Unlike the majority of changelings who had chosen to live in the Everfree Forest, Ace Gambit only worked a part–time job there in the castle library. He actually preferred to make his home in Ponyville, where he could befriend ponies. Unfortunately the latter was much more easily done than the former; his circle of pony friends in town consisted of Pinkie Pie, Skeleton Key (his boss), Stiletto (his girlfriend), and the mailmare with the crossed eyes — Derpy? Ditzy? He could never quite remember her name, but she answered to both, so it worked out in the end.

Still, it was a good start. In fact he had a 33% increase in the number of friends compared to last month. This was due to Stiletto having set up a hoofwear shop across from Skeleton Key's bookstore, his irresistible charm, and sharing a very strange adventure with her. (Nothing formed tighter friendships than adventures. Evidently, they were also great for romance.)

The door chime of The Open Book rang merrily for the first time that morning, and Ace scurried to the front to receive his newest customer. He was expecting a pony looking for the latest bestseller, or a filly in search of the latest Daring Do novel. What he got was Adjutant's regal form stepping through the doorway. He swallowed nervously; while she had never treated him badly, high ranking changelings were always careful to maintain an air of haughtiness towards their subordinates, which made it very difficult to discern their true motivations for anything.

He put on his best smile and stepped out from behind a bookshelf. "Hi there!"

Adjutant lazily surveyed the shop and took her time responding. "Hello, Ace. I see that you're having a slow day."

The gears in Ace's head immediately whirled into motion. Adjutant was not the type to care about his work schedule unless she needed him for something. Clearly, a scheme was afoot.

Ace chose his response carefully. "I'd like more customers, of course, but slow days can be a blessing in disguise! It's given me plenty of time to sort out my inventory!" It translated into Just because I don't have customers doesn't mean I have time for you.

Adjutant rolled her eyes. "I thought you had a spell for that?" Translation: Horseapples.

"I, er, had a headache today. It's clearing up though." Ace sighed. Ok, you got me. What is it this time?

"Good, then I can discuss something with you." She motioned for him to take one of the reaching chairs. "Now, it has come to my attention that our colony needs a great deal of royal jelly, so I am going to have to engage in negotiations for more. As most of our comrades are woefully lacking in experience and diplomacy, I am extending an invitation to you to join me in this endeavor." I'm surrounded by morons. You're the least objectionable one I could find. Pack your bags, say goodbye to your girlfriend, and use your vacation days.

Ace stood up and bowed. "Oh, it would be my pleasure to serve you and the colony. Just let me know when you need me." I hate you so much.

An unexpected knock on her chamber door roused Princess Luna from her morning nap. She opened a bleary eye — last night's patrol with the Night Guard had cumulated with her fighting a rampaging pyrohydra, a most exhilarating experience — and quickly straightened out her mane before ordering the visitor to enter. The door opened to reveal a pegasus clad in the violet armor of the Night Guard which contrasted with this white coat, yet matched his purple eyes.

He promptly saluted and did his best to explain the interruption, but the envelope he held in his mouth impeded him. "M'ssge f' y' H'ness."

Princess Luna gently smiled at him. "Silent Knight, what have we told you about speaking with your mouth full?"

Silent Knight promptly dropped the message onto the floor, then scrambled to pick it up in his hooves. "Message for you, Your Highness!"

The telegram glowed blue as it flew into Luna's hooves. She slit open the envelope and quickly read the message within. "Well, it seems as if Adjutant has been busy! She wishes to ask our permission to establish a trade agreement with other changeling hives, to better Equestrian relations and to strengthen the Everfree Colony. Excellent; I already have a potential candidate in mind. I shall suggest it posthaste!"

Silent Knight raised a hesitant hoof. "Pardon me for asking, Your Highness, but shouldn't we seek Celestia's permission first?

"Such is the standard protocol, but it seems that Princess Twilight has been informed and has already sent a message to our sister." Luna flipped the message over and continued reading the backside. "Intriguing. Adjutant is requesting a representative from both the Day and Night Courts to be present at this meeting. An excellent idea!" She clapped her hooves together and looked Silent Knight over.

Silent Knight was one of her first guards. He had volunteered to serve her right out of boot camp. Serving as part of her honor guard was usually a decision made at the end of a soldier's career, as the position offered little excitement or chance for further promotion, yet he had done it anyways when he heard the call, when no one else would. Because no one else would.

He had grown much in his time serving her, but still had had much to learn about the finer points of life. His single–minded focus on upholding his family's tradition of military service had left an indelible mark on his social skills, a matter she would have to remedy if his career was to advance further. (Or his relationship, for that matter.)

"Tell me, Silent Knight," Luna smiled, with all the radiance of a full moon, "Do you feel ready for the rigors of diplomacy?"

His eyes shone with excitement as he saluted again, with such vigor that he unseated his helmet to reveal a mop of teal hair beneath it. "Yes ma'am! It would be my honor to represent you! I won't let you or Equestria down, I promise!"

"Splendid! Be ready in an hour; I expect Tia will have made her selection and travel arrangements by then." Luna looked over the telegram one last time. "I wonder who her choice will be?"

A small white airship — barely a yacht — descended out of the clouds above the Everfree Forest to touch down in the courtyard of the Castle of the Two Sisters. The name Virtuoso was stenciled on the prow in bold black letters, along with the Blueblood family crest. This was a luxury vessel for the most spoiled pony in Equestria. Its appearance caused no small amount of trepidation among the castle's inhabitants.

The door of the cabin opened and Silent Knight stepped out onto the deck, accompanied by Flash Sentry. (There was a merciful absence of royal unicorns.) The pair of guards lowered a boarding ramp and proceeded to stand at attention on both sides, awaiting Adjutant's arrival.

Thunderball glided down to the deck from the parapets and saluted them. "At ease, gentlecolts. I trust everything is prepared?"

"Yes sir!" Flash nodded. "All the helmspony needs is a direction and the Virtuoso can cast off."

"Good." He looked around the ship, made of the finest hardwood and outfitted with the most opulent furnishings money could buy. "What did it take to pry this out of Blueblood's hooves?"

Flash Sentry gave a hearty chuckle. "I hear he was kicking and screaming when Celestia requisitioned her."

"Well, be sure to pass on our regards to him when we're done. "Thunderball offered a hoof to each of them. "I wish I could join you, but I fear I've made a big enough mess of the situation as is. Allow me, then to wish you the best in your endeavors."

"Permission to speak, sirs?" Silent Knight waited for both of the others to nod before continuing. "I know a lot of this is above my pay grade, but will it really be so difficult?"

Thunderball pursed his lips. "Given that there has been harassment and persecution of friendly changelings in Equestria, along with two terrorist attacks on changeling hives, can you understand why changelings might be hesitant to trust us?"

Silent Knight fiddled with his hooves. "Um, pardon me, but which attacks are you referring to? I mean, I know that you and your house went after Chrysalis — no offense — but there was another?"

"You read about Mount Reindeer's sudden eruption a few weeks back? It was actually the result of dark magic wielded by some very nasty ponies." Thunderball sighed. "A terrible tragedy. I hear they crippled Hive Mephera. I suppose I'm not one to point hooves, but they were vile ponies to stoop so low."

"Two attacks in the same month?" Silent Knight let loose a low whistle. "Heck of a coincidence."

Thunderball shook his head. "There are no coincidences, kid."

Flash Sentry raised an eyebrow. "You don't think it's mere chance, I take it?"

"I know my family rubs shoulders with all sorts in order to find lost artifacts, nip threats in the bud, and manipulate others into fighting our battles. I wonder if they put the idea into someone else's head, or vice versa. It wouldn't surprise me either way." He bit his lip until it turned white. "Well, just keep that between yourselves and do your best."

Silent Knight saluted again. "Yes sir! For crown and country!"

Flash followed suit. "Celestia points, and we obey."

Thunderball met their salutes and walked off of the yacht just as Adjutant strolled out of the castle, with Ace in tow. He waited for her at the foot of the ramp, and embraced her in a tight hug.

"Do you miss me already?" Adjutant teased, smacking him lightly with her tail.

He blushed and nuzzled her neck. "Just come back safe and soon, alright?"

"Oh, you know me," she grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way."