Chapter 72 Storm Front

“When the one or the few knowingly endanger the herd for their own gain, they have become predators and the herd must stand against them as they would any other predator.”- Herds, Book of Daisy Jo

“Most of the time we tame our demons, other times, they tame us.” – Andree Wilson

Mount Persius, Coltlumbia, Disputed Territory: Ginger Snaps

It is still dark when we leave the camp of the 3rd regiment. Behind us, we can hear movement in the camp as the regulars start to wake up and prepare for what this day will bring.

This time Sunny and Morning Mist are leading us in as they are wearing their power armor and will look more like Enclave regulars than the rest of us.

Ahead of us in the dark, we can see some patches of forest that are on fire from the demolition charges we heard going off yesterday. They are not high, but enough to give an eerie flaming snake appearance along part of the mountain. Those fires also are putting out a lot of smoke and we can taste it in the air.

We are halfway up the mountain and in another stand of trees when Choo stops us and tells us, “I need all of you non-fliers to stand together. I need to cast a cloud-walking spell on you.”

This gets all of our attention and Cowlick asks, “You mean I am actually going to get to walk on clouds boss?”

She chuckles slightly at his enthusiasm and replies, “Yes Salt, you all will get to walk on the clouds up there. Just remember this does not mean you can fly.”

After she cast the spell, I do not feel any different I just hope the spell worked. She then goes over our objectives again. We do a quick over on who is to do what when we get to the first one. Then she tells us, “We best get moving, the sun will be rising soon.”

We are just getting ready to move when We see the shadow of a pegasus flying at us and while we draw our weapons, we hear a voice call out, “Captain Choo, it is me, Captain Seeder. My guards are ready for your team I also have several others who will lead you inside.”

“What about the openings?” She asks.

I can barely see him grinning in the growing light as he answers, “We have already taken control of them and they are ready to open, also the same engineers who blew clear the lanes of approach will be blowing additional holes in the cloudcrete to allow more entrances.”

“Thank you, anything else we need to know?”

He shakes his head, “No, just good luck, now I need to go meet up with the rest of your forces to let them know the details as well.”

“Good luck and I hope to see you after this is over,” Choo tells him.

He shifts his ears in acknowledgment and as he takes to the air again, he tells her, “Same here Choo Choo, same here. May Celestia Bless and Luna defend us all,” he tells us and then he is gone into the darkness.

We trot for another fifteen minutes before we come up to the market area, we were in just a few days ago. It is shut down for the night and there are no lights except for a few from inside the tunnels. I look around and briefly, I think I see movement from further down the mountain that may be another team. I know there are more of them, but none of us know the others' missions for security reasons.

As we reach the entrance, I can see a stable door, with a bold 46 cast on it. It is closed, however the tunnel entrance we are to use under the city is wide open.

There are several guards at the barricades; all of them armed and dangerous-looking.

As we approach Sunny sees one of them and tells them, “Hay Double Dip, good to see you again.”

The stallion looks surprised and asks, “Who are you?”

“Oh, I forgot you could not tell it was me in the suit. I am Sunset Waters. We had a drink a couple of days ago together.”

“Sunset what are you doing here with these, these wastelanders?”

I can almost hear the grin as he answers, “These are my people. Captain Cloud Seeder sent us.”

I can see the surprise on his face as he tells us, “Okay, follow Heat Lightning there. He will lead you where you need to go.”

Sunny holds out a hoof and I watch as the guard hesitantly takes it and shakes it. Then as we go Sunny tells him, “See you on the other side.” Then we are moving briskly into the tunnels with our small escort.

Soon we arrive at an area that looks like it belongs in the hanger of a skyship. Just beyond it is a large cargo ramp leading up. I look over at what appears to be a control booth and I see several more pegasi in there. One of which signals good luck to us. Then we are approaching a door leading to a set of stairs that leads up.

Only two of our escorts stay with us as we enter the stairwell. The one tells us, “This one leads into a service area for a power distribution area.” This happens to be one of our first objectives. We are to disable it. This will at least temporarily shut off the lights, and power to their computers and communications in this portion of Flankton. Hopefully, it will give our people behind us an edge that they can use.

Our guide then asks us, “Is it true about what the Wonderbolt Generals did to the President?”

Sunny puts a wingtip on his shoulder and tells him, “From what we know, yeah, yeah it is. She wanted to end this war a while back and they do not want that. They want to keep fighting no matter what. A lot of good people on both sides have died because of that.”

“Is that why you are doing this? To win I mean.”

“No, we are doing this to hopefully end the fighting and to help others,” Sunny answers him.

He looks up at the sky as it is becoming lighter and tells us, “I need to go. Good luck and I pray that we all come through this in one piece.” Then he is gone, back down the stairwell we came up in.

Choo then tells us, “Okay people, you know the drill here. Salt, Fog, begin to place charges where Danger tells you. The rest, let us set up a perimeter until they are ready.”

Before too much longer we hear Twinks telling Choo, “Big Blue we are ready to move on to the next target.”

Choo looks at us, “You heard the mare, let us move people.”

As we go, I overhear Cowlick tell Choo, “I put the charges on a timer, they should blow in about twenty minutes.”

As we move out onto the streets of Flankton we see very few ponies. Sunny and Morning Mist are still in the lead along with Counter-Weight. The other two tag-a-longs are with me and I quietly ask, “Where is everyone?”

Wing Clip answers me, “Curfew. Those we see will either be enforcers or violators. That could work in our favor.”

Before too much longer as we a making our way to our next destination we see two obviously drunk pegasi step out of a doorway into the middle of our column. One of them looks up and says, “Will you look at that, what is that big thing with the two horns?”

The other one leaning against him replies, “I, don’t know, but it has Princess Luna with it.” He pauses and scrunches up his eyes as they look at us. Then he tells the other, “I told you that I thought they were selling bad whiskey.” Then they begin to stumble away on their own again.

As they begin to move along, we all look at each other in amusement before we finally begin to move again. We are almost to our second destination when we hear gunfire in the distance. Buck, I think to myself, I hope one of the other teams has not been found.

At this, we begin to walk faster. As I look back to make sure we have not lost anyone in the dimly lit streets and alleyways. As I do so, I now realize just how large a group we have and I begin to worry about us being found. But then again, we should have more than enough firepower to overwhelm a simple patrol now too.

We are almost to our next objective when I hear several small explosions from the direction of the power distribution center. As they go off Twinks smiles and tells me, “That should be the pulse charges we set to overwhelm the power distribution panels. Nothing that cannot be fixed later, it will just take a while.”

I nod my head, “That should help for a while at least.”

Right after this, we run into our first patrol. They are cautious as we approach and Sunny tells them, “Just taking these prisoners into custody. We found them by a power distribution center down the road.”

They start to bring their weapons up as their sergeant says, “Then why are they still armed.”

Sunny brings his rifle up and fires as he says, “Yeah, good point.”

The exchange is brief but fierce. While they are all down when it is finished, Twinks must treat a couple of us for wounds. What worries me is she has to use several healing spells on Wing Tip to stop the bleeding and begin to heal the wounds he received.

By now the sun is starting to rise and we see several of the locals peeking out of their windows or doorways.

They see us and while several are afraid, I hear one of them call out, “Is that you Box-End?”

She calls back, “Yep, I am back. I found out the bastards overthrew the President when she tried to end the war. And I just cannot let that stand.”

“Are you serious?” another calls out.

Then as the sun is high enough, they can begin to make out the rest of us, including Choo Choo and Cowlick. Another one calls out, “How come you brought those monsters with you?”

“They are not monsters; they are here to help.”

From another doorway, I hear, “That is good and all, but that is not near enough to do anything.”

“Ration Saver, you should know I would not risk it coming back here if they were the only help, I could get.”

Almost in answer to this, there is the rumble of artillery from two different directions as the Manesville and Baltimare Brigades' artillery begins to fire.

Box-End then calls out, “There are a lot more of them and they are coming now, that was artillery you just heard.”

Suddenly an older stallion steps out into the streets and calls out, “Grab the guns off the dead, To the Barricades!”

As we continue forward, we watch as more and more of the locals scramble out into the streets and they begin to form an uprising. While I do appreciate all their excitement and support, I am afraid it will draw the security forces down onto us.

This fear is relieved when we get to a set of crossroads and I watch as they begin to build a junk barricade for defensive positions. As we go, we hear several of them yell out, “Give them Tartarus!”

Several of us wave back, and Katie barks a couple of times before we hear Box-End tell them, “We will. Stand Tall!”

And soon we are further down the road. Our next goal is a telephone exchange to disable the communications there. After that, we are going to keep going and make our way to someplace called Wonderbolt Field which is near a place called Hurricane Bay.

The first one we figure is some type of sports Arena. However, we were informed by the Two-Bits crew that Hurricane Bay is some sort of resort beach for the upper and middle class. She has never even seen it.

It only takes us a few more blocks and we have another brief skirmish. This time it is regular police ponies. They are running down a side street towards us when they see us and skid to a stop with one of them yelling for us to stop. I would have felt bad for them but they opened fire on us with a couple of shotguns and pistols right after that.

Choo throws up her shield to block their shots, but not quick enough as both Box-End and Double Back both are hit during this exchange. Twinks checks them both out and after giving both a bit of med-ex and a magical bandage we are again on our way.

In the distance I can still hear the brief rumble of artillery occasionally as I realize that ours must be shooting and scooting as Papa Archer likes to put it. I also hear gun and MEW fire from several different directions around us. Above us in the distance I begin to see some of the sky ships slowly moving forward.

By now we are past most of the factory district and Sunny calls out, “Boss, the HQ for the 753rd is three blocks that way’” as he points a wing down one of the side streets.

She nods and tells us, “Good, now keep moving people.”

We travel another five blocks during which we catch occasional glimpses of security troops running in the direction of the new uprising and where our troops are most likely coming into Flankton by now. We make a right turn and are only another block away from our next target when we see two guards outside of it in Enclave Power armor. They have not seen us yet as most of us are still around the corner.

Over my headset, I hear Choo order, “Sunny, Morning Mist, work your magic.”

I grin as I see them both flying down the street and then talking with the two others briefly. Right after this, those two take guard positions right next to the others. I then hear Twinks tell Choo, “Boss, how about I try the invisibility spell and sneak up and disrupt their spell matrixes.”

Choo nods her head, “Good idea Danger, Go.”

I watch as Twinks disappears and I hear her hoof clops as she trots down the street. Before too much longer I see the side cover on one of the guards pop open and I see a few sparks. As this is happening, I hear the other of the original guards call out in surprise as he begins to move his weapon in that direction. At this point, Sunny puts his rifle almost to the head of the other soldier and pulls the trigger. While the bullet does not seem to penetrate, it does stun the guard long enough for Twinks to reappear and disable his suit as well as she steals the magic power cells from it and hooves them to Morning Mist.

At this point, Twinks waves us forward as Sunny and Morning Mist move inside the telephone exchange. As they go in, as a group we rush down the street and into the building.

Once there Morning Mist is already at work setting charges on the switchboards, under Twinks instructions. Soon Cowlick joins them. As they do this the rest of us check the rest of the building and find several civilian techs as well as a couple of guards in standard barding. As we capture them one of the techs and another guard is killed.

When ready we escort the prisoners outside and about half a block closer to our next target. I then see Cowlick grin as Choo tells him, “Now, Salt.” At which point he pushes the big red button on the detonator.

We then watch as the charges level a good portion of the telephone exchange. Choo and Twinks then knock out our prisoners with their anesthetic spells. After which we bind them up and continue our way.

*****

Flankton, Coltlumbia: Xochitl

As we leave the telephone exchange my set is running drag. Besides Katie, I have Morning Glen, Ember Rose, Double Back and Counter Weight with me. At the head of our column are Sunny and Morning Mist along with the Epona and Tater.

Our next objective is a power distribution center for the railroad leading to Emporia. Our purpose is not to destroy this one, but to secure it and make sure it is functional so that our team as well as some other unknown ones can use the train as a rapid transport into the heart of the enemy capital.

Behind us in what is Flankton I can hear heavy fighting in several areas. Soon I hear coming from several speakers along the sides of the street, the voice of a tired stallion as he broadcasts

This is Colonel Fulbright to all Enclave forces in Flankton. I'm giving all forces here an order to stand down hostilities against the Alliance and the Enclave loyalists. If you do not agree with this decision, you will be allowed to leave Flankton and join your allies in Coltlumbia proper. But I know you, I know a lot of you because you've served under me ever since we took the city back from the zealots, and I know that you don't agree with what's going on. I'm not going to order you to stand down, but I do ask you, as your commanding officer, to consider the fact that we have to create a better world, a brighter future for our families.

At this point, there is a brief pause and then the stallion continues.

All workers in the factories will not be required to come to work today, until this war is over, I am declaring a general strike against the Enclave Hardliners. We're going to need all the help we can get ponies, we have a long battle ahead of us and the Hardliners will probably come back, but we're not going to stand down, and we're not going to be doing this alone. We have friends who are willing to lend us a hoof and protect our homes. Flankton stands against the oppressors, and from now on we stand with President Winter Breeze and the true Enclave.

We all look at each other as we continue. I realize that this means that our forces now have a hoof-hold in Coltlumbia, but we need to keep moving to make sure we can keep it. Choo then calls out, “You heard the stallion, only fire until fired upon until we are out of Flankton.”

Shortly after this, we see several large groups of Enclave troops fading back in a withdrawal towards Emporia and the heart of the Enclave capital. I shake my head as while it allows our people to take their early objectives more quickly, it also means we will have to fight those who have not stood down again later.

Twice during this time, we are shot at and return fire in our normal street fighting tactics. Both times it seems there is little reward for the ammo expended, as while we do not take any hits, we do not think we hit them either. The exchanges are little more than suppressive fire that allows both sides to break contact as both move further out of Flankton.

As we leave the worn and tattered buildings of Flankton there is a considerable difference. It is almost the difference between walking from Targhee into Manesville.

As we reach the area known as Hurricane Bay I almost stop in my tracks in surprise as I see a full sandy beach with a pony-made lake there. It looks like something from one of the old Holovid movies I saw.

As I slow down Counter Weight bumps into me and after he apologizes, he says out loud to nobody, “Wow, so that is what it looks like.”

As we are making our way towards Wonderbolt Field and the amusement park there I can see a larger airship moving towards our goal as well. In the far distance, I finally begin to see some of the NCRN airships have arrived and are beginning to engage the Enclave airships at a distance.

Watching the air battle unfold I begin to worry about our friends and family in the 2nd regiment and the 2nd battalion of the 3rd regiment.

When we are close enough to Wonderbolt Field, besides the rides, we can see a facility of interconnected buildings. As we keep advancing Counter Weight tells me, “Those buildings there are history museums of the Enclave. I went there once on a school trip as a foal.” He pauses and then adds, “Though those bodies all around it are new.”

Right after he says this Choo tells our point ponies, “Guide us around the back, that is not our objective and we do not have time for sight-seeing.”

Over the radio set I hear Sunny reply, “Roger Big Blue, will do.”

We are behind the museums and shortly after this, our point elements call out, “CONTACT!” this is followed by automatic fire from that direction.

Choo begins to give orders to our sets as we leapfrog past the point of contact as we attempt to disengage and move further away from a fight we do not want yet, which is not part of our mission.

From inside the museum, we hear a few shots fired. Then I look up and see an airship directly over it. I then see several flashes of light. Then the area around the building and some shots begin to explode as the shots land in a heavy barrage.

At first, we all hunker down as we endure the barrage. While several of the shots are nearby, after a few minutes Choo orders, “Get moving people, keep low but get moving.”

As the Enclave troops are too busy taking cover themselves to shoot at us, we begin to low crawl our way forward and once far enough away we take to our hooves again and begin to trot our way further from the museum and troops we know are there as we snake our way through the park towards what would have been the main entrance for those arriving to the park from Emporia.

As we do so, I am struck by how there are two main entrances to the park, and how they seem to separate their people by class even in something so mundane as how they arrived here. They seem to want to keep letting those from Flankton know they are not the same and should stay in their place.

We are halfway between the museum and our target when we hear over our radios an emergency All Alliance frequencies broadcast, “This is 2nd Manesville Regiment Command, Broken Saber! I repeat Broken Saber, we are being overrun. For the Goddesses' sakes help us!”

I feel my stomach drop at this. My goddesses, how bad is it that they are calling Broken Saber? The last time I heard that was when the Colonel broadcast it at the Valley. Then I think of all our friends and family in those air assault units.

This broadcast is followed by Thrust Vector ordering, “2nd Regiment fall back and regroup on the ground. All Manesville fliers assist them now!”

From behind us in the distance, we can see all the fliers from the rest of the Manesville brigade flying in that direction as quickly as they can. As they go, I can see several skywagons falling out of the sky in the distance.

At this most of our fliers get ready to jump into the air to go help rescue them, that is when Choo in a hard voice tells us, “Repair Ponies stand fast.” She pauses briefly and adds, “Keep on mission, we will be more help in the long run that way.”

Part of me wonders how she can still stay so mission-focused, but I know she is correct. With that, we redouble our efforts to make it to the train station and its power transfer system.

We are almost there when we run into another Enclave patrol. At this point, our adrenaline is running high and our worries about friends and family drive us. We briefly throw caution into the wind as instead of taking cover we spread out enough to concentrate fire on them. Using SATs we quickly neutralize them, but it is not one-sided as I hear Ember Rose call out, “Medic Up!”

As Twinks runs to her, I also see one of the Two Bits, Wing Clip, is down and he is not moving. Choo goes over to him and as we watch I see the two old Equestrian bitcoins disappear from his rifle scabbard as his face shifts to a smile and I hear Choo say, “Damn it, I lost him,” as she stomps a forehoof on the ground.

Counter Weight then goes over and first takes the ammo from the body and then the healing potion that was in a pouch on his battlesaddle harness. He then places a hoof on his shoulder and tells him, “I am sorry old friend, but you will not be forgotten.”

While this is going on, several of our team members search the bodies of the patrol for ammo and healing potions, while others keep a lookout.

We then use his ground cloth to cover his body as best we can as well as a note with his name, and our team's official Ranger designation on it in his shirt pocket.

By now Twinks has finished treating Ember Rose and tells Choo, “Ready Boss. Hot Pepper will be sore for a few days, but should be ok for the rest of the mission.”

I watch as Choo takes a deep breath and then tells us, “Let us move ponies, back on mission.”

As we go, behind us in the direction of Hurricane Bay I can hear a heavy increase in gunfire and I realize that the Enclave must be making a counterattack to try and retake Flankton.

As we reach the station, we can see two monorail trains are there. One at the station itself, and the second behind it on a siding. Behind the second train is a high-power transformer yard with a small shack next to it.

However, just ahead of us, I can see AppleJack’s Rangers and a group of Enclave hard-liners fighting. We are just behind another group that is a mixed bag that I do not recognize. I look back and am pleasantly surprised to see Mudwing and the rest of the Trouble Shooters.

We all take cover behind a barricade. I hear several of them talking about what to do. Then I watch as several of them disappear.

Shortly after this, the Hardliners stop firing at us and we are waved forward. As all the teams pile onto the train. Choo tells the others, “I can drive it.”

She shortly calls back to Twinks on the radio, “Danger, we have no power.”

Twinks then yells to her, “I got it, boss.” I run with her to provide cover as she goes to the shack by the transformer yard. There she looks at the controls and I watch as she grins and tells me, “Who would have thought they would use the same distribution panel as a stable.”

She then flips a couple of switches and I hear several clicks and a hum as a generator I had not noticed begins to spin. Then she calls back, “Big Blue, how about now?”

“We have some Danger, but It reads it is still low voltage.”

“Roger, give me a second boss.”

Twinks then adjusts a few dials and I see her grin as she says, “I should have remembered to sync the phases.”

Right after this, I hear Choo call over the radio, “That is it, Danger. Now get back aboard.”

We both run back to the train with Katie barking excitedly beside me. We hop onto the car and Twinks Calls out, “Flower and I are back aboard.”

I then hear Choo call out over the PA system, “This is your engineer Choo Choo speaking. Please stand clear of all doors to the loading platform as we begin to make our way out of the station. Our next stop will be Emporia.”

*****

Monorail, Enroute to Emporia Coltlumbia: Choo Choo

While the controls of the monorail are completely different from those on a steam locomotive, they are similar enough to those of the experimental magic-powered engine that was under Canterlot Mountain that I can figure out how to drive it quickly. Thank the Goddesses that Side Track taught me how all those years ago.

As I get ready to pull away from the station I grin as I see a public address system and handset next to the engineer station. The conductors on my trains always got to have this fun and I call out the typical call that I remember them making back then.

I hear several of the members of my team as well as some others all hoot and holler at the announcement. I then slowly advance the throttle with its deadmares switch and I feel us begin to move, jerkily at first then I get the feel of it and we are soon moving smoothly out of the station.

As we emerge, I start to see some tracers coming in our direction. I hear some shots sizzle or rattle as they hit the side of the train and the monorail ahead of us. Then in the distance I begin to hear what sounds like wolves howling and a spike in gunfire behind us. As this happens, I notice a sharp drop in fire coming at us as those hardliner troops on the ground are distracted by our troops making a general assault again.

Then suddenly there is no longer any fire coming towards us as we break through the enemy lines and are in their rear. I keep my attention focused on the tracks ahead of us, but I do glance occasionally out of the windscreen and I cannot help but notice the difference between the areas we are passing through compared to those of Flankton.

In the distance, I can see the air battle raging and I watch as one of the hardliner ships takes a full barrage from three alliance ships and its side explodes and it begins to fall from the sky. However, it is not alone as I see one of the alliance ships begin to fall from the sky as well.

I am then horrified when I see one of the Enclave Hardliner ships suddenly open fire on the one next to it. I see the other Hardliner airships that are next to the offender suddenly shift their fire from the Alliance ships to their now rebellious brethren but I must shift my attention back to what I am doing so I do not see the results. However, I do say a brief prayer for all those involved as we begin to approach the main station in Emporia.

As we approach the station, I call over the PA, “We are now approaching the Emporia Spitfire Station. Prepare to disembark. I can see some weapons emplacements and guards on the platform.” Above the station, I can see a skyship bombarding those troops who are near it.

Behind me, I can hear the members of the various teams shifting to the doors as I slow down to stop.

As we pull into the station and stop, I can see the guards there all seem confused and one who appears to be an officer is pointing in our direction. Once stopped the doors open and the teams all vomit forth firing at any hostiles in their way.

As I make my way to the doors, I hear the calls for medic and I see that the officer and some of the others have been taken prisoner. However, bodies are lying still on the ground as well. It is then that I see a white pegasus mare with a braided yellow mane and tail stopping at the Enclave troops' bodies and I realize she is collecting their souls. She looks at me and smiles and then continues with her business. As she does this, I feel a chill run up my spine and I hear Jelly Bean ask, “Why are you staring at those bodies, Boss?”

It is then that I know I have seen another spirit. However, I only answer, “Just trying to see if they have any unit markings on their uniforms. Nothing important I guess.”

As we begin to move again, I see the various teams start to split up and go their way toward their next objectives. Before she leads her team out Mudwing stops me and tells me, “Hey Big Blue, if we survive until after this war is done, I have a business proposition to make with you.”

I grin back at her and answer, “Sounds good, I look forward to talking with you about it later.”

She sticks out a talon, shakes my hoof, and tells me, “Later then. Now good luck and good hunting.”

As she leads her team out, I hear the monorail begin to move and I see an AppleJack’s Ranger scribe at the controls on the other end of the train as they take it back to pick up another load of troops.

I then try to tell my people to form back up again but I cannot broadcast anything and all I hear is static.

Twinks turns to me and tells me, “Boss, I think they are jamming the radio frequencies. We are going to have to do this the old-fashioned way.”

I simply nod and tell her, “I am afraid you are correct.” I then call out, “Okay people, form up, and let’s get moving, we have a mission to complete here.”

I still have Sunny, Morning Mist, and the two remaining Two-bits in the lead. As we begin to make our way toward the local naval headquarters for the Hardliners. Our job this time will be to put it out of commission any way we can. However, along the way, we are to see what confusion we can sow as well.

As we move down the street in our typical urban fighting formation, I cannot help but notice how affluent the local shops are here. I then look at the buildings and I am stunned at how decadent this part of Coltlumbia is compared to Flankton. Here it seems the cream and butter fat were kept while those in Flankton just got what was not wanted, I think to myself. Then I shake my head and smile.

As we go, I see what few Enclave civilians there are on the streets go wide-eyed and run away from us. I then realize how built up this area is and I make a decision I hate having to do while city fighting. I give the orders, “Flower, your set is on point again. Blackbird, take your set up high briefly and get a good look at what is ahead of us. We wait to move forward again until Sunny gives us his report.”

I watch the four fliers all cringe briefly, but then almost as one they take to the air and I watch as they land on top of the tallest building near us. They are only there a few minutes when Sunny leads them back down and as he lands, he tells me, “Two blocks west of here there and five blocks north there is a column of troops moving in the direction of front lines.”

He then adds. “Boss, it looks like the main Alliance troops are stalled around Hurricane Bay and the apartment buildings just north of the amusement park.”

I move my ears to acknowledge his report as I quickly think and I tell the others “At the gallop, Sunny lead us to the intersection where that column is going to come through. Once there we set up explosive charges and an ambush. Once we engage them and set off the charges we fall back to this point.”

Right after I finish, we are all moving as fast as we can. I smile as I see Morning Mist and Sunny in their power armor fly across the street to set up two charges, while Cowlick and Twinks set up a couple more staggered on this side of the intersection.”

The rest of us kick in a couple of doors and enter the buildings to set up our ambush.

Once the column has begun to go through the crossroad, I take the first shot with my minigun, which opens the ball. I see several of the Enclave troopers go down, but many of the others begin to spread out from the focal point of the ambush with some running forward and others beginning to run down the road that we approached from.

That is when the first charge is detonated at the crossroad, followed by two more that are along the road they are running at us on.

I hear Cowlick” 's MG firing in short bursts as he provides covering fire as we begin to fall back out the back doors of the buildings and into the alleyways as we begin to break contact. This is followed by one more very large explosion, after which the column stops trying to engage us, but instead begins to treat their wounded.

Once back to the rally point, I see several of us have been hit, myself included. We move to a back alley and there Twinks and I begin to work on the wounds. As I am working, I smile as Days End pulls out a bottle of Sparkle Cola Rad, pops the cap off and hooves it to me as he says, “Boss, I heard you say the magical radiation in these helps you to heal a while back. Here, drink it.”

“Thank you so much,” I tell him and drink it down quickly as I place a magical bandage on Cowlick's shoulder where he was hit as we fell back.

After all the wounds have been checked and we all drink some water I tell them, “Okay, time to get moving again.”

We have been fighting for several hours already and have not been able to make it to the Naval Headquarters. We are starting to run low on ammo and medical supplies, so I finally order, “Time to fall back and resupply people.”

I swear it takes us another hour before we cross over the lines for the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Manesville Regiment. As we approach the lines, I have the pegasi stay at our rear so they are not shot accidentally.

The scouts we come across are surprised to see us. I am only slightly surprised when we recognize the scouts as the ones we have trained and worked with before.

One of them calls out, “Hold your fire, the Repair Ponies are coming in.”

As we enter the line the sergeant of this squad asks, “How is it looking up ahead?”

I hear Ginger tell them, “Hotter than a kicked-over wasp nest. We are having to come back for more ammo and healing potions.”

“They are fighting that hard, really?” another one of them asks.

Ginger looks at them and nods her head, “Yeah, they are.”

That one then adds, “At least you have not lost any team members yet.”

I watch as my whole team stiffens and I hear Twinks tell them in a sad voice, “You are wrong, we have lost one already and came close a couple of other times. They are defending Emporia as hard as we did Manesville.”

I see the surprise on their faces at this. I then ask, “How far back are your supply elements?”

The sergeant thinks briefly and then answers, “About six blocks back. Only packs of ammo, med supplies, and rations. No wagons have made it inside that I know of.”

“Thank you, Sergeant,” I tell him. Then I tell my team, “Let us go. We can rest while we reload.”

Once we reach the back of the lines, I find a small group of supply ponies who have just arrived carrying ammo. I show them my badge and they let us load up on what we need.

Once done I notice a message over my PipBuck that tells us our assignment has been changed and all special teams are to converge as soon as possible at the Emporia presidential mansion that is known throughout the Enclave as The Manor. I then tell my people, “Okay our jobs have been changed. Somehow, I got a message on my PipBuck. We need to get moving.”

As we are going forward again, I see Colonel Mollygirl talking with Colonel Sirocco and General Threat Vector. Ginger runs over to her and I hear her say, “Ma, I am so glad to see you are ok. Be careful”

They exchange a brief hug and she tells her, “I will, you also.”

I hate to interrupt but we need to move so I tell Ginger, “We need to move it, Cookie.”

Ginger then smiles and says, “I will see you at the Manor Ma. Have a couple of your scouts follow us and they can lead you in.”

“Sounds good Ginger.” The Colonel says and I can tell when she sees Ginger has a bandage on one of her back legs. She then looks over at the rest of us and I see an expression of sadness and worry come over her face.

Ginger notices as well and tells her, “We found a rough patch. I will tell you about it later Ma.” Then we are all off again at the trot as we begin to head back to the front lines and to make our way to The Manor and what may be the last stand for the Hardliners. I can only hope it is.

*****

753rd Security Battalion Headquarters, Flankton, Coltumbia: Ball Lightning

I am up early again so I can eat a quick breakfast before my troops stand to in preparation for a possible attack that while we are sure is coming, we are not sure when it will. We cannot keep them ready all the time so we have them do so for an hour before and after dawn and sunset.

Today it is a quick breakfast of oatmeal with a bit of sugar on it. To help me wake up more, I am now on my second cup of coffee as well. I am joined for breakfast by my XO and we begin to discuss our plans for the day as we eat.

During the Stand to period, my staff and I are all ready at our HQ to direct our response if we are attacked. An hour after dawn I give the order to stand down.

As the Company Commanders arrive for officers’ call with the XO, I notice that Cloud Seeder’s senior platoon leader shows up in his place. This gets me to raise an eyebrow.

Right after the Officers’ call ends, Storm Rider enters my office, closes the door, and tells me, “Sir, I think we have a problem.”

I look at her and ask, “Captain Cloud Seeder?”

“Yes sir. He did not show up again and his senior Lieutenant came instead. Sir, at best he has a problem. At worst, with enemy troops so close, we all have a problem.”

I let out a sigh, then nod my head. “I agree. Now the question is what are we going to do about this?”

“Sir, I told Lieutenant Barrel Roll to send Cloud Seeder to see us as soon as he gets back. I guess we can go from there.”

She has just finished saying this when I hear what sounds like thunder in the distance. My eyes go wide and I tell her, “I think trouble is coming already.”

We both leave my office and I give the order as I hear artillery shells in the distance, “Sound the general alert alarm. I want all three companies into the tunnels now!”

I then hear the orders going out over the phones and radios to the company Headquarters.

As this is going on I receive a message from the brigade HQ announcing a general airborne assault is inbound as well as to prepare for a ground assault. I feel all color leave my face. I can only pray my people are ready down there.

I then have one of the sergeants on my staff run over to me and tell me, “Sir, we have lost all contact with A Company. They are not responding to phones or radio.”

“Thank you for letting me know Sergeant,” I tell him as I make my way to a map of Flankton that is hanging on a wall.

As I am looking at it, I hear a report over the radio, “Company B reports stragglers from Company A are running out of the tunnel and claiming there has been a mutiny and… Sir, B Company Commander reports he is engaged with NCR Troops and is being forced back. He is calling for reinforcements.”

I feel my blood run cold as I hear the word mutiny followed by enemy troops having made it into Flankton already. Damn him, Damn Cloud Seeder to Tartarus for this, I think to myself. While seething with rage I calmly tell my radio operator, “Report this to the Brigade and request the other battalions to support us.”

This is followed shortly by a similar report from C Troop. I look up at Storm and I see the alarm and fear in her eyes as well. “XO, take a security team and go forward to those companies. I need you to be my eyes over there and to coordinate with any reinforcements we receive.”

She nods her head, salutes me, and replies the only way she really can right now. “Yes, Sir!” Then she is flying out the door with six of our HQ Security escorts with her.

By the Goddesses, I hope we can stop them. If not, what then? I wonder.

A short time later I hear the radio operator tell me, “Sir, The XO says she has encountered civilians erecting barricades again on her way to B Company.”

“Roger, sergeant. Tell her that once she arrives there, I need a status update.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Before another half-hour passes, I hear the sergeant telling me, “Sir, The XO reports that they are performing a fighting withdrawal and that runners from both the 20th and 23rd have told her they are unable to support her as they are being engaged by rioters who sprang up in their rears.”

Damn it, I need those troops, I think to myself. “Very Well. Tell her that I said to use her best judgment and to keep me informed.”

I hear him broadcast this, then I begin to hear gunfire in the halls of our headquarters building. Both myself and the rest of the staff stop what we are doing, draw weapons, and begin to repeal the attackers.

Before I can say anything, I hear the Sergeant Major order, “Flip those desks over, quick. Here they come.”

The soldiers quickly flip them and a couple of tables over to make a quick barricade as we see two griffons and an earth pony enter the doorway with submachineguns blazing as one tosses a metal apple at us, and then they duck back outside the doorway.

I watch as one of my soldiers leaps on top of the metal apple and covers it with his body. I hear a muffled whomp as it explodes against his barding, but I know I have just lost another soldier in my command.

Right after it goes off the three from before leap through the doorway and into a hail of MEW and gunfire. All three go down quickly and I hear several voices in the corridor yelling for them to fall back.

I then see a set of guards from a different part of the building running past as they shoot at the intruders and drive them back into the streets. As this is going on my radio operator yells out, “Colonel, The CO for the 210th Battalion says his troops are coming to support ours. He says, hold on they are coming.”

Thank the Goddesses for that. Maybe we can do this, I think to myself. I then acknowledge what he has told me.

I look at the map and see where the 210th is coming up and where my other two companies are. I realize I have given up on A Company. I then tell the comms sergeant, “Tell the XO to have the troops fall back to this side of the Market Square. Also, let her know the 210th is coming up as quick as it can.”

I then hear one of the guards say, “One of these is still alive.”

“One of what?” calls out Funnel Cloud.

“I think it is a griffon, Sergeant Major. I have never seen one in real life before.”

Shaking his head, Funnel Cloud tells him, “If he can talk, ask him some questions. If not, be careful but check his kit for any information you can get.”

After treating our wounded our staff medic trots over to assist with the prisoner. Soon I see them take the wounded griffon away, I presume to our medical department. As they go one of the guards who were with them approaches me, salutes and when I return it, he tells me, “Sir, the griffon let us know that our headquarters was one of the targets for his team. He says his leader did not tell him any of the other targets.”

“Did he say where his leader might be private?”

“Yes sir, their leader was the female griffon that we killed.”

I nod my head, “Thank you, carry on private.”

As he turns and walks away, I think to myself, hopefully this means that they will not cause too much trouble. Right after I think this, I hear an explosion and more gunfire in the distance.

Soon after this I am by the radio and overhear my XO reporting in her location and then adding, “The 210th has arrived and is on our left flank. We are temporally holding our positions.” In the background, I can hear yelling, screaming, gunfire and explosions.

I have the radio operator hand me the headset and mic and I tell her, “Blue Hen 2, this is Blue Hen 1, I read you and understand. How is it looking right now?”

I hear her take a deep breath and she then answers, “Not good sir. We have taken heavy casualties in both B and C companies. Both of which are yellow on ammo. So far only one of the officers and three of the NCOs, as well as 20 troopers from A company have been found and they report that not only did the enemy overwhelm them as they ran to the defenses, but they were also engaged by many of the other members of A Company. Sir, it seems we have been betrayed.”

“I must agree with your assessment Blue Hen 2. Keep me informed, and slow them as much as possible until additional troops can be sent forward from Emporia.”

I hear the frustration in her voice as she replies, “Roger Blue Hen 1, Blue Hen2 out.”

It is almost twenty minutes later that the next kick comes. From over the general Public Announcement system, I hear the commander for security in Flankton come over it with the words,

This is Colonel Fulbright to all Enclave forces in Flankton. I'm giving all forces here an order to stand down hostilities against the Alliance and the Enclave loyalists. If you do not agree with this decision, you will be allowed to leave Flankton and join your allies in Coltlumbia proper.

As he continues, I find myself sitting down hard and I feel tears starting to form in my eyes, but I do not let them fall. Damn it all to Tartarus, it was all for nothing. All my dead and wounded troopers for nothing. My being away from my family if they are still alive for nothing, I think to myself.

Once he finishes, I cannot reach his headquarters by phone so I use the radio and to verify the announcement's authenticity. Once done, I tell those on my staff. “You heard the stallion, if you want to keep fighting, go ahead and fall back to Emporia. I will not stop you.”

“What about you sir?” I hear Funnel Cloud ask.

I take a deep breath and let it out. Then I answer, “I am done with wasting lives.”

He nods his head and sits beside me, “I am with you, sir.”

I then hear my radio operator say, “Sir, the XO wants to speak to you.”

I get up and once to his section of my headquarters, I take the mic. “Blue Hen 2, this is Blue Hen 1, what do you have for me?”

“Blue Hen 1, is that message real?” She asks.

“Blue Hen 2, I have verified it is authentic,” I reply.

There is a brief pause and she asks, “What now sir?”

I find myself sighing again as I tell her, “That is up to you as to how you see your duty. Understand if you feel you must continue fighting then stand down and join the others in Emporia. If not, then have the troops who are staying here return to their barracks and rejoin me at our HQ.”

I hear a brief pause again, and this time as she answers there is a noticeable lack of weapons fire in the background as she tells me, “I will be there as soon as possible sir.”

I pass the headset and mic back to my radio operator and then head to my office, head down and tail tucked tight. I sit behind my desk and I pull out the remains of the bottle of Three Sisters whiskey. I pour myself a healthy tumbler of it and take a big gulp of it and hope that it can erase the pain of all of this. As it burns on the way down, I feel a tear start to fall and I know I will just explain it away as being because of the whiskey.

Soon I am joined by Storm Rider and Funnel Cloud as we try to decide what to do next. I can only hope that no more of my people die because of this. I then look back up at them. “XO, Sergeant Major, I think we need to get our troops resupplied in the barracks and we are going to need to help the, the Alliance Troops man the lines. I am sure the Hard-Liners are going to do everything they can to drive them out and now us.”

“Yes, Sir,” they both reply and we begin to shift what people we have left to help in the defense of Flankton from our own people. As we do it, I wonder to myself, how did we ever get to this point?

*****

Hello to all of you in Flankton, I am Flying Blind and I am calling all of you to stand with us at the barricades. Help our brethren who are fighting for our freedoms and rights. It does not mean you have to grab a rifle and charge the Hardliner troops It can be something as simple as blocking the Hardliner's troops and delaying them as they move forward or even something as simple as giving soldiers the wrong directions. Every little bit helps. My Brothers and Sisters join the resistance today. In this spirit our first song with be Do You Hear the People Sing.

***

Hello again to all of you out in the Wastelands and welcome to tonight’s show with all the news and tips that you can use, as well as the best music I can provide. I am your host DJ Pon3.

Starting tonight’s war news we have reports that Neighvarro has declared itself neutral in the current fighting between the Enclave Hardliners and the forces of the Alliance. This comes after the Surrender of Thunderhead to the forces of the Lunar Commonwealth and the Alliance after they were reportedly struck by a mega-spell.

Currently the forces of the Alliance have been fighting since shortly after daybreak in Coltlumbia. Fighting is reported to be house-to-house and street fighting. We now have our reporter Spear Pen, who is embedded with the Baltimare Brigade transmitting live to you.

Good evening, I am Spear Pen and I am broadcasting to you live from the outskirts of Emporia in the cloud city of Coltlumbia. The Baltimare Brigade has linked up with other Alliance forces here and is slowly advancing into Emporia., with the assistance of resistance fighters from Coltlumbia.

Medic! I am hit.

Hold on a minute everyone, I got you, soldier. Here, hold onto my mic while I get this tourniquet on you. Ok, that should do it. Here is some Medix and a healing spell from your kit.

Thanks, buck that helps.

Okay, I am back. Sorry about that. As you can tell the fighting here has been intense and not without cost. I have even seen some of the Hardliner troops fire into groups of Enclave civilians. It is inequine what some of them have done.

Earlier today I saw one of the greatest feats of bravery I have ever seen I saw the airmobile regiment from Manesville make an assault against the main walls of Coltlumbia. Currently, I have no figures of casualties of the unit involved.

Overhead of us I can also see several skyships from each side fighting. Oh, wait, OH MY CELESTIA! My goddesses, I have just watched one of the Hardliner airships ram another one of theirs. There are bits of the skyships and bodies dropping off as they fall towards the ground in the valley below.

I am so…y, I am just overwhelm.. by the fana…sm that must have oc….d on that ship to ram its own side.

DJ Pon3, I do n.. know…. long… broad… due to jamm….

Scrreeee….

Sorry about that everyone. It seems we have lost contact with Spear Pen. But as you have heard the fighting there is very heavy and our forces are being joined by not only the NCR and forces of the alliance, but by Enclave Resistance forces in the Good Fight.

With that in mind here is our next song. Here is Catalyst.

Author's Note

Now the battle for Coltlumbia has been joined and we can see the special teams leading the way trying to ease the path for the main body of the assault.

Those of you who have read Fallout Equestria: Borderlands may recognize the battle overall, but the focus of the fight has shifted. I hope you enjoy reading about the battle through these perspectives.

The speech by Colonel Fulbright is verbatim from the story Fallout Equestria: Survivors Guilt by RuinQueenofOblivion, as are several areas of this battle. I have embellished the details of the battle as well as the tunnels under Coltlumbia and the air battles. Now to see how the rest of the fights in the battle play out.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's songs, the first song's YouTube link is:

Do you hear the People Sing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYb9sRLUDyM

The second ones link is:

Catalyst:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLE3ZLrWjy8