Chapter 5: Going Outside the Wire

“You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place...like you'll not only miss the people you love but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again.” ― Azar Nafisi, Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books

Manesville, Manesville Region, NCR: Ginger Snaps.

The first morning of the mission our team assembles at the shop first. The regular shop crew helps us load the cart first. We then hook up the cart to Cowlick in the attached carriage port. We say our goodbyes and I even receive a hug from little Xanthippe. She is such a sweetheart, and I will miss her. Who knew I would ever end up caring about a little ghoul?

Once the goodbyes are said we are off and heading toward the Manesville waterfront.

As we begin, I find myself holding tails with my fiancé. I still can’t believe it is official between us. Sure, we've been talking about it and planning it over the years. But now it is real. I guess while things haven’t really changed between us, something just feels different. Maybe it is the level of commitment.

What was really surprising is that for the first time in years Persimmon let me know I was welcome to stay at their cabin, and I could share a bed with Xochitl. Honestly, I was stunned. Then she had me help make breakfast this morning for all of us. I mean a while back she began to teach me how to make some of Xochitl’s favorite meals. But this too felt different. It almost felt like when Mama Sumac and I were cooking together. Like, mother and daughter.

Our team as a whole continues to banter as we make our way down the roads. Smiling and even waving to a few of the people we know. Once we get to the waterfront itself Choo leads us straight to the Baltimore Colt. It is a recovered wooden sternwheeler paddleboat. I smile as I look in wonder at its two-story superstructure, its wooden Pilothouse and twin chimneys as well as its bright brass bell. It has been painted white overall, with blue trim, and it is not nearly as ornate as The S. Glimmer, but it was never intended to be a passenger ship, only a cargo hauler, and that is what the Water clan has used it for.

On the main deck, I see a couple of ponies standing next to the boarding ramp. As we approached one of them calls out. “Good morning, Miss Choo. Ready for us to assist you in boarding?”

She smiles and calls back, “Whenever you are ready sir.”

After that, she has Cowlick stop next to the bow ramp or brow as we are informed it is called. We assist him in unharnessing and the crew of the Colt swing a steam-operated crane over and use a lifting harness to pick it up and swing it onto the deck. Once it is onboard, I watch as they pony handle it inside the skin of the ship through a large door on the main deck. Then we all go on board.

Once on the deck, I hear one of the ponies at the brow point to a donkey who is a crew member say, “Miss Choo, I will have deck hoof Jonesy take you all inside. As your bags are on the cart, He will first take you to the mess decks, and then show you around, including to your portion of the cargo deck.”

Cargo deck? We are cargo? I feel myself starting to get mad, then I feel Epona’s hoof on my shoulder and she tells me, “Sis, relax, that is standard for the Colt. Otherwise, their crew has to give up their homes for our trip. Mama Mollygirl did not realize this when we made the trip back from Hackamore.”

I shake my head slightly. Then I ask, “Epona, you really mean that?”

She nods her head and I hear Tater from the side say, “Yeah. Back then the Combat engineers slept on the cargo deck. Our officers in the crews’ quarters and the crews next to their post. Even the Colt’s captain slept in the Pilot House.”

I feel myself calm back down. “Oh, I’m sorry, I guess I just thought…”

Jonesy smiles and says, “Don’t worry about it Ma’am, it happens all the time to us. But thanks for understanding.”

As he leads us to the mess decks my eyes go wide at the coffee dispenser sitting on the counter for anypony to use. I can’t help but smile and am ready to go get a cup when Jonesy says, “Now if you want, Captain Rust Water is in the Pilot House making preparations to get underway, but I am sure she would like to meet with you. After all, you are all members of the clan or at least friends of it like I am.”

With that, I dash my hopes of a coffee pick me up for now. Instead, I follow him down another hallway that the crew calls a passageway. Soon we go up some more stairs and onto the top deck, which has the Pilot House just forward of the twin chimneys. I remember Papa Badger telling us one time that on riverboats they call them chimneys, but on ocean-going vessels, they call them stacks.

Soon we are on the top deck and heading toward the Pilothouse. That is when I see Captain Rust Water come out the door at the back of the small, windowed box they call the Pilot House. As she approaches, she nods to us and says, “Good Morning, Miss Choo. Thank you and your team for being so prompt. We should be ready to get underway in an hour or so.”

She pauses then tells us, “Tater, Epona, it is good to see you aboard again. The rest of you, as friends of the clan and members, welcome on board the Baltimore Colt. Ginger, Xochitl; Rough and I talked this morning, so congratulations on your engagement. While underway I will need you to restrict yourselves to your quarters on the cargo deck, the mess decks, or up here. This is for both your safety as well as ours.”

I see Tater and Epona look at each other and I can tell they are dying to ask something. When Rust looks at them and says, “I talked to Rough about you two also. After you settle in and we get underway I want to see you both.”

Finally, Choo asks, “Captain, in case we are engaged by hostiles underway, I would like to offer the assistance of my team to you and your crew, as you feel needed.”

I see a shrewd expression come over her face then she grins as she says, “Ok, we can talk about that later. But I do appreciate the offer.”

Choo then tells her, “OK Captain, we will head down below for now. Let us know if you want us for anything before dinner, otherwise, we will see you then.”

“Sounds good Choo, see you later,” she tells her. Then we follow Choo back below decks.

*****

S.S. Baltimore Colt, Hoofrock River, NCR: Xochitl

After we met with Captain Rust Water and were dismissed, we all follow Choo back below. Once we find our area of the cargo hold, we began to make a small area for us to sit and talk as well as to sleep. As we are doing so, I hear Cowlick say, “Well the Captain seems nice enough. I never got to meet a riverboat captain before.”

I see Epona smile and hear her tell him, “This is only the second time I have gotten to ride on her boat, but she does seem nice enough. She never made it to the farm like Cousin Rough has.”

Both Ginger and I nod to that. Then Ginger asks, “I wonder why that is?”

This time I smile and tell her, “Perhaps dear it is because she is busy trying to keep her crew and the Colt fed and earning caps. I heard one of the crewponys say earlier that they can’t make caps sitting in port.”

Ginger turns to me and tells me, “You really think they meant that?”

I nod my head and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Dear, you have an adventurer’s cutie mark. Haven’t you told me you longed to get away from Manesville and explore the world?”

She nods her head, “Well, yeah. Do you think that has something to do with it too?”

I nod my head, “Yes dear, besides, remember Choo used to be a railroad engineer. I think the desire to see what is over the horizon even influences her too.”

From the side, I hear Choo Choo sigh slightly then laugh. I turn to her and see her shaking her head with a smile. Then she says, “You know Xochitl, I never thought about it, but perhaps you are onto something.”

From the side I hear Sunny, Tater, and Twinks all chattering away also. Once we have things set up to Choo’s satisfaction Ginger says, “Well I am going up to the mess decks for coffee, who wants to join me?”

I am in the middle of cleaning my carbine when she asks and I tell her, “I will join you in a bit. I want to finish this first.”

I then hear Epona tell her, “Sounds good Sis.” As she gets up and joins her. As they leave, I see Twinks and Choo go with them.

Once they are gone, I see Sunny relax a bit. I raise an eyebrow to him and he says, “what, the only ones not spoken for are kin, taken, or Twinks, and she already let me know what she thinks of me.”

Tater shakes his head, “Sunny, you’re my friend, so I am going to let you know a bit of a secret. Quit looking at them as possible partners and just think of them as possible friends. You will be more relaxed and enjoy yourself more.”

I see Sunny laugh some and he replies, “ANNNDDD we see how well that has worked out for you so far.”

Tater shrugs, “Maybe, but at least they are relaxed when I am around, and I don’t have the clan ready to let the next angry father string me up.”

I watch as Sunny's expression turns to one of anger and he looks at me and asks, “Cohtil, did you and Ginger tell them what Cousin Rough said. That was clan business and was supposed to stay that way.”

And here we go I think to myself. All the mares are gone, now the stallions are going to have a heart-to-heart talk with him. I remain calm and simply tell him, “No, not me Sunny.”

Tater then says, “Sunny, it is no secret. For crying out loud, Cowlick and I had to keep Lulu Belle's brothers from getting ahold of you, plucking all your feathers and shaving your fur after what you did to her. You should be ashamed to call yourself a Stallion.”

I watch as Sunny’s jaw almost hits the floor. Then Tater quietly says, “Sunny, you need to stallion up. I mean it. You’re my friend and I want to keep it that way, so use the time we are traveling on this job to think about it. Ok.”

Sunny looks sullenly with his ears down alongside his head, at all of us. Finally, Cowlick says, “Sunny, he is not kidding. I took some lumps for you over that. But even I could not believe you did that to Lulu Belle. She was ready to leave the church for you even.”

Sunny looks sullenly at the floor and says in just above a whisper, “I never asked her to do that.”

This gets me to raise my head and my ears to go forward. While I don’t attend the cattle services, Ginger and her mother the Colonel do on a regular basis. In fact, the Colonel is even a Herd Mother in it, which carries some weight according to Ginger and Epona.

I still say nothing but Cowlick tells him, “Sunny, my friend, just start to treat them how you would want to be treated. They are not prizes, nor are they possessions. Look at how your ma and pa are. How Chotil’s parents are, Or even the Colonel and all her spouses. And before you say it, we are not trying to pick on you. We ARE your friends and care about you.”

That is when I see Sunny blush. He finishes putting his pistol back together. Puts its magazine back in place and puts it back into his holster. I hear him sigh and he says, “Ok, I guess I really needed to hear that from all of you. But am I really that bad?”

This time I speak up. “Sunny, you are not bad, but the way you have been treating females, no matter the species, is. We care, now how about we go get some coffee.” I say as I slap the magazine back into my freshly cleaned and oiled zebra carbine, then I put it inside the wooden crate we are using for the longarms.

With that, the moment has passed and we head to the mess decks to enjoy some coffee and perhaps to even get to know some of the crew of the Baltimare Colt.

During dinner, the Ships First Mate sits and talks with Choo and us. At one point while we are talking, he asks, “Miss Choo, did you mean what you said about helping us on the trip?”

Choo Choo nods her head, “Yes, I did, what do you have in mind?”

He looks at all of us and says, “Well Ma’am, just like a steam locomotive has to stop for fuel periodically, so do we.” I catch myself nodding along with Choo. He then says, “Well most of the areas close to the river that are good for fuel have been picked over pretty well the last couple of years or so, and well, ma’am, it would be a big help if we could leave our ships defense crew onboard while our team scavenges for fuel. Maybe you all could escort them and provide protection for them?”

Ginger puts a hoof on the table and says, “Sounds good to me. What do you think Boss?” as she looks at Choo.

Choo looks at all of us and says, “I think it is a good idea but this is not part of our normal contract, so it is up to you.”

Soon we all look at each other and one by one we all say we are in. Even Twinks. Then she looks at Choo and says, “Hey, I have to get used to it too, right?”

Choo smiles and tells her, “Yes and I appreciate your willingness to do so.” She then asks the First Mate, “So when will this stop happen?”

He grins and tells us, “Not for another couple of days. I will let the Captain know that you agreed though.

After dinner, most of us go back below. However, I notice Sunny goes to the top deck and I decide to follow. Before I go though, I tell Ginger, “I’ll be down in a bit love.”

She looks up at the hatchway and gives me a knowing nod, “Ok, but give him a break, I know he has to feel like he keeps getting kicked, ok?”

I nod my head in agreement and let her kiss me on my cheek. Then I go up onto the dark deck. Once there I stand beside the closed deck hatch long enough for my eyes to adjust. I look up at the night sky and see the stars. They are so beautiful to look at to me. But for some reason, half of my heritage was terrified of them. Part of me wonders if I ever will understand why. Once I can see well enough, I stroll over to where I see Sunny’s dark Silhouette in the night.

As I approach, he asks sullenly, “You here to give me more what for also Chotil?”

I shake my head. “No, I think you have heard enough of it,” I tell him as I stand on my hind hooves and put my front hooves on the railing around the upper deck. As I lean against it, I ask him, “Sunny, can I ask you a question?”

I hear him sigh, “Yeah I guess so. What is it?”

“Sunny, I know how you were raised. I know you were very loved by your parents. So, my question is, why are you always acting like an enfield in heat? I really don’t get it.”

I hear him let out a huff of air. Then he tells me, “You wouldn’t. You already got your mare. And I am sure you have no problem getting her into the sack either.”

I almost smack him for that. Instead, I tell him coolly. “Sunny, you better walk real lightly, and you better speak clearly, because you are in a minefield right now.”

I see him back up a bit. Then he says, “Look Xochitl, everypony knows she is your mare. As long as I have known you both you have been a couple. I was always the third wheel. As for getting laid. Well, as an almost married couple I figure you two go that far too.”

Ah, jealousy and loneliness. I can understand that now. I come down off the rail and I calmly tell him, “No, no we haven’t Sunny. We only have twice so far. The first time we were kids and it was the first night back from the Expedition. The other. Well, that was last night.”

Even in the darkness, I can see he is stunned. “Really Xochitl? You mean that?”

I nod my head. Then I tell him, “Yes Sunny. I really mean it. Love is more than just the physical part. That is what we are all trying to tell you. Also, just so you know, Tater and Cowlick were not kidding about Lulu Belle's brothers. They had a scrap with them to protect you.”

I hear him sigh again. “I guess I owe them an apology.”

“Yeah, you might say that, Sunny. But the biggest thank you that you could give us is to change your ways.”

I see him sit down hard on the deck. “Yeah, I guess you're right. I just never thought I was doing anything wrong.”

“Sunny, when those young mares and heifers were crying, it was because you hurt them. Not necessarily physically, but you hurt their hearts. In fact, it puts me in mind of something I once heard a stallion I really respect tell me. They may forget what you have done, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

Sunny seems surprised to hear this, then he asks me, “Who was the Stallion?”

I sigh myself this time as I look at the water flowing past the Colt. Finally, I answer, “Badger. He told me it a few months back when I asked him how come he and the Colonel aren’t as close as he and Sumac.”

Sunny shakes his head before asking, “What did Badger do to her?”

This time I answer honestly, “I really don’t know Sunny. But he hurt her bad enough that according to him their relationship never fully healed. And he knew it was his fault.”

“But, but I thought all of them were happily married?”

This time I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, giving me time to think before I answer. Then I tell him, “Yeah, they are, but according to him, he and she were once much closer back before the Expedition. I guess he did something that really hurt her. I asked Ginger about it and she said it was something about disrespecting her or something.”

“Really? I can’t imagine that Cohtil.”

“Sometimes that is all it takes. Just think of how you would feel if someone treated you the way you have treated others. That is a guidepost my father taught me. It seems to have worked for him so far.”

We talk for a while more, then we call it a night and head back down to the cargo hold together. Once there I see him look at his bedroll and then he asks, “Chotil, can I move my bedroll next to you and Ginger tonight. I really don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”

I want to say no at first, but I can almost sense a bit of desperation in him tonight. Reluctantly I tell him, “Yeah go ahead.”

As I curl up next to Ginger, I feel him curl up behind me. I look at Ginger in the dim lamplight and can see she has an eyebrow raised and I just nod to her. She seems to understand and cuddles closer to me.

That night I hear Sunny having a nightmare and realize he is dreaming about the Expedition and the Valley. He was just one of the civilian foals with us. I did not even realize he was still having nightmares from it too. In the night I roll over and put a hoof around him as he whimpers in his sleep.

Come morning I wake up spooning Ginger, with Sunny Spooning me and with a wing over both Ginger and me. I slowly move and I feel Ginger move first, then Sunny. As I open my eyes I look up and see the rest of the team sitting there with amused expressions on their faces.

Finally, Twinks asks, “I guess we know who is the middle spoon now. So Chotil is he any good?”

I feel myself begin to blush and Sunny stammers out “Twinks it’s not like that. I’m straight.”

I hear her laugh as she says, “So’s a noodle until it gets wet.”

Again, the others all laugh. Finally Ginger says, “Twinks, enough, you know I don’t play that way. But thanks for the vote of confidence.”

She grins, “Well Ginger, I was just hoping for ya is all.”

“Yeah, thanks Twinks,” she says as she gives her a wink. Then she says, “Maybe you should wish for someone for Epona instead of an extra for me.” Then she realizes how that sounds and she immediately tells Epona, “I am really hoping for you sis.”

I hear her sigh, “I know, and thanks. Eventually, if I am supposed to, maybe then. But maybe I will be like Great Aunt Haze. She is well over one hundred and still single.”

I have to smile when she brings up Purple Haze. I remember how she was when we first met her. Then think about how much she has changed since she found out she was directly related to the Water clan. She never really had a family until then. Since then she has spent more time in White Cloud than she has at her home in Tenpony Tower. A large part of her time though is spent teaching Ginger and Epona's little sister Moon Lily, who is the only unicorn among their siblings.

We continue our banter as we make our way to the mess decks and breakfast. Once there we find we can’t all sit together. Most of the team is with each other, however, Choo and Ginger end up sitting with the Colt’s First Mate. In a way, it bothers me that their crew and our team have not really started to interact much. However, it only has been a couple of days so far.

As Ginger sits there, I go over and sit next to her and grin as the 1st Mate asks, “So Choo, are you guys serious about standing guard for us while we load up on fuel.”

Choo nods her head as she finishes chewing her bite of smoked fish. She then tells him, “Yes, any idea when we shall be doing so and where?”

He nods his head, sets down his silverware, and tells us, “Tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

As he is saying this, we see Captain Rust Water come and sit with us. She turns to her first mate and asks, “Did you ask them yet Number One?”

He nods his head, “Yes Captain, they have agreed and I was just going to give them the rundown.”

She nods her head and takes a bite of her egg sandwich. While she is chewing the 1st Mate begins, “When we get close to the landing site for fuel, we would like you first to scout the area to make sure it is clear of raiders and pirates, then as we retrieve the wood or other burnable material, we need you to stand guard.”

Ginger then asks, “Who normally provides your security when you do this?”

Though her mouth is full, Rust Water answers, “We have a few of our crew members go ashore strictly for it, but that reduces the number of hooves doing the hard work, which takes us longer. That means we are exposed longer too.”

That makes sense to me and I see Choo nod her head. Then Choo asks, “Do you have a map we can go over, and show us about where you want to land for fuel? That would allow me and Sunny to go up and do a quick initial fly-over first. We can radio back and let you know if it is clear or not.”

The First Mate looks at Rust and she says, “Yeah we have one in the Pilot House. After breakfast, we can go up and take a look at it, Choo.”

Soon after this Rust Water asks, “Now, no offense meant, but Choo, why is your team under weapons on my ship?”

Choo looks at her seriously and tells her, “Captain, we go this way back home too, in case of raiders and such. We only have our pistols and left the long arms locked up. I hope this has not been a concern for you?”

Rust then asks, “So if we have a run-in with pirates or raiders or such, you would be willing to help defend the Colt?”

We all nod, but Choo tells her, “Most certainly. Why wouldn’t we?”

The First Mate then tells us, “You have to understand, many would try and hide to protect only themselves, or they would figure it is our job to protect them.”

Ginger shakes her head as do I. Then Choo Choo tells them, “I see. No, not only are we fighters, but the Colt is owned by the Water Clan, and we either are members of it or at least friends of it. So, we would be obligated even if we were not inclined that way. But as you can tell, we are inclined that way, Captain. But also, we will only do so by you and your officers’ orders. While onboard we are passengers, but also under your command.”

“Hmmm, ok, that sounds good enough. Besides, when we stop for fuel, we will see how well that really plays out.” Rust says, then she finishes her coffee and takes a few last bites of her breakfast before standing up and telling Choo, “I will meet you in the Pilothouse.” She pauses and says, “Bring Ginger and Epona.”

As soon as they finish Choo and Ginger get up to go meet with Rust Water. I see Ginger quickly walk over and hear her tell Epona, “Grab a couple of more quick bites, the captain wants to meet with Choo, me and you.”

I see Epona grab a couple of biscuits and put them into her saddlebags. Then she chugs her coffee and is off with the other two. At that, I then continue to eat my breakfast and I begin to talk with the First Mate, who finally tells me, “While most of the crew just refers to me as the first mate, my real name is Bell Stand. So how long have you and the Captain's cousin been together?”

*****

S.S. Baltimare Colt, Hoofrock River NCR: Choo Choo.

As I lead the two sisters up the ladder to the pilothouse deck I hear them chattering a bit. Epona then asks, “Choo, what does Rust want with me?”

I simply shrug my wings and tell her, “Not sure but she is kin to you, so maybe, just maybe, she wants to get to know you better. Or it could be that she knows you are very intelligent and help us to plan our ops.”

As we approach the Pilot House, I see one of the crewponies at the steering wheel for the Baltimare Colt. Beside me, I see Epona smile and she tells Ginger, “See how he is moving the wheel back and forth slightly when on the helm you are almost always doing that. Making small corrections.”

When she says this, I see Captain Water nod her head. Then she says, “Welcome to the Pilot House. Very rarely does anypony other than the bridge crew actually come in here. So please realize this is special. Off to the side, you can see the river chart we have. If you look at it closely you will notice that it has major landmarks noted as well as elevations along the river.”

We step up alongside the chart table and begin to examine it. Captain Water comes over and begins to point to it with one forehoof. “OK, by looking at this chart, this is where we are currently. If you notice this big hill right there, and the wrecked church tower across the way, you can see how we match up the landmarks to our position.”

Ginger then asks, “So we are right about here and where is the landing for fuel?”

Rust leans her head to the side a bit and I notice one of her ears twitches to the side. “You don’t waste much time getting to it, do you?”

“Sorry ma’am, when it comes to ops, I learned from Mama Mollygirl.”

I notice Rust Water raises an eyebrow. Then she says, “Well, hopefully, you have learned better manners than she had.”

Before I can say anything, I hear Epona clear her throat. “Excuse me, Captain, I do remember that time. It was not because she had bad manners, it was because you withheld information from her while trying to be a gracious host. I also remember you never let her know that you were family. My mothers and my sisters all appreciated the quarters we used and that we later found out were your own. So please, do not consider her bad-mannered for such a misunderstanding.”

I see the Captain is taken aback a bit. Then she says, “Are you sure though that she and her branch of the family would rather we had never been born.”

This time I see Epona’s face set in stone and she asks Choo, “May I tell her?”

Choo Choo then asks Rust Water, “Captain, before she tells you what she wants to, I need your word that what you hear will not go any further.”

She huffs air through her nose and says, “Alright, I swear, so what is it you want to tell me that is so all-fired hush hush?”

Epona's face goes blank and she briefly closes her eyes as if at a painful memory, which for her, I am sure it is. Then she says, “She doesn't wish that at all. She even knows what the world would have been like if your family would never have been born. In fact, I was the one who told her.”

She puts a hoof on her hip and asks, “And how would you know what a world without us in it would be like.”

This time I see the hostility and anger in Epona’s face, “Because I originally came from a world where you all didn’t exist. I was not the only one. Tater was with me along with many others when we ran from Silver Spite through the Doorway and came to this world.”

“No, really Epona, tell me the truth.” She says to Epona.

“Captain Rust Water, I swear on my dead mother's grave I am telling you the truth.”

She looks at me and I nod. “From what I have heard from the Others in White Cloud, she is telling you the truth, Captain. In fact, in that world, Mollygirl was killed while only a corporal and Epona’s mother was a sergeant who made cadet for their expedition. It went much worse on their side, hence why they consider it an escape to wind up here.”

“So, the rumors were true. I had heard about them, but I did not want to believe them.” Rust says as she slowly shakes her head.

Epona slowly approaches her and puts a hoof on her shoulder and gently says, “I understand. Believe me, I have visited this side's graves of my mother and me many times. But at least on this side you are all here, and to tell the truth, I really enjoy having the clan as my family.”

I finally see Rust smile, be it sadly, as she says, “Thank you Epona, I am glad to have you as family now too.”

With that, I look at Ginger and she asks, “Ok, Captain, about that landing, how far inland are you thinking you want to go?”

Then the moment has both broken and a bond formed as she leans forward onto the chart table and we begin to go over the details.

The next day after breakfast we get the word that we are approaching the landing. Sunny and I are allowed to examine the chart one more time together. We put on our kits, which include radio headsets, weapons, barding, and such. Then we both step outside the pilothouse and take off. As we go, I look back and see the 1st Mate watching us go and wave a hoof at us.

As we fly upward, I see a small bank of wild clouds and we fly over towards it. Once we land on the cloud, I take out my binoculars and begin to look around into the distance.

Below us, I can see the wreckage of a town as well as the remnants of a forest which looks like it is beginning to recover. I see some movement in the woods, but I am not sure what it is. I then tell Sunny "Wait here, provide covering fire if I need it. I am going to sneak and peek into the woods."

We have only about a half-hour before the Colt begins to land its fueling party.

I am almost to the woods when I hear Sunny say, “Choo to your two o’clock, I thought I saw movement.

“Roger Sunny, thank you.”

I land and use my invisibility spell as I begin to sneak and peek in the woods. Then I hear over my mike, “Ok Choo the village to the east has a group of ponies around a fire. Looks like they are eating, no movement towards the river.”

As I move through the woods, I see some creatures moving. I notice the remains of a deer and I hear a growl. Buck, I think as I turn and see several mangy-looking feral dogs with their ears laid back alongside their heads and teeth exposed.

I do not need this. Not right now. I throw up my shield as they leap at me and then I use a spell, the spell I accidentally taught Moon Lily how to use. To use this one, I have to momentarily drop my shield spell. The first three disappear but a fourth one bites down on my leg and I feel his teeth sink into my flesh. I then use a magic missile spell, placing the projectile between his eyes. He dies with a quick yip and I hear Sunny call out over the radio, “You have several ponies approaching your position.”

As he says this I quickly down a healing potion and then recast my invisibility spell. Just as they get close. It is times like this that make me miss when we used to have so much magical radiation that I could have already healed without wasting a healing potion.

Then I hear one of them tell the others. “Sees, I tolds ya I heard somepony over here. Look at the blood on the ground.”

As they approach the area to examine the blood I move just far enough that they will not bump into me by accident. As they look at the area where I was bit, I hear one of them say, “Hey, look at these piles of ashes, looks like someone used a MEW, Ya’ think the Enclave is back again?”

The again part has my interest and I raise my ears as I listen closer.

The other one says, “Nah, just some wanderer or something if we were lucky, it would be the NCR with some more food for us.”

“Yeah, but I don’t trust them NCR types either. Most of 'em seem like they are trying to pull one over on ya.”

“Well, at least they leave us alone most of the time. Let’s get back to the village.” One finally says and I watch as they head back the way they came.

After they are gone, I stay invisible as I slowly fly back towards the expected landing for the Colt. Once there I call Sunny, “Sunny, meet me on the Colt.”

“Roger Boss. On my way now.” He says and as I look at where the cloud has floated, I see a black silhouette suddenly appear and begin to descend towards the river below. Soon it is close enough that I can easily tell it is Sunny I drop my spell and he forms up on me as we go and land on the upper deck of the Baltimare Colt.

As we land, I see the 1st Mate come out to talk to us. I see him look at my legs and the bloodstains there. “You alright Choo?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, had a run-in with some wild dogs. Then overheard a few of the locals. They were wondering if the Enclave was back. We might be able to do business with them. You know, set up a fueling stop with them for the future, that is if the Captain thinks it’s a good idea.”

I see him nod his head, “Ok, I will see what she says. It has been a long time since we have heard much out of the Enclave in these parts. I really hope it stays that way.”

Beside me, I see Sunny nod his head. The 1st mate then tells us, “Same here. We really are not set up to deal with those types of forces. Well, let me go see what the Captain has to say.”

I nod my head and we wait as he goes into the pilothouse. Shortly afterward I see Captain Water come out the door and the 1st mate has taken over the conn.

As she approaches, she tells us, “Ok, let’s hear it.”

So, I tell her about what I saw and heard. Then Sunny surprises both of us by saying. “Buy the way captain, I am not sure, but I thought I saw some small craft just beyond the horizon on the river. If so, they were only leaving faint wakes. Could have been branches as far as I know.”

She looks at him, then me, then she says, “Ok, to the Pilot House, I need you to show me where those possible wakes are. I should be able to tell if they are just branches or not.”

We go inside and he points to an area on the map that is about twenty miles downstream. She then asks, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I am sure Rust, I saw the old mine works just to the side.”

“Damn, ok, good call. I think you saw some small boats, and last time we came through here that area was empty. Part of why I chose this site to scrounge for fuel.” She pauses then says, “Speaking of fuel, I want your ground-bound team to make contact with that village if possible and see if they may be interested in working with us as you suggested. It would be really nice if the clan had a new fuel point. By the way, Choo, Sunny, we are always looking for them.”

“Ok Captain, I will keep that in mind.”

Beside me, Sunny nods his head. “I had not realized that Rust.”

She shakes her head, “Sunny that is because you have not had to run a steamboat before. But if you want, I can teach you a bit. Speaking of that Choo, If you would not mind, I would like to give both Tater and Epona more training. You know, in case they need it, or for once they tire of doing the odd jobs you guys are starting to do.”

I think briefly. “That sounds good Captain, I will discuss it with them later after we return from the mission. But honestly, I do think that is a good idea.”

She nods her head, then she turns to the 1st mate, “Bell, take her into the landing as we discussed.”

“Yes ma’am, will do.”

Soon I feel the sternwheel stop and begin to reverse as we move closer to the shore. Rust Water then tells me, “Choo, when the brow is set down, please take your team out and establish an initial perimeter, our second mate will be in charge of the fueling detail, follow his orders please.”

“Yes ma’am,” I tell her, and then I lead Sunny with me back to the rest of the team.

Once down in the cargo hold, I see the rest of them are kitted up and waiting. “Ready?” I ask.

They all nod or give a sign of being so. Then we all form up at the door from the cargo hold to the main deck. Once the Colt stops the brow is lowered, we move out onto the deck and then ashore.

Cowlick leads the way followed closely by Epona, Ginger, and Tater. They spread out and as the rest of us come down the ramp they are already halfway up the river bank.

We fan out and set a perimeter around which our work crew falls into. Then we begin to walk them into the woods. Once work begins, we stand guard over the work detail. However, as we are more than a half-mile from the landing we send at least one of our team to escort the cart each time it is full. We are on our third cart of wood when Sunny who is on overwatch, sitting on a cloud, calls over the radios, "Ok, we have a party from the village heading our way. Shifting clouds now to keep within engagement range.”

“Rodger, Sunny, keep us informed.” I reply, then I tell Ginger, “Ginger, I need you to take over while I hide for a bit. No need to spook them. Let the 2nd mate discuss terms of business with them.”

Soon after I have disappeared, we begin to hear an occasional break in the wood. As this occurs, I begin to sneak off around what I figure is the side of the advancing party. Soon I see them. It is a small party of only about six or seven earth and two unicorn ponies. I recognize two of them from earlier in the day. They are trying to sneak up for an attack it seems.

I click my mic twice to let Ginger and the others know they are getting close. Then I hear Ginger call out, “That is close enough. We already saw you. Now if you want to do some trading, have your lead pony and one other escort come forward. If not, either fall back and we will be gone soon, or please do feel welcome to enter our killing zone.”

I hear one of those in the party of strangers say to another, “Really don’t give much of a choice, do they?”

“Well, at least they are not shooting. And if it were raiders or slavers, they would have already hit us.”

Soon I hear an older pony call out, “Ok, I am coming forward with one of the guards. Hold your fire.”

While this is going on, I see the others begin to move out as if to attack or defend. At this point I do nothing but just wait. And seeing that is all they are doing, so do I. Finally, after about 20 minutes I hear Ginger say over the radio, “OK Choo, you can come back in. We have a deal worked out.”

I am still invisible when I return to our work party. The crew of the Colt is just starting to load wood again as I drop my spell and reappear. I see the surprised look on the faces of the two strangers when they see me and they begin to raise their weapons. That is when I see Tater knock it down and say, “She is with us.” He then says, “Hi Boss, everything ok?”

I nod my head and twist one of my ears. Then I say, “Yes fine.” Then I turn to the strangers who we have dealt with and tell them, “Please, just call me Choo Choo, and don’t worry all seven others of your party are fine. However, the one large earthpony, really should bathe soon. I could smell him from a good 25 yards away.”

They seem stunned and I hear one say to the other, “I told you we should have left Pig Wallow behind.”

“Yeah, well we needed everyhoof just in case.”

Soon they are heading back to their people. As I approach the 2nd mate he tells me, “Sure am glad you folks were covering us. That could have gotten ugly if we didn’t know they were coming.”

“So did you get a business deal from them?”

He nods his head, “Yeah, we already exchanged some caps and a few packs of rations with them. They also have a set of signals from the whistles to know it is us so they can come and get paid for the wood they will collect for us to burn.”

I am surprised and tell him, “I am surprised, as hungry as they seemed that they only wanted caps.”

“Well, Choo, this time is for caps. Next time we will provide them with some food as well. It seems they kind of liked the cheese from the ration packages that Ginger and Tater had with them.”

I turn my head, “Good thinking Ginger. How many packs did you give them?”

She turns her ears ¾ of the way back then forward again showing she is embarrassed a bit. Then she says, “We didn’t know how long we would be out here, so we each grabbed a rations pack. So, we gave them three of them for now.”

Next, I look at the 2nd mate and ask, “So, how much longer?”

He grins, “This load here should finish filling up the bunker for now. However, we will have to stop again before we reach Western Landing.”

Once the last of the wood is loaded, we cover them as they fall back to the Colt. I am surprised to see a team of the Colt’s crew is armed and standing guard as well. But it does make sense. Once the Cart is unloaded the crew pony handle it up the brow and store it in the fuel bunker of the cargo hold also. Finally, the brow is lifted. I hear the steam whistle blow two long blasts. Then I feel the Baltimore Colt begin to back up into the middle of the channel. Once there the stern wheel stops then it reverses its direction of travel, and once again we are on our way downriver.

*****

Enclave Army Base, Thunderhead, Grand Pegasus Enclave: 2nd Lieutenant Ball Lightning.

“Hey LT,” I hear one of my troops call to get my attention. I look up and I see a courier coming in for a landing in front of my platoon headquarters door. “Thanks for getting my attention, Servo,” I tell the corporal who also doubles as my platoon’s clerk.

As the courier comes in, I see him scan the room quickly and nod slightly when he sees me before approaching. Once he is close enough, he salutes me and tells me, “The company commander requests your presence, sir.”

I return his salute, “Please tell the captain that I will be there shortly.”

“Yes sir, I know he is already expecting you. Lieutenant Down Draft is already there as well.”

“Very Good, dismissed trooper,” I tell him then I mouth sign another form as he leaves. Once he is out of sight, I grab my softcover and put it on as I walk to the entrance, telling Servo, “I will be back as soon as possible. Please let the 1st Sergeant know where I am.

Once at the company headquarters, I leave my cover on as I enter the building. I then knock on my company CO’s door and enter when ordered. Once inside I salute him and tell him, reporting as ordered sir.”

I see him shake his head, “I have to say that if you two didn’t come here with decorations already I would swear you were cadets fresh from training. Now sit down, we have a mission to discuss.”

I take my seat and he begins by telling us, “Ok gentlecolts, this is going to be a hot LZ. We will be doing a combat drop from vertibucks as we approach the target site.”

Both Down and I glance at each other. This does not sound like a routine mission.

The captain leans against his desk and asks, “Have either of you been to No Pony’s Land?”

Again, both Down and I look at each other then back at him before we shake our heads. “No sir,” I tell him.

“Ok, there is a lot of salvage going on down there for weapons. Rumor has it that one of the groups down there has found the remains of a divisional headquarters bunker system. If they get ahold of a large cache like that you can imagine the trouble it will cause us.”

I nod my head and again reply, “Yes sir. But why not just bombard it with a raptor?”

He smiles, “Well, that would seem like an easier way of doing it. However, we don’t want anypony to be able to say we did it for sure. The Lunar Commonwealth would find it very upsetting if we were found to be performing operations inside their territory.”

“Sir, what about if we can secure the bunker? Do you want us to do so to enable recovery of the weapons, ammo, and tech?”

I watch as my captain shakes his head slowly and asks, "So you want to capture it and move in?"

“Of course not, sir. I just thought…”

Then I see him snickering. “Ok, let's go over these details. I want your troops ready to drop in three hours. I want us to hit them just after sunset so we can use our Eyes Forward Sparkle to give us the hoofup in the darkness.”

After we are done with briefing both Down Draft and I return to our platoons and begin getting our teams ready.

Two hours before dusk we arrive at the loading area for our rides. We receive one more final mission update for us officers then we load them up. As the Vertibucks blades spin up I can feel the machine start to vibrate. I am looking out the door as I see the other eleven of them lift off and form up as well. As I feel the aircraft shift and we begin to move faster, further than we could with our own wings and still arrive ready to fight. We are heading to the south of Hoofington to the old battlefield known as No Pony’s Land, or No Mare’s Land, depending on who is speaking.

We start off high and below us, I can see the ruins of what was once a great city. The derelict factories, and refinery. The abandoned and dilapidated homes and infrastructure. In the distance, I can see hills and small mountains. Below us, we can see several small gun and magic fights going on. But none seem to notice us above them.

Then we are over a scarred and pocked section of land. There are long lines that scar the earth that were once trenches to provide what protection and comfort they could to those who occupied them.

We are only a dozen or so clicks away from our drop zone when I see a very large red mark appear on my EFS and I watch as it moves towards one of the other vertibucks. Suddenly I hear over the radio, “This is Charlie Hotel Green Two, Mayday, Mayday, we are going down. Hostile Roc.”

I watch as suddenly I see nine yellow lines appear on the IFF. If everyone got out of them, there should have been more.

Suddenly I feel the vertibuck I am riding in pitch heavily to one side and I see one of my troopers fall out the door as the jumpmaster calls out, “Were Hit, Everypony Out! JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!” As he is finishing the last word I am already at the door and as per standard procedure, I tuck in my wings for the first hundred feet of the fall. As I fall, I see two of the other vertibucks trying to dodge the Roc slam into each other in a ball of fire. Other vertibucks are firing their door guns at the enormous bird of prey.

Then I spread my wings and am flying and trying to see where my immediate squad, much less my platoon has ended up.

I see the red marker of the Roc combing with a yellow one that then fades out. I call out to my troops, “Land and go to ground as quickly as possible.”

I look at my map on the built-in PipBuck and see we are still over five kilometers away from our drop zone. In the distance, I can still see several of the vertibucks flying toward the dropzone, but I also see most of the troopers from the others are spread out over what I would guess is a good ten-click area.

I call out over the radio, “1st Platoon, form on me,” as I flipped the switch in my helmet that will make me glow like a flare in their IFF. I then call out, “1st platoon, by squads report in.”

I begin to hear my troopers report by their call signs. Then I hear, “White Chocolate One, this is White Chocolate 9, I have a broken leg and I cannot fly much further, my wing was injured when I was thrown out of the Vertibuck.”

“Roger White Chocolate 9, where is your wingmare?” I know that his wingmare is our medic and should at least be able to reset his leg and then the healing potions can do the rest.

“She, she didn’t make it out sir.” I hear and almost feel sick at having lost the first trooper under my command.

“Ok, go to ground. Take shelter. Who is close to him? Let me know and then fall in with him to provide support until we pull out.”

“Skipper, this is White Chocolate Six, I got him. I will make a travois and pull him if I have to.”

“Roger White Chocolate Six, Good luck and we will see you at the extraction site,” I tell him and we begin to reform.

I quickly switch my radio to the company commander’s frequency and hear him telling the second platoon, “Second platoon, I know you were hit hard. Now form it back up and reform asap before the hostiles realize we are near them. Lieutenant Down Draft, once reformed get them on the ground and in formation asap.”

I take a quick look at the map on my PipBuck again and can see how spread out we really are. What a mess I think to myself. Soon I am on the ground with what is left of my platoon forming up on me. Now the fun begins in earnest we begin to advance on the ground. Shell hole to shell hole. Trench to trench, praying not to get cut on the rusted remains of the more than 200-year-old barbed wire and get an infection.

Before long I have most of my squad formed up on me and we begin to slog our way through the mud and the wreckage.

I periodically check my map to make sure we are still going in the right direction and that my other surviving platoon members are closing up with us as we go.

Several times we are slowed as we have to engage feral ghouls or other nuisance creatures that now call this worn piece of Tartarus, home.

Finally, we begin to approach what was to be our drop zone originally. I see the survivors from the rest of the sticks are all gathered here also. I call over my PipBuck to the Captain and report that we are coming in, as well as our casualties.

“Very well Lieutenant. I am sending the Sergeant Major out to bring you the rest of the way in. It is a might bit trickier here than we expected.”

I nod my head in understanding, even though I know he can not see it. My troops all sit facing outwards with their weapons ready as we wait for Sergeant Major Funnel Cloud to arrive.

Once he finally arrives, he quietly approaches me and hoof signals for me to switch my station to the private command channel.

Once there He tells me, “Glad to see you made it to sir. That Roc put us in a bad spot though. Captain wants to form up and sit out the day to see if we can catch them tonight instead.”

I nod my head, a risky plan. I mean the hostiles have to know we are in the area now. “Sergeant Major, don’t you think the hostiles already know we are here.”

He nods his head but says nothing over the radio. Then he says out loud. “Lieutenant, I know you and Lieutenant Down Draft have experience with things going sideways. We got this sir. Just keep ‘em ready and keep them from going into the dugouts and tunnels.”

This time I am surprised, “Why’s that Sergeant Major?”

“Sir, there are things down there none of us want to face or wake up. Some of those things that were here on the last day are still down there.”

“Ok, got it, keep the troops topside if possible.”

“Ok, sir, follow me,” he says and we begin to follow him in a staggered double column, guns pointed outwards.

As we arrive at the rendezvous point, I notice a high number of pegasi skeletons who died ponying the positions here. To the side, I notice the remains of at least two novasurge cannon that look to have been disabled by having the caster melted by either an incendiary charge or spell or maybe one of the balefire bombs that landed here on the last day.

The Sergeant Major tells me, “This way sir,” as he walks towards one of the old half-collapsed bunkers. As he goes to enter, I remember him saying, to keep out from the underground.

As I enter, I see the remains of what must have been the battery command staff. Most are laying on the ground as if they died there suddenly. However, I notice one that is wearing the uniform of an officer is laying on the floor behind a desk, near a corroded radio set.

Near there is a plotting table and behind it I see our company commander. He waves me over and he tells me, “Good job on getting as many here together as you could.”

“Thank you, sir. What’s next?” I ask.

“We settle in for the day here. Have your people try and blend in with the background.”

“Sir, I have the command on the line.” The company radiopony tells him.

“Lieutenant, wait here for a minute.” He tells me.

As I wait, I go over to the officer’s body. I see his rank insignia is that of a major. I also notice the note by his hoof, and the old pin is his teeth. I pick up and read the stained and tattered letter.

To whoever finds this,

It is with great regret that I find myself writing this letter. We have held our position as long as we can. I am the last one left since we saw the balefire bombs going off in the distance and the clouds begin to close the sky. Since then, the zebras have launched several desperate attacks against our lines including some that have included dragon support. By this morning we were down to only two guns and their crews left to defend with. The rad meters are pegging out and most of us who are left are sick. To add to this, we have also begun to see what I can only describe as undead ponies rising from the ground and moving, some are talking but many are immediately hostile and attack anyone except those who are already dead. I lost several troopers to such attacks and since have instituted a shoot on sight policy.

We lost several runners and a fire team trying to reach the division command post. Whatever you do, keep out of there. It has been overrun by these monsters.

We have heard the reports on the radio until we lost contact with Army HQ in Canterlot of the attacks on most of the great cities of Equestria. I fear all our sacrifices in this damnable war have been for not. My, my family was in Cloudsdale. I have been very sick and am feeling so weak

I only wish I could see my family on last time

Please Celestia protect us, Luna defend us

Major Fire Rain

2nd Cloudsdale National Guard Artillery Batter

I realize I have just read the last thoughts of this long-dead pony. Without thinking I put it in my saddlebags and then return my attention to the captain as he puts down the radio hoofset, “As I was saying, Lieutenant, bed them down for the day. Grab what rations you can and at dusk, we go forward. The target is near the old command post for this section of the lines.” He tells me and then points to a position on the almost unreadable map on the table.

“Yes sir,” I tell him. Then as I head out, I pass the word via our platoon communications network to my NCO’s letting them know what we are doing.

Funnel Cloud stops me and asks, “Sir, I saw you read that letter in there. Don’t let the long-dead haunt you. You can’t let their deaths affect how you are thinking.”

“Sergeant Major, I won’t, but I will tell you we need to be extra careful of Feral Ghouls now. The letter let me know that the division command post for this part of the lines had already been overrun by them.”

He stops and looks around, “Sir, may I see the letter?”

I take it out carefully and gently hoof it to him. I watch him read it and then fold it back up. I can tell he is thinking something. Then he tells me, “Sir, don’t let that letter get out. But I think you are right about the feral issue. I will pass that up to the Old Stallion.”

“Thanks, Sergeant Major,” I tell him then I go and bed down for a couple of hours of sleep. After which I swap with my First Sergeant so he and the other half of our troopers can get some sleep as well and we can all be ready for this evening’s fight.

As the darkness grows behind the cloud cover, I know that dusk has arrived. I am only thankful that the wild weather is not raining on us right now. We all roust ourselves up and begin to move forward toward our goal.

As we get closer, I notice the brightness in the sky ahead of us. It seems the fools are using magic arc lamps to illuminate their work area.

We form up what troops and surviving aircrews we have with us as we prepare for the assault. As we approach, I can see many of them digging in the area. Then I hear a unicorn with its horn glowing yell out, “Hey, I think I have something here.”

About a half dozen earth ponies and even a couple of what I think are Sand Dogs begin to dig furiously and soon I begin to see what looks like a 40-millimeter anti-air gun being cleaned off. I shake my head as I know how much trouble that can cause us, especially for a vertibuck.

Soon I see another pony stick its light helmeted head out of a doorway to a bunker. It waves for attention and we see several others head that way. Some of them are wearing battlesaddles, but all are armed.

Once we are at the jump-off point, we wait for the Captain to give the word. Finally, when all of our units are where they are supposed to be He calls on the all personnel circuit, “Snipers take aim, on my mark take the shots.”

I hear several team members acknowledge the order. Then the Captain calls out, “Now!” several shots of MEW and rifles all fire at once, this is followed by, “All teams advance. Move it.”

I watch as several of those who are digging or searching for other salvage go down under the sniper’s fire as well as all of the Magic Arc lights, pitching the area into darkness. Then I give the order, “All White Chocolate units advance by odds and evens. Evens provide overwatch first.”

We begin to move forward then, staying low so as not to present ourselves as a target to everypony on the battlefield. Once the odds reach cover I call for the roles to switch and the evens move up and past us. We do this several times until we reach the area that they were digging in. I watch as one of my team members targets that AA piece with his MEW and melts the barrel just enough so that it is no longer functional.

Then I hear the Captain call out, “Ball Lightning, most of them went into the HQ complex. Take your platoon in after ‘em. I will be sending the Sergeant Major with you.”

What? We shouldn’t go in there. This is not good, I tell myself. Then I give the order over the platoon circuit to form up outside the door for the HQ. As we form up, I hear screams and gunshots from inside in the distance from down below.

The first squad forms a stick on one side of the entrance, the second the other, then we go inside, the rest of the platoon following us as we enter the dark hallways and rooms of the command complex. I see the bodies of several recently killed ponies and a griffon as well as what looks like corpses that have black fluid leaking from them. As we step past them, I see the point pony shoot each of them. The trooper in front of me asks, “Never actually seen a ghoul before sir? They ain’t pretty and can get you if you are not careful.”

I had expected a simple headquarters, maybe one or two levels. When I check the map at the first set of stairs leading down, I notice that it has many more levels than I expected. I call back to the captain and report in. I then hear him tell me, “Lieutenant, go down no more than two more levels. I repeat no more than two more levels. If you are still encountering hostiles at that point, we will have you fall back and we will blow the entrance. Let the Hostiles die in there. Remember, we are not here to do a snatch and grab or a recovery. This is to prevent them from recovering the gear.”

The Sergeant Major is next to me and on a personal channel tells me, “Yeah, trapping them in here with feral ghouls and no way out sends a pretty strong message.”

I nod my head and we begin to advance more. Off to the side, I see a bay marked for a unit of combat engineers, I cannot read the most recent number fully but it almost looks like a 12 over what may have been a 23. But it does not matter. What matters is I see several crates of explosives, barbed wire, and even two sets of bomb disposal barding next to an ordinance delivery suit. As I look in the cone of light from my suit I notice how many of the old bodies have had their armor and uniforms partially removed. I am just looking around a corner into what is a bunk room when I hear growling from the side and the sound of hoofs running at me. I bring my laser rifle up to open fire in a series of quick shots. Finally, I see the ghoul glow and just disappear.

We continue to secure this level and then continue down to the next level. Here we find what is left of the scavers. They lay dead on the floor in front of two ghouls with what look to be horribly deformed wings. In the dim light, I can see that they are wearing Military Police barding. They put a beam of light on me and me and the Sergeant Major. And call out, “Halt, who goes there.” I point my weapon towards the ground and call out, “Don’t shoot, I am a runner from the 2nd Cloudsdale NG battery. Major Fire Rain sent me.”

I see them hesitate and point their weapons down also, rather than right at me. Then one of them says, “Advance and be recognized.”

In for a bit, in for a cap, I guess. I then move forward towards the barricade. Behind them, I can see only a few more of them moving in the dark. Once close enough the one wearing sergeant stripes says, “Sir that is some fancy armor you have on, can I see your credentials?”

I nod my head and first open up my headpiece so he can see I am a pony. Then I lift up the PipBuck built into my armor for him to see.”

He looks at the date on it and laughs hoarsely and tells me, “Lieutenant, your PipBuck seems to be malfunctioning. It says we have been down here for over two hundred years.”

I sigh and I tell him, “Sergeant, I hate to be the one that tells you this, but you have.”

I watch him sit down hard. “But how, how can that be sir. I know it has been dark down here for a couple of days since we had that last zebra attack.”

I find myself sighing and I tell him, “Sarge, you probably took a very long nap and without the lights had no idea of the passage of time. How many more of you are down here?”

He looks around. “We, we only have a couple. Maybe a dozen that are still talkative. We also have a few that are mental cases. They just walk around, bumping into things and growling.”

“Any more of these civilian types down here?”

“No sir. There are not.”

I nod my head and put my suit's helmet back on. Then I tell him. “Sergeant, we are pulling out. Good luck to all of you.”

As we begin to fall back, I try to contact the Captain. Once I finally do, I report to him what I have found. He replies, “Very good Lieutenant. Please bring them right back up.”

“Yes sir,” I tell him, as we continue on our way.

Once we are back topside I notice the sky is getting light in the east again. I also notice that the couple of sappers we have in the company are laying wire to a detonator handle a bit of a distance away. Once my entire platoon is topside again. We carry the couple of wounded we received in the earlier firefight clear of the entrance, behind the detonators.

I hear one of the sappers yell, “Fire in the hole!” and I see before I even hear the explosion as the entrance to the underground bunker complex is blown, trapping those who are inside. I shake my head. As the hearing begins to return to my ears I see a formation of vertibucks coming to pick us up.

Beside me, the Sergeant Major asks, “So sir, did you have as much fun as you thought you would going outside the wire?”

I shake my head, “No, but at least it was different. I just feel sorry for those bastards we closed up in there.”

“Sir, they are already dead, don’t let the animated corpses bother you. Besides, we couldn’t leave what is in there for others to collect, and it does send a nice message to those who want to try the same thing.”

The vertibucks begin to land. I turn to him and tell him, “Still a Tartarus of a thing to do,” I look around and call out over my platoon circuit, “Ok, let's load up and get home.”

As we lift-off and begin to spin, I look down and see the remains of what was a desperately fought over battlefield, and in the back of my mind, I ask myself why did they do it? What was it all for? At least now I know it is to save what few of our people still remain.

I begin to close my eyes and fall asleep from the vibration of the machines as we fly back to our base, and I suddenly think, sleep in a bed and a hot shower. Yeah, that is all I need for now as I drift off.

*****

This is DJ Pon3 coming at you from TenPony Tower in Manehatten. That last song was from Sweetie Belle. For all our listeners out there on the open roads and trails. Yeah you, that includes you leading the brahmin caravan. You know who I am talking about, this one is for you. Here comes Another Day In Paradise.

Author's Note

I would like to take this brief chance to thank Kkat for creating the universe of FoE for us to read about and to add to. I would also like to thank the many other authors who have added to it.

In this chapter, our characters begin to leave their hometowns and experience the world in a whole new light. Eventually, they will return home, but like all who travel, they will not be the same and neither will their homes when they get there.

For those who would like to listen to the dedication song, the YouTube link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nBKlXydkro