Corporal Trotter pushed the wrought iron gate open in my Equestria dreamscape the hinges he routinely oiled made only slightest squeak as the gate swung open allowing him access to a stairway that led down into Canterlot's sewer system. Carefully closing the gate behind him he headed down in the bowels of the city.

Descending 30ft beneath the city the stairway emptied out onto walkway that went both left and right. Taking the left path he sparked his horn and created a tiny greenish orb of light that gave him some illumination in the darkness. Into the inky blackness he headed.

His journey ended at the intersection of the sewer lines. Here he stopped and waited. The sounds trickling water and dripped moisture were his only companions. For several minutes he stood there waiting, then a familiar voice from the darkness addressed him.

“What do you have to report? Does our operation progress according to plans?”

“Yes, yes it does.” Said Trotter. “The loose ends of the palace break in have been addressed, and in the process we have sown the seeds of doubt and confusion in the ranks of our enemy. If played correctly it might even be leveraged to weaken the relationship between several friendly nations of this kingdom. But...”

“But what?” Asked the voice in the darkness. “Do you have doubts about this grand plan?”

The corporal paused as if weighing the merits of speaking his mind. Finally he sighed. “Yes, yes I do. Up to this point our enemy has been completely oblivious to our presence and our infiltration of their ranks had gone unnoticed.”

“However by conducting this operation they now know there is some unseen player that they were previously unaware of. Now they are on the alert. I could think of several ways this operation could've been conducted that wouldn't have caused such alarm in their ranks. Was there some other motivation to this operation that I am unaware, and if so what was its goal?”

“Hmm.” Said the voice from the darkness. “Valid questions and concerns, why would do you think your superiors do such a thing? Do you thing your superiors are not aware of these risks?”

Trotter froze in place. How should he reply to this inquiry. The very act of calling into question the plans of his superiors was insubordination at best, and could be viewed as treasonous at worst. How he answered this question could effect the rest of his life.

“I do not believe that decision to conduct this operation was done out of complete ignorance of the enemy's capability, or indifference to fate of my fellow hive members. However the world has changed much since we went to sleep. These are not the ponies we remember from the pre-unification days. They now wield magics and technology we didn't have to confront in the past. There are many more of them than before and in the last year they've faced three major adversaries that the general population is aware of and a fourth that most are oblivious of. In every case they've triumphed. We must keep that in mind when we're planning our strategy.”

“Don't you think your superiors are aware of these facts? Risks have to be taken to truly test what your opponent is capable of. Risks sometimes involve putting those beneath you in harms way. Although sometimes those who are not on the frontline can fail to see flaws in their plans. Do you think your Queen's plan is flawed in some way because she is blind to minor but important detail?”

How dare this one think such treason! “No!” exclaimed the corporal his voice echoed in depths of the sewers.

“I don't believe that our Queen would rashly make a decision that endangered her subjects out of indifference or ignorance. However she might feel compelled to act faster than was prudent out of sense responsibility to all of us! We are all of her brood and we are many. I fear that she may be worried about how she'll provide for so many of us, and therefore act in a hasty fashion before we are truly are ready to strike. That is what I fear. That she cares for us so much she might jeopardize everything including her own safety to achieve it.”

“Turn around.” Said a voice behind him.

This was completely against standard procedures. Trotter had never seen his handler so it was impossible for him reveal what forms and identities his handler could take if he was captured. Also he was unaware what other teams were operating in Canterlot, and those teams, if any, were ignorant of his presence to.

Suddenly he heard the sound a changeling dropping their disguise. Then different voice called out of the darkness and Trotter trembled in fear. It was a voice he'd heard only in the great chamber in presence of thousands. Never did he ever imagine that voice would be addressing him directly.

“Turn around.” Said the voice again.

Slowly the corporal turned around and looked. There lying upon a block of rough stone was his queen. She looked down at him with an aura of absolute power and control. Quickly the corporal threw himself down on the ground.

“Your Majesty! Please do not think ill of me and my concerns!”

“Fear not my loyal subject.” Purred Queen Chrysalis. “If I was truly dissatisfied with your answers you'd already be dead. No, no you have potential and your superiors have brought it to my attention. That is why you were given this assignment. Look at me!”

The changeling slowly raised his head and looked into the eyes of his queen. Eyes of malachite green glowed in the darkness.

“I believe you are not being used to your full potential. I see much unused talent in you, but I have a new job for you that should put that talent to use!”

“Thank you your Majesty!” Exclaimed the corporal.

“Oh ho! Don't be to quick to thank me drone.” Growled the queen. “This task will be much more complicated, and dangerous. The stakes will be much higher, but so will the rewards! Succeed at this next assignment and you'll become part of my breeding stock!”

The corporal was stunned. To be breeding stock was an almost unreachable goal for one of his lowly rank. Here was a chance he never thought would come along.

“I will not fail you!” Said Corporal Trotter.

“Good.” Said Chrysalis.

To be continued.

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