//------------------------------// // Fanged Ones // Story: Loyalties // by GJT_Productions //------------------------------// "The attacks on our kind that venture outside the caves are increasing, sir." "Surely this is just another misinformed troublemaker at work, Vesper. We just have to track them down..." "I'd like to believe that, sir, but I'm afraid of the implications of what it means..." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Look, I'm not happy to hear that either, but you're not the only ones that seem to be having issues right now." Captain Shining Armor explains to his subordinate, a slight amount of exasperation in his tone. "If it was just protests and insults being hurled our way, I wouldn't be bringing this up, sir. But now there's life and limb involved. Our mates and foals are being attacked when they venture outside the caves." Vesper firmly continues on. "Who are the ones attacking you?" Shining asks, the twinkle of indignant fury starting to show in his eyes. "All three races are involved. These groups claim that there are 'vampires' from our kind, attacking and taking life in the dark of night. It's all the old rumors and bad information we thought the education program had corrected for." "And you haven't recently arrested any misbehaved young stallions that could be fueling those rumors?" "No arrests of our own kind, sir." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A thoughtful look briefly appears on Shining Armor's face as he ponders the best way to deal with what Vesper has presented him. After a pause, he gives the following set of orders: "You should make sure that mares and foals are not travelling outside the caves without escort until further notice. I will bring this up with the royal sisters, but in the meantime you should get back and authorize your Lieutenants to set up escort duties on the nights they are not on active patrol." "Yes sir." "You should also inform the Luna Shift castle staff to expect to perform the same escort duties on their off nights. If there is a problem, tell them to go straight to me. Understood?" "Yes sir." "Good. That is all I have for you now. You are dismissed." Vesper acknowledges the dismissal with another salute, then turns and starts his way out of the meeting room. Shining Armor notices the increasingly grave concerned look forming on Princess Cadance's face out of the corner of his eye as Vesper takes his leave of the room. The words remain caged in Cadance's mouth until Vesper is out of earshot, but when the words finally come out it's a sobering statement: "This is very dangerous. Something is attacking Equestria, and they know the batponies are our weakest link." Shining Armor responds with equal worry: "I agree. There is something going on, but I can't figure out what. Too many different things all hitting at once... I'm just afraid we won't find out what it is until it's too late and ponies get hurt. The royal sisters won't be of much help, I can't be sure anything that I send to Twily is reaching her... whatever is going on, we'll have to take it on ourselves." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LATER, WHEN THE NIGHTSHIFT ASSEMBLES... "A new job has been added to the duty lottery: outside cave escort." Lieutenant Captain Vesper was explaining to the batpony stallions assembled for their nightshift service, an announcement that prompted a bit of buzz among the ranks. "Yes, I understand that it isn't the most glamorous - or safest - job. But the attacks on our kind have not only not abated, they have continued to increase. This is the only option for defense against those who are attacking us based on the old rumors and distrust." Vesper continues on once the buzz dies down a bit. "But surely these attacks are simply from the ill-educated, sir?" one of the subordinate Lieutenants asks. "I would like to believe that, but the educational initiative went on for quite some time in the EEA. At least, when Trailblazer was in charge of it. We can no longer safely assume ignorance, Soldiers of the Night. Captain of the Guard Shining Armor has authorized use of whatever defensive measures are needed to protect life and limb from the attackers. Into formation for the lottery!" "Sir, yes sir!" the crowd of batpony soldiers echoes out in the caverns. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The shouting echoes reach a small pocket where what appeared to be two "civilian" batponies where listening behind cover, ears perked for every word. After the echo fades, they quietly converse between themselves: "Do you think they're onto usssssssssss?" "Not yet. It just meansssss we can't go feeding on our own. We have to ssssstay assss part of the crowdsssss." "But it makessss thingssss sssso much harder!" "I know. The whole 'magic ailment' thing will have to be relied upon exclussssively. At leassst until we can do an appropriate infiltration." "Ssssso hungry..." "I know. But if we follow the Queen'ssss orderssss, eventually we will feasssst!"