//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 - Emergency Response // Story: Denuo Fortuna // by Firecaller //------------------------------// Chapter 23 - Emergency Response Looking down at her would-be mugger, currently curled up in pain, Sunbeam shook her head. “Thought you could pick off some late reveler from the ‘Gala Night’ Eh? Well, I saw you from half way down the street. You suck at lurking my friend.” Placing a hoof on her chest, her voice gained a tone of faux-sorrow. “You really think so little of a unicorn's abilities? You must have seen my horn was charged and I was ready for you, and you still attack me?” Her hoof came down and gently brushed his mane. “So that is why when you lunged at me, a certain part of your anatomy stayed rooted to the spot. And while I will be fine, admittedly after I have scrubbed my horn with some disinfectant, you may have some lasting bruising to the affected area.” “Now, what shall I do with you?” His knife floated up. Looking up, Sunbeam thoughtfully tapped her chin. “I think…” Her gaze came to rest on a point under a streetlamp on the opposite side of the road. Sunbeam’s would-be mugger, still curled in pain, never heard the sound of his knife falling to the ground, or the sound of a pony galloping away as fast as possible. - - - - - - - - Celestia looked around the table at the members of her emergency cabinet. Her sun, just raised, was throwing its first beams of light through the window. “How stands my Equestria?” Short Notice, the newly appointed ‘acting personal assistant’ to Celestia, shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. “Assuming whatever was in the cake is going to adversely affect everypony that ate it…” He winced. “Every branch of the government had high level ponies at the Gala. So the disruption will be extensive at best, total at worst. The chances that the general populace panicing when they hear about this are also very high, further increasing the disruption.” Turning, he looked to Shining Armour. “Shining, you want to take over for the military aspect?” Shining's nod back was slow and controlled, he hadn't slept last night and was starting to feel it. “Your Highness, reports are still coming in, so we cannot accurately assess the threat level at this point. However, the disabling of the top echelons of the government can only classified as an act of war. Or a prelude to war as an overt attempt to disrupt any organised resistance." Shining rubbed his eyes. "With that in mind we are commencing full mobilisation of all reserves and placing our standing forces onto a war footing. Even if this is not a prelude to war, mobilization would discourage a third party from trying to take advantage of the situation.” “Status of mobilisation?” Luna inquired. “Orders are still being sent out, but by the end of tomorrow we expect to have partial mobilisation, effective mobilisation within three days, and full within five. Staging areas are in centralized locations, mostly well within our borders, as sudden buildup of forces on somepony’s border could give rise to negative comment. We have also stepped up security at all strategic installations.” “Commander Whirlwind, your Air Force?” The blue pegasus leaned backwards on the cushion. “All available air-combat units will be running reconnaissance and air control patrols along our borders within a couple of hours.” The pegasus gave a nod towards Shining Armour. “Pegasus from Shining's guard units will be overseeing the airspace over high-value locations within Equestria itself. However, we are still implementing these patrols, so there will be some major gaps in our coverage for the time being. We are hoping to plug those gaps as more reserves become operational. We’re aiming to have near continuous sweeps along the borders within the next twenty-four hours, of course nighttime will hinder our operations.” Celestia turned to Luna. “Luna, how soon can you have your Lunar Guard integrated into those patrols to cover night operations?” “By tonight, providing there is no friction between units. Of course, I will have to pull them off Changeling patrol duties for this, and even then they will still be spread pretty thin. I also want to keep an operational force based here in Canterlot itself.” Turning back to Commander Whirlwind, Celestia pointed a hoof at him. “The Lunar Guard will have no troubles, this is a national emergency and any petty squabbles could jeopardize Equestria itself. Any problems and I will investigate… personally. Is that understood?” “Perfectly, your highness.” “The Bearers?” Short Notice pulled a document in front of him. “The Bearers have been relocated to a secure location and are under twenty-four hour guard, at company strength.” Short Notice took in Celestia's raised eyebrow. “If this is a prelude to war, disrupting the government is a good first step, you and your sister have already been targeted. The Element Bearers would be the next logical step. It is only by good fortune that they weren’t here at the Gala.” Everypony at the table could see Celestia stiffen. “So an attack on them would be likely, either as a pre-planned operation, or by some opportunistic third party, foreign or domestic. Either way they are a high-value, high-profile target and the effect of their loss would be second only to the loss of either of you.” Short Notice took a breath. “And may I also add, I consider this meeting being held in the castle as ill-advised. This location has been compromised and has not been fully secured. Who knows what Azure Dawn did before she was discovered? We still haven't been able to get into her room.” All eyes turned on Captain Hardhoof, head of castle security. “We threw up an anti-teleportation spell as soon as we knew, nothing larger than a baseball would have been able to get in or out since then. All non-essential staff have been escorted off site and the head count out confirms who is in here from the last count. Only staff with security clearance of P2 and above are still on site, apart from the Gala guests of course, but they are secure in the Great Hall. In fact...” Shining Armour slammed a hoof on the table. “From last head count means nothing captain. This location has suffered a major breach, under your watch! Thanks to you we are all sitting in a compromised location.” Captain Hardhoof forlornly noted how nopony was leaping to his defense. Celestia cleared her throat and the table fell silent. “We understand that this is not the most secure of locations at the moment. But come the morning, the populace will know what happened here and we must prevent wholesale panic. Luna and myself must stay here and show everypony we are okay, that Equestria still stands. On that note Shining, I would like all guard patrols increased and made more visible. Less for the effectiveness value, but more for peace of mind for the populace, there are going to be a lot of scared ponies this morning. Captain Hardhoof.” The captain jumped at his name. “Your highness?” “How goes the sweep of the castle.” “My stallions and mares under my command are searching every nook and cranny of the castle, using every magic and conventional sensor we have. Azure Dawn’s room remains the only place in the castle that hasn’t been secured yet, at least on a general level. From reports, the door has multiple enchants, embedding into each other, making it impossible to remove them one at a time. We need to remove them all at once while making sure of no unpleasant surprises.” “Is she still in there?” “Unknown, your highness.” Hardhoof hung his head. Celestia nodded and turned to an elderly pegasus mare. “Foreign Cloud, thank you for coming out of retirement for this emergency, where do our allies stand?” “I have spoken to most of the diplomats already. Its still too early to confirm anything but, provisionally, The Zebras have offered their full support, including their military. The Deer offer their support, but not militarily. They are willing to secure their side of the border though.” Celestia nodded towards Shining Armour and Whirlwind. “Please liaise with your counterparts at the earliest opportunity, see if we can free up any units to bolster any current gaps.” “Your Highness” they chorused. “Please continue Foreign.” “Thank you your Highness. Others offer sympathy and small tokens, but frankly only the Deer and Zebras are offering anything other than words. The Griffons made sure to tell me that they would not tolerate any buildup of forces on their border without a buildup of their own. I have seen the staging areas and suggest that the one nearest their border is perhaps a little too close and should be moved back… from a foreign affair viewpoint of course.” Shining Armour nodded. “Noted.” "Now, Doctor Everhealth, what can you tell me the status of the patients and the toxin?” Doctor Everhealth, a green unicorn, sat up. “We have converted the Gala hall into a makeshift hospital. Of course the nobles are grumbling about not being let out, but we need to keep them all together for ease of observation. My team has started working with the university on examining the cake, and while we can confirm the presence of a toxic element, we are having difficulty identifying it at this point in time. Tests on Apple Gourmet are likely to be inconclusive due to his pre-existing injuries but we are certain that it is not communicable. All those affected are showing increased temperature at the moment.” He took a deep breath. “However, there is definitely a magical element to the substance, so it is entirely possible that it will affect both you and Princess Luna to some degree. True your alicorn nature is capable of withstanding most common poisons, but it appears that this is not a common poison. All our current efforts are being put into identifying the toxin.” Luna rubbed her chin. “Sister, I need to go to my room. I need to check on something that may help.” “Certainly Luna. Captain Hardhoof?” “Your highness?” “Has Princess Lulu’s quarters been secured?” “Of course, your Highness, yours and Princess Luna's quarters were the first ones to be fully swept.” A hint of bitterness entered his voice that anypony would doubt it not been so. “I will assign some guards to accompany you,” Shining added nonchalantly. Whirlwind added. “I will get some of my units to secure the airspace.” Celestia nodded. “Unless anypony has anything else to add, we shall meet again in twelve hours to discuss how things are going, unless anything else comes up. Anypony wish to add anything?” All the members present shook their heads and left, leaving Captain Hardhoof and his adjutant behind. “They have all judged and condemned me.” “Sir.” His adjutant replied. “I have a letter to write.” - - - - - - - - “Celey!” Looking down the corridor, she could see her sister galloping up towards her. Her own guards moved to one side to allow the Princess through, while Luna’s guards were galloping behind her in an effort to keep up. Luna skidded to a stop in front of Celestia, a blue book hovering in front of her. “I think I may have found the poison. It matches what we know so far.” “Really, what is it?” “Extract from Frost Rose. Tastes of almonds, and in first stages produces a raised temperature.” “That’s promising Lulu, but it's hardly proof based on just those two facts.” “Can we speak, a bit more alone?” With a gesture for the guards to hold position, Celestia and Luna walked forward a few paces. “The poison is one a few that would affect an alicorn, so it does make it a lot more promising. Assuming we were the targets, it would have been one of the poisons I would have used.” Luna whispered. Luna held up a hoof before Celestia could speak. Looking down at the ground, she seemed reluctant to speak. “W-when I was… unwell. I made a study of poisons… ones that would affect an alicorn.” Luna's voice grew fainter as she spoke. “Frost Rose is one of them. On alicorns, the effect is non-lethal, but the side-effects can be nasty and will weaken an alicorn to the point where they would be vulnerable to a multitude of conventional attacks.” Luna hung her head until Celestia gently placed a hoof under it and pulled it up to look at her. “Thank you Lulu, for the courage to tell me this in an effort to save lives.” The two sister nuzzled each other as the guards present tried to look anywhere but at them. “Just as well the Element Bearers weren’t present for the Gala,” Luna noted. “Oh?” “The magical part of Frost Rose is the lethal part, it accelerates the magical build up in a pony. Affected ponies quickly become saturated in magic. And with their current elevated level, they wouldn’t have lasted long…” The flash of Celestia teleporting left Luna rubbing her eyes and Celestia’s guards searching for her in a state of panic. - - - - - - - - Outside Azure Dawn’s room two university lecturers sat, studying the enchants on the door while taking notes on levitated pads. Behind them, four guards on each side stood ready to defend or attack as the case called for. A flash from behind them caused all the guards to look round as both the lecturers remained fixated on the door. “Stand aside my little ponies.” Celestia strode up the hallway. “Y-your highness, you shouldn’t be here, the door could be booby-trapp…” Celestia strode up to the door and placed the tip of her horn against the door. “Princess!” The door crumbled to dust. The two lecturers sat coughing in the cloud as Celestia simply stood, staring into the room. After a second she turned and headed back off down the corridor. The first lecturer looked into the room and froze. The second walked past him and into the room, staring at the walls he continued making notes. “Looks like the room and contents been incinerated. Probably in an attempt to prevent us gathering any useful information. My guess would be from a high yield, localized, magical blast. Probably from a device.” Ignoring the sounds of his colleague being sick, he turned to the charcoal statue in the middle of the room. “Judging from the blast pattern... she was holding the device when it went off.” - - - - - - - - The Minister pushed the folder over his desk towards this secretary. “Please list Rosebush as deceased.” “Yes minister.” The minister snorted. ‘Unicorn Supremacy, hah!’ - - - - - - - - After closing the door to Celestia’s private apartments, Luna marched up to Celestia, jabbing her in the chest. “What in the bu…” Looking round she lowered her voice to a whisper. “What do you think you were doing? You are a Princess, not a front-line trooper. Get a hold of yourself. Do you have any idea what the reaction would have been if you had been injured?” Celestia actually looked abashed. “I know you feel responsible for the Element Bearers condition, but you were not to know that the Elements themselves had built up a charge after a thousand years of not being used.” “Lulu, I condemned them, the instant they used the Elements they were saturated in magic. Only whatever the Elements did to them is keeping them alive. Unless we find a cure, I killed them. Horrifically.” Celestia hissed. “I know you care for them Celey, but you can’t go risking your life…” “And that is why they are in danger. If I had used the Elements…” “You would be in their position! At least they have hope with you alive Celey. We all do. If you had known about the charge…” Slamming her hoof down, a spiderweb of cracks appeared in the marble under her hoof. “You overestimate me Luna. If I had known... to get you back... I would have still sent them.” Celestia turned and walked away from a shocked looking Luna. - - - - - - - - As the emergency council sat around the table, Shining noticing that Luna was giving Celestia some very strange looks. With a shake of his head, he brought his attention back to the meeting. Short Notice was jabbing a hoof at Commander Whirlwind. “So, what you are saying is, there are vast tracts of Equestria where we are blind. Vast tracts where your vaunted air force has yet to reconnoitre, vast tracts that could be hiding enemy armies for instance.” Commander Whirlwind placed both hooves on the table, before taking a deep breath. “A county-wide reconnaissance sweep would be impractical, impossible even. Even at the best of times, even with weeks of planning, even with all our reserves... impossible. May I remind you we are organizing this on the fly, with only partial reserves. While more reserve units have become available, we have encountered problems in deploying them to where they are needed. The result of this is that our projected timetable has been pushed back by twelve hours, so by tomorrow we should be able to give an initial assessment.” Short Notice leaned forward over the table. “That is unacceptable Commander. While we sit here, armies could be moving through Equestria, poised to strike... and we would know nothing about it until its too late.” “Gentlestallions.” All turned to look at Celestia. “I believe that if armies were marching through Equestria, we would have heard about it by now. Even if they are, they have lost the element of surprise as our forces, even if only partially, are mobilized and ready to fight. I do not believe that is the current threat right now.” “You think Azure acted alone?” Foreign Cloud asked. Shaking her head Celestia continued. “No, I do not. From reports of Miss Dawn’s demise, it would seem that she was… removed from the equation on purpose, I suspect not willingly on her behalf. I personally believe we are looking at a small group of activists, activists that managed to get their hooves on an exceptional poison. But, until we can confirm that, we will, we must continue to assume that there is a real and present danger to Equestria and act accordingly.” Only Luna heard Celestia whisper. “I have been wrong before” before she looked around the table at doctor Everhealth. “Doctor, what news on the patients and toxin?” Opening the file in front of him, the doctor scanned the contents for a second before replying. “We have confirmed, thanks to Princess Luna, the toxin is indeed Frost Rose Extract. Most of the patients are still in the initial stages, some, however, are now reporting an increase in their talent skills. That can only mean a build of magic starting within them, trying to vent through their talent. This toxin will eventually be fatal to all ponies that have ingested it, what will happen…” “Thank you doctor, but most at this council are aware of the effects of magic build up on a pony,” Celestia interjected. “In fact, we have some measures in place that may assist.” Celestia nodded towards Short Notice. “We have available six items of apparatus that can drain magic from a pony. However, I have been going over the numbers. I do not believe we can cycle through all of the guests with any efficiency. To begin with, we might be able to, but as the rate at which the magic builds up increases, we are not going to be able to drain everypony quickly enough.” Closing her eyes, Celestia took a breath. “Short Notice, I want several lists made up of the guests present. Prioritise foals, pregnant mares, then essential skills. Set the number at the maximum efficiency we can obtain from rotation. Then decrease the number in stages down to six ponies.” “Y-your Highness…” Opening her eyes Short Notice felt she was staring into his soul. “After you have given me the lists, I will finalize the lists before authorization.” Short notice sagged in relief. “Thank you your Highness.” ‘And if any of the Bearers need them, I will personally decided who...’ Luna leaned over the table, disrupting Celestia's thoughts with a question to Dr Everhealth. “Is there a cure?” “Yes, its called wheat-thorn. The plant usually grows with frost-rose or least nearby as they share a symbiotic relationship. One increases the magic build up, the other slows it down. No we do not have any, we have checked virtually every garden and arboretum in the city. Those currently not checked will be checked, but I hold little hope in finding sufficient quantities at this point. They are a high altitude plant, found in mountainous areas and the odd attempt to cultivate them at low level were never met with success according to the records.” “Commander Whirlwind, can we spare any scouts to search the mountains, bearing in mind that we are still assuming that there is a real and credible threat inside our borders.” “We can spare some, but most are on patrol duties as we speak. However, I believe that is not the issue. Flying in mountains is tricky, variable crosswinds, downbursts, wind shear, etc. Flying high over mountains is easy, however, flying low over them, as we need to, looking for plants, is going to require experienced scouts. I can re-assign scouts quickly, but that level of expertise is in short supply. I will get back to you with the estimates as soon as possible after this meeting.” Shining Armour’s adjutant leaned over and whispered into his ear, causing Shining to slump forward, his head falling into a hoof. “Problem Captain?” “Yes your Highness. The Element Bearers have had to be moved, again. This is the third time.” Celestia now leaned forward. “The problem being?” Short Notice spoke up. “With the Elements being our primary line of defense, most other nations also see them as our primary line of attack as well. Everypony, including our allies, wants to keep an eye on their location.” Shining nodded. “And therefore, every time we move them, they get followed. Their current site has just been overflown by three griffons.” Heads turned to look at Commander Whirlwind. “Most of my forces are stretched thin at the minute patrolling the borders, we cannot be everywhere at once. Another day or two and we can put a stop to that, but without reassigning from border patrols, or assigning guard pegasus to aerial roles, who are more trained in air to ground I might add, there's not much we can do at this point.” “Are they in danger?” “From those following them directly, no. But it would be possible to find the Bearers through them and that is where the danger lies. We know nothing of who we are up against and what their capabilities are. As they penetrated the castle I am unwilling to take risks in this matter.” “How are they taking to being under twenty-four-hour guard?” Celestia tried to look innocent with that question. Shining Armour grimaced. “Not well, a certain pegasus has already threatened to pull a sonic rainboom indoors unless she could go and see her daughter. An Alicon, that shall remain nameless, is desperately trying to find a way to ‘help’, is not taking no for an answer. The field commander has also put a plea in for books to be transferred in as quickly as possible. He has also stated that an earth pony is literally bouncing off the walls. By the way, he underlined the word ‘literally’.” Celestia smiled “I thought as much, they do so want to help. So, an idea occurs to me that would mean they would be on the move constantly, assisting in the search for this wheat-thorn and free up a company's worth of ponies. - - - - - - - - “Unidentified unicorn approaching the library.” “Oh, that’s Sunbeam.” “Can she get in?” “Oh… I gave her a key, she was the only pony coming in here regularly.” “Buck! Okay, ponies, as soon as she comes in I want her taken down, quickly and quietly. Oh and non-lethally would be a bonus.” - - - - - - - - Sunbeam was busy putting the key back into her saddlebags when the library door shot open. A blue aurora pulled her in, a yellow aurora clamped her muzzle shut, placing an inhibitor ring on her horn at the same time and a lavender aurora quietly shut the door behind her. - - - - - - - - A less-than-happy Sunbeam paced up and down the library, scowling at the Element Bearers, Greywing, Spike and their ten solar guards, as Twilight explained the situation to her. “So if that’s what happened, why the buck are you back here then? Anyone with half a brain cell would know this place would be kept under watch.” The lieutenant scowled back at her as Twilight stepped forward. “It would appear that the Element Bearer’s location is of international interest and everypony wants to know where we are.” “The most powerful magic in Equestria, I wonder why!” Ignoring the sarcasm, Twilight continued. “We have a plan to throw off any pursuers, then we are off to help find a cure for frost rose extract.” Pacing past Twilight, Sunbeam snorted, flicking her tail in exasperation. “Good luck with finding any wheat-thorn around here, the only place you’ll possibly find it near Ponyville is in the Tall Mountains.” Reaching one end of the library, Sunbeam turned round and started pacing back, only to stop on finding herself the centre of attention. “What?” Fluttershy stepped forward. “It’s just, well, umm, that nopony here, told you what cure for frost rose was.” Pulling the brim down on her Stetson, Applejack gave Sunbeam a long look. “A’h reckon you better tell us how you know this sugar.” A quick glance at the guards confirmed Sunbeam’s suspicion that they were all prepped and ready to fight as they slowly spread out around the library, all focused on Sunbeam. “Itwasinaschoolbook.” “You wanna run that by us again.” “It was in a school book. You know, when you’re in class. You idly flip through your text books when you’re bored. The book was on poisonous plants, the effects of frost rose was particularly gruesome, so it sorta stuck in the mind. So I made sure I knew the antidote. Silly thing I know, but I can still remember it. Plus both plants looked kinda pretty, which was why I read… in fact can we all ignore the pretty part please.” ‘Don’t think I’ll mention it was in the class where they taught us about poisons and how to use them properly. The part on alicorn poisons was tested, repeatedly, I recall.’ Applejack nodded to the rest. Rainbow slowly backflipped. “Wow, you must have been bored.” “I was 'three thousand six hundred seconds in an hour kinda of bored' in that class.” Sunbeam stalked past the guards to sit at the desk she had left all her research on. “Please ignore me and I request that you do not let me overhear any plans, destinations or any information that could be regarded as lets-torture-Sunbeam-for over. Thank you.” “Princess, can you vouch for that mare?” “Sunbeam, oh yes. Do you know she took on six timberwolves to protect the CMC? Err three fillies I mean.” Rainbow idly flew over. “Yeah, she helped me get out the tree that, erm, jumped out at me, when I was training over at McCloud’s field. First time I met her, she was heading into Ponyville for the first time as well.” Flying up next to Rainbow, Greywing nudged her. “Jumped out you say… Wait! Heading into Ponyville? The only way into Ponyville from that direction is from the Tall Mountains if I recall the maps correctly.” “That’s right sugar. Born and brought up in Ponyville, so I should know.” Applejack added. The Lieutenant tapped his chin. “So to summarize, Sunbeam knows what the plant we are after looks like, and I quote the word ‘pretty’. Can fight, reference timberwolves, and likely has been to the place we need to go…” Smiling ear to ear and beating her wings, Twilight took off, hovering just off the ground. “Hey, that’s a really great idea, Hey Sunbeam...” All eyes turned to where Sunbeam was sitting. The sight of an empty cushion greeted them. Looking round the door to the library hung open. “Deja Vu” Spike commented. - - - - - - - - Galloping through Ponyville, Sunbeam had one plan in mind. ‘Get ready saddlebags, get outta Ponyville for next three days, three days to think of excuse…’ Skidding sideways and slamming into her house, hard enough for her to wince, Sunbeam collected herself for a moment before kicking the front door open and rushing in. Grabbing her ready-saddlebags she kept in the hallway with her teeth, she turned round, levitating her cloak off the peg. ‘Lets get the buck outta…’ “Whatcha doing?” Inquired Pinkie. “Gah!” Jumping backwards Sunbeam landed legs wide and her heart thumping in her ears. The saddlebags that were in her teeth swinging wildly as her cloak fluttered to the ground as her magical concentration shattered. “Oh, Sunny! You heard our plan and rushed back here to get your stuff so you could come with us, huh? Huh?” Turning her head and spitting out the saddlebags, Sunbeam trotted forward in the most dignified manner, her head held high. Reaching the doorway, Sunbeam leaned out past Pinky, looking left and right. Unable to see a certain stetson wearing pony Sunbeam pulled her head back in and, sitting down, looked Pinkie squarely in the eye. “Yes, Pinkie. That’s exactly what I was doing.”