Cynecia glowered at Celestia, "And when did you come into this knowledge?"
"Only today, a few hours ago. You deserved to know." Celestia kept her words short.
Cynecia nodded sharply, "The correct course of action." She stood up from her small throne, "You will take myself and an armed cadre of my Changelings to these perpetrators immediately. We shall reclaim the remains of our fallen and discuss what is to be done to fully resolve the issue."
"We cannot do that. We don't know where their portal is. It seems to be mobile and we have little means to track it, but more than that, the commander of this group has attacked some of our own citizens. His soldiers have murdered four Ponies, wounded a Human and a Zebra, and foalnapped a pregnant Unicorn mare." Celestia explained.
Cynecia's expression softened, "You have my sympathies. From one ruler to another, I fully understand your pain." She then straightened up and stood tall, "It seems we have a common enemy. Thus far I have not seen any deception from you. Seeing as we have the same enemy, I suggest an alliance. This individual has, through his actions, declared war on both of our countries. Our responses must be measured, but firm. I will write out letters to the sovereigns of every country and explain that my Seekers will be searching for this portal and tracking it. If they wish to ally with us against this enemy they shall be welcomed."
"Asking permission to conduct investigations would be better. Otherwise your Seekers would be trespassing on the land of other countries. Write out the letters asking permission to do so and I shall write out my own to accompany yours. If you would permit, I would have some of my own E.U.P. go with your Seekers. Once we locate the portal, we can meet and discuss our next course of action." Celestia paused and decided to be careful about how she worded the next part, "I would advise caution before moving against the enemy on the far side of that portal. They have weapons and armor far more technologically advanced than our own. Without knowing exactly what they are capable of, it would not be a good idea to attack."
Cynecia's expression briefly flashed with anger, but then she smoothed it over, "You are correct. One must know their enemy, otherwise victory is left to pure chance. Where should we combine our knowledge and forces?"
"There is room near the city of New Humansville for your citizens and soldiers to camp. The enemy is a Human, thus-"
"Thus the Humans would know the most about our Human foe." Cynecia finished for the Princess, "Good. We will begin mobilizing immediately. We will bring our own food so we do not strain the resources of the city. Is it safe to assume water will be freely shared?"
Celestia nodded, "I believe so. I can ask the Mayor if you wish."
Cynecia inclined her head, "Do so. We will be there soon. If there is any news, do not tarry. Tell me at once... thank you, Celestia."
Once she was out of the hive, Celestia spoke quietly, "I know you were watching, Discord. No need to delay her for now. Only delay her if she becomes heedlessly aggressive. And... thank you, so much."
***
Visceral Slaughter cornered Artex in his herd's home, "What are you going to do!?" She demanded.
Artex was backed up against the kitchen table, "Geeze! Give me some room to stand up!"
The Unicorn mare reared up on her hind legs, placing her forelegs on his stomach, "NO! My little filly has been foalnapped by a bunch of murderous psychopaths! What. Do. You. Plan. To. Do?"
Artex violently shoved her off, sending her onto her back on the kitchen floor, "I'm going to get her back! What the fuck do THINK I'm going to do!?"
Visceral scrambled to her hooves, "Then what are we waiting for!? Get moving!?"
Mason held back his wife, "Let him explain, Visceral. He just lost Rose too. Give him some time to speak." The irate Unicorn settled down just enough to control herself. She looked expectantly at Artex while Slobber Chops tried to keep up with what was going on. All he knew was that Razor's mother had found him in the market and dragged him along and it had something to do with Razor.
"The biggest problem is that the man controlling everything has a portal to Earth that he can move at will and we have no idea where it is. Luna already said the E.U.P. is going to coordinate with the Red Changelings to find the portal. It's a waiting game until then."
Visceral's ears drooped and she sniffled as her eyes watered, "I'm sorry, Artex. I'm just so worried about her."
Mason held her close to his chest, "We both are, dear. We'll find her and bring her home."
In the following silence a gravelly voice spoke up, "Razor Pony helped Dogs be accepted by other Ponies. Dogs will help."
Artex cracked a half smile which held no warmth, "I appreciate the offer Slobber Chops, but how many Diamond Dogs would really help rescue a single Unicorn?"
"All Dogs like Razor Pony. She the first Pony who talk to us. Help Dogs make peace with Ponies. I not small name among Diamond Dogs. I big name, much important. Dogs listen. I bring many. You not have other friends to ask?" Slobber Chops asked.
Artex' eyes widened, "You-you're right!" He pushed himself off the table, "We traveled all over the world and even before that, Razor traveled the world learning languages and cultures! She knows some very important people the world over." His eyes hardened, "We could gather a veritable army. Any assault against this bastard is going to need numbers. For all I know, this general has hundreds of thousands of people under his control. He had no trouble getting them to murder Rose and Tip. These people are evil. They're willing to commit murder basically for fun. Wait here. I need to ask someone a few questions."
***
Luna hung her head as she and the Rectifier left the soldier's hospital room. She closed the door and looked to Captain Joyner, "It is done. The mind control is gone and he is remembering the lives of those he helped kill. He says he knew nothing more than we already knew from the other ones. All the information we have from the soldiers matches. There is little else we can learn here."
Joyner sighed, "Alright then." He looked to his Officers, "Maintain the guard rotation until we determine what to do with these guys. Come on, we have more work to do. We'll come back in a couple of days and see if these guys have any hope of rehabilitation." They all walked away from the door leaving the Pony Officer guarding the door while the man inside wept piteously.
***
Suey sniffed around where the Human soldiers were captured while Riffin stood nearby keeping watch, "Have you found anything yet?" He asked loudly.
Suey emerged from the trees, "Yes. The shovels had a specific scent to them. I believe I should be able to follow it. I can smell it even now, distant but present. It will take some time to locate. Come, we hunt." Suey put her snout to the air and began tracking the scent. After a few feet she stopped and spoke into her microphone, "Suey to Headquarters, I have the scent and am following it. Keep tracking our location. We'll keep you updated."
***
Artex waited until the Officer had just checked on the murderer before he crept in through the window. It was time to finish what he started. He gazed down at the man, 'Tears? Really? Heh, fake tears don't mean shit to me, mother-fucker.'
Moving quickly, Artex covered the man's mouth, "Remember me?" He asked. The man's eyes bulged and Artex continued, "Same rules as last time. I ask questions and you answer. Clear?" The man nodded and Artex released his mouth and nose, "Good. Now we already know it's Hiriboshi, where is the portal?"
The man blinked and replied quietly, "I-I don't know. I think he moves it randomly."
Artex raised his head and looked at the ceiling, "Jesus Christ, does this guy know anything useful?" He lowered his head, "Fine!" He hissed, "How many personnel are in the base he has?"
"Roughly one hundred and nineteen thousand soldiers and around three times as many scientists and other staff if you include the families." The man said.
Artex knit his eyebrows together, "You said you couldn't tell me anything last time. Why can you now?"
"They said it was Mind Magic or something. The General has it on everyone so they obey him. The whole facility is basically full of slaves. What about you? Why did you come back if you thought I couldn't tell you anyth..." he trailed off as the answer occurred to him. He swallowed hard, "You came here to kill me."
Artex smiled maliciously down at the man, "That I did." he admitted lightly, "But you've proven useful." He lightly patted the man's forehead with his hand as if he were petting a dog, "If you continue to be useful you get to live longer. I can get to you anywhere you go here, so there's no rush. I can kill you any time I want. Oh, and be a good boy and don't tell anyone I'm asking you questions or anything, okay? Even if you say something, they can't stop me from getting to you. You'll be doing yourself and me a favor. Besides, if you cooperate and tell me everything I want to know I might just let you live." His smile dropped, "Now, what kinds of weapons and armor does Hiriboshi have available?"
***
Chris and Luna were laying on their bed cuddling. Chris had his hand down on Luna's widening belly rubbing the bulge of their foal. It was wonderful for the couple, but Luna had a plan and she needed Chris' help, "How many of those Kinetic Nullifier belts have you made, Christopher?"
"Five right now, why?" Chris asked.
"Would you be willing to send the plans to the Crystal Empire so they could be mass produced?" Luna asked.
Chris shrugged, "Sure. My shipping centers have already made more money than I could use in a dozen lifetimes. Not like we need the money. Why do you want them though?"
"I suppose I got ahead of myself. Do you think they could stop a bullet?" Luna asked quietly.
"They..." Chris lapsed into silence, "I think they could, but I never designed them for warfare. I made them for construction worker safety and skydiving more than anything else." He eased himself onto his arm and looked down at his wife, "Luna, I don't like where these questions are going."
"Neither do I, my love." She sighed wearily, "Neither do I."
***
Razor Wit woke up again, still in the sealed room. The Humans outside had reduced in number down to one: the woman from before. The woman sat in front of the giant window with a neutral expression watching the Unicorn mare. Razor stood up and stretched then stopped suddenly as her foal kicked. The feeling was beyond description. Smiling, she placed her forehoof on her belly and giggled as the foal responded to the touch.
"My daughter was a wiggly one too." The woman said suddenly in English.
Razor looked up sharply and backed away from the window. The Human woman looked puzzled, "You act like you're scared of me, yet the first one tried to kill me." Her eyes narrowed, "You can drop the act. I know what you things are like."
Seeing as nobody else was around the mare decided to play a gamble. Razor cocked her head in confusion, "The first one?" She asked also in English.
The woman scrambled backward from the window, fear evident in her eyes. Razor spoke quickly, "I'm sorry!" She cried, "Please don't go!" She carefully intoned her voice to sound as pathetic and desperate as possible, 'She probably doesn't know how to read our expressions.'
The woman backed into a metal desk and stopped, panting from the exertion. Her eyes were wide as she breathed heavily, trying to force down her surprise. Razor laid back her ears and lowered her head, "Please don't leave." She said quietly, "I don't know what's going on."
The woman's breathing began to slow down as she gazed at the Unicorn, 'Th-they can talk? I thought he said they were just dangerous animals.' Steeling her nerves, she spoke, "How do you know this language?" She hoped her voice sounded more steady than she felt.
"I studied and learned it from the Humans in our world." Razor replied softly, "It's my special talent. See?" She turned sideways and gestured to her cutie mark. She licked her lips subtly and tried a different approach, "My name's Razor Wit. What's yours?"
"Meiying Hiriboshi." The woman answered.