Though she was still recovering from the electrical shock she received, Mam was given an even bigger shock once she became more cognizant.

A lie detector test was given to her (not at the request of the ranger corp, but by Plenn’s father and the Emperor). The conditions were hardly appropriate, as the pony was subjected to four hours of interrogating questions, and was denied nourishment during this time.

The recording machines (she had been hooked up to three of them), all confirmed the truth of what she recalled. However, once the information was passed along to Plenn’s father and the Emperor, Mam’s supervisor spoke to her via holo-cam, and delivered further devastating news.

As this was seen as further “inconvenience” to the deal in place, the figures in power were both demanding that Mam be terminated from the Ranger Corp.

Needless to say, Mam was upset upon hearing this and demanded to speak with the two immediately, but was informed that anything she said would fall on deaf ears.

A number of lawyers the corp had on hand were called together immediately, as the Emperor himself had threatened to declare full takeover of the Ranger Corp given what was happening.

This had all been taking place while Mam was recovering and being questioned, and finally, a compromise was made.

A large swath of rangers had been forced to cancel or abandon current assignments, and begin a search for the missing prince. The corp’s lawyers had requested a period of seven days to find him, but the Emperor and Plenn’s father wanted him found in two. In the end, the two sides compromised to four days.

If in the event that his highness could not be found at this time, the Emperor would be given a 60% stake control over the corp, and decide what would be the next steps to take.

Also as part of the deal, both of the royal parties had conceded to the supervisor’s request that Mam Marella not be terminated, and thus, it was agreed (without Mam’s consent) that she be suspended without pay for three weeks, and her ship impounded. A consolation was that she would be allowed to keep the current uniform she was wearing, as the corp had no civilian clothing that could properly fit her unique figure.

“I’m sorry it had to come to this,” her supervisor said, as she sat in front of the holo-cam, breathing heavily.

“…you need me,” said Mam. “You know you do, this is complete-“

“I know, I know. But I can’t override the word of the Emperor. Please, just try to take care of yourself Mam, and we’ll see you back here in a few weeks.”

Shortly afterwards, Mam found herself with a miniature hardpack on her back (having taken some things out of her ship), and crowded onto a transit-cruiser that was to take her back to her home planet.

The ship was already crowded with all sorts of creatures. The sound of several crying infants could be heard, let alone the occasional cough or sniffle that made Mam wonder if her inoculations would hold up.

Due to her over-voluptuousness, she had been squeezed into a corner of the cruiser, her back against the curved glass of one side. There had already been a few “sleemos” that had pretended to stumble and rub against her chest. While she imagined just pitching forward and smothering a few of them to their deaths, she struggled to behave herself, given the current hand she’d been dealt.

As she looked at the stars outside the window, she found her thoughts turning back to Plenn, and what he might be going through. Was he being tortured somewhere? Maybe held for ransom, and his father had perhaps been given an ultimatum?

As her eyes focused on her reflection, some light caused an area of her neck to glimmer. She wondered why this was for a split-second, and suddenly remembered that she was still wearing the choker Plenn had bought her a few days before. As her hand rubbed the item around her neck, she began to picture his golden eyes looking back at her, smiling as he informed her that it was hers.

“We are approaching spaceport SA-2001-HM,” came a voice over the intercom. “All departing passengers, please be sure to collect baggage, and proceed in an orderly fashion out the nearest exit once doors have opened.”

As the cruiser entered into the atmosphere, a thought sparked deep within Mam Marella’s brain. By the time the ship had landed, she was making her way through the mass of creatures, to a holo-cam booth.

Inserting her ranger corp Ident into a slot, a voice glitched to life.

“Greetings Mam Areola,” it said, translating her name incorrectly. “Welcome to-“

“I need to place a direct message to Ynez Glimundjaj.”

A few hours and a hovercab trip later, Mam found herself in a dingy hallway, knocking out a musical pattern on the metal door of pod 237.

“I recognize that familiar tune,” came a voice drawing near the door. “I have not heard it in many a moon!”

Moments later, the metal door opened wide, and Mam found herself looking at an older zebra, wearing a yellow pair of shorts and a matching tank top. Her hair was frizzed out in colors of silver and brown, and a huge smile was on her face.

“Ynez,” smiled Mam, as she felt her lip begin to tremble.

“Well bless my Grammy, it’s my sweet little Mammy!” said Ynez, opening her arms for a hug.

What she got in return was Mam almost smothering her, as the ranger (who towered over her by about 6 inches) embraced the older zebra and then began to sob aloud.

“You must have had an emotional ride,” said Ynez, struggling to breath. “Now now dear, come on inside.”

The one room dwelling was already fairly cramped, and Mam’s added size seemed to make it seem even smaller. Ynez did not seem to mind, placing the ranger in a chair, and giving her a mug of some strange concoction.

“Something does trouble you, my dear,” said the zebra, “tell me what, I’m ready to hear.”

And so, Mam recounted what had happened. From picking up the prince, to the chase and crash, even some of the undercover work on H4-RMO (without divulging certain “private bits”). When she finally got to showing up on Ynez’s doorstep, the zebra put down her cup, and nodded.

“You’ve had yourself quite a trek,” she said to the ranger, “no wonder you seem such a nervous wreck.”

“And that’s why I’m here,” said Mam. “You and my Guardian were such good friends, and I know after you were forced into retirement, you got involved with some…’associates’ in the underworld.”

“Oh yes, my poor shattered knee,” said Ynez, rubbing her left leg that was crafted from scrap parts, “But what is it you want from me?”

“I need you to help me find Prince Plenn Te.”

“But you said yourself the corp was looking-“

“There’s no way they’ll find him in under four days,” interrupted Mam. “And who knows what could be happening to him right now.”

“The way you speak, I swear you glow,” noted Ynez. “Perhaps you harbor-“

“NO!!” yelled Mam, before suddenly blushing and composing herself. “No, it’s…he’s different, and, he’s not like other Elites I’ve met.”

Ynez took a sip from her cup, hiding the smile that spread across her lips.

“I don’t want somepony like that hurt,” continued Mam. “They don’t come along everyday.”

It was then that Ynez set down her cup, leaned back in her chair, and folded her hands together.

“And so you wish my help to complete your task, seems what you are here to beg and ask,” nodded Ynez.

“I don’t have much,” said Mam, removing her choker, “but I’m willing to give you this to help pay for help.”

“Oh my stars, oh good and plenty,” said Ynez, her eyes going wide, “that must have cost a pretty penny.”

“I know, and I’m sure it can-“

“You can put it away, no more words to mince,” said Ynez. “You’ll want to wear it when you find your prince.”

“Y-you mean-“

“My little Mammy, I have not seen you in oh-so-long. Your will is shaken, but still so strong. Within your voice I hear a tinge, ruffling like a winded fringe. My friend loved you dearly, through and through, and now, I will help, here’s what we’ll do.”

*****
Oonomrah’s Haven
Location: Planet AI-2001
Time: 22 hours since Prince Plenn Te’s abduction
*****

Kjwaac-tiu sidled his way through the hazy atmosphere of the establishment. Around him, all manner of ponies were clothed and unclothed, some lounging about, others were trying to ignore the wandering eye of the maroon-colored stallion, who was far from handsome. His mane was turning silver and falling out, and his pudgy physique showed he was at least a hundred pounds beyond a six-pack.

As his gut bounced about, the Madame of the facility strutted over to him.

“Tiu,” she nodded, “haven’t seen you around for quite some time. I take it that ‘big score’ of yours worked out well?”

“Come closer,” he smiled, beckoning the elder pony to his wrist-display.

Moments later, he was showing her a ‘substantial number.’

“All that, from the assignment?” gulped the Madame. “A stallion such as yourself might look into paying off some outstanding debts with that.”

“I’d prefer to use it for some of your more, exclusive toys,” smiled Kjwaac, licking his scarred lips. “You know what I like.”

“Oh yes, I most surely do,” sighed the Madame. “Speaking of exclusives, I just recently hired a sweet young thing a week ago. Word is she blew through her family’s inheritance on some personal attributes, and was disowned. Though given what I valued her attributes at, none of my regulars have been willing to splurge.”

“And what does this new toy look like?” asked Kjwaac.

The Madame pulled out a holo-screen, and moments later, the stallion was salivating like a Saleenoid.

“I can see where the credits all went to,” he chuckled grossly, “I’ll take me summa that.”

Once payment had been finalized, the slovenly stallion was escorted into a room adorned with gold and incense, wearing nothing but a sarong that was barely hiding his excited (if mid-sized) erection.

Before him was a small stage with glittery curtains that shuddered ever-so-slightly.

“Come on out…Wrymune,” commanded Kjwaac.

And slowly, a pair of golden nipple covers burst through the curtains, followed by two massive white breasts, that were revealed to be attached to a statuesque unicorn, with shimmering, curly violet hair. When she saw who her audience was, she gulped,and blushed slightly.

“H-hello,” she said, averting her green eyes like a scared little puppy. “I-I-I guess I’m yours, for the evening?”

“In a manner of speaking,” smiled Kjwaac. “Turn around, I want to see you from the back.”

As she turned around, he scoffed.

“Wearing bottom coverings?”

“Y-yes. Madame says I need to protect my…modesty.”

“From who? Me?” he chuckled. “And what’s with this whole s-s-scared routine? You got a cold or something? I imagine those nipples of yours are pretty hard under there.”

“I’m just…this is my first time,” she said. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Aww, a big baby birdie like you?” he asked, getting up from his seat and coming up to the stage. “Come on down from there, and let me give you a nice warm hug.”

“I, I can’t,” she said. “Madame says I’m not allowed to leave the stage.”

“Okay,” said Kjwaac, hoisting his rump on the edge. “Then how about you sit here next to me? We can…talk.”

The timid pony carefully lowered herself on her knees before she accidentally slipped and her bottom hit the stage, her huge breasts shuddering.

“I’m still getting used to these,” she blushed. “My friends said the stallion I liked…liked em’ big.”

“Oh there’s a lot of stallions who like em big,” smiled Kjwaac. “Say, how about a drink?”

“Madame says we aren’t allowed to drink on the job.”

“Oh Celestia, you need to stop letting Madame dictate what you do in here,” he said. “Let me order some-durnit, my holo-comm can’t reach the front bar.”

“The reception in this room is, spotty.”

“Well in that case, I’ll be right back. You just sit there like a good little pony.”

20 minutes and several mixed drinks later, Kjwaac was laughing and stroking Wrymune’s arm.

“I’m tellin’ ya,” he said, the stench of alcohol wafting out of his mouth, “this latest assignment, was a windfall, but you were worth, every credit!”

“I-I was?” she gulped.

“Sure were. It’s not everday that somepony kidnaps a prince.”

“A…a prince?”

“Yeah, some spoiled rich brat with a golden cock. Maybe his Daddy paid for it at the same place you got these tig ol’ bitties,” he chuckled, slapping her breast and making it wobble.

“So, um, h-how did you kidnap a-“

“WHO TOLDJA I KIDNAPPED A PRINCE!?” he roared, drunkenly, raising a bottle over his head.

“I’M-SORRY-I’M-SORRY!!” she cried out, trying to curl into a ball, shuddering.

Seeing her like this, Kjwaac’s anger softened.

“Aw gee I’m sorry, baby,” he said.

And with that, Wrymune slowly sat upright, a hint of tears in her big green eyes.

“I…I was just curious was all,” she said. “I thought…m-maybe, you might wanna, talk to me, about it.”

The maroon stallion just stared at her for a few seconds before bursting out laughing, gulping down his latest drink and laying back on the stage floor.

“What do I got to lose?” he smiled. “It’s not like you’re gonna tell anyone…are ya?”

“Uh-uh,” she said timidly, shaking her curly purple mane. “I can’t afford to lose this job.”

“Thought so,” he said, taking another drink. “So thing is, me and a few friends of mine, we like to keep our ears to the lev-track, to hear about possible ways to make us some credits. Well one day, my pal Ulvqan tells me and Eonaih, he hears of a real big offer. Word is, there’s somepony who has heard about this prince going off to impregnate the Emperor’s daughter? Well, whomever it is, this individual wants the kid intercepted and brought to some special location. Now Ulvqan and Eonaih, they think it’s gonna be a real hassle, but I sez, ’come on, it’d be so easy!’”

“How would it be, ‘so easy?’” asked Wrymune.

“Because of the tech I have. Y’see tits, I’ve been working and trafficking in tech since I was a kid. I once programmed a system to get me through a few grades of holo-classes. The system talked like me, sent images that looked like me, and passed all my tests with flying colors! All I had to do was program that kinda stuff into some techno-bots and a couple of ships, and we were homefree. Only problem was, that stupid ranger golden boy had.”

“A ranger?”

“Yeah, a little smaller than you, but was she a pain to take care of. Fortunately, the corp wanted a rush job on repairing that hunk of junk she had. Well, I got hired on and left a little surprise. BZZZZTTTT, and those two were out like a light!”

“Wow, so clever,” smiled Wrymune. “And clever stallions like you deserve a little…sugar.”

“S-say what?” asked Kjwaac.

By this time, Wrymune had siddled up and over him, her massive breasts nearly filling his field of vision.

“Oh Momma,” he breathed, “I could die a happy stallion buried under these tata’s.”

“Well you just might get your wish,” giggled the big beauty, “but I have one more question for you.”

“And what’s that?”

“Where did you take the prince?”

“Oh I didn’t take him, Ulvqan took care of that.”

“And where might I find Ulvqan?” she asked, lowering her bosom closer to his upper-body.

“I thought you had just one more question.”

“It seems there’s more to your story…and I want to know.”

At this remark, the stallion just laughed.

“You don’t need to know that,” he smiled. “What would a big-titted doll like you want with Ulvqan-“

That was when the huge pony lunged forward, burying the stallion under her breasts, before pulling back.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about!” he laughed.

“Where is Ulvqan?“ she asked, her voice growing louder.

“Is this some kind of game, because-“

His sentence was interrupted by her burying him under her cleavage again, pressing down harder to the point that he began to struggle!

“Wh-what do you think you’re doing!?” he cried out, as she pulled back. “You trying to kill me you crazy-“

As he said this, Wrymune twisted a bracelet on her left wrist, and suddenly, a small pistol flew out from under a pillow, pulled by the magnet in the bracelet. Her free hand grabbed the pistol as it flew close, and aimed it at the shocked stallion!

“You actually thought I was smaller?” she smirked.

“W-who are you? What do you want?” he asked, as he tried to fiddle with his holo-comm.

“I told you connection was spotty,” she said, as he drunkenly backed into a corner. “Now, this is going to be the last time I play nice, so tell me: ‘where is Ulvqan?’”

*****
Inter-Galactic Portage
Location: Planet SE-1972
Time: 33 hours since Prince Plenn Te’s abduction
*****

It was another “one of those days” for Ulvqan.

Being the planetary manager for IGP on SE-1972 has seemed like a good career choice six years ago, but he had grown to regret it after just two years.

The company had turned the planet into a secondary transit hub around that time, and his workload had tripled, while his pay grade had remained relatively stable.

Since then, the teal stallion had developed a bit of a pudge, and his yellow/black hair had thinned considerably from the stress. A pair of glasses allowed him to scan the dozen or so screens in his office as he tried to keep up with a number of items passing through the facility. In truth, he needed at least three assistants, but his requests to the head office had been denied, with his boss claiming there were “no free rides.”

Suddenly, the light atop his central holo-screen began to blink.

“What is it?” he asked, taking the call.

“Boss?” said a young stallion timidly into the screen. “We need your help up here at the customer desk.”

“Yeardley,” sighed Ulvqan, “I’m very busy right now. Customers are your-“

“I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE HEAD OF THIS PLACE IMMEDIATELY!!!” came a loud screeching voice from off-holo-cam, before some items flew across the screen.

“Who is that?” asked Ulvqan.

“The problem, sir. She’s here with her servant, and claims she isn’t going to leave until-“

“Hey pay-jockey, you talking to your boss?” came the voice again. “You better be because I’m wasting valuable spa-time because of you all! What morons!!”

“…I’ll be there in a few minutes,” sighed Ulvqan.

After navigating the series of hallways and lifts, Ulvqan straightened his tie, and opened the door to the customer area.

Though there were 24 windows, only one was open, with a long line forming right behind a whirling dervish of what seemed to be a very big pony.

A nearby security camera feed showed that she was wearing a very flimsy orange bikini over her expansive physique, and a sunhat that was so large, it seemed to cover up most of her body when angled into the camera. Next to the flailing figure stood an older zebra in a suit, who seemed to be looking around nervously.

“WHERE IS HE!?” cried out the large pony. “You said he’d be here in a few minutes, and it’s way past a few minutes!”

“I promise you he’ll be here soon,” groveled Yeardley.

“‘I-promise, I-promise,’” said the pony, mimicking his voice, “well you can take your promises and shove em right up your fat-“

“Excuse me,” called out Ulvqan, walking towards the counter, “I understand you wanted to speak to me?”

From behind the pony there were murmurs of “finally” and “thank Celestia” as Ulvqan stepped through a mess of thrown items that littered the floor behind the counter. Stopping next to Yeardley (who backed away a good seven feet), he tried hard not to stare at the pony’s chest, that looked like her orange top was struggling to keep its contents aloft.

“Yeah,” she replied, her green eyes narrowed at him as she shook her silvery mane, “I do want to talk to you, but not in front of these nitwits. I assume someone who dresses like you do has an office?”

“Yes, I do,” he said.

“Ms Coquette is quite upset,” said her servant. “Your office will be best, I bet.”

“I’m sorry, Ms-“

“Stand aside, Zemiizah,” called out the pony, nearly knocking the poor zebra to the ground as she pressed her chest against the counter. “Now look. My birthday was three days ago. My fiance works very hard, and decided to use your ‘service’ to get me what I desired the most. So I’m having my birthday with my gals, and guess what? I get my gifts from everypony, but not my Tete! Then I’m told it will be delayed by a day. So I wait. Then another days go by. And at that point, I’m suspecting that you all have lost it, the most important gift a girl like me could ever get! I want to know where it is, and I want to know, NOW!!!”

There was a moment of silence, where the only thing one could hear in the cavernous room, was the swooping of the overhead fans.

Finally, Ulvqan cleared his throat.

“Let me, show you to my office,” he murmured. “If you’ll follow me, Miss..”

Ariatté Coquette,” replied the white pony.

It wasn’t long before Ulvqan was seated behind his desk, with Araittè seated on a cold metal chair, one leg crossed and waggling about anxiously, with Zemiizah standing next to her.

“So,” said the stallion, tapping his fingers on the desk. “What exactly did your fiance send you?”

“Zemiizah?” huffed Ariatté.

The zebra walked over and handed Ulvqan a tiny code-drive.

“All the info is on here,” she said. “Once it loads, all will be clear.”

Ulvqan watched as the servant resumed her place next to her master, before scanning the drive into the system.

There was the sound of whirring, before there were three clicks, and suddenly, everything in the room went black!

“Now what is this!?” cried out Ariatté.

“Something must have tripped a breaker,” said Ulvqan as the sound of hooves was heard. “I better g-“

There was the sound of a scuffle and grunting, and the wheels of a chair moving around, before the sound of binding was heard.

A minute later, the lights had come back on, and Ariatté was walking around the desk, where Zemiizah had bound the nervous-looking stallion to a chair. His mouth had also been covered.

The big pony smiled and nodded to her servant who ripped off the mouth covering.

“UGH-HELP-HELP-SOMEBODY!!!” he cried out.

“Nopony can hear you,” smirked Ariatté. “You’re a manager. You don’t want any distractions, which is why your office is waaaayyyy down here. I bet you haven’t even been up at that customer station since you were given a tour of this place.”

“The system,” he stammered. “The cameras! They’ve seen what happened. They’re recording you. Right now-“

“They are!?” cried out the white pony. “They can see lil’ ol’ me!?”

And with a flourish, she whipped off the massive sunhat, and looked at the four cameras looming down on them, from high up above.

“Hi everypony!” she called out, waving to the cameras, and doing a twirl that almost threw her off balance as her breasts kept going as her body came to a stop.

“Yeah-yeah-yeah,” smiled the stallion. “Give em’ a nice clear look at your face. I don’t care how rich your Daddy is, IGP is going to fine you both for this. Maybe you’ll do jail time. Bet there’s plenty of ponies that would love to take a stuck-up bitch like you down a-“

Suddenly, Arriatté let out a long, loud laugh. A moment later, Zemiizah joined her.

“Wh-what’s so funny?”

“The program on that core-drive took out the cameras,” smiled the huge pony. “ but, it was set to loop the last few seconds before the outage. Right now, security is just watching Ms Arriatté and her servant, watching you type some stuff into your system. Of course, you could also be checking a bunch of other stuff too. Maybe something came up, maybe you got a few urgent messages to respond to. We could be waiting quite awhile for you to finish up whatever you’re doing on that security footage.”

“Look,” murmured Ulvqan, “I’m sorry your package was delayed, I’ll find it for you, I promise. What’s in it?”

“…a stallion,” said Arriatté.

“Is that like the name of an item your-“

“No, the stallion is Prince Plenn Te, next in line for the throne of The Turgid Kingdom. He’s six feet tall, maybe around 180 pounds, ten of that from what’s dangling between his legs.”

Hearing this, the stallion’s eyes went wide.

“Jebus palomino,” he stammered. “You’re with-“

“Not at this time,” she said. “This is a…private matter.”

“Well sorry to disappoint sweetie, but I don’t have him! Heard word he was kidnapped, real shame-“

“Cut the whole innocent act,” said Zeniizah, jerking the chair, “We know YOU moved him…it’s a fact!”

“Oh yeah?” he smiled. “Says who?”

It was then that Ariatté reached into her sunhat, and pulled out a small recorder. She shuffled the system a ways in, and pressed a button.

“Ulvqan, he’s the one who did it,” came Kjwaac’s voice out of the tiny device. “I just had to get the prince captured and detained. Ulvqan has the resources to make sure he could be moved to the location undetected.”

“How?” came Ariatté’s voice over the recording.

“I don’t know, ask him!!”

And with that, the oversized pony stopped the recording, tossed the recorder on the desk, and stared down at the wide-eyed stallion.

“…how?” she asked.

“I-if I tell you, you promise to let me go?” he asked.

“Couldn’t hurt your chances.”

“I-we didn’t hurt him, I swear to Celestia,” he noted. “When the prince was brought to me, we checked his vitals. Kjwaac fortunately just knocked him out enough so he wouldn’t wake up.”

“What happened next?”

“We reached out to our contact.”

“What was the name?”

“I don’t know, he didn’t give me one! Just gave us a frequency, and said he was always listening. Anyway, after we reached out and they had confirmed the prince’s identity, we gave him something that would make sure he was knocked out for at least 12 hours, then placed an oxygen supply mask over his face, and put him in a padded container. He, was then loaded onto an IGP truck with the destination along a designated route.”

“What route?”

“Intergalactic 60.”

“I take it you didn’t make the delivery, given your position here?”

“No, of course not. I…I claimed I had eaten something bad as soon as Kjwaac confirmed he had the prince. Managed to take off and actually get it done in 6 hours, before coming back and claiming I actually had a panic attack.”

“And you’re sure you didn’t see-“

“I didn’t!” cried out Ulvqan. “His voice was disguised, and we never saw his face.”

“Did the one who drove the vehicle see?”

“I don’t know.”

“What’s his name?”

“Eoniah.”

“…where can we find him?”

*****
BaySkylar Bungalows
Location: Planet LP-327
Time: 39 hours since Prince Plenn Te’s abduction
*****

The small room was filthy. Eoniah had been living in it for 4 years now, but rarely got up the energy to clean the place except once every six months.

Food containers and beverage tins littered the floor, along with the occasional discarded clothing or reading materials.

Normally, the small yellow-orange stallion with a light blue mane would have been at a temp job by now, but one of his more recent tasks had netted him enough pay to lounge about in his underwear for a few days.

The yellow-orange light of early morning streamed through the window slats as he lay down on the couch and attempted to sleep in.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Eoniah just closed his eyes.

As long as I stay quiet, they’ll go away, he thought to himself.

A few minutes later, the knocking had upgraded to a heavy pounding, and yet he still refused to make a sound.

Suddenly, there was the sound of something charging up, and then, the door to the unit slammed inward on its hinges!

The stallion screamed and dove to the garbage-strewn floor, desperately reaching under the couch for his concealed weapon.

“Relax,” came a commanding, feminine voice.

It was then that Eoniah looked up, and saw the uniform of a ranger, albeit one with a massive chest encased in blue mesh.

“I just wanna talk,” she continued.

“…then why’d you bust down my door?” he asked.

“Because you wouldn’t answer it!” she sighed. “I had at least three persons on this floor say they saw you come in last night. If you had opened the door, your damage deposit might have still been safe…as long as the owners didn’t see this mess.”

As Eoniah peered towards the doorway, he saw a zebra enter and wrinkle her nose at the smell.

“Please hurry up Mam,” she said, “and make it quick. If we stay too long, I might get sick.”

“Oh, here,” said Eoniah, reaching into a pile of trash.

Mam quickly pulled out her pistol and set it to stun, but she herself was stunned when Eoniah pulled out a metal bowl, and handed it over to Ynez.

“Just in case,” he said. “You can barf in that.”

A few minutes later, Ynez had secured the front door closed as best as she could, and she and Mam Marella were seated in some chairs, as Eoniah sat on the couch, after having procured a robe.

“Do you know why we’re here?” asked Mam.

“I’m guessing this has to do with the prince?” he asked.

“Good guess,” she smiled. “We spoke to your buddies, and it seems you were the last pony to have contact with him, and your employer on the assignment.”

“Why should I tell you anything?” he asked.

“Because you will.”

“I will?”

“Mm-hm. Judging by the company you keep, and where you sleep, it’s pretty apparent to me that you’re going to cooperate. Now tell me, once you picked up Plenn, where did you take him?”

“It was an asteroid in the Nothcirc sector. Andro-48.”

“And what happened when you arrived?”

“There was a facility there. The asteroid itself was pretty large, but there was a structure that I brought him into.”

“And what did you see?”

“Nothing much. It was just a receiving area for what I assume were deliveries.”

“So, who took delivery of the prince?”

“It was a stallion in a lab coat.”

“Can you describe him?”

“Yeah. Tall, lanky, messy green hair, skin tone was yellow, and he had orange eyes.”

“And did he explain anything to you, or say anything?”

“Not really. Just ran a vital scan over the container, confirmed that I had delivered what was promised. Then, he informed me that we would be paid via wire in less than an hour. Then he loaded the prince’s container on a hoverlift, and went through some doors. So, I left and contacted the others. And that was it.”

Once he had finished, Mam looked to Ynez, and the two nodded.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Eoniah. The lack of force made this one of the better info-gathers on my mission.”

“Sure,” he said, looking at the damaged door. “So, I guess you’ll be on your way?”

“Yes, I think we will,” said Mam, rising from her seat. “Come along.”

“B-but wait. I told you everything I know. Honest!”

“Yes, and I told you to come along.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I have a full stun charge in my pistol, and I’m not really in the mood for any games right now.”

Sometime later, Mam and Ynez were seated in a little area of the ship the retired ranger had been able to obtain. It was a small freighter, that had been chosen specifically for the cryo-chambers that could hold a small crew on a long mission.

At this time, only three chambers were in use, containing Kjwaac, Ulvqan, and the recently added Eoniah.

“He cooperated, no doubt on that,” said Ynez, as she sipped a drink. “But he froze up like a frightened cat.”

“Yep,” said Mam, looking at the look of horror on his face, through a small opening in his chamber. “By my calculations, we’re coming up on the halfway point in the corps’ search for Plenn. Bet they haven’t found anything, but with what we’ve collected on these three, we should have more than enough to turn them over to the corps’ custody for kidnapping and several other charges.”

“To take Plenn seemed like quite a coup. What does the receiver plan to do?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. Whomever wanted him, they’re keeping a tight lid on specifics. Somepony’s good at keeping secrets. Most would be crowing about something like this.”

“And now to take the next huge step, how do you wish that we should prep?”

“We’ll need to cloak the ship and get close to the asteroid,” noted Mam. “Though I’ll be using a pod to go in alone.”

“Mammy no, absolutely not. What if you end up being caught?”

“If I need help, I’ll let you know,” she said, rubbing Ynez’s hand. “But I’m going to get Plenn out of there, one way or another.”

At this, the older ranger chuckled.

“Just like dear Flemshah, through and through. Your guardian…she would be so proud of you.”

And with that, the zebra got up, and walked behind the young pony, tousled her pink and lavender hair, and gave her a hug.

“You act so tough, but can be sweet…give your prince a kiss from me when again you meet!”

“Ynez!” laughed Mam, reaching back and rubbing the old zebra’s bare shoulders.

And with that, the suited young ranger rose from her seat, and followed her friend to the cockpit. The space was cramped, so all Mam could do was stand near the doorway, and watch as Ynez powered up the craft, and entered the coordinates for asteroid Andro-48. As the system beeped ready, Mam stroked the choker around her neck.

“We’re in a hurry, no words to mince,” said Ynez, pushing the throttle. “Hold tight Mammy…let’s go rescue your prince.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's Note

This was one of those chapters where a few weeks ago, I had no idea just what it would become. It was a sapling that I had no clue what its potential could be.

And then, I just started typing, and the path started to become clear. I had feared this could have become a 8000-word chapter with the undercover stuff, but I managed to find ways to keep things tight and not so repetitive.

Taking my time allowed my imagination to properly regroup and figure out each encounter. The inclusion of Ynez as a friend of Mam’s guardian was a late addition (let alone her being able to call her “Mammy” without getting yelled at). I almost broke my idea of having Ynez speak in rhyme, but I feel the effort was semi-acceptable in the end.

I did go back and forth on how much information the kidnappers would get, and it made more sense that they not know what is in store for Plenn, thus ensuring what I hope to be a very surprising reveal next episode.

P.S. Mam’s second disguise was partially inspired by Kate Hudson’s wardrobe in Glass Onion.