I have to take slow, even breaths as the armor around me slowly cools off. The heat is starting to get to me and it's becoming a bit difficult to breathe. Overcasting is never easy, but overcasting while dual-casting is an entirely ludicrous level of stupid. But, it worked. One illusion and one magical amplification spell and my brain didn't melt in the process, so that's a win. A few of the bots around me have started removing bits of armor from my arms and chest. I just keep my eyes shut and focus on breathing. I haven't casted like that in a while. I almost forgot what a bitch it is.

"Perimeter secured. Local forces subdued. Orders sir?" the bot asks me as the last piece leaves my torso. I open my eyes and look up. Three Unfamiliar lay on the ground near me. They were the few that tried to stop me. Ulfric stands between several legion bots, almost looking confused. He knows what happened, he's recounting it in his head right now. But there's something that he doesn't quite grasp yet. Something he's trying to figure out. I take a look at the Unfamiliar man beside him and immediately know what I need from him.

Once the last of my armor is off I push myself up and begin to approach the Unfamiliar. He tries to back away, but the bots around him use their blades to hold him in place. He tries to say something, but I don't make anything out. I ignite my hand and pierce his chest with it, attempting to force myself into his mind. I get flashes of memories here and there. He wasn't ready for this, but he's been trained against it clearly. I can see an authority figure. A woman watching him closely. People running together... laughing... screaming... I can see a world flourishing with life, a world beyond Earth... but I get the feeling that it's not his home either. I sift through these memories and try to force my way deeper into his mind. All of this is useless to me. Where are his people hiding? Where are his military bases?

I start to find more on the Unfamiliar, so I start to dig. I can see the social structure, the four factions, and a few faces. One I recognize and the Nether Walker, and the other I recall as the one who led the assault on Canterlot when they first came here. I don't know the fourth one, and I can't seem to gather a name for him, not in this instance at least. The four of them are arguing over something, but Kileh -the Unfamiliar I'm searching- keeps fighting me on this one. In the conversation, he seems to be in charge... sort of. He has a commanding tone, and seems to hold some clout with the others, but there's a clear undertone of respect lacking.

Something about the conversation lures me in. Maybe it's the way he's fighting me so much, but there's something here. I press a bit harder to try and listen in, but words fade in and out. I try again and force myself in, starting to make some headway. Slowly but surely, I start to hear what they are saying.

"... with Vensil gone the role should go to the house of the Dreamers," the Nether Walker says calmly. I get the impression that he's not speaking English here, if I'm reading his lips correctly. But I'm getting what he said through Kileh’s understanding.

"We will not subjugate ourselves to the devils! There is but one human before us! Let him think his toys will keep him safe! We should lull him into a sense of safety and strike when his back is present! With him out of the picture we can restart anew! Leave the old worlds behind-"

"You would deny our people their heritage? You would have us forget a thousand years of death and destruction? Have you no shame?"

"And do you have so much pride that you can't move forward? Are you so emboldened in war that you can't see anything else?"

They all begin to argue more and more. I try to focus on names, locations, anything, but I can't. Even worse, whatever room they're in is mostly devoid of light. A single light bulb hangs from the center of the four individuals, giving me enough to see their faces. But that's not where Kileh is looking. He's staring at something in his hands. It looks like a port to a phone. Just a metal cylinder, similar to the one on mine. Something about it is important. Information? Personal effects? Or something else.

"None of this matters," Kileh says, fumbling with the device. "The chimera has given us a chance to lick our wounds and regroup. Send word to the others to settle in their lands before they start killing us off one by one. From there we can bicker. We lost the Sleeping Fleet, let's not lose everybody else in the process." There's a mumble of approval from the others. "With the flagship gone we have no escape from this dirt ball. If we are to continue as a species, there are a great many things we have to accomplish."

"What do you mean? Our only goal should be to kill the human! That abomination shouldn't dare stand against us!"

"History has proven otherwise." Kileh tells the stranger, silencing him. "We aren't going to win over these ponies, not after what Vensil tried. The Griffins have offered us a home to share. It is obvious that they oppose the ponies and are seeking allies-"

"And what of the goblins? They at least have an understanding of technology, why aren't they an option?" There's another murmur of talking. Kileh looks back down to the device in his hands again before closing his fist around it.

"The goblins are embroiled in their own fight. We need time to gather our forces and make a plan of attack. We need to probe the human and watch for the time to strike. Vensil thought he could just land our flagship and start colonizing the planet, look what happened. Caution should be our priority."

The others lean back to speak with people in the darkness. Their conversations are short. When they come back they stand together, getting Kileh to stand with them.

"Caution it is then. Kileh will lead from now on. We will all move our forces to the Griffin lands. From there we will continue our discussion." Each of the Unfamiliar come and give their congratulations to Kileh, wishing him luck and prosperity. The entire time I get an uneasy feeling from Kileh. He might not have wanted this position. That, or he doesn't trust these other people. It's hard to tell, so it might just be a combination of the two.

There are four factions to the Unfamiliar. And they only seem to be cooperating because of circumstances. They have a common enemy. They all feel the need to protect their people as well, but there is a divide in the manner they go about it. That's where our advantage is. If we can divide them, we can conquer them. I already have the Nether Walker... sort of. Kileh is in my hands now as well, but what do I do with this? I could take him prisoner, but that would only unite them together. Give them a singular objective. No, he has to die, now. That will leave a power vacuum in his absence.

But there is a catch. Someone is going to claim this seat of power. It could be someone who will push for war sooner rather than later. Or it could be someone who opens up to the public and sues for peace. With no say in who to appoint there is no way of knowing. But, I know how Kileh stands, and that's enough to have to remove him from power.

How much time has passed? It's hard to tell in the mindscape. I don't have all day to stand here and think things over. As much as I want to, I need to get back to the real world and move on with my plans. But there's more to search in here... dammit!

I pull my arm back and yank myself out of his mind. He recoils back and rubs his temples, hazed from the experience. Before he can recover I draw my revolver and bring the barrel to his head, pulling the trigger lazily. With a loud bang the slug punches through his skull. Black blood and brain matter fly out the back as he drops to the ground. His body gives a few twitches as he stares blankly up at the ceiling.

"You monster," Ulfric mutters as he stares down at Kileh, shocked.

"Load him up and let's get going! We don't have all day!" I yell to the others, holstering my gun. The bots begin to escort Ulfric to the broken window as the Spartans retreat to their own aircraft.

"Do you know what you’ve done?" Ulfric asks me as we force him into an infantry aircraft. Several bots force him into a seat as I take the one across from him. Moments later the door slides shut and we begin to take off. "Do you know what you have done!?"

"I killed him, just like I did Vensil. Just like I'll do with whoever takes his place," I tell him dryly, staring him down.

"The repercussions from your careless actions will ripple throughout the world! There will be nowhere you can go and walk peacefully! You will forever have a target on your back! You fool!" I ignore him and sit back. The engines begin to pick up as we start to leave the Griffin air space. Ulfric takes a worried look around as he holds on tightly. "Where are you taking me?"

"The only place where you'll listen," I tell him simply. He gives me a curious look before going stone faced. I feel a tingling sensation on the back of my neck as he starts to try and prod my mind. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"..." He ignores me and starts to prod through my mind. I try to fight it, but it's not something I'm too familiar with doing. Not like this at least.

"You see the bots here?" I ask him through gritted teeth. He glances at them for a moment, but continues to prod into my mind. I can't tell if he's actually seeing anything or if he's just trying to let me know that he can do this.

"They don't have minds. They receive their orders and then they follow them through. It's a real bitch sometimes. Because, let's say, the order was to escort the two of us somewhere as an example. And, if I should attempt to give any new orders afterwards, they are to shoot your legs... and your wings... and your paws, but not kill you." He pauses his mind attack to give me a questionable look, so I continue.

"In this example, they have very specific... let's call them rules. If a rule says to jump, they jump. If it says to shoot, they shoot. If it says that in mid flight I become incapacitated, then they rip you to shreds and keep you alive long enough to drag your ass down to Topaz Falls and keep you in a state of near death and torment. Because, and this is all an example of course, knowing that you are a mind fucker, I would make fail safes just in case you tried to do any funny business. So, if I were you, I wouldn't do that. But, I can't make you do anything, now can I?"

He stares back at me for a moment before leaving my mind. He's still tense. He's waiting for some sort of opening to exploit. Some weakness to prod. But I covered my bases well enough. Assuming he doesn't have any new tricks up his sleeve, I'll be covered. Hopefully he accepts that he's cornered for the time being and we'll make it to our destination in relative peace. I'd prefer not to rough him up before this. But, what must be done will be done.

"You are a tyrant. A dictator. And a threat to the stability of the word," he tells me matter-of-factly.

"No... No, I'm a man with a vision and resources. And that's a dangerous combination." I tell him smugly.

"History will not remember you as such."

"History is to be determined by the victors, Ulfric. Truth is what we say it is. It's then up to the masses to pick a side and fight it out. You're only a villain if you fight for the wrong side, Ulfric. So long as I win this fight, my legacy is set."

"And what makes you so sure that you will win this fight? What could you possibly posses that would assure you this victory?" I try my best not to laugh at that. I literally just invaded his home and took him prisoner, and he acts like he's still in control! Either he is that arrogant, or he's hiding something that I don't know about. I hope it's the former, but we'll just have to find out.

"Don't get too comfortable. It won't be too long of a flight." He gives me a quizzical look before settling into his seat.

The flight to the Isles didn't take much time. But the silence between us was immeasurable. Even without looking at each other, we're taking stock of one another. I keep thinking of possible arguments he might make and what case he'll try to push. Just as I have been for the last few years. I have to know what to say and how to say it. I have to have all the answers before the questions are even brought up. Before we start, I have to know how to win. I'm sure he's doing the same thing. Planning his arguments, thinking through what I might say.

I'm taking a gamble with this. My hope is to convince Ulfric that fighting is not in his best interest and to turn over the Unfamiliar. I doubt that I'll get the latter, but I can hope. Hopefully this entire engagement will be enough to persuade him to avoid a war. Even if it's only for the time being. I don't want to go to war right now. I don't want to conquer. I can win the people over another way, I just need time. War is resentment, and bitterness, and hatred. I've had enough of war, though I know it's not over yet. The Unfamiliar are still a factor to consider. Our war continues, just as it always has.

The descent to the Isles is rough due to poor weather. A storm is blasting the massive island. I guess it's raining everywhere today. The pilot fights to land properly, tittering from one pitch to the other before finally slamming the vehicle down harshly. The minute the door slides open a torrent of rain blasts into the transport. The two of us are soaked immediately, having nowhere to hide. The water is cold and sends chills over my entire body, but it's not enough to deter me. I step out into the storm and wait for Ulfric to come out. He follows me out slowly, taking a deep breath as he embraces the water.

"I have missed this," he yells over the weather, lifting his head up and closing his eyes. I nod to him, allowing him a moment to enjoy the rain. Despite everything, I know him to be good at heart. He's doing what he must for his people, and in a way, I respect him for that. Even against insurmountable odds he has the courage to stand against the immovable. Why wouldn't I respect an aspect like that?

"It's time," I yell back. He takes one last long breath before looking back to me and nodding. He's a respectable person, I'll give him that. His flaw is that he doesn't know how to pick his fights.

We walk down the cobble stone path in silence. I wave my guards to hold back. I won't need them for this. When we make it to the massive wooden doors to the Summit building back entrance I step forward and slam my fist against it. I step back as loud thuds echo down the inner chamber. It doesn't take long for someone to respond. The door opens partially and a goat sticks her head out to see who's there. One look at the two of us and she rolls her eyes.

"What could be so-o-o important ya had ta come knockin' in the midd-d-dle of a bloody storm!?" she demands, her unpleasant tone soaked with irritation.

"Terms of war, should peace not ensue." I tell her, getting a quizzical look from her. She eyes for a moment before shutting the door. Locks and bolts sound off as she works on opening the door completely. I get the sense that Ulfric is staring at me. But I ignore it, as best I can at least. Whatever he needs to say he can do so inside.

When the door finally opens the goat inside motions for us to enter. She shuts the door behind us as a wall of warmth hits the two of us. Large fireplaces sit on both sides of the room, radiating a welcoming warmth to the room. Several other goats are in the room as well. Most are sitting at benches with meals or some form of distraction. A small group is approaching the two of us, being led by O'Buckly.

"Miles, Ulfric," he greets wearily. We nod back, keeping silent. "What's this I hear 'bout a war now? What have you two done?" We finally give each other a glance. Stoic eyes and firm jaw, he's as ready for this as I am.

"I think it would be best if we spoke in the chamber," Ulfric tells him. He gives each of us a worried look before nodding us down the hall. We follow after him, getting a similar pace to one another.

We enter the dark chamber and wait for several goats to move about and light some torches within the room. After a minute or two of waiting we each take our places within the floor traps and wait for O'Buckly to set them. He goes to say something, but shakes his head and keeps silent. It's obvious that there's going to be no backing out of this. But now it's time to see who is truly prepared for this. I know I'm right. Even with what I did today, I know I'm right. I just need to convince them that I am.

"The traps are set. Should you get outta line, I'll suck yer souls out and toss yer corpses inta the sea. What, in the bloody hell, have you two done?" O'Buckly demands. Ulfric and I look to one another before he goes to answer. I have no intention of speaking first.

"Miles has invaded the Griffin Colonies. He has forcibly brought me here in an attempt to justify his crimes." O'buckly looks to me, expecting a response. But I wait. Ulfric has more to say, and I wasn't asked to speak yet. "He has engaged in an attempted genocide of the Kroth people, people I have give refuge within my borders. Because of this, I believe, he has made an assault against my people. I demand that he pay for these crimes."

Short, but to the point. I imagined him making some long speech about this. Maybe if he had more time to prepare he would have. But, he covered the basics, and that's all he really needs to do. I continue to wait. I'll speak when I'm asked to. No need to look as if I'm trying to justify my actions. I need to look calm, in control, understanding. Let him voice his grievances.

"And what say you, Miles Eremita of the Spartan regiment? Are these accusations true?" O'Buckly asks me, put off by my silence.

"Unfamiliar soldiers are residing within the United Griffin Colonies. My people are still at war with them, as they are with us. Their first contact on this planet is proof of that. With no armistice between our people I must follow my orders as they stand. Eradicate the Unfamiliar threat at all costs. I have explained this to Ulfric and he has resisted my claims. I am not here for genocide though, proven by my capture and imprisonment of the Unfamiliar leader, The Nether Walker. My capture of Ulfric and my purpose behind this meeting is to find an end to these means. Either the Unfamiliar subjugate themselves to Ulfric and they cease all military actions; or they will be the target of military action."

The room goes silent. O'Buckly looks between the two of us for a time, thinking on what we said. I imagined more questions being asked, but I've said the gist of what needed to be said. It's up to him now.

He sits down slowly and lets out a long hum as he thinks over everything. A few other goats have entered the stands as well. I glance to Ulfric and catch his gaze for a moment. We both know what's at stake here. But what does he have planned that could leave him so confident? I don't sense any doubt in him. There's no hesitation in his thought process, from what I can gather. Is he that hard of a read? Most likely, but I can't shake the feeling that he's not entirely lying. What's he hiding?

"I don't know what ta say," O'Buckly says suddenly, gaining both of our attention. He turns to address me directly, keeping a stern look about himself. "Miles. I accept that you are following orders, no matter how old they may be. But that does not give you the right to violate the airspace of another nation! Let alone imprisoning the leader of a nation!

"Ulfric, you have garnered t-t-to much attention for yer military buildup! Even worse, ya went ahead and allied yerself with the people you know attacked the Terradisians and the Equestrians! They have every right to retaliate! Ya aint doing no one any favors with these reckless actions!"

He sighs again, lowering his head in thought. I glance at Ulfric again, hoping to see if what he's said affected him in any way. He's... stiff. Strong jawed. Resolute. He knows what he's done, and he trying to stand by it.

"Is this it then?" O'Buckly asks with a chuckle. "Is this what the two of ya wanted? Well, here ya go. LOWER THE FLAGS!"

The few goats in here run to the entrances and pull on some ropes. Bundles of clothes come rolling down from the rafters above. Each one seems to be a flag with different markings on them. There are five in total. All of them have white backdrops; with a few variations. One is blank, the next has a single black line going from the top left corner to the bottom right; the next one has a red plus in the center; the one after that has two red bars, looking similar to an equal sign; and the last one has a black X going from corner to corner.

"You may not be aware, but you've already signed a contract agreeing to the terms of war. Courtesy of Ms. Eremita," O'Buckly tells us, giving me a toothy grin. "These are the five terms all warring parties will agree to. If you act against them, then I-I-I think ya know what happens then."

"This first flag is for Surrender. Should ya give up, then that's that! Prisoners of war have rights, just like any other being! There will be no mass executions of prisoners! Nor will there be unnecessary torture! Forced labor should not be intended to kill them either!"

"The next flag is for Parley. Should ya wanna speak with one-another, fly this flag. Should ya both fly it, it means ya agree to a cease of hostilities to speak to one another."

"This flag is for Medical Personnel. Do not target these people. Those who are hurt have suffered enough already. Should you capture a unit that flies this flag, you are ta consider them specialized civilians. Ya can't force em into hard labor till they get doctor's clearance to."

"The flag with the two bars is for Foreign Mediators. We'll be flying this flag the most. There will be third partied people on both sides evaluating each conflict, I a-a-assure you of that. We can't always rely on each and every individual ta follow the rules. These people will be present to keep a constant reminder that we are watching."

"And lastly, the Civilians flag. You will not target these individuals, end of statement! You may take them prisoner, you may annex them into your territory, but you will not engage in military actions targeted directly at any people flying this flag."

"And just in case you have any questions, I-I-I'll stop ya there. I ain't answering any questions. I do this ta make everything as vague as possible. Generally speaking, if ya think it might break one of these rules, then don't do it. That'll end today's meeting-"

"Wait, but-" I try to interject, but O'Buckly continues on.

"A member of my court will leave with each of you ta keep tabs on yer actions. Have a good night gents!" He taps his hoof on the floor and releases the bond on us. He leaves without saying another word to either of us. Ulfric and I look to each other before chasing after him.

"You can't be serious O'Buckly! You really have nothing else to say!?" I demand from him.

"You can't force us to go to war with one another!" Ulfric adds. "You are the facilitator for peaceful negotiations! If we can't accomplish that here then why put up all of this posturing!?" He stops and glares back at us, getting up to stop before him.

"Do ya both think I'm that dense?" he asks us. Neither of us answers though. I don't understand why he's acting like this. "Miles is a military dictator and you're mobilizing at a frightening rate. If you two weren't going to go to war, then I don't know how the rest of the world is supposed to act. And that's before we bring in the rest of the world! We have bears shootin' down dragons, the goblins have been multiplying at dangerous levels, orc raiding parties seem to be testing the borders of their neighbors, Equestria seems to have a new alicorn every day, and to top it all off! I just received word that Minotaur slavers attempted to raid the Isle!"

"And here you two are! Telling me that you want peace! Or that you're only trying to harbor people you know will only cause you problems! Bleh! The world hasn't been this divided since the so called gods fought for dominance! Or maybe it's always been this divided and we've just been lyin' to ourselves. So, you know what, do it. Be the one to push the world into war! Be the cause of millions of deaths! Because this is the tipping point, ya know that, right? Once one of you does it, the others will follow suit. Have your war!"

He drops to his haunches and hangs his head in defeat. He shakes his head a bit as he lets out a long breath. Ulfric and I look to one another again, almost asking each other what to do. I wasn't expecting this, not from him at least. He was the only one I thought would still have the resolve to push for peace. When did he become such a defeatist?

"What has happened O'Buckly?" Ulfric asks in a quiet, calm tone.

"Yeah, what gives?" I add. "Why are you giving up on everything suddenly?"

"Giving up?" he asks, clearly offend. "Who else out there is still tryin’? I'm the only one, the only one tryin’! Who else sets aside their own agenda, puts others before their own, and gives equal ground for others to speak? Hm? Neither of you, that's for sure. Who? Celestia? She cares for her ponies first, not the world as a whole. Starke? Longhorn? No. None of them. So don't you dare say that I g-g-gave up! I was the only one who was willing to fight the losing fight! An don'cha go forgettin' that! Don't ya dare!"

I nod to him and take a step back. He's right. I can't think of anyone who does his job the way he does it. But where does that leave us? Is this it? Are we going to war now? I didn't mean to force this to happen now. But... he's right, again. We're the two big players as of right now, as far as I know. If the Kroth are fighting for him, that's assuming. I didn't come here to set the terms. I came here to resolve the issue and be done with it. Maybe there's still time though. He sets the terms, but that doesn't mean we have to leave as warring parties.

"Ulfric," I say aloud as I remove my helmet. "I don't want to go to war with you, but I can't simply allow those people to sit idly by. I need you to either take control of them or separate yourself from them."

"I will not allow a genocide to occur. I goes against the morals of every decent person," he tells me tiredly. I think about it for a moment before an idea hits me. Something I should have probably thought of before.

"It will not be a genocide, I promise you that. And I can prove it to you." He gives me a skeptical look. I pause to think this a little more through. The more people know about this, the worse it will probably get. For our image that is. But, it's proof that I'm not here to kill them all... kind of. "Come with me to New Garnet."

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