Chapter 79 Discord Grins

“With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid. And when they do, things will turn nasty.” -Alan Moore

Western Bank of the Big River, South of Neighagra Falls: Ginger Snaps

I look out of the brush we are concealed in, at the village that was spotted two days ago by Flight Path and his crew. It mostly looks like a typical fishing village. However, it also has a couple of battle-damaged steam launches beached along the shoreline with the fishing boats.

Using the scope of my SIR as a telescope I can see that only the launches do not have fishing nets on them. Beside me, I hear Jelly Bean ask, “What do you see Cookie?”

“Not much, I see some fisherponies heading towards their boats. A few foals, and… wait, I see a couple of ponies coming out wearing collars.” Bucking slavers. Not what we need right now.

I call over my whisper mic to Choo, “Big Blue, Cookie, we have slaves in the village.”

“Buck,” I hear in reply. Followed by, “Stand fast for now. Just observe.”

“Roger, Big Blue.”

I watch those wearing collars being led out into the stunted fields behind the village. Once I see them begin to work on the fields I shift my attention back towards the village. I then see one of the young ones pointing in our direction.

“Choo, Cookie, I think we have been spotted.”

“Roger, Cookie, keep observing a bit longer, then fall back.”

I see a band of armed ponies making their way towards us. I also begin to hear a bell ringing from inside the village. Buck! This is not good. I turn to the others of my set, and I tell them, “Fall back now, I will cover you, and then I will catch up.”

As they fall back, I hear a few gunshots coming our way and I go to return fire. After the third round fires, I hear a click instead of a round firing. I check my magazine, and it still has rounds in it. I change magazines in case of a faulty mag spring and recharge my weapon. I take quick aim and again nothing. By now they are getting close and I turn and begin to run back to the others. I then feel something hit me in the back of the head and the world goes black.

I do not know how long I am unconscious. When I wake up, I am in a dark room. I can barely hear anything from outside the room, except a couple of ponies arguing. I keep quiet and simply listen.

“I am telling ya, we should take her to Old Jack. He will pay us good caps for her.”

“Well sell the weapons and kit and collar her if ya asks me,” says another.

A third voice says, “I say we cut her hoof off and just sell the pip thingie and her other stull. Don’t need all four hooves for a broodmare anyway.”

I hear somepony hitting another, followed by a mare’s voice saying, “That is all you do think with your stallionhood. For Celestia’s sake, we can get real money and protection from Captain Jack with her.”

“Well, she has to wake up first, I am not sure how long she will be out after that shot hit her in her helmet. She may not be of any use to us for a while after a hit like that. You saw the damage that helmet took.”

I continue to lay there not saying anything. Not making any noise to alert them I was awake. I make a mental inventory of what I feel. My helmet is missing, but I have a pounding headache. Of course, my weapons are all missing, as are my saddlebags and my web gear. My PipBuck is still on my forehoof, but my leg is sore around it as if someone had tried to pull it off with a lot of force.

I notice no one is in the room with me. In the corner is a honey bucket. And several other piles of straw. I slowly move my hoof so I can read the screen of the PipBuck and use it to check the time. Nearly time for sunset. Then I slowly type a message to Choo and tell her, Still alive, prisoner in dark room. Believe slave quarters.

Immediately I receive a message back, gathering teams, we are coming.

Part of me wants them to hurry, but part of me understands why they are not coming immediately. I close my eyes again and I settle in to wait.

Before much longer I hear the door open. I force my ears to not move as I hear someone say, “She is still out. Wish we had a doc to tell us if she will live.”

The door does not close after this as I hear several ponies enter into room. I then hear what sounds like hay and some buckets being placed in the room. Before much longer I hear the door close and lock.

I then hear the tired-sounding voice of a mare say, “Another one, eh?”

“Yeah, I heard the overseer say they caught her earlier. Youngsters saw a glint in the brush and that is how they found her.”

I then hear a stallion’s hoarse voice say, “The clothes look familiar. I swear the guard wore something like that back when I was in Manesville.”

“Always talking about Manesville. If they were so great, why did they not rescue you after all these years? It has been what, almost twenty years now.”

“Yeah, I think so. But who would have thought I would have ended up this far from home a slave.”

“You still miss it don’tcha.” The mare asks.

“That and I wonder what has happened there since I have been gone. I used to have a family there.”

I hear several others in the background moving around and talking as well. One quietly says, “That thing on her leg just blinked.”

“What?” the stallion asks.

He moves closer and begins to move it. I then quietly say, “Ignore it.”

He steps back in surprise and says back quietly, “You're awake?”

I move my ears slightly yes, and I hear a voice to the side whisper, “Keep quiet, don’t want the masters coming in. Get her some hay and let me check her wound.”

I feel the mare slowly begin to examine the back of my head, “She should be alright as soon as the swelling goes down.” She then quietly asks, “How is your head feeling?”

I then tell her, “I have a screaming headache, but I think I will live. Thank you.”

The stallion then asks, “Where are you from?”

I then tell him, “Manesville. You are right, this is one of the old CDF uniforms.”

He excitedly asks, “The CDF is here?”

“No. but we have some NCR Rangers that are not going to be happy I was captured.”

“What is the NCR?” the stallion asks.

Still remaining quiet I explain about the NCR and how Manesville is now a part of it. I then eat a couple of mouthfuls of hay and drink some water while lying there. I check my PipBuck, read the message on it, and activate my Eyes Forward Sparkle. I can see the red dots all around us, but those in the room remain yellow.

“So, how did you come here?” I ask them.

The mare says, “I was born here. My mother was a slave as well.”

“And your father?” I ask.

“I, I do not know. Ma never said who he was.”

“Sorry if I have upset you,” I apologize to her.

“No, just the way of life for our lot.”

I nod my head and ask, “Do you have any foals?”

She sighs, and answers, “I did, but he was traded to the pirates by the masters.”

“I am sorry to hear that. I know it must hurt.”

She nods and tells me, “It does. I know you must miss yours.”

I shake my head slightly and feel a bit of a tear form as I tell her, “I, I have never had a foal.”

She seems surprised, “Healthy mare like you still has not caught?”

I shake my head, “No, my husband is a zony, we probably will never have one.”

“I am sorry to hear that, but maybe one of the stallions here can help you be a mother.”

I smile at her trying to encourage me and answer, “Perhaps, we will see.” I pause then ask, “I noticed that you had two steam launches here. Are the pirates who own them still here?”

The stallion speaks up, “No, they left them here for the village to use, but if the pirate leader calls for them the town is to use them to support him as he sees fit.”

Hmm, interesting. Seems old Calico Jack has formed himself a militia of sorts. I should let the boss know as soon as I can, I think to myself. While still talking quietly I answer, “Makes sense, I guess. Do they ever practice for being called?”

“No, not that I know of, but the village chief sends a crew on one every fortnight upriver. Usually, they take some of our harvest and other goods with them. “

I wonder how far up the river, and where exactly. But those are questions for later I guess, as I get another message on my PipBuck. I read it and smile, well, this has been fun, I guess. I then tell them, “I need you all to stay quiet for a bit, and when you hear some loud noises, stay down, keep quiet, and do not panic.”

Just as I say that I hear a vertibuck approaching at high speed, it suddenly slows down for a bit and then it speeds up again. Shortly after this I begin to hear gunfire, screams, and the other sounds of battle. From down the river, I hear five short blasts of a steam whistle.

I lay back down, and wait as this is what I expected. Soon I should be free again. I close my eyes and listen to the sounds of panic and battle. Occasionally speaking only enough to calm those in this room with me. Some who only now are beginning to have hope for freedom, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

*****

Western Bank of the Big River, South of Neighagra Falls: Xochitl

I hear the gunfire and shift my riflescope to look in the direction of Ginger and her team. I watch as first Cowlick, then Twinks, and Jelly Bean fall back toward Choo’s position. I soon see Ginger begin to fall back and I see her head suddenly move forward as if she was kicked in the back of the head and parts of her helmet go flying.

I find myself screaming and I go to jump up to go get her, when I feel several sets of hooves grab me and Double Back yells to me, “Big Blue says to fall back Flower, Let’s go.”

“NO! I cannot leave her.” I yell.

I suddenly can no longer move, and I feel the other three carrying me away with Katie following us, whining all the way.

Once we are back with the others Choo asks Ember Rose, “What happened?”

“Boss when Cookie went down, he freaked out and was fighting us to go get her, so I used the paralysis spell you taught me to use for first aid on him.”

“Very good Hot Pepper.” Choo then pauses and asks, “Did anyone see the setup for the village.”

Twinks nods and answers, “I got a pretty good idea of the layout Big Blue. But they were starting to react like an ant hill that had been kicked over.”

Choo then says, “Okay, let us fall back to the LZ so we can return to the Colt. I want the other two teams to join us on the rescue.” She then turns to Ember Rose and tells her, “And please release him from the spell.”

I can suddenly move and speak again as I tell Choo, “Big Blue we have to go get her.”

I see a sad expression on her face as she says, “We will Flower, but only when we are ready. Understand I will not act until we are ready. Otherwise, we may lose more ponies as well.”

She turns and tells Sunny, “Once we are back to the Colt, I need you to grab a camera and fly high above the village to take photos. Do not let yourself be seen.”

“You got it, boss,” He answers immediately.

A few minutes later we can hear the Hot Shot 2 coming. Twinks uses her horn to flash several times giving them a point of reference for where we are and where they can land.

Once onboard the aircraft takes us as quickly as possible back to the Colt. The whole time I am sick to my stomach worrying about my wife. Cowlick sits beside me and pats my shoulder as Katie lays her head on my hind leg with a worried expression on her face.

Once we land Sunny and Twinks run to the berthing compartment to get him the camera as Choo trots over to the pilot house. As I reach the berthing compartment, Sunny is running back out with the camera strapped to his belly. He tells me, “Do not worry Chotil, we will get her back, no matter what.”

“Thanks,” I tell him as he runs to the side of the ship and jumps off, climbing in altitude at a faster-than-normal speed for him.

Once inside I hear Mort asks someone, “What happened? Where is Cookie?”

I am still shaking my head and fighting back tears when I hear a messenger say, “Captain and Big Blue want the team leaders and assistant team leaders in the pilot house right now.”

With Ginger gone, it leaves me or Twinks as the second in command for the team. I slowly get up and make my way there.

Once I arrive, I see Choo look at me with a look of disapproval and she tells me, “Sorry Xochitl, but this time you and Epona are both too close to be the second in command of the team. You can stay so you will know what is happening, but I need Twinks up here.

At first, it hurts when she says this, but I have to admit to myself, she is right. “Okay Choo, I understand, I will get her.”

“Thank you, Xochitl, I appreciate your understanding,” she tells me.

As I arrive in the berthing, I can see Twinks working on some equipment. The team seems surprised to see me, and I tell Twinks, “You are up Danger, you will be the 2nd in command for the upcoming mission.”

She finishes what she is doing and sets it aside. “Okay, I will be back in a bit,” she tells everyone.

As she leaves, I follow along with her. Once we arrive at the pilothouse, I slide to the side, take a seat, and just listen.

They discuss how the three teams can coordinate a raid on the village. Rust Water joins them and adds her suggestions as well. These discussions go on for at least a couple of hours. Once finished we all leave and return to the berthing.

When we arrive all three teams prepare their equipment for the attack. Then we are encouraged to take a nap so we will be ready for tonight. I lay down on my bunk along with Katie and I fall asleep while worrying about Ginger. I do not know what I will do if I lose her.

I awake several hours later as we all begin to get ready to go. The groundbound ponies will all arrive via the ship's launch. We will land a couple of klicks south of the village and make our way as a force. The flyers will take off later than us and will use the Hot Shot 2 to perform an aerial insert. The Hot Shot 2 then will provide air support for us.

There are still several hours left before sunset when we load up and leave the Colt. Mort is in charge of all of us ground bounds. This is because both Choo Choo and Mudwing are with the airborne insertion team.

As we make our way north, I feel Morning Glen’s hoof on my shoulder and he tells me, “I understand your fears brother, but we will get her back.”

I pat his hoof with one of mine and tell him, “Thanks. I know you understand.”

He nods his head. “I do not want you to feel what I have. She is a good mare.”

It is getting close to sunset when we arrive at a small beach where we unload from the launch and reform our teams. Twinks tells us, “Okay, form up by sets. Lock and load. We do not fire until fired upon or when we arrive at the village. Got it.”

We all signal back that we understand. Mort then leads off with his people on point, and us running drag. We move in a single file through the heavy built-up brush and foliage. While my set is in the lead for our team, Branches, not me is on point. Danger set him to that position before we started off. However, I am still in charge of my set at least.

The sun has begun to go down when I hear a message from Choo over the radio telling us, “Cookie just let us know she is still alive, but a prisoner.” At least I know that much now. Right after this, we get told by Danger, “Alright everyone with NODS, I want you to mount them and wear them. We are getting close.

I put mine on my helmet, slide them over my eyes, and click them on. Suddenly the world takes on a greenish tinge, and I feel a grin form on my face as my body seems to go on automatic as our training kicks in again.

We are almost to the village when I hear a Vertibuck flying past us. By the time it is over us, it has slowed down and with my NODS I watch as all the fliers leap from the back of the Hot Shot 2. As they make their way towards the village we receive the order from Mort, “Line abreast, at the double quick. Move it, Rangers.”

We quickly form a long line with all our non-fliers as we begin to move forward at a trot, shifting to a canter. We are almost to the village when I hear a bell begin to ring and gunfire shots erupt in the night.

I hear someone call medic as we run forward, but I cannot slow down, we must engage the townfolk and find Ginger.

The fliers are firing from above as they begin to make their landing approaches. One of them staggers in mid-flight, but they recover, and I watch as they open fire with a MEW at the ones who shot them.

The radio is busy as we receive orders and pass on information. We have made it to the outskirts of the village, and I notice that the walls are all made of wood. I realize I do not want to toss a grenade into them and be next to it even more now, besides not wanting to harm any possible innocents.

Soon we are near the building that they have marked as an armory. I swing around and buck the door open. Branches and Hot Pepper run past me, and I hear them exchange a couple of shots. Then, while I guard the doorway, I hear them over the radio call out, “We have recovered Cookies gear. Has she been located yet?”

“Affirmative, I have her location on my PipBuck, we are still engaging hostiles while enroute. Require assistance,” Choo calls back.

I turn to look inside the doorway and tell them, “You heard the mare, Fall back. Hot Pepper once we are clear of the building, toss a grenade into it.”

I hear a grin on her face as she answers me, “Already set a couple of them as boobytraps. Still want me to do so?”

“Affirmative, now let us go get our missing team member,” I tell my set as I adjust my gear and make sure I have a full magazine in Orcus. I then find myself leading them at a canter as we make our way to where my wife is being held, and I think, Goddess have mercy on them if they have harmed a hair in her mane, because I sure as Tartarus will not.

*****

Baltimare Colt, The Big River, South of Neighagra Falls: Choo Choo

Goddesses damn it! How could this happen? I ask myself. I am so upset right now I am pretty sure my horn is throwing sparks as I head to the pilothouse to tell Rust what has happened.

The first thing she asks me is, “Where is Ginger?”

“I think she was captured as they were falling back.”

I hear the heat in her voice, “You think? You think she was captured? You are not sure if you left a clan member behind dead or alive?”

I feel my attitude change at her acquisitions. My voice goes ice cold as I tell her, “That is why I am here, to let you know we are going back tonight, When. We. Are. Ready.”

She blanches back, “What do you mean by that?”

“I mean, my team has rested, and we have a proper recon. Sunny is getting a camera on right now. Once he has it, he will do an overfly of the village and the area so we can see what we are getting into. Normally going into the village would be no problem, but we do not want to risk her.”

She still is angry, but she calmly tells me, “Go on, tell me the rest.”

I tell her about what we saw of the village and how quickly they reacted. I then tell her of the two steam launches on the shore as well as their fishing boats.

When I am done, she looks at Sunny flying off into the sky and tells one of the messengers, “Go get the Ranger team leaders and their seconds.”

The young colt nods and tells her, “Yes, Ma’am.” Then he canters out the door and away.

About ten minutes later they begin to show up. I see Xochitl coming and I must tell him, “Sorry Xochitl, but this time you and Epona are both too close to be the second in command of the team. You can stay so you will know what is happening, but I need Twinks up here.”

I can tell it hurts his pride, but right now he may react from emotions more than reason and we need calm heads in place right now.

Once the others arrive, he follows us into the pilot house, and I nod approvingly to him as he takes a seat and just listens to our discussions as we rough out our plan.

We are still talking when Sunny returns. He lands on the top deck and trots below to have the pictures developed. Once they are ready, he brings them up to us and we begin to finalize our plans as we look at their defenses and the layout of the village. We notice one particularly large, one-story building where several ponies are being led out, and one looks like it is being carried in. I have a hunch this is where Ginger will be.

Rust then tells us, “Once we launch the Hot Shot 2, I will be making my way to the village at flank speed. Let me know if you see anything out there that I should know about.”

All three of us team leaders look at her and Mort answers for us, “Will do Captain.”

After that, we end the meeting and head back below. As we enter the berthing Mort tells everyone, “Get your weapons ready, we are going back in tonight. Once your kit is ready, catch some sleep. We need to be fresh for this.”

Even I take a nap. We are woken up about two hours before nightfall. Mort leads the non-fliers of our three teams to the ship's launch and I watch them steam away upriver ahead of us. As they go, I can hear the flight crew doing some quick maintenance on the aircraft as they prepare for tonight also

It is just after the sun has begun to set that I am surprised by a message from Ginger on my PipBuck letting me know she is alive and a prisoner, just as we are getting loaded up on the Vertibuck.

I let the team know via the radio and I tell Ginger, to stay where she is and that we are coming. I do not say any more in case her captors see the message.

Once we are airborne Flight Plan first takes us south for a bit as he gains altitude. Once at altitude, we begin to quickly make our way to the village at 2000 meters. Just before we get there, Mort reports they are almost to the village.

Suddenly the aircraft slows and the jumplight turns from red to green and as a group we all run towards the loading ramp, throwing ourselves into the night and dropping 100 meters before we open our wings. As we fly towards the ground all of us are shifting our positions, with our best shooters firing at those who are on the guard towers they have along the village's outer wall.

I see a group of ponies run out of one building with weapons and I quickly spin up my minigun and open fire on them. I am not sure if I hit any of them, but I see them at least throwing themselves out of the way, preventing them from firing on us.

Beside me I see Mud Wing firing her submachinegun and pointing out targets. As I land, I hear explosions near the wall of the village as well as steam whistles in the distance. I guess Rust is calling her crew to quarters.

We begin to fight our way to the building we believe Ginger may be being held in, and indicated by EFS. We try two of the smaller ones first, with no results other than raiding the homes of some of the locals, and a few brief exchanges of fire. Finally, we begin to make our way towards the largest of the one-story buildings. I had thought it might have been the village hall, but now I am not so sure. Especially as I begin to smell it.

During this time, I hear Flower's team call out that they have found her gear and weapons in what they believe is the village armory. I call out to them that I think we have found where she is being held. Unfortunately, the building is being defended with some ferocity I had not expected, and we have to be concerned with our shots missing and possibly hitting Ginger, somewhere inside.

The village is illuminated by fires, flares, and tracers as the teams fight our way through to the same building. Inside they are using stacked furniture by the door as a barricade and cover. However, they have left the lanterns burning and we can see inside easily. I smile to myself as a plan begins to formulate.

I have Tater, Morning Glen, and Double Back geather near me. Just as one of those inside yells out that we will never take their slaves.

Xochitl snaps. I see him stow his rifle on the battlesaddle, draw his family knife, and run at the barricade yelling, “My wife is not a Slave!”

I then teleport those near me and we reappear behind the defenders, just as Xochitl reaches the barricade, I open up with my horn stunning two of them, while the others fire semiauto, aimed shots into the backs of most of the others. However, Xochitl is already upon the one who yelled at us, and I am almost horrified as I watch him go to work on him with his knife with an efficiency that is scary.

Tater quickly makes his way to the locked door that leads into the back as I yell, “Flower, Attention!”

His training kicks in and he snaps to attention, and I can tell he then realizes what he has just done. He wipes his knife blade on the body and returns to its scabbard. Just as Tater calls out, “Got it, Boss.”

As the door is opened, I hear Ginger call out, “Okay, all of you on your hooves and into the light.”

As they come out, I hear most of them startle at the sight of us, and only Tater being a pony. Ginger leads them out and runs to her husband and takes him into her hooves. They exchange a quick kiss. She then tells the others, “We need to move this furniture so we can get out of here.”

The ten of them move forward and clear it. Then we fall back out into the streets. In the distance, I can hear a steam whistle blow. I tell them as I call over the radio to the others, “Fall back to the river landing. Let’s move people.” And we begin what is a fighting withdrawl.

Once at the landing, the Colt is standing in the middle of the river. Its steam launch approaches the shore and is met by two fishing boats loaded with the non-fliers. Once they are being towed back by the launch we take to the air again. As I become airborne, I hear more steam whistles from both upstream and downstream, in the distance.

Come on, come on, come on, I think to myself as they seem to slowly make their way to the Colt. Above us I can see the Hot Shot circling slowly.

I then hear Rust call over the radio, “Okay the fishing boats have been unloaded and the launch recovered. Flight Plan, search to the north quickly. Big Blue, I need you and the fliers to check to the south, I hear several whistles.”

As the Hot Shot 2 banks and flies north, I lead the fliers south. As we go, I see three steamships sailing north, two sternwheelers, and one side-paddle steamer. In the growing moonlight, I can see large groups of armed ponies and other creatures on their decks and then we begin to prepare to do a strafing run

I then hear over the radio Flight Plan call out, “I am taking fire and breaking off.”

I steel myself for what it to come. I start to spin my minigun when I see the name painted on the pilot house, SS BUTTERNUT. I call out on the radio, “All Colt Fliers, southern force are friendly, I repeat friendly, break off,” as I roll to the side and swing around to return to support the colt.

I hear over the radio, “Big Blue, this is Blackbird, I am going to land on the Butternut and appraise them of the situation.”

“Roger, Blackbird,” I answer. Then I lead the others north as I hear Flight Plan call out, “BC this is HS2, we are rolling hot. Have one Paddle wheeler and multiple steam launches. Popping Flares over them right now.”

The night is lit up and I see a lone sternwheeler and at least fifteen launches steaming downriver.

I look first to Mud Wing, then my wingmare Harts Fire, and with a feral grin I call out, “Let’s Roll!”

*****

Repair Pony Shop, Manesville. Manesville Region, NCR: Ball Lightning.

Today is my first day off since I was released from the hospital. As I make my way upstairs to the mess hall I am almost bowled over by Xanthippe as she runs past me yelling, “Excuse me, gotta go, the fillies are coming to visit.”
I successfully dodge her and make it to the mess hall, where I grab a cup of coffee, an apple, and a couple of pancakes that were left for me.

Zhia is sitting there with a cup herself and smiles as I sit down across from her. “Good morning, Ma’am,” I tell her as I set the tray down and get ready to eat.

“Good morning to you as well Ball. So, any plans today?”

I finish the bite of apple I have just taken before I answer, “Yes, I think I may head over to White Cloud and check out the village.”

“Why that particular village, may I ask?” she responds to my answer.

“Several of us who were captured there before the war, really liked what we saw of it, and we agreed that if something happened that made us have to make a run from the Enclave that we would meet there.”

I hear her sigh as I see her tilt her head. She then asks, “Do you think your family will be there?”

“No, not yet. But if they do decide to try and meet me, it will be there.”

She thinks briefly. Then she tells me, “If I were you, I would talk with those running the White Cloud Pub first. It seems everyone in the area goes there at some time. Also, the general store there is a good meeting place. They may allow you to put up a notice to direct your family where to meet you.”

I take another bite and think about it. Then I tell her, “Thank you for that suggestion as well.” I stop and consider my next question before I ask, “I have heard a bit about Dairyann. Should I stop there as well?”

She takes a sip of her tea before answering me, “Perhaps, but I would stay out of the pubs and saloons there. They tend to be a rowdy lot there from what I have come to understand.”

“I will do that. Thanks for the suggestions.”

She smiles as best she can and then she adds, “One more thing, take a shotgun as well. Those areas still have some wildlife that is pretty active.”

“Will do boss,” I tell her.

She laughs lightly, “If you see Xerxes during your travels, let him know I have some of his favorite pastries waiting for him.”

I smile and shake my head, “I will do that. Do you need me to pick up anything in my travels?”

“No, not that I can think of, just be careful. Those radhogs can be vicious from what I have been told.”

Soon I am on my way to White Cloud. I figure a quick visit there, then before I return to the shop I might just stop at the hospital and visit Storm and Funnel. I know Funnel should have been out a couple of days ago, but between him still not having a new leg, and them wanting to keep a familiar face for Storm, he is still there. I am guessing it will be another week before she is out of there at least.

Once I am past the stable and the accompanying base around it, I take flight again and make my way in the direction of White Cloud. I can tell when I am getting close as I can see the small cloud village and cloud farms above the village itself. Granted I am still several kilometers away, but they are hard to miss.

I do a gentle flyby and as I pass the cloud village a pair of older pegasi stallions fly out to meet me. They have their guns ready, and I can tell they are wary of me until one sees my brands and I hear him tell the other, “Dashite, he should be okay.”

The other responds, “Still need to find out what he is up to.”

I stop and hover as they both approach me, I greet them and ask, “Good morning Gentlestallions, can I help you?”

They do seem a bit surprised and reply, “Yes, who are you and what are you doing up here?”

As we all hover there, I answer, “I was flying over here to visit the pub and general store to let the proprietors know my name and to give them my contact information, so if I am not here when my family arrives, they can find me.”

The larger of the two, a yellow stallion with a light brown and green mane and tail, who also wears the brand asks, “Where are they coming from that they may not find you? And why would your family be looking for you here in the first place?”

I hold up a hoof and begin to answer, “They are coming from the Rainbow Dash Skyport outside of Hoofington. Back when my wife and a few others were caught sneaking into White Cloud before the war began, we made a pack to meet there if something like one of us being branded occurred.”

The one who was branded looks at me with a bit of suspicion and asks, “Now what were you up to that made you think that was even a remote possibility?”

“We were working for Enclave intelligence at the time.”

“And you just casually admit it?” he questions me.

With a half frown I nod and tell him, “Well, as you can see, there is no going back even if I wanted to. Which, to be honest, I do not.” I pause then add, “I have too much on my soul because of those days as it is.”

“Interesting. So, why White Cloud? What makes our village so special that you want to meet up here?”

I find myself smiling as I think back to the tour we had of the village, and I tell him, “We had traveled through a large part of the Wastelands and we all felt this was one of the better places other than home.”

“So, where was home?” The other asks.

“Well, it was Thunderhead, but I was stationed at the Rainbow Dash Skyport for a while before being transferred to Coltlumbia.”

When I say that name, I can almost feel the air chill. Their somewhat friendly demeanor changes. “What were you doing in Coltlumbia?”

I find my expression turning neutral and I answer, “I was the commanding officer of the 753rd Security Battalion. My MPs and I were stationed in Flankton there.”

“So, you fought against our people, did ya?”

Cooly, I answer, “Dang right I did. All the way until my senior officer gave us a choice.”

“That what earned you the brand?” the other dashite asks.

“In part. More likely it was one of my companies that changed sides before the battle started and led the NCR and Alliance troops into the city. I failed to report my suspicions. I would have probably been executed as an example if they had found out Sunset Water had visited me at my HQ, and I had not reported it.”

They look at each other. Then the non-dashite asks, “Are you saying Sunny snuck into Coltlumbia to visit you?”

“Well, I would not say that was the reason for him to sneak into Coltlumbia, but he took the opportunity to visit. Unfortunately, I was out when he did so. Though he did sneak into Thunderhead twice to visit me when I was in the hospital recovering from wounds.” I pause then tell them, “But that should be enough about me don’t you think? If you two are not busy, maybe I can buy you both a drink at the Pub. I am a bit hungry and to be honest, all this flying is starting to tire me out.”

“I thought you said you were in the Enclave military. Flying like this should not tire you out,” the dashite says.

I sigh, “it would not have just before the war. However, during an op I took a bad belly wound that cost me my spleen. It took a lot of my endurance away. I would have been medically discharged if not for them needing the pony power for the war.”

“That makes sense,” the dashite says, “What do you think, do we have time for a pint?”

“Sure, it has been quiet this week anyway. Besides, the 3rd should be getting home later today or tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I wonder how they are doing. But I really cannot wait for the 4th to get home. Be nice to have the youngsters back to be on the watch bill again.”

I nod my head as I listen to them talking. Then I ask, “Is that a, yes?”

“Sure, let’s go get something to drink, I am feeling a bit dry Tempête.”

“So am I Fog Bank. Okay, lead on mister. By the way, you never did answer us your name?”

“Oh, sorry about that. I guess it is an old habit ground side. My name is Ball Lightning. My friends just call me Ball.”

They smile and lead me to the pub. As we walk in, I notice a familiar face from Mega Mart. I can tell when she sees me as she begins to grab for something under the bar. Then she sees the brand and brings her hoof back on top.

I take a deep breath before I speak. Then I tell her, “Good to see you again Purchase Order, it has been a long time.”

She is somewhat cool as she replies, “It has been a while. What do you want Ball?”

“First, I would like to apologize for what occurred down in Hoofington. That was all duty.”

Her eyes flare slightly, and she says, “You're lucky Epona is not here, or she would shoot you for what you did back then.”

“I do not think she would Purchase; I have run into her a couple of times since then. In fact, we spent some time sharing a camp on the other side of a doorway if you know what I mean.”

The two stallions seem slightly cool toward me at her first outburst, but I see them raise an eyebrow after what I have said. She then tells me, “When was that?”

“A while ago, back when their team and mine were in Baltimare. She was doing well and mentioned you a bit.”

“Well, you and your people shot me back in Hoofington as well as getting Mama Magpie shot, then shooting Mama Mollygirl when our train stopped in the desert.”

I let out a sigh, “First, my trooper was not supposed to shoot at you. Second, your group shot them and cost them an eye. As for Mama Mollygirl, if she was the Lieutentant Colonel that I shot next to the train, she almost killed me. Cost me my spleen and any career with a front-line unit during the war. Sunny let me know it was her that nearly killed me, and to be honest, I am not upset, it was our duty and nothing personal.”

She pauses. Looks down and asks, “You went through the Doorway after her?”

I shake my head, “No, not after her, or the rest. Just an Enclave researcher they took with them through it. But how about we get something to drink for me and these stallions and a menu for me. Then I would be glad to tell you a bit about what they were up to.”

“You really do not care about others hearing about the Doorway, do you?” Fog Bank asks.

I smile and take a drink of my chilled pint of cider, “It is not that Fog. But I know the history of White Cloud. I know many of the second wave of settlers here came through a Doorway. Besides, the one in Baltimare was pretty much destroyed by Cowlick after we came back through.”

“So, what was it like on the other side. Was it as bad as they said they were running from?”

“Give me a minute to order some lunch,” I tell them then tell Purchase what I want. After she returns from the back I begin to tell them about it.

Part of the way through I hear Fog Bank asks, “You mean that no one could fly?”

“Yep, and the Unicorns did not have any magic either. In fact, Choo Choo could not do either. It was strange to also see that the three tribes had gone their separate ways, and we did not see any non-ponies there.”

“I can imagine so. I can not even imagine not being able to fly,” Tempête adds.

We all eat our lunch at the bar and include Purchase in our conversation. As we talk, I notice how much healthier she looks. I almost want to shake my head at the difference. But I will have to say that it seems White Cloud does agree with her.

She then asks me, “So, besides a drink and lunch, what really brings you to White Cloud?”

I sit down my pulled radhog sandwich and tell her, “Primarily to stop in here and at the general store. That way if my family does show up here when I am not around, they can know where to find me.”

She continues to use a rag to wipe the bar as she asks, “Where is that?”

I pull out one of the Repair Pony cards and pass it to her. “I am staying there, assisting with the shop some as well as continuing my training at the hospital as an intern.”

She raises an eyebrow, “An intern at what?”

I smile, “As a medical doctor. I have been studying medicine since I was wounded badly the last time. I found I rather enjoy it and to be honest, I was thinking that once I am ready, perhaps I could open a practice here in White Cloud.”

I see the other two along with her stare at me briefly. Then Tempête says, “With a couple years studying you have more knowledge than most of the sawbones out there.”

“That is what Doc Charity told me. However, both he and I agree that I need a bit more practical experience before I hang out my shingle.”

“Well, that makes sense Doc, but we could use a doctor around here. Our last one was killed during the fighting when the Enclave attacked us.”

“I am sorry to hear that. How about giving me a bit more time to get experience before I start wearing that title,” I tell them.

Purchase then adds to the conversation, “Well, you could always start a day clinic, even once or twice a week here, that way you could take care of some of the more basic and routine medical issues.”

I start to think about it more and tell them, “I might just do that. Let me talk to Doc Charity to see what he thinks first.” I pause then tell Purchase, “How about another round of drinks for me and my friends, and perhaps something for you to drink as well.

She pours three more ciders for us, and I watch as she goes to an ice chest and pulls out a Sparkle Cola. A bartender who does not drink alcohol, a smart cookie this one. I raise my mug and toast, “To wonderful memories and better tomorrows.” We all clink our mugs and bottle together and suddenly I feel much better about my future.

*****

Route E 3, Enroute to the NCR: Air Burst

I have to admit to myself that this route is pretty desolate. We have not run across much traffic since we left the Oasis two days ago. I will say though that I do feel better that the boss has decided to make this part of the run with his brother’s caravan as well.

When we left the oasis, we left at a trot. It was not the easiest pace to keep up for some of the younger ones, but the brahmin had hardly even broken a sweat. Because of this after the first half hour of trotting, I had the young ones hop onto the wagons. I took point again along with Trader Jewel’s granddaughter Pistachio.

She seems friendly enough and I have had some interesting conversations with her since we left the Hoof. She has helped me learn more about the Repair Ponies as well. It seems they had told her about me and my team and our interactions.

She also told me how they saved her life during that trip to Hoofington. It seems that Choo went out of her way to help save her. This makes me wonder if, perhaps, maybe I can find a job with them once I get to Manesville.

I am pondering this then I begin to think of Purple Haze. I find myself sighing as I think about her and how she betrayed us. I know I should not have, but I had begun to have feelings for her, and I had hoped she had for me as well.

After she hears me sigh Pistachio asks, “What is on your mind Air.”

I smile. Since my talk with her grandfather the other night, the entire caravan now knows my real name and they are now using it. The brahmin find it funny as they knew after the first day. It seems they really were paying attention to the youngsters.

I take another breath, and I tell her, “I was just thinking about the last time I was in the Manesville area and a mare I had met on the way there.”

“Care to talk about it? Maybe I can give you a mare’s perspective,” she tells me.

“Hmm, perhaps I should,” I tell her, I look back behind us briefly then back ahead into the distance. I then begin to tell her about how I met Purple, and how we seemed to really hit it off. I then conclude with how she turned us in and how we were captured in White Cloud.

I hear her sigh, and then she asks me, “Air, is she the reason you are making this trip?”

“No, she is not.” I pause again then add, “Part of me wants to see her, but part of me is afraid that if I do what she will say and do.”

She nods and I see her look at some movement in the distance as she goes quiet, then nods again and answers, “Air, what would you have done if the roles had been reversed?”

That is a good question. I find myself tilting my head as I think about it. Finally, I tell her, “I am afraid I might have been a bit more aggressive in my response.” I sigh, “I guess she really did care.”

“Perhaps, I can’t say for sure air, but I suspect she did care.”

“Thanks for letting me talk out loud about that Pistachio, I really did not know who to talk to about it. Especially with my best friend having been sent away and then branded.”

She smiles briefly, “You're welcome Air.” She then asks. “So Sundancer’s husband really is your best friend?”

“Yes, he is. I have trusted him with my life, and he has done so with me. I do not have a lot of people I call friends, but I am proud to call him mine.”

“I get that. Being a caravaner I was raised that way too,” she tells me.

Soon we are approaching the remains of a village in the distance that is just off to the side of Route E3. We are about half a mile from it and I can see that most of the buildings are still standing and what looks like walls that lead from one building to another. I also spot several ponies standing at the guard post along the walls.

I see her smile, “Yep, it seems we have made our next destination. That there is Fresh Spring.”

“So that is where we are to camp tonight?”

She nods as she tells me, “Yes, it is. Like gramps says, it may not be as fancy as the E 3 Oasis, but it is still a safe resting place. Fresh water to refill our barrels, and occasionally some fresh food too.”

I laugh lightly, “Only occasionally?”

“Yep, depends on when they get their last shipment. Mostly what they eat there is canned.”

“Ah, typical wastelands fare then.” I tell her.

“Yeah, I can tell you been down here with us for a while. You weren’t joking with Gramps when you told him you worked intel were you?”

I shake my head, “No, and until the day before I met you all at Mega Mart, I would not have admitted it willingly.”

As we approach the main gate, Trader Jewel has us stop and he approaches the gate with his brother and me. He then yells up to the guards, “Trader Jewel’s Caravan, Family Jewel’s Caravan, and escorts. We request permission to enter, refill out water barrels, and perform some trade while here.”

“Just a minute, let me get Water Fountain so she can identify you.”

As we quietly wait, I ask, “So who is Water Fountain?”

He grins, “Oh, just the mare in charge of this place for the last fifteen years or so.”

I nod my head, “You know her?”

Both he and his brother grin at each other, “Yeah, you could say that Air. You could say that.”

I want to ask for more details but first, they will give me them if they want to. Second, well, with those smiles, maybe I really do not want to know.

Before much longer I see an older mare with some scars on her left cheek and neck come to the ramparts above us. She looks down and I see her smile, “Well, I did not expect to see you two boys together again. What can we do for you?”

This time Family answers, “Good to see you again Water, we are just wanting to stop for a bit, refill our water barrels for the next stretch, and perhaps do a bit of trading with a few of the extra goods we picked up in the Hoof.”

I see her brighten up as she asks, “Really? Would you happen to have any fruit?”

Family smiles, “Well, I might have a case or two we could part with.”

She smiles again and turns to her guards, “All right, let them in.”

As the door slides aside, Family Jewel trots back to his caravan while Trader calls out, “Alright people, you know the drill.”

After which he leads us into the town, and past the first side street and into what is a large city square. Along the square are several shops that advertise their wares and services on mouth-written signs. Among all these shops I notice one sign that catches my attention that reads Town Marshall.

Standing in the doorway I see a large-built stallion, wearing a star on his shirt. He is leaning against the doorframe and just nods as he watches us pull into the preset camping areas set up for caravans like ours.

Once all the wagons have stopped, my team assists with unharnessing the pullers. As he gets out of the harnesses Alto stretches his wings, legs, and back. He then gives a good shake as he grins and tells me, “It feels good to get out of the traces for a bit. How long are we here for Air?”

“Depends. If things go as planned, we leave in the morning. If not, well maybe a bit longer.”

He laughs lightly, “Makes sense boss.” He then looks at the shops and I can tell he spots a saloon. He grins and asks, “So, do you think I may be able to go have a drink a bit later?’

“That should not be a problem. Just be careful if you do.”

We then return to our normal end-of-day camp routines. During this time, I make a few visits to a couple of the merchants here to see if I can pick up some spare parts and ammo. Scout has joined me while I am doing this. A bit later his mother and Lil’ Bit plan on making a pass through to see if they can pick up some medical supplies. I could do it, but I figure they may enjoy it as something different.

We are just coming out of one of the merchants’ stores when I see several ponies and a griffon step out in front of me. The griffon steps out, holding a sheet of paper, and says, “Stop right there, Air Burst, I have a bounty for you from your buddies in the Enclave.”

I stop and tell him, “Okay, just let the colt go, I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

Beside me I see Scout starting to have an angry expression come over his face. But what really gets my attention is what is going on to the sides and behind this group. As Scout starts to shift to the side some. I feel a grin come over my face.

I see two of them start to get nervous and I hear one of them click the safety off. Before I can say anything, Scout tells them in a hard almost adult tone of voice, “I do not know who you think you are playing with, but this here is my uncle. I would suggest you just forgot you ever saw him and walk away.”

The griffon lets out a laugh and spits at him, “Who you talking to like that colt? Why, I ought to teach you a lesson to run your mou…”

He never finishes that sentence as I see a hole appear coming out of his side and with a shocked expression, he drops to the ground just as Scout and I drop to the ground and roll. From behind and to the sides, I hear several more shots, which are accompanied by screams, and the fall of other bodies.

When I get up, I have my pistol drawn and Scout has a knife. He walks over to the dying griffon and tells him, “I tried to warn you to not buck with my family. You should have listened.” I then notice that the bounty flier he was holding is so badly stained with blood that it can no longer be read, so I leave it where it is.

As he quietly said this, Savanna flies over and he tells her, “Good shooting Sis,”

Right after this, the Town Marshall comes running over with his pistol drawn followed by a couple others with shotguns. He skids to a stop and asks, “What happened here?”

Scout speaking now in a somewhat adolescent voice tells him, “He was trying to kidnap my uncle. Then he threatened to kill us. When he moved toward me my sister shot him.”

“What about these others?” the Marshal asks.

Savanna then answers, “They all had guns, and I saw the one unsafe his weapon on my brother and uncle. My siblings all joined in too.”

He looks down at the bodies and asks, “Where did you say you were from?”

Scout looks at him, “We were from Hoofington, but our family is moving a long way from here.”

He shakes his head and then looks at me, “I will talk to your boss, but for the rest of your stay, I want you and your family to stay in your caravan’s campsite. Once you leave, I do not want to see any of you ever again.”

I nod and shift my wings, “Yeah, I got you. We do not plan on coming back this way again anyway.” As he nods, I notice I have some blood dripping down my foreleg, and I look and see where I was grazed again. I guess I will have Sundancer or Lil’ Bit look at it back in camp. I turn to Scout and Savanna, “Let’s go kids, I am sure your mother will be worried after hearing the gunfire”

As we head back to camp, I notice Scraps and Patches both sliding out from behind cover and joining us in our walk. Yep, we are family. We may not be blood, but sometimes, blood is not what makes someone your family.

As I am thinking this, I hear Scout tell Savanna, “I guess they did not realize that you do not have to be a Pegasus to call down the thunder.”

“Yep, and where there is thunder, there is lightning, and it strikes hard and fast.”

I find myself smiling as I limp and thinking, yes, they are my family.

*****

That last song was Fly Like You by Velvet Remedy and it ends our last five in a row. Thank you for another great song, Miss Velvet. We will have more music after these brief news updates and messages from our sponsors.

First up in our news, the first troops from the Battle of Coltlumbia have begun to return to their homes and regular duty stations. Representatives of the NCR government have stated that these returning troops should help with stabilizing those areas and allowing the normal patrols to resume.

Along these lines, we are still hearing reports of pirate activity on the rivers as well as attacks on travelers along major trade routes. A spokespony for the NCRN has announced that it has units in place currently to deal with the previously mentioned pirates. But until then remember, no matter how you travel, to keep your heads up and your powder dry out.

From Fillydelphia we are still receiving reports of minor skirmishing between NCR and the slavers who took over the city after the death of Red Eye. Due to the recent dispute with the Enclave, the NCRA had to reduce the number of troops who are blockading the formally great city.

In foreign news, there are more reports of Thunderhead having opened diplomatic relations with the Lunar Commonwealth. Among the proposals are reciprocity for trade and a treaty to provide emergency assistance to each other in case of a major disaster.

From the Commonwealth, we have also received news that the Rainbow Dash Skyport has once again reopened its market to all who wish to trade there. That is good news for them, and we are glad to hear it.

Closer to home here in Junction Town, we would like to remind everyone that Quick Chop’s Meat Market has reopened and has just as fine cuts of meat that any discerning griffon would desire. Fly on down and pick up yours today.

Now back to the music. Coming to you next is Your Gonna Go Far Kid.

Author's Note

I would like to thank KKat for creating the universe of Fallout Equestria. I would also like to thank all of those who have since added to it with their writing and art. Finally, I would like to thank all of you my readers who have kept erading the story so far. I hope you are enjoying reading it as much as I am writing it.

It is hard for me to believe that this is the final chapter of the year. However, the next chapter is well in hoof already and will be put up in another two weeks.

For those who would like to listen to this chapters song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gNIGT_BtRk