To an uninformed observer, there were no ponies out of the ordinary trotting up the side of the expansive white dome that covered the CDK; although there were a few guards here and there, pacing back and forth or remaining motionless. And yet, between them, unseen, a small group of ponies slowly climbed. Their coats were a dingy off-white, blending in almost seemlessly with the plastic-coated metal beneath and around them. The light breeze and rustling of trees around them masked the soft clink of their hoofsteps.

"...Kevin?" Flight asked, sounding unsure.

Kaylee didn't respond for a moment. Scootaloo turned her head, glaring at the filly next to her, but said nothing.

"Yeah?" Kaylee finally replied, turning her head back to look at Flight. "What is it?"

"Could we maybe... go a little faster?" she asked, a little louder and more confident this time.

"I dunno..." Kaylee replied. "If we go too much faster, I'm worried we're gonna slip."

"It'll be fine," Flight grumbled. "I'm just tired of trotting at a mollusc's pace."

"Shhh," Mochi shushed, looking down at Flight with a disapproving glance. "We can't talk too much or the guards'll hear. I know this thing hushes the sound too, but we can't afford to risk it."

"Yeah, yeah," Flight said, frowning. She quieted after that, looking down at the ground with a glum expression.

Scootaloo looked from side to side, watching some of the guards mill about. "You'd think they'd be a little more organised."

"Ponies don't really come 'round here, apparently," Mochi replied in a whisper. "Which is good for us, 'cause they won't be too focused on lookin' out for ponies." She paused. "Hey, Kaylee, go a little right. I think."

"You know where we're going?" Kaylee replied, looking at the slight curve of the dome that was nearly featureless, beyond the seams between the metal tiles.

"Yeah, I got a pretty good look at that map they had," Mochi replied. "I mean, it doesn't help that there ain't any landmarks or anything, but I think I'll be able to find our way. Can't miss a giant telescope."

"Shhhh," Flight shushed mockingly. "Gotta be quiet or else the guards are gonna hear you, aren't they?"

Mochi bit her lip but didn't reply. Scootaloo, frowning, looked to Kaylee to see how she reacted but the filly whose back she was holding onto didn't even turn; she just kept trotting.