"Ah, good, you're here," Doctor Whooves greeted Luna as she trotted onto the bridge.
"As they say using these hip, modern linguistics: 'What is the word'?" Luna asked, smiling slightly. “Tehe, ten cycles back I’m still loving these new expressions.” She then cleared her throat. “But um, yes, anyway, the computer said you made some form of discovery about it?”
"More like it has made a discovery about us," Doctor Whooves chuckled. "It seems until very recently, the computer was, for lack of a better term, 'unaware' of how, mmm, well, primitive the creatures it was dealing with were."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "The computer is capable of learning things like that?"
"It's super crazy advanced," Derpy said.
“I’d even say semi-sapient,” Ocellus added.
“‘Sapient?’” Luna asked.
“Smart enough to be self-aware,” Doctor Whooves said.
“I know what the word means," Luna said. "What I don’t understand is how a machine could be as intelligent as one of us.”
“Well, um, w-with all due respect, princess, even computers on Equis are smarter than us in certain ways,” Ocellus explained. “For instance, they can perform mathematical calculations thousands of times more quickly than we can.”
“But only because they’re devoting most of their processing power to it at the time,” Doctor Whooves said. “This machine has a lot more to work with - perhaps much more than your average pony, changeling, what have you's brains. And unlike us, it’s capable of allocating that power to its various functions at will."
“You’ve lost me there,” Luna said.
“Well,” Derpy said, taking over for Doctor Whooves. “For instance, you can’t just turn off the brainpower your mind is using to think about whatever song is stuck in your head.” She gave Doctor Whooves a look. “Such as the one you got stuck in my head earlier.”
“I couldn’t help it!” Doctor Whooves said. “It’s just so catchy!” He then sang:
“Baby, baby, baby!
You are my booboo child,
My booboo child!”
“Annnnd now it’s in the princess’s head, too,” Derpy groaned. “Where did you even hear that song, anyway?”
“No clue,” Doctor Whooves shrugged. “But anyway: horrible, evil songs aside, my assistant is correct. The computer can manipulate where its own processing power goes to. Thus, it can devote some of it to, at the very least, simulating a sapient being when it wishes. However, we still don’t know how close it can actually come to one.” He sighed dreamily. “I’m going to write so many new books when we get back.”
“That isn’t why you asked me here, though, is it,” Luna said, curiously.
“Well, no,” Doctor Whooves coughed. “But remember what I was saying about the computer becoming aware of our… primitive natures?”
“You used that word, not it,” Derpy grumbled. “I still don’t like what it implies.”
“Er, yes, I suppose it is a bit harsh,” Doctor Whooves sighed. “By primitive I mean only when it comes to our experience with advanced technology, not when it comes to our capacity for learning.”
“Better,” Derpy nodded.
“Which is why it’s begun guiding us to resources that will help facilitate our learning,” Doctor Whooves said. “This includes the various bridge consoles. Each is equipped with hours upon hours of tutorials. They’re interactive guides, of a sort, that explain their various functions. I'm not sure how the data on them hasn't been corrupted like the computer's primary memory banks, but perhaps luck is simply on our side."
“Mmm, yes, ‘luck’,” Luna said suspiciously.
“Hm?” Doctor Whooves said, raising an eyebrow.
“Nevermind,” Luna said. “Go on.”
“I’ve um,” Ocellus blushed, walking over to a console at the front of the bridge. “I’ve already started the lessons on how to operate the navigation console. It’s been pretty easy-going. Let me show you....”
Luna took note of the control pad she easily manipulated. Its buttons were entirely on a screen of sorts which reacted to the touch. It didn’t seem to have any ‘physical’ controls to speak of. It also appeared to be very pony (or changeling) friendly, as all of the buttons on it were large enough to accommodate a hoof.
“Here’s an example,” Ocellus said, tapping the control pad a few more times.
Not only did the screen on the control panel change to show a diagram of the ship with its engines highlighted, but the main bridge viewscreen changed as well. It now showed an asteroid field; various large, brown bodies spinning about the ship. In addition, text appeared on the screen, vanishing after a couple of seconds:
Oblivion Helmsman
Training Course II
“I don’t understand,” Luna said. “Is this some form of recording?”
“No, princess, it’s a simulation,” Doctor Whooves said enthusiastically. “An artificial world created by the computer to train crew members.”
Luna raised her eyebrows. Now this was beyond anything she had heard of even in Space Trek.
Before she could ponder it further, however, a new voice, very much distinct from the computer’s rang through the bridge. Strangely enough, the voice had an accent she could have sworn she had heard before, many cycles ago.
“Greetings, helmsman ‘Ocellus!’.” (It stated Ocellus’s name in her own voice.) “You have served the Deep Ones well by passing your basic two-dimensional navigational training. You will now learn how to manually pilot this vessel three-dimensionally. Tap the ‘next’ button when you are ready.”
‘Deep Ones?’ Luna pondered. ‘Some form of leadership?’
Ocellus narrowed her eyes in determination, then tapped the button.
“Begin by transferring power to the primary and maneuvering thrusters as you did the last lesson.”
Ocellus tapped a few more buttons, then slid her hoof across the screen, filling a ‘bar’ of sorts with light. Luna couldn’t help but shake her head in disbelief at her ability to learn such a thing so quickly.
“Power transferred. A reminder that in the event of an emergency, you are authorized to transfer energy from non-critical systems. Example: Decks Two through Five’s life support. The sacrifice of non-essential crew will not upset the Deep Ones.”
“Wait… wait what?!” Luna yelped.
“I uh,” Doctor Whooves coughed. “I don’t think that’ll happen often--”
Derpy shot him a look.
“At all!” he corrected, tugging awkwardly at the tie collar he wore. “I don’t think that will happen… at all.”
"You now have access to additional controls. The full rotational thruster array is yours to command, as well as the vertical thrusters. Complete this exercise by flying through the glowing sphere."
One appeared on screen some distance away, beyond a few asteroids.
"Do not strike any foreign objects. You may repeat this exercise as many times as necessary. However, disciplinary measures may be taken if you fail to learn from the mistakes you make. This includes ones in training. You may begin at any time."
Ocellus paused, turning away from the controls.
"Well?" Luna said, chuckling slightly. "Go on. I assure you I will not be as harsh as these aliens."
"I um…" Ocellus said, blushing. "I'm still learning these controls, to be honest. I barely passed the first course. I really need to do it over."
"Very well," Luna nodded. "Though I must say, you've shown an impressive amount of progress for only a few hours." She smirked Doctor Whooves’s way. “Not bad for one of us primitives, hm?”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, not bad at all.”
“And she isn't the only one learning, either,” Derpy said. "We've been figuring out a lot about whoever built this ship, too, just from listening."
“Indeed,” Doctor Whooves said, smiling proudly at Derpy. “As my assistant pointed out before you arrived, it appears the makers valued the term ‘learn by experience’, and learning quickly. These tutorials are so thorough, yet so condensed, that I don’t believe they bothered teaching their crew nearly anything before they boarded this vessel - at least not in regards to their stations. They learned everything right here.”
“There have been signs that whoever built this is very… pragmatic,” Luna agreed. “I haven’t seen beds so rough since Earth Ponies were still living in mud huts.”
“Ah, to live longer than a few centuries,” Doctor Whooves sighed.
"Um… wait a minute," Ocellus blinked. “Are you saying you've lived that long? Most creatures only live one!"
"The Doc is older than he looks," Derpy said.
“I have some sort of genetic defect, I suppose,” Doctor Whooves shrugged. “Maybe a little alicorn DNA? Who knows. I certainly don't. It is what it is. Still, it’s nothing compared to Luna’s experience. How I envy you, princess. To see how ponies have progressed first-hoof from the very start of the Copper Age!”
“You know I was on the moon for half of that, right?” Luna said, giving him a sarcastic look.
“Oh, um, uh…”
“Annnnyway,” Derpy said. “As we were saying, whoever built this ship wanted their ponies up to speed really quickly. It shouldn’t take any of us too long to learn how to fly it.”
“The opposite of how it was in Space Trek,” Luna pointed out. “I believe Space Fleet cadets spent years in training before even stepping foot on a ship.” She then blinked, doing a double take. “Wait, did you just say they wanted their ponies up to speed?”
“Given what we’ve seen of the tutorials so far,” Derpy said. “And the type of controls the consoles have, we think that the aliens had some form of hooves - just like us.”
“That or they’re able to change around the layouts of their controls based on who is using them,” Ocellus added. “In which case, it’s possible this ship was crewed by multiple species. Now that would be like Space Trek!”
“That is a discussion for another day, though,” Doctor Whooves said. “It is likely that we’ll find out more about this ship’s original crew as we continue digging around, but for now, you have some decisions to make…” He smiled broadly. “Captain Luna.”
“Oh?”
“About who should learn what,” Doctor Whooves said. “It seemed most appropriate that you do the selection.”
“Very well,” Luna nodded. "What roles are there to play, exactly? I'm guessing they're a bit different from a maritime ship."
“I got you there, princess,” Derpy beamed, pulling out a sheet of paper. "I made a list! Let's see… well, first off, we need a captain. That's you."
"I am… still unsure about permanently keeping this title," Luna said. "While I did command an airship for a short time after my return, this would be quite a bit of an… upgrade."
"Pffft, na, you'll be great," Derpy said nonchalantly. "Everypony thinks so. Spike already spoke to the other group and they're all for it."
"Just keep asking yourself: 'What would Captain Quick Card do?'" Doctor Whooves added. "As much as I love Captain Smirk, Quicky had a much better mortality rate."
The others gave him a look.
"Kidding, kidding!" the doctor said defensively. "None of us are going to die - I promise."
"That's reassuring," Derpy snarked. "Anyway, next on the list is…"
--
“First Officer?” Spike asked in a tone half-flattered, half as if he thought he was the butt of a practical joke, as he met with Luna in the captain’s quarters. “Me?”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, young dragon,” Luna consoled. “Other than your fear of alien ghosts--”
“Hey, that’s a perfectly rational fear given all of the things I’ve seen!” Spike grumbled. “And you’ve seen, too.”
Luna thought for a second, then nodded. “Fair enough. Though even if we count that, you have still been the most level-headed creature during this… incident thus far.”
Spike tilted his head from side to side, before shrugging. “Eh, maybe. Living with Twilight, you kind of have to learn to keep cool under pressure. If I freaked out every time she freaked out, we’d just build off each other until both of us were in straight jackets.”
She gazed at him quizzically. “I’m not without my moments of ‘freaking out’, you know.”
Spike shifted nervously. “Uhhh…”
“I know it’s not the same,” Luna sighed. “But I believe we’d make a good team, nonetheless.”
“I still dunno,” Spike said. “Don’t you think Pharynx would be better for this? Or Tempest?”
Luna glanced away from him. “I have… issues with Tempest, and I already have a role in mind for Pharynx.”
Spike looked confused for a brief second, before chuckling. “Oh yeah. Now I remember.”
--
“Tactical Officer,” Luna said.
Pharynx gave her a hint of a grin. “You’d trust me with that kind of firepower? Even after I gave you a hard time earlier?”
“The guns seem to only point one way.”
“Hah!" he laughed, his new assignment putting him in the best mood Luna had seen him yet. "Fine. I must admit I was hoping you'd ask me to do something like that. But I warn you: if the bridge crew acts too undisciplined, I won't hold my tongue. I don't think the others have caught on yet, but this ship seems to have been built for only one thing: combat. Everything about it screams military. We need to treat it with a soldier's touch."
"It does seem oriented towards that," Luna admitted. "Though given some of the other systems we've seen, it does seem there were non-military personnel aboard."
"Like?"
"Well…"
--
"Science Officer," Doctor Whooves said in a hopeful tone, continuingly where Derpy had left off on the bridge.
Luna smirked slightly. "Very well. I can think of nopony better than…"
"Yes?" he asked eagerly.
"...Rainbow Dash."
His face sank so low it nearly fell off his head. "I… what… how…" He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "P-Princess, while Rainbow strikes me as more than capable of brisk learning, I do not believe she has the education to--"
Luna, followed by Ocellus and Derpy, broke out into giggles. "Relax, my fair doctor. I was merely jesting. Of course you shall have that role."
Doctor Whooves blinked, stunned, before chuckling himself. "Great wickering stallions, princess…"
"You should have seen the look on your face!" Derpy laughed.
"Sorry," Luna chuckled. "I do believe my sister has been rubbing off me in recent cycles. Anywho, are there any other roles?"
"Only navigator," Derpy said.
"And if you don't mind me saying, princess," Doctor Whooves started. "Ocellus has presented a natural affinity towards mathematics and spatial thinking. And no matter what she says, she is doing much better with those training courses than any of us could. I believe she would be perfect for it."
Ocellus blushed heavily. "M-Me? R-Really?"
"The doctor's word is good enough for me," Luna said. "You will be our guiding hoof through the stars, young one."
Some seemed to twinkle in the young changeling's eyes as she heard this.
Luna then turned towards Derpy. "And what role will you be playing, my fair taskmaster?"
"Helping the Doc, of course," Derpy smiled. "Somepony has to dot his Ts and cross his Is."
"Ignore my foalish outburst from earlier," Doctor Whooves began. "My friend here is quite good at keeping me organized, and has a natural gift of translating my… admittedly occasional techno-babble into something more comprehensible."
Derpy looked quite flattered, though she still gave Doctor Whooves a playful smirk. "Occasional?"
"Yes, yes, fine," he grumbled. "Near constant, then." He turned towards Luna. "So, that should be it for the bridge. There are, of course other roles that need to be assigned across the ship: chef, botanist - for the greenhouse, of course -, chief engineer…"
"But the bridge crew is all we need to actually get this ship moving, yes?" Luna asked.
"Correct."
"Then I shall speak to the others," Luna nodded, narrowing her eyes in determination. "And hopefully, the Starshot can soon be underway!"
“Wait… Starshot?” Derpy blinked.
“I thought the computer was going to ask about Quib-Quib?” Ocellus pouted. “That was the coolest ship in Space Trek!”
“No,” the computer deadpanned.
“Um...” Luna blinked, raising a hoof. “‘Did the computer just… refuse to even consider it?’
“It’s alright, my dear friends,” Doctor Whooves sighed. “It will always be the Quib-Quib in our hearts.”
And with that, Derpy, Ocellus, and Doctor Whooves sighed dreamily as Luna barely held back a giggle.
‘Rebellious computers aside, perhaps captaining these ponies won’t be so bad,’ she thought. ‘Maybe… it could even be fun?’