As the airship sailed into the sky, there was a tense atmosphere on board. While the Operators checked their gear, Shining escorted Sunset, Ash, Doc, and Thermite into the crew bay and closed the door. As they all sat down, Shining sighed.

"This "Apex"..." Shining said. "What exactly is it? How do we stop it?"

"That's the thing, we're not sure yet." Ash said. "Our only outbreak in New Mexico was stopped and the source was destroyed, but we're still researching it. It is extraterrestrial, but we don't know where it comes from."

"How'd you kill it?" Shining replied.

"We barbecued it." Thermite said, hefting a NanoThermite charge onto a table. "These nano-incendiary charges burned the parasite's source inside and out. The other problem was the Roaches."

"Roaches?" Shining asked.

"The residents of the town." Ash replied. "All but one were thoroughly infected and basically became zombies, controlled by the parasite. We've identified multiple forms they can take using a human host, but we don't know what it can do here."

"Great." Shining groaned. "So it can adapt, and it's intelligent?"

"To a point." Doc said. "The Apex isn't an organism, but each cell is a living being, working as a team. They feature a precise immune system and a replication process that transforms biomass upon interaction. Simply put, even the briefest of contact with skin can infect you."

"How do you kill the forms, then?" Shining replied.

"We shot them." Thermite replied simply. Ash shot him a dirty look before speaking.

"You'll need to know what you're up against." she said. The forms we've identified are as follows. Grunts are infected who haven't fully developed yet. They're dangerous in groups, but they can still spread the Parasite on their own. Also, they're easy to kill when unaware, but when they notice you, they sprout armor"

Shining scribbled notes down before nodding.

"Breachers have spines loaded with an acidic substance that can eat through nearly anything. Rooters burrow below you and trap you in place with spikes. They're also particularly quick. Breachers are big, slow, and stupid, but they're strong enough to bash through concrete like butter. They're vulnerable from behind. And the Apex forms are the top of the chain. They can direct and fortify other forms, and they can fire projectiles loaded with the parasite than can blind the target. They're exceedingly dangerous and they lead from the rear." Ash said.

"Good to know." Shining said. "We're almost there."

"Roger that." Thermite said, loading the charges with their fiery payloads. "Let's go."

The four of them exited the cabin to find each Operator ready and waiting.

"You know the drill." Thermite said. "We can't have another Truth or Consequences, folks. Let's do our job."

The Operators nodded and headed for the departure ramp. As they approached Our Town, which was surrounded by a magical shield, Ash saw several ponies waiting for them, some armed with spears.

====

Two Hours earlier

As Twilight and her friends exited the train, they found Our Town had been shielded off, and multiple Solar and Lunar guard teams were performing their duties.

"This way." Celestia said. As they followed, Twilight could see the three survivors receiving medical treatment. One was Sugar Belle, and the others Twilight didn't recognize. There was a unicorn with a green coat, and a pegasus with a dusty brown coat. Celestia shepherded them into the lab, where a single pony in a lab coat was analyzing samples. Though he seemed to be advanced in years, he was buzzing about like a hyperactive worker bee.

"Clean Slate." Celestia said to Twilight. "He's an award winning biologist, and he specializes in parasitic life."

"Indeed." said the gray-coated Unicorn. "And frankly, your Highness, I've never seen anything like this. The Parasite spreads in a way I can't understand. Any biological matter that touches it instantly becomes infected."

"Can't you remove it?" Applejack asked.

"Unfortunately, no." Slate replied. "Whenever I try to extract a sample, it forms chitin around itself. Chitin that is so hard, my magic-enhanced steel could barely cut it enough to retrieve a sample."

He motioned to a double-reinforced test tube where a small segment of skin was covered in Apex material.

"Whatever it is, Princess." he sighed. "It's intelligent enough to know what constitutes a threat, and since we only have three survivors, I can't do more since they're uninfected. And to infect them would break quarantine and my standards."

"I know. We'll get you live samples as soon as we get in there." Twilight said. "We'll leave now."

"No, you won't." Celestia said. "Twilight, you and your friends are not going in there. What would happen if you get infected? Or hurt? Or killed?" she said as Twilight prepared to protest.

Twilight and her friends froze as they realized what Celestia said was true.

"...Right." Twilight sighed. "Has anypony else gone in?"

"One team attempted to locate the source." Celestia said. "None came back."

Twilight was about to reply, when a Solar Guard poked his head in.

"Princess, there's a Crystal Airship approaching."

"I thought you told Shining and Cadance to stay at the Empire." Twilight said.

"...I did." Celestia replied, heading out. "What is Shining Armor doing, coming here?"

As they headed outside, they were greeted by the airship setting itself down in the courtyard. First came Shining Armor, to Celestia's annoyance.

Next, to Twilight's surprise, was Sunset Shimmer.

Finally, to everypony's surprise and shock, came Ash and the Operators. Ash walked forward, flanked by Doc and Thermite.

"Who's in charge here?" she asked. Celestia walked forward with a raised eyebrow.

"I am." She said.

"Wrong." Ash said. "I'm in charge here now. I'm Eliza Cohen, my callsign is Ash. I'm with Rainbow Six. The others behind me are my Operators. And with all due respect, if you don't let us help, you're all fucked as a species."

Celestia flinched, but quickly regained her composure as she glared at Ash.

"Why is that?" She asked.

Because we know how to stop this." Ash replied. "And if we all act quickly, we can stop this outbreak together...before it gets worse."

Celestia sighed as she looked at the human with mistrust, but eventually she caved.

"Fine." she said. "However, my Guards will work with your Operators under my supervision."

"Alright." Ash replied. "We'll need all the info you got, and then we'll pool our knowledge and figure out a plan."

Celestia and the Elements escorted the Operators to the command center, and they all sat down.

"Alright, Miss Ash…" Celestia said. "Let's talk."

Author's Note

Update!