Archangels

Archangels
Eraverse
Chapter 4: Learning
By: SleeplessScribe

Sprint and I searched for a good fifteen minutes without any sign of Jet. Even though we checked the comm room, we decided to go back and ask Quick Fix if she knew where he went. Honestly, we probably should have done that first.

When we walked into the room without just focusing on whether or not Jet was there, I noticed that the unicorn was actually pretty frantic. The numbers and text on the projector were moving and changing rapidly, and everyone in the room was chattering. I wanted to say something, but Quick bounded toward us the minute she saw Sprint.

“Sprint! Oh thank Celestia you’re here! Look, I don’t have time to explain right now, but I need you to go down with a few others and secure the sewers. We have a big situation on our hooves.”

The little filly began to nod, but didn’t move immediately. “Can you tell me anything at all?”

Quick took a brief look at her projector before answering. “Someone very important has come out of hiding. We really want to make sure they don’t get away.” She then handed Sprint a headset similar to what the others working in the room had on.

Sprint nodded again and turned around. When I looked in her direction, I could see two other ponies waiting for her at the door.

“Hey, uh, Quick Fix? Is there anything I can do?” All I could do was hope the unicorn would be at least a bit more polite this time around.

Unfortunately, her back was already to me. “Fine, sure, whatever, just don’t get in the way.”

My ears flattened and I lowered my head. I guess Sprint could tell that I was none too appreciative of her response, seeing as she called out to me.

“Come on, Applejack! You can help me out!”

I didn't have much time to respond since she ran off so quickly, so I just followed behind her. We hopped right down into the manhole we'd just came out of, but we didn't move for a bit.

Sprint tapped one of the cuffs on her headset, stood still for a moment, then addressed the rest of us. "Okay, we need to get to D20 as soon as possible. Applejack, time to test what you've learned."

"So what's the big deal?" I spoke as we ran, and the massive stallion beside me gave me a nudge.

"We've spotted a meetup for one of the big gangs in the city. Jet's taken a team to catch them, and we need to be ready if any of them come down here."

His words confused me a little. "Big gangs? There's more than one?"

We turned a corner and I almost fell in the water; this guy was even bigger than my brother. He helped me regain my balance before answering.

"Manehattan is controlled by three big gangs. There's these guys in red hoods that call themselves the Reapers, ponies who always wear some kind of headband called the Rovers, and Timetech's own gang. They call themselves the Knights, and they are the worst."

The big guy took a breath, which gave Sprint a chance to finish his thought for him. "They all dress like fancy business ponies, but they're thugs like the rest. They do a lit of the foalnapping that provides the sweatshop under that big tower with free labor."

My eyes widened. Things had been happening so fast that I forgot about how bad the situation in the city was. "Y'all really need to get help from Canterlot or something."

All three of the other ponies nodded, but Sprint responded first. "Jackhammer here has been telling my brother that for weeks."

"Yeah, I have." The big guy nodded. "It always ends the same. Jet is too afraid to send anyone out for fear of them getting caught and arrested. He doesn't want to go himself because he's worried about what might happen without him."

"Shh shh shush!" Sprint calm to a halt, waved to us, and motioned upward.

We were now underneath another sewer entrance. Faint, muffled voices echoed through the musty air. The other mare with us gave all of us a long rope out of her bag, whispering a "just in case" as she closed her bag.

The small filly lifted a hoof to her headset again, then brought the rest of us in close so she could speak softly. "Get ready."

I felt myself tense up. Honestly, I had to keep myself from chuckling. This feeling, the tension, the silence, and even having the rope a made me feel like I was at a rodeo. It was just a little funny that I felt familiar in this situation despite the circumstances. After just a few moments, the silence was broken.

Various grunts and thumps sounded above us. The manhole cover clanged as hooves slammed down on it. After some time, the noise died down, but the pressure didn't. A pony draped in a red, hooded cloak dropped down right in between the four of us.

Both Jackhammer and the unnamed mare jumped at her, but they ended up smacking into each other. Before I realized what happened, Sprint was on the hooded mare's back and clinging as she ran off. With our other two teammates dazed, all I could think to do was give chase.

I stayed right on her tail with a twirling rope in my mouth. Within moments, the mare was tied up like a wild hog. Sprint hopped off the pony's back, taking the cloak with her. I guess the others would recognize her, because she certainly wasn't ringing any bells to me.

Once the hood came off, the mare started struggling. "Let me go! I got nothing to say to you."

"That's alright. In fact, I'd prefer if you stayed quiet." Jackhammer came up behind us and slung the thug over his back, while our other friend strapped her to him. I made a mental note to ask what her name was at a better time.

"So, what do we do with her?" I was a might curious now.

Jack motioned to the path we ran down to get here and started walking. "She gets locked up. I'd tell you about it, but I'm not allowed to. You'll see it when it's your turn for guard duty."

I guess the little filly saw the look on my face because she hopped up on my back before I could speak. "Just trust us. We don't talk about that, but believe me, you'll know when you see it. And you will see it."

The mystery pony gave a nod, so I just dismissed the topic. "If y'all say so. I guess I'll see."

I found out a lot on the way back to base. The filly we caught had a fair number of gadgets and doohickeys in her cloak, our other friend's name was Marigold, and any captured ponies had to be blindfolded for safety reasons. Once we were back, Jackhammer and Marigold split off from us, so Sprint and I just hung out and talked in the lobby for a bit.

"So Sprint, I don't suppose you know how things got this bad?"

Much to my surprise, she nodded. "Monopoly, the big guy at the center of all this, is unstoppable in legal situations. My mom is a local prosecutor, and she couldn't touch him in any of the three trials he was in."

That right there made my eyes widen. "Three trials? And he won them all?"

The small pony gave me an "mhm" and a nod. "Any time mom came up with a theory, he always had some kind of evidence to counter her. Even her best evidence wasn't enough. Honestly, I think the judge was bribed."

"Wow. He really does have a grip on this city, huh?" I took off my hat and turned towards the door, looking at the city through the windows.

"He does, and it's stronger than a dragon's jaw." Jet's voice came from behind me and made me jump just a little.

The large colt tipped his own hat as I put mine on. "I heard you were the one that caught that thug. Nice work, AJ."

"Aw, it won't no thing. I'm pretty good with a lasso." Even though I was trying to be humble, I couldn't help but put on a proud smile.

"Pretty good is an understatement; she was tied up like a wild boar." It was like Jet had read my mind. "She'll be questioned and then imprisoned. Remember to do all you can to subdue others; Archangels don't take lives."

I gave him a firm nod. "I like that."

Sprint scooted up between us. "Now you gotta report to Mrs. Gourmet! You're required to let her know you're safe."

"She really is like a mom, ain't she?" I could help but smile as I spoke.

Jet nodded, turning towards the door that led to the kitchen. "She practically is. I know even before this all started that she practically raised some of the ponies here."

My smile widened as we started walking. Since we were heading to the kitchen anyways, we decided to grab a bite to eat as well. We talked for a bit and I learned a lot more names, found out about all the experimental gadgets that Archangel uses, and more. This group had goals, and even now they were working to accomplish them.

As we continued talking, I noticed Jet look over at Sprint with furrowed brows. It became more and more frequent until the colt finally grumbled at his sister.

"Sprint, any time you feel like keeping your hooves away from my ribs would be a great time."

The little filly just smiled up at him innocently, then turned to me. She stared at me for a moment, then back to her brother. After a while, Jet finally looked like he got the point she was trying to get across.

"Oh no, sis. Applejack isn't ready for that kind of a mission yet. Give her some time."

The filly gave him big puppy dog eyes. "Aw come on Jet. She's big and strong like you, I bet'cha she could make it look easy!"

He turned to me, which prompted me to narrow my gaze. I had no idea what was going on, but now I was raring to prove that I could handle whatever was thrown at me. I would have actually spoken, but Jet's face told me I didn't need to.

"We're going to be attacking a new steel mill that's been built. It's not even complete, but already ponies have been dragged out of their homes, regardless of age, and forced to work in it. We're going to get them out."

Before I could say anything, Sprint hopped onto my back. "We've been planning this for days and trying to eavesdrop for information. We think we know enough to finally pull off the operation."

The small filly nodded and sat down on my back. "Is that safe? Sounds like y'all will be throwing yourselves right into the face of danger."

Jet walked past me and gazed out the window. "It will be, but I trust in the skills of my friends. I believe we can do this as long as we all know and stick to our roles."

My attention went from Jet to Sprint and then back again. "Will I be allowed to help?"

The colt turned, and I felt the pressure of Sprint's front hooves disappear. "Well... I think my sister and I agree that you're ready, but I have to take it up with the other leaders, too."

I raised my brow. "You can't decide this for yourself?"

He just shook his head. "Everything here is a team effort. We agreed to talk out decisions like this with everyone. In fact, I think it best to get this over with now. Come on, Sprint."

Jet's sister hopped off of me and headed to the comm room. "Sorry, Applejack. Do you mind a little more waiting?"

Out of habit, I crossed my right front leg over my left. "Ain't nothing. Y'all go ahead, I'll be right here."

They both nodded and walked off, leaving me to look out of the window and think about everything that's happened.