Eureka!

Ray's weapon was now complete. The drones had helped him acquire a small piece of metal to rest atop of the wood piece, and a rubber band to keep it in place, as well as allowing it to serve as a type of trigger. The rope was used to secure the "barrel" of the weapon in place, just in front of the trigger assembly. A belt was nailed to both ends of the weapon, to serve as a type of sling.

Operation of the improvised carbine was simple. It had no sights, but could be aimed with natural indentation in the material of the pipe, and careful estimation of elevation. The trigger was like that of a slingshot. With the metal object suspended in front of the nail and bullet primer by rubber band, one would have to simply pull back and release, allowing the metal to strike the nail, which in turn strikes the bullet's primer, thus firing the round of ammunition through the pipe.

"One more thing." Ray said, looking up at the drones. "One of you put this can on that rock over there." He pointed at a particular rock formation protruding from the slant around the depression, just level enough to set the can. The can that he was referring to, of course, was the same one sitting on the table with chunks missing where the metal had been filed-off for the "fertilizer arrow".

A drone complied with his order. Ray took aim with the carbine, merely guessing the elevation as he lined the barrel up to the target. Don't screw this up. It's a disposable one-shot self-defence system, after all!

Ray's grip began shaking, throwing off his aim. He began slowly pulling the trigger back, remembering that gradual progress of an intended action forces the brain to calm the nerves and muscles, allowing a more steady shot. He took advantage of the momentary stability and let the trigger go.

As intended, the bullet inside was successfully fired, even hitting the can. There was, however, one undesired side-effect. As the bullet left the muzzle, the unguarded rear-end of the chamber allowed the spent casing to fly out, with its hot metal grazing Ray's ear along the way. The nail was completely unaccounted for.

The drones were completely engrossed at the effectiveness of the weapon, not to mention startled at the ear-piercing sound, so much as not to even notice the flaw and began immediately applauding him again.

Ray gritted at the pain in his ear, holding up the weapon like a sword as he turned to face the group again, silencing them. "I want one-hundred thirty-five of these made! I don't care what the body material is that you use in your construction, as long as it matches the required dimensions, and that the metal barrels and trigger assemblies match exactly what I have here. And please, find something sturdy to partially conceal the rear of the chamber, enough to keep the cartridge from ejecting in your face, but not so much as the trigger is blocked from hitting the nail firing-pin. Understand?"

Heads nodded, eagerly awaiting what he had to say next.

"Now remember, these are single-shot weapons that are nearly impossible to reload in an active battlefield. Make your shots count! After we're done constructing our stockpile, and finished with firearms training, I'll give you the briefing on how to use these in this particular offensive." He paused, lowering the weapon and setting it down on the table. "Grab your supplies and make it happen."

...

...

...

As the night progressed, the sky had become a beautiful purple sea of stars. Below it and northwest of the town, just at the edge of a nearby mountain, was what appeared to be a grand palace, brilliantly-lit and ever so inviting.

Tolwin did nothing but stand next to his Chinook, staring at the distant palace with a smile on his face. Everyone else, however, gathered amongst themselves behind him.

"It just gets better and better by the hour, doesn't it?" said Riggs.

Marchetti let out a yawn. "Yep. Think we have enough supplies left for another invasion?"

"Oh, March, give it a rest, man!"

"Not right now! I just mean-..."

Faust interrupted, crossing his arms. "Riggs feels Tolwin's repetitive victories will foil our chance to make friendly contact with the pony species."

Riggs rubbed his eyes. "Really, Faust? In front of the commander?"

"Furthermore ignoring the fact that I've already made contact with them. Hostile contact, I might add."

"You know what, Faust? I'm really getting sick of your-..."

A swirl of smoke and green flames formed in the air around the group, catching the attention of everyone, including Tolwin. They watched as it slowly compressed together, forming a type of scroll. It floated in the air momentarily, then dropped directly in front of Faust's feet.

All eyes met his as he nervously uncrossed his arms.

Tolwin trained his right hand over a hip-holster containing his sidearm, a worn and rustic Łucznik Arms PM-63 RAK with stock removed. "Pick it up."

Faust kept his eyes on Tolwin as he followed the order.

"Read it. Out loud."

Faust looked down at his message, taking a quick look at the text before enlightening other ears of it's information. This is it, my cover's been blown! Now all I have left to do is accept imprisonment with these savages, or take my own life before they have a chance to do with me as they please.

He looked back up at his new captors, letting the message slip from his fingers and into the wind. You won't get such a pathetic act out of me, Mister Taggard Tolwin! Listen loud to the sound of your own technology as it pierces your heart, savage human, for it is a message you and your followers will never forget. We are Changelings! We will fight before we are cornered into cowardice!

...

...

...

"For the queen!" Faust drew his sidearm from his hip holster.

Tolwin, however, was quickest to react, whipping out his PM-63, shooting Faust in the forehead.

A green plume of magical matter exploded from the bullet hole, gradually consuming his being as it swirled around them like a wind storm. They shielded their eyes at the intense luminosity.

"What the hell is this?!" Marchetti yelled over rumbles from the matter that sounded similar to thunder.

The matter dissolved from existence, leaving behind, not Faust, but a strange equanoid creature sprawled on the ground where he once stood. It bore close resemblance to the pony creatures, but with a dark coat, sharp fangs, insect wings, and hooves riddled with holes and partial cavitations.

"My god..." said Riggs as he edged closer to the dead animal. "Faust was one of them the whole time!"

"That's not them." said Marchetti upon closer inspection.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, look at it! Fangs, bug wings... this is something else."

"Jesus. My question is, how long has he been one? Since our invasion of this place, or his entirety of service?"

Tolwin holstered his sidearm and lightly kicked the lifeless corpse. "Doesn't matter. The point is these things are creatures of deception. Any one of us could be one of them."

Riggs and Marchetti looked at each other worryingly.

"It's all a matter of trust now."

Lights around the basecamp came on, one-by-one within the various drab tents. No doubt alerted to the gunshot.

Tolwin payed no attention and instead searched the ground for the message. Instead he found it stuck onto the Chinook's co-pilot window. He walked up to it and peeled it off the glass, reading what it contained.

Dear Operative Twenty-Nine,

The Hive wishes to inform you that plans have changed. Thanks to your messages, we have determined that the human invaders are far too strong to repel with our original plan. The queen has captured the lone arrival and is currently using his skills in human combat to help fight them off, and, we assume, to finish off the Canterlot Royal Guard completely.

Since you've already successfully infiltrated the Phantom Raders' organization, we would appreciate if you could aid in our efforts by taking them out from the inside. However, if this is impossible, we strongly suggest falling back and re-joining with your squad. We need as much assistance as we can.

Please acknowledge this message immediately with your decision.

Tolwin's blood pumped vigorously, his face reddening with anger as he crumbled the letter in his hand, throwing it at his aircraft with a growl.

"What did it say?" asked Marchetti.

Tolwin turned around sharply. "The Driver! They got him, and now he's helping them! Faust was a traitor and a spy gathering information to use against us the whole time."

Jones and the other soldiers gathered around the area, fully equipped, alert for whatever was going on.

"What happened?" asked Jones. "We heard a shot and-..."

"Yes, I just killed Faust!"

Jones' heart obviously sank as his jaw dropped, as did many of the other soldiers. "Why?"

"Because he was a spy helping not only the intelligent equine, but the Driver himself! And for that, he dies, Jones! You know how I feel about traitors!"

"Not only that," Marchett interjected, "but he was supposedly one of them. It seems they have an ability to shapeshift into humans, and possibly other lifeforms."

Jones paused for a moment. "But... why not interrogate him? We could've used him to learn more about the Driver!"

Tolwin shot him a sarcastic look. "I'll remember that when he threatens me with his firearm again!"

"Oh."

"Yeah. Now get in the aircraft and man the com-station."

"Yessir." He quickly left the group and entered the aircraft.

Tolwin turned to the rest of them. "Marchetti, I want you and Virus in the Shilka. Organize the ground crew and prepare for another assault."

"You got it." Marchetti ran from the area, to a small tent set up next to the Shilka parked behind the library.

Riggs stepped closer to Tolwin. "You're preparing an invasion already?!"

"Riggs, shut up. If you so much as hesitate firing a shot from the GAU-17, I'll put a bullet through your head! Got it?"

Riggs swallowed hard with a scowl, managing a slight nod.

"Go get John and the fuel truck, and prep the aircraft. Now."

Riggs gradually stepped away from Tolwin and began running towards the tents around the supply vehicles.

Next stop, your kingdom. That's right, Driver, we've found you... and we're coming for you!

...

...

...

Look. Look upon your subjects, Chrysalis. Your army has become a legion of overnight warriors. Magical, technological, with all their power combined in a daunting display. For the first time, since the battle of Amrieigh and the daring invasion of Spectrum City, and furthermore despite our failure at Canterlot, I'm finally proud of my subjects. And now, for the first time in my life, I can say the same of a human.

Blast it, you mustn't praise them so soon! Why, we have yet to see battle! Calm yourself. The time will come for them to prove their worth. Soon... soon.

It was still an unbelievably amazing realization, that a single human scavenger had trained her thousand strong in such record time, unfortunately not likely to ever find its way in the "books". Better yet, he was willing! Yes, of course there was the possibility of it being a charade to mask his intentions for escape from her capture, but she couldn't help but express her admiration regardless.

After all, he probably thought the same of her, for her sharp change of attitude.

Ray's sudden glance caught her by surprise. Followed by his tired voice, strained from giving orders to the drones: "My queen."

"Yes, Ray?" Chrysalis acknowledged.

"There's just one more matter we need to discuss."

"Oh? Regarding what?"

"I think you know what."

It didn't take her but a fraction of a second to figure it out. Yes, indeed she knew. After all, what in the world would I do with you and your friends should we be successful? I've set the matter aside for too long... for the sun is already bleeding a crimson red over the skies. Make the decision.

She nodded and let out a sigh before answering.

...

...

...

"Can one of them truck things carry, say, about a ton of apples?" asked Applejack, obviously struck with an idea.

Twilight and her friends had gathered around Faust with friendly curiosity, despite knowing the fact him and his friends were an enemy caught between them and another. Imprisonment, it seemed, brought the more "human" side of the three Raiders, which appealed to the six ponies. They felt sympathy for each other.

Worry also shadowed over them regarding Ray's long absence. It had been hours upon hours. Yet, no one felt tired, or even bored. Fear mixed with fascination of the human and pony "ways" alike was enough to keep everyone in the room apprehensive.

"Try three tonnes." answered Faust with a puff of smoke.

"Land sakes!" exclaimed Applejack with astonishment. "Just think how useful a truck would be on the farm! Why, I might even be able to handle the next harvest all by my self after all!"

As if on cue, all five of her friends gathered in one loud and final "No!"

"Well, fine. But I see potential in one of them fancy machines, and I intend on taking advantage of it."

Rarity spoke up. "If you're going to actually use one of those things, might I suggest some, err, shall I say... remodelling? If that is the correct term for it. I mean they're so ugly! Caked with dirt and rust, gritty, grimy and beaten, drenched in slimy oil and-..." she almost gagged at the mental picture.

"Form follows function, Rarity. But if I actually do get my hooves on one, you're welcome to do whatever 'fancifying' you please."

Twilight put a hoof to her chin. "Applejack, I thought it was tradition to use manual technology, nothing too advanced or magical."

"If what I'm hearing is right, then I wouldn't exactly call these vehicles 'automated'. They seem pretty manual to me... besides, these are machines, Twi. Nothing magical goin' on there. Personally I'm just fine with an added 'boost' like this. But I'll have to check with the rest of the family, say they have a different opinion on adopting the new tech."

"Pft!" spurted Rainbow Dash, "You guys are talking like we're actually going to make it out of this hole!"

"Think positive, Rainbow. The queen can't hold us here forever. Surely there's a way of reasoning with her."

"Fat chance." She rolled her eyes and scooted away from the rest of the group.

All eyes went to the nearby door as it opened wide. What approached within brought everyone to their feet and hooves. Among two changeling drones clad in improvised steel armor, Ray stood tall and stern, armed with all of his trademark weapons.

"Ray!" Twilight shouted, running up to him. She composed herself. "What happened? How did you get your weapons back?! And who are-... what... how... ?!" Composition immediately lost again with questions.

A smile formed on his face. "I've made a deal with the queen. And I think you're going to like what I have in mind."

Faust pulled his cigarette out of his mouth. "Wait. Are you going to say what I think you're going to say?"

He shrugged. "The enemy of my enemy is also my friend. Not only is this plan our ticket to freedom, it also means a potential advantage over Tolwin and his forces." He let a pause go by, realizing he had been talking with one of Tolwin's soldiers. "Look, I know he's your superior, and that you may have grown an attachment to individuals within his faction. But you said it yourself... he's a twisted man, extremely dangerous, and absolutely must be stopped once and for all. You know what needs to be done, Faust.

I came here to ask you to join me in this defensive. Will you accept?"

Faust took a puff from his cigarette and threw it on the ground. "If it means stopping a madman from wiping out humanity and its equivalent, as well as putting an end to our imprisonment, I'd be a fool not to partake in this plan of yours. Ray, my friend, you have my sword."

Ray gave a nod of approval, then looked down at his pony friends. "And you?"

Uneasy glances were exchanged.

Twilight sighed. "You can count on us, Ray. But I have just two conditions."

"State them."

"We will not kill anypony. And I refuse to fight alongside the queen. We'll help you with anything else you need out there."

"Fair enough. Welcome aboard... my little ponies."

They all gave him a smile that forced him to return a similar one.

And so towards the horizon of a blood-red dawn we stride through the sea of arrows with but a cloak and a dagger.