//------------------------------//
// 1: Blasphemy 
// Story: Ghosts in the Code 
// by Talguy21 
//------------------------------//

In a dark place, lit only by a dim green glow, a few shapes hunched around a cocoon, the source of it. Within, a pony was suspended, a mare, whose true color was masked by her prison. The shapes were conversing in hushed tones.

“The attack will happen in a few days time. The Queen will alert the guard before infiltrating personally...” one said, his odd voice resonating with a hum off of the close walls. 

“Why alert the guard at all? It would make our invasion that much simpler!” another asked, her voice thick with concern.

“Don't question her majesty's orders, Scape. She knows what she's doing.” a third, another male, said before snorting. “And it's obviously above nymphs like you.” The largest of the three rose slightly.

“Now Pincer, treat your broodmate with more tact.” He said. “You and her are even in the Pits, and I doubt either of you will avoid scars. You know that all too well, I suspect.”

“What, like you and Crusher, Entropy? As if you're one to talk! That scar of yours has barely stopped bleeding!” Pincer growled. Scape rose suddenly.

“None of your bickering changes anything!” She shouted. “The Queen's plan is outright stupid!” Every other being present froze, and the light level in the room suddenly brightened considerably. The three changelings were soon swarmed by dozens of others, pushing Entropy and Pincer aside as they encircled Scape.

“You dare oppose the will of her majesty, the glorious Queen Chrysalis?” one hissed. “You question her holy word?” Scape froze, and a look of sheer terror quickly rushed over her visage.

“That's not what I meant! I love our Queen, but-” she stammered

“You question her word, and her decision! No love of our Queen must exist in you, husk!” another changeling roared. “Her strategies have never failed us, nor will they today!”	

“She must be punished.” Another voice sounded. All present turned to the source, and from the shadows stepped the Queen herself. “Any changeling who defies me will not be permitted to live. Defying my orders is dissension I will not tolerate.” 

“Yes, my queen.” A chorus replied.

“She is to be executed tomorrow morning.” She ordered, before turning and exiting through the passage she came from. Suddenly, Scape was engulfed by a swarm of bodies, and dragged out of the room, screaming for mercy and forgiveness all the while. The crowd receded until only Entropy and Pincer remained in the room. As the lights dimmed to normal, Pincer strolled over to the cocoon. A tendril of green magic extended from it, and curled around his horn for a moment before fading. He smirked.

“Serves her right. Nobody defies the Queen.” He said, before making his way to one of the exits. “She would have learned sooner or later, the fool. This is no pathetic Pony town. Here, what she says goes. That is what makes us better than them, Entropy.” He turned to face his comrade. “We have no tolerance for weakness.” With that, he turned and walked from the room. Entropy, alone now, frowned. He turned to the cocoon, and took some of the emotions contained within. 

“Not every mistake should be a death sentence.” he murmured. “She still had plenty to offer to the Hive... To all of us.” He sighed, and cast a small spell into the cocoon. The straight face of the mare within curled into a small smile. The warrior turned and headed for another passage. “And not all difference is weakness.”