Finding the windows to Chancellor Fishberry's office was no trouble. Opening them was even less so. Within a minute, Rainbow Dash was crouching nimbly on the black-and-white tiled floor of the room. She squinted across the dark-lit interior, spotting a desk resting up against the wall. Much like Sharp Quill's, there were parchment and sheets of paper strewn all over.
“These deer aren't very fastidious,” Rainbow Dash muttered. “Or else, they're very distracted.”
She trotted across the room, slid aside a stool, and hovered up at the desk's level. Her eyes squinted across the multiple, multiple sheets.
“Nrnnnnghhh... wish sneaking didn't have to involve so much reading.”
She nevertheless raised a hoof to her pendant, giving it a slight rub. A crimson light shone across the sheets as she rummaged through them. She saw mostly memos and notifications related to the Council itself. For the first few layers of material, Rainbow couldn't spot something that resembled the stuff found in Sharp Quill's chamber.
“Your hunch is starting to look less and less hunchy, Arcanista,” Rainbow whispered aloud. “Only thing she seems to be guilty of is being a slob—”
Her words cut off as she glanced to the side. The entire desk was a cluttered mess, save for one corner that was ever-so-slightly cleared off. There, she spotted a drawer with a handle. The wooden finish was marred with hoofmarks, suggesting that someone commonly came into contact with that part of the desk alone.
“Hmmmm...”
Rainbow reached for the drawer and gave the handle a tug. It refused to budge. Hovering closer with her crimson light, she spotted a remarkably polished bolt-lock holding the drawer shut.
“Of course.”
Biting her lip, Rainbow looked around... and around. She spotted a metal paperweight on the desk, and then—across the room—a supply closet. Zipping over, she opened the closet and rummaged through.
“Ah ha!” Grinning, Rainbow Dash hovered back out, gripping a heavy toolbox. “Nnngh!” She placed it down and opened the lid. Immediately, she spotted a hammer. Smirking, she grabbed it in one hoof, flew back to the desk, and picked up the paper weight.
“Once you have the skystone secured, use it to properly fuel your armada,” the general said, pacing before the goblins and their skiff. “Bring the extra reserve here. We'll let you through, just like we did overnight. Assuming there is no trouble in the interim that'll require the vessel you've brought now, then we'll have all three ships at our disposal to bring about fresh change to Val Roa.”
“And just what sort of 'trouble' might you be speaking of?” asked the lead goblin.
While the conversation continued, Roarke slowly snuck her way inside the skiff. It was obvious from the conversation that the miniature transport was not only going to return to the battleship soon, but be used for a trip back into Cartel lands. The metal mare realized that she needed to be on board to see where it all would lead.
“There is reason to believe that foreigners have entered Val Roa Proper.”
“What's that to us?”
“They possess knowledge that could be destructive to our cause. If they were to make a move against us, we'll need more than the Soul Sentries to silence them.”
“You're talking about the Noble Jury, aren't you?”
“Don't concern your crew with the enemy until we tell you to pursue them.”
“Heh. We're not disposable drool-jobs like your sentries, Saikano. These are the imps in Haman's employ, not Val Roan soldiers.”
“If you want to hold any power over Val Roa, then you're going to have to make some concessions. Is that understood?”
“Hmmmf. Whatever. So long as this profits the Cartel in the end. We're already having to enslave our own peasants to get this shit taken care of with the Lounge.”
Roarke glanced at the main conversation, lingered slightly, then snuck on into the skiff's dark interior.
“This is one of the guest balconies, Your Highness,” spoke a servant as she trotted alongside Prince Eine. Together with the royal fawn's entourage, they entered the large round Council Chamber that echoed with Chancellor Fishberry's booming voice. “Wouldn't you rather sit alongside the Chancellor during the deliberation?”
“I appreciate the suggestion,” Eine said in an airy tone. “But it's best that my presence not be announced until it is absolutely necessary.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness, your arrival has not been a secret for minutes now.”
“Even still...” The fawn took a seat, smiling calmly as he stared out upon the sea of delegates' faces. “I could use a moment like this.”
“Your Majesty...?”
“To sit back and observe a Val Roan function with complete objectivity,” Eine said. “If I sat with the likes of Fishberry or Sharp Quill, I just know they're going to give me an ear-full of advice.” He sighed. “As King of Val Roa, I'm going to find myself having to rely less and less on the wisdom of others. If this is the best way for me to 'learn', then so be it.”
The servant bowed. “As you wish, Your Highness.”
“Besides...” He smiled, gazing up at the Chancellor's balcony where several strange guests sat. “It would appear that another member of royalty has already taken the favored spot.”
“Remember...” Arcanista lowered her muzzle close to Kera's head. “Say only what you've rehearsed,” she whispered so that only the filly could hear. “Keep it short, but eloquent. Feel free to inject your play 'accent,' but don't go overboard with it.”
“Yeah.” Ebon leaned in. “None of that silly stuff you said back in the cactus garden.”
Arcanista glared at Ebon.
Ebon bit his lip, shrinking away with drooped ears.
“Do you understand?” Arcanista asked.
“Yeah yeah, I understand,” Kera muttered beneath the sound of Fishberry's prattling on. “This is all just about stalling time, anyways, right?”
“Absolutely,” Arcanista said with a nod. “But the Council Meeting itself is accomplishing that for the most part. The fact that we are all seated here is misdirection enough.”
“Shouldn't I... like...” Kera squirmed in her princess gown. “...m-mention something about the fact that this country is being overtaken by Chrysalis and—”
“Nothing of the sort!” Arcanista whispered hoarsely. “That would be most detrimental!”
“Why?” Kera frowned. “As Noble Jurists, we should be doing everything we can for these deerfolk! The way I see it, calling Chrysalis out is the one way to get her feathers ruffled—”
“We must not draw any more undue attention on ourselves than necessary,” Arcanista said. “It's imperative that we stick to the plan.”
“Right...” Kera nodded with a sigh. “Just... be plain... be simple... be princessy.”
“And if you feel like you're stumbling at all in your speech...” Arcanista nodded towards Ebon. “Allow your 'advisor' to interject as 'interpreter.' It will help us later on during the Council Banquet to make it look like your knowledge of Val Roan basic is limited.”
“Uh huh.”
“Your moment's coming up,” Arcanista said, nudging Kera as Fishberry finished her speech to the sound of applause. “We're counting on you, princess.”
“Break a leg,” Ebon said with a smile.
“Mrnnff...” Kera stood up, cracking the joints in her neck. “I'll break your leg.” She smiled in timely fashion, just as Fishberry turned to look at her.
“And now...” Chancellor Fishberry's voice crackled across the Council's speaker system. “...it is my honorable pleasure to introduce the royal delegate from the Far West of whom I've spoken so much about. Does and bucks of the Val Roan High Council, please lend your ears and antlers to the radiant and honorable Princess Kera Tin Mehjj of the Xonan Empire.”
The Council Chamber roared with pounding hooves and applause.
Gracefully, Kera stepped up to the podium, squinting into the lights, lights, and more lights all shining upon her. She gulped, stood up straight, and took a deep... deep breath—
CL-CLANK!
Rainbow Dash repeatedly hammered the paper weight that was propped up against the bolt lock holding the drawer shut.
“Come on... one or two more should do it...”
CLACK! CL-CLANK! SMACK! And finally—CRACK! The bolt snapped free, tearing the handle off as well.
“Shazam!” She dropped the hammer and paperweight, pulling the drawer wide open. Squinting, she looked inside, finding a cluster of maps and other sheets of paper. Unlike the mess atop the desk, these were neatly folded, and the edges were frayed—suggesting constant handling. “Where's your head at, Fishberry?” She pulled the sheets out and flipped through them. She stopped at one spot, squinting at a title. “'Lemuel Tundra...'” She pursed her lips. “There it is again. Just like in Sharp Quill's office.” She flipped and flipped through the sheets. “But just what is the friggin' connection...?!”
“Is there any message you stupid reindeer want us to give the lizards from the southwest swamps?” asked the lead goblin behind Roarke as she made her way inside the skiff. “You're as much a part of this agreement as Haman is.”
“The less business we have to do with the Lounge, the better,” said Saikano. “Once Val Roa is secured from the inside, and the Cartel has taken their share, we'll catch the naga unaware.”
“You mean to suggest a cowardly backstab when they're most vulnerable?”
“If you would wish to describe it as such, yes.”
Roarke paused, glancing back at the bow of the ship upon hearing that.
“Heheheheh... there's hope for you tree-headed bastards after all.”
“Keep your amusement to yourself. Leave and come back with the skystone. My forces will be waiting to assist you in any way possible.”
“Now that's a friggin' change.” The goblin gestured towards his counterparts. “Take us up, boys! We've got an errand to run. It's a shitty errand, but one we've gotta do! Now move it!”
Holding her breath, Roarke spun around to scurry towards the rear of the cabin and hide. She bumped right into a limping goblin.
“...!” The mare froze in place.
The goblin stared back at her. He leaned on a crutch while a wooden prosthetic with a hook dangled loosely from his shoulder.
“Jex? Jex?!” The goblin leader snarled as he and the others marched into the cabin. “Did you hear me, runt?! Crank up those damn engines already!”
“...” Jex frowned into Roarke's helmet.
The metal mare tightened her muscles as the cabin around her filled with goblin footsteps.
“Come on... come on...” Rainbow Dash gnashed her teeth. At last, her eyes brightened. “Bangarang! Coordinates!” Her ruby eyes reflected a trio of numbers scribbled across a small page. “...but to what?” She turned it over. On the other side of the sheet was a tiny map illustrating the arctic regions to the far north. A dark layer occupied the latitude just above the bold “X.” “Is... is that a skystone field?” She chewed on her lip. “What are these ponies doing at the roof of the world?”
Nevertheless, Rainbow Dash was certain she had gotten what she came for. Briskly, she folded up the sheet of paper with the coordinates and slid it tight beneath the loop of her pendant.
“Better bring this to the Duchess. She knows this part of the world way more than I do.” She pulled out the next sheet from the drawer. It bore the illustration of reptilian eels. “These things again? What the buck...”
Just then, the room lit up.
A green light.
“Uhhh...” Rainbow turned and pivoted towards the front door to the office.
It hung wide open, and four reindeer marched in, numbly, their eyes glowing a clear emerald. The sentries stood in place, like a solid phalanx. Behind them, a servant trembled.
“There! In th-there! I knew I heard a noise in the Chancellor's office!”
“Uhhhhhh...” Rainbow Dash hovered in place, twitching. She smiled and waved. “Maid service?”
All four guards' emerald mana flew from their eyes into their antlers before launching across the room at the pegasus.
FL-FLASH!
BLUE SPAH IN THE BASE.
SHE IS TAKING THE INTELLIGENCE.
I was waiting for this to happen it was inevitable really. Now to just see how (or if) they both get away.
nighthacks.com/roller/jag/resource/ShitHitsFanMediumT.png
Yeah...nothing says "cover blown" or "intruder alert" like forced entry...
Well, if anyone needed any further proof, Saikano definitely confirmed.
It is beginning to happen.
Pissing off the Lounge is inadvisable, guys...It's gonna make this even more of a shitstorm if it somehow happens around the time of the big battle.
Oh...fuck...
Oh, double fuck.
I see what you did there!
For some reason, I read that as "minotaur".
It's a pity we haven't seen more of them since Windthrow.
The skystone field that the Lounge wanted to mine with Stratopolis?
Well, I don't know how many there are, but I assume it's the same.
Tundra, Skystone and Eels, oh my.
I had a bad feeling when Rainbow started making all that ruckus with the hammer, and sure enough...
Also, wouldn't be something if Jex became an ally?
5283916
Wait, I thought they made those fields go boom with Stratopolis to kill the smooze. I think these are a different field. Or maybe the field is ginourmous? This is also like an entire continent away from that incident.
!
[youtube=2P5qbcRAXVk]
It continues to begin
Roarke vs a goblin armada? Those poor goblins.
Rainbow vs 4 soul sentries? Those poor deer.
Eine vs Kera? That poor kings heart.
And I still don't trust Arcanista...
These cliffs, man, they're killing me... I dread the red stains the ponies could become if they were to stop hanging from them...
welp... fudge... again.
Stop flying east you stupid bitch.
5283949
Ah, I think you are right. My bad.
5284179
Heresy!
Welp..... 1 out of 3 ain't bad....though there's still room for Kera to slip up due to her nerves.
oh look, a qoute showing how much Dash has grown mentally, and reminding us she isn't the same Rainbow
oh look, a qoute contradicting that same idea
three sentences later......
also, Jex is totally going to help Roarke, just feeling it
not in a "join the Jury" way, but more a "fuck these twats, I don't care anymore" sorta way
and finally, havin a nervous feeling that Dash is going to get dragged off, and Fishberry is going to get informed in the middle of this meeting
if she plays it smart she will make it look like she has no conection (or make Arcanista take the fall as simply sending a servant to do some dirty work.....)
5275717 Girl, have you even MET me?
If it is alive, sapient, and has an adoracute rating of at least 1.21 gigacutes, it is immediately eligible for free release-day shipping with Equestria Speedy Shipping Services, or your money back!
5283859
Don't worry
Pyros are on the scene.
5284179
Easthorse gonna east, bitch.
Its Happening!!!
Aww crap
Double crap.
Well, so much hanging from cliffs.
I hope the Jury, in their intent to stop Cheesy, don't ruin Saikano's coup d'état that only has the purpose of removing the corrupt and helping the provinces again.
She really isn't good at this sneaking thisg is she
Overthrow the government, crush the nuetral state, and destroy outsiders. Something tells me Chrissy isn't pulling all the string.
I swear, if Fishberry, Saikano, and Sharp Quill all just have comms earpieces, we are all going to have so much egg on our faces.
5284642
Chrissy doesnt hve to pull strings if this is the set up, unless she has been working for years, ajusting a maid here, scandalising a third nephew there, raising the split between haves and have nots, making teh place appear smooth on the surface, but with a whole bubbling toxic sludge beneath just waiting for the correctly applied spark for it all to explode in changeling fueling hate and conflict.
With Rourke, we will likely find out very quickly that Jex makes a rubbish sleeper agent, and that Soul Sentries have capabilities in speed of reflex and quantity of manipulation to handle a suprising amount of missile, smoke, and flechettes. Make them keep their shields up for the officers, blind them to reduce targeting accuracy then shock wave causes disruption to spells and targeting while she grabs the transport and moves. ?
For Dash? Red strobe verses maigical power green eyes, combined with extreme speed and agility. If she cant get out o the window due to flying down the beams, the most obvious way is to run the guns, get through them before they can fully charge up, through the door where lines of sight are restricted in hall ways, and start causing chaos. This of curse will lead to Dash entering the Council Chamber, possibly with a Boom, just as Kera is called out by someone already having a spare Xonan hidden under their seat or such like.
Meanwhile, Prowse and the Xonan Battlefleet will be approaching the Outer Limits of Val Roan controlled airspace? And the jury will be putteing along on giant hamster wheel powered steam, given the book will have reached not just the appendix but the references and quickly proceeding through the thanks.
Silly Dash. With what happened in the mail room, you shouldve pointed to the side, and shouted. SQUIRREL.
Philip, Daniel and Oswald would all like to have a word with you. (Lol nobody gets it)
With all this technology, you'd think Roarke's suit would have an invisibility cloak or something.
Well, looks like Jex's our new jurist.
This is looking increasingly like a local coup, but to what end? Money and skystone can't be the desired outcome, neither is power, these three deer already run Val Roa in all but name. Unless they want absolute power without looking like they're the bad actors they are; they could have Prince Ein killed easily and rule with the Soul Sentry army backing them up. What prompted all this? Need more data!
I think an interested third party assisted by enchanting the conspirators to share a hive mind, wonder who that was? Someone who wants to manufacture as much suffering as possible?
Was getting rid of Floyd was an early step in this? It certainly gave Arcanista some more power and a rallying cry.
Also someone better tell Prowse about Princess Kera so their cover doesn't fall apart, anymore than it already has.
!
5285837
Just after the FL-FLASH!, I scrolled down into this ad.
i.imgur.com/OqmjcqV.png
I don't know why, but that exact face after that exact moment just made me laugh.
A lot.
It's weird.
fly far fly fast!
5284179
5284355
derpicdn.net/media/W1siZiIsIjIwMTIvMDcvMDUvMDBfMzBfMzBfNjAxXzMxOTA3X19zYWZlX2FwcGxlamFja193YXJoYW1tZXJfNDBrX2hlcmVzeSJdXQ/31907__safe_applejack_crossover_reaction%2Bimage_warhammer%2B40k_artist-colon-miketheuser_imperium_heresy_inquisitor_inquisition.png
5284413 Yeah what she said. Also shipping is fun and foals are adorable.
Aaaand order 66 is being executed. I actually suspect Kera to spill the beans after all. C'mon, SOME kind of classical trope needs to be in here...
5285837 http://vocaroo.com/i/s08YtLBGCjJf
The struggle is real.
It's happening!
So, a Xanatos gambit involving the Triumvirate, Chrysalis, and the Noble Jury. Goal: Enough emotional surges to feed her power to and take off to the other side because she can no longer rely on her children and expect them to be able to hunt her down.
They are both being manipulated in another's Xanatos Gambit which will result in a gambit pileup. I'm kind of glad half my appearance in this story was brief. I'm very glad I got an appearance at all, much less two of them.
Clever lemur. Chrysalis isn't the big bad in this story, only a stepping stone.
I smell a redemption arc for jex there. Maybe a new jurist or a replacement?
This is starting to go bad, very bad. Rainbow, why did you have to be so loud?
-Spirit
One the one hand, the goblin command has screwed Jex, but it was all thanks to the Jury. Now, I wonder if Jex will simply give up and help out or take the chance he has to get revenge. In the mean time, I hope that these Soul Sentries don't mess everything up.
5289159 Expired or deleted
and then everything went straight to hell
the end
If the goblins get the skystone, their ships get better. The lounge is providing it (and help in the attack, most likely) at a steep price. Saikano is letting them in, and fishberry helped set it up. That's my theory so far.
5283859
Spah sappin' mah Soul Sentry.
Also, incoming KeraEine?
I do have to wonder what a tool box was doing in Fishberry's closet. Unless she has to repair things a lot I don't see it getting much use.
07/09/2017
16:49 UTC