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// Nonrational Service Roster 
// Story: The Nonrational Service 
// by Bitt_Player 
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	Core Officers
The Nonrational Service is led by a highly-trusted Captain of the Royal Guard, who has the privilege and responsibility of bypassing the normal chain of command to report directly to Princess Celestia. The Captain of the Nonrational Service is assisted by a core team of lieutenants who are either hoof-picked by said Captain or assigned to the Service by a Princess. NRS doctrine requires a high degree of secrecy, and ponies outside the Service are forbidden from knowing nearly all the details of their operations. However, the Service occasionally has a need to employ skills and talents outside of what is available to it, and so the Captain of the Service is one of the only Royal Guard members who is allowed to practice conscription. Ponies pressed into the NRS for knowing too much or for having vital skills become Lieutenants of the Guard and spend most of their lives as career officers. Captains of the Service, along with the Royal Sisters, have traditionally been both willing and able to find loopholes or excuses not to exercise this power, and it is used only as a last resort. The Nonrational Service Core Officers Group is headquartered in a secret second basement hidden below the first basement of the Canterlot Archives. Their current membership is as follows:

Captain-Prince Shining Armor
Position: Officer-In-Charge, Combat Magic Expert
Kind: Unicorn
Coat: White
Mane: Blue, striped in three different shades
Eyes: Teal
Cutie Mark: Shield with a star inside and three stars above
Description: Shining Armor first took charge of the Nonrational Service as a lieutenant, when he was asked to take command of the unit in the field after the disappearance of its then-current commanding officer, Captain Rock Solid. The events surrounding Rock Solid's disappearance are described in Incident Faceless. Following the resolution of that Incident, and based on the recommendation of Lieutenant Blue October, Princess Celestia promoted Shining Armor to the rank of captain and formalized his command over the Nonrational Service.
The fate of Rock Solid has left its mark on Shining Armor, who has put a great deal of effort into strengthening the Service's security and containment procedures. Additionally, it has come to his attention that several items and entities that should fall under NRS purview have faded into myth and folklore, and so he makes a constant effort to root out That Which is Monitored from old stories and rumors.
Despite the weight of his duties and the immense scope of the tasks ahead of him, Captain Shining Armor remains upbeat, tolerating with aplomb antics from his subordinates that many Royal Guard commanding officers would demand a court-martial over. He considers their eccentric and occasionally disrespectful behavior to be merely part of the job, treating it as a means of coping with the strange and often extremely dangerous tasks that fall under their purview. There are theoretically some lines that even Shining Armor will not allow his subordinates to cross, but they are few and rarely approached, as even the most unruly of his officers holds the Captain in the utmost respect.

Lieutenant Blue October
Position: Information Expert
Kind: Pegasus
Coat: Light blue
Mane: Dark blue
Eyes: Blue
Cutie Mark: Unknown, see below
Description: A veteran intelligence officer who has passed up more promotions than most Royal Guard officers are ever offered, Blue October served under Captain Rock Solid before and during Incident Faceless. Following that ordeal, Princess Celestia offered Blue October a promotion to Captain and command of the NRS, but October declined both, recommending that Shining Armor take command instead.
As the Service's information expert, Blue October is expected to gather intelligence pertaining to the Service's current operations, and to be able to provide detailed information to her fellow officers at a moment's notice. Blue October exceeds these expectations with a taciturn demeanor and a world-class poker face. She can quote extensively from the Service's records and logs, and seems to be able to provide detailed information on the current situation anywhere in Equestria. Nopony is entirely sure how Blue October is able to obtain and internalize such widespread information so rapidly, but she remains a valued NRS asset despite her mysterious nature. Blue October puts on a stoic demeanor in sharp contrast to her fellow Lieutenants' antics.
Lieutenant Blue October has submitted herself as a potential Entity Which Is Monitored, on the grounds that nopony is able to remember or describe her cutie mark. Everypony is fully aware that she has one, but there does not seem to be a pony alive who could say what it is, even when looking directly at it. This mysterious effect extends to Blue October herself, who is no more able to describe her cutie mark than anypony else. In one of the few instances of October discussing her life before joining the NRS, she has admitted that her cute-ceañera was easily the most awkward social event she has ever attended.

Lieutenant Firecracker Burst
Position: Pyrotechnical Expert
Kind: Unicorn
Coat: Green
Mane: Red and orange stripes
Eyes: Dark blue, the copycat
Cutie Mark: Red and yellow flame
Description: A citizen of Canterlot and a recent graduate of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Following Blue October's recommendation of incineration as a termination method, Firecracker Burst was pressed into the Nonrational Service by Captain Rock Solid while he was preparing to confront Entity 600 during Incident Faceless. Firecracker Burst proved both the viability of October's theory and her own talent as a pyrotechnician. After Incident Faceless ended, Firecracker Burst had to remain with the NRS, where she bridges the divide between Jetstream's energetic antics and Shining Armor's calm, controlled demeanor. A dignified Canterlot mare on the surface, Firecracker occasionally slips into less refined behavior, and has been known to join Jetstream in her mischief on occasion. She also takes great joy in utilizing her special talent for fire and explosions.
Firecracker Burst is descended from a long line of pyrotechical ponies, and has inherited her ancestors' skill for creating and utilizing practical and recreational combustibles. Firecracker also manages the Service's information security, quickly and enthusiastically destroying non-essential copies of NRS documentation. In addition, Firecracker's curiosity has led her to research a number of non-pyrotechnical spells, even though the narrowly-defined nature of her talents means she only understands most of these spells on a theoretical level. She has expressed respect and envy for Princess Twilight Sparkle, due to her ability to learn and cast virtually any spell without regard for its discipline.

Lieutenant Jetstream
Position: Weather Manipulator
Kind: Pegasus
Coat: Pale pink
Mane: Light brown
Eyes: Pale blue
Cutie Mark: Raining cloud
Goggles: Always
Description: A member of Ponyville's Weather Patrol before being pressed into service by Captain Rock Solid during Incident Faceless, Jetstream's particular talent for controlling clouds and rain proved essential for clearing the unnatural fog that settled over Ponyville during that Incident. Without her contribution, the Nonrational Service would most likely have never located and contained Entity 600. Following the Incident, Jetstream willingly accepted her conscription, lending her eclectic talents for weather control, air-to-air combat, long-distance flying, and inserting silly words and phrases into otherwise ordinary prose to the Service and its army of badgers in hammer pants.
Although outwardly flighty, and genuinely fond of good humor (for her own definition of 'good'), Jetstream is a dedicated callipygian NRS officer. While light-hearted at most times, and indeed seeing herself as the joker of the NRS, Jetstream can become deadly serious when the situation requires it. Her innate talents and formidable skill are highly valued by Captain Shining Armor, although her penchant for humor occasionally frustrates him.
Official documents written or modified by Lieutenant Jetstream must be approved by the NRS Officer in Charge before formal archiving. -Captain Shining Armor.

Princess Mi Amore Cadenza
Alias: Cadance
Position: Eye Candy / Mascot
Kind: Pretty-Pretty Alicorn Princess
Coat: Cerise, because pink isn't schmaltzy enough.
Mane: Flippin' cotton candy-like something-or-other
Eyes: Purple and such
Cutie Mark: Some kinda wing-a-ling rocky heart dealie
Marital Status: Look but don't touch
Description: Not a member of the NRS in any official sense, the laid-back and cheerful Princess Cadance frequently finds her way into the base of the Nonrational Service, especially the office Captain Shining Armor. She enjoys the dubious privilege of being Shining Armor's wife, as well as the less-dubious privilege of being the only pony anywhere in Equestria's government who can get away with calling him "Shiny." Due to her position as Princess of Equestria and the Crystal Empire, not to mention having callipygian properties comparable to Jetstream herself, Cadance occasionally draws the romantic attention of various ponies, though any pony other than Shining Armor making a pass at her will receive nothing more than peals of laughter from the Princess. This is always fun when said pass is made (usually by Jetstream) for comedic effect, but this same laughter has been heartbreaking for the few stallions (and one mare) who actually meant it.
Cadance is the sun-shiny heart of the NRS, with a smile on her face, a song in her heart, and -when threatened- a spell that can cause small-scale earthquakes in her horn. Alicornication hath its privileges, as does being Twilight Sparkle's foalsitter. Nopony worries too much about the potential complications involved in an outsider having such privileged access to NRS officers and grounds. She's just too much fun to have around.
Seriously? Jetstream, I know you wrote this. I don't mind good fun, but this is too much. Cadance is a Princess of Equestria and the Crystal Empire, not to mention my wife, so show some respect. -Captain Shining Armor
My only complaint, Jetstream, is that there is no "comparable" about it. I am clearly the superior callipygian here -Princess Cadance

Lieutenant Cherry Cola
Position: Close-Combat Expert
Kind: Earth Pony
Coat: Tan
Mane: Very dark red
Eyes: Bright green
Cutie Mark: Two cherries joined by their stems
Description: Cherry Cola is a Dodge Junction native, and grew up on his aunt Cherry Jubilee's cherry farm, where he worked hard, learned everything he knows, and discovered his special talent for cultivating cherries. The newest member of the Nonrational Service, Cherry Cola was brought into the NRS during Incident Cherry Bomb, making him the first member recruited by Captain Shining Armor following his promotion, as well as the first pony to be conscripted into the Service after Incident Faceless. Captain Shining Armor regrets having to drag Cola into the NRS, but takes some solace in Cola's assurances that he would have requested permission to join the Service if he hadn't been forced to. Serving the Royal Guard was a lifelong dream of Cherry Cola's, and despite the unconventional circumstances at the start of his career, he is determined to live that dream now that he has a rank and a commission.
Even for a hard-working farm pony, Cherry Cola boasts prodigious strength and endurance, as well as surprising speed. In addition, he is thoughtful and meditative, if somewhat socially awkward, and Shining Armor intends to capitalize on Cola's talents in the coming days. Cola admires Shining Armor and sees him as a role model, but isn't quite sure yet how he will fit into the dynamic that exists between Shining's subordinates. Farm life has taught him, however, that hard work and dedication pay off, and he is sure that he will one day find his place among the officers of the Nonrational Service.

Special Assets
Individuals and groups that technically exist outside of the Nonrational Service, Special Assets are utilized to perform various functions for the Service. Some are active at all times, while others are mobilized when a specific situation requires them. Special Assets are allowed access to limited details of the Service's operations without being conscripted into the Core Officers Group, but the extent of available information varies between Asset, and even between different members of the same group. Some Special Assets are themselves Entities Which are Monitored, as well. Most Special Assets have internal names by which members of the Service can refer to them without outsiders knowing who or what they are.

Princess Twilight Sparkle's Personal Retinue
A.K.A.: Task Force Elemental (former name)
Operational Area: Ponyville, (primary) Equestria at large (as needed)
Membership:
Princess Twilight Sparkle (Element of Magic, leader, Entity 001D)
Fluttershy (The best pony, Kindness)
Applejack (Honesty)
Rarity (Generosity)
Rainbow Dash (Loyalty)
Pinkamena Diane "Pinkie" Pie (Laughter, Entity 548)
Description: Gathered together by Twilight Sparkle during Incident Summer Eclipse, Task Force Elemental recovered and utilized the Elements of Harmony to resolve that Incident. After that, they used the Elements to great effect in a number of Incidents, but had to give them up in order to resolve Incident Radiant Tree. Princess Twilight has kept the group together as her personal group of aids and supporters in executing her royal duties. Members of the Retinue have had repeated contact with That Which is Monitored, and have proven themselves capable of addressing a wide variety of situations. Of note is that Princess Twilight's Retinue contains no less than two Monitored Entities. The Princess herself, as an alicorn, is an instance of Entity 001, and Pinkamena Pie is documented as Entity 548.
Entity 002 is not permitted to alter Nonrational Service documentation. -Captain Shining Armor

The Original Archivist
A.K.A.: Entity 513, the Ghost of Clover the Clever
Operational Area: Canterlot (during a period of roughly 40 days centered on Hearth's Warming Eve), the Canterlot Archives (the rest of the year)
Description: Co-founder of Canterlot and the Principality of Equestria, architect of the Canterlot Archives tower, court magician to Princess Platinum (pre-Equestria) and the Canterlot Court (post-Equestria), personal student of Starswirl the Bearded, and several other things besides, Clover the Clever led a singularly prestigious life. While her physical form is long deceased, her spirit still roams the halls of the Canterlot Archives, where she sometimes appears to ponies in need. Or ponies who look interesting. Or anypony at all because that's just the sort of thing ghosts get up to. Clover is formal, modest, and kind, always willing to lend her vast knowledge and unique wisdom to a problem, and is considered by everypony in the NRS to be one of the the most pleasant Monitored Entities. Bringing new NRS Core Officers to meet Clover without telling them they're about to see a ghost is a tradition as old as the Service itself, and Clover finds amusement in frightening neophyte officers. The need to keep Monitored Entities secret is relatively easy to waive in the case of Clover the Clever, as she is considered benign. Ponies who are permitted access to the Archives are automatically permitted to be aware of Clover without conscription, and the Service is known to look the other way when she appears before ponies in Canterlot around Hearth's Warming Eve to deliver valuable life lessons or ancient wisdom. After all, most ponies don't even take seriously the adorable foals who claim to have been taught the true meaning of love and friendship by a kindly ghost in a threadbare cloak.

Special Asset Delta
A.K.A.: Entity 002, Discord
Operational Area: Ponyville, Canterlot, wherever I feel like because you can't stop me.
Description: The Spirit of Chaos, Manifestation of Disharmony, only known draconequus alive, and all-around cool guy

troublemaker,
 Discord once ruled Equestria as a laughing god of hilarity tyrant, spreading chaos and misery across the land for many years before being defeated by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who overcame his raw power using a really cheap shot, I mean come on 


The Elements of Harmony.


 Discord was turned to stone, but became active again 2,000 Tartarus-forsaken years later, only to be defeated again, as described in Incident Make the Civilians Fix it Broken Statue.
Shortly thereafter, what kind of a word is 'thereafter,' anyway? Discord was released from his stone prison once more, this time intentionally, when Princess Celestia called upon Her Favorite Librarian and Company Task Force Elemental to attempt to reform him. Fluttershy more or less succeeded in this task, convincing Discord to utilize his powers for good. However, Discord remains selfish and unpredictable at heart, making him at best an unreliable ally.



Okay, you've got me there.



As of Incident Thin Stallion, it has become clear that Discord has the ability to identify entities and objects that have come from alternate realities. Discord is also able to force these entities back into their original realities, and prevent them from returning to ours. This ability has proven extremely valuable.
Discord, you and I both know Fluttershy told you not to write on any official documents. How do you keep getting in here, anyway? -Shining Armor
I didn't write a single letter, I changed the very nature of the paper and ink to suit my desires, which Fluttershy didn't say a thing about doing. And I get in by walking through the door, just like you. Or is it the floor? Perhaps the wall? I walk through something, anyway. -Discord