Chapter 11: Storming the Tower
Okay, the Canterlot archives are right over there. Let's move!

It had been a long flight to Thunderhead, almost eight hours in fact, the anticipation of what was to come not helping make the trip feel any shorter. About an hour before arriving in Thunderhead airspace the unconscious soldiers finally woke up. They didn't question that Lily and I, going by Daisy and Daybreak respectively, had fended of the attackers and captured our "zebra prisoner", but did prove a little difficult to convince the officer that we needed to take Specter to Shadowbolt Tower rather than one of the Enclave ground bases for interrogation. Speaking of which, Specter was tied up to where he couldn't move and the rope was tied to a seat in the vertibuck. Honestly I kinda felt bad for making him stay there for the whole flight. Azel stayed on the surface after our ambush and told us that he'd stay in the general vicinity of the rocky area and wait for us. Thankfully, we were arriving in the early morning so we were less likely to encounter any problems with crowds. After waking up, the two pilots took over for Lily and I and they were now repeating the proper clearance codes allowing us to land. Working together between the both of them they were able to compensate for each other's injuries.

The officer had stayed in the back with us and was now informing me of the news. "Looks like we'll be landing soon. Would you like assistance carrying your prisoner to the tower?"

"No, get yourselves checked out by the medics then resume your normal schedule. Don't speak of my partner, the prisoner, or myself to anypony."

"And what am I supposed to tell my superiors when they ask why we reported back before scheduled?"

"The truth, you were attacked and needed to return. Anything beyond that is none of their concern."

"But the captain isn't going to just accept that kind of secrecy, he'll want names and rank and-"

"I don't care who you report to. I assure you that I have more authority than them in this instance. Now I'll say it again, you will not speak of my partner, the prisoner, or myself to anypony under any circumstances. Is that understood?"

"I- yes sir. We'll try to land as close to the tower as we can for you."

"Thank you officer. You're dismissed." The officer walked up to the cockpit probably to repeat my instructions, sourly muttering something about being ordered around on his own "ship" and leaving just Lily and I in the main room.

"Glad he finally left. Was starting to be a little imposing."

"I suppose it's just him trying to remind me that he is in charge of this vertibuck. Anyway, let's focus on getting inside the tower next. Do you know how to get inside?"

"Why would I know? I've hardly gotten anywhere close to there when going to and from class."

"You're the one who lived here remember? Which reminds me, do you think anypony there will recognize you?"

"Uh, I don't think so. I only knew one pony that was going to work in Shadowbolt Tower and she should be in the vault's clinic. Where not going there right?"

"No, we are heading up to the top. Which means that it's most likely going to be tougher and tougher to get us three in there without any legitimate clearance to present." There was muffling behind us as Specter tried to say something despite the makeshift muzzle we had put on him as an afterthought. Oh yeah, Specter was there too. Checking that the door separating us and the cockpit was still closed, I loosened it enough that he could at least mumble.

"Sorry about that. You've been so quiet I forgot you were there."

"Yeah, I noticed. You know, this plan became a lot less appealing as soon as it started."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry about needing to go this far with the charade and all that but it's necessary for this to work. Now what were you trying to say?" I insisted.

"I was saying that not all three of us need to get up there. That tin can of yours has some sort of special clearance in certain terminals right? Maybe that will be enough."

"And if it isn't?"

"I'm sure you can take a few guards. Once we're inside I can get into security and make sure nopony sounds the alarm."

"You sure you can get into there?" Lily asked.

"Of course Lily, all I need is a glimpse at one of 'em and a quick costume change."

"All right, what do I do?"

"Hmm, maybe you can stay outside and see if you can find a vertibuck that we could use to escape in. We'll need to leave as quick as we can."

"So while you two are sneaking around and pulling off this little heist, I'm going look for our get-away vehicle."

"Pretty much, yeah."

She gave an exasperated sigh. "Yeah, okay."

"Then it's a plan. Lily, get the muzzle back on him and get everything ready." I ordered

"Oh son of a-" muffled noises

A few minutes later we were exiting the vertibuck and making our way. Sure enough, the officer had gotten us a spot that was about as close as one could get to the tower, which was impressive considering how few spots there are for vertibucks to begin with. We dismissed the crew and flew off, myself carrying Specter. Lily led me through the city on a path that kept us out of sight for the most part but we did encounter a few citizens. A quick glare was enough to make them loose interest and go about doing... whatever alley dwellers do. Then we reached what was the first major obstacle, besides reaching Thunderhead, the entrance to Shadowbolt Tower.

"Okay, you're here. I'll go look for a vertibuck and wait for an hour. You think you'll be out by then?"

"That should work. You sure that you'll find a vertibuck unguarded for that long?"

"A mare has here ways. Good luck."

"Thanks, you too." Below me Specter muffled something similar as well and then she flew back. "Okay, here we go."

There were two sentries posted at either side of the entrance (which was underwhelmingly small considering the size of the place) standing at attention. When I approached, the one on the right stepped forward and blocked my way.

"I have business inside, step aside."

"Identification."

"Classified, now step aside."

"I can't let you in unless you display some form of authorization."

"I have a dangerous prisoner with valuable information that is to be brought in for interrogation. He was captured in an off-record mission and is to be taken out of sight ASAP. In fact, if I'd had more time on the way here, you two would have been relieved from your post until I was inside. Unless you want to be reported for interrupting a Shadow Class personnel transportation, step aside." He gave me a hard stare, then finally moved out of my way. I went inside, making sure to display my annoyance for the interruption, and untied Specter. "Take one step off the path I tell you to take and you'll lose your dominant foreleg." Convinced that everypony in sight (pretty much just the two guards) had bought it, we walked a short distance until we were out of camera sight and I removed Specter's muzzle.

"Ugh, finally. Next time, you're going to be the one that gets tied up. This whole thing better be worth it."

"Yeah, yeah, missed your unending commentary too. Can you find the security office on your own?"

"No problem. Just worry about getting to your reading assignment. I'll be watching and meet you outside once you're done. Watch for this disguise." He changed into his Red Rocket persona and went off without another word.

"Okay, now to Rainbow's office. Where's some stairs?" I found a flight going up and made my way. Thankfully, there weren't any guards on the actual stairway. I eventually reached the top level, even while flying it took a while and was exhausting, and found a reinforced door with a terminal beside it. "Time to test just how privileged I am."

Input Detected, Checking Authorization
...
User Recognized: Daybreak

The door opened and I walked into a large, lobby-like room with another reinforced door. This one was a bit more extravagant than the security door and had a plaque above it reading Ministry Mare's Office. There was another terminal and I tried my luck again.

Input Detected, Checking Authorization
...
User Recognized: Daybreak
Granting Unscheduled Meeting
...
Please wait to be called

Called? Like in a cue or something? Before I could investigate further the door opened. I couldn't help but feel that this has been too easy so far. I entered and saw a large wooden shelf on the left side and on the right there were miscellaneous pictures, most notably was a poster for an upcoming Wonderbolt show. The wall behind the desk was a large, presumably one-way, window. I went over and accessed the terminal on the desk. Unlike the others, I had to enter a password. I was surprised when I took a shot in the dark that ended up working.

Wonderbolts
...
Password Accepted

Aerial Surveillance
War Records
Enemy Targets
Shadowbolt Operations
Other Military Docs
Ministry Projects
Everyday Stuff

Wow, this is a lot of sensitive information. Why didn't she use a better password?

Ministry Projects
...
Authorization Code Required

Oh, that works.

Error: Authorization Code Insufficient
Access Denied

sigh "Knew it would happen eventually. Maybe there's something in one of the other folders. Might as well check."

Aerial Surveillance
...
Error: Authorization Code Insufficient
Access Denied

War Records
...
Error: Authorization Code Insufficient
Access Denied

Enemy Targets
...
Error: Authorization Code Insufficient
Access Denied

You get the idea. The only folder I did have access to was the one labeled Everyday Stuff. The only item that drew my interest was the one labeled Mail. "Maybe I can at least see what the message I've been chasing says."

Mail
...
Accessing
...
0 Unread Message(s)

Zero? I would've at least expected a few automated messages after the bombs fell. "When was the last one?"

Display Most Recent Message
...
Finding Message
...
Message Found

[Sender] MOA Automated Surveillance
[Subject] Automated Alert Triggered: Daybreak Container Compromised

Immediately I checked the date of the alert. It was the same day as when I found the bunker. "Okay, guess I should have expected something like that for a top secret super powerful prototype. But how could there not be any unread messages?" I checked the last read date. It was the day after. "Wha- what? Who else has accessed Rainbow's computer? Well, whoever it is, better finish up before they come back."

Search Message: Daybreak's Progress
...
Searching
...
1 Message(s) Found

[Sender] Trottingham MOA Factory
[Subject] Daybreak's Progress

Open Message
...
Opening
...
Message Opened:

Esteemed Ministry Mare,

I am proud to report that fabrication of Prototype #1 has neared completion and will be sent to the hidden warehouse on your order. Unfortunately, Prototype #2 is still in early development and might not be fully operational by the time you have found a candidate. I will be sure to inform you of any changes that come up.

Sincerely, Head of Project Wonderbolt

Okay, lots of information there. I assume that the two prototypes are Daybreak and Nightfall, but why was Nightfall delayed? And what's this "Project Wonderbolt" business? "Figures that find this would only bring more questions. There's gotta be something here."

Search Data Project Wonderbolt
...
1 Folder(s) Found

Ministry Projects/Project Wonderbolt

Display Folder Contents
...
Displaying Folder Contents

Contacts Involved
Staff
Facilities

"Finally, now we're getting somewhere." Let's see just how deep this rabbit hole goes.

Contacts Involved
...
Error: Authorization Code Insufficient
Access Denied

Oh come on! I don't have forever to dance around the security.

Warning: Unauthorized Access Detected!
Initiating Internal Lockout

What? I was kidding! "No no no no no! I'm so close, I can't lose it now!" Fine, time for one last trick.

Download Data to External Device
...
Downloading Selected Files

My vision rapidly shifted from the timer on the terminal and the download progress bar in the corner of my HUD.

Terminal Lockout in 5...
4...
3...
2...
1...

The screen went black and my download bar displayed an error halfway through the Facilities document. Immediately I tried to access the terminal again but all I got was Unauthorized Access Detected: Awaiting All Clear. "Damn it, it was within my grasp! Ugh! No use staying here I guess, but where to next? That one message I had tracked apparently came from some MOA facility up in Trottingham. But what about the Shadowbolt Base here in Hoofington?" Around this time it dawned upon me that I might have set off some silent alarm and should get moving. I had just gotten down the stairs when suddenly an alarm paired with a robotic voice sounded over the speakers.

Security breach in the Ministry Mare's Office! Repeat, security breach in the Ministry Mare's Office! Initiate lock-down

Instantly I shut the door and glanced around making sure nopony had seen me. A second later a guard came sprinting around the corner of the hallway. "Guard these stairs, make sure they don't come through here! I'm going to check if there's more than one!" Thankfully, my quick wit and authoritative looking armor worked and he obeyed without question. I sprinted towards the exit, constantly looking to find any sign of Specter's disguise as I went. As I approached the door I noticed that the same guards as before were now keeping everypony inside.

I started to think of a way past them when a new voice, this time an actual pony, said over the PA, "Ignore the previous alarm. There was a little uh... malfunction in the sensor alarms. Repeat, ignore previous alarm. So... as you were or something." As the message ended the guards relaxed and exited the building. I followed them out, exchanging looks as I passed them, and waited for Specter hidden around a corner. Sure enough, a few minutes later out walked Red Rocket. Despite his attempt to look casual, even from this distance I could tell that he was in a hurry. As soon as the guards lost interest and looked away I grabbed his attention.

"Hey! We need to get going, let's go get that vertibird and get out of here!"

"Vertibuck."

"Whatever. Let's move!"

"Hold on, what's going on? Why are we running?"

"Daybreak, listen to me. We don't have long until they find her, maybe a minute or two. We need to leave before security cracks down again." Without another word he dashed off towards the hangar we had arrived from. I was easily able to fly after and catch up to him.

"What do you mean by 'her'? Is Lily OK?"

"Yeah, she's fine. I'm talking about the security supervisor."

"What's going on with the security supervisor and why should we care if she's found?"

"Because she's currently unconscious in the security room and once she comes to she's gonna want my head on a stake."

"What did you do?"

"We'll talk later! For now can we please focus on getting out of here?" Without another word we ran to the hangars. I was able to convince the stationed guards that we were meant to be inside and let us pass without issue. In our (Specter's) haste we nearly ran right past Lily who was waiting for us inside.

"Hey! You're done already?"

"Had to cut it short, we ran into some complications."

Lily started to form what was likely to be a question but was interrupted by Specter saying, "I'll explain later. Did you find us a vertibuck?"

"Yeah, follow me." She led us down to one of the near-bottom levels and gestured to a row of vertibucks. "These are supposed to be in a parade of sorts tomorrow. Take your pick and we can get going."

I went to the closest one and started running through the basic start-up process that had become muscle memory to me. After directing Lily and Specter on how to preform the preflight checks I couldn't perform from inside the cockpit we were off. Almost immediately a voice came through the radio saying, "TH-110115, you are making an unauthorized take-off. Return to your space immediately or you will be boarded." I stared at the radio blankly, not knowing how to respond. "TH-110115, I won't repeat this, return to your space or you will be boarded and detained."

Snapping out of my confusion I responded, "This is Operative Lighthooves. I have seized this vessel for an impromptu transportation of goods. Destination Victorious."

"What goods are transporting? Who authorized this?"

"That information is under level 4 classification. Now turn your heads and act as if this didn't happen." There was a moment of anxious silence as we awaited there response.

"Copy that TH-110115. Be careful out there." The radio went silent, meaning that they were no longer trying to contact us.

"Whew. Why didn't Gust have this kinda security?"

"Does Gust even have a hangar? I don't remember one being there before I moved."

"Well... not one as good as this place. But they did finally add a workshop to the mercantile floor. Made it a lot easier to get some supplies for my projects."

"What kind of projects? Some sort of non-pegasi bullets or something." Specter said in a way that it took a moment to realize it was a joke.

"I mostly modified guns and stuff for hire but I did have a sort of memory orb-like device that could be used by pegasi and earth ponies as well as unicorns."

"I don't know why, but it's still odd to see you as an inventing type."

"It was just a way to pass the time. Never had the time to work on it too much being in the military and all." There was a moment of silence that followed before I added, "So... to address the dragon in the room, what happened in the security office?"

Instantly Specter became somewhat hesitant as he replied, "Oh, that. Well... I uh... I was trying to um... I was about to mess with the video feed of the office hallway but uh... well..."

"Spit it out." commanded a somewhat impatient Lily.

"I... may have accidentally set off the alarm for that area instead."

"You what?! How'd you screw that up?"

"Well it's not that simple! The setup was one of those cloud things. It's not my fault that I've never used one before."

"They don't work any different than a normal terminal. I may not be as computer savvy as Hotshot but even I know that."

"Well the 'activate' option was kinda misleading and when it asked if I wanted to confirm sounding the alarm there I might have pressed the wrong option."

"How could you possibly pick the wrong one? They are always highlighted in red and green to make sure nopony screws that up."

"Well that's just the Celestia-dammed problem!"

"What?" I asked, taking my chance to speak before Lily could criticize him further?

"I'm color-blind okay!"

"You're what?"

"You heard me, I'm color-blind! At least when it comes to telling the difference between red and green."

"Then what do you do if a pony you're turning into has red or green on them?"

"I try to avoid that very situation. If I have to I guess and ask anypony I trust if I got it right. Look can we just move on from this and find Azel."

"Alright, if you insist."

A few seconds later I heard Lily trying to quietly ask, "So, does blood look green to you sometimes or do you see some pla-"

"He literally just promised we'd drop this subject!"

"Now hold on a second. I just promised that you wouldn't hear anything from me up here. I never said anything about her." At my interjection I could hear Lily ruffling through her bags for what I could only guess was something to write with or maybe a medical examination tool of some kind.

Specter protested with something along the lines of, "Oh come on! Hotshot, seriously get her to stop." but the only response he got out of me was a poorly masked chuckle.

Footnote - Level Up!

New Perk! - Hacker - Level 1: Your computer skills have gotten to the point that you can now bypass basic passwords and other security measures with ease.

Skill Note - Speechcraft 40, Hacking 30

Author's Note

And I'm back with another chapter! So much for "getting more done over the summer" huh? Regardless I'd like to honor kkat with the original story and thank each one of you who have been enjoying this tale so far. I'll try to be a bit faster than last time but I can't make any promises at the moment. Have a good one!