Chapter 55 Flight of the Wild Geese

“When you're in the middle of a killing field and the fucking Chooser of the Slain tells you to do something, you do it.” ― Kevin Hearne, Hounded

Mohoofie Desert, 15 Kilometers from Reino, Disputed Territory: Ginger Snaps

I shake my head wearily as we continue to advance down the mountainside into the valley below. Behind us the sky is starting to lighten, but not enough to see well into the valley. Below us I can see the Enclave forces we have routed, running and flying towards Reino.

I know I have a feral grin on my face, but I cannot help it. We have helped to break the lines and by tonight I bet we will have captured Reino. Over the radio, I hear the HQ tell us to keep advancing.

By the time we reach the bottom of the mountains, I can see the supply train has begun to come through the gap as well.

Beside me, I hear Jelly Bean nervously ask, “Sergeant, do you think we might, could be overextending our lines a bit?”

I look back up towards the pass, where our wagons, carts, and artillery are silhouetted by the rising sun from the other side of the mountain. Part of me worries she is right, but I also remember how we had to spread out like this during the expedition as well. I look ahead of us and nod my head, “Perhaps, but it is the General’s call to make. Besides we need to keep pressing them before they can rally again.”

“Yeah, I know Sarge,” She says as she looks behind us, “But we really seem to be getting spread out.”

I look and notice our team itself has started to become more spread out as some of us seem to need a break and to be honest, I could use a couple of minutes to catch my proverbial breath as well. I call over to Mort on the radio, “TS1, this is RP2, request a brief halt to reorganize our lines and to take care of wounds.”

When I say this, I see Twinks nod her head. A few seconds later I hear the reply, “RP2, form your people on mine. I think you are right about that.”

My team continues to walk forward and we move to their right, forming a rough line once again.

After we stop, I tell my people over the radio, “Everyone take a drink from your canteen, and check each other for injuries and damaged equipment.”

We have only been stopped for a couple of minutes when over the radio I hear, “TS1, this is HH2, HH1 wants to know why you have stopped without orders.”

I can see Mort sigh in the distance and I hear him reply, “HH2, this is TS1, we stopped briefly to reorganize our formations, and treat minor wounds.”

Immediately after this, I hear, “TS1, this is HH1, Get those people moving. You are giving the Enclave time to breathe, and reform. Move it!”

“Roger HH1, TS1 out.”

I then see Mort give a hoof signal for us all to get moving again.

In the distance, I can see the storm clouds roiling as they slowly move closer to us. It looks like it may be a big one, but the worst it will do is slow us down.

We have advanced another two kilometers when we see a large flock of crows flying overhead toward Reino. I begin to feel a bit anxious when I see this, but ahead of us, I see the pegasi flying over a dried riverbed, and I watch as their wagons run across the bridge there, or dodge to the side and go down the slope, appearing on the other side. With that, the regulars with us begin to rush forward.

We are still in the vanguard and only a few hundred yards from the river bed when suddenly we see Enclave soldiers pop up from its rim and begin to fire at us. I see several of the regulars who have passed us go down. It is an ambush. We have been lured in.

My team begins to run harder trying to make it to their lines, and then in the distance, I can see what looks like hundreds of birds flying towards us. As they get closer, I realize, they are not giant birds, but Enclave pegasi in their power armor. Then I notice that the storm clouds all contain airships, five of them to be exact, which soon begin to fire at us. Along the mountains on our right flank, I see several flights of Vertibucks heading for our rear. As we run, we begin to take fire and I watch as both Jelly Bean and Rare Find go down.

My team hits the ground and we begin to dig in as best we can. To our side, I can see the Troubleshooters doing the same.

The airships begin to pound our forces and I watch as our left flank begins to fade away and soon disappears as more of them go down or run in panic. I look back at the pass and I can see Enclave vertibucks dropping troops there.

In horror, I realize what has happened. I turn to yell to Mort that we are being cut off and I see her. Mareigan is walking in our direction. She first moves past Twinks, who is working on Jelly Bean and walks straight to Rare Find. I see her touch his shoulder, say something to herself, then she rises again. Then as she looks at me, her hood falls back and her black mane flies as if being blown by a strong wind, and I swear her eyes turn red as tells me in a commanding voice, “RUN! Run if you want to survive!”

We all blanch and I realize that all those with me can see her, and have heard what she has yelled to me. I can see the panic and desperation in their expressions and wonder if it is in mine as well.

She says something to Twinks who then calls out, “I need help with moving Jelly Bean!”

As the Mareigan moves away from Twinks, I see her stop at several more of those lying on the ground, talking then moving on again.

The Explosions are getting closer and we are being strafed as Cowlick fires his MG at them and Double Back runs over and helps to drag Jelly Bean along with Twinks. I yell to Mort over the radio, “We are being cut off! We need to get out of here!”

He looks around and he sees more of our troops starting to run. And we begin what starts as a fighting withdrawal when we hear over the radio, “They have killed the General and the HQ Staff. This is Major Turn Buckle. All personal we are falling back. Don’t pan…”

As another explosion occurs and the radio broadcast is cut off, full panic ensues and soon we are in full flight as fast as we can run. As we go, I look for places we can shelter and try to treat our wounded.

I look over and see that Jelly Bean is being carried with both of her forelegs over Twinks and Double Backs shoulders. We are reaching the area where our rear echelon troops were and I see a cart with a dead pony in the harness, among the debris from what was our artillery and supply train.

While Double Back and my husband remove the harness, the rest of us provide a perimeter for them to work in. Finally, Tater has the harness on and tells them, “Get Jelly Bean on the cart so we can run.”

Mort comes up to me and asks me, “We have a couple of wounded too, can we put them on the cart?”

I nod my head, “Make it quick Mort, they are gaining on us.”

He then yells, “Get Smiley and Sugar Tail on the wagon. The rest of ya can run still run.”

The wounded are loaded, with Twinks on the cart to treat them as we move. We begin to move again, first at the trot, then at the gallop. But we are not running straight back with the rest of the remains of our forces, instead, we are going at an angle to the west and further away from the gap, and where most of the fight seems to still be occurring.

After what seems forever, we come to a wooded oasis and we slow down and make sure we are not being followed still. Once we are sure, we head as far as we can into the woods with the cart, then we stop and take stock of how many we have left and how bad our injuries are.

As we are resting, Mort comes over to me, “Ginger, who was that white mare in the black robe that yelled at us to run?”

Before I can answer, my sister Epona does for me, “Mort, have you ever heard us talk about the Mareigan?”

He laughs, “Yeah, that spirit that the folks back in White Cloud said helped y’all during the expedition.”

This time I laugh as I tell him, “Yeah, that’s the one. She is both a chooser of the slain in battle and a spirit of the land and fertility. Congratulations, you got to see her in action.”

He shakes his head in disbelief, then tells me, “No, really, who was she.”

This time Cowlick tells him, “Captain, we are not joking. I have only seen her a couple of times before. From what I understand she rarely lets us mortals see her. So, you and your people who saw her are special now.” After he says this Cowlick takes his MG off his Battlesaddle and begins to inspect and clean it.

That reminds me, “OK all Repair Ponies, I need an ammo check as well as supplies.”

Mort nods his head and tells me, “Sounds like a good idea Sergeant. I will be back with you in a bit.” He then heads over to his people and has them perform the same checks as mine.

Once he returns, he tells me, “We could be worse off, We have three days of rations each still, and about half of our normal ammo loadout. That worries me more than the first.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, we are about the same. According to Twinks, Jelly Bean will make it, but she is down hard right now. Smiley should be up and about soon; she said the healing spells are working well for him. Oh, and Sugar Tails will have some pretty good scarring, but she should be okay. No Broken bones, her body armor saved her. Oh, and all that blood on her head came from a bullet going into her helmet and skimming around her head and leaving a slight groove. Twinks says it looks a lot worse than it is, but she has a Tartarus of a headache.”

He ponders what I have told him then he says, “Sorry to say this Sarge, but it looks like we may have to do some escape and evasion here. My people are not really trained for it. How about yours.”

Finally, today I smile, “Well, now that you ask, all our original team members had to go through that kind of training before our first mission. Choo included. She insisted on it. I guess it might pay off finally.”

He laughs, “Yeah, I guess. I wonder why she was so set upon it when most teams aren’t?”

I chuckle lightly before I answer, “Perhaps over two hundred years of combat experience can make a mare think that way.”

His jaw drops open in quiet laughter before he responds, “Yeah, I guess it can. Now I guess I should try to radio the Colt to try and set up a pickup and an LZ for us.”

*****

Mahoofie Desert, 35 Kilometers from Reino, Enclave Territory: Xochitl.

As we rest in the oasis, we begin to take stock of all the supplies we still have, then we take turns cleaning our weapons so we are ready the next time we need them. The two teams keep themselves spread out a bit, and I notice several of the Troubleshooters have pulled what I thought were just ground cloths out from their kits and have them draped over themselves.

I finish cleaning Orcus, reload it, and after chambering a round I set the safety and put the protective covers back over the scope lenses. I then get up and make my way over to the Troubleshooters. The first one I reach is a unicorn mare named Fall Moss. While I do not spend a lot of time with her, I have gotten to know her a bit during our time since our team and theirs started to work together consistently.

“Hay, Flower,” she says quietly.

“Hay, Fall, I have a question for you.”

She continues to clean her carbine and tells me, “Go ahead and ask, I will answer it if I can.”

“Well, I just noticed that your team is all wearing ground cloths right now, why?”

She shrugs and tells me, “Well Flower, these are not normal ground cloths. They are made so we can hide from somepony using Eyes Forward Sparkle on their PipBucks.”

I shake my head in wonder, then I tell her, “I wish our team had some of those right now.”

She nods her head in understanding, then tells me, “The boss got them while we were in Baltimare.”

I nod my head, “Well at least they will keep our numbers smaller if anyone comes looking for us.”

“Yeah, hopefully,” she tells me. Then she asks, “Flower, what the buck happened back there? Things seemed to be going so well.”

I shake my head, “Honestly Fall. I don’t know. But I think we got snookered. They let us think we broke through then they ambushed us. And once someone said the General and his staff were dead, well panic set in and we had to make a run for it ourselves.”

“I don’t like it Flower, I don’t like the fact that we left the rest of the NCR forces on their own.”

I sigh as I feel the same way. I think briefly then I ask her, “Fall, how do you feel about spirits?”

She waves a hoof, “Come on Flower, you are half pony, don’t tell me you believe in them too.”

I smile ruefully as I tell her, “Ah, but I am part zebra too, but that is not why I bring up spirits. Several of our team members saw a spirit that I have known for years. She is a collector of the souls of the slain on the battlefields as well as the spirit of the Manesville region. Fall, she was there at the ambush and she told us to run if we wanted to survive.”

She looks down at the ground first, then she quietly says, “It still doesn’t feel right.”

In the far distance, we can still hear the occasional artillery blast, but we are now far enough away that we cannot hear small arms fire as the Enclave continues with what must be mop-up operations.

Right after this, I hear Mort tell one of his section leaders, “Set up a watch rotation, we need to get some sleep, we move again after sunset.”

I feel my ears pick up at this and I tell Fall Moss, “I guess I best get back and see what Ginger will do for a watch rotation.”

She nods her head, “Nice talking with ya Flower, don’t stay a stranger.”

“What about my wife?”

She laughs, “Look, I know you are married, neither you nor her have anything to worry about.”

“Thanks, Fall, I appreciate your understanding.”

I am just behind Mort as he walks over to Ginger. Once there he tells her, “OK Cookie, I got ahold of the Ranger HQ and reported on today’s events. They gave me a set of coordinates where we are to be picked up. There is only one problem.”

I cringe when I hear this as I know it will not be good. Then I hear my wife ask, “Ok, what is the problem, Captain?”

He sighs and tells her, “We have to make sixty kilometers to the next pass south of here and egress through it to this spot here,” he tells her as he points to a map on her PipBuck.”

“Damn, I was afraid you would say something like that. OK, we move at night of course. Let us look a bit more at my PipBuck and see where our next stop will be.”

After a while Mort gets up and returns to his team, Ginger then tells us, “Ok, Epona, Xochitl, you have first watch. The rest catch what sleep you can. Oh, and before we leave the oasis, I want everyone’s canteens topped off.”

Following the lead of the Troubleshooters, we all wrap ourselves in our ground cloths. Tying them on with some rope that Morning Mist was carrying. Most of us also use a towel or shemagh to cover our faces and heads. I find it funny in a way though that now, instead of looking like a bunch of mercenaries or soldiers, we look like a band of nomads with their brahmin.

Twice during the day, we see vertibucks approaching in the distance. The first time they fly along the northern edge of the oasis, while we are in the southern edge. The second time the vertibuck flies over us and stops. The door gunner leans out to look at us.

As he does this Cowlick takes a big bite of grass and Tater looks up and waves friendlily at them. The gunner waves back to us. We can see them say something on their mic and then we watch the aircraft turn and begin to fly back towards Reino.

Once they are gone, we all breathe a collective sigh of relief. I turn to my wife and tell her, “I think maybe we need to keep wrapped like this until we get picked up Cookie.”

She nods her head, “Yeah, I think you are right Flower.” She then turns to the rest of us and tells us, “Lay down and get some more rest. Only another couple of hours until sundown.”

When the sun finally sets, we quickly refill our canteens, grab our gear, and begin to make our trek through the desert night.

Behind us, the sky is still illuminated by the lights of Reino. In the glow, I can still see the clouds above it. Above us, the stars are twinkling and for some reason, I feel at peace inside. Finally, I hear Mort say, “Ok, let’s go,” as he stands up and begins to lead us through the darkness.

It is well after midnight when we take an hour-long break from the march. Ginger and Mort had talked earlier and we have been using the old march speed we used on the expedition of stopping every hour for a ten-minute break.

While we are on this break in the distance, we see another caravan heading towards Reino. We can see that they have a couple of brahmin with them and that they are carrying some large packs. However, they do keep their distance. Neither group doing anything more than keeping a wary eye on the other.

Finally, an hour before dawn we come upon another oasis. Mort has both me and Smiley perform a quick recon of the site while the others wait beyond the hill. Once we feel it is clear, I have Smiley wait there while I go back and bring the others up. Once there we set up camp as if we were just another nomadic band. As we do this Epona helps Tater remove the harness from pulling the cart. While Double Back and Days End help

I then hear Mort tell Ginger, “Cookie, I am going to the other side of the hill to radio in. I will be back in a couple of minutes; you have the teams until I get back.”

As we wait, Ginger tells us, “Let’s go easy on the rations people. Just in case there is trouble.”

I finish half of a ration pack and put the rest away for later when Mort comes back over the hill. Once he is close enough, he waves over Smiley and meets him next to Ginger and me. He then tells them, “OK, we are still on schedule. Sergent Snaps, Choo has been notified of your team’s casualty as well as ours. It seems we are the only ones that have reported in, therefore the first to let the NCR know about the disaster here.”

I find myself gulping as Ginger shakes her head slowly and then looks at me. From behind me, I hear Epona tell Tater, “This feels a lot like what happened to the Expedition on our side.”

I see a surprised expression come over his face and Smiley raises an eyebrow. Then Mort says, “Yeah, I forgot those two came from the other side of The Doorway.”

I nod my head along with Ginger. I then tell him, “Believe me I cannot. I was there at the Epona from this side’s funeral. She was my friend. And while Epona here looks like her, her life is just enough different, that I wonder what our sides Epona would have grown up to be like.” As I finish saying this, I notice my wife’s ears shift and I think I see a brief flash of jealousy pass over her face.

Ginger then adds, “Yeah, I often forget that too. I guess it comes from sharing a room for all those years.”

As the sun begins to rise, we all begin to settle down for the day. As I fall asleep, I can hear a light breeze flowing through the trees and I feel myself relax as my hoof touches my wife.

I am awoken a couple of hours later to take the watch. By now the sun is getting high in the sky and I can feel the day's heat. I am just glad that we were able to make it to another oasis. Towards the end of my watch, I finish my canteen of water and I need to refill it. While there I notice some fish in the water. I am just about ready to try and catch one when I hear something slide into the water on the other side of the pond. I back away from the edge of the water slowly, just in case it is something dangerous.

I am most of the way back to my camp when I hear something shaking the water off themselves. I turn around pulling my weapon out afraid of what it might be. As I bring my rifle up to bear, I am surprised to see a young white dog with black ears and spots all along his coat. The dog is noticeably underfed, but they have a fish in their mouth.

Without thinking I quietly say, “How are you doing little one?”

I watch as the dog raises its ears slightly and tilts its head. It puts down the fish and slowly moves closer to me. Once it is almost to me, I slowly raise a hoof and let it sniff me. It curls its lip at first, baring its teeth, so I slowly move my hoof back.

“It is ok. Relax,” I tell it as put my hoof down and slowly move back towards the others. As I go, the dog begins to follow me. Then it stops and barks several times at me before turning back towards the pond and moving its head as if it wants me to follow it. Against my better nature, I begin to follow it. Finally, it stops by a group of bushes. I move the bushes aside and I find a dead stallion there. He is an older stallion and looks to have died recently. As I look, I hear the dog growl lowly as I hear someone coming from our camp. I look up and see it is Epona and I hear her say, “What is going on Flower?”

I look at the dog and tell them, “It is alright, she is a friend.” The dog relaxes some but is still weary. I look back at the body and I see a note next to it which I pick up and read.

To whoever finds this, my name was Two Stones, I was beaten and robbed by some caravanners who I was leading to Reino. I guess they didn’t want to pay me. It happens. I trusted the wrong ponies. If my dog is here still her name is Katie. Please take care of her, she is a good do

I look down at the old scout, I sigh and then look up at the dog, “Hello Katie, if you want, we will take care of you now.”

Epona then asks, “What does it say?”

I pass her the note and while she reads it, I check to see if there is anything that we can use on the poor stallion. I find nothing, so I move to the side and I begin to dig a hole. As I do so Katie goes back and grabs her fish, brings it back over our way, and begins to eat.

Epona quickly finishes reading and she tells me, “Tater is still on watch, I will help you.”

We quickly dig a grave just deep enough that the critters will not be able to dig him back up. By now a couple of others have come to the pond to refill their canteens. Before too long my wife joins me and she asks, “What’s up dear?”

I shrug my shoulders and tell her, “Katie here brought me to her old owner. He was killed by the caravan he was guiding.”

She nods her head, “OK, once we finish burying him, we need to get moving. I just wish we could have buried Rare Find.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I know, that still does not sit right with me either dear.”

Once we are done with the hole, Twinks and Ember Rose use their TK to lower him into his grave. Twinks then uses her TK to scratch his name into a large rock that we place on it. We all get up and as we begin to continue our trek, I find that Katie has joined us and is walking alongside me. I smile at her and tell her, “Good girl Katie. Glad to have you with us.” I smile as I realize, I may now have a dog of my own. I never had one before.

She barks one more time and then, like the rest of us becomes quiet as we go through the night.

It takes us two more days to make the pass through the mountains. We continue with what is now our routine for travel. Each day Mort checks in with HQ via the radio when we set up camp. The last time he tells us, “Our ride will be here in a bit.”

I am listening to the radio when I see a shadow flying low in the dark. As it gets close, I hear, RP 1, TS 1 this is Hot Shot, we see you and are coming to get you. Be advised we have had some trailers behind us, so make it a quick pickup.

I hear Mort respond, “Roger Hot Shot, we will be ready.”

He then tells us, “Get ready, and make it quick people.”

As the Hot Shot comes into land, it has its rear ramp already open and we run up it as soon as we can, leaving the cart and harness behind, and carrying Jelly Bean with us. Once we are all onboard, Katie included, the ramp begins to close and we take off again. While somewhat nervous still, I feel a head on my leg and I look down and see Katie has her head there resting on me with a nervous look on her face. I slowly scratch her behind her ear and tell her, “It is ok girl, we are all ok,” I then think, I have my friends with me, my dog and we are all together still. Yeah, it is going to be ok, for now at least as we head back home to the Colt.

*****

Manesville, Manesville Region, NCR: Choo Choo

The day has been going so well that I am just afraid that something will mess it up. I take another sip of my coffee as I put my signature on another request from Ranger Headquarters for more supplies to be at my proposed rendezvous sight with the Baltimare Colt and the rest of my team. Then I hear the small bell above the door ring, and a few seconds later Diode calls up to me, “Boss, we have a courier.”

I feel myself sigh as I am now worried about what the news will be. Has our next mission been scrubbed? Had something happened to change our goals for it? Then I think, I hope nothing has happened to any of my team members.

I then get up and make my way downstairs. As I arrive, I see the courier is in full ranger regalia, including the facemask and helmet.

They see me and from a modulated voice I hear, “Captain Choo?”

“Yes, courier, what do you have for me,” I answer as I hold out my PipBuck.

They look at my credentials on it and then tell me, “Ma’am, your eyes only. I am not to let this information out of my sight.”

My eyes go wide with that as it is so far outside our normal operations pattern. I then tell them, “Follow me to my office.”

Once there he pulls out a folder with several pages in it. After I sit at my desk, they place it in front of me. I glance up at them and tell the courier, “Please have a seat while I look this over.”

I pull out the first page and I see something I never want to see. It is a casualty report. It seems that one of the new team members has been killed in action and another of them has been severely wounded. I feel myself sigh again. Then I turn to the next page. It is there that I find out some of what happened. It seems that the Enclave allowed our forces there to penetrate their lines and then after they had over-extended themselves, encircled them.

What bothers me most is that there are no numbers for the total casualties or prisoners listed. I look up and the courier, “Do you know what it says in here?”

“Yes, Ma’am. It sounds like a first-class cluster. But Ma’am, that is not for general discussion. I was told to make sure you knew not to reveal this information to anyone at this time.”

I nod my head, “I will have to agree with your assessment.”

Then they say, “At least it was the Ranger teams that reported it. Right now, those who reported in are currently enroute to a pickup site and should be there in the next couple of days. You will receive another courier with that news as well.”

I then finish looking through the information that has been sent to me. I make sure it is all back in the folder and use my TK to give it back to them. After they have put it away, I ask, “Do you need something to eat or drink?”

They shake their head, “No ma’am, my orders are clear to return to HQ as quickly as possible. But thank you for your offer.”

After they depart, I go back to finish my paperwork. I am back at my desk when I hear the doorbell ring again. This time I hear Moon Lily and her three friends coming into the shop along with Xanthippe.

Xanthippe calls out, “Ma, I got Moon and the mares with me, can we get something to eat and drink?”

From below the shop, I hear Zhia answer back, “Yes, take them to the mess hall and I will be right there.”

I decide then and there that it is a good time to stop working for the day and I put away the forms in front of me. As I get downstairs, I hear Moon telling Zhia, “We are meeting Sunny here today. He and the bat ponies are supposed to make a game of pegasus tag into White Cloud again today.”

When she says this, I notice she has her full kit including her carbine on, and that the other three are fully kitted out as well, except for the young hippogriff Slip Stream, who has no weapon.

I find my eyebrow has raised and curiously I ask, “So Moon, why are you fully kitted out just for a game of pegasus tag?”

The four of them all look at each other as if they cannot understand the question, then Moon Lily tells me, “Because Sunny told me I need to be able to perform with all my kit before I was ready to go.”

“So, what about the rest of you?”

The other three answer simultaneously, “We are here to support her!”

“Ok, I guess so. Well, have a good time then.”

“Thanks, Granny,” she pauses and then adds, “We were hoping you would join us today.”

I am surprised by this and am trying to figure out how to answer when I hear Summer Forage telling Sunny as they approach, “Honestly Sunny, I can help set up a few objectives to allow the non-flyers to participate as well. When I was a foal, we used to play a game called Capture the Flag. Earth Ponies and unicorns could play it too.”

Sunny replies to him, “That would be great Summer, Let’s go over that with a cider tonight.” He stops and then tells the flying foursome, “Ok, you four, are you ready for today’s game?”

They all four nod their heads in unison and answer, “Yes Sunny.”

He grins, then tells them, “Well, I did hear Xanthippe ask for something for all of you to eat first, so go ahead, and once done we will begin to head towards White Cloud. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that this time we have invited some of the pegasi from Manesville to join in the game as well as those from White Cloud.”

They all grin at this, and I swear they all look slightly feral while doing so. Then the moment is broken by Zhia telling them, “I have some fresh milk and cookies for you. Just the thing to give you all some extra energy.”

They all cheer and follow her into the mess hall. I then quietly ask, “Sunny, do you think they should be carrying weapons for the game?”

“Boss, they have all had some experience hunting now. Including Slip Stream. They know the reality of weapons. Besides, we need Moon to be used to carrying all that extra weight in a combat-type environment if she is going with us out to the wastelands.”

I nod my head, “I guess, but what about the other three?”

He shrugs, “Choo, do you really think you can tell them three not to?”

I laugh lightly, “I guess, I just hope they understand that they are staying here when we take Moon with us.”

Suddenly he looks surprised, “Well I should hope so.”

Something in the back of my mind feels tickled and I begin to worry that those other three will try and accompany Moon Lily.

Soon they have finished their snack, and they all say goodbye to Xanthippe and come out looking for Sunny. When they see him, Moon proudly tells him, “We are ready Cousin.”

Shortly after that they are out the door and flying away for more training. As they go, I smile and decide to head over to White Cloud to watch the games to see how Moon is doing without her knowing I am.

I observe from on top of a cloud as they begin to make their flight into White Cloud. I watch as Moon leads them from high up as they dive toward the ground. She and her friends are in staggered, four mare, formation so that they can keep an eye on their wing mares.

From below I see more fliers coming up toward them. They look like they are going to collide when the flying foursome split up into two pony groups and begin to weave and dodge. From a distance and above them I see another group begin to dive for them.

Soon they too intercept my granddaughter and her friends and I watch as a swirling furball begins with several of them being tagged and falling back to their starting locations. Sunny being at the one for Moon and her team. Once they reach the reset point, they have a one-minute timer before they can return to the games, just like the adults do.

As the furball becomes more intense, I begin to worry that Moon may have forgotten about the objective, rather than just playing tag as I have lost track of her in the mass of flashing wings and twisting bodies. But I suddenly see two fliers who are weaving their paths break free from the main groups and flying hell-bent for election towards the bell outside of the White Cloud Pub.

Behind them, I see the furball begin to break up as those who have not been tagged yet begin to stream away and either chase those who are flying for the bell, or trying to make it to the bell themselves.

I watch as a young griffon gets ready to tag Moon Lily with his talon when suddenly Slip Stream flies between them and causes him to have to dodge.

Moon Lily then lands near the pub on the main street and is just about ready to ring the bell when I see a lone pegasus filly suddenly jump out of a bush from across the street and tag Moon. I find myself laughing as she all but howls in frustration. But as she is doing this, I suddenly hear the bell ring and I see one of Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider’s daughters at the bell and pulling the rope with her mouth as she hoovers in place.

As I fly over to Camp Rice Paddy-Tenderhoof, the home of the 3rd Manesville Regiment and where my Paper Work is stationed, I think about what I have seen, and suddenly I feel a vibration on my PipBuck and I realize I have just received a message on it. I then look at it and read that my team has been returned to the Baltimare Colt and that I will soon be informed of when I am to meet them with Moon Lily and the Bat Pony Scouts at the rendezvous point.

I do not like not knowing just when we must leave yet. I would prefer to be able to let Moon’s parents know at least a few days before first. That and to be able to have one last night with Paper Work.

Knowing what I do, I divert from flying back to the shop and instead land outside the perimeter of the camp so I can talk to the one pony I really feel I can confide in; Paper Work.

As I land, I see Colonel Mollygirl coming out the door. She seems surprised to see me and not overly happy to either. She cautiously asks, “Is it time already?”

“Time for what ma’am?”

I hear her sigh, “For you to take Moon.”

I am surprised by her asking this and I tell her, “Oh, no, not yet.” I pause, look around and I quietly tell her, “Probably soon though.”

“Okay Choo, thanks for the heads up.” She pauses and then tells me, “Have a good night, and enjoy what time you can with Paper Work.” Then she continues down the stairs and, on her way, home for the night.

As I enter the headquarters front room, I see my love sitting at his desk typing. I lean against the counter and just wait for him to finish. Once he is done, he stops and looks back over what he has typed. Sets it aside and smiles at me, “Thanks for waiting dear. Shall we go into White Cloud for a pint of cider?”

I smile and nod my head, “Sounds good dear, a bit later I have some things I want to talk to you about.”

He nods his head as he gets up and we begin our night.

Two evenings later I receive a courier from the Ranger HQ. I take them to my office and they hoof me my orders. I look down at them and silently curse. I nod my head and return them to the courier, once he has left, I send a quick message to Sunny to come to my office. I then send a message to Colonel Mollygirl to have her batpony scouts ready tonight. Finally, I sit back at my desk and briefly cry about the loss of innocence that my great-granddaughter is going to experience.

Once done, I wipe my eyes and straighten myself up. I then tell Zhia and the other shop dogs, “Tonight is the night. Zhia, you will have the shop again.”

She nods her head, “I understand Choo, be careful out there.”

“Thanks, I will as much as possible,” I tell her, then I go and put on my uniform and kit, and I am joined by Sunny. Once we are both ready, we fly over to Camp Rice Paddy-Tender Hoof. There I say my final goodbyes to Paper Work and we meet up with Morning Star and her set of scouts. Then as a group, we fly over to the family farm.

Once there we land in the main farmyard as a group. Then Sunny and I walk to the door. Sunny knocks on the door and it is Moon Lily’s mother Sutures who answers. We can see the look of fear form on her face as Sunny says to her, “Is Moon Lily ready? It is time to go.”

Sutures does not argue or get mad instead she sadly nods her head and then helps her daughter put on her kit. Then she gives her a hug and a kiss, as do the rest of her family. Then she looks up at me and with only a bit of nervousness says, “Ok granny, let’s do this.”

With that, the seven of us take to the air and head west and toward the rendezvous point for the Colt. Several times as we fly, I see Moon Lily look behind us. I then smile gently and tell her, “It will be ok. I know how you feel.” I think for a moment and tell her, “I am sorry you have to leave all your friends and family behind, but we are doing it this way for security reasons.”

She looks behind us one last time into the darkness that is only interrupted by lights on the ground before she turns to me with a smile and replies, “That is ok Granny, besides, my friends are always with me.”

*****

Thunderhead, Enclave Territory: Ball Lightning

Good evening my fellow Equestrians, I am Hollowed Dreams and you are listening to my show on Radio Free Equestria.

Tonight, I have some good news again. The High Command for the Grand Pegasus Enclave has authorized me to announce our great victory in the Mohoofie desert which has secured our hold on that region as well as the city of Reino. As a result of the fighting, we have captured or killed almost an entire brigade of troops. Among those captured are a high number of mercenaries who were working for the corrupt leadership in Junction Town that stylize themselves as the New Canterlot Republic.

These Mercenaries will be dealt with as all their ilk such as raiders and Dashites. Yes, for those who want to fight for bits or caps, your days are numbered. We will be coming for you, and we will not forget your acts of treachery against US and the poor wretches who are just trying to survive in the wastelands.

In other news President Winter Breeze has again reached out to President Grimfeathers, Elder Ironsides, and the Nomad City Council to bring this war to a halt before more lives are lost.

Far be it from me to say, but I feel that the President is blowing in the wrong direction. Those criminals will keep sacrificing others' lives to protect themselves, no matter what. Their continuation of a fight that they can not win just goes to prove my point!

In other news, our forces in Chicacolt have advanced another mile further into the former great city there. Reports of casualties are low, with some of the local factions there having joined our cause.

From Vanhoover we also have word of another one of the local factions there having joined our cause as well and have turned away a delegation from the NCR bandits. To those brave ponies, I say welcome to our Enclave.

Now for a few messages from our sponsors and then the Third Fleet's rendition of Hail Coltlumbia. But first I must say to our friends in the NCR, The Brahmin has jumped over the moon, I repeat the Brahmin has jumped over the moon. For the Lunar Commonwealth, the cheese does please. Again, the cheese does please…

I am surprised when the bartender turns the radio off and goes back to wiping down some glasses with a rag. Beside me Down Draft raises his glass, “To Victory!”

I bring mine up and lightly touch it to his. More out of habit than out of excitement. Then I take another drink.

Down then asks me, “Did you hear any rumors about what was happening out towards Reino?”

I shake my head, “No, that is the first I heard about it. But it must have been a real screw-up for them to lose an entire brigade like that.”

“I would say so. The NCR really can’t stand hoof to hoof with us, can they?”

After having seen some of the reports I have during my class, I really do not feel like answering that question so instead I ask, “So, any word from Alto since he went back dirtside?”

He nods his head, “Yeah, he is working at the new Volunteer Corps office that has been set up.” He pauses and then adds, “Ball, I think he is nervous about being back down there now.”

I set my glass of cider down before I tell him, “Honestly, I can’t blame him Down. My goddesses, look what happened to him.”

“Yeah, but we caught the buck who was responsible. He should feel safe now.”

I hide what I am thinking because I know he does not need to know that Pyric Victory was only a patsy. He was doing what he was told, and it cost him his life. That the ones responsible are still out there.

Instead, I nod my head, and tell him, “True, but Down, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen again. At least in his mind.”

He looks sadly at his drink, then looks back up at me, “Yeah, I know, and I am really worried about him. How would you feel if Sundancer had to go back to work?”

This time I laugh lightly before answering, “Down, after the foals are weaned, she is already planning on it.”

I see the surprise on his face, “Oh, I had not realized she was not going to be a stay-at-home mother.”

“That was her plan all along. To be honest, having all the other kids has helped too. Not only is she used to being a mother now, but they all chip in on the chores.”

“Yeah, I guess you are right. He looks at his pastern watch then tells me, “Well, it is starting to get late, maybe we should grab some dinner and get back to our room so we can work on our nightly assignments.”

As we fly back to our room in the BOQ, I notice that two more raptors have arrived. Nothing out of the ordinary, but I notice both have heavy damage to them as they slowly glide into the repair yards. One more sign to me that all is not going the way we are told it is. But not something we can talk about with anyone else either.

However, as we fly, I do notice Down Draft looking at them as well and shaking his head. Inside of me, I wonder how we ever got to the point where we cannot openly talk about such things.

Once back in our room we both go to our desks and take out our textbooks and assignments as we begin to study.

My assignment tonight is to study and evaluate a raid made by the former Ministry of Awesome behind the Zebra lines. It was catastrophic and led to the development of power armor for the pegasi. While the big takeaway is supposed to be how badly Rainbow Dash errored. I notice that it is a heavily redacted copy and I wish I could read the original. I find myself reading between the lines of the report and while I can see some room for improvement in the plan with all the forces that they had available to them, I wonder if any of our generals could have done as well. I am particularly surprised at how she used a sonic rainboom as a distraction to help extract her forces when they were ambushed and caught flat-hoofed at the raid's main target. Not only did the zebras have hidden armor and anti-air weapons, but they also had dragons, their riders, and griffons as air support. Before she resorted to the rainboom the commander had to rally out her troops twice. What a cluster I think to myself. Then I see the final casualty number of almost forty-eight percent.

I am really surprised to see at the bottom that there is, or should I say was, a memory orb of this raid. I begin to wonder what became of it and muse how interesting it would be to experience the Zebra War from the perspective of a participant.

I find myself thinking about what that would be like and who would have worn the recorder for it, when I hear Down burst asks, “What’s up Ball? you got a goofy smile on your face.”

I shake my head to bring myself back to reality before replying, “Oh, just musing and thinking about this after-action report. I noticed it noted that there was also a memory orb of this event that had been created, and I wondered who made it, and what became of the orb.”

He shrugs his wings, “Who knows? I guess it depends on where they had it stored. But honestly, if it still exists, I doubt they would let someone like us see it. We are just not high enough in the food chain for that.”

I laugh lightly and tell him, “Yeah, you are right. So, what do they have you studying tonight?”

“Oh, a rehash on company and battalion operations and how they relate to regiment-sized engagements. You know, the usual, and until the recent unpleasantness, the very rare.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, but who would have thought the NCR could give us a decent fight even?”

He nods his head, “I agree. But there is no way they can win. Not against the Enclave.”

I see his ear move slightly and realize he has just indicated silently that I should not take that last comment completely seriously. Then he adds, “Well if you are finished, I am, so we should catch some sleep while we can.”

The next day in class most of my fellow students receive their next set of orders. Myself, I am returning to my battalion so I do not receive any. However, I notice that several of them get orders taking them to new units forming in Neighvarro.

After the orders are hooved out, our instructor reminds us, “These orders are conditional upon your successful completion of this course, so do not think you can just hover through it. I will not hesitate to fail you if I do not think you are putting in any effort.” He pauses then adds, “Today we will discuss the report you were assigned to read. Each of you will have time to add your input. Now who would like to start?”

None of us volunteers so he points to me, “Ok, Major Lightning, You first then.”

I stand up as we all do when we are asked to answer, “Sir, during my readings I found it interesting how they used artillery to open the way for their troops to pass through enemy lines, with our current standards, I do believe we could use the heavy guns from our airships as mobile artillery support as well.”

The instructor nods his head, “Any other insights that you may have garnered?”

I think briefly and answer, “I also noticed the enemy's use of hidden anti-air and armor assets to ambush them. While this most likely would not normally be an issue in the wastelands, it is still something we must consider as well.”

Again, he nods his head, “OK, thank you, Major Lightning.” I sit down and he calls on another member of our class who now must stand and pontificate as well.

At the end of my class as I am heading out of the schoolhouse, I am met by an officer I have never seen before, “Major Ball Lightning, a minute of your time.”

I nod my head, “Of course Colonel. What can I do for you?”

“Please follow me,” he says as a suggestion that I know is an order.

Once we are in a secluded area he tells me, “I have come on behalf of the president. Here is a message from her to you. Once you have read it and acted upon it, please destroy the message.”

“Yes sir,” I tell him not only to acknowledge the order but to let him know that I understand it. After this, he then tells me, “Have a good day Major, also, we have been keeping an eye on your progress during your courses here. The president is pleased and has commented that perhaps someday she may request you for her staff permanently.”

I smile at this and tell him, “Thank you, sir. I appreciate the vote of confidence. I would like that.”

As I tell him this, I realize I really would like to be on her staff. That would be a large stepping stone in my career. Well, we will see, I guess. He nods his head and tells me, “Alright, take care and be careful Major,” then he walks away leaving me on my own again.

I find a location where I am sure I am alone with no cameras watching and I open the message and read,

Major Ball Lighting,

I have recently been apprised of acts committed by our forces outside of Reino that go against our standards of conduct concerning the treatment of prisoners of war. Please have our contact let their bosses know that those responsible are being disciplined for their actions and that my generals have been reminded that such behavior by their subordinates reflects upon them as well and will not be tolerated. Please give them my apologies as well.

Sincerely

W.B.

After reading this I know what I must do. I look at my pastern watch and nod to myself. I still have time to get my broadcaster. After that, I hope I can contact Choo and try to keep this war from getting any uglier than it already has.

*****

Good evening to my fellow Wastelanders. This is DJ Pon3 and it is with a sorrowful heart that I must report to you that the NCR and alliance forces outside of Reino have not only been defeated but shattered. Survivors continue to trickle in and report on what occurred there. I will give you more information about this when it becomes available.

In other news, Enclave forces have once again been repulsed at Ponytraz. To the brave ponies and griffons who are still fighting there, know we have not forgotten you during your time under siege. Stand tall and fast. We will send help as soon as we can.

On a positive note, we have reports from the Manesville region that replanting of the crops that were destroyed by Enclave forces that raided there have, for the most part, been replanted. To those who live there and produce the crops that were starting to be exported to other parts of the NCR and the Alliance, we thank you for your hard work and determination.

Remember, we all eat from the same hay bale. We need to stand together, even when things look bleak. For those of you out there on the front lines, we thank you and appreciate what you are doing for the rest of us.

Later in tonight’s show, we will be giving more tips on how to recover the soil in contaminated zones so that crops can still be grown there as well as other tips you can use.

This brings us to the first song for the show tonight. Here is Castle of Glass.

Author's Note

I would like to once again thank Kkat for creating the universe of FoE. Her story as well as those of others have brought me not only pleasure but have also sparked my imagination. The region of Reino is not my creation but borrowed by RuinQueenofOblivion's story Fallout Equestria: Survivor's Guilt. While I have not gone into there in this story, I felt that it would be an important region that would be affected by the war as well.

I hope you the reader have enjoyed this chapter. It was an interesting one for me to write. I have been planning this chapter for some time and I am glad I finally was able to bring this part of the story out.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song, the YouTube link is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ6e-3Hb61Y