//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 Top level Details // Story: At War with the Army // by Clear_Skies //------------------------------// Lazy Company File - #11 In accordance to military courtesies, my employer did not have, nor did he request, any information regarding the lives of those under his command prior to their enlistment. I myself however, saw no reason to be bound by such tradition, for as I have said before, I am here to assist my commander, and traditions never lasted long anyway. With no sense of true obligation restraining me, I compiled a dossier on the individuals to whom we would be discussing terms with. For the most part, this would be easy. A quick check through records and news items around the time and place of each soldiers enlistment provided me with a strong starting point for most of the searches. A few, however, required more extensive endeavors, and occasionally I found myself forced to resort to mere extrapolation and guessing. Such was the case of the two 2nd lieutenants my commander had inherited with his command. --- "Good evening, Second Lieutenant Metric Ton, Second Lieutenant Gentle Strokes, have a seat please." Downy had deliberately kept his office not only small, but Spartan as well. It was his belief that large meetings were a waste of everyone's time, except for announcements. Consequently there were only two visitor chairs in his retreat. Gentle nodded her thanks and reached for one of the seats. She was a young Pegasus mare, most likely a recent graduate of cadet officers training. Auburn hair framed her petite face, her coat a soft lilac dressing her vaguely rotund...not fat, but rather broad across the rump, a paint brush accentuating her flank identified her talent along with the mixed colors seen upon the tips of her feathery wings. Metric, the earth pony took a perfect parade-rest stance, his tan hide, and sandy blonde mane framing a chiseled muzzle, blue eyes peering out from within, barked out his response, his attitude signified by the mark of a heavy weight upon his own flank. At his outburst, however, Gentle abandoned her motion, electing to stand at rest beside Metric. Her grimace merely adding a wide grin to his face, one Downy took note of, recognizing the game of one-up that was nothing new to so many officers. "Well then," he said. "I'll keep things short." "I'm taking a shot in the dark here Metric, but your manner and your performance reports suggest your quite the disciplinarian...a by-the-book stallion. Eh?" Metric shifted slightly as he answered with a loud and proud. "Sir, yes sir!" "Right." The captain smiled. "So by the book it is...is it better to order the soldiers around, or is it better to lead by example." "By example, sir!" Armstrong replied briskly, treading upon familiar military grounds. "Then why haven't ya?" There went the ground from right below Metric's hooves, the 2nd lieutenant now under fire found himself frowning, eyes wandering from their straight-ahead stare to look directly at the commander for the first time since the interview began. "I...I don't understand, sir," he said. "I conduct myself in an exemplary manner as expected of an officer. To be the best of the best." "Potential is there," Downy agreed, "but I think you're missing an important element. Most troopers don't want to be seen as a tight-assed, overbearing prick with a hero complex...which is what you seem to throw around in your attitude. If anything, this manner of yours is driving them away from proper military behavior because if that's what it means to be a soldier, than they don't want it." Metric gaped like a fish, trying to reply but was cut off by the commander with a gesture. "No talks, Metric. Think. We'll talk specifics much later. For now, if you can temper your manners with a little compassion, show that someone can be a bandbox trooper and still be a pony, then the troops will go with you anywhere, anytime, and not just because of orders." Metric wrenched his gaze back to his guardsmen stare, nodding curtly as his only sign of acknowledgement. "Now you, Lieutenant Gentle Strokes," Downy rounded on the smaller of the two. "We have ourselves a mirror opposite, while one all to harshly presents himself, the other plays the wall flower. Lotus, if you would." Gentle squeaked in surprise, unable to duplicate Metric's distant stare, thus turning to meet the 1st Lieutenants glare. "By the records, you are nearly nonexistent upon the training grounds, and that you allow the sergeants to run the company while you wander off with an art pad looking for new inspirations to draw." Iron Lotus paused, adjusting her glasses as she looked over her æther pad. "There is a time and place to express your love of art, and Captain Down Range and I do agree that it is not beneficial to stymie any talent of any soldier." "Indeed Lt. Strokes, I like art, love it in fact, and I won't tell a soldier to stop pursuing their hobby after hours. I'd even tug a string here or there to help you get a showing if you felt confident enough to accept." Downy added. "Sir, if I may." Iron leveled a glare at Downy who nodded in response. "Yes, though we are supportive of our soldiers, you cannot abstain from your duties, nor ride the sergeants coat-tails. They might be experts in their own right, they may believe they are the true hidden alicorns in Equestria, but their focus is, and will always be on the immediate duty, not the long term. That is your obligation lieutenant, and if we do not have proper unit cohesion, the entire base begins to crumble, and it brings all of us at the top, down with it. We are only as good as our troops, without them, we are merely fops with shiny pieces of metal to denote our position." "I expect you to actually do your job, and become part of this company. Do I make myself clear?" Iron let loose a feral growl. "This goes to you as well Lieutenant Metric, to put it bluntly, stop acting as the south end of a northbound pony. Am I clear?" "I...I will...Captain, ma'am!" / "Yes sir!...er...Ma'am!" "Good, you will find that both the Captain and I will be very appreciative of your full co-operation in not only handling the troops, but improving interactions between us, we all need to be as equally informed of any situation as practical." Iron gave a curt nod towards Down. "Captain, is there anything else?" "Certainly, we're the eyes, ears, and brains of the company, it means we function as a team, in a team. Reminds me actually..." He wiggled a hoof between the two 2nd lieutenants in a stirring motion. "None of this competition, brothers and sisters in arms might be a thing, but we're the parents here, and I expect you to build a little more tolerance with your differences. They'll work out in each others favor if you just cooperate, so stop this envious rigmarole, I don't demand respect, I'm hoping it'll come with time. Just stop the paddy-hoovesis, before I force the both of you to hold up a stick together, with your foreheads in order to build a better relation." He finally sat back on his haunches, making a shooing gesture at the two of them. "Now, get a cup-o-joe, mingle, and start figuring out what you have in common." He leveled a small smile. "Something besides your new commander being an unjust and demanding insufferable bitch, that is." --- "Have a seat, Sergeant...Crap Game?" "Go by Game, Cap!" the sergeant said, easing his rather large bulk into the indicated chair. " 'C.G.,' to my friends. Father had a whacked sense of humor, bout as good as his gambling for sure. How he got me after all." "Well then, C.G. it is." Downy agreed, jotting a quick note down on his tablet. "seeing as how we're going to become some pretty fast friends over the next couple of months." "How you figure that boss?" the sergeant frowned, suspicion in his eye. "No offense, but I don't see officers chumming well with us enlisted types." "Oh no worries, just getting ahead of myself is all," came the reply as the captain shuffled a few of his notes. "That's just assuming your as much a crook and a schemer as I think you are." The supply sergeant focused a glare towards Down Range, eyes all but vanishing into his portly face as he leaned back. "You making a stereotype of me, Captain, remark like that just cause my marks are a set of dice? You sayin' you think all us...chancers are just thieves?" C.G. itched at the fierce bristly beard upon his face, which offset his cropped mane. A thick set of pilots goggles resting upon the Pegasus's forehead for a completed picture as he regarded his commander with a scowl. "Hmmm?" Downy merely hummed, setting his notes aside. "Oh, of course not, Game, I was merely basing my assumption on the hopes that your files present you as well being clever. What do you think Iron?" "I believe, any supply dealer in an outfit is more than likely supplementing their pay by partaking within...certain darker markets. Of course you could be wrong in your assumption Captain Range." the nocturne remarked. "Well, of course, if I'm wrong, Crap Game here would have my complete and total apology." Crap Game smiled broadly. "Well dang Cap! I don't get apologies from officer's every day now!" "Beggin yer pardin, Sergeant," the commander interrupted, a crocodile smile upon his face, "I merely said 'if I'm wrong.' Lieutenant Iron Lotus, I'd like for you to obtain all the supply sergeants files, have the supply warehouse padlocked, and an item-by-item physical inventory plus audit performed. Then...Then well see if I need to make an apology." The kelpie gave a cat like stare at the cornered mousey Pegasus with hunger in its eyes. The mouse nervously licked his lips, eyes darting from the commander to the door. "I...well that won't be necessary, Captain," he said with a forced cheeriness. "Maybe...a few things might have slid across the counter without any filing, er I can see about scoping out the missing equipment sure as sugar is sweet sir!" "C.G., you have me all wrong, it isn't what I have in mind at all!" "Oh...uhh." C.G. hunched forward, whispering conspiratorially, ignoring Lt. Lotus as she examined her hoof in boredom. "I could work out a little profit-sharing ya know." Downy laughed loudly, cutting the sergeant short. "Crapgame, C.G. let me be par with ya, the message I'm giving, and what your taking is all wrong. I'm not shutting you down, or doing a shake up. I want your operations to expand, and I want to help you do that. Beginning with clearing out all that old stock in the warehouse right now!" C.G. leveled a scowl at Down, years of playing the game tugging at his tail in suspicion. "How you figure that Cap? Mean, sure I like this open style of yours, but I see it like this, we clean the outfit, someone's bound to notice. Just what plan you got bout hiding an empty warehouse?" "The Captain is merely enforcing guidelines from the Armies Manual Section 784, paragraph 38, which states and I quote: 'The supply sergeant may dispose of any surplus or outdated equipment deemed unnecessary by the commanding officer. This equipment will be disposed of by destruction, or the selling of said equipment'; as well as Section 797, paragraph 10: 'The commanding officer shall determine if any item of the company's equipment is suitable or unsuitable, and if found unsuitable, it will be declared as scrap for disposing of.' Now, as I have allowed myself to examine the equipment, and as I have informed the CO, it is agreed that the majority of the items in that warehouse are more suited to being in a museum than it is for a fighting force." Iron belted out smoothly. "Sure thing... still leaves me with an empty warehouse though...er First Lieutenant." Crap Game said after recollecting his thoughts. "Captain Down Range has provided, as courtesy, an arrival of equipment that can be expected within the next few weeks after construction is completed, which will more than fill the required space. As said, the Captain has taken liberty of upgrading the quality of the company's equipment at the cost of his own expenses." "Then what am I here for?" asked the sergeant, leaning back in his chair to study the commander. "You got the money that you do, how's that gonna fit me in round here with you buyin' up the place? No place to keep a fat fool if you ask me." Downy heaved a long sigh, like a father losing patience with a child. "C.G., you and I both know that not everything is on the market to buy. My bits, and my methods are fine when needing the easier necessities in military life, but I'm expecting that, form time to time, we'll need a few items that aren't sitting round in a store somewhere, if you understand. This is your part, as I see it, your my pipeline to the underground, a network of shady supply and demand, get it? "Sure thing boss, damn, never figured I'd be brother to a kelp round here, not common folks you are." C.G. said with a smile. "Afraid good buddies is more applicable for now," Downy corrected. "See, always have a set of strings I do, a few of these specifically are for you, my rules, not the military's." "Oh, oh here it comes, dream was sounding a bit too good there." "First, I don't want us being bit on the bum over the things you sold. Æther bolts will be deactivated and destroyed, folks might call them antiques now, but a magical bolt will still pop a whole in anything, and I'd rather it not be us...or the local police, for that matter." Downy steepled the joints of his mechanical fingers together. "Can't play innocent if we're the only source in town for explosive bolts and deadly magical hardware. Double goes for the new gear, including the æcomms, hand devices, and vehicles. If a door needs opening, than exceptions are alright, but of all our things, the communication units stay put. Last thing I want, are ears on our private lines. Trust me, this is all in your best interest Sergeant, we don't need anyone hearing you and I having a chat now do we?" C.G. groaned in agreement. "Spose your right Cap, cramps things a bit ya know?" "Second, money made from these sales go to the company fund. Now, I don't mind if you do a little skimming, I expect it, its a lot of hard work, more than what the military is paying you for, so I expect it and consider it fair reward for devoting your efforts and time to helping. Be reasonable though, and keep the damn receipts! Just remember, I have a fair idea of market prices. Cross me, take more than you've earned, and I'll cut you cold." "Cut me from what, Cap?" Crap Game challenged. "Wouldn't break my heart to be transferred." "Oh, transfers not on this docket lad." Downy smiled at the older stallion. "I'm talking lessons. You see, C.G., you're just a small time player, a chiseler and a hustler. I'm going to show you the big boy's games, up you a few leagues, from the minor to the majors. Show you what it takes to bankroll all you'll need for seed money once your enlistment's up...Deal?" --- Ace waltzed through buildings as if they were not there. She's been known to stop the Ponyville locomotive on its tracks with just a passing glance. Evaporates water with just a stray thought. Speeding bullets provide her with a stationary reference points and gives alicorns permission to exist. If that wasn't confidence, she was in the wrong part of history then. Her hoof knocked upon the door, loud thumps alerting the commander within of her above god like presence. She quickly smoothed her uniform, hoof running past her flank where an Ace of Hearts sat upon it. Her coat and hair exactly like that of the well known model Fleur-de-lis, though packed with plenty of hidden muscles. "Enter, First Sergeant Ace, and please have a seat." Captain Downy said, giving Ace a mere cursory glance before returning to his tablet. "Sorry to keep you waiting, but for various reasons I wanted you to be my last interview." "No problem, sir." The ranking noncom shrugged, then sunk into the indicated seat. "If there's one thing I've learned in the military, it's how to wait for officers." Downy rose a brow, acknowledging the blatant dig. Setting his tablet down he began by saying. "Seeing as it's late, we're tired, and I'm looking to hit a bit of the fire water, I'll keep things short and succinct." He leaned back in his chair, crossing his hooves. "What do you see as the biggest issue facing me in this company." Ace let loose a low whistle, her eyes widened slightly, brow raised. "That's a rough one, sir." she said, a broncs accent hinting in, shifting lazily in her seat. "I really don't know where to start. If you've got smarts, you don't need me to tell you the company is a pit, top to bottom, inside and out. I couldn't tell you what stands out." "Oh, there's one problem that stands out like Celestia's sun shining butt itself," Downy said firmly. "Fact is, it's the one that I'm not sure I can handle." "Ah, what's that, sir?" "You." Ace sat up in her chair, a frown dominating her expression, bordering on seething anger. "Me...sir?" "That's right. Now, don't get me wrong. You've got a strong confidence, a level head, and a powerful will, sergeant. Waist above any of the other personnel I've inherited. Just from your record, and from my own seconds observation during the previous weeks. You're an excellent leader, easily as good, maybe better than I." Downy shook his head sadly. "Trouble is, your a negative Nancy lass. You'd say a pig couldn't fly, then when one did, you'd say it could never come back down to the ground again." Ace fumed for a little bit, before pulling her lips back into a small smile. For Downy, if he wasn't so impressed by her size, he'd have found this adorable, unfortunately circumstances required a firm attitude. "Fine, you got me there, Captain." She gave a small shrug, then noted, her smile wasn't being returned. "I can't have that lass, not in my company, and not as my top sergeant. I need to turn this company around, to develop every soldier in this command so that they have a better opinion of themselves." Downy tapped the tabled with a mechanical digit. "I can't do that when my main mast, my top sergeant, keeps telling them they'll never be more than dirt. It's hard enough enduring a two-front war: Headquarters keeping us down, and with the troops themselves. I won't have a third front by picking a fight with you as well." Ace leveled a gaze at him. "We talking a transfer, sir?" Downy grimaced, running a hoof through his short mane. "I'll admit, the possibility is there, but then, I'm admitting my own defeat, even if you're the only one I've seriously considered it for. It's too easy, like quitting, and I hate easy roads when it comes to a challenge. I admire your abilities, Ace, you've a strong knack for leadership. We need to work together, with each other, not in confrontation. The way I see it, we're going to need some major changes on your part." Ace chewed on her tongue in though before answering. "Honestly, Captain, I'm not sure it would be so easy. Old habits ya know, knot easy ta break, and I've been the way I am for a long time." "Not forcing any guarantees, specially from a one time roller derby star." Downy stated earnestly. "I'd be content with ya being more amicable to giving it a try. Luna's blessing...I hate playing amateur psychologist, but...most of the cynics I've had to handle, the hard-core "Who cares?', they care a lot. Just at some point they've lost all reason to care, mostly from hurt, and I mean real hurt, broken trust. So bad they won't let themselves believe in hope anymore. Does that apply to ya, I couldn't say. Just give this a chance, trust your brothers and sisters in arm...and trust me to do what is best." Silence hung in the air for a moment as both share din the awkwardness of such unexpected closeness. Downy finally relented, sitting back in his chair to ease the tension. "Just...think it over Sergeant Ace. If, in the end, you feel that the company has done you wrong, let me know and I'll arrange for your transfer to wherever you wish to go." "Thank you, Sir," Ace said, rising to her hooves and saluting. "I'll give it some thought." "Ace..." "Sir?" "Give yourself a new chance, too." As Ace left the room, Iron turned to focus upon Downy, stepping out from the shadows of the offices dimly lit corner. "Sir, I would suggest you get some rest. With the relocation set for tomorrow, it would be wise to have some sleep." She reached out with a wing and easily slid the captains tablet away from him. "Fine, Lotus...I didn't figure these meetings would have to be such an issue, corporate boards have less tension." "I hardly see a difference honestly, sir, but there is a rhythm that corporate has, which the military doesn't follow, though it behooves me to say it, I find it admirable that you are picking up the new tune so well." Iron said, pushing Downy out of his chair and steering him towards the door. "You did well with handling the 2nd Lieutenants, very well. I would also point out, that both Sergeant Ace, and Sergeant Crap Game, are willing to be amicable." "Celestia only hopes, Iron, Luna too...this could make or break any career in the service." "True, be that as it may, you have brought in quite a level of...discorded conduct unbecoming of a by the book officer, conduct I think might truly be needed in this case." She gave a small chuckle. "Impressive, whether it is your luck, or fate, that is something to be decided upon in the morning." "I get it, I get it, ya don't need to keep shoving me." Downy grumbled. "The top sergeant, Ace, did Salute me." "Quite an achievement, if I may say so." "Then there is Gentle Strokes, that lieutenant who wants to be an artist, she requested that I'd do an art pose for her, figured it was a simple portrait...bit I'm surprised she wanted a nude study." "Did you accept?" "Nay, told her I'd think about it. Flattering though, considering the other subjects she has a choice to work on..." --- Lazy Company File - #12 Though he is my commanding officer, and in a way, my friend. I didn't have the heart nor the courage to tell him, honestly. Rather, I saw more humor than anything in allowing him to discover an important piece of information on his own. Specifically in the case of Lt. Gentle Strokes, that she is a landscape artist...or rather, she was, until now, that is.