Chapter 60 Twists in the Skein

“Men plan. Fate Laughs.” ― Jim Butcher, Cursor's Fury

Whinnyapolis, Great Plains Wastelands: Ginger Snap

As we make our way through the ruins of another wrecked city we are in our normal formation with my husband in the lead. I try to force myself to keep my mind on task as we head towards the location of the radio station that our target is using. But it is hard. Part of that is from thinking about his broadcast last night. The other part is from thinking about those poor souls we met at the MoM site there. I mean that would have been bad enough, but to find Choo Choo’s biological sister was there too. Dear Sweet Cream, how is that even possible?

I smile as I remember how surprised we were when Choo came out and first told us we now had a supply hub there. But when my little sister Moon Lily told us, “We met Great Great Aunt Cargo Consist too!”

“Who?” I ask.

Choo almost seems to blush as she answers, “There were several members of the staff down there who were in cryo-sleep. Amongst them was my biological sister. She was one of the fortunate survivors.”

Epona then asked her, “Well, can we go in and meet them?”

I see her think briefly. Then she replies, “Perhaps after we get something to eat.” She pauses then asks, “Did you find anything you thought we could use?”

“We found a few things Boss, but maybe you should show us what we have available inside before we talk about the bigger items.”

“Yes, that makes sense Cookie. Thank you for pointing that out,” She tells me.

We quickly gather the rest of the team and after we eat, we are on our way back inside when the Head of Security stops us and asks, “Where do you think you are going with your whole team?”

I fight the urge to smile as I hear Choo Choo tell him, “As the ranking Ministry of Morale agent present, I am taking them inside to the facility there to meet with the other Ministry members that we found were inside.” She then pauses and adds, “As myself and my team will not be here long, I would like to take you and the mayor inside so we can introduce you to them. Understand, this is basically a first contact with survivors’ situation.”

“What do you mean by first contact with survivors?” he cautiously asks.

Choo tilts her head and I can see a slight bit of exasperation on her face before she tells him, “As in survivors from before the Last Day. One of which is my actual sister from before I was turned.”

His eyes widen, then open even wider when Choo adds, “And I would take it personally if something were to happen to her as she is family, even more so than the others.”

He slowly nods and then tells her, “Yeah, I think I get it. I will go get the mayor. Just wait right here and I will return.”

Soon she leads us all through the mall. As we go, I find myself like a tourist along with most of us as I gawk at all the partially empty stores, and then at the abandoned amusement park. We stop there briefly so we can all look at it. Then I hear Twinks say, “How about a group picture in front of the rollercoaster over there?”

“Danger do you have the camera with you?” Choo asks her.

She smiles broadly as she pulls it out of her saddle bags and says, “Yep, pics or it didn’t happen, right?”

Choo laughs briefly and we all stand in front of the sign for the roller coaster, I find it funny as most of us try to pose for the picture, In the front are Moon Lily and her friends, With Choo right behind her. On both sides of Choo are the batponies with Morning Star next to Sunny and I am next to my husband with my head on his shoulder. All of us are armed and I find it funny to watch the Security Chief do his best to take a couple of photos. But I understand as he tells us, “I have never used one of these before.”

Once we are inside, we are greeted by Party Favor and Doctor Deep Sleep. Choo then makes the introductions between us, the Mall leadership, and the staff there. This leads to discussions about what the survivors here can do to help those on the outside as well as how to help them adjust to their new world.

Toward the end of our visit, I heard Choo Choo ask a mare who looked like she could be Granny Doula’s sister, “Cargo, could we take a couple of photos with each other? One for each of us.”

She almost looks hesitant, then tells her, “Yeah, but I guess we should also get one for us with Moon Lily as well seeing she is family too.”

I am still enjoying these memories when I shake my head as I hear something off to our left. I quickly signal to the others and we all go to the ground briefly.

Choo silently signals for the batponies to check it out. I watch as Asra steps into a shadow and disappears, reappearing in the shadows that are fifty yards away then he disappears again. Shortly after this he reappears back by Choo and whispers something to her. She nods her head and we wait for a short time again as from the next block over we see several ponies walking by one of which is hauling a cart. We can not see any real details in the darkness, but I do notice as they cross the intersection one of them is stretching their wings. This lets me know that at least one of them is a pegasus.

We wait ten minutes after the last of them has passed through when Choo signals us all to begin to move again. We continue to make our way north on the west side of the skyport, through the ruins of the neighborhoods there. As we go, I spot a vertibuck taking off and heading west, flying almost directly over us. As it goes by, I notice Sunny and Morning Mist both stand up and wave at the doorgunner as it flies past. The gunner, who had been tracking us with their weapon then waves back to us and they continue as do we.

Twice more during our trip through this concrete wasteland we are forced to take shelter. The first time, we do so is when we see a caravan with three wagons passing by us on its way toward Mall. The second time is, well, how can I say this? A bit more unusual.

We are only a few blocks from the radio station when I see Xochitl put up a hoof to tell us all to stop. Then I faintly begin to hear an accordion playing polka music as it gets closer to us. We all dodge into the nearest cover, and I watch as the sprite bot comes bobbing along heading past us in the direction of Mall as well.

All I can do is shake my head and smile as I have heard them before, but never while we are trying to sneak and remain undetected. It has already gone two blocks past us when I hear a couple of gunshots behind us and I turn in time to see two MEW beams come out of the little flying ball and I hear someone yell in pain. Then there is silence again as it continues on its way. We wait ten more minutes to ensure the coast is clear, then we continue with our mission.

Once we reach the broadcast site we stop as Twinks first checks it for boobie traps, then we cut a hole in the fencing and pass through it.

By now I had expected to see some guards around the place, but am pleasantly surprised that there are none. Danger then signals us to hold on as she listens to something over her earpiece. She then grins and nods. Finally, she ear signals to Choo an affirmative as she points at the station. After which Fog and Rough Trail race across the well-lit empty ground to the side of the building, followed by Candy and Finale. Once they are there, they begin to form a stack. As they prepare to enter. Choo has the next set, myself included run across to them and we form a stack on the other side of the door. Choo joins us along with Moon Lily and I watch. Fog silently counts to five and then opens the door and we all race inside. We enter what was once a reception area with several offices to one side of a hallway. At the end of the hallway, I can see a sign that says, ON THE AIR over another door. From a speaker in the lobby, we can hear Hollowed Dreams broadcast and inside I think, we got him for sure. We run for the broadcast booth and as we get to the side of the room we can see into it through a window.

It is then that I see all the electrical equipment, but nopony is there. Danger checks for booby traps and once she tells us it is clear, we enter. There next to the microphone is a holodisc player that is in operation.

I find myself shaking my head as Choo orders us, “Everyone, back outside as quickly as possible. Also, try not to disturb anything, we do not want them to get the idea we are after him.”

I then ask, “What next Boss?”

“We fall back to our starting point. Call for a pickup and start all over again.”

Beside her, I can see the disappointment on the faces of the Flying Foursome and I simply shrug as Epona tells them as we trot out and back into the darkness, “Welcome to our exciting world, things do not always go as planned.”

Instead of heading straight back to Mall, we instead head north and west for several blocks, then we begin to make our way south again. It is as we turn west that I see two vertibucks flying from the old skyport toward the radio station. We are far enough away that we are safe from them noticing us, and to be honest the building and such between them and us also helps to hide us as we blend in with the landscape.

It takes us three more hours, just before false dawn, to make our way to Mall. Once there, Choo Calls for a pickup by the Hot Shot.

As she is talking on the radio I see her eyes go wide several times and she shakes her head. Finally, she says, “Roger, Understand, let us know when you can pick us up.”’

She then tells us, “OK, back to Mall for the day. The Colt is a bit busy right now, it seems the Dragon’s Horde has come back again. They will let us know when they can pick us up again.”

Once inside, we rent a room for the night again to catch what rest we can. For me, and several of the others I can see the apprehension on their faces as they all worry about the Colt without us being there. I toss and turn next to my husband for a while, but eventually, I fall asleep. When we wake up, we all go to get breakfast again.

It is as we are heading to breakfast that my sense of humor and timing seems to clash once again. We are just coming down the stairs and I am chatting with my sisters when I see a familiar face from Hoofington once again, as he comes out of the container he has shared with several others. Without thinking I say, “Good Morning Air Burst. Been a long time. Baltimare, wasn’t it?”

I watch as the color leaves his face and I swear I almost hear something break as he says to no one in particular, “You have to be kidding me. You guys again?” and he facehoofs.

From behind him, I hear Alto say, “Hey, why did you stop so soon.”

Before he can answer, Sunny lands beside me and I hear him say, “Alto, Air, it is great to see you again. Is Ball with you too?”

I watch the frustration come over Air Burst's face as he first shakes his head and then answers, “No, no he is not. We are just here trying to see if we can set up a Volunteer Corps station.” Behind him, I see most of his team look confused. Well, all except Alto. He seems almost humored by this development.

I notice there are several new members on his team I have not seen before when Choo Choo approaches from the direction of the closest restaurant. I am amused at Air Burst's face when I hear her call out, “Cookie, is there a problem, I have three tables reserved for us for breakfast.”

I can tell when she realizes who the ponies are that we were stopped by when I see a twinkle in her eye and I can tell she is fighting laughter. This is only aggravated when suddenly from behind her I hear the Chief of Security call out, “Agent Choo, a moment of your time if you please.”

While most of the “Volunteer Corps” members seem confused by this, I see the nervousness on Air Burst's face as he asks the Chief, “Why did you call her Agent Choo?”

The Chief in his innocence grins widely and tells Air, “Because she is the ranking Ministry of Morale agent at our site here. Isn’t that right Special Agent Choo?”

I then see Air Burst's face go pale and I see him gulp as he looks at her pistol and sees the ministry’s three balloons as well as the fancy engraving on it. He then says to himself, “I shoulda known.”

I notice both Choo and Moon Lily twist their heads slightly as they both look at him and Choo asks, “Should have known what Air?”

I hear him blow air out of his nose first, then he answers, “That you really were a Pink at one time. By the Goddesses, I should have known.”

From the side, I hear the Chief ask, “Is there a problem here Agent Choo?”

“No, I do not think so. However, Chief I would suggest keeping an eye on this group. We have worked with and against them before.”

I watch the surprise come over Air Burst's face when he hears her say this. Then he tells the Chief, “If you are the chief of security here, I wanted to talk to you anyways sir. My people and I have come to set up a couple of Volunteer Corps stations again. I wanted to see if perhaps we could have a booth, similar to the one we have in Mega Mart.”

The Chief then asks him, “Don’t you think that it a bit presumptuous, what with a war with the NCR going on and all?”

I see a smug smile come over his face as he replies, “No, not really. After all, there are no real NCR forces near here, or even Enclave ones for that matter. Just a few teams here and there.”

That is when I hear Slip Stream squawk and say, “My pa would kick your tail feathers if he was here to hear you say that.”

The VC team all turn to look at her and I notice many of them shake their heads as they seem to notice her for the first time. Then I hear Air Burst asks, “What are you?”

I see an indignant young Hippogriff float slightly into the air with her talons on her hips as she tells him, “I am a hippogriff. Ma is a pony and Pa is a griffon. However, I prefer to be called by my name Slip Stream.” She pauses then asks, “Hey, weren’t you and the tall stallion there some of the ones that were captured back in Manesville before the war?”

I notice the chief has an eyebrow raised and his ears have slid back some as he listens to this. I also notice that there are several more of the locals that have shown up. Most with weapons to see what is going on.

Air Burst almost deflates at hearing that and tells her, “Yes, that was me and some others.” He then looks at the chief and says to him, “Let me guess, we are your prisoners now, right?”

The Chief looks over at Choo and asks, “Well, what do we do? We don’t want to bring the Enclave down onto us, but we do not want to upset the NCR either.”

I think briefly and suggest to Choo, “Choo, since Mall is not part of the NCR, we do not have a say do we.”

She shakes her head and answers, “No. no, we do not.” She turns to the Chief and tells him, “It is up to you and your mayor to decide what you will do. Perhaps set them up across from the Followers station.”

The Chief grins and tells her, “You know what, Agent Choo? That sounds like a right fine idea. I will take it up with my bosses.” He pauses then tells us, “Now while I go talk to our leaders, why don’t you fine people all go get some breakfast.”

With that Choo leads us to the place where she had reserved the tables for us. Behind us, I can hear the clip-clop of the VC team's hooves as they follow us. I smile and shake my head as I again think, sometimes you can not make this stuff up. Epona then asks, “Why are you smiling Sis?”

I grin back at her and tell her, “Because that just reminded me of one of those wartime comedies we watched back at the shop.”

She looks at me, then behind us and she chuckles, “You know what sis, when you are right, you are right.”

*****

Mall, Whinnyapolis: Xochitl

I am just behind my wife and enjoying the view as we come down the stairs. Beside me, Katie is just trotting along happily. Then I see both her and her sister stop quickly. It is when I see why she has stopped that I am surprised as I recognize Air Burst and Alto immediately.

I just shake my head as to what are the odds of us running into them again. My amusement is brought up more when Sunny jumps over the rail and glides down to ask if Ball Lightning is around. I am considering getting my weapon ready to use when I notice none of them are, and as this is not either side's territory, I leave it be.

I am listening to them talk when I hear the boss call out, “Cookie, is there a problem, I have three tables reserved for us for breakfast.”

When she asks this, I hear my stomach growl as I have not eaten since dinner last night, and I do not want to break into the rations if I do not need to. Besides me, I hear Katie whine slightly and I pat her on her head and tell her, “We will go get something to eat soon girl.” This seems to placate her and she returns her attention to the new group of ponies before us.

Before too much longer we are on our way to breakfast with the VC team behind us. I would be more worried but, honestly, if something were to happen, I am sure we would quickly overwhelm them, just by sheer numbers. Besides, we have shared a bottle and broken bread with both Alto and Air Burst before. They may be on the other side, but there seems to be no hate from them towards us or Visca versa. So, if fighting occurs between us and them it is just business. That and the fact that they do not want to start a fight here at the neutral ground of Mall either.

As we sit down to eat, Katie lies beside me and I rub her head absentmindedly as we wait for our food. Once it arrives, I pass her one of my pieces of bacon as does Ginger. While our team all keep laughing and joking as we eat, I notice that the VC team is kind of quiet.

I do smile though when I see Alto smile at us and wave a wing tip. Air Burst while not smiling nods respectfully to me and I return the nod.

While I am eating, I feel I must go the bathroom and I tell Ginger, “Cookie, I need to use the sinks, I will be right back.”

She gives a light kiss to my hoof that is on her shoulder and smiles, “OK.”

I make my way outside to the sinks and as I go, I see Alto get up also and he too follows me outside.

Once we make it to the sinks, he stops me and asks, “Flower, how bad did they hit White Cloud and Manesville?”

I pause and then ask him, “Alto, you’re a good buck, so I am going to ask you, why do you want to know?”

I hear him sigh, and then he answers, “Because I saw how far it was recovering when we got our tour when we got captured there a while back. I like the place, and to be honest, I worry about our team member who defected there.”

I feel myself sighing as I think about what to tell him. Finally, I look him right in the eyes and I tell him, “Alto, this is stallion to stallion, it is not for your higher-ups. Do you understand me?”

He nods his head, “Yeah, just between us.”

“Right, exactly.” I look around and let out another sigh. “Alto, they hit us bad and hard. Something changed in our hearts during those days. What the Enclave could not hold they tried to destroy, I cannot even begin to tell you how many farms, homes, and crops were destroyed. But that was not the worst of it.”

I see his jaw drop as he asks, “It was worse than that? How?”

“Any pegasus they captured they were attacking.” I pause then I ask, “Alto, have you ever had to deal with a rape victim?”

He looks confused and replies, “No, why?”

“Because we have had to now. Damn it buck I had to call in my wife and her sister there to try and calm a pegasus mare down that had been attacked like that as well as beaten and branded. We had to call in a female medic to treat her as she did not trust any stallions. Alto, the only reason we did not come out shooting when we saw all of you, is we knew you and Air, and we got word through our boss that your team was not there.”

I can see he is visibly shaken. Then he asks, “Chotil, why did you guys use megaspells there?”

“We did not use any Alto. The ghouls in Dead Quite used Fuel Air Explosive charges to destroy three of the Raptors on the ground. Choo and her sisters got one of the Raptors.”

“But what about that other one? I have heard only one of the six escaped.”

This time I grin and shake my head before I answer. “Alto, you seen that little black filly with us?”

He looks at me from the side of his eye with his head raised and twisted slightly, “Yeah, Chotil, why?”

“Because she did it. She is my sister-in-law and I have known her since the day she was born. Just so you know, the wings are new, but the horn is real and she was born with it.”

He looks at me with a funny expression before telling me, “Come on Chotil, you are not telling me a filly did that and then she became an alicorn.” He pauses, then adds, “That, that would make her a princess.”

I laugh lightly and tell him, “Yeah, she really did, and is. Oh, and do not call her a princess. She denies being royalty now as Celestia and Luna from another universe agree with her that if we do not have them anymore, she does not need to be a princess.”

He looks at me skeptically, “No really Chotil, I mean it, how did you bring them down if not for megaspells.”

I sigh and tell him, “Let me use the restroom and when we go back inside, I will let you ask her.”

“Ok, but I find it hard to believe that that little filly who is pretending to be an alicorn could do that.”

I laugh lightly and tell him, “You know what, so do I, but just ask her when we go back inside.” As we walk, I notice he now has a limp I had not seen before and I ask him, “Alto, what happened to your leg? We have a couple of medics who can look at it if you need us to.”

He smiles some and tells me, “Cohtil, it was one of the injuries I took when the terrorist attacked our VC station outside the RDS.”

I am stunned to hear he was one of those injured in the attack we heard about from Hollowed Dreams broadcast and tell him so. Then I ask him, “How bad were you hurt?”

He stops and looks off into the distance, much like I have seen the Colonel do when she remembers something painful before he answers, “They almost killed me. Some MPs came and dug me out from what I understand.”

I am angered that someone would attack a civilian station like that and I tell him, “I hope they get the bastards who did it.”

He smiles sadly, “Thanks, from what I have been told, they captured him and he was killed as they were taking him up to Thunderhead for trial. The sad thing is they say he was an NCR sympathizer.”

I shake my head, “I really am sorry that you were hurt that bad Alto.”

He shrugs, “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Once back inside, I return to my seat, but he stops and quietly talks to Air Burst about something. Then they both get up and approach our table. I notice Choo looking at them seriously as they approach and she stands asking, “May I help you?”

Air Burst takes the lead and tells her, “Yes, we came to talk to the little pegasus filly that seems to be playing at being an alicorn, Flower told us we could ask her a few questions.”

When he says this, she turns her head toward me and gives me a dirty look. She then turns back to him, “What types of questions?”

Before he can answer Moon Lily gets up from her seat and approaches, using her TK to set her saddlebags to the side as she flexes her wings. She then asks, “What would you like to know?”

I watch as both, as well as most of their party seem stunned as they see her do this while hovering as well. I then hear Air Burst say in wonder, “You, you’re an alicorn. How in Celestia’s name did you become an alicorn?”

I see my sister-in-law get that same look on her face she always does when someone uses one of the Princesses' names like that. In reply, she tells him, “I ascended to being an alicorn right after I gave the blessing of the dead to the one airship that was attacking us and I used the three types of magic to shut off its engine and cloud generators.” She pauses then asks, “Sir, do you understand the concept of alternate universes?”

When he nods his head, she lets out a sigh of relief and then tells him, “I went to the great in between of universes and there I met Celestia and Luna, from another universe. There I was given the choice of ascending as well as if I wanted to be a princess as we no longer have them.”

They both look a little confused and uncomfortable with this discussion. Then I hear Alto asks, “So the princesses yet live in another universe?”

She nods her head, “Yes, they do.” Moon pauses then asks, “Sir, your name is Air Burst, would you happen to know my great aunt Purple Haze?”

I see a flash of anger, then sadness pass over his face before he answers, “If you are talking about Miss Haze from Ten Pony Tower, yes, yes I have known her, but she... she betrayed me.”

Moon nods her head then tells him, “She talked really nicely about you. She even said that if the war had not happened, she could have seen trying to have you as her special somepony.”

He looks down as he asks, “Then why did she do what she did to me and my team?”

Moon is thoughtful for a minute and then asks, “Would you have done the same thing to her if the roles had been reversed? She did say you loved the Enclave even more than she does the NCR, and almost as much as she does Manesville.”

He chuckles mirthlessly, then looks back up at her and tells her, “Yeah, I guess you’re right, but this war makes it impossible for us to be together ever.”

As he says this, I find myself and my wife looking at each other in surprise, as well as Alto looking at him that way.

Moon then puts a forehoof under her chin as she thinks and then tells him, “The war cannot last forever. At least I hope it does not. Maybe then you could try and find her again, that is if you care for her too.”

“Maybe young one, but that is still a long way off.” He looks back down again as if in thought. Then he asks Choo, “Big Blue, I have to ask; Why are you here?”

She laughs lightly and tells him, “We both know that I should not tell you, but since our mission was a bust for us I will. We came here to see what was left of the old Ministry of Morale research center here. It turns out that what was useful was already hauled off after one of my sisters came through here several years back. She destroyed most of the robot guards and from what I have heard from the locals, she carried off a special minigun. There is not anything else left of use in there.”

As we are talking the security chief and mayor have arrived and have overheard the last part, I see the Chief's eyebrow raise slightly then he nods his head in understanding. Then the mayor asks, “Ok, who was it that wanted to talk to us?”

Air Burst looks up and answers, “If you are one of the leaders for this community, then I would. I am the leader of my team from the Volunteer Corps.”

The mayor looks him up and down then tells him, “I have not had breakfast yet, but once I am finished, I would like to talk privately to you along with my chief of security.”

He nods his head and tells him, “That would be fine Mayor. Thank you.”

The mayor and chief of security then make their way to a booth at the side of the restaurant and begin their breakfast as well. Alto begins to head back to his table and as Air Burst turns to go, Choo tells him, “Air, before we depart, I would like to talk to you privately as well.”

I see his eyes go wide at first then he quickly recovers and tells her, “Yeah, that would work. Now we both need to finish our breakfasts.” He then turns to Moon Lily and tells her, “I would say it was nice to meet you, young mare; but you have given me some very heavy things to think about. If I do not talk to you again, I wish you well and good fortune.”

I watch as Moon Lily smiles sadly at him and tells him, “I wish the same to you, sir.”

Our team finishes breakfast first and we all head back outside and follow Choo to the market. It is while we are shopping and looking at some of the more expensive items for the team that the Security Chief approaches us and tells Choo Choo, “Agent Choo, the mayor, and I have decided to lead Air Burst inside the mall to the old research section that was cleared out by your sister. We would like you to accompany us as a representative of the Ministry.”

I see the boss hem and haw briefly, then she tells him, “Okay, I will do so. When do you want to do this?”

“Immediately if you do not mind. We have discussed with him about setting up a VC station near the gate here. While we are inside, his team will begin to set it up.”

Choo then turns to us and tells Ginger, “Cookie, you have the team. Once I return, I will try to contact our ride again.”

As she goes my wife turns to us and tells us, “Ok, well, while we wait for the boss to get back, I think we need to go over our weapons and ammo one more time. Lance, that includes you and your team. Moon, I want Tater to look at your carbine. I know it is in good shape, but he knows them better and you might learn a thing or two from him.” She pauses then adds, “Oh, and check your gear and battlesaddles people, now is the time to take care of it before we need it again.”

*****

Mall, Whinnyapolis: Choo Choo

As I follow the Security Chief, he leads me to the mayor’s office where Air Burst is waiting. As I enter, he tells me, “I asked for you to come with us Choo. I hope you do not mind.”

“No, I do not mind, but why do you want me to come with you?”

“Because as a former member of the Ministry, you deserve that show of respect for entering one of the MoM sites with you available, and for some strange reason, I trust you. Yeah, I know we are different sides, and we even have shot at each other, but that was just business, not personal.”

I find myself nodding my head and then I ask, “Does it not bother you that I am an alicorn?”

He looks at me and I can tell he is thinking. Then he answers, “I am not going to lie, it does some, but no more than most earth ponies and unicorns would.”

I smile and laugh mirthlessly, “Well that is an improvement I guess.”

Soon we walk inside the mall, me following behind the other three. As we go, I lightly probe Air Burst's mind to find out what his mission here really is. I am surprised to find out that it actually is to check out this weapons research station here. Particularly something called a Stargazer 6000. The ironic thing is that I now know that it was taken by one of my sisters several years ago.

As we begin to look over the remains of the station, I pick up on his worries of what is going on in the Enclave government, just not what is causing these worries as I do not dare probe too deeply at this time. Then I am stunned as he is worried about the Manesville area, and if he and some others he knows would be welcome there.

At this point, I drop the mind probe spell and just continue to use my horn for additional lighting. Our inspection of this facility is fairly quick, though I am amused when he finds something that was hidden on a computer. As I look over his shoulder, I see it is an improved design for a lighter version of the minigun that would use MEWs rather than traditional ordinance.

I hear him sigh as he turns to me and tells me, “I suppose you would prevent me from taking this with me so I have something to show for this little excursion.”

I shake my head, “No, go ahead and download it. From what I can tell, this isn’t a great leap in technology from what we already have to face. Besides, it does not look like it was fully developed yet. So, how about we both make a copy for our respective governments and call it square.”

I see him shake his head and grin as he tells me, “Choo, you do fascinate me. I would never have suggested that, but yeah, I think we can do that.”

While we are downloading the information I notice the Mayor and Chief of Security have given us some room. It is while they are both looking at something that I slide him several of our business cards. I then quietly tell him, “I know how the Enclave can be. If you ever need to run for it, I can give you a temporary safehouse. If you see one of the Water Clans steamships, present the card and I will cover your fare even.”

He looks at me with a suspicious expression and then asks, “And how do you know I would not use these cards for inserting a spy?”

I smile at him sweetly and gently lay a hoof across my chest as I tell him, “Have you forgotten I really am a Pink? I know how to do a mind probe, believe me. Oh, and if you want some time, I can give you the memory orb that I took from Salvage Value before we ended him for betraying us. If you come in good faith, you are welcome, but if you betray me and mine, I will end you. Do I make myself clear?”

I can tell he is slightly nervous as he nods his head, “Yeah, I get you Choo. I read you loud and clear. And for what it is worth, thank you for the cards, I will consider these a parachute for me and a couple of others.”

This time my smile softens and I tell him, “That is what they are for. I know your loyalty lies with your home nation, but things can change that. Now let us finish this business and we can return to our teams.”

Soon we return to our teams. As we go, I notice he goes and talks to Alto, who now seems to be his second in command about something. Alto then looks at us and nods his head. This is followed by them then turning and going into the container by the gate that they have been given to use.

Myself, I give both the mayor and chief my thanks for allowing me to go in there with them. The chief just smiles and tells me, “Agent Choo, it only seemed right. Besides, it allowed us to keep them away from the others easier.”

After this, I head over to Ginger and tell her, “I have the team again Cookie, anything I should know?”

“No, not really, we picked up a sling for Slip Stream's carbine so that she can carry it easier. The twins both asked for grenades, and I told them no for now. Oh, and Moon has been talking to some of the Followers about Site Paddock and home.”

I feel like shaking my head as I do wish she would not talk so much about Site Paddock with the war and all going on. Instead, I simply say, “Thank you.”

Right after I say this I hear over my earpiece, “Big Blue, this is Bravo Charlie, do you copy?”

Without thinking I reply, “This is Big Blue, I copy. What do you have for us?”

“Big Blue we can pick you up in forty-five minutes. Are you ready?”

“Roger Bravo Charlie, Same spot as you dropped us off at.”

“Affirmative Big Blue, The Hotshot is en route at this time.”

I smile to myself and tell the others, “Ok, let us go, our ride is on the way.”

As we go, a part of me wishes I could have seen my sister Cargo again, but we said our goodbyes again last night before our mission. As we pass the Volunteers station, I find myself nodding to them as do several of the older team members with us. Then we are out the gate and heading to the north carriage lot for our pick up.

As we make our way on hoof, in the distance I can see two normal caravans making their way to Mall. I then notice another caravan that I have seen before, but not for a while as I recognize the vardos and the black or brown splotched-on white-coated ponies coming in our direction.

I see the Flying Foresome start to get excited and then I hear Ginger tell them, “We are on a mission, we do not have time to visit.”

I can see the disappointment in their body language, but they all behave.

We only have to wait another fifteen minutes before I see a vertibuck in the distance. It comes in fairly low and does not even fully land when it reaches the landing zone. Instead, the ramp comes down almost to the ground as it hovers and we all run inside. Once inside I make a quick scan to make sure we have everyone, including Katie. Then I let the crew chief know, after which the rear ramp begins to rise as we lift higher into the sky, rotate quickly, and are back on our way to the Colt.

The flight only takes ten minutes and I am really surprised to see that Rust has brought the Colt into the Whinnysota River. As we come into to land, I notice more damage has occurred to the superstructure and one of the chimneys of it. I now wonder what has occurred since we left.

Once we land, and unload, as the rest of the team heads below, I am called by Rust from the Pilot House, “Come on up Choo, I think we need to talk.”

Once I arrive in the Pilot House, Rust leads me over to the chart table. She then asks, “OK, what happened?”

“The station there was just playing a recording of his broadcast.” I pause as I think, then I add, “However, we did see a vertibuck leave from that area just before our arrival, perhaps our target had been on that one.”

“Do you think so?”

I think briefly before I answer, “Honestly, I am not sure. However, we did run into an Enclave team that was at Mall to try and find some R&D stuff. No joy for them either, but we did know some of the members of the team. Rust, I gave the leader several of my business cards in case they become refugees. They may be on the other side, but they have been honorable opponents so far.”

She smirks at me and then asks me, “And how do you know you can trust them?”

This time I smirk as I tell her, “Oh, I did a quick mind scan of their leader. He is actually worried about the Manesville region.”

She looks at me with a questioning look and asks, “Why would he do that?”

This time I answer right away, “Because something is going on in their government, and he does not feel safe any longer.”

“If you know why, you better send a message off to Junction Town so they can use the info.”

I shake my head, “No, I do not know that as I would have had to do more than a surface scan. He would have noticed that.”

“Choo, you do fascinate me at times. Now are you ready for my side of what has been going on while you were gone?”

“I was wondering,” I tell her.

“Yeah, that steamship the Dragon’s Horde and her little escorts, well, it seems they took it as a personal insult with our having gotten away and hurting them as much as we have. The last couple of days were spent trying to dodge them or fight them.”

I sigh, “I was afraid that was the reason for your not being able to pick us up last night.”

She nods her head, then she adds, “I want to rest the crew here in Whinnyapolis one more night before we move on. Perhaps we should head back south again and we can follow this branch here,” she points a hoof at a river that leads deep into what was once the open prairies, and I nod my head in agreement.

“That sounds good. Perhaps once we get into this river, we can try to get a new RDF bearing.”

“My thoughts exactly Choo, now how about you head back down with the rest of your team and after supper perhaps we can talk some more over a cup of coffee.”

I find myself smiling as I tell her, “That sounds good Captain. I will see you later.” After which I head on back down to our berthing compartment. Once there I notice that the porthole has a hole in the glass from a bullet. Well, we will have to fix that later, I tell myself, as I then look at some of my team members playing cards with some of Mort’s team. I nod my head then tell them, “Deal me in on the next hoof.”

*****

Rainbow Dash Skyport, Enclave Territory, Hoofington: Ball Lightning

I wake up early and quickly help the kids get ready for the day. In the last couple of days, my mother-in-law Wind Dancer has arrived to help with them all, but it still is not easy.

My youngest two I feed myself from some canned milk that a couple of the local Volunteer Corps members who know Sundancer have brought over to us. Thank the Goddesses that they have helped out like that too.

As I head out the door to work, I tell Wind Dancer, “I will be home as early as possible.”

She smiles and tells me, “Ok, in a bit I will take these two with me to go visit Sunny, I know she is not in shape to feed them fully yet, but these visits do help her.”

I feel embarrassed and bashfully tell her, “I am sorry I cannot help you take them over to her.”

She waves a forehoof at me and tells me, “Ball, it is ok. Besides it is mares’ work. I feel bad enough when you change diapers and feed them.”

“Still Mom, I wish I could help more. Besides I helped to make them, I should help raise them too.”

She smiles as she shakes her head, “I don’t know where you got such crazy ideas, but your wife is so lucky to have you. Now you best get going before you are late.”

The day goes quickly for me, and during my lunch, I stop by the hospital to see Sundancer. As I enter the room, she looks up at me tiredly and tries to smile.

“How are you doing dear?” I ask her.

“I am sore all over Ball. It hurts every time I breathe.”

I place a wingtip along her cheek then I kiss her on her forelock, “I am so sorry you are hurting like this.”

She shifts some and grimaces slightly, “It’s ok, I just never thought I would be the one lying here with you visiting me.”

I shrug and answer, “At least we didn’t lose you. I was so afraid we would.”

She slowly moves a wingtip to my muzzle and tells me, “Ball, I was going to die, I, I remember you talking to some mare and making a deal. Ball who was she?”

I look around to make sure no one is listening and I tell her, “Her name is Val, and she is a spirit.”

She looks surprised and quietly tells me, “Ball, I know you got along with that zony, but come on, you do not really believe in spirits, do you?”

I laugh lightly, then I tell her, “Yes, I do, and so should you. You are now one of hers it seems.”

She grimaces in pain that I am all too familiar with before she asks, “Ball, what kind of deal did you make?”

I gently caress her cheek as I answer, “Do not worry about it, love.”

As I say this, I can tell she is starting to fall asleep. Suddenly she opens her eyes again. Then she tells me, “Mom brought the twins and Savannah over to visit earlier. You know it was kind of cute to see Savannah carrying Lighting Burst in a chest carrier like mom. Ball, they are such good kids, we did right by them, didn’t we?”

I smile at her as she begins to fall asleep again and I tell her gently, “Yes love, we did, you are a wonderful mother to them.”

I notice she has fallen asleep again, I kiss her gently on her forelock and I make my way back to my office for the rest of my day. On my way out I see Wind Dancer is having tea with Alizée and both of my youngest sons are asleep on a blanket near them. She smiles and waves a wing at me as I pass by and soon, I am back to my office and another round of reports that I must go through before passing them up the chain to my boss again. It strikes me funny as I do this that as a junior officer, I always wanted the rank, but I never imagined how much paperwork went with it.

On my way home, I make a short side track to visit my wife again. As I arrive, she is just finishing feeding our youngest again and I see her blush when she realizes I have seen her do this. I smile and shake my head, “Dear, nothing to be ashamed of. You were just doing what a mother does for their foals.”

I hear Wind Dancer from the side say, “That may be true son, but remember not all of those things are for public viewing. My daughter is a good, righteous mare is all.”

I sigh slightly as I remember seeing some mares and even cattle feeding their young while we were in the wastes and White Cloud. But I do not say anything, there is no need to argue or start a fight anyway.

I visit with them for a bit, and then I ask Wind Dancer, “Would you like me to help you carry one of them back for you?”

She looks at me and tells me, “But you can’t wear a carrier with your uniform.”

“I know, I was going to carry one on my back. They seem to be getting pretty good at riding that way at home.”

I see her look at my wife who nods her head before she tells me, “Yes, that would help, besides, I need to get home to start dinner for everypony.”

As we are getting ready to leave, a nurse comes in and I ask her, “Do you think it would be ok to bring the whole family by to visit later?”

The nurse looks at the chart, bites her lower lip as she thinks, and then she tells me, “Yes, that should be fine. She is healing up very well considering what she has gone through.”

That night as we are leaving from our visit to Sundancer, Lil” Bit asks the doctor who is treating her,
“How long before Mom can come home?”

He looks at her chart and then thinks briefly, “Well hopefully we can get her up and walking in the next couple of days, if so, then maybe next week young mare. But your mother was hurt very badly and it takes a while to heal from these types of injuries.”

I see the disappointment on all the older kids' faces. Then I hear Scraps say, “That’s okay, as long as she can come home again.”

I see my wife smiling from her bed, at her family and she tells him, “Thanks, Doctor. And Lil” Bit, I can’t wait to get home with you.”

This time I carry Air Burst on my back as Wind Dancer carries Lightning Burst in the chest carrier. Beside me Lil’ Bit slowly flies talking with me. It is as we are nearing home, I feel Air Burst shift his wings and try to move them like Lil’ Bit. While he does not fly or hover, it lets me know he is taking those first steps towards eventually flying.

The next morning as Lieutenant Colonel Fullbright and I go over the orders of the day for the battalion he tells me, “Ball, I know your wife is still healing up, but you may want to make a quick trip up to Thunderhead to see how your new unit is forming up. Let them know you are still interested in it.”

“Sir, can I do that? I mean, I do not have the orders to go topside again.”

He thinks briefly, “I think so. Just to be sure I will cut you a set of TAD orders to get you there and back.”

Inside, I want to say no and just stay with my family until I have to leave again, but I know I really should do this. Besides, it should only be for one day. So, I answer, “Sounds good Sir. Let me know when.”

He smiles and uses his wingtips to hoof me a set of TAD orders that are dated two days from today. “Here you go Ball. I had these written up earlier. They are only for an overnight but this will get you there and back with no problem. Getting a new unit like this is almost as exciting as having a child.” He pauses then asks, “Speaking of that, how are your foals doing without your wife to feed them?”

“They are doing ok. Both my mother-in-law and I feed them from the bottle normally and when we can we take them to the hospital to feed from Sundancer. This has kept her from drying up and allowed her to still be close to them, even though she is in such rough shape.”

He nods his head, then tells me, “I am glad to hear that, especially with how close it was for her. I will say she was brave protecting your family the way she did.”

“Thank you, sir. She is something.”

He looks like he is thinking about something, and then he tells me, “Ball, you did a good job the other day. I am just glad you had already turned control back over to your subordinates before checking on your family. If you had abandoned them in the fight with no leadership you would be wearing a brand right now.”

“I understand sir. I am just glad your family was safe too.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that. Now I best let you get going, it is almost time for you to hold officers’ call.”

I look up at the clock on the wall and see it is almost that time. I nod my head and tell him, “Yes sir. I will check back in later after my inspection tour of the battalion companies’ grounds.”

He nods his head and looks back at the papers on his desk, “Sounds good XO, see you then.”

I am then out the door and into the HQ briefing room where I meet the company commanders and pass on the orders for the day. Two hours later I begin to make my normal inspection tours. Not to make sure things are perfect, but instead to make sure that things are being kept up and that the enlisted quarters are being maintained. At each stop, I check their storage areas as well as armories to ensure that this area are secure as well.

It is just about time for lunch when I make it back to the terminal. As I enter, I am joined again by my mother-in-law as she takes the foals to feed again. We talk briefly then she tells me, “I will see you later son, I best get going they are starting to get fussy.”

When I stop by later, I let them both know I will be going up to Thunderhead to see the new unit overnight. Neither says much, but I can tell Sundancer is not overly happy with the news. Her mother on the other hoof asks me, “Ball, would you mind stopping at my place and picking up a few items for me.”

“I would be glad to. Just let me know what I should pick up.”

“Ok, I will give you a list when you get home tonight, it should not be too many things.”

The next couple of days go by quickly and I find myself on the way to Thunderhead again. Once I arrive at the depot where my unit is being formed, I am taken to the barracks where they are being housed. Once there I meet the first of my new company commanders.

I walk into the duty office at the barracks and I see a middle-aged, large-built stallion with a light green coat and an even lighter green tail and mane. He is wearing the OOD brassard and sitting behind the desk. He looks up and asks, “Can I help you sir?”

“Good day Captain, I am Lieutenant Colonel Ball Lighting, the prospective new CO for the 753rd, what is your name?”

He stands up and tells me, “Sir, I am Captain Cloud Seeder. The commanding officer of A Company, 753rd Security Battalion.”

“Have a seat Captain, I am just checking to see how things are going for the unit so far.”

He sits back down and tells me, “So far so good sir. We still have more troops coming in. My company is mostly formed. B company is two-thirds full and is expected to finish filling in the next couple of days. C Company is about half full, but will be ready in two more weeks if we keep getting the new bodies at the same rate.”

I nod my head, “I am glad to hear that. How are we set for officers and NCOs?”

“We have most of the officers already sir. As for NCOs, we are still filling the ranks for them as well. Most of them are coming from the repo-depot.”

“I notice it is sort of quiet here, where are the troops?”

He grins and answers, “Well sir, seeing we are still forming, most are on general details around the base. We have also sent several of them to attend extra classes in security as well as other classes that should help when we go active. The same goes with the other officers. Since we do not have a full complement of them yet we all are taking turns as OOD.”

As he is talking, I notice he is looking over my ribbons and badges, the same as I am his. I am pleased with what I see and I ask him, “So Captain, tell me a bit about yourself.”

He seems surprised at this question and then tells me, “Well sir, I have been in service for a couple of years now. I was originally from Coltlumbia; that is where my wife and kids are right now. It has been a while since I have gotten a chance to see them. I have been with the Military Police and Security battalions since I was commissioned.”

I nod my head, “I understand how that is. My wife and kids are at the RDS right now, and since the war, I hardly get to spend much time with them.”

I talk with him a bit more then I make my way to the other barracks and talk to their OODs as well. Later that night I come back and watch as the troops are formed and mustered before being dismissed for the night. I am pleased with what I see so far. I then have a meet and greet with all the officers that have arrived so far. The one question I have received that I cannot answer though is asked by one of the junior platoon commanders, “Sir, have you heard who our XO is going to be yet?”

I shake my head and tell them, “No, I have not heard yet, but I am sure in a couple of weeks we will know.” I talk with them about some more of the concerns they have before I call it a night. Before I leave, I tell them, “Mares and Gentlestallions, it has been a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to working with you soon.”

Once I leave, I head to my in-law’s apartment where I have dinner with Sundancer’s father, Sun Glow. We have a pleasant visit and he helps me by gathering the things on the list for Wind Dancer.

During dinner, he asks me, “Ball, how bad was my daughter hit? Better yet, how did it happen?”

“Sun, she was protecting our family. She and Scout were downstairs and the rest were upstairs. When they kicked in the door, they got two of them, but one of them hit her twice in the chest.” I pause, closing my eyes at the memory of that moment, and then I tell him, “It was very close. We almost lost her. I am just glad we could be there in time.”

He seems frustrated and tells me, “It is just too bad that you could not have been there sooner. Maybe you could have kept her from being hurt.”

I sigh as I have thought that many times since that day. I look at him in the face and I tell him, “I wish I could have been too. She is my wife and the mother of my foals, and I got there as quickly as I could. You have to understand we had to fight our way back into that section of the housing as the troops there had been overran.”

He looks nervous then he asks, “Is it safe for Wind Dancer to even be there?”

“Yes, it is,” I tell him without hesitation. “We have reinforced our defenses there, and the house is better protected now as well.”

He then asks me, “Ball, what happens to your family if your new unit is shipped somewhere else?”

I find myself sighing before I tell him, “Sun, the same as what has happened to one of the officers who is assigned to my new battalion, who is from Coltlumbia. They stay here until the war is over and I can come home to them, or they can be moved to my new duty station.”

“That is a hard life Ball,” he tells me gently.

“It is, but what can we do? Especially with a war on. Who knows, maybe once the war is done, I can get out and attend medical school or something like that. But for now, we deal with the hoof we have been dealt.”

He smiles sadly, then tells me, “I do understand. Oh, and for what it is worth Ball, I do not think my daughter could have found a better mate.”

The next day I returned to the RDS and I see that I have an update on my orders as well as those for my future battalion. I have a confirmed date of two more weeks before I take full command of it, but the surprising part is that its first duty station will be at the RDS to support the defenses there along with the 353rd. I find myself smiling as this as it means I will be able to stay with my family longer.

After a brief lunch, I make my way to the hospital to visit Sundancer. As I enter, I see her walking with two of the nurses alongside her in the hall. My heart leaps at the sight of her on her hooves again and I think to myself how lucky I am to have her.

Once she returns to her room, I visit with her briefly and give her the news on my new battalion. She smiles weakly and then tells me, “That sounds good Ball,” and for a brief moment, all seems right in the world for me, then I ask myself, what if we have to deploy?

*****

Good evening to all my fellow wastelanders out there, you are listening to WHNY from Whinnyapolis, and I am your host Cheap Talk, broadcasting to you live from our new station at Mall, that is right M A L L, the settlement for your shopping needs out on the great northern plains and this is our inaugural broadcast.

What makes us special with our broadcast is that here we will focus on local news for Whinnyapolis and the northern plains as well as world news.

One of the things we need to tell you is that in addition to shopping here at the market at Mall, we also have several pubs, taverns, restaurants, secure overnight lodging as well as offices for both the Followers of the Apocalypse and the Enclaves Volunteer Corps.

In local news, the annual gypsy pony caravan has once again returned to Whinnyapolis and they will be providing their services and entertainment just outside of the main gate at Mall.

There have also been several reports of steamships fighting on the big river along with several ship launches being involved. One of these is said to be Calico Jack and his steamer the Dragon’s Horde. We have heard several conflicting stories about what has happened but nothing we can confirm.

In other local news, there have been some clashes between raiders and the gang that calls themselves the Snow Flakes just north of the skyport. No news yet on deaths or injuries in this area. However, if you are passing through there, be on guard.

We will be back with more news after our first song of the show, here is What I’ve Done.

Author's Note

As events continue to unfold, we can see how the characters interact with each other. Also, we can see how things do not always go as expected or desired for the Repair Ponies either.
While there is not a lot of action in this chapter, it is laying the foundations for events yet to come.

The two teams do not engage at Mall for the main reasons that it would blow their missions as well as possibly cause their sides to lose an intelligence gathering center. Life on the dark side can take a lot of unexpected twists and turns that way.

Also, we finally get to meet Sundancers parents in this chapter. I hope this helps to give you a bit of an insight into how she was raised as well.

For those who would like to listen to the chapters song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldNLO7pvmgo