Pony POV Series: Shining Armor Part 8 2/2

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Pony POV Series
Shining Armor Part 8
Written By lz0291
retniW-After Shocks 2/2
Edited by Alex Warlorn, Kendell2(God bless his hard working soul on finals), And Louis Badalament.

Fun game! Ready to resume? Yes? Okay! Once Minuette trotted off, Price went to speak to his Captain.

I started to feel on edge again when Baseplate came over, looking serious as he asked me to come meet him in the Embassy garden. He was like a different pony.

I didn't know if it was a good or bad sign that he'd been joking jovially during a climatic battle for survival, yet cheerlessly iron-jawed for a walk in the daisies.

The garden was empty when I arrived, a half-decent view over the river blocked by the fact someone had built a Germane Embassy in the way. Only a few roses would overhear what we spoke of, for Price was keeping an eye on the entrance door.

"Alright, laddie, I know you've got a command post that technically trumps me. I know you're a good guy, and I consider you a friend. But you breathe a word of this to the wrong pony and you are right in the horseapples, and so am I. This is literally 'if I told you I'd have to kill you' stuff..."

"Uh, well, if it's all the same, don't tell me..."

"No, Shining. If you tell anyone, you have to kill them. So for Celestia's sake, don't tell Princess Cadence."

Baseplate's demeanor could not have been graver.

"Um, if that's... Uh, look, if it's that big, I could probably live happily without knowing..."

He then grinned. "Nah, I'm just kidding, Shining. And we HAVE been asked to keep Cadence in the loop."

The grin faded.

"But it is pretty serious stuff. Shining, our unit is called the Special Air Service, and we were activated early on in the morning after Princess Cadence set off on her trip. We are not a reconnaissance unit, not entirely. Officially, you'll find us listed as a 'specialist air unit'. As though we're some weather control unit or a squad of airship engineers."

"What are you saying, Captain?"

"Every member of our unit is Black Thistle protocol. That's because the expectation is we will enter situations where we are highly likely to be forced to use lethal force to complete the mission objectives."

I was a little nervous and intimidated. Black Thistles weren't supposed to grouped together. Instead of wondering 'do I have to shoot him?' ponies like Baseplate and all his Special Air Service would wonder, 'Why has no one else shot him?' I was worried they'd be seen as a 'quick fix' solution.

"O-okay. Um, is it... Is it in case... I know Cadence is on this mission to try and get the world to get along better, there's been a bit more... chaos and strife than we'd have liked, but... Are you guys, are you... Are you Plan B?"

"Sort of, Shining. There's a more public unit, one the journalists can write about. They're called the Special Emergency and Life-preservation Service, or SEALS. They're being touted as non-lethal special forces. SEALS will be the public face of the 'Modern Equestrian Guard,' all badflank as any other nation's Special Forces, but instilled with good old-fashioned Equestrian values of compassion, empathy and the sanctity of life. They're competent, effective, and meant to be a public Plan B."

"So... You guys are like normal special forces, but you've still got Black Thistle rules? Okay, that's not... That's not so bad. I can deal with that."

"Our secondary role," Baseplate continued, "is to act like normal special forces, such as ANBU from Neighpon or Sandgriff and his boys. Our primary role is to act as backup. We're Plan C. Plan C if the SEALS ever fail. Plan C if the problem reaches the point where it needs to be ended right away."

"I... Okay. That's not as awful as I thought it was going to be when you said 'all Black Thistle.'"

He looked far too relieved.

And then I actually thought about it. I connected some dots. Two plus two...

"Wait a second... correct me if I misheard this, but isn't it true that your unit, the Special Air Service, was activated less than five hours before Nightmare Moon's return from the moon?"

"Yes, that's true," Price said, from where he stood.

"And you said you're Plan B if someone else fails... you mean when they die?"

"Well, Shining, that's..." Price began, but I was talking too fast.

"Then that means Celestia wasn't sure, was she?! She wasn't sure the Elements of Harmony would work! She had your team mobilized and ready to go in if Twilight hadn't managed it! To dispose of her sister!"

"Shining, you're being ridiculous!" Price protested.

"Am I?! And you got sent along here! She must've suspected Makarov would try something. She sent you lot along in case I had to be mopped up off the floor of a bucking tram graveyard or in case he attacked more openly! You were here to avenge us if we were killed! She planned it all, she knew she wasn't infallible and she had a bunch of killers primed and ready to go in, waiting for us to fail! She's no better than him, the Hooviets, she's treating us all like pawns and..."

(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Princess Celestia would never do that!)

Baseplate thought so too. He promptly headbutted me.

(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): What!?)

Hey, he's Caledonian. It's pretty much how they say hello at times. And 'calm down, you twit.'

"Quite finished?" He said, voice level.

"Ow..." I groaned from the ground.

"Okay. Get a grip, Shining Armor Sparkle. You've misunderstood me entirely. Now, maybe you're just stressed. Maybe you've got too much going on in your head right now. But you're wrong, lad. You're right in some ways but totally wrong in the line of thinking you've gone down."

I groaned and got back up as he continued.

"Aye, we were backup for your sister, and aye, we were told what to expect, what to do if it didn't work. But Shining, one thing we do NOT do is stand by, coldheartedly awaiting the deaths of our comrades so we can sweep in and take over the mission! As though we were vultures or greedy heirs to some old fart's riches or somethin'!"

He snorted angrily.

"We were right behind Princess Celestia's beloved student and her friends, acting as guardian angels if they needed us. I doubt we could've hurt Nightmare Moon if we tried, we were there to save the ones who could stop her if we had to. We were following them from afar in light airships, literally a minute away when the sun rose and we were allowed to pull out. Our job wasn't that much different from normal guard procedure when you get down to it: save the innocent or die trying. We're just better equipped to take the other bastards with us, is all."

So, yeah. Overreacted a bit. Quite a bit, actually. Rather embarrassing. My accusations were baseless, unpatriotic, and maybe even a little treasonous. In hindsight... I wasn't really all there and just needed a bit of sense knocked back into me.

(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): With a headbutt.)

Yup. Anyway...

"Were... you there, Baseplate? Following after my sister?"

"Aye, wish we were closer to the holy light show. Hard to look up and over a forest where the average pegasus dares not fly..."

I had to wonder what kind of lunatics they found to be willing to fly light airships over Everfree, to be honest. Then I remembered half the Air Crew cadets I'd known, and the mystery was solved.

"I don't even think Nightmare Moon knew, but then again, I don't imagine she'd have been all that clued in on Light Airships, being one-thousand years behind the times, and all, maybe she was too focused on the Element Bearer girls, or maybe she just didn't care. I don't know and I don't really care, what matters is, we were there to make sure Twilight and the rest got the Tartarus out of there if their light show didn't work, just as we were here last night to keep you safe as well."

"S-So if Makarov had..."

"If he'd captured you last night, he wouldn't have got far. Don't you remember who showed up with the Air Naval Cavalry?" Price explained.

"...I've been a bloody idiot, haven't I?"

"Oh, aye, very much so, laddie. But between you and me, I think Princess Cadence prefers idiots..."

"What's that supposed to mean, Sir?" I asked.

Two things then happened. Curiously, a hoofball landed from over a nearby wall. And then Baseplate and Price both stood to attention.

"...Shining? Are you all right?" Cadence asked.

Presumably, she'd just walked up behind us. She'd been dried off after finishing up. Not that I had enjoyed the wet mane thing, oh no.

"Er, yes, I..."

"You look a bit woozy..."

"He headed the ball at the wrong angle, ma'am." Price reported, pointing at the ball.

She sighed.

"Really, Shining, playing with a ball? And not asking me to play? Serves you right! Anyway, the Air Naval officers will be here in time so you can get started at about half seven, but I'd like to speak with you about something first. Can you come with me?"

"Uh, okay, Your Highness... "

I then spotted two foals looking over the wall. The Germane Embassy was right next door.

"Entschuldigen Sie. Kˆnnen wir bitte unseren Ball wiederhaben??" One of the foals asked. Price picked up the ball.

"Nat¸rlich. junger Mann Aber bitte versuch nicht wieder, ihn ¸ber die Mauer zu werfen. Alles klar?" He replied, throwing
it back over.

"Danke, Herr Reiter!" The delighted pair cheered, and ducked away.

I have no idea what they said. I think Reiter is some kind of spaceship...

(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): If I recall right, it's Equestrian.)

No it's not, it's Germane. Hey, why are you facehoofing?

---

(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Think we should tell him what Baseplate's soldiers told us? About how they were under the presumption that Twilight would try to return to the castle first to search her own library for clues? And how tricky it was for them to figure out where she went without blowing their cover after Spike woke up and informed Canterlot she'd left? And how it was near-impossible it was for them to search Everfree, what with all the wild trees, and flying predators?)

(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): No kiddo, I'd like the look on his face, but I think the Baseplate can tell him that himself. Or that their Navigator first thought Baseplate meant 'Whitetail Woods' because 'No pony would be insane enough to enter Everfree on hoof.' Not since a pegaus Royal Guard ended up petrified.)

(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Didn't he get restored by Celly herself?)

(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): Yes and demanded on the spot he be 'un-restored' because he liked the zen feeling, thought he made a great statue, liked his spot in the Hall Of Heroes, and wanted to witness Celestia's one millionth birthday. The point is that, that forest eats even elite ponies alive! Dudes should have been assigned as Twilight's help from the start, rather than shadowing them all secretive-like.)

(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): Well... for the sake of argument, let's assume Luna's Nightmare self -- capable of fighting the sun herself -- COULD simply be gunned down by artillery or small arms fire. In the grand scheme of things, it STILL worked out for the best that Baseplate's team kept their distance. Remember: The Elements of Harmony don't need just the right Bearers, the Bearers all need to have true camaraderie with each other. If Twilight had traveled with an honor guard, all locked 'n' loaded with Alicorn-slaying über-bazookas, it... would've made a bad atmosphere for bonding.)

(Interviewer's Notes (Earth Pony): Yeah. I hate to imagine how heartbroken Celly would've been if poor Lulu had to be hurt instead of saved. I kinda agree with Celly's thinking: deep down, Lulu did wanna lose, so she set things up so each of them had a chance to make real friends with Twilight.)

(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): That's crazy.)

(Interviewer's Notes (Unicorn): Perhaps. But Nightmares are, by definition, insane. We all remember that.)

---

"Maybe… But are you sure I can't borrow a few elite platoons?"

Well Twiley, looks like you got your wish after all.

I followed Cadence. Twinkle Shine was waiting for us near the door to the gardens. The Princess spoke up as we all began walking together.

"Shining. I've got a couple of things to tell you. First, Commander Shepard told me she's selected one of her Light Airship officers to take over while you're off-duty, a Flight Lieutenant called Ace Rimmer. I understand you know him?"

"Yes, I do. He was at the academy with me, but he went the Air Navy route."

"What's he like? He'll technically be in charge for at least a day, after all."

"Well, he's... Uh... Quite a guy, really."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Could you expand on that?"

"Well, unlike most Pegasi members of the Air Navy flight crews he learned to fly light airships. You've seen how small and confined those are. A lot of Pegasi get antsy in cargo bays with the doors open. The majority of them wouldn't dream of letting themselves be shoved in such a tight, cramped cockpit."

"I see. Anything else?"

"Chivalrous type, but a bit of a ladies' stallion. Friendly, helpful, but modest. He doesn't lord his skills or position over anyone. Quite a guy, basically."

"He sounds like a bizarro-world Pegasus version of Blueblood to me."

"Actually, word has it that he's good friends with Blueblood." I noted.

A side-effect of being sent on errands far away from Canterlot, Blueblood had built up impressive airship experience. A Sunny Day article I read when I got back actually said he volunteered for many political missions to make up for a foalhood of never being allowed to set hoof outside the castle. Alright, I'll admit it, maybe he's not a lost cause.

"Oh. Well, at least Flight Lieutenant Rimmer has a good reference from you." Cadence said. "I think he'll be the officer sitting in with you interviewing your troops. Anyway, the second thing. I'm going to go speak to the commanding officer for the Embassy Guards. I want to make sure he has no objections to transferring Private Garnet over to your unit. That is, if you have no objections?"

"I'm okay with it. What'd Garnet, herself, say?"

"Oh, she's okay with it. The embassy never really needed a medic anyway, they could just call an ambulance or hire a civilian doctor, apparently." Twinkle Shine reported.

Typical military. Put a vital resource in a place it's not needed. I'm almost sure Equestrian scientists developed field rations that were as delicious, nutritious, and filling as they were imperishable, tents that never leaked and were easy to set up, barding three times lighter and six times stronger than the steel and aluminum we presently wear, and belt buckles that don't taste of metal, but all of that is piled up in some warehouse in Clydesdale that's supposed to be storing sandbags.

At breakfast with Cadence and Baseplate I did learn that our next stop-off was actually in Zebrafrica, not another Griffin nation as I'd first expected, but we'd be here another week or so until we went there.

The hoofmaidens maidens for their part sang a vocal version of 'End Of The Night' and drafted one of the sheep the in embassy's civil service.

The Air Navy would be arriving soon, so I excused myself from breakfast to go make sure all my troopers would be making their way down to the small conference room we were going to use for the assessments.

As I walked though, it was strange. Just having some breakfast, a nice chat about something other than nutcase deer, and I felt like the weight of the world was off my back. I let myself think things were looking up. I was just going up the stairs towards the troopers' quarters, when the world was filled with loudness.

---

"CELESTIA IN CANTERLOT!" I shouted, but was drowned out by the heavy thrum of the loudest musical instrument it had been my misfortune to encounter.

The Thunder Guitar. For non-pegasi, this is a device that's basically a set of guitar strings between two posts, stuck into a thundercloud and possibly manipulated to shape. Skilled players could produce gentle and soft melodies, or a hellish cacophony of Horse Metal, fueled by the power of the lighting, straight from the cloud.

Thunderchild favored the latter kind. Most Pegasi did. Speaking as a ground-dwelling unicorn who was mostly raised on his parent's old classic rock collections, I'm amazed most Pegasi aren't deaf.

(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): WHAT? COULD YOU SPEAK UP?)

Anyway, Thunderchild and Corporal Griffen now stood at the doorway to his quarters, a room he shared with the other sergeants.

"That was a bit loud!" I noted as I approached.

"Uh, yes, sorry, Sir, I was actually keeping it quiet, but, er..."

"I asked if I could have a go. Sorry, Sir." Griffen said.

"Yeesh, if you two act any more sheepish you could join the civil service... Look, just remember to keep the door closed and the noise down next time. And remember not to hit ponies who ask for 'Stairway to Elysium or Free Griff. Some ponies LIKE those songs!"

It turned out that Thunderchild hadn't heard about the accident, but then again, with that guitar he could have failed to hear a tank division approach and open fire on him. But hey, Equestria doesn't have any tank divisions so he's safe there, I guess. Griffen went back on his patrols, and I fetched the other troopers involved.

As we walked, I looked to Thunderchild. "Hey...thanks for saving my flank last night. Makarov was doing a pretty good job of kicking it when you gave him that shock."

"It was an honor Sir. And if I might say, a pleasure to see that smug smirked wiped off Makarov's face for a few seconds."

"I agree whole heartedly."

Apple was downstairs, Audience was getting a separate assessment. Gag... hadn't actually seen anything major the previous night, but was off-duty because there were no active squads with gaps needing filled in. It had been the command squad and Misfit One-Three's members present in the train station, and so, the two main sections were intact. The four pegasi of those squads were off duty because frankly, trying to put them anywhere else temporarily was going to cause confusion given the squads were only a few days old.

Even so, if it had come down to it, having the four of them hanging around with their new squadmates for the day or two off would have been a good step in warding off any serious mental repercussions from what they'd all seen. Misfit One-Three hadn't all known each other, but my squad did.

Dancer and Party, as well as Marelowe, had all been in the one room, talking with Sweetwater and Lance-Corporal Redford, the pegasi of One-Three.

All of the troopers being assessed today had been allowed to not wear armor, which actually surprised some of the Marines. Apparently, Columbia's military tries to encourage any troopers undergoing possible stress reactions to maintain a sense of military identity. We, on the other hoof, had reasoned that to do that could be seen as encouraging troopers to think of themselves as soldiers first, and equine beings second. Columbia's stance relied on the pride of being soldiers. Different folks, different strokes.

Marelowe, the Zebra Lance-Corporal, looked like he hadn't slept well and I feared that two of my most junior NCOs might have been heading down dark roads. Dancer, the female Earth Pony, looked okay but seemed a bit thoughtful. Party (the unicorn with some first aid skills) on the other hoof seemed a bit difficult to read, like she was regretting something.

They were quiet on the way down. I noted this, but it could easily have just been a reaction to following me. Thunderchild was not being assessed as he'd not seen anything too traumatic, so I had him go fetch Ellis. We soon reached the conference rooms.

I addressed the group of three ponies and one zebra.

"Troopers, to make it clear, this is not therapy. It's just a debriefing of sorts. All we're doing here is letting you talk, discuss what happened. If you'd rather remain silent on an issue, we won't press it if you really don't want to talk about it, but I think it's best you're honest and tell us everything you can. What you all saw was traumatic, and I can tell you from personal experience that if we were to leave you all to think about it for a while without talking it over with you, well, it can lead to things I'd not wish on anyone."

Anyone evil enough for me to wish that kind of mental trauma on was probably a sociopathic nutcase in the first place, and might enjoy things that would drive normal people insane. Probably. I'm no psychologist.

(Interviewer (Unicorn): Even someone with a black hole for a heart can be worn down if hit by those things long enough.)

"We're just waiting on the Air Navy Officers to arrive. One of them will be sitting in with me while the rest are going to be preparing to deal with the other matter in the room next door to us."

I heard hoofsteps nearing, and turned to see not the Air Navy, but three others: Cadence and Minuette weren't too much of a shock. Commander Bond was a surprise, though. The troopers stood to attention until Cadence bid them to sit back down.

"Hello, everyone. No need to salute, please, we're just here to ask the Captain a few things."

Bond then spoke.

"The other Air Navy officers haven't arrived yet, by the way, Captain. I was out in town dealing with a little business. Once we're done with this, I'll need to speak with you and the Princess about something."

I nodded.

"All right, though I thought the Princess had something arranged..."

"Actually, that can be delayed a little. What I wanted to ask was a few things about these assessments. First, I was wondering if Commander Bond could sit in with you as well as Flight Lieutenant Rimmer. He has some experience with these matters..." Cadence asked.

"I'd be okay with it if the troopers have no objections."

None of them did.

"Secondly, well, I don't have much to do and rather than just sit around I was wondering if maybe I could speak with your troopers while they're waiting? Not about what you'll discuss, just to... talk with them, sort of thing. I've got some things to thank them for."

I was okay with this, and so, the last conference room in this little hall was taken over for Cadence to host a tea party of sorts. Well, not quite. But she did send Minuette off to fetch some refreshments since it emerged none of the four had actually managed to have breakfast yet. I figured maybe it'd help calm the troopers down a little.

It was only just as the Air Navy officers arrived did it hit me I'd be taking them out of a pleasant chat with the Princess, back into a memory they all wanted out of their heads before it could get better. We had to do it though. Trying to erase memories of trauma, well, even if a doctor approves, all it really does is put a mental block. And some traumas can easily bypass it.

However, Ace Rimmer was an old friend, so seeing him was a boost. Bond went off to speak with the other officers as I greeted the Pegasus Flight Lieutenant. He was wearing a silver bomber jacket with a pair of aviator sunglasses.

(Interviewer's Notes (Pegasus): ...What's his cutie mark?)

An eagle with wings spread in front of a small collection of stars. He's a skilled flyer outside of airships too, you see.

"Well, well, if it isn't Shiney Sparkle. Or should we be calling you Iron Balls now after last night?"

He grinned as he raised a hoof. I bumped it back.

"Good to see you again, Ace. How have things been?"

"Not nearly as exciting as things with you, I'm afraid. Pleased to hear you got out of all that okay, must have been nasty. Commander didn't want to send the attack boats out though, would have been too aggressive. Besides, I hear you and Thunderchild took out their little tanks without much help."

"They were actually Tripods, but.... Maybe we should get on with this?"

"Sure thing, Sparks."

Star Dancer for her part was scoping out Ace the way he normally scoped out mares. I took in a breath.

"Okay, Lance-Corporal Apple, let's start with you. I know it must be hard, but I'd like you to tell me your recollection of last night." I began.

He nodded slowly.

"Well, um... Ah followed... Audience, and went past the first Diamond Dog back in the tunnel. But, uh, Ah was okay with that for some reason. Ah felt a little queasy but Ah just walked away. Ah got up to the station and Ah was fine, and we went in and... Ah felt really pleased we'd got 'em all alive, especially after seein' one had to be killed back in the tunnels..."

He paused quite a bit, as if expecting questions. We had to remind him gently to keep going.

"...So, Ah… When them Deer came down and starting firin', Ah… Ah didn't feel scared. Ah was actually feelin' kind of... excited. Ah thought Ah was going to get a chance to stop them Deer too, and help out everypony else. And then Captive shouted about the dogs and Ah just..."

A noise outside made his eyes dart fearfully to the door. He'd seemed ready to jump up for a second, but just stared at the door. I tried to get him back focused on us.

"...Bitter Apple, have you ever..."

He replied right away, still staring at the door. "Ellis. It's Ellis. Sir."

'Oh bucking Tartarus'

"I'm sorry about that, but..."

"Ah don't get it, sir. Most everypony, they seem to forget mah first name. Ah dunno why. Is it... Is it 'cos 'Ellis' doesn't sound very apple-y? But it is, it's what my Ma and Pa grow on the farm. Ellis Bitters. They're a good strain for cider. Ah got my cutie mark fixin' the cider pumps..."

"Ellis. Have you been thinking about that often, people getting you name wrong?" Ace asked.

He finally looked back at us.

"...U-um, yes..."

"You can be informal if you wish, Ellis. We're not Captain Sparkle, Flight Lieutenant Rimmer, or Commander Bond, not right now. We're Shining, Ace, and Manes."

"Is... Is that okay, Sir?"

He asked this to me.

"Of course. Ellis, I'm sorry about that slip of the tongue, but I want you to know that I don't think of you as just one of my troopers, but as one of my friends as well. And please, it's Shining."

He nodded.

"Now, Ellis, can we talk about last night again? When Captive shouted about the dogs?" Bond prompted gently.

He swallowed.

"Ah… Ah just froze when Ah saw 'em. They were all torn up, and... Ah've never seen anythin' like that. Ah just couldn't stop shakin' and Ah… Ah wanted to be sick. Ah..."

It was difficult for me to maintain my composure at that point. So many conflicting emotions. Sorrow for Ellis and how he'd reacted. Anger at Makarov for causing all this. Anger at myself, for not having taken proper care of my friends, for not protecting the dogs as well last night.

"What happened after that, can you recall?" I asked.

"Ah just... Ah felt like things went fast and slow. Everypony was like in slow motion and going a hundred miles an hour at the same time. Ah'd just be looking at the wall a second and then somepony would talk to me, and it felt like Ah'd been staring at the wall fer hours. Ah couldn't stop shaking, Ah had to go to the colt's room a few times, Ah felt dizzy and sick and short of breath... Ah didn't know what Ah was doing until Captive just made me sit down and called over a police griffin who looked at me. Ah don't really remember much about what happened after that, Ah… Ah just came back here and couldn't sleep. Ah felt exhausted but Ah couldn't sleep. Ah think Ah was out for an hour or two but Ah ain't sure."

"How do you feel now?" Bond asked.

"Tired. Ah tried to eat somethin' earlier but Ah wasn't hungry."

Rimmer nodded. "Ellis, it seems to me you've suffered a very severe combat stress reaction. The good news is, that while you might not feel so great now, these things can improve remarkably fast..."

"Will Ah be able to go back on duty soon?"

"Hopefully. Ellis, you should be feeling better in a few days or maybe even hours. What will happen is your friends and squadmates will be there for you. They're going to help you feel normal, and you're going to help yourself. You might feel like you can't cope now, but it's going to improve, and I'm sure deep down, you know that yourself. Try not to worry if you can. We might find you some light work to do, maybe we'll just have you hang out with your friends. But the important thing is, you never failed." Rimmer continued.

"Ah..."

"Ellis, it was no one's fault." Bond said gently.

'Except mine,' I thought.

To back Bond up though, what I said was:

"Manes and Ace are right, Ellis. We were all there with you. You didn't let us down. There was no choice you could have made that would have changed things..."

'Me, on the other hoof...'

"We're all proud of what you did last night and none of us think any less of you for how this all went. If anything, I'm proud you've been able to speak to us about it so openly." I continued.

"Well... Ah'm an Apple, Si... Shining. We're honest folk. Ah'd say AJ's prove that. Ah-"

He blinked, and almost then, it was like he was starting to come back. I tried not to grin.

"-well, we got a few cousins in Manehatten that're complete plotholes, but they're okay in their own way. They just need to remember they got family around them is... all..."

He frowned.

"Uh... Ah feel a little.. kind of silly now. Is that normal?"

"Well... Yeah, sorry. You can be quite a silly pony at times, buddy." I said honestly.

He smiled. So did I.

"Yah know... that's what we all used to say about AJ... Er, Applejack... See, when she was a filly... "

We let him talk. By his usual standards, Ellis was still a little slow, but he was coming back to us.

'Up yours, Makarov. You can't break my friends that easily, you greasy little motherbucker.'

---

The rest of them were thankfully swift. Not that we begrudged Ellis a chance to think about things other than last night. I just hoped he didn't talk Cadence to death when he went through...

"Well, Sir, to be honest, I was worried about Ellis. But... I don't know what you guys said, but he looks a hundred times better already."

"So, you've not got any concerns, Star Dancer?"

"Well, no. I felt a bit sick with the dogs last night, but... Well, I'm sorry they were killed. But I was just glad we all got out okay, and I'm glad Ellis is getting better too. It's just weird to see him look so small, you know?"

---

Private Happy Party had got over her giggles, and she was quite calm talking about the event. She regretted not being able to do much for the dogs, but knew that there probably was little else anyone else could do. She was sure they didn't suffer much. She too had been worried for Ellis.

She did seem to be... enjoying herself towards the end though.

"Am I thinking about trivial things? Well, uh... this might sound odd, Sir, but... I kind of like your mane when you're not wearing your chamfron. Is that weird?"

"I'd say no, I was jealous how he could just walk out of the showers and look better than me after ten minutes of combing and gelling back in the academy." Ace said.

She unfortunately then giggled.

"...Tell me, Happy, are you related to Minuette?"

---

Marelowe, however, was a bit of a surprise.

"I felt nothing, Sir. I just looked at the dogs, and... Nothing. I know it's not right, but... They were mercenaries. Just hired guns out to kill for money. I wasn't born in Kundu, but I was penfriends as a colt with some of my cousins who still stayed there. We were basically teaching each other Kunduese and Equestrian. Even when the civil war started they still wrote. They managed to make some of the factions sound so stupid."

He gave a small laugh, but there was no real humor behind it.

"I mean, there were mercenary groups and little factions called things like the Radicals, the Hive, the Nasty Boys, Shadow Company... They sounded like wrestling tag teams, not vicious killers! Hay, even the two big anti-government groups sounded goofy. New World Order? Nation of Domination? It sounded like a Saturday morning kids' show. 'Join Captain Kundu as he fights the evil Nation of Domination, and their vicious Diamond Dog allies, the Nasty Boys!' I mean...come on!"

He sighed.

"We never heard from any of them after the Hooviets forced the Columbian peacekeepers to withdraw. The civil war just erupted right back up again. It barely just ended last year, and only because the New World Order finally beat the Nation of Domination. They tore the democratic government to shreds years ago. Literally. "

He looked me in the eye.

"So, sorry, Sir. But I didn't lose a darn moment of sleep last night. I saw those dead mercenaries, and I remembered what people like them had did to my cousins, to my parent's homeland. I didn't feel happy, but I wasn't sad either. I just couldn't find it in me to give a horseapple about mercenaries. Karma's a bitch. No pun intended. ...Well, maybe a little intended."

---

Our 'debriefing' was over. Now came the big one, what I was most nervous about. I went off to fetch Audience. If he was nervous he might be heading for a court martial for unlawful killing, he didn't show it.

The officers who would hear his case were Shepard, Bond, and Hornblower. I was merely to observe. The only other soul in the room was an Air Navy unicorn officer with a typewriter, logging the official record.

Shepard was chairpony of the inquiry.

"Scribe, let the record show that this is stage one of Fatal Incident Inquiry Four, held under Black Thistle protocols at this time. The purpose of this inquest is to determine if the shooting of an unidentified suspect by Private Captive Audience, of the Royal Guard of Princess Cadenza. On the panel, Commander Hanneigh Shepard, Captain of Her Highnesses' Ship Invincible, Lieutenant Commander Hornblower, Executive Officer of Her Highnesses' Ship Invincible, and Lieutenant Commander Manes Bond, Third Officer of Her Highnesses' Ship Invincible. In attendance as an observer, Captain Shining Armor Sparkle, of the Royal Guard of Princess Cadenza, and Commanding Officer to Private Audience. Let the record also note that Captain Sparkle was present at the time, and that his witness statement will not be sought here but will be added later to any additional statements being sought outside these proceedings by additional officers. Does anyone object to the presence of any individuals in the room so noted as present by the record?"

No one replied.

"Private Audience, the nature of the inquiry is such that whilst you are not presently being charged or placed under arrest, that you may incriminate yourself in the course of proceedings leading to this inquiry being expanded to a Court Martial stage. Do you understand and accept this risk?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

This went on a short spell. Audience was asked, and confirmed, if he understood everything. That he faced from us parole or arrest to face a full inquiry under standard fatality protocols, that the MoD would review our findings and decision, that they might reverse it or agree to it, that his commanding officers would be obtaining separate statements from other witnesses for submission to the MoD...

"Very well. Private, please explain your view of the events." Shepard finished.

He started recounting how the alert was raised, his orders given. He soon reached the bit about the tunnel.

"...I approached through the tunnels, hearing gunfire ahead and unable to contact Captain Sparkle or any other troopers. I came across a small train yard, and observed the Captain and a Griffin under fire from a a rapid-firing volley gun type device, with multiple barrels. The operator of the device was shielded by metal plating with a very thin cutout to see through, leaving only a very small gap to take any shot. Furthermore, he was tight against the wall and in a corner, meaning that getting behind him or trying to approach with stealth would be impossible or pose great risk. I observed that Captain Sparkle and the Griffin appeared to be pinned down behind cover that was being removed by the force of the enemy weapon, and, uncertain if the weapon was capable of further penetrating his shields either with sustained fire or if it overcame the physical cover, I determined that a threat to life was posed by the enemy action. I could not identify any weapons the Griffin carried at this point, and was uncertain if he was police or military, or if he had any weapons capable of piercing the cover of the attacker."

Translation: He showed up, saw no way around, had no idea if I could hold the shield, had no idea Frost was carrying anything that could have helped.

"In addition, I reasoned that any cover I could find for myself could be unreliable at that point, and, uncertain if the enemy was aware of my presence, realized any failed attempts to stun him would alert him. Even if I was able to reach cover, I was uncertain I would be able to extricate either myself or the Captain and the Griffin safely from the area with the minimum risk to life. I therefore determined the best course of action was to take a lethal shot through the available window, as all other options for incapacitation either posed too great a risk to others or myself, or could result in undue suffering or injury to the suspect as well as retain the risk the suspect could remain in fighting condition."

He had no idea if he'd been spotted by either party, he couldn't trust the cover, couldn't risk botching a stun spell and getting him or us shredded in return, and a shot other than the one that he had taken would have caused unneeded suffering with the possibility it wouldn't stop the Dog.

"I took the shot, and aimed it to inflict as instant and painless a resolution as possible. This was successful, the bolt striking the cranium of the target, which would have caused the immediate cessation of motor and cognitive functions."

He shot him in the head.

"Is that the conclusion of events, Private?" Shepard asked.

Audience confirmed. Now it was question time.

"Private, I will now ask a number of questions. These may have been answered already by your statement, but this is for the record and to ensure consistency and accuracy in the proceedings. Do you understand this?"

"Yes, sir."

"For these questions, please confirm with a yes, no, or uncertain. If you object to these questions being asked, you may do so now, though it may harm your defense if this later is upgraded to a Court Martial in addition to possibly affecting the outcome of this inquiry."

"I have no objections, Sir."

Bond then asked: Did the target pose a threat to life? Could Audience see any reasonable alternative at the time, and once he had felt lethal force was the only choice, did he make it as painless as possible?

The answers were yes, no, yes. Just like Frost the night before.

Hornblower now spoke up.

"We will now ask broader questions based upon your statement, and you may answer these questions with as detail a reply as you wish, or maintain silence, though I remind you again that silence may harm your defense if this later is upgraded to a Court Martial in addition to possibly affecting the outcome of this inquiry. Private, you stated you could not identify the Griffin or any weapons he carried. What made you sure he was friendly?"

"Captain Sparkle was shielding him, Sir."

"If the Griffin had been carrying grenades or a disposable rocket launcher visible to yourself, would that have altered your reaction to the situation?" Bond threw in.

"No, Sir. If the Griffin had not used those weapons already, it would have been my assumption something presented an obstacle to use, such as close proximity to the blast area, or difficulties in clearing the backblast of any launcher."

"Would Stun spells have been a viable alternative?" Shepard.

"Not in my opinion, ma'am. Accuracy with such spells is limited to hitting within a six-inch diameter area at up to fifty meters. Though range to the target was approximately twenty meters, the only available areas to hit posed risks that the stun bolts would strike cover or risk other side effects. If the suspect had been hit in the foot, he may have not been properly stunned and could have altered fire onto my position. Hitting his head was very unlikely as the window he was looking through was at most, four inches high, leaving a significant area of possible impact that would be harmless to the suspect."

"And your bow shooting is more accurate?" Bond questioned.

"Yes, Sir. I can reliably hit a within a half-inch diameter area at up to seventy meters, one inch at a hundred and ten, and two inches at a hundred and fifty. Further ranges using magic boosting or guidance hit within a four inch area at up to three hundred meters and within a one foot area for longer ranged arc fire."

"How wide are the heads of the bolts you fire from your crossbow?" Hornblower asked.

"About half an inch."

"So, to be certain, your bow fires with pinpoint accuracy, whilst alternative spells would have risked a miss and potentially been too large to be viable?"

"Correct, sir."

"Was in possible for Captain Sparkle to teleport himself and the Griffin out of the way?" Shepard wondered.

"If it was, Ma'am, it was my belief he would have already done so, though I was aware at the time Captain Sparkle was rather poor at teleportation alongside maintaining any additional spells. If he had tried to teleport, it was likely he would have been killed or injured in the process. In addition, trying to teleport another individual would have made the situation even more complex, widening the window he would need to calculate the teleport."

There was silence now.

"Does the panel have any further questions?"

None were forthcoming.

"Does the Private wish to add anything else?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Very well. Let the record show the panel will now give opinions on how they feel this inquiry should proceed. These opinions must be unanimous if they are to absolve the Private of wrongdoing. If one single voice feels that the case should be immediately submitted to the Ministry of Defense for upgrade to Court Martial, it will be done, though the objections of the two other panelists will be noted when making this upgrade and the Ministry of Defense may reject the dissenting opinion. Private Audience, if you would prefer to decline opinions and move to a Court Martial immediately, you may exercise this option."

"No, Ma'am."

"Very well. First opinion: Commander Shepard. It is the view of this officer that Private Captive Audience, in using lethal force against an unknown suspect, was wholly justified in his actions. It is the view of this officer that no viable alternative that did not increase the risk to life was presented."

Bond stood. He said the same thing.

I could feel myself shaking as Bond finished, and Hornblower began to stand. If he was a lone dissenting voice, my trooper, my friend... his career was at risk. He risked arrest, the hell of the courtrooms, a long-term imprisonment, dishonorable discharge, and worse, the stigma of being a 'killer pony' all his life.

And I feared where he'd go from there. Would he kill one more pony, or would he leave Equestria and head for where his sharpshooting talents would be in high demand? A foreign police force? A gang of lawless mercenaries? Bounty hunting?

Reminded me of the Four Horsemen, four 'elite soldiers' who were thrown out of Guard and other armies and were a fearsome kill-squad for hire. Of course they were just a horror story made up of rumors and fears. Like curses. The only Day Guard that would fit the bill as one of them would be in his sixties by now. I didn't want to see Captive Audience become the truth behind the myth.

I came back to reality as Hornblower cleared his throat and spoke up.

"It is the view of this officer that Private Captive Audience, in using lethal force against an unknown suspect..."