April 15
Sofia shut her eyes tight and furrowed her brow in a futile attempt to block the world from her senses. Somewhere nearby, her alarm clock was sounding off the most unnatural chime. It was loud and annoying, beeping incessantly like record stuck on repeat. The sound was horrendously grating, as though the sounds itself was a tormented voice in her head beseeching for its suffering to end. The saving grace of it all was that she knew, after only a matter of moments, the alarm clock would turn itself off eventually. If only that was the reality she lived in.
“We're here~!” Sergeant Espress rang, the mocha earth pony waking up Lieutenant Sofia with a sonorous tune.
“Get back to sleep,” Sofia ordered tiredly. The lieutenant was certain she was just teasing around again, as she opened her eyes she saw outside was still a dark sky devoid of light. it did not appear to be morning at all, though she thought it could just be her eyes still adjusting.
Aboard the autochariot, the two ponies flew above the cool ocean towards the airport of Mareland, with the sunrise barely visible on the unobstructed horizon. It signaled that it was morning undoubtedly, but gave no indication of their location other than ‘above the ocean’.
The beige unicorn rubbed her eyes and scanned the cabin of the autochariot. spotting Espress, her companion of mocha coat and crimson and magenta mane, on the other side of the vehicle, she noticed both of them were still wearing their combat uniforms, still dusty and dirty from their most recent mission.
“What time is it?” Sofia asked, sitting up on the bench, a hard slab of metal cold to the touch. It was a wonder how she managed to fall asleep on it.
“Five thirty exactly!” Espress answered loudly against the thrum of the engine. “My internal clock is pretty accurate.”
“You need to give me an accurate reading, sergeant. The captain doesn't have the patience for tardiness,” Sofia reminded, squinting at the mocha pony who was barely visible in the dim of early morning. “What happened to your watch?”
“I like how we're named seahorses but our watches don’t even have any waterproofing. I know funding is hard to come by, but this is just kind of sad now.”
Sofia sighed, brushing a stand of purple and blue mane off her face. Remembering the headset on her neck, she put it on and brought its microphone to her muzzle. “Pilot, what time is it?”
In a matter of factly tone the pilot responded, “Five thirty, ma'am.”
Sofia paused briefly, before turning to her cohort who wore a cheeky grin on her face and said, “We're late then.”
“Late for what? The captain’s probably just calling us for a well-done hoofshake!” Espress replied, referring to their mission the previous night.
“If that were the case then he very well owes us more than one well-done hoofshake,” Sofia deadpanned.
After a few more exchanges between the pilot and the airport, the craft finally began its descent onto the ground.
The advancements of the last few decades have been staggering, conquering the limitations that magic had. One such advancement is the creation of the autochariot , an agile transport vehicle that needed no wings to fly. Instead it was powered by a crystal rotor and was capable of airlifting a maximum of six personnel, excluding the two pilots. The aircraft had been regarded for it efficiency and effectiveness, widely used among all branches of the Canterlot services.
Despite this, they were never really built with comfort in mind. The seats were cold stiff and the cabin was not padded against the noise of the rotors above and the engine behind. The only cushioning they had were the furs on their person.
“Sure hope it'd be quick, though. I'm itching to go take a nap.”
“You mean to tell me that for the entire flight, you didn’t bother to get any sleep?”
“No, I couldn't bother. We spend hours in this thing, and not even a pillow!” Espress complained. “No way am I sleeping here.”
Lieutenant Sofia silently agreed, but from her cheerful demeanor it appeared that the mocha pony did not need the sleep. Sofia opened the sliding door 0f the cabin of their craft as it settled directly on a designated landing pad, the earth inching closer and closer.
Finally, the two seahorses disembarked from their aircraft and stepped onto the vast, concrete field of Mareland airport. From the ground it looked as though the runway stretched indefinitely towards both ends. It would take the better part of the morning to walk from their landing pad to the captain's office. Thankfully, a cart awaited them just a few paces away, along with it's driver and the Seahorse Captain's secretary, Miss Emerald.
“Good morning, Lieutenant. I'm here to take you to Captain Sound,” Emerald announced against the still humming craft close behind. True to her name, she wore a coat of green and a mane of chartreuse.
“Just her then? See you around!” Espress cheered.
“Get in, Sergeant,” Sofia and Emerald said in unison.
While airports were nothing spectacular, the Mareland Airport was notable as the birthplace of modern aviation, The first jets taking off on this very runway. Jets were massive, intricate machinery that flew faster than any feather-winged creature could. No longer were the skies reserved for pegasi and their cities. Modern aircraft allowed unicorns and earth ponies take to the air as well, and even larger ones could carry hundreds of ponies across vast stretches of land without the need for rest. All this pioneered on the once barren strip of land on the edge of Baltimare.
Nowadays the airport has mostly been used as a travel airport, a gateway to the East that sat on the coast of Equestria and serviced commercial flights across the sea to foreign lands. Being a military base that it still technically was, it also saw the landing and arrival of naval personnel, of which both arrivals were.
The early morning ride to the office was unsurprisingly uneventful, the airport hours away from becoming the bustling hub it usually was. Along the way was the sight of facilities belonging to the Navy, including officer's dorms, drydocks and hangars. The secretary took an especially scenic route, right on the wide open runway, splashed with the colors of the sunrise.
“So Emerald, know what we're in for?” Espress asked.
“The Captain didn't say, the only things he really tells me are orders and opinions, only one of which I pay attention to,” Emerald replied.
“He doesn't need to tell you for you to know. You handle his books after all.”
“Those books don't contain any confidentials,” Emerald asserted. “And definitely not going to bother again. If you remember, the last time you pestered me for your performance report I had to make a false request from the director.”
Emerald took a right turn at the end of the runway, entering the restricted section of the airport and nearing their destination. Driving was not precisely the job she was paid to do, but she did so anyway. She was the secretary to the seahorse captain after all, keeping reports checked and orders filed. And while her position was non-uniformed personnel, her versatility allowed her to dip her hooves into the most tangled of naval bureaucracy. In essence, she ran the Seahorse Division more so than the captain.
Espress fanned a hoof at Emerald from the back seat. “It was an interesting night for both of us. I got a stellar report and you got a stellar infraction.”
“You're unbearable, sergeant,” Emerald scorned. “Either way, best if you heard it from the captain himself.”
The Parliament of Canterlot, every the tight pocketed institute that it was, found every way to reduce as much cost as possible in every sector of the government.
In this regard, the headquarters of the Seahorse Division was once the old terminal of the airport, only a few hangars away from the new one. It was a crumbling structure as old as the city, cracks and vines festering on its walls. But still it stood by its foundations, and that was the only fact that mattered to the treasury.
Emerald stopped the cart in front of the building, an ornate house of marble and mortar from the old days. Espress hopped out the vehicle, eager to be sent into the abyss once more. Sofia stepped out daintily, Emerald taking her time parking the cart nearby before following after.
The facade of the Seahorse Division was an arched doorway and an intricate marble statue of two royal guards crossing spears atop a set of wooden doors. A tourist might have stopped to take pictures of what is essentially a piece of pre-industrial Equestria, but having been in the building countless times, the group climbed the steps and entered unceremoniously.
The doors opened up to a wide concourse, with two stairwells flanking the entrance that led to the second floor, architecture that was entirely derived from the airport entrance that it once was. The first floor was a small set of offices, an intricate, well-lubricated machine that kept the Seahorse Division running.
The Seahorse Division was a regiment of the Navy, and its main function was to conduct operations in places where the Navy, under normal circumstances, cannot. In recent times they have been tasked to operate where the Navy should not, such as foreign territories and seas. Their operators are highly trained and highly effective, able to work in conditions that would grind any lesser creature to fine dust. Lieutenant Sofia had been one for almost four years at this point. Sergeant Espress on the other hoof, had been one for about six months.
Because of the elite training of its constituents, the Seahorse Division is mostly commissioned by Canterlot for secret operations. For any endeavor that the military demands discretion for, the seahorses are sent to deal with.
Seahorses were also known to be excellent monster hunters. The vast oceans are home to giant leviathans and serpents, all a threat to maritime trade as they prey on defenseless cargo ships. Consequently, Seahorses are deployed to exterminate said creatures from time to time.
But for the most part, their work are activities conducted outside Canterlot and inside jurisdictions of other governments, working within other territories that would certainly cause row should their actions be discovered. The ponies within this archaic building have worked tirelessly to make sure that would never happen.
At the moment the offices appear to be empty. Not unusual at this time of the day, but within the offices were boxes piled with ponies’ belongings. Supplies were secured into crates and some posters were being let down. It was clear the office was being evacuated of personnel in a bureaucratic fashion.
“What happened here?” Sofia inquired.
“Are we getting fired? Is that why we're here?” Espress asked apprehensively.
“I told you, the captain will explain himself,” Emerald replied.
The secretary led the seahorses upstairs and through a wide hallway, the door to the captain's office sitting just in the middle. Doors in this building were reminiscent to those of old police stations, a wooden door with a stained opaque window and the occupant's name in white written on it. Emerald did not need to knock, pushing the doors open casually.
Inside was a spacious and comfortable room, with certainly enough concessions to drown out the noise of the airport nearby. A couch lay against the wall and a coffee table sat in front of it, there was an alcove full of file cabinets and unsorted paper trays, and a small kitchen space, consisting of just a microwave, cupboard and fridge. The office was close to being called an apartment at that point.
The secretary returned to her desk just beside the door to the actual office of the captain. Fitting her headphones in, she spoke, “They're here, captain.”
A second later, the two entered the office, its air cured with the scent of early morning coffee.
“Sir,” Sofia saluted.
“Morning, Captain!” Espress quipped.
“Great morning, yes. Now be at ease,” Captain Sound was the picture of a stallion raised by the sea. His coat was turquoise of color, with a faded brown mane that covered his head and chin, streaks of white dyed in from his days sailing the salty oceans.
“I've received a report this morning about another successful mission, yes. Another warship, the victim to a mutiny, retrieved with the suspect crew arrested. Thanks in part - well let’s be honest and say - entirely to your unit, the 12th seahorses.”
“Thank you, sir,” Sofia replied.
“Damn right. You owe me a new hoofwatch.”
“Such a loss indeed, yes. But we have a more concerning loss. We've seen an unusual pattern of casualties in all your previous missions.”
“Your unit has incurred tremendous loss. Four killed, twenty-eight000 wounded in almost all operations this year. This is certainly unsurprising numbers but compared to other units this is still alarming.”
“Sir, given the nature of operations assigned to this unit specifically, casualties are expected.”
“It does sound bad. But we had to retake a destroyer, beach a pirate ship, kill a kraken…” Espress listed. “Lots of shooting on our part, basically.”
“I suppose that is the inevitable, yes,” What Captain Sound intended to bring up was that while Seahorses did indeed get hurt in their line of work, it seemed only Sofia and Espress would make it out alright, while everypony else does not. “Be that as it may, we have reached the point where the rate of recruitment is lower than the rate of which we incur losses, due in large part of the current crisis to our borders. The Navy has decided to suspend all non- essential naval operations, including the Seahorse Division.”
“What?” Espress asked incredulously.
Sofia blinked several times, “Excuse me?”
“Unfortunately, yes. As you're well aware funding for the naval services, ours included, are still getting cut back. Your watch will have to wait, Espress.”
Lieutenant Sofia looked down on the table, unsure of what this could mean. It was either she was getting reassigned or relieved. Neither was particularly preferable to the other.
Espress on the other hoof, was not taking any of it. “I just got here, captain! You can't seriously be firing us now!”
“Indeed, sir,” Sofia agreed. “From your own words our operations have been success after success all throughout. What reason does the Navy have to disassemble the Division?”
“Non-essential, yeah right,” Espress scoffed.
“I'm sorry, yes. The Navy is broke, our neighbors on the west are breathing down our necks waiting to see when the next disaster pops up. We can no longer operate without scrutiny from the government and public. And most importantly we can no longer risk lives fighting pirates and monsters. Our focuses have turned closer to home now.”
“Yeah sure, the one time the west gets a crisis, it’s got to patch it up like a spurting vein,” Espress rambled. “ Meanwhile, the east is hemorrhaging blood, and everytime the cut heals, some pirate or mutiny just picks the scab off.”
“The number of incidents involving pirates have barely been reduced by over the past year, sir. And definitely not because nopony is doing anything about it. What do you make of that?” Sofia asked.
Their apprehensions were not without basis. Canterlot’s relationship with the lands of the east have been non-negotiable at best. States such as Britame, Witherland and the former Hooviet Union lay claim the the entire East Ocean, as well as most of the Frozen North. A claim the Western States like Canterlot would not be bothered by, if not for the many gem deposits there.
“Look, yes. Even I have no idea why ships are going rogue or why pirates are making a comeback these days. At the moment we can only hope to stay away from those people problems for as long as possible. The county has curbed its exports to the east, reducing the need for our naval protection in this region. As far as the Navy is concerned, it's the East’s problem now.”
He was right, of course. For the longest time Canterlot led the cleansing of the ocean, fixing the messes of others. Perhaps it was time to tidy its own place up.
“As of this morning the Seahorse Division is no longer in operation. You are to hoof your badges to me right now.”
A moment passed before Sofia complied, taking off the brass seal from the clip of her right uniform pocket and levitating it to Captain Sound’s desk. Espress relinquished hers as well, all droopy eared. The room felt just a little somber, Espress sighing loudly and Sofia glancing at her and then at the desk where their badges lay.
“Guess it's time to take a vacation then,” Espress said.
“My thoughts exactly,” Captain Sound agreed. “which brings us to why I called you here, yes.”
Both seahorses looked up, confused and curious. Apparently they were not called here just to get fired.
“I've received a dispatch from the Admiral of the Eastern Fleet and Commander of the Tide, Captain Arkansas. He has requested a Seahorse unit to conduct an operation of utmost importance with utmost secrecy. And given your record, he predictably requested the 12th specifically.”
“Ohh, Sofie knows all there is to know about secrecy. I still don't even know when her birthday is.”
“The Tide, sir. Is that right?” Sofia asked. She suddenly felt a shiver around her beige coat.
“Yes, the largest ship of the world. a perfect spot for a vacation, If I may say.” The captain slinked into his seat, clutching his mug protectively. Nipping a sip, he continued. “you are too fly yourselves over to Captain Ark’s ship, just a number of miles off the coast. He will give you your orders from there.”
“What after this?” Espress asked
“A long vacation for me if I'm lucky, though somewhere less other than the Tide would be preferable,” Captain Sound smiled, finishing his coffee with a hum. “As for you, all Seahorses will be reassigned back to the service they volunteered from. Sergeant Espress, you’ll be reassigned back to the Manehattan Police Department. Lieutenant Sofia, since Maritime Academy graduates are hard to find these days, I find it best to transfer you to the Western Fleet, as a tactical officer to the commodore there.”
Going back to being a cop wasn't the last thing Espress wanted, but it also wasn't the first. She wanted to learn more than just how to chase some petty crook down Mane Street, hence why she joined the Seahorse Division in the first place.
A tactical officer, on the other hoof, was something Sofia did not have to think too much about. Implementing certain methods of the Seahorse Division to a regular naval unit could certainly enhance its efficiency. And more importantly, enforcing obedience and discipline is one thing to think about, since many a ship should have fallen under mutiny in recent times.
“Oh, one more thing, yes,” Captain Sound said, leaning both hooves onto his worn desk. “Of course, all other Seahorse units are being disbanded. But a unit must have at least three operators to be considered one. Hence, I've requested a volunteer from the other units to join you. Sergeant Messerschmitt will be meeting you at your autochariot at noon.”
“Understood, sir,” Sofia said.
“Thank you for your efforts, both of you. We've accomplished more than any other time before either of you came on board.” Captain Sound leaned back into his seat, relaxing contemplatively. “Time to take a break, yes.”
“Anytime, captain,” Espress said resigned. “Of course, you know where to find me when you need me!”
“No, Miss Emerald does. But I'lll keep that in mind.”
Captain Sound saluted the two mares, which they promptly returned.
Sofia sighed as she stepped out the building. Espress had disappeared from her superior’s sights once again after they left the office, presumably leaving the airport to pursue the acquisition of liquor in the city.
Were it be any other pony, such deeds would have had them reprimanded, transferred from her unit or even court martialed for petty insubordination. But Sergeant Espress proved herself an invaluable asset to every operation since joining half a year before, following orders without question despite her unorthodox methods used to execute them.
Espress was a Manehattan police officer who had a penchant for going beyond protocol when it came to apprehending criminals. They always seem to end in some wild chase or nasty assault, which does result in an arrest but at the hefty expense of the city, who regularly had to clean up the mess she left behind.
The department suggested she join the Seahorse Division, based on her exceptional fighting skills, though that could just be the most obvious reason for getting rid of her. Being the adventurous mare that she was, she signed on without question.
After six months at Seahorse School, she was assigned to then Staff Sergeant Sofia within the 12th Seahorses Unit. Another six months later and the unit would claim success in all operations they had undertaken.
But just like her time at the department, all this was at the cost of a higher number of casualties.
Sofia more or less of expected this predicament. The more souls she lost on each mission, the less likely ponies would volunteer for them.
But obviously, if they were not able to handle the duties required of them, they should not have volunteered in the first place. These new recruits buckle under the slightest of pressure, getting themselves hurt at even the most minor of fights. Only Espress had proven herself a capable seahorse, and as a result only the two of them make it out unscathed. Her job did not include being the caretaker of a seahorse, a pony expected to give their most optimal performance at each operation. Otherwise she might as well be an actual caretaker.
Either way, it mattered little. The Navy was sinking regardless, the conflicts from within the continent shifting any resources that had to internal affairs. At times like these, the need for bureaucrats far outweigh the need for soldiers.
Emerald offered to drive Sofia to her dorm, which she casually accepted.
“So I guess we'll all be out of the job soon, lieutenant,” the green mare lamented, driving her cart at a low speed along the edge of the runway.
“Indeed. The Captain was even nice enough to pick out a vacation spot for us. How nice,” Sofia said sarcastically.
“Heh, sounds like fun. Well, I doubt it's any inconvenience, since it’s your last mission for a long while. ”
“Any inconvenience? Clearly you haven’t been on a chariot with Sergeant Espress. The sound she makes when eating echoes twofold inside a cabin.”
Emerald giggled. “Your sacrifice is honorable, lieutenant. Where is that sea monster anyway?”
Sofia could think of a few places, though she patently did not care at the moment. They passed by a passenger plane wheeling to the terminal as the day begins for the normal traveling pony.
Emerald drove away from the airport until they reached the edge of the base, away from the hum of jets flying and landing. She stopped in front of a concrete dormitory, a more recent construction; white, boxy and featureless.
“Here we are, ma'am.”
“Thank you,” Sofia stepped out of the cart and brushed her black and blue uniform up lightly with a hoof.
“You know, I think I'll join the air service. With all my experience keeping the captain's station afloat, I bet I can fly a jet,” Emerald smiled.
“Best of luck on that,” Sofia replied. “Also, please find Espress for me. We leave at noon.”
“She got out again? Darn it. I swear I'll mail her back in a glass bottle when I find her.”
At noon, the 12th seahorses assembled back at the landing pad, their autochariot sitting idly amidst the gentle breeze created by jets flying in the near distance.
Espress clutched a liquor bottle on a hoof and carried a pillow and blanket on her back. Beside her was their new recruit, Sergeant Messerschmitt. Both stood at attention after their commanding officer, waiting for the autochariot to finish getting clearance.
“Did Emerald find you at a homeless shelter this time, Sergeant?” Sofia asked Espress.
“Just getting prepared, Sofie. Just like you said,” the mocha pony smiled, tucking the spirit in the pocket of her uniform.
The lieutenant walked toward and in front of the new volunteer. He was a mud green pegasus stallion, with a mane of desert and mahogany brown. He currently wore the standard seahorse uniform, but like theirs, it was missing a badge. He promptly presented a salute, Sofia returning the gesture.
“Sergeant Messerschmitt, reporting for duty, Lieutenant,” The stallion recited tactfully.
"That's a mouthful, no way am I gonna bother calling you that. Is Mez fine?” Espress asked.
“Yes, Sergeant,” the pegasus answered plainly.
Sofia continued, “You may refer to me as Lieutenant or Ma'am, Sergeant. Sergeant Espress, you can refer to whatever gets her attention.”
Espress sniggered. “I don't really care, but call me princess and I'll break your wings.”
Sofia observed him for a moment. The stallion was a Seahorse she, but he looked as though he had barely been in a fight. And Sofia of all ponies could tell. “You were with the 11th seahorses. How many operations have you undertaken, Sergeant?”
“This would be first, ma'am.”
“What? Then why'd you volunteer?”
“Wel, because this would also be my last, ma'am,” Mez replied, reminding everypony of the disbanding of the Division.
Right, Sofia thought. Another hot-shot way over their head. She considered phoning Emerald to get an ambulance ready on the airport by tomorrow, though she presumed a day with Espress with hopefully put him on sick leave immediately.
Espress nudged the pegasus, grinning toothily. “Some work experience to squeeze into the resumé, yeah? I get you. Work experience is pretty much mandatory now, and a reliable reference is hard to come by.”
Sofia glazed at Espress with a tired look, then turned to Mez. “In that regard, I wouldn’t recommend placing Sergeant Espress as a reference though, knowing what profane obscenities she comes up with.”
“Understood, ma'am.”
With the autochariot cleared, the group began boarding one by one into it. The door slid in and the noise began to reverberate inside. They promptly donned their provided headsets and waited for the craft to take off, delays in taking off almost always inevitable. A few minutes later they lifted off the airport and began their flight through the coast and over water.
The cabin felt more crowded now with three bodies within it. And with Espress being one of them, the noise even more pronounced. Thankfully, their headsets allowed them communicate through the radio without having to shout whatever it was they were saying. The flight from the airport to the carrier would take only about half an hour, but given the state of the interior, every second was a struggle to get comfy.
Espress propped her pillow against the end of the bench and leaned against it, Mez on the other end and Sofia on the other side facing them.
“So, usually how this goes is a brief introduction,” Espress said. “So tell us about yourself, Mez. And I’ll tell you about us.”
“I can introduce myself, Sergeant,” Sofia said.
“Yeah, but you always leave it the best bits,” Espress replied quickly. “Mez, Meet the legendary Aya Sofia, The Ghost of East Oceans. At least that’s what ponies in the East started calling her.” Mez curbed his compulsion to ask how she got the name. “I’m not sure if it’s because of her coat or her talent. Either way they’re not wrong. Sofie can be very stealthy.”
Sofia rolled her eyes. Meanwhile the stallion cleared his throat and began, “Well uhm… My name is Messerschmitt, Ma’am, hailing from Canterlot City. My cutie mark is an eagle with pointed wings.”
“But that’s name’s Germane, right?” Espress asked.
“Yes it is, ma’am.” he replied. “My parents are from there.”
“Well, that’s nice. As it happens I have a native friend for you right here so you don’t get homesick.” Espress produced the bottle of liquor from the pockets of her uniform. “Meet my good friend, Jägermeister. We go way back, lots of memories.”
“Imbibe at your own risk, sergeant,” Sofia levitated the bottle back into her subordinate’s pockets. “I’m not keen on fishing you out the ocean if you fall off the cabin drunk.”
“Sure, lieutenant,” Espress replied, before looking back to Mez.
“Anyway, in case you forgot, name's Espress. My cutie mark is a cup of coffee. I'm sure it means something, but I kind of forget from time to time. I like candy, drinks and pretty views of the city,” The sergeant recited, uncorking the bottle that was on her pocket. She took a large swig of the alcohol within and continued, “And together, we form the 12th seahorses! Plus present company, of course.”
The newcomer nodded and shuffled in his seat, sweating presumably from the heat.
“Are you anxious, Sergeant?” Sofia asked as she continued to read his file, not even bothering to look up.
“I'm… not used to flying, ma'am,” Mez replied timidly. When he saw Sofia looking at him with wide-eyed astonishment, he quickly appended his statement. “I mean, flying inside a chariot. It feels confining and not at all what I’m used to when above ground.”
“Hey, if you puke on me I'm throwing you out the door,” Espress warned.
“I'm a pegasus, ma'am.”
“Yeah well, either way you won’t get away with that. Now chill, we don't even know what we're in for yet.”
“That might be hard to do, ma’am. I’ve been told that seahorse missions are extremely dangerous.”
Sofia interjected. “They are, but if I were you I'd rather not die nauseated. Fly outside and get some fresh air if you need to.”
“I'll be able to deal with it, ma'am.”
“What were you before you volunteered anyway?” Espress asked.
“Coast Guard, ma'am,” Mez replied. Few assignments are as coveted and scorned as Coast Guard duty. The good thing was that there was nothing to do, the bad thing was that there was nothing to do. A pony would sooner dive into the cold sea and drown themselves than spend an entire day staring at the uneventful horizon.
“Yeah, you'll be fine. This isn’t so different from what you’re used to. The only difference is that we look for trouble, instead of it finding us.”
“Understood, ma'am.”
“Oh hey, look at that!” Espress exclaimed. Pointing outside, they could already see their destination. On the edge of the gentle horizon sat still the Tide, the largest warship in the world. Even from a far distance, her silhouette dominated the landscape, shimmering in the high noon heat.
“Wow, isn’t that a picturesque ship,” Espress remarked.
Sofia watched the Tide as it got closer. “Piped hallways, cramped rooms, surrounded by an endless expanse of water. Very picturesque.”
“Ah right, you're more of an interpersonal type. Getting up close and physical with other ponies, that kind of thing. We could definitely socialize with the crew if that interests you more. They might have stories to tell.”
Sofia rolled her eyes. Whatever story they had to tell, both of them probably had a more interesting one.
They flew for another five minutes before they were close enough to appreciate the entirely if the vessel. The Tide was indeed massive. The deck spanned almost a kilometer long, and upon it were dozens of ponies and aircraft, moving and shuffling along as if the ship itself were a breathing creature.
It was unthinkable to think the carrier was born from the lack of support from the government. At the time the ship was conceived the Parliament of Canterlot, ever frugal of their bits, allocated a budget that barely allowed for the construction of three new ships to catch up with the growing naval might of overseas territories. After carriers proved to be a significant force on the sea, the Navy believed it wise to construct one large formidable ship, instead of a small, crudely-shaped fleet that would require more maintenance and personnel.
A successful investment among other things, as the Tide remains afloat after two decades of service.
The autochariot, after confirming its identity and intention, descended on a landing spot on the ship among other unwieldy chariots. The rest of the deck was littered with aircraft of varying size and use, as well as ponies walking and flying to and from.
Espress stretched out as she disembarked, a ride on a chariot stiffening even the most flexible of bodies. The craft’s rotors slowed to a halt, its noise replaced by the bustle of a giant warship. As the seahorses stepped out onto the same, an officer appeared to meet them.
“Good morning, ma'am,” The unit was greeted by a pegasus mare who wore a rather formal uniform, at least more formal than what one might expect from the crew of a warship. “I'm Sergeant Sue Nami, the public relations officer! I'm here to take you to the captain. He's at his mess hall and lunch is almost ready.”
Looking back at her two teammates, Sofia ordered, “Let's get this over with.”
“What, no sightseeing tour first? I'd love to see the inside of the ship,” Espress said.
“Straight to the captain, miss Nami. I’d rather we not stay longer than we need to.”
“Easy for you to say, you've been here before,” Espress pointed out. “When was that again?”
Sofia did not reply. Her last visit to the ship involved a fiasco in the mess hall that required more than one bath afterwards. The sanitation of the ship has been under her scrutiny ever since. The officer led them inside through the superstructure, into a maze of metal corridors lined with pipes and doors. Sofia followed close behind, her two subordinates on her tail.
While the outside was vast, the interior was even more so. Sailors walked and talked past them, entering and leaving rooms of various purposes. One room was full of ponies engaged in some board game. Another was full of knitting tools and crude sweaters. But there was also the undeniable scent of tobacco and narcotic in the air.
“This looks nice. Hey Sofie, we should definitely take our vacation here!” Espress exclaimed.
“I will not allow you to plan my vacation. And definitely not here,” Sofia said flatly.
Espress scoffed. “Please, I'm sure if you just asked me to plan your vacation, you'd actually relax.”
“You once suggested skydiving, an activity that we very much engage in when not on vacation,” Sofia kept her gaze straight, more so just to diffuse the conversation than to watch out for stray pipes that they might bump into. “I find that reason enough for me to assume I won't find leisure in the things you find relaxing.”
Walking past a dormitory room, they spot a young sailor hastily hiding a smoking implement under his bunk sheets, but his zoned-out expression is not as easily blanketed.
Espress snickered. “Well, the entire point of taking a vacation is doing something you like. Ponies do stuff like bowling or shopping when on vacation. You went ahead and took a course on ancient military history.”
The group and their lead climbed down another set of stairs, scooting past incoming sailors, cigar smoke still billowing from their snouts. The vessel was rampant with that much contraband, it was more appropriate to call it an airship.
“So guess what? You sure love your job. Why not do something related to it,” Espress justified.
“I do my job exceptionally because if I didn't, I would be out of a job,” Sofia replied, waving a puff of smoke off her face.
“Fine. after this, you're planning our vacation. Any place you wanna go or anything you wanna do, I'm down for it.”
Sofia simply maintained her vision forward as they neared their destination. Nami directed the seahorses through decks of narrow passages and staircases, Sofia and Mez following diligently while Espress poked through every open door. Oddly, none of the occupants complained. The crew of the ship had gotten used to their constant lack of privacy that it bothered them none.1
“The work of our captain, you see. He’s recently shortened the workday once again, and as a result you'll see more ponies it and about in the hallways and spaces,” The seahorses noticed that quick, and Sofia half expected Nami to shake her head at the problem. “Ever since Captain Ark took the helm, spirits and activities have been high! Unbelievable how much change he could bring in just two years.”
“And unbelievable how much he could get away with,” Sofia added with a hint of contempt.
“It’s quite alright, ma'am. Before Captain Ark, morale and recruitment was severely low, to the point where the ship was threatened to be decommissioned. I don't doubt his leadership one bit.”
Sofia remarked,“Right, a crew stung up high to their muzzles. Just what you want the state of your warship to be on.”
“Well if it works, can't go wrong with it,” Espress said.
“They’re only ever good at keeping the crew complacent, not alert. What if an attack were to occur right this moment. Will a band of stoned sailors be able to retaliate?”
“Well,” Nami began. “The Tide has never been in a fight in a long time, but even the most ruthless pirate ship wouldn't dare engage such a titanic.”
Regardless, Sofia though. the thought of having to entrust this ship with any operation other than a cruise was a shivering notion. She'd never met the captain in person, though given the state of the ship it was best if she kept that from being a reality as much as she could.
Along the way they passed more spaces, each having its own distinct odor of smoke and sweat. It seemed everypony was under the spell of Captain Ark’s method of leadership, if leadership was even the term for it.
After coming down a flight of stairs, they reached the crew quarters of the ship, close to the stern where it was warmest, the engine room was just two more decks directly below. On the end of a corridor was the door to the captain’s quarters.
“Here we are, ma'am,” Nami stopped. “Have any of you met our captain before?”
All said no. Espress said some variation of it.
“Well, you might find him to be a bit eccentric. Nothing that should make you uncomfortable maybe, just a little weirded out.”
Sofia wanted to ask her to elaborate, but quickly disregarded it. There was no point in wasting time on anything other than the mission at motion. “This shouldn't take long, we'll most likely be in and out before we should notice.”
Nami smiled sheepishly. “That may be the one thing I doubt about our captain.”
The Navy tended to harbor the most uncharacteristic of characters, ponies mad enough to venture into the ocean, miles away from the safe grip of soil and surrounded by nothing but cold water leagues deep.
Captain Ark was one such individual. When he first came on board, none were too sure if he really graduated from the academy or if they fished him out from the sea and said screw it. But judging from morale of the ship, he was doing one fine job of being the skipper.
As they stepped in, Captain Ark swiveled his chair to face them. “Good morning, Nami! You've brought me gifts, am I right?”
“Yessir!” Nami replied enthusiastically.
Entering the quarters, one would think they were suddenly transported away from the musty, hot atmosphere of the ship and into the cool, highland habitat of Canterlot.
The room was significantly more spacious than every other space they've seen so far. The air was well ventilated and the portholes allowed for ample sunlight. It was, to Sofia, a room fit for a monarch, not a captain of a warship. The pony himself sat at the end of a long table, a banquet prepared on it.
“As the captain of the Tide, I bid you welcome,” The skipper rose from his red, cushioned seat and bowed. He spoke in a droning, slurry voice, almost as if drunk.
“Sir, may I present Lieutenant Sofia and her second in command, Sergeant Espress,” Nami announced, bowing regally as if the entire function of their presence was a royal visit of some sort. “Oh, and...uhm…”
“Sergeant Mez, miss,” Mez replied.
“Indeed! The Ghost of East Oceans and her trusty coffee-fueled companion, in the flesh!” Captain Ark said, astonished. “I heard even the monsters of the sea seem away from you.”
“Sir,” The lieutenant saluted dutifully, Espress and Mez following their superior's cue.
“Sit now! lunch is on me,” the captain of the Tide insisted. His banquet again put even a princess’ own preparations to shame. There were baskets of fruit and muffins, salads and pastries stacked plated professionally. It was almost fair for Sofia to think this was probably why funds were disappearing.
The lieutenant recited, “Sir, we're here under the instruction of the Seahorse Division head to await your orders.”
Captain Ark smiled, his eyes that of a waxed moon. “And my orders are to sit, my dear. Try Rella’s muffins, fresh from the oven.”
Given their setting, anything considered fresh was immediately put into question. The skipper himself was not much worse for wear. He was an aged soul, as old as Captain Sound from the looks of it. He seemed endearing and casual, though it could just be because he had guests aboard. Nami had mentioned all those nice things about him, and to outsiders like Sofia, she merely has her doubts.
His strong, earth pony build was coated with a rich burgundy brown, almost red. His mane was white and combed back, a tuft of it on his muzzle, fashioning a mustache. His accent was quite northern, a level of diction described as posh and disciplined.
“Don't mind if I do, captain!” Espress wasted no time in taking her pick of the banquet, Mez following after like a shadow.
Sofia, who's orders now void against the Commodore of the Eastern Fleet, reluctantly pulled a chair and sat down on the end of the table, exactly the opposite from where the captain sat. everypony else did the same, with Espress on her right side and Mez on her left. Nami meanwhile walked around and poured everypony a cup of coffee before sitting down herself beside Espress, who was now busying herself onto a blueberry muffin.
“At ease, all of you. I despise formalities. In this room, we're more like friends.”
“I'll keep that in mind, sir,” That Sofia did. Mez took the safe bet and remained in his superior's lead, mirroring her movements.
“We're just waiting for somepony, she'll be here… well fifteen minutes ago. Nevertheless I'm glad she's late, more time for breakfast for the lot of you!”
“Still, a concise meeting is preferable, sir,” Sofia stated.
“She's probably just lost again, always insisting she could find her way just fine. I trust your journey here was alright, though,” the skipper said anyway.
“Feels right at home here!” Espress commented, just before devouring a strawberry shortcake.
“Glad ya think so, lass,” Ark replied. His accent was suddenly southern now, with the ever familiar twang of the tongue. “Only makes sense to make yerself at home when yer miles away from it.”
“Ohh, where you from, captain?” Espress asked amiably.
“Why, the green orchards of Ponyville, my dear. Yes, the land where only the greenest grow,” Ark replied with a hint of pride in his voice.
"I see you brought the cultivated agriculture aboard as well, sir,” Sofia asked nonchalantly.
The skipper smiled. “Darn right! Gotta stick to yer roots if yer meanin’ to travel far, like the wide, open ocean.”
“What about you, lieutenant?” The skipper asked in his usual accent. “Where did you grow up?”
Sofia could not help but look at Captain Ark with an exasperated stare. “Sir, may I suggest we move on to our orders?”
“Ah, you have suggestions?” The skipper asked quizzically. “Very well. My crew have talked about repainting the ship. What color do you think goes with Navy blue?”
Sofia blinked, baffled at this point by the apathy of the captain towards the matter at hoof, a matter she knew nothing about still because the Caption Ark continues to stall the briefing. She replied icily,”I suggest you take them off whatever narcotics you have been injecting into them, sir.”
“Hmm, you know that's exactly what my XO tells me,” Captain Ark replied.
“But I'll tell ya what I tell him,” He continued, taking a rather distended accent that is associated with folk living in the bayous. “you be worryin’ too much about de workin’s in. But I am not blind to da workin’s out.”
Sofia raised a brow, both at his fluctuating accent and his incoherent sentence.“Excuse me?”
“De price of keepn’ a place like dis runnin’ is marvelous. The Navy’s broke, dry as de rock of de moon. Nothin’ to do out here but to watch de waves splash against hardened steel. Boredom stings somethen’ fierce, lady.”
“So your solution is to keep them sedated, sir?”
“Nay, my solution's to keep 'em happy!” The skipper lifted his mug and flashed a quick toast, before dipping a cheese stick into his coffee and biting into it whole. Sofia winced.
“I'm sure you're well aware of our predicament, ships of our Navy going rogue, sea serpents are more angsty than usual, 0” The skipper was back to his usual accent.
“And that it's broke, gotta keep reminding ourselves of that,” Espress added.
“Well, as the captain of the Tide, the most powerful warship in the world, I can't let that same fate befall the vessel,” The skipper scratched his chin idly. “It's no longer an exception, it's a necessity. I found recreational drugs particularly effective in staving off the disease of insubordination and boredom rampant in our Navy. Like a machine the crew need to be maintained properly, in order for it to work as intended.”
“Work,” Sofia reiterated. “ Right, sir.”
Ark merely smiled. Sofia still did not purchase to the idea. Insubordination was a problem, yes. But it was a problem that could be solved if he could enforced proper protocols, ensured obedience aboard the vessel and was vigilant of his crew. But obviously he couldn't, so instead, Captain Ark took the easy solution and chose instead to sedate his crew like a circus lion. It was a clear lack of decisiveness that a captain should not have.
A moment later, a lime green coated unicorn came in, as sweaty as the crew that ran the place. She stopped at the doorway to catch her breath and trotted inside timidly.
“Sorry captain, got a little lost there…” The mare said, brushing her light yellow mane from her face.
“There your are !” Ark waved at the newcomer and motioned his hoof at an empty seat, beside Mez.
“Thank you, sorry again,” The green pony did not wear anything the Navy would distribute. Instead she was dressed in a blue blouse and a white skirt, more fitting for a receptionist.
“Lieutenant, zis here is miss Mayfix,” The skipper began. He was Germane now. “An engineer for the Baltimare Arcane Institute.”
A few greetings were exchanged before Mayfix took her seat beside Mez. Finally the briefing could begin, the captain clearing his throat and leaning into his seat to get comfortable.
“Let me preface zis by saying all information is confidential and straight from the top.”
“And this operation is cleared by Canterlot, sir?” Sofia asked.
“Ja, zis mission is of national security! Canterlot wants it done!” Captain Ark punctuated. He stood up from his seat and walked over to the other end of the table. At first Sofia thought he was going closer to talk to her, but instead he merely fished out a grape bunch from a nearby bowl and trotted back to his chair.
“Last night,” the skipper began, “Ve received a report that a prototype veapon built by the Baltimare Arcane Institute, the company that has developed the veapons of our warships, has been stolen. The perpetrators are currently unknown, though we have a good idea of vere it is.”
“There have been no marked containers leaving the city by road, so it is believed our veapon has been moved by ship. The manifest of the port of Baltimare show nothing shipped by the institute, though it does mention zat a container from a Hoofgang Company, a veapons manufacturer in Germaneigh, was shipped zis morning.”
The skipper took a sip of what looked like orange juice, but upon further inspection, the liquid was apple cider. “After ve covertly analyzed the radiation levels of the container, ve strongly believe that this is te veapon, packaged in another state’s seal to deter any immediate action on Canterlot’s part. And a clever move, on the robber’s part. Our relationship vith Germaneigh has been rocky enough as it is, if they catch us opening their mail, it vill surely paint us in a bad light.”
“Canterlot has therefore concluded that the veapon must be dismantled in transit,” Captain Ark concluded. “Lest it fall in the hooves of the wrong ponies.”
Sofia thought so. The last thing Canterlot wanted was to have another of its ordnance used against them, and it was getting quite tired of that happening.
Ark resumed, “Miss Mayfix here is an expert in reverse engineering. She vill tell you what you're dealing vith.”
“Uhm, yes,” Mayfix gingerly took her cue and stood up from her seat. She magically laid out a parchment with a diagram in front of her, presumably a diagram of the weapon in question. “The armament is a four-ton arcanomagnetic bomb, the most powerful of its type.”
Espress paused her orange juice sipping and burped. “You sure we need to hear this?
“And here I thought you enjoyed all things that explode,” Sofia mentioned.
“I do, but I mean, unless we need to use the thing, I don't think we need to know how it works.”
Sofia swirled her mug of coffee. “Yes you don't, thankfully.”
Mayfix continued. “Well, if you helps, it works by releasing a surge of magic energy in its effective radius of twenty five miles, shorting out and disabling almost every arcane powered device, including unicorns who might be casting any spells at the moment of detonation. The blast leaves behind dangerous radiation and heat that could last for days.”
She motioned at the paper and pointed at specific sections of the diagram, as if anypony was paying attention. “The primary component of the bomb makes use of special elements, rather than the typical firepowder or compressed gems. When these elements react with each other, they release a massive amount of energy in the form of unstable arcane electricity, equal to the magic output of a hundred unicorns within their entire lifespan. These elements are highly radioactive and is the cause to why the blast zone becomes radioactive after detonation. This radiation was also we were able to find the bomb while it was in bring shipped. If not for it, the container would have slipped past us.”
Sofia preferred not to admit it to herself, but even she grew bored for a moment there.
“The thing you'll be after is the green core of the bomb. You'll have to dismantle the bomb and retrieve it. The trigger works like any other bomb though, so you only have to obtain the green core and leave the shell to render the bomb inert.”
“Once out of the shell though, the core must be handled with great care. The contents are highly reactive, so a serious nudge could be enough to set it off prematurely.”
“How will we know if we have acquired the core properly then, miss?” Mez inquired, finally asking the questions Espress was not too curious for.
“It should umm... glow green, sergeant,” Mayfix replied. “If it's not then something is about to go horribly wrong.”
“That's very educational,” Sofia commented sarcastically. “But this seems to be a task more appropriate for a unit of engineers than a unit of seahorses. If you couldn't tell, none of us have the knowledge to properly disassemble an arcanomagnetic bomb, much less a prototype.”
“We could just take it back then,” Espress suggested. “But I'm pretty sure it’s gonna take more than the three of us to carry a four-ton piece of metal, even with Sofie’s magic.”
“This technology is too sensitive to be handled without the supervision of the proper personnel, miss,” Mez added.
“Correct!” Ark exclaimed. “That is why miss Mayfix is coming vith you.”
All eyes turned to the captain with stoked disbelief.
“I… I am?” Mayfix asked shakily.
“Only you have the knowledge to conduct the most important part of zis mission, disarming the bomb.”
“Are… are you sure, sir?” Mayfix added.
“He is most definitely not. We don’t allow civilians involvement in any seahorse operation, no matter the circumstance,” Sofia asserted.
The skipper returned to his Canterlot-refined accent. “She’s the pony for the job, my dear! And besides, a little team building is always a good thing.”
Sofia leaned into the table, facing down the captain. “Policy dictates that no non-uniform personnel are to be involved in missions in order to maintain absolute secrecy. You will be placing the Seahorse Division on high alert.”
“So far as the Navy is concerned, that Division has been in shutdown since this morning. Hence your policies are no longer in effect. The policies of the Tide are in use now, and I make them!”
The lieutenant furrowed her brow. He was right if course, but carrying a civilian around was still risky and detrimental, hence why a policy was in place.
“This mission is very important, not just to Canterlot but to the entire world!” Ark said, clasping his hooves together. Sofia agreed of course, given the consequences. But00 right now their chances of a successful mission have been lowered drastically. Keeping a rookie alive was hard enough as it was, a receptionist would be twice as much work. “It's a risk we should be willing to take. And I know seahorses are all about taking risks.”
All evidence pointed to the affirmative. Whatever this weapon was, it should not fall into eager hooves. Sofia conceded with a sigh, “Of course, sir.”
“Miss Mayfix, a great responsibility has been laid upon you,” Captain Ark said dramatically. “I hope you will be ready to participate in this mission?”
Mayfix looked at the skipper, then at Sofia, clearly expecting her to do something about it. Her breathing became laboured and for a moment she looked as though she would faint, but was able to get under control and simple nodded, “Yes, sir...”
“We’ll get it done!” Espress exclaimed.
Sofia looked at Mayfix, expressionless. “We’ll have an expert along, after all.”
“It's settled then! Your mission is to find this weapon and disable it,” Ark waved his hoof, holding up a cookie and biting into it with a loud crunch. “Shimfle!”
Sofia looked at the captain, then at Mayfix, who was now sweating even more than when she first came into the room, and back at her side of the table, her plate untouched. Nami quietly sipped her tea. Mez was looking at her, as if waiting for further orders. Espress seemed lost for words, though the cause for that was her face being stuffed with food again. She sighed. It was very possible her last mission would be marred by the casualty of an unlucky receptionist, and that was assuming Sergeant Mez does not get himself hurt as well. “We accept, sir.”
“Perfect,” Captain Ark concluded. “Any questions?”
While she had none, Sofia noticed Espress pointing at her plate, her muzzle peppered with crumbs. With a gulp, the mocha pony inquired, “You gonna eat that?”
April 15
Espress skipped as they walked to their temporary room aboard the Tide. The scent of debauchery had barely subsided as they descended another deck below to the officer's quarters. Nami was escorting them, mouthing off instructions left by Captain Ark, while Sofia, Mez and Mayfix trotted silently. Espress was not particularly listening to Nami, leaving her superior to internalize the prerogative.
“The captain has granted you full access to the Tide's facilities, ma'am. This includes our navigation and armory, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting what you need,” Nami passed by a door wide open to the scene of a young couple making out, to which Espress whistled. Nami closed the hatch promptly and continued walking. “And if you get lost, it's always best to ask for directions. Most of the crew here have been around for a long time, so they know the ship inside out.”
They stopped in front of the door of one of the officer's quarters, a hatch that looked unremarkably similar to every other door on the ship. “Here we are, ma'am! The quarters are currently unoccupied but we sometimes use them as break rooms from time to time. If you need anything cleaned, just grab any sailor you see. I doubt they'll go against the orders of a seahorse Lieutenant.”
“And what about a seahorse Sergeant?” Espress asked pensively, to which Nami simply smiled.
“Thank you, miss Nami,” Sofia said before Nami could reply. “We'll navigate the ship ourselves from now.”
“Of course, ma'am,” Nami bowed and turned away, disappearing into the corridors of the ship.
“Right,” Sofia said and turned to Mez and Mayfix. “You two will take this room, ours will be next door. At 1400 you shall be present above deck, at the landing pad for autochariots. “
The lieutenant glazed at Mayfix, who seemed lost in thought. “And please dress appropriately.”
“Hmm? Oh... y-yes ma'am,” Mayfix stuttered.
Espress stretched and swiftly hopped to the bed of their quarters, climbing up a small metal ladder. “I'm top bunk!”
Sofie did not seem to care either way, as she was trapped in a perturbed expression the entire time they spent to their room.
“Even on a warship,” Sofia huffed, sitting on the side of the lower bunk. “A beaurocrat finds a way to hinder us.”
“She's an engineer,” Espress corrected, giggling.
“Does it matter? Her function is similar to a beaurocrat, a nuisance that constantly gets in the way.”
Espress snickered, her superior's minimal patience for the things that exasperated her being a constant source of comic material for the mocha pony.
Espress peeked from the side of the top bed and punctuated her words with a smile. “It's not like it'll be drastically different from what we normally have to deal with. We have rookies around us all the time, it's just that they never stick around for long.”
“That's because they have no idea what they're doing and we're never aware of that, Espress,” Sofia explained. “In this case, we know fully that she's untrained and unprepared. If she gets killed, that's an unfavorable mark to the Seahorse Division.”
Espress lazily flopped on her bunk, wearing only her shirt. “You heard the captain. both of them. We don’t exist anymore, so anything that happens is pretty much off the books.”
Sofia thought for a moment. “That’s the case, it seems. That doesn't change the fact that ifshe does get killed the mission is very much over. I don't suppose you know how to disable a bomb,” she asked quizzically.
“I am the bomb,” Espress grinned and hugged her pillow. Her superior always seemed to prioritize the success of the mission above anything else, including her team. She knew that all too well about her, and so she figured out pretty quickly that she had to fend for herself.
When Espress first joined Sofia, it was on a cool October evening. She had always never taken any authority seriously, which hey superiors from the police department found rather problematic. It was a miracle she never incurred a mark on her disciplinary record.
On her first day as a seahorse, Espress made it clear her stance on authority, laughing at the Sofia's overly formal intonation. Staff Sergeant Sofia obviously was not too too fond of such, and in turn she threatened to report her for insubordination.
Their mission was to dislodge a pirate vessel prowling the North Seas. There was fighting of course, but by utilizing both their talents they were able to complete their mission, with both ponies being able to hold her ground against overwhelming odds. Sofia, probably impressed at the rookie, decided not to report her. It was rare to find a pony as reliable and as skilled as Espress, it would have been a shame to relieve that kind of dependency.
They were very different ponies, but they made a great team.
“We should get ready,” Sofia instructed, getting up on all fours from her bunk with a sigh.
“But it’s too hot outside!” Espress lamented. “ I just wanna take a nap.”
“There’s no time for that,” the beige unicorn said, before looking at the watch on the wall. It was one in the afternoon. “ Not for you, at least.”
“Darn it,” Espress said. The life of a seahorse, despite its dangerous nature, is a relaxed one. Based on her experiences, for every day on the field, she got what essentially amounted to a week off. It was a high risk high reward lifestyle. No problem for her, it was a lifestyle she grew up with, being a young unhinged mare in Hooflyn.
That did not stop her from falling asleep on the job from time to time.
“Now get dressed, Espress,” Sofia ordered. She had earlier replaced her delft blue uniform with a jumpsuit provided the Tide, opting for clothing that did not heat up as much, especially since they were inside what could be described as a giant sardine can for ponies. “We have twice as much work to do of we’re to succeed in this mission.”
Espress groaned and crawled into her jumpsuit, not bothering to fasten any of the belts that wrapped around her body. Any hopes of sleeping this one out was abolished.
The two walked out of their room and immediately the air was replaced by the familiar and sensual aroma of weed that had clung to the ship like a fresh coat of paint. She did not mind that all that much, what bothered her was the heat. Already the warm air made Espress reconsider switching to a uniform with less fabric, or just use nothing altogether. She heard in most parts of the world ponies did not even wear clothes. It was a Canterlot thing for some reason.
“So, where to, Sofie?” Espress asked, wiggling into the fabric of her suit.
“First stop, we have to visit the Radar and Communications Officer on the bridge. He or she will hand us the obtained manifest of the cargo ship where the target is contained. Then give us the ship’s bearing and route.” Sofia grimaced and leaned into the condensated walls of the ship as a troupe of sailors hurried past. What was so important that they were rushing, the lieutenant had no idea.
“Then we visit the Quartermaster of this ship. I doubt Captain Sound will send us our equipment now, so we’ll have to make use of what The Tide has.”
“Gun shopping! Just what I like,” Espress glowed. “I hope they have a spare hoofwatch lying around.”
Sofia could remember enough to retrace their steps when they first came in, climbing the narrow stairs back to the upper decks. Meanwhile, Espress continued snooping around, peeking into any doors left open. The ship was a bustling menagerie of colors and cigars, not one room did they fail to spot a pony who seemed like they were having a good time. A space contained a few mares in a state of gossip, another actually contained an arcade machine.
“You still think this ship’s a giant sailing pub?” Espress asked her lieutenant, walking past open doors full of napping ponies. “Seems fine. I can at least see where the captain’s coming from.”
“I don't,” Sofia spoke critically. “His leadership has no direction at all, just content with keeping the ship pacified under his tenure until they’re eventually called back to port. For all the crew is even aware of, the ship is paddling straight into pirate waters out of boredom.”
“As if you wouldn't get bored to death yourself,” Espress said slyly.
“If I did, I would not resort to snorting and drinking,” Sofia hissed. “But clearly for you, being under the influence most of your time awake, it would be as if you didn't have a choice but to get drunk. The ponies here obviously have that luxury.”
Espress pouted her lips and huffed. “That’s stretching it. If that were true they'd have beached this ship before they realized that it was even out the dock. But here it is.”
“Patronize the crew all you want. I just want to get out of here as soon as possible,” Sofia did not bother scooching aside for a group of sailors coming towards the end, shoving past and forcing them to move for her. Espress tiptoed behind.
Reaching the bridge atop the superstructure, they were greeted by a panoramic view of the ocean and the deck below. Espress could see that a few kilometers behind the Tide were two escort destroyers, indicating to the entire crew that they were now entering international waters. The laws of Canterlot no longer applied around these parts, only the laws of the ocean. Unfortunately, there were none.
“Seahorse on deck,” An officer announced, a few ponies glancing briefly from their seats at two new entrances, before promptly returning to their designated tasks?.
“That means you, Sofie!” Espress said. “See you back at the room.”
Just as she was leaving, the door of the bridge promptly closed in on the sergeant, an inch from her snout. Espress turned back towards Sofia and stuck her tongue out.
“Ah, ocean dwellers! Welcome,” Captain Ark greeted them from the center of the bridge. The space wasn't anything impressive, but there was enough room to to be able to turn their heads without a face pressed on metal. “the breeze is cool this afternoon.”
“That would be the air conditioning, sir,” Sofia pointed out. “But refreshing, regardless.”
“Of course, man!” The captain replied, opting this time for a clumsy Jamaicolt accent. “de weathah’s always fine in de Tide!”
Espress grinned at Captain Ark and trotted around the deck, eyeing the various consoles whose functions she could not be bothered to guess. Beside the captain was another officer, a red coated mare with lightning yellow mane. Espress was about to ask, but the captain did the honors.
“Lieutenant Sofia, this is my Executive Officer, Lieutenant Rosy Faux. Say hello to each other!”
Lieutenant Rosy merely saluted professionally and said in a rather bored intonation, “Welcome to the Tide, ma'am.”
Espress observed the XO briefly. She wore the same tired expression Sofie had most of the time. She even looked as though she had never cracked a smile. Maybe it was something that happens to somepony when they become a lieutenant.
Sofia saluted back and stood virtuously in front of the captain. “We're here to see the Radar and Communications Officer, sir. Just as you suggested.”
“Mmm, Masta Seagraves is a fright’nin beasty, I tell ya. Dey say he nevah leaves his station. At least, no one’s seem him do so yet. He’s vigilant and unflinchin, always on de alert,” The captain spoke ominously as if he feared the officer, though like everything else it could all be just an act. “He be da beasty ya lookin’ for.”
“The Radar officer is over at end of the bridge, ma'am,” Lieutenant Rosy pointed at the front of the room, where all the systems necessary for navigating the ocean was located. Here sat a light blue unicorn stallion with a dusty sand mane. He barely moved in his seat, even his breathing did not register to Espress’ vision as she approached him.
“Hey there!” Espress quipped, standing beside the blank pony, his blue-eyed gaze glued at his console. It was a bunch of meters and dials, but most prominently was a radial console that constituted the radar system of the ship.
The radial indicated a hundred nautical mile radius around the Tide. A scanner would sweep around the area every second. If a vessel was detected within the radius, the scanner would ping the target on the console, determining its bearing, speed and size in a matter of moments. This allows the Tide to assess threats long before they reach the carrier.
“Good Afternoon, ma’am,” Seagraves greeted, his eyes still fixed to the green-hued screen. “What can I do for you?”
“Afternoon, officer,” Sofia appeared opposite where Espress stood. The stallion barely took notice. “You have the manifest and location of a cargo ship that you’ve been tracking. It would be appreciated if you disclose all information regarding this subject.”
“I’d would like the appreciation, ma’am,” His voice was soft and glossy, like he was whispering his sentences, careful that nopony else hears him. With his magic he opened a cabinet below his console and brought out a clipboard.
“The target is a small continental cargo ship registered to the country of Britame, christened as The Period. It left the Port of Baltimare, Canterlot at 0431 hours today. It will arrive at approximately 2200 hours two days from now, at the Port of Haymouth, Britame.”
Sofia scanned the list hoofed to her. Most if the cargo was unremarkable, perishables and provisions and all. But just as Captain Ark had said, amongst the containers is a package from the Hoofgang Company, listed as classified.
“How sure are you that this falsely labeled container is our target?” Sofia asked. “Forgive us, but we're not entirely certain how one could find a weapon with radiation.”
“Because the company is located in Germaneigh, ma’am,” Seagraves barely bothered to look at the lieutenant, something she found rather rude. “It makes no sense to send it to Canterlot then ship it from here, especially since a lot of countries are thinking about closing their borders on us. Of course that probably won't stop them from stirring the pot of they found out a package that they think belongs to them had been tampered with.”
“That’s not much of a guarantee, officer. Has no pony actually seen the weapon loaded into the container?”
“No.” Seagraves said flatly, turning a knob on the console idly. A small red bulb began to flash periodically, before he turned the knob back and the flashing finished.
“We’ll know it when we see it, Sofie,” Espress waved her hoof at her superior. “Won't be the first time we counted on luck in a mission.”
“Frankly, I'm getting tired of counting on luck, sergeant,” Sofia confided. There wasn't much of a choice at the moment. Time was relatively short. Doubtless anypony, even her, would bother trying to check every single container that was on a call ship currently sailing the ocean. She returned her attention to Seagraves, who was still staring blankly at the console. “Where is the ship located?”
“The Period is currently 300 miles from us, bearing 46 degrees due northeast. The ship is maintaining steady distance up until 100 miles, but there seems to be some discrepancies with its route.”
“What discrepancies?” Sofia asked hastily.
“Based on its current course, it's drifting, no, sailing towards hostile waters, near an iceberg field that is known to be a hunting ground for giant orcas.”
“Probably trying to stay out of your radar,” Sofia assumed.
“Probably, ma'am,” Seagraves partially agreed. “it'll reach the area tomorrow, around 2000 hours.”
Espress pursed her lips.“So what's our window, Sofie?
“Tomorrow, afternoon. If we reach the ship before it enters the area, we’ll have a better chance of finish the mission before anything unexpected happens. Actually, Let's face it, it's going to get attacked by orcas, that much is expected.”
“The Tide’ll follow its course and remain some distance from the area, but we can't enter it. It's really odd that they would go there, given their sensitive cargo,” Seagraves pushed a button and the radar console began flickering for a few moments, before it returned to its natural state.
“It appears our job has been made harder. If pirates spot the ship, no doubt there'll be hostilities,” Sofia commented.
“This bomb must be really valuable if whoever stole it is willing for it to fall to pirates rather than be returned,” Espress idly reached for a button on the console, but Seagraves swatted her hoof away instinctively.
“Still, our engagement should remain stealthy,” The beige unicorn turned to Espress. “Understood?”
“Yeah, sure,” Espress replied dismissively.
“Captain leaving the deck,” An officer announced over the bridge, and in a second the skipper disappeared.
“Hmm, there he goes,” Seagraves commented. “Of to another round of debauchery I assume.”
“Captain does that a lot, just get off work to do some drinking?” Espress asked.
“Oh, no. He doesn't actually smoke or drink any of the vices he orders to the ship. And neither do I, if you're curious,” Seagraves replied, to which Espress gave a look of surprise to. It was unusual to find anypony in the Navy who did not drink. She remembered even Sofie nipped her rum from time to time.
“So it seems he’s doing a decent job as captain, just a shepherd to the sheep?” Sofia commented.
“I dunno. Most of the crew enjoy him, but like a dog on a leash, I think they just like him because he gives them treats and such. The old guys love him because they were tired of previous captain and their overly-strict policies. The newer officers like our XO, think he's tainting our Naval Tradition, and could get the Navy in hot water if the true state of the Tide was discovered by the public.”
Espress looked at Sofia, who was nodding idly. Of course she'd think the same. Public opinion on the Navy had been declining steadily for years, she could see how news that the seas were defended by a ship fueled by alcohol would not go over well with the ordinary taxpayer.
Still, Espress thought, what works works.
“Then why hasn't this situation been made aware by the Naval Council yet,” Sofie asked, always one to take the authoritative approach.
“That tried, ma'am, the XO especially. They sent incident report after incident report of intoxicated sailors falling overboard, crew members overdosing. I think the Naval Council is quite aware of the sister of the ship, But with the growing crisis on the West, they thought it best to ignore the Tide for as long as possible. It’s not like it killed anypony. So far.”
“So far,” Sofia repeated.
“I doubt it's that bad,” Espress said. “It's working, at least. The Tide hasn't gone rogue yet, and regardless of whether or not the crew is capable of fighting or not, I'd rather have as many warships on my side as possible.”
Sofie gazed at her with abject scrutiny. “Is that really the best excuse the captain has? Better them than him?”
“It's a bandage, Sofie,” Espress threw back. “ Can't expect every solution to be a win-win for everypony.”
“Yeah, taking the easy way out,” Sofie snarked. “That may be how it's done, but it's not how it should be done.”
“That’s all I have on the ship in question, Lieutenant,” Seagraves interjected.
“Right,” Sofie responded. Espress huffed and simply let the topic to, she was not one to let talk sour her day. “We’ll be taking this manifest, officer. And thank you for your cooperation,” Sofia said.
“No need to thank me. My cooperation is mandatory after all. Oh, before you leave,” As they turned away, Seagraves levitated a small, bulky box from his cabinet. It had dials and buttons on it, a metal antennae commonly seen on radios, as well as a length of leather used to secure it to a user.
Seagraves hoofed the box with his magic. “This is a black box. It's a portable radio specifically channeled to the communications of the ship. Once you're out there, you can contact the Tide provided it's powered sufficiently and within a hundred miles.”
Espress snatched the device midair before Sofia could even grasp it with her own spell. Rotating the device on her hoof, she marveled. “This is a radio? Gee, technology’s getting smaller each day.”
“Yeah,” Seagraves agreed, returning to his radar watching. “I hear soon we'll be seeing pocket-sized telephones.”
“I can imagine that,” Espress said, poking the device carelessly.
“Not that you'll need it, but it was taking up space and collecting dust in the cabinet,” Seagraves admitted. “I hope you'll find some use out of it.”
“Hey, I'll make sure we will!” Espress replied, wrapping the leather strap of the radio around her barrel.
If the bridge were anything considered spacious, the armory would have made a mockery of such a claim.
“Look at this,” Espress awed. the armory was just beside the main hangar, below the runway. This allowed for a significantly higher ceiling than of any space within this level, and whoever designed the armory took full advantage of the fact.
The armory was a miniature warehouse, it's bare walls painted a sterile white. There were no loose pipes or loitering sailors around, an uncommon sight aboard the ship.
Above their heads were a number of shields, armor and helmets put on display like that of a market stand. Shelves, each with a proper source of light atop it, lined the space neatly. These shelves, in turn were full of weaponry of a staggering quantity. The place was lit well with white light and the air clean of smoke and dust. It would not be farfetched to say that the guns were better maintained than the crew who were trained to use them.
“I wanna live here, Sofie,” Espress said softly. It was the equivalent of a trip to the candy store a mare like her. And like a filly in a candy store, she started poking her nose at every shelf in reach. The lieutenant merely glanced at her and looked around for the curator of the collection.
“Go ahead!” An earth pony mare said as she stepped in front of them through the cover of stacked shelves. “I pretty much do live here and believe me, there's plenty of room.”
Sofia did not need to look for long. “Nice place, if I may say.”
“Thanks! I'm the armorer, Officer Katashin!” The chiffon coated mare of bubblegum pink mane gleefully saluted the seahorses. Sofia saluted back. Espress could not, having disappeared behind the jungle of shelves.
“Nice collection, even!” Espress hollered from somewhere in the room, followed by the subtle sounds of firehooves being handled.
“Thank you too! But it's not mine, as much as I want it to be,” Katashin turned and walked down a hall lined with shelves.
“Impressive nonetheless, officer,” Sofia complimented, trailing the officer close behind. “Is your armory this regularly well-stocked?”
“The ship has a population of around three thousand sailors. This armory contains enough ordnance to arm about half of them.” the armorer stopped in front of a counter, going around it and taking her spot behind the table made of treated wood. “It wasn’t this much before. But ever since the number of mutinies have been rising, Captain Ark decided to augment his contingencies.”
Espress continued walking down the aisles of the armory, glazing her eyes at the beauty of polished machinery. There were a lot of guns she recognized, but even more that she did not. Either way, having a chance to try out any if them would surely make this a memorable mission.
“Captain Ark sent word that I'll be helping a seahorse unit for a super secret mission. I have to say that I'm honored, ma'am. It's not everyday that I get to do my favorite part of the job aboard the Tide. If nothing else, my guns will finally get to see some action other than target practice.”
“We’ll be certain not to disappoint,” Sofia casually replied.
“So, what can I get you?” The armorer asked. She carefully lifted a rifle that was laying on the counter, cradling it protectively. Dusting the weapon off delicately with the fur of her hoof, she returned the rifle to its rack behind the counter.
“Seeing as our target is a small civilian ship, what do you have in the way of silenced firehooves?”
Katashin smiled and pulled out from below the counter a catalogue. “This book lists every item on the armory inventory. It keeps track of every little thing that goes in and out this room. Can’t be too careful these days. If even one firehoof goes loose on the ship, that's an immediate lockdown waiting to happen.”
She opened the book, showcasing an image of a gun on every page, and further highlighting the intricacies of managing a weapon collection of this size.
Espress appeared behind Sofia and leaned into the counter, her hooves on her cheek. “Oh, that's cool!”
“Since your party is going to be on a civilian cargo ship, what we need to get you is a silenced subsonic weapon, perfect for stealthy, close quarters combat,” Katashin flipped the book through a few pages before stopping. She traced her hoof down along the length of the paper and tapped.
“Looks like we have in stock, an Orchard Industries AJ-01 Rifle, silenced,” She turned the book around and showed Sofia the gun. “This model fires rounds traveling at only 320 meters per second, effective only at unarmored personnel at close ranges.”
The armorer walked from her counter and proceeded to a shelf just paces ahead. Sofia followed again, noting the variety of firehooves in the room and wondered if this would have been a factor in the budget problem of the Navy, spending on contingencies like this.
“Here it is!” Katashin stood on her hind legs to reach for the top of a shelf, retrieving the gun. Grasping it firmly, she tugged it down. The rifle was of a blue gray matte finish, dusted and cleaned lovingly like a prized treasure. And under the white light, it glistened just like one.
As if on cue, Espress once again interjected and took the gun just as the officer was hoofing it to Sofia, much to the lieutenant's chagrin. The firehoof was of medium length, the barrel was of carbine model and chambered in hollow point.
They were not expecting any serious resistance, and any would probably be just unarmored security. This would do the job just fine.
“We’ll take it!” Espress exclaimed, fiddling the gun like a curious cat.
“We’ll need three units, spare magazines for all of it,” Sofia instructed.
“Don't you think we should get Mayfix something to use too?” Espress suggested.
“Now why would we want to do that? She's inexperienced, clumsy and clearly susceptible to panic. Hoofing her a rifle is just inviting trouble.”
“Just get her one. Besides, is not like we're expecting any resistance,” Espress said. “No harm in lending the comforting feeling of a gun on your hoof.”
“We'll be right there with her, in case you forgot that part of this mission. She’ll be under our supervision,” Sofia justified.
“I think you suddenly forgot that ponies tend to get hurt around us, you know,” Espress remarked. Obviously she was well aware of her superior's carefree stance on crew safely, but even this was a little bit too neglectful.
“Seahorses getting hurt, surprising. As if that isn't part of the job,”Sofia snarked. Espress puffed dismissively, leaving the matter for the lieutenant to muse at. Typical of her to put the mission ahead of anything else, which may seem hypocritical of her, given her similarly reckless nature during her time as a cop, but Espress thought she would never willingly put somepony's life at risk just to catch the bad guy.
“I know it sounds oxymoronic, but it's safer if everypony is armed,” Espress added.
Sofia picked up a rifle from the shelf and inspected it with her magic, noting the cleanliness and intricacy of the machine that requires no enchantments to operate. She looked at Katashin and sighed, “Fine. We'll also need four hoofguns, peashooter model.”
“Of course!” The armorer said, skipping cheerfully. “Sorry, I don't get many customers. Meet me back at the counter!”
Espress simply smiled at Sofia, who nodded pensively and turned to follow the officer. Despite knowing how cold Sofie could be, there was still some flicker of earnest care in there.
Espress’ relationship with her superior was a special type of mutual. Espress looked up to her as a capable but flawed leader, the lieutenant focused on the completion of a mission and almost nothing else. While the ethics on which their missions are accomplished are borderline questionable, they are undeniably effective, and even Espress could see herself in Sofia's hooves making the same decisions she made.
Sofia on the other hoof, merely tolerated Espress, and given the sergeant’s better fighting skill, would sometimes learn something from her as a sort of reward for patience.
The relationship ultimately, wasn't tenuous. Rather it was a friendship in formality. At least Espress saw it that way.
Espress and Sofia returned to the counter, finding the armorer packaging the ordnance diligently.
“Don't lose them!” Katashin quipped. She had finished releasing the equipment to the lieutenant, carefully placing each firehoof in its own gray, cushioned and gem-locked briefcase.
"Well, seems I finally figured out where the budget went,” Sofia remarked, observing the manicured machinery that clearly cost a lot to maintain, though that could just be attributed to Katashin's apparent meticulousness in keeping her collection clean.
“Nah, all Orchard Industries shipments come in these cases. Pretty cool, right?”
“Sure, but no way am I carrying all that,” Espress said, shifting the radio she was holstering onto her back.
“I’ll have to agree,” Sofia agreed. “Have this delivered to the main deck tomorrow, 1800 hours.”
“I can do that!” Katashin said in guarantee, levitating their order under the counter. The rest of the ship may be sluggish from all the dope, but at the very least arming the crew would not be a problem, thanks in part due to Katashin efficiency of the.
“Time to head on deck then?” Espress chirped.
“Assuming our team hasn’t fallen overboard yet,” Sofia said.
“Mez is a pegasus, I keep reminding you that!” Espress snickered again. “Oh, and Mayfix is an engineer, in case you forgot that too.”
Sofia huffed. “Receptionist. Rookie. so far the one title that have yet to earn are seahorses, so unfortunately I remain doubtful of our success on this mission. Remind me of that instead.”
“Sure,” Espress guffawed and trotted out the armory, unflinched by the lieutenant's sarcasm. As they left, Katashin cheerfully waved goodbye.
“Thank you for your business,” the chiffon mare said. “Tell your friends about me! Seriously, it get really boring in here!”
April 15
Mez sniffed, unfurling his wings and letting a stray, mud green feather flutter away. The air was muddled with sea salt and aircraft exhaust, but through it all he could still sense a tingle of perfume coming from Mayfix. He sneezed immediately.
“Bless you,” the lime green mare responded rather timidly.
“Thank you miss,” Mez replied stiffly.
The two newcomers stood about on the main deck under the slowly waning day. All around them aircraft rolled by for cleaning and fixing. A bunch of serviceponies were dusting off the deck, walking up and down the runway looking for loose bolts or debris that might cause any damage. On the other end of the massive ship, landings and takeoffs were happening on regular intervals, an exercise to keep their pilots at peak efficiency. It was a thankful sight. Despite the entire ship doped up, they still manage to keep practices like this running. Either that or just mere boredom.
Under the heat of afternoon sun Mez and Mayfix shuffled in position. Their uniforms were oddly comfortable, but it was not practical for weather as warm as now. Mez earlier helped the inexperienced engineer get into her jumpsuit, the brushing of furs leaving them in an awkward state of affairs since then.
So far everything seemed to be going smoothly. Mez had thought bullets would be whizzing past his being the moment he got off the autochariot. Instead he was teamed up with a rather cute but evidently distressed mare.
“Sergeant...I don't think I can do this…” Mayfix admitted, her voice stirring with dread.
“It’s alright, ma'am There most likely wouldn't be any fighting in this mission.”
“Have you been to a lot of missions, sergeant?” Mayfix asked curiously.
“No, ma'am. This is actually my first operation.”
“Oh dear, I'm dead…”
Mez felt a little embarrassed admitting that, but he mostly felt a pang of guilt. His mission was to protect Mayfix, but his lack of experience most guaranteed he would fail.
The stallion sighed sadly. Here he was, finally a seahorse. But fate ruled it to be the only time he would ever be called one. And being entrusted the safely of a civilian no less. The world has large boots and it cannot help stepping on everypony.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… I'm just still so scared right now…”
Having nothing else to say, he could only reassure her. “It'll be fine, miss. We'll… I'll make sure nothing awful happens.”
That seemed to calm her down slightly. She at looked at Mez with watery eyes and gave a small smile, something Mez returned.
As for him, he did not particularly feel scared, only concerned. This was his one chance to impress Lieutenant Sofia. If there was anypony who could recommend him to anything other than crew work, it was the fabled Ghost of East Oceans. He was determined to display exceptional performance, showing that he could hold his own in the field. That performance hinged on protecting the engineer throughout the operation.
If nothing else, it was a win for both Mez and Mayfix. Mez does a fine job, all the while keeping Mayfix safe.
A moment or so later Lieutenant Sofia and Sergeant Espress trotted toward them from the tower of the ship. Exactly two in the afternoon. Of course, Mez came on deck almost half an hour early just to be ahead of schedule. And Mayfix, having no bearing on the reality that she was now practically a seahorse, followed him out of necessity.
“At attention,” Lieutenant Sofia instructed just as they reached them.
“Hey guys!” Espress greeted happily. “How's it going?”
“Don't answer that,” Sofia waved, nudging her compatriot to get in line just like everypony else, beside Mayfix. Espress seemed like a flighty character. She was carefree and friendly. It was perhaps uncharacteristic for a seahorse who has seen many battles, but it was a welcoming personality nonetheless, somepony to ease him into the dangers that laid ahead.
Mez guessed he probably did not need to impress her just as he should the lieutenant, but instead he could learn something from her. Few people could get in the good side of a veteran seahorse. And Espress clearly knew just how to do that.
Sofia gave a rather tired salute to her impromptu unit. They returned it naturally, Mayfix doing so awkwardly late.
“Right. No policy may be in effect but we are still conducting this operation on Seahorse ROE. That means no civilians.”
Mayfix perked.
“Miss Mayfix, you are therefore promoted to Private First Class, congratulations.”
Mayfix drooped.
Mez looked at the fellow green pony worriedly, in his mind reassuring her and himself that things will go fine, despite having no experience in their current matter.
“Are you… wearing perfume?” Espress asked Mayfix foxily.
The engineer looked away from Espress and mumbled incoherently. “I'm…. I was…”
“I should inform you that a seahorse caught lying to their superior will face severe punishment,” Sofia said nonchalantly.
Mayfix timidly tried to hide herself with a lock of yellow mane. “Y-yes, sir… ma'am… I'm sorry, it's just that… the smell of the ship was going to-”
“Alright, I don't care,” Sofia quickly said. “Just make sure to wash it off before we move out. I'll not have us compromised because hostiles have inadvertently picked up the scent of strawberries.”
Mayfix simply nodded, while Mez sniffled again. It smelled more like bubblegum to him.
The lieutenant was clearly sizing Mayfix up. She had the impossible task of becoming a seahorse in just a day, being a little hard on her was sort of necessary. It was only in the best of the mission that she did not go too far.
“The target is a cargo ship carrying a weapon of that belongs to Canterlot, under a foreign seal. Our main objective is to get in, disarm, retrieve and out quickly.”
“Our insertion shall then be a controlled drop from above. As silently and stealthily as possible.”
“Exciting!” Espress commented, bumping her shoulder at Mayfix playfully.
“To make things simple. Sergeant Espress and I will drop together, and I'll use my magic to control our descent,” Sofia walked over and stopped in front of Mayfix.
“You and Sergeant Messerschmitt, on the other hoof, will drop together. You'll be strapped to him and he will dive down to the ship before landing. Understood?”
“Yes, ma'am,” Mayfix replied.
“We are here on deck to practice just that. Obviously, we normally won't need to,” She said, eyeing Mayfix still. “So it is very important that you remember what you learn today.”
Mez once again felt a gurgling in his stomach. He was not sure if it was because he was somewhat airsick, or embarrassed at the fact that a pegasus like him was airsick.
Regardless, he was not about to bring it up to Lieutenant Sofia again. The scorn that would bring would not ever be absolved even with his own death. Instead he kept his head low, pretending to tighten the straps of his uniform.
The team rode on their autochariot as it flew alongside the Tide and its two-destroyer escort, up to its designated altitude. The sun shined its light perfectly staight through the cabin, adding a vivid yellow tint to the interior.
The four seahorses all wore a midnight blue combat suit, including a black magically-enforced vest and a shock helmet that protected the entire head, save for the area where the muzzle of the wearer jutted out. They looked pretty cool, but sad was Sergeant Mez that he could only get to wear it on this operation.
“Five hundred feet and holding, ma'am” The pilot said, indicating they've reached their intended altitude.
“Very well. Private Mayfix, pay attention,” The lieutenant said tersely.
“Just before we drop, the pilot will give us the clear by activating a red light. Five seconds later, Sergeant Mez will jump out the chariot, taking you along with him. Five seconds after that, I and Sergeant Espress will jump, controlling both our descent with my magic.”
“Once Mez reaches near the deck, he will hover and unstrap you, and it is up to you to stay upright and land standing up. After that, insertion is complete. All this should take place in the span of less than thirty seconds.”
“Saying that, we still gave you a reserve parachute. If you for some reason get unstrapped from Sergeant Mez, you can activate you chute by pulling on the red handle dangling on your left shoulder.”
A second later, the doors of the autochariot opened, and the air became a cacophony of whirring noises, from the rotors of the aircraft to the high altitude breeze.
Like clockwork, Lieutenant Sofia and Sergeant Espress began preparing, locking their vests in place, donning their flight goggles and tightening the cotton straps of their suits. Espress whistled at Mez, making him return his attention to his own preparations.
Mez secured his own suit diligently. Seeing Mayfix confused and out of the loop again, he stepped ahead and helped her, making sure her vest hugged her body tightly and her flight goggles did not fall off. Mayfix felt stiff, clearly scared again. Unfortunately, he could only pat her shoulder and give more orders to her.
“Alright, look here,” Mez said loudly, getting Mayfix to look at him through her goggles, albeit with a face that looked at though it was about to cry. Luckily she did not. “I'm going to connect this blue rope to you. We’ll jump together, so when we're airborne, I can pull you to me and secure your vest to mine.
Before Mayfix could respond, a loud holler echoed in the cabin. Espress exclaimed, “We're about to jump! Mez, Mayfix you're first so get ready!”
“I've never been this high, ma'am!”
Mez seemed to recall somepony else saying that on the ship, but for a completely different context.
“I-I don't know if I can't go through with this!”
“You don't even have to do anything!” Sofia yelled. “Get on with it!”
“We'll jump together on the count of three,” Mez said, tugging Mayfix’s rope and vest reassuringly.
His words seemed to calm Mayfix down a little, but Mez kept his hoof on her for some momentary assurance. He lead the green unicorn to the door of the autochariot, the ocean stretching below as far as the eye could see.
“Ready?” Need began. No doubt his partner want not, but the lieutenant’s patience was running thin. He will have to take control of the situation.
“One, two,” at the last count, Mayfix wrapped her hoof around Mez, the unicorn clinging to him tightly. He was going to tell her to let go, but instead he though this might be a more preferable mode of exit. It ascertained they both of them left the craft at the same time, at least.
“Three!” Mez hopped out the autochariot, Mayfix still bound to him by the hooves. A familiar feeling began to take hold. No longer did he feel airsick, contained by metal walls and gears. The rush of air was like a douse of cold water to the face, stinging, freezing and refreshing.
He spread his wings and slowed his flight to look at his passenger. She shut her eyes tight, refusing to view the perfect scenery from below. “It's fine, Miss! We're flying straight!”
“Please just get me to the ground!” Mayfix begged, still stuck to his person like a lost child. He sort if felt bad for her, missing out on a relieving experience like this, then again she was not exactly trained for anything other than desk work.
“You'll need to let go then, so we can land quickly and properly. If you stay like that, you might clip my wing,” Mez said.
Mayfix hesitated. Oh course she was not doing that. He gently prodded the green pony, trying to unglue her from him. Not budging.
When he was sure his flying was stable enough, he brushed Mayfix with a hoof, stilling her shivers. Surprisingly, that got her to open her eyes and gaze towards him.
“You need to let go! Don't worry, I'll hold onto you!”
Mayfix shut her eyes again, hesitated a moment, before finally letting go. She fell briefly, to which she let out a short but loud shriek. In that instant, Mez grabbed the unicorn by the barrel and hooked her vest to his. They were now flying soundly, with Mayfix below him. Mez struggled slightly with the added weight, but at least she was not swaying around in the air like a swinging ball hanging by a thread, else that would have made flying tremendously harder.
“What's going on down there?” Espress asked. Mez looked around, curious as to how he could hear her voice clearly in the howling breeze. Not long after he realized she was taking through the radio.
“We're diving towards the Tide, ma'am. ten seconds to arrival.”
“We're right behind you. Don't miss, okay!” The sergeant said in a rather pitched tone.
Mez was sure he would not, now that his passenger was slightly more cooperative for now. She had both hooves covering her eyes, not daring to take a peek.
Mez was tempted to just fly around, finally free from the constraints of the autochariot. Maybe a gentle cruise above the clouds would assuage Mayfix's apparent fear of flying.
“A-are we there yet?” Mayfix asked though the radio, looking up slightly.
“Five seconds, get ready. I will unhook you just a few feet above ground, so make sure you land on all fours, alright?”
“O-okay!” She responded nervously.
“Here we go!”
The ocean and the ship suddenly drew closer within the last few seconds, sending a sudden rush of panic to Mayfix. A mere second later, Mez slowed drastically and unhooked the mare from him. It was supposed to be a simple landing, but the panic stricken engineer flailed her hooves at the last second and landed on both front hooves first, before the rear portion of her body followed quickly and with a thud. It was not a perfect landing, but a landing nonetheless.
Mez flapped his wings and settled just ahead of Mayfix. A few serviceponies on deck were not busy or high enough and decided to help Mayfix up. Thankfully she seemed unhurt, Still, a painless landing was the least he could have done.
“Are you okay, miss?”
“I’m…. No actually,” the engineer stumbled, crouched on the deck and shivering lightly. “I think I'm going to be sick…”
“That was great!” Sergeant Espress and Lieutenant Sofia descended onto the deck gracefully, aided by a varnish of unicorn magic wrapping both of them. To control the flight of two ponies while traveling and a considerable velocity was quite something. The lieutenant's arcane prowess was certainly admirable.
“Not really, but acceptable given the variables at work,” Lieutenant Sofia added, a little understanding of the situation. A landing like would earn him a failing grade in Flight School.
Mayfix had no time to cheer her partial success, as she ran to the side of the ship and dispensed this morning's buffet into the ocean in a rather vile reconstitution.
“Oof, that doesn't look too good,” Sergeant Espress commented.
“I would prefer another practice landing,” The Lieutenant admitted, then looked at w her e Mayfix ran to. “ But once again, beaurocracy had other plans.”
“Sergeant Messerschmitt,” Mez stood at full attention at the announcement of his name, with Sofia staring up at him observantly. “Well done. I expected a worse outcome, but whatever you did worked.”
“Thank you, ma'am,” He said, justified pride walking up in his stomach.
“In fact, based on today's events I feel it best that Mayfix liase with you for the duration of this mission. She'll be under your supervision, so do not ever leave the receptionist in your sight, understood?
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Right. Take her to your room and get some rest,” Sofia ordered. “But just her. You, on the other hoof, will report back here in an hour. We’re head to the armory for your live combat test, see how well you handle with a gun.”
“Understood, ma'am.”
Mez trotted back into the ship with mixed emotions, the pride he felt moments ago leaving as quickly as it came.
At the moment he worried more about Mayfix. The lime green was walking slightly behind him, tiredly and sickly. She clearly did not want to be here, but for some reason she agreed to this when given the choice. There were plenty of reasons to say no to bring part of a highly dangerous seahorse mission. So maybe she was not she really given a choice.
The two walked into their room and Mayfix immediately limped onto her bed weakly.
“How are you holding up, miss?”
“Fine, Sergeant…” Mayfix said. “I'm just tired.”
“If I may ask, why did you agree to this?”
“Well... you heard what the captain said. I'm the only pony for the job…”
“Yes, but it seems clear to me that you do not want to be here, ma'am,” Mez paused. “May. Any other engineer could have taken your place.”
“No... I'm the only one they got. And when they sent me here, they told me to just say yes to everything Captain Ark asked. I had to agree.”
“I'm unfamiliar with who your are referring to,” Mez said.
“I dunno either. I don't even know why we're doing this.”
“It's too retrieve stolen property ma'am,” Mez reminded, a hint of concern in his voice. “Or is there something else you have forgotten to brief is about?”
“No it's… oh, yeah. Right, it is. Sorry, I'm just tired, my head’s not straight. I think I should go sleep. Or home,” Mayfix sighed solemnly. “Oh, and thank you for your help today, Sergeant.”
“It's my job, ma'am,” Mez paused again. “May. Get some rest.”
Mayfix nodded before passing out onto the bed.
Mez blinked. May mentioned a they, but she was not clear on what that was. Most likely it was institute she belonged to. He couldn't seem to remember the name, though what was clear was that the institute produced weapons for the Navy.
Only a moment had passed and May was snoozing soundly. Good, she needed the rest. He still felt a little sorry for her. The shock and the physical exertion would certainly take a toll on any untrained soul. He knew that all too well, being a boring Coast Guard before being a Seahorse.
Sadly he still needed to focus on the task at hoof. Placing himself in Lieutenant Sofia's spot, being rough on the engineer was the only way to prepare for the mission.
Mez stretched and headed out to the main deck. It was relatively early towards the lieutenant's schedule, but in his experience being punctual was something superiors favored.
“Welcome back!” Katashin greeted happily from the counter. “I see you brought a friend too. I love that!”
“Hey Katy,” Espress responded casually, taking in the wonderful sights once again.
“Afternoon, miss. We'll need one of those rifles we ordered and access to the range.
“Sure thing. No one's been in the range in the while, so I'll probably have to call the upper deck and let them know that those cracking sounds they'll hear isn't an iceberg or a broken engine,” Katashin lifted a clean, daper suitcase from behind the counter and opened it towards the seahorses, presenting a partially disassembled firehoof, its pieces fitted neatly and snuggly in each shaped compartment that was padded with a bushy fabric.
Mez recognized the make if the gun. An Orchard Industries rifle, produced from their only factory in Ponyville. The company has pretty low production compared to other manufactures like the Hoofgang Company, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in superior quality. Many customers cosign to the reliability of their products, the guns said to last centuries.
“Sergeant Messerschmitt,” Sofia paused. “Espress is right, that may be too long. Sergeant Mez, what sort of experience do you have in firehooves besides Seahorse School?”
“We are issued sidehooves in the Coast Guard. I only fired it once, but only as a warning shot.
“So, none then. Great,” Sofia said.
Katashin retrieved a key from her pocket and lead them to a room behind the counter. It was a crude space, the walls cemented and soundproofed with minimal effort placed to the deed. down range were pony cardboard cutouts, all roughly the size of a small stallion. They had no out perforations on them, the wall behind them however, was riddled. It spoke loudly to the ability of thee when it came to shooting targets. It was safe to say that should a mutiny occur in this ship, it would be a short lived affair.
“For this test,” Lieutenant Sofia began. “ You will fire at these targets at different ranges. For each range you're given five rounds. If at least three of those round hit a target, you pass the test.”
“Yes ma'am,”
Mez held the rifle with a hoof. It was relatively light, as he held it without his hoof rocking from any sort of stress.
The rookie went through the motions of basic gun handling. First, he stood up. Both hooves are now free to hold the gun properly. Most ponies object to this method, as it slowed them down considerably and standing on both hindlegs for too long was quickly tiring. But Seahorse School taught him that the most effective way to fire a gun was by standing still and holding the gun with both hooves for stability. Of course, they also emphasized finding effective cover to negate the standing still portion. Given enough endurance practice, a pony could move on both hindlegs and fire their weapon at the same time.
Mez unlocked the safety of the firehoof, inserted a magazine into the slot, and chambered the first round.
a strobe light in the range turned red, and Lieutenant Sofia ordered, “Fire at will.”
Mez fired.
Miss. He fired again.
Hit, a shot to the neck. He fired again.
Hit, the cardboard cutout stood no chance. He fired again.
Miss. How he could miss at these short ranges baffled him. He fired again.
Hit.
“Right, good enough,” Sofia commented. She was neither impressed nor disappointed, but for some reason to Mez, being just good enough was worse than either great or horrible. He was not settling for good enough.
After Mez had once again reloaded, Sofia promptly ordered, “Next range.”
