//------------------------------// // For the Record // Story: The Agency // by PseudoFiction //------------------------------// The Agency’s underground headquarters wasn’t particularly big, but it was packed with plenty of features. The main room was the command centre of course, from which Gript Façade oversaw every Agency operation. Tech Savvy had her own workshop off to one side. They had a small kitchen that doubled as a mess. Gripty even had her own office. Operative word being had. First Lieutenant – now ‘Director’ – Nightgazer wasted no time taking that room over for herself the moment she set hoof in the HQ. Finally, the ponies of the Agency had their very own interrogation room, complete with a one-way mirror through which agents could observe an interrogation from the observation booth. It was in the interrogation room that Agent Dynamic Force sat on a stool at the single metal table in the centre. Above him hung a bare lightbulb and directly ahead of him sat another stool, behind which he stared at his own reflection. He wore his ‘Guard on duty’ expression with the faintest glimmer of an oblivious grin. Being the only private space in Agency headquarters, Dynamic understood why Nightgazer was using this room for her interviews. But sitting on the wrong side of the table was unsettling anyway. The door opened and the new director trotted in, casually kicking the door shut behind her. Sliding a set of magenta folders out from under one of her bat-like wings, Nightgazer placed them on the table and sat down opposite Dynamic Force. His expression didn’t waver. “Agent Dynamic Force,” Nightgazer greeted, breaking the silence. “That’s my name, ma’am. Don’t wear it out, or you’ll have to buy me a new one.” The mare quirked an eyebrow. “Uh-huh.” Looking down she blankly flicked open the top folder which Dynamic saw had his name printed on it. “And where did Gript Façade find you, then?” “Royal Guard, ma’am.” “How did you end up there?” “Same way every Guard does, ma’am. Too many idiots, not enough villages.” Nightgazer looked up to check if he was joking. His serious expression took her completely off guard. Blinking a few times, the mare looked down again and turned the page to his family history. “It says here that you were born in Cloudsdale and have one little brother,” she said and Dynamic Force nodded. “Then that magic file would be right, ma’am.” “Tell me about him.” “My brother or Cloudsdale?” Frowning, Nightgazer said, “Your brother of course.” “Brute Force is a good colt. We grew up together. Went to school together. Even joined the Guard together.” Dynamic Force’s smile spread proudly. “He’s still in the Royal Guard as a matter of fact. Little dude transferred to the new Twilight Guard and everything.” “Your brother is also an earth-pony, is that correct?” When Dynamic nodded, Nightgazer continued to say, “How does that work exactly if you lived on Cloudsdale?” “You’d be surprised how handy a couple of helium balloons can be.” “Is that how you got around Cloudsdale?” Nightgazer dropped on him. She didn’t say anything for a short time, then elaborated; “It says here you failed flight school, Dynamic Force.” Without even flinching or pausing, Dynamic nodded. “Oh, yeah. I totally did fail.” That took Nightgazer completely by surprise, and she stared for a moment with her mouth hanging open. Dynamic Force’s eyes even flicked down a little to take note of it before he looked up at her eyes again. Pegasi took extreme pride in their flight school scored. A pegasus who failed flight school isn’t a real pegasus; or so they usually said. Especially in Cloudsdale. Yet sitting before her was a pegasus – a Cloudsdale pegasus no less – who didn’t seem to care either way. In fact he even openly admitted failing without attempting to lie or divert the conversation. “Uh… you’re… you’re not ashamed?” Nightgazer asked slowly, half expecting the pegasus colt to have burst into tears of shame by now. Dynamic just shrugged. “Why would I be ashamed?” Nightgazer scoffed, unable to help herself. “You’re a pegasus!” “I don’t follow.” Blinking a few times, Nightgazer looked lost between Dynamic and his file for a moment. “Why did you join the Royal Guard?” Nightgazer asked, changing the subject. Technically, she had asked the question already, just in a different way. And theoretically, if Dynamic Force was smart enough he’d answer the same way no matter how many times she rephrased the same question. Of course, this is Dynamic Force we’re talking about. “Something to do, I guess,” Dynamic answered, either not knowing the question was a repeat, or simply not caring. “Pop was a guard. Brute was itching to join. So I signed up with him. And mom always said I had a powerful set of legs on me, just like grandma. When the Guard figured out I could run faster than most pegasi fly they suddenly didn’t care about my wings. They put me in the fast ground recon division and I’ve been rocking the gold armour ever since.” “And any idea why you failed your flight exam?” “Dunno.” Dynamic Force shrugged casually. “You seem quite interested in my flight exam, ma’am. Is there something I’m missing?” “No. No, it’s nothing. I was just curious.” Closing Dynamic’s file she slid it aside, then replaced it with another file on the top of the pile. This one was labelled as the Agency’s recruitment records. “So, tell me about how Gript Façade found you. What made you special over the other candidates for the task force?” “Oh, she didn’t find me.” “No?” “Nope! I volunteered. I was the only one too. Sarge came up to me one day and told me there was a good job opening. But it was super dangerous and might well be the end of me. I signed up on the spot.” Nightgazer raised her eyebrows and checked the file to be sure. And right before her, in a lot more words, was a transcript of the very same story. That made the director smile a little. “You’re very brave, Dynamic Force,” she said, impressed. The colt chortled. “Either that or really stupid. Gripty said that to me once.” “Gripty.” Nightgazer considered the nickname for a moment, then said, “You and Gript Façade have nicknames for each other?” “Sure. She calls me ‘Dummy’ sometimes.” “Right. And you’re good friends?” Dynamic Force nodded. “Of course.” “What about Tech Savvy?” “We’re friends too.” Nightgazer placed a different file on the top of the pile. This one was labelled as Gript Façade’s. She asked as she flicked it open; “What do you think of Gript Façade as your superior?” “She’s been a good director. She’s always put the good of Equestria first. She really likes making sure there’s nothing out to hurt ponies.” “Even though she has been completely disregarding the Agency’s founding task of locating Queen Chrysalis?” Nightgazer said going through Gript’s operation’s profile. Not one of them involved a solid lead on their original target. “Sometimes other things just get in the way,” Dynamic Force explained. “And Gript Façade says Chrysalis hasn’t reared her ugly head in a very long time. She’s running scared. She’s probably never coming back.” “Do you agree with Gript Façade?” “No,” Dynamic said plainly, taking Nightgazer by surprise again. But he explained by adding, “But I do trust her.” Nightgazer nodded slowly, then closed her files and shuffled them into a neat stack between her hooves. “Alright then. It’s been… interesting, talking to you, Agent Dynamic Force. You can go.” Looking up from her paperwork, Nightgazer realised Dynamic Force had been keeping the same general expression throughout the interview. He was a Guard all right. But even now, being dismissed, he didn’t seem to move. Realising what was going on, Nightgazer sighed and reached down to something she’d been hiding under her wing the entire time. “Princess Celestia told me this might happen. Here.” Her hoof came up holding a lollipop. The field agent’s expression suddenly changed and Dynamic Force gave a happy ‘squee!’ Taking the lollipop, he tore off the wrapper and popped it in his mouth before bounding out of the interrogation room like a little colt being told he was going to the playground. Shaking her head, but smiling none the less, Director Nightgazer tucked her files under her wing and moved after the pegasus. In the command room she met with the other ponies of the Agency. She had already interviewed Gript Façade and Tech Savvy. And while every pony had already proven their capabilities with a fairly decent operational background, Nightgazer felt a little disappointment. “Well your operational success is poor. Your equipment leaves a lot to be desired and your field agent is severely outnumbered in the field,” Nightgazer stated, making Gript Façade unleash a haughty laugh. “Well let’s see how well you do with our budget.” “No need,” Nightgazer replied with a similarly haughty sniff. “I know a pony in Royal Guard R&D. I’m also bringing int some support for Agent Dynamic Force, ponies I’ve worked with before in the past.” There was a knock on the basement door, right on cue. Tech Savvy sighed explosively “Isn’t this command centre supposed to be a secret, secure facility? How do ponies keep getting in without our knowing?” Dynamic Force shrugged. “Meh. Knowing is overrated. I’d rather not know. Makes things more exciting.” The door opened and two ponies trotted in. The first was an earth-pony mare with a light coat and her blue, fuchsia striped mane and tail ending in curls; one curl bobbing happily above her brow. A drop leg pouch on her hind leg partially obscured the three wrapped sweets that made her cutie mark, and the dark sunglasses made her serious expression all the more ominous. Following behind her was a polite looking pegasus colt who neatly closed the door behind them. He had a light orange coat of fur and a short mane and tail of two toned sapphire blue. His cutie mark was of a lightning bolt similar to Dynamic Force’s laid over a blue shield. “This is Special Agent Flash Sentry of the Crystal Guard,” Nightgazer introduced the pegasus first who snapped into a brisk salute. “He’s an infiltration specialist like Dynamic Force.” Done introducing the colt she turned to the earth-pony. “And this is Special Agent Sweetie Drops, a critical skills operator from the Canterlot Magical Beasts Containment Division.” Flipping the introductions, Nightgazer introduced the standing ponies of the Agency to the newcomers. “Special Agents, these are your new team mates. Chief of Operations Gript Façade will be handling mission planning and execution. Tech Savvy is in charge of gadgets and logistics,” – the unicorn smiled and waved – “and last but not least, Agent Dynamic Force will be joining you in the field.” Dynamic Force returned Flash Sentry’s smile and salute, but his expression showed he was still in awe at their initial introductions. “Whoa. You hear that, Tech? Special Agents,” he hissed to Tech Savvy. “You think Nightgazer will let me be a special agent?” Tech Savvy chuckled. “I think you’re probably ‘special’ enough already, Dynamic.” “Aww. Thanks, dude.” “You’re welcome, buddy.” Darkness was beginning to fall over Canterlot by the time Nightgazer finished showing Flash Sentry and Sweetie Drops around the headquarters and dismissed them all. She had an operation planned for them in the morning, so she sent them home to get some rest. The new director needed her field agents sharp and her support ponies ready for anything. Tech Savvy locked up the drycleaners that served as a front for their headquarters as per usual. Gript Façade was at the end of the street by the time Dynamic Force caught up to her. Looking down, she noticed he still had the lollipop stick in his mouth, sucking the last of the sugary flavour out of it. “Hey, Gripty. You headin’ home?” The mare nodded without answering. “Me too,” Dynamic continued to say. From any other pony it would have sounded like he was forcing a conversation, but somehow Dynamic Force managed to make it sound like a casual chat. “Unless you wanted to do something. Hey, there’s a new craze hitting restaurant row!” He pointed off down an adjacent street quite well known in Canterlot. The row was packed with restaurants of every colour and flavour. Chefs from all across Equestria and beyond came to restaurant row to test their mettle on the battlefield of flavour and atmosphere. “Apparently the ‘three hoof’ system was kicked out and now the food actually tastes like food. We could grab a bite to eat,” Dynamic Force suggested. Chewing the corner of her mouth as if she were considering it, Gript Façade didn’t answer again and just shook her head and hung her gaze low. Noticing her sigh, Dynamic looked thoughtful. Then an idea popped into his mind so hard it almost illuminated the darkening street. “Oooh! What about bowling? No? Wanna catch a show at the theatre? Hmmm. No, you’re right. That actually sounds boring.” Dynamic scratched his head, then finally said, “How about a drink? Lemonade’s on me tonight. Although… maybe not. I’d rather not get sticky.” Looking up from her mope, Gript Façade managed a little grin. He hadn’t even been meaning to make a joke. She knew full well he meant what he said, and that cheered her up a little. And albeit only a little, she more so appreciated the effort the colt was putting into cheering her up. “No thank you, Dynamic. I’m not very hungry,” Gript Façade admitted, finally breaking her silent streak. “Don’t you mean thirsty?” Yawning, Gript Façade rubbed her eyes with a hoof. “I mean I’m not in the mood. I guess I’m pretty tired too.” They stopped walking when they reached a T-junction. To the left were the rows of houses among which Gript Façade lived. To the right was an apartment block where Dynamic rented a room. Looking down the way that took him home, Dynamic felt a fat drop of water smack him in the nose. Looking at it, crossed-eyes for a moment he turned to Gript. Catching his expression, she giggled into her hoof. Grinning, it was soon Dynamic Force’s turn to chuckle when another drop hit Gript in the nose. The first few drops were joined by more, leaving wet spots on the pavement. “There’s no need to be upset about being demoted, you know,” he told her, reaching into his saddle bags and producing an umbrella that theoretically shouldn’t have been able to fit into the pocket. “You’ll always be a director to me, Gripty.” Popping the brolly open, Dynamic held it over the taller unicorn’s head and passed the handle into her hoof. More rain fell as the shower began opening up, pattering on the umbrella fabric and seeping into Dynamic’s coat and mane. “Chief of Operations Gript Façade does have a ring to it though, doesn’t it?” He rolled the lollipop stick like a cigar into the opposite corner of his mouth, then tipped a hoof to his brow. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Gripty.” Sitting alone in the street on the last patch of dry pavement, Gript Façade watched Dynamic walk towards home. He only paused to spit his lollipop stick into a trashcan, made a point to stomp in a gathering puddle just for fun, then happily trotted away through the rain as if the sun was shining. Gript Façade’s grin turned into a smile. “You make tomorrow worth seeing, Dynamic.”