Introduction
Canterlot Barracks; 1100 Hours; July 25th, 4500 A.D.
Celestia marched up and down through the lines of children in the barracks. “You all have been brought here for one purpose. Seventy-five of you came here… And fifty of you will leave. The twenty-five of you left will be our only hope against the Changelings.” The children in the crowd suddenly shifted. Small whispers could be heard. “And at least fifteen of you will wash-out of the program.” Celestia continued. She thought of “Tango Sierra” when she said that. Tango Sierra may not make it through the augmentation. Celestia pushed the thought aside. She did not need to trouble herself. The children took advantage of Celestia’s mental absence and she had to quite them again before saying “You are the hope of all of us. Every one of you.” She nodded and the trainers walked the candidates through a hallway in the side of the large, dark, room. Celestia looked down. Sure, tango Sierra may be too weak to make it. But her brother Sierra Alpha may be strong enough, she thought. Celestia dismissed the thought and whispered “Do what must be done”.