When Sunset awoke, she felt so much better. So much better in fact, she almost forgot about that mess with the CIA. She whistled merrily as she whipped out some eggs. For the first time in a while, she felt stress free. Yesterday, she got a notification from her boss asking if she was sick. She responded that she was and made up a story that she was so sick that it took a lot of effort just to pick up the phone. Thankfully, while her boss wasn't generally a good person, he knew when to let things go. Sunset was given four days off. Three days left. If she could figure out whatever this was within three days, then it's all good. If she couldn't, eh, it's not like she was that attached to the job.

A sizzle announced that the eggs were finished.

A quick mjam later and Sunset was now in her closet rummaging through some clothes. Yesterday was a nightmare, fashion wise. First she was in her office outfit which was your standard knee-length pencil skirt and blazer. She of course had black stockings underneath the skirt. It really did not fit her vibe, but hey, if the boss says so, then it's what she'll do. After that pitiful excuse of a outfit from whoever that CIA guy was, Sunset had already forgotten, she was then wearing a plain green shirt and somewhat tight fitting jeans. Thank goodness that Rainbow had a spare leather jacket in the back and some better fitting pants. She almost felt normal. But today! Today was her day. Today she was going to wear a comfortable orange shirt alongside a breathable purple pants. And to top it all off, her iconic leather jacket. She checked out herself in the mirror with a satisfied smirk before heading out when she her eyes landed on a familiar necklace. After a moment to ponder, Sunset put on the necklace as well.

The doorbell rang. Sunset headed downstairs after locking her door. As she made her way down, she smiled that they actually used the doorbell! Right at 10 AM too. It seems that Shift is punctual, another thing to file away. At least, Sunset was hoping it was Shift. Her uncertainties dissipated when she spotted a familiar looking car. Sunset jogged over before sitting shotgun.

"Shift."

"Boss."

"Don't call me that."

"Then what would you prefer?"

"Sunset's fine."

"Sunset it is." Shift nodded once then sped off. "Where to?"

"We need to get Dry first."

"I'm right here!" Dry's face suddenly popped in between the two. Shift didn't bat an eye but Sunset jerked back in surprise, resulting in her hitting her elbow on the doorframe. She groaned and clutched it, feeling the tingles. "You...uh, you alright?"

"Friggen..." Sunset took a few breaths, massaging her tender elbow all the while. "Okay...okay. Shift, can you take us to the SparkleTek building?"

"Which one?" The response was dry, but still had traces of musical notes. The oddity made Sunset very curious about her background but that can be left for another time.

"The one next to...uh...what's it called again? Ya know, the big park with that weirdly shaped tree?" Sunset asked, awkwardly. There was a small silence before Dry spoke up.

"Oh, you mean Fetlock Park?"

"Yeah! That one." Sunset patted the immensely pleased Dry on the shoulder before turning back to Shift. "You know of that one?"

"I'll get us there."

The rest of the ride was not memorable. It didn't even take 20 minutes as Shift somehow knew all the secret passages that let them skip through traffic like it never existed in the first place. Sunset was in awe of her almost miraculous street knowhow. Before long, they had arrived. Sunset told Shift to park in the parking lot that was two blocks down as it was cheaper than the one right next to the building. Also, this parking lot was known to have fewer break ins than the other one. Shift just shrugged at that news and followed directions.

"You want to come with us?" Shift shook her head. Sunset chuckled before handing her a slip of paper. "That has my phone number. Call or text or whatever if anything happens. If you don't, that's cool too, I guess. I'm trusting you."

With that, Sunset and Dry set off to the SparkleTek building. The streets were your typical city street. Dirty, cracked, and just had that charm that screamed out 'city'. People of all sorts were walking around. Going to jobs, leaving jobs, getting early lunch, going home, who knows. Sunset liked watching people go about their day. It had a certain normalcy to it that had a certain appeal to it. But of course, when it came to the city, there were the homeless, the addicts, the drunks. Even this early in the morning. Sunset deftly dodged a person who looked to be a user of whatever that new drug was called that was hitting the streets by storm. She sighed and shook her head and the tragic state of the world. Almost every day she was reminded of how different this world was to Equestria.

"Sunset?"

"Yeah?"

"What's at SparkleTek?"

"A white hat."

"Oh..." The silence that followed informed her that Dry had no idea what she was talking about. She sighed once again. Seriously, what was the CIA teaching their operatives and agents? Was Dry even an agent? She couldn't remember.

The duo had finally made it to the building and without a second thought, Sunset marched in. She noted the three visible guards standing in various positions, the multitudes of cameras, both hidden and shown, as well as the number of personnel and customers. Sunset put on a business smile and made her way to the lobby desk.

"Yes ma'am, how may we help you?"

"I'm looking for Micro Chips. I believe he works here and is in the building at this time." Sunset tried to put on her most disarming smile to compensate for that weirdly worded sentence.

"...and what was your name again?"

"Sunset Shimmer. Ask him, he'll know me."

"Of course, ma'am. Just give me a moment." The attendant scampered off, no doubt to ask a higher up what she should do in this situation.

"Sunset?"

"What is it this time, Dry?"

"What's a white hat?" Sunset let out a insufferable sigh before responding.

"You'll see." A few moments later, the attendant came rushing back. There was a certain hint of anxiety in her step. Sunset grinned inwardly, recognizing what was about to happen.

"Miss Shimmer! Here is your guest pass. Mister Micro Chips can be found on the third floor in office five. May you have a pleasant day!" She smiled way too wide, but Sunset thanked her nonetheless before making her way to the elevator.

"What was that!" Dry exclaimed. He started going from Sunset to the attendant and back again with his eyes closed, as if he couldn't comprehend what just happened.

"That, is what you call friends in high places."

"Oh." Dry's face fell. He looked up and asked with a slightly defeated tone, "this Micro Chips, he famous?"

"Yep."

"You know him from high school?"

"Yep."

Dry shook his head and sighed. "I don't even know anymore. Let me guess, you know that famous popstar too. Rara?"

"I don't know her, actually." The sudden relief that permeated every single space of Dry's body made Sunset grin with malicious intent. "However, I have a friend who does know her."

Dry slumped against the wall, his expression of pure defeat. Sunset patted him on the shoulder again, this time, one of sympathy.

"Can't have it all. Now come on, the elevator is here."

The elevator ride was uneventful. Just your standard office elevator and Dry was too busy mind blown to even converse in simple sentences. Sunset let him be and waited it out. The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Sunset dragged Dry behind her as she maneuvered through the mess that is a scientist's playground. She finally made it to the fifth office and simply opened the door without knocking.

"Microoooo!"

"Sunset." The nerdy boy from high school was no more, now he looked like some model. When Sunset met him again at the 5th anniversary high school reunion, she had a spit take. His face looked like it was chiseled by some Greek artist and his color palette was blessed by mother nature. Despite all that, he still had the same crooked glasses and intense nerd energy.

"Come now, there's no need to be grumpy!" Sunset leaned an arm over the guy's shoulder and whispered into his ear. "I'm in need of some rabbit holes and before you get all angsty about the last time I asked this, I want to iterate that I actually need this for a government thingie. Spy thingie. Actually, I dunno what to call this. Dry, what do I call our operation of sorts?"

"Uhhh......."

"He's useless. Anyways Micro, like I was saying, I've got this really interesting spy thingie that might pike your interest." Sunset put on her best winning smile and the poor guy crumbled beneath her. Yes! Still got it.

"Alright. What do you need this time?" Micro pushed Sunset off of him, but there wasn't any real force behind it. "And better make it quick, I've got this major project that's due within the week."

"Of course. Wouldn't dream of taking time away from you." Sunset clapped her hands and took a deep breath. Then she explained the situation. Money Bags and the disk. The dead operatives. The bugs. The turrets that are crazy accurate and aggressive. Also, the potential corruption of him and his business associates.

"You were right, this actually is some interesting information. I thank you, Sunset. Just give me a few moments and I'll have what you need. You can wait in the waiting room."

"Nah, wouldn't want to bother the other employees. Right Dry?" An incoherent babble was the response.

"That's fine. Just don't interrupt me." And with that, Micro Chips, White Hat extraordinaire, and who the hacking community refers to with affection, Arachne, got to a hacking. Ten minutes later and Micro gave Sunset a USB stick. "This'll reprogram anything within range. You just need to attach this to your phone or laptop or whatever device, and any technology that's within 30 meters will be available to reprogram, on said device of course."

"Thanks Micro, I owe you. You want anything?"

"Get me a promotion?"

"Ha! As if Twi has time for me. See ya, Micro. Till we meet again." Sunset mock saluted and marched out with Dry in tow once again.

Author's Note

Welp, it's October 3rd once again. I'm once again another year older. Hurray.

On another note, Micro Chips to the rescue! Bet you weren't expecting another random side character, but here we are! I hope you liked it.