Secret of Stalliongrad

Secret of Stalliongrad
Date of Scene:	29 June 2014
Location:	Divided Equestria
Synopsis:	Hints and clues have lead to the knowledge that something big is happening in Stalliongrad. Investigation happens!
Cast of Characters:	2, 75, 189, 239, 264, 369, 470, 475

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Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
Whatever reasons people have for coming to Stalliongrad today, Union and Unaffiliated parties will find /reaching/ the city rather easy. It is a large city well behind the 'lines,' and thus not one of the Fortress cities. There are a number of guards however... in the form of patrolling troops of regimented unicorn soldiers circling the city outskirts. Easy enough to slip by for an experienced group of Elites, but obviously meant to keep riffraff out... or possibly in, given the state of the city.

Stalliongrad is quite industrialized for the tech level of the world. Factories are here, large ones that take regular shipments of steel and some sort of crystal. The citizens look ragged and tired, for the most part, but not all unhappy. Many still stand with pride as they away the carriage that runs to the suburbs, while others hold their head high. Usually in pony form, as that's the easiest to walk long distances in.

But not all is grand. For one, the city is rather /dirty/, industry growing like an industrial revolution of sorts. Smog is fairly common, and the number of pegasi working to keep it clear is... too small by far. Most of the citizens appear to be unicorns, who make a very clumsy attempt at keeping the smog under control, but it really isn't what their magic is for. Earth Ponies are here as well, but many of them appear more bedraggled and much less enthused. In fact, shift has just ended at one of the larger factories, a whistle blowing and several Earth Ponies staggering out, most in pony form, and looking exhausted. It's a familiar sight to anyone familiar with the idea of a sweatshop or pre-Union factory work.

The factory itself has a large cart being loaded with what appear to be segmented metal plates inlaid with some kind of crystal, and it is the second such cart. The first is headed toward a larger, newer-looking factory toward the west side of the city, one that sports numerous armored guards stoically watching the gates.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
After the meeting in Saint Trottersburg yesterday, Ness's leads had directed him to Stalliongrad for answers. Perhaps answers to questions he was not yet asking, knowing the shadowy nature of back-alley information sources. Still, the information had been impossible for him not to investigate with Homura. He owed it to her to take her along as one of the only people he could trust on this matter.

Getting into the city had been easy enough. Careful observation of speech patterns, personality aspects, in-depth personal profiling, days of research... actually, it was just the one radio conversation, but it had produced a successful strategy for entrance into the city by the suit-wearing, jacket-clad, hat-adorned Federal Agent: "Huh? I'm sure the Archmagister just forgot to mention I was coming. She was talking about her research and said I *must* visit and see for myself."

No need to sneak in when you've used the front gates, so to speak. And so Ness is wandering Stalliongrad's streets with a cigarette in his mouth. Being tired of harassment, he has sewn (Had his wife sew) a patch onto the outside of jacket that appears to be a silver badge with a holder. If asked, he'd say his name was 'Government Agent', which sounds legit enough.

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio didn't take long to get here either. Still in his suit from the last time, patched up and spotless from its prior damage, he wades through the crowd. That one radio conversation had gotten his curiosity, and he couldn't let the other UNionites arriving go there alone if that assassin came back to plague them.

Send an assassin to kill an assassin, what better way to get rid of such a feat? Not that he'd be broadcasting his status as such to these 'fine' people.

He takes note of the technology, the people, the culture in hints he picks up off idle chatter. Nothing is above notice to the assassin mentor.

He nods to Agent Ness, but stops himself from greeting the man properly by name. Undercover and all that.

If people ask, he'll just introduce himself as 'The Bodyguard.'

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
Government Agent is of course accompanied by Helpful Secretary. She looks about sixteen, going towards seventeen, with a formal black skirt, white dress shirt, and a black slightly more feminine than usual jacket over that. She is carrying a briefcase, because what sort of official agent would carry his own weight when he can have a cute little secretary to do it for him. There is a badge sewn on her clothes as well, which would appear to be shaped after a clipboard with pen and all.

Hair loose and hiding her ears, though she's also got a nice black hat on. Homura pushes her glasses up, mumbling something under her breath about 'having to be the secretary'. She was fine with prior arrangements! Well, whatever, really.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
There's no way Pegasus can come in here without looking a LITTLE conspicuous, so she just tries to minimize it. The robotic pegasus is trotting alongside in full pony form, with wings tucked tightly at her side. She has a cloak thrown over her, a pony cloak like Zecora sometimes uses, which covers her almost completely. The metallic shimmer of her hooves and chassis still comes through now and then, though, and she looks hunchbacked thanks to the small jet engines that assist her flight tucked behind the wings.

As for why she was here, Ariel has been looking into this place, and her niece was someone she wanted to protect from darker things. So the cheerful pegasus was, for the moment, undercover and watching the factory. She'll have to meet up with the others shortly, once she notices Homura and Ezio.

Polite Words (239) has posed:
Polite Words is not going by an alias. In fact, she's here for completely legitimate purposes, but seems to go unnoticed by most of those around as she walks through the city. She's wearing a nice suit jacket, and dress shirt, but the skirt that goes with it looks a bit frayed and she's barefoot today. She's got a suitcase with her, rather large, and is openly carrying two pistols.

It's a bit hard to really notice the pistols. The eyes seem to just.. slide over them. An elite might manage, of course.

She actually feels rather at home in this city, mostly because the Sidereal is from Detroit and this is marginally cleaner but otherwise close enough. More ponies, though. Regardless, she purposefully makes her way in, the red-speckled eyed woman raising a hand in momentary greeting to the guards at the gate.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
In ordinary cases, Shizune would take advantage of the tendency for people of all types to not look up and go over the rooftops. In a world where pegasi soar through the skies, however, that's not nearly as much an option. However, a particularly agile girl with a good bit of situational awareness and a mild disregard for the laws of gravity can still pull off some impressive feats of infiltration.

So the martial artist walks the streets of Stalliongrad in a loose, flowing dress, carefully weaving her way towards the factory where the cart is being loaded with metal plates. She still hasn't finished catching up on what all is going on in this world - but the reports have been increasingly worrying, and she's met enough Union ponies she respects that she's not missing a chance to step in and offer what help she can.

Even if it means going by 'Harmony Circle' and leading people to think she's a pony in human form.

Pinkie (470) has posed:
Cough! Cough cough!
The smog just doesn't do well for the lungs of the proletariat in Stalliongrad. Or would that be ponytariat? Indeed, one of the locals seems to be a bit short of breath. Covering her mouth to hack up a particularly nasty glob of something brackish and dark that says she's been here way too long, is an Earth Pony-woman. Dosey Dotes looks to be in her early twenties, blonde hair and youthful features caked in sweat, grime, and dirt. It looks like she just got out of the bar and is getting ready to go on for the next shift, decked out in a dirty old work shirt, heavy gloves, boots, and overalls.
And a neckerchief.
The flower in her hair looks pretty dead by now thanks to the local atmosphere but that doesn't seem to stop her from walking right by the older factories like she completely has a purpose and making her way for that new looking one.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
The snappy woman in the suit gets accosted as she approaches the factory, but is quickly let through after a bit of paper-checking. Dosey Dotes, however, is stopped with a hoof held up by the pony-form unicorn guard. "Do you have reason to be here? Move along." The guard looks pretty serious, though bored about it, and the other guard is trotting up to welcome the incoming shipment from the other factory heading toward the main gate.

All the others? A few get curious glances, but they aren't getting questioned. It's becoming pretty apparent that people Know Better than to ask questions in this town, giving wide berth to anything unusual. Shizune doesn't even get a second glance, while Pegasus gets a few pitying looks. Ness and his entourage are given plenty of space though, the government look getting most to stay well away.

But even Ness is halted before the main factory. "Sorry, what is your business here? No passage without express permission." He looks a little bored, but not exactly lazy.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
Getting a quick look at the factory the metal plates came from is her first priority. At the very least, getting some sense of what it looks like and what it might be making is important. But it's only a passing look, because the place that shipment is headed TO demands much more attention, if only for the massive troop presence.

So Shizune takes a quick look at the lesser factory, and then moves on.

There's no way she's getting in there through bluster or bravado. She has no cover story. And just joining up with Government Agent's entourage would look far too suspicious, particularly with him right in front of a guard. Instead, she takes a look around. Mentally marking the positions of the guards. Their movements. Likely fields of vision. Both on the ground and in the air. Looking for any gap she can see that her agility would let her take advantage of.

Pinkie (470) has posed:
A tired sigh says that this is something Dosey seems used to. Tugging off her had to fidget and crumple it in her hands. "S-Sorry sir, I left my ID back at my quarters, but. W-well I'm a new shift transfer from factory 23 and it's my first day. If I'm late the supervisor said he's have my hide and use it to make a new jacket- and use the rest of me for glue!" She pleads.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
Ezio gets a faint nod, but not much acknowledgement otherwise. No sense breaking cover or arousing suspicion, so he leaves it at that. Ness does take Homura along with him while he walks, since she is part of his cover story.

When he's stopped, which he expected to happen, he does what anyone in Government Agent's position would do: Get indignant.

"Are we really going to waste eachother's time like this?" His tone is bored and incredulous. It's meant to emulate the tone of a man whom has had this exact conversation a dozen times before, "I'm supposed to make sure the tests are coming along. And to take research back to Headquarters."

He squints and inspects the man, taking off his hat, "It's a hassle, but they didn't tell the gate guards I was coming. You've heard about the Assassinations, right?" He recalls something Twilight said, "They're having Celestial Inquisitors move around clandestinely now to search for weaknesses. You do NOT wanna hold up this operation. It'd be considered treason against House Moon and Star."

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
The plates in the briefing beforehand seem to be a priority to find here. Ezio notes Shizune sneaking off to find another entrance, and he takes off after her quietly. He might as well, this is what he does for a living in reality.

He does allow a smirk at Ness, 'Agent' when he overhears the G-Man's performance before he goes. But business before entertainment, of course. There's no point in delaying with the stakes here.

His eyes glance about, looking for guard postings and entrances, mapping out patrols in his head, even a way to get inside the factory stealthily. "What do you see?" He whsipers to Shizune after a moment of searching, knowing she's been doing the same.

Polite Words (239) has posed:
Polite Words will make her way into the building without saying a word to anyone, beyond the explanation to the guards. Which takes a slight bit of doing, but she has some most excellent paperwork. At this point, she goes off camera for the moment, where she is undoubtedly doing nefarious things.

Possibly this even includes peanut butter and banana sandwiches. You will never know.

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
"Not to mention," Homura says, not skipping a bit or looking out of place, "That if you hold us up here we'll be late for our next appointment too. I wonder how heavier a personal record gets when several investigations are slowed down by one person."

Helpful Secretary adjusts her glasses to glare at the guard rather sternly. If he's glaring back at the then odds of him spotting anything weird going on elsewhere are lower!

She has to admit though, Ness is pretty bold.
Or just... into his role.
Is this the sort of work he does normally? She never asked.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
Metal plates with crystal inlay on a cart. Heading into the main factory. Pegasus is not a stealthy sort by nature, which means she doesn't have a way to backflip in over any fences or whatever, and she can't bluff her way past. Perhaps if she'd brought some cupcakes she could bribe her way in, but that isn't happening.

That's when she gets an idea.

Her cloak is tossed aside in an instant, and as the cart trundles past she hops right onto the back, tucking herself between two plates to lower her head and... sit absolutely still. A metallic pegasus with jet turbines, looking entirely like a machine here. Only a small twitch betrays, for a moment, that this is actually tough for her.

She really doesn't like unicorns, after all.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
It would be a lot more difficult to get in if infiltration of this sort were common. As things are, the guard looks hesitant at Dosey, but the other one snorts, "Ah, if she's lying the Forepony will take care of it pretty quick. He's keeping a tight ship in there today," he points out.

The other guard looks over Ness a few times, warily, but balks when the Archmagister is mentioned. "Well she did say there was..." He muses. "But this is a restricted area. One moment."

Fortunately one of the other guards points out, "We were told a human would be investigating murders. I don't remember them being given permission to coem into the factory."

"Well it's not like he's going to tell House Stormwing, right?"

"Good point. Move on in."

So Ness & company get in too!

Pegasus isn't given more than a second glance. She IS given a second glance, because that's an unusual construct, but it must match up well enough with something else that it isn't a surprise. In fact, the only remarkable thing is that one of the guards throws a blanket over Pegasus, muttering something about 'sloppy...'

The other factory Shizune peeks in on looks to be a typical factory, cutting and shaping steel plates. It's not... /awful/ conditions. Looks like hard work, but it's not like they're literally slave-drivers. They are certainly less pleasant working conditions than would be allowed in the modern day, but historically they aren't so bad. It is of note that probably about 80% of the ponies working in there - in human form, usually - are Earth Ponies, though.

It doesn't look like there's been any serious attempts to get into the factory in the middle though. Most of the citizens give it a wide berth. It should be easy to clamber up over one of the shorter wall sections and between guard patrols if she wanted.

As for Polite Words, we'll get to her next pose.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
'Harmony Circle' watches. She waits. She times the guards' patrol, glancing briefly Ezio's way when she judges they're just about to have their window. Wait for it... wait for it...

Shizune darts across the street, leaps up in a long, gliding vault, rebounds off a light pole to add to her height, and touches down on the top of the wall for just a brief second before dropping down to the other side. She'll dart to cover as quickly as she can, and then start stealthily making her way towards the factory.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
"Thank you," Ness says to the guard, putting his hat back on again and then stepping past the guard, "I appreciate your understanding. Usually these kinds of things take much longer and get more complex."

As he passes both guards, he takes out a pack of cigarettes (Camels, still. The only brand this world has that he recognizes) and offers them to either guard as he goes. No sense being rude, they were just doing their jobs and he was doing his, "I promise we'll be quick and won't make too much fuss for you."

He pats Homura on the shoulder and then adds, "Take a note for the Archmagister that her guards are doing their jobs," He notes to her, starting to walk his way towards the most viable target: The factory everyone is avoiding.

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio takes a peek inside when Shizune does, furrowing his brow. Seems the Earth Ponies in this world are second class citizens for the most part, not quite slaves but they definitely could have it better. It's distressing, this power inequality gap.

When he reaches the wall, Ezio stretches a moment before he walks back for a running start. Taking a running leap, he grabs onto the wall and begins to climb without complaint or distress, clambering his way the gap when Shizune takes off as well. "Impressive." He comments to the young lady's agility, just as he leaps down when the patrol gives him an opening to sneak through upon landing on the inside.

He HOPES he won't have to start a fight here, but just in case, he still has his dagger, gauntlets, and his gunblade tucked under his coat.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
Once the cart is through the main doors, Pegasus is quick to wake up again and leap off, wrapping the blanket around her. She shifts to her humanoid form rather than the quadrupedal, for this, and edges her way further into the factory to see where they're taking these supplies.

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
"Thank you for your understanding," Homura notes, before she looks towards Ness, and nods. She pulls a small notepad out of a pocket inside her vest and scribbles something down. She didn't actually write what he asked her to, but rather wrote down House Stormwing. And probably a few doodles of the guards looking really dumb. Not that they would get the privilege of peeking on her notetaking.

She does of course follow after him without delay.

More privately to him, probably through telepathy if there are people within earshot, she muses: "I have to wonder if you could ask the Archmagister for an actual official badge if she thinks you're working in her best interest. Though right now I'm more curious about door number one over there and how 'big' of a secret project this is."

Pinkie (470) has posed:
And Dosey is giving the guard huge, sad, golden eyes. She's biting on her lip and everything, while waiting on an answer for wether or not she's getting turned into glue, casting seriously nervous sidelong glances at Government Agent, Helpful Secretary, and company.
She almost sags with supreme relief when the guard decides to let the forepony handle it. "Th-thank you! Thank you! I won't be late again, I'll bring my transfer papers with me next time and everything."
And just like that her hat's back on and she is scooting for the factory, trotting in quick time to not be late late late!
And ducks aside rather than go in the entrance and deal with that Forepony... In fact, she almost seems to vanish when no one's looking, sliding around the side of the building for a side door.
If it's locked... Well that's what she has a hairpin under that flower for.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
The side door is locked, but not with anything major. Electronic locks and the like aren't invented yet, and while there are magical wards, the main entrance doesn't warrent them, nor does the major part of the building.

Going into said building proves that it is in fact... a large housing area, for the most part. An unloading dock, or something? Large plates in the floor seem meant for a finished product of some sort, but most of the floor is taken up by plates being welded and fitted to be loaded on a large freight elevator(currently not here) while two smaller elevators are to accomodate the workers. The elevators are guarded, but more importantly are the people who are just heading into one of them.

ARCHMAGISTER TWILIGHT is here, for those that know how to recognize her. A purple-haired woman with glowing mystical tattoos stands out, doesn't she? She has a wide-brimmed hat and looks extremely regal, as well as holding a flat, grim line of an unsmiling mouth. Next to her are two guards, silent and carrying short blades, with bandannas covering their mouths. They watch while Twilight greets the woman in a suit(Polite Words)

"Ah, you've arrived. Just in time. I was inspecting the upcoming units built with a smattering of off-world devices... perhaps you would like to see what you will be helping us arm? I admit your weaponry is unfamiliar to me, shall we discuss the offer while I perform the inspection?"

Twilight, Polite, and the guards are getting into one of the elevators, leaving only two stoic guards in humanoid form guarding the other one. These probably can't be bluffed.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
"Perhaps I could, though I think if we get caught here, that might undermine it unless I can spin a fabrication to cover my presence," He admits to the small girl next to him in a hushed tone. As they walk, he raises his hands to adjust his tie and then brush off his suit a bit before placing his hands in his coat.

He does turn away and obscure his face when he sees Twilight talking to someone, not wanting to draw attention to his presence for the above reasons. He's careful to move around with some discretion, not wanting attention to be drawn to himself.

"We can either take the guards and follow or figure out another way in." He remarks to Homura.

Polite Words (239) has posed:
Polite nods her head, conversing seemingly without any kind of awkwardness on her own part, not even paying attention to the guards. She's in her saleswoman mode, as it happens, even if that is something of a hobby these days more than her end all, be all. "I've brought samples of a few of the more portable items, images and schematics of the others. Unfortunately many of them would be a bit destructive to use here even if I could bring them myself, but I believe I can clearly communicate their effectiveness and show how they'll meet your needs."

She'll pat the suitcase. "You're welcome to keep the samples after, of course, no obligations attached."

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio was about to make for the lock with a pick, before he notices the door's already been opened. "...curious." He remarks, pocketing the lockpick before he gently works it open. "After you." says the gentleman assassin, letting Shizune in first before he follows her in.

He notes the guards posted at the elevators, as well as how it's merely a housing area, unfinished but still intended for workers. He sees Polite and Twilight present, furrowing his brow as he keeps a low profile and tries to pick up conversation.

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
"Yeah, that might change the gameplan for you," Homura remarks, before they are both hiding to watch as the Archmagister and her company appear, and then head deeper in. Whatever they are talking about sounds important, but is too vague to really make out.

Helpful Secretary considers. They can keep going about, explore this level while other people get on that elevator, or... take big risks for big payoffs. She's unsure which of the two she prefers. There's a lot of them here.

She opens her briefcase and shows Ness the contents. There's a few silenced firearms and two stun grenades, which he might have seen her use before. Silent, perfect for this sort of work. Just zaps people unconscious. At least, normal people. These guards might have tricks up their sleeves.

"Up to you. You know this field of work better than me."

Pinkie (470) has posed:
Now that'll be a sight to come on. The blonde-haired and tailed pony woman crouched and working on the side lick. Dosey Dotes works away at the door, tongue poking out from the corner of her mouth. Not sketchy at all as she fiddles with tumblers and the cylinder with a level of finesse an ordinary factory worker shouldn't have.
With a tiny ~pop~, she gets the lock and peeks the door open just enough to spy for any guards on the inside. And what she gets is the sight of the Archmagister herself and... Another woman she doesn't recognize? She's already a few step inside and sticking to a shadow when Ezio comes poking in behind her, Shizune not too far thereafter.
~Bleat~.
One hand clasps over her mouth as Dosey Dotes sloooooowwwwwwly turns her head around to peek at the Assassino DIRECTLY BEHIND HER.
"Aheh heh... Hehh... Got locked out while on smoke break..." She admits sheepishly. "Forepony'll probably turn me to glue if he catches me out here." She says pushing the door open wider. "Shhhh? I kinda need this job?"

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
Shizune frowns at the unlocked door. It's odd that they'd leave it unlocked, but it could easily be someone's forgetfulness, or simple trust in the perimeter guards. "Curious indeed," she replies. "But not quite worrying." So it's best to move on. The door opened, 'Harmony Circle' steps in, and after a quick glance around, murmurs to Ezio, "We should see if we can get into the elevator shaft. It would be the easiest way to go down unnoticed-"

Oh crap that is one of the factory workers.

Without missing a beat, Shizune responds in a hushed, "We're supposed to be down below ourselves, so we won't tell if you won't. Though would you happen to know a way to get back downstairs that wouldn't get us in trouble...?" She nods to the guards at the elevators, indicating her meaning.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
Pegasus eyes the exchange, and being what she is she immediately recognizes that it's a weapons exchange. Which means that there's something going on down below. The construct eyes the unicorn chatting for a few moments, but decides that if nobody else is making a ruckus she won't either. Besides, she sees another way down.

Pegasus trots swiftly over to the freight elevator that has no elevator in it, and she leaps down the shaft, letting her wings slow her fall. She'll just head to the next area that way!

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
 !

Ezio pauses as he sees Dosey. She immediately seems insanely sketchy, yet at the same time he's one to talk, being an assassin and all that. Shrug. Nodding in agreeemnt with Shizune, Ezio flashes 'Dosey' a look as he peeks out at the elevators.

"We'd appreciate whatever help you can provide us on this if anything. Assist us, and we guarantee your safety." He promises. Probably not much word from him, but hey.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
We'll cover what Peg sees once everyone else is down there. For now, Twilight is tapping her chin. "Something to surprise House Stormwing would be ideal. They do have the advantage in mobility, even with our new additions. Weapons suitable for a surprise attack would be best. But what is it you wish as payment?"

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
As for everyone else, there is ONE advantage that the rest have: the guards aren't leaving their posts. So that makes them predictable. What's more, the regular workers are doing their best to IGNORE everyone else, if anything shuffling away and keeping their distance from strangers.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
Eliot Ness is smart enough to recognize a grenade. Even one that will be invented decades after his death. He shakes his head at Homura, "If we set off a grenade, the entire place will come running."

He does look at the silenced firearms, considering the matter for a few moments. He rubs his chin and thinks, "If we kill the guards, that risks setting off other alarms when the bodies are found."

"I don't suppose you can just do your teleporting power and get us in there?"

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
"If you prefer the easy way that's always an option," Homura says, shutting the briefcase (quietly) and then holding out her free hand for Eliot to grab. For him and her, time stops, and everything turns maddeningly silent and greyscale-ish, with hints of color still remaining.

"Don't let go, please."

Or she'll just have to grab him again, really, so it's not as big an issue as she makes it out to be, but kind of a bother anyway. Since this pose would technically be happening in less than a second, we'll just go over the brief descriptions of what they can try doing:

* Look for another way down first, because interacting with the elevator in stopped time is going to be a huge pain.

* If that's a no go, burn extra magic and just force that elevator and its doors to comply.

Find cover to unstop time in once downstairs.

Polite Words (239) has posed:
The brown haired woman in the suit will pause to consider her options. "For a surprise attack, aah? There's a few choices for that, depending on what you're looking for. I can get you some heavier anti-aerial weapons, as well, but you'll have to be happy with pictures and schematics of those. They're a bit heavy for me to carry around with me, even in my car." She won't explain where her car could possibly be, but presumably it's not close.

"As for payment.. there are currencies and valuables I'll accept, of course. You could also pay in labor; there are things we could do within your present technology level to at least manufacture some ammunitions and the like. I'm very willing to extend a certain amount of credit."

Pinkie (470) has posed:
Ensure her safety?
The confused look that crosses Dosey Dotes' face when faced with Ezio and Shizune says that what the Italian Stallion might have said came off as even sketchier than she was just a moment ago. "Huh? What're you talking about? Place is safe enough... -ish. Complies with most safety standards, anyway. I think?" There's a sideward peer, but then she glances in. The other factory workers are avoiding the others who should Obviously Not Be here.
Soooo skeeeetch.
But up comes a hand. "Okay look, just stay about ten steps behind me and don't make it look like you're following me. You don't know me at all, you didn't get these from me. If I lose this, my little sister isn't eating." That's when she reaches into her overall pouches and produces a set of work badges. She pins one to her chest and stuffs the others into Shizune and Ezio's hands before...
Those guarded elevators for the workers. ... Obviously not the one Twilight and Polite Words went into.

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio raises an eyebrow as he's handed a badge, skeptical as to how she got ahold of /three/ of those so easily. Giving a look to Shizune, he shrugs and places the badge on before following along. There's no time to question it further, and time is short for the two if they're going to investigate this place further.

Like the girl said, ten steps behind. Ezio keeps pace, making sure not to be too close or too far just in case. His eyes watch Dosey like a hawk, cautious just in case this turns more complicated than it needs to be.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
Well, that's not suspicious in the least.

But right now they're being pretty suspicious themselves, so they don't have a choice but to take suspicious help. She follows along with Ezio, keeping her head lowered a little as if she's another one of the downtrodden here. Though her eyes keep flicking upward now and then to watch Dosey Dotes.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
The guards eye the badges that are produced with some uncertainty, but step aside after a moment of deliberation. "The Archmagister is on her way down there, already, you'd best hurry if you don't want her to see you're running late." They let the small group into the elevator, which gives Homura and Ness the perfect opportunity to /appear/ in the elevator, heading downward while...

Twilight ponders the offer. "Anti-aerial would be best, that is what we will be facing. I can offer quite a few enchanted items... and perhaps, if one of the golems survives the assault, you can even take that in payment? Would you find one of these acceptable?"

So everyone is arriving to see the construction floor. Twilight is gesturing to show Polite what they are working on right now, and the personal guards are stepping forward to flank the Archmagister.

As for what they are working on: half a dozen nearly-finished constructs, each about 12 feet tall and vaguely humanoid, though with ears and muzzle like a pony. They are made out of plated steel and rivets, with some crystalline fibers running inside the exposed sections. One of them is somewhat operational, lowing with an unnatural light as it's being empowered by a cluster of four unicorns 'charging' it, but most importantly... several offworld jet engines are nearby, with mounts being constructed for both them and the fuel tanks.

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
Homura and Ness do in fact just appear behind people in the elevator. Because that was insanely convenient. On the other hand now they're not split up and covering more ground, but oh well, strength in numbers, she supposes.

They get to find cover and watch.

Homura frowns a little bit.

She does not really know enough about golem construction or the rituals involved to tell if these are dangerous and a threat, but then, the Archmagister wouldn't bother if they were going to turn out to be useless husks of metal, right?

She'll voice her thoughts telepathically.
Better not make a noise.

Polite Words (239) has posed:
"I do have quite a lot in that department. Enchanted items could be quite valuable to me, depending on what they do, precisely..." And she seems slightly hesitant, somehow, to respond about one of the golems.

"One of them might be acceptable. They're a bit more... visible, let's say, than what I normally deal in, but I have an operation coming up myself where something like that could be useful." That's a bit vague, but it's meant to be. "I'd love to hear about your enchantments sometime, though. Mm, we could probably fit these out with some rockets?" She considers, stepping over towards the constructs, seeming to contemplate the possibilities.

Pinkie (470) has posed:
"Right right! Back to our posts for us!" Dosey Dotes chimes apologetically as she settles herself propped up against a wall, crossing one leg where she stands and folding her arms over her chest as she sets to wait for the ride down, newsboy cap tugged down to shade her eyes with a tiny sigh and...
~bleat~!
There's Ness and Homura nearly making the earth-pony woman jump out of her skin, one hand clamping her hat down. She's looking a little nervous now, sweat beading down the side of her brow, but when the elevator opens up into the new level and spots Archmagister Twilight Sparkle and the offworld woman. Gripping the brim of her hat between thumb and forefinger she tugs it down lower, a dakr shadow shrouding her face as... "Excuse me folks~."
Dosey Dotes suddenly takes off.
Her speed is inhuman, and it kind of makes sense as she runs at the full out pace of a horse at full sprint. Any guards in her way, any workers milling around? She weaves through them in a practiced manner that Ezio and Ness might recognize before taking a -vaulting leap-.
There are two, black, daggers in her grasp, and she is FLINGING herself on a collision course towards Twilight Sparkle.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
Shizune is about to slip out of the elevator onto the hangar floor when Dosey Dotes launches herself full speed for the Magister. For a second or so she's completely dumbstruck.

And then she remembers that she knows what the word 'opportunity' means, and also knows that things are about to go to hell in a handbasket, and decides to lunge out of the elevator and run for cover where she can more safely watch things unfold and figure out what to do next.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
Travelling through a silent world of greyscale is an odd sensation for Eliot Ness, and as Homura takes him around he looks very confused by the situation. Still, by the time they reappear into the timeline proper he is calmly standing at the back of the group.

Ness does not have much understanding of robots. And he is rather in awe of the technology he sees brought about in this place. But this awe is soon broken by the slightly familiar mad charge towards Twilight Sparkle.

Eliot will let others react to that event. He intends to simply stand at the back of the elevator and smoke. Mostly to wait for the right moment for him to step in for his own benefit.

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio blinks just as 'Dosey' reveals her true nature, drawing daggers and sprinting at the Magister like a bat out of hell. Immediately, he dives for cover, drawing his gunblade after pulling the pieces from his coat and assembling the weapon.

Like Shizune, he's content to watch for now, observing the scene with curiosity as to how this plays out. Really, this Twilight he has no love lost for. There's no real stake he has in preventing her assassination, unlike Shining Armor and Cadence.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
Pegasus is atop the freight elevatore now, and that's not a good place to be if it starts moving. Fortunately it is a great place to be for someone who sucks at stealth to remain relatively hidden, creeping to the edge to get a good look at what's going on. The construct flicks wings, tightening grip on the edge of the elevator roof. She doesn't like a lot of things about this.

Her wings snap out and she sits up abruptly when an ASSASSINATION attempt is made though! TIme for her to reach for her lance. "Uh oh."

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
Twilight is busy answering the woman, "Of course, we can provide this or, perhaps, we can provide you with the aid of one of our agents, once we have secured a deal. I am sure I could spare one of our shape-"

Shape? Shape what? She's interrupted by noticing /someone/ is there. Dosey is launching herself toward Twilight, and that prompts the interruption of the attack by the two silent bodyguards. The daggers land hits on one of them, both moving with strange 'afterimages' that look not quite natural. One of them takes the hit for Twilight, resulting in a splattering burst of disturbingly purple blood instead of the knives landing on Twilight herself.

The other is doing an elbow jab against Dosey, intent on knocking her away and into the wall. Rather brutally, in fact. And what does Twilight say to this?

"Dosey Dotes. Another pony who died, this one when Ponyville was flooded by House Stormwing. The dead have been paying me a strange amount of attention lately," she says quietly.

Pinkie (470) has posed:
The slrch of a successful stab doesn't make up for the fact that it was a fail in target. The bodyguard that takes the blow for Twilight results in a "Tch..." From the killer factory worker before the elbow to her gut sends Dosey Dotes FLYING.
She hits a wall with enough force to crater it before she slumps to the floor with a wet cough that spits up blood. It might seem like she's out cold for a moment... Before Dosey Dotes begins to laugh. One hand clutching her bruised gut, the other covering her face. It is a rasping, hoarse whisper of guffawing. "Wow... The Archmagister's guards really are strong. I didn't see that one coming at all. I guess the joke's on me."
Why is her hair pink now? It was blonde a second ago, but now it's a dull and lusterless, almost utterly grey shade of magenta, lank and stringy and covering her face as she pulls out a sinister smiling, almost faceless mask, and slides it into place. "The dead always have a nasty knack for haunting the guilty, don't they?"

Polite Words (239) has posed:
The businesswoman, meanwhile, seems utterly unconcerned with the sudden attack, not even touching her own weapons at first. Possibly, she's just curious to see what Twilight can do; alternatively, she doesn't want to get involved right now.

Well, other than to chide the rudeness. "Miss, can you not see that we are having a meeting here? Some of us did go through the trouble to set up an appointment. Can you not do that, miss?" She asks, a hint of irritation in her voice.

She'll look over at the Twilight that's speaking. "Oh. I'm afraid I'm no expert in the undead."

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
Ness is still not interfering. He will step out of the elevator during the exchange of blows and make his presence more known. Still not interfering, though. It's more him just milling about with a cigarette, being careful not to interfere with the fight.

"Archmagister! Eliot Ness! Nice to finally meet you. You seem busy, though," He calls, raising a gloved hand to wave towards her. He's not making any motion to betray the presence of the others in hiding, just his own presence.

He's still very careful to avoid the fighting.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
Pegasus is not interfering, but she's definitely paying attention. Actually, what she's doing is creeping closer to the edge to get a better look at the golems, to see if they're sapient or not. If she can even tell.

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio spots the golems, but aside from noting the scene he isn't in a hurry to join in on the chaos while he tries to inspect both the assassin and the Magister, eyes narrowed. Thankfully Ness is present to keep attention off of him while he continues to hide.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
For the moment, Shizune is holding her position as well. She's missing too many pieces of the puzzle to act effectively for the moment; she'll have to simply extend her trust to those who know the situation better, and take her cues from them.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
Twilight glances at Polite, "I apologize, I really haven't been having an assassination problem until recently." Well, none that actually got this close to her, anyway. She's coolly hiding how worried that makes her, horn glowing for a moment before Ness interrupts. This has her taking stock of everyone around, then back to the assassin. She thinks very carefully.

"You have the wrong target, I'm afraid. It was Rainbow Dash who flooded Ponyville. Dosey Dotes was a tragic loss, but if you truly want vengeance for her, then you would be moving on Stormwing with me."

She doesn't exactly /hold out her hand/ but she does leave the offer lingering there, implicitly. At the same time her own senses probe gently at Pinkamena, trying to figure out how the Earth Pony could disguise herself.

The injured guard collapses, but one of the workers is quick to hurry over and tend to him. The other one takes his place beside Twilight, who otherwise is ignoring them.

"Since you clearly have a mistaken judgement, I will let this attempt go. But remember, if my guard is crippled from this, it was your mistake," Twilight points out to Pinkamena. Then to Ness, "I would say it was nice to meet you, but... circumstances."

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
"And how!" Ness says to Twilight, seeming affable in spite of all the current circumstances. Perhaps this setup could be turned to benefit him. This seems like as good a time to make his move as any.

He steps towards Twilight, "Now you're the Big Cheese around here, but if you will remember, I warned you that just this very thing may happen, Archmagister." Ness seems to put his hands in his coat pockets. He makes his first move to acknowledge the assassin head on when he tosses it towards her in an attempt to provoke her catch-reflexes and stumble her for a moment.

He then turns back to Twilight, "Now I'm usually busy off world, but your security is simply atrocious. Now I warned you once and you didn't listen to me, I'm warning you again here and now. If you don't put someone up who can help you, and keep filling out with mooks, you're gonna get bumped off eventually."

He smiles, "Please, let me help run your security detail at your sites. An off-world perspective may help prevent these..." He waves a hand towards the hostile assassin vaguely, "... oversights. You on the trolley?"

Polite Words (239) has posed:
"Well. I'd offer some of our personal level equipment, but you seem to have that well in hand, at least." Polite doesn't seem tremendously concerned with it, at the least, her hand going down to pat at one of her pistols as she says that much.

She hadn't really paid much attention to the other pony worlds - who were remarkably less interested in purchasing heavy weaponry - so she'll miss out on some of the tragic interplay. On the other hand, she'll watch with some interest to see if the assassin will take up the offer of peace or go for fighting further.

It's probably for the best that she's not actually a known Confederate ally, except by a very small number of people, given the present meeting might make that awkward.

Pinkie (470) has posed:
"Oh!" The masked assassin chirps, rising to her feet. Though she takes a sweeping little bow, she doesn't hide that she's got another pair of knives in her grasp. ... Actually four, which she begins to juggle, completely ignoring the trickle of blood creeping down the corner of her mask's grin. "Blame it on 'Force Commander' Rainbow Dash!" She begins giggling.
"That's a riot... But okay! I'll let that be how history goes!"
But then Ness steps in. "Whoop!"
The coat lands on her, draping over head, face and... Just draping her entirely. Some catch reflexes, as her knives embed into the floor. However she is but one assassin. And she is surrounded by a lot of people. The coat seems to hang on her for a beat before it just...
Rumples to the floor, empty.
But not before one last hiss of a whisper hisses from the shadows.
"Remember, Archmagister... The dead always laugh last..."

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
Only now does Shizune seem to consider it prudent to stand herself back up, straightening her dress a bit. Ness gets a glance, the retreating Pinkie - or at least, the spot she used to be - gets a long stare, Ezio gets a brief look as if to assure herself of the Assassin's wellbeing, and then finally her gaze settles on Homura, the most senior known Union member present, whom she's watching for cues.

Pegasus (189) has posed:
Pegasus has seen enough of this, she thinks. Unlike the others, she isn't revealing herself... she's going to move back and start climbing up the shaft of the freight elevator. It's not that she isn't interested... she has a lot to think about. Also, she'd rather that Twilight didn't know she existed quite yet... she has a feeling the unicorn wouldn't take well to her being a pegasus.

Homura Akemi (2) has posed:
Homura has been dreadfully silent.
Probably more than she should have been.

It's not until she is looked at that she actually kind of... shrugs. She doesn't know any more than the others here.

Although...

"I don't know, but I know I don't want to blanket trust the Archmagister. Or... anyone else, really, until we have the full picture. If Ness is comfortable offering her security, though, that's something to consider. Could be his way to get an inside look. Could be trust."

This is a bit over her head.

Magister Twilight (475) has posed:
Twilight stares as the coat collapses. "A... no, that wasn't a teleport. What is she?" Muttered under her breath for a moment before she snaps her attention back to her guests.

First, to Polite Words, "We can continue negotiations from the comfort of the much more secure Fortress in Canterlot, I think. Alone."

Then to Ness and those who have made themselves known. "What an embarrassment. Clearly I will need to work on security training for my guards, after all. If you are willing to offer your services, I could compensate you well, Agent Ness. Some of us do not have Applejack's talent for seeing through deception."

The others get a long look. "I would appreciate if you said nothing about what you saw here. Now get out. This is not for civilians."

Polite Words (239) has posed:
That gets the slightest nod out of Polite Words, who'll look out over at those who have made themselves visible silently, trying to remember their faces. She doesn't actually know any of them offhand, but that's probably not too surprising, really.

Alone sounds better. Competition drives rates down, after all.

Eliot Ness (264) has posed:
Ness calmly walks over and picks up his jacket, carefully drawing a gun from a holster at his hip and aiming the revolver toward as he peels up an edge. Picking it up from the ground and satisfied that no one is under it, he holsters his revolver and then puts his coat back on carefully, adjusting the shoulders and sleeves a bit.

"Of course," Ness says rather simply to Twilight, "Money isn't important to me." He hooks an arm under his stomach and bows at the waist, one hand taking off his hat to reveal the black hair and hazel eyes of the investigator, "Breaking the law is not the way one should protest the law. I do this because I swore to uphold those laws." He notes to her.

"If I'm going to help, I need you to send me a few things to my office." He puts his hat back on his head, "Some sort of badge or Writ of Authority to allow me access to places. Otherwise I cannot appraise your security fully if I cannot get INTO them." He points out, "As well as an office to work out of would be nice. In Manehattan, if possible. Plus transportation. That will help me get started." They're actually pretty reasonable requests. The kind of thing a freelancer would ask for.

"You can contact me at my offices when you make arrangements." He notes, pulling down the brim of his hat and turning to walk back towards the elevator.

Shizune Nakamura (369) has posed:
Shizune scratches the back of her head with something approaching embarrassment. "Ah, of course." Blustering ahead would require her to have some grain of truth or piece of information to base her bluster around, but she's got nothing. The safest bet is to accept the deal offered, so to speak. She turns to look Ezio's way again, with an expression that says 'At least we won't have to fight our way out?'

Ezio Auditore (75) has posed:
Ezio shrugs back to SHizune, before he notes Pinkie's disappearance. He can't say he knows the full story, but he does feel a bit grumpy he let her play him and Shizune like fiddles. But whatever, she has to have reasons to be holding a grudge this bad against Twilight. God knows he was the same way for the longest time.

As he leaves, he keeps a wary glance at Twilight while sheathing his sword.