The Windshear Chronicles

Windshear was your average changeling, he got up each day, cleaned and shined his carapace and then did whatever his queen commanded. But he felt as if there was more to life than this boring old drone routine. Over time Windshear started to develop a personality that set him apart from the other drones, enough for the queen to take notice.

While the Changeling Queen knew it could be dangerous to have a drone that could make it’s own decisions, it could also be very beneficial because they would not have to be connected to the Hive Mind all the time. So instead of killing him, she took him aside and trained him to be a spy, an infiltrator unlike any the world had ever seen. She trained him to disappear.

The training took months and was very long and vigorous. She taught him how to hide his essence so scrying spells couldn't detect him, she taught him further control over his shape-shifting abilities, she even taught him memory wiping magic so he could clear any traces of himself from ponies that saw him. After the training was complete, she congratulated him, told him he would be partaking in a very important mission about three ponies who were dangerous to their cause.

Windshear was excited about the new mission the queen had given him. He would finally have his chance to show the queen his loyalty. The commanding officer he had been assigned to was another changeling like himself, one that could think independently from the Hive Mind his name was Bladewing and he was the queen's most trusted lieutenant.

“Alright you worthless pieces of chitin, this is the mission that the queen has instructed us to carry out. We will infiltrate the target location and foalnap three of the ponies, who have been poking their muzzles where they don’t belong. Another thing, I will not tolerate deserters, cowards or traitors, because all of you can think on your own it leaves that as a possibility. I will let you all know now that if any of you do those things you will be killed on the spot. Do I make myself clear?”

Bladewing’s final sentence was met with his subordinates firm “Yes Sir!”

Good, fear is an excellent motivator. I cannot afford to disappoint my queen again. So this mission must go off without a hitch. Bladewing thought to himself as his subordinates got into their flying formation.

As Windshear positioned himself into flying formation he couldn’t help but wonder what those ponies had poked around in to make the queen take action like this. But he assured himself that just because they were foalnapping these ponies and being that his queen was kind and merciful she would just want to talk to them.

Bladewing checked over the flight path one more time, making sure everything was in order. Their orders stated that they were to fly from the Badlands where they were currently located, to the town of Ponyville where they would infiltrate the motel the mares where staying at and apprehend them.

“Okay maggots, I want those wings flapping. Get ready to take off, stay in flight formation. This mission must go perfectly. FOR THE QUEEN!!!” The commander roared.

The changelings echoed his cry and they took off, in the direction of Ponyville.

As they were flying Bladewing noticed that Windshear was fumbling off course every once and a while and seemed to be distracted by something. Taking note to confront him about it later, he focused back on the task at hand. Bladewing was puzzling over which of the changelings he would send to infiltrate the hotel. After thinking about it for a while he came to a decision, Windshear had been trained by the queen herself about espionage and stealth. He also seemed eager to please his superiors be it Bladewing or the queen and enthusiasm was a good thing to have. As he continued pondering other aspects of the mission he didn’t notice they were approaching the landing zone until one of his subordinates yelled.

“Sir we’re approaching the landing zone. “

Snapping out of his thoughts, Bladewing yelled “Okay recruits this is it. We’re approaching the zone, when we land you are to stand in attack formation. I will relay your orders once we land.”

The landing zone that the queen had selected was a remote area about 6 leagues outside of the town. When the changelings landed they quickly did as their commander said and formed into their attack formation. Bladewing looked the recruits over. If this mission goes according to plan, then we will finally be able to save the species and never have to worry about starvation again. Bladewing thought to himself, after sizing each and everyone of them up he spoke.

“These are your orders, you, you, and you”  he said as he gestured to the three male changelings. “You three will remain here and secure this area, you will assume the forms that you have been assigned and stick to the cover story that you were given should any of the ponies see you. If the ponies refuse to leave then you are authorized to use force to subdue them. You” he said as he pointed to Windshear “you will be coming with me, and will be assuming the form of the motel janitor that we have in our custody. Now get to work all of you, Windshear follow me.”

With that Bladewing flew off in the direction of the town, Windshear tagging close behind him. Bladewing broke the silence and said. “You will be infiltrating the motel as the janitor, and will be gathering intel of when they sleep, eat, and everything else about them. I will return to you in a week and I will want a full report of your findings. The queen requests I return immediately, and judging by the fact that you will be the only changeling present that can function without being in contact with the Hive Mind, you will be in charge.”

Windshear was stunned that he had been put in a commanding position this early on. Bladewing seeing this stunned look on Windshear’s face said “Can I trust you with this?”

The stunned Windshear quickly regained his composure, he saluted and said “yes sir”. Seeing that the squadron was now in relatively good hooves Bladewing took off, back in the direction of the Badlands and his waiting queen.