{Nobody's POV}
The ride was Quiet. 3 Marines, each with varying degrees of thoughts on their situation, sat in silence as they drove 3 bizarre, human-sized bug creatures with them as a passengers to a destination that will be swarming with more of their kind. Luciano feels nothing but distrust and caution toward these creatures, Maore feels optimism that they may just find allies here that can offer them asylum from an entire nation. Ebert, he is just shaking at the idea of giant bugs sitting right next to him......breathing on his neck. Captain Maore was the first to break the silence.
"How much further?"
The middle one perked it's ears and made a gittering sound.
"We are here." It said.
The humvee was stopped, and all occupants exited the vehicle. The 3 insects directed the troops attention to a large mountain that was riddled with holes and cave entrances. The 3 creatures walked into the largest cave, which also happened to be the only one at ground level. The 3 Marines tried to follow, but after coming within 10 feet of the cave opening, they were instantly surrounded by more bugs. The bugs had drawn swords and had sears fixed, ready to throw at the 3 men, as the bugs hovered off the ground with beating insect wings. The 3 Marines instinctively drew their own weapons, covering all sides in a back to back formation, brushing their sights over the crowd within their respect range of cover. With both sides ready to cut down the other, each individual being present was roaring out the same orders at the other side; "drop your weapons!" "Hands up!" "Put it down!".
The standoff was finished when a larger bug with purple and black armor came strolling out of the cave entrances. With a wave of it's hand, the insect horde descended to the grown and lowered their weapons, however, still in grasp so to continue the standoff if tension flare up. The insect commander stopped 5 feet away from the Marines, who at this point at lowered their barrels as well.
"I am General Clipped Wing. The ssscouts have already informed me of your arrival and your wisssh for an audienccce with her majesssty. I am here to essscort you to her chambersss." The General stated, with a passive lisp.
Without waiting for a response, the general turned around and strolled back into the cave. The Marines opted to follow their apparent guide, entering the darkened corridor. After a few moments of walking, the light from the cave entrance was gone, replaced with wall torches. The further they went, the more creatures that appeared. They would see smaller caves and tunnels along the sides of the wall, and each would have a few whispering such things as "what are those things?" "Are they enemies?" "What is the General doing with them?" The whispers hushed and the creatures hide from sight every time one of the Marines would turn their head to the source. Such whispers persisted for many yards as they went deeper into the cave system. They felt as though they were now with in more then just a cave, as they saw tunnels and smaller caves along the walls, which, they could only assume, went off into more cave systems, making a large network of tunnels. The cave seemed to be a labryinth as they followed the bug further, rounding bends and passing rock piles and stalagmites that appeared to be the same, until they reached a set of large, marbled doors.
The General placed a hoof on the door, opening it with a hiss of air escaping. Crossing the threshold into the room, they noted it was not what they had expected. The floor was tiled, the room had 6 large pillars that spiraled, the walls were a bright shade of blue and made of stone, all tied together by the natural light from the large, glass ceiling many yards above their heads. Placed across the room at the far wall, was a massive, wooden throne. Seated in the throne was another insect creature, only, she had to be at least a foot taller than any of the others they have seen thus far, and it was evident she was female by her large bust, wide hips, and feminine facial structure compared to that of the General that had been the guide for the marines.
She seemed unfazed by the appearance of the aliens in her throne room, which puzzled them as all the insects were weary of them so far. Then again, the General was also very nonchalant toward them as well. She straightened out her posture, emphasizing on her towering stature. Her gaze met that of the Captain's before she spoke.
"Why have you come to my beautiful nation?", she asks, seemingly uninterested.
"We have come seeking asylum", stats Luciano bluntly, 'we were told we could find safety here."
"Why should I allow that? The only ponies that require asylum are criminals or defectors. Both of which harm the stability of my peace with Equestria."
"We are not of...Equistrya?" captain Maore stated, pronouncing the name as best he could, "so they have no record of us, just a patrol spotting us." The captain took a step forward, shouldering his rifle. "We intervened in an arrest of two males of their species. We took them into custody and were informed that they were slaves and that this nation was offering protection and citizenship to runaways that come here. We figured that you would take them in and help us out as well." The captain was now much closer."Look, you don't agree with the policy of your neighboring state anymore than us, however, we can act outside of diplomatic relations and do something about this. If you aid us, we can topple a slave state and bring about change. We have nowhere to go and no knowledge of this land. We are going to do something regardless, but your choice can make a great impact."
The Queen contemplated on his words and saw he had presented her with a compelling argument. However, if the Equestrian government could prove her link to them, then war would be inevitable. But this had to be done. 'This is the second time', she mumbled softly.
"I will need to know you are a worthy investment of time and resources. So, I will offer this, leave 3 of your soldiers here and I will send two of my best scouts with you. I can offer you supplies and for a month. After a month, my scouts will give me their assessment of you based on what you can accomplish in that time. If you are worth risking our boarder security to save innocents, then we will give you our full backing."
Without a moments hesitation, the captain agreed to the offer. The Queen then raised her hand and two insects with actual uniforms came to her side. She spook to them directly and from across the room, the marines could not make out what it was she said. They can assume she brief them on following the marines, as the pair followed the marines out of the throne room, through the tunnels, and back to the humvee. They even got in the humvee with the marines.
None of the marines spook a word since they left that subterranean throne room, nor did they speak to the two new partisans that followed. Luciano wanted to speak however. He didn't speak out, but he didn't like how quickly the captain had agreed the Queen's terms, wondering even if he would have agreed to an terms she offered. This wasn't the time. He had to keep his head clear and focus on what will happen next. 'Just what will happen next?', he wondered, 'it seems that the captain is set on going to war.'