Chapter 44 Reloading

“Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life.” ― Shannon L. Alder

Former MWT Hub, Baltimare, NCR Territory: Ginger Snaps

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Ball Lighting and his team follow the tech that met us when we reentered our universe, and make it safely to a stairwell on the other side of the lobby. Ball is the last one and I am surprised as he looks back at us and waves a wing to us. I wave back, then my attention is drawn back to the NCR team that has its weapons trained on us.

“Drop your weapons and identify yourselves!” an earth pony wearing a lieutenant’s uniform yells at us over his rifle’s sights.

Choo calmly answers for all of us, “I am Captain Choo Choo, of the NCR Rangers team code name Repair Ponies. The rest here are my team members.”

“Likely tell. Corporal, collect their weapons. Sergeant, take them back to the regimental HQ.”

I am surprised that they are treating us as prisoners and catch myself blurting out, “You mean you don’t believe us?”

“Frankly, no. What I saw was you people running out of a research area with a bunch of Enclave bastards and you distracted us enough they could escape.”

I feel my head go back in indignation, and just as I am getting ready to unload on him, I feel a hoof on my shoulder and I hear Twinks say, “Let it go Cookie. Let it go. We would be the same way.”

He nods at us and tells some of his people to get us moving, the rest continue to secure the lobby area of the building. As more troops are pouring in, we are led out under guard. I notice several of them looking at us with glares of anger and hatred as we go out.

Soon we are back to the Baltimare Aircoils’ compound and are taken inside where we are put in a holding facility. Our unicorns and Choo all have magic inhibitor rings placed on them. We wait several hours before I hear the familiar voice of Mudwing as well as another griffon who is wearing a lieutenant colonel's uniform.

As they enter the room, one of our guards orders us, “On your hooves.”

The Lieutenant Colonel asks, “So are these the ones?”

“Not sure, “Ok, Cookie, how did your team arrive in Baltimare originally?”

I grin as I tell her, “Airdrop, you and the fliers dropped and used your wings from the vertibucks, Myself and the others used parachutes.”

She nods her head, then she asks, “Ok, Danger, how did our teams meet the first time.”

I watch as Twinks raises an eyebrow and answers, “Are you talking about how your team arrived at the camp we were already at with that old equestrian army wagon? I mean I never saw a self-propelled one before that.”

Mudwings looks over at the Colonel and tells her, “Yeah, I think this is them. If not, the Enclave has changelings working for them now.” She then asks the senior officer, “Ma’am, could I talk with them privately for a minute?”

Once she leaves and all the guards step outside behind her, Mudwing asks, “Do you still have that special weapon?”

Cowlick nods his head, “Yeah, but I am not sure how much good it will be now. I accidentally stepped on it and many of its components seem to have broken and fallen out on the other side of the Doorway.”

I see her sigh, and then she says, “At least the Enclave doesn’t have it,” She pauses and then asks, “They didn’t know what it was did they?”

This time Choo Answers, “Actually, they did use it on one of my team members. Double Back was hit in the eyes. We did emergency treatment with healing potions, but he seems to still have had some serious eye damage.”

She looks over at the mule, “Sorry to hear that. Well, we will be transporting your entire team back to the training camp for a full debrief, hopefully, they can do more. So, what was it like on that side this time?”

Choo begins to tell her and I hear her ask sadly, “So, only ponies? No other beings?”

“None that we saw, but that was still only a small area. So, they may have just not had contact with them.”

I see Choo almost say something but she holds back. Finally, she asks, “OK, how long were we gone, and what all has happened? It seems a lot has changed.”

She grins, “Choo, it has been almost five months.”

We all nod our heads as we understand how time differentials between universes happen. Choo tells her, “I was afraid it was that long.”

Then Mudwing tells us, “The various factions of Baltimare have gotten together and formed a rough regional government, along the lines of what Manesville did. They had enough militia troops and volunteers to form two regiments, that they have taken to calling the Baltimare Brigade.”

I nod my head, “Glad to hear it.”

Soon after this she says, “Ok, let’s get you out of here and back to the Rangers.”

Shortly after we come out the same griffon tells us, “OK Captain Mudwing, we have a reply for your message earlier.”

She uses a wing to pass the note. Mudwing reads it quickly and tells us, “Choo, we have a vertibuck inbound. When it lands you and your team are to be on it.”

We all nod our heads and then recover our weapons and kits. Once we are ready, we go over to an area near where the Vertibuck is to land. As we wait, several of us use our saddlebags for pillows as we rest. Myself, I keep watch for the rest and I watch as the last Enclave airship turns and heads to the northeast, instead of towards Thunderhead, the nearest Enclave territory.

This gets my attention and I watch them till they are out of sight. Then I pull out my Book of Daisy Jo and begin to read. I soon lose myself while I reread the chapter of Herds. Before long my attention is brought back to the world I am in when I hear a Vertibuck approaching in the distance.

I quickly rouse the others as does Choo. As the aircraft comes in to land it first hovers above us and I see one of the door gunners waving. From the side I see Morning Mist waving back to her.

Once it lands, we all stand up and walk towards the loading dock with Days End leading Double Back up the ramp and to a seat.

Once we are ready the aircraft begins to move again lifting straight up and then twisting again as we head back to the training camp. As it flies along, I find myself getting drowsy and falling asleep.

When I wake up, my head is on my husband’s shoulder and I can see Days End and Tater pointing at me and laughing. I then look at my husband and see the drool I left on his shoulder as well, which leads me to check my face and find it is wet as well.

The other thing I notice is that the rotors have shifted position and it feels like we are going to land.

Once we are on the ground, I hear the rotors start to slow down and I see ponies running toward the aircraft with what looks to be camo netting. As we are getting off, they begin to set up the netting to disguise it from prying eyes.

We are met by a couple of more ponies who lead us to the farmhouse again, just like the first time we were here. Once inside we are met by the staff pony Apple Sprout, “Good to see you all again. Now before we get going too much, we need to debrief all of you. Also, do any of you have any injuries or issues that need to be taken care of right away?”

Double Back responds by raising a hoof and saying, “Ma’am, I can’t hardly see anymore.”

“And how did that occur?” She asks cautiously.

This time I answer, “That special weapon we were sent into the hub to get. Well, the researchers there figured out how to operate it, and when they tried to defend themselves, they got him, right before we went through the doorway.”

She seems surprised, but continues, “OK, we will see what we can do to help your Ranger, right after the debriefing. Speaking of the special weapon, do you have it with you?”

Cowlick grins as he hooves her the twisted and crushed remains of it. “Sorry but when we came out the other side, I accidentally stepped on it.”

She looks at the mess and shakes her head, “So, I guess this means the Enclave does not have the technology to build one of these either?”

Choo answers, “No, it has been pretty much destroyed. But they do know it is possible now. However, only one of their researchers survived and is aware of its existence.”

“Ok, so it has been over five months people since you went over to the other side of the doorway. We need the lowdown.”

The debriefing lasts several hours. After which they take Double Back away to have his eyes examined and to see if they can do anything. As they go Choo tells me, “Ginger, you have the team until I get back.”

After she leaves, I have everyone grab a bunk and we begin to settle in for the night. It is only a little while later I hear a voice call out, “Uno!” followed by another voice saying with a grin in their voice, “I don’t think so, Draw four.” Followed by some curses that impress even me.

As this is going on, I see my sister reading as well. She looks up and we briefly smile at each other and go back to our reading. As I do so, I find myself smiling and feeling relaxed, at least for a little while.

*****

Undisclosed Location, NCR Territory: Xochilt

After the debrief, most of us head back to the barracks to rest and relax a bit. Ginger and Epona both go off to read and while I would love just to cuddle with my wife, I know she needs to settle herself some as she pulls out her copy of the Book of Daisey Jo. While I am not a follower of her faith, I do understand her need for it and her convictions. Besides, it is close to the pony faith I was raised in, which is different from the zebra’s religion that I have learned about during our travels.

I am playing cards with Sunny, Days End, Cowlick, Tater, and Morning Mist when I hear Twinks off to the side say, “Let’s see what is on the radio. Maybe we can catch some music out of Ten Pony Tower.”

This is shortly after Flight Plan and his crew join us in the barracks, having finished the post-flight checks and maintenance.

As Twinks adjusts the dial, we hear some martial music playing that I recognize as the opening music for the Hollowed Dreams show. Right after this, we hear his voice as we listen to his broadcast.

Good evening my fellow Equestrians in the Wastelands and the Grand Pegasus Enclave. This is Radio Free Equestria, and you are listening to me, your host, Hollowed Dreams. Tonight’s show brings us some news that many of us were not expecting and might take a little explaining for most to understand.

Those corrupt criminals who fancy to call themselves the NCR, are reporting that they have driven the forces of our Grand Pegasus Enclave out of the ruins of Baltimare. That may be what it seems like, but the truth is, we never planned on holding that wreck of a city for the long term. No, we only were there to gather what we wanted and then we performed a proper withdrawal of our forces. Those who say we were driven out and that they captured the former MWT Hub there are full of themselves and would not even understand that we let them have it after we took what we wanted.

This strategy not only has the advantage of getting us more tech and information, but by withdrawing, those NCR types now must be wondering where we will be attacking next. After all, that is an awful lot of troops to have that deep in your territory. But I doubt the fear-mongering so-called leaders of the NCR understand that.

Now to some music and more news after these brief messages. In the Lunar Republic, Apple Dash has a green Apple. Apple Dash has a green apple. For those in Baltimare. Twilight never comes. Twilight never comes. For the NCR, Broadway has the same old shows, Broadway has the same old shows. Now back to the Music.

As the martial music begins to come out of the radio, I hear Twinks say, “I wonder what he meant with all that last claptrap?”

This time Morning Mist answers, “Probably nothing but to keep us wondering. However, some of it may be code words to their people who are embedded in those locations already. Now how about trying to find some real music? It has been a long time since we have gotten to hear DJ Pon3.”

Tonight’s broadcast of DJ Pon3 seems to be the usual so we just listen to it as background noise until Choo returns.

Once Choo returns, she smiles and tells us, “Well the good news is that it looks like they can help Double Back with his eyes. They are doing what they can for him, then he will most likely have to wear glasses from now on.”

Morning Mist to the side smiles and says, “Glad to hear that. Besides, it will be nice to have someone else besides me who has to worry about these dang things,” as he touches his glasses with a wing tip.

Choo smiles then tells us, “Come tomorrow we are being taken to Junction Town. There they can make Double Back new glasses as needed. Also, I will have a few meetings to attend there. The rest of you will be used for security for a special envoy.”

We all nod our heads and then Ginger says, “I guess this means we should all call it a night. So much for hoping for some downtime.”

After she says this, we all settle down for the night. Come morning Double Back has rejoined us, but he has bandages over his eyes. When he hears us asking what is going on he smiles and tells us, “Oh, just have to wear these another day or two. They have repaired the retina as best as they can. I am just glad it was not bad enough that I can’t see at all now that I have these on.”

When we leave to load up on the vertibuck, we lead him on first and sit him down before we all get ready for our flight. As the rotors start to spin, I see his ears moving in different directions as he listens to what sounds are going on around us.

Once we land, he is led off the aircraft and taken to a medical facility nearby. Choo leads us to the Ranger headquarters building. As we approach it, I notice how much damage it has taken since the last time we were here.

Once we get near, I see several guards shift their weapons in case of trouble. When we are about twenty feet from the door we are ordered to stop. One of the guards advances towards us while the others provide an overwatch. The one closest to us inquires, “State your business.”

Choo answers for us, “We have been ordered to report in.” Standing near her, I catch myself nodding my head.

“Copy of your orders and credentials?” He asks, but more like an order. Choo hooves him a copy of a message and then raises her PipBuck for him to look at her credentials on it. After he has examined both, he tells her, “Good to have you back Captain. Now, before you go in, I need to see the credentials on the rest of your team as well.”

Once done we pass by him and head inside. The place is a wreck compared to the previous time we were here. Now there is a visible magical shield protecting the mare at the front desk. There are also scorch marks that show through the light coat of white paint that has been slapped over them and the repairs for them.

Once at the desk, the mare asks again to see our orders and credentials. Once she is satisfied, she tells us, the chief is waiting for you in his office. Have a good day.”

As we pass her desk on our way to the back, I notice the submachine gun hanging under the desk, but ready for use. Things must have been rough here while we were gone.

We pass quickly down the halls and enter the door that opens automatically for us as we reach it. Inside the office, behind the desk in his forest ranger uniform is Faint Strider. He looks like he has aged ten years in the brief time since we saw him last.

Choo quickly reports to him and he tells us, “Glad to have your team back on this side of the doorway. While I would love to hear what all occurred on that side. I need to know what might pertain to this side.”

We give him a quick run down first, then he asks, “Do they know you have been drafted yet?”

We all shake our heads in reply to which he grins and says, “Good. That may be something we can use still.”

Choo then tells him, “Sir, as it is just us, I wanted to let you know that President Winter Breeze had that team we met on the other side in Baltimare for more than just rescuing a researcher. Sir, they were there to try and set up a back door means of communication with President Grimfeathers.”

“To what end?” he asks.

“Sir, I do not think she really wants this war. However, she does not want to lose either. Perhaps we can use this line of communication to try and end the current hostilities with a less than full victory for either side.”

“Hmm, interesting Choo. Do you trust the ponies they sent?”

I watch as she sighs and tells me, “Sir, most of them I would hesitate. But their leader was one we have encountered before. If he wore a different uniform, perhaps we could be friends with him. But as things stand, he and us all understand we stand at a great chasm that divides us.”

“Very good then. So, how will communications work between you and them?”

“Chief, He gave me a radio frequency that he will use to contact us. Twice a day I will listen to it for updates.”

He nods his head, “Alright. Keep me appraised of the situation, and I will let the President know.”

With that, we know we are dismissed and we head to a nearby military barracks to rest and get ready for our next assignment.

It takes two more days for our next assignment to come through. We are to meet a dignitary from the Lunar Commonwealth at the train station and escort him to the President. Choo nods her head and then tells us, Ginger, I think your team needs to take the lead on this assignment. I will be in the background, using my invisibility spell as a reserve.”

Ginger nods her head, after all it makes sense to me that we would be in the lead as we have had more recent dealings with the Lunar Commonwealth government than the rest of the team.

“When do we meet them?” I ask.

Choo looks at the orders again and tells us, “Tomorrow. We have an eight-hour window when they may arrive due to the difficulties of travel at this time.”

I smirk when I hear Ginger say, “Yeah, war on and all. That could make it a bit trickier.” Then she asks, “Do they give a name for these dignitaries?”

Choo shakes her head and moves her ears in a negative response. “No, but I am sure they have their reasons. We best get ready for them,” she tells us a means of dismissal and of getting us moving.

The next day we arrive as a team at the railroad station. Until the war, the Junction Town station had been very busy. Now, now it is almost dead. I can see only a hooffull of ponies and other beings waiting for the next train.

The first train to arrive is a freight coming from the direction of Manehatten. The next one comes from the direction of Canterlot Mountain. It seems the tracks under there are still being used to move trains through it.

As the engine pulls up, we see it is a mixed passenger and freight consist. Ginger stands up and tells us, “Ok, on your hooves. This is the engine number we were told to expect.”

As the train creeps to a stop, we hear the conductor call out, “Junction Town, All off for Junction Town.”

As we watch the passengers begin to offload. I am surprised when I see a pony I know get off, right then I hear my wife call out, “Grandpa, Grandpa Upper, over here!”

I find myself smiling and our group walks to him as he grins back and says, “Ginger, Epona, Xochitl, so good to see family again.”

Once we are close enough, he exchanges a brief hug with them. Then he tells the ponies with him, “These two mares are my wife’s son Honey Badger’s daughters,” then he points to me and says, “And this young buck is my grandson-in-law.”

We continue brief introductions and then Ginger tells him, “We need to clear the station, Let’s get your bags and we will take you to the hotel.”

Soon after we have what baggage they have and are on our way to a local hotel. Once there as they check in, I see the desk clerk look at a list, then back up at Upper Crust and tell him, “Yes sir, we have your reservations, in fact, I have been authorized to comp your room for the length of your stay.”

I see Upper Crust nod his head before he replies, “Thank you my good stallion,” he then slides a small pile of caps to the clerk.

Once to the room, we give it a sweep, much like how we did for the Manesville delegation in Hoofington. Once done Ginger tells him, “Ok, the room is clear. No taps or dangers.”

He looks surprised and tells her, “Really, you felt you had to do that against your own government?”

This time I answer, “Sir as diplomats we are to treat you as if you were members of one of our delegations. However more than just looking for NCR bugs, we also were looking for Enclave ones. There have been rumors of leaks in our government.”

As he sits down, he looks at us and asks, “Is that why they sent your team? Because they felt that as family, we would feel more comfortable with all of you?”

“Perhaps sir, but I think it also must be due to the fact that our team has experience now with this sort of work. Besides, we even have a few new members on our team that you have not met before. Tomorrow we may have another, a mule named Double Back join us. They should have his new glasses ready by then.”

He nods his head and as one of the other diplomats passes him a mixed drink, he first sips it, then asks, “Ok, so if you are going to be our escorts, why are you dressed in your raggedy field uniforms and not the fancy ones you used in Hoofington.”

Epona sits across from him and tells him, “Gramps, that is because those uniforms are in storage in Manesville. We just came off a series of operations and have not had time to recover them, or get new ones made.”

He nods his head, “Ok, that sounds good.” Then he asks, “So are the rest of the family nearby? I really would like to see them all again.”

Ginger shakes her head and tells him, “As far as we know, they too are in Manesville. But we have not seen them in a while ourselves.”

As the day wears on we hear a knock on the door and when I answer it, Choo is standing there. She enters and approaches the dignitaries. Once she is close enough, she tells them, “The scheduled meeting is tomorrow morning at eight. My team will escort you to and from it.”

The various dignitaries nod their heads, and Upper Crust replies, “We will be ready. But I thought it was Ginger’s team?”

Choo smiles and tells him, “No, Ginger is my second in command. But it is often more discrete to have her be the front pony.”

Again, he nods his head, and when I notice the other dignitaries seem slightly uncomfortable around Choo, I tell Upper Crust, “Sir, just so you know, Choo is family as well. Father Badger’s wife Sutures, is descended from Choo Choo.”

This time I see him look amused as he tells me, “Your Manesville bunch are just full of surprises. Never thought we would have an alicorn in the family.”

Choo simply shrugs and tells him, “Same here, especially when the alicorn is me. I still remember some of my time as a unicorn, and Badger’s wife Magpie has helped me to find out more of descendants, as well as we ran into some who were running a caravan from Hoofington to Baltimare and Manehatten.”

I see his attitude change some and he says, “Really? That is interesting. I wonder if they would be willing to run messages from certain powers in the Commonwealth to the NCR if requested. That would make a great backdoor for communications.”

Choo simply shrugs and tells him, “If I see them again, I will ask. But understand, they will need to be compensated well for it.”

“But of course. We would expect no less. Perhaps we could even help them extend their trade routes.”

The next morning our full team, including Double Back with his new glasses escorts Upper Crust and the other Lunar Commonwealth representatives to the president’s office. Choo however does this while cloaked in her invisibility spell. Once they arrive, we wait in the foyer, while Choo Choo follows them inside.

The meeting has been going on for almost an hour when I see a Griffon in an NCR staff officer's uniform come flying in as fast as she can. Once there she tells the receptionist and presidential security team heads, “I have an emergency-level message for the president!”

They promptly let her in. Shortly afterwards the griffon departs and I see the dignitaries all coming out with a stunned look on their faces.

Choo has shown herself and she tells us, “Things have just changed.”

*****

Junction Town, NCR Capital: Choo Choo

As my team escorts the dignitaries to the Executive building. I find myself flying above them using my invisibility spell as I scout around for possible problems. We are only a block away from our destination when I see a single pegasus with a scoped rifle beginning to take aim in the direction of our group. I say nothing to the others yet. Instead, I simply fly over to the window of the darkened room where I can see the rifle being aimed through. Once there I simply do a quick teleportation spell the few remaining feet inside. I have already had to drop my invisibility spell to teleport, so he briefly sees me before I use a heating spell on the metal of his rifle, causing the mouth trigger to heat up and burning his mouth causing him to drop it.

He holds up his forehooves and tells me, “I surrender.”

I feel an evil grin coming over my face as I tell him, “I know you do.”

Then I cast the paralysis spell I had to use when conducting surgery on my sisters when I was still a part of Unity as a field medic for my wing.

I see the terror in his eyes as he lies there immobile. Next, I call for a security pick-up at my present location, giving them the details and ending with me telling them, “He will not be moving for at least two hours, you better bring a stretcher.”

After I hear their positive reply, I recast my invisibility spell, leave the door open, and make my way back to the street below. The rest of the team has already bypassed this location so I quickly catch up and continue my overwatch.

Once we arrive at our goal, I maintain my invisibility and follow the dignitaries into the President’s office as much for her safety as the dignitaries. The president offers them a seat in front of her desk, which they all take. Then she tells me, “Choo Choo, please reveal yourself. I will not hold these talks under false pretenses.”

I drop my spell and I see that all the Commonwealth representatives are surprised that I was in there with them.
The president looks up and me and tells me, “By the way, my compliments on taking out that shooter on your way here. I was informed by the head of my security it was a nice clean capture. Also, they found his dog tags on him. It seems he was a member of one of the Enclave’s elite operations teams.”

I simply nod my head, but I hear Upper Crust asks, “What Shooter?”

I smile as the president tells him, “There was a shooter about four blocks from here that was targeting your group as you approached. Choo Choo here took him into custody and continued to observe for dangers.”

I see him shake his head, “I did not even know she was with us.”

The president smiles sadly and tells him, “That is why I assigned her team to you for your stay. They have unique techniques as well as experience in such missions.” She pauses and then asks, “With that out of the way, I would like to ask you, why did you call for this meeting? Not to be rude, but your government has let it be well known that we can not call on you for aid as an ally as it is against your constitution unless you are attacked directly.”

Upper Crust nods his head, then he answers, “While that is true, each of us represents a separate faction that while not able to offer direct support, would like to discuss how we can assist you in other, more covert ways, such as weapons at a discount cost, mercenary or special volunteer forces that while not authorized by our government and without the protection of said organization would like to directly assist your nation in this effort.”

The president shifts her wings and nods her head, then she asks, “And what would the cost of such assistance be?”

“Ah, I have always heard that you Griffon are very direct when it comes to trade, good, well then let us begin to discuss what we can do to help each other on this.”

They then begin to discuss what is needed and what is available in compensation. The talks have been going on for some time, during which I have just stood to the side with my mouth shut trying not to listen too obviously. Suddenly the door opens and the receptionist comes in followed by a staff officer with a message, “Ma’am, an urgent message from the General Staff!”

The president takes the message from the officer. She quickly reads it then exclaims, “Damn, damn them to Tartarus. The Enclave is attacking Manehatten as we speak. Mares, Gentlestallions, I need to end this meeting right now. Thank you for the offers of assistance you have made. We the people of the NCR appreciate it and will not forget your offer of lend-lease to assist us. I will contact the general staff about arranging transportation of the volunteers you have mentioned as well as shipments of fresh food and farm recovery knowledge to you as soon as possible.”

Upper Crust stands up and offers a hoofshake. The president takes it and as she shakes his hoof tells him, “Thank you for coming. I truly appreciate it, but I do not want to keep you here in this city longer than necessary as I do not want to keep you in danger.”

Upper Crust smiles in understanding, “Madam President, I do understand. Personally, I have family that lives in the NCR and I worry about them as well. I wish you good luck and do not forget about the means of communicating with me and my contemporaries that are with me. For if the NCR falls, we fear that the Commonwealth will be next.”

We soon leave the office, and as I come out the doors first Ginger and the others all appear surprised to see me. I look at them and tell them, “Things have changed.”

Upper Crust tells her, “Choo, I need someone to get us tickets on the first train out of there back toward the Commonwealth. I will personally reimburse you.”

Choo nods her head, “I will do that myself; Ginger take them back to the hotel and get ready to move as soon as possible.”

As they head out, I cast my invisibility spell again and I begin to worry about how often I am doing this now. Once possible. I land out of sight of anyone and I drop the spell and continue to walk to the train station. Once there I set up transportation for the dignitaries, then quickly go back to the hotel.

When I arrive, I let them know, “The next train heading in the direction you are going is not due until tomorrow.”

“I was afraid of that.” Upper Crust tells her. Then he asks, “Is your team still going to be providing us security during that time?”

“Yes, we have not had those orders changed yet. I will have to send some of them for food though.”

After that, I watch as I see my team and the dignitaries begin to settle in. Someone has turned on the radio and tuned to the station for Ten Pony Tower out of Manehatten. The music on the station is still playing then we hear something I never imagined.

To all those listening in the Wastelands, this is DJ Pon3, the Enclave has attacked Manehatten and is currently fighting for control of Ten Pony Tower. I do not know how much longer I will be on the air. Remember always keep up the good Fight.

In the background, I can hear the exchange of MEW and gunfire, as well as the screams of the wounded, the dying, and those who are just frightened, as DJ Pon3 continues.

The fighting is getting closer, they are almost to the station. Remember we once all lived in harmony. Good Bye my friends. This is DJ Pon3 and this final song is Equestria, The Land That I Love.

The song continues to play until suddenly the broadcast ends. I look at all the faces in the room and I see horror on them. I slowly stand up, walk to the radio, and turn it off. As I do so I feel a tear form and roll down my cheek as I remember that song being played on the radio as we were rushed from my train towards a vat of chemicals and then told we had to get in it to survive.

I hear a voice ask, “Choo, are you ok?”

I nod my head, “Yes, just a bad memory brought back up.”

I feel Ginger next to me and hear her say, “Choo, go grab some alone time if you need it. I got the team.”

“I think you are right Ginger; I will be back in a bit.” I then step out onto the balcony. Take a deep breath and launch myself skyward. I find myself flying away from the city and once I find a place where I will be alone, I sit and while I had expected to cry, I instead start to scream as I let out all the pain, anger, and fears that I feel riding my shoulders.

When I am done, I put myself back together. As I do this I look up and I see a white mare with a black mane and tail, wearing a black clock looking at me. I feel myself blush slightly and she tilts her head before she says, “Do not be embarrassed old friend, I have felt that way myself, especially lately.”

I look at her with half-closed eyes and ask, “Do I know you?”

She shakes her head and tells me, “No, but I know you.” She pauses then adds, “Several others that you know, know me as well. Please call me Mareigan.”

I know that name from several members of my family, but I never thought I would meet her. I then ask her, “Is it my time? Is that why you are here?”

She shakes her head, “No Choo Choo, that is not it. I too needed to clear my head. Perhaps I also felt the need to just share time with someone else who is also long-lived and knows how quickly life truly passes for most others.”

I nod my head, “Yes, it does. I lost so much when I was changed into this, this monstrosity.”

“Ah, but if you hadn’t been changed, then Choo, you would have missed out on our Moon Lily. I have watched you and Purple Haze with her as well as her family.”

I feel my mane start to rise and my ears slide back as I ask, “What do you mean our Moon Lily? What interest do you have in her?”

She shakes her head sadly, “Choo, who do you think is responsible for her having been born alive? You know as well as I that she and her mother should have died that night.”

I nod my head unconsciously as I do know that. “Thank you, for having saved her then.”

“Never thank a spirit. We do things for our own reasons, not yours. However, in this case, I will say, you are welcome. Watching her grow and learn has brought me joy as well.”

“So, she has seen you as well?”

She smiles and nods her head, “Yes, I do stop by to see her from time to time. Oh, and just so you know, she and her family back home are safe, as is your Paper Work.”

I feel a relief when she says this. We have a brief chat after this, then she tells me, “Choo you need to get back to your people before they start to worry. Besides, there may be news soon for you and them.”

I stand up and before I fly away, I ask, “Will I see you again?”

She smiles, “Perhaps, time will tell Choo. Now go, we both have work to do.”

Once I arrive back at the hotel, I use the radio to let them know I am landing on the balcony. When I enter, I still see a couple of my team members have their weapons ready, just in case.

I nod to them and I watch them relax as I enter the room. Ginger looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I nod to her and tell her, “Thank you for watching the team while I was gone. I needed it.”

“No problem boss. We all get that way at times. Believe me.”

I nod and move my ears in a signal of acknowledgment. It seems while I was gone Ginger had part of the team go out and bring in some meals for us. The dignitaries eat from room service.

We sit around later that evening listening to the radio as we enjoy our own activities such as cards or reading. This time Cowlick asks, “What do you say we try and see what the Enclave has to say tonight? You know just to see what their newest lies are.”

Several tell him to go ahead and he does so. As the station comes on, we hear the familiar voice of Hallowed Dreams as he say, That’s right mares and gentlecolts. The forces of the Grand Pegasus Enclave have now liberated Manehatten and that viper's den known as Tenpony Tower. As announced earlier the truth about DJ Pon3 has been revealed. Like so much of the NCR, DJ Pon3 has hidden their true identity behind a lie.

The truth is that the original DJ Pon3 is long gone. The one you have been listening to and who has kept telling you and us that they would spread the truth no matter how much it hurts is not even a pony, much less a stallion. The current DJ Pon3 is a zebra mare. Let that sink in mares and gentlecolts. She has lied to you about not only her gender but her species and she purports to tell the truth. Lies, that is what you get from the NCR and its vaunted leadership.

Thank you all for tuning in to my show. This is Hollowed Dreams bringing you the real truth. Now for those in the NCR, the leaves have turned yellow. I repeat the leaves have turned yellow. For those in the Lunar Commonwealth, the vase has tipped over. I repeat the vase has tipped over.

Now for some music followed by more news.

As the militaristic music of the Enclave begins to come over the radio, He shakes his head and then says, I guess we now know. In fact, I bet the whole NCRA is about to go nuts.”

I shake my head and from the side, I hear Epona tell Ginger, “I bet Mama Mollygirl and Papa Archer are fit to be tied. As I can’t see them using the 1st regiment for this rather than the Second.”

Ginger nods her head, then adds, “True, but that means Papa Badger will be in the fight instead if they send in the Second.”

From the side I hear Upper Crust asks, “Did you say Honey Badger will most likely have to fight there?”

Ginger nods her head, “Yeah, he is a company commander for the Second Manesville Regiment. They have been a part of a rapid deployment force for about seven years now.”

I see the look of worry come over his face as he says, “I really hope and pray he will be safe. I know his mother was so overjoyed to have him back in her life.”

“We understand. I know he felt the same way, Gramps.”

We spent the night quietly after that. The next morning, we escort them to the station. As we get ready to leave Upper Crust tells us, “Thank you for everything. We appreciate your assistance.”

Then he turns to Ginger, Epona, and Xochitl and tells them, “Be careful you three. Remember you are family and if I can help you when you are in Hoofington, let us know.” After this, he exchanges a brief hug with them. Then gets on the train and we see him wave one more time out the window before he is out of sight.

Then back to the barracks to wait for orders. As we are waiting, I notice the time and check the special station. I have just tuned into the station when I hear, “Big Blue this is Wandering Shepard, Big Blue this is Wandering Shepard. Can you hear me?”

I get back on the radio, “Wandering Shepard, I can read you, what do you have for me.”

“Big Blue, The Cold Storm has requested a temporary armistice in Manehatten.”

I nod my head though he can’t see me, “OK, what are the terms?”

He gives me a brief list, which I write down. Then I tell him, “Ok, I will convey these to the Head Hen. I will try and let you know by the next broadcast time.”

“Roger, Big Blue, Wandering Shepard out.”

I nod my head and tell Ginger, “Ginger, you have the team, I have to go see the president.”

Once I arrive at the executive building, I tell the clerk at the front desk, “I have a priority message for the President.”

He looks up at me and tells me as he looks over the frames of his eyeglasses, “Sorry ma’am, but you are not on the approved list at this time. I cannot do that.”

“Fine, then call her and ask her if she would talk to me, as this pertains to a certain matter she and I discussed recently, along with the Chief Ranger.”

I am still trying to get past his desk to see the President when I hear her coming down the hallway and she asks, “Choo Choo, what are you doing here?”

I look up at her, go to the position of attention, and tell her, “Ma’am, I have a bit of information for you. I would have come in the backdoor if I had known it would be so difficult to talk to you, ma’am.”

She tilts her head and shuffles her feathers slightly, then she says, “Sorry Choo Choo, but with everything that has been occurring lately, security is at a premium. However, now that I am aware you are here and have something for me, please follow me to my office.”

As I follow her, we are escorted by two unicorns who are dressed in all-black suits and sunglasses but are also armed with submachine guns that are hanging from their shoulders.

She sits down once inside her office and turns to me. “Ok Captain, what is so urgent you broke protocol.”

I cringe slightly then I look at both of her guards and ask, “Ma’am, are they cleared for this information?”

She looks at one, then the other, and tells the first, “True Word, please step out momentarily, we will let you know when you should return.”

True Word looks up and down at me, then back at the president and then his partner before he leaves without a word. Once he is gone Regina Grimfeathers, the President of the NCR turns her full attention on me. I brace myself some more and tell her, “Ma’am, the Wandering Shepard has contacted me. It seems the person he represents wants to negotiate a ceasefire in Manehatten.”

“Just Manehatten? Not a general ceasefire?”

“Just a local one for Manehatten I am afraid ma’am,” I tell her, then I pass her ceasefire demands that I had written down.

She looks them over and then asks, “Do you believe them?”

“Ma’am, I may not know her, or the others. But the person who sent me these, I know. Ma’am, he believes they are genuine.”

She looks at them briefly again and tells me, “Thank you, Choo Choo, I will have to discuss this with my advisors and the general staff. I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

The next day I receive a message calling me back to her office. Once there, she tells me, “Choo, go ahead and contact this Wandering Shepard, let him know that their demands are satisfactory with the exception of us withdrawing what NCR troops still remain there. Offer instead for them to remain in place and for no other NCR troops to enter Manehatten during the ceasefire.”

“Yes ma’am,” I answer calmly.

I am surprised however when she asks me right afterward, “By the way Choo, does this contact, or any other members of the Enclave know that your team or others like them have been drafted into the Rangers?”

“No ma’am, not as far as I know. We don’t talk about it, and we were never issued regular Ranger gear to use in the field. The only thing about us that would tell anyone we are is our badges, and we kept them tucked inside our saddlebags.”

She grins as much as a griffon can at hearing this. Then she tells me, “Good. That may give us an advantage in Manehatten then. I will have orders cut for your team in the next day or two. Dismissed.”

“Yes Ma’am, I tell her, then I turn and leave. As I near the door she tells me, “Let my guard know he can reenter my office now.” Which I do as I head back to my team and I begin to think about what we may have to do next.

*****

GPE Raptor Westerly Wind, Skies over NCR Territory: Ball Lightning.

Our arrival aboard the ship is hectic, to say the least. It appears that the pull-out from Baltimare was more hectic than I had realized. I also realized once we were aboard just how lucky we were in our timing to get back on this side of the doorway and not become prisoners.

As we disembark from the Vertibuck we are met by a naval officer with two security guards alongside him, weapons at the ready. He briskly orders all the passengers, “Credentials.”

We all quickly show them to him and he then tells my team, “You four, stay here. The rest of you follow that petty officer over there. He will show you to your temporary quarters.”

Once they have departed he asks, “Your names were reported as being missing. Where have you been?”

I think quickly and answer honestly, “We were on a special assignment. Sir, compartmentalized information. I do not believe you are authorized for me to tell you.”

He nods his head. Puts a hoof alongside his head and speaks briefly with somepony over the radio headset he is wearing. He then nods to his two guards and tells us, “Follow me.”

We are then led to the cloudship’s brig. Once there we have our weapons and kits confiscated. The officer who leads us there then tells us, “This is only until we can verify your identity.”

Several hours later we are released. While they give us our gear back, the officer tells me and the others, “Your weapons will be held until you are ready to leave the ship, Sir.” He pauses and then tells us, “Please follow me.”

We are led from the brig up several decks and into what I know is the command deck. We are taken to a room off to the side before we get anywhere near the bridge. Once inside I see several other officers. What really surprises me is to find a Lieutenant Colonel in full uniform. She nods her head and tells us, “All of you have a seat. We need to talk.”

We perform an hour debrief where we describe everything we have done, as well as what it was like on the other side of the Doorway. Finally, she asks, “I have been directed to ask you if you were able to accomplish the secondary portion of your mission. Simply answer yes or no.”

The primary mission had been to negotiate a withdrawal from Baltimare. The secondary goal is to establish a backdoor communication channel between the Enclave and NCR leaders. We failed at our primary mission, but we did succeed in the secondary one, so I answer, “Yes.”

She nods her head and writes down a note. She then tells us, “Your next of kin are being notified that you are no longer missing in action. However, due to operational commitments, you will not be going back to Thunderhead or the Hoofington region for a while.

To say the least, I am disappointed as I really want to get back home. But the needs of the Enclave and all that.

She then tells us “Alright, thank you. That will be all for now.”

After we step out of what I now realize is the ship's Intelligence room, we are met by a petty officer who tells us, “I have been assigned to take you back to your quarters, and to give you a brief tour of the areas of the ship you are allowed to go into.”

He leads us to an open bay berthing compartment that has many bunks in it, all stacked three high. Off to one side of the room is a small table for playing cards surrounded by chairs. I notice that most of the racks are empty, but some have ponies in them sleeping as well.

We each choose a bunk that has no one sleeping in it. Once done we meet at the card table and begin to talk.

After a while, the conversation begins to drift to talking about ourselves, and our backgrounds before we met each other. The conversation then shifts to what growing up was like for us. We have just heard a whistle and a call go over the ship’s intercom announcing Supper for the Crew, When I tell Air Burst, “You know, you really didn’t say much about yourself.”

He smiles sadly at me and answers, “Ball, there is a lot about me that I can’t tell you and a lot that I won’t tell you. But understand, I am your friend, or at least I hope I am as I consider you, my friend.”

I smile at him in reply. Then I tell him, “Yeah Air, you are my friend. To be honest, that is good enough for me.” I then look at the rest and I tell them, “Ok, let's head up to the mess decks and get some rations.”

As we approach the mess deck, I can see a long, but quick-moving line leading to it. I notice that it has a fair mix of what appears to be ground pounders, cloudies, and even a smattering of civilians.

We hop in the line and I begin to talk with one of the infantry officers who is also in line. I talk to him about what his unit’s mission was in Baltimare, and as the conversation continues, he finally asks, “Can you believe that they pulled us out of Baltimare just to throw us in at Manehatten?”

I shake my head, “No, I am surprised at that. We were only there to support a Research and Recovery mission. So, no one tells us much.”

He grins, “Ball, you guys had it easy once we ground pounders got the robots and ghouls cleared out of there. My company was on the front lines, that last big push that came from the direction of the old refrigeration plant was a surprise. Who would have thought that a bunch of tribals could work together so well.”

By now we have gotten our rations and he is sitting with myself and my team. We continue to talk, and I am able to keep from telling him details of what we were doing. All he goes away knowing is that we were in the old MWT hub, and that seems to satisfy him.

Two days later It is late in the afternoon when I hear over the ship's intercom, “All hands man your action stations. I repeat, all hands man your action stations. All assault troops, report to the hanger deck. I repeat all assault troops report to the hanger deck.”

Mine and my team's action station, as we are just spare cargo on this trip along with several others, is the berthing compartment. We all take our seats there and just wait to see what happens next.

Soon after I hear a whining sound, I see Air Burst's ears go straight up and his eyes wide as he says, “That’s the ship’s main gun moving.” Shortly afterwards I hear a large whooshing sound as it fires. Then we hear it move again and thirty seconds later it fires again.

This cycle of the main gun continues and is joined by some smaller ones shortly afterward and he looks at us and tells us, “Somepony is really catching it now.”

Shortly after this I feel a vibration through the ship and hear a grinding noise as the hanger bay doors open. Then I hear over the intercom,” Away all vertibucks and skywagons.”

“Dear Celestia, we are launching a full air assault on someone,” Airburst says.

Beside him, Funnel simply nods his head. However, Alto says, “I talked to a couple of the troopers earlier when I was allowed topside. It seems we are attacking Manehatten and Ten Pony Tower.”

“Dear sweet Celestia, but why?” I ask.

Both Air Burst and Funnel Cloud shrug and Funnel tells me, “Maybe there is something here that is a greater threat than we realized.”

As he says this, I hear the anti-griffon guns begin to fire as well, and suddenly I feel the ship jerk in the sky. Air Burst looks at us and says, “I think we just got hit by something, but nothing too major I reckon.”

Right after this, I hear over the intercom, “Hit, O1 Level Aft, compartment 01-3-21. I repeat Hit, O1 Level Aft, compartment 01-3-21. Away repair locker three.”

Air Burst still seems relaxed and explains, “Nothing to worry about yet. That one was a bit of a distance away. They were just letting the repair lockers know where we were hit and to inspect for damage, fire, and wounded.”

“You been through this before?” Alto asks nervously.

Air Burst nods his head, “Yeah, the last time I lost my eye and was put out of action for months. It was a lot heavier of a fight than this. An actual fleet-on-fleet fight. It was when Neighvarro attacked Thunderhead.”

We continue to talk for a while as the battle continues and seems to settle down, with the main gun only firing occasionally. By dark the situation has calmed down and we go back to our normal shipboard routine.

It is in the morning three days later that I receive a runner who salutes me and tells me, “Sir, With the Captain's compliments, you and your team have been ordered to be in the hanger bay for transport in fifteen minutes. Sir.”

I return his salute and tell him, “Please let the captain know, we have received our orders and will be there.”

As he turns and flies off down the corridor, I turn to my team and tell them, “You heard the buck, grab your kits, and let’s go.”

Once we are in the Vertibuck we begin to head down to the city below. I notice that it looks a bit worse for wear than the last time I was here, and I see an occasional shot from one of the cloud ships above us.

I raise an eyebrow as we fly towards Ten Pony Tower and soon land. As we debark from the aircraft, I see another officer run out to greet us and hear him yell, “Follow me.”

As we do so, we are led inside the fabled skyscraper. I see an occasional bit of damage to the walls and even a few dark stains on the carpets but say nothing. Eventually, I see a door ahead of us that has two stallions dressed in all-black suits. Their attire draws my attention as it stands out so much during a military operation.

One of them then opens the door and we are told to enter. As we go inside, I notice how large of a penthouse suite it is, and off to the side, I see President Winter Breeze standing in front of a large map of the former Equestria. She turns to us and tells me, “Captain, it is good to see you again.”

She turns to the guards and a few other staff members and tells them, “I need to talk to these ponies alone. Top Secret, compartmentalized information. Please leave. I will let you know when you can return.”

She waits till they have departed then she tells us, “Please take a seat.” After we are all seated, she smiles and asks, “Did you get my backdoor line of communications set up?”

I nod my head, and tell her, “Yes ma’am, we did.”

“Good, Good, I am glad to hear that as I want you to send out a message for me.”

“Yes ma’am,” I tell her. “Just let me know what it is?”

She nods her head, “I want to request a ceasefire with the NCR, for Manehatten only.”

Again, I nod my head, “Yes, Ma’am. Just tell me what the terms we are offering are and I will broadcast at noon.”

She smiles and asks, “How do you know that they will be able to pick up your message?”

“Well between the signal boosters here, the particular bandwidth, and the fact we used it on the other side of the doorway from over three days walk apart, I think we should be able to do so.”

“Excellent,” she says with a smile of satisfaction on her face as she uses her wing to pass me a paper with the demands on it.

I look them over quickly and tell her, “I think these are reasonable Ma’am. As I said, I should be able to contact them at noon.”

She smiles, looks at a clock on the wall, and tells me, “That will do. Now, how about you tell me what it was like on the other side of this so-called doorway that you ponies disappeared through.”

*****

Good evening to all you loyal listeners out there. You are listening to Short Wave on HRSE out of Baltimare.

It is with great sadness we regret to announce that Ten Pony Tower has gone off the air and is believed to have been occupied by those foal killers of the Enclave. There are reports that NCR troops and local resistance groups are still fighting for Manehatten. For any of you who are listening, know that help is on the way. You have not been forgotten, so keep up the good fight.

In other news we have reports that the NCR and Lunar Commonwealth have recently held talks concerning a possible alliance, but with no results for either party.

For all river and oceanic shipping around the Manehatten as well as the Western Landing area be aware that Enclave forces have been reported in those areas and are sinking shipping with no warning.

For those who would like to fight the Enclave, the NCRA and NCRN are looking for volunteers. Report to your nearest NCR representative and let them know. Remember service guarantees citizenship.

Now back to tonight’s music starting with All Along the Watchtower.

Author's Note

This chapter took on a life of its own while I wrote it. We get to see more of our character's personalities and how they interact with each other and in Choo Choo's case how she sees herself. It made it very interesting for me as I typed it up.

This incursion into Manehatten we have seen before in Fallout Equestria: Borderlands, and as I pointed out there it is based on events that occurred in RuinQueenofOblivian's story Fallout Equestria: Survivors Guilt. However, I have added my own take and flavor to these events where they were not put into detail in that story. Now the question remains, Just what are the Repair Ponies and Ball Lightning going to do next?

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJCyLI2NaY8