Doc Zed's words hung there in the stagnant night air, surrounded by silence despite the four ponies and one lemur who stood there. The fire crackled quietly as it receded ever so slightly further to its centre. Also crackling was the speaker grille of the comlink.

"Hello? You still there?"

"Erm, yeah," Flight said, leaning towards the comlink. "That was just... surprising, that's all."

"I guess I'm so used to thinking of the Bureau as the good guys—and me being a part of it. Even when I wasn't exactly doing what I was supposed to." Kevin cocked his head. "So does that mean you're the good guys?"

Fourth Estate smiled weakly. "For us, yes, but it's... a little more complicated than that. We're trying to do what's best for all citizens of the Bureau. We don't exactly have the time to give you the lowdown but... one of our goals truly is regime change. Getting a leader of the Bureau who's willing to work with us for the benefit of everyone, not just those in charge."

"It's a lofty goal, but an admirable one," Mango said, nodding. "It's just gonna take a while."

"That sounds good," Kevin said, looking from Mango to Bold Remark to Fourth Estate. "But what exactly is so bad about the Bureau?"

"We don't really have time to go into all of the politics of the thing, kid," Bold Remark said sternly, frowning. "I'm tired as hell and I'd love to be sleeping right about now."

"Easy, Remark, of course the kids'll have questions. I've been throwing a lot at them at once. Kevin, Remark is right in that we don't have time to explain right now. You need to trust me for now, and I'll fill you in tomorrow morning while you're on your way to Umberlight. You've known me for years—your whole lives, pretty much. I'm trying to do what's best for you and for all of us."

Flight paused and then nodded. "That's fine. I'm pretty tired, myself." She yawned. "Guess we should hang up, then."

"Sure—I'm gonna get back to work on this ship. Oh, but before I go—Fourth Estate?"

"Yes, Doc?"

"You didn't answer me before... how come you're out in the forest? And with Bold Remark and Mango, no less?"

"Eheh... let's just say Microfiche found out that the Bureau is going by the KMCA office in the morning to arrest us for treason." Fourth Estate coughed. "He said that protocol says we should try to get offworld because we know too much."

"Well, that's one thing that stallion was right about. Nice chap, but didn't know Atbash from Enigma, if you know what I mean. Anyway... does Xiibal know yet? She'll want to."

"Erm, no, not yet. Could you maybe send a message?"

"Yeah, I got you covered. There should be a datastream packet to conceal it in... in about three hours."

"Thank you so much, Doc. A pleasure talking to you as always, and I hope you have a good night."

"Heh, same! And good night, kids—and here's hoping you can get into Umberlight tomorrow!" The comlink clicked and went silent; once again, the only noises were the light crackling of the flame behind those gathered around the comlink, as well as the shallow breaths of the five of them.

"So," Bold Remark said, breaking the silence. "We are going to sleep now. You are welcome to join us—miraculously, we have two extra sleeping bags." He raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, that's pretty weird. I have no idea why we would have packed two extra sleeping bags, but we do have them."

"Ooh, you guys really should." Mango's eyes seemed to light up as he spoke, grinning. "The more, the merrier! That's what I always say, at least."

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Don't you think, Kevin?" Flight turned to her companion.

"Oh, um, yeah. Sure," Kevin affirmed, nodding. He watched as Mango bounced off around the logs to where their bags lay. The lemur handily unrolled the sleeping bags, and Fourth Estate walked over to where he stood. Just in time, Kevin looked over to the firepit where Bold Remark had lit up the flame's embers in his magical aura and, in just a second, had extinguished them, leaving them in total darkness. With some effort, Kevin lit up his horn and the verdant light glowed outward, faintly illuminating the makeshift campsite in front of him in eerier tones than before.

He could see Flight putting her comlink into her saddlebag and then walking around the fire pit to the sleeping bags so quickly he moved to follow her. Within a minute, Kevin was snuggled tight inside what was perhaps the warmest, fuzziest sleeping bag he'd ever had the privilege of inhabiting; the soft plush interior both provided a perfect buffer to the chilly night air and made him feel like he was in a long, comforting, motherly hug. "Mmmm... thanks, guys. G'night," Kevin mumbled, eyelids already closed.

"No problem," Mango whispered. "Goodnight, y'all. Sweet dreams..."

With that, the world went silent but for the occasional, distant hoot of an owl or maybe a few seconds of crickets chirping. Kevin could already feel the warmth spreading through his entire body, swallowing him up, making him feel for once in his life like he belonged or was the pony he was meant to be—

"Kevin."

Kevin's eyes blinked open, but all he could see was the dark void of the night. Pretty much no different from when he'd had his eyes closed, actually. Why had he opened his eyes again? Maybe he had been hearing things. Yes, that's it...

"Psst—Kevin?"

Nope. There was a voice most definitely saying his name right next to him, and in an unmistakeable voice. Kevin turned around to face the pony lying next to him.

"F-Flight?" Kevin whispered. "What's up?"

"Let's go, Kevin," she whispered back.

"Huh?" Kevin could barely process what she had said. "What?"

"Ugh... c'mon, Kevin, I know you heard me. Let's get out of here."

"Nnnngh... why? It's so... it's so darn comfy in here..."

"Kevin, these ponies seem nice but I don't know how much we can trust them. And we literally just slept for several hours."

"Comfier than a Jury hoodie, Flight..."

"I don't—nnngh, stop stalling! C'mon!" With that, Kevin could hear stirring next to him and, before he knew what was going on, the front of his sleeping bag had been thrown down, exposing his wimpy, vulnerable torso to the harsh, deadly cold of the untamed elements.

"Gah!" Kevin cried, almost breaking out of a whisper. He stumbled to his hooves. "D-do you have your saddlebag?"

"Yeah, and here's yours," Flight replied, hoofing the thing over to him with a soft skidding noise along the ground. Kevin picked it up and put it on. "Now c'mon, follow me." He could hear the filly take off in the darkness, away from the other sleeping bags, but he couldn't see her so all he could do was try his best to guess a direction and then run after her. It wasn't until they were in the thick of the bushes beyond the campsite, most definitely out of earshot from the slumbering ponies, that Kevin heard Flight slow down and he allowed himself to do so in turn.

"What... was that all about?" Kevin said, panting. He could hear Flight trotting through the bushes next to him.

"This whole thing makes me feel a little weird," Flight replied. "I know we're doing stuff that isn't quite allowed by the Bureau, but full-scale rebellion and revolution? I just dunno if I can wrap my head around that just yet."

"But Doc Zed said that they know what they're doing," Kevin said. "He's a good guy."

"I trust Doc Zed enough about the whole ship repairs and stuff, and he really has been a great pony in my life," Flight agreed. "But I'm still not sure... if he could lie about this, what else could he have been lying about?"

Kevin didn't answer and Flight didn't push the question, so the two ponies kept walking in silence, in complete darkness, through the forest. They didn't notice that the owl hoots continued even as they went along, the gold-star-on-forehead critter flying along, watching them from afar, remaining just out of sight.