//------------------------------//
// Level 10.5: Counting Losses 
// Story: Resident Pon-Evil (Mission II) - Operation: Phoenix Fire 
// by Delta 727 
//------------------------------//


As Harmony's Elements become settled into New Appleoosa, the anonymous ponies that had released the Infected across Equestria now reunite to discuss the ongoing situation of the retaking of the cities, and the possibility that their plan may be failing.



*Begin Transmission*


The overhanding light above the table glimmered on once more, and a light flooded the room as a door opened, revealing the outlines of three ponies in its glare. The three trotted inside and took their places at the table. Their deceased partner had his body removed from the room, and the blood cleared. They began counting over the situation.

"I thought you said that this plan would be foolproof!" One pony said.

"What is to say it's failing?" replied the second. "We've managed to break them down and separate them, and it is only a matter of time until it spreads just below the reaches of Canterlot. They can't hide up there forever."

"Yes, they can!" the third shouted. 'They have food, guns, and nearly every surviving member of Equestria that are not currently camped out in the ruins of the city! And they have already nuked Manehattan! Who knows what they will do if they discover where we're operating from!?"

"Silence!" shouted the first. "We will get nowhere with mindless assumptions and keeping the idea that one destroyed city means the end of us! They have weapons, yes, but we have an army of the dead. They are currently in New Appleoosa, which is nothing short of an armored fortress. Our spies say they are looking for a type of equipment that the base leader Lens Cap has in possession. We have do find out what it is, and find it before they do!"

"But we don't even know what it is," the third said.

"Which is why it is even more dangerous. We must discover what it is they are trying to get, and get it before they have the chance to use it. It could be a biochemical weapon that could wipe out the Infected, or it could be a saddlebag. Celestia only knows! But if they have it somewhere like behind the walls of New Appleoosa, then it poses a threat."

"And what do you propose we do to get it?" The second asked.

"it's simple," the first answered. "We walk in the back door and take it." The other two went silent. "No arguments? Then we're agreed."

"That," the third continued, "Or the fact you would kill one of us on the first word of our retalia-" The third was cut off by the click of a pistol. The first had pulled his pistol and aimed it across the table at the third. "... I rest my case. Now put it away so I can order the teams to move in for the equipment." The first hesitated, then lowered his sidearm back to its holster. "Thank you. I think one death of us is enough. Now, in order to retrieve this equipment, we will have to sneak around undetected. The walls are constantly patrolled, and highly equipped. The only way to fix that is to draw their attention. And I've got an excellent, although risky, idea on how to do just that..."

The other two leaned in, and the first encouraged him on with, "Go on..."


*Transmission Ended