“… and that’s sums up the fiscal years revenue, your highness.” The pony before me tells me… I forget his name. It’s been a long meeting, but budget meetings tend to be so. I smile down to him, glad to see we’re still in the black. Though, the country has definitely seen a great deal of profit loss, what with all of the world problems that plague us.

“Thank you very much for your presentation… er…”

“Bear Broker, your highness.”

“Right, my apologies. I’m glad to see we’re still seeing some form of-“

SLAM

The doors to the throne room are thrown open as Miles marches down. Or, rather, the Spartan Captain marches down towards us, clad in all of his armor. He walks right past Bear Broker and stops just below the steps below my seat.

“We need to talk,” he says, his voice coming out from the speakers of his helmet.

“Mr. Broker, thank you for your presentation. You are excused.” I tell him, sensing the unease in Miles’s voice, even with the helmet.

“O-of course, your highness,” he says uneasily before bowing and scurrying out of the building. I wait till the doors shut before speaking to Miles.

“This better be good Captain. I have several meetings to attend to.” I tell him as I descend the steps down. I don’t call him by name, as part of the agreement. When he’s a human, he’s simply Captain of the Spartans, representative of the Terradisians. When he’s an alicorns, then he’s King of Equestria. It helps create a line between the two, hopefully keeping prying eyes away from Luna and Tempestive. At least here in Equestria.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t,” he replies quickly, walking along side me. “But I need you to hear me out first and give me your opinion before asking details.”

“Miles, I’ve been a world leader for a very long time. I think I can approach something without being bias.” I tell him, rolling my eyes slightly. He doesn’t respond, rather he stares at me; waiting for me to give my word. “*sigh* very well. Now what has you so one edge?”

We stop by a window and stay quiet for a moment. I can tell he’s thinking deeply about this, trying to find his words correctly. I wait patiently, not know what he has to say, but knowing it can’t be something easily brought up.

“We… discovered something… wrong, in Syncney,” he says finally.

“Syncney? The goblin city in the remains of those strips mine?” I ask, thinking back to the few times I’ve been there. Given, that was quite a time ago.

“Yeah. They… keep slaves,” he continues, looking away from me slightly. I keep my composure about myself, but feel my heart skip a beat. If Miles came to me about this, then that most likely means they’re keeping ponies as slaves. The mere thought of that happening makes my blood boil, but I keep it to myself and allow him to continue. “I was ready to invade them to rescue them all.”

“That’s very noble of you Miles… but… you didn’t.” What could possibly stop him from saving them?

“Damian pointed something’s out that… made me question my stance on the attack-“

“What could he possibly say that would make you not want to save the innocent from wrongful incarceration?” Damian. That pony… I simply don’t get him. He acts like a buffoon most of the time, but then suddenly he’s the one pointing out morality?

“Apparently Equestria keeps slaves as well. Or, second class citizens rather.”

“The cattle and sheep of this nation are not slaves.” I cut him off firmly. I’ve had to make this conversation several times in the past, and I’m sure I’ll make it several more times again. “Unlike other nations, we do not devour them. We allow them the lives they wish to live, and provide services for them. In return, they provide essentials like wool, milk, and labor. The only reason they are ‘second class’ citizens is because they simply don’t have the cognitive capabilities that we do. And don’t give me that look! We’ve studied and researched this enough times to know the difference. They simply can’t understand things beyond a certain point. Trust me, I’ve been trying for over a thousand years to see if they could, and they can’t-“

“Celestia, I don’t care about that. What made me question the attack was when he called me out.” I pause and stare at him, a bit lost.

“You? What have you done that could… the Kroth-“

“Unfamiliar,” he corrects me, facing me. I see him physically harden, clenching his fist and standing a bit taller. “Unfamiliar.”

“Mi… Captain. What are you doing with them?” I ask cautiously.

“I have them working the factories, mobilizing the Terradisian army.” I step back at the bluntness of his response, but quickly remember the Terradisian code of conduct. No lies, no secrets.

“And who exactly do you think you’re going to need an army like that to fight?” I know from first hoof experience what an army of that caliber could do. Who could possibly stand against them? Unless… “Captain… are you using them to create the tools of their own destruction?”

“I will not lose anyone else to those monsters,” he says sternly, taking a step towards me. “I’ve seen that fight before, and I will not relive that!”

“Miles-“

“Captain-“

“You can’t do that! It’s… it’s not you! I know you, you’re a good man! You can’t do something like that-“

“Actually, I can.” He says, making me step away from him and look out the window. “You’ve never had you home invaded by them. You’ve never seen them ripe your people apart, limb from limb. I will not let that evil escape. I will not let something like that exist anywhere near my family! I will-“

“MILES!” I yell, getting him to stop. I sigh and turn back to him, understanding where he’s coming from. “Captain. I understand. The Kroth were the evil of your people. You’ve been trained to hate them. But… you can’t blame these people for what their ancestors did. It was a thousand years ago-“

“Maybe for you it was. But it wasn’t for me.” He says before he turns and walks away.

“Then should Luna still feel her own shame?” I call out, making him stop and turn back to me. I don’t want to use this card, but knowing Miles, it’s the only thing that will get him to listen. “Luna led a revolt against me a thousand years ago Miles. Ponies fought and died for each of us, believing each of us to be a horrible monster. Should we punish Luna for all of the war crimes committed-“

“That’s not the same-“

“You’re right, they aren’t. At least the Kroth down there didn’t actually do anything! Luna actually fought! Should we lock her up too? Force her to work for her own demise? Why not Tempestive for that matter? The son of the legendary warrior Nightmare Moon, sworn enemy of the Sun Tyrant and-“

“ENOUGH!” Miles snaps at me, taking an aggressive step towards me. I stand my ground and stare him down, knowing the pain he’s feeling right now. I know it because I’ve lived it. I don’t want him to fall so far. “Enough… I… *sigh* I get it.” I soften my expression and step forward, offering him a small smile.

“I’m sorry, but… I don’t want you to fall down that path Miles. It’s a difficult one to traverse, let alone leave. I almost completely lost Luna to it, and I won’t lose you to it.”

“I hate them Celestia.” He says, sounding almost terrified. “I hate them with every fiber of my being. I… I can’t imagine a world where they live alongside the rest of us. But… if I destroy them… I don’t what I would do afterwards.”

“Miles, you were raised to fight them. You don’t know any other way of thinking. Maybe… maybe you shouldn’t be the one to decide what happens to them-“

“I have to know what they’re doing Celestia. I have to; otherwise… otherwise I don’t sleep. The fear that they would come in and take Luna and Tempestive away from me, harm them… they are my everything, you all are-“

“I know Miles, I know. If something were to happen to any of you, I would react the same way. But we can’t lose ourselves in the fears of what might happen. If we don’t give them the chance to redeem themselves from the past, how are any of us going to move forward?” I ask him softly, stepping closer to comfort him.

“What would you do with them?” He asks shakily. “What would you do with the people who killed your best friend? That tore your people away from you? …that took your family away, what would you do with them?”

“I… wouldn’t do anything. That kind of pain, that kind of scarring, you don’t recover from that. Miles, let me take care of them-“

“No, no this isn’t your problem-“

“I have plenty of experience dealing with foreigners-“

“They aren’t foreigners Celestia! They’re unfamiliar! They-“

“It’s a culture gap as well as a language gap with people that simply look different.” I cut him off sternly, silencing him. “I’ve done this kind of thing before Miles. Do you really think this is any different than meeting the Orcs for the first time? Or the Goblins for that matter? This world is filled with many different people Captain, the Kroth are no different.”

“They are when they have access to weaponry that could conquer the world in under a week.” Miles cuts me off, looking back out the window. I nod to that, but have an ace up my sleeve for it.

“They may have the technology, but we have the Spartans.” I say, getting him to look back to me. “Let me do this Miles, please. Everypony deserves a second chance, let me give them theirs.” We stare each other down for hat feels like hours. This is more than just saving the Kroth for me. If he says no… I don’t know how I would look at him afterwards. Miles is a good man, he stands for justice, and I can’t let him take such a dark path.

“I… I… how… *sigh* fine, if only to let me save those slaves, fine.” I let out a long breath. It may not be a perfect yes, but I’m more than happy with this. “But clear any interactions with me first!”

“Of course Captain-“

“I’m not taking any chances, if anyone goes down there they’ll have a Spartan and a group of bots with them at all times-“

“I think we can manage that,” I say with a wide smile.

“And I want reports of their activities as well as all interactions-“

“As you wish.”

“And… and… Celestia?”

“Yes Captain?” I ask. He stays quiet for a moment before he suddenly pulls me in for a hug. I jump at first, but relax into it afterwards.

“Thank you,” he says quietly, relief washing through his voice. I nuzzle into his embrace, though his armor makes it a tad bit uncomfortable. I ignore it for the time being to comfort him, knowing how stressful this probably was for him. After a moment long Miles breaks the hug and rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably, a little embarrassed by the display. I chuckle at his awkwardness and motion for him to follow me. I begin to lead him out the back entry and towards one of my conference rooms.

“Now, tell me about the slaves the Goblins are keeping. I assume they are ponies, since you came to me about this.”

“Oh… yeah. Shit,” he says slowly. “It’s… it’s a bit more complicated than that actually.”

“How could it be more complicated than them keeping slaves?” I ask, raising an eyebrow to him.

“Well… so, did you know that humans created ponies to be slaves?” Miles asks slowly, making me stop in my tracks. “Willing slaves that is.”

“Miles-“

“Well… we did. And it seems the Goblins have figured out a part of it-“

“Miles-“

“So… they take unicorns and breed them to have children so they can force them to have cutie marks in enchanting so they can enchant their weaponry-“

“Miles!” I say firmly, raising my voice slightly. He goes quiet and stares back at me, taking a step back slightly. “When do we leave?”

....................................................................................................................................................

I lean back in my chair and sigh as we wait in the hanger bay of the castle. Miles is still having a talk with Celestia, leaving us to sit here and wait. I really don’t we why we don’t just go there and take them back. Damian isn’t even going to be a part of this operation! And the Unfamiliar… well, I just want to get those ponies back to Equestria.

The rest of the Spartans are staying quiet too. Most of them are still fresh from training, so I don’t know how reliable they’re going to be. I know the Jumper squad will do fine, I trained them after all. But they still haven’t seen any real combat. Well… maybe a few of them have. Raz has for sure, and Sledge was part of the training corps. Shifted seen some stuff too… actually; I think we’ll be fine.

“Well, well, well. I don’t think I’d ever forget a hair style like that.” My ear twitches as a familiar voice calls out from behind, followed by several pegasi landing behind me. I look back and see Spitfire waltzing towards me. Some of them are staying neutral, but a few of them have smug looks on their faces. “Rainbow Dash, it’s been awhile.”

“Spitfire. How’s the show team?” I ask, cracking a cocky smile as I get up to face her. A few of the other Spartans get up and join me, mainly the Jumpers.

“We’re doing well. We didn’t see you at the last Equestria games, weren’t you going to represent Ponyville again?” she asks, getting a few chuckles from the others.

“I heard she’s got a kid now.” One of the others calls out, making Spitfire look at e differently.

“A foal? I guess that would explain it. Birthing hips aren’t really aerodynamic after all.” I feel my tail twitch in irritation. I don’t have fat hips! I’m still as lean as before my pregnancy!

“Well I had to.” I say matter of factly. “If I didn’t, it wouldn’t be a competition between us.”

“Glad to see you still have that cocky attitude Dash, you’ll need something to fall back on when you fail again,” she says, a bit of venom leaking into her voice. I purse my lips as I try to refrain myself from punching her in the face right here and now. I just have to keep my cool; I have nothing to be ashamed of.

“Those are some pretty big words, coming from an entertainer.” Storm chimes in, getting a few others to chuckle.

“I’d pay to see that show.” Ellzy adds, throwing a wink to Spitfire.

“You wouldn’t have to pay, from what I hear.” Jonathan says, making a few of us laugh more. I look back to the barn owl griffin and smile to him, grateful for the backup. Spitfire chuckles at that as well, making me glare back at me.

“Listen greenies, I know you think you’re all badasses, but you’ve never been out in the real world. So don’t come crying to us when you need your feathers preened, okay?” She says, narrowing her eyes at me. Before any of us could respond a loud clang of metal onto stone silences the room. We all look back to Raz Al-Gruul holds his massive mace in his hand. He stands up, getting the rest of the Spartans to stand with him. He lumbers over until he’s looming over Spitfire, using his tremendous size to dwarf the pony.

“Preening?” the orc asks in his deep voice. “We’ll keep that in mind, pony. But only if you don’t forget your place, prey.”

“I won’t be intimidated by the likes of you, monster,” she replies quickly to the massive orc, making him chuckle.

“Monster?” he asks, his anger almost visibly rising. “No, no, you misunderstand. I’m no monster. No, I’m a Spartan Berserker.”

“OOH RAH!” Big Mac, Sledge, Leif and YinBei all yell, slamming their hooves or weapons down to add to the effect.

“I also advice never calling me monster again,” he warns as he lowers himself to get in her face. “Unless you want a monster, prey.” I’ll give Spitfire credit for not backing down, even when facing somepony three times her size.

“Spartans.” We all stand at attention and face Miles a he enters from the back, walking alongside Celestia. The Wonderbolts snap to as well, saluting Celestia instead.

“My Wonderbolts, it seems that an urgent matter has come to our attention. The Goblins have been keeping unicorns as slaves.” The bolts gasp at this, but us Spartans keep our cool… given, not all of us are ponies.

“We’re going to perform a joint operation to rescue them.” Miles tells us as he pulls out some device. It looks like a really small black mace with grey spikes over the ball. He flings it at the floor, having the spikes stick in the ground. The handle spreads open and a hologram appears above it. A picture of the Goblin Empire west coast appears with several red dots spotted throughout the land.

“These are the locations with high magical activity, as provided by the Terradisia air force.” Celestia explains as she moves to stand beside the Wonderbolts, who are still in awe of the hologram. “There are thirteen locations that will be hit tonight-“

“How are we supposed to hit all thirteen targets tonight!?” Spitfire asks abruptly.

“Terradisia will be providing transportation as well as assistance in this operation, Captain.” Celestia says, motioning to Miles.

“Jumpers, Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts will stealth in under cover of darkness-“

“The Shadowbolts?” One of Spitfires subordinates asks. Miles stares at her in annoyance before pointing up. Hanging from the roof are a couple dozen ponies bunched together. With their cover blown, they all drop down and land between Miles and Celestia. Their uniform are exactly what I remember them to be, but I don’t recall them having bat wings. They must be made up of Night Guards… but I don’t recall them having bat wings either.

“Thanks to Bluebloods recent legislation, Luna has made room for her own branch of Spec Ops. They’ve actually been around for three years now. And much like my sister, they tend to… be more reserved in their dealings. Captain North Star.” Celestia explains, nodding to their leader. He simply nods back, keeping his cat like gaze on the hologram.

“We don’t have time for interruptions.” Miles states. “You group will have one hour to complete their objectives. Jumpers, Shadowbolts and Wonderbolts; your goal is to land and secure the VIPs. Once you accomplish that, send a flare towards the ocean and your taxi will drop by for pick up. If your group is pinned, flare out inland and support will come in.”

“Discretion is key in this.” Celestia chimes in. “Do not openly attack any guard. They must not be able to identify that we’ve invaded their homeland. If within your hour marker you feel you cannot complete your mission without notice; then abort.”

“And lastly.” Miles cuts her off, stepping towards us. “Take no prisoners.”

“We can’t chance keeping one of them in fear of them escaping, nor can we let any who see us run off for help. If one does see you, kill him and burn the body. We cannot allow them to regenerate and turn us in. Don’t hesitate either, they are goblins after all. Dying isn’t much of a problem for them.”

“Any questions?” Miles asks, getting a silent response. “Alright, this is how we’re breaking it up. Dash; being the fastest in the group, you’re with Spitfire. You have these two objectives due to their proximity. Raz will be your first support, followed by Tiber. High Flyer, you’re with…”

I ignore the rest of what he says as I glare over at Spitfire. Why did he have to put me with her? I can think of several other Wonderbolts as fast as her! This is only going to cause problems on the ground, I just know it. But I’m not going to bitch about it. I know what Miles will say if I voice my concern. Deal with it! You’re the captain of the Jumpers for fuck sake! Sometimes I hate having responsibilities.

“… and Night Fury you’re with North Star hitting this last sight with Sledge on support. Any questions? No? Good, let’s move out then-“

“Wait, where are you going to be?” I ask, getting a lot of blank stares my way. “Sorry Captain, I was… deep in thought.” My ear twitches when I hear a couple snickers.

“Pay attention Dash.” He says it in a flat even tone, but it stings just as much as if he had yelled. “I’ll be meeting Starke while this is all happening. Storm is on lead for this op., got it?”

“Crystal.” I reply quickly with a salute.

“Good. I expect nothing less than the absolute best from all of you. Watch each other and get them out quickly. Load up; we’re going in weapons hot.” I give one last glance to Spitfire before following him towards the front of the airport, where several transport aircraft are already landing.

Next Chapter: Chapter 213 Joint Operations Estimated time remaining: 24 Hours, 22 Minutes