//------------------------------//
// Mobilization 
// Story: The Infestation of Equiss Prime 
// by Jest 
//------------------------------//

A mare clad in a thick cloak peeked out from a small, mostly hidden sidestreet that lay off the main thoroughfare of an earth pony village she was now in the heart of. Though the sun had set over an hour ago, the city remained tense, and active, with militia ponies patrolling the streets in groups of three or more. Though their organization could use work, they were quite diligent, and surprisingly observant, the mixed earth pony and pegasus force having a good understanding of their surroundings.

The mare stopped and watched as the trenchcoat-clad ponies trotted down the street, earth ponies wielding polearms while pegasi flew above with crossbows at the ready. The meagre leather dusters they wore seemed to be reinforced with plates inside the stitching of the armor, giving the poorly equipped frontiersfolk at least a small modicum of protection. And yet, with rusting weapons and poor equipment, the ponies held their heads high and seemed ready to put their inefficient tools of death to the test.

Smiling, the mare gave one last look around the main thoroughfare, noting that the small groups of ponies were illuminated by electric light sources that hung from above on long dark poles. Though the mare found these light sources strange, as she had never seen them in person before, she had heard enough on them to know that they were harmless and were in fact quite useful. Something that was clearly evident as almost every house she had passed had been lit by these same light sources. This increased level of technology was evident wherever she looked, from the light sources the town used, to the rudimentary self-pulling carriages that trundled down the road, to the heavy, machine-woven clothing most ponies wore.

These sights would have normally made the mare lament the loss of the simpler times, but she knew that such advancement was necessary now more than ever. Despite just how necessary she knew this technology was to save her ponies, she still couldn't help but feel a little saddened by its appearance. The wave of advancement she had held back for centuries had finally been allowed to propagate, and for once in the mare’s life, she was treading new and ultimately unfamiliar ground.

With a sigh, she pulled her hood up over her face, obscuring her green fur and brown mane. Cloak now secured tightly around her, the mare gave one last look around before trotting across the street and making a beeline for a local watering hole.

The building itself was relatively new, with thick metal walls the color of rust occasionally broken up by patches of dull grey metal tack-welded over holes or other damage. The result was a building that appeared to be one part bar, one part fortress, and the mare couldn't help but chuckle as she walked up to it. Most Canterlot natives would have passed by the structure without giving it another glance, as it was an unseemly building that appeared to be a simple dive, but the mare knew otherwise.

The vents near the top of the structure blew a little too much exhaust for such a squat one level structure, and the large jut out that rose into the air and displayed the name ‘JoeyRay’s’ was a little too big for such a simple sign. The mare made a note of berating the owner of said establishment for his boldness but otherwise stuffed any such worries away for now. After all, they had avoided detection for nearly a decade at this point by almost completely relying on the arrogance of the nobles, so it was a tried and tested strategy if nothing else.

Pushing her way inside, the mare gave a quick look around, noting how little it had changed over the years. The same old jukebox sat in the corner belting out a tune pretty much no one paid attention to while overtop of it hung the skull of some enormous creature the mare didn't initially recognize. A second glance told her that it was a skull from one of the creatures that had ravaged some of the nearby towns, with the weapon that killed it left embedded in the front of it.

The rest of the bar was as dingy and poorly lit as one might assume from the outside, with only a trio of larger windows able to bring in the dismal lighting from the street lights. Not like it needed that light however, as large electric torches hung along the walls while a fake golden candelabra hung in the center of the room. All of which was more than enough to illuminate all of the ten customers who dotted the room at such an odd hour. Some of which gave the mare a passing glance before going back to their drink while others gave her a long, lingering, suspicious look.

Said looks all but stopped the second she pulled back her hood and revealed that no horn grew from her head. Only a stallion standing beside the bar and the bartender herself kept their gazes locked firmly on the cloaked mare after that. One keeping himself between the nearest pony and the door to the backroom while the other idly cleaned an already spotless glass with a rag held in her wing.

Smiling faintly to herself, the mare trotted past what few patrons still lingered, and made her way up to the counter. “Good evening, may I have a cider please?” she asked.

The two other ponies exchanged a curious look. “What do you think, Joey?” the bartender asked.

The stallion frowned. “I’m not sure, Ray. You seen her around before?”

The earth pony mare merely smiled at the suspicion leveled her way, already pressing two bits against the bar. “I just got back into town, though I’ve been here plenty of times over the years,” she explained, pushing the bits a little further up the bar.

Ray looked down at the bits, then back at the mystery mare, only to shrug, and swiftly fill the glass with cider and push it across the bar. “Well your money is good, that much is certain.”

“Though I don't know about your story, outsider,” the stallion added. “I ain't never seen you around before, and I make a point of seeing everyone who passes through these parts.”

“Really now?” the mare replied, feigning shock while she sipped her drink. “Why I remember us having this very conversation the last time I was in town.”

The stallion’s eyebrow raised slowly. “What do you do exactly, miss?”

“I’m something of an investor you could say,” the mare answered, smiling faintly as she put her mug back on the table. “That's good,” she declared. “Local, eh?”

The bartender nodded. “Everything but the wine is local ‘round here.”

“Something we’re mighty proud of,” the stallion added.

“And you have every reason to. That's quite exceptional,” the mare murmured before taking another long sip.

“So, you a banker then?” the stallion pressed, the pony leaving heavily on the side of the bar. “Been a while since we had one of those try and show up around here.”

“Oh no, nothing of the sort,” the mare quickly replied. “I’m more in the charity business than anything, as the results I expect are more… indirect, you could say.”

Joey and Ray both exchanged a confused look. “Say, you wouldn't happen to be in the solar business by chance, would you?” asked Ray hesitantly, while Joey scanned the room.

“Just a second,” murmured the mystery mare before throwing back the last of her drink and smacking her lips. “Ah, I’ll never get over just how good it is to enjoy a drink without having to think about appearances.”

“‘Cause if you ain't, you, me and Joey are going to have to have a talk,” warned the bartender.

The mystery mare smiled. “I am indeed in the solar business, and business is good.”

Instantly the suspicion and veiled anger vanished, replaced by a nervous optimism most evident in the bartender who leaned over the bar. “R-really? And why are you here, miss?” she pressed.

“Just checking on local investments, and was hoping to grab a bottle of champagne,” the mystery mare replied. “That is, if you think this outsider deserves such a privilege?”

The stallion gulped and snapped a quick salute. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Only to receive a swift smack upside his head. “How many times do I have to tell you to cut that shit out goddes sdammit?” growled the bartender.

“S-sorry, sis,” whimpered the stallion.

“Man the counter. I’ll attend to our paying customer here,” commanded Ray, trading spots with her brother. “If you follow me, I think you’ll find that we have a surprisingly large selection of champagne for any occasion.”

The mare nodded, following Ray closely as she made her way into the backroom. “Lead the way.”

The room they entered was small, confined, and utterly dominated by three large walls of bottles, most of which had a fine layer of dust covering them. Once the door was shut behind them, Ray moved to the wall and tugged on a spare broom, prompting the door to clang loudly, signalling that it had been firmly locked behind them. Once that was done, Ray’s serious demeanor fell away in an instant and she sighed, her shoulders falling slack.

“Thank goodness you're here, ma’am. The higher-ups were beginning to worry about you,” Ray remarked, the pegasus flitting from wall to wall pulling bottles at seemingly random.

The mare nodded. “Things have become… difficult over the last few months. I apologize for making you worry.”

Ray stopped and laughed. “If my momma were alive today she’d probably bend herself into a pretzel trying to make you take back that apology.”

The other mare chuckled. “Well, regardless, I am sorry I haven't been able to check in. Canterlot is…”

“A goddamn nightmare of stuck up nobles, miles of red tape and more horned assholes than you can shake a stick at?” finished the bartender.

“Not the most tactful response, but certainly not an incorrect one either,” the mare replied with a smirk.

“Well, either way I’ll make sure to pass along the kind words when I see the bosses next time,” Ray responded, pulling the last bottle and taking a step back. “For now, let me welcome you back.”

The mare smiled and watched as the wall directly before her slid into the floor, and revealed a second square room, one just large enough to fit both ponies inside. The second room was cramped, and had metal grating that started at shoulder height and went up the sides, revealing a wall beyond that. It was dingy, illuminated only by a single bulb in the center of the elevator, which was barely enough to see in. Ray trotted in beside Celestia and pressed a large red button, prompting the wall of bottles to clang back into place, and after a small click, the elevator shuddered into motion, slowly descending into the unknown.

With a sigh, the mare dismissed her glamor and rose to her full height once more, silently proud that she had managed to hold it for as long as she did, while also lamenting the pain in her neck that always arose when she wore such a disguise for such a length of time. “Feel good to be back in your own skin again, ma’am?” Ray asked, glancing up at the alicorn.

She nodded, whilst rubbing her aching neck and wincing. “You have no idea, my friend. Illusion spells never get easier, no matter how many times I seem to have to use them.”

“Ha, you are just too honest for your own good,” Ray shot back. 

Celestia chuckled. “That might very well be true. All of this sneaking around always saddens me.”

Ray nodded sadly and turned forward once more. “I can only imagine. We don't have to lie much after, those damn jumped up sissies in the guard only come ‘round once a month, if they even bother.”

“Speaking of which, they haven't found this place, have they?” Celestia asked, looking closely at the mare next to her.

The bartender shook her head and laughed. “Nope, the damn hornheads just scan the place with their magic and leave after finding no magic in the place.”

“You shouldn't use that word, my little pony,” Celestia admonished. “Though the nobles are an unpleasant bunch, unicorns as a whole are the same as you or I.”

Ray winced and rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. “Sorry, ma’am. It's just hard not to with everything that's been going on lately.”

“Just remember that kind of language might drive away potential allies, don't give those monsters a single reason to try and turn the blame on you,” Celestia continued.

“You are right, you are right,” Ray admitted. “And before you ask, no we don't need any assistance hiding any of the entrances. Between the enchantments you placed, and the fact that we don't use any magic, no patrols have even bothered searching one of our places with any degree of thoroughness.”

“Good,” Celestia declared. “Their reliance on magic may make them oblivious to a certain extent, but that doesn't mean they are complete idiots.”

Ray sighed. “I know.”

For the next minute both mares remained silent as they traveled the last length of the shaft before finally coming to a screeching halt, gears grinding as the elevator came to a stop. Ray reacted first, stepping forward and pulling open the steel plate that had slid into place when they reached the bottom and revealing a long metal hallway that ended with an enormous set of steel doors that lacked any form of handle.

The metal walls were fairly plain, and were bolted together in such a way that aided in keeping up the roof while also hiding the cables, cords, and bundles of wires that Celestia knew were just beneath. The dull grey and rust colored walls were accented by gold bolts and the occasional strip of gold colored patches placed here and there at random. The floor was identical to the walls, save for a path of orange tiles that stretched from the exit of the elevator to the doors across from them.

A few artificial torches lit up the room, and illuminated everything in an eerie, artificial orange light. Not that Ray seemed to notice or care though, as the bartender trotted down the hallway confidently, her hooves clanging against the metal floor. Once she reached the doors, she raised her hoof and knocked twice before taking a step back.

“Bill is working the door tonight, so watch out if he tries to show off,” muttered the pegasus.

Celestia frowned. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

As if on cue, two panels above the door slid back to reveal a duo of quad-barreled weapons that emerged from the panels and swiveled forward on metal arms, pointing menacingly at the pair. “Halt, who goes there? And what's the password!” demanded a metallic voice that echoed down the hall and originating from just above the door.

“We don't have a password for the door, you dumbass, and I have the VIP with me, so you had better lower those weapons!” Ray shouted back.

The weapons both drooped slightly, their barrels pointing away from the pair. A second later and the voice gasped, and the weapons slipped back into the wall and disappeared behind the plates which slid back into place. “My apologies, Your Majesty, I just wanted to give Ray here a hard time,” the voice replied in a quiet, almost pleading tone.

“Just open the door, you nincompoop. We can talk about you not checking your damn screens and making stupid assumptions later,” Ray growled. 

“Though I like a prank as much as the next pony, perhaps you should not use weapons in your next one,” Celestia offered with a hint of anger.

“R-right,” the voice muttered. “Opening the doors now.”

A second later the two doors clanked, and a spinning sound could be heard within, a sound which grew louder and louder until both doors made a clunk sound and slid backwards, revealing themselves to be fake and the actual entrance more akin to a vault than a simple set of double doors. A few seconds of grinding and whirring later and the massive entrance hissed before turning to the side and revealing a sheepish stallion who was rubbing his foreleg awkwardly. 

“So uh, don't suppose we are still on for that date later, huh Ray?” he muttered, the grey coated and brown maned earth pony already cringing before he could even get a response.

“We’ll talk about the possibility of you even being allowed down here after the princess leaves,” Ray shot back, giving the stallion a firm, withering glare. “Just radio Hammer Smith and tell him that wer’e coming.”

The stallion sighed, and kicked the floor. “I shoulda seen that one coming. Sorry again.”

As the stallion sulked away and slipped through a metal door off to the side, Celestia bumped her hip against her guide’s. “He does seem to have learned his lesson,” she pointed out.

The pegasus continued to frown, but that frown was alleviated slightly as they began to trot forward. “I know, and he is a smart guy for the most part. He just needs to stop and listen to that brain of his before he does something stupid.”

Celestia chuckled. “Too many ponies know what to do only do not listen to that voice, I’m afraid.”

“True,” Ray agreed.

The two mares trotted forward, passing through the metal room and through a second door, this one opening inwards and revealing a long hall, with a few doors leading off it, at the end of which stood a tall metal-clad pony. The pony was easily the same height as Celestia, her steel clad body giving her a height advantage over those who were unarmored. The metal itself was a simple matte black devoid of any insignia or rank, save for the word ‘security’ spraypainted in white on her pauldrons.

On her back was a large arm that emerged from her armor and wielded a long square-shaped weapon with a string of ammo feeding out of it and onto the other side of her armor where an enormous hopper was bolted on. Her visor opened, revealing a grinning earth pony mare underneath, her orange fur spattered with black grease. As the other mares approached her, the grin on her face grew, and she snapped into a quick salute, her bulky armor whirring as she moved.

“Well shoot, Princess, we were starting to get worried about ya,” announced the armored mare.

“You don't need to worry about me quite yet,” Celestia replied, her eyes narrowing as she reached the pony and stopped just in front of her. “Grease Slick, right?”

The armored mare grinned even wider, to the point that she looked like a filly that had just received a piece of candy from a parent after being told they did a good job. “You remembered!”

Celestia chuckled. “I try to remember everypony that points a gun at me.”

“Oh come on, that was one time. I have much better trigger discipline now,” whined the mare, her features falling, as did the gun arm on her back.

Ray cocked her head. “Don't tell me Greasy threatened you too? What is with ponies around here and waving guns at you?”

“It was a number of years ago, before you put in the vault entrance and Grease Slick was guarding the old entrance,” Celestia explained.

“Her Majesty didn't remove her illusion before coming down here,” Grease Slick added. “The armor detected it and I panicked, okay? I’m sorry.”

“I forgive you, dear. I’m just giving you a hard time,” Celestia replied, patting the mare on her armored shoulder.

Grease Slick chuckled. “I know, I know. Say I don't suppose you are hanging around for a few hours eh? I’m almost off shift and I’d love to take you up on your offer to have that cider.”

Celestia sighed. “I’m afraid not, my friend. There are too many things going on in Canterlot, and I cannot stay long. Perhaps one day when things return to a… well not normal, but at least not quite as hectic as they are now.”

Ray snorted. “Good luck with that.”

“Well either way, the boss is waiting for ya just inside, heard him give the ol’ ten four through the radio,” Grease replied, tapping the side of her armored head.

“I appreciate it,” Celestia responded before motioning for them to continue. “Shall we?”

“Err, I oughta head back upstairs,” Ray replied, rubbing the back of her neck. “My brother ain't the sharpest tool in the shed, I’m afraid.”

“Nonsense, take a few minutes off. How much damage could he do?” Celestia asked, only to chuckle. “On second thought you better head back, I might have jinxed it.”

“If he's somehow lit the bar on fire again I’m blaming you,” Ray insisted, poking the alicorn in the chest with a hoof.

Celestia chuckled. “Agreed, and thank you, Ray.”

“Think nothing of it, Your Majesty.” Ray beamed before turning around and jogging down the hall.

“Ya better head on through, ma’am. You know how Hammer gets when you make him wait, plus I’m pretty sure he wants to show you something,” Grease mentioned.

“A deadly combination,” Celestia mused. “I won't make him wait a moment longer. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Grease Slick.”

The armored pony slammed her hoof against her chest plate and beamed, servos whirring softly. “The pleasure was all mine,” she declared.

Smiling to herself, Celestia stepped through the next door, only to stop the second she had pulled the portal open. Lighting her horn somewhat dissipated the cacophony of sounds that had rushed out and engulfed her the moment the door opened, allowing the mare to hear herself think once more. Note to self, use the spell before you walk through, not after, Celestia mentally berated herself, the alicorn wincing slightly and making a note to check her ears on the way back to Canterlot.

The alicorn took a brief look around and found that she was in a massive room with enormously high ceilings. A room which was filled with ponies running this way and that, some so intent on their destination they didn't notice Celestia while others stopped and bowed. More important than that were the metal creations of towering height that were parked in some of the stalls which lined either side of the room. It was not only giant metal constructs that filled the stalls though, as some contained numerous bubbling concoctions or simple black boards filled with formulas and arguing scientists. The many experiments were too numerous to list, and Celestia promptly ignored them as well as the many ponies who noticed her but did not bow, the ponies mostly casting her curious and awe-filled glances .

“There you are!” arough, male voice announced from Celestia’s right. “I thought you got lost for a second there, Your Majesty.” 

Celestia chuckled and looked over to where a tall black coated and grey maned stallion stood. Though he wore armor similar to the marine she had passed only seconds earlier, it lacked the raw protection that the other armor had, as well as the boxy gun and ammo box. Leaving behind only the exposed exoskeleton and the maneuverable arm on his back, allowing Celestia to see his cutie mark which was of a hammer impacting an anvil, with sparks erupting from all sides. The stallion was large, well-built, and clearly muscled, and though not old, he appeared to be in his forties, his features weathered by a lifetime of physically demanding work done mostly in front of a forge.

“Well, I thought about taking a nap before I came to see you, but I figured you’d get your knickers in a twist by then,” Celestia shot back with a smirk.

The stallion glared at the alicorn for a few seconds before erupting in hearty laughter. “It is you!” he announced. “I keep telling the ladies that we gotta figure out how to detect changelings but they are too convinced that their silly scanners are enough.”

“The enchantments I placed should be enough to drive away most changelings,” Celestia pointed out. “Though now that you mention it, that may be a good idea. I assume you have someone on it already?”

“Officially? No.” Hammer Smith smirked. “Unofficially, of course! Better to be overprepared than caught unaware as I always say.”

Celestia nodded. “Good. I may be able to offer your researchers a few pointers next time I drop by, I kept the notes on changeling anatomy locked away somewhere in the archives.”

“Aye, that would be a big help,” Hammer Smith replied, his stark blue eyes flashing with barely contained excitement. “Well then,” he announced suddenly. “I suppose you are here for a tour and an update, eh?”

“Indeed I am,” Celestia answered. “And I hear you have something interesting to show me,” she added, leaning in and smirking. “It isn't another pair of exploding pants, is it?”

“No, it isn't.” Hammer Smith deadpanned. “Plus I’d appreciate it if you didn't mention that, I was only a junior researcher back then.”

Celestia shrugged. “If you insist. Now then, where shall we begin?”

“Before we get into it, some of us just wanted to thank you again,” Hammer Smith began, grinning at the alicorn. “The first real sets of armor are rolling off the assembly line soon and it won't be long before we can really defend ourselves.”

“That's wonderful,” Celestia declared. “It is good to know that we have evened the playing field so to speak. Oh and before I forget, here.” The alicorn lit her horn and conjured forth a file of paperwork, which she hoofed to the stallion. “My praetorians did an exhaustive report on the combat ability of these zerg creatures. It should aid in your weapons testing at the least.”

Hammer Smith’s eyes went wide and he delicately took the folder into his armored hooves. “I don't know what to say, Your Majesty, thank you.”

“Knowing that my ponies are safe is all the thanks I need,” Celestia replied with a smile. “I hope it helps.”

The stallion used the mechanical arm on his back to flip through the folder while he held it open on a hoof, his eyes flashing back and forth, scanning the information quickly. “This is… this is amazing. We should be able to speed up production on the mark three impalers by a few weeks and maybe even figure out some sort of weakness.”

“I wouldn't count on that last part,” Celestia cautioned. “They are able to adapt quickly, and only magic seems able to bypass that thick hide of theirs with any kind of ease.”

Hammer Smith snorted. “Nothing a well oiled C-14 can't punch through.”

“Yes, your guns certainly are impressive, but I would advise you not to fall down the path the nobles have,” Celestia began. “Reliance on one weapon will ultimately leave you open to others.”

Hammer Smith nodded confidently. “Don't worry, Princess, we made sure we won't get pigeonholed like those high faluted jerks.”

“Good,” Celestia declared, sighing slightly. “Now then, where to first?”

“Right, first I wanted to show ya what we were cooking up to help the laborers around here,” Hammer Smith began, turning and trotting down the central, and mostly empty, part of the enormous underground structure. “The T-278 Special Construction Vehicle seems to be coming along nicely.”

Celestia followed close behind the stallion, watching as he gestured to one of the first stalls where several ponies of mixed race and gender were gathered around an armored pony in the center of the stall. The pony in the middle was wearing armor similar to Hammer Strike’s, save for the variation that it was just lightly armored, and was slightly smaller, though the limbs were also slightly bulkier. The main difference was in the fact that it had two pillars on its back on either side of its flank, as well as having an empty space between those stacks, allowing the wearer to cart around a considerable load.

“What are those stack things? I don't remember them being there before,” Celestia pointed out, gesturing to the back of the armor, while still watching the gathered ponies listen to the operator of the armor as they spoke animatedly on the suit’s functions.

“Containers,” Hammer yelled back over the din of conversation and noise. “We may have found a gas just beneath Equestria’s crust that does wonders when refined, and we’ve been working on retooling the S.C.V. to both construct heavy duty buildings with ease while also being able to gather both minerals and this gas.”

Celestia nodded, glancing over the many, many design documents that covered one wall of the stall. “And the plan to add an extra arm on either side? How is that coming along?”

Hammer Smith shrugged. “They are still working on not overloading the actuators on the legs, but I think they get that mostly worked out.”

Celestia hummed to herself, her gaze lingering on the drawing of an S.C.V. much like the one she was looking at, save for the fact that it had two large mechanical arms sprouting from its torso on either side of its body. The arms themselves were both different, with one ending in a large drill and the other being a simple two-pronged claw. It was at this point that the various ponies seemed to realize who was watching them, and after a brief hushed conversation they each turned and gave the alicorn a deep bow.

Celestia gave them a smile and a wave, before making a shooing motion, urging them to ignore her presence and to get back to what they were doing. Something they did only after they had all bowed deeply, with even the S.C.V. pilot bowing as much as her armor allowed. “And the pilot, will they be comfortable?” Celestia asked suddenly.

“About as comfortable as we can manage.” Hammer Smith snorted. “Those things are tight, what with all the gizmos we gotta cram into it, but they should be able to trot for upwards of twelve to fifteen hours without getting exhausted.”

“Well that's something, I suppose,” Celestia murmured. “And the defences?”

“Minimal, I’m afraid,” Hammer Smith murmured. “The fusion cutter they use to slap defences together can cut through anything that gets too close, but it's unwieldy, and unlikely to help against a real opponent.”

“We will have to keep a close eye on these S.C.Vs then,” Celestia murmured. 

“The pegasus variants are in the works as well, but unfortunately we’re having problems with thrust, as it's just too much weight,” Hammer remarked. “I think we should scrap that particular variant entirely but that's just my thought, as we don't need S.C.Vs to be able to fly.”

“I wouldn't be so hasty.” Celestia cautioned. “If you have begun work on a thruster capable of lifting a stripped down set of CMC armor, perhaps you can retool it into an offencive variant for use on a marine’s armor.”

“True,” Hammer muttered, tapping his chin with his mechanical arm.

“Speaking of which,” Celestia announced, turning to the left. “Other than seeing Grease Slick wearing one, I have yet to truly be shown one of the new CMC-225s you talked so much about last time I was here.”

Hammer Strike grinned like a school filly. “You are right! The bosses have been hard at work making sure everything is ready for the mass roll out and they only finished it a few days ago.”

“I hope they didn't rush anything,” Celestia remarked, as she followed the stallion. “I would hate to find that there is some error that made your first deployment a difficult one.”

Hammer Strike nodded slowly. “I can't lie to ya, Princess. They are bulky, and need to vent exhaust out the back a little too much for my liking, but they are tough, and will give us the edge we need against the monsters at our doorstep.”

Celestia remained silent behind the stallion, her eyes flicking over the many stalls they passed until they reached the one they were looking for, wherein a marine was getting suited up. The stallion in question had a rust-colored mane, and orange fur, and was busy stepping into the armor, the whole thing having split open at the back to allow its wearer to get inside. The second all four hooves were inside, the armor clicked, whirred and slid into place, collapsing around the stallion’s back and encapsulating him completely.

“Why is he wincing like that?” Celestia asked, gesturing to the stallion in question, who was gritting his teeth as his armor continued to make a light whirring sound.

“The suits gotta connect with your magic, otherwise the arm doesn't work, but once it's all done your body thinks the arm is a part of you, which is why it's so easy to manipulate,” Hammer Smith explained, waving his own back-mounted mechanical arm around for emphasis.

“That seems unpleasant,” Celestia pointed out.

Hammer Smith shrugged. “It's not much worse than a brief pinch, after that it's fine. Though it does feel a little weird for the first little while.”

Celestia nodded, and stepped aside as the stallion approached, his arm drawing a weapon from the rack near the exit of the stall and clicking into place, the mechanical appendage gripping the weapon tightly. He offered the alicorn a brief nod, before his visor slid down, and he passed the two ponies by, his hooves thumping audibly with every step, and his body whirring and clicking as the armor moved with him. Celestia watched the various moving parts shift around inside his armor as the stallion walked, her ears picking out the sound of hidden servos and a thumping power supply as he passed by.

“That weapon is larger than last time,” Celestia remarked.

Hammer Smith grinned. “Oh yeah, we figured that since a pony can brace all four limbs at once while shooting, we can afford to slap some more fire power on our marines. The pegasus variant is a little different, and has two arms, and two weapons, as the system effectively convinces their brains that the arms are their wings.”

“But they can't fly?” Celestia asked, looking around and noticing that there were a few pegasus variants littering the bay area, though not as many as the more predominant earth pony version. 

“Nope, too heavy. You’d have to be some sort of super flyer to get more than a few feet while wearing one of these bad boys,” Hammer Smith announced, clanging his hoof against his chest for emphasis.

“I see,” Celestia muttered.

“Would you like to see a test firing?” Hammer Smith asked, already grinning. 

“I suppose,” Celestia muttered unenthusiastically. 

“Oh it's not that bad,” Hammer Smith remarked with a snort. “Why it's a lot better than getting disemboweled by a sword.”

Celestia grimaced. “I’d rather we not need such weapons at all.”

Hammer Smith merely grunted. “I can't fault you there, but these are the times we live in.”

“Indeed they are,” Celestia muttered to herself.

Together the ponies trotted one stall over, Hammer Smith having grabbed one of the large rifles before they left. Now that Celestia had a second to really look at the things, she found herself slightly confused by its odd design. The thing was roughly squarelike, with several holes near the firing mechanism, where the clawed extra appendage found on the back of every marine would connect to in order to get a better grip. The magazine clipped in at the back, where it could be attached to a chain fed mechanism, if the suit was outfitted with one like Grease Slick’s had been. 

It was at the midway point where things changed, and two long barrels emerged from the gun. The bottom one was wider, and lower, and was obviously not involved with the actual firing of the projectile, while the topmost barrel had a strange cagelike metal casing around it, evidently aiding in the firing, though Celestia knew not how. The sheer length of the two tubes at the front was off putting, as they were as long as the entire rest of the rifle, further confusing the quite technology-illiterate mare.

With a shrug, she followed the stallion as he entered into a firing range and stopped to adjust the blocky headset he had grabbed from a bench, no doubt to adjust for the loudness of what he was about to do. “You might wanna step back a bit!” he yelled.

Celestia nodded, and adjusted her own hearing spell, turning down the volume of incoming noises to the point that she could hardly even detect the sound of Hammer Smith’s enormous, clunking hooves. Watching closely, the alicorn studied the stallion as he tromped over to the second lane, hit a button on the wall, and summoned forth a wooden cutout of what looked like a zergling. With another click of a button under the firing range partition and several more zergling replicas sprung up and began to move in lazy zigzagging patterns.

Raising an eyebrow, Celestia studied the stallion’s appearance, idly noting that the rifle was nearly half his total length, and was positioned over his left shoulder, the barrels extending beyond his head. Then, the silence was broken, and a strange thumping noise erupted from the flaming end of the weapon, making Celestia jump backwards and look on in horror. The wooden cutouts exploded one by one, each zergling getting turned into little more than a stub attached to the firing range mechanism.

This continued for a total of six seconds before the stallion’s weapon began to beep angrily, alerting him to the fact that it was now empty. With a smirk, the stallion’s mechanical arm pulled back the weapon and pointed the smoking barrel in the air. “Whoowee, it's been a while since I hit the range,” Hammer Smith remarked jovially.

Celestia blinked, glancing down the range where no more targets moved. “That didn't seem so bad,” she murmured, raising an eyebrow.

Hammer Smith shrugged. “I used to be better.”

“If you say so.”

“So, what do you think?” Hammer Smith asked, a proud smile on his face.

“It seems quite effective,” Celestia began, only to frown. “Though I worry about what may happen if anyone were to get in close.”

Hammer Smith nodded. “We have a bayonet attachments, but we’ve also been working on something far more impressive, something I was hoping to show you.”

“And this thing you are going to show me will help aid our troops in some manner?” Celestia continued.

The stallion nodded, and began to trot in a different direction, dropping off the weapon back where he had found it before tuning his headset once more and crossing the enormous vault floor. “You guessed it, boss. This baby will make those zerg sons of bitches regret ever being born, or brought into existence as come to think of it, we don't even know if they are born.”

Celestia frowned, something in the stallion’s voice strangely off putting to the ancient alicorn. “I hope this thing is as effective as you seem to hope it will be.”

The stallion merely grinned and trotted over to one of the few contained stalls, which was surrounded on all sides by steel walls and a high metal ceiling. After hitting a combination of buttons next to the entrance, it beeped and opened, allowing the stallion and mare to trot inside. Where another suit was standing empty, a technician underneath the barrel of the armor, a wrench held aloft in his light magic. “I’ll be right with ya, Hammer,” shouted the voice, as he continued to crank some unseen component. 

“We have a guest, Mister Star Fire,” Hammer Smith replied, smirking slightly.

“R-really?” shouted the stallion, before he lurched into a standing position, a wide smile on his face. “It's really you, you are really here!”

“I am indeed myself and I am really here!” Celestia declared. “Well at least, last I checked anyway.”

Hammer Smith chuckled. “Would ya explain to our guest what our little project is all about?”

Star Fire nodded eagerly, his long, bright red braided mane bouncing against the back of his head. “Absolutely, Mister Hammer Smith, sir!”

The unicorn all but pranced around the front of the suit, his smile growing larger with each step. “This is CMC 230 XF!” he declared proudly.

Celestia blinked, looking up and down the enormous set of armor, her gaze drawn inevitably to its lack of mechanical arm, and the twin canisters bolted along the thing’s back. “Interesting,” she muttered.

“It's a prototype armor meant for close combat,” began the scientist, who placed a proud hoof on the armor’s shoulder. “It uses twin tanks of refined vespene gas to incinerate any zerg who gets in too close.”

“Incinerate?” Celestia asked nervously. “You don't mean this thing shoots fire, do you?”

“I do!” declared the scientist, who ran over to the armor’s forelegs. “The fire is emitted from the top of the wearer’s hoof, and allows them to alternate between raising one hoof at a time, or standing on their back legs to unleash a truly devastating wave of destruction that will immolate any zerg that gets too close.”

“Are you sure this is the best way to protect our troops in close quarters? It seems…” Celestia trailed off, her gaze lingering on the twin emitters at the end of each hoof.

“Brutal?” Hammer Smith finished.

Celestia nodded. “Though I know the zerg are little more than animals, this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

The exoskeleton-clad stallion nodded. “I feel the same way, but nothing we have tested can reliably drive back the zerg and keep our forces from getting overwhelmed. Mana weapons are the only thing that can reliably puncture their hide and we don't have nearly enough unicorns to make that feasible. Nevermind the technical challenge that would come with just making the damned things.”

“Plus it burns so hot that any enemy is usually immolated in seconds, meaning it might be more humane than a glancing shot from an impaler,” Star Fire added, quite unhelpfully.

Celestia’s frown deepened. “I acknowledge it's a necessity, but I’m afraid I can't bring myself to see this as anything less than an immense cruelty. This will only be used against the zerg, understood?”

Hammer Smith nodded confidently. “I understand completely, Princess.”

“Good,” Celestia announced. “Now show me something less disturbing before I have to go back to Canterlot. I would hate for my last memory of this place to be this dreadful thing.”

“This next thing we are going to show you is the last big thing we’ve come up with, and you’ll be happy to know that it might even have civilian applications as well,” Hammer Smith declared.

“Are you talking about the vulture system, sir?” Star Fire asked, his eyes sparkling.

“I am indeed,” Hammer Smith replied with a confident grin. “It should be able to help pegasi that have lost one or more wings to fly again, though it has its issues as it stands right now.”

“I actually have a spare in the corner of my lab if you wish to show our esteemed guest,” Star Fire offered, gesturing over to the far corner of his cluttered lab, where something the size of a pony and twice as wide was hidden beneath a large black tarp.

“Then I will give you the honor of showing the princess,” Hammer Smith replied, taking a step back and extending a leg. “After you, Princess.”

Celestia nodded, her frown slowly disappearing as her curiosity grew. “I must say I’m thankful you are considering other potential more often. Cybernetics, and more importantly prosthetics is a vein of research I am intensely interested in, and will be very valuable in the coming years, I’m afraid.”

Star Fire nodded eagerly, his long, wild mane bouncing everywhere. “Oh yes, though I’m not particularly adept in such a field, I can say with absolute certainty that your desire for better prosthetics is being valiantly pursued.”

“It's true,” Hammer Smith added. “Though not handled in this facility, we have an entire research lab devoted solely to replacing the use of limbs, and even horns.”

“That is wonderful,” Celestia declared. “A conflict lasts far shorter than the scars it leaves behind.”

“Truer words have not been spoken,” Hammer Smith agreed.

“Now then, I present to you, the vulture pegasus assisted propulsion system!” Star Fire yelled, excitedly, while using his magic to pull back the tarp and expose the strange contraption beneath.

Celestia looked on in confusion, more than a little baffled by what she saw. There before her was a life sized ponequin with pegasus wings, and an enormously wide metal rectangle with turbines at the end of each side.

“It looks… heavy,” Celestia murmured, noting that it was easily as wide as a pony was long, and was made from some sort of silvery metal.

“It is, but we believe with training most ponies will be able to use it to fly effectively and for long distances,” Hammer Smith replied confidently. “Star Fire, if you would.”

The unicorn nodded and stepped up to the contraption. “It straps to the pegasus’ body here and here.” He pointed to the straps in question which were wrapped at two points around the pony’s midsection. “After that the wings slide into the straps on the underside of the airfoil, which then links with the machine’s systems, harnessing the pegasus’ own natural instincts to enable it to fly effectively.”

“It doesn't seem to have any offencive capabilities,” Celestia pointed out.

“Oh it does, see?” Star Fire lifted a pair of gauntlets that had twin tubes protruding from the underside, tubes which hooked up to magazines higher up the gauntlet. “These are a relatively small caliber compared to the rest of our weapons, but will allow the wearer to defend themselves while also not adding too much weight.”

“The vulture also functions with a far lighter version of our powered armor. Adding a bit more protection to the wearer and securing the entire thing more thoroughly,” Hammer Smith added. 

“Aaand, if all goes well, we could create a foldable version that could replace a pegasus’ lost wings while not being as unobtrusive as this thing is,” Star Fire continued.

“Indeed, though that's a good way off right now,” remarked the earth pony.

“Fascinating,” Celestia murmured, a hoof gently caressing the long metal faux wings. “I suspect it moves too fast to reliably use any heavier weapon systems.”

“Indeed, anymore armor or weapons and it falls out of the sky, limiting its fighting potential significantly.” Hammer Smith replied with a hint of sadness.

“But we believe the maneuverability granted by its extreme speed will be a defence which will more than compensate for its admittedly lightly armored exterior,” Star Fire pointed out.

“I suspect you are still working on it?” Celestia inquired, lifting an eyebrow.

“Indeed we are,” Hammer Smith replied. “The current idea we are running with would be to use these in conjunction with well-trained pegasi in order to scout areas, and potential construct traps ahead of the enemy. This will also allow us the chance to create a fast response squadron able to reinforce key areas and quickly move to defend smaller towns and villages that are too remote to have their own designated garrison.”

“Or lay mines,” Celestia finished.

“Yes actually, how did you know?” Star Fire asked.

The alicorn shrugged. “They don't weight a lot, if I remember correctly, and weight wouldn't be an issue later, as you will have dropped your payload.”

“I told you she was more than a pretty face.” Hammer Smith snickered, elbowing the other male in the shoulder.

“I never doubted you for a second, sir. Celestia’s genius is well known in Canterlot,” Star Fire added, blushing slightly.

Celestia chuckled. “It was only a minor leap in logical thinking. I assure you.”

“Well, that's about all we have to say on the vulture,” Hammer Smith remarked with a shrug. “Unless you wanna see the design specs for it.”

“That won't be necessary,” Celestia replied. “Though I was hoping to speak to you about our more… experimental projects.”

Instantly Hammer Smith’s features grew dark and he turned to Star Fire. “Would you mind waiting outside for a little bit?”

“S-sure,” stuttered the other male, who awkwardly stumbled out of the room, glancing back rather nervously at the alicorn.

With him outside, the earth pony clicked a few buttons next to the door, prompting it to clang loudly, signalling that it had been closed and was now locked. “Now then, what exactly did you want to know?” he asked, his voice having a strangely guilty tone to it. 

“First I want to know how your tank and goliath platforms have been coming along,” Celestia began, noticing that the other pony’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and he breathed a small, almost indiscernible sigh of relief.

“The tank works, but not well. We are having difficulties with the engine, and the gun’s range leaves a lot to be desired,” Hammer Smith replied, leaning against a workbench as he stared up at the ceiling. “The goliath is going a little better, as it's just a scaled up version of the CMC armor, but it's also experiencing its own set of problems with weight and weapon load out.”

Celestia nodded slowly. “I know just throwing money at the problem won't always help, but do you require additional funding?” 

Hammer Smith blinked, and looked up at the princess in disbelief. “P-princess, you’ve already given us hundreds of millions of bits at this point, you really don't have to do that.”

“I will do whatever is necessary to protect my ponies, even if that means emptying my personal finances. That's a small price to pay to know that you are safe from those creatures,” Celestia vowed

“I…” Hammer Smith gulped, and looked down, unable to meet the alicorn’s gaze. “I don't know what to say.”

“A number would be a good place to start, and perhaps a list of supplies, or personel you require but have not been able to secure as of yet,” Celestia quipped.

“Yes, I’ll have Star Fire do a full breakdown on our requirements and we’ll send the list through the usual methods.” He winced slightly. “Are you sure this is wise, Princess? This many bits changing hooves is bound to catch some attention.”

“I’ve been working on certain… back channels, that will aid in the delivery,” Celestia explained coyly. “As you know, almost all air travel that originates or passes through Equestrian territory is under my control as of this year.”

“Ahh, and with the heavy use of gryphon and pegasi workers, the nobility have shunned involvement in the industry,” Hammer Smith concluded, nodding knowingly. “Very smart.”

“Indeed,” Celestia murmured, before lighting her horn and casting a quick bubble of silence over the room. “I had one last thing I was hoping to speak to you about before I leave.”

The earth pony’s shoulders slumped and his features fell once more. “I assumed as much.”

“So, how has the, special project, been going?” Celestia inquired, her gaze fixed on the earth pony’s face. 

Hammer Smith winced, and rubbed the back of his neck with his robot arm. “Successful, in regards to the outcome, but unsuccessful in just what it takes to get there.”

“So you have managed to manipulate this energy?” Celestia questioned, raising an eyebrow at the stallion’s wishy washy response.

“Yes,” he declared. “That much is certain.”

“So where's the problem? Has Project Midnight failed in some way, or has gone over budget?” Celestia pressed.

“It's within budgetary restrictions,” Hammer Smith began. “But it has taken more intensive prompting than we’d like for our inductees to learn how to manipulate this psi energy. The drugs and training necessary to bring out the latent psychic powers is anything but pleasant, and unfortunately anything less than that fails to bring out the desired change in our neophytes.”

Celestia frowned, but nodded slowly. “And how went the last round of testing? Was it only unicorns capable of utilizing this energy like we feared?”

Hammer Smith laughed grimly. “No, no, no. Thankfully that's one thing they can't claim ownership of. In fact, just about any species can utilize this energy you’ve spoken of, provided they have the aptitude for it.”

“Let me guess, the training must start young and the neophytes are forced to undergo intense stressful scenarios in order to bring out their full potential,” Celestia assumed.

“Y-yes,” Hammer Smith muttered, looking down at his hooves. “We've had no shortage of volunteers, but I’m afraid the success rate is very, very low.”

Celestia sighed. “Continue your work, but I want the majority of your research to go into the more theoretical aspect of this energy, and how it's able to be manipulated in addition to trying to reduce the stressful nature of the training.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty, it lightens my heart to hear you say that,” Hammer Smith exclaimed with a small smile.

“Though I fear these ghosts as you call them might be necessary in the future, we can at least ensure we understand this energy in better detail before we are forced to put anymore foals through this training you mentioned,” Celestia concluded. “Speaking of which, how has their power level fared when compared to Midnight herself?”

Hammer Smith shook his head. “Compared to her our ghosts are little more than foals playing with a power they couldn't comprehend. The energy your mystery pony can wield easily eclipses the sum total of all our graduates so far.”

“It is as I feared,” Celestia murmured, tapping her chin. “Regardless, I want the main brunt of your research to remain in the more mundane sciences, this tank and goliath of yours sound promising as well as the quickly constructable buildings and defences.”

“Of course, Your Highness, the boys should have a fully functional command center and prototype fast erection bunker by the time you come visit next time,” Hammer Smith announced with a hint of pride.

“Excellent, because something tells me that traditional static defences will do little against such an agile opponent,” Celestia explained. “Plus I admit I am not a fan of monkeying around in a pony’s mind, there are so many poor outcomes to such an endeavour.”

“That is very true, Your Majesty,” Hammer Smith agreed.

“Now then,” Celestia began, a smile on her face. “I have to get back to Canterlot before my viceroy does something stupid, and I end up with more work on my plate. Walk with me.”

Hammer Smith nodded, and trotted over to the door before clicking it open and following the alicorn out into the noisy facility. Together they passed by a slightly smaller amount of ponies, staff having evidently finally gone home for the night, or at least switched out with a smaller overnight skeleton crew. Though some stopped and bowed to the alicorn, most kept their distance and didn't look away from their work, which was just fine for Celestia, who was rapidly running out of leisure time.

“Have you contacted the rest of the towns?” Celestia asked suddenly, turning to Hammer Smith as they walked.

The stallion frowned, but nodded. “We have been able to secure an alliance with nearly all elders, councils, and mayors in the area, though a few holdouts remain, especially along the border with the rest of Equestria.”

“They have yet to experience what your people have,” Celestia pointed out. “Give them time, and if that doesn't work, I would advise you use those cameras of yours to film the aftermath of one of the zerg’s raids, and do interviews with the survivors. These other towns may be distant from the suffering, but they are ponies all the same and their empathy will win out in the end.”

“It will be done, Your Majesty,” Hammer Smith vowed.

“Good,” Celestia replied. “Though I’m tempted to ask you to circulate this video to a wider audience, I fear we may very well start a civil war if that were to happen.”

“I won't let that happen, ma’am,” Hammer Smith swore. “You have my word.”

“I must reiterate this point, Mister Smith. We cannot allow anyone to divide this nation anymore than it has already been, not while we have allies that have yet to choose a side,” Celestia pointed out. “Their assistance may very well make or break the frontier, and I refuse to allow harm to come to my little ponies.”

Hammer Smith stiffened, and said nothing, his voice hitching before he could even spit out a complete word.

“Have you thought up a name for your organization?” Celestia asked as they neared the exit, the alicorn glancing over to the stallion quizically. 

“Most have started calling us the Confederacy anyway, and I think it fits.” Hammer Smith shrugged. “After all, we are nothing more than a loose confederacy of engineers, isolationists and folks with nowhere left to go.”

“It does have a nice ring to it, though I’m sure that one day your confederacy will become so much more than just that,” Celestia replied wistfully, before giving her head a firm shake. “I’ll abstain from regular reports for a while. I’ve attracted enough heat as it is, and I fear I may have to wait until the next time I can get away to receive a full briefing.”

“Of course, ma’am,” Hammer Smith replied instantly.

“Though I would like to be kept abreast of what the cybernetics department is doing for my next visit. The technology being developed there is fascinating, and I hope the notes I delivered have aided them at least a little,” Celestia mused.

“I can tell you with absolute certainty that the scientists down there have been thrilled by your attention, and have made great strides with the experimental medical papers you’ve been able to give them,” the earth pony maintained.

“That is wonderful news, make sure you stress to them, and your superiors, that I want the ability to replace just about every part of a pony of any tribe,” Celestia commanded before stopping next to the exit and smiling at the stallion. “You and your ponies have done excellent work, though I fear that work is far from over.”

The servos in the earth pony’s suit whirred and the black coated stallion ducked into a low bow. “We would work day and night if it meant we could better serve you, and protect our own. We will never forget what you’ve done for us, Princess.”

Celestia smiled gracefully. “Please rise, my good stallion, and remember my words carefully. The shadows will be your friend and I will most likely have need of you sooner than anticipated. Be ready.”

“Our loyalty is without question,” Hammer Smith stated confidently. “There isn't a mare or stallion here who doesn't know what you’ve done for us, and there isn't a single soldier who isn't ready to lay down their lives for you if given the order.”

“Pray it doesn't come to that,” Celestia warned. “War does not prove who is right, only who is left.”

With that, the alicorn gave the earth pony one last nod, and walked away, disappearing through the open door and trotting down the hall. Her mind was abuzz with memories, concerns and ideas, the most dominant one being a memory of the last great conflict she had participated in. The stench of death had permeated the air, buzzards had flown overhead, and the moans of the dead and dying could be heard in all directions.

Thousands of bodies littered the ground, some dead, others wishing they would join the former. Medical personel moved from pony to pony, picking up some who were alive and able to be moved while others were given their last rites and put out of their misery. While this macabre scene played out in a hundred different places across the great field, the moon hung low overhead, its newest addition sticking out like a sore thumb and bringing a tear to Celestia’s eye.

This time, dear sister, I will free you from your corruption, but I will not be caught unaware. This I swear.