//------------------------------//
// Legacy Prompt #41: Field Reports 
// Story: Ponywatching 
// by ThunderTempest 
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To Princess Luna,

With regards to your previous letter, here follows my observations on the Elements with regards to recruitment:

Of the six Bearers of the Elements of Harmony, I can only recommend two for transition to active agents of the Crown. Loyalty is unsuitable in both temperament and skills; In addition, she has made great strides towards joining the Wonderbolts, and is unlikely to be open to offers from us in the future. Honesty has strong ties to her family and her land. It would cause much suspicion if she were to leave for long periods of time. She is also incapable of keeping a secret. Laughter, despite her demonstrated ‘sneaking’ abilities, is also not of the temperament that is required by our work. If necessary, she could be employed as a provisional, one-time agent, though under strict instruction and restrictions.

Kindness would be a good fit for certain operations. From my observations, she is an accomplished veterinarian, and though she may not realize it, also possesses a thorough knowledge of pony anatomy. Were she not so pacifistic, she would be a great asset to the assassination team. As she currently is, however, I would recommend her for the scouting and reconnaissance area. She is already reclusive enough that long absences could be explained away.

Generosity is the other that I would recommend for active recruitment. She is well-versed in the art of social manipulation, and has demonstrated a degree of martial skill. With training, she would be an excellent fit for diplomatic envoys and other, more social operations. Again, she comes with a built-in excuse to explain potentially long absences, by way of her rising fashion career.

I will leave the final decision to you, as always.

Yours, Agent D

******

To Princess Luna,

Regarding your response, I would have thought that Magic would be unavailable for recruitment. It is clear that Sun has her own ideas for Magic’s future.

However, here are my observations: Magic would not be suited for active deployment in any operation. She would be more useful in a support role, most likely in the analytic department, provided she is not allowed to know the full details of what she is looking at. 

Magic has more than once demonstrated that she is not mentally ready for high-stress work. She breaks under pressure with disturbing ease-the latest incident (reports 201 A through H, currently being referred to as ‘The Smarty Pants’ incident) show how fragile her mental state can be.

And with regards to your suggestion that she only be brought on if we are dealing with abnormal levels of magical opposition, I will say that there is a reason we recruit Null Mages, and that we have never encountered such things before.

I will invite you to visit Ponyville on Nightmare Night, such that you may observe the bearers for yourself.

Yours, Agent D

****Time****

To Princess Luna,

In the wake of the wedding, and under your orders, we have conducted a full sweep of Ponyville. No changelings have been discovered, though we shall maintain a closer watch in the months to come. Both Agent F and I suspect that the Changeling queen (Temporary codename: Chrysalis) will take multiple moons to recover her strength and swarm size.

However, reports from Los Pegasus and Dodge Junction have both confirmed sightings of black, bug-like ponies skulking around the outskirts in the badlands. An increase in Royal Guard postings to that region may discourage the Changelings for a while longer.

And once more, I must remind you that Magic is not suitable for field operation recruitment. I will concede that on occasion, all of the Bearers may be employed as specialist operatives, but only Kindness and Generosity have shown the right combination of personality and skills to be full operatives.

As one final note, I am beginning to fear that my cover may be compromised. Several of my co-workers at the post office may suspect that I am not exactly who I say I am. It may just be post-invasion paranoia, and it may not. I will keep you informed of developments, though I may need a new cover job soon.

Yours, Agent D.