Canterlot High OSS: Gerald's Secret Weapon

When Gearhead had created an operating system for the Alicorn Engine, he had made it simple and then it became more complex as he found it necessary to control more systems -- flight and guidance, power supply and distribution, sensors and shield arrays, and even weapons. Even before he had completed the first prototype, he had layers of safeguards in place to prevent his designs from being stolen and used against him or Equestria. All these efforts meant that Gearhead had not been a stranger to computer languages and programming even before he followed Twilight to this Earth. Still, to learn the different languages used here, and to see behind the curtain of the commonly-used OSs, took more time than Gearhead had first thought it would.

But it was a completely worthwhile effort, since the whole experience would allow him to upgrade his own OS and security by several orders, even if it was several decades or even centuries before computer systems became common in Equestria.

One of the consequences of having learned how to create programs was that Gerald learned how to hack into secure systems. Since his resources were so limited that he could not build another Alicorn Engine and launch something new into the atmosphere, he chose to ride the signal waves and piggyback on what surveillance satellites already in position were learning. Of course, to do that and not get arrested, Gerald had to give the government some reasons not to prosecute him. So he looked for various forms of people seeking to harm others over the Internet, and reported them in to the FBI or CIA anonymously -- or so it would seem, because he hazarded a guess that both organizations would have data slicers more skilled than he was. And he was right.

It was because Gerald normally reported others' illegal activities that he received an encoded message from the FBI as he was going through satellite recordings to track down the Dazzlings. "[Are these persons of interest a possible threat?]" That was all the message said, but Gerald saw the implication: If they were perceived as a threat, the FBI would pick them up, and then they would have little chance of setting their lives straight again, and all because he wanted to be a 'white' operator. "[Please allow me to finish handling this matter privately. I can assure you they do not present a threat.]" Perhaps if the FBI saw that he was already addressing the matter, they would leave the Dazzlings alone. In any case, both party knew they were watching the other. This meant he would have to act quickly and carefully.

While the recordings wound out and the facial recognition software did its magic, Gerald made a call to Twilight, who had taken the name 'Twila Evenstar.' She could have done better on the first name, if she had not started to say her real name before realizing what she was doing. Still, it would have been strange of her to be able to introduce herself by exactly the same name as this world's version of her. Gerald was glad indeed that he had not met his own counterpart, or those belonging to his family, who should be living near the West Coast anyway.

It took a few moments for Twila to answer her phone, because she was around at least one of her friends so often that it would often be Pinkie or Rayne who reached over and answered for Twila -- that was to say, the pink-haired Diane Pinkamena Pie and a brunette version of Rainbow Dash. Diane was 'Di' to most people, and 'Pinkie' to her friends, and was most like the version with whom Gerald was most familiar out of all the Elemental Six here. Rayne liked to go by 'Rae,' and while she did not have her counterpart's ability to fly, she was just as athletic, taking on all sports and all challengers. "Hello? This is Twila," the voice on the other end said.

"Hello Twila, Gerald here. Have you had any thoughts about the Dazzlings since last time?"

"A little, but I have to admit I've been too preoccupied with the new war at CHS to give them more than a few moments."

"I think I may have a plan, but I'm going to need to ask for some assistance. Could you call Felicia and Rayne?"

"What's this now?" Pinkie asked, having been in the same room.

"Gerald says he has a plan and wants our help,"

"Oh, well count me in!"

"Where are you right now?" Gerald asked.

"My place of course, silly," Pinkie laughed, snorting a bit.

"In that case, lets meet there, shall we?"

"Okey-dokey Loki!" From the click as the line went dead immediately after, it was clear that Pinkie was the one hanging up. Well, Gerald could explain more fully once everyone was together.

With Twila and Pinkie informing Felicia and Rayne about the plan to meet at Pinkie's house, that left Gerald himself to contact Jacqueline and Rochelle. Jacqueline Apple was as blonde and strong as her counterpart, the expert in apple bucking and all things farming-related. She just preferred to be called 'Jackie.' As for Rochelle Grant, well, the silken black-haired fashionista-to-be was this world's version of Rarity the Unicorn, and while she lacked magic she could sometimes whip up an outfit in the blink of an eye, and out of nowhere, or so it seemed. She had also volunteered to help Gerald keep his sanity while he worked on the portal issue by distracting him as his temporary girlfriend.

The main reason Gerald had not accepted the suggestion of dating Felicia Warder, she of the long, strawberry-blonde hair, was because she was Fluttershy's counterpart, and since Gerald had romantic feelings for Fluttershy, dating someone who could so easily be her sister would complicate matters when he, Twilight, and Spike had to go home. Dating across dimensions would doubtlessly lead to broken hearts. Gerald himself had said as much to Bradley Stern, this world's Flash Sentry, about his relationship with Twila. To date Felicia would have been hypocritical. Dating Rochelle was easier because they spent more time teasing each other than they did doing anything romantic or truly affectionate. Yes, Gerald was using Rochelle to get those 'eureka' moments that would help him and his friends get home. They both knew that, and that was part of the reason she had volunteered in the first place. The awkwardness between Gerald and Felicia was the main reason he had volunteered to call Jackie and Rochelle.

"Jackie, it's Gerald. Can you meet the rest of us at Pinkie's?"

"You want me to just drop what I'm doing right now and go?"

"It's about the Dazzlings,"

"I'll be there in twelve," Jackie said, then hung up. Just like that, she was in, at least to hear the plan. Next Gerald dialed his girlfriend.

"Gerald, what an unexpected and welcome surprise to have you call on our day off," Rochelle said immediately upon picking up.

"What're you doing, Rochelle?"

"What do you want me to be doing?"

"The rest of us will be meeting at Pinkie's to discuss the Dazzlings."

"Well, I think it's only fair for me to be there to present my two cents. Will we have enough time to deal with them and study our erstwhile infiltrators? Especially after what they did to me and you?" That was true: for the past few months, some things had not been as they seemed. In fact, the group had ended up with an extra 'Rochelle.'

"We will. What's Elle doing now?"

"Hiding from the family. I'm going to have to bring her with, aren't I?"

"Eiyup,"

"You sure you're not one of them, Darling?"

"I'm very certain I'm me."

"Well then, we'll both see you at Pinkie's." Ro hung up. That was one thing that Gerald had forgotten they were using to distinguish the two, as they used Elle to watch what their enemy was doing. On top of splitting up the name, the 'real' Rochelle wore a beret in her hair that Gerald had made. If Elle tried to wear it, it would counter her magic, revealing her true form. As long as Ro wore it, the diamond glittered slightly. On top of that, Gerald still could use simple magic techniques like Shift Focus to see magic auras and pick out impostors among the real deal, even without his dagger to act as a medium.

With one last glance at his triple-display, he secured his system, pocketed his smartphone and HUD-enabled glasses, and headed down to his car.