While Leviathan’s investigation at Sunrise Laboratories was taking place…

“Lady Caramel. Lady Hazelnut,” was Ignition’s immediate greeting to the twins when they saw him. “There’s something you’re needed for downstairs.”

“Don’t say ‘hello’ or anything,” Quarter answered him dryly for the sake of staying in character.

“Who are you again?” Ignition jabbed back. The words might’ve been playful, but between his iron-cast expression and standard manners it was hard to tell. “You look like one of the fillies I have guardianship of, but it’s difficult to tell.”

Quarter feigned indignation at this, prompting Caramel to step in. “What is it you need, Ignition?”

Ignition nodded at her. “How would the two of you like to gain some work experience?”

Both ponies’ ears stood up straight out of surprise. “I thought we weren’t allowed to get involved in the company’s dealings until we came of age,” Caramel pointed out.

“Nothing as important as what you’re implying,” Ignition corrected her. “There are two positions where absences have been noted today. The Mocha Tavern on the ground floor is in need of an extra pony to work the registers and serve drinks to customers. One of those who would normally be working that shift has not made it in, most likely due to this morning’s weather. Now that the storm has ended, ponies are likely to flock back to the Tavern and prompt a struggle to keep up with demand.

“The second position is in the security department. One of the entry-level guards is out sick today, per his family’s word. Normally this would not be a problem, but some of our valuables have been left unguarded. I need a volunteer to help fill the gap, and nopony else is available. Some of the more experienced guards would be around if you required assistance of any kind.”

The siblings considered this… or pretended to, in Quarter’s case. She nudged Caramel. “Seems alright. Want to take first pick? I can grab the other one.” Please take the first one, please take the first one…

“If I chose to work in the Tavern,” inquired Caramel, “would I be required to wear the uniform? ...Not that I have anything against the idea!” she hastily added. “The uniforms are actually really nice. I just want to make sure all my bases are covered, that’s all.”

Quarter’s inner jubilation was cut short by confusion. “‘All my bases are covered’? What sort of expression is that?”

“Mayor Root used it in his last published speech,” Caramel said. “It basically means that I want to be prepared for anything.”

“...Right. I almost forgot he was a sports fan.” One of these days I’ll see what that game is about. Maybe after the coup is complete, I’ll see about getting tickets for myself and Carrie. And Ignition, too; Luna knows he needs to relax sometimes.

“To answer your question: yes, the uniform is a requirement,” Ignition clarified. “We have standards to keep, and they will not be rescinded just because of your status in the company.”

Caramel slowly shook her head. “And I wouldn’t want them to be. Alright, I’ll give this a try. I’ll take the Tavern position.”

Yes! Excellent! “And that leaves me with security.” Quarter slowly exhaled. “No pressure. We’re starting immediately?”

Ignition nodded. “Yes. Lady Caramel, go down to the Tavern and inform the manager that you’re volunteering to serve as a stopgap for the staffing issues.” A corner of his mouth twitched. “And let her know that you won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. She’s the type who’d probably insist on the job being done by somepony other than the company’s heirs. The Tavern has a dressing room where you can change into your uniform.”

“Okay, Ignition. Bye-bye, Hazel. I’ll see you both at dinner later.” Caramel nuzzled them both—with Ignition barely reacting—before trotting out the door to the nearest elevator.

“I noticed that she didn’t give you a choice there,” Quarter uttered with a smirk as they heard Caramel’s elevator close and start descending.

“She knows I prefer to eat dinner alone,” Ignition muttered back. He shook his head. “But enough of that. How are you doing right now, Lady ‘Hazelnut’? What’s your condition?”

“I’ll need to get my musculature up to a satisfactory level, but otherwise I feel pretty close to my peak strength,” Quarter stated, stretching a little and twitching in satisfaction as she worked out a few cricks. “Hair and mane are coming back in nicely, and I don’t feel sick… I think I’m good. So, what’s the deal with the security position? What’s going on?”

“Not here,” Ignition whispered. “Somepony might be listening. Please follow me.”

The two of them relocated to their preferred conference room, one of the few places in the tower where they were absolutely guaranteed to have privacy. Once they were there and the doors were secured, Ignition glared the importance of the situation straight into his boss’s eyes. “A few minutes ago, I lost contact with one of our Chamelog patrols.”

Quarter grimaced at this. “The General’s doing?”

“Leviathan was not in that sector at the time of their disappearance,” Ignition denied, “and I find it difficult to believe that an ordinary pony could sneak up on them. I’m inclined to believe that either the Ghost or a representative of Trifecta’s former agency is loose in the tunnels.”

The worst-case scenario. Blast it all. “And with our last two elites occupied with Leviathan, Driftwood gone, and everypony else arrested or driven away, nopony in our sphere of influence is in a position to stop them. They’re going to try to find evidence of our actions in Manehattan’s catacombs, Ignition. The most important items have been transferred to Fat Stallion Island, but there’s always a risk of something slipping through the cracks...”

Quarter’s breath hissed through her teeth as a possibility occurred to her. “A few of the tunnels are connected to Mocha HQ’s depths,” she continued speaking. “We’ve got to keep them away from the sub-basement. We can’t risk them uncovering Project Ashes.”

Ignition straightened. “How do you want me to handle this?”

“We don’t want to look as if we’re protecting the sub-basement specifically. That’s just going to clue them in,” Quarter instructed him after a minute of consideration. “Take security teams three through five and position them in a way that leads the intruder away from the HQ. That should be enough to convince our visitor that everything of value is elsewhere.”

A nod. “And in the event that the lure isn’t taken?”

“In which case I guess I’ll have to take part. I’ll sequester myself in the vicinity of the sub-basement and wait; I have the authority to activate Project Ashes’ defenses if it comes down to it.” She chuckled. “Mind you, I don’t actually think that the defenses will stop our guest. Not with the way our luck’s been down-trending recently.”

With a mental flex, the flaming red aura Quarter had shown her agents weeks before manifested itself. This time, it gathered into her hooves for a moment before disappearing. “That’s just to make sure they don’t have much resistance to my coup de grâce afterward. Moissanite never saw it coming, and neither will they.”

C-184-GG-N0-RE-SPR1
Disintegrate after tenure of all involved agents ends per protocol.

-

Report written by Malediction

-

Full-size golem comprised of seven different rock and gem types located. Determined to pose threat to village northwest of Manehattan. Myself, Major League Fruitcake, and subject Untold Walker dispatched to intercept before it arrives.

Tools, improvisation, and trained abilities injured golem, but it stubbornly persisted. The Walker requested to try something new that she had devised beforehoof. Being the leading agent on the scene, I acquiesced to her request.

Fruitcake and I distracted the golem for several critical seconds. After prep work, the Walker fired a strange magic burst from her clawed gauntlets. The burst succeeded in ending the golem as a threat by slicing it cleanly in two from top to bottom.

Immediately on landing the Walker complained of dizziness and nausea. Fruitcake discovered that the Walker was experiencing pain in her chest and neck, finding herself short of breath where before she hadn’t been exerting herself, and experiencing an abnormal heartbeat. Subject has been treated and released from the hospital.

Recommendation to the Princess: Specific technique used by Walker to be forbidden, as she is already amenable towards doing so should it be required. Walker to be relegated to any problems situated in Manehattan, so as to reduce the risk of such an incident happening again.

Walker also to receive some kind of commendation for her actions, as by doing so she not only saved our lives but the lives of those in the threatened village.

For the Princess. For Equestria. For making ponies smile.

Malediction

Author's Note

Only music link this time is "Lunar Cannon", from Freedom Planet 2.

Much shorter chapter than usual, I know. All I can say in my defense is that I wanted Gray’s exploits in Manehattan’s underground to be their own thing. Also, I’m tired in more respects than one right now. 😒 To those of you who don’t have autoimmune illnesses dogging your health, count yourself thankful.

“All my bases are covered”, Mayor “Root”, and the story’s set in a pony-sized composite of New York City. To you baseball fans in my reading audience, who is “Root” supposed to be? No extra guesses needed, but note the hidden irony.

Remember Moissanite? Alexandrite’s husband from way back when? Now you know how he met his end.

Additionally, remember that report Gray told Cadance and Shining Armor to ask Celestia about clear back after her duel with Levi? Now you know what was in it.

Going back on break. I’ll respond to comments at a later time. Ciao mein, and until then.

Ko-Fi Tip Jar. Anything that can be offered is appreciated.

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