In the dingy backalley slums of New Canterlot, in a run-down tenement in one of the city's Ghettos, a single unicorn sat in a small bedroom. Plugged into the internet like those around him. But unlike them, he had a mission. Instead of aimless browsing, he and a group of friends were going to crash one of the galaxy's largest manufacturer of transports and medicine, as well as provider of galaxy wide internet. The ones who owned the Mother Pig drug and sedative sub-system that gave junkies (piglets) a lethargic high. Like Heroin, but legal. And because of this, they made an enormously lucrative product, being paid by junkies to access this system, and being paid by the SE (Solar Empire) to run propaganda ads. Keeping a tight leash on the populace.

Now you'd think ponies would figure this out, that they would see this "all natural synthetic drug" as the ruse it is. But no, it was too popular, with new junkies joining the ranks, the population of Canterlot became more and more...domesticated. Lethargic, unaware of what was happening.

Hearing anguished screams and gunshots, the unicorn peeks through his tightly shut and boarded window. Between the cracks, he makes out a squad of earth pony Peacekeepers gun down some unicorn fugitives.

Yes, the population of Canterlot wasn't even aware of the mass genocide occurring in the streets.

Turning back to his interface, he sent a message via thought to the chat.

<CAT>: Alright, ready to go everyone? Remember, Jackal, Dog, and Eagle are gonna hit the firewall and send in a breakdown virus. Meanwhile, Canary, and I will be re-writing the code for the Mother Pig system to show live streaming of the genocide as well as Inhibitory programs to stop the Piglets from receiving any MILK. Operation should take an hour tops. If it doesn't. You all know the back-up right?

<DOG>: Yup. Schrödinger's virus.

<JACKAL>: Talk about a master virus dude.

<EAGLE>: Enough talk. I've sent the first wave of breakdown Virus. Game's on ponies.

As he read this, 'Sound' sighed deeply. This was the turning point in the revolution. He could almost feel history in the making as he too waited for the message signaling that the firewalls were distracted.

Motorhead and Savloline had changed to hoof travel. The Ping locaters beeping off the charts, the old world bunker was close, they could feel it in their bones. As well as an overwhelming sense of dread.

Incoming call

The notification popped up on their shared interface. Both exchanged a nod before receiving.

"Greetings girls. How goes the mission?" Asked the distorted voice.

"It's going great Princess L- I mean Miss Night!" Exclaimed Motorhead. "We're zeroing in on the bunker right now. You said we're looking for a cryogenic capsule right?" She asked. The shaded character on the interface chuckled, showing no bodily movement whatsoever.

"Yes. Her name is Scootaloo, and it's of crucial importance that you find her, and quickly." Replied the character in the interface.

"And why's that? Asked Savoline."

"Because she will become the face of opposition. She is a symbol of the old world. A survivor. If the nation finds out about her still being alive, then that will boost morale. More morale means a better chance of successfully over-throwing Celestia and instituting a democracy in her place." Said the voice. Motorhead nodded.

"I wish you the best of luck on this day of history ladies." And with that, the figure terminated the call. Leaving the two mares in silence.

"Well, guess we better hurry up and find her." Said Savoline, her expression unreadable.

"Yeah. C'mon. Time's a wastin'." Replied Motorhead, zooming off into the hill looming in front of them where the majority of the Ping was coming from.

Opening the rear door, Zapman, Taios, and Krisk jumped out. Both Taios and Krisk deployed parachutes while Zapman free-fell, a solid shockwave following his landing. As soon as he did, two standard model Plasma Rifles appeared on his two shoulders as he holstered his sniper and began opening fire, clearing a little patch of terrain for his fellow mercs.

"Good work Zap. Now c'mon, let's go!" Shouted Taios, using his shoulder mounted Large Machine gun to keep all encroaching changelings away as the three mercs battled their way to a little cave a couple of meters south of their Drop Zone.

With gunfire blazing in his ear and his teeth gritted, Taios could barely feel anything over the surge of adrenaline bolstered by a few shots of Ecstasy that his nano-armor distributed. After a quick rush the three hid behind the rock, out of the changeling horde's view.

"Alright Cray! Which way to the the vault?" Asked Zapman.

In response, Crayleene carpet bombed the still rushing horde, opening up a clear path to a cave unnaturally carved into the mountainside.

"Thanks! C'mon, the sooner we get out of here, the better." Kris shouted, sprinting off to the cave entrance as Crayleene's gunship opened fire on the horde, distracting them. Taios followed suit, in turn being followed by the lumbering mass that was Zapman.

Once inside the cave entrance, Kris kept running until he hit the metallic door. Grinning he called out to his comrades who joined him soon enough.

"Okay, now how do we open this thing?" Asked Taios, Zapman gave him a look that said 'are you really asking this?' Before turning to the door and pressing a hoof against it, and pushing. The rusted hinges instantly gave way as Zapman put all his power behind the vault door, pushing until it fell inwards.

"Alright! Good, now we just need to-" Taios cut himself off as he ran into the darkness of the cavemouth.

Glinting in the darkness, and beeping, were several hundred motion sensor bombs.

"Shit. It was a trap" was the last thing that ran through his mind as the bombs went off.