//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes // by totallynotabrony //------------------------------// A line of chairs had been brought in for the crowd of ponies waiting to enter General Shining Armor’s office to be interviewed - or perhaps interrogated - about their role in the exercise. It was going to take all day and require considerable skill to sort out. The General didn’t do things halfway. Melon sat beside Mirror. She had a couple of folders in her hooves. The two of them were roughly in the middle of the line. It would be a while before either was called. “How do you think this is going to go?” she asked. Melon shook his head. “I don’t know, ma’am. I don’t think I did anything that would lead to jail time. I...do probably deserve some kind of disciplinary action. We didn’t exactly stick to the rules. But other circumstances might mitigate that. Maybe. I’m still the one most directly responsible.” “I think you’ll be fine,” Mirror assured him. “They’d have to explain why the stallion who was smarter than the whole guard was getting busted.” What about her? Mirror had been obviously insubordinate. Knowing her, she would probably answer his question if he asked, but should he? He debated it for a moment, but then lost his chance as Mirror said, “And no matter what I’m up against, I’ll take a few with me.” She showed him the contents of one of the folders. In the brief look that he got, Melon saw that one piece of paper was titled Taking Kickbacks. Among the names listed were Colonel Jockey and Captain Light. Mirror closed the folder. “Just a little personal project.” That was the same thing she had said about saving Wash Margin. Melon wondered about her motives. Based on what he had seen, he had no idea what her ultimate, overarching plan was. “Ma’am...what did we do?” She turned to face him and raised her eyebrows. Melon went on. “I mean, we broke all kinds of rules during the exercise. You put me in charge of the squad, but what kind of example was I setting?” He paused, but then spoke his mind. “What kind of example were you setting?” “Not the best one,” Mirror admitted. “My behavior aside, however, I didn’t force you to do anything that you did.” Melon looked at his hooves. “I tried to do what I thought you would have done. I wish I would have remembered sooner that I’m not you.” Mirror agreed. “You remember the objectives I sent you? I was telling you what I wanted, not how to do it.” “Yeah. I realized that, eventually. But I’m thinking about the half truths and mixed messages I told to the others in the meantime. What do they think of me?” “It’s good that you’re thinking about the next link in the chain,” said Mirror. “If you take care of your ponies, they’ll take care of you, no matter what they think about you.” Melon looked at her. “Is that your entire philosophy, ma’am?” “Would you be here right now if you only liked me for vanquishing sea monsters?” Melon considered it. “No ma’am, I guess not.” “You did a good job,” she said. “But I had every confidence that you would. I put you in for Sergeant. Princess Luna signed the authorization paperwork two days ago.” “Thank you, ma’am!” That would explain how she knew him when they kidnapped her, Melon thought. “They’re who you should be thanking.” Melon turned. “Here we are,” said Dew. Chalice eyed the line of ponies waiting for the General. “I’m glad we didn’t get called for this.” “No kidding,” added Scootaloo. Trixie looked around. “This is the first time Trixie has been in the castle since making the choice between jail or joining the guard.” “What are you all doing here?” Melon asked. “Lieutenant Mirror said there would be a surprise,” said Scootaloo. “Trixie told us about it on the way over.” “It was only a slight modification to my schedule to be here,” said Trixie. “Sergeant is a big deal, a real leadership position.” That was higher than Trixie had risen. Then again, she hadn’t cared about the job. But she cared about his job. Mirror raised a hoof. “Acting with the authority of Luna, Princess of Equestria, I hereby promote Corporal Melon Rind, Lunar Guard, to Sergeant, effective immediately.” The others politely but quietly applauded. A couple of bystanders waiting to be called for interview did too. Trixie took out a pair of Sergeant’s chevrons and replaced Melon’s rank. She had given him his Corporal insignia, too. “Thank you all,” said Melon. “I...couldn’t have done it without you.” And that, he realized, might be the truest thing he had ever said. The others finished congratulating him. Melon glanced at Mirror and then said to the others, “Go take some time to yourselves. You’ve earned it.” The Privates were agreeable and said goodbye. Trixie gave him a smile and went with them. The General’s aide opened the office door. “Next!”