Chapter 6: Initial Contacts

"I hate violence. I hate injustice more." — Odd Thomas

*****

S.S. Baltimare Colt, Hoofrock River, NCR: Ginger Snaps

As the steam whistle of the Baltimare Colt sounds I look up from the old copy of Equestria Army Today I am reading. I look over and see Xochitl looking downriver from us and I see what his gaze is landing on. I know that I should not be surprised, but still, I am when I see another steamboat coming towards us. As I look closer, I notice that it is decorated like a raiders camp. I see the remains of some of their victims tied to the side of the ship. I also notice that they have a twenty-millimeter gun mounted on their main deck.

Next, I hear the Baltimare Colt’s steam whistle sound five short blasts as the captain calls us to quarters, our emergency stations. I put down my magazine and begin to kit up as I hear Tater call out, “Captain says we have some river pirates to deal with. She asks we kit up and help with defense.” He stops to catch his breath briefly and tells Choo, “Captain wants you and Sunny to go high and snipe at them first, then strafe ‘em when you can.”

I nod my head as I slip my battle saddle and SIR on. Then I grab my helmet and run for the foredeck and take cover behind some of the wood we had picked up just last week, as a line of bullets strikes where I was running just seconds before. Beside me I hear Xochitl slide to a stop as he says, “I knew things were going to smooth Ginger,” then he takes aim with his zebra carbine, and let’s go several quick shots. I can tell even at this distance when he hits one, as I can not only hear the screams, but I see the pirate has burst into flames from the enchantment that the carbine has put on the bullet it fired.

Crouching down to reload quickly I look up and behind and I can see much of the crew have taken what they consider their battle stations. Soon I see Epona come running across the deck and going below. The Colt’s best helmspony having taken the wheel.

I then pop up and fire two quick three-round bursts then shelter down as rounds pop above me. Soon I see Epona come running towards us. I smile as I notice that not only does she have her normal carbine, but she has her zebra gladius attached to her battle saddle. I shake my head as I remember hearing her tell me how she captured it from a legionnaire when she and Tater snuck with the Colonel on a raid against the Legion at Fort Hope. I laughed thinking she was joking, and we ended up having one of our almost famous scraps. Now I wish I had one. Ya’ know, just in case.

She almost has to crawl to get near Tater and me and I can see her grinning. I raise an eyebrow as she tells me with a slight laugh, “Well, we are keeping up family tradition it seems.”

As she says this, I see Xochitl pop up and fire a couple of rounds and his eyes go wide. I pop my head up and look just as the captain begins to let out a long blast of the horn. Both riverboats seem to be on a collision course. I hear the rapid staccato of their 20mm gun and see parts of the superstructure on the Colt being blasted into splinters. Then I see Cowlick on the upper level hiding behind some crates. He pops up and I notice he has the Mare Duce on his battle saddle, with which he cuts loose with several short bursts, first on the crew of the 20mm. Then when they are silenced, I see him fire at their pilothouse. I see several holes appear in the wood on it, then I hear the captain yell over the din, “Cowlick, fire into the area on the main deck below their chimneys.”

He simply nods and shifts his fire. After which I hear a loud scream of hissing steam and a white cloud begins to come out of their craft from the area he hit. As he does this, I see him take a hit suddenly and he goes down. Immediately I see Twinkle Hoofs in her full barding running to him and beginning first aid.

They are almost alongside us now. I see them trying to run into us with much of their crew on deck getting ready to board us. They are even laughing and yelling at us about what they are going to do. That is when I look up again at the pilothouse and I see Rust Water looks like she is laughing, and she has a detonator in her forehooves. She twists it and pushes it down. And several claymore mines that were mounted on the side for just such a situation all detonate, releasing hundreds of ball bearings right into their faces from only a boat widths distance. Some of them simply cease to exist. Others are badly wounded and scream like the trapped souls in Tartarus. A few who had better sense had hidden out of sight and as they drift alongside the Colt, they try to board us.

From above I can hear Choo Choo with her miniguns and Sunny strafing the pirate vessel. I watch as Epona draws the gladius and with a yell, she charges in a counterattack to the raiders, Tater right beside her with one of the ship's fire axes in his mouth. Xochitl and I exchange a quick glance at each other, and we jump up and spray those who are on the main deck of the stricken and now beginning to burn vessel. As we do this Sunny shoots one of the pirates who was getting ready to throw a firebomb onto the Colt.

As the stricken raider rolls back and forth in pain trying to put the fire out, his tail flail strikes several others who try to assist him, and the wood of the superstructure begins to burn also.

Onboard the Colt I can hear the fighting coming closer to us and I turn just in time to see Xochitl drop down to one forehoof as he spins on it and lashes out with both of his back hooves into the facemask of one of the pirates, snapping his head back with a sickening crunch.

While this is going on I can feel the deck beneath me begin to shake as we begin to move in reverse and are pulled upriver from the now flaming wreck that had attacked us.

Those who made it onto the Colt from it are desperate and fight like timberwolves. But shortly afterward we have eliminated the last of them. Their bodies are being inspected first to see if they have anything the crew of the Baltimare Colt can use or sell. Then they are simply thrown over the side into the river. One of the deck crew who has a deep cut on one side of his face looks at me and says, “Fish gotta eat too.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, and I have a feeling they got off lighter than we would have if the results were reversed.”

He grins and nods his head. Then he says, “Ya know, your team seems to get it. Ya ain’t brutal, but ya ain’t soft either.”

I just grin as Xochitl tells him, “Most of our team has dealt with raiders before. We all lost those we care about.” Then he turns to me and says, “Love if you don’t mind, I need to go make sure Cowlick is going to be ok.”

I nod my head, “Sure thing, let me know what you find out. I want to help finish up here.”

As I see him disappear into the riverboat's skin, I can hear the crackle of the fire on the pirate ship, and I watch as it sinks lower into the water. I then feel the paddlewheel reverse, sending vibrations through the hull as we begin to move downriver again. As we pass what is left of the wreck its safety valves let what steam was still in its boilers escape.

Soon we are finished with our cleanup of the deck area and we head back into our bunk area and begin to clean our weapons and then our equipment. As I am reassembling the SIR, I notice Epona looking at me. “Ok Pona, what is it?”

She shakes her head, then she tells me, “Sis, did you know you got grazed out there?”

I shake my head, “No, I guess I need to get it taken care of then.” I reply, Then I tell her, “Oh, and nice shiner on your left eye. Someone tagged you pretty good.”

She nods, “Yeah, took a cutlass guard to the face after I blocked her swing. She didn’t get a second chance.”

I nod my head, “And our parents said our fights would never help us.”

She and I simply smile at each other and begin to laugh as we remember some of those fights, including the one where Mama Sumac yelled at us and told us that if we were going to be like that to take it outside, so we didn’t destroy the whole house. That was a heck of a fight and the day we became true sisters.

*****

S.S. Baltimare Colt. Western Landing, NCR Territory: Xochitl.

I have just taken my empty meal tray to the washroom when I hear the steam whistle blow out the Water Clan’s riverboat lines landing signal of one short and two long blasts. Ginger and Epona are right behind me, and I hear Ginger asks, “How come Rust didn’t have you bring her in?”

Epona smiles and replies, “Well she offered, but I figure we want to get offloaded and on our way to Hackamore.”

I raise an eyebrow and before I can ask, Epona says, “Yes I hope to see some of my friends I left behind all those years ago. I know Tater does too.”

As we get back to our area of the cargo deck, we toss our bedrolls on the cart. Just ahead of the cart I notice Tater and Sunny are putting the harness on Cowlick. As they finish, I see Choo coming down the ladder from the upper decks. She is talking to the third mate who will be responsible for getting our cart ashore with the cranes on the bow. I watch as the lines are tied from the shore to the Colt and then the brows are lowered onto the quay.

As we get ready to leave several of the deck crew stop us and we shake hooves. I hear more than one says, “See you on the return trip,” or “Be careful out there, you’re one of us after the last couple of fights.” The last one surprises me, but also makes me feel better as we have made friends with the crew as well as became part of them it seems.

Choo leads us down the brow and once the cart is ashore, we finish harnessing Cowlick into it. I almost laugh as the fake head hangs to the side He sees me smirking and quietly tells me, “Go ahead and keep laughing you little striped flower.”

I stifle a laugh once more and tell him, “Maybe we should change your name to saltlick instead of Cowlick on account of how salty you are.”

He shakes his head, “And maybe you should change your stripes to red on account of how you are more pony than zebra.” He snipes back.

That one hits hard and without meaning to, I physically grimace.

He looks around and again tells me, “Sorry about that one Cohtil, that was uncalled for.”

I lightly punch him in his shoulder and tell him, “No, I started it, I know better. You just got me better.” I tell him, but inside I remember father telling me how the zebras who were loyal equestrians, as well as zebras who were considered traitors, would drink a potion that changed their stripes red.

From the side, I hear a Stallion call out, “Hey over here.”

I turn and I see a light gray pegasus stallion with his blonde mane and heavy scarring on his neck and forelegs. I grin as I realize it is Tail Spin, one of Tater’s two fathers, and the one who is on Blackberry Pie’s team for the rangers.

Tater calls back, “Hi Pa!” and trots over to him. Soon the rest of us join them. As I approach, I hear him telling Choo, “Yeah, we are going to put you up in a safe house for the first couple of days. Then when the next coal shipment and caravan from Harness are ready, we will have you hired on as its escorts.”

I see the worry on Choo Choo’s face as well as feel it myself as Choo asks quietly, “Tail, how much coal are we talking about?”

He looks around and answers in a low tone of voice, “Only half to three-quarters of a wagon. Enough to require security, but nothing like they did to the Colonel that first time.”

I see Epona nod her head and hear her tell Cowlick, “The powers that be decided on ten wagons at once when we left to come back to Manesville that time.”

I sit down hard when I hear that. I know they get thirty caps a bucket for coal. My goddesses that is almost as bad a setup as when they dumped us in the Valley.

Soon we are all on our way. Unfortunately, we arrive at New Appleloosa after dark and the city gates are closed. I had hoped to take Ginger there to visit. It was there that one of the few members of the zebra community there told Ginger and me that we were spirit bound while Father was trying to buy some potions and medicines.

We wake before dawn and are on the road again as the sun is rising. It takes us until nightfall before we begin to see the lights of a town ahead of us. Beside me, I hear Tater ask Epona, “You excited to be back?”

I see the silhouette of her head nod and hear her tell him, “Yeah, it has been so long. I just wish my little sisters could be here too.”

“Yeah, it will be strange without them being here this time. I really liked it here with all of them. It was cramped in the one room for all of us, but I really liked it.”

As we walk down the lantern-lit street, we follow the road next to the railroad tracks. By the station, I see a set of gallows set up. I am stunned as I have never seen a permanent one before, and this one is for three ponies at a time.

Epona sees where I am looking as I point it out to Ginger. Then she says, “That is what broke Ma, Ginger. She had to order them built, then used.”

I see Ginger shake her head as do I. We all wondered what caused her to start drinking so badly back then, and why her spouses forgave her, especially Sutures who was still recovering from a radhog attack and had to take two fillies all the way down here. Now, I understand.

We pass a pub to the side, and I notice a cow wearing a nightgown and stockings sitting on the porch. I see a sign on it that says The Flying Cow in large letters. Slightly above me, I hear Sunny ask, “Tater, is that what I think it is?”

Then I hear Tail Spin from next to Sunny say, “Yes, and no you cannot go there. Rough Water and I already talked.”

I see Sunny’s jaw drop and he lands in surprise. “But why would he tell you?”

I watch as Tail Spin walks over to him and quietly tells him, “Because I am a friend of the clan and I care about all of you. Sunny your actions are no longer just affecting you. Now if you want a drink in a day or so, I will go with you. But you need to learn to cool it a bit.”

I almost laugh as I watch Sunny scuff the dirt with a forehoof and I hear him say, “Oh, ok then.”

As we continue walking through the town Tail Spin takes us down a back ally and I notice the back door of one of the local shops. “Here we are, lets drop that cart from Cowlick and go on up.” Tail Spin tells us.

We go up the stairs and he knocks on the door several times, but I do not catch the pattern. When the door opens, I see an older mare open the door, from the lantern light I can see her light green coat and that her red and white mane and tail are braided down one side.

Then I hear Epona and Tater both say at the same time, “Scrap Pile?”

She looks past Tail, me, and Ginger and I hear her ask in wonder, “Epona? Tater?”

They both nod their heads yes and then brush past us to hug the new mare.

“Goddesses it's so good to see you two again.”

“It is great to see you too big sis,” Epona tells her.

Ginger looks at me and then back at Epona and asks, “Is this the other mare that Ma adopted?”

Epona excitedly answers, “Yep, I am so glad you are finally getting to meet her sis.”

Ginger then steps up and extends a hoof, to which Scrap Pile shakes her head and says, “No, we are family, and as Mama Mollygirl taught me a long time ago we are huggers in our family,” as she extends her forehooves and gives my fiancé a slightly awkward hug.

I see Ginger smile awkwardly as she tells Scrap Pile, “I have heard a lot about you, and it is really nice to finally put a face to your name.”

“Same here Ginger, Papa Archer, and Mama Mollygirl were always talking about you when they were assigned down here.” She looks at all of us and then says, “Sorry about that Tail Spin, all of you come on it, get off the street please.”

As we go inside, we see it is a small apartment. She grins and tells us, “This one only takes up a few rooms we wouldn’t use otherwise.”

Epona nods her head and tells her, “How are the little ones?”

She grins, "They are growing up so fast. I wish you could meet them, but I know you can’t right now.”

Epona grins, “Well, maybe another time when we come through.”

“Oh, and Beach Shack will be stopping by later. He is still making his rounds. A few of the bucks from the NCRA were a bit far in their cups over at the Flying Cow, so he had to take them into custody and sent a runner out to the base for the MPs.”

I then hear Choo Choo say, “So he is still the sheriff here?”

She smiles at Choo and tells her, “Yeah, and by the way, it is good to see you again Corporal Choo.”

Choo smiles almost serenely and tells her, “It is only Miss Choo, or just Choo to my friends now, I got out of the army a while back.”

“Well, I am glad to hear that, I hope you will come visit us some time too. I miss our talks; you always have such good stories.”

I see the happiness on Choo’s face when she says this. Then Choo tells her, “I have always enjoyed your company too when I was here. How have things been going around here? Anything new?”

She grins, “Ya know Choo, you do know the right questions to ask. We have had a few roughnecks come through lately. I also noticed them watching the caravans like they were trying to establish their patterns or something.” She looks at all of us, “Well, I best get over to my apartment before the youngsters wake up, I have one of the young fillies from town here foal sit for me when I get a message we have visitors if you know what I mean.”

She then explains the layout of the apartment and tells us where the sinks are. As she leaves, we all begin to set out our bedrolls. Then I hear Cowlick ask, “So, do they really have cattle down here?”

Epona who has placed her bedroll near him, quietly tells him, “Yes there are Cowlick, in fact, if we spend much time here you will see them. They all came over when Tater and I did and decided not to head to Manesville.”

As he shifts, I hear him ask, “I wonder why they didn’t come home?”

She smiles and pats his hoof with hers, “I think they just wanted a new start with no real reminders of what they lost.”

“Yeah, I guess Epona, but still. I mean I feel so strange out here with no other cattle. It is so unlike home.” He pauses for a moment then he looks at me and tells me, “I guess you know what that is like. To be with friends but not others who look like you.”

I smile and think to myself, that is why we are friends, you try to understand at least. Then I tell him, “Yeah, your right Cow it can be hard sometimes.” Then I lay down next to Ginger and put a hoof around her.

Choo Choo then tells Tail Spin, “I will be back in a while I have a few things to check on,” then she quietly sneaks back out into the night.

*****

Hackamore, Hackamore Region, NCR: Choo Choo

While everyone else is getting ready to bed down for the night, I still have some contacts to make. As I step out into the cool night air I enjoy the feel of the light breeze through my mane. Tail Spin let me know I had to go make contact for my team for the next job. He even gave me a description of the pony to contact and a location that I may possibly find him at.

I skim through the night sky, just enjoying the view, the wide-open spaces in various stages of recovery. Behind me now is Hackamore. Still, a relatively small community to the days before I was changed, but large by today’s standards. To the north is the community of Bare Withers, just on the south edge of what we used to call the Everfree Forest. I can see both the lantern lights from the village and the cold harsh magic arc lights from the nearby base as the watches scan the nearby woods for any monsters that may wander their way.

To the south in the distance, I can see New Pastern, another of the small villages that helped to form the Hackamore region along with the village of Founder and the mining town of Harness. Theirs is a funny story I muse to myself. Who would have imagined when the Great War started that we could find coal in Equestria? But we did find some, and it became a national treasure that was a secret that the Ministry of Morale would and did kill to keep.

What I find truly interesting is that Harness is actually made up of two parts, The upper town was once the company town for the mine. They use this as their interaction point with the rest of the world. Few outsiders are allowed to go down into the deep canyon where the mine as well as it's private stable and the real town is now.

The stable was originally being built for the company officials. However, they were away in Manehatten on the final day. The site manager had the miners and the locals from the company town brought into the stable and shut themselves in until it was safe to return to the outside.

The Harness stable was not intended for the size of the population that went in. They had plenty of food stocks and even hydroponics, however, housing was a bit difficult. They ended up with open bay housing which over the years changed the culture of those who were inside.

Most of the population there now is made up of Earth ponies, donkeys, mules, and some unicorns. Most of their security and military forces are mules though while they are intelligent and steady, they also cannot breed to perpetuate the population. In fact, the commander for the Harness Battalion is Lieutenant Colonel Milo, who I am to meet with tonight, after which I will contact the leader for the caravan we are to hire onto as guards.

As I approach the small village at the top of the canyon I land outside its limits and slowly walk through the darkness to the village. I notice how much it has grown since the last time I was deployed down here. Then I was a scout with the 1st Manesville Regiment. Each battalion rotates for a one-year stint down in this region. I was deployed twice and got to know some of the locals fairly well, and even visited Harness here a time or two. While I know who Lieutenant Colonel Milo is through Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl and her family, I never got to know him due to the differences in our rank. However, tonight I think that will change things a bit.

As I enter the tavern closest to the canyon, I look around the crowded establishment and I notice that there are many jack and jenny mules in there as well and I shake my head. I then smile and walk slowly to the bar, and I ask the bartender, “How about a flaming pegasus, hold the fire?”

He looks at me funny and asks, “How do I make one of them?”

I grin, “Well take a pint of hard cider, add a cinnamon stick. You take a shot glass full of Wild Pegasus and usually lite it, but in this case, you don’t, then you drop the shot glass into the cider. We tend to drink them a bit back home.”

The barkeep nods his head, “Sure, I can do that. But it will cost you for two drinks.”

I nod and put the caps on the bar as he presents it to me. I drop the shot into the cider and let it sit for a minute to mix a bit, then I take a sip. As I am enjoying the drink I hear a voice to my side, “Good evening, Princess, can I join you for a drink?”

I figure sure why not. I had seen him earlier off to the side with several others including both a jack and jenny as well as a light purple coated unicorn with a green mane and tail who he had a forehoof around and a dark grey earth pony mare with yellow mane and tail. “Sure, why not,” I tell him as he sits on a stool next to me.

After he orders a drink, he extends a hoof and tells me, “Names Milo, I assume you would be Choo Choo?”

I am surprised by finding him so easily and he grins, “Tonight the foals are with the sitter, so I brought the family with me for a night out. You understand a bit of business and pleasure.”

I nod my head, I have heard a lot about Milo and his family through Sutures and Mollygirl as well as their husband Archer, who was the surrogate father for Milo’s family as both stallions are mules.

I watch him taste his drink and grin, “Yeah, that is the straight goods.”

“Glad you are enjoying it. So, are you the Milo who commands the Harness Battalion of the NCRA?”

He looks at me slightly suspiciously and then asks, “And why would you want to know something like that?”

I grin at him and reply with the code phrase, “Oh, a little birdie told me.”

He nods his head, “Yeah, that’s me. Just had to make sure it was really you Choo. Never know with all you blues, not having cutie marks and all.”

I sigh, “Yeah, I do understand Milo, so shall we join your spouses before or after you tell me about the caravan I need to hook up with.”

I see him grin and wiggle his eyebrows, “Now, Choo, a beautiful mare like you only needs to ask me if you want a quick hook up.”

Despite myself, I laugh lightly at his humor. Yes, I can see why Mollygirl had to fight her urges after being so long from home. “Sorry, but I have some Paper Work I need to do for that back home.”

This time he laughs out loud. When he stops laughing, he grins at me and tells me, “So the rumor was true, you really are dating an earth pony stallion.”

I nod my head, “Yes, I would have married him, but he knows he will not live as long as I, and he refuses to leave me a widow.”

He shakes his head, “He is a real fool to pass over such a fine mare as yourself. I have heard from the family about you. He tilts his head and then says, “But danged if I can see the resemblance between you and Sutures.”

I nod my head, “You won’t. This is not how I appeared when I was just a unicorn. Actually, Sutures mother looks just like I did at her age but for the cutie mark.”

He nods his head, “I met her on one of my trips up there to see how they do business. You were a looker even then.” He tells me and I feel myself blush.

“Thank you,” I tell him, and then I look at his family and one of his spouses waves a hoof at us to join them. I nod my head and tell him, “Well, let’s go talk to your spouses for a bit, then you can tell me who to talk to.”

Once we are with his spouses he smiles, “Well Choo how about business before pleasure. He should be in tomorrow as their caravan is running late. He goes by the name of Trader Jewel. He has been one of the three regular caravans for coal we run between Hoofington and here.”

I am surprised by this and tell him so. He smiles back and tells me, “Don’t be, we try to keep the price of coal up and the estimated value of Harness down, so we do not get attacked. We do this by limiting how much we allow out.” He pauses and then adds, “Choo, we need the return shipments to get here, we are trying to get enough equipment and spares to enlarge the battalion and local militias into a regiment. You know sort of how they did it up in Manesville.”

As he says this I decide to go with the rouse and I wrap a wing around both him and the unicorn who he seems to favor so much among them I see her eyes go wide and a smile appear as she tucks up against him, Soon though we are joined by the others and while this was not a part of the plan, it does make for a good cover when a while later we all leave together. They take me down to their home inside the valley. As we walk down the twisting trails, they make sure I know where to step. I notice the well-built and long-established fighting positions that defend this entrance to the canyon.

Their apartment has been quarried out of the stone in the canyon wall and I am stunned by not only the craftsponyship, but also the size of it. That is when the Brown jack with his kind eyes and black mane tells me, “Well with a family this size we needed a lot bigger quarter. Besides Archer helped us when he was down here.”

I can believe that I think to myself as I remember they have three foals. Each mare has had one as well as their jenny Laura Lee. When I ask about this, she answers both blushing and with a smile, “Well we all thought it was impossible too, so don’t feel bad.”

The youngest mare, Cannel Coal goes into the kitchen and starts some tea, which we enjoy sitting in what I would have thought of as a parlor. In addition to the couches and chairs, there are several cushions on the floor too. They turn down the lights some and we all talk for a while, but I notice that they are holding back from the intimacy they crave with each other. So, I tell them, “I best get going.”

As I say this, I feel my wings being preened and I accidentally let out a moan as I look over and see the wife called Cannel grooming my feathers. She smiles and tells me, “I learned about this from a couple of officers in Mollygirl’s battalion, they said it really helps them to relax, and Choo, if you don’t mind my saying, you really could use to relax.”

Absentmindedly as I relax, I close my eyes and just enjoy the feeling of someone taking care of me. Soon I am guided to a laying down position and feel myself receiving a hoof message as well. Then I hear Milo tell the others, Somepony go get a blanket, so she can sleep here.

As a blanket is pulled over me, I feel a pillow put under my head and I cannot but help smile tiredly. I had not expected this as all but two of them leave the room, each quietly saying good night. Then I hear Milo asks, “Well, what do you think Cedar?”

I hear her voice say, “Dear she is almost family as close as she is to the Manesville bunch. Let’s give her a night of peace and comfort, you and I both know she is going into harm’s way.” After this, I feel both climb under the blankets and each just holds me, and I take comfort in their presence. I had not expected this or wanted it when the night began, but tonight I realize as I fall asleep, I needed it and so did they.

Come morning I am greeted to hot coffee and a large breakfast. Though I do not really need to eat as an alicorn, I do still enjoy it and I also enjoy the company of Milo and his family. We talk as we eat, and I see them getting ready for their workday. As I get ready to leave, I am told by them to come back anytime and that they really enjoyed getting to know me. As I head out into the early morning light, I receive a brief hug from each of them except Milo who escorts me back to the top village. Once there he gives me a brief pat on the cheek and a hug. Then he tells me, “Be careful Choo, we don’t do this for everypony, and take care of the kids for us. I received a letter from Mollygirl recently telling us how the youngsters were working with you now. When you can safely do so, tell them hi for us and let Epona know we still miss her after all these years.”

I smile and catch myself putting a hoof alongside his cheek as I tell him, “I will do that for you Milo, now I best get going so it does not look too weird when I show up in town today.”

He grins, and tells me, “How about I send a telegram to Scrap Pile letting her know the order she put in for her family is ready. She will understand, then you can fly over again.”

I nod my head, “Thank you Milo for everything. I needed a night like that, and I didn’t even know it.”

He nods his head, then he points up above and I see an adult dragon flying above. He grins and tells me, “By the way, I know George would like to talk to you. She told me so again the other day.”

I can't help but smile and I tell him, “Thanks,” as I give him a quick peck on the cheek, and I take to the air to catch up with my best friend.

As I fly up alongside her, she seems surprised to see me and asks, “Choo? Is that you?”

“Hi George,” I call out to the blue-colored dragon with the oversized prescription pegasus googles on. “Great to see Ya!”

“It is great to see you too Choo, what are you doing in this area?”

“Here on business with my repair ponies. How are you?”

She grins and tells me, “So far, so good, the youngsters are growing fast, and I am out hunting up some breakfast for us.”

I nod my head and we both see a radhog in the distance below. I see her grin as she dives for it, catches it as it tries to run, and then bites its neck to put it out of its misery so she can take it back to her young. She then tells me, “Well gotta go, Choo, if I don’t get to see you before you leave this area, have fun, and also, if you could, next time you are home there is a book I would like you to bring back down here for me to read to Forged and Tempered.”

I nod my head, “Of course George. Your favorite story?”

She nods her head, “Yes, you know the one.”

I nod my head as I do. She has had me read it to her even when she was home in Emerald Grove. “I will try to get back to you George, I have a request to make for you too.”

George nods her head to me and tells me, "I will be flying again tonight around sunset, meet me if you can, we can talk then, I need to get this to the youngsters to eat.”

“Ok, George, I know they don’t know me yet, but give them a hug from auntie Choo ok?”

She grins and nods her head, then she does a roll as she drops and turns back for Harness. Myself, I fly back to Hackamore and my team to give them a quick rundown so far. As I land, I see Epona first she is returning from the sinks and waves to me. Once I have landed, she approaches and tells me, "The rest of the team is at the Flying Cow getting their breakfast. I had breakfast with Scrap. Have you eaten yet?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, Milo’s family made me breakfast when we woke up this morning.”

She stops in her tracks with a shocked expression on her face. “Don’t worry Epona, nothing like that happened. Well not that far at least. By the way, they all send their love and say they still miss you and your little sisters.” I pause then I continue, “Besides it really made for a good cover. This afternoon I will be returning to Harness, and I want Sunny with me.”

She nods her head. “Choo, do you think I can visit them?”

I shrug my shoulder, “Honestly, I am not sure, but if not before we go, then when we get back, ok?”

She nods her head. “Yeah, that sounds good, I really miss them too, and Choo; I guess I just feel lonely.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I understand. I feel that way too when away from home.”

She puts a hoof on my shoulder, “Choo, at least you have Paper Work back home.”

Later that afternoon Sunny and I fly over to harness. He has on his surplus jacket and black ball cap. I notice that for the first time he has tied both his mane and tail with a ribbon to keep them more manageable. When I ask him why the change he smiles and tells me, “Well one of the girls at the Flying Cow was playing with my long mane and asked why I just left it loose like that. Then she pointed out how most of the workers there kept theirs tied up so that it did not get caught on things as easily.”

I nod my head when he tells me this and consider it myself, but realize my mane and tail really are not as bad as his. So instead, I simply tell him, “It looks good on you Sunny.”

I notice even with his dark coat he blushes and only answers by telling me, “Thank you, boss.”

With that, we are back to our professional mode, and we land at the outskirts of upper Harness. As we walk into the town, I see the carriage and cart yard that they use to monitor the arrival and departure of the caravans. This also allows the caravanners to relax as they are in a secure compound where they can get hot showers, some fairly fresh chow, and a bit of entertainment if they want.

I see Sunny’s eyebrows raise as he looks at this and he tells me, “Choo, this one is sure like the one over in Hackamore by the base.”

“That is because this one is based on it. I guess they liked the idea of it enough that they decided to build one too.”

Soon we are walking through the gates of the caravan park and one of the guards stops us. “What’s your business toots?” he asks.

I notice Sunny get a bit rankled, but to me, it is nothing I have not dealt with before, in fact, it is better than what I have experienced in some places, so I let it go and instead I answer, “Looking to see if Trader Jewel and his caravan have arrived yet. Heard tell he might be looking for some guards.”

He looks suspiciously at me and Sunny and says, “And how do we know you two aren’t working for the Enclave or some others just casing the place.”

Sunny begins to laugh and says, “Can you imagine the Enclave allowing a buck whose parents are a unicorn and an earth pony to work for them?”

“Well, I don’t know you buck, so maybe your parents are like that and maybe they’re not, but I still don’t trust ya.”

“Makes sense. To me, in which case, if Trader Jewel's caravan arrives soon, would you please send a runner to the Pickaxe. Me and one of my associates will be having lunch and perhaps finding other entertainment there if you know what I mean.”

I see him have a sly grin come across his face and he tells me, “Yeah, we can do that doll face, so what’s your name?”

I smile flirtatiously at him and tell him, “Just have them ask for Big Blue.”

He grins and nods, “Yeah, I can see why they call you that, I will have someone come over as soon as we have word.”

After this Sunny and I go to the same tavern I had been in the night before. In the daylight, it seems to look a bit more worn. But as we go in, I notice some ponies playing cards to the side and I notice one of the waitresses from last night leading a stallion upstairs. Sunny looks at me in a questioningly way and I tell him, “Not here Sunny. I don’t know if they are clean. I do know the NCRA pays for the workers at the Flying Cow to get checked weekly, so maybe when we get back to Hackamore. But it comes out of your pay.”

He nods his head, “Thanks for understanding Choo.” Then he goes over and takes a seat at one of the games and I hear him say, “How about dealing me in.”

After a couple of hoofs, I see an earth pony that fits the description that Milo had given me the night before. He has a dirty green coat with a red mane, tail, and matching beard. He also is wearing an eye patch as well as loose barding. I smile when I notice that while he does not overtly carry his weapons, I can see them every now and again under his robes. As he gets closer, I see that his remaining eye is deep emerald green, and his expression is one of a stallion on a mission as he approaches the bar.

I am just finishing my drink when he takes the spot at the bar next to me. I nod my head and ask, “Care for a drink?”

“Whatcha drinking?”

“Pint of hard cider with a shot of Old Overmare today.”

He looks at the barkeep, “Yeah, sounds good.”

Once he has his drink the barkeep asks, “Same as before Big Blue?”

I grin, “Sure, why not.” The funny thing about being an alicorn is that alcohol does not affect me, so I can enjoy the taste a bit more. When I was still a unicorn, two of these might have made it time for me to go home.

I lift my cup to him and we clink our cups together. Then he asks, “You the one that has a team for hire as escorts?”

I nod my head, “Yeah, we arrived a couple of days ago to the area again, been looking to pick up some work.”

“How well you know these hired hooves ya have?”

I smile. “I have known all of them for the last eight to ten years. I fought alongside all of them. Worked as army scouts with two of them back when all Tartarus broke out after the day of sunshine and rainbows.”

“Any experience in Hoofington?” he asks.

I shake my head, “Can’t say my team has any, but we have escorted wagon trains and scouted for long distances. We can learn the lay of the land as we go. Myself, Well, when I was still in Unity, I made a few forays with my sisters down that way.”

He then asks, “What happened to them? Why ain't they wich ya?”

I shrug, “Those two decided that they had enough fighting and decided to farm instead.”

I see I have taken him by surprise. “Not what you were expecting to hear?”

He shakes his head, “I thought all you alicorns wanted to fight all the time.”

I laugh lightly, “No, in fact, I would prefer to avoid a fight when I can, but I will not shy from one either.”

“And if they tell you they will pay ya more to stand aside and let them hit the caravan than I am paying ya.”

I smile, “Understand, while we are being paid by you, we trot for the caravan. Until we get to the end of the route at least.”

“What about if they outnumber ya. What then?”

“We have been outnumbered before. We will be again. It happens, and we still fight.” I tell him.

“Any recommendations?”

“Well, the old LT is still back in Manesville otherwise I would tell you to ask her.” I see that he looks confused. So, I say, “Ever hear of Lieutenant Colonel Mollygirl?”

He shakes his head no and scratches it a bit. “Can’t say I remember the name.”

I shake my head, “Ok, do you remember the battle of Harness and the one for Fort Hope?”

I see him nod this time, “Ok, Good. She was the one in charge of both of them. I have worked for her." Then I think, "I bet the battalion commander over in Hackamore could speak for me too. I used to work for her also at one time.”

“And if I do what then?” He asks with a suspicious expression.

“You will hear the truth from them and be sure of us.”

“Hmph, well how much are you asking?” he asks me.

I force myself to not smile and I reply, “What are you offering?” Inside I am wishing I had brought Ginger. She is always better at dickering a deal than I am. We talk for a while and I notice that while he is playing cards, Sunny keeps looking into the mirror to make sure everything is ok.

Finally, we are done with the deal, and we shake on it. I then see Sunny fold his hoof and get up from the table with a smile and a few extra caps. He then comes over to me. Trader Jewel looks him up and down and shakes his head, “Kinda young aren’t ya?”

Sunny simply shrugs his wings and tells him, “Maybe, but Ma and Pa taught me pretty well I think.”

I see our new employer give a dry quiet laugh then he asks, “Who’s your ma and pa?”

Sunny looks around and says, “Probably never heard of them, but my pa is Trouble Water and ma is Blondie.”

I see a bit of surprise come over the old caravanner’s face as he asks, “Thems the two who got involved in the mess against the Dragon?”

Sunny nods his head, “Yes sir, Pa, and his partner were pretty well set up. But then again, if anyone is still trying to collect that bounty, well I feel sorry for ‘em. The clan doesn’t take kindly to that kind of affair. Sort of like if we were to be betrayed, I am pretty sure Uncle Rough would load up the clan on the S. Glimmer and bring most of them as far down the river they could. The ones who are not crew on the Glimmer or the Colt might leave them behind once ashore and begin to raise a ruckus.”

I see the trader look at him with his head cocked as he asks, “Now that can’t be too many now, can it?”

Sunny waves a hoof, “Nah, only forty or fifty adults. I think they would leave the young ones at home with the teenagers, that or our cousin the Colonel's family.”

I see Trader Jewel nod his head, “Sounds like a good-sized family.”

“Yeah, we only had thirty or forty to go after the guards that beat cousin Tar when she was in custody, but that was ten years back.”

He shakes his head, “Alright, well Choo, be ready when we discussed. I want your entire team here and ready. Oh, and please, no more surprises.”

*****

Rainbow Dash Skyport, Lunar Commonwealth: 2nd Lieutenant Ball Lightning.

I am leading a standard patrol around the perimeter of the Rainbow Dash Skyport when I believe I see her. It has been a long time it seems since I last saw Sundancer. I look over and I am almost sure I see her along with some other members of the Volunteer Corps as they come trudging back to the base. Behind them is a cart of materials that they have traded goods for with the mud ponies.

As they pass us in the distant magic arc light that lines this part of the roadway, I cannot tell if it is her or who they are as I can not get a clear look at their cutie marks especially as they are all wearing the Volunteer Corps uniform. I let out a mild sigh and just keep marching my people.

For some reason the higher-ups want us to walk on the ground instead of flying all the time. I understand it means we will be less of a target, but come on, we have not been fired on for at least a couple of weeks, and does that really justify the amount of effort we will have to put in trying to get the grime and mud out of our gear and powerarmor?

What really gets me is that it has rained almost every day for the last two weeks. We are pegasi, we should be able to control the weather. Why are we not doing so? What I really hate to even think to myself is, has the Enclave lost the knowledge of how to really control the weather?

As we pass by the roadway the Volunteers are traveling down, I notice a small group of ponies in the distance who look like they are trying to sneak past the perimeter. I notice that most of them are young foals and I have my troops spread out and fly up into the night sky to encircle them.

They are almost to a hole in the fence when we all drop down, surrounding them. That is when I am really surprised, as the two I thought were adults are a large earth pony colt and a female griffon. I also notice that one of the foals is a pegasus, but she doesn’t even have her cutie mark yet.

They all look hungry, and I feel kind of sorry for them. The problem is that if we just let them go, then they will be back again, and probably with more of them.

Instead, I point to the largest one, “You, what do you think you’re doing?”

“I, I, um we, I,” he stutters out in surprise.

Besides him the Griffon speaks up, “We are just trying to figure out how to get to the Volunteer Corps so we can ask for some help.”

I nod my head; this may give me the out I want so bad. “Ok, you kids look in rough shape. I am sure that they would be glad to help you. But this is not where you go to ask them for help. In fact, I would recommend that you come in daylight instead.”

The big, dark green colt then asks in an embarrassed tone of voice, “So, you’re not going to kill us or arrest us?”

I shake my head, “No, but I tell you what, if you really want to ask for help, my squad and I will escort you to them. If not, I recommend you make a run for it, and I will have my troops count to 20 before we fire.”

I see them all look at each other and I am almost afraid they are going to run for it when I hear one of the younger ones say, “Scout, I am really, really hungry.”

The big one pats her on the head and tells her, “Ok, we put away our pride, we don’t eat soon some of ya might could not make it.”

I nod my head as do they. “Ok, let’s take ‘em to where they need to go,” I tell my troops and we escort them to the building just outside the gate that is marked for the Volunteer Corps. I have the squad stand around them as I knock on the door then enter. Once inside I notice how the place looks. It certainly shows the wear and tear, but it also has been cleaned up. Near the door is a desk with a mottled gray and white pegasus stallion in the Volunteer Corps livery. He looks both tired and bored when I enter.

“Ok, what can I do for you?” he asks with casual disinterest.

I indicate with one of my forehooves toward the door, “I got a small group of youngsters outside that are really hungry and are looking for help.”

I see his disinterest start to fade a bit, as he says, “Huh, that’s a new one, a soldier bringing in wastelanders for help. You sure you’re feeling ok?”

I give him a half-grin, “Yeah, I’m sure. But like I said these kids need our help or I don’t think they will last long.”

He nods his head, “Ok, bring ‘em in and we will get them some food and check them medically. I will even see if we got a few extra blankets for them when they leave. But honestly, we may only be able to give them a spot on the floor by the woodstove to warm up and sleep by.”

I shrug my wings. “Honestly that may be enough for now, and who knows, maybe they will remember we helped them someday.”

He looks at me closer and I hear him ask, “Sir, are you sure you are wearing the right uniform, I mean maybe you should have been with us instead.”

I shake my head, “No, I know what I am good at, the help I can give best is just different enough from yours to make me sure.”

He nods his head, “Yeah, I get ya. So, what is your name anyways sir, so I can record who vouched for ‘em.”

I tell him and he nods his head, “Thanks again sir, I will come out with you.”

As he steps out, he sees the youngsters and tells them, “No weapons inside the building. Place them on the racks here on the porch and then come on in and warm up while we see what you can do for you.”

Once they are inside, I have my squad follow me as we return to patrol. As we go, I hear one of my troopers say, “Sad thing is they are just going to grow up to fight us someday.”

I shrug and I tell him, “Well hopefully they will remember this. I think they used to call it winning hearts and minds. But if not, I won’t feel bad about killing an adult who attacks us like I would for killing a bunch of kids.”

I see a few of them look at each other uneasily but they say nothing. I am just thinking that perhaps the night will improve. Then I see a flash of lightning and am shaken by the thunder from a nearby strike. I am just thinking, could it get any worse, and then it shifts to freezing rain.

*****

Well hello to all you listeners out there in the wastelands, this is Chromed Microphone coming at you from the Flank in the Lunar Commonwealth. You might not have heard, but it seems there are some pegasi who are really trying to help some of the locals here. There is even a rumor that a squad of power-armored troops helped some orphans keep from starving. Kinda surprises me after all these years they would actually help but who knows, maybe this shows us a change in relations between us down here and those in the Enclave.

This next song is brought to us by some highlanders but seems to fit so well and maybe a bit of a caution to those who want to believe the Enclave is changing. Here is the song Providence.

Author's Note

For those who would like to listen to this chapters dedication song the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QwvO_SWaBU