Artemis Sparkshower

---

It was good to be flying again! Not that Artemis didn’t fly all the time, of course, but this was the first time she’d gone past Canterlot's city walls since...

Well, since Saturday, actually.

And it was only Friday. So, not even a week. But it still felt like a long time!

Sparkshower was a recon pony, after all -- trained to roam far and wide, and see all they can see. Being cooped up just didn’t quite suit her. A lot could change in a week. There were a lot more flowers out now, for one, to say nothing of the leaves sprouting out everywhere. The farmponies that lived in the townships outside of Canterlot were all out too, busy planting their crops -- though they were probably doing that last week as well.

From the looks of things, half the ponies of Newcastle-upon-Mare were out in the fields, working as seasonal farmhooves. Not that the village itself was empty -- there were plenty of ponies out and about on the streets. And there, at one edge of the village, was the Royal Guard bastion; a rectangular, raised plateau with pointed corners for raking cannon-fire, and topped with four long barracks buildings.

Pitching down, Artemis aimed to land at the main gate. There was a nice, big open field in between the buildings, but she couldn’t land there. It was impolite to bypass the front door, for one. Even though it was a Royal Guard facility, and Artemis was a guardspony herself, she was still a visitor. For two, the airspace above the fort proper was restricted, and if she passed over it at low altitude they might send somepony up to intercept.

Hmm...

And the stationed regiment was entirely composed of non-ponies? Who knew what her potential interceptor could be?

As Artemis’ armored hooves touched down, with the gate just ahead of her, she heard a bugle sounding assembly inside. It didn’t sound like it had anything to do with her arrival, though; it was a parade call, not an alarm.

Ahead of her, the iron gate of a stone gatehouse stood open, with a pair of guards flanking it, each of them standing in front of a small guardhouse painted with angled stripes. And, sure enough, neither of them were ponies -- they were both diamond dogs!

---

Strongly recommended background music: Teri Mason Christian and Nathan Wang - 'Drinking with Boos', from 'Return to Zork' [1993]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbFdheCRlks

---

"Halt and, uh.. indemnify yerself!"

The shorter sentry on the left took a step forward, pointing his truncheon at the pegasus. His companion almost jumped from hearing the command, and had to reach up to lift the brim of his helmet out of the way of his eyes. When he finally laid eyes on Artemis, he started nodding at his guardsmate in support.

"Myeah! Identificate yerself immeda-immun-er, right now, introoda!"

She halted and gave a firm salute. Despite their difficulties in communication, they were still Royal Guards, after all. "Specialist Sparkshower, Equestrian Royal Guard, Canterlot Palace Military Office, Third Company, Second Platoon."

The two diamond dogs exchanged glances like they couldn’t believe what she’d just told them. If they were surprised that a pegasus in bronze Royal Guard heavy armor and wearing a Royal Guard caparison was from the Royal Guard…

Glamerspear would probably have a snide comment to make there right around now.

After having considered each other for a few moments, with a silent exchange of grimaces, shrugs, and various shakes of the head, the shorter one turned to her again, still brandishing his truncheon.

"You... uh... Got any immigration papers, Speciesist Sparkleshow?"

He wasn't going to salute her back? Well that was a bit rude and out of uniform, but oh well. Just as Artemis started to reach her hoof into her saddlebag to go pull out Lieutenant Temper Vi's scroll, the bigger diamond dog cleared his throat.
"Psst! Hey, Snuffy, you gotsa salute!"

'Snuffy' looked over at his companion to find that one already giving her a firm, if somewhat off-angle, salute.

"Oh, right!" Scrambling so hard he almost lept into the air, Snuffy snapped into an equally awkward, though well intentioned salute of his own. The two dogs seemed quite happy to stand at attention, posed like statues, as she dropped her salute and retrieved the lieutenant’s scroll.

"I'm looking for the Officer of the Watch. These are my orders from Lieutenant Violetta, platoon commander."

She held it out, but they were apparently far too busy still standing in salute. Looking back and forth between them, she got the feeling that saluting was the one thing that has been drilled into them.

"... Erm, gentlecolts? My papers?" To gain their attention, Artemis waved the scroll around a bit, and the bigger dog's eyes seemed to go as wide as dinner plates underneath his helmet. Not that she could really see them all that well with how his helmet was once again leaning too far forward, partially obscuring his vision.

Hmm, if the guards there don't have well-fitted armour, that didn’t bode well for finding good equipment for her alien VIP.

The smaller dog, 'Snuffy,' whose helmet seemed to be altogether much more properly fitted, tilted his head down to look at the scroll. Then he snapped his head to his left to look at his larger companion. The large diamond dog was... muttering something under his breath?

Straining her ears, Artemis could just barely make out what he was repeating. "... Lootenant says I mustn't fetch da stick. Lootenant says I mustn't fetch da stick. Lootenant says I mustn't fetch da stick..."

Was he sweating? It wasn’t even very warm out today.

"Hey, Dilly! It's not a stick, okay?"

'Dilly,' the larger diamond dog, lifted his helmet up properly and looked down at the pegasus. He seemed to visibly deflate, relieved that the cylindrical object she was waving around wasn't a stick after all.

Snuffy nodded his head in her direction. "... Fetch it and bring it ova here, why don'tcha?"

That set Dilly off again. "But the Lootenant says I mustn't fetch da stick!!"

Snuffy rolled his eyes. "Dat's not a stick, silly-Dilly! Dat's a scroll! You can fetch dose! Lootenant said it was okay, okay? Just don't go slobberatin' all over dat!"

"Oh boy!" Bounding forward with gleeful enthusiasm and unnerving speed, in one great leap Dilly was standing in front of Artemis, panting amiably and holding out his paws.

She dropped the scroll into his waiting arms, somewhat worried that it may come back to her somewhat worse for wear. Maaaaaybe it would have been better to violate protocol and drop right into the fort's quad, after all.

With another impressively great leap, Dilly was at Snuffy's side and handed the scroll over. As Dilly turned to watch the specialist, now menacingly clutching his nightstick, Snuffy pulled open the scroll sideways and seemed to struggle to figure out which way was up.

"Er..." He looked up at her, waving the paper in the air.

"... Wat's all dis say, den?"

Oh, brother. They didn’t even come this slow back in Berry.

"It's a letter of introduction. I'm to report to the Officer of the Watch."

From the looks on their faces, it was as if she’d just swooped down and started talking Griffonese to them. Which she could do, and it might have had the same effect.

She tried to helpfully lead them on. "... Do you know who the Officer of the Watch is? Could it be 'the Lieutenant'?"

That last word was the magic one, it seemed, and they both exclaimed simultaneously.

"Da Lootenant!"
"Da Lootenant!"

The two diamond dogs faced each other. "She needsta see da Lootenant, Snuffy!"

"I know she needsta see da Lootenant, dat's wat da letter sez, Dilly!"

Snuffy rolled the paper back up and poked Dilly in the chest with one paw. "... So go gives her this back, and takes her to go see da Lootenant!"

Dilly appeared taken aback by that command. "What? Me? You go, Snuffy! I'm on guard dooty! I gotsa guard the gate!"

Angrily waving Artemis’ letter of introduction around in the air, Snuffy retorted. "I can't go, Dilly! I'm on guard dooty too! You go -- dat's an orda, Private!"

Dilly reached up and adjusted his helmet. Artemis caught sight of a very loose chin strap. That was probably the cause for his vision issues. Maybe the armor's not badly made after all -- just badly used.

Meanwhile, the argument continued. "Hey, you can't orda me, just 'cause I'm a Private, Snuffy! Because you'se also a Private, Snuffy!"

"I'm orderin' you, Dilly, because da Lootenant said I'm da senior Private in charge, dat's what he saids. So you go take her to see da Lootenant!"

As the two Privates continued bickering amongst themselves, Artemis stepped forward and cleared her throat.

"Privates, perhaps you could simply point me in the direction of da Loo-- of the Lieutenant? I can make my own way, and you can guard the gate."

Private Snuffy and Private Dilly looked down at her from where they were reared up on their hind legs, grabbing each others' collars and waving paws in each others' faces. There was a long gap where neither of them said anything, but their heads slowly turned to face each other once more.

"Dat's not a bad idea."

"Yeah, dat idea's not bad."

Immediately getting back down, Private Snuffy handed back her scroll of paper, not too much the worse for wear. "Da Lootenant's in building 'C-as-in-Charlie', on da second floor, in da Coynel's Office all day, on account of da meeting he's got with da Coynel. So you can find him dere, wit da Coynel, in da Coynel's Office, on da second floor of 'C-as-in-Charlie' building..."

‘Great!’

"... Needs me to repeat dat?"

‘Absolutely not!’

Artemis took back the scroll and shook her head. "No, I've got it. Thank you, Private Snuffy."

At the sight of her nod, both of them snapped to attention, scrambling like scared kittens. And they remained posed like statues, even as she walked past them. Passing through the gate, Artemis headed inside. She did hear one last remark from the Diamond Dogs outside, though.

"Psst. Hey Dilly, she's gone inside, we don'ts gotsa salute no mores!"

"I said I ain't takin' orders from you, Snuffy! So don't tries ta gives me orders! I'm salutin!"

Artemis just shook her head. She was definitely glad to be inside.

Now, where was building C?

---

Turning her head and looking about the camp, Artemis’ jaw fell open in amazement. This was incredible! Who knew there were so many non-ponies serving in the Royal Guard? Diamond Dogs, Griffons, Minotaurs...

Even Dragons! Just young ones, barely bigger than ponies, but still! And those were just the species she recognized! There were more that she couldn't even put names to. Like those big, hairy, horned cow-like guards. Or the couple of big cat-people walking around on their hind paws.

There was even a kennel with a pack of Timber Wolves in it! Timber Wolves!

Who in Equestria was comfortable with keeping Timber Wolves as pets? Artemis had no idea.

It was astounding that such a cornucopia of creatures had all assembled together to serve Equestria.

And, actually, a little heartwarming, too.

She felt proud to know that her nation had welcomed them and allowed them to serve the greater good, providing them with a roof over their head, food in their bellies, and meaningful work to do. Although the work could sometimes be a bit dull, she supposed. Not to mention downright dangerous if war actually broke out! Still, though, it must be better than wherever they had come from. Otherwise, why else would they have left?

After gawking her way through the courtyard, Artemis had managed to find building 'C' and stepped inside. Actually, it wasn't fair to say she was the only one doing the gawking. The pegasus in full armor had earned quite a number of stares as well.

They weren't exactly unfriendly, but among other strange glances, the way a cluster of dragons had twisted their long necks around to look in her direction was a bit unsettling. The soldiers there didn't seem to get a lot of pony visitors, she supposed.

Though she had spotted a pegasus officer marshaling a troop of Griffons, so there were clearly some ponies around. Maybe they were just curious about what she was there for. To be perfectly honest, she wasn’t exactly sure what that was.

Talk to the Officer of the Watch, present her papers, ask them where they have the armor made for the soldiers there in the Princess Mi Amore Cadenza's Regiment of Auxiliaries... and then what?

Speaking of the Princess, there was her official portrait hanging on the wall, at the top of the central staircase. It must be pretty recent, because she was depicted wearing the crown of the Crystal Empire.

At the top of the switchback stairs, Artemis was faced with a window in the building's front wall, and the hallway stretched out before her. She glanced side to side. There was nothing interesting to her right, but on the left, two griffons appeared to be standing guard outside a room with double doors. That was probably the Colonel's office.

The specialist headed in that direction. As she approached, an older-looking Griffon wearing a polished iron breastplate, a blue beret, and a richly-decorated red vest, looked in her direction and held up a taloned hand.

"Halt, soldier Pegasus! Vat is your bizness hyere?"

Stopping, she held out Lieutenant Violetta's letter with one hoof and stood at attention. "Specialist Sparkshower, Canterlot Palace Military Office. I'm looking for the Officer of the Watch."

The older Griffon narrowed his eyes, but stepped forward and snatched up the scroll, giving it a quick glance. Unlike with the Diamond Dogs at the front gate, there was no doubt that he was able to read it.

"The Ofitser of the Vatch? This iz not the offiz of the Offitser of the Vatch. This iz the offis of Leytnant-Colonel Percheron, komandir of the 1st Batalon."

His Griffonese accent was thick, but perfectly comprehensible.

Artemis remained at attention. "I was told at the gate that the Officer of the Watch, a certain Lieutenant, could be found here."

The Griffon's eyes narrowed further, and she could hear him snuff through the fixed nostril-holes in his beak. "Vait here."

Keeping her scroll, he turned around and knocked on the door, and Artemis relaxed. From inside, she could hear a female voice speak in a haughty Equestrian accent.

"Enter!"

The Griffon looked at his partner and nodded in Artemis’ direction, then pushed open the door and entered, closing it behind him.

‘Geez, this is a lot of trouble just to find out where armor gets made.’

That armor on the first Griffon, who was now inside the Lieutenant Colonel’s office, definitely wasn't Equestrian standard issue. With what looked like gold filigree, Artemis guessed it was probably something he brought with him when he came to Equestria.

The other Griffon looked Artemis up and down, then raised a clawed hand up, as if imploring her to wait. He was a lot younger than the other soldier, and his armor was made up of bronze segments, exactly like the standard Guard outfit. She had half a mind to just ask him where he got it, rather than continue to disturb the battalion commander about this business.

Obviously, the Diamond Dogs at the gate had been mistaken about where she should go. And now she was interrupting the Lieutenant-Colonel's important meeting!

But there was really not much else to do except soldier on. Not unless she felt like branching out of Armored Recon and into actual espionage, doing some Pony Intelligence (PONINT) work to figure out the supply situation around there. With the prevalence of non-ponies, this was probably one of the few places in Equestria where she would have trouble covertly blending in.

As Artemis pondered just what the next step was going to be, the door opened. The older Griffon peeked around the corner, and pointed into the room.

"Inside, pliz."

Somewhat nervous at the prospect of having to deal directly with such a senior officer, Artemis stepped inside.

The Battalion Commander's office was a large, elegantly furnished room, standing out distinctly from the fairly modest hallways of Fort Newcastle-upon-Mare's 'Building C.' There was a huge red carpet covering almost the entirety of the hardwood floor, and a set of large leather club chairs in the center of the room. To the left, an elegant gilt fireplace screen in the shape of a peacock's feathers caught her eyes, standing in front of a roaring fire. On the right, a marble-topped buffet server bore a number of exotically-shaped decanters and bottles of what was surely alcohol. In one of the club chairs sat a young, thin Earth Pony colt, clutching a tumbler of brown liquid in his left hoof and an unlit cigarette in the other, with one eyebrow cocked in Artemis’ direction.

And just a little beyond him, the Lieutenant-Colonel herself, another Earth Pony, was reclining in a high-back chair, a burning cigarette in a holder in her mouth.

"Spetsialist Sparkshower, Colonel."

With that introduction from the Griffon, Artemis saluted the officers in the room. The Lieutenant-Colonel pulled the holder out of her mouth, then nodded at the pony in the club chair, a wry smile on her face.

"Well, Lieutenant, I think you owe Specialist Sparkshower here an explanation."

That immediately set the young colt off, and he opened his big eyes wide. "Owe her an explanation? Colonel, this is exactly what I've been trying to tell you! Training these creatures... these dogs, it's just impossible!"

The Lieutenant got to his hind hooves, waving around his cigarette and drink, his eyes almost bulging out of his head. "They can't understand the simplest of directions!"

Taking a swig, he put down his drink, placed the cigarette in his mouth, and crossed the room to stand in front of the fireplace, leaning on the mantle. With an exasperated snort, he leaned over and used a table lighter to start his cigarette. He took a moment to compose himself, brushing his mane down with one hoof.

Finally, he let out an awkward laugh. "Huh-huh! I tell them that Lieutenant Cheesewright is the Officer of the Watch for today, and that I'm not to be disturbed as I'll be in conference with Lady Percheron all day, and what do they do?"

He flung one forehoof in the direction of the door, where the griffon guard and pegasus specialist still stood.

"... Those bumbling buffoons send someone looking for the Officer of the Watch right here!"

From behind the desk, the colonel tapped the ash off of her cigarette in a glass tray. "Bertie, you're becoming hysterical. Sit down and finish your drink."

Lieutenant 'Bertie' puffed his cheeks out and exhaled sharply, then crossed back to his seat at a trot, plopping himself down in the plush chair with an inelegant grace. After a moment, he looked up at the Colonel, who gave him a telling look. With another sigh, he picked up his drink and took another sip.

That seemed to calm him down, and the Colonel leaned forward in her chair, placing her forehooves on the desk. "It's as I've been trying to tell you, Bertie. You've simply got to find yourself a good leader among your company. Promote the cleverest one to Sergeant, make them your right-hoof colt, and they'll keep the rest of them in line."

Lieutenant 'Bertie' rolled his big eyes around and replied almost under his breath. "The cleverest Diamond Dog? Might as well try to find the cleverest turnip."

That earned him a scowl from the Colonel, and she loudly tapped her hoof on her desk. "Now that's enough, Bertie. You're an officer of the Royal Guard; you need to put on a good example for the soldiers under your command."

As he started to shrink into his seat, she continued to lay into him like a mother admonishing a child. "... You've got a whole company of Diamond Dogs that you've left leaderless; no wonder they're galloping around like a bunch of confused puppies!"

The Lieutenant sheepishly took another sip of his drink, and the Colonel continued. "... I know you didn't choose to serve here, but you earned it when you made yourself unwanted in your last regiment. Be thankful the circumstances were ambiguous enough that the Board didn't cashier you out."

Lieutenant-Colonel Percheron took a deep breath, then picked up her cigarette and took a long draw of it. Once she'd composed herself, she gave one final rebuke to the Lieutenant. "... If you want a chance at a fashionable Manehattan posting again, you're going to have to work for it -- so you'd better shape up, or else you'll never ship out of here with your gentlecolt's pride intact."

Having completed her tongue-lashing of the impertinent Lieutenant, the Lieutenant-Colonel turned to Artemis, returning her salute. That was her cue to finally lower her own hoof.

"... Now, Specialist, I believe we've delayed your mission for long enough. You may have wanted the Officer of the Watch and wound up in the battalion commander's office, but you're already here, so we might as well address your inquiry from..."

She picked up her letter and a pair of reading glasses on her desk, holding them in front of her snout as she looked it over. "... Lieutenant Violetta. Something to do with our procurement procedures here in Princess-Cadenza's? And step forward, please."

Artemis nodded and walked past the Griffon soldier, standing in front of the Colonel's desk, with the Lieutenant just beside her. "Yes, ma'am. I'm looking for information about where your Regiment sources its arms and armor."

Lieutenant 'Bertie' sat upright in his chair and interjected. "Why? Are we being audited??"

Replacing her glasses on the table, the Colonel looked annoyed at his interruption. "Lieutenant, I am speaking with the specialist."

With a sheepish look on his face, the Lieutenant sank back into his chair. "Sorry, Auntie."

From behind the large desk, Artemis saw a look of frustration in the older mare's eyes, and her lip curled up imperceptibly. "Lieutenant Woodhouse, I am not your Auntie Percheron when we are in the presence of other soldiers. I am Lieutenant-Colonel Countess Bashara Percheron. Is that understood?"

Lieutenant Woodhouse nodded and, duly chastised, retreated deeper into the plush brown leather. "Yes, Colonel. My apologies."

Lieutenant-Colonel Percheron paused to let the lesson sink in, then turned back to Artemis with a friendly smile on her face. "Do go on, Specialist. What do you want to know?"

"Colonel, I'm currently serving in the Very Important Pony section, and Lieutenant Violetta has sent me to inquire about an armorer comfortable working with non-pony physiology. We have an alien VIP under our protection looking to commission some work."

After listening attentively, the colonel took a draw on her cigarette, blowing the smoke out of her nostrils, her ears flicking momentarily.

"I see. Out of pure idle curiosity, Specialist, what manner of creature are you protecting, exactly?"

"A 'human,' ma'am. Sort of a bipedal, hairless monkey, just under six hooves tall."

Once again, Lieutenant Woodhouse couldn’t resist opening his muzzle. "Guh! I shouldn't like to meet that creature down a dark alley."

But his aunt paid him no attention, probably fed up with having to put him in his place so many times already. "Interesting. Pardon my curiosity, Specialist Sparkshower; we don't get a lot of pony visitors here in Fort Newcastle-upon-Mare. Certainly not pegasi trotting about in heavy armor."

With a smile on her face, she glanced out the large window behind her. "... We're taking the Peregrines -- that's the nickname of the First Battalion, my Battalion, on account of the high number of Griffons posted here -- out on combat exercises with an ordinary regiment this weekend, and I daresay the sight of you prancing over here in your full regalia must have made some of the soldiers think we'd be up against the Valkyries."

The Valkyries were one of the most prestigious groups in the Royal Guard -- an entire armored airborne battalion composed entirely of pegasus mares. It was a bit flattering to have anyone presume that she must have come from that elite group.

Lieutenant-Colonel Percheron looked over Artemis’ shoulder at the older Griffon, still standing just inside the doors. "First Sergeant, would you summon up one of your soldiers to escort the Specialist here to our armaments supplier in the village?"

With a nod and a salute, the Griffon turned and sauntered back out the door, and Artemis could hear him bark out orders in Griffonese, commanding the other guard to go fetch someone. She couldn’t quite make out the name, however.

Lieutenant Woodhouse eyed her warily, and cleared his throat. "I say, Specialist -- and if you're done with your questions, Ma'am...?"

He received a nod from the Colonel, and continued. "What does your alien VIP want with armaments?"

"He's looking to receive some combat training from his escort, Sir."

The Lieutenant's eyes went wide, and he scrunched up his muzzle, his ears perking up. "Combat training? What does your VIP do, then? Is he some sort of mercenary?"

Artemis shook her head. "No, Sir. He's the Royal Engineer of Equestria."

Lieutenant Woodhouse chortled. "I should think that rather begs the question, Specialist. What could the Royal Engineer of Equestria possibly need with combat training?"

"Sir, he's been challenged once before. His quaternion, myself included, defended his person and his honor, but he expressed an interest in being able to defend himself as well."

Woodhouse jutted his head forward on his neck and flattened his ears, scarcely able to believe what she was saying. "Someone challenged the Royal Engineer?! Absurd! Next, you're going to tell me he was accosted by that lowborn Lieutenant Whatshisname during that 'Pas de Sabots' of his at that bridge this week."

Artemis cleared her throat awkwardly. "I'm afraid that's exactly it, sir. Lieutenant Kilfeather challenged him at Newstirrup Bridge."

The Lieutenant gawked, mouth agape, at that apparently shocking revelation. Long before he could recover, the Colonel spoke up.

"I thought the 'Pas De Sabots' was at Oldstirrup Bridge."

Oops. She’d forgotten that Kilfeather relocated after they defeated him. And the matter of his 'Pas de Sabots' was still delicate; Lieutenant Violetta was only just now filing papers to the Judge-Advocate-General about it! Kilfeather's actions directly pitted the nobility against the Royal Guard. And there she was, in the presence of noble officers of the Royal Guard!

Which side were they on?

What should she say?

The Lieutenant-Colonel Countess was waiting for Artemis’ answer.

"Er..."

She couldn’t lie to an officer, especially not a Colonel. She’d just have to tell her the truth.

"... Yes, ma'am, but he was originally at the Newstirrup Bridge."

The Colonel took a pull on her cigarette, blowing the smoke out of her nostrils. "A 'Pas de Sabots' is not ambulatory, Specialist. It is properly held in one place and in one place only..."

She plucked the spent roll out of its holder, and stubbed it out in the ashtray. "... But I can see the question has made you uncomfortable. I take it this is still a rather sensitive matter?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She gave Artemis a reassuring nod. "Then I shan't inquire further."

Pulling a fresh cigarette out of a box on her desk, she affixed it to her holder, then lit it using a packet of matches on her desk. After taking in another draw, she leaned reflectively back in her chair.

"Lieutenant Kilfeather is, of course, not of noble blood, however. As an officer, he is considered a gentlecolt, and therefore entitled to make use of such ancient traditions. And in the course of his 'Pas de Sabots,' he has embarrassed a great number of noble ponies who have declined to serve Equestria in the manner demanded by their high birth."

Woodhouse piped up with a grin on his face. "I'll say! The Bees' Club has been positively a-buzz with ponies deriding the nerve of that colt."

The Colonel licked her lips and pulled the cigarette holder out of her mouth. "Nerve's an admirable characteristic in an officer, Bertie. You should remember that."

Another haughty chuckle erupted out of the Lieutenant. "Huhuhu! Come now, Auntie, surely you aren't suggesting that--"

Before the Colonel could admonish him once again for the informal term of address, there was a knock at the door. This time, the Griffon Sergeant entered without being bidden, and trailing behind him was another Griffon, a young hen, dressed in standard Royal Guard banded bronze armor, with a short red cape hanging on her shoulders. Artemis stepped aside, and at a wave from the Colonel, the two of them approached her desk and stopped to salute.

The First Sergeant nodded and indicated the newcomer. "Prive-yate Fyirst Clyass Featherhooves, Colonel."

Colonel Percheron looked the Private in the eyes and nodded in Artemis’ direction. "Private Featherhooves, meet Specialist Sparkshower. You're going to show her to our blacksmith in town."

The young Griffon turned to her and nodded, and Artemis returned the gesture.

‘Time to impress!’

"Zdravstvuyte, Yefréytor Featherhooves!"

Lieutenant Woodhouse's jaw dropped open, the Colonel arched an eye in surprise. Even the sergeant blinked and swiveled his head ever so slowly in Artemis’ direction, his piercing eyes seeming to regard her in an entirely new light.

But the young Private just smiled. "You speak Griffonese very well, Specialist Sparkshower. But I was actually born here in Equestria."

‘Darn it!’ She wasted the moment in showing off her Griffonese; the griffon hen spoke Equestrian with no accent whatsoever.

Private First Class Featherhooves turned to address the colonel. "... With your permission, Colonel?"

Percheron nodded, and the two griffons led Artemis back towards the door. Just as the sergeant opened it, the colonel called out to her from the far side of the room.

"Oh, and Specialist?"

Artemis turned to face her, standing at attention.

The Colonel was still sitting in her chair, holding her cigarette with a sly look on her face. "... If you ever get tired of the VIP service, please get in touch with me, would you? We could use someone with linguistic talents and an eye for detail around here. I promise I can make it worth your while."

Well, that was interesting.

Artemis didn’t really know how to answer that, so she stuck to the basics. "Yes, ma'am."

She nodded amiably. "That'll be all, Specialist."

Artemis exited the colonel's quarters, getting a strange look from the Sergeant as she followed Private First Class Featherhooves downstairs.

Featherhooves…

What a strange name for a griffon! They don't have any hooves, after all.

Artemis would like to ask her about it, but griffons were also notoriously reserved with outsiders. Maybe she would get the opportunity to ask on the way to this blacksmith of theirs, but first she’d better do a better job of introductions...

Next Chapter: Chapter 48 Estimated time remaining: 28 Hours, 48 Minutes