//------------------------------// // An intruder at the frontier outpost // Story: The tale of the Spy // by Andy Ray //------------------------------// Meet me -- the Spy. So they call me. For my stealth. For my abilities -- to disguise as my enemies, to penetrate even air-tight rooms -- and to steal secrets. Though would you call it actually "stealing"? Well, they call. And not derisively so, Sun forbid! No, they build defences, prepare an ambush and lock their secrets away -- that's no laughing matter! While I do my job: I breach their defences, attack from behind, crack their locks. That's, however, not why they fear me. Being a spy means being able to infiltrate among the opponents and to hide in plain sight. To be indistinguishable from them. Not to give oneself away! I am the Spy. And that means, I could be any one of those I'd infiltrate. I could be right behind you! I might be standing next to your commander, as they are warning you about my inevitable arrival! I could be said commander! I could be your best friend! I could even be you! And all thanks to what, you'll ask? Allow me to demonstrate it on my most recent mission for clearance's sake. I am tasked to steal a spell. A very important one, it seems: it is protected so well no one has ever made it too close to it. The spies before me found out, that it was impossible to sneak nearby it. But it seems, they have never learnt, how to handle the cloaking wristlet -- that's what they call it for its primary feature. While, when I was summoned, it was given to me with express certainty, that I would master it for sure. Which I did, naturally. I am the Spy, after all. Suffice it, that I have been sent out on a mission by an authority that wished not to be mentioned by name. So be it. I am not complaining. In fact, you might be surprised, but we're akin -- although our... hmm, breeds? keep us apart. I am not going deeper into this topic. Does it matter? After all, I come to work with all different kinds of creatures, who desire my skill to themselves. As long, as it is not a trap, I go along. And even then I take precautions. Even without the cloaking wristlet I am still capable of something. The utmost alertness -- that's all it takes to make even a very narrow escape. The current boss, however, seems to treat me with more respect, than others. Maybe, it's the kinship, who's to say? They gifted me with a wonderful wristlet -- and that's all I need. Well, that's beside that they promised me the victims weren't dangerous. They didn't want to go to there themselves, though. The victims to be were very kind, they said, but show them no respect -- and they will fight. Considering the defences surrounding the demanded spell -- they know the price for security. This doesn't scare me. I am the Spy. They knew it, when they gave me this wristlet. Who seizes it, may become unstoppable, truly! But who can't must only try harder. And I didn't have to. That's why I am heading to their land: I can blend in. What was told to me, wouldn't suffice: the clients knew the victims not so well. So what. Though it is rather inconvenient, that I have no information nor on what they look like, nor feel like, nor sound like. Surely I would perish amongst them, wouldn't I? Well, gentlemen! We're almost there! Prepare to witness, how the Spy does his job! I am in ungoverned lands: no one rules them. There is no law there. There is no one to fight for the inexistent law. There is also no one to fight the law or to break it -- for the law is not. It makes them bad lands. Even the map, given to me upon my being hired, calls them so. Not much to say about the Badlands: no one has claimed them, no one forces anyone to do anything there. And that's it: no one has any control. One mustn't be careless there, for those, who pursue domination, are not friendly towards their potential rivals. Even then they would not dominate the land -- only if they were powerful enough to control it. For now the Badlands are deserted. Not a single village in sight. Well, maybe, except for those, which can protect themselves well enough to thrive. Though... will they? Thrive? It doesn't matter: I am not here to settle, after all. My priority is to get across to another land, much more friendly, if one seeks a friend. Apparently, I shan't find there shelter as well, as in these Badlands: a spy tricks and betrays enemies, who've thought they're friends and have always been... I do not seek friends. Once a spy -- always a spy, and a spy is a bad friend -- if I am in a position to judge. And a bad friend never gains any good friends. So, if friends are "bad", why seek friendship? Of course, that's only because I'm a spy, but what is a friend worth, if I can't trust them? As a spy I can't. At least their friendliness will make it easier for me. But even then I may trip... Even the greatest do... And I am one of the greatest, without a doubt. Despite what I have told you about the Badlands they have posed me no danger: I cloak in, study the environment, copy the guise magically, cloak out and streak quickly past. Who will lay their eyes upon a random creature, the likes of which populate the area? And then I'll disappear, never to be seen at that spot in the same disguise again. Yes, that's my job. But all of it I could do even without my wristlet, even without the cloaking. Now, that the roads won't lead to about any place, I must be careful, more so, than ever before. For, you see, there are roads in the Badlands, and they lead to every sorts of places: someone must travel them. No one can say where a creature will head to: one turn, then another -- the possibilities are endless. However upon nearing the borders of a ruled country, if one watches someone, one can predict where, with a high probability, that someone will go to. Now I am nearing my destination, and I must take care of no one seeing me. I pretend to be a local animal and approach the borders. Not too close: if someone is watching, my disappearance (from sight) shall be noticed, which will raise suspicions. I know that, so I settle in the nearby forest. Yes, the Badlands are not known for their forests, but my destination is. The forest goes on, and then thins out, giving in to the Badlands. I watch the wildlife, make notes and try to pass as one of them. As long, as I don't claim an occupied territory, I am fine. Some birds don't seem too suspicious to the border patrol. The guards must have seen them a lot. I infiltrate the flocks. I must act quickly, or some watchful eyes shall spot a new bird. Believe me, it takes a very, very complicated disguise to fool the border guards -- and I'm not playing that game: where all depends on whether their eyes are not so sharp -- no, I play it safe. Well, heh, safe... Still: why is it, that most spies take that chance? Simple: because, if they could, they would sneak past disguised as an animal. Nowadays almost everyone knows to watch the wildlife and to scan everyone crossing the border. I am certain, should I cross the border, a scan would detect me. So... how do I do it? Please, take your time and try to solve this little riddle. Just let me give you an advice: sneaking in cloaked is not a very good idea. They are surely prepared for that. It is only better, if I don't hide my presence. My chances to get across? They are pretty tiny, I think. Their scouts must have already known: someone was approaching. Who knows, how far they wander? Of course, there's still a disguise, but I can sense a field, and it feels suspicious... My guess is, it detects someone disguised and alarms the soldiers. I would establish something like this myself, if I were to confront the enemy spies. And they do it as I speak. Of course, this field may be not dangerous... Yet... It may seem, as though I can't sneak in. But wait! I am disguised as a bird! Can't I fly?.. But the field stretches up further infinitely. It must end at one point! Finally it gets weaker, as I have ascended awfully highly. But don't get too excited: the higher I was getting, the more clearly could I see a cloud up above. No ordinary cloud, no... A base. Full of airborne soldiers. Of course they would strengthen their border from above. They know as well, as I, that, if it were any other way, a spy could easily infiltrate. Of course... Now. Let me show you all, how the professional works. "Intruder alert! Enemy's in the base!" So it does sense my disguise, even if cloaked. I remain near the base's edge, letting the field know of my presence. Why? Well, it seems, they are prepared for my coming in stealth. But my being bolder is what they don't expect... Some of them are approaching. I fly away a wingbeat. The alarm goes silent. It has stopped sensing me. And without it they can't find me: for I am cloaked! This alerts them even more. They scan the area. Well. As long, as the scanning rays are not too strong, I can absorb them -- and sense them too, of course. It doesn't make me unstoppable: should they get close enough, my absorption would not work. They would spot me! So I try to "dance" my way between the searching rays. A good skill, you know: to be able to dance. It is a body language capable of telling tales and of expressing oneself! My folks know it as no one could. Who knows? I might get tired... But, having found no one, they retreat. Finally. I may finally do it at my own pace... Watch closely... no, wait, you can't: I am invisible. So let me tell you, then, instead. I sneak up close to a soldier trailing behind. I am still a bird, remember? My "backstabber" is at the ready. My arm is raised... No, it doesn't sound right, am I a bird? Or not? I raise my clawed bird leg and stab the soldier's back. He gasps, but that's all: he is effectively paralysed. I clutch him -- and he plummets! I must work quickly. I grasp my current disguise, activate the temporary invisibility field and take my wristlet off. Now I have only a few minutes left, before my invisibility wears off. The wristlet is on my victim's... appendage. I activate the scanning... Yes. Whenever I lack a disguise, I can always find a victim -- and the rest is my wristlet's job. It classifies the victim, calculates their individual features -- those I can replicate -- and a new disguise is ready. Magnificent, is it not? The work is done. I put the wristlet back on. Here comes the disguise... I change shape... everything else... done. Now, if you think still I am dangerous, then the next thing I'll do will teach you, that it is useless to try to stop me, when I'm equipped so well! Temporary invisibility is on... disguise's an image held in my head... the wristlet's off -- and back on the still paralysed victim's appendage. There's still some time left, before I cloak out and become visible again. I turn the cloaking off forcibly -- and the very next moment I turn it on. Now? Now I am visible. But my victim is not. It has to be still paralysed -- and it is. So this is why I am no match: my wristlet is capable of yet one thing. If the victim weren't cloaked, you could see, as I activate the feature -- and... the victim is gone. Out of sight! Incredible, huh? The victim is now confined inside this ingenious invention! Its mind may still serve my purposes: for the wristlet allows one to connect the prisoner! You see? Not only can I wear disguise, not only -- infiltrate. This wristlet allows me to disappear out of sight; can copy disguises for me and sustain them for me, making it easy... for me (h-m-m-m, too much "for me", isn't it?) to camouflage; it can suck my victims up, so no one suspects a thing! If you think me a great spy... No. I am the Spy. I beat my wings -- how very convenient to have shape-shifted from a bird to another winged creature! -- and slow my descension down. I won't hit the ground. I am alive. Now... I equip the wristlet. "Are you there?.. Are we... connected?" The victim inside answers me affirmatively. "Excellent. Truly... excellent... Now. We may... begin". Those, who believe they can outsmart the others, must be really full of themselves. I don't. My disguise wouldn't fool a professional; my cloaking has just proven to be useless at the border outpost. And what about replacing the victim completely? I have just put it inside a secure container, I look like it, sound, even smell... What can possibly go wrong?.. I am a fake inside. Truly. For I have a mind of my own. ...But don't yet think I shall fail! This cloaking wristlet is truly an amazing wonder!.. For what to replace someone, if there's no replacing them fully? But not with this wristlet: I have "absorbed" the soldier. He is virtually inside me. So not only am I him from the outside -- I am him inside as well! "What have we in common?" -- I ask. I let the trapped soldier inspect me. A dangerous move, but some dark magic was, apparently, put into this wristlet: thoughts don't reside in the minds of the trapped, questions directed toward them don't remain; they might as well even be asleep. Any short-term memory is managed by the wristlet. He won't remember anything about his being enthralled. So what do I risk? He inspects me absent-mindedly. He doesn't scrutinise either his surroundings, his circumstances or anything. Any checks have been turned off. My internal voice, my thoughts are the only thing he perceives. The only thing he can perceive. He's inspected me... His answer is... "We are both equinoids. Although... your species are different from ours, it appears". Well, it is convenient. "What species are you of?" -- I ask him again. His answer is: "I am a pony". So I am disguised as a pony. Wonderful. My wingbeats have by now raised me back up to the cloud base. I approach and land on the cloud. "Do you know this place?" -- I ask. "Yes, -- he answers. -- This is the border control facility. We control, what enters our land -- the land of Equestria -- and what leaves it, who stays outside, and who must stay inside. This is the cloud base. Here we watch for those, who try to bypass the border control..." I listen to him. He explains me everything he knows about this place, so I could feel myself here at home. This, gentlemen, is why I am the Spy: I can fool you with my looks, with my voice... but ask me a question I'm not supposed to know -- and I'll show you what I am capable of! This is, how a spy must work -- perfectly infiltrating the opponent! Before now I used to use my own skills to infiltrate. I could still use a disguise -- but had to sustain it myself. It was a spell, where I controlled every aspect of my appearance and behaviour. It required great skill plus enormous magic capacity from the spell caster. That was fine: I was a capable learner, and my magic was very powerful. That was then. Now I have the wristlet. As I've said, it makes my job easier. But wielding the wristlet is no easy task, no! One must master the device incredibly well to perform the things I have performed. For example, the cloaking is applied to the one wearing the wristlet, while the autonomous invisibility field is applied to the one, who's taken the device off, after the field has been activated. Should the device be taken off just like that -- and the cloaking would dissipate, and the guise would be blown. Only those, who regain control over their disguises, can stay afloat, so to speak. It takes practice to wield it, no denying... With my guide's help I find my working place. With his help I know also what to do. No one will suspect a thing. Even those, who noticed I returned to the base more lately, shall not find out anything about me: for I have my guide by my side. He shan't let me down. Acting... Hm-m-m... Yes, a spy is an actor. And what's the first thing an actor learns? -- come rain, come shine, come snow, come sleet, the show must go on! So, as spies, never let anyone know you're acting! The act be your life, the stage be your world, and you be your character! The play never ends... unless you find a replacement. Mine is inside my wristlet, and, whenever I feel like leaving the stage, I can let him out. That will be then. Now I must proceed with pretending to be a soldier at the border outpost. A shift at this job is not bothersome -- but I have nothing more left to do. That's OK, though: I interrogate my guide about the life in Equestria as he remembers it. I have found out, not all of the ponies have wings: ponies may have any of wings or horns. The winged ones are "pegasi" -- they can fly. The horned ones are "unicorns" -- they can wield magic. So I had better be careful about that: they could rival me. As for the ordinary ponies -- they are just "ponies", or, to accent their having neither wings, nor horns, "earth ponies": because they live on earth; they feed off of what earth will give, and work it. They used to give all of the ponies food, because their food only grew from earth -- and that, which wandered around, they wouldn't accept: they were not accustomed to hunting. They just... don't. It's alien to them, it seems... Unacceptable even... This may be why they haven't yet invaded the Badlands, where killing may become necessary... As a good spy I must understand my opponents, whom I infiltrate. I do. I am a natural at this: all of my folks are. Because it is the way we live -- by feeding off of the prey. You will know about me more -- later. Including how we feed, what we feed and much more. For now let us not let the ponies find out anything about me. My being the Spy is all due to my skills. Only when I stay alert, I become unstoppable. One mistake, however, will cost me immensely. I have overstayed here. I must go further into this land. A soldier, however, must not leave his post. Perhaps, some... -pony is going to be relieved off duty... Who's to say?.. I need to find out.