Smiley, 10013, 20100, 36658 descend in a single file through the dark tunnel.
Occasionally, they pass a working light embedded inside the wall in the form of a short, narrow, glass tube that buzzes in a way similar yet different to griffon light bulbs. The overwhelming majority of the tubes equidistant from each other and lining the entire tunnel, however, are either not working or downright visibly broken with glass shards littered around.
Overall, the drones' trip down the dark staircase takes the better part of fifteen minutes, with the voice being silent despite them asking for it out loud several times, and eventually leaves them in front of a metallic barrier which they guess serves as a door. Next to it, comfortably within reach, sits a dark, glassy panel roughly three hooves tall and a hoof wide with a tiny red dot glowing in a bottom corner. On top of it, however, is something that 10013 finds actually familiar - a circle of tight, black mesh of some kind.
"This looks like the talky piece of 99380's radio," it comments, examining it up close, "Maybe this will let the voice speak to us again?" it calls out loud, "Hello! Mysterious voice?"
In response, the mesh circle buzzes, hisses, and crackles before a voice different from the previous one says:
"Excellent. You made it all the way here."
"Hello, new voice," 10013 gathers all its leadership and takes charge, "We talked to your buddy upstairs and it sent us here."
"It is still me," replies the voice, "The intercom I'm talking through right now offers a much higher vocal quality than the device outside."
"Ummm," 10013 rubs its head, "I'm sorry, voice. I kinda don't know a bunch of words you've just used. We can go to the resort and ask the Queen or someone smart-"
"That won't be necessary. I'll adjust my speech pattern to match yours. You are using a version of common language similar to what the griffons on this island use. Besides, the fewer times anyone uses the emergency hatch, the better."
"How come?"
"I will explain once we meet," the voice pauses, "The camera above the door isn't working. Is the door open?"
"There's no door, just this smooth metal blocking our way," says 20100 who has been poking and prodding the material while 36658 remains staring back into the tunnel they've descended through with pure paranoia.
"There must be a wiring problem," says the voice.
"We can dig through," says 10013, "But the Queen told us we're not supposed to unless someone asks us and only if it's super important."
"That shouldn't be necessary, and in the long run it could cause more harm than good," replies the voice, "There should be a square plate in the wall to the right, near the ceiling. It will be difficult to find even with night vision-"
"Got it!" reports 20100 with a smile, face pretty much pressed against the wall.
"If you are certain, press up against the ceiling right above where you found it and the plate should slide aside-"
20100 does so and everything happens as the voice said, revealing some kind of a triangular handle.
"-to reveal an emergency unlocking mechanism. It's a lever which can be pulled downwards."
As 20100 keeps following the instructions, the metal sheet reveals to be a perfectly tightly fitting door made of three pieces, two sliding to left and right respectively and one behind them sliding upwards.
"It opened!" says 10013, "What now?"
"The speaker system of the facility itself seems mostly functional, so I will be able to talk to you all the way. Follow the lights."
YOU ARE READING
They're... ON HOLIDAY?
Fanfiction[SEQUEL TO: They're EVERYWHERE!] Several years after the changeling invasion of Canterlot, queen Chrysalis gets an invitation to attend a cruise followed by a stay in a luxury holiday resort on an island belonging to the Griffon Empire. Supposedly...
