Two months later, we’d officially mapped out all the Crimson Justice facilities inside Equestria to the best of our abilities. A lot of it, surprisingly, we had to glean from documents detailing locations of various facilities. Outposts, bases, and listening posts in abundance.

I was going to ask Allen when we’d give a copy of the map to Celestia, but when I walked into his office, I found him working on exactly that.

As I opened the door, the Princess’s voice filled the room. It was coming from Allen’s radio station. “-not worry, Allen. I’m used to negotiating frequently. Doing so with a friend is a welcome reprieve, and I understand your needs. What is your base price?”

Allen glanced up at me as he opened his mouth. He didn’t dismiss me, so I just stood there as he spoke. “I don’t have a concrete number, but if you remember Operation Cauldron Glory a few years back, I’d like its costs to be the minimum, ma’am.”

A small chuckle came through. “You drive a hard bargain, Allen.” Approval was clear in the undertone of Celestia’s voice. “Are there more than a few installations throughout Equestria, then?”

“More than a dozen squared, Princess.” Allen’s voice was quiet as he delivered the sobering news. “We know of 150, but that’s only what we know of. Equestria’s a big place, with an unbelievable number of spots that they could’ve planted something.”

Silence filled the other end of the line for a couple seconds. “…I see.” Celestia said eventually. “In that case, it would be a bargain for me. Is that really all you want for it?”

“Ma’am, I’d give this to you for free, if you asked. I’m just asking for money that we can use for repair. You’re our most reliable source, by far. In fact, you’re currently our only source. Crimson Justice doesn’t keep a large amount of bits in their facilities. Even so, not all of the last few payments made it here completely. We’re running almost dry. Two of our people know a few things about maintenance, but we still can’t fix everything. Some things don’t even work at all, anymore.”

“You’ve made your point. I’ll pay quintuple Cauldron Glory’s costs. Is that acceptable?”

Allen’s eyes widened. “Yes ma’am. Very much so. If possible,” he added as an afterthought, “could a maintenance team be sent along, as well? We can get any needed materials, but it’s know-how that we need more of.”

“Give me couple minutes, and I’ll have a list of high-ranking engineers. In the meantime, was there anything else you required?”

“Are there any high-skilled fighters that can assist us temporarily? There’s a listening post just outside of Manehattan that’s in range of multiple outposts. At the same time, we need to get rid of a small base halfway between Canterlot and Appleloosa that has a bird’s-eye view of the main train route. By now, Crimson Justice will know we’re here. If we ever go to you, we’re extremely vulnerable.”

“I see. And you don’t have the numbers to hit both at once? Very well. I already have just the Royal Guard for the job.”

“Royal Guard, ma’am? Are you sure?” Allen asked, hesitant.

“He’s only that 'low' because of his own volition. His skill is parallel to yours.”

“Huh. And what is the good stallion’s name?”

“Sergeant Major Shining Armor. He and his squad are a legend among the Royal Guard. Though the most skilled, the other members of his squad are all still worthy of being called Operatives, if they so choose to move up.”

“Indeed. Will it be all of his squad?”

“Just him and his Fireteam.” Celestia replied.

“Roger. Have them meet me at Station 48 in two days.” Allen motioned me over. “My second will take the majority of Wolfhound and hit the listening post. Here he is now. He’ll brief you on all Crimson Justice locations within twenty miles of Canterlot. You’ll probably want to dispatch Army units to them soon.”

Allen tapped a map on the table next to him, then backed off.

I located Canterlot, and discovered that Allen had previously already drawn a circle with a twenty-mile radius around it. I leaned over and spoke the ten locations into the microphone. I made sure to include the listed facility types for each one.

When I was done, I added “As the commander advised, it’d be a good idea to either destroy or capture those facilities.”

“Agreed. It’s time to crack down on Crimson Justice. Now, I must know the names of those I speak with. What is your name, second?”

“Firestar, ma’am.”

“Firestar. A fitting name, for a member of Wolfhound.”

“Um, thank you, ma’am.”

“Ah, here is the list of engineers.”

Allen took over as she started listing off names, but one caught my ear. “Wait, who?”

“Dark Pipe?” Allen asked.

“No, Sky… Sky Dreams. I know her!”

“Indeed.” Celestia replied. “Coincidentally, of the many on this list, she is one of the few I’d personally recommend

I chuckled. “I’ll bet! Even as a filly, she was an engineering genius. She built her own house, and it survived a rogue tornado going right over it! I can’t tell you how many times she repaired all our stuff too.”

A laugh came through. “Yes, she is like that here, as well. When did you last speak with her?”

“I was 16, I think. Yeah. About eight years ago.”

“Then perhaps you could catch up.”

I respectfully backed off as Allen and Celestia finished the list, and then finalized who would come. Sky Dreams was among those first chosen to come.

I didn’t even try to keep the grin off my face. I couldn’t wait to see Sky again! We’d been as close as siblings when we were foals. Saying goodbye when she had to move was one of the hardest things I’d ever done.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I left the room as Allen started the tedious updates. It wasn’t exactly common for Celestia to be available for a significant amount of time, so when she is, we give her a full update.

When Allen came out, I’d come up with a mental list of the people I definitely wanted with me.

“Sir, requesting permission to take Jackson, Sarah, and Crystal Ranger, sir!” I went full-on with the effect, even standing at attention and saluting him as I requested them.

He face-palmed and groaned, but it quickly turned into a laugh. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

I relaxed and chuckled. “You bet I did!”

“One of these days I will get you back for this. Oh, permission granted.”

“Thank you, sir.” I couldn’t resist doing one last salute. As I walked out the door I was struggling not to lose it at the sight of Allen going to a nearby table and lightly face-planting while groaning “kill me now.”

I walked into the barracks when I was done laughing my organs out. Sarah and Ranger were already there, coincidentally.

“So, we’re gonna go and hit a listening post outside Manehattan.” I stated nonchalantly.

“Oh yeah? With what, a meteorite?” Ranger replied, continuing the nonchalant mood.

“Nope. Me, you two, and Jackson. Might be more, haven’t decided.”

“I don’t know,” Sarah said, trailing a little, “listening posts that deep usually have a lot more underground than above. Never been to that one, but the ones I have been to covered at least half a mile below ground level. If it’s anything like that one, we’ll have a pretty busy day, even with a full squad.”

“Well, better than a boring one. We’re hitting it in two days. Got any plans?”

“Not really, no.”

“Good, ‘cuz you’d have to cancel them. Wolfhound’s splitting on this one. Allen’s taking a base between here and Canterlot. We’re cracking down.”

“You’ll need more than a few people to take down an entire base. A listening post is one thing; they’re not prepared for a full-out assault. An entire base is filled with guys who are paid to fight, wherever they are, with whatever they have. Four or five guys, no matter how well armed they are, are gonna be hard-pressed to take a whole base on.”

“Which is why Celestia’s sending one of her best fireteams to help him out.”

“Just a fireteam?” Ranger was incredulous.

“One of the best. It’s commander is as good as Allen, according to Celestia.” I replied.

“And the rest of the fireteam?”

“Worthy of being called Operatives, if they wanted to move up.”

“Huh. Well, if any of them are as good as Jackie, they might actually stand a chance.”

“Da** right. I’m gonna go tell Jackson. See ya’ll later.” I turned around and headed for the leader.

“Ya’ll?” Sarah repeated, confused.

“What, I can’t fake accents?” I grinned over my shoulder as I walked out.

Jackson just nodded and said “Alright” when he heard the news.

On a hunch, I wrote a note to myself the check who the local police were in Manehattan. I’d remembered that back when I was twelve-ish, a friend had moved there. He’d always been interested in policemen and Guards. He’d always claimed that when he was old enough, he’d join one of them. I’d see if he lived up to that promise.

Good thing I checked, too.

Author's Note

In the actual game, the choice is given whether or not to follow Jackson or Firestar, but Firestar's path is harder, and the Guards can only go down once before they die. Flash Sentry is invincible. He doesn't even go down, except for scripted moment(s).