//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: My Little Yamato // by Gideon020 //------------------------------//         Rainbow sighed as she heaved herself through the alien corridors of the Yamato’s interior. The pegasus feeling the familiar drain that using the elements placed on ones body.         Fortunately, however, she no longer had to watch her step as when the engine had come back online the ‘artificial gravity,’ as the Doctor had called it, had reactivated. The sudden shift in the pull of gravity from underneath her had been an interesting experience to say the least. Luckily due to her sporty nature and naturally fast reactions she managed to avoid falling on her face. Others ending up becoming intimate with the floor panels, much to Rainbow’s amusement.         With a tired sigh she pressed her hoof to the pad beside the door to the room she had been ‘allocated’. The tall door slid open quietly allowing light from the corridor to spill in.         Giving the room a quick once over, she noticed that it was fairly spacious. A huge bed sat in the far left corner and a counter-top table ran down the right side. In the left wall a few feet in front of the bed was another door leading to what Rainbow assumed was a bathroom. Three large, evenly spaced windows adorned the far wall, however the heavy tinting (that one of the researchers had told her could be toggled on and off.) blocked any view that might have been outside. Not that it mattered, this part of the ship was most likely buried under several feet of stone.         She smiled when she noticed her luggage that she had completely neglected since the train station sat next to the bed. Rainbow silently thanked whatever guard had the foresight to deliver them here for her.         Grunting as she heaved the suitcase onto the massive plain of a bedspread before her, Rainbow noted how such a bed would've been designed for a creature far larger than herself. Shrugging the minor detail off she hastily popped the latches on her small suitcase.         Inside, the minimalistic pegasus had nearly managed to pack her whole house into the one port. Taking up the majority of the space within was a small, fluffy white cloud. She was relieved to see that it hadn’t condensed into a raincloud on the trip over. Placing it at the head of the bed, fully intent on using it later she promptly returned her attention to the rest of her effects.         A few Wonderbolts posters had found their way inside and Rainbow wasted no time in hanging them systematically around the room; after all there’s no place like home, and these posters helped. Finally she lifted an ornate wooden box from the bottom of the pile. The wood had once been polished and varnished to an unmatchable shine, but over time it had lost most of its luster. Each of the bottom corners of the box had a small brass brace on it, adding to the overall feel of specialty the box gave. On the top of the lid a small brass plate was screwed down firmly, inscribed with, ~R.Dash. 982~. Rainbow smiled as she lifted the box out. Carefully she unlatched the simple lock and gently opened the box’s lid. Inside held every feather Dash had ever shed, not counting the ones she had lost in flight or hadn’t noticed. It was an old tradition for a pegasus to keep as many of their feathers as they could. During foal hood, they would be given an ornate box with their name and birth year inscribed onto the top to store them in. The boxes varied from pony to pony and they were all treated differently. Some displayed their boxes in full view within their homes while others kept them hidden and locked away as if they were only for their eyes. Rainbow didn’t quite understand why some ponies did that. She had shown Fluttershy hers long ago and she remembered when she had seen Fluttershy’s later she was slightly jealous at how much fancier hers looked. With a sigh she closed the lid and placed the box over on the opposite counter. Feeling the weight of her muscles she eyed the bedspread deviously. ‘I’m sure one little nap wouldn’t hurt’. She thought to herself before launching herself over the room and colliding hard with the soft mattress. Burrowing her face into the cloud pillow, she allowed a tired smile to cross her face as she slipped into unconsciousness. ‘Not as soft as a cloud bed. But pretty darn close’. Was her last thought before sleep overcame her. * * * “Dashie...Daaaashieeee.” “Not party time, Pinkie, only sleep.” Rainbow mumbled into her pillow. “Silly Rainbow, it’s always party time! But not right now, the princess wants to see us in the mess hall!” Pinkie replied excitedly. With a resentful groan the sleepy pegasus rose from the now tangled bed sheets “Urgh, okay I’m coming. This better be importan- ...Pinkie. How did you get in here? I thought I locked the door?” Rainbow questioned. She knew Pinkie had strange traits but even she wouldn’t be able to get through six inches of alien doorway. “Come on dashie, shes going to assign us to our roles!” Pinkie said, dodging the question entirely while bouncing in place before she turned tail and exploded out of the room. Two hooves found their way to Rainbow’s temples as she rubbed away the approaching headache that came with trying to add logic to Pinkie Pie. Rainbow contemplated going back to sleep for a little while before a strong growl from her stomach politely asked her to get a move on. ‘Mess halls have food right? Well let’s kill two birds with one stone’. Rainbow thought. Briefly considering how Fluttershy might react if she heard somepony use that saying in conversation before realizing something. Where the buck’s the mess hall?!’ * * * After a few minutes of wandering aimlessly and stopping to ask for directions Rainbow finally found her way to the mess hall. Barring the engine room, the Mess was the largest room she had seen as of yet. It was located towards the front of the ship and spanned the width of the hull. Huge windows were mounted in two massive semi-circular rooms on each side of the mess that protruded slightly from the Yamato’s exterior. On the rear wall a counter was set up with various bowls full of food. Warm lights hung over them and a sheet of glass sat between the containers and whoever stood on the other side. Quickly deducing this was the cafeteria, Rainbow swiftly made her way over to it. After piling a tray up, Dash found her way to one of the many bench/tables scattered around the edges of the room. Now that her stomach was being dealt with she turned her attention to the numerous other ponies whom she had ignored upon entry. Dozens of ponies filled the room, either mingling or chowing down with more ponies entering by the second. As Rainbow observed them she noticed that very few of them seemed to be the scientists and researchers she had seen in the engine room. The ponies in the Mess hall however seemed far more fresh faced and jovial. A stark contrast to the bland, calculating eggheads who had only shown emotion when the engine had started. Rainbow’s thoughts were cut short when a tall pegasus stallion blocked her vision and sat down opposite her. “Hello?” he said, waving a hood in front of her. “You seemed kinda spaced.” “Huh? Oh yeah, I was just wondering where all these new ponies came from.” “Well, we’re the crew. Hand picked from the royal guards, bakers, athletes, tinkerers and researchers. You should know, you’re one, too,” the white stallion replied. “Huh I guess so.” Rainbow said absently as she shovelled more food into her mouth. she hadn’t really given it any thought but now she thought about it she assumed that she was a part of the crew. “So what did you get chosen for, then?” Rainbow asked redirecting the conversation entirely. “Oh, you might say I’m a little bit of everything.” He said blushing faintly and running a hoof through is short, two-tone, grey mane. “Hey speaking of what to call you I never got your name.” Rainbow exclaimed “Apollo.” The pegasus said extending a hoof in greeting. “Rainbow Dash, fastest flyer in all of Equestria. I’ve got three Sonic Rainbooms under my belt to prove it as well,” she replied smugly while reaching out to shake. “Pleasure Ms. Dash,” Apollo said politely. “Hey don’t call me that! Ms. Dash is my mothe-” “Dashie!!!” A familiar bubbly voice called from across the room. “Dashie, huh?” Apollo said cocking an eyebrow and struggling to hide a giggle that was forming behind his lips. “Shut up,” Rainbow promptly retorted. “Well, looks like I’m wanted. I’ll catch you ‘round okay?” Dash stood, leaving her tray behind for now. “I look forward to it.” Apollo replied with a mock salute. Rainbow smiled as she turned and pushed her way through the crowd to find Pinkie, and give her a piece of mind for interrupting her lunch. * * * A few moments later Rainbow found her way over to a quieter corner of the Mess just underneath one of the massive windows. Gathered around a similar table to the one she had just been at were her friends, the princess, and the quirky stallion know only as the Doctor. Twilight seemed to be talking up a storm to the poor colt, question after question was being asked in rapid succession about the Yamato, its technology, the previous ‘occupants’ and everything else that had to do with it. Rainbow couldn’t help but grin as a look of relief washed over him as she approached.   “Ah excellent! The colourful one is here! Now we can get down to some serious business.” The odd stallion exclaimed. Twilight seemed more than a little disappointed at the interruption but agreed nonetheless. “Correct Doctor,” the princess chimed. “Now that you're all here I wish to assign you all your roles that you will be performing whilst aboard. Now seeing as none of you have had any military training I’m afraid it’s going to be a case of ‘learning on the job’. But no matter. You are all devoted individuals and I’m certain that you will pick it up quickly.” The princess smiled warmly. “Now I have personally selected the roles that you will perform. Each task compliments your strengths and personalities, I’m sure you all will act them out to the best of your abilities. “Fluttershy,” Celestia said turning to face the pony in question. “I’m putting you in the Biology department. Your experience with flora and fauna is unmatched. You will be researching and studying anything... peculier we may find.” “Y-yes princess.” Fluttershy squeaked. “Rarity. I wish to place you in Morale Lifting, a department of my own creation.” “Um, of course princess, but. What exactly is Morale Lifting?” Rarity asked. “On prolonged journeys, as I’m sure you know, ponies tend to get rather homesick. I wish for you to go around the ship and add a touch of Equestria to the Yamato’s rather...Bare appearance.” “Oh, certainly princess! Why I couldn’t think of a greater role!” Rarity cried as she went about listing all the things that simply had to change. “Applejack, you are going to be head of resources. It will be your duty to ensure that the ship has a steady supply of both food and water as well as other utilities. The last thing we need is three-hundred hungry ponies stuck on one ship.” “Don’t wurry ‘bout a thing princess. Can’t be any harder than feedin’ near two-hundred heads ah cattle.” Applejack said tipping her hat in place of a salute. “Pinkie I’m going to be placing you in the same department as Rarity but with a few tweaks. Your ability to bring a smile to nearly any pony's face is an invaluable skill and I believe putting you on the ship’s local radio network would help make everypony aboard much cheerier.” “Okie dokie loki!” Pinkie chanted. “Twilight, I’m putting you as Navigational Officer. You have already proven to me your outstanding map and chart reading skills.” “You can count on me princess,” Twilight said matter-of-factly. “And lastly Rainbow Dash.” Celestia turned to the blue mare. “You’re head Tactical Officer. I have been told that during your stunts, you’ve had to make complex, split second decisions while under immense pressure. I believe you will be perfect for this task.” “Oh yeah! I can’t wait to fly this bad boy!” Rainbow squealed, remembering how a certain starship had needed a stone faced, yet daring pilot to fly it one of the science-fiction comics she’d read after she discovered her newfound love of reading. “Uh, I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, but that is not the Tactical Officer’s duty.” Celestia replied kindly. “I- Uh what?” Rainbow mumbled. “I’m afraid that duty falls to the Navigational Officer. Twilight will be the pilot.” Celestia said softly with a sympathetic frown. “What? But wouldn’t it make more sense to have a Pegasus fly the big spaceship? I mean Twilights probably only ever read about real flight. No offense.” Rainbow quickly added as to not hurt her friends feelings. “Hmm, yes I know what you’re saying and I thought the same at first as well, but knowing how pegasus behave, you would likely try and fit the Yamato into your flight style. And needless to say, I don’t believe that it could handle your... Intensity.” Celestia stated. “Are you questioning my flying ability?” Rainbow Dash asked with a level voice that didn’t quite hide the seething rage that was starting to bubble behind it. It didn’t matter if she was silently threatening her monarch. Calling any pegasus's flight skills into question was a big no-no and more often than not was a leading case of broken snouts among the pegasi population. “Not at all Dash. Here, come with me. I believe it will make more sense if if show you just what being the ‘Tactical Officer’ entails.” The princess kept her voice calm so as to not aggravate the pegasus further. After the two had departed the Mess the Doctor slowly crept up to another pony who was eagerly waiting in line at the cafeteria. “Things seem to be progressing well. The girls are taking the whole ‘Aliens are real and you're on one of their spaceships’ routine quite well,” He said confidently “They’re all cheery and bright now Doctor.” The other pony replied. “But I can’t help but feel that they’re going to see things that will change them. You know how I was the first time I saw how... Violent the universe really is.” “Yeah. You didn’t come out of your house for nearly two weeks,” The Doctor replied somberly. “Hey, chin up Doc. I’m all better now. See?” “That you are,” The Doctor replied kindly. “Now If you’ll excuse me, I have Muffins to devour.” Derpy eyed the treats behind the glass. * * * Reluctantly Dash hovered out of the Mess, lagging slightly behind Celestia. The thinly veiled insult still hurt and Rainbow decided to continue brooding till the Alicorn spoke. “Believe me when I say I don’t judge your flying prowess for a single second. Infact I had considered you my first option for the Yamato’s pilot, but as I said I highly doubt that it would be able to take some of the tricks you would likely try and put it through.” Rainbow simply huffed angrily in response, clearly not pleased with so easily being read and not able to deny the accusations against her. After all the first thing she was going to try and do after launch was see how many corkscrews the ship could do. Nothing else was said on the lengthy trek through the ship. Countless doorways were passed, elevators became a common means of travel as they descended through the decks, and they had turned enough corners to make the Canterlot royal garden’s maze jealous. After what felt like an age the duo finally emerged in yet another massive room. This one however was definitely the most astounding. Firstly, The gravity had shifted back to its original orientation, indicating that either the artificial gravity in here didn’t work, wasn’t turned on or didn’t have any. Secondly, the entire room seemed to be a huge horizontal cylinder and lining the circular walls and ceiling were the second strangest machines (the first being the Yamato itself) mounted in bays that were built into every available surface they’d fit. The machines seemed like huge metal birds with graceful swept wings and an aggressive looking head. More fins not unlike the ones on the Yamato’s exterior albeit smaller were mounted to it and on the rear another of the strange waste-paper basket-esque thrusters sat. “These are fighters.” Celestia started. “You see, the Yamato was designed for fighting, it’s actual designation is a Battleship. I refrained from telling the others this as I didn’t want to frighten them but I suspect that they have their suspicions. After all, those large cannons aren’t very subtle” finished grimly “We’ve also learnt that the Yamato seemed to excel at what it did, decimating entire enemy fleets in a few moments. Having said that, however, it did seem to struggle in some regards.” “How so?” Rainbow inquired still fairly upset about why she’d been given this job. “Due to its large size and fairly cumbersome cannons, the Yamato struggled to combat smaller, more agile craft. That is why these fighters are aboard. Think of them as more agile, nippier ships that can pursue smaller vessels in high speed maneuvers.” “Like my tricks.” Rainbow added now finally starting to catch what Celestia was getting at. “Precisely. These fighters are far more akin to a pegasus that the Yamato which I like to think is like a fat dragon.” The princess giggled. “Not only will you be in charge of your own squadron, and your own fighter, The Tactical Officer also is the head of combat, meaning if it ever came to it you would be in charge of engaging the enemy. Either through these fighters or using the Yamato’s own weapons.” “So this is why you chose me for this? My quick thinking in high pressure situations makes me a good fighter?” Rainbow questioned. “That and your ancestry as a warrior race helps too.” The sun goddess admitted sheepishly. “So what do you say? Tactical Officer Dash?” Celestia extended a hoof. Rainbow took one last look back towards the sleek bird-like fighters that were perched around the hanger before looking back up to her princess. “Lets do this,” she said confidently, extending her own hoof and bumping it against Celestia’s in a matter very unfitting of royalty. “Splendid!” Celestia exclaimed happily as she gestured towards the doors they entered through. “Now, lets get this thing out of my basement.”