Storm was on point for the communication recovery team. They were running a night mission to avoid being seen as they flew overhead. Shadow was still labeled as recovering and Slice was working on some further defenses.

“Alright,” Storm radioed. “We are looking for a radio dish or heavy antennas. To start. We can find everything else after. It doesn’t matter unless we find them.”

“Can’t you duplicate the defense phones you made for their wall to project?” Thunder asked.

“No,” Storm sighed annoyed. “All I did was tie in telephones to different parts of the walls. But instead of dialing them, you just have to pick up to talk. They are hard wired together to talk between the cannons and a few other key points along the wall. I can’t run a wire up to the clouds. I need equipment to project the call or message.”

They cruised towards the Equestrian Naval Academy in search of the equipment. Thunder split off to fly over the marina where a boat might have the equipment. Nor was taking the Eastern side and on the look out for Stable 50.

“There are no boats or ships,” Thunder radioed. “The few here are sunk and rusted out. And there are a lot of the Super Ponies around.”

“Understood,” Storm replied.

“I have something,” Nor said a little bit later. “A radio station it looks like. A nice big dish. Going in for a lower pass. You can’t miss this place.”

Storm turned and picked up his pace.

“One problem,” Nor said as Storm saw the dish. “Super Ponies camping out below. There is a walkway up to the dish. We can safely meet up here.”

Storm quietly touched down next to Nor. Thunder was a few minutes behind. When Thunder arrived, Storm popped up to stand on the dish itself. He tested what he could. It was in decent shape. The technical equipment was only accessible from below, on the ground.

“Storm,” Nor tapped. “It is very interesting below.”

Storm turned his attention to below. The Super Ponies had a good home base set up around the dish and several more concrete buildings. The one they were centered around had a giant opening at the front. It was designed that way.

A loud noise came from inside, including alarms and that sounded like a stable door opening. The lights flashing were those of a stable. A Super Pony came out a minute later.

“Crystal Kiss?” One asked to the newcomer. It was the same gruff voice they expected from a Super Pony.

“Black Bolt? I don’t see a cutie mark. Is it?”

The one name Crystal Kiss was quickly snatched up in an embrace.

“I’ve missed you,” Bolt Bolt said kissing her. “I miss the foals.”

“They are fine,” She replied back.

“Whoa whoa whoa,” Nor said dripping down to the ground in the middle of the camp. “What is going on. You are not the same bloodthirsty Super Ponies that wanted to eat us when we entered the area around Baltimare.”

He was greeted with the business end of over forty weapons.

“I wouldn’t do that,” Nor warned. “I have some very powerful friends with me.”

“Simmer down!” One ordered.

“Nor, we have scattered but are watching in the dark,” Thunder informed him.

“You don’t belong here!” The same Super Pony growled as he pointed his hoof at Nor.

“No, I do not,” Nor replied with a nod. “Which is why I am confused. We spent days dodging them. And hearing bumbling speech worse than a newborn foal. Dumb as a rock. But you are not that.”

“We are the pinnacle of what it means to be a pony!”

“Well then, I am Nor’Easter, but just Nor, please. And you are?”

“Jade Kiss.”

“That makes two who are mares that look, and are anatomically, stallions,” Nor stated confused. “What is going on? Who are you? Who are they? And how are you breeding in the stable?”

“We, Nor, are the process of perfection!”

“You killed, no, they killed helpless ponies and attacked us. And how come you can talk!”

“You are insulting us,” A Super Pony growled.

Nor shook his head. “How about we take this slowly? Help me understand why you are superior to me. We are not from anywhere near here.”

“Where are the rest of you?” Jade Kiss asked forcefully.

“Watching from nearby, making sure I live,” Nor said nicely. “Although I do not actually know where they are right now.”

He was intrigued and wanted to get to the bottom of this. To understand them. He had forgotten about the other super ponies behind him.

“Why are you out here, banned from your young ones?” Nor pushed.

“Because they are still vulnerable to the elements,” Jade Kiss growled. “The Virus has not yet taken them.”

“Virus?” Nor asked even more intrigued.

“Everypony in the Stable is infected with a Virus. It makes us into the Super Ponies. It protects us and makes us stronger! We can survive out here without any side effects, can you?”

“No,” Nor curtly replied. “But why out here, not inside?”

“We are too big for the stable,” Crystal Kiss replied. “There is no room for us. We are supposed to leave and change the world. It is natural.”

“But leave your friends and foals,” Nor added. “And it doesn’t sound like an easy transition.”

Her look said it all.

“Not the point!” Jade Kiss yelled.

“Right,” Nor nodded. “So why are you different from the others?”

“What about it?” Jade Kiss pushed. “We are still better at surviving than you.”

“Let me take a step back,” Nor said. “How did this Virus come to be?”

“You couldn't understand,” Jade Kiss spat.

“It always has been,” Black Bolt answered. “When the stable doors closed, our first Overseer opened a message from Stable-Tec. They were using Stable 50 to turn us into super soldiers. Everypony was from the academy.”

“So, they infected you?” Nor asked trying to wrap his head around it.

“Who cares!” Jade Kiss yelled.

“He cares,” Crystal Kiss shot back. “At least somepony cares.”

“It dies out when it changes us,” Black Bolt stated.

“Does it remove your cutie mark?” Nor asked.

Black Bolt nodded. “But it makes up for surviving out here.”

“Right,” Nor nodded.

“This is insane! Why do you care!” Jade Kiss growled again.

“Because this is a paradox and I am a scientist,” Nor replied with a quick head bow. “Did you ever try to kill the Virus?”

“We never had the scientists to do it,” Black Bolt stated. “Or the equipment to even try.”

“How does it work?” Nor continued.

“Our strength, speed and resilience raises exponentially,” Black Bolt said confused.

“I mean the transition,” Nor chuckled. “Even I am confusing myself. But how is the transition? You said its too small in the stable for you.”

“We have a special transition area,” Crystal Kiss replied. “The Cicerone helps guide and care for us. It is painful, and I had a fever for well over a week. I have been in there six weeks. Some don’t make it. Quartz Heart didn’t and he came in after me.”

“Damn,” Black Bolt swore. “He was a good colt.”

“Tough for his family,” Nor replied. “Send my condolences.”

“We can’t,” Crystal Kiss replied. “Once we head out, there is no way to communicate back. Stable-Tec took great pains to make sure the Virus didn’t escape.”

Nor didn’t try to argue the fact that electronic communication could not transmit something biological.

“So the Cicerone already transitioned then,” Nor asked.

“No,” Crystal Kiss replied.

“STOP GIVING OUT THIS INFORMATION!” Jade Kiss yelled.

“Get over it!” Crystal Kiss growled. “Forgive me for wanting to talk about what I just went through, with somepony who cares!”

“Break it up,” Black Bolt said forcing them apart.

Crystal Kiss snorted and turned back to Nor. “No, the Cicerone, the Overseer, The Appointer, the Practitioner and the Maintainer stay regular ponies. They are chosen because they are the only ones immune to the Virus. The consequence is that they are sterile. They can not have any foals.”

“How do you have foals?” Nor followed up.

“Before we transition, the virus makes us very fertile,” Crystal Bliss replied. “Black Bolt and I have seven foals.”

“And very ready to have sex,” Black Bolt said proudly. “We hold tight to marriage between only two ponies, but that ends when we become adults.”

“Wait,” Nor said waving his hoof. “This is what being an adult is to you? And you were what before?”

“Yes,” Crystal Kiss replied. “Before we were adolescent fillies and colts. The Appointer arranges marriages and when the time comes, our union is sealed. It is the first coming of age ceremony. The other is when you begin adulthood. A sending off ceremony. A final goodbye and good wishes from friends and family the night before we go to the Cicerone.”

Nor tapped the chin of his helmet. “So, you are infected with a virus that makes you either sterile or hyper fertile, where you raise a family before becoming an adult which is a painful and often deadly transition that leaves you with greater strength, speed and a lot tougher. But you can never go back and are forced to live here where it is still a struggle to live?”

Nopony had an answer.

“Do you want your foals to go through what you did?” Nor asked.

Everypony shook their heads.

“And do you want them to be forced to live here, even with being superior?”

Nopony shook their heads, but the glances exposed their feelings.

“It’s a disease that will cause pain and suffering for years and ends in mental degradation.”

“Degregation?” One asked.

“You mind deteriorates so you become more like an animal. Can’t talk well. Are rather dumb. Well, like the others who attacked us and eat ponies.”

Jade Kiss wasn’t the only one growling.

“Why let the Virus live by reproducing?” Nor asked.

“IT IS OUR FOALS!” Crystal Kiss exploded. “We love them! We love each other which is why we get married. You are saying that because we will become what you do not like they should be robbed of life? Even the chance?”

“Well, when you put it like that,” Nor said sheepishly, digging at the ground. “Logic dictates that if you have a horrible disease you would knowingly pass down to your foals you wouldn’t want to subject them to that and so have no foals.”

“Now I am confused,” Nor stated. “Logic fails me.”

“Stupid pony,” One chuckled.

“Even our minds are superior,” Jade Kiss hissed.

“The part of me that knows what will happen later, whenever you lose your minds, says this needs to stop,” Nor said working through things. “But real logic says we can’t deny the right to life. A good life at that. In the end we all die. In the end, our minds all go.”

“How long do you live?” Nor asked.

“Forever,” Jade Kiss snarled.

“Can you keep the older ones who want to smash and kill under control?”

“Who cares?” Jade Kiss shot back. “We are the superior pony race. We are able to survive better. It may not be glorious, but it is an easier life than those at that pony city. They have to take shelter when the storms come. They can’t just go where they want. They are physically weak. They are slow. They are small. Pathetic.”

“The fact that you think we should kill our foals is great insult,” Jade Kiss finished taking a step forward.

“Easy now,” Nor responded. “It’s just that, I met an officer from the war who lost half his soldiers when the spells came. He was turned into a ghoul along with the others. When they lost their mind, he killed them to protect the others. He didn’t want them to cause suffering to others after they lost their mind. Just trying to see things from your hooves.”

Nor perked up. “If I could take samples! I could find a way to remove the Virus inflicted upon you. Back home we have the scientists, equipment and resources to do that. We could change things for the better!”

“Who are you to say that we are not better?” Jade Kiss spat.

“Nopony,” Nor sighed. “Nopony. Just somepony who now is questioning everything he knows because I met you. Like what is life? Is it just about passing on our blood to the next generation?”

“I come from a place that is free from the sufferings you face, but do I want to have foals be born that will join that place, knowing that the near future will be painful and troubled? I never have found a pony to love enough to put my heart above logic,” Nor continued. “Do I even want to love somepony?”

“You are pathetic and weak,” Jade Kiss growled taking a step in. “Squishing you will be easy. You all are easy to squish and break.”

Nor laughed out loud, confusing them. “I have a friend traveling with me who is much smaller than me, but faster and stronger than you. He could take you on in hoof to hoof combat and kill you. Even if you took away his armor.”

“Where is he now?” Jade Kiss asked with a crooked smile.

“Healing from taking a bullet to the head,” Nor shrugged. “Its not the first time either. He still has bullets in his tiny body. He is so compact and solid that you couldn’t squish him if you stood on him.”

“You talk too much and have insulted us!” Jade Kiss yelled as he grabbed a steel pipe and charged.

Nor dove out of the way of the first strike. Jade Kiss swung again and Nor barely rolled to safety. Nor used his momentum like Shadow had taught them. He kicked off a block of concrete and vaulted back towards Jade Kiss.

A quick duck under the next swing and he bucked up to Jade Kiss’ head. He was low, but his buck landed on his neck. The hoof knife was all the way inside Jade Kiss’ neck.

Nor definitively pulled out and turned to Jade Kiss.

“We have our ways to survive,” Nor announced. “Perhaps we are the ones who are the real super ponies. We can actually bring life to this place and all I have seen is you taking life.”

Jade Kiss ignored the wound and raised the pipe. The crack of a rifle rang out. Thunder had put a round through Jade Kiss’ head.

“Watch it,” Nor said pissed off. He was still speak out loud. “You almost hit me.”

Nor stared back down the rifle barrels.

“Regrettable,” Nor snarled. “You claim to be better and civilized. That only showed me a degrading mind easily provoked to violence. I have a proposition for you.”

“A propestistion?” One asked, lowering his rifle a bit.

“I want something from you that we can trade for,” Nor replied. He was trying to keep his cool and not be annoyed.

“Like you can’t talk with the fillies and colts in Stable 50, we can’t talk to our home. We have a door as well. But we can’t communicate with them. Our equipment broke. I didn’t come here to question who you are, or kill anypony.”

“I came here because of that!” Nor said pointing to the dish. “We need something to relay a message back home so they can open the door. That will do it, we just need to borrow it and exchange something in return.”

“Could you really remove this curse?” Crystal Kiss asked. “We live with it. We didn’t ask for it. I don’t know if I like it out here. Is violence common like this?”

“Your friends captured and ate seven out of eight ponies,” Nor said firmly. “We stumbled upon the survivor after being attacked and released her. We also had to patch her injuries back up. Pretty damn common around here when you guys lose you minds.”

“My grandfather passed a few years back. His mind was barely there, but he wasn’t trying to kill anypony. He could barely get around. But I guess you are so new here that you are either not desensitized yet, or your mind hasn’t started to slip.”

“BREAK THAT DISH!” Crystal Kiss exploded.

Nor didn’t give them a chance to shoot him as he launched straight up. They were confused when he didn’t come back down and began shooting randomly into the air.

“Sorry,” Nor radioed. “I guess I failed.”

“To secure that dish, yes,” Storm chuckled. “But you mined them for golden information. We can snag samples from others still.”

“No,” Nor sighed. “We would need unaltered cells as well. I think I can explain everything, back at the city.”

“Good,” Storm said. “Your HUD. should have our location on it. Thunder is dashing away from placing explosives. The dish is going down on our terms and taking as many of them with us as possible.”

The explosion happened as if Storm had timed everything. It lit up the night and the metal screeched as it twisted and fell among the thud of the concrete blocks.

“What was that?” Shadow radioed. “No explosions were planned.”

“Super Ponies,” Storm replied. “If we can’t borrow it, then nopony gets it. A good report coming though.”

“Can the 6s hit here?” Thunder asked.

“Let me get Slice?” Shadow chuckled with a bit of mania.

“Where are you guys?” Slice asked popping on. “Have to make sure we don’t hit you with a round.”

They altered their course to a safe viewing location and Slice had all the cannons hone in and fire a volley. They cheered over the coms at the sight of all five guns putting rounds on the same target. Their E.F.S. had been picking up Super Ponies even at their distance.

“On target!” Storm praised.

“How on target?” Slice asked.

“Too much at one time,” Storm replied.

“Film this,” Slice ordered as he launched another barrage.

The cannons fired one after another this time. They were able to tell them where exactly each round hit. They adjusted the cannons a tad and launched a third barrage. The spread was closer. Final adjustments were made and the rounds were within five feet of each other.

“Nice!” Storm praised. “You have those things in tip top shape! We are coming back now for a debrief. It has been a long night.”

They sped back and cruised into a landing on the flight deck. As soon as they did the cannons fired again.

“That was plenty of time for them to settle back in,” Slice yawned. “To hit any that came back. Plus it was rounded out to five.”

“Orders,” Shadow said taking control. “Tomorrow is a 0900 meeting with the leaders. We will show them the first battle and if it was Cinder Blocks or not. My helmet is finally paired back up with my armor. You can debrief us on the report then as well.”

“After that, you are free to go about whatever unless they retaliate. Then report with the militia. We all will. The day after is a rest day. Whatever you want. Then the morning after, we have to head back to Rosemary.”

“We have spent a lot of time here,” Nor replied. “Fun, and a lot of healing, but necessary.”

“We will be leaving on the ninth morning after our arrival,” Shadow reaffirmed. “Our best mission so far. No help with Fillydelphia, but vital none the less.”

---

Storm had to clean out the projector’s connections. They had moved everything to a mission briefing room, which was intended to be used by the aerial teams.

This wasn’t just a briefing with the Governor and The Captain. All city guard officers were present, along with all militia officers. Department heads and other critical figures were present as well.

“Done,” Storm announced.

“I think Nor’s report should proceed the viewing,” Shadow stated. “That way, anypony who needs to leave after can. The viewing is not critical for any jobs.”

“Well then,” Nor said heading to the front.

Storm put the shield on the projector so he wasn’t staring into the light.

“I think I will start with their home,” Nor began. “They all come from Stable 50, right next to the Naval Academy. It was made up of soldiers, sailors and others at or connected to the academy. Stable-Tec decided to be bastard and preform an experiment on the residents, one that they did not give consent for. It was after the doors sealed they had learned of their fate.”

“Stable-Tec used Stable 50 to try and create more effective soldiers,” Nor explained. “The residents were told it was a virus, but there is no way that would survive 200 years. They introduced the original residents with a DNA altering virus. It went in and changed their DNA. At the proper time, it would take effect and change them.”

“They took great steps too keep up the illusion and get them to do what they wanted. The stable is smaller than normal so when they changed, it would force them out. They built a chamber for the transition where they could go through the painful ordeal. After the full transition, they would leave. There is no going back, no talking to their loved ones or anypony inside.”

“The cherry on top is that the change is when they become adults. They are not adults until that happens. When it begins, they have a big send off and celebration. But not everypony has the change. There are genetic, failures, who govern them, act as their doctors, maintenance, and a marriage arranger and several other things.”

“There are other changes before they become adults. For one, they marry as soon as they develop. Second, they have a high sex drive. Third, they are very fertile. By the age of, well our adult hood, they have had six or more foals.”

The group groaned at the idea of handling that many foals so early.

“So basically pregnant all the time?” The Captain asked.

“Or pretty damn close,” Nor replied. “I do not have a better handle on their life cycle. It could be longer for their adolescence than us. Where we would label them as adults, they may label themselves as children. Adulthood might be arbitrarily named, a familiar term they would accept easily. I know that adult life lasts long. They believe forever.”

“Yes,” Nor nodded. “They are superior to us for surviving out here and for war. However, they are quick to violence and I think that their deteriorating mental state is from the loss of their Cutie Mark. They become the superior soldier, but it only lasts so long without structure.”

“Are you saying they could keep their mind together if they had strong social order?” Governor Silver Sifter asked.

“Yes,” Nod replied. “Which means they would wipe us off the map. But they don’t and probably can’t without somepony leading them, like a lieutenant and some strong sergeants who are unaltered. Keep them simple privates who you point and they kill.”

“Are we able to shut off the Stable?” Rivet asked. “Keep them from coming out?”

“I asked them why not stop having foals if they know the pain they will undergo,” Nor stated. “Its denying them a good life. Its no different than stopping us. Would you like to be locked in Fleetfoot? Forever to leave your children to expand their generation until there is no room?”

“That is what depraved beasts would do. Psychopaths with no heart. No, what would need to be done is to break down the doors and help them build a profitable society.”

Nopony had a response to Nor’s words.

“Yeah, that philosophical conundrum hit me hard,” Nor admitted.

“So, we should empathize with them?” Nor was asked.

“Fuck, No!” Nor scoffed. “When they lose their mind, they are truly beasts, and the smart ones stay away from us. The Diamond Dog or Hellhound things are less of beasts than they are. The Super Ponies have had their very selves stripped from them in the transformation. What makes them a special individual is gone. They do get their cutie marks at a young age like us.”

The bell stopped any questions.

“I will check things out,” Rivet said standing up. “I bet they can handle it without us while you watch the Cinder Block video.”

Storm pulled the shield off the projector, forcing Nor to get out of the blinding light. It took a moment for Storm to get things rolling. Shadow’s E.F.S. was displayed on the wall a moment later.

It started as Shadow kept his head down, but peaking out to watch out. They heard the Super Pony call out Shadow’s hiding spot and then watched from his eyes as he dashed out at a blinding speed before they were staring into the dirt while Shadow threw the buck.

It was disorienting to watch the quick movements and it lacked the situational awareness Shadow held when he fought. They saw Shadow’s eyes roll around to stare at the beast and then things slowed as Shadow used his E.F.S.’s abilities to target and shoot.

“Whao! What happened? Why did it slow down?” Silver Targe asked. He was the First Lieutenant over the Militia.

“Pause!” Governor Silver Sifter ordered.

They were looking at the full profile of the Super Pony.

“Yes, that is Cinder Block,” The Captain stated. “I can recognize the scars. A good dozen of those have been from my rifles.”

“What is with the slowing down?” Silver Targe asked again.

“It is an Eyes Forward Sparkle spell,” The Captain replied. “It is able to help the user pick out a target, even down to limbs and head for this model. In the process, the spell slows time down to make the user able to line the perfect shot up without risk. It has a limited power reserve that has to be replenished. It can not be used time and time again.”

The Captain looked at Shadow. “I didn’t think you had the capabilities to make one.”

“We don’t,” Storm replied. “I can use technology to help alter it, but that, modification as we call them, is from the war. They put it in our suits. They have a limited number of them. We have plenty of Pegasus power armor that do not have the E.F.S.”

“We have several new designs since the war ended. The Mark 4 is only four years old. Maybe five. I have lost track of the time we have been here. They all can have the modification popped in and popped out as needed.”

“I can’t believe I couldn't tell you used one,” The Captain said to Shadow.

“I never used it at Fort Strong,” Shadow chuckled. “First off, we were flying too fast for it to work. Second I was taught to never rely on it. Perfect point when I took the head shot. I usually shoot with painstakingly time honed skill. Thunder and I both do. I only used it to because the leg didn’t buckle and I wanted to make sure and follow through that the single bullet took it down, even with the perfect head shot.”

“Do you use one?” Governor Silver Sifter asked The Captain.

“No,” The Captain replied. “We were heading south into Zebra land and hopefully well behind enemy lines. We didn’t want to risk them learning the spell from a downed Pegasus’ armor. I have used it a few times, mostly as a novelty, but that was it.”

“Well, it is Cinder Block,” Thunder sighed contently. “Anypony else want to watch through Shadow’s eyes as we fight more of them?”

Shadow hung his head as they cheered and Storm hit play. They cringed in pain as Shadow took the sledgehammer blow, cheered when Nor’s rocket blew it’s face open and continued to enjoy the show. Their time fighting had desensitized them to the bloodier atrocities.

They laughed and cheered as they saw Super Ponies fall prey to traps and superior skill. Hearing their stupid speech in the recording was funny. Outside, hearing them talk meant they were very close and it was scary. A fight was coming. Here, they could enjoy their bumbling speech.

Despite their coms being on, there was little talk to be heard. They didn’t mind as they continued with the replay. Storm paused it once to point out a moment that he used his E.F.S. in Shadow’s view. He replayed it a few times.

The moment was a skip while looking at him which was only viewable with a recording. Even then, it was so small and fast it was not perceivable unless you closely combed through it or knew when to look.

The hospital came, confirming what they all believed by now, Baltimare General Hospital. In they went and things got dizzying again as they swept through each room with speed and precision.

Everypony, including Shadow, chuckled as they shot the final Super Pony an excessive amount. It was even more excessive watching it replayed.

Shadow forgot he had been recording. It would be ended when his helmet came off. It was only a few seconds until they came up upon Sweet Waters.

“FUCK!” Slice exclaimed, shocking Storm into hitting pause.

“I completely forgot you were sitting next to me,” Slice said to Sweet Waters.

Sweet Waters was the Sergeant over Celestia district for garbage. She was here with her father and Snowy Mirage, the Rapidfire District Sergeant. The three of them headed up all the garbage disposal in the city.

Sweet Waters couldn't take her eyes off the screen, where her face was frozen mid panicked scream. Nopony wanted to touch her, even to comfort her. She just sat there, frozen like she was on the screen. There were no tears, just heavy breathing.

“How could you?” The Governor whispered across the room to Shadow. With no other noise, it was clearly heard by all.

“I was focused on hooking up my suit and the right file, with Storm!” Shadow whispered back. “I don’t even know who is here or how many! I also had Nor’s report. I was mostly focused on that!”

“Slice is the one who was sitting right next to her!” Nor whispered.

“I was enjoying the show!” Slice shot back. “I forgot she was sitting next to me until I wanted to see how the pony next to me was reacting to the rescue!”

“We feel really bad,” Storm whispered.

“You might, but I don’t,” Shadow whispered back. “I don’t know what to feel!”

“How could you not feel bad?” Thunder whispered.

“I can’t feel bad when I don’t know what I am feeling! I am not even shocked. I am now pissed at you for thinking I should be feeling something!”

“Shut it up!” Nor ordered standing up and breaking the ‘silence.’

Nopony had any more to say and they just sat there trying to silently devise a plan. Salt Waters was still unable to act, even to save his daughter. He didn’t know what he was supposed to be saving her from.

Sweet Waters solved it as she suddenly latched onto Slice in a sobbing mess. He hugged her tightly, trying to give her every ounce of the love and support she needed.

“I’ve got her,” Slice said a few minutes later. “I’ll get her to her room. Stay and watch the finale.”

This was a ship of war, the PNV Celestia, and their briefing room. All the chairs were welded to the floor so when things got rough, they would not be tossed around and do damage or be damaged. Slice was no fool. It was their team and he had sat on the outside so he could easy get up if he was needed.

Slice was able to effectively hobble her out of there. His wing played a major role in not just carrying her, but being a soft, warm blanket.

“When did you stop filming?” Nor accused Shadow.

“Umm, I had forgotten I was,” Shadow replied nicely. “So, when I took my helmet off.”

Nor sighed. “I do not remember when you took your helmet off.”

“I can’t tell you how long until the recording is over,” Storm added. “This is new tech going into old tech. We are lucky enough I can project it.”

“Alright, lets settle down and hit play,” Salt Waters said. “This was a mistake we could not foresee. There is no reason to place blame. There is no blame. She will get through it. She would be insulted if this hiccup ended us finishing the rescue scene.”

With that said, Storm confidently hit play, issuing forth her screams once again.

“Well that was over fast,” Governor Silver Sifter stated. “I expected longer.”

“I pulled my helmet off to help calm her down with a real pony face,” Shadow explained. “I didn’t get to as I threw up from the putrid stench. But pulling my helmet off finished the rescue, from my point of view.”

“I heard you hesitated about what to do with her,” Silver Targe commented. “I didn’t expect that much hesitation.”

“It would have been the third kind action we could take since arriving,” Shadow stated. “And the first two didn’t go well. Both were bloody and the second was not our fault. Our Lieutenant died then. There was a lot riding on the line.”

“Who else has a good view?” Somepony asked. “Get off this topic. Its in the past and the right decision was made.”

“Slice,” Shadow replied without needing to think. “Everypony else left or was busy elsewhere.”

“Good thing we all came in our armor,” Nor chuckled as he tossed Slice’s helmet to Storm. They all had taken their armor off to be comfortable in the chairs.

“This turned unproductive fast,” Shadow mumbled.

Storm took a minute to find the right spot and let it play. They watched from Slice’s viewpoint starting when they entered the room. Slice spent the time in the room with her, looking at her and keep her relaxed.

Her screams didn’t bother Shadow, but her begging did. They had connected well enough with the ponies that it felt shameful.

“That was very informative,” Governor Silver Sifter declared when Storm stopped the video.

“Very interesting use of tactics,” The Captain poked.

“Don’t ever take what we did and say it was tactical,” Thunder replied absentmindedly. “We have not been tactical around you at all.”

“Is there any actual business?” Shadow asked in an attempt to get them on a useful track.

Nopony could reply as Rivet interrupted them.

“Governor, The Captain, Visitors, we have a situation,” Rivet said, very unsure of the situation.

Next Chapter: Chapter 47 - Strong Change Estimated time remaining: 6 Hours, 48 Minutes