5 years had passed since Nova Sprocket had introduced himself to Tran Sketch, the blue mare in question was no longer an apprentice PipBuck technician but her levitation magic was still questionable at best so she still required concentration but at least her magic was less prone to imploding during precise repairs and Purple Steel figured another year or two then he’d be able to step down passing the pedestal to Tran Sketch, she herself had come to regard Purple Steel as more than her mentor and more like the kindly grandfather she never had and he himself was guilty of some favouritism for her having feelings of proudness for her every time she improved as even a little improvement should be encouraged.

The walls were as grey and monotonous in the maintenance room as they had been five years ago and no doubt long before that even, would it hurt just to add a poster or two the place to brighten it up even a little but from what Purple Steel had said once upon a time he had actually a pin up poster of a mare, one Tran Sketch assumed was questionable in appearance till stumbling upon it tucked away in a drawer next to tools a little while back, her curiosity had been piqued and so she looked at the earth pony mare in quite a provocative position, blushing hard she had put it back and understood why it was no longer on the wall.

Naturally Nova to had worked his way up the ranks overtime too becoming the Personal Assistant directly to the Overmare and his previous role delegated to the pony who was at that time the Overmare’s Personal Assistant but wanted an easier role, this had been agreeable terms to Overmare Butter Blitz as long as the replacement was capable and it so happened Nova Sprocket had excelled in his Admin role so he was given a shot at being the Overmare’s PA.

The job came with a few more perks to such as a less crowded living area designated for more official type ponies whose roles and jobs demanded the need to be more at direct hoof of Overmare Butter Blitz, en suite bathrooms and a treat each month within reasonable means so in Nova’s case he always got a cake each month to split between himself and Tran Sketch, his figure was more masculine defined now as opposed to 5 years ago but that was thanks to the training regime imposed on all Stable dwellers which meant mandatory exercise in the gym, everypony was assigned a time to attend to ensure there was no overcrowding and they all got a fair chance at the equipment.

Another thing that had developed in the last 5 years was the closeness between Tran Sketch and Nova Sprocket, they were still friends granted but after the compulsory mating 3 years ago that was initiated when new foals where needed to replace occupants who had passed away, an estrous cycle was artificially started by pheromones being released through the air circulation vents in the locked off area, air tight area designated for copulation between the pony populace controlled by the Overmare from a sealed area with a terminal which allowed for a more controlled approach to breeding to ensure that the birth rate was manageable.

The estrous had indeed affected Tran Sketch as well as the other mares however in Tran Sketch’s case it had had the desired effect of her not bearing a foal which admittedly had made her and Nova somewhat relieved. The Overmare had admitted that she was curious to see if two gender swapped ponies could produce a foal so this was more of a test to see if the effect of the magical and physical changes done to their bodies allowed such a thing.

Of course the pair now had somewhat of a taste for it after that experience so had advanced their friendship to something of a more intimate nature, the two had been clumsy and inexperienced with such a deed seeing as neither had been intimate prior to their “change” but Tran Sketch had openly admitted to him if she had to deal with those urges she’d rather it have been him rather than a random stallion taking her, they both decided it was probably best they try out the whole couple thing and it was going quite well.
It was the end of the month and today Nova Sprocket was collecting a strawberry drizzle cake from Gourmet and he’d messaged Tran Sketch via the terminal in the PipBuck maintenance room’s terminal, she’d always said that she wanted to try strawberries but never had, so after pulling some strings with one of the food gatherers Nova had finally come across the fabled sweet fruit and he found himself recalling the conversation that followed after he asked Gourmet to make a cake with them.

Previous Day:

The unicorn chef’s eyes had lit up, a dusty book of desserts levitated before Gourmet as he looked at the index, a triumphant “aha” escaping the muzzle.
“I’ve got just the thing, never thought I’d get the chance in my lifetime to actually make any treat with strawberries so this is quite a rare occasion, is it for your marefriend? Tran Sketch I believe?”

Nova nodded.
“That obvious huh?”

Gourmet chuckled in amusement as he set down the book.
“Don’t think it’s escaped my attention you spend a lot of time with her during meals, not to mention I heard from somepony that you and she were paired by the Overmare, not unheard for couples to be formed from that.”

Nova was unsure how to respond.
“For what it’s worth I aint saying it’s a bad thing, she always seemed to sit by herself and never spoke to the others all that much, same food, same seat and same quiet meals you’ve come along and added some variety. Granted she still orders the same meals and sits in the same spot but at least she has someone to talk to now”

Nova's head turned slightly to the right eyeing Gourmet, surprised by how observant the chef was.
"Honestly, just keep at it up, some ponies like myself are glad when there’s a happy ending. I'll whip up that Strawberry drizzle for you in a jiffy as long as you keep that mare happy."

At that point, Nova had eased a little knowing Gourmet knows his feelings for Sketch.

Present Time:

Tran Sketch was on her way to meeting Nova outside the reserved quarter’s area only security ponies, the Overmare and anyone who had a high standing title in the Stable had access to these parts unless invited by an occupant anyway or for official business but if a PipBuck needed repair it was normally carried out in the maintenance room specifically to avoid any dust or foreign contaminants sabotaging the effort and secondly the tools were all there anyway so it saved on having to go back and forth if a tool was needed or not adequate for the job.

As Sketch neared the entrance to the quarter’s she spotted Nova, a small smile on her muzzle at the sight of him.
“Treat time so soon, seems to come by even quicker every time wouldn’t you say?”
She said with a playful tone to her voice.

The Stallion nodded in agreeance.
“Truthfully it’s a treat seeing a cutie like you anyway so I have a treat every day I’d say, the cakes just a bonus really.”
Sketch blushed and scuffed her hoof on the floor awkwardly.

“H-Hey why do you always say something to embarrass me like that, you know how I feel about anypony knowing about us, what if they talk and say nasty things about us…”

Nova smirked and waved a forehoof nonchalantly before approaching the blue coloured mare nuzzling her affectionately.
“Why? Because we happen to be opposite sides of the same coins, a mare who was a stallion and vice versa? Freaks? Who gives a buck, if anypony has a problem with it then let them actually dare to say it to my face and we’ll see how much of a problem it is then wont we?”
He said trying to reassure her, his voice sounding confident.

Sketch eased up a little, Nova knew how to calm his marefriend when she got like this, their relationship was not exactly conventional but they still had average couple issues so what should it matter what they were prior. It needn’t have been an issue but Sketch found it hard to think that sometimes it seemed whereas Nova found it easy to bypass to niggling doubt.
“Now my dear marefriend, we have a cake waiting in my room and it aint going to eat itself now is it? Shall I escort you to it madam?”
He asked in a mock gentlestallion accent causing Tran Sketch to laugh.

“Fine, fine. You do have a way with words don’t you”
She said seeming okay again, they were about to head inside when the alarm sounded overhead through the Stable followed by the Overmare’s voice with a severe tone to it a little louder than the warning alarm.

“All security personnel report to the main entrance of the stable fully armed, this is not a drill, I repeat this is not a drill, all security personnel are to assemble at the main entrance and all residents are to return and remain in their quarters whilst the Stable is on lockdown security and are not to leave, only essential personnel are authorised to be in the corridors till such times it is deemed safe, this is the Overmare and my word is absolute right now.”
The voice cut off now and the corridors were now just full of the alarm echoing and the sounds of confused voices and hoof steps hastily heading to wherever was required, this of course put a damper on the lovers plans as chances are Nova would be needed to see to the Overmare now.

Nova of course sighed in exasperation.
“Well that ends our plan, you’ll have to head back to your quarters… sorry”
His voice sounded genuinely apologetic, this had not been the intent of their meet up but whatever was causing the alarm to sound and to make the Overmare of all things act more authoritative than her usual self was a warning sign in itself, Nova knew he had to be there alongside the Overmare assuming she was at the entrance to which would be a fair assumption.

Sketch flicked back her mane when she stepped from him.
“It’s fine, you have an important role and it’s pretty much expected of you, you go and do what you do best I’ll see if Purple Steel is not still in the PipBuck maintenance room and then head on from there to my own quarters, the cake will be okay for a little while longer will it not?”

Nova smiled kissing his marefriend on the cheek, glad of her support.
“I’ll be quick as I can, don’t know what’s going down but if the guards are given authority to use weapons it’s pretty serious so you get yourself locked away safe to just in case. With some luck it’s nothing we can’t deal with… that is to say the guards anyway, me and the Overmare well, were diplomats first and foremost so talking is our only weapon really”
With that he gave her a hug and headed off to the entrance leaving Sketch by herself.

At the entrance of Stable 200:

The large cog shaped doorway was making a squealing metallic noise at it protested from being made to open, the gap opening more little by little as seven of the Stable guards had 10mm pistols aimed at the entrance way and five others armed with hunting rifles, behind the armour barding covered protectors was Overmare Blitz and her PA Nova Sprocket. The door was rarely if never opened except for someponie’s being sent out to gather Intel on the conditions outside and this had to be approved by the Overmare yet some outside force had operated the control panel the opposite side of the cog like door and had begun the opening sequence.

Once the door had finally opened up completely the guards found themselves facing heavily armoured ponies in Power Armour known as the Steel Rangers, if there armour wasn’t daunting enough the battle saddles they wore easily overpowered the Stable’s own paltry weapons but the security ponies stood their ground regardless as they were sworn to protect the Stable and its occupants and this sort of thing counted as a threat to the lives of said occupants. Likewise the Steel Rangers had their weapons trained on the security to.

One of the Steel Rangers stepped forward likewise Overmare Blitz did so to and though the two groups were aiming weapons at one another neither seemed to be firing just yet.
“I am Senior Paladin Grey Shell of the Steel Rangers, am I to assume you are the current Overmare of this Stable?”
He asked with his slightly altered voice courtesy of the Power Armour he wore, his question aimed at Overmare Blitz.

“I am Overmare Butter Blitz, tenth Overmare of this Stable and I demand to know your reasoning for opening the entrance without my authority this instant!”
Her tone was sharp and demanding, it wasn’t as though she was unaware of the fact she could be gunned down anytime but showing fear wouldn’t get her anywhere either so she mentally brokered herself to play the resilient and uncowering Overmare.

The helmet of Senior Paladin Grey Shell hid his expression on his muzzle and the eyes of his but he looked the mare up and down in what seemed in indignant way as though she dare answer back to him let alone demand anything of somepony of his ranking, had it been his way he’d have gunned her down and all those present in the entrance chamber given the fact he and his group were armed more than enough to kill them. However Elder Blueberry Sabre had asked him to at least try and be civil with the Stable unless it came to an impasse in which case they would gun them down.

Overmare Blitz stomped her Yellow hoof against the concrete impatiently.
“I asked what your reasoning for entering this Stable is, do not make me repeat myself so answer me…”

One of the guards nearest to the control panel pushed a button as two panels in the ceiling overhead slid open and two mini gun turrets lowered with a hissing sound as the multi barrelled chambers pointed at the intruders but didn’t fire yet, in turn the Steel Rangers got into their own battle stance now energy weapons making a whirring sound as they charged up ready and safety releases being unlocked on the more conventional weapons, it was a Mexican standoff with a major handicap to Stable side.

“If you don’t answer I’m afraid this will be seen as a hostile effort and we will be forced to make you leave alternately”
The Overmare said sounding braver than she felt, she knew even with these ceiling mounted turrets chances where the Steel Rangers would probably come out of this better than herself and the guards but this was one of their only ace in the holes, previously they would have been used to threaten unarmoured convicts not these Power Armoured wearing soldiers.

Senior Paladin Grey Shell seemed to chuckle, finding it somewhat amusing the foolish mare thought the mini gun turrets would actually do much against their armour but played it cool.
“My, oh my, so quick to assume were a threat when you fail to realise since this precious Stable of yours was sealed away that things have… changed so much, believe me when I say that we’re the closest thing to allies you’ll find in Equestria now. At least compared to the other ponies and… things even we couldn’t even begin to fathom.”

The Overmare tossed back her mane.
“If we are to do anything we will discuss this properly like adult ponies, not brutes wielding guns whilst at an impasse, lower your arms and we will do the same, then we shall discuss this in my office were you will explain your actions Grey Shell and I will not take no for answer”
She said determinedly being certain she’d get the answer one way or another, Nova Sprocket was more than concerned but the Overmare had decided this for herself.

The Steel Ranger nodded at his troops.
“Stand down, seems we’ll have some civility after all”
He said though his voice sounded a little bitter, the troops disengaged there weapons remaining ominously silent and in turn the guards lowered their own weapons.

“Well then if you’d be so kind as to follow me to my office, so we can work out what in the name of Luna you’re doing here”
The guards surrounded the Overmare and the Steel Rangers flanked around Grey Shell as they headed towards the office of Overmare Blitz.

Author's Note

Long overdue chapter, sorry for the wait but inspiration was hit and miss, in any case I hope this chapter is enjoyable to read for everypony. As per the norm critiques are appreciated and I may make edits tot he story at some point if people feel it's to rushed or not detailed enough etc so by all means inform me of such things.