Chapter 67 The Unthinkable

“My shoes are too tight and I have forgotten how to dance” Lando Molari, Babylon 5

Onboard the Hot Shot, Airborne over the wastelands, Disputed Territory: Ginger Snap

We have been airborne for three hours when I woke to a strange vibration in our aircraft. My eyes pop open and I see the same concerned expression on everyone else’s faces. I turn to look at the cockpit, see lights blinking on and off, and can barely hear warning alarms going off.

There is a heavy thunk from the wing strut behind me and I then hear Flight Plan yell out, “We're going down, buckle up and hold on!” Followed by the aircraft twisting heavily to one side and feeling we are falling.

I feel myself tense up along with the others as this is going on. In the dark outside, I cannot tell how high up we are, but at this speed, no matter how high or low we are, it will not be pretty. I feel myself almost panicking. I look back and see our prisoner Hallowed Dreams has an expression of absolute terror on his face. It is going to be a rough day for our family when they get the news of this.

I turn my head again and watch as Choo Choo and Moon Lily disappear. Thank Sweet Cream that at least Moon will survive.

Suddenly I feel the aircraft jerk and slow in its descent, just as I see the shadows of pine trees ahead of us as we begin to crash into them. Suddenly there is a heavy bump, and I feel the undercarriage collapse and the bottom of the aircraft starts to crumple some. Finally, we stopped moving. I feel my body relax and then I hear Slip Stream yell, “That was awesome!”

As she says this, every head in the vertibuck turns to her. Then I almost laugh as I see two wing tips, from Snow Song and Frost Glitter slap her lightly in the back of the head and one of them asks her, “What is wrong with you?”

Flight Plan, as he toggles the controls then calls back, “Is anypony hurt?”

Surprisingly we all look at each other and the answer is that we are all fine except for a few bumps and bruises.

I watch as the aircrew slowly get up from their positions. Love Tap and Load Shift both remove their weapons as they do so. Flight Plan then tells us, “OK, time to exit the bus. She is not going anywhere anymore.”

I flip down my NODs as do the rest who have them and we climb out of the escape hatches. One outside I hear Morning Glen ask someone, “What happened?”

I then hear Cloud Bank, our co-pilot answer, “It seems we had a major bearing fail in the port engine.” He pauses and then adds, “Without the two alicorns we probably would not have survived the crash.”

I smirk when I hear Morning Glen asks, “Does this happen often?”

“No, luckily not often. My first time with a failure like that. I have been shot down before though. Big Blue saved our Flanks back then too.”

The last one off is Flight Plan. He sadly pats the Hot Shot with a forehoof and tells it, “Thanks for everything girl. Sorry, we could not keep you flying.” He then turns to Choo and tells her, “We should get going. If the Enclave sees her, they will be all over that area looking for us.”

Choo then gives the order, “We head due east. Our goal is to reach the river, to be picked up by the Colt. I want our normal travel formations, Aircrew, you are in the middle along with me. Morning Glen, you are on point with Flower.” She pauses then tells Morning Star, “Lance, I need you and your people to do a quick recce to make sure we are clear.”

“Yes, Ma’am” is the reply she gets and I watch as the four of them take off into the darkness. Before too long I can hear their high-pitched squeals as they use their echolocation.

Before long we are making our way on hoof through the mountains and woods of Coltlumbia, stopping after fifty minutes for a ten-minute rest. Back to the same pace that Xochitl, Choo, and I all first learned on the Expedition.

During the first rest break, Choo flies high and uses her radio to report to our higher-ups what has occurred. We are all getting ready to move again when she returns and tells us, The Colt knows we are down, unfortunately, due to the needs of the war, we do not have an aircraft available to pick us up, we are going to have to make it out on hoof. She brings up a map on her PipBuck and points to where it shows railroad tracks crossing over the river. She then tells us, “That is our pickup point, the village of Morvarc'h. For those who have PipBucks, I will mark it on your maps as well.”

Once she is done she tells us, “OK, time to get moving again my Little Ponies, we are burning moonlight.”

We continue to travel at night and rest during daylight as we cross the mountains and valleys. After six days, to the north, we can see a very large cloud city that looks to be anchored to a mountain on one end.

As we stare at it, Flight Plan tells us, “That there is Mount Perseus and Coltlumbia itself, the capital of the Enclave.”

I see Sunny look at it excitedly as his wings start to rise. This is followed by Choo Choo saying, “Sunset Waters, do not even think about it. That is not part of our mission.”

“But Boss, maybe we can get some info like we did with Thunderhead.”

She turns to him with anger in her eyes, her ears are laid back as her wings extend fully and she tells him, “I said no! We have a mission to perform. Besides, I am sure that nopony like Ball Lighting or any other Thunderheaders are there for you to bluff your way through.”

I see the disappointment on his face as he sighs, then tells her, “Yes Boss. Sorry, I just got excited is all.”

“I do understand, but now is not the time,” she tells him and the issue seems settled, for now. She pauses then adds, “Once everyone is ready, we begin to move again.”

As we ready ourselves, I notice Hallowed Dreams looking longingly at the far cloud city. He then shakes his head and looks down letting out a sigh.

When he does this, I hear Flight Plan ask, “You okay?”

“Yeah, I guess, just missing my wife and foals. It has been since shortly after the war started since I last saw them and they are there. I guess you wouldn’t understand though.”

I hear most of the flight crew as well as Morning Mist laugh at this before Flight Plan tells him, “Most of the pegasi here were all born above the clouds. Myself, that was my home. I got branded and thrown out without even a goodbye to my family.”

Hallowed Dreams looks at Sunny and asks, “What about him?”

Sunny hears this, looks up from his canned Cram, and tells him,” I am the oddball here. I was born just south of Canterlot Mountain. Ma is a unicorn and Pa is an Earth Pony. Pa was from Manesville, so Ma and I ended up there with him and the rest of his family.”

Hallowed Dreams looks at us funny and asks, “How many of you are from Manesville? Most of us raise our hooves and I see the surprise on his face that shifts to nervousness. He then asks, “You all come from there?”

Choo nods her head, “Most of us do. Myself, I made my home there once Unity was broken. My sister Quick Frost was originally from there before the Final Day. The decision was reinforced for me when I found out that many of those living there are descended from me when I was but a unicorn mare.”

He then asks, “What is this Unity you mentioned?”

As Choo starts to explain it to him, the rest of us finish our meal and we begin to get ready to move again. I do notice though that Moon Lily spends some extra time with Love Tap and she then tells her something that does not make her happy. A short time later I see Double back trading weapons with her so that she has a lighter load. Once they are done, we are ready and begin to continue our journey.

Later that day we come across a long-abandoned camp. We first begin to notice it because of several bodies we find leading up toward it.

We come to a small ridge and find one body that is larger than most and looks to have been killed by an Enclave PA tail to its skull. However, the position it is in makes me think someone had tossed it aside after taking something from them. I then hear over the radio from Morning Star, “Big Blue, we have found the remains of a camp over here. It might make a good place to layup for the day.”

This is cut short by Choo responding, “Roger, remember to limit radio communications.”

Once we arrive at the camp, I can tell no pony has been here for a long time. However, in one of the lean-to shelters find some cases of canned food as well as a few rolled-up bedrolls that look to be in good shape.

Choo takes one of the bedrolls and uses a cleaning spell on it before hooving it to Hallowed Dreams. When he takes it, she tells him, “Here you go, your own blanket.”

I see him blush and then he begins to look around a bit and I can tell when he finds a good set of saddlebags as he asks us, “Can I use these?”

Choo tells him, “If a place is obviously abandoned like this and you find something you can use, then please do so.”

I watch as he loads his saddle bag with a few of the better-shaped cans. I then see him looking at a set of barding that is of questionable quality with some tears in it and he asks, “Could someone use a cleaning spell on this so I can wear it?”

Moon Lily flies over to him and I watch as she performs a simple cleaning spell. The look on his face is priceless. He then tells her, “Thank you. I keep forgetting you are not just a pegasus.”

She smiles at him and tells him, “That is ok, sometimes that is for the best, as Granny has pointed out to me. Besides, some ponies might think I am a princess and that is not true. Celestia herself, along with the other princesses told me I do not have to be one.”

He shakes his head, “So many others would love to be able to say they are a princess and here you are saying you do not want to be one.”

Moon then tells him, “Perhaps it is time for us all to learn how to live without the need for Princesses or anyone who has absolute power.”

I watch as he tries to grasp the concept and finally, he says, “Yeah, I guess you are right.”

He then asks, “Big Blue, what is going to become of me?”

She shrugs her wings and replies, “Honestly, I do not know, but you can ask for asylum and perhaps after the war your family can move to wherever you settle down. But that is up to you and those above me in the government. But know that unless you endanger me or my people, we will see that you are safely taken away from the Enclave.”

He asks, “And if somehow I make you feel I am endangering you?”

She turns to face him, but I answer, “Best not to ask.”

It is then I see fear spark in his eyes briefly as he looks at all of us. Then he says, “I best not do that then.”

*****

Wastelands Wilderness near Coltlumbia: Xochitl

It has been a week since we last found a camp to sleep in or even scrounge. Twice during this time, Choo has gone high to use the radio to check in, with no change in orders yet.

Part of me is really enjoying this time as I have gotten to know Morning Glen much better and to be honest, we keep trying to outdo each other in stealth as we take turns being on point. At each break, we both take notes on what we have seen of the terrain and anything else we see.

This time he smells it first and holds up a hoof to stop us all. He then points to his nose and then in the direction that the smell is coming from. I notice that it is coming from the direction of a maple tree grove. As we approach that direction, I see several trees have been tapped and have buckets hanging from them.

We continue and I notice several stunted apple trees growing there. Perhaps we have found a place to supplement our rations I think to myself.

The rest of the team spreads out a bit and is covering us as we all slowly advance up the mountain. One time when I look back, I see Sunny stretching his neck as he smells the air then he licks his lips as if anticipating tasting what we are smelling.

Finally, we come to a clearing where we find a rundown shack. On the front porch is an old earthpony mare with a wide-brim hat on her head, an old dress, and a pipe sticking out of the corner of her mouth. Next to her leaning against the wall is a large old double-barreled shotgun that reminds me of Mother Sumac’s Ol’ Bessie.

The mare looks directly at me and tells us, “Come on up to the house, we’ve been expecting ya.”

She then turns and yells out, “Don’t shoot ‘em, I was expecting ‘em.”

Then she surprises me by calling out, “Who is Moon Lily and her Granny Choo Choo?”

I am surprised enough at hearing her say she expected us, but to ask for two of us by name, well that was not what I expected.

I watch as Choo and Moon Lily slowly make their way forward and I hear Choo cautiously tell her, “I am Choo Choo, and this is my granddaughter, Moon Lily.”

The old mare smiles and tells us all, “Come on up, seriously now, I have some good homemade applejack made with maple syrup instead of sugar.”

I hear Sunny and a couple of others getting excited at this, but Choo tells them, “We are on a mission, no getting drunk.”

I see a bit of disappointment on some of their faces, but they do not argue. Choo and Moon then lead us the rest of the way to the porch.

Once there Choo asks, “How did you know we were coming, much less our names.”

The old mare laughs and slaps her thigh, “I told her you would ask that.”

While Moon seems curious, Choo is put off by her answer and snorts slightly. Finally, the old mare tells her, “An old friend of yours I would say. A white mare, black mane, and tail, wearing a cloak. Called herself Mareigan. She said you were coming this way and that we were to provide you a place to rest for a couple of days.”

As she says this, I see several other earth ponies coming out of the woods and the outbuildings here.

Choo then says to her, “Yes, we do know her, and you know our names. What shall we call you?”

“Most around here call me Granny Crisp, my real name is Apple Crisp, and before ya ask, we are distant kin to the old Ministry Mare.”

I nod my head and wonder how they ended up here.

Moon then asks her, “How well do you know Mareigan?”

“Not well young one, but I do know a spirit when I see one, and I am not out to try and anger it or cross it. Besides, the gift has run in our branch of the family tree for some time.”

Right after that Choo tells us, “It seems we can rest here.”

Ginger then asks, “Granny Crisp, where should we camp?”

The old mare smiles and tells one of the other mares near her, “Turnover, how about showing our guest to the barn.” She pauses then asks Morning Glen, “I know many of your people are not too fond of mine, but I promise you no harm will come to ya here.”

Morning Glen nods and then tells her, “Elder, I have not heard of you or your clan as I am not from here. The closest I have come before was several months ago and I was on the other side of the mountain.”

Granny Crisp then asks, “You are not one of them Thornapple tribe members?”

I see confusion on his face as he says, “No.” He then asks, “Are they another tribe of deer?”

She looks thoughtful before answering him, “I guess so. the Thornapple Tribe lives down lower on the mountain. We have had a few incidents with them stealing apples from our orchard, as bad as it is now, and some of our buckets of sap.”

Morning looks thoughtful at this news and tells her, “I had not known any other tribes had survived. Thank you for letting me know.”

“You are welcome young buck, now you all go settle in and get some rest. Later, if ya want, I will send one of my boys to help you meet them, if ya want.”

After that, we all follow Turnover to the barn. As we walk past some of the outbuildings, we see a couple of stills that are currently running which are the source of the smell that was on the wind, that led us here.

As we set down our bedrolls, I hear Epona ask Turnover, “I hate to ask, but how do you all survive up here this close to the Enclave?”

She shrugs, “Normally we leave them alone, they leave us alone. Sometimes we get a patrol through here that we sell a few bottles to. Other times we get strangers passing through we trade with too. About once a year we head down into the valley and across the way. There is a small settlement there of ponies.”

Morning Glen hears this and asks, “So what about the settlement of the deer?”

She shakes her head, “Well, they and we have had some disagreements. Right now, things are quiet between us though. Why, you looking for a cute doe?”

I watch as my friend blushes slightly and then tells her, “Not really, but I would not mind a little company of my own kind.”

She laughs and nudges him a bit then jokingly tells him, “Yeah, I get yeah. Perhaps tomorrow we can get you down there to visit.”

As the night goes on, we are visited by several of the Apple family who live here. We even find out more of their family’s story of how they survived the final day as Hard Cider, a large yellow buck with a light green mane and tail, tells us, “Family story is that on what y’all call the final day my ancestors were coming back from the Crystal Empire in their airship. We owned this patch of ground and had prepped for just such an event as Apple Bloom had warned them that trouble was coming. So, we had a pretty good shelter dug and a lot of provisions laid up. Now this wasn’t one of them fancy stables that your folks all went into but it was good enough. It seems we did not get hit too bad by the fallout like some areas. Honestly, I think it had a lot to do with them closing the skies up around here so fast. But like I was saying between that and the shelter my kin survived.”

“How long was your family in the shelter?” I ask.

He grins, “Oh, about ten years give or take. But we weren’t the only ones. We took in several campers who lived nearby as well as the ponies from Crazy Mare Creek. That is the settlement across the way.” He pauses then turns to Morning Glen and tells him, “From what was passed down by the family the Thornapple tribe arrived later on. I guess they did not realize anyone was in this area and they were a bit upset with not getting to keep the choicest spot on this side of the valley.”

He then pulls a jug of his homemade applejack from his saddle back and asks, “Anyone want a snort?”

I want one, but I am worried about what Choo will say. Then I hear her say, “You all may have some, but do not get drunk. We need to keep our wits about us.”

It is then I put up a hoof and take the jug for a taste. I will say it was stronger than I expected and burned going down, but boy did it taste good.

I then pass the jug to Morning Glen who takes a snort and then passes it on. Soon we all tried it, including Choo. The only exceptions are the flying foursome. I can see the disappointment on their faces until Turnover comes over to them and tells them, “Granny Crisp said to bring you mares some regular cider. I hope you like it.”

I almost laugh as I watch them all take a big drink from the bottle and each of them licks their muzzles clean afterward. Then Moon Lily says, “That is really good. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome young filly,” she says with a smile then asks, “So, tell me, how did ya get both wings and a horn?”

I smile as I listen to her once again tell her story. Most of the team has heard it enough that they begin to busy themselves in other ways. Tater, Morning Mist, Cowlick, and Jelly Bean all break out a pack of cards and play.

After she is done, Turnover asks, “So what were you all doing during this time?”

I look at Choo before answering and when she nods and signals with her ears to continue, I begin to tell her about our part in the battle of Manesville. I am describing some of what occurred there when Hallowed Dreams stop me, “Wait, are you saying that the Enclave forces not only burned your crops but were physically assaulting ponies there?”

The way he says this I feel my hackles raise and I tell him, “I am not saying it, I am telling you it. The Enclave better thank the Goddesses that we are not the same way if we ever enter one of their cities. I will never forget the devastated and terrified look on the one mare’s face, and how I had to get my wife and her sister to be with her while we waited for a female medic to treat her. You want to know why we fought so hard, there Hallowed, that is a part of it. I lost friends and classmates in that fight as well. The barn, which had been recently filled with hay was leveled at our family farm because of the attacks.” I pause and then add, “If we were half of what you claimed on your show do you really think we would have taken you with us?”

He stammers slightly and then adds, “You wouldn’t have just left me there to keep broadcasting.”

I shake my head, and I hear Sunny tell him, “No, we would not have, you would have been dead before we set the charges. Taking you with us was never part of the plan.”

I watch as the former radio talk show host has the color drain from his face and his ears flop to the side of his head, as his tail tucks in tight behind him. “You, you are serious, aren’t you?”

I nod my head, “Yes, he is. But you asked for help and for us to take you with us.”

He nods his head, then he adds, “You know, until tonight, I had never heard what you and your team had done during that battle. You have given me a lot to think about.”

I nod in agreement, “Good. I am glad to hear that. It means you can still learn and are at least somewhat open-minded.”

The next morning begins with our usual breakfast, supplemented by apple-topped pancakes. After which Granny Crisp tells us, “Hard Cider will take our deer friend down to the Thornapples’ territory. That is, if you want.”

Morning Glen nods and tells her, “Thank you, I would like that.”

A few hours later, Morning Glen, Jelly Bean, Twinks, Cowlick and I follow Hard Cider as he heads down to the home of the local deer tribe. I do notice though that he has several bottles of his home brew sticking out of his saddlebags, but I say nothing as I figure he may be taking it to trade, or maybe as a peace offering. Well, whatever helps I guess.

*****

Apple Crisps Farm, Western Mountain Wastelands: Choo Choo

To say that I am surprised to hear this old mare use mine and Moon Lily’s name is an understatement. But then she mentions the Mareigan, and that changes everything. While I do not fully trust this mare who calls herself Granny Chrisp, I do trust the Mareigan.

Both Moon and I talk with her while the rest of the team is led to the barn. She tilts her head and puffs on her pipe then asks, “OK, now that we are alone, just why is a spirit interested so strongly with you two?”

“I have seen her many times over the years and she has guided some of us when we were out in the wastelands. I do believe she is the spirit of the Manesville region. As for why she is so interested in us, perhaps it has something to do with our family.”

She nods her head. Then she points her pipe at me and squints one eye as she tells us, “You, you, I can tell are one of them pony-made ones.” Then she points towards Moon Lily and says, “But you, you are not; I wonder how that is.”

Moon shifts some then tells her, “It is a long story, but if you wish, I can tell you.”

The evening is enjoyable overall, with them telling us about their family’s history, particularly with how they survived here. I find the fact that they have a shelter here very interesting and later, after Granny Crisp joins us, I ask her, “Turnover told us about the shelter. If I may ask, is it still in good condition?”

She looks at me appraisingly and asks, “Why would such a thing matter to you?”

“We tend to operate all over, and occasionally it is good to know what kind of facilities we may have access to. Such as if we are near here and one of our team members is badly injured, that you may have the facilities to help them.”

She looks at me shrewdly and I can tell she is thinking. She then asks, “Choo, I really want you to tell me, why you want to know.”

I smile sadly as I want her to trust me, but understand why she does not. Rarely do outsiders come with no other intentions than their stated ones. Finally, I tell her, “That is just it, that and perhaps a place to hide if we need to. Before the war we were military contractors, now, well, just after the war started, we were drafted and are working for the NCR.”

She moves her head back slightly and tells me, “The NCR, and you expect us to trust you then?”

“I do not expect you to trust me automatically. But I hope you will learn to as I need to learn to trust you too.”

This time she grins, “Good, now I know you are being honest by telling me you do not fully trust me either.” She shakes her head and then answers, “Yes, the shelter is still in pretty good shape. We still grow crops in the old ag section there. That is what got us through for a long time. It is also where we got our first batch of maple and apple trees. Our medical office there is ok, we do not have as many meds as we once did, or would like but it will do.”

I then ask her, “If we were able to help get you some more supplies, would you be willing to be a safe house for our team?”

She takes a puff from her pipe as she thinks and tells me, “Perhaps. But we need to get to know each other more. Let me think on it a bit tonight and we can talk more about it in the morning.”

The next day starts with Xochitl and his set being led to the Thornapple tribe’s territory. Nothing out of the ordinary as far as we are concerned. But it is just after noon when we spy two smaller vertibucks flying along the valley almost directly toward where my team members have gone. Myself, Moon Lily, and Jet Stream all take shelter in the barn so we are not seen because of how we stand out.

Looking out from the dark interior through the door on the haymow I watch as they stop several times, then one flies right up towards us and hovers only ten feet above the ground and I hear something smack the ground then yell in pain, followed by the vertibuck spinning in the air and flying back along the way it came, still at nap of the earth.

As it goes several ponies run out to the bundle that is screaming. Soon I hear Ginger yelling, “Choo, Moon, I need you here as quick as possible, they just dropped off a new dashite and he needs help badly.”

My blood runs cold, I know this will not be good. Moon and I jump out of the window and fly as quickly as we can to the poor hapless pony. Soon we arrive and as I do so, I see they have already cut the bindings loose and I see a very battered stallion. His eyes are swollen shut. His right hind leg is badly swollen at the knee and he is having difficulty breathing. What really strikes me is the fresh burn wounds from being branded on both hips, right over his cutie mark with that of Rainbow Dash’s.

As we approach the poor stallion is screaming in terror for us raiders to leave him be and when he sees me, I see tears in his eyes as he says, “Oh goddesses I am dead. Luna forgive me.”

I place a wingtip along his jaw tenderly and I tell him, “You are not dead, and I am not she, but I know she would forgive you.”

He seems to relax some and he begins to whimper in pain as both Moon and I work together to assess his condition and start treating him. While we are doing so, Granny Crisp walks slowly over and tells us, “Let’s get him into the medical station in the shelter. He is the third one this week.”

I am stunned by this news and I use my TK to gently move him as we follow Granny Crisp behind her cabin to what looks like the entrance to a storm shelter. Once we go down into the basement, I can see a high-pressure door set up in the back wall, and going through it I find we are in a shelter that is similarly set up to Site Paddock.

Once we arrive at the medical bay, A gray mare with a stethoscope as a cutie mark comes over and tells us, “I am Doc General Practice, I got him.”

I then notice that there are several other beds here, several of which have other pegasi already in them. Seeing me looking that way one of the other ponies in the medical area tells us, “They started coming in over a week and a half ago. Said they were considered leaders in an uprising in someplace called Flankton. Unfortunately, we have lost three of them to their wounds and shock.”

As she finishes saying this, I get a call from Xochitl over the radio, “Big Blue, this is Flower, Big Blue this is Flower, do you read me?”

“Loud and clear Flower, what do you have for me?”

“Big Blue we are at the Thornapple tribe’s village, we need medical support asap, they have three dashites who are barely hanging on that they have been treating for the last couple of days as well as two more who were dropped off from a vertibuck just ten minutes ago. Twinks is doing what she can, but boss this is bad.”

“Roger Flower, we are on our way.”

I then gather the rest of my team. “Sunny, I want you and the Lance to take most of the fliers with you to search for survivors along the valley. Moon, you are with me. Ginger, bring the rest of the team down to Xochitl’s location, grab all your gear, we may need it.”

I pause then tell Granny Chrisp what Xochitl has told me. She nods and tells me, “I will send out some of my people as well. I had no idea they had dropped off so many.”

With that Moon and I are off flying as fast as we can to the village of the deer. Behind and above us I can see Sunny and the others begin to fly at a medium height as they begin to perform search patterns.

Moon and I land at the village, we are met by Morning Glen and the lead buck for the village. As I am led to the wounded I make a quick introduction.

He leads us to a structure that is set up on the ground level, but that has several ponies lying on beds of pine boughs on the ground. I first see Twinks working furiously on a mare that seems to have a hard time breathing. I gently move her aside and tell her, “I have her Twinks. You and Moon can work on some of the other cases right now.”

I see her wipe her brow with a forehoof and she tells me, “Thanks, boss. Will do.” She pauses and says, “Come on Moon, we have a couple more over here that need our help too.”

As I take over from her, I perform a quick assessment and use my horn to check what I can inside. I find she had broken ribs and what seems to be damaged ligaments on her left wing. I make sure she is in a good position and use a healing spell on her. I then use some burn ointment I picked up from the Tenders on her brands. As I do this, she yelps at first then whimpers. It makes me wonder how Mollygirl could have gotten herself branded on purpose, especially after she had been scared on her face with a hot poker according to Sutures and Archer.

As I do this, I keep telling her calmly that it will be ok and that I am here to help her. In the dim light, she looks up and asks, “Am I dead? I must be for you to come to me, Princess.”

I smile gently and tell her, “You are not dead, and we will help you as much as we can.”

With that, she smiles and relaxes. Before too much longer I watch as she drifts off to sleep and I shift to our next patient.

We are still working on the ponies who are here when over the radio I hear, “Big Blue, this is RG 1, we are inbound with another injured pegasus.”

Soon after this, the first of the Apples arrive. There are several of them with Turnover, who tell the lead deer, “Thank you for helping them. If you would like we can take them up to the farm so we can treat them better there.”

He looks at her and tells her, “I have seen your farm, I am sure what we have here will be just as good.” He pauses and adds, “That is unless you have more medical supplies.”

She nods her head, “We do Granny Crisp has told me to let y’all know that if you or your people need help send them our way. Your willingness to help ponies has covered any past incidents on our part.”

He looks at her with a tilt of his head and replies, “Perhaps, I will think about this, but for now, let’s get these ponies to your medicines.”

All three of the local settlements work together along with my team to find these poor souls and to bring them to the medical bay at the shelter. I am stunned when at the end we find we have nineteen of them still alive in various conditions of injury, but all bear the brand of a dashite.

That night, I am so angry I wish the Enclave would receive punishment for all they have done through the years. However, I forget that you need to be careful what you wish for, when I hear President Winter Breeze calling for a 24-hour cease of hostilities and when she says her reason I feel my blood run cold and each of our team members look at each other as well Hallowed Dreams and we make a pact the ones who caused the ceasefire will be brought to justice.

*****

Flankton: Coltlumbia: Ball Lightning

“Give me another one, Half Pint,” I tell the bartender.

“Yes sir, the same?”

I nod and he puts another pint of hard cider and a shot of Wild Pegasus in front of me. I think of my wife and family back home and wonder how the buck did I end up here.

I have just dropped my shot of whiskey into the cider when I notice someone slide onto the stool next to me and I hear Storm Rider tell me, “I figured I would find you here in the Officers Club, Ball.”

“Anything special going on?”

She shakes her head and signals negative with her ears as she tells me, “No, nothing new. At least things are starting to quiet down again. I swear that both sides went nuts when she nationalized all the factories.”

I smirk, “Yeah, Winter Breeze really pulled a good one there. The Corporate types are upset that they no longer get all the profits from them, and the workers swear they had the cloud kicked out from under them so they can’t get any better rights.”

Half Pint puts a pint of cider in front of her and she slides him a couple of bits. He slides the bits off the bar, puts them in the till, and then returns to wiping glasses.

She takes a drink and then licking her lips, sets the mug down.

“Ball, I swear I love the Enclave, but part of me feels for these workers.”

“I know, same here. Especially after seeing the living conditions for so many of them. Heck, we got it better at the RDS in our shipping crate homes. What bothers me most is the ones we apprehended are said to have been tried and branded as dashites.”

She nods and takes another sip of her drink, “I just thank Celestia and Luna that it is not us being branded and excommunicated like that.”

It must be from this being my third drink that makes my mouth too loose as I tell her, “I agree, I am just afraid of what happens to us and our families if the higher-ups decide we did something wrong or do not live up to their expectations.”

“Same. I am worried for Kind Heart if something like that happens. She is more family to me than my parents and brother.”

“Speaking of that have you heard from her lately?”

She smiles and nods, “Yes, we got mail from Thunderhead today. I think you have a few letters too.”

“Thanks for letting me know Storm. I appreciate it.” I finish my drink and look at my PipBuck, “It is getting late, we should head back, tomorrow the battalion ends its 48-hour standdown.”

Soon we both make our way back to the barracks. I swing by the office to check if my mail is there. I find myself smiling as I see two letters, one from my wife, and another from my father.

I take them back to my room and once there I open the one from my father first. My wife’s letter I will read right before I settle in for the night.

Dear Son,

It has been too long since we have last had a chance to sit and talk. I miss the times we used to have here together. But you have grown up into a stallion I am proud of. You are not only doing exceptionally well in your career, but more importantly, you have become a better father than I ever was able to be. And that Ball makes me prouder than anything else you could do or be.

I hope this war does not last too much longer so that you can return to Thunderhead, or at least the RDS where I will be able to take a hop down to visit you and your family. Speaking of that, Sundancer’s father has told me that Wind Dancer, your wife, and the grandkids are planning on visiting up here in Thunderhead in a couple of weeks. I cannot wait. All of them are such great kids from what I have been able to experience with them.

On my side of the cloud things have remained pretty much the same. Last week I stopped at the library and I found a book by some author from before the last day named Cloud Seeder. On a lark I started to read it and before I knew an hour had passed. I may have to pick up a copy if I can find one for sale. I think you might like his writings too.

Well, It is getting late and I should get ready for bed. Besides, you do not need me to take up all your time. I am sure you are getting plenty of letters from your wife and family.

Take care son, and wherever you are, please be careful.

Love Dad.

I set the letter down and smile. My father has actually written down that he is proud of me. I mean, he has said it before, but to see it in writing and knowing I can keep it to look back on means a lot to me. I will write him the next time I get a chance.

I take a quick shower and get myself ready for bed before I open Sundancer’s letter. I am laying on my bunk with only my bedside lamp turned on as I pull it out and begin to read.

My Dearest husband,

Tonight, I find myself missing you so much. I cannot wait for this war to end and for us all to be back together again. I miss the feel of your wings around me and your gentle way of touching me. I miss having you here with our children.

Speaking of which, love, I think I may have caught during my foal heat. I had not been really paying attention to it, but when I was talking to Kind and my mother the other day, they asked me when I last went in heat. I had to think hard about it, but it was just after Lightning and Air were born. They made me agree to make an appointment to be checked as it means I am further along than I would like. Also, they are both concerned about the possible foals after I was shot and spent all that time in the hospital.

This gets me to look up from the letter in surprise. I may be a father again. I grin to myself as I shake my head and just think, thank the Goddesses that we are living down below already. I just hope they do not give us anymore trouble. I then continue reading the letter.

Mom has convinced me to see her doctor up in Thunderhead when I visit there next week. She insists she feels the doctors up there are better trained and have better facilities to treat me if there are problems. During this visit, Mom will go back home, because as she says, I have enough help with Kind Heart here already.

While she is right, I will miss Mom as it has been so nice to have her here to help me learn how to take care of the youngest ones.

I ran into your old CO the other day while working in the medical section. He said to tell you hi and to let you know that they are missing you and all your people. He says things are still up in the air on replacements since you left on the Macroburst.

Oh, and tell the Sergeant Major that Bulls Eye Squall says hello. She is talking about retiring after the war ends. However, she has not thought of what she may want to do once she does so. Speaking of that, are you still thinking of becoming a doctor when you retire? Perhaps I can be your nurse and we can have a family practice here at the RDS.

Well, it is getting late and the twins are getting hungry so I need to let you go my love. Never forget you are loved and that we are waiting here for you when you return my hero. While my life is full, there is still a large empty spot when you are not with us.

Good night and sweet dreams my love

Your loving wife Sundancer

XOXO

I find myself missing my wife and family so much right now, but I also know they are safe and doing well. I do smirk though when I look back and see the blocked-out spot on the letter as I know that it has been marked out by the mail censors. I fold it up carefully and place the letter on the desk by my bed, turn out the light, and fall into the world of dreams where I can be with my family for a little bit, even if I cannot be with them for real right now.

For the last three days, we have been running our security patrols in the Flank as my troops have taken to calling it. I am just returning to my office from lunch when my radio specialist for the HQ runs over and tells me, “Sir, on the airwaves, they are attacking the RDS, Marimare, and Thunderhead. Sounds like a large fight, sir. I thought you would want to know.”

“Thank you, Broad Band, for letting me know. Let’s keep this information limited until we know more.”

He salutes me and tells me, “Yes sir, of course.”

I return to my desk but am having a hard time concentrating and head over to the radio room to listen with Broad Band.

What I hear has me horrified. It seems Marimare has been overrun by NCR and Lunar Republic forces. Damn them they threw their hats into the ring now., when I am helpless to do anything.

Before too long we are joined by Strom Rider and the Sergeant Major. Both of them have concern on their faces as they listen and worry about their loved ones too. We listen for several hours when horror turns to abject terror as we hear, Dear Celestia and Luna, what is that it just swept through the civilian section of Thunderhead? Oh, My GODDESSES! It must be a Megaspell! NOOO!!!

I feel tears coming to my eyes as I hear this and have no idea what it could been. My mind goes to the worst. Even the Ceasar and his armies were never able to hit Thunderhead with a megaspell. Now this. Those bastards. I seethe with anger and frustration as I wonder what kind of megaspell it was and where they got it.

Then in horror, I remember Ten Pony Tower and Celestia 1. In my soul, I know that they used it. A mega spell that concentrates the force of the sun into a beam of light as it sweeps across a target and incinerates anything too close, much less that it touches. And those bastards just used it on civilians.

Funnel Cloud looks at me with an expression that matches how I feel. His voice cracks as he says, “There will be a reckoning for this sir. There has to be.”

At that point, I know he is right, and that the war has just changed completely.

A while later over all of the radios and PA systems that line the city, we hear President Winter Breeze address us in a tired, almost beaten tone.

My fellow Equestrians, this is a dark day for us… not only for us but for everypony in Equestria. The firing of Celestia One and the senseless deaths on both sides that resulted from it cannot and will not stand.

I know many of you on both sides lost friends and loved ones in the attack, I’m sorry, I’m sorry that this war has brought so much pain to you and my heart goes out to the families of all of those who died. We will observe a temporary ceasefire along with the Alliance forces that will last until morning. Mourn the dead, honor and respect those who were lost on both sides, and hope that this war will not cost us more good beings. This is President Winter Breeze, signing off.

I feel my legs lose strength and I sit down hard. My Goddesses. My family, Sundancer was supposed to be there today. Oh, Goddesses, what if I just lost my family? How will I even know? I feel a wing cross my shoulder and I hear Storm tell me, “I am sure they are ok. Don’t lose hope Ball.”

I simply nod and shake as I slowly get up and make my way to my office. I close the door, reach into the back of my desk drawer, pull out a bottle of Wild Pegasus, and take a healthy pull to settle my nerves. I then look at the time and decide, that it has been long enough, I need to try to contact Choo Choo and see just what the Tartarus the NCR, and the Alliance were thinking when they did this; the President is going to want to know.

*****

Good evening and welcome to tonight’s show. I am Chromed Microphone and you are listening to HOOF, the best radio in Hoofington. Tonight, as always, I am bringing you the latest news and the best music we can scrounge.

Leading tonight’s news the Lunar Council has decided that the Enclave forces have continued to violate our neutrality, particularly with reports of Enclave forces conducting what they call law enforcement operations into the Lunar Commonwealth, the latest one resulting in a battle between them and members of the Brood.

In response, in cooperation with NCR and Alliance forces the forces of the Lunar Commonwealth attacked the Enclave facilities of Maripony, the Rainbow Dash Skyport, and most importantly the cloud city of Thunderhead. The latter made possible using captured aircraft from the RDS and Maripony and cloud walking spells.

Casualties are reported high on both sides, especially after what is reported as the use of a megaspell on Thunderhead. The Enclave forces there have since laid down their arms in this war.

Due to the high number of civilian casualties by the megaspell, a call is going out for any medically trained personnel or those who can help with search and rescue to report to the Fluttershy Medical Center where the rescue operations are being coordinated from. They will then send you to where you are most needed.

In other news, there are more reports of a large amount of newly branded dashites in various parts near Coltlumbia. Again, equinitarian relief efforts are being conducted there as well.

This just in, President Winter Breeze earlier called for a full cease of conflict between the Grand Pegasus Enclave and the NCR and Alliance forces. However, she can no longer be reached and one of the Wonderbolt Generals has broadcast that she has been relieved of her duties as the President, put on trial as a Traitor, and branded a Dashite.

Wait, what is this real? Oh, still unsubstantiated, okay. Well, folks you heard the last, and if true this war has taken another terrible turn. That is all the news for now. Our next song seems to fit into what we are seeing tonight. Here is Can’t Go to Hell

Author's Note

I would like to thank RuinQueenofOblivion again for letting me use the war from her story FoE: Survivors Guilt. The speech by Winter Breeze is taken directly from her story, as are the attack on Thunderhead. The confusion as to what has happened is mine and is deliberate to show the fog of war and how those fighting it rarely know more than what they are told.

This chapter once again also shows that awry goes the best-laid plans of mice and mares/men. Often we are taken off guard by events that we have no control of and it is not what has happened but how we respond to these events that matters most.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song, the YouTube link is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2ct_Gkq-HQ