He drummed his fingers against his desk. He should have been working. He had been working, then everything went upside down, and his work just evaporated almost overnight. He had applied on every job search site he could find, but so was... an uncomfortably large amount of America.

It was a mess.

Manufacturing jobs were making a comeback, that was nice, but not what he had studied for. His interest in standing on an assembly line was minimal.

Still, while that was gearing up, so many other things were starved of everything they'd get overseas.

He could have become customer support. No India, Americans had to do that. That too felt far beneath him. He did not complete college to ask people if they turned it off and turned it back on again.

On the positive, he had unemployment... for a little longer.

The folks in DC finally did something good for him, extending how long that could last due to these 'special circumstances', but even that was running out... He'd have to do something or become homeless and destitute, and that was hard to recover from.

He snatched up his phone and made a quick call.

All eyes were on the television, where a rocket stood on its platform, various supports drawing away in preparation. Great plumes of smoke shot out from beneath it as it began to lift into the air, propelled towards space with a great roar of a cheer through the room.

Bars did not usually tune in for a rocket broadcast, but this one was special. It would carry the first satellites to orbit their new world. It would help restore some of the order that had been lost. The screen showed Mr. Musk chatting animatedly about things. It was his rocket, so he had plenty to say about it, but the people in the bar weren't very focused on him.

Having GPS that worked again. Having Internet that could reach further, on flight, in the boonies, ships, and across the ocean. Weather reports and warnings. Satellites brought a lot of good things to a lot of people.

Above and beyond that, it was a sign that they were overcoming and adapting. Their world was returning to them, one step at a time.

Alcohol-filled mugs crashed in celebration of that.

"Queen Novo, a pleasure to meet you."

"Who is this?" Novo squinted at the floating phone and the strange voice issuing from it. "Does President Crane know you are using this?"

"President Crane is unavailable at this time. I'm President Marshall until that's resolved," explained the male voice.

"What happened to him?" She scowled at the phone. Mr. Crane was better at Ponish than this new person. "And did you call me to tell me that?"

"In part. The ponies took him when he went to discuss peace with them. We've since recovered him."

She moved a fin over her mouth a moment. "Have they taken leave of every sense they have?! Is he alright?"

"That is what we are checking. Until then, I am the president, and I thought I should reach out to our allies in these troubling times."

"Yes, yes, well, no ponies have shown up in my kingdom starting trouble." She huffed loudly, bubbles escaping her. "Foalnapping... How low."

"They injured several guards during the attack, but we repelled them, if not for their prize of a president. In fact, we have a few prisoners."

Novo perked at that. "Do you now? Now you have my interest. Did you get any names?"

"The largest that seems to be in charge is named 'Luna'."

Novo blinked slowly.

"Novo?"

"Yes, yes, I'm here... I... am just surprised... Luna is not a random brigand. Can you describe her to me? Maybe they just share a name."

"Large, dark blue, constantly flowing mane and tail?"

"That's her... You've captured one of the two rulers of Equestria, who should not be involved in random foalnapping attempts! Her name is not just for show. She controls the moon, though Celestia can do it if she has to."

"I see... Can you define 'controls'?"

Novo raised a brow. "Once in a while you humans really remind me that you are new to this world. She raises it and she lowers it. Celestia does the same for the sun. Without them, things would be... bad, especially for people who live on land."

"I see," he repeated, conviction not in his tone. "I'll see what can be done. You've been quite useful. This reminds, (satellites) are going up."

"What?"

"Things that orbit the world. With them, we'll be changing how you're connecting to us. It'll be far harder to interfere with."

"Sounds lovely." She rolled a fin through the water. "Oh, while I have you, Mobile Coral, do you remember her?"

"First contact."

"That's her. She's picked a father for her child, and they are being wed. What must I do to see that she and her child are welcome in your borders? I would prefer the child have the freedom to pick either of our countries to be in, as they are, in the end, a child of both our people."

"I haven't been in that loop. Is she progressing well?"

"She's looking fatter every day, but pregnancy does that to a mother, human, seapony, or much anything else." Novo leaned towards the phone. "Will the child be accepted as an (American)?"

"The simplest way to avoid paperwork would be if she gave birth on American soil. Barring that--"

"--Does it have to be on the ground? What if she was in a pool within your borders?"

"That would be fine." His voice carried some of the amused smirk he likely wore. "Do you... prefer to do that in the water?"

"Do you not?" Novo asked with a raised brow. "Regardless, yes. I'll arrange that then. Thank you."

"Thank you." The call ended.

The mare stepped off her boat with a huge smile. "Come one, come all! Who has (American) goods? Me, and only me." She gestured with a wing back at her boat. "In just a few minutes, we'll be ready to start selling things beyond your imagination, including some opportunities, so don't go away!"

She had unloaded her food, lumber, metal, and gems. They had taken her arts and crafts even. In return, she was given money, and with that, she was able to return laden with all manner of American consumer goods, and contacts. Delicious contacts. It turned out American businesses were also eager to reach Equestria and beyond.

Sure, all the trading happened out at sea, with stuff being passed from boat to boat, but it was still a trade, and she still made it.

Her future was looking bright. "First up, behold!" She drew out a deceptively tiny thing. "It's an entire arcade, in your pocket. The fidelity of the graphics and sounds? Better than the movies! It comes with one of three games." With a flip of a wing, she displayed three small cartridges. "But we have more for sale. Once you try one, you'll wonder how you ever put up with Equestrian games."

She had a great many wonders of human technology to offer. It would be a busy day. "A thousand bits!"

Celestia held a dictionary aloft in her power. She had been reading it. Everypony had been. "This has gone on for too long."

"I won't argue that." Cadance tilted her head a little. "But... should you... be here?"

"My sister is in their hands. I will not sit idly by." She had not entertained ideas of Luna not being alive since she arrived. "This is now a matter that affects us all, across Equestria. We underestimated the invaders--"

"--I don't think they're--" Twilight's interjection was cut off.

"--Yes, yes, thank you, Twilight. Whatever term fits better, they are incredibly dangerous. This conflict must end." Her head turned to Shining. "Any sign of the captive you once held?"

"None, Your Highness. We're guessing he must have fled. If it wasn't for the injured guard, I'd almost think that was all he was trying to do."

"We may never know. Put that aside."

A guard came galloping in. "Princess Cadance, a letter has arrived for you."

Cadance hiked a brow. "In the middle of this meeting? It couldn't have waited?"

"It's from the humans, Your Highness."

All objections died instantly. He pulled out a letter with his magic and presented it. Cadance reached with a wing, but hesitated. "Twilight, can this letter explode? They're good at making things explode. A specialty of theirs, I think."

Twilight's magic wrapped around the letter, drawing it closer. "It's already come this far..." Her magic swept over it in a pulse. "Just paper, ink, though I can't identify the ink used. That's not surprising. Very high quality paper... Humans love manufacturing things, I doubt paper gets an exception. I would say this is almost certainly safe.."

Cadance took the letter in her own magic, ripping the top bit off in a clean line with her power. "Then let's see what they want to tell us." She drew the letter inside the envelope out and unfolded it. "It's in Ponish," she declared, eyes darting left and right to read it.

Hello Cadance,

I am a guard leader of the two leg people. You have a young person in your city that has written to me about peace. She is a special person. While I enjoy our letters, They are not helping peace, so I am trying to reach someone who can do something more material.

Cadance smiled as she read it. "This is... lovely."

The paper suddenly left her magic, snatched by Celestia, her own eyes sweeping over it before she grunted, passing it back.

Cadance raised a brow. "There are a lot of them, Auntie... Not all of them are involved with... Luna."

She continued reading.

We know of the failed motion by the president. I am not told to do this, but I will try. I want to invite one of you to come speak. No persons will be taken. Come peacefully to us and we can talk. It may not change anything, or maybe it will. I owe Bright Morning at least an attempt.
Hoping,
Major

Cadance finished reading the letter for everyone's benefit, smiling gently. "This is... good news. But how do we reach this Major?"

"Ma'am." They looked over at the guard that was still there. "The mailmare that delivered the letter is still here, Ma'am. She said she was ready for any replies."

Twilight blinked softly. "Wait... A mailmare is casually delivering the mail to a human and back?! That's... amazing." She laughed as she stood up. "I have to meet this mare and shake her hoof. She's a hero!"

Shining nodded softly. "I agree, but who are we sending with her to speak with them?"

"Me, obviously." Twilight pointed at herself. "I've been devouring the dictionary. I can almost dream in (English). Besides, who better to act as a diplomat but the princess of friendship?"

Celestia extended a wing, blocking the line of sight between Twilight and the guard. "I am afraid I must veto that motion..." She rose to her tall legs. "I will go."

"Cel..." Her objection died in her throat, swallowed hard. Arguing with Celestia was difficult on good days, and this was far from a good time.

Cadance inclined her head towards the floating dictionary next to Celestia's head. "Have you learned their language well enough to... do this? Auntie, Twilight really is quali--"

"--I am perfectly aware of her qualifications, and that she has risked her well-being quite enough. I will not ask a single other pony to do so until I have done my share... It is time they learned how poor of an idea this war is."

Twilight jumped up. "You can't antago--" She swallowed again as Celestia fixed her with a hard look. "I just... mean... this is a diplomatic mission. Please... approach gently?"

Author's Notes:

America is adapting painfully to a new world, but it is flexing, not breaking.

Wheels are turning in wheels! That major is risking a lot with this move. Is this foolishness on his part?