They had two minutes warning before the shield caved in and the changelings were coming down everywhere. Under-Secretary Greyjoy and her guard had been one minute from Canterlot Central Station and that was pretty much all that saved her – she got into the station as the ornate window over the lobby, the Great Ten engineers raising their tools to the sun and moon, smashed to pieces as the changelings bombed through and right into the packed, screaming crowds.
There was a stampede for the last two trains out.
Actually, no. One other thing saved Greyjoy: she ran for the front and the driver’s compartment, hoping to beat the crush. That meant her bodyguard was right behind her, which might he saw the driver was being pinned by a changeling in a train guard’s hat—
And kicked the changeling in the face with a cry of “GET THAT STITCHED!”.
Right. Control was back in their hooves then.
Greyjoy hauled the driver up with a spurt of magic – a bit rougher than she should but things were a bit rushed. “As representative of Their Majesty’s government, I am authorising you to get moving.” She turned round to the guard, in sudden fear. “My briefcase, did I—“
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Time to get the train secured. “Sweep down through the train, make certain this was the only changeling.”
“Ma’am, the second train—“
“Is compromised too, I know.” That was all that could be said.
The train began moving; out the window, she could see the platform was empty now. And the second train was covered with changelings like fries on rot. Soon, she could see changelings around the entrance, a lone Guard still trying to fight. And the red flare that lit the sky: ‘this city has fallen’.
The moment had been prepared for. Her job, as the Under-Secretary for Defence Support, Magic, and Technology, was to evacuate the city so that, if necessary, she could become acting-Secretary of State for Self-Defence. She’d helped draw up the contingency plans, she knew them inside and out; reports and figures and minutiae was what she was good at, even her cutie mark was a ticked box. She could work out the odds: with the speed of attack, a large chunk of the cabinet – maybe even the Prime Minister herself – would be captured but enough of them would escape to the Cloudsdale redoubt. Their Majesties would follow, rather than kill their subjects in an all-out battle. It’d be a mess but doable, this was nothing like Discord, nothing at all (she dreamt about Discord, sometimes). She’d do her job if necessary but—
The black flare went up. Code 113: ‘Princesses Down.’
And Greyjoy’s composure cracked.
--
CODE 113: Following the Interregnum, Celestia created a formal line of secession to prevent similar chaos – if she was ever missing or incapacitated, it would be clear who should take charge. (The name is believed to be an in-joke on Celestia’s part, origins unknown) In 750 years, it has only been used twice: after the Schmooze’s attack and for classified personal reasons during the Regency Year.
Since the return of Princess Luna as co-monarch, Code 113 now covers both alicorns. It is supremely unlikely to be used.
- The Joint Forces Officer Cadet Handbook (9th Edition)
There are only a few ground entrances and exits. We can have control in minutes and once we have them, the city is a one-million strong larder.
- Queen Chrysalis’ private notes.