“So the changelings are-“

“Ruled by a queen called Chrysalis.” Nigel paused his explaining their new allies to James as his armoured fist broke the beak of a griffon soldier. “She’s pretty nice. Gets a little cranky sometimes but she isn’t all high and mighty so that’s points in her favour.” A snap signalled the end of the griffon’s life, Nigel dusting his hands as the body slumped to the ground.

“Do you think she’ll be willing to give up some of her power?” James inquired, standing up from the body of another griffon, this one’s face an unrecognisable mess.

“Yep,” came the answer, Nigel glancing over to a squad of UIP soldiers as energy rifles peppered a darkened alleyway with death. “They’re grateful for the help we’ve given them, and there were already talks of them joining willingly. I’m sure if we give her a title, a good pay, a leadership position and manage to get the upper brass to treat her with some respect then we should be golden.”
The two, seeing that the regular army had things covered here, moved on in search of more entertainment.

“You’re going through a lot of effort to get them assimilated,” James commented as he kicked a stray pebble. “Add to that the colt as well; I hope you haven’t gone soft in my absence.” Chalmers laughed a dry laugh, his helmet speakers giving it a harsh electronic edge.

“No need to worry about that,” Nigel reassured as a group of soldiers kicked in the door of a house behind them. “Bleak Horizon’s a good kid, he does wonders for my mood. I’ve always wanted a son or daughter, might as well take one in.” James and Nigel shared an awkward silence at the reminder of exactly why natural conception was impossible for them, all ISA agents giving up that privilege for their artificial genetics.

“So back to the changelings,” James continued, keen to switch to a better topic.

“I just don’t mind them,” Chalmers informed while the pair turned a corner to head into the town centre. “Think of the scientific benefits we could learn. They can change form and feed off emotions, imagine if we could replicate that? Hordes of agents feeding off nothing but fear and desperation, able to be anyone and everywhere,” Nigel envisioned while sweeping an arm out in front of him.

“Nigel,” James started with a shake of his head. “Promise me you’ll never go and work Research and Development.”

“Elijah’s already got that covered,” Nigel joked, James chuckling at the reminder of the sadistic, bookish scientist that had once been part of their squad. “What’s the nerd up to these days anyway? The records are shut to me and I haven’t seen him since his last birthday.”

“Hell if I know,” James stepped over a dead griffon guard as he replied. “It’s apparently out in very far away location though.” The psionic leant over to Nigel, his voice lowering more out of unease than the desire for the conversation to be private. “I heard rumours that a whole congregation of priests were loaned to R and D, that’s all I know.”

“You’ve got to stop believing in that,” Nigel scoffed as they approached the town square, the clear area buzzing with activity as bulky aerial transports and gunships kept their engines running while they were landed. “There’s no such thing as demons or pacts.”

“Yet they managed to create necrotech from those ruins all those years ago,” James reminded as a group of soldiers split around them and headed in the direction that Nigel and James had come from. “That certain group is the same one that he’s leading.”

“Don’t remind me of them,” Chalmers requested with a shudder. “That stuff should have stayed buried and forgotten.” James hummed in agreement, the pair finding a wooden bench which they sat down upon, the wood creaking under their combined weight.

The two watched as UIP soldiers loaded unconscious Equestrians into transports, the equines knocked out by the gas that was still heavy in the air. It was probably a good thing that the gas was lasting so long, the Equestrians would likely have been much more resistant about getting into the boxy craft without it.

“Where’s the changeling queen now?” James wondered as he leaned back. “I’d like to meet the royal that didn’t manage to piss you off somehow. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.” Chalmers smirked under his helmet, his fingers tapping against each other.

“Oh, the sergeant of the wraith squad I commandeered was a little put out that I left him behind in the pony capitol to play diplomat between any Equestrian nobility and our changeling friends. So I took the time to organise transporting Chrysalis to Canterlot so she can meet some officers, as well as the princesses that she seems to hate. That should give him something to do.”

“You’re truly evil, you know that?” James commented with a sideways glance. The psionic turned back to the front before rolling his shoulders. “Please tell me that you’re going to get the helmet recordings later.”

“Oh yes, I plan to get the recordings from the entire time.” Nigel answered merrily. “Let’s just hope that everyone reacts as expected and we get an entertaining show.”

Chrysalis gritted her teeth as she tried to use her magic to undo the straps securing her to the seat. The humans had requested her presence at Canterlot as some of their military officers wished to meet her. While she appreciated the provided transport, the large four-engine aircraft was a little much in her opinion. Traveling fast was all good, but nothing should travel at four times the speed of sound like the humans had claimed it did.

“Allow me, Your Highness.”

Chrysalis held back a huff as one of the human bodyguards assigned to her undid the seatbelt’s release effortlessly with an armoured hand. The two soldiers were sitting either side of her, Chrysalis’s four changeling guards already out of their seats and out of the door.

“Ma’am,” the same bodyguard addressed as he stood up, the human holding out a hand towards her.

“I’m fine, thank you,” she replied as she left the seat. Chrysalis glanced at the other human in the transport, this one a female of their species. The ‘woman’ as she had been told was doing a last check of her weapon. The gun was short and compact, a matte black with gold trimming. They had informed her that it was called a ‘gauss carbine’, a light glow coming from the blue stripe along its rectangular body.

Her two human guards had been the ones that had brought her the news of the request, the humans’ golden armour with red trim far more ornate than the ISA agents or their standard forces. With two red ‘eyes’ instead of visors, their large, decorated helmets were a mix between a work of art and an item made for war. Apparently from the UIP Diplomatic Corps, they had informed her that their duty was to keep her safe at all times during the visit.

Chrysalis was thankful for it, she’d much rather have the humans by her side than face Celestia and Luna alone.

As she stepped off the metal floor of the aerial transport and onto the grass of the castle courtyard, the clanking of metal drew her attention. A squad of ten royal guards, solar guard in their golden armour, were facing her with a mix of blank looks and glares.

Chrysalis stood tall and grinned back, the Equestrian’s spears unthreatening when two armoured and armed humans were protecting her. Her changeling guards seemed a lot less sure of themselves, having only their chitin armour, magic and horns.

“Queen Chrysalis,” the lead solar guard addressed evenly, a large blue plume in the unicorn’s helmet. “I have instructions to take you to the command area. Your changelings will have to stay in a designated area above ground however, the Princesses were reluctant to even let you step hoof in our city again.” Chrysalis glared at the guard, the other Equestrians shifting on the spot while their spear-tips glinted in the moonlight.

“It’s fine, Your Majesty,” the female human said to her, the soldier having seen that Chrysalis was about to reply angrily. “They will be with the changelings that the ISA agents brought with them. The castle is also swarming with our own troops,” Chrysalis looked around as the female tilted her head towards a squad of UIP troopers. Now that it was pointed out, Chrysalis noticed identical squads all around the area.

“Fine then,” she relented while refacing the Equestrian guards. “Now if you are done I wish to get going, I have important people to meet.” Chrysalis noticed some of the more unruly guards muttering insults under their breath. “Oh, and your Princesses as well.”

“Say that again!” a guard snarled as the stallion broke ranks to move towards Chrysalis. Chrysalis remained calm and maintained a sneer at the pony as her human and changeling guards stepped out in front.

“Private!” the guard leader yelled out, furious. “Get back in line!”

“She insulted the Princesses!”

“I did not,” Chrysalis answered with mock hurt. “I never said a mean word towards them.” Everyone knew what she had been implying, but the guard sergeant was aware that any actions against the Queen would not end well.

“Private, let it go.” The angry stallion continued to glare at Chrysalis, the pegasus remembering that he had a spear ready to go. His eyes drifted to two golden humans flanking the changeling queen, the bipeds’ hands on their weapons. He knew that he would be unlikely to make it to Chrysalis before they stopped him, and even his own sergeant was supporting her.

Grumbling, the private returned to his unit and received a glare from his sergeant. Chrysalis gave him a final grin of triumph before the squad of Equestrians headed to the castle entrance, one of the human guards looking down at her as the group of changelings and humans followed the ponies.

“That was not needed,” the female human informed. “I recommend that you attempt to hold back any previous distaste for the Equestrians. Baiting them will not help your image with the officers.”

“It may not have been needed,” Chrysalis replied with a smile. “It was satisfying though, the royal guard are so easy to rile up.” The human didn’t reply, the soldier straightening as the group approached the main castle doors. Chrysalis saw another ten solar guards and a squad of normal human soldiers standing outside the heavy wooden doors. The Queen smirked as she noticed the humans were standing on the left and the ponies on the right, evidently the divide between her new allies and Equestrians was quite pronounced.

“Sergeant Harper.” Chrysalis tilted her head as her male human guard greeted the other UIP troops, the ten, tan-armoured humans saluting. She was quite interested in the humans’ names, she had heard so many strange combinations during the ISA agents’ stay in her hive.

“They’re expecting you sir,” one of the normal troops said. Harper nodded before turning to the Equestrians, the solar guard exchanging glares with the changelings.

“Are we allowed to enter?”

“Yes,” a pony grumbled out, the unicorn mare breaking off her glare at Chrysalis to answer Harper. “You’ll find the other changelings to the left of the entrance hall, only humans and the changeling queen are allowed in the war room.” The Equestrian lieutenant had an expression of distaste at the mention of Chrysalis’s title.

“Thank you so much,” Chrysalis replied with a sickly sweet tone. She grinned at Harper, the human shaking his head at her. The standard UIP troops found her attitude hilarious, Chrysalis catching a few of them chucking within their helmets. The solar guard were not as amused, the lieutenant scowling at her as the changelings in the back snickered.

“Just go in,” the pony growled. “The Princess’s time is precious.” Harper gave Chrysalis a warning nod as their group moved into the castle.

Chrysalis decided to ignore it.

“I’m sure it is, otherwise they wouldn’t be spending it on me.”

“Why you-“ the furious guard was cut off as the main doors closed behind them, the sound of electronic-tinged laughter mixing in with the pony’s muffled yelling.

“Just how long did you spend with the ISA, if I may ask?” Chrysalis looked to the woman, going back over the last few weeks in her mind.

“Too long,” she answered, eliciting a brief chuckle from Harper before the solider steered them down a corridor on the left. They passed guards and UIP soldiers, getting reactions ranging from glares to salutes. Chrysalis knew she shouldn’t be enjoying it, but she was. Walking in Canterlot castle and having the Equestrians unable to do anything about it was oh so satisfying. Her grin remained and she had a spring in her step as the group entered a room that seemed set aside as a servant’s break room.

Sitting around a plain table were three changelings, a human ISA trooper and a pony colt who Chrysalis recognised as Bleak Horizon. The foal that Chalmers adopted was the second to notice the new arrivals after the ISA agent.

“Hi Queen Chrysalis!” Horizon greeted as he waved a hoof at her from his cushion. Chrysalis found herself wearing a warm smile; the pony had finally gotten her name and title correct.

“Hello Horizon.” The three changelings all had left their seats and were bowing before her, the lone ISA agent lifting his head up from a pony book before giving her a nod.

“Your Highness.” Chrysalis nodded back at the human that she now knew was Sergeant Boland, the agent the most stable that she had met. “Soldiers,” Boland greeted to her two human guards, the ISA agent evidently higher ranked as the two guards saluted him.

“Rise subjects,” Chrysalis ordered, the three changelings standing back up. “I have to meet some human military officers and the Equestrian Princesses, they have said that changelings are to stay in this area so they’ll have to stay with you.”

“It’s so stupid,” a female drone spoke up, before quickly bowing before Chrysalis. “I mean it’s so stupid Your Majesty.” Chrysalis grinned at the drone’s behaviour before waving a hoof.

“No need for such actions drone,” Chrysalis reassured. “I don’t know if it’s the influence of Commander Chalmers but you can drop the formality. Tonight has just been so great.” Chrysalis looked down at the drone. “What is your name subject?”

“Mirror, Your Highness,” the drone answered with a confused look. “Excuse me for asking, but why didn’t you just use the Hive-mind to find out?”

“I’m getting a little sick of using it all the time,” Chrysalis answered as she gestured to her changeling soldiers. “I don’t have time for more questions, I have my duties to attend. Soldiers, wait here until I come back.” The six changelings that had arrived with Chrysalis found seats in the room, the other three changelings returning to their seats. Chrysalis looked towards Sergeant Boland, the ISA agent still reading his book. “Will you be joining us Sergeant?”

“No Ma’am,” Boland answered as he turned a page. “You’ll find that you will receive a warmer reception if I’m not there with you. Also, the Commander has got me looking after Horizon for him.”

“Me as well,” one of the original three changelings spoke up. Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at him, the drone quickly bowing while the pony colt moved towards him. “Sorry my Queen, I forgot that you wish for us to state our names. I am Nestor.”

“Ah, I remember you,” Chrysalis remembered fondly. “You were the drone that tried to steal that book from the scholars last year.” Nestor flushed green, the changeling earing looks from all of the others in the room.

“Uh… yes, that was me.” The drone looked down as Horizon sat down next to him.

“Excuse me, Your Highness,” Harper spoke up. “As entertaining as this is, we really must be going.” Chrysalis nodded her head gave her nine subjects a smile.

“I know. Thank you all, I have to go now but I know that you’ll keep out of trouble. I’ve been told that Sergeant Boland will deal with any Equestrians so please behave yourselves.” Chrysalis received a chorus of affirmatives in reply, the six soldiers getting comfortable in their seats as they prepared for the wait. She allowed herself a small smile as she witnessed Nestor rub the colt’s head, the foal not shying away from the changeling at all.

A throat clear from the female human next to her broke her out of her thoughts, Chrysalis rolling her eyes as she looked up at the bodyguard.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go.” With a final wave that was returned, Chrysalis and her two guards left the room, heading down the same corridor they had arrived from. “What is your name anyway?”

“Corporal Raah.” Chrysalis nodded as the female human informed her of her name and rank.

“That’s different to what I’ve heard so far, even for human names.” The Corporal shrugged, the trio approaching a guarded staircase.

“I’ve got Indian ancestry, my parents were born on the Core Worlds so they wanted to keep tradition strong.” No more was said on the matter, Chrysalis a little irked that the humans tended to explain things while assuming that she had the faintest idea of what things like the ‘Core Worlds’ were.

Chrysalis decided that she’d find out more later, the staircase that was their destination only a few metres way. The changeling mentally prepared herself to be judged by a lot of humans as the Solar Guard guarding the staircase glared at her. She wanted to give a good impression to the bipeds, Chrysalis knowing that they were capable of elevating her people to greater heights than anyone else on the planet.

While her hooves clacked on cold stone steps, Chrysalis smirked once more at the thought of redeeming herself of the embarrassment that Celestia and Luna had caused her and her people.

‘Let’s see how the Equestrians act when the Changelings are exploring the stars above them, while they are stuck on the ground and unable to rival it. Then we’ll see just who is the better ruler.’

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am.”

Chrysalis smiled at the male UIP Army Colonel, the man shaking her hoof with a white-gloved hand. The tanned soldier let her limb go and returned to his subordinates, brushing his blonde hair with his hand. She had been pleasantly surprised with the reactions and greetings she had received, all of the human officers had been very welcoming.

Chrysalis tried to find a human she hadn’t met yet, her two guards by her side the entire time. She caught a flash of deep blue, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Princess Luna standing near a human female. Deciding that it was as good a time as any to confront one of the princesses, Chrysalis moved towards the two as they were looking over a large table that was lit up with lights.

Equestrian guards and humans watched her while she walked, the humans having been very curious about her and her race overall. Chrysalis had been surprised that most of them had no idea what a changeling looked like, despite having been told of the relationship that they were seeking between the two races. With the only three changelings that were in Canterlot confined to the small room on the ground level, Chrysalis was the first one they encountered. From the looks of things she was doing well, all of them leaving with smiles after conversing with her.

“Watch out for this one,” Corporal Raah muttered to her as the solider nodded her head to the back of the human female officer while the three approached. “That’s Colonel Straken, she’s cold so if she doesn’t seem to like you then don’t worry. She’s like that to everyone.” Chrysalis gave a nod in understanding before they reached the table, Sergeant Harper standing up straight before clearing his throat.

“Colonel, presenting Her Royal Highness Queen Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis maintained her smile as the Colonel and Princess Luna turned around. Straken’s cold blue eyes ran over Chrysalis, the human sizing up the new arrival. Princess Luna instead frowned, although Chrysalis suspected that it was less to do about her presence and more about the things that Luna and the Colonel were discussing before.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Colonel,” Chrysalis started while extending a hoof towards Straken. The human stared at the hole-riddled limb before meeting it with her gloved-hand. Chrysalis struggled to keep her smile as the Colonel gripped her hoof with a fierce grip, the human’s sharp features set in a detached expression.

“I’ve heard only good things about you,” Straken answered with a slight nod. “Granted, all of it’s from the ISA so I’m unsure how much of it is true. I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, just don’t mess up my command room.” Straken let go, Chrysalis breathing out in relief as the pressure on her leg was removed.

“You mean my command room,” Luna interrupted with a light tone. Straken shot the Princess an unamused glare while Luna directed her attention to Chrysalis. “I do not think I’ve met you myself,” Luna added while extending her own hoof. “I however have heard very different opinions to those that the Colonel has.” It was now that Chrysalis noticed the eight bat-ponies lurking at the far end of the table, the night guards maintaining a watchful gaze on her.

“My history with Equestria is well known,” Chrysalis replied with a hint of bitterness in her tone. Hesitantly, she extended her hoof again and it met the Princess’s silver shoe.

“Indeed it is,” Straken commented as the two rulers broke the hoof-greeting. “Our research and intelligence departments are very eager to learn about your people’s abilities.” Chrysalis nodded, she wasn’t stupid. She knew that the main reason the UIP was even willing to give her the time of day was because they wanted to use the changelings to their own advantage, something that Chrysalis was okay with. After all, if helping them learn more about changelings was the price that she would have to pay to secure her people’s future then she was ready to pay it.

“We are willing to allow that,” Chrysalis replied carefully while Luna watched to two with interest. “Commander Chalmers already mentioned the possibility of us joining the UIP.” Straken seemed to brighten at the news, Chrysalis noticing a slight smile on the Colonel’s face.

“So you are thinking about joining then?” Straken asked with some of the coldness leaving her voice.

“Possibly,” Chrysalis answered, relaxing a little as the Colonel’s tone became friendlier. “You can understand that as a ruler giving up that privilege and passing control of your people over to aliens is not something you do lightly.”

“You won’t have to worry,” Straken reassured as Luna furrowed her eyes on the sidelines. “As the former leader you’ll still get a huge say in civilian matters and some military ones. All the other races that have joined us in the past have flourished as a result. From the sounds of it, you changelings managed to make friends with a few ISA agents which is a difficult thing to do.” Straken glanced around, Chrysalis assuming that the officer was looking out for any ISA agents. “I also heard that one of them has gotten really friendly with one of your subjects.”

Chrysalis knew exactly who the officer was referring two, the Queen remembering that the drone named ‘Reflection’ was one of the three that had been in Canterlot before the main human force had arrived. Chrysalis had met Corporal Jacobs, and he had seemed to be a nice male. Her impression of him as well as Reflection’s injury in the service of her hive had been the main reasons that Chrysalis had allowed Reflection to keep on seeing the human.

Chrysalis had already acknowledged that if the changeling race joined the UIP then she would have to sacrifice most of the control she exerted over her subjects, things like allocating mating rights and social statuses. She was confident that it was a decent trade. After all, if one human was able to love a changeling willingly then who was to say that others wouldn’t be the same? With the safety and advantages that they offered, Chrysalis was certain that such strict control over her subjects while part of the UIP would not be needed. She was actually looking forward to a chance to not have to worry about all of her people dying from lack of food or vengeful enemies.

“You’re not thinking of joining them, surely?”

Chrysalis was broken out of her daydreams of a nice, relaxing bath and instead had to face Luna, Colonel Straken already eyeballing the Princess with a warning glare. Luna looked at Chrysalis with a pleading look, the alicorn ignoring Straken as she extended a feathery wing towards Chrysalis.

“I am,” Chrysalis answered without malice. “It’s getting more and more temping by the minute.” She didn’t actually mind Luna from what she had seen so far, the night Princess having been absent abroad during the invasion due to an issue in the bat-pony homeland. The fact that she had yet to receive even a glare from a lunar guard also skewed her opinion of Luna for the better.

“Chrysalis, please,” Luna replied, Chrysalis glancing to her left shoulder as a blue wing was rested upon it. “I know that changelings are not loved by ponies, but we can work those problems out. You don’t need to force your people into service of the humans and a lifetime of war. With your help, I can try and get changelings living with ponies in peace in a year. Think of how your subjects will change if you accept the UIP’s offer.”

“I already have thought about how they’ll change,” Chrysalis informed softly. “While your willingness to forgive me and help us means a lot, it’s too late.” Chrysalis looked up at Luna, the surrounding humans remaining quiet as the two rulers conversed. “If they hadn’t arrived when they did, my people would have starved to death. Now they offer my changelings the opportunity to live amongst the stars, spread across multiple universes. They offer us a place where we’ll be accepted fully, part of an empire that is larger than I thought was possible.”

Chrysalis bowed her head, glancing at her hooves before facing Luna again.

“What ruler would I be if I withheld that opportunity from them? I know that they’ll face death and will be forced to serve the UIP, but all the humans here already do that.” Luna looked around as Chrysalis swept a hoof in front of her. “Even the humans that are disliked by those around us have made friends with my people. We’re not that different from them, they understand us and what we’ve done. Something your ponies never will.”

Luna withdrew her wing while shaking her head sadly, Chrysalis shifting on her hooves uncomfortably.

“I know you’ve faced the same thing.” Luna winced at Chrysalis’s words before looking at the Queen with hope.

“They forgave me though,” the Princess replied. “If they forgave me then they can forgive you. You just have to wait for a while and-“

“The humans offer me acceptance now,” Chrysalis restated. “Thank you for trying, but I’ve made my decision.” Chrysalis looked at Straken, the human having been absorbing the conversation with an analytical gaze. “The changelings ruled by me will join the UIP.” Straken nodded, Luna continuing to shake her head as she turned away.

“It is your choice,” the Princess said sadly as she walked back to the table. “I fear for what you’re people will go through. I will miss the opportunity to get to know your people better.”

Chrysalis felt a foreign feeling, one of guilt. Princess Luna seemed genuinely accepting of her, the alicorn’s concern also unexpected. Chrysalis didn’t know what to say to change things however, she had already made her choice and despite Luna’s points she was sure that the course she was taking was the right one. Sighing under her breath, Chrysalis moved beside Straken as the Colonel retuned to the table, Chrysalis seeing that it was one of the ‘holo’ devices that Commander Chalmers had told her about.

On the table there was a map representing the griffon coastline, a mass of blue dots with lines of text surrounding the largest costal town light up with blue. All the other cities and towns were covered with a red tinge. Chrysalis guessed that it meant that the invasion of the Griffon Empire had been a success, a guess that was confirmed by Straken.

“All enemy resistance in the landing point has been destroyed, we have the town.” The Colonel scanned the table, a few officers from different areas of the UIP military gathering around as Straken’s fingers danced over a touchscreen. The view zoomed in to just the town itself, icons in the shapes of infantry, aerial transports and numerous other vehicles all in and around the settlement. A mass of transports were heading back to Equestria, Straken glancing at Luna before pointing a finger at them.

“There, Princess, the majority of your citizens are on their way back to your country. There are no reported casualties.” The Equestrian Princess brightened, the alicorn watching intently as the transports made their way across the sea at an impressive pace. Chrysalis was more focused on the town, the changeling marvelling at the detail that the map provided.

She could see buildings, streets, roads and everything else, the Queen gazing at the blue icons with interest. She wondered what it would be like to be a part of it, everything she had seen the humans use was so alien and different. As Straken and the other UIP officers focused on reports and lists, Chrysalis noticed an icon break away from the town and head to the north, where the Griffon capitol was if she remembered correctly.

“Excuse me, Colonel,” Chrysalis began as she pointed a hoof at the icon in the shape of a human viper gunship. “Is that craft meant to be heading to the Griffon capitol by itself?” Straken leaned in, her eyes narrowing as she noticed what Chrysalis was talking about.

“Communicator,” Straken ordered, one of her subordinates handing her a boxy device. “Patch me in to that gunship; I want to personally find out why the pilots are violating orders.”

“Yes Ma’am,” one of the officers at a row of computers stated emotionlessly. “You have a channel.”

“Viper three-seven-one,” Straken commenced after a throat clear, Chrysalis noticing the numbers next to the icon matched what Straken had said. “Why are you departing towards the second point without authorization? Turn back immediately.”

“I uh… can’t do that Ma’am,” a male voice replied over the communicator, the surrounding people able to overhear.

“This is Colonel Straken, and I order you to turn around. Now.”

“Believe me Colonel, I’d love to,” the pilot answered with an apologetic tone. “I’m afraid that the passenger who ordered me to fly to the capitol outranks you. Sorry Colonel.”

“Outranked?” Straken muttered dangerously, the closest officers backing away from the Colonel. “Which officer ordered you to fly to a heavily defended capitol with complete disregard to the battle plan?” Chrysalis, Luna and the surrounding officers all heard an audible gulp over the communications, the pilot evidently stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“It was an ISA commander, Ma’am. He’s got a psionic with him and they are going to, quote, ‘Mess up a fuck-ton of griffons.’ They’ve ordered me to fly to the griffon castle and deliver them into it. Trust me Colonel, I would much rather follow your plan, but my hands are tied.”

“Chalmers,” Straken muttered like the name was trouble incarnate. Chrysalis, having spent a lot of time with the Commander, could relate with the irritated Colonel. “Understood,” Straken continued after a deep breath. “Follow your orders, I’ll scramble re-enforcements immediately. Stay alive, Pilot.”

“I’ll try Colonel,” the pilot replied over the radio. There was a brief pause, a loud burst of metal music starting before the man continued speaking. “Please hurry with the re-enforcements, the Commander is talking about ‘making an entrance, ISA style’.” Straken winced, Chrysalis noticing that all the other humans also seemed to shudder at the mention of Chalmers’s words. “Over and out.”

Straken burst into action as soon as the communication cut off, the Colonel barking orders to her subordinates as the Command room became swamped in activity. Chrysalis decided that she’d spent enough time making an appearance, the Queen weaving through human and pony officers as they hurried around the room. Her two guards followed her to the exit, Chrysalis giving a final glance towards a yelling Straken before slipping out of the room with her escort in tow.

Compared to all of this chaos, spending the remainder of her stay in a small break room with nine of her subjects, a pony foal and three humans seemed like a holiday already.

Emperor Kestrel nervously tapped his yellow talon against his armrest, the Griffon glancing out of one of the windows nervously. His throne room was almost silent, save for the occasional whimper of an equestrian slave. Twenty of the ponies had been gifted to him directly as personal slaves, all of them beautiful young mares which were grouped to the side of the room in chains. Kestrel had at first been delighted with the gifts from his Generals, granted he could have just taken them but the gesture had lifted his spirits and he wasn’t going to complain about receiving twenty of the finest mares.

His wife, Empress Swiftcrest, had thought differently. Kestrel had spent hours reassuring her that the slaves would be used for cleaning and general household duties only, his wife not as excited as he was regarding the presence of the mares. Her threats to pluck out every single one of his greying feathers were far more intimidating than any space-faring bipeds.

Kestrel returned his attention to the main doors, the four armoured guards stepping to the sides and gripping their spears tighter as the heavy double doors opened. An army messenger escorted by a further five guards entered, the young messenger wearing a simple chainmail uniform over his rust-coloured feathers.

“It’s been confirmed,” the young griffon spoke as she bowed before her Emperor. “The town of Saltside has fallen to the human forces. The same mist that is blocking off the roads is confirmed to also be in the town. It appears that the humans are immune to the mist and are using the town as a staging point.” Kestrel rubbed his face with a talon at the bad news, the griffon regretting ever encountering the malicious creatures that had now invaded his country.

“What is their strength?” He inquired, the messenger wincing as she shuffled on the spot.

“At least two-hundred troops, roughly thirty of their bladed flying machines and numerous other machines which we haven’t encountered before. All of them seemed to be armed and as I was leaving there were reports of Equestrian troops being off-loaded outside of the mist on the beach from human ships. What are your orders?” Kestrel breathed out as he leaned back in his seat, the messenger glancing towards the huddle of slaves.

“We can sit here and wait for their attack, something which I doubt will end well for us. There is still no word from the Minotaurs so we can assume that we’re on our own. Alternatively, we can attempt to attack their landing point and hope to drive them away. That’s probably our best chance.” Kestrel looked down at the messenger, the griffon moving her view back to him. “What do you think?”

“I’m just a messenger,” she stammered out, surprised at the Emperor’s request for her input.

“I know,” Kestrel replied with another glance outside his window, the night sky deceptively calm. “I find that the opinions of my subjects have helped my decisions in the past.” The messenger glanced down at the stone floor before returning her Emperor’s gaze.

“Attacking them at their landing point,” she confirmed. “Hopefully the mist will stop them from seeing us coming. The troops hide, and when the humans start to move out of the mist we ambush them. We’ve been able to fight them in melee, it’s just difficult to crack open the armour they can apparently hit like a Minotaur.” Kestrel nodded with a weary smile on his face while he waved a wing towards the main doors.

“That is what I was thinking, please fetch General Talon and bring him here as quickly as possible.” The messenger nodded with determination and turned towards the doors, the four door guards moving to open them.

“Wait,” one of the soldiers that the messenger had brought interrupted as he tilted his head. “Does anyone else hear that?”

Kestrel, the messenger and the rest of the guards all strained their ears, a faint thumping sound growing closer and louder. Kestrel noticed the messenger’s eyes widen, the Emperor jolting back as the messenger dived to the ground.

“Human flying machine!” she cried out, the guards all ducking as a roaring sound boomed into life.

The throne room was pelted with stone fragments as something demolished a large part of the wall. Three guards closest to the wall were killed by blocks of stone crushing heads and bodies, the pony slaves relatively untouched by debris thanks to their position at the far wall. It still didn’t stop them from screaming in fright though.

Kestrel spat out dust and sat up straight in his chair. His body ached where small stones had struck him and the messenger was groaning with one wing trapped under a jagged block of dark-grey stone. The Emperor looked towards his ruined wall, a large metal beast hovering in the air with two glowing boxes at its sides pointing downwards. He got a brief look at an angular, black metal surface with a deadly-looking assortment of barrels mounted under it before the machine turned around.

The surviving guards got their bearings just as a ramp attached to the flying machine lowered, Kestrel pressing himself back into his chair as a black-armoured biped skilfully jumped into the throne room, the human pulling off a roll before standing up perfectly. A strange, violent-sounding music was playing from the inside of the machine, a second biped jumping after his fellow.

This second human was also armoured in black, his armour much more bulky and in his hand was one of the humans’ deadly projectile weapons. Unlike his companion though, the second human did not pull off a perfect landing.

Instead of rolling and standing on his feet, this human completely missed the hole in the wall and plummeted down the outside of the castle. The first human rushed over to the wall and bent down, Kestrel able to see that a single armoured claw was gripping onto the edge of the wall. A blue glow lit up around the first human, the biped pulling his companion up and onto the floor.

“I meant to do that!” The second human proclaimed as he stood up, his fellow shaking his head. “I had you all fooled; now you’re unbalanced and open for attack!” Kestrel was confused, evidently his guards were as well as they all stared at the humans with shock as the flying machine closed its ramp and left the way it had come.

“A flawless plan you said, Nigel,” the first human muttered, Kestrel able to easily hear what they were saying now that the flying machine was gone.

“James, not now,” the second human, who Kestrel assumed was named ‘Nigel’, replied back before facing the griffon guards staring at him. “Gents,” the biped switched his view to the captive ponies that were all frozen in terror. “Ladies.”

“Get them!” Kestrel ordered to his six remaining guards. The soldiers all snapped out of their dazes at the Emperor’s order, the soldiers darting forward with spears in their talons.

Kestrel’s ears rang as a sound like parchment tearing ripped through the air, the second human having raised its short, stubby weapon towards the main group of guards. Four of the griffons were ripped apart, the human holding down the trigger of his weapon for a full ten seconds. Gore flew everywhere, the guards cut apart under the hail of super-sonic projectiles that exited the weapon. Holes were torn in the opposite wall, some appearing a mere beak-length from the Equestrian slaves.

Kestrel removed his talons from his ears and looked up as the human’s weapon fell silent, the remaining two guards having dived for cover. The Emperor started to breath rapidly, his eyes searching for an escape route. The four guards had been torn apart, the once strong soldiers nothing more than twitching, hole-riddled corpses lying in pools of their own blood.

“Oh yes,” the human known as Nigel groaned he removed a rectangle from his weapon’s grip before replacing it with one he had taken from his suit. “I have the hardest erection right now.”

“Speaking of erections,” the first human known as James added as he looked straight at Kestrel. “I think we’ve found the prick that we’ve been looking for.” Kestrel tried to scramble out of his chair, but found that his body was frozen. The blue glow had returned to the first biped’s armour, James staying still while Nigel approached the terrified Emperor.

“Keep an eye out for any guests James,” Nigel commented, Kestrel’s heart-rate quickening as the biped approached. “Oh, and watch those three griffons as well, still haven’t decided if we should kill them or not.”

“Don’t take too long,” James answered, the human glancing at the main doors as well as the inured messenger and the two guards who were flat on the floor with. “I doubt having a wall blown into their castle is going to increase our reputation with the locals.” Nigel waved off his companion’s concerns, the human changeling course and walking over to the Equestrians.

"You, ponies,” Nigel addressed while nudging one sobbing mare in the flank. “Get up.” Kestrel watched on as the Equestrians shakily got to their hooves, the ponies all shaking as they tried to avoid looking at the corpses next to them. Nigel tilted his head, Kestrel getting the impression that the human was holding an invisible conversation.

“You can’t do this!” Kestrel demanded, managing to get his mouth to work despite the force that was paralysing him.

“We do what we want,” Nigel replied, the human finishing his conversation. He walked over to Kestrel and lifted the terrified Emperor up, before sitting down on the golden throne and placing the frozen griffon ruler on his lap. “Let me tell you a story,” Nigel continued, the two guards and the messenger staying stock still to avoid death. “A long time ago, some humans came to a planet searching for something they had lost. The leader of these humans, a charming, handsome, witty, intelligent-“

“Nigel,” James interrupted.

“The leader was a great guy,” Nigel continued as if nothing had happened, one of his hands patting Kestrel on the head. “Anyway, this leader made contact with a race of bug-equines, and after getting to know them offered to help them get food in exchange for assistance. A friendship blossomed between the two races, finding that despite their physical differences they had much in common.
That all changed when the Equine nation attacked.”

Nigel paused and cleared his throat, a thumping on the throne room doors starting up before they gained a slight blue tinge. Kestrel also noticed that the hole that the humans had entered from was also blocked off by a blue barrier of light.

“So these equines had a past beef with the bug-horses, and captured a group of scouts,” Nigel continued. “The humans, as friends of the bug-horses, rescued them and as a result the equines declared war on them as they were frightened of their coolness. Thing is, the equines evidently thought that the humans were far too awesome to take on alone, so they used a weak tactic and got a bunch of guys to help them gang up on them.” Nigel flicked Kestrel’s beak. “Guess who one of those guys is?”

“Me?” Kestrel tried, hoping that co-operation would save his life. He was rewarded with a nod, the human giving him another head rub.

“That’s right, one of those idiots with a death wish is you. Now, what do we do about it, hmmm? Your Minotaur friends have already surrendered but we are a little ticked off that you’re a slaver.”

“No, I’ll do whatever you want!” Kestrel pleaded, the human having started to tap the barrel of his weapon against his head.

“Oh, there’s no question that we will get what we want.”

“Nigel,” James broke in, a mass of noise growing greater. Nigel and Kestrel looked out of the hole in the wall, a mass of gunships and transports closing on the castle fast.

“We’re running out of time,” Nigel calmly informed. “I’ll tell you what, surrender now and return every single Equestrian alive and unharmed and I’ll let you and your family live. Hell, we’ll even let you keep your country and title. What do you say?” Kestrel shivered, the only movement he was capable of. He knew that if he didn’t agree then the humans would carry out their threat, the Emperor wondering what sort of circumstances would breed creatures so evil.

“Okay, okay!” Kestrel agreed desperately. “I’ll sign the peace treaty and release all of the slaves!”

“Good boy,” Nigel complemented, Kestrel finding himself shoved to the floor. The Emperor found the control over him lifted, however he elected to remain on the floor while Nigel remained in his throne. The Equestrians at the back remained sullen despite the news, huddling against the wall as James walked over to peer out the hole in the wall. The sound of the gunships and transports grew louder, Nigel giving a nod to James and glancing at the two griffon guards on the floor.

“You two,” Nigel stated, the two griffon soldiers having not moved from their spots. “Go and tell the rest of your military about your Emperor’s decision. I doubt you’d want to be the cause of your entire race being wiped out?”

Both griffons scrambled to their claws, the soldiers bolting out of the main doors as James swung them open with his psionics. Chalmers chuckled at their haste, leaning back in the throne as he started to prod the frightened Emperor with his boot.

“Ah,” he said out loud as he put his arms behind his head. “I love my job.”

“So it’s over then.” Celestia and Luna were standing side by side, both Princesses watching as the Griffon Emperor signed the peace agreement down in the sunny courtyard. The area was swarming with soldiers, both human and Equestrian. Queen Chrysalis was standing next to the group of ISA agents, Commander Chalmers having returned the previous night after picking up the rest of his troops from the changeling hive. Celestia and Chrysalis hadn’t spoken, Celestia far too preoccupied with the prospect of sealing the peace deal.

All of the UIP troops had already withdrawn from the Griffon lands and every Equestrian city apart from Canterlot, the majority returning to the troopships above in orbit. Celestia had declined the humans’ offer to help Equestria rebuild, the Princess never wanting to see another human again. The forces they had here were a precaution against any griffon attack, the majority of the Royal Guard occupied with helping rebuild the shattered country.

“It does seem to be over, Sister,” Luna agreed, the Griffon Emperor finishing signing his name before shooting the two alicorns a glare. Celestia winced inside, a blank expression on her face as she realised that relations with the Minotaurs and Griffons would never be healed.

“There,” Emperor Kestrel spat as he placed the quill down. “I hope that we never need to speak again. I have no respect for those who consort with demons to win their battles.” A harsh clacking sound drew the attention of everyone, Commander Chalmers having cocked one of his hand guns. The Emperor paled and turned around, leaving as quickly as he could towards his personal chariot. Royal Guard followed him, more for his sake than anyone else.

“I believe that’s our signal.” Celestia and Luna turned around to face Chalmers, the only human remaining as transports flew down to pick up the changelings, humans and Bleak Horizon. Celestia maintained her blank expression while Luna grimaced, the Princesses knowing what was about to come.

“You have your land,” Celestia stated. “As per our agreement you are also permitted access to Appleoosa and supervised visits to Manehattan.” Celestia paused as the last of the human troops passed her, the Royal Guard maintaining watch over the bipeds. “This also applies to the changelings. I hear that Chrysalis accepted your Empire’s offer.”

“She did,” Chalmers confirmed with a nod. “As of now the changelings are a part of the UIP. You will never have to worry about attacks from them again.” Celestia’s eyes narrowed slightly, Luna shifting on her hooves as she sensed her sister’s attitude change.

“It’s not changelings that I worry about,” Celestia stated icily. Chalmers took the hint, the human raising his hands and backing away towards a final transport.

“Understandable. You stay out of our business and we’ll keep out of yours. Know that we will be willing to open negotiations if you ever desire something more than an uneasy peace.” Chalmers turned and began to walk away, before remembering something. “Oh, and Luna?” he called out, Luna wincing and gritting her teeth.

“Yes?”

“I’ll pick you up at eight, your time.”

Celestia’s frown deepened, Luna noticing and placing a wing over Celestia’s back to try and stop her making a rash decision. Chalmers was thankfully civil for once, the human not saying a thing and leaving. Celestia continued to watch him until the transport he was in disappeared into the sky.

“Let it rest Sister,” Luna comforted as she stepped closer to Celestia. “We knew what we would pay when we agreed to his terms. We must focus on the present; our subjects need us now more than ever. The humans and changelings have left and hopefully will not return, we need to focus on our ponies.”

“You’re right,” Celestia conceded a she returned Luna’s gesture with her own wing. Luna nodded and led Celestia back towards the castle, the guards not interrupting the two royals. “Luna?” Luna stopped as Celestia raised her head.

“Yes Sister?”

“Did I do the right thing when I asked for their help? So many have died-”

“We still have our nation and our ponies are free.” Luna did not want Celestia wallowing in guilt. “The humans did what they chose to do, as did the Griffons and Minotaurs. I lost members of my personal guard, to both the humans and our former allies.” Celestia looked up and caught Luna sniffling, Luna always having had a close relationship with all of her guards.

“How can you forgive them?” Celestia asked, the humans having committed greater crimes than anyone else ever had in her time. Luna sighed, for once feeling like the big sister.

“You forgave me,” she reminded. “They aren’t like us, Sister. They are true aliens. How is your student going?” The mention of Twilight brought a smile to Celestia’s face.

“Twilight Sparkle is still in Ponyville, after the first battle with the humans she and her friends were shaken up. They were able to recover together, and they are still safe and sound.”

“Is it possible that giving Twilight Sparkle the task of investigating these humans would be a good thing? She could learn about them and we could try and find out how and why they act like they do.”

“I’d have to ask her,” Celestia replied with a nod. “I think she would enjoy it though, her mind is always hungry for new information.” Luna smiled, having been successful at improving Celestia’s mood.

“We should contact her as soon as we get everything in order. We have a lot of work to do.” Luna continued walking, her sister moving with her.

“We do Luna,” Celestia agreed, dreading all of the funerals that would have to be arranged. “We sure do.”

Chrysalis sat at the front of her subjects, six-hundred and fifty-three changelings all sitting on a sandy hill. Nurse drones kept the sixty nymphs in check while changelings of all classes chatted amongst themselves.

They had to leave their hive, the Equestrians reasoning that if they liked the humans so much then they would have no qualms with moving in with them. Chrysalis hadn’t fought the decision; with the current circumstances staying with the humans would be far wiser than remaining and awaiting any retaliation.

All of them looked up as a transport flew overhead, the changelings following it with their eyes as it passed over the valley below.
The area was buzzing with activity, hundreds of humans and machines working to quickly build their base on the new land. Chrysalis was amazed that they had already gotten multiple buildings up, the structures dropped off by heavy orbital lifters. In addition to the premade buildings, the humans were also digging under the ground and using strange machines they called ‘robots’ to construct underground facilities.

Chrysalis had been reassured that quarters for her entire hive were include, the humans even landing one of their transports on the hill to give the changelings some shade while they waited. Commander Chalmers had already said his goodbyes, the Commander claiming that he had to write up reports and compile video footage during the day. He had taken Horizon up with him to the human fleet above, the ships due to leave as soon as the base was self-sufficient.

Some of the ISA agents from the original twenty had opted to stay on the base, most notably Corporal Jacobs and Corporal Stevens.

Needless to say, Reflection had been overjoyed with the news.

The scientists had all left, every single one thanking Chrysalis for hosting them.

Needless to say, Chrysalis had been overjoyed that Klaus was no longer on the planet.

Sighing, Chrysalis cricked her neck and relaxed as the construction below continued, the humans claiming that it would be habitual by the end of the day. She had at first been doubtful about the claims, but after seeing the construction methods she had been rethinking her initial impression.

She had completely cut off the hive mind, her head free from the constant chatter of her subjects. It was a nice change, but she had encountered a problem.

She was bored.

Trying to think of a solution, Chrysalis turned to the changeling next to her, that changeling being Transmutation. The scholar was sitting down with a focused look, the changeling muttering to himself as his eyes examined the humans down below. Chrysalis steeled herself, she was Queen of the changelings. She had this.

“So, Transmutation,” she began, the scholar glancing up with her with surprise. “How’s everything been going for you?”

Luna winced at the knock on her bedroom door, the time having just hit eight o’clock. She did a final touch up to her mane and face, she may have to spend the night with an alien but a Princess always was supposed to look her best. She adjusted her regalia and took a deep breath, preparing to face her tormenter.

She nodded to her guard in her room, the bat-pony mare grimacing but returning the gesture with a salute. Luna moved to the door and opened it, revealing Commander Chalmers. The human was not dressed in his armour, instead he was wearing a simple black suit with a dark blue undershirt.

“Good Evening,” Chalmers greeted, Luna giving him a polite nod before looking towards her guard.

“Swift Shadow, you’re excused from duty.” The bat-pony walked past Luna stoically, Chalmers stepping aside to allow her to exit. The guard gave Luna a final, sympathetic look before disappearing around a corner in the corridor. Luna refaced Chalmers, stepping aside to allow him entry and revealing her large bed in the room. “Well Commander, I am a mare of my word. Let’s get this over with so that I can put all of this behind me.” Chalmers chuckled and held out a gloved hand.

“Princess Luna, do you really think I would be as uncivilised as to just bed you? I fully intend to have a full night.” Luna was confused, she was certain that the human only desired her for carnal means. She gazed at the offered hand, remembering that the humans used the clasping of frontal appendages as a greeting. Carefully she extended her hoof, the humans hand skipping her silver shoe and grabbing her fur-covered leg.

“What are your plans then?” Luna inquired as she stared at her hoof, the smooth fabric of the Commander’s glove soft on her leg. His grip was surprisingly gentle, Luna surprised that he seemed to be treating her with respect.

“Why, dinner of course,” Chalmers answered as his free hand moved to his belt. “Please don’t be alarmed, I assure you that this is perfectly safe.” Luna was about to ask just what he was warning her about when she saw his hand press a button on a device he was wearing. A blue glow overtook her vision, Luna feeling like she was teleporting.

As the glow died down she stumbled, something felt off. Then she realised what it was.

There was no ambient magic around her at all.

Luna blinked her eyes, moving her head around to survey where the Commander had taken her. She was met with grey walls; the room they were in was massive, roughly the size of the Canterlot throne room. It was oval in shape, a single table in the centre of the room with a set of four candles burning to provide light.

“Have a seat,” Chalmers offered, Luna allowing him to lead her to the table. She noticed that instead of the chairs that she had seen the human officers use, they had somehow acquired one used by ponies. As they approached the table, Luna noticed bottles of wine in a cooling bucket and a platter of food on the circular table. Chalmers pulled out her chair, Luna sitting down on the red cushioned chair.
Once she was settled he pulled out his own, pausing to fill two glasses with a bottle of wine before sitting down.

“This was unexpected,” Luna commented, using her magic to bring the glass under her nose. It smelled great, the Princess wondering just how expensive it was.

“Oh, I had it planned from the start,” Nigel replied as he took a sip of his drink. “You won’t believe what I had to offer the Admiral to use his flagship’s meeting room for this.” Luna felt her breath hitch.

“Flagship?” she asked, Chalmers grinning as he touched a screen set into his side of the table. The walls and floor of the entire room transitioned from dull grey to a starry sky. Luna stared down at the floor, a massive blue and green planet filling up the view below them. “Is that…?”

“Yes, that is your planet,” Chalmers confirmed as he took another sip. Luna thought for a second before glancing out to the right wall, her eyes widening as she set eyes on her moon. It was full and luminous, two more human ships floating to the side of it.

“It’s beautiful,” Luna murmured, having never had an opportunity to view it like this before.

“Hmm,” Nigel hummed. Luna fought to turn her head back to him but her politeness overcame her desire to stare at the moon. She found that a plate had been placed in front of her, a pile of cream-white pasta steaming with a sprinkle of cheese on the top. Luna couldn’t help it, her nose informed her that the pasta smelt great. Following Nigel, she used her magic to pick up the provided knife and fork and raised a forkful of pasta to her mouth.

She chewed with bliss, whoever had made the pasta was very talented. It melted in her mouth, releasing a burst of flavour that she was unable to identify. It was still delicious, Luna putting down her fork and savouring the first bite. She watched Nigel finish his, the human taking another sip of his wine. Luna picked up her glass and took a sip, a heavy wooden flavour combined with a rich fruit taste assaulting her taste buds.

“What is this wine? It’s one of the best I’ve tasted in my life.”

“It’s Pinot Noir,” Nigel informed as Luna took another taste. “I… liberated it from the ship’s hold. Are you enjoying everything so far?”

“I am, surprisingly,” Luna answered with a smile. “I must admit that you’ve acted far better than I expected. Can I ask what ‘Pinot Noir’ means?”

“Not a single clue,” Chalmers replied. “All I know is that it looks, smells and tastes expensive.” Luna couldn’t help but let out a small giggle at Nigel’s cluelessness. She was amazed, what had happened to the brutish, violent and unstable human that she had thought he was?

“You’re acting very different,” Luna observed before taking another bite of pasta. Nigel finished off his current mouthful before replying.

“I’m off duty,” he explained. “I only have to be a murderous rogue when I’m on the clock. Tonight is just meant to be a fun, relaxing evening.” Luna found herself torn. On one hoof, he was technically the being that started everything. Luna wondered how different things would be if the humans had encountered Equestria first.

On the other, she was finding herself enjoying the dinner more than any night she could remember. A thousand years alone on the moon did not help her social skills and despite the help she had received from Twilight Sparkle and her friends she still had difficulty interacting smoothly with ponies other than her guards. The food was great, the wine was perfect and she was finding the conversation good as well.

Luna took another sip of wine, Nigel’s glass almost empty as he waited for her to speak.

“That’s good to hear,” Luna replied before taking another drink. “I am also pleased that I don’t have to worry about ruling for the moment. I haven’t sat down with someone for dinner for years.” Luna paused, both diners finishing off their pasta at the same time. “It feels wrong putting everything behind me though, given what has happened over the past few weeks.” Nigel waved a finger, Luna finding herself out of wine as she took a final sip.

“You have to learn when to block it all out,” he informed as he refilled her glass and his. “If I thought about work all of the time then I’d go crazy.” Luna gave him a flat look, Nigel not picking up on it as he continued on. “Anyway, I’ve now got a son to look after. The next few years are going to be interesting.”

Luna remained silent, both beings reflecting on what sort of life the colt would face. Luna soon found herself watching the candlelight dance over the Commander’s face, Chalmers must have noticed as he flashed her a confident grin. Luna used her wine glass to hide her embarrassment, this glass somehow tasting better than the first.

“Are you ready for the second course?” Luna was unsure if the Commander was using innuendo, his smile had a certain look to it. Hesitantly she nodded, as after all she had already prepared herself before he had even arrived.

Evidently he was not making a sex joke and was genuine, Luna raising her eyebrows as a small, grey machine hovered into the room from a hatch in the roof. The saucer-shaped object had eight arms hanging below it, two of them holding fresh plates of what looked like a fancy potato bake surrounded by steamed vegetables drizzled in a white sauce. The machine hovered down and picked the empty plates off the table before placing the next course down in front of them.

“Where were we?” Nigel continued while Luna used a hoof to touch the machine, before it flew away with the empty plates in its claws. Luna took another sip of wine before smelling the food in front of her.

“Let us forget about all this talk of war and work,” she suggested, the wine hitting her harder than she expected. It still didn’t stop her from taking another sip. “As you can probably guess, I have a love for the night sky. What sights have you seen on your travels?” Chalmers chuckled as he took a drink from his glass, watching as Luna lifted a forkful of food to her mouth.

“It’s a good thing we’ve got an entire night,” he informed. “I can tell that this is going to take a while.”

“Nigel, wake up.”

Chalmers groaned, using a hand to try and push away the things poking him in the shoulder. He snorted with irritation as the objects resumed their attack on his skin. He opened his eyes, quickly adjusting to the gloom to see Horizon looking up at him from the side of the bed. Nigel was about to ask Horizon what was wrong, but it was then that he remembered that he was not alone.

Chalmers glanced quickly to the side, Luna fast asleep next to him. Her shoes and jewellery were stacked on the bedside table next to her, and the alicorn was lying on her side facing him with the ash-grey bed sheets over her.

“What’s the matter Horizon?” Nigel asked groggily, hoping that the young colt hadn’t noticed the Princess.

“There’s something scary outside my window.” The colt stood up taller as he said this, his eyes spotting Luna next to Nigel.

“Horizon, we’re out in space,” Nigel reassured. “There’s nothing there, and even if there was then your window is only a video screen. There’s armour plating, shields-“

“I know,” Horizon replied as he dropped back down to the floor. “But something’s happening to the planet.” Nigel tried to remember if anything was supposed to be happening, his foggy mind unable to recall the information. Groaning again, Nigel pointed towards the still open door, Horizon having figured out how to use the grey slide door.

“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute,” Nigel told him. “Just let me get dressed.” Horizon nodded and trotted back to the door, the colt looking back with confusion on his face.

“Is Princess Luna coming as well?” Nigel winced, how was he going to explain this?

“No,” he answered while he glanced at the sleeping Princess next to him. “Princess Luna needs her sleep, you’ll just have to settle for me.” Luckily, Horizon was satisfied with the answer and didn’t push the issue, the colt leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Nigel gave Luna’s head a quick pat, earning a smile from the Princess, before getting out of the bed to find some pants.

He dragged a hand down his face as he walked over to the dresser, opening a metal draw to retrieve a set of plain grey underpants. Remembering that Horizon’s borrowed quarters was just at the end of the corridor, and that this habitation deck was empty except for a few ISA agents, Nigel didn’t bother with any other clothing.

Leaving his small room, Chalmers left the door open as he stumbled towards Horizon’s room. The door was open, and as he entered Nigel could see the colt staring out of the ‘window’.

“What’s going on?” Nigel asked, moving to sit down next to the colt. Horizon glanced at him before pointing a hoof towards the view outside.

Memories came back as Nigel laid eyes on what had spooked the foal, flashes of light raining down upon the planet from a UIP ship in orbit.

“Oh, that,” Nigel murmured, reaching out a hand to rub Horizon’s head. “That’s just a ship destroying a bunch of Griffon forts and military bases. You don’t need to worry about it.” Horizon continued to watch as the hail of blue bolts stopped, even from here he was able to see the black scorch marks on the planet below.

“I thought that you had already beaten them,” he said as he tilted his head to the side so that Nigel would scratch behind his ear.

“We did,” Chalmers answered. “But we also decided to destroy a lot of their military buildings and supplies, that way they are less likely to try and attack again.” Horizon didn’t reply, both beings looking out the window as they sat.

“Nigel?” Both turned towards Horizon’s door, Luna looking at the two with half-lidded eyes. “Is something wrong?” Horizon gave Luna a wave before Nigel picked him up and stood up.

“Not at all,” he answered while he walked over to Horizon’s bed, the human tucking the colt in. “Horizon just got a little scared. Everything’s okay now.” Horizon yawned as the sheets were placed over him, the colt giving Nigel a thankful smile before his eyes began to close. Nigel gave him a final pat on the head before leaving the room, facing Luna as soon as he had closed the door.

“I suppose you should be getting back to your planet,” Nigel continued. Luna shook her head, a sleepy smile on her face.

“Not yet, my sister said that she would take care of my duties for me. Besides, there is still a few hours left until dawn and I haven’t had a sleeping companion for centuries. If it’s alright with you, I would enjoy going back to sleep for the rest of the night.”

“It’s your choice,” Nigel informed as he walked back to his room, Luna missing the slight smile he had. The Princess glanced back at the colt’s room, before she followed Chalmers back to bed.

As much as she hated to admit it, it was nice sharing a bed with someone once again. Even if she did feel a little guilty that she had enjoyed the night so much.

Chalmers was already in it when she walked into the room, Luna clambering under the covers once more. It wasn’t the most comfortable or spacious bed, Luna understanding that it was a military ship after all. She tried to make the most of it, shifting so that she was on her back and her side was against the human’s. She was surprised when an arm reached out and started to stroke her mane, Luna feeling her wings twitch at the pleasant sensation.

Before she knew it, the warmth of the bed and the soothing motion had lured her back to sleep, the Princess of the Night soon out like a light.

Celestia paced back and forth in her throne room while her guards watched on worried. Luna was missing and none of her guard knew where she had disappeared to. One bat-pony mare had said that the Commander had arrived at Eight like promised, but none of the other guards had seen him.

A flash of light grabbed her attention, Luna appearing in the middle of the room with a dozy look on her face.

“Luna!” Celestia exclaimed with relief evident in her voice. Luna took a step back as Celestia approached her, her older sister wrapping her wings around her in a hug. “Where did you go?”

“Commander Chalmers treated me to dinner on one of their ships,” Luna answered, Celestia narrowing her eyes at the reminder of the human.

“What did he do to you?” Celestia murmured, nuzzling her sister while Luna gained a light blush.

“It wasn’t that bad,” Luna answered, glancing around and keeping her voice low so that the watching guards would not overhear. She did not want anyone, especially Celestia, to know that the previous night was one of the most enjoyable she had experienced. “We spent most of the time talking and then we went to bed.”

“So you didn’t…?”

“No,” Luna lied. “We were both too tired for anything else. You don’t need to worry about me. Did anything happen while I was away?” Celestia scowled, Luna able to feel the alicorn’s anger.

“The humans attacked the Griffons from space,” Celestia stated with a grimace. “They blew up most of the surviving griffon military bases. Emperor Kestrel is furious at them, he’s already sent me a letter accusing me of asking them to do it.”

“What did you say back?” Luna asked, concerned that war would break out again.

“I told him that the humans and Equestria no longer are working together, and that all humans are banned from our lands apart from the agreed town and city. He hasn’t replied yet.”

“It will be fine,” Luna reassured. “With their military decimated, I do not think that the Griffons will attack us soon. If anything, they would target the humans first as they are the biggest threat.”

“Their military aren’t the only ones that have suffered,” Celestia mumbled. “We have the funerals for the Guard today at noon.” Luna winced, not looking forward to the next few weeks.

“We’ll get through it,” Luna replied as she walked with Celestia towards the dining room. “Our ponies will as well. They are stronger than they appear.” Celestia smiled at the reminder.

“I think you’re right Luna, and for once I get to share breakfast with you.” Both sisters laughed, relishing the moment to bond while they still could. They had a lot of work ahead of them, and both were keen to not have to think about war or death for even a brief moment as they prepared to share breakfast.

“Goddamn it! How the hell am I going to carry all of these apples back to the hive?”

Nigel and James burst out laughing as they watched Steven’s video recording. The two were sitting in Nigel’s cabin, the Admiral having offered to show Horizon around the bridge for a few hours. The ISA Commander and Psionic were sitting on the bed and enjoying the Corporal’s cluelessness.

“This is priceless,” James commented as he wiped a tear from his eye. “How did he even survive a month in the military?”

“I know right?” Chalmers chuckled as he took a drink of water. “Ah, but really he’s not that bad once you knock some sense into him.” The two friends continued to watch and laugh, the helmet cam showing Stevens picking up a sack.

“Yes, yeeessss! Suck on it Commander Clusterfuck!”

All laughter stopped, James pausing the recording as Chalmers went silent.

“Nigel?” James asked, Chalmers having gone stock still. “I need to breath and calm down.”

“Oh, I am calm,” Nigel replied with a nod before getting up. He was dressed in his armour, the bed creaking as he stood up. James was surprised at his lack of reaction.

“Really?”

“Oh yes,” Nigel answered. “I’m perfectly calm.” James watched as Chalmers walked towards the door, the barrier opening as the sensor detected him there.

“Where are you going?” James asked while standing up, the psionic wary of what Nigel was about to do. “Stevens is on the planet and the fleet leaves in an hour.”

“Oh, I know. I just thought I’d take a little stroll down to the mech bay.” With that Nigel left the room, the door closing behind him. James took a second to put two and two together, the answer telling him that Nigel was probably going to borrow a mech.

An armed mech.

A mech that was made to be dropped from orbit.

Dropped from orbit onto the planet that Corporal Stevens was on.

The same Corporal who had just been seen insulting Nigel.

“Oh balls,” James muttered under his breath before opening the door and running out.

“Nigel!”

The End

Author's Notes:

Well, that's this fic wrapped up. However, I might have a sequel in the works...

Nigel didn't get his coffee date yet after all.

R.I.P Corporal Stevens.