Chapter 74 Aftermath and Clean Up

“Only a battle lost is sadder than a battle won.” ― Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven

Manesville Brigade Headquarters, Flankton Coltlumbia, Grand Pegasus Enclave: Ginger Snaps

The flight from the Manor to the Headquarters of the Manesville Brigade is shorter than I expected. Of course, the general had moved it as the rest of the Brigade had advanced deeper into Emporia.

As we are off loading, I notice the absence of any of their wagons. Of course, that makes sense as they would have had a hard time moving through the tunnels and streets, but that means they had to bring in supplies and move wounded by carrying it in the hard way.

As I step aside, I see two groups of ponies waiting to enter the vertibuck, the first group has the Grim Reaper Pony as a patch on their uniforms and I realize that a team from the Graves Registration unit is here for our comrades. I feel tears come to my eyes for some reason at this. Once we are all off, our team stands off to the side as they rush onboard and respectfully take our comrades off. As they step off, we all stand at attention and salute.

Once they are clear, I watch as the other group, stretcher-bearers, run onboard with wounded soldiers to be taken back to the field hospital. As they are loading them, we try to see if we know them. I hear a shocked Cowlick ask as a bull with chaplain markings on his uniform is carried by, “Is that Dharma?”

I look and realize it is the Chaplain for the 3rd regiment and wonder just how bad the casualties are for the Wolfpack and if our family is safe. As Flight Plan and his crew take off, I watch them go and realize just how long of a day they are going to have.

Soon we are at the HQ itself and we are met by Lieutenant Colonel Pin Point, General Thrust Vector’s chief of staff. He looks tired and worn himself. As he sees us, he attempts a smile and then I can see him counting how many of us are left and he too shakes his head.

He then asks Choo, “So, Captain, what are your orders now?”

I see Choo ruffle her wings slightly and she then answers, “As of right now my team has no orders. Would it be alright if we used your radio to call Ranger HQ and see what they want us to do?”

He nods, “Sure, go ahead. If they give you any trouble, tell them to talk to me.”

“Yes sir,” she tiredly says.

All around us, I can see beings expressing joy at having survived and pain at their losses. It is strange to me to think about how someone can feel both at the same time. But then again, this is far from my first time feeling that way.

Choo tells us to move to the side and wait for her as she goes to radio in. As she does so we all sit down, grab a drink of water, and then begin to clean our weapons and gear for the next time we need them.

When she returns, she has a concerned expression on her face as she tells us, “They have no new assignment for us at this time. We are attached to the Brigade HQ until we get further word.”

Soon after she says this, I hear the word called out by the Brigade Sergeant Major for the headquarters to assemble and prepare to return to last night's camp.

Major Pinpoint while walking by tells us, “Captain, have your team fall in with our headquarters security company.

“Yes sir,” she tells him and we follow her to where we see them assembling. Their captain sees us approaching and tells Choo, “If you do not mind ma’am, just hop in behind us.”

She acknowledges his request and we form ranks behind them. I find this amusing in a way as we rarely are in formal ranks. But for this, yeah, we can do it. Well, at least Choo, myself, and my husband can.

As we form up, Katie slides next to Xochitl and his set, while my set takes up the rear. Once we are ready, we wait only a few minutes before we begin to get the order to march.

The city of Flankton passes by us and I cannot help but notice how rundown it is compared to Emporia. As we march I wonder how a stallion such as Ball Lightning can even fight for a society that supports such inequalities. But then I realize, that perhaps it is all he has known. Besides his family, if they are still alive, are in Thunderhead, and if he wants to see them again, he would have to hoof the line.

As we march, I cannot help but think of everything we have seen and experienced to get here. The friends we have met and those we have lost. Deep inside I just hope it was worth it, and hopefully we can get a peace that will allow us to slowly bring the wastelands back to life again.

Before I know it, we are going down a ramp into the tunnels under the city. I briefly notice the scorch marks and bullet pocks in the walls. I am even saddened when I see a few bodies near some of the hard-fought areas down there.

Then we are in the open again and as I look to the northeast, I can see the wreckage of at least three airships as well as the debris that was part of the air assault of the 2nd regiment. From behind us, I begin to hear some ponies singing the Mares of the West. I begin to hear more and more voices join and soon I too am singing,

…' Twas the eve of a bright harvest day, When the airships we'd been wearily watching Sailed into Manesville that day.

And over the hills went the slogan to awaken in every breast The fire that has never been quenched, Mares, Among the true hearts of the West.

I give you the gallant old West, colts, where rallied our bravest and best

When Equestria lay broken and bleeding; Hurrah for the mares of the West!

I feel my spirits begin to buoy up and while I still hurt physically, some of the pain goes as well. Behind us, I can hear the other regiments of the brigade singing too.

Flankton was ours by the midday, And high over Emporia town

Our banners in triumph were waving Before the next sun had gone down.

We gathered to speed the good work mare and history can tell how we routed the Enclave through Coltlumbia fair.

I give you the gallant old West, mares, where rallied our bravest and best, When Equestria lay broken and bleeding; Hurrah for the mares of the West!

As the song finishes, I look at Cowlick and we both smile and begin to sing the Minstrel Colt, which again other members of the brigade join in with us.

We continue to sing as we march down to the camps. As we reach them, I watch as the General and one squad of the security company branch off to the side to observe the rest arrive. Our team stays with the rest of the headquarters company and returns to their camp from the night before. Once we arrive there, each element is told to halt and then fall out.

Once we do so, our team steps to the side and Choo tells us, “Go ahead and rest here. I will see what I can get for us.”

When we finally sit down, we all begin to relax. I smile as some of them pull out a deck of cards and begin to play. I notice Twinks leans against Tater and falls asleep.

I am just pulling out my copy of the Book of Daisy Jo when Box-end Wrench approaches me. I smile and tell her, “Pop a squat if you want.”

She takes a seat and I can see she has something on her mind so I ask, “What is troubling you Two Bits?”

I see her sigh and then she tells me, “Cookie, now that the war is done, I do not know what to do. I can’t go back home to Flankton. Besides the brand, I saw my husband while we were passing through. He has a new mare and I briefly saw her protecting my foals.”

“Are you thinking of trying to bring your foals with you?”
She shakes her head violently, “No, not yet at least. Besides his new mare is my sister and I know she will take care of my young’uns since I cannot be there.” She takes another deep breath and then says, “Besides I still have a lot to learn down here and I do not want to expose them to some of the dangers yet.”

“Yeah, I get that.” I pause and then tell her, “Two Bits, you have been with us a couple of weeks now, and you have fought alongside us. I think if you want, you can stay with the team. I mean if you are interested. Just ask the Boss.”

She looks up at the cloud city and then asks, “You really think so?”

I smile at her and reply, “Yeah, I am pretty sure of it.” Again I pause before I ask, “How are you holding up with the loss of the others who joined us with you?”

“To be honest; I just do not know yet. Cookie I still kinda feel numb about it.”

“Yeah, I get that. If you ever need to talk, just let me know. We have been through it, so do not think you have to tough it out on your own.”

Finally, she cracks a bit of a smile and tells me, “Thanks Cookie, I appreciate it.”

She then pauses and asks, “I notice you are carrying that book with you, what is it?”

I smile and tell her, “It is the Book of Daisy Jo. The holy book for the cattle religion.”

“Uh, you actually believe in their religion?”

I nod, “Yes I do, but understand while Sweet Cream is the All Mother according to it, Both Celestia and Luna are also there as well.”

“Until I met you and the rest of the team, I never even heard of the cattle, much less their religion.”

Again, I nod and smile, then I tell her, “Most have not so I am not surprised. But if you ever have questions about it, or would like to read some of it, I will let you read my copy.”

“Thanks, I appreciate the offer.” She pauses and then asks, “Cookie, what is the work like for the team when a war is not going on?”

“Before the war, we only had a few missions, but there were some big ones. One involved escorting a caravan to find out who was attacking the caravans between Hoofington and Hackamore. The next some of us escorted some dignitaries to Hoofington again. During that time a lot was going on with the others. But we do get some downtime to rest and relax, as well as more training. We do a lot of that.”

She twists her head to the side slightly then asks, “Is that why you guys are all so good at this and seem so used to it?”

I shrug and answer, “Maybe that is why we are good at it, but honestly, I do not know if we ever really get used to the fighting. You just learn to go on autopilot during it. Afterward, well, that differs from person to person. I read my book to help me cope with what we have had to do and have experienced. But know we are all here for each other.”

She looks thoughtful briefly then tells me, “I think I need to talk to Big Blue when she gets back. Thanks, Cookie.”

“No problem Two Bits, any time,” I tell her as she gets up and heads back towards the card game and I return to my reading. Now where was I? Oh yes, the Book of Herds, always a good one for me.

*****

Manesville Brigade Headquarters, Coltlumbia, Enclave Territory: Xochitl

As Ginger goes off to read, I decide to do something else. I take the time to play a bit of fetch with Katie. I suddenly realize how rarely I have gotten to play with her since she found us. But I hope I can now make that up to her. She is a good girl.

As I play with her, or her with me, we both stop and she sits next to me as we watch some of the soldiers from the regiments march by. I notice how much they look like we did after the Valley. There is pride but also a brittleness to their eyes. I then notice that the shoulder patch of a brown dashite brand on a light blue circle and realize they are from the 2nd Manesville. I then begin to try and see if I can see my father-in-law in their ranks as well as some of the others I know. What I quickly notice is how few of them there seem to be as they march by. I also notice I see only a few of those I know. Unfortunately, Captain Badger and his 1st sergeant Pages are not among those I see. I feel a chill run down my back and I just hope they are wounded and I will see them later.

I shake my head to clear away those thoughts and I look skyward and see vertibucks flying back and forth between the cloud city and the field hospital that is nearby. I then move my ears in that direction and I can hear screams from some of the wounded in the distance. I realize I had begun to just phase them out. Sort of how one of the old ghouls in Manesville had told me that over time in the factory there he would not notice the roar of the machinery and could hear others talking with ease.

I sit down and I feel Katie move closer to me. I hug her and find myself fighting tears as I feel like perhaps this job is getting to me and I am starting to become a monster inside. However, I feel her lick my face a couple of times as she leans into me and I realize I still have other feelings that are good, so perhaps I am not the monster I fear inside.

She barks a couple of times and I smile weakly and tell her, “Yeah, you are right girl, let's play fetch some more as I toss the ball for her and watch her run after it.

Once she is tired, we both make our way back to the others and Tater tells me, “Choo has set us up with a tent and we are going to be bunking with the HQ security company. The rest of the team is helping them erect the tents for all of us.”

“Thanks for letting me know Tater. How come you aren’t with them?”

“Choo told me to keep an eye on our weapons and gear as they worked. She also said to let you know when you got back.”

“Thanks, Tater, I better go help.”

Soon I am with the others as we assist the rest of the headquarters support staff in setting up the tents as we may be here for a while as the NCR decides what to do with the Brigade and our team.

Once that is done, we move into a tent that was put up just for us. We trot back to our gear and this time Tater joins us as we go and begin to set up our temporary home.

I smile when I look at how we have set up our bedrolls. Instead of the normal nice straight row of bunks that the regular military uses, we have set up our bedrolls so we can all be close to each other in the middle.

When dinner comes that night, we make our way to the chow line with the rest of the staff and security detachment. As we eat, we begin to hear whispers of the casualty reports from the different regiments of the brigade. As we have so many friends and family in them most of us begin to worry about the others and I guess it shows, as the General when he is walking past stops at our group.

He ruffles his wings slightly and I can see a brittleness in his eyes that was not there before. He then asks, “How are you all doing?”

We give various versions of we are ok to him. The Choo tells him, “Overall, we are well sir.”

He then asks, “Any casualties Captain?”

She takes a deep breath, rearranges her wings, and with her ears flat to the sides tells him, “Yes sir, we lost three of our team members today.”

He looks at us and nods his head, “I do understand. But I do not think their sacrifices were in vain. You all did well in there today. I want to thank each of you for what you did, I am sure without your team and others like yours, things would have been much worse and perhaps we would not have even been able to get a hoofhold in there.”

“Thank you, Sir,” she tells him.

He then tells her, “Captain, as we are now back at our bivouac, I would suggest that you and your team stand down tonight and for those of you who have friends and family in the brigade go and check up on them.”

“Thank you, sir, I do believe I will follow that suggestion,” Choo tells him.

“Good, oh, and Choo, if you would like to visit me later tonight, I have a few things I would like to talk to you about. Nothing official or anything. Just some personal stuff.”

I can see a bit of surprise on Choo Choo’s face but she quickly harnesses it and smiles gently as she tells him, “I would like that sir.”

“Good, I will see you then Captain.”

After he has gone his way, we all finish our meals, clean our mess kits, and return to our unit tent. Once there Choo tells us, “I know most of you have friends and family in the brigade, I want you to go check up on them.” She pauses then says “While we are secure right now, I want you all to carry your side arms when out of our tent, just in case there are any Hardliner remnants still around.”

We all nod and then we begin to go our ways. Ginger, Epona, and I decide that we will first visit the 2nd Regiment. Most of the others decide to do the same. We know they had the hardest fight of the Manesville Brigade.

We are all sedate as we make our way to the rear where they had their camp last night. We first make our way to the HQ for the Second. It is there that we begin to get a feel for just how heavy those casualties truly were.

As we go, I see both Choo and Sunny take to the air as Sunny heads to the field hospital to see Morning Star, and Choo flies to the 4th to meet up with her sisters.

When we arrive at their camp, we can see how much smaller it is than the night before. There seem to be a few smaller camps set up separate from the others as well as the largest one, which we remember is where the 2nd battalion of the 2nd was camped last night.

We are passing by the headquarters of the 2nd regiment when we see a familiar pegasus stallion with a light purple coat contrasting with his blue mixed with green mane and tail and wearing a priest collar with his uniform.

He sees us and I see a look of discomfort come over his face as he approaches us. Once he is close enough Epona says, “Good Evening Sky Pilot.”

He nods to her and tells her, “Evening Miss Epona, Miss Ginger. I would say good evening, but after today, not so much.”

“Are you okay sir?” I ask.

He shakes his head slightly, “Yes and no.” He pauses then continues, “As you know by now, we took extremely heavy losses.” Again, a pause. I hear him sigh and he comes closer to us and tells us, “I am sorry to have to tell you two that Captain Badger did not survive the assault today.”

I hear a low moan come from my wife and I put a hoof around her shoulder and draw her in close as I feel tears well up myself. From Epona, I hear her start to cry and Cowlick telling her, “It’s okay Pona, let it out.”

I look briefly in their direction and I can see her crying into his shoulder with his hoof holding her.

I hear several others of us all let out sounds of dismay and then Morning Mist asks, “Do you have a list of casualties yet?”

“Yes, at least a partial list so far. The clerks are busy typing it up, but we lost almost the entire first wave and a large part of the second. There are just so many dead, more than wounded because of the falling skycarts. The non-pegasi in them just did not stand a chance,” he tells us shaking his head.

He looks down and adds, “I am just so glad we were able to perform the Blessing of the Dead on them before the battle this morning.” He stops again and then says, ‘Ginger, Epona, if you see your little sister later, tell her I said thank you for helping me with that.”

“We will sir,” Epona tells him. Then I hear Tater say, “Guys, we should let the 2nd get organized a bit more before we begin to bother them. How about we skip over to the 3rd and 4th regiments.”

While the last sounds like a question, I know he is telling us what we should do instead. I nod my head in agreement and tell them, “The 3rd is closer, how about we head there next.”

Beside me I feel my wife nod her head slowly, then mumble, “Yeah, sure, whatever.”

As we walk, I hear Epona sigh several times and I wish I could comfort her more as well, but right now, Ginger is my priority. I notice that Katie has moved from my side to the other side of my wife and is keeping in contact with her.

Once we arrive at the 3rd’s HQ, we find the Colonel and several others on her staff there, as well as Lieutenant Colonel Laura Lee, who because of her connections to Father Archer and the rest of my in-laws is family to me as well. I guess she must have already heard the news as I see her looking sad as she sits alongside of the Colonel and my remaining father-in-law.

I can tell when the Sergeant Major sees his son as he goes over to them and hugs both him and Twinkle Hoofs.

When my in-laws see us, the three of them get up to greet us. The Colonel, with a sorrowful expression on her face tells us, “I am so glad to see you all are okay. By your expressions, I guess you already heard the news about Badger.”

We all nod our heads and she takes her two daughters into her forehooves and hugs them both. I overhear her say quietly, “Moon passed onto us that Mareigan told her that she collected him and Pages both and that he said he will be there to meet us when it is our time.” She pauses and then adds a bit louder, “He also left a letter for all of us in his saddlebags.”

I feel my stomach sink as I now know what he still wanted to take care of last night after we parted ways. A black letter. I shake my head as I realize how many others probably wrote a last letter home knowing deep down inside that it was their last chance to say anything to those they loved and cared about.

She then tells us, “I am saving the letter until we are all home and we can sit down as a family to read it. I am sure he meant for it to be read that way.”

Soon we all are seated around the fire and as the darkness grows and the moon rises, we begin to talk about those we lost today as well as what we experienced. We all fought in the same battle, but for each of us it was a different fight.

As the fire starts to burn low, we make our goodnights and return to our camp. As we go, I turn and look back towards the cloud city and on the mountain, I can see fires still burning as well as the wreck of at least one airship.

Once in our tent, we all make our way to our bedrolls. Choo is already there along with Two Bits and Sunny. Before too much longer we are all in a huge pony pile as we just take comfort from the contact with the others on our team as we share warmth against the cool night air, at least that is what we tell ourselves. I have my wife, our dog, and our friends all with me. We have lost a lot today, but we still have so much, I think to myself as I smile and slowly fall asleep in the hooves of the mare I love most.

*****

Scout Company HQ, 4th Manesville Regiment: Choo Choo

As the others go to visit the 2nd Regiment or the hospital, I take my leave to visit with my sisters in the 4th regiment. I do worry about Quick Frost, and Blue Star, as well as Moon Lily. However, if she is okay, she will most likely be with them or her parents.

I have just landed near the scouts’ camp when I see a little black blur flying at me. I am almost knocked off my hooves as she hits my neck screaming “Granny Choo!”

I find my sadness washing away and I smile as I tell her, “Thank the Goddesses you are okay.” I am just about ready to ask how her friends are when I see them standing near several other of my sisters.

In my mind, I can hear them giggle slightly and one of them says, ({She was most worried about you sister.})

({I can tell. Thank you so much for looking after her and her friends for me.})

({But of course, as she is your great-granddaughter, she is our great-grandniece, besides we have enjoyed talking with them. It has brought back some memories from when we were their age. It is good for us all.})

Moon then says aloud, “That is right Granny, they are my aunts too now. And we have enjoyed talking with them.” Moon pauses then adds in a sad tone of voice, “They have even talked with me about our having lost Papa Badger. Aunt Moonlight Hope said she lost some friends that way on a big raid way back during the Zebra War.”

As she says this, a green who is closest to the rest of the Flying Foursome nods her head, “We were medics on a raid following the Ministry Mare.” My sister pauses then finishes, “We lost many that day. It was before they came out with power armor for pegasi. It would not have helped him being a unicorn, but perhaps it would have helped the puller of the wagon. But who knows.”

I nod in understanding, then I hear Snow Song ask in a nervous voice, “Choo, how are the rest of the Repair Ponies, we have not seen them since earlier today?’

I sit down and shake my head, “Most of us made it, but we lost Days End, Wing Clip, and Counter Weight.” I find myself looking up at the sky and I tell them without looking at them, “Counter Weight and Days End bought their farm as we were entering the Manor. This damned war was almost over and we screwed up forcing an entrance.”

I feel my great-granddaughter hug me more and I feel her tell me, ({Do not blame yourself, Granny, it happens.})

I want to listen but honestly, the responsibility falls on me, “We rushed in, without checking the doorway for boobytraps.”

I hear another of my sisters say aloud, “Was the door itself part of the trap? If not, how could you have checked it during the battle?”

I nod my head knowing they are correct, but still, I feel some guilt. Then I ask, “Did we lose any of our sisters here?”

Quick Frost answers, “Yes we did Choo.” She pauses and then she tells me their names.

I shake my head, “So close to the end and we still lost so many.”

Then from behind me, I hear Xochitl’s father Xavier’s familiar voice, “Choo, if those sacrifices were not made, the war would still be continuing. I know it is hard to accept, but it is true.” He then pauses and tells the rest, “Lance, I have located a stash of Sparkle Cola Rad and I will be having it brought to you mares while the rest get their rations.”

Quick Frost smiles and tells him, “Thank You, 1st Sergeant, I really appreciate your thinking of us.”

He grins and as he prepares to walk away, “Just looking out for me people Lance, but you are welcome.”

Soon I am sitting with my sisters as we exchange stories of what we experienced today. I then mention the white mare with the braided yellow mane and tail that I saw next to some of the Enclave dead. Moon smiles and says, “Oh, Mareigan told me about her. Her name is Val. They do the same kind of job.”

Both Quick Frost and Blue Star look at each other with a knowing look. However, the rest of Moon’s new aunts all seem confused. So, I begin to explain to them the Mareigan.

Before I know it, the sun is down and Moon and her friends bid goodbye to my sisters. When they do, I ask, “Would you mind if I fly with you on my way to my camp?”

We continue to talk as we fly and as we reach the Brigade HQ. There we stop and I give Moon another hug and I tell the others, “Mares, sleep well and I will see you in the morning.”

Once back at the HQ, I see the General standing outside his tent smoking. I have never seen him do that before. Between this and his asking me to talk earlier I decide to make my way to him.

He sees me coming and I watch him snuff out the cigarette, and break the remains down before putting them in his pocket. He then tells me, “Sorry about that, I gave up the habit many years ago, but after today…”

I nod in understanding and I follow him inside. He breaks out two glasses and a bottle of Old Overmare, pouring us both a gratuitous amount. He then slides a glass across the field desk to me. He raises the glass, “To our gallant foes and our honored fallen.”

I use my TK to raise my glass to his and repeat his toast. After we both take a nice-sized swallow. I feel the slow burn of the familiar drink as it goes down. Unfortunately, due to my metabolism, I do not begin to feel the normal effects.

He then looks at the ceiling and lets out a long sigh before he begins to speak. “Captain, I hope you will forgive me, but I need someone who is not in my normal chain of command to talk to about this, and perhaps someone who has seen these types of things before, especially with your long life.”

I nod my head and remember a similar conversation with a ghoul in Manehatten. I smile at the memory and tell him, “I do believe I understand where you are coming from sir.”

“The only one in high command out here besides me who I really think can understand exactly how I feel right now is Colonel Mollygirl, but she has enough on her plate right now.” I see him close his eyes and he adds, “And I am part of the cause for that extra burden on her.”

I tilt my head as I listen to him. We talk for some time and finally, he looks at his watch and tells me, “It is starting to get late; I am sure you have others you need to see.” He pauses again before he adds, “Thanks for listening Choo, and please, do not say anything to the others about my decision to retire. I was pretty sure of it before, but yeah, now, now it is time, while I still have my self-respect.”

“Good night, General, and perhaps the next time we meet in White Cloud I can provide the drinks.”

I finally get a smile out of him and he nods his head as he tells me, “You know what, I look forward to it. Have a good night.”

Once back at our tent, I find Box-end sitting by herself. She simply nods as I enter. Then she asks me, “Choo, I know I have not been with all of you long, and the war is over now, but could I stay with the team?”

I smile and tell her, “Of course Two Bits. I am glad to have you want to stay as part of us. I just hope it is not because you do not feel like you belong anywhere.”

She shrugs, “Oh, that is part of it, but Boss, I like being a part of this team.”

I smile and add, “Besides with you having been a maintenance tech in the factories before, I am sure you will be a great Repair Pony.”

“Thanks, boss,” she tells me, and I notice she seems tired.

I go and lay down on my bedroll which is by the center and I smile as she moves near me and lays down. “Go ahead and catch some sleep, I will watch everything.”

As she lays there sleeping, I listen to the sounds of the camp. At one point I hear her crying out in her sleep. I shift a bit closer and gently lay a wing across her withers to help calm her. Later as the others return for the night, they see us like that, smile and all take to their bedrolls as well as we form a large pony pile to sleep in.

Several hours later I hear Flight Plan talking to someone outside and he is directed to our tent. I hear the flap of the tent open and I lightly illuminate the insides so they can see without waking the others. I smile and nod and they too join the pile quickly falling asleep from exhaustion. Sometime after this I finally fall asleep, and I slumber better than I have since we left Manesville.

It is a week after the battle when we finally get our next set of orders. Tomorrow Flight Plan and his crew will be taking us to meet up with the Baltimare Colt again. From there we are heading south. I will get more information once we arrive at the Colt, I guess.

During the last few days, we have assisted Flight Plan and them in repairing and painting his new aircraft. I have to grin when I notice that once again, he has painted a picture of George on it, and the name of Hot Shot 2.

Our evenings have been spent with our friends and family who survived the battle. It is during last night's visit to Mollygirl and Moon Lily that I found out that the rest of the brigade is going to begin their trek home tomorrow as well. That means today may be our last time to visit those who we are leaving here forever.

My team as well as the flight crew make our way to the cemetery to pay our last respects and to say our final goodbye to them. As we make our way there, we see many others doing the same. We stop by the Graves Registration headquarters first and are told the location of the graves we want to visit. While there, the Sergeant that we are talking to stops briefly looks at his book again, and nods his head. He stands up and tells me, “Hold on a minute, we found some things in their personal effects that we do not know who to forward them to.”

He then passes me three small bags and all I can think of is that this is what their lives came down to. He then passes me an envelope that is addressed to me. I notice right away it is from Days End and I know I will read it later, but not right now. This is hard enough for me.

After I give him my thanks we make our way to their graves. All three of our team members are buried side by side. I notice a few other ones near them and each is for an NCR Ranger. I shake my head as I recognize a few of the names from both the Troubleshooters and the Fixers.

We each say our farewells and I notice Ginger has something on her mind so I ask Ginger, “Cookie, would you like to say something?”

I see her think briefly, “Yes, I think I would.” She then clears her throat then she looks first skyward, then back to us, and begins, “In the Book of Pastures, Sweet Cream tells us that our lives here are filled with lessons to be learned and experiences to share and that when our lives are done, we will again meet the souls of those we knew before both in Elysium and if we decide to return for more lessons. I bring this up to remind us that this is not the end but for them a rest, a respite from the trials and tribulations of this world.” A brief pause as she takes a breath and thinks briefly before she continues, ‘Sweet Cream, Celestia, and Luna, we ask that you receive these our brethren, your children; welcome them and give them comfort as they unpack the lessons they have learned. And as you welcome them, guide us in your ways. Amen.”

While most of us are not followers of the cattle religion, we are all respectful, and, to be honest, I appreciate the sentiments of what she has said and only hope that when it is my time, that I too am welcomed.

As we begin to make our way back to camp with the sun starting to set, I see George just taking off from some of the graves perhaps a half mile away. On her back, I think I see both Colonel Mollygirl as well as her daughter Millie. As they begin to go higher into the air, I see Moon Lily and several others begin to follow. That is when I see Sunny and my other fliers all smile at each other and they begin to fly in that direction, I look over and tell Ginger, “Cookie, you have the team for now, I will meet you back in camp later,” After which I launch myself into the air to join them.

As I make my way to them the rest of my sisters from the 4th Regiment fly up and join in formation with me in the sky that is tinged red and orange from the sunset as well as the smoke that still hovers from the buildings and crashed skyships that are still smoldering. Sunny then flies alongside George and yells something to her.

I see Mollygirl smile and laugh as she waves to him and yells something back. It is then my turn and I approach along with my two sisters, Quick Frost and Blue Star with our other sisters behind us. Near us and forming up with the flying foursome are three of the batpony scouts. Morning Star leads them but Asra is missing as he is still recovering from his wounds taken during the battle.

All of us follow George, with more and more fliers joining us as we form a large loose formation and together, we fly over the city of Coltlumbia. Some of us perform maneuvers as we fly.

We all seem to grin at each other as we all come to the same conclusion that this will be a farewell to our comrades and a celebration of life. As a group, we begin to perform an airshow for those below.

We do rolls, dives, loops, and all manners of maneuvers for those on the ground. From Georges back I can hear both the Colonel and Millie giggling and screaming in joy as we perform the maneuvers.

Soon I see Threat Vector is next to George and he nods his head and then peels off and reforms with some others. It is a wonderful, spur-of-the-moment event, where we are just all celebrating being alive and enjoying flying together. I must laugh when I realize that every so often Sugar Glider lands and briefly rests on George's back next to Millie.

While I am filled with joy, I also feel a small bit of sadness for those who cannot be here with us so I fly next to George, and with a tear in my eye, I begin to sing one of my favorite Hearths Warming songs.

When family cannot be here

Havin' journeyed far and wide

We sing a song to honor them

To remember days gone by

Soon Blue Star, Quick Frost, and Sirocco join me.

So, take your cup and raise it high

Just as surely, I'll do mine

And laugh we will at stories told

As we smile at days gone by

As we smile at days gone by

Before much longer all the fliers begin to join us in singing Days Gone By, The Colonel and George included.

For family not her my dears

Having journeyed far and wide

For loyalty and kindness both

We smile at days gone by

I feel a tear falling as I swing close to my great-granddaughter and her friends while we all perform a climb straight up that is finished by us going onto our backs then rolling over right side up and heading the way we had come from.

Our paths will cross again one day

In time to reunite

For family is always near

even when the seas are wide

My voice almost cracks as I think of my children, and those I have lost over the years including Days End, Wing Clip, and Counter Weight. Then I remember all those who have entered my life since. The tears are still there, but so is my smile.

So, take your cup and raise it high

Just as surely, I'll do mine

And make a toast to family

And the tales of days gone by

As we fly, I notice we are being joined even by some members of the Enclave as they form up with us and join our song.

For family not her my dears

Having journeyed far and wide

For loyalty and kindness both

Take joy at days gone by

For loyalty and kindness both

We smile at days gone by.

I feel both sorrow and joy as I lead them in song and fly next to my best friend. Finally, starting over four thousand feet in the air we all dive at the ground in a large column, and then about a thousand feet above it we all twist to the sides and start to climb again until finally, we are all going up and we then scatter our flights like a giant firework going off. After this, the small groups begin to reform and we all go our own ways.

*****

753rd Battalion HQ, Flankton, Coltlumbia, GPE: Ball Lightning

It has been four days since the battle. Smoke is still heavy in the air and most of the fires in the city have been contained. However, I have heard that the airship wrecks are still burning as well as some of the forest near them.

I have had my A company stand down from duty while the investigation goes on about what occurred that morning as well as the events leading up to it. I shake my head as I think about this mess. Goddesses what a mess.

As I sign another form, I hear a knock on my door and look up to see a courier standing there. I set down the pin and ask, “Can I help you?”

He salutes me and tells me, “Sir, Colonel Fulbright request your presence at his headquarters as soon as is convenient for you.”

I feel myself sigh and tell him, “Tell him I will be there momentarily if you would please.”

Again, he salutes me and answers, “Yes, Sir.” Then he is gone.

I put away the papers on my desk. I put on my cover and I tell Storm Rider, “I will be back in a bit XO, the brigade commander wants to talk to me again.”

She looks uncomfortable then asks, “Any idea what it is about this time, sir?”

“Not sure, but it probably relates to this mess.”

She nods, “Good luck sir.”

“Thanks, I just hope I do not need it.”

As I make my way to the brigade HQ, I cannot help but look at the damage that was done here. I see several civilians on my way that recognize me. I raise an eyebrow when I realize they have all greeted me positively. It seems our actions during the battle to help defend the ponies here have helped some.

This briefly brings a smile to my face, but then my mind slips back to home and I wonder about my family. We still have not gotten a list of those killed or missing yet, nor mail even.

As I arrive at the Brigade HQ, I am escorted to the Colonel’s office. My escort knocks on his door, and I am told to enter. He looks up and uses a wing to point to a chair across from his desk and tells me, “Please take a seat.”

Once I am seated, he tells me, “Good morning, Lieutenant Colonel. I am sure you are wondering why I have asked to come here today.”

I nod my head and feel my wings shift nervously and he continues, “After the investigation into the events leading up to and on the morning of the Alliance attack our superiors have decided that Captain Cloud Seeder and all of the troops in your A company have their loyalty in doubt.”

I feel my eyes open a bit wider as I am now worried that all of them, guilty or not will be branded dashites and expelled from the Enclave. Buck what a mess, I think to myself.

I nod again in understanding and ask, “So what do he propose we do sir?”

He looks at me and tells me, “Lieutenant Colonel, they are to be dismissed from service by the end of the week. While not being expelled, they will be highly encouraged to find residence elsewhere than our Enclave.” He then gives me some additional details and I must nod my head, not in agreement but in understanding.

I guess the expression on my face must have slipped and shown how I feel as he asks, “Is there a problem Lieutenant Colonel?”

I shake my head, “No sir, not at all. Once I get back to my HQ, I will begin the process of dismissing them from service sir.”

“Very Good. I am sorry that this meeting is so brief today, but I have a lot still going on and now you do as well.”

“Yes sir,” I tell him as I get up and give him a salute which he returns with a wing before returning to his paperwork.

Once back at my HQ, I call together my staff and I give them the news so they can prepare for what they must do. I then send a courier to tell Captain Cloud Seeder to have his company assembled in an hour so I can address them.

I then continue to process some of my paperwork for half an hour before I depart my office. Once done I make my way to the A company headquarters, where I am met at the main entrance by Captain Cloud Seeder.

As I walk up, he asks, “Is there a problem Colonel?”

I let out a brief sigh and answer, “Yes and no Captain, but are the rest of your troops already assembled?”

“They are finishing assembling out back right now sir.” He tells me as he leads me to his office.

“Very good, Captain, I know this is short notice, but I need everypony under your command that is not in the hospital here.”

I see his eyes go wide and his wings shift nervously, “Yes sir, I will make sure even the duty personnel in my HQ are there.”

I then take a seat in his office while he gathers all his troops in the common area between his HQ and the Barracks. Once he has them ready, he returns and tells me so.

I follow him out and as I approach, I hear their first sergeant call out, “Attention!”

I step before all of them and I begin, “Good afternoon soldiers.” I pause as I collect my thoughts on how to proceed. “I have just returned from the Colonel’s office and I have news that concerns all of you. Due to the events of earlier this week, all of you have had your loyalty to the Grand Pegasus Enclave called into question. While most of the other members of this battalion as well as some of the others had chosen to side against the Hardliners, most of you did so before the Colonel gave you the choice.”

I can see many of them have a look of anger or anguish come over their faces. Most are shifting their feathers slightly. But none say anything. I then tell them, “For that reason, you are to be discharged from service as soon as possible. For those who desire to leave the Enclave, you are encouraged to do so. This decision is not up to me and I do not doubt where your loyalty lies. Processing for discharges will begin as soon as I finish here. Know that this decision is out of my hooves and I wish nothing but the best for all of you.”

I pause to let what I have said sink in, and then I tell Cloud Seeder, “Captain, take command of your troops and begin the processing as ordered.”

Tears are held back in his eyes as he answers, “Yes sir.”

After this, I return to my HQ and try to figure out how to handle my battalion with only two companies left. I know I will do it, but I also wonder how long before I can return to Thunderhead to see if any of my family still survives.

The next day the first airship from Thunderhead arrives. My remaining troops are buzzing in hopes of word from home, myself included.

As the day passes, I watch my staff working to process the A troop members out of service. About an hour before our normal scheduled end of the work day, I see a couple of couriers enter the HQ with large bags on their backs.

I am looking out my door as I hear Funnel Cloud ask, “What do you have for us?”

“Sergeant Major, these bags were just dropped off from Thunderhead,” one of them answers.

“Corporal Drop Shipment, take charge of these bags and get them sorted.”

“Yes Sergeant Major, will do,” he says as he leads the couriers to another room in the HQ.

An hour later I hear a knock on my door and I see Storm Rider there with several envelopes in her wingtips and a smile on her face. “Mail Call Sir.”

“Thank you, XO, I appreciate it,” I tell her as she enters and sets most of them on my desk.

I see that most of them are from my family and one is from Air Burst. His is the most recent, but the next oldest one is from Sun Dancer. It is dated a week and a half after the attack on the RDS and Thunderhead. I set the other letters down. I then open it immediately and begin to read.

My dearest Husband,

I am sorry I have not written sooner but it has been hard to even find the time to write you. By the time you receive this, you will know about the attack here at home. While I know you and your ponies would have done your best when the attack came; my love the results would have been the same, and I may have lost you in the fighting that happened here.

When they attacked my mother and I had been about ready to go with Savannah and Little Bit to Thunderhead. Scrap and Scout let us know that there was a large group getting ready to attack the RDS. I called Lieutenant Colonel Full Bright which allowed him to alert his troops. Unfortunately, his people were swept aside. Those who survived fell back to protect either the terminal or the civilian housing.

That was not the worst of it though love. They took the hangers and highjacked vertibucks and rode them up to Thunderhead. The fighting had been going on for hours when I saw a bright flash of light slash across Thunderhead. I will never forget seeing so much of the cloud city just evaporating and burning as bodies and debris rained down on those below.

After that the fighting stopped and I flew along with Savanna and Little Bit to help with survivors up there. The three of us assisted with the wounded as they came to the hospital. I left the rest of the kids with Mother and Kind Heart.

I am so proud of how our daughters performed up there. Especially Little Bit. My love, she did so well that she got her cutie mark. I am so proud of her and you should be too. She got a bandage, with a silver curved needle and thread for one. While I am so tired, I am also very proud of her.

I do not know if you have had any news of what has happened here since that day. If not, I have some very bad news for you. My love, we lost both of our fathers in the attack. The megaspell swept right through the area of town they were at.

Their remains have been taken care of as per our custom, but I am sorry you never got to say goodbye to them.

I hate to end this letter on such a bad note, but I need to get it ready to send out and then get some rest, if not for me, then for our foals.

Remember, that I will always love you,

Your loving wife and family

I slowly fold the letter and set it on my desk. I look up at the ceiling and think, I did not ever get to see him one last time. Why? Why did this have to happen?

I hear a knock on my door and I tell them to enter. Storm Rider enters the office and quietly tells me, “I got a letter from Kind Heart, she told me about your father. Sir, my condolences.”

I sniffle once then tell her, “Thank you Storm. I hope your letter had better news.”

She smiles weakly and nods. “Yes sir, overall, it was. I thank the goddesses she and the others at your home are ok. I cannot believe the fight she told me that happened in their neighborhood.”

I raise a questioning eyebrow and tell her, “Have a seat Storm, and tell me about it as Sun Dancer withheld that information from me.”

She takes the seat and begins to tell me about it. After I bit, I have a steward bring us some tea. After we are done, she tells me, “Sir, I am just glad Kind was there with them.”

“Me too Storm, Me too.”

The next afternoon, shortly before sunset I am making my way to the officers’ mess for dinner when I suddenly see a dragon being ridden by two earth ponies as well as all manor of pegasi flying in the distance as they put on what seems to be an impromptu air show. I stop and while I want to join them, I know I can no longer keep up, so instead, I just sit there and watch them in the distance and I find myself smiling as I wonder how many of those up there with them do I know?

Once it is done, I continue to dinner. After which I will write another letter to Sundancer and the kids. Then perhaps tonight I will get to sleep early. One can always hope, I guess.

*****

Good evening to all my listeners. I am Broadcast Nights coming to you live, not undead, from Junction Town. It is the top of the hour and we all know what that means. It is time for the news.

In tonight’s news, the exchange of prisoners of war between the members of the Alliance and the Grand Pegasus Enclave has continued. Among them are some survivors of the Reino Massacre. Enclave officials have voiced that they will hold those responsible for these actions accountable.

From closer to home, we have received the first regularly scheduled passenger train in Junction Town from the Lunar Commonwealth. This train arrived with several dignitaries aboard from both the Commonwealth and Thunderhead.

In other news, there have been reports of increased pirate activity along the rivers bordering and inside the NCR. Military officials have stated that the increase is minimal and to be expected during such times. They have also said that actions to correct these are already underway.

This brings us to the first song of the hour. Recently I was able to obtain an old recording made during the Zebra war. With so many of us having lost those we love and care about, and so many of them being taken before their time I feel it is only appropriate. Here is Seasons in the Sun.

Author's Note

The war with the Enclave is now over. The fight for peace begins. This is often the more difficult if not more important one to achieve.

The song, Mares of the West is a ponified version of the song Men of the West that I created for this scene in Fallout Equestria: Borderlands. However, in that story, we saw the scene through Mollygirls eyes instead.

The song Days Gone By, is a ponified version of Auld Lang Syne from the album It's a Pony Kind of Christmas. The YouTube link for it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GZyZ4XsfYw
The illustration of the flyover was done for my by Laura Sikes AKA Brainiac. She created it for me almost nine months ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

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