Chapter 16: An Intricate Dance

“Which side are we on? We're on the side of the demons, chief. We're evil men in the gardens of paradise, sent by the forces of death to spread devastation and destruction wherever we go.”

— COL Saul Tigh

Enroute to Meat Locker, Lunar Commonwealth: Ginger Snaps

We had only just arrived at Mega Mart before the caravan had us back on the road again. As soon as we got there, Trader Jewel had us harness up Cowlick into our cart and we were moving again. It was kind of sad for us though as Tek has decided to stay at Mega Mart for now instead of coming with us this time.

While I can understand this, I have gotten used to having him as part of the team. I have a feeling Xochitl is really going to miss him too as they were always on point together. We said a quick goodbye to him and I did see Epona slip a note to him. Though I don’t know what it says or if it was even to him.

As we head towards Meat Locker We come across a large open area, much of it looks to have been farmland at one time. However, we also see damage from battles long ago. I am surprised though when I see the heavily picked over wreckage of a raptor class airship. I mention this to Rosie and Nellie and they tell me, “Yeah, that is from the big fight all those years back when the Enclave were fighting each other.”

As we pass it, I notice in faded lettering along the bow the name Azimuth. I see the giant rents in the frame. The deeply piled dirt along the bottom edge from the force of impact as well as the twisted metal sticking out in so many directions. I ask, “Did you see what happened?”

They both shake their heads no Rosie answers, “No, we were still in Appleloosa. However, Jambalaya said he was still a foal and he watched it crash.”

Then Nellie says, “Yeah, he said it was one of the first to go down that day. Have you ever seen an airship fight?”

I feel my face slip from a smile as I tell them, “Yeah, on the day of Sunshine and Rainbows we had one attack the stable in Manesville.”

Rosie excitedly asks, “What happened?”

I think back to that day so long ago. “The sirens were going off so our entire class had taken shelter in the storm cellar of the school house. But I wanted to see what was going on and snuck out.” I pause as I figure out what to say. “A raptor from Neighvarro attacked the town of Manesville and the stable. Their fliers also attacked some of the smaller communities of the Co-op.”

Nellie stops me and asks, “Cookie, what is the Co-op?”

“Oh, that was the communities that banded together with the stable back before home joined the NCR.”

They both look at each other and Rosie says, “Ya know we never heard of this Co-op.”

“I am not surprised, we tried to keep it quiet back then,” I answer. Then I continue, “My adopted mother Mollygirl and my adopted grandmother Emerado rode on our friend George to attack the raptor along with some dashites that had come to the Co-op.”

“So, who is George, and what happened?” Nellie asks.

I then tell them, “Oh, George is a friend of ours who is a dragon. They finally got close enough for George to breathe fire into their hanger bay. I guess they were loading bombs into sky carts or something as it really exploded. I was miles away and could see the explosion. The raptor then turned away and last I saw it was heading back in the direction of Neighvarro. Another one showed up shortly afterward coming from the direction of Fillydelphia. I guess they saw George and the others and they turned away too. But it looked to be damaged already also. So, I guess that makes sense.”

They both stare at me and I hear Rosie ask, “Are you serious? You watched it?”

“Yeah, yeah I did, I also got to see the cost,” I tell them quietly. “We got hammered that day. Ma lost a lot of friends. And we lost some civilian friends of the family.” I stop and I look up, “They nailed our hospital full on. Took down an entire wing, including the maternity wing.”

I see the look of horror on both of their faces. The Brahmin bull on their other side even looks at us and one of his heads asks, “What did you expect from the Enclave? Look at what they did to Friendship City, much less themselves.”

I nod my head more in understanding than agreement. Then I tell him, “I expected them to hit the base. That makes sense, but when they started to try and burn our villages and crops.” I stop and just shake my head at the memory.

“My classmates let me know it was leaner times for a harvest season after that, but not as bad as it could have been. But I did not hear that until we got back from the expedition.” They all nod their heads at that as they have heard me and Xochitl tell them about the expedition a bit before.

Then I hear the bull from the far side say, “Did you really say that two earth ponies rode a dragon into battle?”

I laugh lightly, “Yeah, Ma Mollygirl loves to fly, but that may have to do with her having had pegasus blood way back in her line. Now Emerado; she seemed to hate it, but she did well enough. Epona told me that Mollygirl and Lieutenant Colonel Milo rode George during the battle of Harness too.”

I see them all stare at me and I hear the bull say, “I remember being in Hackamore that day, we were passing through, you mean that crazy mare raised you?”

I begin to laugh and tell him, “Yeah, that was Mama Mollygirl, she is also known as Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl, or the one my team just calls the colonel.”

I see him shake both heads and then he says, “Well that explains a bit more about all of you then. I should have known all of you came from the same place. That was the first time I ever saw one of our cattle brethren, and to top it off they were in uniform. I will never forget that cow with the sergeant stripes running over to us through an artillery barrage to tell us to either hit the ditch for shelter or run as far and as fast as we could for safety.”

I nod my head wondering which trooper that cow was. But I guess she left a mark on the other bull’s memory.

As we get closer, I see what looks like a gigantic tortoise shell that I at first had mistaken for a part of the hill. I quickly ask Rosie and Nellie, “What is that place?” motioning ahead with my head.

We are just rounding a curve in the road on a small hill and Rosie, seeing it, says, “Oh, that there, that is Meat Locker. Before the war, I guess it was called the Hoofington Memorial Hospital.”

I am surprised as I look at it and tell them, “My Goddesses, it looks like a giant bunker. I was expecting a hospital like Fluttershy.”

They smile at me in an almost patronizing manner and I hear Nellie say, “Everyone seems to think it looks like that the first time they see it. Not sure why everyone is so surprised at the way it looks. I mean they did build it during the war and this far enough from the Core they may have taken the possibility of it being attacked by Caesar's legions more seriously. Besides as you notice it still survived while most of the buildings in this area are ruins.”

I nod my head in agreement. “Ok, that makes sense to me I guess,” I pause and ask, “So what is that big hole in the ground over there? Did someone try to hit it with a Balefire Bomb or Mega Spell?”

This time I hear the bull laugh from both heads and the closer one says, “No, that used to be the old Hightower maximum security prison. Something happened to it about ten years ago. Not sure what, but I have heard several rumors, none that I can point to as true though.”

“Huh. Oh, ok, I appreciate what you could tell me.” I tell them as we get closer to Meat Locker.

I begin to smell them before I can see them. It is almost like going to Dead Quiet back home in Manesville. I really begin to appreciate the extra effort put out by the ghouls back home now to disguise the smell of decay that just comes along with ghouls, especially in large numbers.

It is still a couple of hours until sunset when we arrive. As we pull up outside of the place in what would have been a parking lot at one time, we circle our caravan again using our normal method of breaking in the middle and bowing outwards. I watch as Trader Jewel and Choo both approach the doors. Behind the sandbag barricades there, I see some ghouls in combat armor interact with them. One comes forward to talk while the others are providing an overwatch for them. Not too far from them, I see Xochitl. He has his carbine still out, but it is in a typical carry position, rather than one he would use if he was expecting trouble.

I smile to myself as we get the ok signal from Trader Jewel and I watch as our caravan begins to set up camp for the next couple of days. As this is going on I hear Choo call over the radio net, “Team meeting with the Meat Locker Security leadership in five minutes. Make it snappy, people.”

Shortly after this, our team assembles with Choo at the Barricade in front of the entrance to Meat Locker.

As we approach, I hear Tater say, “They have a nice setup for that Mare Duce behind the Sandbags. I wonder what else they have?”

Cowlick nods his head, “Yeah, it is pretty good, but They need to put up at least one more off to the side a bit, so they can get a good crossfire.”

When he says this, I hear one of the guards there say, “Breathers, think they know everything.”

I hear Epona laugh at this and as I look at her to see what she is laughing about. I hear the same guard ask, “What’s so funny breather?”

She smiles at him and says, “I have only heard a few ghouls use that term, the last one was Fire Box, but she comes from under Canterlot Mountain. So, I was surprised to hear it.”

I see him tilt his head and he asks, “So you know a ghoul?”

Our entire team actually nods our heads and then one of the other ghouls asks as she points towards Epona, “You, yes you. You actually know Fire Box?”

Epona then says, “I can’t really say I know her, but I have met her and talked to her along with Side Track. But that was several years ago.”

I see the ghoul look kind of suspicious at her, and then she asks, “Ok if you know them, who was the pony keeping them from getting together?”

I hear Choo Choo take a deep breath and sigh. Then she says in an embarrassed tone of voice, “That would have been me. But I was not actively doing so. He was still hoping he would find me. Well, we were both surprised when we found each other.” She pauses briefly, shakes her head, and then says, “I had lost most of my memories, and he helped me regain them. But we both had found other ponies and to be honest, it was time for him to move on, and I am glad he did.”

The ghoul mare looks skeptical and asks, “Ok, if you know so much, what’s your name?”

Choo smiles a half grin and tells her, “Choo Choo. He was my fiancé on the last day. And after this happened to me, well, I guess you can understand.”

The ghoul looks at her in disgust and says, “Let me guess, once you became an alicorn you were too good for a regular pony.”

That is when I hear Sunny begin to laugh and the ghoul shoots daggers at him with her eyes as she asks, “What’s so funny Enclaver?”

Sunny giggles some more then tells her, “Well, her special somepony Paper Work back home would argue that with you. And he is just an earth pony.” He then smiles and tells her, “As for being an Enclaver, well, that is neigh on impossible for me. See my mother was a unicorn and pa is an earth pony. So, I am a wild pegasus you might say.”

The leader of the Meat Locker guards then tells us, “Ok, now I need your attention.”

We all turn to him and have our ears forward. Once he sees this, he begins, “Ok, so it seems you know a few ghouls. Glad to hear it. That means you won’t be so quick on the trigger with the ones inside. If you or your people go inside, you are warned to stay only in the normally marked areas. It is dark in many of the areas, and while we have pushed those of us who are feral into the subway area, we have had problems with tourists bothering them.”

We all look at each other and nod in response. Then Choo asks, “Sir, why are you telling this, particularly to my team and not the rest of the caravan?”

He grins as well as his face allows him and tells her, “Ma’am, because most of the caravan has been here before, and with this many youngsters in a group, I have come to expect trouble.”

Choo then looks at us and says, “Ok, as a reminder, if you leave the caravan site here, you are to use the buddy system. No one goes by themselves. Do you understand me?”

“Yes ma’am,” we chorus, which seems to surprise the ghouls.

Their security chief then asks Choo, “You sure you aren’t military?”

Twinks sighs and tells him, “Sorry Sir, but only myself and Salt Lick over there were not raised in military families.”

He nods his head, “I guess that explains that then. Ok, have a good time, but be safe and do not bother my people.”

We all nod at him and again we chorus, “Yes sir.” Then we all smile as he shakes his head and wanders back through the double doors behind the barricade leading inside.

*****

Meat Locker, Lunar Commonwealth: Xochitl

After things begin to settle down, we hear music coming from inside Meat Locker. Choo tells us, “Ok, half of you can go inside for a bit. Only for a couple of hours. Once you come back out, the others can rotate in.

I see Ginger smile at me and I find myself smiling back as she and I walk tail and tail towards the door. Behind us, I hear Choo tell Sunny, “You go ahead Sunny, I want a flier available to both sections if we need it.”

Soon I hear Sunny and Cowlick trotting behind us. The atrium is dimly light and off to one side I see a sign saying ER and it points to a set of double doors marked Emergency Room. Through the glass doors, I can see several vendor stalls set up as we pass that corridor.

We are more interested in finding the club they call the Afterlife, which is located in the old cafeteria, and we follow the signs pointing the way to it. As we get closer, we can hear the music getting louder.

As we go down the hallway, I see a sign pointing down a hallway that is marked ICU, beneath it is a mouth-painted sign, Beds For Rent. Soon we reach the doors to the cafeteria and I am stunned when I look inside. First off, they have a permanent stage built along one wall. Tonight, as we enter, I see a group of bat ponies with musical instruments playing on the stage. The lead singer though I can see is a yellow pegasus mare with a pink mane and tail.

The music is not like anything I have heard back home. It is much faster and louder and the singer is almost screaming. However, I can’t help but find myself with my head bobbing back and forth with a hoof in the air pumping also. I look over at Ginger and I see her smiling at me as she watches me. Behind me, I hear Cowlick yelling “Yeah, Tartarus Yeah! Play it!” as he bounces on his hooves bobbing his head as well. I would feel more out of place here, but I see many ghouls and other ponies doing the same thing on the dance floor.

I quickly look for Sunny and I see him flying over to a table with four of the same type of ponies as are on stage. Except for one mare who I swear is the same color as his mother. The music is so loud that I can not hear what Ginger is telling me. Then she points to a bar along one of the walls. Behind the bar, I am stunned as I see a robot. I saw a couple of security bots during the expedition, but not up close like this. The robot is working the bar as a bartender. I smile as I notice it is what looks like a Mister Hoovesie robot like I saw in a book. However, this one has been painted with pin-stripes and is wearing a black wide-brimmed hat with a rolled edge and a rounded top on its dome. As I watch I see him mix a drink for a ghoul mare and serve it to her.

Ginger mimes taking a drink and points to them. I nod my head and go over to the bar to get us both a drink as she heads toward a table and chairs not too far from the batponies Sunny seems to know. As I get close, I barely overhear the robot tell the ghoul he is serving, “Your lucky I have my combat inhibitor active, or else I would vaporize your maggot-ridden zebra-loving hide.”

The ghoul laughs lightly and then responds with, “I love you too ya old bucket of bolts Cerberus.”

I swear I almost hear a growl come from the robot. Then I am at the bar and I see the robotic lense for the bartender look at me and it extends as it focuses on me. I hear his voice say in a sarcastic tone, “What can I get you?”

“How about eight hard ciders for me and my pals.”

“Sure, might as well seeing I can’t tack your filthy stripped hide to the wall as it deserves.” He says, which gets me to raise an eyebrow, but I have heard worse before, and honestly, he seems to hate the world in general so it is not personal.

He pours the pints and puts them on the counter. I then ask, “Could I borrow a tray for these?”

“A tray he asks for. A typical stripe thing to do. I bet your ancestors made the Cesar proud.”

“Actually, no. We were loyal Equestrians.” I answer.

He then states, “You have four hooves and are not a robot, you lie. Just like the rest of these rotten bastards here.” He then uses a mechanical arm to pick up a tray from under the bar and puts it on the bar. He places the pints on the tray. I take the edge of the tray in my mouth and I begin to carry it to the table. As I go, I notice above us that Sunny is flying with the white mare he was talking to earlier. I am amused enough that I almost bump into one of the ghouls, but stop just in time. Finally, I make it to the table.

I put three of the pints on our table and see Sunny and the mare have landed and are with the others. I take the tray over to their table and set it down. “Hey Sunny, I figured you and your friends over here might be thirsty.”

Sunny smiles and replies, “Hay Chotil, that would be great. Thanks.” He begins to take the pints from the tray and then remembers, “Oh, I have not introduced you yet.”

He then introduces me to them, starting first with the white mare, “This is Xochitl, back home we just call him Chotil as that is how it looks when written out. These two over here are Ankareeda and Arrats, the stallion over here is Asra. I met them at the stable with Choo. Why don’t you have the others come to join us.”

“A pleasure to meet you, I will be right back,” I yell to them. Then I go get Ginger and Cowlick. Once we are close enough, I tell them to come to join us over with Sunny and the others. We grab our drinks and head on over to the others. Soon our two groups are sitting and talking.

I am talking with Asra while the band is taking a break and he asks me, “Why is your pegasus so interested in Morning Star? No pony else is interested in her.”

“Well, I Am not sure, but she does look a lot like his mother. But you said there are not many of your kind left?”

“That is true, and her color is because of it. No one wants it in their family line.” He tells me quietly.

“So, you are saying you are ok with them dating?” I ask.

He looks at me, tilting his head, then he asks, “Where you come from, is it normal to mix species?”

I shrug, “I guess, I had not thought about it. But yeah, I guess.”

“And what would his parents say if they were to get serious?”

I laugh then tell him, “Thank the Goddesses that he finally found somepony to tame him.”

I see his ears go forward and his eyes open wide, then he begins to laugh out loud. “Really, him?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, his family clan finally told him officially he was on his own if he hurts another female.”

I see him look surprised and he asks, “What do you mean by another female?”

I sigh and tilt my head as I look at Sunny and quietly tell him, “He dated most of the mares and cows that were our age back home. We had a couple of scrapes to protect him from their families. But honestly, he has been well behaved since we left home.”

He looks at Sunny and Morning Star, then he looks back at me and appraises me before he asks, “Do you think he might hurt her?”

Before I answer this, I look at the two of them and I see how he is showing her more respect than I am used to from Sunny. I turn to Asra and I tell him, “Honestly if he hurts her, I do not think he will not do it on purpose. I have never seen him like he is with her with anyone else.”

“What about with the females in your group?”

“Well, Ginger and Epona are his cousins, even if by adoption and Twinks just refuses to even consider dating him. And as for our boss, well she is too much like a mother or grandmother to most of us, so I don’t even think he would consider her.”

He nods his head, “Ok, While I am not interested in Morning Star in that way, she is one of us, and I do not want to see her hurt.”

“I do understand. I don’t want to see either of them hurt.”

We are on our second drink by now and I realize we need to get going so I tell them, “I hate to say it, but we need to get back out to our caravan, but it has been really nice getting to meet you. If you’re here tomorrow night hopefully we can talk some more.”

Once we are back outside, we report to Choo who tells the others, “Ok, go ahead and have fun for a bit. But I want you to be back in a couple of hours.”

As the others head inside Choo turns to Ginger and tells her, “Trader Jewel is sleeping in his wagon if there are any problems, let him know there. If you need me, I am going to be following up some leads inside down in the Mortuary.”

Once they leave, Sunny and I begin to patrol around the outside of the caravan. Ginger and Cowlick stay inside the caravan but are also on watch. Most of the caravanners tonight are resting within the confines of the caravan itself also. I notice many of them are gathering around campfires inside the caravan circle.

*****

Mortuary, Meat Locker, Lunar Commonwealth: Choo Choo

It takes a while to find the bar they call the Mortuary. It seems appropriately quiet for the name. When I enter, I notice a couple of tables that have ghouls sitting at them. I notice a couple of earth ponies as well and a tired-looking unicorn in there as well.

As I enter, I see the others watch me as I go in and approach the bar and the bartender. Once at the bar I see him stop wiping down the bar with an old rag before he comes over and asks, “What cha want princess?”

I smile at him and tell him, “Thank you for the compliment, but we both know I am nowhere near as beautiful as the princesses were.” I wait to see how he reacts before I ask, “Would you happen to have any Sparkle Cola Rad?”

I see his one remaining eyebrow raise as he tells me, “Yeah, but wouldn’t you prefer to drink it someplace a little more, lively?”

I shrug, “Honestly, tonight I just want to have a relaxing drink and perhaps talk to some others who remember what we lost. Not sob in my drink mind you. But perhaps just someone who understands.”

He shakes his head as he reaches behind him and grabs out a warm bottle of the Sparkle Cola Rad for me. Then he says as he hooves me the bottle, “What we have lost. Princess, do you really have any idea what we have lost?”

I lean on the bar as I take my first sip. “Ahh, that is good,” I say aloud. Then I look at him and tell him, “While we don’t have the same skin condition, we both lost the lives we should have had. Goddesses, I am still getting back my own memories.” Then I notice the cracked mirror behind the bar and I look at it. I notice the pony looking back has a sad expression on her face.

He then says, “At least you are still alive. You could look like this.”

I nod my head in agreement. Then I tell him, “You are right. But then again, I look nothing like I did before I was made into this. I don’t even have my cutie mark anymore. When they did this to me, they took away everything.”

I notice a couple of the other ghouls are paying attention at this point. I nod to them. Then I make a decision and tell the bartender, “Please, a round for the house on me.”

I see several of them liven up at that. But a couple still seem suspicious of me. One of them asks, “Why do you want to buy us a drink?”

I smile sadly at them and tell them, “Because I would like to make a toast that I think we all can share.”

One of them then says, “You think you know what it is like to be a ghoul. What makes you think you even have a clue what it is like for us?”

I look at her frosted eyes and I tell her, “I have a friend who is now married to one of my descendants,” They begin to say something and I hold up a hoof and tell her, “Let me finish. This friend basically died and she was turned away from Elysium. Not only has she told me this, but I have heard many ghouls, including my former fiancé, say they see her shadow on both sides. While I don’t know the pain of being turned away from Elysium; with this form I do not know how long I will live, and if I will even get the chance to go there.”

I see them nod their heads in understanding. The mare then says, “Call me Pillow Mint. I work up in the ICU inn, and I thank you for the drink then.”

Soon the bartender has a drink for each of us ready. I lift up my Sparkle Cola Rad and I quietly say, “To lost loves, lost family, and fallen comrades. May we meet them again in Elysium.”

They all lift their glasses to that and take a sip of their drinks. Soon most of them have returned to their tables and I am at the bar with the bartender and Pillow Mint. She asks me, “You don’t mind if I sit here with you for a bit, do ya?”

I put a hoof on hers which I can tell surprises her, and I tell her, “No, I appreciate the company.”

She then asks, “I have always wanted to ask one of you, but how?” She waves her hoof at me from my nose to my flank. “How did you become this way?”

I sigh as I remember that day and I pause before I ask her, “Do you want to know how we became alicorns or my personal story?”

She thinks briefly and tells me, “Well I really was asking how all of you became this way, I had not thought to ask you something so personal as to your own story.”

I smile weakly and I tell her, “It happened on the last day. I was making my normal mixed passenger freight run to Maripony. It was just as we pulled into the station that the sirens began to wail.” I pause and see her nod her head so I continue, “The staff from inside ran to my train and were yelling for us to follow them. They led us from the station into one of the local buildings. I had figured they would have a shelter or something inside. Instead, they had these huge vats full of rainbow-colored liquid. They told us to jump into the vats if we wanted to survive.”

She stops me and asks me, “So you jumped in?”

I shake my head slowly as I tell her, “I really am not sure. I don’t remember if I jumped on my own or if I was pushed. All I know is it was very painful and suddenly it was not. But I no longer was alone in my own head.”

“What do you mean you were no longer alone in your own head?”

“I could hear the thoughts of all of my new sisters, and they could hear mine,” I tell her.

She looks surprised and then asks, “What happened to the stallions?”

I sigh and tell her, “That is one of the strange things. They were changed into mares too.”

She seems stunned and then she asks, “Is that why you said you lost your memories?”

I nod my head, “Part of it. Mother, some called her the goddess, also took our bad memories and put them all into one of my sisters. I am not sure why she hated her so badly to do that. But it also meant I lost a lot of mine. I am still working on getting them back and I know I will never have all of them.”

She then asks, “What do you think of ghouls?”

I smile as I raise my drink to her, “Most I have no problem with. Ferals, I don’t hate them or go out of my way to destroy them. No, ferals I feel sorry for, they are like I was when Unity broke. They have no idea who they are anymore, or what is going on. No, I don’t despise them, I pity them and wish them peace, just like I do anyone else.”

She takes a sip of her drink and laughs lightly, “You know, you aren’t what I expected from one of your kind. Most avoid us. But you, you try to understand. Do you know many of us?”

Then I begin to tell her about back home in Manesville and Dead Quiet. I also tell her about Zhea and little Xanthippe. As I talk about them, I realize how much I am missing them and the others back home. Finally, I tell her about Side Track and Fire Box and how I helped them get together. After which she asks, “What about you? Don’t you ever get lonely?”

I smile and tell her, “Yes, but I have my Paper Work back home waiting for me.” She looks at me funny and then I begin to tell her about Paper Work as well.

“So, Side Track was ok with you not getting with him and getting together with this Paper Work?”

“Yeah, I think so, especially when he found out I was an alicorn now. I know Fire Box was always interested in him.” I laugh lightly, “In fact according to Epona, Fire Box and Paper Work worked with each other on it. I have seen them both since. Last year was the last time. They brought one of the first trains since the Last Day into Manesville. All four of us had dinner and drinks together.”

I see her shake her head. “Glad to hear it worked out. I met that Fire Box about fifty years ago. She was wandering about at the time. She told me about Side Track and his obsession with some lost mare. I never figured that mare would still be around.”

I nod my head, “I understand, I wouldn’t of either.” I find myself enjoying the company of this somewhat unusual mare as we talk about the days before the war when we were both fillies. She and I both also exchange stories about what we have experienced over the years for the next couple of hours. Then I notice the time and I tell her, “Pillow, it has been a wonderful time. We may be here for a couple more days, would you mind getting together for a drink or two again?”

I see the ghoul smile the best she can as she nods her head, “Choo, if you don’t mind spending time with a ghoul, then I guess I would not mind hanging out with a smooth coat. Back down here, or do you want to meet me at the ICU Inn?”

I nod my head “How about I meet you there. You can show me around a bit too.”

Then I head back the way I came, as I get upstairs to the main floor, I still hear the loud music playing from the Afterlife. I think about going but decide, really, that is not the mood I am in tonight. Instead, I begin to head back to the caravan. As I go, I am bumped into by a rough-looking unicorn ghoul stallion. I notice that he is wearing a jacket that matches the ghouls and ponies who are with him. He turns to me and tells me, his voice laced with scorn, “Watch it, princess, you don’t know who you are messing with.”

I politely say to the ghoul stallion, “Oh, excuse me, I didn't mean to bump into you Sir.”

Beside him a see a smaller earth pony stallion with a filthy looking green coat and orange mane and tail. The young stallion nods his head in agreement with his leader. Then he says, “Maybe we should teach her to mess with the Hoof’s Ferals boss.”

The ghoul stallion then tells the younger one, “No, she has already shown respect. We can let a minor slight go then. Let’s go.”

I wait for them to pass me and get further down the hall and I decide I need to follow them and find out what they are up to. I first cast my invisibility spell, and then I follow them eavesdropping as best I can.

Eventually they get to a section of rooms down a side corridor that are being used as what I would call a flop house at best. As they settle in for the night. I then hear the young earthpony stallion asks, “Ok Boss, so who we supposed to meet here tomorrow?”

I see the ghoul get an irritated expression on his face as he looks at the others with him. Then he finally says, “For the last time, we have two pegasi who are going to meet us here. We need to make payment for and arrange the next shipment.”

“But boss, I thought they had a strict no Enclaver rule in this place.”

I hear the exasperated ghoul then reply, “Dipstick, I know you are a quart low, but still, how can you not understand, we do not talk about such things away from home. Now, go grab yourself a hunk of floor over there before I drag ya down to the subways.”

I then hear a very nervous voice reply, “Ok boss. Sorry boss.”

But I have heard what I wanted to hear. I smile to myself and begin to head back towards the caravan and I am back out of sight of them before my invisibility spell wears off. Fortunately, with my dark coat and the poor indoor lighting no one really notices. Even the poor tourist mare who is coming down the hall from the Afterlife and only says, “Oh, you surprised me, I had not seen you there.” As she puts a hoof on her chest and continues on her way to the ICU Inn.

Once outside and back with the caravan, I have Ginger give me a quick rundown and I tell her, to wake me in an hour. Once I am awake, I tell her, “Go ahead and sleep until I wake you.” For doing me the favor of staying awake and of covering the guards I will let her sleep until breakfast is called. But I don’t tell her that.

What I do though is that when Sunny has his next watch, I tell him what I heard, and what I want to do. He grins and answers, “Choo, it’s stuff like this that makes me love working for you, boss.”

*****

Volunteer Corps Office, Hoofington University, Lunar Commonwealth: Ball Lighting.

Once we arrive back at the Volunteer Corps office, the more seriously wounded are led inside for treatment while the rest of us unload what is left in the cart. Once that is done, as I am going inside, I see Sundancer using her forehoof to motion me over to her. I reluctantly begin to walk toward her. Funnel Cloud stops me and asks, “Sir, you want me to go with you?”

I smile at him, “Yeah, I am sure. But I will talk to you about it later.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Ok Sir, but don’t let her hurt you again.”

As I get near her, she has me follow her into a side office that has a small medical room set up. Off to the side, I can see the wounded Alto is passed out asleep. I see her look at Alto and smile sadly. Then she has me sit on the table so she can finish suturing the wounds from earlier as well as check for any others. As she is sewing me up, she sees me looking at Alto and stops briefly.

She then tells me, “Ball, I know you are hurt, but it is not what you think.”

I am very frustrated and yes hurt. This causes me to be a bit more curt than I had intended when I ask her, “Really? So, what is it then?”

She sighs and then looks around. She goes to the door of the office, looks around outside and then quietly closes the door. She then comes over to me. Lifts my head with her wing and looking me in the eyes tells me, “Alto is part of my cover down here. He and I are pretending to be in that kind of a relationship. It keeps others away from me and helps the groundsiders to believe that I am unavailable. That stops a lot of the harassment I would get otherwise, and believe it or not, the same goes for him.”

I move my chin from her wing tip and tilt my head as I look at her. I feel an angry expression that is still on my face, but I can’t help it. “Well, you two sure did a good job of acting that way. Because even my team thinks you two are a couple.”

I hear her sigh, and I notice Alto move a bit, then I hear him tell me in a groggy voice, “Thanks Cutie. I really appreciate the compliment on my acting. Understand. Sundancer is a gorgeous mare, but you're more my style than she will ever be.”

“Wait, excuse me?” I ask.

He lifts his head just a bit more and looks me in the eyes and tells me, “Ball, I’m gay. Sundancer is one of my best friends now and it helps with our cover. We are not supposed to let even you know this.”

I shake my head in confusion and then ask, “So why are you telling me now?”

Alto answers again, “Look, we know it is tearing you up and we don’t want to hurt you. She is a good mare Ball. She loves you and even if you don’t realize it, she still wants to be yours.”

I am stunned and I turn to her and ask, “Is he telling the truth?”

She nods her head in answer along with the tears I see forming in her eyes. “I am sorry Sun for not trusting you more,” I tell her.

She shrugs and in reply tells me, “Honestly, I would have been the same way. That is why I had to get you alone tonight to tell you the truth.”

I find myself gently kissing her and finally I have the reunion kiss I had originally hoped for. As we break our kiss, I hear Alto clear his voice quietly and then he says, “Ok, now that we have that figured out, Ball, would you happen to know any soldiers who you might be able to hook me up with?”

In response I begin to laugh, “Actually Alto, I just might.” I tell him as I think of Down Draft. Then I think to myself, life can be good. Strange, but good, as Sundancer finishes treating my wounds.

The next morning after breakfast I am talking with Air Burst in his office and he tells me, “I have a special detail for just you and me. We play the part of freeborn pegasus or refugees from Thunderhead that came dirtside during the unpleasantness between Neighvarro and them.”

“Ok, no problem, but why not just say we are with the VC?”

I hear him sigh as he looks at me and tells me, “Because where we are going, they do not allow any Enclave members, or those loyal to the Enclave.”

“Ok,” I tell him, then I ask, “So where are we heading and what are we up to this time?”

He grins at me, “Well, how do you feel about ghouls?”

I feel my stomach lurch at the thought of them and their decayed bodies. Then I ask, “Aren’t they all dangerous?”

“If they are not feral, then they are not any more dangerous than any other ponies.” He pauses and looks at me, “I see from the expression on your face you are disgusted by the thought of them too. This is a voluntary thing son. I need you to be able to control yourself enough to deal with them.”

“I think I can do it, and I do want to help, so where are we going?”

He grins at me and tells me, “A little place called Meat Locker. It used to be Hoofington Memorial Hospital. A bunch of ghouls run the place now. Frankly I am disgusted by them but sometimes we have to tolerate such things for the greater good.”

“What will we be doing there once we get there?” I ask.

He smiles as he tells me, “Well I am to meet one of the lieutenants for the Hoof’s Ferals. We have a bit of business to set up and honestly, right now they are the most stable of the gangs we have been dealing with lately. I would have bet on the Mayhem’s Mares. But after what has happened to them in the last week. They are busy licking their wounds. As for the Broken Clocks, they talk too much, and honestly, I think it will be a while before they calm down enough to do business with again, much less trust.”

“OK, so when do you and I leave?” I ask.

He grins a predator's smile and says, “That is the attitude I like. After lunch, we head out. Nothing on you that says Grand Pegasus Enclave. In fact, that fancy pistol you picked up would be a perfect sidearm along with your rifle for this.”

“Sounds good Air, let me go talk to my team and let them know that I am heading out for a bit and when to expect me back. Do you want them for anything in particular right now?”

He shakes his head, “No, give them some downtime. If they really want something to do, have them talk to the locals some more and help my team here at the office.”

After our meeting, I talk with Funnel Cloud. “Sergeant Major, I will be gone for a couple of days with Air Burst. Hopefully, things will be quiet for all of you while I am gone.”

He grins back, “Sir, this is Hoofington, I would be pleasantly surprised if it is.”

I nod my head. “Yeah, same here. But take the next couple of days to get to know the locals some more, and see what information you can glean from them. Perhaps give a hoof here at the office a bit. You know Hearts and Minds kind of stuff.”

He grins at me and tells me, “Speaking of hearts and minds sir, I am glad that things worked out better for you. But sir, please be careful out there.”

“I will Sergeant Major, I don’t want to cause you any more paperwork than you already have.”

Soon after lunch, I bid farewell to Skydancer and Alto. Then I meet with Air Burst and we are on the move again as we trudge our way to the place, he calls Meat Locker.

Once we are out of the built-up areas of the city, Air Burst tells me, “Ok, time to take to the skies again. Enough of the mud for a bit.”

He then launches himself airborne. I follow quickly on his heels enjoying the feel of the wind through my mane and under my wings. We go high at first and as we make our way through the clouds he asks me, “You seem to be getting along much better with your ex and her boyfriend. Something I should know?”

I shake my head and tell him, “Nah, I have accepted what has happened, but if I get the chance to repay a favor, I might have to do so, if you know what I mean.”

I see him grin at this and laugh, “That a boy, don’t let the bastards get to ya.”

The funny thing is, I was actually meaning it towards him. But hay, he did teach me to keep my mouth shut and my emotions covered. But I do believe that there always is a reckoning for everything we do. He would say I am a fool, I guess. But time will tell.

Eventually, we land at a settlement that is only a few miles from Meat Locker. During our flight, he had pointed it out to me. As we land, we are about half a mile outside the walls of the settlement, I look at how again another settlement has taken the apartment buildings and used them as part of the outer walls as well as blocking off several streets. The walls across the street are made from scrap wood, metal, wire fencing, and the bodies of dilapidated carriages and buses. Along the walls, I see several guards. Some are ponies, others look to be zebras. But all are armed. Near the gate is a sign that proclaims Creekside.

As we approach Air Burst tells me, “They have a small greasy feedbag here that serves a decent lunch. I figure we can grab a bit to eat here before heading the rest of the way. Besides I don’t want to be too early for the meeting.”

“Makes sense to me, Air. I am just following your lead.”

He smiles at that. And once we are at the gate, I hear a large gray zony call down, “Oh, hey Star Burst. Been a while, good to see you again.”

“Oh, good to see you too Fog Bank.” Air Burst calls back.

“So, who is the new buck with ya?”

“Oh, this here is Fire Ball. He is my nephew,” Air tells him.

“Well, if he is your kin, bring him on in,” the gray zony turns his head and calls out, “It’s ok, open the gate.”

And with that, we enter the settlement of Creekside. As we go in, I notice off to one side between two buildings is a sheltered area where carts or brahmin can be left at. A bit down the way is an open market.

As we walk, he points towards the lower level of one of the buildings near the market and says, “Over here is a really good cantina to eat at. I got something I want you to try there. They don’t advertise it, so you have to ask, and when you do, be discrete.”

I nod my head and quietly ask him, “What is it?”

He looks around first and then asks, “Have you ever tried meat? I mean they should teach you about it in your wasteland’s survival course at Officers Candidate School.”

I shrug and then tell him, “Well Fire Ball, they did mention it to us, but we never tried it. I did not have the opportunity to.”

He nods his head in understanding when I say this, but he then shakes his head only asking, “You willing to go native a bit and try some?”

While part of me rebels at the thought of it, I realize this may help me survive someday. So, I answer him, “Sure, why not.”

He grins again, “That a boy, now let me order for both of us then. I have a special treat for ya.”

As we enter the cantina, I notice they have a line for food set up just like we had at the college cafeteria or the chow halls back topside. For some reason, this surprises me. I can see some of the food right out front but in the back, I can see a cook also working.

As we approach, I see an earth pony mare with a light green coat and white, orange, and green mane and tail, behind the counter, look up and smile at Air Burst. She says to him, “Hey Fire Ball, how’s it going? Ya want the usual?”

He smiles back at her, “Hay Giardiniera, long time no see,” he first says to her, then he answers, “Not today, I want to introduce my sister’s son to something a little more tamer first.”

He looks around first and quietly asks, “Do you have any radhog bacon today?”

She grins back, “Good thing you made it here in time today, we are running low and will need to get another one soon. So, what do you have in mind?”

He puts a wingtip under his chin, rubbing it back and forth slightly, then he tells her just as quietly, “How about two radhog bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches if you have the fixings.”

She then tells him, “Well, we have most of ‘em, but we might have to use some watercress or spinach instead of lettuce today.”

He looks at me, “Sound good?” he asks.

I nod my head, “Sure, either way, sounds good.”

She nods her head and walks over to the cook in the back and whispers something to him and he smiles as he nods his head.

We wait and soon she brings out two plates and sets them down on the ledge so we can put them on our trays. I see the smile on Air Burst's face as he tells her, “Thanks again, I appreciate it.”

She grins back and tells us, “Well remember if ya get a radhog and sell it to us, we still have a discount deal.”

“I’ll remember that. Thanks, Giardiniera.”

After we sit down, I watch as Air Burst picks up his sandwich and bites into it just like it was a hayburger back home. I see the smile on his face and hear him let out a slight moan of joy. So, I pick up mine and I try it. I have to admit I love the salty taste that the bacon added to the sandwich, but I was slightly uncomfortable with the feeling of it compared to the proper forage, vegetables, and bread. I also notice a slightly sweet taste to it and when I set the sandwich down, I lift the bread slightly and see a white spread on it. I then ask Air Burst, “So, what is the stuff spread on the bread?”

He grins, “Oh, that is mayonnaise. I asked about it my first time and was told it was an old recipe. But it sure adds to it doesn’t it.” He says with enthusiasm.

I nod my head, “I never tasted anything like this I tell him.” While he thinks I enjoy it as much as him, I just mean it literally, It does taste, unlike anything I have had before. Not bad, but different. I do enjoy the salty taste though.

After we are done. He looks at his pastern watch and says, “We have a bit of time yet, but let’s get going. We can always hit the shops in Meat Locker to kill some time.”

“Ok, sounds good, Ready to fly when you are.”

He shakes his head, “No, now we walk in. Take it easy, when we get there, try to blend in with the mudpuppies. Remember when there we left the Enclave and are not loyal to them. If someone says something against the Enclave, do not react.”

“Ok, I got it,” I tell him.

Then we begin the walk-in. It does not take as long as I expected. But as we come up, I notice a caravan set up just outside the main entrance in what used to be a carriage lot. It is starting to get dark so I really can not see much of the caravan, but I swear I almost recognize a couple of the wagons from our time at Mega Mart. I shake my head and think no, that could not be them. What would be the chances of them being here too?

As we approach the entrance, I begin to smell something like rotten carrion. I look at Air and he simply shrugs and tells me, “You get used to the smell. Just don’t gag, and try to be polite.”

I nod my head and continue on to the sandbagged emplacements just outside the doors. There I see them, two ghouls in full military kit. Both are armed and one puts up a hoof and tells us, “Ok, stop right there.”

As I look into the ghoul’s eyes, I see the pupils behind the white scratched corneas. And I see that inside is still a pony. Then I hear her ask, “That you Fire Works?”

I hear Air Burst tell her, “Yeah, it’s me. How have you been?”

“Doing as well as a ghoul can.” She answers back with what I presume is a smile.

I listen to them talk back and forth for a bit, then I think I see her. No fragging way, I think to myself. That means it is probably the same caravan. How in the Tartarus do they keep crossing my path and our plans? I debate on saying something, but I see she is busy talking to the one-headed Brahmin.

I notice he sees me and his eyes go wide and he actually laughs. Though he is far enough away that I can’t hear him. However, I do feel my ears start to slide down to the side of my head and I see him laugh even more.

I then feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn my head and I see Air use his head to motion for me to follow him in.

As we head inside the former hospital, we enter a large atrium. The atrium is dimly lit but I can see a desk off to the side with a faded old sign above it saying Registration. Hanging off the counter is a mouth-painted sign that says information/directions. Behind the corner is board looking pegasus stallion ghoul who is holding what I see is an old crossword puzzle book. In his teeth, he holds a pencil as he tries to figure it out.

As we pass by, I notice that there are several sandbag emplacements along the hallways and corridors. Eventually, we see an arrow sign that points down a corridor, and below it says ER. Off to the side, I see several offices that look to have been turned into living quarters. As I think about this and find myself smiling as I wonder do ghouls still call them living quarters?

Soon we see sliding glass doors in front of us, upon which is written Emergency Room. As we approach, the doors magically slide open and we enter the room. The room is horseshoe shaped with several small alcoves along the perimeter of it. Each one has a small vendor shop set up in it. As we enter, I am heading towards the weapons dealer’s stall when I hear something drop from the side and I hear a gravelly voice from my right side ask, “Lighting Burst is that you?”

All of the other ghouls in the room stop and look at me and Air Burst. The few other beings in there do also.

I turn and I see the owner of the voice is the only pegasus ghoul in the room and he is looking right at me. I stop walking and ask, “Excuse me?”

He asks, “Lighting Burst, it’s me, Broken Clouds. Remember, we served together for two years in no mare’s land.” The ghoul pauses then ask, “How do you look so young and the same.”

I smile sadly at the ghoul and I tell him, “I am sorry sir, but that is not my name. I never was in no mare’s land. But I did have an ancestor by that name. He was with the 32nd artillery as a spotter.”

I see the ghoul try to smile again. Then he says, “I am sorry about that, but you look just like him. My goddesses but you look like him. That was our unit. We were behind the lines on the Last Day. He went off the air when we started to see the Bale Fire Bombs and Mega Spells go off all around us. I thought he died.”

Sadly, I tell him, “Thank you for letting me know what happened to him. It was always a question to our family. His wife and foals were able to make it to safety in the Enclave as the clouds were being sealed.”

He twists his head and asks cautiously, “Are you with the Enclave then?”

I hold up my hoof, “No, granddad was a Dashite. That is why I don’t wear the brand.”

Beside me I see Air Burst nod his head in agreement.

The ghoul then tells me, “Could you come to me at my stall for a minute. I have something I want to show you.

I walk with him over to his shop and I notice an old dresser. He opens it and pulls out a photo album. He then shows me a picture of a stallion who looks just like me, cutie mark, and all along with a much healthier-looking version of the ghoul. They are both in dress uniforms and in the distance behind them, I can see the outline of the Hoofington Core that is no longer standing. They are both holding a pint of cider and smiling.

He tells me, “Lightning Burst was my best friend as well as my battle buddy for most of our times in the line. I was back at the battalion aid station when it all went down. I always wondered what happened to him.”

I sigh as I look at the photo and wonder, yeah gramps, I wonder what happened to you. Then the ghouls tell me, “Our battery was right behind the divisional headquarters for the 1st Cloudsdale National Guard. When I saw your pistol, I was convinced you were him.”

Suddenly I feel like I was kicked in the gut as I remember those poor bastards we sealed into that bunker. I feel like I have had extra weight added to my saddle bags by this revelation. I wonder if there is anything I can do to help them yet and not be branded a Dashite myself. If I can figure something out, I will do it.

I then ask him, “Would you have any other photos of him from back then?”

He nods his head and shows me a picture of my ancestor, again in his dress uniform and mare in a wedding dress. There are several other ponies there with them. He smiles and I hear him sniffle a bit. Finally, he says, “Yeah this was Lightning Burst's wedding day. I was his best stallion.” He pauses and looks at me, “Here, it is yours. I will keep the others, but I want you to have it.”

As he removes it from the book, I notice the page shift and I see several photos of them together in their combat uniforms in what looks to be a destroyed landscape. He apologizes and says, “Yeah, we weren’t supposed to take pictures at the front, but we all did it. Sorry, but these we do not share.”

He looks off into the distance and tells us, “No pony who wasn’t there will ever understand no mares land.”

I understand, I can’t tell him why, but I do understand. I take the offered photo and gently place it in my saddlebags. I then reach out and shake hoofs with him. “Thank you, Broken Clouds. I appreciate it.”

Then he looks me over and asks, “Have you ever thought of buying some barding?”

“No, I have not, Sorry,” I tell him.

He shrugs, “Oh no problem. But if you do decide you need some. Keep me in mind. I will even give you a discount on it.”

“Thanks, Broken. I appreciate it.”

I then see Air Burst motioning for me to come along. “I need to get going, sir. Take care and I hope to see you again sometime.”

I am then being led down the corridors. As we go, I keep hearing music that is very loud and very obnoxious to me. Ahead I notice a sign over the door saying Welcome to the Afterlife. I find this an ironic joke being that it is in Meat Locker and even let myself laugh lightly.

As we go in, I see a band of ghouls playing on the main stage. The music has a very fast tempo and is both loudly played and what lyrics I can understand are rather morbid. I look over to the side and I see a group of bat ponies sitting there drinking along with an all-black pegasus that I think could be the one the caravanners called Sunny. I also notice a red mare with black mane and tail along with her light green zony drinking with them.

Most of the crowd are ghouls and either earth ponies or unicorns. I do see a couple of griffons in there also. Behind me, I hear a strange voice say, “Excuse me please.”

As I begin to move out of the doorway, we are blocking. I look back and notice it was the one-headed brahmin who had asked me to move in ponish. As he moves past me nodding his head in time to the music, he smiles at me and tells me, “Good to see ya again.” Then he continues on to the dance floor where he bounces up and down to the music pumping a forehoof into the air.

I follow Air Burst over to a Group of ghouls and ponies that are all wearing the same color jackets. On the backs of those that I can see it says Hoof’s Ferals. I guess these are the ones we came to see. As we approach, I notice that the leader of this group is a unicorn ghoul. Next to him is a short, dirty green coated earth pony stallion with a matted orange mane and tail. I look for his cutie mark but it is covered by the mechanics' coveralls he has on under his jacket.

Once we reach the table, I hear Air Burst say, “Good to see you again Howler.”

The ghoul looks at him, sits down his drink, and tells him, “You're late.”

Air Burst then tells him, “No, I am not. I am actually a couple of minutes early. Don’t try your bully boy tactics on me. Else I can just turn around and leave.”

I see anger in the ghoul’s eyes but he says, “I say you're late and we need to talk business right now.”

Air Burst then turns to me and tells me, “Lighting Burst, go get us both a drink will ya?”

I nod my head and I head to the bar. As I approach, I see an old robot hovering behind the bar. I almost smile at the pinstripe paint job it has as well as the derby it is wearing. I stop when I hear it talking to one of the customers and it says, “Look you maggot-ridden walking corpse, I already told you, no credit. Caps up front or no drinks.”

The ghoul then tells him, “Common, I have been having a rough go of it lately, just a single Sparkle Cola Rad. Then I will leave you be.”

I look at the old ghoul and nod my head. Then I ask him, “Mind if I buy you a drink?”

He looks at me skeptically and asks, “Why would ya want to do that?”

I shrug and then tell him, “Because I have been there before myself. I know what it is like.”

I see him hesitate then he says, “Sure if you would.”

The camera lens for the robot spins to me and is suddenly close to my face. “What do you want, you flying feather duster?”

I ask him, “Do you have any cider?”

He backs up slightly and tells me, “Let me guess, you want a shot of Wild Pegasus dropped into it too?”

I laugh and tell him, “No, but that sounds good, where did you get the idea for that?”

I almost hear him growl as he tells me, “The zony over there and his zebra-loving mare. They and their friends all drink them. I swear if I did not have my combat inhibitor, I would just get rid of them all. Filthy zebra lovers, all of them. Not any better than you under-skilled, undereducated Wonderbolt wants to be.”

I raise my eyebrow at this but say nothing as I tell him, “Two of the ciders and Wild Pegasus, and one Sparkle Cola Rad please.”

He then tells me, “It will cost you for two drinks for each cider and Wild Pegasus.” The camera adjusting to look at my face closer.

“Makes sense,” I tell him and he gets the drinks.

“Here you go,” I tell him, pushing sixty caps to him.

The robot looks at the caps and tells me, “You paid too much.”

I smile at the camera and tell him, “No, the extra caps are for you. If you can not use them, give the stallion here another sparkle cola.” As I turn to take the drinks over to Air Burst, I see him move his ear to signal me to hold off. A couple of minutes later he moves them again and I go over to him.

I hoof him his drink and see him watch me drop the shot glass into the cider. I then take a taste of it and really enjoy it. He nods his head and does the same. Then he goes back to talking to Howler. I try to listen over the music as much as I can but have difficulty.

Eventually, I feel the call of nature and tap Air on his shoulder and tell him, “I have to use the restroom, I will be right back.”

He simply nods his head and continues talking with Howler. As I get up and make my way to the stallions’ room, I notice the black pegasus and the bull both get up at the same time. The bull heads towards the bar while the pegasus heads towards the restroom also.

Once inside I go to use the facilities and I hear him say quietly, “Howdy Ball. Just wanted to let you know that we all saw ya. Watch your backs with those guys, they can’t be trusted.”

I look at him funny and tell him, “I don’t know who you are talking about.”

He shakes his head, “Look, let’s not pretend the other is stupid. The Hoofs Ferals are dangerous. We overheard them say something about getting some weapons from some pegasuses and welching on the deal. You give them what they want and they will kill the delivery ponies.”

I find myself laughing lightly as I tell him, “Really, like you haven’t already?”

I feel a chill run down my spine as he looks coldly into my eyes and tells me, “No, each of us has had you personally in his sights at least once in the last week. None of us took the shot when we could have.”

“Yeah, I thought that business with the Broken Clocks was you guys. Why didn’t you kill her instead of just wounding Moon Dial?”

He laughs lightly and tells me, “We would have, but she tripped. That is the only thing that saved her.”

I really do believe him when he says this. It also gives me a bit more respect for him being honest that they had intended to kill her but missed the kill. That is hard for some to admit.

“Alright, I believe you.” I pause and look to make sure no one else is in there. Then I tell him, “I have a favor to ask,”

He looks surprised and asks me, “What is it?”

“I see your team is comfortable with ghouls, am I right?”

He smiles at me, “Yeah, we do get along with most of them, just like anypony else, why?”

“A while back, over in no mares’ land, there was a group of scavers who found one of the old divisional headquarters bunkers. We went in and cleared out the scavers, but when we left, orders were to seal the bunker.” I find myself looking down in shame, then I look back up at him, “We blew the entrance trapping some still in there. They were still aware at the time. The ferals that were in there we already had taken care of.”

“Ah shit, Choo ain’t going to like it. But I will let her know. Now, where is this place?”

I then ask, “Do any of you have a map or even better a PipBuck?”

He grins as he tells me, “A couple of us have PipBucks, why?”

I take a piece of paper out of my saddlebag along with a pencil and write down what I remembered of them from when we were there. Then I tell them, “If you get them out, tell them I am sorry.”

He looks stunned at me and tells me, “You know they could brand you for this.”

I close my eyes and nod my head. When I reopen them, I look him in the eyes and tell him, “Yeah, I know. But I have to try and get them help.”

He then tells me, “Ball, for an Enclaver, you are not a bad pony. I will do what I can. Thanks.”

“Thank you, now you go out first and I will wait for a bit, that will give me a bit more of a cover.”

He listens to me, washes his hooves, and heads back out the door. I give it a couple of minutes more and I head back out. On my way across the club to our table, I bump into a stallion wearing a red bandana on his hind leg and he tells me, “Watch where you’re going birdie.”

I do not say anything and just keep walking. He then comes up to me and pushes me, “I said watch where you’re going ya feathered bastard.”

I simply look at him and tell him, “Oh, you were talking to me, I had not realized it, huh, well tell you what, I am going to go finish my drink, you can go buck off.”

“You dare ta talk to a Broken Clock like that?” He yells and he rears back and throws a forehoof at my face.

I find myself laughing when he does this and I block the blow with one forehoof and use my other forehoof to guide him past, once he is past me, I spin on my one hoof and kick him with both back legs. I feel something crunch beneath my hooves and he howls in pain.

After he goes down, I see several of his buddies start to come at me. As they run in my direction, I find myself unable to retreat or run. So, I take the basic stance from the Ministry of Awesome Martial Arts Project, also called MoAMAP, and wait for them to come to me.

I feel my lips peel back from my teeth in a feral grin as they begin to head my way. Then I see some of the Hoof’s Ferals coming my way from the side also. As this is happening, I notice many of those not involved begin to head for the exits.

The first of the Broken Clocks have reached me and I am just striking out with a hoof when I notice the one Hoof’s Feral called Dipstick jump into the air and land on the one-headed brahmin's back.

I swear I hear the brahmin laugh as he begins to spin and jump in an attempt to throw Dipstick off of him. That is when I see the others with him all smile and get up and begin to head into the fray.

Unfortunately, I was paying too much attention to what was happening further from me and I have a chair broken over my back. This brings me to my knees. I see movement from the corner of my eye and I roll to the side as a Broken Clock goes to kick where my head was.

I see the target of a lifetime then and I punch upwards with both forehooves straight up and into his stallionhood, hard enough to throw him back. I roll again and am on my hooves just in time to see the brahmin stand on his back hooves with Dipstick on his back still. The one-headed bastard grins as he then jumps up and backward to land on his back. His landing is cushioned by Dip Stick who I hear let out a brief scream.

The bull gets up and then yells, “Ok, who’s next?” as he begins to spin again.

Then I take a blow to the side of my head that causes me to see stars. I shake my head and see one of the Broken Clocks get hit over the head with a bottle. From the other side of me, Air Burst grabs me and tells me, “Time to bail, let’s go.”

As we make our way from the fight, I see several of the security goons running in, batons at the ready.

Once out of the Afterlife, we make our way as quickly outside as we can. In the corridor, I hear Air Burst tell me, “Best to fly once we get outside.” Then he runs even faster than me down the corridors as I try to keep up, still seeing stars from the blow.

I nod my head in agreement as he runs ahead, then I see the yellow mare Epona near me and she tells me, “We got your back on the favor, now go.”

I nod my head and run to catch up with Air Burst. Once outside we both leap into the air. I figured we would fly back to the university office as quickly as possible. But I notice that instead, we are heading for the sky port.

Air Burst grins at me and tells me, “Well, time to report in and set up the delivery. They agreed to it.” He pauses and tells me, “Sorry about interrupting your fun in there, but I don’t need our cover blown. By the way, what happened in there?”

I sigh and I tell him, “Some of the Broken Clocks were there. One of them tried to jump me.”

He seems to take the answer for what it is and we continue the rest of the flight silently.

*****

Good evening all my listeners in the hoof tonight. This is Chromed Microphone coming at you. That last song was Some Things Never Change and was brought to us from the NCR by Velvet Remedy.

In the forefront of news tonight it has been reported that the Council has agreed to refuse the Enclave's offer of security troops after several major disputes occurred with loss of life in the Lunar Republic. We also have reports of a riot has broken out in Meat Locker. Seems the ol’ ghouls had some troublemakers show up. They have reported that despite what some say, the Afterlife will be open the night after tomorrow.

Now our next song coming to you is Bar Room Blitz.

Author's Note

Tonight I am sitting here feeling much like Choo Choo. This week my father has passed and I have traveled to his home state to visit with family and help settle his affairs. As I drink a glass of wine, I lift my glass to both him and you, my readers as I toast, To Lost loves, lost family, and fallen comrades.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN9jTnxv0RU