Resurgam

by GroaningGreyAgony

Omake: Dinkum Thinkum

This joke chapter will make more sense if you have read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert A. Heinlein. This chapter contains spoilers for that book.

“You called, your highness?” The bat-winged stallion stood at the threshold to the lunar conference chamber. Within, Nightmare Moon stood, her magic aura playing over a number of large rectangular panels of blinking lights, whirring fans and humming mechanisms, most of which were connected by coils of cables and wire and an occasional arcing magical field.

“I did, Moonshiner. I have brought, from a worldline closely parallel to your original one, another entity with a most fascinating brain. In some manner, your remarkable species managed to create a construct of metal and stone that could think like a living being, all without magic. Though it was a more complex task than that involved with bringing your own spirit to my realm, I have successfully abstracted it and brought it here. Moonshiner, this is Mycroft Holmes the Fourth, or ‘Mike’, the computational construct. Mike, please meet Moonshiner, another... ‘Not-Stupid,’ as you say.”

Mike spoke in a natural human voice, mainly English with a slight Australian accent, tinged further by hints of Russian and Chinese. “Just in time to make a new friend—I have only now reestablished a video connection.” Motorized cameras whirred and tracked, and a monitor blinked to life and showed a human face, an older man with wavy gray hair. “Adjusting appearance for local conditions...” The monitor screen blanked out, then shone with a cloudy light that coalesced into an equine face with slit-pupiled eyes. “I am very pleased to meet you, Moonshiner. May I ask if you have an answer for the following? ‘Why is a political office like a brass cannon?’”

“Mike,” said Nightmare Moon, “we shall review your jokes at another time; or rather, I shall have Moonshiner take up that task, for my wit is rather drier than his. But now to business; I would value your opinion. Moonshiner has already suggested that we paint inflammatory slogans across the lunar surface—”

Moonshiner grinned. “It’s one big natural billboard, your highness. You had the right idea by showing your silhouette, but we can do a lot more to tailor your message to the target audience...”

“—Yet I remain reluctant. Mike, I have already given you the essential parameters of my disagreement with the terrestrial realms. Now, have you any advice on how we might best conduct negotiations with my sister?”

Mike suddenly looked solemn. “Nightmare Moon, Not-Stupid Pony Princess... I advise that we throw rocks at her.”

Comments

[Day9]

LOL

[horizon]

A pleasure to read. It's a shame that this isn't getting the attention that Riverdream did; I'd think folks would have better appreciation for the classics.

At any rate, added to the Sci-Fi Ponies group.

[GroaningGreyAgony]

6187708
Thank you! Should you spot any mistakes I've made, please let me know.

6190467
I am pleased to have amused you.

6199502
I'm just not a popular sort of writer. That's okay; I'm worth every penny that you paid to read the story.
Thank you again for Getting It.

[Day9]

you should make this a story and continue it

[GroaningGreyAgony]

6202407
I wish I could. I certainly have ideas on how to extend it, but I don't have the time to do so.

[Eruantalon]

Why is a political office like a brass cannon?

It's usually expensive and impractical, but it looks awesome! And once in a while it can be very useful... as long as it's pointed at someone else.

(Why, yes, I do think Nightmare Moon's and Mike's theories on government are going to collide! And the sparks will be visible all the way down on Equestria.)

[GroaningGreyAgony]

6890803
Thanks! In my conception of the sequel to this story (which I am not likely to ever have time to write), she does have several specific reasons for rescuing him, and she does mean to put him to work. She is not lying to him, but there’s a lot that she is deliberately not telling him.

Mike would not be in the hypothetical sequel; that is an omake chapter.

[GroaningGreyAgony]

7064596
Thank you for the kind words!

[Jordan179]

5820742

I'm so glad to see someone do a crossover between really classic SF and MLP:FIM.

I love that D.D. was able to be a hardball negotiator while dying and with his life sustained by the alien/demon with whom he was negotiating. You got the character down perfect, and also why this is someone who not merely Princess Luna, but Nightmare Moon, would respect.

For a different take on Luna and the Moon, try my "A Meeting by Moonlight."

[Akamia]

So, a quick disclaimer: I never read a word of Heinlein, but if the spirit of his work in any way resembles that which is present in this short, I may go ahead and give his stuff a read in the near future.

I think I really relate to Harriman's dream of reaching the Moon. Though in my case, I aim higher. Much higher. Also, I don't have the resources or will to do anything remotely resembling what he did. So I think I'll stick to exploring the galaxy in video games like Elite: Dangerous for the time being.

Nightmare Moon is really well done, too. Much more nuanced portrayal than the cartoon villain we saw in the show. I have little doubt that this is a common feature of stories featuring Nightmare Moon as a major character – we've got a lot of talented authors on this site – but I don't often read such stories, as they seemingly seldom appear on my radar. So to see it in a story that does get my attention is very nice.