"Really, I'm incredibly lucky that I was checking the radio waves when I did, or else we wouldn't have had nearly enough time to pack up and get out," Doc Zed's voice explained as it burst with static out from the computer speakers. Later was standing there, staring intently at the screen; Mochi, still lying against the wall near the stairs, had been woken from her sleep and her eyelids were cracked open just a titch. "I was able to pick up on a conversation between some of the Umberlight guards and Ms. Haze, the one who's Prince Aeneus's main assistant. Basically, from what I heard, I could infer that they were coming down to get me. A quick check on the scanners revealed a large ship flying low over the forest, heading this way, and it's gonna be here soon. If we don't get out now, we'll have to lock ourselves in, and I don't know how well the doors are gonna hold—this thing wasn't built for a siege."

Later leaned back, taking it all in. "Do you know how they found you?"

"Yes, actually, and it's really quite unfortunate—they were able to intercept the call Flight made to me, since they had a geolocation tracker on in the area just to sniff out you ponies. Whoops. And technically, this call is also trackable, but I'm not too worried about them finding me anymore. Heh."

"Oh, jeez..." Later murmured. "Wait, but what about us? Shouldn't they be able to track us here to this base?"

"Oh, hm, I hadn't thought about that. You're right—they could, but even if they do, you're leaving soon, right? And nopony else is there, you said?"

"Well, yes... but this is kind of an important base strategically, is it not?"

"I don't know. Probably. I don't know how important it can be if nopony's there, though."

Later's eyebrow arched. "Wait, do you mean you don't know anything about this?"

"Later, I have much more pressing things to worry about than why there aren't any ponies at some random base in the Sciouse province. I must admit, I don't usually keep in the loop on the motions of our agents unless they're going to be close by, and that doesn't really qualify."

Later sighed. "I should probably let you get back to getting out of there, then."

"Indeed," Doc Zed agreed. "Microfiche has been a great help, truly, but there are a few sensitive materials I need to handle myself. We're going to open up the ceiling of the lab which is under a lot next to my house, and then fly out of there 'cause the Dienna police are already patrolling the area outside, no doubt waiting for the other police to show up before they do anything. They'll see us as we fly out, but I don't think there's enough of them to do diddly squat."

"Heh... you show 'em, Doc." Later smiled weakly. "Oh, and you wouldn't happen to know about the 'mission' that Scootaloo has to go on, would you? Turnip said that we should come here to this base to get it, but there's... nopony here still."

Doc Zed let out a staticky sigh. "No, I really don't know what's up with all that, and even if I did, I'd find the whole thing ridiculous anyhow. Our priority should be in getting Scootaloo off the planet, not on some strange 'mission'. But here, I'll patch you in to somepony who can give you some answers. Though, I'll warn you, she might ask to speak to the filly directly."

"Erm, alright. As long as we can figure out what to do next," Later replied. "It doesn't feel safe here."

A grunt of what Later assumed was approval came out of the computer speakers and then there was an odd, fizzling wave before a few electronic tones emanated throughout the room. Later noticed that on the computer screen, the name "Doc Zed" had been replaced by another, a name that made her freeze where she stood.

The tones ceased almost immediately, replaced by a thin layer of static. "Hello?" a gravelly yet young-sounding voice asked. "Is this Doctor Zed?"

Later gulped. "N-no, Commander Xiibal," she stuttered. "This is Officer Even Later, currently stationed on the Kindred planet, and I am here at the Northern Sciouse province base, working with Officer Clove Hitch to chaperone Scootaloo and her companions to their next directed location, wherever that may be, ma'am. Doc Zed is merely using his comlink as a bridge so that I can talk to you, ma'am."

There was no reply for a few seconds, although it felt like longer. Mochi, who at this point was completely awake, shot Later a confused look. Later, for her part, merely shrugged. "I see," the voice on the comlink finally said. "So, Later, what can I do for you?"

Later took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "I need to know what happened to the ponies who were supposed to be at this base, and I need to know what Scootaloo needs to do next, and how we can assist her in this venture."

There was another pause, albeit shorter. "What do you mean, what happened to the ponies who were supposed to be there? Are there not ponies manning the base?"

"No, ma'am," Later replied. "The base appeared empty upon arrival, and our spells haven't revealed any traces of life beyond our own and some bugs."

"I must admit, this is news to me as well," the Commander replied. "I'll have to check with some of my advisors, but as far as I know, that base wasn't evacuated. As for Scootaloo's mission... are you the only pony here? Is there any way you can get everypony together so that they all get the instructions straight from me?"

Later bit her lip. "I'm here just with one of Scootaloo's companions, but yes, I can gather them, but they're not going to like it. We just got in here after a long trek, and the kids are trying to sleep."

"There will be time for sleeping later," Xiibal replied coolly. "Please, wake everypony in your party, and quickly—this call shouldn't go on longer than it has to."

"Right." Later turned to Mochi. "Mochi, could you be a dear and go have everypony come back down here?"

The pink mare nodded and pulled herself up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "See you in a few," she said, trotting up the stairs. Later was left there alone in the basement, staring at the screen.

"Ah, waiting," Xiibal said with a hint of amusement in her tone. "So much of life revolves around waiting."

"Heh, you said it," Later replied.