"9:30! Lights out. If I hear a peep outta any of you sorry lot, you WILL be punished." the guard yelled as the cell block went dark. At Hoofington High Security Prison, lights out was at 9:30. No exceptions. Any noise by a prisoner would result in beatings. Prince Blueblood ran his prison like a dictator and one hoof out of line could end up with the most serious of punishments.
It was this rule that would result in the freedom of three particular inmates. In Block A, Cell 180, prisoner 1188A, Rusty "Deadshot" Bullet sat up on his bed. It was time to enact the plan. He took out the guitar and began to play. A few cells down, in Cell 192, Prisoners 1189A and1189B, Shining Armor and Flash Sentry respectively, readied themselves, their hooves curled around the shivs they were concealing. Deadshot now began to sing, attracting the attention of the guard
"You wired me awake, and hit me with a hand of broken nails."
"I said no talking." The guard yelled. He stomped over towards Cell 180. "You put that away and shut up, or I'll make it so you wont sit for a damm week, 1188A." The guards at Hoofington Hi-Sec called the prisoners by their numbers rather than their names. Regardless of the guard's threats, Deadshot leaped into the next line.
"You tied my lead and pulled my chain to watch my blood begin to boil"
As the guard passed in front of Cell 192, Shining took out his shiv. He reached though the bars and grabbed the guard. His shiv flashed across the guard's neck, slicing the jugular vein. The guard let out a gurgle as blood spurted out of the slit in his throat, and then slumped against the bars. Blood dribbled down the guard's chest and armor.
"But I'm gonna break. I'm gonna break my, gonna break my rusty cage and run"
Shining frisked the guard's body, until he found the key. He unlocked the cell door and stepped out into the Cell Block. Flash hurried over and pulled a lever on the side of cell 190. This was the master control for all of the 190 cells. Every prisoner in a 190 cell was free.
"I'm gonna break. I'm gonna break my, gonna break my rusty cage. And run."
"We're free boys!" One prisoner shouted. The prisoners in the other cells began yelling and shouting, begging Flash to free them as well. Guards came out of the warden's office at the end of the block to stop the prisoners. Flash moved over to the 180 lever, but he was stopped by a guard. He swung his club menacingly. Flash darted out of the way of the club and stabbed the guard in the leg with his shiv. The guard's cry of pain went unheard amidst the shouting and fighting. Flash stabbed the guard several more times, until he was sure he was dead. Blood covered flash's shiv as he pulled the 180 lever. All throughout the commotion, Deadshot kept playing, never missing a single note, chord or beat.
"Too cold to start a fire, I'm burning diesel, burning dinosaur bones."
Shining snuck through the crowd to the warden's office. He stepped inside. Behind the desk was a rifle rack, and a control panel that controlled the blast doors that kept the prisoners wherever the guards needed them to be at the time. Shining closed the doors to the other cell blocks and the barracks, so he could delay the reinforcements that would inevitably arrive for the prison guards. He went back out into the cell block, grabbing rifles and ammo for him, Flash, and Deadshot, once they got him out of Cell 180
"I'll take the river down to still water, and ride a pack of dogs."
Many of the prisoners ran out of the Cell Block toward the cafeteria, probably to take revenge on the cafeteria workers for providing inedible sustenance. Those that stayed beat down on the guards that were unfortunate enough to remain in the block.
I'm gonna break. I'm gonna break my, gonna break my rusty cage and run."
Flash pulled the 180 lever. Deadshot's thoroughly oxidized iron cell door slid open with a loud rattle and a clang.
"I'm gonna break. I'm gonna break my. Gonna break my rusty cage."
Deadshot stepped out of the cramped cell. He slung the guitar on his back. Shining hurried over to the two, rifles and ammo in hoof. Blood stained their orange prison uniforms.
"Let's run." Deadshot said. Shining passed out the rifles and ammo. Each stallion took one rifle and several clips of ammo. The three reunited, they headed out of the cell block.
The trio galloped down the hall to the south barracks. The room would have been devoid of guards due to the break, but two stragglers were left behind they did not notice the trio. Deadshot raised his gun, but Shining placed his hoof on the gun and lowered it. He stepped forward and hit the two guards on the backs of their heads before thy could react.
"They don't need to die." Shining explained as he turned back toward his friends. "Leave them out of this."
"The captain's right, Deadshot," Flash added. "We should still only kill if it is absolutely necessary."
Deadshot nodded, but it was a pitiful nod, as if the fact saddened him. "You're right. When I was still an underling back when my ma was still in charge of the Mob, that was her policy. I guess I've forgotten that rule all these years. look at me now-"
" Hey! Now is not a time for self pity," Flash interrupted. "Save it for when we're not in danger of being jumped and shot at."
"Right, I'm sorry. Let's keep going." The three ran out of the other door into a large hangar. This hangar was one of two at the prison which housed airships to serve the needs of the prison personnel. One was blown up ready to go.
"How did you know there was one ready to go?" Shining looked at Deadshot in surprise.
"I didn't," Deadshot replied with his grin. "That's where the luck comes in." Unfortunately, luck was not as kind as it could have been, for there were several guards who were not attempting to contain the prisoners in the hangar. They raised their rifles and fired without a word. The three ducked for cover behind some barrels and crates. Deadshot stood up to shoot, but Shining beat him to it. He stood up and fired shot after shot. His soldier training paid off, as he did not miss. After he ducked back to reload, there was a considerably less amount of incoming gunfire.
"Geez, Shiny, you need to do that more often." Deadshot laughed. "Leave some for us though. Flash and Deadshot took their turn, finishing off the rest of the guards. When the bullets stopped, the three were a bit lighter on ammo, and the guards were a bit lighter on flesh.
Deadshot lead the charge to the airship. It was one of the new Zeppelin models, which was much more secure than the old Dirigible models Together, the trio ran up the gangplank to the belly of the ship.
"Quick, pull up the gangplank." Deadshot ordered. Flash obliged, and turned the crank that retracted the wooden plank. Deadshot and Shining climbed the stairs into the main Zeppelin carapace.
The inside of the carapace was very expansive. Gas sacs hung along a catwalk further up, which contained the helium that let the airship float. Tanks that held ballast water and extra helium were located lower down. At the front, there was a door that led down to the weapons deck and the bridge. Shining threw open the door and went down into the front crew area, with Deadshot close behind.
The Bridge was a rather wide room. Controls for the ballast and gas tanks were on one side of the room. Engine monitors and controls were on the other. The wheel and various gauges lined the far side, with a window covering the wall. It seemed now that the other prison guards had contained the break out attempt. They did not seem to quite yet notice the three prisoners.
"Let's throw these guys a surprise party! Get on those guns you two." Deadshot took hold of the wheel. Shining and Flash ducked downstairs to the weapons deck. Cannons lined the long room. At the front were two of the Gatling guns, like the one on the train.
"These aren't supposed to see service for at least another year." Shining said as he walked over to the left gun. It was polished to a beautiful reflective sheen.
"I guess Prince Blueblood pushed them into service sooner or something." Flash offered. "He seems to be full of surprises nowadays."
"Point taken." Shining manned the behemoth weapon. It was full up on bullets. Flash manned his gun as well, aiming it toward the guards. The floor shifted as the airship chugged to life. The propellers in back sent a loud chugging sound throughout the entire ship. The guards on the floor looked up and pointed at the ship.
"Now!" Shining yelled. He pulled the trigger. The barrels of the Gatling spun and fired. The guards never stood a chance.
The Zeppelin flew out of the hangar. Guards below shot at the massive airship but were drenched as Deadshot released one of the ballast tanks. The airship shot upwards suddenly. Shining and Flash were floored as the ship ascended. After getting their bearings, the two joined their co conspirator on the bridge.
"We did it guys!" Deadshot cheered. "We made it out of that crap-ass place!" Flash whooped and started dancing around the room.
"Yeah! no prison life for me!" he shouted happily. Shining went over to his cousin and embraced him.
"What would we do without you."
"Probably sitting in your office crying, and not trying to break me in half."
"Oh! Heh, sorry." Shining got off of Deadshot. "Now, we need to go to Trottingham. That's where Blueblood's mansion is, and that's where he's probably keeping Cadence."
Flash looked at Deadshot. "It's probably heavily guarded. Any ideas, Deadshot?"
Shining interrupted. "Leave the planning to me. I know more about that mansion that either of you. Deadshot, is it allright if I make the plan this time?"
Deadshot nodded. "Fine by me, what is it that you have in mind?"
Shining stole Deadshot's trademarked grin. "I got to bring that corrupt piece of dirt to justice, and here's how we are gonna do it."