Mister Crowley

Mr. CrowleyBy: Die Philosophen- -“Humans? Pffft. They're just fairy tales everypony’s heard, how the hay couldn't we find humans smart enough to start a civilization!?”Dr. Whooves – From an Anthropology Article in the Equestrian Scientific Journal – Vol. Seven, Issue Twenty-One- -

        Sir Demirci stared towards the cresting sun, releasing a sigh as he raised his index finger as the tip of it transformed into a sharp-tipped pen. Quickly, he wrote check marks through the manifest in hand, a checkmark next to a few people’s names and blackmarking two before returning his finger to it’s normal state.

        The augmented man was sitting in a collapsible chair from the third floor of the manor, outlooking the front of his home, watching the familiar sight of straw hats and baseball caps as his farmers ascended the stairwell to Argamak ready for a new day of tilling the fields and harvesting crops. What made Argamak a unique place was the magic within the soil, caused by an unknown source, that accelerated the growth of plants and as a result gave rather bountiful harvests. This gave Julius a surplus of food to be sold to the government for lump sums of bits, which in turn was distributed as a form of salary for the people of Sibeki.

        However, without a proper economy, many people were left with a useless currency. Looking to their leader for answers, Sir Demirci had retrieved his manifests from the warehouse and scanned through each of them. He had vehicles that could work as merchant vessels, presenting wares, and others to work as food vendors. There were only three particularly culinary skilled people in Sibeki, some economic-minded and a few considerable for defending. Not to mention some of his newest Equestrian residents were talented in these field, which would do nicely.

        Closing the manifest, Sir Demirci tucked them under his arm and left his study, making way for Sibeki's forum.

- -

        Derpy felt a knot in her stomach as she helped her sisters up and out of bed, or, what consisted of their beds, now that they emigrated to the township of Sibeki and Argamak. Their old dingy rented home would've been better, but as fate would have it, she was evicted for an unknown reason, and she couldn't challenge it with the owner thanks to the district economic policy. There were still the cons of living in Ponyville, an example is even with universal health care, the district had only two government sanctioned buildings, both being two-story stable complexes with rentable rooms, and unlucky for Ms. Hooves, she had one owned by Filthy Rich, who ejected her family from their home after failing to pay rent once more.

        They were now living in a tent within ancient ruins, further away from their home and living on food supplies, of which were rationed out, leaving all three of them hungry. Unfortunately for Derpy, her sisters had lunch provided by the educational system.

        “Come on, little muffins, let's get going...” She said with a tone of sadness, her sisters only nodding as their elder sister escorted them out into the streets. They were met by a few other downtrodden foals whom were also marching with their parents on their path to Ponyville.

        However, as they were leaving, the young mare caught the sights of Sir Demirci, who waved her over with his hand. Slightly reluctant, she trotted towards him with her sister. Her reluctance was easily due to the fact that the town’s mayor looked as if he was literally made out ofmetal, and that scared her, in all honesty. Sir Demirci gave them each a smile. “Good morning, Ms. Hooves.”

        “Hello, Sir Demirci, what do you need?” Derpy asked warily, the leader simply holding out two wooden boxes. Blinking once, the mare looked towards it then back to Sir Demirci, “Huh?”

        Sir Demirci gave her a smile and nodded, “I refuse to allow the people or ponies of Sibeki and Argamak to go hungry, I've had these specially made for each and every person and pony. So here.” Derpy looked towards him in awe as Dinky levitated the boxes down to Dizzy and herself.

        “Thank you, Mr. Demirci!” Both of the foals shouted, Derpy still looking a bit apprehensive, but not forgetting to give him a respectful bow.

        “Have a nice day, you three.” Allowing them passage, the three of them gave the owner a farewell and continued on. Derpy's impression of him changed quite a bit that day.

- -

        After distributing food, Sir Demirci had then rounded up his targets and brought them into the Royal Board of Economics office, met by the liaison, Brass Scales. “How may the RBE serve you today, Sir Demirci?” Scales said politely, her office desk packed with dozens of files and various supplies.

        “Good day, Ms. Scales. I've come to an agreement with a group of economic-minded citizens of Sibeki to establish a merchant caravan in order to help in generating revenue for the modernizing of Sibeki and Argamak.” He stated with a slight air of pride, the mare giving a smile as she pointed her hoof down the hall.

        “Look for Plaster please, he's the one dealing with licensing...though Sir Demirci?” Scales said, lowering her tone and pitch to a point that only he could hear her through his cochlear implant. “Plaster's not exactly on...polite terms with humans, but he'll, at the least, get your license approved. Good luck, sir.” With a nod, the augmented man turned to his people and gave them an affirming nod.

        Following Scales' direction, they were met by the sight of a rather thin-framed pegasus buck quietly organizing folders before he noticed the group, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Sir Demirci. “May I help you...sir?'

        Sir Demirci responded with a wary look before speaking, “I require licensing for merchants, Class Two.” The pegasus gave him a blank look before nodding slowly and brought out multiple forms.

        “As per Royal Board of Economics standards, you must submit each form together and wait for up to a week for processing. You will receive a notice with or without your licensing afterwards.” Taking the forms into his hand, Sir Demirci nodded to the others.

        “Come, we'll have to wait.”

- Several Weeks Later -

“We've made decent headway into the locals of Mareposa, they seem to enjoy our foodstuffs and many ponies seem so keen to buy some of our trinkets.” Sir Demirci kept his hand pressed to his ear and nodded slowly,“Our maps showthatwe could reach Las Pegasus next, and then circle through to Trottingham and into Manehattan. After that we're clear to swing back through Fillydelphia and then route back home through Canterlot and Ponyville.”

HeStared at the map as his finger traced the line that the merchants were following before pressing his middle finger to his ear. “Scratch that, I want you to extend from Fillydelphia to Hoofington, then work into the ports of Baltimare. Trade there has been stronger than ever with the colonies.”

        There was a pause in the radio,“Uhh...yes sir. Maps are updated and we'll head out in a few hours. Estimated we'll be back by mid-fall.”

“We'll await your return.” Returning his hearing back to normal, Sir Demirci nodded to himself and stepped out from the government office. It was another week until the RBE brought in a supply convoy, the three trains pausing by the town depot, unloading well underway. Watching as the various residents worked in unison with the ponies to unload and organize the supplies, he took notice that they slowly stopped and turned towards a nearby radio that was playing and huddled around it. Catching the station through his scanner, Sir Demirci activated his radio and pressed his finger up to his ear lobe.

“-n the times of modernization through our glorious industrial revolution, we of the House of Alicorns met personally to establish the newest ministry under government oversight. As our expansion into New Equestria continues, we have encountered threats that have plagued the earliest periods of our history. As of this day, the establishment of the National Military Bureau will mark the day we reach a milestone. No, we shall not become a warmongering state, my ponies, our newest bureau will be for peacemaking, and protecting of the common pony or anyone under our nation. Thank you for listening, and have a good evening.”