E.S.S 10
Supplying and Missions
Over the next week it began to snow on and off as the pegasus saw fit, but it seemed as if there were weird weather shifts. Meanwhile Alloy was busy with the rest of the reformed E.S.S getting together how things were going to work out from that point on. They'd come up with leaving the office buildings in covert operation from everyone except the two sisters. As for the main six, Celestia had told them to not inform them of E.S.S unless it was necessary to. That meant things were now back to normal as far as security and E.S.S was concerned. Towards the end of that week the building had been constructed, the only thing left was to move in and place in all the furniture.
“It looks nice” BonBon comments to Alloy. The group of four is standing in front of the building, they are all in some sort of winter clothing.
“Ready to take our first steps into it?” Alloy turns to everyone. They all nod. With a smile Alloy takes out the keys to the front doors and unlocks them. They start to walk in looking at the place. Inside is a lobby section which has a view of the office upstairs. On the right is a door for employes of E.S.S, on the left is another door for the construction ponies. Alloy flips on some more of the lights to illuminate the place.
“It's really empty in here” Muffins flies around.
“That's the secretary desk? It's rather lonely, you all will be in the back right?” Sugar asks.
“There's a solution to both problems my friends,” Alloy starts, “We'll have to go shopping for furniture, food, computers, and office supplies. As for the desk Sugar, you'll be working in the back with us most of time, it's only when someone comes in that you'll need to come here to greet.”
“Oh okay” Sugar smiles.
“Shopping? I have a feeling you'll be paying for that?” Sweetie asks, “You've done enough don't you think Alloy?”
“Don't worry about it BonBon, I have it covered. As long as I have the resources to help us out I'll pitch in” Alloy smiles.
“You sure?” Muffins asks.
“Yep, come on let's look at the back area where we'll be, this front section is just composed of 5 small offices and a break room for the construction workers.” Alloy leads them to the back which is of similar size to the front, but has more rooms with no lobby.
“Looks comfortable” Muffins flies ahead looking into each room, “These offices are for each one of us! I see one marked with my cutie mark!”
“I've spotted mine too!” Sugar says with excitement and runs to it.
“You shouldn't have” Sweetie smiles and goes to her designated office. Alloy's room is at the far end of the building and has a spacious look with a small room of shower and bathing. Each of the other rooms have the same for the other agents, and in the center of the office rooms is a kitchen, not yet stacked with food, and a tables to dine at. Alloy waits for them at the dining area.
“I love it!” Sugar goes up to Alloy, “I have no idea what I'm putting in my office, I need some staplers, and tape and pictures!”
“Heh, yeah I need to put in desks and chairs. Some pictures would be nice to hang around the place.”
“There aren't any windows though” Sugar complains.
“It's for safety reasons, as well as security purposes. Oh and there is one window actually, look up” He says. Sugar lifts her head and sees that the top of the dining area has a large ceiling window which allows some sunlight to pour in.
“Woah that's nice!”
“I like it too!” Muffins flies over them and lands next to them. “Thanks Alloy!” Muffins hugs him.
“Heh, no problem”
“No problem? This must have cost a small fortune, how much did you pay?” Sweetie asks.
“A few 10,000. Don't worry about it”
“Alloy! That's...that's a lot!” She says in a loud voice then lowers, “I'm glad you did this, thank you”
“Aw, don't get too emotional now, I'm about to send you all shopping for things” Alloy chuckles.
“Do we have a budget?” Sweetie asks, she wipes a tear quickly.
“Well, yes. This shopping is coming out my pockets this time instead of my father's. I'm going to lend you my card, the pin's 5544. Spend only up to 5000 at max.”
“You're even letting us borrow your card.” Sugar starts to laugh, “Hmm maybe we should get some clothes” She jokes.
“And muffins!” Muffins adds.
“Now now girls, let's be kind to Alloy now” Sweetie states, “Although, I did see this comfy blanket on sale...” She smiles. Alloy sighs and smiles.
“Don't get too carried away okay?” He says.
“We won't!” They say together and run off. He takes a seat and sighs again shaking his head with a smile.
Sweetie Drops, Muffins, and Sugar Belle find themselves at a large shopping center in the middle of town. They already have an arrangement of items in the cart ranging from binders to random desk trinkets.
“When is this short winter going to start?” Sugar asks.
“I hear tomorrow they're making the announcement to start offially.” Muffins says.
“How do they clear it all once it snows?”
“They have a town tradition here of doing it all without magic, the whole town pitches in and helps clear it up with plows, wake up hibernating animals, and rebuilding habitats.” Sweetie answers and puts in a box of tape in the cart.
“Really? That must take a lot of work!”
“Oh it is! But it's worth the effort at the end” Muffins smiles.
“How long does it take?”
“Usually a day, but it used to take way more, since the groups were unorganized.” Muffins says.
“BonBon?” Lyra jumps in front of them.
“Lyra??” Sweetie jumps a little too, but with surprise.
“Lyra!” Muffins says with a smile.
“Hi Lyra” Sugar says as well.
“What're you three doing here?” Lyra ask them. They keep walking.
“Just shopping” BonBon casually says.
Lyra looks at their cart and digs through it, “Tape? Binders? Papers?”
“Yes it's office supplies.” BonBon takes back the items and puts it in the cart.
“Oh is it that place you work at right? What is called again?”
“Atomm's Construction” Muffins says loudly.
“That's right” BonBon nods.
“Atomm's hmm, do they have anything there about excavations?” Lyra asks.
“Not for the kind of places you're trying to find” BonBon chuckles a bit.
“Bummer, if they do though, you let me know!” Lyra gives BonBon a quick hug and starts to hop away, “Oh and see ya Sugar and Muffins!”
“Byeeee!” Muffins shouts out. They continue shopping till BonBon spots Rarity.
“Look, it's Rarity, wonder why she's here.” BonBon says.
“Probably..uh, shopping?” Muffins says.
“I think Muffin's is right, besides we don't have to worry about the main six anymore right?” Sugar agrees.
“I suppose not as much, we still need to discuss that with Alloy.” BonBon answers, she glares over at Rarity and watches as she purchases a pack of sewing yarn.
“What is Alloy up to by the way?” Sugar asks.
“Probably arranging security cameras, making badges, or maybe he's on a date!” Muffins says, she flies up to bring down rolls of paper towels.
“A-A date..?” Sugar becomes nervous suddenly.
“He might be!” Muffins chuckles, “After all, what else does he do with all his free time? Plus he's got the charm to date”
“I hope he's not” Sugar says with a little bit of anger.
“Oh don't listen to Muffins” BonBon says, she pokes Muffins with her back hoof to let her know not to continue.
“Hmm?” Muffins asks BonBon. They fall a little back, allowing Sugar to go ahead of them by several feet.
“Muffins you shouldn't say such things.” BonBon tells her.
“Why not?” Muffins asks confused then smiles, “Oh you like Alloy??”
“What? No. I mean, he's a good friend and all but it's not me that likes him in that way.” BonBon whispers, “It's Sugar that likes him”
“Ohhhh” Muffins smiles a little, “Now it makes sense duu”
“Yes, so don't say things about him being off with some other mare.” They rejoin Sugar.
At the office, Alloy is asleep on the carpet of his office room. A flash causes him to jump to his feet. Before him is Celestia. He bows down.
“You may rise. I came to warn you of a possible disaster coming tomorrow.”
“I'm ready for anything” He says.
“I do not know who is to cause it, but tomorrow the weather factory will purposely malfunction due to sabotage.”
“How do you know this?” He asks respectfully.
“I had a vision in my dream, and they're always on point. Now, I know we can't prevent this small disaster, but I'd like to know at least who caused it, why they caused it, and possibly arrest this pony or ponies.”
“Are you certain we can't stop it?”
She shakes her head, “No, the future needs to stay the way it is or things will become out of order. Besides if you tried to stop it, it wouldn't work out well.”
“Time is a strange thing. Okay, you can count on us to find out who's behind this.” Alloy states.
“Good luck to you and your friends.” With that Celestia vanishes. Alloy would've liked some warning before Celestia had awakened him, he was having a good nap. But that was a minor thing, he'd have to let the crew know what was happening so they could choose which of them was going to go to the factory tomorrow.
He stretches and yawns lazily, walking towards the front side of the offices. “Maybe I should've added a gym” He thinks.
After a time Sugar, Muffins, and Sweetie Drops came back, all carrying carts attached to them, behind them were other colts and mares pulling carts as well. “They blew the budget” Alloy sighs a little and smiles, opening the front door for them.
“Welcome back” Alloy greets them.
“We got everything we could think of and everything you said to get.” Sweetie says.
“Hmm, looks like a little much don't you think?” Alloy says as he scans all the items that are still coming in, “I'm guessing we hired them to place everything in here too?” He watches as Muffins and Sugar begin to tell the workers where to place everything.
“I had to, besides we're not going to move all those thing by ourselves right?” Sweetie reasons.
“I suppose you're right.” Alloy hesitantly agrees.
Sweetie gives him back his card, “Here you are”
“It looks so worn out! How many things did you buy??” He jokes.
“I have no idea” She laughs.
He smiles, “Heh, well after everything's in order I have an important thing to discuss with ya'll.”
“I'll try speeding up the worker's progress” Sweetie says and leaves. Alloy looks over each of the workers, seeing that each does as they're told. He then goes to his office, which is being put together with furniture, and calls on his newly placed phone.
Jackson picks up on the other side, “Ye, who is dis?”
“It's Alloy you hoodlum. I need you to come over to the offices to discuss a few things.
“I thought ya said I had to come in tomorrow though” Jackson says with a hint of complaint.
“Yeah yeah, well things change, get here as soon as you can, it's semi-important.”
“Semi-important, never heard that one before” He laughs. Alloy hangs up and sits on his new office chair. A worker comes up to him.
“We're almost done here, the charge will be placed on your card correct.”
“How much was it again?” Alloy asks.
“The moving costs 300 bits.”
“That's not too bad, yes. Place it on my card.” Alloy says. He nods and leave. Shortly after another worker in another uniform comes to him.
“We're done here, you're paying right?”
“I thought I paid ya'll already”
“I'm from a different company” She says.
“Really now? Okay how much was it for your services?”
“450 bits”
“Geez, okay charge my card.” Alloy says with growing concern. He makes his way to find Sugar Belle.
“Yes Alloy?” She turns to him.
“How many separate stores did you buy from that came to put things in here??”
“Five” She makes a forgiving smiles.
“Five...” He says and starts to walk slowly away. She walks up with him.
“I'm sorry is that too much for you..?” She asks.
“Sort of..it's um, no big deal..” He says with a little quiver in his voice. He continues to walk to his office leaving Sugar behind in the jumble of workers. Sugar makes her way to Sweetie Drops.
“BonBon!” She shouts.
BonBon quickly turns, “Something wrong dear?”
“I think Alloy's mad at us...” She states.
“Mad? Alloy's not one quick to anger, why would he be mad?”
“We must have over spent by a lot or something. He came up to me just now and asked how many companies we hired. After I told him, he just..well walked away.” Sugar saddens.
“It's alright, no need to be sad by it. I'll talk to him.” Sweetie assures her, “You just keep the workers busy”
“Okay..” Sugar says. Sweetie leaves her to find Alloy. She goes to his office and enters, it is mostly all put together now.
“Alloy, is there something bothering you that has to do with the final cost of things?” She asks him directly.
“A little, it's not such a big deal...” He says, not sounding too sure.
“It's something isn't it?” She closes his office door.
“Yes..” Alloy admits.
“I'm sorry we overspent, I thought it would've been helpful.”
“Sweetie, it's not the money that you spent today that concerns me, it's my father.” Alloy says.
“What do you mean?”
“As you may know, he's the one with all the money, not me. I do have some money, saved up from working in old E.S.S and some from working with my father. Anyways, I used his money to buy this place, so I'm just a little worried on how I'm going to pay back his investment.”
“That's what the construction business is for...now I understand” Sweetie sits.
“Yes, I hope it'll generate enough to satisfy him. The money you spent today was my personal money so don't worry about it. It just reminded me of the money I owe my father is all..”
“If you need help, you got us to help. Besides we're all in it together.”
“How has your financial situation been since we left old E.S.S if may ask?”
“It's...well, it's been a little tight. I've been living off my savings ever since our last check came in. Lyra works some, so it's made it easier for us.”
“Okay, I just wanted to know you guys were okay. Has adding Sugar into your household made it more difficult, if so I can pay you for her living there.”
“Oh not at all, we're fine the way things are.”
“Good. I'll be here if you need me, make sure the workers get everything rightly organized.” Alloy says. Sweetie nods and leaves his office room.
After another hour or so the workers leave the office just as Jackson arrives at the place. He enters and looks around. Sugar is already at her post at the front desk, still organizing a few things.
“You're Jackson right? I saw you when Celestia spawned you next to us at the castle. We haven't had a chance to officially meet, my name's Sugar Belle.”
“Nice to meets you Miss Sugar, you must be that new girl Alloy found for the agency. I remember you too from the whole Celestia thing”
“You must be looking for Alloy right?”
“Just about to ask, you know where he is?”
“I believe he's at his office, I'll take you to him.” Sugar rises from her seat and leads him to Alloy's office. She knocks on the opened door.
“Come in” Alloy tells them. He looks up and sees Jackson and smiles. Sugar leaves them alone.
“Hey hey, look at this place! It looks good, though there are no vending machines.” Jackson starts. The do their handshake.
“I'm glad you found this place, we have a lot to go over, take a seat friend”
Jackson sits, “Ah feels comfortable, this design looks a bit..uh girly but feels great”
“Heh, yeah, I had my staff pick out all the furniture.”
“Oh yeah they're all female, lucky you” He winks. Alloy rolls his eyes.
“Mhmm, whatever you imply my friend. Now to more serious business.”
“Ready for anything drop it on me bro”
“Firstly, and most importantly, I have had contact with Notts and have been at his new place with his gang. I've taken one contract to eliminate a guy and completed it, so I'm now welcomed there. My true intention there is to stop his plans to take out the royalty”
“That dirty scum. I never liked Notts, he always gave off a negative vibe. We're gonna kill'em right?”
“I thought about that but his gang looks pretty tough and it'll be hard to get him alone and for none of them to notice.”
“That's not good. Has he given you any other missions?”
“Not of late, but if he does I need to answer his call”
“Man, this is going to be hard. I'm with you all the way man.”
“I know, thank you Jackson. I want you to watch my back, I doubt Nott's going to contact you, so when I go out on a mission for him, I need you to be ready to respond.”
“Will do, where's the place located at?”
“A wine place in Cantorlot, I'll give you the address later.”
“When are we going to start hiring the construction dudes?”
“We'll start tomorrow, right now there's another thing I need to tell all our agents.” Alloy presses a button on his office phone and goes on the intercom and says, “All members report to my office” He turns it off.
“Nice do I get one too?” Jackson asks with a smiles.
“I think every office has one” Alloy assures him. The agents enter the room.
“Ready to tell us about that thing you mentioned earlier?” BonBon ask.
“Exactly why I called ya'll up here. Now, earlier today while you three were shopping, Celestia appeared before me again and told me about a disaster in the Rainbow Factory occurring tomorrow. She asked us to find out who causes it.”
“I can go” Sweetie immediately says.
“That was quick” Sugar comments.
“I've been wanting to go on a real mission for a while, this is my chance to get back in the game.” Sweetie smiles.
“BonBon, take Sugar with you, so she can begin her field work” Alloy suggest. Sweetie nods.
“You guys think I'm ready for this? Where's this rainbow factory anyways? In the sky? How are we supposed get up there..?”
“Don't be nervous Sugar, we have a spell for standing on clouds” Sweetie replies.
“Be careful, if you get off the clouds you'll fall down.” Alloy warns.
“I'll arrange for a few pegasi to transport us there” Sweetie says, “As well as revise that spell, it's been a while since I've used it” She leaves.
“I'll go too! I can fly so if someone falls, I'll catch them.” Muffins says with glee. All nod.
“Well, that's it then.” Alloy sits down. Everyone leaves except Jackson.
“What are we going to do then?” He asks.
“You can start organizing you office room, it's in the front of the offices since you'll be in charge of the construction ponies.” Alloy answers.
“And you? What are you going to do?”
“I still haven't decided. I want to go back with Notts and possibly try getting to know the other's skills.”
“Dangerous stuff, you want me to come along?”
“Nah, on later missions yes, but for now I have it under control.” Alloy says.
“Alright then, take care fool” Jackson grins and leaves. Alloy leans back in his chair and rubs his eyes. He was secretly stressed about these things that were going on, he decided to go alone because he was afraid that his friends would be harmed. He had not mentioned going back to Cantorlot to Sugar, BonBon, or Muffins for fear that something would happen. That's why he felt lucky that Celestia had came to give them a mission, it would give the others something to do while he took care of the more dangerous work.
He glances over to his door and notices Sugar looking in, “Yes Sugar, you needed something?”
“Kind of...I was just, um wondering what you were going to do?” She says quickly.
“Nothing much, just install cameras, organize a few things, and plan out our next move.”
“Oh, so you're..busy?”
“Not at the moment”
“Okay” She comes in and sits, “I wanted to tell you something”
“Go ahead” Alloy says calmly.
“I'm afraid of going up there tomorrow...it's high right..?”
“Yes, it's kind of high in the sky. I'm also not a big fan of heights myself.” He clears his throat, “Don't worry, Muffins and BonBon have your back, they'll make sure nothing happens.”
“I know..but, maybe I can stay here?”
“You could, but this is field work, we don't get missions often so I'd like you to build up some experience. So when big things happen, you'll be prepared” Alloy says.
“I-I guess you're right..” Sugar says.
“Here at E.S.S we have our different talents, Muffins likes to make muffins, BonBon, she has her candy cutie mark, I like to build things. We should remember that. What I'm trying to say is that if you're nervous you should try to bake, it might relax you and give you something to do. Besides, I've missed your food” Alloy smiles.
“You're right” She smiles as well, “I should bake, maybe that's what I've been missing!” She runs off, then comes back, “Oh and thank you!” She goes off again. Alloy sits back down and reflects on what he said, closing his eyes slowly falling asleep.
End of Chapter 10.