//------------------------------// // 22: Coffee Shops and Electric Chairs // Story: The Jolly Rogers // by lockheed //------------------------------// ~~~~~ 11:30 Hours February 1, 1987 Area 13 ~~~~~ “No!” I shouted as I stormed out of the largest hangar on the base. “General!” Luna called after me as she galloped to catch up. “Please. It’s just a test.” “No! I am not dropping anything in the desert and sure as hell not that!” “Why not?” She asked as she caught up to me. I rolled up the sleeves on my khaki fatigue uniform and wiped a small bit of sweat from my forehead. “Because too many have already gotten killed because of me. I’m not allowing that number to increase into the hundreds of thousands.” “It’s only an early version. There are no guarantees the weapon will work.” “And then the weapon will be upgraded and improved and then before you know it we’ll have an arsenal that could destroy the planet. When I was eleven I helped my dad build a bomb shelter because the wrong person got ahold of the secrets of the atomic bomb. I’m not going to let that become a possibility here.” I told her before looking over my shoulder at the B-29 Silverplate prototype which sat gleaming in the sun. “Fine. But please at least come to the bunker tomorrow.” “No promises.” She walked away and I looked back at the B-29 again. Shaking my head I looked down at my boots and kicked away a stray scorpion. Looking up at the sky I saw a cloud pass in front of the sun and send a slight chill over the base. Turning back around I walked into the hangar where a Peacemaker prototype took up the entire hangar. As a crew directed the fin into place I looked at my little P-40 squeezed into the hangar next to it. Walking over to it I climbed into the cockpit and started up the Allison engine. Carefully taxiing out of the hangar I made my way to the runway and slipped the headset over my cap. Pushing the throttle forward I let the plane roll until it was beginning to bounce before pulling back on the stick and letting it climb for the blue sky above. ~~~~~ 13:45 Hours 1237 N. Main St. Ponyville ~~~~~ Opening the front door to the house I removed my cap and loosened my tie. Walking into the kitchen I grabbed a box of cereal from one of the cabinets. Opening up the box I shoveled a handful of the contents into my mouth as I went upstairs but stopped halfway up and turned around. Looking downstairs again I saw a mare in a blue and white checkerboard apron in the living room with a feather duster. “Um, hello?” “Hello Mr. Jones.” She replied in a gentle voice which had a slight British sounding accent. “This may be a bit idiotic sounding, but who’re you?” “Oh, I suppose your wife probably didn't inform you. I’m Solar Dancer. The new housekeeper and nanny.” “Housekeeper? Nanny? Excuse me for a moment.” I hurried up the remaining steps and down the hall for the bedroom. Opening the door I saw Thunderstreak sprawled out on the bed with a box of bonbons and the TV remote. “So what’s up with Mary Poppins downstairs?” “I just need help around here.” “She says as she shoves another bonbon in her mouth.” “You try being pregnant. Plus she makes the best strawberry and pickle milkshake in the world.” I gagged slightly at the thought of consuming such a thing. Sitting down on the bed I watched the TV but I could hear another noise behind the sound of the TV. “What’s that noise?” Thunderstreak looked up and listened. “Sabre practicing for a movie he’s in. Sounds like the lamp post scene.” There was a sudden thud and a dull groaning from the other side of the wall. “Yep. Definitely the lamp post scene.” She said as she reached down for another bonbon. “I forget how quiet it is here while Lancaster’s at school.” “It does get rather dull here. Although I’ll take dull over having the Crusaders over like they were yesterday. Scootaloo accidentally ate some of our bird feed before she realized it wasn’t sunflower seeds, Sweetie Belle destroyed the curtains, and then Applebloom nearly set the kitchen on fire trying to make herself a snack.” “Sounds like I missed quite an interesting afternoon yesterday.” “You have no idea. From now on they crusade at the other’s houses.” “Sounds safer. Where’s Typhoon?” “She’s in Canterlot on some sort of odd little motorbike.” ~~~~~ Meanwhile Near an Anti-War Protest in Canterlot ~~~~~ Typhoon sat on her deep blue motorbike wiping bugs off her helmet as she listened to the sound of protesters down the street. She rolled her eyes at them but a whistle blowing down the street made her look up. She saw a protester running in her direction with two police officers close behind him. He looked about for a means of escape and Typhoon saw his eyes lock onto her motorbike. She hurriedly put on her helmet and started up the bike as she felt him jump onto the back. “Drive, fucking drive!” ~~~~~ “Well I’m sure she’s staying out of trouble. She’s a good girl.” I said as I picked up a book from the bedside table. Flipping through it I found the page corner I had folded down and was about to start reading when the phone rang. “Don’t worry. The housekeeper ‘ll get it.” Thunderstreak said as I put my book down. The phone stopped ringing and I went back to my book. “Mr. Jones?!” The housekeeper called up the stairs. “Yes?” “It’s for you and Mrs. Thunderstreak.” “Who is it?” “She said she’s from the primary school. It’s regarding Lancaster.” ~~~~~ 15:05 Hours Ponyville Primary School ~~~~~ We sat down in front of Ms. Cheerily’s desk and Thunderstreak glared at Lancaster who was kicking at the floor with his hoof. “Thank you so much for coming.” Ms. Cheerily said as she sat down from seeing the last of the students out. “You’re probably wondering why I called you here.” “I’m guessing Lancaster did something wrong.” Thunderstreak said. “Well, yes.” Ms. Cheerily said as I lifted up my thermos of coffee to take a drink. “He, um, he told another student to, and I quote, ‘go fuck themselves with a cactus’." I began coughing as I choked on my coffee and finally managed to calm down enough to swallow what hadn’t been spilt onto my uniform. “Mr. Jones you think this is funny?” Ms. Cheerily asked as I was doubled over in my chair laughing. “No ma’am. I think it’s fuckin’ hilarious.” I managed to say between snorts. “Obviously we know where he learned such language from.” She replied as I finally managed to calm myself down. “Who did he say it to?” Thunderstreak asked. “Diamond Tiara.” “Oh. Well then that’s understandable.” “I’m sorry?” “Well Diamond Tiara is the school bully. I’m sure you’ve heard about that.” “I’ve had reports of that yes but I haven’t seen it for myself so I can’t do anything about it.” “And did you hear Lancaster say anything to Diamond Tiara yourself?” “Well, no. But-“ “No buts about it. Don’t call us here trying to punish our son if you don’t have proof or heard him say it.” Thunderstreak stood and walked towards the door with Lancaster and I in tow. We stepped out into the icy February air and I listened to the snow crunch under my boots as we walked back towards the house. “Dad, am I in trouble?” “No buddy. Even if you actually did say it you’re not in trouble. That was just too damn funny to punish.” “Nice to see you’re teaching him such wonderful things.” Thunderstreak snapped. “Not my fault if he starts finding shit like that funny.” “Yes it is. You teach him shit like that and then he goes and says it at school.” “Whatever.” “Did you just whatever me?!” “Yes. Yes I did!” “Then plan on sleeping on the couch tonight!” She shouted as she stormed off towards the house. “Well, wanna go get some food?” I asked as I looked down at Lancaster. He gave a small nod and we walked down the snow covered streets. As we entered the central part of Ponyville I noticed a good number of ponies out and about. We entered a small café where many of the customers turned to look at me. Ignoring the looks I let Lancaster lead the way to an empty table. Sitting down I took a menu from a waitress who had suddenly appeared by our table. As I flipped through it I looked up to see a dark grey stallion in a black trench coat looking over at me. As we made eye contact I noticed one of his eyes seemed to have a haze over it. He carefully stood up and slowly trotted over to our table. “General Jones?” His voice was rough as sandpaper and I noticed a scar under his fur by his bad eye. “Yes?” “I need you to come with me.” He said as he slowly pulled back one side of his coat to reveal a Royal Intelligence Agency badge. “What do you want?” “I just need to talk to you about someone under your command. Do you mind if we step outside?” He asked as he pointed at the cigar in his inside pocket. “Of course. Lancaster, come on.” I said as I stood up to go outside. “No. Just you.” “Alright. Lancaster, you stay here and tell the waitress I want some hot tea when she comes back.” He nodded and I followed the stallion outside where he pulled out his cigar. “Who’s under your command that holds the rank of major?” “Well, all but one of my men and then a few pilots with the training squadron here in Ponyville.” “Well one of them is a spy.” He said right before taking an extra-long drag of his cigar. “Excuse me?” “You heard me general. There’s a spy amongst your men and but we don’t know which one.” “Well why the fuck not? You’re the damn RIA. You ought to know.” “The man who holds this information refuses to say who it is until he talks to you.” “And who the hell would that be?” “A Luftwaffe colonel by the name of Steiner. He was one of the pilots who defected the other day.” “And who’s the other?” “Fighter General Gilda Goldfeather.” “You’re telling me you have been holding two pilots with very important information and no one bothered to tell me?” “To be fair, you did shoot the last griffin you interrogated. Twice.” “And now he’s working for us and has both his kids.” “My point is, the princesses thought it best to keep this information from you until you had finished grieving. We don’t need you aiming for someone’s head this time.” “Just shut up and take me to the colonel. ~~~~~ 08:00 Hours February 2, 1987 Eichen Coffee Shoppe ~~~~~ The bell above the door jingled as I entered the small coffee shop in central Canterlot and I saw a man in the corner in a light blue button up shirt with grey suspenders. He was sipping his coffee and flipping through the day’s copy of The Canterlot Daily Mail. As I approached the table he looked up at me and gave a small smile. I placed my blue overcoat on the back of my seat before sitting down across from him. He folded his paper and reached over to put out the cigarette which sat in a notch on the ashtray. As he put out the cigarette it made a thin blue line of smoke which danced its way towards the ceiling. I looked over his face and I saw his blue eyes watching me back. He reached up and brushed away some of his brown hair which had fallen down over his forehead. “I take it the RIA got ahold of you for me?” “Yeah.” “They wouldn’t even give me a phone call so I could contact you.” “I know.” “Are you not going to question me knowing English?” “I read your file last night. Three years in a boarding school in Cardiff. Born into a wealthy family from southern Germany you became a pilot for Lufthansa in 1934 before joining the Luftwaffe in 1937.” “You certainly did your research general.” “Why did you defect?” “I felt I could help your effort against the Nazis.” “That’s something else your file mentioned. You were secretly involved in what you called Valkyrie which was the bombing of the palace in Gryphus a few months ago. You’re extremely anti-Nazi.” “That’s right. Before the Nazis came to power I could come to a coffee shop like this and sit in peace with my coffee and my thoughts. After they arrived I couldn’t go anywhere without seeing a swastika or their storm troopers.” “What’re the compounds being built in the Griffin Empire, Prance, and Germareny?” “Work and death camps.” He said as he lit a new cigarette. “They’re sending ponies to the camps. More specifically unicorns and earth ponies. They seem to see pegasi a sort of equal.” “Alright, now to get down to why I’m really here. Who’s the spy?” “Major William Donovan.” ~~~~~ 445B Elm Street Canterlot ~~~~~ I knocked on the door and glanced back at the royal guards behind me. The door opened and Will poked his head out. “Sir, what are you doing here?” “I need to have a word with you.” I replied as I pushed the door open. “Search the apartment. Tear it apart board by board if you have to.” The royal guards entered the apartment and began their search. “What the hell is going on?!” “You shut up!” I shouted as I pulled out my .45 revolver and pressed the muzzle to his forehead. “Sir, I found something!” A voice called form the other room and I had a guard replace me on watching Will. I walked down the hallway to Will’s bedroom where a guard was standing by the door. He led me in and I saw several small radios on a desk by the bed as well as a typewriter looking machine next to them. Walking over to the machine I picked up one of the red books next to it and opened it up with a smile. “Sergeant, get the other generals over here. They’re going to love this.” ~~~~~ 12:00 Hours Royal Palace ~~~~~ “So what is this thing?” Luna asked as she looked over the red book. “This is an enigma codebook. The enigma machine is like a typewriter but it sends messages in code. Now that we have the codebook we can intercept messages to the U-Boat packs in the Crystal Channel and send ships to sink them. We’ll know everything sent over these enigma machines. I gave a second copy we found in the apartment to the War Department and already we have the location of a super-heavy rail gun.” “What about messages between the high command?” “Already on it your highness. The Office of Strategic Services is already planning a raid on St. Neighzaire thanks to the information they’ve gained in the few hours they’ve had the codebook.” “And the Nazis know nothing about it?” She asked as she slowly flipped through the codebook. “Not a clue. Will is locked up in the dungeon fifty feet below ground level. He’s not getting anything out to the enemy.” “What do you plan on for his sentence?” “He’s going to be executed at midnight. The electric chair at the city prison is being readied as we speak.” “And you aren’t bothered by that?” “He’s a traitor and responsible for the death of my friend. If he hadn’t sent them information Austin might still be here. My wingman or not, he needs to be punished.” “I can understand your decision James. But I don’t feel that death is a worthy punishment.” “Well then what would it take to ensure his execution?” “It could only be ensured if issued by the commanding general of the branch of service.” “Alright then. I accept the promotion and my first order as Commanding General of the Air Force is the execution of Major William Donovan on charges of treason.” Luna looked down at the floor and even without seeing her face I could tell she was frowning at my decision. “Princess, don’t give me that look.” “How can one give you a look when they aren’t even looking at you?” “Just at the thought of the person. So who do I see about my stars?” ~~~~~ 20:00 Hours 1237 N. Main St. Ponyville ~~~~~ I sat on the couch in my white button up shirt with my face buried in the paper while Lancaster played with his toy soldiers on the floor. In the corner of the room the radio played Mairzy Doats and I gently tapped my foot to the music. Up the stairs Sabre was desperately trying to figure out how to dance down the stairs like he was supposed to for his movie role. Solar Dancer sat down on the couch next to me and I looked over at her over my reading glasses. “Aren’t you supposed to be doing housework?” “My shift is over.” “I thought all mares were supposed to do housework until bed.” “Mr. Jones, what gender are the princesses?” “Well they’re female.” “Are you suggesting they do housework?” “Of course not!” “Good. Grab a feather duster and get to work.” She said as she sat back with a triumphant little smile. I gave a small grunt and returned to my paper before looking down at my watch. Getting up I set the paper on the coffee table and went upstairs. Going into the bedroom I went over to the closet but I turned around when I felt a hoof on my shoulder. Thunderstreak was hovering at eye level and looking at me. “Where’re you going?” “Canterlot. Official business.” “Well, can we maybe do something together before you go?” “Like what?” She looked at me with an eyebrow raised and I quickly caught what she meant. “Oh.” “Takes you long enough to catch that.” She grabbed my shirt collar and pulled me forward. Pushing me onto the bed she began to kiss my neck but I quickly found a way to turn the tables and grabbed ahold of her. She let out a surprised squeal and I quickly flipped around and set her on the bed. Kissing around her neck I heard her giggling. “Damn it! You know I’m ticklish!” I continued to kiss her neck, much to her displeasure. Suddenly sitting up I began coughing and Thunderstreak looked at me worriedly. “Are you alright?” “Hairball.” I replied between coughs. “Way to nearly kill the mood.” “Nearly?” “A little hairball isn’t going to kill the mood.” “Excellent.” I said as I leaned over and began kissing her again. I began unbuttoning my shirt but she hurriedly pushed me off her. “Get up, get up! I gotta fart!” She shouted and I watched as she ran out in the hallway. A moment later I heard her let one rip before slowly trotting back in. “Wow. And I thought I killed the mood.” I said as she got back on the bed. “Oh shut up.” She replied with a gentle hit aimed at my shoulder. Getting up I buttoned up my shirt and got my new olive drab dress uniform out of the closet. Undressing from my khaki pants and white shirt I pulled up the pinkish colored pants and slipped on the khaki colored shirt. “So what are you going to Canterlot for?” “An execution.” I replied in a monotonous voice as I tied my tie. “What?” Thunderstreak asked as she moved to the edge of the bed. “Yeah. Turns out there was a spy amongst us. He’s getting the electric chair at the Canterlot City Prison at midnight.” “Well who is it?” “No one important. At least no one you need worry about.” I told her while I slipped on my olive jacket on, the five little stars on the shoulders catching the light as I did so. Buttoning it up I grabbed my cap from the shelf in the closet and I felt the texture of the gold oak leaves on the brim as I put it on. Walking out into the hallway I made my way downstairs where Louis Prima played on the Zenith style radio. Saying a quick goodbye to everyone I went out to the garage where my specialty built Hudson Hornet sat silent. Opening up the garage door I squinted at the sudden beam of moonlight coming in. Walking back to driver’s side of the olive drab Hornet I took little notice of the white sun and moon on the door. Going through the keys on my key ring I finally found the key to the ignition and started up the car. The purr of the engine made me relax has I backed out of the garage and onto the snowy street. Shifting into drive I headed down the road towards Canterlot. ~~~~~ 11:55 Hours February 2, 1987 Canterlot City Prison ~~~~~ I stood next to Princess Luna and other generals as they strapped Will into the prison’s electric chair. The guards in 1930s style uniforms double checked the straps were secure before stepping back. As the guards stepped back the prison warden stepped forward. “Major William Donovan, you have been sentenced to death by order of Commanding General James Jones on charges of treason. Do you have any final words before the sentence is carried out?” Will looked up at us with a smile that would haunt me for years. As he gave us the most evil smile I’d ever seen he said a small “Heil Hitler” before they placed the black hood and wet sponge over his head. I looked down at my watch and saw the time to be ten seconds to midnight. As the warden counted down the seconds I turned my back a couple of seconds before they flipped the switch. As electricity surged onto Will I could see the flickering of the lights overhead. Just as the time passed five seconds after the switch was flipped all the lights in the windowless room went out and the sound of the electricity flowing to the chair stopped. Turning around I heard grunts and the sound of metal breaking free of something in the blackness. “Did you really think that I wouldn’t find out about your plans to capture me James?” A sinister voice asked in the dark. “Did you really think I wouldn’t find a way to work this in my favor? I now have the entire top brass here in one little room and you can’t see me. See how things work James?” “So what’s your plan?! Kill everyone here including myself?!” I asked as I spun around trying to figure out where the voice had come from. “Kill you? Don’t be so obvious. I’m not going to kill you. Kill me and you’re just like me. I kill you and I lose the one person who can keep up with me. We’re just alike, you and I. Except you’re boring. You’re on the side of the angels. You and I both know that good guys lose in the end James. Don’t act like you don’t know it either.” Will replied. His voice seemed to come from every direction. “So how’d you manage this then huh?” “Oh, it was simple really. You only need a few willing conspirators. Just like my boss here in Equestria. He managed to break into one of the most secure places in the country with some gum, a fire extinguisher, and a diamond. I learned form the best. And the prison really needs to step up security. I got a changeling in here no problem.” “Oh yeah. Well I know you were electrocuted so how’d you pull that off?” “Just enough to make me shake like it was the real deal.” He seemed to brag from his place in the black abyss. “The entire prison’s power system is down. Even the backup power. As soon as the inmates upstairs realize that, they get out of their cells. Then you’re facing chaos that not even Discord could pull off.” “You’re awful cocky for a man who won’t even face me without being in darkness. Although you’re no man. You’re a worthless coward.” I told him as I pulled my .45 from its holster. Just as I pulled the gun out I felt a hand grab my throat. “Care to repeat that last bit?” He asked and I could smell the hayburger from his last meal on his breath. A small smile crept onto my face and I gripped the gun in my right hand even harder. Slowly raising it I felt the muzzle make contact with his gut just below his chest. “I said, you’re a coward and I hope you rot in hell.” Squeezing the trigger I heard the sound of the gun going off and the hand on my throat relaxed. Just as the hand slipped off my throat the lights overhead came back on and I saw Will holding his left hand over the bullet wound. He looked at me and smiled again. His teeth were stained red with blood and I could see blood at the corners of his mouth. He began to stumble forward again and he reached out his right hand. I watched his hand as it reached towards my gun. I placed the gun in the holster and stepped forward towards Will while everyone else stood silent. “You took an oath to protect this country. I don’t know whether or not you remember that,” I told him right before punching him where I had shot him “but I do. And you break that oath; you pay with your life.” Reaching down I grabbed my gun again and looked at him curled up on the floor from the punch. Cocking the hammer I placed the muzzle to the back of his head. Closing my eyes I squeezed the trigger and heard the sound of the shot echo off the concrete walls. Opening my eyes again I holstered the gun and turned around where the brass and Luna looked at me. “Don’t look at me like that. You call yourselves military officers? I shoot a condemned man and you all look horrified.” Walking passed them I went down the hallway where several guards ran passed me towards the room I had just come from. As my boot nails clicked on the concrete floor I pulled out my key ring. Walking passed the guards who quickly opened the gates to the outside for me I found the key for the car and made my way to the area where all the vehicles at the prison were parked. Finding my green Hornet I hurriedly got in and started up the engine. Putting my hands in front of the vents on the dashboard I warmed my hands as snow began to float down from the night sky. Looking out the windshield I looked up at the snow and sighed. Fastening my seatbelt I shifted into reverse and backed out of my spot. Shifting again I drove to the front gate where a guard was waiting for me. He waved his hooves and I stopped the car. Rolling down the window I gave a quick nod to the brown guard. “Sir. Phone call for you.” He said as he put up his collar to keep the sudden wind gusts from sending snow on his face. Getting out of the car I hurried over to the guard booth and picked up the phone. “Hello?” “James, sweetie, are you almost done there?” Thunderstreak asked on the other end. Her voice had a slightly higher pitch to it than normal. “I was just leaving when the guards flagged me down. What’s wrong?” “There’s a huge snowstorm heading your way. I think you need to just stay in Canterlot for the night.” “Honey, I’ll be fine if I drive home.” “Please stay in a hotel.” “Thunder, I’m coming home tonight. I need to be in my own damn bed for once this month.” “Just promise me you’ll be careful if you do come home tonight.” “Sure.” “That’s not a promise.” “Fine. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. I’ll drive careful.” I went through the motions of the promise with a small laugh. “If you wreck I’m gonna kill you.” “I know dear.” “I love you.” “I love you too.” Hanging up the phone I walked back out to the car and drove through the now open gate. The headlights caught the snow as it fell to the ground and I could hear the wind howl over the sound of the radio. Reaching over I turned up the radio as Elvis came on. Tapping my thumbs on the steering wheel in time with the music I turned onto the highway which would lead straight to Ponyville. As I drove down the road the wind continued to get stronger and the snow got worse. After nearly thirty minutes it was near blinding and I struggled to see as I drove through a forest. As I went around a bend in the road I saw something move ahead of me. Looking closer I saw the shape of a deer appear out of the snow. Jerking the wheel to the left I felt the car start to skid and I desperately turned the wheel to the right to try and counter it. The car slid off the road and I felt it hit the ditch next to the road broadside. As I flung my arms up to protect my face the seatbelt suddenly tightened as the car went upside down. ‘Please dear God let me live.’