It had turned into a glorious day while he had been busy inside Canterlot Palace. A clear blue sky allowed the warm sun to beam down, while a gentle breeze kept it from being unbearably hot. Birds sang as they wheeled overhead; each unique trill and chirp adding to the soft melody of nature. The smell of damp earth and rain mixed with the flowers of the gardens from the nearby town, creating an uplifting aroma.

Trudging through the brightly lit, crowded office, Jaze couldn't enjoy it. He was surrounded by Earth Coalition personnel rushing this way and that as they went about their duties. Many of the men and women offered him formal salutes as he brushed past, while a few gave more informal waves in his direction. He ignored them all as he made a beeline for his office. His boots crunched against the concrete flooring as he marched. He could still feel the papers tucked safely into the back pocket of his trousers.

They seemed to have transformed into lead. White hot lead that burned his skin through the thin fabric of his pants. The calligraphic print words seared through his mind, tearing away all other thoughts. Of course Celestia would drop this on him now, when there's so much work to be done. She seemed to revel in the chance to fluster him. If he had to guess, she was smirking as she went about her day. Surely she had to know the difficulties this would cause...

“Hey! Watch o... dammit!” a female voice yelled as Jaze bumped into something. Papers scattered around him as he looked up. Standing before him was a fuming woman. Her long, dark brown was pulled back into a neat bun atop her head, and she glared at him with intensely green eyes. Her features were gently rounded and soft. A simple, khaki blazer with a matching, knee length shirt utterly failed to hide her womanly figure.

“You bumbling grunt!” she barked as she slowly turned red in the face, “Who the hell do you think you are? Who the hell do you think I am?!” The woman bent at the waist, gathering up the scattered papers as she muttered, “Idiot Marine, not watching where he's going. Going to be late...”

Jaze knelt and helped gather the errant papers, speaking as softly and calmly as he could over his thudding heart. “I'm sorry, my mind was rather preoccupied. Name's....”

“I could care less!” hissed the woman, “You've made me late to a very important meeting, with someone so high on the totem pole you can't even see where he sits, boy.”

He felt his eyebrow twitch at her words, and his heart suddenly stilled. “Oh really?” he asked as he held out the small stack of papers, “And who would that be?”

She snatched the papers from his hand, shuffling them into the rest as she replied with a hint of a smirk, “One Jaze Armand, administrator of this... base, and former Colonel with the StarSide Marines.”

A tiny smile split Jaze's lips, making the woman's frown deepen. “You needed to meet mister Armand? I can show you to his office. It's the least I can do after my inattention caused you to be late. Though, I'm sure he won't mind tardiness.”

The woman rolled her eyes, and sighed, “Fine, lead the way. But if I end up in trouble, I'll make sure it's your backside the good Colonel takes a bite of.”

Smiling wider at the threat, Jaze strode forward towards his office. The woman fell into step behind him, glaring at anyone that happened to look their way. As they walked, he took the opportunity to study the young woman with quick, surreptitious glances. Despite her rather angry expression, he couldn't help but notice her beauty. She had a slight, confident sway to her walk as she observed everyone they passed. He kept catching the glances from many of the personnel they passed.

They passed down a short hallway from the lobby, and came to a small waiting area. A few, spartan, metal chairs and benches took up most the wall to his left, and the back wall. To his right, sat waist-high, long table and a water cooler. Taking up one corner of the back wall was a Marine sitting behind a simple, metal desk that was bolted to the floor. The aide looked up from a small stack of papers as Jaze and his follower entered, offering a small smile and wave. In the center of the wall was the door to his office. The plain, faux-wooden door had a new addition; a crude, handmade, steel plaque taped to the door that read: “JAZE ARMAND, PROFESSIONAL CHAIR WARMER”.

He looked to the Marine, and asked drily, “Why would you do that?”

The soldier barely managed to stifle a laugh. “Wasn't me sir. Made me promise not to tell, but I did try to stop her.”

Jaze nodded with a small grin. “I think I know who did it, and you made the right choice. Just don't let it happen again.”

“Aye sir.” Once more, the Marine's head dropped to his work.

The woman behind him gave a curious glance to the aide before cocking her head to Jaze. “What's this sir nonsense?”

Jaze let the tiny smile he had been wearing slide away as he stepped up to the door. He glanced over his shoulder, noting with some satisfaction that the confusion on the woman's face had become more apparent. In one smooth motion he twisted the handle and pushed, letting the portal swing wide as he stepped aside. Waving the young woman in, he stepped in behind her and quietly shut the door.

The windowless office was just as it had been when he left. An wooden desk and office chair only slightly more stylish than the soldier's outside his office dominated the back wall, with a mountain of papers neatly stacked on top of it. A monitor for receiving video-calls stood guard next to the heaps of paper and was currently blank. A pair of comfortably padded, fake-leather chairs sat in front of the desk, while both side walls were taken up by filing cabinets and shelving.

Jaze glided across the floor and stood behind the desk, pushing his chair back a bit out of the way as his arms crossed before him. With a nod at one of the other chairs, he ordered, “Now have a seat, and tell me why you're here.”

“Okay, who are you?” asked the woman, a touch of worry in her voice.

“Who do you think?”

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. Her low, desperate, strangled whisper barely eked out. “There's no way you're... I thought that Mr. Armand was a Colonel... You're way too young...”

“In my line of work, ma'am, assumptions can get you killed.” Jaze pulled his chair closer, and sank into it. He just managed to hold in a grateful sigh; even this felt comfortable. The day had only begun, and he was already tired.

Pointing towards the chair, he continued, “Now please, sit down. You seemed in such a hurry to meet with me, and I would like to know why. And just why you would be so rude to someone.”

“I-I am deeply sorry, Mr. Armand!” cried the woman. She practically fell into the chair as if she had become boneless. “I, I was just so worried about meeting with you, and I was already late because of the lack of a proper spaceport on this backwater dirtball, and I didn't actually know whom I was to be meeting, I was just given a name and location. I had no idea you'd be so young and...” Her features broke out in a deep, red flush. “Nor so handsome.”

“Flattery won't help much with me.” Jaze stated as he leaned back in his chair. “And you still haven't told me why you're here, nor have you properly introduced yourself.”

The blush deepened, and she squeaked out,“Ohyesright! My name is Helen Baudin.” She cleared her throat, and continued with a bit more confidence, “I was sent here by the Earth Coalition Navy to assist you with keeping this base running smoothly. I can take over the more mundane, tedious tasks that this job entails in order to allow you to devote your full attention to things that truly matter. The ECN would like to see things running smoothly, before this war is finally over.

“As you must very well know, humanity's been reeling since the very first attack. Communication has broken down with planets being either taken or abandoned, we've had to watch as many of our friends and family have been ruthlessly murdered, and the structure of power in both the military and civilian sectors have been collapsing steadily over the past six years. Humanity is at the brink of oblivion. Everyone has felt it, and now we're taking steps to alleviate some of the burdens that war has placed on those who were woefully unprepared. With hard work, we can pull back.”

“Pretty speech.” Jaze reclined back into his chair, and crossed his arms. “But, words aren't going to help. I'm going to guess that you're from one of the inner colonies, maybe even Earth, correct?”

Helen's chest seemed to swell with pride as a tiny, tight-lipped smile, “I was born and raised under the watchful gaze of Sol, yes.”

“Guessed as much. Out here, it's different. You'll have to pull your weight, especially on this particular planet. I'm guessing you've met with at least one or two of the inhabitants here, correct?”

A small twitch danced across her face, halfway between a grimace and smile, “Well, yes I may have seen some of these so-called ponies running about here and there.”

“Good. The ponies here are a good, hardworking, kind bunch. But, we, the humans, brought a war to their planet they couldn't have prepared for. A lot of them got hurt. We're not here to play 'study the fascinating new creatures'. The citizens of Equestria are our staunch allies, and they gave us help when everyone expected we'd never get it. Without them, we'd still be fighting a losing war. And now, they need help. I have no idea what you've been told we're doing out here, but I'm making it my top priority to help get this planet back in order.”

“Y-yes sir.” she squeaked.

The woman cleared her throat, and continued with a slightly stronger tone, “I look forward to working with these Equestrians in the days to come. Although, I... well never mind.”

“If you have a question or concern, tell me.”

“It's nothing, sir, and won't negatively affect my work at all.”

Jaze gave a slight, reassuring smile. “I'll decide what is nothing. If you're here to help, I have to know I can rely on you. What is the problem?”

Helen glanced toward the door, her eyes narrowing. Nervously licking her lips, she whispered, “Well sir, are... uh... Are all the ponies so... adorable?”

He stared at the young woman, watching her face slowly color under his gaze. He cocked and eyebrow, and gently replied, “Would you mind running that one by me again?”

“Well, I mean.” Her checks burned bright red, as she stuttered, “Jus-just, look a-at 'em! They've got such huge, adorable heads and eyes and they're so fluffy and the colors! I'd never seen a bright green horse, but by god there was one standing at the dropship asking if I needed any help! And, and then some have on little suits of armor! And they're all so nice, like perfect little ladies and gentlemen.”

Jaze had to bite his lip in order to stop the chuckle forming in his throat. Though, a phantom of it escaped as he asked, “So then I take it you're going to like it here?”

“Well sir, don't get me wrong. This is still a backwater little dirtball out in nowhere space, and I'd rather be anywhere else in the inner colonies. But, well... These ponies may yet make the trip bearable.” She flushed a bit deeper, “And, maybe some of the other scenery.”

Rolling his eyes at the compliment, he ordered, “If your goal is to help Equestria get back on it's feet, we can use you.” He pointed towards the door. “Go take over for the poor Marine sitting out there. He got pulled to be helping me out; he'll appreciate being given something to do other than sitting in a chair. I'll call if I need any help”

Helen placed the first two fingers of her left hand to her forehead as she grinned. “Sir yes sir.” Spinning on her heel, she moved towards the door. But she wasn't quite quick enough to hide the grin on her face turning into a tight-lipped frown.

Before her hand reached the doorknob, Jaze called out, “Oh, and could you do me a favor? Remove that plaque from the door.”

The woman stiffened, but managed to reply in a bright and cheery voice, “No problem sir, though that kind of proves this person's point. Will that be all?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Helen twisted the doorknob and allowed the portal to swing wide. She stopped, as standing on the other side of the wooden frame was a tall, thin, older man. He wore a long, white lab-coat that covered him from neck to knees, with a pair of sturdy denim pants. His whitish-gray hair hung down in an unkempt mess to his jaw. A few age spots spattered what little of his dark skin visible beneath his concealing clothes, but his dark brown eyes nearly sparkled with a youthful vigor Jaze wouldn't have expected from the other man. Those intelligent eyes slid from Helen's face and behind to his, and the older man broke into a warm, friendly smile.

“Ah, Me-ser! I assume you to be de administrata, Me-ser Armand.” The older man bowed, just a slight flexing of his stomach as he continued in his gravely, powerful voice, “My name is Doctor Ghalemon, head of research for de new centa' being set up. I wished to check in wis de man whom, I assume, I shall be report-ing to.”

Cocking his head, Jaze replied, “Yeah, that's me. But, I wasn't aware we were setting up a full-on research center. Please, come in and have a seat; Miss Baudin was heading out to start getting this place lined out.”

The young woman, her wide-eyed gaze having been transfixed on the man since his appearance, suddenly shook her head. “Yes, right. Good day, Mr. Armand, Doctor.” She slipped past the old man as he strode through the door, and quickly shut the door behind herself.

“Now, what's this about a research center?” asked Jaze.

“Aaaaaaaaah yes!” The older man sank into one of the chairs in front of the desk, and began. “You see, dere is much to learn from dis place. As you may know, we haf seen dese pone-ehs to have some incredible talents. We hope to learn from dem, and maybe even improve up deir 'magic'.”

“But, where is this research taking place? I've not heard anything about any new building projects...”

“Oh, dat it most simple Me-ser Armand. For you see, da enemy has already provided for us a most perfect research laboratory.”

A pit formed in his stomach as Jaze asked, “What do you mean? You're surely not talking about that wretched little shop of horrors they left in the Everfree?”

“But of course.” stated Ghalemon in a matter-of-fact manner.

The pit turned into a hard ball of disgust as bile rose in his throat. Jaze looked at the old man, and shook his head as he firmly replied, “Absolutely not. I don't know who decided to go back there, but the only thing that should happen to that place is destroy it via orbital bombardment.”

“Dat would be a waste, Me-ser. Dink of de dings we could learn from deir research. Who know what dey haf dis-covered. Our own research could benefit greatly.”

Jaze felt every muscle in his body clench as he growled, “You've no idea what went on in that hell-hole of a place. I saw, first hand, thing kinds of things that was being done there. That is not the kind of research that the Earth Coalition wants to engage in. Especially not when we'd be furthering ideas that were a harm to the creatures currently hosting our little base.”

“If noding else, Me-ser, we should at least know what de enemy intended for dis place. Ahnd we may get an insight into deir ways of dinking.”

Jaze propped his elbows on his desk, and let his head sink into his hands. The words made sense. Far too much, if he were entirely honest with himself. With a groan, he began, “But, that place...”

Ghalemon cut him off with a wave of his weathered hand, “We should not let our emotions rule our judgment, Me-ser Armand. Our primary purpose here, aside from assisting the locals in rebuilding, is to gather information. Dere is too much in dat base to allow it to fester. If noding else, we should catalog what is dere, so dat dings can't be stolen.”

The older man's words burned through his mind, and made the roiling disgust in his stomach seethe. With a sigh, Jaze whispered, “I'll have a team of Marines sweep the whole complex top to bottom. Once we're sure it's cleared, you and your team can move in an begin securing any intel you can find.” He looked up, and growled, “Everything you find there, and I do mean absolutely everything, is to be considered classified. Only you, your team, Admiral Gaston, and myself are to see anything that you're working on. Understood?”

A large grin broke across the other's features, and he gave a nodding bow, “Yes Me-ser, very good.”

“And your team will be tasked with cleaning up the place.”

“Not a problem Me-ser. You'll find my team most capable; I dink you'll be well pleased.”

Jaze gave a noncommittal grunt. “Is that all, Doctor?”

“Yes Me-ser Armand. I will be going now.”

The old researcher gave another bow from the waist, and left the room a brisk pace. As soon as the other left, Jaze let his head fall back into his hands. The thought of any of Carn's experiments getting out to the general public of Equestria made his skin crawl. A brief memory of a young, brilliantly white pegasus swarmed to mind, making his chest ache until he managed to quash that last, pleading look under a mental boot.

A soft rap on his wooden door made his head whip up as he grumbled “Who's there now?