Chapter 30 Return to Darkness

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers." - Jose Narosky

As the wagon train approached our camp, I step out in front of it, “Ok, who the Tartarus is in charge of this rolling herd of dung?”

A large overweight buck with only one eye and wearing a whip on his hip climbs off the second wagon, “I am, who are you?”

Using a name, I saw in the captured paperwork I call out, “Are you, Torquemada?”

“I am, again you better answer me now or taste my whip, who are you?” He yells at me and I see him move his whip to a better position.

“Who I am does not matter, what matters is that Silver Spite is going to be pissed that you are so late,” I tell him and smile as I notice my others troopers have moved into position. I love the fact he came fully into our camp before I stopped them. They are surrounded by over one hundred combat-ready troops and do not even realize it yet.

He gets an angry look on his face, “That upstart, who does he think he is? I am not even behind schedule yet, calling me late.”

At that point, he sees the smile on my face get wider, “Well you see he is not calling you late yet, but he will be, now drop your weapons, you and your troops are now our prisoners.” I tell him just as my troops all bring their weapons to bear on them. The first wagons team begins to try and run and are cut down in their traces, blocking the rest from going forward. At the rear I see that team begin to try and turn and they are cut down too. “Have I made my point or do more need to die.” About this time, I see Archer's gun Nightmare moon come rolling up at a gallop, the gunners swing it around and level it at the wagons.

“Ok, let's get some troops to take these ponies into custody, I need some others to go through and start to check what they are carrying,” I yell.

I watch as it happens. Torquemada yells out “No!” and rushes the troopers who are just getting ready to open the fifth wagon‘s backend. He is almost onto the trooper when I see Xavier’s knife fly through the air and stick into this chest, as he moves, I can see the blood flow more easily, every movement causing the blade to cut more deeply and with more damage into its target. After he falls to the ground, I watch Xavier walk over and pull his knife out with his mouth and wipe on the wagon master’s clothing.

Then I hear one of the other troopers yell, “These sons of mules are slavers LT. They got foals, mares, bucks and even some griffons in here. Better call the engineers, most of them got those fancy collars on too.”

Before I can say or do anything I watch as one of the volunteers who has been assigned to D-troop walks over and puts two rounds into Torquemada, “Filthy slaver overseer this is what you get, for doing this to good ponies.”

It is then I notice the controller for the collars on his waist. He smiles and reaches for it, “I may die, but I will take them with me,” he says, and before he can fully move it, I have put another shot between his eyes.

We gather the rest of the caravan troops together and keep them under guard while the medics and some of the civilian camp members come and assist us with those who were being held as slaves.

I feel disgusted and am reminded of Emerado and when I found her and Republic in a similar situation. My mind then begins to wander back to home and I think of everyone there. It is the last thing I need right now. Bringing myself from home back to the here and now, I still have a job to do.

__________

As we process the released slaves, I notice that Taser is assisting. He seems a little pale. “First time seeing it up close?” I ask.

“Yeah, you can hear about it, but seeing it like this. My Goddesses. LT.”

“I did not get to say it to you earlier Taser, but welcome to the CEF and by extension the Co-op. I think you three are going to do just fine.” I tell him.

“Thanks, I never realized how good we had it in the stable. I mean, I know we had to leave after we got attacked by the Steel Rangers, but before that, it really was not that bad. I mean, even getting used to the sky is throwing me off still.”

“Little secret Taser, most of us are having a hard time getting used to the whole sky thing. Until the day of Rainbows and Sunshine, it was all clouds all the time. I never saw the stars; I think I saw the moon once. And if we saw sunlight, we used to get really excited. So, you are not alone here. I am just glad you joined us.”

“Thanks, LT, I appreciate it. Just curious, rumor has it you are pregnant. Is that true?”

I put my forehoof to my belly and smile, “Yeah, yeah it is true. Taser, it’s my miracle baby. I was badly injured and was told I would most likely never be able to even conceive. So, I am lucky.”

He smiles back, “Congratulations then, but please be a bit more careful LT, if not for you than for your little foal. Have you thought of a name yet?”

Still smiling, I tell him, “If it’s a filly, I want to name her Millie, after my great grandmother Wind Mill, she was security for our stable and led one of the first teams out of it. If it is a colt, I have not decided yet, but I think my spouses and I will have to think of something.”

“Spouses. You know that is still something that is hard to get used to. But for some reason, you seem to take it so in stride.” He tells me.

“Taser, it is not always easy, and to tell the truth, at one time I had another mare who was also going to marry us. She and her foal were killed the same time I was…” I trail off starting to choke up at the memory.

“Yeah, I understand LT, sorry for bringing it up. It’s just that while I am really interested in Cookie, she and Sweets had a thing going in the stable, and I am just not sure if I am really welcome. They have talked about having a relationship like yours, but I am not sure if that is what Sweets wants as well as Cookie.”

“Yeah, I understand, I really do. I have felt that way before too. How do you feel about Sweet Apple? I mean if it was just you two would you still be interested in her?”

He pauses, “Well LT, I really am attracted to her too, but I guess I just don’t know her as well as Cookie.”

I see his nervous honesty, “My advice is to sit down with both of them and figure it all out. It may not be easy, but it will give you peace of mind in the long run.”

“I guess, but if they do not want me where does that leave me in the long run?” he asks.

I smile, “With friends and a new home. They are not just your only friends now. You remember the camaraderie of the security ponies; well the CDF and I guess the CEF are like that too. We are bonded by blood, sweat, and tears. We know we have each other’s backs. But seriously, talk to them. I mean it. You may be more surprised than you think.”

He looks thoughtful, “Your right LT, thanks. I will talk to you later ma’am.”

“Take care Taser, I will talk to you later,” I tell him and then head over to talk to my scouts.

As I follow a trail and get closer, I hear Xochitl talking to Ginger, “And that is why we need to keep my family line so quiet among other zebra’s Ginger.”

“But Xochitl, you have nothing to be ashamed of, it is not your fault who your ancestors were, you did not even know them,” she tells him back.

“But Ginger, the town’s shaman told me the tribes we came from are both looked down upon and shunned by the other tribes. They told me that the Orah are considered backward, inbred, and cultureless by most other tribes. The other tribes also live in fear of the Starkatteri, the other half of my ancestry. They told me that they are the tribe that was known for dealing with spirits and the stars.”

I am trying not to eavesdrop or spy on them, but I do not want to interrupt a moment that seems very important to them, so I sit quietly and wait. Then I hear Ginger tell him, “Well that is their problem then. I like you just the way you are. I am proud to call you my friend” she says and gives him a hug, then I see her look around to make sure no one is watching as she lightly gives a kiss to him on his muzzle.

I see his eyes go wide, and one of his rare smiles, “Thank you, Ginger, I am proud to call you my friend too,” I then see him look around himself, cautiously he takes her face in his forehooves and gently gives her a kiss back.

I see her smile and lean her head onto his shoulder, “Thank you Xochitl. You really are so thoughtful.”

I wait a few more minutes before I approach so as to let them have their time. I still remember being that age.

“Hey Ginger, hey Xochitl, if you want to help, I am sure some of the foals over there could use someone closer to their physical age to trust,” I tell them.

They look at each other, then me, “Physical age, LT?” Xochitl asks.

I nod my head, “Yes, after all you two may still be young, but you have experienced so much and done so much you really do not even talk like youngsters anymore. I would appreciate it if you would help them some. After that, try and get some rest, I have a feeling it will be a long night again.”

“Yes ma’am” they both reply, and head on over to the wagons.

Behind me I hear Blondie, “So what are you doing, having them try to recruit more scouts for you?”

I turn to her, “Nah, not really, just figured those youngsters in the slave wagons could use some support from their own age group. If I was them, I would have a hard time trusting adults. How are you doing?”

She seems surprised, “You really asking me how I am doing? Do you really want to know, or are you just trying to act nice?” She asks suspiciously.

I let out a sigh, “I really want to know. Your one of my people now, whether you like me or not, as long as you are in my command, I care, even after that I probably will.”

She looks at me with a bit of wonder on her face, “Well, I’ll be, you really do care. Ya know your not what I expected after seeing ya in action in New Appleloosa.”

I smile, “Well, that was business, and they wanted to take one of my people, I was not going to let that happen.”

“You mean that even if Trouble was not family, say even if it was Sunset or me, you would have fought like that?”

“Yeah Blondie, I would of.” I then notice her body language, “Is something bothering you?” I ask.

“LT, I am worried about my little colt is all. I know he is in good hooves, but it still bothers me. I mean look what happened to Troubles family.” She tells me.

“So, you do not think the colt is Troubles then?” I ask.

“No, maybe, I don’t know. I mean I guess it really does not matter if it is Sunsets, after all, he and I talked and, well LT, he is all hung up about some mare back in Manesville. I thought if something happened to me, he could raise the foal. But now…”

I laugh sadly, “Yeah, I understand. Just so you know, the mare he is involved with in Manesville is my wife’s best friend. She is a really nice and responsible mare and I am sure would be willing to help raise your son with Sunset, should that be necessary. On the other hoof, if it were Troubles, I do not think he would shy away either.” I tell her.

I see a look of consternation on her face and finally, she asks me, “LT, do you think there could be a place for my little one in the Co-op, him being a pegasus and all?”

I answer back to her, “Yes, for both of you if you wanted. We did not have much contact with pegasi after the stable opened until recently, so the stigma really is not there. You would be welcome there too, as long as you are willing to work, which I have no doubt. Consider it for both of you. It may allow your son to get to know both of his possible fathers as well.”

“Thanks LT, you have given me something to consider.” She says and walks off again.

Eventually, I make my way to the HQ and find the Major again. “Good Job this morning with the ambush. However, I really do not want you taking the risk of exposing yourself so much right now.”

“Thank you, Major. I appreciate it. As for exposing myself, well, I figured they already saw me and it would be easier for me to get them to stop and distract them then if it were one of my NCOs.”

She shakes her head, “I understand, but what about Broken Dreams or Dark Hills. Both of them could have done the same thing. Mollygirl, I want you to start using your support, stop trying to do it all.”

“Yes Ma’am, sorry about that. I don’t mean to be that way.” I tell her.

I hear her let out a breath, and see her fighting pinning her ears back, in an exasperated voice she tells me, “I do not care if you mean to, I am telling you to do it, my way lieutenant. You have more than just yourself to worry about now. You’re going to be a mother, now start acting like it and protect that foal.”

“Yes, ma’am. I will do better.” I tell her.

She has calmed down now and tells me, “You better, your family is more important than a career, I made that mistake, do not do the same.”

I am shocked, I never expected to hear that from her of all ponies. I say nothing but only nod.

“Ok, so what all did you find in the wagons this time?” she asks me.

“Well ma’am we found five wagons of supplies, one was ammunition, the others water, and food. We also liberated sixty-seven slaves. Mainly bucks and mares but a few foals and one Griffon.” I tell her.

Behind her I see Dull Beaks eyebrow raise, “Really, a griffon as a slave? Could you please take me to them?”

“Sure thing DB. Just let me finish up with the Major here.” I tell him.

“Ok, Mollygirl, that sounds good. With that kind of a haul, I want to get rid of the prisoners and as many of the slaves as we can.” She looks up, “Paper Work, get Captain Root over here. I have an assignment for him.”

“Ma’am do you want any of my scouts out right now?” I ask.

“Actually, I would like two sets out, one east and northeast, the other to the west. No need to get surprised again.” She tells me, then dismisses me.

I send a quick message to Sunset to let him know what I want, then take Dull Beak over to the liberated griffon slave.

When we get there, we find her being tended by Triage, who looks over her shoulder and I see her ears go back and then one moves from forward to back two more times. She is agitated but has just told me to ask later. Then she shakes her head as we get closer. As she treats and tries to comfort her patient.

I stop Dull Beak and lead him away, “Not yet, give her time.” I tell him quietly.

I see the look on his face as he says, “I know her. That’s Guerre Faucon, she is one of Gawd’s Talons. What has happened to her?”

I put a hoof on his shoulder, “Be patient when Triage feels she is ready for us, then we can ask.” I tell him.

After a bit, Triage comes over to us. “Sorry about the wait, she is in a bad place right now. I am not sure what happened to her, but she is a wreck. I have never seen a griffon this badly beat down mentally.”

“Can I talk to her?” Dull Beak asks.

I see Triage pause and think about it. “Might as well if you know her it might help ground her. They did a number on her, take it easy and try not to get upset.”

I stand back by Triage as we watch him approach Guerre, He begins to speak to her quietly and at first, she just stares ahead. Eventually, it seems she realizes it is someone she knows. She grabs him and buries her face in his fur. I see him look uncomfortably around and then just wrap a wing around her and holding her as she cries. Finally, she stops crying and lays down to sleep on the ground. He gently gets up and walks over to us. “She is a friend a mine; we did a lot of jobs together over the years. I am not sure what they did to her, but she is not like this. I think we need to get her back to Shatterhoof as soon as possible.” He tells us. “Gawd, needs to know what they have done to one of our own.”

Quietly back to him, I ask, “With the fighting in Fillydelphia, do you think she does not expect this kind of thing? What more can she offer that she is not already doing?”

“Mollygirl, what would you do if you saw one of the strongest beings you know had been broken?” He asks as he stops me, and makes me look him in the face.

I look at him back, “My duty, but I would try to help them as much as I could while upholding it. I am really sorry you have had this come into your life also.” Then I quietly turn and walk away. I think of all those I have loved and cared about that I watched die or be broken. I know he would not understand.

__________

The Major has Oak Root take most of E-troop to escort the prisoners and the released slaves to Shatterhoof. Dull Beak joins them, for now, to help Guerre on her way home. We have extra pickets set out for the night to make sure we are not surprised. Even with those measures and my scouts having set out before twilight to make sure we are clear I feel uncomfortable camping two nights in a row in the same place with Silver Spite's forces so close.

In fact, it seems most of us are having trouble sleeping that night. The moon is giving off very little light tonight. It is after midnight when suddenly flares illuminate the woods, we are camped in. Suddenly there is gunfire and I am reaching for my battle saddle as I hear Xavier yell to Choo Choo, “Train Wreck grab the foals and disappear. Get them out of here.”

“Dad, No, I can fight,” I hear Xochitl say along with the protestations of Ginger.

Over the gunfire and explosions, I hear him tell them, “Not this time, this is a slavers raid, I know the signs. Train Wreck that is an order, now!”

I watch as she runs up and throws both of the youngsters onto her back and then the three just disappear, as I feel the wind from her wings blow against me. The rest of my scouts and troopers are fighting hard and it is soon hoof to hoof. It seems we are beating them back when suddenly I feel a sharp blow to the back of my head and the world goes dark.

I awake and I feel myself bound up and being carried. I then hear the voices of a stallion, “Well the general should be pleased, sure we did not capture too many of them, but we did get an officer at least. She should be good for a few extra caps.”

I hear another voice, “Yeah, but she seems to be a bit on the scrawny side. Too bad the Zebra that was with her got away. The kind of fight he put up, he would have been good for labor or for the fightin pit.”

“True, he would have been a good prize, but she put up a good fight too. Lucky for ya I got behind her else your positions may have been the other way.” The first one says.

“Hey, it was not my fault that just as I was getting ready to grab her those others came at me.” The second one responds in a whiny voice.

“Worst part is most of what we caught was civilians. And too bucking few of them if you ask me. Who thought their civilians would put up such a fight too?”

Well, at least I know Xavier got away. I begin to try and do a self-check, other than the pain from the ropes binding me and the pain from where I was hit in the back of the head. I then see a unicorn with yellow saddlebags come alongside me, he notices I am awake and I see his horn flare just before I fall into darkness once more.

I awake sometime later. I am in a barn along with several civilians and one other CEF soldier. I do not know him but recognize him, he is a young buck from 7th squad of D-troop. We are all chained and have collars on us. I notice that they are not explosive ones, but they link to the others.

The trooper quietly whispers, “I am so sorry they got you too LT. But if anyone can get us out of here, I am sure it is you.”

“Thanks, we will see what we can do,” I tell him. I do not want to dash his hopes, but I have no idea how we can get out of this. In fact, I am frightened of what will happen to me and my foal. I do not want to give birth to a child only to have it taken away in bondage.

I see at the door of the barn there are two armed guards. I also see some inside the hayloft above us. I hear what is either an officer or NCO outside the door, “Soldier, let me know when Torquemada gets here. He will be picking up these slaves and taking them to Fillydelphia, then we can get back to real soldiering again.”

“Yes sir,” I hear the soldier reply, then he asks, “When do we expect him, sir?” He is calling him sir, so it must be an officer.

“He should have been here this morning. The stupid mule probably got drunk again, that or taking advantage of one of the slaves. Heck for all we know he has beaten another one to death. Anyway, he is still late, so just keep me informed.”

“Yes sir,” I hear the soldier reply as I hear hoof steps leading away from the barn.

That evening they feed us a meal of something that normally I would not give to an enfield. But I need to eat, I have to for my foal if not for me. So, I eat it, and when some of the others refuse to, I am ashamed, but I ask them If I can have theirs too.

A couple of hours later, the sun is just starting to go down when my captures decide to take me into the farmhouse to be interrogated. I am taken inside and tied down in a chair. My back legs hurt as they hang over the side of the seat. My front hooves are tied to the arms of the chair. Across the room is a fireplace with a fire. At first, I am enjoying the warmth from it, but then I realize I see several irons that have their points in the flames being heated. It is at this point I really begin to worry.

My worry turns to terror when the door opens and in steps Silver Spite. He is still distracted at this point talking to somepony outside, “I will get right back to you after I get done interrogating this prisoner. Until then, send out a few scouts to try and find that caravan, they are way overdue. If Torquemada thinks his behavior of being late will go unpunished, he is very wrong, and I will correct it.”

He still looks angry as he turns his head in my direction. Then I see the sadistic smile on his face when he recognizes me. “Oh my, what have we here? I guess you only thought you got away. This is going to be so much fun.” He says.

I am terrified and want to scream but no noise seems to come out. My eyes are wide and my ears pinned back in fear as he approaches. “Before I ask any questions, I need you to understand that this is personal. I really want to hurt you, and If I feel you are lying to me, I will make the pain more intense.”

After telling me this he back hooves me across the face. My head slams against the back of the chair and I taste blood in my mouth. I watch in terror as he uses his magic to pick up one of the irons from the fire. It is red hot and he places it close enough to my cheek that I can smell fur burning.

“Now, what is the strength of your forces Lieutenant?” he asks his voice full of disdain.

My eyes are on the iron as I tell him, “I am not sure. More than a battalion, but that is all I know.” I tell him.

“Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, Lieutenant, you are holding back and I already told you what I would do.” He tells me as he places the poker against my cheek. I scream in pain as I begin to feel it burn the right side of my face.

He draws it away, and places it back into the fire and picks up another one. “Again, how many troops do you have in your forces?”

“I, I am not sure. We have supply and support troops as well as volunteers. I already told you that, that I do not know for sure.”

He gives me a sad smile, “Ah but you certainly have an estimate for those numbers, as well as types, what are they?”

“I, I really do not know, I am a low lieutenant, they do not tell me these things,” I answer quickly.

“You are not telling me everything, that is a form of lying.” He tells me and draws the new iron from just below my right eye along my cheek. Again, I am forced to scream in pain and almost pass out from it.

He is just placing that iron back in the fire and getting the next ready when I hear a commotion in the next room and the door gets kicked open. In steps a large red unicorn with a solid black mane and tail. I see general’s insignia on his uniform as he looks at the room and demands, “What is the meaning of this?”

I see Silver Spite jump and answer, “Just interrogating a prisoner General.”

“Really, haven’t I told you about your interrogations before Captain. It is just this behavior that has prevented me from advancing you to Major.” The general tells him.

I see hate on Silver Spite's face as he answers back, “But sir, she may have information we can use. Besides she is only going to be a slave now.”

“And if she lives, she will only be fit for a laborer, no buck would want to rut with her after what you have done to her face, much less pay to do so. Not only have you breached the code of conduct for the treatment of officers, but you have even reduced her value as a slave. Now get out. I will deal with you later you damn whelp. I should have had your mother drown you at birth.”

He turns and looks at me. Shakes his head, “Doctor Forceps, Bonesaw, get in here.” He calls. Then he looks at me. “They are my personal medical team; they will do what they can for you.” He tells me. Under his breath I hear him, “Damn Silver Spite, I treated you well and gave you everything as a foal, what the Tartarus is wrong with you?”

I see the two medical ponies enter, “Yes General Bursting Star?” the first ask.

“Take care of the prisoner. Another one of my son’s experiments it seems.” He says with disgust as he walks out the door.

The two ponies take care of me quickly cleaning the burns and giving me a healing potion. “I am sorry, but the burns are deep enough you are going to have scarring. I do not have any hydra, or I would offer you that.”

I look at him, “How, how bad?”

He looks at me sadly, “From just under your eye to just short of your snip. About an inch wide.”

“Thank you for doing what you can,” I tell them both.

After they are done treating me, they both leave and I am left alone in the room, tied to the chair by myself. It is then that the tears begin to fall. Outside the house, I can hear the General dressing down Silver Spite.

Finally, I hear the arguing cease. It seems I have been forgotten here. At least it is warm. But of course, now when I can do nothing, I would start to get an itch on the left side of my face.

After the sun has gone down, I start to hear noise outside, then gunshots ring out. I hear one of the guards "Bucking pegasus up there shooting at us.”

I hear another guard yelling “There are more over there, they are heading for the barn.” The whole time I keep hearing gunshots.

Next, I hear Dusty's voice yell out, “We found some prisoners in the barn, but the LT is not here.”

Then I hear Archer call back, “Somepony check the house quick.”

I hear the front door open and two shots ring out. Then I hear Sawbones and Forceps, “Don’t shoot us, she’s in there. We have done what we could.”

The first one through the door is Trouble followed by Blondie. Trouble calls out, “Sutures, get in here, now!”

Sutures comes running into the room a few minutes later, she sees me and skids to a stop, “Oh no, sweetheart what happened,” she says as she comes over to me. Holding the non-burned side of my face against her chest as Trouble and Blondie cut me loose.

Through my tears, I ask, “Is this real? Are you really here to save me?”

“Shhh, its ok Mollygirl, its ok,” Sutures tells me.

Trouble then looks me in the eyes, “Who did this Mollygirl?”

“Silver Spite, who else. The General stopped him, thank the Goddess.” I tell him.

I see the snarl form on Trouble's face, “I will kill that son of a buck.”

About that time Archer comes in, I see the stunned look on his face. “Mollygirl, are you alright?” he asks as he tenderly lifts my face so he can look into my eyes.

“I, I guess. I will live.” I tell him.

Then he asks, “Those two in the other room, the doctor and the medical assistant, did they have anything to do with this?”

“No, not at all. In fact, they helped me as much as they could. They are the Generals personal medics.”

Then Archer looks around, “Seems the General and Silver Spite got away. Sorry about that,” he tells me, then he looks around, “Ok, let's get our people and get out of here. Assemble the prisoners and get them ready also.”

I look at Archer, “At least let the medical staff go free. They are good ponies and I think we may need ponies like them on their side.”

“Ok, for you Moll I will do it, but the others are coming with us.”

I then see Archer write a brief note. “Mollygirl, I am leaving this note for the General, what do you think?” he asks me and then places it before me to read.

Dear General Bursting Star,

I am releasing your Doctor and his assistant without parole. I am doing this both as a reward to them for their treatment of Lieutenant Mollygirl, as well as for you for having stopped the abuse of a prisoner. While we are on opposite sides of this fight, we can still do so Equinely. Again, thank you for making sure all of the prisoners were treated as well as possible and being willing to correct those who abused them.

Sincerely

Lieutenant Archer,

CEF

“Thank you, Archer, that should be fine,” I tell him as they help me to my hooves as I go out the door, I see all my scouts are there as well as the 1st and 2nd squads of the Door Kickers.

Archer looks at me and whispers, “They are all volunteers. We had to turn some down even, as we wanted a small quick strike group.” As I look around, I see a wagon come around the corner of the barn being pulled by Kicker and one of the other cows. Once they stop Sutures helps me climb into the back along with some of the other prisoners who are wounded. Once I am in and laying down Sutures gets up into the wagon and we begin to move as she continues to treat me and the others. At first, I have a hard time believing it is real, but then I begin to relax with the rhythm of the wagon swaying, my people have come to save me. Finally, I fall asleep again and return to darkness.

__________

Once we arrive back at camp, I go with Archer to HQ to report in. When the Major sees my face, she is outraged. Then she finds out who did it. “That’s enough from him. Dull Beak, how do I go about setting up a bounty on him?” She asks.

It is then that I see Dull Beak come over, “Are you sure because I can set that up quickly but it will take a lot of caps to put a price on his head.”

“How many would you recommend?” she asks.

He pauses and thinks a bit, “At least seven to eight thousand caps. I mean he is dangerous, but he is limited in his movements by his military duty. That should help the bounty hunters. Do you want him alive only, if so, that will cost more, maybe over ten thousand caps?”

She stops and thinks, “I think eight thousand caps should do. I do not care if he is alive or not, but if not, we need proof it was him.”

“Understood Major, I will be back in a while then while I set this up.” He tells her then flies off.

After he leaves the Major approaches closer to me, she puts a hoof over my shoulder, “Mollygirl this is mare to mare, not Major to Lieutenant, you have been through a lot, I need to know, are you ok?”

I nod my head yes and respond, “I think so, other than being hit and burned I think I am ok.”

She nods back, “How’s your foal doing? Have you had Sutures check you out yet?”

I am holding my head down with a hoof on my belly when I answer, “No, not yet. I tried my best to be careful for her, I really did. As much as I hated what they gave us to eat, I ate it, and when the others did not finish, or want theirs I asked for it and ate it also. I was afraid that if they found out I was pregnant, what they would do, especially Silver Spite. I am sure he would have taken delight in causing me to miscarriage and then killing me for a two for one. Ma’am the General is his father and I even overheard him mumbling to himself about something being wrong with him.”

I see a worried look on her face. “Your back with us now Mollygirl, your safe now.”

I look up at her, “Ma’am, I thought I was safe before. I, I can’t do that again. I just want to go home now.” I tell her as I start to breakdown and cry, the Major, no, Quick Trot comforting me. I hear somepony coming up to us and I begin to try and sit straight again, I feel her shake her head to them and then she continues to comfort me. I have never felt like this before. After a while my tears subside, I feel ashamed for having broken down in public.

“Thank you Major, I am sorry about that.”

“Not a problem Lieutenant, we all have our times like that, maybe someday I can tell you about Hoofington, that was my breakdown point. Thank the Goddesses I had a good sergeant to do for me what I just did for you.” She is quiet for a bit staring off into space, seeing something that I cannot, I see her give a small shiver, “Well Mollygirl, head back to your troops and try and get some rest. We will break camp in the morning”

“Goodnight Quick Trot, Thank you again. And Major, thanks for sending them after me. I really appreciate it.”

She smiles and tells me, “Lieutenant, I do believe I would have faced a mutiny from half the CEF if I had not done so. As it was, I had to slow your scouts down to let us get everything organized. I just wish we could have gotten there sooner.”

“I do too, but I know you all did the best you could. Besides they would have had to have been at least two hours earlier to avoid this,” I say as I point at the bandages on my cheek, then I turn and walk slowly back to my camp deep in thought.

As I walk, I keep asking myself in my mind questions such as how will Badger and Magpie handle my ruined looks? Will they still want me? Will anypony want me? Then it really hits me, how can I subject my foal to being raised by a mother who looks like a monster now? The other foals and calf will taunt her, I can’t do that to her, I just can’t. I tell myself.

Once back to camp I am greeted by first my scouts and then by the members of the first and second squad as those not on watch come over to see me and tell me how glad they are I am back safely. Even the enfields seem excited I am back. “Thank you, everyone, I owe you all so much,” I tell them.

We sit around the fire and talk for a while. While I am there Nugget comes over to read to Ginger. When she sees me, she comes over and gives me a hug. “I am so glad you are ok Mollygirl. I wanted to go on the raid to get you, but they would only allow a few troops. They allowed Archer only because he threatened to desert and go find you.”

“Thank you, Nugget, I really appreciate it. By the way, I had not heard that about Archer.”

She smiles, “If you were not with Badger and Magpie, I would say you could do a whole lot worse than him. Sad thing is, until the expedition, I never really noticed him. Makes me wonder why.”

“You know Nugget, I have asked myself the same thing recently. Well, I should let you go read to Ginger. I know how much she loves it as well as the rest of the troops.” I tell her.

“You know Mollygirl, I really am enjoying having her out here with us. While I am not with her as much as I would like, I feel I have gotten to know her so much better. She is growing up so fast.”

That reminds me. “Speaking of growing up so fast, I think it is time for her to have the talk.”

Nugget looks at me, “No, she is not old enough yet, besides, my parents never had the talk with me and look how I turned out.”

I sigh, “I caught her and Xochitl kissing the other day, I know him being a zony should be safe, but still I am worried as it is not guaranteed. If you do not feel comfortable, I could give her the same talk that Sumac gave me, or we could see if Dusty would want to give her the talk instead.”

I see the look on her face. She is definitely not comfortable with it. After a short bit of thought, she tells me, "Well, maybe you should do it. Poor Dusty got the talk from old Bear after he caught her playing house with one of the Colts she went to school with. I think it scarred her for life,” she says laughing, but she stops when she looks at my face, “Sorry, I didn't mean ta joke like that…”

“Relax Nugget, I know you didn’t. Ok sometime in the next couple of days I will give her the talk.”

It is right about then I hear Ginger, “What talk is that LT?”

I groan to myself, “The one about the birds and the breezies Ginger, you're getting to be a young mare now.”

She giggles some, “Oh I had that talk from granny Sumac a while back. Right after she caught Pona and Xochitl playing some game in the barn. She gave it to all three of us.”

Both Nugget and I let out a deep breath and start laughing, I look at Nugget, “Well I guess that saves us that problem.”

Nugget puts a hoof on her daughters’ shoulder, "Come on little mare, lets go read that next story.”

They both turn and I follow them back to the fire and sit down and enjoy the night's story along with the others. As she tells the story I feel a pony come up on each side of me and put a hoof around me. I smile when I notice it is Archer and Sutures.

After the stories, I am joined in my bedroll by both of them. I am laying facing Archer this time due to my wound. Behind me, Sutures has her hooves over me. Both give me a kiss good night. “Thank you both. Thank you for not feeling I am so ugly you didn’t even want to be around me.” I tell them.

I feel Archers hoof under my chin and he looks me in the eyes. "Mollygirl, you really do not realize how beautiful you are to us both. Mollygirl, if it was not for your rules, I would be more than happy to take you and claim you as my mare. I am sure Badger and Magpie feel the same.”

Behind me I feel Sutures move closer, and hear her voice, “We are both here for you beautiful. We mean it, do not ever doubt it.”

I smile to myself than finally tell them, “Thank you both of you, I hope you are not angry now about the letter I sent to Badger and Magpie telling them of your proposal of a conjoined family. I sent it when I was in New Appleloosa, so who knows, by now they may have it.”

I feel them both squeeze me and kiss me. Sutures whispering in my ear, “You do not know how happy that make us love. Now get some sleep.”

As I lay there trying to fall asleep, I feel an enfield work its way beneath my blankets again and have to smile. Just before I fall asleep, I see what I have read described as a shooting star, and wonder to myself, what do the stars have planned for me?

__________

Dear DJ Pon3, today we got hit and hit hard, we lost several ponies and cattle as well as had some taken prisoner. We were able to go save them but some are in pretty rough shape, could you please play No One Stands Alone for the LT and the others we got back.

Thanks

Duke,

Sergeant 1st Squad, Door Kickers troop

CEF

Author's Note

Thanks again to Kkat for creating the universe of FoE. I would also like to thank the many authors who have built upon her world and expanded it. They have each provided me with entertainment as well as making we think.

The youtube link for this weeks dedication song is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s--xys1mv2g&fbclid=IwAR3l5YnVpcyzqqQw2WT1JnN2zp6fbl3MPdhOTzEj74RIBe7z4vIM-odVoKw