Welcome back, fella! And yes, it is surprising, but I guess we should be thankful, to have it still around, for me, the nostalgia was the main drive before I founded my faction with my bro Leon and made it an official one. Something I haven't really thought of before, or first when I was playing.
Have fun, and don't forget, many people here, veterans, get angry, and Discovery (still) is a fertile soil for needless and senseless drama, so pay attention and be safe. Enjoy your BHG character and really, have fun!
As for your questions, I personally like to fly capital ships, but bombers are cool. And honestly, anything, maybe except the starting ship, lol. And for the RP, I prefer ingame RP, especially RP between hostile people, very rare I assume, but it can be very interesting when it happens, it really makes two polar opposite perspectives into a discussion, and really can branch into anything and everything, a shame it is so rare.