The Virgin Company (currently editing)

Chapters

City by the Sea, Chapter 2: The Better Side
City by the Sea, Chapter 3: Welcome Knowledge... and the Other Side
City by the Sea, Chapter 4: Improvements
City by the Sea, Chapter 5: Replacements
City by the Sea, Chapter 6: The Military Ball
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 1: Strange Developments
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 2: State of Emergency
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 3: The Exodus of Vanhoover
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 4: Ramping Up
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 6: The Retreat to the Galloping Gorge
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 7: Treason
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 8: Northwest Wind
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 1: First-Name Basis
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 2: The Princess and the Lieutenant
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 3: The Forlorn
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 4: Selective Disclosure
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 5: Blizzard Warning
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 6: Zip's Volunteers
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 7: Sparks
The Northwest Pass, Chapter 8: Blood and Oil
The Infernal Line, Chapter 1: Essential Elements
The Infernal Line, Chapter 2: Scavenger Hunt, Part 1
The Infernal Line, Chapter 3: Scavenger Hunt, Part 2
The Infernal Line, Chapter 4: Scavenger Hunt, Part 3
The Infernal Line, Chapter 5: Scavenger Hunt, Part 4
The Infernal Line, Chapter 6: Scavenger Hunt, Part 5
The Infernal Line, Chapter 7: Fireside Chat
City by the Sea, Chapter 1: Arrival in Vanhoover
Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 5: The Beginning of the End
Appendix for The Virgin Company (Contains Spoilers) (Updated November 1, 2020)

City by the Sea, Chapter 2: The Better Side

Prologue: The Wings of the Dragon Slayer

First Lieutenant Zip Jetscream wasn’t exactly proud of his award… or reward… or whatever it may have been. He wasn’t even excited about his new rank… skipping the step of 2nd lieutenant. It wasn’t that long ago he was just an airpony.

He was, to most, an unremarkable Pegasus. Coming from a dirt-poor family that worked for some merchant, and not having the brains to ace his way into higher education, he joined the Equestrian Air Force when he turned 18. His parents weren’t exactly pleased with his choice, but what were they going to do?

A Canterlot native, he was sent to train in Baltimare. He was an above average flyer, had fair intelligence, and had a cool head under pressure. He also had balls of steel in the eyes of others, though he himself knew better... But that was to be unseen. His instructors, admiring all these qualities, noted him as potential officer material before his basic training was even completed.

He had respect from his squad mates as well as his higherups. The higherups were not supposed to like or dislike their soldiers-in-training; they were supposed to teach them. But they couldn’t help themselves. Cadet Jetscream was as close to an ideal soldier as many had ever seen. As graduation approached, his instructors felt wherever he ended up he would do well.

The air force would keep a close eye on this one. If he could hack it with a squad, which he would surely be able to manage, officer candidate school was the place to send him. Zip did graduate near the top of his class, moving to the enlisted rank of airpony. Rather than send him to work a desk, Airpony Jetscream would better serve Equestria and cut his teeth away out in the frontier bordering Griffinstone.

It was a time of peace in Equestria, but most ponies were unaware of when it wasn’t. The skirmishes with the griffins over the lands of Eastern Equestria were a few decades in the past. A terse, functional peace existed between the ponies and the griffins. But there were still plenty of small, localized conflicts. There wasn’t much to say about Zip's service. He was a gear in the system and the system worked.

Achieving the rank of senior airpony as quickly as anypony ever might have and holding great respect among his unit, Zip was sent to OCS. He spent half a year there, doing just about as well as was expected of him. To complete his time training as an officer, he was sent to an outpost within reach of the Dragonlands.

He was assigned to work under a 1st lieutenant, with the rank of “3rd” lieutenant. He wasn’t an officer; he was an officer candidate. This so-called rank put him in the chain-of-command… nothing more. Not much went on near the outpost. It was small… It was so small their ranking officer was a captain, with their entire company only containing two platoons. All in all, not including any officer candidate, there were only 109 ponies present, at most, at any given time. The air force, naturally, was filled with Pegasi, but a few Earth ponies and unicorns dotted the ranks.

Their primary charge was to maintain a watch on the Dragonlands. Their other function was one nopony ever wanted to come to fruition, but occasionally it did. And that was dealing with dragons

Some Sunday afternoon, in the early part of summer, the soldiers of the Dragonlands Outpost lounged about. With no place to go on their day off, unless they wanted to wander around the steppe, they read, slept, played cards, drank, shot the breeze… They did anything to pass the time.

Somepony on duty, up on the wall, saw it first. A full-grown dragon was baring down upon the outpost. It wasn’t clear why but the “why” didn’t matter much as the officers' mess was fried.

As an officer candidate, 3rd Lt. Jetscream was encouraged to minimize his time with the enlisted ponies; that was the job of his platoon sergeant, keeping the troops in line, so much of his time was spent in the officers' mess. Of note, he barely knew the non-coms in the other platoon, mostly keeping to their own barracks. He had been in the latrine during this particular time; it was one of the few structures within the walls made of brick. That and the bad case of the runs he had, keeping him in there much of the day, were the only things that saved his life.

He was inside when the dragon approached, filling the yard with fire. It got hot in the john, but he was shielded. Peeking outside, it was safe for a moment. He sprinted out. He had to get to the officer’s mess to rouse the captain and his platoon leader, but… he hadn’t seen the mess go up in flames, sitting on his raw ass.

The ponies within the walls were panicking; some were hurt, others shocked, many drunk. Many had already died. Knowing he couldn’t stop, that he had to establish chain-of-command, he looked for his sergeant… or any sergeant. He quickly realized all the non-commissioned officers, save a couple corporals, had been in the mess… along with the captain, the 2nd lieutenant, and his direct superior, the 1st lieutenant. They were, at best, incapacitated.

He was it. He had command of the outpost.

The dragon roared overhead. Zip hadn’t gotten a look at it; it was a big one. And it continued to rain fire down upon his ponies. Running along the inner wall, Zip gathered up anypony in fighting shape. There were only 20 of them, and he gathered them in the outdoor root cellar.

He quickly explained the chain-of-command was broken. Any panic or disobedience was quelled as he barked out orders. Thankfully, both squad leaders of his platoon were alive. Each of them would take eight ponies. One of the established squads would try to contain the fire; they had rain clouds nearby. The other squad would try to help their fallen company.

Of course, none of this could be done with the dragon nearby. Lieutenant Jetscream would lead two ponies himself… to steer the dragon away. What might happen after that… was up in the air. The two ponies wondered what the Hell their leader had planned.

Trusting his squads to carry out his orders, the Lieutenant caught up to the dragon and did something exceptionally stupid. He punched it in the eye with everything he had. It definitely pissed off the dragon, and it gave chase.

Lieutenant Jetscream, flying alongside his literally screaming comrades, scoped out what he ought to do. He’d really gotten the dragon’s attention, and it would probably follow him anywhere.

Giving his wingponies final instructions in case he bought the farm, he told them to follow his example if he failed to kill the beast; they'd get the idea if they watched him.

The wingponies broke off, each veering far away. As Lt. Jetscream had figured, the dragon wanted him first and foremost. It roared and complained and blew fire, but he remained out of its reach. The only idea he had was an old one. Hell, it was a children’s story, but it could work. Making his way to the sea, flying like he never had, he sped up.

Knowing full well the thing would chase him to the ends of the Earth, he made ready to enter a rock formation he spotted. It was at least big enough for the dragon to make its way in. The lieutenant flew in. The dragon did indeed follow him, desperate to get him. In its desperation it got stuck. The more it struggled, the more stuck it became. Unable to back its way out, it became lodged.

By then, it was late afternoon, and the tide was coming back in. It gave Lt. Jetscream no joy as he sat, watching the dragon drown, its terror most apparent. Steam and flames burst forth from the formation. But he sat and watched until it was over. He was too tired to move…

His wingponies came for him and saw what had happened. They wanted to cheer their officer, but Lt. Jetscream didn’t seem to be reveling about much of anything. It had been a miserable day. They helped fly him back to the outpost.

It was night by the time they arrived, and the fact it was dark was a blessing. Their fellow ponies lay everywhere, dead and burned. The wood barracks was somehow the only standing structure, and it was serving as their field hospital.

Lieutenant Jetscream had only managed to get 20 ponies underground. As he had given his orders, about 30 perished outside on top of the 40 killed in the first moments of the attack. The 18 left behind to help all escaped serious injury. But only nine ponies survived, those rescued from the burning wreckage of the outpost. The rest had perished throughout the afternoon. And considering the injuries some of them had endured, they were fortunate for it.

In the aftermath of the Disaster at the Dragonlands Outpost, as it came to be known, the company, what was left of it, was cannibalized and sent to fill holes in other units. The outpost was abandoned, with plans to build a new one in the works.

For his bravery and his resourcefulness, 3rd Lt. Jetscream was immediately promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. On top of that, he was given the highest decoration in the Equestrian Air Force. The “Wings of the Dragon Slayer”, usually not given for the literal act, was an ancient decoration hearkening back thousands of years… long before Princess Luna disappeared, a mere 400 years earlier… long before Equestria… when the land was still wild.

But Lt. Jetscream found no joy in this. He knew he hadn’t let down anypony. They were caught unaware, and he’d done what he could. Without him the 29 ponies, now sent to the four corners of Equestria, would have surely perished. It was just hard…

Recognizing his potential as an officer in the air force, but realizing how shaken up Lt. Jetscream was, it was decided he’d be sent to Northwest Equestria. A newly formed company had an opening for a lieutenant. It wasn’t specifically the air force he’d be with, though…

The 3rd Platoon of the unblooded A Company, "Wild Rice" Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division of the "Clementine" Corps, 4th Equestrian Army was just the place to ease the decorated Pegasus into his rank. The "Wild Rice" Battalion was port authority above all else. Perhaps the quiet would do the young lieutenant some good.

The locomotive was a newer invention. Considered the crowning achievement of technology by many, it revolutionized how ponies traveled. The joining of the railways from Canterlot and from the great Port City of the northwest was a big to-do. And this railway was Lt. Zip Jetscream’s means to his new assignment. For now, at least, he was an army pony.

The brooch he’d been awarded gleamed on his uniform as he saluted his old commander. He turned and entered the train car. It would be a long trip. He’d hoped to catch up on sleep, but sleep had eluded him as of late. The dragon encounter was too fresh in his mind.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Don't let the lack of dialogue and immersion throw you off too much. It gets much more involved from here. This chapter serves as more of a prologue than anything. There's action and funny military marching tunes coming up.

Next, the lieutenant heads for his new assignment in Port City (Modern Day Vanhoover), to take command of a fresh bunch of soldiers. Just what will he encounter in the army?

Like, follow, or leave a comment if you please.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

City by the Sea, Chapter 3: Welcome Knowledge... and the Other Side

City by the Sea, Chapter 1: Arrival in Port City

Passing through the rolling hills and prairie west of Canterlot, it would take Lt. Zip Jetscream a few days to arrive in Port City. Looking ahead, he could see the Unicorn Range rising in the distance. Unlike the Foal Mountains he’d seen out east, these mountains were far newer in the great scheme of time. Their jagged peaks capped in snow, glistening in the sun, was quite a sight.

Still, they were just mountains… nothing he hadn’t seen. Zip rolled over in his seat, trying to get comfortable. He’d only managed to sleep a few hours so far despite his time riding. It was an almost universally accepted rule that a soldier could fall asleep anywhere and stay that way, happy as a worm in an apple. The lieutenant wasn’t as such; he needed a bed for a decent sleep. He needed quiet. He’d always been that way, and it did him no favors as a military stallion. His wings didn't help much either.

Somehow, he managed a few more hours, here and there, and the train had made it to the Galloping Gorge. Even from his window, he could see the junction in the tracks. North would bring a train by the gorge and then to the far north. He’d heard nopony knew exactly where the tracks ended… but it was likely some stupid thing some hoofsoldier came up with.

West took the train to Port City. As opposed to the deciduous forests he was familiar with in the east, the northwestern part of Equestria was a much younger landscape. The soil outside of the riverlands did farmers few favors, and mostly evergreen trees sprouted up from the ground.

Zip never enjoyed rain, and it dismayed him that Northwest Equestria was best described as a temperate rainforest. Spring had ended and with it the heavy rain. They would see little of it until the fall, giving way to the heavy, sloppy snow the region was known for. The Dragonlands may have sucked, but the weather was at least dry.

Trying to clear his mind, Zip managed to sleep the last couple minutes.

Zip, wearing his uniform but getting little attention for it, paddled through town. Port City sure was different than what he was used to out east. There were no castles or towers in Port.

The western edge of the city, on the water, contained the actual port, naturally. Industry dominated the center with the downtown area. And the east… was sprawl; there was no better word to describe it. Thousands of shacks poured out from the edge of the Industrial Area. In addition to being the largest port in Equestria, Port City was a big producer of goods, and all the jobs had to be done by somepony. The elite lived in the northern reaches of the city, in the hills; it was called the Hills… Everypony else lived in the Sprawl or on the base.

Zip’s destination, at least at the end of his trip, was the southwest corner of the city, South Port. But first, he had to visit the “Wild Rice” Battalion headquarters in Old Downtown.

He found it easily enough and entered. Meeting the civilian clerk, it was obvious he was interrupting something. But she looked up and told him the lieutenant colonel was on… vacation. There was nopony there to greet him, other than herself and his other staff.

“…What?” Zip grumbled. “Are you sure, ma’am? I was told he would be here today to give me my orders.”

She smiled kindly and said rather nervously, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant… He… takes his time when he wants. I have your orders. Unless your company commander took off too, you’ll find him in his office. He can fill you in… There’s a map with your packet; it’ll show you where to go.”

Zip took his packet, “Well… thank you, ma’am. Could you please call ahead? Let them know I’m on the way.”

She now waved him out impatiently, “Yes, yes… Now, please let me get back to my work.”

Zip nodded and exited.

A voice came from under the reception desk, “Is the little bastard finally gone?”

“Yes, Red… get back to it.”

The voice complained, “Damn air force... sending us some wet-behind-the-ears cadet… Who the Hell do they think they are?!”

The clerk grabbed the lieutenant colonel by his ears, pulling him closer between her back legs, “Just shut up, and get back to it. You’re not jealous of the war hero, are you?”

“I’ll show you what kind of stallion I am!”

She giggled and melted into her chair; she sure as Hell couldn’t concentrate on her work…

With a definite idea of where he was going, Zip began to walk. He could have flown, but thought he’d get a look at the city on the ground. There wasn’t much to see… just businesses, bar after bar after bar, and a few restaurants. Still, he’d walk a while.

The battalion served as port authority for Port City and the surrounding towns and settlements. They were quite a distance away from anypony else in the division… more than he enjoyed… Most of the brigade was hundreds of miles away, further inland, with the division and higher spread out towards Canterlot. They were alone on the coast. For the air force with Pegasi and airships? Distance was no big deal… But mostly ground forces?

Zip looked down at the sheets he’d been hoofed. There were three of them pertaining to the company; only the sheet containing the information on 3rd platoon was of immediate interest. It was similar to what he was familiar with. Different Equestrian Armies were set up differently, but he knew how his was arranged.

He quickly did some math in his head… Well, he had to write it out:

Officers and their immediate staff excluded, each platoon had 52 ponies, each led by a second or first lieutenant. Three platoons made up a company, 156 ponies, led by a captain or major. A battalion was made up of three companies, 468 ponies, typically led by a lieutenant colonel. That, other than the military police stationed, was the extent of the military presence in Port City.

A colonel or brigadier general led a brigade, three battalions, made up of 1,404 ponies. A division was two brigades, 2,808 ponies, headed by a major general. The corps was three divisions, led by a lieutenant general, consisting of 7,824 ponies. Finally, four corps made up the army… 31,296 ponies… led by a general. Put all the officers and their personal staff on top of that… and you have a lot of ponies.

Equestria had five standing armies, in addition to the navy with the marines and the air force, of differing size and function, commanded by Princess Celestia. Equestria didn’t have a coast guard; Griffinstone did… Zip figured, and was right, that the army filled this void, at least on land. Whatever other battalions did, he didn’t know; logistics was where he was. They were port authority after all.

He looked over his battalion sheets again, particularly the one pertaining to his platoon:

2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, “Clementine” Corps, 4th Equestrian Army

“Wild Rice” Battalion (Logistics: Port City and Adjacent)

Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Red Spud

A Company

Captain (Cpt.) Stone Rig

3rd Platoon

First Lieutenant (1st Lt.) Zip Jetscream

Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Jacinta Petals

1st Squad Sergeant (Sgt.) Amethyst Flare

1st Team Corporal (Cpl.) Aster Yellows, 2nd Team Cpl. Lily Hawk

2nd Squad Sgt. Sweet Clover

1st Team Specialist (Spc.) Blue Porter,2nd Team Cpl. Raspberry Jam

3rd Squad Sgt. Sagebrush Trail (Hospital)

1st Team Cpl. Razor Wire,2nd Team Cpl. Stardust Painter

4th Squad Sgt. Treasure Trove

1st Team Cpl. Little Song,2nd Team Spc. Trip Wire

One of the corporals would be minding his 3rd Squad, it seemed… or he’d have his staff sergeant do it. He didn’t know much about how the army ran things, but he was surprised to see specialists leading two of his small teams. Still, since this company was cobbled together recently from here and there, it wasn’t that unusual to see. And it’s stupid to just promote somepony to fill a gap.

Each team had six ponies including their leader. Each of his four sergeants commanded two teams. That left him and his staff sergeant at the top. He’d need this SSgt. Jacinta Petals’s help… 54 ponies, himself included. And he had command over 53 of them…

Well, he knew better than that… The platoon was his when his staff sergeant decided it was his. It still shocked him he was made a first lieutenant. Even making second would have been surprising; perhaps he’d find himself leading a squad at first, as a sergeant might. Even leading a team would be a start.

Gaining some new platoon in a newly reorganized company was almost beyond the pale. But he was an officer, tried and blooded, he supposed, in the eyes of his superiors. He was under no delusion why he was there; he’d been sent there for a cushy job while he “broke into his rank”.

He wondered what kind of stallion SSgt. Petals was. Zip knew the staff sergeant was rather young at 24. He himself was only 21… Even if he’d made lieutenant he’d expected to not achieve it until he was 22 or 23. But a staff sergeant at 24… SSgt. Petals was either outstanding or a few ponies had bought the farm, and he was forced into the position.

But… it was a new platoon in a reorganized company, slapped together from all corners of Equestria. Nopony had died there. And none of his ponies had seen action, at least there. They were port authority, so unless some drunk sailor shanked one of his ponies or one of them got killed by a falling crate off a merchant or navy vessel, everypony should be intact and well… other than Sgt. Trail, apparently, in the hospital.

It became clear to him: the platoon had been slapped together. It wasn’t that there weren’t corporals… his platoon just wasn’t given a full roster of them. Zip suddenly became concerned; this had him questioning his sergeants… and he hadn’t even met them! A staff sergeant that young didn’t make sense! Were they just a bunch of corporals until a month ago? What were they doing?

He’d never even heard of the name Jacinta… at least tagged on a pony. It was the name of a flower, he vaguely recalled, but not one he was at once familiar with. Unable to get the idea out of his head, he espied a bookstore. He had time... so he went in. Greeted by the shopkeeper, he asked to see their field guides.

Looking through one, he found it: Jacinta. The name was a variation of “hyacinth”. He recognized their curly flowered clusters, in streaks of all the shades of purple, easily. His mother had kept hyacinths a few years. Thanking the shopkeeper, he went on his way.

Well, whoever SSgt. Petals was, he’d been running things for the month leading up to their meeting. Zip had to keep faith he’d been holding down the fort; there was little other choice. Putting this aside, he kept going.

Zip made it to South Port. He didn’t see any soldiers in the immediate vicinity. He looked around; the map wasn’t great, but company headquarters was very close. Suddenly, Zip heard a clatter, followed by yelling. It sounded like a stallion and a mare. Then another mare shrieked.

The noise was coming from a large, open crate to his right. He heard another clatter, and one of the mares he’d heard bolted from the crate, giggling, blushing, and trying to gather her shawl she was wearing. She bumped past him, not even slowing down.

Then two more ponies came falling out of the crate. They rolled around a moment, but the smaller one pinned the other pony down and started to whale on him. Zip saw the bawling recipient was a private… It was one of his, he was sure…

The other pony hauled the private to his hooves and began to tug him along, “I have warned you… again and again… but to allow yourself to be caught with your pants down?! And drunk again?! Stupid…”

The most gorgeous mare he’d ever seen in his life, an Earth pony, was half-carrying and half-dragging the screaming private away. She had a pale green coat with a medium length mane that turned up at the tips, streaked in numerous shades of purple. Her strange, yellow eyes blazed. Despite being two-thirds the size of her unfortunate detainee, she hauled him along with great confidence and ease. She was small, pretty, and built.

And she had sergeants’ stripes… three over the field and one under the field.

Watching her lay into the hapless private, Zip pondered, Jacinta… Jacinto… That’s right… Jacinto is a masculine form of “hyacinth”.

She even resembled her namesake. She had yet to notice him.

This was Zip’s staff sergeant, Jacinta Petals.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

So, Zip has had his first taste of Port City... and it's pretty rotten, what he hasn't seen. He'll learn plenty about everything soon enough. Next time, Zip becomes acquainted with his platoon.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lieutenant Screamer is a hero of the main character.

Also, please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. It's been a fun one to write.

Look for more Company in a couple weeks. Juggling three stories is more work than I thought, but I want to tell the stories instead of sitting on them.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

City by the Sea, Chapter 4: Improvements

City by the Sea, Chapter 2: The Better Side

Zip watched with a mixture of horror and amusement as his staff sergeant heaved along one of his supposed privates. She looked pissed. The private, a unicorn, whined and struggled, his horn sparking. She had a pressure point on him; he couldn’t use his magic. Zip had trained in this, holding drills with other outfits. He knew the kind of pain the stallion was in… It floored even the toughest of opponents and left them squealing like little fillies.

Zip had to say something, “Sergeant… What’s going on here?”

She rounded on him, eyes flaring; her wriggling quarry was held at length, “What in Hell do you think you’re doing out here, soldier?! B Company works the next set of docks! What’s your name? State your full outfit, and show me your identification!”

Staff Sergeant Petals was so worked up she hadn’t bothered to look at his insignia. Zip was… something of a cold fish, but he had a rather easygoing way about him. A yelling sergeant didn’t scare him quite as much as it used to… Not given to playfulness most of the time, he decided to have a little fun with his platoon sergeant.

Zip unfurled his wings, giving them a little flap; he grinned good-naturedly, “SSgt. Petals… it’s good to meet you. Having a little trouble with the kids?”

Her jaw dropped; not forgetting the dupe she was dealing with, she pinned him and sat on him, “…Lt. Jetscream?”

Smiling to himself he figured the wings would tip her off; he was one of three Pegasi in the entire company, he’d heard, “Yes.”

The private shut up and craned his neck, slurring, “Lt. Jetscream?! Holy shit! It’s really you!”

The sergeant twisted one of his legs; it shut him up, other than the yelp it provoked, “Quiet, you… Lieutenant… I’m surprised to see you here. Nopony alerted us you were coming.”

That couldn’t be right…

“I visited battalion headquarters not an hour ago. The clerk told me the lieutenant colonel was… on leave. He was supposed to be there according to the schedule I was given. She gave me directions here and said she’d notify the company…”

A troubled expression crossed the sergeant’s face; she began to look quite upset.

“Lieutenant… There are some things… you’ll need to hear. But first, I’ll show you to the captain’s office. Just come with me; I’ll be dumping Pvt. Mill off in detention.”

She began to walk. The fact she dragged a stallion to his hooves and pulled him along didn’t even slow her down. The private continued to resist.

Zip grew tired of this show, “Sergeant! Stop.”

She did so, looking confused; she didn’t much like his tone.

Zip approached the pair, “Pvt. Mill… Will you cooperate and just walk for us?”

He looked back to his new officer, “Yes, sir…”

Zip looked to SSgt. Petals, “Let him go.”

She looked positively mutinous but did so, “Yes, sir.”

And the private did walk, looking forward without resistance. This had SSgt. Petals fuming. All the crap she went through, dealing with the platoon, and the new officer is some kind of horse whisperer?!

Zip noticed SSgt. Petals's manner; he’d investigate it later.

The officer and his noncom dropped off the drunken private at the detention center, run by a small detachment of military police from the brigade. Zip didn’t envy his position. He’d been drunk while on duty; that merited lashes. Zip didn’t look forward to seeing that. The private also left his post to screw a prostitute; that could be a court martial. The private’s career as a soldier would probably be over. But he was blessed they weren’t in a state of emergency… He’d be hanged.

Staff Sergeant Petals looked quite surly. Zip decided to talk to her then.

“Sergeant… I know you’re upset, but let it go; his time here’s over,” he knew it wasn’t just the fact he reprimanded her in front of a private; she was upset at the apparent lack of respect she received.

In her blazing eyes he saw a determination… but also vulnerability. He hadn’t seen everything yet, but… it must have been hard… being a young mare in such a position.

She tried to maintain her front, “Yes, sir… Let me show you to the captain.”

To Zip’s dismay she was beginning to look cowed. It was apparent, even to him, that she was wearing thin. He wondered what his squad sergeants were like and if they had anything to do with the obvious lack of discipline in the platoon. He’d find out soon, but for now, he’d meet Cpt. Stone Rig.

Staff Sergeant Petals excused herself as they entered the little building that housed the company headquarters; she had to write a report pertaining to Pvt. Mill. Zip approached the receptionist, a unicorn stallion civilian.

“Good morning. I’m Lt. Jetscream. I’m here to see Cpt. Rig.”

The unicorn looked up from a stack of papers, “We never received word you’d be here.”

Zip nodded, “Yes. SSgt. Petals told me the same… even though I went to battalion headquarters this morning.”

The unicorn sighed, “I see… Go on in. The captain hasn’t gone to lunch yet.”

Zip thanked him and went through the door. The unicorn that must have been the captain sat at his desk, reviewing some paperwork.

“Excuse me, Cpt. Rig.”

The captain looked up, “Who’re you?”

“I’m Lt. Zip Jetscream.”

The captain broke into a grin, standing up, “Ah, Lieutenant! Welcome to South Port. I’m surprised to see you, I admit. Nopony sent word you were coming this morning.”

Zip was growing tired of hearing this; something stunk, “Yes, Captain. I’ve been told that several times. The lieutenant colonel wasn’t in today… His receptionist gave me my orders and told me to come to you.”

The captain looked nonplussed a moment, then snorted, “Close the door… Son, Lt. Col. Spud never leaves his office. I just spoke with him, over my crystal ball, not 20 minutes ago.”

Zip was even less pleased now; something was rotten, “I thought the mare at the front desk was acting strangely. I wonder-”

Captain Rig broke down laughing. Zip was startled by this. Seeing Zip’s bewilderment, he laughed all the harder.

“Zip… Red Spud was right there! He was right in front of you but you couldn’t exactly see him! Little wonder nopony let me know you were on your way… They were… distracted.”

The pieces finally fit: Lt. Col. Spud was fellating his civilian receptionist! Right in front of him, while he was supposed to be commanding the battalion, he'd been screwing around with his staff…! Zip felt… sickened. What the Hell kind of outfit had he landed in?!

The captain paid him little mind, “Ol’ Red sure is lucky. There are only so many pretty mares willing to do that job and most of them are working at battalion headquarters! I’m stuck with the dregs… and a stallion or two!”

Totally unaware of Zip’s disgust, the captain was finally able to stop laughing. Zip didn’t need to hear the actual words; he was in a dirty outfit. What was this?! A dumping ground for garbage? He knew the company, especially his own platoon, was some cobbled mess but this was worse than he’d imagined… He had more than a few questions and a lot of them were being answered in ways he didn’t enjoy.

“Sir?”

“Zip… you’re a pretty laidback guy from what I’ve heard. But you know just how much pressure to put on a pony. You don’t do any of that stupid cadet stuff. So, don’t call me ‘sir’ except in front of the troops. Just call me ‘Captain’. You’re just the kind of officer I need right now. Your platoon’s kind of rough... It has problems but I think you can get hold of them. Only a hoofful have any combat experience but that’s not our forte, anyway. You’ll have them eating out of your hoof, the hero you are!”

Zip had to say it, “Sir… I don’t know about that. The first thing I saw when I got here was SSgt. Petals going after one of my privates from 4th Squad. He was drunk and with a mare off-site… She’s off writing the report. How bad are things here, really?”

The captain scowled, “Jacinta?! That little filly scout… She doesn’t get it. Your platoon may be a little rough but they do quite a good job in port. She needs to get it through her head to just let some things go. Just because she can’t appreciate the fact a soldier needs a little R&R with a mare, sometimes… the sexless, little drip… Now we’ll have another court… and lose another soldier…”

It didn’t surprise Zip Pvt. Mill wasn’t the first soldier to meet such an end. But for the captain to brush all this aside… to disrespect SSgt. Petals that way… and to see such corruption higher up… Zip felt his blood run cold. This was bad.

The captain still didn’t notice Zip’s growing discontent, “Zip… go straighten out Jacinta. She’s your problem, now. I don’t want to see any more trouble out of that pretty, little flower. After that, go meet your squad leaders. You’re free to go where you wish around our docks. Get to know your platoon. You’ll love Cpl. Raspberry Jam… the guy’s a pisser when it comes to a good joke!”

Zip stood, upset with all this, but held up his front, “Yes, Captain.”

The captain sat back down at his desk, still hooting with occasional laughter, “Join me at the officer’s club later. Maybe try your hoof at our poker game. Dismissed.”

Zip left company headquarters feeling quite dispirited. He knew the air force sent him for a cushy position, one he could mill his way through, maybe even have a little fun… But this was revolting.

He knew he was ordered to find SSgt. Petals and lay into her a little but he decided to wait with that. After all, he “didn’t know” where she was, officially. So, he’d find her later. For now, he’d go do the other thing he’d been told to do—not that it wasn’t his plan anyway—and find his other sergeants. Zip started walking towards a dock. It was a start.

There were four docks under his platoon’s authority. Zip went to the southernmost dock first. This was Sgt. Sweet Clover’s sphere. The entire battalion operated in logistics as did the platoon… as a whole. But each squad was arranged based on the talents of the ponies present. The 2nd Squad specialized in logistics. Each squad essentially did the same job on each of their four docks but their special talents could be applied wherever they needed to be.

One of his teams was led by a specialist, not even a noncommissioned officer. The other team was led by Cpl. Raspberry Jam… mentioned by name by the captain. Zip approached. It was lunch; the navy and merchant ponies were having theirs and apparently, so was his 2nd Squad.

Seeing a Pegasus, those sitting by a cart waved him down. Zip looked around at their insignia: there were Sgt. Clover, Spc. Porter, and 1st Team, made up of enlisted ponies. There were a few mares in the platoon but not in this squad.

Sergeant Clover, a unicorn, stood up, eager to shake hooves with his new lieutenant, “Sir, it’s good to finally meet you.”

The other stallions joined in. Zip was told their names; it would be a while before he knew everypony. Zip was most curious why a specialist led a team but thought he’d try to find out later.

Zip didn’t wait for the introduction, “You must be Spc. Porter… How are you?”

The young-looking Earth pony grinned, “I’m fine, Lieutenant. We’re just having a little lunch before the next ship comes in. Care to join us? Talk for a bit?”

Zip figured the platoon had more than just assholes in it. Just talking to part of the squad told him it was probably a better element within his command.

“Thanks, but no. I had a pretty big breakfast on the train. We’ll be able to talk a little later, I’m sure. The captain told me to go around and meet the squads.”

Sergeant Clover nodded, “Yeah… Normally we’d assemble formally for an intro but as busy as we are this week… we’re going 24 hours sometimes. We get off at 14:00 but we overlap with my other team. Corporal Jam’s down at the dock now. Maybe go see him really quick before lunch is over. You’ll never get a word out of him otherwise.”

Zip thanked them. In turn, they gave him a crisp salute which Zip returned. The lieutenant headed to the dock. A ship was being unloaded but it was going slowly; most of the crew was eating. A few kept things moving just to save time later. Zip saw the rest of 2nd Squad, the 2nd Team. They were moving busily, like ants. Their productivity was almost shocking. Zip could watch them all day.

“Alright… slowly… slowly… annnnnnnd stop,” a lanky Earth pony was guiding a crane, lowering a rather large crate. He had stripes. This was Cpl. Raspberry Jam.

Waiting until the corporal was through with his task, and on his way to sit, to address him, Zip spoke, “Corporal… isn’t it lunchtime?”

Corporal Jam turned around; he had a friendly face with what seemed a permanent grin pasted to it. Espying Zip’s insignia he beamed and called over the rest of the team.

“Hey, fellas! Look who just showed up.”

Five stallions perked up, looking away from their work and lunches. They jumped up in a hurry, excited.

Corporal Jam introduced himself, shaking Zip’s hoof, “Good… well, afternoon, now, Lieutenant. We were expecting you sometime today or tomorrow. How was the ride here?”

Zip smiled, “Hello, Corporal… The ride was fine. A little bumpy for sleeping but okay. It beat flying here.”

The team laughed; none of them had wings, but could imagine the long, miserable journey that might have been. Zip had been told Cpl. Jam was a funny fellow… Maybe he was. But he could tell just from meeting this team that he was still in the good element of the platoon.

Deciding by the time he left the dock that lunch would be over, Zip elected to chat a few minutes with the stallions at the dock. Good cheer held sway, possibly due to the early time of their shift.

“Lieutenant? I’m guessing you met Sgt. Clover,” Cpl. Jam spoke in between bites of his sandwich.

“Oh, yeah. He told me to come over here while there was a lull. Why were you guiding the crane operator? You only have so much time to eat.”

Corporal Jam yawned, “Somepony needed to help guide it down. Must keep moving… time is money to them and we just try to keep things moving. The sergeant probably told you but it’s been busy the last few days. We just got here… a few minutes off lunch isn’t much.”

Zip was glad to spend a few minutes there but felt it was time to move on, “Well, team… I want to check out the other squads before dinner, so I’ll see you later.”

Giving the lieutenant a smile and a less formal, yet respectful salute, than the other team did, they parted.

Zip could see a little more now. This probably wasn’t the soft spot in the platoon. Sergeant Clover seemed to run 1st Team, though the specialist led it. It wasn’t surprising. While somepony might be leader in name and on paper, some higherup might put on a “second hat” and take leadership of a lower segment in addition to his own. The 2nd Squad seemed like a decent bunch. He’d have to see more but they seemed to have decent leadership and practiced good soldiering. As the captain had said, not everypony was a combat veteran but they were port authority.

Figuring he’d just hit up the next dock north of him, he headed there.

Sergeant Treasure Trove led 4th Squad. The squad focused in engineering and maintenance. The 1st Team was engineering and the 2nd Team maintenance. He’d been told most of these ponies were pretty smart. Zip was already worried about SSgt. Petals's platoon arrangement. Even if each squad specialized in an area it was foolish to put too many highly intelligent ponies together.

This squad had another case of a specialist leading a team, the 2nd Team. Specialist Trip Wire… that was some name. Zip was unsure if Spc. Wire was related to Cpl. Wire of the 3rd Squad. He was sure he’d learn soon enough.

If 2nd Squad was relaxed but efficient, 4th Squad looked pretty sloppy in comparison as far as appearances went. Their uniforms weren’t maintained as well; it wasn’t the fact they were covered in oil… They just looked unkempt and sluffed around too much. This was also the squad the foolish Pvt. Mill was a part of. While most of the squad was directing traffic on the dock and in the yard Zip was "fortunate" enough to walk in during a discussion of the matter of Pvt. Mill.

Sergeant Trove was roaring at Cpl. Little Song, “Damn it, Little Song! All you had to do was watch over that idiot Mill and keep him out of trouble. And now he’s gone?! You’re his team leader! You knew what would happen if SSgt. 'Frosty Flower' found him before you did!”

The little Earth pony mare cowered under the much larger unicorn screaming at her, “Don’t call her that… And don’t yell at me, Sarge, please! It’s impossible to keep an eye on that moron. I don’t even know how he got away. And don’t blame me because SSgt. Petals beat me to him! She’s got her hooves so full trying to keep a bridle on 3rd Squad I couldn’t believe she’d take the time to chase him… She found him… drunk again… with that… hooker he likes so much… again.”

Sergeant Trove grumbled, “Don’t say ‘again’ like she was the one who found him before! She knew the trouble he got up to but never saw it for herself. All we had to do was keep her nose out of it and we could’ve solved it ourselves.”

Corporal Song retorted, “Solve what?! There was no fixing him. Maybe it’s for the best he’s gone… I mean… he was nothing but trouble. And the stuff the psych ward told us… he wasn’t fit to soldier anymore…”

The sergeant sighed, “You’re right… I’m… sorry, Little Song… I just hoped… he’d have straightened up. He was a good engineer, for what it was worth. And…”

The little corporal sighed, “I know, sir… I know you two trained together. You fought together in the north… It was awful up there… He… just couldn’t get himself right after that…”

The sergeant sniffled, “Yeah…”

Zip had seen and heard all this; he was even more worried now. And he hadn’t been warned by 2nd Squad things were… different in 4th Squad. This wasn’t great efficiency he was seeing. While Sgt. Clover’s squad moved like a well-oiled machine, this one moved like a broken thresher.

He wasn’t looking forward to what the other squads looked like. It was clear now, at least, that his platoon sergeant was trying to run 3rd Squad… and it wasn’t going well. For now, he’d chat with this one. He tried to approach as if he hadn’t seen this mess.

“Good afternoon, Sgt. Trove… Cpl. Song,” Zip began. “I’m Lt. Jetscream. I got to the city this morning. Just having a look around the dock.”

Corporal Song put a hoof over her mouth; her eyes shined in admiration, obviously looking at the Wings of the Dragon Slayer. Zip hadn’t thought much about his decoration; nopony had brought it up. Sergeant Trove looked upset; it was obvious to him Zip saw what just happened.

Sergeant Trove lowered his head, “…Lieutenant… I…”

But Zip brushed it aside, “Relax, Sergeant… What happened with Pvt. Mill is unfortunate… It was the first thing I saw when I came to South Port today. I’m sorry for your friend… SSgt. Petals wasn’t exactly gentle with him.”

The unicorn and Earth pony both hung their heads.

By now, the other ponies in the squad approached, except one… and not Pvt. Mill, naturally. The sergeant and corporal looked up. Together, they all saluted Zip.

“Welcome, Lieutenant,” Sgt. Trove said.

Zip saluted back; he looked around, “Where’s Spc. Wire?”

The sergeant called out, “Trip! Come here.”

Specialist Wire didn’t respond. Instead of waiting, Zip took it upon himself to look up the dock; he saw a pair of legs sticking out from under a lift. It was the kind of lift for things too heavy for a crane, so they could just slide things to and from a ship.

Zip took a guess, “Specialist Wire?”

To his surprise, a mare’s voice answered, “I dunno who the Hell you are, Mister, but could you please hoof me the 14mm wrench? Damn shitty foreign parts…”

Zip looked back to the rest of the squad, aghast at their little specialist’s ignorance of the situation. Zip decided to have some fun again. Things were too gloomy around there.

He hoofed her the wrench, “Here you go.”

She took it, “Thanks.”

Zip sat down by the toolbox she kept. He wondered how long the game would last. He could see the little mare kicking and struggling with something.

“Uh… I could use an extra set of hooves under here. Could you squeeze under?”

The game would last a while. Zip playfully winked at the sergeant and the rest before shimmying his way under the lift. Spc. Wire was… cute as pie and spotted with oil.

She pointed to a joint, “If you could hold that... I’ll be able to finish the adjustment. Then we can get the lift back online.”

“Sure,” Zip did as he was told.

Specialist Wire murmured happily, “Sweet… It’s finally coming together.”

They were done and they pulled out. Zip was covered, to his amusement, in a whole lotta grease. The Earth pony mare sat up beside him, grinning from ear to ear.

“Wow, thanks… Uh… who the fuck are you? Never seen you before…”

The sergeant looked like he was about to die. Zip laughed as he shook the hoof she offered.

“I’m Lt. Zip Jetscream. It’s good to meet you, Spc. Trip Wire.”

The little mare gawked, from his wings to his decorations to his filthy uniform, its insignia barely legible. She squeaked, blushing profusely. She was in for it now…

But Zip patted her shoulder, “No worries, Specialist, it’s fine. At least you got your lift working again.”

While looking relieved, Spc. Wire’s eyes clouded up. Zip was discomfited as the little mare began to cry. Her squad looked on as if they’d been… expecting this. Before Zip could ponder this, Spc. Wire looked to him.

“I’m… sorry, Lieutenant… I… thought I’d be able to get through this without crying but… nope… You… saved my dad’s life, sir.”

This was news to Zip, I did what?

She wiped her eyes, possibly not the best choice with her grimy hooves, “Gear Wrench… he was an old corporal at the Dragonlands outpost. He wasn't in your platoon... and he said he'd only met you a couple times... What you did… the ponies you left behind were able to help him… They were able to help a few ponies that day. My dad had to retire but… he’s alive and he’s doing pretty good, even without one of his legs. So… thank you…”

She wept anew. Zip sighed and kneaded her shoulder. He hadn't known Gear Wrench but remembered him. And here was his daughter.

"You're most welcome, Spc. Wire. I'm... glad I was able to do some good that day," Zip would never forget that day all of his days.

She cracked a teary smile, “Lieutenant... you did as much as anypony possibly could've! It was the bravest thing I can imagine... I know it’s out of order, sir, but… can I hug you?”

Zip chuckled, “Even if I wasn’t covered in slop I’d still say yes.”

She giggled and practically dove for it. He hugged her back, patting her head. After a moment, they broke it off and Spc. Wire was able to stop making a spectacle of herself.

For a few minutes Zip spoke with the squad. He had judged them for looking kind of sloppy but they were good at what they did. He’d already begun thinking about ways to reorganize the platoon, just to even things out. He felt… a little bad that he’d possibly break up this squad; they were… friends. They really loved each other, despite the yelling and slovenliness. The squad had a few problems but it wasn’t the bad element he was looking for.

Also, Cpl. Razor Wire of 3rd Squad was Spc. Trip Wire’s big brother. Zip would have the pleasure of meeting him later.

Zip bade them farewell, still having to speak to the rest of the squads. The 1st Squad, specializing in magic, was the farthest north. Sgt. Amethyst Flare had command there.

Zip had a sick feeling in his stomach. He'd circumvent 3rd Squad, the combat specialists, for now.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Wasn't planning on a release today, but it was ready and will allow me to begin my two-week release schedule for this story. Will try to put out every other Sunday.

Dismayed by those pulling the strings, Lt. Screamer has met half of his platoon and is glad to see they seem okay.

Next time, Zip meets the rest of them. The trouble that's so obvious either lies in the magic squad or the combat squad... or maybe both. He's about to find out. And where does SSgt. Jacinta Petals fit into everything?

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lieutenant Screamer is a hero of the main character. Also, please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta.

Look for more Company in a couple weeks.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

City by the Sea, Chapter 5: Replacements

City by the Sea, Chapter 3: Welcome Knowledge... and the Other Side

Leaving 4th Squad behind, Zip moved north. The dock northernmost was directed by his 1st Squad sergeant, Sgt. Amethyst Flare. She was the only mare in the whole company to command a Squad save SSgt. Jacinta Petals’s temporary misery.

This squad was the magic users’ squad. The other squads may have had unicorns but this squad was exclusively unicorns. The 1st team, led by Cpl. Aster Yellows, specialized in utility magic, whatever the Hell that meant, while the 2nd team, medical, was led by Cpl. Lily Hawk.

Zip was dreading his coming visit to 3rd Squad. The things he’d heard throughout the day led him to believe things weren’t all that great over there. Zip had yet to see the “roughness” described in his platoon. This squad was the squad that had its sergeant, Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, away for reasons yet explained to him. SSgt. Petals was trying to lead them but she was unsuccessful in it.

Perhaps the magic squad was the big part of the problem. Zip doubted it but he wasn’t ready to make such a judgement until he saw them. All the squads contributed to the problem. He took some of the things he’d learned in Officer Candidate School with a grain of salt, having been advised of things in the real world by his superiors in the Dragonlands.

For some reason, maybe the geography of the port or the cliquish arrangement, the platoon lacked cohesiveness. Soldiers fend for their immediate comrades. Above all else, they will seek to preserve themselves and their closest allies before everypony else. It was natural. And it was probably compounded by the fact very similar ponies were crammed together based on what they could do, rather than working towards a balance. It was a difficult thing, balancing anything when one is trying to keep a group leaning towards a specialty. Also, the squads spent much time isolated from one another.

The real issue, Zip felt, was a majority of the platoon had no actual combat experience. Zip would learn later who had what kind of experience but for now he had to go with what he knew.

In and of itself a platoon largely lacking combat experience wasn’t a bad thing. They were logistics. Their job was to oversee the port and transit within the city. The military does a Hell of a lot more than just fight. Killing shit and exerting a government’s will is the truest purpose of the military but it took a lot to support that. Much of government is just keeping things running internally and the military had a hoof in that.

The problem… was the entire 3rd Squad were combat veterans. They’d been sent there from outfits that were so badly fractured the number of casualties merited reformation. Or they were trouble. Some went to other combat assignments and some were sent to desks. And the rest were sent to places like Port City. These ponies… were hardened. They’d fought, seen their friends and fellow soldiers die, and are then sent to a job like logistics?

The 3rd Squad was bonded by the blood they’d spilled even if they’d never met before. Even if they didn’t like each other… they were bonded. If SSgt. Petals had indeed put most of the veterans together it was a huge foul-up. Zip knew something. He knew it in his brain, heart, gut, and balls: 3rd Squad would have insignificant respect for SSgt. Petals.

Zip had taken a quick look at a file and knew SSgt. Petals was a supply officer from the sticks; he didn’t know how she wound up a staff sergeant or why she wound up in South Port. The 3rd Squad wouldn’t respect anypony that hadn’t fought, bled, and watched comrades die for Equestria. And if they didn’t respect her… they sure as Hell wouldn’t follow her.

Zip now prayed he could alleviate this. Pulling SSgt. Petals away from the squad and having her serve as his staff would be his first order. A squad leader of their own might be better to lead… or he may even lead them himself. He knew nothing about Sgt. Trail yet but would worry later.

It beggared the imagination the captain wouldn’t have dealt with any problems that may have arisen. Sure, he’d said the platoon did a “good job” with the port but this was a hooves-off way to run things. It was yet another thing to think about later.

But before anything else, he’d have a chat with 1st Squad. He knew enough by then, he felt, to ask somepony straight up how things were standing.

The 1st Squad was very busy by the time Zip arrived. He received a fleeting salute from the stallion Cpl. Yellows, and was barely able to introduce himself to Cpl. Hawk, one of the few mares under him, before she ran to the dock. Zip didn’t mean to judge the mares on their looks but he was a stallion… He at least noticed. She looked alright but her not sticking around disallowed him a good look.

Approaching a table in the shade, Zip came to the squad sergeant. She was sitting down, going through some documents. On the table was tea for two and a plate of cookies… as if she’d been expecting him. She looked up to him with a smile.

Zip faced Sgt. Flare. If SSgt. Petals was gorgeous, Cpl. Song cute in a nervous way, Spc. Trip Wire adorable, and Cpl. Hawk pretty in a simple way… Sgt. Flare was an Equestrian belle. She had a mature, intimidating, and severe beauty about her, quite unlike the other mares in their early twenties or late teens. She looked to be Zip’s height and radiated the kind of poise of one at peace with the world around them. He knew she was about 15 years his senior.

“Good afternoon, Lieutenant… I’m Sgt. Amethyst Flare. And my goodness, what happened to your uniform?” the sergeant simpered as she tried to hide her amusement.

Zip looked at himself; the grease and oil were worse than he had previously thought, “I decided to play around with 4th Squad for a laugh. Spc. Wire was working on their lift, and I helped her without letting her know who I was right away. It was fun.”

She gleamed, “Oh, you got to meet Trip? She’s such a little sweetheart… even with her sailor mouth. Hold still.”

The sergeant’s horn glowed, and Zip looked with amazement as the spots lifted from the uniform. It was as good as brand new, his insignia spotless and his Wings shined in the sun. Even the feathery wings attached behind his shoulders were unblemished, in addition to his coat.

“Wow… Thank you, Sergeant.”

She nodded, “Please, Lieutenant, sit. Would you like a snack and some tea?”

He sat down, politely taking the offered treats, “Oh, yes, very much, Sergeant. How are things around here?”

She stirred her tea, “Busy as you might imagine… I’m just going through this timetable. But… it can wait. You have something on your mind, don’t you?”

Zip looked into Sgt. Flare’s eyes. Zip wasn’t the most perceptive stallion. He loved mares… always had. He loved the way they looked, the way they moved when they walked, the way they smelled… and everything else about them. But he was just awful with them, unable to pick up even the bluntest of cues. It cost him a potential marefriend more than a few times, and he’d never even been laid, unable to see what should have been obvious when some filly opened for him… And still he never learned. But he was sure about some things… mainly regarding power. And he sensed a most powerful magic from Sgt. Flare. He could… feel it on her. He could feel it in his own mind.

“Sergeant… you’re a psychic…”

Her eyes widened in surprise; she let out a rather girlish laugh, “Wow… you’re mightily perceptive for a Pegasus. Are you sure you don’t have a little Knollwing blood in you?”

Zip snorted. Knollwing. Supposedly, a long time ago, there was a sub-race of Pegasi that drew on a special magic. It gave them great strength and a myriad of abilities Pegasi were not known for… including extrasensory perception. They also could enter a berserker stage at will and come out of it intact, ready to go on with the day.

The sergeant smiled, “You don’t believe in Knollwings… do you, Lieutenant?”

“No.”

“That’s a shame… the Wings you received is of them.”

Zip knew the old legend: the Wings of the Dragon Slayer was a decoration given by the Knollwing ponies for great feats. Zip believed in that malarkey about as much as he believed in the Wings of Paradise, the legendary diadem gifted to the High Protector of the Knollwing race. Every little Pegasus knew this crap… and most quit believing it when they grew up a little.

Zip considered her, “I know the legend… even if the Knollwings existed, they were supposed to have died off 5,000 years ago. How would I have any of them in me? I don’t believe in that stuff. It’s hard enough to believe there was a time we couldn’t control our own weather and the Sun and Moon raised themselves. And that wasn’t even that long ago…”

The sergeant giggled into her teacup; it was time to discuss other matters, “Well… whatever… But yes, Lieutenant… I’m a psychic. And if you would, please call me Amethyst… I think the others would appreciate if you’d call them by name as well…”

This might have been true but it was something he’d think on later. For now, he’d entertain her.

“So… Amethyst… how’s a psychic wind up in a place like this?”

She looked at him with just a bit of mischief, “I used to be a warrant officer with Equestrian Intelligence.”

Zip almost spat out his tea, “You were a warrant officer in army intelligence?!”

She nodded, an amused little smile on her face.

He trod carefully but figured he’d aim high anyway, “…Level four?”

Smirking now, looking at him most interestedly, she nodded again, "Yes, Lieutenant. Only a few ponies in the army know that, though, so... keep it quiet."

This was certainly surprising to him. Sgt. Flare wasn’t some ordinary sergeant… nor was she some ordinary mare. She was a former spy… and assassin… and interrogator… and a bunch of other awful things most ponies never even dreamed of. She was rife with the kind of stuff Equestria didn’t want its ponies to know about. The least of her “offenses” was probably her time spent in the Canterlot “think tank”. And she was sitting across from him, having tea in Port City. She was probably the most highly and specially trained soldier between there and Canterlot.

She set down her teacup, “But to answer your question… my superiors… didn’t like something I did. Leave it at that. They wanted to get me as far away from them as they could… which is silly. I was sick of Canterlot… My ex-husband… the first one… was trying to ride my coattails again, like a drowning rat; he shows up every few years for a hoofout. So, I told him to go to Hell. I wanted out of there anyway. And trouble for my colonel was the last thing on my mind; it wasn’t him that had me booted. It’s not like I can just read anypony’s mind anytime I want. And I certainly can’t make heads go pop with a glance… a unicorn has magic enough for things like that without being gifted in other mind games…”

Zip tried to keep his wits about him; this mare had a frightful sense of humor. He wasn’t a nervous stallion. That was the thing that probably impressed others the most about him. At times, he could swing his balls and knock down a wall they were so solid. But Sgt. Flare… He’d never felt truly afraid of a mare his entire life… other than his mom. Sure, he was "scared" of mares but that was another matter altogether. Sgt. Flare was a whole lotta mare… He could practically feel his nuts pulling themselves up into his body; it gave him a dreadful ache down south.

She took on an apologetic, wry face, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant… Too much. But don’t worry. I can’t just read minds. Your thoughts are just rather… loud at the moment and you’re right beside me. You know psychic abilities aren’t that easy to control, anyway. If they were… oh, how boring life would be.”

Zip decided to move on, “Amethyst… your former position… you’re on par with a sergeant major. That’s… a couple levels above SSgt. Petals…! How is it you’re not my platoon sergeant?! But even that would be below you… You’re brigade sergeant material.”

“Like I said, I worked for a colonel, so, yes… I suppose I was. My rank was converted to sergeant when I was sent here. I dropped a few ranks... My skills… don’t translate well here. I may have rank on Jacinta but I know nothing of logistics or supply, other than what I’ve learned the last month. But she lets me call her by name, just because I technically do have rank. But she doesn't know I was on the fourth level or that I was a warrant officer... and she doesn't need to. She even calls me by name… as well as some of the others. You should too… I think it’d get a rise out of her… hearing her given name from a stallion she doesn’t hate, if she doesn’t hate you, that is.” Sgt. Flare chuckled.

Zip wasn’t sure about calling SSgt. Petals by name… maybe some of the squad members… Amethyst, sure he would.

Sergeant Flare took another cookie, “It’s funny, really… I’ve toppled governments with my bare hooves or a dirty little thought in somepony’s head, but I can’t operate a transfer hub like this.”

“But SSgt. Petals can?”

She looked amused, “Lieutenant, Jacinta may be… over her head with some of the soldiers here, but she’s an excellent supply and logistics officer.”

Zip learned a bit more about SSgt. Petals. She was a Fillydelphian that enlisted in the army because she was… the crusading type. But she wasn’t interested in combat. She worked in aid, relief, and other charitable efforts (the army had this side, too) based out of a little distribution hub. Her skills quickly earned her noncom status as a corporal and sergeant very soon after. Despite how young she was, when their staff sergeant transferred out, her superiors could think of no better pony for the job of staff sergeant… at least without reaching out to the greater army. Ponies seemed to want to get away from places like that.

But funding ran out and her hub was dissolved. Instead of bringing her to Canterlot, she was sent west. Ponies were needed in the 4th Equestrian Army restructuring and a good supply and logistics sergeant was needed in their company. Her record was outstanding, and everything looked good on paper, but… SSgt. Petals was an idealist. She was motivated to do good, work hard, and follow the rules and had been surrounded by ponies of the same mind.

She knew nothing of the “normal” army. So, throwing her into a platoon made up of “dregs” from the rest of the army was a dubious thing. She wasn’t ideal for the position,= but order was maintained by her squad leaders to a degree she could manage things. And this was surprising, given the poor choices of her squad building. But things changed.

Zip was listening with some interest. Sgt. Flare then described Sgt. Sagebrush Trail. He was a grizzled old combat veteran. An Earth pony, he fought with nothing but his own strength and skill. He lacked some of the nasty skills his squad possessed, being much older and never a specialist in “dirty fighting”. But his experience was legendary. He’d fought in the war with Griffinstone.

He was getting close to retirement and the army decided to send him to Port City, his previous assignment accomplished. Sgt. Trail was passed over for platoon sergeant because he lacked the background in supply and logistics, as Sgt. Flare had. He managed to keep a lid on 3rd Squad simply because they respected him. But three weeks prior to Zip’s arrival, Sgt. Trail was injured when a crane malfunctioned. He saved two of his squad from getting hurt but messed up a leg in the process. He was alright but had to take it easy a few weeks. Currently, he was on paid vacation, visiting family out east.

But if Sgt. Trail knew just what was going on with his squad he’d probably hightail it back and get a collar on them. Sgt. Petals made the terrible mistake of taking charge of the squad when she should have let one of the corporals do it… or given 3rd Squad somepony from 2nd Squad, logistics, just to help them along.

Sargeant Flare shook her head, “And you know what a joke our captain and lieutenant colonel are, Lieutenant. They’re just letting us do our own thing. They get results… and they don’t really care about anything else.”

Zip’s concern increased, “You seem to be on good terms with SSgt. Petals. Why not give her some advice? I mean… she’s putting herself at risk…”

“I’ve tried warning her. She’s not on some campaign to 'get through to them' or get them to understand; she’s just trying to maintain discipline. The 3rd Squad’s productivity sucks. Jacinta knows that and is trying to get them to work harder. But… they don’t respect her much, as you may have deduced. But she keeps pushing them. I'm sure there's more going on than just that, too. And unfortunately, it’s not my place to bring this to anypony’s attention higher than you. But it’s within your power, Lieutenant.”

Zip’s brain gears were whirling, “Amethyst… the captain brushed me off when I asked about the problems here… and the lieutenant colonel was ‘indisposed’.”

Sergeant Flare took on a rather disgusted look, “Old ‘Gonorrhea Breath’ is at it again…”

Zip pretended not to notice her uncultured but amusing comment, “SSgt. Petals just ensured Pvt. Mill will be cashiered this morning… Well, he did that himself… She just caught him. I watched it happen. But the captain mentioned other court martials. What’s going on?”

Sergeant Flare sighed, “On top of Pvt. Mill, Jacinta’s brought up three of her temporary squad on charges. They all earned it. The first, nopony cared… the stallion was an ass and even his fellow combat veterans hated him. 3rd Squad has two combat teams, of course… special tactics and magic combat. This guy was in special tactics… ‘dirty fighting’… He got caught inside a civilian mare from battalion headquarters in an outhouse. He tried to run and she put him through the mill when he tried to fight. He sat through his court in a wheelchair.”

Zip looked surprised, “I thought SSgt. Petals was a supply officer… She bested a combat veteran? A specialist in ‘dirty fighting’?!”

“You said you saw her deal with Pvt. Mill. Jacinta is… a talented martial artist. She could probably beat me or anypony else in the platoon in a fight… maybe in the whole battalion… fair or dirty.”

All this information had Zip’s head spinning, “Go on…”

Sergeant Flare sipped her tea, “The next was drunk on duty and… well, he straight up tried to kill her when she caught him. Really, he went bonkers… He even started in on his own team. He was on the magic team so she didn’t hold back when he attacked her… Well, first, she tried to subdue him but he knew she was trying to suppress his magic with that nasty pressure point. When that didn’t work she broke his leg so badly he’s lying in a bed with pins holding it together. It sure as Hell stopped his rampage. They almost amputated.

“The only reason he won’t face the gallows was nopony else “saw” it happen. Just taking a swing at a superior… I’ve seen ponies strung up for that. He could have killed a couple ponies that day. But he told the truth about what happened… when they had me mess with his mind a little… But they needed more witnesses for a capital offense to stick. None were willing to do so… I doubt anypony from the squad would’ve testified against him. They held his court in his hospital room.

“The last one… was bad. I don’t know how she’s able to keep such a close eye on her squad but she caught one of them raping a filly in town. A 9-year-old filly… He bought her for a night off some merchant… Jacinta almost killed him when he turned on her. And he was the best soldier 3rd Squad had. He was an Equestrian Ranger… He was also a terrible pony… It didn’t take his raping a filly for anypony to know that… Cruel, abusive… He was sent here just to get him away from the regular army. I wish they’d sent him elsewhere… like the moon. You could look at his file… The stuff in there… even shocked me.”

The fact Sgt. Flare was possibly looking at documents she wasn’t supposed to was the last thing on his mind, “And SSgt. Petals… beat him? And you’re using the word ‘was’… He’s still alive, right?”

Sergeant Flare grimaced, “Well, ‘was’ is the most appropriate thing to say. She broke his back, Lieutenant. And pretty high up too. If he ever wakes up… he’ll hang anyway for what he did. He was the de facto leader once Sgt. Trail was gone despite not being a non-com. Jacinta really tossed things up. And now… things are in real turmoil. The squad doesn’t want a mare in charge, especially not some little supply officer. I’m… worried. Still, I try not to bother with them much... Their thoughts, Lieutenant! I can't block out their thoughts when I'm near them. I've seen enough awful things, I don't mind avoiding others' memories.”

Zip could hardly believe this. The squad still didn’t respect her? His little staff sergeant was badass. She may not have been a trained killer or combat vet but… she was something else. He was starting to suspect Sgt. Flare was… letting SSgt. Petals carry on this way just because she didn’t know how to stop her. How the fuck was the platoon so at ease with all of this? Did they really keep to themselves so much they simply ignored their staff sergeant crippling three stallions?!

He had to ask, “If this is going on... why aren’t the other squads getting surly? I mean… how?”

“The 3rd Squad is the problem, Lieutenant, above all. Those left in the squad aren’t all that bad but they’re surly. And Pvt. Mill was an anomaly within his own squad. The rest of us actually hold Jacinta in pretty high esteem… Plus, as you appear to be speculating, we all tend to mind our own business.”

Zip practically stuttered, “But our company… the battalion! They’re not even looking further in? SSgt. Petals would’ve been put on probation or leave or even cashiered herself any place else.”

“Lieutenant… the battalion is a joke. Jacinta could run the city better than Lt. Col. ‘Sweet and Sour Mouth’. He just stamps the papers and sends the courts on their way. There are always ponies the army is looking to send away to us. They send us problems, Lieutenant. The company’s a joke. I don’t think the captain knows whether to shit or wind his watch half the time. We’re in the woods, man. We’re here to be ignored… They leave us here to do for cheaper what civilians could do for more.”

Of course, Zip had one more question, “And the platoon’s only been operating a month. Did this really all happen in the last three weeks?”

She eyed him grimly, “…The last two weeks.”

Zip’s response was almost immediate. He listened to his brain, heart, gut, and balls; a stallion is wise to listen to them all. He knew SSgt. Petals’s life could be in danger… possibly immediate. He’d heard so many horror stories he couldn’t leave it alone. He may have been jumping to conclusions but this got his attention.

Based on what he knew now, SSgt. Petals would be a shoe-in for a fragging in a combat situation. They weren’t in any such arena but that was enough to scare him. The pieces fit; he had to act. For the first time the entire day he leapt up, taking flight.

Sergeant Flare was surprised at the speed he took off. She shrugged and finished her tea. The lieutenant would pull SSgt. Petals’s nuts out of the fire.

Zip was reasonably fast and the last dock under his supervision was only a short distance away. He saw it and was able to land again in about 10 seconds.

What he saw had him glad he moved quickly. The remaining stallions that weren’t leaders, a mixture of Earth ponies and unicorns, were standing to the side, looking more than a little frightened. An Earth pony, obviously Cpl. Razor Wire, leading the special tactics team, appeared at odds with what he was supposed to do. SSgt. Petals was facing down against a beastly looking unicorn stallion, Cpl. Stardust Painter, team leader of magic combat. She bristled at him and he looked most unsure of himself.

Zip knew a couple things about the corporals. Sgt. Flare said they were battle-hardened and not much scared them. They specialized in “dirty fighting” and combat magic. And SSgt. Petals had terrified them both with the ease and lack of hesitation noted when she’d clobbered three of their squad mates.

“I have had enough of you being careless with the lift! That’s the second near miss we’ve had in as many days. Pvt. Shade could have lost a leg! What do you have to say for yourself, Corporal?!” the little staff sergeant fumed.

The corporal had nothing to say, or perhaps he couldn’t. Zip knew the body language. Cpl. Painter was scared to say anything. She really had these guys wound up. Zip could also see he was spoiling to take a poke at or blast SSgt. Petals. He’d once seen a recruit pop his drill sergeant when the recruit grew tired of the screaming in his ear. The drill sergeant hit the recruit so hard he soiled himself and the fool cried like a 4-year-old colt who’d just shit his pants at the playground. Redundant, the defecation references, but it sure was a scene.

Initially hoping to ease his way in and coax them all into a sense of ease while sending SSgt. Petals away, he decided to skip the foreplay and go for it. Any hesitation might result in a cooked hyacinth and a hanging or another paralyzed stallion with a court martial.

Approaching the squad, he called out casually as if he’d seen nothing, “Good afternoon, 3rd Squad! Uh, SSgt. Petals! Please report to company headquarters. They need you.”

She looked at him, fire in her yellow eyes. The look might have scared off most ponies but Zip didn’t think too much about it; sure, she was more than a little scary but he’d faced a dragon…

Zip could see unmistakable relief in the squad members' eyes as SSgt. Petals turned and walked towards the pony they quickly realized was 1st Lt. Zip Jetscream, “Hero of the Dragonlands”. As she approached, Zip kept up his pleasant look. When she got to him, he maintained his façade and whispered to her.

“Sergeant… wait somewhere close by. Out of sight and earshot. That’s an order… I must talk to you. I’ll try to come for you in 20 minutes or so.”

This proved to stoke the fire in her eyes, but she stiffly nodded and paddled past him. Still, Zip kept the possibly convincing grin on his face and approached 3rd Squad.

“Again, good afternoon, squad. I’m Lt. Jetscream. How’s everypony?”

Zip knew he wasn’t fooling anypony; they knew he’d heard and borne witness to SSgt. Petals’s yelling. And he didn’t expect them to go for it. But approaching in a friendly manner was better than not. If he blew something off, it told them to do the same.

The nine stallions lined up and gave Zip a crisp salute; it was easily the best showing he’d seen all day. He saluted back.

Corporal Painter spoke up, “Welcome to Port City, Lieutenant. We had no idea you’d be here today until SSgt. Petals said so.”

Zip noticed the contempt in the corporal's voice; he brushed it off for the moment, “Yes, it’s been quite a day. Battalion never alerted the captain when I showed up. Everywhere I go, it’s a surprise I’m here.”

They took a moment to introduce themselves. Zip could see it in their eyes: these stallions had been in the shit. It was unmistakable. Regardless, Zip stood without difficulty or apparent apprehension; he may not have been an actual combat vet but killing a dragon said something about him. And that he’d called off SSgt. Petals without breaking a sweat said more than any of them could claim, whether he was boss or not. He could see they were definitely interested in his being there. They could chat but the dock wouldn’t direct itself and things were backing up, given the ruckus Zip had walked into.

Zip asked casually, “Cpl. Painter, Cpl. Wire… would your squad be able to keep an eye on the dock while I talk with the both of you?”

Corporal Painter didn’t look displeased, “Yes. Spc. Hemp?”

A scarred Earth pony looked over, “Yes, Corporal?”

With no malice, “Take the boys back to the dock. And be careful. We really need to watch for that.”

Specialist Hemp nodded, “Will do.”

The squad, save their team leaders, made their way back to the dock. Zip motioned the corporals to join him. They sat at a picnic table nearby.

The lieutenant addressed his corporals, “I want you to speak freely. This is off the record. I know things haven’t been going well, particularly in your squad. I intend to see things fixed, but I need to know a few things. You squads seem to stay out of each other’s’ business, but I’ve heard a couple things.”

"Is there such a thing as 'off the record', sir?" Cpl. Wire asked, his voice holding just a hint of worried sarcasm.

Zip almost chuckled, "No, of course not. I just wanna talk."

The corporals looked at one another. Cpl. Wire shrugged, and Cpl. Painter nodded.

Corporal Painter leaned forward, “Just what did Sgt. Flare tell you?”

Zip was unsurprised he'd guess that; he said, “She told me about the three soldiers SSgt. Petals drummed out of here in the last two weeks. Things haven’t been great since Sgt. Trail left. Three weeks and this is what happens? I know the three gone were more than a little problematic but this cannot keep happening.”

Corporal Wire decided to talk, “I think the issue is SSgt. Petals regards us all the same way. She thinks we’re all a bunch of baby raping nuts. Those three—they were crazy—but we’re not like them. I have to say, her treatment of us is wearing on a couple of the younger guys. We weren’t sent here because the army needed us here… they sent us here to get rid of us. Some of the guys… they have problems. Battle fatigue… They’re not used to the tedium here. And it can all be tedious… This is just different. Taking a pony from the front, shaken up, and dumping him here?! It’s bad.”

Zip could buy some of this, “I should tread carefully, I know, but does the fact SSgt. Petals lack combat experience bother you? That she’s been running the show since Sgt. Trail left? I hear he was able to keep a lid on things.”

Both corporals looked uncomfortable. Zip knew they resented SSgt. Petals lording over them when she was just some supply clerk from the sticks, ultimately.

The Lieutenant took their nervous silence as admission, “I told you to speak freely. You might as well do so.”

Corporal Painter took the invitation, “The asshole she whipped first, we could deal with that. But after that, she just kept going after us harder—even for little stuff. The second guy freaked out… the alcohol… the battle fatigue… He just went batshit! I don’t know what Sgt. Flare told you about that, but it was more complicated than she could tell you. And now he’s in a hospital bed, having withdrawals, his leg so torn up he’s not even stable to move! And now… she paralyzed Spc. Beach. Even with what he did… we’re scared, sir. We didn’t show her the respect she was owed at first, and for the reasons you said, but now we don’t have a chance. She’s out to get all of us.”

Zip showed little response to this, but looked to Cpl. Wire, “Anything to say, Corporal?”

Corporal Wire scratched his head nervously, “Sir… we did fuck up when it came to respecting her as squad leader. But Spc. Beach kinda took things over, de facto-like, when Sarge took his vacation. I know how stupid that sounds, given the chain of command, but you don't know what the guy was like...! I guess the tension’s been building and building. We just have… problems doing this kind of work and she’s tearing into us. We don’t know what to do…”

Zip decided he had what he needed to know, “I shouldn’t say what’s done is done but it is. A lot’s gone into this but no one pony created this mess. Things have sucked over here but I’ll see that improves. SSgt. Petals won’t be running your squad anymore. Even if I didn’t need her to show me the ropes I’d still pull her off. You’re down to nine ponies and none of you have much experience in logistics. I’m going to talk to the other squads—try to pull a couple away temporarily to help you. They’ll help you until I find a more permanent solution and Sgt. Trail comes back. Until I say otherwise, the two of you will be running your squad. I expect your productivity and conduct to improve by the end of the week. Does that sound acceptable to the both of you?”

Both corporals looked more than satisfied. Both even appeared to relax.

Corporal Painter sighed, “That sounds good, Lieutenant… Thank you.”

Zip was pleased with this, “Great. Now… you may return to your squad in a moment. Don’t speak ill of SSgt. Petals to them and discourage any rumblings. I’ll see to her and discuss matters with the other squad leaders. I don’t want to see any more trouble. Let them know what they need to; I trust you on that. Just do your jobs and things will be better.”

Both corporals stood and saluted in unison, “Yes, sir.”

Zip returned the salute, “Carry on.”

But Cpl. Wire had something else to say, "Sir?"

Zip regarded him, "Yes, Corporal?"

"You met my sister and I'm guessing she told you... but... for my dad... thank you, sir. You really did a great service to a lot of ponies that day."

Zip could see the corporal was fighting his emotions and he could also see Cpl. Painter shared in the pathos.

Zip was totally unsure of what to do or say... hug Cpl. Wire?! No... he was sure he didn't want that. So he offered a hoof instead, and it was readily accepted.

Zip smiled warmly, shaking hooves with his corporal, "I'm glad I was able to help that day... It was Hell."

Corporal Wire nodded, eyes shining, "They were fortunate to have a pony like you. And I think we will be too. We'll carry out your orders, sir."

Corporal Painter nodded as well, conviction in his face. Zip could see it: these two were on his side. Whether they'd already been or he'd just convinced them, they were on his side. And he was happy for it.

The joint squad leaders walked away, leaving Zip. Zip did the same, leaving the dock. It was time to find his staff sergeant.

Zip found SSgt Petals out of apparent earshot, leaning against a pile of netting. She didn’t look too happy. He’d have to tread carefully if he wanted to maintain and/or regain her respect. Noticing him, she stood at partial attention.

“Lieutenant,” she acknowledged.

Her new platoon leader saw no point in beating around the bush or kicking the can, “SSgt. Petals, I’m relieving you of your temporary command of 3rd Squad, effective now.”

Perhaps she had expected that but her eyes appeared stricken, “Sir?”

Zip went on, “Until Sgt. Trail comes back—or I find a better solution—the corporals will run their own squad. I think I got their attention; they should be more productive now. I’m going to consult with Sgt. Clover… maybe send one of 2nd Squad to assist 3rd Squad. Spc. Porter may be a good choice. I may pull somepony from maintenance or engineering too.”

His staff sergeant looked less and less at ease by the second; Zip gave her a few seconds to process things, “I’m new, Sergeant. I’ve never run much of anything in my life but you have. I’ll need your knowledge, experience, and guidance from here on out. You’re my staff and I need your help.”

He didn’t enjoy the miserable look she was trying so hard to hide. He knew Sgt. Petals had probably never been reprimanded for much of anything since she was a recruit; she was ideal material for what she’d done before arriving in Port. Zip hadn’t said anything out of line or she hadn’t earned but it obviously stung. She’d done her best, practically abandoned by the army in a less than ideal situation. Perhaps she’d even done admirably, given the circumstances and her own experience.

But he was in charge. This was his platoon. He’d taken it from her; there was no breaking into the position or letting her hoof it over to him when she felt comfortable. He was it. But he knew he couldn’t do it alone. To save her any more embarrassment, and the now obvious possibility of crying in front of her commanding officer, he’d briefly finish what he had to say.

It was difficult to find the right words; there was no apologizing to be done but a lot of things could wait to be said, when cooler minds prevailed, “Sergeant. We will discuss this matter further, but later, when you’ve had some time. Please. I want you to take the rest of the day off—not official. Just relax for a little while. We can talk tomorrow.”

The little staff sergeant was still bristling, “Will there be anything else, sir?”

Zip tried to keep his demeanor and voice even, “No. Dismissed, Sergeant.”

The staff sergeant looked at him with no small amount of loathing in her erstwhile dry eyes. It was hard to tell if it was anger or something else. Was it meant for him… or turned more inward? He could turn it over in his mind all he wanted but might never figure it out. He had to go with face value on things. And he didn’t like the way SSgt. Petals was eyeballing him.

For the second time that day, Zip felt his boys retreat up into his body; it hurt worse than before. In a way, SSgt. Petals was immeasurably more intimidating than Sgt. Flare. But Zip held his composure fine. Taking one last look his way, she trotted away with great purpose. Zip felt his nuts drop back where they belonged, and he exhaled; he’d been more afraid than he would ever like to admit.

Having said what was needed, he wished he could reach an understanding with her but that would come later. For now, he was afraid SSgt. Petals hated him. He prayed she didn’t think herself a failure and he certainly didn’t intend to rub in any such idea.

Zip felt a hoof; it was Sgt. Flare, her strange eyes sympathetic. But for some reason she was trying very hard to suppress a smile.

She patted his shoulder, “Oh, Lieutenant. Believe me, even I don’t always understand young mares. Jacinta has a few things to work out. I don’t suppose you’d like me to have a talk with her? Just to put things in perspective for her…”

Zip wanted to say to leave SSgt. Petals alone but if there was one thing drilled into his head it was to listen to and trust the ponies around him… especially his sergeants… when they could be trusted. And he trusted Sgt. Flare. This was part of her job, after all. Her experience couldn’t be overstated; he’d be totally at ease with a pony like her in charge. Even if she hadn’t asked or if he’d told her to keep away, he was confident she’d speak with SSgt. Petals anyway.

“If you’d be willing, Amethyst, please. I appreciate it. Just don’t be too hard on her. I unofficially gave her the rest of the day off.”

She nodded, “Don’t worry, sir.”

The sergeant paddled away; she’d probably be able to find SSgt. Petals. Zip was now unworried. His 1st Squad sergeant would say what had to be said.

It had been quite an eventful day. After chatting with Sgt. Clover and letting the other squad leaders know what was happening (though he strongly and rightfully believed Sgt. Flare knew what was up), Zip would make his way to company headquarters. It would be chow time in a couple hours. And after that, he’d get familiar with the paperwork requiring his attention.

Having enjoyed his dinner—it was better than the slop he’d eaten as a recruit or officer candidate—Zip began going through the stack of papers already cluttering his desk. It was a matter of read, record, and stamp. Then he came to the report SSgt. Petals had written earlier in the day, regarding Pvt. Mill.

Everything was there and by the books. His staff sergeant had left nothing out it seemed. She may have been a little terrifying but just looking at the records she’d been keeping told him he had a winner on his hooves. She’d done a better job with the platoon than she might have. Zip thought he might be able to relate: a young soldier sent away to some unfamiliar place to carry out what the greater military saw as a joke of a duty? If the air force had to send him to a place like Port City, at least he had some decent ponies to help him through.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard somepony knocking on his door, “Uh- uh, it’s open.”

Whether Zip should have been surprised or not he felt neither, really. SSgt. Petals entered.

She looked at him with even regard, “Lieutenant, I know you said we’d speak tomorrow but there are some things I should tell you. Do you have time?”

Zip was pleased to see SSgt. Petals; he was content to wait until the next day but her demeanor told him he probably wasn’t on any mental shitlist she was keeping.

“Of course, Sergeant. Please have a seat. I’m just getting familiar with things.”

She sat down, and he offered her water; it was all he kept around. She gratefully took a cup and sipped. Zip watched her a moment. The monsoon in her eyes that had his balls seeking shelter from the storm was indeed gone. She didn’t look cowed but at peace. He figured they could reach their understanding now.

She began, “First, before anything else, Lieutenant… I’m very sorry for the way I acted earlier. I kept up the front to the squad but… I was just awful to you when you came to find me after. And you’re just trying to do your job. I know the kind of… mess you’ve inherited from me. I just didn’t know how else to run things.”

Zip wasn’t about to let her rain all over herself, “Sergeant, you did what you could and what you thought was right. Don’t beat yourself up too much. Things just didn’t work out in the end.”

She fidgeted, “May I speak freely, sir?”

He smirked, “You’re not already? That was free speaking if ever I heard it.”

The sergeant huddled up a little, murmuring. Zip was sure she’d never show this side to anypony, except maybe Sgt. Flare.

Zip leaned back and chuckled, “It’s fine, Sergeant. Say what you will. And don’t ask me next time. I told you earlier that I was going to rely on you. I will the others as well but you’re the only staff I have. You achieved the rank of staff sergeant because you were good at what you did. Given the circumstances, you ran things as well as you knew how. What it must have been like to be sent out here… away from something you felt pride in doing. But what can I say about it? A week ago, I had rank hoofed to me I didn’t expect to see for another year or two, if that… I don’t think anypony in the company expected, or asked, to come out here.”

Staff Sergeant Petals sighed, “Amethyst told you some things, didn’t she? It’s alright… I know I’ve been overzealous with the platoon. She’s been trying to give me advice and I sometimes just blew her off. But I know, just as well as you do, we need to listen to each other. I… just didn’t know what else to do. I’m actually glad you sent her to talk with me—no point avoiding the subject—I know now just how poorly I was doing… where things could have gone…”

Zip decided since she was holding to honesty, he would too, “Amethyst asked me if I wanted her to talk with you. I said yes, of course, but she would’ve anyway. And I’m glad she did. You don’t need to say anything else about it if you don’t want to. I think we understand each other.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant. There’s something else.”

This got his attention, “Yes, Sergeant?”

She looked uncomfortable, “It’s about Pvt. Mill. Have you had time to look at his record? Or my report?”

Zip sighed, “Yes. Things don’t look good for him. It’s a sad record. He used to be a staff sergeant himself! Getting demoted that badly… I just don’t see how Sgt. Trove or the team let things go this far, as close as they are. And he even got better for a while, until a few days ago. The only reason he wasn’t stood up in front of Lt. Col. Spud, cashiered, and whipped against a post was he was too drunk to stand through a court today. I’m not looking forward to tomorrow… I’ve seen a few floggings in my day; once is more than enough.”

The sergeant spoke, “Lieutenant, since it’s come to a court I can legally tell you now. And you may want to pull in somepony from the psych ward, as well, if you want to know more. There’s something not on the report.”

Zip tilted his head, “And what might that be, Sergeant?”

“I don’t understand it… not in the army, at least to a degree. We still have a degree of privacy to respect and maintain regarding ponies. Since we’re not combat, they let things slide more than is probably wise. Pvt. Mill did get better. I convinced him to go to counseling. You read the report; you know what he’s got going on, at least as far as I could cover. He didn’t want his squad to know and I had to respect his privacy, by law.

“He was doing as well as he might have, but he kept slipping. I… stood up, or rather covered for him when I had doubts. It was stupid of me; I thought he could do it. Since he was at risk, I was obligated to speak up but things fell apart before I had the chance. That’s what you saw this morning… the end of it. I knew that was the end of it when I found him. There was nothing more I could do for him; I let him stay around until he failed, when I should’ve drummed him out when I thought to.”

Zip noticed a few tears in her eyes; he hoofed her a few tissues, “I understand, Sergeant. But you acted within the law and tried to help him. It isn’t your fault and you can’t be faulted. Try not to be so hard on yourself.”

She sniffled, “I know… But he must be punished, whether he could help himself or not. He has to go; he’s unfit to soldier, even here. I just can’t stand the thought of seeing him tied to that post and getting 10 lashes before he gets the boot.”

Zip sighed, “He won’t. I’m glad you told me though. He’ll get a psych discharge. It’s not the prettiest thing to have on your papers but he doesn’t merit lashes. He’ll be out and be able to get some help. I’ll speak to psych before the night’s over. They’ll talk with me if it’s this important.”

Looking most relieved, SSgt Petals exhaled, “I see, sir. Would you like me to come along?”

“You’ve already spoken to them today, right?”

“Yes, sir. Right after I finished the report.”

Zip rested easily with that, “Then don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine on my own. Thanks, though.”

“Yes, sir. I understand.”

He regarded her, “Will you be alright, Sergeant?”

She nodded, genuinely; she’d managed to dry her eyes, more or less, “I will, sir. Thank you very much. Anything else you need?”

He leaned forward, “Since you’re here, we can consider other matters for tomorrow. I want to look at things a couple days but we need to restructure the squads. You’ve been here, and you know everypony, so you’ll help me. We can balance things out and avoid any clannish behavior. We might even talk about some… platoon bonding exercises for the later week or the weekend. Since the squads can start on their own, meet me in company headquarters in the morning and we’ll plan things out. Then we’ll have to sit in on the court—you’re a witness after all—but we’ll make sure justice is done. We’ll see where the day goes from there. Sound good?”

She nodded, “Yes, sir. That sounds fine.”

“Great. Please… I see you’re in a better state than earlier but relax tonight. You look exhausted, so sleep well and don’t fret. Tomorrow’s another day.”

Staff Sergeant Petals grinned self-deprecatingly, “Yes, sir. I’ll take that advice. Thank you.”

Zip bobbed his head, pleased, “Will there be anything else, Sergeant?”

She took a moment but came back demurely, “Please, sir… call me Jacinta. At least when it’s just with us and around the other noncoms.”

Zip allowed himself a smile, “Gladly. Goodnight, Jacinta.”

She gave a little grin and left his office, “Goodnight, Lieutenant.”

Zip was just a little surprised. Jacinta had done a lot to protect Pvt. Mill, though rather than just protect she’d been trying to help him constructively. The private had a problem and he was getting help for it. An arrow as straight as her bending rules for some drunk beggared the imagination, even with what he now knew. It was messy, privacy laws, even in the military. The private could legally be seeking help and his squad leader be none the wiser. What he saw that morning was simply the end of a long struggle… for his platoon. It was only the beginning of Pvt. Mill’s trouble.

Dropping the preliminary paperwork for the court in his “out” tray, Zip leaned back in his chair. He remembered the captain’s invitation to join the other officers at the club. It would have been preferable to just relax and turn in; now that he had a proper bed, he’d be able to get a full night’s sleep again. Still, he figured he had to go. He had to be sociable with the others.

Zip knew what those clubs could be like. If the lieutenant colonel’s behavior and his captain’s tolerance and amusement at said behavior were any indication, he may have been on his way to a foul place. Admittedly, he was nervous about the inevitable presence of ladies of the night. The thought of a bunch of mares crawling around him had his stomach flip-flopping. He’d envied some of the other stallions he’d known at officer candidate school. Some of them could really swing a mare… No lingering virginity problems for them.

The lieutenant was also a teetotaler: he never touched alcohol or anything else. Some ponies gave him grief about this but the fact he didn’t drink saved his life and 29 other ponies. Well, his diarrhea saved them… forcing him to spend half the day in the outhouse at his old post. It was pure chance he had to go when he did. But his clear mind helped too. If more ponies had been sober that day, more may have had their wits and lived.

Zip wondered how that would’ve looked on his citation: “Sober officer candidate had a bad case of the trots and avoided getting cooked along with the real officers.” All the citation had said was he wasn’t cooked when the dragon came. Regardless, circumstances helped save lives. Deciding not to worry too much he set out for the downtown area. He’d dealt with peer pressure all his life and he wasn’t swayed. Maybe the bartender had pineapple squash. He might as well try to enjoy the night. He’d have to sit in for a court the next day.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Now on pretty good terms with his earnest staff sergeant and the other leaders in his platoon, Zip should be fine.

Next time, he works to strengthen and diversify his platoon's capabilities. It won't be as boring as it might sound and he'll even learn more about a few of his soldiers.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lieutenant Screamer is a hero of the main character.

Also, please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. It's a fun one to write.

Look for more Company Sunday after next.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

City by the Sea, Chapter 6: The Military Ball

City by the Sea, Chapter 4: Improvements

The clippity-clop of 49 ponies could be heard as they thundered through the low hills north of Port City. The sun hadn’t even fully risen on what looked to be a beautiful Friday morning. Battalion headquarters had received numerous complaints from the wealthy residents of the Hills about the noise but 3rd Platoon of A Company had begun to outperform everypony else… and only within a week-and-a-half of Lt. Zip Jetscream taking over. Trouble had ceased from the once problematic group; they left things to Zip… and were unconcerned with the complaints of those running the world.

Zip and SSgt. Jacinta Petals had really managed to amend things within the platoon. One thing they started doing were trots as a platoon. It was good to get some exercise, build cohesiveness, and have a little fun with singing some nasty trotting cadences.

Zip was happily trotting ahead of his platoon, Jacinta by his side, and his squad and team leaders flanking their respective ponies.

Smiling ear-to-ear, he belted out a march he’d learned as an officer candidate, receiving an echo from his platoon.

Down by the river

(Down by the river)

Took a little walk

(Took a little walk)

Met up with 1st Platoon

(Met up with 1st Platoon)

Had a little talk

(Had a little talk)

We pushed 'em

(We pushed 'em)

We shoved 'em

(We shoved 'em)

We threw 'em in the river

(We threw 'em in the river)

Watched as they drowned

(Watched as they drowned)

We don't need no 1st hanging around

(We don't need no 1st hanging around)

OORAH!

(OORAH!)

Everypony chattered happily and a few laughed. There was nothing like a good marching song to keep a pony moving. And with the huge array of ponies from all areas of the army, every one of them probably knew a few nopony else had heard.

Zip had taken to letting anypony lead them in a chant; it was good fun. He knew 3rd Squad was itching to do one, so he called on Cpls. Razor Wire and Stardust Painter.

“3rd Squad! Why don’t you give us one?”

Corporal Wire cackled, “Yessir!”

I wanna rape, kill, pillage, and burn

(I wanna rape, kill, pillage, and burn)

And eat dead babies

(And eat dead-)

Jacinta bellowed, looking back, “You will cease that at once, Corporal!”

The rest of the platoon laughed or cringed but were generally amused; even a few of the mares thought it was kind of funny. Zip shook his head, laughing… his former combat squad knew some foul marching tunes. Stuff like that was normal, though. It took a certain kind of pony for army life, anyway.

Zip turned to Jacinta, “Sergeant… there’s no need for Sgt. ‘Sourpuss’ this early in the day. It’s just a little trotting tune.”

She glared at him, “Lieutenant! That 'little trotting tune' is sick and has been outlawed by the top brass!”

Zip glanced sideways, smirking, “And a bunch of humorless pricks they were!”

She glared daggers at him; he’d learned to read her pretty well and decided to abandon the immediate argument. When Jacinta gave a death stare, it was best to back off.

Zip waved a hoof, “Alright, alright, alright… Cpl. Painter! You give us one.”

“Will do, sir!”

Everypony, let’s all sing

(Everypony, let’s all sing)

Thermite burns through anything

(Thermite-)

----------

Jacinta hollered, a vein poking out of her neck, “Damn it, Corporal! Enough! No more!”

The platoon rocked with laughter. Zip shook his head; it was a nasty cadence. They’d tried singing it a couple days before. There was a part about sticking dynamite in a donkey’s ass and sending him into a Griffinstone orphanage… Jacinta hadn’t let it get any further than that. Zip made a mental note to ask somepony later how the rest of it went. His sides had hurt all day from laughing at what little had been heard.

Zip, lately feeling much more spontaneous than he’d ever been, playfully argued softly enough so nopony else could hear, “Oh, where’s your sense of fun, Jacinta? Did you kill it and bury it behind the latrine?”

Jacinta blustered at him, more quietly than she had been, “Don’t call me by name in front of everypony else!”

The rest of the platoon saw them bicker but couldn’t hear it. It was clear, after their brief time together, the two got along famously but she was often at his throat about half the stuff they did as a platoon and he goaded her heavily about even more things. They’d become friends.

Sergeant Amethyst Flare called up, tired of the quarreling, “Lieutenant! Give us another!”

He yelled back, “Sure thing, Sergeant!”

Jacinta was going to hate this. Zip already began to evade her inevitable retaliation.

“3rd Platoon! Repeat after me!”

Sergeant, Sergeant, she’s so mean

(Sergeant, Sergeant, she’s so mean)

Somepony pissed in her canteen

(Somepony pissed in her canteen)

As Zip expected Jacinta was already after him, his platoon guffawing at their antics.

Jacinta was blanching, “Lieutenant, please stop!”

But Zip went on, kind of making it up as he went.

When she found out it was Trip

(When she found out it was Trip) (Spc. Trip Wire was jostled as she giggled at the line)

Sarge pulled out her horsey whip

(Sarge pulled out her horsey whip)

Zip was now flying, keeping just out of Jacinta’s reach. His little staff sergeant was livid, and his platoon was barely able to keep formation, falling all over themselves, laughing. They only laughed because it was in good fun; Jacinta was just overreacting a little.

Then she tied Trip to a bed

(Then she tied Trip to a bed)

Zip had swung too low and Jacinta pulled him back down.

She was blushing like he never thought she’d be able to, “Lieutenant! You’re in for it when we do combat drill, later!”

Trying to remain stern no matter what, it was impossible for her to hide all her amusement; she enjoyed the silliness more than she let on. The good spirit of the platoon the last week had been as welcome as apple pie and ice cream for dessert. It felt great for her to help run a good outfit again. But part of her job was keeping things reigned in.

Zip regained his hooves and continued to trot, “You’re on, Sergeant.”

They continued their trot as the sun came up, sharing fun tunes and good cheer.

In the later part of the summer, commerce died down abruptly but would pick up again come autumn. South Port’s A Company ran eight docks as opposed to 12, so each platoon only worked 12 hours a day, with 18 hours of dock activity for the company, 4:00 to 22:00. This meant a split-shift for one platoon, which was rotated weekly. Zip’s platoon worked from 10:00 to 22:00 that week, allowing them morning exercises and training a couple days a week after breakfast.

As they fell out for breakfast, Jacinta couldn’t help but admire Zip’s work with the platoon. Consulting her, he’d kept the squad and team leaders the same. But they reassigned many ponies to different squads to divide them up. All the squads had magic users, at least one engineer and maintenance pony, ponies good with logistics, and the combat soldiers were spread out. None of the squads “specialized” in anything anymore other than their leaders. And anypony whose specific skill was needed, it was a matter of them leaving to quickly attend the issue at hoof.

It worked even better than Zip expected. Things were well-rounded and each squad’s efficiency equaled what Sgt. Sweet Clover’s original squad, logistics, had before the new setup. He’d even spoken to Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, his 3rd Squad leader away with the injured leg, over a crystal ball; it would be good to have him back… next month. Zip would have to keep Cpls. Wire and Painter in the lead for the time being but they’d done just fine without Jacinta breathing down their necks.

Watching his platoon trot to clean up before chow, Zip decided to go back to company headquarters. He’d clean up and have his own breakfast. He mused about Jacinta putting the hurt on him later. She could try; he learned he’d been trained to specifically deal with her style of fighting, without even knowing it and she hadn’t beaten him yet but it wasn’t ever any less scary seeing her put the polish on somepony. A couple training sessions with the platoons showed him plenty of interesting tricks some of the ponies knew.

“Zip!” a voice called.

Zip looked over; it was 2nd Lt. Treehorn, the leader of the company’s 2nd Platoon.

“Hey, Treehorn,” Zip greeted him. “Weren’t you stuck with the split-shift this week? What are you doing here this time of day?”

The other lieutenant hoofed the back of his neck, “More trouble… my staff sergeant and I just had to dump a couple privates off with the MPs late last night. We were just writing a report for the captain… Fighting again. How do you and SSgt. Petals deal with it?”

It was difficult for Zip to explain why. Trusting his squad leaders and pulling Jacinta to her proper position by his side, along with the rearrangements, saw their problems solved.

“I wish I could tell you, Treehorn…” Zip shrugged. “Things just started to work out when Jacinta and I sat down and planned things out.”

Second Lt. Treehorn came in close, almost in disbelief, “You call SSgt. Petals by name?”

Zip cocked his head, “You don’t call your staff and leaders by name?”

“Oh, no… I don’t think they’d like that. My staff sergeant practically runs the platoon. He calls me ‘sir’ out of formality, I think. Same with some others… Got any pointers?”

The Pegasus couldn’t think of much to say… He’d met Lt. Treehorn at the officers’ club his first night on duty. Zip wanted to like the guy but found it somewhat difficult. He lacked confidence. Zip was unsure which he disliked more… the lack of spine with some of the officers or the arrogance of some of them. Zip could tell the lieutenant to be more confident and “set his sergeant straight” but that would do nopony any good. 2nd Platoon would be no better off. They had the worst service record in the battalion but their record wasn’t particularly bad. They did the job and cargo moved.

Zip hadn’t realized until well after he’d done it but taking the platoon away from Jacinta and “setting her straight” had taken some balls in the eyes of others. It was almost unheard of to just pull command away from a platoon sergeant as he had. But Zip did what was best for the platoon; he knew it in his brains, heart, guts, and balls he was doing the right thing. And nopony argued it was for the best, especially Jacinta. Things were peachy now.

Second Lt. Treehorn was a recent graduate from officer candidate school who’d been in Port City a couple months. He’d never seen combat and had trained to be a supply officer. He was sent there, as Zip had been, to fill a hole when they reformed the company. If Zip was clueless about the ladies then Lt. Treehorn was downright awkward with them. He was terrified of mares; Zip was merely uncomfortable with prostitutes hanging all over him. Zip found the pineapple squash he’d so hoped to find (it was good, fresh stuff as well) and was able to watch the night slide into drunken debauchery. The only reason he stuck around was to watch over a moderately inebriated Lt. Treehorn, the latter so very out of his element.

And was there ever a holy shitload of hookers at the officers’ club! There were no female officers in the battalion. And no wives… Some of the officers had wives but none came to the club. And Lt. Col. Red Spud seemed to like it that way, able to do most anything he wanted. The officers under him loved the good food, booze, and female company with which the place was rife and the lieutenant colonel gave them all they could want.

Not all the mares that hung out at the officers’ club were hookers. Many were factory workers or laborers looking to hook up with an army stallion. Zip was familiar with this: some filly or mare from Assfuck, Nowheresville (or even large cities like Port City) would try to hook an officer as a husband in hopes of seeing the world. It was often done by trying to get knocked-up.

Maybe it was that way in the air force and navy… maybe even the greater army. But transfers away from Port City were rare. As earlier stated, problems were sent there to die or disappear. So, all such leeches would wind up with was a husband with a dead-end position, a screaming foal, and more of the same miserable/mediocre life they’d hoped to escape. And it would remain so until divorce or death intervened.

Back to the subject of the officers’ club, Zip had been appalled but unsurprised at what went on. He was working for some real assholes with some real problems. Captain Stone Rig, married for nine years, had received a successful hoofjob under his table, through his uniform, from some 16-year-old filly half his age. He later staggered around, a great stain spreading down the leg of his uniform as he went for another drink. That and many other magical things were witnessed.

Zip, spending his life sober, knew just how far to keep out of the way and he could watch everything fall apart from a safe distance. He’d only gone back a couple times and only when invited by a ranking officer.

To Lt. Treehorn there was little to say, “I don’t know, Treehorn. Just trust your sergeant. You’ll learn the ropes.”

It was the best thing, while still being truthful, Zip could tell him. Zip barely knew what he was doing but was surrounded by good ponies he’d quickly made a goal of befriending. Maybe he’d just gotten lucky.

“Well, good talking, Zip,” Lt. Treehorn murmured. “I better get back to the docks.”

Zip had cleaned himself up and made his way to the company officers’ mess. It wasn’t really a mess. There were four officers in the company; they sat at a table behind a row of offices. Since 2nd Lt. Treehorn and 1st Lt. Hoop, 1st Platoon’s officer, were out on duty, Zip found himself alone.

But as Zip scooped up a plate of the recently delivered breakfast, Captain Rig entered.

“Good morning, Zip. Your platoon seems to be in good spirits,” the captain had a shiner going; a brawl had broken out at the officers’ club over a spilled drink the night before.

Zip tried not to think about the captain’s black eye, “Good morning, Captain. We had a pretty good run, today. I’m even seeing SSgt. Petals loosen up a bit.”

He wouldn’t call his staff sergeant by name in front of any of his superiors; they had little respect for Jacinta and Zip used her name because he respected her.

Captain Rig blew off Zip’s comment regarding Jacinta, “You should’ve seen Hoop last night, Zip. He took three fillies to bed with him… That’s a stallion among stallions! He even outdrank the colonel!”

The closest full colonel was off with the greater brigade, further inland; sometimes Lt. Col. Red Spud was just called "the colonel".

Regarding his fellow officers, Zip didn’t care much for Lt. Treehorn. He’d had little opportunity to meet anypony from the other companies… they’d been too shitfaced and too busy otherwise. But Zip knew he really didn’t like Lt. Hoop. Lt. Hoop had the kind of record Spc. Beach had. Spc. Beach was the stallion from his erstwhile combat platoon Jacinta had put in a wheelchair… Well, he still hadn’t woken up from his coma and if he did the noose was still waiting for him.

Lieutenant Hoop led by fear. He was a unicorn of vicious temperament; not very talented magically, he could still direct it in some very nasty ways. He barely had to exercise his authority; his troops were terrified of him. He’d been an Equestrian Ranger, blooded in combat on the other side of the world and hailed a hero… He was also recently found not guilty of war crimes due to lack of evidence. To avoid trouble he’d been sent to Port City to hang out with the rest of the army’s rejects. The guy made Zip’s skin crawl and Zip wasn’t the nervous type. One knows evil when it’s encountered.

Also, Lt. Hoop was pissed that 3rd Platoon, the joke of A Company and the battalion, had suddenly become the best, pushing his platoon’s performance to the runner-up position. The best platoon was afforded certain benefits, one of them never having to do the split-shift. There was a reason Zip cited 1st Platoon in his morning cadence. He shouldn’t have, though… He could smell trouble brewing.

Zip was pulled from his thoughts by the captain, “So, Zip, why don’t you come back to the club much?”

He could’ve told the truth, and he did, just not all of it, “Finishing up the last shift really takes it out of me. After the morning exercise and keeping an eye on everypony for 12 hours, I’m ready for shuteye, Captain.”

“Well, stop by next week. I’m giving you the early shift. Consider it thanks for straightening up your platoon. You’ve no idea what a relief it was to avoid that court martial with Pvt. Mill.”

Pvt. Mill had received a medical discharge and was spared his flogging. The others Jacinta had whooped on never got lashes either. Two of them were “too injured” to take it, and were just drummed out, and Spc. Beach was probably going to die in a hospital bed before he ever swung from a rope. Zip was just glad to be rid of the problem of the drunken private.

“Thanks, Captain,” Zip managed.

It was better than the late shift…

The captain was merely passing through to fill up a plate; he took breakfast in his office, “Keep up the good work, Zip. And do join us at the officers’ club tonight. I insist.”

Zip marshaled a smile, “I’d be glad to, Captain.”

The captain exited, leaving Zip to his own devices. Zip sat there. Did he want to go? Of course he didn’t want to go. Things had been getting tense at the officers’ club. Too many fights… They barely had any time on their hooves to begin with but the officers still seemed bored. And bored soldiers do stupid things… like fight and drink and fuck in excess. Also, Zip wanted to avoid Lt. Hoop… especially if he was drunk.

Surprising to Zip, disorderly conduct in the battalion wasn’t as bad at the platoon level. The enlisted ponies had fewer inhibitions, having less responsibility and not having to set the kind of example an officer might. All the platoons got up to some mischief but it was minimal and mostly harmless.

Even Zip’s platoon was occasionally guilty of shenanigans but his soldiers were hanging out, bonding, and enjoying themselves. Since the restructuring all the squads were getting along and were invested in one another. He was proud. And if one or two overdid it the night before, he brushed it off if it wasn’t a recurring issue; so far it hadn’t been. Zip wished it was more acceptable for officers to fraternize with their soldiers. Anypony lower than a sergeant was considered improper for casual officer relations.

Deciding not to concern himself with technicalities he could always remind himself their platoon trots and other exercises filled this void. Zip enjoyed his breakfast but didn’t eat too much… Jacinta would try to work him over in drill that morning if she meant what she’d said on the run. And so far, Jacinta had proved to be a mare of her word.

“It’s just a normal throw over the shoulders… So… you put a hoof like so… lean forward slightly… and they’ll come right over your shoulder,” Jacinta explained to the ponies assembled.

So, with a hoof placed under Cpl. Raspberry Jam’s front leg, Jacinta heaved and sent him flying over her head. She controlled his fall, letting him down gently enough onto his back in the grass of the parade field.

Jacinta looked to the platoon, “Naturally, you’d use their weight to really plant them but this is just a drill.”

She helped up Cpl. Jam and he joined the others.

Jacinta eyed everypony, a little smirk crossing her lips, “Now… is there anypony that can stop me from doing that to them? Any ‘victims’ or other volunteers out there?”

Zip was glad to see Jacinta lightening up. It was strange for the platoon but it beat her being scary… Not that her being cheerful was any less terrifying.

The little staff sergeant began to pace, “Nopony?! Not even one of you is willing to take a crack at it?”

She eyed her commanding officer, the little smile widening. Zip knew she was throwing him some very clumsy, awkward, half-assed bait but it still had him shuddering. She wanted to try it on him as payback for making fun of her that morning. She wouldn’t hurt him but it would knock the wind out of him. Still, it wouldn’t make him look bad in front of the platoon. Nopony else in the company would be able to best Jacinta in sparring… or a real fight, apparently. Zip wasn’t sure if he could stop Jacinta from throwing him. And he didn’t feel like being planted on his back. He had wings, unlike the rest of them.

Picking up on Jacinta’s playful attempt at a scrap with Zip, Sgt. Flare call out to Zip, “C’mon, Lieutenant! Show us how it’s done!”

The ponies cheered in agreement; they had grown to love their lieutenant but who wouldn’t want to see their commanding officer eat a little dirt? Zip was lounging against a tree; his eyes met with Sgt. Flare’s, hers looking mischievous. Zip smiled and relented, beginning his stride to meet Jacinta.

He joined eyes with Sgt. Flare, No tricks, Amethyst…

She playfully pointed to herself, an innocent expression on her face, Who? Me?

I mean it… Zip countered.

She smiled, I know… No tricks.

The platoon cheered again as Zip faced Jacinta. Either way, this would be good.

“Okay, Lieutenant,” Jacinta began. “I want you to come at me. This is for real. Anything you want to try… Platoon: watch.”

Zip hadn’t seen this particular move before that day but it wasn’t unlike some of the other things in Jacinta’s repertoire. He knew how to fall on his back, so even if she could toss him he’d be okay.

She breathed in and took a ready stance. Zip shrugged and bolted in, hoping to take out her legs and plant her on her back.

It wasn’t difficult to see what he was up to and she was able to intercept him. He felt her weight shift and he countered it. Even with her hoof under his front leg she couldn’t budge him. Her eyes showed a stricken light. She was in for it.

Zip could’ve made a show out of it but chose not to. He simply placed a hoof where he’d noted and sent her over his head, setting her down gently. He smiled down to her and she looked a little… astonished.

The platoon, at first unable to react, jumped up, whooping and hollering. Sgt. Flare was laughing and roughly hoofing Cpl. Little Song, who was squee-ing.

Zip hauled Jacinta to her hooves, “I didn’t think I’d be able to do that. I-”

Jacinta did something he never expected to see out of her. She blushed... and not in the flustered way he'd seen when he goaded her, sometimes. Hell, she looked like a cherry. She tried to look away, unable to look him in the eye. It sure caught Zip off guard, seeing her in such a fashion.

“Uh… Sergeant?”

Suddenly, Jacinta put her hoof under his leg and tossed him like a ragdoll. Zip managed to react and at least landed properly. He did lose his wind, however. She’d really let him have it.

His platoon, just as surprised as he was, looked on.

Jacinta, still a little flushed but with a wide smile, offered a hoof to Zip, “Let that be a lesson to you, Lieutenant. Don’t let your guard down.”

3rd Platoon cheered and laughed anew. Things were never boring with Zip and Jacinta running the show.

Zip looked to the sky… She’d faked him out. With Jacinta’s assistance, Zip got to his hooves to the peals of laughter. He shook himself, finding a few things cracked as he adjusted himself.

Not all that embarrassed but wanting to get everypony on track, he called out, “Okay, settle down. Everypony get in groups of four or five and practice the throws we've learned. SSgt. Petals will walk around to check your form.”

They had his orders and Zip took another minute to straighten himself out. He ached. She’d really gotten him. And if the platoon got a kick out of it he was fine with it. It was that demure little look she gave him… that vulnerability shining through. It was something she had in spades; he’d seen it. Whether it was real or not in this case, it had thrown him for a loop. He always forgot mares could weaponize their charms.

So, Zip sat out, nursing his aches, while his platoon happily continued their grappling exercises under Jacinta.

3rd Platoon arrived at the docks right on schedule. 2nd Platoon was most relieved. They only had six hours in between each of their shifts so that meant sleeping twice in a day. It was never an easy adjustment but now they’d be able to rest or get some more sleep. They were always tired. Though, the ponies stuck with the split-shift had a few benefits. They were fed better food than the others and were given four meals a day instead of three… and all they wanted. But they’d still rather not have to work the split-shift. But until they could outperform 1st and 3rd Platoon, they’d be stuck with it every other week.

But Zip and the others figured it was better Lt. Treehorn and his ponies than them. Content with that, each squad took a dock and the teams split their duties.

For the last couple days, Zip and Jacinta had been going around together, overseeing inspections and small repairs of equipment among other things. Spc. Wire was along for the ride; since she’d fixed 4th Squad’s dock-lift with Zip’s assistance his first day, more and more had been going wrong with it. The lift had become outdated and the rest of the lifts needed replacing too. Spc. Wire knew her mechanics and it was obvious they were in for a catastrophic failure sometime in the future if they didn’t overhaul or replace all the lifts.

The battalion didn’t want to spend the money and the little specialist was worrying herself sick over the condition of some of their equipment. She’d appealed to Lt. Col. Spud himself, all but begging they begin to replace the lift on each dock, even in a gradual manner. He’d blown her off. So, Spc. Wire went along with her platoon leaders to keep an eye on things. All they could hope to do was maintain until battalion saw fit to honor their needs.

Upon leaving Sgt. Flare’s 1st Squad, Zip inquired of Spc. Wire, “Trip… do you have the part we need in the inventory?”

The little mare fretted, “Yes, Lieutenant, but another lift needs the same part, probably more than Sgt. Flare’s… I only have one. Sir, this is getting bad. I could machine another gear but our shop’s equipment likely isn’t precise enough. First off, that’s… against the law anyway… and it just wouldn’t work. And it’ll be a week until we see another shipment; I sent off for all the parts needed and a few I know we’ll need.”

Zip nodded, “We’ll have to make do. Just do what you can.”

Specialist Wire spoke to Jacinta, “Sergeant, thanks a lot for helping me with the allocation. I know it was asking a lot of our budget…”

Jacinta waved it off, “It’s okay, Trip (Jacinta had taken to calling some squad and team leaders by name in less formal situations), I trust your judgment on things. And we’ll use everything, I’m sure.”

Specialist Wire sighed, “I brought the gear along with me. I have a feeling 3rd Squad will need it. That’s the end of it until the new shipment comes.”

The three headed to Cpls. Wire’s and Painter’s squad.

Seeing his little sister, Cpl. Wire beamed, “Hey there, sis. Sgt. Flare doing alright?”

She smiled, “She needs repairs too, Razor, but first I want to take a look at your lift. Is it still seizing up?”

The lift on the dock was down, figuratively and literally. A private named Birch with a knack for mechanics, less impressive than Spc. Wire but respectable enough, was tinkering under the lift.

He pulled out from under the lift, “We haven’t tried any load-bearing. But it doesn’t seem to be the gear we talked about. It seized up with only a ton on it. It moves fine when unencumbered but we've only brought it up a couple notches.”

This was good news for Sgt. Flare; her lift might be running smoothly again shortly. It was bad news for everypony else; Spc. Wire didn’t like hearing this and if what she suspected had occurred, they were in trouble.

Looking underneath the lift, Spc. Wire saw no leakage, “Great… It looks like we have a broken fucking seal internally.”

Zip was no mechanic but he knew that was bad, “I’m guessing that’s not something you can just fix…”

Specialist Wire shook her head, “Actually, I probably could. We’d have to open it up out here to look… It would be a day or two of work—would have to be in the enclosed shop for the actual repair—but it’s something I can do if I have a couple helpers.”

It wasn’t the worst news.

Jacinta inquired, “What’s next, Specialist?”

“We’ll want to do it carefully… but it should be safe. We keep our distance and activate the lift. I want to watch and listen before cracking it open.”

With that, activity on the dock was suspended a few minutes while they tested the lift. Spc. Wire and the private mechanic were closest to the lift; they had to inspect up close. The machine was inherently dangerous; all machines are potentially so but they’d taken reasonable precautions. With no actual load, activating the lift was no more dangerous than anything else.

The little specialist called out, “Cpl. Painter… activate the lift. Nice and slow. Up to the first notch.”

He was at the controls, “Okay, Spc. Wire.”

With everypony clear, Cpl. Painter started the lift. Spc. Wire and Pvt. Birch observed the lift to the first point of elevation. Nothing yet. Spc. Wire nodded for the next point. Still nothing. They brought it up one more.

Hearing the whine issuing from the lift, Spc. Wire knew she’d been right.

She couldn’t help herself cussing, “Stop the lift! Motherfucker! It's an internal seal… Okay… at least I know. Now… bring it back down slowly.”

The corporal did so. And the catastrophic breakdown Spc. Wire had so dreaded occurred. An outer seal blew at the seams, spraying hydraulic fluid everywhere. The lift didn’t ease itself down; it crumbled under its own weight.

Specialist Wire jumped back, but Pvt. Birch couldn’t. He was pinned by a section of the lift. He hollered in pain.

It was only a piece of the lift and everything had settled so it was safe to move in. Zip and a few squad members lifted the fallen piece while Jacinta deftly hauled the private to safety. His leg was broken.

It was the tibia of the back-left leg. Even with the resounding clang of the section, they’d heard the snap of his leg.

Cringing, Zip put out instructions, “SSgt. Petals! You and a few tend to him. And check to see nopony else is injured. I’m going to retrieve a medic.”

Zip flew off.

Zip made it to the infirmary; he called out to the staff, “I need a medical team out on Dock #3! Broken leg. One of you, hop on my back.”

A little mare medic did so, and he spirited her back to the dock, her hooves wrapped around his neck.

The medic was able to begin helping the private and within a couple minutes, the other medics showed up.

Zip looked on in sympathy. He’d broken a leg when he was a colt. It wasn’t as bad a break as he’d seen but it was definitely broken. A compound fracture, a trickle of blood dripped down the private’s leg. In quite a bit of pain, he managed to keep quiet as the medics tended to him as the rest of the squad looked on.

Corporal Wire comforted his sister. She was pretty upset with what happened. But it wasn’t anypony’s fault… other than their higher-ups for ignoring problems. It was an accident—a preventable one—but an accident. Spc. Wire had done everything right, as had everypony else.

The rest of the squad was ill at ease. And it was obvious something was very wrong with Cpl. Painter. He looked… ill.

Zip approached his corporal, “Corporal?”

Zip hadn’t bothered looking too deeply at Cpl. Painter’s file. He had 48 ponies to keep an eye on; knowing everything wasn’t feasible. If he had looked he’d know why the corporal was sent to Port City. At the sight of the bloodied, broken leg, Cpl. Painter swooned and fainted. His head hit the dock with a healthy thump. Cpl. Painter had seen more than the average soldier and had developed an advanced case of hemophobia whilst on the front lines… the fear of blood. It was news to Zip.

One of the medics hollered, “Oh, what now?!”

3rd Squad was looking both worried and guilty. Today wasn’t their day…

So, the medics called for another stretcher and hauled away two members of 3rd Squad. This left the platoon… 47 ponies. And that morning they’d had 49.

After making sure they’d have no more casualties, Zip left Cpl. Wire in charge and pulled Spc. Blue Porter from 2nd Squad to help 3rd Squad the rest of the afternoon. Zip let Sgt. Sweet Clover know his specialist might be gone a few days. Zip brought Jacinta with him; both were witnesses and would be able to fill out the accident report. Cpl. Wire would be able to fill out his own later.

Zip wanted to give Spc. Wire another moment to relax but they had things to attend to. She was the “star” witness, knowing how and why things had failed.

Zip, Jacinta, and Spc. Wire had made it about halfway to company headquarters when Zip noticed his staff sergeant looking quite ill. Her face had lost color and she was looking rather green behind the gills.

“Jacinta?” Zip eyed her worriedly.

Her legs shook and she just about lost her balance. Spc. Wire managed to keep her on her hooves.

“Sergeant?” the little specialist worried.

Zip helped to sit Jacinta down; she’d come close to fainting. But she didn’t quite get there.

“I’m sorry, Lieutenant…” she croaked. “I didn’t think I’d feel sick after seeing that.”

Zip lamented, “Oh, Jacinta… I really wish you’d told me you were feeling ill.”

But it wasn’t a normal illness. Zip had seen a couple recruits and even officer candidates do this. Jacinta was close to having a panic attack. For the second time since meeting her, he saw Jacinta tear up. Spc. Wire looked on worriedly.

“I’m sorry, Lieutenant… I… felt a little ill after those three from 3rd Squad attacked me. But seeing that happen to Pvt. Birch… I wasn’t expecting it to put me down like this.”

Zip bemoaned again, this time to himself. Hemophilia and battle fatigue and anxiety… His platoon had some issues but for soldiers it was sadly sometimes part of their trade.

Giving Jacinta a few minutes, the three then made it company headquarters. Zip had a feeling they’d wind up at battalion headquarters for such a foul-up.

It sickened Zip things went far enough that one of his platoon could have been killed by faulty equipment. Zip was very glad a broken leg was all Pvt. Birch suffered. It was unfortunate but would wake up the ponies on high and give them reason to upgrade or replace equipment.

They set about to writing the incident report.

Zip decided to take a walk to the infirmary around evening chow time. Food had been delivered to his squads and Jacinta and Spc. Wire were checking up on a few other things.

They had wound up at battalion headquarters. Lt. Col. Spud was quite unhappy to see them. Zip suspected they’d interrupted some stupidity he was up to. Jacinta was loath to talk to him but Spc. Wire spoke plainly about what they needed. Lt. Col. Spud wasn’t glad to hear it but he agreed with a plan to immediately begin phasing out older equipment. It was the best anypony could hope for. Hoping his platoon wasn’t on any shit-list now, Zip led the two mares out, returning to duty.

Zip was most impressed with his little specialist. She was earnest and had a confidence he wished to see in any leader. She was like a less violent Jacinta with a better sense of humor and was less of a stick-in-the-mud… if Jacinta was a mechanic rather than a supply officer.

Zip greeted the civilian receptionist and was directed to Pvt. Birch’s room. He found the private lounging, looking bored.

“Private.”

The private looked up, “Oh, Lieutenant!”

His charge tried to sit up but Zip waved him down, “Just relax, Private… It’s alright. I suppose I shouldn’t even ask but how’s the leg?”

Private Birch winced, “Not as bad as it could’ve been. It looked worse than it was but it was a clean break. I know how bad it could’ve been. Eight weeks should see it heal up. I can do desk duty in a few days. It hurts but the healers have helped with that.”

Zip smiled, “Well, you’re in luck. You’ll be able to help SSgt. Petals and I with some paperwork.”

“Whatever you need, sir… How’s Spc. Wire?”

Zip felt pretty blessed his soldiers cared about each other, “She’s fine, Private. She knows as well as anypony else it was an accident. Shit happens, even if it’s preventable shit.”

Private Birch chuckled, “I bet the captain and the colonel shit when they heard about it.”

Zip laughed back, “Oh, they were none too pleased. But that shit just secured us some new equipment. By the time you’re back with us, you’ll have a new machine to worry about falling on you.”

Private Birch grimaced, “Well, at least something good came out of this.”

Zip hoofed Pvt. Birch’s shoulder, “Rest easy, Private. In a few days I’ll see you’re set up with something until you’re able to return to full-duty.”

The private settled in, “Yes, sir… I guess you’ll be visiting Cpl. Painter. He’s awake.”

Zip hadn’t known, “I will be. Good night, Private.”

“Good night, Lieutenant.”

Zip left the room and went to find Cpl. Painter. He had half-a-mind to let it go for the evening; he had a feeling the corporal wasn’t feeling much like company. But he had to see him.

Zip entered the slightly darkened room; Cpl. Painter was staring at a wall, his head wrapped up. He’d only suffered a minor concussion but popped open a line in his scalp, requiring stitches. He’d be able to return to duty in a couple days.

“Corporal…”

The corporal looked up, “Oh… Lieutenant…”

Zip closed the door behind him. While still poorly perceptive, he had a feeling the door was best left shut. The lieutenant was already second-guessing his decision to come. There were two types of ponies in the world: those that took things out of their control in stride and those that tore themselves down over it. Zip didn’t know what kind Cpl. Painter was.

“I’m sorry for the trouble, Lieutenant. I got pulled off my old duty when I developed my problem. But it’s hard to escape the blood. I could be taking care of a foal and the little one could still get a bloody nose if the air’s dry.”

To Zip’s relief Cpl. Painter took things in stride, “I can’t relate, and it might not mean much from me, but don’t sweat it. It is what it is. Just try to sit down the next time you feel woozy. You have my permission even if you’re supposed to be at attention.”

The corporal laughed at Zip’s joke, “Yes, sir. Don’t worry, sir. I know a stallion’s measure isn’t by the guts he can handle… But, oh, is it ever a lousy thing for a soldier to deal with.”

“Well, rest easy. Things’ll be okay a couple days without you. Cpl. Wire will be able to handle things and I’ll pull somepony to your squad if need be.”

Corporal Painter tried to relax, “I hear you, Lieutenant. Anything else, sir?”

Zip smiled, “I’ve been meaning to ask you how the rest of that cadence goes…”

His sides still hurting from the laughter he let loose upon hearing the rest of that nasty little marching tune, Zip made his way to the officers’ club a little after 23:00. Everything hurt, on top of being sore from Jacinta’s throw earlier in the day. He’d been laughing so hard, he found it hard to eat. Jacinta had scolded him for acting so stupid and when she got him to admit why he was having his giggle fit, she was even more frustrated at the simple-minded tastelessness stallions seemed to go for.

But Zip didn’t worry about Jacinta’s questionable taste regarding that which was funny. He’d take her advice on most anything else but doubted the development of her funny bone.

Nevertheless, it didn't exactly look good when an officer was kicked out of a hospital for laughing too loudly.

Still chuckling, Zip made his way inside the club. It was rather busy, being a Friday night. Some of the officers had fewer responsibilities on Saturday, so instead of waiting for Saturday night to cut loose and recover Sunday, they chose to enjoy Friday and suffer through Saturday. It didn’t matter. It was none of Zip’s problem. Realizing everypony was already three winds to the sheet, Zip went to sit down at the bar.

The old stallion behind the bar was a civilian, “Good evening, Lt. Jetscream. Same as usual? Made up a fresh batch this morning.”

Zip nodded, “Sounds fine, Acer.”

Zip watched Acer fill a tall glass with ice, followed by the strong pineapple syrup. Add some water, a little garnish, and that’s pineapple squash.

The lieutenant gladly sipped on the beverage and turned to watch the shit-show. Zip was enjoying himself as much as he could... then Lt. Treehorn showed up.

“Hey, Zip,” he slurred.

Zip didn’t get it; Lt. Treehorn had only been there an hour and he was already drunk. It didn’t take long, he supposed.

“Treehorn. How’d the last shift go for you?”

“Better than yours, I think. A broken leg and a concussion in the same afternoon… Shee-yit!”

Zip was already tiring of his company, “So, what’s up?”

Lieutenant Treehorn pointed a hoof, “Captain and the colonel want to see you.”

Zip sighed, seeing the two stallions a distance away; he hoofed his drink and went to them.

The lieutenant colonel greeted him jovially and drunkenly, “Zip! Good to see you, son. Take a seat”

Zip did. It sure hadn’t been “good to see him” earlier in the day. Lt. Col. Spud looked like he’d bust a nut when he’d heard what it would cost to upgrade or replace the lifts.

Captain Rig was downing a large mug of beer, seemingly carefree at the moment.

“I’m sorry for yelling earlier, Zip…” Lt. Col. Spud rumbled. “You’ve got enough on your hooves without worrying about old equipment… Some of the losers you’ve got working for you... Broken legs and scared of blood… The captain and I will try to send a few fresh ones your way. Battalion has about a dozen transfers coming in next week from Manehattan… all the way across Equestria. We’ll see you get some good ones.”

Zip loathed anypony calling his platoon losers. After setting things right, he couldn’t ask for a better bunch of ponies. But of course, he kept his mouth shut about that.

“Thanks, Colonel,” Zip decided to say. “We’ve been without a full complement more than a month now.”

The captain belched, “Well, today was an accident. Other than that, you’ve given us nothing but good things. You deserve the best.”

“I’m grateful, Captain,” Zip said with some genuine feeling. “I know I just got here but you have us on that special detail in the morning. Gotta turn in.”

The captain waved a hoof, “Oh, right. The sugar merchants were delayed… Well, see it done.”

“Yes, Captain.”

Lieutenant Colonel Spud pulled Zip in and chuckled, “You might wanna watch out for Hoop. He’s not exactly pleased about playing second banana to an airpony. Thanks to your stellar performance this week, his 1st Platoon gets split-shift next week.”

The captain and the colonel laughed nastily at this. Zip took it upon himself to leave; he just wanted to get out. Little did he suspect... but Lt. Hoop had been eyeballing him since he came in. Zip also didn’t know Lt. Hoop had been drinking since his platoon’s shift ended. And he’d been popping amphetamines like candy since then, too.

Mixing these yummy snacks was having a rather negative effect on Lt. Hoop's brain. On top of his already volatile nature, it was like feeding a fire napalm. Lt. Hoop staggered to his hooves; his vision blurred, he stalked towards Zip.

Zip had just about made it out the door when he felt something powerful seize his hindquarters. It was no physical presence. He turned and felt his blood run cold espying Lt. Hoop’s horn glowing. Lt. Hoop stood a few lengths away, a leer fixed to his countenance.

“Where do you think you’re going, Zip?” Lt. Hoop began to drag Zip closer by way of magic. “I wanna talk…”

Zip pulled and struggled to no avail. The whole club, noticing something big happening, went quiet and the atmosphere shifted. Zip glanced around as he was pulled in. He could already tell nopony was probably going to step in. Their eyes betrayed a nervous fear he never hoped to see in any soldier, especially in a bar fight, if this wound up being one. Either way, this was going to be bad…

Locked in a magic embrace, Zip was unable to move. Lt. Hoop spun him around so they faced one another.

“Just who do you think you are, flyboy?” Lt. Hoop uttered. “You ever seen what happens when you burn a little filly’s eyes out, Zip?”

Zip felt his stomach churn, This kind of stuff already? No foreplay before talking crazy? He dared not provoke Lt. Hoop. Talking his way out of this with no violence may have been impossible but Zip was willing to try. After all, Lt. Hoop hadn’t done anything violent; he was still just talking.

“Hoop. Relax, man. Let’s have a couple drinks. It’s Friday night,” Zip knew this to be feeble but it was all he could come up with. “Let me get you something.”

The unicorn leered more taughtly, “Oh, that sounds great, Zip. Come join me.”

Zip was dragged to the bar by way of Lt. Hoop’s magic. He looked for any way out but had yet to see one. He tried to remain calm in his thinking but the second he had a chance, he’d do anything in his power to incapacitate Lt. Hoop. The ponies at the club inched their way over. They wanted to see what would happen.

Shoving Zip roughly against the bar, Lt. Hoop hollered to Acer, “Barkeep! Bring us a couple ‘gators’… the way I like ‘em.”

Zip saw what went in: rum, tequila, gin, triple sec, bourbon, and vodka… an ounce of each, topped off with orange juice. The drinks were slid their way.

Lifting his with magic, Lt. Hoop called out, “Cheers, flyboy!”

"...!"

Lieutenant Hoop downed his, smacking his lips, “What’s wrong Zip?”

Zip was transfixed; he couldn’t move. Hell, he could hardly speak with the magic vice upon him.

Lieutenant Hoop laughed, “Oh, right… I’ll help you with that.”

Zip’s mouth and throat were forced open. The ponies around exclaimed but wouldn’t move in. Now Zip was reasonably scared. Lt. Hoop took up the second beverage and poured it straight down Zip’s gullet. Zip could barely even cough as it choked down.

“Yummy, eh, Zip?” Lt. Hoop enthused.

Despite the fear the rest of the crowd felt and what he himself felt in the presence of the violent, disgraced Equestrian Ranger, Lt. Col. Spud stepped forward, “Now, Hoop… let up. That’s enough.”

What happened next had Zip realizing he was going to die if he didn’t do something to escape.

“Shut your cunting trap, old man…” Lt. Hoop blasted Lt. Col. Spud in the eyes, setting his face alight.

The colonel screamed, high-pitched and ratlike, his aspect engulfed in a fire that wouldn’t go out despite ponies trying to smother it.

Everypony there was shocked. A few even soiled themselves upon seeing that. Zip was alarmed but managed to not panic. Nopony else was going to intervene. Drunk and afraid, it didn’t even occur to them to call for help. The bartender was inching his way to the crystal ball behind the bar; it gave him a line to the military police.

Zap!

CRACK! went the crystal ball; it shattered pleasingly.

His horn smoking, Lt. Hoop eyed Acer, “No MPs are invited to this party… If you know what’s good for you, you’ll make another round.”

Almost in tears, Acer’s nerveless hooves were unable to do so. In the background, the colonel’s face was finally put out. His eyes had been fried and he’d passed out, along with a few others who’d had all they could take.

Lieutentant Hoop laughed at the bartender, “Don’t worry... I got this.”

Zip was still sitting there, pried open. About all he could do was breathe. Lt. Hoop started grabbing bottles nearby and pouring them down Zip’s throat. Zip realized he’d drown in alcohol, literally. He choked and tried to cough but was now unable to do so.

After a few bottles, Lt. Hoop grew tired of this game, “Oh, I forgot you don’t drink, Zip.”

Releasing Zip partially, he could cough. His lungs burned, and he brought up hard liquor in heaves.

The unicorn seized him again, sending him sprawling across the floor. Zip was able to move again but was apprehended by the worst physical pain he’d ever felt or imagined. His cries didn’t even sound like his own. Just as quickly, it stopped. He couldn’t move for the aching. And he couldn’t help himself; he was sobbing.

“You like that, Zip? That little number got me in some trouble a while back. Try standing up.”

Zip didn’t need an invitation to try. He was going to die if he didn’t do something! Calling on a power he didn’t even know he had, he bolted up and at Lt. Hoop, a bellow in his throat.

“Oops!” Lt. Hoop simpered.

Zip felt the pain again. It all but paralyzed him but he stood. If possible, it hurt even more as he struggled.

Lieutenant Hoop laughed, “I call this ‘The Struggler’s Death’. The more you struggle, the more it hurts. And the pain can literally kill you. The closer you come, the more it's gonna hurt.”

Zip could feel his heart-rate skyrocketing. He felt as if he was on fire. Every fiber of his being was calling out for relief. But he struggled.

“Zip… I just told you the pain will be the death of you-”

Feeling like his heart was in a vise, Zip lunged forward with a roar. He clamped his mouth around Lt. Hoop’s horn. Lt. Hoop bellowed, but rather than lose control, Zip’s pain became worse.

Regardless, Zip didn’t let go.

The onlookers were horrified as Zip began to wrench his head around. Sparks flew, and blood began to seep from the base of Lt. Hoop’s horn. With another heave, it snapped off with the sound of a carrot breaking in two.

Zip fell one way, still holding the horn between his teeth, and Lt. Hoop fell forward, howling in agony as blood, sparks, and fire issued from his forehead in spurts. Lt. Hoop squealed, flopping and rolling around.

Zip barely hesitated and showed no mercy. Maybe he could’ve but he didn’t. He wasn’t even thinking… other than kill, kill, kill. Lt. Hoop managed to stand and attempted to run, but Zip caught him deftly.

The other lieutenant may have been an Equestrian Ranger and one of the toughest soldiers west of Canterlot, but impaired and without a horn he was mostly helpless. Zip laid into him, utilizing a desperation he didn’t know he was capable of.

In a blackout frenzy, before all the officers of his battalion and everypony unfortunate enough to bear witness, Zip beat Lt. Hoop to death. Nopony had ever seen anything like it. It ended rather abruptly when a kick from Zip sent Lt. Hoop’s head ajar at a crazy angle. That was all for Lt. Hoop. He was very dead.

Zip staggered away from the fallen unicorn, finally dropping the horn from between his teeth. Totally unaware of anything since he'd been introduced to "The Struggler's Death", he finally fell over unconscious.

It had been one Hell of a day for Zip… He’d been thrown by his staff sergeant with sub-lethal force, two of his 3rd Squad were infirm with a nasty incident report in the works, Jacinta almost had a fit, and now he was sitting in holding… for killing another officer. Yes, indeed… what a day.

Other than being a little drunk—something he’d never experienced—from the little bit of liquor still in his system, and the horrible aches from his adventures that day, he was fine physically.

It took the MPs the entire night to get things worked out. The only sober ponies were the bartender and one hooker. Piecing it together, it was easily the nastiest thing they’d seen in Port City and most of their careers.

And it took half the night for the medical staff to stabilize Lt. Col. Spud. His face was destroyed and the shock nearly killed him; they thought they’d lost him a couple times.

It was going to be a mess to fix this… a lieutenant dead and their commanding officer in a medically-induced coma? Things were bad.

Zip didn’t remember a thing after the first painful spell hit him. He woke up in holding hours later and had to be told what he’d done. It was a shoe-in he’d get off. It was open-and-shut self-defense. Lt. Col. Spud could have died. And Lt. Hoop had endangered other officers and the various lady-friends they had lounging around. It was possible Zip saved lives. There had been no going back for Lt. Hoop, anyway. The second his addled mind made the decision to cook the colonel’s face, that guaranteed a noose around his neck.

If there was a medal for detaching crazed unicorns’ skulls from their spines, Zip would see it given to him… It could ride next to his Wings of the Dragon Slayer.

As bad as it sounded, Zip was only held as a formality; an officer killing another officer, even in self-defense and the defense of others, was still a pretty big deal. He’d be stuck there a few days until the investigation cleared. When Jacinta had crippled the enlisted ponies, she hadn’t even been put on leave.

Left alone, he tried wrapping his mind around what he’d done. He felt numb… detached… kind of sick. He hadn’t thrown up like he’d heard was common on a pony’s first kill but it could still happen. The numbness, he would realize later in life, was his mind’s way of protecting him for a time. He may have driven himself insane otherwise.

In his mind’s eye he saw his now beloved platoon. He saw Jacinta… How could he face her… or any of them? How could he… even go on with living after what he’d just done? He had a lot of things going through his head but mostly he thought of Jacinta.

His mind secure enough to stave off crazy, he was only able to think one other thought…

Why, oh why, had his superiors seen fit to send him to this awful place?

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Released today as this chapter was ready but the new chapter for another story wasn't. That will come Sunday.

Hope that wasn't too gruesome.

Next time, Zip deals with filling some of the holes in his platoon. With only 47 ponies under him for the time, he needs replacements. He also receives less than welcome new regarding one of his four sergeants.

He also must deal with the aftermath of doing in Lt. Hoop and how it will affect him. It's no afterthought. He just has trouble processing it.

Watch for a new chapter May 6.

Like, follow, or leave a comment if you please.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 1: Strange Developments

City by the Sea, Chapter 5: Replacements

“Okay, Lieutenant. Try to relax.”

“I’m really getting sick of this, Doctor…” Zip was restrained to an erect examination table, eye-level with the doctor.

Captain Cross, an officer and a doctor, had been pulled from division headquarters for a specific purpose; the army wanted to know what had happened with its new platoon leader.

It was Friday again. Zip had spent most of the week in detention. When not locked up he was restrained to a chair, to a table… and by magic when a physical means wasn’t present. Zip, of course, had beaten to death another officer, Lt. Hoop. While it was clear his life and the lives of everypony present at the officers’ club on Friday night, the week before, were in danger, his manner in carrying out the killing was dubious at the very best.

Zip couldn’t remember much around the time Lt. Hoop had attacked him. He claimed little recollection, and Zip’s own noncom, Sgt. Amethyst Flare, whose opinion and experience they trusted immensely, confirmed he was telling the truth. She’d been appointed for most, if not all, of the battalion’s head-medicine concerns. She was a psychic after all.

Not only did Zip not remember demolishing the former Equestrian Ranger, he’d gone ballistic in doing so. It was something nopony had seen before… but they’d heard of it. And there was only one way to figure out if the farfetched hunch was correct. That’s where Cpt. Cross came in.

“Now, Zip,” the doctor’s horn glowed as he consulted some notes, keeping his hooves free. “There’s a rather simple test to determine if my belief is right. I never thought I’d have to do it… I never even really believed it was real until I was told to consider it…”

Zip moaned, “On top of whatever weirdness just came out of your mouth… not another blood test? You’ve done so many you may as well stick a port in my leg…”

“Stop complaining, and deal with it, Lieutenant.”

A chuckle could be heard as the doctor left the room. Zip glared to the mare issuing it.

Amethyst shook her head, “I’m truly sorry you have to sit through all of this, sir. Please don’t hold it against me, if you can find it in your heart… They’re scared, Lieutenant. This hasn’t been observed for some time.”

Zip couldn’t tell if she was playing with him or not; he’d never hold this against his sergeant but, “Amethyst, stop jerking me around if you are… it’s not helping.”

The Equestrian belle took on a hurt look, “I mean it, sir. It’s not like I enjoyed picking your brain for them.”

It was hard for the mare to decide if Zip was changing in the time he’d spent there or if they’d just seen more facets of his personality. He was finally showing some vulnerability… not irrational fear but some “normal” weaknesses. While he was good-natured and rather laidback, some ponies had come to view him as unflappable. Being gifted in head-magic, Amethyst knew otherwise; Zip wasn’t perfect and she’d never thought him to be. Perhaps the week of being treated like a diseased lab animal was finally wearing on his nerves.

Zip sighed, “I’m sorry, Amethyst. I know this isn’t easy for anypony. I don’t mean to be an ass… I want to get back. Still, I’m just glad you and Jacinta have managed to keep a hoof on things.”

Even without their leader for a week, 3rd Platoon was doing pretty well. Taking Jacinta’s and Amethyst’s advice not to worry and being then set up fairly well, things went on normally enough, and their productivity didn’t suffer. They missed their lieutenant, though. The thought of him being poked and prodded without explanation to them was not liked… even though he’d gone ballistic and nopony knew why.

Amethyst had been told to keep her mouth shut, but she knew one of the two things the army so feared in Zip. Jacinta knew as well. Zip had been told and wasn’t ecstatic to hear it.

It didn’t take long, Amethyst examining Zip’s head, to figure out the first issue: Zip was a berserker. It was a trait seen less and less in ponies over the last couple millennia, as ponies globalized and saw a decrease in diversity, but it was a cocksure thing he was one.

The other issue the doctor had kept to himself. Amethyst decided to keep out of his mind; she didn’t want to know but she had her own suspicions. Still, she was the kind of mare that worried less than some about possibilities and the unknown. Knowing less was often a blessing and she never passed up an opportunity to remain ignorant.

In this case, it was a childlike fear of a confirmation. If her idea of what was going on was true it would be a dream come true, if weighty and almost unbelievable; if she was wrong… it was another mark against something she'd long believed.

Zip, naturally, had no idea what the other issue was. Hint: it was something Amethyst brought up to him half-jokingly; but his first encounter with his now good friend Amethyst wasn’t the thing at the forefront of his mind. He just wanted sleep and/or fresh air.

The doctor returned, taking yet another sample of blood and returning to the lab. Zip was now prone to be especially bored. He’d seen a few of his platoon come by but they were on early duty that week. Any chance of seeing anypony other than those necessary to keep him in the loop would wait until before evening chow.

Amethyst’s apparent nervousness was palpable to Zip. He wanted so very much to ask her what had her this antsy but he decided not to. Amethyst kept herself pretty closely guarded; whatever was bothering her wasn’t anything he was eager to hear about. It pulled him out of any boredom but it was a high cost.

After a few minutes, the doctor poked out his head, “Uh… Sgt. Flare? I need you in here…”

The doctor’s look of obvious shock did wonders for Zip’s poise. Amethyst stood up, looking very oddly at Zip as she left the room. For a few moments, Zip was alone but there was nothing to ponder over other than his being scared out of his wits.

The two unicorns returned. Zip noted Amethyst’s expression; it was deftly caught somewhere between disbelief and an innocent, star-struck wonder. Now Zip was definitely scared. She looked like a little filly on Hearth’s Warming Day who’d just found out she was a princess.

The doctor faced the now frightened Zip, “Lieutenant… this will be hard to believe… I don’t believe it. But I checked and rechecked; Sgt. Flare can back me up… she checked too. We found something in your lineage while looking at your bloodwork. When division told me to look into it, I thought they were crazy… but they weren’t.”

Zip was having a pretty lousy time, Oh, it’s cancer, isn’t it?! They’re gonna take my balls or something… but that can’t be right. Amethyst probably wouldn’t be squee-ing if he was dying.

“Lieutenant,” the doctor forced himself to say. “You have Knollwing blood in you.”

It took a few seconds to register for Zip; he almost laughed, “Get the fuck outta here, Captain! Don’t screw with me… Amethyst! Tell me this is a joke.”

Amethyst gave an innocent, all-in shrug. No dice, Lieutenant…

The unicorn shook his head, “The test doesn’t lie, Lieutenant. Somewhere in the past, you have a Knollwing ancestor. It’s most appropriate you wear the Wings of the Dragon Slayer… You’re of the Knollwings.”

Zip thought this was so stupid he couldn’t help himself, “I quit believing in that crap about Knollwings and Lady Commander Orni Valkea and that princess… whatever her name was.”

The doctor laughed openly, “I don’t know about any of that but the Knollwings did exist. Their descendants are amazingly few, these days, but here you are.

Zip blew his mane out of his face, “Enough… Next you’ll tell me you believe in Windigoes.”

Amethyst couldn’t hold it in; she said with a little shit-eating grin, “I don’t know about Windigoes, but the princess you’re thinking of was Essenta of Dale, Lieutenant.”

“Oh, sure! There was some little Earth pony farmer princess, 10,000 years ago, that slew dragons and demons and who knows what else!”

Amethyst laughed at him, not unkindly.

The doctor prodded Zip, “Stop acting like a foal. Listen… you recall coming out of your state last week, when you woke up… How did you feel?”

Zip had felt normal, “I felt fine… I was a little sore from getting beaten up that day, and I had a little alcohol that made it into my system, but I was okay.”

“Well, if you were a normal Pegasus entering the berserker stage, even for a moment as you did, it should’ve rendered you near helpless for at least two days. But you were feeling normal after a couple hours. That’s a Knollwing trait. Having that ability with Knollwing ancestry… the odds are insurmountable. You’re one in a million, Lieutenant.”

The doctor left Zip and Amethyst whilst he went to record this event in his lab.

Amethyst, usually never at a loss for words, was close to it, “Wow… So that happened. The berserker thing, I figured on; it’s why they’ve been restraining you. But Knollwing blood? This is a dream come true for me.”

She took on that girlish, giggly manner Zip had seen in her once or twice; even she let her guard down, sometimes.

Zip hung his head; he couldn’t believe this shit.

It took some convincing from Jacinta and Amethyst, but the doctor released Zip later that Friday, in the afternoon. Since he’d shown to not be a danger to himself or others, there was little reason to hold him other than the unusual circumstances.

Everypony was a little shaken up over the events of the last week. On top of everything else that happened, the battalion had a lieutenant that had literally gone berserk and was revealed to be of an ancient magic.

Regarding other events, thanks to the best efforts of their healers, some sent from division headquarters, Lt. Col. Red Spud survived what Lt. Hoop had unleashed upon him. But while his face now resembled what it had been, his eyes were very, very gone; he took a medical retirement and nopony in the battalion would ever see him again.

Until a major or other lieutenant colonel could be placed in charge of the battalion, the unicorn Cpt. Basket Weaver, commander of B Company, would put on a “second hat” and command the “Wild Rice” Battalion in addition to his own company. The last time a captain had taken a battalion was in wartime.

Captain Stone Rig of A Company neither expected nor wanted the responsibility of command, so being passed over was dandy for him. Cpt. Jalapeño Jelly of C Company, on the other hoof, was sore: he’d been bucking for major the last two years and was thought a perfect fit by some for the position, with a definite possibility of promotion. But Cpt. Jelly was a former combat commander while Cpt. Weaver was a longtime logistics commander. The choice had been easy for the division to decide. And until a new lieutenant could be lured or forced to go to Port City, Lt. Hoop’s platoon sergeant would lead A Company’s 1st Platoon. Be was more than capable; after all, he'd held things together during Lt. Hoop's reign of terror.

If this sounds messy... it was messy.

The last thing (and one of the few good things recently) Lt. Col. Spud had done as battalion commander before having his eyes boiled from his head, other than getting so drunk he could barely remember his face cooking, was sign an order to begin replacing or overhauling all of the outdated dock equipment in Port City. The order was written up by Jacinta and Spc. Trip Wire. It still shocked Zip the colonel had given up as easily as he did when he had about as much respect for the mares petitioning as he had for what he left behind in the latrine.

Most of the equipment they immediately needed was further inland at a distribution center. 18 new lifts had arrived by train the night before and each platoon was given two lifts for their direct needs and nine more lifts would arrive in the next couple weeks, with more to follow. The news was celebrated by everypony that had to work next to those deathtraps.

Zip was so happy to no longer be in chains be practically skipped, Jacinta and Amethyst laughing as they tried to keep pace. They were going out to see their platoon.

While most of the company gave Zip a wide berth, his own platoon was happy as Hell to see him again. They cheered up a storm. Zip would’ve even let Trip give him a hug if it hadn’t been in front of everypony; her hugging him out of respect and love for her father was a special occasion.

It happened to be 16:15, so 3rd Platoon was done for the day. They had some organizing to do the next day, but it wasn’t until 10:00 Saturday they had to assemble. So, naturally, they unanimously decided (other than Jacinta) to blow off the Friday afternoon trot and evening chow and went into town to celebrate their leader’s triumphant return. Jacinta wasn’t exactly happy about it, but what could she do?

Zip knew, as an officer, that hanging out with his platoon in a leisurely fashion was questionable at best, especially when the drink flowed. But Zip had no interest in going to the officers’ club… even if he was allowed; he’d been banned by the manager for killing another customer, it turned out. Still, the officers’ club had been more subdued in the last week. Without the colonel egging on the sickness and with Lt. Hoop gone, gone, gone, a degree of civility could be seen. It was no longer the den of sin for which it was long famous. Crazy things make for fast changes sometimes.

And if the idea of Zip’s platoon and those close to him seemed cool with the idea he demolished an elite soldier and had ancient berserker blood coursing through his veins is strange, they did live in a magical world… Really, ponies could see stranger things before breakfast given the right day.

Having never spent time with his platoon in leisure, Zip was unfamiliar with their manner. He knew some of them could party pretty hard given their condition the next day. Having become more playful than he’d given himself credit for in the past, he enjoyed waking the late-night revelers abruptly in their barracks. A trashcan lid with a stick did the trick.

Thankfully, everypony was out of uniform so they had that going for them.

After seeing a majority of the platoon make fools of themselves, a sober Zip led a drunken hoofful of them back to base. Among these were Jacinta, Amethyst, and Trip.

Trip was leaning on Zip’s shoulder, grinning blearily into the night, happy as a pig up to the eyes in mud. Zip had grown rather fond of his little specialist over the last week. While Jacinta, Amethyst, and a few others would visit him, mostly to keep him in the know about things, Trip had sacrificed her precious free time to visit him. She’d even snuck out pie to give him, which she had to feed him on one occasion when he was tied to the medical table. The foulmouthed filly could be a real chatterbox and was never short on amusing things to talk about.

Also, Trip had encouraged the platoon to keep up their trots and exercises; Jacinta was happy to lead the activities but may have had trouble without support. The platoon even behaved for her, giving her less crap than if Zip was around. And on the more official side of things, everypony had worked hard to keep things running.

Zip was unsure if Trip was into him or not. He chose not to think so and was relieved when Amethyst told him she just admired and respected him; she was his friend. But it was hard to cast such a thought aside when she doted on him so much.

Since coming to Port, Zip had learned more about the female mind than he’d known his entire life. The three mares with him had probably been the most helpful in this department. Zip at least felt less clueless about stuff. Amethyst never passed up and opportunity to enlighten him. To her, it was like having a teenage colt around to tease.

Amethyst had told him that night, after four or five beers, she was “breaking the hearts of officer candidates when (he) was shitting in diapers”. Zip could’ve looked up her age in his files; it was there along with nearly everything else about her that wasn’t classified or falsified. She’d told him some stuff not in her file and had said, half-jokingly he felt, that his life wasn’t in any immediate danger if he kept his Goddamn mouth shut. Zip was playing a game with himself... trying to guess Amethyst’s age; therefore, he didn’t look it up. But a little more to drink and it might come spilling out anyway of her. She really seemed to let her guard down when she drank, especially around him.

Presently, she was goading him over a townie with hot sex on her breath; the little factory mare had really been putting it on heavy towards Zip.

“Oh, Lieutenant, you really shoulda taken that filly’s address!” Amethyst all but crowed. “She was really into you.”

Zip continued to serve as Trip’s crutches as she stumped alongside him, “Amethyst… she was a-”

Zip noticed Jacinta glaring at him, daring him to say whatever he would; he’d been about to use the term “hussy”. Jacinta was a crusader about many things, including the gold-digging fillies and mares looking to marry a soldier being called foul things… even though she hated them too.

He decided on, “She was just interested because I’m an officer… nothing more… I don’t know how she knew I'm an officer…”

Trip piped up, “Everypony knows you, sir… and not just because you’re a hero. There aren’t too many Pegasi around here and with the way you carry yourself… officer! Plus, when one of us screams out ‘Lieutenant!’, I suppose that works too.”

Jacinta shook her head; she was rather sloshed herself but not quite in the same territory as Trip, “I really wish everypony would cool it when we’re out in civilian clothes. We’re still soldiers, even without the uniforms. And ponies can tell.”

Trip was belting out, ‘That’s what I’m saying!’, but she wasn’t heard over Amethyst, “Oh, take a chill pill, SSgt. Sourpuss. It’s Friday. Live a little.”

Jacinta could only grumble at this. Zip had seen Jacinta drink; she could outdrink Amethyst… or at least she did that night. But she wasn’t in bad shape. He supposed there were ponies that just got drunk instead of straight up changing… or rather exposing what they were, deep down in the places they normally hid.

Zip listened, unable to hide the little half-smile at his noncom mares’ banter, as Trip was half-asleep against his shoulder, somehow still walking.

As they entered base, ponies began to split off to where-have-you. Zip decided to stop off at company headquarters. If he sat down and did the hour or two of paperwork he’d blown off to go to town, he’d have a clean slate in the morning. It was only 23:15 and he didn’t plan on getting up until 08:00. A couple extra hours in bed on a Saturday, on the rare occasions it was allowed, was one of the greatest rewards of soldiering.

Jacinta and Amethyst took charge of Trip; Jacinta smiled at him, “Well, goodnight, Lieutenant.”

Zip nodded back, “Goodnight. Take care of Trip.”

Zip entered headquarters while the mares shepherded Trip to the mares’ barracks.

By about 00:45, Zip had finished the paperwork he’d wanted to get out of the way. He’d relax a few minutes and then go to his quarters for some much appreciated shuteye. Eyeing the clock, he was pleased with the time he’d made. As the hands of the clock moved, Zip was about to lock up and make his way out.

His door slightly ajar, he heard an unsteady knock. Before he could even acknowledge, a pony made an entrance.

Zip was very surprised to see somepony, much less Amethyst, in company headquarters at 01:00, “Are you alright, Amethyst?”

As she stepped in further it was apparent she wasn’t. The fur below her eyes was tearstained with mascara; mares were allowed some makeup. Zip could smell it before he saw; she was a lot drunker than he’d seen her a few hours earlier. A nearly empty whiskey bottle levitated precariously in her wake as she cleared the doorway.

Zip couldn’t say he was shocked… Not much of anything shocked him, but it was distressing. Seeing the pony he knew to be the rock within his platoon this affected bothered him.

“Amethyst, please sit down,” he couldn’t think of much else to say; he had to wrap his mind around this.

She sat across from him, and to his dismay, she took a dram off the bottle before clumsily setting it near her edge of his desk. As hammered as she was, he could still see the lucidity in her eyes; she was drunk, but she was there… maybe. She looked ashamed.

“Sorry, Lieutenant… I was trying to sleep, but one of the mares in the big room was having nightmares. I couldn’t block it out…” Amethyst said solemnly. “I had to get away for a while.”

Officers had their own quarters near headquarters, but noncoms bunked in the same building as the enlisted ponies. And the mares’ company barracks was generously sized, given their numbers. Jacinta and Amethyst were the only two sergeants present, given their own little rooms. Cpls. Lily Hawk and Little Song slept in the general area with the few other corporals, Trip, and the other enlisted mares. And Zip knew there were only about 20 mares total in the company. Girls’ country was a small country in A Company.

The stallions were organized by platoon with at around 40 in each building, those that weren't married with a house or apartment somewhere.

Zip knew he didn’t need to tread all that carefully around Amethyst, “I suppose you need a clearer mind to have any chance of closing things off.”

She knew he meant no offense by it, and she took it as such, “That’s true… sometimes after a good bar night I just come here. Other than seeing you here, it’s always been empty.”

Considering the bottle, she went on, “Please take this, Lieutenant… I know you don’t drink, but if I keep it on me, I’ll polish it off. Nopony needs that.”

Zip took the bottle and set it in a desk drawer, “I wish you’d have just come here instead of drinking more…”

He said this out of concern rather than condemnation. Zip had seen what alcohol did to ponies and the reasons they turned to it, though he had no personal experience. Seeing Amethyst tear up, he hoofed her a few tissues.

She wiped her eyes, “I know… I should’ve just come here. I can make all the excuses I want, but it’s all shit, sir. Rest assured, it’s not a regular thing for me. What I felt tonight… it just hit a little close to home.”

Zip had a nasty feeling he was about to hear something unpleasant, but he wasn’t about to shut up his friend. He gave her a glass of water which she gratefully sipped on.

Amethyst sniffled, “She was dreaming about her little filly—her filly’s fine—and we talk about the little one all the time. Her husband is out Canterlot way while she’s stationed here; she gets to go home in two weeks—for keeps. But she dreamt her filly was trying to reach her but couldn’t. She was chasing after, ‘Mommy! Mommy!’…”

Zip considered Amethyst as she wept anew; when she had mentioned a nightmare, he’d been expecting death and desolation or some awful thing she'd acquired in her years of working as she had. This was… just sorrow. It was sad… very much so. Zip hadn’t really thought of Amethyst as being a mother, but he was about to learn something. She was drunk, and he was in for some stuff.

“Whether you know it or not, Lieutenant, I’ve been married three times… My first husband… I mentioned something when we met about him ‘trying to ride my coattails’… He did try, but I’ve always said ‘no’… It was hard to turn him away, though. I met him when I was only 17. 20 years ago… It’s already been that long.”

That was the end of Zip’s game; his 1st Squad sergeant was 37.

“We got married as soon as I turned 18… and moved to Canterlot where he was stationed. I was already pregnant a few months; it hadn’t shown quite yet. I was 10 months pregnant when he received his medical discharge; he hurt his leg so badly he couldn’t soldier anymore. When she was born… my little Rho was tiny… She was weak. It was as if she were born asleep; I never even heard her cry… She didn’t last long, despite everything we did for her.

“My husband… turned into a real loser after all this. He couldn’t—rather, he didn’t—work and expected me to see him through. When he asked for another foal… I ran out on him. I couldn’t bear going through that again, not with him.”

Amethyst blew her nose and smiled blearily at Zip, “And then, of course, I was dumb enough to fall in love again. That didn’t last long… I’d worked up the courage to try having another foal, but… I couldn’t. Doctor didn’t immediately know what it was, exactly… My husband... he left me… He said it was all my fault…

“After that, I did the only thing I could think to do: I joined the army; I was only 21. I’ve had my gift my whole life, Lieutenant… It was too much to bear, oftentimes. The army was the first place I actually learned how to control my psychic powers… On my own I’d only figured out so much. If I’d learned when I was younger… I think my life would’ve been much easier. I didn’t mean to wind up in intelligence… and certainly never meant to sneak around killing stuff like some monster in the dark…

“I was… almost 30 when I met… well… no… I think I’ll just shut up, sir… before I make a complete fucking ass of myself.”

Zip’s sergeant sat there, stoned and miserable. He was possibly never less sure of what to do or say in his life.

Amethyst sniffled, choking up a moment, “Oh, Lieutenant… I’m so sorry. You just finished one of the worst weeks of your life, and I’m complaining to you about some other mare’s bad dream…”

Realizing Amethyst was so inebriated she’d likely not remember much or any of this, he patted her shoulder, “You have nothing to apologize for, Amethyst. I want you to go lie down and get some rest.”

Wiping at her eyes, smearing mascara all over her face, she nodded. Without another word she tottered from his office. She had a little corner down the hall she shared with his other squad leaders. He watched her lean into the wall and pass out. Within a moment, she could be heard snoring softly. Zip went up, having pulled a blanket from the storage closet, and covered her up.

Heading back to his office, Zip decided to retire there for the night. He wasn’t worried about Amethyst drowning in her own puke or anything, but he’d at least be there if she needed something.

His office wasn’t tiny; it was quite lavish. Able to stretch out, he took prone position on the floor behind his desk. It wasn’t a bed, but at least it wasn’t moving. He’d be able to sleep, some. He just hoped his dreams were either pleasant or nonexistent for Amethyst’s sake.

Tuesday morning brought about an event very much anticipated: the replacements the colonel had promised would arrive in Port City. There were 19 of them, meaning Zip’s platoon would have a full roster again. Zip hadn’t even been notified of who was joining him but it would be one more than he’d thought.

Monday afternoon, his platoon holding the early shift two weeks in a row, Zip had received a most unexpected message regarding Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, his 3rd Squad leader: the old stallion was offered early retirement with full benefits, straight up. Barely hesitating, he’d taken it and was retiring with his wife to Manehattan. Zip and the platoon were happy for the old-timer, but his squad would miss him. Even though they’d only known him a short time, there were few ponies they’d rather stand behind and follow. Zip took this as no insult; he’d learned of Sgt. Trail’s decorated history and could see why the former combat squad all but worshipped him.

So, 3rd Platoon would be getting six fresh fish to reach 55. Pvt. Birch was still with the platoon, but he’d be saddled with paperwork for the next couple months. Zip wanted a full command of 54 at the docks, and he would receive it.

Since 3rd Platoon was working that morning, Zip called aside Jacinta, Amethyst, Trip, Cpl. Stardust Painter, and Cpl. Raspberry Jam so he’d have a representative from each squad present to welcome their new comrades. Zip had been told by the colonel and his captain he’d get the “choicest” of the new ponies, but as drunk and thoughtless as they’d been, he’d never counted on that. It was up to Zip and Jacinta who went where, but they’d consider the squads’ opinions.

Zip looked down the sheet he’d just received. Some of it was rather unflattering. Rather than an outline of the company it very briefly summarized what he’d find in their files:

A Company

3rd Platoon

Replacements

Specialist (Spc.) Silver Duster

-Previously “Clementine” Corps, 4th Equestrian Army (Canterlot Headquarters)

-Unicorn; mare

-Quiet but short-tempered; history of discipline problems

-Good with numbers and organization; served administration at the corps level

Spc. Cocoa Butter

-Prev. 2nd Platoon, B Company, “Goldenrod” Battallion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, “Walnut” Corps, 2nd Equestrian Army (San Palomino Outpost #2)

-Earth pony; stallion

-Friendly; history of discipline problems

-Skilled mechanic; served locomotive maintenance

Private (Pvt.) Mercury Rise

-Prev. Classified

-Earth pony; stallion

-Classified

Pvt. Blood Sapphire

-Prev. 1st Platoon, C Company, “Daisy” Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, “Hackberry” Corps, 3rd Equestrian Army (Dragonlands Expeditionary Forces)

-Unicorn; stallion

-Unstable but affable; judged unfit to serve in combat capacity

-Demolitions expert; eliminated 13 dragons’ nests, 11 confirmed adult kills

Pvt. Linseed Oil

-Prev. 3rd Platoon, C Company, “Barley” Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, “Juneberry” Corps, 1st Equestrian Army (Baltimare Adjacent Research & Development Facility #3)

-Earth pony; stallion

-Antisocial tendencies; history of behavioral issues

-Knowledgeable botanist; former government forestry researcher

Pvt. Caramel Crunch

-Prev. 2nd Platoon, A Company, “Goldenrod” Battallion, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, “Walnut” Corps, 2nd Equestrian Army (Appleloosa Outpost #1)

-Earth pony; mare

-Listless; requested transfer to Port City

-Skilled machinist; machined emergency locomotive implements

Trip was looking over Zip’s shoulder, “Well, shit… what a bunch of winners these are.”

Zip didn’t want to think that, but the prospects were dubious at best. At officer candidate school he’d learned what the army meant by “discipline problems”. This didn’t worry him so much; it meant a pony was careless in their presentation. A “behavioral issue” usually involved violent behavior, alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual assault and/or deviancy, etc. Pvt. Oil could be a problem.

Trip was rather excited to see a couple of ponies good with their hooves. Mechanics and machinists were always in short supply.

Amethyst put a hoof on Trip’s shoulder, “Trip… forget you saw this… understand? It's a little above your pay-grade.”

The little specialist stepped back, getting the message, “Yes, Ma’am.”

The others below the level of sergeant quit trying to catch a look at the sheet.

Specialist Duster was a confusing case. The specialist served at the corps level in Canterlot itself. She must have been good to land the position, but it wouldn’t have taken much to knock her out of it. Zip wasn’t about to voice it aloud but the new specialist sounded a bit like Jacinta… if Jacinta was a slob.

And Pvt. Rise… Amethyst shook her head at this one. Only parts of her local files were marked classified… the reason for her transfer and her skill-set were omitted. If she was correct in her thinking, they were in for a strange time. But she didn’t know… she’d have to meet him first.

Jacinta voiced what they were all thinking, “Pvt. Rise’s ‘temperament’ and the reason he was sent here are classified? And we don’t know what he does?”

The others echoed in thought. Zip noticed Amethyst looking concerned. If she was concerned perhaps he should be downright terrified. What could be “worse” than Amethyst?

It would be yet a while before the six ponies got to meet their newcomers.

Zip voiced his thoughts, “Amethyst… I hate to ask this of you but…”

Amethyst smiled and cuffed his shoulder, “Don’t worry, Lieutenant. I have two open spots in my squad. I’ll take at least one of the crazies. We can all hoof-wrestle to see who gets the second.”

Zip laughed morosely at this. Jacinta also failed to see much humor in this.

Even before meeting the newcomers Zip, Jacinta, and the squad representatives had decided where five of them would go.

Amethyst, to the relief of everypony, would take Spc. Rise and Pvt. Oil.

Having been trusted by Sgt. Sweet Clover with the matter, Cpl. Jam selected Spc. Butter; they needed another mechanic.

3rd Squad needed another mechanic as well, having lost Pvt. Birch to chair parade, but Cpl. Painter agreed to take Pvt. Sapphire. His experience with combat soldiers and their chance issues was sound.

This meant Trip, trusted by Sgt. Treasure Trove, received Pvt. Crunch. Trip considered herself below average in machining and knew one the army called “skilled” would be helpful.

But this left Spc. Duster. They’d been unable to agree what to do with her, but at worst she could join 3rd Squad, if only to bring them to 13. But Jacinta had an idea. There was no regulation against a staff sergeant having staff; it’s why they had Pvt. Birch doing it. But another set of hooves, particularly those as skilled as Spc. Duster’s, might have been good to have. Zip and Jacinta could share her talents. It would save them a lot of paperwork.

Zip and his crew waited at the train station. As it turned out they were the only ones to go to the trouble of meeting their new platoon mates immediately. Cpt. Rig and his staff would square away the 13 ponies destined for the other platoons. A few of them were to serve as battalion level staff while they were dealing with the unpleasant aftermath of losing the colonel.

Zip thought it unnecessary, but Trip had made a sign from some box: “A Company, 3rd Platoon” it read.

As the 19 ponies filed off the train, six of them made their way over.

Picking out which mare was which was easy; it wasn’t just one was an Earth pony and the other a unicorn. Pvt. Crunch had a pleasant, yet excitable manner about her. Zip decided the “listless” comment must have referred to her when she was bored. She looked like a ball of energy on amphetamines as she ambled to them.

Zip thought Spc. Duster… was pretty beautiful for a slob… not up there with Jacinta or Amethyst but at least as pretty as any other mare he’d seen in Port. She was even more petite than Jacinta, with runner’s legs. Her bright eyes were magnified behind a set of thick spectacles. Her mane was… a bird’s nest. Zip was amused at Jacinta’s reaction to Spc. Duster’s unkempt appearance.

At least one of the stallions was easy to pick out: besides being the unicorn among them, Pvt. Sapphire was one of the oddest-looking ponies Zip had ever seen. His eyes were wild and nervous, staying mostly hidden behind his dark spectacles. He had a feral look about him. In fact, there was no way around it: he looked like a stereotypical old crazy miner or some hermit. The only difference was Pvt. Sapphire was only 20-years-old.

Zip could guess at the rest but decided to wait until they were introduced.

The lieutenant cleared his throat before the six, “Good morning. And welcome to Port City. I’m Lt. Zip Jetscream of 3rd Platoon. You’re with us.”

Motioning to the five with him, Zip introduced is platoon leaders.

“Now, if everypony will briefly introduce themselves. Then we can begin.”

They stood in a row and simply started on one end. Zip knew the first two.

“I’m Pvt. Caramel Crunch. It’s a pleasure, Lieutenant.”

“Private Blood Sapphire.”

The third was one of the stallions; he had a sallow look about him. His eyes were heavy and looked rather dead. He slumped a little and barely looked anypony in the eye.

“I’m Pvt. Linseed Oil… You have some weird flora this far northwest…”

Okay, the six leaders thought as one.

Next, “Sir! My name is Pvt. Mercury Rise! It will be an honor to serve under the ‘Dragon Slayer’ and alongside all of you!”

Zip had never heard himself referred to by that nickname... to his face, at least. Pvt. Rise’s bold way caught the other 11 ponies off guard. It occurred to Zip… this was the one with the classified “everything”! But there was nothing remarkable about him, other than the fact he appeared to be a perfect specimen of a soldier. He looked ready yet relaxed… sure of himself but not arrogant… strong but pliable… and resolved but friendly. Pvt. Rise stood with a genuine smile on his face, neither expecting nor asking for praise.

It was something…

Specialist Duster raised a hoof, “Spc. Duster.”

It was all she had to say.

And finally, “Good morning, everypony. I’m Spc. Cocoa Butter. Call me ‘Butter’ if you like. It’s good to be here.”

Zip was unsure of what to make of Spc. Butter. He was reminded strongly of Cpl. Jam. Spc. Butter had the same kind of grin permanently pasted to his face and looked as relaxed as all-get-out. They could almost feel themselves getting stoned off the mellow vibe he gave off.

Zip got down to business, “We’ll have time to talk later. Our platoon’s shift ends at 16:00 today. I’ll tell you who to go with.”

The six ponies were sent with their squad leaders, except…

“Staff Sergeant Petals!” Zip said. “I need to discuss a brief matter with Sgt. Flare. Would you please see Pvts. Rise and Oil to 1st Squad? Sgt. Flare will be along in a few minutes.”

Jacinta knew what was up, “Yes, sir. I’ll see it done.”

With everypony else gone, Zip pulled Amethyst behind a large crate. He’d felt a little awkward around her the last couple days. He was unsure if she remembered Friday night or not. Either way, she gave no hint. Therefore, he tried not to think about it.

There were other things to worry about.

“Amethyst… thanks again for taking the two. Keep an eye on Pvt. Oil. I trust you with him. I’ll make sure to look up his file. And Pvt. Rise… I… don’t know what’s going on there.”

Amethyst hummed, “There are two or three things I think could be going on. I’ll need some time around him to get an idea if I’m right. I’m not sure, but there might be something more to see in his actual file. With your permission, I’d like to see it later. I’m sure you’ll want to look… probably even before you crack open Pvt. Oil’s.”

Zip nodded, with a rather nervous addition after his answer, “It’s yours to see when you want. And, uh… I don’t know how serious you are when you say the stuff about ‘if you told me, you’d have to kill me’ stuff, but-”

Amethyst openly laughed at him. It caught him by surprise and she laughed all the harder.

“Oh, Lieutenant… there are some things that’s true for,” she gave him a positively wicked smile.

Zip felt his balls pull up; he hated that feeling, but it was now familiar, dealing with Amethyst and Jacinta. He’d come to realize it was fear more than anything else.

Amethyst cuffed him, “It would be true if I didn’t trust you. And even as drunk as I was the other night, I still wouldn’t have said all that if I didn’t trust you.”

Zip couldn’t believe her sometimes; it was like she enjoyed bringing his heart into his throat.

She smiled at him, rather forlornly, realizing she’d made his nuts disappear again, “Oh, please relax, sir. Don’t read too much into what some 38-year-old mare has to say. I’ll look at our newcomers and we can talk later.”

The lieutenant couldn’t stop himself at first, “I thought you were 37-”

He clapped a hoof over his mouth, looking mildly guilty.

With the slightest smirk, she muttered, “I know what I said… my math was off; I was pretty drunk.”

Zip decided to move on, “As far as things go… thanks, Amethyst. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

She simpered, “That’s another thing you don’t need to worry about, Lieutenant. I think I’ll go catch up with Jacinta.”

With that, she galloped towards her dock. Zip looked after her; she’d really helped him out the last week. With the exception of the pain caused by Lt. Hoop's attack, Zip hadn’t cried since he was a little colt; he remembered the specific incident. But as he began to come to terms with killing another pony, he’d been unable to stop himself. The vomiting was bad too. And as he felt he was losing control, locked in holding or tied to a medical table, Amethyst had been there soothing his frazzled mind and hoofing him tissues for the endless stream of tears and snot. She’d even magicked a few to clean up his face when he was restrained. Her being there gave him more relief than he’d hoped for.

Without her… he may not have made it through that. He’d come to trust her immensely, and he was most thankful that trust had been reciprocated.

It was close to noon chowtime, so Zip headed back to company headquarters. Rumor was they’d get shepherd’s pie that day.

Much to Zip’s disappointment he’d spent the better part of the afternoon stuck in his office. He’d looked through the files of the new ponies on top of some unexpectedly heavy paperwork.

The file on Spc. Duster didn’t concern him. She’d been labeled a little oddball but was good at her job. She’d been ousted because the general found a prettier, looser filly to do his paperwork… That was at least what was implied. Jacinta had been showing her things all afternoon, so Zip was confident he’d have another capable set of hooves to help him. Technically the specialist was in 3rd Squad, under Cpls. Wire and Painter, but she would answer to Jacinta.

The files of Spc. Butter and Pvt. Crunch concerned him very little. The “discipline problems’ and “listless” behavior were very minor things, in his eyes. They were good at what they’d done but were perhaps a bad fit where they were. The two of them were from outposts; neither seemed to be the kind of pony to enjoy the desolation associated with these remote stations, but somepony needed to maintain the locomotives as they chugged across the continent. Zip certainly wasn't overly happy with such places either, having been stuck in two himself before ever becoming a real officer. Maybe he’d have luck with them in 3rd Platoon.

Zip was also unconcerned with Pvt. Sapphire. He’d gone a little nuts when he was trapped in a cave for a week following a collapse; they’d been trying to implode dragons’ nests. Deciding he’d cracked the army sent him to Port. The private had been “off” before that, but his record of success with killing dragons spoke for itself. Zip was confident his corporals would help him along.

The file of Pvt. Oil was… troubling to say the least. There was something he wouldn’t share with anypony… unless it became an issue… or if Jacinta or Amethyst wanted to look at his file. It wouldn’t surprise Zip if Amethyst knew what he was already. He wasn’t particularly dangerous, but on top of some downright weird behavior and inability to successfully mesh with any outfit he’d been a part of, he had a taste for necrophilia.

Private Oil had been caught in a morgue in Baltimare… more than once, it was implied. Zip knew Amethyst could handle this guy, but the thought of him around Cpl. Hawk had his skin crawling. The army must’ve seen some reason to keep him around, but Zip couldn’t think of anything. It’s not like a botanist was that useful in Port City…

And Pvt. Rise was still a mystery. His file consisted of little more than the sheet Zip saw earlier in the day. Name… the fact he was an Earth pony stallion… and nothing else. He’d really have to rely on Amethyst’s thoughts… perhaps his own as well.

Feigning paperwork, Zip stayed in his office while the platoon, 52 strong, went out for the afternoon trot. Only 52 were out because Amethyst was “indisposed”. So, being “ill”, she naturally reported to Zip. He was most eager to see what she’d learned.

Sitting down across from Amethyst, he saw a mixture of disgust and a very… “off-color” amusement in her.

“Lieutenant… give it here.”

He knew damn well what she was asking for; sighing, he hoofed over Pvt. Oil’s file.

Scanning his file, she stunned Zip by breaking down, guffawing loudly as she found what she’d been expecting.

She shook her head, hooting with laughter, “Oh, that sick bastard, Lieutenant… I thought that’s what might have been going on. Cripes!”

Zip looked back to her; it was unpleasant for him too…

Taking on a mocking, pleading look, she inquired, “Sir… I don’t really need that many ponies in my squad. But I think your pair of corporals could use another… maybe send that cute, little, bespectacled filly my way?”

Reading through Pvt. Oil’s repellant file had all but killed Zip’s sense of humor, “Speak plainly, Amethyst.”

She barely hesitated, “He can’t be around mares, sir. I don’t trust him… and I don’t say that lightly. Plus… if I’m within a few yards of him... his thoughts are pretty fucked up. If you need me to keep a close eye on him, I will, but-”

He waved a hoof, “Say no more. I’ll talk to 3rd Squad… No mares there. You let them know as much as they might need to. And you can have Spc. Duster on your roster… She’s Jacinta’s, anyway.”

Amethyst could have planted a kiss on the officer young enough to be her son, “Oh, thank you… If you knew what a relief that was…”

“On to more important things,” Zip pulled out Pvt. Rise’s file. “Take a look.”

She did, “Just as I suspected, sir… nothing… Well, he’s actually quite the chatterbox. Says he was an orphan that joined the army when he was 18-years-old. He also says he served in the Griffinstone Expeditionary Forces.”

Zip was nonplussed, “The Griffinstone Expeditionary Forces still exist?”

Zip had served in the frontier bordering Griffinstone... and he was sure the old outfit was long gone.

Amethyst considered a hoof, “They do… on paper. He remembers it, as do the other ponies that ‘served’ in the Forces. But it’s all a farce, Lieutenant. We haven’t had that kind of presence there for two decades. The world believes we’re still there… and so do the soldiers that ‘served’.”

Zip was a little scared, “What are you saying?”

“There’s no obvious evidence—nothing that I can perceive—but his mind’s been tampered with… by somepony a lot more powerful than me. He believes—he knows—he served in Griffinstone… It all checks out, officially. False memories… Maybe even a false name… There’s no telling who he is or what he’s fully capable of or… how to ‘activate’ him. Diving deeper into his mind isn’t something I can just do; it’s like a steel trap.”

Zip leaned back in his desk, a little stunned, “Activate? What the Hell does that mean?”

Amethyst continued, “I thought he might be an agent, like me, that had his memory tailored. Then I thought he might just be a warrant officer… most of their files look about like mine. But he's far too young to have been through any of that... So…”

She petered off, mumbling.

Zip leaned forward; he had to know, “The door’s shut, Amethyst. Tell me what you will, if you see fit.”

She did see fit; leaning forward she took on a serious expression, “I’m not fucking around with you this time when I say this—and it goes for both of us: keep this quiet. Our lives do depend on it. Sir… Pvt. Rise is an experiment… a test subject… And he’s not even aware what he is… at least now.”

On pins and needles, Zip asked, “And what is he?”

“He’s… probably a super-soldier, Lieutenant.”

He looked back at her, “…What?”

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

I saw a fun review recently, so look at The Virgin Company Review by Red Does Reviewing. I had a good laugh going through. Contains Spoilers.

I'm ahead of schedule and will be doing some field prep Sunday, so I thought I'd drop a chapter today.

Beginning to cope with his newfound power, Zip must trust in his friends. And they're all in for some interesting times with their newcomers.

Like, follow, or leave a comment if you please.

As the reader may have guessed, once Zip truly befriends another soldier or makes a special connection, the narration refers to them by name rather than rank. Their rank and full name may be used to reintroduce them when they're first mentioned in a chapter. You may have caught this in Chapter 4, when the narration abruptly began to call Ssgt. Jacinta Petals just "Jacinta".

Like, follow, or leave a comment if you please.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 2: State of Emergency

City by the Sea, Chapter 6: The Military Ball

Zip’s platoon was having a grand old time on their trot.

My girl's a vegetable

(My girl's a vegetable)

She lives in a hospital

(She lives in a hospital)

And I’d do anything

(And I’d do anything)

To keep her alive

(To keep her alive)

My girl’s lady parts are dead

(My girl’s lady parts are dead)

Guess I’ll kiss her ass instead

(Guess I’ll kiss her ass instead)

And I’d do most anything

(And I’d do most anything)

To keep her alive

(To keep her alive)

My girl ain't got no eyes

(My girl ain't got no eyes)

Just two holes and lots of flies

(Just two holes and lots of flies)

But I would do anything

(But I would do anything)

To keep her alive

(To keep her alive)

My girl ain't got no legs

(My girl ain't got no legs)

Just tiny hooks and pegs

(Just tiny hooks and pegs)

But I’d still do anything

(But I’d still do anything)

To keep her alive

(To keep her alive)

Sometimes I play a joke

(Sometimes I play a joke)

Cut the air and watch her choke

(Cut the air and watch her choke)

But damn, would I do anything

(But damn, would I do anything)

To keep her alive

(To keep her alive)

Zip was laughing harder than he cared to in front of his platoon. But everypony enjoyed Sgt. Amethyst Flare’s revolting little tune too. It was hard to believe she knew something like that… for everypony but Zip. The platoon roared their disgust and approval, the hills ringing with raucous laughter.

It occurred to Zip Amethyst was poking fun at Pvt. Linseed Oil. The guy looked to be enjoying himself way too much, leading to his laughing squad mates giving him a wide berth, as he belted out every cadence they sang. To Zip’s relief, the guy was nuts, but apparently harmless to living ponies; his squad leaders had managed to keep something of a leash on him, and he’d been not yet caught in the city morgue.

A week-and-a-half on the tail of receiving their new platoon mates, 3rd Platoon found itself out on a day that proved to be beautiful despite the obviosity of fall weather creeping up. The leaves had turned, and soon their trots in the city would prove useful in the annual Running of the Leaves. The nights had grown chilly, and the mornings were an almost insufferable cold damp.

There were only 53 ponies out trotting that day. SSgt. Jacinta Petals wound up with a work detail and was unable to join their run. Zip missed her, but she would have stood up to even Amethyst over such a nasty marching song; she never backed down in some matters… Things evened out.

Since A Company’s 3rd Platoon had the best record, they’d avoided the split-shift yet again that week, working from 04:00 to 16:00, so they were good and ready for a little exercise and fun before evening. It was Friday afternoon, and everypony was in great spirits.

The port was to be closed the next day, and everypony had the entire weekend off! But even better… that night was the autumn military ball. There’d be dancing and alcohol and food and music and good times all around. And here was 3rd Platoon, trotting through the hills, singing silly songs and laughing themselves silly to the point they had trouble keeping rank. Things couldn’t have been much better for them.

Without Jacinta there to shoot down any cadences, they’d heard the very worst ones everypony had been holding back. They even sang the one about the thermite and the donkey in the orphanage. And they did “Rape, Kill, Pillage, and Burn” twice.

Specialist Trip Wire called out, “I have one, Lieutenant! Dad told me this one once when he was drunk! Wanna hear it?”

Corporal Razor Wire guffawed, “I think I know this one!”

Zip allowed himself an uncharacteristically visceral grin, “Go for it, Trip!”

The rest of the platoon was anxious to hear what Trip had; they knew it would be a fun one.

I went outside to see my old lady

(I went outside to see my old lady)

Only found the cat and the baby

(Only found the cat and the baby)

The cat was drunk, but the baby was sober

(The cat was drunk, but the baby was sober)

The cat cut a fart and knocked the baby over

(The cat cut a fart and knocked the baby over)

I went upstairs to light a candle

(I went upstairs to light a candle)

Tripped over the piss-pot and broke the handle

(Tripped over the piss-pot and broke the handle)

And I couldn’t swim, and I couldn’t float

(And I couldn’t swim, and I couldn’t float)

And all that piss went down my throat

(And all that piss went down my throat)

That did them in; they had to stop for a few minutes. It had them laughing so hard they’d literally collapsed all over themselves. But once they’d caught their breath, they moved on.

They even extended their run an extra mile or so, until nopony had any songs left.

The ball would begin at 19:00; after the optional chow at normal hours, everypony had an hour to get ready.

Well… there were two balls.

Non-commissioned officers held an ambiguous place in the military, but in the end, they were still officers… Kind of. Ask different outfits, and you’ll hear different answers. The sergeants and corporals would attend the officers’ ball, alongside the commissioned officers.

The specialists were stuck at the enlisted ball, but it was reliably a better time. The food and drink weren’t as good, it was rumored, but both were plentiful and decent. Kegs of essentially bottomless beer and piles of passable food were never unwelcome to most soldiers.

A military ball was held at the start of each new season. As 3rd Platoon of A Company had only been around a couple months, this would be their first Port City ball. The rest of A Company, as it was, had only been around a year, seeing a full cycle.

Before any kind of fun for two ponies, though, there was a little bit of business to attend to. Zip and Jacinta went to company headquarters for a little end-of-the-week powwow; Zip’s staff sergeant wished to discuss matters pertaining to the newest platoon members. They’d hoped to address things in the early afternoon, but she was busy with her unexpected task.

Entering the building, they were greeted by Pvt. Birch, who’d been given a previously empty desk while he was laid up with his broken leg. The private was in a full leg cast and had been given special permission to “stand at attention” while sitting down.

He sat up straight and saluted, “Lieutenant, Sergeant, good afternoon.”

Zip and Jacinta saluted back; Zip smiled at him, “How’s our budget looking?”

Private Birch sat, “We’re actually in the black, sir. Spc. Wire was able to send back the parts we no longer need, so we’re just above even. Our funding won’t be coming in until Wednesday... But when it does, Spc. Wire would like to chat with you two about an allocation. Just glancing over it, you should find it reasonable. Even the new lifts need to be maintained.”

Jacinta sighed, “Well, being in the black is a relief… I wish I’d known you were this good with numbers, Pvt. Birch. I could’ve used you before.”

The private smiled; before joining the army, he’d worked in a repair shop. He’d learned a bit about everything but was trusted with the business side of things.

Zip smirked, “Not getting bored, are you, Private?”

Private Birch lounged, “Oh, it’s not so bad… I just want to get back up and moving again… I’m starting to gain weight.”

Zip chuckled, “Once you’re in better shape, I’m sure we can work that off.”

Looking back to his work, Pvt. Birch nodded, “I do look forward to it.”

Leaving the private, Zip and Jacinta went to the back offices. Closing Zip’s office door, the two sat down.

“Okay, Jacinta, shoot.”

She flipped open some notes she’d been keeping, “I think we can both agree Spc. Duster is doing a bang-up job of things. I tell you, Lieutenant, her brain’s like an… encyclopedia sponge.”

Zip could believe this. Anything the little specialist read, she remembered. He was quite sure she had a photographic memory. And she probably knew everything there was to know about the platoon, that which she had access to. Shadowing Jacinta, she was like a walking room full of secretaries. The “short-tempered” status she held with the higher-ups probably stemmed from the same reason Jacinta had been believed to be bitchy: she’d been surrounded by assholes that didn’t respect her. But given better circumstances, she was flourishing.

Zip had been talking with Trip earlier that day, “Pvt. Caramel Crunch seems to be right at home in 4th Squad. She and Trip are practically inseparable.”

Looking further down his own notes, he went on, “Spc. Cocoa Butter’s doing okay, as well, in 2nd Squad. Sgt. Sweet Clover’s impressed with him… I’m glad they have another mechanic, at least.”

There wasn’t much to say about these three. Three good soldiers… Three good fits. It was the other three newcomers that were potentially problematic, though none of them had proven so.

Zip and Amethyst were the only ones, to their knowledge, to know what Pvt. Mercury Rise might have been. Zip didn’t like keeping Jacinta in the dark, but Amethyst’s dire warning to him was convincing. Still, not in the loop at all, Jacinta was curious… Amethyst told her to not worry... that she’d deal with it… and Jacinta dropped it. She’d learned to trust Amethyst; her word could kill curiosity.

But regarding Pvt. Mercury Rise, things couldn’t be better with the young stallion. Whoever “programmed” him had done a fine job of it. Or maybe he was that way to begin with. Nopony could know. He was well-mannered, cultured, talented, helpful, a real gentlecolt… He seemed… perfect; it was the only odd thing about him.

Jacinta hated to use the word, but there was no way around it: all the mares in the company were “creaming” over Pvt. Mercury Rise… other than Jacinta herself and Amethyst. He’d been asked by nine or ten mares to be their date to the company’s enlisted ball. In a grand gesture, he’d declared he’d be going stag to the party but would love to spend time and have fun with all of them. This was normal anyway; usually the only stallions to bring dates had wives and/or mistresses. The enlisted ball would be packed with civilian mares and fillies… at least the ones unable to land a spot at the officers’ ball.

The stallions around Pvt. Mercury Rise, who might be given to jealousy, were too wowed by his sincere kindheartedness (or whatever might have compelled him to be what he was) to feel threatened. Pvt. Mercury Rise was everypony’s friend. Zip and Amethyst might have been “taken in” as well, but they were the only ones in on the game.

Jacinta, impressed, but not excessively wet over him, was just something of a cold fish too, the lieutenant supposed; he felt it was a quality he shared with her. Zip was quite convinced he’d never seen a pony keep private and public life so separate. He knew a lot about her but knew nothing at the same time.

Brushing aside their “super-soldier”, the lieutenant and his staff sergeant came to discuss the matter of Pvt. Linseed Oil. His “hobby” was another thing Jacinta was kept clear of. If she really wanted to look at his file... Zip would fork it over immediately, but Amethyst had told her the same as with Pvt. Mercury Rise… Jacinta also took this advice.

Zip’s corporals weren’t exactly happy about getting the creep in 3rd Squad, but it gave them another set of hooves they wouldn’t have otherwise. And they knew he was a creep if Amethyst wanted to get rid of him! They demanded Zip show them the file before taking the deal. They needn’t demand a thing; it was their privilege as leaders to request files. Disgusted, but not shaken, they’d dealt with worse. Amethyst may have laughed over it, knowing she could probably get Zip to keep Pvt. Linseed Oil away from her, but they sure weren’t laughing.

Regardless, while only four ponies in the platoon apparently knew of his perversion, he’d done well with 3rd Squad. He had an unexpectedly sharp sense of humor, which his squad enjoyed, and had made fast friends with Pvt. Blood Sapphire, their madness feeding off the other. Pvt. Blood Sapphire had proven interesting; his mind seemed a bottomless pit of strange, amusing, and applicable commentary on life. Neither of them had a chance in Hell of landing a mare at the enlisted ball (maybe even with offers of drink or money), but the two had already proved popular in the enlisted gatherings. The enlisted ball could be interesting.

Considering the sinking feeling he’d experienced in his gut when he first saw the “replacements” roster, things had gone well. Productivity was good, everypony was getting along reasonably well, and they’d dodged the split-shift every week. The next week was the beginning of the autumn season, and they would be back up to full volume until Equestria’s harvest petered out. It was still a lot cheaper, in most cases, to move goods from the southern continent by ship than by land; the railroad infrastructure needed to be built up to accommodate the volume.

Fall and winter in the area, of course, was wet, cold, and miserable. But once winter approached, they’d be working a lot less. Winter, although bitter and remarkably snowy, was always welcome in Port City. Working four short days a week in winter, there was time for eating, drinking, troublesome relations with the local fillies, and more drinking. Hell, they could even take extended leave if they had the time built up.

Parting ways, Zip and Jacinta went for evening chow and then to prepare for the ball.

Zip looked at himself in the mirror of his quarters. The blue dress uniform fit like a glove, whatever a “glove” was… The necktie had been something of a hassle, but he’d managed. Placing the hat on his head, he checked its fit; that fit too. He looked pretty good, he thought.

It had been troublesome getting the tailoring done on time, his being a Pegasus, but a shop in town catered to Pegasi, and Zip received special permission to have his work done there.

Locking his door, he noted the time was 6:30 p.m. He’d be able to take his sweet time heading to the officers’ club; for this special occasion, his ban had been lifted.

Walking past the company’s mares’ barracks, three of his four enlisted mares were leaving. Trip wasn’t among them, but Pvt. Orange Blossom, previously the only mare in his platoon without a leadership position, led Spc. Silver Duster and Pvt. Caramel Crunch. All three wore youthful gowns, and Zip had never seen Spc. Silver Duster look so put together. She’d even managed to straighten her mane and tail. It was nice.

Seeing their lieutenant, the girls smiled, Pvt. Caramel Crunch even giving him a curtsy.

Private Orange Blossom knew they weren’t on duty but had to observe some formalities; these stopped at addressing him properly, “Good evening, sir… Wow! That civilian tailor did a nice job with the alterations. Could you… could you give us a flap, Lieutenant?!”

Zip was bemused at the harmless request; Spc. Silver Duster and Pvt. Caramel Crunch looked at Pvt. Orange Blossom like she had snakes coming out of her ass. But Zip chuckled and gave them a wingspread.

“I tried doing this at the shop… I could even fly this way, if I wanted. It was a relief to have it finished on time. I almost received permission for my air force dress, but the tailor managed. I have it in my closet, after all… You’re all looking lovely. Spc. Wire somewhere behind you?”

Specialist Silver Duster, from whom Zip had maybe heard a few lines of speech, grinned shyly behind her spectacles, “She left almost an hour ago. She’s helping finish the decorating, I guess. They had a few things to do.”

Of all the ponies to drink before the event, Zip hadn’t suspected Spc. Silver Duster to be one of them. He could smell it on her. The other two, he wasn’t sure of, but Spc. Silver Duster was already buzzing. It didn’t bother him much. They were off-duty, and the enlisted ball was more of a social than a formal event. He knew plenty of officers and noncoms would already be tottering before the officers’ ball actually started.

Zip nodded, beaming at the girls, “Well, I’d best get moving… so should all of you. I hope you all have a nice evening. Don’t do anything too crazy. We have to be ready to work Monday. And I don’t want anypony to wake up in holding.”

Laughing, Pvt. Caramel Crunch pulled the other mares close, “Don’t worry about us, sir. We’ll be fine. I hear there’s gonna be a photographer there. I’ll grab Trip, and we can get a photograph with all four of us. That’d be something worth putting on the wall!”

Private Orange Blossom said excitedly, her face smooshed, “That would be so neat! I’ve only seen a camera once.”

A huge grin on his face, Zip bade them good night, “Have a good evening, ladies.”

Shaking loose of Pvt. Caramel Crunch’s embrace, Pvt. Blossom began to shepherd the others away, “Thank you, sir. Good night.”

Watching his enlisted mares mosey down the road, Zip turned back to his own path. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, especially in front of her brother… or any other pony for that matter, but he had really wanted to see Trip in a ballgown. He’d have to settle on the other mares in the platoon... Jacinta, Amethyst, and his corporals. And that was no booby prize. Though… if the young ones could get a photograph together… that would be nice. He loved a mare in uniform, but a ballgown was a whole other thing.

Mares had military dress uniforms for other functions, but it was Equestrian Army tradition that mares wore ballgowns to military balls. Somepony within the battalion had recently complained (Zip had a creeping suspicion who it might have been) it was sexist, but the grievance wasn’t loud enough to reach the right ears. Plus, nopony important gave a crap about the alleged Jacinta’s alleged criticism, so the ballgowns remained.

Thinking about nothing in particular, Zip made his way. While they were pretty and Zip appreciated their charms, his enlisted mares were small potatoes against the mature beauty of his noncom mares. Able to keep from gawking at the young ones, he knew he’d have a harder time keeping up appearances, especially when Jacinta and Amethyst showed up.

Arriving at the officers’ club 10 minutes before the ball was to begin, Zip decided to seek out his seat. He’d wound up at a singles’ table… all stallions. Among them were Lt. Treehorn and Sgt. Sweet Clover, so he’d know them at least. Not seeing any of his noncom mares, he went to scope them out so he could check them out… or rather greet them like a gentlecolt and see they get to their seats. As a young officer, that was one of his duties if he had mares in his platoon. They had planned, according to Amethyst, to arrive exactly at 19:00. As she explained, the bar didn’t open until then. And the food wouldn’t be out until 19:30.

Amethyst didn’t disappoint: she wore a crimson gown more than worthy of an Equestrian belle. Zip tried to pick his jaw up before she saw, but see it she did. She giggled at her lieutenant, busily moving past him to the bar. She intended to get herself set up before sitting down. It was apparent she was more than comfortable with all this. Stallions moved to get out of her way, staring at her with awe in their eyes, and Zip could tell she wasn’t unhappy about it.

Corporals Lily Hawk and Little Song dressed in much simpler gowns, but were nonetheless a beacon upon entering the club. Their relative youth shined, and the two slunk off somewhere to avoid the harassment they knew to be coming. Eyeing the less than stellar spread being set up, they wished they could be with the enlisted ponies… At least the food was better.

Zip was finding it hard to seat them, when they had elected to immediately scatter on him.

Zip craned his neck; one more was coming. And other than Trip, whom he’d not have the chance to see unless circumstanced permitted, she was the one he wanted to see the most. But where was Jacinta? The mares had agreed to come together. He looked and looked and holy shit! There she was, walking towards him!

Zip felt his fire burn out. Jacinta was wearing something a teenager would wear. He’d thought the enlisted mares looked like kids… She… looked… really good, but he’d had visions of her as a goddess... with a diadem of flowers and-

He felt a deft clout to his shoulder. Coming out of his brief, pansy-assed fantasy, his shoulder immediately hurting, he saw the unamused face and blazing eyes of his staff sergeant. She'd slugged him, he realized.

“Lieutenant… control yourself. This is an official function,” she coldly stated.

She’d noticed him gawking at the mares under his command… including her. It’s not like it was difficult. He saw the very slightest color in her cheeks.

“Right, Jacinta… Sorry.”

She sighed, eventually allowing herself a pleasant little smile, “Oh, it’s fine, sir. You get Amethyst, and I’ll get our corporals. Once you seat us, you don’t have to do anything else for us. Let’s get the formalities out of the way.”

Jacinta had an easy time with her task, while Amethyst kept talking up the bartender, creating difficulty in Zip pulling her away. But once Amethyst had her pitcher of three-alarm Bloody Mare, she grew tired of her game, and he was able to coax her away. He hadn’t been close enough to tell, but she’d done a little pre-partying herself; she was well on her way to getting sloshed.

All four mares were assigned to different tables but were in close proximity; it only took a moment to seat them. Protocol required he pull out the chair for them and everything. Amethyst gave him a little mischief here, correcting him until his conduct was perfect, much to the amusement of some noncom mares he didn’t know; it was her way of having fun at his expense. With that done, he made his way back to his table.

Sergeant Sweet Clover was at the bar when Zip sat down. Lt. Treehorn had shown up, sad to be dateless and already hammered. Zip seethed inwardly; he’d spent more time than was tolerable around Lt. Treehorn when he had liquor in him. His mood, usually weak to begin with, could get downright lame. And they were seated next to each other.

The fool was talking as if nopony could hear him, but they could, “Sgt. Flare sure looks good tonight… and SSgt. Petals… she’s dressed like a kid. With all the fillies here, I must have a shot with one of them…”

Zip let his attention slide as Lt. Treehorn continued to drone; the other officer was so shitfaced he was talking to the air. About to take his seat next to the hapless goofball, Zip was pleased to see a grinning Sgt. Sweet Clover switching seating assignments with him.

“Don’t sweat it, Lieutenant. I got ya,” he chuckled, sipping on a lowball of whiskey.

With a sigh of relief, Zip sat on the other side of the table. Nopony would care or even notice the switch. Sgt. Sweet Clover was actually amused with Lt. Treehorn’s nonsense, so he egged him along, getting him so worked up they had to calm him down for his shouting.

Zip shook his head at the stupidity of his fellow lieutenant. As the rest of the table sat, Zip realized they were much in the same boat: just a bunch of young, drunk guys unhappy with their lot in life. Sgt. Sweet Clover had a wife. She just had no interest in coming, and they had a few foals at home. Zip’s sergeant wouldn’t be hanging around long… Once the “important” stuff requiring attendance was over, he’d head home.

Zip decided he’d probably take off at some point himself… the earlier, the better. He could tell the night would descend into trouble with how drunk everypony already was. Zip reasoned these events must be pretty lame to merit such preparation.

And it was nothing too exciting. They were served a meal far too small with burnt cake for dessert; Zip regretted skipping normal chow. Cpt. Basket Weaver gave a speech Zip barely listened to, and they suffered through a comedian that was about as funny as watching a foal die of cancer. Zip was actually nodding off by the time the social hour arrived.

It was time to mosey around and mingle. As an officer, especially a young officer new to the battalion, Zip was expected to participate, so he got himself a glass of pineapple squash and waded around the club.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Sgt. Treasure Trove and Cpl. Little Song of his 4th Squad making a beeline for the back door.

Running over, he flagged them down, “Whoa, whoa! Where are you going?”

Corporal Song smiled big, her cheeks rosy from imbibing, “We’re outta here, Lieutenant! Once the actual ass-kiss stuff is over, noncoms can F.O. We’re crashing the enlisted ball! But-you’re-stuck-here!”

Zip wasn’t exactly happy about this, especially her teasing him, “That’s right! I’m stuck here and-! Wait… I haven’t seen the others.”

Sergeant Treasure Trove hoofed the back of his neck, “Yeah… everypony but Sgt. Flare snuck out already… and I haven’t seen SSgt. Petals…”

Zip couldn’t hold it against his noncoms if they wanted to have a better time; he himself would prefer being with his platoon, “Well, you two stay safe. I don’t want to have to bail anypony out of holding in the morning.”

Seeing Zip lighten up and all but give his blessing to their fucking off to better times, Sgt. Treasure Trove and Cpl. Little Song disappeared out the door. Zip knew Amethyst wouldn’t leave the officers’ ball. A “belle” like her was totally at home at an event like this… He’d seen her tease drinks and favors off many a stallion and then just leave them with their dicks in their hooves. It was rather amusing when she laid on the charm. She’d stay until she’d had her fun and probably retire to her office for a restful sleep away from the other mares in the company.

And Jacinta… He could see her leaving at some point, but she’d probably not go to the enlisted party. She stuck to the rules in more formal cases... even if she’d entertain the platoon hanging out casually. She’d be around until her attention to decorum allowed her to leave. Zip felt like a teenager, afraid of being away from anypony he knew, but when most of the crowd was already three winds to the sheet, he’d prefer being around his drunk friends than drunk strangers.

He could see Amethyst at the bar; she was looking pretty lathered up, a plethora of civilian stallions hitting on her… Even stallions could get into the ball. Zip figured they were there for easy fillies and to rub shoulders with those running the city. Zip hadn’t bothered to think about it, but the city leaders and the wealthy were there; they had interests and the ball was a good place to cultivate them… even if half the room was on the way to blackout territory.

Ah-ha! Zip spotted Jacinta. She was by herself against a wall, sipping on a cocktail. He’d just about made it within hailing distance, when he felt a tug at his hindquarters… of the magical kind. Immediately, he felt dread, viscerally reminded of his misadventures with Lt. Hoop, but turning around, he saw the three ripest-looking fillies he’d ever seen since… well, ever. Superficially appearing 18 or 19-years-old, they’d been fortunate to get in. It was hard to tell around those years, especially when they were taking steps to look young...

They had on some pretty great ballgowns. Quickly noting their qualities, only one was sober. They were well fed, just about flawless in appearance, and sparkling clean, other than the indelible oil under their hooves. They were probably factory mares, Zip figured…

The lead filly, the unicorn that had pulled him over, batted her eyes at him, “You must be Lt. Zip Jetscream…”

Of course he was… Shee-yit, were these fillies ripe! Zip’s jaw moved on its own, nothing coming out.

The unicorn tottered in place, “It’s good to meet you. I’m Blueberry Patch. I never had a chance at the club to talk to you… You never stuck around before your ban.”

Ban? Zip wondered... Oh, yeah! He'd been banned for offing another officer! What a thing for some hussy to bring up!

One of the other mares, an Earth pony, tried to butt in. Zip noted she was… a little more developed than Blueberry. Blueberry’s eyes panned over her friend’s body, and Zip saw jealousy in the mare’s eyes.

“I’m Wildberry Pie… Wanna bite, Lieutenant?” she giggled drunkenly as the third mare reeled her in.

This one looked a little more sensible to Zip; she was the sober one of the bunch, “I’m sorry about my friends, sir… They’ve already had a little too much fun."

The young mares glowered at her, but they didn't retaliate.

The newest mare shooed them away, "Why don’t you two go over to the bar? I’ll catch up with you later.”

Her friends eyed her in greater distaste but slunk off. It was immediately clear to Zip: she was the leader of the bunch. She turned to Zip with an agreeable look on her face.

“I’m Apricot Crumble. I see you’re about the only sober pony here. Want to chat a bit? I’m in no mood to foalsit my friends at the moment.”

She fluffed her wings—Zip hadn’t realized she was a Pegasus! And she was built; she had the body of a laborer, on top of being ravishing. He didn’t wish for it to be so, but just these facts had him wanting to learn more. Apricot eyed his beverage.

“I see you like Acer’s pineapple squash… I’m rather partial to it myself. Why don’t we get a couple fresh ones and… talk?”

Her manner was so inviting he forgot most of his reservations. He was supposed to be sociable, and talking with a sober mare who obviously knew how to work beat the Hell out of being miserable. Thinking of Jacinta for the first time in a moment, he saw she was gone. Fleetingly hoping she wasn’t upset about watching some fillies flirt with him, he figured he’d see her later.

“Sure, Miss Crumble. That sounds nice,” Zip was glad to join her.

Giggling at him and pulling him towards the bar, “I should be the one calling you formally, Lieutenant. Just call me Apricot!”

He was happy to oblige, “Sure, Apricot.”

After finishing up at the bar, the two sat down in a quiet corner.

“I have to say, Lieutenant… I was tickled pink to hear a Pegasus officer was coming to Port… Not that I expected to ever meet you. It’s a real treat for me. Other than my family, I think I can count the Pegasi I know on two hooves,” Apricot sipped her squash.

Zip was delighted by this young mare, “Yes, there aren’t many of us around here… Tell me… do you remember the first time you had pineapple squash?”

She snorted a little into her drink, “What kind of question is that, sir?”

He didn’t mind her chortling at his inquiry, “I’m serious… I’ve been drinking it as long as I remember… We didn’t have a whole lot growing up. We lived in Canterlot, and my parents worked in the market… We weren’t farmers or anything; they just worked for a merchant. He wasn’t exactly a generous pony. But we got enough to eat, and he always cut loose produce to us when it got close to overripe.

“The stuff was sometimes too ripe to eat, even right away, so Mom would boil it down to syrup and make fresh squash all the time. You can make squash out of anything, but pineapple’s always been my favorite. It’s special to me.”

Apricot looked into her own glass, “I’m sorry for laughing… it just wasn’t what I expected to hear… I like the stuff, but I sure don’t have a nice story like that to share. I grew up on a little farm southeast of Port. Well, it’s more of an orchard. My parents named me Apricot, and that’s what we grow. We had cherries, but they died off one year when we had a flood. I… still live there. It beats working in the city. Still, I never expected to still be stuck at home when I was 22... But it's cleaner... makes financial sense... Shoot, I might never leave; somepony has to keep the place running.”

Zip, recognizing she wasn't just some filly fresh outta high school, was enjoying talking with her more and more, “I’ve never even been on a farm. About all I did when I wasn’t going to school was watch over my little sisters… Sometimes our parents would send us on fruit deliveries. The merchant did appreciate that… He didn’t have to pay anything extra. He was happy to have a couple little Pegasi around to fly his wares.”

Apricot giggled, “Keeping an orchard is the same way. The only thing better than a set of wings for dealing with trees would be a horn… but I’d rather fly than have unicorn magic. What about you?”

Zip wasn’t sure; he’d never thought much about being anything other than what he was, “I’d have never wound up in the air force, I bet, if I’d been born anything else… Maybe I could’ve just stayed in Canterlot… Life sure would’ve been different… But no. I’m happy the way I am.”

It wasn't much of an answer, but Apricot smirked and took it.

“Fair enough,” the mare mused. “I’m glad I ran into you, Lieutenant. It’s nice to just talk with somepony that doesn’t need to drink all the time. I love my dad, but he’d drink away the family farm if Mom let him.”

“My parents were always teetotalers. It’s just what they did… When I was old enough to really try the stuff for myself, I just wasn’t interested.”

She chuckled, “I know what you mean.”

Suddenly, a band that had taken the stage when he wasn’t paying attention jostled Zip from his conversation, jumping into an upbeat tune.

Apricot smiled, sliding her drink aside, “Wanna dance, Lieutenant?”

Zip was no fan of dancing, though he knew how. But his new acquaintance was so much fun he’d indulge her… in a while.

“I’d love to in a bit, but we did an awful lot of running around today. I’d like to just sit for a little while and enjoy the music.”

“I understand… I was flying around all day picking my namesake. Maybe in a couple songs, then.”

Zip closed his eyes and leaned back. He was having a great time; he’d never felt this comfortable talking to a mare he’d just met. She wasn’t pressuring him or trying to ride his coat tails or-

Zip!

Looking down, Apricot’s face was right between his back legs; she’d worked down his uniform's fly with her teeth. He propelled himself, sliding away from her on the bench they were sharing.

“What are you doing?” he cried.

She looked flummoxed, “I was… going to—oh, shit!”

Apricot ducked out of sight. Zip looked around wildly. He saw a large, dirty Earth pony lumbering around; everypony was giving him a wide berth. He looked pissed. And Zip had a nasty feeling Apricot knew him.

The lumbering stallion briefly searched around, and Zip saw the military police accost him. Zip was sure there’d be a scrap, but the stallion left without a struggle.

Soon, Apricot’s voice came from under the table, “Is he gone?”

Zip didn’t like this, “Yes…”

“Good,” Apricot came from under the table and rejoined him.

Zip looked at her nervously, “Who was that?”

Apricot clopped her hooves on the table; looking a little embarrassed, she could barely suppress a grin, “That was my fiancé…”

Zip saw his vision invert; he felt sick, “Your fiancé?!”

“Yup.”

“And you were gonna… you know… uh… cheat on him?”

She gave an all-in giggle, hoofing the back of her neck, “Well, I was… and… I am anyway… So, yeah! I would... cheat on him.”

Without another word and with his fly still down, Zip bolted and made his way out the back door.

MARES ARE TERRIFYING!

Zip hadn’t moved that fast in a long time; he leaned against the brick of the building, panting. Noting his fly was still down, he set about to pulling it up. He’d leave and go somewhere else… Things were getting too out of hoof for him. Wrestling with his fly, he heard a hearty female chuckle.

“I was wondering when you’d show up, Lieutenant.”

Zip’s fly raked up, just about catching his delicates, as he jerked in surprise.

“OUCH!” Zip fell on his back; looking up, he saw Jacinta smiling down at him, her face upside down from his perspective.

She had a fresh cocktail in hoof, primly taking a sip as she simpered at his floundering.

Zip regained his hooves, “What are you doing out here, Jacinta?”

Over her drink, she mused, “I’m just getting some air…”

Zip saw the shit-eating grin she was trying to hide behind her glass, “What is it?”

Jacinta couldn’t hold it in anymore; she burst out giggling, “You got messed around by the ‘farmer fillies’…”

“What?”

“Those three young mares… they’re farm girls from out of town. Amethyst said they're notorious for going after officers. She saw them go after you from the bar and ran over to get me from where you saw me.”

Zip realized his noncoms had had a little fun at his expense, but he listened.

Jacinta snorted, “She bet me a cocktail they’d have you running for one of the exits in less than three minutes! We were watching you from the bar!”

It explained her fresh drink. Zip watched her dissolve in a fit of laughter; the alcohol was getting to her a little.

“I took the bet. Once you screwed her out of a drink, she slunk off somewhere... She's around, I'm sure. I came out for some fresh air… then you came tumbling out with your fly down… and here we are.”

Zip didn’t enjoy blushing in front of his staff sergeant but there it was. Grumbling, he sat down and stared at the gravel in the alley.

Jacinta shook her head, “Oh, don’t give it a second thought, sir. I know what the Port mares can be like… And I’m sorry you’re embarrassed. But it’s no big deal. Amethyst was just having a little fun; you know she’s fond of you. And, well… I had a good laugh myself.”

Zip decided to relax; getting upset with Jacinta over such a dumb thing wasn’t worth it. Since he was outside and she was too, perhaps he could have a nice chat with her.

“You missed a really fun trot today. We sang some songs and had a few laughs of our own.”

She eyed him coyly, “Not if I’d been there, you wouldn’t have. Amethyst already told me. She was bursting with childlike glee to tell me you all sang the ‘thermite’ song… and the ‘rape, kill’ song… and oh, yes… the only one that has an actual name—‘My Girl’s a Vegetable’. She was proud to say she led that one herself. If the wrong ponies heard you singing that one, you could say goodbye to not working the split-shift.”

He almost laughed at that, “What ‘wrong ponies’? And that shift business is done, anyway. We’re at full capacity, starting Monday.”

“Oh, right… All the same, Lieutenant, Cpt. Weaver isn’t the colonel and he sure isn’t Cpt. Rig. He’s running a tighter ship. Keep on his good side. And we’re having a cleaner trot next time. The rich folks gripe enough without us giving them another excuse to report our behavior.”

Zip lounged against the wall, grinning, “You’re being a real SSgt. Sourpuss, Jacinta. Would it kill you to let us sing a few silly songs?”

She glowered at him, “You know well enough most of the cadences you all want to sing have been outlawed. I… think it’s funny... most of the time… but we have to at least pretend to maintain those rules, which you know.”

Zip chuckled, “Jacinta, you’re such a stick-in-the-mud sometimes, I’m afraid we’ll never pull you out of the muck. And you’ve never even led us in a tune.”

Jacinta was getting a little flustered, “What? C’mon… I know plenty of those stupid trotting songs… dozens, even. I went through basic training… It’s just that they’re not… legal.”

Zip snorted, crossing his hooves, “Yeah, right, Jacinta.”

With what little liquor he’d seen her have, she got worked up, “No, really, Lieutenant! I know some! Do you really think I enjoy having to yell at all of you when it’s just as much fun for me?”

“Prove it.”

Casting Zip a nasty look, Jacinta began.

I'm a necrophiliac

Put a dead one in the sack

Skin like paste and hair like straw

Gonna bring her home to Ma

Zip’s jaw fell to the ground at that. Jacinta finally let her front dissolve and cackled at him until her voice cracked.

Coughing, having mostly regained control, she snorted, “And listen to this one. It’s a little long…”

He can take a private

Drag him out of bed

Grab him by the collar

And choke him ‘til he's dead

The S&M colt

Oh, the S&M colt

The S&M colt is misunderstood

But he mixes fun with pain and makes the hurt feel good

He can take his marefriend

Shove icepicks in her ears

Ride her like a bicycle

Hell, she even steers

The S&M colt

Oh, the S&M colt

The S&M colt is misunderstood

But he mixes fun with pain and makes the hurt feel good

He can take a kitty

Pet it, make it purr

Pull out a book of matches

And burn off all its fur

The S&M colt

Oh, the S&M colt

The S&M colt is misunderstood

But he mixes fun with pain and makes the hurt feel good

Zip almost needed help pulling his jaw off the ground. Jacinta didn’t dissolve this time, but she kneaded his shoulder a little, sitting next to him.

“Don’t say I can’t have fun. Bet you’ve never heard those. I doubt like Hell most ponies around here have… Those were near and dear to my old supply unit. 'S&M Colt’ has about 30 verses. Those are just some of the better ones.”

Smiling at the memory, she said, “I remember my old platoon would get hammered and then start singing those at the pubs… Once they sang ‘S&M Colt’ at the captain’s wedding reception… That was pretty fucked up… The bride’s mother ran out!”

Zip found himself chortling at that. It would be almost as bad as singing it at a funeral… Then again, those songs were special. It sometimes alarmed anypony nonmilitary, but it seemed right to do. A song... It was theirs. They loved it and it was theirs. They sweated and bonded over it together.

It struck him. Before his old outfit was split up, what was left of them, they had a big ceremony for the fallen. And what did they do? They sang those same tunes as they laid their comrades to rest. His eyes misted up, but it was brief and Jacinta didn’t even catch it.

She just kept reminiscing, “Yup, we sure had some good times out there. Oh, what strange circumstances brought me to a place like this… Really, all of us… What a time it’s been. Just four months ago, I was worried about ponies trying to steal stuff from my inventory and selling it for beer money! And you… things sure are different for you…”

Zip looked down to his decoration which was rarely worn, Yes… strange indeed.

Her mind a little cloudy and moving more freely than normal, she jumped topics, “You know, Lieutenant… you strike me as a big brother. I’m guessing you have… two little brothers and one little sister… Am I close?”

Zip shook his head, “I have three little sisters. I was the only colt.”

She looked genuinely surprised, “Only sisters?! No way.”

“It’s true. One, three, and four years younger than me.”

Jacinta had something snappy (and very profane and out-of-character) to say, but her inhibitions wouldn’t yet allow it, “Well, I’m a big sister. Six… I have six younger siblings… two colts and four fillies… Well, the twins are your age.”

Zip could picture Jacinta lording over all those little ones; it may have been why she was so good at bossing ponies around. He laughed at the thought: a frazzled, teenage Jacinta chasing around a bunch of little foals.

“What’s so funny?” it was an odd question when she was red and gassy from her own laughter.

He admitted, “I was just picturing you as a kid… screaming at all of them, as they all but swung from the rafters.”

Glowering at him, she stated, “No… we had our fun, but Mom was a Helluva disciplinarian. Dad’s a merchant sailor out east, so she kept a pretty close watch on us. But… yeah. I did plenty of yelling. Mom could only do so much; she needed my help all the time. I swore I wouldn’t end up like my mom, but when I look in the mirror or hear the things coming out of my mouth, that’s all I am. I’ve become my mother…”

Zip tried to hide a smirk as she grumbled and sucked down the rest of her drink. This was nice, just chatting… Before he could respond, she sighed heavily.

Staring off into nowhere in particular, Jacinta then gave him a cautious little smirk, “It’s hard for me to imagine being a mother, Lieutenant… The idea of getting married aside, it’s only a short while ago I was just some little filly myself… all legs, too. But if I ever have a daughter… if I ever have a filly… I hope to name her Rhododendron… Rho for short…”

Zip tried not to gawp; she giggled at him, though she quickly took a more somber mien, “I can see why Amethyst called her little one Rho… the full name is such a mouthful. I know she told you, sir… It’s such a sad thing, losing a baby.”

The two sat in the chill, the noise of the ball dull in the background. Zip allowed the feeling to wash over him, noting it was now dark out; he’d barely even thought of the hour.

“But… Amethyst is Mother to us all in a way,” Jacinta figured. “There’s nopony I look up to more than her… nopony I’d rather be more like…”

Zip only breathed, taking in Jacinta’s words.

Suddenly, Jacinta popped up, “I’d best be a good girl and return the glass to the bar. It was a freebie, after all.”

Zip was still just a little sore over the fun they had at his expense, blushing again. She just waggled the glass at him.

She gave him a reserved bat of the eyes, “You coming?”

“Uh… yeah.”

Back inside, the dance was in full swing, and the whole place stunk of alcohol and sweat. Following Jacinta to the bar, she left her glass. In a couple seconds, she was hurrying towards the front door.

Zip stammered, “You’re leaving already?”

Looking back at him, she pointed matter-of-factly out of his view, “I wasn’t… until I saw that.”

Zip turned; Lt. Treehorn had thrown up on Captain Jalapeño Jelly’s wife. The captain stood, flabbergasted, as his wife shrieked. As Lt. Treehorn weaved around, he slipped in the puddle of his own making and fell forward, knocking out his own front teeth.

Zip grabbed Jacinta’s hoof, “Yeah! Let’s bolt.”

He pulled the guffawing mare outside with him.

About a block away from the officers’ club, Zip and Jacinta were still laughing uproariously. They felt a little bad for Lt. Treehorn, but Zip had less and less sympathy for the guy. Jacinta just didn’t like him… He was a tool, he’d hit on her a few times, and even gotten fresh in blackout territory. Usually nervous around mares, he’d do anything once he’d had enough num-nums.

Since probably nopony had ever been put to the end of a rope for barfing on some officer's wife, Zip hoped the fool would just be allowed to sleep it off. He’d be punished, sure, but mildly. And he’d never live it down. In 20 years he’d be remembered as the young lieutenant that puked on a captain’s wife. Zip pictured Lt. Treehorn (though he'd never probably reach such a rank) as a colonel, walking around during a full brigade-level inspection, his decorations jingling. Some grizzled noncom would tell his new privates, in great reverence, There he goes... a god among stallions... Dude once puked all over a captain's wife's tits. And all they could give him was KP duty.

They’d made their way about halfway to the enlisted ball. Zip couldn’t go in, and Jacinta wouldn’t go in, but scuttlebutt was a hoofful of their platoon was heading downtown. Jacinta had to stop a moment to catch her breath, she was guffawing so. Happening to be in the park, Jacinta sauntered over to a little hill and sat down. Zip joined her… and tried to ignore the fact she was sitting in a most unladylike position. She was getting more and more careless; Zip didn’t think she’d had all that much to drink…

“Check it out, Lieutenant. Almost a full moon,” Jacinta pointed up into the clear night sky, at first unaware of Zip’s wandering eyes.

Zip’s eyes weren’t behaving themselves in the least; they kept scanning Jacinta’s form as she lounged on the knoll of grass. Their uniforms were all form-fitting and completely flattered Jacinta, but there was something about seeing her in an evening gown that had Zip’s juices pumping. Her pale, green coat showed in places he’d never seen and the gown covered things he’d taken for granted, and… hey, it was pretty good.

Zip, being the rather hopeless stallion he sometimes was, wasn’t being discreet, either. Jacinta laughed at him heartily.

“A bit for your thoughts, Lieutenant?” she crooned.

He looked away, unable to explain himself. She just laughed at him, Zip reddening. Then she was quiet for a moment. Turning back timidly, he saw Jacinta was taking pulls off a bottle of gin.

“Jacinta!” Zip exclaimed. “It’s no wonder you’re getting so lit! You didn’t have more than a few at the ball… Wait... Where were you hiding that?!”

Jacinta smirked at him, lifting the rear of her gown. Zip scrambled to get away and not see, but she laughed at him.

“It’s okay, Lieutenant, look.”

He chanced a look. They were ponies after all; they didn’t where clothes all the time. Zip saw Jacinta’s trick: she’d been keeping the bottle in a garter tied to her left back leg. Clever…

Stowing the bottle, she dropped her gown, “Works just as well as it did when I was a filly. We don’t have the benefit of the ‘free’ beer kegs the ‘kids’ have, sir. I’m not dropping a week’s pay for some half-assed cocktails at the officers’ club… especially when they jack up prices for the ball… just a couple for appearances. Then I hooked a few things from the kitchen and made myself the best gin-fizz I’ve ever had.”

Zip was wowed by her playful and cheerful mood, “Well, maybe take it a little easy on that stuff. You don’t want to crawl home.”

“And I won’t wind up that way,” she spouted as she sprang up. “If we hurry up, we can catch our folk as they’re leaving the ball.”

It was only a couple blocks, and they were there in moments.

The warehouse hosting the enlisted ball was booming. The band could be heard from the outside, barely over the cheering and screaming ponies.

Jacinta smiled, “Oh, yeah… they’re having fun.”

Zip noted an empty keg thrown out of a window, where it splintered into the road, “Mm-hmm.”

It was obvious why battalion called in a few extra military police units for these big events.

Just a moment after making it there, Zip and Jacinta found a hoofful making their way outside. Pvt. Mercury Rise was among them. He had several local fillies hanging off him like monkeys on a tree; he looked totally at ease.

He was liquored up, but he radiated every bit the normal competence he was known for, “Ah, good evening, Lieutenant… Sergeant. How are you tonight?”

Zip was impressed by his “super-soldier”, “We’re good, Private. Been having a good time?”

“Ohhhh, the best!” Pvt. Mercury Rise stood on his back legs, picking up the four fillies in his front legs; he happily jostled them, all of them squealing in delight.

This impressed Zip even more; that was some strength.

“Well, if you’ll excuse us, sir… there’s a music show down the road… C’mon, girls!”

Leading the four townies, he began to stroll down the street. Quite a few young mares had come out to watch the private leave. Spc. Silver Duster, Pvt. Orange Blossom, and Pvt. Caramel Crunch, whom Zip had just noticed, looked after him lustfully, practically drooling. The girls were profoundly drunk, falling all over themselves.

Private Caramel Crunch, the first to come out of her boy-crazy stupor, crowed, “Hey, it’s the lieutenant and Sarge! How the fuck’s it going?!”

Yup… all three were pretty lathered as they greeted their platoon leaders. Jacinta wasn’t pleased with the private’s crass salutation, but Zip let it go.

“You’ve all been good? Nopony’s gone to jail?” Zip joked.

Private Orange Blossom shook her head, “None of us has gotten into any trouble, but-”

The doors burst open. A scowling Cpl. Razor Wire came out with somepony draped over his back.

Corporal Lily Hawk was trailing worriedly, “I’m sorry, Razor… the girls from 2nd Platoon got her to join their drinking contest.”

There was Trip, Zip’s second fantasy mare of the night, snoring with a huge grin on her face, flopped on her brother’s back. She was pretty cute in her pink gown, other than looking like she’d been rolling in straw and horseshit… which was probably the case with the floor in the warehouse.

“Girls!” Cpl. Razor Wire was more annoyed than anything as he called to the three other enlisted mares. “You’re going back to barracks. You’ve had enough fun for one night.”

The mares filed past, grumbling. Pvt. Orange Blossom stopped a moment.

“Don’t worry, sir,” she said to Zip. “We got a photograph taken earlier. Silver even took off her glasses!”

“Private Blossom… come on!” Cpl. Razor Wire called.

“Coming! Well, goodnight, sir. SSgt. Petals,” she hurried off after.

Corporal Lily Hawk sighed, facing the platoon leaders, “Oh, those young mares… Hopefully they take it a little easier next time… Anything interesting happen at the officers’ club after we left?”

Jacinta could barely contain herself, “Well, nothing much… Lt. Treehorn booted on Cpt. Jelly’s wife, is all…”

Corporal Lily Hawk was a nurse before joining the army; bodily functions merely annoyed her.

“Oh, that sounds just magical,” she waxed sarcastically. “Nothing else?”

Jacinta grinned, “I won a bet with Amethyst!”

Corporal Lily Hawk did a take, “You won a bet with ol’ Flare?! No way! In what?!”

Zip could tell Jacinta was bursting to say; she wiggled excitedly, giggling foolishly, and said, “That’s. A. Secret!”

She slid Zip a little wink. He tried to look cool.

“Whatever,” the corporal mumbled, not really all that blown away by a silly Jacinta (it was the night of a ball, after all); she turned to Zip. “Sorry to say, Lieutenant, but everypony’s having such a good time... they’ve passed on going anywhere else… and I haven’t seen Sgt. Flare tonight… Well, I’ve gotta go help Razor.”

She took off after the five. Zip figured his enlisted mares were in good hooves. He was a little disappointed, though. He’d had a good time the hoofful of times he’d hung out casually with his platoon. But they were having fun, and he was glad for it. He also realized he’d lose Jacinta… She’d said she had no interest in going into the enlisted ball, but-

“Want to walk around a little more, sir? I think we could start to make our way back… maybe find a snack.”

This was a bit unforeseen; Jacinta wanting to hang out with Zip wasn’t at the top of things on his list of things he’d expect that night, “Uh, sure… Let’s go.”

With the paltry dinner and meager hors d'oeuvres at the officers' ball, they could both stand a little something to eat.

Zip rather hoped they’d run into Amethyst at some point, but he hadn’t seen much of her since he sat her down at the ball. And he’d missed her when she and Jacinta were “gambling with his chastity”. Perhaps she’d just stayed at the club… There would be no end of stallions dying to buy her a drink. Plus, he hadn’t known until he’d heard it earlier in the day, but Amethyst loved dancing. There’d also be no shortage of stallions wanting to dance with the belle and she was belle of the ball material.

Zip and Jacinta had stopped for fried potatoes at a little shop; Jacinta got herself a vanilla milkshake. Making their way through the park again, it was empty. There wasn’t much between the port and the military barracks, once one passed the downtown area.

Jacinta walked alongside him, sucking on her treat. She’d confounded him when she sucked down a couple inches of it and poured into it the remainder of her gin. Pleased with her pseudo-gin-fizz, she was making quick work of it. Soon, she tossed the empty containers in some box on the roadside.

Zip was becoming uneasy; he was out alone with his direct subordinate and she was drunk off her ass by then. It didn’t help matters that she suddenly became quieter; that was never a good sign in an inebriated pony. She stopped a moment, a light breeze blowing around her mane.

“Sir…” she voiced. “Do you think I’m… a bore?”

Zip did a horsey-snort; that was the kind of thing he’d been afraid of hearing out of her all night. He wouldn't say she was a bore... There were better words to describe what she may have been, but he could think of none at that moment.

“I’ve tried to lighten up some, but… I don’t know how to keep things separate! I wanna have fun, I really do! But it’s hard when I’m supposed to be something. I know all the ponies talk about me behind my back…”

This wasn’t entirely untrue, but there’d been a lot less rumblings regarding Jacinta since Zip had taken over… and that was already a month past. She rode them all pretty hard, but they’d really shaped up as a unit… and Zip gave Jacinta a lot of the credit. He’d inspired change, sure, but she’d kept order when he might not have been able to. And she’d been a pretty good sport about things, even when she was the object of somewhat good-natured ridicule. They were soldiers, after all; coarseness was part of what they were.

But Zip was having problems coming up with a way to articulate this to his smashed friend. The fact she looked close to tears and took on a pouty-lip didn’t make the matter any simpler. She meandered to the edge of the road, where she put a hoof to a tree, leaning on it.

But he tried to come up with something, “Jacinta… the platoon loves you. I hope you realize they only jerk you around because they think… you’re their friend. You care about them... and they know that well. I know I’m an officer and you’re a staff sergeant and we’re not really supposed to be friends, not with each other and not with our platoon, but that recruit shit is far behind us. We are friends… and we’re all the very best of friends. You’re a good soldier… and a good friend. Don’t forget that.”

She was looking down, fighting tears, “I don’t know if you’re just saying this… or-”

Zip put his hoofs around her shoulders and pulled her so she was looking up at him, “Jacinta… I do mean it. I couldn’t ask for a better staff sergeant. I’m lucky to have you. I’m lucky to have all of you.”

What happened next was new territory for Zip. Jacinta giggled buoyantly and leaned back away from him. He managed to grab onto her lower trunk as she dangled, one back hoof precariously holding ground.

She waved her hooves, “Oh, wow, Lieutenant! The world’s all upside-down. It’s like I’m falling up!”

Her other back leg was up by his face, and he had to avoid getting kneed, but he managed to hike her up again. It brought her face forcefully into his chest with a flump. She brayed laughter and nuzzled in, wrapping her hooves around him. This had Zip’s mind racing; he must’ve been breaking about 20 rules, this happening.

“Oh, Lieutenant. You’re so kind. But I like seeing this, too... I wish everypony else could see this side of you.”

They didn’t? Zip was conflicted. He thought he’d always been rather good to his platoon... and what she'd said didn't make a whole lot of sense in the first place. This was getting strange.

She smiled lopsidedly at him, “Your flirting style sucks… but you’re such a nice guy, sir…”

Flirting? Zip’s train of thought ran in another direction, jumping track so fast there should’ve been a derailment.

“It really wouldn’t hurt you to try a little more with the fillies and mares, Lieutenant… I really think you’d make some girl really happy! It gets old… the things some of the mares around here say about you."

Against his better judgement, Zip took the unintended bait, “What do they say?”

Jacinta tittered, as if she knew a nasty secret, and all but whispered, “They think you’re a cold fish… and that you wouldn’t know what to do with a filly... even if she threw herself at you…”

Zip knew he was a cold fish... but he took no pleasure in the fact some, whatever that meant, of the mares he knew thought he was some limp-dick dud of a stallion.

“Well,” she put a hoof to her mouth, in thought. “Some stallions say that too…”

At that, he forgot himself and accidentally dropped her on her rump.

“Ow!” she cried out.

Zip was floundering, “I’m sorry, Jacinta! I didn’t mean to let go!”

Kneeling to help her up, she put a hoof on his. It stopped him dead in his tracks. Giving him a… teasing look, she eyed him strangely. It was clear she was up to something.

She ran her tongue across her lip; dreamy-eyed, she asked with a smirk, “What’s wrong, sir?”

He looked away in a mild panic; Jacinta had reached a new level of shitfaced in his eyes, “Uh… nothing.”

She wobbled to her hooves, grinning at him, “They say you’re such a cold fish, Lieutenant, but I don’t think that. You’re a normal stallion… Just a little… inexperienced.”

Zip began to back away; that was (probably) rich coming from her.

She sauntered after him, “There’s nothing wrong with it, sir… I know I’m nopony to talk. I’m just tired of ponies saying that about you.”

Zip halted, not that he had much choice; his rump was to a tree, “What are you saying, Jacinta?”

Jacinta eyed him with more confidence than she normally exhibited, her cheeks glowing in her alcohol flush, “Let’s see just how cold you really are…”

She hoofed his neck, pulling him in, shut her eyes, and pressed her lips to his. Slipping him just the tiniest bit of tongue, she tasted like turpentine with all the cheap gin she’d been guzzling.

Zip saw flashes of light in his mind, as if his bell had been rung. His staff sergeant kissed him! He looked back to her, mouth moving but no words coming out. Her eyes at half-mast, she kneaded his shoulder and began to chuckle.

Barely able to contain herself at his loss of function, “Yup… seems pretty normal to me.”

She beamed groggily at him before swooning. He just managed to catch her; she would have cracked her head, otherwise. Her head hung at an odd angle, so he righted her and held her close again. She murmured sleepily in his hooves. Totally limp, she was surprisingly heavy as deadweight.

Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Zip lamented.

This was less than ideal. Only a few things could make this worse. So, naturally, he heard the pitter-patter of hooves behind him. Whomever it was, this was bad, and he was in for it.

But it was only a very sozzled Sgt. Flare, as stunning as ever, shaking with mirth, “Oh, Lieutenant… Such a thing to do to our little flower.”

Zip was a stallion who’d done nothing wrong. He wasn’t about to get flustered or freak out over some mare planting a kiss on him. Sure, it surprised him, but he was mostly fine. He lacked ineptness in general, other than being clueless and inexperienced. Even as a teen he was mostly unflappable. He was that kind of cold fish.

“How long have you been following us?” Zip demanded.

Amethyst giggled, “Not long. I got bored at the club, so I came looking for Jacinta… It isn’t hard; she turns into a beacon of serenity, sometimes, when she ties a few on. I could sense her from a block away. Never thought I’d find you too.”

He glowered at her tittering, “Oh, yes, it’s very funny, Amethyst. Want to help me out?”

She did help, sitting down on the curb, Jacinta’s head in her lap; Amethyst displayed a strange, bittersweet expression as she stroked Jacinta's mane.

“Oh, she really went at that gin, Lieutenant. Look at her! She’s so cute!” Amethyst gushed.

Zip just sat down next to Amethyst, sighing. It seemed like the night was winding down for everypony.

“She really trusts you, sir…” Amethyst considered. “There’s no other pony in this city she’d let her guard down like this for… I admit I’m… a little envious.”

Zip could tell she was musing and decided to keep his mouth shut for a moment.

“I’m just happy to see her relax a bit… The first time I met her I could almost see the stick up her ass when she opened her mouth wide enough,” she hooted. “And now, here she is… vulnerable… ripe for the picking… unaware of what her superior might be daring enough to try…!”

If this had come out of anypony else’s mouth, Zip would’ve taken offense, but he allowed Amethyst her sick joke. It’s just the kind of mare she was.

“You should’ve seen where she was keeping her gin bottle,” Zip shook his head.

Amethyst hiked up her gown, causing Zip to reel; she had a whiskey bottle in her garter, “Who do you think showed me this trick? I can’t believe I’ve been alive 38 years and never thought of it! She said it made her time back home more bearable…”

That was still something Zip had a hard time wrapping his mind around: a skinny, teenaged Jacinta taking pulls off a bottle when nopony else was looking at some school dance. That must have been a sight.

Zip decided to move things another direction and was feeling a little bit mischievous, “Any good dancing there? Jacinta and I left after you lost your bet.”

She snorted, “Yeah… you and your long chat with that little farm hussy cost me a cold drink…”

Then, after a few seconds, she took on a more subdued face, “I’m really sorry, Lieutenant. It was… stupid and mean to make light of you like that. I know Jacinta just played along because she wants to please me. It kinda hurts knowing a little mare like her feels sorry for a nag like me… I just looked in the mirror one day and I was an old maid…”

Zip hadn’t meant to send her down the path of unhappiness, “Oh, Amethyst, I-”

She actually silenced his voice with the glow of her horn; she looked at him forlornly, “There’s no need, sir… but to answer your question… nopony knew how to do the Baltimare Waltz. You’d think with all the soldiers here, from all over Equestria, there’d be one stallion that knew it.”

Zip wasn’t sure what made him say it, “I know the Baltimare Waltz.”

She looked stunned, “You know the Baltimare Waltz? That’s something my grandparents would’ve done, really, so how do you know it?”

He hoofed the back of his neck, “My biggest little sister took dancing classes in exchange for doing some chores for the cotillion in Canterlot… She… needed to practice and I could never say ‘no’ to her.”

Practically glowing, she enthused, “Oh… could you? Please…?”

He was willing, but he said, “I… can’t do it without music. I could never get the rhythm down.”

Amethyst shined, “I can take care of that.”

Reaching into a fold of her gown, she pulled out a tiny music box. She gently placed Jacinta in the grass and went about winding the music box.

She was muttering, “Add a little spell to increase the volume… and… there.”

Out of the box came a tinny, amplified tune; it was a waltz… and not an unfamiliar one. Zip had danced to this one with his sister.

Pulling him up, she pleaded, “Oh, please, Lieutenant! It’s only a moment or two… and it would mean the world to me!”

Smiling, he obliged. It wasn’t a complicated dance; it just took correct timing.

It was as easy as it had ever been and the two of them waltzed in the park. Amethyst seemed to enjoy it a little too much, snuggling up and resting her cheek on his shoulder. But he let her have it; it was only for a moment. And as quickly as they’d begun, it was over.

Amethyst smiled fuzzily at him, “Oh, Lieutenant… You have a mare wishing she was 15 years younger.”

Right in his face, he wasn’t sure what she’d do. She wasn’t so sure either, but she thought better than to do something stupid. She wound up giving him a little peck on the cheek.

“Thank you, sir... for doing that.”

He wasn’t humoring her; he'd wanted to, “Sure.”

She went to pick up her little music box, holding it lovingly to her chest, “I… used to dance the Baltimare Waltz with my third husband… it was his favorite. He was a rather old-fashioned fellow.”

Zip felt a wave of compassion run over him as he noted Amethyst’s poignant smile.

“He was the one, Lieutenant... I swore I’d never marry a navy stallion, but love had other plans. When his ship went down…”

She sniffled; Zip moved in to do… something, but she rebuffed him, “Oh, don’t fret over me, Lieutenant. I miss him, certainly, but that’s life. It’s kinda silly to keep this little music box. He traded an apple for it somewhere… but it’s special to me…”

Before Zip could say anything else, Amethyst stowed the music box, “It’s late, sir. Let’s get Jacinta to company headquarters. I’m sleeping there tonight, so I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Sure,” Zip said.

Amethyst magicked Jacinta onto Zip’s back, and they made their way to company headquarters; it was only a block away, even closer than the mares’ barracks.

Jacinta was indeed deadweight; Zip was glad to set her down on the sofa near his squad leaders’ corner of the office, finally able to give his back a rest. Amethyst grabbed a few blankets from a closet. Getting Jacinta settled in, she turned to the Lieutenant.

“Now you get on out of here. She’s in acceptably okay hooves,” Amethyst nudged him along until they reached the front door.

Zip cleared his throat, “Well… good night, Amethyst.”

Smiling warmly and looking at him in ways that had him uneasy, she purred, “Good night, sir… and thanks again.”

Giving him one last sloshed grin, she sauntered back inside, all but swinging her hips. The door shut and Zip found himself alone.

He could hear a sharp wind coming off the sea. It blew damp, cold air around him. He trembled involuntarily at it. Looking up, he'd previously failed to notice the heavy cloud cover that had begun to move in.

Oh, yes… just what I hoped for when they sent me out here, Zip thought bitterly.

Autumn was there, and there was a storm coming; he could smell it and feel it. The only solace was he’d be able to hole up someplace warm until Monday. Deciding to be grateful for the pleasant evening he’d shared with his platoon… his friends… he made his way to his quarters.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

I'm inserting character bios as well, so send ideas for things to put in the bios, if you wish.

Thanks for reading the longest chapter yet, of anything I've done on the site. I don't think there will be any more this long, but it depends on the editing and how things break up in the end.

Autumn is upon them as the platoon comes closer as friends. As Equestria's harvest goes on, they'll be plenty busy.

Next time, the Equestrian Navy makes its debut in the story. And somepony is selected to replace Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, the former 3rd Squad leader.

I received an apt criticism that the story was more of a military drama than a war story. The reader was right. And it will be for another chapter or so. That's how the story is. But rest assured that things pick up soon.

Also, I know it might get irritating to read a pony's rank and full name (other than those commonly referred to by given name that have been established as major characters making a connection with Zip), but I can't think of a better way to be consistent and identify the many characters emerging. If anyone has a suggestion, feel free to make it known.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character. And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta.

Look for more Company soon. We're sometimes in the beet field 16 hours a day, so I hope to get things edited in the next week. School's out, so that'll give me a little extra time.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 3: The Exodus of Vanhoover

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 1: Strange Developments

On a dreary Sunday afternoon, full of rain and chilling winds, 3rd Platoon, in civilian attire, was crammed into the back room of the Old Oak Pub near company headquarters. There was cause for celebration.

Zip stood up on a table, pulling Sgt. Razor Wire up alongside him, “I just want to say, in front of everypony here, that I’m happy to have a full roster of sergeants again!”

The ponies sitting around them, crowded to the breaking point, roared their approval, raising beers or whatever they were drinking. After getting recommendations from Zip, SSgt. Jacinta Petals, and Cpl. Stardust Painter, the pony Razor figured was a shoe-in to take the place of old Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, Razor was officially a sergeant and 3rd Squad’s new commander. It’s possible to say nopony would’ve had it any other way.

Razor grinned at his comrades, his own squad in particular, “I can’t say I expected this… When the orders came down from battalion, you coulda knocked me over with a feather! But I’ll take a swing at it and try to do you all proud.”

Zip pounded Razor’s back while everypony whooped.

Corporal Stardust Painter lounged, an ale in his hoof, “Razor! I guess I can still call you that… You need to pick somepony to take your 1st Team. Given it any thought?”

Razor smiled wide, “As a matter of fact… I think I know. Spc. Hemp! Get up here!”

Zip got down off the table to give them room. Willing hooves propelled the blushing Spc. Hemp onto the table.

Razor jostled his friend, “What do you say?”

Specialist Hemp gave a self-deprecating laugh, “I can’t refuse you. I’ll do it!”

The two slid off the table and Spc. Hemp received many a hearty clap to the back as he sat down again. Razor sat down across from him, beaming at his new team leader.

Zip again called out to his platoon, “Everypony have a great time! And be ready in the morning to work. We have a large grain shipment coming in, so don’t overdo it. We don’t work until 09:00, but don’t count on that to save you. Squad leaders… don’t forget to meet at 08:15 to discuss assignments.”

With that, Zip left the back room with Jacinta and Spc. Silver Duster in tow. He donned a cloak as they opened the pub’s door and was greeted by a blast of cold rain.

The mares pulled their cloaks tight and trotted alongside.

“I’m really sorry to ask this of you on a Sunday… but it couldn’t wait,” Zip apologized.

Silver could only chatter her teeth in response, her spectacles awash with the storm; she flinched at the thunder overhead.

Jacinta prodded him, “Don’t worry about it, sir… just keep moving! Pvt. Birch said he’d have some chow called in, so we’ll be fine for the night.”

It was a great relief to be hit with the wall of warm air once they reached company headquarters. Zip had gained a new appreciation for a nice, solid roof. In the Dragonlands they’d practically lived in shacks, which was no big deal in the desert. He reminisced their latrine was about the only solid structure within the walls of their little fort.

Shaking their cloaks in the front mudroom, they hung them to dry on the wall. Entering the front office, Pvt. Birch greeted them.

“Good evening, everypony! Got fresh-brewed coffee, hot cocoa, and the kitchen just delivered a nice, big pot of hot lentil stew and bread.”

It had been seven weeks since Pvt. Birch’s leg had been broken; he was healing well but found it was easier to stay in one place when the weather was bad. He’d likely have the cast off in a week and they could help whip him back into shape.

“I really didn’t want to have to ask you to help us with this but thanks very much, Private,” Zip said gratefully.

“Oh, it’s fine, sir. Doc still said no alcohol while the leg’s healing. Party would’ve been nice but stumping around in the rain with a busted leg… Big pass. Who’d Sgt. Wire pick to lead his 1st Team?”

Jacinta brought the private a cup of coffee so he wouldn’t have to stand, “He picked out Spc. Hemp… I have to say, it was a good choice. He’ll do fine.”

Private Birch nodded, gratefully taking the coffee, “Oh, yeah. He was pretty much doing it anyway… Sgt. Wire and Cpl. Painter were stretched a little thin handling everything.”

Zip was dishing up food for all of them, “Let’s eat first… I’m hungry and that storm’s not going anywhere for a few hours. I’m in no rush to leave.”

Everypony agreed. They had a report to sweat out; it had been dropped on them from division headquarters that very morning. An “emergency accounting” of all their implements and parts of said implements had been called for… and it was due the next morning at 08:00.

The army had taken a hit in its coffers in replacing all the dock equipment that needed changing. It was just bureaucratic bullshit but the army wanted the numbers so they could work on a new budget. Zip and his three staff-members could live with this: they had brand-new equipment and all it cost, Pvt. Birch himself joked, was a broken leg. The new machinery had made their jobs much easier and the greater headache belonged to the greater army.

The food was nice and the company pleasant. They’d have rather been at the pub with their friends but life sometimes came knocking on the door of fun times, ready to drag you out and make you work.

They went through the report easily enough; they were prepared. Whenever Zip’s immediate attention wasn’t needed, he found himself glancing towards Jacinta, his mind wandering.

Sergeant Amethyst Flare had told him—and he believed her—that Jacinta had no recollection of the night of the ball past finishing her bottle of gin. She’d been apologetic to him for getting that trashed but went on as if nothing had happened. As far as she knew she just blacked out and Amethyst saw her to bed. He found a slight awkwardness between the two of them... and it was all on his end; she’d apparently not even noticed.

Sir?

Admittedly, he'd spent more time than was strictly healthy with Jacinta, given their professional relationship and their friendship had deepened. If the wrong ponies knew... he'd have some tough questions to answer. She'd taken to letting her guard down a little more, telling him more about her old outfit, her family... her dreams. And he returned the favor. The two had even spent time alone in the city pubs when off-duty (a considerable jump in decorum for the fastidious little supply sergeant) while Jacinta drank and Zip let her be herself. He liked Amethyst and Trip but to his reluctance, given he was the superior and she was the subordinate, he was willing to say... she'd become his best friend... maybe.

Lieutenant…

He couldn't help but smile at the idea... A lieutenant and his platoon sergeant... the best of friends. Being realistic he didn’t like the situation much. His uncertainties about her planting one on him when she was annihilated clouded his thoughts. He again harked back to his officer candidate days, thinking of just how well some of his mates could swing a mare.

Lieutenant!

And how great would it be if he could be more like Pvt. Mercury Rise?! He’d made it with the four fillies he’d picked up at the enlisted ball, the rumor mill reported. It bugged him some kid that just turned 19-years-old was such a stud and he was just-

“Lieutenant!”

Zip looked up; Silver was looking at him with concern.

“Are you alright, sir?” she inquired.

“Oh, I’m fine,” Zip sat up straight. “Mind just wandered off a moment.”

“Well, pay attention,” the little specialist said sharply. “We’re almost done.”

And so, at 20:30, they set down their pens and closed the report.

Jacinta was a little grumpy from being cooped up since before evening chow, “Let’s hope that satisfies them. I haven’t had an evening off in a week…”

Zip felt the same, “Yes, let’s…”

With that, they bade each other good night. It had quit raining so even Pvt. Birch had an easy time getting back to barracks. They’d meet again, the four of them, in the morning, along with the squad leaders.

Zip had a few things to finish up so he moved to his office for a time. It was more tedious work, put off due to the “emergency” report, but it wouldn’t take all that long.

Zip yawned as he tried to complete the night’s business. He glanced at his clock: 22:15… Any time, now.

Knock! Knock!

“It’s open,” he had been expecting a visit.

Zip could smell ale fumes waft into his office as Amethyst entered.

“Hello again, Amethyst,” he glanced up. “Everypony have fun at the party?”

“Oh, yes, sir,” she nodded. “And it was even a dry walk over. Sorry for being a little soused, Lieutenant. 2nd Squad put up for a keg… I couldn’t resist.”

“It’s alright… We’d have talked about this much earlier but that report had to get done.”

“You finished it, the four of you?” she asked.

“Yes,” Zip replied. “We finished well over an hour ago. Everypony had their stuff ready so it was just a matter of crunching it out."

“That’s good to hear, sir. What I have to tell you isn’t exactly urgent but it’s something you’ll care to know. And I don’t have to be stone sober to relay it.”

He had no doubt it was something worth hearing and he grinned at her afterthought, “Okay, Amethyst, shoot.”

“This stays between us; it’s that kind of thing. I’ve been looking more into Pvt. Rise. I… pinched his medical file late last night,” she stated without much preamble.

Zip knew that involved breaking into the heavily guarded back rooms of the city hospital. He inwardly groaned... but if his former spy/assassin/whatever was going to go snooping around in places a “normal” sergeant shouldn’t be, like he could stop her.

Amethyst lounged across from him, “I’ve been unable to figure anything out just by talking to or observing him. He’s smart… strong… agile… very kind… but that doesn’t mean much to our curiosity. But I found something… and it’s proof enough he’s been modified, even if he’s not showing the obvious things one might expect of a super-soldier... like super-strength or near-indestructibility… Not that’s there’s been chance to field-test anything like that.”

Zip drummed his desktop, “What did you find?”

Amethyst pulled out a medical text from her bag, opening it and passing it to him, “Give it a glance. This surprised me a lot, actually.”

"You carry this with you all the time?" Zip smirked as he took the book.

"No, sir... but I like to read it from time to time..." she hummed pleasantly.

Zip read the title of the page and no further; it might as well have been in another language.

He sounded out the title, “‘Equine coital exanthema’. And what’s that mean?”

“Herpes.”

The lieutenant grimaced inwardly; that sure sucked for Pvt. Mercury Rise.

“Yes, Lieutenant, herpes…” Amethyst said plainly. “He went in the other day complaining of a breakout in his… parts… It makes sense it’d show up now, three weeks after he took those four fillies to bed. Given whatever the Hell his immune system is capable of, it seems odd it'd show up at all, but it did.”

This was gross and all, and Zip may have laughed at such misfortune when he was a teenager, but he wasn’t seeing the importance; he fell into a juvenile thought pattern, “So… Pvt. Rise caught the cock-pocks… Beyond that, what’s the big payoff?”

Amethyst wasn’t put off by his manner; she could be the same way, “He went in the next day to begin treatment and everything was clear… No sign of the outbreak… no virus… nothing.”

Zip whistled softly, “Herpes is for life… Even magic doesn’t do much… and his body cleared itself of it overnight…”

“Yes, Lieutenant,” she replied. “Nopony knew what to make of it. They figured—Pvt. Rise included—it was just hives or something and the test gave a nonsense result. They had no other way to explain it and they don’t know anything to give them reason to think anything else.”

“Are you sure he actually caught it? I mean, the thing about the hives and the test screwing up is… more than a little farfetched but it could happen. Are you sure?”

Amethyst shuffled a bit in her seat, “I did a little more checking around. I found the test they threw out; it was a shitload of fun rooting around for it… It was positive and I’m very, very sure of that. They taught us everything at ‘spy school’. Also… I may have come across the med files on those four fillies in the city hospital’s records. Three of them have ‘love-bumps’…”

Zip thought this was just great... Amethyst was breaking into public buildings and "rooting around". Helpful as this was, her sometimes bizarre manner and extreme actions, though far less terrifying than they’d been when he first met her, never ceased to scare him a little. He chose not to worry about the methods used to find out just who those fillies were. He was glad Amethyst was on his side.

“Okay…” Zip thought aloud. “That’s proof enough for me. His body fought off herpes like it was a late-afternoon heat rash. Has he shown anything else?”

Amethyst gave a nasty little grin, “He won’t have an accident but if he does, the way his body responds will be a dead giveaway…”

Zip shook his head, trying to suppress a smile, “Okay… don’t force the matter but watch him. He gets a good scratch, take note and see what happens.”

Amethyst nodded.

Zip grumbled to himself, “If he’s so smart he shoulda seen something like this coming, dragging four townies to bed. I mean… he wasn’t even that drunk and he drank enough, apparently, to kill three stallions. And you’d think he’d be curious about cuts and bruises and herpes just disappearing… This guy’s on another level, so-”

Amethyst chuckled warmly at him, “Lieuteh-eh-eh-enant… he’s a kid. He may be some ‘they’ll fuckin’ kill us all if we find out’ experiment but he’s just a kid… and he’s a good kid. He’s a good friend to everypony and we’re blessed to have him. I just hope he can stay this way… that we don’t have to see why he was sent to us… why they wanted him to fall into obscurity.”

Zip was often humbled by his friend, “You’re right, Amethyst. I’m… sorry.”

She kneaded his shoulder, “No worries, sir… You’re still pretty young yourself. You’ll learn. Take it from this old heart-breaker.”

Zip patted her hoof as it jostled him, unable to hide his little grin, “I’ll remember. Thanks.”

“No problem whatsoever, Lieutenant,” she stood up and walked to the front door. “I’m heading to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”

Considering how impaired she may have been, Zip wondered, “You’re not staying here tonight?”

“I’m fine, sir. Not so bad off this time around. A bed’s better than the sofa any night… Plus… it’s rather pleasant sleeping near Jacinta.”

That was the strangest thing he’d heard that day. But Amethyst had said it as an afterthought; he’d learned to not think too much about some of her musings. He could drive himself nuts thinking about some of the things she said and he slept better not worrying.

Zip returned attention to his few minutes of remaining work, “Right… see you in the morning.”

The platoon leaders and staff had a reasonably pleasant morning in company headquarters. The kitchen staff had delivered them a nice tray of waffles, eggs, and fresh fruit which they enjoyed as their meeting was held.

“Okay,” Zip said around a mouthful. “Docks #1, #2, and #3 will handle the big grain shipment. Amethyst… Dock #4 has a special assignment this morning. Battalion wouldn’t say what it is, just that normal commerce is suspended until 13:00. Wish I could tell you more but I don’t know much.”

Amethyst was draining another cup of coffee with lots of cream and sugar, “I’ll see everypony's on their best behavior, sir. If you don’t mind… could I have Silver for the morning? Something tells me I might need her.”

This was a tall request; Zip wasn't sure, "..."

But Pvt. Birch spoke up, “I’m stuck here all day, anyway. I think I can hold down the fort for a while. After all, SSgt. Petals managed the ‘clerk’ position alone in the past.”

Zip smiled, “Jacinta… do you think you could set up Pvt. Birch with today’s paperwork?”

“Certainly, Lieutenant,” Jacinta replied; she turned to the private. “You’ll have your hooves full today, Pvt. Birch. The lieutenant and I have been requested at Dock #4 for the morning.”

Private Birch nodded, “I’ll do what I can.”

Jacinta beamed, “I know you will. Thank you. Anypony have anything else?”

Nopony had a thing to add.

“Great,” Zip smiled. “Sergeants… to your docks. Silver… go with Sgt. Flare. Jacinta… you’re with me. There’s a quick matter that needs our attention; we’ll join Dock #4 soon.”

Leaving Pvt. Birch with a nice, fat stack of busywork, the other seven took off. As Zip left, he couldn’t help but admire the new photograph gracing the wall of their corner of headquarters. There were his enlisted mares, looking lovely in their gowns, having a great time at the enlisted ball. Silver did look pretty good without her glasses. Smiling at the pleasant addition to their space, he followed Jacinta out the door.

“You do know what’s going on, don’t you, sir?” Jacinta inquired.

Zip shook his head, “I don’t. That’s why we have to stop by Cpt. Weaver’s office.”

“We’ll learn the specifics but I have a pretty good guess as to what it is… I’m sure Amethyst figures this, too. The navy’s berthing today.”

“But that’s not a big deal, Jacinta,” Zip mused. “We see navy ships three days a week coming through.”

“Well, it isn’t a normal navy ship. It’s either a dignitary… or one of the admirals.”

This was odd… they’d had high ranking officials come through Port City with little fanfare.

“Why the secrecy, then?” Zip pondered.

“No idea, Lieutenant. I just hope we don’t get roped into some special detail. Once when I was a recruit out east… my outfit had to host the prime minister of Saddle Arabia…”

Entering battalion headquarters, Zip and Jacinta headed to Lt. Col. Spud’s former office. Zip knocked on the door.

“Enter,” came the voice.

Zip hadn’t been in the office since the colonel was around. Gone were the frivolous decorations. Gone were the questionable stains on the upholstery. Cpt. Basket Weaver wasn’t the kind of stallion to fool around with his staff.

“Good morning, Lt. Jetscream… SSgt. Petals. I must thank you... I very much appreciate you spending last night on your platoon’s report; you were the only ones to get it to me on time. Please… be seated.”

They sat.

The captain's expression was pleasant, if even-keeled, "It's a shame this came up on a day of celebration for your platoon. I think Sgt. Razor Wire will do fine, as he's been doing."

Zip was grateful, "Yessir, thank you. We still got to enjoy ourselves for a while. It is what it is."

"Indeed, Lieutenant..." Cpt. Weaver betrayed little with his tone, but it was still pleasant. "Well, then..."

Zip and Jacinta sat up straight.

“Onto business...” the captain leaned towards them from behind his desk. “This was sprung on us only a few hours ago. We have a navy ship coming up the coast… a schooner. They’re doing a resupply. That’s all we know, and it’s all you need to know. I only tell you because you’re the ones dealing with it. It needs to seem totally routine; it’s important enough that I have to tell you that specifically. You’re not to let anypony else know that anything’s different… not even Sgt. Flare. Do everything by the book. Stick around there, but not too close, if you get my drift. Any questions?”

Zip was a little intimidated but didn’t show it, “No, Captain. Just a routine resupply. Business as usual.”

For about the first time, Zip saw the captain smile, “That’s right… just routine. Pay especially close attention to the materials you pull out of storage. See it done. And don’t report back to me on the matter. Just go about your day and duties as you see fit. Dock #4 resumes normal operations at 13:00.”

“That was weird,” Zip commented, walking with his staff sergeant.

“Well, stop acting like it is,” Jacinta muttered; Zip was acting rather nervous.

“Amethyst is going to know something’s up... no matter how well we try to hide it.”

“She’s fine, Lieutenant. She’ll pick up on it, but she gets it. Just play it cool.”

He’d try… Something about this was bothering him.

The moment they arrived at Dock #4, Zip could already feel Amethyst’s sky-blue eyes penetrating him, her naughty smile spreading.

Zip didn’t let it phase him; he stood before 1st Squad, “Okay, everypony… just a routine resupply for the navy. They must’ve been diverted here, and we're to deal with it. Prepare to resupply a navy schooner… Standard resupply.

“Pay special attention to the work order when you’re in the warehouse. They’re shuffling around in there, so make sure you get the correct bags and crates. I want you to check everything you pull out… and then re-check before loading the ship. I don’t want any mix-ups, with them getting a sack of gunpowder instead of a sack of flour. Understood?”

There was a chorus of “yessir”.

“Great… Sgt. Flare, here’s your copy of the work order,” Zip hoofed the papers to Amethyst. “And here’s one for Cpl. Yellows. Cpl. Hawk… you'd best go along too. We’ll have to hurry as we haven’t had the normal time to prepare. Go.”

The two teams trotted off with their task. Zip turned to Silver, who’d stayed behind.

“Sorry for pulling you away from your work, Silver… I just wanted the full squad here; I thought another admiral was coming or something… Wanted to have the full roster and for things to look good.”

The little bespectacled unicorn shook her head, “No problem, sir. Will you still be needing me?”

Zip smiled, “We’ve got this, but thank you. Jacinta and I will help, just to move things along. I’m sure Pvt. Birch could use your help, though.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get back to it,” the little clerk trotted off.

Waiting until Silver was well out of earshot, Amethyst gave Zip a feces-devouring grin, “Well played, Lieutenant. You almost had me believing this was normal.”

Zip’s stomach was mutinous; he didn’t mean to glower, “Please, Amethyst… no jokes. Something about this really bothers me.”

And he had a nasty—and probably accurate—suspicion Amethyst knew what this was all about. Jacinta, Cpt. Weaver, and everypony else in and around Port City was supposed to be ignorant of just what Amethyst was but Zip sure wasn’t. Still, just judging by her tickled manner it was impossible to tell what was going on in her head.

Jacinta stated without any bravado, “Just act normal, both of you. The sooner we finish the sooner we can get on with our day… Strange way to start a Monday, though.”

The schooner showed up after about an hour; there was nothing remarkable about it. There was nothing remarkable about its crew of 40. Zip greeted them, explaining he and his staff sergeant would help to keep them on schedule. Normal.

The squad returned pulling a bunch of wagons. Normal. They began loading.

“Whoa,” said a private, shifting a crate. “What’s in here?!”

The crate said “dry goods”, but it felt like bricks.

Zip nudged him, helping pull a barrel of potable water, “The bottom’s probably just rough. Just move it up the gangplank, Private, you’re holding up the show.”

Amethyst and Jacinta stood back, directing the show. One hour later the ship was loaded and fully outfitted.

Putting on plenty of bluster, the captain shook hooves with Zip, “Thank you, Lieutenant! You really pulled our nuts out of the fire. I was afraid we’d be here all day!”

“No problem, sir. I’m glad we could help. Sure you can’t stay for noontime chow? They make a pretty good broccoli potpie.”

The captain was already walking up the gangplank, “No dice, Lieutenant. We’re on a schedule. Thanks again!”

Zip waved to the captain, who waved back, as the squad pulled away the gangplank. And like that the schooner took off, heading west. The squad cleaned up, and all was ready for later. It was only 11:30.

Zip called out, “Great job, 1st Squad! That’s the way to do it. The dock’s open for business as usual at 13:00, so feel free to take a long lunch, no strings attached. But no booze… That’s for later! I’ll personally put up a short keg for your squad tonight, after evening chow. So look forward to it. I expect everypony to be ready to work in 90 minutes! Enjoy yourselves, and behave yourselves!”

Unused to but very pleased with this luxury the teams and their leaders galloped away and into town for early noontime chow, whooping and hollering. The broccoli potpie from the mess was good… but indulgences had to be taken when offered.

This left Zip, Jacinta, and Amethyst.

Zip spoke to the other two, “Would either of you like to go get lunch?”

Jacinta, predictably, declined, “No, thank you, sir. I’m going to get the night off if it kills me. I’ll use the extra hour to get ahead on my work for the day."

Amethyst, on the other hoof, lit up, “I’d love to, Lieutenant. I’ve been meaning to try out that new Tenochtitlan place on the main drag.”

Zip cocked his head, “The ‘Teno-what’?”

She nosed him along, “You’ll like it. See you later, Jacinta.”

Jacinta smiled, “Sure.”

“Amethyst… what is this ‘Teno’ thing?”

She giggled at him, “It’s southern Equestrian cuisine. You’ll like it; it’s got a real kick to it.”

Entering the ornate little restaurant, they were seated with a view of the street; the chairs were rather sproingy.

Zip had a hard time getting comfortable; not only was the seat difficult to perch upon, his insides were dancing, nervous from the odd morning.

Amethyst smirked, “What’s wrong, Lieutenant? Got a spring up your ass?”

That was part of the issue, “We’re in uniform, Amethyst… language…”

“Oh, relax, sir,” she opened a menu.

Zip did the same, “And I thought the medical text you handed me was hard to understand; this is really in another language.”

“You’re not allergic to anything, are you, sir?”

He continued shuffling in his seat, “No…”

She already had her menu closed, “Then just close your eyes and point your hoof at something. Order that... unless it has three chili peppers by it. You’ll crap fire.”

“Lovely, Amethyst…”

They both ordered a pineapple soda and whatever their hoofsies fell upon.

Amethyst counseled Zip, “I see you’re concerned... but trying hard to not be curious about whatever happened this morning.”

“…Yeah.”

“Keep thinking that way. Whatever it is... we don’t want to know. I could guess—and I could do more than guess—but I shut out most of the morning. I was in la-la land so much I had trouble working. S’just as well… we’d disappear, never to be seen again… If we were ‘lucky’... we’d wake up with a different face sewn on and no memory of anything. And I mean no memory… Nothing, really. Lobotomy.”

Zip scoffed, “I’d say you were blowing smoke but I don’t know, sometimes, with you.”

She giggled into her soda, “Oh, you’re so much fun, Lieutenant."

He sat, watching her enjoy her drink; he had other things on his mind than some secret navy mission he was best off forgetting about.

Seeing Zip lost in thought, Amethyst considered, “You’re still thinking about Jacinta, aren’t you, sir?”

There was no point in trying to dodge it, “I’m having a hard time not.”

“Well, would you feel better if you spilled?”

Zip rolled his eyes, “I don’t think that would do anypony any good… and you know it. I mean, tell her, ‘Hey, Sarge… when you were blacking out after the ball you gave me some tongue’.”

Amethyst didn’t appreciate this, “There’s no reason to be nasty, sir… She’s your friend, not some joke.”

And Zip did regret what he’d said, “Oh, I know… but could we please change the subject?”

“Very well.”

But, “There’s just one more thing… it’s been bugging me because it just sounded weird. Last night, you said something about Jacinta ‘being nice to sleep near’. What was that about?”

He’d not meant to sound so invasive but it was just bugging him; Amethyst took no offense.

“Oh-ho! That…” she considered her hooves; then she gradually took on a dreamy air, apparently forgetting herself, “Well… Jacinta… sleeps well, sir. She’s just about completely at peace when she snoozes. She sometimes dreams about adventure and fun stuff, but mostly it’s just… serenity. True serenity…”

Zip was... at a loss. It was just about the strangest thing he’d seen or heard from her and she'd given him a bagful.

She caught herself, “That was foolish of me… It’s nopony’s business what goes on with her. And… that was uncalled for… acting like that. I’m sorry, sir.”

She stared down at the table, looking miserable.

Sure, it was odd but Zip had seen plenty of strange things, “Amethyst… don’t fret. I imagine finding any peace is sometimes difficult for you. Just… be careful who you go off like that around.”

Quickly regaining her composure, which never fell for long when she was sober, she asked demurely, “Would you like to hear about some of them? Her dreeeeeaams?”

Zip shook his head in amused horror, “Keep it to yourself, Amethyst.”

She laughed openly at that, just as their lunch arrived.

Zip considered his: it was some kind of corn dish. Taking a bite, it was pretty good. It had a nice spice to it.

Amethyst was fanning her mouth; she’d hazarded a spicier dish, “Whew! And this isn’t even that bad. Some of the stuff they cook with back there can just about peel paint off a wall.”

Zip just chuckled and continued with his own meal.

Amethyst eventually managed to pick her way through hers but found it too spicy to enjoy; she poked at her plate, “She’s rather fond of you, sir…”

Zip looked up, the sinking feeling rising again in this stomach. She’d said it as if she was merely thinking, that she wasn’t even aware of opening her mouth. He considered her, just sitting there, lost in her own mind, eyes somewhere far off.

“Where did that come from?” he asked her in all seriousness; he knew better than to react, but the words still came out.

Her glazed eyes cleared up, “Oh, I… uh…”

She showed it a lot less to him than he did to her but Amethyst flushed beet-red; she was already a little pink in the face with the spiciness of her food but this couldn’t be pawned off on that.

“I… said that out loud, I see…”

Zip could sometimes tell—not often—when Amethyst was putting on an act. In this case she definitely wasn’t; she was genuinely unsettled. He’d had her confess plenty of things to him under her own drunken power or let her guard down a little, but she was legitimately shaken. It was strange for both of them.

“Please, sir...” Amethyst found her voice. “Don’t think much about it. I’m…”

As quickly as she’d turned crimson, her face turned splotchy. She looked ready to cry… and very ill.

“Amethyst?” Zip leaned across the table.

His hoof touched hers and she recoiled, looking afraid.

Now Zip was worried, “Amethyst?”

She appeared to struggle with what to do next; she settled with tossing a few bits out of her bag and onto the table, “I have to go.”

Before he could get in another word, the Equestrian belle was already to the door and galloping away down the street.

Too stunned to do much else he settled the bill and meandered back the way they’d come. Trying to put what just happened out of his mind, he considered Cpt. Basket Weaver’s order: just go about business. Zip headed to his office.

Try as he might, Zip couldn’t stop thinking about what Amethyst had said; it was killing his afternoon productivity. The relief was he had barely anything to finish up.

Once 17:00 rolled around, he elected to take evening chow in his office. It was bland, but it didn’t give him heartburn as lunch did. As 18:00 approached, he knew he’d be heading to their favorite pub to support a night of drinking for his 1st Squad. His thoughts continued to stray to Amethyst’s words… Maybe he shouldn’t have given them any more thought than he had when Jacinta said the same thing… about Amethyst.

Amethyst was just having a little fun; you know she’s fond of you.

Zip shook his head. He could think about it all he liked, but he had to start walking; his 1st Squad would be waiting.

Arriving at the pub, the squad was already assembled; they cheered. Looking around, Zip realized Amethyst wasn’t there.

Corporal Aster Yellows grinned, “Good evening, sir. How’d your day go?”

Zip considered him, “Oh, it went fine… I hope everypony enjoyed their break today.”

This was met with ascent; 90 free minutes in the middle of the day was the stuff dreams were made up of.

Zip had to ask, “I guess we can get started but where’s Sgt. Flare?”

His other corporal, Lily Hawk, slouched in her seat in a manner most uncharacteristic; she was really relaxing, “She wasn’t feeling well, sir. She took a light meal-to-go at the mess and went to the barracks. And then Silver decided not to come; she thought it was wrong since she didn’t help.”

This upset Zip, the part about Amethyst, but he managed not to show it, “That’s too bad. Now… what’s everypony want? Remember, I’m only springing for a short one.”

After a brief deliberation, they decided on a nice, mild ale. Zip purchased the little keg and got himself a pineapple squash; he’d managed to get most of the bars they visited to start making the stuff.

With all work out of the way Zip decided to stay with the squad for a little while. But it seemed hollow without Amethyst there, injecting her manner and fun into things. Much of the personality of the group was gone without her. He remained for a time but got restless. After a time, he stood up.

“Well, good night, everypony. It’s another later start tomorrow, but don’t go overboard. Be at the dock at 09:30… and dress warm. We’ve got some weather moving in tonight.”

They bade their lieutenant good night and went on with their well-deserved fun, unaware of Zip’s worries. He didn’t wish to burden anypony with them.

Figuring he’d stop by his office, where he’d left his cloak the night before, he hoped and prayed Amethyst wasn’t off somewhere doing something foolish. He recalled so shortly after meeting her that she sucked down most of a whiskey bottle when she became distressed over another mare’s dream. He had a nasty feeling he might encounter the same thing.

He determined to find Jacinta. She’d sworn to get a night to herself but Zip was afraid; he was worried for Amethyst and he could think of no better pony to help deal with it.

As it turned out, he needn’t knock on the mares’ barracks and ask for Jacinta, nor search for her. He found her sitting on a bench in between the barracks and company headquarters.

“Jacinta,” he called.

She looked up. And he knew something was wrong. The fur under her eyes was tear-stained; she wore no mascara to run but it was plain as day. It was a fair guess it had to do with Amethyst.

He resolved to do something. Rather than feel lost or eke his way back from whence he came, he offered a hoof.

“I think we need to talk. I’ll buy you a hot chocolate or something.”

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Don't worry. The action starts next chapter. But for now, Zip must deal with whatever's going on with the two mares upon which he relies the most. With Jacinta and Amethyst upset, and everypony else oblivious, enjoying themselves, Zip has plenty to think about.

And what of the little schooner that berthed at Dock #4?

Look forward to a "starting to get action-y" chapter next time.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character. And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta.

Look for more Company soon. Still in the beet field a lot, but things will wind down a little soon enough. Then comes field maintenance... yay.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 4: Ramping Up

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 2: State of Emergency

Staff Sergeant Jacinta Petals sat across from Zip in her oversized sweater; she’d been trying to settle in for the night, after all. Zip had managed to convince her to go to a sweets shop near her barracks. Seeing her weep, he decided he couldn’t kick the can; they had to talk… about whatever it was.

Jacinta stared into her mug of cocoa, alongside a few macaroons, “Thanks for the cocoa, Lieutenant… I’m… sorry you had to come across me like that.”

Zip stirred his own cocoa; he had little appetite for anything else but the cocoa tasted great, and was welcome warmth after being outside, “I’m sorry your night off you’d been looking forward to was tossed up. I know you really wanted it.”

She sniffled. Zip didn’t want to beat around the bush but he didn’t want to jump in without testing the waters. He’d try to coax it out of her, at least. But as with finding her, he didn’t have to poke around much.

“Sir… I’m really worried about Amethyst.”

This shot down one or two ideas he’d had bouncing around in his mind but got the ball rolling, “Yes?”

“She’s been… strange the last week. She’s not been sleeping all that well and she’s kind of distant… Then about an hour ago, she just… blew up at me… Has she been odd around you?”

Sure, she’d been odd the last couple weeks; she’d treated him just a little differently since the night of the ball. But it didn’t strike him anything was wrong until she’d bolted from the restaurant. Hating that he held back so much from Jacinta, he decided it wasn’t anything for his staff sergeant to worry about... Still, the thought of Sgt. Amethyst Flare losing control towards Jacinta wasn’t a pleasant thing to picture.

“She seemed a little ill when we went into town today but beyond that… nothing unusual. If you’re that worried… Amethyst is just a pony… even she can get upset if she’s feeling a little off.”

Jacinta appeared to choose her next words carefully, “You… may find this hard to believe but… Amethyst… I think she’s been watching my dreams.”

This came as no surprise to Zip but he tried to relax and blow off her concerns, “That happens with her sometimes... whether she means for it to happen or not. You know she sometimes sleeps in her office just for that reason. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.”

He was shitting her big time about this and not enjoying it one bit; he felt it best for Jacinta to abandon this line of thinking and he was willing to go to lengths to see that happen. It would only be painful for her.

But she wasn’t having it, whether she was aware of his ploy or not; it came out strangled, “Sir… She saw something that hurt her… I… dreamed about a filly last night… my filly… or rather… the one I may have someday.”

Understanding dawned in Zip’s mind. Something like that might give Amethyst some issue. Still, he didn’t want Jacinta to agonize over this; it wouldn’t go anywhere pleasant. He continued to try to steer her away.

“Jacinta… we both know Amethyst might be troubled by such a thing but don’t blame yourself. We aren’t exactly in control of our dreams…”

She looked up, her eyes running again, “The filly… I called her ‘Rho’… I… held her and sang to her… ‘my little Rho… Mommy loves you…’ And what’s more… you were there.”

Zip’s mind blanked out for a few seconds; his ears began to ring. This could not be happening… Was she…?

“I don’t know if it’s the dreams I’ve been having or if it’s… something else… that has Amethyst so tied up,” she struggled to say. “I don’t know… I truly don’t know… if Amethyst has a thing for you but… she might. And me… I’m confused.”

Zip had been trying to keep these thoughts out of his mind for more than a week. But they were always there, standing like somepony in the corner of the eye, desperately screaming for attention but so quietly it sounded like a far-off hum. It set his mind spinning.

Unsurprisingly, Jacinta had more to say. Red crept into her face.

“Amethyst was really upset tonight… She… told me some things. Since the night of the ball, she’d told me again and again I didn’t do anything stupid… anything I’d regret. But tonight… she told me I… forced a kiss on you in the park.”

Zip wanted to escape but something kept him in his seat. The ringing in his ears intensified but it didn’t distract him from the matter at hoof.

“I can see why you kept quiet about it… It… was wrong of me and you were such a gentlecolt to let it pass. Knowing that, it makes sense… why you’ve been just a little distant the last couple weeks… But I think I know why I did it.”

Zip’s desire to bolt increased… Something was coming.

She could not be called disingenuous, “We’ve become friends, sir… It wasn’t something I really set out to do but it just happened; I’m so glad for it. And now… I can’t help it. I… I think I like you, sir! I don’t know when it happened but…”

Zip’s mind, on a little trip to “get-me-the-fuck-outta-here” land, reeled once more. He was physically unable to respond to her.

Jacinta, unaware of his mental gymnastics giving him whiplash, didn’t let up, “It’s wrong… considering our relationship… But, really, I think… I do, Lieutenant… And I’m not sure what to do about it.”

Zip felt all the fur on his body stand on end; an unpleasant warmth, overwhelming in its quality, rushed through him. He was reminded of that one time he’d gotten drunk, after Lt. Hoop had poured five bottles of hard liquor down his open gullet.

This had gone from innocuous to gonzo really fast. She looked at him with earnest eyes, little to no expectation in them; she’d just said what was on her mind. Despite her little smile, Zip was still staggered.

Affording him a yielding expression, her voice came softly, “Lieutenant-”

Anything she may have said was drowned out by a loud siren; this wasn’t good. Abandoning their thoughts, the two rushed outside; the noise increased.

A magically magnified voice blared throughout Port City, “All military personnel and applicable staff: report to your commanders immediately. Repeat… All military personnel and applicable staff: report to your commanders immediately.”

The message continued, quite audible over the siren. Zip and Jacinta barely hesitated. Their meeting eyes told the other this would wait, whatever was going on. They galloped to company headquarters.

This had yet to happen for real but they’d run the drill a few times. Normal procedure, unless the port was literally under direct attack, was to go assemble at company headquarters. Zip prayed this was just a drill.

It was 22:30 by the time Zip and Jacinta made it to their destination. The area was brightly lit up. About 100 ponies had shown up so far, others continuing to trickle in. Seeing Lt. Treehorn and 1st Platoon’s sergeant trying to gain some semblance of order, Zip directed his own charge.

“3rd Platoon! Assemble by squad! Behind your team leaders. Go!” he was surprised by the commanding bellow that came out of his own mouth.

They moved quickly. Most of them were there but he saw a few gaps. The most notable of the gaps was Amethyst’s absence; Cpl. Aster Yellows and Cpl. Lily Hawk stood there in front of their squad. As Zip had feared, 1st Squad looked rather inebriated. He regretted giving them a drinking party but this kind of shit was never predictable. Spc. Silver Duster appeared the only sober one of the bunch.

Other than 1st Squad, still in their uniforms, everypony of his was in civilian dress and even nightclothes. The orders were “report immediately” and that was to be taken literally. Thankfully, most had grabbed warm clothing; it had gotten rather cold over the last couple hours. The platoon continued to fall in.

Zip heard a clippity-clop coming their way; Amethyst came barreling towards them, immediately taking up her position at the head of her squad.

Zip would never forget the look in her face as long as he lived: gone was the worry he’d seen earlier in the day, replaced with a quiet determination and seriousness he’d yet to see in her. Her eyes were… steely and cold.

She acknowledged him with a firm nod; he knew then and there she was with him and ready for whatever the Hell this was. He saw the same in Jacinta; the other mare he relied on most was ready. They were both good soldiers.

The last three members of his platoon showed up: Pvt. Blood Sapphire and Pvt. Linseed Oil were trotting, supporting Pvt. Birch between them. Zip couldn’t help but smile at the purpose in Pvt. Birch’s eyes as he stumped along; the stallion had never complained or made any excuses, always willing to lend a hoof or do what the platoon needed… what he needed of him.

Zip then felt a pride unlike any he’d known in his nine weeks he’d spent in Port City. This was his platoon… these were his ponies… and he felt glad to have all of them behind him. It almost brought tears.

Unable to think of anything else to say, he called out to them, “At ease. Rest. Just stay put until we find out what’s going on.”

Some of them sat down, notably 1st Squad. Seeing them nodding off wasn’t fun. But he’d only bought the ale… They’re the ones that emptied the keg. Rather it was to be expected or not, Amethyst approached Zip and Jacinta.

Her steely resolve let up a moment as she addressed them, “Lieutenant… Jacinta… I’m sorry… Lieutenant, I’m sorry for making a scene at lunch… you were only trying to enjoy our time we were afforded.”

She turned to Jacinta, her resolve further falling, “Jacinta… I’m so sorry… that was awful, what I said… Me freaking out… it’s on me… You don’t need any of that… Please… I want to talk about things when we have the luxury of time.”

Jacinta put a hoof on her shoulder, “It’s okay, Amethyst… You’re right… we can discuss things later.”

Amethyst gave a tiny but meaningful smile as she hugged Jacinta, “Okay.”

The unicorn turned to Zip, giving him a little smile and nod before returning to ranks, where she sat with her squad. Her moment of “weakness” was gone and she looked prepared.

Zip admitted he felt better; there was still the mess to deal with amongst the three of them but for now the air was clear enough.

Just as Zip began to think more about why they were called out, the company headquarters doors opened. Cpt. Stone Rig trotted out, followed by his staff, looking frightened. Zip’s sinking feeling, there since they’d dealt with the navy ship that morning, plunged his stomach down closer to his balls… Now he was getting a little scared.

He barked to his platoon, “3rd Platoon! Attention!”

They stood at once. 1st and 2nd Platoon followed suit.

Zip stood beside Jacinta, before their platoon, awaiting whatever the captain had to say.

He cleared his throat; lighting up his horn, his voice was magically amplified, “Northwest Equestria has declared a state-of-emergency. Details will emerge tomorrow but the division has begun to assemble; over the next week, they will begin to arrive. In the meantime, you are all to secure your docks, your implements, and your storage facilities. Guards will be assigned to each facility beginning tonight. Martial law has been imposed to combat potential city-wide panic.

“Beginning in two or three days, the city is to initiate an evacuation plan of non-essential personnel. Emergency preparations will commence to move material goods out of the city and the surrounding areas, bound for the inland.

“Platoon leaders! Stand by for duties.”

The captain looked disheveled as he consulted his staff.

Zip’s balls pulled up into his body; he was good and scared alright. Glancing to the side, Jacinta’s jaw was tight… She was trembling. Looking to his platoon, they looked more than a little frightened… even Amethyst.

But the lieutenant took a deep breath and let it out; his breath clouded in the chill. They didn’t even know what was going on yet; there was no reason to despair.

A company staffer approached Zip, “Lt. Jetscream… I have your platoon’s duties: you are to secure Warehouse #1, in addition to your docks and equipment. Do so at once.”

The staffer ran off to Lt. Treehorn, who looked like he’d already crapped his pants.

Zip turned to his platoon; he was surprised by how calm he was, “Everypony listen and listen well. Apart from Sgt. Flare and Spc. Duster, 1st Squad is to turn in for the night. Go to bed and rest well. We’ll need you in the morning. Go now; that’s an order. Report to your dock at 07:00.”

There was no need for apologizing; nopony in 1st Squad had anything to feel guilty about. All of them shivering, Cpls. Aster Yellows and Lily Hawk marshaled their teams and began to meander away.

Zip continued, “Sgt. Flare! Cpl. Painter!”

They stepped forward, “Yessir.”

“I want you two to go secure Warehouse #1. Choose five ponies, not squad or team leaders, to go along with you… Your choice… Spc. Duster!”

The little clerk stepped forward, “Sir?”

“Go along with them. Choose two ponies to bring with you. I want you to take full inventory of the warehouse by morning.”

She nodded, “Yessir.”

Zip turned to Pvt. Birch, “I hate to have to make you but you go along with Spc. Duster. She could use your help.”

“I understand, sir.”

Zip felt confident, “Good. None of you are to travel to the warehouse alone. You will wait until your group has been assembled.”

He walked along before his unit, “Now… We’ll be stretched a little thin tonight but we can manage. SSgt. Petals!”

“Yes, Lieutenant?”

“I want you to take Dock #4. Choose six or seven ponies from the other squads to secure it. Make sure you take Spc. Porter.”

“Understood.”

Feeling a greater confidence, he had a few more things to say, “Everypony else, report to your docks once the warehouse and Dock #1 details have been filled. You’ll all be short a few ponies but we’ll make do tonight.”

He was given a resounding “yessir” in response.

Zip smiled, “And Spc. Wire… you’re with me. We’ll be running supplies. Hope you’re up for some exercise tonight.”

She didn’t look happy but showed sureness, “Yessir.”

Zip strode easily before his platoon, “Good… you all have your assignments for the night. Carry out your orders! None of you are under any circumstances to travel alone! Concentrate on the moment… Things will be clearer in the morning.”

With that, they spread out to do what was required of them.

The sun rose late in the autumn and the morning wasn’t exactly bright; a heavy fog had overtaken the city. Things were eerily quiet as the port was safeguarded. Frost had formed on the grass, windows, and implements.

Zip’s legs hurt; he’d been pulling along a wagon, playing gofer for his platoon. The only plus was he wasn’t cold. Trip was never far from him, lending a hoof and supplying the skull sweat to complement his tugging the supply cart. Zip was glad to have her along; she was probably the best administrative-type in the platoon besides Jacinta and Silver and their talents had been needed elsewhere. Much of the night had consisted of running food, water, and tools where they needed to go… and blankets—lots and lots of blankets.

All the scrambling around kept his mind off whatever was going on but as the port began to resemble a military base rather than a center of commerce, the end of their means would be made clear. Military police, plentiful but not apparent in the city, were everywhere now. Civilians had been confined to their homes for the time being.

Reaching Dock #4 around 06:45, Zip was relieved to see his 1st Squad arriving at their post. All of them looked sober, rested, toasty-warm, and ready… which was good because there was no telling what the day held.

He called out to all the ponies at the dock, “Great job, everypony! Things are looking pretty good up and down the port. SSgt. Petals… everypony… thank you for your work. Report to your own docks. We’ll be bringing by some breakfast at 08:00. Trip, you’re staying with me for now.”

Everypony went where they had to.

Jacinta approached Zip, “We’ve had no problems. About all there is to do now is consult the ponies at the warehouse and resupply a few things out here.”

Zip nodded, “That’s the same boat everypony else is in, too. They’re just about to finish up at the warehouse… It took longer than expected but they've been rearranging in there. Fill in Cpls. Yellows and Hawk with what they need to do… Then you’re with me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Zip took a moment to sit down, nothing else pressing at the moment. Trip sat beside him.

The little mare sighed, “I’ve never seen anything like this happen before… I’m a little worried, Lieutenant.”

He was too but, “Don’t fret, Trip. Like I said, we do our duty. We’ll figure everything else out later.”

Zip could say such things all he wanted but his confidence was beginning to wane as he had more time to think about things. There had to be something wrong with him… he recalled being scared out of his mind but determined when he led the dragon to its doom all those months ago. Whether it was bluster or genuine poise he’d been able to show his platoon a strong but friendly face. Dealing with mares on the other hoof… he still felt like a frightened kid.

He laughed at the thought without being aware of it.

Trip entered his view, “Sir? What’s so funny?”

Recognizing the trepidation in her eyes, he patted her shoulder with a hoof, giving her a wry smile, “Nothing, really… It’s just you never do get used to this kind of thing.”

By the time Zip, Jacinta, and Trip arrived at Warehouse #1, they’d finished inventory; all was secure.

Private Birch was sitting alongside Silver, the two of them checking a list. A few ponies were stationed around the building, keeping watch. Amethyst was sitting with the rest of them, taking a short rest.

The unicorn stood, “All’s good in Warehouse #1, sir. Know anything else?”

Zip shook his head, “Other than they’re feeding us come 08:00, nothing yet. Your squad’s back, bright-eyed and ready to work.”

Amethyst grinned, “I can’t imagine you’d pull Jacinta away if they weren’t. Would you like me to get back to them?”

“Sure. See that they earn that rest I gave them last night. I’ll be delivering chow soon. If we know anything new, you’ll hear about it.”

She nodded, “Sounds good.”

Amethyst took off.

Silver looked up from the list she was checking, “It was a real mess in there, Lieutenant… right in the middle of reorganizing. We left everything as it was but we got it.”

“Good,” Zip replied. “It’s not our place to toss it up. No point in putting anything away if we’re just out loading it.”

For a while, they just milled about. Zip left Jacinta at the warehouse while he and Trip ran to the kitchens. The food was hot, if plain, and abundant, and very much appreciated by the hungry ponies in the cold damp. Nothing new was known about the situation. With nothing else to do now other than wait for further orders, they relaxed and enjoyed their morning chow.

They remained on alert until 12:00, when they received word to relieve those they could. Things were at least calming down for the moment. Zip kept 1st Squad, minus Amethyst and Silver, on and sent one of the teams to another dock. He asked for volunteers to manage the last two docks and watch the warehouse while some rested. They’d switch out sometime in the late afternoon.

So, the waiting game ensued. Zip found himself delivering afternoon chow. The military police allowed civilians outside but they were strictly forbidden from entering the port. It was peaceful, if nippy that afternoon, with a pleasant bit of sun that had burned off the morning fog.

Zip was dozing at Warehouse #1 around 16:00 when he felt a gentle hoof on his shoulder.

Jacinta’s peculiar eyes greeted his, “Lieutenant… Cpt. Weaver’s called a meeting. He wants you to bring along a staff.”

Zip nodded; the choice wasn’t hard. He’d bring his staff, minus Pvt. Birch, replacing him with Amethyst. He knew Pvt. Birch would be willing but he’d been tirelessly staggering around all night and all day doing all that was needed of him and much more. Zip was thankful and would see him rest, even if he had to force him to do so.

The rest had at least napped that day and were fresh for whatever they were about to hear. Jacinta, Amethyst, and Silver were the ones he wanted there when the news broke, anyway.

Zip found himself at a large table among his chosen staff; the rest of the officers in the battalion and their staff were seated as well. Zip had never been in the big meeting room of battalion headquarters. He knew the meeting would be of great importance, whatever was about to happen.

Captain Basket Weaver sat at the head of the table, looking self-assured; alongside him were his three lieutenants and their platoon sergeants, as well as his battalion level staff. Cpt. Stone Rig, looking ill, and Cpt. Jalapeño Jelly, looking surly, sat on either side of the table, loosely surrounded by their own units. All of them looked as if they’d rather be anywhere else in time or space.

Zip quickly noticed he was the only platoon officer to bring staff that weren’t all platoon sergeants, much less three of them.

The big crystal ball in the center of the table was a familiar thing to Zip; every military entity had one and, in this case, they were about to have an audience with Gen. Fiddler Dream. He’d never even met anypony, of consequence, higher on the rungs of the 4th Equestrian Army than Lt. Col. Red Spud. The general was the general of the 4th Army.

Nopony said a word. Zip noted a tension in the air he could practically feel closing in on hm. Looking towards Jacinta and Amethyst, they kept their composure but looked more nervous than he’d seen either of them. Silver felt like she looked to most ponies… young and inexperienced. Zip was plenty shaken and he may have been the calmest in the room... other than their acting battalion commander; it was impossible to know.

They were going to war… maybe. That was in the forefront of everypony’s mind.

The deafening silence was cracked by the hum of the crystal ball.

Captain Basket Weaver stood, “Officer present. Stand. Salute.”

They all stood and saluted as the general showed up, projecting a corporeal form from within the glass; he saluted in return, “At ease. Be seated.”

They all sat. The general slowly swiveled his head, his own staff visible beside him.

“I see you’ve assembled the whole of your battalion command, Captain.”

Captain Basket Weaver nodded nonchalantly, “I trust these ponies; they need to know what we’re up against as much as I do.”

The general didn’t seem pleased but wasn’t about to order everypony out, “Very well.”

The captain lounged at the head of the table; Zip was wowed by his imperturbability… That’s how impressive it was; he needed a big word for it.

The general cleared his throat, “Captain Weaver: I appreciate the work you’ve done with the battalion. The loss of Lt. Col. Spud was unfortunate… But as you surely know, this isn’t a friendly call.

“I regret to inform all of you the Equestrian Western Navy has in the last week engaged, having been attacked by, a large Centauri Navy fleet.”

Zip’s blood ran cold a moment; the centaurs hadn’t attacked Equestrian forces, much less Equestria, in hundreds of years. The room was staggered by this news and remained silent a moment, allowing the general to continue.

The general turned, addressing all of them, “Ships on routine patrol were caught unaware in the night and suffered numerous casualties before sailing towards the continent. Our navy is spread so far and thin on the western side of Equestria, our ships are still moving to reinforce the line. Our estimates put the number of ships in the Centauri naval force at several hundred to more than one thousand ships; the weather is making any estimation difficult.

“Our casualties have been heavy, including a schooner whose crew accidentally set it on fire after a routine resupply in Port City; it sank last night, days before before a chance of joining the battle.”

Zip’s eyes darted towards Amethyst; she looked collected but he could see some understanding dawning in her eyes. Now glad he brought her along, he would ask her later.

“The scout ships were heavily damaged. The remaining crews, traveling with a contingent of warships, will be arriving in Port within the week. The injured are to be treated and evacuated with all civilians, once logistics for the dispersal of our food supply and other goods is established. It's only a matter of time before the Centauri Navy lands on our shores.”

Captain Stone Rig couldn’t hold back, “Why attack now?! We’re about to enter winter! Why would they attack, knowing they were moving into that?!”

The room was stunned at the inept Captain’s outburst; many of them knew the answer, even if they weren’t consciously aware of it. Again and again in history, militaries had made the grave error of advancing into cold places in the worst time to do so… when it got cold. In this case, it would work to the Centauri Kingdom’s benefit.

The general calmly stated (easy for him, being in Canterlot), “They know this is the best time to attack. Our forces are spread thin in western Equestria; that's our worst kept secret internationally. Our navy cannot stop them; in a matter of days our navy will be unable to stall their advance and will either be forced to retreat to the coast as they fight or face destruction.

“But direr is this: Port City handles one-quarter of Equestria’s food supply on a yearly basis. And we’re still harvesting across the continent. All supply ships bound for Port City have been diverted south to other distribution hubs but the stores in Port City and the adjacent lands contain, relying on the estimation provided this morning, roughly one-seventh of Equestria’s current food supply.

“Our supply and logistics system, running under the assumption we have the whole winter and spring to trickle out food and goods to the northern continent, was not created to handle what we face. The 2nd Division is assembled and is on its way; they are the only ones within reach of you. But even with their numbers it may be only weeks before we must abandon the city. It will fall.”

This was a hard truth to swallow; not only would the city fall but if they were unable to relocate much of the foodstuffs in their possession… northern Equestria would starve that winter. They had weeks to accomplish what took half a year.

Captain Basket Weaver, well known for speaking his mind, coolly stated, “So it’s war, then… We have less than a month to empty our stores, as the Centauri Navy lands on our beaches, before we burn the city and retreat south like Hell…”

The general knew of the captain’s inclination and wasn’t overly offended, “Yes, Captain. Their navy will be able to deploy ground troops within a few weeks... if our high-end estimates of their numbers are accurate.”

The captain leaned back in his chair, still displaying his great level-headedness, “Those monkey carcasses growing where a head should be didn’t come all the way here to just try and starve half the continent to death. Once we set a match to Port... they’re going to salvage what they can from the ashes and advance, right between the Galloping Gorge and the Foal Mountains, straight to Canterlot. All that’s between is prairie... and a lot of towns and a lot of farms with a lot of civilians. Evacuating the swath of land those freaks move through won't be easy but we at least have the time.

“The approaching winter is immaterial to the centaurs; they’ll be through Port and bearing down on the south before we see a speck of snow flying. And we’ll be running ahead of them, unless they manage to kill us all first. And we will be running, once we can’t hold them in the northwest any longer; the division can’t stand and face that in the open. They'll be able to harass us from behind for a long time. Have the eggheads in tactics figured out how long it’ll be before the 4th Army can finish assembling and join up with us?”

The general didn’t have an agreeable answer; he tried to explain his way around it, “The 4th Army won’t be joining you. You’ll be coming to it. We will engage them northwest of Canterlot; we will rely on the geography and fortify the land to give us a topographical advantage. The air force will attempt to slow them down and-”

“Sir!” Cpt. Basket Weaver barked. “How long before the 4th Army is ready to fight?”

Zip and the rest were shocked a captain would snap at a general but what were they going to do? Hang him? Death was knocking on the door anyway.

The general considered the leering captain; there was no point in giving him the runaround, “It will be three months. You must stall them for three months. We cannot defeat them in the open… you must know that. Three months… That is the time it will take to prepare our defenses. Near Canterlot, we'd also have the benefit of our other military resources... the 1st and 2nd Army, the air force, and the marines. All we'd manage in the open is to harass them.”

A chill fell upon the room, felt by one and all. The division consisted of less than 3,000 ponies; they were expected to stall a force of untold size… all while being chased to Canterlot. During this whole exchange, most of them just sat numb.

But if Cpt. Basket Weaver was afraid, he didn’t show it much, “Understood, General. I take it you’ve assembled a war council?”

“Yes, Captain. We’re about to start. The division heads of 'Clementine' Corps are being raised as well as all the corps heads.”

The captain stood up, “Let us pull in a few more crystal balls. We can get multiple channels raised and hold the discussion right here. I think we can agree there’s no point in hiding anything; my battalion stays.”

This really appeared to tick off the general but what was he going to do? Hanging the captain was probably out of the question; nopony else immediately available could keep Port City under control while they floundered their way through the mess. They could always string him up later, if they saw fit, so the general let it go.

“Very well, Captain.”

Taking a few minutes to set up communications and call in some chow from the kitchens, “Wild Rice” Battalion sat down and the 4th Equestrian Army began planning its emptying of Port City… all its ponies and all the goods they’d be able to manage.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

The war part of the story finally begins. Faced with the daunting task of emptying Port City and rescuing a significant portion of the Equestrian food supply, the battalion has its work cut out for it.

A little cliche, perhaps, for a "like" confession to be interrupted by some catastrophe but at least SSgt. Petals got to say it.

Next time, the Equestrian Navy lands in Port and 2nd Division begins to stream in. They will all do what they can to ensure the port holds as long as they can manage. Certain members of Zip's platoon may also find some time to hammer out a few issues involving the drama that has so plagued this story thus far.

Will be a pretty hefty chapter, depending on how editing goes; a lot will happen next time, including some unpleasant, surprising things.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character. And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta.

Look for more Company soon. Still in the beet field a lot, but things will wind down a little soon enough. Then comes field maintenance... yay.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 6: The Retreat to the Galloping Gorge

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 4: Ramping Up

“I’m not sure what to say, everypony…” Spc. Birch looked over the platoon. “I’m gonna miss all of you.”

Zip and 3rd Platoon were all gathered outside a window on the caboose of the next locomotive bound to Canterlot; the lieutenant reached up, patting Spc. Birch's shoulder, its passenger, “And we’ll miss you too… and we’ll try very hard not to hate you for your ‘good fortune’.”

Noting Zip’s smirk, Spc. Birch snorted laughter, “‘Good fortune’, my left nut, sir… I’d much rather stay with all of you. If I’d healed faster…”

Zip shook his head, “Don’t start on that… Shit happens, and you can’t stay here; that’s all there is to it. You’ve been great as a clerk and we’re thankful. You just need to finish healing up. When I found out where you’d been reassigned, I was pretty proud; we all were… especially with your promotion.”

The new specialist laughed, a little embarrassed at the praise, “It’s not official, yet…”

“You’re a specialist when they say you’re a specialist; the rest is just red tape,” Zip beamed.

Specialist Silver Duster, alongside Zip, piped up, “You’re not far off from my old job… Corps level administration’s a pretty big deal.”

“Thanks, Silver,” Spc. Birch smiled at his colleague; they’d cultivated a pretty good friendship with all the time spent and all the paperwork they’d done together. “And I’ll ‘make life Hell’ for that little ‘slag’ that took your job and had you sent here.”

The platoon laughed, causing Silver to blush; she’d said something loud and very verbal about the “slag” one night when they’d been drinking, “Well, you don’t have to… but if it’s not out of your way, I’d appreciate it.”

More laughter was elicited from the platoon. The locomotive’s horn gave a blow; only a couple minutes, now…

Sergeant Amethyst Flare walked up, “There’s something we’d all like you to bring with you. It’d mean a lot to us if you’d take care of it… maybe hang it in your new office.”

As she was hoofing him the framed photograph of Spc. Trip Wire, Silver, Pvt. Orange Blossom, and Pvt. Caramel Crunch, looking fetching at the enlisted military ball, Zip was sure Spc. Birch would break down and cry. But he managed not to.

“Are you sure?” his voice trembled. “It’s really okay for me to take this?”

“Of course!” Zip exclaimed. “Just take care of it; I want to see it again, someday.”

“Me too!” several voices called out.

“Take care, Birch!”

“Do us proud!”

Zip called out to the platoon, “What do you say we send him off proper?!”

52 voices answered affirmative; SSgt. Jacinta Petals remained silent, her face crimson.

The platoon hadn’t known about who might choose the tune, but they were in for a real treat; Zip yelled, “And now… SSgt. Petals will lead us in a little cadence to see off Spc. Birch!”

Murmurs broke out. This was odd.

Zip poked her, “C’mon, Sergeant. You said you would.”

Looking mutinous, she relented, “Oh, fine…”

To peals of laughter and looks of disbelief, she began. At first, she was mortified, but she gave into the fun after a few lines.

He can take a private

(He can take a private)

Drag him out of bed

(Drag him out of bed)

Grab him by the collar

(Grab him by the collar)

And choke him ‘til he's dead

(And choke him ‘til he's dead)

To everypony but Zip, hearing this from Jacinta was shocking. But when something good falls out of the sky and hits you on the head, sometimes you just take it.

Jacinta treated them to the three verses of “S&M Colt” Zip had previously heard.

Walking away from the rail yard, the platoon split up and went about their duties. Sides hurting from laughing and few dry eyes, whether from laughing too hard or from already missing Spc. Birch, they set their minds to working.

Two weeks after Cpt. Basket Weaver had destroyed the docks and implements, the Equestrian Navy was only a couple hundred miles off the coast. They’d done a good job of stalling the Centauri forces—better than expected—but it would be a matter of days, if that, before they had to flee; it was either flee or face destruction.

Zip felt they’d done Cpt. Basket Weaver proud; they’d moved just over 80% of the supplies they meant to get out of the city and they’d prepared to evacuate themselves, wagons loaded to move the division south. Hopefully they’d have enough to hold them until meeting with the air force a few hundred miles southeast of Port City. Food, explosives, and other necessities were ready to move with them at a moment’s notice.

It was certainly odd, not seeing rain for three weeks in the autumn. It was still warm, feeling rather spring-like. Most ponies enjoyed the weather; if they were facing doom, at least they’d be comfortable and dry. The afternoon was positively balmy…

Not everypony was happy about the strange weather. Pvt. Linseed Oil, whom Zip had barely heard more than a few words from suddenly became fretful and vocal. The hoofful of soldiers he’d befriended were weirded out, other than Pvt. Blood Sapphire.

“Lieutenant… it’s not good,” the “cadaver nut” lamented. “Looking at the weather almanac from the last 100 years… this has only happened once. It’s too dry. The wind changes… somepony gets careless with a campfire somewhere… and poof!”

Zip tried not to roll his eyes, “Private, there aren’t too many civilians left anywhere nearby; they’ve hopefully evacuated. And the army’s called for a strict ‘no-burn’ policy. Aren’t you worrying too much?”

Zip knew the lack of moisture was of concern; he was just tired of hearing about it. When he’d read Pvt. Linseed Oil was a government botanist, he’d pictured their beloved necrophiliac stuck in a laboratory somewhere, poring over leaf collections, dreaming of cold, stiff fillies. He couldn’t have been more wrong… at least about the lab stuff.

Pvt. Linseed Oil was a forest biologist with a flare for meteorology… he shared his interest in meteorology with his friend, Pvt. Blood Sapphire. The two were like “pony weathervanes”, noticing changes in the wind before they were evident and getting squirrely before a storm.

Private Blood Sapphire was a rock-nut, which was slightly less disconcerting than his buddy’s hobby; he was ecstatic to be in such a place with such interesting geology. How the geology of the northwestern corner of Equestria was so interesting was lost on Zip, so he’d take his word for it.

Zip hoped to spare command the weirdness of the two, but if it got much drier he’d vouch for their expertise on the matter of the weather. It wouldn’t hurt to be prepared for a fire.

The private returned to his grumbling, staring at the ground. Zip noticed his enlisted mares giggling at Pvt. Linseed Oil; he amused them with his… passion about stuff and seemed interesting enough. Zip chuckled to himself, wondering how they’d view his eccentricities if they had the big picture of one that could read the platoon members’ files anytime.

“I admit I’m a little worried, too,” Amethyst sighed. “It’s supposed to be sleeting this time of year… that sloppy, cold stuff, you know?”

Zip yawned, so tired was he, “I don’t care all that much… We’re here for a week and then boom goes the dynamite… literally.”

She cuffed him with a little smile, “And you complain about me being cynical.”

Zip laughed, “Oh, I know.”

“Nothing to do with what we’re talking about, but I need to see you in your office later… just to fill you in on something.”

This wasn’t abnormal; Zip nodded, “Sure. If we can keep to the schedule today, I’ll be in from 18:00 to 21:00… I have some work to finish. Come anytime.”

“Yes, sir. This is where we get off,” Amethyst led her squad—minus Silver—down to Warehouse #1, where their own detail had them, splitting from the group.”

Soon the other squads split off, leaving Jacinta, Trip, and Silver with Zip.

Trip voiced what the others were thinking, “I’m gonna miss Birch…”

Zip saw she’d been one of the ponies with the waterworks pumping; she’d become pretty good friends with Spc. Birch as well. Wanting another clerk, he’d picked Trip for the position… part-time, of course. She was still their best mechanic, but her office work was exemplary.

Zip kneaded her shoulder, “It’s okay, Trip… We’ll all miss him. But it’s just the way things turned out. We get to run for our lives and he has to miss all the fun. Just remember… you could’ve ended up like him; it could be you riding desk duty in Canterlot.”

She sniffled, “That doesn’t help at all, Lieutenant.”

He couldn’t help but chortle at her demeanor, “I wasn’t really trying to, Trip.”

Jacinta and Silver laughed at Trip’s indignation as she tried to get ahold of Zip; he had wings, after all.

Once Trip cooled off a little, they made their way to company headquarters.

With the four of them, they made quick work of a report division wanted. The mares left and Zip, having eaten a late lunch, passed on evening chow. Without really meaning to, he fell asleep at his desk.

Zip and Jacinta managed to find a couple hours off late one morning, so they put on civilian clothes and galloped out of town for a little while. They’d found a little spot in the woods they liked, so having time they snaked a few things from the kitchen and decided to have a little… picnic.

Laughing like a couple of simpletons, Zip chased Jacinta through the walking paths. Finally catching her, they tumbled into a patch of grass.

Sharing yet another mutual kiss, far more pleasurable than the first one Jacinta planted on him during their arguable “first date”; the kiss became impassioned and they gathered up the other.

They were ready; in the forest they let the mood get the better of them and they consummated their new relationship. As if melting into the other, they felt it was the rightest thing they’d done all their lives.

Afterwards, they were spent but happy; they lay together looking up at the clouds through a clearing in the trees.

Trying not to fall asleep, they chatted.

“That was your first time too, right?” Jacinta hummed, the ghost of a smile crossing her lips.

Zip was embarrassed to admit it, looking away from her beautiful face, “…”

She giggled, “It’s alright… Zip. I think it was just fine… In fact, it was great. It’s not like we don’t have some time to… improve our craft.”

Zip chuckled; he really did feel great, his mind wandering some, “I’m starting to worry about the weather… not as much as Pvt. Oil, but-”

She tossed a few dry leaves into his face, hooting with laughter, “Don’t start on that… I still don’t get that guy.”

And you never may, Zip grinned to himself. Only he, Amethyst, and some ponies higher up knew much of anything about the private.

“It’s just weird, Jacinta… a couple weeks ago we were avoiding this like… well, something to really avoid. I still don’t know how we talked ourselves into this.”

“Oh, Zip, stop it,” Jacinta nuzzled him. “We need to get our hooves on as much happiness as we can. We just have to… not let it get in the way of things.”

Zip scoffed, “You say that like it’s easy… How do we keep this separate from everything else?! You know it’s gonna be impossible…”

“You’re so cute when you worry about stuff,” Jacinta snorfled his neck. “Zip…”

He felt a shiver go down his spine; he didn’t know what he liked more… her necking with him or hearing her call him by his name.

Zip enjoyed it, but too much nibbling on his neck drove him nuts; he detached her from her nipping at him, “I love you, Jacinta.”

They kissed again, and the kiss quickly turned hot. Figuring they didn’t have to report for another couple hours they started on the second round of their woody adventures.

Zip had a big old grin on his face as he woke up. His face was stuck to the documents by a Hell of a lot of saliva. Cursing his sloppiness, he quickly sat up, pulling the few sheets of paper from his face. It was obvious he’d been slavering on his own hoof; Hell, he’d been making out with it!

What’s wrong with me? That’s the same dream, like, three days in a row! Zip wiped his mouth on his uniform sleeve. He had Jacinta on the brain; it was getting in the way of all he did. It wouldn’t be much longer before he could no longer hold back around her… This wasn’t good…

He was pulled away from his bemoaning by a familiar, girlish laugh. Looking across his desk, he was mortified to see Amethyst, her chin resting on her hooves, trying very hard not to break down and guffaw.

With a twinkle in her eye, she waggled her eyebrows at him, “Dirty dreams, Lieutenant?”

About as embarrassed as he could ever remember feeling, even around her, he reeled, “Damn it to Hell, Amethyst! Stay out of my head!”

She giggled in her unfitting way, “Oh, I wouldn’t dare do such a thing, Lt. Grumpy… I didn’t have to anyway, sir. Did you know you talk in your sleep?”

“How long have you been eyeballing me?”

Amethyst smirked, face rosy with mirth, “About 20 minutes… I didn’t want to disturb you…”

Shaking his head and deciding to change the direction things were going, Zip wiped sleep from his eyes, “Enough… So, I have… stuff on the brain… Now’s not the time! What is it you wanted to tell me earlier?”

Unhappy he cut off her fun, but recognizing they had more important things to do, she said what she had to, “I’ll fill you in afterwards, but I won’t be around tonight. I received… word from my old outfit. I have a… job to do tonight.”

Zip, a little bothered by the fact he was unfazed by his sergeant’s goings-on, nodded, “Okay… it won’t be hard to explain away your absence. I’m sorry you’ll miss the party, but that’s just something you have to do. Please be careful, Amethyst.”

Touched by his consideration, she leaned back in the opposite chair, “Thank you, sir, I will be. Just tell them I drew some extra duty… I’m sure I won’t be the ‘only’ one.”

She was right; many ponies, particularly those with special expertise, had been called aside to deal with all sorts of issues division was running into. Just the night before, Trip, Spc. Cocoa Butter, and Pvt. Caramel Crunch spent seven hours doing emergency repairs on a locomotive that broke down upon reaching Port. Thankfully, they managed to get it back on the move only 15 minutes behind schedule and the cargo was then well on its way to safety.

Amethyst left, leaving Zip to clean up his drool and briefly try to finish his work. He was unable to do so; his dreams of Jacinta had saturated the paper and it would have to dry out. Realizing it was only 20:30, Zip knew he could make the party. His platoon had the night off and had secured a couple kegs of ale. They didn’t have to report until 10:00 the next morning, and they were holding platoon drill, anyway, so Zip anticipated a monumentally epic evening the likes of which he’d never seen.

The party was crazy. But it was fun, too. Seeing Pvt. Linseed Oil strum a guitar in the corner with all his enlisted mares drooling over him was a sight to behold; he was a stallion of many talents. Pvt. Mercury Rise was hoof-wrestling four stallions at a time and still beating them.

Cpl. Raspberry Jam was certainly putting on a show. Zip had never heard a joke out of the guy, despite Cpt. Stone Rig’s insistence the corporal was so funny, but he seemed more a magician; Cpl. Raspberry Jam had taken to… appearing to be pulling bouquets of flowers from his ass and throwing them at the laughing ponies unfortunate enough to be in aiming-range. How an Earth pony pulled off such a trick, Zip decided to not think about it.

Everypony was having a great time; it was times like this Zip wished he’d imbibe, but he still couldn’t bring himself to drink. Sitting in the corner, he smiled, watching his command… his friends… throwing aside their worries for a night. They’d had so little reason to celebrate, and they still really didn’t… but they needed this.

Unaware of Zip’s ruminations, Jacinta plopped down beside him, “Looks like fun, eh? …Lieutenant? Sir?”

It took a poke of her hoof to get his head out of his ass; he blinked and stared around, “Oh, Jacinta… It’s only you.”

“What do you mean it’s only me?! That’s a damn stupid thing to say to a lady.”

Zip noticed her slurring… Yup, Jacinta was in a playful mood, full of liquor, and grinning like a hyena at him. Great…

She leaned towards him, “I know it isn’t really your thing, but… wanna dance?”

Zip wanted to. He wanted to badly, but it wasn’t something his platoon needed to see. He’d danced with most of the mares in his platoon, so it wasn’t such a big deal… except to him… and probably to her.

“Uh… pass, Jacinta. Let’s just talk.”

She huffed, “Oh, poo… So, you’ll dance the Manehattan with Amethyst, but nothing with me?”

He could tell she was at least half-joking and was glad for it; he didn’t need any drama generated, “That was special… You weren’t even awake; I’m surprised she told you about that.”

She gushed, “Oh, she wouldn’t shut up about it, Lieutenant… It really… meant a lot to her.”

He sighed, looking out to his platoon, “I know it did…”

“So where is our beloved 1st Squad leader?” Jacinta looked around exaggeratedly, a goofy look pasted to her face.

“Division had something for her to do… I’m not sure if she’ll make it or not.”

Jacinta hiccuped, “That’s too bad… This might be our last time to enjoy ourselves for quite some time.”

She took a hit off what turned out to be her tenth ale; she’d settle when there wasn’t gin. Zip took a hit off his water; they were holding a kegger and there was no squash of any variety for him to sample.

For some reason, the staff sergeant suddenly seemed to have a bee in her bonnet, “Fuck this noise, sir… I… wanna get to bed. Would you… walk me back to the barracks?”

“What’s wrong, Jacinta?” Zip was concerned at her angry outburst.

She nosed him from his seat, “Just move!”

He complied and the two left the otherwise empty warehouse; it was one of many buildings standing empty, their great task going as well as it was.

Looking to his schnockered friend, he didn’t blame her for wanting an escort… The city had become a strange and scary place, with everything becoming largely unoccupied. But occasionally, they’d come across scavenger ponies stealing military or civilian supplies or holing up in abandoned buildings. Zip reasoned Jacinta was nervous about somepony accosting her when she was alone; Zip reasoned to himself he’d be the one protecting any ponies stupid enough to get in Jacinta’s way.

Paddling alongside her direct superior, Jacinta was scheming: she’d been trying to get him alone for a few days… and not in his office. Her thinking wasn’t all that clear and her method was heavy-hooved, but it had worked.

Her time had come.

“Lieutenant,” she stopped walking, staring at the ground.

Zip hadn’t noticed her halting; he had to turn to face her, “Yes, Jacinta?”

The little mare was shitfaced, but she still blushed in a manner that put her alcohol-flush to shame, “I… know we agreed to concentrate on our job… and to not do anything stupid, but… I can’t help myself anymore…”

Zip felt the now familiar sensation of his blood going cold—while somehow feeling a shock of heat run through him—and the accompanying fuzzy head with the ringing ears; he’d been on pins and needles around Jacinta the last few days. Oblivious to his body stirring up a storm, Jacinta moved a little closer.

“I’ve been thinking… sir, and I think I’m ready to say it…”

Zip decided to stop her, right there, “Jacinta… you’re drunk. Whatever it is you’re gonna say, I don’t think it’s anything you’d say sober… Let’s just get you to your quarters.”

She looked at him, a little hurt, and shook her head, “Would you please just hear me out?”

“You need to turn in… It’s only another block to the barracks; let’s keep moving.”

Zip began to walk away; he wasn’t expecting Jacinta to comply. He knew there was no walking away from her, but he didn’t know what else to do.

He was dismayed to hear her unsteady voice; he could tell she was close to waterworks. He was even more shaken by the single word that came with it.

“Zip…”

He halted; in a mixture of ecstasy and genuine horror at hearing her say his name, he replied, “What…?”

Looking back, he saw the erstwhile dry eyes of his friend boring into his as she inched closer, “Zip… I love you.”

Fireworks went off in Zip’s head when he heard that. He was quite staggered, hearing those three little words. He knew it… he’d known for a couple weeks those words were coming at some point. And he was finally faced with his own feelings.

He’d tried and tried and tried and tried and even came close to convincing himself otherwise… but he’d fallen in love for the first time. It was so foreign a thing, he’d been unable to identify it… but there it was.

He wasn’t even sure when it happened. Somewhere between, or among, her kicking his ass as they trained their platoon and her indignation at being made a fool of during their trots and kissing him and their talk at the sweets shop and dreaming about her every time he fell asleep and many other things… it had just happened.

He loved Jacinta… and he didn’t know what to do about it. So, he tried to rebuff it, knowing Jacinta wouldn’t remember anything past her last ale. He was still convinced they had to hold back on things, given Hell was practically about to hit their shores.

Hating himself for it, he forced it out, “Now’s not the time, Jacinta… Let’s get you to bed.”

She looked hurt, but remained as steadfast as her inebriation allowed, “Please… no more games. I know you… feel the same way. I may be some ‘sexless little drip’, but I can tell! Please… I wanna hear you say it.”

He so wanted to say it. Why hold back now? Something about all this bothered him… Maybe it was because she was blackout drunk… Maybe it was just because he was afraid. Whatever was bothering him, he refused to let things escalate more.

“Jacinta… you need to go to bed-”

“I want to kiss you,” she murmured.

He couldn’t help but scoff, “Jacinta-”

She gave him the glare that never failed to send his balls rolling to shelter, “I’m not asking…”

She surprised him, propelling him off the path; she tripped him up and put him to his back in a shrub. Before he could even react, she clumsily went to town on his face.

Desperately trying to get his face free of her hooves holding him and her lips and tongue exploring, he managed, “Jacinta! Cut it out!”

She held him fast and said another thing he’d not been expecting, but rather, longing to hear… as far as his wet dreams went, “Zip… I want you to be my first… more than anything… I want you!”

His jaw must have dropped, because she smiled and pushed it back up so his teeth met.

Giggling at the look of shock on his face, she hoofed his collar, leering blearily at him.

He somehow found the resolve to form words, “Jacinta… we shouldn’t…”

She took on an air somewhere between disbelief and amusement; it took her a moment to form words, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you being this way? I mean… do you really not know what to do when some mare throws herself at you?!”

Zip felt his balls recoil at that; hearing that from Jacinta really took the lead out of his pencil. He was almost tempted to prove her wrong… it wasn’t overly complicated.

But, “That’s enough, Jacinta. Get off.”

Her amusement rose, “Yeah, yeah… you cold fish…”

Then her amusement dropped off as she suddenly threw up to the side of his head; Zip saw it coming and managed to shift away. It still wound up in his mane.

“Ah, shit!” he spouted as Jacinta collapsed on him.

Within a few seconds, he could hear he breathing steadily; her breath stunk, as if she’d just eaten a bowl of garden slugs drowned in a bucket of piss. Pinned under her, his back in a shrub, it wasn’t the easiest to regain his hooves.

Staring down at his passed-out staff sergeant, Zip’s thoughts were anything but pleasant.

Great… Just great… Zip frowned. What a night…

He suddenly felt the fur on the back of his neck stand up; somepony was behind him… Three guesses who.

“I take it you’re done with whatever mischief you were put up to, Amethyst,” Zip turned to face his sergeant, a sudden resentment taking him; she looked like she’d fallen into a swamp.

“And it looks like you’ve been up to mischief of your own, Lieutenant,” it was hard to read her; her expression wasn’t giving away much of anything.

But something about her tone really pissed him off; maybe he was tired… maybe he was just frustrated, but he became angry, “I don’t know how long you’ve been standing there, laughing at me, but I’m tired of it. Do you really enjoy simpering over somepony who was ‘shitting in diapers’ when you were some young heart-breaker that much?”

Put off by his conduct, he could see the hurt in her eyes; she backed up, “Lieutenant? What’s wrong?”

Seeing her fall into a demure state, Zip’s annoyance got the better of him, “Do you really enjoy it that much?! Sneaking around like some ghoul, jumping up whenever you catch me at my worst… treating me like a little colt… What’s your damage, Sergeant?”

Covered in who-knows-what after doing who-knows-what, a mare who toppled governments and killed off Equestria’s enemies, foreign and domestic, as if they were termites in the foundation of a house was cowed, “Lieutenant…”

Seeing the vulnerability in her face only frustrated him further, “So what’s it gonna be tonight, Amethyst? A virginity jab? Take a poke at my innocence? Ask me for a dance?! What?! What do you want, Amethyst?!”

The corners of her eyes began to leak, “Lieutenant, this isn’t like you… Why don’t-?”

He cut her off, “Are you gonna tell me what you’ve been up to, or not?! If you got nothing to say, then leave me alone!”

At that, she broke down; she fell to her haunches and cried, right in the middle of the park. It was enough to move even the coldest heart, seeing the beautiful mare sob, covered in slop.

Realizing what an asshole he’d been, Zip turned down his dials in a hurry as he went to her. It was easy to see something had her like a cat on a hot tin roof; she wouldn’t have cracked so easily, otherwise. Kneeling just enough to be at her eyelevel, he sighed.

“Amethyst… I’m… I’m so sorry… That was… just nasty of me.”

Looking as young as a teenager and as miserable as some poisoned lab animal, she hiccupped, declining to make eye contact with him.

Zip gave an all-in sigh and hauled her to her hooves, “We need to talk, Amethyst… Help me with Jacinta and we can go sit.”

This scene had played out before, save Amethyst was sober this time. Using her magic, she’d cleaned up Jacinta, Zip’s vomity mane, and her own disheveledness.

With the little staff sergeant’s head resting in her lap, Amethyst stared lovingly down at her friend; she’d calmed down.

“And to think Jacinta used to be such a good girl… behaving herself when she drank,” Amethyst crooned as she stroked Jacinta’s head.

Noting the faraway look in her eyes, Zip tried to press gently, “Amethyst… please tell me what’s wrong.”

She stopped caressing Jacinta’s mane and continued to stare off into space, “You know how you can associate something—anything, really… even the most innocuous things imaginable… with something bad?”

Zip knew the feeling; when he was a colt his mother yelled at him for something he couldn’t even remember… Even 15 or 16 years later, every single time he smelled cheese bread baking, his fur stood on end and he felt a most visceral twinge deep in his gut. It didn’t make sense and didn’t need to… his mother had been baking and he’d done something naughty at the time. The connection existed.

“I sure do, Amethyst…” Zip murmured; he stared straight ahead, having trouble making eye contact with his gorgeous sergeant.

“I was out in the harbor… setting up a little welcome present for the Centauri Navy—you’ll see it when it happens,” she grinned nastily. “When I got back to shore, I felt something… All it was is that I was wet… and it reminded me of my last job before I got shipped out here… the one that I ‘did something my superiors didn’t like’.”

Zip steeled his stomach for something awful and Amethyst sensed it; he wasn’t even curious… he was dreading it.

“I likely won’t be telling you about it, sir, and I hope I never do… It’s something I plan to take to my grave… and it would take a lot to pull it out,” she sighed shakily, huddling up into herself.

The young lieutenant finally found the resolve to turn to her, “Amethyst… I’m sorry.”

Smiling a little, going back to stroking Jacinta’s mane, she replied, “Oh, you have nothing to be sorry about, sir… You just caught me at a bad time... And I know what a nuisance I can be—and you don’t have to tell me I’m not!”

Zip had tried to interrupt her, but he was convinced to keep his mouth shut and hear her out.

Free of his half-truths, she went on, “I’m… rather fond of you, Lieutenant… But you know that, don’t you? Meeting you really did have me wishing I was a decade, or two, younger… I told Jacinta, recently, what I thought she should do…”

Zip noticed a devious smirk light up her now less miserable face.

She looked coy, nonetheless, “I’m… mortified at what I told her; it was so embarrassing…”

Zip decided he had to say something, “Amethyst… I was upset earlier. I don’t hate when you give me a hard time. We’re… friends and it’s usually hilarious, when I take a chance to look back at it. So, I’m sorry… It’s just creepy… when you seem to show up out of nowhere, so much.”

She leaned just a little towards him, as if she knew something worth knowing, “Well… sometimes I just want to stir the pot, but sometimes I have a better reason. Remember I said all that stuff about Jacinta being a beacon of serenity, or some silly thing like that? The reason I found the two of you tonight was… she’s… afraid… confused… she’s all mixed-up inside. I came looking for her because… I worry about her. She must have gotten pretty desperate… or drunker than usual to do this… maybe both.”

Zip sat there, feeling the abnormally warm night breeze blowing around his mane.

“Zip…”

Hearing his name come from Amethyst surely got his attention, “Yes?”

“She loves you, Lieutenant…”

Zip looked up to the night sky, “I know she does… And she finally said it, to boot.”

“And something tells me… I said those three little words to you at some point, sir…”

Zip floundered, “I, uh…”

She put a hoof to his lips, a shy little smile showing through, “Oh, please don’t answer that… I’d rather not know, really.”

After pausing a moment, she looked to the sky, “I really don’t know what any of us should be doing, sir… For the last half-decade, I’ve just done what the army told me and I don’t intend to stop… But when this is over… if we get out of this… if I get out of this… I’m done. This old nag will go finally do some good for the world.”

Zip hadn’t given the future a single thought, really… at least consciously. His dreams were pretty obvious in their meaning: take Jacinta and run…

“‘Take Jacinta and run’…” Amethyst giggled. “Not a bad plan, sir… Nice and simple.”

Zip couldn’t even be angry; he cracked up and had to stifle his laughter, as not to wake Jacinta, “Oh, Amethyst… stay out of my head, please.”

Waiting for his laughing fit to subside, Amethyst mused, “But what will you do, Lieutenant?”

He was stumped, “Dunno…”

She giggled, “Time’s never on our side, sir… I was born 15 years too early… and the Centauri Navy decides to come knocking when the world of love finally makes sense to Jacinta. You’ve been batting around the idea of ‘seeking happiness when you can’… Sometimes that’s all we can do—grab hold of the happiness you can—especially the good things that have a future to them.”

Zip flopped onto his back, “What are we doing, Amethyst?! It just feels like we’re going in circles… Nothing makes sense, lately…”

“You love her, Lieutenant,” Amethyst prodded him. “That makes sense enough.”

“I still don’t know what to do…”

“You silly, little colt,” Amethyst scolded playfully. “If you really want some advice… get her alone and tell her how you feel. Just wait for her hangover to go away… maybe let her brush her teeth, too.”

Before Zip could say another thing, Amethyst hoisted Jacinta onto her back, “I’m taking Jacinta back to her room. I’ll see you in the morning, sir.”

Amethyst trotted away, Jacinta snoring on her back.

Zip, alone now, decided to go back to his office; the papers he’d been drooling on would be dry enough to write on.

The next morning saw the platoon practicing first aid. They’d practiced with swords and light explosives and artillery, but Zip felt it important that each team of each squad had a designated medic and that everypony else would at least have a grasp. As with most topics, a lot of them hadn’t done a thing outside of logistics since basic training.

“Come on, Private, it has to be tighter than that! Use the knots we practiced,” Corporal Lily Hawk was walking around amongst the teams, inspecting their splint-making, one of the many topics she’d been trying to shove down their throats.

Zip and Jacinta sat off to the side. The mare had a fearsome hangover.

“Oh, that sure was dumb of me… 10 beers… I don’t remember past seven… What did I do last night?” she whined.

Zip’s lips were sealed on much of the goings-on, “You just had too much to drink… Amethyst took you to your room… You’d think unicorns would’ve figured a way to cure a hangover.”

Jacinta squinted, “I’m sure there’s such a thing… They must keep it to themselves… I can understand not helping a Pegasus… I’m jealous of being able to fly, too. But what about us Earth ponies? What did we do?!”

Zip was glad to see Jacinta’s mediocre sense of humor to be on deck; if she could joke around, she was probably fine, “You blew chunks like a firehose; that’s what you did. Amethyst had to clean you up.”

“Why are you bringing it up?!” she winced. “It’s not like I booted on you or anything…”

Just managing to stifle a laugh, Zip lay on his back in the grass, putting his hooves behind his head, “Whatever… You’ll feel better later.”

She grumbled, but knew he was right.

“Lieutenant! SSgt. Petals! Get in on this!” Lily barked. “You said you wanted everypony to be able to pass medical basics.”

Zip chuckled, hauling the reluctant Jacinta from her sprawling out, “Yes, Corporal!”

After finishing their medical training for the day, Zip continued to feel more and more confident as they walked to noontime chow. With the training they’d managed when not working on the evacuation or sleeping, Zip felt they’d soon be good and ready to deal with whatever came up. Laughing with his platoon “doctor”, Zip was simply amazed with what magic could do in medicine.

“Lily, I just don’t see how you expect anypony without magic to tie a surgeon’s knot without using the mouth!”

She could only smile mildly, as was her wont, “You’re the only one that couldn’t do it, sir… maybe you’re all left hooves…”

Amethyst broke in between them, throwing a hoof over both, “Don’t say that Lily! You’ve never seen the Lieutenant dance, apparently!”

“You mean like he did with you?" Lily asked coolly; there wasn’t much that shook the veteran nurse. "And of course I've seen him dance; I danced with him.”

Zip glared at Amethyst, “Just how many have you told about that, Amethyst?!”

Trip trotted by, beaming, “I know!”

Privates Orange Blossom and Caramel Crunch giggled, “Us too…”

Private Mercury Rise put up a hoof, “Me as well, sir!”

A few other voices raised as well.

Zip shouted, turning red, “Okay, okay, okay! Forget I asked.”

Laughter rang out from his platoon; it was good to hear, even if it was at his expense. Distracted, he failed to see Pvt. Blood Sapphire stop cold in front of him.

Zip’s nose went right into his ass, “Gah! Private! Why’d you stop?!”

The private wasn’t listening; it was plain to see he was agitated. His fur stood on end and he trembled so badly, the sunglasses he never took of jostled loose and fell to the ground.

“The wind… it’s dropping off.”

The oddness from their second-biggest oddball got some attention, but what he said made no sense; the last few days had seen a steady breeze off the sea, day and night.

Zip was about to prod along the nervous stallion; he was hungry, “Private…”

“Wait, sir!” Pvt. Linseed Oil had appeared beside Zip. “I feel it too… Give it a moment.”

Something about that got the lot of them to stop. And it was true. Within a couple minutes, the steady breeze, keeping the obscenely outnumbered Equestrian Navy out of reach of their enemies, fell off like gangrene. The trees became still.

As if he was faced with some great beast, Pvt. Blood Sapphire had turned towards the direction of the shore; he began to back away, “Oh, shit…”

A little weak in the knees, the private fell to his haunches. Pvt. Linseed Oil knelt beside him, hoofing his shoulder.

“Yeah, brother… this is it…”

Zip, and others, mouthed those words, this is it?

It was it; for a few seconds later, the sirens sounded. And with them, came a voice.

“All personnel report to division headquarters at once! All personnel report to division headquarters at once! All personnel report to division headquarters at once!”

The message continued, and all 54 ponies knew just what had happened. They galloped towards the center of town. Jacinta, wrapped up in a shroud of hangover, saw her vision clear; she joined Zip at the head of the group.

They ran, knowing well enough what they’d soon hear.

Their navy, hindered by the lack of wind pushing them east, had fallen.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

I didn't think I'd be able to finish editing and rewriting, but here's a chapter on schedule; I'm unsure what next week holds.

It's finally happened: the strange weather has culminated in a shift of the wind, damning the Equestrian Navy. In days, Port City and its soldiers will be under siege.

Next time, the city will be in peril and a couple ponies might finally get a little time alone... alone and both sober.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character. And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 7: Treason

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 5: The Beginning of the End

That morning, Port City received a futile distress call from the Equestrian Navy. As the wind died down, their own ships were dead on the water. Equestria’s ships were smaller, faster… but they lacked something the Centauri Navy possessed: oars. With no wind, their fate was sealed.

So, about 150 miles offshore the Equestrian Navy was obliterated in moments. The Centauri Navy was still coming. Their progress would be faster than before, with or without wind driving them and now unencumbered by the Equestrian Navy harassing them. It would be two days before Centauri flags would be visible from the harbor.

With this heavy realization dropped upon them the soldiers in Port City had been given until 18:00 for a little time to their own devices… to make peace with themselves, each other, their maker… to sort themselves out… whatever. Once the afternoon was over, they’d be making final preparations for the defense of the port, and their subsequent retreat south. It was likely they’d still be able to surpass the desired 85% distribution, so they had that on their side. Things had gone as well as they might’ve, but the time had come.

But that was a later concern; having been fed noontime chow, the ponies in the port had just under six hours to do what they wished.

So, Zip took Jacinta out for a walk in the hills… just the two of them.

Jacinta, in one of her poofy sweaters, having dropped her uniform for the time, still winced a little at the sunlight as she grimly went along, “Bah… I’m friggin’ never drinking that much again, Lieutenant…”

Zip, still in uniform, kept his pace slow to make it easier on his friend, “You’ll feel better later, Jacinta… Just look forward to that.”

She smirked, “Then again, that might have been my last taste of booze. I never expected the possibly last five hours of contentment of my life would be spent this hungover… If I’d known things would wind up this way, I’d have gone to bed early.”

Zip knew she didn’t mean to be so cynical, but they had suffered quite a shock that day and Jacinta got rather grumpy when hungover, “No point in regretting it now, Jacinta…”

“I know, sir…”

They walked a few moments in silence. Jacinta then perked up, if only very slightly.

“Hey, why don’t you tell me? Given my track record for my… drinking… I don’t believe for a minute I behaved myself last night… Amethyst wouldn’t tell me a thing… other than you were a total gentlecolt about it… What did I do?”

Zip could see she was reaching; he wasn’t sure what she’d get out of him telling her just what she’d gotten up to, but he noted the little smile that graced her lips. The lieutenant chuckled to himself. He had plenty to tell her and plenty of time to do it. They may as well have had a laugh.

Zip stopped, “Smell my mane.”

Jacinta gawked for more than a few seconds, “…What…?”

He snorted, trying not to crack up, “Just do it.”

Hesitantly, she leaned in; she gagged, “Oh, ish!”

Zip laughed at her as she rubbed at her muzzle. Amethyst had cleaned the worst of Jacinta’s stomach revolting, but Zip hadn’t had a chance yet to bathe; his mane still smelled of sick.

“Oh, sir… I didn’t…”

Zip shrugged, still hiccupping laughter occasionally, “It was… an accident.”

She blushed, no longer smirking, “Oh, I’m so sorry… How embarrassing.”

He jostled her, “Wanna know more?”

She wasn’t sure, “No…?”

He nudged her along, “C’mon, Jacinta, let’s walk off those hangover blues.”

The little mare gave in and resumed walking.

Jacinta said nothing for a moment or two; she was mortified, knowing she threw up on her direct superior, “Lieutenant… I… wish I could make up for that. You laugh about it, but it’s so wrong…”

Zip mused to himself, trying not to guffaw, Jacinta, if you knew half the things you did last night I doubt you’d be able to look yourself in the mirror… It was much funnier, the next day, considering how scared he’d been when she spouted the line about “not asking for a kiss”, or whatever she’d said; it was possibly the new winning entry in his “list of scary things Jacinta’s done”.

The lieutenant was less optimistic about his stupid, little game; it seemed cruel to jerk around his best friend… the mare he’d fallen in love with. He’d decided when he asked her out, he’d let her know he reciprocated her feelings. Perhaps it would be best to just tell her.

But, “I can see you’re dying to rub it in a little, so… what other fairytale shit did I come up with last night?”

Zip hadn’t expected this… at all. He was about to drop his game and just tell her, but the little smile returned to her lips; her eyes were clearer and showed enjoyment. She wanted to play his game. Whether she was onto where it led or not, she was up for it, so he chose to indulge her.

“You… asked me away from the kegger… You said you wanted to go back to your room, so I meant to escort you there.”

She nodded sagely, “Yep… that was my plan… to get you alone when we were off-duty. Let’s see just how well it panned out.”

Zip continued, reluctantly, considering her, “You wanted to tell me something… I knew pretty quickly what it was, but I was… scared.”

She glanced over, “Scared, sir?”

“I’m scared, Jacinta… They’re right… all the ponies that say I’m a cold fish and wouldn’t know what to do with a mare. And then when I finally get an idea about things, we’re suddenly facing an invasion… It’s a lot to process.”

Paddling alongside him, she decided to let him speak.

“I… tried to walk away from it… I could say it was because you were so drunk you wouldn’t remember… but I was just scared; I wasn’t ready to hear it. But you called me… by my name.”

Jacinta halted, gasping and blanching, “I didn’t…! Did I?”

Amused by the reaction of the little fusspot, he chortled, “You surely did.”

“I… uh…”

“I was happy to hear it, Jacinta.”

She cocked her head, the nervousness less evident in her face, “You were?”

“I was very happy to hear it… You see, I’ve been dreaming about it… your calling me by name.”

Jacinta flushed, “…Dreaming?”

He’d spare he the details unless she asked, “Yes.”

She looked to the ground, “I see… I’m guessing I said something else stupid…”

“You said something, but it wasn’t stupid… that comes later… the stupid part.”

The ghost of a smile still on her lips, she closed her eyes and sighed, “I’m guessing it was three words… just three little words. Am I right?”

“Yes.”

She grinned rather widely and took on a dreamy mien, still staring at the ground, “Then what?”

Zip stifled a laugh, “You said you wanted to kiss me.”

She stopped, looking at him with mirth, “Well… at least I asked this time.”

“Oh, no… You weren’t asking,” Zip chose to spare her further and full knowledge of her ungainly sexual assault upon his fragile being.

She actually giggled, though she wouldn’t if she knew much more, “Was all of this before or after I got sick?”

“Don’t worry… you planted one on me before that… That wound up being the very last thing you did last night.”

Again, she halted, this time noting the lack of breeze; the air was positively stagnant, despite the temperature being divinely comfortable, “Then what happened?”

Zip sighed, “Predictably, Amethyst showed up.”

“She must’ve been following her ‘Jacinta sense’…”

He looked to her oddly, “Her what?”

Jacinta tittered, “That’s what she calls it when she follows my ‘signal’… She looks for me, sometimes, when she’s worried… or when I’m sad… or when she’s sad… Sometimes she just wants to talk.”

Zip knew about this, of course, “You two are better friends than I’d guessed, really.”

She nodded, “Yes… she’s been quite a friend, sir.”

Zip suspected a touch of sarcasm there, but Jacinta’s earnestness shined through; it had him doubting there was any untruth to her statement.

“She’s been quite a friend to both of us, Jacinta…” Zip replied, before laughing. “She suggested I take you out like this when you weren’t hungover… I’m sorry I couldn’t accommodate that. ‘Time’s never on our side’ she told me.”

Jacinta looked encouraged, choosing then to lay on the sarcasm, “So… what exactly did you drag me out here for? I could’ve taken a nap and slept off my fuzzy-headedness.”

Zip knew his time had come, “I wanted to tell you I love you, Jacinta.”

She could’ve laughed, cried, or done a lot of things; after a few seconds she smirked, a gleam in her eyes, “I was hoping that’s what was gonna happen.”

Feeling pleased, Zip grinned at her, “I can’t say when it happened, but at some point, I fell for you.”

He nervously hoofed the back of his neck, suddenly finding it hard to keep eye contact.

Moving in closer, her eyes went half-mast, “So… can I have that kiss, now?”

This gave him the upper hoof; Zip waggled a hoof at her playfully, “Oh, I think you met your kiss quota last night.”

“Last night…?” her eyes widened, dawning (false) comprehension.

“You really let me have it.”

She blustered, red as a cherry, “You said I only spewed in your mane! Please tell me I didn’t puke in your mou-!”

That wasn’t even close to what Zip meant and Jacinta never got to finish that sentence; he pulled her in and pressed his lips to hers. He felt her turn to jelly… He himself was feeling pretty good, too.

Separating from her, he saw Jacinta’s eyes shine; a few tears appeared in them. It was as if she’d turned a corner.

Looking as if her dreams had all just come true, she breathed, “I love you, Zip.”

With that, she pressed herself into him and put him on his back; she looked into his eyes, closed hers, and she kissed him.

Things got no further than a few kisses; neither was game to take the plunge and Jacinta was still feeling pretty lousy. Having left the woods, they lay on a grassy knoll overlooking the city, east of town.

“I remember this sight,” Zip reminisced. “This was my first sight of Port, from the locomotive car.”

Jacinta snuggled up to him, “It's quite a thing to see, Lieutenant…”

Zip grinned, “Back to treating me like an officer, eh?”

She cuffed him, “Do you really want me to let your name slip in front of everypony? I still can’t believe we’re doing this, sir…”

“Well, what are they gonna do? Ha-?”

She cuffed him again, “Don’t even joke about it, sir… nopony’s getting hanged… probably. They need the bodies and you’re an officer. And I’m kinda an officer…”

Zip rarely gave much thought to the future, but, “I can’t bring myself to say ‘when’, but ‘if’ we get out of this… what do you plan to do, Jacinta?”

She answered at once, “No idea, sir… I’m career like you, so I guess I’ll just wind up assigned somewhere else, doing the same kind of stuff… I hope it’s not another port…”

She pondered a moment before continuing, “Three guesses where you’re going, sir… I think most of us forget you’re with the air force and you haven’t even been around that long. I suppose they’ll call this an acceptable ‘breaking in’ and you’ll wind up as a lackey for some other captain.”

Zip chuckled at the last part; it was probably true, “You’re certainly right; when they sent me out here to vegetate, they weren’t expecting a war to land on our shores. I heard different wings are fighting over a crack at having old Zip around…”

“What’s a wing? Is that like a battalion, or something?”

“I really don’t know, Jacinta… I think it’s on the same tier as a brigade.”

She broke off her nuzzle and went back to lying on her back; she wished the sky had some clouds to watch, “Then I guess the squadrons will have to duke it out after that…”

Zip snorted humorlessly, “Maybe they’ll make me a captain… I already skipped a rank, so it’s at least possible.”

Their conversation was getting nowhere at this point; they’d already tossed around a few ideas regarding their relationship and got nowhere fast. The troubles and complications of dealing with the situation were the reasons they’d avoided pursuing the inklings they’d begun to feel towards the other… at least when both were clear of mind. Still, they had to keep trying.

“Zip… I wish there was a way to make this work, but… I don’t know…”

He scooched closer and worked a hoof under her back, pulling her in, “Well… it’s a shame we don’t have the luxury of time.”

She nuzzled him again, “Amethyst gave me some guidance… maybe we could go with that…”

Zip jostled her, noting the nasty, little shit-eating grin she presented, “Knowing Amethyst, it was something crazy, slightly profane, and still sensical.”

“It sure was…” she bubbled.

He surprised her, “She told me she gave you some advice. I think she used the term ‘mortified’ to describe it when she thought about it some more.”

Jacinta could’ve told him why she’d been so discomfited at her own words, but Zip didn’t need to know Amethyst was possibly willing to drag him off to be her boy-toy. She’d honor Amethyst’s feelings and keep them quiet; but she could still laugh about it.

“What’s so funny?” Zip was uncomfortable at her sudden burst of giggles.

“Nothing you need to know about, Lieutenant,” she answered mischievously.

Zip could tell she wasn’t playing a game, so he let it go. He didn’t really want to bring it up, but something had been bothering him.

“Do you think Amethyst is happy, Jacinta?”

The question wasn’t expected, and she didn’t have an immediate answer, “I… don’t know, sir.”

She knew some of the things Amethyst told her were to be kept between the two of them.

Taking a moment, she pondered, “She hasn’t really had a happy life, Lieutenant… But you know that already. Stuck with magic of her level… ‘hearing’ all the things she did. You know she never really had anypony to help her control her power… not until she was older than you are now. That’s a long time to put up with something like that. Three marriages—two of them duds—and none with happy endings. And… losing her filly. She was just a child when that happened, sir… And then she was stuck doing whatever they do in central intelligence…”

Zip’s mind wandered a moment. He had to remind himself he was possibly the only pony in Port City to know what Amethyst was besides the mare herself. He’d finally cracked open her file and found a rather boring tale… one he knew to be very, very false. Realizing Jacinta was still talking, he managed to redirect his attention.

“…but I think she’s happy here. I’m sure it’s not as exciting as whatever she was doing, but she seems fine. She has the platoon… she has me… and she has you, sir.”

Zip nodded a little, “I wish there was something I could do…”

“Just be her friend,” Jacinta rested her cheek in his chest floof. “Be a friend to everypony… We’ll need it more than ever, now.”

“Aren’t you worried that sounds corny as pig shit?” Zip buffeted her playfully.

“Shut up,” she sunk her hoof into his gut, knocking the wind out of him; she beamed at his momentary anguish. “Sure, it’s a little corny, but you can’t say it’s untrue.”

Zip gasped, wheezing as he tried to catch a breath, “I guess… You didn’t… have to… hit me!”

“Suck it up, big fella,” Jacinta reprimanded; she sat up. “So… how do you want to spend your last afternoon as a ‘free’ pony?”

He sat up as well, now coughing, “As much as I’d like to continue discussing how wrong you and I are, I’d like to head back… maybe try to spend some time with our friends.”

“I’ll forget that crack about us being wrong… and I’d like that. I’m sure we can find something to do.”

It didn’t really matter who they came across… they just hoped to see somepony else from the platoon.

“Make sure all charges are submerged 10 ft. below the surface! We need consistency!” an Earth pony in a little boat called out to his own group of divers.

It was about 24-hours since the bad news they'd received regarding their navy. All across the cove that made up the bay of Port City, ponies were setting up explosives, tethering them to anchor points driven into the seabed.

“Hurry up! It’s not like they’re made of glass! They won’t go off without the magical catalyst! They’re meant to stand a buffeting!”

Zip leaned against a shed facing what used to be the docks. Amethyst stood beside him. They were taking a break from similar preparations within the city itself.

“So that’s what they had you doing that night… That musta been miserable…” Zip couldn’t begin to sympathize with her.

“Yes… I’m pretty magical, sir, and this was still a chore. Thank goodness I’d done this crap before…”

“But 5,000!” Zip exclaimed. “You managed to drill 5,000 anchor points into the seabed—down to bedrock—in three hours.”

“What, do I get a cookie?! Or maybe a kiss?” she hoofed his shoulder, half-jokingly. “I told you I’m pretty magical… Still, it was so fuckin’ cold down there I thought I’d die…”

“I can’t… well, yes I can believe they’d lie about being ready for such an undertaking. It’d be hard to put all those charges down without something to tie them off to. How many of our ports aren’t ready, anyway?”

She hummed, “Most of them… I set up Baltimare after we destroyed the pirate fleet. That though… wasn’t anything like this.”

“It’s good to know all it takes is one beautiful mare freezing her ass off a few hours to get ‘up to code’.”

She actually blushed, “Oh, pshaw…”

“I’d ask you what kind of boom we’ll get, but I’d like to be surprised,” Zip muttered.

“Nopony will be disappointed, sir,” Amethyst yawned, scratching herself. “We’ll be glad to be a fair distance away.”

Zip knew the surprise they had waiting in the city would be rather dazzling as well; the city was wired to go up, from the port to the sprawl.

They’d done what they could in getting the goods out of the city. To the astonishment of many, 91% of their stores had been emptied; they’d probably overfilled a few locomotive cars but they’d more than achieved their goal. All they had to do now was keep the Centauri Army to a crawl once they’d made their way inland.

Zip and Amethyst made it back to their platoon and went about the sad business of setting up the detonation of the Old Oak Pub. They’d had plenty of good times there, but it was just another building in the grand scheme.

Zip had asked Amethyst how the fuck they got 100,000 magical explosives in such a short time, but she smiled and gave him the line about “having to kill him if he found out”. So, he didn’t worry about it and they finished up.

Walking along with Amethyst, Zip could tell she was up to something; he was no psychic, but he was sure she was more than curious about his pulling Jacinta away the day before.

“Out with it, Sergeant,” he put on an authoritative voice, trying hard to not smile. “You have something on your mind.”

“What gave me away?” she simpered. “Was it your 'E.S.P.' picking up on my rooting around in your mind? Or is it just my smiling like an idiot getting the biggest slice of cake?”

“Neither,” Zip guffawed. “I just know you well enough.”

“I suppose,” Amethyst cast her gaze skyward. “Did you know your mind’s not the easiest thing in the world to sneak around in, anyway? Your ancestry-”

“I know, I know…” Zip still wasn’t sure he believed such a fairytale. “How often do you actually poke around in our heads, Amethyst?”

He believed her when she said, “Not much, sir. But we’ve covered the topic. What do you think they’re serving for chow?”

The 91% was still a projection; they had two more loads to send away, but barring trouble they’d be able to do so. With all the food that would otherwise “go to waste” when they turned their own city to ash they’d been eating like kings the last day or so.

“Whatever it is, it’ll be good. I tell you though, what I wouldn’t give to try the ‘Teno-something’ place again…”

“The Tenochtitlan restaurant, sir,” she replied. “I’m still sorry for ruining lunch that day.”

Zip realized he’d hit a possible sore spot, “I’m… sorry Amethyst. I wasn’t thinking.”

She shook her head, a sad smile upon her lips, “Don’t worry about it, sir. But it was quite good. They closed shop and were gone within 12 hours of the evacuation order.”

“I do remember that…”

Amethyst tired of the game and went for the throat, “Lieutenant… how’d things go with Jacinta?”

Despite expecting it, he was unprepared to answer, “I think we… understand each other.”

She pouted, “That’s a weak-ass answer…”

“Well, it’s true,” he flushed some, surprising even himself. “It was nice…”

Goading him further, she poked him, “You two are like a couple of teenagers, sir. Take some advice from Pvt. Rise and go from there.”

Zip wasn’t amused, “Oh, shut up, Amethyst.”

She giggled and jostled him some, recalling how the private’s immune system had displaced herpes like telling a naughty foal to sit in the corner for talking back.

“About Mercury…”

“You’re calling him by name, Amethyst?”

She ignored that, “He’s really such a dear, sir… Somepony like him will make some mare very happy, someday.”

He knew she was still goading him and he wasn’t falling for it, “What’s the punchline, Amethyst? With him, you’d be robbing the cradle.”

Displeased with his disinterest in her game and his crude remark, she glowered at him, “I’m only saying he’s a gentlecolt… but that’s beside the point. I’ve managed to learn a little more about him. It’s something I wasn’t expecting at all.”

Zip perked up, “Really? Where’d you go snooping this time?”

This time, she didn’t ignore the dig he took at her, “I didn’t have to ‘snoop’ around for this… Well, let’s just say I know something from his file that we both know. Tell me sir, what do you weigh?”

This was an odd question, but he answered, “I weight about 215 lb., Amethyst.”

She blushed, “And I weigh… about 185 lb.; that’s normal… for a mare of my stature and build. You’re pretty normal for a Pegasus stallion… You Pegasi are built quite differently. Do you recall what Mercury weighs?”

Zip had read his file over and over, trying to find something, “Uh, no… but he’s very average himself, other than being in impeccable shape. An Earth pony stallion of his stature and build… he’d weigh right around 240—no… 250 lb.”

Amethyst smirked, “Close… but I don’t have to guess… According to that joke of a file he has, he weighs 247 lb.”

“So?”

“Just watching him… the way he moves, the way he can bowl over other ponies when they play… It’s not just his strength, which is high but not unheard of… I suspected he weighs a lot more than that, so I got him onto one of the special scales when nopony was looking and he wasn’t paying attention. I can’t believe nopony—not even him—has realized it, but he weighs 330 lb.”

Zip hissed, lowering his voice, “What? That’s impossible… he’s my size… exactly my size! How is it nopony's noticed?”

She shrugged, “Luck...? It's hard enough to lift a pony anyway, so telling the weight...? Who knows? Maybe he has a spell cast on him to fool non-magical scales; we use those special scales on the docks because they're hard to tamper with... It saves us when merchants try to trick the scales. Whatever they did to him, they enhanced his muscles, sir. No metal inserts or anything, but they had to have reinforced his skeletal structure and attachments as well. His muscle density… is crazy.”

“You could say that,” Zip nodded dumbly. “So, what the fuck’s going on?”

“I don’t know. But I have his file,” she smiled.

Zip blathered, “You stole his file?”

“Sure… It was easy. Actually, I pinched a fair few files of concern… and not just pertaining to us. Cpt. Weaver wasn’t the only pony to realize we’ve been getting some wonderful weirdos in Port over the summer. Nopony’s gonna miss them; all the files that weren’t shredded and burned were packed up and sent to Canterlot a few days ago and they won’t see daylight until well after this is over, if that.”

Amethyst’s sneaking around never sat well with Zip, but he’d made up his mind to trust her with it, “Just be careful, please.”

His concern flattered her, “I will, Lieutenant. I just want to be ready.”

That afternoon, the artillery was outfitted with all the shells they had. Stationed around the city—Zip barely noticed after being around a while—every couple of blocks was a large gun pointing towards the sea. Rather than placing the big guns at the shore, they were relatively protected from anything on the sea. All had been tested and prepared. Once the Centauri Navy was in range, they’d be able to pick off a hoofful of ships; their stationary positions allowed for some serious firepower and distance.

In fact, just about all preparations were complete. The wagons with all the supplies they could manage to carry were loaded on the edge of town, under guard. The bay would see some nice 'fireworks' soon enough. And the city was ready to light up like a Hearth’s Warming tree.

About all there was to do was wait. The Centauri Navy would arrive the next morning, probably before noontime chow. Being as ready as they’d probably be, the ponies in Port were given the afternoon off, other than those on guard duty. It was unexpected, but better than standing by. So long as they didn’t drink, all was fair game.

No civilians remained… just the division and a hoofful of military police. In the night, one last locomotive would haul away the last of the supplies they’d managed to save. They’d done their duty admirably thus far.

The 52 ponies of 3rd Platoon’s four squads milled around in the park near company headquarters. Some ran around, burning off a little energy and enjoying not laboring over some crate out of a warehouse or lugging around whatever the army needed them to. A few told stories, laughing. Some even slept, if their duty had tuckered them out. But a lot of them just sat. They sat and enjoyed the weather, still most unseasonable. It felt like spring had come again.

The leaders were elsewhere; with time, they determined to spend a little of it together. They’d had a chance to sleep on what they’d communicated the day before.

The blushing Jacinta leaned on her lieutenant… her dubiously labeled coltfriend, on the familiar path in the forest, “I don’t wanna talk about it, but I’ll feel better when we do.”

“What is it?” Zip figured it could be anything; he was rather nervous.

“Don’t let this get in the way of your job,” she looked into his eyes, hers full of longing.

Zip wanted to say, that’s a given, but found it hard; he knew what they’d begin to face the next couple days, “I wish I knew how… I wish I could make such a promise.”

“Hmm. It’s easy to talk about leaving personal feelings out of it. I think—Lieutenant!”

Her bark had him jump out of his skin, “What?!”

“You keep darting your eyes around. Are you even listening?”

Zip said truthfully, “I am… I just have a feeling-”

She slugged his shoulder, breaking out in a grin, “Sir… Amethyst isn’t following us.”

He wasn’t convinced, “How do you know?”

“Because she’s right there…” Jacinta pointed up the path.

And indeed, she was standing there, looking the part of a nervous teenager.

Zip glanced to Jacinta, “What’s going on?”

Jacinta simply said, “She wants to spend a little time with you, sir. She asked me a while ago… Please go.”

Without another word, Jacinta paddled back towards town. Zip looked after her nervously; he’d rather stick his pecker in a beehive than face Amethyst, simply because he was at a loss as to what he should do. But Amethyst was his friend… probably his closest besides Jacinta; he wouldn’t turn her away.

Heaving a sigh, he began moving towards her. It was still unfamiliar, seeing her so unsettled. He’d seen it a few times, but he’d never gotten used to it. Despite knowing his friend was far from perfect, he’d still maintained her on a pedestal; he couldn’t help it for some reason.

What really had him disconcerted was her fearful appearance. He’d seen her at (probably not) her worst, but she’d always radiated a certainty he could never emulate, even when she was bawling her eyes out to him. She looked about as anxious as… well, Zip was at a loss for a metaphor to validate this.

Despite knowing games weren’t going to work here, he couldn’t help but fall back on the playful nature he’d refined since coming to Port, “I don’t suppose you’re here to tell me Pvt. Rise is a lobster, are you?”

Despite her apprehension, she snorked at that; she’d never been able to keep her sense of humor from popping up around Zip, not that she was trying, “Of course not… I… just want to talk.”

Not really meaning to, Zip led her on the path he and Jacinta had taken a few times since they’d started trying to sort out their feelings. He supposed Amethyst had some feelings of her own to sort out. Trying to keep his mind calm, he knew his confused thoughts must have been as loud as a siren to the psychic mare.

“You really need to relax, sir… You’ll live longer,” wearing the sad smile he’d seen more times than he cared to, she kept her gaze downward as they moved along.

Much of Zip’s reason for his tenseness lately was his dealing with the mares in his life; he still maintained dealing with a dragon was less frightening—in all the ways that mattered to him—than dealing with a mare. This was especially true when dealing with a leviathan among mares, such as Amethyst.

Demurely turning her watery gaze his way, she said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to say anything… but I’d love for you to listen. Please?”

Zip was relieved she was helping him along in the matter, “Sure.”

It was a short answer on his part but broke the seal.

“It’s never been easy, living with my ability. When I was a little filly, I didn’t have many friends. They all thought I was weird, being able to read them all like a book. So, I spent more time with colts and stallions… older than me. I’ve always been quite the beauty—not to toot my own horn—and it took me many places. They didn’t care too much about my magic as long as they got what they wanted; they’d use me and then dump me off. I only did what felt good and one day was the same as the next, so I didn’t really care. You name it… I tried it…

“I’ve already told you a little about my first husband. His name was Green Tea. He was a captain in the army and he had quite a career ahead of him. When I got pregnant, I didn’t marry him out of love; I married him because I’d been kicked out by my parents and that I let him get me pregnant. It would’ve caused trouble, so we waited until my 18th birthday for the wedding. I… grew to love him… to admire him, even.

“Close to the end of the pregnancy… that’s when the trouble started. I don’t even remember if the complications with the pregnancy or Green’s leg getting mangled happened first, but that was a terrible month. Rho was born prematurely… Green had turned into a waste of life… and I lost Rho. Then I ran away.”

She’d managed to hold back a little, but her eyes had begun to leak; she sighed agonizingly, “I hated myself, sir. I hated myself for a long time. I was only 19. I felt I’d failed as a mother… failed as a mare. My second husband was Lead Brick; he was no soldier… he was a laborer. This was long before I’d ever trained to be anything… I fed you some line about ‘falling in love again’ but that was shit. I was just a 19 or 20-year-old mare, trying to stay alive. I let him use and abuse me, sir; he beat me almost every day. I thought I was worthless, Lieutenant; if I could go back and knock some sense into myself, I would! He only let up… when he wanted me to get pregnant.

“He wanted us to have a foal; if we had one, we could get more money from the government than he could get working, so he tried. I can’t even say if I wanted it or not… but I convinced myself to try again. When I couldn’t get pregnant, after a few months of trying, he beat me unconscious one day when I dared talk back to him… Once I healed up enough to go outside, I went to get checked on. I still don’t know what it was, but whatever gave me my problems with Rho had destroyed my uterus; I was sterile… 20-years-old, good-for-nothing, and sterile. I was terrified to tell Lead and I tried to hide it, but he found out anyway.”

Her face a mask of tragedy, she forced it out, “I’m still shocked he didn’t kill me, with what he did. I couldn’t move for two days, lying there in our little apartment. When I was able to move, I saw he’d left. He left me there with an impending eviction and not much else. I never saw him again and I have no idea what became of him.

“After I finally got out of the hospital, I was in debt. I was desperate. I had no education, really. Then and there I decided: no more selling my body… no more being afraid. I hated myself, yes, but I was tired of being afraid. That’s when I joined the army. It didn’t take them long to see what I was capable of. The training was Hell, sir. They pretty much dumped me in Hell, having taught me a hoofful of things, and by the time I was 22-years-old, I was probably the deadliest killer in the 4th Equestrian Army.

“I did that for a long time… For seven or eight years, I just did what I was told. I didn’t let anything get to me… or so I thought. I was content—if you can call it that—with being what I’d become. I’d given up on happiness a long time ago… Then one day… I met an Earth pony named Rhubarb Leaf. He… was the first stallion I ever knew that wanted me for something other than… the things I’d been able to give so easily.

“He was a navy stallion… a commander and one of the finest ponies I ever knew. Whatever he saw in me… I’m still not exactly sure. But he loved me… and I loved him. It was the first time I was in love. He knew what I was, and he still somehow loved me. When he asked me to marry him… I think it might’ve been my first taste of happiness in my adult life. For the first time that I could remember… I loved myself. Maybe you can’t imagine what that feels like… I surely couldn’t find the words for it. We talked of adopting… I was ready to retire and leave all that misery behind me. But, of course, you know how it ended.

“His ship went down somewhere off the coast of Manehattan. I fell apart. I’d promised him I’d leave behind the army… do something I actually enjoy… But I just went back to hating myself… and the world.”

At this point, she could no longer walk; she sat down on her haunches, buried her face in the crook of her front leg, and sobbed. Zip, listening intently the whole time, could think of nothing to say… nothing to comfort his friend. He stood there dumbly.

Amethyst rubbed her eyes before continuing, “I went back to doing what I was best at… the only thing I was ever good at… with a vengeance. It wasn’t until a year ago that changed… It’s why I’m here now… And I still can’t tell you why.”

Zip could see something coming; he backed off a few paces.

She began to seethe, “I can’t. I can’t. I can’t! I CAN’T! I CAN’T!”

Amethyst had begun to scream, so worked up she began to tear at the forest floor. She fired her horn indiscriminately, blowing holes in the ground. Screeching her lungs out, she tripped herself up and collapsed.

She sat there, crying more softly, pulling herself up into a ball. Confident he wouldn’t get cooked by one of her bolts, Zip inched up beside her. Sitting down, he put a hoof over her shoulders. With a little coaxing, he was able to get both hooves around her. Bit by bit, she returned the embrace.

He lost track of time, hugging Amethyst. When she finally spoke again, it was almost shocking, the calmness.

“But coming here… with everypony… I’ve been happy.”

She broke off the embrace, pulling back to look him in the eye; she looked a mess, her mascara running like a broken faucet on a sink.

“What was even more surprising was meeting you. I never thought I’d fall in love again, much less with a stallion young enough to be my son,” she dimpled at that.

Zip knew how she felt but hearing her say it was another matter; he felt his face heat up.

She hoofed him, “Don’t think about it… and don’t worry about me. It’s pathetic, I know, but I’m just happy to have met you. I’m happy there are still stallions like you in the world; you’re of a rare breed, Zip. Life would’ve been… very different… if I’d met a stallion like you, all those years ago.”

Zip’s mouth moved, but no words came out.

“Like I said,” she poked a hoof at him. “My time’s over… it’s Jacinta’s time. She’s my best friend, so… do your best. If we all get out of this, I hope you two can find a little happiness.”

With that, she gave him a little peck on the cheek, though she lingered a few seconds. She pulled away, beaming at him.

“So… We’re good? Lieutenant?”

Finally finding some words, he held her hooves, “Yes, Amethyst. Thanks.”

She giggled, “Thank you, sir.”

“You ready to head back?”

She surprised him by using a little magic on her face; the mess cleaned up and she looked as picture-perfect as she ever did, “Now I am.”

“I didn’t know you could do that!”

She cuffed him, “C’mon… You’ve seen me clean up worse than that…”

She had, he recalled. He remembered the first day he met her… and more recently, when Jacinta had tossed her cookies in his mane.

“Everypony sleep well tonight. Meet at the assigned location at 09:00 tomorrow. Dismissed.”

Upon Zip’s word, his platoon dispersed. Evening chow had been eaten, everything was ready, and all there was to do was sleep.

Zip didn’t have much as far as personal effects went; most of them didn’t. He’d taken what he wanted and needed from his quarters and had been holing up in his office the last few days. It was easier to operate out of there.

It was fairly early, only 22:15, but Zip was ready for sleep. Fluffing up the mattress he’d snaked from his quarters, he prepared to lie down.

Knock, knock, knock!

Zip hissed, mouthing to himself, great…

Having no idea whom it might be, he was stunned to see Sgt. Razor Wire, Spc. Trip Wire’s brother.

“Razor? I’m surprised you’d come by.”

Zip had really grown to like Razor; he was about as capable a sergeant as he could hope for.

“I’d offer you a little whiskey, but it appears Amethyst finally took her bottle back,” Zip apologized, checking his drawer as he sat at his desk. “Oh, well. Have a seat. What’s up?”

Razor sat, “Lieutenant… there’s something I want to say.”

Zip might’ve laughed at Razor’s intense seriousness if it hadn’t been so sincere, “C’mon, Razor… take it easy. We’re past that overly formal crap. Just say what’s on your mind.”

He didn’t drop the sincerity a bit, “Sir! It’s been a great honor to serve under you. It will be… an honor to fight under you! We’ve seen very different careers, but I’m more than proud to call you my commander!”

The big lug was almost overcome with emotion; Zip just sat, too stupefied to respond, but touched at the earnestness.

“For being such a friend to my sister… for being my friend… for saving our dad… I’ll follow you to Hell and back.”

Zip put a hoof on his, trying to find words, “I’m glad to hear it, Razor. The honor’s been mine… But I think you might be overreacting; I don’t mean to put you down, but you’re talking like we’re already on our way to Hell… I don’t expect that.”

Razor took no offense, “Perhaps, sir, but in my experience, all roads in the service may lead you to Hell.”

Zip could understand that, “I know you’re right… but try for a little optimism.”

“…”

“So, is there anything else, Razor?” Zip didn’t mean to cast him off; he just didn’t understand the guy sometimes and he wanted sleep.

After a moment, Razor spoke up, “You’re to value none of us above anypony else, other than what we’re worth to the fight-”

“Are you sure you haven’t been drinking?” Zip asked in all seriousness.

Razor didn’t even let the interruption faze him, “-That’s how it works in this life we’ve chosen… or we fell into… It doesn’t matter. Just promise me one thing…”

This gave Zip pause, “Yes?”

“If anything happens to me, I want you to take care of my sister when this is all over. See her back home and tell our dad what we did here,” Razor plainly stated.

Zip stood up, answering the steadfastness, “I will, Razor. Now… get some sleep. Orders.”

Looking satiated, the sergeant saluted, and Zip returned it; Razor left a moment later.

Zip had half a mind to lock his doors and plug his ears. He didn’t want to put up with any more weirdness that night. But he had another visitor before he’d made up his mind on the matter.

“Jacinta… what are you doing here?”

The little mare set down her saddlebags and her allotment of equipment, “I thought… we could just stay here tonight.”

Zip hated to sound like some scared kid sneaking in his fillyfriend under his parents’ noses, but, “We agreed to not push the envelope… I’m pretty sure you staying with me crosses that line…”

Irritated with his childishness, she nosed him along, “Stop talking like some little colt. You have to see this.”

Considering he was a Pegasus, it seemed strange to him he’d never been on the roof of company headquarters. This was where Jacinta pulled him.

He didn’t mean to be grumpy, but he was tired as Hell, watching her lay out a blanket, “Big whoop, Sarge… Can I go to sleep now?”

She casually used her martial arts prowess to drop him on his back; he landed with a thump, “Can it, 1st Lieutenant. Don’t you remember? Tonight, they’re dropping all the lights in the bay. It’s a new moon and there’s not a cloud to block the view.”

“What view?”

Click! In an instant, all the lights for miles around fell off.

Like many things in his life, Zip had taken the stars for granted. He saw them every night in the desert, living in shacks that did nothing to keep out the cold of the night. But at the northern latitude, with autumn fading fast, he’d never seen the sky lit up quite like this. He could even see the aurora, some distance into the north.

There was only one way to describe the sight: it took the breath away.

Looking up with astonishment, he realized how small and insignificant he was; it took a few seconds to gather a cognizant thought.

“Oh, wow! That’s incred-!”

But he never got to finish his sentence or further reminisce over his pansy-assed ideas about how meaningless everything was, for Jacinta pressed her lips to his.

Zip, as Jacinta did, gave in and under the stars they let the mood take them away to whatever or wherever it led them.

If the young lieutenant, having finally done the deed with the mare of his short-lived, but very much alive dreams had more time to think about things, he’d have reflected on how fucking spectacular it was to wake up in her embrace. Naked as the day he was born—which wasn’t a far stretch for a pony—there he lay, their uniforms cast aside.

There were other things to concern themselves with. The big guns were armed and ready. The charges in the bay were set. The city was ready to go poof at the glow of a horn. Their wagons were equipped. And unless their locomotives broke down somewhere along the line, they’d secured 91% of all the goods within the city.

Other than the ponies operating the big guns and directing the firing, the division was up in the hills northeast of the city. Out of range of any guns from the sea and out of plain sight, they’d wait until the right time and begin the retreat. The Retreat to the Galloping Gorge was only the first stage of many planned.

It was around 10:30 that they got their first view of the Centauri Navy. Coming towards them over the horizon were more ships than could be counted.

If any faint hearts existed, none of them made it known. But a lot of ponies wished they’d never joined the army—even supply—upon seeing that.

Zip stood out from the woody cover, his sergeants behind him and Jacinta by his side.

Amethyst walked up to stand abreast, “They’re still a couple miles off the range of our guns, but you can bet we’ll use up everything before they hit the charges in the bay.”

Zip knew Amethyst had a dark side to her, and he saw it come out in force... but not full; that fun was for later.

“Lieutenant… have you ever seen what a 10-inch gun can do to a ship?”

Even by Amethyst standards, she was getting a little out of hoof; Zip managed a reply, “Uh… nope.”

A glint showed in Amethyst’s eyes, unsettling Jacinta as well, “They’re gonna pay dearly for coming to our shores. We’ll give them the very purest Hell we can conjure up… By the time we make our way to Canterlot, they’ll be bled. Then we can wipe their fucking carcasses off the face of this Earth!”

Eying her visceral grin, everypony wished to share her confidence. The battle would soon begin.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Yay! Rain and lightning kept us out of the field, so while I lost a lot of potential cash over the last couple days... another chapter!

Things are about to go boom and the ponies of the 2nd Division of the "Clementine" Corps have a lovely view of the bay and the city they'd possibly grown to love.

Once that's done, their operation can begin.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 8: Northwest Wind

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 6: The Retreat to the Galloping Gorge

“One thing most ponies don’t know about is centaur culture… Why would they? There’s only one pony alive that’s ever even really dealt with them… Princess Celestia,” Sgt. Amethyst Flare watched the Centauri fleet approaching the city; she gave an aside to Zip. “I’ve seen one… but not alive; another agent got to him first… But I know a thing or ten about them.”

Zip and Amethyst sat out alone on the ridge; everypony else was in the woods.

Zip wasn’t sure if their questionable defenses would do much; the fleet took up the horizon, “What kind of resistance are they expecting?”

“They likely don’t know. I pray our sailors at least met a quick end… not that there’s much chance of that. Capture… drowning… burning… being adrift… Even if anypony was captured, they’d have no idea of our defenses other than what they were ‘officially’ told.”

Looking at the ships moving closer by the minute, Zip felt a shiver, “So it’s a gamble…”

She nodded, “As it is for us. It would be advantageous for them to land their engineers and supply lines… but they know whatever is up front first might get wiped out. Our guns can’t fire until we know what ships are priorities to knock out… and we definitely can’t hold fire once they open up on the city. It was stupid of me to say we'd use up the shells first; I was a little excited... If in numbers alone, they have more firepower, if less range and power. It’s also advantageous to wait until they’re in the shallows. The more wreckage in the shallows, the slower they can move in. And it opens them up to our guns when they sit.

“It isn’t uncommon that they put weaker soldiers, skeleton crews, or even prisoners on the first ships. Even their best gunships would be used in such a way… once it comes time to come ashore, their ships’ guns are worthless, so they’d consider them expendable. I’ll wager that’s what’s gonna happen. The rest of them could hide their numbers, by lying low on their ships. They’re not here to fuck up Equestria and go home; they’re staying if able.”

Zip was discouraged, “So… about all we can hope for is to put a small dent in that mess and blow up a hoofful as they move through the city…”

She said, “The topography will funnel them through town. They’re not the most gainly creatures; they can’t move through the hills and forest around the city. They could level the town with their guns, which they might do, but it would just slow them down. It would slow them down even more than our demolition of the city. They need the roads; their equipment and size are most detrimental.”

Zip felt childish asking, “Just how big are these things?”

She thought no less of him for asking, “About three times your height at the shoulder… their first shoulder, below the monkey carcass part. All in all, you’re looking at something four or five times your overall height. That creates another problem: big creatures need big ships; they need thicker hulls… sometimes metal reinforced. Those charges in the bay might not do as much as division is hoping they will.”

“So…” Zip mulled. “Will they do anything?”

“Oh, my, yes. We’ll sink at least a few dozen of the ships… clog up the bay for a couple/three days. It might not kill many of those monsters, but everypony needs to remember… our best hope is to slow them down. And the treachery we left in town will really slow them down. Even once the city is ash and we’re fucking off to our next defensive position, they still have to get ashore the rest of their forces… they have to stage as they move inland.

“With all the trouble we’re giving them, it’s feasible we could largely contain them within the city for a week. But they came prepared: their food supply will be dispersed further back in the fleet. We probably won’t even lay eyes on their main supply ships; we’ll be in the prairie by the time they come ashore. Even after we leave here, it might be another week before they’re all on land.

“Mind you, sir, they’ll try attacking us, ourselves, in less than a week. They’ll throw some ‘expendables’ at us… feel us out. And they’ll be firing on us the moment they have range… maybe tomorrow or the next day, depending on the toys they bring ashore.”

Zip knew centaurs had some magic, “How do we deal with their magic?”

“About all they can do—unless they have some pretty skilled mages, which is apparently rare—is shoot bolts of energy short distances. Numbers and strength: that’s what they have… and a baseless pride that will have them doing everything in their power to kill us. They think we’re insects… just like we think they’re monkey carcasses stuck where a horse’s head should be.”

Zip was suffering from information overload, “…”

Amethyst winked, “Anything else you want to know?”

“Nah,” he sat down. “You know a lot…”`

She simpered, “Knowing something about everything was once my business. I never thought I’d have to use this practically… not that they’re asking my advice.”

“I’m surprised you’re not being consulted for more,” Zip said.

She snorked, “Don’t be. They’re receiving orders from on high; they don’t need me for much, other than elbow grease and freezing half to death in the bay… Actually, pray they don’t need my actual expertise, ‘cause that means were up to our ears in our own dead.”

“Lovely picture, Amethyst,” Zip couldn’t help but chuckle at the morbidity.

“You may think it messed up… it is… but my old outfit, we’d sit up safe like we are now and drink beer while we watched this kind of thing… have some laughs. We were never hoof soldiers; we were the ones in the shadows… the ones that set up the show.”

“Speaking of the show,” Zip hoofed her a pair of binoculars. “Look.”

Taking the binoculars, she saw the city’s guns taking aim, “Oh, yeah… Here we go. A couple more hundred yards and they’ll start hitting them. Their ships’ hulls may be sturdy as Hell, but everything else is nothing special.”

Zip didn’t mean to set up a joke, “Getting the 10-inch…”

Amethyst couldn’t resist, “That’s what she said!”

Zip did a take, decided it lacked good humor, and scowled as he took back the binoculars, “That’s disgusting.”

But she was giggling fit to bust, rolling in the grass beside him; trying to suppress a smile, Zip looked to the bay.

Having had her laugh, she sat up, “You see, Lieutenant, a few unicorns were chosen to activate the charges. Only all of them working together can set off our explosives, so you can bet your ass they’re somewhere safe. We divided the charges into 25 sets of 200 and all the sets can go off individually. You can bet the pony watching the map of that is somewhere safe, too. And they’re just about there… But first-!”

Zip swore Amethyst grinned.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The 10-inch guns finally went off; Zip jumped as if somepony had goosed him. The shells whistled through the air and hit water. None of the first shots hit, from what he could see.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

But the next volley found a couple. Still too far off to perceive much, a few masts crumbled, and timber could be seen blasting in all directions. The firing continued, hitting a few more ships. One ship took two shots in the bow and blew wide open; it quickly began to sink.

Looking behind, Zip noted most of his platoon and the surrounding ponies at least looking at the pyrotechnics; only a few crept out and most stayed at the edge of the forest.

Next to him, he saw Amethyst taking an active interest in the calamity they’d unleashed in the bay. Her eyes were excited, and the corners of her mouth twitched; if he didn’t know better, she was anticipating the concussions. That was about the most unsurprising thing imaginable, considering her. She looked positively elated, but at least she wasn’t bouncing around, crowing, Whoo-hoo-hoo! Look at that shit!

Zip was no head doctor, but he could tell Amethyst… at least a part of her… was enjoying this. He figured the doctors that Amethyst helped poke and prod him would have a few things to complain about, seeing the beautiful mare getting so wound up over the mayhem in the bay. It would bother him, perhaps, but Amethyst was about as far from an ordinary mare as he’d ever known. It took a certain kind of pony, for better or worse, to become what she had.

Zip could waste time thinking about if she was born that way or if the first 20 years of her sad life had done it; the next 17 or so years hadn’t helped either way.

Did it even matter? Not really, he found himself thinking. He knew her… so he thought… and he’d made peace with whatever lay behind her strange eyes.

On the bay, despite the peppering the Centauri Navy was receiving, they pushed forward, undaunted. Zip knew the “line” where the charges began, several hundred yards off the shore.

For the first time in a few minutes, Amethyst spoke, “Oh, they’re gonna hate this!”

The ships had crossed the point where the charges began. Near the center of the bay, a muffled plorp could be heard, but it was better seen than heard.

200 charges had gone off. One ship straight up blew to pieces. Several more rocked violently in the water, enough to break a few masts. Two actually turned over from the blast and would be unable to right themselves.

Amethyst couldn’t hold back anymore, “Hot damn! They mixed the charges strong!”

Now the navy fired back, smaller pops heard as their cannons went off. It did next to nothing, punching holes in a few buildings near the shore. The port’s guns were doing arguably more, punching holes in the ships and occasionally getting lucky, causing more damage.

“I can’t see a single centaur…” Zip was looking through the binoculars again.

“They’re below deck, most likely,” Amethyst’s eyes darted around, taking in the destruction.

Another couple sets of charges went off underwater, causing similar damage. The big guns continued firing.

And so, for several hours, the division watched from the treeline. Unable to evade much in the bay the Centauri Navy took a wallop. Ships continued to rupture and sink, and they began to crash into one another, furthering the mayhem. By late afternoon, the charges had run out and so had the city’s guns; the onslaught stopped. The ponies operating the guns made their way up to the hills.

The bay was a mess; it looked like a graveyard with whole ships and pieces of ships clogging up the whole works. They’d finally seen what centaurs looked like; a number of them had fled their sinking ships to try to swim for shore, but the oil fires and treacherous conditions let none get far. Zip recalled Amethyst saying they were shit at swimming anyway.

Amethyst, sitting beside Zip for the entire show, even after most everypony else grew “bored” (or sickened) and went back into the woods, lay back on the hillside, “Well, that’s that. It’ll take them a few days to make their way around that and then the rest of the fun can begin when they’re forced to move through town.”

“Won’t some go around?” Zip asked. “There’s not much to move on, but they could trickle their way around.”

“Some will,” Amethyst opined. “We’ll be on the lookout tonight for an attack; they may send a few into the hills looking for us, but we can sense them well enough… better than they can, at least. But the landscape is strange, and they’ll be wary of tricks… They may build numbers before venturing in.”

“Lieutenant! Sergeant!” somepony from behind called to them. “Officers’ meeting!”

They knew what this meant. SSgt. Jacinta Petals, Amethyst, Spc. Trip Wire, and Spc. Silver Duster would go along with Zip.

More than 80 officers or sergeants, all platoon commanders and up, and their chosen staff sat in a large clearing near the edge of the forest. The representatives from Zip’s 3rd Platoon sat with the rest of their A Company; the young lieutenant had to keep reminding himself they weren’t the only A Company around anymore.

Zip had yet to meet Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek, sitting on a fallen log. Beside him, holding notes, was the colonel Zip remembered “congratulating” him for his supposed fatal strike on Cpt. Basket Weaver; Zip hadn’t learned his name and had no interest in knowing it.

The major general stood up and the chattering subsided, “The first stage of our operation went about as well as could be hoped. My thanks to the ponies that staged the charges in the bay… That was quite an undertaking.”

Zip noticed a small smirk from Amethyst, only visible to him because he knew her tendencies; he was perhaps the only pony other than Amethyst in the division that knew how unprepared they’d been until most recently.

The general went on to explain that they’d wait to light up the city until they determined the best time to do it. Zip tried to listen to his explanation but was lost in thought thinking about Amethyst’s ideas on every topic brought up. It wasn’t that Zip distrusted the upper echelon (sarcasm) with his life and the lives of everypony, but when it came to dirty fighting he trusted Amethyst; he’d likely trust some of his former combat veterans as well. Amethyst had explained they “knew what they were doing” but they lacked the know-how for some of what they were dealing with.

As the general droned on, he explained they’d move into and north of the forest west of the Galloping Gorge once they’d blown up Port and then move south. For the time being, they’d keep quiet, grow eyes in the back of their heads, and watch for any activity suggesting moving in on them. Zip’s platoon was put into a rotation of keeping a lookout and they weren’t needed that night.

Content to “rest easy”, Zip left with his staff upon dismissal. As they made their way back to the little patch of scrub in which their platoon had taken up, Silver was fretting.

“What’s wrong, Silver?” Jacinta wondered.

The petite specialist seemed really agitated, “It’s these woods, ma’am…”

Zip and Amethyst knew what she was getting at immediately, but Jacinta didn’t.

“What is it?” Jacinta asked.

“Linseed… he’s worried about how dry it is.”

The most surprising part of that statement was she called Pvt. Linseed Oil by his first name; though it was only slightly surprising to Zip and Amethyst. Silver and Pvt. Linseed Oil had become… close. Zip thought it to be… charming while Amethyst just thought it was gross. She saw it as the two weirdest ponies in the company “hooking up”, though no such evidence existed. Zip was just happy each had found a friend as neither had many, despite being well-liked within the unit. He’d bet a week’s pay she didn’t know about his penchant for the dead, though.

The part about the whole northwestern part of Equestria being too dry—and hot—was about all Pvt. Linseed Oil and Pvt. Blood Sapphire had been dwelling on for a couple weeks. The idea of staying in the forest terrified them. The weather showed no sign of changing anytime soon, though it was halfway through autumn. Zip tired of their worrying but more than trusted them on the matter. All it would take is a careless spark and a little wind and poof! The thought had Zip’s skin crawling.

His two wackos weren’t the only ones concerned. Many questioned the use of explosives within the city due to the risk of fire, but they needed to use all means to slow the enemy. With a few exceptions, no fires were permitted until further notice. Also, heavily argued was how to go about blowing up the city. “Causing the enemy worry” by blowing up the city bit by bit in a strategic manner, hopefully causing pause, was one idea. Others just wanted to wait until the Centauri Army had occupied the city and kill an assload in one go, definitely causing chaos. They still argued about it and Zip had no opinion… because his advisor didn’t have one, supposedly.

Amethyst had become his advisor; truly, she’d held the position since the beginning. He trusted or at least respected her judgement on just about everything and even if he didn’t go along with all her ideas, he gave them careful consideration. Jacinta was great, but she lacked the… well, viciousness and cunning he knew Amethyst hid so well from everypony. Her life experience had made her a formidable mare, though few would ever know.

Putting other thoughts aside, Zip looked forward to “cold something” for evening chow. It would at least be good and plentiful; they’d left very, very little behind as far as food went. A couple thousand ponies could haul a lot of food.

Zip would’ve loved to sleep with Jacinta, whether whoopie was involved or not, but they’d agreed to keep out of trouble, so he dozed under a blanket at the base of a large pine tree. He really missed having a decent bed, but he was tired enough to manage dozing.

He was awakened by a hoof. He saw it was Jacinta.

“Lieutenant… Amethyst’s gone.”

“Huh…?” he responded.

She nipped him on the shoulder and that got his attention.

Remembering they were trying to keep quiet, he hissed, “You got me; I’m awake. What’s going on?”

“Amethyst said she was going off to relieve herself and she’s been gone too long.”

Zip was very unworried about Amethyst being alone in the forest; whatever might’ve been out there needed to worry, “Just calm down. I’ll go looking for her. Keep this to yourself and stay put. Orders.”

“But-!”

“Orders,” he repeated.

Zip picked up the short sword he’d been assigned and hung it on his shoulder. Without another word he left the clearing.

It was strange to Zip; he’d figured he’d be scared in the forest, but he felt calm, alert, and ready. He had a very nasty feeling he knew what Amethyst was up to and something told him to follow his instincts. His platoon had bivouacked at the northernmost part of the formation and he felt north was the way to move.

After a couple hundred yards he was unsurprised to hear a familiar, yet quiet, girlish laugh, followed by a sultry purr, “Well, well, well, Lieutenant… we meet again. Did you get my invitation?”

Amethyst emerged from nowhere, a most suggestive expression pasted to her coy face; Zip got flustered a moment, “Wha- wha- wha-?”

She hoofed his shoulder, her face losing its blush, “Relax, sir… just funnin’ with you.”

He’d managed to get his mind out of the gutter, “I know you’re not out here for that… you’d better not be doing what I think you’re doing.”

She chuckled, “Well, you’d better give me a spanking, ‘cause I’ve been a bad girl.”

“Speak plainly.”

“Duck. And be quiet. Look ahead.”

Zip did as he was told. There were seven… eight… nine centaurs slowly prowling through the forest; even at a distance, he could tell they were enormous. And they were loud, carelessly lumbering through the brush.

“They got through our watchline?” Zip gasped.

“There wasn’t much to get through. The gap in our line’s so big, they never even encountered one another. I noticed them about 15 minutes ago and fed Jacinta some excuse about having to take a leak.”

“She’s worried, you know,” Zip chided.

“She worries too much, sir,” Amethyst replied.

“So, what are you doing? Hunting?”

“You’re damn skippy, I’m hunting. They’re alone, sir. I know that much.”

She began to creep closer. Zip floundered for a moment but found himself following her.

Within a short time, they were close enough to see the creatures in detail. They did look like monkey carcasses stuck where a horse’s head should be… and they were five times the height of most ponies. Upwind from them, they stunk like… well, any other hoofed animal.

There were indeed nine of them. Zip knew what was likely coming when Amethyst’s horn glowed, illuminating her expression, the likes of which had Zip’s balls rolling for the horizon. She looked positively bloodthirsty.

The first centaur buckled and collapsed. Amethyst had done her little trick, giving the centaur a massive brain-bleed. Zip heard the other centaurs laugh; they’d thought their comrade had just tripped and were about to give him a hard time of it.

But when the second and third dropped, they panicked. Grunting to each other in a language Zip couldn’t even begin to place, the remaining six formed a circle. Their fear was palpable; Zip could practically smell it and was horrified at the ease with which Amethyst was doing this.

Amethyst dropped another, leaving five.

Zip whispered, “Do in the rest except for one. Incapacitate it and you can magic it in for questioning. We need to know what they’re doing out her.”

Instead, she drew her short swords; she kept two. Zip had seen her practice magic swordplay and was more than impressed, but now wasn’t for screwing around.

He didn’t think to order her to stop, but in retrospect she probably wouldn’t have listened, “Amethyst… stop. This isn’t the time.”

To Zip, Amethyst had always been the platoon’s mother figure. She had her moments of weakness and was just as pony as everypony else, but he now saw a new side to her; it was at least new to him.

Bloodlust evident in her strange eyes, “I think it is; I need to know something. I’ll leave one alive.”

Before Zip could further chide her, she moved low and as fast as anypony had moved in his eyes towards the centaurs. She appeared to disappear a few seconds before the throat of the closest centaur split open and sprayed blood an incredible distance. Shouting, the centaurs scattered. Another one fell, Zip unable to see what happened, but the noise was most unpleasant, like a bull facing castration with a butter knife.

Suddenly, Amethyst appeared next to him again; she was drenched in blood. Zip had to stop himself from yelling out in surprise.

He just managed to keep his cool, “Damn it, Amethyst! Stop fucking around and do what I told you.”

Whether she felt affronted or not, she didn’t make it clear; Zip didn’t care anyway, being tired of her recklessness, “Fine. But I need to physically drop the last one; I can’t be precise otherwise.”

So, Amethyst took off. Zip could tell she selected her target because two of the last three centaurs dropped dead instantly. Deciding to go after her, Zip ran low and fast. He wanted very much to help but knew he’d get in the way; she was on another level than him, to say the least.

As large as the centaur was, its speed amounted to little in the forest; Amethyst caught up with it quickly. Zip could see her leap at her target when something unexpected happened.

By luck or design, the centaur received Amethyst with a backfist; centaurs could make fists, of course. Amethyst went jostling through the trees, crashing through branches and tumbling in a heap at the foot of a pine.

Terrified, Zip watched as the centaur stalked towards her with caution. Amethyst was unconscious and helpless and would be giving no more brain-bleeds that night.

Somewhere in Zip’s conscious parts, he remembered Sgt. Razor Wire telling him to value nopony above others, or something along those lines. His brain told him to keep away. Amethyst had become arrogant/unlucky and may have overextended herself; it wasn’t worth his life to go in and die in vain. But his heart, guts, and balls won out and he barreled towards her. If he could take flight with her he’d be able to escape… maybe.

Getting to Amethyst was easy; he scooped her up and flew like Hell. Roaring, the centaur sent a bolt his way. Zip didn’t even try to dodge, it was so far off-target, but the next bolt had him evading out of necessity. In the dark, he couldn’t see a thing and cracked his head on a branch invisible to his eyes.

Stunned, he could feel the blood flowing down his face from the wound in his scalp; he tasted sweet iron. By the light of the crescent moon, he could the see the centaur approaching, a grin on its face.

Zip stood up between Amethyst and their enemy. Dazed and hurting, every fiber of his being, other than the logical parts, told him to stand and fight; it was difficult when he didn’t know whether to shit or wind his watch, with how beaten up he was. He couldn’t even move, his legs were so rickety.

No, no, no, no, NO! You’re not getting her, you giant piece of shit…

I’ll FuCKin’ KiLl yOu!

I’lL eRasE You!

But Zip’s blackened thoughts could do nothing, of course; the centaur backhanded him out of the way with ease. Having been sent sprawling, Zip’s world was upside down, watching the monster close in on his friend.

NOOOOOOOOooooooooo…

Struggling back to his hooves, Zip’s vision turned red—not from the blood—and he wouldn’t be remembering the rest of the night.

…

No…

“Lieutenant…”

NO…

“Lieutenant?”

“Yeaarrrgh!” Zip roared, thrashing, tangled up in bedsheets.

“Holy shit!” a nurse blurted, leaping backwards, quivering like a pile of pudding.

Zip staggered from the bed. He hurt everywhere, especially his head; his head hurt like a motherfucker. In a daze of confusion, he went tumbling through a wall of canvas. A few screams could be heard as he thrashed around on the ground.

“Lieutenant Screamer! Stand down!” a stallion’s voice barked.

Zip’s attention was attained, and he finished waking up from his nightmare. Lying in a tangle of bedsheets and the canvas wall of the temporary division headquarters, he looked up and saw several faces staring down at him; among them was Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek. Considering the sun, Zip knew it to be early afternoon.

The general beamed down at Zip, “Try to calm down, son… you had quite a night.”

Corporal Lily Hawk appeared from behind him, “Lieutenant! You’re awake… Oh, I’m so relieved!”

Zip had always thought Lily was cool as a cucumber, but she looked quite frazzled as she went in for a hug.

Zip was still confused, “What… What’s going on?”

The general deftly hoofed his shoulder, paternal pride in his eyes, “You entered your berserker state last night, Lieutenant! Not only did you save your sergeant, you killed nine of those centaurs singlehoofed!”

…What…? I transformed again? Zip had enough sense to hide behind the obliviousness and go with it; he didn’t remember much beyond Amethyst-

“Where’s Amethyst?!” Zip hollered. “Where is she?!”

Lily put a comforting hoof on his shoulder, beaming at him, “She’s fine, sir… thanks to you.”

“What happened?!” Zip was still jumbled.

“You saved my life, Lieutenant,” the mare of concern appeared. “I went off last night for… some private time, and you found me when the centaurs got through the watchline. You fought them… and you beat them!”

I did? Zip wondered as Amethyst put on a show, telling of his heroics. She was a pretty good actress.

He immediately didn’t like it; something stunk. Amethyst was anything but a damsel in distress. Zip may have opened his mouth to say something, but he felt yet another hoof at his shoulder.

“I can’t say I ever expected to see you again, Lieutenant,” a stallion grinned at him.

“Doc…?” Zip couldn’t believe it. “Cpt. Cross?! What are you doing here?!”

The unicorn captain laughed, “I’m in the division, Lt. Screamer… Where else would I be?”

Zip guessed he couldn’t answer that.

The captain turned to the other ponies, “Let’s get the tent wall back up. I’d like a little privacy with Lt. Screamer.”

Then he turned to Zip, “I’m sure you have questions. We can talk for a bit.”

“Thanks, sir,” Zip gladly took the warm stew offered to him by Cpt. Cross. “I’m starving.”

“Don’t eat too quickly, Zip,” he chuckled. “You’ll just make yourself sick.”

Taking the sound advice, Zip sipped on the bowl. It tasted great… barley and vegetables.

After watching Zip a moment, Cpt. Cross inquired, “How are you feeling, Zip?”

All in all, he felt okay, having moved around, “Well, my head hurts like a bitch, but otherwise I don’t feel any worse than I did the last time.”

Zip shivered at the memory of dealing with Lt. Hoop, all those weeks ago.

“You’re quite fortunate you’re so resilient; the blow you took should’ve killed you. It’s a small miracle you were able to stay conscious long enough to fight.”

Zip couldn’t think to stop himself, “About last night… Something’s wrong.”

“If you’re thinking about the ‘fact’ you killed nine of those things, you’re correct in your thinking.”

“…What?” Zip was floored to hear this and what came next would shock him more.

“Amethyst and I actually have quite the ongoing thing between us; we’ve worked together for years. I know what she is as well as you do. She’d hate me for revealing this, but there’s no point in hiding it anymore. Your memory’s no doubt fuzzy, but she killed eight of them… mostly by stroke. Trying to capture the last one she was injured, but only slightly… enough to knock her out a few seconds. You did in the last one… and she told me it was quite a thing to see.”

Zip could imagine what he might’ve done and was in no hurry to hear about it, “I remember a little better; nine centaurs made it through our watchline and Amethyst went looking for them… Why? Why not get help?”

The captain tried to not put Zip down, but, “That’s a rather stupid question, Zip; you know better than just about anypony in the world what kind of mare Amethyst is…”

That could’ve meant a lot of things; Zip decided to put them out of mind, “How did they get through that easily?”

This really bothered Zip.

“A gap in the line; that’s all… It is quite the embarrassment… But rest assured we’re better defended and keeping a better eye on everything. It was just a scout party… maybe even deserters. As far as we can see, the bastards are still struggling in the bay.”

But about all Zip had on his mind was Amethyst, “I gotta go, Doc.”

“Before you leave, you should know this: Amethyst… made a mess of the centaur party… so it would look like you did it all when you went berserk. Everypony’s morale is through the roof, knowing there’s a pony like you on our side. Just go with it; it’s more than within your capabilities and we need everypony hopeful. There are only three that know the truth and it can stay that way.”

Zip felt nauseated, picturing the disaster Amethyst might’ve left behind, “I’m going.”

Looking concerned, he allowed Zip to leave, “Just don’t overexert yourself; I had to put 20 stitches in your scalp this morning.”

Zip had a general idea of where he’d found Amethyst the night before. He knew going off on his own was a bad idea, but he had to perceive what Amethyst had done; something drove him to see it. It turns out he wasn’t alone.

As he might’ve expected, some ponies too curious for their own good had come to check out the scene; Zip kept out of sight. Never having personally seen what was left of Lt. Hoop when he killed him, Zip had heard something about somepony using a snow shovel to scoop up what was left of him. That vision was bad, but what he was supposed to have done to the centaurs was the worst thing Zip had ever seen.

The stunned murmuring of the ponies present was difficult to hear over the buzzing of the flies; the smell, given more power in the unseasonable heat, was atrocious. The centaurs looked as if they’d been savaged by some creature even more ferocious than them. He didn’t even try guessing which one had been his kill. Upon spotting a slough of entrails—hardly the most offensive thing there—strewn haphazardly into a tree as if garland for Hearth’s Warming, Zip nearly lost his lunch.

Zip wasn’t an angry pony, really, but seeing that put him (understandably) on the warpath. He was furious with Amethyst for more than a few reasons and seeing the catastrophe to which she’d stuck his name put him over the edge. Storming back towards the encampment in the woods, he sought out a certain Equestrian belle.

Amethyst should’ve felt Zip coming, his being so upset, but she’d dropped her guard and relaxed her mind, some; there was a whole division worth of confused and scared minds bombarding her own. She didn’t know he was there until he caught her on the way back from a little trot of her own she’d been taking.

Noting his approach, she’d never seen him like this; receptive once again, she recognized his mind was running black. It could take quite a bit to throw her off her game, but his roughly hoofing her by the uniform and dragging her out further into the woods did the trick.

Zip had never struck a subordinate of his outside of hoof-to-hoof combat training, and he still didn’t, but he forcefully shoved her, causing her to lose her hooves. He knew if Amethyst wanted to, she could wring him out like a dishrag; he was just too fuming mad to care.

For a time, Zip forgot himself. His eyes boring into hers, Amethyst felt something she didn’t feel all that often, lying on the ground… at least in a long time: legitimate terror.

“You scared me! I was worried about you! What the fuck were you thinking?! Going off alone like that… You could sense them; that’s easy enough to explain away! Why not just alert everypony?!”

“…”

“And how would you have explained this if I hadn’t given you such a convenient cover?! You’re always going on about how important keeping your status secret is! It’d be pretty hard to explain something like that away!”

“Lieuten…” she breathed, her face became splotchy.

He became increasingly frustrated with her lack of response, “And that mess you made! Berserk or not, do you really think you needed to attach that to me?! You used their guts to decorate the trees! Tell me… do you really enjoy carnage that much?! What was going through your head?!”

“Please…” Amethyst’s eyes began to twitch.

“There’s no telling how else things would’ve gone last night, but if I hadn’t been able to go berserk… You almost died! We both could’ve died! And other ponies still would’ve been in danger!”

“No… Stop…” she visibly shrank, even further than she already had.

This offended his senses, “STOP?! Fuck that! Stop your sniveling and say something! Use your big girl words! Did you even think about what you were doing?! All the trouble you could cause?!”

“Lead…” her eyes streamed, and she ultimately wet herself; Zip didn’t notice.

“Answer me, Sergeant!” Zip bellowed, feeling a vein pop out on his neck, looming over her.

“Please, don’t hit me!” Amethyst bleated, recoiling into herself.

Zip surely hadn’t seen this out of her. She cowered, holding up a hoof towards him; she was frightened, unable to do anything else.

It was shocking to Zip, “Amethyst…”

Creeping further away from him, she began to weep, both eyes and nose running, “No more… Please, no more. It hurts… I don’t know why it’s not working! But it hurts! I don’t wanna tonight! I can’t tonight… It’s bleeding… and I can’t get wet…”

What…? Zip was aghast.

Appearing to be out of her mind, she cried, “I don’t wanna have another baby…! Why do you hate me so much?!”

Zip watched her pull further into herself, a quivering mess, murmuring and sobbing. He stood back, trying to figure out what to do.

Coming up blank, he simply attempted to reach her, “Amethyst? What’s going-?”

With desperation in her eyes, she lashed out, “NO!”

Zip barely managed to dodge her bolt of energy; without even thinking, he went for a certain pressure point he knew very well. Her magic stopped, and she was merely able to struggle. Continuing to shriek, she tried to escape Zip’s grasp.

“Don’t hit me again!” she cried.

Holding on for dear life, Zip heard a voice call out.

“Lieutenant! What’s going on?!” Jacinta cried out.

“I don’t know!” Zip barely managed to hold on.

Not missing a beat, Jacinta bolted in and put a hoof across Amethyst’s throat. Applying a little pressure, Amethyst dropped like a stone with her air cut, unconscious.

Zip scrambled away, gasping; he didn’t know Jacinta had that kind of trick up her sleeve.

Jacinta barked at Zip, “What did you do?!”

Practically bawling, Zip barked right back, “I dunno!”

Eying him angrily, she released Amethyst, “Carry her back, sir.”

Continuing to scowl at him, she helped heave Amethyst on to his back and prodded him towards camp.

Lily had finished checking over Amethyst in headquarters, where Zip himself had just woken up a short time before, “She’ll be fine; she’s just exhausted… but I’ll keep an eye on her.”

“What happened?” Zip wondered. “What did she do to tire herself out so much? We’ve been on rest.”

Lily scoffed at him, not hatefully, “She’s not been sleeping well lately, sir… Also… she refused to leave your side since she brought you in; I don’t think she’s slept since the operation began… She’ll be fine; she just needs rest.”

It was a relief to Zip, but he was still weirded out; Amethyst had really dropped off on him. But before he could mull over much of anything, Jacinta hauled him outside and away from camp.

Out of sight of anypony else, she sunk a hoof into his gut; Zip gasped, having expected yet still not expecting some form of violence out of his friend. Before he was able to recover, she threw him across the clearing; he sprawled out where he landed, trying to cough his wind back.

“You…” she glared at him once he managed to raise his face.

Zip had never heard such contempt in her voice. The familiar feeling of his nuts retiring into the relative safety of his trunk gave him an awful feeling; Zip was good and scared.

So angry her eyes were watering, she uttered, “I know you’re frustrated sir, but to raise a hoof against Amethyst! I’m disgusted you’d do such a thing, hitting her!”

He managed to wheeze, “I never hit her! How dare you?”

“What did you say to me?!” she rumbled.

“I never did such a thing! You know me better than that!” he said painfully.

She didn’t go for that immediately, but his fervor gave her pause, “Do I? Then what happened?”

“I don’t know! I was angry, sure, but all I did was yell!

“What did you do, sir? Your life’s in no immediate danger now, so you’ve had time to think! What. Did. You. Do?”

Wheezing in air, Zip croaked, “I was just… scolding her for… going off last night… And then she freaked out…”

Unable to finish his sentence, he did so quietly, I think she was having a flashback… How could he just flat-out tell the truth?

Thankfully, Zip was spared Jacinta demanding more and/or putting his ass further through the mill.

“Staff Sergeant! That’s enough!” like a gift falling from Heaven, Cpt. Cross appeared. “There’s an explanation for this.”

Zip exhaled in his relief; he’d never been so glad to hear a superior officer yell.

But Jacinta wasn’t even cowed. Zip recalled, already seemingly far in the past, how she stood down upon his order and he didn’t even have to bark at her.

“Captain, I’m discussing something with my platoon commander. Step off.”

A mixture of admiration and horror crossed Cpt. Cross’s face; she’d changed quite a bit since he’d met her, “Now, now, SSgt. Petals… Please let me explain. Go back to headquarters. I’ll be with you soon. Orders.”

Giving him the famous “Jacinta glare”, the little mare turned and left without another word.

With her gone, the captain hauled Zip to his hooves, hooting with laughter, “Man, Zip… You’ve really got some interesting ponies under you. Are you okay?”

Feeling like he’d fallen 20 ft. out of a tree, he’d been better, “I think so… nothing broken, at least. I hope the stitches didn’t pop; it hurts even worse now…”

“Ah, you’re fine. Stop your bitching,” he chortled, checking Zip’s bandaged cranium.

Zip winced.

“Is this normal? Getting worked over by your non-com mares?” the captain was highly amused by the relationships he’d seen in Zip’s outfit.

“I dunno anymore…” Zip’s hooves were unsteady.

Laughing openly, he offered Zip a shoulder, “I’ll chat with your platoon sergeant, Zip. Let’s get you back to camp.

Captain Cross gave Zip a little something for the pain and saw he got extra early evening chow. He suggested he go sleep it off; feeling like he’d been hit by a train, Zip didn’t argue and gladly went back to his platoon.

His platoon was obviously awed, watching him come back to them but they gave him his space. A couple of his ponies had put together a nice bedroll under a nice, dark tarp. Most thankful for their thoughtfulness, he crawled inside; he wasn’t needed until the next day, so everypony was more than content to let him sleep. The humble bedroll felt about as good as any bed he’d ever slept on and he slept well.

The bedroll may have been comfy, but he felt like stiff Hell upon waking up again; at least he felt rested and his head hurt much less. He wasn’t sure what time it was, but it was dark out. Passing the members of his 3rd Squad, they looked at him with pride and admiration. Zip tried to acknowledge their feelings with a stiff nod. They knew he was in rough shape and wouldn’t bother him further.

Trip and Silver were going around to everypony, giving them bread, cheese, and a few nice vegetables. Delighted to see their lieutenant, they made sure he had a nice portion.

“Thank you, girls; I’m famished…”

Both of them beamed back; Trip hoofed his shoulder, “We’re just glad to see you up and about, sir. We were pretty worried about you and Sgt. Flare.”

Zip stretched himself, eliciting numerous cracks in his body, causing his young mares to wince; he himself didn’t feel so great either, listening to everything pop, “Oh, I’ll feel better tomorrow. Make sure you don’t miss anypony; I’m sure they’re hungry, too. Thanks again for the chow.”

Silver nodded, “Yessir.”

Zip decided to ask rather than look around, “Have either of you seen Jacinta?”

Trip wasn’t sure, but, “Earlier, she paid a visit to Sgt. Flare in the division headquarters tent. She might be there… and if she isn’t, you might run into her on the way there.”

“Thanks, Trip. You two have a pleasant evening, if I don’t see you again tonight. Rest well… we have a job to do tomorrow.”

Both saluted, “Yessir. Good night.”

He smiled, wincing at his bandages, and saluted in return. Parting ways with them, he headed to headquarters, munching on his late-night snack.

Upon reaching the tent, he realized it was 23:00. It was quiet, other than a couple officers snoring around a table. Zip went past them, knowing he’d likely find his two friends past the sheets separating the business side from the medical side.

Unsurprisingly, he found Jacinta sitting on a stool at Amethyst’s bedside. Amethyst was resting peacefully. But Jacinta was looking out of sorts. Upon seeing her commander, she fell to pieces.

Blubbering, she began quietly babbling, “I’m sorry- I’m sorry- I’m so sorry!”

Zip might’ve laughed if his head didn’t hurt so badly, “Outside. Let’s not wake Amethyst.”

At odds with what she should do, she decided on going with him. Kissing Amethyst’s brow, she hurried outside with Zip.

The two sat on a fallen log a short distance away. Zip eased himself down, even stiffer than he’d been upon waking up.

Jacinta felt just awful, “How could I do that to you? I really let you have it!”

He wanted to say to not worry, so he tried, “If I thought I saw somepony roughing up a friend of mine, I’d probably sling their ass, too.”

She grimaced as he chuckled.

“Captain Cross, he… told me what was going on… Why didn’t you just tell me?”

Other than the fact he hadn’t had the time or the wits to do so, “Amethyst… told me in confidence… about Lead Brick. I didn’t want to break that.”

“She told me, too… some weeks back,” Jacinta admitted. “I just didn’t think it still bothered her so much. I suppose some things just don’t heal up.”

Zip was now wishing he’d been better able to explain himself, but it was in the past, “You’re right about that, Jacinta… But try not to let it bother you… not Amethyst or the fact you made sport of me.”

She didn’t want to, given the subject matter, but she snorked, “I shouldn’t have done that to you, Lieutenant. Just seeing you unload on her… it made it worse to see her like that. I had no idea she was that way.”

For the thousandth time, Zip had to tell himself he was one of the few ponies to know Amethyst; he would keep reminding himself of this fact until the day came everypony else would know. And he prayed the day would never come; Amethyst had said something about being up to their ears in death if they needed her.

“She’s just a pony, Jacinta… like you, me, or anypony else.”

Taking on a wistful look, she sighed, “I don’t think you’re just some pony, sir.”

Rolling his neck, he was gratified to get a few cracks out of it, “Don’t give me too much credit, Jacinta.”

For a moment, neither spoke; the cloudless night showed them plenty of stars, despite the crescent moon lighting up the sky.

“Did… Amethyst wake up?” Zip asked.

“Only once for a drink of water… She didn’t say anything to me,” Jacinta tucked up her legs, tucking her muzzle between them. “Otherwise, she’s been sleeping well; she needed it.”

Another moment of silence ensued.

Zip tried another tactic, “Jacinta… do you remember the first time you kicked my ass?”

He’d asked with such nonchalance it stunned her; she gaped, “…What…?”

He snickered, “It wasn’t even two weeks after I came here. You were showing everypony a throw… You were looking to get even with me when I made fun of you on the trot that morning.”

Recalling this, she had a giggle fit, “Yeah, I remember. You got the jump on me, so I gave you the doe eyes. You fell for it hook, line, and sinker.”

“I think that might’ve been the first time I looked at you as… more than just my friend.”

Caught completely off-guard, Jacinta gawped, “You… the first… what…?”

He moved in a little closer, “I didn’t realize it at the time, but… that was pretty special. You shoulda seen just how cute you were.”

Flushing so brightly she practically glowed, she shoved him, mortified, “Oh, stop!”

Zip was still laughing, when he lost his balance and when tumbling off his perch on the log, “Ah-OW!”

She went after him, “Zip!”

Finding him flat on his back, she scampered up; before she could help him, he laughed and snatched her up. Receptive to his playfulness, she tittered and allowed him to pull her onto himself.

She rested her head on his chest-floof, allowing herself to relax, “Oh, Zip… I wish I could just keep calling you that.”

“I do like it when you call me by my name.”

She took the hint; she whispered, “Ziiiii-ip…”

He felt a tingle run down his whole body; he squirmed uncomfortably, a stupid grin lighting up his face.

Again, “Ziiiii-ip…”

And again, Zip felt the sensation; he was losing his composure.

She breathed right into his ear, “Ziiii-ip…”

He’d had all he could take; rolling over on top of her, he kissed her. She more than reciprocated. Now, unfortunately, wasn’t the time to toss the nonexistent hay. They were kind of on alert and Zip’s head still motherfucking hurt, so they were content to explore the other’s oral mucosa for a time.

Under the clear sky, they lay beneath the pines.

“Zip…”

“Mm-hmm?”

“That song you made up… the day I trounced you so badly… how’d the rest go?”

Zip was bemused she remembered that at all, “I… dunno. I don’t even remember it myself; like you said, I just made it up—on the spot.”

Nestling in, she crooned, “That was so funny. If I hadn’t had such a stick up my ass, I might’ve let you finish it.”

“I would now, but I don’t remember…” Zip lamented.

Jacinta giggled, “I do…”

“What?”

“Listen.”

She began.

Sergeant, Sergeant, she’s so mean

Somepony pissed in her canteen

When she found out it was Trip

Sarge pulled out her horsey whip

Then she tied Trip to a bed

Zip was astonished, and not just because she remembered, “You let me get that far?!”

She cuffed him, trying to not hit him anywhere too tender, “You seem to forget, Zip… you can fly.”

Mystified, he fluffed his wings a little, “Oh… right.”

She broke down laughing, “Do you think you could finish it?”

“Now?”

Nibbling his ear, causing him to squirm, “Holy Hell, yes, now…”

Trying to escape her nipping at him, “Uh…”

She said, “Hey, let’s use this instead!”

“Yeah?”

Sarge pulled out… a ball-and-chain

“What…?” she giggled.

“Let’s see the color of horsey brains!”?

Looking aghast, she cackled, slugging his shoulder, “Nasty!”

Zip smiled, having no more to say.

“That’s all?” she looked disappointed.

“Hey, it’s eight lines, now,” he protested. “That’s plenty… nice and short.”

“I suppose,” she kissed his neck and sighed contentedly; they remained like this a little while longer.

But their fun had to reach an end; they sat up.

Zip sat with her another moment, enjoying the pleasant night very much.

“Well, Jacinta… I think you need to turn in. We’re assigned to watch the line tomorrow.”

She nuzzled him, “I know… Will you come along?”

He shook his head, “No… I slept all afternoon. I’ll get back soon enough, but…”

“I understand, Zip… and I’ll only call you that… when it’s just us. Good night.”

Standing up, she paddled back to camp; she knew where he was going next as well as he did.

Upon reentering the medical side of the tent, Amethyst was facing the canvas. It was obvious she was awake; perhaps she had been awake a while.

Zip sat down on the seat Jacinta had occupied earlier, “How are you feeling, Amethyst?”

His voice had no malice, no accusatory tone, no anything, really.

She turned her head, just enough he could see her eyes; snuggling further into her pillow, she murmured, “I’m feeling much better, Lieutenant.”

Turning her eyes back to the wall of the tent, she was again silent.

Zip exhaled, “I’m… really sorry, Amethyst. I didn’t mean for… that to happen.”

She curled up, pulling her back legs to her chest, “I know…”

“I can sit and say anything I want, really, but I want you to know this: you really scared me. Why’d you do it?” he asked as evenly as he could manage.

After a moment, she answered, “I’m not a young mare, sir; I’ve been feeling my age for a few years. It wasn’t just… my colossal fuck-up that saw me sent here… My work… they told me… had gotten sloppy across the board. And they’re right; I’ve lost that freshness I used to have. It’s messed up, sir… By the time you come to terms… or should come to terms with the things you’ve done… just when you can finally process all the awful shit they make you do… your body’s falling apart on you.”

Zip thought he understood what she meant, “To prove yourself?! You did that to prove yourself?!”

She glanced towards him, her eyes unreadable, “…”

Zip was, in a way, relieved, “That’s all?! Amethyst… you don’t have to prove yourself… not to me and not to anypony else. I thought you knew better than that…”

Turning over and looking right at him, he saw her pale eyes streaming; she looked 50-years-old to him, rather than the plausible 30-something, “What about myself, Lieutenant?”

This stopped him cold; he was dumb enough to give her an answer and it wasn’t even a good one, “What about you, Amethyst?”

Turning surly, her expression soured in a hurry, “You child…”

Zip had never kept track of who scared away his balls more, Jacinta or Amethyst, but they hid away now.

“Get out,” Amethyst demanded.

He was floored, never hearing this tone of voice from her, “What…?”

Her face contorted; it would’ve been comical if it wasn’t so terrifying, “Get out!”

Zip felt his hooves scrape the ground as he was propelled from the tent. Outside, he realized Amethyst had never used magic on him in such a way. But at least she didn’t kill him or anything; Jacinta would’ve tossed him. He decided to count his blessings and F.O. for the evening; he figured he could try to talk to her again later when she wasn’t in a killing mood.

Perhaps he finally had learned a few things about mares.

Satisfied with that, he returned to camp. Maybe he’d check to see if Trip and Silver had any food left.

Zip’s aches and pains didn’t subside in the least after a night of sleep, but he sure wasn’t tired anymore. After an acceptable breakfast, 3rd Platoon was briefed by Cpt. Jalapeño Jelly, now in command of A Company, on their assignment.

Zip tried to bury his feelings, but he loathed this captain; he’d hated Cpt. Basket Weaver for no other reason than Cpt. Basket Weaver was given command over him. Cpt. Jalapeño Jelly had been the one to encourage beating Cpt. Basket Weaver within an inch of his life, which circumstances dictated Zip had to take part in. Only a hoofful of ponies knew why Cpt. Basket Weaver had blown up their equipment, but Zip had begun to hate many of the officers for their cruelty… even though they were ignorant.

But Zip kept his mouth shut. They were to patrol the northeastern area of division’s camp. Other ponies were keeping tabs on the Centauri Army’s progress as they began coming ashore but others were needed to keep an eye on their lines. Given eight small crystal balls for communicating, Zip divided his platoon up by team, assigning himself and his sergeants to one of the eight. With an area of two miles to cover they were spread thin but would still be able to see each other where the trees thinned out.

Zip wound up with Cpl. Little Song, a mare he’d come to know just recently despite his being around. Before he and Jacinta tossed up the squads, the corporal had been leading the engineers in the platoon.

He recalled the first time meeting her. The debacle with Pvt. Mill had caused quite a stir; he’d been in her squad and Sgt. Treasure Trove barked at her for letting the wayward private out of her sight. Much water under the bridge since then.

Zip was amazed at watching Little Song and Trip work together. Little Song seemed able to find a way to make anything work and Trip could usually carry it out. He was glad they were still in the same squad, despite their teams changing.

“Lieutenant,” Little Song smiled. “We’re here; you can stop.”

“Oh…” he hadn’t realized they’d reached the designated line; he'd just kept walking.

She giggled at his absentmindedness. He’d tolerate that out of her; she was one of the gentlest souls he’d met… and she was cute-as-pie to boot. When she dimpled, she was almost as cute as Trip… and that was no booby prize.

“Okay, everypony,” Zip called out. “Keep low and keep your eyes open. The magical sensors set up should alert us to anything moving that has more than four appendages, but they’re not foolproof. We still need our eyes; the breakthrough the other night is proof enough. Rotate position every 30 minutes. Every couple hours, two can rotate out and rest. Conserve water and food; we’re out here until dusk.”

The day went swimmingly, if it could be called that, and the balminess continued. Zip finally took his turn to sit out in the late afternoon. Not by invention, Little Song wound up with him.

He really enjoyed chatting with her and wished he’d done so much earlier; she had a way of seeing the bigger picture, which he found unusual considering she was an engineer. And that’s not to say an engineer can’t consider all things involved in a given system; what he meant was she had no problem getting to the heart of a problem.

She was just who he needed; he didn’t mean to burden her with his troubles, but he could think of no better pony.

“Little Song… I need some advice.”

She gave him a “gentle” sneer, if that makes any sense, “Right out of the gate, eh? Not gonna talk about the freakishly nice weather or how bad the oatmeal was this morning?”

He’d also take some of her chiding; he didn’t feel much like a stallion, so confused with things, “Yes…”

“Is it the big little sergeant or the little big sergeant this time?” she tapped her hooves on the ground.

They’d mostly stopped doing it, but the platoon had taken to calling Jacinta the “big sergeant” and the rest of the sergeants “little sergeants”. Jacinta was called the little big sergeant for her stature, naturally. And Amethyst was the big little sergeant, the de facto leader among the four squad leaders.

Zip didn’t like the game, “It’s Amethyst…”

“I figured,” she poked a hoof at a tuft of grass. “She’s been acting like some love-sick, goofy, miserable teenager stuck in a grandma’s body the last couple days…”

The amusing visual aside, Zip wouldn’t put it past Little Song that she might know of his relationship with Jacinta… or his difficulties with Amethyst; he’d asked her about things more than he cared to.

“Hmm…” she mused, “I don’t know much, sir, but I’m sure you know more. There’s a lot more to Amethyst than meets the eye, I know… Anypony that doesn’t realize that by now is pretty dumb… or can’t see the bigger picture.”

Zip knew she was alluding to Jacinta, saying that; she could be downright clueless…

“So, Lieutenant, try to see things from her perspective,” Little Song concluded.

“Hers?”

“Yes. Try.”

Looking perplexed, Zip sat on his haunches.

His confusion elicited another string of “kind” giggles out of her, “That’s all you get, sir. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m catching a nap. You and I are on duty again after evening chow.”

She paddled to the shade and curled up on a blanket, leaving Zip with his own thoughts.

See things from her horseshoes, huh? Zip decided it wasn’t bad advice.

The day after, Zip realized he wouldn’t be able to see Amethyst for a couple days, as she had been called aside by the higher-ups for consultation. It worried him slightly, but it could’ve been anything.

That morning the division was treated to the sound of the first trap in the city. The unicorns watching over the demolitions had waited until the centaurs made use of an empty warehouse to light off a section; it caused one Hell of a mess and threw the Centauri Army supply unit into disarray. The monkey carcasses would be more careful about shacking up, knowing a few dozen of their comrades were buried alive along with a lot of their own food, which had become scarce since the division cleaned out.

Sooner than expected, the division would begin moving towards the Galloping Gorge the next day. They’d send out one of the brigades and maintain a supply line for a few days while the other brigade oversaw demolition of the city and inched their way to the east.

Being in the 2nd Brigade, Zip’s platoon was one of many that would be going first. Since the platoon didn’t have duty for a couple days, their assignment to be determined, they packed up their gear for the move to the next stage and were able to relax.

Zip and Jacinta, getting along with the greatest of ease, went to division headquarters for their staging orders. Along with them they brought Trip and Silver. They’d be among the first ponies to reach the gorge, they’d heard.

Upon arriving they were greeted by a tremendous racket in the big tent. A sour feeling rising in Zip’s stomach, they went to see what all the hullabaloo was about.

To Zip’s disgust and extreme disappointment, Pvt. Linseed Oil was brawling with the staff of somepony much higher up than Zip.

Silver gasped, “Linseed!”

Jacinta tried to hold him back, but Zip ran in, “Hey! Private Oil! Stop! Get out of there, now!”

But the private continued to fight; Zip was surprised at how well he was holding out, fighting three sergeants and two corporals at once. Zip’s specialists cowered behind Jacinta, knowing better than to get involved.

Zip appealed to one of the colonels there, “Colonel! Please, call them off!”

He scoffed, “Lt. Screamer?! This is one of yours?”

Zip reluctantly claimed him, “Yessir.”

“He’s out of line, son… He came here demanding to see the general, without cause… we’re just seeing he gets his lumps before we decide what to do with him…”

Zip persisted, “Please, sir. Call them off.”

The colonel laughed as they finally managed to ground the private; they began to beat him mercilessly.

Zip, seeing one of his own in trouble, cast aside his rank and his cool; despite Jacinta’s further protesting he jumped into the fray with a bellow to shake the forest.

He tackled one of the sergeants off Pvt. Linseed Oil and threw him against a tree. Another leapt at him and he helped him on his way, sending him onto the roof of the tent; it collapsed completely and much yelling was heard from within.

One of the corporals had Zip in a headlock, while Zip had the other two noncoms in headlocks, when the fight was stopped.

“What in the blue fuck is going on out here?!” a voice roared.

Everypony dropped what they were doing. Zip dropped his unconscious sufferers and he himself was released. Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek looked mad as Hell, emerging from the ruins of the tent.

Before anypony could explain, Pvt. Linseed Oil scrambled towards the general.

“General! We can’t go towards the gorge! We’ll all be in danger!”

Seeing the private’s insignia, his manner, and appearance, the general scowled, “What?”

“Fire! It’s so dry! It’s just a matter of time before the wind comes back, but we don’t know when the rain’s coming! We’ve already had a few close calls! If we go to the gorge, we’ll be boxed in by the forest to the south! It’s too dangerous! A spark will be the end of us all!”

“…Who is this?” the general frowned.

The colonel Zip had spoken to, looking excited, explained, “He’s just some crazy private that Lt. Screamer can’t seem to keep a leash on… Seems there’s a lot of that going on with him-”

“Shut up, Colonel!” the general cut him off; he stared down to Pvt. Linseed Oil. “Now… who are you?”

Covered in his own blood and the blood of others, Pvt. Linseed Oil coughed, “Sir! Private Linseed Oil! 1st Team, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, A Company, “Wild Rice” Bat-”

“That’s enough, Private… Now… what seems to be the issue?”

Zip wished very much this wasn’t going on; he knew no good would come of it.

“Sir…,” Pvt. Linseed Oil cooled his guns. “We cannot risk getting trapped north of the forest. It’s too dry. If a fire breaks out, we’ll all be done for. The weather’s not on our side, General… Please think about this.”

Surprising even himself, Zip came to his private’s defense, “General! Please listen to him. Before coming out here, he was a forest biologist! He understands meteorology better than anypony I’ve ever met! I trust his judgment on the matter. Please at least listen to him.”

The mares that went along with Zip were both impressed and terrified their commander had spoken in such a way, as much as they'd been with their private’s outburst.

About to share some unwelcome news, Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek burst out laughing; the noise was shocking as he stared down at Pvt. Linseed Oil, “I know who you are, Private… And I’m not about to take the word of a stallion who got caught balls deep in some dead filly!”

Zip could see his mares out of the corner of his eye.

Jacinta and Trip’s jaws dropped, looking positively revolted.

Silver looked stricken, as if she’d had a rug pulled out from under her, “…What…?”

The other officers and their staff were stunned, and then laughed as well.

Great… Zip bemoaned to himself.

If Pvt. Linseed Oil was deterred by the awful truth being revealed to all present, he didn’t show it, “Please! Please listen to me, General! We can’t do this!”

Zip once again came to his aid; he tried to speak calmly, “Please, sir… I’ve been trying to put it out of my mind for days, but… he’s right. I trust him. Please do the same.”

This was met by another peal of laughter from everypony other than the five from 3rd Platoon. Zip realized any credibility he’d had with the higher officers, whether from his reputation or his “centaur killing skills”, was fast disappearing.

The general kicked Pvt. Linseed Oil, knocking him out and sending him sprawling towards Zip; he fumed, “You’d better be fucking grateful we need you! If we had the time and could stand a little hit to morale, I’d string you both up to a post and see you beaten. You’re out of line!”

Zip, stunned at the action but not in kill-mode, cradled his fallen private as his mares tried to look inconspicuous nearby.

Using an over-solicitous tone, the general finished with, “But don’t worry! I have a special assignment for your platoon, dear Zip. I was going to give you something easy, but since you’ve proven yourself this irritating, you’re getting the shit end of the stick.”

Zip made no attempt to hide the hatred in his face; he glared at them all, fire in his eyes. It unsettled them just a bit.

“You little cocksucker,” the general spat, all his fondness for the young lieutenant evaporating. “You’ll regret all of this. When it’s all said and done, I can’t guarantee you won’t face a rope… you and your corpse-fucker!”

With that, the general, the rest of the officers, and their staff left. Zip’s sour stomach threatened revolt as he watched them go.

He sat there, holding his unconscious private, while the troubled mares looked on.

The Retreat to the Galloping Gorge, the second of many stages of their progressive defense of Equestria, would begin later that day.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Had work to do over the weekend so there wasn't time to finish editing, so the chapter's a day late.

As quickly as Zip became a hero to the division, he's become an eyesore. Shamed, he will lead his platoon into uncertainty as the retreat commences.

And he still has to deal with Amethyst, whenever she gets back from whatever she wound up doing.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 1: First-Name Basis

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 7: Treason

Over the last 10 days the division had completed the destruction of Port City. The Centauri Army had staged a considerable amount of material and troops, starting to move into what used to be the Sprawl. None of the city looked all that city-like anymore; it looked more like Hell if Hell was made of splintered wood and stone and steel instead of whatever Hell was actually made of.

Their difficulties in occupying the city could not be understated and much time was spent clearing the debris-ridden roads to make their way to the prairie. Moving through the city was treacherous, buildings blowing up and sending deadly shrapnel in all directions, even in places thought to be “safe”, but the Equestrian forces had finally spent their defensives in Port.

Most of the division was sitting pretty, west of the Galloping Gorge, north of the pine forest in a sheltered portion of the prairie. They were ready to move quickly south across the forest roads once the Centaurs reached the prairie east of Port.

Miles south of the main army Zip’s platoon was situated on the south side of the pine forest on the scrubland. As part of Zip’s “punishment”, they’d been chosen to keep an eye on a pass within the Unicorn Range; it was the only navigable way through the mountains for hundreds of miles in any direction. Only a hundred yards across, it was nestled about 15 miles southwest of their location. The locomotive tracks snaked right through.

Even though they’d managed to take cover in the tall grass and shrubby growth, Zip felt exposed. Still, it gave them a good view for miles to the northwest.

What was bothersome were the lack of tents and the fire ban. The platoon slept on the ground and ate cold rations, other than what could be heated with magic; they’d been doing so for more than a week. They were to remain quiet and hidden, maintaining watch on the gap. About the only thing in their favor was the continuing lack of rain and the spring-like warmth. At this time of year, snow wouldn’t have been abnormal at all. But they could’ve done with a breeze; they were living outdoors, and it was still stagnant.

“A whole damn week and no shower…” somepony muttered to another. “I woke up this morning… a bull snake had crawled into my blanket with me… The days may be okay, but it gets cold as a well digger’s ass at night… Snakes out this time of year… it ain’t right…”

Zip sat beneath an erstwhile defoliated shrub, which had formed new buds due to the trick Mother Nature was playing on the northwestern part of Equestria; he half-jokingly called it platoon headquarters. He’d been listening to the rumblings of his platoon for five days. It was difficult to blame them. As Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek had stated, they really had gotten the short end of the stick. The division had tents, fire, bathing facilities, and just about every other luxury that could possibly be afforded in the field.

Zip had made up his mind that he didn’t regret standing up for his private, Pvt. Linseed Oil; it may have saved him some trouble. As a result, it had turned Zip into something of a pariah among the whole of the officers. But because of his “centaur slaying” abilities… and their ignorance to what went on… the hoof-soldiers still hero-worshipped him. It was “good for morale” that the “Dragon Slayer”—the “Centaur Butcher”—and his platoon were guarding the south.

His fame wasn’t the only thing lauded among the division; Linseed’s penchant for cold ones had become the joke of the year. Recently, Zip, Amethyst, Sgt. Razor Wire, and Cpl. Stardust Painter had been the only ones in the platoon to know; everypony knew now, from the generals to the mares in Zip’s platoon. Zip felt terrible about it but there was nothing to be done about it.

Sure, Linseed had been out of line, breaking rank and fighting noncoms and addressing their division’s general as he did, but Zip felt he’d shown more guts and conviction than he’d likely seen in his whole life. And the private knew what he was talking about, to boot. It had become so dry that Zip hadn’t seen anything green growing since they’d arrived in their current location.

Linseed saw a bare-bones level of tolerance from the platoon. He also didn’t seem to care. Zip was unsure if this was commendable or downright weird. Having some response would be normal, but Linseed didn’t appear to care.

Zip was flummoxed and straight-up asked him; he was given the response, “I’m used to being not liked.”

It was mind-boggling.

Nopony had seen Amethyst for 10 or 11 days; she was still doing whatever it was Army Intelligence had roped her into. The consultation had turned into much more. Zip and Cpt. Cross may have been the only ponies to suspect she was doing more than “surveillance”. Everypony knew she was former intelligence, so the idea was more than feasible… to those ignorant of what the beautiful sergeant was.

Zip had been turning over in his mind how to talk to Amethyst once she got back; he’d still been unable to “put himself in her horseshoes”. Whether or not he would’ve come up with something wouldn’t matter much longer, for late in the morning she walked into camp unannounced.

Many ponies approached and welcomed her, very glad to see their platoon mother again.

“It shouldn’t have been that easy to sneak up on you,” she ruffled Cpl. Lily Hawk’s mane as others buffeted her.

The little medic giggled as she straightened her mane, “We’re on the lookout for bigger things than you, Sarge…”

Amethyst moved on, “No worries. I’m joking; if I didn’t know where you all were, it might’ve taken a bit to find you.”

Zip heard that. Horseshit!

But he smiled as Amethyst approached him; he sensed no animosity off her.

“It’s good to see you again, sir,” she grinned.

“Likewise, Amethyst,” Zip nodded. “No problems?”

She caught his meaning, “Routine, sir.”

“Good.”

Jacinta bolted up and gruffly hugged her friend, “Amethyst!”

The sergeants embraced a moment.

Amethyst broke off, “I could really use some food. It’s been a long week…”

Willing hooves led her to the makeshift kitchen that held their chow supply.

Once Amethyst had a nice portion, Zip looked over the assemblage, “If I could have a few minutes alone with Sgt. Flare, that’d be great… We have a few things to discuss before the squad meeting later.”

Left alone, the two friends had a bit of privacy.

“I’m sorry there’s nothing much to eat. I… caused a little trouble and got us bivouacked out here,” Zip hoofed the back of his neck.

Amethyst was already tucking in, “You and Pvt. Oil did cause a bit of an uproar. But even I’m starting to get scared; it hasn’t rained in a friggin’ month! But for now, I’m just happy to have food in front of me. One thing ponies forget-”

Poof!

The bowl of questionable mush she had to go with her apple warmed up in an instant.

“I really hope you’ve been having the unicorns at least heat up this slop…” she simpered.

“Naturally.”

“I could really go for a beer right about now…” she lamented.

Zip chuckled and let her eat a moment, “Planning on sharing what you’ve been up to?”

She shook her head, “Nope… Not much to say; I really was observing. How do you think division knows what’s going on down by the bay?”

“How are things back with the division?” Zip got updates but felt left in the dark, miles south of headquarters.

“You don’t give a dead hooker’s twat at the bottom of the deep blue sea what’s going on with them…” Amethyst had made a dent in her chow, scraping her bowl clean.

Zip admitted, “You’re right; other than a couple things, I don’t care.”

She sighed, “Then no more screwing around… Sir, I’m sorry.”

Zip shuffled his hooves, “I’m sorry too.”

“I’m sorry I called you a child… You’ve been nothing but reasonable with me, even when I’ve done foolish things. I… did want to prove myself.”

He figured he didn’t have to, but spoke anyway, “Don’t ever think you need to prove anything to us… Yourself, though… I can’t say. I don’t know.”

“That was so very foolish of me… and not just because I’m out of practice… I’m feeling my age, sir, I really am. You can say I was unlucky, getting stunned, but I’m not the mare I used to be. And that just confirmed it.”

Zip began to talk but she held up a hoof, “Please… no more on that. I know what I’m talking about and… it’s enough to know you forgive me… You do, don’t you?”

She looked awfully young to him, asking that question; he thought it was obvious she had it, “Yes.”

“Then the other related matter,” she exhaled sharply. “That was so embarrassing…”

“Amethyst-”

“I’m ashamed of myself, sir… letting you see that. I’ve spent almost 16 years trying to leave behind that weak, stupid mare… but deep down, that’s all I am.”

Zip had gotten used to seeing her weep, but she looked so very sad; he scooched over and put a hoof over her shoulder, pulling her close, “You’re anything but that, Amethyst. I won’t let you talk about yourself that way.”

She sniffled, trying to smile for him, “But I called you a child… I’ve been rather childish… I magicked you out of the tent when you were making sense…”

“No, you-”

“But I have, sir… The two things on your mind as far as the division goes are your own infamy… and Pvt. Oil…”

“What’s that have to do with childishness?” he wondered.

“The former, nothing… The latter, a lot more… Seeing Pvt. Oil’s reputation, though I can’t blame anypony, dragged through the mud had me feeling just rotten. Besides us, only Sgt. Wire and Cpl. Painter and a few higher-ups knew about him, and only what they read in the file. The things I said to you… stayed between us.”

Zip was genuinely confused, “What are you getting at?”

Her eyes leaked anew, “Sir… you’re so very kind. You never treated him differently than anypony else, despite what I told you… But I wasn’t truthful.”

“How so?” Zip wondered if it was worse than she’d told him.

“Lieutenant,” she bawled. “He’s a little odd, and he did get caught… doing some things… but he’s a kind soul. I only told you to keep him away from mares because… he creeped me out. I could see his thoughts well enough; he neither denied nor reveled in what he’d done in his own heart. He just wanted to move on.”

Zip was disappointed but underwhelmed, “Why tell me this now?”

“I don’t know…” she admitted. “There’s more to him than what his file says. Talk to him yourself if you’re curious.”

“…Okay…?” Zip was growing restless.

Sniffling again, she wiped her nose, “You really are such a kind stallion, Lieutenant. If you weren’t… you would’ve taken my word and run with it… I’m so very glad you’re better than that… better than me.”

Zip, never thinking he was better than her, had to find an endpoint to this brief dialogue, “But it stayed between us… so no harm done. The harm came last week when that asshole general started spouting about it… You should’ve seen Jacinta’s, Trip’s, and Silver’s faces! Ugh. And now there’s nopony doesn’t know.”

“I still don’t know what Silver sees in him,” Amethyst shook her head.

Zip meant no reproach, “You wouldn’t.”

Looking at her hooves, “You’re right.”

“Well, I don’t get it either… Best not to think about it.”

Sitting another moment in the makeshift kitchen area, Amethyst stretched, “I think I’ll catch a quick nap before our meeting later; I haven’t slept in about 36 hours.”

Zip stood, “I’ll make sure somepony wakes you.”

“Thank you, sir… for that and other things.”

“You’re welcome. Rest well.”

Zip caught Linseed when he was out in the meadow west of their camp during his break. The private was doing what he’d been doing several times a day since he arrived in Port: checking the weather.

“Linseed…” Zip called to him; he’d taken to calling him by name since they’d been humiliated together.

The dank-looking stallion turned slightly, the ghost of a smile on his face, “Hello, sir… I tell you, it was almost worth getting my ass slung to get away from the damn forest. You can’t imagine what a relief it is to be out of there… not that the prairie’s much better…”

“I wouldn’t go that far… that really sucked… for us both,” Zip countered.

As if he didn’t hear, Linseed consulted nature, “No change yet… A month! Winter’s four weeks away and we haven’t seen a bit of precipitation in as long… or any wind worth mentioning. This is unprecedented…!”

“…” Zip tried to think of something else to say.

“So, what’s up? ‘Sgt. Psychic’ tell you something?”

Zip was floored, “How would you-? How…?”

Linseed, for the first time Zip saw, gave a real smile, “Ponies are almost as easy to read as the weather, sir. I knew I freaked her out the first time I met her. It was no surprise she wanted me elsewhere. But it turned out okay; Blood’s been a real good friend. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. And as far as Sgt. Wire and Cpl. Painter go, they’ve been good too. My stupid stunt doesn’t quite measure up to some of the screw-ups that landed a lot of us here… It’s just more public, now. Coulda done without that, but… it happened.”

“I, uh…” Zip wasn’t sure what to say.

“Why I did it? Was it a normal thing?” Linseed chuckled.

Zip stammered, “I wasn’t gonna ask-”

“Meh… You wanna know…” Linseed checked a hoofful of soil. “It was a prank… a very stupid prank with the guys in our laboratory. We got drunk… we came up with the worst idea we could… and I got caught. I was the only one to get caught; I never ratted out the others.”

“You just took all the blame?” Zip wasn’t surprised.

“Like I told you, sir… I’m used to being disliked. I could live with it; they wouldn’t have been able to… at least not so easily. It was a one-time thing, despite what those brain-pickers in Canterlot reported.”

“I see…” Zip said.

“I could say that ‘everypony’s done something that stupid’, but I won’t accuse you of doing something that foolish, with you being a teetotaler…”

“…”

Linseed continued, “A few around here know the truth… Lemme tell you, that wasn’t the easiest talk to have with Silver.”

Zip watched the private laugh, “Yeah? You really told her?”

“Let’s just say… we’ve come to terms, Lieutenant. I’d like to clear the air with everypony else, but…”

Zip laughed himself, “Hmm. That sounds like a fun thing to try to explain.”

“So, I just don’t worry about it much,” Linseed mused. “Things are good between Silver and I… It’s not like she’s a saint, either.”

Zip was curious and found himself sucked in, “…How so?”

Linseed guffawed, “Unless you’re gonna dish on SSgt. Petals’s kinks, that’s between us.”

Zip’s jaw dropped, “You… know?”

“Don’t fret, sir. But, yes, I think a few ponies suspect it; you two’ve been giving each other the eyes for weeks, now.”

Zip had had enough weirdness for the moment, “Good talk, Private… I’ll leave you to… your stuff. Get a little rest while you’re on break… and get a snack; we just cracked open that fresh crate of oranges.”

He watched the lieutenant trot away, “Yessir.”

Leaving Linseed to his own devices, Zip made his way back to “headquarters”. Maj. Gen. Rocky “Asshole” Creek, as Spc. Trip Wire had taken to calling him, had requested (demanded) a “crystal ball conference” with Zip and his platoon leaders to be held with his own staff every day at noon.

Zip hated these; about all they consisted of was the general being an asshole and ridiculing his concerns.

With his squad leaders and clerk present, they could begin. Sitting around the small crystal ball, Zip tapped on it.

Within a few seconds, an image came to them. The general and his staff were seated at a table, eating shepherd’s pie. Zip was fuming mad, knowing they did this just to mock his platoon’s circumstances.

“Ah, Lieutenant… is it noon already?” the general leered at Zip.

“Good afternoon, General,” Zip began, pushing his frustration down. “Sgt. Flare rejoined us this morning, so she’ll be joining us. Sgts. Clover, Wire, and Trove are accounted for, as well as Spc. Duster as recorder. SSgt. Petals is preoccupied, so she’ll not be here.”

Jacinta had taken Zip’s offer of sleeping instead of joining them; she’d been up most of the night covering for a pony suffering from exhaustion. Whether the general cared or not, he didn’t ask.

“I see,” the general took a bite of pie; the gravy steamed and the lot of them watching began to salivate. “Sgt. Flare… I’m sure it’s good to be back. Thanks for your work this last week. How do you feel? You look exhausted.”

It was obvious to anypony that the stunning mare had bags under her eyes and had probably lost 10 or 15 pounds with her week-and-a-half of hard living.

Amethyst wasn’t in the mood for his crap, but answered, “I am, sir… Lt. Screamer offered to let me sit out for sleep, but I wouldn’t stand for it. I’m back and ready to work.”

“Good, good…” more pie was consumed; with little conviction, he talked with his mouth full. “I tell you… It’s a mighty admirable thing, what you’re doing down there. Everypony’s feeling good knowing the southern watchline is in good hooves.”

Zip didn’t care for the general razzing them, so he got to business, “Status is the same down here, sir. No change from yesterday. We’re patrolling west into the foothills and east to the forest… No sign of the enemy or any such activity. I-”

“Always business before pleasure, eh, Zip?” the general chuckled.

Swallowing the “fuck you” he wanted to say, he instead said, “I mean no offense, sir. We just have a lot of ground to cover and we need to get everypony fed. We’re most thankful for the crate of oranges delivered last night.”

Zip meant what he said about the oranges and he spoke for them all. Eating porridge and apples the whole time they’d been down there, something different was welcome.

“Glad you like them; they are quite good,” the general waved a hoof. “Anything else to report?”

Zip knew he was in for some ridicule, but he wouldn’t leave it alone, “The weather’s still the same… no sign of change or any indication we’re in for a change.”

“Oh, would you lay off that?! The Centauri Army isn’t gonna try to burn us out; they’d wind up dying right along with us! They’re here to conquer us, kid… not die in a fire.”

Having heard the same lines in previous days, Zip simply said, “Yessir.”

“Good.”

Zip turned to his squad leaders and Silver, “Anypony have anything to add?”

Trying to hide their unhappiness with many things, they all shook their heads.

“New orders, General?” Zip turned back to the ball.

Leaning back, the general yawned, “No. Maintain your current assignments. You see anything worth reporting, do so.”

The crystal ball faded out, leaving the six of them.

Breaking the silence, Sgt. Treasure Trove grinned, “Well, it was nice chatting with him… Anypony have some yellow star-thistle I could munch on?”

Zip was horrorstruck, “You know it takes a few seconds for the ball to cease transmission…”

Amethyst, Razor, and Silver laughed, but Sgt. Sweet Clover didn’t get it (the plant is quite toxic to horses and essentially turns their brains to mush with enough ingested overtime; it ain’t pretty to see).

Zip hung his head, “I’m… sorry you’re all in this boat, too.”

Amethyst smiled, “Don’t even, sir… we’re just upset about Gen. ‘Fuckstick’. I heard yesterday he teased you all with hot sandwiches… I never thought I’d miss that shepherd’s pie…”

“What did I just say about the crystal ball?!” Zip pleaded.

“Meh,” she was unconcerned.

Corporal Little Song strolled up, “Oh, good! You’re done with your little meeting with Gen. ‘Twat Waffle’… We threw together a stew; Pvt. Sapphire provided the heat!”

Turning to his trusted commanders and clerk, all guffawing at the mild-mannered engineer’s obscenity, he sighed and began to walk, “Let’s just go get some chow… Stew does sound good.”

All looking grateful, they followed. Stew sounded better than lousy oatmeal with a couple pieces of fruit; but it had surely kept them regular.

Another night had come to the prairie. Zip and Jacinta would never set up the alert/watch schedule to benefit their time together; it was unfair to their platoon and violated their agreement to keep a semblance of a lid on their relationship. However, Zip saw no issue in trading duty with a pony that wanted to sleep in, so he and Jacinta decided to disappear into the scrub for a while.

After a little fun, the two of them lay under a blanket, observing the sky. A half-moon illuminated the landscape, but the starry night was still rather impressive. The lack of clouds in late autumn was freaky, but the night sure was pretty.

Neither knew crap about the names of stars or constellations, so they just appreciated it.

“Any idea what Amethyst was up to this whole time?” Jacinta rested the back of her head on her hooves, looking straight up.

Zip, for once, didn’t have to lie about Amethyst’s mischief, “Observation… they just wanted to make use of her skillset.”

“Did she… ever tell you how she wound up in a place like this?”

The question caught Zip off-guard; it was as if Jacinta had jumped a few steps in reaching that point, “Did she tell you?”

She was confused at his fluster, “Uh, no… that’s why I asked…”

Zip recalled with great discomfort Amethyst’s behavior when she herself even alluded to the subject. He didn’t enjoy jerking Jacinta around, but the little mare knew little of Amethyst’s actual hurts and demons. Zip chose to give an answer, but also wished to steer the conversation away from such things.

“Jacinta… you said it yourself… Amethyst hasn’t had the happiest life. And whether she lets on or not, she’s a complicated mare. It’s a… sensitive subject to her, her past. I don’t know much, but… I’ll give you the same advice she gives you. Don’t worry about it.”

She winced at the finality of his statement; he’d said it with as much tact and kindness as was necessary, but it was a heavy statement… which she seldom heard from him.

“Oh…” she pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Zip knew she might respond in such a way but wished she didn’t; rather than explain in gentler terms he tried something else, “I know how much you admire Amethyst… but you have some things she admires too.”

This was a little hard for her to believe, “Like what?”

Not missing the sarcasm in those two words, he didn’t need to bullshit her, “You’re a leader, Jacinta.”

“Oh, right,” she scoffed. “Before you showed up, half the combat vets were ready to frag me…”

“I mean it, Jacinta. This may sound odd, considering I’m supposed to be running the show, but if Amethyst is the platoon’s mother… you’re like the father…”

She mocked him for this, “That does sound odd; you’re the platoon’s father.”

He shook his head, a little smile pasted on, “Jacinta… I’m the bachelor uncle… I spoil them… I try to impress them… but I didn’t ‘raise’ them… I don’t do much to instruct them, either. Whenever we or I do something stupid, you’re always there to keep us in line. I’d have no idea how to even begin to run this show without you. Without you… we’d just be a mob.”

Never really realizing she was that important, she blushed a little, “…”

Zip wasn’t finished, “There’s really no other way to put it, so I won’t try. She wants to impress you. They all want to impress you. Compared to me… that’s a whole lot more remarkable than anything I’ve encouraged.”

“What are you talking about, Zip?!” Jacinta couldn’t believe this. “They’d move mountains for you!”

“No… I’m their friend first and their lieutenant second. You’re the opposite.”

“I’m confused…” she murmured.

Zip shifted a little and snatched her up. She giggled as he pulled her in.

“C’mon, Jacinta… That’s enough of that. Like I said, don’t worry.”

“I’ll try,” she snuggled close.

For a moment, Zip just considered the sky, then, “I remember the first time I saw your name, Jacinta.”

“Hmm?” she perked up.

“With my orders when I got here… I knew I’d seen it somewhere before, but I couldn’t remember exactly where, other than it was a plant of something. I actually looked at a field guide… ‘hyacinth’… My mother used to keep a few.”

“Did she? My mom loves flowers. I guess I haven’t told you, but she named all of us after flowers.”

“Yeah?”

“Daisy, Rose, Amaryllis, Gardenia, Marigold, and Dandelion.”

“Dandelion?” it didn’t seem to fit to Zip.

Jacinta giggled, “Mom couldn’t decide on a colt’s name… it works better than Amaryllis, I think. He hates his name; we call him ‘Ryll’…”

“And Jacinta…”

She grinned, “Yes… and Jacinta…”

“Why Jacinta?”

“Hyacinths are my mom’s favorite. They’re also my aunt’s favorite. My cousin is only a week older than me… she’s Hyacinth.”

Zip laughed, “I see.”

Full of mirth, she scrambled to be on top of him, “Why Zip?”

Zip sighed, and eventually smiled, “My dad… I guess I never said, but my mom’s a unicorn. My dad, though… he’s an Earth pony.”

“How’d that happen?”

Zip waved a hoof, “Both of my parents came from pretty diverse families. I guess I never mentioned only two of us among siblings are Pegasi; the other two are unicorns.

“What’s that got to do with your dad, though?” Jacinta inquired.

He ruffled her mane, “Patience… Dad’s been a fruit vendor his whole life. My grandad was too… and his dad before that. He once told me that he named me ‘Zip Screamer’ because it… looked good. He… dreamt of me being fast… getting out of the life he had… Of course, that didn’t happen. I was always decent at most things, but I was never the best. I was content to peddle fruit like him. But he wanted more… Like I said, I’m decent… I’m average. Getting into a university wasn’t an option; too expensive without a scholarship. So, I joined the air force.”

“To get a leg-up for university?” Jacinta asked. “That’s why I joined… kind of…”

“No, I just joined.”

Jacinta raised herself, “Why?”

“Dunno.”

She laughed and let her body flop back down; Zip let out a fwoof, “That doesn’t make a whole lot of sense…”

“I know… and look where it’s led,” he pouted in mock-sadness.

She nuzzled into his chest-floof, “Oh, it’s not so bad. Right now… I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather be…”

He held her close, “Same.”

The following day saw the same uneventful crystal ball conference with the general and his cronies; that day the cooks had made apple cobbler… with ice cream. Now they’re not even hiding their mockery, Zip bemoaned.

Walking away from the meeting to their own less than stellar, though appreciated lunch, Amethyst fumed, “I am sick to suicide of that waste of life talking down to us!”

Sergeants Sweet Clover and Treasure Trove kept their distance, unused to seeing Amethyst on a tear; they knew she was just grumpy from camping out for a week and not sleeping, but it was scary…

While Razor tried to stifle his laughter, Jacinta tried to soothe the belle, “Now, Amethyst… calm down. Just take a breath.”

Zip smirked as Jacinta coached the sergeant through a few breathing exercises; what was funny, was it worked. Amethyst’s eyes lost the bloodlust he’d seen in them a couple times. Zip realized just how angry she really was; it wiped the smirk off his face. But he let it go. As the others realized, Amethyst was just burned out. After lunch, he’d see she got some sleep, even if he had to order it.

Lunch was okay, and ponies were laughing at Cpl. Raspberry Jam’s story; the gist was it was wise to never enter a room one can’t escape from with a mare. The merriment ended quickly when Linseed suddenly booted in his own lap, secondhoof wild rice and vegetable soup splattering onto his closest neighbors.

A roar of shock and disgust went up among all nearby.

“Oh, what the fuck, Linseed?!” Spc. Cocoa Butter’s usually laidback manner eroded quickly when he was covered in vomit.

Linseed was coughing, but as quickly as the barf hit his neighbors he was already on his hooves. Not even bothering to begin to clean himself off, he ran.

“Lieutenant! LIEUTENANT!” he crowed.

Seeing crazy behavior from Linseed wasn’t the most unusual thing most of them would see on a given day, but the used soup drenching his uniform and the feral look about him as the weaved his way through everypony at least got the platoon’s attention.

Linseed burst through the threshold of “headquarters”, “Sir!”

Zip looked up; he, Jacinta, Amethyst, and Silver were consulting a map on a tree stump while they ate their own soup.

Silver blanched at her friend’s appearance, “Linseed! What happened to you?!”

“Lieutenant!” Linseed babbled. “The weather! It- it- it- it- it-”

Zip was thunderstruck; he’d never seen Linseed demonstrate this kind of vigor, other than the time he attempted to confront the general. It took him a moment to realize the private was covered in his own lunch. Since Linseed wasn’t making sense, Zip had had enough of the noise.

“Private!” he barked, standing up. “Calm down!”

At least the stammering stopped, “Sir! The weather… it’s… about to change!”

The conviction evident in Linseed had Zip’s ears open.

He probably didn’t need to ask, knowing Linseed’s sensitivity to the weather, “How do you know?”

With no hesitation, “I… feel it, sir. It hasn’t started, but I feel it!”

Before Zip made any kind of mental call on this, another pony burst in.

“He’s right, sir!” Pvt. Blood Sapphire gasped, having run from his watch duty out on the line. “The front’s about to move off the sea.”

Choosing to ignore the fact the private left his post to tell them, Zip thought about this; over the last week, a storm had been brewing far off the coast… and it was about to move east.

Mulling things a moment, Zip retrieved a towel, “Linseed… clean yourself up.”

Catching the tossed towel, “Yessir… Sorry…”

Bemused, Zip had to say it, “That’s a pretty strong reaction to the weather… My old aunt… her knee ached before a good thunderstorm, but this…”

Not catching or not caring about Zip’s jibe, Linseed wiped off what he could, “I can’t help it… I felt the air change and I got sick…”

Silver patted Linseed’s back, imploring Zip with her eyes.

Zip sighed, “Silver… please take the private and help him out.”

Looking grateful, she nudged her friend, “Yessir… let’s go, Lin…”

Amethyst, looking sickened and horrified, scrunched her face and mouthed to Jacinta, Lin?

Jacinta decided she didn’t want a horse in that race; she shrugged.

Zip’s attention had already turned, “Private Sapphire… tell me more.”

“There’s not a whole lot more to say, sir,” behind his sunglasses it was anypony’s guess what his eyes betrayed. “The front’s moving; we’ll see a change in the wind in less than 24 hours… It’ll be abrupt. We’ll see rain… a storm… in a few days.”

Zip exchanged glances with Jacinta and Amethyst; their miens told him it was his call.

The lieutenant stood up, “Jacinta… Amethyst… alert the squad leaders; we’re having a meeting. Private… return to duty; bring Cpl. Painter with you and tell Sgt. Wire I need him back here.”

“Yessir,” Private Blood Sapphire trotted away.

Zip addressed those remaining, “I’m going to find Silver and Linseed… The meeting is in a half-hour… Have Trip come along, too."

Briefly explaining the situation to his squad leaders, Zip decided to pull everypony in for an announcement.

Zip didn’t feel the most confident standing before his platoon, but he spoke with authority, “Pvts. Oil and Blood predict the weather will change tomorrow.”

A few smirks and some muffled laughter greeted the statement; Pvt. Blood Sapphire looked more put off than Linseed, both taking gawps from their comrades. Zip brushed it off; they’d still all follow orders.

What he said next might’ve been a little more meaningful, “All of you are to get together as teams and reorganize your wagons; you must be able to abandon them, leaving behind as little as possible, at a moment’s notice. Make sure your kits are fully outfitted. I’ll be holding an inspection later… Be ready. It’ll be staggered, so there’s no need to alter the schedule. Those of you on duty, return to it; upon relief, check your kits.”

Any amusement in the audience died pretty quickly, replaced by murmurs.

Zip had already hopped down off the tree stump from which he’d addressed them; noticing they’d not even made a move, he bellowed, “Soldiers! Carry out your orders! SSgt. Petals! Squad leaders! Spcs. Wire and Duster! Pvts. Oil and Sapphire! With me!”

In a trice, everypony moved with purpose. Zip didn’t even notice Jacinta’s look of admiration as he strode past.

Turning to Sgt. Treasure Trove he said, “Prepare to hail division headquarters.”

“Yessir,” the sergeant looked a little apprehensive.

In a moment, the 10 of them were in the clearing, surrounding the crystal ball. Zip himself tapped on it.

A moment later, Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek appeared, “Zip? What is it?! And… Ho-ho! Pvt. Oil… how’s your face?”

Linseed had taken a pretty good kick from the general; Lily wound up giving him six stitches. Zip could see the anger festering behind the normally passive private’s eyes. Thankfully, the general jumped ship quickly.

“And… oh, so many! All your leaders and your ‘staff’… What do you want?”

“Sir…” Zip tried to remain calm; he had to convince the general to at least listen. “We’re all in danger. The weather’s about to change. That storm off the coast? It’s moving. The wind will come off the sea tomorrow and worse will come after. We-”

“This again?! I just told you two hours ago to give that shit a rest, Lieutenant! Why do you keep bringing it up?”

“Sir! Pvts. Linseed Oil and Blood Sapphire know what they’re talking about! I trust their judgement and so should you! Fire! If you think the Centauri Army’s use of fire is out of the question, then… then…”

The general’s eyes were dangerous, “Then what, Lieutenant?”

Zip gulped, “Then you’re-”

“Don’t answer that, kid…” the general lounged. “Quit while you’re ahead.”

“No, sir!” Zip found words coming out of his mouth. “Please listen!”

Looking as if he’d rather pet a shark, Pvt. Blood Sapphire came forward; taking off his sunglasses, dread could be seen in his eyes, “Please, General… we’re sure of this… I’m sure of this. The prairie’s just a tinderbox now. We-”

“We need to follow the plan, Private!” the general shouted; he turned to Zip. “Lieutenant, you little fool… I’m not taking the word of some claustrophobe and some muff-diving necrophile over my scientists!”

Muff-diving…?! I never did that! Linseed mouthed. Silver looking aghast beside him, hearing "more" about her possible coltfriend.

This situation was breaking down quickly; none of Zip’s squad leaders seemed willing to speak.

Other than Amethyst, “General. I know how you feel about all this but please listen to me. I trust these two know what they’re talking about.”

“You’re suggesting we abandon our position on their word alone and move south?” he looked more than amused. “Sgt. Flare! I think you’ve lost it in your old age…”

Zip was surprised to see Amethyst shrink at that; whether it was simply a sore spot or there was something else driving her lessening presence, he didn’t even bother to consider. He was about to say something when Jacinta spoke.

“General… You can’t possibly cast this aside without any consideration. It’s irresponsible! It’s… fucking stupid, is what it is!”

The general’s jaw dropped a fraction of an inch; it wasn’t much, but it was noticeable, “You little…”

But his desire to mock her overrode his desire to give her a verbal lashing; he laughed.

Zip attempted to remedy this, “Sir…”

More laughter.

“Sir.”

The general began to reach for the crystal ball, “That’s enough of this…”

Zip finally blew his stack, “I’m talking to you, motherfucker!”

As if a chain had popped off a gear in some machine, the general clattered to a stop; his eyes slowly revolved towards Zip, full of rage, “What was that…?”

Zip spat on the crystal ball; the wad dribbled down, right in front of the general’s face. Zip’s comrades, already beside themselves, were close to fainting.

“You’re a dead stallion, Zip Screamer!” the general hissed, lowering his gaze. “You-”

“You need to shut the fuck up and listen!” Zip roared. “If you stay there, you’re putting the whole division in danger! You could all die! Pack up! Move south through the forest! And meet us at the pass!”

The general, the murderous look rising with each word, “That’s it… tomorrow… we’re coming for you, Lieutenant… You are now relieved of duty, Zip.”

Zip gave no response to this.

The general continued, addressing the rest of them, “I’d put somepony else in charge, but I don’t trust a one of you. Expect a fresh commander tomorrow at 13:00… when we come for a certain Pegasus. You’re to detain Zip Screamer immediately; clip his wings and guard him. That’s a direct order. He’s a traitor to the army and to Equestria.”

Zip’s friends looked more and more ill by the second, but he only glared at the general.

Concluding his statement, the general grinned viciously, “I’ll be closing the connection in a moment… Zip… since your wings will be clipped, I don’t see any reason to tie them back when we hang you tomorrow… If the former lieutenant isn’t ready to come back with us at 13:00 tomorrow, you’ll all be labeled traitors and you’ll all hang in his place… or alongside him. It doesn’t matter.”

The crystal ball flickered out. All that was left was silence. It was quiet… too quiet.

It was so quiet, that despite the last few minutes of lunacy they’d endured, Trip asked, “Why’s it so quiet?”

Amethyst smiled, in spite of herself, and pointed around them, “Sound-proof bubble. I thought we’d need it…”

Zip sighed audibly, “Oh, shit…”

Looking like ghosts, the rest of them took in the moment.

Jacinta of all ponies spoke up, “So… Can I assume you’ll all keep your mouths shut about this?”

Zip jerked in surprise; he didn’t expect them to tie him up then and there, but he didn’t expect Jacinta to commit treason.

His mouth moved, stammering out, “But… treason… You can’t-”

Amethyst pounded his shoulder, looking at once terrified and resolute, “If you think we’re just gonna let all that happen like he said, you don’t know us very well, sir.”

“But-”

“Shut up, Lieutenant,” Razor hoofed Zip’s other shoulder. “We’re not going to tie you up or clip your wings.”

Zip looked around the little clearing. He could see in their eyes, even his two privates, that they were with him. He didn’t want to or expect it to happen, but he broke down and cried. Trip weaved in and hugged him, leaking tears of her own. The rest were content to sit and watch.

Zip found his words, “Thanks…”

Somepony had to say it; Linseed normally wasn’t unsure, “But sir… what if we’re wrong?”

Zip could’ve said they were positively right, but he refused to do so, “Then you’ll clip my wings, tie me up, and let them take me away.”

Nine faces blanched.

Jacinta couldn’t help herself, “Zip…!”

The significance of her using his name was lost on nopony.

Zip steeled himself, “I’m still in charge. This is an order… if it comes to it… you’ll do what the general tells you. I’ll have none of you die for me. It can’t happen… not that way.”

That was a hard statement to swallow, but they tried.

Sergeant Sweet Clover looked up, “Then… what now?”

Zip gently uncoupled Trip from himself, “You’re to keep quiet about what happened here. Go about your duties.”

“Yessir,” they responded.

“Other than Sgts. Flare and Trove…” Zip continued. “You’re to gather all the crystal balls not in use. Try to hail Canterlot—any channel. Tell them what’s happening. You’re to use my name; you’re not taking any blame for this. If you get through, let me know and I’ll take the ball; I don’t care if I’m sleeping, eating, or taking a shit.”

They nodded. Zip knew Amethyst might come through. Dismissing the rest, he pulled her aside.

“Do whatever you think works… anything and everything. I trust your judgement.”

Her eyes wet, she tried to remain still; she was shaking, “Yes, Lieutenant.”

“Promise me…” he swallowed hard. “Promise me that if this all falls apart, you’ll condemn me… that you’ll see everypony else complies… I can’t simply order this of you… I’m asking… begging… that you’ll do everything in your power to keep them safe… while keeping yourself safe.”

Choking up with eyes streaming, she was unable to give him a verbal answer; she hugged him tightly, weeping bitterly.

Zip realized he’d have to take that as a response. He himself had been crying for a while already and they allowed themselves a moment.

“You didn’t let that bubble down yet, did you?” he marshalled a smile.

She hiccupped, “It’s up…”

“Good. Now clean up our faces right quick. We’ve got work to do.”

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Apologies for the late release. We had a breakdown in the field a few days ago and had to spend a couple days working with a smaller implement than was ideal for the job.

The appendix has been updated with new character designs if you want to have an idea of what a couple of the mare corporals look like.

Zip has, rather rashly, spoken his mind to the major general. The old stallion didn't appreciate it much and is finally out for blood. The next day will suck for everypony, regardless of what happens.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 2: The Princess and the Lieutenant

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 8: Northwest Wind

Despite the threat of dying in less than a day’s time Zip had slept like a baby. He only wished Sgt. Amethyst Flare could’ve been afforded the luxury of sleep, but he needed her to try to reach Canterlot.

The next morning, around 07:00, he found Amethyst desperately trying to contact anypony. Sgt. Treasure Trove was dozing, the two having switched off and on. There was no getting through; despite her best attempts, their signal was being scrambled by the division, apparently. It was beyond her expertise… it was beyond anypony’s expertise; Amethyst knew this, knowing about everypony in the platoon, other than Pvt. Mercury Rise… and even he was no help in such matters.

He ordered her to sleep. She didn’t want to, but she did so anyway. Zip woke up the other sergeant and he continued the work; other than Amethyst, he knew the most about communications.

The morning was eerily calm and a little chillier than usual, the usual being the last month; something was off in the air. Everypony was on pins and needles; most of them still didn’t know why Zip had ordered them to do the things they’d done... or that he'd been marked for death. Nopony enjoyed morning chow; it just tasted like nothing to them.

Zip spent a short amount of time that morning sorting himself out. He and those in on what was possibly happening to him if some ponies came down from division to grab him had agreed to avoid contact; it would just make things harder. It took a little while, but Zip was able to, more or less, make peace with the fact he might hang in front of the entire division—minus his platoon with new management—at 16:30 that very afternoon.

The weather front had appeared on the horizon just before 10:00. As Pvt. Blood Sapphire had predicted, the front rapidly moved over them, not an hour after they first saw it; it divided the sky. The wind picked up abruptly; it took little time to feel the chill coming off the sea some miles to the west.

Zip felt an incredible knot tie up his stomach as the icy blast rustled the bone-dry grass and scrub around them. The pines in the forest patch just north of them began to bend and sway slightly as the breeze caught them… That’s what it was… a breeze: a good healthy breeze… a steady one that would continue for some time.

Pulling a hoofful of grass, Zip noted the wind direction. He checked his compass.

At around 11:00 it became abundantly clear Zip wouldn’t die that day… at least not on the end of a rope. They saw the smoke first.

Zip pulled from his bag a spyglass he’d pinched when they raided the supply stores a final time. Extending it to its full length, he focused his view and peered to the west. Shifting to the north a little, he saw the flame; it wasn’t more than several miles off. He’d been praying to never see it, but there it was.

The centaurs were planning to trap the division with a wall of fire… but those in the path of the wall would cook. They’d waited until the right moment. Their patience with the weather paid off; its change to normalcy was inevitable.

“Oh, shit…” his voice wavered.

Everypony else could see the actual flame now without assistance; the fire grew by the second. In a moment, they’d be able to smell it. Rather than panic, most of them were scared stiff. Zip himself was close to soiling his uniform, but he swallowed the fear and ran for his gear.

Zip barked out orders, “Everypony! Listen carefully. Grab your bags and anything else you can easily carry. Inert demolition equipment—nothing that reacts to heat or fire, dry food, and medicine are priority! Only carry as much water as your kit permits; we can’t afford the extra weight! Everypony wrap your hooves! It’s gonna be hot for them! Hurry!”

The fact they’d packed their saddlebags and equipment so carefully paid off well; they’d prepared to drop the wagons if need be. About all they were leaving behind were a few crates of fruit; and they still crammed what they could into their bags.

Zip pulled Pvt. Linseed Oil to him, “Private… any idea how much time we have?”

He shook his head; he was afraid, but spoke with authority, “I can’t tell with much accuracy, sir, but where we’re standing will ashes in five minutes. The wind will carry the flame south quickly….”

Zip barked out to Pvt. Blood Sapphire, “Can we shelter in place?”

He looked most uneasy; he’d been poking around the landscape, as was his wont, “No, Lieutenant. Until a couple years ago, they were pumping oil out of the ground… all over here. The only reason we’re not seeing the pump towers is they were dismantled to build part of the Sprawl. There’s so much surface oil, the heat of that fire will have the stuff pluming; it’s not just the drought that has the plant life around here looking so sorry. Where we’re standing, the ground’s almost saturated with oil.”

Zip felt his jaw clench; he almost whispered, “We have to run…”

Private Blood Sapphire nodded grimly, “It’s the only way. It’ll take a few moments for the surface oil to catch fire, even with the heat. If we stay ahead of the southern edge as it spreads, we may have a chance.”

Linseed gulped, “Even at a full gallop, outpacing it will be impossible. It’ll catch us within 10 or 15 minutes! The wind’s gonna go wild with the heat! We can probably stay close enough to the front of the fire to avoid any pockets of oil catching, but we won’t possibly be safe until we hit rock!”

Zip hoofed his shoulder, “Then we know what we must do.”

Sitting down with the two privates, they quickly determined the direction of the rocky outcroppings at the edge of the Unicorn Range.

Trotting into full view of his ponies, Zip shouted, “All unicorns, capable of generating a working heat shield, raise hooves and keep them up!”

To Zip’s relief most of the unicorns, only making up a quarter of the platoon, did so. The flames were moments away; the smell had just hit them.

Zip trotted up to Pvt. Blood Sapphire, one of those to raise a hoof, “It’s not safe to stay in place! We have to run! It’s our only chance! No arguments! Everypony divide up and gather around a unicorn that raised a hoof! Squad and team leaders split up as best as possible; we can't put all our eggs in one basket! Every group needs a compass! Run towards 225° like Hell and keep on course! Stay together! At all costs, stay together! Stay close! Keep pace!”

Having gathered around a capable unicorn, the platoon looked to their leader, a mixture of fear and trust in their eyes.

Zip turned to them, “Break into a slow trot on my mark. Once you’ve found pace with one another, run. Run for your lives, because your lives do depend on it! We can’t outrun the fire! Keep your shields up until we hit the mountains! All our lives depend on that! Does everypony understand me?!”

They answered with a resounding, “YESSIR!”

Zip turned forward, “TROT! And then run at will! The fire will be at your backs soon; then it will overtake us! DO NOT PANIC when it does! Stay close under the heat shields! Do not scatter! Unicorns! Activate and maintain your shields now! As expansive as is manageable for you! You’ll be able to concentrate better now and maintain later! Figure it out!”

The unicorns able to do so enveloped their mates in protective bubbles large enough to cover them all and give them enough space to grant a little freedom… and an air supply.

Sticking close to Pvt. Blood Sapphire, who looked frightened out of his wits, Zip tapped his shoulder and he broke into a trot. Everypony else followed suit. It took a moment, but they found a pace.

“1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2!” Zip called out.

Tapping on his private’s shoulder, they increased their pace. And then again. Zip wished to look around… see how the others were holding up, but he had to concentrate on those under his umbrella. He hadn’t even really bothered to see who was there with Pvt. Blood Sapphire and himself; he couldn’t afford to think about it. They had to run. And run they did.

Having broken into a gallop, Zip could hear the roar of the flames as they devoured the dry scrubland. Not minutes later, upon seeing a glow out of the corner of his eye, the fire began to surround them. The ground below them smoldered as they moved over it. Their hooves got hot and some smoke entered the shield, but it held. They began to sweat; the heat was almost unbearable. Zip could hear somepony—he had no idea whom—crying behind him. And he couldn’t blame them; he was close himself.

They literally couldn’t see a thing in front of them other than flame; all they had was a compass to guide them. Zip prayed they not run into any obstacles; he slowed their pace just for that reason. Running into a rock or falling in a divot would be the end of them all.

The hour they spent in the heat shield was the most terrifying ordeal Zip had been through in his life; it would be hard to top it. He’d never thought so strongly he was going to die. But he didn’t die; nopony under the protection of Pvt. Blood Sapphire would die that day.

In the foothills of the edge of the Unicorn Range, they finally emerged from the flames; the rocky outcroppings were as welcome as anything in the world. Their lungs burned due to the heat, the toxic smoke, and the decreased oxygen level in their protective shroud. After a hundred yards of bare ground, Zip slowed down his group.

He breathed to Pvt. Blood Sapphire, “Good work. Drop it.”

With a cough and a gasp, the unicorn let down the shield, and dropped to his haunches, panting. The rest collapsed, wheezing.

Zip looked around. They were the second group to make it out. Other than Pvt. Blood Sapphire, his shield had contained Cpl. Little Song, Spc. Cocoa Butter, and Pvt. Caramel Crunch. They’d lost nopony, it turned out. Their hooves were singed, and they coughed their lungs out, but they were all alive.

They were preceded by Spc. Silver Duster’s group; among that group was SSgt. Jacinta Petals. Zip couldn’t help himself, and he ran to hug his love. Jacinta let out a sob as they connected.

He lost his thoughts a moment as he held her. Silver approached them, looking dazed and teary.

“Everypony with us made it, sir.”

Zip grabbed her and pulled her into the hug, “Us too… Oh, I’m so glad you’re okay.”

Silver sniffled, “Back at you, sir…”

They weren’t the only ponies hugging; most of them did so.

After another 20 seconds, Amethyst showed up. And then Cpl. Lily Hawk, followed by Cpl. Aster Yellows. Sgt. Treasure Trove emerged a moment later, looking worse for the wear, but still among the living. More arrived yet, with Cpl. Stardust Painter coming last. Along with Cpl. Stardust Painter was Linseed; Silver stunned everypony by running up, tackling her friend in an embrace, and kissing him full on the mouth.

Everypony had made it… all 54 of them. They’d stuck together and left nopony behind. Friends reunited, sobbing, carrying on, or just laughing at their “good” fortune. They treated their minor burns and gratefully downed what water they had. The insides of the shields, protected or not, had been hot as the hinges of Hell.

A feeling of elation hit Zip, but it mingled with horror as he looked to the northeast. The scrubby prairie, erupting flames as high as any building in Port City not a moment before, sat smoldering, save the oil deposits at the surface. The spots rich in the stuff weren’t hard to pick out; there were a few flaming spouts visible, but mostly they saw intense concentrations of fire spewing out inky, black smoke. The smell coming off the prairie was difficult to describe.

Private Blood Sapphire was right: if they’d sheltered in place, they would’ve died. There was no safe place north of them.

The pine forest that had separated them from the rest of the division closer to the gorge was another matter entirely. With the wind moving the smoke off the prairie, the forest was easy to see.

The understanding of what they saw was lost on nopony: flames several hundred feet high devoured everything. From east of Port City, to where they knew the gorge to be, the land was consumed in fire. All the material in the forest would keep the fire burning for some time, especially with the wind fanning it. Nighttime would see the fire die down, but that wouldn’t save the division from the centaur army. There was no passing through that deathtrap. And once the winds picked up the next day, the fire would just intensify again.

Zip swallowed hard, keeping himself in check, “Everypony! We can’t rest here. We move into the foothills until we can assess the situation!”

They painfully stood up; sore, exhausted, sick from the smoke, walking on singed hooves, they crossed the rocky outcroppings to reach shelter.

The wind dropped to nothing as evening fell upon them, allowing the smoke to settle. It was dark to begin with, it being 17:00. The smoke obscured everything; the sunset wasn’t visible… The night would be a dark one… there’d be no moon for 3rd Platoon… no stars… They couldn’t even make out the forest fire 20-some miles north of them.

Zip had directed there be no fires. Unicorn horns would light their night and nothing else. In the foothills, they’d have a clear view of the land north of them… once the wind picked up the next day.

They sat, huddled together among the rocks, eating some of the perishable food they’d held onto. Zip had ordered they stay together by teams. Zip himself met with his squad leaders and Jacinta. By Amethyst’s horn, the six of them discussed matters.

None of them voiced it aloud, but all of them thought about whatever unfortunates that had been sent south, through the forest paths, to retrieve Zip; they would’ve been right in the middle of the forest when the fire hit.

They were all feeling pretty down.

“Private Sapphire really saved us today,” Sgt. Sweet Clover murmured to Zip. “I’m glad you trusted him, sir… and I’m glad we trusted you. Seeing that prairie fire behind us… Wow.”

Zip took a bite of an apple; it tasted like ashes in his mouth, though it was unburnt, “Yes… Putting everypony under one shield crossed my mind, but… if one unicorn failed, the whole thing might’ve collapsed. I saw no other way.”

Jacinta patted his shoulder, “You did good, sir… It worked, at least. Thanks to everypony holding together, we did it… at least for the moment…”

There wasn’t much to say about it; if they’d sheltered in place, there would’ve been no saving them. Hundreds and hundreds of square miles of the prairie were reduced to a smoldering mess.

Zip was at a loss for the moment; the bleakness of their situation was difficult to overstate. The rest of the division, if they lived, were trapped north of the forest fire with their backs to the Galloping Gorge. Nopony had been lost prior to that day but that would no longer be the case, certainly.

There’d been no precise measurement of the Centauri army’s numbers… but it was estimated their numbers to be anywhere from 35,000 to 60,000. It beggared the imagination they’d be able to feed an army that size, even on the lesser end of that estimate. Those things could probably eat as much in a day as a squad of ponies might. Any supplies salvageable from the “scorched Earth” demolition of the city would be few and whatever provisions they could capture wouldn’t last long. And they’d only be able to carry so much in their ships.

But one thing they all knew about centaurs—one of the most chilling facts—was those big monkey carcasses, stuck where a horse’s head should be, were omnivorous. The division might suffer a fate worse than just death. The six platoon leaders tried to shut out the thought.

To cast aside such thoughts, Zip moved on, “Still no luck reaching on the crystal balls… Canterlot?”

They all shook their heads; they’d been trying to reach anypony for hours, as they had been since the day before.

Sergeant Treasure Trove said, “The network’s still scrambled against our favor. Based on the amount of interference… how busy it seems to be… there must still be some ponies alive up north. But we can’t get through… I’ve set it up for us to keep trying every 10 minutes… We’re coding the message so only a unicorn’s magic can unlock it.”

“Good… Just keep at it. I’m sure we’ll get through to somepony, one way or another. Let me know when that happens,” Zip answered.

“Yessir.”

“Anything else?” Zip figured there wasn’t a whole lot else to say.

Sergeant Sweet Clover stated, “Morale’s middling… I think everypony’s just shocked. No way to tell how they’ll react to this for a couple days.”

“We might not have a couple days. We’ve given no thought to where things go from here,” Zip uttered. “The Centauri Army might not even wait to finish off the division before moving south; a fraction of their numbers could do them in.”

Zip hated saying this, but it was far from untrue. As soon as the fried prairie was cool enough for travel, they could expect the centaurs to march.

Sergeant Razor Wire piped up, “There’s something else. Along with the wind, Pvts. Oil and Sapphire ‘feel’ the storm coming on. It’s a big one… really big. We should talk to them later…”

“Lovely…” Zip murmured; he knew they were in for a little moisture, but a dump wasn’t any better than the brief drought. “And we’re exposed…”

“They figure it might start raining tomorrow… There are caves nearby; we can search for them tomorrow when we can see in the morning.”

Amethyst looked up, “The weather might be on our side, then… the Centauri Army can’t very well move across the prairie if it’s waterlogged. The lack of vegetation… it’ll be a mud bowl. Might give us some time.”

Zip knew she was right, and it brought slight relief, “Okay… until tomorrow or we can figure things out or reach somepony on the crystal balls, about all we can do is sit. Sergeants: keep your teams together. Razor… once we’re done here, I want you to assign your squad watch duty. I trust you on this… stay close and use your judgement. We can’t see much, but we need to stay sharp.”

Razor nodded, “Will do, Lieutenant.”

Zip was leading this outfit, but he was more than ready to sit back and listen to somepony that knew better. What’s more, he thought it was time to lay all their cards on the table. There were a few things to reveal, and he saw no point in holding them back anymore.

He let them know, “This is uncharted territory for me, everypony. Nothing in my life’s prepared me for such a thing. But together, I think we can be better prepared for whatever happens. I have no idea what’s waiting for us… I need all of you… Don’t hesitate to say anything… Let your ponies know the same. We need to lead them, but we can’t put aside anypony’s experience. As most of you have figured out by now… our little ‘dumping ground’ of a platoon has seen some interesting talent fall in; we have quite the assortment to work with. Listen to them.”

All of them understood this well; it showed in their faces.

Zip felt reassured; it was time to drop a few bombs, “Amethyst… I think it’s time everypony knew.”

Giving him a somber look in the dark, she closed her eyes and nodded, “I agree.”

Jacinta perked up, “What’s going on?”

Everypony waited for Amethyst’s words. Zip and Amethyst had almost agreed on something else but decided to wait to reveal Pvt. Mercury Rise’s secret… at least until the initial shock of Amethyst’s secret wore off.

Looking uncomfortable, Amethyst exhaled, “This may come as a shock, but I’m not just some mare from Canterlot with a few psychic powers… I was… a warrant officer with Equestrian Intelligence… Level 4.”

Jacinta’s and the other three squad leaders’ jaws dropped.

Zip knew there was plenty else to share, but it was a start; he knew he’d be addressing his platoon as a whole the next day… to tell them what he was able… what they knew… and what was possibly going to happen to them all.

Zip walked among his platoon that night; he had little to say to them and merely tried to give them reassuring nods. Many eyes reflected dread. Things were bad… and the next day would only lead them further into the unknown. Still unable to get through to anypony by crystal ball, things appeared dark for them all.

The young lieutenant was afraid. He was afraid he’d let down his platoon… afraid he didn’t have what it took to see them through whatever lay ahead… afraid nopony on Earth would be able to do either of the previous things. But he still had something going for him. It was something nopony could hoof over to him, like a rank or some trinket telling the world of his valor or an outfit of soldiers; it was something he’d gained for himself over the last months… and gained markedly in the last day. It was something so very few could ever hope to achieve, and he’d done it by just being himself.

It didn’t occur to Zip until much later in life but escaping the fire would’ve been a very easy thing for him. He often forgot about the wings on his back, spending most of his time on the ground with his beloved, flightless platoon. But nopony else forgot he could fly. It shamed them to admit it, but some of them gave into hopelessness, seeing the flames rise; they were sure Zip would F.O. and leave them to die. He could have just flown away… many would have if the power of flight was theirs.

Zip had given no thought whatsoever to taking off when faced with that terrifying situation.

His platoon had already been with him just about all the way… but seeing Zip not only keep them from despair… but braving that scorching desolation alongside them without a second thought… and seeing them all alive through it… it would be safe to say they’d all of them live, die, fight, kill, turn the world upside down, and even journey through Hell for their lieutenant.

They’d wind up doing plenty of all those things before the end.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

The shit has hit the fan in ways never dreamed up by the little ponies of 3rd Platoon. After escaping Hell on Earth, 54 ponies are holed up, overlooking the only feasible path into the continent's center. With an unclear future ahead of them, the coming days will be a thing long remembered.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 3: The Forlorn

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 1: First-Name Basis

For the first time in five weeks 3rd Platoon saw frost in the morning. The cool damp was increasing. The prairie, north of the foothills in which they’d spent the night, stirred as the morning sun, coming up late in the season, began to warm up the land. The haze, thick as the smoke off a greenwood fire, began to blow off. The ponies had already been awake for a while, up at first light.

“Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?”

Zip stood at the mouth of a network of caves in which his platoon had taken up; he listened to Sgt. Treasure Trove repeat the message, as the sergeant had been attempting much of the night, still taking turns with Sgt. Amethyst Flare. Neither had any luck and had been reluctant to attempt any communication with what might’ve been left of the division. Coded as the transmission was there was still no need to possibly alert the Centauri Army that 54 ponies were alive, opposed to whatever the fuck happened to the rest of the division…

The crystal balls in use encountered wavering, increasingly weak interference and the two unicorns attempting to reach their capitol city could only conclude whatever Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek had ordered to block any signal from 3rd Platoon was finally beginning to fail. The two had spent hours trying to crack the obstruction but had failed to figure it out. But the magic was waning by the moment; it only indicated—if the spells had been enduring rather than actively and consciously maintained—the ponies that concocted the magic thwarting them were probably dying and taking their enchantments along with them.

If Amethyst knew what was going on up at the Galloping Gorge she kept it to herself. Perhaps she was closing off her mind to such things. Regardless it would be a matter of time before something got through.

Zip considered the lands north of them; the haze had begun to blow off and he could just make out the flames some 20 miles north of their current position. Facing east and inland they were unable to see much to the west, but they could hear the thunder building. There was one Helluva storm brewing just on the other side of the mountains as it came off the sea.

The prairie north of them was still smoldering slightly. Pvts. Linseed Oil and Blood Sapphire predicted the rain would raise a steamy haze for a time, but the rain would be enough to pelt it back down and drown out the fire. The prairie would be a mud bowl by the end of the day and neither soldier was certain just how long the storm might last but a week wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Having started cave-hunting as soon as they could see their own hooves in front of their faces, they set about finding something appropriate. The first of their concerns were the inevitable mudslides. A month of unnatural dryness followed by a deluge of precipitation would cause all sorts of mayhem uphill. Away from any channels or chimney-like features they would be safe from mudslides and fire to boot if fire somehow made its way into the lower mountains.

The second concern was a good vantage-point. They’d found one and they had a decent view up north. They were still looking for small outposts to supplement this.

The third concern was staying hidden. Patches of shrubbery littered the lower elevations of the mountains and their caves were concealed well. It would additionally be difficult to recognize ponies had been running for their lives through that damnable fire and would be nearly impossible to do so once the rain turned the land to muck. It was unlikely anypony or anything else knew 54 ponies were skulking in the foothills of the Unicorn Range and the only ones that needed to know—at least for the moment—were the leaders in Canterlot.

The young lieutenant wasn’t sure what to do yet. There were several tens-of-thousands of Centaurs a pleasant day’s walk north of them. What the Hell was he supposed to do? He’d sure never learned much about this as an officer candidate.

His mind was clouded thinking of his company mates, whether he’d liked them or not. He pictured the hapless Lt. Treehorn… and tried hard not to. Cpt. Cross, whom he'd grown to very much admire, was up there too...

“Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?” Amethyst had taken over again.

Feeling a few raindrops, Zip retreated into the caves; they’d be seeing no Centauri Army for a while if the rain was as heavy as anticipated.

Zip heard the thunder booming as the noise of the rain increased. He tapped on Amethyst’s shoulder; she looked up with a defeated expression, seated before a crystal ball.

“Still no dice, Lieutenant…” her strange eyes betrayed exhaustion.

He kneaded her shoulder, “Come get some breakfast, Amethyst… Orders.”

Neither appearing pleased or displeased with this she got to her hooves with some effort; the two walked by the glow of her horn.

“I don’t like rainstorms, sir… a few old aches and pains come out to tease me when the pressure changes…” she sighed. “It’s worse when it gets cold.”

Whether she was really feeling it, alluding to her age, or something else, Zip answered cryptically, “I think it’s affecting us all, Amethyst. When’s the last time we had decent beds to sleep on?”

“Me? More recently than you, sir,” Amethyst smiled. “I stayed at the Willow Arms Hotel near the docks for five days when I was observing the navy landing.”

It was one of the few buildings the division hadn’t wired to go boom.

“That nice place with the feather beds?” Zip was a little envious.

Smirking, the "cougar" giggled, “Surely… When I’m out on assignment I can do pretty much anything I want. It was lovely… Sure the outside water had been turned off, but a little magic makes for a nice, hot bath when there’s still some in the building.”

“I take it you had a less pleasant place to stay after that…” Zip remembered her arriving a couple days earlier; she looked almost as sorry as the night she’d been drilling out in the bay.

Amethyst took on a sour look, “For the second part of the week I was living in the sewer… It was easier to get around… It protected me from the pyrotechnics up top as well. It was… pretty disgusting.”

Zip laughed, “I guess we didn’t have it so bad, out there on the prairie.”

She sighed, “Oh, don’t even joke about it. The shit’s really hit the fan, Lieutenant…”

Regretting his callousness, Zip shut up. He noticed their shadows dancing on the walls of the cave as they paddled along.

Amethyst mused, “Their faces, last night, sir… when I told them?”

“I think they were rather surprised, Amethyst,” Zip exhaled. “What of it?”

She was stung a little by his question, “I’m… I… was afraid Jacinta would turn her back on me when she found out…”

This surprised Zip some. Regarding the squad leader it was obvious she was really wound up on the matter. The sadness mixed with relief in her voice was further evident.

Zip didn’t want her dwelling on it anymore than necessary; he knew his staff sergeant didn't think less of Amethyst, “Don’t think that way; you’re not a monster, Amethyst… You’re the sergeant of 1st Squad first and foremost.”

She nodded weakly, not entirely convinced, “Jacinta may be… a little naïve but she knows what a warrant officer in that position does. I spent so many years-”

Zip decided he’d had enough, “Cut it out… You’re tired…”

The giggle she let escape was unexpected, “I remember… weeks back… you told me about the same thing when I was getting down on myself.”

Doink! Zip had long tried to put that night out of mind. That night, of course, was when Amethyst let the words “I love you, Lieutenant” slip as she fell asleep on the sofa he ordered she rest on. Unsure of whether she remembered it or became aware of it later or what it even meant, much of her manner still a mystery to him, it often preoccupied his thinking.

It didn’t help matters that the 38-year-old vision of a mare was smiling… and blushing. It seemed most inappropriate to Zip she could have such mirthfulness given more than 2,000 ponies were dead or dying north of them. But she was very different from him.

He settled on acknowledging her, “Yes, Amethyst… I remember it very well…”

“I guess I never told you, sir, but I do really have a little brother…” she said coyly.

“Ju- Oh- What?!” Zip blathered.

She also remembered that part of her sleepy admission… and what followed… maybe… Or she’d been playing around in his mind. Perhaps she’d been pulling the wool over his eyes the whole time, fully recalling what she’d said that night. Whatever way, he was stunned.

Giggling in the girlish way she did she quickly stripped away from him and hurried to the makeshift kitchen.

Zip had to stop a moment. Mares were terrifying…

A few unicorns had slapped together some oatmeal; it wasn’t too exciting, but it was hot, and they had fruit to go with it. Zip had Jacinta and 2nd Squad out on the hills watching the north so he arranged chow be sent out to them. Having assessed their food supply, they had about three weeks’ rations for the platoon… if they ate meagerly. Zip tried to put this out of his mind for the moment… among about a hundred other things; there wasn’t much point worrying until they made contact with somepony.

Zip thought of Amethyst’s secret. It was at least still a secret to those outside of leadership positions. Upon discussing the matter, it was decided they’d just announce it later when it came time to “lay all the cards on the table” on the platoon level. Plenty of others had secrets to boot and Zip knew they’d be learning much more soon; they just needed to wait.

Sitting down painfully across from Sgt. Razor Wire and his sister, Spc. Trip Wire, Zip sighed, “Holding up okay, Razor?”

Razor nodded; he was doing remarkably well given everything, “Yessir… 3rd Squad’s still in shock but morale’s okay… I think everypony’s still pretty shaken up, but a good night’s sleep helped. Sounds like the rain finally started.”

Zip could hear it pouring outside their cozy enough cave; Amethyst sat down beside him and said, “Yeah… And what a storm it’s turning out to be. Pvt. Oil thinks it might last a week…!”

Unsurprised everypony had begun to take higher stock in Linseed and Blood’s inklings on the weather, Trip poked at her breakfast, “Blood thinks this shit could wash the railroad tracks away.”

Noting the little specialist’s morose demeanor Zip briefly thought about the now defunct battle plan, that would’ve had them following the tracks all the way to Canterlot as they kept ahead of the Centauri Army. Still, it was pretty far from his mind and he only wondered what they’d find out if and when they were able to get a signal out.

With mid-morning upon them, Jacinta and 2nd Squad came in to warm up. They were most thankful to have ponchos, but the rain still chilled to the bone. Zip wanted to be happy to see his staff sergeant/sweetheart but the last 24-hours had really sucked some of the joy out of living.

Jacinta tiredly hung her poncho over a rock to dry, “No activity evident to the north; we lost sight of the greater prairie when the steam started coming up… Other than that, we found some sheltered cave networks further up behind some pine stands… should keep the rain off and there’s nothing but solid rock above it.”

She sounded tired and the rest looked it; they’d been out since relieving 2nd Squad at 02:00.

Zip nodded to them, “Sounds good… should be safe from whatever the mountains throw our way. It’ll be a while before noontime chow… and it won’t be much anyway. We have biscuits and fruit if you’d like to eat now. Either way you should all get some sleep. 1st Squad goes out next; discuss the location of the caves and we can set up a new vantage-point.”

Nopony had any argument but matters took a fast turn.

As if hit with a jolt, Amethyst startled; her face dawned some horrified realization.

Jacinta looked over, “Amethyst?!”

“…” Amethyst’s eyes cast down and they could see her jaw moving silently.

Specialist Silver Duster hoofed Amethyst’s shoulder, looking scared, “Sarge…?”

Zip knew something was very wrong; he was about to say something when she got to her hooves.

Amethyst stood wracked; she turned her gaze to Zip, “Sir… Cpt. Cross is making contact… He wants to talk to you.”

The little nook in the cave gave a collective gasp.

Zip’s eyes darted around, “Somepony get me a crystal ball!”

“You won’t need one, sir; he’s coming through telepathically. I can perceive him…”

“He can use telepathy?!” Zip was surprised.

Amethyst nodded, her face hard to read, “He’s not just a run-of-the-mill unicorn, Lieutenant…”

“…” Zip knew this.

“And they likely destroyed all their crystal balls, sir, ‘they’ being the division… so there’d be no chance of the enemy capturing one,” Amethyst stated.

“Then how do I talk with him?”

Amethyst then looked quite ill as she sat down, “Just put your hoof on my back, sir… you’ll be able to speak with him.”

Zip did just that; he closed his eyes and thought hard. Rather than speaking aloud, he did think.

‘Doc! Doc! It’s Lt. Screamer! Can you hear me?!’ Zip transferred his anguished question through his sergeant.

After a few seconds Zip was rewarded with a familiar voice.

‘I can hear you… I can’t believe you’re alive, Lieutenant,’ Zip “heard” Cpt. Cross’s voice. ‘Your platoon made it?’

A sick feeling, somewhere between hope and despair flared up within the young officer; the captain sounded weak, ‘We were able to run south under heat shields… It only just saved us… All 54 of us are alive and well.’

Zip felt Amethyst begin to quiver uncomfortably as Cpt. Cross went on.

‘I’ve been calling out for hours… I had no hope you made it out of that Hell they set upon the land; I wasn’t even sure why I was trying. It’s a shock anypony survived that fire. You got lucky, it that’s the right word for it… I’m sure it beats the Hell out of our situation up here. Just a few minutes now…’

Zip became alarmed when Amethyst began to shake, quietly heaving out sobs only he was close enough to notice. It was clear to Zip the sergeant could “see” what was going on, so far away from their cave.

‘Captain… what’s going on?!’ Zip closed his eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of what Amethyst was experiencing.

‘Stop struggling to see; Amethyst is trying very hard not to…You don’t want to know, Zip… Just know there’s nothing you can do so don’t even think about trying to come up here… not that you’re that foolish to begin with. There aren’t too many ponies left…’

Zip’s guts clinched up, ‘I see…’

‘Any luck reaching Canterlot?’ the captain’s voice came.

‘No, sir… We’ve been trying for two days… whatever the general had enacted-’

‘Just keep trying, Zip… it won’t be long, now. I’m sure you’ve surmised it was an enduring spell they used. If a pony’s alive or unless they choose to deactivate the spell it goes on. By noon chow-time… you’ll be able to talk to the princess herself, I imagine.’

Stricken by the statement and further discomfited from Amethyst’s worsening state, Zip swallowed, ‘Sir?’

‘I wish there was something I could tell you, Zip… we’re done for up here. When you get through to Canterlot… let them know we tried. A lot of mistakes were made… and a lot of good advice was thrown aside… but let them know we tried…’

‘Doc!’ Zip’s eyes welled up; he screwed them more tightly shut and felt them leak.

‘Do what you can, Lt. Zip Screamer. I don’t know what you can do but try… It’s my turn… and I don’t want you or Amethyst to go through this…’

‘Cpt. Cross…!’

‘Goodbye, Zip… Amethyst…’

Immediately, Zip felt the connection break and it wasn’t that the captain had signed off. Cpt. Cross had been silenced; the lieutenant knew this in his heart. Zip opened his eyes, feeling the tears fall down his cheeks as his stomach threatened revolt. Amethyst couldn’t stop the gasping sob she let out upon the severing of the connection.

Jacinta approached Amethyst, “Amethyst…”

Zip had forgotten anypony other than Amethyst was with him, he'd been so lost in his communication; looking to his beautiful squad leader, she rounded on Jacinta. He’d never seen such pain in her expression.

Stifling a sob, Amethyst tore past Jacinta and out of the room, “Move!”

Ponies, looking scared and confused, parted like a wedge ran through them as Amethyst made her way out. Jacinta and Silver rushed after her, but Zip grabbed them. They looked to him and found him tight-faced.

“Let her go…” he choked out to their tearful faces.

Ordering his platoon to stay put and see that the lookouts got fed, he went after Amethyst a few minutes later, leaving them perplexed and frightened with little explanation.

He found her, back with a crystal ball, trying to get through, “Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?”

“…” was all the crystal ball gave her.

Zip watched her a moment; whether she knew he was there or not she didn’t give any sign.

“Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?” she continued.

He couldn’t listen to her tear-choked voice any longer, in her fruitless attempt, “Don’t do this to yourself, Amethyst… You… heard what he said… This can wait.”

“Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?” she strained out.

Zip grimaced as he strode up to her; throwing a cloth over the ball, she’d no longer be able to try. She did stop trying but only huddled down, silently weeping.

Zip sat down beside her and Amethyst pulled into herself, hunching her shoulders and burying her face in the crooks of her front legs. He put a hoof over her back and pressed his forehead into hers.

Her voice came out in little more than a whisper, “Cpt. Cross is dead, sir… My… friend…!”

Zip’s jaw clenched, and he managed to hold back the sob threatening to escape his lips. Steeling himself, he hugged Amethyst… and he could feel the grief pouring from her.

They remained this way a moment before Amethyst spoke again. Zip didn’t want to hear what was going on up at the Galloping Gorge, but he wouldn’t stand for Amethyst to suffer in silence. Whether she detected his openness to her anguish or not she told him what had transpired.

“It… didn’t take the centaur forces long to corner the division… Maj. Gen. Creek and his advisors panicked… and they tried to surrender. They were the first to die… They were… blasted to ash… that’s all.”

She spoke tonelessly but her sorrow was plainly felt; he hung his head and forced himself to listen.

“A lot of them fought… but the rest lost it and tried to run. The fire… the centaurs… claimed the ones that ran. Only a couple hundred were captured when they were too tired to fight anymore. The centaurs tortured them… but our division had nothing to tell them; our commanders were already dead and… they knew nothing in the first place…”

Her dulled voice picked up in emotion, “One after another, the centaurs threw them into the gorge… They snapped the unicorns’ horns… broke Pegasus wings… and just threw the Earth ponies. That’s what cut off Cpt. Cross… his horn…”

Zip felt fresh tears squeeze from his eyes as she quaked, racked with sobs; all he felt was helplessness, embracing his friend.

“I could feel them, Lieutenant! One pony after another… screaming in terror… and then nothing.”

“…”

“They’re all gone, Lieutenant…”

All he could do was nod stiffly; the faces of Lt. Treehorn, Cpt. Jalapeño Jelly, and many others moved across his vision for the umpteenth time that day.

She buried her face in his chest, “What are we gonna do, Zip?!”

Zip wished he had an answer… but he had nothing much to say… and he let her go. But he stood up, gulped, and felt a great slab of fear and confusion run over the lump in his throat.

He knew what he had to do… or at least where to start.

Sniffling hard, trying to dry out his airway, he spoke with a new confidence, “Amethyst… take a moment to compose yourself… and go to your squad and the rest. Don’t tell them what’s happened up at the gorge. Them knowing now won’t help anypony for the moment. Tell them… Tell them to wait. That’s all… ‘to wait’. Then come back here… and set a guard at the entrance to the chamber.”

Taken aback by the sureness Zip exuded, Amethyst sniffled deeply herself, and stood, “Yessir…”

Without another word she left the room.

Hating the fact he was hiding anything from his platoon at this point, Zip knew it was the best option for the time being. Amethyst was back alongside him and the two sat before the crystal ball. Pvt. Mercury Rise guarded the entrance dutifully.

“Okay, Amethyst…” Zip uttered. “Put it up.”

For the second time that week she put up a soundproof bubble. Zip leaned forward and tapped on the crystal ball.

Knowing Amethyst was scrambling the signal for unicorn magic, Zip called out, “Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?”

“…Ah…Irr…” came out of the ball a few seconds later; it was the most they’d heard since the last time they’d spoken with their doomed general.

With conviction, Zip called out, “Canterlot… this is Port City… Canterlot… this is Port City… Is anypony receiving?”

It came garbled, “This- … -lot!”

“Focus, Amethyst!” Zip prodded her.

She concentrated, and the signal came clearer; a unicorn stallion appeared within the ball.

“Canterlot receiving! Canterlot receiving! Port City, do you read?”

Zip sighed and felt the smallest amount of relief, “This is Port City… We read you.”

“What’s going on up there?!” the unicorn’s voice wavered. “We haven’t been able to get a transmission through since last night!”

Zip wasn’t even sure where to start; it turns out he didn’t have to.

Amethyst cut in, “Canterlot! This is Special Agent Peridot Shadow! Prepare to receive code!”

Special Agent?! Zip’s jaw dropped a fraction.

Zip could hear the pony on the other end fumbling, “Yes, ma’am! Receiving!”

Speaking very exactly, Amethyst railed off, “Four, seven, 14, ‘U’, 23, ‘B’, zero, zero, ‘R’.”

“Yes, ma’am! Confirmation?”

Amethyst stared into the ball; Zip saw a pain cross her face, “…Rhododendron.”

“Conveying…”

Zip felt his throat tighten up at that… her daughter…

A loud buzz and snap from within the crystal ball pulled Zip from his seconds-long mulling.

Zip was astonished to see the pony that not only appeared but projected from within the orb.

“Amethyst… I cannot believe you’re still alive,” the alicorn uttered, her face shocked.

Zip had only seen Princess Celestia a couple times in his life; now he got to meet her.

Amethyst stifled a cry, “Yes, Celestia… my whole platoon made it… thanks to-”

“Lt. Zip Screamer…” Celestia appeared to move towards him. “I’ve heard many things about you, Zip…”

Zip was flummoxed; he was unsure whether Amethyst being on first-name terms with the princess or the princess recognizing him was more unbelievable, “I, uh…”

“Many good things,” the very faintest trace of a smile could be seen on the princess’s lips. “You are truly a wondrous fellow.”

Amethyst’s cheeks showed the very faintest trace of a blush as she addressed the princess again, “Yes, Celestia… and as of this morning… he’s the acting commander of the 2nd Division of the ‘Clementine’ Corps of the 4th Equestrian Army.”

She’d choked out the last couple words. Celestia looked grim. Zip’s heart rose to his throat.

Celestia hung her head, “So… it’s over.”

“Yes,” Amethyst eked out; she’d been unable to just say outright they’d all been killed. “The division is gone… Former Special Agent in Charge Jolly… Cpt. Cross… is gone.”

“Yes…” Celestia’s eyes watered. “He was my friend as well as yours… and a most faithful student of mine, once upon a time.”

“We need to explain the situation to you… call in your war council,” Amethyst stated.

Within moments a small contingency of ponies, including Gen. Fiddler Dream, the commander of the 4th Army, whom Zip had met already via crystal ball. Three of the five Equestrian Army generals were there as well as the head of the air force. The remaining army generals, the two admirals of the Equestrian Navy, and the general of the Equestrian Marines joined them via crystal ball. Celestia’s advisors stood alongside her.

All eyes were on Amethyst.

“We…” was all she could get out; she was spent and couldn’t say more.

Zip put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. Looking to his eyes, she was reassured. Zip would handle this.

Trying to keep the emotion out of his voice, he addressed the highest echelon of Equestria, “My name is Zip Screamer. I’m the commanding lieutenant of the 3rd Platoon of A Company within the ‘Wild Rice’ Battalion… of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division… ‘Clementine’ Corps, 4th Equestrian Army…”

As everything leading up to the collapse of the retreat had gone swimmingly (other than Linseed getting beaten up and the platoon getting sent away, the blessing in disguise that turned out to be), he started from the beginning of the things going to Hell on them.

It was difficult to explain the callous nature Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek had toward their concerns and it shocked the leadership. Despite the pleas regarding the division, the topography, and the impending weather, 3rd Platoon had been outcast to observe the southern pass. Zip had trouble keeping the hurt out of his voice when describing his last contact with the major general.

Even more daunting for him was telling of their ordeal in the flame, never being so sure he and his ponies would all perish. And then the gut-wrenching contact made with Cpt. Cross before his horn was snapped and he was thrown to his death, right alongside the other ponies captured. They’d never truly know all that had transpired up there.

But most upsetting of all was the interference that disallowed 3rd Platoon to send or relay any communication until death of the casters relieved them. Maj. Gen. Rocky Creek was so set on seeing Zip die that he unwittingly contributed to the condemnation of many to a horrible fate. His actions had slit the very throat of what they’d meant to accomplish with that and many other actions at his word.

The hard truth was that 3rd Platoon was currently the only thing in between the Centauri Army and the road to Canterlot. And the situation in Canterlot hadn’t changed much: they still needed up to two months to set up the defenses they were already working on. And any support to the northwest… was difficult to commit; without adequate forces on the ground the air force would be unable to get close… and the weather soon overtaking the northwestern corner of the continent likely precluded any air operations to begin with.

Celestia stood at the end of the brief dialog before turning her gaze to the two ponies on the other side of the crystal ball, “Leaders of Equestria… we must discuss this matter at once. Lt. Screamer… Zip… Amethyst… I… wish I could tell you more. But we need to convene; we’ll be in contact again soon.”

Zip couldn’t help himself; the sureness he’d felt only moments before went poof, “But, Princess! What do I do?!”

She looked at him, at such a loss; her voice shook, considering his terrified expression, “I don’t know, Zip.”

Hearing this was about as welcome as a hot poker up the ass; Hell, that would be preferable.

Zip hung his head, feeling defeated.

There was something the princess could say, “Have faith in your ponies, Zip. And have faith in yourself. We must go.”

The crystal ball’s glow died, and Zip watched the lights leave it.

Never had he felt so small.

After a moment he and Amethyst managed to stand and left the cavern.

“I know how upset you still are about Cpt. Basket Weaver and the implements over food situation, sir… I am too. But it was probably for the best you didn’t bring it up. It’s something the princess wouldn’t know about anyway.”

Zip found this hard to believe but was now glad he'd declined on sharing that piece of information, “No?”

“Equestria’s a big place, Lieutenant. She’s not just some figurehead—she’s our princess—but there’s a lot she doesn’t know about because… she doesn’t need to know. If she knew about half of the things I did… things right under her nose… there’s no way she’d call me ‘friend’. Still, in the end, the truth will out… if we all live to see it.”

To Zip’s reluctance, he was once again under a soundproof bubble with Amethyst, off in a corner of the cave. He’d managed to get his wits about him, but he was still scared nearly senseless. Unable to stomach much at chowtime, he’d been wondering how to break some of the crap to his platoon.

“So… You’re on first-name terms with Princess Celestia…” Zip couldn’t think of much else to say.

She twiddled her hooves, “Yes… I… served as a personal bodyguard for her when I was younger… I never made it into her school though. Other than my psychic abilities I was never that good with practical magic when I was young. It was only when I… let go and surrendered myself into becoming… well, a weapon, that I gained a decent grasp. Cross, though… he was good in theory, practice, and he gained a reasonable control over his own psychic powers when he was a foal.”

Zip knew Cpt. Cross was impressive, but this was news, “He was quite a stallion, Amethyst.”

She sniffled, though showing a proud little smile, “Well, they don’t just make anypony the SAIC of Canterlot Intelligence. Had he continued his work… he might’ve made director of Equestrian Central Intelligence… but he didn’t want it. When he quit intel… I told him he was stupid… that his talents were wasted in medicine.”

She smirked a little at that, a dreamy look in her eyes.

Zip just considered her, “…”

“You know what he told me, Lieutenant?”

Her smile was infectious; he couldn’t suppress his own grin, “What?”

“He told me my ‘mare-ness’ was wasted in army intel,” she sighed.

Zip was stunned further, “Amethyst… Did you…? Did he…?”

Amethyst let out a groan, “He… had a thing for me, sir… And he did try to get to know me a little better, if you catch my drift. This was a couple years after I lost my third husband. Maybe if I hadn’t had my head so far up my ass I could’ve given it a chance. We’d been friends for years and we stayed friends, but I never let it get any further.”

“Wow…” Zip murmured.

“Yes, we never know where life might take us… where it could’ve taken us, once upon a time. I can’t say I regret turning him down, but I do envy youth, Lieutenant. Don’t waste it…”

He nodded, in continual awe with her ability to cut him down to size and have him feel like some little colt. Still, he stood.

“I think I know what I want to say to the platoon, now…”

Amethyst nodded, “Yes… You may as well tell them what they need to know. Celestia will want to address us as a whole anyway; best to be on the same page.”

As Amethyst dropped the soundproof bubble, Zip strode out with purpose, “C’mon, Sergeant.”

“Yessir!” she responded, quickly drying her eyes and following him.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Learning of the awful fate of the division Zip must now communicate this to his beloved platoon. As the storm washes away any evidence of their escape to the south, Princess Celestia and the leaders of Equestria convene to determine what to do next.

Apologies for the lack of updates in the last few weeks. I had a lot to catch up on after my canoe trip and still have a few things to finish.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 4: Selective Disclosure

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 2: The Princess and the Lieutenant

Zip had asked his soldiers for some time alone. He tried to quiet his mind, awash with so many thoughts as he watched the shadows dancing on the walls, cast by firelight in his quiet corner of the cave network.

He’d done it. He’d told his platoon, with Princess Celestia and her commanders and Amethyst assisting—or maybe he was assisting them—their situation.

Zip had difficulty acknowledging to his ponies what their general had done. The fool had cast aside advice better considered and what was likely the worst-case scenario had befallen them. And he’d disabled their means of communication, which violated numerous statutes. He’d likely never expected the centaurs to reach the pass or even move far without the division knowing; he’d just sent Zip there as a punishment more than anything and his platoon had to go along for the ride.

But it had to be said. The division was gone, slaughtered by the centaurs. Equestria’s commanders were as shocked as they were sickened by Gen. Rocky Creek’s actions.

There were tens of thousands of centaurs a day’s leisurely walk north of them. Their group of 54 ponies was the only military force standing between the Centauri forces and an easy road to Canterlot.

Canterlot was scrambling—they still didn’t have much of a plan—to figure out their next move. The only thing going for them was the terrific storm Zip’s platoon had roaring outside would keep the land impassable to the centaurs for at least 10 days, maybe even two weeks, allowing them to figure out something. A near-certain week of rain and a probable week of impassable muck had bought them some time and they needed it badly.

The centaurs would deplete their own supplies for that time just from being… but so would Zip’s platoon also deplete their supplies. And Zip’s platoon had three weeks’ rations on hoof.

There were many questions to consider… Would Canterlot abandon the plan to stall the Centauri forces? Would it still be necessary to buy the capitol—one way or another—two months (two fucking months!) of time to ready their defenses? Granted, this had been potentially reduced to just over a month-and-a-half of stalling, given the Centauri forces would be stuck where they were a couple weeks. Would they utilize the air force now while there was still time to use it?

The biggest question on everypony’s mind that nopony was bringing up was what would become of the platoon hiding in the foothills of the Unicorn Range—at least besides those 54 ponies, themselves. It was overwhelming, yes, with everything else, but the little platoon knew well enough things were bleak.

It had been slightly disconcerting for Zip, seeing how easily many of his ponies accepted Amethyst for what she was: an erstwhile nightmare to all enemies of Equestria, foreign and domestic. And she was still as such.

The fourth level warrant officer… Nopony misunderstood the clout of a pony in such a position. Despite most knowing Amethyst wasn’t some run-of-the-mill unicorn they’d never imagined such a dangerous mare drank and played and worked alongside them.

But Zip had to think again on the matter. Many ponies in his platoon—in fact, about half of them—were pretty special themselves. It was true what Cpt. Basket Weaver had said… what others had said: the army sent more than rejects to Port City; they sent the best and brightest, the ones they didn’t know what to do with but were unwilling to discard. Zip would need a couple dozen hooves to count the notably talented ponies he had under him; it was hard with only four of his own. And they knew they were special—he didn’t need to tell them that, though he did; it helped along their acceptance of the whole situation.

That said, the situation was lost on not a one of them and it could not be overstated things were bleak; they were all of them numb with a myriad of feelings, trying to wrap their minds around the situation.

One thing he was keeping close to the chest—Amethyst being the only other one in the know—was why Cpt. Weaver had apparently “gone crazy”. Zip wasn’t sure how to communicate this to the other 52 ponies that didn’t know, and Amethyst was at an even greater loss than he was. They decided—at least for the time being—if they didn’t need to know or wouldn’t benefit from knowing… then they didn’t need to know.

They’d also agreed to not mention Pvt. Mercury Rise being some super-soldier experiment until they’d figured out more, not that it was even close to being the first thing on their minds.

There was more than one reason he’d asked Amethyst to cast another sound-dampening bubble around his newly designated “communications room”, housing their crystal balls.

There was more than one reason he’d instructed he only be bothered in the event of an emergency—though the measure of one of those had been thrown pretty far out of whack. Zip was thankful to have Pvt. Rise—faithful as ever—guarding the entrance.

Zip was struggling to keep himself collected. He was scared… mainly that he’d fall apart when he was supposed to be calling the shots to the ponies he’d grown to love and that he wanted to protect. Since “feeling” Cpt. Cross’s life snuffed out Zip had either been sobbing or close to it, though he’d only wept in front of Amethyst; he’d managed to remain composed around the others… so far.

Zip wanted to curl up in a ball and cry himself to sleep.

And he did cry. He cried plenty, sitting in that corner of the cave.

But he had another reason for his privacy, though he’d not yet entirely made up his mind on the matter.

Zip never went long without remembering the last of the (and one of the very few) conversations he’d had with Cpt. Weaver. The captain had told him to do everything possible to keep ponies from losing hope… As long as things went smoothly it was the captain’s final wish the reason for his actions be kept secret. But Zip was also told to use his judgement on the matter if the time came… that he’d know when it was time.

And Zip figured it was time, after some deliberation.

He reflected on the fact he’d not consulted Amethyst on this other matter. He trusted her greatly to make wise decisions, even in the Hell they found themselves. But for this matter… he listened to his brains, his heart, his guts, and his balls… And they all told him Amethyst’s relationship with Princess Celestia might cloud her judgement—for or against—of Zip telling Equestria’s leader this most painful truth he’d been holding back.

Zip reasoned it wasn’t just personal. It was, in part, in that a brave stallion had willingly and with very little or no hesitation cast his life aside to ensure Equestria’s food supply would reach its citizens.

Cpt. Weaver knew he’d be remembered as a madstallion, perplexing ponies and being an enduring object of hatred among all ponies that would ever hear or read about him.

Zip would never forgive the army for prioritizing logistical implements over the lives of Equestria’s citizens. It may have been the army way—they were well beyond a simple state of emergency—but that was no way to conduct everything, he’d come to see, even in the army.

He was having a hard time forgiving his fellow and commanding officers—ignorant as they were and as dead as they now were—for the merciless beating Cpt. Weaver hadn’t even lifted a hoof to save himself from, despite them breaking his ribs and causing him more pain than through which most would remain conscious.

And Zip hated those officers for putting him in the position to honor another of Cpt. Weaver’s final orders.

Zip would never forget those words the captain had said:

Under no circumstances are you to defend—or explain—my actions to command. Condemn me, if given the opportunity!

Zip had condemned him, alright, slugging him hard enough to nearly crush his skull… and Amethyst had helped him along, giving him that massive brain-hemorrhage as he lay unconscious in holding.

Lastly, Zip wouldn’t forgive himself for creating the situation in which Amethyst had seen it necessary to intervene. Zip had held back, despite the incredible punch nearly killing Cpt. Weaver. If he had put everything into that punch Cpt. Weaver would’ve been dead, dead, dead and nopony would’ve laid blame upon him; that colonel Zip had so disliked congratulated Zip for the punch everypony thought killed the captain… and so had others.

Yes, Zip hated himself. But it was wrong to feel this way. He knew better… He knew it was Amethyst’s choice to do what she did, just as he knew the captain had made his own choice. Zip just couldn’t help the way he felt.

The other part—the larger and deciding factor—contributing to his decision to tell the princess was a more logical one.

He asked himself another question.

Should the public know?

That the army had readily abandoned half of the food stored in Port City in favor of a bunch of hardware? That the northern continent would’ve starved that winter and the military would've treated it as a cost of war? For hardware? Just to save money?

Zip gave this an emphatic “fuuuuuuuck, no!”. The citizens of Equestria would… Well, Zip didn’t know what they’d do.

But Celestia had to know. She needed to know.

Zip wasn’t as concerned about “ponies losing hope in their leadership”, learning of such a thing, as he was with collapse. Zip wasn’t stupid, though even the smartest pony might not see what Zip had realized.

It made the very hardest and sick-making kind of sense, but Zip knew it to be true. It also appeared convoluted, at least at first glance.

The army’s decisions led to Cpt. Weaver’s actions, which led to dissention among the division and certainly higher up. The dissention led to or at least fostered distrust—scoffing—at the concerns of experts. That’s what Pvts. Linseed Oil and Blood Sapphire were… experts whose thoughts shouldn’t have been cast aside with no consideration. This of course led to the break between Zip and the rest of the division. One thing had led to another and now there was no division.

The fact, so very clear, that Gen. Rocky Creek had been so unfit to command the division didn’t help, but it couldn’t all be blamed on him. Zip knew losing his temper, cussing out the general, and spitting in his face via crystal ball hadn’t helped anypony. But that wasn’t the issue, either.

Princess Celestia might've not had any idea but the army had its priorities wrong. Fucking wrong as Hell. And Zip had realized, deep down in the places he didn’t enjoy visiting, Equestria would be doomed if their priorities weren’t addressed and changed.

The young lieutenant saw many faces flash before his eyes… His love, Jacinta… his friends, Amethyst and Trip and Razor and Silver… all his friends in the platoon… Cpt. Cross… many faces to which he had no name to place, most of which were dead at the bottom of the Galloping Gorge… his friends and family back home… the Equestrian citizens…

He owed it to each and every one of them to see Celestia realized the enormity of this. She didn’t rule over everything, but she was still their ruler and she had the power to see things improved for the better.

Zip knew Celestia wasn’t stupid. Nor did he think her to be infallible; though he’d not pondered much on it he’d never thought of her as a goddess as most seemed to venerate. Amethyst had told him in many ways she wasn’t, and he’d been smart enough to figure it out on his own.

He had to enlighten her, if that was the best word for it. She didn’t know everything about her own forces, as she delegated her powers, and she was apparently in the dark on the matter. At least Zip chose to believe she was, relying on Amethyst vouching for her character.

Every time Zip pondered the issue it only served to steel his resolve. And he was ready. Since the ponies trying to cope with this awful mess in Canterlot were still running themselves in circles it seemed all the more important the princess injecting a little bit of some young officer’s wisdom into the plan… whatever it would be.

Wiping his eyes and beginning to clear his throat, he sat up and tapped the crystal ball sitting before him.

The crystal ball crackled and within a moment he saw Princess Celestia before him.

She looked a little surprised; he’d apparently called her during teatime.

“Lieutenant…?” Celestia actually blushed a little; it was obvious she was pigging out on sweets.

Zip didn’t mind the sight, “I’m sorry for interrupting you, Princess. Seems I called at a bad time.”

She magically brushed away a few doughnut crumbs around her face, “Oh… It’s quite alright, Zip… We completed another meeting moments ago and I was hungry. We’ve skipped a few meals in the castle, today, and this was all there was ready…”

Amethyst was right; the princess was just another pony in the end.

The princess looked guilty and pushed the food and drink away.

The young lieutenant assured her, “Oh, Princess, don’t mind me. You need to eat, too. We just had lunch.”

Celestia hesitantly pulled her tray back to herself, “I… suppose. It just doesn’t seem right, me eating such lovely things while you…”

Zip shook his head; he knew instinctively to which Celestia was referring, “Princess, you’re nothing like Gen. Rocky Creek. He ensured we’d see the spread he and his commanders had, daily and every time we had any scheduled communication. I just caught you during snack time.”

It was only slightly surprising to Zip that Celestia did a take; seeing that, it wasn’t surprising at all that she began to giggle, “Oh, Zip… Thanks for that. I really can see what my old friend Amethyst sees in you. You are quite amusing.”

There it was again… that she was just another pony. Zip didn’t like doing what he was, but he was feeling out the princess… to see just what kind of pony she was. He wasn’t just trying to be personable for the sake of being friendly.

But thinking of his gorgeous “cougar” of a sergeant…

Zip still couldn’t help but smile a little at the uncomfortable thought of Amethyst gushing over him to her old friend, their ruler, though he turned somber quickly, “I can’t say anypony’s appetite around here is strong; they’re still shaken up. I know I am.”

Celestia had nothing to say, finding no words in response; she looked jarred, “…”

Zip waved a hoof some, sighing deeply; he regretted the discomfort caused and wished he hadn’t switched gears so abruptly, “There’s not a whole lot to say on it, Princess… They’re just in shock. It’s been a full day now since we fled, and it’s finally had time to sink in. And… I’m sorry for jumping ship on the pleasantries so quickly.”

Celestia, despite her centuries of living and ruling, was rather stunned a young Pegasus had such a cool head, “It seems you’re not the stallion I first met, late this morning… You’ve… changed; I can see it in your eyes.”

It occurred to the young Pegasus Celestia’s gaze was to his cheeks. He’d just been crying and had been for a time. His eyes certainly betrayed a competence he wasn’t feeling.

Had he changed? It was difficult to say. But he wasn’t feeling like much of a stallion.

Zip didn’t deny anything about his fears, “I assure you, I’m the same. I’m barely holding it together, Princess. Anything come of the last meeting?”

Zip asked only because he was still unsure of how to proceed; he knew the likely answer.

She elected to begin eating again, “Nothing, really. This is… unprecedented in their lifetimes, Zip.”

Zip knew he had an angle to move on, “I suppose. But we have the slight convenience of time on our side. It will be 10 to 14 days before the centaurs can even move.”

Celestia swallowed a bite of doughnut, washing it down with tea, “This is true, the small blessing it is.”

A moment of quiet ensued.

Had Zip not been in the moment he would’ve reveled at the fact he was speaking—pony-to-pony—with the ruler of Equestria as if she was a semi-formal acquaintance.

Still, he didn’t like taking advantage of Celestia. By now he realized she acted in faith and any other occurrence of her dealing with such trouble was far in the past, many generations before. If she had experienced what he was working towards, anypony else that lived through it was long dead. He was about to abandon his path and just address what he wished to, but he didn’t have to. Celestia opened the door for him.

She looked suddenly taken by emotion, “Despite all this, Zip, I’m so proud of all of you.”

Zip hadn’t been ready for her conceding—unwittingly so, of course—to his line of attack; he hadn’t realized himself what she was getting at, “What…?”

Celestia again set aside her treats and moved closer into his view, “Oh, Zip… I mean your success in emptying out the port. My commanders refuse to acknowledge the fact but given the projections I received the division did a remarkable job in securing and distributing Port City’s food stores.”

There it was. The terrible time Zip desired yet didn’t had fallen into his lap and started to wiggle.

He still needed a moment to mentally prepare, especially since it had dropped so suddenly, “Oh… that…”

Celestia almost looked aghast, “What do you mean, ‘oh, that’…? It was a remarkable feat! In only a few weeks’ time the division evacuated all the civilians and more than 90% of the stored food and goods! Given that terrible situation at the end of the first week of operation, it was commendable to move almost twice what was projected possible!”

She’d addressed Cpt. Weaver’s actions. And her entire being was free of wrongdoing in his young but sometimes wise eyes.

So… she was innocent of it, Zip decided, watching her go back to her snacks. He saw the younger side she apparently hid from most—the inexperienced side… the innocent side… the one Amethyst mentioned. It was jarring she’d show it to him; only a few living ponies had likely seen it.

Zip again regretted what he was doing. He’d also taken advantage of Amethyst, picking her brain about Celestia to prepare himself for what he’d been contemplating. Whether the sergeant had caught on or not…

It could be concluded Celestia’s commanders were avoiding the subject. After all… how would Celestia respond knowing those she trusted with running her military had sentenced half of her subjects to starve that winter, in favor of saving machines? Perhaps they took advantage of her and she was led to believe they’d only attempted to move food and necessary supplies. If it was kept quiet, it wouldn’t be difficult to cover up.

No more games… Zip would just say what he had to.

“Are you alone?” he breathed.

She was perplexed, “Uh… yes. Why?”

“Alone alone?”

“What’s this about, Lieutenant?” she took on a more serious tone.

“Please answer me.”

She looked at him a moment before answering, “Yes.”

He gulped, “We… need to talk about something, Princess. Somepony… About… Cpt. Basket Weaver.”

Celestia stopped chewing, “Zip, you… What?”

The expression Celestia showed him had his stomach twinge… and it bothered him.

“What do you mean, ‘what?’?” Zip didn’t mean to sound confrontational, but her response set off dynamite in him; his thoughts on the subject were rather pained.

She looked perplexed but soon became heedful of Zip’s upset… or whatever was going on with him; she figured he was just exhausted, “Zip… I love all my little ponies… and it hurts, sometimes. I cannot begin to understand why the captain did what he did… But… I don’t think one stallion going mad is the most pertinent issue now, especially with the success of the operation. It’s a miracle nopony was injured, but beyond that-”

Zip couldn’t listen anymore, “Stop…”

Celestia—in a way reminiscent of Gen. Rocky Creek “grinding to a halt” his dismissive actions when Zip had called him a motherfucker—did so.

Zip’s tone was… scary. And Celestia wasn’t often scared; she didn’t like it.

The bite of doughnut she’d magicked to her mouth fell out, finding a new home in her lap; she eyed him sharply, the affection having left her voice, “What was that?”

Most ponies would’ve been terrified—they wouldn’t be able to process Celestia’s snappishness she’d displayed—but Zip wasn’t just anypony.

His balls didn’t even retreat into his lower trunk as they normally would when a mare got angry with him.

He lowered his gaze, “I told you to stop.”

Celestia wasn’t sure what to do; she was flabbergasted. It wasn’t often anypony spoke to her in such a way. She didn’t mean to be so offput but… hey, she was the ruler of Equestria. This only happened once or twice in a generation. How was she supposed to react?!

The two glowered at each other.

What followed was awkward, neither knowing what to say. And it took a minute or so to break the ice.

But in that moment Zip calmed himself; he rubbed his eyes and exhaled tiredly, “Look, Princess… I’m… very sorry; I shouldn’t take out anything on you.”

It was unfair of him; she had no idea what he was upset with her about.

She blinked as if snapping out of a daze, “Oh… I, uh…”

“I don’t know why I did that,” he put his head between his knees before looking up again. “Please forgive me.”

She took on a kind face, “Oh… it’s alright, Zip. Things are… strange. I’m sorry as well.”

Zip closed his eyes, “Princess, I… There’s something I need to tell you…”

The earnestness—and pain—in Zip’s voice certainly caught her notice, “What would that be?”

Zip huddled up a little, slouching in front of the crystal ball, “Cpt. Weaver never went mad. He did what he did to save the food supply.”

It didn’t seem to register with Celestia; her eye twitched, “Huh?”

Zip knew she’d have a hard time with it; perhaps he should’ve explained himself a little better first before hitting the punchline, “Princess… the food and goods weren’t the first priority in the evacuation. Your commanders sent explicit orders to move military hardware nonessential to the first line of defense. They ordered cranes, lifts, and machines to be sent out prior to food. That’s why the original projection was around 50%.”

Celestia was stricken, “But… They told me… They told me…”

Zip rubbed his temples, “I don’t know just what went on, but they may have been hiding the truth from you.”

“They never said your implements were the first priority!” Celestia exclaimed.

“And they probably didn’t address the issue at all, Princess… We… can get into that in a moment.”

Celestia was able to surmise things, “So… Cpt. Weaver did what he did so the division would concentrate its energy on the food and goods?”

Zip was pained to see the misery in her face; he sighed, “He did… and for the entire span of time leading up to the first locomotive showing up he falsified transmissions and other messages in and out. The real orders… he ignored them entirely. And when the time came his own orders could’ve been halted… he demolished all the implements the army wanted.”

Celestia’s mouth moved, though no words came out. Her eyes were vacant, her gaze nowhere in particular, “He… did that?”

Zip didn’t want to get into the gory details surrounding Cpt. Weaver’s death, for Celestia’s and Amethyst’s sake. But if Celestia wanted details… he’d tell her the horrible truth, as far as his own involvement went; he’d not put any of it on Amethyst’s plate—not to a friend and mentor of hers.

The young lieutenant anxiously patted his hooves beside himself; the words he said next hurt, “And he willingly died for it… But you know… how he died.”

She nodded, shaking some with wet eyes, “Yes… he died of injuries in holding… His own fellow officers… did that to him…”

Yes… we did… Zip’s stomach almost revolted.

Zip steeled himself, “It’s a secret he asked me to keep… unless there was reason to break silence.”

Celestia likely heard nothing past the word “secret”, “Who else knows about this?”

Zip was trying rather hard to not cry, “Other than us… and the locomotive engineer Cpt. Weaver duped-”

“A locomotive engineer?” Celestia felt as if she’d been spun around.

Zip nodded, “If you don’t know he either kept his mouth shut or… somepony kept it from you. The point is he’s one of the ponies who knows. Cpt. Weaver threatened him into leaving quietly.”

“He’s one of the ponies in the know?” Celestia looked worried.

Zip replied at once, “Amethyst knows. And I think Cpt. Cross might’ve known. He and Amethyst were… closer than I realized.”

He wanted this to be over. He didn’t think he’d be able to hold it together much longer.

A mist took Celestia’s eyes and she allowed things to move off topic a few seconds, “It wouldn’t surprise me Amethyst could figure it out. And Cross knowing… wouldn’t surprise me at all. They really were the best of friends, Zip… and both psychic, so… you may be right.”

He watched as she dabbed at her eyes.

“I… don’t know what to say,” Celestia finally confessed.

Zip knew, “I think it’s important the public doesn’t know.”

“You… what?” Celestia blinked away a few tears.

“The public cannot know, Princess.”

She took on a wretched look, “Such an injustice… My generals…! Cpt. Weaver… How can I…?”

Zip shook his head, “Because they’d fall apart—revolt—panic! Equestria would destroy itself if they knew their leaders had done such a thing! Concern yourself with that another time, Princess. I’m just letting you know.”

The childish question came from her mouth; she didn’t even think to stop it, in her sadness, “Why? Why tell me such an awful thing if there’s nothing I can do about it?”

Zip knew this was new territory for Celestia… and he told her the truth, “There is something you can do—something you must do. Your commanders don’t yet have a plan. Let them know this—let them know you know they’ve been working under your nose towards the wrong goals.”

If Celestia didn’t look sick already, she did now, “What do I…?”

Zip wasn’t sure if she was entertaining hanging somepony up by the neck until dead but wouldn’t tolerate that, “Don’t punish them; let them know. The consequences of their actions—whatever—can wait. Just let them know. Let them know they must have their priorities right before proceeding.”

Celestia didn’t know what he meant, not that it might have occurred to her, “And what priorities would that be?”

“They’ve been thinking like generals… which they are. They’ve been viewing the citizens of Equestria as pieces on a board; perhaps they can’t help it. They need to value life above all else. Valuing other things will lead to collapse.”

Celestia wasn’t sure where Zip got this stuff from, “How do you…?”

“It all leads back to that. If life isn’t sacred above all else… then I don’t know what’ll happen, Princess.”

She thought some, “How could things go so wrong…? How could they abandon the north?”

“Because they’re looking at this as a continental catastrophe. Some of the population starving by spring against dealing with the invasion now? It makes sense on paper. The centaurs have the power to obliterate us and they were preparing for such a war. The hardware they prioritized was valuable—despite not being weaponry—and it was in the best interest militarily. But that doesn’t work in life as well as on a board.”

“…” Celestia looked torn apart.

“I think Cpt. Weaver said it well. He could understand as a soldier—it made sense—but he condemned such thinking as a pony. Ponies aren’t pieces on a board in a strategy room; they’re ponies. And unless we recognize that in our strategy, I think we’re doomed.”

Celestia visibly gulped, sniffling a little, “I… think I understand, Zip. I… need some time to think.”

Zip looked down between his hooves, blowing out a breath, “I need to do some thinking… on whether to tell the platoon or not…”

Celestia bade Zip, “Look at me.”

He did.

She gave a sad smile, “You really are a marvel, Zip… Use your judgement. Cpt. Weaver seems to have trusted you… and you didn’t betray his trust. You were right to tell me. Thank you…”

The words struck him; he didn’t feel worthy, given everything, “Princess… maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about. Maybe I’m just some young fool. But I know that if we don’t change things then we’re in trouble.”

“Things will change, Zip. We’re going to sit down and come up with a plan… And it will be of the greatest benefit to all.”

Zip nodded.

Celestia took on a terribly melancholy mien, “I must say… I’ve known a lot of officers in my day, Zip, but I never met Cpt. Weaver. You were blessed to have known him. I… think you were fortunate to have a pony like him looking out for all of you. And I’m glad he was given command.”

Zip teared up at that; he couldn’t help it. But he only had to hold on another moment and his conversation with the princess would be over.

She didn’t mean to push him over the edge, but she couldn’t stop herself from speaking further, “You were fortunate to know him, Zip. And I’m so very glad he had a pony like you to lean on… when it mattered most.”

Zip’s will gave out; he let out a strangled sob, his muzzle almost hitting the rock between his hooves.

“Lieutenant!” Celestia cried.

He looked up to her, “Princess… I’m scared! I’m so scared!”

She watched in concern as his manner worsened.

He fell to his side and tucked up his legs. In the fetal position he wailed. It took him a moment to collect himself.

Slightly ashamed of himself for losing control it took him a while to speak; he dithered before trying to meet his tearful gaze with hers. Still, he felt better.

“Princess… I’m sorry,” he breathed.

It was as surprising as it wasn’t to see Celestia shaking, wracked with her own sobs.

“Princess…!” Zip was suddenly much more concerned for her than himself.

“Zip… please… stay with me a few minutes…. Let me cry…”

She reached a hoof towards the crystal ball, her eyes pleading. Compelled, he did the same; he had few tears yet to shed but would be there for her.

“Yes, Princess.”

And they kept their connection open a little longer, knowing they had a new confidant in whom to find comfort.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

At long last, Company has returned.

The chapter was exposition heavy but it's been a while since the last release and the young lieutenant has had a lot to think about. Having "woken up" their ruler in the ways of war they will hopefully have a better chance when the shit really hits the fan.

Next time, Zip deals with the aftermath of this conversation and the platoon gears up for war.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 5: Blizzard Warning

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 3: The Forlorn

After a few moments of letting their guard down in ways unseen by their subordinates, Princess Celestia and Zip parted on the promise each would do everything in each of their powers to succeed. Celestia’s success rode on imparting some “unconventional” wisdom to her strategists. Zip’s rode on keeping his platoon fed… and sane… and alive… and prepared to do whatever was required of them, whatever that might turn out to be.

The lieutenant’s feelings regarding his informing the princess were mixed but mostly on the better side of things.

It gave Zip a welcome but unexpected closure knowing Cpt. Weaver’s sacrifice was recognized by a pony—the pony—in a position to do something with it and the clout to see it done.

It had hurt. It hurt more than Zip had expected but the same brains, heart, guts, and balls that helped lead the decision told him he’d been right. And Celestia’s praise of him… and what he’d likely meant to Cpt. Weaver… almost broke him.

But Zip tried to clear his mind of the pain; it wouldn’t help him, then.

If they all lived through this then maybe Equestria could know some logistics officer, that had taken on a position of power two ranks above his station, had willfully put his life on the line—and forfeited it—for the sake of them all.

But it wasn’t the time. Equestria needed to stay on course, even if it meant keeping up appearances. When all was said and done, if the Equestrian citizens were still the ruling body of their great continent, and the healing had begun, they could know.

Perhaps one day…

Zip sat in his little corner a little while. A number of thoughts plagued his mind. They’d discussed these things—with Celestia and her generals—but no solutions had been constructed.

Three weeks of supplies… Two weeks of possible inactivity from the invading centaurs… A week of supplies once the shit hits the fan…

54 ponies, hiding in the foothills of the Unicorn Range… Tens of thousands of centaurs infesting what was left of Port City and the prairies out towards the Galloping Gorge…

The food and supplies, Zip determined, could be stretched out two additional weeks; he’d need to address this unpleasant but life-saving tactic before his cooks started dinner.

It… wouldn’t hurt to learn what the monkey carcasses stuck to where the head of a horse should be were up to. He’d never thought to ask but… maybe somepony among them could speak to birds… convince the little flyers to scope things out.

Send a scouting party? Zip wasn’t sure on that.

But with the weather outside about all he could do was deal with what he could control. It would likely be a couple days before his platoon was in danger of “losing it” so he settled with informing the others of the food and supply situation.

He didn’t know what they’d be up to in the next couple weeks. He wasn’t keeping his hooves crossed for it—but it had crossed his mind—that they would be ordered to leave and head south. Perhaps there was nothing they could do.

Maybe they’d still stall the Centauri army—or at least try in vain (in vain not being unlikely)—no matter the odds. The platoon… most had never seen combat, spending their entire careers helping move freight, but they were still soldiers. It was their duty to fight the enemies of Equestria.

Maybe something else would befall them.

Who knew?

All Zip knew was they needed to stretch their supplies. Wet, miserable autumn was upon them and there wasn’t a whole Helluva lot to eat in the near-future if they were forced to go scavenging. And Heaven forbid them having to head north to find food—scrounging or dare he contemplate stealing from the centaurs.

Stiffly, feeling a little drained, Zip stood up. As he’d decided he’d address the food situation first. Amethyst’s sound-proof bubble kept his secrets but it sure didn’t stop smell. They hadn’t started preparing food yet and he had time to start their rationing then.

…

Zip sat in another corner of the cave where they kept their supplies. With him were Jacinta, three of his squad leaders—minus Amethyst—and Cpl. Lily Hawk, standing in for Amethyst.

Amethyst not being there after the kind of morning they’d had didn’t bode well but there were other things to address.

Zip had personally told their designated cooks, the unexpectedly talented Cpl. Aster Yellows and Pvt. Orange Blossom—who’d been kicked out of culinary school due to her lack of funds, to hold off on preparing anything. Now he’d told the leaders in his platoon what they needed to do. It wasn’t popular, but hey… starving sucked ass—"distinct hunger” was better.

“I understand, Lieutenant,” Jacinta was already going over their inventory; due to her past positions she’d been designated quartermaster, which was basically her job under Zip anyway.

Zip nodded, “Good. You’ve done this before. I trust you. I’m leaving it to you to hash things out.”

Lily was assisting Jacinta, helping account for their medical supplies, “We’ll have to be careful, Lieutenant… It’s not their morale I’m worried about; it’s the declining weather. Stretching food is easy enough but the cold and wet’s going to wear on us; we need to stay nourished. We’re already on meager rations by standards.”

“Then I’ll gladly take your advice, Lily,” Jacinta mumbled, a pencil between her lips. “We may need to establish a ‘curfew’ of sorts… If they’re conserving energy they’ll eat less.”

“We’ll just have to talk with Aster and Orange Blossom…” Lily was examining a roll of bandage. “I think they’re up for it.”

Zip asked of them, “Who should watch over the goods?”

The sergeants Razor Wire and Treasure Trove shrugged their shoulders, looking to one another.

Sergeant Sweet Clover hummed, “I’d toss Orange Blossom’s name into the hat, but she’ll be busy feeding us.”

The feeling was shared. Pvt. Blossom was as trusted as anypony when it came to anything.

It was hard. They hated to cast doubt on such a great bunch, but…

Jacinta dropped the pen, rolling over to another sheet she was consulting, “I hate to ask so much of Mercury but he’s the pony I’d trust most besides us to guard the supplies. We have a good platoon but… desperation isn’t past them. We’d best have two or three watching over the supplies at all times.”

Zip silently agreed. Pvt. Mercury Rise was a soldier among soldiers. He’d ordered the stalwart private to rest after an entire morning and afternoon of guarding his goings-on. Pvt. Rise did so gladly, as he did with nearly everything.

“I’d trust Trip with my life,” Sgt. Treasure Trove said. “But we need her elsewhere; the same can be said of Little Song.”

Why do our most trustworthy ponies have to be the most useful to boot? Zip scratched himself, thinking bitterly. They needed Spc. Wire and Cpl. Song working on their equipment they’d managed to carry… in case they were told to F.O.

Zip exhaled, “Well, for now… think about ponies you’d trust for the assignment. We’ll take turns until we figure something out. After a few minutes, I’d appreciate if one of you would send Cpl. Yellows and Pvt. Blossom here. They need to talk to Jacinta and Lily.”

Razor put up a hoof, “I’ll do it, Lieutenant.”

“Thanks, Razor…” Zip said. “Dismissed.”

Sergeants Clover, Wire, and Trove exited, leaving Zip with Jacinta and Lily.

Zip turned uncomfortably to Lily, “To address the elephant in the room… do I even want to hear why Amethyst isn’t here?”

Nopony had forgotten their beautiful squad leader being absent.

Lily looked unhappy, “She’s… out of sorts, Lieutenant… She… started drinking right after your assembly this morning.”

Zip reeled. That had been hours ago…! He’d spent more time than he’d wanted by himself, trying to get his head screwed on right.

Jacinta grimaced; she’d known as well, “She disappeared into a pocket in the cave a while ago.”

Zip almost flew off the handle, “And you saved that bit of information until now?!”

Jacinta hummed nervously but Lily was unfazed; the former nurse actually scowled, “Would it have done any good? To make a fuss about it?”

“Where’d she get alcohol from?!”

Lily shrugged, “Dunno…”

Zip supposed she might not know but this was unacceptable, “And you didn’t stop her?”

Halting her hooves’ work a moment, Lily looked at him, the very slightest smirk on her face, “Depending on the situation, sir, I wouldn’t get in Amethyst’s way if you ordered me to… And I doubt most would… even before she told us about her previous assignment—the real one, that is.”

Zip faltered.

“Plus… she put on a pretty scary show, Lieutenant,” her smile faltered. “She… snapped.”

Zip growled, most displeased, “What?”

“She didn’t hurt anypony… she was just upset,” Lily went on, going back to organizing, “I asked Cpl. Painter to keep an eye on her. But I’m sure he’d like some relief.”

He was willing, “Okay… Cpl. Yellows and Pvt. Blossom will be here in a minute. I’ll go deal with Amethyst.”

“Are you sure, Lieutenant?” Jacinta perked up.

Jacinta was willing to go, though visibly nervous… and maybe a mare’s touch was better but…

“Thanks, Jacinta,” Zip said. “But I’ll go. You and Lily have other things to do.”

Jacinta nodded.

Zip set out, hoping Cpl. Stardust Painter was doing okay.

…

When Zip made his way through the main cave where most of the platoon not on duty was crammed, he noted they weren’t in the best of spirits. Their previous elation at being alive and their admiration of Zip weren't on display. Already he was hearing grumbling; they’d just heard about the food rationing, not that Zip had taken measures to hide it. It seemed the only ponies not in the know weren’t there, Spc. Blue Porter’s team having headed up the mountain to scout out and occupy the cave Jacinta and others had found earlier.

But Zip wasn’t surprised they were unhappy; he hated the fact he’d get in three meals what he’d normally get in one…

He himself was even more unhappy with another issue: the (unofficial) number-three pony in his platoon had been making a shitshow of herself in front of everypony. Her behavior was certainly not helping things. And he wasn’t going to tolerate it… he hoped and liked to believe.

He wondered how bad it had been, Amethyst freaking out…

Zip found Cpl. Painter sitting outside a little alcove. The corporal greeted Zip with a friendly smirk.

Perhaps it wasn't that bad... her performance...

Zip, heartened by Cpl. Painter’s manner, kneaded his shoulder and tried hard to not smirk himself, though mostly out of nervousness; it was hard when he was making a smartass comment, “I’m here to relieve you… I guess.”

The corporal snorted, suppressing a laugh, “Thanks, sir…”

Zip became more serious, “How is she?”

“She wandered in there a while ago and… I haven’t gone in there…” Cpl. Painter shook his head. “But she’s pretty sloshed and she put up a pretty serious barrier. I can’t sense her magic and she probably can’t sense mine. Or sound. She’s blocked it all out.”

Zip had a nasty suspicion this had a little something to do with his activities the last few hours; he sighed, “Corporal… thank you for this. I want you to go get a little rest.”

“You, uh, sure you don’t want me sticking around, sir?”

“I’m sure. And thanks.”

Corporal Painter hoofed the back of his neck, a grin turning up the corners of his mouth, “Sure. Not that I really did anything… but I’ll gladly comply. What’s the word on chow?”

Zip patted his back, “I don’t know. I left it up to Jacinta, Cpl. Hawk, and our new ‘chefs’…”

“Then we’re in good hooves, Lieutenant,” Cpl. Painter reassured Zip; he thought on the rest of the platoon. “They’ll be alright, sir… It’s just a lot to take in.”

That it was… Just a day’s time earlier they were treating their burned hooves and astonished they were even alive.

“Go on, Corporal. And thanks, really.”

“A pleasure, sir,” Cpl. Painter left.

Zip inhaled and sighed; he wasn’t going to enjoy dealing with this, probably. He crossed the magic barrier.

Wincing a little—passing through the barrier had his hair on-end—he peered into the darkness, “Amethyst? It’s Zip.”

No response.

Zip hadn’t explored this section of the cave network but saw it went back a little deeper. Maybe Cpl. Painter hadn’t been keeping an eye on her… not that he could be blamed.

Zip knew when ponies like Jacinta and Lily and the corporal with whom he’d just parted ways were nervous about seeing a pony he knew it wasn’t some small thing. Zip had been one of the few ponies to not see Amethyst decline into a mood it turned out, being occupied.

“Amethyst?”

He knew she wasn’t perfect: she’d lied to him about Pvt. Oil because he’d creeped her out… she’d fallen apart on him a few times and thankfully he was the only one to see—prior to this, of course… and she’d done plenty of heinous things, if she was to be believed—and he did…

It was still a secret that Zip had only obliterated one of those centaurs; the only pony besides him and the pony that made the mess had been Cpt. Cross. Zip planned to keep it that way, too. Amethyst had explained what she was to the platoon, but he knew she was terrified of her friends knowing some of the things he knew.

Would Jacinta and others turn their backs on Amethyst? Knowing—really knowing—what she’d done and what she was capable of, would they still hail her as their platoon mother?

He wasn’t sure they’d get over seeing her fall into a drunken despair, if it was as bad as he was able to imagine.

His eyes had finally adjusted to the little section; he could see by adjacent torchlight, “Amethyst?”

He leapt at the long, gray leg raising suggestively before him.

“Hello, sir…” Amethyst’s pale eyes were difficult to make out; she was grinning, waggling a back hoof in his face.

She was drunk, as anticipated. Very drunk.

Taking in the scene, Zip was quick to notice her tools of the drunk’s trade.

Zip looked disapprovingly at his friend, pointing a hoof at the bottle of whiskey she hugged, “Did you really need to bring that along, Amethyst?”

She shrugged, “I forgot I had it, Lieutenant, in all the commotion. It’s amazing, the things ponies left behind or didn’t steal… Maybe they just forgot. I found this when I raided the bar at that hotel… the one I bivouacked in.”

She magically waved it before his eyes; he could see there were only a few inches left in the bottle.

“Is this any time for you to polish off that bottle?”

She beamed, “Dunno… I cracked it this morning! A fine year, too… the year you were born!”

“What were you thinking?” Zip was trying to keep from blowing his stack; it was getting difficult.

She shrugged a second time, “What else is there to do? Those jackasses in Canterlot haven’t figured a thing out… so I thought I’d make the best of things.”

“By raving in front of the ponies we’re supposed to be leading?”

She snorked.

“You dare laugh at that?” Zip’s voice rose.

“I’ll stop…” she said mischievously. “I’ll stop if you kiss me… like you do Jacinta…”

Zip almost lost his composure at that; she meant it.

She leered, “I think I’d like that…”

Floundering a few seconds, Zip soon found words.

“If I thought that would do any good-” he managed.

“Too late!” she giggled, taking a swig and turning away slightly. “Too. Late.”

Zip was surprised she jumped ship so fast, “…”

She settled in, stretching out some, “Hey… it’s a game. Every time I feel like hitting you, I take a pull.”

“…What…?” Zip asked.

She took a dram, “There it is again, Lieutenant.”

Zip had a pretty good idea what she was upset about.

She scowled, her goofy face falling off like syphilis, “I’m angry at you, sir…”

Celestia hadn’t frightened Zip’s balls into hiding but Amethyst was more than capable; he reeled slightly at her tone.

“I’ve been thinking about Celestia all morning, Lieutenant…!” Amethyst hissed. “I can feel her…! She’s hurting…! AND I CAN’T FUCKING STAND IT!”

Zip backed up, his balls physically aching as they apparently pulled up to somewhere behind his liver.

She seethed, banging the back of her head on the wall she was slouched against. Fuming, she made to break the bottle on the floor but thought better of it; she took a long pull off it.

And then she found she’d finished it off. She sobbed at the realization.

Zip was starting to think it was a bad idea to enter and he was considering leaving. Something stopped him though.

“I can’t stop thinking about it!” Amethyst sat upright. “I can’t block it out! I knew what you were doing! I knew you were gonna tell her! So I did block it out...!”

Zip had backed up to the opposite wall… and farther away from the “safety” of the exit; he was good and frightened.

“I knew you were gonna break her HEART!” she flung the bottle against the ceiling, where it shattered, raining down glass. “Why did it have to be this way?!”

Zip dove for another corner, not even realizing what he was doing. He had a reason for doing so and it wasn’t a few shards of the broken bottle.

Lightning erupted from her horn, lighting up the little alcove like the sun on a mountaintop but harmlessly hitting the walls; she shrieked, apparently trying to run headfirst into the wall, her legs flailing.

Zip had looked up. And he realized something.

The drunken rage was causing the lightning; she wasn’t consciously trying to do that.

She was trying to break off her own horn…!

Without thinking of the consequences of his actions, he dove at her, “NO!”

Avoiding her magic, he weaved in and put her in a hold, subduing her as she screamed.

She didn’t much appreciate him using the “magic-cancelling” pressure-point on her. And unfortunately for him she had the skill to throw it.

Drunk as she was, she escaped the hold and mule-kicked him.

He went sprawling in the dark and hit the wall.

His blood chilled when he felt himself hoisted up.

In the glow of her horn, Amethyst’s face shown as a demon’s, “YOU DARE TOUCH ME THERE?!”

Zip, levitated within her aura, was terrified almost beyond imagining; he thought he was going to die. But in his fear, he managed one word.

“Amethyst…” rotating, he made eye-contact with her.

As a flower wilting before his eyes in fast motion, her face fell, “Lieutenant…?”

Her softened face was a sight to behold; Zip realized she probably wouldn’t kill him now, however close she’d been, “Yeah… It’s me.”

“NO!” Amethyst squeaked, abruptly dropping him.

Zip hit the floor hard, despite successfully arresting his potentially bad fall; he espied the way out and was about to bolt but…

Amethyst had pulled herself into a fetal position, weeping bitterly. It was the sound of a wounded, dying animal. She was hurting. Badly.

Ignoring his desire—his driving instinct, really—to leave her and F.O. like nopony had ever fucked off before, he went to her.

“Ameth…” his voice petered off like impotence; he wasn’t sure what to do.

His mind worked, watching her squirm, whimpering and heaving…

This was Amethyst… one of his best friends. He trusted her more than anypony. And she needed his help. He wasn’t going to abandon her.

Cautiously… carefully… he inched his way up to her.

He put a hoof to her shoulder. Then around her shoulder. Then the other hoof.

Sitting her up slowly, he patted her back.

Her breathing eventually steadied, hunching over in Zip’s supportive hooves.

As Zip might’ve expected, the small corner of the cave was quickly filled with rank puke odors as Amethyst voided the contents of her stomach. Grimacing, Zip held her mane back and managed to not get any on himself or even her, aiming for a natural trough in the floor he was barely able to make out in the darkness.

Yes, she was his friend. She wasn’t perfect. Maybe she was downright dangerous, but she was his friend. He wasn’t going to abandon her; he never would.

He just went on kneading her back as she coughed breath back into her lungs. It wasn’t just that she was his friend—that he loved her as such… He needed everypony for whatever was going to happen. And he knew they’d really need the shuddering belle he was tending.

They’d need her in ways difficult to fathom.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

It's been a trying day for Zip. But it looks like he's not going to die just quite yet.

With what just happened a secret as far as Zip knows, he must find some way to comfort his obviously broken friend.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 6: Zip's Volunteers

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 4: Selective Disclosure

Reluctantly, Zip informed Cpl. Lily Hawk of Amethyst’s condition once Amethyst had passed out. Zip decided, Lily being their designated physician on hoof, to tell her what else had transpired… when the time was right.

But as far as the rest of the platoon went… he planned to leave them in the dark unless he had a very good reason to enlighten them. Again, and again he loathed the fact he was keeping some secrets from the ponies that trusted him… Still, he was their leader and sometimes… a pony kept things close to the chest.

The other 49 ponies in the platoon just didn’t need to know Amethyst had the breakdown from which he’d somehow managed to walk away.

There was no hiding the fact Amethyst had ensconced in some dark corner of their hideout and gotten drunk to the point of sick. The other things, though, Zip would be able to hide. He had a scrape and a burn or two, but so did everypony else; they’d run through a prairie fire the day before, after all. And nopony would see the bruising he had on his ribcage, so long as he kept on a uniform. He winced a little; she’d kicked him pretty hard.

Amethyst would bounce back, he was sure. Anytime she showed weakness to the platoon or himself she could turn around 180° and come back with a powerful, commanding presence. She’d-

“Yowch!” Zip cried as Lily probed his ribs; he leapt away.

She glared at him, “I knew it… Off with the uniform, sir.”

The two of them were in the “communications room”; it was one of the few places they’d have privacy, the stores under guard and the platoon spreading out into the cave’s network.

Zip had wanted to wait to tell Lily how close he’d probably come to becoming extinct at the hooves at their resident agent-of-death.

But they’d washed the broken glass and vomit down a little crevice and into a fissure in the cave where it was lost to mortal ponies; they surely had enough water around. And they’d put Amethyst to bed, having cleaned her up, and left Spc. Trip Wire and Cpl. Little Song to watch over her as they checked equipment.

He supposed it was “time enough” he told Lily.

Nopony was the wiser that Amethyst had done a thing past her “normal” “going off the deep-end”, which she did occasionally. Amethyst wasn’t a habitual user of alcohol, but she sure went hard at it sometimes when she did. The mares in the battalion could certainly attest to Amethyst’s rhythms… So, while it was stupid for her to curl up with a bottle somewhere it wasn’t out of the ordinary, other than the situation in which they were being most unordinary.

Zip so hated hiding the truth. As worried as Jacinta and several others were about their friend it hurt even worse…

Zip had learned, though, that Lily was smarter than the average pony, and easily able to see something was wrong.

Lily deftly gave Zip a nose-to-tail inspection, having just seen the way he moved. The news she gave him wasn’t welcome at all.

“You have several rib contusions, Lieutenant… surrounding a few greenstick fractures in your mid-rib section,” she (perhaps) cruelly dug a hoof into the offending area on his left side.

“Geez…!” Zip hissed. “Cut that out!”

Lily was a kind pony. And she was gifted in medicine. But she wouldn’t tolerate Zip’s bullshit.

“Lieutenant…” she directed Zip lie down on his right side. “As your designated medical expert, I know more than you probably give me credit for. I know things you think are secret. I knew Pvt. Mill was seeking treatment when he started it, for example, all those months ago.”

Zip exclaimed, trying to raise his head; she pushed it back down.

“Quit moving,” she reprimanded before continuing. “And that Cpl. Painter had developed a fear of blood… I know Jacinta had anxiety attacks when she was younger; she had a nervous breakdown when she was 17, in fact… And I figured out why Amethyst wanted Pvt. Oil switched out for Silver, or rather what her excuse was; I knew about Pvt. Oil’s ‘pastime’ long before it became the biggest gossip of the year.”

Zip should’ve figured more ponies were in the know. Jeez… He felt he'd been bamboozled by the former nurse.

“But I’m sure the contents of his file are overblown; Linseed isn’t that messed up…” Lily spoke as she mashed up some herbs with a mortar and pestle. “Yes, sir, I know about most of the things around here, at least medically and psychologically. Rank, or rather, position has its privileges.”

Seems the weirdo’s rubbed off on another… Zip knew almost all of his mares called Pvt. Oil by his given name and he just didn’t understand why they were so engrossed in him, despite his recent outing by their erstwhile commanding general. Maybe it was the fact he could play guitar, or that he was “open to new experiences”—the experiences being nothing in which Zip wanted a hoof… Zip figured it was the guitar and the smaller doses of his weirdness that helped with the charm.

But the lieutenant certainly didn’t communicate this; Zip just lay there miserably, his everything hurting, “…”

“Want to know what I found out about you, sir?” Lily performed a little spell, warming her concoction.

Zip considered, “Do I wanna know?”

“Don’t worry, Lieutenant. You weren’t the only foal among us that wasn’t potty-trained before he was three…” it might’ve been a funny thing for her to say but she muttered it humorlessly, concentrated on her work.

Zip groaned; at least he wasn’t the only one, not that he cared much… He let Lily continue the procedure.

“So, no hiding this—not from me…!” she applied a poultice with the herbs to Zip’s side. “I know—probably better than you do—what kind of condition her mind is in. You may know… details I don’t and I’m certain she’s privy to some things out of you. But don’t bury this, sir.”

Zip, his side already hurting much less, eyed her, “What’s in that, Lily…?”

She knew he wasn’t stalling, “Just some herbs that grow outside the cave entrance… though I hate using a bandage like this; it’s not waste, but I wish we didn’t need to do this. But you need to be comfortable in front of the platoon; they can’t see you injured. It’s too bad your ancestry couldn’t be of better use… resilience isn’t a miracle medicine.”

There it was again… Zip mused. The Knollwing thing…

The only other time he’d broken anything was his leg as a kid. That and most other minor injuries took time to heal; it was aches and pains and fatigue that left quickly. He’d never thought much of it, knowing nothing else.

But whatever was in the poultice helped. A lot.

Zip sighed, ecstatic at breathing not hurting anymore, “I should’ve had somepony come along with me…”

Lily knew she wasn’t innocent of much of anything, “Yes… I should’ve thought better of it, sir… letting you go there on your own. I could kick myself for joking about it… making light of it…”

Zip shook his head, “Don’t, Lily. I’m… just glad I’m not dead.”

Lily knew he wasn’t going for hyperbole; he was glad to be alive. What a rough lesson that was…

“What happened?” she offered him a canteen of water.

Zip decided to leave out the specifics of Amethyst overtly coming on to him, “I had Cpl. Painter leave. I found her behind her magic barrier with a few inches left in her bottle. She said she found it when she was on her assignment and forgot about it in her bag; I believed her when she said she forgot about it.”

Lily nodded, “That I can believe. And I do believe it. More than likely she realized she had it… and that’s what happened. She gave in.”

Zip eked out, “She joked with me a moment… before getting angry.”

Lily was leery as to Zip’s potential answer; she narrowed her eyes in the firelight, “What about?”

Zip didn’t miss her wary look; thankfully he didn’t have to lie, “Amethyst… served Princess Celestia early on in her career. She was a personal bodyguard and they’re friends. The princess… weeps for her ponies. And Amethyst can feel that. I… think she blames me, Amethyst, that is…”

Shit, he knew she blamed him. Or at least that’s what she’d said.

Lily was quick in her response; she was thoughtful, “It’s not your fault, Lieutenant; both of you know better…"

"..."

"That all… makes a lot of sense. I didn’t know.”

“I know it’s not my fault. Believe me, I know…”

Lily continued to sit, “Then what?”

“She started raging about Princess Celestia and our situation and finished the bottle.”

“…” Lily just listened.

“When she realized the bottle was gone, she started to cry. That’s when she broke it. But that wasn’t what scared me. She… sent lightning from her horn.”

Lily’s face showed great concern; she took a whole moment to respond, “That was… rage, Lieutenant. Pure and simple.”

Zip felt comfortable enough to sit up; he sat across from Lily, “Yeah…”

Lily shook her head, “She was out of control, sir. Sometimes a unicorn’s magic can manifest in such a way. With her magic… Yeah… I… see what you mean when you say you’re lucky to be-”

“That’s not all…” Zip spouted.

Lily shut up.

“The… energy or whatever it was just hit the cave walls; it didn’t hurt me. But I saw… I saw Amethyst try to break off her own horn.”

Lily jarred at that, “…What?!...”

“She was running into the wall, trying to snap her horn…” Zip felt his eyes heat up.

“…”

“I stopped her. I hit that pressure point—cut her magic. She got out of my hold and… that’s when I thought I was gonna die… when she levitated me.”

She was aghast, “Lieutenant…”

Zip choked, “She said… ‘how dare you touch me there?!’ or something and I was sure she was gonna kill me. That was… I think… what put her over the edge.”

“What did you do?” Lily’s expression was difficult to place.

“I said her name… I said her name and let her know it was me. She stopped right then and just curled up into a ball, howling… until she got sick.”

Lily, the impressive mare she was, was shaken; that’s what her countenance betrayed, “I see…”

Zip didn’t want it, but a sob escaped from him; Lily hoofed him a kerchief.

Lily stared at the floor, “You know about her second husband, sir… She’s told you?”

Zip wasn’t even surprised Lily would know about the possibility of his knowledge, “Some things.”

Lily nodded, “She tells Jacinta so much more than she tells me… probably because Jacinta’s… a little more naïve… more innocent and unlikely to pursue. Though, she’s told you plenty it seems… her three marriages… her filly… that strange, terrible infection that complicated her pregnancy and destroyed her uterus… She doesn’t trust me, I think. But as I said, position has its privileges.”

Zip didn’t like where this was going; he gulped.

“Lead Brick, her second husband, he… was controlling, to say the least,” Lily acknowledged. “I didn’t know Amethyst was a high-level warrant officer and a secret operative, but I know her family history... her psych file, sir… and her med file.”

Zip really didn’t like where this was going, “Isn’t that supposed to be a-”

“Fuck medical privacy, at this point, sir,” Lily rarely, rarely swore; in fact, Zip had only heard it once or twice from her.

Zip would accept this; he’d listen.

Lily exhaled sharply, “Lead Brick… before he was reduced to being a laborer, was a cop-in-training; he lacked the… stability and restraint needed so they gave him the boot. He knew that pressure-point, Lieutenant—the police see much of the same training we do. When Amethyst was… “out-of-line” he’d use it… and beat and rape her when she was helpless; it got especially bad when he was trying to get her pregnant.”

Zip’s stomach twisted… not that he couldn’t imagine such a thing, based on what he knew.

“Not that she would’ve retaliated… You know she wasn’t a strong mare in her younger days, both figuratively and literally. Amethyst was scared of him, sir. She probably still is… in a way. She wouldn’t cross him… no way… no how… How that became the 'Angel of Death'... I don't even want to know what they put her through...”

Zip could argue her point, possibly; he remembered Amethyst said she talked back to him… and suffered the consequences. She’d also tried to keep some secrets from him. But it didn’t seem important.

But there was something he could say, “So she was having a… flashback?”

Lily did a take, “Possibly… How would you know that?”

Zip permitted, “I’ve seen her have one before… over Lead Brick. No ‘lightning’ but she blew a few holes in the ground.”

Lily looked disgusted; she realized Zip knew a lot, “You fool…”

Zip did feel foolish, “…”

She had a most serious face, “I’ll let that go, Lieutenant… but you’re a fool for covering up some of the things you know… you and Jacinta.”

“I know…” he forced out.

But she took a few seconds, sighed, and actually smirked, “You’re her friend, Lieutenant… and maybe she does have that disgusting crush on you… but there can’t be so many secrets, sir. We can’t afford it.”

This stung, and Zip winced at her statement. But he did note her manner when she uttered the words "disgusting crush"; it was a strange combination of amusement, exasperation, pity, and… understanding, perhaps most of all.

Lily had lightened the atmosphere, but Zip sure felt small; he screwed his wet eyes shut, “I know, Lily… You’re right.”

“But use your judgement,” Lily put her hooves under herself. “I trust you.”

Zip nodded, solemnly taking the advice.

She stood up, rolling to her hooves, “What say we go get some chow? I’ve been smelling it the whole time we’ve been talking.”

Zip stood up, stiffly but easily enough, beginning to put on his uniform, “Anything special about the bandage?”

“It’s just for pain… It’ll numb you up for a while. I can fix your ribs later… but it’ll be painful; it’s best to numb you up—relax you a little.”

“Great…” Zip bemoaned; he felt drained…

Lily hoofed his shoulder, “It won’t be that bad… and it’ll be later.”

“Okay,” Zip began walking.

Lily followed him, “I could probably even wash the bandage. That’s what I plan to do with the others… We could probably assign a few to the duty.”

“Your call, Lily.”

She wasn’t joking and Zip knew it. They’d gone through a lot of bandages already. The fire had been quite the ordeal.

Evening chow could’ve been worse for the platoon, given all things, they ruminated the next morning. Pvt. Oil, having guided a few other volunteers, had gone out searching for foodstuffs. Taking along unicorns, they were at least safer than without them if something happened; the sudden rain had definitely changed the land around them for the worst, mudslides being their major concern.

Pvt. Oil knew his stuff and they’d come across numerous edible plants and mushrooms. With what they found and what they could potentially rely upon—given areas of the hillside remained growing or accessible—they’d improved their food outlook and would eat notably better than projected.

They’d made a heaping batch of stew from cress, tubers, and other things and everypony ate until satisfied. Given the last couple days of misery, it tasted great…

Jacinta and Lily, having sat down with Cpl. Aster Yellows and Pvt. Orange Blossom, figured they’d have enough food to keep the platoon healthy and reasonably well-fed for four weeks, not including what Pvt. Oil and others could obtain. Naturally, a killing frost or a mudslide could destroy their newfound food source with little warning.

Having set a group of ponies to preserving what foodstuffs they could—that which grew nearby—Jacinta and Lily estimated they could stay fed for three months. Most of what Pvt. Oil had identified could be made non-perishable and they would certainly find and preserve more.

Their perishable food supply was minimal compared to their non-perishables, thankfully, and Zip knew that if they ate what they had to in the next few days it would boost morale, or at least keep the platoon satiated, being ample enough for that. For now, all they could do was eat and sleep, besides occasionally being sent for lookout duty.

They also hadn’t received any kind of plan from on high. All they could do was prepare for… whatever might be required of them, which entailed the above.

And no matter how well they rationed their supplies it wouldn’t take much to ruin everything. Flooding water in the cave and thievery were potential threats for which they would always monitor.

The platoon leaders had set up a schedule to guard their stores: three ponies—of different ranks and responsibilities and “factions” within the platoon—would keep watch in four-hour shifts.

Zip didn’t like it but had been advised to not let any two ponies that were particularly friendly with each other be in the same shift. It wasn’t easy, considering most of the ponies got on very well, but they managed, even changing up the groups so they’d be different.

Zip still trusted his platoon but that could change if two or three chummy ponies decided to conspire in their hours alone together and shit on the rest of them. Sadly, ponies could still talk outside of the duty.

Anything was possible in a desperate time. Zip hated it even more, but figured he’d have Amethyst feel around—or just keep her ears open—and see if anypony was colluding trouble for the rest of them. He’d ask her as soon as her hangover had completed its great undertaking.

Speaking of Amethyst…

“Our situation has potentially improved, Amethyst,” Zip told her about their most recent events. “We’ve found a food source that might extend our supplies a few weeks or longer… No fresh word from Canterlot since last night but the princess should be sending us a message in the next couple hours to update us. As far as I know things are the same as yesterday with their planning.”

The two of them were in the “communications room”, Zip having kicked out the couple of ponies he’d assigned to staff the crystal balls and watch Amethyst. This little corner had been as good as any for Amethyst to have as restful a sleep as her formidable drunkenness had allowed. Lunch was less than an hour away but Zip doubted she’d eat much of it.

Amethyst heard the news but had something more pressing—to her at least—on her mind.

“Lieutenant… how do…? Who knows… about yesterday?”

She ascertained she’d done something bad, whether she recalled it or not.

Zip sat across from his sergeant, not entirely sure of how to handle things. He’d brought her some stew—a fresh batch having been made that morning—and plenty of water, of which they had a virtually unlimited supply. Zip had to practically force the food down her throat, her nausea still wracking her insides.

The fact she seemed so frightened bothered him… but he pushed it down.

He took in a vision of his friend. He’d never seen a mare so hungover. She looked like shit and she felt like shit, clearly. He could see it, that she felt small. She was ashamed. And she was sorry. But no matter how pathetic she was at that moment it only filled him with more contempt.

Zip, not knowing what Amethyst knew about her own actions or what she even exactly meant by her question, said tiredly, “Word is you put on a show once you were probably in blackout territory. You had a bottle in your kit and nopony was willing to stop you; they were too tired or scared of you or they just didn’t care enough to try. The whole platoon knows that; they also know you holed up in some dark corner of the cave to be alone. That’s what everypony knows. I'm a little shocked they didn't freak out more, learning about your old job...”

Just recalling Lily’s very minor amusement at the situation before Zip walked in on a monster irked him; the little smirk she gave him flashed before his eyes and he met it with red. It hadn’t been Lily’s fault, naturally, and he didn’t hold it against her, but it still pissed him off.

Amethyst shuddered at Zip’s words. It wasn’t as much what he’d said but the coldness in his voice.

Zip felt coldness towards Amethyst. Once the initial shock of her actions had worn off and his ribs were fixed, and he’d been able to sleep on it, he wasn’t feeling too charitable; it hardened him. He might’ve not really known how to handle things in this situation, but he knew he was furious.

He wasn’t there to hold her hoof, or shed tears for or with her, or anything along those lines. He was there to set her straight; perhaps she’d never do such a thing again, but he’d had enough.

Everything about her was getting him more and more angry, it seemed. Her secretive position… his imagining what he didn’t know she’d done right under his nose… that—in Lily’s words—“disgusting crush” she had on him… her going after that group of centaurs alone—and the trouble that had brought… her weaknesses she readily showed him—often only him…

Yes…

Lily had wanted to go along with him for his time with Amethyst. She knew Zip’s state-of-mind had altered overnight, and was afraid, but he decided to not involve her. Even Zip knew his heart and mind had coarsened and he was sick, feeling it swirl around inside.

He’d deal with the Equestrian belle, huddled in her blanket, himself.

Zip shook his head, disgusted with her… This was probably what a twice-warmed dead hooker looked like after washing up on a beach somewhere...

“What do you know?” was the question he had for her.

Zip’s words cut; Amethyst gathered her blanket, sinking further into it.

The Pegasus leaned forward, practically hissing, “What do you yourself know? I order you to tell me…”

Amethyst glanced up, shaking; she saw Zip’s eyes and there was no love in them. She looked back down, mute.

“I gave you an order, Sergeant…” Zip breathed, leaning further towards her.

She squeaked, “I don’t remember…”

“I can believe that…” Zip said.

She couldn’t look him in the eye.

Amethyst was afraid… and it didn’t sway Zip, despite knowing full-well what might’ve been going through her head.

“Well, I know,” Zip plainly stated.

Amethyst became even smaller, visibly sinking to the floor.

Zip wasn’t normally cruel… Was this even necessary? He felt even more bothered.

He wasn’t sure why but he decided to stay the course, “I know your mind’s in rough shape but put up your head.”

Too weak to resist or refuse she held up her head.

Zip put his forehead to hers, “This should work… See…”

Amethyst saw, alright, her mind being what it was. She saw herself out of control… as well as her commander’s fear.

She gasped as Zip severed the connection; she choked as if she’d vomit again but merely coughed.

Zip admitted he felt better, giving her such a visceral vision of her own actions. But he also regretted it; his anger had gotten the best of him—and he knew it—but it was over. It was… immature on his part. At least he was calming down and it had saved him having to give words to it.

Zip fell to his rump and thought a moment.

In fact, he’d relaxed enough he was better able to think straight; he’d been an ass, maybe, “Ooh… I, uh… Amethyst, I-”

“Don’t apologize, Lieutenant… I’m sorry… You’ve never done me wrong…”

He wasn’t sure about that… at all, “You really scared me…”

He wasn’t quite ready for her response.

“Does Jacinta know?” Amethyst huffed, still catching her breath.

Zip did a take; he was… bemused by the childish question; it further slaked his anger.

Zip sighed, leaning back to a proper seat on his rump, “No… I wouldn’t tell her. Only one other knows.”

Amethyst nodded quickly, a little sob coming from her throat.

“Lily knows,” Zip said in a low voice. “I told her.”

The jerk Amethyst gave spoke volumes about her feelings; she shrank again.

“I didn’t have much choice, Amethyst…” Zip shuffled over, so he was sitting beside her. “She had me over a barrel and… well, she’s a whole lot more knowledgeable than me.”

“…”

“You don’t like that, do you…?”

A bitter sob was her answer, along with the vehement shake of her head between her legs.

Zip had a little trouble guessing why…

Amethyst whispered, “She knows me, Lieutenant… the real me… She knows more than she lets on…”

Zip wondered, “What do you mean?”

“She knows why I was sent to Port City, sir… She knows specifically why.”

Zip’s stomach dropped out on him; that was a heavy piece of information, “So that’s it… That’s why you have trouble when it comes to her.”

It was surprising to Zip Lily would have been able to access such a thing…

“She told you, then…?” Amethyst buried her face. “That I'm such a coward? She’s right…!”

He patted her back as she broke into fresh sobs.

“I feel like… I’ve been using Jacinta!” her eyes ran like broken faucets.

Zip shook his head; he didn’t think that, “No, no, no…”

“But I have, sir!” Amethyst bleated. “It was like-”

“Stop,” Zip kneaded her shoulder. “It’s not true.”

Whether she believed it or not she merely sniffled, holding her head between her back legs, “What’s happening…? Cross, he… Celestia… I…”

Zip allowed her the time she needed.

“Lily, she… knows…” Amethyst whispered. “It was in my psych file… the real one… even Celestia doesn’t know about. She saw when she was temporarily assigned to records part-time, before you came here. I doubt you realize it, but she’s got no problem… breaking a few rules to get what she wants.”

“Sounds a bit like you…” Zip mused; Amethyst had broken into the same place several times in her pursuit of… whatever it was she wanted.

Lily though… the former nurse had been right: position had its privileges. And the willingness to breach the high-security data vaults didn’t hurt, either. It was, after all, a secret, most of Amethyst's past.

“Did you ever bother looking at her file, Lieutenant?”

Zip perked up, “No.”

“Her father was a master burglar.”

“He taught her?” Zip was often a little stunned, finding out some of the things he never knew about his ponies; maybe he should’ve taken a better look at all their files…

Amethyst took in his being flabbergasted a few seconds; she sputtered and snorted laughter.

Zip was also stunned Amethyst always bounced back as quickly as she did… but…

He just didn’t know with her, sometimes.

“You sure can jump to conclusions,” Amethyst chuckled morosely, pulling out of her misery a little. “Just funning with you... No, he never taught her. But he’s been in the prison in Baltimare for 19 years for attempting to rob the Mint of Baltimare, sir, so that part’s true.”

Bemused, Zip blinked, “I see.”

“She’s a smart unicorn, Lieutenant. Brains and a touch of magic open most doors; that’s all it usually takes.”

The demure look she gave him threw him for a loop! If he didn’t know her as well as he did, he’d have confidence she was playing him.

But Zip just patted her hoof, “I hear you…”

“Right…” Amethyst felt better. “No more games.”

Zip acknowledged, “There’s not a whole lot going on. You can rest here a while longer if you like… It’s quiet and warm, at least. I’ll have a couple others come in to watch the crystal balls.”

“Sounds good. Are you planning to hold a meeting later?”

“Once we hear from Canterlot I want to gather together the rest of the squad leaders… Jacinta, Trip, and Silver, of course. Then we’ll-”

Crackle… Crackle…

The sound caused them both to turn; it was their big crystal ball.

“A message,” Amethyst noted.

“A little earlier than expected,” Zip realized the time.

Amethyst stood, “I’ll leave.”

“No,” Zip said. “Stay.”

She didn’t argue but a nervousness had taken her; Zip noticed but chose to ignore it, whatever it was. He figured both of them looked pretty haggard, living as they’d been the last couple days, so he wasn't too worried about Amethyst's poor appearance.

With a pop, Princess Celestia appeared before them. And Zip wasn’t liking the look she had on her face. She looked tired… as tired as he himself and Amethyst were.

But Celestia marshaled a pleasant expression, a stark contrast from what she was feeling.

“Zip… I decided to contact you as soon as I knew something.”

Zip sat up straight, realizing he’d already been doing so, “Yes, Princess.”

Celestia took them both in, noting their appearances; she addressed Zip with a sad smile, “You look as weary as I feel, Lieutenant…”

He was somewhat put at ease; he shrugged good-naturedly, “We all feel a couple weeks short on sleep, Princess…”

His comment was meant with a more genuine smile, “I can understand, Zip. There are times I feel a few decades short of it…”

Zip nodded, now wondering the reason for the pleasantries; he supposed none of them knew what else to do and was satisfied with that, “What that must be like…”

Celestia giggled before turning to Amethyst; she addressed Special Agent Peridot Shadow, as Zip recalled her revealed identity, “You look well-rested, Amethyst… A sight for sore eyes compared to yesterday.”

What? Zip turned to Amethyst.

The 38-year-old unicorn was as gorgeous as ever he’d seen her; no visible trace of anything negative—past or present—was to be noted.

The (not really, too old) minx…! Zip hooted internally. She’d “fixed” her appearance, as he’d seen a few times and he himself had been cleaned up… in his first 30 seconds of knowing her.

In response to Celestia, Amethyst stated, “I’m trying my best, Celestia. I… feel better.”

Celestia mused, “…”

A moment passed in the cave; all to be heard was the crackling of the small fire, lighting the cavern.

Zip realized it was time to talk, “Princess… what is it you need of us?”

“In due time,” Celestia answered, shifting her eyes his way. “Much has come to light, my little ponies… and I am wiser for it.”

Zip squirmed, again noting the unease Amethyst had begun radiating since Celestia had appeared. Whether she was upset about how she’d behaved or what Zip had disclosed was up in the air; perhaps it was both.

Celestia sighed, “What you told me, Zip, shook me…

Amethyst was anxious, “Celestia… Are you alright?”

The princess closed her eyes, “I am. Please don’t be angry with Zip for the decision he made…”

“I…” Amethyst cast her eyes down; she wasn’t aware of what her eyes still betrayed.

“I can read you, Amethyst; I’ve always been able,” Celestia said wistfully. “And you look terrible, though your little ‘clean-up spell’ is still exemplary! Gladly, I can see your spirits have lifted. Please try to stay positive.”

“…” Amethyst continued to avoid eye-contact.

Celestia smirked playfully, “You have so many secrets, but I’ve always been able to read your face.”

Amethyst hoofed the floor sheepishly; it was an odd thing to see but Zip had seen her true demure side before.

“Don’t worry, Amethyst,” Celestia simpered. “I hold dear your feelings, but it was necessary for the lieutenant to tell me. It truly was.”

Amethyst seemed both relieved and humbled.

Zip refocused, “I’m sorry, Princess, but you said you had some new information.”

The princess sat a moment and relented; she didn’t seem upset about it.

“Very well,” Celestia said. “I wanted to tell you command has yet to make their decision. I gave them the advice you recommended but… I’m not privy to all their goings-on.”

Zip figured, “The separation of powers… Checks and balances…”

Celestia huffed, “Of course… I have the authority to override if I see fit, but… I’ve elected not to do so for the time being.”

Amethyst figured, “So you’re in the dark, too.”

“Yes, partly, but they will likely have a decision by this afternoon.”

Zip halted his mental processes, “‘Partly’?”

“…” Celestia flinched.

“What’s that mean?” Zip felt his breakfast churn in his trunk.

Celestia suddenly became upset, “What I do know is there is currently no intention to rescue or reinforce you. The weather… has precluded an air operation until further notice. My engineers, based on the information from weather stations along the Northwestern Railway, have determined locomotive isn’t an option either; the track isn’t structurally sound. The current weather system… extends halfway to Canterlot.”

Zip groaned… He hadn’t known the system was that big.

Amethyst blew out a breath, “I see…”

This sucked, but they weren’t expecting much else.

“I recommended sending aid, among others, Amethyst; there are many in power aware of your plight... However, as far as the whole of the world is concerned, you're all dead... And it's to be that way until circumstances dictate otherwise.”

Zip felt a pang... He'd thought about it... that his friends and family back home... those he'd served with... all thought he'd perished in that terrible prairie fire.

But he shook off the thinking; he'd managed to keep it from his mind, and he felt better for it.

Back to the subject at hoof, Zip knew what the other two knew, “Depending on the weather… there’s a possibility the window might not be open again. Air travel… may be possible. But I can understand the railway… Once the ground freezes, it’ll warp the tracks beyond passable, even those not washed out by the storms.”

“That’s what my engineers said”, Celestia glumly stated. "We're seeing weather up there we haven't seen in decades..."

Zip almost chuckled, “One of our privates told me… He’s quite a fellow, Pvt. Sapphire. He and Pvt. Oil… they saw this coming before anypony else did.”

“How do you mean?” Celestia tilted her head.

Zip admitted, “Pvt. Oil tried to counsel Gen. Creek that the weather was about to change… He’s the one that got beat up so badly…”

Celestia glowered, the story fresh in her mind, “Yes… I see.”

Zip knew there was no point regretting things, but he couldn’t help it, “I so wish we’d been able to present a better case to command…!”

Amethyst kneaded his shoulder, “Lieutenant… don’t…”

Zip slumped.

Celestia’s voice got his attention, “Lieutenant.”

Zip looked up.

“You trust these privates?”

“I do,” Zip meant it with all his heart. “They saved us, Princess.”

“I think they could be of use, still,” Celestia said. “I’d like to meet them.”

Zip felt a small glimmer of… not hope but something good, “As you wish. When?”

“Once we’re done, here. In fact, I want them to speak with my commanders during the meeting.”

Zip wondered, “‘The meeting’?”

Celestia sighed heavily, “Command wishes to announce their plan to your platoon as a whole.”

Zip… wasn’t sure he liked this; neither was Amethyst.

Amethyst fidgeted, “Is that a good idea?”

“I don’t know,” Celestia admitted.

Zip didn’t like it… but he’d take it, “Sounds fine. There are some things they need to hear…”

Amethyst noted the coldness in his voice; she couldn’t tell what it meant.

“I just wanted to tell you, Zip…” Celestia hung her head.

“I understand, Princess. Thank you.”

Celestia stood up straight, “But now we have some work to do. I want to meet Pvts. Sapphire and Oil… In fact, bring your sergeants and staff. We have possibly several hours before command emerges from the war-room. They have their authority… but you will have your say when the time comes. We will not undermine them, but they will hear your case. After all… we’re still looking at a week of this miserable weather; we have time.”

Zip stood up himself, “I see, Princess. When shall we meet again?”

“Let us reconvene in 20 minutes.”

Zip put forward, “Give us a half-hour… We’ll have lunch ready by then. We may as well be comfortable.”

The princess nodded, “I shall do the same, then. A half-hour it is. Until then.”

Celestia’s image faded and the crystal ball dimmed.

The lieutenant and the sergeant made for the exit. They felt… things were looking up—remotely yet very possibly—for the first time in several days.

“What’s for lunch, sir?” Amethyst prodded.

“It’s more soup,” Zip sniffed the air. “You can’t smell it?”

“I always get congested when I drink…”

She sounded it, too… Worse than before.

Zip had a question, “I’ve never asked, Amethyst… When you do that, your little spell to clean yourself up, is it purely cosmetic?”

“You know it…” she slumped. “Celestia’s right: I feel like shit…”

Zip nodded; despite his resilience he still felt wiped out.

But regardless of aches and pains and hangovers they set about with what they had to do.

Zip, Jacinta, Amethyst and the other sergeants, Silver, Trip, and two certain privates would be having a sit-down with the Princess of Equestria.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Next time, the platoon learns what is expected of them in the face of the great odds they're up against. And they make a choice.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 7: Sparks

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 5: Blizzard Warning

The general of the 4th Army, Fiddler Dream, and the other leaders of Equestria were communicating with Zip’s ponies as holograms via crystal ball. Every spell and security imaginable was given to the transmission.

Princess Celestia, presiding, had convinced her command to meet with Zip’s non-coms and staff alone, rather than with the entire platoon. It was easier with 40 less ponies that likely didn’t know what they were talking about gumming up the exchange.

Command wasn’t thrilled their planned declaration—which they’d still not been able to finalize or even decide upon—had become a discussion. But it was a situation none of them had seen in their collective lifetimes, other than the princess; she’d convinced them to keep open minds.

Zip figured the generals and other commanders of Equestria’s military—with their scientists and engineers—wouldn’t be pleased when their strategies were critiqued by a claustrophobic private.

And Zip was right: the leaders of Equestria were aghast… until he started making sense.

Zip recalled Cpt. Basket Weaver’s coolness in dealing with the top general, in Port City’s big conference room; the captain had likely made the decision—in that room— to throw his life to the vacuum, Zip came to realize.

And Celestia had informed the lieutenant, before his non-coms and staff had joined the meeting, that the necessary commanders had been notified of Cpt. Weaver’s actions and the true reasons for them.

Zip wouldn’t say they were humbled but their minds were a lot more malleable.

Cpt. Weaver took no shit off anypony—even the general of the 4th Army and his command (not that he’d been too out of line)—but had done so to show he wasn’t just some douche the army could push around… and to figure out what the army was supposedly up to before he carried out his plans.

Even if those running the show been more stubborn about heeding the thoughts of some young stallions, Zip felt Pvt. Blood Sapphire would’ve still been convincing. His composure came from powerful certainties he felt, and it could be felt radiating from him.

Zip noted even Jacinta and Amethyst were rapt; he’d expected them to have opinions, but… they merely listened for the time being. His other non-coms and staff were captivated as well.

Presently, the army’s engineers were arguing the merits and possibility of sending reinforcements and supplies by train in an effort to slow down the Centauri forces. Another 10 days or so and the centaurs would likely be able to move south.

The army didn’t like the idea, not wanting to advance into the coming wintery environments but they were reconsidering. How else would they slow the centaurs, other than by force? If they hoped to stop them short of Canterlot—and defeat them—they had to hinder their movement well before their reaching the capitol.

General Fiddler Dream was taking stock in all he heard, “Pvt. Sapphire… What do you think?”

The private, his shades in his pocket so everypony could see his strange eyes, stated, “Your engineers are quite right. We’re looking at over 500 miles of train track being supplanted… and that’s just with the precipitation and runoff… Linseed—Pvt. Oil—can’t say much just based on the last time we saw an autumn like this. But if we look at the climactic cycle of the last 10 to 20 years, we’re in the middle of a wet-cycle… and a cold-cycle.

“With the rainfall we’re expecting and the impending ground-freeze the track will be unseated halfway to Canterlot. Your watchers along the track noted abnormally high water-absorption, so the ground’s on its way to oversaturation. Geologically this area’s diverse: the river’s influence naturally gave the valley the shrinking and swelling clay-loam, but the surrounding land is much younger. A Helluva fire devastated this area centuries ago and it’ll take a few more centuries to see a more mature landscape, but that’s beside the point.

“Our issue is that the railway follows the valley… follows the river. The tracks are a no-go; you’re not getting an outfitted locomotive and cars within 700 miles of here, regardless of the winter weather.”

The private’s explanation was met with whispering; the Canterlot ponies didn’t like hearing this, not because it wasn’t true but because it was a lousy situation.

The general nodded thoughtfully, “Pvt. Sapphire… where’d you get your education?”

The unicorn wasn’t offended, “I was a student of geology and physics at the Canterlot Institute of Science.”

“Really?” Gen. Dream’s eyes widened slightly, his eyebrows rising just a hair.

“Yes, General, but I didn’t go for the whole schooling. I admit it was more of a technical degree, but I learned a lot more in the Dragonlands.”

“With your record, I don’t care if you got your degree off the back of a comic book…” Gen. Dream shook his head in wonder. “It’s not many a pony that saw the kind of success you did in that strange, diverse landscape.”

Nopony brought it up—though it was known—but three of Pvt. Sapphire’s operations in dragon-extermination and nest-destruction were already being incorporated into military curriculums as textbook examples. He’d planned, led, and commanded these operations despite being a private. He was that good.

A government geologist still wasn’t convinced; it wasn’t his pride as a professional as much as it was his desire to keep the option open, “General… we should reconsider-”

“I understand your concern, son,” Gen. Dream turned his way—they were in the Canterlot war-room, together, after all. “We’re not killing the possibility; we just can’t get close. I trust the private’s assertion for now.”

The geologist had a doctorate; maybe it had a little to do with his pride, “Why?”

The general smirked, “Because his life is in more immediate danger than ours.”

That shut up the geologist. It made sense: Pvt. Sapphire and Zip’s platoon had something to gain from this and arguably more, by bringing in help. And the platoon trusted Pvt. Sapphire, their lives being in the predicament they were.

This was good enough for Gen. Dream.

And it was good enough for Celestia, “I agree with Pvt. Sapphire… We must consider other possibilities.”

Zip… didn’t understand much of what was said past the bottom line. And he still marveled—along with his staff—watching his private run circles around Canterlot’s most trusted scientists. While the strategists and advisors had the biggest say, it was the underlying difficulties that dominated the discussion.

Private Sapphire rubbed his tired eyes, saying to the room in general, “Well, I was merely explaining our situation as far as the railway goes. There’s worse…”

Nopony liked hearing “worse”; they muttered to one another, their malcontent rising.

Celestia put up a hoof for silence, “Everypony calm down…”

They did so, or at least they quieted.

Celestia turned to Pvt. Sapphire, “Go on.”

“I’d best turn it over to Pvt. Oil…” Pvt. Sapphire gestured to his friend.

All eyes turned to Linseed; he’d been quiet, barely noticeable, but very attentive to all he heard.

As it turned out he also had the clearest idea of what was going on.

Linseed seemed positively daunting, drawling in his usually relaxed manner, “The fact we could get a locomotive and the corps halfway between our two locations doesn’t matter because we won’t have a chance to fight from there. Nor would airships be an option with the approaching winter; it’s too unpredictable. We know winter is almost here. You can consult the histories… the almanacs… but I say this: we’re looking at the worst winter in 50 years.”

He said it with such sureness it was unsettling. But this was met with slight derision rather than hushed conversation; it sounded like something anypony’s old grandpa might say.

A climatologist, a unicorn, scoffed, “And how would you know such a thing?”

Linseed looked to her, not feeling slighted in the least, “That’s what I’m best at… I can feel it… the same way Sgt. Flare can navigate the mind. And if that’s not good enough for you, the histories and the current conditions do all point to the same thing. It’s logical and past-proven and fairly reliable. Things move in cycles… and we’re in for the worst it has to offer.”

It was a shame… Ponies had gotten a pretty good handle on the weather but when it came to anything outside the larger cities, climate-control was in its infancy.

Linseed continued, “It’s raining now… but as soon as that’s over it’s gonna start snowing. You know what the winters are like up here at their worst… and it’s not gonna be much better anywhere north of Canterlot. We’ll see snow as high as the rooftops; that’s what’s waiting, ultimately, even a day’s journey north of Canterlot. You may as well count out using the railway a month from now.”

This was met with fresh whispers. It had been bad enough knowing they’d only possibly get any locomotives to the halfway point. Now they were looking at the northern half of the continent being impassable in 30 days.

It was a blessing the supplies sent out from Port City were presently reaching even the most rural of Equestria’s settlements. If ponies could handle the weather, which they’d been doing for as long as anypony knew, they had food and supplies to live on.

General Fiddler dream asked of Linseed, “Pvt. Oil… A month? A month until we reach such a state?”

Linseed admitted, “There’s no way to know for sure, General… It’s a near-certainty the centaurs will be leaving the north with a good covering of snow on the ground; I base that on the thought they’ll be able to move in 10 days. They’ll reach the halfway point in about 10 days once they start moving, if Sgt. Flare’s estimate is accurate. If things go that way, we’re looking at 20 days until the Centauri forces begin to reach the halfway point. I say ‘begin’ because their numbers are so great, they’ll be stretched out for a few days.”

The idea the centaurs could cover 700 miles in 10 days wasn’t at all welcome.

“It is foolishness! 10 days?!” somepony cried.

“That cannot be!” yelled another.

Similar shouts were heard.

“It can…” Amethyst spoke up for the first time since Pvt. Sapphire had begun his diatribe, quietly nursing her hangover. “Don’t forget their size. There’s only valley and prairie once they leave the area of Port City. It’s flat… easy to move if they beat the heavy snow.”

General Dream pondered, “Perhaps we should reexamine our potential line of defense… We still have the terrain north of Canterlot.”

“They’ll reach us in a month!” a Canterlot pony exclaimed.

“We’ll be buried in a month!” somepony else on the Canterlot end yelled.

An advisor counseled Gen. Dream, “Bringing ponies up there? It’s suicide, once the weather turns.”

“We need to put up a line of defense!” a strategist roared. “We need to keep them away from Canterlot as long as possible! There’s no way we’ll be ready in less than a month-and-a-half!”

The yelling went on and Gen. Dream grumbled, rubbing his own tired eyes.

The yelling went on.

“We’d have to hold them for at least two weeks to finish preparing our defenses around Canterlot!”

“But if the centaurs are caught in the weather… they may be trapped! No creature could survive the winter on that prairie without a supply line!”

“We can dream of such things!”

Zip, his sergeants, and his staff were lost amongst the bickering; Pvt. Sapphire felt his chest tighten up, as if he were trapped.

The Canterlot ponies still went on.

“Our entire strategy thus far has been based on a gradual retreat, not a fixed position! The hills north of the city cannot be fortified!”

“Meeting the centaurs in the open will be suicidal! We have no choice but to remain close to Canterlot.”

More and more upset was heard. But they hadn’t even heard the worst. One pony was rather calm, given the cacophony around him.

Linseed was considering something nopony else was.

Celestia—about to lose hope in the present situation—used the full power of her Royal Voice, noting the private, “Silence!”

That shut them up.

The princess looked thoughtfully to Linseed, “What is it, Pvt. Oil?”

All eyes turned to the 21-year-old oddball, lounging against the most comfortable rock he’d been able to locate.

The stallion in question squeezed his eyes shut and sighed. He opened his eyes and sought out a certain pony.

Linseed looked to Amethyst, “Sgt. Flare… Do you think they’ll wait?”

Amethyst looked genuinely confused; she blinked, “What?”

Linseed narrowed his eyes, not to her in particular, “The centaurs… Do you think they’ll wait?”

“For what?” she was flummoxed.

Linseed calmly stated, “If they know what’s coming… and I bet they do... I think they’ll move earlier than we’re figuring.”

Everypony’s blood ran cold, including Amethyst’s.

Linseed sighed, “If they know the window they’re facing, they won’t wait for the ground to be dry; they’ll move.”

This was met with a dread silence.

“And they won’t stop,” Linseed added. “They won’t stop for anything. Once they start moving, they’ll hit Canterlot in 20... maybe 22 days.”

“What are you on about? We’ll have a line! We have the corps!” one general said; he was holding onto the notion they had a chance to stop the centaurs cold, even for a short time.

Linseed was sweating a little by then, “Even if we do stage a defense as far north as is feasible, we’ll still be facing the incoming snow. And whether they gain a few days by leaving early or they don’t they’ll be fleeing from it; the snow will come heavy quickly. Once they realize there’s absolutely no turning back… that they’ll die if they don’t advance swiftly and fully… I don’t think we could even slow them down. Not even for a day. Not with their numbers. They’ll press right into Canterlot. And we won’t be able to stop them.”

Frightened chatter broke out; this was bad.

“We’ll send an army!” somepony barked. “The fourth!”

“Even the 4th Army couldn’t slow them enough, based on our estimates!” a strategist hollered back. "It'd take more than that!"

Celestia pleaded for order, “Everypony! Calm yourselves!”

The princess didn’t sound too assured, then, despite her raised voice.

Zip looked around: Amethyst looked a little out of sorts and so did everypony else… other than Linseed.

Linseed looked ill—perhaps off-color—but he was keeping his cool.

Zip, despite it not being his place at all, began kicking at the wall; he realized it was well beyond his rank but it needed to be done.

CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!

Ponies responded to the noise by quickly but not abruptly quieting down.

All eyes fell to the lieutenant.

Celestia blinked, “Yes? What is it Lt. Screamer?”

Zip said, his voice a little shaky, “I think we understand Sgt. Flare’s and Pvt. Oil’s thoughts on the matter…”

He didn’t mean to throw Amethyst under the wagon and nopony thought he was; her manner had said volumes about what she believed, despite not saying much.

“It makes sense, what Pvt. Oil says—it makes hard, terrible sense…” Zip strangled out, not on the verge of tears but feeling a bit feeble. “But what do you think, Princess?”

A lot of “mass eye-shifting” had been taking place that afternoon; this time everypony turned to Celestia.

The princess froze.

Linseed gently said, “In your time you’ve seen many things, Princess. You probably know more than anypony living… Other than Lt. Screamer and Sgt. Flare you’re the only living pony that’s encountered a centaur and you’ve had many lifetimes to learn about them—you’ve known them.”

Most ponies didn’t hear much emotion out of Linseed. Zip figured the most he’d heard was when the private had desperately sought an audience with—as Spc. Trip Wire called him—Gen. Rocky “Asshole” Creek. Now they heard a little more.

Linseed sounded frightened, nothing at all like the confidence he’d been radiating, “Do you see things following the path I think they may?”

Celestia barely hesitated, swallowing hard; her voice shook mildly, “Your logic is sound, Private. Given the scenario you predict—and about which you’re likely correct—I see things going exactly as you say…”

This declaration wasn’t met with hushed chatter or exclamations. The ponies merely sat, an unreal feeling washing over them.

After a moment of silence an advisor voiced timidly, “We can’t face this… We should… sue for peace…”

This caused a small uproar.

“You coward!”

“Make peace with those murdering monkeys?!”

“They didn’t come here to coexist; they came to kill us all!”

The noise was incredible.

“Silence!” Celestia’s Royal Voice was all but ignored.

Amethyst was the one to break the pandemonium.

She produced an orb of energy.

Kee-rack!

The crack was so loud it had ears ringing; even the ponies in Canterlot were nursing their ears.

Zip was among the first to recover, “Amethyst?”

The beautiful sergeant, skillfully hiding her hangover from most eyes, looked peaked, “I don’t think peace is an option… and I think the princess knows better than all of us.”

To her little ponies, Celestia nodded glumly, “Sgt. Flare is most correct. They invaded our shores with the intent to stay here. They will kill all in their path… It’s simply a question of how far they decide to move. The land of the centaurs is a harsh place. If they get a hoofhold—if they can occupy enough of Equestria—they’ll send more. Our fertile land is the envy of the world. And it’s not the first time I’ve seen this…”

Amethyst, her reasoning unchallenged, sat down. Zip couldn’t recall her looking quite so lost; it was hard for her to see her friend and mentor, the princess, as anything but the pony she admired.

Amethyst knew Celestia wasn’t a goddess… but it never put her off the pedestal.

Celestia was frank, “So… based on this… what are we to do?”

This was no rhetorical question; Celestia was begging for an answer—one that would save them.

Zip realized it. There was one option—one thing that might work—and nopony had voiced it, whether they’d thought about it or not. He knew he hadn't...

The lieutenant’s voice was little more than a whisper in the silent cave, “We need to stop them up here.”

Based on the responses it seemed nopony had considered such a thing.

A strategist bellowed, “Are you fucking mad, Lieutenant?! We have just over a week—at best—before they move!”

Another spouted as if Zip was jesting, “There’s no way we can get any number of ponies up there! Without support it’s suicide.”

The next remark was entirely true, “We cannot support any number of ponies in the field without air or ground supplies! And with the approaching winter…!”

“If history has taught us one thing it’s to never run into such places when winter is nipping at our heels!”

But the jeers petered out, leaving Zip to speak again; he offered, “I think… the only option is for us—those of us up here—to stop them.”

Zip’s command couldn’t believe their ears.

Nopony else could believe it either, other than maybe a certain private who’d been more or less cool as a cucumber throughout the session.

Only one pony was able—or chose—to speak.

Jacinta sputtered, “Lieutenant! Are you mad?That’s… ridiculous!”

Zip quaked, “I know, Jacinta… but if all this is true it’s the only way.”

General Dream shook his head, “Lieutenant Zip Screamer… you are mad… The only thing your platoon should be doing is moving south. It might be feasible to meet you with a locomotive or an airship partway, before the weather shifts. If you’re up there when the weather hits—even if the centaurs don’t notice your presence—you’ll all perish.

“I know you’re better outfitted with your scrounging—and you’ll never lack for water—but you can’t survive the winter up there! It’s impossible…”

Zip hummed, “I… know it’s impossible. We’re not lacking for firewood either but that won’t save us… not when the deep snow and cold comes.”

“What are you saying, Lieutenant?” the general eyeballed Zip.

Every set of eyes was upon Zip… from his friends to the princess.

“I…” Zip had trouble.

Linseed raised a hoof.

Zip saw. And he was willing to hear whatever his private had to say.

“Linseed…?” Zip extended.

With a great, shaky sigh and no small amount of visible fear in his eyes Linseed stood.

The private took a deep breath and exhaled, “We’re soldiers. We were all sent here to fill holes—like finding pictures to tack up on a gappy wall… We were sent here for 54 different reasons, all of us… Our job was to do for cheap what would’ve cost more with civilians. We served as laborers… customs… inspectors… logisticians…

“But we’re still soldiers. We vowed to defend Equestria… No matter the cost! That’s in our creed! And it’s our duty to stop the centaurs from moving south, no matter the cost. Just as it’s your duty to do all you can to prepare Canterlot for defense.

“You have time to prepare—it’s your duty to prepare… and it’s our duty to give you as much time as we can.”

Everypony was floored. Zip’s command was especially.

Sure, death was walking behind all of them and they’d seen the division wiped out in what was likely the most one-sided battle ever seen on Equestrian soil. But… even the ponies that came from combat outfits—even the hardest ponies—never thought… they’d die there…

But it had always been a possibility. It was merely circumstance that their lives had so far been spared.

Celestia broke the uneasy peace, “Pvt. Linseed Oil… do you have an idea?”

She’d asked the question with all her hope behind it.

With bated breath, everypony regarded Linseed.

Linseed said, “I don’t know.”

Gasps were heard. The pony who’d seemed quite sure of everything—or at least confident—no longer had anything to offer?!

Still, he wasn’t without an idea.

Linseed waited for quiet, “But as I said… it’s our duty. We have some of the brightest minds in Equestria… on your side… and on our side of things.”

General Dream sat up higher, “So you do have some idea.”

Linseed shrugged, “I’m not sure. But we have some time. We have intelligence, experience, ponies… and we have the mountains.”

Zip got it; he stood up, “All we need to do is keep the centaurs in the north until they can’t travel.”

It sounded simple… but of course it wasn’t.

Commotion broke out and Celestia ordered it to stop, employing the Royal Voice.

Once silence was restored, Amethyst reluctantly got to her hooves, “They’re right, Celestia…”

Ponies noticed Amethyst had not used Celestia’s title. Some saw it as a disrespect—perhaps a slip of the tongue… But those in the know knew it was intentional. Amethyst formally—in that situation—resigned herself to her duty. It was visible to Celestia, seen in Amethyst’s eyes.

Celestia nodded, “I know…”

Linseed smirked at the shocked faces, most of which were on Canterlot’s end; his end was dawning recognition, “If we can keep them in the northern half of the continent for a month… they’ll all die.”

More stunned muttering came from Canterlot’s ponies; they… were unsure.

The princess stood up; she seemed to look Zip in the eye, though she spoke to her assembly, “Leaders of our great land… I wish to charge Lt. Zip Screamer and his platoon with this task. I won’t use my final authority to override anypony; I wish for us to convene in private… and discuss until we have more information, though we will act on this for now.”

Nopony other than Zip spoke; it seemed his platoon had a task, “Princess… What shall we do in the meantime?”

She regarded him, “I’d like to say ‘rest’ but I say this: gather as much information about your surroundings as possible.”

Celestia turned to the privates, “Pvts. Oil and Sapphire… how long do you think it would take you for an industrial-level land and environment assessment? Perhaps an extermination-level assessment, even?”

Linseed hummed, unsure, but Pvt. Sapphire whistled, mystified despite their situation; Pvt. Sapphire put forth, “That’s a tall order. I understand what you’re asking, though. How much area?”

Celestia replied, “Use your best judgement, Private… Consult Sgt. Flare as well… and your combat specialists.”

Amethyst perked up; she supposed she would know what to do and nodded.

Sergeant Razor Wire also acknowledged.

Private Sapphire had another matter on his mind; it was a considerable one, “Princess… there’s no way around this. I think we could manage in a few days to get the assessment completed but… we need numbers.”

Celestia understood at once, “Lt. Zip Screamer!”

She hadn’t yelled but her voice was commanding.

Zip hopped up, “Yes, Princess?”

“Private Sapphire is most correct; you need your platoon for this undertaking. They must know the situation. As was said... for the time being... we'll proceed with what we've discussed until we learn more.”

Zip hadn’t been looking forward to this; there was so much to tell, “I understand.”

Celestia was somber, “I know what this means to you… I will help you if you so wish.”

It wasn’t a difficult choice, “I appreciate it. And I accept.”

“I’m glad,” Celestia looked relieved, somehow.

Zip took in a deep breath and expelled it; he turned to his best friend and love-interest, “SSgt. Jacinta Petals!”

She got to her hooves, “Sir?”

“Jacinta…” he elected to use her name. “If you would, take Silver and bring the necessary communications equipment out to the main corridor.”

Jacinta nodded grimly, “Yes, sir.

Zip rounded to his sergeants, “Team leaders!”

Amethyst, Sgt. Sweet Clover, Razor, and Sgt. Treasure Trove all stood at attention; they responded in unison, “Sir?”

“Assemble your teams. Let them know we have an important announcement. I suggest you prepare your squad leaders; I don’t want to surprise them with this.”

“Yessir!” they all said back.

Zip told the assemblage, “I don’t want to hold this over anypony’s head; we tell them now.”

Celestia said, “Very well, Zip.”

A few ponies were surprised she’d use his first name, but they understood its meaning; she held him in the highest regard.

The princess continued, “We will instruct those concerned with what we’ve discussed. We will increase our efforts on building our defenses north of and around Canterlot… General Fiddler Dream?”

The general of the 4th Equestrian Army was immediately at attention, “Yes, Princess?”

“I ask of you, please… Assist me in breaking the news to 3rd Platoon.”

“Of course, Princess.”

"Thank you..." Celestia closed her eyes and sighed; she addressed them all, “My ponies… We will do what we can. And we will reconvene in 15 minutes to announce what we must. Is that enough time, Zip?”

Zip nodded, “It is.”

Celestia said, “Very well… It will be so…”

Everypony sat or stood, many emotions flooding through them. This was quite a situation.

Celestia had one last thing to say, “Pvt. Oil… Pvt. Sapphire…”

They looked up, surprised; they replied, “Princess?”

A smile developed on Celestia’s face; it was quite a thing to see, “Thank you… both of you…”

The privates were touched; they bowed their heads, “Princess…”

And with that, the holograms faded out and the leaders and staff of 3rd Platoon were left only with firelight.

Taking a moment to get his bearings, Zip stood, “Everypony… Carry out your orders.”

They dispersed; even Jacinta and Silver left, wanting to find a place to put the equipment before moving it.

This gave Zip a moment to gather himself; he felt wiped.

But he wasn’t alone.

“Linseed?” Zip asked. “You’re still here?”

He was indeed… and looked a little wiped himself, “Yes, Lieutenant… just needed a minute…”

Zip could more than understand, “I get it…”

Linseed stood first, “I’d best be on my way, too…”

Zip stopped him, “Linseed?”

Linseed looked back, “Yes? Lieutenant?”

It took Zip a few seconds.

“Where’d you…?” Zip wanted to ask how he got so cunning but couldn’t find the words to say it nicely.

Asking him how he’d become so smart didn’t seem to fit either.

“Lieutenant,” Linseed began. “I’m not all that tough… I’ve made a lot of stupid mistakes in my life… Before I met Silver Duster, I don’t think a mare’s ever looked at me as anything but some wack-job…”

Zip was puzzled; it was perhaps impossible to argue his second and third points, “Linseed…! You’re plenty tough. You shoulda seen the way you handled yourself against those five non-coms!”

Reminded of his bloody encounter leading up to Gen. Rocky "Asshole" Creek kicking him unconscious, Linseed gave the shadow of a smirk, which showed through the worry on his face, “I’ve always been something of a spaz.”

Zip couldn’t help himself. He did a take and guffawed.

Linseed couldn’t help himself; he joined in.

The two stallions had a good, long, hard laugh.

Linseed’s laughter became chuckling and then he calmed down. Zip managed to do the same.

The private hoofed the lieutenant, “But to answer your question… I read a lot… Otherwise, it’s just a matter of listening, mostly… Excuse me, sir…”

The private left.

Zip was flabbergasted such a pony had been “quietly” occupying a space in his platoon. It was easy to forget they were the same age. Maybe he’d ask Amethyst what his birthday was… figure out which of them was older; she’d swiped the documents pertaining to the 54 of them, after all, and had them safe.

If they got out of this… Zip would recommend Linseed for Officer Candidate School. Maybe he’d keep an eye on Pvt. Sapphire, too.

He’d never seen such a thing, two privates schooling the leaders of Equestria.

But he’d see a lot of crazy shit before this was all said and done.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Some sound advice has come from an unlikely source. Now the platoon must learn all they can about their surroundings... without even knowing what they'll wind up doing. They're in the dark but there's little choice.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 8: Blood and Oil

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 6: Zip's Volunteers

In sight of the train tracks and a stone’s throw from the river, several ponies lined up alongside an imaginary grid they’d dictated in the pass below their headquarters.

It was now five days since they’d run for their lives through the prairie fire… and four since Mother Nature had unleashed her great storm.

Private Blood Sapphire’s two surveying teams had one side of the valley; they’d nearly finished evaluating the last of the square, gridded sections, among hundreds, on the level ground.

Due to the weather, Pvt. Sapphire couldn’t see Cpl. Little Song’s two teams, only a few hundred feet away; they couldn’t even see the mountains, for the land was so inundated with rain. The corporal was a mechanical engineer rather than civil, but still better than anypony else in the platoon; Pvt. Sapphire couldn’t think of a better pony to mirror his actions as they moved along. He held a crystal ball, listening to her.

Little Song’s voice emanated from the crystal ball, “I found it… This is where the molisol and spodosol meet. The clay-loam soil gives way to a much sandier loam once we hit the foothills.”

Private Sapphire wrote in a notebook; he could see the same thing on his side of the valley, “Oh, yes… Notice how abrupt the change is. This narrow pass is like a mud puddle, really, stuck in between a bunch of rocks. This river system’s pretty young, but it sure carved a path…”

“We’re just about ready to proceed uphill,” Little Song’s voice came.

“Take up position, but don’t move beyond that. And be careful; the changes in elevation will be more difficult than you might think. Stay together as best you can,” Pvt. Sapphire said.

“Right, Private, thanks,” she signed off for the time being.

Despite the mud and rain, the ponies were out assessing the land it seemed they’d wind up defending. Canterlot hadn’t finalized their plans, still…

But with ponchos to keep warm and dry and a spell cooked up by a few of the unicorns, they felt—literally—light as feathers, barely leaving hoof-prints and having no trouble moving in the muck on flat ground. They didn’t want to leave tracks; the centaurs were still apparently unaware 54 ponies were still alive up north and it was best kept that way. The rain would likely eliminate any trace of their activity, anyway.

Private Sapphire “felt” the soil beneath him; he whistled to himself, “Another pocket of oil… If it hadn’t been for that rock-break just north of the pass’s entrance, I’m guessing this patch of land would’ve been spewing fire too…”

Glancing to one side, he could see Spc. Hemp, his first team leader, take up position at the base of the slope. The two had discussed the next step in-pony, so the private moved on.

Moving closer to the incline, Pvt. Sapphire spotted Cpl. Lily Hawk, his second crew-leader for the job, looking over their surroundings. With her was Pvt. Linseed Oil, who was helping him lead the operation. It was argued Linseed should’ve been on the other side with Little Song, but Pvt. Sapphire felt she knew what she was doing. Plus, he could bounce ideas off his friend more easily.

“Blood…” Linseed nodded.

“Linseed…” Pvt. Sapphire moved alongside Lily.

“Nasty water…” Lily eyed the river, just discernible in the storm. “The city spent a fortune filtering it.”

It was a wonder the river hadn’t flooded the pass, but it flowed easily to the sea, Port City being quite a bit lower in elevation. It was nasty… A visible, cloudy film rode along the surface of the water.

Linseed nodded, “Well, that happens when there’s this much oil in the soil. If it wasn’t for magic, I don’t think ponies could’ve settled out here with the crappy freshwater… and the saltwater too. Even the birds stay away…”

“S’why I told you all to not swim in the nearby waters…” Lily the former medical student muttered. “There’s hardly anything that can live in the water around here.”

Private Sapphire nodded, “Certainly killed my enjoyment of fishing… Cpl. Hawk… is your crew ready?”

“Yes…” Lily looked to her own notes. “Uh… Private Crunch!”

Private Caramel Crunch, among others, was on Lily’s surveying team, “Corporal?”

“Locate the farthest grid-point in the next section. Be careful and stay put.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Pvt. Crunch darted off to the next section, up the hillside.

The little mare’s vigor was something to behold.

“How she has this much energy in this weather is beyond me…” Lily grumbled.

“Dunno…” Linseed shrugged.

Lily turned to her other crew-members, “Spc. Porter? Spc. Butter?”

Specialists Blue Porter and Cocoa Butter answered, “Ma’am?”

“Head to the adjacent grid-points, please.”

“Will do,” Spc. Porter said as the two set off.

“Go with them, Linseed,” Pvt. Sapphire told his friend.

Linseed did so.

Private Sapphire called on his crystal ball, “Spc. Hemp?”

“Yeah, Blood?” his comrade responded.

“Are you ready to proceed?”

Specialist Hemp acknowledged, “We surely are.”

“Proceed.”

“Gotcha.”

Everypony was ready.

So, Pvt. Sapphire led Lily and her final crew-member, Sgt. Sweet Clover, up the mountainside. They trudged along.

Lily wasn’t exactly out of shape, but she was neither the outdoorsy type, nor the athletic type. But the ponies had decided to take turns working on the surveying team; the only regulars were Pvt. Sapphire, Cpl. Song, and Linseed, their proficiency required.

The former nurse whined, unusual for her, “Remind me why we surveyed the actual valley…”

Private Sapphire helped her along, seeing her nearly slip, “We need to assess the whole of the landscape.”

Sgt. Clover chuckled, “Yeah… Even though we’re just going to drop rocks on them…”

“That’s to be seen, Sergeant…” Pvt. Sapphire grumbled. “We need to find a good way to do that. It’s mountains around here but a lot goes into it. We’ve finished down here; now we have to climb.”

“Of course,” Sgt. Clover nodded. “Who’d know better than you how to do this?”

Private Sapphire allowed himself a little smile, “Right… Nopony, you keep telling me…”

The private had slain a lot of dragons in a lot of different places and landscapes; rocks from above often did the job. And using his expertise, they hoped to unleash such a thing upon the centaurs. Sure, killing thousands of monkey-horses was a lot different than crushing one or two dragons, but they had to explore their options.

A bit up the hillside they’d found the fourth grid-point; Lily indicated a hoof, “Here it is. All’s ready on this side.”

“Good…” Pvt. Sapphire opened his notebook; he hailed Cpl. Song on the crystal ball. “Cpl. Song?”

“Yes, Private?” she asked.

“We’re ready over here, Corporal,” Pvt. Sapphire stated.

“Okay… Let’s go, then.”

And so, in the terrible muck they continued surveying. Their preliminary goal was to create a three-dimensional model of the Northwest Pass and its surrounding features. They’d learned a lot about the area the Canterlot archives didn’t include and still had a lot of ground to cover. Their ultimate goal—as was stated—was to drop the mountains on the centaurs. It was just a matter of finding an appropriate way to do it.

Yes, despite the bad weather and the insurmountable odds, the ponies worked.

They’d resolved to stand and fight… or whatever Canterlot—and the lot of them—saw fit to do once they’d mapped it all out. They had their reasons.

After all, a brave stallion had given his life, forcing the army’s hoof in securing the supplies most necessary to the lives of Equestria’s citizens. And the platoon knew it; his bravery had inspired them, even the most hesitant. On top of that it was their duty—and their pledge—to protect their home. It was either fight or die, in the end; there wasn’t any better option, really.

Two days prior…

Near midnight, Zip sat alone in a dark corner of the cave-network, specifically, where Amethyst had holed up on her brief bender.

Before Princess Celestia and Gen. Fiddler Dream’s visages, he’d told his platoon the truth about their situation… He had to tell them their lives were probably—almost certainly—forfeit… that they’d all die in sight of the pass. When finally confronted with this task he’d spaced out, he realized much later. One moment several of his ponies were giving into despair… and next he knew, Jacinta was kneading his shoulder while his platoon filed out of the main cavern, humbled.

Several things had happened in between.

His five sergeants, Trip, Silver, Linseed, and Pvt. Sapphire had been quiet; they looked less ill than many others, but sure weren’t feeling good. They’d been there in the last meeting… when Celestia had all but ordered them to obstruct the centaurs at the pass; they’d had more time to process this. But none of them could find words to support those lost in the desolation.

It was unfair! It was sick! It was unlucky the ponies had wound up where they were… when they were. Perhaps all this was true.

While a lot of them quietly accepted what was likely the end… some weren’t having it.

Zip hung his head, listening to them rant and rave… Just a few days prior they’d sung his praises and practically worshiped him, their savior that delivered them from the incredible fire that had destroyed hundreds and hundreds of square miles…! But given the fact reality had a chance to creep into their hearts and minds, they weren’t quite as enthusiastic. And Zip couldn’t blame them.

I got sent here on a bad discipline charge! Why me?!

There’s nothing we can do! This isn’t our job! Have your air force fly up here and vaporize those monkeys!

Goddamn you, Lieutenant! You’ve led us to our deaths!

They screamed at the princess and the general as well, the former being quite innocent in all of this. Neither raised a hoof or a voice to defend themselves.

Some of us saw trouble brewing with the weather! Why didn’t you listen to them?!

How was somepony like Rocky Creek ever appointed a general! I wish I could’ve seen him die for this!

We have to run! There’s no hope up here! We have to run! We need to run!

Get outta my way! I don’t care! Threaten me with the noose all you like! And good luck finding me! I’m leaving!

The only thing that stopped a couple from leaving was Pvt. Mercury Rise, whom Zip had thoughtfully placed at the only exit out of the chamber that led outside. Zip still wondered if it was the private’s love and loyalty or whatever the Hell some army scientists had done to him that compelled such behavior. But that issue was for another time.

Glancing to the princess and the general, he saw they had little to offer. Then Zip looked to his sergeants; unsurprisingly, he saw little, despite three of them having fought in war and the other two being exceedingly loyal. Trip and Silver looked lost. Even Pvts. Oil and Sapphire, who’d had so many answers to questions nopony had even thought to ask, were silent. Zip couldn’t blame them any more than the rest of his ponies.

It was a Helluva thing, realizing your life wouldn’t last the winter. Ponies could scream about duty and oaths all day long, but when faced with things…

Allowing his mind to wander off, the noise drowned out. Zip heard Cpt. Basket Weaver’s words in his mind:

If our troops were to learn of the army’s priorities… I feel they would lose faith. They mustn’t lose faith! They mustn’t lose hope! These are the things that will give strength to our success. If the time comes that things are truly lost… use your judgement on the matter… You’ll know when that is; I trust you’ll know.

The captain had also instructed him to never defend or explain what he’d done to command—as long as there was hope. That confidence had passed and those running the show knew.

It was time for everypony else to know.

Zip trusted his judgement: things were hopeless or close to it—as close as he’d never wished to see.

The young officer had sat silently for so long, he was given attention when he spoke, “Everypony, shut up!”

It helped that he spoke with a resounding growl; he’d had enough of the charades and hiding things. He hated hiding information from the ponies who put their lives in his hooves, and he theirs. But Pvt. Rise being some kind of military experiment could wait—perhaps never come to light. It was time for the 52 ponies in the dark—the platoon minus Zip and Amethyst—to know the truth about something far more important.

So, he told them, in a haze of emotion, of Cpt. Weaver and his final actions. And what he expected of his platoon… and of those in Canterlot. He barely registered the words coming out of his own mouth.

He concluded with, “That’s our duty. And you will follow through, all of you.”

Slowly, as if in a daze, ponies filed out. The crystal balls faded, and it became quiet. Zip didn’t really register a thing of it.

The lieutenant sat, deflating; he was spent.

“Zip…”

He juked back to reality. Looking up, he saw it was Jacinta.

“You did good, sir…” she patted his back, before resting a hoof on his shoulder.

"What did I say...?" his eyes were a little glazed.

"What we had to hear..." fighting tears, her voice was raw, having learned the pony she'd idolized for his professionalism—then hated for his supposed actions—had been more on Equestria's side than anypony likely ever had been.

He held her hoof tightly to himself and kissed it. The two sat a while before parting and going about their business.

…

A while later than his admittance, after he came back to himself, Zip had left his ponies in the capable hooves of Jacinta. They understood their task, and ponies far more intelligent and knowledgeable could begin without the likes of him. Presently, he was reflecting. He’d ordered nopony to visit or not visit him, so a guest wasn’t entirely unexpected.

“Sir?”

Guess who?

Zip raised his gaze, having been lounging, “Evening, Amethyst… It is evening, right?”

“Yes, Lieutenant.”

“Feeling better?” just a glance told him she was worlds better than she’d been that morning.

“Yes, Lieutenant, thanks.”

After more than a day, Amethyst’s hangover was just about gone… but the logy feeling would persist a while; she wasn’t young anymore.

“I’m glad, Amethyst,” Zip was again looking at the ceiling, mindlessly following a pattern in the rock.

“I feel a little like a plague victim, though…” Amethyst said. “It was a bad time for me to lose control…”

Zip said with little enthusiasm, “Be glad they didn’t see more… Just be glad of that…”

She bypassed his comment, “I… brought you some soup, Lieutenant. It’s quite good; it even relaxed my insides.”

He sat up and gratefully took the soup; he wasn’t hungry, but needed to eat, “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Zip began to eat, finding the soup to be delicious. Even if it hadn’t been good, something warm was welcome. Amethyst sat in amusement, watching him eat.

The stallion turned his eyes her way, “Don’t you have something to do?”

He didn’t really mean to banish her, but he wasn’t in the best mood for her games.

She gave a tiny smile, “Same as you, sir… I’m not much good out there. S’not like I can help Linseed and Pvt. Sapphire…”

“Now you’re calling him by his name?” he wondered; it wasn’t the most important thing. “What are they up to?”

Amethyst again ignored a portion of what he said, “They’re giving everypony a crash-course on surveying.”

“Why aren’t you there?”

“I sat in on the planning; it’s just for those that’ve never done it.”

“Right,” Zip mused. “I was taught by my squad-mates in the Dragonlands; the captain had these grand ideas of improving the fort—not that anything ever came of it… And I suppose they taught you a little of everything in “spy-school”…”

“Yes,” she sat down next to him. “And I’m sure you won’t be sending me out to do the actual surveying.”

Zip knew she wasn’t lording over the fact she wouldn’t have to suffer out in the cold and wet, gauging the pass, “Well, you’re right about that… I’ll need you on communications with Sgt. Trove. Once we have data, we send it to Canterlot and they can construct a proper map.”

“They plan to divide everypony up into teams tomorrow—those that aren’t stuck on other duties. And they plan to begin tomorrow… after we talk with Canterlot again, rain or rain.”

Rain or shine… Zip thought darkly, chewing on a wad of cress stuck in his teeth, “I see.”

There’d be no sunshine… at least not for several days.

Amethyst sat quietly a moment. Then she spoke.

“Did I tell you what you did to that one centaur… the one you killed?”

“…” Zip’s mind didn’t exactly reel; he simply wasn’t sure if he’d heard her correctly, though he had.

Amethyst sat as if in a daze.

Zip, unsure of how to best respond, drummed his hooves on the floor; he gave it a go, all the same, “You know for a fact you didn’t.”

“Interested?” her voice was small, distant, a strange quaver to it.

“Should I be?” Zip felt the smallest revolt, deciding to quell her thinking.

His tone broke her ruminating.

She shuffled in her sit, “No… I… no…”

Zip could see just how uncomfortable she was, “…”

Amethyst hung her head, putting it between her knees, “I’m sorry, Lieutenant…”

Blowing out a breath, he kneaded her shoulder, “Don’t worry…”

And he didn’t worry—at least much. Amethyst was tired… she was ill… and her mind went to strange places, often.

She sighed, “What I really wanted to know was… Why didn’t you tell them?”

He knew what she was talking about: he’d admitted to slugging Cpt. Weaver, leading everypony into thinking he’d killed the captain.

“Because… I didn’t want to. Nopony needs to know you had a hoof in it.”

She choked up, huddling into herself, “I was so scared you would… that you’d tell them. Celestia… Jacinta…!”

Zip saw a few tears fall from her eyes.

“Try to buck up,” his knead, which he hadn’t let up, became a friendly jostle. “Have a little water; you still look a little dried up.”

Wiping at her eyes, giggling at his joke, she took the canteen he produced and gladly took a long drink; over-tilting, she spilled a little down her front, “Whoops… Oh… shit.”

“What’s up?” Zip asked.

With magic and hooves, Amethyst brushed at her front, looking concerned, “No, no, no, no-! Oh… good.”

Zip didn’t see, “What is it?”

She was slightly turned away from him. As she better faced him, he saw her pull it out of one of her pockets.

It was her little music box, the one they’d danced to in the park on the night of the ball, now a couple months back.

“You still have that?” Zip asked.

A little affronted, Amethyst scoffed, “Why wouldn’t I? I told you just what it meant to me.”

“I remember.”

He did remember. Her third husband—the only one to work out for her—had given it to her; he’d traded it for an apple with a shipmate on his navy vessel. He knew how special it was… He was merely a little surprised such a thing had made it through all they’d done and seen in the last week.

Her voice pulled him from his reminiscing.

“Would you mind if I…?”

He looked back to her, seeing she was looking most intently at the little contraption. It wasn’t hard to figure out what she wanted.

Zip gave a tiny smile, “Wind it up if you like… but no dancing. I’m dead on my hooves…”

She giggled, “Same here…”

But… she fiddled with it awhile… and began to put it away.

Zip wasn’t liking the miserable air creeping into her failing smile. Or her dulled eyes.

She murmured, “Maybe later… I’m… not feeling it…”

Zip wasn’t as clueless about mares as he was a few months prior… but he wasn’t all that adept, either, “I see…”

In truth, Amethyst wasn’t sure what she’d do in his presence if she heard the tinny little tune, just then. Alone with him, she was feeling quite susceptible to… well, all manner of things.

Still, she had something she wanted to talk about, “Sir, I know I never told you how Cross and I met.”

Zip perked up, not unhappy to see a little joy creeping back into Amethyst’s eyes, “No, you sure didn’t. I’d like to hear.”

Seeing her rocking a little on her rump, Zip was reminded of a nervous schoolmate he’d once had; she’d been a shy, reserved filly… one of the few he’d never felt uncomfortable around. It sure was strange seeing a 38-year-old mare—as fair as a day in Paradise—give into such glee. But ponies never grew out of some things… and some had little of it when they were young.

She grinned at the thought, “I actually knew him since I was about 24. I was assigned to watch over one of two Canterlot diplomats on a navy ship, from a distance, naturally… The ship was going to a summit in Griffinstone. The diplomat didn’t know what I was; he just thought I was some mare working on the ship. Cross didn’t know what I was, either. I was a custodian for that assignment; I cleaned the shitters and everything, just to keep up appearances. That was 14 years ago…”

Zip was already quite interested, “What happened?”

Amethyst smirked, “What happened? Nothing… He was happily married at that point—he was only… 25… I think. I didn’t know what he was, either, at the time. He was ‘serving’ as the physician’s assistant on the ship… and keeping an eye on the other diplomat. Not expecting any trouble on the route—it was a new, heavily-guarded merchant route formed after we eased tensions with the griffins—we were never told about each other; we were just there as a precaution.”

Zip almost laughed, “Something tells me a little trouble’s ahead.”

Amethyst chuckled, “You’re damn skippy we had trouble… Pirates. Ponies from somewhere far south… in a place where Celestia had a little less power.”

“Oh, boy…” Zip figured he was in for a ride.

“Oh, boy, indeed,” Amethyst almost gushed. “The thing is, though… nopony else noticed… other than Cross.”

“I think I get it,” Zip lounged.

“Yeah, you’ve heard this kind of thing before. The pirates were around a rock-formation on the coast where we were berthing for repairs one night, planning to attack us—I’m guessing—before dawn. So, I went for a little swim… to rig their ship to sink… and came face-to-face with Cross, doing the same thing!”

Zip shook his head in amusement, “I could’ve seen that coming.”

Amethyst couldn’t stop her laughter, “After we figured out who the other was—we’d seen each other on the ship, though we were ignorant of each other—we decided not to kill each other and did the job together!”

“I’m sure it went fine,” Zip guessed.

“Nopony was ever the wiser… other than the pirates,” Amethyst gave a morbid snicker; it was a little unsettling. “Our ship and crew never knew.”

Zip couldn’t help but smile, pleased to see Amethyst happy, “…”

Amethyst went on, “Well, anyway, we were formally introduced in a de-briefing. I can’t say we were friends, yet, but we wound up together on a few assignments over the years. We… became friends quite a bit later on, as time passed. But I never gave it a chance, really, until I met Rhubarb Leaf.”

“…” Zip just listened.

“Finding myself a husband that was finally worth a damn—and a lot more than that—finally had me wanting friends, for the first time in my life. 29-years-old and I made two friends outside Celestia… one married to me and the other married to… Late Rose…”

“Late Rose…” Zip repeated the name; it conjured visions of somepony pretty special, though he’d naturally never met her.

“Cross, he… he lost his wife about 10 years ago, a couple years before Rhubarb died. She died of something—I’m not sure what, nopony is—that drained her strength and unicorn magic.

Zip blinked. He thought… two ponies widowed…

Aware or not of his thoughts, Amethyst went on, “He never let it deter him from medicine, but… he was sad… There’s no describing what a lovely mare she was, Lieutenant… She… shamed me and everything I’m about. Trust me on that.”

Zip didn’t like it when Amethyst belittled herself. But he remained mute.

Amethyst no longer seemed glad, “Lieutenant, I… I felt guilty, having my own happiness. Cross had lost Rose… and I was preparing to retire to civilian life. But… you know how that ended.”

Yes, he knew. He wrapped a hoof over her shoulders.

Her voice, strong thus far, faltered, “He saved me, Lieutenant. I told you I pretty much lost hope in life—and I came close—but I still saw some reason to live. I know that because… I never killed myself. It wasn’t fear of dying, but something else that stopped me. I… knew it would make him sad; that’s the only reason I never killed myself, I think… I didn’t want to break his heart further.”

Zip hugged her as she began to sob.

Amethyst sniffled, “That didn’t stop me from going back to work, but it stopped me from completely losing myself to my work. I did lose it, but… that’s a story I won’t be telling you. Cross and I stayed friends—good friends. He might’ve ‘saved’ me, but I sure was never willing to let him. But he never gave up on me… wanting to be my friend. I was already 34 or 35 by the time I realized what should’ve been obvious.”

Zip patted her back. He was beginning to feel a little weary, though not wishing for her to stop; it was simply taxing when Amethyst pulled deep on her sad life.

“He loved me, sir. He always loved me, but it grew. And me… I’d fallen in love with him over those three or four years, us licking each other’s wounds. I wish I’d married him when he asked me, Lieutenant…” Amethyst murmured.

Zip reeled; he’d known Cpt. Cross was interested, but an actual proposal…?!

Amethyst showed legitimate astonishment, on top of being a little hurt; it actually pulled her from complete unhappiness, eliciting a reluctant laugh, “Is it really that hard to believe…?”

Zip said with no reservation as he squeezed her close, “No… not at all.”

She snuggled into his shoulder, “I said ‘no’, of course, being the stubborn mare I was. He… didn’t ask again, but we stayed friends. I think… we both understood. I loved him… and maybe he was ready… but I wasn’t. A fourth marriage? In my mid-30’s?!”

Her laughter came more genuinely. Zip couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling her shake with a little joy.

She nuzzled his neck, a little too intimately for Zip’s liking, but quickly let up, “I’m… just glad he still wanted to be my friend. He frequently bent over backwards for me, but… I don’t think I was capable of doing the same for him. He was a better friend than me… Sometimes, I wonder if he...”

Zip hadn’t let up on the hug, “He… knew. He knew…”

“I know,” she buried her face in his chest-floof.

Zip let her be a moment. And then he spoke.

“When I first met you… I was a little terrified of you.”

She pulled away just a bit, “Oh, I know you were… I may not have a set of nuts, but we mares have our own aches and pains down south when we get scared… I… laid on my ‘charm’ a little thick, just to mess with you…”

“It might sound crazy, but… that dragon was scary… I find mares to be scarier.”

“Still?” she was on the verge of cracking up, a nasty smile tugging at her lips; she'd been trying to be serious, but was unable to keep it up.

Zip smirked… Of course, she knows.

A knock came from the wall of the gallery leading to the cavern. Wherever his platonic, heart-to-heart chat with Amethyst may have led, he’d never know.

“Aww…” Amethyst grunted, separating himself from Zip.

“Well, there he is, Amethyst.”

Amethyst suddenly looked ill, “I didn’t expect him so soon…”

“Well, Pvt. Sapphire’s the one in charge,” Zip began to leave. "He doesn't need help for everything..."

Then Zip felt a magical tug at his haunches. He saw her horn glowing, holding his back-legs fast.

“Amethyst, let go…” he said.

“…” Amethyst didn’t like this; she gazed at the ground nervously.

Zip wanted to be gentle, but was a bit annoyed with her demureness, “Amethyst, it’ll be fine. And after all, you’re the one that wanted to talk to him. So… let go.”

She relented.

Zip never quite could figure her out: the mighty mare, showing such fragility in certain things. She was a wonder.

He nodded, “That’s the way. I don’t know what you’re so worked up about. It’s not like he holds a grudge… Maybe with Gen. Rocky ‘Asshole’ Creek he did, but not with you.”

This did little to comfort her, not helping to prepare her in the slightest.

Regardless, the lieutenant exited and a private entered.

“Sergeant Flare? You wanted to see me?”

Amethyst slowly turned, miserably, coming face-to-face with Linseed.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

As things gear up, Amethyst has chosen to face a pony for whom she... may have caused a little trouble.

As the ponies continue surveying the pass, will they find a way to use their own turf against the Centauri Army? And just how will they do it?

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 1: Essential Elements

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 7: Sparks

With the platoon gearing up to begin surveying the pass the next morning, the ponies not in the know were given a brief, practical education in cartography and just what they’d be doing as they mapped things out.

They also rested, knowing some of them would face the cold, wet misery outside as they attempted to find some way to use the land to their advantage against their enemy.

One pony had a separate goal that night…

The night before the operation began, a certain mare wanted to address certain actions she’d taken pertaining to a certain stallion. It was why she’d asked Zip to send Pvt. Linseed Oil to find her once he’d finished his work with his friend, Pvt. Blood Sapphire. And Linseed had found Amethyst, Zip having left her in that small corner of their hideaway.

“Sergeant Flare? You wanted to see me?”

Amethyst slowly turned, miserably, coming face to face with Linseed. In his hooves were a few things.

He didn’t appear to notice her expression; he entered, showing the items, “Well, first off, I thought you might wind up camping out her tonight, so I brought you a blanket and something to drink. And I snaked the last orange I could grab. We finally finished off the fresh fruit from that crate Gen. ‘Asshole’ Creek sent us. Would’ve eaten it myself, but they give me heartburn… It should taste good, at least, give you a little something on your stomach.”

Amethyst didn’t respond; she hunched up.

Moving about in the nook, he set down the goods, “You’ve been on pins and needles, Sgt. Flare… All this mess … your being sick all day… and you barely had any soup. Take a snack and rest up. We won’t need you until morning, when we sit down with the princess and her command. I’m sure you’ll feel better with a good sleep.”

Amethyst shrunk further, feeling her eyes heat up.

The stallion took a drink off his own canteen; he sighed, “Yeah… Good, clean rainwater… It sure beats the Hell out of the slop out of the spigots back in the city… Now, uh… you wanted to see me?”

Practically huddling into her back legs, she murmured something.

Linseed, about a step down from the level compared to Zip when it came to comprehending the wiles of a mare, moved closer, “Uh, Sergeant? You alright?”

She couldn’t keep up her looking away; she shifted a little, one of her pale blue eyes gazing towards him, “Private… Why?”

“‘Why’ what?” he sat down across from her.

“I don’t understand…” her eyes welled up. “I’ve been terrible to you, so… why?”

It wasn’t the first time he’d shown her kindness; it’s just the way he was with everypony.

Linseed shrugged, knowing full-well what she meant, “You… haven’t, really. That was months ago. Don’t worry about it. I just thought you’d feel better with something light to eat.”

And she hadn’t been terrible to him… at least to his face. He elected to hoof her shoulder, seeking out a connection.

His touch was too much for her; she burbled, “Stop being so nice to me…”

He blinked, “Huh?”

“Don’t be nice to me…”

“What are you…?”

“Linseed, I’m… so very sorry.”

To Linseed’s great discomfort, Amethyst began sobbing.

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no, Sergeant…” he supported her as she fell to her side.

Amethyst responded in a way impossible to comprehend, her voice too broken up to make sense of. She went on like this for about a minute, Linseed at a bit of a loss.

Linseed fussed, backing off with hooves held away, mind racing, “Sergeant, I… uh…”

She blubbered, “…this is insane… How did this all happen…?!”

“C’mon, Sergeant…”

Her words came clearer, though still muddled, “I feel like… I’m falling apart.”

Linseed realized this wasn’t getting anywhere. Not only was it not getting anywhere, he wasn’t sure how to handle the weeping belle.

Somehow, the private found the confidence to attempt to snap her out of it, “C’mon… you’re tired. Sit up. Eat the orange; it’ll perk you up a bit.”

“It’s all falling apart…” Amethyst whined.

Steeling his resolve, Linseed decided to intervene physically; he hoofed her shoulders and jostled her, “Sergeant Amethyst Flare! Listen to me!”

He at least got her attention; she sniffled, curled up on the floor, “…Wha…?”

Glad he’d decided not to slap her or something more invasive, he’d at least gotten her to respond, “Stop this, now… C’mon…”

Linseed wasn’t exactly a weak pony, nor was he particularly strong, but he had no trouble lifting Amethyst from the floor and setting her on her rump.

Steadying her until he was sure she wouldn’t keel over again, he said, “Try to relax. Try…”

As her breathing evened out, she looked at him with the strangest expression he recalled in some time. She looked like a lost lamb, eyes wide and full of tears as she whimpered, snot running everywhere.

Linseed exhaled, “That’s the way, Sergeant… Just try to calm down.”

Occasionally hiccupping, she did appear to pacify.

He had yet to take his hooves away, “Good… I want you to have a drink of water, okay?”

Nodding dumbly, she averted her eyes.

Comfortable in letting her sit freely, he raised her freshened canteen; he knew her magic might be shaky, “Now, just take a drink.”

She did, not too much and not too little—just a nice wet of the whistle.

It cleared her throat; she gave a tiny cough, “…Thanks…”

“It’s fine,” Linseed set down the canteen.

Amethyst watched as he produced a knife and sliced the orange on a clean, flat rock loose on the floor.

Once he was finished, he hoofed the slab her way, “Think you can use your magic, now?”

She tried. And she was able to select and levitate a section of the orange.

“Good,” Linseed encouraged her. “I want you to eat all of that, nice and slow. Your blood-sugar’s pretty low, I imagine… This’ll help a lot. We sure got a nice batch of oranges… nice and sweet; it should taste good and go down easily enough…”

She nodded and did as she was told. Over the next few minutes, she munched on the orange slices; the orange did taste great.

Linseed, quite astonished he’d accomplished such a thing, bringing the mighty warrant officer back down to Earth, still felt his self-assurance wane as he watched her finish the orange. With her mouth no longer full of juicy sweetness, what could he say to her?

After a moment, Amethyst magicked her canteen up, taking a good, long drink; the sugar in the orange had helped a little, “I… feel a little better…”

Another moment of silence ensued. It was deafening.

Linseed just shook his head, staring at the floor, “I… uh… I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do, here…”

Amethyst was staring into space, trying to figure things out for herself; she sighed, “It’s… it’s alright, Private… I’m at a bit of a loss, myself.”

“You feel better, at least?” he wondered.

“Yes, I do, already… Thanks…” she mumbled.

“You’re welcome…”

Linseed didn’t like this much. He knew he wasn’t much for the mares, but given the remarkable composure he’d been able to show the leaders of Equestria, it was frustrating. Then again, he was intelligent enough to know his lieutenant was the same way. Zip slew a dragon, led 53 ponies through Hell on Earth, and did many other things, but was a greenhorn when it came to the fairer sex.

Deciding there wasn’t any harm in it, Linseed mused on the concept, “Before I met Silver, I… didn’t know all that much about mares, Sergeant. I’ve never known how to handle myself around them…”

Amethyst pondered a few seconds; after a bit, she giggled, “She’s certainly an interesting one.”

Linseed said nervously, “Yeah… Silver’s sometimes pretty hard to figure out. She… likes to keep quiet, most of the time, so that’s easy… and confusing at the same time…”

This exchange was getting them nowhere, it seemed. They could talk and talk, but it wouldn’t solve anything. It only took a couple lines to figure that out.

Amethyst, feeling better but still drained, came out and said it, “I have to know, Private… Why don’t you seem to hold it against me…? What I told the lieutenant…? And your squad and team leaders?”

Linseed knew what was going on, certainly… They just had to get rolling on the topic.

The Earth pony slowly shook his head, “I’ve… been thinking about that myself… and I’m not entirely sure."

Amethyst didn’t want to hide anything; she glowered, hating herself, “I took advantage of the lieutenant’s trust… I lied to him… And he believed me…”

Linseed was quiet, “…”

“I used Lily as an excuse…” Amethyst choked out.

Linseed could answer to this, “I figured it out early on, Sergeant…”

Amethyst winced at the hurt in his voice, “And I used my magic as an excuse, saying I knew your heart and mind… So… why? Please tell me.”

Linseed blew out a breath, “The lieutenant asked me that a couple weeks back… I… I’m used to not being liked.”

“That’s so sad…”

He shrugged, “Meh… It’s why I could… at least understand… why I knew better than to let it get to me.”

Nonplussed, Amethyst wondered, “What do you mean?”

“Well, Sergeant, I… realized we had something in common.”

“…?”

Linseed questioned, “How old are you, Sergeant?”

Amethyst wasn’t offended at his asking; the cliché of never asking a mare’s age wasn’t quite at the top of her list of the worst possible things. She was just surprised… and she knew he knew her age, as well.

“I’m 38-years-old, Private, you know that… What’s that got to do with anything?”

He hummed, “I’m 21-years-old. I’m sure you must know—or can perceive—what kind of life I’ve led… what I’ve been through… The fact of the matter is… I know what the first 21 years of your life were like, too…”

“…” Amethyst hadn’t expected such an answer; it hit her… harder than expected.

She’d never forget it—any of it… That sad, little filly… whoring herself out because nothing else felt good… letting ponies use and abuse her… That miserable, young mare… losing her filly... never lifting a hoof to even save her own hide when her own husband beat her bloody every other day… and nearly beat her to death… And when she’d had enough, she wanted to tear the world apart… and she did a lot of horrible things. It was only the love, support, and guidance of a few ponies that kept her from falling off the edge of the world….

He certainly didn't know the specifics the way some other ponies did... but he knew her life had been unpleasant during a time of joy for most.

“I understand better than most what it feels like… to not be liked,” Linseed felt his throat tighten up; this was hard. “And I know you had more than your fill of it. I wouldn’t call it forgiveness… but I understand. And that’s enough.”

Amethyst felt small; she tried to respond, but not much came out, “I… definitely know what it’s like… It’s all I knew… I didn’t even know anything was wrong… Do you… Did you feel the same way?”

He shook his head grimly, “No, Sergeant… I’ve always known I was a weirdo… that ponies looked at me like I was some kind of wacko…”

“You’re not a wacko…” Amethyst was at least convinced of this.

Snorting, he reflected, “Don’t be so sure…”

“And you still feel like ponies have it out for you?” she stared at the floor.

Linseed shrugged, “Yes, but I don’t feel that way anymore, as much. And I don’t think you do, either. The last couple months have been great. I mean… don’t you agree? That things have been pretty great?”

Amethyst blinked. And she thought. And… yes… things were good, as far as it went, given their platoon’s current situation.

Linseed bubbled, feeling elated, “I feel so very fortunate… to have found a place… to have found ponies that I love—that I want to love me…!”

The unicorn was wowed; she concurred, “I… feel the same way, Private…”

The feeling of not belonging… It was something they had in common… or rather, something they used to have in common. Now, they knew what it was like, but it wasn’t like that anymore… not with their platoon.

Linseed lay back, looking at the ceiling of the cave, “Really, Sergeant… It’s okay. Don’t worry about it, anymore. Things… turned out okay.”

Amethyst wasn’t sure she was worthy of such kindness, “…If you say so…”

“I do,” he assured, rolling onto his belly so he could stand. “Now, it’s late… We’ll need you and Sgt. Trove right away in the morning. I’m… pretty sure Canterlot will see things our way, so Blood has a few things he wants to set up. Get some sleep.”

He patted her shoulder and she nodded, humbled.

Linseed began to paddle out, “I’ll take my leave, now. Goodnight, Sergeant.”

She was seized by a notion, “Private?”

He stopped, a little surprised at the desperation in her voice, “Uh… Yes, Sergeant?”

“Could I… call you by name?” Amethyst forced out.

Linseed was bemused; he eventually chuckled, “You already do, Sergeant… Do feel free to use it to my face.”

She smiled, and he was glad to see it.

“Thanks, Linseed,” she murmured.

“I guess I can’t return the favor, exactly, but how about I call you ‘Sarge’?” he gave a crooked grin.

“I’d like that,” Amethyst admitted.

Linseed turned again to leave, but he hesitated.

Amethyst cocked her head, “What is it?”

He rifled around in his uniform pockets, “Well, I have a little something else to take the edge off…”

She looked on curiously and was rewarded with a smile lighting up his face.

“A little of the hair of the dog that bit you?” he produced a tiny flask, barely enough for a few shots.

“Is that… moonshine?”

Linseed chuckled, “Sure enough.”

“Where’d you get that?

“I distilled it in the back of the mechanical shop…” he hummed.

She was tempted, but shook her head, “I shouldn’t…”

“It’s not to enjoy… It’ll even you out… help you sleep,” he insisted.

She took the flask and took a nip. It burned everything.

Amethyst didn’t gag, but she coughed explosively, “Ho- Holy shit!”

Linseed grimaced, “Yeah… 184 proof… Best batch I cooked up. Take a couple more. Just a little will help, believe me.”

And it did help. It cleared her sinuses and numbed her aching. She felt… relaxed.

Amethyst was warmed, but not overly loopy, “Thanks… Thanks, Linseed. You’re… an impressive fellow… You should’ve seen yourself, dealing with command…! You’re a fine fellow, and you’re… kind. You’re so very kind…”

She trailed off, looking embarrassed as she lowered her eyes.

“Good night, Sarge,” Linseed once again made to leave.

“You’re lucky… you really are…” Amethyst waxed, gazing down. “And… thanks… Thanks so much…”

This caused him to pause.

Still in reach, he patted her shoulder, “It’s fine, Sarge. I said it was and it is. And don’t think I don’t know, but… Silver and I each made out okay, I think, finding each other… me a lot better than her.”

She giggled, too embarrassed to look at him properly, “I guess…”

Insistent on turning in himself, he pressed the blanket he’d brought to her, “Take the blanket. I’ll leave you to rest.”

He finally left before she could stall further. The beautiful mare sat for a time.

Amethyst, never without the knowledge they existed, was always glad to know kind-hearted stallions could occasionally be found. Feeling warm and tingly, she dozed off.

…

Elsewhere, Zip and Jacinta joined and found a quiet corner of the network. Now was no time for carnal enjoyment, but they needed each other and let it happen.

After they’d finished, they lay in the dimness under a nice, warm blanket.

She didn’t want to bring it into their time together, but Jacinta worried, “Do you think Amethyst will be okay?”

Zip wasn’t bothered; the unicorn was their friend, “I left her in good hooves, Jacinta…”

Jacinta groaned as she rolled closer to him, “Oh, I just can’t imagine why she wanted to talk to Linseed of all ponies…”

It wasn’t that she was… doubtful, she just didn’t get it.

Zip muttered recognition of her having spoken.

“Heaven knows…” Jacinta cozied up to him.

Zip wouldn’t look her in the eye, “…”

She noticed and laughed humorlessly, cuffing his shoulder, “Yeah, yeah… You’re just gonna tell me ‘to not worry’… ‘not think about it’…”

Zip contemplated, “Yeah, that’s about the size of it…”

She felt a little sore over it, turning away a bit, “I know it’s nothing for me to worry about… I just feel a little left out, sometimes, like I’m the only pony that doesn’t know… And I’m worried about Amethyst…”

Zip knew Jacinta would be a lot more worried if she’d seen the antics that led up to Amethyst’s horrendous hangover… He himself still cringed, thinking about how close he’d possibly come to dying.

But the lieutenant could say with confidence, pulling her closer, “She’ll be fine, Jacinta. I think… she and Linseed are looking to find some common ground…”

She scoffed, putting her nose in his chest-floof, “Do you have any idea how dirty that makes it sound?”

“Well, it isn’t…”

Jacinta tittered foolishly; she knew nothing untoward was likely going on, but her mind occasionally went for the gutter, “Can you picture it, Zip…?”

With complete honesty, he nodded, “And I wish I couldn’t…”

“I’m just fucking with you, Zip…” she snorfled his neck.

“Yeah, I know…” Zip wasn’t as sure as sure could be.

She snorfled his neck again, eager for the closeness.

The lieutenant stared into the dimness; after a time, he voiced his thoughts, “I’m… feeling a little… strange, Jacinta… I’m… scared… and yet I’m not all that worried.”

“You’re not the only one that feels that way, Mr. Lieutenant…” her voice was muffled, buried in his floof.

He hummed, “How do you feel?”

She changed gears, taking a respite from the cuddling, “I think… I think we’re all pretty fortunate, Zip… We have you… and you have one Helluva platoon behind you.”

“Yeah,” he wrapped his hooves around her, not entirely sold on the prospect. “I just hope we’re up for it.”

She cooed happily, snuggling in, “You’ll do fine… We’ll do fine.”

Zip was content to leave it at that.

They said little else and they didn’t have to. Both felt a little hope in the hopeless situation. At least they’d try. Everypony would try.

Satisfied with that, they slept.

…
...
...

The next morning, with the platoon ready to accept their duty/fate, Celestia brought back her command, counselors, and engineers. Zip elected to keep all his ponies there… He saw no reason to hide their meeting. They were on the same page, striving to be brave, inspired by the sacrifice of a captain of logistics. Hopefully, it would continue to compel them.

Though, as things went on, they weren’t seeing much as far as productivity went.

The general of the 4th Army and a private—far down the ranks in a far-flung place—had been squabbling for a time.

“We need to assess the land before deciding anything,” Blood stated.

“You have mountains… Drop them on the centaurs!” Gen. Fiddler Dream uttered heatedly.

“That’s our best course, General, but it’s not that simple…” Blood answered. “There are a lot of things to think about… Altering the very land? It’s drastic…”

“Of course it’s drastic!” the general huffed. “This is to save our continent! I think our future generations will forgive us for crumbling a few rocks.”

The private lowered his gaze, “Don’t oversimplify this, sir… This line of thought could rearrange this portion of the Unicorn Range; we could bury miles upon miles of land if we’re careless! Or it might not work at all… You speak of this as if simple magic can conjure up some great solution from the very Heavens!”

Civil at first, both stallions were quite tired—even exhausted—and were beginning to take things personally, despite adequate sleep.

This was tense; the platoon murmured in wonder, seeing their strange private exchanging verbal blows with their army’s leader. Linseed had laid down the law, as well, best knowing what the concerns regarding the weather were… and things looked dismal in that area, no surprise…

Despite—or perhaps due to—Zip’s two privates again running circles around command all morning, the Canterlot “experts” still seemed unwilling to open their mouths. It was mainly the two currently bickering… bickering.

Before any feelings could be hurt further, the platoon mother, Amethyst, intervened, “Both of you calm down… Don’t put the cart before the horse. We’ve not begun to evaluate anything…”

It was amazing, her cool injection into the situation. A simple thing, it had everypony breathing a little easier.

The general felt foolish; he nodded and sat.

Blood exhaled, doing the same, “General… please allow me to apologize…”

General Dream replied, “Think nothing of it… I’m sorry… I’m losing focus… Let me collect my thoughts a moment, please.”

The general did just that. Once things were calmed, Amethyst chose to address them.

Amethyst affirmed, “Our best plan of attack… defense… is to use the land to our advantage. We have to assess the feasibility of using the land against them. We need a map of the pass.”

“There is no map complete enough to tell us the best places to drop rocks on an army,” the general almost scoffed. “You’d be hard-pressed to find anything beyond what was needed to lay the railway…”

Nopony could blame the general for ridiculing the notion. Why the fuck would they have mapped out such a thing? Much less for its demolition!

“About that, you’re most correct, General…” Amethyst admitted. “I know of no such record.”

Blood figured the same, “It’s not at all surprising…”

Celestia considered, “Pvt. Sapphire… can it be done? I asked you for an assessment… but can you map it out?”

The private nodded, “When I told you it might take several days… I accounted for our mapping it out if needed. It can be done… and in four or five days if my reckoning is right.”

“That quickly?” Celestia’s eyes widened.

He looked straight at her, no malice in his voice, “I’ve done this before… it’s feasible, I think, even with an extermination-level assessment.”

“Then do it,” Celestia said.

The platoon had their objective.

Zip immediately stood, “Pvt. Sapphire… I put you in charge of this operation. You will have authority on our side of things, only under Canterlot’s final authority; they simply have resources we don’t, and we’ll need to consult them. How should we proceed?”

The private judged, “I’ll need two teams with two crews apiece… and somepony to help me with the meteorological side of things… to help me direct things. For that position I choose Pvt. Oil. I’ll need him…”

Nopony could argue that.

Linseed nodded, “You’ve got it.”

Blood turned his gaze to Cpl. Song, “Cpl. Song… I need your knowledge.”

She looked flabbergasted, “…Me, Private?”

The private was serious, of course, “You’re the best engineer we have. You’ve done surveying before, right?”

“Y-yes, for a house… in college…” Cpl. Song sputtered.

“You’ll do fine,” he said; Blood returned to Zip. “Sir… We’re just about ready; I just need to establish a schedule for those that can be spared for the job.”

“And you’ll need to explain it further, I imagine…?” Zip considered.

“We handled the explanation of the procedure last night. We can do a practical demonstration outside, once we’re done here. Otherwise, we can begin almost immediately.”

Zip nodded, “It’s in your hooves, Private.”

“Yessir.”

Zip looked to the princess, the general, and their advisors, “Are things agreeable?”

The advisors were silent. The general, sitting a moment, nodded. Celestia did as well.

The princess declared to the platoon, “I, Princess Celestia, charge you all with this task. We will set things up at our end and prepare to process the data you send us. I’ll put my best engineers on it. Once surveyance has been established, we can begin the relaying of information back and forth; our maps of the pass and its surroundings are limited, but we will give you all the information available. That’s all I have to say for now.”

Zip stated, “We accept. We should begin sending information in a few hours.”

Celestia sat down upon her throne, “Then we will do what we can…”

And they would. A morning full of arguing saw their plan develop in mere moments.

…

A week had passed since the prairie fire, and the land-assessment and mapping, if they could hold to their pace, was about a day-and-a-half from completion, somehow far ahead of schedule.

Once they’d figured out a system, it was a cakewalk, even in the elevated areas. Incorporating five miles of the length of the pass, at about a mile across—a half-mile on the level into the mountains on each side—they had over four square-miles mapped and assessed.

Taking a break during a particularly nasty bit of the storm, the platoon sat in the main cave-chamber, its leaders and operation commanders on the crystal ball with Canterlot.

Celestia was currently speaking with Zip.

“Zip… any new information from Port City?”

Zip shook his head. There was no new information to be had, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Amethyst had been assigned the task of looking in on their invaders. She’d carefully chosen a team to scout around up north. With her went some of their best soldiers: Cpl. Stardust Painter, Spc. Hemp, and Pvt. Mercury Rise were up to the task, they all believed. They’d actually been gone since the first night of their surveying efforts.

Zip hadn’t liked the idea, but it was necessary to put eyes on their enemy. A few of his ponies were on good terms with the wildlife, but about all the information that could be pulled from little birds was they were going south like Hell, not only because of the centaurs eating and burning everything they could get their hands on to stay hunger and keep warm, but because it was just about wintertime.

What Zip didn’t like was putting his ponies in danger… but Hell, they weren’t out of it to begin with, any of them.

Zip spoke, “Sergeant Flare and her team are on strict crystal ball-silence… We only communicate on a schedule—every six hours—under every possible security measure. We spoke several hours ago. The Centauri forces have yet to make a move; they’re still sticking to shelter, same as us, and don’t appear to be in any hurry. That, of course, could quickly change, but we’d still pick up on it.

“The Centauri numbers are still estimated to be at least 40,000—perhaps as high as 65,000—a lot higher than our first estimate. We destroyed the city… and a lot of them are staying on the ships for the sake of shelter, so we haven’t been able to make a fresh estimate.

“Sergeant Flare believes they’ve gotten about 50% of their supplies ashore; there simply isn’t room for more. Once they do begin to move inland, their supply-line may stretch for miles… but eventually they’ll have to move—all of them and their supplies. Pvt. Oil figures we’ll see snow in about a week. Once the weather turns, they’ll move regardless, we figure.”

Celestia considered all this, “We know nothing new, then.”

“I’m afraid not, Princess…” Zip permitted.

A Canterlot strategist spoke, “It was foolish to send somepony like Special Agent Peridot Shadow on a mere surveillance assignment! Imagine what she might’ve been able to do with a good crew and equipment.”

Yes, all the ponies knew Amethyst was a walking, talking war-machine, but few had heard her codename. More things had come to light. They knew she'd be able to sink a fleet or poison an army if she just had the resources.

General Dream drummed his hooves, “We’ve discussed this ad nauseum, Colonel… We don’t have the equipment and nopony else could pull it off besides her and a crack-team!”

The general’s words were no put-down of any of the present ponies; they simply couldn’t do it. Plus, as far as they knew, the centaurs had no idea there was anything sentient alive in the vicinity besides them. Any slip-up at all would expose their presence, and it had been decided they were better off remaining unknown, simply watching.

Celestia took back the “podium”, “Thank you, Zip…”

Zip bowed his head slightly in response.

Celestia turned to the two ponies leading the survey, “Pvts. Oil and Sapphire… Your report please.”

Linseed, leaning against the same comfy rock to which he’d taken a liking, looked to his friend, “Blood? You want to go first?”

The unicorn’s eyes, without his shades for the occasion, swiveled over to him, “…”

Linseed knew what he meant, “I see… Mine will take less time anyway.”

The surly-looking Earth pony stood, announcing, “Despite the weather at the moment being the worst we’ve seen all week, the system is only a couple days from passing over us. To sum things up briefly, it’s a swamp out there… and it may remain that way until the ground freezes.”

Celestia, despite wanting to keep up appearances, huffed, “Nothing new there, either…”

Linseed took no offense; they were all tired of the same news as far as the shitty weather went, “Other than we’ve been most fortunate to avoid the three landslides that have occurred within our work-zone, I’m afraid not. But things will clear up in a couple days.”

The princess said, “Very well, Private.”

Linseed bowed out; he prodded his friend, “Blood…”

All eyes were upon the pony leading the operation.

Blood spoke from under his hooves, leaning on the rock “table” in front of him, “I continue to think our survey will amount to little.”

Most everypony had the same response, “…”

“You’ve been saying that for the last 36-hours!” a Canterlot engineer sneered. “Why don’t you explain—again—your reasons?”

Blood had been doubting their undertaking for a while. And when pressed to answer why, he’d been blown off. They still had a lot of land to cover and their endeavor could still bear fruit, so his pessimism was growing old to some of the Canterlot folks.

But Gen. Dream, who’d gained a good deal of respect for Blood’s experience (he’d killed more dragons than anypony in history employing just what they were trying for) wanted to hear his thoughts, “Pvt. Sapphire… You’ve said the same things since yesterday… Perhaps if you could explain in better detail.”

Blood appeared to think, or rather, he brooded.

It… concerned the general, Blood’s disposition. He’d seen enough soldiers in his day to know when one was sitting on something. The private had something to say… but he was hesitant to come out and speak. Gen. Dream wanted to hear this… thing. But something told him it wouldn’t come to light until they’d exhausted the possibility of their current plan.

The general pressed, “We’ve gone through 85% of the land you’d be able to manage working with, and there’s nothing of consequence to be had, yet.”

Zip looked to Blood, “Go on… take your time."

Something told the ponies to let Blood have his say.

And he surely had a lot to say, “We’ve covered all this… I’ve nothing new to say, really… but the passage of time, I think, doesn’t hurt my argument. Even without a finished assessment I can tell we only have a few areas with which to work, and they’re all inconsequential, really… Given the overall structure of the mountains, it seemed feasible—if not quite easy—to blast a few places and drop the face of some mountainside right on top of them as they came through. There simply aren’t any places to do this.

“And we can’t just bring the mountains down on them no matter how much we’d like too by way of sheer force; it would take more explosives than it did to fashion the very quarry whose stones were used to establish Canterlot. We lack both the means and the technology. Had we been able to carry the division’s store of explosives, we still wouldn’t make a dent. I doubt anypony at this point is opposed to rearranging the landscape of the Northwest Pass if it can defeat our enemies, but it’s simply impossible.

“There are only 14 places we could control small-scale rock-falls. There are two suitable spots to create high-volume landslides, but we could only use them once and we’d have to manufacture fresh explosives. We can easily manufacture enough new ones with the resources around us, but it’ll take time. What bothers me—besides only being able to use them once—is their volume wouldn’t make a dimple in such an army… nor would it hinder them for any period of time.”

The same engineer speaking against him had more to say, “Awfully long-winded, aren’t you? Are you suggesting we abandon the plan?”

Blood glared at the engineer, “No, Captain… We should continue the survey; we need to keep the option open and there’s a chance we’ll yet find a way. But based on my experience—which you claimed to trust—we’re not going to find anything bigger than what we have.”

That quelled most the waning hope of just about everypony in the room—and Canterlot. It could be felt.

The engineer spat, “Then why did we spend all this time trying to figure it out?!”

Blood gazed back, unflinching, “Because it was… is… a possibly feasible and proven tactic. And it was the safest option… for us.”

For us…? Everypony wondered just what that meant.

General Dream figured the time had come, “What do you have to say, Private?”

Blood blew out a breath; looking disgusted yet resolved, he sat up straight, “If I may… I have a suggestion…”

“By all means, Private…” the general nodded; he was ready to hear this.

Blood, looking at odds with whatever it was going on inside his mind, scratched himself nervously, “Some unicorns are good at finding gems, some are good with charms, some can manipulate certain materials better than others… There are so many talents unicorns may possess. Me? I can manipulate fluid substances within a given entity.”

Zip was curious, “Explain.”

The general was about to speak, but he decided to let Zip lead things. He had faith the lieutenant would be able to do pull out whatever Blood was hesitant to share, whether he meant to or not.

Blood, aware or unaware anypony was trying to figure him out, continued, “It’s actually the compounds I can move; I can’t do much with pure water and metal’s easiest.”

Zip looked at Blood, the concept beginning to form in his mind, “So you could… move, like… blood to different parts of the body?”

Blood answered plainly, “I could draw a pony’s lifeblood through their pores, given time and concentration; I could just blow it out much more easily, but it still isn’t easy… I could even move them like a puppet. It’s not something I could use in combat or anything, but I learned how to manage my own body.”

“How so?” Zip pushed.

“I’m not much of a runner, but I can keep lactic acid out of my muscles if I want—not that you’d want to… it’s there for a reason—and I can send blood through my body more efficiently or concentrate it where I need it. The only reason I was able to maintain the heat shield and stay conscious through the fire was pumping a little extra blood to the brain. My legs sure suffered, but I’ve figured out my own system pretty good.”

This revelation jarred a few ponies... Those that had stuck with the private as they ran for their lives—Zip included—had been saved by a "parlor trick".

But shaking off the chilling knowledge, Zip wasn’t all that far behind Gen. Dream in realizing something strange and terrible was going on behind Blood’s bizarre eyes, visible in this case. Not only that, he… knew what Blood was beginning to make known to them.

The lieutenant’s materializing idea became clearer; his nostrils flared, his voice deep and visceral, “So, Blood, you could move substances in the ground…? Could you move oil? Shift it closer to the surface? Pool it?”

One thing they had plenty of in the ground was oil. It had been said more than once: if it wasn’t for the rocks forming a firebreak north of them at the pass’s entrance—which also saved all their lives—the fire would’ve followed the shallow pockets of oil south until the storm or some other natural means quelled it.

Blood concurred, deadly serious; he then realized Zip was onto his thinking, “Absolutely, I could.”

Confusion dawned on the group, but a few of them saw where this was going.

The general choked; it was worse than he’d imagined.

Several more gasps were heard.

Jacinta blanched, looking to Zip; she was quite disturbed, “You want to set the pass on fire…! Are you suggesting we… burn them?”

The idea finally clicked, and they all began to understand. Even Celestia, silent since talking with Zip, couldn’t believe it, and she’d been around a while; still, she hadn’t seen everything the world had to offer.

Pvt. Blood lowered his head, looking a little horrified with things, even ashamed.

The lieutenant nodded grimly, “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting… or rather, wondering about.”

The private glowered into his own hooves, “And it’s what I’m considering… I’ve been considering it. It’s possible, sir… and it could be controlled large-scale… like turning a lantern on and off.”

A loud, miserable silence enveloped the room. A little mare broke it.

Besides being dismayed, Little Song didn’t see the feasibility; she stammered, “That’s… insane! It’s not possible! Large-scale? I could understand lighting up a patch of ground, but… how would you manage such a thing large-scale…?”

The platoon’s and command’s attention had been taken by the little mare… Now, their aghast eyes turned back to the pensive private.

But one hadn’t even flinched.

Zip didn’t doubt Blood for a second… not for one Goddamned second. If the private dared put such a thing forward, it had legs to stand on.

Zip simply bade, “Blood?”

“The matter of managing it…?” Blood set down his hooves; he looked like death. “Well… about that…”

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Sorry to disappoint anyone that thought Amethyst and Linseed would hook up; that's not what "Sparks" refers to.

The ponies have the beginning of a new plan. And you can bet they'll have a Helluva time with it.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 2: Scavenger Hunt, Part 1

The Northwest Pass, Chapter 8: Blood and Oil

The rain outside was letting up, though this reprieve would be fleeting. Still, it was the first time the platoon saw even a patch of blue sky in a week. It gave them an opportunity to witness something of terrifying power.

After several days of surveying and testing the landscape, the ponies had found few potential opportunities to “drop the mountains on the centaurs”. They lacked the means to do enough damage to the Centauri forces to hold them; anything they could feasibly conjure up would be as a pebble in the road to the advancing army.

So, the ponies were working on a new plan. Their demolitions expert, Pvt. Blood Sapphire—who’d killed more dragons than anypony else alive, apparently—was floating an idea on the more incendiary side of things.

Zip, his sergeants—minus Amethyst, Spcs. Trip Wire and Silver Duster, and Pvts. Linseed Oil and Blood Sapphire walked near the railway. With them was a crystal ball Silver levitated in their midst, allowing Celestia, Gen. Fiddler Dream, and Canterlot’s leaders a view of the coming spectacle.

Blood led the group, looking for something; he spoke to them, the lieutenant in particular, “Oil is even easier to manipulate than blood… has more substance to it—easier to ‘grab’... And it is more than possible to do what we’re thinking, Lieutenant.”

The unicorn stallion sounded tired…

Zip acknowledged, “I wouldn’t imagine it wasn’t…”

Blood’s voice was low, but he was even audible in the light rain, “I never thought I’d do this again…”

Zip walked alongside, “Just keep walking, Blood.”

Blood nodded numbly, the slow movement of his hooves evidence enough of his reluctance as they pushed forward.

Yes, they all recalled, just a bit earlier, how difficult it was for Blood to open up the possibility of burning the centaurs alive as they traveled, unaware of the danger until they began to cook in their own hides.

Blood had something to share; it wasn’t a pretty thing, “My old outfit once encountered a dragon nest in a colony we couldn’t enter, so I did just what we’re considering. I shifted a pocket of oil in the desert to where we wanted, and it surely cooked the eggs when we lit it up.”

“I thought dragon eggs needed heat to develop and hatch…” Silver, the walking encyclopedia, cited.

“Well, not with the accelerant I used,” Blood cheerlessly countered. “It took care of half the colony, actually… the ones that couldn't escape... That wasn’t intentional… The fire got out of control due to a structural anomaly under us… and a lack of foresight… Not all of us got out… and a couple of those that did died later… from the burns.”

“Oh…” Silver blanched.

Zip felt a twinge; he was no stranger to what the fires of Hell could do.

“What a way to go…” Razor shuddered; he’d never been through such an ordeal—and didn’t want to—but what an awful way to die…

The thought filled the others with dread, to say the least.

“Let us keep on task, everypony,” Celestia spoke with authority.

They all clammed up on the matter.

It wasn’t that Celestia was overly upset with their banter… it was the whole situation that had her feeling touchy.

Everypony felt… uneasy… Sure, they were talking about an enemy that had murdered a couple thousand ponies, but… this seemed to cross a line.

Trying to put such things out of mind, they continued to follow Blood.

And Blood found something; he looked around the location, “Ah… this spot’ll do for a demonstration.”

“What are you going to do?” Zip asked; he wasn’t sure on the specifics.

“I’m going to bring the oil to the surface…” Blood nudged the ground. “Plenty of oxygen up here…”

“Will it work?” Jacinta asked.

The staff sergeant didn’t ask because she didn’t believe… It was the surreal feeling the lot of them had rising up their throats… that things… wouldn’t be the same, once they’d selected their supposed path.

If they’d been able to see Blood’s eyes, his feelings of sureness and of revulsion were more than evident; he tried to sound calm, “It’ll work.”

They watched the private continue to examine the area.

Blood pointed to Sgt. Treasure Trove, “Sgt. Trove, please be ready.”

“For what?” the unicorn sergeant wondered.

“The smoke you’ll need to contain...” Blood walked a distance away from the group and poked around; he found something. “Everypony stay where you are. Regardless, Lieutenant… please be ready to contain anything that gets away. We can’t give any indication of anything going on around here; even with the weather, there’s a small chance something besides us will see this.”

Zip jolted, suddenly feeling a little scared, “R- right…!”

They did as they were told and watched in amazement as Blood lit up his horn, concentrating on a patch of land the size of a bed. Oil visibly lifted to the surface.

Running back to the group, Blood shot a spark at the surface oil. Despite the sopping wet ground, the fire roared to life and gave off a thick, inky-black smoke.

The smell was hard to believe.

“Holy shit!” cried Trip as she shuddered, shying away from the flames; she could feel the incredible heat, even 30 feet away.

Sergeant Trove yipped, quickly enveloping the smoke and dissipating it as it billowed about.

Zip made ready to go after any “strays”, but he found Sgt. Trove had things taken care of.

And with another glow of Blood’s horn, the oil must have retreated under the surface, for the fire, deprived of oxygen, went out at once. All that remained was the smoldering, muddy Earth and some steam.

The leaders, one and all, stood shocked at this, from Celestia to Trip.

“Oh, my God…” Jacinta whimpered.

Most everypony else was lost for words.

“I didn’t even have to pull it from that deep,” Blood stated tautly, crumpling to a seated position; he twitched, as if dealing with some pesky insect. “That’s… That’s what I can do, everypony.”

Seeing his friend and squad-member fall to his rump, Razor moved in, “Blood? You alright?”

Blood wasn’t alright… He’d seen what this display could do to other living creatures.

The private was steadied to his hooves; he appeared distressed, to say the least, “Just… give me a minute. That… smell… you never forget… especially when it's followed by the stink of hair and flesh…”

Zip’s eyes were fixed on the still-smoldering patch of ground, “No… No, you don’t…”

He remembered it, well enough, and he was better reminded of it by the stink of burning oil. That sweetly sick tang of his comrades’ burned bodies… the thick stench of their ruined fort. It was something he usually managed to keep from mind, rarely appearing even in his nightmares. Now, it felt real again. But he shook off the feeling as if it were a bothersome fly and tried to center himself.

Blood tiredly motioned to his achievement, “The scale’s not much challenge… just takes longer to set up. And I’ll tell you how it’s done.”

Celestia, stunned a moment, found words, “Why did you never bring this up, Private?”

Zip became nauseous, just thinking about the multitude of reasons. The one that kept forcing its way to the front of his mind was the horror of it.

All the same, nopony faulted her for asking. This was... something else.

Blood felt the same way as Zip, but his chosen answer was a more logical one, “Because it’s so dangerous…”

The private had just told them, moments earlier, of his old crew’s disastrous mission to cook a dragon’s nest; it was very fresh in their minds. Granted, Blood’s former attempt at such a thing was underground, but that did little to quell anypony’s concerns.

And their concerns were many.

General Dream—the consequences of their budding scheme not lost on him—gulped and said, “Well, dangerous it may be, but it’s our best option, it seems. Now, Private, explain what you mean by ‘scale’.”

Blood looked to the General and the princess in the crystal ball, as well as his platoon-mates, “We can rig up the pass to burn in sections. We can square off areas with magic-conductive metal stakes, driven into the ground. Using a multi-channel… device—each linked to a section—with a magic amplifier, we can manipulate the oil in the ground on a small or large scale, anywhere in our created grid, depending on the channels activated. Depending on the conductors… we could pull oil up from a few thousand feet down; that would take a lot of time and concentration. A couple hundred feet wouldn't be all that easy, either, but far more feasible.”

Zip nodded, “So, uh… exactly how much oil is there up here?”

Blood just stared at the ground, looking worse than before, “We’ve covered this, sir… The land is saturated with it. If you’re asking how many times or how long I could ‘pull off this trick’…?”

Zip nodded again, “That’s exactly what I want to know.”

“…” Blood kept his eyes down. “Well… I, uh…”

“Blood?” Linseed used a comforting tone.

As if prodded, Blood quickly recited, “With what’s in the Earth… the fire would last for years, everypony. Even at the surface, there’s enough oil in the soil we could coax up that it would burn for up to a week… And that’s not counting some of the heavier pockets or our horizontally moving them around in the soil. Unless I do some calculations and send a magical probe, I can’t say much about what’s deep down… But I think it’s unnecessary to be so specific, and we needn’t concern ourselves with how much there is; there’s plenty, and I mean plenty, directly under our hooves. It would be easy to accomplish this.

“When I directed the oil into the dragon’s nest, I had to move it about 150 ft. without being detected. We don’t need to do that, here. We just need to pull it to the surface. We put together some magic-conductors… set up a linked-system… and we can control a stretch of the pass as if it was a gas-powered stovetop.”

It came out in a struggle, what he said.

After a few seconds of quiet, Celestia blinked, “Such terrifying power…”

Blood, talking at the air around him, rather than any particular pony, shakily pulled off his shades; he looked squarely at her hologram, “Yes, Princess… It’s the most destructive—and dangerous—procedure with which I’ve worked. And what we hope to accomplish here… if we hope to accomplish it… would be easy, as I’ve said.”

He sounded close to tears.

It was doubtful a single pony wasn’t humbled. None of them had been especially bloodthirsty over doing such a thing, but all the same, the horror…

General Dream cleared his throat, “Well… I think it’s time to put this up for consideration, then… unless anypony wishes to say anything else, first.”

The general turned to the princess, who appeared physically ill.

Celestia gulped hard, “If our survey has yet to yield a feasible way to hinder the Centauri forces… then I think this is our only chance to save Equestria. We… can’t send help… We can’t outrun the winter… and we won’t be able to stand up to the centaurs, given the time we have to prepare in the south…”

Everypony listened in revered silence to this, as not to lose a word.

The princess closed her eyes, “Do we need to put this to a vote?”

This stunned a few ponies. Celestia wasn’t going to use her overriding power and just order them to begin?

“Princess…” Gen. Dream murmured. “A vote?”

Celestia almost sobbed, suddenly, “This is our continent, Fiddler! Our home! All of us! I see no other way, but I will not suffer such horrors upon my ponies without the ponies I trust and rely upon having a say!”

Her outburst was quite unexpected; nopony knew quite what to say.

It took the general a moment to speak again, “Princess… we…”

He trailed off.

But he found words, “Princess, we will follow you in all things. And if you wish for us to consider this, we will.”

“General,” a new voice entered the dialogue.

It was one of the Canterlot strategists.

None of Zip’s ponies could see it, but the strategist stood before Canterlot’s commanders, “General, none of us are opposed to this. It’s… the only way.”

General Dream looked satisfied, though weary, “Thank you, Colonel…”

Zip lowered his head, “I’m not opposed, either… but my command…”

Jacinta came forward, “We’re not opposed, Lieutenant…”

The ponies faces around Zip were evident of that; Zip accepted this, looking around, “We’re not opposed, General. I… trust Sgt. Flare would feel the same.”

Celestia wiped a hoof across her eyes, “But there’s only one pony that can do this… Private Blood Sapphire!”

Blood sat bolt upright, his sunglasses falling from his loose hooves, “Princess?”

Zip had forgotten about Blood, sitting in their midst. This was… stupid, considering this all hinged upon him, in the end.

Celestia’s manner… astonished everypony. She was asking.

“Private Sapphire… Blood… Will you do this great task we ask of you…?”

Blood, his aches and pains and nausea temporarily cast away, slowly stood; he looked Celestia in the eyes and said with great conviction, “I wouldn’t have brought this up if I wasn’t prepared, my Princess… And I will use all my knowledge—all my skills and experience—to stop the Centauri forces in their tracks.”

The unicorn became solemn, “Heaven hear me… there will be no saving them. They will all die. Regardless of what happens to us, they will all die in the north.”

It was possible to say nopony had ever looked so impressive to the collective group.

Celestia slowly nodded, “Then Heaven help us… Let us begin.”

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

With Celestia having placed the fate of Equestria in the hooves of 54 ponies, they're set to begin setting up.

With only a couple days of rain left--and the approaching winter--it's a sure thing the centaurs will begin moving in less than a week. How will Zip and his ponies deal with them?

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 3: Scavenger Hunt, Part 2

The Infernal Line, Chapter 1: Essential Elements

The platoon displayed mixed reactions to learning they planned to set a firetrap of Hellish proportions for the Centauri Army. It could be said the concept of such a terrible thing was foreign to almost all of them… But Zip ensured them it was the best plan, and they’d see it through together—though he wasn’t entirely sure of his own words, there.

But the platoon went to bed on full stomachs, knowing they only had a couple hours to go until they’d mapped out the pass, which they still planned to utilize as best they could, and that they had something far more fearsome in store for the enemies of Equestria. It gave them a different measure of peace-of-mind, realizing they would definitely stall the centaurs when the horse-monkeys found themselves alight…

The morning after Pvt. Blood Sapphire’s demonstration in the mud, Jacinta stated the unpleasant truth to 3rd Platoon’s commanders and staff, “Our inventory… we have 165 swords of varying lengths… Most of them are short-swords.”

Amethyst—the new plan yet unknown to her—was still out on assignment with Cpl. Stardust Painter, Spc. Hemp, and Pvt. Mercury Rise, and as was normally done, Cpl. Lily Hawk sat in for her.

The plain (but pretty) ex-nurse scowled, “And of course, we don’t have any actual projectiles in numbers worth talking about, thanks to the infinite wisdom of Gen. Rocky “Asshole” Creek…”

Zip quelled her rumblings; he knew she was tired, and she’d only whined about a few things the entire time they’d known each other, “What are we going to do with guns, Lily? The unicorns don’t really need them, and the rest of us can’t exactly hold them…”

Jacinta continued scanning their list of supplies she’d put together, “I can see Lily’s concern, Lieutenant… We need metal to create our magic conductors, and we’re better off using a sword than something that’s actually useful… something we could more easily fight with.”

The statement wasn’t untrue. There were only a few ponies in the entire platoon that would have a chance fighting a centaur with a sword… and only because these ponies were a little north of powerful in their own right.

Despite their needing metal for the project—dubbed Project Phlogiston by the strategists in Canterlot—Zip refused to see a single pony without a sword. It was arguable that they even bother keeping and maintaining a weapon. One stallion joked they needed the swords to fall upon when things were especially hopeless… It wasn’t appreciated, but it rang true.

Zip’s assertion, when questioned, was that none of them were helpless, and he expected them capable of mighty feats when put against the vacuum… In other words, he figured they were better off with a sword in mouth—or in a magic aura—than without.

Blood, the head of Operation Phlogiston on their side of things, had become one of their leaders despite his rank, “SSgt. Petals, Cpl. Hawk, we’ve discussed this: 111 swords are more than enough metal to build what we need. 54 short-swords—maintained by each of us—won’t hurt anything.”

Zip recalled that almost immediately after his bold declaration to Canterlot, Blood had puked between his hooves—a side-effect of the anxiety he felt, despite the bluster he put on. He was glad to see his private feeling better.

Unaware of Zip’s mullings, Blood continued, “The issue we’re facing is increasing the magic-conductivity of the material. We can set up a forge in the vented cave—work at night so the smoke isn’t seen—easily enough, but there’s little to do with normal forged steel.”

The magical properties of their swords were practically non-existent. They needed copper, silver, gold, and lead to create the necessary alloy to see their plan come to fruition… to build the conductive stakes, magic-amplifier, and the multi-channel board to connect it all. The few ponies with any of these precious metals in their possession didn’t even have enough to consider processing it, so the sparse wedding-bands and charms were safe.

Blood’s “partner-in-crime”, Pvt. Linseed Oil rattled off why they needed these four elements; he was no unicorn, but he knew a thing or two about the properties of metal in magic, “We need silver for the ‘brainpower’, gold for the real power, copper for the directional energy, and lead for the establishment and grounding. All are great conductors, besides lead—can’t take the heat as well to be used for that, specifically…”

Zip had been paying attention to Blood and Linseed explaining these things, “And you say we could do without silver…”

Blood crossed his hooves, not looking happy about their predicament, “Right, sir… The element silver wouldn’t be absolutely necessary.”

Specialist Silver Duster hadn’t been paying the closest attention, quietly going over a list for Jacinta; she looked up, “Yes?”

The ponies did a take, and they eventually chuckled. All the talk about the element silver had her hearing her own name every 10 seconds.

The little unicorn blushed, “Sorry…”

Blood shook his head, “It’s alright, Spc. Duster… I’m the same, I guess… Hard to talk about working and fighting without bringing up ‘blood’.”

“My brother and me are the same with ‘wire’,” Spc. Trip Wire giggled.

Sergeant Razor Wire clapped her on the back, “Damn right, sis…”

“Not so hard, Razor…!” Trip’s voice was jolting as her brother continued to pound.

This had them all laughing harder. The brief levity pulled them all from the doldrums, and they felt a little better.

Zip took charge again, “Blood… have you learned any more about possible lodes of these?”

Blood blew out a breath, “The river doesn’t have much, as far as a lode goes… The best we could do is enchant a bunch of swords or something and see what they can ‘attract’ in the flow of the river, but there’s just not enough to utilize. This mountain range is young, in the grand scheme of things, and it would take a lot of digging to find anything of substance; weathering makes it easy to find things, and we don’t have much of that around.”

Zip grimaced, “So… finding it here is a no-go.”

“Unfortunately, sir,” Blood looked at his hooves; he was displeased with himself. “I was overzealous… thinking we’d have the resources right under our hooves… I can’t exactly pull what we need up out of the ground, as with oil.”

Maybe he had been a little overzealous… in thinking it would be immediately findable and usable, not that he could be blamed entirely… Most geologists had it forced down their throats that the Unicorn Range was chockfull of precious metals. But the ones that wrote the books and stated the ‘facts’ had never been stuck in some cave, while a killing army camped just north of them.

But Blood wasn’t at all overzealous in the ease and feasibility of the project. They just had to get the metal from somewhere else.

Zip nodded to the group as a whole, “Well, we discussed this, even early on, after Blood suggested it. We need to talk to Amethyst.”

Silver sat upright, ready to take notes, “Ready, sir…”

Before turning to Blood and Linseed, Zip said, “Thanks, Silver. Blood… Linseed… you’ve calculated?”

“Yessir,” Blood pulled out a sheet.

“Jacinta, make a copy, too,” Zip told his direct subordinate.

“Right, Lieutenant.”

Blood looked over his work, “Okay… here’s what we need. If they can cobble together a cart, we might not even need to scrap our swords, though they’ll be finding more cast iron than forged steel. Gold and silver will be harder to come by, but that just means we have to get a little creative; there’s plenty of it up there. Sgt. Flare and Cpl. Painter know how to render it, and they’ll be able to.”

There was a ruined city, just northwest of them, full of destroyed infrastructure and all sorts of abandoned shops and factories; it seemed a waste to not use the scrap. Plus, the most specially trained soldier west of Canterlot was leading three of the best soldiers west of Canterlot on their job, just outside of Port City; the task was manageable.

Since Amethyst had to maintain silence at all parts of the day—barring emergencies on her end—Zip had to wait until the specified time for contact. He also had to run things by Canterlot.

This gave him time to have lunch without many distractions. Zip sat with Blood, and they had a less than casual chat.

Zip wanted to know something; he spoke quietly, as to not let their neighbors hear, “Private… What you told us yesterday… Was burning the nest the operation that saw you and your crew underground a week?”

Blood tiredly denied it, “No, Lieutenant, that was a collapse brought on by a simple rock-fall gone awry. Dealing with dragons is a dangerous business, as you know, and we saw lots of mishaps. We were pioneers, sir… and much of what we did was the first time a pony’s tried such a thing. That was just one of many things I’d rather not remember…”

Zip decided to shut his mouth; it was less than appropriate lunch chatter…

Silver came up behind Zip, “Sir…”

The lieutenant turned, “Yes, Silver? What do you need?”

“Princess Celestia wishes to speak with you…”

Zip was passing some unidentifiable, chewy substance between the sides of his mouth; the stew wasn’t the best that day, “This early?”

“They’re advancing their schedule, sir… You have our report ready, so you can take care of what we must. Plus… there’s something else that will need time, I'm told.”

Zip’s thoughts hung on her last words, but he swallowed the “whatever the Hell it was” he’d been gnawing on and would worry later, “I understand… Thank you, Silver. You’ll join in, too, for this one. Sorry about cutting your lunch short.”

“It’s fine, sir. I finished eating.”

“Okay… please get things ready.”

“Yessir.”

Zip watched Silver go; he turned to his other staff, sitting at the next table, “Jacinta, Trip, we have to get to the meeting.”

Jacinta stood without protest, drinking the last bit of stew she had.

Trip wasn’t pleased, “This early?! I just started eating…”

“You heard me, Trip, and I’m pretty sure you heard Silver,” Zip drawled. “You can bring your lunch along; the princess won’t mind.”

This appeased the little Earth pony, and she did as she was told.

In their “comm room”, Silver had already opened their transmission.

Celestia looked upon them. With her was Gen. Fiddler Dream and a couple higher-ups.

The princess glanced around, a small, tired grin evident in the corners of her mouth, “It appears I did interrupt your lunch… I’m sorry…”

Trip looked a little guilty; it did seem a little out of place for her to be stuffing her face, “I’m sorry, Princess… I’m…”

Celestia shook her head, the grin more evident, “Don’t worry, Trip… I once ate doughnuts in front of Zip, while he met with me…”

Trip almost spat out her lunch, “What?”

Jacinta and Silver couldn’t believe it either. Celestia just giggled.

Zip blushed; it had been weird for him, “I’m glad you contacted us, Princess… We’ve completed the survey, but we found nothing more than we already determined was usable. We’ll be keeping those plans on the table. Regarding our recent strategy, we’ve run the numbers, and we’ve come up with a list of what we’ll need for Project Phlogiston.”

Celestia turned down her dials, now serious, “I see.”

“But we’ll be unable to find everything we need in and around our location. We simply don’t have the means or the time to obtain gold, silver, copper, and lead in the amounts needed.”

Celestia sighed, “We were afraid of that… I’m going to have a talk with the ponies that ‘preach of plenty’ in the Unicorn Range…”

Silver, being the walking encyclopedia she was, said, “It’s not that there’s not plenty, we just can’t access it in time.”

Jacinta bopped Silver on the back of her head, “Hey…”

Silver rubbed her noggin; she spoke to the princess, rather than Jacinta, “Sorry…”

Celestia shook her head, “Oh, I understand, Silver… We had hoped you wouldn’t have to reach out for supplies.”

Zip stared at the visage of Celestia, “That’s the situation, Princess… We need to send Amethyst and her crew into Port City for a salvage operation.”

“Yes,” she acknowledged. “This is most unfortunate, but there’s little else to do, I’m afraid.”

Zip knew it sucked, but it was feasible, “All of them—gold, silver, copper, and lead—exist up in Port. Gold and silver will be harder to find, but we don’t need much of it. It’s copper we’ll need plenty of, and we could find all we’d possibly need in the plumbing of just about any building. Lead’s easy to find, too, in the forges.”

Celestia was satisfied, “Good, I’ll leave you with that.”

Zip was taken aback; they’d just started speaking, “Princess? That’s all?”

“Relay the materials and calculations to Gen. Dream… His engineers will look through and proof them.”

Zip had forgotten the general was even there, he’d been so quiet.

Celestia had one more thing to say, “And once you send them through, the general wants to speak with you… alone, Zip.”

Zip’s gaze turned to the general; he was stone-faced. By the time he looked elsewhere, Celestia was gone and so were Canterlot’s commanders, besides the general.

“Specialist Duster…” Gen. Dream said, his eyes never leaving Zip. “Please place the documents beside the crystal ball. That’ll do.”

With Zip, Jacinta, and Trip watching, Silver did as she was told. The lists and calculations levitated, glowed, and were rifled through. They were being scanned.

As the papers rested, Gen. Dream nodded, “And we have them. Please, ladies, I must speak with Lt. Screamer. Spc. Duster, please put up a sound barrier as you go.”

Silver felt a pang; something strange was happening. But she put up the barrier and began to move. Noting the general’s eyes still hadn’t left Zip, the girls filed out, concern in their eyes.

But Zip barely noticed them leaving; his eyes hadn’t left the general since he’d asked Silver to set down their work.

Something… Something was going on, Zip realized. But before he could dwell on this fact, Gen. Dream spoke.

“We know you’ll likely be hurting for the four metals you need, even with your plan to enter Port City… I can help you with that, Lieutenant.”

Zip asked, leery, “How so, sir?”

The general stated without preamble, “Beneath the North Port branch of the First Equestrian Bank, there’s a cache of gold and silver… enough to rebuild Canterlot twice over.”

“You couldn’t have let us know there was such a thing just lying around? When we were demonstrating this? I know you and your command were already thinking about where we’d get all the materials we need.”

“It never occurred to me one needed any special kind of metal to control and amplify magic, Lieutenant. And most ponies were rather speechless, anyway. I doubt most of them were thinking clearly.”

“Yeah?” Zip didn’t like this.

General Dream was irked by Zip’s fresh lack of decorum, “I just said… I don’t know much about it, Lieutenant, so I didn’t think about it until an engineer brought it up to me. I’m a soldier like you… not some genius.”

Zip wasn’t sure if that was a dig… but he took it personally, and it showed, “Yes, we’re most fortunate to have ponies like them on our side… So… why couldn’t the princess tell me this? Why was this pawned off on you?”

Something stunk, and Zip knew it.

General Dream gawked… Zip’s defiance was coming pretty thick.

“Even the princess didn’t know until this morning; I’m one of… several—in the world—that knew,” the general’s nostrils flared. “It’s one of our greatest national secrets! How do you think the evacuation would’ve gone… how the moving of supplies would’ve gone if the soldiers and civilians knew such a thing existed? That’s why we keep some secrets very secret.”

Zip waxed cruel sarcasm; for some reason, his frustrations were boiling over, “Oh, yes, your priorities have never been up for question.”

General Dream hissed, “You dare bring that up to me, right now?”

Zip was pissed… and what he wound up saying just sort of poured out of his mouth.

“Oh, I fucking do, sir…” Zip glowered. “You signed the order, after all, among others. It disgusts me to the bottom of my heart you and the scum that made that decision didn’t suffer in his place…!”

Zip couldn't believe those words came from himself... It was far worse than him calling Gen. Creek a "motherfucker"...

This was over the line and Zip knew it, but it was just him and the general… and Zip would probably be dead in a month, anyway. The lieutenant was beyond caring about some things. But he’d never forget what happened to Cpt. Basket Weaver. He’d never forget that the government was ready to let hundreds of thousands of ponies starve that winter to retrieve some cranes and dock-lifts. And he’d hold it against the army for the rest of his days.

The general winced at the harsh words… and knew they didn’t come from a completely unwarranted place; he gave in, “History… History will know what happened there; Princess Celestia will see to that. I… give you credit that some of us are still alive and free. I… I know you convinced her to not punish us… or to hold off on it, at least. We’ll pay for what we did, Lieutenant… but that’s for another time.”

Zip managed to cool his jets, “Yes, sir… You’re right.”

This was no apology; it was merely acknowledging they had more pressing things with which to deal.

“My command—besides being too stunned to do much at that display—didn’t bring it up immediately because we never imagined anypony would venture back into the city. They weren’t able to process it at the time.”

“I still need to task them with the job,” Zip said. “I’m sending Sgt. Flare into Port City. The fact we’ll be able to find some gold and silver as ‘easily’ as this is most welcome.”

The general grimaced, “You’re taking an awful risk, Lieutenant… The mare you’re putting your faith in is floundering. You won’t tell anypony, but it’s obvious—especially to the princess—that something is very wrong with her.”

Zip wanted to ask if there was any other choice than to send in Amethyst and her crew… He had his own concerns about her.

But the lieutenant instead said, “Don’t underestimate Amethyst Flare, sir…”

“And don’t overestimate her, Lieutenant,” Gen Dream responded. “She’s not only slipping, she’s slipped; that’s why she was sent to Port. If you knew the things I’ve learned about her, you might not-”

Zip interrupted, “I trust Cpl. Lily Hawk.”

“It shouldn’t surprise me that young mare would poke her nose where it doesn’t belong,” the general looked as if his own house was falling down around him. “And you trust too willingly, Lieutenant; a nurse is a technician, not a doctor. She doesn’t have the knowledge you might think she does, no matter how smart she seems. And do you know why Cpl. Hawk wound up joining the military?”

“I trust Lily,” Zip insisted; he was getting angry again.

“She lost her license, Lieutenant… She made a mistake—a costly one.”

Zip wasn’t thinking, “What did she do? Say the stuff in the bedpans was Tenochtitlan food and sell it on the streets?”

The general stated coldly, “She accidentally administered bupivacaine by IV to a seven-year-old filly… when the situation called for a simple saline solution.”

Zip startled; he inquired, “What’s bupivacaine?”

The general scowled, “Something to never be administered intravenously. It’s an epidural… Oftentimes, it’s injected into the spine to ease the pain of childbirth… It destroyed that filly’s heart and she suffered a painful death, with no hope of resuscitation!”

Zip felt his balls pull up; it was the first time a stallion’s words had ever done it, “How? How did that happen?”

“Your corporal was severely hungover… possibly still drunk… from a wild night on the town. As I said, it was a costly error… She had the promise of becoming a great physician one day, and she blew it because she was especially stupid one day. The army needed ponies with medical experience, and she entered the army in a plea deal. Had she not, she would've sat in prison until she was Sgt. Flare's age. Cpl. Hawk wasn’t always the collected mare you know; it was the military that straightened her out.”

Zip, his stomach never very settled as of late, felt queasy, “Why are you telling me this?”

“To wake you up, Lieutenant!” the general barked. “What is it they say about Port City?”

Zip had heard and recited it more times than he could recall, “That it’s a dumping ground for the army’s problems… and the ponies too valuable to get rid of, but they can’t be left in ‘normal’ positions…”

“And don’t you ever forget it, Lt. Zip Screamer!” Gen. Dream thundered. “You seem to do that an awful lot…! Most of them are there because of something relatively harmless… but a few of them should’ve faced the noose, Lieutenant, rather than be set loose out there—not so much in your platoon, but certainly in others. If you'd actually read everypony’s files, you’d feel a little different about many of them. The only reason I’ll allow Sgt. Flare to undertake this is because there’s no better option, not that I can really stop you…”

Zip realized… he’d only ever looked at a pony’s file if he had some concern. And he’d had fairly few.

“Do you understand me, Zip?”

It was the first time he felt the general had spoken to him as an equal, in saying his name; Zip gulped, “Yes, General. I understand you.”

“Good,” the general’s manner indicated things had just changed between them. “See it done, Lieutenant. I trust you on the matter. I trust you to trust yourself… and to know who to trust.”

Zip’s throat became tight, “Yessir.”

“I’ll be sending the coordinates for the vault to you in the next minute; have a sheet of paper ready to receive,” General Dream could be seen reaching for the crystal ball to “shut it off”. “Sgt. Flare will be able to decipher it.”

“Will do, sir,” Zip was already reaching for a blank sheet of paper.

“And… one more thing, Lieutenant…”

“Sir?”

What met Zip’s gaze was something he’d not soon forget.

The general’s eyes were welling up, seemingly out of nowhere, “I know how fortunate Equestria is… to have had a pony like Cpt. Weaver looking out for our best interests… Sometimes, Zip, I don’t know what’s right and wrong, anymore…”

The crystal ball blanked out, but it first sent the coordinates of the vault.

Zip, stunned, sat for a very long moment. He felt… unreal.

And Zip realized something… The general had thrown him a bone! Zip hadn’t realized it, but the general knew the young officer needed to vent. And he’d let him.

The Pegasus knew he’d said some pretty awful things… and he was filled with something rather foreign, something that was hard to recognize.

It wasn’t guilt that Zip felt… but rather a deep, indescribable, profound gratitude. He felt… better… more prepared. The general had more than one purpose in their one-on-one encounter, it was clear.

He’d gotten the young Pegasus to think. Amethyst had stolen a lot of paperwork from the battalion headquarters and the hospital. She’d personally carried it all, saving it from the prairie fire. The couple of bags containing the files on most of the platoon were sitting relatively unprotected in the “comm room”, along with her other effects, while she was out on patrol with the other three. Shit, all of her stuff was only a few steps away…

It baffled Zip, that such things would just be sitting there… where anypony could just look at them. And it wasn’t that Amethyst thought nopony would have the balls to cross her, that somepony would look at her stuff, which a lot of them were very likely terrified to even consider doing.

It was as if Amethyst… wanted somepony to look… that she wanted him to look. And this scared Zip, considering what a mess she was when confronted with any aspect of her sad past.

Zip’s stomach flip-flopped… Maybe the general was right… that she was…

He shook off the growing sick feelings inside himself; there were other things to do! He had to get the list together for his meeting with Amethyst.

As earlier stated, Amethyst and her crew didn’t even know they had a new plan, so he’d have to share that… Also, he had to figure out how to tell her about the secret treasure hoard barely anypony on the planet knew about.

He figured, at least for the time being, to not share that—the part about the treasure—with his other ponies. Even in the crazy situation they were in, if somepony got it in their mind to go looting… He didn’t want to think about it… what would happen.

Before, Zip had felt guilty about not sharing things with his platoon. Now, he felt next to nothing. He’d be playing things a little closer to the chest, he concluded.

Still, Zip determined he’d have to look through the files… of all his ponies. But… something told him to wait. Amethyst would be able to pick up on it… She’d know that he’d looked through her true file, which in his heart he was sure—he’d bet his life on it—that she’d saved and was sitting in her bags with the others. She’d know he’d finally looked at others’, as well, and that his “delusions” of his beloved platoon were dashed.

Yes… he’d wait.

At the allotted time Amethyst was supposed to call in, Zip waited.

Usually—though it was hard to refer to meeting with Amethyst’s party as such, seeing as they’d only been scouting out the centaurs a few days—Zip and his staff would meet with Amethyst and her crew.

Zip elected to meet with Amethyst alone. He had what he needed to share with her, and he even had Silver put up a sound-bubble to give him privacy.

She had nothing new to share with him… just that the centaurs seemed to hate the weather even more than the ponies…

But Zip had a few things to share.

“I have more to tell you than I did yesterday, that’s for certain…” Zip sat in the dimness of the comm room.

“You don’t look too eager to share it, sir,” Amethyst was uneasy.

“The geological survey is over… We’re stuck with what we’ve known for several days, that our options are limited.”

“Yes…” Amethyst frowned. “What kind of idea have those two privates come up with now?”

Zip might’ve laughed if he didn’t feel so overwhelmed, “This was more Blood’s idea, Amethyst. Canterlot jumped on board immediately, and so did I… Thermal warfare…”

Her eyes widened, “Oh, my… It’s come to this…”

He didn’t enjoy the green showing behind her gills, “Yes, Amethyst, we’re going to use the oil-saturated landscape against them. And I’m putting all my faith in that it will be effective.”

Amethyst cringed, “Well, sir, you’re right to be confident. Fighting with fire is the most destructive, gruesome tactic we can readily use…”

“But we can’t get everything we need down here…” Zip tiredly waved the sheet of paper he was to transfer to Amethyst. “I’ve got a list of supplies we need.”

“If I’m envisioning what you’ve all come up with, I can’t imagine you’d find the right conductors just jutting out of the ground…” Amethyst smirked, disgusted with her own grim amusement. “Well, Blood’s a pretty smart fellow, Lieutenant… I’m sure he figured things out pretty quickly, once we had a plan.”

“Yes… magic-conducting stakes, a whole network of grids…” Zip rambled, becoming quiet. “Blood said he could control the pass as if it was a stove-top.”

Amethyst screwed up her face, “And he could, Lieutenant. I know what he’s doing… It’s something I’ve never dared employ myself… no matter how desperate things got.”

Zip’s gut was doing the flip-flop, a lot of things weighing heavily on his mind, “Until yesterday… I’d never have imagined we’d commit to such an undertaking. It’s… something we can’t come back from…”

“War is Hell, Lieutenant… Don’t dwell on it.”

Zip silently agreed. But something else was on his mind.

He dithered, “When blood showed us... Princess Celestia… she didn’t order us to pursue this—she asked us… In fact, it was more of a vote.”

“And…?”

Zip stared at the floor before meeting her gaze, “And I just can’t figure out why…”

Amethyst stared at him a moment, her eyes betraying something he couldn’t recognize, but he knew was meaningful.

She put forth, “You know as well as I do, Lieutenant, that Celestia isn’t a goddess. She may be immortal—I don’t know—but she’s just a pony… like us. Is it about ‘sharing responsibility’? Is it a matter of her wanting to partially wash her hooves of this…? Perhaps. I don’t know.”

“Should we concern ourselves with it?”

“Dunno…" she mused. "Me? I wouldn’t worry about it… unless she starts making bad decisions, rather than uncertain ones. We’ll know if that happens.”

“You weren’t there, but I spoke for you. I said you’d be for it… I’m sorry.”

Amethyst shook her head, “No, you were right to do so. I’d have agreed.”

Zip set down the sheet of paper and then a second one, “I have another assignment for you, in addition to the list of supplies.”

“And what would that be?”

“You’ll be able to decipher this, I was told; I’ll send it through.”

Zip placed the sheets exactly, and the crystal ball glowed.

Amethyst, ready with paper of her own, received the documents; she flipped past the list of supplies, “Gold, silver, copper, lead… I guess tin isn’t necessary for this…”

As Zip figured, Amethyst knew what was going on. Even if she hadn’t attempted what Blood had cooked up, she knew what it entailed.

Amethyst flipped to the other sheet; she read it a moment, and her jaw dropped, “Port City has one of these?!”

Zip knew at once she’d figured it out, “If you mean ‘the hidden vault with enough riches to rebuild Canterlot twice over’, then yes, we did have one.”

“Oh, wow…” Amethyst’s eyes continued to search

“Can you determine its location?” Zip had no doubt she could.

“Yes, sir…” she said breathlessly. “I can… This is astonishing…”

“I’m sure you know well enough where to find copper and lead… Anywhere with plumbing and a forge will get you those. That’s where you’ll find the more precious metals… Also, if you can find some forged steel that’s not too heavy, do bring it.”

Amethyst took to the other list, “Yes, Lieutenant, it’s all here. Blood was very thorough…”

Zip sat up straight, “I want you to go tonight, if it’s possible. Linseed predicts the weather will shift again in a few days, so we need to get started, in case the centaurs decide to move abruptly.”

“Yes, sir… I know it won’t take but a few hours to assemble the conductive stakes, but we’ll need time to assemble the grid and the controls.”

Zip had told her all she needed to know, but there was still something else on his mind. He didn’t say, but hiding anything from Amethyst wasn’t exactly easy.

She picked up on it at once; she cocked her head, “What’s wrong, sir?”

Zip didn’t see any point in hiding his concern, but he wasn’t overly specific, “It was Gen. Dream that told me about that vault… He said even the princess didn’t know about it.”

Amethyst looked sad, “There are few ponies that do, Lieutenant… I know they exist, but not where…”

Zip barely heard her, “He… woke me up.”

He was surprised with how upset he suddenly felt.

Amethyst could see the tears forming in the corners of his eyes; he was hurting.

Gulping, she said, “I… I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, Lieutenant.”

Funny thing is he believed her; she chose not to see, despite what she may have suspected.

Amethyst’s voice came choked, and it wasn’t unlikely she knew what Zip was about to do… that he was set on learning why she’d been shipped out to Port, “I trust you, Lieutenant… 3rd Platoon trusts you… Celestia trusts you… Cpt. Weaver trusted you… and it looks like Gen. Dream trusts you. Do what you know to be right…”

Zip sniffled, “I’ll try…”

She managed to smile warmly, “I know you will, Lieutenant… You always do, and you’ve never let us down.”

“I don’t know about that…” Zip sighed.

“You’ll do fine, sir…”

He blinked hard, “And I’m sure you’ll be able to do what you need to… you and our three friends.”

“I have faith in them, Lieutenant. I wanted them along for a reason, after all.”

“You’d better get going, then, Amethyst. Be safe.”

She was thankful, “We’ll do what we can, sir… And… Lieutenant?”

Her voice caught him off-guard; it was pleading… forlorn…

“Yes, Amethyst?” he sat stiff as starch.

She was on the verge of tears, “Please… Zip… If you do go through them… try to remember… you can’t imagine what some ponies have been through… Don’t think too ill of them… of… of…”

Amethyst couldn’t bring herself to say “me”.

And she didn’t, for she closed the connection as she burst out crying, leaving Zip alone in the darkness.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Awright! Time for a new "arc" in the story! With Amethyst's crew on location, they must prepare to enter a place unknown to all but the very few. And Zip will face things he's overlooked.

How will they fare?

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 4: Scavenger Hunt, Part 3

The Infernal Line, Chapter 2: Scavenger Hunt, Part 1

Corporal Stardust Painter was shivering his ass off, sitting under a tree, overlooking a mud puddle the size of a lake, “The lieutenant wants us to do what…?!”

Sergeant Amethyst Flare had just told her three companions, Cpl. Painter, Spc. Hemp, and Pvt. Mercury Rise, that they were going to sneak into the city. It wasn’t welcome news, considering Port was overrun by creatures at least 10 times their size. They were a few days into their watch over the Centauri Army, and the four of them were exhausted.

“This also comes from Canterlot, on high…” Amethyst munched on a piece of dried fruit; her eyes were a little baggy, owing to her lack of restful sleep. “We have a new plan, and… well, we need to break into a secret bank vault… among other things. There’s a reserve under the city; it was ‘secret’ until this morning.”

The three stallions gawked… What?

Specialist Hemp snorted, “Really?”

Amethyst picked up on his skepticism; she didn’t see the harm in telling him, “I'm quite serious... Equestria is a rich continent, Specialist… I imagine we have caches all over the place. Wars don’t last forever, after all. They’re probably so well protected, they could survive an invasion… any disaster… the Apocolypse… If anypony was alive—and if gold and silver still had any value here or abroad—it would help us rebuild.”

“You sound like you’re guessing, Sergeant,” Cpl. Painter’s teeth chattered; he’d been out in the rain, as they took turns in keeping watch.

“Well, I am, partly,” Amethyst swallowed a slice of mango. “I know they exist, and there’s one here, it seems. We’re going in.”

Mercury respectfully raised a hoof, “Uh… why, ma’am? It seems odd for us to do such a thing.”

She was never bothered by Mercury’s uprightness and civility, while some others felt he was “too stiff”—though he was likely the most easygoing soldier many had ever met. He was a good soldier in most ways conjurable, besides being a fairly innocent kid (who happened to be a walking, talking weapon, unbeknownst to him and all but a few ponies). All he lacked was experience.

Amethyst nodded, “It is odd, Mercury… but nothing’s normal about any of this. We’re entering for the same reason anypony would want to… for the gold and silver.”

Specialist Hemp contemplated, a sneer turning the corners of his mouth, “I don’t think any of us would mind stuffing our pockets on a happier occasion, but why do we need it?”

Amethyst, not the easiest pony to leave aghast in most cases, suddenly appeared almost ill, “Pvt. Sapphire, he… came up with a new strategy. And it should more than keep the centaurs occupied in the pass. We can’t very well utilize the geography of the pass to bury the centaurs, as has been discussed, so we’re resorting to thermal warfare; there’s more oil beneath our hooves than we could use in a millennium, so…”

“Blood?” Corporal Painter blanched, realizing what the smartest pony on his team had devised, “He’s making magic conductors, isn’t he?! Oh, God…! He plans to light up the pass! That’s why we’re after silver and gold and lead and copper!”

“That’s right,” Amethyst replied, sounding better than she felt.

Specialist Hemp was floored, “No… You gotta be kidding us, Sarge…”

Amethyst shrugged, a grim frown on her face, “He’s done such things before… to dragons… We need to move at dusk.”

“What’s going on?” Mercury wondered; he was listening, but it was going over his head.

Corporal Painter sputtered, “They’re planning on pulling oil up from the ground… and lighting the Centauri Army on fire…”

Mercury was horrified, “What?! Is that even possible?”

Amethyst sighed… Yes, Mercury was a kid, alright… Good and scared...

Not that anypony should’ve been gleeful over such a thing. The sergeant herself was… really beginning to question just about everything she’d ever done in life… more than usual, at that.

The near-middle-aged mare put a hoof on Mercury’s shoulder, “It’s possible, Mercury… and it’s our best hope in keeping the centaurs in the north. We need to set up a grid of conductors to pull the oil from the shallow ground, and… moving the oil between the surface and underground, we’ll be able to… run the pass like burners on a gas stove…”

Amethyst shuddered at her own words.

Mercury grew pale, “This… This is…”

“War is Hell, kid,” Cpl. Painter broke in before Amethyst did. “Don’t dwell on it.”

Mercury swallowed hard, and he nodded, “Right, Corporal…”

Specialist Hemp’s scarred face contorted, not at Amethyst but at the situation, “So… what exactly do we have to do, ma’am?”

Amethyst, her mind spacing a bit, took a few seconds to respond, “Give me a minute to look over the location again. When I was scouting out the city before the big fire, I got a pretty good layout figured. We want to be in and out in a few hours if possible.”

She asked Cpl. Painter, “Do you know how to render metals out of alloys? Separate them?”

He nodded, “Yes… I’ve done it before, I mean… It’s just about knowing what temperature you need to reach… and separating them…?”

Amethyst hummed, “That’s about the basics of it. I’ll walk you through if we need to do it, but I think we’ll be able to get more-or-less pure metals. We need to get everything on the list, and we want to get as much pure elemental metal as light in weight as we can. We need to find some forged steel, on top of the other four metals.”

“They need steel, too?” Cpl. Painter was wringing out a leg of his rain-saturated uniform.

Amethyst said, “If we don’t bring back a fair stack of good steel, we’ll be making stakes out of more than half our swords.”

“I see your point,” the corporal conceded.

“They suggest we find a cart, but I’m not counting on using one,” Amethyst figured. “It’s not that we couldn’t get a working one, it’s our mobility I’m worried about—that and our keeping hidden. The centaurs can’t know we’re there… that anypony’s alive up here. We carry only what we can carry… And we’re horses, after all; we’ll be able to carry plenty.”

“Sounds manageable,” Spc. Hemp contended.

“I think so, Specialist,” the mare responded. “I was concerned when the lieutenant told me what we’d need, especially in finding the gold and silver. Copper won’t be hard to find; we could go into the bowels of most of the buildings and yank up some pipes. What concerns me the most is lead.”

Mercury asked, “Why lead, ma’am?”

Amethyst sighed, “The only place to find pure lead is probably in the armory.”

“Shit…” Cpl. Painter bemoaned.

The other two stallions realized what this meant, too.

“‘Shit’ is right, Corporal…” Amethyst lamented. “If we had the food, I’d bet you a week’s worth of apples they’ve set up shop in there… perhaps even their headquarters… We didn’t destroy it, and the forge is still partially intact.”

“That’s right,” Spc. Hemp recalled. “I helped with that detail… There’s no way the forge could be used, but it would definitely work just to keep warm. It’s one of the few places in the city with a working heat source.”

The four of them all had the same passing thought: if the Centauri leaders were together in a warm place, they could kill them all… It was possible. But they all dropped the idea before a one of them spoke out. They were to stay hidden and secret.

They’d get the centaurs… at the pass.

Amethyst decided it was time to begin, “I’d love to get a fire going—have some hot chow—but we can’t afford the risk. Still, eat well; we’re not coming back here, but save enough food for another meal. Then prepare to break camp; we move in one hour. Once we’re done, we’re heading right to the pass via the same trails that brought us here… I’m hoping they’re usable; we need to stay off the level ground, as not to leave any tracks leading back. We clear, for now?”

The three stallions said together, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. I’m going to do some thinking about the best point-of-entry…” she was about to go sit alone for a time as she hashed things out.

But there was one more thing.

“I have to ask, ma’am…” Mercury inquired. “Did you know about stuff like this? These places like the vault?”

“Like I said, I knew such things existed,” Amethyst smirked. “Special Agent Peridot Shadow knows a lot… but she sure didn’t expect to find one here.”

Sometime later, in the early evening, Amethyst led her crew towards town. The rain had mostly let up, so they had that going for them. Presently, they were slogging down the hill they’d been up, where they’d been watching Port City.

“What the Hell kind of name is ‘Phlogiston’, ma’am?” Spc. Painter whispered, right behind her.

They’d been discussing further their task.

The mare said quietly, “It depends on the language, Spc. Painter… Before oxygen was discovered, it was a chemical thought to be given off during combustion, but, of course, there’s no such thing… For most purposes, think of it as… ‘inflammable’… the noun, not the adjective.”

Inflammable? Spc. Painter and the others were perplexed.

Mercury wondered, “So… ‘not flammable’?”

Amethyst chuckled, “Language is a funny thing, Mercury… ‘flammable’ and ‘inflammable’ mean the same thing, it turns out. Don’t ask me why…”

Specialist Hemp pouted, “I hated language class in school… All those rules and grammar…”

Amethyst agreed, “I struggle to this day with using commas… But we need to stay quiet—keep alert.”

They all quieted down and reached the bottom of the hill before long, encountering no real difficulties.

The forest surrounding the city on the actual river delta wasn’t looking terribly forest-like, but the ponies had seen that already. In an effort to keep warm, the centaurs had been chopping down every tree available and burning them. The greenwood gave off a heavy smoke that choked the air.

Despite the amount of smoke—almost fog-like—pouring from every bonfire in the city, they weren’t afforded much cover. All they had were the stumps of trees, darkness, and the centaurs’ likely lapse in attention, due to the fact they were the only sentient beings alive in the area.

Amethyst and the stallions saw no centaurs, but they could hear them as they stuck to the stumps, moving closer to the edge of the city.

The sergeant whispered, “Looks like they’re getting more restless. I can hear them fighting again.”

The rest could definitely hear it. The centaurs had been stuck in and east of the city for a week. They were tired, hungry, and miserable, just as the ponies were. But there were a lot more of them and less space than was needed.

The platoon was fortunate; 54 ponies sharing a network of caves was more than manageable. Tens of thousands of centaurs crammed into the ruined city, with more trying to press in from the cold, muddy prairie over the last week, made for some tight quarters. And there were still at least 5,000 centaurs still on the ships, the ponies figured; there was simply no room to put them all ashore, and those on the ships were at least likely drier than those caught in the rain.

The ponies had even witnessed a few killings between the monkey-carcass-horses, spilling into their sight, when tensions boiled over or when there was a spat over food or shelter.

“Buncha savages…” Cpl. Painter hissed.

Amethyst shrugged, “Maybe… But we’d be little better in the same situation. Many of them are without a roof of any kind.”

The centaurs couldn’t even set up tents in what was left of the forest, much less the city. Their tents—as large as warehouses—filled the prairie east of the Sprawl, but did little to keep out the worst of the heavy weather. It was a clusterfuck, really… and the ponies had seen the clumsy creatures light their own shelters on fire, desperate to keep warm.

Too many bodies… too little space… led to havoc.

Time would tell, but Amethyst figured the centaurs would soon move, if only to get away from their suffocating surroundings. And the rain was almost over, and the snow wouldn’t be far behind.

The platoon and Canterlot had concluded they had a few days before the centaurs mobilized. Mobilizing didn’t mean they’d move immediately; it meant they’d prepare to move, and that would take a few days.

The centaurs sure weren’t showing any signs of such; they were just hunkering down, hating existence. It would possibly still be a week before they were heading for the pass.

Amethyst, looking around the now-unfamiliar landscape, saw where she wanted to go, “C’mon… Let’s move.”

The sun had just gone down fully, and they were ready.

South of the Sprawl, at the eastern edge of South Port—their old domain—was a drainage pipe. This was where they’d enter the city.

Too small for a centaur to even attempt to enter, Amethyst felt fairly secure in their being there, “I just hope it’s still clear; I guess we’ll see…”

They entered, Amethyst in the lead, lighting up her horn. It sure was dark…

The ponies had discussed the plan prior to heading down the hillside: the pipe they were about to enter was how Amethyst had navigated the city when she’d been scouting early in the whole operation… when their division was still whole. She’d chosen it because it was the most navigable route she’d established in her various activities—theft, mostly—before the entire mess started, back when she did things for her own and Zip’s benefit.

The plan wasn’t terribly complicated: the pipeline they’d follow led right under the North Port branch of the First Equestrian Bank. The vault they sought out was built into the very foundation of the bank, and it was accessible (without blowing a hole about 20 feet deep in the floor) from the sewer.

They’d have to open an access-door that led to nowhere but clay, it being under the guise that it would serve as a path for utilities to a building that was never constructed, as the bank took up two lots instead of one. This had been intentional, of course, but the bank would never need the second path.

They’d have to dig through the clay—15 feet of it—to find the access-door to the vault, unless they missed the door and just blew a hole in the side, instead… But their orders were to preserve the integrity of the vault; after all, the ponies might survive this yet, and those in the know didn’t want a bunch of muck mucking up the billions of bits worth of gold and silver in there.

This would be their first stop, though it was the farthest away from their point-of-entry.

Along the path chosen, was a pub the ponies had frequented. The owner had been proud as Hell of the renovations he’d completed in the spring: he’d replaced most of his cast-iron plumbing with copper, above all.

Upon reviewing the demolition schedule from the systematic destruction of Port City, it was found—for the sake of efficiency—they’d only demolished the above-ground portion. The basement was largely undamaged as was the plumbing. Had they the inclination and could take the extra weight, the wine-cellar was very likely safe and ripe for the taking. Sadly, they hadn’t the capacity to take anything, though they had the desire.

This would be their second stop, obtaining copper, and it would be the easiest, they reasoned.

Currently, the ponies were passing under the armory. That would be where they’d obtain lead and what forged steel they could carry. It would involve climbing out of the plumbing, taking a bunch of lead-ingots, and hopefully finding a few steel-beams.

The only easy thing about getting the metal into the sewer was the big drain used to pump out used cooling-water from the forge; they could drop something the size of a garden-shed down the hole… The hard part would be avoiding the centaurs, if they’d indeed taken up in the armory.

This would be their last stop.

In fact, Amethyst wouldn’t wait to find out if the armory had been taken over. Before they finished passing underneath, Amethyst called for a halt.

Mercury whispered, presently being right behind her, “What is it, ma’am?”

Amethyst spoke to herself more than to him, “We should find out first…”

Corporal Painter, behind Spc. Hemp and lighting their path from the rear, breathed, “Sergeant! This isn’t part of the plan!”

Specialist Hemp and Mercury hadn’t made up their minds about changing the plan in these few seconds, but they agreed when they heard Amethyst’s reason.

The mare said, “There’s probably no other place we can get pure lead, but there’re about 12 places to find forged steel between here and the pub—including a cache of swords I once left a couple lines over.”

Corporal Painter had no argument, “Sorry, ma’am…”

She smiled, “No reason for it…”

“How do we proceed?” he asked.

“I’ll proceed. Think you boys will be alright a few minutes?”

Mercury had to stop from laughing; her tone was hilarious. Spc. Hemp buried his face in the crook of his leg to stifle his own giggles.

Corporal Painter grinned, “We’ll be fine, ma’am…”

And they would be. Amethyst turned around and ascended into an overhead chute as easily as she might sit in a chair.

The stallions’ jaws dropped… Amethyst could climb like a monkey, it seemed; she hadn't even used magic.

“Oh, I hope we don’t have to go up the same way…” Mercury worried.

Specialist Hemp, stunned at the show, clapped him on the back, “Oh, you’d be fine.”

“No, I wouldn’t…! Did you see that shit?” Mercury was amazed.

Corporal Painter bopped the two on the backs of their heads, “Quiet, you two… Worry about that when the time comes…”

The corporal and the specialist figured Mercury would be able to do what Amethyst had just done, despite all three of them being ignorant to Mercury’s physical constitution. But they themselves? They weren’t sure.

Before they could mull about much else, Amethyst dropped back down amongst them.

“Yipe!” Spc. Hemp was tough, but not unshakable.

The other two had jumped, too. Amethyst had made quite an entrance.

“Sorry, fellows…” Amethyst regretted; she had already figured things out. “I’ve got good news and bad news…”

“Sounds like it’s all bad news, then, if there’s any bad news,” Cpl. Painter quipped.

Amethyst smirked, “No, there’s some good news.”

“What’s the bad news, then?” Mercury raised a hoof.

Amethyst was practically beaming, “The armory is packed with those things—to the fucking gills! Not even room to sit, really. That’s the bad news…”

“That’s not bad news... that’s terrible news…” Spc. Hemp sneered in a mixture of disgust and confusion. “Why are you smiling?!”

“Be at peace, Specialist,” Amethyst simpered. “I said there was good news.”

“And what’s the good news?” Mercury asked.

“They’re drunk… Like, really, really, drunk…” Amethyst chortled.

The stallions sighed with relief; the news wasn’t the best, but they’d take it.

“Okay,” Cpl. Painter voiced. “I suppose this might work out.”

“Yes, I think we’ll be fine,” Amethyst felt the same way. “We’re sticking to the plan. The vault… the pub… and then the armory. In case we have trouble with the armory, we can pick up the cache I left; either way, we’ll have all we need but lead by the time we’re back here. Follow me.”

The four ponies moved on, further into the bowels of the city, which they’d collectively—and lovingly—called home, work, and their stomping grounds. They had quite a night ahead of them.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

With a clear plan, Amethyst and her crew journey through the sewers of Port City, praying they remain undetected.

With a probable week left before the Centauri forces begin to move southeast, the ponies have days to manufacture and assemble their defense. And their success relies heavily on their best four soldiers.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 5: Scavenger Hunt, Part 4

The Infernal Line, Chapter 3: Scavenger Hunt, Part 2

With a brief meeting regarding the setup of a forge in the cave designated for it over, Zip retired to the “comm room”. They were ready. All the platoon needed was to gather wood, create an accelerant, and wait for the supplies to show up.

Without giving any real reason, he’d instructed his platoon he was not to be bothered. By this time, with all that was going on, he wasn’t grilled on the issue. They knew he’d held private audiences with their leaders before, if that's what he was up to.

Despite his stomach churning over what he was about to begin doing, he munched on part of a fresh apple. The platoon had reached the last of the fresh fruit, and instead of drying it—they’d dried so many foods found on their excursions into the mountainside—they’d divvied up what was left, allowing them the pleasure of eating something besides stew. The apple—the third of one, really—was going a bit soft, but it still tasted pretty good.

Staring down the row of bags in the corner, Zip focused on Amethyst’s. What Gen. Fiddler Dream had said didn’t fall on deaf ears, and the lieutenant had resolved to do something he should’ve done in his first couple weeks of being a platoon leader.

Swallowing the last of the apple and washing it down with some rainwater out of his canteen, Zip figured he’d just start; he reached for Amethyst’s several bags and pulled them out. It still confused him that she’d just leave them lying around, but who would dare violate them? Zip knew he was the only one.

The first of the three carriers were full of plain files, the kind he’d had ready access to, if he’d better done his job. Among them were the replacements’ files, including Pvt. Mercury Rise’s well-read joke of a file. Others visible were Sgt. Sweet Clover’s, Sgt. Treasure Trove’s, and Spc. Trip Wire’s. He even saw Jacinta’s in the second bag, which contained files of the same restriction level. Rifling through, they were nearly all there, including his own.

Zip thought back a good bit. He’d had a private for one day. For some reason, Pvt. Mill’s was there and so was Sgt. Sagebrush Trail’s, whom Zip had never even met face-to-face. It made more sense that Spc. Birch's file was there, considering his prominence before reassignment.

The ones not included were the three stallions from 3rd Squad that Jacinta had sent packing. Zip had never even followed up on them… All he knew was the one Jacinta had crippled the worst was evacuated along with all the other ponies at the hospital. Really, he hadn’t cared to look into it past that.

He suspected Amethyst hadn’t bothered with their files because Zip had never known them. Or maybe she just didn’t have them. Maybe their existence had no meaning to anything going on… What he did know was that Jacinta’s reputation as a powerful mare was solidified in her wiping the floor with those elite soldiers, and that each situation had nearly pushed her to a panic attack (an issue he’d probably see more about once he cracked her file).

Was it intentional? Did Amethyst have a plan? Who knew?

Yup… 50… There were 50 files pertaining to his platoon…

All but seven outstanding were there, and it wasn’t difficult to figure out what the last bag might contain.

Opening the last bag, he immediately saw some files labeled SECRET glaring at him; he read the first cover:

Pvt. Lily Hawk…

Seeing hers inside wasn’t much of a bombshell to Zip. Gen. Fiddler Dream had told him—just hours before—that Lily had taken a plea deal, joining the army to avoid prison… for accidentally killing a foal, while she was very possibly impaired. The only odd thing to him was her rank; he surmised she hadn’t been around long, and it was odd to see some enlisted pony reach noncom status so quickly. Then again, how many strange things occurred in and around their little platoon?

Going through, Zip saw more with the same label:

Spc. Raspberry Jam… Spc. Aster Yellows…

Those two names surprised him a little and not because they were both currently corporals. Both of them were… pretty normal. He shuffled the files:

Sgt. Little Song…?!

Zip gasped.

Little Song was once a sergeant?! What happened?!

But he took a breath and continued. Moving those four files aside, Zip saw something that undoubtably got his attention; the words TOP-SECRET were printed across the next ones. There were three files labeled as such, and the first one showed the following:

Cpl. Razor Wire…

Zip felt his lower-trunk ache, wondering what was inside. He felt the same at the subsequent:

Spc. Shive Hemp…

Zip realized he’d never even bothered to learn Spc. Hemp’s first name… or that he even had more to his name, but he’d never bothered with a lot of things, he was learning. He thought of the specialist, and he wondered what story all his scars told. He shuddered, knowing all his combat veterans had some personal accounts he’d never bothered to investigate.

And there was one more alongside those two. And Zip’s blood ran cold when he saw it, but he’d known it was probably somewhere. Nestled at the bottom of the stack was a file held shut by a mesh of tamper-proof wire; he could get in… but he wouldn’t be able to re-seal it. He knew such a seal when he came across it; it wasn’t original and was obviously to simply close it. Zip recalled that… Lily had looked at this file, taking a liberty that was never hers to take, when she’d had the opportunity to see it.

It showed a familiar name with a title he’d only heard, and it was the same mare who'd put on the new seal:

CW4 (Chief Warrant Officer 4) Amethyst Flare…

The lieutenant realized—in his heart—he had the real thing in his hooves. Inside… were all the things known and recorded that Amethyst was so afraid of him learning about… among others.

Zip almost lost his dinner, just feeling the gravity of what he held. But he managed to calm down.

He considered the time and found it to be 19:38. He had all the time he’d need. Steeling himself, he put aside Amethyst’s file and went back to the first bag.

Again, he had all night to look.

A bit later that night—around 20:00, Amethyst, leading her crew of Cpl. Stardust Painter, Spc. Hemp, and Pvt. Rise, continued making her way through the underbelly of Port City.

Port City had an excellent utilities underground. Built in the very heart of a river delta, the sewer had been designed and built to deal with incredible amounts of water. Even in the absence of ponies maintaining it—not to mention the damaged city above funneling all manner of muck imaginable down, down, down—it wasn’t flooded or otherwise inundated.

While the outskirts of the city’s plumbing mainly saw industrial waste, they’d made it to the heart of the city, rife with restaurants, bars, apartments, and even a few hotels. Despite the late autumn weather, things stayed warmer in the sewer, and even with a near-constant deluge of water flushing its contents into various waste pipes, a little of everything stuck to the walls and floated with the current. And boy, did it ever stink.

“BLORP!!” Mercury, after gagging almost nonstop since after the armory, saw all he had for chow come flying out of his mouth. “KOFF! GLOOOOOOOP! BUHBULUUUUUUUPH!”

Amethyst pounded on his back with understanding, watching the young stallion’s projectile-boot join the rest of the magic surrounding them; the sewer was foul. The Devil’s mixture of rotting food, garbage, shit, and every kind of filth conceivable produced a ripe perfume that took the breath away, and it sent even the strongest stomachs packing.

They were standing knee-deep in all of this… and thankfully they’d not yet had to go swimming.

Mercury wasn’t done; his vomit splattered into some unknown substance floating on the surface of the “water” with a healthy splort, “HUUUURGGEHH!”

The other two stallions reeled at the sight of the private yacking. Neither was particularly squeamish about seeing a pony puke, but combined with everything else reeking up the air, it almost had them going. It was a close call.

What they almost immediately saw, though, nearly pushed them over the edge.

The puddle of sick, nestled in the aforementioned material, drifted past, appearing as stew in a bowl… and they’d eaten plenty of awful stew in the last week. Cpl. Painter shut his eyes, and Spc. Hemp groaned.

Mercury coughed, tears of exertion in his eyes, “I’m sorry, everypony…”

Yes, he was sorry, but he wasn’t embarrassed. It was one thing everypony admired in Mercury. He was about as perfect a specimen of a soldier that most ponies could imagine, but even he knew nopony was perfect. In fact, he knew it especially.

Amethyst—not overly disgusted, due to her years and years of doing Equestria’s dirtiest work—continued to massage his back, “It’s alright, Mercury… I’m surprised the other two aren’t making moose-calls, too…”

Mercury laughed, continuing to hack, at Amethyst’s amused tone; she really was quite a mare.

“I’ve been in worse places,” Cpl. Painter muttered, slightly green behind the gills. “S’not like it’s any consolation… There’s probably bacteria and diseases not known to ponykind swimming around…”

Specialist Hemp felt similarly, his nasal passages burning, “Well, I’ve never smelled anything quite like this…”

“Actually, this is a remarkably clean sewer,” Amethyst simpered.

“Really?” Mercury spit, snot-streamers hanging from his lips.

She smirked, “Yes… but it’s still pretty nasty down here.”

One might think—by now—that Amethyst was questioning her decision to bring Mercury along, but she wasn’t, really. She’d thought of bringing another unicorn instead, but she’d settled on Mercury.

She’d certainly not expected them to run into trouble or play in raw sewage… and that was why she’d brought him. He’d never been out on a maneuver in his current position, and she wanted to see how he handled himself; she’d been impressed, and she chalked his getting sick up to his inexperience. It could be expected most of the ponies in the platoon would be barfing their guts out.

Amethyst didn’t expect trouble, but she still wanted to see Mercury on the mission. After a few months of having him in her squad, she still knew jack-shit about him, other than what was readily observable. She hoped having him out there would present her a new vision of him… give her an opportunity to see something more of what he might’ve been, but she wasn’t so sure.

Still, Mercury—the dormant super-soldier—had never complained, had done everything asked of him, and had gone above-and-beyond in all things, at that.

Yup… maybe he is just a normal kid… Amethyst mused, knowing she would be fooling herself to believe such a thing.

And she recalled her words to Zip, the night she told him Mercury had both broken out in and fought off horse-herpes in the same 24-hour period, and decided she still felt the same way: she hoped they’d never be in a situation to see what he was actually capable of.

She had no idea what might “set him off” or “awaken” him… or if he’d still be the same stallion the platoon loved so dearly… the stallion that had nearly every mare to ever meet him creaming…

What concerned her more were Cpl. Painter’s hemophobia and whatever was going on with Spc. Hemp—something she’d made a point to avoid learning about.

She’d brought them because they were the best soldiers she’d had available to her… and because Cpl. Painter was a Helluva magical unicorn… and because Zip refused to let her take Sgt. Wire.

But the sergeant realized she was letting her mind wander; they had to move, “C’mon, Private… We need to move on.”

She patted Mercury’s shoulder.

“Yes, ma’am,” he replied.

She clapped his back good-naturedly, “You at least feel a little better?”

He smiled, wiping his mouth on the shoulder of his uniform, as not to use his hoof, “If it didn’t smell so awful, I might be hungry again…”

The other three, caught off guard by one of Mercury’s occasional humorous declarations, laughed.

Knowing they could be in far worse company, the four ponies moved north. They were about to pass under a bar they’d very much enjoyed, and they were roughly halfway to the bank.

Somepony had left a pocket-watch—perhaps intentionally—in the communications area. Zip’s eyes drifted to it every so often. It wasn’t his own distasteful task, but Amethyst’s that had him concerned. He had no idea just what she and the three others were up to—or how much time it would take them—but he just couldn’t take his eyes off the timepiece for long.

It was 21:15. And he’d made his way through some of the “unclassified” files.

Except for a few of the files he’d never really bothered to look at, there wasn’t a whole lot there to surprise him.

He’d always wondered why Trip wound up in a place like Port… Turns out, she’d volunteered to come out… when her brother was to be sent there. This was a short time before their father—the corporal Zip had barely known back at the Dragonlands Outpost—was injured in the attack against which Zip led his retaliation.

It would’ve actually surprised him if she’d been sent there because of something she did wrong. What he did wonder about was if she knew why her brother had been transferred there. Even Zip didn’t know that, and it was unlikely few—or any—of the ponies in the platoon knew… Amethyst might’ve known, and he wouldn’t put it past her, but something told him she didn’t know.

It was unlikely the other veterans of “actual” combat knew, either; as close as they were—and as much as they seemed to love and trust one another—Zip was quite sure they didn’t share such things. So, Zip figured he might be the first in the platoon to know, once he finally cracked open the Top-Secret files.

Having learned the reason why he was sent to Port City, Zip wouldn’t have expected Cpl. Painter’s file to be classified, and he’d read it, of course, weeks back. There wasn’t anything new to take in the second read-through: Cpl. Painter was an elite soldier with a clean record (as far as the file suggested), and he was simply dismissed from his role in active combat when his fear of blood suddenly developed.

Zip still remembered the good humor and cheer with which he’d addressed his condition, having given himself that nasty concussion the day Spc. Birch—then a private—had his leg broken when that dock-lift failed. That day had messed up a few ponies; Zip still recalled how upset Trip had been and how he’d first learned of Jacinta’s occasional bouts with anxiety.

Speaking of Jacinta, he’d only ever glanced over her file, despite him saying otherwise; he’d taken Amethyst’s word on much of it. Thanks to his scanning through the one time, he’d missed the fact she’d had panic attacks as a teenager, not to mention the nervous breakdown she’d suffered at the age of 17. It was Lily that had shared that unpleasant bit of information with him… in her attempt to “wake him up”. And then he’d been told by Gen. Dream to be careful around Lily… or at least that he needed to know what she was, for his own good.

But there wasn’t anything startling about Jacinta’s file… There was something embarrassing in the psychiatric portion of the file, perhaps, in that she was mortified when they’d asked her if she was a virgin at 19, and she hated even more having to answer them truthfully. The terms “mortified” and “hated” were underlined several times by whomever had analyzed her, as if to show her humiliation. It sounded like her… and he could almost see her beautiful face, red as a cherry over it.

Zip couldn’t help but smirk… That “V-card” was his… but she also had his. It had him blushing himself, and he could feel a boner popping up in his uniform. Ashamed of himself for thinking of nookie with the mare he loved at a time like this, he coaxed it away by refocusing on his reading.

Yes, there wasn’t much to say besides her upset experienced when she’d destroyed those three stallions in 3rd Squad, days before he came to command. The fact she’d nearly had a panic attack the day Spc. Birch was injured wasn’t even in the file; it had never been reported. She was excellent at her old job, well-liked in her field of relief efforts, and was simply sent to fill a hole as a staff sergeant for a platoon in Port City.

There wasn’t much to say about Sgt. Clover or Sgt. Trove. Sgt. Clover had chosen—given a couple choices—to move out west because he had family in the area; Zip wondered if he regretted that…

And then, similar to Jacinta, Sgt. Trove had been sent to fill a hole. Zip had known, but he never thought about the fact Sgt. Trove had been the only pony with combat experience—besides Amethyst—to not be in 3rd Squad of Jacinta’s original platoon arrangement. He was put in charge of the engineers because it was his area of expertise.

Well, he was the only one still in the platoon with that distinction. Pvt. Mill—once a staff sergeant himself as Jacinta was—was discharged the second day Zip was on the job, and he’d served with Sgt. Trove in the north. Zip knew things had been miserable for them, but there was nothing in Sgt. Trove's psychiatric portion to worry him.

Setting aside Sgt. Trove’s file, Zip leaned back against a rock for a time. His neck hurt from stooping, but he wouldn’t rest long. He still had a fair stack to go through, and that didn’t even include the more classified material he had waiting for him.

Groaning, Zip cracked his neck and got back to it. Up next was Pvt. Poplar Shade… Little Song’s instrumentation technician…

Zip barely knew a thing about the little weasel, other than he was pretty good at his job, and he was known to cheat at cards.

Zip exhaled, and he figured he’d learn a little more.

“Is this mud…? Or is it shit? I can’t even tell…” Cpl. Painter complained, up to his belly in something.

“It’s just mud, Corporal…” Amethyst struggled through the stuff, still leading the stallions. “I’m guessing a wall in one of the sewer’s big corridors was broken during the demolition… There’s probably a sinkhole in the city, and this is what happened to the clay underneath it…”

Mercury, currently in the rear, was having an easy time compared to the others; the only reason he was moving so slowly was that he was keeping pace with them, “So it just poured in… Most unfortunate for us…”

Specialist Hemp kept checking his watch; normally pretty cool in any situation, he was understanding their plight, and he was worried, “21:40… It’s taken us an hour-and-a-half to go less than a half-mile…! And it’s what, another quarter-mile to the door under the bank?”

Amethyst was in a mood, “If the door’s even attainable… I can’t see much…”

Corporal Painter gasped, “Can’t we just use magic?”

“You keep asking that!”, the sergeant stubbornly shook her head. “No! We’re not risking it until we can take a look at the integrity of our surroundings! What I wouldn’t give for an engineer, right about now…”

Mercury could read the prevailing air: they were pissed and exhausted, but it wasn’t exactly difficult to tell. He knew they’d already hoped to be well on their way back to the armory; the mud had easily added an hour to their trip, and it would be the same going back.

The private, careful to try to put them at ease, had been paying attention, and he knew Spc. Hemp wasn’t accounting for all the ground they’d covered; he said, “We hit the mud a few hundred yards after I got sick… That means… Hold up!”

They stopped and were at once thankful to cease their slogging… but it wasn’t exactly easy to start again.

“What is it, Mercury?” Spc. Hemp was in front of the private.

They’d just been creeping along; so worn out, they might’ve missed their destination if somepony hadn’t been paying better attention than the others.

“Look,” Mercury pointed to the wall, shown by the glow of the unicorns' horns.

Amethyst glowed, she was so relieved, “Lot H-17! Hame Street! That means…!”

They’d reached the point where Trace Street became Hame Street. It meant Lot H-22—their destination—was only three lots away! Sure enough, they looked to the opposite side of the sewer and saw the markings for Lot H-18.

“The bank’s H-20!” Amethyst blew out a breath. “We’re almost there!”

And they were. With renewed spirits, they had a better time going the next couple hundred feet.

“Nice…” Spc. Hemp said without a hint of sarcasm.

It could’ve been worse. The door they were looking for was higher than the level of the mud and was dry; it wasn’t welded shut, but it was bolted.

Amethyst was glad, “Okay… Let’s take a moment to check around… Corporal… check the seal.”

“Ma’am,” Cpl. Painter examined the seal surrounding the door, while the rest of them checked the ceiling and walls.

Everything looked stable.

“Do you think you could do the bolts?” Amethyst asked the corporal.

“Yes, ma’am…” he answered. “Specialist, Private… best get behind her.”

The two Earth ponies moved behind Amethyst. It was probably safe to open the access-door, but they knew there was possibly about 25 tons of slime being held back, and it wouldn’t be easy to deal with if it just glooped out… or blew out under the weight of the clay behind it.

“Shield up, Sarge…” Cpl. Painter advised.

“Right…” Amethyst put up a barrier. “Be ready to do the same.”

He’d already conjured one, “Of course… Here goes…”

Bolt by bolt, he began to loosen them; he went a half-turn at a time for each bolt, moving around the perimeter of the door.

With bated breath, the others watched.

About halfway through loosening the bolts, mud began to seep out; the seal had been broken.

“How’s the pressure?” Amethyst asked.

The corporal kept up the "lefty-loosey action", not stopping, but he slowed down, “Manageable, Sarge… There’s a lot of stuff, but we should be good.”

It was a great relief to see the door gingerly pulled away from its place than to see it fly off with hundreds of cubic-feet of mud driving it.

They were greeted by an oozing—but otherwise unspoiled—wall of clay.

Amethyst grinned, “As much as I’d love to just yank it all out of there, we need to ease it along.”

“Right…” Cpl. Painter nodded.

The mare turned to the Earth ponies, “You two take a breather…”

“Yes, ma’am…” Spc. Hemp sank to his rump in the mud; he didn’t’ care.

“Water?” Mercury, who was still far better off than his friends, offered a canteen to the filthy pony.

“Thanks…” the specialist gratefully took it and had a nice drink.

There wasn’t anything the two stallions could do. The unicorns had to do this.

But it wasn’t terrible. Magically scooping out a cubic-foot at a time, they were done in about 20 minutes, making sure to take the time to press clay into the sides of their little tunnel, reinforcing it.

Following the directions supplied to them, they had little trouble finding the access-door to the actual vault. The tunnel was big enough that Amethyst and Cpl. Painter could stand two abreast.

“Wow…” Cpl. Painter murmured.

“Yes… Wow…” Amethyst agreed.

On the other side of this door was a stash of precious metal more valuable than the whole of Port City. Still bolted around its entirety, this door had hinges; they wouldn’t need to remove it from the tunnel.

“Best let me do this,” Cpl. Painter offered.

Amethyst was already on the way out; she looked back with a smirk, “Don’t go in there without us, okay?”

He chuckled, “Yes, ma’am…”

The corporal had volunteered to do this for the same reason he’d had the others shield themselves: they didn’t know what was behind the door, exactly, and Amethyst's life was worth more than his.

But while Amethyst roused the other two, Cpl. Painter had little trouble with the door. He had no trouble breaking the seal, and he found it was dry as a bone inside.

Still, he didn’t enter; he called back, “Okay… it’s safe…”

Well, he hoped it was safe.

The three came up to join him.

Corporal Painter didn’t use magic; he pried the heavy steel door open with his hooves, “Uuuuuurrgh!”

The door swung open, and he peered in, his horn lit. As no monster jumped out to eat them, he entered.

As Amethyst followed, she sent out an orb of light to join the one the corporal was conjuring. Spc. Hemp and Mercury came in.

Under the magical light, a sight none of them would ever forget greeted them.

Gold… Gems… Silver…

“I can’t believe this…” Amethyst squeaked.

Where was this shit when she was dirt-poor in a Canterlot gutter?!

Gold bars, gold nuggets silver bars, silver nuggets, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, gold statues, silver statues, gold and silver statues, silverware, crowns, tiaras, diadems, scepters (why, as hooves can’t hold them?), chalices, coins, chess sets, gold and silver-plated weapons of all sorts, figures, figurines…

Hell, there was even a gold toilet.

They saw all that and much more, as far as their eyes could make out. Amethyst increased the intensity of her light-orb.

And they could see the entire room… The dimensions of the room were 12 feet high, 50 feet wide, and 115 feet long… and it was filled with treasure to the ceiling!

“Goddamn!” Cpl. Painter gushed. “Can this be real? Can this much gold even exist?”

“I guess so, Corporal…” Specialist Hemp hooted, the visceral grin on his face now easily overpowering the disbelief he’d had pasted on. “How about that…?”

“Holy fuckin’ shit…!” Cpl. Painter puffed out, his eyes wide.

Amethyst could only nod, dumbfounded, and it took a lot to dumbfound her, “Yeah… You can say that again…”

They stood in awe for a good 10 seconds.

Of all the ponies, the “kid” among them was the one to break up the adulation; Mercury nosed the other three, “Well, let’s get going. We’ve got only so much time, and we’re already utterly behind. Got the scale, Sarge?”

Amethyst blinked; he’d questioned her, after all, “Oh… yes, Mercury…”

Corporal Painter shook off his own astonishment, “Again, what do we need?”

“We need approximately 19 pounds of gold…” Amethyst consulted the list. “Let’s go for 25. And 32 pounds of silver; we can fudge it a little and collect 40.”

“Good thinking, ma’am…” Mercury was already looking for bars of both; it didn’t hurt to have extra, considering none of the ponies in the platoon had ever forged magical-conductive stakes.

Specialist Hemp sighed, hoofing a sack of silver nuggets, “Well, I tell you, everypony… If we live to see spring… I’m coming back here with a few wagons.”

“And I won’t stop you, Specialist,” Amethyst was following Mercury’s example, picking up a gold bar. “Let’s just get what we came for. If I catch any of you pocketing more, I’ll tell Jacinta.”

The stallions—even Mercury—chuckled. It was meant as a half-joke, but that’s what it was… a half-joke; it was half-serious.

Amethyst let a little smile show, “I may come back here myself, someday…”

The four had a laugh, and they commenced their work.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

While Amethyst begins the all-important salvage operation, Zip works his way through the files on his beloved platoon.

What will come of these?

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 6: Scavenger Hunt, Part 5

The Infernal Line, Chapter 4: Scavenger Hunt, Part 3

“Done…” Cpl. Stardust Painter tightened the last of the bolts sealing the access door leading to the vault.

He’d also sealed up the door to the actual vault, but not before Sgt. Amethyst Flare left a nice, little spell to deal with the humidity they’d let in… They couldn’t let that precious metal tarnish, after all.

They’d not even bothered to replace the mud, leaving the tunnel they’d dug; there wasn’t much point, and the mud—much of it flowing away—matched the stuff in the sewer’s corridor… the stuff they’d slogged a half-mile through, so they weren’t worried about anypony noticing anything strange about the area.

Amethyst nodded to the corporal, “Good.”

The four of them sat at the “entryway” before the door, the only dry place available. With 25 pounds of gold and 40 of silver split among them, they prepared to move along, but not before taking a breather. They were in a hurry, sure, but other than Pvt. Mercury Rise, the ponies were sick with fatigue; that slog was exhausting.

Amethyst said reluctantly, “I wanted to save all the food for the trip back to the caves, but we need to eat something… We need a little sugar… Take in a few chunks of dried fruit.”

Not inexperienced with miserable situations, Cpl. Painter and Spc. Hemp tiredly nodded and stuck their faces in their bags for a snack.

Amethyst prodded Mercury, “If you think you can stomach it, I’d have a morsel… Even you’ll feel better.”

He didn’t argue, “Yes, ma’am…”

She smiled, watching him dig for a piece of the dried mango of which they had so much… Yup, he was just an innocent kid…

The sergeant yawned, stretching; she occasionally felt too old for this shit. Deciding to allocate to her stomach a special treat she’d been saving, she ate some caramel apple chips.

Admittedly, all of them felt pretty good after a snack and some water.

And so, at 22:50, they set out.

Zip rubbed his eyes and focused on a point on the wall to relieve his vision. His head hurt some, and he momentarily reflected on that which he’d read.

Private Poplar Shade’s file had interested him little. The unicorn had some training as an instrumentation technician, which didn’t exactly lend itself to the war-zone in which he’d briefly found himself. Zip wondered why Jacinta hadn’t put him with the engineers when she’d made the error of packing almost all the war vets in a squad together, as was done with Pvt. Shade, but she’d made the decision based on where he’d been as opposed to what he could do; he didn’t dwell on it, with her giving most of the platoon the same preliminary treatment.

What Zip knew about the guy wasn’t expanded upon all that much. Pvt. Shade was something of a square peg crammed into a round hole, never really meshing with his current or previous unit; his lack of harmonizing with his old comrades was why he was sent out to Port.

It wasn’t like ponies weren’t given a reason for disliking him. He was a known cheat, a suspected thief, and a compulsive gambler, and he was unpopular at most gatherings for these reasons. Apparently, he’d even skipped going to the Military Ball to go shoot dice somewhere downtown.

But he’d done well as Cpl. Little Song’s technician, though even she only tolerated him; Little Song was kinder than most, and she gave him more chances than Zip thought reasonable. For somepony that didn’t fit in, he surely faded into the background, nonetheless.

Zip knew he’d need Pvt. Shade, and he knew he’d need Little Song; Spc. Trip Wire and Pvt. Caramel Crunch were on the same list. Somepony needed to put together the multi-channel device and forge the magic-conductive stakes they’d be using to focus their magic for the firetrap in the pass, and the four of them would be spearheading that portion of the project. He was confident they’d be able to do the job.

Speaking of Pvt. Crunch, Zip finally gave her file a more thorough reading; he’d been the least concerned with her as far as his replacements went, and he simply didn’t do anything more than scan her file. Even Spc. Cocoa Butter raised more red flags than her, looking as stoned as he did, though his living was clean as an operating room.

Private Crunch was a small-town filly who’d joined the army to get off the family farm; it was a good life and she’d had a stellar childhood, but she wanted something else. She’d trained as a machinist and had done a “good” job at Appleloosa Outpost #1 but requested to go to Port City (probably to get away from the countryside). Zip reasoned she’d improved a great deal in her new environment, appearing to “match her surroundings” when it came to work.

Trip loved Pvt. Crunch, and the two were good friends, often working together on all manner of things. Everypony loved Pvt. Crunch. Zip knew he enjoyed her good cheer, often chuckling when he thought about her conduct the night of the Military Ball… There wasn’t much to say past her being a good soldier and a good pony.

The lieutenant had also taken another look at Pvt. Linseed Oil’s and Pvt. Blood Sapphire's, and he was a lot less worried than the ponies that had written up the psychiatric sections of their files. Zip knew Linseed wasn’t the “clinically-depressed necrophiliac” that frequented the morgue, just as he knew Blood wasn’t crazy.

Both of them were different, and their place in a combat situation was questionable, but the two of them had done more for the impending defense of Equestria than anypony had: they’d had a plan—a feasible, gruesome plan—and had provided some real hope.

Hope had been lacking; Zip had no delusions otherwise.

That said, having analyzed Mercury’s papers for the umpteenth time and finding nothing, Zip had moved to the classified material, knowing he’d certainly be looking at the first two bags of files again before long.

The SECRET files had more upsetting revelations, though this wasn’t unexpected.

The leader of Amethyst’s 1st Team, Cpl. Aster Yellows, had been court-martialed for embezzling from his old battalion’s “slush-fund”. Zip’s current head cook and master of magical charms was craftier than Zip had imagined, but an error in his scheme—that went unnoticed for six months—finally caught up to him; the algorithm he’d concocted began taking entire bits instead of the fractions of bits generated by rounding down on whole bits.

Being as good as he was in practical charms, he was given a chance to serve out his term in Port City—a great demotion from magical development—instead of serving it out in prison or a work-camp. It had been kept fairly quiet, and the amount he’d funneled into his own pockets only amounted to about 700 bits—enough to pay for a couple months’ rent in some crappy apartment—so it was easier to go that route.

After Cpl. Yellows’s file, Zip had read Cpl. Raspberry Jam’s.

Embezzling was bad, Zip certainly knew; it was just leeching money from others for one’s own benefit. Compared to that, what Cpl. Jam had done was tame and mostly harmless in Zip’s eyes. He’d run an illegal gambling hall out of a warehouse on his old base… very intricate and found by mistake one night, when a colonel had shown up for a surprise inspection.

Had Cpl. Jam been caught by somepony even as high as a battalion commander—a major or lieutenant colonel—it might’ve been swept under the rug, as none of them kept their hooves all that clean. However, their new brigade commander—a mare looking to clean up her new charge—had caught them. Even this was kept pretty quiet, though Cpl. Jam took the blame and was sent off to Port City.

It just seemed unfair to Zip… Most ponies gambled a little in questionable places, even the officers condemning it… And Cpl. Jam hadn’t made a profit off it, it wasn’t some scam or moneylending or loansharking operation, and not a single soldier had put themselves into destitution. All he’d done was run a few card and dice games—with a little sports-betting on the local college’s hoofball team—in a corner of the warehouse, where they drank beer and enjoyed themselves.

As good with logistics as he was, Cpl. Jam was sent out to Port instead of being discharged. After all, they’d gotten rid of him, evidently punishing him, and they’d actually sent somepony useful out there.

What upset Zip were the things he learned about his lady corporals, Little Song and Lily Hawk.

Corporal Little Song had been Sgt. Little Song, as reading her file’s cover had told a shocked Zip. He’d seen her “normal” file, which Amethyst hadn’t bothered to bring along, and there wasn’t a thing in that half-assed skim of a report that the real thing didn’t cover.

It wasn’t pretty. The modest, charming mare they knew and loved had been previously assigned to a platoon down south and had caught the eye of her company commander. The long and short of it was that Little Song was allegedly sexually assaulted by her captain, and it was settled as a misunderstanding “out of court-martial”. The lovely mare of whom he’d asked a lot of advice on dealing with Jacinta and Amethyst was discretely removed from her position and sent away.

It was bullshit, Zip knew, and he was furious at the army for some of the things they did! He’d suspected—and was right—that if the world had a little more justice in it, the truth would make for a much uglier presentation.

…Not that he didn’t see the truth…

Zip had come across it only two or three times, her slanted script being unmistakable, but Amethyst had included some magically written notes in a couple files. It was a high crime, modifying a file, even if it was obviously not officially added… Then again, Amethyst flagrantly committed high crimes just about any time she went looking for information. And given Amethyst’s ability to read the mind when she really wanted to—and the possibility Little Song had shared her experiences with her older friend, or Amethyst had just found out somehow—Zip believed what he read.

The “alleged sexual assault” solved “out of court-martial” consisted of Little Song’s company commander restraining her by magic and raping her in the ladies’ room at the previous year’s Hearth’s Warming Eve party; she’d been spurning his advances for weeks, even making an official complaint (that was ignored), and he’d finally gone for it when he was drunk.

If that hadn’t been bad enough, the captain came from a rich-as-shit family, and the whole thing was messily—though thoroughly—covered up due to their connections. She hadn’t been sent out to Port because she was a good engineer… she’d been sent because she was a “mentally-unstable liar” who was a good engineer; if she’d been less useful to the army, they would’ve simply dismissed her.

Zip had read a few sad, miserable things that night. Some of his ponies came from unhappy circumstances—alcohol abuse in the family, other abuse, poverty, and more—but that was seen in ponies in every line of work.

This was the first time that night Zip actually felt sick… and the first time he broke down and cried… If he’d only known the hurts Little Song carried… his gentle friend… he’d…!

Well, he’d probably be powerless to do much… and that hurt almost as much.

Having caught the reader up to the present time, Zip had to take another break, and his eyes drifted to the pocket-watch sitting on his makeshift desk.

23:03… Zip sighed.

He wasn’t far off from having gone through every file. He’d be doing so again, but… he would have an honest attempt under his belt.

Wiping his eyes and taking a refreshing drink of water, he opened Cpl. Lily Hawk’s SECRET file.

He expected nothing pleasant and was so rewarded for his thinking.

Zip knew Lily's father was in prison—had been for years, but he didn't know Lily's mother was something of a no-show. Lily Hawk wasn’t even her real name, or rather, her original name; she’d been Brook Bluebonnet, NP (nurse practitioner), and she’d been a medical student. The braided, two-tone mane with which Zip was so familiar had been dyed a shocking indigo in laborious curls.

Zip recalled his first impression of the noncom mares in his company… Amethyst was an Equestrian belle, Little Song was pretty in a demure way, and Jacinta…

Well, Jacinta had been the most gorgeous mare Zip had ever seen, and this hadn’t changed, but just looking at pictures of Lily, it was possible Jacinta would've been given a run for her money. Unfortunately, Lily’s phenomenal beauty, replaced by her current—but attractive—practicality, was the only good thing about her file.

Lily had done modeling to help pay for medical school; nursing wasn’t always the most lucrative profession, especially if a pony only did it part-time. When modeling hadn’t been enough to pay her mounting bills, she’d resorted to exotic dancing.

Zip saw these pictures, and feeling his second boner of the night wrestle around in his uniform, he breathed, “Holy shit…”

He said the same thing when he saw the next batch of pictures, and if he’d gotten worked up even a little more than he had, he would’ve had to go choke the chicken in the corner. Even with the couple of lie-downs he’d had with Jacinta, he was feeling repressed, and it wasn’t taking much to get him hot-and-bothered. He couldn’t help it, even with their terrible situation.

Lily had done pornography, specifically peepshows.

Zip blew out a breath… This was unexpected…

With her sometimes-wild “second life”, she fell into regular alcohol and drug use—if not abuse—and her “real life” suffered. After a wild night entertaining some big-shots in hard commodities, she’d carelessly administered the wrong IV bag to that filly, killing her.

Lily’s mugshot… Zip didn’t think he could imagine a more guilty and hurt-looking pony; it was as if her soul was being tormented.

Zip knew the rest of the story, other than her several suicide attempts, and he took no pleasure in reading about the plea deal that more-or-less legally set her free, besides serving a term in the army. Freedom from the pain he was sure she still felt was more fleeting, he supposed. Advancing very quickly, she became a corporal in near-record time. As time went on, her career shined, and as far as the army was concerned, her past was some faraway thing.

Her achievements positively glowed.

But as with Little Song, all Zip could think of was his friend... Lily...

“Goddamn it…” Zip wept into his lap.

Wanting to throw the file and its contents against the wall, he instead reassembled it, setting it aside. Falling on his back, unable to calm his crying, he saw the time out of the corner of his eye.

It was 23:17.

Desperate to put his mind elsewhere, he thought of his special team, despite his reading files was meant to distract him from dwelling on their mission. He was beginning to worry some. It was just under four hours since they’d likely entered the sewers.

Barring trouble or other hang-ups, Amethyst had figured they’d be in and out in four hours or less. Zip knew it wasn’t unlikely that it would take longer, but he fretted. And he had no idea of what was going on up there; he and Amethyst had agreed on strict silence from his end, and she wouldn’t be contacting him until they were done… or if they ran into some worst-case scenario, though there wasn’t a thing the platoon would be able to do to help the four.

Feeling his disquiet rise even more than before, he tried to clear his mind of Amethyst’s crew and their mission. There wasn’t anything he could do about it.

But he could do something about the TOP SECRET files sitting beside him; in fact, it was his duty.

So, he got back to it, careful not to let his tears fall on the cover of Sgt. Razor Wire’s file. Just as he was about to open the folder, Zip heard a noise coming from the corridor leading to their communications, where he was holed up. It wasn’t just some dust settling in the caves; somepony was there.

Zip, not bothering to hide his face, determined whoever it was had heard him carrying on, so he said, “Enter.”

It was Sgt. Sweet Clover.

“How long have you been out there, Sergeant…?” Zip growled.

The lieutenant didn’t mean to sound as such, but his voice was hoarse from crying.

“A few moments…” Sergeant Clover didn’t look overly concerned with such things. “Sir, I’m… sorry. I know you asked to not be bothered…”

The sergeant hung his head.

Zip knew it wasn’t for nothing, his sergeant's being there, and he was almost glad to see another face; he cleared his throat, “I’m sorry, Sergeant… My voice is a little shot…”

Sergeant Clover nodded, “I understand, sir…”

Zip knew he did, and he wasn’t worried; he smirked, “Got anything besides water?”

The sergeant blinked, and then he chuckled; he knew what the officer meant, “Yessir… I put together an extract from some of the fruit… It’s just syrup, but it’ll taste nice in the water.”

Zip bade him sit, and the two put a little citrus-flavoring in their canteens.

“Mmm…” Zip murmured. “Orange… Nice on the throat.”

“It’s alright stuff, sir…” Sgt. Clover’s eyes strayed to the pile Zip hadn’t bothered to hide.

Before the sergeant said a thing about it, Zip acknowledged, “Yup… It’s what it looks like…”

“So… Amethyst did save them…” Sgt. Clover said.

“You knew?”

“I knew she’d been scavenging… but I didn’t suspect she’d dragged them out here… Figured they’d just gone up in the prairie fire…”

“Well, I don’t think most of us were paying the best attention,” Zip reasoned.

“So that’s what you’ve been up to…” Sgt. Clover stared at the piles. “That thing still say that I lost my virginity to my third cousin?”

His file did say that, but that wasn’t the funny part.

Sometimes Sgt. Clover knew just how to lighten a heavy load. Zip sputtered and laughed; he laughed hard. Sgt. Clover joined him, but things got somber in a hurry.

“It’s long overdue, Sergeant…” Zip took a drink. “I’ve been shirking my duties.”

The sergeant was quick to contradict him, “Naw… You’ve been doing all you need to, sir… But… I understand why. Hard times are ahead...”

Zip, still not overly embarrassed, rubbed at his eyes.

“Kerchief?”

Zip saw Sgt. Clover hoofing one his way.

“It’s clean, Lieutenant…” he gave a sad smile.

Zip took it gratefully, “Thank you…”

The two sat a moment.

Zip realized the sergeant wasn’t hung up over the files or whatever else he might've been up to; there was something else, “What do you need, Sergeant?”

Without a lot of preamble, Sgt. Clover began, “Sir… I know… we’re dead to the world, and I know it needs to stay that way…”

Zip listened. The painful fact was that everypony his platoon ever knew… friends, family… believed they were all dead; only the highest echelons of Canterlot Command knew what was going on, and to most of the continent, they were “simply” building defenses outside of Canterlot to make a stand against the Centaurs.

Yes, their success rode greatly on secrecy. The world would know when the centaurs did, that 54 ponies were alive—if not well—and raising Hellfire from the ground at the pass.

It crept up on Zip occasionally, that all the ponies he knew and loved back home thought he’d died at the Galloping Gorge along with the rest of the division. The only thing that really kept him shy of falling into despair was the fact he had a job to do and ponies relying on him.

But when he had only his thoughts before him, it was hard. And everypony felt the same, he knew.

“…they may never even know until after the fact, depending on how things go. We have a week, perhaps, before this all changes.”

Zip had spaced out a few seconds, but he didn’t forget… Sgt. Clover was 32-years-old; he had a little more to his life than many of the others. He had a family... a wife and four foals, all of whom were safe—for now—with some relatives near Canterlot. It was even harder to forget such a thing when he'd read Sgt. Clover's file not long before this.

“…and I was hoping that I—that we—all of us—could-”

The lieutenant didn’t mean to be terse, but this was all hitting close to home, “Please make your point, Sergeant.”

He did, “I wish to compose a message to my family. I know they won’t see it until things fall one way or the other, but things will never be the same… I want to… write them as the stallion I am… not the one I’ll become.”

Zip hummed, “I see.”

Sergeant Clover choked up a moment, “I think we should all take the time in the next couple days… and write what we need to. I… think it may help.”

Zip felt much the same and wished to Heaven his parents and his sisters had better consolation than that which they had, but he was skeptical, “You think it’ll help…?”

The sergeant inhaled and blew out a breath, “For some of us… Yessir.”

Zip sighed, “I understand… but I wish to ask advice on it.”

“Advice, sir?”

“Yes… I think you’re right… We need to do it, but I think it needs to be handled a certain way.”

“I get you… I figured on it, regardless… Everypony’s wound up, and…”

“We don’t need anypony falling apart like that… not now and not ever,” Zip finished.

“Yessir.”

“Anything else?”

“No sir… Again, I’m sorry for disturbing you…”

Zip shook his head, “It’s fine, Sergeant. Thank you… Thanks for the kerchief… for the syrup… I feel better.”

The father of four nodded as he began to walk, “Glad to help, sir. Well, I’ll leave you to your work…”

Zip decided to try for some optimism and said, “When I hear from Amethyst, I’ll let you and the others know.”

The sergeant stopped and looked back with a knowing smile, “Yessir…”

With Sgt. Clover gone, Zip considered the time.

23:40. He hadn’t realized how tired he was, but he did feel okay after talking with the sergeant.

Zip still dreaded the last files—especially Amethyst’s. He was making no excuses; he was scared, but he was also finding his eyes heavy.

So, stacking all the files save the TOP SECRET ones—secure beside him—he rested his head on Amethyst’s bags and dozed off a while. He still had time…

Things had been going well in the sewer. Finding a good pace after rest and a snack, it had only taken 40 minutes to get to the pub after leaving the vault.

Breaking off a few copper pipes in the pub’s basement—besides getting sprayed with some nasty water—had been a cakewalk. As with the vault, the four of them reasoned the pub’s basement would be worth raiding if they made it out of the brewing situation alive.

Lots of booze and easy copper…

And then it only took Amethyst—bringing Spc. Hemp along—12 minutes to retrieve the pile of swords she’d stowed off their “beaten path”, while Cpl. Painter and Mercury waited. It was good metal and would make fine instruments of destruction.

At 00:05, they had three of the four components necessary. Soon the night would be over.

The armory was just ahead…

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Next time, Amethyst and company enter the armory.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

The Infernal Line, Chapter 7: Fireside Chat

The Infernal Line, Chapter 5: Scavenger Hunt, Part 4

At 00:05, Zip’s salvage team was very near the armory. They’d slowed their pace a hair due to the extra weight, but relatively good cheer prevailed. Even though they were in the “clean” part of the sewer again, and the stench of downtown was behind, they’d all stopped noticing the terrible smell about the time they closed the vault. There’d been no feeling sick on the way back, either.

The ponies chatted, and their stomachs were relaxed enough to think about the chow of better times.

“You know what I miss the most from the mess?” Spc. Hemp asked the other three. “Those snickerdoodle cookies they made on Thursdays…”

There was a murmur of ascent from the others.

“I miss that broccoli potpie…” Pvt. Mercury Rise said. “The day we began the state-of-emergency… that was the last day they made that pie. Some of us missed that with the special detail.”

Their leader, Sgt. Amethyst Flare, who’d just been dreaming of the waffles they got certain mornings, felt a pang but said nothing as she retreated inward, having heard the last statement. What had happened over lunch that day changed things between her and Zip…

“Other than one of the times Gen. Rocky 'Asshole' Creek had us call in during lunch…" Cpl. Stardust Painter, still on the issue of potpie, reminisced. “He and his staff ate like kings…”

Mercury was actually surly over it, “But we didn’t get it…”

Specialist Hemp, jumping track, wondered, “Did the lieutenant really call the general a motherfucker?”

The corporal laughed, “You keep asking, and I keep telling you the truth. Yes, he called him that… right to his face, so to speak, and then he spat on the crystal ball… at his face!”

Mercury scoffed, pulled away from his pie fantasies, “No… the lieutenant wouldn’t spit…”

Corporal Painter chuckled, “Oh, he did… Isn’t that right, Sergeant?”

Amethyst was lost in thought a few seconds; she blinked, “Oh… Yes, he did, Mercury…”

“See?” Cpl. Painter crowed.

Mercury was aghast, “I guess I believe Sergeant Flare…”

“If Razor hadn’t told me later, I wouldn’t believe it either!” Cpl. Painter swaggered. “He thought SSgt. Petals was going to drop a turd when he did that… He said he came close!”

The stallions were enjoying themselves far more than most would imagine, but the night—besides the mud—had been going smoothly enough.

Amethyst had been laughing it up with the three stallions but was now feeling differently. Just the mention of the day she dragged Zip out to lunch had her insides twisting up.

She felt so stupid! Begging the lieutenant for that dance—all those weeks back after she left the ball—mortified her, no matter how much she’d enjoyed it or how drunk she’d been. It certainly wasn’t a harmless dance—not to either of them—and she knew it; she’d reveled in it. And it meant so much to her…

But besides that, she’d known Jacinta had been slowly falling for the lieutenant, and it hadn’t begun at the drunken kiss she’d planted on him the night of the ball, which had been more playful than anything. Up to that point, it might’ve been more admiration than anything else, but it had changed around that time; it was what gave her the push to flirt with him…

It was the next couple weeks that had driven the matter home. She knew Zip had really started falling for Jacinta by the time they’d begun the evacuation of Port City, though she hadn’t been privy to Zip’s dreams… She was more than privy to Jacinta’s, sleeping in the adjacent room.

Walking in the slop of the sewer, she reprimanded herself for thinking of him by name… He was the lieutenant…! She couldn’t forget that.

Night after night, she had caught Jacinta dreaming of all manner of things involving the lieutenant. They varied in content, but at least five juicy fantasies had resulted in Jacinta startling awake, her and her nightgown wet in a certain spot.

It wasn’t just stallions that had nocturnal emissions… She—Amethyst—figured she’d had maybe two since she was 19 and no more; some mares just grew out of them, as some stallions did. Still, she’d had to deal with half the mares in the barracks having the occasional wet dream—which were plenty vivid for her—and hated having to share laundry. Some of the mares’ fancies were pretty screwy by her standards… Whips and chains and stuff…

Back to the matter at hoof, what was most frustrating was Jacinta didn’t get it, not realizing she’d begun to love him. Jacinta had figured it was a brush with “sexual tension”; she’d heard it sometimes happened between ponies in the workplace. It had the older mare growling, even presently.

But then there was that dream… the dream for which she—Amethyst—just couldn’t fully forgive Jacinta… That dream had knocked her for a loop… and she’d let her guard down.

She’d pulled the lieutenant to the new Tenochtitlan place on the main street, giddy to spend a little time with him without Jacinta around. Hearing the 24-year-old mare decline the invitation for lunch in favor of getting an evening off delighted her. At the restaurant, she’d really let down her guard… spouting that crap—then and the night before—about Jacinta’s dreaming habits. Then without even thinking, she’d let slip that Jacinta liked him.

And then… right there in that little restaurant… she’d realized she’d fallen for a kid. She knew she’d fallen in love again. It had only truly happened once before, but she knew what it was.

Zip—the lieutenant—had been concerned, seeing her so close to tears, and he’d put a kind hoof on hers. It was more than she could take, and she’d bolted from the restaurant.

She festered the rest of that day, stewing bitterly as she went through the motions of directing her squad. Then, feigning sickness, she’d skipped the lieutenant’s reward of a short keg to her squad and went sulking.

She was angry… mainly at herself, but she decided to take it out on her best friend. Jacinta wouldn’t have known about the blackout-drunk kiss she’d given the lieutenant, but she’d just had to tell her. She had to get angry over her friend’s inexperience and things not completely in either of their control. But that one dream she’d seen the night before from Jacinta had hurt.

Her Rhododendron—her little Rho, that beautiful, tiny unicorn—had had an indigo mane… and so happened the filly Jacinta dreamed of… Jacinta’s little Rhododendron… Seeing Jacinta, the lieutenant, and that beautiful little Pegasus filly—happy as was imaginable—had been a gut-punch. In fact, she’d found it almost soul-rending.

So, she’d laid into Jacinta… She’d told her about how stupid and sloppy she’d been and that she’d made a fool of herself… She’d done it because she was upset… because she knew the little mare had a chance at some real happiness.And it took her confronting Jacinta for her little Earth pony pal to realize she’d fallen in love with her direct superior.

She just hated herself… for being such a despicable mare… for being a such a wretched, sorrowful old mare…

And then all that other stuff had happened! Jacinta had sexually assaulted the lieutenant during another blackout… She—Amethyst—had fallen apart in front of the lieutenant when he got angry at her for always showing up when he was “at his worst”… And she’d fallen apart a few more times… And then she’d told him she loved him… on that walk during which she’d asked Jacinta for his time…

She’d caused him so much trouble, it almost beggared the imagination.

And all he’d done was be understanding… and helped her to her hooves again… all the times she’d fallen…

…

Then there was Cpl. Lily Hawk… The young mare knew her secret… She wasn’t sure how much Lily knew, but she knew the one thing of which Amethyst was most ashamed… the thing that broke her…

She was still broken; nothing could or would fix her. And she knew she was teetering… had been for a good year.

She liked Lily… She loved Lily, her friend, but she could never make peace with the fact some little mare—guilty of some disastrously terrible things of her own—even knew about the thing over which she almost constantly considered killing herself.

Lily was too like herself for her to properly trust her… She saw it, and it sickened her. Her young staff sergeant’s naivety wasn’t the only reason she chose to confide in Jacinta over any other mare… or all mares, really… Lily was no psychic, but her power was on par, and she would be able to combat and block such interference with some ease.

Plus, when a psychic pony opens a connection between another mind and theirs, a powerful enough pony can not only fight it but look into the psychic’s soul. Opening one’s soul was risky.

She was scared Lily would be able to see what was really in her heart… the other seemingly minor things she’d even hid from Equestria’s top head-doctors, and she wouldn’t be wrong.

The only things to stop her from turning her own magic inward to her rotten brain and soul, destroying both, weren’t things at all. They were the lieutenant… and Jacinta… and Celestia… and her good friend, the late Cpt. Cross. She loved them, and she knew it would break their hearts if she ended it all for herself.

…

Her mother… she had no idea what had happened to her; she’d disappeared when she was a filly. And her father… she hadn’t talked to him since she right after she’d lost Rho… and he’d turned her away at his door when she’d begged his forgiveness and to let her come home… For that, she’d likely never forgive him, but she couldn’t blame him, either. She’d caused him trouble that had to be seen to be believed.

Her little brother had gone off to school in Whinnyapolis, and she hadn’t seen or even talked with him since the time he’d bailed her out of jail for selling sex when she was 19, after being turned away by her dad—but before shacking up with and marrying Lead Brick. She’d like to see him—her brother, not Lead—again, but what the fuck would she say to him…? After 18 or 19 years…?

She’d not seen her brother in literally half her lifetime.

Her thoughts were a jumble, really…

…

“Are you alright, Sergeant?”

Amethyst juked, nearly bonking her head on the wall; she’d been drifting and not realizing it. She looked to see who spoke. It was—reliably—Mercury, not “minding his business”…

Amethyst said it with minimal lying; she even grinned, “Nothing you need to worry about, Mercury… Just some ‘middle-aged mare’ stuff…”

He looked taken aback and not because she’s rebuffed his question; he was quite serious, “You? C’mon, ma’am, don’t talk about yourself like that… You’re the belle of Port City.”

She was flattered and actually blushed, “You’re too kind, Mercury.”

“Everypony said you were a knockout at the ball, Sergeant…” Spc. Hemp said. “Wish I coulda seen that…”

“Oh, pshaw…” Amethyst was feeling better; she knew she was loved among her ponies.

Corporal Painter joined in, “Remember that time the lieutenant swept Little Song off her hooves at the pub? When that little band played? I had no idea he could cut such a rug! You and him, Sergeant, we all wanted to see that… But they kicked us out before we could get you two together… We coulda had an encore performance of that waltz in the park…”

“How’d he get so good, ma’am?” Mercury was excited to hear. “Do you know?”

In better light, the stallions would’ve seen her cherry-faced, but she managed to sound calm.

“It was a pleasant surprise to find out he could do the Manehatten…” strangely, she wasn’t unhappy to talk about it this way; she felt less pathetic, perhaps. “The lieutenant told me one of his sisters had to practice for her cotillion, and she… sort of forced him; that’s how he got so good.”

“Yeah?” Spc. Hemp raised an eyebrow.

Amethyst smiled, “Funny thing, though… he claims he can’t dance without music…”

The corporal and the specialist scoffed.

Lt. Zip Screamer?! Getting forced by some filly to practice dancing?!

The disbelief fell off… Of course… they could see it… It was the lieutenant they were talking about, and they sniggered.

“Cool…” Mercury beamed, thinking of gentlecoltly things.

“‘Cool’?!” Cpl. Painter gawked.

Spc. Hemp snorted, “That sounds kinda gay…”

Mercury reddened, “No, it’s not!”

Amethyst gave a little smile, listening to the three friends bicker.

The humor buoyed the sergeant. It may have been a shallow relief, but Amethyst had been dwelling on such unpleasant thoughts she’d just been knocked out of for a long time; she was—unfortunately—used to it and was able to bounce back most of the time.

Regardless, it was nearly time for the next—and likely most dangerous—leg of their journey that night.

Amethyst ordered, “Everypony… quiet, now… We’re a few city-blocks away, and we don’t want to chance it… Low voices, please.”

“Yes, ma’am,” all three responded.

They had to get serious, but there was still some explaining to do as they closed in.

Amethyst lectured them, “Centaurs don’t have the hearing or sense of smell you might expect… It is comparable to monkeys, so we have them beaten in that. That said, primates have us beat six ways from Sunday—and twice on it—when it comes to vision… and they have those dexterous hands we so greatly lack. If we cover our tracks, then we’ll probably be fine and never be found out.”

“You have to include the ‘probably’, don’t you, Sarge?” Spc. Hemp grinned.

She shrugged, “Well… what do you think?”

“I think nopony living has tried what we’re about to,” he sounded more worried than he appeared.

“That’s right, and that’s why I’m not entirely sure. We must be cautious…”

That went without saying.

“So, what’s the plan, Sergeant?” Mercury was fully at attention.

She paused and looked upon the assemblage, “I check to see what’s going on—if it’s clear. If and when it is, two of you will come up while one of you remains by that big drainpipe… just in case we need to drop the lead down to the sewer.”

“Who stays behind?” Cpl. Painter asked.

“You, Corporal,” she said at once.

“Me?” he was surprised.

The other two stallions weren’t expecting this. Mercury figured it would be him; he had the least experience.

She had more than one reason but wasn’t about to tell Cpl. Painter she was concerned about his “blood-phobia” popping up, however unlikely,” You’re a unicorn; I want one on the other side in case we need that… I need to be upstairs. Plus, you’re a little older than the other two.”

Corporal Painter couldn’t disagree, despite the mare having a decade on him (she was fitter by a good stretch), “Yeah, I’ve seen better days… I doubt I could hike myself up like you did.”

“That won’t be an issue,” Amethyst revealed. “We have an easier way up than that trick from earlier, but it still won’t be easy.”

“And you said nothing about another path?” Spc. Hemp didn’t understand.

“It didn’t matter at the time, and I didn’t think to tell you,” she muttered.

“I see,” Spc. Hemp nodded.

Amethyst sighed, “We can’t blow this. No mistakes. Our remaining undetected may buy us an extra few days. If they know some ponies are alive, I doubt they’ll sit back; even an army this size could break camp in a couple days if they really had to.”

“Yes, ma’am,” they responded.

They moved the last block in silence. Soon enough, they arrived under the armory.

Amethyst still hiked herself up the way she had; she wanted to listen in.

She came back down, looking a little unsure, “It’s… really quiet up there.”

“Yeah?” Cpl. Painter cocked his head. “Isn’t that good?”

“I hate the cliché ‘too quiet’, but it is…” she put forth. “It’s dark now, too; I can’t see a thing.”

Specialist Hemp scratched his nose on the shoulder of his uniform, “What should we do, ma’am?”

Amethyst blew out a breath, “We go up the easier way I found… and I’ll scope out the situation before we go in.”

Mercury pondered, “What do we do for light? We can’t see in the dark, and do we dare have a light source?”

Amethyst smiled, looking to Cpl. Painter, “Dim your horn; I’ll do the same.”

He did so, and she did.

It was pitch-black.

“Uh, now what…?” Spc. Hemp grumbled.

Amethyst, her smile unseen in the dark, figured, “I have a spell for this… and you don’t wanna see like you’re about to in the light…! It may well blind you. This’ll be a little different, so don’t be shocked.”

They saw a flash around them; it was bright, and they needed to shut their eyes.

Amethyst gave a throaty giggle, “Open your eyes, boys.”

They did. And they saw.

Mercury kept down his voice, but he marveled, “Wow! Everything’s all green!”

And it was; everything had a greenish tint.

“Gentlecolts, I give you night-vision…” Amethyst said proudly.

They could see everything.

“Wow…” Cpl. Painter whistled. “This is something else.”

“Well, it only works in the dark,” Amethyst explained. “And the spell only lasts 20 minutes. They just cooked this up last year in Canterlot, and they haven’t found a way to keep it from harming the eyes when used any longer than 20 minutes…”

“Lovely,” Spc. Hemp waxed.

“Don’t worry,” Amethyst nudged him. “We’ll be able to find what we need quick enough.”

“I hope…” Mercury was concerned. “You saw those things were partying up there, but did you see anything else? We know where the lead is, unless it was moved.”

“That’s why we have 20 minutes,” she replied. “No time to waste, we go now.”

“Without knowing just what’s up there?!” Spc. Hemp hissed.

“Little choice,” Amethyst insisted. “Remember our hoof-signals?”

They all nodded.

“And you’ve all had Equestrian hoof-language?”

Again, they nodded.

“We stay quiet up there…” she declared; she pointed to a seal above them. “That door? It leads to the big pipe under the armory. We need lights off down here because it’s possible it’d be visible from up there.”

They saw it, alright.

“Corporal Painter…” she looked to him. “Undo the bolts. I’ll lower it and watch for water pouring out. I don’t know when they last bled it…”

Specialist Hemp and Mercury stood back as the unicorns worked.

It only took a moment, and the seal was broken. A little stagnant water—but not much—came down; it wasn’t even worth catching. Amethyst had been worried the drain might be full, causing a lot of noise and the visible water-level up top to fall out of sight; that would be bad. For all they knew, the centaurs had been shitting in the drain or tossing garbage down it. Had that been the case, they’d have forgone opening the door and not had the “emergency” drop.

But only a trickle of anything came, and the unicorns lowered the large, steel door. Setting it carefully behind them, “downstream” to their position, Amethyst gave instruction.

She spoke of them, rather than to them, “I’ll go up first… I’ll bring Hemp and Mercury up with me by magic. The corporal waits down here. If we need to chat, it’ll be by telepathy; I can do it, and he’ll be able to connect. We’ll try to bring the lead down by ourselves, but we can put it down the drain if needed. I can snake it down without making any noise, but the corporal will have to catch it; we don’t need any clanking or splashing. We’ll come back down once we have 45 pounds of the stuff.”

They’d already discussed this at length: they needed about 36 pounds of lead, so as with the other supplies, they’d fudged the numbers. Not only did they have the numbers, they’d discussed the plan; it didn’t hurt to go over it once again.

“Good luck, boys,” Amethyst rubbed each of their shoulders, despite the grime.

“And you, ma’am.”

“Let’s do this…”

“I hope this works.”

Exchanging hoof-bumps and kneads on the shoulder, despite the grime, they were ready.

A hatch—nearly out of sight—had to be opened.

Carefully… slowly… Cpl. Painter unscrewed it; they might’ve had the same issue with slop on the other side.

But it was clear, and he swung the hatch gently, allowing it to hang.

With visions of green, they exchanged nods, and Amethyst levitated herself up.

Then came Spc. Hemp and Mercury a moment after.

Corporal Painter had a pocket-watch, “17 minutes…”

They had that much time to obtain 45 pounds of lead. Checking her own watch, Amethyst had the correct time.

Amethyst led the two stallions up the shaft; it was an easy climb. Normally, a special ladder would be hung underneath the hatch to access it, but they had no such thing.

Reaching the top, the route Amethyst took earlier met up at a grate with their current route, but the stallions wouldn’t know that. Peering into the room, it was dark, but the three of them could see everything as clear as daylight, if greener.

The grate swung open, so Amethyst, having taken a careful look through, unfastened the catch and set the small vent’s cover down.

Slowly, she entered the forge of the armory, the stallions creeping in behind her.

The centaurs were everywhere, snoring, their prone bodies taller than any of them at the ear-tips.

After dealing with the filth of the inner-city’s pipes, their senses of smell were dulled. Still, they could faintly smell something they knew to be stronger than perceived: the stink of booze and vomit and piss and shit filled the air.

The centaurs had been using the entire facility as a toilet. It was like walking into the bad part of the sewer all over again.

Had they not been “used” to it, all of them may well have lost their composure and yakked at the odor. The fact it was warm in there—there was a near-dead fire in the forge whose brightness didn’t quite offend their “night-sight”—wouldn’t have helped them a single bit. It was pleasantly warm… something they’d not felt in a few wet, fucking miserable days…

To their relief—and as they’d figured upon realizing there was a party going on—they knew this was no headquarters but just a place these lumbering, drunken beasts had set up camp.

Taking in their surroundings, the ponies breathed a sigh of relief.

Amethyst almost looked elated; she signed to them.

We may be in luck. They’re all passed out… gonzo, fellas…

Yes, they had signals even for slang.

Specialist Hemp was most familiar with the armory; he signaled.

If the lead wasn’t moved, it should be in the next room…

He pointed to the door—untouched, apparently—that was too small for any centaur to go through.

Mercury produced a few small burlap bags they’d brought to carry the lead. This might be easy…

Amethyst was paying better attention than either stallion knew: she was “listening” to the centaurs, and they were all asleep or passed out; their dreams were a mess of things she didn’t particularly enjoy perceiving.

Right next to the door, they came upon a sight to behold.

“Holy shit…” Amethyst mouthed.

A centaur lay in the most awkward position, lying on his back, his legs pointing in every direction. He was dead, having choked on his own puke; he’d struggled, it seemed, too drunk to clear his airway. Having voided his bowels, they saw just how big centaur shit really was, as the rest of the lovely manure was scattered about and trampled upon.

They all grimaced… The shit was about the size of any of them…

But they went on through the doorway.

It was as if the lead was waiting for them: little ingots, weighing a pound apiece, were still neatly stacked up; there was still a literal ton of it waiting to be made into ammunition.

Paydirt… the three ponies thought as one.

Excitedly yet silently hoofing each other’s shoulders, Amethyst bade Mercury watch the outer room.

Taking up his position, Mercury stood at attention, a little nervous.

Amethyst and Spc. Hemp went about counting out 45 ingots and placing them into the bags; they had all they’d ever need at their hooves. Quietly, they worked.

Things were going well; they were only a few minutes into their time “upstairs”, and they had a full 13 minutes of night-vision left.

Amethyst was close to giggling! There didn’t seem to be a shred of trouble nearby!

32… 33… 35… 37… 38… 41…!

Things were going great… too great…

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

Just what kind of trouble will the ponies get up to next time?

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

City by the Sea, Chapter 1: Arrival in Vanhoover

Author's Note

Finally gave this a spot in the chapter lineup.

Appendix for The Virgin Company (Contains Spoilers) (Updated April 9, 2020)

Timeline

Early Summer
-The Distaster at the Dragonlands Outpost occurs; only 30 out of 109 ponies stationed at the outpost survive a dragon attack
-For his actions in slaying the dragon, and credited with saving 29 ponies from certain death, the officer candidate "3rd" Lt. Zip Jetscream is awarded The Wings of the Dragon Slayer
-The Equestrian Air Force promotes Zip to the rank of 1st Lieutenant
-It is determined that Zip will be transferred from the air force to Equestrian Army Logistics in northwestern Equestria's Port City

Middle Summer
-The 3rd Platoon of A Company within the "Wild Rice" Battalion is activated in Port City; the platoon's sergeant, SSgt. Jacinta Petals is given temporary command of the new platoon
-Sgt. Sagebrush Trail, the commander of 3rd Platoon's 3rd Squad, is injured; Jacinta takes over his squad
-Jacinta violently drums out three members of 3rd Platoon's 3rd Squad for various illegal activities; she gains a savage reputation among some of the platoon and the battalion as a whole

Late Summer:
Week 1 in Port City and Adjacent
-Lt. Zip Jetcream arrives in Port City; he meets his commanders and his platoon, and he relieves SSgt. Jacinta Petals of command of 3rd Platoon
-Zip befriends Jacinta
-Zip and Jacinta find success in platoon-building exercises, including organized trots and combat drills

Week 2
-Lt. Zip Jetscream and SSgt. Jacinta Petals complete the restructuring of their platoon
-During a routine equipment check, a collapsing lift breaks Pvt. Birch's leg; battalion finally agrees to begin replacing and upgrading the city docks' outdated equipment
-Lt. Hoop, commander of A company's 1st Platoon, attacks Zip, drunk, and Zip kills him in retaliation

Week 3
-Lt. Zip Jetscream undergoes physical and psychiatric evaluation; he is discovered to have a Knollwing ancestor and that he is a berserker
-Zip is released from medical detention
-The troops of Port City begin to replace and upgrade their dock equipment

Week 4
-Replacements arrive from Baltimare; 3rd Platoon receives six ponies to fill out their roster
-Three of 3rd Platoon's replacements are "causes for concern" for those "in the loop", but work out well

Early Autumn:
Week 6
-A Company's Autumn Military Ball is held

Week 9
-Cpl. Razor Wire is promoted to sergeant and is given command of 3rd Platoon's 3rd Squad
-A mysterious navy schooner berths and is outfitted by 3rd Platoon
-A state-of-emergency is declared in northern Equestria
-War breaks out with the Centaur Kingdom when the massive Centauri Navy attacks Equestrian scout vessels
-Port City prepares to evacuate its civilians and rapidly distribute Equestria's stored food supply
-The weather departs from typical autumnal conditions, resulting in warm, dry conditions over the next weeks

Middle Autumn:
Week 10
-Locomotives begin to arrive to transport supplies away from the coast
-Cpt. Basket Weaver falsifies orders and communications from Canterlot; to ensure foodstuffs and material goods take priority over logistical implements, he destroys the 36 docks in and around Port City
-Sgt. Amethyst Flare ensures Cpt. Weaver receives a clean, quiet death, rather than him face a summary court martial and hanging

Week 12
-The Equestrian Navy is destroyed when the winds from the west cease blowing for two weeks
-The division succeeds in shipping out 91% of Port City's stores before concluding the operation
-The Battle of Port City begins
-The Centauri Navy lands; the division begins their retreat to the Galloping Gorge

Week 13
-The division moves to the west of the Galloping Gorge
-3rd Platoon is sent to watch the pass in the Unicorn Range south of the division

Week 14
-The weather abruptly reverts back to normal autumnal conditions
-Aided by a northwest wind, the Centauri Army sets fire to the prairie and traps the division at the Galloping Gorge while 3rd Platoon escapes to the foothills of the Unicorn Range; this event comes to be known as the Disaster at the Galloping Gorge
-The captured division is executed by way of being thrown into the gorge
-3rd Platoon makes contact with Canterlot after two days attempting to do so; Lt. Zip Jetscream meets Princess Celestia via crystal ball

Late Autumn:
Week 15
-Princess Celestia and her command consult Lt. Zip Jetscream's staff on their course of action
-3rd Platoon surveys the Northwest Pass, in hopes of using the landscape against the centaurs

Week 16
-The survey provides few options in slowing the Centauri forces; 3rd Platoon and Canterlot elect to use thermal warfare
-Sgt. Amethyst Flare, scouting Port City, is tasked with obtaining magically conductive metals in the city; she leads three others into the sewers of the city, ultimately being successful in their mission
-Lt. Zip Jetscream reviews all the files on his platoon members, but cannot bring himself to look at Sgt. Flare's

3rd Platoon's Place in the Equestrian Military
(Immediately prior to the Disaster at the Galloping Gorge)

2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, “Clementine” Corps, 4th Equestrian Army

“Wild Rice” Battalion (Logistics: Port City and Adjacent)

Captain (Cpt.) Jalapeño Jelly

A Company

Cpt. Stone Rig

3rd Platoon

First Lieutenant (1st Lt.) Zip Jetscream

Platoon Staff

Staff Sergeant (SSgt.) Jacinta Petals

Specialist (Spc.) Silver Duster (Platoon Clerk)

Spc. Trip Wire (Part-time Platoon Clerk)

1st Squad Sergeant (Sgt.) Amethyst Flare

Team Leaders

1st Team Corporal (Cpl.) Aster Yellows

-Spc. Silver Duster

2nd Team Cpl. Lily Hawk

-Private (Pvt.) Mercury Rise

2nd Squad Sgt. Sweet Clover

Team Leaders

1st Team Spc. Blue Porter

-Spc. Cocoa Butter

2nd Team Cpl. Raspberry Jam

-Pvt. Orange Blossom

3rd Squad Sgt. Razor Wire

Team Leaders

1st Team Spc. Shive Hemp

-Pvt. Linseed Oil

2nd Team Cpl. Stardust Painter

-Pvt. Blood Sapphire

4th Squad Sgt. Treasure Trove

Team Leaders

1st Team Cpl. Little Song

-Pvt. Poplar Shade

2nd Team Spc. Trip Wire

-Pvt. Caramel Crunch

List of Former Soldiers

Sgt. Sagebrush Trail
-Injured by collapsing dock crane; hospitalized; given leave
-Later offered full, unconditional retirement; accepted

Spc. Cadmium
-Caught by SSgt. Petals with prostitute; subdued by SSgt. Petals upon fleeing; hospitalized
-Discharged after court martial

Pvt. Sky
-Caught by SSgt. Petals while drunk on duty; subdued by SSgt. Petals upon retaliation; hospitalized
-Discharged after court martial

Spc. Beach
-Caught by SSgt. Petals while allegedly sexually assaulting a 9-year-old filly; subdued by SSgt. Petals upon retaliation; hospitalized
-Comatose; previously charged with war crimes (found not guilty due to lack of evidence); charged with rape of a minor (capital offense), attempted murder (capital offense)

Pvt. Mill
-Caught by SSgt. Petals while drunk on duty, allegedly with prostitute; subdued by SSgt. Petals and Lt. Jetscream; detained
-Declared unfit for military duty; medical discharge

Lt. Col. Red Spud
-Blinded and severely burned by Lt. Hoop
-Medical discharge

Lt. Hoop✝
-Neutralized by Lt. Jetcream upon attack at officers' club
-Died on scene

Cpt. Basket Weaver✝
-Beaten close to death by officers of 2nd Division upon his treasonous actions
-Quietly killed by Sgt. Amethyst Flare to spare him hanging

✝ indicates character is deceased.

3rd Platoon Characters

1st Lt. Zip Jetcream
3rd Platoon Commander
Age: 21
Favorite Drink: Pineapple Squash
Notables: Teetotaler

SSgt. Jacinta Petals
3rd Platoon Sergeant
Age: 24
Favorite Drink: Gin-Fizz
Notables: Accomplished martial artist

Sgt. Amethyst Flare
1st Squad Leader
Age: 38
Favorite Drink: Whiskey
Notables: Former high-level covert insurgent; twice-divorced and once-widowed

Sgt. Sweet Clover
2nd Squad Leader
Age: 32
Favorite Drink: Lager
Notables: Born and raised in Port City; proud father of four

Sgt. Razor Wire
3rd Squad Leader
Age: 23
Favorite Drink: Rum
Notables: Extensive knowledge in unconventional tactics

Sgt. Treasure Trove
4th Squad Leader
Age: 27
Favorite Drink: Cider
Notables: Former specialist in Army Corps of Engineers, combat veteran

Cpl. Aster Yellows
1st Team Leader, 1st Squad
Age: 23
Favorite Drink: Whiskey
Notables: Good at practical magic

Cpl. Lily Hawk
2nd Team Leader, 1st Squad
Platoon Medic
Age: 25
Favorite Drink: Bloody Mare
Notables: Previously a nurse; difficult to gross out

Spc. Blue Porter
1st Team Leader, 2nd Squad
Age: 20
Favorite Drink: Ale
Notables: Youngest pony with leadership position in the battalion

Cpl. Raspberry Jam
2nd Team Leader, 2nd Squad
Age: 23
Favorite Drink: Anything
Notables: Rumored to have a sense of humor, though it's rarely seen; skilled illusionist, despite being an Earth pony

Spc. Shive Hemp
1st Team Leader, 3rd Squad
Age: 22
Favorite Drink: Ale
Notables: Briefly special forces; recognizable for heavy scarring

Cpl. Stardust Painter
2nd Team Leader, 3rd Squad
Age: 27
Favorite Drink: Any Beer
Notables: Knowledgeable in unconventional magical tactics

Cpl. Little Song
1st Team Leader, 4th Squad
Age: 22
Favorite Drink: Vodka-Sour
Notables: Engineer; good with problem-solving

Spc. Trip Wire
2nd Team Leader, 4th Squad
Age: 20
Favorite Drink: Ale
Notables: Skilled mechanic

Spc. Silver Duster
1st Team Member, 1st Squad
Platoon Clerk
Age: 20
Favorite Drink: Screwdriver
Notables: Photographic memory; encyclopedia-like knowledge

Pvt. Mercury Rise
2nd Team Member, 1st Squad
Age: 19
Favorite Drink: Anything
Notables: Dormant super-soldier

Spc. Cocoa Butter
1st Team Member, 2nd Squad
Age: 20
Favorite Drink: Whiskey
Notables: Usually very laid-back

Pvt. Orange Blossom
2nd Team Member, 2nd Squad
Age: 19
Favorite Drink: Manehattan
Notables: Quite skilled in cooking (couldn't afford to stay in culinary school)

Pvt. Linseed Oil
1st Team Member, 3rd Squad
Age: 21
Favorite Drink: Moonshine
Notables: Former government research botanist; knowledgeable in meteorology and chemistry

Pvt. Blood Sapphire
2nd Team Member, 3rd Squad
Age: 20
Favorite Drink: Anything
Notables: Demolitions expert; knowledgeable in geology and chemistry

Pvt. Poplar Shade
1st Team Member, 4th Squad
Age: 20
Favorite Drink: Ale
Notables: Instrumentationist

Pvt. Caramel Crunch
2nd Team Member, 4th Squad
Age: 19
Favorite Drink: Grasshopper
Notables: Skilled machinist

Glossary

F.O.: This acronym stands for literally dozens of statements... in the case of this story, its meaning is "fuck off"

Knollwing: Extinct sub-race of Pegasus known to possess enhanced magic; notably stronger and more resilient than normal Pegasi

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 5: The Beginning of the End

Obscurity and Clarity, Chapter 3: The Exodus of Port City

Late Wednesday morning had the port looking very different as the battalion began preparing for the Port City’s evacuation and the massive undertaking of shipping out their significant portion of Equestria’s food supply.

It amazed Zip how quickly things were happening. The meeting the night before had his head spinning, so much was said.

They knew the Centauri Navy would land in and around Port; the topography, dense temperate rainforest, mountains, and treacherous, rocky shorelines acted as a funnel, making it the only suitable landing site.

Most ponies bound to Canterlot with wagons, carts, or other space to spare were conscripted for the use of their transportation. They were to transport the foodstuffs and material goods they were able to carry and turn them over in Canterlot. Over the next week, they would begin heading southeast, wagon train style, towards Canterlot. Non-essential personnel would travel along with them, keeping order, preventing theft, and providing protection.

The importance of the task was not lost on the civilians, having been educated that morning. They’d be able to move quite a bit and the military wasn’t going to waste the horsepower.

Until the division began to arrive, likely over the weekend or Monday, the objective of the battalion, sent and communicated by Canterlot, was to stage foodstuffs and goods in the rail yard. Beginning Sunday, so the plan went, locomotives with a full complement of cargo cars would arrive three times a day, to be loaded and sent back to Canterlot. Pooling all the resources they possibly could, it was the fastest they’d manage such a logistical undertaking. But with the division showing up to move things along, they’d be able to load the cargo as fast as fresh locomotives arrived.

They would move material as long as the port stood. Once the Centauri Navy began attacking, it would be a short defense. Then the division would burn and abandon the city, moving towards the Galloping Gorge. Once the Centauri Army made its way inland, the division would stay ahead of them, slowing them down as much as possible by any means available.

The air force would keep them supplied as they moved south and harass the Centauri forces from the sky. With continual resupplies, they’d have virtually endless explosives, artillery, and food to keep them in the fight on the ground… which was more than the centaurs had, with only the sea behind them and what they could carry.

Airships were a blessing, but they could only do so much against centaur magic, disallowing them to ride over the Centauri Army, bombing them back to the Paleopony Period. Like unicorns, sending bolts of energy into the sky was easy enough. Once the Equestrian Air Force joined the retreating division, able to readily supply the division on the ground, the Centauri Army would be slowed to a crawl… if things went as planned.

It was a long way to Canterlot; they’d make the most of every mile in halting the advance. If all went well, it would take a couple months to make it to Canterlot. There, they’d stage their defense and hopefully beat the Centauri forces.

Nopony was crazy about the idea; they’d be fighting as winter came upon them… but at least they were moving south.

It didn’t sound like the best plan, but Equestria was very unprepared for such an occurrence. It was about all they could do.

Zip read their orders, “Okay, everypony… 1st Squad, go with Sgt. Petals and take an accounting of the dry goods in Warehouse #2; that’s the first one we’re to empty. Pay close attention to the work order. 4th Squad… you’re with me. Cpt. Weaver’s assigned us to help prepare the rail yard. Go.”

At the yard, it was rather pleasant working outside, despite the dreadfulness spurring on their labor; it hadn’t rained in a couple days, which was most welcome, and it had grown unseasonably warm, the winds unusually coming out of the south.

As Zip led 4th Squad to the rail yard, he further reflected on things. What still beggared his imagination the most was Cpt. Basket Weaver’s calm demeanor since the state-of-emergency began; it was as if the captain was simply trying to beat some minor deadline, as unruffled as he’d been.

Captain Basket Weaver’s logistical experience trumping Cpt. Jalapeño Jelly’s being inches away from the rank of major to receive charge of the city was surprising enough when it happened; it was even more difficult to believe he could handle the situation better than an experienced combat commander.

Captain Jalapeño Jelly, to those able to identify it, was freaking out; he was sure they were in for their doom. The plan, especially the part about sticking around and moving freight until the Centauri Army began to literally march through the charred remains of Port, had him going to pieces.

“Do you really think this plan you all came up with will work?” Spc. Trip Wire’s voice pulled Zip from his mulling; it trembled some. “It just seems… crazy.”

Zip knew Trip didn’t hero-worship him; she was too smart for that nonsense, “It’s okay to be scared, Trip. Remember I told you we never get used to this kind of stuff. I’m nervous, too. But we have a feasible plan. We do what we must. We have time to prepare, at least.”

The little mare chuckled to herself, “I guess it’s not surprising. I’ve never asked you if facing that dragon was scary… I knew it was a stupid question. It’d be weird not to be scared.”

Looking straight ahead, Zip mused, “I was terrified; but I didn’t realize how much until after the fact. I didn’t really have much time to think until it was over, it happened so quickly… It’s sure different… realizing the trouble we know is coming is a few weeks away. It’s worse… much worse… but we have time. And we need it.”

“So just don’t think about it much… concentrate on the moment…” she continued paddling along.

“Exactly, Trip. Do what you can and leave the heavy thinking to somepony else. Hopefully they’re up for it… Totally off topic, but you don’t swear all that much anymore. What happened?”

Entering the rail yard, Trip smirked, “SSgt. Petals told me to watch my ‘filthy, fucking mouth’ one evening during mares’ night out.”

“She said that?!”

Later that evening, around 20:00, some of Zip’s platoon got a break, with the military police largely keeping an eye on the docks. As much as he wanted a nap, he had to figure out how to do the work battalion assigned them while making sure his platoon could maybe get six or seven hours of sleep a day. Deciding to go to his office, he could quickly come up with something and take a nap later.

He knew to expect a certain sergeant for a chat, but not until another time.

“Amethyst… I know there’re things we could discuss, but it can’t wait? We have time, so get a bit of sleep; you look exhausted.”

He knew for a fact she’d only slept seven hours in the last 48; it was about the same for him.

She shook her head, sitting across from him, “No… it’ll only take a minute.”

Zip noticed her inability to keep a straight line; she was just tired, not impaired.

Amethyst settled in, “The crew of that little schooner… what a tragedy that was…”

Zip nodded, not raising his eyes, “I’m guessing those crates with ‘dry goods’ and the ‘potable water’ weren’t what they seemed.”

“Of course not… I think we both knew that. Besides the metal powder they didn’t do the best job of cleaning up, I can smell thermite from a mile away. Explosives and napalm… to think that was lying around next to the food and hairbrushes and whatever the Hell else is in the warehouse. It’s normal for the army to hide that stuff in plain sight, believe me… Pisses me off…”

Corresponding with the glow of Amethyst’s horn, one of Zip’s desk drawers was rattling at his leg.

“Oh!” Zip backed up.

The whiskey bottle he’d stowed there weeks earlier levitated to Amethyst.

“Oh, my sweet, caramelly corn juice,” she popped the cork and took a dram.

“Not too much, Amethyst… we’re on alert,” Zip chided.

She took another nip and set it corked on his desk, “I know…”

Zip looked up from his work, “So, the crew of the schooner was going to try and blow up a few ships? And they wound up doing it to themselves?”

“Mmhmm…” Amethyst produced some cookies she’d hooked from somewhere, hoofing a few Zip’s way. “A few dozen, more like; they could sink an armada with what they took. If I tell you I’m supposed to kill you or something, but I once took part in such an operation. We took thermite in drybags and swam under a pirate fleet that was setting up for an assault on Baltimare… We infiltrated the ships and sank them in shark infested waters… 30 in one night. As the tune goes, ‘thermite burns through anything’. The civilians didn’t even know there was supposed to be an attack the next day.”

“Sharks?” Zip looked at her oddly, munching on a cookie.

“Oh, yes. They’re not too hard to scare off when you have a lethally magical horn,” she said drolly.

Zip couldn’t help it; exhausted himself, he chuckled at their morbid conversation, “Oh, if my mother could see me now…”

Amethyst laughed as well, tired enough that most anything was humorous, “Yeah… I miss my mother, but I’m kinda glad she never saw what I turned into. It was always hard enough facing anypony I cared about… being what I am…”

Amethyst really was zonked to be talking as she was; it brought out the terminal cynicism she’d cultivated in her long career of insurgency. It wasn’t something Zip enjoyed seeing, but it appeared occasionally.

“Amethyst, please go get some rest. You’re not yourself.”

At this, she gave a throaty cackle, “Lieutenant… it’s all I am… just some miserable nag that misses her youth… envious of the youth of a little staff sergeant…”

The tears in the corners of her eyes were threatening to escape; Zip leaned forward, “Amethyst… you-”

“I’m so sorry, sir… I… know I’ve caused some trouble between you and Jacinta. Telling her what she did the night of the ball… I’m so very sorry.”

“Amethyst!” Zip said sharply. “This isn’t the time. I want you to get some rest. Stand up.”

He got up from his own desk and shepherded her towards his squad leaders’ corner. Sitting her down on the sofa they kept, he got her there just in time; she’d gotten rather dizzy. Practically forcing her to lie down, he tucked a blanket around her. He even fluffed her pillow.

Unable to look him in the eye, she rolled to face the back of the couch, “I’m so sorry, Lieutenant…”

Zip knelt beside the sofa; this time he spoke more softly, “Amythyst… it’s alright. I know you’re sorry, and it’s alright. But please don’t think about it right this moment. Rest. I’m giving you the rest of the day off. We’re okay without you until around 07:00; somepony will make sure you’re awake. None of us are at our best, so it’s more important than ever to take care of ourselves… not just each other. Rest easy. You’ve worked hard.”

Amethyst glanced to the rear, “Rest easy? Is that an order, sir?”

He could see the hint of a smile gracing the corner of her mouth; he indulged her, “It is, Sergeant. Rest.”

She giggled in the girlish manner he’d first seen the day he met her; she took on a telling smile, her eyes heavy, “You know, sir… you remind me of a little brother.”

He was a little surprised, but amused; she’d never mentioned a brother, if she even had one, “Is that so?”

Amethyst breathed, “I love you, Lieutenant…”

Zip’s whole body experienced an unpleasant shock of heat the whole way through, having heard that; he backed up, ears ringing.

He had nothing to say in response. It turned out he wouldn’t have to anyway; she was asleep.

Stumped on what to do, Zip continued to back up until he reached the front door. He paused, taking a few seconds to take the whiskey along with him. Looking once more at Amethyst, he exited. Figuring he could finish the work/sleep arrangements later, he slunk off to his own quarters. He hoped a few hours of sleep would perk him up… and keep him from thinking about what he’d just heard.

Amethyst ached like crazy when she woke up; she was beginning to feel her age and sleeping on the sofa was never the best sleep. Her face was stuck to her pillow and she was disgusted to find she’d been drooling some. She vaguely remembered the lieutenant forcing a rest period on her; other than aching, she felt pretty good. Stretching, she sat up; the clock on the wall read 05:50. She did remember the lieutenant promised somepony would get her around 07:00, so maybe she’d have time to find some chow.

Groggily wiping her face and standing up, she failed to notice somepony had snuck in at some point.

“Did you sleep well, Amethyst?”

The sergeant yipped and jumped; getting startled was very unlike her, given her usual mindfulness. She took a calming breath; she hated being surprised.

Jacinta looked to her from behind her desk, “Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to surprise you.”

Amethyst’s throat was dry; she mumbled forgiveness towards her friend and drew a glass of water.

Having wet her whistle, she turned back to Jacinta, “So, what’s up, Sarge?”

“Oh, just trying to come up with a schedule…” Jacinta looked down to her papers. “Cpt. Weaver sprung a little job on the lieutenant when he was trying to sneak to his quarters for a nap. He was dead on his hooves when he was done, so I took this from him to finish up. He’s sleeping right now… in his quarters. I’ll see he’s awake for breakfast… He sent me here to wake you up a little later.”

“Aren’t you tired?”

Jacinta exhaled, “A little… but I managed a few hours earlier.

The little mare, pencil in mouth, continued writing. Amethyst flopped down on the sofa again, no longer thirsty but not very hungry either. She knew it wasn’t the best time…

But, “Jacinta… I’m… sorry for the other night.”

Jacinta dropped the pencil, not expecting to hear that “first thing in the morning”; she continued to stare at her work a few seconds, “That… really hurt, you know.”

Amethyst could see a hint of wetness in the corner of Jacinta’s eye; she sighed, “I know… It… I was cruel, lashing out like that. I don’t know why I did it. I wish I could explain it… but it’s hard.”

“Oh, Amethyst, I-”

Amethyst held up a hoof for silence, which Jacinta accepted. The sergeant took a moment to think.

“I was angry… tired… jealous… frustrated… I… I don’t know what to say, really,” Amethyst lamented.

“…”

Silence reigned in the little corner of the building; it was just the two of them there. About all that could be heard was the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Jacinta dithered after a time, “After our… argument, I ran outside to get some air… to get away. He found me crying on some bench nearby and he offered to buy me a hot cocoa. I didn’t want to go, knowing what I knew, and he practically dragged me to the sweets shop. It was… pretty embarrassing.”

“…”

“I was a little overwhelmed, thinking about what you told me… I couldn’t think of anything else to do; I let him know I learned about what I did to him… I told him I thought you might have a… well, a thing for him.”

Amethyst retreated further into the softness of the sofa, her muzzle between her hooves as she lounged, eying Jacinta, “You did, did you…? I suppose you can’t help it; you’re so earnest all the time.”

Jacinta felt a little hurt at the tone, “I’m sorry, Amethyst. I wasn’t really thinking.”

“Oh… It’s alright… Sorry for being nasty… I’m sure he’s thought about that anyway… I sure don’t treat him in a way for him to think much otherwise… But… what did you do?” Amethyst forced herself to say.

“I… told him I liked him… right about the time the state-of-emergency began; the sirens actually stopped us from talking further about it,” Jacinta blushed a little at that.

Amethyst glowered a little, snuggling up into the sofa; she looked quite young, sitting there, wrapped up with her pillow, “So you still haven’t talked about it?”

Jacinta considered her friend; she looked terribly out of sorts. It was unusual to see her so bent out of shape.

“Amethyst… please tell me… Do you… ‘have a thing’ for him?” Jacinta asked with more than a little trepidation.

The older mare took on an air of annoyance, “You can’t even say the word, can you?”

Jacinta recoiled at that, blushing some, “…”

But Amethyst let it go; that was hardly the issue at hoof. She took a moment to answer; it wasn’t that she didn’t have one on ice, but it took her time to articulate it. Looking at her friend, young and anxious, a mare that was born when she was still a leggy teenager… Her good friend—perhaps her best… she wanted to give a proper answer.

Reaching down deep, she pushed her own jumbled feelings aside, but at once shared them. Sitting up just a little and giving Jacinta a childlike beam, she relished what came out of her mouth.

“Jacinta… if I was your age… if I was you… I’d quit the army, clock him over the head, and drag him so very far away from here; I’d screw his brains out and never ever let him go…” Amethyst glowed, cheeks flushing.

The answer floored Jacinta, who looked at her hooves thoughtfully with an indulgent little smile; she snickered hesitantly, “Wow…”

Amethyst dimmed, a painful, self-deprecating smirk working at the corners of her mouth, “But really, Jacinta… I’m old enough to be his mother. I’ve done a lot in my life… a lot I’m loath to remember. If there’s such a place as Heaven, I’m not entirely sure I’m welcome there, in the end. I’ve no right to any more favors in life… or much happiness, either. That’s gone.”

Jacinta decided to listen rather than react; there wasn’t much she could say anyway. Her friend’s downheartedness wasn’t easy to deal with.

Looking melancholy, Amethyst went on, “No, that youthful mare is long gone, Jacinta. Meeting a stallion like him back when I was still just that stupid, little filly… what that could’ve been… I never would’ve met that lazy cocksucker Green Tea… or had that… piece of shit Lead Brick beating me black and blue every other night, either… I wouldn’t have run out on Green Tea when he demanded we try for another foal… and Lead wouldn’t have left me when I somehow wound up sterile anyway.

“But I wouldn’t have gotten lucky the third time, either, with Rhubarb Leaf. I’d never have had Rho—I may have never even had the chance to be a mother… I’d sure probably not be in the army, for better or worse. And of course, I’d have never met you… or the lieutenant… or Trip… or anypony else. I’ve had my chances at happiness, Jacinta, plenty of them, and I even found a little, here and there. But that’s in the past.”

Jacinta rested her muzzle behind her crossed hooves on the desk, “That’s so sad… I-”

Amethyst waved a hoof, “Oh, don’t concern yourself over me so much. I guess being a little unlucky in life and love’s just left me a bitter, old maid. But like I said, I’ve had some good times. There’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be right now than with all of you. That may sound strange, but I’ve rather enjoyed myself up here.”

Jacinta pondered; she had little to say in response to Amethyst, “I guess I should worry about me a little then… I’m still not sure what to do, though.”

Amethyst leaned back, staring towards the ceiling, “I wish I could give you good advice on the matter, but getting involved with a military stallion… it’s hard. I married two of them; first was a dud and the second was great, considering how much time he spent at sea... and that I lost him there. Given my luck in love, you’d be better off asking somepony like Cpt. Rig about it.”

Jacinta stifled a guffaw, “Oh, please don’t compare yourself to him; you know better. Have you ever seen how he likes his hoofjobs?”

The belle wrapped her hooves around the pillow, giggling, “He only did that, like once; maybe he thinks it doesn’t count if there’s something separating him from the filly.”

Jacinta grumbled, “I just don’t think he cares… I feel awful for his wife, though… him coming home looking like that…”

“Don’t concern yourself with those two; neither of them is exactly faithful…”

“…”

The little Earth pony leaned back in her chair, “Well, shit…! That was a nasty tangent to go off on… Just ick…”

Amethyst shook with mirth, hugging the pillow.

“I guess I’ll just think about things… and talk with the lieutenant later,” Jacinta reasoned.

Amethyst laughed, “And that’s just what you should do. Are you done with your paperwork?”

“Done enough…” Jacinta hoofed aside the documents absentmindedly.

Despite not being all that hungry, Amethyst said, “Kitchen’s open. Let’s go get some breakfast.”

Eager to do something other than think about her impending chat with her direct superior, Jacinta sprung up from her chair, “That sounds great… I’m starving.”

Zip felt pretty good despite his acute lack of sleep; he’d only managed two hours when Jacinta relieved him of the small responsibility he’d been set on finishing in his muddled mind.

They’d finished preparing the train yard for the operation beginning that weekend and had made a respectable dent in the first load to go out. It was pleasant out and dry to boot; they had tarps ready for the seemingly inevitable rain they should’ve been dealing with, but there was no sign of any precipitation.

Zip felt confident his platoon would be okay. Jacinta, much better than him at organizing just about anything, had come up with a good plan. Everypony would theoretically get about seven hours of sleep and a couple hours for breaks and food. It was about the best they could do.

Zip himself was looking forward to evening chow because immediately after he’d be able to go to bed. He’d covered a little afternoon detail for Sgt. Treasure Trove, who’d been absolutely dead on his hooves, so the sergeant could get a nap in a pile of burlap. In exchange, Zip would have about 11 hours to do whatever he wanted.

The kitchen was now putting out food five times in a 24-hour period, so no matter what shift, everypony would have chow a few times. Normally taking food in his office, Zip surprised the half of his platoon that was awake by joining them in the mess. The company and the food were pretty good that day, Zip felt. They almost forgot death was kicking at the door.

Zip still went to his office; there was a small detail he’d just feel better getting out of the way. He had to come up with a plan for his platoon once the division arrived. He’d run them through a few days of refreshers. Many of them had only done combat, medical, and other training when they were in basic. Considering they would be in a combat situation he wanted every team to have a designated medic… among other things.

The pencil tasted like dirt; Zip often wished there was an easier way for somepony without magic to write.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Zip looked up, “It’s open.”

He didn’t feel like dealing with another of Amethyst’s lamentations, but they’d cried on each other’s shoulders plenty of times already. Anyway, she was his friend. He tried to clear his mind of negative thoughts as the door creaked open.

“Good evening, Lieutenant.”

It was Jacinta.

“Ah, Jacinta!” he hadn’t seen much of her that day. “Thanks again for the schedule; you’re a real lifesaver…”

But she was in no mood for small talk. Zip never locked his door when he was in his office; Jacinta turned back to his door and did it though.

Normally, a mare coming in and locking his door (which had never happened before) would freak him out but he knew Jacinta better than that. She wanted to talk about some things that had to be touched upon.

Zip leaned back in his chair with a little sigh, “I’m sorry; that’s not what you’re here to hear. I can’t imagine you’d have written the schedule to make sure we’d be able to meet.”

Jacinta knew he meant nothing by it, “Of course not, sir. I’d never put my needs before everypony else’s. Your covering for Sgt. Trove enabled this.”

Zip smiled, “I know, Jacinta. And I’m glad you’re here. I admit I’ve been trying to keep my mind on the... bigger situation… Haven’t been able to think much about anything else.”

She couldn’t and wouldn’t blame him; he was doing his job, “I’ve been trying to do the same. But we have a little time, now. I won’t take up much of it, so could we please talk?”

“Of course.”

She sat down across from him; she had more than one thing to talk about. He drew her a glass of water and one for himself.

“Amethyst once said you had one of her whiskey bottles stashed away… do you?”

Zip smiled and pulled the bottle out of his drawer; he poured her a nice sipping portion in a fresh glass and slid it across to her, “Just a little…”

“Thank you, sir,” she took a dram, wincing at the taste. “Oh, yuck…! But I’m out of gin and the shopkeepers are getting ready to F.O. You’d think they’d be making a killing, selling their wares, but they’re just leaving. It’s an awful lot to carry…”

He sat, trying to relax as he sipped his water. Jacinta took another dram of whiskey; it was a little easier that time.

Considering her, he could tell she wasn’t quite ready to discuss the brunt of her reason for being there; he knew she had more than one or two things on her mind.

“You’re still worried about Amethyst, aren’t you, Jacinta?”

Jacinta investigated her little glass; she sighed and nodded.

“I wish there was something I could say to give you some solace with her, but-”

She didn’t mean to interrupt, but he needn’t say it, “We talked this morning… when we were in the office… I think things are fine between us.”

“That’s good to hear…” Zip was genuinely glad. “I can’t have my most trusted mares at each other’s throats.”

Jacinta was unamused, “Please don’t make light of it, sir. It’s not funny.”

Zip knew it wasn’t; he was simply at something of a loss, “I know… and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even tried to joke about it.”

There was little point in holding back; Jacinta looked straight at him, “She loves you, Lieutenant…”

Zip saw no reason to avoid it any longer, but the whole truth wasn’t necessary, “I know she does… But we all know that it…”

“It’s not gonna happen,” Jacinta finished for him. “She doesn’t want it.”

“…”

“But what do you want, Jacinta?” Zip asked evenly.

After a few seconds, she smirked, “I want the Centauri Navy to sink… down to the last ship.”

Zip did a take, and soon mirrored her goofy expression; both laughed pretty hard. They felt a little better, lightening the mood.

Jacinta took another hit off her glass, “I don’t know what I want, sir. I’m confused. For once, I’m less concerned with the rules, but… is it something to even consider?”

Zip wished he had an answer for her, “I don’t know… What a time for it to come up, though.”

“I don’t think anypony can predict when much of anything happens, Lieutenant.”

He nodded, “Agreed.”

“Considering we could all be dead in a couple weeks, I hate to put anything off, but we have other things to worry about,” she giggled a little at her morbid jibe.

Zip smirked back, “Don’t prescribe to cynicism, Jacinta; it doesn’t become you. But you’re right. I don’t know what I want, either, but now’s just not the time.”

She sighed, not even upset, “You’re right, sir. But there’s one thing I’d like to say.”

Zip wasn’t sure what it might be, casting aside other matters, “What?”

She finished her whiskey, knowing what she was about to say was as corny as pig shit, “Whatever happens, sir, I want you to know you’re my best friend.”

He was quite surprised at that; it was quite a statement, but he shared the feeling, “And you’re mine, Jacinta… A lieutenant and his platoon sergeant… but we’ve already pointed out the weirdness of that.”

Coming back immediately, “I don’t think there’s any weirdness to it at all, sir. It just is.”

“…”

Zip stood up, “I know I was planning to go right to my quarters for a good sleep, but let’s go get a snack. What do you say?”

She stood up as well, “Sure. Let’s just not make it too big a thing. I have to get up a little earlier than you tomorrow.”

So, Zip and Jacinta strode off to relax and enjoy the other’s company for a while.

Relying on each other and their platoon, they were confident things would probably turn out okay.

The first locomotive showed up late Sunday morning, just as planned; loading was a breeze. The week had been about as productive as possible and everypony was in decent spirits, given what was brewing.

That afternoon, Zip yawned as he trotted past the locomotive loading docks; he was on his way to company headquarters to gather his 2nd Squad for a little work in the warehouses.

But Zip had a few minutes, so he stopped to visit the nearby latrine; before entering, he noticed the locomotive crew already preparing to leave. Zip felt good, knowing the first of many locomotives was on its way to Canterlot… things had really come together. He set about relieving himself.

He heard quarreling… two stallions. He cracked the door to see.

Captain Basket Weaver was arguing with the locomotive’s engineer. Zip watched and listened out of sight in his little place; this was strange…

The engineer waved a hoofful of documents in Cpt. Basket Weaver’s face, “I have to pass these out to my crew, but this is wrong! This accounting you gave me upon coming here details for the moving of implements of concern to Equestrian Logistics! Not foodstuffs! I was even told that before coming here! What’s going on?!”

“That’s what that list said, but you picked up this list. The first loadout was changed,” the captain hoofed over a stack of papers.

Looking over the new papers, the engineer’s jaw dropped.

“Captain! You… falsified the orders?!” the engineer all but screamed.

“And I have been all week… Same with communications in and out. You’re the first and only pony besides me to see the real documents from Canterlot. Maybe if you’d done your job you’d have seen things weren’t on the up-and-up. Still, it kept you quiet until the loading was done, didn’t it?” Cpt. Basket Weaver nonchalantly answered.

Zip’s stomach did a flip-flop; this was a staggering piece of news.

The captain snatched the original documents and incinerated them with a glow of his horn.

“You’re cracked!” cried the engineer.

“Look behind you,” the captain pointed to the locomotive’s cargo. “You’re taking that to Canterlot. There’s enough food and actual material goods to feed and preserve the city of Canterlot until summer. We can make more machines… but we can’t just make food. This is the cargo your locomotive will be taking towards our capitol city.”

“This is an outrage! I’m going to-!”

The captain magically choked him, getting his full attention, “You’re going to take that stack of papers and give them to your crew. You’re going to forget about this, chug up your choo-choo, and fuck off to Canterlot with this cargo. And you’re going to come back the moment you’ve unloaded for more… until we absolutely can’t do it anymore.”

Allowed some air, the engineer shouted, “You won’t get away with-!”

Taking on a murderous look, Cpt. Basket Weaver pulled him in, “You’re going to do what I tell you… or I’ll blow your fucking head off, here and now. You’re in the clear; you checked this list… it’s all there. Now take those orders and distribute them. Then leave.”

The engineer looked as if he’d soiled himself, “You’re insane, Captain! They’ll hang you for this!”

He shrugged, “Probably. They’re arriving tomorrow… could be fun. Another locomotive’s due late tonight; we need to stage for it. With one coming in every eight hours, we should be able to do a fine job emptying the city. So, fire up your engine… I’ll hand these out myself to save you time.”

Magicking the stack of documents from the engineer, the captain calmly walked down the line to meet the soldiers guarding the cargo.

Zip was in disbelief at what he’d heard and seen; this was… possibly treason. Hell, it was treason!

But the engineer fired up the locomotive and the captain rejoined him after a few moments.

“Captain… This is batshit crazy… You really have lost your mind, haven’t you? You’re gonna die, and they’ll just ship out the equipment another day. Why?! I don’t see what you’re thinking!”

Shaking his head, Cpt. Basket Weaver chuckled, “Then don’t think about it. Forget seeing me, and F.O. to Canterlot. Have a safe trip. Eyes forward. Go.”

Looking alarmed, the engineer shifted his mechanisms and the train began to inch away.

The captain stood there, watching the train until all the cars had begun to disappear. He heaved a visible and audible sigh.

“Lieutenant! I can sense you back there! Come on out.”

Zip might have dropped another turd in his surprise; he exited the latrine.

The captain laughed loudly, seeing Zip’s uneasiness, “It’s strange… a latrine saved your life once, and now it’s made you an accomplice to treason!”

Zip felt his guts churn; he just about puked. What he'd just learned was almost as jarring as this looser side of the captain.

“I’m kidding, son,” Cpt. Basket Weaver guffawed. “You saw nothing; you heard nothing. Understood?”

Zip wavered; something compelled him to nod.

“Still, you see what our commanders’ priorities are… They hate to lose this equipment, considering we just brought it out here to replace a bunch of shaky deathtraps we should never have had to deal with in the first place. From a soldier’s standpoint, I can understand… But as a pony, I condemn such thinking.

“Zip…”

The lieutenant perked up; Cpt. Basket Weaver had never called him by his given name.

“Zip, have you ever gone hungry? I mean hungry…”

He shook his head, “No, Captain… we never had much, but we always had good food. We worked for a produce merchant; he wasn’t the best pony, but he saw us well-fed.”

The captain nodded, “My earliest memory is of starving, Zip. We had a failing farm down near the Badlands… For a few years we had a drought… a drought that covered some stretch of land. We had so very little to eat. It was so widespread, there was truly no helping us. I watched my little sister, a filly 3-years-old, starve to death. I watched my parents do the same. I’ve been alone in this world since I was 5-years-old… no wife… no foals…

“Every naval vessel on the western side of Equestria is trying to hold back the Centauri Navy. No vessel, civilian or otherwise, will be taking any more cargo out of the city. Even if we loaded down every walking pony, every wagon, every cart, every locomotive we’d still be unable to get out more than 80% of the food we currently hold. If we can advance a few things, we might bump that up to 85%.

“Moving those machines… the time it'd take... that number cuts down to about 55%. And they just don't acknowledge that fact. Whatever we can’t move will be consumed in fire; the Centauri Army won’t get a grain of rice if we can stop it happening. The military would see the northern continent suffer—starve and die—just to pad the coffers a little.

“Ponies would starve, Zip, thousands and thousands… Some still will, and there’s not a thing on Earth we can do about it; that’s the way of the world. But this way… most might never even know hunger. There may be some rationing this year, but that’s a Heaven-sent blessing compared to collapse, I guaran-damn-tee you that. You understand why I’m doing this?”

There was no need for the question, “How can I help you, Captain?”

“Forget what you saw and heard. Forget me; I’m as good as dead. And promise me something.”

Zip felt an uneasy pride surge through him, “Anything, sir.”

“Do everything in your power to see this port emptied out. You’ll be asked to do many things; only do that which you know to be right. And if you’re forced to choose between what they tell you and what’s right… I hope you can find the strength to do what you know to be best… for everypony.”

Zip managed to eke out, “Yessir…”

“I think you’ll manage okay… What is it they say about Port City, Zip?”

There were a lot of things, but, “It’s a dumping ground for the army’s problems…”

The captain barked a short laugh, “Yes… and to a large degree that’s true. We had a few gems here and there, but that’s what this place is. But your platoon, Zip… there’s no reason to play dumb, anymore. You have some extraordinary ponies under you. I’m sure you’ve figured it out, but Port’s not just a place to send difficulties to fade away…

“Ponies like Sgt. Wire… Sgt. Flare… Pvt. Rise—I got no idea what’s with him… even that cadaver nut Pvt. Oil… they were problems… but they were too valuable to discard. They send the best here, too… in case they need them later. That’s just what wound up happening with your 3rd Platoon. You’re fortunate, really… I can’t think of a better bunch to command when Hell breaks loose… or a better pony to lead them. Trust them… Love them… Protect them… Do everything you possibly can to see them through this.”

Zip couldn’t help himself; he choked up a little, “I’ll try, sir.”

The captain considered him, “I know you will, Zip. There’s one more official order I must give you.”

“What is it?”

“It’s the same as before. Forget you saw, heard, know about this. Under no circumstances are you to defend—or explain—my actions to command. Condemn me, if given the opportunity! If our troops were to learn of the army’s priorities… I feel they would lose faith. They mustn’t lose faith! They mustn’t lose hope! These are the things that will give strength to our success.

“If the time comes that things are truly lost... use your judgement on the matter… You’ll know when that is; I trust you’ll know. I have one more thing to do. You will go about your business and act every bit as ignorant as everypony else. Go now.”

Zip got the message; he began to trot.

“One last thing, 1st Lt. Zip Jetscream!”

Zip halted a moment.

“I’m… glad you know… of all ponies.”

Zip was unsure what a pony like Cpt. Basket Weaver saw in him; he’d never thought he made a great impression. Really, he’d barely known him… just another young officer not even in his immediate company. Looking painfully one last time at the captain, Zip trotted away to company headquarters.

The captain sighed shakily, sitting down on a crate; he could see the docks from his seat. Waiting for a time, he elected to enjoy himself a few minutes that unseasonably pleasant autumn afternoon. It was... quite a feeling he felt... the ocean... their port... his ponies... the uncertain future. It brought tears.

But soon, he’d had his fill and went about his task. He wouldn't deny he was also a little terrified... considering what he'd cemented himself on doing, but now was no time to overthink things. He pulled a small crystal ball from his pocket, and he tapped on it.

“Yes, Captain?” came the little voice of somepony with military police.

“Just ‘making the rounds’ before evening chow, soldier. Please report: is the port clear? Nopony on or near any of the docks?”

“Not a soul, sir… We just came in from a patrol for a quick cup of coffee; all of us are taking a few minutes in the gatehouse. I was about to send half my complement to get fed.”

That was good enough for Cpt. Basket Weaver. Laughing a little to himself for the monumentally drastic thing he was about to do, he further solidified his resolve and set his horn aglow.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOBOOM! BOOM! BOOMBOOM!

“What the fuck?!” a thousand voices rang out.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The entire city shook; a few windows broke, and a lot of dishes did the same.

Inky, black smoke rose from the port area, specifically the docks. Even south of the city, a couple plumes of smoke could be seen. There were… 36 columns; they could be counted from anywhere in the city.

The 36 docks, with all their machines and implements, had been blown to smithereens.

Trying to remain true to his word, Zip was helping Sgt. Sweet Clover’s squad at Warehouse #1. They were close enough to see the explosions.

Zip knew at once, in his brains, heart, guts, and balls what had just happened. And true to his word, he pretended to be just as surprised as everypony else.

Captain Basket Weaver surrendered himself to the military police about 10 minutes after finishing the task he’d set out to do.

But before that, he spoke to the city through the public announcement system, explaining just what he’d done… but not why. His last orders were to keep moving… keep loading…

Zip realized what the captain had been up to the night before, when he disappeared after their battalion meeting… and what had happened to some explosives he thought had been moved to another warehouse. The detonation couldn’t have gone any better: all the equipment was totally destroyed; all it was good for was scrap metal, which they didn’t even need.

There was little point in even inspecting the docks. They wouldn’t be using them, and nothing was intact, so it just gave them more time to work on gathering goods. A little shaken, it seemed odd to just continue with emptying the city.

But what else were they to do? They had another train coming in a couple hours and had to be ready. Thanks to Cpt. Basket Weaver’s falsified documents, they’d already amassed enough foodstuffs to fill two locomotives and their cars. And since they had no implements to move anymore, which they’d never even started on, they just kept up with the goods.

The ponies filled the next locomotive overnight. Another would be there in the late morning, so they prepared for that as well, moving like clockwork.

“You traitorous bastard!”

Captain Basket Weaver was bucked across the big room in battalion headquarters; different Port City officers were taking turns laying into him as the newly arrived brigade and division commanders looked on. It was the morning after the destruction of the docks. Zip was there too, trying to blend in with the wall.

Captain Jalapeño Jelly took special pleasure in clobbering the pony whose job and title he’d so coveted; he’d had control for about 16 hours, though, after the arrest and before the division arrived.

“Take that!” he slugged Captain Basket Weaver in the ribs and was satisfied to feel a few of them break; the force had lifted him from the floor.

The former acting battalion commander gasped as he cried out in pain. He was jostled amongst several officers, each laying a merciless beating.

Zip had trouble watching this, but he chose to honor the captain’s last orders… to play stupid. So, it was most difficult when the captain was propelled towards him.

Catching a small glance from the captain's swollen, bloodied eyes, Zip knew what he had to do; he barely hesitated.

“You motherfucker! You could’ve killed somepony! You traitor!” Zip wound up and clocked the captain in the head with near-decapatory force; it knocked him unconscious, and he sprawled into the wall, leaving a trail of blood as his face slid down it.

A few others laughed at this; one said, “Damn, Lt. 'Scream! You coulda left a little more for us…”

Another cackled, “Good shot, though! Look! He finally shit himself!”

Zip snorted, hating himself more than he’d imagined possible, “I didn’t think that would put him out… I guess he’d had all he could take… Let’s just hope he doesn’t snooze through his own death!”

This elicited quite a bit of laughter from all present; there were no mares there, no noncoms… just stallion officers. And Zip would’ve been ashamed for any of his platoon to have seen that. But nopony else laid a hoof on Cpt. Basket Weaver.

Captain Basket Weaver was detained again; there were a few things to do before they could call a court martial. But they’d be sure to hold it that afternoon.

Zip found himself wishing he’d hit the captain hard enough to kill him; he didn’t deserve to die on the end of a rope. Such thinking was remarkably painful to him… for things to go that far. Zip came close to crying as he made his way back to company headquarters, but he managed to hold it back. He didn’t want anypony to worry about him getting soft or falling apart; too much was at stake.

He rebuffed all questions about what had happened with Cpt. Basket Weaver. He had to remind himself his platoon was shaken up and unsure about the events of the last day; they were ignorant, and he prayed they remain so. The hurt in their eyes was still more than he could take seeing.

All the ponies under Cpt. Basket Weaver’s command were shaken; they believed he “cracked” and betrayed them all. It seemed a miracle nopony was injured in the explosions. Zip did his best to ignore all he heard, turning off his brain to all but what he was doing.

But working alongside his platoon, Zip did a little praying that morning, that the captain who was willing to die so Equestria wouldn’t suffer any more than it already would, would meet a quick end. The price for what he’d done was indeed hanging. Zip prayed the fall would break his neck, and they wouldn’t have to watch him choke for 10 or 15 minutes; his self-loathing only increased with this thinking, but it was the greatest mercy possible.

Zip hadn’t expected to be part of the court martial, but it didn’t shock him, considering he was an officer in Port. He was called into battalion headquarters at 13:00.

Zip tried to quell this stomach. They’d hold the court… and Cpt. Basket Weaver would swing at 16:30… just in time for everypony to see it before evening chow. Swallowing vomit, Zip forced himself along.

But there was to be no court. Cpt. Basket Weaver lay on a cart in the hallway. He was dead; an orderly pulled a sheet over his body.

A colonel Zip didn’t know pounded him on the back, with a nasty grin, “Looks like you popped him pretty good, Lieutenant… Brain bleed, by the look of it. Died in his sleep… kinda unfortunate your joke came true.”

Zip watched the captain’s body wheeled out. The fact the captain was dead wasn’t a big deal, really. They knew what he’d done. They’d just tell the troops he died of injuries sustained when he resisted them; Zip’s glorious “brain-buster” would go unrecognized except by those who’d witnessed it.

It took Zip a lot of resolve to keep his mouth shut. Cpt. Basket Weaver hadn’t even raised a hoof or lit his horn to defend himself, even as his ribs were being broken; all he’d done was cry out in his agony.

Evening chow tasted like ashes to Zip; he took it in his office as he had to figure out a few things his platoon would be doing that night. He wanted very much to close his door and cry for a while, but he refused to do so; he had to stay in control.

Over the last few hours, they’d learned just what the captain had done.

He’d stolen enough explosives to destroy the equipment twice over; it may have been salvageable otherwise. Sneaking out to every dock, every lift, and every crane, he’d wired it all to go off with a little spell he’d cooked up. It was simple, effective, and totally undetected until the city started rattling.

Already, the captain had received a most sordid moniker for his actions and supposed mindset: Basket “Case” Weaver…

Zip was devastated at all of this, the captain dying the way he did, but he’d certainly succeeded in his plan.

It was unexpected to hear a gentle tap on his door around 19:00.

“It’s open,” he croaked.

Amethyst walked in, her face a mask of anguish, quickly shutting the door behind her and locking it. She drew a glass of water for herself and one for Zip; she sat down and offered him his glass.

He took it and had a sip, “Thanks, Amethyst…”

She sat morosely across from him. Zip realized in his heart why she’d come; he’d not imagined she’d do such a thing, with or without his go-ahead. Their conversation wouldn’t be an easy one, but Zip would feel better when it was over.

“I… never expected you to put your hoof in… Was it painless for him?” he heard himself ask.

Amethyst exhaled unsteadily; she had a hard time making eye contact, as she downed her water.

“I did what I could… I got him when he was still out. It was quick, at least… It’s how I did my old job… Shift a few blood vessels in the brain… Pop! And you never wake up,” she choked.

“Amethyst… I… uh,” Zip looked to her eyes, and he saw them pouring.

“Lieutenant… I prayed I’d never do that to another pony again… I know you would never’ve asked such a thing of me, but… I felt your pain… I know why he did what he did; it wasn’t difficult to figure out… and I wasn’t going to stand there and watch him die at the gallows. I couldn’t bear it… It was the only thing I could think to do for him.”

Zip extended his front legs across the desk and took her hooves, choking up, “I know, Amethyst… and I’m so sorry.”

She pulled his hooves closer to herself and began to weep. Zip leaned in and joined her for a time, forehead to forehead, letting out all he’d been holding back the last day. Their tears fell upon a stack of work orders… the captain’s desperate forgeries, done in hopes of preserving the land he loved.

Perhaps only a hoofful of ponies would ever learn of Cpt. Basket Weaver’s sacrifice, but thanks to him many little ponies would probably never know true hunger.

With the entire division now in Port City, work had become easy. Ponies emptied the stores and foodstuffs and material goods went southeast by locomotive, and by cart, wagon, and horseback.

As they continued emptying the stores and evacuating the civilians, they abandoned parts of the city they finished with. Block by block, the city became a ghost town, starting with the west side.

Skilled unicorns were assigned to sink the wreckage of the docks and their implements in the shallows off the beaches; it wouldn’t do much to stop the Centauri Navy landing, but any hindrance was better than nothing.

Equestria’s navy was losing ground… or water. They harassed the superior forces of the Centauri Navy, retreating as they did so. Their losses had been minimal, but that could change with the wind…

The weather was of curious notice to those who recognized what it was doing. It hadn’t rained since the state-of-emergency was declared. The deciduous vegetation, having long since lost leaves, was rapidly drying out. The evergreens were beginning to wilt; the unseasonable warmth had initiated abnormal activity in them, resulting in some desiccation.

The winds off the sea had been rather weak that year, only compounding the lack of moisture inland. The winds from the south continued to keep the pocket of warm air over northwestern Equestria.

But the ponies in Port just went about their work, saving and moving all they could. At the pace they were able to move, if the navy could hold as long as estimated, it was feasible to see 90% of the goods in Port City transferred out. And that wasn’t bad, given everything.

With about as much optimism as might be merited, they labored on. Keeping busy assuaged their fears, some. Things were actually looking up, for what it was worth.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

As I wrote last note, the chapter would be rather hefty; a lot happened, even if it didn't tip the scales in word count.

As the Equestrian Navy is pushed back, the fight will get closer to shore. Preparing for the inevitable bombardment, the division has quite a bit to do.

Expect a break next week. In addition to field work, my research crew has a major editing job on a scientific paper to do. I'm a contributor, so I need to concentrate on that.

Thanks for reading, and take care.

Appendix for The Virgin Company (Contains Spoilers) (Updated November 1, 2020)

The Infernal Line, Chapter 6: Scavenger Hunt, Part 5

Things were going great for the salvaging ponies… too great…

Blinding light abruptly filled their vision; the ponies in the little room—eyes down—still got an eyeful, but Mercury got it the worst, looking right into the main room forge.

“Gah!” Mercury yipped, his sight burning.

Startled backwards, the young stallion hit a row of stacked lead ingots.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Amethyst and Spc. Hemp leapt straight up, landing back on their hooves. Only a dozen or so ingots fell, but was it ever noisy!

Amethyst quickly calmed her mind. Even with her eyes screwed shut, she was able to visualize her companions. The specialist was by her side, stiff as starch and stunned but standing and mute. Mercury was writhing slightly on the floor, whimpering quietly as he wiggled to her side.

“Shh…” Amethyst soothed him.

He shut up at once, and there was silence.

Amethyst couldn’t tell much, so she further felt out their surroundings.

An awake centaur, sober and likely patrolling or checking in on the party, had entered the other side of the building. The lights inside the armory worked—for some reason—and had been turned on. It seemed the lights were connected to the little room, as well.

Shit! She’d failed to sense it approaching!

The mare scolded herself; she’d been excited about their apparent good fortune, and once again, she’d dropped her guard.

“Shield your eyes…” Amethyst whispered to the others, though they’d been doing so. “And keep quiet. We have company.”

Her voice was barely a whisper, but it was heard with the good ears of a pony.

The ponies listened, but only Amethyst was able to “see”. The centaur grunted in obvious frustration and disgust; it was taken aback at the scene, but maybe it didn’t figure the sound of the ingots falling meant anything. After all, the centaurs were strewn about the ruined forge, and the building was falling apart… Some beast— bothered by the sudden light—may have shifted and disturbed the structure.

But even if that was the case, that didn’t stop the centaur from looking around the building… which it did.

Shit… Amethyst thought bitterly, sensing the centaur rounding the prone bodies, moving further into the forge and towards them.

The only hope they had was the centaur wouldn’t look into the little room. Amethyst was good at magic, but she was unexpectedly weak in vanishing spells. Certainly, she could conceal the three of them, but the lights were on, there were ingots scattered on the floor, and she couldn’t sense those or the bags they’d been filling. And putting out the light above them wouldn't hide them at all, with plenty of it outside.

If the centaur looked in, it would see something was wrong, even if Amethyst hid herself and her companions.

The mare had to think quickly: there was no hiding their activity, and there was no door—just an entryway to the small room—so there was no shutting out the centaur’s prying eyes…

With only a couple seconds before the centaur would potentially be able to see them, Amethyst made her decision. And she wouldn’t be vanishing anypony.

Spark! Amethyst blew out all the lights overhead, a brief buzz issuing. Immediately, the ponies could open their eyes and see again. The stallions saw the centaur… right in front of them; neither had seen such a creature! Spc. Hemp suppressed a cry, and Mercury felt his bowels loosen.

The centaur, still grunting in confusion, stared here and there in the darkness. Whether it suspected anything was about to happen or not, the ponies wouldn’t ever know.

In the pitch-black, the centaur saw Amethyst’s horn spark again, illuminating her face and body.

“Equi-” it began, never finishing the word “equine”.

Amethyst hadn’t thought ahead as much as she might, and her first instinct was to silence the centaur, before all else. She encapsulated its head in a sound-proof bubble. She hesitated in killing it, though… Her companions didn’t know she was capable of the "brain-buster"—only the lieutenant and a choice few were—and she’d decided not to let them know… for reasons both selfish and practical.

The centaur didn’t even notice anything was wrong immediately, but it only took a few seconds for it to realize it couldn’t breathe; it began to panic, pulling at its throat.

Amethyst took a good 10 seconds to realize this.

She’d merely created a literal bubble! There was no air to breathe after a breath or two.

Strangely, the magic bubble beginning to choke off the centaur’s life—normally invisible in light—glowed under the power of the night-vision, but this was the least important thing occurring.

The stallions gasped, realizing what was happening, but they sure weren’t going to put a hoof in! All they could do was watch.

Something Amethyst hadn’t expected was felt within… She was horrified! She was horrified to see what she’d done. But why?!

Was it the centaur? Watching its rising terror?

Was it that she knew now she was slipping? She felt as if everything she’d done that night was half-assed, poorly planned, and clumsy.

Had she just lost her stomach for being a walking, talking, murder-machine? Not that it hadn't happened ages ago...

She wasn’t sure, pondering in those few seconds.

But one thing was certain: she needed a cleaner kill.

A few reasons why and why not to end it quickly went through her head: she had to hold up the lieutenant’s credibility—that she wasn’t able to kill a monster so easily… but suffocation could be a noisy, violent death… and undue struggling would suggest foul play… and the two stallions didn’t need to know just what she was capable of. Magically blowing a brain was easy; it was doing it cleanly that took a few terrible tries at it.

Glancing to her sides, Spc. Hemp and Mercury looked revolted, watching the centaur begin to buck around, now tearing at its throat. Any longer, and the centaur would begin to dig into its own flesh.

Amethyst had to decide what to do! Almost 30 seconds had passed since she cast the spell.

And she decided to go with the brain-bleed… the “brain-buster”…

The reason she settled on was a painful one: she couldn’t stand to see a creature die that way again; she’d done it that way a few times, killing others.

She focused her magic, going after a few choice blood vessels in the centaur’s head.

Fwink!

The centaur would’ve fallen down like a 6,000-pound bag of potatoes, but Amethyst caught the body… and “faked” the rest of the asphyxiation.

The stallions didn’t know what was going on, and they just looked on, revulsed. Amethyst kept the game up another 45 seconds, controlling the centaur’s throes and appearing to struggle. It was difficult for her, and she hated herself more by the second.

At last, Amethyst let the centaur go limp, and she collapsed, panting believably.

Specialist Hemp was on his rump, jaw dropped. Mercury wasn’t in much better shape, feeling dizzy.

Amethyst blinked; her eyes still bothered her from the flashes of light she’d received.

She asked, sounding calmer than she was, “You two okay?”

Mercury jarred, standing bolt-upright, “Yes, ma’am… But my eyes hurt… I’m seeing spots…”

“You’ll be alright… We all will. It was just a short exposure… no different than looking into the sun for a second.”

Specialist Hemp shuddered, coming to his senses, “God…!”

Amethyst regarded him as he shook his head; she turned her eyes back to Mercury.

“You all right, otherwise?” she patted his back.

“I may have soiled myself,” Mercury stated.

“How bad is it?” Amethyst checked his rear, projecting the collected mare she always wanted to show everypony.

Mercury squirmed, “It stayed well in the uniform, ma’am…”

Since he’d left no visible trace, there was little reason for her to worry.

“Wait until we’re down below, and then clean yourself up,” Amethyst said. “We need to get out of here.”

“The smell…” Mercury put forth. “Won’t they notice some other creature’s stink?”

She shook her head, “I said they had lousy senses of smell, and it’s true; they won’t be able to tell… especially with all else up here...”

This quelled their worries. There was no sign of any other creature approaching, and they’d managed to keep quiet.

This left the non-elephant in the room. Neither stallion was too put off by what they believed Amethyst did. It had been messy, desperate, and brutal,but it was effective. And there was no question about its necessity.

“Sergeant… uh, wow…” Spc. Hemp groaned.

Amethyst put up a convincing front, “It was the first thing I thought to do.”

He nodded, “Well, it sure worked…”

She nodded back, “It did.”

“Uh…” Mercury motioned to the heap of “choked-off” meat. “What do we do?”

Amethyst barely hesitated, “It has to look like an accident. Stand back, and watch the doors, both of you. Let me know if you see or hear anything besides us.”

The stallions did as they were told and looked on as Amethyst began whatever it was she was doing. They had to watch the doors, but there was no looking away as Amethyst put up a soundproof barrier around the centaur and its surroundings.

Lining up the body where she wanted it, she let the weight of the centaur do the job… mostly. She wanted to make it look like the centaur had taken a good spill, having slipped in the grime on the floor.

With a bit of extra force behind it, she slammed the centaur’s head into an abrupt edge on the side of the big forge at jaw-level.

Shunk! would’ve been the noise, but the bubble kept it quiet; the building still shook with the weight of the body when it hit the floor, and some dust fell from on high.

“Jesus…!” Spc. Hemp mouthed, seeing this.

The centaur’s neck was broken at a crazy angle, and the head had cracked like an egg on the sharp corner into which it had been forced.

Mercury felt a thrill of sickness ride up to the end he hadn’t shat from, and he had to swallow his vomit, watching the blood pooling, mixing with all the other foulness on the floor.

Amethyst further desecrated the scene by magically smearing a little of everything at the centaur’s hooves. The idea that the centaur had the worst slip-and-fall in history was quite convincing; it was as if the legs were swept right out from under the bastard.

The mare dropped the barrier, looking a little nauseous—and she wasn’t faking that, “There… it was an accident.”

The stallions merely nodded at the gruesome sight, and they prepared to leave. Just because they could, they pilfered another 15 pounds of ingots, bringing their total weight to 60.

Amethyst covered their tracks back to the duct, and the three ponies went back down. The first thing they saw was Cpl. Painter’s tense face.

“I saw the light in the pipe!” Cpl. Painter breathed. “What happened?”

Amethyst simply told him, “It’s under control. Let’s move.”

“We got the goods?” he asked as she passed him.

Specialist Hemp gave a lop-sided grin, “Sure did…”

After several minutes of walking—and Mercury shaking out his uniform—the night-vision wore off. Giving their eyes a few moments to rest in the darkness, they soon moved again under lit horns.

“Wow…” Cpl. Painter had just been told of their predicament. “Good thing you were able to keep it quiet.”

The other stallions felt strongly in the same spirit.

Amethyst was already tired of thinking about it; the centaur’s suffocating face was in the forefront of her mind, “Let’s just keep moving. We need to contact the lieutenant once we get safely to the woods.”

That ended their time chatting about their mission and its complications. With heavy bags full of gold, silver, copper, lead, and a bunch of good steel, they’d done what they’d set out to do and more. All they had to do was get back to camp.

As they retraced their steps back to the tunnel’s entrance, the stallions resumed chatting. This time they talked of killing centaurs and the two ponies that had done it in the last several centuries.

Amethyst wasn’t even paying attention to who was saying what. In fact, she was mostly blocking it out, disgusted, but she found it hard to keep to herself.

“That was something, but it must’ve been a sight to see the lieutenant take those things! Sergeant Flare saw him do it! To nine of them!”

She hummed, “I only saw a couple… I lost consciousness.”

He’d only handled one… Amethyst thought.

“Imagine if he’d been with us…”

“He would’ve slaughtered that thing!”

Yes, he could’ve… if he’d been able to go nuts… and it wouldn’t have helped their “silent” efforts…

“Man, I almost wish I could keep my wits to see that…” Cpl. Painter waxed; of course, he’d faint pretty fast, he’d readily admitted.

As they paddled on, Amethyst again blocked out the chatter and retreated to her own thoughts.

…

She figured ponies would’ve figured it out by then, but as far as she knew, none of them had… that the lieutenant hadn’t slaughtered an entire party of centaurs—doing who knows what past their defense-line—with his own strength.

A berserker the lieutenant may have been, but it hadn’t been him to commit most of that atrocity so many ponies in the division had sneaked around to see.

She recalled that night… all those weeks ago. She’d foolishly gone out to track the centaurs she’d sensed, and the lieutenant had followed her. Despite his wishes to fall back, she’d succeeded in killing eight of them… some of them brutally. The lieutenant had ordered her to take the last one alive.

But she’d failed, and she was about to die at its hands. The lieutenant had rescued her, becoming injured in the process. It was then, watching that beast preparing to kill her, that he’d gone apeshit.

And she was conscious long enough to see that!

She’d never told anypony what she saw…

It was a cleaner kill than those which she wound up giving him credit. All he’d done was climb up on the thing, wrap himself around its shoulders, and break its neck… though it was a Helluva struggle. And he’d wound up using such force against the thrashing centaur, he’d torn the damn thing’s jaw off… with only his clumsy hooves!

The lieutenant had been outraged upon seeing the violence Amethyst had left… But she’d not left anything impossible for a berserk Pegasus to accomplish on his own. The berserkers were stuff of legends, but they were well-documented, occurring from time-to-time, and a pony lost in bloodlust could leave anypony or any other creature looking as if cannon-fire had rendered them to pieces. They could fight at full-tilt until their spirits literally left their bodies, felt no pain, had no fear, had no actual thinking going on, and most magic—short of something pretty powerful—glanced off of them.

When the lieutenant had killed Lt. Hoop, he’d not gone fully berserk; the same could be said of his killing the last centaur that nearly did in Amethyst. Had he gone fully hog-wild—and Amethyst had accurately depicted such a thing—he would’ve killed not only Lt. Hoop, but everypony else within his sight that night. And he wouldn’t have stopped until he was rendered unconscious, dead, or until there wasn’t anything left to kill (hopefully they’d have figured running for the exit was a good idea…), and he’d simply have petered out.

Amethyst was sickened at the revel over the lieutenant’s supposed deeds. If the ponies knew just how dangerous their “slayer of centaurs” was, they’d be less than accepting of it. She’d immediately regretted what she’d done, but she hadn’t been thinking ahead.

She hadn’t been and, as stated several times, still wasn’t ready for everypony to know the degree of which she was a walking, talking war-machine; she’d set out to hunt those centaurs out of personal need… to see if she still “had it”. If she’d done as she’d planned to, she would’ve killed the nine of them, hidden the evidence, and no word on the matter would ever be spoken.

It was the lieutenant that threw off her idea. Looking back, it had been foolish to try to include him when he unexpectedly showed up… It was foolish to think he’d help her conceal such a thing—though he might’ve… But instead of turning around—as would’ve been wise—she’d gone for it. She’d wanted to impress him; more than proving anything to herself, she’d wanted to prove herself to him… though she’d never needed to. That was the ugly truth she’d discovered about herself... that night.

Maybe she did still have it… Maybe… She wasn’t sure if getting swatted by that centaur was her having lost her edge or just a fluke. She knew now that she was spiraling, but couldn't quite chalk it up to that.

…

All she knew was she loathed herself for her selfishness… and putting her beloved commander in that situation… her beloved Lt. Zip Screamer.

And yes, was he ever angry about it! Nopony could blame him, least of all her. Still, she hadn’t felt like much of a mare when he’d tracked her down, pissing herself and coming unglued as she had.

She'd been frightened of her lieutenant, then… nearly as frightened as she’d ever been of anything. He’d reminded her—viscerally—of her second husband… all the times she’d been afraid that “tonight would be the night”… that he’d finally get carried away and kill her.

She’d given Zip a hundred reasons to hate her, but he didn’t, somehow; it was one of the reasons she’d fallen for him… It wasn’t his being a “pushover” or a “doormat”, but that he had the capacity for being her dear friend. And she’d had so few friends in her life.

She looked forward to hugging him once they were back at camp. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind her being covered in shit.

Once they got back…

…

After regrouping in the clean, cold night air, the four ponies began their trek to camp at 00:50. Once they reached the forested hills, they'd contact their lieutenant with the good news.

Author's Note

Check out the Appendix for The Virgin Company, updated as the story moves along. Includes character designs and platoon arrangement. Contains spoilers.

With the precious metals safely in their saddle-bags, Amethyst and the three stallions begin their hike back to "platoon headquarters". Meanwhile, Zip still struggles with his looming responsibilities.

If you haven't, please take a look at Larkspur Blossom, my first story. Lt. Screamer is a hero of the main character.

And please look at my adventure story, Princess Essenta. A princess goes on a "fool's errand" to prove to her worth, picking up interesting friends along the way.

Thanks for reading, and take care.