Chapter 64: Generations and Lessons

“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.” — Ryan Blair

Baltimare Colt, Western River highway, the Wastelands: Ginger Snaps

It has been two days since we have gotten back aboard, and I awake in one of the best ways possible, by a gentle kiss from my husband while still in his hooves. As we begin to move, I feel Katie get off the bed and hear her trotting off to get some attention from others.

After everyone is up, I smile as I see the Lance Corporal and her set turning in for the day. I then head up to the mess decks with the rest of our team. I smile to myself when I notice Smoked Meat is in the kitchen now along with our normal cooks and one of the foals.

Once I have my plate and coffee I sit with Xochilt, my sisters, and Moon’s friends. I smile to myself when I notice Choo is having breakfast with Rust, Mort, and Piston Drive. All seems to be going well when suddenly I see Rust get up and rush out of the mess decks.

When she does this, I see Moon Lily watching her. She looks out the door that Rust went out and then shakes her head before returning to her meal. After a bit, Rust returns and sits back down and continues to eat her meal, but now she leaves her bacon on her plate and concentrates on the oatmeal that is there instead.

After Moon finishes her breakfast, before she gets up to leave, she quietly tells me, “Sis, I need to talk to Cousin Rust.”

“Little Sis, just go talk to her then. If she is not too busy, she will talk to you.”

I am surprised when she puts a hoof on my foreleg, tilts her head down looks up at me, and says, “Sis, this is clan business.”

I feel surprised and can see the surprise on Epona and my husband’s faces. I nod and tell her, “OK, if it is clan business, I will intercede for you. But Sis, what is it about?”

She looks at me and says, “It is very personal and involves Cousin Rust.”

I sigh in frustration, but I have already told her I would do it. So, I tell her, “Give me some time to talk to her and set it up.”

She smiles at me and answers, “Thanks Sis, I really appreciate it.”

“You are welcome, Moon. Just do not get your hopes up on talking to her right away.”

It is after lunch when I run into Rust coming down from the Pilot House and tell her, “Captain, a moment of your time?”

I can see she looks slightly uncomfortable so I make it quick. “Rust Water, clan member Moon Lily has requested to talk to you about something she says affects the clan, and I ask on her behalf that she be allowed to talk to you about this matter.”

I see her raise an eyebrow and I almost catch a glimpse of amusement in her eye as she tells me, “If you two are being this formal, it must be important, so sure. But Cookie, what is it that she wants to talk to me about?”

This time I shift and tell her, “Rust, she would not tell me, just that it is something personal that she needs to talk to you about.”

“OK, fine, now I need to hurry. Tell her I will meet with her at my cabin after supper. As the formal sponsor, you will be there as well.”

“Yes Rust, of course.”

After that, she hurriedly makes her way down to the lower decks and out of sight. After which I slowly make my way to the forward upper deck where Moon Lily is practicing her magic lesson with Choo.

I watch as Moon quickly throws up a shield, and I hear her friend Snow Song yelp as she is picked up on Moon’s TK. From below I see a couple of the young unicorns that we brought with us as well as one of the slaves who too wears a horn are watching in awe. I hear one tell another, “I hope they can teach us some magic too.”

I smile to myself as I realize if we are on here much longer Choo may end up becoming a teacher. Once this particular exercise is done, I approach and tell Moon, “Your formal request has been accepted. We will report to Rust’s cabin after supper.”

I notice the surprise on Choo Choo’s face upon hearing this and she asks Moon, “What meeting is this? You know you can discuss things with me.”

I see the discomfort on Moon Lily’s face as she tries to decide what exactly to tell her mentor. Finally, she tells her, “Granny, it is something personal that I need to discuss with Rust. Do not worry, it is not about the teams or the mission.”

I can see a frown on Choo’s face at her answer, but finally, she tells her descendant, “OK, but just know I am here for you if you need to talk too.”

Moon then rears up on her hind legs and hugs Choo, who wraps a wing around her as Moon tells her, “I know Granny and I would tell you if I felt I could, or I needed to.”

The afternoon seems to drag as I wait to take Moon to meet with Rust. Part of it is because I wonder what Moon has to tell Rust. The other is because, while I have had my presence requested a time or two by the senior members of the clan, I have never been the representative/guardian to someone else for it.

After magic lessons, Moon joins the rest of the Flying Foursome to go through more flight training with Sunny and Morning Mist.

It is an hour before supper and most of our team is topside doing calisthenics when from upriver, we hear the Colt’s steam whistle sound two times. I look forward and we see another sternwheeler approaching us and it also blows two blasts from its whistle. After which both ships shift enough to let the other pass on their left sides. As it does so, I notice our gunners slowly making their way to the mounts. I smile when I see some of their crew doing the same thing.

I also notice both us and them slow down and both have our gun crews stand ready, but neither makes any aggressive moves. On their pilot house, I read the name Pride of The West. As we get close enough a pony, whom I assume is their captain calls out using a bullhorn, “Any dangers ahead?”

I look back toward the pilothouse and see Rust has a bullhorn out also and she calls back,
“Six days ago we ran into the Dragon’s Horde and had a good tussle up by the fork with the Big River.”

They call back, “Thanks for the heads up. Upriver is fairly quiet, but most of the settlements up that way are ghouls, just so you know.”

Rust calls back, “Thank you.” Then as they are passing, she asks, “How are the snags upriver?”

“A few as usual. Same with sandbars. I wish we had some river pilots like at Two Step Transfer.”

When he says this, I notice Rust relaxes a bit as she realizes they tend to at least do business with the NCR. And she calls back, “Sooth sailing and good fortune to you all.”

“Thanks, and to you as well.”

And then we are past them. I see both captains return to their pilot houses and we begin to pick up speed again as we return to the center of the river.

During Dinner, I notice Rust looking at us, particularly Moon Lily with a curious expression, then she continues to talk with Choo while she eats. After she finishes her meal she stops and tells me, “Ginger, I will be up in my cabin in about fifteen minutes, please bring Moon to me then.”

“Yes Ma’am,” tell her.

Once she leaves, I tell Moon, “You heard her, you better hurry up and finish your dinner.”

Once she has finished, we both make our way to the captain’s cabin. I knock briefly on the door and we are told to enter. Once inside, I notice how small it is and remember Epona talking about how she, Moon, Millie, and Mamas' Sutures, and Mollygirl shared it. I really am not sure how, but I guess they did.

Once inside Rust tells us, “Close the door.”

I do, and then I tell her, “Thank you for seeing us on this clan business.”

She looks at both of us from the chair in front of a small desk on one end of the cabin with a raised eyebrow and asks, “Moon Lily, Ginger has told me that you have formally requested this meeting, and I have agreed, now what is the clan business that you need to discuss with me?”

I watch as Moon first looks back at me and then back at Rust before telling her, “Cousin Rust, it is rather personal and I would prefer to discuss it in private with you if we may?”

Rust then tells us, “Because of your age the clan normally requires that you have the adult you have used as an intermediary present, so please, continue.”

Moon looks back at me, then back at her and I see her steel herself as she straightens up and tells her, “Cousin Rust, before I came here, I have been apprenticing with my mother.”

As she says this I think, no, no Moon, you cannot be seriously suggesting what I think you are suggesting.

My eyes go wide and my ears forward. I see the stoic expression on Rust's face as she tilts her head slightly and asks, “Would that be your mother Sutures?”

Moon tells her, “Yes Ma’am.”

Rust then asks, “Are you asking to be allowed to perform such services on the mares on board the Colt?”

Moon nods, “Yes, but one mare, in particular, has me concerned Cousin Rust.”

Rust raises her head, looks down over her muzzle, and asks Moon, “Young one, which mare would that be? I will have her sent to you.”

I swear Moon Lily blushes slightly and I see her back right hoof twist back and forth slightly as she hesitates and then answers, “It is you, Cousin Rust. I have watched you since we got back aboard and you are presenting many of the typical symptoms.”

I watch as Rust’s face pales slightly and her jaw drops. Then she says, “Moon Lily, this is not funny. It is not something to joke about.”

Moon squares herself up and tells her, “I agree fully. It is not funny or something to joke about. I am concerned about a clan leader and a potential member of the clan. Now with your permission I would like to check you for pregnancy and if so, determine how far along you are.”

Rust looks stunned and shakes her head. She looks at me and asks, “Did you know she was coming here for this?”

“No Cousin Rust. Just that she felt she needed to talk to you badly.”

She nods her head, “Moon, where would you want to perform this check?”

Moon smiles slightly and tells her, “Here would be fine ma’am. It will allow us some privacy.”

I see Rust think briefly and in resignation, she tells Moon. “OK, you may perform such a check. What do you need me to do?’

Moon is suddenly all business as she answers, ” If you would please remove your sweater and turn sideways.”

Once she has done so, I see Moon’s horn glow slightly and she begins to smile nodding her head. Once she is finished, her horn stops glowing and she tells Rust, “Cousin you are about six months along, do you want to know what you are having?”

I see the shocked expression on her face and she slowly nods, “Yes, please.”

Moon practically beams at her and tells her, “You are carrying a healthy earth pony filly.”

I see Rust sit down hard and I watch as her forehoof makes its way to her stomach. Then she says to no one in particular, “How am I going to raise a filly on my ship.”

This time I answer, “Cousin Rust, the crew is getting used to young ones on the Colt already. Besides, if Mama Mollygirl can take the time to feed two fillies while directing a large battle, I am sure you can handle it just fine.”

“But I will be a single mother trying to raise her.”

This time Moon tells her, “But cousin Rust, the crew of the Colt is a family as well. I am sure they will help as well. Sorta like all my parents do.”

I watch as Rough smirks a bit and tells her, “Yes you are right. I can see that perhaps having so much family has helped raise you well. Maybe I can get this to work. I only wish Bell Stand were here.”

This time Moon smiles and tells her, “I am sure he is, in his own way.”

*****

Baltimare Colt, Western River highway, the Wastelands: Xochotil

I awake to my wife crying quietly against my neck. I gently hold her closer, kiss her on her forelock, and quietly ask, “Sweetheart, what is the matter?”

She lifts her head slightly and tells me in a voice I can barely hear, but that is full of emotion and pain, “I shouldn’t tell you, but it hurts so much. Rust did not even want a foal and she is going to have one, and I cannot have yours.”

I am not surprised about the second part, but the first part stuns me, and I say louder than I intend to, “Rust is pregnant?”

She nods her head, and tells me, “Yes, I want so bad to be a mother and I can’t. It just isn’t fair.”

I feel myself sigh. Damn my zony origin. I would do anything for this mare, but I cannot do that. I pull her closer and tell her, “I am so sorry love. I wish I could father your foal. Perhaps once we get back you can go to site paddock and see if they will let you carry one of their embryos.”

She pulls me closer and tells me, “But I want yours too. I want to carry a foal that is made from both of us.”

I think and in the dark I tell her, “My love, who knows, perhaps sometime we will go through the Doorway and that world will be just different enough on the other side to allow us to do just that. But until then, let us think about Site Paddock, OK?”

I feel her nod her head, then she tucks her head against my neck and I feel her lightly nip me. I quietly ask, “Really? In the berthing compartment?”

I feel her grin against me and she tells me, “Why not, we have with your parents in the next room.”

I feel her nip me again, and I nip her ear gently, after which I show her just how much I love her.

Later as I fall back to sleep, I think to myself, I hope no one heard her talking about Rust being pregnant. That is information that I am sure Rust will let others know in her own time and way.

The next morning, I find out yep, someone must have heard, as we are on the mess decks and Sunny tells Rust as he passes her, “You know Captain, there is something different about you, you seem to be particularly radiant today.”

I see Rust's jaw drop briefly and she looks right at my wife and Moon Lily with a questioning movement of her ear. Ginger silently signals back negative as does Moon Lily. Rust then looks at him with a curious expression and tells him, “Thank you, Sunset Waters, I do appreciate the compliment.”

“You are welcome, Captain.” He tells her and continues to go sit down with Morning Star and the batponies for his breakfast and their dinner.

A short time later as we are eating one of the former slave mares grabs her abdomen and groans out loud. Then screams in pain. The mess deck becomes suddenly quiet except for her. One of her comrades asks, “Are you okay?”

As this question is asked, Moon Lily, and the other medics here all get up and rush to her side. Twinks gets to her side first and I hear her ask, “Can I help you?”

The mare groans again and tells her, “It is coming.”

Confused Twink asks, “What is coming?”

“MY FOAL!” The mare screams as she experiences what I now know is another contraction.

Moon Lily tells Twinks, “I got this if you need me too.”

Twinks is wide-eyed and tells her, “I have never delivered a foal before.”

Moon’s horn glows slightly and I hear her say, “She is not going to make it to Sick Bay. Clear the table.”

I watch several other crew members clear their meals off the table the mare is at. As they do so, Choo joins them and uses her TK to place the mare on the now-cleared table. As this is happening Moon shifts to her nether regions with Twinks beside her.

While they are doing so, Ginger and I look at each other, shrug, and return to eating. I almost laugh when one of the crew members asks us, “How can you guys eat right now?”

Ginger laughs, and tells her, “Well, we are hungry. We are not the ones in labor, and to be honest, we have both seen multiple foals born before. Besides, Moon has been apprenticing with one of our mothers who is a midwife for over a year now.”

They look in wonder back at the table and the activity there as one of the mess deck crew brings over a mop and bucket followed shortly by one forehoof, then the other. I look over at Rust and see she has a forehoof on her stomach and her eyes wide with horror, reminding me of a night many years ago when one of the Gypsy Ponies we are friends with gave birth on our dining room table. At least this time the mare does not seem to be having the same issues as the one back then did.

Ginger and I get up after we finish our bacon and eggs and make our way quietly to Rust, where Ginger tells her, “You may want to have Moon check the other mares on the crew for pregnancy if they think there is a chance of it so we are not surprised like this again.”

Rust nods her head and tells her, “I, I think you may be correct. At least as many as we can have her check before you all leave tomorrow evening.”

She nods her head. Then Rust looks at me and she asks Ginger, “Does he know?”

She nods and tells her sadly, “Yes, but only because I was crying because I cannot have the same gift from him.”

Rust nods her head. Then she asks, “Did you tell Sunny?”

Ginger shakes her head, “I did not think I said anything loud enough for him to hear me, so if he knows, it was not because I told him on purpose.”

Rust nods her head, “Thanks, for that,” She then reaches out places a hoof on my wife’s withers, and tells her, “I know the odds are against it, but I hope for your sake you can beat them.”

We both smile and I tell her, “Thanks Cousin Rust.” Then we head back to our berthing area with Katie trotting happily along of us. Inside, I can only think of how I hope that we can somehow beat those odds and have a child together someday. But until then we need to concentrate on the upcoming mission and surviving it and perhaps seeing the end of this damned war.

I am going over my equipment as is most of our team when I hear Moon Lily and Twinks return. Both are joking with each other as they come into the berthing compartment. I take that as a good sign and ask, “So, what did she deliver?”

Twinks answers for them both and tells us, “She had a little earthpony filly.”

Moon then adds, “She named her Moon Shadow. In part after me, but her mother said it just felt right to name her that.”

I smile and nod as sometimes I am still amused at how ponies name their foals. “That is a good name,” I tell my sister-in-law. Then I wonder if Ginger and I ever were to have a foal what we would name it. Then again, it is best to not think that way. Especially after how hard my love was taking it last night.

Then Twinks asks, “Did you two know the captain was pregnant?”

Both Ginger and I nod our heads, I hear Cowlick and Double Back both start to laugh from the side. Most of the others with us almost all ask, “What?”

Twinks smiles and tells us, “After you guys left and Moon Shadow was born, she let the rest of us know she was pregnant and if any of the other females on board thought they could be, they should talk to Moon Lily by tomorrow evening.”

I find myself smiling at this bit of news. Then I tell Moon Lily, “Sounds like you might be busy.”

She shrugs her wings and tells me, “Well, I did have them put up a sign-up list on the messdeck. I will be checking it during lunch and start then. Until then I have to get my gear ready for tomorrow.”

I nod, smile, and tell her “Sounds like a good idea Moon. Let me know if you need any help.” I then get back to cleaning Orcus, making sure to inspect the scope and to ensure all of the furniture is nice and tight.

As I perform this and the other task to make sure I am ready I find myself humming happily. Once done with my equipment, I drag out Katie’s barding and saddlebags and do a quick inspection. I notice a couple of small tears in the barding and Twinks cast a quick repair spell on them for me. After which I load up her saddlebags with rations for her, first aid supplies, and even a few extra boxes of ammo. Once done I look over to where Sunny, Days End, Mort and a couple of others from his team are playing cards and I take a seat at the table and tell them, “Deal me in.”

After several hoofs, I finally fold before I owe too many caps. I see Ginger is on our bed and reading her Book of Daisy Jo again. I leave her be as I know that when she is very stressed or worried, she finds solace in the holy book of the cattle. I then find my way back topside and am looking at the riverbank as it passes us by.

Soon I am joined by Choo Choo who asks, “Are you ok Xochoitl?”

Still looking at the bank as it passes by, I answer, “Yeah, I guess so. It just bothers me that I cannot give Ginger what she wants most.”

I feel a wing wrap around my shoulder, followed by her gently telling me, “Xochitl, I know how bad she wants your foal. But what she wants most in this world is you. She wants to be your mare and you to be her stallion. Yes, it hurts her some that she can’t have your foal. But never forget, she wants yours, because she loves you that much.”

I nod my head and tell her, “I understand that I guess. It just hurts me to not be able to give her what she wants so badly. I have suggested to her to go to Site Paddock someday and see if they would let her carry one of their foals.”

“And what did she say?”

“She would consider it. But she really wants mine. And Choo, without a miracle or going through the Doorway, I just do not see that happening.”

Choo nods her head. “I understand.” she tells me, then she adds, “Perhaps after this war is done, I can talk to Spiral Notebook and we can escort her teams through the Doorway. Maybe that would increase your chances of becoming parents.”

I laugh mirthlessly, “Yeah maybe Choo. I appreciate the offer and to be honest, we may just take you up on it.”

“Besides, it is kind of fun to see what the other worlds are like isn’t it?” she says.

This time I laugh lightly for real, and I then tell her, “That is why I love working for you boss. You do this for the love of it as much as we do.” I then pause and ask her, “Choo, were you this adventurous when you were our age?”

She grins and tells me, “Just between you and me, I wanted to be, but being a young mother with a job, I could not be as much as I wanted. My job on the railroad gave me some of that though. But honestly, the cons helped me escape my reality along with my children.”

I look down at my hooves then back up at her and ask, “Choo, do you still miss your children?”

*****

Baltimare Colt, Western River highway, the Wastelands: Choo Choo

Do I miss my children? That is a tough question for me to answer, not because I did not love them. I remember that I did. It is just that so many of my memories of them are gone. How do I explain that to others, I ask myself.

I think briefly and I tell him, “What I can remember of my children, I do. I also slightly remember missing my son after he was killed in No-Mare’s land. But our mother took many of the bad memories of those of us in her favor and put those memories in one of my sisters, I did not get all of those ones back. Much like many of my own from growing up.”

He looks at me and stands up, shifts and I am surprised when he gives me a hug and tells me, “Thanks Choo. One more question if I may?”

I smile, “Of course Xochitl, what is it?”

“I know how you and Paper Work feel about each other. Do you want foals with him too?”

Damn, he is asking the hard-hitting questions tonight. I slowly nod and answer, “I have wanted one with him in the worst way Xochitl. But my kind cannot breed. At least not with non-alicorns it seems. So, like you, I know that pain.”

As I feel a tear want to drop from my eye, I hear him say, “Thanks for that too. It is good to know someone else can understand what we are going through.”

“You are welcome, and know if either of you need someone to talk to about this, I am here for you.”

He nods in response then asks, “Have you seen the list for Moon Lily’s services yet?”

I smile as I saw two mares of the crew sign up immediately after it was put up as well as one of the former slaves had someone write their name on it. “Yes, I have. I am just glad she is willing to help others like that.”

Xochitl smiles as he looks into the distance. Then back at me. “You know Choo, I do wonder if that is part of what her cutie mark means. Not just having the power to assist those leaving this life, but also to help those entering it.”

I smile at him as I tell him, “I do believe you are correct young Xochitl. I am just glad that she had her talk last night with the Captain.” After which I tell him, “It is almost time for lunch, we should get going.” I pause again and I hear a bark from Katie, we both look back and we see her playing with the flying foursome and some of the other youngsters that we brought on board. I then look toward the bow and see Chisel Plow standing watch as we make our way against the current. Finally, Xochitl and I hear the bell ring seven times. We know by that it is 11:30 and time for lunch. He smiles at me and I at him as we head inside to get the others.

At lunch, Rust asks me quietly, “Choo, after dinner tonight, could you and I sit and talk?”

“Of course, Rust, I have always enjoyed your company.”

She smiles with a bit of a troubled look in her eyes, and tells me, “Thanks. It is nice to have someone I can talk to who is not a regular member of my crew.”

As I eat my lunch, I notice Moon Lily and her friends are sitting with more of those young ones from the plains. I notice she is sitting next to the colt Pry Bar. As they talk, I can see how much more they pay attention to each other than those around them. I almost giggle when at one point I watch as her wings involuntarily rise and she blushes. At the next table over, I see both her older sisters eating and watching as well. Epona sees that I am watching too and as she leaves, I hear her say, “At least we have enough chaperones for her.”

I actually laugh lightly at this and tell her, “True, but we need to give her room. Remember what we all were like at that age.”

She laughs again and tells me, “That is why I am worried.”

Later that evening I sit down to talk with Rust on the top deck just starboard of the pilot house. We are both enjoying a couple of Sparkle Colas she had been saving, which I cooled with a quick spell from my horn when she asks me, “Choo, were you ever a single mother?”

I sip my cola and think about how to phrase it before answering, “Yes, I was. Back during the early years of the Zebra War. I had lost my husband to another mare and I had two foals to take care of.”

This time she takes a sip and asks, “How did you do it?”

I remember back to those days and smile at what memories I still have of them. “Rust it was very hard at times. I still had to work to put food on the table and a roof over our heads. At times I went without so they could have better. My parents would even help by foalsitting them when I was on the rails.”

She half smiles. “Any advice to me on how I might be able to do it? I mean you know the clan as well as I do.”

I think briefly and consider all of the members of the clan and how we interact with each other, as well as our duties. Then I think back to how much I missed my little ones when I could not be with them. Finally, I tell her, “Rust, in the old days it was not uncommon for some of the cargo river boats and barges to be a family business, with the youngsters being raised on board and learning the trade if they wanted to.” In the growing darkness I look around, and I can see many of the youngsters and even some of the teen-aged freed slaves playing a game of kicking a small bag of beans with their hind hooves and trying to keep it in the air as long as possible. I am amused as it glows slightly so they can play in the dark. I then point to them and tell her, “Rust, right there is your future if you want it. Let the families stay on here and work together. That includes you and your foal. You both will be happier and to tell the truth, I know you will be a great mother, Rust.”

She seems surprised and says to me, “Really? You mean that Choo? My mother was not always the best.”

I smile at her and reply, “Perhaps that will make you a better mother. You know what hurts and do not have to make those same mistakes. Just like I did. You got this, my friend.”

She smiles and I can see the moonlight reflecting from a tear on her cheek as she sniffles slightly before hugging me and telling me, “Thanks, friend. It has been too long since I had someone who was only a friend. I needed to hear that.”

I grin at her and tell her, “You know, at one time they used to say Friendship is magic.”

We talk for a while more before she heads back up to the pilot house. Below from the main deck and our team's berthing compartments I can hear singing. Then I look back towards where the youngsters are talking and spending time together.

In the moonlit night I watch as Moon Lily’s silhouette walks away from the others along with an earth pony colt that I do believe is Pry Bar. I stay discreet and watch from the corner of my eye as they first sit by the rail and I see him hesitantly kiss her and she, him. Then I see her put a wing around him and they lean against each other for some time. Only to go back to the others when I hear Slip Stream call out, “Hey Moon, how about you two coming back over and you tell us about your meeting with the Princesses.”

I smile to myself as they slowly make their way to the rest. My great-granddaughter is starting to grow up I think to myself. I am surprised as I feel a tear leave my eye that I am almost certain is a combination of sadness at her becoming a young adult as well as joy in her taking those first steps that I remember taking at that age.

Later that night as I enter the berthing, I hear Moon quietly say from her hammock, “Granny, can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure dear, what do you want to talk to me about?”

She drifts down to the deck and tells me quietly, “Not in here, outside please.”

I smile, “Okay,” I tell her and follow her outside.

Once we are alone, she tells me, “Granny, I know you saw me kiss and snuggle with Pry Bar. I hope you are not mad. I, I, I just really like him, and when I talk to him, I feel my heart beat faster and sometimes I even shiver. Even though I am not cold.”

I nod my head, “I understand young mare. I can tell you feel he is special, and he seems to like you as well. But just remember not to rush things.”

She smiles broadly and hugs me with her wings and forehooves as she tells me, “I will not Granny, but thank you for understanding.”

I hug her back with my wings and kiss her on her forelock, “Now we should go catch some sleep, tomorrow will be a long one for us.”

The next evening, I find myself shifting back and forth on my hooves. For some reason, I am more nervous than normal. I watch Flight Plan and his crew prep the Hot Shot while the rest of my team are gathering so we can load. I smile as I see Morning Glen is here with us and he tells me, “Are you sure it is safe for my kind to fly on one of those things?”

I nod my head and shift my ear in an affirmative gesture. I then tell him, “I am sure. I also thank you for being willing to guide us to Van Hoover.”

He smiles nervously back, “I appreciate you and your team helping me get home. When we land, I will take you first to my village. After I tell the elders what has happened to my does, I will then lead you the rest of the way, as we have agreed.”

He sits and talks with the other members of my team as we wait. Soon I see the flight deck crew unchain the vertibuck and hear the motors start to wind up. Once the rotors have started, Load Shift, the crew chief for Flight Plan, heads our way and tells us to follow him.

As we start to make our way, I suddenly see Pry Bar gallop over to Moon Lily and give her a quick hug and a kiss, which she willingly returns. At first, I am slightly bothered by him doing this, however, I smile when I hear him yell out to her, “For Luck. Be careful Moon.”

She yells something back to him and trots up to the rest of us, followed closely by the Snow Song, Frost Glitter, and Slip Stream just behind Ginger and her set as we all load aboard. As the aircraft finally leaps into the waning sunlight, I smile and look at everyone on board and see that they are all in good spirits.

In this moment I find a feeling of peace as I realize, that like Rust and her crew, I too have my family. I just hope we can keep each other safe and that maybe, just maybe we can catch our target fully unaware and be in and out before the Enclave even knows we are there.

During our flight, once we have entered the mountains, we land and take a several-hour break as the flight crew rest. Once that is done, we are back in the air and on our way, flying nap of the earth for the final stretch.

Within a few hours, I see Load Shift come back and lead Morning Glen to the cockpit where I see him pointing to the pilots. Soon I feel the aircraft begin to circle and then I feel it flare as it prepares to land. Shortly I feel a bump as the aircraft lands and I hear the rotors pitch shift as they begin to slow down.

Once the rotors have stopped, we offload and my team quickly assist in setting up camouflage netting around the aircraft. After this is done, I quickly talk to Flight Plan. After this, my team grabs our kits again. Morning Glen then tells the aircrew, “You will be safe here. It is my tribe’s territory.” He then turns to the rest of us and tells us, “Welcome to my homelands. Follow me, and when we meet my people, let me talk first.”

As we shift into a traveling formation, I find myself smiling as I see Love Tap run over to first Double Back and then Morning Mist as she gives both a kiss and tells them, “Be careful you two. Our foal needs both of its fathers.”

This surprises me and I look quickly at Moon Lily who simply shrugs and tells me, “Client-practitioner confidentiality Granny. She found out after dinner last night.”

I smile and shake my head. Maybe things will work out and we can make this world a better place, I think to myself as I then look at Morning Glen and tell him, “Please lead on my good buck.”

He grins at me and silently enters the brush and the recovering forest of his tribe with us following him as quietly as we can. So far so good, hopefully, the rest of this mission will go as smoothly as it has so far. Then I chuckle mirthlessly to myself, who am I fooling? It never does go as planned.

*****

Regional Military Headquarters, Thunderhead, Grand Pegasus Enclave: Ball Lighting

“So, Lieutenant Colonel, I see here in your record that you have had extensive field experience as well as garrison duties. Though I see a six-month gap on your record where you went to Baltimare, disappeared, and reappeared after the said gap. Would you care to elaborate upon that for me?

I feel my smiling face slide to a neutral expression that matches how I feel. “General, while I would discuss any part of my record that is not classified, I do not believe you have clearance for that information.”

He looks over the frame of his eyeglasses at me and tells me with a slight bit of irritation in his voice, “I assure you I do have such clearance.”

This time I find myself tilting my head with my ears focused on him as I tell him, “Sir, if I may, let me rephrase my answer. To put it bluntly sir, you do not have a need to know. If you did, you would have already been informed about my whereabouts and activities during that time. Please do not ask me again about them. I want to answer, but we both know I cannot.”

He is clearly annoyed and tells me, “Humph, OK, my next question for you is, are you ready to deploy with your unit to other cities in the Enclave if required?”
This time I smile again, “Sir, give me the word and we will be ready.”

“Good, because there has been some rumbling by subversive elements in both Neighvarro and Coltlumbia. We take care of the traitors when we can root them out, but we do not always find them in time to prevent mischief by them that assist our enemy by diverting pony power from where we need it.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Such actions should not only be handled, but done so quickly.”

I see him smile slightly. “Good. I am glad you understand. I was afraid that perhaps your extensive time dirtside, as well as your family situation may have clouded your views.”

I nod in understanding and shift my ears slightly to show I understand. He then asks me, “So, what is your opinion of President Winter Breeze?”

Immediately I answer, “Sir I follow her orders as she is the President. However, my loyalty resides with the Enclave and its people. Not just with a politician.”

Again, he grins. “Good, glad to hear it.” He leans back from his desk and tells me, “With that kind of attitude you can go far, son. I am very happy to hear that.” He pauses then tells me, “We are looking into forming a quick reaction force using some of our Security Battalions to ensure civil obedience and to quell any insurrections that may flare up. This goes as well for the needs of security in general.”

“Sir, that sounds right up my alley. I would be happy to have my battalion added to this quick reaction force you mentioned. In fact, I had recently discussed with my XO the idea of training our troops in riot control as well as our other normal duties. While we have not had any such issues yet, she and I agree it is best to be ready. Just in case.”

He nods his head and makes a couple of notes. Then he tells me, “I think that will be all for today, Lieutenant Colonel. Please return to you command as soon as you are able, and I will say, I think your suggestion for riot control training is a good idea. I may suggest that to some of the other units as well. Have a safe flight back down to the RDS.”

“Thank you, sir,” I tell him as I stand up and make my way out of his office and head to the passenger terminal on the base to see when the next availability will be.

When I check with the flight sergeant at the check-in desk, he looks at the list of flights and tells me, “Sir we had a flight scheduled for you tomorrow morning. The last scheduled flight to the RDS just departed ten minutes ago.”

I shift my ears in acknowledgment of what he has told me and tell him, “Very well, I will back then. Thanks again, Sergeant.”

He smiles back at me with relief in his eyes. “Thank you, Colonel, for understanding. I will see you then sir.”

Since I am going to be here overnight, I decide Storm Rider can handle it tonight and I will visit my father for the evening. As I arrive at his apartment I knock on the door and hear him call out, “Just a minute.”

I smile to myself and wait patiently. After a couple of minutes, he opens the door and I see the surprise on his face as he says to me, “Ball, this is a real surprise, come on it. I was just getting ready to sit down for dinner.”

As I step in, I exchange a quick hug with him and tell him, “Thanks dad. I had to come up to talk to my bosses.”

He smiles, “Well, you can sleep in your old room tonight if you need a place to stay.”

“Thanks Dad. I will take you up on that.”

As we eat, he asks me, “So how are the grand-foals doing?”

I smile and tell him, “They are doing great Dad. But I will tell you, the youngest two are a hooffull now that they have started to learn how to fly.” I shake my head, “Dad how did you handle it?”

“Well son, when you were that age, I had your mother still to help.”

I take another bite of my salad and tell him, “Dad; I don’t know if I have ever told you, but thank you for raising me like you did.”

I see him blush slightly and shift uncomfortably and he tells me, “Son, I did the best I could. It was not always easy, but we did make it.”

“I know that, Dad. A lot of how I am as a father is because of how you raised me and what you did. Thanks, Dad, for being there for me.”

While he is blushing, his smile is wide and I can see a tear in his eye. He wipes it away with a wingtip and tells me, “Son, just seeing you be the father you have become has made all the sacrifices worthwhile.”

After dinner, we clear the plates and quickly do the dishes. After which we both go to the small living room, we both have a tumbler of Wild Pegasus and we listen to the radio.

He tunes the radio and soon we hear the signature music play for Hallowed Dreams and his show followed by his voice.

Good evening to all my fellow equestrians. Tonight, during the second hour of our show we will have another special guest as I interview Colonel Free Fall, the local commander responsible for leading our forces during their recent glorious victory at Reino.

But first, I would like to take the time to thank our forces out there who are taking care of the raiders and river pirates that our forces have encountered while at the same time continuing with the good fight against the vile forces of the NCR. Keep ‘em flying good mares and stallions. You are making us all proud. That thanks extends from the lowest private to our Wonderbolt Generals.

Speaking of our troops and our Generals, I have to express my distress to our dear leader for clipping our armed forces wings and not letting us take this war to the NCR and their cowardly allies. I do not like to question your loyalties Madam President, but this hamstring of our forces makes me wonder whose side are you truly on. After all, with our military might we should be able to roll right over them. But because of the policies you are putting in place we continue to see our list of losses with no retaliation for the atrocities that they have perpetrated against us, such as the Manesville debacle that occurred under your watch.

As we hear this I look up at my father and he at me. He gets up and shuts off the radio and quietly asks me, “Son, do you know what is actually going on? I mean for the Goddesses sake; how can he be allowed to talk about our president like that?”

I shake my head and reply, “Dad, I only know what they tell us, and what affects my battalion. Other than that, I am as much in the dark as you are. But I suggest we not talk about this with others as we do not want the secret police thinking we are being disloyal.” I pause then add, “Dad, just do what you need to survive. Think what you want, but my suggestion if you do not want to be branded and exiled is to keep those thoughts to yourself unless you really trust someone. I mean that you trust them with your life.”

He nods his head, “Yeah, you are right Ball. Sorry for bringing it up.”

“Nothing to be sorry about Dad. It is just the times we live in.”

Soon after this, we wind down our evening and go to bed for the night. I wake early in the morning and after a brief breakfast with Dad, I make my way to the terminal.

As I approach the desk, I see the Sergeant smiling as he tells me, “Good Morning Sir. Your flight is loading right now and will depart as soon as you are aboard.”

“Thank you, Sergeant. Until the next time.”

He grins and nods his head then returns his attention to the monitor on the desk. Before too much longer I am aboard the aircraft and heading for the RDS and my battalion. Once we land, I make my way to my HQ and am greeted by Chain Lightning as he tells me, “Good Morning Colonel. Welcome back. I hope you do not mind but I have a few situations with some of the junior enlisted that I want to go over with you and perhaps give you a few suggestions.”

I grin, “Sounds good Chain. Give me ten minutes to talk to the XO and have the steward send in a pot of coffee so we can have some while we talk.”

At the end of the day, I finally can make my way home. As I call the kids in for dinner, I notice off to the side Scout is talking to a young mare, away from the others.

As the kids make their way in, Lil’ Bit stops and tells me, “Dad, Scout has a marefriend.”

I find myself smiling, “Thanks for letting me know Lil’Bit, now go get cleaned up for dinner.”

That night in bed, I discuss what my daughter told me with my wife. In the dark, I hear her smile and she tells me, “He will soon be a young stallion dear. But don’t worry, his brothers and sisters will keep an eye on him.” She pauses then adds, “Besides it is a part of growing up, remember what we were like at that age.”

I smile and chuckle briefly, then tell her, “Yeah, I remember how we were at that age, and that is why I am concerned dear.”

*****

Good evening to all of you out there in wastelands I am Frequency Modulation and you are listening to KICK from Los Pegasus. With all the news and music, we can provide for you.

In tonight’s news, there are reports that the Enclave forces seem to be consolidating in several cities. Particularly nearer to their major cloud cities. There are several rumors as to the cause of such shifting of their troops, the most common one being reports of a reported uprising in Flank, a suburb of the cloud city in Coltlumbia.

In other news, it has been reported that supply lines to Ponytraz Island in San Prancisco have been re-established. This may or may not be true as we have no verified sighting of any ships or aircraft making it through the Enclave blockade there.

From the NCR we have reports that several Enclave spies have been identified and captured. Said spies are being held in custody until an exchange can be made for captured NCR agents and assets. Well, at least they are not just shooting them outright, I guess.

There are also reports of President Grimfeathers having rejected another peace offer from the Enclave. In part, this offer demanded a complete surrender of the Alliance and NCR forces.

For all my listeners, I know it seems that things are never going to be getting better in the Wastelands, but changes just do not happen, they come from the actions of those who live there. Old or young, we can help to make things better. Never give up trying.

With that in mind here is the next song on our station Oh Very Young

Author's Note

While not action-filled a lot is occurring in this chapter that will lead to events in future chapters.

As a side note, the steam whistle signals used by the Baltimare Colt and the Pride of the West are real ones used by riverboats on the US inland waterways from the 1800s. The downriver boat signals their intent, and the upriver one either verifies or denies it.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters song the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQBGK4lMYpk