Beach Area
Captain Wing Shield stood in the captain’s quarters of the ship, before the desk in the middle of the room. He wasn’t alone, but Thundershock and Keen Eyes weren’t with him. The room, or much of the interior of the ship he saw on the way for that matter, was not big to house all three. Or at least, all three in the same area. Although that was not the reason why they weren’t there with him.
They weren’t sure how long they had waited, but the sun was already descending, indicating night would soon arrive. Finally, one of the humans emerged from the inside, and stood before them. He rose an upper limb and used one of its digits to point from where he came. It was their way of communicating they wanted them inside.
“Are you sure, captain?” Keen Eyes had asked, peering at the doorway.
“The insides look cramped. It might suit them fine, but we could have some trouble moving around.”
“I agree, we would be in a disadvantage if they try something,” Thundershock said, and made a motion with his spear to point backwards, where the men watching them were not far behind.
“They would’ve done something already by now,” Wing Shield said.
Thundershock shook his head.
“Fine, but don’t think we’re not going with you, captain. We might not be able to fly inside, but we can use our hooves.”
He then waved his spear in a circular motion.
“Or my spear.”
“I’m still not so sure on this,” Keen Eyes glanced around nervously.
“But I’ll go in as well.”
And so, the three had entered the bowels of the ship. Or tried, because as soon Thundershock, being first to move, approached the doorway, the man that had indicated them to enter had moved into the doorway. He shook his head, before pointing at Wing Shield.
“Hey, what gives?” Thundershock protested.
“I think he wants the captain to enter first,” Keen Eyes suggested.
Thundershock hmphed, but moved aside. The man stood aside as Wing Shield moved in, but as he was doing so, he began to speak to the ones behind them. The ponies knew not what he said, but one of them then moved past them and began following Wing Shield.
Just as Thundershock proceeded to follow, the first human once more stood on the doorway, and the last two now stepped forward and stood at his sides.
“Now what’s the big idea!?” Thundershock said.
“Thundershock, calm yourself,” Wing Shield called from the inside.
“But captain, you’re going to be alone in there!”
“I still trust things won’t become an issue. If they feel better with only one us inside, then so be it. This is still their vessel.”
“But, captain,” Keen Eyes began.
“Now now, considering our communications issue, this may not even take long. I’ll be back quite soon enough.”
Thundershock and Keen Eyes glanced at each other.
“Fine, but we’ll be on the lookout of anything that could happen,” Thundershock said.
And thus, Wing Shield ventured deeper inside.
The humans remained blocking the doorway, one of them even closed the door.
“So, what do we do now?” Keen Eyes asked.
“With some luck, the captain might be in a room with windows,” Thundershock answered.
“We could try to fly around and check.”
“Will they allow us to?”
Thundershock glanced around. Most men on the deck tended to their businesses, only the ones guarding the door were looking at them.
“Not sure, but right now we have the advantage they can’t figure it out right away,” he said.
“They might start to suspect something, though, if we go around trying to look inside, but perhaps we could fool them.”
“How?”
Thundershock put tapped his chin with a hoof as he glanced upwards, towards the main mast and its flag.
“Maybe if we start somewhere else…” he said as he leaned forward, spread his wings, and took off.
“Huh, what do you… wait up!” Keen Eyes took flight after him.
Western Border of Equestria
Thunderbolt and Scud stood on the outskirts of the outpost, saddlebags and armor back on, staring westward.
“Ready to go?” Thunderbolt asked.
“As always,” Scud grinned, then quickly took off.
“Race ya!”
Here we go, Thunderbolt thought, following right after.
Not long after midday a messenger had flown to the outpost, looking for them. The two had listened closely.
“That’s a big decision,” Scud had commented at the messenger’s words.
“And it came straight from the King?”
“Why, yes, it surprised me a bit too,” was the reply.
“So, does that means that…?” Thunderbolt had begun, but trailed off.
“Yes, your orders are to report back to Captain Wing Shield, and inform him of the arrival of the delegation.”
“That’s good, isn’t it, Thunderbolt?” Scud had asked.
“Yes, of course,” Thundershock half-paid attention to what he said.
Good thing this didn’t took long, he had thought. Thundershock, I hope you didn’t do something reckless while I was gone.
“Still thinking on your brother?” Scud asked.
Thundershock said nothing, but it was enough for Scud.
Figures. Maybe he’ll get distracted with another race on the way back…
And thus, the two began their journey back west, following the river.
Mexico City, Federal District
“Military cuts!?”
Congress was once more nearing an uproar, most had even risen from their seat.
“Mister president, do you even realize what you say?” One of the senators spoke.
“It is true we no longer have to worry on the Spanish staging a reconquest, but we still do not know what dangers we could face now.”
Many nodded and murmured in agreement.
“Order!” Valentín tapped once more the desk with his gavel.
The room quieted down, and some returned to their seats, others following in the following minutes.
“Gentlemen, I am aware such an action carries a big risk,” Victoria began.
“But our situation already calls for big cuts on our budget. For the time being we are without trade. We were fortunate this happened after we received the British loan, but it also means we cannot ask for another. Our other alternative would be to raise taxes, but the populace is bound to object to that. And we cannot afford to increase our internal problems when facing this situation.”
The members of Congress glanced at each other, knowing well what that entailed.
“If the rest of the world disappearing had a good side, is that it already made some cuts for us,” Bravo said, glancing at a paper.
“We no longer need to pay back that loan, and neither the pension to Iturbide’s widow. And as previously mentioned, we do not have to worry of being attacked, at least for the time being. And Alamán’s project to strengthen the navy is now on hold. This among other things.”
“So then Mister President, why do you propose further cuts, and on our military?” Ibarra asked.
“As you know, the army as it is expensive to maintain. It is in fact what most of our expenses go into,” Victoria replied.
“Which is mainly why we requested the loan in the first place.”
Several people nodded.
“It was considered necessary, but now our new situation has left us with no apparent threats for the time being. So even if we had the money, I would have still suggested making changes,” he continued.
“And what does that entail?” a deputy asked.
“What it means is that soldiers will instead have a bigger focus on patrolling the roads and the towns, to safeguard them from bandits or raiders,” Victoria explained.
“But what if we do eventually encounter something hostile?” another deputy inquired.
“We will keep maintaining the coastal defenses, with the construction of a few more, including outposts on the Revillagigedo and Passion islands, and eventually we will focus on reinforcing the navy” was the president’s reply.
“Will there also be a reduction in the number of regulars?” Valentín asked.
“Not a big number, instead the plan is to reduce their salaries by a small amount, the exact number will be discussed at a later meeting.”
The president’s reply sent a few more murmurs around.
“And what will happen to those that do get removed?” a senator spoke.
“They will be assigned a different employ,” Victoria said.
“But will remain in the service of the army. We must place a bigger focus on producing our own weapons and ammunition if we want to keep maintaining a standing army. Therefore, they will be reassigned to these tasks.”
More murmurs followed.
“Would that be all, Mister President?” Valentín said.
“For now, it is,” Victoria said.
“Further details, as always, will have to refer to a future meeting.”
“Very well, I think we can finally put all that was mentioned to the vote on what to prioritize,” Valentín then glanced at the room at large.
“Keep in mind of this, that due to the extraordinary circumstances we are facing, we will not veto the proposals themselves. Not yet, at least. Instead, we will vote on the order to hear them in more detail for future meetings, where we can judge them properly.”
“As a reminder, we must not dwell on this for too long,” Ibarra spoke up.
“So far, we have been able to run things without much change. But as more months pass, we should already be implementing any changes we decide upon. So, we must be careful if we make too much counterproposals, or proposals outside these concerns.”
At this he glanced to San Luis Potosí’s congressmen.
“Which, admittedly, one such as yours would be. But that is not to say we will ignore them.”
“We understand,” one of the men nodded.
“Very well. Now, let us begin.”
Beach Area
“Sir, are you sure it was a good idea to do this here?”
On the captain’s quarters of the ship, Guerrero sat before the desk.
“We could have done it at the beach, where they might be more cooperative,” said Álvarez, for he was the one who asked.
“Or at least, not alone.”
“You know it cannot be helped, the ship’s hallways are not big enough, and even this room might get too crowded,” Guerrero answered.
“As for why here than outside, it is mostly a matter of trust.”
“Of trust, you say?” Álvarez repeated.
“If we can show them that they can be alone among us without coming to harm, it could help show we do mean no harm to them. And if we can convey our current plight, they might be more accepting to help.”
He glanced towards the desk, where many papers laid.
“You can thank Austin for the idea, but now we have to see if it can work.”
“Well, I still don’t like it,” Keen Eyes crossed his forehooves.
He and Thundershock were hovering around the main mast of the ship. The latter had grabbed the end of the flag, an action that made much on the ship to glance, but ultimately went back to their businesses.
“Yeah, we know already,” Thundershock said.
“It looks even better from up close.”
“I have to admit, I am curious at what sort of plant it’s standing on,” Keen Eyes said.
“Looks like nothing we have in Equestria.”
“Well, whatever it is, it looks like it has thorns, and the eagle has no problem standing on it. That makes it even better,” Thundershock had now a big grin on his face.
Keen Eyes rolled his eyes.
It is true, the hallways are not suited for a pony’s mobility, Wing Shield noted as he walked.
Where he was being escorted he did not know, but it still gave him the chance to inspect the insides of their vessel.
At least just walking forward is fine.
Soon he was led to a big room. Bigger than the cabins he saw on the way. Those which had their doors open to see inside, anyway.
This must be their leader’s room. Or that of the vessel’s captain if they’re not the same.
Almost instantly he saw the room wasn’t empty. Inside he saw the one he hoofshaked with. And right now, he was sitting before the big desk in the middle of the room. He wasn’t alone, as two others were at near each side wall. Said man extended a forelimb over the desk. The limb was arched upwards, and Wing Shield took this to indicate he wanted him to get closer to the desk. He complied, as the men who followed him bowed and left the room. The man retracted his limb once he had close enough.
Wing Shield eyed him closely. They had already been at close distance before, naturally, but now the circumstances were different. This was more his element, and how he was the one treading the unknown. He still wasn’t sure why he was here, but perhaps he may soon find out.
Canterlot, Central Equestria
A small crowd was assembled in a courtyard, lined up in two rows. Behind them stood a float. It had no wheels, but with support beams sticking from the front and back, which meant it was to be carried by hoof. It wasn’t elaborately decorated, white in color, and the platform itself housed mostly cushions and pillows of various colors.
Gold Ingot, Starswirl, and the sisters stood before the assembled ponies, looking at them. The front rows were mostly composed of earth ponies, with the back row being mostly unicorns. A few at the ends of the rows were clad in armor, but the majority were in either robes or with no clothing at all.
“A fine ensemble, your highness,” Starswirl said.
“This will impress our future guests for sure.”
“Huh, no pegasi?” Luna wondered.
“Is not the float too much?” Celestia asked.
“Nonsense,” the king answered, glancing at her.
“You are not just our representatives, but saviors of the realm and recently made royalty as well. It should be fitting to reflect that as well.”
He turned his gaze back at the crowd.
“Which is also why I also wanted to reflect the unity and diversity of our country. Hence an equal number of unicorns and earth ponies. With Wing Shield’s group already there, there was no need to have more pegasi to meet them.”
“Oh, so that’s why,” Luna commented.
“Very well, time to go over things one last time,” Starswirl’s said as his horn began to glow.
A wall of solid light materialized, giving the impression of a board. Said board began to change in color, until in its place was a map of Equestria.
“It’s almost time for the night to begin,” the unicorn explained.
“We’ll depart as soon the princesses raise the moon and lower the sun.”
At this he glanced at the sisters, who nodded.
“We’ll warp to the western outpost,” he continued, as a red dot appeared in the before mentioned place.
“And spend the night there, to give time for the message of our arrival to reach Wing Shield. On the next day, we’ll depart after the princesses move the sun and moon again, following the river and then south where Wing Shield’s group and our visitors are.”
As he explained, the red dot turned into a line, which followed the mentioned course.
“Is that understood?”
Everypony nodded, with a few “Yes, sir!” from the armored ones. Starswirl’s horn stopped glowing, and the map disappeared as well.
“Everypony, do your job well. I expect good results from this,” Gold Ingot said.
“Yes, your highness!” The crowd chorused and bowed.
“That includes you two,” the king turned to the sisters, who bowed as well.
“Well, your highnesses, if you will,” Starswirl pointed a hoof towards the sun.
The sisters turned into position, and their horns began to glow.