, we are due for briefing in a few hours. Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear from me for a while. I’m sorry, this isn’t what you all wanted to hear, I’m sure, But chin up! I’ll be home in no time, don’t you worry! I... I gotta go. I love you all, and I miss you so much. I’m sorry we won’t be able to talk again for a while. Sniff... sorry.

///END OF MESSAGE
///NO NEW MESSAGES


The five friends trotted through town, stopping and saying hello to a few ponies who were in the streets. They were almost to the base of the hill that the warehouse rested on when Rainbow saw two more familiar faces, her two wingponies.

“Hey Spectre, hey Ace!” Rainbow yelled. The two ponies trotted over to Rainbow who began to introduce them to her friends. “Everypony this is Spectre,” she began, pointing to the pegasus stallion of the group, “we all call each other by our callsigns, just easier that way.” Spectre was rather small for a male pegasus, standing as tall as Rainbow Dash. He had a brown coat and a short black mane which was somewhat hidden under his cap. His gentle blue eyes shifted back and forth among Rainbow’s friends.

“Pleased to meet you all,” he said with a bow, removing his cap as he did.

“And this is Ace, our squad leader,” Rainbow said proudly. Ace was taller than the average mare, especially for a unicorn. She had a white coat, a billowing silver mane, and brilliant emerald eyes. She stood there with a smile on her face and shook all of Rainbow’s friends’ hooves.

“How do you all do? Rainbow has told us a lot about you,” she said with a grin. “You’re... Applejack,” she began, “and you’re, Fluttershy, Rarity and Twilight. Wasn’t there another one though? Pinkie Pie I think her name was?”

“Oh yeah, Pinkie Pie! I almost forgot, she was throwing me a welcome party at the warehouse up there.” Rainbow pointed at the metal building. “You guys wanna come? Pinkie always likes meeting new people.”

“Oh Bolt, we’d love to, but Spectre and I were only here to pick up some supplies for the break room, ain’t that right Spectre?” Ace said, shooting a look at Spectre. Upon hearing his name, he blushed a little. “He ate all the food and drank the rest of the cider. Well, we’ll see you later. Don't forget Bolt, last shuttle up to the Dauntless leaves in three hours, so have fun but be quick,” Ace said, slowly trotting off towards the landing pad, Spectre close in tow.

“Alright I’ll see you later!” Rainbow yelled towards her squadron leader.

“Bolt? How did ya’ get that moniker?” Applejack asked, chuckling.

“I set the record speed time for the challenge course on Solstice, first try.” Rainbow said, “Beat the old record by a full second. I wanted to try again, but my drill sergeants were too worried about me showing up the other recruits. It was awesome.”

“Sounds like ya. I’m gonna keep calling ya Dash though,” Applejack laughed.


The group had reached the top of the hill when Rainbow turned around for a moment to take in the scenery. It was beautiful. She had never lived in Old Equestria, but she imagined that it looked a lot like this: the small town below, with ponies going about their day to day business. The grass plains around the town went on for miles, as far as the eye could see, endlessly rolling in the slight breeze. The sun was glinting off of the metallic buildings in town, while wooden buildings glowed in the light they were absorbing. Off to the west, several miles away, stood a small mountain range. Its red-hued gravel was brighter in the brilliance of the sun, while its white peaks glinted like a gem. To the east of the village, a small path cut through the grass fields into a forest. The green aura given off by the trees filled Rainbow’s vision in that direction.

So many colors... this is beautiful, she thought to herself.

“Rainbow, what ya lookin’ at?” Applejack asked her friend.

“This place... it’s wonderful,” Rainbow said quietly, letting out a small sigh of happiness. “The most colorful thing on the Dauntless is either my tail or my ship, it’s all boring and grey otherwise. But this... this is simply amazing. I can’t wait to get back here after we run our sorties.”

“Yeah, it’s great ain’t it? I’m so glad I joined the colonist division, and I’m even gladder that I was picked to start here, Apple Harvest is...” Applejack struggled to find the right word. When she found it, she turned to her blue friend and said with a smile, “home.”

“And I’ll tell you what Rainbow, we can’t wait for ya to get out of the military and come live with us again. It just ain’t the same without ya, having one less pony to compete against,” Applejack started.

“One less pony to study and do science with,” Twilight added.

“One less pony to share my animals with,” Fluttershy whispered.

“One less pony to give my fashioned makeovers to,” Rarity continued.

“One less pony to party with!” Pinkie Pie shouted, literally appearing out of nowhere.

Rainbow turned around, tears in her eyes. “I missed you girls so much, I can’t wait to come back here permanently. I love you all,” Rainbow said, wrapping her friends up with her wings and her legs, embracing them tightly, as if to never let them go.

“We all love you too, but now let’s go party!” Pinkie yelled, shattering the embrace. A chorus of cheers was the answer, and they all trotted towards the warehouse. As the door slowly slid open, Rainbow’s smile widened even more. There were party decorations everywhere and in the middle of the room stood a large cake. They were about to enter when a chorus of yells came from behind them. Running up the hill were the Cutie Mark Crusaders with Scootaloo in the front of the pack, flying.

“Rainbow Dash! Look what I can do!” she yelled, flapping her wings furiously. She slammed into Rainbow, wrapping her neck into a huge hug.

“Hey Squirt, how’ve you been?! Look at that, you can fly now! I bet you’ll be ready to fly with me in the Navy soon, won’t you?” Rainbow said, laughing and hugging the almost fully grown filly. “It’s good to see the rest of you too!” she added, drawing the other two into the hug.

“Yeah I know Rainbow! Another year then I can apply for flight training. I have a good feeling that’s where I’ll get my cutie mark!” Scootaloo replied, a huge grin on her face.

“Rainbow, tell us about what you’ve been doing!” the other two yelled over each other, trying to get her attention.

“How about you guys join us in the party, I’ll be sure to tell you everything!” Rainbow said. Three large smiles was their response, and they quickly bolted into the warehouse, waiting to hear the stories Rainbow was going to share.

“They grow up so fast...” Applejack said, smiling.

“Yes they do. C’mon AJ. Let’s have a party.”


Laughter and loud music was all that was heard from the warehouse. Everypony gathered around Rainbow Dash as she relayed her travels among the stars and her epic feats. They all listened intently, all wanting to hear what she had to say. When the time came, however, Rainbow went around to her friends and gave them each a hug before saying goodbye. She left the warehouse with a large group of ponies behind her, waving as she left. She had no idea when she would be back, but she hoped soon. She missed her friends too much and she wanted to be with them. Rainbow boarded the shuttle up to the Dauntless, a single tear in her eye.


///CONFIRM ID
///****-876-09
///ID CONFIRMED
///WELCOME CAPTAIN H. MUSTANG
///ONE NEW MESSAGE
////DO YOU WISH TO PLAY?
>>PLAY MESSAGE
Captain Mustang, this is Sky Marshal Starblink. With this message is an attachment including the dossier on your new squadron member, Lieutenant R. Dash. You may have heard of her, one of the few survivors of the Shadow Syndicate ambush on the Eclipse Fleet Academy graduation ceremony. She held her own in that slaughter-fest and came out on top, that’s why I’m assigning her to your unit. Along with her will be First Lieutenant C. Sidewinder, another survivor. He too held his own and is good friends with Lieutenant Dash. There is a dossier on him as well. I hope these will supplement your losses after that battle. Keep fighting the good fight Captain, Starblink out.

///END OF MESSAGE
///TWO ATTACHMENTS VERIFIED, DO YOU WISH TO OPEN?
///NEGATIVE, SAVING FOR FUTURE TIME
///LOGGING OFF

Next Chapter: 2. Destiny's Way Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 50 Minutes
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