Chapter 38 Raise a Toast

“Scars are not signs of weakness, they are signs of survival and endurance.” ― Rodney A. Winters

Harness, Hackamore District, NCR: Gingersnaps

As a group I lead our team back to the barracks as we were directed. Once there we finally begin to treat our wounds and then clean our equipment. Most of us have taken at least some kind of small wounds either graze, cuts, scrapes, or bruises. Twinks taking care of the larger wounds for us.

As we go about this, I think about how bad Double Back had to have been hit to have been taken back like he was during the battle. I am afraid I have gotten the first pony directly under my command killed. What could I have done better I ask myself. I know I had to have been able to have done something different that would have gotten us all out of there in one piece.

I send a quick message to Choo via my Pipbuck and she tells me that she is going to find Double Back. It is then that I see Twinks off to the side. She looks upset and I then notice she has an open bottle in her forehooves. I can see where the tears have made tails in the dirt, dust, and blood on her cheeks. I put a hoof around my best friend and I ask her quietly, “You, OK?”

She shakes her head, “I, I don’t think so. I tried every thing I could do for so many of them, especially Double Back.” She pauses, looks down as if realizing she has a bottle in her hooves. Then she takes a drink.

I sit there quietly lost in my own thoughts alongside of her and she hooves me the bottle before she continues. “Ginger, I am sorry I could not save him. I would have gone to the hospital with him but I could not leave our team in a fight.”

“You did good Twinks, you did good. As good as Mama Sutures did back at the Valley.” I tell her as I take a quick pull then put a cork in the bottle. Then I tell her, “Let’s get you cleaned up Twinks.”

As I stand up, I see Tater looking over at her with a worried expression on his face. I nod briefly then shrug. He finishes reassembling the weapon he is working on and comes over to Twinks and I.

He sits close to her on the opposite side of me and asks her gently, “How you doing Kid?”

She smirks as best she can. She doesn’t say anything. Then she leans into his shoulder as he puts a hoof around her and she begins to cry softly. He looks at me and nods. I take my cue and I slowly leave them together.

I also can see a very distraught-looking Days End sitting by himself. I am just about ready to go talk to him when Morning Mist and Sunny show up. As they come in Sunny tells me, “The aircrew will be here in a while, they are going over the post-flight checks right now.”

“Thank you, Sunny, for letting me know.”

He nods then he asks me quietly, “How bad was Double Back hit?”

“I am not going to lie to you Sunny, Twinks told me she is pretty certain he is not going to make it.”

He almost looks like someone has hit him when he hears this. “Damn, I really was beginning to like the Buck.”

I sadly nod my head. He then asks, “Anyone got a bottle, Once the aircrew gets here, we should have a drink in honor of Double Back.”

Finally, Days End says something, “Yeah, I got one here,” he tells us as he gets out a bottle of Old Overmare and sets it on the table in the center of the room.

“We will wait until the aircrew and Choo get here before we break it open, ok guys,” I tell them.

They all nod their heads in agreement. Soon I watch as some of them begin to play cards and others begin to try and catch some sleep. Myself, I decided to try and take a nap. As I am laying down, I feel my husband come up to me and lay next to me. He puts his head over my back and turns his head to whisper, “You did good dear. Double Back is not your fault.”

He knows me so well. I lift my head up and turn it just enough to kiss him lightly on his cheek. “Thank you, dear. I needed to hear that. I know it could happen. It has been a close-run thing with several of us, but this time, this time it was different. I saw him take that burst of gunfire and go down. I should have shot that Enclaver before he shot him.”

He nods his head slightly and then asks, “But weren’t you already providing cover fire for several others at the time?”

“Well, yeah, but still.”

“No still beloved. Stuff like that happens during combat, we both know that. We have for a very long time. Remember that raid on Silver Spites HQ after Targhee and before the Valley? You were knocked unconscious by a shot to your helmet and took a scalp wound. Was that anyone's fault?”

I shrug, “No, it was not. It just is so hard sometimes.”

“I understand love, now go to sleep. You need some rest.”

I again nod and then I lay my head on my forelegs as I fall asleep with my husband and love of my life just lying next to me cuddling me as I need it.

I wake up a short time later as the aircrew arrives. It was not much of a nap, but I needed it. As they enter, I look up and I can tell when Love Tap sees the unopened battle. I see tears well up, but not fall from her eyes and she looks around and finally asks, “Where are Double Back and Choo Choo?”

I stand up and I tell her, “Double Back was hit bad. We don’t expect him to make it.”

“And Choo Choo?”

“She went to check on him at the hospital.”

She nods her head and then goes over to one of the empty bunks and tosses her gear on it, then lays on it herself and says to no one in particular, “Buck, I always liked him. He seemed a decent sort.”

Right after she says this, I hear Double Back’s voice ask from the doorway, “What’s the whiskey for?”

We are all stunned. I see Twink’s eyes open wide and I see her hind legs collapse as she stutters out, “How? You were dying. I know you were; I am not that bad of a medic.”

Before Double Back can say anything Choo slides past him and tell her, “I had a vial of that Super Healing Potion that Spiral Notebook gave me before we left the research center.”

Double Back simply shrugs at this and seems to be full of energy. As he all but trots by to go and to talk to Love Tap, he stops and looks at Choo with wonder on his face and he asks in an incredulous tone of voice, “Choo, you only had the one for yourself and you used it on a mule?”

She smiles gently at him as she shakes her head and tells him, “Yes, I only had the one, but it was for who needed it, and Double Back, you are not just a mule, you are one of us. I might need it in the future, but you needed it now. I would do it again if I could.”

He smiles at her and tells her, “Thanks Boss, you really don’t know how much that means to me.” He then continues his way to talk to Love Tap. As he walks next to the table, he gets a smart-alec grin on his face and says, “Yah, know, just because I am not dead, doesn’t mean we can’t all share a good bottle.”

I nod my head and then tell him, “True, but a lot of ponies are going to be mourning tonight, maybe a celebration is not such a good idea.”

Then I hear Flight Plan tell me, “Maybe that would be a better idea, Ginger. After all, as the old saying goes. I can laugh or cry, and I prefer to laugh.”

Choo nods her head as she ponders this and then tells us, “Perhaps, but let us wait until later to decide, until then we should get our equipment ready for our next job and perhaps get some rest if we can, in a bit I will go to the HQ and see what our bosses want us to do.”

She pauses and then turns to Flight Plan, “Also, I would like a report on the fitness of your crew and the Vertibuck as well as parts we may need for it so I can let them know also.”

He nods his head and tells her, “Let me get a pen and paper and I will write up a report for you.”

Choo nods her head with a slight twist and tells him, “Thank you. That would be most appreciated.”

Then I watch as she goes over to her bunk, drops her battlesaddle and minigun along with her saddlebags, and then begins to clean them. When she does this, I hear several of the others groan mildly as they get up and begin to go back over their equipment again.

Soon I hear Tater ask her, “Any problems with your rig up there Boss?”

“No Tater, it worked fine. I just have to get used to aiming it a bit better I guess.”

He nods his head and tells her, “Well, let’s still give it another once over. I want to double-check your aiming system then.”

*****

Harness: Hackamore Region: Xochitl

Right after Choo leaves for the HQ, I see Flight Plan head over to a bunk and collapse into it, not even bothering to take off his flight suit.

I ask his co-pilot Cloud Bank about it. He tiredly looks at me, “Flower, I know you have done several operations and you know how much those take out of you. Now imagine how much extra it takes out of him and me to think and coordinate our muscles to make that bird of ours do what we want. Normal flight is tiring, combat flights, well those are exhausting, and let’s be honest, he is not a young buck anymore.”

I put my forehoof under my muzzle and slightly nod my head, “I really had not thought of it that way before. Thanks for explaining.”

He grins with half-closed eyes as he begins to yawn. Then the tells me, “No problem. I just appreciate your asking. Most just assume we only sit there and the bird does all the work.” He pauses and yawns again, then says, “Now if you don’t mind, I really need to catch a nap myself.”

“Yeah, sorry about keeping you. If anything comes up one of us will wake you.”

“Thanks, kid. I appreciate it. Sorry, we aren’t more talkative.”

“No need to be sorry, I understand fully now.”

After he has left to claim a bunk, I head back over to some of the others who are just finishing rechecking their gear. As I approach, I hear Twinks telling Ginger, “Cookie, I am going to need to pick up some supplies for the team before we leave. I am getting short on bandages and healing potions.”

“Ok, I will see what the boss can do for that. However, after today, they may be short in general here. So, we may have to wait until we hit a new area.”

“Ok, but just so you know we are getting tight on those things.”

As I approach, I keep silent and just take in what I am hearing. From the side I hear Sunny ask, “Hey Twinks, could you give me a hoof over here? This actuator doesn’t seem right on my power armor.”

She shrugs and tells Ginger, “I best go help him. Time to put on my other hat I guess.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Yeah, but you do it pretty well also Twinks.”

“Thank Cohtil, I appreciate it, but to be honest, I would love to just grab twenty minutes of sleep right now.”
“Well, after helping Sunny with this, why don’t you lay down for a bit? We will wake you then if anything comes up.”

“Thanks, Cohitl. I will take you up on that.”

I then see her go over to Sunny and after a few minutes, I hear her say, “Huh, never seen that before. But let’s do this.” She fiddles with something using her TK and then I hear her say, “Ok, there you go Sunny. Now I am going to take a nap.”

“Thanks, Twinks. I really appreciate it,” he tells her as she soon heads to find a bunk so she can rest.

Soon it is just me, Sunny and Cowlick left awake with the others all catching what sleep they can.

As we sit there talking it occurs to me how close we have all become and how much we depend on each other. Then we begin to talk with each other about what we saw today and we begin to put together a picture of what really happened to us.

I find it interesting to hear about the air battle as well as Cowlick’s perspective of the ground fighting. Something occurs to me and then I tell them, “Have you noticed that we each saw different things? I mean, we were in the same battle, but not the same fight.”

Cowlick nods his head, “Yeah Cohitl, your right, it seems like most of the time we only saw what was happening in a small bubble around us. Oh, sure occasionally we might notice something big in the distance, like when the vertibuck crashed, but most of the time it was a lot closer.”

I am completely caught off guard when he says this, “What Veritbuck that crashed?”

He laughs lightly, “See, that is my point Cohitl. I saw it, you didn’t. I had just dropped back to cover for a reload when I saw it in the distance. Our bird flew up next to it as it was dropping troops out of it. Love Tap really poured it into the cockpit, then one of the engines. Last I saw she lost an engine and was spinning in, by then Tater had me reloaded and I was back to fighting.”

A bit later Choo returns and notices the others are sleeping. She smiles some and then shakes her head, “Wake them up. I have news you all need to hear.”

My eyes go wide and I ask, “What’s up Boss?”

“I will tell everyone at one time.”

I go to wake Ginger while Sunny and Cowlick wake the others. Once we are all gathered, she tells us, “For the old team members we just received news that the Baltimore Colt was one of the riverboats that were attacked on the Hoofrock River. Casualties are not known yet, but there are some. She has been towed back home to Manesville already by the S. Glimmer.”

While the flight crew does not know what to make of this, the old hooves are all visibly upset or angered. Sunny pops off by saying, “There will be a reckoning for that Choo. The clan will not stand for it.”

“Very true Sunny, but remember, we cannot just do what we want. Also, no matter how large the Water Clan is, they cannot take on the Enclave alone.”

He waves a wing. “Oh, I understand that. Just know now a good part of the clan is going to be wanting blood in return for what was shed.”

Choo nods her head, “Sunny, I am sure of that, but understand, there have already been air raids against home. I am not sure how many or how bad, but I am sure the clan is already pretty devoted to the cause. On another note, reports are coming in all over the NCR of our forces being driven back or forced to surrender in many areas. I think they thought they would do that to Hackamore as well. However, they did not know about the dragons here.” She pauses briefly as we digest what she has told us. Then she continues, “Flight Plan, tomorrow my team is at your service to assist with the vertibuck, they want us in Junction Town in three days. Tonight, I want all of us to unwind.”

He nods his head to her. Then I hear him ask, “So Choo, do you think we can paint a name on our bus?”

I see her raise an eyebrow and cautiously she tells him, “Perhaps, but let us see what the command in Junction Town says first. After all, while you are currently attached to me, we both work for them right now.”
I watch as Flight Plan shrugs and hear him tell her, “Ok, sounds good Choo.”

Shortly after this as we are preparing dinner in the barracks kitchen, I hear a knock on the door and then a new voice calls in, “Is Captain Choo available?”

Cautiously Ginger asks, “Who is asking?”

In reply I hear, the mule who is uniform at the door say, “1st sergeant Cross Cut, Company F ma’am. 1st Lieutenant Buzz Saw has asked me to invite you and your rangers to the F Company for a formal mess.”

“Does this include my flight crew?” Choo asks.

He nods his head and tells her, “Ma’am all of you who fought with us today are invited.”

“What time do you want us there?”

He smiles slightly as he tells her, "1900 hours ma’am.”

She nods he head and tells him, “We will be there. Should we bring anything?”

“Not necessary, but if you have any cheeses, fruit, nuts, or chocolate, it would be appreciated. I will see you all then,” he tells us before performing an about-face and heading off down the street.

I can see the questioning expression on the faces of the others here and I ask Choo, “What is a formal mess?”

She grins at me and tells me, “I know it is a tradition in the 2nd Manesville Regiment. Usually, it is for the officers or non-coms. We will meet for drinks, usually port if it is available, plus minor snacks, which often bring out different flavors in the drink. There are also a series of toast that are given, once those are done, we take the time to talk and get to know each other. However, there are strict rules, such as during the first hour there will be no discussion of politics, or talking in a negative manner of others present.”

From the side, I see Flight Plan and his co-pilot nodding their heads and he adds, “Nice to see that the old Equestrian Army tradition is still being followed. I was afraid the last one to do so were still in the Enclave.”

This really surprises me. Then I grin as after Choo says we are dismissed until we go to the mess, we all go and begin to root through our saddlebags to see if we can find anything to bring. As we are doing this Flight Plan then adds, “Oh, and feel free to bring anything else to drink that you like. Usually after the first hour, we begin to enjoy other libations as well.”

I see Sunny grin at this, “Now that sounds like a tradition I could really get into.”

*****

Harness, Hackamore Region, NCR: Choo Choo

Today has been a rough one for me. Not only the battle but the emotional rollercoaster that came with thinking I had lost another pony under my command. As I make my way to the Harness HQ, I shake my head sadly. As I pass George’s cave I see her son out front. He grins and waves to me, “Howdy Aunt Choo.”

I side-track over to him and begin to talk with him a bit, “Hay, Tempered, how are you doing?”

He shrugs, “Ok, I guess. I was worried about Mom, but she is laying down for a nap after eating a few gems and part of a radhog. Forged is laying down next to her.”

“Why aren’t you?”

He sighs, “I can’t. I tried, but I keep thinking about earlier. And how I have lost ponies and mules I know today.”

I put a wing around him and hug him. “I understand how you feel Tempered. I really do.”

As I tell him this, I feel him hug me back briefly. He then relaxes and once he lets go, I lift my wing from around him. He then tells me, “Thanks, Aunt Choo. I needed that.”

I then look up and I see Milo’s wives Cannel Coal, and Cedar Box coming in our direction along with their youngsters. When he sees them, I see Tempered get excited and he runs over to talk to Pine Box, Peat Coal, and Blue Moon.

Cedar Box then approaches me and tells me, “Thanks for checking on him too Choo. I am glad to see you made it ok.”

“Thanks. I am glad to see you all made it safely as well.”

That is when Cannel blanches a bit as she softly tells me, “Well, not all the family did. Gus was hit badly when he led his shift of miners out of a tunnel into the fight. But the messenger said he will live, so that is good.”

This time I blanch, then I tell her, “I heard about that, but did not see it. Send my well wishes to him. I will let the team know later. I am sure Ginger, Epona, and Xochitl will want to see him.”

“Thanks, Choo.”

“I hate to say it, but I need to get to the HQ and find out what is going on for me and the team now.”

When I say this Cedar nods her head in understanding, “We understand, we will watch Tempered for a bit too.”

Then I am off again on my way to the HQ. Once there I can see the confusion that is still going on there as they try to reorganize units and get a count of the costs that the battle has caused.

I then approach the Sergeant Major for the regiment and he tells me, “Yeah, just head to the radio room and talk with them. Let them know I authorized you to send whatever messages you need to send.”

“Thanks, Top, I really appreciate it,” I tell him, as I then head over to the radio room.

Once I am there, I can hear several different sets at the same time. I notice three ponies and a mule are operating them. One of them looks up and as just about ready to tell me something when I hear him say, “Blasted cave-in. The Colonel is going to want to hear about this.”

He looks up at me as he takes off his headset, I ask him, “What is it?”

He looks at me funny at first and then asks, “Your one of the rangers from Manesville right?”

I nod my head, “Yes, why?”

“Well then you know he has family up there. One of the family’s riverboats, I think it was Baltimare something has just arrived badly damaged at Manesville. The transports for the Third Battalion of the 1st Manesville assisted in the rescue operations.”

I almost feel like I was kicked. I cautiously ask, “Do you know how bad it was hit?”

He shakes his head, “No, just that she was hit bad enough to need to be towed.”

I understand what that means. She was hit hard enough she could no longer sail under her own power. I wonder how bad the casualties are, and who they were. I nod my head and tell him, “Thanks, we know the crew of the Baltimare Colt pretty well.”

“I understand, now if you will excuse me, ma’am, I will go let the Colonel know.” He tells me as he stands up and trots off.

One of the other ponies in the room, a unicorn mare approaches me next and asks me, “What can I do for you?”

I smile slightly and I answer, “I need to send out a status report to our higher-ups and get our next set of orders.”

She nods and leads me over to a desk. There she tells me, “Here you go, ma’am. Just use this form to prepare the message and we will send it as soon as we can.”

As soon as I write up the message, I take it back to her. As I hoof it to her, she glances at it and I see her eyes go wide as she asks, “Are you serious?”

I nod my head and tell her, “Yes I am, and I will try to wait for a reply before I head out.”

She goes back into the other room and I see her encode the message and then send it. As I am waiting for a reply, I see Milo come back in and he looks visibly upset. I stand up and once he is close enough, I tell him, “I am sorry to hear that Gus got hurt.”

“Thanks, he will be alright they said. I am just sorry we lost our nephew Double Back. I know it was not yours or Ginger’s fault. It just hurts.”

He sees me smile slightly and says, “Choo, you never struck me as a cruel person, so why are you smiling.”

I hold up a hoof. Then I tell him, “Milo, he is not dead. In fact, he is very much alive.”

He looks stunned as he tells me, “I talked to the medics who brought him in Choo. How can he still be alive?”

I sigh slightly before telling him, “Milo, on one of our recent missions we ran into a location that made what they called a super healing potion. I only had one, and he needed it, so I gave it to him. The medics were right he was almost gone when I got there.”

I see a look of relief come over his face, “Thank the Goddesses, I didn’t know how I would tell the rest of the family.”

“Where is he?”

“He is with the rest of the team, last I saw he was talking to a member of the flight crew and spending some time with her.”

Milo grins a bit, “Good, I am glad to hear that for him.” Then he pauses and hesitates before he asks, “Choo, he wasn’t dead yet? Was he?”

“No, he was not. Why?”

“It’s just I know how much it bothers Mollygirl that the Ghouls can see her shadow on both sides. I didn’t want him to have to go through that too.”

I nod my head. The look around and see no one is paying attention to us, so I ask him, “So did she tell you about the Mareigan?”

He nods his head and then asks, “Yes, why?”

“Because I met her today in the hospital. She was there to collect Double Back. She was not happy with me for preventing her from taking him, but I think she had enough other clients to deal with.”

I watch as he goes pale at first, then he asks me, “Choo, why was she here? She is the spirit of the Manesville region, isn’t she?”

“I do not know Milo, but perhaps, because the two communities are so close, she considers those who live in both regions as hers now.”

I watch him visibly shake. He thinks briefly then tells me, “Well, I need to get going Choo, if you get a chance stop by and see the family again.”

“I will sir. By the way two of your wives and the youngsters are keeping an eye on Tempered and Forged right now while George rests to heal her wounds.” He quickly thanks me for letting him know then heads to his office.

Shortly after this, I receive our new orders telling us to report in at Junctiontown in three days, if at all possible, for our next set of orders. All non-critical repairs to the Vertibuck will be performed when we get there.

Well, great, we will have to push ourselves. But tonight, I think we need to rest and recover from the fight. I decide to let the team know that they are to stand down tonight because we have a lot of work to do in the next few days.

Once back to the barracks I only see a couple of my people are still awake. To be honest, while I am a little jealous that they are getting a nap, I am also relieved that they are resting when they can. I smile and tell Xochitl, “Wake them up. I have news you all need to hear.”

“What’s up Boss?” he asks.

“I will tell everyone at one time.”

He and Cowlick go and wake the others. Once they are all gathered, I tell them about what I heard concerning the Colt.

I keep myself silent as they begin to express their surprise, only speaking when Sunny brings up how the Water clan is going to react to this. I quickly point out how they are most likely already involved in the war effort and such.

As we are discussing this, I hear a knock on the door and find a middle-aged mule standing there asking for me. I graciously accept the invite for my team to a formal mess with the remaining leadership of F Company and tell him that we will be there at 1900 hours as requested.

Once he departs, I explain to the others what a formal mess entails and soon they are digging through their saddle bags and ration packs for supplies to add to the mess. I smile when I see them pull out not only the bottle of Old Overmare from earlier but also a bottle with my and my two sisters' image drawn on it, that is labeled, Three Sisters Whiskey.

We put all our contributions together and take one set of saddlebags and put it all into them. After this, we eat a quick dinner and then we head over to the company barracks and HQ for F Company. Once we arrive, we are welcomed first by 1st sergeant Cross Cut, then Lieutenant Buzz Saw, who has taken over the company with the loss of their captain.

In the room where the mess is to occur, I see a long table covered with cloths. There are enough cups along it for all who are present plus a few extra. In the middle of the table are various small plates with some crackers and fruit on them.

“Captain Choo, it is a pleasure to have you join us tonight,” Buzz Saw tells me.

“Thank you, Sir,” I tell him, then continue, “We have brought a few things to share as well,”

“Well, in that case,” he turns his head and says, “Corporal Head Lamp, would you be so kind as to assist them with adding their donations to the cause to the table before we begin.”

A lanky Earth Pony mare with a light green mane and tail and a charcoal coat trots over and answers, “Of course sir. It would be my pleasure.”

She then leads Twinks, who is carrying the saddlebags to the table to begin unloading them. As they do so, the rest of us begin to talk and mingle with those from F Company.

Soon everything is ready and we are seated at the table. Lieutenant Buzz Saw, stands, and taps on his class lightly, “I hear by officially open our mess. Tonight, I would like to welcome our special guest, the Repair Ponies, you all may know some of them. Some of you may even be related to them, but welcome them all as old friends, as today, they fought alongside of us. “

He takes a large, fancy decanter of port and fills his glass half full, and then passes it to his right. Each person who receives it fills their glasses to about the same level. The only glasses not filled are those that remain upside down on the table and do not have anyone sitting before them. Once all of us have our glasses full, he begins the formal toast, “To the flag of our nation, long may she wave.”

We all raise our glasses and repeat the toast, then we take a small sip. Then the next lieutenant gives the next toast, “To the Regiment!” again it is repeated.

The next senior lieutenant then stands, and “To our gallant foes, and our honored fallen, long may they be remembered.”

After we drink this toast, they all look at me. Buzz Saw then asks me, “Captain Choo, would you like to make a toast as well?”

I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. I nod my head solemnly and raise my glass as I say, “To lost loves and fallen comrades.”

We all drink to it and then we sit down and begin the true meaning of the mess. We begin to socialize and get to know each other.

After the first hour is up, things begin to become more relaxed as we talk shop and continue to enjoy the camaraderie of the night. As I look at them all I smile and nod my head. They have earned this time of peace; I only wish it could last.

*****

Rainbow Dash Skyport, Enclave Territory, Hoofington: Ball Lightning

I look up from my desk as Sergeant Flash Bang enters my office. “Sir, the guards have reported that the youngsters are back inside the wire.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.” I tell him, Then I ask, “How are you handling being a sergeant in charge of your own platoon right now?”

He seems nervous that I asked him this, then he tells me, “Sir, I feel I am doing well in the position until we get a new officer.”

I nod my head, “Well, so far, I have no complaints about your performance. I ask in case there is a vacant officer candidate school position that comes up. I am getting together a short list of those who I might recommend.”

By the expression on his face, I can tell he is surprised. “Me sir? You would consider me to come up the ranks to be an officer?”

I nod my head as I lean back in my chair, “Yes I would, why are you so surprised?”

“Sir, I thought you would prefer Guntur or one of the others.”

I shake my head slightly and tell him, “Well, Guntur would have been one of my choices as well as you. However, he has let me know that he would prefer to stay a non-com. He feels he could do more good for the Enclave in that role.”

He seems taken aback by this, so I continue, “He feels his talents in training younger soldiers are better suited for him eventually becoming a senior non-com.”

Flash Bang grins slightly, and then asks, “Does he include junior officers in that?”

I shrug, “Perhaps, I have had a few senior enlisted that have taught me a thing or two. Now, I best get back to work on these reports, I will talk to you later Sergeant, and I will add you to the list.”

“Thank you, sir,” he tells me then salutes and leaves the converted cargo container that is now my office.

Once I finish my reports, I write a quick letter to my wife,

My dearest Sundancer,

While it has only been a week since I last saw you, words cannot tell you how much I miss you. I think about you all the time as well as our foal that you are carrying.

I told the youngsters that you are expecting, and now they are all excited for us. You should have seen Lil’ Bit even. That night before she left, she surprised me and asked me if that meant our little one would be a sibling to them.

Dear, while we may not have adopted them, I think they have us. While talking to Alizée in her shop the other day, she let me know that they all are very fond of me, as I was the first adult that has shown any compassion or caring for them since each of them lost their parents. This has been on my mind a lot lately. I really do not know what to think of it, other than they are all great kids. Even Savannah the griffon. I never imagined caring about such a group of orphans like this before. Believe it or not, it is one of the few things beside you that keeps me going each day.

I hope you and the family are all doing well. Give them my love and remember, you are always in my heart. I miss you and long to hold you again my sweet ray of light. I look so forward to the day when we can be back together again.

I need to cut this short so I can get going and put this in the mail before the battalion’s formal mess tonight.

With all my love,

Your loving husband

I blow on the ink briefly to dry it, then I fold it and address the outside of it. I leave it unsealed as the battalion mail censors will have to read it before it finally is allowed to go on its way.

I close up my office and call out for my company clerk, who is in the next container which is welded to this one.

“Type Set, could you make sure this gets sent out for me?” I ask him, but he understands that it is really a polite order.

“Of course, sir,” he replies, then he adds, “Don’t forget about the battalion officers' mess tonight sir.”

“Thank you, Sergeant, I appreciate the reminder,” I tell him with a smile, then I head over to the old hangar that does double duty as my company's barracks as well as mess hall.

Once there I clean up quickly and put on a clean tunic. Then I hustle as quickly and cleanly as I can over to the main terminal of the RD Skyport where our Battalion HQ is. On my way in, through the market area, I see Alizée talking with Savanna. Both wave to me and I stop briefly.

“Good evening, Lieutenant,” Savanna tells me excitedly, “Have you come to visit with us again?”

I smile briefly as I notice how much her speech patterns have changed and started to sound more like Alizée’s. Then I tell her, “Sorry, not right now young hen, but if not tonight, then tomorrow. I have a formal function to attend tonight.”

I see she looks slightly crestfallen but is hiding it, so I tell her, “I have to attend for my job. You know how important duty is.”

She nods her head and I can hear the disappointment in her voice as she tells me, “Yeah, yeah, I do sir. We were just hoping to hear some more stories from you is all.”

Next, I ask them, “Have the others come back yet?”

Alizée shakes her head, “They have not come back to the shop yet, but hopefully they are back inside the wire already. I hate it when they are out after dark.”

Both Savanna and I nod our heads in agreement. Savanna telling her, “I remember being out there in the dark for too many years. Thank the Great Egg, you guys and the Enclave took us in.”

Alizée smiles at her and tells her, “Savanna, I have not regretted it since.”

I see Savanna look at her with what I think is a smile. Then I see her look at the main entrance and I turn to look and I see the other young ones all coming in our direction.

Once close enough, the oldest and largest, Scout says, “Good evening, sir. Are you here to visit with us again tonight?”

I shake my head and as gently as possible I tell him, “Sorry Scout, not tonight. I must go to our battalion’s officer’s mess, and probably will not be able to break away earlier. However, as I was telling Savanna a bit ago, I will see about making it over here tomorrow night just to visit with all of you.”

“Oh, ok, we understand sir,” he tells me with a bit of disappointment in his tone.

I notice Lil Bit even seems disappointed as well. I take my hoof under her chin lightly and I tell her, “I will be back to visit with all of you as soon as I can.”

It seems funny to me, that I have really begun to care for this ragtag bunch of wasteland orphans. When I first met them, I felt sorry for them. Now, I have gotten to know them and really care about them. Almost like they are family.

She looks up at me with her puppy-dog eyes and tells me, “Ok lieutenant, we understand.”

I talk with them for a few more minutes before I look at my pastern watch and notice the time. “Ok, I really have to go now, I am almost late,” I tell them. Then I am on my way again.

As I arrive at the section of the Skyport that is sectioned off for the battalion HQ I find my way down the concourse to the terminal that has been sectioned off with wooden walls and is used as the officer’s mess. While not the last to arrive, I am one of them.

I see Lieutenant Colonel Full Bright look at me with a raised eyebrow as I enter. He says nothing. I nod to him in acknowledgment and begin to search for some of my peers to talk to. I do see Lieutenant Bulls Eye off to the side talking with some of the other junior officers. Tonight, we have left Lieutenant High Front back with the company as he is our duty officer of the day.

Then I notice a somewhat familiar face. One of the other officers that I went through OCS with. Lieutenant Aero Amethyst. His light purple coat contrasted well with his black uniform. He sees me and waves a wing for me to come over to him.

Once I get to him, he smiles and tells me, “It is good to see another familiar face around here.”

“I agree, it has been a long time. How is it going for you?”

“Not too bad, Ball. Things tend to be quiet on the backside of the base where my platoon is. How about you?”

“Not too bad, we are closer to this side of the base. We have had a few incidents with some of the locals outside the gate, but you know how that is. One or two of them get drunk or are on chems and they rile up the rest for a bit. It happens.”

He shakes his head, “Yeah, I guess.”

He is just about ready to say something more when I hear Full Bright tapping on a glass to get our attention, “Mares, Gentlestallions, please take your seats and we will begin the formal mess.”

Once seated, he quickly explains the rules of the mess. Then he takes a bottle of port and begins to pass it around. Each of us pours ourselves a glass of it. Beside me, I hear Aero quietly say, “I really would prefer Wild Pegasus to port, but what can we do.”

From the end of the table, I see the Lieutenant Colonel look at him with one eyebrow raised and his ears slide back and to the sides.

He then says, “Please stand with me for the toast.”

Once we are all on our hooves, he lifts his glass and we join him. He then says, “To the President of Enclave. Long may she lead us.” We repeat the toast, and all of us take a quick sip.

Next our XO lifts his cup up and toast, “To the Enclave.”

Again, we drink. Next is the senior company commander, we now are onto the less formal toast. Finally, it is my turn and I I stand tall as I say, “To lost loves and Fallen comrades, until we meet again.”

I notice several of the others look sadly straight ahead briefly as they lift their glasses high and repeat my toast. Then they take their drinks. After all the company commanders have given a toast, the CO tells us, “You may take your seats.”

That is when we begin to try some of the delicacies that are on the table to add to the taste of the port. I find the taste of strawberries to be fascinatingly sweet and enjoy the way they contrast in taste with the port. However, I will say, that with the port, I prefer the taste of chocolate much more.

After the first hour of us just talking with each other and sharing camaraderie the CO stands up and taps on his glass to get our attention. He then says, “The mess is officially over, you may leave if you desire or have duties to attend to.”

At this point, I watch a few of the officers present leave. I stay for another couple of drinks, including a Flaming Pegasus. Aero asks me where I got it from, particularly the name. So, I answer, “A while back I ran into some ponies from Manesville. This is a common drink for them to commemorate a battle between them and one of the Neighvarro raptors.” He and several others look slightly offended at first, but I hold up a hoof and tell continue, “From what I understand the toast that is usually given with it, is to our Honored dead and our gallant foes. To me that shows respect for us as well as themselves.”

“I like that,” says Bulls Eye Squall.

Beside me, I hear a junior lieutenant from another company say, “I don’t know. It seems like you have started to go native sir.”

I look at him in amusement and lightly touch a wing to his shoulder as I tell him, “No, I have not. I have spent enough time dirtside though that I have learned to understand those who you might fight against, lest they surprise you.”

He looks at me with suspicion then he cautiously asks, “Sir, what is up with those mudpuppy youngsters that we see around the base?”

I smile at the thought of them, then I tell him, “I first met them when they were trying to sneak onto this base over a year ago. They were starving and to tell the truth, if they didn’t get help, they would not have made it through that cold wet night.”

He shrugs his shoulder and somewhat confused says, “Why would that matter? They are just another bunch of wastelanders.”

I shake my head, “Yes and no. They were wastelanders. However, they are a part of the future of Equestria and the Enclave. They each have told me how they feel they are now Enclavers and wish to become citizens. We were the first to help them and show them respect. Sometimes we have to remember the old adage about winning hearts and minds. If we win those, we will not have to fight them and they will come to us.”

He takes a sip of his drink and while he does not seem convinced, he tells me, “I don’t know. But I guess if you say so, sir.”

Soon afterward I leave and am just passing Alizée’s shop when I hear Lil’ Bit quietly say from just inside the door, “Hi Papa, I mean Lieutenant.”

I approach her and sit down. I put a wing around her and ask, “What you are doing up so late my young mare?”

She snuggles up to me and tells me, “I was hoping to see you. We have all missed seeing you the last couple of days.”

I smile as I tell her, “I have missed all of you as well. Now why don’t we go inside and I will tuck you into bed, ok?”

She nods her head and after she is in her bed, I pull up the blanket for her and kiss her lightly on her forehead, “Good night young one.” I stop and look at the others who are all in their beds already and seem asleep. I then tell them quietly, “Good night children, sleep well.”

I hear several of them answer back, “Goodnight, sir.”

Then I stand up and slowly walk my way back out into the atrium and back to my bunk for the night. I smile to myself as I realize what Lil’ Bit has called me. Maybe I should talk to Sundancer about adopting them. Then I grin as I think back to my conversation with the young lieutenant earlier about hearts and minds, and I wonder suddenly if it goes both ways.

*****

Good evening all of you out there in the Wastelands. Tonight, I have a special treat coming to you later in the show, I will be interviewing a special guest that you all have heard me talk about before. While not all of you like her, you all can appreciate what she has done for us.

The big news tonight is the continued raids being performed on the NCR by the Enclave. Even here in Manehatten, we have had a few. However, in the few locations where the Enclave has shown up in force, they have been able to take and hold those positions. The NCR Army continues to fight these incursions and its representatives have promised that they will retake all the territory that has been lost so far.

While the number of casualties from both sides is being kept quiet, it seems many of us have already lost friends, family, and comrades that we have traveled and fought alongside of. With that in mind, here is our first song of the night, Here's a Health to the Company

Author's Note

After the excitement of the last couple of chapters, both the Repair Ponies and Ball Lightning finally get a chance to rest and just spend time with each other as they lick their wounds.

The formal mess is an old British Army concept that has spread to other nations' militaries as well. It allows the officers in their mess, and the senior enlisted in theirs to share time together in a professional, yet more relaxed manner. Often times after the end of the formal mess those who have attended will continue to enjoy said company as well as adult libations other than port. I felt that perhaps this was a tradition I should share with you my readers as it is not one that is well known about.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDuwl5uMLzY