November 12th, 1008, 0900 hours
Minister of Arms production and Labour procurement, Alspberg
[TOP SECRET] of the Changeling citadel of Vraks
"Fucking shit...why the fuck did those apes have to arrive here at this moment?" the minister cursed under his breath, setting aside his fountain pen and ink bottle on the desk and laying out the files he would be using.
He and everyone here know that today's meeting is of utmost importance and dearly needed to discuss the "aliens" suddenly arriving at Equestria's aid. As he finishes adjusting his collar and tie, the projector comes to life as the three communication windows open in succession.
The Queen was the first to speak, "I assume everyone knows why we are here, correct?"
"Yes, your majesty." Everyone in the meeting replied.
"Good, then I shall cut to the chase." Queen Chrysalis announced, "Commander Heldrec, may I ask what intel you have collected regarding the humans?"
Heldrec held up a thick folder and a few pieces of paper, "Do you want everything available to the general public, or do you want the ones that aren't?"
"The ones that aren't, would you please?"
Heldrec then puts down the thick folder and reads from the numerous sheets of paper, "As far as the guard can find, nothing. Humans seem to identify our disguises much more efficiently than the ponies can. Due to unfamiliarity with human customs, the spies that tried to disguise themselves as a human managed to fool a few ponies before being gunned down by human law enforcement units."
The Queen was visibly unhappy, her magic almost crushing her pen.
"Sigh...fine. Marshal Herrog, do you believe that the humans pose a threat to our planned military operations?" Chrysalis asked.
"No, your majesty!" Herrog replied excitedly, "the humans, as far as we are concerned, are just a rotten structure waiting to be kicked down along with the ponies! Your vision of the forward base near the Crystal Empire is...uh...genius! No pesky human shall be able to stop the planned plans!"
Oh great, the fat buffoon is sucking up to the Queen again. Alspberg thought to himself.
"...the Changeling army shall build stage two operative bases within Equestria within the next week, which I am happy to tell you is more efficient than the stage one bases, your majesty!"
The Queen is satisfied to hear such news, while Heldrec and Alspberg show their faces of disgust and disapproval.
"Good, at least something is going fine amidst this unexpected turn of events." The Queen then turned to the minister, "Minister Alspberg, about labor procurement, does human interference affect any aspects of it?"
Alspberg leaned forward and started to report, "If we don't do something, they will eventually cause problems. Humans show significantly more efficiency in law enforcement and criminal investigation, as I can see from Heldrec's dead agents at Ponyville. For both of our field agents with five years' worth of experience to fail like this, either the humans are much more of a threat than we thought, or...the guard can use some reforms."
Heldrec slammed his front hoof on the desk but quickly regained his calm. "I'm...sorry, minister, do you still possess a working, functional brain? I am the guard, you brain-dead pen-pusher." The commander said in an unnerving voice.
"Silence, both of you." The Queen eliminated the argument with a single order.
"...may I continue, your majesty?" Alspberg asked, then continued with approval. "It is also with great displeasure that labor procurement has dropped significantly. Despite the potential labor pool being greatly expanded, the massive human presence made operations difficult as the usual areas of pony drop off and pick up happen to be very near human living areas. We expect the re-establishment of slave transport routes will take at least an entire month."
The Queen asked the minister, "have you ever considered the possibility of kidnapping humans?"
Alspberg was about to say something before Heldrec cut in, "you majesty, I highly doubt he would even do such a thing; he would be advocating for his little plan to establish relationships with those ponies and humans just to gain more power for himself-"
"Commander Heldrec, these accusations are baseless, and I demand you to take back that statement!" Alspberg exclaimed, with Marshal Herrog also jumping in, "Yeah! Take it back! How dare you do this in front of the Queen!"
"Marshal, must I remind you of how your idea of a full-out frontal assault on Canterlot failed because your close guard got eliminated by the elements of harmony? You are just as guilty in terms of incompetence." The Commander snarled.
"Enough!" Queen Chrysalis shouted, and everyone shut their mouths. "Would all of you stop screaming at each other and act like adults for just ten minutes?"
After a couple of seconds of silence, Heldrec said, "Sorry, your majesty."
"Good, we will have this meeting again tomorrow at the same time, but I will NOT tolerate another juvenile squabble amongst three grown changelings again!" Chrysalis ordered, clearly agitated, as she shut down her communication window. Alspberg closed his seconds later.
His secretary walked in, asking, "sir, how did it go?"
"With the butcher and the buffoon, nothing can go right. You and I both know this, and so does everyone else." the minister got off his chair and grabbed his coat, "I am going to oversee production in sector 4. Come with me."
"Yes, minister." The secretary followed Alspberg out.
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November 12th, 1008, 1130 hours
Slave #507313
Sector 3 kitchen of the Changeling citadel of Vraks
She stood in the kitchen, cutting the onions and preparing the lunch for her fellow slaves.
The kitchen barely has any communication going on as the guards watch everypony working here with the eyes of an eagle. The thought of rebellion can rarely cross her mind as she is just too preoccupied with working to feed her fellow ponies.
Her mind drifted back to nine years before, when she was still a free mare, married to her childhood sweetheart, and had a family. Things were so much simpler back then.
Until the changelings captured her and her husband and sent them to work here.
Every day in these nine years of being enslaved, she could only see her husband when the lunch or the dinner bell rang. She would sneak an extra slice of bread for him, and even the time to chat was never enough. The mare knew it was the best that could be and didn't dare to ask for more.
At that thought, she teared up but quickly focused on her work again.
It's onion cutting. Who wouldn't shed a tear, anyway?
The sector guard captain walked in as she was cooking, holding a clipboard.
"Number 507313! Fall out and follow me immediately!"
She left the kitchen counter and followed the captain to the storage closet. After entering, the captain locked the doors and checked for listening devices. He then took off his peaked cap and said, "It's alright, ma'am, I'm with the National Banner."
"Wait, wha-"
"We are the resistance against the tyranny of Queen Chrysalis." The captain said, "We are relatively new, so you may not have heard of us."
"Excuse me, but who are you?" She asked, taking a few steps backward against the wall.
"I'm Frahm, and our leader has spoken. We are to evacuate enslaved ponies like you to Equestria starting now."
Still in disbelief, she asked, "Who's this leader you speak of?"
"You will meet him in a matter of time, just not in person. Remember, the radios shall carry our message loud and clear today."
She shook her head, not knowing what else to respond to.
"Good; we are both done for if the guard hears of this, so keep this confidential. Heldrec doesn't take kindly to so-called traitors."
She nodded again and, under the escort of Frahm, went back to the kitchen.
A unicorn asked her, "What happened? Why did the captain...ask for you to go with him?"
"He complained about the kitchen's productivity and said we must ramp the cooking up if we don't want to end up at Heldrec's fortress as training dummies next week." She lied.
The unicorn didn't ask more and went back to boiling the broth.
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In the afternoon, as she was doing the laundry for the guards, the speakers suddenly roared to life.
Wait, it's just 3 P.M. Isn't it too early for Alspberg to make public announcements?
"Friends! Allow me to introduce ourselves and who we are." The radio announced, "We are the National Banner, the ones who fight in the dark for your freedom, not just the enslaved ponies, but for all the changelings. For years, the Queen's reign of terror has caused suffering in the millions, and with it, the changelings suffer the consequences of failed military and espionage campaigns, one after another. But does Chrysalis represent every changeling that is on the surface of the world? No!"
Door-banging sounds started to come through the speakers.
"Changelings are not slavers and warmongers. Deep down, we know we are better than that. The Queen and her three main stooges are controlling us and twisting the nation into a slave-owning, aggressive and imperialist regime. So today, on behalf of the National Banner, I call upon everyone who shall hear this message to resist the Queen and join us..."
The banging got even louder.
"And don't forget, my friends, pony, or changelings alike, we shall all be free!" The sound of somepony running can be heard. Then a loud bang and a door bursting open are heard, followed by soldiers shouting orders as the speaker system is shut down.
She returns to doing the laundry but can't help but think of the possibility of getting out of there.
For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt hope spring up from her heart.
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November 12th, 1008, 1700 hours
Minister of Arms production and Labour procurement, Alspberg
[TOP SECRET] of the Changeling citadel of Vraks
In his opulent office decorated with medals and design schematics, Alspberg is visibly fuming.
"Who the fuck, do these National Banner morons think they are?" He shouted to the officers standing in front of his desk, "And better yet, how did that traitorous piece of shit manage to sneak in?"
"We suspect it was the air duct, minister. I'm deeply sorry for our incompetence." one of the officers lowered his head in shame.
"Sorry? SORRY? Do you know how much damage you have caused for letting him in and out? We already have humans to worry about, and now this? What's next? The slaves all revolt, and all four of you kill me to assert power for yourselves?" Alspberg shouted, then sighed. "If the same thing happens again, I will have all of you hanging on the cranes of the sector one construction areas! Understood?"
"Yes, minister." all of the officers answered in unison.
Alspberg sat down on his chair and said in a defeated voice, "Now fuck off, all of you."
The room fell silent after the last officer hurriedly left and closed the door.
Alspberg stared at the small table showing the scale model of the grand city of Vesapolis, it was his design, and he couldn't be more proud of it.
It was beautiful, not that Herrog or Heldrec will ever get the value of it anyway.
Sure, it is still a vision for now. Yet, when the changelings conquer Canterlot and Equestria is pacified, the Queen will surely approve of this grand plan: not just a city with big buildings, but a city of the past and future, a city showcasing all the glories of the Changeling nation, and the eternal dominance that the changelings shall have over the world in due time!
Alspberg's face let out a huge grin as he imagined his designs coming to life. He has a vision for the Changeling nation, and not even Queen Chrysalis shall ever be able to stop it.
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November 12th, 1008, 1700 hours
Commander Heldrec
Changeling Guard
Firing range of the Changeling citadel of Dirtysium
As Heldrec fired his pistol at the paper targets, his adjutant passed him a report of what happened at the citadel of Vraks.
"It's Alspberg; what did you expect?" He snarled as he fired his remaining rounds into the last paper target in rapid succession, "He's a fucking coward that plays two faces. If it weren't for the Queen liking his designs of Vesapolis so much, I would have him hung on the top of her tower!"
The adjutant then reported, "By the way, commander, the slaves you requested from Alspberg have arrived."
"Oh, good, have them to the arena. The usual, please." the commander said as he holstered his pistol.
Heldrec then walked out of the range along with his adjutant to the training arena.
As he walked into the area, the slaves stood in line with shackles tied to their legs and hooves. Opposite the slaves is a formation of 30 fresh recruits of the Changeling Guard, their rifles all fitted with bayonets, standing to attention as their commander walked in.
"Welcome to the Guard. I am your commander Heldrec, and may you remember it well." the commander announced, "Every time the guard holds bayonet drills for the fresh recruits, I make sure that I oversee their process of becoming true warriors. I will do the same to you all, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the recruits shouted.
Heldrec then pointed to the wooden pole erected in the middle of the arena. At the same time, two guards tied one of the slaves to the pole.
"You will not be stabbing or knocking over a paper target or a wooden dummy, not today." The commander explained, "You will be having your taste of blood for the first time. It is a must if all of you intend to be the best changeling warriors the world has ever seen."
He then pointed to the rightmost recruit standing in the front row, "You, come out."
As the recruit marched forward, Heldrec took his rifle for inspection, "hmmm...a very well-maintained rifle, not even a speck of dust on the bolt. Impressive. Now, perform the bayonet drills on that pony tied there."
The recruit hesitated as his rifle was handed back to him.
Heldrec, sensing hesitation, politely asked, "Child, what do you see when staring at that pony?"
The recruit looked at his target, a green colt in his twenties, panicking as he struggled for life. He can even see some tears swelling up in his eyes.
"A pony, sir."
Heldrec slapped the recruit, then said, "That's where you are wrong. This pony doesn't even qualify as a living sentient being. He is less dignified than the log he is tied on! You never view targets, especially ponies, as sentient- they are the scum of the earth, and you kill them like one. I will not repeat myself: perform a bayonet charge on that pony." he said as he put his hand near his holster.
The recruit took a deep breath, screamed, and charged forward. As the bayonet entered the pony's body, the target screamed in agony, blood gushing out and staining the recruit's face. He then started repeatedly stabbing the target until it stopped breathing.
"Good...good!" Heldrec announced with a slight grin, "you have now made your first step towards being a warrior. Clean your face, then return to formation. "He handed a towel to the recruit.
"Yes...sir." the recruit replied, his voice still shaking.
At the same time, the guards untied the dead pony off the log and dragged another one to her death.
"Alright, this recruit has proved himself worthy of being a true warrior, and all of you shall do the same! Just remember, don't stab the target too many times. You still got a line behind you." Heldrec announced.
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November 12th, 1008, 1830 hours
Marshal Herrog
Grand Army of the Changelings
Dining room of the Changeling citadel of Soryth
"Hmmm...well, it's Alspberg. Not surprised there." The marshal shrugged it off as he ate his dinner.
(Contrary to popular belief, Changelings are able to digest normal foods, although this is normally seen as a luxury, meant only for those of higher standing)
The adjutant explained, "Well, Sir, we should watch out for other subversive elements in the army. Something within my gut tells me that this National Banner can cause much more trouble than it seems-"
"Shush, colonel, what can a band of hot-blooded kids do anyway?" Herrog smirked with complete confidence, "My army is the most loyal of them all, and if you find a single traitor within the ranks, then you may call me Meyer."
"Sir, I still highly advise against such assumptions. Do you want to order a complete check over the military?"
The marshal thought for a minute as he drank from his glass, then said, "Yes, sure, why not? It never hurts to check."
"Right away, sir." the adjutant saluted and went for the door.
"Wait! I still have some questions," Herrog asked, "Which one do you think is better, a behemoth tank as large as a cruiser or a rocket plane that goes comically fast?"
"Uhh...wha-"
Herrog explained, "You see, tanks are the future of warfare, but I feel our existing tanks are just too weak, small cannons, not enough machine guns, and not enough crew space. So I thought, why not make it so big to the point it is a moving fortress of steel on earth? It will have anti-aircraft guns on it and two large cannons on it! However, I also thought of another great idea-"
The adjutant frowned a bit and sighed, "Sir, that is a horrendously ridiculous design and outright impractical. What about bombers-"
"Wait till you hear this! The rocket plane will take off vertically and have speeds that will break the sound barrier. It will be so fast that even the Rainbow Crash the Equestrians have will never be able to catch up! It will carry our best autocannons that shall shred any pegasus in its way!" The marshal exclaimed like a filly in a toy store, convincing his parents to buy a toy.
"Sir, what about fuel and turning radius?"
"The scientists will figure it out anyway! Now for this one, I will..."
The adjutant rolled his eyes, hearing the marshal explaining his impractical designs again.
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November 13th, 1008, 1000 hours
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Castle of Friendship, Ponyville
"Coming!" Twilight shouted as she opened the door.
Standing outside was Derpy, holding an envelope, "I got some mail. It's for you!"
"Oh, thanks, have a good day!" the princess said as she opened the envelope. "A letter from...?"
Greetings, Princess Twilight!
On behalf of the National Banner, the underground resistance against Queen Chrysalis's tyranny, I plead that you and the nation of Equestria aid us in our cause.
We have planned to aid the enslaved ponies that the Queen and her stooges have kidnapped over the years to escape southwards into Equestria, where the vast majority of them came from. This will require the cooperation of your nation's intelligence services and local authorities for the freed ponies to go home with minimal problems.
I will have one of my agents sent to Ponyville to meet up with you in two days, he's a changeling, but he's a reformed one. He will be disguised as a pony named Crystal Hoof. He's cyan, with his cutie mark being a blue vase. When asked, "Who are these humans I have heard of?" reply, "Freedom for all." He will be waiting for you at Hayburger, 9 A.M., sharp.
More information will be revealed when he arrives.
Sincerely,
Spartacus.
Twilight couldn't believe her eyes, "A resistance group? In the Changeling Lands? And...slavery?"
Holding a cup of coffee, Tom walked by and asked, "Hey, what's the catch? Shouldn't your teacher send you letters by Spike?... Spartacus? That's a movie name!"
Twilight said surprisedly, "Wait, where did you- ah, never mind. You knew what Spartacus is?"
"Well, it's a movie about ancient Rome, a slave uprising, and a true tearjerker," Tom replied.
"Weird, we also had a historical figure who led a slave revolt called Spartacus long ago. That's an interesting coincidence..." Twilight reread the letter, "I can see why this Spartacus adopted the moniker, but the question is, do we trust them?"
Tom shrugged, "Shouldn't you be asking Celestia and Luna about this?... No offense."