[SiE] Chapter 12

> “We have six days left until the Hearts Warming eve play, we currently know that there is without a doubt an attempt on Celestia’s life occurring at some point in the play.” Luna says as she points at the blackboard.

> “What intelligence suggests this?”

“If you turn to page twenty six of your dossier you will find the full transcript of an interrogation subject who claimed that it was imminent. Also in the section after that, we have information that will back this claim.”

> “He works fast at least. Anonymous…” He furrows his brow a moment and looks at you. “You know one of our opponents better than we do, would you mind telling us how this assassination will fit into Doctor X’s plans?”

“Simple. He wants to hit where it hurts. Plus, if he kills Celestia, he kills a god from what I understand.” You shake your head. “If that kind of status becomes his, then we have problems maintaining order within the citizenry.”

> “But if Celestia were to…” An uneasy lull in the sentence fills the room. “…die…then Luna would take command…correct?”

> “In theory yes, but I have no control over how ponies act. If my sister were to die the shock would not wear off until it was too late. But we are here to ensure that I will not be needed to take the throne for my own. Anyway, Anonymous had a few things he wanted to go over.”

       

“Thank you, now in the interrogation transcript you should see the name Lady Diamond, who she is or why she is important is unknown at this point but we can connect her as being an inciting agent.” You draw a circle and write Lady Diamond inside and then draw another with the words Assassination Plot. “How she is connected to Discord is unknown as well at this point, it is also worth noting that the families involved with this plot were moving large amounts of gunpowder.”

> “What powder?”

> You had anticipated that, and prepared a sample.

“An explosive powder.” You say pulling a glass jar of your own powder you had made this morning and setting it on the table. “Observe.”

> You pour a small pile into the metal dish you had bought for the demonstration.

> Picking up a nearby candle, you touch the flame to the powder.

> It produces a flash and a cloud of smoke as expected.

“Enough of this powder is capable of destroying buildings, so they could be planning to use it in their plot.”

> You connect the families with a bubble reading Gunpowder.

> “Be that as it may, how do we go about countering this?”

 

“Well we have two possible routes. We have the easy way, which is arresting the families and interrogating them and effectively defusing the plot, or we can do this the right way and catch them in the act.” You turn towards the group. “The families themselves are probably just proxies; they won’t have much in the way of intel we want. However, Lady Diamond is probably going to be nearby for the assassination, it’s her we want. She’s the key to digging into this deeper.”

> “So what would you have us do?”

“I currently have an asset on the inside of the plot, a loyalist as it were; he’s offered us eyes and ears on the inside.”

> “I have a question.”

> You nod towards the mare.

> “You note that we have a possible mole in Celestia’s castle?”

“It’s a possibility. I would give us a lead but we don’t have one to go on.”

> “I see. What action would you recommend?”

“A honeypot would be preferable as it would single him out. However, a radioactive meal would do as well if we wanted him ousted as well as any accomplices he may have.”

> “Radioactive Meal? We are going to cook him food?” Luna asks.

“Figure of speech. We single out suspects, and we give them and only them a piece of false information but make it very specific and believable. If he’s the mole, he ‘feeds’ it to whoever he works for, and then we have a possible ID. Like I said, this would get all of them. A honeypot would get one or two, but it would make them cautious.”

 

> “Interesting, we will investigate further.” One of the stallions said. “Anything else?”

> No one spoke.

> “I propose we go to our respective departments and get to work. I and my department will work on assessing Canterlot’s security against attack. The department of interior will begin thinking of ways to flush out the enemy spy. The department of special action will form a contingency plan if all else fails and we have to assume control.”

> All agree, stand, and leave the room.

“Bureaucracy in action. Beautiful isn’t it Luna?” You can’t help but sarcastically add.

> “You really mustn’t be so quick to judge them. They are all very competent in their respective fields.”

“I’m sure they are when they wield hundreds of trained operatives.”

> “What’s wrong Anonymous?”

“I don’t trust your advisors. Be wary of them Luna. We don’t know how far this plot goes…I would hate for one of them to put the dagger in your neck.”

> “It’s odd. They said the same about you.”

“Good. The feeling is mutual then. I had something to show you. Can we go somewhere private? Somewhere we can be certain we won’t be intruded upon?”

> “I am afraid I am otherwise engaged. A diplomat wishes to speak to me tonight, however I have a task of the utmost importance for you.”

“What do you have for me?”

 

> “There is a military train leaving for Ponyville at midnight tonight. You need to gather your equipment and ensure you are on that train. One of my agents will be posing as a conductor, he will have your orders. This is to be kept secret.”

> You nod.

> “Also, my researchers found a way to produce more ammunition for your weapons. It has been left in your room.”

> Thank god.

“Why send me away?”

> “Because your needed elsewhere. If you will excuse me Anonymous, I have things to attend to. Good luck.”

> She teleported away in a flash of light leaving you in the foyer.

> Just another day.

> You check your watch and silently mark the time in your head.

> Eleven PM.

> Strangely enough, your watch worked surprisingly well when it came to time in Equestria.

> However the compass function and the ballistics calculator were probably fucked since you were on a different planet.

> Heading from the administration building involved taking a walk from the offices and to the barracks.

> A light snowfall had been arranged for tonight, to help foster a festive mood in the ponies.

> With most of the agents away for family visits or leave, it left the remaining agents locked in for the season.

> It also left far too much unfinished work and far too few agents left to take care of it.

 

> Stopping by the room was quick; you loaded your equipment up and packed what you needed.

> You took care to wrap your weapons in a blanket, minus your pistol and knife which you concealed on your person.

> Including some of the ammunition, along with the shiny new magazines it came pre-loaded in.

> Some sort of replication spell you guessed.

> Strangely enough, they also manufactured some new grenade rounds for the launcher.

> The wonders of magic.

> You also see a slip of paper on your dresser.

> A train ticket marked with a Lunar seal.

> SPECIAL BOARDING PRIVLEDGES: NO LUGGAGE CHECK, NO RAILWAY POLICE ACTION PERMITTED, ALL COSTS TO BE BILLED TO OFFICE OF ROYAL INQURY.

> GOOD FOR ANY DESTINATION.

> Seemed to be a VIP ticket of sorts.

> Good, a free train ride might come in handy one day.

> You walk past the castle and look towards the balcony.

> Celestia sits watching the moon rise and the looks down at you.

> You can feel the daggers she was staring at you.

> You look down and smile a bit under your mask.

> Reaching the gate, you prepare your papers to show the guards.

> After showing your ID, you walk into Canterlot.

> “You, I wish to have a word with you.”

> You turn to see a royal guard officer approaching you.

> You remember the face from somewhere.

> Married a princess, Candy was her name?

> “You are Anonymous, correct?”

 

“Depends on who is asking.”

> “Shining Armor, Commander of the Royal Equestrian Guard.”

“What did you need, Captain?”

> “I have it on good authority that you will be joining me and a group of my soldiers on the train to Ponyville.”

“I might be. Who authorized you?”

> “Luna authorized me.” He said floating a Lunar seal from his bag. “She said you would be around to provide special capabilities to my unit.”

> Inwardly, you curse Luna. She was supposed to be the one calling the shots, not a royal guard.

“I’m under direct command from Luna and her alone.”

> “I understand, and I won’t interfere in your operations and none of my men will either. I had something for you.”

> He floats a small bundle of papers.

> “Patrols have noted suspicious activities in the area. These aren’t your orders but I wanted to get them investigated.”

“Can’t your men do that for you?”

> “Normally I could. But the activity has increased as it gets closer to Heartswarming eve. I could get warrants but that might give whoever is running this time to get away.”

> You could see his point.

“Got an opinion on what’s going on?”

> He shifts uneasily. “I hope I am wrong, but my guess is the Changelings are at it again.”

“Changelings? What the hell is a Changing?”

> “It’s like a pony but it’s able to shape shift and mess with other’s minds if it’s powerful enough.”

“Sounds like a problem.”

> “You have no idea.”

 

“Thank you, Captain. Although I have to ask, why are you entrusting this to me?”

> He sighs. “My wife recently told me there was talk of an attack on Canterlot in Celestia’s castle.” He hesitates a moment. “I also did some snooping and found you were investigating a matter closely related to this planned attack. I asked Celestia to allow my unit to investigate but her bureaucrats denied me, instead sending me to Ponyville to provide security for the town due to the influx of visitors it will be receiving for the season. I need you to do the things I can’t.”

“It’s well they did so.” You say looking at a map. “Ponyville would make a great staging area for an attack.”

> “You think so?”

“It’s how I would do it.”

> It made sense. Kill Celestia and destabilize the command structure, then send in reinforcements from Ponyville to secure a hold on the city.

> This was much bigger than an assassination attempt now; you realized that you had been very wrong about the scope of this.

> “Anyway, come with me Anonymous. I will show you to the train station…plus it might help to have an escort…”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

> “I know you don’t but there’s been talk amongst the nobility about having you…removed…from affairs. I refuse to let that happen.” He said.

“So why are you different? I’ve been treated with nothing but suspicion since I got here. Why do you trust me?”

 

> “Celestia says you reek of chaos and disorder, and she is right. You do.” He pauses. “However, I saw what you did to the Dogs back in the northern country first hand. Your methods are cold hearted, and even brutal but they get results.” He turned back to you. “Remember Star Sprint?”

> The image of the yellow Pegasus comes back to you.

“Vaguely.”

> “He spoke highly of you. The entire town spoke of you as a hero. Many credited you for being what brought them home to their loved ones. One mare told me that you refused a reward for all the good you did.” He paused. “We may not see eye to eye, but what you did there speaks far more of you than what Celestia thinks of you in my eyes. It’s my firm belief that we soldiers have to stick with one another out here, and put the security and safety of Equestria and its citizens before our personal opinions and politics.”

“That’s very noble of you Captain. Would you like me to report my findings to you?”

> “I don’t want to hear what you do. For the record, this little exchange never happened. However, whatever you find is your own. Use it to stop the threat and that will be payment enough for me.”

> You nod.

“Again, thank you Captain. I will do what I can to the best of my ability.”

 

> “I know you will. Anyway, here we are at the station so. Keep those documents hidden as well as your weapons; some of my men are less than enthusiastic to have you coming with us. Don’t give them an excuse to cause trouble. Keep your head down and don’t draw attention to yourself. You’re sitting in the back car.”

“Same to you Captain.”

> You reach the platform and stand among a few dozen royal guardsmen.

> Of course everyone noticed your presence.

> One single figure clad in a dark gray among all the golden armor.

> You could hear indistinct whispers all around you commenting on you.

> “All Aboard!” A conductor calls.

> The guardsmen begin shuffling into the train cars.

> Officers stood by the doors to check attendance.

> You walk out of the crowd to a conductor and present your ticket.

> “Back car. Just go to the back of the train and show this to the officer waiting there. He will sort you out.”

> You thank him and walk to the back of the platform.

> “And you are?” A conductor asks.

“Anonymous. Office of Royal Inquiry.” You say holding the ticket up.

> “Ah yes, Mr. Anonymous. We’ve been waiting for you. Get aboard. Your packet is in the box with the lamp on top of it.”

> You walk past the guard and into the back car.

> “All good back here! Ready to depart!”

> As you settled into the back car among the boxes after retrieving your orders you flip open the cover and begin reading.

 

*Hours later*

> “Anonymous? You back here?”

> Your eyes open to see Shining Armor standing in the doorway of the back car.

> “Come on Anon. We’re here.”

> You get up and dust yourself off, collecting your things quickly you disembark from the train and walk out onto the platform.

> “I have a city map for you.”

> He floats the map to you and unrolls it.

> “I didn’t know if you had a sleeping arrangement planned already but if you don’t go visit my sister Twilight. Tell her that I sent you. She lives here.”

> He points at a building labeled library.

> “If the changelings are about, then they would kill you in the night while they are active if you slept outdoors. Twilight has her library warded against them so they won’t bother you there.” He points to a small open field south of town. “This is where me and my men will be making our camp. If your investigation needs some extra numbers, come find me and I will do what I can for you.”

“What about food?”

> “Twilight lives here so she would know better than me. The hospital is on the other side of town from our camp, if you or anypony else gets hurt bring them either to the hospital or the camp. We have doctors on staff.”

“Got it. Where can I go for civic records?”

> “Here at the mayor’s office in the center of town, I assume your cleared to have access to them.”

 

“Alright. Thanks Captain, I will be in touch.”

> “I will come find you if I hear anything else, good hunting out there Anonymous.”

> You nod and go your separate way from Shining Armor.

> You shoulder your backpack and lay your weapons out.

> You put the USP into its holster; you sling your FN-2000 over your shoulder and load a fresh mag into the M-14.

> Putting your helmet on, and pulling the strap tight, you immediately flip the night vision goggles down and test them.

> The green glow of the NVG’s made the town a much brighter place.

> You lookd at your wrist watch a moment.

> Zero four hundred.

> That gave you a two hour window to do some snooping around the town.

> The documents that Shining Armor had given you included a map with a number of locations marked and numbered with the noted activity from patrols.

> The first one was rather unsettling as it had a similar location noted in Luna’s orders as a point of interest.

> She noted as a dormant changeling nest.

> That set you on edge, and added a very real possibility to Shining Armors suspicions.

> What made you worried about this particular spot was its proximity to town.

> If they could project force that deep into town, then seizing the town and cutting off communication would be nearly effortless.

> Luna’s orders were to protect the Elements of Harmony above all else.

> You would have to get this point neutralized or scouted before Shining Armor’s men showed up and started their regular patrols.

 

> You peer down the M-14’s scope and check for alignment.

> All good.

> You stuff the blanket into a nearby trash can and set out to the location.

> Of course you don’t go through town; you stay on the outside edge of town to avoid detection.

> There was a small stream running around the west edge of town, all the way around to the east edge.

> You would draw less attention by moving with the stream as it would allow you to stay out of sight easier.

> Plus, it would provide a handy escape route should the changelings turn out to be more than you could handle.

> The river was coming down from a place called the Everfree forest.

> The nest was maybe two miles outside the town near a place called Sweet Apple Acres, which the stream happened to run right past.

> Reaching the stream bed, you jump down inside.

> Making your way along the edge of the stream you get the feeling that you’re being watched.

> You ignore the feeling, you were just being paranoid.

> You had too far a walk ahead to tire yourself out being jumpy.

> Hopefully, the nest would still be dormant and Shining armor was wrong.