Spitfire adjusted her tie and glowered down at Rainbow Dash. The blue pegasus was likewise clad in full dress uniform, although much less smartly. She glowered over her sunglasses. "The fact that nopony was injured and no serious damage was done is not at issue here, Dash. Although that is why you're before this formal inquiry instead of answering to the Equestrian judicial system."

"Your honor, I was totally justified in what I did!" Dash stood up, stamping her hooves on the table in front of her. "If your pet had likewise been threatened by h...By hyyy...By needing to sleep all winter, you would have been just as desperate to delay the season."

Twilight grabbed Dash's shoulder, trying to pull her back down. "Dash, she isn't a judge, and this isn't your time to speak!"

Rainbow Dash wrenched free. "Like hay it isn't! I've been sitting here for like an hour, listening to Spitfire and all these other pegasi chide me for being irrational, irresponsible and dangerous, even though nopony got hurt. Heck, they should be thanking me, for turning a five-day winter weather application into a six hour single-weather event!"

"And a seven day snow dispersal and disaster cleanup period." Spitfire shuffled some papers on her desk, and then retrieved a few, handing them to her colleagues. "You made quite a mess, Rainbow Dash, and a lot of bits had to be spent cleaning it up."

"More bits than it would have cost you to lock that door, or install emergency termination systems?" Rainbow Dash leaned back on her chair, crossing her legs and huffing. "Anypony could have wandered in there. What if some Changelings broke in and flooded half of Ponyville? Or some curious young filly accidentally dropped three tons of snow just because you couldn't be bothered to stagger your lunch break."

Twilight Sparkle rose to the fore, putting herself between Rainbow Dash and Spitfire. "My client makes a good point, Spitfire. Where were the security ponies assigned to guard the weather station from intruders? Why weren't mandatory safety shut-off systems engaged automatically once Dash began to overload the system? These are serious shortcomings in your safety protocols, and we should consider ourselves lucky that it was Rainbow Dash who tampered with the system, not some pony bent on more serious mischief."

Spitfire opened her mouth to speak, and then closed it, leaning over to whisper into the ear of the pegasi nearest to her. They conferred for a bit before Spitfire cleared her throat to reply. "Princess Twilight Sparkle, I'll remind you that as this is only an inquiry, and that you have not been admitted to the bar, Rainbow Dash is not on trial and even if she was you couldn't be her attorney. Nonetheless, we will note of the security shortfalls in our final report to the Crown, and implement new security and safety measures before next year's winter."

"To hay with that! You just don't want to admit you're wrong!" Dash moved in front of Twilight, almost pushing her aside. "I don't regret what I tried to do in order to spend more time with Tank. Anypony who's lost a pet, even just for a few months, would work just as hard as I did to try and keep that pet in their life. It's not my fault that you left the doors open and the machines running. You practically invited somepony to come in and make a mess!"

Spitfire stiffened. "Well we didn't actually invite you in. Still, you and the princess have made good points, and in light of this, we aren't going to strip you of your rank, or employment. Just place you on a six week unpaid suspension, and remind you that it was very unusual that you got off this lightly. We won't be so kind if this happens again next winter."

Dash fumed, frowning at Spitfire. Twilight grabbed her by the shoulder, keeping her from taking to the air. "Rainbow, take the win."

Rainbow Dash turned around and walked towards the exit. Stopping before the door, she spun to face Spitfire, throwing her hooves into the air. "I REGRET NOTHING!"

Twilight winced. "She's sorry, really. And it won't happen again."

Spitfire stood up then adjusted her uniform smiling at Twilight. "I just hope the Crown remembers my benevolence when it comes to your investigation into our little...Security lapse."

Twilight stood at attention, frowning at Spitfire. "The crown doesn't trade favors. Celestia will see you next week."