Chapter 56 Strays

"Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal." ― Robert A. Heinlein, 'Tunnel in the Sky'.

Airborne, en route to the Balimare Colt: Ginger Snaps.

After we were picked up, we began flying nap of the earth for the first hour. Once far enough away from the Enclave forces, we rise to a normal altitude again. Beside me is my husband and our new dog Katie. He has fallen asleep sitting up and her head in on his leg.

I find myself smiling at the dog and she looks back at me with wide hopeful eyes. I lean forward and gently give her a light scratch behind her ear. I see her relax at this, but she does not move. As we fly the rest of us are all silent, either sleeping or lost in thought.

After what I think is about six hours, I feel the aircraft begin to slow down and we start to circle above a river. As this happens, I use my hoof to wake Xochitl. The others who are awake do the same to those who are still asleep.

Soon I see a riverboat from the windscreen on the cockpit, and we begin to approach it from its stern. Once above the flight deck, I feel the wheels lower into place for landing. Then I feel a quick bump as we touch down on the deck. I hear ponies yelling outside and then the rear ramp begins to drop.

As the ramp drops, I can hear the rotors winding down. Finally, the crew chief removes their helmet and tells us, “OK, everyone off.”

We all stand up grab our gear, and begin to leave the aircraft. Besides my husband, I notice Katie is sniffing the air as she walks, but she is also wagging her tail, so I guess that is a good thing. Once off the Hot Shot, I can see it has been tied down to the deck. The crew ponies who are responsible for that are smiling at us as another leads us forward and back toward our normal quarters. As we go, I hear Rust call from the Pilot House, “Glad to have you all back. Mort, Ginger, once your gear is stowed, I need to talk to both of you.”

I nod and Mort calls back, “Roger, Captain.”

Then she sees Katie and I see the surprise and question on her face, so I call to her, “I will explain in a bit.”

She nods her head and goes back into the pilot house. As we make our way through the passageways and down the ladders, I feel the ship's machinery change paces as it increases its speed through the river. The berthing space is almost exactly like we left it. Once there We stow our longarms in the racks and place our saddlebags on our bunks. After I do this Mort tells me, “Ok Cookie, let’s go see what Rust has for us.”

As we enter the pilot house, I hear Rust giving the command, “Ok, let's head back upriver to Lake Saddle. Once there we should be able to pick up some more wood from the hell hounds there.”

“Yes Ma’am,” I hear the new XO answer back to her.

She then turns to us and asks, “Ok, what the buck happened while you were gone causing us to have to get way too close to Enclave territory, and why do I now have a dog on my ship?”

Mort answers the first part, “Captain, they snookered us in. They held a line at the gap before the mountains, after a couple of days there we broke through with them falling back, and then they ambushed us and closed off the gap behind us. It was almost a perfect trap.”

I see her shake her head, then she asks, “It was that bad?”

Mort nods his head, “Yeah, yeah it was. We barely escaped when they snapped the trap. Hopefully, more than just our two teams made it out.”

I watch as Rust shakes her head with her eyes closed. “Ok, that sounds worse than I expected. Now what about the dog?”

This time I answer, “Oh, that is Katie, we found her next to her dead owner as we were hiding from the Enclave in an oasis. She seems to have adopted Xochitl.”

“And the rest of you?”

I shrug, “I guess. But she is closest to my husband. She is friendly enough to the rest of us though.”

“So, you can guarantee me that she will not cause a problem?”

“Rust, you know me, I do not guarantee the sun will come up tomorrow. But honestly, so far, she has shown to be extremely well-behaved.”

“OK, but remember, it is up to you and your team to clean up after her. We are not going to stop the Colt just so you can take her to shore for a walk.”

I find myself laughing as I tell her, “Ah, but why not Rust? I am sure Rough would.”

“Ginger, I am really glad you are laughing. But honestly, I am serious.”

“I know, Rust, we will be taking care of her.”

“That is all I ask.”

Mort just listens to what he realizes is a family discussion shaking his head. Once we are done, he asks, “Do you have anything more for us Captain?”

“Do I need to radio in to let those in Junction Town know we picked you up?”

Mort looks at me and I shrug. Then he tells her, “Yeah, you better so we can coordinate picking up Choo and the others.”

Rust then tells us, “Ok, I will have the message sent in a bit. Now, go clean up and I will see you both at dinner.”

“See you then Rust,” I tell her with a smile and a wave.

Once back to the compartment, I can see that the rest of both teams are already cleaning up their equipment and themselves. I go to the rack, pull out my weapon, and begin to clean it as I talk to the others.

“Xochitl, one of Rust's major concerns is that we make sure we clean up after Katie.”

He nods his head. “Already figured that would be a concern. We got it covered Cookie,” he tells me with a smile.

Mort from across the berthing then calls across, “Well I hope so. It is hard enough just keeping up with the rest of you.” This gets my husband to blush and the rest of us to laugh.

With that we all settle in and once those who are finished cleaning their equipment begin to remove their uniforms and get cleaned up themselves. Soon we have laundry hung to dry as well as cards being played. I notice Epona off to the side writing a letter. This gets me to smile and I decide perhaps I should write to my parents and let them know I am ok.

Before we know it, it is time for dinner. As we head up to the mess decks Katie joins us. As I enter them, I see Rust at her normal table and she waves me over. Once there she says, “Ok, I need to meet your newest team member.”

I see the smile on my husband’s face as he leads Katie over to the captain. Once he is at her table Xochitl tells her, “Captain, this is Katie.” Rust puts a hoof forward and I watch as Katie leans forward and sniffs it, then nuzzles it briefly.

Rust watches her and smiles. Then gives her a brief scratch behind the ear. “Good girl Katie, welcome aboard.”

Rust then looks up at us and asks, “Ok, so what does she eat?”

“Well, she can catch her own fish if given a chance, that is how I first met her. She also eats meat and cheese. Not too fond of a vegetarian diet from what I can tell, but she can eat almost anything,” Xochitl tells her.

She tilts her head to look at us as my husband rubs Katie behind the ears and asks, “Ok, so what do you plan to do with her when you are on an op?”

This time he cringes and I smile as I tell her, “Well, I guess it depends on the mission.”

“What do you mean?” she asks.

“Well, a quick snatch and grab she might do good. She does well on long-distance ones too,” he tells her with a lopsided grin.

I see a half smile on Rust's face as she sits with her forelegs crossed, “Really, you are sure about that?”

This time I answer, “Yeah, she even handled the flight better than some of the ponies I have seen.”

As I say this, I remember the family stories of step-grandma Emerado and Mama Mollygirl riding George the first time.

Rust nods her head and tells us, “Ok, well we should at least get her a collar and maybe a harness made up for her own gear. Now why not go get something to eat and sit down, I want to hear first hoof what happened. The NCR is keeping this one as quiet as they can.”

Soon we are all seated and enjoying our dinner. I notice that the old assistant cook, Corn Biscuit, has brought out a bowl with some meat and fish in it for Katie as well.

When she sees this, I see Rust raise an eyebrow, but she says nothing, as do I. I guess she never thought the crew might like to have a mascot before.

After dinner our teams all return to our berthing. Once there the cards come out. Before too much longer I see a couple of the regular crew are stopping by.

Most seem to just want to chat and meet Katie. A few bring their instruments and begin to play a bit. I am almost surprised when Rough Seas shows up. He comes in and says hello as usual. He looks at Katie lying next to Xochitl and asks, “Is it ok if I meet her?”

Xochitl sits up on his rack and tells him, “Sure, come on over.”

As he gets closer, I see Rough hold out his hoof much like Rust did. Once she has sniffed it, he slowly moves his hoof to her ear and begins to scratch her behind it. I smile at how he seems to have relaxed as well. Then I about laugh at the surprise on his face when she jumps up, puts both front paws on his shoulders, and begins to lick him.

Soon he has recovered and is laughing gently as he pets her back and tells her, “It is good to meet you too Katie.”

With Katie no longer hogging his attention, I can slide on the bunk next to my husband and cuddle with him as well.

Before too long we begin to hear the instruments playing the Mare I Left Behind Me. As it begins, I find myself and several others joining in as well. I feel a tear rise as I remember us singing this as we marched as part of the Co-op Expedition Force all those years ago.

Once we have finished, Rough cocks his head as he asks us, “Hey do you know the song Leave her Jumper Leaver her?”

We all look at each other and we all shake our heads no. Mort tells them, “Can’t quit say we have heard it before.”

Rough grins again, and nods his head, “I wondered about that. It is an old tune about a sailing ship returning home and how the crew was reluctant to leave.” He then turns to the musicians who are with him and asks, “Hey bucks can you join me in singing Leave Her Jumper, Leave Her?”

I watch as two of them nod their head. The fiddler drops it from his shoulder and lightly begins to tap out a melody as Rough begins, and the others sing the chorus for him,

Oh, the work was hard and the wages low.

Leave her Jumper, Leave her.

I guess it’s time for us to go

And it’s time for us to leave her.

Leave her Jumper, leave her,

Oh, leave her Jumper, leave her.

For the voyage is done and the winds don't blow

And it's time for us to leave her.

I find myself tapping my hoof along with it, as do several others. We are all enjoying his voice and the song itself somehow seems to get into a pony’s spirit to me.

She would not wear and she would not stay.

Leave her Jumper, leave her.

We shipped green seas both night and day

And it's time for us to leave her,

Leave her Jumper, leave her,

Oh, leave her Jumper, leave her,

For the voyage is done and the winds don't blow

And it's time for us to leave her.

There was rotten grain and a weevily bread

Leave her, Jumper, leave her

But eat it or starve the old Mare said

And it’s time for us to leave her

Leave her Jumper, leave her,

Oh, leave her Jumper, leave her,

For, the voyage is done and the winds don't blow

And it's time for us to leave her.

The winds were foul and the work was hard

Leave her, Jumper, leave her

From the Trottingham dock to the Buckland Yard and it’s time for us to leave her

Oh, leave her, Jumper, leave her

For the voyage is done and the winds don’t blow

And it’s time for us to leave her

By the third stanza, we are all joining in with the chorus. It goes on for a while more, but when it is finished, we offer the singers all a sip from a bottle that Tater had stashed in his saddlebags. Then in return, we sing Marry-Owen.

We spend a couple of hours going back and forth this way, with members of the Colt’s crew dropping by for a bit to sing with us or just listen to the music. It almost reminds me of Xochitl’s and my time with the CEF in the camps. That night when we go to sleep, I sleep better than I have in some time.

*****

Baltimare Colt, enroute to the Rendezvous point: Xochitl

Once we landed, I felt much more relieved. At least we are back with our own people again. I know it sounds silly, but honestly, sometimes I am really getting tired of being on our own with hardly any backup. I shake my head, then again, look how much backup we had outside of Reino. Bullocks what a mess. The Colonel would never have fallen for that trick I think to myself. Well, I at least hope she would not have.

After we got to our berthing, we all began to clean our weapons, I even cleaned Ginger’s as she and Mort had to go talk to Rust. I do not know why I bother though as I know she will clean it once she gets back.

On the positive side, after the weapons are taken care of, I take off my uniform for the first time in over a week and a half. Goddess, do I reek, but what can we do? Several of us go and get buckets of water from the river as we pass through it. Then we use soap in the buckets to try and scrub them. Once done with that, well then, we finally dump the buckets, go get more clean water, and rinse them before hanging them up so they can dry. It may not be the best system, but it sure beats smelling like a dead radhog left too long in the sun.

After the uniforms and gear are clean, we all begin to use sponges and soap with the buckets to clean ourselves as well. Sometimes before these longer ops, I forget just how good it feels to get clean again.

I also take the time to wash up Katie. At first, she is hesitant, but when she sees the rest of us being cleaned with soap and water she finally relents. Once done after I have finally toweled her off, she shakes what moisture is still left on her spraying me and the others.

Soon I take her out on deck and I notice one of the crew members must take care of their business. I turn my head to give them some privacy but I notice that Katie is watching with her head tilted as they lean slightly over the edge of the deck and go. She looks up at me as if asking me a question, then after the crew member has gone, she trots over to that spot, leans against one of the supports, and goes. To say the least, I am surprised, but this will make taking care of her much easier. I was kind of afraid it would end up being like the first time Ginger and I met Choo Choo in her cave and she surprised us enough that we both made a mess. Then the Colonel and Quick Frost made us clean it up.

Once Ginger gets back, she and Mort fill us all in on what they talked about. Then she tells me, “Rust wants to meet Katie at dinner.”

I will have to admit that I was nervous about how the crew of the Colt would accept Katie when we went back. They all seemed a bit nervous at first, at least until the captain accepted her. After that, well, let us just say she is now treated like the rest of us.

I have to say I am pleased when Corn Biscuit brings her a bowl of her own to use and tells Katie, “I remember when I was new on here too.”

I smile at him and ask, “How is your daughter Short Biscuit doing?”

He grins widely, “She is doing well enough, she came to see me some while we were rebuilding the Colt. I hardly can make it to White Cloud, but she knows I am still alive and that we both love each other. That is enough. I am just glad that Miss Text Book took care of her and the other students who were with her back then.”

I smile slightly as I remember us finding Miss Text Book and her class in the ruins of Good Doer. I smile a bit more when I remember how close she became with Suture's mother Doula. The fact that even one of their parents survived Fillydelphia and found them is nearly a miracle. But I guess his being willing to help cook for the crew got him his job on the Colt too. I almost smirk when I realize how many of us strays have made this old riverboat our home.

After dinner, we return to our berthing and I lay back down on my bunk, hoping to cuddle with my wife. Instead, I am surprised when Katie climbs up next to me instead. I almost shake my head as it reminds me very much of how Woofers and Tweeters used to be when we were in camp.

Some of the others begin to play cards, and after a while a few of the regular crew show up and begin to talk and trade stories. Before too much longer the instruments come out.

I have to smile when Rough Seas shows up to meet Katie, as she jumps down to meet him and Ginger quickly takes her place.

Before too much longer the music is going and as all good ponyfolk do, the singing begins. I am surprised at how good of a voice Rough has, and find myself joining in as we all sing chorus for him for a song, he calls Leave her Jumper Leaver her.

After that, we return the favor with a round of Marry-Owen. We sang several songs that night, with the final one being an old Co-op favorite of Red is the Rose. As we sing it, I notice Epona has some tears in her eyes as she steps outside onto the main deck. After we are done, and most of the others have left, I make my way to my sister-in-law and ask, “Epona, are you ok?”

She nods her head, wipes a tear, and tells me, “Yeah, that song just always gets to me. It was one of my birthmother’s favorites. Especially when Mama Mollygirl from my side of the doorway sang it to her.”

Ah, now I understand. I put a hoof around her shoulder and give her a quick hug, “I can understand that.”

She smiles and tells me, “It’s ok, just a really good memory, of times I miss.”

“Yeah, I do understand that to Pona. I have a few like that too.”

She looks at me funny at first, then asks, “Really?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I usually keep those just to myself,” and then I give her a gentle smile. “A few of them even came from the expedition. Someday maybe Ginger and I can even sing for you the March of the CEF.”

She raises an eyebrow, “I never heard that one?”

I shrug, “Most have not. Those on the expedition started to sing it after Targhee. I think the old Equestrian Rangers started it. Only a few of them made it through the Valley and into the Enfields after they rebuilt them with the old volunteer troop.”

She looks at me with a bit of a questioning expression, and then she tells me, “Ma never really said much about what happened to them when she met us after we came back through the doorway. I always wondered why?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, not one of her better memories either that day. To be honest Pona, I had given up on making it out of there alive. My father and I both refused to be slaves again.”

She nods her head, “Yeah, I can believe that.” She laughs lightly then tells me, “You know Cohitl, you are not the same gentle colt I met over on the other side. But I think the way you are now is the way my sister needed you to be.”

I find myself grinning at her when she says this and asks, “Do you really mean that?”

She nods her head, “Yeah, I do, just like I now realize I am the person the Purchase needs and she is the one I need.” She pauses then asks, “Cohtil, I know I have not gotten to spend much time with her, but I find her like no one else I have ever met. Is that how you felt about Ginger?”

“Yeah, yeah it is. Ever since I first met her.”

“What about this sides Epona?” she asks.

I look over at my wife and smile, then I tell her, “If things were different back then, who knows? But Epona, I try not to think about such things.”

She chuckles lightly, “Yeah, you're right. I am going to hit my hammock, have a good night, Xochitl.”

“You too Epona, sleep well my sister,” I tell her and put a hoof lightly on her shoulder as she heads back inside. I then look over and see my wife and our dog standing to the side.

I hear her let out a deep breath and she tells me, “I love you too. Thanks for being a stallion I can trust.”

I put a hoof around her shoulder and kiss her lightly on her cheek, then tell her, “Thank you for being a mare worth being faithful for.” After this, Katie leads us back inside to our bunks. Ginger climbs into mine with me and soon we have Katie at our hind hooves and under the blanket. The lanterns are then all turned down low, and we settle into sleep for the night, lulled by the sounds of the ship’s machinery and the sounds of the river lapping against the hull.

We stop the next day for fuel near Ponyville. Rust puts the bow close to the shore and uses a winch and boom to move the ramp over to the shore. After this, we trade some fresh radgator meat as well as caps for firewood. I am amused at how the local pack of hellhounds reacts to Katie; they seem almost amused by her. However, one does ask me, “Why keep her, you?”

I continue to scratch her behind her ear as I answer, “Well she joined us after we found her and she seems to enjoy our company as much as we do hers.”

“So, no use to fight?”

I shake my head, “No, we do not plan to use her to fight. However, if she goes on missions with us, we may use her to carry some extra supplies, but nothing too heavy.”

I talk to him a bit more, then we are finished loading the wood and Rust gives the order, “All hands back aboard, we need to make way.”

We all trundle back aboard and once the brow is back on the deck, I feel the sternwheel begin to pull us away from the shore. Once far enough out, I feel the direction of movement of the sternwheel shift and I hear the familiar horn blast of the Water line being blown to let those around know we are leaving.

We slowly make our way back downriver making sure we take the correct branch so we do not end up in the Ghastly Gorge. Once we pass the old Cathedral and the wrecked skyship there I begin to relax some.

The Colt makes its best speed through the rivers, but it takes us two more days to make it to the rendezvous point. Once there we drop anchor and wait for Choo, Moon Lily, and the batponies.

We are just starting to get nervous when after sunset we begin to hear the echolocation of the batponies. Katie hears them first and tilts her head with her ears raised. Then she lets out a high-pitched howl. Before long we can see their shadows in the night sky as they make their way to us.

Ginger wraps her tail with mine and tells me, “At least this is going as planned.”

I smile back at her and tell her, “Yeah, at least something is.”

*****

Enroute to the rendezvous point, Disputed territory: Choo Choo

The first night out we fly for six hours, stopping to rest for ten minutes at the end of each one. It is not easy and I know it is rougher than Moon Lily is used to, but we are making our way as fast as we can to where we are to meet the Colt and her crew.

It is at the final stop for the night, just before that, it happens. We have gone into an old farmhouse to shelter for the day and to get some sleep. We make our camp in the basement after making sure it is clear. The rest have bedded down for some sleep when I hear three sets of hooves cautiously making their way across the floor upstairs. Then I hear the basement door begin to open and I hear a somewhat familiar young voice say, “Come on mares, I think we should check in here.”

I ready my weapon just in case I need it. As the steps get closer Moon Lily gets up and in the light glow of my horn tells me, “It is ok Granny, I was expecting them.”

I set my weapon down and asked, “Expecting who?”

Then I hear, “Hey Moon, sorry we are late.”

“Hi, Slip Stream the others with you too?” Moon Lily excitedly asks.

From behind the first silhouette, I hear, “Yep we all made it Moon.”

I then see both of Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider’s daughters as well as Major Dull Beak’s all standing there before me as they exchange hugs with Moon.

“What are you three doing here?” I ask in a stern voice.

The young hippogriff Slip Stream looks at me and answers, “We are here for Moon. We could not let her leave home without us. After all, it is the filly code, where one goes, we all go.”

I hear either Frost Glitter or Snow Song then add, “Yep, just like in the Fancy Flew and the Fancy Flight Mystery Gang. We are all here for our friend.”

I feel myself facehoof as they say this. Goddesses Bless it! Why, why did they have to do this I ask myself. Then I hear the other one say, “Besides, it is just like how Moon’s older siblings all did it too. Just like their stories. Especially Ginger and Cohitl when they ran away to the expedition with you.”

Oh, Snap! That really has come back to bite me in the flank. I let out a sigh as I realize we are too far away to send them back without missing our rendezvous with the Colt. I guess now I know how Mollygirl felt all those years ago.

I am slowly shaking my head when I notice the hippogriff does not have a weapon. “Young mare, where is your weapon if you are coming out into the wastelands?”

She looks down and quietly tells me, “Ma and Pa told me I can not have one yet. But Moon and the rest have already taught me how to shoot and hunt.”

Quietly I hear Sunny say behind me, “Oh no. son of a buck.”

I ignore him and tell her, “Well, I am glad to hear that, stick close to the others until we get to the Colt, then we will see what we can do to arm you too.”

As this is going on the Lance Corporal, Morning Star comes over and asks, “What is going on ma’am?”

I tilt my head and point with one wing towards the three new arrivals and tell her, “Lance, it looks like we have had three last-minute volunteers show up.”

She looks at the three of them and I see a bit of surprise on her face. Then she slowly nods her head, “Yes your Highness’s.”

Again, I facehoof, “Lance, please, do not call us that, I have already told you not to.”

“Yes ma’am,” she answers as she looks at Moon Lily with wide eyes for confirmation.

Moon smiles at her and tells her, “Morning Star, I already told you the princesses agreed we do not have any princesses still in our universe.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I remember that.”

I watch the three new arrivals all smile at her and then at each other. Finally, I tell them all, “We can figure that out later, now all of you, go get some sleep. I will wake you when it is time to get moving again.”

“Yes Granny,” Moon tells me as she makes her way back to her bedroll.

Her three friends all look at me and tell me, “Yes ma’am.” Then they all go and put their bedrolls next to hers then soon are fast asleep. After they are lying down Morning Star comes over to me and asks, “Ma’am what did they mean about you, Ginger, and Chotil?”

I then explain to her, “Ten years ago when the expedition was leaving Manesville, I was still recovering from the break with Unity. I was friends with Xochitl and Ginger and I helped them hide in a wagon until we were too far from home to get them home safely, after that we became scouts for the CEF.”

She looks at me in confusion, “Choo, how did Sunny fit in all that?”

“Oh, we met him and his mother while on the expedition. His mother and Trouble knew each other before that and she joined us too, bringing him with us.”

“So, are you saying his mother brought him into the scouts as a child?”

I shake my head, “No, raiders were getting ready to hit the farm where the family was living that she had left him with. She kept him in the civilian camp with them when we were in action. When she could she and his father would spend time with Sunny.”

“Ok, I guess I understand that, but how did he get involved with the fighting then?”

I sigh and for a moment I am remembering those final days in the Valley. I take a deep breath and slowly release it before I answer her, “You must remember, by the last day the CDF had not contacted us, we were trapped and we were giving up hope of most of us escaping. Colonel Mollygirl had come up with what she called Operation Foal Lift. Once we heard the song Winter Wrap up on our PipBucks we were to begin evacuating all the foals and calfs that were with us. All the pegasi were to evacuate as well while the rest of the CEF was buying us time to escape.”

As I tell her this, I see her eyes are wide and she is nodding her head slowly. Then I continue, “Right as they attacked that morning, we heard the music and we began the evacuation. However, many of us who were supposed to help ended up in dogfights trying to protect those behind us. It was during this time that Sunny saw a griffon getting ready to attack an unarmed mother with her week-old foal. He put himself between them and began attacking him without any weapons until other help could arrive.”

“Did he really need to do that?”

I nod my head, “Unfortunately, yes, he did. We lost several foals and adults while we were trying to get them across.”

“What finally happened to all of you? How did you get out?” she asks.

I look at the ceiling above us trying hard to push back the memories. Then I answer, “When our lines were broken, our radio operator sent out the message of broken saber. That is when one battalion of the 2nd Manesville finally let us know they were there. They opened up with artillery and began an air assault to relieve us. But until that point, not one of us even knew the 2nd Manesville existed, much less that help had been sent.”

She then asks, “So what happened to all the civilians that were with you?”

I chuckle mirthlessly then answer, “You ever been to White Cloud? Those survivors were the founders. Perhaps that helps to explain part of the town's attitude as well. They do seem to be an independent lot over there.”

She nods her head and then smiles. “Thank you for telling me that Captain, it helps me to understand him a lot more.” She pauses then asks, “Is that why you do this instead of having joined the regulars?”

“Yes and no, Lance Corporal, I was a regular for eight years after that. When the youngsters got done with school and tried to enlist, well for some reason they were told they could not. So, I formed our little business. As for working as NCR Rangers, well, we got drafted into that. But it pays the bills and is for a good cause. Now, do me a favor Lance, go lay down and get some sleep. I will wake you an hour before the rest so I can catch a nap.”

She looks at me surprised, “Captain, will that be enough time to sleep for you?”

“Lance, since I took this form, I have not needed much sleep, so please do not worry about me.”

“Yes ma’am,” she tells me, then she goes and lays down in her bedroll near Sunny and the rest of her scouts.

I smile at that, but then I start to remember those days so long ago. I do wake her an hour before the others need to get up, and I lay down for some rest as well. Once I am awake again the sun is already setting. We get up, grab a quick bite of rations, and then Asra and Arrats make their way upstairs and make sure that the coast is clear so we can all quietly leave.

Once in the air again, I notice that the other three are flying in formation with Moon Lily. Next to me is Sunny, who shakes his head and tells me, “Well, at least we trained them all, I guess. I wondered why they were so eager to prove they were as ready as Moon was.”

“Yes, I am sure that it did make you wonder. I am also sure that is why they never said anything to us about wanting to go along.”

He grins at me after I say this and tells me, “Well, after this is done, I guess they will have stories to tell that match Ginger and Chotil’s with the rest of the family.”

We fly through the darkness much like we did the night before. Twice during our flight, we adjust our route, once because we all see a very large flying creature in the distance, that we do not want to mess with. One of the advantages of being an alicorn is that my eyes are so much better in the dark than a regular ponies, that I can barely make it out. However, I do not tell the others as I swear it looks like a giant bat. So, we divert and it does not seem to notice us and I am happy with that.

The other time we can see a vertibuck flying nap of the earth as it barely clears trees and old power lines. We hear it first and go to the ground quickly. Once there we take what shelter we can as it zooms past us with no lights being visible. We wait for twenty minutes after it has gone by before we take to the air again. Towards dawn we begin to look for a place to take shelter in that is near the big river and our rendezvous point.

We eventually find a small cave that is on the back side of a hill away only a few miles from where we are to meet the Colt. Once down for the day, we quickly cover the entrance with brush before we set up a watch so we can all grab some sleep.

Just before we get ready to leave our shelter for the day, I barely hear some voices whisper outside. I hold up a wing to signal the others to be quiet and not move.

“I don’t like it Trip Set, that cave was not covered yesterday.”

“Well, what do you wants to do then Chaw Spit? You want to go looking in there?”

“Well, maybe we can go get a couple more of the gang to back us up then.”

“Yeah, let's do that. Who knows maybe whoever is in there will have some good stuff for us to take.”

I then hear them moving away. Then I lead the others back outside and we quickly take flight and climb high to avoid being detected easily. As we gain altitude, the scouts start to use their echolocation to try and find the Colt. Soon we hear a dog howling back to them. They all look at each other and slowly make their way toward the dog’s voice.

Before too much longer we can start to make out the shape of a riverboat at anchor near the bank of the river.

We make our way closer and I can see the shape of a vertibuck that is covered on its back end as well as the gun mounts that I know had been added to the Colt. I smile and tell the others, “OK we are here.”

Soon I can see Ginger and Xochitl along with a dog standing on the top deck waving to us. We all land in a large group near them. I can tell when they see the other youngsters who are with us and I hear Ginger tell her husband, “Well, so much for things going as planned I guess.”

*****

Nightingale Military Hospital, Thunderhead, Enclave Territory: Ball Lightning.

I had just finished turning in my last assignment for my class when my instructor notified me, “Before you head back to your unit Major, you are to report to the Nightingale Military Hospital for a once-over.”

“Any idea why sir?”

He shakes his head, “No, not for certain, but perhaps to make sure you are fit enough to return to command, especially as I see you have three previous wound badges. I would not worry though, if they thought you would be disqualified, I am sure that they would have already pulled you from training and dismissed you from service.”

The last part of his statement gets me to raise an eyebrow, but I say nothing other than, “Thank you for letting me know. I will head over there after the exam.”

He nods his head, “Very good Major. Now please take your seat.”

Once I have turned in the exam, I make my way as quickly as I can to the hospital. I check in at the front desk and I am told, “Ah, Major Ball Lightning, yes, we have an appointment set up for you this afternoon. If you would like I can call up to see if they are ready for you, or you can return here after eating lunch in the cafeteria.”

I think briefly and tell him, “Please call up to see if they are ready, if not, I will get something to eat until then.”

He makes a quick call and tells me, “One of the nurses will be right with you sir. Please wait here.”

Soon a young female nurse meets me and tells me, “Please come with me, Major.”

I follow her from there to an elevator, once in the elevator she asks, “Do you know why you are here Sir?”

“Not really, I was just told to show up here.”

She nods he head, “That is good then. Sir, that was for your privacy, due to the extent of your injuries over the years we are going to perform a comprehensive checkup on you, both physically and mentally. I am taking you to see our psychologist first.”

Once in the psychologist's office, I am told to sit down. He then begins to ask me a series of questions, many of which seem to repeat themselves. The first one is, “Do you feel like harming yourself or anyone else?”

I tilt my head and put my muzzle down slightly as I ask him, “Really? Are you kidding me?”

He looks over his glasses at me and tells me, “Yes, I am serious, now Major, do you feel like harming yourself or others at this time?”

I laugh lightly, “No, I don’t. Harming myself is pretty much a no-go for me. Harming others? Only in the line of duty.”

After he is done with the one list, he begins to ask me other questions concerning my sleep and whether I am getting enough, and if I have nightmares.

I look at him seriously and tell him, “Sir, with the stuff I have seen and been through, of course I am going to have some. But let’s be honest, I do not have any more than most others.”

He nods his head and makes a note on his pad. Then he continues. Once finished he stands up and tells me, “Major thank you for stopping by today. If I may say so, you have a much better mental resiliency than many others who have had similar experiences to you.”

I shake hooves with him and tell him, “Thanks Doc, I guess. I hope that cleared things up a bit for you.”

He nods his head, “Yes it did, now my nurse will take you to begin the physical exam.”

I then ask him, “Doc, what is this all about anyways?”

He looks surprised and tells me, “You don’t know? You are in line to be a commander for one of the forming units. It may not happen right away, but it is in the works. Now I best let you get going and I have some paperwork that I need to fill out, good luck Major.”

During my next appointment at the hospital, they take several magic scans of my body, with an emphasis on the areas that I had injured when I was wounded all those times.

The doctor examines the scans and I hear him humming several times to his self. Finally, he turns to me and tells me, “If you want to return to service in the scouts for the duration of the war, we can replace several of your parts with artificial ones.” He pauses then looks at my chart again, “Sorry, not without a spleen. I did not mean to get your hopes up, Major. However, looking at the fruit salad on your uniform, your age, and your rank, I would say you are well on track as it is. Other than those injuries that have prevented you from staying in the recon scouts, you are healthy and fit for command.”

For some reason, I do feel slightly let down when he says this, but it is what I expected to be honest with myself. “Thank you, Doctor. Is there anything else you need me for?”

He shakes his head, “No, but thank you for coming in. You may return to your current duties’ sir.”

I nod my head, pick up my saddlebags, and tell him, “Have a good day sir.” Then I head back to the school house.

Once there I verify my final test score and am given my certificate as well as my paperwork to allow me to transport back down to the RDS. I quickly head back to my room, grab the rest of my gear and as I am leaving, I say my goodbyes to Down Draft. Then I am on my way home with only a brief stop to catch a ride at the Thunderhead Air Station first.

Once at the air station transport hanger, I make my way to the sergeant at the dispatch desk. He looks up at me and smiles, “Good to see you again Major. Finally done with your studies, sir?”

“Finally. It will be good to get home to my family again.”

He shakes his head, “I can understand wanting to be with your family sir, but I do not think I could ever call being down there home.”

I shrug, “You know Sergeant, at one time I could not either. But it is not that bad in some places.” As I say that my mind slides back to the Manesville region and their fields of crops and farms. I smile briefly then I remember what Choo told me has happened there since.

He nods his head and non-committedly tells me, “I will take your word for it, sir.” He pauses then tells me, “If you would like to wait in the Officers’ lounge this time sir, I will come and get you when your flight is ready to board.”

“That sounds good, is it a large flight this time?”

He shrugs, “Not too bad sir. Maybe a dozen or so. Mostly civilians and a couple of replacements it seems.”

“Sounds pleasant enough. Thank you, Sergeant.”

Once in the lounge, I order myself a shot of Wild Pegasus with a cider chaser. As I drink my cider, I find myself snacking on some carrots, radishes, and dip. I can tell they are Enclave grown as they are not as flavorful as those I get ground side.

On the television behind the bar, I can see a buckball game being played that I only pay a bit of attention to. I am considering ordering another drink when I see a shave-tail lieutenant enter the lounge. As he looks around, I notice his eyes are full of wonder. He spots me in uniform and begins to head my way. I can tell though when he sees my rank insignia in the mirror behind the bar. Then I see his jaw drop when he sees my ribbon rack and wound badge with clusters.

He starts to back away and I consider letting him go, but I remember being at that point in my career as well, so I tell him, "It's OK lieutenant, grab a seat and some snacks if you want.”

I swear I hear a slight squeak out of him when he hears me speaking to him. Then he asks, “Are you sure sir? I do not want to bother you, sir.”

I find myself shaking my head slightly as I give a slight chuckle. Then I tell him, “Yeah, I am sure.” I wait until he has taken a seat at the bar then I ask him, “So what brings you here Lieutenant.”

He stops from taking a bite of a carrot and answers, “I am heading down to my new duty station sir.”

This gets my curiosity so I ask him, “Can you tell me where you are going?”

He looks around then he tells me, “Sir for security reasons I shouldn’t tell you.”

“Fair enough, makes sense. So, where are you from originally? By your accent, I can tell you are not a native to Thunderhead.”

He takes a sip of a cider he has ordered and tells me, “I was raised over in Coltlumbia in one of the small cloud farm settlements that nopony ever seems to have heard of called Radish Drop.”

I find myself amused by the name and I tell him, “Yeah, I have to say I have never heard of it either. With a name like that it is not one most people would forget.”

I see he looks slightly uncomfortable and I ask him, “Something bothering you son?”

“Uh, no, not really, just you said most people, not most ponies. I have never heard it used like that before.”

I take another drink of my cider before answering, “Well, I have spent some time dirtside, so I have learned to think beyond just ponies. I had not even realized I had done that.”

He nervously takes another drink and then asks, “Have you spent a lot of time with those mudpuppies down there, sir?”

I grab a nice-sized radish, dip it then take a bite of it before answering him, “You could say that Lieutenant, you could say that. I have been through a large part of what they call the NCR even. While it is a rough place, some places have started to recover. But I have to admit, they are not the same as being home in the Enclave.”

I have almost finished my drink when the Sergeant from the desk comes in and informs me, “Major, your flight is getting ready to board right now. Of course, as senior officer on the flight, you are expected to load last.” He pauses and then tells me, “Also sir, If I do not see you before your wife has the foals, I wish you the best of luck and I hope they are healthy.”

“Thank you, Sergeant, I appreciate it,” I tell him, Then I turn to the Lieutenant and tell him, “Good Luck Lieutenant, wherever you are heading.”

He nods his head, “Thank you, sir.”

As I am getting up the Sergeant tells the shavetail, “Sir, you are on the same flight as the Major, you need to hurry as he will be the last passenger to load.”

I slow my walk as I see him finish his cider then grab a mouthful of radishes and begin to make his way to the flight line as well.

I watch him load and then am told by the flight crew chief, “Sir, you may board when you are ready.”

I trot on and sit down nearest to the door. Once the flight begins, I find myself taking my usual nap until we are ready to land. Once on the ground there I am the first person off and I begin my trek back to the HQ to report in. I have reported back to my CO when I hear one of our clerks behind me ask someone, “Can I help you, Lieutenant?”

I hear an exasperated voice that I recognize as having just met a while ago reply, “Yes Corporal, here are my orders, I have been assigned to the 353rd and I am reporting in.”

I hear the smile in the clerk’s voice as she answers, “Yes sir, I can help you with that. Let me notify the Sergeant Major.”

I continue to do what paperwork is on my desk as I hear Funnel Cloud ask, “OK lieutenant, what can we do for you?”

“Sergeant Major Sir, I am reporting for duty.”

I can almost hear the amusement in Funnel's voice as he tells him, “You are no longer at OCS Lieutenant, I call you sir now.” Then I hear a brief pause, “Ok, everything seems to be in order, let me go see if the XO is in and if he wants to talk to you.”

A few minutes later he drifts into the doorway and tells me, “Sir, we have a new lieutenant here who needs an assignment.”

“How many open billets do we have for a new lieutenant?” I ask.

He tells me, “Only one sir, right now Bullseye is still wearing two hats as both company commander and platoon leader.”

I nod my head, “That will be fine, I guess I should talk to him a bit too, to welcome him.” I say with a hint of humor in my voice. Then I tell him, “Bring him in to me please.”

“Yes sir,” he tells me with a questioning look.

Soon I see him leading the young lieutenant into my office. I take a perverse bit of enjoyment at the shock on his face. I watch as he pulls himself together and introduces himself, “Good evening, sir, Lieutenant Windblast reporting for duty, sir.”

“Take a seat lieutenant.”

He looks nervous but follows the orders, still sitting at attention. I turn to Funnel Cloud and tell him, “Close the door on your way out but wait so you can have someone take him over to his new company when we are done, we shouldn’t take long.”

“Yes sir,” he tells me and closes the door on his way out.

I turn to my new officer and smile as I tell him, “Good evening, Lieutenant, I am Major Ball Lightning. Welcome to the 353rd. Just to give you a heads up you will be going to my old company. Your company CO there advanced from the ranks.” As I say this, I see him crinkle his muzzle slightly and his ears shift down some. I raise an eyebrow and tell him, “If you want my advice, and believe me you better listen to it. Learn from her. She is very competent and has a lot she can teach you. Also, listen to your senior non-coms. Ask their opinions, but remember, you are the officer and the decisions as well as the responsibility for the consequences of them falls upon you. I too was once a shave tail lieutenant and I had a couple of good NCOs who taught me enough that I was able to be where I am in my career.”

He is looking straight ahead like a cadet as I tell him this. And I am afraid he may have zoned out what I have told him. But I hope not. Then I say to him, “Tell me a bit about yourself, Lieutenant.”

He begins by going over what he has already told me, as well as his grades in OCS. Then I ask him, “So what non-military skills do you bring to us?”

He shrugs and tells me, “You mean besides farming sir?”

I nod my head and he answers, “Sir, I like to do research and dig out facts from old texts. I also enjoy doing crossword puzzles.”

I find myself tilting my head and smiling as I listen. Finally, I tell him, “It sounds like you bring us some skills that we could use in the Military Police. I am glad to have you here. Now I will let you get going again and have you taken over to your captain so she can meet you before it is too late.”

He stands up from the chair and moves to the door. As he opens it I see Funnel Cloud standing there. He looks at the lieutenant and tells him, “Follow me sir, oh, and Lieutenant, you will meet our CO tomorrow morning at 0900 hours. I set up the appointment for you while you were busy.”

Once they are gone, I finish up what I need to before heading home. As I fly home, I am met by Savanna and Lil’ Bit, who fly the rest of the way with me. As we go Savanna tells me, “It is good to have you home again Dad. Just to let you know, we asked Mom already and she said to ask you, Scrap and Patches found some stray kittens and wanted to keep one of them.”

*****

Good evening to all of you wastelanders out there tonight, I am Broadcast Nights, coming to you live from Junction Town. In tonight’s news, we have reports of continued skirmishing between the Enclave and NCR forces around Chicacolt. Sources state that both sides have begun to dig in among the wreckage as yet another storm moves through this area.

In Horseton NCR forces have fallen back from the city in an attempt to consolidate the lines while waiting for additional forces to arrive.

From Vanhoover there have come several rumors of attacks against the Steel Ranger base there as well as against other non-aligned forces by the Enclave.

With the recent failure of NCR forces in the Mohoofie, outside Reino, there have been renewed calls for a vote of no confidence concerning President Grimfeathers. It is my humble opinion that those calling the loudest may not have the best interest of the NCR and our people at heart.

In other news, the Enclave forces outside of Whinnyapolis have been reported to be withdrawing as the winter begins to settle into that region once again. One credible source there has also indicated that a recent influx of volunteer forces from outside this region may be partially responsible for this. That only goes to show that we are stronger when we join together to fight despotism.

Remember, even a pack of strays can overwhelm a wolf as long as they work together. With that in mind to all of you, my fellow wastelanders and NCR citizens, here is The Strays.

Author's Note

Well, the Repair Ponies are all back together again, at least for a while. I hope you have enjoyed a glimpse into what shipboard life is like for them. The song Leave Her Jumper Leave her is a Ponified version of Leave her Johnny leave her. If you would like to hear the original the YouTube link is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s0xl0MGXvg

In this chapter, we also get to see Ball Lightning finish his studies and return to his normal duties and home. He has finished his command courses and is now waiting for his chance to have a command of his own. We also get to see how he handles the newer officers and their biases.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song, the YouTube link is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp6sbMRktes