//------------------------------// // Chapter5: Silver Arrow // Story: The Border // by Cabal //------------------------------// As if in slow motion, all the adults in the room watched in horror at Twist's deadly mistake. For a whole five seconds, no pony/body moved and all was silent. Then it was full on pandemonium. Sgt. Green Bean dashed to Twist before the human border master assistant screamed "Seize her!". All three humans reached out and ran towards the petrified pony. Before they could get to her, Green Bean dove under her and swept her up, and ran toward the exit, knocking over the flagpole, which in turn, tripped up the borderguards who fell over each other. "EVERYPONY! MAKE FOR THE EXIT!" screamed Cheerilee. "mmph- HALT!" screamed the male border guard as he got up and stepped on his superior who was screaming in pain and shouting orders while shaking the female border guard, who was knocked unconscious. The male border guard giving chase stopped to un-shoulder his rifle and he began to load the chamber. By then nearly all the class was out of the building and there was absolute confusion on both sides. Sensing danger, one of the human border guards screamed "Unusual Activity!". Then from inside the human learning center, a shot rang out. All the human border guards dropped their clockwork act and started taking cover while the royal guard did the same. The nearest humans ran towards the building with a purpose, and the royal guards began to form a line shielding the most open areas of the border to allow the class that was retreating towards the equestrian building. Berry Shine caught sight of Dr. Moss trying to make his way back into the building for his dropped note book, and pounced on him and pushed him back the other way screaming "Its not worth it!". =+=+=+= Back safely in the equestrian welcoming center conference room Cheerilee, Berry Shine, and Gentle Moss were counting the class, and Sgt. Bean was furiously reprimanding Twist, who was sobbing and saying "I'm Sorry", over and over again. "Why? What part of 'Do not touch' did you not understand?!" After at least five minutes, the shock of being almost being arrested or killed was finally lifted, Cheerilee, Gentle Moss and Berry Shine began to add up their group's numbers and found that one was missing. "Oh my goodness!" Cheerilee took her hooves to her face in shock, "Who is missing?!" After the class looked each other over, some of them began call out for Silver Arrow. There was no response. He could not be found anywhere in the building. The captain was brought from downstairs, and he was not happy. "Where is this Silver Arrow? I want him found, NOW!" he barked at two subordinates, who them proceeded to search the building again. He then turned to Sgt. Green Bean. "What happened out there, Sargent! Report!" "Sir!" Sargent Green Bean saluted, "One of my charges had licked the national flag of the RoH thinking it would taste like a candy cane, provoking a reaction from the RoH. I took my charge out of harm's way and directed the class out of the building ASAP." "The humans fired a weapon, Sargent!" huffed Guilded Wing. "It was a warning shot, sir." "Then WHERE, is one of your other charges, Sargent?! Did you see anypony shot? Or were you too busy playing hero?" "Sir! I didn't see any pony killed or injured, sir!" Another subordinate rushed into the conference room. "Sirs! The enemy has detained a pegasus foal!" There was a gasp, "Silver Arrow!" then Cheerilee fainted in Gentle Moss' hooves. Berry Shine sighed and began to fan her with a spare notebook. Captain Gilded Wing Face-hoofed "Dear Celestia..." =+=+=+= Silver Arrow struggled and screamed as six humans carried him into the Human Welcoming Center. Each one held each of his hooves and wings and said not a word to him except to grunt as he attempted to buck them or flap his little wings, which were becoming twisted and painful as the humans tighten their hold. They proceeded down a dark corridor and down a flight of stairs towards a table and firmly pressed him down against it. “Comrades! Get the Pegasus restraints!” one of them shouted. “Let me gooooommmph!!!” Screamed Silver Arrow. His protest was answered by a white felt-gloved hand covering his muzzle and his head being slammed against the table. He continued to fight, squirm and buck as his pony-in-danger instincts demanded. Something then was slipped over his head and suddenly it tightened his wings against his body. He screamed some more when he heard the metal buckles clink as they were secured. Then came a muzzle, which didn't go on as easily as the wing restraint. He managed to whip his head out of the grasp of one human and bit his hand. The human growled and teared his hand any from the defiant Pegasus' mouth, ripping off the felt-glove the guard was wearing. Silver Arrow's reward for this win was another slam of his head against the table and a successful muzzling while the felt-glove was still in his mouth. When Silver Arrow was finally secured to the table by chains. The guards then unlatched the top part of the table and wooden handles mechanically sprung out on all four sides, effectively turning it into a stretcher. The guards carried him up the stairs and were about to turn into another corridor when a voice rang out. “Halt!” The guards stopped where they were, and the head human that was leading them turned to the challenge, and responded, “Yes, Teacher Stewart?” “The Border Master has ordered that the prisoner be brought to her office immediately, and that all but the wing restraint be removed!” =+=+=+= BMA FIELD REPORT BMA: Teacher Joanne Hopkin At approximately 12:55, during the national anthem part of our program in the Human Learning Center, I observed a yellow pony with a red mane with an unknown cutie mark, lick the Republic of Humanity's flag. This flag was hanging in an upright position as dictated for this building in manual 8 of the Border Command post and clearly marked DO NOT TOUCH at its base-stand. I ordered an immediate arrest of this pony for destruction of military property as defined in ROH law 2433 under subsection 2, line 2, “Desecration”. While attempting to make this arrest, an armored earth pony of the 4th Royal guard regiment interfered, and took the offender back to equestrian territory. This interference created an evacuation response for the civilian ponies and created a hostile situation when a halt command from subordinate Teacher Evans was ignored and Teacher Sides was knocked unconscious from the interference when we stumbled. She was not attacked by the Royal guard. Comrade Evens fired a warning shot into the air from his service rifle, which was ignored by all civilian ponies except one blue pegasus with a white mane. Upon arrival by outside comrades the pegasus was arrested and HLC was secured. A notebook was also recovered. Upon consultation and agreement from BMA Teacher Vladimer, we brought the detainee into the command and secured him for transport. During the securing, subordinate Teacher Messi was bitten by the pegasus on the right hand, drawing blood and ripping off his service glove. While transporting the pegasus to the exit to an awaiting transport, we were halted by BMA Teacher Stewart, who by the orders of BM Master Rafaeli to remove all but the wing restraints and transport the detainee to her office. I was dismissed after the execution of this order to return to the barracks for administrative leave. Teacher Messi has complained that he was injured by the Pegasus, and requests assault charges to be filed. I also have been injured and request medical leave. Nothing further to report. =+=+=+= ENCODED TELEWIRE AND PIDGEON DISPATCH FM BG MA BM SARAH R. TO NG MA BRIGHTTON STAR. MSG AS FOL: NG PRIORTY NG PRIORITY NG PRIORITY BORDER CMD HAS DETAINED YOUNG PEGASUS AGE 7 NAME SILVER WING BLUE WITH WHT MANE AND BOW/ARROW C MARK STOP PEGASI ARREST W/COMPLAINT OF DESTRUC OF ROH MIL PROPERTY AT HLC IN ROH JURIS STOP DETERMINED THAT SUBJ NOT OFFENDER STOP OFFENDER IS NOT WITHIN JURIS ATT STOP ADDITION CHARGE OF ASSULT IS REQ BY SUBORDINATE AS HAS HAND BITE DURING ARST STOP IS HELD AT BM PLEASURE STOP WILL TO RELEASE IF NO RESPOND IN 24H STOP ENEMY IS ON GUARD, NO CHG/BKUP REQUESTED ATT STOP HPE MARRIGE IS WELL STOP END =+=+=+= (scrawled) SIGNALS REPORT At approximately 13:20, Enemy has signaled comm flag at border command post: Negotiation. I authorized a comm flag to be raised: Standby. For the Border Master's attention, BMA Teacher Simon Frued. 2ND Border Division. =+=+=+= ~~~~~BY THE ORDER OF THE BORDER MASTER~~~~~ (scrawled) BMA Teacher Simon Frued is authorized to fly comm flag: Acknowledged. Continue flying standby flag. All guards below the BMA rank guarding the line at Border command are to fall back from their positions and stand at parade rest in the lobby of the command until further instruction. Silence rules still apply. Our enemies are sensitive at this time to the situation, please move quickly, but do not act aggressive. If enemy crosses warning line DO NOT CHALLANGE unless there is reason for harm. Challenge only if an actual crossing occurs, normal procedure to be followed. Arrest only if enemy crosses our side's warning line. For the Republic, BM Master Sarah Rafaeli. 2ND Border Division. =+=+=+= ENCODED TELEWIRE ONLY FM NG MA BRIGHTTON STAR. TO BG MA BM SARAH R. MSG AS FOL: MSG ACKNOWLEDGED RE ARREST STOP DENIED BACKUP REJECT REQ. DOD INFORMED OF INCIDENT AND ORDERED SAS LTA RROUTE TO SECURE SECONDARY LINE N WILL PATROL FOR UNSPEC TIME XO IS SAS LT MA VALIENT 3RD FLEET STOP IF INJURY OF SUBORDINATE IS DETERMINED TO BE SEVERE AT YOUR DESCRETION TO PROSECUTE DO SO OR RELEASE ASAP WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS STOP INFORM ME ASAP OF DECISION FOR DIPLOMATIC REASONS STOP ORDER RETRANSMIT TO GUARDHOUSES/SUBSTATION FOR ATTEN OF BMA ON DUTY STOP ALL IS WELL APOLOGY FOR SAS INTERVENE NO CHOICE IN MAT STOP PERSONALLY AOKAY STOP END =+=+=+= Sarah spat at her clipboard at the mention of SAS Marines being deployed via Lighter Then Aircraft to her secondary defense line. There was absolutely no need for that sort of overkill, especially when the commanding officer of this particular LTA group was paranoid from the drug experiments that supposedly made you stay awake for three days straight with no pain... or so the rumors went. She looked up at the BMA who delivered the message, who stood at attention with a blank face. Then she glanced at the corner of her office where her small prisoner was sitting, and shivering in fear at two imposing Guards who simply stared at him. Sarah sighed, she had to make difficult decisions that would please no one. Despite a bite wound that caused a subordinate pain and suffering, it was a tiny Pegasus with no value to the RoH other then souring the ceasefire, and causing the peace to be disturb again. She slammed down the clipboard on the table and barked, “Comrades! Leave me and Student Silver Arrow alone and wait outside the door. Do not disturb us until I fetch you. Lock the door on your way out!” All the guards saluted and marched out of the room, and closed the door with a click. Sarah then opened a drawer and began rifling through a drawer. Free from his mean and overbearing escorts, Silver Arrow shook himself a bit to adjust to his wing restraints and cautiously glanced around the room. The Border Master's office was possibly the nicest in the entire building. Instead of the bare cold stone marble, the walls and ceiling were plastered with dark red wall paper, and the floor was carpeted the same. The walls were also decorated with glass cases containing ordinate swords, guns and the occasional picture. There were also more of the weird jeweled eggs, like the ones in the Human Learning Center, sitting on top of a well used fireplace. The centerpiece of this room was the desk of his captor, which looked like it was carved out of of tree and dipped in bronze. “Pony! Come here!” Silver Wing jumped a little at the human woman's sharp command. His wings breifly tightened against the restraints and relaxed. He slowly approached the desk. The whole situation seemed unreal, he was in a room of someone who his own father was devoted to fighting. If this was the end, he was going to go out bucking and screaming. After all, he got his cutie mark from protecting his friends from bullies. The woman motioned to the chair. “Sit!” He hopped into the chair. He avoided all eye contact with the human, he was getting prepared to be screamed at; told that he was going to be executed; eaten. All because of stupid Twist. Sarah took off her service cap, Then she began to speak kindly “I know its not your fault you are here.” Silver Arrow slowly looked up, “huh?” “Comrade, What is your name?” The human woman was being oddly nice now. “Silver Arrow” The woman clapped her hands and laughed. “Ah! And it matches the arrow on the bow for your... what do you call it?” “... a Cutie Mark. What's a comrade?” “In the old language, it means friend,” explained Sarah, still smiling. “But now it usually is a greeting for when you do not know one's rank in society.” “Oh... What's your name?” “You may call me Master Sarah.” she replied. “Where do you live, Comrade Silver Arrow?” asked Sarah, moving along her interrogation. “Ponyville” Sarah pulled out a map of Equestria and placed it on the desk. “Can you point with your hoof where you live?” Silver Arrow tapped a spot on the map and Sarah marked it with a quill. “Thank you.” Said Sarah sweetly, she then looked at the map and exclaimed. “Ah! You live near Canterlot! A lucky little stallion like you must see the Princesses everyday!” Silver Arrow blushed “No...” “Oh don't be shy... unless, the princesses are seeing someone else?” Silver Arrow blinked dumbly, “They are?” It was obvious that this young pony did not know anything personal about Celestia or Luna that would be valuable to the RoH intelligence community. It time to change the subject focus on the incident at hand. Particularity the notebook is what disturbed her. “Tell me, are you on a... field experience with your teachers?” “Yes, we were learning about... you... and Dr. Moss and Cheerilee and Berry Shine took us to the border to see humans.” “Hmm...” Sarah replied. It made sense to her, education is very important and highly regarded in the RoH. “And who teaches you?” “Cheerilee.” “I saw two more adult ponies.” Sarah stated, dropping her sweetness level a tad. “Who are they?” “Dr. Gentle Moss and Berry Shine.” replied Silver Arrow. “They research humans.” “I see...” The written contents of the notebook now made sense. The notebook was something like reading a Doctor's research book meeting a new species entirely. Though it was terribly limited to her border guard's behavior, which only scratched the surface of Humans. Perfect. The less they know, the better. And the name Dr. Gentle Moss rang a bell... Sarah stood up and walked over to the window to gaze upon the border. Her subordinates were still hiding behind the border buildings, and it appeared that the enemy was doing so as well. She often forgot how tense things tended to be when watching The Line. Especially when it was outside the command zone. “Comrade, could you please tell me who... licked... our flag?” Silver Arrow snorted. “Twist did it. She is so stupid.” It was illegal to call another human stupid in the RoH unless it was someone of higher rank doing it, but even then it was frowned upon. It did not foster camaraderie amongst humans and actually created conflict and deviants. Though technically not human and not insulting another human, Sarah let this pass, she could use this to her her advantage. “But why would this... Twist, lick the flag?” Asked Sarah, turning away from the window to look at Silver Arrow. “Does she not like humans?” Silver Arrow snorted again, “No, her special talent and Cutie Mark is a peppermint stick, she probably thought it tasted like peppermint.” Sarah simply stared incredulously at what the young pony just said. Then she let loose a laugh that rattled the glass holding the weapons in their wall mountain cases, causing Silver Arrow to cringe away to the end of his chair. And a sharp Rap at the door. “Border Master Sarah! Is everything okay?” shouted a muffled voice. She then stopped laughing and became stern. “Guards! Get in here!” The door banged open and border guards came pouring into the office and pointed their weapons at Silver Arrow. He whimpered as bayonets touched his neck. “Your orders, Master?” “Please don't kill me and eat me!” shouted Silver Arrow. Sarah shook her head. It was time to end the interrogation and send the pony back home. But not without sending a message that what his fellow pony did was completely unacceptable... plus, a personal vendetta that needed to be settled... =+=+=+= ~~~~~BY THE ORDER OF THE BORDER MASTER~~~~~ (scrawled) BMA Teacher Simon Frued is authorized to fly comm flag: Negotiation. Contact the griffon peacekeepers. There will be a meeting in 30 minutes. For the Republic, BM Master Sarah Rafaeli. 2ND Border Division.