Chapter 66 Target in Sight

“There's a reason you separate military and the police. One fights the enemies of the state, the other serves and protects the people. When the military becomes both, then the enemies of the state tend to become the people.” — CDR William Adama

Tender Settlement, VanHoover: Ginger Snaps

I watch as my husband, Morning Mist and two of the Tenders slip out the gate and into the part of the ruined city that makes up their territory. I hate seeing him leave like this, but I do understand. He is our best scout. Morning Mist is good in the field, but I know Choo chose him because he can better estimate the targets' defenses and identify a landing area for the Hot Shot if we can use it to escape.

By now the rest of us have set out our bedrolls and we begin to settle down for the night. Well, except for the batponies. They all seem wide awake, but that cannot be helped, I guess.

During this time, we talk quietly with each other. I am reading from the Book of Daisy Jo when I am distracted by the radio broadcast coming from Epona’s PipBuck. I recognize the martial music coming out of it as being from the Enclave and I am just about ready to go back to reading when I hear Hallowed Dream's smarmy voice come over the airwaves again.

Good evening fellow Equestrians, This is Hallowed Dreams, and I am your host. Welcome to another broadcast of my show. We have a lot to talk about on tonight’s show and in the last half I will have another guest interview.

To begin the show, I would like to talk to those in the NCR and their allies. To those ponies, I ask that you open up your ears and your minds. Stop listening to the drivel that your leaders are spewing to rile you up and get you to fight, just so they can stay in power. You and I both know that they are making up stories to cause you to distrust us and hate us. The Grand Pegasus Enclave of today is not the same one that closed the skies for all those years. Now we only want to live in peace and to help those who live down below. We do not just say this, we show it through our efforts, such as the Volunteer Corps and its stations throughout Equestria. You and I both know those ponies have volunteered to leave the comfort of their homes to help those misfortunates who are in need.

For those in the NCR and allied forces, why are you fighting for those who are throwing you and your colleagues' lives away just so they can remain in power and not be held accountable for their actions?

If you are tired of it, do something about it. I am not even suggesting you try to overthrow them. No, I say just do not follow the orders that will get you or your comrades killed or maimed. If you cannot do that, then throw down your arms and go to the nearest Enclave soldiers and surrender to them. We will take you in and protect you. Like I said, do not let them throw you lives away in a war you cannot win.

Speaking of the NCR, have you noticed that lately, they have not said anything about their supposed alicorn that can single-handedly bring down an airship? It is almost like they were making it all up and figured to let the story die when it no longer served their purposes. Once again, more NCR lies! Lies is all they are good for I tell you.

From the side, I hear Moon Lily growling lowly as she tells Epona, “This, this is why we need to stop him.”

“I know little sis, I know. Soon, I promise you. We will pay him a visit and let you tell him the truth,” Epona tells her. Then she turns the station and we begin to hear the familiar voice of DJ Pon3 once again.

It is near morning when the scouts return. I hear Xochitl quietly telling Choo, “We got a good look at the building boss. If everyone is ready tomorrow, we should be able to do what we plan. There are some guards there, but nothing too serious. I think our biggest worry would be a quick reaction force if they have one. Other than that, it will just take time to get into position. The station is located on top of another hill on what used to be the old VanHoover University. So, lots of buildings leading close, but also some good open areas to land a Vertibuck in.”

“Good, I am glad to hear that Flower, now you and Fog both need to go and catch some sleep while you can.”

“Thanks, Boss,” he tells her, and then I feel him and Katie lie down on the bedroll with me.

As he cuddles closer, I tell him, “I hope everything went well.”

He nods and tells me, “Yeah, the usual problems, but nothing to cause us any issues.” He then kisses me on the back of my neck and tells me, “Good night love.” I back closer to him and as his breathing shifts, I find myself falling into the world of dreams as well.

The next day we awake at our normal time. I am a bit tired still, but it cannot be helped. As the day proceeds, we slowly get our equipment ready. As we do so we have the occasional local stop by to talk with us. Shortly after noon, I look up and I see their shaman approaching us alongside Torn Shroud.
They both approach Choo and talk with her for a bit. After which several more of their warriors approach as well.

Choo calls us all together and tells us, “Torn Shroud has informed me that the shaman would like to perform a brief ceremony for us to bless us before our mission.”

The matriarch of the Shroud clan steps forward and tells us, “This is not normally done, but as our tribe has shared memories with your young Moon Lily, we feel a common bond between us. The ceremony is to grant you the blessings of the ancestors and to guide you as you protect your people.”

We are led to an area of the village that we had not been to before. Once there we are seated. Then we are joined by more of them and even what looks to be a couple of more shaman or their apprentices. We start to hear a drum beat and we watch as first the shaman we know slowly walks in front of us lifting each leg high with each step. He walks from one side of the ceremonial area to the other and continues to walk in almost a square fashion stopping by the drummer to pray and pick something up. When he walks across the room he stops in the middle, steps up in front of us and begins to release incense from a golden chalice.

He then lifts it again as he returns to the drummer. The drum speeds up and we begin to hear rattles that speed up and a horn is blown. The shaman returns the chalice and picks a rattle himself and the drum speeds up and he calls out a word I do not recognize as the others of his order begin to dance. They move left and right as they dip and rise. Then they simultaneously begin to form a circle then two lines as they twist and kick. Then kneel and lean back before rising again. They all stop but one of the other shamans dances forward then back. When they have rejoined the rest, they all dance briefly and then kneel calling out. Then they return to dancing as they twist and dip and rise and move from left to right.

After several minutes of this, they all stop and call out. The tempo of the drum shifts some and they begin to once again dance but this time more of its spinning first left, then right as they move slightly forward then back. Often during this, they bow. Occasionally I hear one of them calling out again. Finally, they all stop and kneel at the same time as the drum stops.

I think they are done but they rise and the drum starts with a slow beat again and they continue to dance more, but this time they are more tied in place with slower leg movements almost like connecting with the ground but suddenly the drum speeds up and they begin to dance and swirl again. Moving in a circle where they approach the center that they have inadvertently formed. They shift in and out. Kicking each hind leg out as they continue to shake the rattles attached to their front legs.

I glance at my little sister and I can see her smiling with her eyes closed and her wings slowly rising. I swear I see a wind blowing through her mane as she sits there with an expression of peace on her face. In the smoke from the torches that has collected above them, I swear I can see my birth mother's form and I feel a tear form as she looks at me with a loving expression.

The dance continues for some time but finally ends with the drum speeding up again and suddenly stopping upon which all the dancers suddenly kneel and call out with their heads down.

The dancers slowly rise, and the shaman comes forward to us and he tells us, “Go with the blessings of our ancestors. May we meet again, if not in this lifetime, then in the next.”

As we begin to move out, he moves to Moon Lily, who has since been joined by Choo Choo, and tells them something. I see them both nod their heads and he kneels alongside Moon as he places a forehoof on her shoulder, closes his eyes, and then smiles as he nods his head. After this, he gets up and they rejoin the rest of us as we make our way to the gate and begin to head on to the next step of mission. I look at my PipBuck and see the time and know that we will have to hurry but that we can still make it to our target before his broadcast ends.

As we move out the gate, we have returned to our normal traveling formation, except that we have one of the Tenders with each set of our team. I am almost surprised when I notice the one with my set is the same one who had made the pass at Xochitl the night before. As we walk, she tells me, “We are only going to be with you until you reach the old university grounds.”

“I appreciate your people helping us this way.”

She nods her head, “While it helps you, it also allows us to return a favor to the Enclave without the risk of them coming down on my people.”

I nod my head in understanding. Then she asks me, “During the ceremony, I could tell you saw something, what was it?”

I am surprised by her question and answer before thinking, “My birth mother. I was with her when she died. That was the last time I saw her.”

She smiles at me, “Not any longer. Today was the last time you saw her. You were blessed, as were some of the others of your people. Your ancestors will be watching over all of you today.”

Part of me wants to be skeptical, but deep inside, I really want to believe her so I answer, “Thank you for letting me know that. It helps.”

She nods her head and then tells me, “We are now leaving the Tender territory, we need to be quiet.”

*****

Tender Territory, Vanhoover: Xochitl

I can understand Choo’s reason for choosing both Fog and myself for this recon of our target, but I feel slightly off running it with two outsiders instead of our normal team. For all that is holy, we could have sent the lance and her set out for this as well.

But then again, they would stand out a bit more I guess, even in the night. Perhaps, especially in the night.

As we go, both Fog and I have our weapons at the low ready with our battle saddle trigger assemblies extended but not in our mouths yet, as we make our way through the streets of the Tender’s Territory.

Beside me is a young zony stallion about my age who has introduced himself as Protective Shroud. He is carrying his weapon at the easy. As we near some woods he tells us, “This is part of our territory, but it is more dangerous due to the creatures that live here. Be careful.” He then uses his ears to signal the others, after which he shifts his suppressed carbine to the ready.

As this occurs, I see the other tender zony slightly shift his wings as he and Fog move to a slightly staggered formation.

We have been in the woodlands for only ten minutes when Protective holds up a forehoof and signals with his ears to stop and stay quiet.

About one hundred meters ahead of us I see something moving in the shadows. At first, I have a hard time seeing it, but then the clouds shift enough for what moonlight there is to shine upon it and I begin to see its very large bulk as it moves on four legs. It stops and sniffs the air and I see its smallish round ears shifting as it suspects something is nearby.

Beside me I feel Katie tuck in closer to me, but I can tell the hair on the back of her neck is sticking up and her teeth are bare.

In the distance, I hear several howls and I see the yao guai first sniff in that direction before it begins to continue moving away from the howls.

Once it is far enough away Protective quietly tells me, “Timber Wolves. Must be a pack to get the yao guai to move away from them.” He pauses and points a hoof between the way the mutated bear had gone and our destination and adds, “We move that way then. Follow me.”

We move through the forest in a cautious yet relaxed manner. For me, it is almost like radhog hunting. My senses are heightened. Every so often we stop, sniff the air for odors that shouldn’t be there, and listen for anything unusual.

Before too much longer we have made it through the forest and are back into the urban ruins again. As we move along, we are fairly quiet but we move with a distance between us and as if we belong here. I notice some others on the streets here and there, going in both directions.

Before too much longer we pass a building with some broken up letters on a sign outside of it as well as the walls being pockmarked. I then notice a radio antenna on its roof reflecting some of the lights from the buildings around it. I check my PipBuck and I know it is not the same station we are targeting, even without knowing we still have to make it to the university grounds.

Before too much longer we reach a marketplace. While most of the booths are closed, some are still open and we stop to peruse the wares there. I even purchase a few extra rounds of ammo for my pistol just to help us blend in better.

Once we are past this part of the city, we make our way at a normal, relaxed pace along this main road. Twice we see checkpoints that the fliers skirt around by flying from rooftop to rooftop around them. Myself, I just shoulder my rifle and approach them along with Protective Shroud as if it is nothing out of the ordinary. When questioned by one of the bored guards about where we are from, I look at them with a tilt to my head and ask them with my best imitation of the Tender’s accent, “Look at me, where do you think I am from?”

“Well, you do sound like one, and being zonies I guess you must be Tenders. So, what are you doing this far from your territory?”

“We are on our way to hunt over by the University. We have been told that there may be some radhogs that we can use for meat and parts of their bodies for potions.”

He looks at the other Enclave soldier and they nod their heads before he tells us, “Sounds good. Go ahead and good luck with your hunt.”

Before too much longer we have disappeared into the darkness where we are rejoined by the other two. After another half hour, we make it to the edge of the campus grounds. I notice that there is no continuous fence around them, which is a good sign. I do see a few checkpoints on the main roads leading in and out, but that is to be expected.

Soon we have begun to slowly make our way around the grounds enough that we can see up the hill to the radio broadcast sight. I notice that the antenna is off to the side of the building. The building itself is nothing too fancy or elaborate. The front has frosted glass bricks along one side of the main entrance. I see only a couple of pegasus guards there patrolling the grounds on hoof.

Both Fog and I use our EFS and SATS to try and find what few weapon defenses they may have and are surprised at how sparse they are. We observe the building as well as the security patrols for two hours before we begin our egress.

On our way back we come across a small pack of radhogs and I take one of them. We quickly field-dress and quarter it. Both Protective and I split the load and we begin our trip back to Tender Territory.

When we come across the same checkpoint as earlier, we again split up. When the guards see us, they nod their heads, “Got one I see,” the guard tells us.

Protective nods his head and tells him, “Yes, we did. Not a large one, but it will do.”

The guard then is told by the other one, “Best check it out to make sure that it is not contraband.”

We both allow him to investigate our packs where he can see the quartered meat as well as the skull and some bone. I can see the look of disgust on his face and he asks, “What are you going to do with all that?”

I smile and answer, “Radhog is good eating, especially bacon. Would you like to buy some?”

I watch as the guard’s face almost turns green as he puts a hoof over his muzzle and shakes his head before answering, “No, no, that is quite alright. Go on through.”

When he says this, we say nothing, we just nod and head on through. Once past the other two again rejoin us. As we approach the market Protective Shroud asks me, “Do you and your people actually eat meat?”

I smile, “Yes, we do. Not all the time mind you, but more than most. Besides bacon is great and you cannot beat its salty taste.”

“Interesting, and why did you and your people begin to eat meat?”

It is then that I begin to tell him of the Expedition against Red Eye’s army and how Ginger and I, with Choo Choo’s help, had snuck along and became scouts for it. I then tell him, “We used meat to extend our rations at first, but over time many of us began to enjoy it occasionally, bacon especially when prepared correctly.”

Beside me, Morning Mist nods his head and adds, “I was raised in Thunderhead as a foal. During the fight between them and Neighvarro, my family ended up in a refugee camp in Hoofington. Later we migrated with many others up to Manesville. It was not until after the expedition troops returned that we tried meat. I do not eat it often but I do enjoy it occasionally. Nothing can beat a good fish sandwich if you ask me.”

The Tenders both look at us with expressions of amusement on their faces then nod their heads. By now we have reached the edge of Tender territory again and as we enter the woods we return to silence until we are back at the gate and allowed back inside.

Once inside Mist and I check in with Choo and report what we found as well as the route we took there and back. She nods her head and tells us, “Good work, now both of you need to go catch some sleep. The Lance and her set are scouting as well from up high. I also have asked them to visit the Hot Shot crew and let them know what is going on.”

“Sounds good boss. Come on Katie lets go get some sleep.”

After this, I am finally able to do what I have wanted since earlier tonight. I climb into the bedroll with my wife. I bury my muzzle in the fur on her neck and relax with her and my dog as after a few briefly exchanged words I fall into the world of dreams.

Come morning I wake to the smell of roasting meat. Well, that is a surprise I think to myself. Then I notice both Ginger and Katie are already up and moving. Once on my hooves I quickly stow the bedroll and then make my way over to the fire where Ginger and Sunny are both smiling as they cook breakfast for the team.

While we are eating breakfast Protective Shroud shows up. He sits next to me as we eat so I ask, “Would you like to join us?”

“It is your meal; I would not take it from you.”

Ginger grins and tells him, “We have more than enough, and if you do not want any meat, we also have some eggs that the Lance brought in last night and we have some oatmeal with dried strawberries in it.”

I can tell he wants some so I tell him, “Besides, you did help me quarter the hog last night, the least we can do is share our meal with you.”

He looks at the rest of us and then tells me, “In that case, yes please.”

Ginger then asks, “What would you like?”

He looks at my mess kit and tells her, “I will have what he is having.”

She grins and tells him, “If you have not eaten meat before start off slow,” as she fixes him a plate using part of her mess kit.

“Why is that?” he asks.

“Well, if you are not used to it, it may upset your stomach. Other than that, it is pretty good,” Ginger tells him.

He then asks, “Are you two really married?”

She looks at me and smiles, “Yes, we are. To be honest I cannot see myself with any other stallion.”

He nods his head as he takes a bite of the eggs and after he swallows, he asks, “How did you two meet?”

She smiles and tells him, “I first met him at school after his family started to work on Sumac’s farm.”

“Who is this Sumac?”

She smiles and answers, “At the time she was my half-sister Epona’s grandmother and she sometimes took care of me when my mother was in the field.”

He eats some of his oatmeal and then asks, “You said she used to be, what is she now?”

My wife grins and chuckles slightly, “Well, now she is one of my adopted mothers.” Seeing the questioning expression on his face she tells him about her family.

When she is finished, he has an amused expression on his face and asks, “Do you want a family like that?”

She shrugs and answers, “No, I am happy with just one husband. To be honest, I am a bit too jealous to have more than one spouse.”

He nods in understanding and tells her, “I can understand that.” He pauses and turns to me, “How did your family come to work on this Sumac’s farm?”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly and then I tell Protective about how we were once slaves and how we escaped and were found by the Colonel, then Sergeant, Mollygirl and how after we were rescued by her Sumac had invited us to stay and work on the farm.

“So, what made you two sneak on this expedition?”

We both look over to Epona, who is eating her breakfast and laughing with Tater, Twinks, and Cowlick. This gets him to raise an eyebrow and he asks, “Which one and why?”

This time I answer, “It was her sister Epona and her mother. They were both murdered by one of Red Eyes’s officers. His name was Silver Spite.”

He gets a confused expression on his face and asks, “You said she was murdered, yet she walks and laughs still. I am confused.”

Ginger and I look at each other and she tells him, “There are multiple universes, and my sister Serendipity, that you see there as well as Mash, both come from one of them. All I can say was they came through a portal, and things in their world were much worse for them.”

“Interesting, we have tales of such portals in our tribe’s lore. It was said that those who went through it were never the same when they came back.”

Both Ginger and I nod our heads as I do not think we have been the same ponies since we went back and forth through the Doorway either. We continue to talk while we share our meal and while at first, he has a bit of a hard time eating the meat, he soon begins to enjoy it and tells us, “Perhaps this would be a good way to extend our rations in an emergency as well.”

He continues to sit and talk with us after breakfast for a while then tells us, “I will see you again later, Flower, Cookie.”

I see him again after lunch as he and several others of their tribe approach us with the Shaman. He and I are talking when Choo tells us all, “Okay my people, I need you all to gather round for a minute.”

Once we are there, she tells us, “Torn Shroud has informed me that the shaman would like to perform a brief ceremony for us to bless us before our mission.”

As a group, we follow them to the site where they will hold the ceremony.

I notice right away the drums and rattles and some of what the others there are wearing as being of zebra origin. Soon I realize that along with the shaman and drummer, there are several dancers and I watch them begin the ceremony. As it proceeds, I am mesmerized by the swirling and kicking of them as they move to the sound of the drum and soon, I feel myself stomping my forehooves to the rhythm of the dance as I close my eyes and feel the wind blowing my mane and tail.

I then open my eyes and above the dancers, in the smoke of the incense, I see several zebra spirits looking down upon me all nodding their heads. Even one who looks much like my father, but I can tell the differences. I smile and stand proud as I realize I am seeing my ancestors and have just received their approval.

All too soon the ceremony has finished. I am not sure how I feel, but along with the rest of the team, I make my way back to where we were camped and begin to ready myself for what comes next.

*****

Tender Territory, VanHoover: Choo Choo

I am slightly surprised when Torn Shourd approaches me and tells me that their shaman wants us to participate in a ceremony before we leave. Yes, I know the spirits are real now. After all, I have met Mareigan and Moon has told me she talks to her quite often. So, I agree and assemble the team.

The ceremony is interesting but I notice that both Moon Lilies and Xochitl’s manes and tails move as if by the wind, which there is none, or by magic. This spooks me slightly, but I feel tears come to my eyes as I see a pony shape in the smoke that triggers a memory. My son. I swear he is looking at me and he smiles. Next to him is another pony that I can almost remember but I am not sure. In the vision both smile and nod to me, then they are gone.

After the ceremony, the shaman approaches Moon Lily and me. While the rest continue back to where our camp was along with the Tenders who will escort us, he stops us kneels, and puts a hoof on Moon’s shoulder as he tells her, “Thank you, young one. I could see the power coming from you, and your brother-in-law, someday I would like you to return, we both have much magic to share.”

Moon is gracious as she places a with a forehoof on his shoulder and tells him, “Thank you for including us in your ceremony. I will return someday when I can sir.”

He smiles and nods his head, “While it is a very private thing, if I may ask you both, what were your visions.”

While Moon hesitates, I tell him, “I saw my son who died in the war as well as someone else. But my memories are incomplete so I do not know who they were.”

He smiles kindly and tells me, “Do not worry if you do not remember them, they remember you.” He then turns to Moon and asks, “Would you care to share?”

Moon looks down and blushes and answers, “I saw Mareigan. She asked me why I had summoned her and told me she was already watching me.”

My ears go forward, my eyes open wide and my wings pop out in surprise. Noticing this the shaman asks, “Who is this Mareigan that she mentioned that has you so surprised?”

This time I speak, “She is the spirit of the Manesville region. She is a spirit of fertility as well as a chooser of the slain. I have met her as well as some of my other people. I just had not expected my great-granddaughter to be the focus of her attention.”

He puts a hoof under his chin, “Interesting, I will have to think about that. But it seems she is spirit touched and blessed.” He pauses then smiles at both of us, “You need to catch up with the rest of your people. Go with the blessings of the ancestors and the Tender Tribe. I look forward to seeing you both again someday.”

After he says this, he walks away with an expression of deep thought on his face. As we walk back to the others Moon smiles and tells me, “Do not worry Granny, Mareigan is watching us.”

I smile and tell her, “You are right.” But inside I feel a chill as I wonder why the Mareigan would be watching us.

Once back with the others, I tell them, “Grab your kits, it is almost showtime.” Soon we are on our way out the gate and we shift our formation to include a tender with each section.

As we approach the part of town where there is considerably more traffic we separate to blend in and not look like one large group. Sunny, myself and the rest of the fliers take to the rooftops to avoid attracting the attention of the Enclave. Once past the last of the Enclave checkpoints we begin to reform. We finally stop until dark once we reach the last of the buildings before the old university campus. It is there that we say our goodbyes to the Tenders who had escorted us here. I send a quick message via a burst text on my PipBuck to Flight Plan to let him know we are in position and to be ready.

We are waiting until he is on the air before we strike. That way we know he will be here. Unless our intel is wrong and we are hitting an empty building with a recording again. By Celestia, I hope not. This is our final chance; it must work out this time or this has all been for nothing.

We hear the opening of Hallowed Dreams show and we begin to make our move. As we run, I see the flying foursome flying as fast as they can heading for the door of the station.

I then hear Xochitl yell out, “Contact, Enclave patrol to our right as he and his set begin to engage them.

Ginger and her set are right behind me as we storm into the station with Moon Lily in the lead. I flinch as I see an auto turret turn on us and as I throw up my shield, Moon blasts it using a lightning spell, without slowing down.

Over the in-station speakers, we can hear Hallowed Dreams saying, As I was saying The NCR leadership knows that they are losing. The only reason they refuse to surrender and join the Enclave in rebuilding Equestria and making it great again is that they are afraid. Afraid of what will happen once their corruption and treachery become known. Look at the list of offenses and lies they have put out.

Ginger calls out over her radio, “Main floor clear!”

Jelly Bean stomps twice to get our attention and points to a stairwell that leads down to the basement and that has a Fallout Shelter sign as well as one that has an arrow pointing down that says Broadcast Studio. We all rush to the stairs

As we hear him ruffle some papers over the speakers he continues, I mean look at how poorly they are defending their people. They are sacrificing towns and regions so they can remain in power. They have even gone so far as to try and say one of their unicorns has ascended to become an alicorn. Come on ponies, we all know that if they had one who did that the monarchy would be reestablished. Instead, I have it on good authority that they are actually trying to pass off one of the former members of Unity and a drone from that so-called goddess as one. I for one will not stand for such drivel.

As I enter the studio the door having been knocked off its hinges, I see Moon Lily standing on her hind legs holding herself up with the desk he is seated behind as she yells, “ENOUGH! I am sick of your lies.” She pauses then angrily asks, “Do I look like an adult to you?”

He nervously responds, “No, you’re only a filly, but, but you are flying and you have a horn. How?”

With fire in her eyes, she tells him, “I have ascended and met the true Princesses. I have met Celestia and Luna and talked with them. Can you say that? Can you imagine what it is like to be in their presence between worlds? I have never claimed to be a princess and have told others not to call me one. I AM A CITIZEN OF THE NEW CANTERLOT REPUBLIC AND I AM TIRED OF THE LIES AND ATTACKS BY YOU AND THE ENCLAVE!”

I see fear and shame cross his face as he looks down and tells her, “I, I am sorry. I did not know. I did not think you could actually be a real alicorn.”

From behind me, I hear Slip Stream giggle and then say, “He didn’t think you could be a real alicorn, and here he is a unicorn broadcasting for the Enclave. Hey Choo Choo, Sunny, did not they bad mouth the NCR about DJ Pon3 along those lines”.

In answer, Snow Song says,” Yeah, he did say that Moon, buck does he look scared now.”

Hollowed Dreams then in an almost terrified-sounding voice speaks into the microphone. “Mares and gentlecolts, I have in front of me several armed ponies in paramilitary gear as well as four fillies, one of which is a, a, an alicorn. They have taken over the station. I do not know how much longer I will be on the air.”

From the stairwell, I hear hoofsteps coming quickly toward us as Moon Lily then asks him, “What do you know about memory spells?”

Almost in tears, he pleads, “I, please don’t erase my memory. I can’t lose my memories of my wife and foals.”

I can hear the hoof steps getting closer as Moon gently tells him, “If you really want to know what happened at Manesville that day, I will show you, touch your horn to mine.”

From the doorway, I hear Ginger say, “Moon, are you sure you want to do that?” then shaking her head she says, “Too late.” She takes a breath and tells me, “Hey Choo, we may be having company coming soon. I have our ride out of here inbound.

“Thank you, Ginger, have the rest of the team ready.”

From outside I can hear gunfire and MEW fire in the distance. Then I hear Ginger tells me, “Choo, we really need to get going.”

This is followed by Hallowed Dreams saying in disbelief, “It, it was you that brought down that raptor, the others were knocked down when they landed. My Goddesses, they lied to all of us.”

Moon looks at him with sadness and tells him, “Sir, we need to go, I hope you have learned something here.”

Then I hear the panic in his voice, “Please don’t leave me here. After what I just said, I am a dead buck walking. Please take me with you. You can’t imagine what the Enclave will do to me for failing like this.

I had not planned for this, but I cannot in good conscience leave him for the Enclave to brand, so I tell him, “Alright, you can come, but we need to move now.” I see Salt in the hallway waiting and tell him and the others, “Cowlick, you know what to do in here, the rest of you let’s move it to our ride.”

“Yes Ma’am, just give me a few seconds.” He tells me as he quickly begins to go to work with his explosive charges. As we are running out, I can hear him over the speakers humming to himself and then he says, “I think Bailey would be happy with this one.”

As we make it outside, I can see the Hot Shot coming in with its guns blazing and the tail ramp open. It hovers just above the ground as we run inside. As soon as Cowlick is on board, I tell the loadmaster, “All on board!” He smiles and tells the pilots and we jump skyward again.

We have only gotten 500 meters in the air when I look back and see Cowlick smile as he pushes a large red button and I see several explosions coming from the radio station. I sit back and begin to relax when I notice someone I had not expected to be onboard as well. Smiling at me is Morning Glen as he yells out, “Hi boss!”

*****

EAS Macroburst, Airspace Coltlumbia: Ball Lightning

As I enter the hanger The XO of the Macroburst is there to send me off. “Good luck Ball, give those treasonous strikers hell for us.”

I shake her hoof and tell her, “Will do Lightning Strike, will do.”

With that, she turns and heads back to her duties while I load the first of the transport vertibucks with my HQ security detachment and part of my staff. The other parts are divided among several other transports so if something were to happen, we still have some of our chain of command. But being ordered to do this makes me wonder just what we are facing here. After all, this is feeling way too close to a combat drop in a hot LZ.

We land at one of our smaller bases in what the maps tell me is called Flankton. As we came in, I could see the built-up industrial area with the shops and housing for the lower-class workers who are employed here. I happened to glance a few times into the distance and saw the government center and higher-class areas known as Emporia. The difference between the two was stunning to me.

According to the briefing the strikers are demanding safer working conditions, including shorter hours. But we are in a war, what do they expect?

I cross the base to the headquarters as the rest of my battalion is led to the barracks we will be operating out of. Storm Rider has the battalion while I meet with our new commander. As I enter, I am told, “Have a seat, Lieutenant Colonel. While the Colonel is expecting you, he is in a meeting, Sir.”

“Thank you, Sergeant Major,” I tell him as I take a seat and begin to wait.

It is only a short time later I am told, “The Colonel is ready to see you, sir.”

As I enter the office, I notice my new commanding officer sitting behind his desk.

“Have a seat, Lieutenant Colonel.”

Once seated he asks, “How much have they told you about what is going on here?”

“I received the brief concerning the strikers refusing to work and that my troops are to go in and force them back to work.”

“Good, then you have the gist of it. There has also been some rioting, but nothing you can’t handle. You and your people will be working with the 23rd and 210th battalions. Do you or your people have any objections to what must be done?”

“Sir we are in a war. This illegal strike could be construed as aiding the enemy. We will do what we must.”

He nods his head with a serious expression on his face. “Good, glad see to it. As soon as your troops have all landed, assemble them, and let’s get to work.”

“Yes Sir,” I tell him and make my way back out the door and to where the rest of the Battalion is located.

I make it back to them as the last of my troops drop their saddlebags in their new barracks. I tell the XO, “Officers call, now!”

I am not happy with how this is working out right now, as something just does not seem right. But orders are orders.

Once all my battalion officers are assembled, I tell them, “We are going right into the lines per se, just like in the briefing on the transport. Both the 23rd and the 210th have already been dealing with them for three days now.” I pause and tell them, “I want our troops in full riot gear, shields and all. If they fight us and get caught, they will be branded a dashite.”

I watch as Captain Cloud Seeder’s eyes go wide and he says, “Sir, some of those ponies may be related to my troopers.”

I turn to him and ask, “Captain, are you saying your troops will not do their duty?”

“No sir, but; Sir, it may be hard on them if they are fighting their kin.”

“I understand Captain.” I turn to Storm Rider and tell her, “XO, have A company as our reserve.”

She nods in acknowledgment of the order after which I add, “We move within the hour, now move ponies.”

I watch as they all trot back to their respective commands and Storm tells me quietly, “Sir I will keep an eye on Cloud Seeder.”

“Thank you, Storm, I really hope it will not be needed. But better safe than sorry.”

“I agree sir.”

It is just shy of an hour later when my soldiers are ready and we begin to make our way to the first factory complex. As we move into our initial positions, I can see hatred on the faces of many of the civilians as they run or fly to get out of our way.

As we near the first factory, I can see barricades set up ahead of us that are ponied by security troops from one of the other battalions. On the other side of them, inside the windows, I can see movement. Outside several windows, I can see banners declaring, “On Strike!” “Fair Wages for Fair Work!” and the like.

As I reach the barricade, I approach a young lieutenant who is the ranking officer there and ask, “LT, give me a sitrep.”

I see him gulp then he tells me where the other troops are located nearby, including his battalion’s headquarters. He then adds, “We have been trying to wait them out, but their families keep sneaking food up to the windows and all.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant, I will let your superiors know you did a good job of letting me know what is going on.” I then tell Storm Rider, “XO, keep them at a relaxed ready while I go talk to the 20th’s Battalion CO.”

After that, I make my way quickly there and am surprised to hear the 20th Battalions CO has a Neighvarro accent. When she hears mine, she says, “Glad to hear they sent us some troops who are not from here for support.” She pauses then says in a lower voice, “Some of the units that are from Coltlumbia are too soft on the strikers. If not, we would not have needed more troops.”

I nod my head in agreement and then ask, “Not that it is necessary to know, but why did they decide to strike now?”

I hear her mumble under her breath, “Celestia don’t tell me another bleeding heart.” Then she answers, “Something about working 14-hour shifts since the start of the war. They are complaining about working too much, then complain again about not being paid enough.”

Again, I nod to acknowledge I have heard her. Then she adds, “They all have roofs over their heads and they say they are not fit for a pony or beast to live in, on top of everything else. I have had to sleep in the dirt when down below. I do not understand why they are even complaining.”

I nod a final time and tell her, “Have your troops get ready, when I get back to my people we will be moving within the hour.”

She grins at me and tells me, “That is what I was hoping to hear. We got your flank.”

I grin back and tell her, “Thanks, talk to you later.”

As I head out, I hear her giving the call for her messengers. As I fly, I think about what she has told me and a part of me feels bad for the workers, but they should not have done this during a war, and if I do nothing my family as well as myself will pay for it. Once back to my people, I tell Storm Rider, “I want us hitting the doors of that place in an hour.” She types in an order for officers call on her PipBuck and once they arrive the orders go out.

Shortly after the orders are received the company commanders start to move their troops into position. Once ready they wait for me to give the order.

I step up to the barricade and use a bullhorn to tell them, “I am Lieutenant Commander Ball Lightning, I have been sent to break up this illegal strike. I am giving you one last chance to disperse your people and return to work.”

I hear several of them yelling vile things as well as throwing debris in our direction. I first shake my head as I look down. When I look up, I calmly tell my people, “Begin.”

I hear several whistles being blown by my officers as B Company advances towards the loading dock doors with shields raised in the front and the following troops using their wings to hold theirs above them as they advance with rocks and bottles being thrown down on them from upper levels.

None of these items do any harm, but then someone throws down a molotrot cocktail at my troops as they begin to use a battering ram on the dock doors. They follow this with several more and as B Company backs away, dragging their wounded, C Company begins its assault against the doors on the right side of the building. This time, having seen what is going on at the docks they use a standard combat rush. With the first molotrot cocktail they changed the rules of engagement and deadly force is now authorized and my officers know that.

I hear gunfire being exchanged in the tight confines of the office section of the building as they make my people fight their way through to the factory floor. Once the wounded are clear, B Troop renews their assault. However, this time they bring up the shotguns and blast the locks and hinges on the large doors. As the doors fall away, they step to the side and the rest of B Troop rushes inside. This time batons are being used left and right. From the back of the building, we first see a trickle of workers running, soon followed by a flood of them as they run away from my people. Within half an hour the building is secured and we begin to take those we captured into custody.

As one group is led past me one of them spits in my direction. A guard right behind him uses the butt of his shotgun to push him forward and tells him, “You already earned a brand, now you are just making it worse for your family and the others.”

This is the first of the factories we must clear and only the beginning of one of the largest labor riots in Enclave history. But they chose this path. I tried to give them a way out, but they chose it. But as we begin to move to the next building, I can already see barricades being set up to block the streets ahead.

I look at Storm Rider and she shakes her head, “Sir, Captain Cloud Seeder requests the vanguard for the next action.”

“Granted XO. Let’s get this over with as fast as we can.”

*****

It is another beautiful day here in the Wastelands, you can take that any way you want to. I am Short Wave and you are listening to HRSE out of Baltimare.

Leading today’s news is the report that the Enclaves Radio Free Equestria has temporarily been taken off the air. Their prime host Hallowed Dreams is reported as missing with no leads as to whether he was in the station when it was destroyed live on air.

This has been followed by unsubstantiated rumors of labor strikes and riots in the Coltlumbia section known as Flankton. Both of these are said to have caused disruption in the workforce there as well and several pegasi have been reported to have been found injured and branded in the wastes.

From the Hoof, we have reports of several altercations between local factions and Enclave forces. Particularly around the Marimare Air Station. Enclave representatives have since sent warnings to the Commonwealth Council alerting them that if such behaviors continue to occur punitive strikes may be undertaken.

From the local area, I would like to remind you that NCR forces are still looking for volunteers to protect Baltimare and the NCR. Volunteers will receive monthly pay, uniforms, weapons, and rations, as well as training in either combat arms or other support roles. If you are interested see your local NCRA Recruiter today.

Now time for four in a row starting with an old favorite Gossip.

Author's Note

I need to take the time to thank RuinQueenof Oblivion for allowing me to use her world from Survivor's Guilt. This leads me to thank Natale who created the Tenders. While I have created a few of the members of the tribe for my story, she is the creator of the tribe itself.

The ceremony that we see the Tender Shaman perform is based upon one that I saw performed by a group for the Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) at the Forest Lawn Cemetary in 2023. Before performing it, the group leader explained to us the symbology and the significance of it as well as how it was to call to the spirits of the ancestors. I felt this fit the Tenders so well I wanted to use it for them as well.

The artwork for this chapter was created once again by the very talented Laura SIkes, AKA: Brianiac on Discord. I would like to thank her once again and suggest her as an artist for MLP commissions.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIUiQr3vI80