Luna says something. I don't hear her. My vision, my entire world is focused on my childhood tormentor. I thought I was free of him. I thought I had escaped his taunts, his jeers, and his accursed grin. Now he stands before me like a long-dead specter rising from the ashes of the past.
I feel like the little foal I once was, standing in the presence of someone who would love nothing more than to see me suffer.
“Several months ago, the Queen of Saddle Arabia visited Canterlot," Luna says. "As part of their tour, she visited the dungeons and met with Mangus. After talking with him, she insisted that he return with her to Saddle Arabia.”
“Why?” Glasseye asks. He can barely able to believe that the infamous butcher of Manehattan stands before him.
“Because he reminded her of her brother, a criminal who had died in the dungeons of her parent's palace, alone and without hope," Luna says. "Thus, we arranged a deal: Mangus will assist us in defeating Chrysalis, after which he will be forever banished from Equestria and go to Saddle Arabia to serve the queen for the rest of his days.”
“After all he's done?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Saddle Arabians have a demanding code of loyalty for their servants,” Luna explains. “Those who do fail to serve their masters well are demoted to positions even lower than slaves.”
Mangus looks at me. He doesn't show fear, guilt, shame, or happiness. He's blank, an unreadable mask I can't penetrate.
"But he-”
“I am aware of his crimes, much as I am aware of yours," Luna says. "But my sister and I believe that everyone can find redemption; Mangus may find it in service in a land far from here.”
I look into those golden eyes. They look back. There's no remorse, no plea for forgiveness.
It's like there's nothing there.
“He can't be trusted,” I say. “He won't help us; he's only doing this for himself.”
“Yes, he is... much like your efforts to redeem yourself were for your benefit only. But Mangus does not have free reign to do as he pleases. He must earn his chance at a better life, and even then, he will never be released from his service to the queen. He will be watched at all times, and is subordinate to you and everyone else in Genesis." Luna turns to Mangus. “And should he try to harm anyone or in any way work for the changelings, he will be taken back to the dungeons and never be given a second chance.”
Mangus gulps.
“Mangus will be sent to Genesis tomorrow. Glasseye, you shall be given instructions on how to deal with him. That is all.”
The world around me warps, and in the blink of an eye I'm back in Glasseye's office. Glasseye's awake as well, trying to make sense of what just happened.
“Mangus Bluehorn? Here? Inconceivable! Preposterous! I won't have that murdering backstabber in my city!”
He continues to rant, but I ignore him.
I'm trying to stop shaking.
***
I'm still shaking as I head to Beakbreaker's apartment the following morning. I desperately want to believe that Mangus coming here is just an elaborate prank. Tartarus, I'd rather have Canterlot's court jester help us find the changeling hive instead of Mangus, no matter the princess' reasons. I thought I was done with him forevermore. All my childhood wounds had finally been given a chance to heal. Now they've been ripped wide open.
I shake my head as I knock on Beakbreaker's door. I have to forget about Mangus. Maybe having a nice breakfast with Beakbreaker in my apartment will... Wait. Beakbreaker doesn't know Mangus is coming here. Oh no, how am I going to tell-
The door swings open. “Silverspeak!”
I force myself to smile. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have in days! You convinced Glasseye to act, didn't you?”
“Well, yes, but how did you know?”
She grabs my hoof and takes me to the window. “Look!"
I have a birds-eye view of numerous military airships and zeppelins floating beside Genesis as smaller transport craft disgorge soldiers at the airport.
“You not only convinced him to act, but to get the military!" Beakbreaker squees. “Thank you, Silverspeak! I knew you could do it!" She grabs hold and plants a big kiss on my cheek. “Come on, I have to go thank Glasseye!”
Ohhh... that felt soooo gooood...
“Silverspeak?”
Wait, what was I so worried about on my way here? “Yes?”
“Hey, you okay?”
“Oh, fine...” I grin. “Just fine.”
“Well, come on! Don't want to keep Glasseye waiting!”
We reach Glasseye's lobby, where I flash my badge to get us access to his quarters. His breakfast tray is untouched at his desk as he injects himself with a syringe.
“Glasseye! We're... are you okay?" Beakbreaker asks.
Glasseye nods. “Yes, my dear. Just a little sickness I have. I'm afraid it's acting up." He injects himself again and some of his color returns. “Is there something I can help you with?”
“Oh. Actually, I wanted to thank you; we're going to my homeland, aren't we?”
As Glasseye puts the syringe away, Stonehoof slides some papers into the drawer. They look like blueprints for the full-body exoskeleton Glasseye showed off during the convention, but the drawer's closed before I can get a closer look.
“Ah, saw the troops, did you?”
Beakbreaker nods. “You have no idea how much this means to me. When we get there, I'd like to go down with the soldiers.”
“Into combat? My dear, you can't! You're a scientist, not a-”
“Soldier? I don't need to be. You'll need a local on the ground, a guide who knows the customs and laws. I can fulfill that role.”
Glasseye considers her words. “A valid point... I'll call the armory and ask them to prepare a suit of armor for you.”
“I don't need armor, I'm-”
“We're going into a possible war zone, my dear, and I won't put my most famous pupil in harm's way without protection.”
“I'd like one as well,” I say. “Beakbreaker's not going down there alone.”
“Silverspeak, I'll have all the soldiers with me. You don't have to come.”
I lace my words with a hint of charm. “I insist. Besides, if there's a problem with diplomacy, I could help prevent any misunderstandings.”
Beakbreaker narrows her eyes. “You're trying to use your charm on me, aren't you?”
“What? I-”
“Admit it: you are.”
How did Beakbreaker detect my charm? I've only used it on her a few times, and only when I thought it was absolutely necessary. “Well...” I try to find the right words to say without sounding like a control-freak. “Yes... I am. But only because I don't want you to go down there alone. Even if you have soldiers with you, something could still-”
A hoof's pressed to my lips. “Your heart is in the right place, Silverspeak, but you shouldn't go charming everyone whenever they do something you don't like. Besides, I doubt Princess Luna would be happy about her emissary risking his life to protect a single doctor.”
“The most important one in all of Equestria.”
Another smile. “You're sweet. But I can't risk you.”
I could intensify the charm until Beakbreaker couldn't resist. She'd listen to whatever I'd say and go along... but she's right. I can't force her to do what I want, as much as I would want to, even if it would keep her safe.
“Very well,” I sigh. “But only if you go with at least a platoon to protect you.”
“I can't guarantee that,” Beakbreaker says with a chuckle. “But I could use that armor.”
Calls are made, and Beakbreaker and I head down to the factory where suits of armor are still being assembled for arriving soldiers. We're met by the supervisor and taken to a fitting room where our measurements are taken: while I'm not going down to the surface, Glasseye figured I could use a suit for myself, in case I ever get exposed to combat. A pair of suits are subsequently brought out several minutes later. I was expecting something similar to the steel plates our army uses, but this armor looks like something a football player would wear. The base level is a tight bodysuit, followed by a thicker one with numerous formed plates, and then an armored vest. It takes a few minutes for Beakbreaker and I to squeeze into our suits, but when all is said and done, the outfit is a lot lighter than I expected; we could run in these for days and not worry about tiring like we would if we wore fifty pounds of steel.
“What do you think?” I ask Beakbreaker as she adjusts her vest. “You trust these to save you from a bloodthirsty changeling?”
“If it stops claws and teeth, that's all I care about." Beakbreaker tightens some straps. “Say, are we going to get any of those new guns I've seen in the news?”
“Mr. Glasseye didn't say so,” the supervisor says, “but I imagine you'll be given something to defend yourself with.”
The phone rings.
“Excuse me." He takes the receiver. “Yes? Really?" He puts a hoof over the mouthpiece. “Mr. Silverspeak? Glasseye wants to speak with you.”
I take the phone. “Yes?”
“Silverspeak, a special transport just arrived from Canterlot. Mangus is on it.”
“Oh.”
“We're escorting him into the Monolith now. I'm sorry about this, my boy, but fear not. You won't see him unless you want to.”
“I understand. Thank you for letting me know." I hang up.
“Silverspeak? What was that about?”
Beakbreaker's going to find out about Mangus sooner or later, and she won't like it if I kept his presence a secret from her. Better to let her know now and give her time to accept it.
“Beakbreaker, I know this is going to be a shock for you, and it is for me, too, but you need to know this... Mangus Bluehorn is on Genesis.”
The color drains from Beakbreaker's face.
“I only found out about it last night; the authorities in Canterlot decided that they want him to help us find Chrysalis' lair. I was going to tell you at breakfast, but I didn't know how.”
Beakbreaker shakes.
“If it were up to me, he wouldn't be here, but it's out of my hooves. We'll have to just tolerate his presence until this whole fiasco is blown over. Trust me, I will do everything in my power to ensure he doesn't come anywhere near you.”
Beakbreaker doesn't say a word. She remains silent as she turns and rushes out.
“Beakbreaker! Beakbreaker, wait! I...” I stop. Better to let her go. No need to push this.
“Wait, the Mangus Bluehorn?” the supervisor asks. “Is that who you were talking about?
“Yes,” I sigh.
“The guy who almost destroyed Manehattan? With you?”
Another nod.
“Great.”
***
I hurry to Beakbreaker's apartment and try to talk with her, but she doesn't answer the door. Deciding that Beakbreaker just needs time to process the fact that the pony who almost murdered her is in the city, I head back to my room to process that fact myself. But no sooner do I arrive than there's a knock at the door.
“Hello?”
“Silverspeak?”
It's Glasseye. I open the door. “Is something wrong, Glasseye?”
“Well, yes and no. May I come in?"
I step aside and let my high-ranking guest enter the penthouse. He looks a little better than he did at breakfast, but not by much.
“Does Beakbreaker know Mangus is here?”
“Yes," I say. "She didn't take it very well.”
“Can't say I blame her. If it were up to me, Mangus would be thrown into the engines to become mulch for a rock farm.”
That image makes me smile.
“But I digress. Listen, Silverspeak... I know it's not my place to advise ponies on matters of the mind, but I've been thinking, and I believe that perhaps you should meet Mangus.”
“I have no interest in meeting the pony who tried to kill both Beakbreaker and me.”
“But standing before him would prove he has no power over you.”
I frown. “I want nothing to do with Mangus, Glasseye. I'm surprised you're trying to talk me into this.”
“Only because I know what it was like to be bullied. When I was little, Silverspeak, I went to the finest schools in Manehattan. My family was one of the richest, powerful, and most social on the island, but I was shy and insecure. My fellow students picked on me, mocking my glasses, my braces, everything. It was a dreadful experience, but I can assure you that being better off than they are is a most satisfying feeling. If you face Mangus and... dare I say it?... rub it in his face, you'll feel so much better.”
I shake my head. “Thank you, but no thanks. Besides, I don't want to see him in whatever apartment you've put him in.”
“Who said he is? We gave him quarters befitting his status.”
Well, that's vague, yet intriguing. “Where?”
Glasseye grins. “Come with me.”
Should I go? I almost say no... but seeing Mangus in some horrid place is a temptation too great to pass up.
A quick elevator ride takes us into the lowest depths of the Monolith. There are no fancy walls here, nor displays of high technology, only bare steel and colorless concrete. The lighting is plain and functional, and so are the massive, barred doors embedded in the hallways.
“I take it this is the city's jail?” I ask as we head through a checkpoint.
“Precisely. Set deep within the city's foundations, and all but impossible to escape. Thankfully, they've never been used, but I figured they'd be the perfect accommodation for someone of Mangus' nature.”
One last checkpoint takes us into the high security wing. There are several cells here, each furnished only with a toilet and a bunk, and locked with a clear plastic door. All the cells are empty... save for one.
Glasseye leaves, and I'm left alone with Mangus. In Luna's dreamscape he was dashing and handsome. In real life his fur is ragged and unkempt, with deep-set wrinkles around his eyes and no horn upon his head. For someone my age, he looks far older than he should be.
Mangus glances up at me. There's no smirk, smiles, or gloating. That smugness he had, the dash of superiority and self-righteousness, is gone.
“Well,” he says at last. “Come to gloat?”
I say nothing.
Mangus gets off his bunk. “I bet you're happy to see me like this, aren't you?”
I say nothing.
Mangus comes to the plastic door. It's five inches thick, so I don't have to worry about him breaking through. “I bet you dreamed of this for years, didn't you? To see me behind bars forever, wasting away-”
“Let's get one thing clear, Mangus,” I say. “If you're going to ask for forgiveness or redemption, you won't get it. The best you can hope for is for us to part ways forever and forget about each other.”
“Fine with me. All I want to get out of here. Equestria can burn for all I care.”
I shake my head. “Even after two years, all you can think about is hate. You haven't changed at all.”
Mangus shakes. “Tell me, Silverspeak, do you know what suffering is?”
“Yes.”
“No, you don't. It's having a part of you ripped away against your will." He rubs his hornless head. “It's being reduced to a powerless whelp who's left with the memory of what you used to be. It's knowing you'll be locked up for the rest of your life. It's knowing you'll never see the sun again. It's knowing that an entire kingdom hates you and will do everything it can to beat you into the dirt. But worst of all is knowing that your most hated enemy is not only getting off light, but that he'll one day go on to have a normal life and be happy, while you never will!"
He slams his hoof against the door. “The only thing that kept me going in that Celestia-forsaken pit was hate. I imagined myself bashing in the heads of Celestia and Luna, and every other pony every day, day after day. I relished killing them all in so many ways. But you... oh, I loved ripping you apart so slowly, bit by painful bit." He leans in very close, his eyes boring into mine. “Oh Celestia, I hate you.”
Hissing, he backs up against the wall.
"Doesn't matter. I do what Luna wants, and then I'm out of here forever.”
“That's fine with me.”
Mangus studies me. “So why are you here? What brought you into league with Princess Luna?”
I study his body language. He doesn't seem malicious, or at least, no more so than his usual self. “I want to save my family, and helping Luna is the best way to do so. The sooner Chrysalis is captured, and the sooner this war ends, the sooner they'll be safe.”
“And what about Beakbreaker? You just going to remain friends?... or do you want to add her to this family of yours?”
“That's none of your business.”
He grins. “Hit a soft spot, did I? Don't worry, I won't tell. Frankly, I could care less. All that stands before me and freedom is Queen Chrissy. Come to think of it, both of us want her... it seems we're on the same side.”
“But we're not allies. And we'll never be friends.”
“Not even pals?”
“I'd rather marry a scorpion.”
“If you say so. But we have a common enemy. The sooner we take her out, the sooner we're out of each other's hair forever.”
I turn and head to the exit. “That day can't come soon enough.”
“Hey, Silversqueak? Tell the marefriend I say hi.”
“I will, Mangus. And I'll be happy too. You know why? Because I have someone who cares about me. Who do you have?”
Mangus is silent as I leave.
***
It takes three days for us to travel to the zebra homeland, Genesis concealing itself within the clouds to hide it from unfriendly eyes. Beakbreaker busies herself in her work during the trip, and I join her as we go to the Monolith's firing range to practice with the pistols she'll wield on the ground. But even blasting targets and losing herself in her work doesn't alleviate Beakbreaker's feeling of ever-present dread about what we may find.
At dawn on the third day, Genesis finally arrives at the coordinates for the zebra capital. I report to the situation room shortly after as the presiding lieutenant colonel begins military operations. assembling troops while a scout is dispatched to the ground. Glasseye calls Beakbreaker to the room, and in less than a minute she's running through the doorway.
“Ma'am, you are Beakbreaker, correct?” The colonel asks.
Beakbreaker nods as she eyes the activity around her.
“We're currently over the zebra capital. Glasseye tells me you're our expert on local customs.”
Beakbreaker gulps. “Yes, that's right.”
“I assure you, ma'am, you will be safe with us.”
“I'm not worried about that, colonel. My parents live in a village not far from here.”
“If we don't find anyone at the capital, we're planning to dispatch platoons across the country. You may join the one going to your village, if you wish.”
Beakbreaker relaxes for the first time in days. “I would appreciate that, sir.”
“It's not a problem. Now, what can you tell us about the capital?”
“It is the largest city in the zebra community,” Beakbreaker says. “It's largely a trading hub rather than a testament to power, but still the traditional residence of our leaders.”
“Does it have any defensive strategies in case of an enemy attack?”
“There are numerous basements and cellars beneath the hill; the residents would flee inside and barricade themselves there.”
“Excellent. With any luck, we'll find everyone down there.”
The doors open and the scout comes in, soaked in sweat and panting hard. “Sir,” she says to the colonel, “it's bad down there. Really bad.”
“How?” the colonel asks.
The scout gulps water from a bottle. “The capital and everything around it is scorched, like someone lit a bonfire that got out of control. I did a quick pass, but didn't see anyone.”
The colonel nods before turning to his captain and lieutenants. “Get our troops down there. Remember, the zebras are our top priority, but if Queen Chrysalis is spotted, capture her at all costs.”
As the lieutenants rush off to complete the command, Beakbreaker wastes no time in running to her room and getting into her armor.
“Are you sure you don't want me to come?” I ask.
Beakbreaker nods as she clasps buckles together.
“It's not too late to change your mind.”
“You won't always be around to protect me, Silverspeak. I have to learn to stand on my own hooves.”
“There's no shame in having someone to help you,” I point out. “And there's no one else who'll rush to your rescue if something happens.”
A buckle hovers before a clasp.
I take Beakbreaker's shoulders. “I almost lost you in Manehattan; the feeling of being helpless, of not being able to do anything to help, and knowing that you could have saved someone... I never want to feel that again.”
It's another moment before Beakbreaker puts the last buckle in place. “I know... But I can't risk you. We both have our parts to play in this, and I will feel so much better knowing you're safe." She takes my hoof. “But there is one thing you can do.”
“Yes?”
Beakbreaker bites her lip. “I know I don't look it, but I'm scared, Silverspeak. Scared that I won't find my parents, or worse, that something's happened to them." She shudders. “Silverspeak... please give me the strength and courage to help me face whatever will come.”
Wait. She can't mean...
“Silverspeak, I know what I said a few days ago, but... I want you to use your talent on me.”
Nobody's ever asked me to deliberately use my talent on them. Most aren't even aware that I'm using it in the first place. My parents, yes, and a few others, but the majority of ponies I've met are unaware that they're being directed to do what I want. I never thought I'd use my gift on someone with their consent, but if Beakbreaker asks for help, I won't deny her.
I reach out and take Beakbreaker's shoulders as my charm builds to its maximum strength. “Beakbreaker, you're very brave for going on this journey by yourself,” I say. “But even when you're scared, you're strong. You have the courage to go into the darkest places and do whatever is needed to save those you love.”
Beakbreaker's sigh is like sweet rain after a long drought, and I feel her body relax as the tension melts away. “Thank you, Silverspeak.”
The colonel's voice echoes over a loudspeaker. “All troops report to your designated transports.”
Beakbreaker starts towards the door, only to stop halfway as a thought comes to her. She darts back over, kisses my hoof, and grants me a smile.
“Be safe,” I plead.
She nods. “Always.”
Then, without another word, she slips away and out the door. She's already been absorbed into the lines of troops heading to the elevators and heliports by the time I reach the door.
As I watch the soldiers leave, all I can do is pray that fate won't take her from me again.
***
I return to the situation room, now filled only with the colonel's coordinators and high-ranking Genesis personnel. Glasseye's there too, residing in the elevated platform overlooking the map as it's changed form one of Equestria to one of the zebra kingdom.
“Did Beakbreaker get on her way?” he asks as I enter.
I nod.
“Don't worry, Silverspeak. She'll be fine. Some of the finest troops in all of Equestria are guarding her. Any changeling who dares shows its face won't last two seconds against them.”
Glasseye's right, but it doesn't calm me. Beakbreaker's out there and I'm in here. I can't keep an eye on her... Wait. Maybe I can!
I take a phone embedded in the console and dial a number.
“Yeah?”
“Gusty? This is Silverspeak. I'd like you to take the Raven and follow the troop transports down to the surface. A friend of mine is with them, and I'd feel much better if someone's there to get her out in a hurry.”
“You got it. On my way.”
“Thank you, Gusty. And stay cloaked. If there are any changelings out there, I don't want them to see you coming.”
“Will do. Gusty out.”
The map of the zebra homeland is updated with little markers representing troop ships, troops, and important figures while the radio system is hooked up to the speakers, giving us a live feed of reports coming from the surface as the troop transports land. The capital is just as the scout described: torched and smoldering from a raid. It's several more minutes before we get another report from one of the lieutenants on the ground.
“Command, come in.”
“This is command,” the colonel says. “Go ahead.”
“We've finished our search. This place is a ghost town. There isn't even anyone in the basements.”
“Acknowledged.”
Commands are given, and several platoons are dispatched to investigate nearby villages. Each one is represented by yellow orbs moving across the map. One is blue.
“Colonel,” I ask, “what does that blue orb represent?”
“Beakbreaker.”
I focus on that orb, ignoring everything else as it moves across the map, eventually coming to a stop near a small dot on the map..
“Command, this is Lieutenant Sharp Spear of Alpha Platoon. We've reached one of the outer villages and are entering it now. Initial assessment as follows: The place looks like it was attacked in a manner similar to the capital; extensive fire damage to the village and the surrounding bush. There's no sign of survivors”
“Copy that,” the colonel says. "Search the buildings.
It's several more minutes before the radio squawks again. “Command, this is Alpha Platoon. We've finished our search of the village. There's no one here. We even checked the local hills and caves.”
Oh no... Beakbreaker's parents... “Colonel? May I talk to him?" The colonel nods, and I take a headset. “Lieutenant Sharp Spear, this is Silverspeak, emissary to Princess Luna. Have you checked for any magical enchantments in the village? Like a barrier covering a tunnel or a hole?”
There's a brief pause before he replies. “No, we haven't. Stand by." Then, several minutes later, “Command, come in. We've found a hidden tunnel in one of the basements. It was covered by a magical charm.”
The next ten minutes are a blur as the tunnel is investigated. From what the platoon can determine, it was carved in great haste, judging by the textures of the walls and a few resin pillars holding the ceiling up. Plans are made to send a search party in, and as I fear, Beakbreaker is going along. Worse, in going underground, the group will be cut off from the surface with no radio contact. For however long they're down there, they'll be on their own.
Safe in the floating city many miles away from Beakbreaker, I can only listen as the platoon enters something that echoes their hooves clopping on hard stone. The sound soon vanishes as static fills my headset.
“We've lost their signal,” Glasseye says.
***
The next two hours creep slower than I would have ever thought possible. With nothing to do I pace the room, constantly straining to hear any sign of a voice in my headset or over the radio.
My wait is finally broken when a new voice comes over the radio and my headset. “Command, come in.”
“This is command, go ahead,” the colonel says.
“This is Fleet Foot of Alpha Platoon. I was sent out to inform you of our progress. The tunnel we entered headed deep into the earth and eventually opened up into an even larger passage. But there was something strange about it: the walls were covered in deep gouges, ones too big to have been made by changelings. They didn't make that tunnel, colonel. Something else did.”
All eyes turn to the colonel, who takes a moment to process the information before replying. “Was there any indication on how old the passage was? It could have been made centuries ago, and the changelings only just recently discovered it.”
“We couldn't tell, sir.”
As the colonel tries to make sense of this new revelation, I tap my headset. “Fleet Foot, this is Silverspeak, emissary of Princess Luna. Did you find any sign of the changelings or the missing zebras?”
“We found the entrance to a hive, Mr. Silverspeak. I was sent back to inform the colonel of our progress in case something happens to the others.”
“Is Beakbreaker with you?”
“No. Lieutenant Sharp Spear told her to come with me, but she refused. If anything, she was the most eager to get inside.”
My chest tightens. “And how long ago was that?”
“About half an hour.”
Half an hour?!
“Colonel, shall I return to my platoon?”
“No. Remain where you are. I'll have another platoon sent to your location once they've finished their sweep of the other villages.”
“Acknowledged.”
***
Another agonizing hour passes, this one worse than the last. At this very moment Beakbreaker's inside a changeling hive. She may be with an entire platoon of heavily armed soldiers, but they could all have been captured or wiped out after a well placed ambush. Chrysalis' troops aren't just going to let intruders waltz into a hive and take what they want without a fight. Beakbreaker could be encased in a cocoon for all I know, and there's not a thing I can do to help.
My wait is finally broken when a familiar voice comes over the radio.
"Command, this is Lieutenant Sharp Spear, please come in!”
The colonel grabs his headset. “This is command, go ahead.”
“Sir, we found a changeling hive about three miles away from the village, but it had been abandoned, sir. Nobody was home.”
I collapse into the closest chair.
“What about the villagers?" The colonel asks. "Did you find them?”
“Yes sir, about forty. There were sealed in cocoons, but... only half were alive. We're bringing the survivors up now. I'm requesting medical evac: they're all in bad shape, sir.”
“Granted. I'm sending two airships to evacuate them.”
I raise my hoof. “Sir, if I may?" Then, into the headset, “Lieutenant, this is Silverspeak. I have my personal airship nearby. It's faster than your landing craft, and can reach Genesis in a few minutes. I suggest you use it to evacuate the most serious cases.”
“Thank you, Silverspeak. We'll do that.”
“Oh, lieutenant? The survivors... were Beakbreaker's parents among them?”
“Yes.”
Thank Celestia!
"But they're in critical condition. I'm not sure if they're going to make it.”
“I see... thank you." I switch frequencies. “Gusty, this is Silverspeak.”
“Boss? I was starting to wonder if you-”
“Gusty, we have a medical emergency. I need you to land, load up all the injured zebras, and get them back to Genesis as quickly as possible.”
“I'm on it.”
“Bring them to the Monolith,” Glasseye says. “We'll have a medical team waiting on the landing platform.”
I race from the situation room to the platform Glasseye mentioned. A medical team is already there and waiting when I arrive. I stay off to the side and out of their way as we wait for the Raven. The ship races to the pad less than ten minutes later. The walkway extends from the gondola moments after the ship touches down, and a unicorn medic levitates two stretchers onto the platform.
Beakbreaker rushes from the gondola, her armor covered in dust and grime, her face and hair streaked with sweat. She pays me no attention, for her focus on the stretchers and the two... oh, Celestia. The zebras lying upon the stretchers resemble corpses more than living beings. They're both little more than skin and bones with filthy skin and dull, emotionless eyes.
Genesis' medics take over and levitate the stretchers into an express elevator leading directly to the medical wing. Beakbreaker stays with them while I, not being family, take the normal elevator. The hospital lobby is empty when I arrive, save for Beakbreaker pacing in a circle over and over again.
“Beakbreaker!" I rush over. “Thank Celestia you're okay! Your parents, are they-”
“Th... th... the doctors are working on them now,” Beakbreaker stammers. “Now we just h... h... have to wait and..." She gulps and tries to compose herself, then gives up. “Oh, Silverspeak, what am I going to do?! I can't just stand here and do nothing! I can't! I-”
I take Beakbreaker's shoulders. “Beakbreaker, listen to me. Your parents are being taken care of by the finest doctors in the city. The best thing you can do is let them do their work.”
“But what if my parents..." She struggles to get the words out. “What if they die while I'm here?" The thought's too much for her to bear, and Beakbreaker cries, unable to hold back her sobs.
I draw her in close and hold her as tightly as I can.
***
Three long hours pass us by without any word on how Beakbreaker's parents are doing. Beakbreaker eventually quiets down and lies against me on a couch. I hold her, silently wishing and hoping that everything will turn out all right.
The silence is broken when a doctor comes into the room. “Ms. Beakbreaker?”
Beakbreaker's instantly on her hooves. “My parents! Are they-”
“They're in critical condition but stable.”
“Can I see them?”
“Yes. Through there, recovery room three.”
Beakbreaker's through the double doors before the doctor finishes talking.
“May I go with her?” I ask.
“Are you family?”
“More like a boyfriend.”
The doctor nods and indicates for me to follow her. I do so, and we head to the recovery room. There are several zebras lying in beds: Beakbreaker's parents are near the back, their daughter kneeling between their beds while trying to avoid yanking out the cables and tubes connecting them to machines. I want to go to her, but it doesn't feel right to interrupt her reunion with their parents, so I stay where I am. If she wants me to come in, she'll say so.
“What happened to them?” I ask the doctor. Even from across the room, Beakbreaker's parents still look like dried-out husks.
“As far as we can tell, the changelings drained them of any nutrients they could get, and then discarded them once they were done. That was probably two or three days ago. Those two were probably only an hour or so from death when they were rescued.”
I manage to keep the bile from rushing up my throat. “Well, at least they're safe now.”
The doctor watches Beakbreaker.
“They are, aren't they?”
The doctor's pager beeps.
“Excuse me.”
The doctor jogs down the hall, and I'm left to watch Beakbreaker comfort her parents. A chance glance around the room has her spot me, and she darts over. “Silverspeak, I'd like you to meet my parents.”
“Are you sure? Maybe we should let them rest before-”
“They asked about you. They want to meet you."
Truth be told, I'm frightened of seeing her parents at their worst. The wiser course of action would be to let them rest and regain their health before meeting them, but Beakbreaker takes my hooves and pulls me towards her beds. Not wanting to raise a fuss and make her more upset than she already is, I steel myself and follow her to her parent's beds.
“Mother, father, I'd like you to meet Silverspeak.”
If I met Beakbreaker's parents at their home or in mine at any other time, I could see that they would have been vibrant and full of life. But now they're a shadow of what they were, their skin shrunken and stretched over bones, their coats and stripes faded and dull. But their eyes are alert now and glimmering with life. Those eyes focus on me as I stand before them.
“So... this is Mr. Silverspeak,” Beakbreaker's father wheezes. “A bit shorter than I imagined." He chuckles, and then erupts into a coughing fit.
Wincing, I wait until the coughs die down before offering a hoof. “It's an honor to meet you, sir. Your daughter speaks very highly of you.”
“You may spare me the pleasantries, Mr. Silverspeak. There is no need to be so formal.”
“Oh. Very well, then.”
He manages to shake my hoof, coughing once again. “My daughter speaks highly of you, too. How you helped her with her research, kept her company, and stood by her side when no one would. All qualities of a fine gentlecolt.”
I don't ask if those were from letters before the Manehattan incident.
“How old are you, Mr. Silverspeak?” Beakbreaker's mother asks.
“Too old for summer camp, but too young to retire.”
She chuckles. “A sense of humor, this one. I like him." She reaches to Beakbreaker. “You have a keeper, dear. Silverspeak? Did my daughter tell you who I was in our village?”
I try to remember, but nothing comes to mind. “No.”
“I was the matchmaker. I read all suitors and couples-to-be. It was my gift and privilege to see if they would be a good match.”
Beakbreaker tries to hold back a groan.
“Now, dear, I know you've never believed in my talent, but do you remember when you were little? I kept telling you that the right individual for you hadn't come yet. And didn't you gush to me when you and Silverspeak were still working on your legs? You said he was the one.”
“Mom, I was-”
“Meeting love for the first time. A most beautiful sensation, isn't it?" She coughs, a horrible, dry sound. Beakbreaker dashes for the call button, but her mother holds up a hoof and stops her. Breathing deep, she says to me, “Come now, Silverspeak. Let me see if you two have a future together.”
Okay... a zebra who apparently can read minds. There have been a few ponies throughout history who have the ability to read others and know them instantly, but they're rare, and their success rate isn't very good. I've never heard of a zebra having such a talent, and I'm not sure if it's even true or not, but I go along and lean towards Beakbreaker's mother.
Our eyes meet: There's something about hers... they're like deep pools that have no bottom, drawing me ever deeper the longer I look into them.
I lose track of how long she studies me, and my concentration is broken only when her gaze darkens.
“Beakbreaker, please leave us for a moment."
“But I-”
“Only a moment.”
Beakbreaker hesitates, almost argues, then gives in and heads to the doorway.
Her mother pulls me in close. “You are a most interesting pony, Silverspeak. I cannot read all of you, but what I can see worries me.”
“How?”
“Unlike what you may believe of us zebras, we are not blind to what happens beyond our borders. My husband and I are well aware of what you did in Manehattan.”
I gulp, trying to avoid both her gaze and the gaze of her husband.
“Do I entrust my daughter to an individual who instigated such an act? That's the question that does not have an answer." Her eyes narrow. “The part of you I could read was tainted; there is a darkness within you, Silverspeak, a monster that is patient and strong and cruel that lusts with ravenous hunger, and appears in the guise of wisdom. You let it take over, and an island was nearly destroyed.”
“A bridge, a few buildings, and a few hundred ponies,” I point out. I'm not in the mood to have what I did be exaggerated.
“Yes, but it could have been avoided... and yet, it could have been worse. You managed to break free. Not many could do that. Fewer still would take responsibility." Beakbreaker's mother smiles. “Those are the qualities of a good heart. Any parent could see it in the way Beakbreaker wrote about you before the incident... and after.”
Wait, Beakbreaker wrote about me after all that?
“Oh yes, she did." Beakbreaker's father smiles at seeing my confusion. “She was conflicted. She had seen what you had done and that you used her. Yet she saw that you really did care for her. You gave up your dream for her. As my wife would say, there are almost none who would do that.”
The two look at each other with the gaze that only comes to those who have shared their lives for many decades.
“Silverspeak,” Beakbreaker's mother says. “Do you love our daughter?”
“What?”
“Do you love her?”
“I... well, you could say that... uhh...”
“Don't be too direct with him, dear,” Beakbreaker's father says. “After all, do you remember how-”
“Shy you where? Oh yes, I do. But had you just told the truth, it would have given us so much more time together." Then, to me, “Silverspeak, you cannot remain on the fence about this. So many things in this life change in the blink of an eye. Our plans and dreams can amount to nothing. But those we care for... they are worth fighting for. Love is the one thing that matters more than anything on this earth.”
Beakbreaker's mother takes my hoof.
“Please, take care of our daughter. Stand with her. Help her. Never pass up a moment to say that you love her... you never know when you will get another chance.”
“Ma'am... I...”
Her hoof slips from mine.
“Ma'am?”
With a sigh, she sinks into the pillows. Oh Celestia, is she dead?! She's... oh, oh thank goodness. She's still breathing. She's just asleep.
Beakbreaker rushes over. “Mother?!”
“It's okay,” I say. “She's just asleep. She must be exhausted.”
Beakbreaker isn't convinced, and calls a nurse in. Thankfully, Beakbreaker's mother is indeed asleep. Shortly after she leaves, Beakbreaker's father grows weary, thanks me for visiting, and joins his wife in peaceful slumber.
“They should be okay now,” I say. “Do you want to go back to your room?”
Beakbreaker shakes her head. “I want to stay with them.”
I nod. “I'll talk with the doctors and see if I can't get a cot in here for you.”
Beakbreaker nods, relieved. “Thank you, Silverspeak.”
***
The doctors are alright with Beakbreaker spending the night. The nurses move one of the empty beds between the two holding her parents. They even get one for me if I want to stay the night.
Night soon falls, and Beakbreaker, exhausted from a long day, immediately drops off to sleep. The lights are dimmed as I get into one of the spare beds, but like so many other stress-filled nights, sleep doesn't come. It's not from the sounds of monitors and medical equipment, but from what Beakbreaker's mother told me. Yet, unlike nights past where my paranoia had me play out hundreds of worst-case scenarios, I can't stop thinking about Beakbreaker.
Wait. What was that?
Three ponies enter. Oh, it's only Onyx Shield and two guards.
"Sorry to wake you, but we're doing a changeling scan," Onyx whispers. "Need to make sure none of them impersonated the troops and snuck aboard.
I nod. Onyx takes a hoof-held scanner and scans me, then Beakbreaker and her parents.
“I heard about her parents,” Onyx says. “I hope they pull through.”
“What about the other zebras?” I ask. “Did the other platoons find any survivors?”
“Yes, though not as many as we would have liked. The survivors have told us that Queen Chrysalis launched a surprise attack throughout the kingdom about a month ago. She and her changelings left only a few days ago. We only just missed them.”
I curse. “Any sign where she went?”
Onyx shakes his head.
“What about the tunnels? Did they find any-”
“Big ones? Yeah, two; both were chewed up, like something big had dug them out.”
“Any idea what did so?”
“We're not sure. I'm hearing all sorts of theories ranging from a colony of giant harpies to monster mole-rats. Nobody knows for sure, though.”
Wanting to change the subject, I check to make sure Beakbreaker and her parents are still asleep. “Have there been any updates in Equestria itself? Any more attacks?"
Onyx nods. “Things got really bad after the assault force headed to the capital. Almost double the disappearances, and a dam was badly damaged. A changeling impersonated a worker and almost blew the thing to pieces.”
“They've moved on to sabotage?”
He nods. “One also impersonated a farmer and tried to torch one of the largest farms in the north. Gutted half the crops before the fire was put out." He makes sure Beakbreaker isn't listening before continuing. “I worked with the police in Appleoosa before joining TechInc, and we had bandits raiding the town several years back. They did quick strikes to wear down the town before trying to take it over. They even burned down the apple trees to try and starve everyone.”
“And you're thinking Chrysalis is doing the same to us?”
Onyx nods. “But on a much larger scale. This whole fiasco with the zebras? She was probably just feeding her troops to get them ready.”
“For what?”
“Who can say? Probably her main assault. And if she's got help from something bigger... well, if you ask me, things are going to get a lot worse." He shakes his head, mortified at the thought. “I'm sorry, we need to continue our scanning." With that, Onyx leaves with his guards, and me to my thoughts.
It isn't long before I slip out of bed to check Beakbreaker. She's still fast asleep. Poor thing... even while dozing, she still looks worried.
It's so strange... I want to get into the bed with her. Not for the pleasures of the flesh, but just to be there for her, to make her feel better, to let her know she's not alone. But that... that's going a step too far. I'm not there yet.
Moving very slowly, I stroke her, my hoof going through her sweat-stained hair. But even being as dirty as it is, those strands still look beautiful to me.
Beakbreaker shifts, but doesn't pull away. Her tension fades, if only just a little.
A faint smile appears.
I smile, too.
I turn towards Beakbreaker's parents. When they're awake in the morning, I'll thank them for their advice. They'll be so happy to know that I...
Wait.
I lean in close to Beakbreaker's parents. Something's wrong. I...
Oh no.
They're not breathing.