//------------------------------// // An Interlude // Story: The Good, the Bad, and the Sentry // by Tumbleweed //------------------------------// The astute reader (and I like to think that I have no other kind) may remember that, the old steamer trunk in which I discovered the Flash Sentry Papers also contained a large amount of other ephemera: train tickets, bar tabs, and a selection of salacious photography magazines that can best be described as 'comprehensive.' While of historical interest, these items have not been of any great import, save for the occasions in which an old train schedule or shipping manifest serves to corroborate Sentry's accounts. In this case, I believe I have found an exception. For the record, while the following fragment was marked 'classified,' it is also well past the statue of limitations in which it could retain such a category. Though this matter is somewhat muddled as the larger file (of which this fragment appears to be a part) does not technically exist-- or at least I was unable to find any trace of it during my thorough searches of the Canterlot archives. Regardless, Princess Twilight Sparkle has only encouraged me to share the following fragment, once again proving herself to be a wise and benevolent patron of the academic arts. According to the Princess, the pursuit of knowledge and historical understanding is far more important than espionage efforts from so long ago. Additionally, she assured me that “it can't be any crazier than what happened with the mirror.” And so, I present the following, from the hoof of Special Agent Golden Harvest herself. 1730 – Informed asset Lt. S. of new operational plan. While reluctant, asset agreed to chosen course of action after considering all options. 1800 – Departed Appleoosa on hoof, following Rattler Gang's tracks left from earlier confrontation. 2030 (est) – Located Rattler Camp in at the following coordinates: REDACTED. Approached from southwest, under cover of darkness. Spotted less than a dozen Rattler gang members upon initial assessment, though there were tents & supplies for several times that number. 2045 – Spotted Appleoosan citizen (Apple, Braeburn) approaching same camp from southeast. Intercepted citizen before he could be spotted. Enganged citizen in conversation, using my own civilian identity (Top, Carrot) based on previous experience and for operational security. Citizen explained he was there “to keep an eye on them varmints,” due to “Boss Hiss gotta be plannin' somethin'.” Allowed citizen to believe I was there for same reason. 2100 – Continued southern approach, closing within eavesdropping distance. Observed target (Hiss, Boss) and several other members of Rattler Gang clustered around a campfire. During preliminary surveillance, overheard Target boasting about a plan to distract Lt. S and the rest of Appleoosa, while the rest of the Rattler Gang had already mobilized to attack the inbound mail train, originally scheduled to arrive in Appleoosa at 0400. Given the numbers (and temperments) of the Rattler Gang members involved, said attack would no doubt be a massacre. Citizen Apple immediately set off towards the railroad tracks in order to warn the train before it arrived. Made command decision to pursue, so as to reduce potential civilian casualties (and also preserve my own cover, should he be discovered). 2145 – Located Rattler ambush point at following coordinates: REDACTED. Rattlers had constructed a simple rock-fall trap with which to block the tracks and/or damage train engine upon exiting mouth of canyon. Crude, but effective. Feigned hoof injury, then sent Citizen Apple ahead to warn approaching train. Due to his first-hoof knowledge of the area, Citizen Apple knew of a way to circle around Rattler ambush point to avoid detection. Citizen Apple initially protested leaving me alone, but reminder of previous time in area (See: OPERATION: BUFFALO BARREL) convinced him to forge ahead, thus leaving me able to continue operation without witnesses. 2200 – Engaged enemy. 2205 – End of engagement. All members of Rattler Gang incapacitated or routed. Rock-fall trap triggered in process. Front right hoof wounded (minor bone fracture) due to shovel injury. Ironically, said injury was to same hoof I'd feigned hurting earlier. Applied splint, improvised frontier antiseptic (rye whiskey), and anesthetic (rye whiskey). 0200 – Arrival of mail train. Thanks to Citizen Apple's warning, train was able to slow to a stop before catastrophic impact. Provided cover story to Citizen Apple & other civilians on train that Rattler Gang had started in-fighting amongst themselves, and thus set off trap prematurely. Consulted with chief engineer of mail train (Pusher, Piston) as train crew began to clear tracks. Chief engineer estimated process would require at least half a day to complete. Due to wounded hoof (and protests from Citizen Apple), concluded I would not be able to return to Appleoosa & rendezvous with Lt. Sentry any sooner than that. Took refuge in caboose of mail train to wait out the interim. Applied more anesthetic.