The deceleration woke Joe before Twilight could do it herself. Joe woke up with a start, rifle drawn, chambered, and aimed. “What's the matter?” asked Twilight.
“Flashbacks from the war, when I was shot down. I took refuge on the summit of Olympus Mons, the largest mountain in my solar system. The ensuing battle lasted 3 days. Command could only drop two tanks near me. The tank crews held that rock for as long as possible. They covered my escape. I haven't seen them since. They were disabled, immobile, but they continued the fight. Spent every shell they had, even brought down a few secessionists in hand-to-hand combat. They were either captured or killed, to this day, I do not know,” Joe recalled, “Sorry, that... just sort of... spilled out. Let's get going.”
“Sounds like you've been through a lot, let's go,” Twilight agreed. The two arrived at the castle, just as Joe received a communique on the scout channel. “Joe, those diplomats who wanted a sneak peak at the museum pieces got their priorities straight. They want to see if you can establish an embassy. Forwarding their documents to you now,” Moose said. Joe brought up the documents, they outlined the basics for foreign policy of the UN. “Twilight, I've just received orders to attempt to establish a UN embassy hear. Your word may carry a lot of weight, will you recommend the embassy's construction?” Joe inquired.
“Sure, you seem nice enough. I hope that we can be friends in the future,” Twilight stated.
“I hope so, but if the embassy doesn't get built, I have got to leave and stay on the Victory, the ship I arrived hear in, until I can leave,” Joe said. The royal guard stopped Joe at the door. It didn't seem like they were going to budge. “I am hear to negotiate with Princess Celestia on the construction of a foreign embassy in this land. I have been delegated standard ambassadorship to the furthest extent of the United Nations,” Joe said, regally.
“It's OK, let him through,” Twilight said, and the guards parted justly.
“Words only carry so much weight,” Joe muttered, “Thanks.”
The two entered, and Celestia was about, doing her rounds. She tensed at the sight of such an unusual creature as Joe, but eased as she saw Joe's escort. Celestia asked, “Who is he?”
Joe interjected by saying, “I am serving as a diplomat of the United Nations, and the United Nations would like to establish an embassy in your great land, do we have your permission?” Joe said kindly.
“Tell me about your people first, then let me reach my decision,” Celestia responded. After what seemed like hours, Joe finished the summary of human history that the diplomats on board the Victory gave him. “Seems legitimate, I allow the construction of your embassy. The embassy, however, must be constructed with Ponyville as the nearest city, but cannot be too distant from it,” Celestia arbitrated as she handed you a map of Equestria, “Choose your embassy's location.”
Joe pointed to the edge of the Everfree forest, directly where the LZ was. “On another matter, humans have never been here before, never met a pony like these ponies before. I would like to know if you could tell me more about your people, specificly around Ponyville?” Joe inquired. The Princess gave Joe a book saying, “Everything you need is in here,” and left. Good thing Joe learned the written pony language, because these were not in English.
Earlier
The Rookie followed Joe's orders to head towards Fluttershy's cottage, and left Joe at the edge of the Everfree as they departed towards their separate destinations. Once there, he knocked on the door three times. The door swung open to reveal Fluttershy. Fluttershy immediately started treating him very gently, although she practically dragged the Rookie in as she was feebly attempting to hide her joy. She loves to meet new animals, just as Pinkie Pie loves to meet new people. The Rookie decided to be polite and wait for an opportunity to talk. In the ensuing awkward silence, the Rookie managed to say “Hello”. Fluttershy was shocked that her new guest could speak so fluently, and she started to smother the Rookie with inquiries. The Rookie decided to tell the full story, “I was sent here to try to get some help. The ship that I came here in is currently out of commission, so I have no way to return home. This, coupled with the fact that we are lost, is not so good with the delivery schedule we have.”
“What can I help you with? Is there something you need?” Fluttershy responded.
“I will need a map, and then I will need to find Pinkie Pie. Also, me and the other troops know a lot more about this place than you might think, or at least some of us. We have a base in the Everfree Forest, so I would stay out of there. The men on perimeter watch have been authorized to attack those who do not provide the proper countersign,” the Rookie informed. Fluttershy quickly got a map for the Rookie, and said,”Should we go find Pinkie Pie, or would you like to wait a little while longer?”
“Now would be fine, my CO is supposed to meet me at Sugar Cube Corner,” the Rookie responded. The two departed, Fluttershy still clearly excited to meet a creature she has never seen before.
Moments later, they arrived at Sugar Cube Corner, which was packed. Apparently Pinkie was throwing a party. It looked like the whole town was here. The Rookie took the lead, and approached Pinkie. “Glad to meet you, I'm supposed to wait it out until my CO gets here. Care to introduce yourself?” the Rookie said, keeping his manners. Pinkie Pie was somewhat shocked at the new guest, as were the other ponies, judging by the wave of silence. Pinkie immediately started rambling off random bits of information about her, it was very difficult for the Rookie to follow (let alone for this author to write). After the 15 minute introduction, the Rookie countered, “I need to meet up with my Commanding Officer, he was the second man on this scouting mission. The two rendezvous points are Sweet Apple Acres, and here. I would like it if you could show me the way.” Pinkie was out the door in the blink of an eye, the Rookie had to sprint to keep up. Maybe Pinkie was a little too excited at her new friend.
On the way to their destination, the entourage of three encountered a fourth, it was Rainbow Dash. “Howdy!” the Rookie said. Rainbow landed nearby, an inquisitive look on her face.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I am the rookie of the platoon that is set up in the Everfree. We don't know how we got here, we have never been here before, we have no idea of how to get back, and we are from a different world,” the Rookie summarized.
“What are you wearing, it doesn't look natural?” Rainbow asked.
“This is a standard issue advanced combat hard-suit with EVA thrusters, deployable hardened wingsuit, and a jetpack. I have broken the speed of sound in this, during a training flight,” the Rookie said.
“I doubt that, nobody's faster than me,” Rainbow said, her ego evident.
“Want to put that to the test? How about this for a competition: fastest dive speed, smallest turn radius, highest velocity under 100 ft, highest velocity above 30000 ft, and best stunts. What do you say?” the Rookie countered.
“You're on,” said RD.
“One more thing: the flight may be assisted or powered,” the Rookie added. The two shook on it. They also agreed on the date to be one week from now, they would need the time to train and build hype. The newly formed patrol of four continued to march to the Apple Farm, with Pinkie leading. Applejack greeted the entourage with a standard hello, until she saw the Rookie. “What in tarnation is that?” asked Applejack. The Rookie gave a similar introduction to that which he greeted Rainbow Dash with. “Huh, so your new around here?” Applejack responded.
“New to everything, otherwise the squad wouldn't be calling me 'rookie',” said the Rookie, in a half- joking response. After a minor discussion, AJ joined in the search for Joe.
Later
Joe and Twilight arrived back in Ponyville, only to be greeted by the aforementioned group. They weren't as shocked as Joe. “Guess things went better than expected?” Joe asked.
“Pretty good overall. There is a flight competition between me and Rainbow Dash scheduled for next week, what are your thoughts on it?” the Rookie responded.
“Let's see if we can make it an entire airshow! The Wonderbolts will be preforming in Ponyville, in one week, to honor the construction of our embassy in the Everfree. I think we can convince the Blue Angels to join, and the Golden Knights still owe me a favor. This is going to be off the charts, what do you say Rainbow Dash?” Joe explained.
“This is going to be so awesome!!!” Rainbow Dash responded.
“Let's inform Celestia once we know if this joint airshow over Ponyville will be possible,” Twilight interjected.
“Agreed. Rookie, let's RTB and see if we can make this happen,” Joe said.