From the Desk of Ambassador Wildcard.

The next few weeks leading up to the parliament went fast. Wildcard was kept on his toes with constant updates of how the rest of the continent was more or less going insane. To everybody's vast surprise, the independent states had all more or less imploded on themselves one after the other, intelligence was fairly certain this was the work of the griffons- cutting off any potential allies the Equestrians might find. Celestia had pleaded with the zebras and others across the ocean, and was met with a politely phrased 'you're on your own." Equestria stood as a beacon of hope and stability on a continent thrown into fear and chaos. Wildcard knew that if this alliance hadn't happened, it was quite likely the Hive would be a smoking ruin right now.

The day before the parliament was to meet Wildcard arrived at his office following the morning's briefing. Security would be tight, the fleet would be positioned in the sky and a majority of the legion would be in the streets. Equestria hadn't called a parliament in nearly a half century, and the country was on edge to find out what they would be voting on. As near as Wildcard could tell, the members of the parliament consisted of a smattering of government officials in Canterlot or elsewhere, as well as all the town mayors. They would vote on issues put before them by Celestia, or one of the other princesses. Their votes were never binding, but historically the parliament had been used as an important way for Celestia to gauge the opinion of the population before doing anything potentially unpopular- mostly tax increases or major construction projects. The real power lay in the alicorn princesses, and the two representatives of the military- their votes counted.

Tomorrow they would vote to declare a state of war, which would have vast implications on every aspect of the country. The economy would be changed almost overnight as extreme taxation went into effect, and the government would take over all major production roles. Rationing would go into effect, and possibly the most important part- there would immediately be a draft. Equestria had been down this road before, and there were very specific measures in place to make sure when it did again, it did it right.

According to the terms of the treaty the 'Hive or it's legal representative', had a vote equal to that of either member of the Equestrian Military. Wildcard knew that this meant it would be him, and the last week he had been fraught with worry over this. He arrived at his office- nodding at the changeling guard that stood at the door- to find Lyra working as usual.

"Got a note from home Wildcard," she noted. Levitating it behind her as she sat relaxed, plucking at a lyre. Wildcard took it out of the air and sat at his desk, putting a warm cup of tea on it as he opened the letter.

"From the Desk of Commander Medulla.

Eta-Delta, Ambassador, Wildcard- whatever you're styling yourself now. Come to the Hive as soon as possible so we may discuss, in person, preparation for the vote tomorrow. Your vote will be important, and we feel it just as important to ensure you vote properly."

The commander had signed it with a stamp.

Wildcard sat back in his chair, sipping his tea. The commander hadn't mentioned anything about not taking a guest, and he had wanted for some time to show his friends around his home. He was quite pleased then to see Dr. Flankenstine stride in, with First Class in his shadow. Wildcard pretended to be busy with something, he would surprise them with an invitation to come with him home.

"Dr Flankenstein, First Class, how ni-" Flankenstein cut him off, quickly swinging a chair around before Wildcards desk.

"Wildcard, you realize you're genetically compatible with ponies, right?" He asked. Wildcard did his best to look nonchalant, taking a sip of tea at the strange question.

"Well yes, b-" First Class cut him off this time, shoving the doctor aside and putting two hooves on the desk to raise herself.

"I'm pregnant," She said.

At this, a few things happened: Wildcard spit out his tea in a stream as he fell backwards in his chair, landing backwards in a pool of it. Lyra fell off her own chair, sending the lyre sliding across the floor. Flash Sentry, whom just happened to be waking by at that very moment made a 'my lips are sealed' gesture before continuing on his way. The guard peeked inside, his green eyes watching intently from the doorway.

First Class darted around the table to see if Wildcard was okay, he smiled from the floor.

"Wanna go on a train ride?" He asked, half delirious.

______________

"Next stop: Changeling Hive. Please ensure all bags are sorted in an orderly fashion so that customs may serve you quicker," An overhead speaker buzzed.

First Class and Wildcard were snuggled together in one of the seats, there weren't many travellers today- the country was on edge awaiting the results of tomorrow.

She booped her partner on the nose. "How do changelings name their kids?" She asked.

"Well," Wildcard booped hers in return, "We don't, really. They just get assigned to a caste at birth, and given a designation,"

"That's boring," She noted.

"Well, then we'll just have to think outside the box.." Wildcard said.

"I read a story once, about a race of changelings but in space. One of them turned against his people in order to what he saw was right. His name was Odo," Wildcard suggested.

"Odo, it certainly is different," First Class said, smiling.

"Odo."

After the train arrived Wildcard led First Class past the customs line, where a few ponies had their wares checked before being let inside. The courtyard of the hive had been converted into an open air market where changelings and ponies hawked their wares. Refugees from Baltimare had moved into one of the barracks, and made up most of the ponies in the hive. It was an odd sight- ponies and changelings living together, working together, and trying to get the better of each other in the market. Wildcard led her through as they slowly made their way to the fortress.

"Over there is the leader barracks, and the larger building beside it is for the warriors," He said, gesturing over to a pair of buildings.

"That one is the worker barracks, a good lot of them are in Equestria now, so it's been mostly converted to storage," He turned and gestured to a much larger building across the courtyard.

"And this.." He pointed ahead where the fortress stood as a monolith over everything. ".. is the fortress," he said.

"It's huge," First Class said, as she craned her neck up at it. "Who lives there?"

"Chrysalis, a few elite warriors, and my superior," Wildcard replied, and led her inside.

She looked around at the inside of the fortress. Stone walls, a gleaming stone floor, stone ceiling. A few lanterns here and there provided light- no windows here.

"It's..." she put a hoof to her chin, thinking of a fitting description.

"Bland?" Wildcard suggested.

"Utilitarian," She said, gesturing Wildcard lead on.

He did, and brought her to his superiors office.

"Eta-Delta, and you brought a friend," He said as they walked in. Sitting at his desk with one of few windows to the outside behind him, overlooking the courtyard as the sun began it's slow descent.

Wildcard produced a small satchel from his coat, and handed it to his companion.

"Would you mind getting something nice for the office?" He suggested.

She took the hint and left with a nod. Wildcard sat before his superior.

"You're getting pretty... friendly with the ponies." Eta-Alpha noted.

"Just doing my job," Wildcard retorted.

"Yes well, just remember where your loyalties lie, Eta-Delta," Eta-Alpha said, and reached in his desk for something.

He pulled out a folder, and with a deep sigh flopped it on the desk. Wildcard leaned in to look at it.

"Eta-Zeta Mutiny. Classified Top Secret," it read.

"It's with extremely deep regret that I have to admit our failure in letting him go. Read this, and then give it to the guard in Canterlot, it's beyond ourselves now," Alpha explained.

"I see, I'm sure they'll be able to help- you shouldn't have kept this form them for so long in the first place," Wildcard said.

A quick flash of anger crossed Eta-Alpha's face before he collected himself.

"I had hoped to keep the embarrassment of this to ourselves, but clearly we need some outside help on this," he said.

"Now, as for the vote tomorrow- assuming they hold the anticipated 'state of war' vote, which way will you vote?" He asked.

"I will vote yes, it's the only way," Wildcard replied.

Eta-Alpha nodded, "It's good to know you've still rational. I'll spare the speech I had planned to give you then, and send you on y-" He paused, as Wildcard stared past him with a look of total horror to the scene outside.

The hive was on fire.