There was clattering of hooves above, which quickly turned down the stairs and spiralled downward into the basement room, its owners coming into Later's view as she watched the ponies quickly trot towards her. Mochi and Clove Hitch shuffled out first, followed quickly behind by Kevin, Flight, and an extremely grumpy-looking Scootaloo that barged through the group, glaring daggers at Later. The mare was so distracted that she almost didn't notice the sleek brown form of Cotton Fluff slinking down the stairs slowly in the back.

"Whyyyy..." Scootaloo groaned, her eyelids barely open as she lurched back and forth. "Celestia, why?"

Later frowned. "I'm sorry, Scootaloo, but—"

"No, it's fine, I can take it from here," the voice from the computer speakers said, making Scootaloo's head jitter to attention. "Thank you, Later, and thank you Mochi for gathering everypony here."

"No problem," Mochi muttered. "The only hard part was gettin' these kids outta bed."

"Who are you, again?" Scootaloo asked. "What's going on? Mochi only said something about instructions or... whatever. You guys find anything about the ponies who were supposed to be here?"

"I know I didn't," Clove Hitch said as he leaned against the right wall, resting his head. "There aren't no signs that anypony walked in or out of the place besides us."

"Curiouser and curiouser," the voice said. "No matter... I think what I have to tell you is much more pressing, and I hope worth waking you for. I, as you may or may not know, am Commander Xiibal, overseeing the Revan planet's forces with the power invested in me by Prince Bohrr. I understand that I am speaking with Miss Scootaloo, Child of the Beyond, am I not?"

Scootaloo blinked. "Child of the what now? Uh... just call me Scootaloo, please. That's kind of a mouthful."

"Hmm, I suppose it is," Xiibal said in a tone that sounded much like she was smiling. "Look, Scootaloo, I'm going to be frank: my advisors and I believe there to be something very important about you, even if we're not quite sure what it is yet. And we know the Bureau knows this too, based on the fact that they captured you and placed you in the South Pen, one of their highest-security prisons on the planet. That you were able to get out of there is nothing short of astonishing, and I'm very glad to have you on our side."

Scootaloo frowned, unsure of what to say—would it be a good idea to lie to this powerful pony? She finally settled on saying, "I... had help, though."

"Interesting," Xiibal said. "I would love to hear all about it, but really, I think I should just get along to telling you about what I need you to do."

Scootaloo sighed. "Yeah, okay, might as well get this over with."

"Wonderful. Now, basically what I need you all to do is go north to the CDK and retrieve an important item that is being stored in the Kindred Palace."

The entire group stood there silent for a moment, looking at each other.

"Let me get this straight..." Later started. "You're sending Scootaloo, the only pony we know of that isn't from a Bureau planet, into the capital city on this planet of our greatest enemy, right into the thick of danger, just to grab some random... thing?"

"It doesn't sound that bad," Scootaloo countered. "I mean, I guess I don't understand why it needs to be me, but it doesn't seem like that much of an issue if you don't have anypony else to do it."

"We have other ponies that could get into the CDK and even the Palace, but because this item is stored in Prince Aeneus's private vault, only a very small pony could get through the ventilation system to get the item. Plus, of course, we need some way to test Scootaloo's mettle."

"I don't like this..." Later said, frowning. "I don't think Zed would like this either."

Xiibal let out a staticky sigh. "Scootaloo, you're up for this, yes?"

Scootaloo shrugged. "Sure, whatever."

"Then, please, take with you any of your companions who are willing to go and who you think will help you. If Officer Later doesn't wish to go with you, then by all means I would request that she stay behind. I don't need this mission to get mucked up by begrudging ponies, you understand?"

Later rubbed her temples with a hoof. "No, no, I'll go. Clove and I are the only ponies here who are even actually a part of our side, anyway, and probably the only ones who have been in the CDK. They'll need us."

"Oh, thank you so much." There was a pause. "I must be off now. Please, give Doc Zed my regards, and do make haste with this mission. Once you're done, contact Zed about where to go. Probably back down to that Dienna village he's set up in." Before anyone could say anything, the speakers clicked.

The room hung still with silence. Then, Scootaloo shifted. "Can I go back to sleep?" she asked, gazing ahead with a weary-eyed expression.

Later, solemnly, nodded.