private Eastern Skies Ablaze

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

They both got out and walked into the diner. The interior was well maintained, and there were a few in the diner. Both made their way to a pair of stools, the barpony took their orders and departed.

 

"So are we just gonna have something to eat then? I take it you'll still be in charge if we go back."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Ill see what I can do. Cant guarentee ill be your commander. They may just put me in a squad." She says, she fluffs her wings a bit.

"Just hope Im not getting rusty. But dont feel like your being tossed in this alone. I havent been on a combat mission in years. Decades." She says.

"Well I wouldnt say decades but the time between them is sporadic. It was during a time when Equestria wasnt exactly in risk of a conflict. " She remained silent a bit. She sighed a bit.

 

"You did good back there. I read your report before I found you. You deserved that promotion." She said .

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"I don't, I did nothing anyone else could of, I got lucky being the only bat pony, all I did was guide everyone out." She looked down at her hooves. "I'm not an officer I'm an astrolgist my cuite mark is a shooting star not military pips." She was totally against the idea of command.

[FancyHorse 1,209]

The barpony returns with their light meals. The two were quiet for a bit until a cellphone ring distrubed them.

"Yes?" She answered, there was a pause. "Mhmm... So soon?" She replied. She sighed.

"Alright. Let me know when we are assembling. Okay." She replied and hung up.

 

"Looks like the council gave the okay." She muttered.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"So, so we're going back then? They've drafted us to go to some forgin land and kill changelings... I, I don't even dislike changelings even after Canterlot, I blame their queen for that."

 

Star continued and ate her food before speaking again. "Can we not go? Say no to being forced over there?"

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Orders are orders. You dont want a court marshall. That'll tarnish your whole Wonderbolt title. You rememeber about Ostro the Coward?" She asked, not a well spoke story. Who wants to learn about some bomber pony who refused to carry out his missions against the Trottingmare Troubles Conflict? Disobdient flyers are generally disapproved upon. But Star could recall hearing a rumor that perhaps relatives of his were fighting amongst the ranks of the guerillas during the incident.

 

From her smart device/phone she looks about on various news bits. Malteese under high pressures for surrender, Peace Scavangers - Up coming documentary, Arabia and Changelings: Deep Ties and Troubles, Equestria Going To War?. Many upon many headlines. The media was going rather hectic on this, why not? Equestria is need of certain news of other countries. Like a void needing fillment. But generally the public has acted harshly despising these reports- but the views say otherwise.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"I... I don't remember there being a clause in my contract that I have to go to war...? But, I'm not sure, I'm really not." She looked at the bar's occupants for a few moments.

 

"But if I don't go, one of these ponies here might get drafted or something? I'm good at flying so, dodging by extension? I'd rather fight than somepony here having to in my place."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"In som way I think we are all going to be involved somehow." Razor said.

"Keep an eye on your phone. In case you get a call from the air base." She says. The two finish with their meals and return to the car.

 

"Got a place in town? Dorm in the air base?" She asked her in curiosity.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"No, I live in Cloudsdale so I just fly to HQ when I am needed. I've actually never been here before I'd not no where to go if you left." She said getting into the car. She continued to look out the window then glance at her phone...

 

"Where is Cirrus?... I've not seen my bird since the day of the attack."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"I didn't look at the retreival report. But I'd assume she's okay. Also, next time tell the catalouge staff next time when you are bringing a pet. " She said and started her vehicle. The two drive along down the street, making the occasional turn here and there.

"You dont mind if I take a detour to my home? Or you want me to get ya to the slipstream?" She asked.

 

Whoever made the idea of air slipstreams deserved a medal... Or maybe a hoof. Both. Created by aerophysics engineer FeatherWhiz of Cloudsdale and unicorn inventor Blaze Light; the two questioned on a quick and accessbile means of transport for all public flyers kinda like a highway or motorway. An extension of large mechancial/magical rings spread about in line directions to the most bustling locations throughout Equestria! With usage of wind manipulating magic infused in these mechanical devices they create a fast moving slipstream for an efficent speed in which to directly travel to. With Cloudsdale kept as the main hub as of now: Manehatten, Baltimare, Ponyville, Las Pegasus and Manecouver. Later plans hope to expand further to smaller regions and hopefully to the Crystal Empire.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"I didn't know I had to do that to bring her along, that's silly she's a companion not just a pet... Smart bird though I think she'll be waiting at home for me."

 

She looked over to her. "Sure if you like I'll just be crashing at my place anyway I'm still not thinking straight, I need to sleep for a week."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Eh, Ill just get ya to the stream. I kinda feel you too. Really need to think on this." She says.

 

Driving along past traffic, intersections, the occasional jam up and the bustling crowds of walker bys the two approach to the edge of the city limits, ahead boasting brightly is the massive magical wind stream. At the base the stream begins from an energizer like device about 30 feet in diameter. Using the magical devices infused with it, it begins blasting the wind forward in a charged pattern connecting with the first connector rings and so forth and such to which ever destination it leads to.

 

Parking near the side admist the mass of crowds she allows Star to disembark.

"You have a safe flight back home!" She says.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"Thanks Razor, I'll see you again." She waves to her then takes off for the entrance.

 

She flies home in only a few short hours, well there wasn't much flying the tunnel did all the work for everpony who used it. She just glided home with literally no effort. It was a good thing she didn't have, nor really wanted to fly home.

 

After she got home she crashed on her couch, not even able to make it upstairs passing out...

[FancyHorse 1,209]

She felt a soft pecking at her mane, opening her eyes Cirrus is there remained at her side. She puffs out her chest as though to impress or what not. Suppose she did, after flying back to Equestria by herself. She then procceded to nuzzle at her side. There was a sudden ring on her phone. Checking it the number was unknown but the caller ID said: Manecouver Observatory Systems and Company. Fellow astronemers it seemed.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

She rose from her bed like a scene from a Dracula movie to sit up. "Cirrus can you kill me later? I think being dead would be nice." She reached over with a wing to pick up her phone from the coffee table. She looked at the ID, then sighed. "Yay work."

 

She put the phone to her ear. "Hello, you've reached Prof. Star, Uni. Of Cloudsdale."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Hello! This is Comet Chase of the Manecouver Observatory station! I hate to bother you in such a late time. My uh supervisor is kinda being a bit pushy with this. So uhhh upcoming next month we will be hosting a "Findings and Discoveries Panel with the Equestrian Astronomy Communitiy and were wondering if you would be interested in attending? The university recommeneded a listing of Professors and you were apart of it." A mare's voice spoke through.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

She was quiet for a few moments processing the information she'd been told before she spoke. "Comet, I'd be happy to try and attend but I might not be able to I'm not sure about my current circumstances. Please give me the dates for the events but you'll have to put my attendance down as a maybe."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

"Oh... Well its okay. The event will be on September 16. (The current date is August 11th.) Itll be at our station Manecouver Observatory. Really hard to miss it." She says.

"Well keep me in touch if you are ever allowed to go." She says, "Have a goodnight!" SHe ended the call.

Cirrus remained at her side looking at her with curiosity. There was a knock at the door. Slumping over to answer she is greeted by the face of one of her neighbors (I'm assuming she lives in an urban neighborhood. With cloudsdale and such.)

The middle aged stallion bowed a bit, "Miss Star! Its so good to see you made it back! The family was really worried about ya! We heard what happened when you got there!" He said.

 

Strange, Arabia was under very controlled media coverage. Did this leak from inside sources?

 

"We bought you a fruit basket! In case you uh came back!" He said noticing the basket at his side.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

"Thanks Wind Rider..." She takes the basket and puts it inside, then comes back to him. "I'd be happy to talk about it tomorrow afternoon, honestly I have to just sleepp even though you know I'm supposed to be awake but I'm wrecked..."

 

She rubbs the back of her neck. "Flying for your life and being shot at kinda wear one out. Please you can come back tomorrow but I just need sleep."

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Wind Rider nodded and returned to his home. Returning back inside Star plopped back onto her couch. Cirrus returned to her side resting by her master. The home remained silent apart from the noise from outside.

 

Her entirty was just pure numbness.

---

 

Tariq laid on his bed just listening to his fan as it blasted away cool air his way. Sitting away in her chair reading was his squadmate Peshir. The didnt exchange words just simply sitting in silence. He looked over to their window peering out into the airfield. He let out a sigh.

"Something bothering you?" She asked.

"Our review report. Wasn't really a success." He said,

"You know the fault was put on anti air ordinace. They should've been doing their job." She replied.

"Yeah. Just felt we could do better." He said.

"And we did. We could'nt hit em all." Peshir spoke.

 

Samir walked in, Quabar following soon pulling a small tote with them. Samir saluted.

"Shopping unit is back!"

"Did they have those spicy potato curry?" Tariq asked sitting up. He was tossed a small box.

"Eeyup! Got you the whole case!" Samir responded.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

She must of slept for some time, for when she woke it was getting dark. She sat up Cirrus was asleep at her side. She gently picked her up and placed her on her little cushion allowing her to continue sleeping.

 

"Hmmm maybe Wind might be around later or not?" She shrugged to her own question then walked to her shower. She must of sat in there for at least half an hour letting the water flow over her. She used the time to think of of the battle mostly, she did get herself washed in the meantime however.

 

She got out of her shower and and had breakfast. (Being relative to her being nocturnal)

[FancyHorse 1,209]

@Mentis Soliloquy ((A bit of a time jump to move things along. ))

 

One day...

Two days...

Three days...

 

So far no call. No notice yet. No mail- at least until later today. They usually run about this time. No matter of talk or discussion the noise the tension was still fresh upon Star. Until there was a knock on her door.

 

Opening up to the growing dusk soon to arrive a fellow thestral stood before her.

"Miss Soft Star?" He asked, before handing over her mail.

"Hope you have a good night." He says and turning about heading on the next home.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

(Roger)

 

She took her mail and put it on her kitchen bench she'd read it later. Most of the time she'd been recouping her thoughts had been on that dreaded phone call that hadn't come yet. She'd been unsure to actually do anything stuck in a state of limbo waiting for her life to go one way or another.

 

After a few hours of nothing important she went to read her mail...

[FancyHorse 1,209]

Most of her mail came from universities, competiting rivals from other observatories and some are just complaints from students about boring naieve political focus or what not. One caught her eye immediatley. The envelope was a simple drab tan color with the Wonderbolts and Royal Air Guard insignia and it was what she feared. A deployment notice straight from the department of warfare interventions and strategies.

 

DATE SENT AUGUST 12TH 0700 CANTERLOT TIME DATE.

ROYAL DEPARTMENT OF WARFARE I&S.

APPROVAL STATE ------

 

CONFIDENTIAL! DO NOT DISCLOSE TO UNAUTHROIZED PERSONEL

 

WARRANT OFFICER SOFT STAR,

 

AS OF 0430 HOURS THE APPROVAL OF WAR HAS BEEN GRANTED BY HER HIGHNESS PRINCESS CELESTIA AND BY THE NATIONAL COMMITIEE OF THE PUBLIC OF EQUESTRIA. AT 0600 HOURS NEXT MONDAY WILL BEGIN GROUPING OF SELECT SERVICE AND RESERVE UNITS. YOU HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO BEGIN DEPLOYMENT AIR OPERATIONS. YOU ARE TO REPORT TO BALTIMARE AIRBASE AT THE SPECIFIED DATE STATED. COMMANDING LEAD WILL BE FIRST LIEUTENANT IRON WING. ONCE GROUPED YOU WILL BE DEPARTED ON THE R.E.V Carrier Heart of Friendship. FAILURE TO REPORT WITHOUT NOTICE TO THE DEPARTMENT WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE COURT MARSHAL AND SENTENCE OF 5 YEARS IN ROYAL PRECIENCT. REPORT AS NEEDED.

 

DEPARTMENT OF WARFARE INTEREVENTION AND STRATEGIES.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,026]

Her head hit her table that the paper was on. "Fucking great..." She took a massive sigh and looked around her home. "Best put everything away and tell ponies."

 

She spent the day ringing about her deployment. Work, neibours, the fellow universities, post service. With that done she went to her parents home to talk to them in person. That was a tear filled event. Her dad was accetpting and ok with it, her mom was what a mom should be tear filled and questioning why her child had to go to war.

 

After getting home she packed, get it over and done with.

 

Then after that she sat looking, looking at nothing she must of stared at her wall for a few hours mulling over how she might die, morbid? Yes but it's what consumed her thoughts. After she showered and went to bed, she was going to take Cirrus with her. The falcon wouldn't of stayed away from her anyway.

 

Sleep claimed her soon after, if there was a pony that needed a vist from Luna it was Soft Star...