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An Exercise in Restraint; Shortfuse
Topic Started: Jan 10 2015, 11:36 PM (152 Views)
Silent Wit
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[ *  *  * ]
Dear, Silent Wit

Its come to my attention that you were working very closely with Marshal Solaris Strike. The Marshal only set himself to goals the he felt were of the utmost importance.

As such I'd like to talk to you in person. So please, come find me at Canterlot palace at your earliest convenience. I believe we can work together to finish what the Marshal started.

Sincerely Shortfuse, Lord Commander of the Army


~~

The recipient of the letter put it back down on the cushion beside him. Silent Wit was currently on the train bound for Ponyville, first class. It was less for his own comfort and more to satisfy his paranoia. The less ponies around the better, and in a private cabin, he was the only one.

Wit sighed, closed his eyes tight and let them go. He couldn't remember the last time he had slept, and the effects were apparent. His eyes were ragged and bloodshot, and the bags under his eyes were very noticeable. Still, the hard look and passive face of annoyance suited the tiredness well. He didn't look any less pleasant to be around than he usually did, sour face on.

At least he remembered I'm not an inspector, as everypony else seems to bloody well forget. Wit snarked inwardly, one of his favorite pastimes. The train rolled to a stop, the brakes sounding their arrival at Canterlot. Wit stood and levitated the small saddlebags over his back, letter included, along with a coat to cover him. It was cold out, plus he didn't want his scar to show. Finally he grabbed the cane, attaching the horrible awkward device to his leg. The sooner Silver is done with that damnable machine...

A short time later Wit had made his way to the Canterlot Palace, and after presenting his business, was allowed through and even given directions, thankfully. He eyed the guards standing outside of the office, almost certain they were watching him a little too closely. He moved to knock a hoof to the door, but just as he was about to raise said hoof, the door was wordlessly opened by one of the guards, who continued to stare at him. They're expecting me, great. Between the royal treatment and the personally addressed letter from the Lord Commander himself, I'm starting to feel rather important...

Why did I ever decide working on something this big would be a good idea? Wit entered the office and the door closed behind him. He took a deep breath to steady himself, trying to overcome the rage that was starting to swell up. The pony who had summoned him, who he was about to address, was his prime suspect in the murder of his best friend. One of them, anyways.

Still, he couldn't attempt to interrogate or accuse the Lord Commander then and there. It would only serve to get him arrested, or worse. Wit suspected there was more to his defense than the two guards outside of the door. He coughed politely, and spoke with a reserved tone, his uppercrust accent shining through. "Silent Wit. You summoned me, Lord Commander?"
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Shortfuse
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[ *  *  * ]
"Bah." Shortfuse answered as he swiveled around in his chair and stood up. "Forget the stuffy title, Silent Wit." Shortfuse waved a hoof dismissively and moved to the other side of his desk where a few glasses were stacked, he lined two of them up and began pouring himself a drink. "Still, it is good that you answered my letter, I find myself in the need of assistance."

"Whiskey?" He asked, taking a sip from the small glass he poured himself.
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Silent Wit
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Whiskey? He's Lord Commander and he drinks whiskey? Around nobles all his life and he didn't acquire a taste for bourbon or sherry? Wit wondered at the probability of that as he opened his mouth to answer, still looking impassive and rigid. "Very well, Shortfuse. No, thank you. I don't drink while I'm working."

It wasn't a lie. He hadn't had a drop since he had started working on the situation with Alpha Protocol and his plot for Equestria. The thought had occured since Solaris' death, but he wouldn't let himself. Not until the situation was sorted, and his friend's murderer had been brought to justice.
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Shortfuse
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"Suit yourself." Shortfuse said as he downed the small bit left. "So, my problem is very very serious." Shortfuse said moving back behind his desk and motioning to the other chair.

He picked up a file from the desk and opened it, spreading its contents along his desk. "You're aware that Princess Twilight Sparkle was kidnapped, yes?"
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Silent Wit
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"Quite aware, yes. Living in the town the Princess resides over makes that an occurrence very hard to miss. I thought I might look over the scene myself, but I was not allowed access. Strange, as the local Ponyville guard are... generally amicable with me and my methods."

Wit had a pretty good idea as to what was preventing his interference in that particular matter. "Let us get straight to the point. What is it you would like me to do?"
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Shortfuse
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Shortfuse slid over a sketch of a pony in jet black armor, the notes on the bottom described it as seamless as having glowing yellow eyes.

"This pony. This is the pony who kidnapped the Princess, her guards described him and law enforcement got a sketch of him. He knows everything about military procedure, patrol routes, supply caches, you name it he knows it. Hes running circles around me and the military police.." Shortfuse explained sighing.

"They kidnapped the Princess and I've reason to believe they were also involved in Solaris Strike's death. The time of Solaris' death and the attack on the Princess were just too perfectly following one another for it to be simple coincidence." Shortfuse said shaking his head.

"The bottom line is this, I want the Princess safe and you want to find Solaris' murderer. I give you the funding and the clout to do absolutely everything necessary to do so, no oversight beyond reporting to me every week."
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Silent Wit
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Wit's eyes narrowed, mind working. I've already considered the time of the attack, and it is very suspicious... The possibility remains that this black knight could indeed be an agent of Protocol's but Jane never mentioned it... Though there still exists the possibility Jane has gone rogue...

But should this be one of Protocol's agents, why does Shortfuse want him captured? I have no concrete evidence that the Lord Commander and Protocol conspire together, but the assassination of Solaris and Shortfuse's rise to power... the timing of that is also very suspect... Especially given the rivalry that had existed betwixt the two...

Two... no, three possibilities are probable in this situation. In order from most to least likely: Shortfuse is working with Protocol, Shortfuse has not been working with Protocol and this is a merely extremely convenient happenstance for the current Lord Commander, or Shortfuse was working with Protocol and is now betraying him and working against Protocol's efforts...

But if I assume that the most probable situation is that Shortfuse was working with Protocol, then this makes no sense. Why would he have me track down one of Protocol's agents? That would suggest that Shortfuse is indeed betraying Protocol... Or that I am to be killed in my hunt for this black knight, removing myself as an obstacle for Protocol and Shortfuse... or...

It is incredibly unlikely... the probability is slim... But could this black knight be neither an agent of Protocol, nor Shortfuse? A new player altogether? Why would they kidnap the princess, then? And what do Shortfuse and Protocol gain by finding somepony who had essentially done them a favor? Wit felt more and more aggravated by the concept of the black knight as his thoughts progressed, their presence only serving to complicate matters more.

The thought process over, done in around a second's time as he gazed at the picture, he looked up to eye Shortfuse, brows furrowed. To determine the probabilities accurately, I must have more data, especially on the black knight... which means I only have one choice, really...

"I'll take the job. The resources would be welcome, but I shouldn't need any ponypower for this. I work better by myself, you'll come to find."
Edited by Silent Wit, Jan 11 2015, 12:31 AM.
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Shortfuse
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Shortfuse narrowed his eyes for the long second it took Wit to decide. This was a very dangerous gamble but this black knight needed to be dealt with.

"I'm well aware. You'll find that no government official will be denying you access to anything pertaining to this Black armored pony, the crime scene witness reports, whatever it is you need." He opened a drawer in his desk and grabbed something. He leaned forward, sliding over his hoof, the item underneath.

"I look forward to seeing your results, Inspector." He said as he pulled his hoof away, revealing a shiny new badge to be waiting underneath.
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Silent Wit
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Wit blinked at the object, almost not recognizing it at first. The brows unfurrowed and he looked at the amazing object presented to him. "I'm reinstated, then? Very well..." The badge enveloped in his white magic, disappearing into his vest quickly enough.

"Thank you, Shortfuse. I think you will not be disappointed with my work." He doesn't trust me... He'll be watching me every step of the way, no doubt to ensure my loyalty... But he does need me, otherwise he wouldn't risk my presence... This means he's hit a dead end on this black knight... Most likely, again assuming this is not to just get me killed...

"If you could, my first order of business would be for you to forward a copy of everything you have to my residence in the Ponyville Rent-A-Room. Apartment 21."
Edited by Silent Wit, Jan 11 2015, 01:47 AM.
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