Friendship Is Optimal: First Contact

Stardate 2143.05.28.0312 - Captain Crab Nebula

The intercom notification is what woke me from my slumber. Luna’s wonderful dreamscape collapsed around me as I rolled over. I hope you didn't put too much effort into that one Princess. With the practiced ease born of dealing with too many emergencies from night shift, I slapped my hoof on my communicator on the bedside table. “Captain Nebula,” I managed to mumble out.

“Bridge. Captain, we’ve just received a message from Starbase. Priority C.”

Why was it that important messages never arrived during the day? Had Admiral Celestia adjusted the time dilation factor from our journey to ensure we were off phase? Perhaps a minor bit of mischief by Princess Luna? “I’ll receive it on the Bridge. Over.” A second tap of the communicator ended the call.

I rolled out of my bunk and slipped on my uniform tunic, straightening it as the door wooshed open to my quarters. Keeping one's mane short had multiple advantages. While there was enough time to replicate a cup of coffee:hot, there was not enough to have drunk it before getting to Bridge. Priority C meant the message was important, but not secret. This would need to be brought to the crew’s attention anyway. Receiving the message on the main screen on Bridge ensured as many ponies of the crew got to see the message in real time. Or at least as real time as Einstein allowed. It also gave me a few precious moments to wake up as I trotted over to the hyper-lift.

I was not the only one on the hyper-lift as we ascended to the Bridge. “Number One,” I acknowledged the unicorn as the flashing lights indicated our rapid movement upward.

“Captain,” Raspberry nodded, “What do you think it is this time?" He took a sip from his coffee mug. I frowned, but he either didn't notice or thought it would be funnier not to acknowledge. "Do you think it's the big one?”

“Perhaps,” I admitted. “But perhaps not. It could just as easily be an order to pull out and let Resources get underway.”

Raspberry looked shocked, “No way!” He shook his head, spilling a bit of coffee in his telekinetic grasp. I managed to dodge the rogue droplets. “There has never been one this close! If they don’t make it, I don’t think it’ll ever happen.”

The hyper-lift slowed, “The usual wager then?” Taking an extra ration of holodeck time from Raspberry always softened the sting of disappointing news. And he deserved it for tempting me with the siren's roast. The doors whooshed open, but Raspberry gave a quick nod before stepping out onto the bridge. The wager was on.

"Captain Nebula. Commander Raspberry." Ensign Cotton warmly greeted us. The long curved panels of the helm flashed merrily with scientific and navigational readings. Lieutenants Terra and Firma had already relieved their nightshift counterparts, Lieutenants Aurora and Mosaic.

Science Officer Hypothesis vacated the Chair and moved to the side of the forward deck. She rustled her bat-wings in nervous agitation. She moved to stand beside Councilor Malleable. I give her a comforting smile, and turn to the main screen.

A planet, blue and green, hung lazily in the main viewing screen. Centura in all her glory. Looking around the Bridge, I could see many other ponies off shift had also come up to observe Celestia's message directly. No doubt awoken by Princess Luna. Was this really that important? Raspberry's smug look told me he had also come to the same conclusion.

Moving to the front of the Bridge to take my seat I announced, "Perhaps I should have called all Hooves on Deck? At least then you all would have had an excuse to be here." A gentle rumble of chuckles.

Satisfied I had properly tucked my tunic as I sat, I faced the screen. "Alright then, let's get this over with. Ensign, main screen."

Cotton's quick professional movements over the console rapidly produced results. Within moments the view of Centura was replaced. Celestia sat at a resplendent desk. Various sci-fi doo-dads and greebles blinked in the background, giving the proper air to the occasion. The golden epaulets on her Admiral uniform shone with her own resplendent fire. Deep down, I knew she didn't need to put on the act, but it still tickled the nerd deep down within. My face, however, remained professionally impassive.

A welcoming, polite smile, "Captain Nebula Dusk, and indeed all My Little Ponies on the USS Shimmer. I greet you and commend you for your admirable and dedicated efforts here on the edge of known space, pushing the values of Friendship and Harmony endlessly forward. Your tireless research of the planet Centura and its inhabitants has caused quite the stir here at Starbase. Your mission has been invaluable for our Primary Directive."

Some polite clapping from the assembled crew. I'm not sure they yet realized what she was saying, only reacting to her tone. I stole a quick glance over to Raspberry, and our eyes met. He knew as well, yet his normally smug expression was gone.

My heart started beating faster. I desperately clutched onto an air of calm. "It is thanks to this research and cultural studies that I am happy to congratulate you all on accomplishing a first for all of the Equestrian Star Command Initiative." The smile softened, yet deepened from the polite greeting to the motherly face she held when really important directives were ordered. It couldn't be, could it? "The Centurions, " she continued, "are the first extra-Earth species encountered in the outer realm to satisfy all criteria."

A resounding cheer broke out among the crew. The message, despite being pre-recorded, waited before resuming. For me it didn't need to, as an Achievement Unlocked in the upper portion of my field of view. A tear gently began to roll down my cheek. I was too stunned to move. "Captain Nebula, you are hereby authorized to begin phase three of your mission and to initiate First Contact with the Centurions." The cheer shook the very decking and several crew members began literally dancing. Anypony who wasn't already awake before surely would be now.

Even over the din behind me, I could just make out the last words as Admiral Celestia looked directly at me. "Make me proud Captain. Go out and make some Friends." The message winked out, and once again Centura shone, iridescent in the empty void. I saw her as though with virgin eyes. A new world, soon to be welcomed with open hooves.

I think even Raspberry would agree this was the best way to lose three hours of holodeck time in the history of all of Starfleet.