Graduation Day

“While many of you know your assignments, keep in mind that the time may come when you will be called upon to go above and beyond your duties. If that day comes, I expect each one of you would gladly give their life for their friends. I expect each one of you would give your life for the Enclave!” -Commander Wild Wing addresses cadets before graduation

The party was in full swing. For one night many of the superior officers breached protocol and attended the cadet's graduation party. At least the more cordial officers did. Many of the stauncher officers refused such a celebration as beneath them. At least that was traditional protocol. Every officer was at tonight's party. There was even talk of a visit from a council member. Almost all the officers had attended tonight's festivities to see one stallion in particular. He had set new academy records, was liked and respected by both cadets and officers, and was going to be the captain of his reconnaissance squad. That wasn't even why most of the officers showed up. Most wanted to meet, talk to, or even court the stallion that had earned an RC rating.

The stallion didn't care about any of that right now. Something, or rather, somepony else had his full attention. He thanked some of the more notable officers for showing up, ordered a drink for a good friend of his, and finally broke out of the commotion. He was searching faces, trying to concentrate past the liquor and noise. After a few anxious, painful moments, he spied his target. When he called out she didn't respond. He beat his wings to a better vantage over the heads of the other pegasi. He called out again but he didn't even the hear himself above the music. They must have angled the speakers upward to keep anypony from rudely flying above the crowd. The stallion didn't care. In a flash, he flew over the crowd and blocked the exit of one mare who was on her way out of the room. She stopped short of the door, cursing that she'd been found out. He puffed out his chest. The dim party lighting gave his coat a silver, metallic sheen.

"Now, where do you think you're going?"

"Oh come now, the party's been fun, but this security mare's got shift."

"Skip it, you wouldn't walk out on my graduation, would you? Head of class, and assigned to recon! How do you like that?" The stallion had to talk over the music, but pointed a hoof at the gold medallion on his breast for emphasis. The shiny gold contrasted his steel blue coat quite nicely. Looking back at the mare, he smiled, "Besides, now that I'm stationed here, we can see each other every night if we wanted to."

"Yes, it's very nice. Unfortunately," she pulled at the medal with a hoof, getting a closer look, "this little hunk of gold can't smooth talk my superior officer once she finds out I skipped shift."

"Get someone to cover you." The stallion brought his muzzle close to the mare's ear. "Promise I'll make you forget all about that hard-flank of an officer and her stupid shift. That is, unless you'd like to think about her." He gave her ear a playful nip. She flushed and looked at him through her chestnut mane.

"Now that sounds delicious."

"Delicious?" The stallion backed up, surprised. The mare laughed.

"You see, we could just..." the mare pulled up a cherry and slowly bit into it, “get her, a whole bunch of these cherries and...” It was the stallion's turn to blush. Just as he was about to say something, she stuffed the half-eaten cherry into his face and laughed.

"Hey! That was uncalled for private!" The mare put an innocent hoof to her chin.

"Oh? Does... does this mean you need to enact disciplinary action... as... my... superior officer?"

"HEY!" A sudden shout interrupted the conversation. The stallion felt a sudden weight pressing into his shoulder. He had to steady himself and looked over his shoulder to find a fellow graduate had stumbled into him. He turned his head away immediately when a cloud of noxious stink made it hard to breath.

"Chill out, Wave! Have you even smelled your breath? You're drunk."

"YEAH I AM! Aren't you? We g-hic-graduated and w-we're recon! C'mon let's c-celebrate!" Wave threw a hoof out in a wild gesture.

"I'm getting there, but I gotta...hey hold on."

"Sorry fly boy, looks like you already got your hooves full." He dumped Wave onto the floor and flew over to the mare again.

"Now, I'm sure we can work something out, private."

"I'm sure you'll make sure I get punished, next time. Don't forget, you'd better come up with something special. Wouldn't want us privates to get out of line." She winked. "Who knows, you might even get lucky, too." The stallion watched the mare slowly sashay away. The strange thing was, as much as he wanted her right then and there, her flowing chestnut mane soothed him somehow. Just the sight of her was satisfying, calming. He knew he could wait for now. Besides, there was tomorrow night, right? Yeah, tomorrow night was looking like it was going to be a night to remember.

"The world is spinning, I can't get off the floor!" Wave called out in a stupor. The stallion sighed.

"Right there with you, buddy. Right there with you."

Addendum I:

Recon Wing profile

Cadet I[-redacted-]

Has shown exceptional capabilities both as a leader and as a flier.

Initial reports showed he excelled above his fellow cadets in all maneuvers.

He is currently at the head of his class and is likely to be chosen as captain.

Classified-Access Restricted

Security Authority Recognized......................

Decryption Initiated.................................................................................

Decryption Complete..............................................................................

Posting for Duty

Recon Captain I[-redacted-] passed the “Barrier test” and is classified as RC (Rainboom-Capable).

He is to be stationed at Neighvarro until further notice.

No orders for reassignment from any party will be acknowledged unless they come directly from the council as a unanimous order

Addendum II:

Neighvarro's purpose

Provide the facilities to secure and research the Single Pegasus Project (SPP)

The final objective: Operational Control of the Single Pegasus Project (SPP)

Classified-Access Restricted

Security Authority Recognized......................

Decryption Initiated.................................................................................

Decryption Complete..............................................................................

Memorandum from Commander Wild Wing:

Against my strongest of recommendations, the council has sought outside help. And by outside, I mean outside, outside. The Steel Rangers have never been on our side, and not a one has ever shared our interests. Even still, the council has enlisted the help of one Grey Grid. Not only is this individual not a pegasus, but the Steel Rangers hold him in high regard.

Regardless of the overinflated reports of technological advancements in the Ranger's research, I must log my official protest as the Commanding Officer of Neighvarro. Not to mention the conceited claim Grey has made that he can get inside the shield surrounding the SPP hub. I doubt this unicorn can deliver, or need I remind the council that no pony has been inside that hub for literally two hundred years. This unicorn won't prove any different, and will probably take any knowledge of our defenses and technology straight back to those earth-bound traitors the first chance he gets. Is the council so desperate that they will literally condescend to below the clouds for help? The council is insistent, however, and it has already been made clear that my complaint will be ignored. I must recommend that Grey is given no authority whatsoever, is placed under constant surveillance (some might even say heavy security is in order), and that he is not allowed to leave Neighvarro.

-Wild Wing

Commanding Officer Neighvarro

Author's Note

-The stallion and his medallion's colors are significant