Two Hooves

Within the hour, a glossy, grey helicopter descended from the summit of Mountain Four and settled itself in the center of the base. Its blades churned the dust and a smokescreen built around the helicopter. Red Field had read of helicopters and their obsolescence in the wake of magical aircraft. He wondered why anyone would still use one. He and the rest of the ponies watched as the rotors spun down and the dust settled.

Luna exited the officers’ barracks. Khyber jogged after her. He straightened his vest and began to speak to her. She looked past him and toward the aircraft.

Khyber had returned to the base once he heard of the delay and had joined Fo and Natick in urging Luna to humor the businessdog.

The door on the side of the helicopter slid open and a dog stepped out. He was only a meter and a half tall and wore a tan dress vest from which drooped a pearl-colored handkerchief. He shook the dust off of his paws and tilted his head at Luna. His eyes were a dark red and his expression matched hers.

“Princess Luna?” He sounded impatient.

“Yes.” She said, reciprocating the tone. The short dog's chest rose as he took a sharp breath.

“I’d say she flies pretty good!” The door to the cockpit swung open between the two. A lanky dog hopped out of the pilot’s seat and looked around. “Didn’t kick up too much dust.” He said, shaking a foot. The pilot wore ill-fitting sunglasses with flat lenses which didn’t cover his green eyes.

He noticed Luna.

“You must be Queen Twilight.” He said with a bow. His glasses dropped off of his face and he made a “whoopsie” as they hit the ground.

“Excuse me?” Luna asked.

He recovered his glasses and, wiping them on his baggy blue vest, extended his paw to her.

“Avogadro, thank you for taking the time to meet with me.” He turned around and extended a paw back. “Oh, this is my associate Fairfax.” Avogadro made an inviting throw of his paw and the dog with red eyes walked up beside him. Avogadro thumped the smaller dog on the back. “Fairfax helps me coordinate everything; I’d be a mess without him.” He smiled at Luna. “I’m sure he and your dragon would get along very nicely.” The red-eyed dog gave a low growl and Avogadro looked down at him. “What?”

“This is Princess Luna.” Said his assistant. “Queen Twilight is back in Equestria.”

Avogadro looked back at Luna. His mouth fell open, revealing a tongue far too long for his mouth.

“No.” He threw his head back and laughed. “Lord, I can never make a good impression now can I?” He bowed again, this time keeping one paw on the glasses he’d tucked into his pocket. “My apologies Princess, I have had so many things on my plate lately that I couldn’t even keep my Equestrian Princesses straight.”

“What do you want?” Luna asked.

Avogadro cocked his head at her.

“Something the matter?” He asked in a voice much like Discord's.

“You’d requested a meeting with the Princess regarding the temporary pause in the train schedule?” Khyber said.

“Yes, of course.” Avogadro nodded. “I’m sorry if I’m wasting your time your majesty; I just like to iron out problems as soon as they arise.”

“I can pay you ten thousand bits for your inconvenience.” Luna said.

“Oh goodness no.” Avogadro said so suddenly and humorously Luna stiffened.

“Fifteen.” She said. “And we go our separate ways.”

“Princess, it costs quite a bit of money to protect my cargo. And at least doubly so when it comes to abrupt hiring like the kind we need since the schedule’s a mess now. Then there’s the issue of finding decent dogs who don’t steal and can shoot and do the needful.” He held up his paw. “Now I was thinking that it’d be much easier if you just lent me some ponies to watch my car on the next trip; I am certainly impressed with their skills and have no qualms about their integrity. I could fly them back to you personally once we arrive.”

“My assistant Nacht can help you then.” Said Luna.

“He sounds perfect. I think two or three more should do it.” Avogadro said. He looked over the UATs. “Who was the pony who was watching over the train with a sniper rifle, it has been a while since I’ve had a pony good with a rifle.”

Red Field shrank away from the window.

“I can lend you a squad of UATs.” Said Luna and Avogadro was saying “dandy”, when Bombs Away spoke up.

“Sorry but that won’t be happening.” Bombs Away had been watching the exchange from the door to the officers’ barracks and he marched up to Luna. “The UATs are not a mercenary force.”

“Goodness.” Avogadro took a step back from Bombs Away. “Which one of you is in charge here?” Both Luna and Bombs Away replied in the positive and he frowned. “Once you have this ironed out, just let me know.” He motioned to Fairfax and the pair went back to the helicopter.

“Madam, you are not authorized to be giving such commands.” Said Bombs Away, turning to Luna. Even attempting to whisper, Bombs Away was still audible to the ponies in the barracks above them.

“Commander I don’t give a damn what you think, I want this idiot gone.”

“I’d shoot that moron before I give any of my stallions to him.” Bombs Away said. “And I’ll remind you that I have finally authority over my teams.”

“Excuse me.” Khyber approached the cockpit of the helicopter where Avogadro sat writing into a notepad. “Is there any alternate form of payment you would consider?”

Avogadro held his paws up and put on an anxious smile.

“I’m sorry, I don’t deal with conflicts well.” He said. “Fairfax speaks for me in situations like this.” Khyber looked over at the skulking assistant as Avogadro put on a pair of flight muffs and returned to writing.

“Mister Avogadro needs three of your soldiers to protect the cargo that your actions delayed. Or you can pay us two million bits and find three such dogs Mister Avogadro has personally vetted before the afternoon is out.” Said Fairfax.

“I don’t care what he needs.” Said Bombs Away. “I’m not sending any of my ponies out on an errand for him and I don’t give a damn how many bones he’s got buried.”

“I can accompany the ponies, just to make sure everything runs smoothly.” Said Khyber to Bombs Away.

“Avogadro cannot make any claims of safety but it has been over three months since the last attempted train robbery.” Said Fairfax. “We are not expecting any particular attack on this shipment.”

“We are not mercenaries. We will not be engaging in any such operation.” Bombs Away began walking back to the officers’ barracks. Luna watched him, then approached Fairfax.

“We have a pair of Gmales on base we can lend you.” She said.

“Per Avogadro, this invitation extends only to the UAT ponies.” Fairfax said.

“Commander Away.” Luna shouted and Red Field shivered. Bombs Away had already gone inside and a moment passed before he emerged from the barracks. “I will personally aid in the protective detail for the cargo. So will my assistant Nacht. I need one pony from your force to help us.”

“Princess, if I haven’t made it clear, we are not helping that pillowbiter.” Shouted Bombs Away.

“Please stop being so bullheaded.” Fairfax said to Bombs Away. “Your princess is willing to risk her life for this; isn’t she worth more than just one of your commandos?”

Bombs Away threw the door open and strode out to the pair.

“Listen mutt, I don’t know if you get off on getting beat down but I can assure you that you have crossed a line that will involve your skinny ass being beaten.” Bombs Away was moving toward Fairfax when Red Field stepped out of his barracks.

“I’ll go.” He said shakily. “It would be easiest that way.” Bombs Away’s sleeves were rolled up and he glanced over at Red Field.

“Son go back inside.” Bombs Away said.

“Good, that will work fine.” Luna ushered Fairfax toward the helicopter. “Tell your boss we are ready to assist him.”

“Madam, I said-”

A purple-black color surged to Luna’s eyes. She twisted her head just far enough to give Bombs Away a glimpse of her countenance. Red Field stopped midstride. The darkness vanished so quickly Red Field scarcely recalled he’d seen anything, and only knew he’d stopped moving. Bombs Away stopped mid-step and his cigar dropped from his mouth.

“Erm.” Bombs Away looked as if he’d forgotten several decades of knowledge and stood blank faced for a few moments.

“Mister Avogadro is very busy; am I telling him you three will be securing the shipment?” Asked Fairfax.

Bombs Away blinked a few times.

“If my Princess accompanies you.” He said. “But madam, you get my pony back safely or I’ll bring the wrath of God against you.” He said, the violence now distant from his voice.

“Of course.” Luna said.

“Sir.” Fairfax opened the door to the helicopter and conversed for a few seconds with Avogadro before motioning to Luna and Red Field. “Please climb aboard, mister Avogadro would like to leave immediately.”

Red Field only carried his sidearm and looked back at the barracks.

“Mister Avogadro will provide any equipment you need, please come along, we need to leave.” Said Fairfax. He opened the passenger door. “In there please.” As Red Field seated himself in the leather chair and searched for a buckle, Avogadro looked back at him. Up close, Avogadro’s flourish had an eerie sincerity.

“Are you the sniper pony?” He asked, lifting one of his earmuffs.

“Yes sir.” Red Field had scarcely spoken when Avogadro held up his paw, which was the size of Red Field’s hoof.

“Good to meet you!” Avogadro held his paw out to Red Field and Red Field realized he wanted a high five. Red Field gave him a confused pat on the paw. “Awesome!” Avogadro winked at Red Field. “I like the volunteer spirit!”

“He’s not interested in any other work.” Luna said, climbing into the seat beside Red Field. “Now let’s go.”

“Oh I wouldn’t presume!” Avogadro said. “Now, let’s see if we can’t get a good liftoff.” The helicopter shook as the rotor spun up. The other UATs stepped back as the dust rose again. Red Field’s stomach lurched as the helicopter pulled upward.

Luna and Red Field sat in the backseat of the helicopter. The canine-sized seats pushed the two close and Red Field’s shoulder pressed against hers. He stared straight ahead at the back of Fairfax's seat and stayed as motionless as he could.

They reached the train station. He hadn’t seen a helipad or even a clearing near the station. Red Field couldn’t see where they were landing and didn’t dare turn his head to look. As the helicopter began to descend, Fairfax looked back at them.

“We will depart in fifteen minutes, where is the other pony?”

“My assistant will meet us at the station.” Luna said.

“We won’t be at the station.” Said Fairfax. They touched down and Red Field felt the helicopter tilt a little.

“Fairfax, why don’t you go look for this pony and bring him back to us.” Avogadro said. “I’ll take our guests to their car.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Now then, follow me please. Do watch your step as well.” Avogadro said, climbing out of the cockpit. Red Field opened the door of the helicopter.

They’d landed atop one of the train cars. Red Field’s hooves went cold at the sight of the mountainside below.

“Down here!” Called Avogadro from the front of the car. Red Field followed Luna down the ladder and into the car.

“This is my workstation when I’m on the train.” Avogadro said. The interior of the car was an office, complete with filing cabinets, a desk and potted plants. Luna started to ask about their duties when something banged against the roof of the car. Both ponies looked up and Avogadro chuckled.

“That’s just the crew cinching down the chopper.” He pushed the chair under his desk. “I don’t think anyone’s ever robbed a train on Mountain Eight, or Six, and only a few on Seven.” He looked around. “I usually have a pitcher of punch somewhere around here, did I leave it at home?”

“Where are we to guard?” Luna asked.

“Oh, yes.” Avogadro pointed to the door on the other side of the car. “I was thinking your sniper pony and your assistant could station themselves in the cargo car next to this one. Your highness could stay in my office. I don’t really need a guard, but the line likes every VIP to have one.”

“Specialist Red Field, take position in that car.” Said Luna.

“Yes madam.” Red Field said, eager to get out of her presence.

“You can look through my weapons locker,” Avogadro said, “there should a rifle in there.”

Red Field opened the door and entered the adjacent car.

The car was full of crates and a few shapeless lumps covered in tarps. Along either side of the car ran metal slits resembling gunports. Red Field looked around for a few seconds, not wanting to venture further inside. Where was the weapons locker? None of the containers were marked and Red Field didn’t dare open a crate of Avogadro’s apparently valuable cargo. But, he wouldn’t return to Avogadro and Luna and ask where to find a gun.

Red Field spent the remaining minutes at the station searching for something more than his hoofgun. He was still searching as the train lurched forward under his hooves. He put his hoof on his pistol.

He had one magazine.

The hatch above him opened and Red Field almost drew on Nacht as the unicorn dropped into the car.

“I’ll keep an eye on the mountain, you watch that side.” Nacht said, pointing to the side of the car facing toward the depression in the center of Mohs. “Where are our weapons?”

“I don’t know.” Said Red Field. “He said there was a locker in here.”

Nacht looked at the containers, then began opening them. He opened one metal box, then shoved it against the wall, almost spilling its gemstone contents. Red Field looked toward the door to Avogadro’s office, hoping the dog wouldn’t hear them rifling through his possessions. Nacht didn’t pay attention to the noise his search made and continued opening, then discarding boxes until he discovered a long chest bolted to the floor. The chest had been covered by a tarp draped over one of the larger crates.

“That Fairfax dog said to shoot anyone who’s within twenty meters of the track.” Nacht lifted an older variant of the KKAT out of the chest, along with a few magazines. He set the rifle into the gunport facing toward the mountain. The train was picking up speed and Red Field hurried to the chest.

Inside the chest lay nothing but pawguns and a few hoofguns. Numerous boxes of pistol ammo rattled around the unsecured pistols, but Red Field saw no rifles. He dug to the bottom of the chest and found nothing but a few stray bullets and bits of rust. Red Field picked through the boxes of ammo, hoping to at least find extra rounds for his sidearm.

“Finding everything okay?” Avogadro had opened the door to the office and looked down at the pair. He saw Red Field opening one of the boxes of pistol ammunition. “Oh, did they not leave you a rifle? I’ve got something in here. Hold up a sec.” Avogadro returned from his office carrying a molded plastic case the size of Red Field. He grunted and forced it through the door. The case rattled the car floor as Avogadro laid it down.

“Try that on for size.” Said the dog.

Red Field opened the latches and swung the case open. Inside laid a monstrous, unknown rifle. Its barrel was over half a meter long and was marked for .40 PAG. The weapon was designed for a pony, given its large trigger. The receiver was familiar too. Red Field studied the rollmark.

“A friend dropped this off for T and E. I was going to ask Midlothian to check it out, but I’ve got you instead.” Said Avogadro. “I’d love to hear your professional opinion of it when we arrive.”

“How do you know Midlothian?” Asked Red Field.

They rounded a bend and the train wheels clacked over Red Field’s question. Avogadro went back to his office, leaving Red Field with the sniper rifle.

Red Field drew the AP-5 out of its case. He fished out a pair of monstrous magazines from the case, along with two cardboard boxes of .40 PAG. Each magazine fit ten of the black-tipped rounds. Red Field shoved a magazine into the AP-5, pulled back the charging handle and fed a round into the rifle’s maw. The AP-5 was semiautomatic.

The train rocked under Red Field’s hooves as it rounded another turn. He dialed the scope back to its lowest magnification before bracing himself behind the gunport. The AP-5 was still wet with protective oil, which soaked into his skin. How had Avogadro gotten such a weapon?

The train rattled along the curve of the mountainside and cold mountain air gusted through the port. Red Field tried to discern which mountains he was looking at as they traveled. The AP-5 was at least 15 kilograms and Red Field’s right shoulder soon ached from keeping the gun steady. He’d forgotten his canteen and glanced around the car for some water. The door to Avogadro’s car creaked open and Red Field craned his neck to see who was behind him.

“Don’t mind me, taking some inventory.” Said Fairfax. “If you’re going to protect our property I’ll ask you stand at the ready.”

“Oh sorry.” Red Field said, straightening himself.

“Not you.”

Red Field looked over his shoulder again. Nacht had been leaning against the side of the car with his rifle against his legs. Nacht didn’t respond and Fairfax waited for him to correct his posture.

“I’ll inform Mister Avogadro of your laxity if you do not stand at attention.”

“What gives you the impression I am not combat ready?” Asked Nacht.

“Well hello!” Avogadro stood in the doorway to his car and smiled in at the three. The stagnant warmth of his office car trickled into the chilly cargo car. “How are things?”

“I was about to take inventory.” Fairfax said. “That pony was-”

“Oh, wonderful.” Avogadro entered farther into the car, carrying a pitcher of red punch. “I found another jug.” Fairfax returned to inventorying the crates and neither pony replied. “You must be thirsty from holding that gun up so long.” Avogadro said, approaching Red Field.

“No thank you sir.” Red Field was thirsty, but he did not trust the blood-red contents of the pitcher. Avogadro seemed to know this and he poured some punch into a cup from the stack he clutched in his other paw. Setting the pitcher down, he drank what he’d poured.

“It’s good.”

Red Field didn’t say anything and Avogadro poured another cup and set it beside him.

“Avogadro.” Luna had ventured into the cargo car as well. “How long will this trip take? And what have you arranged for our transport back to base?”

“Four more hours.” Said Avogadro. “I made sure we won’t stop, though we will have to slow down a bit going over the Brony trestle. I was thinking that you could ride the train back to Mountain Eight. It’s only about another hour since we’re going almost all the way around the mountains.”

“All sixteen crates accounted for, along with your helicopter parts.” Said Fairfax from the other end of the car.

“What is so important that you need mercenaries for protection?” Luna asked.

“Oh, well not much actually.” Said Avogadro. “I mean, it’s partially that everyone who moves good cargo with the train, even the guy who owns it, has to have guards as insurance. That’s FFS guidelines. And no matter how many threats I make, unguarded shipments tend to come up missing things.” He pointed to the crates. “Those are worth five thousand bits at most, they’re yellow samples from Cloudsdale. My helicopter parts are worth more than that. But I don’t expect some greedy mutt to know that.”

“This cargo is worthless?” Asked Luna, her ire rising. “You couldn’t do without guards for one trip?”

“Oh I probably could.” Said Avogadro. “But if I make one exception, then word gets out that I don’t always protect my cargo. I like to maintain the image.”

“All right.” Luna turned back to the office as if she didn’t trust herself to remain civil around Avogadro much longer.

“And I figured it would be a good time to meet you.” Said Avogadro. “Since you apparently plan on shaking things up around here.”

“I am searching for a Conspiracy to overthrow my nation.” Luna said. “I will do what is necessary to achieve that objective.”

“Oh of course.” Avogadro seated himself on a crate. “I’ve no ill will toward that. But I doubt this will be the last time you inadvertently disrupt one of my businesses.”

“What are you saying?” Luna asked.

“I can draw up a contract for a recurring fee if you’d like.” Fairfax said.

“Fairfax, I need you to dig up the Wraiths’ last weapons purchase.” Avogadro said, keeping his eyes on Luna.

“Yes sir.” Said Fairfax. Luna stepped farther into the cargo car as Fairfax passed her. They rounded a curve and some of the punch sloshed onto Red Field’s neck as he lifted the cup to drink.

“Your force was much smaller and more professional last time.” Avogadro said. “Where did they go?”

“This is a different operation.” Luna said. “I care much less about who I offend.”

“I would imagine.” Avogadro crossed his long legs. “Oh by the way, I don’t care too much about little disruptions here and there, certainly not from you.”

“Good.” Said Luna.

“Marshall Law said you had him pull a list of suspects.” Avogadro said. “You’ve had a chance to look it over?”

“Yes.”

“There’s quite a number of suspects, isn’t there?”

“Yes.”

“I’m on that list.” Avogadro said. “Every dog with a business related to Equestria is, along with all of the Underdogs of note.” The pitcher at his feet started to rattle and he steadied it with his foot. “Have you narrowed your list down?”

“My plans are of no consequence to you.” Luna said.

“They are.” Avogadro said. “You’re going to burn whomever you find and it’s going to be messy and you’re going to almost assuredly cause some serious harm to some part of my enterprise.” Avogadro’s voice had lowered. “It is definitely my business how you go about finding who you’re looking for.”

“Sir, the Wraiths’ last order was for ten mortars and about sixty rounds of ammo.” Fairfax said from the office.

“Thank you Fairfax. Can you pull their ordnance orders for the last few weeks?” Fairfax nodded. “Close the door please, I’d like to speak with Princess Luna in private.” Fairfax made a tiny growl which didn’t register with Avogadro. “You ought to be looking for people with a propensity for violence, not just a stake in Equestria.” Avogadro stood and walked to one of the tarp-covered objects. “The Wraiths have been around for a long time, always causing a bit of chaos in the name of justice. But recently it seems like they’ve been loading up for more than scuffles with the Gmales.” Avogadro drew back the tarp, revealing a stack of leather hides. He lifted one of the hides and ran a nail along the darkened skin. The pungent odor of the curing flesh burrowed deep into Red Field’s nose. “They’ve been buying more than usual. I don’t think they’ve ever purchased mortars before.”

“You’re supplying these rebels with weapons?” Luna asked.

“Here in the Rail Mountains everyone is armed. The FFS are always hiring, Anthro Corporation maintains a ‘territorial suppression force’ for whenever any trouble breaks out on their properties. The Bronies have SAM emplacements. Most villages have a militia and sometimes much more. The Wraiths are just another group of dogs with a penchant for violence and desire for righting others’ wrongs. However, they seem to have changed course regarding their ‘mission statement’ as of late.”

“Exactly how hard would we need to work to convince you to stop supplying them and turn over their information?” Asked Nacht. He’d risen to his hooves and picked up his rifle.

“That will not be necessary.” Luna said. “Please continue.”

“No one in a position of power takes sides in Mohs. But the Wraiths worry me because of their recent acquisitions. And I’ve heard they’ve got some new, idealist that might be the cause of the recent upgrade in weaponry. I don’t know what his angle is and I’d rather not give him the capacity to aspire to any sort of significance. The Wraiths aren’t very numerous, but a charismatic leader could change that.” Avogadro looked at Nacht, then to Luna. “You’re not much better than them. You left a lot of bodies last time Princess and I doubt all of them were tried and convicted.”

“Sir, I could only find a few lists.” Fairfax said from the door. “The rest must be back at the compound.”

“Ah, that’s fine.” Avogadro said. “What are they?”

“Two crates of antitank warheads.”

“The Wraiths are readying for a fight with someone and here you are.” Avogadro pointed at Nacht. “If you didn’t learn last time, you can’t force me to do anything about who I do business with. But I know better than to alienate the dark Princess.” He picked up his pitcher of punch. “Why don’t you join me in my office and we can talk over some sort of compromise?” Luna said nothing as she followed him back into the car. “Fairfax, check my interior leathers, the top ones look like they got damp.” Said Avogadro as he departed from the cargo car. He saw Red Field’s almost empty cup. “Good isn’t it?” He said with a smile.

Red Field swallowed and nodded.

Avogadro closed the door behind himself. Fairfax looked at Red Field, then Nacht, then sighed and began to look over the leathers.

“Your boss, he’s an interesting dog.” Nacht said as Fairfax picked through the leathers.

“Yes, very interesting.” Said Fairfax in a bored voice. “Though you’d be a very stupid pony to try and mess with him.”

“He just looks after his business? No family?” Nacht asked. Fairfax looked up at him.

“I don’t think you understood me. Mister Avogadro is not someone you should consider manipulating. His family, like the other things he values, are safe inside of his private compound. You’ll do much better if you take him at his word and negotiate with him.”

“I was just asking.” Said Nacht.

“Stop asking questions and start watching your side of the car.” Fairfax said as he felt one of the leathers. “My boss is a reasonable person and assuming your Princess is equally reasonable, they should come to an agreement.”

The sun began to set and Red Field grew tired from supporting the AP-5. At one point he felt the train curve in the wrong direction and he peered out of the narrow window. They were riding away from the mountains and out toward the valley. The train shook and wobbled as they drove over a trestle. Fairfax had taken a seat atop the leather and saw Red Field peering out of the gunport.

“The train line excludes Brony Mountain.” He said. “Mohs hates two things: Cultists and perverts. The bronies are both.” Red Field looked over his shoulder and out of Nacht’s gunport, which faced the mountain. The mountain, dyed the fading gold of the sunset, looked no different than the other mountains, save that Red Field saw no villages or towns. “The Bronies keep to themselves.” Said Fairfax. “You’d best hope they aren’t who you’re looking for.”

The sun set and the car grew cold. Red Field began to shiver and he pressed the anti-material rifle up on its bipod in an effort to stimulate his muscles. Fairfax eventually ambled over to a medieval-looking heater and clicked it on. The heater produced a parching dry heat with a metallic odor. Red Field hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast and was growing sleepy when Luna and Avogadro exited the car again.

“Well then, did you fend off the pirates?” Avogadro asked.

“Two of the leathers have some mold from the trip here.” Said Fairfax. “I’ll let the dealer know he owes us.”

“All right, thank you.” Avogadro said with a nod. “Why don’t you get some rest? I’ll let you know when it’s time to leave.” He said, giving the shorter dog a pat on the shoulder.

Fairfax slunk into the office.

“So, you’re the UATs’ new sniper.” Avogadro said, putting his furry arm around Red Field’s shoulder. “Midlothian hasn’t mentioned you so I assume you just started.”

“Yes sir.” Said Red Field as Avogadro’s bristly fur brushed against his skin.

“Well if I ever need your help with something, you’ll put the same precision into it as you do with your military responsibilities?” Before Red Field could uneasily ask what the dog meant, Luna answered for him.

“Absolutely, Red Field has shown himself to be an exemplary soldier.”

“Great!” Avogadro released Red Field and walked to the opposite side of the car. “And you, Nacht isn’t it? You and I have worked together before haven’t we?” Nacht didn’t answer and Avogadro laughed. “You were the quiet one.”

“You will need to give me notice before you request any service,” Luna said, “of at least a few days.”

“Of course, I’ll give you a heads-up as soon as I can. And I’ll do the same when reporting anything to you; I think the Golden Rule is a fine charter for a business relationship.”

“Of course.” Luna said.

“I’m glad we were able to meet and get things settled early on.” Avogadro’s excitement made Red Field very uncomfortable and he grew much more uncomfortable as Avogadro once more focused on him. “Sorry about making you hold that big thing up the whole ride.” He said, pointing to the AP-5. “Honestly, sometimes I think I should dial back my security. The train almost never gets robbed when I’m on board.” In the momentary pause, Avogadro seemed to notice no one was talking to him. “Well, I’ll go get to work drafting that letter. Once we stop, just give the other dogs a paw with unloading the cargo if you would.”

They reached their destination in ten minutes. The car slowed gradually and Red Field had nodded off as they rolled into the station. A dog carrying an SMG slung over his chest slid open the door on the side of the car, startling Red Field.

They’d stopped at what looked like an empty concrete platform.

“Hey, you two move everything you’re shipping out here.” Said the dog, pointing over his shoulder. “We’ll get it from there.” Other dogs were unloading the rest of the train onto the platform.

Nacht slid a crate to Red Field and Red Field hefted the AP-5 back into its case before jumping out the car.

Stars started to appear overhead and a cold breeze drifted onto them from further up the mountain. As Red Field and Nacht unloaded the crates, Red Field tried to discern which mountain they’d stopped at. The platform was nothing more than a giant slab of concrete bisected by the train tracks. The platform sat on a relatively flat space on the mountain and Red Field noticed they were considerably closer to the base of the mountain than the station they’d departed from. He saw some ramps leading off of the platform and into roads leading in all directions.

“Which mountain is this?” Nacht asked one of the dogs stacking the crates.

“This is Mountain Seven.” Said the dog. “Not much here since nobody but Anthro and other businesses own any property up here.” A dog walking past the three began to whistle. “Hey! Cut that shit out!”

“Nervous?” Asked the whistling dog with a smirk.

“Just unload the cargo.”

A few other dogs whistled the same, three-note melody and the whistling dog flicked his head at the first dog.

“Got it chief.”

“Fuck all of you.” Muttered the first, walking back to his car.

For the next half hour, Red Field and Nacht unloaded Avogadro’s car. The ponies unloaded their car significantly faster than the rest of the crew and Red Field had been leaning against their stack for several minutes when the dogs finished. Nacht stood next to Red Field, his eyes at his hooves. The unloading crew began to slouch against the train and the crates. A few lit cigarettes.

“When is this shit getting picked up?” Asked one dog.

“It’s one of Anthro’s delivery services; they’ve got a bunch of stops before this.” Said a worker near Red Field.

“Is that Avogadro’s chopper on top of that car? Goddamn that thing must be expensive.” Asked another.

“Think so. It’s got a nice paint job.”

“Bet it’s what, a hundred thousand bits?”

Luna emerged from Avogadro’s office car and stepped onto the platform. Avogadro and Fairfax were still inside of the car. Luna began to ask Nacht something when one of the dogs barked. Red Field drew his pistol, his neck prickling.

“Oh my God! Somebody get the Gmales! He’s here!” Shouted a dog.

“Where? Did you see him?” Asked another.

“Right by the ponies!”

The crew scattered off of the platform. Nacht shoved one of the crates forward and crouched behind it. He angled his KKAT around the side of the crate. Red Field knelt next to him and looked to where he aimed.

A dog lay next to a stack of crates adjacent to those Red Field had unloaded. The dog laid face down and his arms were pressed to his sides, palms up. Some spots of blood had stained the concrete around him. His vest and a pack of cigarettes laid on the ground beside him.

The dog’s fur and skin were gone.

He was perhaps three meters from Red Field. Red Field went rigid.

“Who is our enemy?” Luna shouted, drawing a hoofgun.

“A little fuckin’ dog with fucked up eyes!” Someone said from under the train.

“Nobody whistle for him!” Said another voice from off of the platform. Red Field turned once, then again. He clutched his hoofgun so tightly the hammer eased back. The lighting ended sharply at the edge of the platform and within a few meters the mountain dissolved into darkness. The carcass kept drawing his eyes and he started to shake.

“What is going on out here?” Avogadro stood in the doorway of his car.

“It’s Stabby! He killed somebody!” Yelled one of the workers. Fairfax stood beside Avogadro and he drew a pistol from his vest.

“This guy whistled for him?” Avogadro pointed a foot at the skinned corpse.

“I told him not to Goddamn it!”

“Somebody call the Gmales!”

Avogadro held up his paws.

“Gentledogs, I don’t think there’s cause for alarm, unless you are privy to some new knowledge I and the rest of Mohs are not. I think it’s a fact that this particular Grimdark harms at maximum, one person whenever he appears.” The platform remained empty and Red Field could hear fading pawsteps as several of the workers fled into the darkness. Avogadro hopped down from the train and approached Luna, who was still holding her pistol. “Madam I am sorry,” he laughed and shook his head, “there’s a certain crazy dog here in Mohs who kills anyone who whistles for him. But, he only comes after the first person to whistle for him each day, or something to that effect. The dumber diamond dogs seem to enjoy playing the odds every now and then.” He cleared his throat. “At any rate, thank you for your service tonight, I’ve instructed the conductor to take you back to Mountain Eight where one of my subordinates will give you a lift back to your base.” He looked over his shoulder at Fairfax, who’d holstered his gun. “Get the chopper ready and let Martha know I’m on my way.” He took another look at the body. “I’ll call Anthro about that.”

Luna tossed the hoofgun into the car and Nacht rose back to his hooves. Red Field managed to pry his eyes away from the body when a paw hit his shoulder.

“Thank you for your help today.” Avogadro said. He held the case of the AP-5. “Here, it’s yours. After you get some use out of it, come see me and let me know if it’s worth giving to my other bodyguards.” Red Field didn’t reply and Avogadro climbed the train car to his helicopter. “Have a good night.”

The train ride home took only fifteen minutes. They sat in one of the passenger cars toward the back of the train. Red Field set the rifle case at his hooves and tried to get the image of the skinned dog out of his head. Luna was in a good mood, and as usual, showed nothing besides her tiny, cryptic smile.

“What is your deal with the dog?” Asked Nacht.

“He has agreed to inform the Wraiths of our presence and that we’re looking for them.” Said Luna.

“What will that accomplish?”

“Avogadro is convinced these Wraiths are behind the Blast. One of their lesser commanders may have planned the attack as a demonstration of ability to his superiors. Our goal is to provoke them to strike. That should get us enough intelligence to run back to their leadership. We have enough ponies to overcome and destroy them, no matter how successful their initial attack is.”

“Madam, you cannot possibly think a couple of guerillas are behind all of this.” Said Nacht.

“Of course not. But we do have our first suspect in this Conspiracy. We’ll kill whoever tops the hierarchy when we find them.”