Author's Notes:
Thanks to Deadinlight for beta-reading and helping me edit
Post Common Era Chapter Ten/War of Stars Chapter Six: Warnings and Deals
“I don’t care! Your plan not only failed, but now has put our people in danger! We are going to do things his way, and you are going to be handed over to him for whatever judgement he deems fit! And heaven help you if you cause us to lose a single life thanks to your stupidity” said a general as he verbally throttled a subordinate that had suggested that they attempt to force things to go their way, the subordinate, a young human male simply grumbled silently, but not silently enough because in the next moment the general glared at him and ordered two MPs to escort him to the stockade, with orders to not let him out of their sights…
- - -
“This is UEC Command to the host of our men”
“Ah, about time, I was starting to worry if I should just grant citizenship to your men, rather than let them languish in the palace any longer”
“… Indeed… We are ready to try again if you are”
“Good, make no mistake, this is your last chance, if you screw up, they are dead, I am forgiving to a point, but I will be damned if I let Equestria get stomped on because you think you are superior to it because you happen to be human. Over and out” said Masao before closing the channel and turning to see the sergeant who looked at him in shock. “Don’t look at me like that, I know the human race, I don’t like having to resort to base threats, there are far more effective ways to control a populace, but with my fellow humans, I have to remind you that we are not the best of all species.”
- - -
“Ah, I take it you are the one I talked to on the radio?” asked Masao as the general walked up, behind him was a APC, or Armored Personnel Carrier and rather than be worried as two obviously human MPs walked up with a soldier in bonds Masao nodded appreciatively.
“This was the man who suggested we try to out maneuver you, as you asked he is yours to do with—”
“I said to bring him, I didn’t say I would take him captive” said Masao before his eyes flashed and there was a sudden ‘cloud’ of darkness as the team appeared along with Masao’s wife and fiancee who was arguing with Luna.
“I told you, you don’t—Oh… Hello Masao, I…” said Willow Leaf her face heating up as she blushed in embarrassment, she wasn’t supposed to be there and Masao seemed to glare at her for a moment but when she blinked the look was one of concern. It was unnerving that she wasn’t sure if he had actually glared at her.
“Are you alright, Willow Leaf? I didn’t intend on teleporting you as well. Do you want me to send you back?”
“Y-yes” she said her nerves getting the best of her again, but she shook her head, “No, I’ll stay” she said steeling her resolve and Masao nodded before returning attention to the general.
“I apologize, allow me to introduce my wife, Princess Luna, and my fiancee, Willow Leaf, they will watching over the proceedings, to assure that you do nothing to jeopardize the lives of your men. I honestly would hate to have to go through with my threat” said Masao and the general nodded before Masao motioned for the soldiers to go on over, “There, was that so hard? We could have finished this so simply the first time had you,” Masao glared at the bound soldier, “not decided to try to threaten my wife” as soon as the last soldier got behind the general the general breathed a sigh of relief.
“Why did you want me the first time? If you were going to give them to us without wanting anything in return?” asked the General and Masao chuckled in response as a couple ESIS agents walked out and took their places alongside Masao.
“Why, my dear general, we are going to talk about the possibility of a peace treaty, if not an outright alliance” said Masao and the general was gobsmacked at the prince’s declaration as with another flash of his eyes, Masao frowned. “It seems that my sister-in-law is busy, perhaps my former student?” Masao mumbled and there was a swirl of darkness as Twilight Sparkle appeared out of no where.
“Hey, Masao, you are acting like Discord again” Masao chuckled in embarrassment as the purple alicorn sighed, “Now what is—OH! More humans! Are these the ones you were talking about? The ones you wanted to befriend?”
- - -
It took a matter of hours but soon there was a rough draft for a treaty between the two people, the general stated point blank that he could bring it to the people in charge, but as far as he was concerned it was reasonable, even if he didn’t like some of it.
“And what exactly don’t you like about it?” asked Masao and the general sighed before he scrolled the screen to the part that stated they could not demand Masao to return to Earth.
“I don’t like this, because it is sure to piss off a few council members, the general consensus is that all humans belong on Earth, under the command of the UEC, and as the sergeant has said, we need allies not more enemies, you already proved a willingness to kill our men the last time we went against you, I would hate to see what would happen if we drew your anger. If your wife is the head of the military, and you are the head of intelligence, heaven help us if we harmed any of the ones you love”
“That part is non-negotiable, that better be made well known, I am not going to be forced back to Earth, I love it here on Equis, in a few days time we are sending ponies to the moon for a colonization effort, the Minotaurs have accepted our peace bargain, the Changelings have gone underground, but I have a feeling that humans have the ability to see them. The Crystal Empire is our ally, the Gryphon Republic is as staunch an ally as the Gryphon Kingdom had been. If they were to force me to return to Earth, there will be war on a global scale, the Minotaurs love war and don’t care who they fight, or who they fight alongside but they are not ones to violated deals.” said Masao as Luna nodded along with Willow Leaf.
“May I asked a question about something you had said?” Masao nodded, “You said this mare is your wife, does that mean—”
“Yes I have slept with her, if that is something that bothers you then I am sorry, but I will not lie about my relationship with my wife” said Masao and the general nodded but said nothing as he picked up the proposed treaty.
“I will take this to the council, but don’t expect them to be happy, several of them are staunch traditionalist, and believe that humans should be with humanoids at the barest minimum”
- - -
“Is he mad!? Sleeping with some animal!?”
“With all due respect council, those animals took out two of our best snipers, and one of our best infiltration teams apparently without trying, I would advise against provoking this Masao Darkheart”
“Very much so” said a pony as he walked out of the shadows startling the council members as well as the general. “I was sent here as an ambassador, as well as to ensure you do not harm Equis through purposeful actions.” said the pony, the pony was a stallion, with blue fur and a darker blue mane, his cutie mark was that of a scroll rolled up, however one of his eyes had been replaced with a cybernetic implant, it’s red glow piercing the darkness of the room, the council members, who were shrouded in shadow, stiffened as they were scanned. “I am Minder Three, Equestrian Strategic Information Service, and I will be your diplomat for the duration of this meeting”