//------------------------------// // Chapter One - Business as Usual // Story: Pandemic: Undead Equestria // by Gamer Brash //------------------------------// It had been a regular day of bureaucracy and hidden government conspiracy for the unicorn stallion Thunder Armor. He was tired, hungry, and wanted to be done with today. He wasn't usually stuck at a desk, of all places. But he was on schedule for it today, with a stealth operation later that night. Despite his exhaustion, that would be the highlight this evening. The possibility of getting to see some action. "Ugh. This desk work always gives me a headache. Not to mention the fact I constantly have to lie to the public." He said with a scoff. "For their own safety, my hoof." Thunder Armor kept sorting, reviewing, and stamping Celestia's seal on every form on his desk. Being a Special Task Force member meant keeping hidden all the horrible truths that Equestria's namby-pamby citizens simply couldn't fathom. Everything from the truth of ancient prophecies and legends, to the fact that Equestria was truly at war with The Changeling Horde, whose spells and warfare became increasingly depraved every day... The list seemed endless. Celestia forbid they ever know, lest their poor little minds explode. Twice. "What they don't know CAN hurt them." was the phrase drilled into Thunder Armor's head during training. He could believe it. But didn't harmony require the Element of Honesty? His conscience constantly reminded him that lying is wrong. Apparently fear is an exception. Thunder looked up at the clock. Luna's evening was beginning, and it was finally time to leave the office. Night Shade, a member of Princess Luna's division of the force, had requested assistance with reports of possible Changeling activity. The night watch noticed several of the Canterlot elite heading out in the dead of night heading towards the ancient caves that led to ruined civilizations. Last that they knew, spelunking was not a hobby of local interest. Celestia forbid those aristocrats chip a hoof or get the slightest bit dirty. The idea was to locate one of the "ponies" in question, and follow them in silence. Thunder sighed. "Alright, take this duty and shove it. I'm off to the next one." said Thunder Armor pointlessly. There was nopony in the office this late in the day. He had a few minutes to kill, as Her Majesty hadn't fully lowered the sun. They were to meet at first moonlight, and the time drew near. He wandered over to the window towards the light of dusk. "Beautiful evening as always, your Majesty." Thunder said in reverence. From here, he could see out over a great expanse of sky and villages. Ponyville stuck out like a sore hoof, and now with Princess Twilight's castle, it was even more obvious. "Equestrian government, even though I'm involved... Still confuses me." said Thunder Armor, while pondering how four princesses could reign over the same nation, and manage kingdoms of their own. It had been a little over a year since Tirek's temporary reign of terror had nearly run the nation into the ground. Life went on as usual, it's citizens once again blissfully ignorant of the truth. That, despite Discord's claims to be the "Master of Chaos", there were much bigger and more chaotic threats to the nation and it's livelihood. Once more, Thunder's conscience reared it righteous head, and he fought it back. Thunder Armor closed his eyes, and took a moment to recite his loyalty oath: "For Her Celestial Majesty, and her Nightly Kin, we doth protect our own with the Magic within. Knowing, yet not permitting seeing, and not speaking. Let ignorance be their guide, and knowledge be ours. The Sovereignty of Celestia be not questioned, Luna's Wisdom not neglected. I give my life in service to Equestria, with Friendship and Harmony for all." His conscience once more suppressed by his sense of duty, he left to gear up and meet at the rendezvous with Night Shade.