//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - Congress // Story: Flight of the Golden Eagle - A New World // by Acacia Sgt //------------------------------// Castle of the Two Sisters, South Equestria Celestia was pacing back and forth, an exasperated expression on her face. Luna sat nearby, following her sister’s movements with her head. Starswirl merely stood before Celestia’s back-and-forth path. Finally, Celestia stopped her pacing. “Isn’t this so soon, Lord Starswirl?” She asked. “I must admit I was also a bit surprised at the King’s decision,” the unicorn said. “Just a bit? Wonder how that felt,” Luna said with a smile, earning a glare from Celestia. “But his reasoning was sound,” Starswirl continued. “He wants to greet them with what can represent Equestria best. And as the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, he thinks you are the best suited for the task.” He then began to stroke his beard with a hoof. “And honestly, I find myself agreeing with that.” Both sisters just stared. “But surely, Lord Starswirl,” Celestia spoke again. “We are only just preparing for our new roles as princesses, does it have to include being diplomats as well?” “Oh, it might be more important for the long run,” Starswirl replied. “While you both are expected to make use of your new titles, they are mostly honorary, after all.” “The King should’ve come up with a different reward,” Luna said as Celestia merely sighed. “It couldn’t be helped, Luna,” she said. “It was more a decision of the populace, remember?” “That certainly proved problematic,” Starswirl said. “Since it conflicted with those wanting for Gold Ingot to take back the throne. But at least a compromise was reached.” “Yes yes, adopting us into the royal family,” Luna dismissively waived a hoof. “I don’t mind the perks, but I could do without the responsibilities. We already did much for Equestria to have our reward be more work.” Celestia sighed again. “What? You know it’s true,” Luna said. “In any case, we must make haste,” Starswirl said. “We will be departing soon enough, once preparations are done back in Canterlot.” “Wait, today!?” The sisters replied almost in unison. “Don’t worry, your highnesses, we will have the journey to prepare ourselves. Besides, there might not need to learn much yet in the first place.” Mexico City, Federal District “As you know, we departed from Acapulco on the third day of the month,” Echávarri was explaining. He was in the middle of the room as the members of Congress, from both chambers, listened. They sat in chairs placed around the walls of the room, though some stood due to lack of chairs. By the opposite end from the entrance was a desk, where before it sat Victoria and Bravo, alongside the chamber presidents, Miguel Valentín and Cayetano Ibarra. “Our course was to sail up the coast of the Californias, before finally turning west,” he continued. “But by the seventh the spotter announced land in sight. We changed our course, and after checking the charts, it turned out it was Socorro Island.” “Socorro Island? So, the Revillagigedo still exist?” Valentín asked. Murmurs and whispers began across the room, but quickly died down. “It was our first thought, and therefore I ordered to change course. By sun-fall of the following day, we had confirmed all four islands were there.” “That is incredible,” Valentín said. “We had thought that only the closest islands to shore would remain, same how the land ends somewhat beyond our borders, but this new information changes everything.” “Though keep in mind that the Revillagigedo are roughly as apart from shore as the western end of Cuba is, and we know it was gone,” Ibarra noted. “Well, once we reached the islands, part of the crew was thinking similar,” Echávarri continued, and Victoria and Bravo exchanged looks of understanding. “We would have to abandon our original mission, as the supplies would not allow it, but I admit I too was curious to what they were saying. So, we changed course south, and after a few days, we saw it was true. Passion Island was there.” More murmurs followed, lasting longer to quiet down. “We spent the night there, checking our provisions. Even if we could simply go and restock in the Californias, it was decided we would turn back instead, and report our findings,” Echávarri finished. Victoria stood from his seat. “Gentlemen,” he spoke. “We had our suspicions, but what General Echávarri reports confirms it. It targeted us as a country.” “But surely, Mr. President,” one of the deputies spoke up. “It could still be a coincidence?” Bravo shook his head. “No, the evidence points otherwise. We got enough reports from the south that all agree the land ends after a certain distance from our borders.” “Excuse me Mr. President, but,” another deputy spoke. “Our southern border is not exactly well defined. There were areas still in dispute with the Central Americans and the British. Which, admittedly, is no longer an issue as any land left beyond what is unquestionably ours, is definitely ours now as well.” “That is precisely why we came to this conclusion,” Bravo replied. “What we meant by our borders was already taking our claimed areas into account.” “And while we do not know the full situation with the northern border,” Victoria added. “The few reports we have already received from the Americans and Russians already agree the same.” He then gazed back on Echávarri. “Thank you, General, you’re dismissed,” he told him. Echávarri saluted, before turning and headed for the exit. Victoria for his part sat down again, as the murmurs began anew. “Even if that is true Mr. President,” Ibarra said. “That does not place us any closer to finding out how it happened, or what did it.” “Admittedly, that is true,” Bravo commented. “Short of an act of God, I doubt there could be any other explanation. As for why our country, that is certainly out of our understanding as well.” “Gentlemen,” Valentín said. “Let us not concern right now with matters we don’t have the means to answer. We must address the situation in front of us. We still have a country to lead, and we must ensure it does not descend into chaos now that we are alone.” “Right on the mark, Mr. Valentín,” Victoria grabbed the papers before him on the desk. “Thus, we must go over basically everything. Starting with…” Beach Wing Shield sat on the deck of the ship by the rail facing the beach, Thundershock and Keen Eyes at his sides. Thundershock held his spear, gazing forward; while Keen Eyes stared upwards. They weren’t alone, for the deck was busy with activity, but they were the only ponies aboard. “How much longer must we wait?” Thundershock groaned. “Patience, Thundershock,” Wing Shield replied. “There must be a reason for their delay.” “I don’t mind waiting, but did it had to be under supervision?” Keen Eyes asked, briefly glancing to his side. Near them were three men, standing also with their backs to the rail, rifles in hand. Like Thundershock with his spear, they simply held their own weapons. They mostly kept to themselves, but often enough, each of the three would glance to them. “It can’t be helped. This is their ship, and we are still largely unknown to them,” Wing Shield said. “Well, we could’ve just waited on the beach,” Keen Eyes pointed out. “Oh, stop worrying so much, Keen Eyes,” Thundershock rolled his eyes. Perhaps a change of topic is in order, Wing Shield thought. “This is a fine-looking vessel,” Wing Shield said after a moment of silence, gazing around. “Do you think they have more of them, captain?” Keen Eyes asked, briefly gazing to him before resuming watching upwards. “It is possible, but so long we are unable to ask them, we don’t know,” was the reply. “Well, that is quite reassuring,” Keen Eyes said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Thundershock chuckled. “What, afraid they might invade Equestria or something? We could probably drive them out if it comes to that, anyway.” Keen Eyes broke his upwards gaze again. “Well, no, not exactly. But what if they decide to take over the beach? We would have them closer to our borders.” “What is troubling you, Keen Eyes?” Wing Shield asked, concerned. “I thought you had calmed down.” “Well, uh…” his averted his gaze from them. “Lately I have been paying closer attention to their flag.” And he pointed upwards, to the top of the main mast. Wing Shield and Thundershock turned to gaze it. “What of it? Seems quite normal to me,” Thundershock shrugged. “I find interesting they placed an eagle on it,” Wing Shield said. “It must have an important significance to them.” “Yeah, an eagle… an eagle that seems about to kill the snake it’s holding,” Keen Eyes pointed out. “So? Is that what’s troubling you?” Thundershock smirked. “Can’t handle it?” He scoffed. “It’s not so much the image itself, but rather they felt the desire to use it,” Keen Eyes replied. Wing Shield placed a hoof to his chin. “That is a good point,” he said. “A symbol like that cannot possibly mean something peaceful. On the other hoof, symbols can easily be misinterpreted, specially without context. And personally, from what I’ve seen of them so far, I would not worry, even if it does mean something worrisome for us.” Keen Eyes sighed. “You’re probably right, captain. I am maybe overthinking it.” “Well, I don’t know you, but regardless of meaning, I think it’s great,” Thundershock said. Keen Eyes sighed again, as Wing Shield shook his head. Mexico City, Federal District “We cannot afford losing the port!” “Then we can build our own.” “And compete with ours? I hardly think so.” “Hold it, we haven’t agreed to give our land in the first place!” The deputies and senators were in heated discussion. At first the talks had started smoothly enough, but soon found themselves with their first big snag. The country’s new situation as an island had brought different reactions to the representatives of the landlocked states and territories. And in the case of San Luis Potosí, that meant bringing up the idea of giving the state access to the ocean. Reactions to that varied. “Access to the sea?” Valentín looked over to the senator of San Luis Potosí. “Yes, it was a matter the governor thought about for weeks,” the senator said. “He thinks that among the landlocked states ours is in best position to afford having a direct path to the sea, now that it is going to become a more important asset for the country.” “And I take it you want to have this access to the sea by taking land from our state?” Another man spoke up, the senator of Veracruz. All eyes were now upon both men. “Gentlemen, I’m sure we can reach an agreement on this,” Valentín spoke. “Though in the end, we need to confirm with the governor, after all.” At this, he nodded in direction of Victoria. “Just what is the extent of land the governor wants?” The president asked. “Not much, just the land north of the Pánuco River,” was the reply. Victoria grabbed a map from the desk. “That does sound reasonable,” Bravo noted, also looking at the map. “Although, does not the river stops crossing through the state by the time it reaches the ocean?” “Which brings us to the boldest part of the request,” the senator said. “The governor is willing to negotiate the acquisition of the port of Tampico and surrounding lands.” Silence reigned on the hall. Shortly afterwards, a man stood from his seat. It was the senator of Tamaulipas. “Tampico? And why would we give up the port? What could we possibly gain in exchange to make up for it?” Many did not fail to notice the tone of slight annoyance on the man. And thus, it didn’t take long before the representatives, including the deputies, of all three states had begun to argue with each other. As this unfolded, a few others huddled together, engaging in conversation instead. “I do hope this doesn’t escalate,” Ibarra said, watching the argument unfold. “Idelfonso certainly thought this out well,” Victoria said. “Even if it meant asking for Tampico. In any case, Governor Enrique needs to be informed of this, before we can continue.” “Speaking of potential territorial changes, what word has come from the Soconusco?” Valentín asked. Bravo began to search through the papers. “It was here somewhere… ah, here,” he finally took out one, and handed it over to Victoria. Victoria glanced at it, before passing it to Valentín. “It might not be any better than our current problem,” he explained. “They accept to rejoin the country, if only due to the circumstances, but also request to become their own state, not to rejoin Chiapas.” “I could see how that may be a problem,” Ibarra glanced where the representatives of the mentioned state sat. Perhaps fortunately, they weren’t close enough to overhear them, especially with the still on-going argument. “We don’t know if the populace made their decision or is just a decision of the Central American authorities,” Bravo said. “But once we investigate on the matter…” “…we will post troops on the border if that’s what it takes!” But the sudden outburst made them glance back to the argument. The men had stood from their seats, and were almost before each other. Their expressions fierce. A few others had also risen, ready to interfere if needed. “Order! Order!” Valentín began to shout, while tapping the desk with a gavel. This, fortunately, broke off the soon-to-be confrontation. “I think that’s our cue,” Bravo said as he and Victoria stood. “Gentlemen,” Victoria called out. “I understand this is not an easy matter to discuss, and neither a short one. We would have to devote another meeting for this matter alone, with everybody involved present.” “But that would have to be for another day,” Bravo said. “For now, we need to agree on what we can, and then go over what is still pending.” The men all looked at each other, before facing back. “We understand,” one of them said, before they all headed back to their places, and sat down. Victoria and Bravo sat down as well. “Good, we shall resume the previous topic regarding the budget…”