Chapter 8: An Introduction to the Hoof

“Hardness," I was learning, was the supreme virtue among recon Marines. The greatest compliment one could pay to another was to say he was hard. Hardness wasn't toughness, nor was it courage, although both were part of it. Hardness was the ability to face an overwhelming situation with aplomb, smile calmly at it, and then triumph through sheer professional pride.” ― Nathaniel Fick

Hoofington, Lunar Commonwealth: Ginger Snap.

The rest of the trip to Hoofington turned out to be rather uneventful. The day after we left the E3 Oasis we did run across the remains of the caravan that I was told we would. We also passed several more, especially the closer we came to the Hoof. In the distance, we can start to see the ruins of the urban expanse that once surrounded the core.

I expect to see the tall towers and that which we always heard stories about. But I only see hills and normal-sized buildings in the distance. I am walking on the flank of the column when Rosie notices the look of disappointment on my face and asks in bovine, “Not what you were expecting eh? I remember how different it was when we were just a calf.” Beside her, Nellie nods her head.

“What happened to change it?” I ask in the same language.

Nellie answers this time, “Some say it was Security did it, Others say she saved us. Who knows?”

I nod my head, “Did you two ever get to see Security?”

I hear the bull on the other side, “Here we go again, another Security fan.”

I shake my head, “No, not really, I only know what I heard on the radio and what little a couple of ponies I know who traveled briefly down here. One of my mothers really looked up to her for what she heard. But I learned a long time ago, not to believe everything we hear by rumor, stories, or even on the radio.”

Even the bull nods his head at this. Then he says, “Most ponies seem to either love, hate, or not know about Security, good to see some that just figure she is a person like the rest of us.”

I look at him and I tell him, “I have met too many different beings not to realize that.” I pause briefly contemplating if I should finish the thought, then I tell them, “Even I have done things I am not proud of and regret as the unintended consequences hurt others as well as myself.”

They both look at me in surprise but press no further. Soon after the caravan stops for lunch. I am with Choo when Trader Jewel approaches us and tells her, “Choo, I need you and Sunny to fly to the south side of the road a couple of miles ahead. I intend to go off the main road for about five miles.”

Choo nods and I ask, “Heavy raider area?”

He shakes his head, “Not so much there, that area is known as Boneyard, lots of ferals, no need to risk it if we don’t need to.”

I nod my head in understanding. Then I ask, “So, is there is a heavy raider area ahead?”

He nods his head as he sits down and breaks out a can of Cram, opens it, and begins to eat it. With his mouth still half full he answers, “Yeah there are raiders out there of course, but here in the Hoof we also need to watch out for the gangs.”

Not understanding the difference, I ask, “So what is the difference between raiders and the gangs?”

He nods his head and looks at me as if I was a pupil who asked the right question. He puts his cram down and tells me, “Well I would say purpose and moral codes, more than anything else. Raiders live strictly by the rule of force and violence, often resulting in violence and macabre behavior for fun. Gangers, now gangers will use violence just as well, but there is a purpose behind it. They have rules too, such as who can join them and how. Territory and rules on how others can enter and pass through as well as how they do so with other gang territories. It is a completely different type of society.”

“I guess that makes sense, what else should we know about Hoofington?”

He grins again as Epona comes over and sits down with us. Then he continues, “There are several major factions that are still running Hoofington too.”

Epona sits down and takes out an unidentified can of food, uses a can opener to open it and as he pauses, I hear her say, “Oh, canned peaches, cool.”

Trader Jewel looks at her and laughs lightly, “Ah mystery meals, I always love it when they are a good surprise.”

I find myself giggling slightly, and hear him continue, “The major players in Hoofington are Big Daddy with the Reapers. Then there is the Society, they provide most of the food and rumor has it they no longer have serfs. There is also the Collegiate, they are the brains. Need medical care or treatment, they got access to the old tech, medical and science labs, College library, ya get the idea.”

“Ya, I guess so, I tell him, now what about the markets there?” I ask and Choo nods in agreement to my question.

He shrugs, “Well there are three main trading posts, a lot of smaller ones too, but the big three are all run by the Finders. The one we are heading toward and will pass soon, well that one is called Mega Mart. One of the old prewar stores that has since begun to work as a clearing house for consignment sales or smaller merchants renting stalls for their shops. But to rent a shop in Mega Mart you have to join the Finders. Oh, and just to let you know that it will cost each of you 12 caps each to enter as you are not Finders. The caravan will cover the cost as part of your pay when we deliver this load, and when we leave”

I look around to make sure that no one is close enough to hear and I ask quietly, “So where are we dropping the coal off at?”

He grins, and answers, “Not that I need to tell you, but most will go to the main factions I just described, the last bit will go to Mega Mart. There are a few blacksmiths there who will pay a premium for it.”

I can see that. After all the carbon from the coal will increase the carbon content in the metal making iron stronger and the items made with it more valuable. Which is what gives the Harness metalwork such a good reputation in that region.

Epona then asks, “So sir, where will we be arriving first?”

He shakes his head, “I am waiting for a messenger to deliver a note telling me who I will deliver to first.” He turns to Choo, “We should be seeing them when we get on the other side of Boneyard.”

Choo Choo nods her head, “Very well Trader, I will be keeping a lookout for them as well as the route.”

“Thank you, Choo. I know I can depend on you.” He then begins to tell her how to identify who the messenger will be. Once finished with that he tells her, “We tend to change who and how the messenger is dressed as well as where to keep others from setting us up.”

“Makes sense to me,” I say quietly. Then I begin to eat my lunch again as I think about the route and why we are making the detour.

As I finish up eating I see Twinks approaching. Choo looks at Epona and I. Then she tells us, “Ok, time to switch the guards, you two go relieve Tater and Xochitl so they can get a break too.”

As we get up I watch as Choo Choo stands and flies off to a cloud where I see Sunny take off and begin to fly back to the wagon train. Once I get to Xochitl he gives me a quick rundown of what he has seen in the distance, gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, and trots back to get his lunch.

I sit down and take out a pair of binoculars and begin to scan the ground on my half of the caravan up to the horizon. Paying attention to a brahmin caravan that is heading toward where we came from, as well as several individuals. From my radio, I hear Epona tell me, “Cookie, Big Blue, this is Serendipity, I have a couple of suspicious individuals on my side. I have noticed one of them sneaking in the rocks about a klick out.”

We both click our mics in acknowledgment. I look up and I see Choo begin to fly off of her cloud and I suddenly see her disappear in the sky in the blink of an eye.

Shortly afterward I hear Choo say, “Ok, I have two enclavers in power armor hiding among the rocks observing traffic. Team, one of you let the Big Boss know, but They are simply observing at this time.”

A few minutes later I hear Xochitl come over the radio, “Big Blue this is Flower, Big Boss says thank you, we will need to report this to the Lunar Commonwealth officials.”

“Why what good will that do?” I hear a voice ask over my headset.

Xochitl then answers, “The Boss says they do not like other powers operating in their territory and will take diplomatic measures accordingly.”

I then hear Epona asks, “What good is that going to do if they attack us?”

Choo then responds, “If attacked we are free to defend ourselves. Remember if they open fire or attack us first, we are good to go.”

I nod my head even though I know she will not see me. I soon see Choo Flying back to her cloud perch above. She remains there until we begin to move again. Then I hear her say, “Ok, possible hostiles are moving out, following that brahmin caravan.” A half-hour later we are following a worn trail off of the main highway as it goes cross country and places a couple of hills between us and what the Trader Jewel called Boneyard.

As I look forward, I see Xochitl on point leading us at a slow careful walk through the rutted terrain. From beside me, I hear Rosie say, “I hope we don’t come across any of them there radscorpions again”

Beside her, Nellie and the one bull who I have found out since lunch is called Bob and George nod their heads also.

After seeing how serious they all are I begin to watch for them myself. I have been fortunate I guess in that I never have seen one before. I hope my luck can hold on this at least.

As we follow the tracks in the distance I can see a single tall tower climbing tall into the sky. Over my head radio link, I hear Epona say over our headsets, “For those looking at that tower it is one of the old MASEBS Towers It means Ministry of Arcane Science Emergency Broadcast System. That is why we can listen to DJ Pon3 all the way down here and not the Manesville broadcast.”

Soon enough we are back on the main road again and begin to see the remains of what was a vast urban sprawl from up close. Often it reminds me of home, with the dilapidated buildings.

*****

Hoofington, Lunar Commonwealth: Xochitl

We have been on the side track for some time when Sunny reports a unicorn mare that matches the description of the courier that Trader Jewel gave me earlier. Soon afterward I hear Tater call out, “Big Blue this is Mash, the big boss says for one of us to trot up and meet the messenger.”

Soon after I hear, “Flower this is Big Blue, move up and investigate to make sure this is our messenger. Danger, relieve Mash. Mash move up to point and cover Flower while he investigates.”

Soon I am greeted by a unicorn mare who is wearing a long duster, a light brown shemagh around her neck, and a wide, faded, floppy brimmed hat that is just a few shades darker than her coat. As I approach, she asks, “Got a Sparkle Cola I could bum off of ya?”

I recognize the challenge and reply, “Yeah, but you're gonna need an opener.”

She nods her head and tells me, “Take me to whoever is running this caravan then.”

As the caravan keeps moving forward, I walk her about halfway back where I find Trader Jewel. When he sees her, he calls out, “Good to see ya Pistachio,” then he calls out, “Halt the caravan. Ten-minute break.”

Once the caravan stops, he has her follow him into one of the crew wagons and while I can hear them talking, I can not make out what they are saying. Soon they come back out and he calls out, “Ok, let's get ready to get this show back on the road.”

Less than ten minutes later we are back on the road and moving again. This time I am alongside Pistachio and following her directions and listening to her advice for this area.

As we cross back onto the main road I breathe a sigh of relief. I am on point for the caravan along with Pistachio. As I walk, I see several large burrows in the ground as well as the remains of two of the largest bugs I have ever seen. They have claws as big as my head and a long tail with what looked like a bee stinger on it. Pistachio sees what I am looking at and asks, “Never seen a Radscorpian before?”

I shake my head and tell her, “Nah, we don’t have them back home, and when I have been in the wastelands so far, I have lucked out and not seen them. Worst I have come across for bugs is chitterers.”

“Chitterers? What are those?”

I shrug as I tell her, “Well take a tick and make it big, like up to three feet in length, and then make it where they communicate with a chittering sound by using their mandibles. Vicious critters too.”

She looks at me funny and says, “You pulling my hoof, I never heard of such a thing. And believe me, if it is something viscous, disgusting, or violent, we have it in the Hoof.”

My answer to her is simply, “No, I am not pulling your hoof, we lost some ponies and cattle to them during the expedition years ago. I saw it and it is something I really wish not to see again.”

After a bit, I see what looks like a settlement built around an old Pony Joe’s. I recognized the brown unicorn holding a donut on the sign as one I had seen in a couple of other places over the years. I also remember the warning in the Wastelands Survival guide about how dangerous they could be as for some reason raiders seemed to have a preference to use them. I am instantly on guard but do not hear any cautions or warnings from Choo and Sunny on overwatch. I use the scope on my rifle to do a quick once-over, but I do not see any signs of it being currently used by raiders.

As we get closer, I notice in what was once a carriage lot next to it there are several small plots of vegetables growing. Soon I see one of the ponies working on the plots wave a hoof to me, while the two others slowly walk to the side and I see them slowly taking up defensive positions behind some fences with what looked to be homemade weapons. I simply wave back and keep to the center of the road not approaching them at all.

Soon I have Trader Jewel come up to us and he tells us, “Up ahead on the right your gonna see a big building marked Mega Mart, “Ignore it, we will come back to it later.”

Pistachio looks past him and asks, “To the Collegiate right?”

He nods his head, “Well we sure ain’t going ta Reaper Stadium. Enough trouble as it is, no need to court more of it.”

I hear this but wonder what he is talking about as I know the Reapers are one of the major factions in the Lunar Commonwealth. So, I ask Pistachio about it.

She looks at me funny and asks, “What are you a stable pony? I thought everypony knew about Big Daddy and his Reapers.”

I shrug as we continue to walk and I tell her, “Well we come from a ways away.”

“So, who runs things there, the NCR?”

Again, I shrug, “Yes and no. For the military and big stuff, the NCR does, but for local and regional matters, we are left to our own devices.”

“That is not what we hear here in the Lunar Commonwealth. We hear that Junction Town thinks they are the queen of the nest and tells everypony there what to do.”

“Nah, I met both the president and her mother back when I was a foal. Really they aren’t that bad.”

She stumbles slightly and turns her head to look at me. I notice she has an incredulous look on her face. “You’re putting me on?”

I shrug, “No, me and my fiancé Ginger met her mother during what back home called the expedition, right after the day of Sunshine and Rainbows. We were working as scouts back then for our local military.”

She looks at me as if to try to judge my age and to determine if I was lying. Then she says, “You don’t look old enough for that.”

“I was young. I and Ginger snuck off with Choo Choo and stowed away in a wagon until we were too far from home to safely go back. That was a rough time,” I tell her as I continue to scan the ground and buildings ahead of us.

“So why didn’t you stay back home and join the army instead of doing this?” She asks in a smarmy manner.

I quickly glance at her and tell her with one eyebrow raised, “More caps in this, and if our employer betrays us the way we were at the valley, I can kill them.”

I see her stumble again as surprise comes across her face.

“You don’t mince words do you?”

“No, why should I? I have seen Tartarus enough that rad-hog hunting became a release for me. You want something sugar-coated, go to a bakery. Me, I give you the straight goods, and if I like you maybe some bacon.”

I see her shake her head, “So she and you have been together for a long time?”

I nod my head, just as she asks, “So which mare is she?”

I tell her, “The red-coated mare with the black mane and tail. She is on the caravan’s right side and if I know her, she is talking to the Brahmin Rosie and Nellie again.”

She looks back and says, “Yeah, she’s cute, how about the yellow mare back there?”

I laugh, “Oh, that is her sister Epona, she’s single if you are interested.”

She laughs, “So why don’t you try to have both of them as your mares?”

This time I laugh, “No, I prefer to live. Last time that Ginger thought Epona was interested in me their parents threw them into the farm yard to fight it out so they wouldn’t destroy the house.”

She smirks, “So she was raised by both a mom and a dad?”

This time I smirk, “Well, you could say that. Both lost their birth mothers and were adopted into the same family. However, the family has two fathers and four mothers as well as multiple siblings for them.”

I see her eyes go wide. Then she asks, “So you guys are into that kind of thing where you come from?”

I do a quick scan again and while I think I see something; I don’t act yet. Instead, I shake my head, “No, not most. A few. Back home we kinda let live and let live be the rule. Ginger and me, well we are like my parents. We are enough for each other.”

She gets a devilish grin on her face and asks, “So you wouldn’t be willing to take on an extra partner for the both of you?”

I shake my head and I tell her, “No, and don’t say something like that where Ginger can hear you. She would not take it too well.” Just as I finish saying this I drop to the ground and roll to my left. As I come up I take a snapshot at a shadow in a window, just as a bullet strikes where I was. I look over and see Pistachio has hit the ground too, but I see a bit of blood pooling under her. The caravan has stopped and I call over the radio, “Twinks, get up here on the double-quick, our guide is down. I will cover you.”

I hear her voice, “Roger, on my way.”

Then from the clouds above, I hear three quick rounds fire, followed by Sunny saying, “This is Blackbird, I got two of them.”

We were all looking ahead of us and suddenly I call out, “All personnel, check our flanks and tail, I think that was a distraction.”

Suddenly I hear Cowlick call out, “Roger we have movement from our left rear.”

I watch as Tater and Ginger begin to shift to the opposite side of the column. Then I hear Choo call out on the radio, “Cookie, stand fast and watch your flank. Mash, keep watching the tail of the column. Cowlick move that cart up now along the right side as quick as you can, once he is there Danger, Flower load up our scout and treat her on the run. I am coming down. Blackbird stays on overwatch.”

I then hear the choruses of “Roger,” on the circuit.

I quickly scan from the front along the flank through the sights on my zebra carbine as Cowlick paces up with the cart behind him, He places the cart between me, Twinks, and the wounded Pistachio as Twinks and one of the caravan unicorns use their TK to lift the limp pony and place her in the back of the cart. After she is there, Twinks hops up with her and continues to treat her wounds.

From the rear and left side of the caravan, I hear gunfire begin to increase. Then I feel Trader Jewel tap me on my shoulder and yell, “On your hooves, we need to move now!”

As I get up, we all begin to move forward again. The brahmin taking up Cowlick’s pace, the pony pullers doing the same. I hear Tater yell out on the radio, “Big Blue, I am hopping onto the last wagon so I can cover our tail on the run.”

“Gotcha, good call Mash. Cookie, watch to your right, here come some runners coming up that alley.”

I then hear several shots crack out from a carbine I am so familiar with as Ginger puts several rounds downrange into an ally and then begins to run again. We are at a good pace and I am popping off suppressive fire as we go, trying to keep the heads down of whoever is after the caravan. Soon we are approaching a major crossroads. We keep going. From above we are being guided by Choo Choo and Sunny. Many of the caravanners are fighting along with us as well.

Finally, we break out into an open area. Ahead on the road, I see a group of creatures that are unsettling to see. While they appear to be normal ponies, zebras, and a few griffons, something seems off about them.

Those who have been attacking us and chasing us suddenly break off and disappear into the rubble and the ruins. I then hear Trader Jewel tell me, “Keep going and stop on the other side of them. That there is the Brood. They keep what law and order there is around here.”

I nod my head and we keep moving forward. From behind me in the wagon, I hear Twinks call out as well over the radio, “Choo, I need you down here now, I am losing her.”

I see a look of worry come over the old trader’s face and he quickens his and the rest of our pace. As Choo gets closer, he yells to her, “Save my granddaughter and there is a bonus in it for you.”

Choo calls back to him, “How far to the nearest hospital?”

He points with a forehoof, “over that away about six miles. The Fluttershy Medical Center, yah can’t miss it. A huge building, with several wings all connecting to a central structure. They have a Ministry of Peace flag flying out front. The place is operated mainly by the Collegiate but also by some of the Society. Tell them who she is and that I am on my way.”

Twinks uses her Tk to place the unconscious mare on Choo’s back and ties her on with a short length of rope as we practiced at home for such an event. When she has her secured, she calls out, “She’s ready Choo,” and I watch Choo jump into the air and fly in the direction that was indicated earlier.

Then Trader Jewel tells me, “Ok, follow me, kid.” And he begins to continue on, taking turns as he needs to. Then he tells me, “Let Choo know to meet us at the University when she is done.”

I call over the radio and hear Choo reply, “Flower, this is Big Blue, roger. By the way, the docs say we made it just in time.”

I tell the news to Trader and watch him slump in relief, “Thank the Goddesses,” is all he says. As we slow down to a normal walking pace and continue on toward the university.

*****

Hoofington, Lunar Commonwealth: Choo Choo

I feel the young mare's blood leaking through the magical bandages and know she is in real trouble as I also hear a rasp in her breathing. I believe she is lung shot. Luckily Twinks took the top of a tin can and was able to use duct tape to seal the hole. This has bought me a little time.

As I fly, I see ahead of me a building that fits the quick description that Trader Jewel gave me. It is surrounded by defensive positions made of sandbags and barbed wire. Each is ponied by at least one being.

My employer has offered us a bonus for saving her, but that is not why I am doing this. I hate to see another good being die for no reason. As we get closer, I see the oversized flag of the Ministry of Peace flying out front.

I look at the building and head toward the flagpole hoping that will lead me to the main entrance. Suddenly I see the old emergency room doors. I come in hot, fast, and low, skidding to a stop just short of the doors. I see a couple of ponies inside look up and as I walk forward I am challenged by a guard who looks at my burden and calls over a radio, “Doc, we got another gunshot wound.”

“Anypony we know?” comes back over the radio.

He looks at me, then the mare. “Not really sure. The one bringing her in is not familiar, but the patient seems familiar.”

I then tell him, “Her name is Pistachio, her grandfather is Trader Jewel.”

I see the light go on. “Doc, we know her kin. They are one of our suppliers.”

Suddenly I see several ponies come out with a gurney. The two unicorns untie her from my harness and gently transfer her over to the waiting transport. “What happened?” one of the medicos asks as the others continue to prep her to be moved inside. As they are doing this, I give them a rundown as well as what treatment she has received so far and an approximation of how long she has been wounded.

They nod their heads and begin to run with her to get her inside for surgery and treatment. The guard then looks at me. I notice he is checking me out a bit, so I put on a bit of a show and find myself flirting lightly. This gets me a grin and he tells me, “Go on in big blue, they will let you know as soon as they know something.”

I am waiting for a couple of hours before the doctor from earlier comes out. He lights a cigarette then nods to me as he approaches and tells me, “She family to you?”

I shake my head, “No, I brought her here for her Grandfather, Trader Jewel. He is with the Caravan still. How is she?”

He looks around. Then at the ground and finally back at me. “Honestly, if you had not brought her here as quickly as you did, she wouldn’t have made it.”

I nod my head in understanding, “I was worried about that with that chest wound.”

He then says, “Good thinking on the part of whoever used the can top and tape to seal it. Was that you?”

I smile and tell him, “No. But I have used that technique before. My groups backup medic did it for us.”

He nods his head, “Ok, glad to hear you ponies got a couple of medics, not many groups can say that. How long were you a medic for?”

I tell him, “Only for about one hundred and fifty years. I started when my wing lost our medic. But I have an affinity for it.”

He shakes his head, “Only one hundred and fifty years, I forget how long you alicorns live.”

I smile ruefully, “That can be both a blessing and a curse.”

“Well with that kind of experience, if you would be willing, I can offer a trade for the training of some of my people for treatment of yours.”

“I will take that into consideration, Doctor. I do appreciate your offering. If we are in this area for a while then I will see about returning.”

“Good Glad to hear it.” He tells me, then he crushes out his cigarette in an ashtray nearby, “I best get back in there and check on her. I will give you a report if you are still here when I come out. Oh, and let her grandfather know we will be willing to do some trading for medical supplies to cover the cost.”

I nod again and tell him, “I will do that.”

I then hear Xochitl call over the radio, “Big Blue, Big Blue, this is Flower, come in?”

“This is Big Blue, what can I do for you Flower?”

I hear a bit of concern in his voice and he says, “The boss says for you to meet us at the University and get an update on Pistachio.”

I give him what I know so far and then he tells me, “Roger, see you when you arrive Big Blue.”

Then the radio goes quiet.

As I am walking towards the doors, I see several ponies wearing civilian clothing that all have a plaid-colored bandana tied around their left hind leg. They are carrying in another one of them who is also wounded.

Behind them, I hear the guard say, “I told you to wait until the medical team is ready before entering.”

As they have not noticed me, I use my invisibility spell and begin to sneak past the scene. But I hear the one ganger tell the guard, “You don’t tell us what to do, old stallion, we tell you, you understand?”

I notice a look of fear in the guard’s eyes. Then I notice a pistol being held by another ganger next to him. Goddesses I am a fool I tell myself. I then walk up to them and still invisible whisper into the ear of one with the pistol, “Drop the gun or I drop you. Do you understand?”

He looks around but does not drop it. I shake my head just before spinning around and giving him a double-barrel kick that throws him back causing him to lose the pistol. As I hear him groaning in pain, I turn to the others, and still invisible I ask, “Who are you?”

They look around and at each other. But they still cannot see me. The one on the left then says, "We’re the Broken Clocks. Who is you?”

I drop my invisibility spell but still have my horn charged in case they try anything, as I ask them, “Who do you think I am?”

They look at each other in confusion and right then I hear the medical doctor come out with his team. As they begin to talk to two unwounded Broken Clocks, I cast my invisibility spell again and after walking a short distance away I take off and begin to head to the University.

As I fly along, I can see the Pegasus cloud city of Thunderhead. In a way, I am still stunned at how large it is, especially after the rumors of the amount of damage it took all those years ago during their civil war. I would like to look at it more closely, but I know how they feel about my kind. Partway in between, I can see a flight of Vertibucks heading toward what must be either Marimare Air Station or the Rainbow Dash Sky Port. I adjust my flight pattern to give them a wide berth.

Ahead of me and to my right, I can see a large sports stadium that is still mostly standing. I guess that must be Reaper Stadium. Well, no need to go there. I then look out toward the open ocean which is just this side of the horizon. I can see a couple of long white streaks along the water and realize I must be seeing some ships. I had not even thought about them being out here.

Then I spy a series of large official-looking buildings that I realize must be the University. As I get closer, I begin to make out the caravan in a circle on an open commons area between several of the larger buildings.

Once I land, I approach the caravan and am greeted by both my team and the caravanners. I am surprised at how happy they seem to be to see me. When I ask one of them why they are so happy to see me, I hear one of them answer, “Because we know if it was us, you all would help just as quickly.”

I nod my head and tell them, “But of course, we would. We are your escorts.”

One of the others then says, “Not many mercs would go out of their way to save a caravanner. That makes you and your people special to us.”

Soon I see Trader Jewel approaching. He has a grateful expression on his face and tells me, “Thank you for saving my granddaughter, Choo Choo, now come on into my wagon and we can discuss your bonus.”

Part of me wants to say no thank you, but I also know we will need the caps later. Especially after this. Now I want to see if we can find PipBucks for my team and myself. If I can just figure out where. Then I remember something else, and I ask, “Oh, By the way, what can you tell me about a group called the Broken Clocks?”

*****

Above Hoofington, Enclave Airspace: Ball Lighting.

I feel the vibration of the vertibuck as we fly through the air once again. Our short time in Thunderhead is done already and we are returning to the Rainbow Dash Sky Port. Beside me, the Sergeant Major sits quietly also. I feel the slight shaking of turbulence. I open my eyes and in the far distance, I can see the silhouette of a pegasus flying in the opposite direction a couple of miles away. From the size of it, it must be huge. Then it hits me, it may be one of those abominations they briefed us on that are chemically created alicorns. I watch it keep flying for a few minutes. Shake my head and close my eyes to rest until the end of the flight.

Once I feel the aircraft's engines begin to shift for landing, I open my eyes again and notice the Sergeant Major and a few others in my squad are also starting to roust themselves up as we ready ourselves to debark.

As I get up, I throw my normally light but now overstuffed saddlebags over my back. Those of us in the squad are now ready for our next mission.

Once far enough away from the vertibuck, Funnel Cloud turns to me, “Well sir, what did we do to deserve this mission?”

I laugh lightly, “Not sure Sergeant Major, I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“Well, it sure will feel weird going in mufti down here.”

“Tell me about it. I have hardly been out of my power armor down here and always in uniform. Never civies” I tell him.

“I guess they figure it will help us fit in better.”

He grins and says, “Maybe your newfound reputation caused the powers that be to figure you may be able to build some assets ground side for the Enclave to use. “
Most of our company is to stay with the captain and my pal Lieutenant Down Draft. As a group, we move across the tarmac and head over to the ready barracks that have been set up in a refurbished hangar by the flight line. Once there we are met by an older 1st Sergeant who has one prosthetic wing.

“Welcome aboard. For you officers and senior enlisted, you will be quartered on the west side of the hanger that is portioned off. The rest of you will be housed by squad over on the east side in bay barracks. The showers and sinks are next to the briefing rooms along the south side. Most of the time we will keep the main hangar doors closed. I know these are not your normal quarters when dirtside, but you are not working under your normal command structure.”

I see several of my subordinates in the platoon look at each other in a slight bit of confusion. Then I see a major come in from the area by the briefing rooms. She is orange in coat with a fiery red and yellow mane and tail. She is wearing sunglasses and has a pipe hanging out of her chest pocket.

Once she is next to the 1st Sergeant she says, “Quiet down, All of you. I am Major Sun Storm; I work for Intelligence and you are all on loan to me for the next couple of weeks. Once you are settled in, you will receive a more detailed briefing. Your duties now will go beyond simple security and support for the airfield like your previous experiences here have been.” She pauses and briefly scans the lot of us before saying, “Welcome to the Dark Side Ponies.” Then she turns and walks away as we receive our berthing assignments.

We first drop off our saddlebags on our bunks then we go to the storage racks near the main hangar door to remove our power armor. Our weapons we keep with us, at least for now. Then we assemble in the main briefing room.

Before us, we see the Major standing behind a podium. Behind her is a map of the city and I notice it has several sub-sections marked off into names such as Burner Boys, Two Hearts, and the Broken Clocks. I wonder if they are our objective names until she begins, “For those of you wondering what is going on, your platoon has been chosen for a special operation to better assist the Enclave in its dealings with those who label themselves the Lunar Commonwealth. Most of you will be support back here at the base, However, Lieutenant Lightning, Sergeant Major Cloud, and two others will be going out in civilian dress to reconnoiter the local institutions. This is to allow us to further assist us in our intelligence gathering and to make inroads for contacts among the indigenous population.”

I see Down Draft lift his hoof, “Ma’am, how exactly are we supposed to do that?”

The major does not look pleased with his question and instead tells us, “We will be using Vertibucks for long-distance drops over ten kilometers if needed. For those closer, the support troops will be required to fly on their own. As for the special section, you will be inserted on hoof along with a detachment of the Volunteer Corps who are going to first the University then Mega Mart. After the main briefing, I will be holding a special briefing for those going in.”

After the Major steps away from the podium, she is replaced by a dour-looking stallion with glasses and a very light blue coat and gray mane and tail.

As he takes the podium, he clears his throat and tells us, “I am Captain Summer Mist, I am the staff intelligence officer for our outfit.” It is funny I think to myself. I know this stallion as one of my father’s old army buddies. And Summer Mist is not his real name. However, I will keep my mouth shut as I now understand we are going further down the rabbit hole than I expected.

He explains that the names on the maps are for the local gangs and are marked on their territories. Then he says, “Just so you know, The Burner Boys have a thing for fire and heat. They love to use flamers and incendiaries. So, caution is advised when fighting them.”

One of our non-coms from over in Down Drafts Platoon raises a hoof and asks, “Sir, I understand what the Steel Rangers are, but what are Applejack’s Rangers?”

I see “Summer Mist” roll his eyes slightly and he continues on, “That brings me to the next portion of our briefing. Controlling Factions. While neither of those two are ruling factions, they both have some power in the Hoof. The Applejack’s Rangers are a splinter faction from the Steel Rangers. The schism took place about eight or nine years ago. Just before the recent unpleasantness between Thunderhead and Neighvarro.”

When he says that last part, I watch many of our troops squirm in their seats uncomfortably. But he ignores it and plods on as he explains the ruling factions that control the Lunar Commonwealth as well as its defenders and law enforcement. Finally, he gets to the point, “If any of you eventually go into town and visit the University, Mega Mart, or the Fluttershy Medical Clinic, those are all neutral grounds. I mean it. You break that rule. I will personally brand you a dashite and break your wings. They are some of our best locations for gathering information and making contacts. So, Do. Not. Blow. It. For us.” After each word of the last part, he slaps his hoof down on the podium.

The room goes dead quiet after this. Then he continues. “We have a lot of irons in the fire per se down here. The better your company does, the more you may get such special assignments, which can run anywhere in the old Equestria territory. There are bigger things ahoof than your silly feelings of pride and egos. Just by your presence in the scouts you have proven you are disciplined troops, we have faith in all of your actions and behaviors, so do not prove that faith in you false.”

The briefing then shifts to supplies and drop points for those of us in the wild. We are also given a list of trusted assets and agents we can contact in an emergency. Finally, the majority of the troops are dismissed and the four of us remaining begin to get down to the nitty-gritty details of what we are to do.

When they are finished, I look at Funnel Cloud and he looks back at me. We both shrug our shoulders and I tell the sergeant and corporal who will accompany us. “Well, time to go shift into our civies. Remember, sidearms are normal down here as are long arms. Do not forget, leave your id tags behind in your lockers along with your enclave uniforms.”

They all respond with nods of understanding and by telling me, “Yes sir.” After which we return to prepare for going out among the natives.

Once we are ready the four of us are escorted by Captain Summer Mist to the local headquarters of the Volunteer Corps.

As we get closer, I see a mare and stallion talking with some others of the VC and I notice how unmilitary they are because they are holding tails in public. Part of me is disgusted by such a display in uniform, but part of me wishes I could do the same with Sundancer. After all who knows, maybe I can run into her while I am down here this time.

This causes me to think more about her and myself. I still get letters from her, but not as often as I used to. I also notice she has been talking more and more about her friends, particularly one of the stallions she met in training and has been assigned with.

As we get closer, I begin to see how similar the mare's coloring is to Sundancer, then I see her turn her head and give a kiss to the stallion beside her, and the truth hits me. It is her. I stop dead in my tracks briefly and the corporal bumps into me. I only realize it because he immediately apologizes and asks me, “Is something wrong sir?”

I shake my head quickly and steel myself as I tell him, “No, not at all. Sorry about that Corporal.” Then I begin to move forward again. Both the Captain and the Sergeant Major look at me funny at first then begin to act as if nothing occurred. However, I do notice Funnel Cloud having one eyebrow raised.

I think back to what Down Draft had said while we were in training and I have to admit to myself, maybe he was right. I really don’t want to do so, but what else could it be. I saw the expression on both their faces. They look and are acting like a couple.

As we approach one of the VC members notices us and says, “Oh, here are the ponies I told you we were waiting for.”

I watch Sundancer's face as she turns to look in our direction and I see a look of horror come over it as her smile dissolves when she looks into my eyes.

“Hello Sundancer,” I tell her coolly.

I hear her stutter as she tries to explain. I hold up a hoof to her and tell her, “Sundancer, you don’t need to explain. I do understand.” And inside, I guess I really do. It has been almost nine months since we last saw each other. But I had hoped things would be different.

Finally, the Captain asks, “I Presume you know each other?”

The other stallion still holding Sundancer’s tail looks at me funny and cautiously extends a hoof and says, “Hi, my name is…”

I extend mine to and interrupt him saying, “Let me guess, Jodie?”

He seems kind of confused and says, “No, it’s Altocumulus, most just call me Alto.”

I am polite, even though I do not want to be and I tell him, “Pleasure to meet you, Alto. I am Ball Lighting, most of my friends and family just call me Ball.”

When he hears my name, I see a spark of recognition go through his eyes. “Oh, OHHH,” he says and stops shaking my hoof.

The captain then asks, “Ball Lighting is there a problem?”

I shake my head, “No, just my ex-marefriend and her new coltfriend. That is all. I can work with them.”

I see a spark of pain go through her eyes when she hears this. But then she just looks down and finally lets his tail go.

The captain looks at them, then me, and nods his head. “Very good. I will then turn you over to their hooves to take you into the Hoof as we discussed.”

Beside me I see Funnel Cloud shift uncomfortably. Then The leader of the VC team tells us, “My name is Air Burst. Welcome to our team.” He looks at us all smiling and then asks, “Do any of you have any questions? No? In that case, in four hours, after dusk, we are leaving the base and making our way towards what the team calls the University. We have a small office over there along with a couple of apartments that we use for shelter when the office is closed.”

I raise a hoof and ask, “So, what is it that you actually do there?”

Air Burst brightens up, “Oh, we provide a source of safe food, water, and even blankets for those who need it.”

“Ok, sounds good.” I look around, then at my team and I ask, “So, are there any pubs or bars near this university?”

I hear Alto laugh lightly and he says, “Yeah, a couple. It seems those Collegiate types really do like to blow off steam. But you have to be careful, they have a lot of wastelanders who pass through too.”

I nod my head, “Thanks for the info, Alto.” Then I tell my team, “Well let’s go get something to eat before we hit the field.”

As we are walking away, I hear Funnel Cloud ask me quietly, “Sir, are you ok?”

I shake my head slightly, “Other than a broken heart? Yeah, I will be fine. I should have known better is all.”

This time he changes his tone as he says, “Sir, don’t let the bastards win. There are a lot of mares out there if you want one and I am sure a few bucks too. But do not let them break you.”

I smile sadly at him as we continue walking and I tell him, “I won’t, but just like any wound it still hurts.”

I pause then continue “I do thank you, Sergeant Major. And if things begin to get to me, believe me, I will let you know.”

From slightly behind me I hear Sergeant Anan ask, “Sir, do you want us to make an accident happen to them?”

This actually gets me to smile and I shake my head, “No, just let them be. But seriously, thank you for the offer, Sergeant. You just made me realize what and who really matters. When we find a pub, the first round is on me.” I tell them as I lift my head up and while the wound still smarts, I know in time it will become at most a dull ache.

When we assemble, I see Alto is pulling one of the two carts full of supplies. Those not pulling carts walk alongside or behind them most with weapons drawn. Because of this, I have my troops carry theirs also. It is almost funny to see the difference though in how my people carry themselves compared to the Volunteer Corps members.

During the ruck in I ask Air Burst, “Ok, I have to know, if you VC types are so welcome here, why all the artillery?”

He looks at me over his glasses as if to see if I am serious or just making fun of him. He then tells me, “Well, these supplies make us a very good target for gangers and raiders. They figure because we are not soldiers, they can feel free to take what they want.”

I nod my head in understanding. He then says, “That is part of why we walk in instead of flying too. If we try to fly we make much better targets for them. This way, we can take shelter if we need to.”

I nod my head and I reply, “Sounds like you thought this out.”

“We have. Especially after the early days of the VC. We lost several teams of Volunteers to those scum. The worst part is we even had some back then who seemed to have gone native and became dashites.”

“Yeah, I remember hearing about a couple of them. That was right before the unpleasantness wasn’t it.”

“Yes, yes it was. I was medically discharged from the navy after that. I know it isn’t really noticeable, but my left eye is a glass replacement. I lost it when the Raptor class cloud ship I was on was hit.”

I nod my head and ask, “If I may, which one were you on?”

I see him take a deep breath and the conflicting emotions on his face before he finally answers, “Her name was EAS Derecho. I served on her for six years when it happened.”

I nod my head in understanding as I still remember seeing those airships fighting that day. Then he asks me, “Ball, there is not going to be any trouble between you and my people is there?”

I shake my head, “No. What is done is done. But honestly, I will say it was a blow to me.”

“Yeah, I imagine so sir. I know I was only an enlistedpony Lieutenant, but if you need someone to talk to, let me know.”

As we approach the area called the University, I notice the tall buildings and how several of the side streets between them have long ago been blocked off. I also notice that there are some poor gardens in the common area beyond the gate. Once at the gate, I look to the far side of the common area and I see a caravan train parked in a circular pattern but with the pullers out of the traces. I can see several fires near it also. Then I see one of the guards from it scanning us with a rifle. I notice it passing from one to the next of us and just about drop to the ground when I remember that this is neutral territory and stop myself. I hear my sergeant behind me say, “I seen that too sir. Not that I blame ‘em, but that is a nervous feeling to have them scan us like that. I bet they got a night sight on it.”

I nod my head, “I bet you are correct on that.”

Before I can say anymore, we are fully admitted through the gate and we begin to follow airburst along the common area. Finally, we come to an old storefront. I look at it and can tell it used to be an old coffee shop by the design of it. We quickly help to untack the pullers and then assist in putting the supplies into the storeroom inside. The place is run down, but not as bad as most of the places dirt side I have seen so far.

Once we are done with those tasks I watch as most of the others go to a stairway in the back and head upstairs. Airburst approaches us and tells me, “Ball, I have an extra room that is set aside for emergencies for you and your people to use. Now, I am not telling you your business, but if I were you, I would catch a couple of hours sleep, then in groups of two, head out and just begin to talk to some of the locals in the University compound. The Collegiate is a pretty smart lot and who knows what contacts you could make here.”

My head is a bit foggy from being up for over 24 hours so I nod to him and tell him, “That sounds like a really good idea.” I turn to the others, “Let's follow him to our room and after catching some sleep we will begin to explore a bit.”

“Sounds good Sir,” Funnel Cloud tells me.

Then I look at all of them, “Oh, and to help keep our cover, until we return to base we use proper names, not ranks. Got it?”

They all nod, “It’s gonna feel weird sir, but ok.” Replies my sergeant.

Once we wake up, we split up. I have Funnel cloud take Corporal Guntur with him. I take Sergeant Anan with me as we head out the door of the Volunteer Corps offices.

As we split up Anan and I first go to look at the crops they are trying to grow and Funnel Cloud’s team head out toward the areas where the pubs are located in the hopes of talking to some of the eggheads while they are in their cups.

Anan it seems was raised on a cloud farm before he enlisted and is very curious about what problems they are having. We are talking to one of the farmers about the crops when we are approached by a yellow earthpony mare with a black and white mane and tail and white freckles on her face. She nods to both of us as if pegasuses are a normal part of her life. Once she begins to speak, I can tell she is not from around here. Her accent is different from all the mudpuppies I have met down here so far. It is then that I look at her flank and I see the three roses with a pair of scissors cutting them. Ah, she must have gotten it for being a gardener then. But if so, why roses?

She stands there listening to us talk about the crops and the ground Then she asks, “have you tried recovering the ground. You know like the old manuals used to suggest?”

The farmer looks at her like he has tasted something bad and tells her, “Of course, we would. But where would we get the dirt for that? Everything here is either irradiated or spent two centuries with enervation. Thank the Goddess that has ended.”

The mare looks at him seriously and asks, “Do you have any sewage treatment plants nearby in operation? That is what we used back home to reclaim the farms in addition to the stable’s sewage treatment plant.”

He looks at her with some disdain and asks, “What would a caravan pony know about farming.”

I notice that Anan and the farmer are listening for her answer, one with curiosity the other with disbelief. Then she says, “Back home in the Manesville region we recovered a large part of the old farms using just that manner. Sure, it took a century but we have enough we can export much of our harvest.” She pauses and then says, “Of course, we also require everypony to spend some time working with the crops to help, but no pony goes hungry there.” She looks around at the area in general and then says, “Unlike what it seems here.”

I watch as the farmer seems to begin thinking. Then Anan asks, “Do your people know anything about cloud farming?”

I watch in surprise as she nods her head and says, “Well some do. We had some refugees from Thunderhead actually settle there and now we have some cloud farms too. But honestly, I don’t know much about that being an earthpony and all.”

This gets me to wonder more about where she comes from. Then I listen as she and the farmer begin to talk about crop rotations and how mixing some crops together actually allows them to support each other’s growth. Anan occasionally joins in and I can tell he is enjoying the conversation.

Finally, I hear her say, “Yeah, one of the methods my family’s farm has been considering is what I was told is called the three sisters. That is Corn, beans, and squash. The corn gives a strong place for the beans to grow. One of mama Mollygirl’s best friends said he heard it called that by the buffalo out on the northern plains. This is ironic because White Cloud also makes Three Sisters Whiskey, which is named after the three alicorn sisters who live near there.” She pauses and then asks, “Would you like to sample a bit?”

I know I shouldn’t as I am on duty, but I am curious and it would help us fit in better. Anan looks at me and I nod my approval. I see her smile as she pulls it out and removes the cork. I look at the bottle and see an ink drawing from the shoulders up of three alicorns One of which seems to be wearing a military jacket. I guess she was not kidding about the name. Then she hooves the bottle to Anan who sniffs the bottle first then takes a small pull. Then I see him stop and he asks, “Mind if I have a bigger sip?”

She smiles broadly and tells him, “Sure, go ahead.”

And I watch him take a larger swallow and then he holds it up to the farmer, who also tastes it. After which he passes me the bottle. When I take it, I too smell it and notice it has a bit of a familiar scent. I then taste it and I notice it almost has the taste of Wild Pegasus, but a slight shift to a more wild taste.

She then asks, “What do you think of it?”

We all nod our heads and I tell her, “Very good, but I thought I tasted a hint of Wild Pegasus in it.”

She nods her head, “You have a good pallet, this is a blended whiskey made with Old Overmare which is a rye whiskey, Wild Pegasus with its apple taste, and a bit of home corn brew to give it a bit of a kick.”

Anan looks surprised and asks, “You said you have pegasuses where you come from?”

She nods her head, “Yeah, quite a few. Most are from Thunderhead originally, but after what happened between them and Neighvarro, they migrated to Manesville and stayed there. Ma says one group of them joined her and the CEF during the expedition and they are the founders of White Cloud.”

Anan nods his head, “Sounds like a pretty good place to be.”

“I like it. Much better than here.”

Then I ask, “Many problems with Dashites up there?”

She smiles, “No, no problem with them. They are just like everyone else.”

“Everyone else? Don’t you mean anypony else?” I hear the farmer ask.

Right then we hear a voice call “Hay Pona, Boss says get back here, we are about to head out.”

She calls back, “Thanks Cowlick, be right there.”

The three of us are stunned. And I hear the farmer ask, “Did you just talk to a one-headed brahmin like he was your equal?”

I see her face steel when he asks her this in such a manner and I know I do not want to fight her as she coldly answers. “No, I answered back to my friend who is a bull of the old breed from before the war. That is one other thing about back home. WE do not assume anyone is dumb just because they are not a pony. Oh, and in fact, he graduated from school with my sister and several of my friends.” She turns to Anan and me and smiles politely and tells us, "It was nice meeting you. Hopefully, I will see you around again while we are down here. Especially if you are working for the Volunteer Corps.”

As she walks away, I can’t help but watch her go, and I want to know more about her. Then I hear Anan say, “I think a mare like her could be interesting sir. It’s just too bad she is an earthpony.”

“Yes, yes you're right,” I tell him. As we excuse ourselves from the farmer and continue to walk the grounds of the University.

*****

Good evening to all you fine ponies and others out there in the Hoof, this is DJ Diary. Tonight, we have some real news coming to you as well as music. Before we get to the news here is a little number, I want to play for all of you called I had a Girl

Author's Note

In this chapter, we finally reach Hoofington and begin the arc concerning it. For those of you who have read Borderlands and wondered what the Repair Ponies were up to before, you will be starting to get your answers. We will also get a better feel for what the Enclave has been up to in the Hoof as well.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goK3ZRdZcE8