Doctor Saturn at the Gala Chapter 1

The knock on Doctor Saturn's door was, needless to say, quite unexpected and unwelcome:  unexpected, as he lived out on a barren rock in the middle of the ocean, and unwelcome, because he hated visitors.  After all, what would anypony want to do with a relatively unknown astronomer like him?  The brown Earth pony sighed irritably as he stood up from his computer terminal (quite a feat for ponies, considering they had no fingers or claws to type with--neurogloves got around this) and trudged slowly towards the door.  Opening it, he found a grey pegasus mailmare with a yellow mane (and funny-looking eyes, Saturn noticed) holding out an official-looking envelope in her hoof.  Taking it from her, he nodded in thanks to the mailmare.  She shot off a quick salute before taking to the skies.

Looking at the envelope, Saturn noticed the name of its source:  the Astronomers Guild.  A small vein popped out on Saturn's forehead.  Don't those idiots ever learn that I don't want the extra magazine subscription bonuses?  Tearing open the envelope, he found its contents to be anything but.  Instead of an advertisement, Saturn found in his hoof a letter from the Astronomy Guild's chief himself.

Doctor Saturn,

As you may or may not know, the Grand Galloping Gala is fast approaching.  Although I know of your aversion to such social gatherings, I regret to inform you that the schedule rotation has selected you to represent the Astronomy Guild at this year's Gala.  And  yes, attendance is required.  Therefore, I must ask that you put your research on hold for the time being in order to attend this event.  The exact time and date is enclosed with this letter.  Please try to have a good time.

Signed,

Professor Stargate

Looking back in the envelope, he saw both the official invitation and his admission ticket.  Pulling them out, he saw in big words the date and time:  August 21, 9:00.  The vein in his head popped out even further.  Those pencil-pushers wanted him, of all ponies, to go to one of the biggest events of the year?!  Of all the lowbrow, underhoofed--  Saturn thought to himself.  Thinking it over for a minute, he sighed yet again, resigned to his fate.  I guess I'll need to get fitted for a suit.

Stepping out of his observatory/house, Saturn winced a bit at the brightness of the Sun.  Couldn't Princess Celestia turn down the brightness just a smidgen?  Saturn went back inside for a second to grab his sunglasses.  With the shades properly in place, Saturn trotted down to the small dock at the shoreline.  Tied to it was what seemed like an ordinary boat to the average pony.  Saturn knew otherwise, though.  A little personal modifications to the engine (Saturn was a genius, after all), and this small vessel could travel at speeds that even the fastest pegasi would gape in awe at.  Saturn smiled at his work as he started the engine.

Saturn made it to the Hooveston marina in an hour.  After tying the boat up to one of the docks, Saturn cantered off to the nearest tailor shop.  Stepping inside, he was greeted with a most peculiar grin from the owner.  "Welcome to Gear Rack's Clothiers," the unicorn stallion chimed brightly.  "How may I be of service to you today?"
"I need to get fitted for a suit," Saturn grumbled.
"Wonderful!" the stallion said a bit too happily.  "What's the occasion, may I ask?"
Eyeing the various dressed mannequins around the shop, Saturn replied, "The Grand Galloping Gala."
The unicorn's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets.  "You mean, THE Grand Galloping Gala?!" he asked with surprise.
"Yes," Saturn said dejectedly.  "Now, can we please get this over with?"

Gear Rack immediately fished his measuring instruments out a drawer with his magic.  As he was sizing up Saturn with his measuring tape, he asked, "So how'd you get lucky enough to be invited to the biggest dance event of the year?"
Saturn looked off into the distance, but nonetheless answered the question.  "I'm a member of the Astronomer's Guild, and they have--unfortunately--chosen me to represent them at the Gala."
The Unicorn was perplexed.  "'Unfortunately?'  It's a high honor to even be invited to such an event!"
Saturn was unfazed by the tailor's surprise.  "I know that, but I'm not the party-type of pony, much less the socializing type."
"I know this may be none of my business, but why?"
The brown Earth pony's face darkened at the surfacing memories.  "I've had a few... 'run-ins' with some other ponies who didn't like my profession of choice.  That's all I have to say on the matter."

Gear Rack said nothing further on the subject, finishing up Saturn's measurements in silence.  Turning to Saturn, he said rather cheerily, "I'll have your suit ready in three days.  You can come pick it up and pay for it then."
Saturn nodded curtly and trotted out the door.  Looking around the city, Saturn was indecisive on what to do.  Finally, he decided on going to Trotson Space Center to see what latest developments in spaceflight had popped up in recent years.

The Trotson Space Center was, to say the least, majestic (for an astronomer like Saturn).  The large, pure white building stood several stories above the ground.  On the grounds surrounding the building stood several full-scale replicas of early Space Age rockets.  Despite only being within its first decade of existence, the Equestrian Space Agency was founded with the blessings of both Princess Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna.  Stepping inside the building, Saturn was greeted by a young Earth mare at the front desk.  Flashing his AG card, the receptionist buzzed the door behind her open.  Saturn curtly thanked her and walked through the door.

He was immediately met by a winged stallion guide by the name of Dream Level.  Exchanging greetings, the two slowly trotted down the hall.  "So, Mr. Level," Saturn asked, "what do you do here?"
"I'm part of the astronaut corps," Dream replied.  "I got a flight coming up, actually."
"Really?" Saturn asked with genuine interest.
"Yup, Germani 12."
"That's the last mission of the Germani Program, right?"
"That is correct, my friend.  About a year after that, Capella 1 will be launching."
The idea of a spacecraft that would someday go to the Moon tickled Saturn's fancy.  Continuing on the subject, Saturn continued his interrogation.  "So, who's your co-pilot?"
"A pegasus by the name of Buzz Wind.  Good stallion, nice family," Dream replied.
"Good, good," Saturn replied back.  "So, what else is new in the Agency?"
"Well, as you probably already know, the Capella Program is picking up steam.  With the budget the princesses have allocated us, we're on track to land on the Moon within a few years."

Saturn, despite being a full-grown stallion, couldn't help being as giddy as a schoolcolt with this information.  "How big is the rocket going to be?"
"For the moonbound version, over 350 feet," the astronaut said with justifiable pride.
Saturn whistled in surprise.  No other rocket in Equestria could match that height.  "That's no doubt got a lot of power behind it," he said.
"And some of the best minds in Equestria too," Dream replied proudly.

Continuing down the hall, Dream Level rattled off several other programs the ESA was pursuing, ranging from probes that would travel to the other planets in the solar system to a space shuttle designed for LEO missions to crewed missions to other planets.  Saturn listened intently to these program descriptions.  It was a little bit much to take in, but Saturn loved every minute of it.  Despite not even making it to the Moon yet, the ESA was already planning ahead for the future.  He couldn't be more proud of the agency.

A couple hours later, the tour was over.  Saying good-bye to his astronaut guide, Saturn trotted out of the building and back to the docks.  Untying the boat from it's moorings, Saturn climbed into the vessel and started the engine.  The engine roared to life like an angry dragon woken from a deep slumber.  The roar then quieted down into a low rumble that only fisherponies found comfort in.  Piloting the boat out of the marina, Saturn throttled up the engine.  The boat accelerated rapidly, speeding across the ocean back towards his island home.