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// Prologue: Preparation 
// Story: Through the Darkness of Space 
// by Lt Rainbow Slash 
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12 November, 3603

When I was a foal I always looked up at the stars with a sense of wonder. Just the idea that all of those little twinkling lights were other suns, many with other planets, some of which were inhabited by other ponies. It blew my young little mind. I knew I wanted to go out there and see what more was out there.

And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I spent the last three months preparing. Dad had just bought a Type-9 Heavy and he gave me Curiosity, his old Cobra Mk.III. Best birthday present ever. She may be thirty years old but she's still a great little ship. I've been making money doing courier runs and trading. Also a bit of bounty hunting on the side. The money earned then goes into upgrading and outfitting her for exploration.

I also managed to swing by Equis. I always wanted to see the birthplace of ponykind. Hell, I wanted to see the Princesses but it's not like any old pony can show up to visit. They're the four thousand year old Alicorn rulers of the Federation. No doubt they have little time to waste between royal duties. Not like they'd want to see little old me. Well...not until after I'm a famous explorer. We'll see in a year when I get back.

I spent today relaxing. All my friends came over and we just hung out. Dusty made us all laugh with his bad jokes. Skipper told us of his latest story he's come up with. Screen...heh. She wouldn't let me go all day. We spent most of the time up in the clouds. This is the last chance I'm going to get to fly in open air in a long time so I wanted to make the most of it. 

Later, Instructor Heat, my pilot instructor, and Doctor Pad, my college physics teacher, stopped by to wish me good luck. The Doc made me promise I'd let him have first pick of any interesting data I bring back. It was really a bittersweet day.

Anyway, this is going to be my journal for the trip. I'll make sure to note anything interesting I find. Who knows, I may even find a few habitable worlds. As is, the ship's ready, I have my route plotted out to unexplored space in the Norma Arm just Galactic West of the core. I get to enjoy one more good nights sleep in my own bed, then I leave first thing tomorrow morning.

Dad's calling me. One last dinner with my parents before I leave. Considering I'm going to be living on dehydrated 'space food' for the next year there's no way in hell I'm missing one last helping of Mom's cooking.

Until next time,
-Con