//------------------------------// // The Meeting // Story: Crackshot: New Beginnings // by Cold Cuts the batpony //------------------------------// I poured over sheets of technical data amidst the hum and whir of computers running complex algorithms and simulations. An old unicorn with a vast grey mop of a mane and bristling mustache approached me. "Any new developments?" He asked, thickly accented. "Not anything promising Dr. Einstein," I said, glancing up at him, "just too many pieces missing from this puzzle." "Well hopefully with this new hire, we will finally be able to make some progress," the unicorn nodded to himself, returning to his own work area, "Yes, with his talent we should be able to make advances in leaps and bounds." I looked at my watch, "As a matter of fact, I should be leaving, I'm meeting our new friend in Canterlot tomorrow." I filed away the papers I had been studying and gathered my saddlebags, rising and exiting through a sliding glass door. ---- I breathed the fresh air as Bomber Belle and I trotted through Canterlot to the "Cloud 9" Pegasus inn. An inn on a cloud that catered specifically to pegasi visiting Canterlot. We arrived at our destination and entered through the arching doorway. I paused a moment to scan the room, my gaze settled on a red Pegasus in a black vest and hat. I smiled, I had found a piece to my puzzle. ====== I stood a moment at the end of the street, smoothing my moustaches. It had been a long time it seemed, since the incident with Dirty Dan. I had only just been released from royal custody back into Equestria, and I already had orders from the princesses. As a vassal and servant of the twin thrones, I had to do as I was told. I had to meet someone, some science tech and his assistant who needed my particular talents. That, however, was tomorrow. Today I was going to rest and have a few drinks. I hitched my saddle bags and rifle case higher on my back and proceeded down the fastidious white streets, too clean for my liking, making my way to the "Cloud 9" inn. Not too original, but the drinks were good. As I ambled in through the arching door, I heard a familiar voice. "Longshot! I haven't seen you around in awhile!" I turned to see a stout Pegasus mare stepping from behind the counter. "Peggy, it's good ta see you too. It's sure been a long time," she hugged me tightly and I gasped for air, she was strong as ever, "I brought a few things," I said, gently lowering my bags to the floor. I reached in and began pulling out the two dozen bottles of homemade liquor and arranging them on the counter. I had gone to visit my dear friends immediately after my release. "Are these Dill's?" Her eyes widened in envy. "As a matter of fact they are. Finest moonshine in all of Equestria!" I drawled," We got a half dozen each of apple pie, rye, blackberry, and good ole fashioned white lightning. I trust this'll be 'nuff to cover room and board?" I chuckled as the mare gathered the bottles close. "And meals too I expect!" She bustled them away under the counter as I retrieved my bags from the floor. "So what's the news 'round here?" I asked settling onto a barstool. Peggy poured me a tall mug of her darkest stout, her finest work, and proceeded to catch me up on the goings ons of Equestria. ---- The next afternoon, I sat in the dining room eating a bowl of dandelion oatmeal. Peggy's cooking was good, but, just like Cloudsdale fare, seemed airy and unsatisfying in my belly. My appointment was due any minute, so I bolted down the last of my lunch in order to clear the table. Fiddling with the strap of my rifle case, I watched the door intently. Pegasi came and went till finally a gray unicorn in a white shirt walked in and scanned the room settling on me. I did a double take. Unicorn? He strode confidently towards me. "Hello my name is Delta Wing, this here is Bombardier Belle," he offered a hoof in greeting and I only then noticed the Pegasus that had followed him, "Mr. Crackshot I presume?" I cocked my head a little, the Pegasus had a metal wing. It took me a moment to snap out of my surprise, "Uh, yeah, howdy, that's me." I stammered dropping my cigar as I jumped to my feet and shook his hoof and tipped my hat to the lady. "I can tell by your astonishment that you're wondering how it is I'm here," he stated taking a seat across from me, the Pegasus remained standing behind, "the short answer is, I was born of Pegasus parents and inherited cloud walking magic, but am a unicorn as you can see." "Yupper, I can see that. Didn't mean ta seem so rude there a moment ago, just caught me by surprise," I responded, returning to my seat. "Not too worry, I'm used to it by now," the unicorn chortled,"Down to business, I suppose you're wondering why I've asked for you?" "Yessir, I am. What could a science type want with a burnt out markspony like me?" I asked, not sure if I'd like the answer. "Well the reason I've asked you here is for your unique talent," he said pressing his hooves together and leaning towards me. I looked at my flank and frowned, "My talent?" "Yes, as I understand it, you have a latent ability to calculate a vast number of variables and parameters, including windage, elevation, ballistics, and flight time to be able to make the long shots you are so famous for," he looked at me expectantly. "I...I'm sorry, can you repeat that? That was just a little too much too fast for me," my brow furrowed and my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I wasn't stupid, I just didn't generally deal with many folk, especially folk with a higher education. Delta Wing sat back abashed as Belle looked on, "My apologies, I didn't mean to offend. What I mean is you can tell exactly what will happen to your bullet when it leaves the chamber and how to compensate for it," he said, slower than before. This time I understood. "Yeah, so how does this help you?" I asked a little leery, I had been used too many times before. Delta leaned forward again, "I'm hoping you can use that talent to aid me in my research of flying machines and Pegasus magic. If you can apply this 'awareness' of yours to the effects that wind currents will have on my machines, maybe you will be able to help my test pilot make them better!" The unicorn was beaming now. It was difficult to mistrust someone who seemed so passionate. "Pegasus magic?" Delta opened his mouth and I waved a hoof through the air, "Explain that later. Yeah, alright, I'll do it," I agreed. "Excellent!" Delta clapped his hooves together, "How soon can you start?" "I can start immediately, I just have one condition, we can't do it in Canterlot, I need away from here. I like to feel dirt under my hooves." "That won't be a problem. Our main lab is being set up in the Kittyhawk military research base," he rose and I followed his lead, "Mr. Crackshot, I look forward to working with you." "And I you," we shook hooves, "and just Crackshot if you don't mind, or Longshot. Seems that last one rolls off the tongue better." "Crackshot it is. We'll be in touch," he and his silent partner walked out the door. What a strange duo, I thought to myself, turning to head towards my room. "You ain't the only one who thinks so," Peggy remarked from behind the counter, reading my thoughts.