"And you love dragons," taunted a female voice as Neon turned the corner to spot one seated behind a worn-down counter. "Hey, Neon. You smell of paint and glue. Just put back together?"

Neon growled softly, shoving away memories. She climbed up onto a stool that hadn't changed since before she'd joined the Dancers. It was always a bit shaky and not exactly stable, but it fit her. "Hey, Smolder." She nodded to the orange dragon. "Rough day. Any new schemes I can distract myself with? Don't feel up to returning to 'work' right now."

"Sure, sure." Smolder tossed a paper file across the desk to Neon. "You missed my daughter's birthday last month. I really need you to return this when you get a chance."

Neon reached for the paper, but it was her magic to grabbed it and pulled it up for her to see. "I should be more careful." She knew she hadn't borrowed anything from Smolder, or their daughter. All keywords, which she ignored for the moment in favor of taking in the details on the paper. "Must be secretive, not putting it on digital."

"With that PonDex system?" Smolder growled, baring her fangs. "Forget it. Digital means nothing in your hands. That's for saps who can't write a single damn letter with their own hands." She wriggled her talons with a chuckle. "Which a lot of ponies, these days? I guess they can't."

Neon watched the dragon tap her claws on the counter, as if that proved her point. She opened the file and started to read.

It spoke of a 'secret project' some small company was about to deliver to a larger corporation. The small company, being smaller, had lighter security. If someone, not naming names, could grab it before it was safely in the hooves of the larger corp, there were bits on the line, potentially a lot of them, depending on how safely it made it.

The papers listed various assets involved and assets they'd have to work around, then a place, a time, and other vital details. She took a moment to absorb the information, humming gently as she went. "Alright." She tossed the paper back down where Smolder could get it. "Any of the others in on this, or am I flying solo?"

"You know the rule," Smolder replied, folding the paper back up and setting it under the desk. "You go, you bring others, but no one gets the info but you. Ain't like anyone's gonna chase you for it, anyway."

Neon huffed gently. "Look, I wasn't asking that. I was asking if any of the crew's checked in recently. I don't want to have to chase them down all across the city if I can help it." She tapped a hoof on the counter. "Time is money for all of us."

Smolder chuckled at that, shaking her head. "They'll find their way to you when they're ready. For now, guess you're on your own." She hopped up onto the counter and pointed Neon to the door in the back of the office. "I think Miss Belle is in, if you wanna bother her."

Neon sneered. "Miss Belle? Yeah, she might be handy for this." She slid from the stool back to her hooves. "Thanks for the info." She trotted deeper into that dark place. Spilling from around the closed edges of that door, bright light was visible. As she pushed through, Neon blinked hard as the transition took hold.

There were bits of droids scattered about. Most looked like old Chimeras that had seen better days. A few looked like ponies that had lost their way. In the middle of the mess, a unicorn looked up at the noise of the door opening. "Neon!" She bounced to her hooves and pounced on Neon, hugging firmly. "Missed you. What are you here for?"

Neon gently hugged the young adult mare. "Sweets. Always a treat to see you." They touched noses briefly. "I'm about to take a job. A mare with a sweet voice and a knack for droid operation? I'd like that on my side. You get an even cut of the take, of course."

Sweets perked up at that. "Sounds interesting. Count me in." She was so genuine that it hurt Neon's heart, just a little bit. "Let me get my things together and we'll head out."

Neon let Sweets get to gathering her things. "Don't suppose you've seen any of the others recently? We could use somepony with some muscle. Always good to have one of those."

Sweets shook her head. "You're the first one to come by since my parents got arrested. I heard something about a factory robbery?" She stepped up to Neon's side. "The police were doing random checks today, so they missed me." She snickered as if that was just a normal thing that happened around her. "Pity for them. Are we gonna go straight there?"

"We're gonna stop at my place first. A little walk'll be nice." Neon pushed open the door again and exiting. Neon made her way through the dark space until she was back in the dingy bar, then out into the city streets. The lights and sounds of them were a welcome return to her usual. "You remember my bar, right? Where I dance?"

Sweets skipped after her. "It's a great place. I really like the dancing. Why do you wanna stop there? To check in?"

Neon nodded. "I wanna see if any of my girls are available for work. Also to make sure they cleaned up after the mess this morning." She led the way speedily through the crowd, swimming against the current to get to her beloved bar. She glanced at the sign above it and then through the window to see that, indeed, the area was cleaned up. There was a body sitting in one of the booths with a large tablecloth covering it. She pushed open the door and a wave of sounds assaulted them both.

It was the sound of music, tempting ponies to move, or to watch the dancers move. Neon could see three dancers were up on the stage, doing their best to satisfy the small crowd.

They were all ignoring that lump in the booth.

"One sec," Neon called, waving a hoof for Sweets to follow as she made her way to the bar and leaned over it. "Yo, bartender! Any of my girls in today?"

It was the same mixologist she had seen when the attack happened. He smirked softly. "One of them's up there, dancing." He inclined his head at the line of mares doing their best. "You know this place isn't your home, right? I still expect you to come in and work your shifts like a normal pony."

Neon bared her teeth in a cheeky grin. "I don't get paid to guard this place, but I almost got shot, and took out the creeps responsible. You should be thanking me, ass." She thudded him on the chest with a hoof. "Don't get cheeky."

He chuckled, nodding to Sweets. "Who's this?"

"Sweetie Belle. She's an engineer. Just recruited her for a job." Neon pointed at the mare in question.

Sweetie waved excitedly. "Hiya!" She slid up onto a cushioned stool. "I've been here before. You have nice dancers."

The mixologist smirked and poured her a drink. "Yeah? Glad you like them. For a few bits, I can get one of them to dance just for you." He slid it over. "For free, for you."

Sweetie grabbed the drink in her magic and sipped as she watched the dancers perform their best. "Just for me? I'm not that greedy."

Neon burst into laughter and gently punched Sweetie in the shoulder. "I promise, you pay for one of them, they'll be thankful. Still, I get the idea that you aren't looking for that kind of dance, Sweetie. Let's stay focused. Don't get drunk either. We're about to take a case."

Sweetie swirled the drink. "Maybe another time." She slipped from the stool and back to her hooves. "We're taking a case?" She followed Neon to the door that led to the back room. Back there, a dancer was gently puffing her face with some powder. She paused when Neon came in, relaxing when she realized who it was.

Neon smiled at the dancer. "Hey, Renee. You okay? Did the creeps mess you up too?"

Renee shook her head. "Not badly. Some of us thought we should stop working today because of what happened." She wrinkled her nose. "I just want to pretty up before I go back there." She looked past Neon to Sweetie Belle. "She doesn't look like she belongs here, but she's cute. She considering trying out?"

Sweetie grinned, shrugging. "If I need to, I could! Maybe if we get some time later, you could teach me? I'm kinda in the middle of something right now."

Neon thrust a hoof. "Adorable, but yeah, middle of something. We're about to take a job, the kind that pays bits, more than you can get from a night of dancing. Up for it?"

Renee raised an eyebrow. "Did Spike give you that one? You know he has connections to the police. They've been getting handsy around here lately." She pulled a brush from her dressing table and started using it on her face.

Neon shook her head. "Wrong dragon, but one of those, sure. Doesn't matter. Simple snatch and scram. We get in, get it, get the hell out, and we get payday."

Renee hummed at that. "Alright, I'm in. But you're gonna have to fill me in when we're somewhere safer. Those police have ears." She glanced at Sweetie. "And probably eyes."

Sweetie colored at the implications. "Hey! I'm on your side." She huffed and moved in next to Neon. "She recruited me first."

Neon snickered gently. "No fighting, both of you. We're a team now. Let's pretend, eh? I'll go over the deets after work, and we go get this done." She turned to Sweetie. "Now, you want to see some dancing? I'm more in the mood now. Going to hit the stage."

Sweetie nodded. "I've been wanting to see you do it again since the last time I was here!" She rushed over to a chair that faced the stage and sat down, eagerly waiting for Neon to step out.

Neon glanced back at Renee. "See you on the stage." Neon went out a different way, allowing her to saunter out onto the stage. The lights zoomed in on her, a star of the show, and she made every move count with a sultry growl. They had come for a show, and she had one to give them. She caught sight of Sweetie, and performed as best she could for her new teammate.

Sweetie was gasping softly as she watched Neon work her magic, having almost forgotten the outside world for a few minutes. She clapped her hooves along with the strong beat of the music and cheered Neon on. Unlike most who watched her, her calls were free of adult impulses. Though she was grown, she was cheering on a fellow friend, and admiring the beauty for its own sake.

Renee crept over and set herself down on the chair next to Sweetie Belle, who was so distracted that she didn't even notice the mare sitting next to her. She grinned and let Sweetie enjoy the show as much as she could. Unable to restrain herself, she broke the silence between them, "So, she's good at dancing, huh? I can dance too."

Sweetie perked up, grinning at Renee. "Yeah! I always loved coming here to see her, because she makes me feel happy. All the other ponies watching her are more focused on being..." She seemed to fumble even finding the word for that emotion she seemed to lack. "I'd like to see you dance. I bet you're really good too!"

Renee chuckled, letting Sweetie enjoy herself as Neon finished her routine. Sweetie clapped loudly as Neon finally stepped off the stage, her short fur shining with sweat. She made her way over and gave Sweetie a hoof bump. Renee walked past. "My turn. Looking forward to your innocent little comparison when I'm done."

Sweetie grinned at Neon. "Oh, yeah! We get to watch her now. I'm excited."

Neon had a cocky grin on her face. "She's a real show mare." She took the seat Renee had been using. "Worth a watch. How'd I do?"

Sweetie gave Neon a few more hoofbumps. "Great! It was awesome! I wish I could dance like that."

"Oh? I can teach you some moves sometime." Neon leaned in close to Sweetie. "You were considering joining us. Do you like dancing?"

"Actually." Sweetie rubbed her hooves together. "I'm not that good at that, but I can sing! I like singing too." She blushed, watching the other dancers get into place.

Neon smirked, glancing back as Renee took the stage. The spotlight slid over her with practiced ease. Then she started moving to the music, taking a sultry and powerful stance. Her long purple mane and tail swayed to the beat as she dipped down low, giving everyone in the audience a view. "See?" Neon leaned close. "You ever join the crew, you'll learn how to do this."

Neon leaned back against the counter. "On the other hoof, if you like singing, why not do that? A singer would be a nice addition. A break from all this techno-bop we got going on. I bet the regulars would go crazy for a nice innocent little thing like you singing genuinely."

Sweetie blinked, glancing around the room. She noted all the expressions on the ponies' faces and their obvious desire to watch the dancers. "Uh... maybe? I'm really good at working with machines too. It's not dancing, but I can sing." She blushed, wondering if she was being weird, or too plain, or something. "I just, you know, feel awkward about this kind of thing."

Neon bumped Sweetie with a hoof. "Don't sweat it. I had to work up to being used to working here. Get your head in the game. You got a chip?"

Sweetie looked confused a moment, then tapped at her head. "'Course! Can't talk with droids without one. Why?"

"Check it out," Neon muttered, turning back to the stage. Renee had hit her stride, getting more energetic and enticing with each move she made. The music carried her as she spun, making sure her tail swished over the crowd with each pass, who cheered and reached for her, but she kept dancing just out of reach, expertly flowing with the crowd's movements to keep them so close, but never making contact. "She's a pro. Now, I'm asking because of this."

Sweetie started as a box appeared in her vision. Neon sent information to her wirelessly, dumping the layout of the place they were to break into. Sweetie pulled it up on the screen, scrolling through it. "The Citadel? We're breaking into the place? Isn't that the local broadcasting station? That's like, guarded with tons of droids!"

Neon smirked faintly. "And look at that, I got a droid expert on the team. Good thinking, me." She nudged Sweetie. "You up for it?"

Sweetie hesitated a moment, then looked over the plans again. "It's in a private server room." Her doubt began to melt. "Guarded by you, you, and you." She pointed at things only she could see. "So if we, and then." Her mouth moved with other plans working through her mind. "I think, um, maybe we can do it."

Neon didn't interrupt Sweetie as she tried to work out how it could be done. She could tell when the little mare had finally come to a decision. She smiled brightly. "Alright, so there are only two big things." She held up both forehooves. "And, lucky you, you don't need to worry about it. In fact, being a tricky little droider, I bet you won't even need to be there. You can support us from off-site, right?"

Sweetie's eyes went wide. "Oh! Um, I guess I can do that." She seemed embarrassed at having the idea not cross her mind on her own. "I mean, sure. That makes sense." She saluted, which was a poor salute, but a well-intentioned one. "I'll do my best!"

Neon gently rubbed Sweetie's shoulder. "Good. You stay safe. I don't want you getting a single hair out of place. Let Renee and I handle the physical stuff. We'll be the ones getting in there and getting dirty."

Sweetie blushed, looking at the bar around them. "I guess I could use a little bit of practice with this sort of thing, huh?"

"Hey, hey," Neon leaned against Sweetie, eyes glistening. "You're ready, I can feel it. You just handle those droids and you'll have earned every single bit of the prize at the end."

Sweetie took a breath, then looked at the door to the stage, where Renee was returning from her performance. She slowly stood up as Renee slid over to them. "That's all I can do."

Renee slid down on the other side of Sweetie. "What are you doing? And I'm waiting for that review. Little girl, how'd I do?"

Sweetie smiled, shaking off her nerves as she turned to face Renee. "You did great! I've never seen anypony move like that before!" She gave her an impromptu hug. "You two are great! It's amazing. You're both dancing, but you feel very different, in both amazing ways."

Renee ruffled the unbrushed mane of Sweetie with a laugh. "Good spirit, or you're trying really hard not to compare us. I'll take it either way." She slid back into her seat. "So, what's our game plan?"

Neon's smile softened, seeing Sweetie get along with Renee. She could tell they were going to get along well. "Sweetie is our droid expert. I've already shared the plans her way. Here." She knew Renee was chipped, and sent much of the same plans, minus the droid locations. "She'll handle the robotic presence for us. All we have to do is handle the organics. Slipping past them would be preferred. If they never raise an alarm and we're gone? Top marks."

Renee skimmed over the details, frowning softly. "Doesn't seem too hard. Simple server room job, I assume?" She tapped a hoof on the table, testing it. "What's our big score here?"

"New product." Neon folded her arms. "On the way to big hooves with lots of bits. We stop them from getting it, and pass it to somepony willing to fund our lives for a while. They win, we win. Everypony but the big corp wins."

Renee whistled. "Not bad, not bad. How're we going to make the delivery? If they have hooves in the police, can't trust them." She drummed her hooves on the table, calculating.

Neon reached across Sweetie to thump at Renee. "Wrong dragon! This one's not with the fuzz. She's way too rebellious to get along with them. They aren't involved. Speaking of the cops." She looked over to the lump in the booth, covered poorly. "Why in Equestria is there still a body right there? Wasn't he taking them all away?"

Sweetie shifted, her horn lighting up as she magically moved the cloth over the corpse and displayed him. His chest was a ruin of bullets and shrapnel. "I think they figured you already made him dead enough." She dropped the cloth back into place with a thick swallow. "I guess?"

Renee burst into laughter at that. "Sweetie, I love you. Marry me?" Sweetie looked baffled. "I'm joking. I'm sure Spike is just a lazy jerk. He'll come back when he feels like it and finish his damn job. Cops, I swear."

Neon narrowed her eyes, feeling they were avoiding the conversation. "What do you have against Spike? He's been in our corner for years."

Renee glared at Neon. "Yeah, well, I know a lot of the po po, starting new and getting in there. Give them time, and they learn to oink like the rest of the pigs. His tail just hasn't gone curly, yet."

Author's Note

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