//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: The Mysterious Life of the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well / Expense of Failure 
// Story: Daring Do & The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well: Canterlot Crisis 
// by Canon Fodder 
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Canterlot City Streets, 9:01pm, September 27th

It had been a long drive from one side of Canterlot to the other, but the normally excitable Daring hadn't complained about it. She felt overwhelmingly relieved to relax after such a striking event. She rubbed a hoof across her forehead, still drying the beads of sweat that hadn't stopped for the past hour. The adrenaline and curiosity still ran through the archaeologist's mind. But with all the questions she had, Mare-Do-Well intended on remaining silent throughout the entire trip. Being an archaeologist however, she was relatively patient when it came to waiting for details, but when she knew the information was right there in front of her, she tended to lose that patience a midst the anxiety. Daring was practically on the edge of her seat and couldn't wait to discuss their stories. One of which being how and why the mysterious mare knew her.

She sat up in her seat and stretched, getting up from a peaceful rest. Then Daring Do stood up and stretched her legs, trotting over to where the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well was fiddling with her computer. She leaned her head over the mare's shoulder and inquired about the interesting piece of machinery. "So just what do all of these flicks, buttons and switches do?"

"You don't need to worry about it." She chuckled. "Sometimes I have trouble remembering them myself. It's not as complicated as you may think. Like these five switches on the wall turn on my monitors, the main knobs on my dashboard control my audio input and output to communicate with my computer. Then there are the rest that perform miscellaneous tasks such as manual control, lighting, listening to music, air conditioning...But I won't go into detail with that one. My A/C's been overheating the system as of late. If only I could find time to fix it all."

Daring found this all very interesting. She hadn't seen a stagecoach like this ever before. If not for all the advanced equipment, it would just be another run-of-the-mill stagecoach. If she thought Union Jack's office was expensive, then this wasn't very far off. She guessed that Mare-Do-Well was probably some top agent hired by the Royal Guard, but that thought contradicted to what the hooded crusader said a short while back. Just who was this Mysterious Mare-Do-Well? Her attire was the spitting image a foal could see in his or her favorite comic book, and she had this witty personality that Do found she could relate herself to. It was almost as if Daring Do was looking at herself in a different light.

"What did they want from you, anyway?" Mare-Do-Well asked suddenly.

The question caught Daring off guard, she was too enticed with her curiosity to understand the query. "What?"

"I said, what did they want from you?"

"Oh," Do muttered, making her way back to her seat. "They wanted to know who I was working for and why I was there. You see I was sent there by the Royal Guard to collect some information on Spectrum and their president, Union Jack."

"Hmmm, fascinating." Said Mare-Do-Well. "But why would the Guard select you when they have many more, and if I may, highly trained soldiers to choose from?"

Daring merely shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure but I think it has something to with me knowing this griffon friend of mine." She paused for a moment, chuckling through her thoughts. "I'm talking about Dr. Giovanni D'Angelo. He has the official doctorate in archaeology, but I think that feather head would've done better in politics."

Mare-Do-Well cracked a smile at her. "Something funny I'm missing out on?"

"Just some old memories me and him have had over the years. He never did like me, and in all honesty I don't like him either. But I do enjoy pushing his buttons." Daring reflected.

With that response, the mare up front broke into another hearty laugh. "And looks like those buttons you were pushing almost got you killed! But you got guts, kid. I'll give you that. You shouldn't be so reckless with your life."

"So I've been told...Time, and time again." Daring sighed, staring out the window at Luna's florescent and spectacular moon. She took in it's divinity, it's beauty and domineering aura of blue that lit up the autumn night sky and the rest of Canterlot City with it. Suddenly she felt more relaxed than ever before. It was funny. Do was reminded of her lonely nights out on various expeditions. Whether it was a jungle, a desert, a tundra or even a desolate mountain cave, the adventuress always found the moon to be a reward in it's own right. After an entire day of challenging endeavors, Daring Do found no greater pleasure than staring into the night sky. The trillions of twinkling stars, the seldom yet breathtaking comets, the wind flowing through her greyscale mane, and of course the moon itself. Absolute harmony. She didn't know why, but it was as if the moon was the only thing in the world that brought Daring the sole shard of solace in her life. If there was anytime she needed this moment, it was now. The death of her friend, kidnapping of the Prince, reuniting with her arch-nemesis, and now a criminal organization that has chaos, atrocity, nationalism and extortion written all over it. Quite literally.

"So why was this Giovanni so important to the Royal Guard?" Mare-Do-Well inquired further. Again, it caught the archaeologist off-guard and dragged her back into conversation.

She drew her eyes away from the window and brought a fetlock to her chin, trying to think of a reason why. Eventually she couldn't. "I really don't know. But he claims to be second in command of this silly little group called the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism and Extortion." Daring chuckled. "I really do wonder how long it took D'Angelo to come up with that one."

She dragged on her laugh for several seconds until she realized the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well wasn't laughing with her. In fact she seen the mare's expression shift from witty to worried. It was puzzling. "Anything the matter?" Daring asked.

"...So it is H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.," Mare-Do-Well said quietly, turning around in her chair and ignoring the pegasi's query. With another flick of a switch, the mare activated her computer. "Bring up file: Cufflink."

"Affirmative, Mare-Do-Well." It replied.

Daring stood and strolled up front once more, trying to figure out her hostess' new motive. "Mare-Do-Well, what's going on? Was it something I said?"

The hooded mare nodded, still watching the central monitor. "As a matter of fact, yes it was. H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., a group that I feared to be behind all this."

"Well what's so bad about them?" Do shrugged. "I've never heard of the group."

Before her elaboration, the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well stood up and remembered the folder she stored in her hat right before their escape. As she lifted the hat off the rack, she began. "87 years ago, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was founded by a stallion from Manehatten known as High Roller, a notorious criminal and head of the Manehatten Mustangs, one of the biggest crime organizations ever to arise. Well at least until H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. was formed. For years, the Mustangs controlled much of the various casinos and hotels in Manehatten. It seemed like they were unstoppable. If another gang tried to step in, Roller and his thugs would stomp them out. If somepony betrayed him, he'd slit their throats. He was nopony to fool around with. Of course there was an origin of his dominance. The Great Manehatten Bank Heist. I'm sure you've heard of that."

"Well, duh." Daring retorted. Then it was like a light bulb had clicked on. She remembered who the criminal was. "Everypony was taught about that. Yeah, High Roller and his gang made away with over 100 million bits without a trace of evidence."

"Correct!" Mare-Do-Well nodded, returning to her seat and laying the stolen document across the control board. "The overnight bank robbery that left many businesses forever damaged. Forcing hundreds of economic plummets all over the city, allowing High Roller to buy out the failing major companies and become an unstoppable monopoly up until his death."

The archaeologist rubbed a hoof through her mane wondering. "Then why did he start this group when, first of all, he already lead a powerful syndicate, and second, already had control of the entire business world of Manehatten?"

"Because he was just that power hungry." Mare-Do-Well simply said. "When you give a megalomaniac like High Roller the power to purchase anything he wants, it's only natural that he'll want to keep building his empire...Thus, the creation of H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E.. Roller was well into his later sixties when he sought no suitable individual successor to take on his economic empire after he was gone, and it wasn't until he suffered a heart attack that he decided to make it the top priority on his bucket list to leave his mark on the world as The crime leader. So he devised a plan. One that would shock the entire Kingdom of Equestria. High Roller sold off all but one of his businesses in Manehatten, leaving him with a sole casino and more money than what he started with. Some called it the fall of an empire at the time. But others, including me, believed it was the rise of a threat that would engulf the entire country into anarchy."

Daring Do was taking mental notes on the mare's stance. Her hooves were shivering and she could notice beads of sweat collecting through her mask. It was the first time the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well showed any sort of intimidation since they first encountered one another. "Is this syndicate really that bad?"

"Undeniably." The hooded mare assured. "Using his millions, High Roller employed assassins, henchmen, various criminals of all sorts, and lastly, corrupt business executives that thought exactly like he did. Then along with that casino as a legitimate facade, Roller was the master mind of an entire league of cretins, thieves, and terrorists. But this wasn't enough. High Roller wanted to make this a super syndicate, which he referred to it as. Selecting from a vast amount of criminals, he had chosen twelve ponies, including himself, to run it together. A board of directors, sort of. But it wasn't exactly a board of directors. The twelve were given numerical positions, No. 1 to No. 12. Obviously High Roller named himself Number 1, indicating that he was in control of the operations surrounding the business, in and outside the law. Then eventually they had to come up with a name for their group. A title that demonstrated the four cornerstones of the criminal minds. After a vote of hooves, the league of super villains were titled the Hierarchy of the United Ranked Revolutionaries In Chaos, Atrocity, Nationalism and Extortion. In short terms, they would simply refer to each other as Hurricane Agents...I guess the reason behind why I am worried about this group is because the last thing we need is a repeat of the Baltimare Balti-Scare."

The name alone gave Daring a chill down her spine that crept through every nerve, and her magenta eyes lit up with wonder as to what spectacle could've happened in Baltimare. She was amazed with how much she had missed out on in terms of Equestrian history. Despite having knowledge of dozens of other cultures and their history, Daring felt kind of silly not knowing the moments in her own culture's history. Without waiting for her to ask, Mare-Do-Well continued to elaborate. "Anyways if you don't know, the Baltimare Balti-Scare was lead by Hurricane Agent No. 3, Foul Play. His intentions? To let the entire land know that they were present. Taking claim for their actions, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. assaulted the City Hall, ultimately killing 39 ponies and 2 griffons. But that was only the icing on the cake. Hurricane Agents went on and terrorized every settlement they stepped hoof on. It was almost perfect that they were abbreviated, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., because it was exactly like it's natural disaster counterpart. A wide wave of crime washing over the entire kingdom. Ponies being assassinated left, right and center. Buildings being threatened and attacked. Robberies, petty muggings, high valued heists, every sort of crime imaginable. High Roller was trying to intimidate everypony, and it was working. Except for one more city which proved to be a challenge...Canterlot, Equestria's capital city and home of the Royal Guard. Like I mentioned earlier, he wanted to leave his mark on a global scale, and Canterlot is just where he would initiate it. So after a long meeting with the big 12, it was decided that they would assassinate the Captain of the Royal Guard, then destroy Canterlot Castle. Like Balti-Scare, this operation was also given a specific code name...Canterlot Crisis."

"I'm glad to see that they failed." Daring smirked, trying to raise Mare-Do-Well's spirits, but it failed to impress. "...They did fail, right?"

To Do's relief, she promptly nodded. "Yes. Thankfully they were tipped off and the Royal Guard were informed of High Roller's Manehatten headquarters. Over the next few decades, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. remained dormant. High Roller passed away and the remaining agents dispersed. They reunited now and again but after the Guard raided the casino, the criminals' financial dependence was shot, and they were never heard of again...until today."

"But are you absolutely positive it's really them? I mean Giovanni has talked a lot of smack over the years and he coulda just been putting on a show to scare me. He's always tried to do that but it never worked." Daring grinned.

Mare-Do-Well sighed, returning her focus on the central monitor. "I'm afraid my speculations are correct, Daring Do. Look at this."

Depicted on the screen was the image of a pony's gold cufflink. It was monogrammed with the inscribed swirls of a hurricane, and a small diamond as it's eye. Then Mare-Do-Well zoomed in further and discovered the number '4', written behind the face of the diamond. "I am very certain of myself, H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E. and its agents are back. I found this in Manehatten a little over a week ago. I had intercepted Union Jack and a few others, including Rusty Anchor, world famous smuggler of illegal goods."

Realization struck the archaeologist. She turned back to the mare and threw her an impressive smile. "So it was you who captured him?"

"You are correct again." She smiled back. "After I loss Jack, I had some unfinished business to take care of. But I did leave that rose-obsessed freak with a touching parting gift. That eye patch he wears? Yeah, I gave him that."

The two shared a lengthy laugh before Mare-Do-Well soon noticed that the coach was starting to slow itself. She glanced up at one of the camera monitors that shot at the front of a cave. "Where the hay are we?" Daring Do asked looking out the window. "We're way outside of Canterlot."

"Not that far." Her new acquaintance chuckled. "Maybe about a mile or two, this is actually my home. Don't ask because I know what you're gonna ask. Just watch."

Daring sat on the couch as she watched themselves stroll into the dank cave. Then she heard a humming noise coming from the outside and stuck her head out the window to examine it. The opening to the cave was closing behind them and a sole light switched on up ahead of them. She turned her head toward the light and discovered what appeared to be an elevator. Eventually the coach rolled to a stop and the adventuress stepped away from the window to find Mare-Do-Well switching her computer off and picking up the document in her teeth. She swiveled around and used her magic to lift her wide-brimmed hat from the rack and placed it in her hooves. After spitting the folder back in, she placed it on her head and stood up to open the door.

After leaving the stagecoach they headed towards the dimly lit elevator. Mare-Do-Well trotted up to it like normal but like the archaeologist she was, Daring trailed off, examining the metamorphic rock and limestone deposits in the walls. "These walls have been blasted. This cave must be the remains of some sort of mine."

"You're partially right." Mare-Do-Well laughed in a clever manner. "These walls were blasted but it was actually meant to be an opening for a new train tunnel until it was shut down twenty years ago. Come, we have much to discuss."

The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well pressed a button to a console on the wall, causing the elevator doors to slide open. They stepped inside and began descending as soon as the doors were closed again. They traveled downward quite a long ways, it was nearly a minute before they halted. The doors slid open again and Mare-Do-Well was the first to walk across the threshold. She flicked a switch on the wall and the entire room illuminated brightly, broadcasting the view of a luxurious suite. Emerald carpet extending the full range of the room, white metallic walls, multiple luminaires fixated across the ceiling that brightened every aspect of the room. 

The sitting area was decorated with two plush, black couches with the same comfortable fabric used in the stagecoach. The coffee table, bookcase, and two desks in the room were made of chestnut wood and it looked like they were made to sustain the dank, moist air of the cave. In one corner was a high classy kitchen like any other and there were three more doors that branched off to other rooms. The two desks held an assorted amount of different technology that one would use to solve crimes. The first desk, among the furniture of the sitting area, had equipment used to transcribe audio files, analyze bacteria with a microscope, test the acidity of a substance using litmus paper, and other scientific means to crack a case. But the second desk was a little more downplayed. It looked like any other regular desk, four drawers, intricate in the legs and a large white swiveling chair to match the walls. The only puzzling thing about the desk was the numerous buttons installed on the right side of its surface. 

Mare-Do-Well walked over and pressed the button furthest up and it activated a large side of her wall to rotate, revealing her widescreen computer monitor. Daring Do was positive this mare was loaded rich. Not even Fancy Pants himself could afford the assets Mare-Do-Well owned. "A gadget-armed suit, state-of-the-art stagecoach, a retractable cave door, and now this 5 star extravaganza built down a mile? Just how- I don't- Would you just tell me who you are?"

"I cannot reveal my true identity." She said hastily, sitting down in her white chair. Daring jumped at her sudden retort and walked over to see what she was doing. Mare-Do-Well spun around in her seat and looked at her guest, pointing at the two  doors to her right. "See those doors over there? The first one is my bedroom, the second is the washroom. Feel free to tidy yourself up. I have a washer and dryer in there too so you can wash out that smelly shirt of yours."

The adventuress lifted a hoof and took a sniff of herself, she was right. "It's not too bad but it's not too great either. I suppose I could use a nice bath. When I get out, are we finally going to talk? I'd like to find some clarity in this all."

"I promise, we will discuss everything that needs to be discussed in the morning." She said, returning to her new work. "It's been a long day Daring, and don't try to argue with me because I know your mind is agreeing with me."

She went to say something back but again, Daring knew the shadowing mare was right. She simply sighed and began walking to the second door. "Well alright, but no backing out the next time. I want to find out what is going on."

"You have my word. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Unknown Location, 1:13am, September 28th

Union Jack sat anxiously in the hallway along the row of chairs, twiddling his hooves periodically and rubbing the thick bump on the back of his head every now and again. He had replaced his old suit. The red, blonde maned unicorn was now adorned in a white linen suit with a black neck tie. As strange as it was, he found that it brought out his eye patch. But one style that never changed was the red rose laying in his lapel. He gained full physical composure of himself once again. If only he could say the same for his state of mind. He was dreading the thought of entering the room just ahead of him. He had been given his orders, but failed to heed them. Now he was a nervous wreck, swindling his hindhooves below his seat, trying to think of a scapegoat. 

There were two other ponies sitting next him, but not nearly as worried. More or less they were going in to conduct business. They looked at Union and found his cowering amusing. The quivering unicorn turned to their snickering, his sole ruby eye lighting up like wildfire. "What's so funny? Bloody yanks!"

"No. 4." Somepony addressed. Union Jack swung his head back to the now opened door. "He'll be seeing you now."

The terrified unicorn swallowed the hard lump in his throat and rose from his chair. Before entering, he straightened his tie and slicked back his well groomed mane. Then for good measure he threw the two other ponies a smug look and walked across the threshold to the next room. The pony who had called on him was commonly known to his colleagues as No. 6. He was a tall, slender earth pony with a fuzzy grey coat and a short black mane. He seemed like he always wore a smile to boast his solitary gold tooth that shone with his slick, violet eyes. 

When the door shut behind him, he was met with an unwelcoming atmosphere and felt nauseous. Then against his will, his hooves began to shiver once more. He slowly paced down the shyly illuminated room, drawing closer and closer to the empty chair just up ahead. The seat was set in front of a desk, along with two other chairs that were occupied by Giovanni D'Angelo and Nimble Stratus. The vacant seat was reserved for Union. No. 6 pushed him to quicken his pace, forcing Jack to stumble over his own hooves once or twice. After what seemed like minutes, he finally made it to the leathery arm chair, although waited to be called upon to sit. He threw his two other colleagues a friendly grin then looked back, the sly earth pony was standing directly behind him as if he were about to pummel the petrified red coated unicorn. At last he looked forward, staring at the rear of another leathery arm chair. Although this one appeared to be highly more defiant than the others.

The desk itself was as wide as anything, it's surface decorated with twelve folders, many pieces of parchment stacked in one corner, a quill laid inside an inkwell to the side for one's convenience, one pitcher of water, a glass, a white fedora hat, and lastly two envelopes that looked like they had been thrown carelessly in the center of the desk. The dense silence was broken with Union clearing his throat, then greeting his superior. "Good evening, No. 1..."

"Good evening," the voice behind the desk started, keeping his chair turned to the back wall. "You may sit down."

No. 4 bowed humbly then lowered his flank into the chair, resting his forehooves on the arm rests. "Thank you, Sir."

"I heard about your little mishap this evening...Quite unfortunate." No. 1 said with disappointment in his tone.

"Yes, it was a r-rather embarrassing incident." Union chuckled nervously.

Suddenly the pitcher on the desk lifted with a magical aura around it, pouring its contents into the glass adjacent to it. Then as the jug was put back down, the glass of water drifted around to the front of the chair, soon being followed by the satisfying sigh of somepony's thirst being quenched. "What happened, No. 4?"

Union's ears perked fearfully, and he tugged on his collar nervously. "S-s-sorry, Sir?"

"I said, what happened?" No. 1 repeated, this time with a slightly harsher tone in his query.

The fur on the blonde unicorn's back was standing on end. He was beginning to stutter and spiraling out of his mind. He knew what his fault was, but couldn't bring himself to say it directly. "A s-s-simple misjudgment of the situation at h-hoof, No. 1. A slip of the mind, if you will-"

The humored No. 1 intervened in his pointless explanation. "Tisk tisk tisk. Petty excuses and mindless misjudgments will not suffice, Union. This, Daring Do and her friend have gotten away with one of our files. One of which that can jeopardize our entire operation. Unfortunately we won't know what that file was until we've gone through all the paperwork that was tossed all about the office."

The defensive unicorn shook his head and pointed to the griffon on his left. "But No. 1, if Giovanni had k-killed the mare,  rather delay the time for her accomplice to storm the headquarters, we wouldn't be having this discussion."

"How dare you try to pin this fault of your's on me?" D'Angelo retorted almost immediately, his feathers ruffling. "You could have poisoned the wine with something a little more potent than a simple tranquilizer."

Union Jack turned to him throwing a reluctant frown. "If you had any common sense, you'd have dealt with that Daring Do in a matter of seconds rather than take a walk down memory lane. Maybe you should leave interrogation to us younger agents."

No. 2 went to rise from his seat but was stopped by the breaking voice of No. 1. "That does not justify the potential loss of our credibility, No. 4. After that close encounter a week back, you had been given strict orders to eliminate any mare that seemed suspicious. You were the one in charge of this entire charade. I have spoken to No. 2 and No. 9 but the majority of the blame lies with you. If Spectrum is compromised, then the Hierarchy is compromised."

"I-I-I know, No. 1. I ap-p-pologize."

The shadowy leader sighed. "You've disappointed me, No. 4. I sought for you to be so much better. But apparently I was wrong about you. No. 6? Show Union Jack our latest prototype."

The tall stallion side smirked, articulating his gold tooth as he reached around his back, wrapping his hoof around the handle of a lightweight, two-foot long, pneumatic spear gun, with a steel spear already loaded into the stock. No. 6 showcased its design. "This tool will soon be made the standard issue to every Spectrum security guard in and around Cloudsdale. This spear gun's slick, and lighter design compared to it's aquatic counterpart, has been made to fit the aerodynamics of pegasi during flight whether he is in combat or not. The trigger mechanism as you can see, is large enough to be able to secure one hoof in the ring, allowing for comfortable firing capabilities. Then we come to the spear itself. I think this goes without saying but it is incredibly sharp which can and will pierce the armor of ANY Royal Guard issued attire. Not only that, but these spears have been modified with small fins to again, maintain aerodynamics. The spears also come in blunt for more damage and every operative will be issued a small quiver which will hold an additional ten spears. Finally, there is the firing of the weapon itself which is operated by the pulling of trigger, and in turn will activate the gun's pneumatic, air tight tank, guaranteed to fire the spear off at fatal speeds."

His violet eyes gleamed in the dim lighting as he turned to Union. "Any questions?"

No. 4 studied the spear gun's long and definitely sharp increment. Then he looked up, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "No, you've covered all of my concerns, thank you." The nervous pony tensed up in his seat, unable to relax without thinking about the spear gun. Then just as he turned back around to face No. 1, he something cold graze over his back. Union didn't even have to turn around to know that No. 6 was holding a pleasure filled grin, rubbing the tip of the spear up and down his spine.

"No. 9, lock the door please." No. 1 ordered.

The green pegasus complied. He rose from his seat and walked across the room. Seconds later, Union heard the solemn 'click' behind him, then began to hear his own heartbeat. He swallowed another painful lump and painted a smile across his face. "So, No. 1. Where do we go from here? I can guarantee this won't happen again."

Union's smile washed away when his boss began to chuckle deviously. "No. 4 you are correct. This won't happen again. You see, here at H.U.R.R.I.C.A.N.E., when one of our operatives, and especially elite agents like you fail to follow direct orders from me or No. 2, consequences must follow. We are only away by a matter of days from carrying out our mission and the Hierarchy cannot afford any decline in performances at this point. We do not tolerate lack of ability this late in the game. Therefore the expense of failure must be paid."

He felt his heart turn over as the tip of the spear dug into his suit, tearing the linen from it's stitches. He clenched his heart and a single tear collected in his good eye. Everything was slowing down and he begged for this scene to end quickly, painlessly. Further and further the spear dug, soon forcing him out of the chair and grovelling on the floor with his forehooves over his head. "Please, No. 1! Please! I beg of you, give me one more chance!"

D'Angelo even felt himself becoming a little uneasy, watching his once proud fellow agent become so defenseless and weak. No. 6 on the other hoof was almost laughing, his eyes filled with amusement as he continued to pressure the gun to the unicorn's back. No. 1 gripped the fedora in a magical bind and placed it on his head and finally swiveled around to face his quivering colleague. The dim lighting that shone over the fedora had cast a shadow over No. 1's face, shielding his identity. He leaned over slightly and laid the empty glass back on the table then slouched back in his chair, shaking his head. "So much potential, too. If only he had the mind that went with it. You could have had everything...No. 6?"

"What is it, No. 1?" He answered patiently, keeping his eyes on Jack and his hoof on the trigger.

"You're terminated." No. 1 returned simply, suddenly striking the cocky earth pony to look up at his boss with a baffled frown. But before he could inquire about the statement, he heard a quick, pressurized pop, then cringed in agony whilst a spear was forcibly shot into his back, shouting a painful yelp before smacking the ground, dead. The spear gun fell from Union's back and landed on the ground, firing off to the side. No. 4 skipped a heartbeat. He was almost certain that he was dead. 

Stratus soon stepped back into the light, wielding a second spear gun in his teeth. No. 1 acknowledged him. "Get him out before he bleeds all over the carpet." Nimble nodded, spiting the firearm out and dragging the limp body of No. 6 out of the room. As soon as the door closed again, Union Jack felt it was alright to sit up again. Although his hooves still quaked and his heartbeat still rung in his ears. The boss shifted his view back to the shaken unicorn. "He failed to keep his loyalty when we discovered he was taking money out of our accounts. You are different, No. 4. I have entrusted you with everything that has had to do with Spectrum for the last six years, and you have not touched a cent. Therefore, you have succeeded in keeping your loyalty intact. That, and that alone is why I am sparing your life."

The frazzled Union Jack was finally able to breath after hearing that. "Oh Thank you. A thousand thank yous, No. 1. I assure you this infraction will not happen again."

"I hope not, No. 4. You are quite a valuable Hurricane Agent. You're my Head of Extortion and it's about time you proved yourself. But you must first eliminate your ego or else this infraction, as you called it, will happen again, and if it does, I can guarantee the next time there will be no excuses." Finally the shadowed figure slid the two letters to the edge of the desk towards Giovanni.

No. 2 leaned forward and took a hold of the two envelopes in his talon. "What are these, No. 1?"

"They are personal letters to her Majesty, No. 2." He answered. "One is our ransom for Blueblood's return, and the other is Daring's report on Spectrum, slightly tweaked of course. After Celestia has received them, Spectrum will be out of the spotlight, and our demands will be made."

The puzzled griffon raised a brow, asking the obvious question. "But if I send these off at the same time, won't it seem suspicious?"

No. 1 shook his head. "Not at all. The Royal family receives dozens of letters each day. I am certain this will be a simple coincidence to them."

"If you say so, No. 1." Giovanni concluded, placing the envelopes in his coat pocket. "What happens from here?"

The secretive leader laughed cunningly. "I'm glad you asked that, No. 2. You see, thanks to No. 4's mistakes, I have been forced to push our schedules ahead by 24 hours. Originally I had planned to give the Royal family two days to reply to the ransom but now I have cut that down to one day. If I remember correctly, the castle courier delivers the mail around 8 a.m. every morning so from there until the next morning they will have to decide. I have enclosed the ransom letter with a spell of which the Princess can use to reply."

No. 1 rubbed his chin with a fetlock, grazing it back and forth. "Now, what to do about those two mares? Have you found out who the masked one was?"

Having finally regained his confidence to stand, Union Jack spoke up and nodded. "We have. After the ambush, I had my secretary do some reading up on her appearance and it turns out that this pony is known as the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well. A sort of, superhero among ponies all over Equestria. She is seldom spotted in the spotlight because of her, if I may, mysterious ways of popping in and out of any predicament. With her highly technical armada of gadgets she has at disposal, she has stomped out many criminals over the years and if she is as dangerous as she is to be said, then we must deal with her and her new ally as quickly as possible. Also it turns out that she was the one who put Rusty Anchor behind bars." 

"She's definitely a dangerous parasite." Giovanni sighed, glancing to Union's covered eye. "Wasn't she the one that gave you that injury?"

The hot fire in his eye sparked again which also spread a look of disgust across the unicorn's face. "Bloody yank. I used to have the most charming eyes. Now I'm stuck with this repulsive accessory." Then he lit a red aura around his horn, doing the same to the rose in his lapel and bringing it to his nose. "If I ever get her insight again, it will be the final confrontation between her and I."

"Let us get back on track, No. 4. I am very tired and have so much left to do." No. 1 swiveled around in his chair again and started using his magic to pour himself another glass of water. "No. 2 I want those letters delivered as soon as this discussion is over. Then I wish for you to meet me back at the rendezvous tomorrow afternoon."

He laid the pitcher of water back down and used his magic to once again to levitate the glass of water into his hooves. "And as for you, Union Jack. I want you in Cloudsdale immediately. I want you to ensure that Phase 3 is coming along smoothly. We can't afford anymore delays. Take No. 9 with you. When Phase 3 is complete, No. 7 and No. 12 will be arriving to put Phase 4 under way. I want you and No. 9 to go with them to finish the job and wait on my call for the final Phase. If possible, eliminate Daring Do and the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, and any other liability for that matter. We are so very close to completion, and I won't tolerate any more of your foolishness, No. 4. You understand the penalty of your second slip. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal clear, No. 1" Union bowed humbly.

After another satisfying sigh, the emptied glass returned to it's place on the desk. Then No. 1 flicked his hoof to the side, signalling the end of the meeting. "You two may leave. If there are others outside, tell them to speak with me in the morning. I have waited a long time for this moment. Six grueling years, and now it's all up to Celestia. If they choose not too comply with our demands, we will proceed with Phase 5 and follow out with the dream of my predecessor...a Canterlot Crisis.

To be continued