As the rest of the ponies shuffled into the room, Clove Hitch shut the door behind them, shrouding the room even more in darkness. Scootaloo blinked her eyes, trying to adjust to the low light coming from Even Later's horn as well as a computer console across the small room. In its harsh white glow, she could see two ponies: on the left, Nerves, looking anxious, and on the right, an unfamiliar grey stallion she had to assume was Cinderblock.

"Great," that stallion said, looking up from the console. Even in the darkness, the filly could see his dark pupils darting around before settling on her. "You're Scootaloo, right?"

Scootaloo stepped forward, nodding. "That's me," she confirmed, reaching out to shake his outstretched hoof.

"It's great to meet you, especially after having heard so much about you. I'm Cinderblock, and I'm kind of in charge of communications around here," the stallion said.

Scootaloo blinked. "How come everypony knows everything about me already? This is weird..."

"I was briefed beforehand by Doc Zed, who I believe is an acquaintance of yours?"

"Eh, not really," Scootaloo replied. "Friend of a friend is more like it. But, uh, what do you want?"

"Well, it's really to all of you I need to speak; I just wanted to say hello before we part ways. It's not every day you get to meet someone from outside the three Bureau planets."

"Heh, well, it's way weirder for me than it is for you," Scootaloo replied, scratching her head.

"Part ways?" Even Later asked. "Then it's true?"

Cinderblock nodded. "As I'm sure Turnip told you, I intercepted communication between Kindred Command and a pony named Haze, who's one of Prince Aeneus's personal assistants. I wasn't able to figure out exactly why she was sent, but she's in Ferretfall with the police and they know we're here. We're going to have to split up. Turnip, you were saying that you had found a place to go to while we wait for a ship?"

Turnip nodded. "The kids said there was another part of this vessel not too far south of here, and it's completely empty."

"Perfect," Cinderblock said. "Now, I know I'm not in charge here—"

"Cinder, your recommendation's good enough for me," Turnip said, leaning back. "Just tell us what to do and we'll do it."

"Right. You, Nerves, the Chronicler, Later, and myself will leave through the front entrance and attempt to make our way through the forest to that part of the vessel. We might run into some of the police, but that'll be fine; we can take care of them, and we're expendable if we can't."

"And what about us?" Cotton Fluff asked.

"And me?" Clove Hitch raised an eyebrow.

"I was just getting to that," Cinderblock said, waving a hoof. "Clove, you're in charge of escorting these five north."

"North?" Scootaloo asked. "How come?"

"Wouldn't it just be safer to have them come with us to wait for the ship?" Turnip said, his expression that of confusion. "We could even split up into groups, if you're worried about getting caught."

"That won't work." It was Nerves that said this, finally speaking up in her soft, shaky voice. Everypony's eyes pointed towards her. She cleared her throat and spoke again: "We just finished a comlink conversation with Commander Xiibal."

Turnip blinked. "And what did she have to say?"

"The plans have changed. Scootaloo and her companions are now needed at the northern base in Sciouse province."

"But... why?" Scootaloo asked, annoyed. "I don't want to keep being dragged around like I'm somepony's stuff..."

"Your assistance is required on a 'special mission'," Nerves said, turning to Scootaloo as she said it. "The commander said she couldn't go into any more details, but stressed the importance that it must be you and your companions that go."

"Um... okay?" Scootaloo frowned. "There's not really any other option, is there?"

"Not unless you want to get detained by the police again," Cinderblock said, "and I'm sure you remember how fun that is. Coincidentally, that's exactly what's going to happen if we keep standing here, I can guarantee it."

Everypony around the room grunted in vague agreement.

"Someone go tell the Chronicler," Cinderblock said. "He should be in his quarters."

As Nerves slipped out of the room to go do that, Even Later stepped forward. "Wait a minute."

"Yes?" Turnip asked, looking confused. "Please, Later, we've got to get moving. Keep this quick."

The mare nodded. "I just wanted to ask if it's possible that I could go with Scoo—with the other group instead."

Turnip sighed. "No, Later. We're going to need your help setting up the cloaking spells around the temporary hideout, and Clove Hitch should have the other group under control. They only need to get up to the other base, anyway, and the police should be more focused on our group. It'll be fine."

Even Later groaned. "Please? It's gonna be way more fun, and—"

"No." Turnip stamped his hoof on the floor. "That's final. Now please, go grab your things."

Even Later turned, frustrated, and walked dejectedly out of the room. As she passed Scootaloo, she tried to flash the filly a small little smile; however, from Scootaloo's point of view, the mare obviously wasn't happy with this at all. With a click of the door, she was out of the room, and then the rest of the ponies were left there standing in silence.

"Um... let's move?" Cinderblock finally said. Everypony looked to him for a moment before stirring to action, shuffling out one-by-one through the door and into the hallway beyond.

Cinderblock was the only one left in the darkened room. He took the opportunity to look back at the computer console, which had dozens upon dozens of words displayed on its glass screen. With a sigh, he raised a hoof and smashed the screen before batting the computer casing several times, leaving it smoking and fizzling in pieces. Then, he too left the small room behind him.