As the Agents headed over to the SHD tactical map, Lau sat down and pointed at an area marked with a blue shield.

"Here. Lincoln Tunnel Checkpoint." she said. "This is the major supply line for basically anything from outside. Food, meds, and weapons. But we've got a team of Rioters with explosives trying to break quarantine. The JTF garrison is holding for now, but they're weakening. Thing is, if the Rioters blow the floodgates, the tunnel fills with water, the line's cut, and countless more people die. We know that Benitez is there, in the thick of it. Secure the Tunnel and recover Benitez. Get moving."

"Roger that." Nick said. "Team, let's go."

"One sec." Lau said. "We've managed to get a cache of SHD Tech dropped in."

She motioned to a brown crate emblazoned with the SHD logo.

"We've got everything from Pulse modules to Ballistic Shields." Lau said. "Take your pick."

The Agents claimed their respective Skills, and headed back into the Main area. To their surprise, it seemed much more hygenic and presentable. The ponies, as Nick and his team could see, were helping the civilians, cleaning up the base, or, in the case of Pinkie Pie, entertaining the children there.

"Should we get them?" Kyle asked.

"No, this one's on us." Nick said. "Let's get moving."

====

Twilight noticed something odd when she saw Lau speaking over the radio, and there was no sign of Nick or his team. She walked over to Lau's desk, and started to listen in.

"Captain Benitez, this is Faye Lau. We are Division Agents, and my team has eliminated the perimeter threat. I'm patching you into our comms, to direct support to where we're needed."

"That's good news!" said a rough, experienced voice. "But we still have plenty of bad! Some of those bastards made it through, and they're planting explosives on the Floodgates. They want out come hell or high water. Those bombs go off, you know which one we're getting!"

"Agents, get to it!" Lau said, sitting down. "Yes, Twilight?"

"Where's Nick and his team?" she asked.

"Lincoln Tunnel." Lau said. "They left about 35 minutes ago."

"And you didn't tell us?" Twilight asked.

"You were clearly occupied, and Lincoln Tunnel is currently under siege by rioters." Lau said. "It's too dangerous."

"You said we would have to help." Twilight said, slightly angry. "And yet you leave us here?"

"It was Agent Sykes's decision, not mine." Lau retorted. "Listen. I know where you come, it's goddamn near paradise. However, this isn't Equestria. This is not where you come from. I do NOT want you dead, for any reason. I especially don't want to send you home in body bags because you wanted in on a mission. So don't think I'm keeping you here for shits and a few laughs. I'm keeping you here because I was ordered to. So, what say you?"

Twilight flinched. Lau sighed.

"Sorry. Probably shouldn't have yelled."

"It's alright." Twilight said. "But, I respectfully ask permission that we be able to accompany Nick and his team, wherever they go. We're not soldiers, but we can defend ourselves. Do you trust us, Miss Lau?'

Lau smiled.

"You're pretty goddamn brave, Twilight." she said. "Permission granted. Anyway, there's something I need to talk to you about."

Twilight sat down, and Lau crossed her arms.

"We have a problem on our hands, and I think you might be able to help." Lau said. "As you know, the Virus spread quickly, and here's the thing. There's large areas in the city where viral contamination has made them inaccessible. We know from what you told us that your magic can do, well, some neat stuff. Can it scrub those areas clean of the virus?"

"Maybe." Twilight said. "We have Cleansing spells, used to disinfect wounds for first aid. However, those aren't as strong as what you need. I'll need time to develop a stronger spell like that. But, I'll do it as best I can, and possibly I can make it usable by humans."

"Thanks." Lau said. "Let's check on the Agents, shall we?"

She turned on the radio, and asked "Agents, you okay?"

"Yep!" Nick replied. "We've cleared the tunnel and eliminated the Rioter leader. Benitez is en route."

"Roger that." Lau said. "Let's give our guest a warm welcome."

====

About ten minutes later, Roy Benitez arrived with the agents and a squad of JTF.

"Hey, look who it is." he said. "I've heard on the radio about you."

He pulled out a cup of coffee, and sighed. The Ponies watched with interested as he drunk deeply.

"I passed by what's left of Kerman's." he said. "Alright, back to business. I don't have enough people to secure a block, much less maintain order and safety. So we have large hostile elements controlling most of the neighborhoods."

Lau pointed to quite a few colored markers.

"Rikers, Cleaners, street gangs." She said.

"And these bastards are running out of control, taking whatever they want, and killing whoever they want, because we got nobody to stop them."

"We need to take them out strategically." Lau said. "And we'll get this city back, whatever it takes."

"Right." Benitez said. "Hey, I knew some of your people in the first wave. Any chance we'll get backup anytime soon?"

"For now, we're it." Lau said. "And trust us, Captain, we'll make it through."

"And don't count us out!" Twilight added. Benitez nodded with a smile.

"You know, I'm feeling optimistic for the first time in a long while." he said. "Let's get to work, everybody. We've got a long way to go."

====

Twilight and the others decided to get some rest, as the sun was setting. Lau had set up their quarters next to the Agents', and though it wasn't much, it was at least what they could get.

"Wow, what a day." Rainbow said, collapsing. "I am so freaking exhausted."

"We did move crates the whole day." Applejack said. "Just like farm work to me."

"Let's just get some sleep." Twilight said. "We'll need it."

As the ponies and the Agents drifted off, a third drone hovered near the windows. It snapped a few pictures, then it flew away.

Author's Note

Another Update!