Seventy days since Luna's return

“And this here, is why we should not even bother with investing in Professor Decken’s Archeotech project.”

Is it finally over? Thank the fates, because that has to be one the most RIDICULOUS speeches given out to the entire Canterlot Noble… is it me, or are a lot of the nobles nodding their heads in agreement to that absurd presentation?

It is official, Equestria is doomed unless I do something about it.

Where is the bloody Princess when you need her? Stuffing her face and arse with cake, I bet.

Professor Decken is completely belligerent after the noble had so blatantly called his work and proposal useless. Of course, they are quite obscure to the common pony, but even that is no excuse to insult him.

The problem I face now is the fact that I could not defend the good professor. A pity.

“How dare you,” Professor Decken growled. “You completely missed out on the good that the archeotech could bring to Equestria Society. Furthermore, you just ignored-“

On and on he rambled, and I have to say that I find myself agreeing with most of his points. The problem is that he is not getting through to the remainder of the thick-headed Nobles. He may spout intellectual terms and provide insights to the remainder who actually listened, but there’s no point. I doubt any noble here, me included, actually fully understood what he is saying.

“Pfffffft,” Viceroy Ardent Cause snorted. “All your drivel, and I still find myself agreeing with Baron White Smog. You should really spend time on other more appropriate subjects like the research on shadow manipulation or cloud control. To waste time on archeotechnology, what a waste of time.”

And you are a waste of space, but let’s not tell him that. Ardent Cause, leader of the Zealots. He is becoming a danger to Equestria with his weak willed way of thinking and his tendency to rely on older and more conventional methods. His way of thinking is a threat to all innovators. The fact that he is a advisor to Luna made his words considered on a level equal to Fancy Pants, meaning nobles are as likely to follow his lead as they will with my good friend.

I will have to remove him sooner or later. Not now though, he was still an important part of a group that shall keep Equestria running. Hopefully not into the ground, at the rate we are going.

"I disagree,” Duke Heavy Lifter stood up, eyes fixed in a glare upon the Viceroy. “I actually think that this archeotech could help us in many ways. I'm pretty ERA (Equestrian Royal Airfleet) would approve of the chance to upgrade their ships with this technology."

Are you kidding me?

It took all my self control at the moment to not groan in exasperation. Heavy Lifter, though quite a valuable asset as a result of his ties with the military and his being ostracized by his faction, was a liability at times. His strong stand and stubborn mind had made him difficult to steer and control. Furthermore, he was making a target out of himself by making such a strong stand.

"And how, pray tell, do you think that this archeotech would benefit ERA? What is the evidence for your support of... this?" Ardent Cause countered, keeping a smug face upon his features as he presented his question.

I tried not to flinch as I heard that. The question was a nicely disguised spear meant to humiliate the poor duke. To be honest, this was quite the conundrum. I could intervene and save Heavy Lifter some of his dignity, but I would be openly declaring my support for him and a rivalry against Ardent Cause and by extension, the Zealots as a whole.

Needless to say, I chose the other option.

"The good professor had clearly stated that the archeotech would diminish the manpower needed for any ship's engine maintenance by half. That alone, should be cause enough to warrant its usefulness."

"Mere theories, Duke." The Viceroy smiled, "Just as the professor had said so himself. Furthermore, while the cost he had declared to be needed to outfit a airship with the engine would be seen as minuscule by some of us here, to outfit even three of our biggest ships would be practically out of reach by the military's treasury. Even if you should make another donation."

Ouch, he's never going to let that go down, was he? It had been two full months since that stupid debacle. Just let it go already, it's not like he froze over an entire kingdom!

"Furthermore, we have better things to do with our bits than invest in such a risky endeavor."

That caught my attention alright, my sources had told me that Ardent Cause had lost most of his bits in a risky investment sometime back, such that the amount in his bank was nearly zero. While I do not really lke distrusting my fellow nobles, the way Ardent Cause phrased his words seemed to imply that he had another thing to do with his bits...

Rather suspicious, but at the moment, I should focus on waiting for the perfect opportunity to dig my associate out of this mess.

A chance which soon showed itself.

"Really, Duke Heavy Lifter, I expected more of you."

There was one thing to be noted about nobles throughout the land, we hate being interrupted. For a moment there, I had thought that the Viceroy would continue to sputter and blubber his nonsensical speeches, as such, I had to say that I was really grateful to him for stopping then and there.

I coughed into my hoof rather pointedly, drawing the attention of those present to myself. Fixing the Viceroy with a smile, I began. "I agree with your points, Viceroy Cause." Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the Duke's eyes widened with disbelief. I could not really blame him totally, it almost looked as if I was backstabbing him. "However, in the case of how useful the archeotech could be, would it not be better to let the buyers decide?"

Some nobles were slow on the uptake, however others, like the Viceroy was quick to catch on. "Quite a good suggestion, I say." The Viceroy nodded in agreement, "and I agree that it would be better for the military to decided if the technology was worth sponsoring. They're the target audience, after all."

I cheered inwardly as my hierarchy on the social ladder increased. In just two sentences, I had deflected all accusations from the duke and focused all attention back to the topic at hand. Furthermore, the introduction of a reliable third party, whom almost everyone here would wish to establish ties with would help tilt the opinion of the archeotech in the good professor's favor. Also, the fact that I said very little yet contributed a lot to the conversation would help maintain my supposed 'neutrality' while bolstering my apparent control over the situation.

Perfect. Just perfect. Except for the fact that I have a very angry Duke to handle and worm some information out of. I had been suspecting that he had been withholding something from me.

Like why did the Viceroy proclaim that he had bits on the side?

Laws of Power Number Four: Always say less than necessary

Author's Note

I am not apologizing for the puns in this part, however blatantly obvious or subtly discreet they may be.