First Compound
Mac looked around the torch lit mineshaft hallway. Small bits of dirt began to spill from the roof, the sound of shifting rocks and moving hooves and paws were the only noises aside from the constant hisses for silence. This was a compound? He felt his sister push him forward. As he trotted through the earthen path barely big enough for him to stand in, a sudden thought crossed his mind. Ponies live like this. They want to lay hidden down in this hole to avoid being spotted by those they deem a threat. How can they do it? Maybe it wasn't as bad as all this, maybe there was an expansion ahead! Yea, the walls would be wider, and the ceilings would taller. They had to be.
After a few more minutes of walking, his hopes rose a little when they came to a more widely dug out area vertical wise, Though the floor dropped an inch or so, on the whole, it still seemed too cramped and limiting for his personal liking. Small torches pierced the surrounding darkness to reveal a long table and a handful of cots sputtered all around the cavity.
"This is... where you live?" Twilight asked awkwardly.
"It's not much," Frisket called, removing a dagger from his fur toned vest. "But it's all we have." The other Federals began taking seats on their beds, or looking over pieces of paper on the table. "Can't draw too much attention to ourselves." He spoke barely above a saddened whisper.
Ace nudged Twilight, "This is how it is for most of or compounds her in South Equine." He whispered, Twilight's dumbfounded look only served to further fuel him. "The price of freedom for now. But don't worry, they don't spend too much time down here." The lavender unicorn looked around and questioned about the food supply, Ace informed her that there were surrounding farms where the Syndicate members would scavenge nourishment enough for survival and operations. There was a town not too far north who'd become sympathetic to their ideals and have no trouble harboring the activists.
"This place is kinda... Cramped" Rainbow complained inspecting the walls. "Man, what I wouldn't give to see Rarity's face if she were here. She'd be all 'Oh heavens darling this place is simply ghastly'!" Mac chuckled at the fliers attempt to preform the fashinista's snobbish accent, though he wasn't alone in his mirth.
"Rainbow," Applejack chuckled, "Yer terrible fer that."
Rainbow blew a raspberry before giggling again and poking some more information out of Ace. Mac looked on to find Spike looking around with morbid curiosity. "Wow," sighed, "They really do live like this, don't they?"
"Was i' so differn' from how we lived fer six months?" Mac asked a little disturbed. Of course it was different, they were free to roam where ever they please and do what ever they liked so long as none were hurt. These guys were seen as outlaws, criminals who'd simply wanted to live a life without intrusive government. They live in a hole for Celestia's sake, what kind of question was that? There had been a point previously, though he couldn't remember to save his life now.
Though, they could just leave if they wanted to... Right? Since they chose to stay here, than they also chose to live this way. If they didn't want to they could just pack up and move on.
Spike shrugged. "Maybe, I can see where your coming from if your talking about living with out the typical comforts of home" Yea, that was it! "But what do they have to do to live in a place like this?" Mac thought on that, that was actually a good point. From the surrounding terrain, it didn't look like a camp would serve any purpose here. Curious for answers he and Spike walked past the crowds conversing and some laughing, and found Frisket looking over some maps.
Upon noticing the duo, the mentioned dog shuffled the map from view and eyed the Equestrians skeptically. Mac tried to put on his most friendly face, but that only seemed to put the hound more on edge. Finally he gave up and allowed himself a more neutral demeanor. "What?" Frisket barked.
Mac cleared his throat after a wince. "We was just wondern' why is it ya have compound 'round here? Ah mean, 's not much goin' on by the look of it." Spike nodded in agreement.
"That is Federation business, NOT Equestria's." Barked Frisket, he found a large gray paw on his shoulder and turned his pug like face to see his wolfish superior "Toby?"
"We treat guests better than that, Corporal." Toby gave his subordinate a disappointed look, the torchlight almost making him appear in a melancholic anger. "However, despite my friends lack of manners, he is correct. Our business here is classified to the Syndicate, sorry to say." Toby looked to the pony and dragon and saw Mac giving a defiant glare. He had to know why they were here, what was so important that would make a sentient being live in confined hole like this? "Alright fine, you win. Though, I can't give you specifics, basically we observe the towns and complexes."
"So y'all just look at ponies n' town n' such?" Mac asked skeptically.
"Basically. There's more to it than that I assure you. However, as I stated before, No specifics." Toby smiled and looked back to Frisket, "Now apologize." Frisket rolled his eyes and offered a quaint, not to mention insincere, 'sorry'. Acknowledging that was the best he was going to get, the Alpha told his subordinate to go and do something having to do with field reports and the begrudged hound left, muttering a few rather unfriendly words.
After a quick meal of carrots and lettuce that Ace and one of the other pegasi had stolen from a near by field, all the occupants of the small, and now cramped lodging; took to settling in for sleep. Mac and Spike found the tunnel leading outside to be the most viable quarters as far as personal space went. The four mares had gotten into the routine of huddling together and using each other to preserve body heat. The crimson Equestrian yawned and laid his head down for the first grounded and hopefully restful sleep he had since the Gonshinian.
Sin sat out in the frozen night, the cold air assaulted his lungs, reverberating into a jolt of pain to his heart. He laughed at how his body reacted to such insignificant variables. After traveling around in colder weather, you'd think his body would be used to it by now. The moon had shown and disappeared thanks to the roving clouds overhead, a small glow in the east spoke shadows of a larger town or complex that lay beyond the ridge. The liberty stallion decided to take watch for the night, Star Shade had been more sane than usual, and that could only be brought about by either interacting him just after he woke up or sleep deprivation.
The mentioned stallion also sat on watch, nodding off every once in a while only to shake himself awake in a fruitless cycle to maintain consciousness.
"Why don't you get some sleep?" Sin called keeping his head forward. "I'll handle watch tonight."
"What so your friends can have their way with me?" Shade chuckled and cover his rump. "This plot belongs to Discord."
Sin shook his head. "And no horror story will ever give me a worse image. Thank you Shade."
"Tis what I do, my good sir." Shade bowed his head, he stumbled from exhaustion but caught himself before falling. The night pegasus yawned and coughed. "At any rate, what is the plan?" He asked yawning again, Sin began his explanation, naming off the numerous compounds that would need to be reached and who the group would need to talk to. Giving very tedious and unnecessary details for every point. A light snoring interrupted his preaching and he found his associate laying on his side, using his forelegs as a pillow.
Some times it's just too easy.
Sin took this time to think, what would he do once he reached Windmane? He had nothing better to do until the economy collapsed under it's own bloated weight. The government giving corporate welfare and trying to systematically retain social programs all with out collecting enough in tax revenue? It might take a while, but seeing the state come down due to it's citizens own perpetuated ignorance and hearing their cries for help in for their own mistake would make all the time biding worth while.
This would show them.
All those statist retards bickering over how the Boltinian 'free ground' beliefs and Synidratic 'free sky' beliefs were absolutely worthless.
-Especially considering that rhetoric should have been dead since the two parties didn't even stick with those principals anymore- Sure the artifice was used for the Senate's relation to the public, some how integrating freedom of the sky or land; but it was used in more of a metaphorical sense than litteral. Better yet? The idiotic citizens fell for it, they actually believed the constant bull shit pushed down their throats.
There was no real difference between them, all of them bickering on and on about compromise, all the while trade routs and weather planning was restricted. Thousands go hungry and even more suffer cold because of this supposed "stale mate". Both parties only create more oppressive law of control, neither dare to repeal anything of substance.
And the real cause? Of course, money. Money to fill their fat fucking pockets and retirements.
All the while, the Northern New Equinites merely bicker and argue from one political candidate to the next about which Federal Program would be the most help, and which is more worthy of tax payer funding. North Equine was almost solidified in it's alliance with the Boltinian party, however, more and more Syndicratic groups had been gaining steam, seeing the ground based free trade as a hindrance and inefficient, while the pegasi's have been restrained to interfere in the weather at all for a more "natural" way of living.
At least they followed their "principals" in that way.
At least, that's how it was when he left, little did they know that no Syndicrat has dared oppose the bills already passed by the Boltinians, and vice versa. Not that it mattered really, the citizens couldn't see passed the current "crisis" at any given time anyway. They were to busy defending their own party or attacking the other to see what they truly were. A farce, an unintelligible facade of a two headed snake lobbied by those who only seek to use their power for personal gain.
Those who thought that the government was the solution to the problems it created, hearing their screams of help and hunger in his mind was almost enough to bring a genuine smile to the cynical stallions face. Though, there was that little problem with Senatorial Martial Law being declared upon the states economic collapse, though he couldn't see the Triple M. mercs trusting each other enough to protect their families for them. So, that bridge would be crossed when need be.
He wondered where he should go to witness it first. The thought of staying on the outskirts of the capital crossed his mind, though if too many Citizens flee he could be exposed; thus leaving him open for the pillaging and plundering that would soon follow after food prices hiked beyond reason. The only thing holding up N. New Equine right now was it holding Triple M.'s Head Quarters. Should the Company leave the state and set up elsewhere, South Equine would loose most incentive to trade food in as great abundance as it had. And thanks to the anti-gardening laws that passed curtsy to the Consumable Safety Administration claiming that all food must pass their inspection, it wasn't likely that there would be enough food in N. Equine to feed it's current population.
It's downfall would be full of panic and chaos... Sin smiled at the thought. Absolutely glorious.
Sin's happy fantasies of angry and scared: Ponies, Griffin,, and Sentience in general panicking and suffering were interrupted by a sudden shouting from behind him. "HIYA SIN!"
He bolted around in a gasp to witness Pinkie beaming at him. A few more calming breaths passed before he looked to make sure Shade was still asleep, fortune smiled at hope. He then turned back to address the eccentric mare.
"Ms. Pie, please, they are trying to sleep." He called in a harsh whisper.
"Oh, sorry." Pinkie smiled apologetically and climbed out to sit by the former Senator. Here we go again, what does she want this time? "So, Can I ask you a question Sin?" The aforementioned shrugged indifferently. "Isn't it hard to see at night with those goggles on?"
Sin shook his head. "No."
"Are you sure? It's really dark out at night."
Sin slowly turned his head to see the beaming pony. In a low and sarcastic voice he replied: "You don't say."
Sin saw Pinkie's ears press against her head, and her smile vanished. Victory, though he knew that if the last few weeks were any indicator, this was only the first of many battles to come this evening. He didn't know exactly what the Party mare wanted from him or why she insisted on speaking with him so frequently, but it couldn't be good. She'd been prying ever since they left Canterlot, trying to get him to 'talk about himself'. What did she want? Use the information against him? Did Star Shade put her up to it? He did say when he 'least expected it.' It's a possibility. And even if he didn't, this pony was something dangerous if she put her mind to it, he knew that much to be certain...
"My friend Fluttershy," Pinkie began her sad smile brightening a bit. "She has a problem expressing herself you see. She's always been a gentle and kind mare. She wont admit it, but I know she becomes very lonely at times. Never wanting to inconvenience anypony- er... anybody to keep her company."
"This story of yours." Sin interrupted. "Does it have a point?"
Pinkie winced at the venom in Sin's tone but continued on. "I-I try to visit her once in a while to keep her company, help stave off that feeling of isolation." She let out a sigh. "I don't like to see ponies angry or sad. I like to make everypony happy. It's what I consider my special talent to be..." She trailed on.
Yep more story telling about her friends and life back home. Doesn't she have actual friends she can talk to about this? 'Why does she keep pestering me like this? Me of all ponies? Hmm... ' Maybe the theory of her trying to poke at his brain isn't so off base after all. it's not like he's been the nicest pony to her. Though, he'd be lying if he didn't find this whole ordeal amusing, for some reason or another.
A challenge of will? A psychological game that he already knew the outcome of? Or maybe it was just seeing the hyperactive mare get that shit eating grin wiped off of her face with words.
Pinkie continued to drivel on and on about something while Sin lost himself in introspection of his philosophies, brought countryman's previous aggression. 'Well, I guess the concept is a bit cruel, though I'm not a cruel stallion. Ok, so I like to see individuals suffer for their stupidity. That's consequence of their action or inaction, they have it coming. It's not cruel to enjoy the suffering of others when it's self inflicted. It's the price of ignorance and stupidity. Sympathy for such will only lead to the desire to protect it.'
"... you know what I mean?" Pinkie asked hopefully. Sin looked over, relieved though at the same time unnerved by the ponies silence and expectancy.
'I was supposed to be paying attention to that, wasn't I?'
"Uh, yea, sure. Why not?" He shrugged and delved back into his thoughts.
"Why do you hate me?" Pinkie asked, her somber voice breaking his train of thought yet again.
Sin groaned dramatically, "Why do you pretend to care?" He shot back. It's time the games to finally begin. He'd walked around her challenges long enough.
"What?" She asked, her voice trembling. Sympathy, empathy and guilt; clever tools of the female sex when utilized properly. However, there were no males here to protect her in such a emotionally distraught state. She couldn't use her emotions to manipulate anyone here.
Sin repeated his question, emphasizing each word. Pinkie looked on the brink of tears. "But, I..."
"Get some rest miss Pie." Sin barked. "We have a lot of ground to cover to the next compound." The awkward silence soon gave way to the familiar and bitter sweet comfort of solitude. Though it was far shorter than he was expecting, the game had been played... Victory was his.
Tonight anyway.
"Hey Mac!" A harsh whisper came from the darkened hallway. "Mac, you awake?" The mentioned pony let out a groan, that sweet embrace of sleep was almost upon him, and now he had to wake up? Life wasn't fair sometimes.
"Yea, wha's goin' on Spike?" He called retraining the irritation he wished desperately to show.
"I was just thinking, Do you think it's ok to enjoy the suffering of others, so long as it's only because they do it to themselves I mean?"
Mac too had thought about the concept ever since Sin had brought such a disturbing thought to light. No, no it was not ok, the former senator was wrong. True ponies would make mistakes, the world wasn't a perfect place. But to insinuate that the best thing to do was to sit by while they suffered for them? No, that was not something the earth pony could bring himself to accept. He could help, what if the mistakes killed the pony who made them? How were they supposed to learn if they died? "No, Ah don'. He's wrong 'bout it." He lifted himself until he was sitting upright.
"How do you know?" Spike asked also sitting up and eying Mac. "What he says makes a lot of sense."
"Jus' 'cause it makes sense; don' make it right." Mac replied, a twinge of begrudging squeezed due to the interrupted sleep. Spike protested his point, though Mac interrupted him. "Wha' would ya do if Twi' er Pinkie er the others made a mistake? Would y'all really sit back and le' them hurt for it?" Spike opened his mouth to give a quick yes, though the word stuck in his throat. After a few thoughtful moments he conceded the point.
'He was wrong on this, other ponies hurting is never a good thing'. Mac thought as he laid himself down to embrace the sweet grounded rest he'd been denied for the past week. Sleep almost took him again, though a continuation of gentle sobs began to make him grit his teeth. 'why me?' he groaned and sat up again to see Pinkie quietly tip toeing past the other pony who shared the hallway and into the main room. 'what's her problem?'
"Mac wake up, it's time to go." The stallion shooed the poking claws away, complaining that he hadn't slept with this much content in a week. Another shove brought his mind from the struggling daze and he found that the hallway had become alot brighter. "Mac, it's time to wake up!" He looked to find Spike with his arms folded and an annoyed stare. Had it not been for a low growl of his stomach solidifying the end to any chance of rest, the earth pony would brushed the dragon off and allowed himself another hour or two of rest.
Reluctantly, Mac stood up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. All the while wondering how it was possible to wake up more tired than when he went to sleep. He followed Spike into the main room and found the the four Equestrian mares conversing amongst themselves. Toby and Frisket had despair ridden looks as they both read over a few pieces of paper. Sin, Ace and a new pony who wasn't there before stood together debating about something or another.
"...and you're absolutely certain?" Sin asked.
"Yes, they were defiantly heading to the compound." The newcomer Pegasi nodded sadly.
"Tripping the light's fan-fucking-tastic." He shook his head, then looked to see Mac looking at him in concern. The brown clad pony let out another sigh and made his way for the hall. "I'll have Star Shade scout an alternate route." He walked by with out even a nod of acknowledgement. Mac felt nervous, what was heading for the compound? He questioned Ace about the concern to which the pegasus gave an empty chuckle.
"No, no not here." He assured laying a comforting hoof on the farmers shoulder. "It was the compound about twenty miles north that was hit. Though that's almost just as bad, we've lost communication and reconnaissance up there. " His voice turned grave. "Along with the fact you wont have shelter when you arrive at that checkpoint as planned." He turned and motioned for Mac and Spike to follow him. they looked at a thin Map on the close side and the golden pegasus pointed a hoof to a small dot with a red 'X' over it. He explained that the next compound would be a three day trip after the two days it would take to reach the overtaken one. Spike grumbled and looked over the terrain, he pointed to an elevated area and asked about seeking refuge their for a night.
"Mount Pike?" Ace asked looking at the area thoughtfully. "Hmm... There are some foragers that go in there for the berries and herbs that only grow in that area, but I suppose it's better than staying out in the open." Twilight and Applejack approached and inquired to what was going on, Ace brought them up to speed and the two grimaced. "The other bad news, is that there wont be an escort for us."
"What?" Twilight asked wide eyed.
"These boys are stationed here, they were already pushing their luck leaving for a day, five days up and five days back would leave us with out eyes in this sector, And since the Sector up ahead is already blacked out, and with with the odd activities going on lately the Syndicate can't spare further loss of information."
"That's alright." Rainbow Dash called with a confident smirk. "We don't need any help. We'll be fine as long as I'm here."
"My aren't you full of... Confidence." Ace smirked. "Alright, saddle up, we leave after breakfast."
The meal passed in relative silence and peace. The dogs and ponies of the out post had already taken their leave on daily scouting and recon, leaving only Toby to stay and summarize the reports he had gotten. Once all of the carrots and cabbage was gone, the six ponies and dragon climbed out of the shelter into winter's cold and cloudy grip and continued due north. After almost an hour of walking, Star Shade returned from his expedition and told the only pony of the group he actually spoke to what he had seen ahead. Sin relayed the information to Ace who finally announced the information to the rest about the clear way ahead.
"You know," Rainbow grunted eying Shade. "You could have just told us flat out." Shade grunted and continued trotting along. "Hey!" The rainbow mare dashed up and blocked his path. "What's your problem?"
"Rainbow!" Scolded Twilight. The mare gave her a look than stared back to the unimpressed night guard before her. After another pout the speedster stood out of Shade's way and allowed him to pass. Mac shook his head, things had been a bit more difficult with the arrival of his old friends. Shade would only talk to Sin unless Spike or Mac initiated a conversation, even then; it was hard to get anything helpful or semi-sensical out of him.
Spike had gotten a bit more temperamental with Twilight getting on him in anything she could: Reminding him to be careful with his gem carving, badgering him to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything. But even though it was all motherly and well intentioned, the incipient nagging had begun to take it's toll on the reptile.
Rainbow had more or less been the most tolerable of the group of his old friends, surprising as it was to say. The worst she did was antagonize a little and gloat, passed that; she was either cheerfully conversing or flying around not bothering anybody. His sister had to be the worst one of them though, all of Twilight's nagging was nothing compared to the hard core stubbornness of Applejack. Sin laid down the law when they first set out from Canterlot, less than kindly informing them that either they followed him or he left them behind. He'd hear what they have to say, but ultimately it was his call to make. He and Shade were the only ones spared from his sisters wrath, but not her complaints.
During the trek to the Gonshinian from Canterlot, each of the girls wanted to help pull their own weight. So they paired off and Mac decided it best to team up with his sister in his culinary duties. At first it was innocent enough, a few suggestions about adding a specific spice or a small addition that wasn't preferred; but from there it only got worse: scoldings about over cooking or under cooking the food, complaining about how much he ate when he tested the stews, and even going so far as to excluding him from the process in favor of her own volition.
Twilight and Sin had few to no issues in food collection, and since Shade refused to even acknowledge any of the mares Pinkie Spike and Rainbow Dash would all tend to the fire. Pinkie and fire... yea that just doesn't even sound like it will end well. Rainbow had decided she would go against one of the oldest tenets of fillies and 'play with the flames' making them dance and even tried to make a puppet show; searing Pinkies mane in the process To his happy surprise, the group that seemed so doomed to crumble actually compromised at Twilight's behest. While still not the greatest, they did learn how to work together and more responsibly.
Sin even took kind of well to the girls, but Star Shade? He simply hated them, Mac couldn't figure out why. Any time he'd ask the night guard about it, he would simply fly away or shrug it off entirely, any of the four would receive the same response just by talking to him at all.
The a light breeze sent shivers down the stallions spine, it would be a cold night to be sure, but nothing that installed any fear of hypothermia or anything like that. After a quick rest stop by a near by pond for a few minutes of rest and re-hydration, they continued on until dusk.
"Sin," Called Applejack softly, "Thin' we shoul' set up camp?" The mentioned stallion looked at her, than to the setting sun than back to her and gave a nod in the affirmative. Everyone went to their duties save Ace who decided to help Shade in water gathering. To Mac's surprise the stallion actually allowed the help, and they trotted off to obtain the life giving fluid.
Mac dug out the tools he typically used for the stew, using his canteen water to wash them up for use. Pinkie had gathered a small mound of dead grass to be kindle while Rainbow looked for actual wood. Sin and Twilight went off to look for food, leaving He and his sister to their work. "Hey Mac," Applejack called quietly. "Might I have a word witcha."
"Was goin' on?"
"It's 'bout you n' Spike. Ah think I need to tell ya somethin' Ah should'a told ya a while ago." She motioned for the dragon to come over, leaving Pinkie to keep the flame alive. "Ah just wanted to let ya both know, Ah'm real proud of ya." She smiled sincerely at the bright blushes the two were giving her. She fiddle with her stetson a bit, trying to find the right words. "And Ah also wanna apologize. Ah know that Ah - we... Haven't treated ya the best, whether disregarding your opinions er treaten ya like you can't handle yer selves. Ah'm sorry if we pushed you away, the only reason we did it was 'case we care 'bout you. You know that right?" the apple mare nervously eyed her brother and Spike.
"You know we do AJ." Spike chirped. "And I suppose we're sorry for walking away like we did." The dragon kicked at the ground, his face ridden with a little guilt. Mac felt the same way, he was genuinely regretful for hurting his sisters feelings and putting her through so much worry. He loved her, always would; no question about it.
"Thank you Spike." Applejack continued with a smile. "N' for what it's worth, Ah think y'all turned out alright." The three shared a quick embrace and waited to see if they would need to use their rations, or if nature would nourish them tonight. Forgoing lunch hadn't exactly been an easy adjustment, but they typically made up for it at dinner. The water gatherers were the first to arrive back.
"Damn." Ace complained arching his back. "How do you do this every day?" Shade chuckled and shook his head. The two buckets had found their way into the homemade filtration system of an unused cloak and finally into the small cauldron/pot. The cooking utensils and water found their place and only needed the food to be put to service. Rainbow was next to return, carrying a fag in her forelegs and complaining about having to do the 'real work' alone. Finally, they saw Sin and Twilight approaching in the last dim glows of dusk.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Twilight apologized repeatedly. When looking for what exactly happened to elect this behavior, Mac found the leader of the group had a limp in his step. "Please forgive me."
"Wha' happened?" Mac called leaving his post.
"I- I didn't mean to..." Twilight almost sobbed.
"Just a little accident Mac, nothing to get worked up over." Sin cooed pulling out a few heads of lettuce, asparagus, and eight potato.Mac eyed the feast before him, tonight they would eat like kings. "Be sure to keep the flame down, we don't want to attract any unwanted attention." The black eyed stallion called before limping away from the group where he nursed his wound.
"Dang Twi, what did you do?" Spike chuckled before Pinkie shot him a look and left to check on Sin.
"It was an accident I swear." Twilight protested.
"Sure, so would you mind telling us why you accidentally tried to assassinate Sin?" The drake asked with a wry grin. Mac watched with amusement as Twilight's eyes darted from side to side. After finding no help to be had, she let out a sigh and told the group about the nearby farm, she came a cross a very stubborn potato root and her determination in pulling it out had lead to her yanking the spud out of the ground and unintentionally slamming into Sin's leg.
"Death by potato." Mac shook his head. "Fah shame, Miss Spa'kle." The group burst out laughing as Twilight's face grew red from his teasing.
Pinkie grabbed the poker stick and began rearranging the tinder in the fire pit. After seeing that her action actually started to kill the fire, Rainbow Dash questioned her motives, the party mare smiled and happily answered. "Sin asked me to make sure the fire didn't get to big, he wasn't sure if you guys heard him."
"He's right." Ace coughed before looking around. "We don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves." Twilight asked what the harm was in having a fire, surly nobody would care that much if they found out some vegetables were stolen. "It's not about the vegies, Miss Twilight. It's about the state. We're in an area where technically it's illegal for us to be. And one thing about the ponies and such who live here is that they live by the 'see something, say something' policy."
"See something, say something?" Spike asked before rolling his eyes. "So tattling basically."
"Basically." Ace affirmed. "If we are spotted out here, who knows what the South Equine Government will do to us..."
And please point out any mistakes you find! I don't have an editor/proofreader, so it's up to the heartless grammar and spelling Nazis out there to make me feel bad about myself for having a "than" instead of "then" or too many commas, or what ever.
-Dax