Chapter 54 The Wild Geese

” Was it for this the wild geese spread

The grey wing upon every tide;”

Poem - September 1913 --W.B. Yeats

Mohoofie Desert, Near Reino, Disputed Territory: Ginger Snaps

After meeting the Sergeant Major inside the bunker, I see him looking us over. I can tell when he sees the Contractor Medic patch on Twink's shoulder as his ears slide back slightly and his nostrils flare. Then he shakes his head slightly as he moves us away from the door. I see a map on the wall, with an older mare looking at it, and find myself as well as Mort and Smiley following the Sergeant Major towards it.

Once next to the Older Mare, he says, “General, we have another flock of wild geese here it seems.”

I watch as the tired old mare looks down from the map, sighs slightly, and then turns to him and says, “I had hope for some regulars this time instead of more mercenaries.”

She then turns to us and asks, “Which one of you is in charge?”

Mort takes one more step forward and answers, “I am Ma’am. These two with me are my sergeants.”

She does not seem impressed and hopefully asks, “Do you and your people have any actual combat experience.”

“Yes ma’am, both teams have run several ops together even. Our last big fight together was during the battle of Manesville.”

She tilts her head and looks at us sidelong as she asks, “And what was your people’s role in that disaster?”

“General, we were attached to the scout company for the 3rd Manesville Regiment.”

“And what did that entail may I perchance to ask?”

He gives her a brief rundown of what both teams were doing during that time. When he finishes, she asks, “So why are you not still with them?”

Mort then tells her, “Because we were only volunteers accepted for the emergency. After our services were no longer needed, we returned to the control of Chief Ranger Long Stride, who has since assigned us to your forces for the drive on Reino.”

She nods her head as if trying to figure out a part of what Mort has said, finally she asks, “Did you say Chief Ranger Long Stride?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

She shakes her head briefly as if to clear the fog, then she asks hopefully, “Does this mean you are NCR Rangers?”

Both Smiley and I nod as Mort answers, “Yes Ma’am. Both teams were drafted in mass into the Rangers almost a year ago now.”

“Well, that is good to hear. If they sent Rangers then the Alliance Command must be taking our mission here seriously. I was afraid we were just a sideshow.” She pauses and asks, “What did you say your name was again?”

Mort this time answers, “I am Captain Mort. My team is known as the Troubleshooters. Sergeant Snaps there is currently the leader of the Repair Ponies. Their captain, Captain Choo Choo, is currently on detached duty, but will later be rejoining the teams.”

She nods her head. “OK, Captain, please join me at the map so we can begin to go over our positions and perhaps you can suggest to me just how we can effectively use two teams of Rangers. Just so you know, we currently have a brigade’s worth of troops here, but only one regiment and an additional battalion are regulars. The remainder of the troops are either conscripts or mercenaries.”

Mort nods his head as he begins to follow her closer to the map while Smiley and I stand slightly back and just listen as they go over the known positions of the enemy and then discuss how we may be of service.

As they talk, I quietly, but politely, ask the Sergeant Major, “Sergeant Major, what did you mean by calling us Wild Geese?”

I see him smile briefly as he quietly answers back, “Something I picked up from a book a very long time ago. It seems back before the three pony tribes united, during the wars back then there was a large group of mercenaries from Trottingham, who would offer their services for sale, but only if they felt that they would be fighting for liberty and freedom.”

“Interesting, so are you saying that most of the troops you have here are mercenaries then?”

He shakes his head, “No, but lately, the only replacements we have been receiving have been. Most of them seem to actually care about the future of the NCR, but there are enough of them that only care about caps that we do have some concerns.”

“Yeah, I can understand that,” I tell him and turn my attention back to the General and Mort as they continue to discuss the operations in the area.

Once they are done and Mort is dismissed, he tells me and Smiley, “Ok, let’s go grab the teams. We have some probing to do.”

Once we are all together Mort tells us, “Ok, they are short of information about the Enclave forces and their intentions. These positions here have been here for a while so they are built up on both sides.” He pauses, and asks, “Cookie didn’t you say that your team has experience in the No Mares’ land outside of Hoofington?”

“Yeah, Mort we do, but not in combat conditions. This is what the ghouls in the Dead Quite Militia told us they survived in the Zebra War.”

“Ok, so, you have at least been inside this kind of earthworks before. That is good. In a bit, we are going to be led up to the front lines, after that we are to make our way to the Enclave lines. Once there we are to try and find out the set-up of their fieldworks as well as gather any intelligence we can.”

“That sounds good, but are we to try and take prisoners?” Smiley asks.

Mort nods his head, “Yes, but only if we are not risking our lives. Remember this is only a trench raid, not a full-out assault. Keep your wits about you; and for you newbies, pay attention to your battle buddies and your NCOs. Got it?”

We all nod our heads in understanding. Shortly afterward I see a pony covered in mud approach us and tell Mort, “Captain Mort, I have been sent to lead you to the front.”

He turns to us and tells us, “Ok, on your hooves. Let’s go.”

It is fully dark now as we are led into the trenches. We first enter the messenger trenches that zig zag forward. Soon we hit the main ones. As we go the night is occasionally illuminated by the light of star shells from mortars of both sides being fired. It is while the flares are illuminated that we hear the most weapons fire.

As we move forward, in the distance I can see the gap between the two mountain tops that the Enclave forces are defending. The gap leads to the valley that Reino is in. If we break their lines here, then we should be able to maneuver around their flanks if need be. But here, their flanks are anchored by cliffs on both sides.

Once we are near the front lines, I tell my team, “Ember Rose, you are with Xochitl, Summer Mist, and Double Back. Rare Find, you are with Epona, Tater, and Days End. Jelly Bean. You are with me, Twinks and Cowlick.”

As we wait for the next star shell to go out, Jelly Bean asks me, “Sergeant, how come all of our unicorns have battle saddles too?”

I want to shake my head at the question but instead answer it politely, “Because if they use their horn for an extended period of time it will help the enemy figure out where to target from the glow. From my experience when you are shooting in the dark at a unicorn whose horn is lit, you normally aim about six inches lower and slightly back then you should get them.”

I watch as Jelly Bean’s jaw drops open. “Sarge, you have had to fight unicorns too? Not just pegasi?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, all of us old-timers have. Xochitl and I have the most experience, but the others are all experienced as well.”

I see her throat bob as she swallows with her eyes wide. Then she says, “I wish I could have met you guys sooner.”

I tell her, “I wish you could have too, but we do what we can.” Then I notice it is dark again and I give the order to Xochitl, “Ok, let’s go.”

I watch as he slides over the top of the trenchworks and low crawls forward with Summer Mist right next to him, and the others follow. They have made it about a quarter of the way when another flare goes up and I see them stop moving and just holding still.

“Why did they stop moving like that Sarge?” Jelly Bean asks.

“Because movement attracts the eye. It is safer to just stop moving than to try and find a place to hide. Remember that, ok.”

As that flare dies, I watch as Epona and her set climb over the top as well and begin to make their way forward. A bit further to our left, I watch as some of the Fixers do the same.

Before too much longer we are all making our way across No Mares’ Land. At one point I hear Jelly Bean begin to scream but see she has stuffed one hoof in her mouth as she pulls the other out of a corpse that has been there for a while. In the dim light, I slightly nod my head to her and she moves closer to me.

It seems to be taking forever to make our way between the lines. At one point, I hear somebody get caught on something and a loud breaking sound. This is followed by tracers from an Enclave machine gun firing several short bursts in that direction before it goes quiet again.

I use my Eyes Forward Sparkle briefly and can see where the concentrations of enemy troops are. I then signal to Xochitl which way to move and we all begin to follow him until we are just short of their trenches, hiding in the shadows of shell holes that are there.

From the trenches, I hear a voice telling another one, “Hey Cloudy, relax. There is not anypony out there. I can guarantee they are all nice and snug in their bunkers.”

“Sorry Flyover, but I just got this feeling that something isn’t right.”

Then I hear the first tell him, “Seriously relax. If the command was worried about holding here, do you think they would be rotating us on pass back in Reino?”

“Yeah, I guess your right. But still, I just have this weird feeling.”

In the dying light of the flare, I can barely see a stallion looking out past us with his weapon in position to fire. One of the things I notice is how similar the positions are to those we ponied at Serenity Valley. But this time we are not the defenders.

I feel myself getting nervous as the flare dies out and I watch as my husband leads the first set over the top into the trenches. As they go, I use SATS to target the one guard and take him out with a headshot. I hate using SATS because it is too easy to get dependent on it. But this time I had to make sure it was quick.

As they slip into the trenches we begin to go in as well. On the far end of the lines, I hear more gunfire and several flares being shot over that part of the lines as a diversion is laid on. As I slide into the trenches, we find ourselves tossing metal apples into the closest bunkers. This is usually followed by screams, an explosion, and sometimes more screams, but this time of pain rather than warning. I find myself grinning ferally as we go. Trying to make the best of our trench raid.

*****

Enclave Trench Line, No Mares’ Land, Disputed Territory: Xochitl

I wait until the flare behind us has died, I lower my NODs and then I begin to move towards the trench. I smile to myself when one of our people takes out the sentry nearest us with a suppressed headshot. Then I am into the trenches. As we are so close, I use my pistol instead of my rifle. I come around a corner in the trench and put three shots into a stallion before he goes down. Behind him, I see the entrance to a bunker. Inside I see shadows of movement in the lantern light as well as yelling that there is a raid going on.

I smile to myself, put my pistol into its holster, and throw a metal apple into the bunker. After the explosion, I rush inside with Orcas ready and use it to dispatch a few of them who are still alive. Behind me I hear Double Back telling Ember Rose, ok, watch the door so they do not do that to us while I help Xochitl check for any documents.

I see a map on the wall as well as a code book and grab both. Before I leave, I throw the lit lantern against the table and start it on fire. Hopefully, they will not realize we have their codes.

“Ok, everypony out!” I yell and we are soon all back in the trenches.

I then hear one of the new troopers call out, “We got a prisoner.”

Shortly after this, I hear Ginger call over our radios, “Ok, everyone fallback. No pony left behind.”

So far, we have been very lucky. I have not heard anyone call for a medic yet.

As we fall back, I hear gunfire passing over us in both directions. I just happen to turn my head in time to see our prisoner leap up and try to fly away, only to be hit by several rounds from both sides.

This is followed by Twinks rushing to him and stabilizing him while taking shelter in a shell hole. In the distance, I can barely make out using my EFS the Troubleshooters making their way back to the trenches. Behind us, the gap in the lines we caused has already been filled in with new troops, but none seem to be coming our way. Instead, they fire suppressive fire over us and at our trenches.

Once Twinks comes over the radio she says, “Cookie, this is Danger, patient is stabilized I am getting ready to move him.”

“Roger Danger, we will assist you as needed.”

In the light of a flare, I can barely see her wrap a rope around her shoulder and tie it off to her ground cloth. She then quickly uses her TK to place her patient on it, and she begins to slowly drag him behind her while staying low herself.

As we slowly crawl forward, I turn back and see Cowlick move closer and he begins to help her drag the prisoner as well.

Finally, we make it back to our trenches and my set ponies the ramparts to provide covering fire for Ginger’s set, which is the last of our team out there.

Once all of us are together Twinks calls out to us, “Anyone hit or injured?”

I hear a couple of the others say yes, and she checks them out quickly while a team of stretcher-bearers carry our prisoner away to the field hospital. Once everyone has been checked over and wounds cleaned and taken care of, I see Mort approaching us.

Once he is close enough he tells us, “Ok, time to return to the HQ for debrief and to find out what they have for us next.”

As we make our way back, I begin to feel the rain falling on us and I am surprised as this area is supposed to be desert. That is when one soldier walking past us the other way says to his buddy, “Every damn time we try something those feathered bastards make it rain. I swear I haven’t been dry for a week.”

“Tell me about it, at least they are not making it lightning yet.”

About this time I see a bright flash cross the sky and hear a loud explosion. Morning Mist, ahead of me then tells me, “They must really be jumping on those clouds to get it to spark like that.”

I raise an eyebrow as I look at him, “No, really?”

He nods his head, “Cross my heart and hope to fly.”

I find myself chuckling slightly despite the rain as I imagine the pegasi jumping up and down on the clouds. Even being half pony, I must admit, pony folk can be strange at times.

As we near the bunker, I smile as I look at Morning Mist and I tell him, “Well, at least the rain has knocked some of the mud off of us.”

He laughs back, “Yeah, until what’s left dries, then boy are we going to itch.”

Behind me, I hear Double Back talking to Ember Rose as if she has always been a part of the team. Well, I guess she is now, especially as I would consider that an op, even if it was only a small one.

Once back to the Headquarters bunker, I give Ginger the copy of the code book I found as well as the map. Shortly after this Mort and Ginger are taken to the side to go over the events of the raid. While they are doing that, we try to clean up as best we can and both teams are checked over by their medics.

Before too much longer we are led back out into the dark and to some tents that have been set up in the rear so that we can stay dry and catch some rest. Once Mort and Ginger join us again, Mort tells us, “OK, we are on standby. They are going over the information we got and they want to talk to the prisoner we captured, after that, we will see.”

We then all begin to settle in for some sleep. It seems like I have just gotten to sleep when I hear a siren going off and somepony outside yells, “AIR RAID!”

We jump up and grab our gear as we run out into the air raid slits that are near the tent. As we run, I can hear several antiair guns firing into the darkness as well as a searchlight sweeping the sky to illuminate our attackers. When the light finds one, we try to shoot them down. However soon after this, the searchlight is hit and goes dark. Off to the side, a large explosion occurs as an ammo wagon is hit.

From another slit, I hear somepony say, “Son of a buck, that was our last spotlight.”

This gets me to raise an eyebrow. As I continue to search the sky using my EFS and Vats, to fire what few shots I can at the rapidly retreating enemy.

Soon the noise dies down and we all slowly make our way back to the tent. As we go inside Ginger tells me, “If we are going to be here for a while, I think we will need to build a bunker.”

I find myself tiredly nodding my head as I make my way back to my bedroll and collapse into it. The next thing I know I am being shaken awake and we begin to go over our equipment one more time to make sure we did not miss anything when cleaning it the night before.

It is two days later before Mort is called back to the HQ. When he returns the expression on his face openly shows how unhappy he is. He gathers all of us together and tells us, “Ok, tonight we go over the top. Both teams are going to be used as shock troops. We are going in at the middle of their lines. Once we break into their trenches, we are to pop a flare and a general attack will follow us. The general has decided it is make or break time here.”

I find myself unhappily nodding my head, but like the others, I will do it. Hopefully, we can break the lines here and make it to Reino. After that, maybe we can get on with the type of work we are best at.

All day we work on getting our equipment ready and then try to get some rest. After all, it will be a long night.

Before dinner we make our way to the quartermasters and top off our ammo, then we are each issued a canvas bag that hangs around our neck and shoulder that has at least six metal apples. I am surprised when two of our team members mention that they even got a matrix disruption metal apple, which are good for robots and power armor.

One of the things that I notice as we walk amongst the other troops is how few of them are wearing PipBucks. Even among the officers and NCOs. Perhaps that is why we have been chosen to be the vanguard for the assault.

When I comment on this Ginger tells me, “Dear, one of the things I noticed when we made that trench raid is how few of the Enclave troops had PipBucks either. The few I saw that did were officers. Other than that, nothing.”

“I wonder why?”

She smiles, “Because they really are not very common. We were very lucky to get the ones we did.”

I know she is right, but I still feel embarrassed when I realize how much I have begun to take having one for granted.

It is shortly before sunset when I see several groups of crows flying nearby, but just out of range of the fighting. I look at Ginger and she shrugs. “I know what you are thinking Flower, and I figure if that was it, she would have showed up to warn us.”

“Yeah, I know, but it still makes me nervous.”

After dinner, we all grab our kits and Mort leads us forward to our jumping-off point. Once there we form our fire teams and get ready to begin the assault. As we wait, I notice several other teams similar in makeup to ours also filing into the trenches with us. Soon there is nearly an entire company and a half of us.

It is an hour after sunset when the order comes, I flip down my Night Optic Devices and we begin by fire teams to crawl into No Mares’ Land. In the dark, I can faintly make out some of the others to our sides. We are halfway there when an artillery barrage begins to strike the trenches in front of us, then shifts first to the left, then to the trenches leading up to the enemy’s front lines. When this begins, we jump up and begin to run forward, in small groups. While other groups provide suppressive fire, leap-frogging our way to the trenches.

To one side I see an enemy Heavy MG position spitting out death in a pattern like that used by Cowlick. Luckily it is off to the side and we slide past it, those in front of it, take some casualties but instead of assaulting it, they slide to the side and away from it.

Once we are in their trenches, I see two red flares fly up into the air, and I know the rest of our forces are beginning to make their way forward as well. These units will take on the hard points we are bypassing. With the blinding brightness of the nearby flares I briefly flip up my NODs so I can still see. Once the flares are out, I bring them back down as do the other members of our team that have them.

Ginger yells out over the radio, “Repair Ponies don’t stop. Keep moving.”

Then I hear her yell out, “Jelly Bean, metal apple into that doorway. Cowlick lay down some fire on the group over there.”

I find myself yelling to my charges, “Double Back, to your right,” and watch as he turns and fires five quick rounds from his pistol wounding a pegasus trooper who had just come around a corner in the trench but could not get his MEW rifle into action soon enough.

Not long after that I hear Epona begin to cuss and say, “Damn that hurt,” over the radio.

Twinks quickly asks, “You need me, Serendipity?”

“Negative Danger, just a grazing wound is all. I got it.”

As we make our way through the trenches and toward their rear, we use metal apples around corners and in bunkers. Only twice do I resort to using my pistol, Orcus remaining firm on my back in the battle saddle. Soon I begin to see shadows of pegasi running in the dark towards their rear.

With a cheer, we all surge forward. We have broken their lines and are chasing them through the gap and down into the valley below. In the distance, we can see the lights of Reino as they give a glow to the sky above the city. We are now within 15 miles of our objective.

Ahead of us in the distance, I can see a broken army running and flying towards their rear. Their supply wagons run as fast as they can go. In the distant sky though, there are storm clouds and lighting. Great, it looks like more rain will be coming our way.

Behind us, I hear someone give the order, “Keep moving, don’t let them get a chance to rally and form a defensive line again.”

I notice how light it is getting and stow my NODs in my saddlebags. Then slowly and tiredly in the dawning morning light, we continue to advance down into the valley below. While I hope victory is in sight, I still have some apprehension, especially after seeing more crows flying down into the valley with us.

*****

Repair Pony Shop, Manesville District, NCR: Choo Choo

It is a beautiful day today I think to myself as I land in front of the shop. As I get near the door, I hear a voice that while welcome, surprises me to hear say, “Thank you again for such a wonderful breakfast and for letting me spend some time with you again Zhia.”

While her voice is somewhat gravelly, I can hear a tone of pleasure in it as she tells them, “It was my pleasure, Xerxes. Please come and visit again.”

I give them a few more minutes to say goodbye before I enter the shop. As I do, I see the surprise on his face at seeing me. I smile at him and tell him, “A pleasure to see you again, sir. I hope you had a good visit.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Yes, yes I did, I hope you had a good night as well.”

I smile, “Yes, a good one if a quiet one. Paper Work had the duty again, so I spent the time visiting with George and my sisters."

He nods his head, “Not a bad way to spend time either way. Well, I best get going Miss Choo, as I have some duties to attend to back at the site.”

“I understand, sir. Have a wonderful day.”

He nods one more time to Zhia and then heads out the door on his way to his home. As he goes, I tell Zhia, “I hope you had a good night.”

She smiles at me and nods her head, “Yes, I did. We watched some old prewar movies downstairs until Xanthippe went to sleep. Then he and I went up onto the roof and talked under the stars.”

I feel my smile widen more, as I slide a hoof across the table onto hers and I tell her, “I am so happy to hear you had such a good time.”

“Thank you, Choo. For everything. You have helped to make it possible.”

I feel myself blush and I wave a wing lightly as I tell her, “Zhia, I would have done it for anyone. But I am just glad I have gotten to know you as much as I have, and I am very happy that you proved me right about your being able to run the shop.”

She smiles as best she can, and then she tells me, “That reminds me, Choo. We have a few appointments for interviews set up to replace Drain Tap. One is from Baltimare. The other, an escaped slave from Fillydelphia. Both are new to the area and are looking for work.”

“Do you know anything about them at all?”

She shrugs, “Just what they have told me. I met the first one down by the waterfront when I went to pick up some provisions for the shop. The other was scavenging and came across our shop. He was surprised, to say the least when he found a full compound here, with only a few of us nearby.”

“Hmm, a scavenger, eh? Well, if he can do minor repairs, and scavenge, he may be worth hiring as well.”

I see her raise an eyebrow as she asks, “Are you saying we might hire them both?”

I think briefly and tell her, “Depending on their qualifications, yes. But remember, they are not only to work for the shop but protect it, and our people here.”

“But of course, ma’am,” she answers.

I take care of some of the paperwork for the shop, particularly double-checking the books with Zhia. Once finished with that. I am slightly surprised a bit later when Xanthippe comes in and tells us, “Ma, Miss Choo, there is a messenger downstairs for one of you.”

I get up and tell Zhia, “I will get it.”

Once in the front, I see the messenger leaning on the front counter talking with Diode. When Diode sees me, he tells her, “There is the boss.”

The messenger steps forward and asks, “Ma’am, can I see your credentials?”

I nod and show her the information on my PipBuck. After she reads it, she nods her head and uses her TK to lift an envelope out of her saddlebags and presents it to me. “For your eyes only Ma’am. After you finish reading it, I will return it to command.”

“Thank you very much,” I tell her. Then I pause, “Do you need anything to eat or drink?”

She looks at the place and nods her head, “I could use a bite to eat ma’am as well as some clean water if you have it. I just got into Manesville a few hours ago.”

By now Zhia has joined us and I tell her, “Zhia, could you take care of our courier, while I look these over.”

As I do, I find that most of the information is routine, but I am at first pleased as I read about the addition of three new members to my field team. I pause as I hope that they are working well with the others. However, I am not so happy with the news of what has happened since they have joined the team. Now I am concerned if we will be able to perform the mission that I have been training Moon Lily for, and if so, will the rest of the team be in shape for it?

After I finish reading the messages, I return them to the envelope and sign my name across the seal to show that the seal has not been broken since I read it. I then return the envelope to the courier who is just finishing some soup and a cup of tea.

Once she finishes her soup she tells us, “Thank you for your hospitality, ma’am, now I need to get going. I have a vertibuck waiting for me by the stable.”

Not long after she is gone, I hear the bell above the door jingle and Diode asks, “Can I help you?”

I hear a female voice answer with a Baltimare accent, “Yes, I have an appointment with Zhia to discuss a possible job.”

As I begin to head that way, I hear Diode call out, “Zhia, Choo, you have somepony here who wants to talk to you.”

I wait in the mess hall drinking a cup of coffee for Zhia to bring her in. As she enters, I see that she is a light blue unicorn with a green and white mane and tail. I carefully examine her cutie mark and notice it looks at first like a fancy wheel or gear, then I realize it is a handwheel for a valve. OK, she may be what we are looking for, I think to myself.

I can see the surprise on her face when she sees one of my kind looking at her. However, she does maintain her poise.

“Please, have a seat. My name is Choo Choo, I am the founder of the Repair Ponies.”

She takes the offered seat. Then I ask her, “Would you like some coffee?”

At first, she hesitates, then Zhia tells her, “It is not a trick part of the interview. If you want one, I will get you one as well as one for myself.”

She then almost timidly says, “Yes please.”

After we all have our cups of coffee, Zhia and I begin to ask her questions about what her skills are. I am satisfied with her experience with mechanics as she begins to talk about steam plants for heating and moving machinery. Finally, I ask, “Why did you leave Baltimare to come here?”

She takes a deep breath and then lets it out before answering. “Honestly, I had hoped to get a job working on one of the steamships or sewage treatment plants I had heard were operating up here.”

“So, you are saying you would not mind getting filthy on a routine basis?” Zhia asks.

“No, I do not mind getting my hooves dirty, but I was under the impression that this area had recovered a lot more than what I am seeing.”

I nod my head before I tell her, “If you had been here a few months ago, that would have been true, but unfortunately the Enclave had decided that they were not happy with us doing so.”

Finally, we ask her, “What questions do you have for us?”

She tilts her head slightly, “Actually I have several. But the first is, what all duties does the job entail?”

Zhia then begins to explain to her the details, including being willing to protect the shop as well as those who are here.

She nods her head, “Ok, So, why do you have such a big set up for such a small shop?”

This time I smile, “Because, while it is a repair shop as well, we also have a field team who are out on a contract right now. Usually, I am with them and Zhia here runs the shop.”

“What kinda contracts?” she asks.

“Well, let us just say that if we offer you the job and you accept it, we can discuss them then.”

She shrugs, “Fair enough I guess.”

She then asks us a few more questions, including what her pay would be, and seems surprised that she would also be offered quarters here as well as meals when at the shop.

Finally, I look at Zhia and she nods slightly and moves her ear in a positive move. So, I tell her, “Root Valve, you seem to meet our requirements, and we would like to offer you the position.”

I see her lean back in her chair briefly with her forehooves crossed. She then leans forward and asks, “When do I start?”

Zhia nods her head and tells her, “As soon as you are ready. Also, if you decide to live in the facility, I will help you decide which room you want in our new barracks. You can move in first as well.”

She looks very surprised and asks, “That’s it?”

This time I smile and tell her, “No, one last question, do you play UNO?”

She smiles and laughs, “Yes, ever since I was little, why? I didn’t even know anyone outside our village knew how to play it.”

I look at Zhia and sigh. Then I ask one final question, “Does your queen know you are here?”

She looks stunned. Then she asks, “How, how did you know?”

“I had a few suspicions. My field team and I spent some time in Baltimare within the last year. I have met your queen. And just so you know, as my employee, you can use your original form or this one, but please, do not use any others unless absolutely necessary.”

Zhia then asks her, “If you are a changeling, who was the pony whom you took this form from?”

I see the mare before me look down briefly and she answers, “She was my best friend, my first real friend. We worked together on a small tugboat, but she died when we were attacked by pirates. I choose this form so that when I look in the mirror, I can still see her.”

Zhia nods to her and gently says, “Sometimes it is hard to let go of those we lost. For me, I have a picture of my husband, my daughter, and me. For you, you wear her face and body. I understand.”

Later that afternoon our second appointment arrives. From my office, I hear Diode say, “Glad to see you came back. The boss is upstairs in her office, let me get her for you.”

I hear hoof steps moving toward the stairs and I decide to meet him. As I make my way down the stairs, I see Zhia coming out of the back as well. Once far enough down the stairs, I see our potential employee.

He is an almost emaciated earth pony with a pale tan coat and a gray mane and tail streaked with black. I notice he is also wearing a broad-brimmed hat that almost covers his eyes, as well as a well-worn caravanners coat. What really catches my eye though is what he has slung across his back. While the S87 Buckington brand police shotgun is old, with some worn bluing on the barrel, receiver, and rail for the pump action, it is in immaculate condition otherwise.

He looks at Zhia and nods to her. “Ma’am.” When he sees me, his face stays expressionless, but he goes pale. I watch him coldly evaluating me and the situation. I am afraid of what his experience with some of my sisters may have been. Particularly if he was at one time a slave for Red Eye and his minions.

I simply meet his eyes with mine, and nod my head to him as I say, “Good afternoon, sir.”

He turns to Zhia, “You didn’t say she was one of them.”

Zhia tilts her head, “Does it really matter? If so, I am sorry for wasting your time.”

“Yes. Obviously, you have never seen what one of them can do.”

She shakes her head, “No, I have not, but I have heard from others, and to be fair, not all alicorns are bad.”

“They sure were when I was in Filly. They killed the mare I loved, as well as several of my friends. All in Red Eyes name. As if being a slave was not bad enough.”

“I am sorry that some of my kind have done that. Before Unity was broken, we often did not have our own will unless our mother allowed it,” I tell him.

He points a hoof at me, “See, she even calls that goddess her mother. She admits that she could be controlled.”

I nod my head, “Yes, I do, however, understand one thing. Our mother is dead. Unity has been destroyed and I do not want to return to it. I have my own life now, just as you have yours. If working for me and Zhia is too much for you. Please, have something to eat before you leave to make up for your wasted time,” I tell him as I begin to turn to go back upstairs.

As I move, he quietly asks, “Do you really mean that? You would still feed me a meal even if you don’t hire me?”

Zhia answers first, “If she said it, Choo means it.”

But I follow up with, “Yes, I did mean it. Please enjoy your meal and I am sorry that things have not worked out to be beneficial.”

I am halfway back up the stairs when I hear him say, “Please stop. I have never had one of your kind treat me as a pony. Maybe I was wrong. If you are still willing to discuss a job with me. I am ready to listen.”

I once again turn around and tell Zhia, “Let us go back into the mess hall, I could use a good cup of coffee.” Before we do though I stick out my hoof to him and tell him, “Let us begin this again. Hello, my name is Choo Choo, and I am the founder of the Repair Ponies. What is your name sir?”

He seems almost in shock as he slowly brings his hoof up to mine and cautiously tells me, “Call me Summer Forage.”

“Please follow us. Also, would you like some coffee as well?”

I hear his tone of voice sound almost incredulous as he looks nervously at Zhia who nods her head, and he answers me, “Yes, please.”

Once we are all sitting down and have a cup of coffee in front of us, I tell him, “OK Summer, tell me about yourself and your skills.”

*****

Thunderhead, Enclave Territory: Ball Lightning.

I find myself smiling again as I look at the sign outside of the building of the schoolhouse and see the words, Command and Staff College. This is a sign to me that my career is moving in the right direction. My first week of classes has finished and tomorrow I will have a 24-hour pass so I can go visit my family. But first I must finish today’s classes.

Beside me is Down Draft. He also has a smile on his face, but most likely for different reasons. As we reach the door, he holds it open for me and follows me in. “Will I see you for Dinner tonight?”

I shake my head, “Probably not. Sorry, but I am catching the first flight to the RDS I can after class today.”

He nods his head, “I do understand. I just figured you could join Alto and me again for dinner tonight.”

“I do appreciate the offer, maybe in a couple of days after I get back, we can do that again. It was really good to see him outside the hospital last night.”

“Yeah, I am so glad he is out of the storm clouds now. Last night after we got to his place, he let me know it was a lot closer than he wants to admit.”

“I was afraid of that. Does he know yet that I was one of those who found him?”

He shakes his head, “No, he doesn’t remember anything from that morning. At least not yet. He did say he was glad that the one who did it got what he deserved.”

“Well, I only wish he had made it to trial and gotten punished properly and not taken another pony with him. I have not heard what happened to the shooter after he was arrested and transferred up to Thunderhead.”

I see him shrug his wings, and then he tells me, “Well, ours is not to wonder why, I guess. Here is my class, talk to you in two days if I do not see you tonight.”

“Thanks Down. I will see you then.”

As he enters his classroom, I proceed down the hall to mine. I enter and take a seat near the front, but where I can still keep an eye on the door. I am not the first there, but I am also not the last. Finally, our instructor enters. He walks to the front of the class and tells us “Good Morning. Please pass your assignments to the front of the class. Then open your textbooks to Chapter Five.”

We all follow his orders and then begin another day of studying. The time in class is spent between reviewing the chapter, further lectures, and some time with practical exercises. Today we have a surprise as we are reading copies of some of the Ministry of Awesome, Ministry Mare’s raids behind the Zebra lines.

As we go through them, I notice something unusual, none of these show any defeats. Now, I am not one to diminish the heroics and skills of those who fought in the Zebra War, but there must have been some defeats so that we can learn how they handled setbacks. Besides, from reading just these, one would think we had been winning the war all along. In which case, why did it last 20 years much less end in the destruction of Cloudsdale and the rest of Equestria?

None of us bring this up, but perhaps we will see those later in our studies. We are released an hour early today and I make my way quickly out of the schoolhouse and to the airfield to catch the first transport I can.

I have only been there for an hour when the sergeant who works the dispatch desk comes over to me and asks, “Sir, we have a standard vertibuck departing in ten minutes for the RDS, would you like to take it instead of waiting for the transport vertibuck to finish loading?”

I find myself smiling again and I tell him, “That would be fine sergeant, thank you,” as I get up and follow him back to the desk. He quickly prepares the paperwork and tells me, “Sir, you can see it warming up on the tarmac right now.” He uses a wing and signals to one of the crew from the aircraft. I watch as they trot over to the office and enter, “What do you need Slap Dash?”

The sergeant nods to him and tells him, “The Major here needs a ride down to the RDS and is willing to ride with you, Cloud Hopper.”

“Huh, well at least we will not be deadheading that way.” He turns to me, “Have you ever ridden in one of these before?”

I nod my head, “It has been a while since I was on one of these smaller models, but yes, I have.”

He grins, “OK sir, follow me.”

I take off my cover and tuck it into my saddlebag and trot after him. We both jump into the passenger compartment and he hooves me a flight crew helmet Once he and I have plugged them in I hear him tell the Pilot, “Ok, we are ready back here.”

I hear the pilot's feminine voice reply, “Roger, here we go.”

I lean back into my seat as we slowly take to the air and begin to head for a break in the cloud layer that will lead us to the RDS and for me, home. As I look out the window on the side door, I can see the sun starting to set as it silhouettes the cloud city. Soon we have dipped through the opening and are on our way.

On the ground below I can see several areas light up, pinpointing where settlements are, or where prewar technology still fights against the darkness.

The flight is a brief one and we come in to land quickly. We land on the normal tarmac and once the rotors stop, I remove the flight crew helmet and egress from the aircraft. The flight engineer tells me as I go, “Have a good night, sir, I hope you enjoy your stay down here.”

“Thank you, have a good night as well,” I tell him and make my way home to see my family once again.

I am almost home when Air Burst flies up next to me. “Hay Ball, how is school going?”

“Hi Air, ok so far. How have things been going for you?”

He looks around to make sure no one is close when he answers, “So far, so good. Our mutual friends seem to be happy with us both right now, and honestly, the less we hear from them, the happier I will be.”

“Yeah, I hear you Air,” I answer, then I ask him, “Air, one of the things I have noticed during my studies is that they never have us study any defeats. It bothers me, as we could learn from them too.”

He nods his head, “I don’t know anything about what they are teaching you in those classes, but what do you expect? That they want to admit we were ever defeated?” He pauses then adds, “You know as well as I do that it is not going to happen. But Ball, learn to read between the lines on those reports. That will be the best way to learn from them.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I guess you are right, but it still rankles me. But as you say, what can we do?”

“Exactly. Now I need to get going, I did not know you were coming home tonight, so I was on my way to check on your family.”

“Thanks, Air, I really appreciate it.”

He waves a forehoof dismissively, “It is nothing Ball. You are my friend and I care about you and your family. Now I am going to head back to the main terminal for dinner, you go spend some time with them on your own.”

“Are you sure Air?”

He smiles, “Yeah, maybe I can stop by for lunch tomorrow, but tonight, you need to spend with them by yourself.”

“Thanks, Air.” I find myself saying again, but I do mean it.

He then veers off in his flight back towards the terminal while I make my way home.

Once there I have to use my key to unlock the door, which makes me feel a bit better, at least they are taking precautions. Inside I can smell dinner cooking and I see the younger ones sitting in the living room with Scout reading to them. As I come in they jump up and all come and get a hug. From the kitchen, I hear Savannah ask, “What’s going on out there?”

Scout calls back, “Dad just came home.”

I then hear my wife say, “I will be right there. Savannah, be a dear and pull that casserole out of the oven in a couple of minutes.”

I hear my oldest daughter laugh lightly as she says, “Alright Mom.”

Right after hearing this, she rushes out of the kitchen, still wearing her apron and she throws her hooves around me.

“I didn’t know you were coming. How long are you here for?”

I kiss her back and take a deep sniff of her scent. Then I back up a little bit and tell her, “Only until tomorrow afternoon. I am on a 24-hour pass. I am sorry it is not longer, but with the war on they are running classes six days a week.”

“Drat, I was hoping for longer, but at least we have some time.”

I smile as I understand how she feels, and at least I have not been gone as long as I have since last time. She then leads me to the dining room table and asks, “How are things going up there?”

“Not bad, I guess. I am sharing a room with Down Draft. Oh, and last night I had dinner with him and Alto. He got out of the hospital yesterday.”

“How is he doing?”

“Honestly dear, I am not sure. Down thinks he is not letting us know exactly how badly he was hurt.”

From the kitchen, I hear Savannah say, “The casserole is ready,” followed by the sound of the oven door closing.

After this, she comes in and hugs me as well. “Dad, it is so good to have you back. We all miss you so much.”

I hug her back as I tell her, “I miss all of you too. This is only a short visit, but I will come back when I can.”

“We understand Dad, we just all miss you.”

“Shall we turn on the radio tonight?” I ask everyone.

This time Scraps asks, “Could you read us some Mare Do Well instead?”

I smile and nod my head, “Sure Scraps, go get it after dinner.”

Soon Dinner is on the table and we enjoy a wonderful meal together.

After dinner, I help wash dishes as my wife gets the youngsters ready for bed. Once they are all ready, they meet me back in the family room of our multiple shipping container home. Scrap carrying his book of Mare Do Well in his mouth which he brings to me and sits so he can lean against me as I read to all of them.

After I finish the story, I take the youngsters up to bed and tuck them in. Afterward, I come back downstairs and join my wife in sitting by the fire and we just talk about what all we have experienced in the last week.

One of the first things she tells me is, “Ball, two days after you left, Bullseye let me know that Funnel Cloud thought he saw someone following Scraps and Lil’ Bit. He had a few choice words with them from what I understand. Since then, at least once a day I have had someone from the battalion visit us to make sure everypony was ok.”

While I am worried that someone may have been following the foals, I am relieved to hear that my family is being looked after as well, so I answer, “I am glad to hear that the others are stepping up when I can’t be here.”

She nods her head. Then she says, “When the doctor checked me this week, he said he could tell what they would be. Do you want to know?”

Part of me really does, but part of me is afraid to find out. Just like choosing names before they are born. I am afraid if I do, I may bring bad luck. So, I find myself sighing as I tell her, “My love, I would like to know, but I am afraid that if you do tell me, it might bring bad luck upon you and our foals.”

I see her nod her head in understanding. “OK Ball, I will make you wait for their arrival to tell you, but thanks for explaining why you don’t want me to tell you.”

The next day, I get up early and help with the kids. I spend several hours just visiting with them and we take a nice long walk around the base. Finally, I notice the time and tell them, “I am sorry my family, but I must get over to the dispatch office so I can catch my flight back.

First, I walk them all home, then I grab my saddlebags. I say my goodbyes and make my way to the dispatch office for the RDS. Once there a corporal who has the duty asks to see my paperwork, which I quickly show him. He nods his head as he reads it and tells me, “Sir we have a vertibuck waiting for you out on the Tarmac. It is the one that has Wind Whistler painted on the side under the pilot window.”

“Thank you, Corporal,” I tell him and start to make my way to the aircraft. As I go, I start to wonder, what did he mean that they had it waiting for me?

As I reach the aircraft, the crew chief nods to me and leads me onboard the vertibuck. I raise an eyebrow but say nothing when I see another pony already inside the back. Once inside the doors are closed and I am hooved a flight helmet. After I put it on, I nod to Lieutenant Colonel Sunspot.

She nods back and we ride up to Thunderhead in silence, except for the aircraft noise and the crew chatter. After we land and get off the aircraft, she quietly tells me, “Good afternoon, Major, I need to talk to you about a few things before we part ways today.”

I nod my head and half smile as I tell her, “I was wondering if that was why you were waiting on the aircraft for me.”

She smiles coldly from behind her sunglasses as she says, “You have always been a smart buck. I am glad you know how to be discrete still, now let’s find a somewhat more private location to talk.”

I then follow her as she leads me to a nearby bar. Once inside we take a seat at a corner booth in the back. After we both order a drink, she begins to discuss what she has come for with me. Part of me is truly surprised, but part of me is not. Once she is finished, she gets up, gives me a hoofshake and she is on her way to her next destination. I look down at my empty mug and order another cider. I now have more to ponder about the storm that is building, and I fear for my beloved Enclave.

*****

Good evening to all my listeners in the NCR and the Wastelands. I am DJ Pon3 and you are tuning in to my show of music, news, and tips you can use, as well as the occasional special guest. Speaking of which later in tonight’s show I will be having a special, surprise guest for all of us.

Our lead story tonight is that our troops in the Mohoofie have broken the Enclave lines and are making a rapid advance on Reino. This is a result of a heroic night attack that broke through the final Enclave line before there. Reports are coming in of moderate casualties at this time.

The news from San Prancisco has stayed consistent as the brave NCR forces there still are holding out while under siege. However, there are now reports of additional Enclave reinforcements having been brought in there by Airships.

From Marezonia the fighting continues between the forces of the Enclave and the raider bands there who the Enclave has vowed to eliminate. While I am impressed with the chutzpah of the Raiders to openly take them on, I am still having a hard time deciding which one to root for.

We will be back with more of the show after our first song for the night, which seems so appropriate with tonight’s news. Here is Pawns of War.

Author's Note

Once again we see most of the team in action as well as more ponies joining the home team. The two new shop ponies both having different reactions to Choo goes to show how others throughout the wastelands may still feel about the chemically made alicorns, and why. This chapter also gives us some more insight into the training for Moon Lily for her upcoming mission. Hopefully, she is prepared for it.

We also get more insight into what is happening with Ball Lightning and the Enclave. We can see the war is not all one-sided, but we can also see how governments will often clamp down on news stories to keep the public's support. Finally, we are shown the effects it is having upon the Enclave society itself, and how some begin to question what has happened and if it will end well.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters song, the YouTube link is: Pawns of War:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmX1NlxYt_k