“Yes. They are the most pressing of concerns,” Shannon muttered.
“I would think the alicorn attempting to freeze the planet solid would be,” Spike offered.
“I mean, if we threw absolutely everything we have at her immediately, there is a chance we could kill her,” Twilight added hopefully.
“Out of the question,” Edmund Duke declared with a decisive sweep of his hand. “Noone would follow that order.”
“And why not, exactly?” Silver Spirit asked. “Not like I’m behind this strategy mind you, but a swift defeat of our more existential foe would be optimal.”
Stalwart Steel snorted. “Isn't it obvious? My soldiers are disciplined, but even they would not choose to abandon their families to the zerg. Even if the alternative is slowly freezing to death.”
“If the choice is between dying and dying with one’s family nearby, the choice should be obvious,” Nagglfar muttered grimly.
“I suppose I have been thinking of things too logically,” Twilight murmured.
“We cannot simply abandon our people to the jaws of the zerg while dealing with the Nightmare. At least the demon seems content to sit and fortify her borders,” Edmund Duke remarked.
“So we hit the zerg then, but where?” Spike inquired.
“That is not an easy question to answer,” Edmund Duke replied, tapping several keys on his tablet and causing a floating electronic map to appear above the table. “As you can see, our forces are drawn thin, and we have no definitive front line.”
Twilight rubbed her chin as she gazed down at the color-coordinated map and quickly found that was indeed true. The borders were broken up into three obvious segments, with the Nightmare in blue, the confederacy in green and the zerg in red.
The Nightmare’s border was long and straight, becoming jagged at key positions which were marked with stars. In the center was the confederacy, its mostly squarish land mass pressed between its foes on either side. While the first two’s territories were mostly square, the zerg’s zone of control was a twisting cancerous mass.
Focused primarily within the deep badlands, this growth spiralled out in nearly all directions equally. All save of course, for the confederate held territory which had been pierced by several long red tendrils. These extensions all seemed intent on reaching Augustgrad, the capital of the confederacy, and current location of Twilight as well as her friends.
“When you look at it like this, it's obvious what their goal is,” Spike murmured.
“Yes, though that doesn't mean they haven't also targeted other strategic resources,” Valerian Mengsk exclaimed in a cold tone. “The zerg seem rather adept at this.”
“There are few key areas not unmolested by these beasts, though thankfully we have maintained control over most,” Stalwart Steel added.
“Not without losses and not without a fair few lost shipments,” muttered Silver Spirit bitterly.
“Irrelevant,” interrupted Shannon. “We are still in this war, and force estimates indicate that we may be on the verge of turning the tide.”
“Yes, as our new tech rolls off the assembly lines, we have gained an edge, though it is one without a point,” Edmund Duke exclaimed, his gaze latching onto Twilight.
“I may have something in mind to truly turn the tide, but I have several rather burning questions,” Twilight cautiously replied.
“And we have answers,” Edmund Duke declared.
“Must we? I am not in the mood to play twenty questions with some hornhead,” Silver Spirit muttered.
Nagglfar growled, shooting daggers at the old stallion. “You had best hold your tongue, little pony. You speak to Celestia’s final disciple.”
“Your love for our former monarch has shrouded your vision. She is but one pony and could not grant us the numbers we need,” Silver Spirit dismissed.
“I second this motion,” Stalwart Steel exclaimed, uncrossing her arms and jabbing a finger at Twilight. “Though she may be capable of robbing us of our thoughts, this one has the combat capability of maybe a squad of marines, and that's being generous.”
“Hold, Silver, Steel. Let her speak,” Valerian exclaimed, holding up a hoof. “I would hear what she has to suggest.”
Immediately both the minotaur and the earth pony sunk back into their chairs, remaining quiet even though they wore unpleasant expressions. Edmund Duke was quick to fill the silence and gestured back to Twilight with an open hand.
“Whenever you are ready,” he offered.
Twilight bit back what small bit of hesitation burned in her chest, and leaned forward, pointing to the map.
“The zerg presence seems to grow from this central point. Do we have any information on this particular bit of land?” Twilight inquired.
“You are Celestia’s genius pupil. Why don't you tell us?” spat Silver Spirit.
“Gladly,” Twilight cleared her throat. “Encompassing nearly seven million square kilometers, the badlands vary greatly from one area to the next. This point, however, is at the center of the deep sands. Or the old dessert which is one of the least hospitable places in all of Equestria. Its resources are few, its population numbering in the hundreds, and with the only established town in the area being supposedly run by a cult.”
“Everyone knows that,” muttered Silver Spirit.
Twilight tapped her hoof, continuing her speech unabated, “This, however, is information gained through official Equestrian resources before the Nightmare came and was likely tampered with by the great houses. The reason for which is currently unknown, though I discovered inconsistencies in the reports I read. This led me to discover that it was the houses that had experimented with live zerg specimens.”
“That's classified information. You shouldn't have access to that!” Stalwart Steel announced, shooting up from her chair and slamming her hands against the table.
Or at least Twilight assumed that's what the woman had tried to do, as her electronic avatar could do no such thing.
Twilight smiled. “This was information I gathered on my own. Though thank you for confirming it for me.”
“Relax, Stalwart,” Edmund Duke muttered. “We are all friends here.”
“Are we?” Valerian exclaimed in a cold, quiet tone of voice. “Perhaps in time your allegiance can be verified, but for now I must warn you that most here consider the infested as a liability rather than an asset.”
Twilight could feel Spike’s anger beginning to boil, and she held out a hoof to stop him before he could spout the insult she knew was coming.
“And we will prove that we are latter, rather than the former. I merely require additional information,” Twilight stated calmly.
Before anyone else could interrupt him, Edmund Duke spoke up, “We believe that is the source of the zerg infestation of our planet. It is also the only reason why they are not a greater problem than they already are. The land is about as infertile as my second wife, and there is little in the way of mineral deposits.”
“It also has very little biomass, next to nothing in the way of other natural resources, and is only partially even habitable,” Nagglfar added.
“Then we should assume that the zerg’s mission is twofold. They wish to obtain Celestia, as well as the resources which they do not have in their home territory,” Twilight reasoned. “Have they taken anything particularly important?”
“A few fertile valleys and the odd mining town, but that is about it,” Stalwart Steel exclaimed.
“Then your focus should be to free these regions. Maintaining control over them is likely the only reason the zerg have managed to put up the fight that they have,” Twilight finished.
“I agree,” Valerian declared, his face a cold mask of neutrality.
“Which brings me to my next question. Spike, you’ve been eager to ask this, so go ahead,” Twilight offered.
Spike leaned forward and pointed to the map. “Why aren't there any other factions listed? I mean, the minotaur city states lay to the north, the griffon kingdom to the east, and heck, even the yaks had a few trading villages established in the area.”
“Locked underground, in a civil war, and in the middle of a mass migration event,” Nagglfar answered. “Our allies are few and far between, it seems.”
“It is true,” Stalwart Steel muttered. “My people have chosen isolation in hopes of simply outlasting the cold, unaware or purposefully ignorant of the doom awaiting them.”
“The others aren't much better off, I’m afraid,” Edmund Duke picked up. “The griffon king went mad shortly after the Nightmare’s arrival and sparked a civil war which is unlikely to conclude any time soon. We would offer aid in order to stabilize the region, but we would have to go through or around the zerg to do so.”
“Which is impossible at the moment,” Valerian Mengsk stated. “As is getting help from the dragons as they are taking this chance to either raid each other or nearby towns. Which all began after the dragon lord was eliminated.”
And even Cloudsdale is gone. Remember what Rainbow Dash said at the party? Spike reminded.
The city council thinks they can hide amongst the clouds, Twilight thought grimly.
“Yes, as you are now aware, the situation is rather dire,” Edmund Duke stated bitterly. “With few other governments even standing, our options are limited in scope. That does not mean we do not have a plan, merely that it will be difficult.”
“The refugees swarming in from these other places have been accepted with relative ease, however,” Shannon interrupted. “It seems as though Celestia’s demand for so many housing units and extra greenhouses was a smart one.”
Stalwart Steel snorted, the minotaur having no doubt argued in the past that such structures should not be built.
“Perfect,” Twilight stated. “But I see several problems with your plan.”
“What problems? You don't even know what we had in mind,” Silver Spirit exclaimed.
“It is obvious,” Twilight pointed to a large settlement called Tarsonis, then Mar Sara, and finally Dylar. “You will muster your armies at these locations and strike at either the captured vallies or at the zerg supply lines. From there, two of these forces will rejoin and thrust towards the zerg’s weakened underbelly while the other flanks south.”
“Whose mind have you taken, worm? Noone outside this room should know that!” spat Stalwart Steel, her gaze boring into Twilight’s skull like a pair of angry hornets.
“None. It is obvious,” Twilight stated flippantly. “And if it is obvious to me, it is obvious to them.”
“Because you gave them this information,” Silver Spirit declared. “I knew we should have simply killed you when we had the chance.”
“No. It is obvious,” Valerian stated calmly. “I deduced as much long before the plans were drafted.”
That seemed to stifle the agitation of both Silver Spirit and Stalwart Steel, though they were both still on edge. The other members of the council also relaxed, even Shannon, who had appeared tenser than usual up until a moment ago.
“So. What do you propose?” Edmund Duke offered, leaning forward on the table and lacing his fingers together.
“We drive a wedge into them before you even launch your assault,” Twilight declared.
“And where would we get this entire extra army from, hmm? The moon, perhaps?” Silver Spirit exclaimed, scoffing and sitting back in his chair.
“I will steal it from them,” Twilight retorted, tapping the main zerg tendril piercing confederate territory.
“You aim to rest control of the disparate zerg broods?” Valerian Mengsk exclaimed, eying Twilight curiously.
“I do,” Twilight replied.
“You seem confident,” Stalwart Steel declared. “From where does this confidence stem?”
“I have already done so in the past,” Twilight concluded.
Nagglfar grinned. “Oh, how intriguing. Allow me to speculate. This happened in that other world, did it not?”
“It did,” Twilight replied, walking back around the table and standing to Spike’s right.
“And that was without us even being there to support her,” Spike added.
“Interesting,” murmured Shannon.
“You can't seriously be considering this proposition,” Silver Spirit exclaimed. “She's going to gain control of the swarm and turn on us! She's using us, can't you see?”
“I said be silent,” growled Valerian.
Silver Spirit recoiled as if struck, and swiftly schooled his expression. “My apologies. It seems as though I have overstepped my bounds.”
“No matter what I think of the infested, I know this one at least is loyal to Celestia. So long as we have the alicorn, we can count on her disciple to not stab us in the back,” Stalwart Steel exclaimed.
“It seems as though you are using Celestia as a bargaining chip,” Nagglfar pointed out.
“Whatever sees us through this war, dragon,” Stalwart Steel spat.
“You genuinely believe this is possible?” Edmund Duke exclaimed, eyebrows raised. “The queens we have fought are strong, both physically and psionically.”
“I am stronger,” Twilight stated simply. “I have faced off against a foe more psionically gifted than any this world has produced. The fledgling queens of this swarm are nothing.”
Coming off a bit strong, aren't ya? Spike pointed out.
We must come off as strong, lest they think us weak, Twilight declared.
“We would need to free up additional resources first,” Shannon offered.
“A not impossible task,” Nagglfar added.
“I propose that we grant Celestia’s disciple the use of Boralis station and task her with reaffirming control of the region,” Valerian Mengsk declared.
“Isn't that near the town where…” Stalwart Steel bit her tongue.
“It is,” Mengsk replied simply.
Edmund Duke raised an eyebrow and glanced about the room. “Are there any objections to this proposition? I certainly have none.”
“I request that a small team accompany Twilight in order to facilitate faster travel time and provide assistance,” Shannon added.
“That goes without saying. Though are you sure there are no other locations that could serve as a base? Boralis station is rather… damaged,” Nagglfar offered.
“Destroyed,” Valerian declared. “It is the only available facility in the area, though it will require work. I am sure our young disciple is not against a little grunt work, is she?”
Twilight shook her head. “I am not.”
“Then I believe the matter is settled,” Valerian Mengsk stated, glancing briefly from Silver Spirit to Stalwart Steel.
Who remained quiet, with Silver Spirit visibly struggling to contain himself while Stalwart Steel seemed genuinely intrigued by the proposition. Edmund Duke was as unreadable as ever, as was Shannon, while Nagglfar appeared to be all for it, though he had reservations. The old dragon flashed Twilight a knowing glance, one the unicorn understood as a request to speak at a later date.
“It is,” Edmund Duke stated a moment later. “You will be provided a full briefing while you are en route. For now I would suggest simply doing a bit more research on the area. You will of course be granted the prerequisite security clearance, which will be increased after the mission begins.”
Nagglfar cleared his throat. “Do you not think it prudent to mention the possibility of terrorist activity in the area? The daughters of Ironhall are no doubt operating out of the region, given all we’ve seen.”
“I doubt that very much,” Silver Spirit flippantly remarked. “Despite the ruins of Ironhall being en route to the station, that is not the location of their headquarters. We have checked before.”
“I never said it was, pony,” Nagglfar muttered angrily. “I am merely suggesting we brief our newest commander, lest she be surprised by their presence.”
Daughters of Ironhall? Did anyone mention them before? Twilight inquired, subtly glancing at Spike.
Who shrugged. Don't think so.
“Their presence has been vastly overblown in my estimate,” Stalwart Steel declared. “Though they do have operatives and sympathizers, most are smart enough to understand that a united front is necessary for our very survival.”
“What exactly is this terrorist organization?” Twilight inquired.
“Fanatics who would jeopardize not only the fate of the confederacy, but our entire world,” Edmund Duke explained. “They blame our leadership for the fall of Ironhall and seek to annihilate the zerg as well as any infested while toppling us.”
“That seems foolish,” Twilight remarked. “With so much on the line, we must grasp what weapons are possible, rather than leave them on the table for our foes.”
“I agree,” Valerian Mengsk offered. “While we are on the backfoot, it would be wise not to discount any strategy nor any ally.”
“Then it is settled,” Edmund Duke declared, pounding his fist against the table. “Twilight and her group shall be ferried to the station by a small force who will remain in the area in case she requires assistance. She will also be granted full access to the station in question, proper security clearances, and will be given the official designation of a foreign volunteer commander.”
Twilight blinked. “That is most generous. Though I am curious as to why you would not wish me to be under your more direct command? As it's my understanding that foreign volunteers do not directly fall under the confederate military umbrella.”
“Not officially, no. Though this is by design, I believe,” Stalwart Steel offered, glancing at Edmund Duke. “If we officially had a force of militarized infested under our banner, terrorist recruitment would sky rocket and support for our leadership would plummet.”
Nagglfar sighed. “So many see the free infested and the zerg as one and the same. It is a shame.”
“Regardless of its validity, the stigma cannot be shaken so easily,” Mengsk added. “I second this motion.”
So our support would be less than if we fell directly under them, but our freedom is greater? Spike questioned.
It seems so, Twilight replied.
Not a bad trade-off, if you ask me, Spike remarked.
“I graciously accept,” Twilight replied, bowing slightly. “When could I leave?”
“You would have a few days to ensure your followers are ready, and that you’ve had the chance to review mission data,” Edmund Duke declared. “Also as much as it pains me, we have paperwork that needs doing, and finalizing your rank will take some time.”
“Officially the volunteer force only exists on paper, as so few foreign nationals have sought to join us in our fight against the zerg,” Shannon explained.
“I believe three days should be more than enough time?” Silver Spirit offered.
“Agreed,” Valerian Mengsk stated firmly.
“That timeframe is reasonable. I will leave Shannon to muster the appropriate forces and brief our newest commander. The rest of you have much to do in preparation for our offensive,” Edmund Duke exclaimed.
“That we do. Perhaps we should get back to it then?” Nagglfar suggested.
“Yes, let's,” Valerian Mengsk remarked.
A second later his avatar vanished, followed closely by Silver Spirit, and then nearly everyone else. Shannon was the last to deactivate her connection, with the others having swiftly followed the pegasus’ lead. The griffon seemed worried, eying Twilight carefully before flipping an unseen switch and vanishing.
“That wasn't so bad,” Twilight murmured.
“I believe it went quite well. Though I was serious about the paperwork. So if you’ll excuse me,” Edmund Duke stated, glancing expectantly towards the exit.
“Come on, Spike. We got a lot of planning to do,” Twilight replied, rising and trotting out the door.
So what did you think of those guys? Other than the S.S. gang being a little rude, they seemed competent, Spike offered.
At least they listened to this Mengsk fellow, Twilight replied.
Silver Spirit for sure. Stalwart Steel seemed to respect him, but was not quite so whipped by the old stallion, Spike continued.
True, Twilight agreed. The others were a bit more independent thankfully. Though I am less certain as to what value they truly bring to the table.
A sudden burst of static from Twilight’s collar made her wince and reactively dial down the volume on her radio. Thankfully the grainy noise died down a moment later and was replaced by a familiar deep masculine voice.
“Can you hear me? Twilight, are you there?” Nagglfar inquired.
“Yes, I am here. You don't have to shout into your receiver,” Twilight replied.
Nagglfar coughed. “Right. Sorry. Still getting used to all of this new fangled technology. Now I hope you weren't too put off by your first real meeting with the council.”
“The result was… within my initial estimates,” Twilight replied after a short pause.
“That is good to hear. Edmund Duke runs a tight ship, but the balance of power is a tenuous one. So much of the confederacy is held together by duct tape and momentum that if we ever slowed down, I feel like the entire government would fall apart,” Nagglfar continued.
“Some instability is to be expected,” Spike offered.
“True, though I sometimes feel as though we are one bad argument away from a civil war,” Nagglfar muttered.
“Not that I don't appreciate the call, but is there a point to this discussion?” Twilight demanded.
“Well, I just wanted to pass along a warning. The daughters are not to be underestimated, nor should you make your presence in the area too obvious,” Nagglfar warned. “The infested represent an uncomfortable existential threat to most of the populace, and the individual generals have a considerable amount of leeway, if you catch my meaning.”
“Don't be too obvious about our true nature and appear normal as long as possible while out amongst the general populace. Got it,” Twilight muttered somewhat bitterly.
“I hate that things have come to this, but I would hate it even more if I were to hear about you being involved with a friendly fire incident,” Nagglfar pressed.
Spike snorted angrily. “I don't understand why everyone has to be so antagonistic. We saved this city before it was even called Augustgrad.”
“Yes, well. Without Celestia’s leadership and firm guiding hoof, many individuals have shown some desire to replace her,” Nagglfar remarked. “Noone has succeeded, obviously, but there are several who wish to gain the level of power your former monarch had.”
“Power breeds jealousy and sycophants like rabbits in a rice field,” Twilight murmured.
“Exactly,” Nagglfar agreed. “These would-be tyrants see the confederacy as the perfect place to form a new kingdom, despite our official guiding creed being against such a thing.”
“We will keep that in mind. Thank you,” Twilight exclaimed.
“It is no trouble at all, Twilight. Watch your back out there and remember, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask,” Nagglfar offered.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Twilight out,” Twilight stated.
Spike sighed. “So now where to?”
“We rally our forces and prepare to build an army of our own,” Twilight declared.