The rookie caught one. Some stallion on the thirteenth floor couldn't bear to go on, and skipped the elevator. On a normal day, this would have been an honest hour's work, and we could tip some bottles.
But who am I kidding? There aren't many normal days left, these days.
"Where's the body?" I asked.
"See, that's the thing," he griped, making fancy gestures. "There ain't none. Just this chalk outline. Whaddaya think happened?"
A voice rang out from the mouth of the alley, saying, "The boss wanted us to keep things rated E." It was Brass Ankle, enforcer in the Manehattanite mafia - North side, that is. "But between you and me, Tracer Bullet, I was never good at keeping things family friendly." He and the goons at his flanks had beaters on hoof, and the butt of a repeater stuck out of Brass' jacket.
The rookie was scared. Well, maybe it was time to introduce them all to the veteran. He was very close to my heart - down and to the left, to be specific. He may not have looked the meanest, and he might have had a habit of starting arguments, but he was just as good at finishing them, too.
By the time the ringing in my ears died down, we'd been out of there a while. Didn't seem like anypony was following us. And that was okay by me. Easier to light matches when you weren't running for your life.
"What the hay just happened," the rookie gasped. He was too exhausted to use a question mark. "We just - you just-"
"We survived," I told him, and gave him a spear, lit it as he took a puff. "That's good enough in this town."
"Is that what happens?" he asked. "Is that how this goes down? How do you do it, Tracer?"
I took a long draw of spearmint. It was cold, like the night air, and the smoke blew away quick. "A day at a time, rookie..."
The title hung above us.
"A day at a time."
And now we're at detective-style Film Noir. Tracer almost reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes.
i.pinimg.com/originals/5b/cc/c1/5bccc171ad5c286a76a024eb7090a645.gif
Edit: Looking back at this chapter, the entire name "Tracer Bullet" is used. I thought it was just Tracer and that I made a connection with less information than necessary.
Unexpected Calvin & Hobbes crossover, but a welcome one.
Very nice Calvin and Hobbes reference.
...Wait... Did the short description change or was it always that?
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I'd guess that it changed.
5:35
Q: What genre is this story?
A: Yes.
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I mean, it was kind of a consistent story for a bit, then it just spiraled out of control.
5:31
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It's been changing, here's all the previous ones I'm aware of.
"Sounds pretty serious!" Hour 24
"Still a ways away, but I wouldn't stick around if I were you." Hour 18~
"That's half a day - closer than you'd think!" Hour 12
"I'm not sure that's what they mean by 'eleventh hour', but it's still bad." Hour 11
"Less than half a day left..." Hour 10
"Not enough time to roast a turkey." Hour 6 (current)
It has come to my attention that some parts of the story are exploding prematurely.
The situation remains under control, but you may want to equip your shrapnel vests and proceed to the nearest fallout shelter in an orderly fashion.
You know. Just in case.
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The artwork of the characters is disappearing!
SOMEONE CALL IN THE BOMB SQUAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
👮🚓🚓🚔👮
Ooh, neat, a gritty crime drama! And it's E-rated. Does this story turn into "Fallout: Equestria" after it explodes? We'll find out in 3:04.