As the ponies headed back to the Civilian area, Lau motioned the four Agents to the table.

"We've got a distress signal coming from the Subway Morgue." Lau said. "CERA was using the unfinished Passway project as a combined mass burial site and power station. Problem is, we sent a JTF team to man the site, led by Paul Rhodes, a former combat engineer we need."

Lau groaned before continuing.

"Our main problem is that the Cleaners are already there, en force." she continued. "They've dispatched teams to torch the site. We lose those Generators, we lose all practical methods of powering the base. Recover Rhodes, get the power online, and deal with the Cleaners."

"Roger that." Nick said. "Let's go, Agents."

"One more thing." Lau said. She tossed each agent a Viral Protection Mask.

"You'll need these." she said. "Get to it."

====

After retrieving the ponies from their posts, the Agents handed them their masks and body armor.

"I still don't know why this armor is so...drab." Rarity complained.

"That "drab" armor will save your life if you get hit." Kyle replied, cocking his MAG50. "Trust me. Now cut the chatter, and let's go."

The ponies followed the agents out into the streets outside the Base. Twilight could see the JTF seemed a little more prepared, judging by the roadblocks and guard positions on either side.

"Nick?" she asked.

"Where exactly are we heading?" she asked.

"Subway Morgue." Nick replied. "CERA used an unfinished subway project as a mass grave and power station. Problem is, Cleaners are already there. They destroy those Generators, we lose power to the base."

"Cleaners?" Rainbow asked. "Who are those guys?"

"From what we know…" Logan said, accessing the SHD Database through his watch. "...they're former sanitation and service workers, banded together on an oath to burn out the Green Poison, under any means necessary. They're all apparently armed with homemade flamethrowers or incendiary devices. They're organized and motivated, unlike the Rioters. So...let's just say they're more than dangerous."

"Hmm." Twilight said, murmuring with thought. "Then why are they going after a power station?"

"Because of the bodies." Harper said. "They burn anything and anyone that has or shows viral contagion. Bodies tend to fall in that category. I heard that before the all the gas in Manhattan ran out during the First Wave, they'd roam around on garbage trucks while patrolling."

Twilight and the others nodded. After a thirty minute walk, they arrived at the Morgue. The gate to the site had been forced open, and tanks of fuel lay scattered about. Logan activated a Recon Pulse, and the red shapes of around fifteen Cleaners were revealed.

"I'm seeing some riflemen, a couple of Grenadiers and Rushers, and a Engineer." Logan counted. "What's the plan?"

"We can't take them on all at once." Nick said. "That Engineer could be a problem. We don't know what he's equipped with, so take him out first. Then, focus the others."

"Roger that." Harper and the others said. The ponies took up positions behind Nick, who loaded his P416.

"Go!" he whispered over the radio. Logan lined up his scope with the Engineer's head, and fired. The Engineer fell, and the Cleaners immediately broke off to search for the sniper.

"Open fire!" Nick yelled as he bursted down a Rusher bearing an Axe and Riot Shield before he could react. The other Cleaners immediately opened fire, a few advancing and priming their Flamethrowers.

"Heads up, burning!" one cried as he started to hurl a stream of Napalm-B towards Nick, who took cover and hurled a turret. The Turret distracted the Cleaner long enough for Nick to slide into another piece of cover and kill the hostile. By this time, the other Cleaners had opened fire on Logan and Kyle, who were suppressed.

"Seeker out!" Logan yelled, hurling the small explosive. The seeker rolled towards a Grenadier, and detonated. The explosion would have been enough to kill the Cleaner alone, except it also detonated a nearby fuel drum.

The blazing explosion illuminated Twilight's fearful eyes, and she took cover, shaking with fright.

"Twi!" Rainbow cried out, dodging bullets to fly to her friend. "You alright?"

Twilight gave a murmur of fear as she shook violently. Rainbow huffed and smacked Twilight across the cheek, and she recoiled.

"Twi, focus!" Rainbow yelled. "You can't freeze up now! We've got this!"

Rainbow grabbed Twilight's shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"So stop shaking and get moving!" Rainbow yelled. Twilight took a deep breath and tried to focus her mind.

"Rainbow!" Nick yelled as he killed a Rusher. "Draw their fire at 10 o'Clock high!'

"Right!" Rainbow yelled as she flew into the air and blew a raspberry at the Cleaners, followed by a few rude gestures. A few recoiled, the rest opened fire. Nick seized his chance and opened fire himself, striking one Cleaner's fuel tank enough times to ignite the Napalm-B inside.

The detonation sent a few others sprawling, and the unfortunate Cleaner was killed. Nick moved up as Logan shot a Grenadier's pouch, scorching him through and through. Harper and Kyle shot the remaining hostiles, and as the agents moved up, ISAC spoke.

"NO HOSTILES DETECTED. AREA CLEAR TO ADVANCE."

"Roger that." Nick said as they descended into the main construction area, a few meters below ground. "Keep your eyes up."

Twilight sighed and looked at Rainbow, who seemed very confident in her drawing the Cleaners away from Nick, judging by her smirk.

"...I wish I was as brave as you, Rainbow." Twilight murmured. "I really do."

Author's Note

Yeah, Twilight's having some coping troubles.

Nex time-The Ponies and the Agents rescue Paul Rhodes, and the LMB makes their deision regarding the pones. Also, we see what's happening on the Equestrian side of things...