Chapter 41 Friends, Acquaintances, and Allies

“Nothing brings you together like a common enemy.” ― David Foster Wallace, Infinite Jest

Baltimare, NCR disputed territory: Ginger Snaps

I crawl along the ground on my belly as I get closer to where the Enclave troops in their power armor have set up a roadblock leading to the old Ministry of Wartime Technology Hub. Having to do this, then knowing we are going to have to face whatever is inside afterward has really made me question my desire to do this job. The worst thing is that now that we have been drafted, we are not even getting paid well for it.

Well, at least it is something I know how to do well, scout. Xochitl, Sunny, and Epona are with me for this one. The roads leading to the hub are almost as bad as those in Hoofington. But it seems to be not as many gangs, but more tribals. I am not sure if that is worse or not.

As I reach the edge of the wall of the building, we are crawling through I peak over the bricks and can see two Enclave troopers guarding the crossroads from the far side with several barricades set up. I use my ears to signal the others to advance up to me. I slide back down a bit and quietly tell them what I saw.

Sunny then asks, “Ginger, you want me to go bring the rest up?”

“No, not yet Sunny, we need to check the other two routes into the Hub before we do that. I just hope our luck holds out.”

We slowly ease our way back out of the building and make our way around the block to the next side of the hub. Again, we are confronted by a small section of enclave troopers blocking a major intersection leading to the Hub.

Again, we sneak in close enough that we can see clearly what is going on with our scopes and binoculars, but not be detected by their Eyes Forward Sparkle. Again, we observe for a while and take notes. As we are doing this, I find myself yawning widely.

“Tired eh sis?” Epona asks me.

“Yeah, well we all lost some sleep last night trying to recover the latest supply drop.”

“Yeah, true, but by the NCR doing those nightly supply air drops to the locals, it has kept us dropping in hidden a bit.”

Sunny beside her nods his head and quietly says, “True, but I hear we may get another team dropping in to help us with the target.”

I nod my head and I see Xochilt move his ear to warn us of possible danger as he backslides to us and tells us, “Hostiles moving this direction on a patrol.”

“Ok colts and fillies, let us get out of here then,” I tell them as we begin to work our way as quickly and quietly as we can out of the building. Then I add, “We still have to check the rear loading docks to see what those look like.”

“Ok, Ginger, I got point,” my husband tells me as he moves past and gently lays a hoof on my shoulder on his way to the remains of a doorway behind us. As we slide out and begin to move, I look back toward the area we just left. Through the broken window pains and damaged walls, I can see the husk of the MWT hub tower only a few blocks away. Where there should be windows for the most part have been covered over with metal protective panels which have begun to rust with the passage of time. I briefly catch myself trying to imagine what it looked like new, then shake my head and catch up with the rest of my team as we make our way over and up the next couple of blocks to make our next set of observations.

We are just rounding a corner two blocks back and to the south when I hear a voice quietly say, “Hoofs up, bits out of your mouths. We have you covered.”

I look forward to Xochitl and he simply shrugs. Then he asks, “Ok, you got us, now who are you?”

“We are the Baltimare Aircoils. Why?”

Epona then answers looking in the direction of the voice, “Because we have been looking for your tribe.”

Then it hits me, tribals, we have been captured by tribals. Not even professionals I think as I shake my head in disgust. Then I think that on the other hoof, she is right, Choo had told us that we were to try and make contact with them. However, I am surprised that they are so far from the factory complex that they live in.

“Why would you want to do that?”

“Look, we are with the NCR, they sent us to Baltimare for a couple of things, including to try and get the local tribes to work together.”

“We are doing just fine on our own thank you, why would we need anypony else?” another voice calls out.

I sigh and sit down and in exasperation tell them, “Well the Enclave is here and unless you want them in charge, you need to stick together.” As we are talking, I let my one front hoof brush against my PipBuck then I run it up onto my whisper mic and click it five times quickly. This lets the rest of our team know we are in trouble. Now to just try and keep them talking a bit longer.

“We are doing just fine on our own thank you very much. And from what I have seen the NCR really doesn’t have much to offer right now. They can’t even send any troops here to help.”

I shrug, “It might seem that way, but they are sending what they can. Have you captured any of those supply drops lately?”

Another voice calls out, “Yeah, what about them? The Enclave has enough to drop and not try to recover them.”

I shake my head as do the other members of my team. Then Sunny speaks up, “Those were not Enclave drops pal. They were supply runs to help the locals stay in the fight from the NCR. If you got some of them good. I hope you used them to keep your people safe.”

Suddenly I see a pony appear in the doorway of a local building and realize he had been using a stealth buck as he shifts to the edge of the doorway for cover. As he does this he says, “Likely tell from an Enclaver.”

This gets me to laugh some. Then the pony in the doorway asks, “What’s so funny,” as he looks over the open sights of his rifle at us.

This time Xochitl answers, “Why would an Enclaver be with a bunch of earth ponies and a zony?”

“So, you saying he is a dashite?”

“No, he was born in the waste like the rest of us,” Xochitl returns.

This time in a somewhat surly voice Sunny tells them, “I guess you could say I am a wild pegasus as my parents are an earth pony and a unicorn.”

I can now see several other red dots as well as ponies with weapons aimed at us. I also notice that most of their weapons seem to be cobbled together affairs including some pipe guns. As I am looking the one that has done most of the talking says, “Alright stranger, no need to be making up stories now. How gullible do you think we are?”

I watch as Sunny shakes his head, and I hear him mutter, “Goddesses I am getting tired of explaining that.”

I smirk at him and then tell him, “Yeah, but you always get the same reaction cous.”

One of the tribals that is better covered than the others then asks, “He is your kin?”

I nod my head, “Yes, all four of us are kin, why?”

“Even the zony?”

Without thinking I let my hoof drop to my hip in disgust. I quickly hear a warning shot hit near my back hoof as I tell them, “Yes, he is my husband. We are members of the Water Clan out of Manesville and are serving with the NCR armed forces right now.”

“What’s a water clan?” one of them asks suspiciously.

Sunny fields this question and answers, “Well, it is our family and those who we consider friends of the clan. We support each other and to be honest, it has helped a lot over the years. Including allowing us to start the Water Line of riverboats.”

“Bah, riverboats, nothing big about that. Besides, if your clan was so good, why did we capture yah?”

It is then that I grin as Sunny points behind them and says, “Well, you see, you didn’t quite capture us. We have you.”

One of them begins to laugh, then I hear Choo’s voice say from behind the main speaker, “Have your people lay down your weapons, you are now our prisoners.”

As she says this, I hear the distinct shuck of the bolt follower going home in Cowlick’s heavy mg and Twinks telling him, “Ammo up, weapons hot.”

I see a defeated look come over their faces as the one who seems to be their leader turns and finds Choo right behind him with her horn lite.

His face goes slack and he tells the others, “You heard them, weapons down and hooves up.”

Once they are all together with us Choo then asks, “Which one of you is in charge of your group?”

The one who did most of the talking earlier raises a dirty yellow hoof and tells her, “I am. Not that it will do you much good.”

“And why is that?”

“Cause I ain’t going to tell you anything and neither are the others.”

Choo stops briefly and looks at the rest of us, “I want them one at a time, If they want to play hardball, they can find out how the Pinks used to play.”

“For Luna and Celestia’s sake Boss, you can’t do that to them!” I hear myself call out without thinking.

She turns to me, “Cookie, that is enough of that, do what I say. Now.”

I feel my blood run cold at the tone of her voice. The rest of us take the other prisoners out of the room and close the door behind us.

A short time later we hear some extremely loud screaming followed by silence. Then the door opens and Choo brings the prisoner she was with out of the room with her TK. She looks at us and tells us, “He will be ok. But I know what I need to know. We can let them go.”

I feel both horror and revulsion at the thought of what Choo must have done to this stallion to get him to talk. What has this damn war done to us? I ask myself.

*****

Baltimare, NCR disputed territory: Xochitl

While I do not show how I feel about what Choo has done, I can tell that my wife feels the same way I do. Deep inside I feel a bit of respect for Choo sliding way. This feels so different from the Valley and before she was trained in the ways of the Ministry of Morale and their agents called the Pinks interrogated prisoners.

Choo then tells the prisoners, “You are free to go. Once he wakes up, he will have a headache.” She then turns to the rest of us, “Ok, let’s go.”

Once again, I am on point as we make our way down the streets. The shadows begin to grow long as the sun makes its way behind the tall buildings that remain.

It is full nightfall before we make our way back to the compound outside the changelings stable. As we enter the gate, now fully ponied by the changelings, we are greeted by Eni and Meanie as they and a group made up of changelings both in their natural state as well as some as ponies. At first, I found it very disconcerting, but it is amazing how something strange and unusual can become mundane after a bit of time.

As we approach Meanie asks me, “You guys up for cards again tonight? I have a new game to show you.”

I shrug and tell him, “Sure.”

Behind me, Sunny says, “I am up for it. Dad taught me how to play most card games as a foal.”

Eni grins at him and tells him, “Well you probably have never tried this one. Our hive developed it shortly after we broke away and started to work with you ponies.”

“Huh, a new card game. Might be fun to take home to my parents then.”

Eni and Meanie look at each other and grin. Then one of them says, “Perhaps, it was a game that helped to keep us fed as it tends to evoke a lot of emotions.”

“Perhaps I will just watch before I decide to play," I tell them.

They grin at me, “No problem, Flower, we get enough from you and your wife anyways.”

“Wait, what, you are feeding off of us?”

“Yes, but our queen taught us long ago to only feed in small amounts, and to give back as it helps us to sustain our food source.”

“Oh, no, you are not just a food source to us. But that is a side benefit. Just as a friend of your clan can get assistance without asking for it. We feel we are doing the same.”

“So, you are playing with our emotions?” Epona asks.

One of the changelings responds, “Not at all, but if your anger gets too high or you are very anxious, we tend to feed off of some of the excess to keep you more balanced.”

The other adds, “We had to learn to ration how much emotions we can take as well as to supplement what we consume with what you consider real food.”

“No offense guys, but it still feels creepy knowing we are your food.”

Miney waves a hoof, “None taken Xochitl, we would feel the same way if the roles were reversed. But we are trying to be upfront with you.”

“Oh, ok, thanks for being honest, I guess. Perhaps a bit later for the card game, we have to clean our gear and weapons before we can relax.”

“Makes sense. A good lesson for the new troops to see as well. I look forward to teaching all of you the game later then.” Eni tells me.

“By the way, what’s this game called anyway?”

He grins a predatory smile my way and tells me, “Oh, as it was the first game that we invented ourselves, we just called it Uno.”

“Oh, that does not sound too bad to me then,” I tell him as we all continue our way toward the barracks buildings.

Later that night I watch as Choo and a pegasus I had not seen before pass by the barracks. Choo stops and tells Ginger, “I will be out for a bit. Ginger, you have the team for now. If I am not back by morning, I want you to lead a team to my PipBuck location. Oh, and we should be receiving a message concerning a special delivery tonight. Please feel free to respond if we receive it.”

“Yes ma’am,” Ginger tells her and then asks, “Anything else you want us to do tonight?”

“No, not tonight. Just get some rest.”

“OK, thanks boss,” Ginger tells her with a relieved expression on her face.

After Choo leaves, Twinks is fiddling with her Pipbuck and we hear a fairly new voice come over the radio from it in the middle of what they are talking about.

That is right Equestria, once again that bunch who come from Manesville have again sullied the name of pony kind with their horrific behaviors. Especially those who call themselves Repair Ponies. We know who you are Cookie, Sunset Water, and the others with them. We will not forget what you have done before and you will pay. Especially since we know you are in Baltimare.

Oh, is that a surprise that we know where you are? We even know about our outpost that you and your ilk have attacked and massacred the entire garrison along with the poor ponies from the Volunteer Corps who were with them just trying to provide aid and comfort to those poor wretches that are just trying to survive in Baltimare while the NCR turns its back on them.

But as President Winter Breeze has said, THE GRAND PEGASUS ENCLAVE is here for all ponies. We are here to assist them even in the face of opposition such as the ineffective NCR and their minions like the Repair Ponies.

“Oh, for Luna’s sake, change the station and see if DJ Pon3 is on yet Twinks,” calls out Double Back.

Across from him is Eni who asks, “Why does your team get all the credit for both team's work?” He pauses and then says, “Oh, and draw four DB.”

“Buck,” I hear Double Back say, causing me to miss some more of what the radio host was saying,

With that we will be back after these brief public information announcements from the Volunteer Corps and the Flight of the Pegasi performed by GPES Tornado’s ship band.

As the music comes on the air, I see Twinks adjusting the station on her PipBuck again and I begin to hear the heavy marching band music being replaced by the soothing voice of Velvet Remedy. I still find it hard to believe that Ginger and I have gotten to meet her a couple of times already.

Soon I untangle myself from my wife’s hooves and I join the others in learning this new game of Uno. It only takes me two hooves before I realize just how many emotions can be raised by this game. I see both Eni and Meanie relaxing and smiling and realize they must be enjoying both the game and their meal.

A short time later I see one of the changelings disguised as a pegasus come in looking for Ginger. He hooves her a message and quickly departs.

I finish this hoof of Uno and rejoin her. “Anything interesting?”

“Yeah. The message that Choo mentioned earlier just came in.” She tells me then shows me the message.

“The packages were delivered safely?”

“Yeah Xochitl, I do not understand it either. I wonder what it means?”

“Well, I am sure the boss does,” I tell her with a nod of my head. “Now, should we go get settled in for the night?”

I hear her sigh deeply and before I can even ask her what is bothering her, she tells me, “Dear, I am really worried about that broadcast earlier. If the Enclave knows we are here. I am sure we can expect visitors soon.”

This gets my attention, “Yeah, your right, we might want to make sure the guards are extra vigilant tonight.”

From our side I hear Tater, who is lying next to Twinks tell us, “Maybe just a little more alert, if we have them on too high of an alert for too long you know, just like with us, they will become complacent.”

“Good point Tater. I guess I will just let their bosses handle it.”

It is near dawn when I next wake up and see Choo Choo entering the barracks. She sees that I am awake and nods in my direction. Ginger then wakes up and goes to talk to her. When she returns, she tells me, “Had to let the boss know the next delivery had been received. She seems very pleased with her outing, but she would not tell me what it was.”

“Maybe that is for the best right now dear, now let’s try and get what sleep we can still,” I tell her as I pull the blanket that we are sharing back up and over my head. Soon I hear her breathing shift as she falls into a deep sleep. Then I hear her mumble and her body jerks, and I know it is the nightmares again. Some of them I still share with her. I hold her closer and just hope she does not wake up screaming and kicking at me again. After a bit, she has rolled over and her nose is against my neck and I feel her relax as I finally fall back to sleep as well.

*****

Baltimare, NCR disputed territory: Choo Choo

As I fly away from what is now our base of operations, I find myself smiling. Our misfortunate meeting earlier today actually worked out in allowing me to set up this meeting with the tribal leaders of the Aircoils.

I relax and I just enjoy the air flowing through my fur and mane as me and my associate fly to this meeting. In the distance, I can see what moonlight there is reflecting on the bay and the water that covers much of what was once a great city. Tonight, the moon is barely noticeable so we are not as easy to see in the night sky.

As I am musing to myself, she asks me, “Choo, are you sure this is safe?”

I sigh and tell her, “Your Highness, I think so. The one I set it up with is the best friend of one of their leaders. He even went along with the guise of being tortured. It seems he would rather fake being tortured, than to be so.”

“Hmmm, I never have liked the use of such techniques, though my mother did it seems. Again though, are you sure this is safe?”

“If we had brought your royal guard, they would have felt that they were being attacked. This way, well this way we may be vulnerable, but it also shows we are putting good faith forward. Besides, I will protect you.”

“You know just because part of your cutie mark resembles Luna’s, that does not make you her.”

I find myself letting out a low sigh before I tell her, “Your Majesty, I am under no misconception of being her. Having met her, I know what she is like and that I am nowhere near as beautiful as she.”

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow and asks me, “So, you got to meet her before the Last Day?”

I shake my head, “Yes and no. I met a variation of her. Myself and some of my teams have slipped between either timelines or universes. Either way, we met the Princesses on the other side of a portal in which the Great War, never occurred. They were very pleasant to have tea with.”

She looks at me again with a raised eyebrow and a look of incredulity, as she asks, “You do not seem to have enough magic to generate that powerful of a portal, how could you have done so?”

“Sorry, but Your Highness, I am not at liberty to say. But trust me, all the members of my team have been to the other side.”

“Humph, so this is how the NCR treats those it wants to join them?”

“It is how we keep others from miss using the methods we have. It does not reflect on how they look at you at all. Just being cautious, much how your people have always disguised themselves as ponies when coming topside from the stable.”

I see her ponder the thought, then she tells me, “Yes, I can see that. Perhaps it is best to be cautious with such techniques.”

Just after she says this, I see the large carriage lot outside of what was once a large factory. Through the windows on the roof and on the side, I can see some lights flickering. “Your Highness, I do believe we have found the old Baltimare Aircoil works. Let us land outside of the parking lot and walk to the gate for the meeting.”

Once we have landed, we adjust ourselves, the queen shifting herself to the form of a unicorn. Once again we begin to make our way to the parking lot. As we get to the gate surrounding it, we can see how much of the walls of the parking lot are made of shipping containers, and overturned self-propelled wagon trailers. Once we are at the gate, we are challenged by a guard standing on a platform above it.

I call up to them, “I come in peace and request to discuss business with your management.”

“Who are you and who do you represent?”

Before I answer, I think briefly and use the terminology I saw in the brain scan earlier today, “You can call me Big Blue, and I come from the head office. The mare with me is a representative from a local subcontractor.”

“Interesting. Wait here while I send a courier to ask management what they want us to do.”

“That is what we expected,” I tell them as I hear him mumble something to someone else and I hear hooves running away across the concrete of the parking lot.

Shortly after this, I hear a large number of hooves returning. Again, I can hear mumbling and the one from before tells us, “If you come in, you are to be unarmed and you are going to be escorted to the bosses.”

I look at Queen Chrysalides and she nods her head in agreement. I call back to them, “These terms are accepted as they are considered by us to be of caution.”

Finally, the door of the gate slides to the side and we enter. Once inside the parking lot, I get a better look at things. I notice that most of the old self-propelled carriages have been stripped down. Those that still have the doors and windows on them often appear as being used for living quarters. Once our escort arrives one of them tells us, “I am Shift Supervisor Brazing Rod, please remove your weapons and leave them with our guard here; they will be returned after your meeting.”

I sigh as I remove my minigun and set it aside. I see the queen awkwardly removing her submachinegun and battlesaddle and saddlebags. Once done with mine, I assist her with hers. When finished I tell the Shift Supervisor, “Ok, we are ready.”

“Then follow me,” he tells us. As we fall in behind him, two of the guards walk alongside us and two behind us, all with their weapons at the carry position.

As we cross the parking lot area, I see many ponies looking up from their campfires at us as we move through the dark toward the main building. Once there we go through a side door with a sign that says Employees Only above it. Inside is another gate that is locked and has a guard watching it. Our escort says something to him and soon the gate is opened and we are able to pass through it.

We next pass through a hallway that is lined with offices along the side, as well as a large open area that has several desks in it. Off to one side is a door that as we are led to it, I can see leads to a large meeting room.

In the center of the room is a table with chairs around it. Five of the chairs are on one side. Two are on the other. Seated in the chairs on the other side of the table I see two earth ponies, a unicorn, a griffon, and a zebra. All are dressed as nicely as they can. With the zebra and Griffon both wearing combat armor.

Standing in the corner of the room with two other ponies is the one pony we had captured earlier and who I had done the mild mind scan on. When he sees us, he averts his eyes quickly.

Our guide then tells us, “Please take a seat, so that we can begin our discussions.”

Ironically, this feels almost like a first-contact situation, though I know they have had dealings with the NCR before. After we take our seats, one of the earth ponies who is wearing a black suit with a red tie says, “Welcome to our facility, I understand that you are from the government, what can we do to help you?”

I am taken off guard by this. But remember what Purple Haze taught me about negotiations. I then reply, “Myself, I am with the NCR. However, I am only a team leader, not a negotiator.”

The others grumble as he holds up a hoof and says, “Then why are we even having this meeting?”

“I am Captain Choo Choo, of the NCR Rangers. My team was sent to this area, in part to contact your tribe and several others to assist you in your defensive efforts against the Enclave invaders who have already captured several areas of this city.”

He waves a hoof, “They have not bothered us so far. Why should we worry?”

Beside me, Queen Chrysalides quietly shakes her head as she looks down, then back up at him. “They may not have come yet, but they will. Cantersville, the settlement outside of our stable was already attacked and captured by them.”

He holds up a hoof again, “So what, that was you, not us. If you came here begging for help, well we are looking out for ourselves and a few of our local subcontractors.”

She looks him in the eyes this time and tells him, “Remember, if they come for us in the night, they will come for you in the morning. Besides, with the aid of the Repair Ponies and the Fixers, we were able to capture most of those who had attacked us and regain our freedom.”

From down the table, I hear a zebra-accented voice say, “The Repair Ponies you say? We heard on the radio earlier that they had attacked and massacred a Volunteer Corps station and a detachment that was to protect it.”

I shake my head and tell them, “That is a lie, we did not massacre them. In fact, if you would like you may have anypony you want to visit and talk with them.”

“And why should we believe you?”

This time Queen Chrysalides answers as she holds up a hoof, “Because you have my word.”

“Your word. And who are you that we should trust your word?” the stallion asks.

The queen stands up, she looks at me sadly and then back at those across the table from us. She sighs and then she changes into her natural form. Those we are here to talk to react about how I would expect them to, with most of them trying to get away from her and several of the guards drawing weapons.

Still holding a hoof up, she tells them, “I came today to offer an alliance with ponies I consider my peers. I have hidden my true form only to try and keep others from reacting in fear, as well as to keep myself from being a target. I reveal myself to you as a sign of my intentions to not hold back information from you.” She then turns to look at the pony I had scanned and tells him, “Apple Turnover, reveal yourself.”

I can see the pain of his expression as he closes his eyes and transforms himself from an earth pony to a changeling.

The lead pony then yells at him in anger and pain, “Apple, you? You are a changeling? You lied to me all these years?”

“No, Bottom Line, I did not lie, at least not fully. You have been my best friend since we were young. But yes, I am a changeling, though this form no longer feels like who I really am anymore. I only brought my queen here because I know we need help with the Enclave and Captain Choo told me she can help us.”

“We will talk about this later Apple.” He then turns to the queen, “Is this how you do business? You infiltrate people and lull others into a false sense of trust?”

She shakes her head, “No, I had some of my people go among the other settlements in the area so we could know what was going on outside the stable. We hid what we were because we understand how so many feel about our kind, and because of my mother, not without cause.”

“Now that you know who and what we are, who are you?” she asks.

The one who was talking first stands and tells us “I am Bottom Line as you already heard. I am the plant manager. The pony to my right is Double Stack. He is 1st shift manager and the pony to my right is Strike Out. He is our 2nd shift manager.”

The Zebra at the end of the table stands and says, “I am Primus Pilus of the first cohort of the Legio 1 Baltimaria. My name is Xanthus. We are the descendants of those who landed here after what you call the Last Day. Our territory is by the swamps and not too far from Neighfolk Navy Base. We tend to avoid there though as those who remain are what you call ghouls, and often no longer equine in mind.”

I nod to him and he sits down. Then the final person stands on her hind legs, with her foretalons on the table edge. She introduces herself, “I am Daphne, the XO of the Baltimare Talon company. We are currently contracted with Baltimare Aircoil to assist in their defenses.”

After she says this, she sits down again. This time Bottom Line speaks again, “OK, now that that is out of the way, what do you want?”

This time I smile as I tell him, “Well, the reason we are here is to find out what you want, and how we can help to keep you in the fight. We do not all need to like each other, but we need to understand that we are all threatened by the Enclave.”

They all look at each other and nod their heads, and then the talks begin. They last for the better part of four hours. However, when they are finished, they better understand what we are bringing to the table, including Queen Chrysalides and her resources. I find it interesting that by the end of the meeting, they have begun to make long-range plans, especially after hearing about how Manesville has blended the Militia there into their regular defensive plans.

It is still dark when we leave, but we both know the night is getting short. During the flight, Chrysalides asks me, “Is it true what you said?”

“All of what I said is true, but what part?”

“About the concept of naming a training camp after one of your fallen soldiers.”

I solemnly nod my head, “Yes. We named the one at Manesville Camp Quick Trot after the Major who led our Expedition Force into Red Eyes army’s rear areas. She was killed along with most of her officers at a supposed surrender ceremony. But she is remembered for her skill and bravery.”

As we fly in the dark, I see her put a hoof under her chin as she thinks. “Perhaps we could do the same thing. It would make sure he was not forgotten.”

I smile sadly in the darkness as we continue and I nod my head. “Perhaps you could your highness, now there is the settlement,” I let her know as I point a hoof and begin my descent to land. Right now, I feel tired, emotionally, and physically. While I do not want to admit it, that mind scan earlier had tired me out a bit more than I had expected.

Once we land, she continues to the stable and her quarters, while I return to the building we are using for a barracks. Once there I talk with Ginger briefly and then I find my way to a bed. Climb into it and pull the blanket over my head. As I fall asleep, I think of my Paperwork back home and how much I miss him. Soon, hopefully, soon we can get home again, I think to myself as the darkness overtakes me and I find myself in the land of dreams again.

*****

Rainbow Dash Skyport, Enclave Territory, Lunar Republic: Ball Lightning

As I make my rounds of the guard post that my company is responsible for, I find myself looking out into the early dawn light at the buildings that are nearest to our fence. I do worry sometimes at how close they are and how an enemy could use them to screen movements or as cover for an attack against this portion of the base.

While it does not happen often, we do still have the occasional uprising against us, or a lone shooter taking potshots at our people. Amongst the wreckage and debris, I can see some scavengers picking through what is left. While most of the time they pick something up, examine it, and toss it back down, occasionally one can be seen to become slightly excited and placing the item in their saddlebags.

I watch them for a bit more before asking the guards there, “Have you had any troubles from the locals today?”

“No sir. Every so often at night we might have a couple who get rowdy, but on this part of the perimeter they are pretty quiet.”

I nod my head, “Good, glad to hear it. If you need anything for your post, let your squad leaders know and pass it up the chain.”

As I leave the guard post, I look one more time at those scavers over in the ruins and think of how the young ones once survived like that. I catch myself sighing as I wish I could do more, but know I cannot. I look up into the sky in the direction of Thunderhead and I wonder what things would have been like had the great war never happened.

My thoughts continue along this line as I finish inspecting my troops positions. I speak here and there to them and find myself grinning when I have a couple of the younger troopers ask me how my wife and the family are doing.

But as all good things they must end as I arrive at my company headquarters. There I see my clerk waiting for me by my office door.

“What’s up, Sarge?” I ask.

“Sir, Battalion CO says he needs to talk to you, sir.”

I find myself sighing again as I put the hat that I had just taken off back on and I head back out the door for the main terminal building where Lieutenant Colonel Full Bright has his office.

As I enter the terminal, I quickly pass through the main traders’ hall. I smile and wave at Alizée and Savannah as I pass their shop. I really do appreciate the way Alizée has taken her under her wing and is training her to run the shop. That and Savannah really feels like she is doing something important which is important for a hen as she reaches maturity.

Once I reach Full Bright’s office, his adjunct has me wait briefly before allowing me to go in to see him.

As I enter, I notice another officer sitting off to the side. He drew my attention when he nodded as I entered. From his uniform, I can see that he is a Public Affairs Officer. Though he is not from our chain of command. This gets me to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Take a seat Captain.” The Colonel tells me. Once seated he continues, “Let me introduce you to Major Byline from the General Staff.”

I nod at him and then the Major. “A pleasure Major,” I tell him noncommittally.

“A pleasure to meet you as well Captain. The Colonel here has filled me in a bit about you and your family. In fact, that is why I am here. For you and your family. Your paperwork for formal adoption of the ground-born orphans has come to the attention of some very high ponies, and it is felt that it would really help our cause if we were to film your formal adoption as well as their taking the oath of citizenship for one of the next Flight Pathe news reels. With you and your wife’s permission, we would also like to interview your family for some news bites we can broadcast to others down here to help them understand we are only here to help them.”

I fight the urge to raise my eyebrow again and simply shift my ears to acknowledge I understand his question.

I then reply, “While that sounds good to me, I would like to discuss it with my wife as well.”

Major Byline, then tells me, “Please make sure she knows that this is highly encouraged by the leadership of the Enclave, and as a good citizen you both should be ready to jump on board with it.”

I am not sure if it is his tone or the implied threat that does it, but I feel my ears wanting to slide back slightly but am able to disguise it as a motion of agreement.

“Ok, good. Now, just so you know, as this is of personal interest to the President, she will be conducting the ceremony herself. Oh, and we will need your entire family to be ready the morning of it. We will be having one of our loyal unicorns casting the cloud walking spell for the non-fliers in your family.”

This surprises me and I nod my head slowly before I ask, “So we will be taking my family to Thunderhead for this ceremony?”

“Ah, but of course. Where else is better to show the glory of the Enclave and how much we welcome our new citizens, than in one of our great cloud cities.”

Again, I nod my head and shift my ears in understanding and agreement. Then I ask, “Ok, when will we be doing this?”

This time my commanding officer answers, “It should be in the next couple of days. For security reasons, we will be informing you and your family on short notice.”

“I understand sir,” I tell him, and part of me does. But part of me also realizes I have no choice. But I will coach Sundancer on it so we can keep it on the down low.

That evening while we are having dinner at our cargo container home near the gate for the Volunteer Corps station, I give my family the news about our having been officially okayed for the adoption, and about how we will be visiting Thunderhead. I purposely leave out any mention of the President, so that it cannot be leaked.

They all seem excited. Then Scout asks, “But sir, how about us non-flyers? I mean after all, we can’t just walk on clouds like you can.”

Sundancer answers for me, “That is a good question, Scout. I know that there are some Unicorns and Earth Ponies who live in Thunderhead. From what I have been told they can step off of the cloud pavement and walk on the regular clouds when they use either a cloud walking talisman or for shorter periods of time, they can have a cloud walker spell cast on them. However, that does not last for more than a day or two at a time from my understanding.”

“So, Ma, we really will get to see a cloud city?” he asks in wonderment.

She smiles back at him and tells him, “It sure sounds like it. Maybe I can even take you to visit my family. I know my parents would love you too.”

“Even me?” asks Savannah from down the table.

“Yes dear, even you. I am sure of that,” my wife tells her.

After this, we begin to talk about more mundane things such as what they have learned at the new school that the Volunteer Corps has started near the gate for any locals who want to attend.

They also talk about how they have a new lead on a possible site of salvage that they could recover and sell.

“Ok, but be careful if you do go for it. But remember, it has been there for over 200 years, it can wait a bit more, so maybe go get it after the ceremony, ok?”

“Ok sir, I will.” He tells me with a smile.

I worry about him and the others when they go out scavenging like that, but they are now putting their educations first and using scavenging as a way of making extra caps to buy what they want instead of depending on it to survive. I nod my head in reply and we continue with our meal.

Three days later I have just wrapped things up in my office when I get a runner with a message from the Lieutenant Colonel for me. I crack the wax seal, open it and read,

Captain Ball Lightning,

I have just received notice that tomorrow is the day we discussed previously. Have your family ready and outside my office by 0700. Transport to be arranged from there.

Lieutenant Colonel Full Bright

Command Officer 353rd Military Police Battalion

When I look up, I notice that the courier is still there and I tell him, “Please let the Colonel know that I understand and acknowledge the order.”

“Yes sir, thank you, Sir,” he tells me, then he exits my company HQ and takes off again.

I then call out for my company clerk and tell him, “Please have someone go and get Lieutenant Bulls-Eye for me, I need to see her as soon as possible.”

He nods his head and calls out, “Courier!” as I turn and head back into my office.

About a half hour later I hear the Lieutenant arrive. As she enters my office I tell her, “Lieutenant, close the door and take a seat.”

After the door is closed, I tell her, “Bullseye, I am leaving the company in your hooves tomorrow and possibly for the day after. I can not say why, but will tell you once I return.”

She nods her head and asks, “Is everything alright sir?”

“Yes, no problems, just some things I have to take care of.” After this I give her a quick turnover and once finished, we both head out for the night. On my way home I smile at how much my life has changed over the last couple of years. I never imagined having such a large family, nor did I imagine I would ever get to meet the President, much less twice.

Once home I begin to cook dinner as Sundancer has not returned from work yet. Soon I am joined in getting the meal ready by Scout and Little Bit.

Soon more of them arrive home followed shortly by Sundancer, with Scraps right next to her. She sees me and the others getting dinner and the table ready and smiles. “Thanks, dear, I really appreciate it. We had a couple of hard cases today.”

“No problem, dear, I have big news once dinner is ready.”

I see her raise an eyebrow and I nod. As I do this, I see the youngsters smile widely as they realize what I might mean. Once our meal is ready, we bring it to the table and take our seats. Once we all have our portions on our plates, we finally begin to enjoy our meal.

I have taken my second bite of mine when Sundancer asks, “Ok dear, what is the news?”

Grinning I tell her, “Tomorrow is the big day. We need to be at the Headquarters at 0700 so we can be transported up to Thunderhead."

I hear all the children cheer briefly then Sundancer tells them, “Ok, that means after dinner we have to clean everyone up and we get to bed early tonight.”

“Yes Ma,” they all chorus.

Come morning we get up early and are at the HQ ten minutes before we are scheduled. As we enter the Battalion 1st sergeant meets us, “Good Morning Captain. I can see you are all ready, please follow me.”

As we follow behind him, he leads us out of the main terminal towards one of the nearby hangers we use for transporting cargo and passengers between Thunderhead and here. As we approach, I notice a cargo Vertibuck going through its preflight checks. He leads us into the hanger and there we are met by Major Byline as well as two non-coms. Behind them are two more ponies in all-black suits with sunglasses on. They approach us first and they check us for weapons.

“Captain, all your families’ weapons will be returned to you when you come back. But for now, we need you to turn them in to us,” One of the ponies in black tells me.

I nod my head in acknowledgment and tell my family, “Ok everyone, you heard the stallion.”

I smirk to myself as I notice the discomfort on the face of the Secret Service ponies as we place what weapons we have on us on a table where an ordinance sergeant takes them and places them in a locker.

Once we are ready, I see a unicorn in an Enclave uniform approach. She tells us, ok, each of you non-flyers, please stand in line here. I will be casting a spell on you that will allow you to walk on the clouds when you get to Thunderhead.”

The children quickly get in a line next to each other and await their turn to have the spell cast. When she is done, she tells us, “I am done now. Remember, this is not a permanent spell.” Then she turns and walks away.

One of the secret service ponies speaks into a whisper mic and I hear the rotors begin to spin on the transport Vertibuck. Soon one of its crew ponies comes into the hangar and tells us all to follow them.

Once on board our transport we take our seats. I see the excitement on most of their faces. However, I do notice Scraps seems a little worried. As the ramp lifts into place reducing the noise I call to him, “You ok sport?”

He nods his head slightly then shakes it, “Sorry Pa, but I have never flown before and I am scared.”

Beside him, Lil’ Bit smiles and puts a wing around him, and tells him, “It’s ok, I was scared the first time I flew too. I am here for you, just like Savannah was for me.”

He nervously tries to smile and tells her, “Ok sis.”

Then we feel the aircraft lift off and spin as it flies toward Thunderhead. As we go, I hear the youngsters' ohs and ahhs. Though I do notice Scraps still looks slightly anxious.

After we enter the airspace around Thunderheads the pilot takes us for a flight around the main area of it, including where some of the local cloud farms are. When he sees this, I notice Scraps sits up a bit straighter and pays more attention to that than anything else.

Finally, we land at the Skyport for one of the local military bases. As we get off the aircraft I watch as the non-fliers in the family take their first tentative steps on the clouds. Then I watch as Scout all but bounces with glee on the clouds laughing like a little colt. He finally smiles at Sundancer and me and tells us, “Pa, I never imagined getting to do this. It is so Awesome.”

“I am glad you are enjoying it, son,” I tell him with a wide smile as well, then I notice a movie camera and crew have been filming our arrival. From one of the nearby buildings a pegasus flies over to us and tells us, “Follow me, please.”

As we go, I notice even Scraps has begun to bounce as he walks. Though Lil Bit tends to stay flying a bit more than normal.

Once inside we are taken to a room off to the side where we are told by Byline, “Ok, before we hold the ceremonies of perform the official adoption, we want to film your family as it visits various destinations in Thunderhead as well as having a brief lunch. So, if you would please follow me.”

Soon we are led to one of the large shopping malls that is also near a park. As we approach, we can see several mothers with their foals playing there. I notice that many of the pegasi seem fascinated in my family, however, I also notice that several mothers gently distance their children from mine.

As we approach those who are interested in us, begin to greet us and we greet them back. I also notice that another camera has been set up nearby and is filming this meeting.

I hear one of the young pegasi ask Scout, “Wow, an earth pony up here. Where are you from?”

Scout stands tall as he answers, “My siblings and I came from Hoofington, but we are being adopted and becoming citizens of the Enclave now.”

“Wow, you can do that?” another asks.

This time Patchwork answers, “Yep. We cannot wait to become members of the Enclave for real.”

I then hear another pegasi ask, “But why would you want to join the Enclave?”

This time Lil’ Bit answers, “Because the only ones to ever try and help us when we needed it was the Enclave. Papa found us and took us to the Volunteer Corps station and they gave us shelter and a hot meal plus let us keep a blanket even.”’

Scraps then adds, “It might not seem like much, but when you have nothing that was a blessing from the Goddesses.”

After hearing this exchange, I notice the camera and a sound boom had gotten closer and Byline is almost bouncing with joy.

We talk for a bit more with the civilians then Byline tells us, “Ok, we need to get going to keep on schedule.”

He then continues to film the goodbyes that follow and we are next led to the doors of the mall.

Once at the door, he tells me and Sundancer, “Before the ceremony we want your children to look their best. You are being extended credit to outfit each female with a dress and males with dress shirts, ties, and sweaters. Also, we will be filming you with several cameras to capture the children’s reactions to the mall. You will have an hour. After that, we will stop and get lunch then on to the City Hall for the adoption and citizenship ceremony.”

As we enter the malls the first thing, I hear is Savannah saying, “Wow, look at all these stores.”

Then I hear Scraps say, “Wow, it feels so nice and cool here. I wonder how they do that?”

“Oh, that is air conditioning,” Sundancer tells him, “We have it in most of the building in Thunderhead.”

“I wish we had it at home,” he tells her.

“So do I little one,” she tells him.

As we come to the first shop, I watch their eyes go wide with the number of products that are on display.

I then hear Savannah say, “So much of this looks almost new.”

This time a sales clerk approaches and tells her, “That is because it is new my young hen. As often as possible we produce new garments from raw fabric we have found or had stored away.” The clerk smiles brightly then turns to all of us and asks, “Can I be of assistance to all of you?”

Sundancer smiles back and tells her, “Yes, we would like to get a new outfit for each of our children. Would you have anything that might fit a young griffon hen?”

The clerk smiles, “Of course ma’am, we can do that. Let me see what we have in the back for her. While I am gone feel free to browse the rest of the racks for the others.”

While she is gone, we find an outfit for each of the others. She returns with two possible outfits in what seems to be the correct size even. The first is a bright yellow dress, the second is a light green blouse and a dark green skirt. Both are solid in color. I watch as she sees the skirt and blouse and I know which one she wants. She looks at it with wonder and asks, “Can I try it on?”

“But of course, you may. The fitting rooms are just this way.”

Once she is dressed, she comes out and stands on her hind legs and extends her wings as she says, “Ma, Pa, it's so beautiful, can I have it, I never have had anything so nice.”

I look at it and nod my head, “Of course Savannah.”

Byline then approaches again and tells us, “Please have the children put on their new outfits. It will look much better for the newsreel.”

The kids excitedly change into their new outfits. I notice Sundancer is wearing her Volunteer Corps Jumpsuit while I wear my uniform and I ask Byline, “Would you like either of us to put on some good civilian clothing?”

He shakes his head, “No, actually you two are dressed perfectly for this. It really highlights how the two Enclave organizations that most of the mudpuppies are going to come across are there to help.”

I notice his use of the slur for groundsiders and while I am slightly offended by its use, I know I dare not say anything so I simply nod my head in agreement.

After the kids are all dressed, we make our way over to the food court of the mall. It is an open-air one with the sun shining down on us. The place is more busy than normal, but that happens sometimes. I enjoy watching the youngsters try and make up their minds on what they want to eat. I am just glad that the camera crew is giving us some room for our meal at least.

As we eat, I find it interesting to see how careful the youngsters are to not get food on their new clothes. It seems they are all very proud of them.

After the meal, we are taken to the City Court House, where we are taken inside, and again the cameras are present as we all stand before the judge with our lawyers as the judge again goes over the petition for adoption.

From the bench, he looks down upon us over the top of his eyeglasses. He then asks, “Captain, Misses Sundancer, you do realize how unusual this request is, and the extra responsibilities and cost that come with it?”

“Yes, your honor, we understand and we agree to the conditions of adoption,” I tell him.

He looks at Sundancer who is standing beside me and asks her, “And you madam?”

“Yes, your honor, we both fully understand.”

“Good,” he says, “That means I can in good conscience sign this.” He then signs the paperwork. Looks at all of our children then us. “You are now officially their parents and guardians. Congratulations.”

We exchange hugs with our children, then we are led to our next stop. The Enclave Regional Government building.

Once there I hear Scout ask, “Sir why are we coming here? Couldn’t we just have done our oath of citizenship at the courthouse?”

Before I can answer Byline from behind the camera asks, “Young stallion, has your father not told you who is going to administer your oath yet?”

“Uh, no sir, he has not. Why?”

Byline looks at both me and my wife and then him and tells him, “You have a very special officiating offer who will give you the oath. But let’s wait until we are inside.”

We enter another large room that is like a courtroom. There is a podium up at the front of it. Behind the podium hangs the flag of the Enclave. In each corner of the room behind it are worn flags from the old nation of Equestria.

Byline has us all enter and the kids all take a seat before the podium with me on one end of the row of seats and Sundancer on the other. The two secret service type ponies take up positions by the door.

Byline then has his ponies set up two cameras so that they can get a good angle without catching the other camera crew. Once they are finished, he talks to one of the ponies in black. I watch as they talk into a whisper mic set and then we see a door from the front and side of the room open. Off to the other side of the room, I see my father in a business suit next to Sundancer’s parents. All are smiling.

Out of the door first comes four more of those ponies in black. Once they are all out and in position to guard the room, I see two more come out followed closely by a mare who has a light blue coat, with a blue-green mane and tail, that is wearing a dark blue business suit. She is wearing a serious expression on her face as she comes into the room.

She looks at all of us in the room, and when she sees our children, she smiles and tells them, “It is a pleasure to meet you, children. I am President Winter Breeze.”

Scout, as our oldest stands up and tells her with a still surprised expression on his face, “Madam President, we are surprised and humbled. Oh, and I am Scout.”

She smiles at him and tells him, “A pleasure to meet you, young stallion.”

She then is formally introduced by each of our kids as they in turn stand and tell her their names. She has a bit of chit-chat with each of them about their education and what is being done for schooling at the Rainbow Dash Skyport.

After she has talked to the last of them, she then says, “All of you future citizens of the Enclave, please stand and raise your right hoof… or foretalon and repeat after me.”

They all follow her orders and then repeat the oath of citizenship for the Grand Pegasus Enclave. Once she is done, she tells them, “Congratulations, you are now officially members of the Enclave. I look forward to great things from all of you, just like your father and mother.”

After this, she leaves the room One of her security guards approaches me and tells me, “The President would like to talk to you before you leave.”

I am very surprised by this but nod my head and tell my family, “I will be right back.”

I follow him into the back room and I find the president behind a desk. She looks up and tells the others, “I want only one of you guards to remain in here with me for this meeting. The rest, you know where I am.”

Once the others have left, she looks at me and tells me, “Captain, This war, while it has been going well for us, it has revealed a certain, how shall a say this?” She pauses with a hoof under her chin, then says, “A certain lack in our ways of communicating with our opposition. I need a back door channel to the president of the NCR. I also know that a certain group that you are familiar with has had connections with her and we know approximately where they are.”

I shake my head unsure of who she means at first. She looks at my confusion and says, “Really Captain, you must remember the wild pegasus who visited you in the hospital. I know I was surprised when I read the report.”

At first, my heart speeds up thinking I may be in trouble, but then I realize what she is asking me. “Sorry ma’am, it took me a minute to realize you meant Sunset Water and the Repair Ponies. Yes, ma’am. We are on opposite sides, but I do believe there is mutual professional respect.”

She nods her head, “Good. I am glad to hear that you understand me. Soon I may need you to open this back door for me. I will let you know when. I am sure you understand Captain.”

“Yes ma’am, I do.”

“Good, Captain, with that, I will let you return to your family. By the way, congratulations on your adoption of them. This is exactly what we need to help win the hearts and minds of those down below. That is part of why you have drawn my attention. But Captain make sure you do not place yourself in danger unnecessarily. Your wife does not need to be a widow, especially with that large of a family depending on you.Dismissed.”

“I will be as careful as I can ma’am,” I tell her and give her a salute which she returns and I am escorted back to my family.

Once with them we are approached by Byline for one final thing. “Ok, everyone, before we take you back to the RDS we would like to have you sit down for an interview with the radio host for Radio Free Equestria, Hallowed Dreams.”

“Okay sir, lead on, “I tell him and we follow him through the streets of Thunderhead to the local radio studio. By this point, I am just looking forward to getting it done and returning home. As we go, our parents walk with us and we continue to talk about the kids. It is amusing to see both of Sundancer's parents as they finally get to know all their new grandchildren. But honestly, I am even happier with my father and how he keeps talking to the ones they are not talking to at the moment and keeping them engaged as he points out things we are passing to them or listens to them talk about something that catches their attention.

Once we arrive at the studio they head on their own way while we go inside and conduct the interview. I will say there were some parts of the interview that surprised me, but I am proud of how the kids behaved for it.

Finally, it is starting to get late in the day when we are taken back to the base. Once there we are able to catch a ride back down to the RDS where we stop at the main merchants’ hub to get some dinner before heading back home.

As we are tucking the youngsters into bed. Lil’ Bit tells me, “Thank you Papa for adopting us.”

“You’re welcome, dear,” I tell her. Then I ask, “So what did you think of it up there?”

“Oh, it was nice and all, but Pa, this is home. But it was a good day.”

I smile at her and I tell her back, “Yes it was a good day, now sleep well.” I then kiss her on her forehead and once we have all of them tucked in, I smile at them in their beds, then turn out the lantern. Yes, it was a good day.

*****

Good evening all you Wastelanders out there. That last song was Fly Like You being sung by Velvet Remedy. We have a lot to talk about on tonight’s show as well as plenty more music for all of you. So just hang on tight and we will be getting to the music after these brief messages and news.

For those of you in the Baltimare area, it seems that all those goodies falling out of the sky are not from the Enclave, but are from our friends in the NCR. Some friends. We need a hoof and they kick us a bag of stuff and tell us to take care of it ourselves. Well, that’s politicians for you.

In other news it seems several of the local tribes and settlements have begun to hold talks to organize a centralized local government. This comes in the wake of accusations of a massacre of Enclave soldiers and members of the Volunteer Corps by hired hooves from the NCR. More to come on this as news rolls in.

Speaking of tribes and settlements, remember that the Baltimare Aircoils are the premier producer of pipe weapons as well as stills in the Baltimare region. They are open for trade Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week and vendors are welcome to set up a booth or blanket at the market there.

We will be back with more news and views you can use after the next five in a row, starting with Chasing Fate.

Author's Note

This chapter is a long one but it is building a foundation for what is to come. I am sorry there was not more action in it, but I felt it needed a bit of a slice of life. With that said, there will be action yet to come in the upcoming chapters.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQPOK7lg2FA