//------------------------------// // The Summit // Story: When The Eagles Go Marching // by Wanderer101 //------------------------------// Princess Celestia initially didn’t know what to think about the human nations. They were strange looking, had advanced technology, and had admitted to fleeing from their homeworld which they had destroyed themselves! The Soviet Union was wedged between Equestria and Olenia being just across the bay from Vanhoover. A few months after its arrival it’s leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, came to Equestria for a state visit. She and Luna were a little apprehensive at having the Soviet leader in Canterlot. The Soviet Union bore much resemblance to the seperatist state of Stalliongrad and from what information they managed to gather the Soviet Union had much to do with the war that destroyed the human’s homeworld.  Much to Gorbachev’s credit he noticed their apprehension and asked what was bothering them. He took their concerns fairly well saying that he planned on implementing numerous reforms and making the USSR a more open country. She and Luna were much more receptive after that. Talks soon went towards trade, relief supplies, and local politics. Gorbachev was very concerned about the intentions of his neighbors. Chrysalis had already shown interest in the communist humans with advanced technology on her borders. Chrysalis had offered to turn the USSR into a protectorate in exchange for human technology. She was glad the USSR did not take the deal, especially once Gorbachev revealed that Chrysalis had shown a lot of interest in nuclear sciences… Gorbachev quickly earned her respect once she learned how shrewd of a politician he could be. Anyone that could convince the stubborn King Johan of Olenia to willingly give up land and simultaneously hold Chrysalis at bay was deserving of it. Once Gorbachev learned of the exiled Queen Velvet being sheltered in Equestria he offered some clandestine assistance to her and the loyalists. Weapons, training, and supplies. When the Olenian Civil War started Velvet’s forces were lavishly equipped with Soviet AK-47s and a few T-34 tanks allowing them to make short work of the troops that sided with Johan. When he was in Canterlot Gorbachev mentioned that his nation had once fought a country called ‘Finland’ which was very much like Olenia. The both of them found it a little funny that the Soviets and Olenians ended up becoming such good friends. The Civil War had ended much quicker with Soviet help than it would have without it. Once she was back on the throne Velvet rewarded the Soviets with a bit more uninhabited land and some trade agreements. When Chrysalis began eyeing Olenia the Soviets signed a mutual defense treaty with them vowing to defend Olenia from the ‘facist changeling menace’.  The Soviets weren’t the only human nation on the planet. Far closer to home was the Union of European Nations. They appeared a short distance away from Manehattan which was quite a shock to the ponies living in the area. While she loved her little ponies they could be quite xenophobic & judgemental at times. Even after the European Federal Council made contact with her she still got anonymous requests from Manehattan residents to ‘do something’ about the ‘alien monsters’ living near the city. She often wondered if the attitude of her ponies was contributing to the growing radicalization going on in the European Nation. There were several prominent Europeans spouting rhetoric that called for mass militarization to protect what little remained of European culture from either hostile ‘aliens’ or human enemies. She couldn’t think of a way to get them to calm down which is why she was relieved when the Americans wished to use Canterlot for a Peace Summit. She regretted believing in the fear mongering of the New California Republic because it prevented her from forming proper relations with the US. She had the Manehattan Fleet on standby to attack the US if it turned out that they were even remotely like this ‘Enclave’ the NCR was so afraid of. She was scared too when she heard the stories of soldiers in black armor razing entire towns & villages. Of how the Enclave and their evil President plotted worldwide genocide from their oil rig fortress. It was only the efforts of an NCR hero known as the Chosen One who stopped them from going through with their plan.  This was basically where her regret came into play. She wasted so much resources watching the United States that she felt personally responsible for many problems raging across the world. From MARESOC’s take over of New Mareland to the Archon Eros VII taking control of the Griffonian Empire. If she wasn’t so focused on the US then she possibly could have stopped these events from occurring. When the US began gearing up to attack New Mareland (or Marelandia as it started calling itself) she believed it was them showing their true Enclave colors. It was only the efforts of David Carolla, who was the NCR’s Liaison, that kept her from making a terrible mistake. Against the orders of his superiors he informed her that the NCR was mistaken. This US was not the Enclave and that his superiors only continued to spout such claims so they could take the US’ land in a war. With this new information she told the fleet to stand down and started to focus more on domestic affairs which she had been heavily neglecting in favor of watching the Americans. The American-Marelandian War lasted only a few weeks with the three near simultaneous naval landings of the Americans leaving the Marelandian forces in disarray. Her generals were pouring over as much information as they could get their hooves on, wondering if Equestria could have performed a similar campaign. Their conclusion was… less than satisfactory especially since it looked like they might go to war against the Changelings at some point in the future. She was quite surprised when the Americans asked her to preside over the War Crimes Tribunal to bring Marelandia’s leaders to justice. After the cold shoulder Equestria had given them and the fact that New Mareland had declared independence so they technically no longer had any authority over the colony. The trial was fairly straight forward with all of Marelandia’s Inner Party or Military Commanders receiving either life imprisonment or the death penalty. Once the trial was over she helped oversee the distribution of aid around former Marelandian territory. A few of her advisors and some nobles wished to regain control over their wayward colony. It came as a great shock to them when she revealed she had no intentions of doing such a thing. She had asked around and it seemed the opinion of Equestria was still very low among the people. They had seceded long before MARESOC took power with it being one of the last acts by Governor Jet Set, who unfortunately died in a Thought Police prison. They felt abandoned by Equestria both during the Depression and during MARESOC’s rule. Both former proles and the Outer Party were very much against the idea of becoming an Equestrian colony again. They, much to her surprise, wished to join the United States.  While upset she could understand why. The Americans were the ones that saved them from Big Sister’s tyranny. The Americans were the ones providing a majority of the aid and were overseeing relief efforts. The Americans were the ones who suffered a severe loss of life in the invasion. Over ten thousand Americans died with twice that being injured. Most of the casualties were due to dirty tricks on the Marelanders' part. Suicide bombers, kamakazie attacks, and sending in brainwashed proles to attack the Americans.  She was saddened that so many had to die to not only save her ponies but fix her mistake. In these dark days she often wondered if her hooves off approach was actually working. She wondered if a more direct and firm approach was needed to not only protect her little ponies but uphold the ideals of Harmony. She decided ultimately against it though.  That was a dark path and if she went down it who'd to say if she could find her way out? The trials were swift. A majority of the accused received either life sentences or the death penalty. That goes to show just how awful their crimes were since you had to do something really awful to receive the death penalty in Equestria. She was outright disgusted when she heard of what the members of the Inner Party had done to their own people. Willfully denying the people food, medical care, proper housing, and basic sanitation!? Torture!? Brainwashing!? Genocide!? When Doctor Double Think's numerous Crimes Against Sentience were being listed she had to call a recess lest her glare would cause him to burst into flames! The last time that happened was when she saw a group of Olenian Vikings razing a pony village a few centuries ago. A lot of Olenians today still believed that simply meeting her gaze would set them on fire... When the trial was finished she got in a car that would take her to the residence of the President who invited her over for dinner. It was a short drive over from the American Capitol Building, which they were allowed to use for the trials. The building like most of New Washington was still under construction which was a shame. The dome would look very impressive once it was finished. Perhaps she should visit again once the construction has wrapped up. She was quite surprised to see that the residence of the American President was a simple mansion. While it was a rather large mansion there were still more than a few noble homes in Canterlot that dwarfed it. She wondered if the American President stayed in a more opulent building back on Earth. Upon asking she learned that the building was an exact copy of the ‘White House’ that was on Earth. Seeing it here on Equus apparently gave the various humans here, even those that weren’t from the United States, hope. Personally she rather liked the modesty of it. It seemed like every nation on the planet placed their leadership in a grand palace. The most garish was tied between Chrysalis’ Queen’s Tower or Stalliongrad’s Palace of the People. She honestly thought that the humans were the same since the Soviets were building a large government complex they called the ‘Kremlin’ in Novaya Moskva. The American President, Jimmy Carter, wasn’t what she expected. She knew that he was a kind and compassionate sort since she had spoken with many ponies and a few humans & griffons about him. They’ve done nothing but sing his praises. The election was a near landslide with many ponies and griffons being won over during his short campaign. What surprised her was his background. In the few Republics that existed on Equus the nation’s leaders were some sort of powerful influential figure. Either a general, wealthy individual, or in a few cases a former noble. Even President Carolla had ties to the wealthy brahmin baron elites of the NCR. James, or Jimmy he insisted she call him, used to be a farmer before going into politics. His down home attitude made her think that him and a certain Apple would hit it off. During the dinner President Carter asked for a favor. It was one that got rid of any lingering doubt about the American’s intentions. He asked if it was possible for humanity to use Canterlot for a Peace Summit. The various human nations were still technically at war and it would be good as a form of closure. In order for the summit to work it needed to be held on neutral ground. She said that she would be honored if Canterlot hosted such an event. Which brings her to today. All of the delegates had arrived. President Carter arrived first, staying here in the Castle for a few days. Just like she predicted him and Applejack became instant friends sharing stories of their farm life and getting into a rather heated debate on whether peanut butter or apple butter was superior. Gorbachev arrived next flying from the Soviet Union in a military cargo plane. Him and Carter exchanged pleasantries while also congratulating each other on keeping their people from descending into tyranny. Speaking of tyranny the European delegate arrived last.  Some rather concerning things had happened in the European nation. Several prominent individuals that had some political leanings not too dissimilar from the Supremacists that now rule over many nations across the world had managed to gain control over the European Council. They promoted rapid military industrialization and 'preservation of pure Euro culture'. While she had no proof there were rumors of ponies in their borders being mistreated or even enslaved! She couldn’t send spies because they would be noticed immediately. Perhaps she could ask the Union, Soviets, or United States if they could investigate on her behalf. Human agents honestly stood a better chance infiltrating the UEN than a pony. The time soon came for the Summit to start. With the event being broadcasted by Equestrian radio & Human ‘television’ studios the Third World War was ended with a general armistice between all warring powers. After billions of deaths, entire nations collapsing, and a planet ruined the Third World War was officially over. Once the treaty had been signed the talks about what to do next immediately began. The Americans wished to possibly reform the United Nations though with some changes. This new UN would see their various territories in a way united. They would have a unified military command, free trade, and open borders between their three nations. They would have a single unified human currency. While they would be mostly separate their governments would also be unified on some level. Carter said this was to provide a unified ‘face’ for the humans of their Earth. The Soviets were partially receptive to the idea but had an issue with the extent of the merging. Gorbachev said that he was willing to agree to a military alliance and a unified human currency but a unified military command & governmental structure were too far in his opinion. The European delegate refused to entertain the idea at all. He stated that he only came here to sign the treaty. He didn’t wish to become involved in any alliance that would see Europe invaded or betrayed again. “Well that could have gone better.” remarked Carter as they watched the Euro delegate leave. “I feel that we may need to watch the Europeans closely before they do something we all regret…” said Gorbachev “The Europeans are within striking distance of several of Equestria’s biggest cities. If war breaks out they can quickly do a lot of damage especially with their technological advantage.” she said “America is unable to fight a war like that.” said Carter “We were only able to take Marelandia due to it being so close. It will be a while before the US Navy is in fighting shape. We just laid down the keel of our first carrier. Any aid will only be material at this stage.” She nodded. She was willing to accept any kind of help at this point. Several of her generals recommended that she start making preparations for a war against the Changelings. These generals were the ones who had reached their positions due to pure merit instead of inheriting it. While she would never voice it publicly the noble generals, the ones who inherited their positions, were rapidly starting to lose her faith in them.  Most of them had never been to a military academy. They just up and decided to assume a military rank either at the behest of their family or on a mere whim. The rumors of war on the horizon had led many nobles to assume military positions hoping to gain personal glory. The regular soldiers & non-noble officers hated them due to their attitude and lack of understanding of both tactics and military life. She had received numerous complaints from lower ranked officers on the actions of their commanding officers. So many that she had to get several new filing cabinets and a secretary to organize them.  An infantry division stationed near Tall Tale wrote how their CO complained about the ‘plainness’ of his tent so he had them spend over a week and an unreasonable amount of supplies constructing him ‘proper’ living quarters. There was now a small chateau in the middle of what was supposed to be a temporary military base. A military base that is woefully undefended due lacking supplies to construct fortifications. Another infantry division located on the border with the Changelings sent her frantic pleas for help since their CO’s plans in the event of a Changeling invasion was to ‘meet them on the field of battle’. What made that so bad was the fact that he was going to have them in Line Formations! Did this noble honestly not know the difference between a musket and modern bolt action rifle!? She couldn’t imagine just how many casualties this division would take if this insane plan was put into action. Thankfully her new Commander-in-Chief was swiftly dealing with these inefficiencies in the Equestrian Army. Luna was always popular with the troops. Before her banishment she would ignore much of her court duties in favor of making sure Equestria’s army was the best in the world. When Luna became Nightmare Moon she was glad she had defeated her so quickly. If she didn’t she was certain much of the army would have joined Nightmare Moon’s side… Now that Luna had finished her Thestral reforms she asked her if she could make sure the military was prepared. Luna jumped at the chance. All of the noble officers had learned to fear their new Commander-In-Chief who was even less tolerant of their attitudes than she was in Night Court. Luna was more than willing to give out dressing downs with liberal use of the Royal Canterlot Voice.  All of Canterlot could hear her whenever she inspected the Canterlot Garrison. Once she went into a long tirade about how some noble even functioned when he didn’t know basic military etiquette. She was meeting with President Carolla at the time and one of his guards, who was wearing a large black suit of ‘power armor’, mentioned that Luna reminded him of someone called Sergeant Dornan.  If this Dornan could yell half as loud as Luna then they were a match made in heaven. When it came to the military Luna was in her element. She found it quite hilarious that Luna, who still had trouble learning many modern topics, was able to grasp the monster that was Equestria’s military apparatus in a few short days. Watching Luna give a slide show presentation on how Equestria’s current Defense based strategies were ineffective in modern warfare and how it should be replaced with the more mobile elastic defense the Americans and Europeans use to a bunch of confused officers was the highlight of her day.  She had never been good at military matters, always preferring to find a peaceful solution. While she didn’t like it she knew that peace wasn’t always the answer. She was so glad that Luna was here. Her sister was more comfortable among Equestria’s soldiers and sailors than she was. It was in sharp contrast to her who expertly weaved through the complex diplomatic landscape of today’s world while Luna could be quite awkward in court. These differences only helped cement them as a team. Luna could do things she couldn’t and vice versa. Thanks to Luna’s success with the Thestrals who weren’t as ostracized as they used to be she was resettling into her role as princess. Equestria has had a single princess for far too long. Time to remind everyone that it has two… Changeling Lands City of Vesapolis A large and rather extravagant honor guard stood by as a single delegate and several guards stepped off a large military cargo plane. As the delegates walked down the red carpet laid out for them Queen Chrysalis stood at the end with a satisfied smile on her face. “Welcome to Vesapolis.” she said, giving the European humans a nod. They nodded back though she could see their faces were quite restrained. What emotion was that she wondered? A quick taste told her it was equal parts disgust & fascination. Understandable. They had never seen a changeling before and they were so radically different from most races. She did note that while it was disgust, meaning it was quite unappetizing, the emotion was quite strong. Far stronger than the ponies who were quite the social creatures. Did that mean these ‘humans’ were social creatures as well? Something that she would look into. Having an ally that could also provide them with love would be invaluable. “Please.” she said, putting on a smile with the least amount of fang “Join me at my palace so we can make our alliance official.” The humans followed her as several private cars pulled up. While that was happening several changelings and humans worked together to carry crates off the plane. The crates contained examples of human weaponry and several text books. FAMAS rifles, anti-tank rocket launchers, and kevlar vests. The books contained diagrams on jet engines, armored vehicles, and atomic theory. The changelings paid a hefty price for it. The promise of ceding the entire northern portion of Equestria. While they had to scrap their plan to form a ‘Manehatten Protectorate’ it was well worth it to finally gain access to the weapons of the humans.  Their spies in Marelandia told of how swiftly the Americans swept the Marelandian armies aside. They saw how Queen Velvet was able to take back her country with Soviet weapons. They attempted to steal weapons from the NCR but most of it wasn’t much better than what they had. Now thanks to their new European allies their conquest of Equestria seemed to be that much closer.