Music filled the admiral's quarters on the FAS Thunder. The sound of the soft piano reverberated through the dark room and the smell of crisp, fresh vegetables filled the air. General Chaput sat in his usual chair with his eyes closed. He nodded in time to the sway of the song and gently nibbled on a carrot that he held in his front talon. The clock on the wall clicked as the hour hand moved to point directly at ten o’clock. The light from the stars gently shone through the single window in the cabin.
Chaput leaned back in his seat and stroked his chin thoughtfully. He glanced down at the sheaf of papers on the desk beside him and idly flipped through them as he continued to enjoy the music. He folded the front page marked ‘Classified: Top Secret’ back and looked inside. Photographs of a female griffon and her family awaited his eyes. The general squinted and then sighed. “Hmm…”
A knock interrupted his thoughts. “General Chaput, Captain Ivanov is here to see you, as ordered.” Chaput recognized the muffled voice of his talonpicked griffon guard. His rugged voice carried the clip of a northerner, as did the voices of most of the griffons who had fought in the rebellion.
Chaput rose to his paws and claws and strode over to open the door. The metal of the handle felt cool against his talons as the door slowly creaked open. He nodded to his guard. “Thank you, Sergeant. Please, come inside, Captain.”
The golden-feathered griffon who entered the room wore the red, gold, and black uniform of Griffonia’s Air Navy. Captain Vladimir Ivanov’s black eyes squinted to see in the dim room, and he clucked his scarred beak as he stepped inside. “Thank you, General,” he said. He spoke in the refined tones of somegriff who had been schooled by impeccable teachers, but could not prevent some of his northern griffon accent from breaking through.
Chaput shut the door behind the officer, and they both took a seat. “Captain, thank you for coming. I know it is late, but we have much to discuss.”
Ivanov nodded. He leaned back in his chair and listened to the music for a moment. “This is Lanz, is it not?”
“It is, indeed.” Chaput smiled. “I adore this piece. It carries an air of… serenity. I find that it helps me when I have deep thinking to do.”
“And is this one of those times?” Ivanov asked.
“Yes.”
Ivanov raised an eyebrow. “Oh? I assume that means that your discussion with the princess was enlightening.”
“Extremely. Our talk revealed a great deal.” Chaput took another bite of his carrot. “I suppose you are curious about the meeting with Princess Celestia?”
“Indeed. How did it go?” Ivanov leaned forward, his hard eyes gazing directly at Chaput.
“Quite well, actually. Everything went more or less according to plan.”
“And what plan was that, sir?”
Chaput chuckled. “To tell the truth.”
The captain’s jaw dropped. “What? You told her the truth?”
“Hmmm…” Chaput cocked his head to the side. “From a perspective with which she could empathize, yes.”
“So, you didn’t then.” Ivanov nodded. He smiled and relaxed somewhat. “Good.”
“Oh, Captain. I did tell the truth. I also told other things, but she doesn’t need to know that.” The general’s light laugh filled the room.
Sitting back into his chair, Ivanov raised an eyebrow again. “And what truths would those be?”
“Oh, I told her that I’m here to stall, that Dmitri is a fool, and that I’m going to stab him in the back at the first possible opportunity. Then, I told her that we are more alike than she thinks, and I told her why Dmitri must fall.” Chaput grinned.
“General, I ask forgiveness for this, but what the hell were you thinking? You told her everything!” Ivanov fumed. “Do you even know who you were talking to?”
“‘To whom I was talking.’ And yes, I did. That is why I told her exactly as much truth as I told you when our mission began.” Chaput turned a knob on his record player, and the music increased volume. “If you insist on speaking so forcefully, I’ll have to put on louder music. And I really want to listen to Lanz.”
Ivanov sighed. “Sorry, sir. I just find your tactics… unnerving at times.”
The general smirked. “Of course you do! You are in the Navy, after all. There is so much less subterfuge in the air. It is not as if one could hide an airship and attack from behind. Everything is in the open. But down on the ground, in the forests, the mountains, and the fields, one must always be even more wary. Attacks come from every direction. Diplomacy is much the same way. The only way to be certain of victory is to shape your words in such a way that no path leads to defeat… and that is what I must do with Princess Celestia.”
“Hmm…” Ivanov nodded. “Not an easy feat.”
“No. Which is why we must employ unorthodox tactics, especially here.” Chaput inhaled deeply. He closed his eyes as he continued to speak. “The princess is the greatest foe I have ever faced. She has outlived countless other rulers and has maintained a hold upon what is widely considered to be the greatest nation to have ever existed on the face of Equus. Her continued rule is not a stroke of luck, as many believe. She is cunning, wise, and far more dangerous than she appears.”
“Then why tell her everything? Wouldn’t she use it against us?”
Chaput shook his head. “No. She is too smart to do that. At this point, she does not know our entire intentions, and she realizes that. If she follows the pattern that history seems to indicate, she will wait. She downplays her abilities, Captain. She speaks with a laugh, and sometimes she seems to have a temper. However, she is no fool, and she never loses control. Everything with her is intentional, from the place of the meeting to the paintings on the walls.”
“But why does that mean that she will not use this information against us? Even if she waits, she could decide to contact Dmitri and give the game away.” Ivanov stretched a wing. “She could decide to cut off negotiations if she doesn’t trust us. She could intentionally do the opposite of what you ask of her… There are so many ways we could fail because of her actions.”
“But she won’t.”
“How can you be sure?” Ivanov slammed a talon onto his leg. “This is an enormous risk! Might I remind you that you are not gambling with only your own life this time? My officers and I are behind you, and Dmitri would not hesitate to execute us if he uncovered the plan. The crew may know nothing, but they follow our orders. They would join us at the gallows or at gunpoint. And what of their families?”
“If you are so afraid, you may leave now, Captain,” Chaput said coldly. “You knew the risks when you joined me years ago. This plan has been in motion for a very long time. This is the final stage. Almost everything is a risk from here out, but Celestia is not one of them, and I will tell you why if you will stop interrupting me so rudely.” His eyes flashed.
Ivanov recoiled. “I… I apologize, sir. The stress must be getting to me.”
“I understand, Captain. It is a difficult time.” Chaput sighed. “Celestia is no fool, as I said. I have woven for her a tale of a people oppressed by a warmongering monster. This is true. I have given her a reason to believe us by telling the truth. Had I lied, she would have been suspicious of something. The issue, however, is that we would not have known of what she was suspicious. As such, she would have been unpredictable. As of now, we know what she will be thinking. She will investigate the truth of my assertions. How has Dmitri treated the griffons? She will also look at my own motivations. I told her that I came to Griffonia out of loyalty. How true was that?”
Ivanov nodded. “So, she will follow the train of thought that you laid out for her?”
“Precisely. She would find out the truth eventually. This way, we buy ourselves enough time for the next move.”
“Ah, the chess metaphor. I wondered when it would come into play.” Ivanov smiled. “What will her next move be?”
“Oh, the next move is not hers.” Chaput ran a talon through his crest.
“Very well. Then what is our move?”
Chaput laughed darkly. “Captain, Captain. You misunderstand. We are not playing the princess in this game… We are playing Dmitri. In the end, Celestia is inconsequential. She has no effect on the endgame.”
“I don’t know if I agree with you, sir.” Ivanov shook his head. “You said yourself how worthy of an opponent Celestia is. She should not be counted out yet.”
“Of course not. However, we have planned our moves in such a way that she is our ally… for now, at least. Our game with Celestia is a different one, and we must not confuse the two. Fighting a war on two fronts is to be avoided at all cost. One day, I may play Celestia, that is true, but for now, she is but another piece in my own game.” Chaput restarted the song. “And she is a very powerful piece indeed.”
“I still don’t like it, General. There are too many variables,” the captain said.
“There are always variables. Fortunately, we are in control. Dmitri may have the next move, but we will have checkmate within the next three.”
“And you are certain of this?” Ivanov asked.
Chaput nodded. “Dmitri is, if anything, predictable. I understand his kind. He will do exactly as I suspect. He always has.”
Sighing, the captain responded, “Okay. I can accept that. Will you tell me what these three moves are, at least?”
“Dear Captain, that would spoil the game!” The twinkling in Chaput’s eyes matched the lightness to his tone. “I asked you something a long time ago when you were but a lieutenant. We were the last officers remaining before an attack on Yakyakistan, and I had just told you my quite ambitious plan. Do you remember what I asked you?”
“Sir, you asked if I trusted you.”
Chaput’s eyes met the captain’s. “And how did you reply?”
“If I remember correctly, I told you that I wouldn’t trust your twice-damned Prench face with an empty carton of milk… but then I said that I believed your plan was just crazy enough to work.”
“And then we won the war against Yakyakistan with no more bloodshed.” Chaput stroked his chin again. “So, I will ask you once more… Do you trust me?”
“Damn it, Chaput. I still don’t trust you, but you haven’t lost yet,” Ivanov said with a sigh. He shook his head wryly. “I’m with you.”
“And that is all I needed to hear!” Chaput chuckled. “Now, please play along.” The general stood up and walked to the door. He cracked it open and spoke to his guard. “Sergeant, will you go get my other guest for me, please?” He then returned to his seat. “Our final move for the night, Captain.”
A moment later, the door opened and a nervous female griffon in a red uniform walked inside. “General, Captain. You wanted to see me?” she asked quietly.
“Ah, Ensign Glenda Goldsmith! Please, come in. I assume that the sergeant told you that this is not a formal meeting at all?” Chaput asked.
She nodded. “Yes, he did, sir.”
“Good… good…” Chaput pulled out the folder he had been looking at earlier. “Tell me, Ensign, would you say that you are loyal to Griffonia?”
Goldsmith nodded slowly. “Yes, sir. I served in the Navy before the civil war, and I stayed in to continue to serve.”
“Marvelous! It says here that your family lives in the south. How does it feel serving under northern rulers, especially after the fall of a southern king?” Chaput inquired politely.
“I, uh, to be honest, sir, I can’t really tell the difference. My loyalty is to Griffonia, not the the old king.” Goldsmith said uncertainly.
“Hmm… very well.” Chaput took one particular paper from the file. “As you know, regulations requires that any communications leaving the ship be read and passed by the Operational Security Officer. He redacts any critical information and keeps a record of the communication. This is the copy of the last letter that you sent to your… Mother.” Chaput raised an eyebrow.
Goldsmith swallowed. “Yes, sir.”
“Allow me to read it to you.” Chaput cleared his throat. “‘Dear Mother, I have just recalled where I put the recipe for the blueberry pie. I left it under the cloak in the downstairs bedroom. I don’t think I ever moved it. I hope you enjoy the pie! Sincerely, your Glenda.’” Chaput lowered the letter. “There are a few problems here.”
Goldsmith stood shock still.
“First, this letter was addressed to the capital. Your mother lives in the south. Second, blueberries are out of season, and they are mostly grown in the north. Third, you mentioned the word ‘cloak.’ Do you know anything interesting about the word ‘cloak’ in Prench?” Chaput asked.
“No, sir,” she replied nearly inaudibly.
“If you research the meaning of names, ‘Chaput’ actually means ‘one who wears a distinct cloak.’ Very intriguing. Combine that with the use of the color blue, which usually indicates that everything is okay, and you writing to a ‘mother’ who does not live in the capital…” Chaput looked up sharply. “Dmitri never was good at espionage. His ploys are incredibly easy to spot. ‘Father’ to ‘mother.’ Color coded for his convenience. Not even bothering to use a particularly creative name when referring to me. How long have you been his spy, Ensign?”
Goldsmith’s face stayed neutral, but Chaput could see a single tear clawing at the edge of her eye. “For two months now, sir.”
“Ah, open and honest! I like that in a spy! So refreshing.” The general stood. “Now that we are on the same page, I would like to talk to you about some things…” He grinned darkly. “In particular, I would like to discuss your family.”
Her tears fell, and she grimaced bitterly. She turned to look at Chaput. “You too? You bastards are both alike…”
Chaput cocked his head to the side. “‘You too?’ Whatever do you mean, dear?”
“He has my family already. There’s nothing you can do to them, so you may as well kill me now.” Goldsmith faced the general defiantly. “It’s over anyways.”
“Whatever do you mean, my dear? Did you think I was going to threaten your family?” Chaput asked gently. “Why would I do that?”
“Y-you aren’t?”
“Of course not! I am no monster! In fact, I was going to tell you that I knew that Dmitri had threatened your mother... I do not know if he has any others, but I knew about her. I had an offer for you, but if it is, as you say, over…” Chaput shrugged.
“No, wait!” Goldsmith cried. More tears fell down her face. “I… I’m so sorry, General. What was your offer?”
Chaput smiled. “Simple, my dear. You tell him exactly what I tell you that he needs to know, and I will get your family free. It is that simple.”
“R-really?” Goldsmith asked. “You would do that?”
“Ensign Goldsmith, you have my word on the matter. If you help me, I shall help you. And I always keep my word.” Chaput nodded solemnly.
“You will? And all I have to do is—”
“All you have to do is follow my orders. No more reports to Dmitri without my knowledge and approval. Then, when we return to Griffonia, my agents will free your family. Do we have a deal?”
Goldsmith nodded immediately. “Yes, yes! Of course!”
“Oh, perfect!” Chaput smiled. “Thank you, Ensign. Please, follow the sergeant. He will take you back to your quarters.”
The ensign’s grin nearly split her face in two. “Thank you, General! Thank you!”
“No, thank you.” Chaput waved as she walked out the door. It shut quickly, and his smile broadened. “Thank you, Ensign…”
“Is he going to kill her?” Captain Ivanov asked.
“No. Not this time. She will be extremely useful as a double agent.” Chaput sat back down.
Ivanov rested his chin on a talon. “Why do I get the feeling that you had no idea that her mother was locked up?”
“Because I did not know that until she told me.” Chaput stretched. “To be honest, threatening her family was my original intention. However, she revealed a far greater weakness, and I took advantage of the opportunity.”
“So instead of threatening to kill her or her family, you offer to save everything that she holds dear… General, there is something rather dark about that.”
Chaput laughed. “Most likely. It is interesting. I expected to play the villain once more, but I instead look like a hero to one of my own pawns. Very interesting.”
“‘Play the villain...’ Is this all an act to you, General?” Ivanov asked.
“Not all of it,” the general replied. “Some of it is genuine.” He glanced over at the clock. “Well, it is getting late. I believe that we have addressed all things of concern for the evening. With Dmitri’s second spy neutralized, we are in the clear for the next two weeks, and that is all the time that we shall need.”
Ivanov nodded. “Very well, sir. I will bid you good night.” The captain walked toward the door, but he stopped and turned around. “Sir, may I ask a personal question?”
“You may,” Chaput replied.
“You said that you look like a hero to a pawn… but what do you look like to yourself? A hero? A villain?”
The general smiled broadly. “Ah. What a wonderful question. Did you know that I was assigned a paper on this subject in school? It was my fifth year, and I wrote a twenty page typed essay on the matter. Very intriguing. In order to answer the question, we must first ask what a hero or villain actually is. What do you think, Captain? What is a hero?”
Ivanov thought for a moment. “Hmm… I think a hero is a noble warrior who is willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. He thinks of others before himself, and he follows what is right instead of what is easy.”
“Interesting. Your definition is like a combination of what one would hear from a warrior and from a noble hearted reader of romantic fiction. But what of a villain?”
“That would be… the opposite, I suppose?” The captain tilted his head.
“Hmm, I wonder if you see all the connotations that come with that answer. You suggest a dichotomy, a polarization of motives. Mutually exclusive, as different as the sun and the moon. Opposite sides of a coin… Would you like to hear what I think?” Chaput asked.
“Of course.”
“I believe,” Chaput began, “that the idea of the hero, and, by extension, the villain, is a construct. In any conflict, one cannot simply pick one side or another and define them as the hero or villain. No, we require context. Tell me, in the first war between the changelings and Equestria, as it was explained in the ancient texts, who were the heroes?”
Ivanov replied, “The Equestrians.”
“Why?”
“They were defending the land from an invading force. The changelings were attacking them. They only defended themselves.” The captain nodded.
“And that makes the changelings the villains, yes?” Chaput asked.
“Yes.”
“Very well. What of the more recent war when the yaks invaded caribou land two centuries ago? History tells us that the Yaks were the heroes, fighting off a nation of corrupt and evil warriors who threatened the entire world. Do you agree?”
“I do. History does tell us that.”
“But consider this. Had the changelings won, we would tell tales of how the inept Equestrians who could barely hold their own nation together were overthrown by a better organized force that brought peace to the land. If the caribou had been victorious, then we would have heard how the monstrous yak invaders had been fought off by warriors who were only protecting their homes. The heroes and the villains would have been switched, dear Captain.” Chaput narrowed his eyes. “Is this not true? Is it not fact that the heroes always win?”
“Perhaps…” Ivanov leaned against the wall and gazed at Chaput thoughtfully.
“Captain, this is no coincidence. However, we must not misunderstand the chain of causality. The heroes do not win because they are righteous… Instead, they are righteous because they win. Every being is a hero in his own eyes. The difference between a hero and a villain is that you never hear the villain’s side of the story…”
Ivanov stood silently.
The general shook his head and continued. “We view heroism and villainy as a moral issue, but it is not. It is simply a matter of perspective. What my enemy does is against me, and thus it is evil. I do what is right, so I am a hero. It is the same for my enemy. If he falls, the world will know that I was always right, for the ancient trial by combat still holds true in our hearts. The righteous take the day, and the gods punish the evil. By winning, I prove myself. And if I lose, my enemy is able to share his truth with the world. It is relativism in its truest glory, and it is a lie.
“So, to answer your question, I view myself as neither a hero nor a villain. I reject the concept of both. The hero is just another name for the victor who tells his story to more ears, and the villain is the loser that nogriff understands. Thus, I do not believe in heroes or villains and see myself as neither. Instead, I view myself as what I really am.” Chaput’s eyes bore into the naval officer.
“Captain, I am a victor. And I plan to have every pony, griffon, dragon, or any other being hear my story, even if I must die to make it so.”