-classified-

Agent 11_27 reporting:

[Day 4 of investigation: Following the discovery of the Splendid Conspiracy, this agent was assigned to secondary suspects and directed to withdraw information by force if deemed necessary. Standard data gathering regulations have been discontinued as of the recent Public Rights Act of House Pure Blood. As a result, memory withdraw applications may not be enforced in this encounter. Analysis of Sweet Snacks being however, suggests he may crack easily under pressure. If Snacks does not comply to this agents' questions, it is relieving to know the agency's new found bounds will not hinder this agent for long.]

Interviewer: Agent 11_27
Suspect: Sweet Snacks
Echo Start...

Beginning session one of the interrogation of Sweet Snacks proceeding the investigation of Splendid Manor. Good-evening Mister Sweet Snacks, how are you doing today?
(There is a light 'clattering' reverberating through the still room, originating close by on what sounds like a metallic surface.)
I... I'm fine. I love that... comfy bed in my room you guys gave me.
Really, well good. Depending on how this little talk goes, you may get to stay there for a few more days.
(Tense shuffling is heard to the right of the recording gem.)
I'll go ahead and indulge you and ask what we're talking about?
I do yearn to set about our queries Sweet, but you aren't particularly in the best state of mind to answer them reliably. You've been quivering in your seat since I walked in the room.
It would help, if you didn't have that foreboding spell on your face.
I assure you this is merely for the protection of my own anonymity and I hold no ill will toward you for now.
What!
This isn't going to work. I've never been one for small talk, so your just going to have to hold yourself together and answer our questions the best you can... or else.
...
Mister Sweets?
Fine, I'd favor this honesty over whatever creepy bit of cooing you managed to pull off.
I would refrain from insulting somepony who is trying to offer you a kindness. Very well, let's get on with it. Obviously, try to answer all questions in a clear truthful manner.
Oh yes officer. I'll be a good little pony.
...
.....
Okay? You do understand your predicament correct? You are suspected of assisting in bit-laundering among other matters we'll get to. There isn't much foresight in using sarcasm against me, but whatever makes you calm I suppose. We've wasted too much time already, so. Question one: Are you aware of federal bits stolen from the national treasury; if so, what correlation do you have with it.
(Sigh)
...
Look, I knew about the bits, but I wasn't apart of that scheme.
Then who was.
I only know two names. Just Petty Coin and some acquaintance named Golden Smile. Of course, you creeps probably already have both of them by now.
No, just one.
(Hoof-steps thunder from the hall outside)
Are you aware of the amount taken?
I don't know, enough.
The pinned amount is 3.5 million bits. My superiors are slightly more concerned on how they manage to steel it all, but I would enjoy it if you would tell me what you were planning on doing with these resources.
...
Are you bucking me right now. They were only suppose to take what we needed to avoid suspicion, not a fourth of the damn treasury. They said, "they'll never notice", what a load of crap!
Calm yourself or I'll do it for you, next question: how many ponies are in your little game?
Well, that depends on if you count ponies who didn't know we were doing something wrong. Or ponies who knew we were doing something wrong but didn't care. Or even third parties we only had little control over.
The third party your referring to is the Silent Brotherhood correct?
How did you know about them?
We have accumulated a large amount of messages from Mister Splendid's home office.
(Cursing can be heard under Sweets breath)
I..well...
I see, we'll return to this later. Enough sidetracking, how many are responsible for planning to steel the funds and the furthering of your goals?
Ten, but like I said, the ones who actually did it were Coin and Golden.
Question threes the big one, what's the purpose of it all? Why send an expedition team into the Everfree? Why get involved with the brotherhood? Why steel three and a half million bits?
Well, we made a science and magic play-house officer. Once we got started, the grants and favors started rolling in.
Your not telling me the full truth, but your not lying.There are more important matters to reveal, like the hiding place of Splendid.
...
Officer I never really asked where he was heading. Maybe you should try Los Pegasus, if I had that kind of bits, that's where I'd...
(A deep pulsing sound echos from further in the room)
Oh no, looks like your lying now. Listen Sweet, Splendid Skies along with you and your buddies, have majorly crippled Equestrias ability to function correctly; and he's on the lamb. You need to tell us where he's gone.
I.. I can't, I'm sorry.
Oh Sweet, you can, and you will. You just need the right motivation.
(Arcane sparking is heard close-by.)
What is that? What are you doing? Get away!
...
I'm finding the truth.
( Static nearly consumes the audio as magical humming and bloodcurdling screams fill the once still room.)

[Intermission]

(Sobbing is heard close-by)
STOP! STOP! YOUR BUCKED IN THE HEAD!
TELL ME WHERE HE IS!
CLOUDSDALE! HE'S IN A SAFE-HOUSE IN CLOUDSDALE!
ADDRESS DUMBASS!
I DON'T KNOW!
SO IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE THAT!
(Crackling can be heard near by)
Damn it. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! 1324 E VAPOR AVENUE! PLEASE NO MORE!
Not yet, one more thing. Since you know what happens when you keep details from me. Explain your connections to the Brotherhood.
Why me. I can't d..
(sparks sputter through the air)
OK! OK! They wanted taps in high society, they do a thing or two for me and I do the same for them.
NO! Names, goals.
No names, just titles. We asked them to clear out some pre-princess monolith in the Everfree.
What for?
Ask Kindle Light. She knows a lot more than me.
(clattering and muffled movement is heard in the room.)
Thank you for your time Sweet Snacks, we're done here for now. Take him back to his cell. End log.

[Further information extraction was required from mister Sweet Snacks. The names of other conspirators, more details of the expedition, and the Brotherhood as a whole are matters that still evade this agent. Unfortunately, his body was in need of rest. The fear of it will drive the use of any agony spells unnecessary for Sweet. The location of Splendid's safe-house was given to Agent 18_23. Next, Petty Coin was brought in for questioning afterwords. Golden Smile was also apprehended later that evening.]

Author's Note

I hated this chapter so much. Hopefully I wouldn't have to do another one like this, right. right?