Back to present time proceeding events of Chapter 46

Chapter 48: High Alert

My blurred vision and sluggish movement disappeared in an instant as I followed a trio of guards through the halls. The adrenaline coursing through me paired with my increased healing made quick work of the alcohol in my system. I pointed to one of the pegasus guards following us and motioned her forward.

“Go, tell Luna to meet me there immediately.” I ordered as she nodded and took off.

Next to me as we ran was a earth pony guard and a Unicorn guard, who kept the body of the Verix suspended in the air, holding it’s blood within it’s chrome body. Both to keep it from singeing the ground, and prevent injury.

I turned to the unicorn next to me as we ran. “Are you sure this place is secure?” I asked as he nodded.

“Absolutely. The canterlot laboratories keep secrets behind thick walls. We don’t want any volatile information leaking to the public. Or worse, our enemies.” He said as I nodded back, satisfied with that answer.

We reached the end of the hall and came face to face with a small stone door, which didn't have any visible opening mechanism. The earth pony next to me walked forward, and tapped three different spots on the door. After a moment of silence, the door began sliding aside, and we quickly made it through.

The lab looked no different than what you would expect, just with no computer screens and more paper and clipboards. The walls and floor were tiled a sterile white, and the whole room smelled like stale air. A few ponies wearing white lab-coats stopped what they were doing and turned to us with confusion. Before it quickly turned to shock looking at the body currently suspended in magic.

The earth pony next to me cleared his throat. “Everypony out, we need this area cleared asap.” He said aloud as all the ponies dropped what they were doing and quickly filed out, some pausing for a moment to look at the body before leaving.

As the last member left, the door slid shut once again. Making an audible *Thud* as it fully closed. I followed the two guards closely as they brought the body towards an operating table that looked to be made of stone.

I ran my hand across it, confirming my suspicions.

’Good, it won't eat through this’ I thought as I nodded to the unicorn.

He lifted the body up, and dropped it onto the table making a loud clang as metal met stone. Almost immediately afterwards, a flash of light went off behind me, and I hear the sound of hooves hitting the floor. I spun around and Luna was blinking, trying to focus her vision again.

“Jake whats-“ She began as I cut her off.

“Put up a soundproof barrier, as fast as you can.” I ordered, catching her off guard.

The initial surprise quickly receded as she nodded. Luna lit up her horn and in a flash of light a large bubble surrounded us all, including the table housing the body of the Verix. As the bubble fully formed I let out a small amount of built up stress as my body relaxed a bit. I waved her to follow me, and we ran over to the table.

“We found it outside. It must have gotten spotted because it attacked one of your guards.” I started as Luna looked the corpse over.

I could see a bit of hatred in her eyes as she looked at the body of that dreaded machine.

“Is the pony alright?” Luna asked as she looked the machine over some more.

“He’s being tended to in the ICU. He’s pretty banged up.” The earth pony next to me answered quickly.

I walked around to the head of the Verix, and slowly lifted it up and inspecting it. I dropped it back down and looked over the rest of its body.

“There’s no signs of any wear or markings on it’s body except for those it sustained during the fight.” I began.

“What does that mean?” Luna asked as she looked up from the body and to me.

“It means its a fresh new unit. You mentioned it looked almost as if it was invisible?” I questioned the ponies getting them to nod quickly. “Shit... shit shit shit. That means they’ve miniaturized their cloaking fields.” I mused as I scratched my chin in thought. “Has there been any missing pony cases lately?” I asked the guards again.

“A few over the last week came in. Do you think they’re abducting ponies?” The earth pony asked.

“Maybe...” I began, “Were There anything in common with these ponies?” I asked getting him to nod.

“Yeah, I think the report mentioned they were all unicorns.” He said as I scratched my chin some more in thought.

“And the guard who was injured, was he a unicorn too?” I asked with worry, getting the pony to slowly nod again. “Shit!” I said as turned away from the body and fumed.

’They’ve been doing this shit RIGHT from under our noses and we had no idea! I thought as I paced angrily.

“Luna, your cell.” I said as she looked at me confused for a moment then realized what I meant.

In a small flash of light she summoned the glass phone I had given her a small time ago and floated it over to me. I quickly swiped it out of the air and began dialling a number. After a few moments Lucy’s voice rang through the phone.

“Hello and thank you for calling the Night’s Vigil, please state your reason for calling.” The recording voiced out.

“Lucy, it’s me Jake. It’s an emergency.” I said as there was a moment of silence then a beep was heard, before Lucy’s voice appeared again.

“Yes sir, what’s going on?” Lucy asked with a tinge of worry.

Without hesitation, I began listing off orders. “Set the alert level of the ship to maximum. The perimeter has been breached and Verix have been found inside Canterlot city. I need a team of soldiers down here immediately, equipped with some EM vision goggles. Also send down my own gear as well, I’m currently at Canterlot castle.” I said as there was a few moments of silence.

“Done, they will arrive shortly.” Lucy rang back.

“Good, also send some ships to go scout out the other major cities to make sure this is the only affected area.” I added before hanging up.

Right after hanging up, I immediately turned to leave before being stopped by Luna.

“What did you want me to do?” She asked as I looked back to the two guards still here who now looked a little worried.

After thinking about it for a few moments, I sighed. “I need you to stay here with your sister. I know you two are powerful but all it takes is one sneak attack and that's it. I don’t want to put you in harms way again.” I said as I turned and looked towards the door. “You need to keep everything here secure. After what just happened I’m sure your ponies are a little frightened.”

Slowly nodding, Luna sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll go inform the captain of the guard.” Luna said as she charged her horn up. “Please be careful.” She added before disappearing in a flash of light.

“I’ll try...” I said to myself as I made my way out of the room with the earth pony.

As we crossed the doorway, I stopped and turned towards the unicorn still examining the body.

“I need you to destroy that thing. Completely.” I said as he nodded quickly.

I turned back around and ran down the hall and towards the meetup location with my ship. At the same time, I couldn’t shake this feeling like something horrible was about to happen.

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