Chapter 71 Setting The Board For The Armageddon Game

Chapter 71 Setting The Board For The Armageddon Game

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” -Aristotle

“Armageddons are usually the last resort to determine a winner. Generally, armageddons are preceded by other types of tiebreaks, like a series of blitz games.” -Chess Terms, Chess.com

Repair Pony Rally Point, Enclave Territory: Ginger Snaps

Once Choo and the others have arrived at the rally point, after they tell us what they have done she tells us, I want all of you to lay down and get some sleep. I will wake you in two hours and we will make our way back toward the high mountain gap and meet up with our forces. I want us to be ready if our people break through.”

After this, she takes the watch and we all grab what sleep we can. When Choo wakes us, I am still groggy as I wipe the sleep from my eyes, roll my rain poncho, and have my husband tie it back on my battle saddle as do the others who have them. That is the only thing that slows us down as we all have fallen asleep in our gear.

We move until dawn breaks and then stop for a quick cold breakfast. I can only hope that our people have already broken through the gaps or we could be in real trouble. We are starting to get short on our official rations, luckily, we did pick up some food at the market yesterday during what time we had.

Around noon, I see my husband on point stop and motion for all of us to be silent. I begin to search for hostiles immediately, and then I hear it. In the far distance, both to our east and southeast, I hear the near-constant thunder of a heavy artillery bombardment that stops periodically and then restarts again.

Twinks perks her ears in those directions as does Cowlick then she quietly tells me, “Someone is really catching it.”

I nod my head and all I can think of is that Papa Archer is probably involved with one of the groups of artillery.

Over my headset, I hear, “Boss, this is Flower. It sounds like artillery ahead.”

“Roger Flower, anything else?”

“Negative.”

“Understood, then let us get moving again.”

Two hours later we stop and all of us go to ground as we watch a heavily listing, and still burning raptor slowly making its way in the direction of Coltlumbia. As it passes all I can think of how bad it must be for those on board. Then I wonder, how bad are the other guys they tangled with?

Once they are past Choo tells us over our radios, “On your hooves, we are burning daylight.”

It is near dinner time when I next see my husband drop to the ground. The rest of us follow his lead as I hear someone call out, “Halt and identify yourself.”

I activate SATS and see they are friendly as I hear my husband call out, “Alliance recon team. Who are you?”

I then hear, “Stand with your weapons at the easy.”

As we all stand, I see one of the scouts from the 3rd that we worked with at Manesville grin and put his rifle to the carry as he says, “Hey Cohitl, Ging, good to see you guys again. Come on in.”

As I get closer, I notice this scout is now a sergeant and I hear him call out, “Corporal, take these Rangers back to the Regiment’s HQ.”

The corporal smiles at him and tells him, “Yes sergeant. Go Pack!”

Soon we are passing through the forward lines and are back to the rear area. I can tell when we reach the HQ as I see the tents set up with beings coming and going. As we arrive there, we are met by Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider. She looks at us and asks, “Choo, what are all of you doing here?”

Choo stands in a near-attention stance as she answers, “Ma’am, we have just come from Coltlumbia and have information pertaining to there that I think the general can use.”

She thinks briefly and tells us, “Ok, Choo, he is on the other side of the gap right now.”

Choo thinks briefly and tells her, “I would like to fly to his headquarters and relay this information.”

Wind Rider nods and tells her, “Here is the General’s PipBuck Tag. I would send you with an escort but we are still getting reorganized from the battle earlier and transiting the gap.”

“Thank you, ma’am. If you do not mind, I will leave most of my team here for now.” She then turns to the rest of us and tells us, “Check your gear. Ginger, check with the quartermaster about supplies. Sunny, you and Morning Mist are going with me.”

I see a look of disappointment on Twink’s face and Choo tells her, “You did great in there, but I want you to rest a bit more.”

As Choo and the other two take flight, I tell the others, “Let us move to the side people. I want weapons checked first, then gear. Let me know if you have anything that needs replaced.”

From behind me, I hear Box-end Wrench ask, “How can you get replacements for your gear from these ponies?”

I grin back at her and reply, “Besides most of our team being NCR Rangers, several of us are related to the CO of the 3rd.”

Once they are all working on their equipment, I find my way to the Quarter Master’s wagons and request rations and ammo.

As I tell the quartermaster clerk what type of ammo and how much we need he asks, “How come you need so much?”

I lean on one forehoof against the side of the wagon and tell him, “Because we will be leading you all in.”

He grins and says, “You ranger types are always a bit cocky, aren’t you?”

“Is it being cocky if you are that good?” I ask him.

“So, what makes you think you are that good?”

By now Twinks has found me and she has a list of supplies we need with her. Hearing this she tells him, “Well for one thing, some of us have already been underneath that cloud city. For another, two of us have been topside and reconned it.”

He laughs out loud and tells her, “That is a good one. Now really why do you think you are that good?”

She shakes her head and replies in a cold tone of voice, “I am not kidding.” She then turns to me and tells me, “Here is a list of medical and technical supplies that we will need in the next couple of days.” Once she passes it to me with her TK, she turns and walks off.

As she walks away, he stares at her retreating back and I hear him say, “Bloody Tartarus, she was serious.”

I nod my head as I look over the list. I then tell him as I pass it to him, “Yeah, she is serious. She is also very short on sleep like the rest of us, so she is cranky, it is best not to get angry or call her a liar.”

“Why is that?”

“Because she not only is the team tech, but she is also our back up medic. She knows how to hurt you and keep you alive so you hurt longer. That and she was one of only four of us that has infiltrated Coltlumbia. She knows how to be sneaky.”

“I bet she can be,” he says cautiously, then he asks, “Can I see your list?”

I slide it to him across the counter and he looks at it. “I think I can get you most of this. It will take me a couple of hours to sort through the wagons though. How about coming back for it later? That would give you time for a nap even.”

I nod my head and I realize I am tired and irritable myself, so I tell him, “Yeah, I can do that Sarge. I will be back in a couple of hours.”

Once back to the others, I tell them, “Catch a power nap if you can people.”

We all look to the side by one of the tents where a couple of the HQ company wagons are. We all smile as one and head to lie down under them. I feel my husband and Katie curl up to me as I fade away to sleep once again.

I wake up several hours later to the voices of Morning Glen and my husband talking with some others about why we are sleeping under their wagons. This is topped off when I hear one of them say, “I guess that is all you rangers are good for, sleeping and trying to impress people.”

At this, my eyes pop open and I am about ready to kick tail. I roll over and am on my hooves, my ears pinned back and I find my hoof pushing into the chest of a large stallion wearing a lieutenant’s uniform.

“I do not know who the buck you are, but how dare you say that to us, much less any rangers. Who the buck do you think led the way into Manehatten. Who do you think was in the lines with you during the battle of Manesville!” I am almost winded from yelling, but I do not stop, this time I say quietly, “And who the buck do you think is going to lead you into Coltumbia? We are Lieutenant. We are. We got two hours of good sleep last night before we began our ruck back here to pass on what we learned when we infiltrated that place. So do not ever accuse us of just sleeping and not doing anything. I have not been home in months.”

I see the shock wear off his face from the initial assault he becomes angry as he begins to say something back but is stopped by Tater’s Pa Sergeant Major Chain Lightning saying, “Ginger, it is good to see you all again, I know your mother the Colonel will be very happy to hear you are back in our lines. She should be back to her HQ soon.”

This time the large stallion almost seems to try and make himself seem smaller. He then says, “I will have my sergeant bring your requested supplies over as soon as possible,” and then he trots off quickly.

Chain Lightning finishes closing the distance with us and asks, “Uh, so what was that all about?”

My husband answers, “The Lieutenant had come over to discuss our request for supplies and was upset when he saw us napping under the wagons.”

Chain looks around, then asks, “Where are Choo, Sunny, and Morning Mist?”

This time I answer, “She took them over to the Brigade HQ to pass on information that will be critical in the next couple of days.”

He nods again then he smiles at Tater and tells him, “It is so good to see you again son. I hope everything is going okay.”

Tater nods and tells him, “Yeah it is Pa. Been a bit rough here and there, but overall, we are making it. Have you heard anything from Pa Tail Spin?”

He shakes his head and looks surprised as he answers, “No I have not son, I thought you and your team would have seen him recently.”

That makes me wonder what Blackberry Pie and her team have been up to since we last saw them as well. Somehow, I bet they have been as busy as us.

After a while Chain heads back to Ma’s HQ, right about the time the supply sergeant I had talked to earlier approaches with two troopers, each carrying some of the supplies we requested.

He sets them down in front of us and pulls out a clipboard with some papers on it. He then tells me, “I want to go through all this with you so you can sign the paperwork you have received it. This way we can both agree upon what you have gotten.” He pauses then asks, “So just what did you say to the LT to get him to tuck his tail in?”

From the side, Tater tells him, “My pa, the Sergeant Major let it slip that her Ma is Colonel Mollygirl.”

I watch as his eyes go wide and he nods slowly, “Yeah, that would do it.” He pauses then adds, “Thanks for not telling me that earlier. That is a bit intimidating.”

I simply shrug and tell him, “No problem. I just hope he did not give you any grief.”

As we talk and inventory what we receive, I see a pegasus in an enclave officer’s uniform being led into the Regiment's HQ tent and I wonder what that is all about.

*****

3rd Manesville Regimental HQ, Coltlumbia, Disputed Territory: Xochitl

I am curious about the Enclave officer who entered the HQ tent, but I know it is none of our business. I smile as I watch my sister-in-law, Moon Lily and her friend Frost Glitter trot out of the tent and fly off towards the rest of the brigade.

They return a couple of hours later followed by the General as well as his security escort. Once they land, they all head inside the tent. As they do so I see Frost Glitter look our way and she exchanges a quick wave with me. Then she ducks through the tent flap too.

It is starting to get late enough for chow again. As a group Ginger leads us over to the mess line for the headquarters troop and asks the Mess Sergeant, “Can we jump in line here?” as she shows her ranger badge.

He looks at it and tells her, “Sure, but I need all of you to sign in this logbook.”

After we do so we each use our mess kits to receive rations on and then sit in a group on the ground not too far away.

We are still eating when I see Choo Choo, Morning Mist and Sunny returning. Both Sunny and Choo look upset. Morning Mist seems disgruntled but not as bad as they are. They land near us and Choo tells Ginger, “Good idea, Blackbird, Fog, you both need to grab some chow, then I want you both to find a place to nap.”

They both acknowledge her order and make their way to the line. As they go Ginger tells them, “Show your badges to the Mess Sergeant and sign the log book before you get your meals.”

After our meal, we all clean our kits and then head back to the wagons we were sleeping under earlier. We are all taking some personal time when I notice Mother Sutures and my sister-in-law Millie entering the HQ tent. Ginger, next to me shrugs and tells me, “I guess they did not see us. But they are still supposed to be in Manesville. I wonder what they are doing here.”

“Good Goddess, don’t tell me Mother Sutures and Millie ran away from home like we did,” I tell her.

She simply shrugs and tells me, “It seems to be a family trait.”

I can feel her disappointment and tell her, “Later we will catch up with them dear. I am sure they had information for the Colonel.”

A while later I watch as the Enclave officer walks out of the tent to a clearing. Looks up and then around. Then takes flight toward Mount Persius and the cloud city. He starts slow, then begins to speed up flying nap of the earth until he is out of sight.

A while after he leaves, Choo comes out and once she sees us, she comes over and tells us, “Make sure your gear is ready. After that take some time to rest. We are getting up early and will be leading the advance.

She turns to Sunny and tells him, “I know how you are feeling about Morning Star being in the hospital and all, but she was not wounded bad enough to be shipped back to Manesville, so I do not want you leaving this camp tonight.”

I see the worry and exhaustion on his face as he hears this but he simply answers, “Understood Boss.”

That night we spend in the 3rd regiments camp. We even visited some of our old friends who are there. At one of the fires Ginger and I share a few drinks and we even join in a couple of songs. But before it gets too late, we make our way back to the wagons and we each toss down our ponchos to sleep on and use our battle saddles as pillows.

The next morning, we wake an hour before dawn. In the predawn darkness, we strap our ponchos back on our kits, grab some cold rations and Choo has me lead us out again.

Just after noon, we begin to hear noise from our left and slightly ahead of us. I use my EFS and I see a large number of yellow markers to our left and south. I then tell Choo over our radio, “Big Blue, this is Flower, I think we have found the wandering sheep.”

“Roger Flower, wait for me before we make full contact.”

Once she has joined me, she leads my set forward. We enter a clearing and I see several beings turn and point their weapons at us. Choo then calls out, “Sparkle Cola.”

After a brief pause, I hear a griffon hen call back, “Cold and Refreshing.”

Choo grins and tells us, “Looks like we have found the Baltimare Brigade. Follow me.”

I cannot help but grin at his news. After all, the Troubleshooters are with them and perhaps we will get to see them today.

As we advance the other troops move their weapons to the carry again. I then notice that on their shoulders they each have a tab that states Baltimare. As I read hers, the griffon hen asks Choo, “So which alliance unit are you with?”

Choo smiles, “Well, my team is with the Rangers, but we are attached to the Manesville Brigade.”

She nods her head, “Sounds like the two teams we have attached to us. Give me a second to report in our HQ.”

She steps aside and places a talon alongside her head as she radios in that contact has been made with us. As she is doing this, Choo does the same. Both receive orders to hold in place. Before much longer we start to hear more soldiers from both groups approaching.

In the wooded land, I see soldiers from both brigades advance in line abreast formations through the trees and brush with our location as a pivot point. Before much longer we are ordered to continue our advance.

As this is going on, in the distant sky we can see the upper regions of Mount Persius and Coltlumbia. I also notice several cloud formations around it that most likely indicate skyships. The size of them and the numbers remind me of Reino and I feel a chill go through my body as we keep leading forward.

From just behind me I hear Morning Glen asks, “Flower, what are those things in those clouds?”

I look in the direction he is and I nod as I tell him, “I do believe those are cloud ships, the big ones are most likely Thunderhead class ones, Branches.”

His ears slip back some and he tells me, “There are more than the other day. This could be a rough one.”

“I agree, but we do what we can,” I tell him, and we keep moving deeper into the enemy’s territory. What makes me really nervous is that they have not tried to defend since the battles of the mountain gaps. While this could mean that they are short on troops, it could also indicate that they are pulling all their forces back to their fortifications and we are going to be fighting all of them at once, with them on the defense. As I walk, I find myself doing something I do not often do. I begin to pray.

We continue to lead the advance for the Manesville Brigade until we reach out targeted stop for the night which is only a few kilometers short of the base of Mount Persius. By now we can make out parts of the cloud city far about us. I am beginning to worry though as I have not yet seen any of our side's skyships. While I do not say anything to anyone else, I do not know how we can succeed if we do not have that type of air support.

As the camps are set up, I notice no tents are being erected, so I ask one of the regulars about it and he tells me, “Orders from higher up. Less of a chance of them pinpointing us without them. So tonight, it is a dry camp even.”

I nod and tell him, “Thanks for letting me know, that makes sense.”

As the sun begins to sink lower in the sky Choo tells us, “Tomorrow is the big day. Go visit those you want tonight, but be back by 0200 hours. We leave at 0400 hours.”

We all look at each other and I can see the nervousness on each of thier faces. I then take my wife’s tail in mine and tell her, “Let us go visit our family.”

She smiles and tells me, “Your father is with the 4th Regiments scouts lets visit him first.”

Epona then tells us, “He Sis, Cohitl, I am coming with you.”

Behind us, I hear several say they are heading to visit Morning Star in the hospital. Choo then tells my wife, “Ginger, I will be visiting George. If I get the chance I will visit my sisters in the 4th. If you see them let them know I am planning on visiting them.”

“Will do boss,” Ginger tells her. Then we all go our own ways.

Eventually, we find the 4th regiments Headquarters area, where their scouts are located. After that, it only takes a few more minutes before we find my father.

I see him grin widely but with a sense of sadness in his eyes as he tells us, “My children this is such a pleasant surprise.”

We exchange a brief hug and then he reaches down and gives a scratch to Katie behind her ear as he says, “I see you have been a good girl and keeping these three out of trouble Katie. Thank you.”

We talk a bit more then he tells us, “It has been wonderful to see you again, but I need to take care of a few things for my platoon. How about we talk again tomorrow night if we can.”

“Of course, father,” I tell him as does Ginger.

Before he turns away, he then tells us, “Be careful, this feels like it will be a rough one tomorrow.”

I nod my head and Ginger tells him, “We will be, you be careful as well father.”

Soon we are wandering through the camps. We make a brief visit with some of our friends in the 2nd Regiment. They have already been told that they are making an airborne assault against the city itself. All are very verbose about the assault tomorrow, but I can feel the tension underneath it. They are scared. I notice many of them are writing letters and placing them in their saddlebags instead of giving them to the mail clerk at the company headquarters.

Eventually Ginger tells me, “Dear, how about we head back to Ma’s HQ and see if we can catch our family and the rest of the team there?"

We arrive at the headquarters area of the 3rd just as the Colonel is getting ready to read a story to everyone. This reminds me so much of the old days. However, now there are several newer faces there. I smile as I notice Tek is here in uniform, and sitting next to the bull Chaplin for the regiment.

Both Father Badger and Archer are here as well as my mother-in-law Sutures, and my sisters-in-law Millie and Moon Lily. Choo is already here as well. I smile when I notice several members of our team, Morning Glen included have approached the group and are sitting there ready to hear a story as well.

All of us are worried about tomorrow, but this helps to give us some normalcy before what we know is coming tomorrow.

After the story is done, the group begins to break up and head their own ways. Before he leaves Father Badger takes me to the side and tells me, “Be damn careful tomorrow son, this is going to be a bad one. I can feel it.”

“I will Father, but you be careful as well.”

He smiles sadly back at me and replies, “I will, but between you and me, it does not look good for us. I just do not understand why they are sending us in like that. Those skywagons are not what we need to penetrate those types of defenses. This is not Manehatten for the Goddesses sake.”

I nod my head in agreement and I find myself sighing. I then tell him, “I will pray for you Father.”

He smiles and tells me, “Thank you, Son. I will pray for all of you as well. Now I best get going, I have a few things I still need to take care of before I turn in tonight.”

In the dark I watch him walk away with his head down and his tail tucked tight, and I fear he knows something that we do not.

As we are heading back toward the wagons to catch some sleep, Ginger tells Epona, “Hey sis, why don’t you go catch up with the others, I have something I want to talk to Xochitl about.”

She nods her head and keeps walking that way. Ginger instead leads me away from the camp. Once we are far enough away from the others, she kisses me passionately with one hoof behind my head. She then leads me to the ground and I find myself making love to her with a passion of love combined with fear that perhaps this might be our last time. Afterward, as we lay there holding each other, I looked up and saw her; The Mareigan.

She says nothing, but she smiles sadly at us. She closes her eyes, slowly shakes her head, and turns before disappearing into the night. As she goes my mind is full of questions and fears of what tomorrow will bring.

*****

3rd Manesville Regimental HQ, Disputed Territory, Coltlumbia: Choo Choo

It feels good to be back within our lines again. I notice that my stress level has gone down some as we talk with Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider, the XO for the 3rd Regiment, and a family friend. After I tell her I have information concerning the enemies’ fortifications she gives me the location of the Brigade Commander’s headquarters, which are on the other side of the mountain.

I quickly put Ginger in charge of the rest and I decide to take Sunny and Morning Mist with me. As we are taking off, in the distance coming from the direction of Coltlumbia, I see what looks like a pegasus flying nap of the earth.

I get on my radio and tell Sunny, “Blackbird this is Big Blue, you and Fog continue to our destination. I will meet you there. I see possible trouble.”

“Roger Big Blue. Are you sure you do not want our help?”

“Negative at this time Blackbird, but thank you for asking,” I reply as I cast my invisibility spell and move to intercept the lone intruder.

I catch him only a few kilometers from our front lines. I have flown behind him and I drop my spell and instead, I grab him in my TK. I can hear his near panic as he yells out, “Goddesses no, not one of you monsters!”

I then land both him and myself while still holding him.

I next use more of my magic reserve than I like as I use the MoM mind probe spell to find out what he is doing here and why.

I can see that he has misgivings about his Enclave superiors and that he has read a message that Sunny left on Ball Lightning's desk. Damn that colt, always trying to one-up the others.

However, while doing so, I find that this letter was the final catalyst for why he is here today. I also find out his name is Captain Cloud Seeder. He is a loyal patriot to the Enclave, but he now has serious doubts as to whether a coup has been executed against the lawful leadership; of President Winter Breeze.

I further notice that he has a group of troops and junior officers who are loyal to him and want to help return the rightful leadership of the Enclave.

As I think briefly about this, I have heard the reports that the coup occurred because she had ordered those in Thunderhead and within listening range on the radio to lay down their arms against the NCR and the Alliance.

I do not have all the information about what is going on but I will use this if I can.

I first tell him, “My name is Captain Choo, when I drop my spell, I will talk with you Captain Cloud Seeder.”

I see his eyes go wide and I can tell he is near panic, but he simply nods his head.

Once the spell is dropped, I ask him, “Why are you here?”

I see him gulp, and then he nervously tells me, “I came to make contact with the leadership of the alliance forces. I have heard rumors that the Wonderbolt Generals have overthrown her and have continued this war against the President’s orders.

I nod my head and he takes that as confirmation. I then ask, “How do you propose to assist us?”

He looks down first, then back up at me, his eyes meeting mine as he tells me, “My company oversees security for the tunnels that allow access to Flankton and Emporia from underneath. We can assist your forces in gaining access to them and directing them where to go.”

I raise an eyebrow at this and turning my head slightly give a slight nod. “Very well, if you are serious, I will escort you to our picket line to ensure your safety so you can meet with those in charge.”

He looks very surprised and says, “You mean as an alicorn you are not in charge?”

I smile, “No, I am but a Captain as I stated earlier, but you will be taken to those who are in charge.”

He seems a bit disappointed but answers, “Well lead on Captain.”

Soon we are approaching the picket line again. Once we are close enough that I can see two of the soldiers who are at the front of our advance I call out, “Hold your fire. This is Captain Choo Choo of the NCR Rangers and I am bringing in a contact.”

I see them shift their weapons through the foliage and one of them calls back, “Advance and be recognized.”

As we come forward, I see their jaws drop at the sight of an alicorn alongside a fully uniformed Enclave officer. Both cover us with their weapons and I hear the mare in charge call over the radio, “Sergeant of the guard, I need you at position Bravo 2 for a situation.” After this, she nods and then tells us, “Wait here, the sergeant is on his way.”

Soon I hear noise coming through the brush and a stallion with sergeant stripes on asking, “Ok trooper, what is goin…”

He stops mid-stride and looks at both of us and I tell him as I flash my ranger badge, “Sergeant, I am Captain Choo of the Rangers. This officer with me needs an escort to headquarters. I have other business to attend to. Make sure when you turn him over to those there that you let them know it was I who brought him through our lines and that he has come to us on his own accord.”

The sergeant nods his head and tells me, “Yes, Ma’am. We can do that.”

He then calls on his radio for an escort. Then he tells me, “They are on their way ma’am.”

“Excellent, Now I have business to attend to as well.” After I tell him this, I take to the air and make my way to where the Brigade HQ which is on the other side of the gap. As I land there, I see Sunny and Morning Mist waiting outside of the hospital tent.

When I land, Sunny tells me, “Boss, that fight earlier today, it was a bad one. Morning Star is in surgery right now. I saw her being carried in on a stretcher, from what George has told me she took a shot for Moon Lily.”

I hate hearing this and now I understand how come he is feeling this way. He then tells me, “George is over there under the one large tent. She took some hits too boss. She says she will be okay, but she is missing several scales.”

“Thank you for letting me know. Let us go see if we can talk to the General.”

As we arrive at the headquarters area, I am stopped by Major Pin Point who tells me, “Now is not a good time Choo. Perhaps in a bit. He is in the middle of a meeting right now.”

“Understood Major, I will be back in a bit after I visit George then.”

He smiles sadly, “That will be fine Captain.”

I make my way to the large tent to see my friend as Sunny and Morning Mist go back to wait by the hospital for Morning Star. I know it will be a while as the staff there still has a line of wounded waiting to be treated.

As I enter the tent, I see her licking her wounds. One of the pegasi there brings up a rifle and tells me, “Identify yourself and why you are here.”

I stop and look at him with my head twisted slightly and my ears turned toward George as I tell him, “Really?” I then call out to George, “Hey George, how are you doing?”

I hear her tiredly answer back, “Hi Choo. I am okay, I guess. It was a rough one today.”

The guard seeing we know each other points the weapon down and asks, “You know her, George?”

“Yes, Tail Twister. She is my best friend Choo Choo.” She then asks me, “What are you doing here Choo?”

I then give her a brief rundown of why I am on this side of the gap and then I tell her, “I had to come visit you when I heard you were injured.”

She smiles with a bit of fatigue on her face as she tells me, “Thanks, Choo. I really appreciate it. I am trying to rest up before I fly forward again tonight.”

I raise an eyebrow at this, “They have you still operating independently?”

She shakes her head slightly, “Yes and no. Tail Twister and the others with me are my escort. But I will be moving at night to our next position to keep my location secret and allow me to get more rest while everyone else comes up.”

We talk for a bit more then I say my goodbyes to her and we agree to meet tomorrow night again. After this, I fly first to the hospital tent where the other two are waiting. When I approach, they both fly over to me and Sunny tells me, “She is going to be okay, but she is still sleeping.”

I nod my head and tell him, “I am glad to hear that, now we best get over to see if we can talk to the General.”

When we arrive at the HQ Tent, Major Pin Point meets us and tells me, “Sorry Captain, the General just departed a bit ago. He is heading to the 3rd Regiments HQ for a situation that has come up.”

I nod my head in understanding and I tell him, “Very well Major, I will see if I can catch him over there.”

Soon we are back over the gap and have returned to the HQ area of the 3rd. As we land, I tell Ginger, “Good idea, “I then direct Sunny and Morning Mist, “Blackbird, Fog, you both need to grab some chow, then I want you both to find a place to nap.”

As Ginger is telling them how to get the meal, I head over to the HQ tent and flash my badge to the guard by the door as I head inside. As I do I hear the voice of the Enclave officer I talked to earlier ask, “Excuse me, who is this George and how could two ponies ride her?”

As I enter, I see him sitting with the General as well as Mollygirl and her staff and I tell him, “Captain, George is my best friend, and she happens to be the dragon your forces wounded today. Please, understand, I am a bit touchy about her, so watch what you say.”

The General turns to me and tells me, “Good evening, Choo Choo. It is good to see you, do you have news for me?”

Nodding I answer, “Yes sir, but depending on what this officer who is in our company is planning on doing, it might be better if we waited until he departs.”

I then hear my great-granddaughter yell out, “Great Grandma Choo!” as she runs over and hugs me. Which I return. While it has not been long since we separated, I have missed her so much.

The enclave officer seems surprised, then he cautiously asks, “You really are related to her?”

With my hoof still around Moon I answer, “Yes, I am. Several of those with us are also my descendants. So, my sisters consider them family too. We will fight for our family.”

I see Threat Vector nod his head, and then he asks, “I was wondering do your sisters include our new recruits also?”

I find my head popping up in surprise and curiosity when I hear this. “General, we have more of my sisters as recruits?” I ask.

Moon then answers for him, “Yep, we performed the blessing at Maripony yesterday and when they saw us, they joined us.”

I look at Mollygirl and she nods yes. I cannot help but smile as I wonder who they are and if we remember each other. I then turn to the Enclave captain and ask him, “Sir, have you come to discuss the use of your troops in our accessing the lower-level entrances as we discussed earlier?”

He nods his head, and I see the General raise an eyebrow. Then he says, “Captain, I did not catch your name, mine is General Threat Vector.”

The captain smiles and answers, “Sorry about that sir, my name is Captain Cloud Seeder.”

When he says his name, I am taken off guard when Lieutenant Colonel Wind Rider laughs and Mollygirl has her jaw hanging open. Then Moon Lily asks, “You wouldn’t be related to the Pegasus poet Cloud Seeder, would you?”

He laughs lightly, “Well, distantly, you have to understand, he was a great-great-uncle who disappeared on the final day. But I am surprised that dirtsiders would even know his name. Why?”

The Colonel soon overcomes the surprise as Windy asks her, “Hey Mollygirl, do you have your field copy of your ancestor’s book on you?”

I watch as she brings an old book of poetry out of her saddlebags and I see the name of the author is the same as our Enclave captain.

This time his jaw is slack briefly. He shakes his head and then asks, “Are, are you related to him too?”

She nods again and tells him, “Yes. He and another Pegasus made it into our stable on the last day. They were not even supposed to be there, but he made it.”

The look of surprise and humor on the faces of so many there gets me to laugh and I have to tell her, “Talk about a coincidence Mollygirl. I guess you have more family now.”

She answers, “I guess so. I never expected that.”

Captain Seeder then, shaking his head answers, “Neither did I ma’am, neither did I.”

This family bond seems to help reduce the anxiety and tension of the meeting. The rest of the meeting concentrates on how we can utilize him and his troops as well as my team. Finally, it ends with all of us in agreement. The Brigade needs to make almost thirty miles in two days. Once there we are to be joined by Coalition forces including those of the Captain Cloud Seeder. The only thing that makes it better is when Sutures and Millie show up just before he departs.

While I am talking to Moon, the Colonel is still talking with Cloud Seeder when we hear Millie approaching. Once close enough she says, “Hi Ma. I just came to tell you and Moon that both George and Morning Star are going to be ok.”

The captain looks at her with a raised eyebrow. Then he asks, “Millie, would that be short for Wind Mill?”

I turn and see her smile brightly at him and she answers, “Yes sir, it is, but how did you know? Did my mom tell you that?”

He then smiles as he shakes his head and answers, “No, my daughter is also named Wind Mill and our family calls her Millie too. She is named after my grandmother and her several times removed great-grandmother.”

“That is so cool Captain. Almost like me,” she says.

He smiles and tells her, “Actually, exactly like you. It seems we are distant family young mare.”

She then asks, “Does she enjoy flying? I know I do.”

He tilts his head just as I do. He then asks, “How do you do that young mare?”

She blushes and then she says, “George has taken me for a ride as has Granny Choo so I could fly with my Rain Dancer.”

Whoops the cat is out of the bag now. I just hope their parents will not be upset with us.

Both Windy and her XO raise an eyebrow and look at each other. However, they do not say anything, and I feel a bit of relief.

“So, Colonel, do you enjoy flying also?” he asks Mollygirl.

To which she answers, “Actually, I love it. But I just do not get the chance to very often anymore.”

Shaking his head he mutters, “An earth pony who loves flying. I never thought I would see the day.”

Then Millie says, “But cousin, we are part pegasus. Both Cloud Seeder and Winter Wind were our ancestors. Granny Emerado has one of their sets of Pegasus goggles, while Ma has the other.”

He then has a troubled expression come over his face. “You two really did fly in battle, didn’t you?”

To which the Colonel grins, “Yes, and I have the scars to show it, just as soon as I can remember which ones, they are…”

Finally, my Moon Lily’s mother Sutures asks, “So Mollygirl, who is the officer you are talking to?”

This is when Mollygirl introduces her to him, “Cloud Seeder, this is my wife Sutures. Sutures, this is Captain Cloud Seeder of the Enclave’s 723rd security detachment.”

“So, are you really descended from the poet Cloud Seeder too?”

He shakes his head slightly, “Not directly. I am descended from his sister Cloud Watcher. She was assigned to Coltlumbia on the last day.” Then he asks, “So are you really descended from the alicorn Choo Choo?”

Sutures is amused by the question and laughs lightly as she tells him, “Well yes and no. I am descended from her when she was a unicorn before they transformed her. There are a lot of us from the Manesville area that are descended from her.”

He turns to me and then says, “Well hopefully she does not have too many descendants who are alicorns.”

This time I smile as I put a wing across Moon’s shoulders and tell him, “As far as I know, she is the only one.”

He then looks at the watch on his pastern and tells us, “I hate to say it, but I need to return to my troops before my absence is noticed Colonel, Wind Mill, I look forward to talking more with you about our family soon. Please take care and I will meet you in a few days.”

Soon after he has left the General and Mollygirl return to me and he asks me, “Choo, if he betrays us, can your team still get us in?”

I think briefly and nod before I answer, “Yes sir. But it will be a lot easier with his help, and may the Goddesses forgive him if he is treasonous to us as well, as I will not.”

We then go over what things I learned that we had not discussed with Cloud Seeder present. We next review where our targeted destinations are for the next two nights. After they are satisfied with our plans, the General smiles as best a griffon can and he tells me, “Thank you, Captain Choo, that will be all for tonight.”

I then go to catch up with the rest of my team, and I watch as he and his escort head back across the gap a short time later.

The next night I visit with George briefly before she flies to her next resting spot. The evening is calm and most of the camps are sedate if not quiet. The only exception is that we are visited after dinner by both the Fixers and the Troubleshooters. While it is wonderful to see them again, I can feel a building brittleness in all of us when we talk about the upcoming couple of days. While they are there, we give a rundown to them about what the setup of the tunnels is like as well as what Sunny and Morning Mist saw in Flankton.

We wake up early the next day and begin to lead the Manesville Brigade forward toward the location of what should be our next, and final camp before we go into Coltlumbia itself. During the day as we advance, I keep an eye on my people and I notice a rising tension in all of them. Perhaps I think to myself, I am noticing it more as I feel it myself.

When we stop for the night, the Baltimare Brigade begins to swing wide around the other side of the mountain in preparation for what we know is coming tomorrow. Above us, I can see the cloud ships, most of which are hiding in cloud formations, but several are in the open. On many of these, we can see flashes of light from as their crews rush to repair the damage that they received previously.

After we set up a dry camp, I tell my people to visit with others but to be back by 0200 hours as at 0400 hours we are stepping off. I first visit George.

She is in a thick grove of trees in a depression. As I come up, I see her knawing on a gem. She looks up and smiles at me, but I can see the fear in her eyes.

We talk for over an hour before she turns away and tells me, “Choo, I have seen all those cloud ships. I, I, I just do not know how we can go against them.”

I nod my head in understanding. Then she looks at me and tells me, “Choo, if I fall tomorrow, I need you to promise to take care of Temper and Forage for me.”

I place a wing on her shoulder and I tell her as confidently as I can, “You will be okay George. I know you got this.”

She shakes her head, “No Choo, it is different this time. Even with all the other fliers, I do not know if we can do it.”

I close my eyes and shake my head slightly, then I tell her, “If it happens George, I will do what I can to take care of them. If not me, then Milo and his family. They consider them family already.”

I see her visibly relax and close her eyes slightly, “Thanks, Choo. I forgot about them, but yeah, they are like family too.”

Shortly after this, I make my goodbyes with her and I fly over to the 4th Regiment to meet my sisters. Both Quick Frost and Blue Star exchange hugs with me and I am suddenly bombarded with questions by all my other sisters who are present about what I have been doing and how I got my cutie mark back. None of which is said aloud. It almost reminds me of Unity.

I spend another hour there, then I begin to make my way back towards our camp. Along the way I stop in the 2nd Regiments camp to see some of my friends there. Along the way, I run into Captain Badger and Major Archer. I tell them I am heading back to the camp of the 3rd and Badger asks me, “Do you mind us walking with you?”

I was going to fly, but with what is to come, and they are family in a roundabout fashion so I tell them, “I would like that,” and we talk as we make our way there.

When we arrive at the HQ for Mollygirl she is just finishing reading some poetry and one of the youngsters has pulled out what was Ginger’s old copy of the Daring Do stories. As she gets ready to read it, I hear Ginger’s voice in the faint light say, “It looks like we are just in time guys.”

As Ginger and Xochitl sit near her, Ginger tells her, “Sunny will be here in a bit. He and the others are visiting Morning Star.”

The Colonel smiles and replies, “Thank you for letting me know.”

“No problem ma.” She tells her as she leans against her husband.

Part of me is saddened that Paper Work is not here and was left behind at their base, but part of me is relieved as I know he should be safe. But still, I sorely miss him and wish I could hold and be held by him tonight.

As the story finishes our group begins to go their separate ways. From the nearby camps, I can hear some of them singing, and I even see a bottle being passed from person to person from time to time.

As I do not need much sleep, I find myself wandering the camps. Finally, I am by myself in the night. I sit down and allow myself to cry briefly at what I fear is coming, but I know we must at least try to do so.

When I stop my tears, I look up and I see her again. Mareigan.

She approaches me and puts a hoof on my shoulder, “Aye my friend, I keen you and your fears. For I too know not what the day will bring. But I wish you luck in your endeavors and know that if you see me, it is only business, nothing personal against you or your people. After all, they too are now my people.”

I find myself placing my hoof on hers and I tell her, “I understand Mareigan. But I hope we do not need your services.”

She smiles, “Most wish the same. Sometimes, even I feel that way.”

We talk briefly after this, and then she tells me, “Go back to your people Choo, they need you and your strength tonight.”

“Good night Mareigan.” I tell her then pause before I add, “Once this is done, I would like to sit and talk more with you, my friend.”

She smiles sadly and then, before she turns away, she answers, “I would like that, we shall have to wait and see.” Then she heads off into the night and I return to my ponies.

I catch a two-hour nap before the alarm on my PipBuck wakes me up and I wake the others. Once we are all ready, I give the word, “Flower, lead us out.” With that, I think about the times i watched Side Track play in amateur chess tournaments and realize that the pieces are set and we are making our first move in the Armageddon Game.

*****

Headquarters 753rd Security Battalion, Flankton, Coltlumbia: Ball Lighting

The next morning as I enter my office, I find the door open and Captain Cloud Seeder is sitting next to my desk with a stunned expression on his face.

“Captain, what are you doing in my office?”

“Sir, I had something I needed to talk to you about concerning my company so I thought I would meet you here and the XO said I should wait for you.”

I close the door and walk around to my seat. Then I see that I have left the letter from Sunset faceup on my desk along with the copy of Winter Breeze’s speech.

While I cannot believe I was that reckless to do so, I know I should not have had those couple of drinks last night before I left. Dang it, I should know better.

“What is it, Captain?”

He looks down at the floor, then back up at me as if steeling himself. “Sir, I was concerned about a possible security breach yesterday. During the evening watch debriefs I had several of my troopers comment about unusual lights being seen in some of the restricted areas.”

I nod my head and feel relief that at least he had not looked at the papers on my desk. Then he looks me in the eyes and says, “Sir, who is Sunset Waters? Really? I want to know. I have heard the word to be on the lookout for him, but it seems you know him.” He pauses then asks, “Sir, are you an agent for the NCR?”

I shake my head, “No, I am not an agent for the NCR.” I pause then add, “Sunset and I have a strange relationship. I first met him while running covert ops in Hoofington.” I pause and try to decide if I should tell him more and realize even without my saying a word, he holds my future in his hooves. If he turns me in, I will be branded for sure. So, I begin to tell him, “We shared a few campfires. He and his group have worked with and against us several times. However, I have always found him to be an honorable opponent.” I pause again. “When I was wounded badly the first time, the crazy buck somehow snuck into Thunderhead and visited me in my hospital room.”

I see his jaw drop, then he asks, “Is he the one that gave those bastards the layout so they could attack us?”

I think, briefly and I answer, “Probably, but our superiors already know about that.”

“Sir, do you think that speech is real?”

I think briefly, then I answer, “Sunset does not usually lie from what I can see, but he might put something like that in there just to cause us confusion.”

“But why would he do that?”

This time I answer with a dower expression on my face as I tell him, “Because as of the reports we have been getting there are at least two major groups of the NCR and Alliance troops that are advancing on the High and the Southern Mountain gaps. Our forces have been performing a fighting withdrawal from the southern ones. The eastern ones, well, they seemed to pop up from nowhere and have hit us a couple of times so far.

“Sir, if that speech from the President is true, what should we do?”

I sigh as I lean back in my chair and answer the only way I can. “We do our duty Captain. We are here to protect the people of the Enclave. We continue to protect them in the best way possible.”

I can see him thinking hard about my answer. Then he asks, “But sir, which way is that?”

“For now, until proven otherwise we continue to follow orders. After that, it will be by your conscience.”

He hesitates then he asks something I wish he had not, “Sir, are we in a Civil War again?”

This time I pull out what is left of the Three Sisters. I pour two shots, slide one to him and tell him, “I just do not know Captain. I just do not know. I only pray we are not.”

We both drink the offered shot and I tell him, “Follow your conscious Captain, but remember to protect your family and people as well.”

He seems deep in contemplation and is surprised when I tell him, “Captain, I need to attend to a few things before I meet with my boss. If you need to talk more later, please do so.”

After he has left and closed the door, I find myself shaking my head. This could go badly so easily right now if he decides it is his duty to turn me in.

I place the bottle back in the drawer of my desk and I then begin to ask myself, is the speech real, and if so, what do I do about it?

While I am contemplating this, I hear a knock on my door. I call out, “Enter,” and my Sergeant Major enters and closes the door behind him. He sees the look on my face and asks, “What was that all bout sir?”

I give him a quick rundown and I see the look of discomfort on his face. Then he asks, “Sir, does he know I know as well?”

“Probably not Chain; and I would prefer to keep it that way. At least one of us should be protected.”

“Thank you, sir,” he tells me with a grateful expression.

The next day I get called to the Colonel’s Headquarters as do the other security battalion commanders. As I arrive, I see there is a lot of activity going on with more couriers than normal coming and going.

Once we are all seated in the briefing room he tells us, “Ponies, we have a strong storm inbound. The southern gap fell early this morning and I received word as an hour ago the High gap has fallen. The Raptor, Storm Front, was severely damaged and is falling back with what troops they could evacuate. Reports are that they had a dragon and over a flock of those pony made alicorn monsters. We expect them to be at the gates in two or three days. All our troops that can are falling back. Those in Van Hoover have gone silent or are not replying to our messages. The same goes for Neighvarro.”

I find myself along with the others all nodding to show we understand. Then he adds, "These additional troops will be our primary defenders. Our security battalions are expected to maintain order and discipline, primarily among the civilians. However, if called upon you and your MPs will serve as front-line troops to defend our city and people. Do you understand me?”

“Yes sir,” we all chorus.

“Good, I am glad to hear that,” he tells us, then adds, “Ball, when and if they attack the tunnels, your full battalion is expected to resist them there.” He then gives orders to the others as to where he expects them to prepare defenses in case the enemy succeeds in accessing our city. Other than that, I need your troops to continue patrolling as we have been. The higher-ups are afraid that those in the Flank may use this opportunity to revolt against us again.”

We then go over a few more concerns both of his and ours, and then he tells us, “Dismissed, let's make sure our people are ready for what is coming.”

Once I return to my headquarters, as I walk in the door I tell Storm Rider, “XO, I want an officers’ call with all our company commanders as soon as possible.”

She nods her head, “Yes sir, has something changed?”

“Yeah, Storm you could say that. I will fill you in when the others get here.”

Soon two of my three company commanders show up. However, Captain Seeder is missing, instead, one of his platoon leaders shows up and tells us. “Sir Captain Seeder is not available right now. He sends his regrets as he is dealing with some trouble with outsiders near the main entrance and the stable.”

While not happy, I accept the excuse for now. I then pass on to them what I was told earlier. We then discuss how we can perform our assigned duties as well as respond to what may be coming. Finally, I tell them, “That is all for now.”

Once they are gone, I am followed from the briefing room to my office by Storm Rider. As we enter, I notice Funnel Cloud is heading our way as well.

When we are all inside, he closes the door, and before he can say anything Storm asks, “Sir, do you buy that excuse for Captain Cloud Seeder’s absence?”

I sit down and wish I had more whiskey in my drawer than we do. I think briefly then I tell her, “Let it drop XO, for now at least.”

Seeing the expression on mine and Funnel’s faces she tells us, “There is something you both are holding back. Spit it out.”

I lean back in my chair and tell her, “XO, if it is what I am afraid of, by not telling you I am protecting you from the brand.”

She shakes her head, “Sir, that does not sound good. What is going on?”

I look at Funnel and ask, “Should I tell her?”

I hear him sigh and he nods, “Yeah, we probably should. Let her make up her own mind.”

I pull the letter and speech from the pocket of my uniform and I pass them to her with a wing. She takes them, unfolds them, and begins to read the letter first. I see the surprise then horror on her face as she reads Sunset's letter, then she looks up at both me and the Sergeant Major, “You found this and did not call a security alert?”

“Why, by the time I found it, he was already gone. Understand, this is the same buck who has visited me in the hospital in Thunderhead twice. He may be on the other side, but he has always been an honorable opponent.”

She looks angrily at me then she folds up the letter and sits it on my desk. She then begins to read the speech. I watch as her jaw drops not once, not twice, but three times as she reads it. She finally asks, “Do you think this is real Ball?”

I nod, “Yeah, but I cannot prove it. Until then we keep doing our duty.”

She then asks, “So how does this explain our missing company commander?”

“Storm, I messed up and left it on my desk yesterday and when you let him in to wait for me, he noticed it and read it.”

“Oh buck,” she says. To which both Funnel and I only nod.

“XO, as far as I am concerned you never saw those papers, I had intended to burn them earlier but have not had the chance.”

“Understood sir.”

We then begin to talk about how to prepare for the defense against what we are afraid may be coming.”

Several hours later, as I am just about ready to call it a night, I hear a knock on my door and call out, “Enter.”

The door opens and a tired-looking Captain Seeder enters the door. “I was told you wanted to see me as soon as I was available sir.”

“Yes, I need to go over the changes to our assignments with you. By the way, it has taken longer than I expected, how did the situation at stable go that you had to take care of personally.”

I see a look of relief wash over him and he tells me, “Sorry it took so long, but you know how it can go dealing with those stable ponies and those outsiders. But the situation is fully resolved, sir.”

“Excellent Captain, however, next time I would like you to reply to my calls for you more quickly.”

I then go over what has been discussed in the earlier meetings and I watch as he nods his head and takes notes. Once we are done, he asks, “Is there anymore sir?”

“No, that will be all Captain. Have a good night and I expect to see you at Officers’ call in the morning.”

The next morning, I watch as my company commanders arrive for the daily meeting with the XO to receive orders for the day. The first to arrive is Captain Seeder. He sees me and nods as he enters the briefing room.

After the meeting, I look up at my open doorway from my desk and see both the XO and Captain Seeder standing there and I wonder what now?

However, I answer a bit more politely, “Yes XO, what is it?”

She leads him in and then tells me, “Sir, during Officers’ Call the captain brought up a suggestion that I think warrants merit and I want your opinion on it.”

“OK, please elaborate.”

“Sir, he has brought it to my attention that there are many areas around the base at Mount Persius that the forest and brush come almost up to the walls themselves and that would provide cover for any troops approaching. He suggests that we use some engineers to blast them away, creating lanes of fire instead.”

I think briefly, nod my head, and tell them, “I think that is an excellent point. Go ahead and do so Captain.”

“Yes sir,” he responds.

I then ask, “Anything else?”

They both state no and I dismiss them to continue with my paperwork. However, now I must adjust my daily report, to let the Colonel know that I have given my permission for the engineers to clear away the trees and brush from those areas that could be used by our enemy to sneak up on entrances under the city.

The rest of the day and the next seem to be going well as preparations continue. At least they go well until late afternoon. I then receive a messenger from headquarters requesting my presence again.

When I arrive, I see the other three security battalion COs there as well and I am the last to arrive. The Colonel then tells us as he looks at me, “Okay, now that you are all here, we can begin. There are reports from our scouts that at least a division's worth of enemy troops is approaching Coltlumbia and its environs at this time. Currently, they do not seem to have any air support but that could change easily.”

He pauses and then tells us, “These forces should be easily dealt with as long as our navy is free to operate unopposed. That leaves us and the other army troops to defend the city.”

The CO for the 23rd raises a hoof and asks, “So what do you want us to do sir?”

He looks irritated at the interruption but continues, “With them in close proximity we will be placing our troops on full alert starting tonight for an hour before and after sunset and again at sunrise. We will continue this pattern until they either attack us or the crisis is resolved. I have it from my higher-ups that the call for more troops has been sent out, but they have not received word yet from our other forces, which at this time will have to come in by cloudship.”

The other battalion commander then asked, “Sir, there are rumors, rumors of a coup. What if they are true and help is not coming?”

He looks with a fierce expression at the offending officer and tells him, “You are relieved and are under arrest.” As he says this, he presses a button and two guards come. The colonel then points to the offender and tells them, “Take him into custody. I will deal with him once this is all done.”

He then turns to myself and the commanders of the 23rd the 210th, and asks, “Do any of you question our commanders?”

“No sir.” We all reply.

“Good, now all of you get your troops ready. I do not think it will be more than a day or two before the enemy tries us.”

We both return to our troops and I call for a meeting with all of my company commanders. I am surprised though I should not be when they arrive again, except for Captain Seeder, who has one of his lieutenants show in his place again.

The substitute tells me, “Sir, the Captain sends his regrets, but he is currently working with the engineers to secure the tunnels and their approaches.”

I frown at this news and tell them as well as the rest of my staff, “Very well.” I then proceed to pass on to them what our orders are and that we are now to consider ourselves under siege.

Once the others leave Storm and Funnel remain with me and I hear Storm ask, “Sir, do you believe that about Captain Seeder?”

“Storm, I am not sure. But I pray that it is true, or we may all be in serious trouble.”

As I say this, almost as if to punctuate what I have just said it sounds like thunder in the distance. We all look at each other, and Storm with wide eyes tells me, “Sir that sounds like artillery.”

I look out the window and the skies are clear and while I hope it is just thunder, I am afraid she is correct.

*****

That ends the first hour of our show today. I would like to thank our guest Miss Remedy of the Followers for taking your time today for that wonderful interview and song. It is a pleasure to have you and your compatriots visit our fair region and our facilities, particularly those by White Cloud.

As you heard listeners, there are still plenty of positions with the Followers of the Apocalypse for those who want to help others and make a difference. For those of you with them who are out there in the front lines of this war, I would like to say thank you for your brave and hard work.

As a reminder, you are listening to Manesville Nights and I am your host Open Mike coming to you live from the Manesville Stable studio.

Speaking of Manesville we would like to remind those of you who are looking for a casual dining experience with fresh milk, both cow and brahmin as well as fresh cheeses and our locally produced adult beverage that the Milkweed has reopened for business. They are located nearby on our friendly Manesville riverfront.

Speaking of dining from out in White Cloud we are reminded that if you desire fresh meat, but do not have the time to hunt for yourselves, or you just need to get rid of those pesky radhogs; ShadowWood and Company have returned to their normal hunting schedule and are currently open for orders.

In the war news there are reports of fighting having renewed in Van Hoover and another of their local radio station has since gone off the air.

Hold on for a minute, please. What is that you say, are you sure?

Ok everyone, this just in we have official reports saying that there has been a truce declared between the Van Hoover Enclave Garrison and the NCR and Alliance. This is good news for our people on the front lines.

We have continued to receive reports of air battles from over the great plains and near Neighvarro. These have resulted in the destruction of at least one Enclave raptor class skyship as well as damage to the several more. However, there are no reports from the alliance side as to their losses.

From the front we have recently received reports of fighting along the mountain gaps leading into the Enclave Territory of the Coltlumbia region. While we do not have the details yet there are reports of low to moderate casualties for both sides as our forces continue their push toward the cloud city of Coltlumbia at Mount Persius.

For all our brave soldiers out there know that those of us back home still remember you and are praying for you. With those thoughts in mind as well as what we know is coming here is our next song, I See Fire.

Author's Note

This chapter may seem slow, but it sets the stage for the next couple of chapters, which I guarantee you will make up for the low action in this one. For those of you who have read Fallout Equestria: Borderlands, you most likely will recognize the timing of these events and perhaps even a couple of scenes. If so, while the events that occur in Coltlumbia are concurrent, they are not the focus of what you will see nor of the same perspective for those brief scenes that intersect.

I hope you enjoy this chapter overall and understand the lows that we see as they cinch up their battle saddles, adjust their helmets, and grab their weapons in preparation of what is coming.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b0HSW3CN9E