//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Our Professions are our Masks // Story: Past In The Shadows // by Ratchet //------------------------------// Chapter 2: Our Professions are our Masks         I arrived back in Canterlot right as the sun hid itself behind the horizon. The city lights began to come on, and when they do, they are bright. Bright enough to be seen from space, perhaps it is as bright as Las Pegasus. The magnificent spires of Canterlot Castle skimmed the edge of the atmosphere. Overall, it was a beautiful skyline.         Out of the crowd of buildings, I spotted Cosmos’ headquarters. Disguised as a modest office building, it hid a valuable organization within its steel walls and glass panes. It was placed away from the castle to make it less of a target in the chance of an attack.         I gently floated down onto the roof with the levitator pack controlling my descent. Once I landed, I trotted over to the rooftop door and knocked.         One...Two…Three…         I put an eye up to the peephole and place my left hoof on the surface of the door. A narrow red laser ran over my retina while an RFID scanned an ID chip in my hoof. BEEP. Access Granted         The door slowly opened. To the untrained eye, the door looked to be a relatively thin door; however this door was a couple hooves thick. I stepped through with the door creeping shut behind me. I began to head down the stairwell. The security system logs every entrance and exit, so it was no surprise when Nu’s voice came over my watch.         “Good evening Double oh Donut, file a report and meet for debriefing at 0800.”         “Understood, a nice talk over breakfast perhaps?” I suggested.         I could imagine her smirk when she said, “Perhaps we can, but until then, good night.”         “Good night.”         I clicked off the watch and proceeded to crew quarters. -----         The next morning I went up a few floors on the elevator to Nu’s office. A good night of sleep rejuvenated my mind and charisma. The door opened up to Nu’s secretary, Scarlet Letter. She was a young, amaranth coated unicorn by all accounts, attractive. I approached her desk and greeted her.         “Good morning, Ms. Scarlet.”         She looked up from her work and brushed back her purple mane; moving a single red strand from in front of her eyes. She smiled a radiant smile.         “Why good morning Con! I take it you did not take home any souvenirs from your mission?”         “Well, I may need a tailor, but no scratches worth mentioning”, I responded jokingly.         “That’s great to hear! I’ll go ahead and send you in.”         She buzzed Nu.         “I’ll see you later Con.”         I politely nodded and went through the double doors into Nu’s office.         It was well furnished, a few planters her near the windows. Shelves and cabinets lined the walls. The main centerpiece of the room was Nu’s desk, which was meticulously carved with exceptional workmanship. The top of it was adorned with several objects including the equestrian flag.         “Good day, Double oh Donut, can I get you something? Coffee? Bagel?” Nu offered.         What? No donuts?         Despite my disappointment, I requested for some coffee.         Nu backed away from her desk and walked over to a cluster of shelves that held a coffee brewer. I could smell the fresh coffee scent across the room while Nu began to pour.         Nu was a marble-grey colored earth pony with a short brown mane She had some age to her, but not enough to be called middle-aged. Most of those years, she was a brilliant intelligence analyst who served on the Royal board of advisors for the Princesses. Her cutie mark was proof of her talents, being a small magnifying glass overlaying streams of numbers.         Some of her envious colleagues joked that her cutie mark should make her a private detective for ponies back in her home city of Trottingham. Despite the jealous banter, she remained resolute in her work. This eventually led her up the ladder to being the leader of Cosmos.         She turned around and extended a hoof with a freshly brewed mug of coffee. I floated it over and toke a quick sip. Satisfied, I looked up. She began to speak:         “Excellent work with the Griffon Separatists. Did you discover what their plans were?”         “For their grunt like behavior and crudity, they have a way with modifications. They altered Arcano’s cybersprites as a bioweapon,” I responded.           She glanced back at her desk at her monitor, and took another sip of coffee.         “I see, and destruction of the facility was accomplished. Our gents in PR have released a cover story saying it was a catastrophic laboratory accident.”         “One large insurance bill for Arcano,” I remarked. “Double oh donut, with all the property damage that you have done over your career, you’re fortunate that Equestria even has the funds to pay for it all,” She rebutted with stern eyes. Touché. She sat back down in her desk. “For the time being, that is all Con. I will contact you once your next assignment comes up, you are dismissed.” I nodded and set the half-drunk coffee mug on her desk. I trotted back toward the door and cocked my head back. “Thank you for the coffee.” She acknowledged, “Anytime.” I pushed the door open and proceeded down the elevator. -----         Morning.         The weather was truly nice, mild and sunny. I had picked up a few flowers while walking down 7th Avenue. It had been atleast a year since I visited Canterlot Memorial Gardens, in my opinion it was a little too long.         Either way I was pleased to see that Mom and Dad’s graves were still in good condition, the lettering was still very legible. In Memory of Pepper and Monique Mane         I gently floated the flowers in front of the headstone and gave a moment of silence.         “Mom, Dad, It’s me, your oddball son.” A sentimental smile came over my face.         “I know it has been a decade, and both of you would probably tell me to move on. But, I still miss you all the same. Everything is still well with me and I hope both of you have been resting peacefully.”         A light breeze rustled through.         “Thank you again for everything.” Bzzz. Bzzz.         I slowly turned away and looked at my watch. Scarlet had sent a message that Nu requested me. I looked back down at my parent’s graves and closed my eyes. The sounds of the cemetery were very tranquil.         I took a slow, deep breath and turned around, leaving the cemetery. Returning back to reality. ----- “You’ve got to let these things go, life still goes on.” END OF CHAPTER 2