Chapter 47 The Die is Cast

Chapter 47 The Die is Cast

“So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.” - Sun Tzu, c. 5th cent. BC, Chinese general & military strategist

Manehatten, NCR disputed Territory: Ginger Snaps

It has been two days since our meeting with the Applejacks’s Rangers. After that, things began to come together. Choo and our team are on observation duty watching the main entrance of Ten Pony Tower and reporting back to the other groups involved.

In some of the other buildings nearby are the Troubleshooters and the Fixers from the NCR. We also have a mixed bag of AppleJack’s Rangers, Followers of the Apocalypse, and local gangs that are committed to the upcoming attack.

I assume we have some infiltrators inside already, but I can’t be sure as we were not told if they were or not. But we were told that there would be a signal and when we saw it, we would know to assault the main entrance. The problem is that to do so we will have to make our way up to the Luna Line via the stairs and then run across an open distance into their barricades and defenses.

To be honest I am nervous about that. But it is what it is, I guess. If the others go, I cannot let them down. And while part of me misses my husband and worries about him, another part of me is just very relieved he will not be having to make this assault with us.

We are in the third story of this building so we can watch straight across the elevated trains line. I am using the scope of my Silenced Infiltrator Rifle to look out a window and am three feet from it, keeping me in the shadows.

I continue to watch as I see ponies coming and going. I even watch a patrol depart the main entrance and head for the stairs leading to the ground level. I quietly report this to the others via the radio. “All scavers, this is RP2, we have a patrol of one zero ponies departing and heading to ground at this time, be on alert.”

I next hear, “This is Foxtrot4 I have the patrol and they are moving away heading towards the south. Will continue to observe.

I breathe a slight sigh of relief as this tells me the patrol is heading away from us. After a while, my eyes start to itch and I am starting to feel a bit tired. I feel a hoof on my shoulder and Sunny tells me, “I got the watch go rest your eyes for a bit.”

I nod my head and move out of his way so he can take up my position. After I have moved and am at the door, I look back and see that he has slid into the position with his sniper rifle and is quietly smiling as he watches.

In the next room, across the hall, we have made a small camp. There we eat our rations unheated as we do not want to take a chance of alerting anyone that we are here.

“Hay Cookie, how you doing?”

“Okay, sis. Just worried a bit about Flower.”

She nods he head and hooves me a canteen of water as she says, “Yeah, I understand. If Purchase was not home in Manesville with the rest of the family I would really be worried about her too.”

I have just given her back the canteen when I hear a very loud explosion from outside. I run back into the overwatch position and see debris hitting the street from higher up. Then I hear Choo yell out, “That’s it, that is the signal, grab your gear and let us go. Sunny, you are free to fire at any hostiles you see right now.”

Just as she says this, I hear his rifle fire three quick shots, then the rest of us are heading down the stairs and he calls out, “I will meet you there.”

I hear his rifle firing with the rhythm of the pendulum of a clock as we run downstairs. We hit the street and it is pandemonium. From the next building over I see the Troubleshooters running out. One of them is on fire as he runs up the stairs leading to the elevated tracks. We are right behind the Troubleshooters as Sunny lands and joins us as we make our way up the stairs.

As we run, I hear Twinks tell him, “Blackbird, when we stop next, I need to check that wound.”

He keeps running as he tells us, “Yeah, once we get to cover, the bastard got me as I jumped out the window.” He pauses his speech and takes a shot then adds, “Never fly in an urban battle if you can help it, I gotta remember that rule.”

I hear the Fixers running behind us as Mudwing yells to her people, “Move! Move! Move!”

We bust out onto the top and I watch as the flaming pony runs directly into the barricades at the main entrance. Mort and his people are only a bit behind them. I see one of them go down but the others keep running trying to cover the open ground.

I skid to a stop and take a quick aim using my SATS to take out the Magical Energy Weapon turret that hit the Troubleshooter.

As it explodes, I feel a burning sensation and realize I have been hit, I see the hole in my leg and I first dive to the ground behind the down Troubleshooter. I then take a quick healing potion for myself. I check the other and can tell they will not need it. As the wound heals, I get back to my hooves and begin running again. By now the distance has been narrowed to only a few dozen yards. I watch as Cowlick first sprays a suppressive fire then jumps over the barricades and runs to the back side of another one. Twinks right behind him.

As this is going on, suddenly I begin to hear artillery fire in the distance and shells landing from what must be the other side of the river. I know someone is getting plastered by the Manesville Brigades artillery, and they must be coming too, but I need to concentrate on the battle around me. I hear the yells of the locals who followed us as they too join the fight.

We are pinned down for what seems like an eternity then finally I watch as Morning Mist and Tater low crawl along the floor until they are at the main entrance doors.

We are still exchanging fire with the guards inside, as they fire at us through firing slits. As Morning Mist sets up his charges on the lock plate and where he suspects the hinges to be, Tater slides over to the next firing slot, draws out a metal apple, pulls the pin, and pushes it with his forehoof through the opening.

He then lays down and we hear the muffled explosion. Next, Morning Mist tells him to clear the area. They both crawl back to another barricade and once there I hear Morning Mist yell out, “Fire in the Hole!” and he pushes the big red button on the detonator.

We all expect a big explosion and nothing happens He shakes it briefly, slaps it on the side, and then pushes the button again. This time there are five medium-sized explosions as the hinges and door latch are blown away. As the doors are falling inward, we begin to run again, firing suppressive fire at the firing slots. Soon we are inside the main lobby, as we fan out, the Fixers go right, we go left and the Troubleshooters go forward. As we go left, we first engage the remaining Enclave troopers in the defensive positions that were set up for the main entrance. It is there the Twinks is shot in her barding, knocking her off her hooves. As she goes down Tater screams and I am stunned as he empties his magazine into the trooper who shot her.

While the rest of us continue to engage the enemy, he runs to her and checks her out. It is while he is doing this that I hear one of the Enclave officers yelling out to his people, “Fall back, they just sent the all personnel recall.”

From outside I can hear the noise of Vertibucks flying close overhead as well as artillery creeping closer in this direction. The team continues to fight our way from room to room as we sweep and clear the first floor. As we are wrapping this up, I see Twinks limping up to us with a worried-looking Tater next to her.

Choo, tells us, “Okay, we are getting too far from the other teams. Hold on and let us reorganize. Twinks come here I need to check you out.”

We are keeping our weapons at the ready as she tells her, “OK Twinks, looks like a couple of broken ribs. When we get a chance, you need to get a new set of barding.”

“Yeah, thanks for making sure we all were wearing our full kits. Damn, that hurt.”

Choo nods her head and tells us, “Ok, the other two teams say this floor is clear, now to the stairs and do it all again.”

We have just cleared the fifth floor when we meet up with a member of the AppleJack’s Rangers in their power armor. We almost fire upon them as we come around the corner but realize that they are not marked red just before our tongues pull the triggers.

We hear the modulated voice of the Ranger as they tell us, “Stand down, the Enclave has evacuated the building and are abandoning Manehatten.”

At that time, I see Choo put her hoof to her ear as she hears a call on another circuit and nods her head, “Roger, the building has been secured.” She nods her head again, then replies to the voice only she is hearing, “Roger, fall back to the main park.”

She turns her head to us and tells us, “We have been ordered to the main park by Duskhoof. The Second Regiment has reported that some of its elements are already there.”

She then turns to the Ranger, and tells him, “We have our orders. Good luck Knight.”

We then turn as a group and make our way back to the stairs. As we go, I hear Days End asks, “Why don’t we just take the elevators?”

Twinks grunts when she first goes to answer, then finally tells him, “Because they need to be inspected before anyone uses them. Who knows what kind of damage they might have taken during the fight? I for one do not want to hop into one and have it drop to the basement with me in it.”

As we reach the lobby, we see Mort and his team are also heading to the doorway. Near the center of the lobby are Mudwing and her team. She grins as best a griffon can and tells us, “Good luck. They have us securing the lobby until they can get the security up and running again.”

We all say our quick goodbyes to them, then we head out the door. As we reach the Troubleshooter who was killed, they take his body and I hear Mort say, “I think we will bury him in the park. I am sure he would have liked that.”

Soon both of our teams are making our way down the streets, weapons at the ready as skywagons and vertibucks streak overhead. In the distance, I can see the large Enclave skyship making its way in the direction of Hoofington and Thunderhead. Above us, I can see NCR Skyships hovering over the Manehatten skyline.

I smile as I realize that it looks like we have all survived the fight here, and that for once, the NCR has won in a fight that was not defensive. But I do wonder what the Enclave will do next in retaliation for this embarrassment.

We are taking a break only a few blocks from the park when I decide to check my PipBuck. As I do so, I notice that Ten Pony Tower radio is back on the air. As I hear the DJ’s voice announce that they are back on the air and that they are back to helping the good fight, I smile to myself as I think, perhaps there really is hope for the NCR yet.

*****

Duskhoof, Manehatten: Xochitl

I am just walking back from the restroom when I hear a loud explosion coming from outside and the direction of Ten Pony Tower. I slowly limp my way to the window in my room and in the distance, I can see smoke coming out of the side of Ten Pony Tower, high up. Several others of the staff all join me in looking out the window.

Suddenly I hear artillery firing in the distance from the mountains to the east. Seconds later this is followed by the sounds of an artillery barrage landing somewhere out of sight, but east of here. I assume across the river.
I shake my head and say, “Sounds like someone is catching Tartarus out there.”

Beside me, an earth pony ghoul in nurses’ scrubs asks me, “How would you know what artillery sounds like?”
I shake my head, “We had two guns with us on the Expedition when I was a foul. On the last day at the Valley, we had an entire battery open up to support us with danger close fire. Luckily our forces were in our trenches so most were spared, but a few shells still landed in amongst us.”

From the side of my eye, I see him look at me with a curious expression and tell him, “Go ahead and ask.”

“You said you were a foal and that you were fighting in a battle that used artillery, that just seems odd to me. Were they that desperate that they used foal warriors?”

I keep looking out the window at the smoke rising from the building and what must be the other side of the river now. As I watch I can see in the far distance what must be sky wagons and some vertibucks flying toward the city. That would be the Manesville brigade advancing I realize and nod my head. I then see several vertibucks flying from this part of the city and I know the Enclave is using them to move and support their troops as well. As one of them goes zooming by the smoking tower, I see a bright light fly up from below and strike it, blotting it from the sky. I know they are our enemies, so I try not to think of the crew onboard, but instead just think of it as an inanimate object.

I then turn to the nurse and tell him, “Right after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows, the Manesville Co-op launched an expedition to cut Red Eye’s supply lines. Well, we not only did a good job of it, but we drew in as many forces as one of his officers turned warlord could bring in on us. My wife and I had snuck along and by the time they found us it was too late to send us back. Instead, since my father was with the scouts, Ginger and I were also made scouts as they felt they could keep us safer that way.”

He nods his head, “I understand how that can be. I used to be a medic with the army in the early years of the war with the zebras. But how could they have thought you would be safer as scouts?”

I shrug and tell him, “I just do not think they had enough experience with large operations at that time to have known better.”

He nods his head and replies, “Glad to hear that.”

As we watch we can hear small arms fire in the distance increasing in intensity. Before long we start to see Vertibucks shuttling back and forth between several positions around the city, including Ten Pony Tower and the large airship that they have above them.

We are still watching as I look down and start to see a small stream of wounded being brought in by ones and twos. Shortly after this, I hear a pony yell from the hallway, “All medical staff of Duskhoof, Silmetra, and Dry Rot say we have mass casualties coming in, you are to report to the first floor for triage and emergency treatment assignments.”

I see the nurse shake as he closes his eyes. I put a hoof on his shoulder and he flinches at first, then I ask, “Are you ok?”

He nods his head, “Yeah, just, I just, it reminds me of the Final Day is all. I was here then and they called very similar orders over the PA system back then.”

“I understand. Good luck and I will see you later.”

He visibly gulps and then nods to me, “See you later kid.” Then he turns and trots out to the hall where after he is out of my sight, I hear him and others galloping down the hall.

I turn back to the window and continue to watch what I will later come to hear called the Battle of Manehatten as it continues to unfold. As I watch I remember my PipBuck and I turn on the team’s channel. Over it, I soon begin to hear what they are experiencing.

Big Blue, we have hostiles in the next room’

Roger, Mash, you and Danger take them out. Salt, The Troubleshooters could use some suppressive fire across that lobby.

Roger Big Blue,

Besides the MEW and random gunfire, I soon hear a medium mg open up in several short bursts. Then I hear something that chills me to my core,

You killed her you bastards, then a long burst as someone empties their magazine into someone else as they scream. Then I hear the same voice say, tangos down, Danger is hurt but not KIA. I will assist her.

Okay, we are getting too far from the other teams. Hold on and let us reorganize. Twinks come here I need to check you out

Roger, Boss

OK, the other two teams say this floor is clear, now to the stairs and do it all again. Choo’s voice pauses and then she says Fog, you and Finale are on point, let’s go people.

I continue to listen to their chatter on the radio as I watch the battle from the distance. Soon I see three sky wagons land in the park across the street. I see the soldiers in the back begin to spread out and take up defensive positions, as they do this, the sky wagons take off and fly east again. Soon I watch as several more of them land, but this time one of the wagons is opened and I watch as several ponies from another wagon pull out the contents and start to set up tents with the symbol of the Ministry of Peace on them.

Before long more skywagons arrive bringing in wounded and I can see them being unloaded and ponies looking at them with some being quickly rushed to the tents, and others being treated right there. Then I notice a pony with what looks like a preacher’s vestments going among them. Occasionally he stops and talks to them, but I also see him stop at some and he gives what looks like a blessing.

I shake my head as I know what that means. My attention is drawn away as I hear a bed being rolled down the hallway and into one of the other rooms. I turn back and, in the sky, I notice that more and more vertibucks are making the run to the skyship, but fewer and fewer are leaving. I also notice that by now there is another skyship there as well. I don’t know whose it is, but I am not sure if it is the Enclaves as it looks completely different from any of them that I have seen before, and it is much, much smaller.

The whole time I worry about my friends and teammates, but most of all I worry about Ginger. This is the first major action either of us has been in that the other was not with them.

Before much longer I hear my doctor behind me say, “It seems that you are doing better than I thought if you can stand for this long.”

I feel myself blush and tell him, “Sorry Doc, it is just so hard knowing that I am not with my team while they are going through that.”

He nods his head, “Yes, I do understand. But I have a favor to ask of you if you feel up to it.”

I am curious and ask, “What is it Doc?”

“After my last surgery, it was brought to my attention that some soldiers are not only triaging their wounded but performing surgery in those tents in the park, the Mayor has asked that we send a representative to offer our assistance, however, we do not know them and we are not sure how they would react to our kind.”

I nod my head, “Get me my kit and I will be glad to do so sir.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Thank you, I will be back down in surgery, but one of the nurses will assist you.”

Soon I have my kit back, including my weapons and I find myself making my way across the lush foliage of the park.

After working my way across the park, I finally come across one of the soldiers there. She has her gun trained on me and calls out in a familiar accent, “Whoa, come no further or I will fire.”

I hold up my front hooves and call back, “Hold your fire, I was sent by the leadership of the settlement inside of the old Ministry of Peace hub there, they want to offer an exchange of services and supplies.”

She then calls out loudly over her shoulder, “Corporal of the Guard, I need you at my position.”

As we wait, I take off my helmet and wipe my brow. Then as I am drinking from my canteen she asks, “Xochitl, is that you?”

I am caught off guard and put my canteen back before I answer, “Yeah, but who are you?” It is then that I notice the Manesville Brigade tab on her shoulder. Then I look closely at her face and then her cutie mark before she answers.

“It is me, Dandelion, from back in school. What are you doing here?”

I grin as I remember Dandelion. I always got along pretty well with her as did the others I hung around with. So, I tell her, “Doing some private contractor work in the town. The rest of the team is over in that mess.” I tell her pointing in the general direction of Ten Pony Tower.

She looks that way and asks, “Why are you not with them?”

I sigh as I tell her, “I was recovering from a wound over in the hospital there,” I point back toward Duskhoof. “They had a job to complete and I was not up for it.”

She looks at me and says, “Yeah, I can bet, you still seem a bit under the weather.”

It is about this time that I see the Corporal of the guard come out of the brush. He stops and asks, “What do you have for me trooper?”

“Corporal, Xochitl here has been talking with the head honchos over in the old Ministry of Peace Building across the way. They want to offer an exchange of medical facilities and supplies.”

He then asks, “Getting a bit over-friendly with the locals, are you? Watch yourself Trooper.”

She smiles at him, “Nah, I went to school with ol’ Cohitl here.”

He then looks at me and asks, “Can anyone else vouch for you being from Manesville?”

I grin as I tell him, “Well if Captain Badger is here, he can, as can Colonel Mollygirl from the 3rd Regiment, both are my inlaws.”

I then hear Dandelion say, “Ohh, congratulations to both of you. We all knew you two would get married someday.”

I find myself blushing as I tell her, “Thank you.”

The corporal nods his head, “OK, enough of the old home week then. Follow me, Xochitl.”

He takes his time as we follow a path to the medical tents. There he takes me to an officer who is in charge. I tell him about the offer from the Mayor and Chief of Medicine of Duskhoof. He then asks, “How good are their facilities?”

“While not as good as some I have seen, they are the best I have seen in the wastelands. They keep the place clean and the equipment in as best working order as possible.”

“So why did they send you, instead of coming themselves?”

“Two reasons I do believe. The first is that they are ghouls.”

“Ah, that. And the second?”

“Sir, their chief of medicine is conducting surgeries on the wounded civilians that are still coming in from the fight.”

He nods his head, “So what do they want exactly.”

I give him a quick rundown and he tells me, “That makes sense, we can stop doing major surgeries in our tents and take care of the minor cases here. I will send two of my surgeons as well as their surgical teams to assist inside, let them know to send the ambulatory cases out to us.”

I nod my head and make my way back inside Duskhoof. Once there I tell Silmetra their answer. He smiles and nods his head, “Excellent. Maybe things really are changing in the Wastelands after all.”

*****

Manehatten: Choo Choo

The walk to the park where we have been ordered starts off uneventfully for both mine and Mort’s teams, as we go soon we see the locals who have fought today and are wounded making their way towards Duskhoof.

We first stop when we see some ponies from Broadway as well as Tube Town and other settlements all trying to make their way to help for their own wounds or for friends and family that cannot do so themselves. A couple of young ponies are trying to drag an older stallion who is wounded badly and cannot walk. Twinks and Cowlick approach them and Cowlick asks, “Where are you taking him?”

The young filly says, “They say Duskhoof can save our pa, we are trying to get him there.”

As they are talking, I watch as Twinks looks him over and shakes her head. Her horn flares as she treats his wounds the best she can, and she tells Cowlick, “He needs to get there soon or he won’t make it. I have him stabilized for now.”

Cowlick kneels and tells them “Get him on my back. I got him,”

Soon we are all helping those too badly wounded to make it on their own, Even Mort’s crew has joined us in this. We then notice healthy ponies joining us in our efforts. Twinks and I as well as Mort’s medic give what medical care, we can to get them to the doctors.

When we make it to the park, we first begin to pass it by, but we have a pegasus in NCR barding with MP marked on his shoulder stop us and tell us, “Wounded go to the park first for triage,” as he points towards a now worn path into the brush with the tops of tents.

We turn in that direction and trudge our way there. As we arrive, we are stopped by another mare who tells us, “Ok, bring them over hear and set them down, or have them sit down. Our medics will be right with you.” As we set them down, I hear her tell Ginger, “I saw Cohitl a bit ago, congrats on finally getting hitched. It is about time.”

“Thanks, Dandelion. When we get a chance later, I will come back and tell you all about it.”

“Great, I look forward to it.” Then she returns to organizing the arriving wounded.

After this, we begin to look for the Regimental headquarters. We are moving on to the next unit when I hear a familiar voice asks, “Choo? Is that you?” Then as we all look in their direction, he approaches us and I see Captain Badger, one of Ginger, and Epona’s adopted fathers. He trots over and hugs them as he says, “Thank the Goddesses you are all ok, but what are you doing here?” Then I see his face go pale as he asks with a nervous voice, “Where is Xochitl?”

Ginger answers, “Last we knew he was over in the hospital at Duskhoof being treated, but I guess he came over here earlier, at least according to Dandelion.”

I hear him let out a sigh of relief, and then he tells us, “Good, I am glad to hear that. Now, I best get back to my company for a bit. Stop by later tonight if you can. I want to catch up with all of you.”

“We will Pa, promise,” Ginger tells him, beside her Epona nods her head.

Then he tells Epona, “Just so you know, Purchase is fitting it really well with the family, though she is missing you dear.”

“Thanks for letting me know Papa, I miss her too.” she pauses then adds, “Papa, I think she might be the one, but I am not sure, can I talk to you about her later.”

He smiles broadly and tells her, “Of course Epona, of course, now I will catch you later, I just got a call about one of my squads capturing a prisoner.”

Then I ask, “Captain Badger, could you tell us how to get to the Regimental HQ?”

He nods his head, “Of Course Choo, it is those tents just over there. If you go a bit further in that direction you should be able to find the Brigade HQ as well.”

“Excellent. Thank you, Captain. I do appreciate it.”

He grins at me, “My pleasure Choo, just take care of my kids for me.”

With that we make our way towards first the Regimental, then the Brigade HQ. There we use their radios to contact our higher-ups. The message we receive in reply tells us to wait in Manehatten until we receive our next orders.

As we do not have any specific orders I tell them, “Ok, let’s go visit Xochitl.”

I see the brigade commander’s chief of staff, Captain Pin Point on our way out and I tell him, “Sir, we will be using your HQ as a contact point with our higher-ups in Junction Town per their orders. Right now, my team is heading over to Duskhoof to visit one of the team members who is there.”

I see him raise an eyebrow and he asks, “Which team member?”

I sigh and tell him, “Xochitl, he got bit by a rat a few days back and was very sick. The ghouls there have been treating him for the last couple of days.”

“Ah, that explains his being there to meet the 2nd Regiment earlier without the rest of you. Very good, I am glad to hear he is up and about. So, who is the other team with you?”

I wave Mort forward to introduce him to Pin Point. I then explain that the Fixers are much like our team. Afterwards, he shakes hooves with Mort and tells him, “A pleasure to meet you, sir. Is there anything we can do to assist you and your people?”

I see Mort hedge and haw for a moment then he asks, “I had a team member killed during the assault on Ten Pony Tower, could you have someone assist us in digging a grave, we will make a stone for him ourselves.”

I see the surprise on Pin Point's face and he asks, “All of you were involved with that portion of the attack, were you the ones that disabled Celestia One?”

While I want to answer, Mort does so first as he tells him, “No, we weren’t involved with that part of the plan. We hit the lower levels and started clearing each floor on our way up.”

I see a look of thought come over Pin Point's face and he asks, “Do any of your team members need further medical assistance? If so have them see the medics over at the regimental hospitals for the 2nd or 3rd. If they give you a hard time let them know I have authorized it.”

Mort nods his head, "I think we are doing okay on that, but if you have some extra rations, I would appreciate it.”

Pin Point calls over a sergeant from his staff and tells him, “Get these ponies some rations if you would. It is the least we can do for what they did earlier today as well.”

“Yes sir,” the sergeant answers. He then turns to Mort and tells him, “Follow me.”

As the Trouble Shooters follow him, I tell the captain, “Sir, thanks for the offer of rations, we will take you up on them later, but for now we need to check on Xochitl.”

He nods his head, “If anything comes in, I will send a courier for you Choo.”

“Thank you, sir,” I tell him, then I head out of the headquarters tent and meet up with the rest who then all head back towards the hospital to visit Xochitl. Once there we find Xochitl still in the lobby, though he appears very tired he is assisting the staff with the new arrivals.

I can tell when he sees us as he nods at us, but when he sees Ginger his eyes light up.

Once we are close, he gives her a warm greeting and I overhear him whisper, “Thank the Goddesses you are alright. I was so worried about you.”

I watch them embrace for a bit more, and then I ask, “Does your being down here mean you have been released from treatment?”

“Honestly boss, I am not sure. They still have plenty of rooms available, but their staff is pretty busy as well. At least we are getting fewer and fewer walk-ins over the last few hours.”

I nod my head, then he asks, “Any word on casualties overall yet?”

I shake my head, “Not fully, but the Manesville Brigade got off pretty light from what I have been told. Oh, by the way, we saw Badger earlier and he said for all of us, you included to visit them while we are here.”

He smiles warmly and answers, “I look forward to it.”

It is several hours later when the last of the wounded have all been seen and treated. It is then that I see Xochitl’s doctor come out into the lobby yawning. He sees us there, looks at Xochitl, and tells him, “While I appreciate the help, son, after you got back from that errand earlier, I had expected you to return to your bed.”

I watch as Xochitl looks at the floor and blushes. He then raises his head and tells him, “Sorry sir, but I knew the others needed my help too.”

“Young stallion, you are not going to be able to help anyone if you don’t allow yourself to rest and heal. Now get back to your room.”

I watch as most of my other team members follow Xochitl back to his room.

After they are out of earshot, I ask, “How bad is he really?”

He looks at him and tells me, “He should be ready in another day or two to be discharged. I feel guilty having used him earlier to contact those NCR troops, but I could not send any of our settlers there.”

I nod my head, “I understand, I think by our ages we all have had to make such uncomfortable choices.”

He nods his head, then he asks quietly, “I know a stallion should never ask a mare her age, but, how old were you when you got changed into an alicorn?”

I smile at his question and I tell him, “I was 65 years old, why?”

I hear him chuckle as he says, “It just seems so many of us old-timers were actually young when we got turned. I am glad to hear you got a full lifetime first.”

I am surprised when I hear this and I ask, “How old were you?”

He looks at me with sadness in his eyes and he tells me, “I was 32, and I thought I was getting old then. Ah but for the feeling of youth again.”

Without thinking I say, “That sounds like something to toast,” I pull a bottle of Three Sister’s whiskey out of my saddlebag and ask, “Would you share a drink with me?”

He thinks briefly and tells me, “You know what, I could use one, let's go sit on that couch over there.”

We find a couple of glasses and I pour both of us a healthy measure. Once our glasses are filled, we raise them and he says, “To the days of our youth. May the pony we once were, never die inside of us.”

We clink our glasses lightly and take a sip. Then I tell him, “To lost loves and fallen comrades.” I hear him sniffle a bit, and then we clink our glasses and drink again.

After this, we talk for a bit. We are almost done with our drinks when I see him smile and he tells me, “You know Choo, you are the first normal pony, much less one of your kind who has had a drink with me since the Last Day.”

I smile at him as I tell him, “Hopefully, I will not be the last.” I then truly look at him in my mind I can see him as he once was.

He looks at me and asks, “What’s on your mind, Choo?”

“Sorry Doc, I was just picturing you as you were before the final day.”

He grunts slightly and tells me, “I don’t look anything like I did back then.”

I smile, shake my head, then tell him, “No, you do not look exactly as you once did, but you still more like you, than I look like I did.”

He waves a hoof and tells me, “I doubt it.”

I grin and ask, “Would you like to see what I looked like back then?” and soon I am showing him photos of who I once was, as well as my family. It is a pleasant night and one of several that I enjoy before I leave Manehatten. I even find my Paper Work while he is here and I get to make my dream come true again, he takes me to the show at Broadway.

On the third day after the Battle of Manehatten, the Manesville brigade as well as mine, Mort’s, and Mudwing's teams get orders to pack up and move on to our next operational area. It is one that is familiar, but not one I never really expected.

We watch the Manesville brigade leave in mass and wait for our transport. It only takes one more day, but when our ride arrives, I recognize it immediately as it is Flight Plan and his crew in one Vertibuck as well as one more. The crews get out, stretch and our people assist them in doing quick maintenance as they get ready for another long hop. Once everything is ready, all three teams load up and we are taken back to the air. I can only hope that this time it is a milk run.

*****

Broadway, Manehatten: Ball Lightning

My team and I are just coming out of the theatre turned trading post when it happens. We hear a loud explosion from the direction of the riverfront. I turn my head and, in the distance, I can see smoke rolling out of the side of Ten Pony Tower. Inside my chest, I feel my heart turn cold as I fear what that means.

I am just about to tell the others we need to get back to Ten Pony Tower when I see the gate being slid closed and ponies running to the wall there as if they are preparing to be attacked.

I hear Funnel Cloud say, “Do you think they are being attacked?”

Before I can say anything, Air Burst tells us, “Uh, let’s get away from the gate. In fact, let’s try to disappear for a bit.”

As we are heading further into the settlement, I hear a mare call out from the side to us, “Get in here if you want to live you danged fools.”

We all recognize her as the mare who was the cashier of the cafeteria the few times we ate there. When I am close, I ask her, “What’s going on?”

I hear her give an exaggerated sigh as she looks at me and tells me, “What do you think, it is an uprising against the Enclave.”

I am briefly confused and ask her, “Then why are you helping us?”

She shakes her head, “To be honest, I am not sure, other than you four were the only Enclavers who treated us as ponies and traded with us fairly. That meant a lot to me.” She tells us this as we continue into the back of a theater. She then leads us higher up and to the top floor. She then tells me, “Mister, that stairwell leads to the roof. If you get up there, you should be able to fly and get away from here.”

We all look at each other as we know how dangerous it is to fly in a city battle. But it is our only hope of escape right now as outside I can hear guns and MEWs both being fired. I look at the others and tell them, “You heard the mare.” I then turn to her and tell her, “Thanks again,” and I hoof her what caps I have on me that were for lunch today.”

She smiles and tells me, “You didn’t have to, but thanks for proving to me you four are good ponies. Now get going quick.”

With that, we all quickly make our way up onto the roof via the stairway. Below I can see the ponies fighting with an Enclave patrol, and while we could have helped some, I do not think it would have mattered. Besides, I am sure they need us more at Ten Pony. With that I give the order, “Let’s go” and we all jump into the air and begin to fly away. As we do so, I hear gunfire begin below us but we are all dodging as we climb and the shots miss us.

Once I feel we are higher than the gunfire I have us level out and we begin to make our way to our Headquarters. As we fly, I can see several patrols are engaged with the locals, but our quick reaction forces are starting to respond to them.

In the distance to the west, I see bright flashes of light coming from the mountains. This is followed several seconds later by the sound of artillery firing, then I see the explosions and after a shorter wait, I hear the shells exploding. Someone, I presume our troops, are getting hammered. Then I see something I have only seen in documentaries before. I watch as an entire regiment of Sky Wagons and Vertibucks flies into the city on the far side of the river. I expect them to land there, but no, they keep coming forward. I watch as what must be a battalion lands and begins to fight with Enclave troops. As I get closer to the river, I see at least a battalion of ground bounds advancing as well. I quickly try to report what I am seeing but am told, “Captain, we are a bit busy right now. Keep the airways clear.”

A few blocks from the tower I see one of our light vertibucks start to make a strafing pass at those who are still fighting us from the streets. Suddenly I see a flash of light from the ground and I watch in horror as a missile strikes it and explodes into a shower of debris.

We make it to the tower and are rewarded for our efforts by almost being shot by our own people. That is when I notice a vertibuck landing on the pad we had just entered from. As it does so, instead of support troops running from it, I watch as members of the HQ Staff run onto it. As they pass, I see the Chief of Staff, his ears pinned back and anger on his face. He stops and tells me, “Get on that Vertibuck right now, the recall is being sent as we speak.”

While I want to ask what is happening and why aren’t we fighting, I know better than to ask. Instead, I simply follow my orders.
As we turn to go, we can hear gunfire being exchanged not far from where we are as well as in the distance. As I am about to load onto the aircraft, I feel the buzz on my wrist from my PipBuck as I receive the Recall. I notice Alto gets a notification as well over his radio as he nods his head, then shakes it as his ears go down along the side of his head in what I can tell is sorrow.

I do not blame him, I am angry, frustrated, and saddened myself at this turn of events. "Whoever thought that the NCR could force us out of an area we wanted to hold? Soon we have been carried to the large Skyship that has remained alongside Ten Pony Tower since we arrived. I can see that the artillery bombardment west of the river has lightened up, but I am afraid that means they are simply moving the guns closer.

As we land, we are hurried from the aircraft, once we are clear it takes off empty to pick up more of our people. All of us who were evacuated are led to one of the ship's mess decks where our names and ID numbers are written down.

As the evacuation continues, the Chief of Staff wanders by our table and he shakes his head as he tells me, “I hope you did not leave anything behind that you wanted to keep. I am afraid we will not be back here for a long time.”

“No, sir, I always kept what things I had with me. But sir, what happened?”

“The bastards snuck in and either disabled or destroyed Celestia One. Either way, once they did that, they broke the ceasefire and hit us in so many places we could not respond.” He shakes his head, "We kept getting conflicting orders, move troops to the tower, move troops to the east to relieve our garrison there. Move troops to intercept that damn brigade of troops that were to the west.” He stops, shakes his head, and then says, “Captain, who would have thought they would launch over a regiment-sized air assault? They used our own tactics against us. The last time we saw something like that was during the Neighvarro-Thunderhead unpleasantness.”

“So, what now sir?”

“Once the President is onboard, we fall back to our own territory I guess.” He pauses, “My guess would be we might launch some raids to keep the NCR guessing, but who knows now.”

The next day the Chief of Staff calls me to his temporary headquarters area. “Captain, the President has asked that you remain on standby for the communications protocol we have established. However, to retain that line of communications secrecy we will be returning you to your unit for now. Your team will be going back to their normal assignments however, if needed again, we will be calling you up.

“Yes sir. I understand sir.”

“Good, I figured you would. Now when you get back, if you have a message between the two ladies involved, you can notify the Rainbow Dash Skyport Commander that you have a message from Miss G for our bosses.”

I nod my head, and ask, “Will they know what is going on?”

He shakes his head, “Not fully, they have only been told that if they receive this message, they are to notify the executive branch, and we will be in contact with you.”

“I understand sir. Thank you.”

“You are welcome, Captain. I had suggested you be brought onto our staff but was told that would be too obvious. For now, we keep this as well as your experience through the doorway quiet. By the way, I have read your report on those events. Very interesting to say the least. Now, dismissed.”

I salute and head back to the others from my team and give them a brief heads up of what will happen when we get home.

Five days later, we arrive back at Thunderhead. My team is taken back to the RDS via Vertibuck. Once we land, we are met by Lieutenant Colonel Sun Spot. As she sees us, she tells us, “Welcome back and follow me back to my office.”

Instead of her office in the terminal, we are led into the nearby hangar where I first met her and Air Burst. Once inside she leads us to an office in the back. “Sit down.”

After we are seated, she tells us, “Ok, I read about the doorway, now I want to know what the Tartarus happened in Manehatten.”

We give her a brief rundown of what we saw and what our thoughts are of the occupation. Once we are done, she tells us, “OK, thank you all for that information.” She then looks at me, “Ball, I would like you to write up an after-action report for that as well.”

I am surprised at her order as she is not in my normal chain of command. But I will still do it. As we head out of the hangar, we all stop and look at each other. We shake hooves and I tell them, “It was a pleasure Gentlecolts, until next time.” And they all nod their heads as we are all pretty sure there will be a next time.

As I am walking back across the base, I suddenly see a dot in the distance flying toward me quickly. As it gets nearer, I brace myself and am nearly knocked off my hooves as Lil' Bit hits me with a full-speed hug, yelling, “Daddy!” And as I return her hug, I know I am home.

Soon we are making our way to our quarters and she tells me all about what has been going on while I was gone. It turns out that the older siblings stepped up to help support the family and take care of the young ones with my wife.

Soon we arrive at the house and as we enter, I am swamped by my family. Finally, I make my way to my wife. I embrace her warmly and tell her how much I love her. I see the tears run down her cheeks, as she tells me, “Ball, I thought I lost you. We did not know where you were.”

“I understand, and to tell the truth, I could not believe where I ended up either.”

“Where were you?” she asks.

“Dear, how about I tell you what I can after dinner.”

I assist them in cooking dinner and giving Sun Dancer a break. After dinner, I tell them what I can. After that, we decide to listen to the radio and I tune into Hallowed Dream’s show and we hear,

That’s right folks the same bunch of NCR Storm Troopers that broke the ceasefire agreement in Manehatten are now having to fight in their own homes. How do you like it Manesville? You have brought war to so many others, how do you like having it brought to your mares and foals? To those pegasi serving in the so-called Manesville Brigade, you are on notice that you are all considered Dashites now and there will be no appeals. We have had enough of your vipers’ nest and treachery.

Their treachery goes so far as to fake a surrender ceremony and once three of our raptors landed, they used a one-time use megaspell on them. They forced us to attack them so we could hold them accountable for their hideous act.

I am stunned and realize what this means. I feel sick to my stomach as I realize that the Enclave has hit Manesville and its surrounding communities. I look at my wife and I see a tear run down her face as we both remember our time there as prisoners and how well we were treated. Now this. I shake my head and wonder what will happen next in what may be becoming a war of reprisals and for national survival.

*****

Good evening to all you wastelanders out there. This is DJ Pon3 and I am back on the air again. Thanks to all the members of the NCR and Coalition for your efforts in making it possible. As I said in my earlier broadcast today I am back to tell you the truth, no matter how much it hurts.

I have so much I want to say to all of you that I don’t know where to even begin, so instead, with all we have been through I will begin with our first song of the night Forever Young.

Author's Note

With this chapter, we end our time in Manehatten. At least for a while, we return to our characters' homes. The Repair Ponies are on their way to Manesville, while Ball has returned to his home and family at the RDS. However, just because they are home does not mean that things are going to be peaceful or as they had hoped and expected, as we will see in the coming chapters.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNjQXmoxiQ8