//------------------------------// // Chapter 12: What He Stands For // Story: The Equestrian Intelligence Agency // by General Soarin //------------------------------// Private First Class Red Hawk Equestrian Army Reserves 1st Reserve Regiment, C Company Sky Hawk’s House, Canterlot, Equestria 6 Hours After Launch Of Operation Harmony Red Hawk knew that something went wrong for her brother, but she didn’t know what. Sky Hawk had arrived back at their house about half an hour ago, and had been unnaturally quiet. The reddish brown pegasus mare tried to ask her brother why he was so quiet, and received a simple response from Sky Hawk saying “Agency business”, before vanishing into his room. Normally, Sky Hawk was very open to his sister, telling her about everything that had happened during the day and sharing any concerns that he had. Today however, he was quiet, and had spent no time in going to his room, where he isolated himself. Red knew something was bothering her brother, but she also knew that she was not going to get any information from Sky Hawk. Red decided it was best to wait for her brother to open up to her, and sighed before walking away from the door to Sky Hawk’s room, when she heard a sound that she had never expected to hear. The unmistakable sound of sobbing wafted through the door, and Red could feel a immense feeling of concern rising in her chest. For the first time in many years, Sky Hawk was crying. Red knew that her brother was a very serious pony, who always had control of his emotions. Red’s concern took over, and she found herself unlocking her brother’s room with the master key, before stepped inside. Sky Hawk was curled up on his bed, his head buried in his pillow as he cried. His mane was messy and unkempt, and there were used tissues all over his bed. Red carefully walked over to her brother’s bed, before placing her hoofs on his shoulders, and started shhing him. It took a few moments for Sky Hawk’s sobs to die down, and he looked blankly at his sister. “What’s the point of serving one’s country, when your country doesn’t respect you?” He asked quietly, as he wiped some tears from his eyes. Red chuckled softly, before shaking her head. “Sky, we both know that Equestria appreciates what you do, even if the public doesn’t really know your name. It’s ponies like you that help keep Equestria peaceful, no matter what the cost. You of all ponies should know that.” Exclaimed Red, a supportive tone in her voice. Sky Hawk shook his head, before slowly getting out of the bed. “You don’t understand Red. Equestria doesn’t want my help. It’s blatantly obvious that Laurence is going to strike in the near future, yet Celestia takes the Agency off the case, and gives it to the idiots in the Royal Guard!” Sky Hawk retorted, frustration mounting in his voice. Red looked at her brother in shock for a few moments, before walking over to him. “Celestia took you off a case? What was it on?” She asked, general concern in her voice. Sky Hawk looked up at his sister, before sighing deeply to himself, and walked over to the window. “I don’t know if you heard, but a few hours ago the Element Bearers went missing. Celestia found out about it, and ordered the EIA to investigate, under the codename Operation Harmony. I was placed in charge of the operation, and received Rainbow Dash as a partner. We did some snooping around, and we discovered that the disappearances were linked to a EIA agent named Laurence. However, EIA headquarters was attacked, and things have been steadily declining since then.” Sky Hawk explained. Red was silent for a few moments, before slowly sitting down. “So….you think that Laurence will strike again soon?” Red asked, concern in her voice. Sky Hawk nodded, before sitting down. “It’s obvious that he’s going to strike, though I have no way of finding out. Not only did Celestia remove the EIA from the investigation, but I was also discharged from the Agency as well. Everything has gone wrong.” He replied, his voice filled with sorrow. Red placed her hooves around her brothers shoulders, and gave him a small smile. “Sky, there’s no need to worry. The EIA wouldn’t fire their best agent, it’s probably just temporary.” Red stated, a soothing tone in her voice. Sky Hawk shook his head, and opened his mouth to speak when he heard someone pounding the front door downstairs. Both siblings got up at the same time, before Red pushed her brother back. “I’ll get it.” She stated simply, before walking out of the room, and down the stairs. Red slowly opened the front door, and peeked outside. Standing in front of the door was a sandy brown pegasus mare with magenta eyes, and a brown saddlebag strapped over her shoulder. The mare took a deep breath, before clearing her throat. “Is Sky Hawk home?” She asked curtly, her voice void of emotion. Red shook her head, before stepping outside of the house. “He’s busy at the moment, but I’m his sister. What can I do for you?” Red replied, making sure to keep her voice cheerful. The other mare sighed, before taking out a clipboard from her saddlebag. “Sign this.” She stated simply, as she handed the clipboard to Red. Red quickly took the quill off the clipboard, and signed the piece of paper before returning it back to the mare. The mare placed the clipboard back inside her saddlebag, and pulled out a box, before giving it to Red. Red nodded in thanks, before taking the box, and went back into the house, closing the door behind her. She wasted no time in getting the package back to Sky Hawk, who took the package, and placed it on the bed. The only marking on the box was Sky Hawk’s address, and a strange symbol that showed a sword with a snake coiled around it. Sky Hawk hesitated for a few moments, before taking a knife, and opened the box. Inside was a folded piece of paper, and a solid block of black metal with a small circle on it with the EIA seal on it. Sky Hawk looked at the box for a few moments, before taking out the note and opened it. The note was written in a fancy cursive writing, and had the strange seal on the top right hand corner of it. Sky Hawk frowned for a few moments, before shrugging, and read the letter. Dear Sky Hawk, I heard about your discharge from the EIA, and I just wanted to say that this is something that the Agency will regret. You’re one of the best agents that they have, and they throw you out during some of Equestria’s darkest hours. Change is coming very soon, and Laurence will strike in the near future. Inside this package is a set of EIA Mark V Advanced Combat Armor, which is located in the magically compacted black box. Only you can open it, all you have to do is place your hoof on the EIA seal, and the box will return to normal size and open. As soon as you get this message, I want you to throw on that armor, and head to Celestia’s private quarters. Laurence is planning on confronting her soon, which provides you a chance to kill that bastard and save Equestria. I’d love to explain how I know this information, but I’m running out of time. Maybe I’ll meet up with you, and explain everything, but right now I gotta wrap this up. Good luck, and may fortune guide you. Best Regards, L.H PS: Don’t ask about where the armor came from, I had to go through many Agency loopholes just to get it to you. It should be equipped with reinforced hoofblades, just double check to make sure for me! PPS: If you see Spitfire, make sure to call her a bitch. She deserves it after what she did to you. Sky Hawk reread the letter a few times, before finally shaking his head, and put the note down. He had no idea who this LH pony was, but he did know that they had access to the best combat armor that the Agency could offer. He reached back into the box, before pulling out the small black box, and placed it on the bed. Red watched anxiously as Sky Hawk slowly lowered his hoof onto the EIA seal on the box. There was a click, before the box suddenly grew rapidly in size, growing to the size of a footlocker. With another click, the box opened, and Sky Hawk peered into the box. Whoever sent the package had not been kidding when they said they packed the Mark V Advanced Combat Armor. The armor was painted a sheer black, with the helmet and wing armor being painted a blood red color. On the armor’s flanks, the seal of the Special Response Division was painted in fine detail. Sky Hawk gawked at the armor for a few moments, before slowly reaching down to touch the armor. As soon as his hoof touched the armor, it broke into several pieces, and started magically assembling itself around his body, eliciting a cry of surprise from him. 10 seconds later, the helmet piece finally secured itself, and Sky Hawk quickly ran over to his mirror, and started looking at himself. Excited gibberish started coming from Red, as she watched Sky Hawk test out his newly acquired armor. The armor itself felt surprisingly light on Sky Hawk’s body, and he now had access to two advanced hoofblades, which he swung around a few times, before retracting them back into his gauntlets. Red calmed down a few minutes later, before smiling at Sky Hawk, and gave him a hug. “Wow Sky, you look awesome!” She exclaimed. Sky Hawk chuckled, before slowly pushing his sister away. “That’s the effect of wearing Mark V armor. Now if you’ll excuse me Red, I must hurry to Celestia’s quarters if I’m going to catch Laurence in time.” Sky Hawk replied, as he turned on the HUD in his visor. Red nodded, before giving Sky Hawk another hug. “Be careful Sky, it would be devastating to lose you.” She stated, general concern in her voice as she let go of her brother. Sky Hawk nodded, before walking over to the door. Turning his head back to face her, he quickly said goodbye before walking out of the room.