Sombra and the mare bowed in unison as Nightmare Moon stepped into the room, and only lifted their heads once she granted them permission to. Even for them, it was still either that or never lifting it again.
"Things are going according to schedule," Sombra said. Exactly what Nightmare Moon wanted to hear, and she didn't need to ask for him to know what she wanted to know. "We have managed to stabilise the portals sufficiently. Over the last few cycles we have executed incursions with regular troops, which went undetected. We are ready to begin at any moment."
Nightmare Moon ever so slightly turned her head to the side, and the other mare knew it was her turn to speak. "The troops are ready, and more are being trained. I suggest one last phase of recognition and infiltration before a proper attack is launched."
A second went by in silence. "Granted," said Nightmare Moon. "You have three cycles to gather intel." She walked past them, and out onto the balcony overlooking the town below.
"We shall be launching our assault on the Crystal Empire first," Sombra explained, following her. "Once conquered, we will move on to the rest of Equestria."
"With all due respect," the other unicorn said as she joined them. "We may be unprepared for a full military campaign. Without your own intervention, Your Highness, the army may still be at a disadvantage if the alicorns are to step in."
"No need to worry," Nightmare Moon said, in a display of calm and understanding that shocked both of the others. "You will be receiving a new contingent of enhanced troops by the next cycle. I shall personally oversee the operations on the higher level. Your duty is to direct the conquest of the Empire, I shall take care of everything else."
"I understand, Your Highness." The mare quickly bowed after a moment of incredulous silence.
Sombra smirked, but quickly hid it away behind a serious, composed expression. "A breakthrough in the conversion process, if I may ask?"
Nightmare Moon answered with a single, almost invisible nod.
Sombra nodded back. "Troops will be deployed within the capital. Should the Heart become a source of concern, we have developed a way to use our own as a counterbalancing force."
"Orders for the prisoners?" the unicorn mare asked.
"Convert those in fighting condition, with low priority, capture the rest, kill them before you endanger soldiers to keep them." Nightmare Moon looked at the night sky above the Crystal Empire. "Dismissed."
The blue maned mare nodded, then turned and walked away.
Sombra looked at Nightmare Moon. "Yes?"
"Keep security a little more lax," she said, without turning to him. "Keep track of what information is accessed, and make sure she doesn't know she's been spotted."
Sombra nodded at that. "Shall I partake in the assault as well?"
"Yes." Nightmare Moon suddenly turned and began to walk away. "Deal with the royal family in the Empire," she added as she was leaving.
"It will be done," Sombra said.