Project Redux, by Neutral


                                            [Copied from https://pastebin.com/3yBPmWdH]


                                            >No matter what happens, the world will keep turning.

                                            >...

                                            >...

                                            >"Anon."

                                            >...

                                            >No matter what I do, the world will carry on.

                                            >"Anon?"

                                            >All I need to do is get by, making sure that this "peace" is kept.

                                            >...

                                            >...

                                            >And to hope to set "her" straight.

                                            >As soon as the train departs from the darkened tunnel, you immediately snap back to your senses.

                                            >"Master Anonymous."

                                            "Hmm?"

                                            >"We will be arriving at our destination shortly."

                                            "Remind me again of what we are doing?"

                                            >"A group of people is attempting to sell off ponies again."

                                            >She motions her hoof around in the air.

                                            >"And it's our job to make sure that doesn't happen."

                                            "Am I still dreaming here?"

                                            >"Hey, I made a good imitation didn't I?"

                                            "Pretend or not, this is still my duty and your sentence."

                                            >*sigh*"Admit it, you just want to get paid and be done with it."

                                            >You give her a glance and look straight forward again.

                                            "You know when I first started, it wasn't so bad. Now it just seems like routine anymore."

                                            >The train comes to a slow pace and ultimately to a halt.

                                            >The speaker comes on, as loud as ever.

                                            >"Thank you for choosing Equal Railways. We have arrived at Montblanc Station."

                                            "Well, time to get moving."

                                            >Upon exiting the train you take the PDA out of your pocket and look over the address one more time.

                                            >Both of you begin walking to your destination.

                                            >Supposedly the meetup for this group is in the park just a few blocks down from the train station.

                                            >"It would be easier if you had just drove your car."

                                            "I'm trying to save money here. I only take it to work and back. You know this by now."

                                            >Both of you stop just before the park and sit behind the wall.

                                            >You begin whispering.

                                            "Thank god it's a clear night out. The moon will help up see their faces."

                                            >"Like you think they'll escape with me around."

                                            >You take the gun out of your holster and get into a ready stance.

                                            "Quiet, I'm starting to hear footsteps."

                                            >Not a moment later you hear talking from a several meters out.

                                            >You take out a pair of compact digital binoculars and view the situation.

                                            >Looks like a group of four on the small bridge. Two selling and two buying.

                                            >You pull out the phone and make the call.

                                            "Have a pick-up here in five minutes."

                                            >You turn off the phone, not needing to say anything else.

                                            "Ready? You take one side I'll take the other."

                                            >"Right.

                                            >Both of you hastily make your move toward the bridge.

                                            >You reach the bridge before they even catch notice. Too busy making their deal to pay attention.

                                            >Slowly walking up, you begin to say the usual thing you have to before apprehension.

                                            "Alright, alright. This is the Peacekeeper here to take you guys in. Now if you'll just-"

                                            >Before you could finish they drop everything, pony included, and start running.

                                            *sigh*"Why do they always choose to run?"

                                            >As they make there way to the other side of the bridge they are stopped by the appearance of a single unicorn.

                                            >"Now then. Just come quietly so we can get paid for each of you, hmm?"

                                            >They don't listen and start pulling out knives.

                                            >You just stand there with arms crossed waiting for her end to be over with.

                                            >The pony that was being sold comes up to you.

                                            >"I-I'm safe now right?"

                                            >You kneel down to his level.

                                            "The authorities will be here to take care of you and your situat-"

                                            >You realize that his ear is tagged red.

                                            "Well, we will see."

                                            >Your partner walks over to you with three knives circling around her.

                                            >"Don't they know these don't work on magic? They won't be doing this again anytime soon."

                                            >She looks toward the pony that was being sold and also notices the red tag on his ear.

                                            >"Oh look. It's another runaway. How long you've been running this time?"

                                            >The other pony starts trembling.

                                            >"W-what are you talking about?"

                                            >"Oh don't act like you don't know."

                                            >He starts backing up from both of you.

                                            >"I-I'm not going back."

                                            "Don't do it. You'll regret it."

                                            >"Y-you can't tell me anything! I refuse!"

                                            >You aim your gun toward the head.

                                            "Well, it was nice knowing you."

                                            >You pull the trigger.

                                            >In a single moment he comes to a dead stop and it took another for him to fall down.

                                            >"You always act like you actually go in for the kill."

                                            "Hey gotta make tranquillizing look cool too. Even if they aren't designed to kill."

                                            >The gun you hold is a tranq-gun that's design with compact rounds and made to look like an actual handgun.

                                            >You proceed to re-holster the weapon.

                                            "It's unfortunate he decided to run, now they may tag him as black if he has done this enough."

                                            >You look back at your "partner" and point at her black tag.

                                            "Still doesn't hold a candle to what you have done."

                                            >"You're the one who's giving me a chance here."

                                            "And I question myself sometimes about it."

                                            >...

                                            >...

                                            >The year is 2032.

                                            >Roughly three years after the appearance of a new intelligent species was found being sold in underground markets.

                                            >About at year later after the beginning of the "slave owning time', the government issued a form of "system" for the new species.

                                            >Which in your opinion was a complex way of them having slavery technically legal but not able to be bought.

                                            >Each pony that came into this world would be tagged.

                                            >White tags mean they were new and were "obliged" to enter the workforce until they acquire a higher status.

                                            >Whites usually lived at their worksites and in cramped quarters. It's not a life you'd want that's for sure.

                                            >Green meant they had a higher freedom and were allowed to live with a human in a "co-existing" contract.

                                            >Most of the time this is where the real trouble begins. Since quite a few don't usually work out.

                                            >Red means that they are runaways. They usually live in a confined environment until they reacquire their white status.

                                            >Doesn't stop repeats though.

                                            >And then we have the infamous black tag..

                                            >This tag is rather special. By that you mean the one wearing it has either ran away so many times that the state believe they are beyond hope.

                                            >Or that the individual has done something that warrants a death sentence.

                                            >That's where the organization you joined comes into play.

                                            >You are called Peacekeepers. You function as a branch of the authorities to make sure that no illegal activities take place.

                                            >This includes smuggling, groups of resistance, underground buying rings, and so on.

                                            >Though all you really do is just round up red tags usually with your "partner".

                                            >Your partner's name is Wicked Eclipse.

                                            >She is the one held responsible for almost assassinating the head of the state.

                                            >She was on the death penalty, but thanks to your organization she was given one chance at redemption, like all black tags are given.

                                            >Nobody took her except you.

                                            >You even remember her coming into your complex on the first day and saying these words.

                                            >"You'll regret it one of these days."

                                            >You don't exactly know what she meant by that, but she has been quite a handful.

                                            >It's only been a month and you honestly believe she has caused more damage than actually done good.

                                            >...

                                            >...

                                            >The card in the machine has finally spit out and the bounty was redeemed.

                                            >"Finally, so how big of a haul we get this time?"

                                            "After everything, only $400."

                                            >"WHAT?! That was easily a grand right there."

                                            "Yes, but if you'll remember our last job someone decided that taking a street lamp out of the ground to use as a method of intimidation was going to be a great idea."

                                            >"Oh right... that."

                                            "So, we are just gonna have to get by until the end of the month with what we got."

                                            >Oh yeah that's right you forgot to mention.

                                            >The hourly pay for this organization is piss poor. The "Bounty" system counteracts that.

                                            >Supposedly this system encourages all to help keep the world a better place. It's even availible off duty.

                                            >Downside to off-duty work is that you sign a waiver saying that the organization is not responsible for any damages to agents acting off-duty.

                                            >Which means that off-duty bounties could be severely reduced if something happened, like a car blowing up.

                                            >Uh-oh. A person higher up is coming over.

                                            >Better not stand like this or you'll be getting an earful.

                                            >You're off the clock but they still love acting like dicks about it.

                                            >"Anonymous, we need you and your "partner" to come back in for just a second. She will be escorted to a waiting room while we talk."

                                            >Oh yeah, it's that time...

                                            "Sure, I'll come in. I already know."

                                            >"Then this shouldn't take long."

                                            >All three of you went back inside your organization's rather ominous building.

                                            >Why does every organization gotta have such a presence to it?

                                            >You were brought to a small white room and were hooked up to a lie detector machine.

                                            >The guy from before enters the room.

                                            >"Well, Mr. Anonymous. Since you already know what's about to happen. You remember the rules right."

                                            "Yeah. Only say the truth and nothing goes outside of this room."

                                            >"Excellent. Then lets begin our questioning. How much do you think your partner has improved?"

                                            'No real improvement."

                                            >"How much time does she put into bettering herself while you are off-duty?"

                                            "None."

                                            >The questioning only kept going. Each with a not-so-great response.

                                            >By the end of the questioning, he is just tapping his finger on the table and giving you a stare.

                                            >"Sir you are aware that if this pattern keeps up within the next few months, you'll be relieved from her and she will face death."

                                            "I understand."

                                            >He proceeds to turn off the lie detector machine and all forms of voice recording that lay on the table.

                                            >"This is off the book so I definitely don't want to thear this leave the room or it's my ass too."

                                            >"Wouldn't you be destroyed if she didn't change and you knew you only delayed her death."

                                            "I'm trying here, but you guys make it very difficult."

                                            >"Yeah the rules don't give you much to work with. I'll note only that part of our "after-test" talk. You're free to go."

                                            >In the contract you are given, Eclipse was to live with you.

                                            >They added a small renovation to your house, giving her a room no bigger than necessary.

                                            >It only contained a small bed and a night stand.

                                            >As long as she was off duty, she wore a magic restraint around her horn.

                                            >On duty she would wear a collar with a dead-man switch given to you.

                                            >Should she get out of hand or kill you while on duty, the collar itself is design to inject a lethal poison into it's wearer after 5 seconds.

                                            >Upon exiting the building, both of you get into your car.

                                            >Before you can even start the car she opens the gloved box and pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

                                            >"I need one."

                                            *sigh*"You're gonna kill yourself slowly, eh? Make sure the window is rolled down."

                                            >She takes out a cig from the box and you take the lighter and light it for her.

                                            >"Can't they make these for ponies too?"

                                            "That would be too easy."

                                            >You start the vehicle and proceed to make your way home for the day.

                                            >"So how much longer until I'm free of all this?"

                                            "Depends."

                                            >"On what exactly?"

                                            "Stuff."

                                            >"Awww, don't be that way. I'm a dead pony walking anyway, so anything you tell me wouldn't matter."

                                            "The higher ups would disagree."

                                            >You approach a red light and and stop.

                                            "I'll say this once. If you don't do as much damage and actually be productive like on the assignment we just worked, then you'd actually be better."

                                            >She doesn't say anything and just proceeds to take another puff from the cig while looking out the car window.

                                            "And we would get paid more."

                                            >Still nothing.

                                            "And I could see if I could get your room upgrad-"

                                            >"I want a TV, a gun cabinet, and a copy of Dirty Mares."

                                            "One thing at a time."

                                            >It took a moment for the last thing to register.

                                            "'Dirty Mares'??"

                                            >"Yeah, the one where two mares are in a love hotel and they go at it hard. They even have a scene where they take a double sided dildo and-"

                                            "I'm just gonna stop you right there. Never in a million years will I buy something like that for you."

                                            >"Oh well, guess I'll just get off on my thoughts like usual."

                                            "Is that the reason you go through so many fucking towels?!"

                                            >"Hey I got my needs too, you know."

                                            >You pinch your nose and let out a huge sigh.

                                            "Jesus....."

                                            >Your line of conversation is immediately halted by screaming coming from a nearby alleyway.

                                            >"Hey you hear that? Sounds like a bonus pay."

                                            "Sounds like effort that I will need a bit more motivated effort for."

                                            >You see a small mare burst out of the alleyway in front, she's wearing a green tag.

                                            >"Someone please help me!"

                                            >Before she could even get another word out a rather large fellow grabs her and brings her back into the alleyway.

                                            >The light has been green for a while now, but you haven't moved. This isn't the busiest of roads though.

                                            >"Should we even do something?"

                                            "She's got a green tag, Where the hell is her owner?"

                                            >"Maybe she was kidnapped?"

                                            "Or maybe he's the owner."

                                            >"That's pretty messed up if he is the owner."

                                            "Well, rights for you guys aren't completely set in stone yet. Are far as green tags goes, you have to listen to anything the head of the house tells you."

                                            >You tap your finger on the steering wheel.

                                            "And there is a loophole in the system where telling a pony to have sex with you technically isn't illegal."

                                            >"What a fucked up system."

                                            >The screaming continues but the only ones around right now are you two.

                                            >The light has even went back to red you sat here so long.

                                            "Fuck it, let's go E."

                                            >You proceed to get out of the car, moving to the passenger side to let Eclipse out as as well.

                                            >Both of you enter the alleyway to see what's going down.

                                            "Alright what's the situation he-PFFFTTT."

                                            >You had to stop because in front of you was a big hefty guy holding down the mare with his pants between his ankles.

                                            >He looks at you and is surprised that you actually got out of your car.

                                            >"Holy shit, man! I didn't think you'd actually get out and come down here!"

                                            >The mare wiggled her way out of his grasp and ran away.

                                            "We'll deal with her later. Now what the hell do you think you were doing."

                                            >"I-I was..."

                                            >Eclipse immediately joins in.

                                            >"What, about to take that mare's innocence? Don't you have anything else better to do on a Friday?"

                                            >"Ummm.."

                                            >"And for ALL that is fucking holy, please put your pants up! Nobody wants to see that sorry excuse."

                                            >"O-okay."

                                            >You phone in for a pickup and not too long after he is taken away.

                                            >An officer walks over to you with a mobile card device.

                                            "Guess it's better than nothing."

                                            >An extra $100 for that. Though the mare is still missing.

                                            >You shrug and both of you get back in the vehicle and drive as if it didn't happen.

                                            >"So why didn't you go after that pony? I could've made sure he didn't go anywhere."

                                            "That would've been too much effort. I'm already tired as is. They'll find her eventually."

                                            >Your phone vibrates on the dashboard.

                                            >Eclipse move over to pick it up.

                                            >"Looks like you got another assignment."

                                            "That was fast, I thought it would be at least another week."

                                            >Upon arriving home, you both enter and wind down. You check the email to get further detail on the assignment.

                                            >Looks like a information gathering assignment. You hate those with a passion because it's usually undercover.

                                            >It details of a rumour about some new drug is being sold through bars and clubs, but no info on it has actually came to light.

                                            >They want you to go to "The Wild Horse" on Monday night.

                                            >It's a rather large nightclub where most of the servers and dancers are a bunch of female ponies.

                                            >You know that club because you met the head once on a side gig. He told you he pays good "hush money" to keep most of the not so legal activities there quiet.

                                            >It mostly involves prostitution anyway, so you looked over it for a few bucks.

                                            "We are going to The Wild Horse, Monday."

                                            >"Can I get drunk off my tail while we are there?"

                                            "It's for the assignment. We are going undercover to gather some info."

                                            >"Can I get drunk off my tail while we are there?"

                                            *sigh*"It you do anything stupid it's on you, but it wouldn't hurt to have a few drinks to blend in."

                                            >"Awww fuck yea. So what's the deal with the info grab?"

                                            "We are going there to ask around about a drug that is circling around.

                                            >"What's it called?'

                                            "Don't know, it's only rumours they want us to check out."

                                            >Both of you get ready for night and you walk over to Eclipses room.

                                            >"Sure you can't just leave it open once? They won't know."

                                            "Yeah, no."

                                            >The door to her room has to be locked with a card device from outside.

                                            >"Awww killjoy. Guess I'll just have to enjoy myself in here."

                                            >You close the door and lock it.

                                            >You hear hitting of the walls and moaning from inside not even a minute after.

                                            >She is purposefully being loud just to piss you off tonight.

                                            >...

                                            >...

                                            >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UffxFH2Exo [Embed]

                                            >Man the music in this place gets to you sometimes.

                                            >Aside from that, not even an 30 minutes here and Eclipse is already drunk.

                                            >"*hic* Anon, let me tell you about *hic* how I almost killed a man."

                                            >Oh boy here we go with this story again.

                                            >"You see, I was a maid for the head before his *hic* other "head" wanted to get involved."

                                            >"I didn't want him like that but he forced himself on me one night."

                                            >*hic* "So I wanted revenge and you know what I did?"

                                            >"During one of *hic* his meetings I grabbed a gun out of his cabinet and pointed it at the bastard."

                                            >"*hic* Told 'im I was gonna feed his cock to the dogs!"

                                            >"Of course they *hic* somehow pinned on me that I was the leader of a whole resistance to overthrow the government on top of all that."

                                            >"*hic* Me! A fucking leader of a whole damn resistance! Guess they thought I looked like the bitch or *hic* sumthin'."

                                            >A mare starts walking her walk over to you.

                                            >She is wearing some very large headphones around her neck and wearing some very large shades.

                                            >"Hey babe, you looking for someone else to have a good time with?"

                                            >Eclipse breaks in before you could even get the first word out.

                                            >"Hey BABE *hic*, why don't you piss off before I come over the monkey here and *hic* slap your shit?"

                                            >"And what's with the *hic* big headphones anyway?! There is already one DJ on the stand over there."

                                            >"*hic* Make like a good mare and go spin some dicks instead. HA HA HA."

                                            >After that her head falls face first onto the table.

                                            *sigh* "Sorry about her."

                                            >"Eh, I've heard worse."

                                            "Since you came over here, you wouldn't happen to know anything about a new drug going around do you?"

                                            >"....Let's go somewhere more private."

                                            >You look at your partner. She is pretty much passed out right now.

                                            >"The bartender will look after her, let's go."

                                            >Both you and the mare go into the back into one of the private dance rooms.

                                            "How much for the dance?"

                                            >"For you? $60."

                                            "...deal."

                                            >You sit the money down on the table and she begins her dance.

                                            "So what do you know?"

                                            >"It's apparently a drug that uses unicorn horns as an ingredient. People come here from time to time and talk about it."

                                            >"The effect of it is supposed to stimulate the brain somehow."

                                            >You throw and few more dollars on the table to the side.

                                            "Do you know if anyone sells any right now?"

                                            >She smiles and nudges her head toward the table to indicate to put some more down.

                                            >You put another $10 on there.

                                            >"There is one person who currently sells it right now. Though it's apparently pretty hard to come by right now."

                                            >"They say it's pretty hard to make it look like they didn't have a horn in the first place."

                                            "Any deals that will go down in the future?"

                                            >"Heh, if I knew that I don't think you could pay me."

                                            >You throw another $50 on the table.

                                            >"Well.... there may be a deal going down in a few weeks. They don't like doing them frequently."

                                            >"And I heard it may be going down at an abandoned building."

                                            >"Something you guys would call a church."

                                            >A few moments later and she completes her little dance, ending up sitting on you and having her hoofs wrapped around.

                                            >"You know? I kind of like you. If you want a good time, come back here and ask for me."

                                            "I'll keep that in mind."

                                            >She gets off you and you proceed back to the bar where your "partner" is causing problems once again.

                                            >"HEY *hic* YOU! Who do I have to get off on the have another *hic* fireball?!"

                                            "Come on, E. We got what we need from here."

                                            >"Whaaaat? We are just *hic* getting started here. I'll end up eating of these mares out before the nights over. JUST. YOU. *hic* WATCH."

                                            >You pick up your drunken partner from the bar stool.

                                            "We are leaving now."

                                            >"Anon, we are going *hic* too fast! You need to buy me dinner first!"

                                            *sigh*

                                            >You sit her in the car and proceed to get in as well.

                                            >"Anon, *hic* I love you. You can *hic* bring me back home and fuck me silly for I *hic* care!"

                                            >You shake your head and start the vehicle.

                                            >...

                                            >...

                                            >Surprisingly, that car ride back home has been quiet so far.

                                            >You adjust yourself in the seat to drive more relaxed.

                                            >"Hey Anon....."

                                            >Just when you almost got peace and quiet.

                                            "What is it?"

                                            >"I'm just gonna end up dying, aren't I?"

                                            >Guess the low has started to hit her. Better just go with it.

                                            "Why would you say that?"

                                            >"Because I've done nothing to show for myself like this damn organization wants me to."

                                            >"Ever since that day, my life turned for the worst. I said fuck it all."

                                            >"I'd rather live my life any way i see fit since I was gonna die anyway."

                                            >"Then you came along and I thought to myself, 'Oh, I can just use this as a means to get what I want before they decide I'm not worth it."

                                            >"Why did it all have to go wrong?"

                                            >"What did I do to deserve this?"

                                            >She starts getting violent and hits the dashboard with her hooves.

                                            >"WHY DID THAT PRICK OF A MAN HAVE TO GO DO WHAT HE DID??!?!"

                                            >"I politely told him I wasn't interested and asked nicely if he wouldn't approach the subject any further."

                                            >"But nooooo, he had to go and try to "hide his snake" in little ol' me!"

                                            >She finally calms down and let's out a huge sigh.

                                            >She ended up cracking the dash from her little rant.

                                            >You slam the brakes, which in turns causes her to move forward and hit her head on said dash.

                                            >"OW! What the hell?"

                                            "You want to cause problems with what little life you have left?! I could've easily said no and you would've died that day."

                                            >"At this point, it seems like the better option you asshole!"

                                            "Oh yeah?! Well.."

                                            >You grab the small revolver that's used for personal defense from out underneath the driver seat.

                                            >You point it at her, which causes her to panic and push herself back against the passenger door.

                                            >"P-put that away."

                                            "Oh? I thought you gave up and wanted to die at this point. What's with the change of heart?"

                                            >She is trembling in fear. You proceed to press her further.

                                            "You said it yourself. You'd rather die. Want me to go ahead and pull the trigger? Huh?!"

                                            >"Why the hell are you doing this?!"

                                            "Because all I've heard tonight is you talking in circles and now look what you did to my car!

                                            "If you want to die so badly, then I might just give you that fucking offer!"

                                            "All you've caused for me so far is a rough living!"

                                            >She is getting angry, but tears are welling up in her eyes.

                                            >"You know what?! If you got the balls to do it, then go right fucking ahead!

                                            "I think I will!"

                                            >"WELL DO IT!"

                                            >You pull the hammer back.

                                            >She has her eyes closed shut and tears pouring out and proceeds to yell at the top of her lungs.

                                            >"PULL THE FUCKING TRIGGER ALREADY!!!!"

                                            >You press the trigger once. And only once.

                                            >All that is heard is the gun click.

                                            >Which was enough to make her flinch.

                                            >Though no actual gunshot went off.

                                            >She is glued to the door, completely still as if she was frozen in time.

                                            >She soon comes back to her senses and opens one of her eyes.

                                            >You throw the gun back underneath the driver seat and proceed to drive once again.

                                            >"I-I'm not dead...."

                                            >She slouches into her seat and repeats the same sentence.

                                            >"Hehe.... I'm not dead...."

                                            >"Ahahaha.... I'm not dead..."

                                            >"HAHAHAHA! I'm not dead!"

                                            >She starts going into a laughing fit, tears still pouring out all the way.

                                            >"HAHAHAHAH! I 'KNEW' you wouldn't! I just knew!"

                                            >"I get it now you said all that crap just to see my reaction, right?!"

                                            "..."

                                            >"That was a great joke you pulled. I've never felt so alive! HAHAHAHAH!

                                            >"AHAHAhaha...ha...*sniff* haha."

                                            >You never kept that revolver loaded. It's was mostly a use for initimidation.

                                            >Though you wonder if it gave her either a reality check or drove her into madness.

                                            >...

                                            >For the rest of the ride home, she is crying with head buried in her hooves.

                                            >Upon arriving home you turn off the vehicle and look at her.

                                            >She stopped crying a little bit ago, but now just sits there with a blank expression.

                                            "I'm not supposed to say this but...."

                                            >She looks at you with the same expression but with an eyebrow raised.

                                            "In one month, they'll re-evaluate you based on questions I answer."

                                            *sigh*"And if they aren't satisfied with the results, well... you know...."

                                            >"That it?"

                                            "Yes, but I want you to know that this isn't a game anymore."

                                            >"Can we go in now? My head is killing me."

                                            "...Sure."