Black Bear Division. Silver Spoon looked at the stack of papers next to her on the bed. She had spent the greater part of the night going through every document she could get her hooves on and was still no closer to finding a single clue of their existence. Nothing in the official Conglomerate chart. Nothing in the archives. Nothing in the expense reports. By every account the division never existed. And yet, everything that had happened pointed to the contrary. The recent Web activity and the sudden increase of Sombra Virus infections, not to mention the attempt on Twist's life indicated of a fully active and well organized structure.

Silver skimmed through the sheet of paper she was holding, then placed it neatly beside her. Going through Supply Division hadn't revealed anything either. She could probably look at Catering's records. With luck there'd be a "food trail" she could follow.

"Ten minutes until breakfast, Miss Spoon," a maid said outside the room. Silver had instructed to be reminded. That way she could take a quick shower and have her mane done on time. "Master Goldenboy will also be present."

Well, there goes any chance of a relaxing morning. Silver Spoon took her glasses off. Spending any amount of time with her brother was a vexing experience. The two never got along particularly well, but in the past things had always remained cold and civil. After the formation of the Conglomerate, he had bared his fangs.

"Those who don't seek power loose it," Silver Spoon said clearly, then slipped out of bed.

She would not allow anything to interfere with her schedule. Three minutes on the trotting machine were enough to exercise her muscles for half a day. She would have another, much longer session in the afternoon. A series of basic stretches followed.

Mens sana in corpore sano, Silver thought. Her workout had managed to ease her mind a bit, covering her with a healthy sweat. Now all she needed was a quick shower. Taking a piece of mint chewing gum, Silver left her room. Her personal maid was waiting outside the door, holding a bathrobe. The young mare grabbed it, thanked the maid, then spent three minutes washing. Today was an odd calendar day, so she only used basic soap. The entire time, though, her mind was occupied with her upcoming tasks. Twist and Lily's vacation had already been arranged, largely thanks to Diamond Tiara. All school related planning had been done, although there was the matter of Silver choosing a protégé to succeed her as school council president. So far none had caught her attention, but with less than half an year remaining until graduation she couldn't afford to be picky. Finally, she had to put her division affairs in order, send her reports, do some more digging on the Black Bear issue and check on Twist's progress.

"Another fun day to look forward to," Silver sighed.

After precisely three minutes, she emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in her robe. The maid offered to call the household's manestyler, but Silver flatly refused. An independent businessmare had to be able to do things on her own. That was what her mother had taught her, a rule that Silver had taken to heart and strictly followed.

One minute to get my mane done. Silver stacked the papers neatly on her desk, then went to make her bed. She knew that the servants would change the sheets in her absence, but it didn't matter. It was the principle she stood by. Glasses, necklace, she grabbed them as she moved about the room, manepins. The exact same routine she had gone through every day.

"Your mother is requesting your presence, Miss," a male voice sounded outside the room. Mother asked the butler to call me? This was new. Silver didn't like "new." New always came with a vast number of unknowns, although in this particular case, she had a pretty good idea what the reason might be.

"I'll be there shortly," she said, forming her braid. Next, she took her saddlebags, glanced one final time in the mirror, and left her room. How will you try to embarrass me today, Goldy? Silver's steps echoed through the corridor. You wouldn't be you to have come all this way to miss the opportunity.

Her fears were well founded. Upon reaching the dining room, Silver Spoon instantly noticed another change. Normally, the vast and suspiciously room would be filled by host of servants, ready to assist at the slightest indication. Today there were none. The only ponies present were her mother and brother.

"Good morning, Mother." Silver Spoon went to take her seat. Immediately her brother smirk-snorted. Not that she was expecting anything less. "And to you too, Goldenboy." Serving my food next to him, I see. And on the far side of mother, too. Just when I was thinking that breakfast couldn't get more intolerable.

"Late again," Goldenboy yawned casually, and to further the insult looked at his watch. Fools gold, I bet, Silver didn't dare say out loud. So similar to you — golden, shiny, expensive and fake. “Since you decided to keep us waiting, you could have at least bothered to dry your mane and not be dripping in your food like a common peasant."

"Canterlot seems to have rubbed on you, Brother." Silver focused on her strawberry crepes. Pity the occasion bittered their taste. "Not all of us choose to waste money on useless luxuries such as unicorn maids. Or are those your marefriends?"

"Your sarcasm is weak, sister." Goldenboy didn't bat an eye. "Better quit while I'm ahead."

"Do you have to go through this every time?" Silver Standard said quietly. Instantly the conversation stopped. "Silver, your brother, although guided by his own reasons, expressed valid concern regarding the mess you've gotten yourself in." Silver Spoon glared at Goldenboy, who only shrugged in response. "I am inclined to agree. Obviously, someone tried to target you to get to us. As such, steps have to be taken."

"It was one of my division that was targeted, Mother." Silver Spoon could see where this was going. "If anything else came out during his interrogation, I'd appreciate it if—"

"The Star Chamber performed the interrogation." The older mare cut her off. "Someone has targeted a member of your team, and through them you, and through you me."

Silver Spoon's eyes widened. Beside her, Goldenboy wasn't even trying to hide his glee, yet, as usual, was missing the point. As much skill and intelligence as he claimed he had, he hadn't inherited the family's silver coat or quick wit. In a single sentence, their mother had given more information than Silver Spoon could hope for. I am in your debt, Mother. She nodded ever so slightly. For the Star Chamber to take interest, the danger had to be real. The Sombra protocols, Black Bear Division, even the cultist infiltration, all were facts beyond a glimmer of a doubt.

"I'd like to hear Father's opinion on the matter!" Silver Spoon went on with the act. "Will he be joining us for breakfast anytime this week?"

"Your father has business to attend to in Cloudsdale." Silver Standard sipped some tea. "It's doubtful he'll return before the end of the month."

Ten days, Mother? Hardly enough time, considering everything going on. I expect I'll have to find a way to convince you to change your mind before then.

"In the meantime, I've decided to follow your brother's advice." Something in her mother's voice made Silver Spoon feel a chill down her spine. "It's our decision that you become more active in the social aspect of the Conglomerate."

What did you do, Goldy? Silver Spoon took a bite from her crepe. She didn't dare look at her brother out of fear she would try to strangle him.

"Political dating," Goldenboy clarified with the smile of a manticore. "Mother and I have already gone through a few potential candidates. All with parents leading real Starswirl divisions."

The only reason Silver didn't slap him across the muzzle was because her mother didn't approve of such behaviour. Just who do you think you are, Goldy? Go mingle with your Canterlot friends and let me do my work in peace! You might have been born first, but you're as capable as a one legged mule in a pegasus race!

"What your brother is trying to say, is that it's expected of you to start going to more Conglomerate soirées." Silver Standard delicately brushed the edge of her muzzle with a napkin. "Both public and private ones. I'll leave it to you to find potential suitors. I do insist, however, that you take this seriously. You understand, I hope?"

"Of course, Mother." The age old political game. You want me to use my flank to fish for information. And I was so hoping it wouldn't come to this.

"Wonderful." Silver Standard placed the napkin on the table. "Goldy sweetie, could you give me a few moments?"

"Sure thing, Mom." The yellow stallion stood up. A sense of triumph oozed from his every pore as he made his way to Silver Standard. "Always a pleasure seeing you. You simply must visit me in Canterlot sometime."

"Your Canterlot speech is showing, dear." The mare smiled. Of course, you'll only get a slap on the hoof. If I'm this casual to mother, I'd be chased out of the house. "I intend to do so this year. Don't forget that I'm expecting foals from you as well, eventually."

The comment seemed to ruin his disposition somewhat. Not so much fun now is it, Brother? Silver Spoon adjusted her glasses hiding a frown.

"Have a great day, Mom," Goldenboy said, deliberately casual, then left the dining room. Silent, Silver Spoon continued eating. Unlike her brother, she preferred not to talk unless addressed.

"Never forget that your brother is my son, Silver Spoon," her mother broke the silence after a while. "As such, he's not an idiot. The games that you two are playing are starting to get on my nerves. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Mother," Silver Spoon said quietly.

"If you cannot handle things properly now, how do you expect to survive real power?" Silver Standard pushed her teacup aside. "Goldenboy is my favourite child, and far more capable than you give him credit for. That said, it is you who will take my place as well as your father's. There is no question about that. And Goldy knows it, despite all his posturing. Currently, the only thing you need to worry about is to be fit enough of mind and body when the time comes. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Mother." Silver Spoon hesitated. Maybe she should leave it at that? There was no need to give any assurances, especially if there was a chance that those backfired. "I'm taking care of the situation, Mother." She was unable to keep herself from saying.

"I hope so, because If I have to step in, it would be to close that division of yours and take you under my wing for the rest of my time in Starswirl." The mare's sharp gaze made Silver Spoon want to avert her eyes. "Am I making myself clear?"

"Absolutely, Mother."

"Good. In that case, I wish you a pleasant day at school." Silver Standard rang the servant's bell. "And don't worry about your brother. He might be loud, but he won't dare try anything."

My apologies, Mother, but this is something you are wrong about. He most definitely will.

* * *

"So this is what they gave you?" Goldenboy snorted.

A few months had passed since Silver Spoon had created her division. All the paperwork had gone through, all the permissions granted, all the important members informed. There was no question about it, from now on she could use the title Division Head anytime she wanted. She seriously believed she had everything figured out — where to start, how to grow, what to exploit in her pursuit of success. The only thing she hadn't calculated was the utter unadulterated hatred that came from her own brother.

"My secretary has a larger room." He glanced at the small couch in the corner with disgust.

What is wrong with the room? Silver Spoon wondered. It provided everything she could ask — the means to stay informed, a connection to the Web, a place to store her files. What else was there? Of course, all the actual work took place elsewhere.

"How much did you beg Mother to give you this?" Goldenboy was relentless. "If you wanted to make a foal of yourself so badly, I would have let you use my office."

"That would hardly be appropriate, Brother." Silver did her utmost to maintain the semblance of calm. "You have your division and I—"

"Oh, I have a division, all right," he cut her off. "You, don't! 'Internal Assistance'? That's the best you could come up with?! Nopony even knows what that's supposed to mean!"

"The goals are clearly stated in the internal—" the filly tried to explain, but was interrupted again by cold laughter.

"Yeah, right!" Her brother approached her desk. "Just because you can use big words doesn't mean a thing. The only reason Mother allowed you to have your little tea club was because she has the stupid notion that one day you'll succeed her." He towered like a monster above her, a monster of gold. "Just look at yourself. You've 'hired' one intern, whom you call assistant, and to do what? Play in the Web all day? Did you think that anypony would let you get anywhere? Divisions of thousands are fighting for control over that, but please, have a go."

Silver remained silent. Of course she knew that. She also saw the serious flaw that, apparently, eluded her brother. The engineers and Webbers working for the Conglomerate were doing it as a job. Even the most enthusiastic among them didn't see it as anything more than a means to earn bits in a cool and amusing way. Twist and her generation were almost born with the Web. For them it was a way of life, a whole new world to explore. Silver Spoon wouldn't be surprised if the majority of dream-hackers were fillies and colts her age or younger.

"I am entitled," she said quietly. Her lower lip trembled for a moment.

"Yes, and that's all you are." A spark of anger flickered in his eyes as he spoke. "You are the heiress. It doesn't matter that you're a spoilt brat, attending a school nopony has heard of, in a backwater village. You didn't even bother to apply to any good schools."

Unlike you, Brother. You ran out of here the first chance you got. Three schools in two years, all to avoid staying in Ponyville.

"And still, you wish to play with the big ponies," Goldenboy snorted again. "So desperate for Mother's attention. You should have kept playing school princess with your filly friends and not stirred things up."

"I've done no such thing!" Silver Spoon could feel sweat covering her face. "I've never pretended to be a princess!" That wasn't entirely true. During elementary school, she and Diamond Tiara had done just that. "And I have definitely not messed—"

"Let me spell it out for you, little sister!" He moved so close, their muzzles were inches apart. "You maybe be heiress, but I will take over Mom and Dad's businesses! So, go ahead, pretend you have a division, act like a VIP. It's only a matter of time before you fail. And when you do, I'll be there to gather the pieces and throw them away!"

* * *

How could class be so boring? Silver Spoon could hardly keep herself from yawning. There were days when Cheerlilee could drain the fun of the most interesting subject in Equestria. Today seemed to be a perfect example. Officially they were studying the symbolism behind romance poetry. In truth, it felt like having one's hoof slowly torn off with a rusty pair of tongs. It didn't help that half the class were behaving like idiots. Especially Snips and Snails. How those two managed to reach the final year remained a mystery.

"Psssst!" Somepony whispered. Left of Silver Spoon, Apple Bloom was holding a note in her mouth. Her expression screamed, "Well, what ya waiting for? Ah don't want ta be caught!"

Are you mocking me? Silver's first reaction was to frown. There was no way Apple Bloom would do her any favours. Seeing Diamond Tiara gesticulate, however, changed the grey mare's mind. Discreetly, Silver grabbed the note and placed it on her desk. Need 2 talk 2U! was written in elegant cursive letters. Diamond, you and your Web-speak, Silver grumbled internally. Still, a request was a request, and Diamond was her closest friend — her only friend! Twist and Lily were just colleagues, employees, subordinates and nothing more.

"Miss." Silver Spoon raised her hoof. "Might I be excused?"

"There are only a few minutes left till recess, Silver Spoon." Cheerilee turned at her surprised. "Is it urgent?"

"No, not urgent." My mind is drifting. I should focus better. Damn you, Goldy! "I just lost track of time. Sorry, Miss."

Everypony in class glanced at Silver Spoon. She could feel their eyes upon her. Any other day she would have glared back. Today, she had too many things to worry about to be concerned with her school reputation.

The final five minutes dragged like hours. All that time, Silver's mind couldn't stop wandering. Maybe I was hasty sending the girls to the Crystal Empire. The real reason for her decision was not at all what she let it out to be. It was a secret she couldn't share with anypony, even her team. Having them enter lion's den seemed like the best solution, but what if she had misjudged the situation?

Class ended with a chorus of laughter and kissy noises. Silver Spoon calmly put her books in her saddlebags, as Snips started dancing on a desk not too far away. His antics were horrible, yet for some reason most of the ponies loved them. A seat behind, Dinky lay on her desk, the embodiment of depression that she was. And then there was Diamond Tiara...

"Ready yet?" she asked in her overconfident voice. Silver, of course, knew this was all an act. For all her posturing, Diamond wouldn't harm anypony unless forced to. Growing up, along with some serious family concerns, had changed her from the bully she once was to something completely different. Her alpha-mare persona was a defense mechanism, one that she used flawlessly.

"Ready." Silver Spoon stood up. "Student council room?"

"No." Diamond Tiara lead the way outside.

More drama... just what I needed. The pair went along the corridor and into the fillies' bathroom. The room was empty, but just to be on the safe side Diamond Tiara carefully examined every possible space, then put a bucket in front of the door. Now they wouldn't be disturbed.

"Well?" Silver Spoon arched a brow.

"Dink hacked some stuff belonging to somepony on your team," Diamond Tiara said apologetically. "Cane's data-well. I helped decipher the data. Nothing too damaging, but I thought..." He voice trailed off.

"It's fine, don't worry about it." Filly, have things become complicated between us. In the real world they were the best of friends — two fillies from exceeding rich families who've known each other since childhood. As far as the Web was concerned, they were on totally opposite sides. Silver Spoon was part of the "evil" Starswirl Conglomerate and her friend was one of the most popular dream-hackers in the Web. Officially, each had a vested interest for the other to fail. In reality, their friendship held strong: they both looked out for one another. Diamond Tiara provided contacts and information, while Silver offered hardware and protection.

"There's something else." Diamond Tiara paused. Biting her lower lip, she looked around nervously. What is it, Diamond? This is unlike you, even in private. "Scoots flirted with me," she finally said, looking away.

"What?!" Silver's eyes widened.

This was a shock. Diamond and Scoots could hardly stand each other. Whenever they met, there was so much shouting that Tirek himself would yell for them to be quiet. Wait a minute... could this mean? suddenly it made so much more sense. Silver Spoon knew her friend was special, a secret Diamond Tiara had been keeping from her family for years. "Fillyfooler", "mare-inclined", "special" — all words used to describe something that was rarely touched upon. Modern times and the freedom of the Web had made the notion slightly more acceptable, yet even now there were many that disapproved. And the higher the social status, the more vocal those voices were.

"When?" Silver didn't know how to react.

"Yesterday in the Web," Diamond sniffled. "She gave me tournament invitations to her matches and—" she took a deep breath, "—and told me I could come see her anytime."

"Di, it's different in the Web." Silver shook her head.

"I know, but she invited me. Me!" Diamond looked like somepony who had her players answered shortly before being thrown in Tartarus. "A mare. She invited a mare. If so, maybe... just maybe..." She wasn't able to finish the sentence. Tears rolled from her eyes, as she silently stood there.

"There, now." Silver moved forward, letting her friend cry over her shoulder. You always were emotional, Diamond. "No need to cry."

"I've been hoping for this for years, Silver," Diamond continued to weep. "Years. When she hated me things were simple. But now... now when I know I have a chance..."

"Just let it all out." As usual, you pick the worst time, Di. "This is just a slight breakdown." What am I saying? Slight breakdown my hoof!

"Sorry, sorry." The pink mare pulled away. "I didn't mean to... It's just..." She wiped off the tears from the eyes. "I should be happy, it's just..." It's just you never thought you'd find anypony. Silver spoon finished the sentence for her. "I just needed to tell somepony. Sorry it could only be you."

"I know. And I hope it works out, but—" Should I tell her? "—you have to be prepared for any outcome."

"I know, and I will. At least that's something you don't have to worry about."

Why do I doubt that? "Anyway, I think we should get back to class." Silver Spoon glanced at the door. "As for Scoots, take her up on her offer and see where it goes. Okay?"

"Sure thing." Diamond smiled. Despite the recent tears she was beaming with joy. "Oh, one last thing. I get a response from WingClipper. He said that at the present time he's no open slots. Earliest would be in a month."

Damn it! And I had just gathered the money to hire him. "Any other good non-affiliated that you know of? Preferably in the same price range."

"Not at the moment. The Sombra Virus thing has everyone spooked. The big names are keeping low, and the wannabes..." She waved a hoof in the air. "Look, you really don't want any of them. Sorry."

"Let me know if anyone suitable shows up. " Silver Spoon adjusted her glasses. She needed hackers on commission, and badly. "Just one last thing. Have you heard of a hacker called Clairvoyance?"

"Funny you should mention it." Diamond Tiara tilted her head slightly. "I was about to ask you the same thing."

* * *

Twist flopped on the giant bed. No amount of softness was enough to erase the experience of the day. Was I such a menace as a filly? she wondered, while hugging one of the pillows with her forelegs. Spending time with a young alicorn fanfilly was undoubtedly the most exhausting thing she'd ever done. Flurry Heart simply did not stop. After she had received all the gifts Twist and Lily had brought, she had proceeded to drag them through "her Empire" and show them some of the "coolest" places there were. It didn't matter that to reach most of these places one had to have wings, teleportation magic or both. Twist remembered all too well suddenly finding herself a hundred paces in the air, staring at an "awesome weather vane." And that was just the first few hours. The Princess had somehow put it in her mind, that she had to impress Twist and Lily as much as they had impressed her. That had led to some awkward situations, namely dragging them to see Princess Cadence during a meeting with foreign dignitaries or bursting into the middle of troop inspection to say "hi" to Shining Armor. Twist still shivered every time she thought about it.

"Luna, please let this night last forever!" She yawned. "Or at least until I wake up."

Good thing Lily could keep up with the Flurry. The two of them were probably still going about the city. The bracelet on Twist's hoof started vibrating. No, not now! She so much wanted to pretend nothing had happened; to just close her eyes and sleep for a few weeks. She knew, however, that there were important matters to discuss. Grabbing her Web gear from the nightstand, she begrudgingly put it on.

"I hope the connection's good this time." Twist prepared for the login sequence.

It was. In less than a second Twist was under the magenta sky of the Web. The same hidden sector as last time. Personally, she would have preferred if the meeting was held there, yet Silver Spoon wasn't comfortable with Webbing. For that reason she had an extremely expensive terminal set up in both her room and in her Starswirl office, for when she needed to have a virtual "face to face" with somepony. The problem with that was that Twist had to be in a Conglomerate cluster for the connection to work.

Let's hope nopony's watching She launched all her stealth protocols and put in the location coordinates. A blue cone surrounded her, transporting the mare to an empty white room. In theory the location was impervious to any form of eavesdropping or data sniffing. As Twist knew, however, in the Web there was no such thing as "impervious."

"I'm here," she said clearly. No sooner had she done so, than one if the walls swirled changing into a giant window. Moments later a huge image of Silver Spoon appeared... in a pink nightgown.

"Aww, how cute." Twist couldn't help herself. She knew how much Silver hated being teased on that topic, and it was precisely why she did it.

"Well, I see you've recovered," Silver said sternly. Unfortunately, she was not able to hide the traitorous blush that appeared on her face. "Where is Lily?"

"Hitting the town with Flurry Heart." Twists was glad her avatar hid her annoyance.

"The Princess is five years old," Silver Spoon managed to say.

"Yep, and with the energy of a herd of Buffalos. How are things on your end?"

"I'll get to that in a minute. Before that, was everything all right? Were you followed? Did—" The question was abruptly cut short. "Did anything suspicious happen?"

You wanted to ask if somepony attacked me, didn't you, Silver? "Everything seems fine." Twist very much hoped that to be the case. "Nopony tried to do anything while we were with the Princess. I've been getting some weird poetry messages to my Twist scrollbox, but that could be anything." Should I tell her about the forum posts? She'll probably freak out if I did. "I also got contributor access to the Everfree forum. Lots of interesting stuff. Everyone's talking about the Sombra Virus.”

"Be careful with that. I don't want you attracting more attention." Silver Spoon lifted up a piece of paper. The words I won't be able to question him were written hastily. Seems Twist was not the only paranoid pony here. "Apparently somepony has been asking about you."

"Oh?" This didn't sound good.

"Your old friend made a post in a Bolt forum about you," Silver went on. "Only lasted a few minutes, but enough to be Web-grabbed. I can send you a copy."

"I'll take your word for it." So that's how it is? The race is on, then. Let's see who finds who first this time!

"You'll be starting work tomorrow, I take it?" The piece of paper was moved away, revealing more of Silver Spoon's girly bedroom. Once things returned to normal, Twist planned to try and take her on a triple blind date. If anypony needed a special somepony, Silver was at the top of the list.

"If the Princess lets me." Twist shrugged.

"Just remember, slow and steady wins the race. Take no risks, trust nopony, and always keep Lily close by."

"Goodnight, Silver Spoon." Twist waved, causing the other to humph. The image flashed out, returning the wall to its previous state.

Well, that happened. The situation had to be pretty serious to get Silver worried, and she definitely was. Twist had spent enough time with her to know. The question was were did Silver's fear lie? Was it Clairvoyance, the cultists, or something completely different? With luck, time would tell.

"So you've been asking about me?" Twist opened an aether window to the Everfree Forums. "Let's see what else you've been waiting about?" She initiated a search on Clairvoyance and waited.

Zero results. Interesting. Using her contributor privileges, Twist opened a log of all deleted files in the last day. Most were old posts that had reached the inactivity limit of three months. A few others — "niceties" between FLT and WingClipper. Those two really hated each other's guts.

"No trace in the delete logs?" Twist said amused. "Oh, you're skilled. Good thing I copied them when I had the chance." She hadn't felt this excited since she had received her cutie-mark. Closing the aether window, the mare opened her scrollbox. What in Tartarus?! She took a step back, as fear swept through her. Of the three messages she had sent herself, two were missing. The third was completely blank with the subject line reading Don't try to find me!

Author's Notes:

Goldenboy - Head of the Connection and Communications Division, responsible for Web expansion throughout Equestria. One of the public faces of the Starswirl Conglomerate, he holds multiple offices, but can most often be found in Canterlot. According to Business Equestria, if he were born a mare he would at present be one of the greatest movers and shakers of the present generation.

Confidential
Twenty-four hour security is to be provided to him at all times, by order of the Star Chamber.