PONIES IN ARMS-3. MARECENARIES

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TIME- IRRELEVANT

We all must face the choice to continue to do good, or to take a new path and all but abandon the fruits of our previous endeavors. It is only then that we can truly become who we are destine to become, such is the choice we all must now face. Do we continue to fight against an enemy we all can agree is in fact a detriment to all pony kind, or do we all but abandon our efforts for the betterment of the N.L.R.?

The party had all but ended and we were all on edge with this sudden news, and now knowing that Stable Tech was now actively hunting us down due to fraternization with the enemy, I along with Harmony were now considered enemies of the state according to Stable Tech, a company that in fact had a huge impact on everything throughout the land and now controlled a huge influence over any pony in the new government, (if you can call it a government that is) I thought to myself.

(Well this is fantastic, just when it seems as though we don't have enough enemies to be fighting. Such is the life of all of us now, but we aren’t going to let it get to us now are we?) I said to Harmony who was busy talking to Buckshot about the new situation and trying to figure out the best course of action against a large power house in government. (Well we can't just go in and fight them, yes it is a problem but I am quite sure it will resolve itself, after all in this new and bleak Equestria we all now live in there are still bright spots in it, you and your group are positive proof of that and I doubt you will just take this lying down, I know you better than that at least. If it has to come down to it I will alert Princess Luna to the situation and tell her that you still have some things to take care of before we all meet at Shattered Hoof Ridge. I know she will understand, and if you can take care of these problems that Stable Tech has run into I am sure they will forgive you for past infringements, if not) he started to get his rangers gathered around him. (The N.L.R takes care of their own, and will never abandon you at a time of need, we all have your backs.) At that our confidence was restored and we suddenly knew what we had to do. Ordering one of my pegasi to alert Smoky that we had urgent use of his train and to have him return to Appleloosa I gathered my troops at the station and waited.

It was almost midnight when the train arrived back in the small town and we all boarded it. (Where to Major?) (Smoky we are headed for Saltlick City after we get done there I will send word to you that we need to head to Manehatten next, I know you have to get to San Fransiscolt but this is urgent, if this is not taken care of soon I fear we will run out of time to make amends with Stable Tech and thus risk going to war with an entity in the government that is both highly looked upon by the land, and is also heavily armed and I doubt it will end well for either side.) At that we started to pull away from the town leaving Buckshot and his rangers to take care of the town until a proper sheriff could be installed.

(This is going to be a one way trip every pony, there will be no stops due to my having a prior arrangement to take care of, after I drop you all of I will be standing by in San Fransiscolt awaiting your word. As soon as I receive word that you are ready to be picked up I will be on my way, now you are sure that you really wish to head to Manehatten right? It is a very dangerous place I have told you already, just making sure you know what you are getting into.) (Yes we are all aware of the dangers posed in Manehatten but if we do not take care of what needs to be done I am afraid all we have done thus far will be in vain, and I cannot allow that to happen. We are fully aware that Manehatten is a bleak and desolate place but there still are decent ponies living there, if underground, and they deserve the right to live just as any of us and I will not deny them that right. Besides we have a contract with Stable Tech even if we are at odds, we are mercenaries, and therefore will fulfill our contract, that is what mercs do right?)

At that Smoky had no more to say, he knew I was right and he couldn't argue that fact. Instead we all decided to get some shut eye, after all it was almost an 8 hour ride to Saltlick City and we all had to be in shape for whatever happened to lie ahead for us. I was fully aware that the griffons did not allow ponies into their land even mercs, so I thought of a way to get past any griffons we came in contact with. Not knowing if the griffons were at odds with the N.L.R or not I asked Harmony seeing as she was a former member. (Not that I am aware of, I mean sure they don't like ponies for their own reasons, but I don't know if they despise the N.L.R or not, if so how do you plan on getting past any we encounter? I hope not with bullets.) She said almost knowing that it could come down to that, and that was something we were trying to avoid.

(That was not very helpful dear, I was hoping that you would know something of use this time, but I was sorely mistaken wasn't I?) I said to her in a playful voice letting her know that I was not disappointed in her in the least. She just looked at me with those pretty eyes of hers, and I knew what she was thinking right away. Asking smoky if we could make use of one of the bunk cars we both excused ourselves for a couple of hours, after all we were heading into Celestia only knew and had no clue the drama that was about to take hold of us all.