"Complete surrender?" The general rubbed his chin. Behind him, a nameless agent bent down and started whispered bullshit into his ear. I was so glad I couldn't make anything out.

Three months since the start of the invasion and both worlds were in deep shit—this one more than the other. If I could find whoever came up with the "bright idea" to send the air carriers through, I'd blast him in the head, consequences be damned!

"Why?" The general glanced at the scroll of surrender once more. It was triple-stamped and had the authority of all unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies.

I translated his questions, adding a few explanations of my own. Working under the man for two months had made me aware of the intricacies of his thought process. As most commanders he wanted to be sure that he had come on top. Despite the official propaganda, I knew he had lost far more men than was deemed acceptable and now was searching for a way to save face before his transfer to Earth. The suit next to him, in contrast, didn't give a damn. All that mattered to that guy was keeping our corporate overlords happy.

"They say they are tired of fighting," I translated. "They are willing to hand over control of all major cities, if we agree to treat their citizens—"

"The horses," the suit scoffed. Stars, I hated him so much

"To treat the horses fairly," I continued, earning myself an annoyed glare. "They are not to be imprisoned, dislocated, robbed of their possessions, or physically harmed. In exchange they'll cooperate with all our demands, including as a work force, if needed."

"Could be useful." The suit took out his phone and started texting. "The so-called Sun Princess will be an asset in the energy sector. I'll get head office to send a team to measure her output and—"

"The Princess isn't included in the offer," I interrupted. The suit froze. I found it mildly amusing to watch the features of his face twist in confused as he stared at me.

"Remind them that we have taken their capital,” the general said, dragging out every word. “It would be just as easy for us to take the rest."

I obeyed, knowing full well it was posturing. There was no way he could achieve that, even with the quarter million additional troops scheduled to arrive in Equestria next month. Humanity might have taken Canterlot, but at considerable cost. Even now, as we sat in the throne room of the royal palace, we cannot escape the sight of destruction all around us. The once great city had become a pile of rubble covered in military tents. Not even the Griffins would choose to live here.

"That is their offer," I translated. "To them the Princess is the equivalent of life itself. Take that away and they might as well fight to the death."

The general glanced at the suit. The decision was out of his hands. It was all up to our superiors on Earth. They might agree to the offer, or they could send another million troops. The only thing that mattered to them was the bottom line.

"We still get all mineral deposits?" The general asked. Stalling tactics at their sloppiest. Everyone pretended not to notice the suit move away, typing furiously on his phone. In different circumstances I would laugh.

"Yes, General," I replied calmly.

"And the nuclear waste issue?" He reached for a glass of water. 

[i]Nuclear waste? You're scraping the bottom of the barrel with that one, General.[/i] "They've already agreed to that, sir," I remind him. "We can transform Canterlot into a nuclear dumping ground for all they care, as long as the other points—"

I didn't finish. The suit had received his instructions and was now back at the table. Putting the phone in his picked he gave the general a slight nod. That sealed it. I knew what would follow now—mindless posturing, hours of useless negotiations, and faux arguments. The fact was that Humanity had just been given Equestria to do as they wish... Princess not included.

"Home Office was impressed," the suit whispered in my ear. "A bright political future awaits you back home. Good work, Luna."

"Thanks..." I levitated a glass of water to my lips and took a sip. [i]Good work indeed.[/i]