PROJECT HIVE
Awake
"Easy, easy now," the nurse said softly, keeping near enough to her patient to offer support if needed, but otherwise remaining hooves-off to better observe the wounded changeling's recovery. "Just like before, one more trip across the room, and we'll be done for today."
Damsel took another shaky step, hopping her remaining front leg forwards a few inches, biting back on the mounting frustration as her hind legs took normal-sized steps. She'd been moving under her own power for several days now, but all the encouragement in the world wasn't enough to help when she'd been reduced to hobbling along just a few inches at a time, feeling helpless and useless.
Her nurse kept up the encouragement as, one tiny, unsteady step at a time, Damsel inched her way across the almost-empty room she'd practically lived in since waking from her hibernation. It was exhausting in every way, Damsel's unused muscles still aching after so long at rest, her mind frazzled from having to concentrate on every step so she didn't fall over... and the constant, throbbing ache where her leg simply wasn't anymore.
Growing increasingly frustrated with her own slow progress, Damsel buzzed her wings, trying to support herself enough to take a full step for once and actually succeeding... until her momentum carried her forwards just a bit too far and she took another step to try and catch herself... a step with her missing leg. "GAH!"
The nurse darted in, catching the changeling before face could meet floor... again. "It's alright, I've got you." She steadied the changeling, helping her stand and checking her over. Trained hooves touched, poked and prodded, noting every shiver that ran through the Damsel's form and every tremble of her limbs. With a frown, the Medical Mare started to move slowly forwards, guiding Damsel back towards her bed, using her own body to keep the changeling upright. "I think that's quite enough for today. We can't have you wearing yourself out, but don't worry," with a smile, the nurse lifted Damsel onto her cot, even fluffing the pillow, "you'll be getting around on your own soon enough."
Damsel just groaned, sagging down onto the bed, worn out from the day's excercises and upset at her own weakness. She barely reacted as the nurse started inspecting her stump, chatting quietly the whole time, a constant outpouring of positive emotions soothing her patient's body, if not her mind.
Soon, soft snores sounded, the nurse smiling slightly as she pulled the covers over Damsel's sleeping form. She hadn't even had the chance to tell the changeling about her surprise... but, when she thought about it, breaking that particular bit of good news might be best left to a very specific pony... or ponies.
Ironside and Merry May snuggled close on the couch in their quarters, enjoying their peace at the end of the day. The remains of their evening meal lay on the table beside their unfinished paperwork, ignored for the chance to spend a quiet moment together discussing their plans.
"We should ask her tomorrow," Merry insisted, "Medical says she'll be strong enough to come home next week, and I want her to have a proper home, not those empty quarters." She fluffed her wings for emphasis, but didn't release her husband from the full-body, hoof-and-wing hug.
Ironside shook his head and yawned. "Merry, we can't rush this." He rubbed the mare's back with a hoof, kneading between her wings and getting a soft coo in response. "At least wait until maintenance finishes up her new leg." Seeing Merry frown at the thought of waiting any longer, he pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry..." he yawned again, burying his face in Merry's mane to hide his knowing grin, "I get the feeling Damsel'll say yes."
Merry fluffed herself up again, this time with a happy smile at the thought of having her new herdmate there to look after. The broody pegasus entertained herself with thoughts of having a full nest again for a few minutes, before realising that Ironside had fallen asleep on top of her. Rolling her eyes and supressing a smirk, she shuffled around so that they were both laying comfortably on the couch.
She could wait... for a little while.
"Heal the poison, and return." The Regent recited the phrase, peering thoughtfully through the window at the atrium beyond, her face reflected in the glass. "Damsel's report backs up Officer Lorikeet's." She noted her pony counterpart approaching in the reflection, bringing a mug of precious tea. She took the steaming, fragrant offering with a nod. "Our Queen's instructions are to heal the poison, and then return to Fluttery Valley." A frown made its way to her lips, her dark eyes narrowing in thought. "The poison..." she repeated. "What could our Queen be talking about?"
Beside the Regent, the Overmare sipped at her own tea, her thoughts mirroring those of the changeling beside her. "The radiation, perhaps?" Came the pony leader's suggestion.
"No." The Regent shook her head, her frown growing. "Neither Damsel nor Lorikeet reported any signs of megaspell detonation on their way to Fluttery Valley, and even if we had some way of cleansing the land Equestria is simply far too vast..."
Silence reigned for a few minutes, broken only by thoughtful sips of slowly cooling tea. "Perhaps..." The Overmare murmered softly.
"Perhaps?" The Regent repeated, quirking an eyebrow at her counterpart.
"Perhaps your Queen already told us what the poison is," the Overmare suggested, turning to look at their terminals. Another quirked eyebrow was the the Regent's only response for a moment, before she understood.
"I think you might be right, my friend," the changeling said with a smile, raising her mug in acknowledgement, before leading her pony partner to their desks and tapping away at the keys with one hoof.
In the quiet office, in the depths of the darkened Stable, an audio file was played for only the second time since its recording.
"If you are hearing this message, it means Omega-Level Threat Protocols have been enacted, and your Hive has been sealed."