The three mares were casting Welding spells towards the metal sheets to add them to the plane. Sparks of metal and magic scattered about through the air as they worked.
“So, Optix darling?” Rarity began. “How have you ever managed to build a hangar in such an… unorthodox location?”
“Me and my family used to run with a spec ops group called the EO, or Equestrain Operative. My parents were signed into the army of Equestria back in the days when there was war, and the EO didn’t like that very much.”
“Why would that be?”
“Because they love keeping their kind on a leash. They’re afraid information about them might get leaked. Can’t say they were wrong. Just look at me right now. Anyways, after my parents left, the EO wanted to cut me from my work and hold me in a contract to keep my mouth shut. But, of course, I refused.”
“Why did you refuse?”
“Because those assholes were up to something, and I wanted no part of it. I’ve been hearing so crazy shit coming from the offices, so I wasn’t trusting them. Some shit about the princess and assassinations. They knew I had sensitive information, and so they put a bounty on my head, including my parents and my younger sister, all because they knew I could share info with them.”
“Wow… how did you and your sister get separated after that?”
“We had our last stand in a townhouse in Trottingham. But, when shit started looking bad, I told her to run, and I fought them off myself, but just barely. Ain’t never seen her since. I moved out to Ponyville because there were too many eyes. I had no choice. I couldn’t search for her afterwards because they never gave me the chance to look for her. They… kept assaulting me.” Optix’ beam of magic welding the metal increased in intensity. “I will make those bastards pay!”
After her spell calmed down, it left behind a patch of red on the metal, accompanied by steam.
Twilight casted a Frost spell to cool the metal. “We will bring them justice-- after we save your sister.”
“Thanks a lot.” A determined smile came to Optix’ muzzle. “I’m glad to have bastards like you for friends, especially after being alone for the past couple years.”
“It’s what we do. But, I do have to ask too-- what is your sister’s name?”
“Sniper Bullet.”
“That’s not a name you hear everyday.”
“Ain’t it?”
The beams of magic slowly disappeared, afterwards the mares marvelled at their work for the past few hours. The plane still had a rusty finish, but it appeared to be flyable at the very least.
“Looks like it’s ready to go.” Optix said.
“Wait, isn’t it general protocol to test things like this first?” Twilight asked, sounding slightly worried.
“Yeah.” Optix jumped into the pilot seat and threw on a stray flight cap. “This’ll be the test run.”
“But,” Twilight retrieved a textbook on aerodynamics from her saddlebags. “The facts here clearly state that-”
“Don’t even pull that big brain stuff on me princess.”
“Huh?”
“My weapons, vehicles, and gadgets aren’t built from raw facts-- they’re built from ambition, blood sweat n’ tears. Now, let’s fly.”
“...Point taken.” Geez, don’t let me tick her off. She seems short-tempered today. But, given the circumstances, I can understand why. She usually isn’t this bossy, thankfully.
“Ey! Stop standing around and help me move this thing!”
“Er, sorry!”
“And Rarity! Could you round up everyone and bring them to the runway?”
“But of course darling!” The white unicorn trotted out of the open hangar.
“Optix, I was wondering for a while now,” Twilight began. “Why’d you only want unicorns in here?”
“More magic, more productivity. Less ponies, less accidents. Simple. Keep everyone else that isn’t useful out, then we have more working space.”
Harsh but efficient. “I understand.”
“Good. Once Rarity gathers up everyone, we can fly this bird.”
“I still don’t understand how you can be so certain this thing will fly. Its made completely out of garbage!”
“Hey, if I can make a grenade out of a mug, tea bags, and a fork, I’m sure I can make a few metal plates fly. Ain’t that hard when you understand aerodynamics. And, I had to teach myself that.”
Twilight’s eyes widened beyond their normal cartoonish look.
“Exactly. Now, strap up.” Optix threw the alicorn a flight cap.
Twilight placed the cap firmly but comfortably on her head. “Perfect fit.”