Scratches at the Door of the Mind

“It was the deepest part of the night. There was a name for it that I couldn’t remember – that mystical black hour where all is darkest and you can’t sleep, when the weight of all your sorrows and bad decisions come weighing on you most heavily, and when the monsters scratch just outside your door.”

― kkat, Fallout: Equestria

Main Deck of the Highland Chief: Ginger Snaps

As the sun begins to rise and with the Chief cleared of pirates, I have time to look around a bit. Most of my team are either checking themselves for wounds or getting ready to go and assist with the Glowworm. I notice that members of the Chiefs crew and some of the clan members are beginning to come out on deck as well. I nod approvingly as they again shift through the gear that the pirates had with them to determine if there is anything still of use.

I am talking to Tar, with her son next to her, about what we should do if and when we go to assist the Glowworm. Though I do still hear some fighting there as the Troubleshooters and the Fixers continue with their work.

As we were talking Grey Water approached us and I was surprised to hear him say to me and Epona, “We have heard about your father Badger. I am very sorry for your loss. He was a good stallion and will be missed by the clan as well.”

I nod in acknowledgement and tell him, “Thank you, Grey. I do appreciate it.”

He smiles then adds, “It is good to get to see you two in action finally. Thanks for proving me right about you as well as that husband of yours.”

I am a bit surprised to hear a compliment out of him and I can see Tar is as well. She says nothing and just shakes her head just enough that it is barely noticeable. She then asks, “Well Dad, you ready to go again onto the Glowworm?”

He frowns slightly and says, “Well, I would be, but I think Rust and her crew took care of that already.”

This gets my attention and I notice that there is no more gunfire. “So, what next?” I ask.

He tilts his head, “I was just going to ask you and Tar. But perhaps we should ask Rust as well as Blue Water and Rapids as they are the clan captains here.”

I do have to agree with him though. I guess it should be up to them.

Soon the boats of the clan all begin to reorganize themselves. As they do I hear Diode’s voice call out, “Hey Cookie, good to see you.”

I look over and he is standing there with a bandage around his head and standing next to a light blue unicorn with a green and white mane and tail. I excuse myself from the others and make my way over to them, “Hay Diode, what are you doing here?”

He grins, “Well, once we got the news at the shop, we got permission from Zhia to pitch in.” He pauses and says, “Oh, Cookie, this mare here’s name is Root Valve. Zhia and Choo hired her while you guys were gone and before Choo left.”

I nod my head as Choo has told us a bit about her as well as another shop dog hire named Summer Forage. I hold out a hoof and tell them, “A pleasure to meet you, Root. Just call me Cookie, most of the team does.”

“My pleasure Cookie.” She then asks, “Where is Choo at?”

I look around and then I think I see her on the Colt in the growing light and tell her, “I believe she is on the Colt. Speaking of which, if Tar and Grey do not mind, as you came out here with the clan and all, I would like you two to grab your kits and transfer over to the Colt with the rest of the team.”

I see the surprise on Diode’s face as he asks, “Are you serious Cookie?”

My husband, who I did not notice approaching, suddenly says, “Diode, Root, if she says it when on a mission, she means it.”

They look at each other like two foals on Hearth’s Warming Day, and Diode speaks for them both, “You got it Cookie.”

By now Tar has also joined us and she answers, “Makes sense Ginger.” She then tells them, “Go grab your gear, and transfer over for now.”

I then ask her, “Any word on casualties yet Tar?”

She sighs slightly and tells me, “I am still getting some, we lost a couple more members of the clan as well as a few friends of the clan. We also have had several wounded, but the ship's doctors as well as your medic Twinks and a few others who know how are assisting them right now.”

“Makes sense, I guess we should get ready to move back to our own ships now that things are secured.”

“Perhaps, but I do wonder if we might want to have a war council with the clan leaders and captains.”

As she is saying this, I see her looking behind me. I turn and wait with her as she watches the Hot Shot 2 move into position to land on the Colt.

Soon we see the flight deck crew moving about as they tie her down to the deck. I find myself nodding in approval at how efficiently they move and I soon see the blades slowing down and stopping.

“I wonder what it is like to fly in one of those things?” she says wistfully.

I grin, “It can be fun, but you get used to it overall.”

She looks at me with a wry grin, “Really, I know you guys ride in them occasionally, but that much?”

“Yes Tar, that much. If you really want a twist try jumping out of one at night from a couple of thousand meters.”

I see a look of horror come over her face as she asks, “You guys really have done that?” Behind her, I hear several of our team members chuckle and all are nodding.

Tar’s son Broken’s eyes are wide and he has a grin from ear to ear, “Cousin Ginger, you and the other repair ponies have really done that?”

“Yes, we have. We did not do any jumps like that until the Enclave war, but yeah, we have done it.”

“Ma, I want to do that,” he tells Tar.

She smiles and shakes her head, “Not yet son. Once you are done with school perhaps. But not yet.”

He then asks, “How do you do that and survive? Do you use some kind of spell?”

I then hear Grey say, “Good Question Broken. Yeah, how could you do that?”

This time Epona, tired of just being in the background answers, “Good old fashioned earthpony ingenuity. We use parachutes.”

“What is a parachute?” both Broken and Grey ask.

I am surprised by the question at first, but then I realize most ponies in the wastelands have probably never heard of them much less seen or used them. So, I begin to explain. As I do I see lil’ Broken becoming more excited and Tar becoming more nervous as she keeps glancing from me to her son.

I then add, “But we do not use them much.”

Then Grey asks, “Even the big guy Cowlick and that stag use ‘em?”

Cowlick answers, “Well, for me we use a cargo chute which is much bigger.”

“How about the stag?” He asks again.

This time Morning Glen answers, “I have not been with them when they used them, and to be honest, I would be nervous with my antlers getting caught up in the rigging of them.”

Grey seems satisfied with the answer and nods approvingly.

I am just about to continue our conversation when I hear over my radio, “Cookie, this is Big Blue, Bring the team back.”

“Roger Big Blue, as a side note I am bringing along two of the shopdogs with us.”

I hear her sigh, “Roger Cookie.” She pauses then adds, “If Tar Water and Grey Water are there, Rust request their presence for a war council.”

I pass onto them what I was just told, and they both nod. Then Grey asks, “How are we going to get there?”

I look over at one of the steam launches that is still in decent overall shape and then I asks Twinks, “Do you think you can handle the boiler on this long enough to get us to the Colt.”

I see her look at it and bite her lower lip as she thinks. Finally, she says, “Yeah, I think so. I have been talking with some of the black gang, as well as the Colt’s steam launch crew on how to do it.”

“Okay, let us get back to the Colt then.”

As we begin to load into the launch, I notice the Butternut moving along the opposite side of the Chief so that the clan members who were riding on her can get back onboard.

Soon we are on our way back with Epona at the helm. I look over and see Grey, Tar, and Broken with us. All three seem amused, and above the chug of the steam engine I hear Tar say, “You guys really have done this kind of thing before haven’t you?”

I smile and reach over to put a hoof on her shoulder and tell her, “Tar, you would not believe what all we have done.”

She smiles and nods. Then she adds, “At least you never went through one of those doorways that Epona and the Others came through.”

When she says this, we all grin as she looks at us, shakes her head, and says, “Maybe I spoke too soon.”

Soon we are coming alongside the Colt and I watch as Tater and Xochitl toss the bow and stern ropes to some of the deck ponies on her. Once we are tied up, Twinks and Box-end Wrench shut down the boiler by pulling fires and releasing the steam pressure.

When I am on deck I see Azimuth Compass coming to meet us. As he arrives, he tells me, Tar, and Grey, “Come with me, the Captain and Choo want to talk to you.”

I turn to my husband, “Take them back to the berthing, get hammocks for Diode and Root Valve.” I pause, “Tater, we need to take a close look at all of the weapons after cleaning them and checking them back into the armory.”

Xochitl nods his head and Tater answers, “Got it Cookie.”

I then hear Grey ask, “They call you Cookie?”

I nod my head, “Have since Hoofington, Grey. It works well in our line of work.”

He shrugs, “I guess so. But I am beginning to wonder just what all you do.”

I smile and tell him, “Well follow me and the XO and you will begin to see.”

He then tells us, “Well lead on I guess.”

As we begin to head up, I see a familiar young buck come trotting past as he heads on a messenger run, “Make a hole, messenger coming through,” Pry Bar calls as I move to the side. As he passes, he says, “Good to see you Cookie,” and he keeps going without slowing down.

“A bit young to be a crew member on the Colt, isn’t he?” Grey asks.

I shake my head, “Not anymore. Rust has brought on some to replace losses, at least until we get back to Manesville.” I stop and think before I add, “Besides, he and Moon Lily have gotten pretty close.”

As we continue on Grey asks, “What do you mean close?”

I smirk, “Like me and Xochitl when we got back from the expedition close.”

I hear him sigh, “Things just ain’t like they used to be anymore.”

I hear a slight snicker from Tar who tells him, “Maybe that is a good thing Pa.”

Grey does not say much to that. As we reach the upper deck, I see him look in wonder at the Hot Shot 2 and he asks, “Does that thing belong to the Clan?”

“Sorry Grey, but no. It and its crew are on loan to our teams on the Colt from the NCR Rangers.”

He seems rather surprised and asks, “You all are running with the Rangers now?”

This time let out a sigh, “Right now we are not running with them. We are them. All three of our teams were drafted into service as Rangers. A couple of our team are even Reserve Rangers, who can be called up even during peace time.”

By now we have reached Choo as well as Rust and Flight Plan. Before they can say anything, I hear Tar asks out loud, “Rust by all that is holy, are you pregnant?”

I watch as Rust blushes, and I see Grey stop dead in his tracks.

Rust quickly overcomes her embarrassment and answers, “Yes, I am. Moon Lily confirmed it for me a while back. But that is not why I called this meeting. But then again, I am waiting for the other captains to arrive, so we have a few minutes to chat first.” She pauses and adds, “By the way it has been too long since I last saw you Tar, it is good to see you again.”

“You too Rust, so when are you do?”

*****

Onboard the Baltimare Colt, The Big River: Xochitl

The ride over from the Chief was interesting as it was the first time we did not have anyone else to transport us on one. There were a few times I was worried such as when I saw the water level glasses go out of sight low at one point, but Twinks, with a nervous expression quickly opens a couple of others valve and within a short time had it going normally again, then closes and adjust those valves as we continue on our way.

Once onboard the Colt, Ginger, her cousins Tar, and Grey Water are all called to the upper decks to talk with Rust. Ginger gave us orders to not only clean our weapons but to inspect them as thoroughly as possible.

I lead them back out our berthing and as the others clean their weapons, I explain to Diode and Root, what our normal routine is and how we do things as I lead them to find the ship’s purser to get them their hammocks. I notice that the crew is at a modified actions stations with half the guns manned as we slowly make our way up the river with the other riverboats following us.

Once we are back to the berthing I have Sunny and Morning Mist help them hang the hammocks and I begin to clean both Orcus and my pistol.

I am soon joined by our new arrivals as they begin to do the same. As quickly as Diode breaks down his combat rifle, I can tell he is a veteran. Root on the other hoof, takes a bit more time field stripping her carbine.

Off to the side Tater has already finished his own weapon and is checking in the long arms for the others. When most of them have their weapons stowed, he begins to work on my wife’s SIR.

I am on my third time of running a patch through Orcus when I hear Tater swear. I look up and I see him shaking his head, “What did you find Mash?” I ask him.

Still shaking his head, he tells me, “Something I have not seen since I got my cutie mark. The firing pin gave up the ghost. I had to pull the bolt assembly apart to find it. On the other hoof, I can see she has cleaned it well enough to prevent any buildup of carbon.”

I shift my ears in understanding, then I asks, “Do we have a spare?”

He grins again, “Well, if we do not have a spare firing pin in my kit, we should be able to use the one in the Infiltrator Cookie is using.”

“Well, that is good. Is there anyway we could have known it was getting ready to fail beforehoof?”

“No, not without special instruments or a unicorn who is trained in metallurgy.”

We are still talking when The Troubleshooters and Fixers arrive back. Diode exchanges greetings with them as they remember him. The issue comes about when Ennie and Meanie come through the door. Both stop in mid conversation and look about the room. Then Ennie sniffs a couple more times and asks, “Show yourself changeling or face the consequences,” as he and Meanie change back to their original forms.

I watch as Root Valve suddenly shimmers with a green flame and turns into a changeling as well. The two Fixers take defensive stance and their wings buzz as one of them asks, “What hive are you from?”

I watch as the one that is Root Valve holds up a forehoof and tells them, “Calm down, please calm down, I am from the Baltimare hive. I left ten years ago and have not been back since.”

The two Fixers look briefly at each other and then back at her and one of them ask her, “Then why were you hiding your true form.”

I hear her sigh before she answers, “The same reason you to probably do as well. To keep others from being uncomfortable around me; that and in memory of my first true friend, this was her form before the pirates killed her while we were working a tug.”

“Likely tell, why did you not come home after she passed?”

She shifts some and looks at us, then them, “Because I feel more comfortable as a pony. I am happy as one of them. Besides Choo Choo already knows and I had assumed she told the field team already.”

At which point I nod my head. Then I hear Mort say, “Okay now, every one of you calm the buck down. Celsetia’s sake, I am too tired for this load of brahmin dung.”

I then hear Cowlick say, “Hey guys, who is up for a game of cards?” I look and he has the Uno deck in his hooves and a smile on his face.

I watch as Root changes back into what I guess is her normal unicorn form, which is followed by the trouble twins returning to their normal forms and all three of them sit down at the table to play.

Cowlick is just about ready to deal out the first hoof when I hear Mort then say, “Fixers and Troubleshooters, clean your weapons before anything else. We do not need any more malfunctions in the field like what happened to Cookie.”

I see the look of disappointment on their faces and Cowlick tells them, “Go ahead, Root and I can wait.” He then turns to Root Valve, extends a hoof, and tells her, “The team calls me Salt, a pleasure to meet you.”

Right after this, I hear Pry Bar call from the doorway to our berthing, “Captain Mort, Captain Water requests your presence on the top deck for a war council with the other team leaders and ship captains.”

I hear Mort’s exasperation as he has just field-stripped his pistol, but he answers, “Thanks for letting me know, tell her I will be there momentarily.”

After he finishes reassembling his pistol, he puts back on his battlesaddle with his rifle in the stowed postion, turns to us, and tells Smiley, “Smiley you got our team for now,” then he makes his way out the door.

Once he has departed, we go back to what we were doing. I have already finished cleaning Orcus and I take the sniper rife .308 rifle with its scope over to Tater and tell him, “Here you go Mash. She should be clean enough now.”

He looks her over and I watch as he inspects the boar and the bolt assembly. He nods his head, “She is acceptable to turn in now. Do you want me to check your firing pin also?”

I think briefly, and then I answer, “No, not right now. She has been hitting the primers good, and let us be honest, Orcus has not gotten as much of a workout as that old SIR of Cookies. I mean, I have only had her since the last time we were home, and she had a preservation spell on her until then.”

He grins, “Yeah, good point. Okay, I got her now and will lock her up. Thank Chotil.”

Once I am done with that, I finish cleaning my battlesaddle and tack, making sure to clean all of the sweat and dirt on it off, so I do not have to worry about it galling me next time. As I am doing that, I watch the others from the three teams going through the same motions.

Once finished I look over at Cowlick and Ember Rose, “You two up for a bit of Dodgecity Hold’em while we wait for the others?”

“Sure,” Cowlick answers with a grin. “But as soon as the changelings are ready, I want to play a bit of Uno with them.”

“Agreed,” I tell him as I pull my deck of cards out from my saddlebags.

Before two much longer we are joined at the table by Ennie and Meanie. Both of them look like they are excited to be playing again.

Ember looks at them with a grin, “Hungry boys?”

I swear I see Ennie blush before he looks down briefly and answers, “A bit. The emotions of battle are a bit too strong for my taste, besides, I am usually too busy to think of eating.”

Ember nods, “Makes sense to me, just glad we can help.”

I then hear Root Valve asks from the side as she finishes putting her carbine back together, “So all of you really know we feed off of your emotions, and you are good with that?”

I find myself shrugging before I answer, “Yeah, as these two have pointed out, they do not overfeed and drain us, they only take what they need, and besides, Uno is one of our favorite games.”

She smiles back at me and asks, “So why didn’t you just start playing it instead of Dodgecity Hold ‘em?”

This time Epona answers as she steps behind me, “Because we enjoy Ennie and Meanies company as we play. Though with you onboard now, we may need to break out another deck and have a couple of games going at a time.”

Soon we are playing again and I have just played a reverse card when I see my wife enter. She looks over at us and I can see she does not look happy. She makes her way to our bunk and removes her gear as Choo and the others enter.

Once they have all arrived Choo tells us, “Okay everyone, listen up, we are currently tracking the Steam Kettle. However, once we find out where their base is, we will drop off our captured prisoner as a warning.” She pauses, then adds, “We will also be inserting a team to infiltrate their base and locate the passengers from the Sassafras Tea that were taken by the pirates.”

We are all listening intently as she tells us this, and then Ennie asks, “Why not have one of us changelings take their form and have you drop us off. If no one knows they were captured, we could always claim to have escaped. “

I watch as Choo thinks it over and she turns to Mort and then Mudwing and asks them, “What do you think?”

Mort shakes his head as does Mudwing, Mort then tells her, “No, not as the prisoner. It is tempting, but I do not want them going in there unsupported.”

I watch as Choo takes a deep breath and then tells them, “I agree. Besides, we need to stick to our plans to keep confusion at a minimum.”

Soon we continue our normal routines and I have just drawn four cards when I was down to one and Root caught me before I could say Uno. I shake my head and I enjoy the game as much as I do the smile on their faces as they all enjoy a nice meal.

Later that night I am cuddled up next to my wife and nuzzling her, when I hear Root Valve say from a nearby hammock, “Please, you two, stop it, I am already full and that is just too rich of a meal for me to consume.”

This is followed by Meanie telling her, “Will you be quiet, let them go and just enjoy it. We never get enough love out here in the wastelands.”

I laugh lightly myself and I hear Ginger say quietly, “Of for Celesteia’s sake, I forgot about them.”

I nuzzle her just behind her ears as I whisper, “I did not, perhaps we should give them a real meal.”

She lightly pushes me away with a hoof and a chuckle, “Really dear, with all of them here?”

I smile in the low light of the lantern and tell her, “Not that, but maybe a bit of affection, now come closer my love, and let us get some sleep.”

As I lay there waiting for sleep to come, and after she has fallen asleep, I find myself worrying about just how badly Ginger may have really been injured, as she still has a large lump on her head. I also find myself thinking about what the days events and I worry about all the civilians who have come to join us. My mind then drifts to worrying about how I can protect my wife and what will I do if I cannot. Finally, I put my muzzle to the Ginger’s forelock and I take a deep breath and I feel myself relax as I smell her scent and I begin to join her in the world of dreams.

*****

Baltimare Colt, The Big River: Choo Choo

I am still feeling sore as I wait for the ship's captains to arrive for our meeting. I notice that Rain Water and Sunny are both standing there listening to us talk. Part of me is exasperated at another young one trying to grow up too fast and experiencing combat before they should have to. However, when I was on the other ship, I noticed most of the clan members who were there were either too young or too old. So, I guess I cannot say anything.

While we wait for the others Grey then asks, “So Rain, what did you do during the fight?”

I see Sunny shift uncomfortably, but he stays quiet as his younger sister excitedly answers, “I was flying as my brother’s wingmare Gramps. We made several strafing runs with me using my hunting rifle that Pa gave me.”

He then tells her, “Someday maybe we can get you one of those fancy battlesaddles your brother and his friends in the Rangers seem to all be wearing.”

“You mean it Gramps?”

“Yes, Rain, I mean it. As soon as I can get one for you. You have earned it.”

He then looks at me with a questioning expression, and I move my ears to let him know I understand his unasked question.

He nods and moves his ears in a pattern of thanks.

Soon the three other ships’ captains arrive and join us. I then tell Sunny, “Take your sister below, and tell Mash that he should see if he can find a battle saddle for your sister.”

He grins and answers, “Will do Boss.”

As they walk away all I can think is what will Trouble and Blondie say about their daughter being fitted out, but if she is going to be flying with us, I want her equipped properly. After all, I do not know how I can stop her from doing so. I swear that entire family’s youngsters are like that. At least I remember her flying in the pegasus tag games from when we were training Moon Lily and her friends.

My attention is drawn back to the others as I hear Grey asks, “What do you mean the entire crew of the Colt are now friends of the clan?”

Rust stands there with one forehoof on her side as she tells him, “My crew has all pledged to stand by the clan in our feud Grey. If you notice, we are flying the black flag. You do know what that means, right?”

He answers with, “Humph, yeah, I have heard enough about it from those who were Mollygirl at Two Step and the Expedition. How could I not know what that flag means.”

Rust twists her head slightly and asks, “Do you not approve?”

“Rust, you know better than that. I just hope they all realize what that means.”

I step forward and looking directly at him I tell him, “Grey, we all know what flag means as well as our loyalty to the Water Clan. Even if it were not our mission, our three teams of NCR Rangers would be ready to support you and the clan in this endeavor.”

He seems somewhat surprised as he asks, “So all three teams understand this is personal then?”

Feeling somewhat exasperated I answer his question. “Grey when we found the crew dead, the captain whipped to death and the passengers missing and most likely taken into slavery, it became personal for us. Not one of us can abide slavery, and pirates rate there with raiders as far as we are concerned.”

He nods, “Good, I am glad to hear that. I can trust them in the fights then. If it was not personal, they may have abandoned the fight before it is done, especially if it goes against us.”

By now Flight Plan has joined us. I can tell he is tired from the night's exertions of piloting the Hot Shot 2 almost all night. He grins some as he tells Rust, “The old girl should be ready to fly again in a couple of hours. But I would like to give my crew a break before we go up again.”

“Understood Flight Plan. Before you rejoin your crew, I would like you to assist us in our war council. We will need your expertise as well while we make out some rough plans.”

He looks at me, then Tar and Grey before he turns back to Rust and tells her, “Makes sense Captain.”

We are still chatting when the other captains arrive. One of the other youngsters is guiding them to us. As they get close I hear Rust say, “Good to see you again cousins Blue and Rapid, who is this with you?”

One of them says, “Good to see you too Cousin Rust, this here is Captain Long Keel, we came across him and his crew on our way north. They were glad to join us in a convoy.”

Rust and Grey both nod and Tar answers, “A pleasure Captain Keel, Cousin Rapid it is good to see you again. Cousin Rust and my father, Grey, have asked you to join us for a council of war so we can make at least some rough plans for what we will do next.”

The one that seems to be Rapid Water then replies, “That is good and all Tar, but we still need to find out where the pirates are as well as their home base.”

Rust smiles and tells him, “Well, about that, Choo was able to get a PipBuck tag on that steamer from earlier. I propose that we track them from a distance and once we find their base, we make our move.”

“All well and good,” says the one I assume is Blue Water, “But what if they turn and attack us again?”

Tar with a firm voice, answers, “Then we fight them and keep searching. However, until that occurs, we use the resources at our disposal, including the Baltimare Colt and the Vertibuck she carries.” She pauses and then adds, “In case you did not realize the Colt is transporting three teams of NCR Rangers who have sworn to assist us in this feud.”

The others look at her, then the captain of the Glowworm asks, “And what of me and my crew? We came as part of a convoy, not as a vessel of war?”

Rust lets out a sigh and tells him, “That is up to you Captain. You can stay with us and fight; you can try to make it past them on your own. Or you could take our wounded onboard your ship and take them back to Manesville. This is not your fight; it is ours and we will not try to force you to join us in it.”

The Glowworm’s captain nods his head, “You have given me something to think about. Perhaps, I should listen to what you have in mind before I make a rash decision.”

Tar smiles and tells him, “That is all I ask.” She then tells us, “Now let us get on with it.”

We discuss what we have available to us as well as who could do what, as well as our capabilities and experience. When done Captain Rust and Tar Water smile at each other and Tar says, “Well then, I do believe that should get us through until we at least find their base. Once we find it, we will hold another war council and go from there.”

I shake hooves with the others and watch as the other ship's captains as well as Tar and Grey make their way back to their proper ships. As they go Rust stands next to me along with the other team leaders and Flight Plan. Mud Wing then asks, “Can we trust the Captain of the Glowworm?”

I feel like sighing as I do wonder that myself. But Rust answers, “Aye, we can. After all, if he were to betray us, he knows that this is only part of the clan, and the rest would come after him just as hard if not harder for betraying us. But I feel more comfortable with him as a reserve than in the vanguard.”

She then turns and heads back to the Pilothouse as the rest of us go our own way. Once back to the berthing, we interrupt the activities there and I tell them what our plans are and what we expect is coming for us in the next couple of days.”

Ginger who was with the team lead leaders and I, does not say much during this time. She simply nods her head as the discussion continues.

Once we are finished, she cleans the Infiltrator rifle she was using for the last fight. When she turns it in to Tater she asks, “So, did you get a chance to look over my SIR?”

He nods, “Yes I did, I still need to change out the firing pin, but I was going to do that pretty soon.”

She then asks, “How has it been going with outfitting Rain.”

He shrugs, “Not too bad, but that is why I have not finished with your SIR yet.”

“Have you chosen a weapon for her yet?”

He seems surprised, “I figured she would stick with her hunting rifle.”

Ginger shakes her head, “Look, if she was going to be stuck on hoof, I would say sure, but she is going to be flying into combat, and I want her to have something she can both handle and she can perform strafing runs with.”

Tater then looks to me as I am nearby and asks, “Boss, what do you think?”

“Did not Black Bird tell you I had authorized you to fully kit her out?”

“Well, yeah but I thought you just wanted her to have a battle saddle and some webgear and saddle bags.”

I shake my head, “No Mash, I want her fitted out as a full member of the team. That goes for Diode and Root Valve as well. If necessary, use some of the recovered gear from the base we found Harts Fire at.”

Ginger then says, “Boss, speaking of that, if they are going to be running with us, should not they have code names like the rest of us?”

I think briefly, “You are correct, what do you propose for them?”

She thinks briefly then asks the three to come over to her. She then explains to them how we all have code names for the radios and asks if any of them have any suggestions.

They all seem to hesitate, then I hear Tater suggest, “How about Steam for Root Valve.”

“Well Root, what do you think?” Ginger asks.

Root agrees and I nod my head.

Twinks then says, “How about Sparky for old Diode there.”

I watch as he grins and says, “I like it.”

Next, I look at Harts Fire with his dark coat and his former profession and I suggest, “Harts, I would like your code name to be Night.”

I see him think briefly then he asks, “Because I was with the Night Guard?”

I nod and he smiles slightly, “Yeah, for my old comrades. Sounds good Big Blue.”

Finally Sunny pops off, “How about Storm for Rain.”

She smiles shyly and asks, “Because I can cause a lot of damage?”

Smiling he says, “Nah little sis, because you are all wet and full of wind.”

Her smile disappears and she sticks out her tongue at him and blows a raspberry at him. We all get a mild chuckle out of the siblings’ interaction. Finally, Ginger says, “Yeah, I think Storm would be a good one for you Rain. And not because you are all wet.”

The Rain asks, “Does this mean I get a radio too?”

Tater looks at me and I nod. He then turns to her, “Yes you do. I will fit you with one of those after I get the other weapons checked in.” He pauses then adds, “All the new team members, I will be fitting you with pistols and holsters too. So sorry Root, you are going to have to stop playing for a bit.”

Tater Finishes getting everyone kitted out and Ginger’s SIR repaired before dinner. Each team takes a turn going to the mess decks so we do not overwhelm them at one time. Afterward, we all return to our normal evening routine. I notice Epona and Tater both slipping out to head to the pilothouse to take the rust off of their skills.

As the night goes on, several of the Colt’s crew members stop by and begin as usual. However, this time in addition to our normal activities we take the time to make introductions of the newest team members. Before too much longer I see several of the younger crew members stop by and one of them asks Rain if she can join them on the upper deck to hang out.

I look at Sunny and he nods, so I agree. If she is going to be with us for even a short while, she needs to get to know some of the crew.

Later that night as we are all winding down, I am lying in my bed thinking of home. I then hear Root Valve say something to Ginger and Xochitl about knocking it off because she is full. I then realize what she means and I find myself sighing as it makes me miss home and my Paper Work that much more. Hopefully, once this mission is done, we can go home again and take some time off to rest and recover.

That night, as I sleep, I dream of being with him and holding him in my wings again. In the dream, he agrees to marry me and I am so thrilled as I do love him as much as I once loved Side Track. But alas, morning comes, and when I wake, I know it was but a dream.

I get out of bed and look at my PipBuck and I smile as I see that we are still in tracking range of the Steam Kettle. I smile and tell Ginger, “Cookie, normal routine today except for Sunny. I want him to work with Storm on getting her used to her equipment. That includes live firing of her new weapons.”

*****

Manesville Hospital, Manesville Region: Ball Lightning

It has already been a long day today, I am just about ready to finish up my rounds when I hear someone yelling as they run down the hallway, “Medical emergency, injured inbound, all personnel who can, report to the ER right away.”

I watch as Doctor Embolism, who I had been working with today turns pale. He looks at me, “Let us go Ball. This is a real emergency.”

As we run, I ask him, “What do you want me to do?”

She turns her head but keeps running, “Today you are going to earn the title doctor. Depending on who is triaging patients, I will have you with me in surgery.”

I am surprised but keep my thoughts to myself only answering, “Right Doctor.”

As we come skidding out of the stairwell and into the hall leading to the Emergency room, I see several stretchers being carried in with patients screaming in pain. I see one nurse and another doctor both in the process of triaging patients.

The doctor calls out, “Steamboat boiler explosion on the riverfront, lots of injuries and burns.”

Embolism tells me, “Grab some scrubs, a mask, and wash up, we are going to be doing some serious work.”

We both take off our white coats and stethoscopes and hang them on some pegs. We put on a set of scrubs and a mask over our nostrils. Once we are ready, they bring in our first patient. A male earthpony with blast and shrapnel injuries.

A unicorn nurse casts an anesthesia spell on the patient and we begin. I am on one side, Doctor Embolism on the other, I am assisting her. After a bit, she looks up at me, “Doctor, how about taking care of that injury on his hind leg while I probe this wound to make sure we have all of the pieces out of his midsection.

I look at the wound and I can see the piece of metal sticking out from just above his knee. I quickly examine the wound. I see the tourniquet above the wound and I begin to work. I soon have the metal removed and have the few bleeders I saw taken care of. I probe to make sure there is no other material in the wound, then after releasing the tourniquet, I inspect again for any leaking blood vessels. After this I suture the wound closed after pouring a bit of a healing potion into the wound; just enough to start it healing.

I look up and see that Embolism has just finished with the other wound as her horn dims. She nods and tells the nurse, “Take him to a room to recover and have the next patient sent in.”

The next one they bring us has severe burns on a large portion of her body. She is screaming in pain as she is put on the table before us. While most of the wound is a second-degree, there is a large portion that is a third-degree burn and after she has been knocked out, we begin the process known as debriding. The whole time we are treating her I can smell cooked meat, and while a small part of me wants to be sick, a larger part of me knows we are helping her.

What seems like a short time later we are moving to another patient. This time it is a unicorn stallion. He is badly burned, but we also see he has broken ribs and is having a hard time breathing because of a sucking chest wound.

We have begun to try and stabilize him when he suddenly stops breathing. Doctor Embolism tells me, “Stand back Ball, I am going to try and restart his heart.” I watch as her horn glows and I see her magic on the patient’s chest over their heart. She tries for what seems like an eternity, and finally, I ask, “Doctor, do you really think you can bring them back?”

She looks up at me and I see pain in her eyes. She looks down and shakes her head as her horn glow dims. “No, no I cannot. I, I just did not want to lose him. He was my cousin.”

“I am sorry Embolism. I know how hard it is to lose someone, but if it helps, I do know that there is an afterlife, and I am sure you will see him again.”

She looks at me briefly and tells me, “I am not a religious mare Ball. I am a realist.”

I smile sadly, “I know, but sometime ask one of the ghouls around here about my two shadows. I know because I have been there. If you want to take a break I will take the next patient.”

She shakes her head, “No Ball, we have a lot of others who need us still,” she tells me, and uses her magic to pull the sheet over her cousin’s head and we have the nurse remove the body and bring in the next one.

As the night continues, I begin to see several cases by myself and treat them. Finally, we finish with the last patient from the boiler explosion. As we take off the scrubs, I look at Embolism and ask, “Does that happen often?”

She shakes her head, “No, but you seemed to take it in stride like you had experienced it before.”

I find myself blushing. Then I tell her, “I sorta did. The time that the NCR agents attacked the RDS and Marimare in the Lunar Commonwealth I was being treated for wounds. I got out of my bed and started to help the wounded by comforting them as much as I could.”

“You are lucky you didn’t tear out your stitches doing that.”

I laugh without humor and answer, “I did, and my doctor chewed me out for it. Looking back, I deserved it, but then again, I gave some of those who died a final bit of comfort before crossing over.”

“So, was that the time you died?”

I nod and give a half grin, “One of them. The second time is when I began to study medicine. I guess even bad things can have a good outcome.”

She snorts slightly and tells me, “You are too much of an optimist.”

Sadly, I shake my head and move my ears in a negative manner as I answer, “No, I am realistic. I know not all of them do. That and sometimes bad things happen to good people.”

She smiles sadly then tells me, “I know of your previous studies and while you have not been an intern for long, I have to say you proved yourself to me. I am going to be recommending you to the council to be officially recognized by the Co-op and our hospital as a full doctor.”

I am stunned as I had expected it to be much longer before that would occur. Seeing my surprise she adds, “Ball, this is not like upstairs in the Enclave. We do not have a lot of formal training. There are a few such as myself and Doctor Charity in the Manesville Region, but not many. So, do not be so surprised. Besides, you did really well.”

“Thanks, how about before we head home, we stop at Wanderers for some coffee and something to eat.”

Jokingly she asks, “Are you asking me out on a date?”

I shake my head and smile, “No. Not that you are not an attractive mare, but I am still pretty sure my wife and family are going to try and make it here.”

She smiles, “I know that Ball, I was just kidding you. But honestly, coffee and a burger sound really good right now. So let us go and get some.”

After we eat at Wanderers, we both head our own ways for the night. As I arrive at the shop, I try to quietly enter and am met by Zhia. She tells me, “I was worried. It Is not like you to be so late.”

“Sorry Zhia, we had a mass casualty event at the hospital. One of the riverboats had a boiler explosion.”

She shakes her head, “How bad?’

I sigh, “Fifty-six injured, at least twenty killed, including those that made it to the hospital and died there.”

“That seems like a large crew for a riverboat.”

I nod, “It would be, but she was carrying some passengers as well as the crew.”

“Were there any survivors who were not injured?”

“To be honest Zhia, I did not think to ask.”

She looks at me with her head cocked, “Do you need to talk, or maybe something to eat?”

I think briefly, “Maybe we can talk in the morning Zhia, but I just want to take a shower and call it a night.”

“I understand. I will see you in the morning Ball.”

“Oh, Zhia, I almost forgot, Doctor Embolism is going to recommend me to be made a full doctor early because of tonight.”

She looks thoughtful in the lantern light and then smiles and tells me, “I am very glad to hear that Ball. Does that mean you will be leaving us soon?”

I move my ears again to show I am not sure. I then tell her, “I guess that all depends, but I would like to open a small office over in White Cloud. Perhaps I could do work for the Repair Ponies when you need me to.”

“Perhaps Ball, I will have to talk to Choo, but I do like the idea of us having our own doctor on call.”

I am just getting ready to head to the bunk room downstairs when I stop and ask, “Zhia, you are up late, do you need to sleep?”

She smiles, “Yes, myself and my kind do seem to need to. However tonight I have a lot on my mind as well and I could not sleep. But now that you have returned, perhaps I shall try again.”

“Xanthippe and Xeres?”

“Perhaps in part, but do not let the thoughts of an old ghoul keep you up.”

I smile gently as I tell her, “But you are not an old ghoul, you are my friend, so I do worry about you as well.”

“While I have found myself becoming very attached to Xerxes, as has my daughter, there are sometimes I still find myself missing my husband. He was a good stallion.”

I nod in understanding. Then I tell her, “Yes, and as a good stallion, I am sure he would want you to still love and be loved.”

She smiles shyly, “Perhaps my friend, perhaps. Now, let us both go get some rest.”

As I lay in my bunk trying to sleep, I think about Sundancer and our children. I wonder what is going on in their lives. However, I also begin to think over everything that has occurred today. I did not say anything to Embolism and I probably never will, but each time we lost a patient tonight I saw a spirit approach and take them away. I guess some would find it discomforting and I do to a point. But I also find it eases my soul as I know we did everything we could.

Finally, sometime in the darkness, I drift off and I dream once more of my family and the home I once had. But alas, as with all good things, the night ends and I have to wake again for another day.

*****

Enroute to Hackamore, NCR Territory: Air Burst

I have to say I have enjoyed the escort from the NCR troops. In the evening, I have talked with both Lieutenant Broken Compass as well as his 1st Sergeant Gravel Agitator. In part because they have come to talk with Trader Jewel, but also because they both enjoy having someone to talk to with similar experiences.

Last night while we were sitting by the fire with them Scout asked me, “What was it like in Manesville when you were there?”

I smile and begin to tell him. As I do I notice the Lieutenant paying rapt attention as I talk about the farms we saw and the start of a cloud village and fields around White Cloud. I then tell them of what I saw of Manesville itself and add, “But honestly Scout, I did not get to see much more as we were prisoners at the time.”

I see the 1st sergeant looking at me as if inspecting me, and the Lieutenant seems stunned. Broken Compass then asks, “How long ago were you in White Cloud?”

I smile as I tell him, “A couple of years ago. Right before the war between the Enclave and the NCR broke out.”

“Did you get to know anypony from there?” he asks cautiously.

I move my ears in an affirmative manner and tell him, “A few. We also spent some time with locals from there that had made it down to Hoofington for a while.”

He nods his head, then he asks, “Their names wouldn’t have happened to have been Tater and Epona would they have been?”

I think back to that campfire on the other side before we came back through the Doorway into Baltimare and I remember them slipping and using their real names occasionally.

I look at him and ask, “Why do you want to know?”

“We came from the same place and when we first got to Hackamore I went to school with them for a year.”

I then remember that both of them had said they came through a doorway to our universe, so I cautiously ask, “Did you come through a Doorway with them?”

I see the realization come over his face as he asks, “You know of the Doorway?”

“One of them. There used to be one in Baltimare, but a friend of theirs named Cowlick destroyed it when we came back through it.”

I see a look of stunned surprise come over his face as he asks, “You went through one with them? Was it still as bad as when we left?”

This time Alto joins the conversation as he adds, “Sorry Sir, but we did not go to the same one as you came from. This one was a bit different and the war with the Zebras never occurred.”

I then hear Scraps say, “You two have been to another universe?”

I nod my head as does Alto. Sundancer then tells them, “Your father was with them. He told me about it and showed me something he picked up while on that side.”

I turn to her and move my ear in a questioning manner. She nods and tells me, “Air, that probably saved our marriage as I was really hurt by his long absence with not even a letter.”

I nod my head, “I can understand that,” I tell her. I then turn to the others, “How about we keep that bit of news to ourselves, at least until we get to White Cloud.”

The Lieutenant then asks, “So you know about White Cloud and the survivors who settled there.”

Again, I nod, “Yes Lieutenant. I also know about the survivors of what they called the Expedition that were the first settlers.”

I then decide to change the subject a bit and ask him, “If your folks settled in Hackamore after they came through, how did you end up assigned this far from home?”

He smiles, “I was a sergeant in the Harness Brigade and when the war started, they needed experienced hooves to form new units. Our outfit was formed to fight in Horseton. Once the war was over, well, we got assigned to guard duty along the trade routes on the old E 3.”

We then began to talk about our experiences during the war, his and his 1st Sergeant’s in the desert and the waste, mine in Baltimare and then Manehatten. It seems funny at first to be talking about them with my former enemies, but it seems the experiences were often more similar than I had expected. Who knows, perhaps we can overcome the damage done between the two sides someday.

Later that night before they retired the Lieutenant asked me, “If I wrote a letter, to Tater and Epona, would you be willing to deliver it for me?”

I find myself smiling. “Sure Broken. Just get it to me before we part company.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

That night was one of the rare ones on the trail where I allowed myself to get into a deep sleep. This morning, we started off again along with the NCR troopers. It seems that they have appreciated sharing the camp with us as well as I see a couple of them sneaking back to their bedrolls as the false dawn occurred and the sky began to lighten.

What surprised me was to see one of the earthpony troopers give a kiss to both heads of one of the brahmin. I mean, I know they are sentient and all, but I had just never thought of that kind of a union. But then again, I have to say that after meeting Cowlick I have come to realize that perhaps the bovines are just people too.

The day goes fairly uneventfully and once again I am looking forward to the evening campfire. Today I spent most of my time on point with Savanna. She had plenty of questions for me regarding my experiences with the Doorway.

She was particularly disturbed by the fact that we did not see any non-pony species, particularly griffons. I answered her by telling her, “Perhaps we did not get a chance to find the areas they live in. After all, Equus is a pretty big world. Besides, we were only there for a little over a week.”

She seems confused and asks, “Uncle Air, how could you have been gone for only a week or so? Ma told you that you guys were gone for six months.”

“Honestly Savanna, I do not know. The Repair Ponies mentioned something about time passing at different rates in different universes.”

She thinks about this for a bit, then asks, “Does that mean that there are a lot of other universes?”

I keep scanning ahead of us as we fly, and I think about her question. Finally, I tell her, “I think there are. I have only been to the one, but I have heard them talk about other ones. Each is different in some way from what I understand.”

I then see her think briefly before she asks, “Uncle Air, Mom said Dad brought something back from the other universe, did you?”

I smile, “Yes I did Savanna.”

“Do you have it with you?”

I chuckle lightly to myself, “Yes I do, would you like to see it tonight?”

She gets excited, “Would I? Yes, Uncle Air, I really want to.”

Smiling I look into the distance around us as we fly about the caravan and the infantry. “Okay, we will then. But we have to be very careful with it as I know I will never be able to go back there again.”

“Would you if you could?” she asks me her voice full of curiosity that I would never have expected from a griffon before I got to know her.

Before too much longer we land again and continue to walk for a while, that way if anyone is trying to track us, they cannot use us to do so from a further distance. Though I have not seen anything since we left Fresh Spring.

As we sit around the fire after dinner, the Lieutenant approaches Trader Jewel and I and tells us, “I do believe we should be at our assigned outpost come tomorrow afternoon. After which I hate to say it, but you will be on your own again. However, I would like to thank you for the company as well as the water you have sold us. I do believe it was quite literally a lifesaver for us.”

Trader Jewel stands up, shakes his hoof, and tells him, “No problem, Lieutenant. I appreciated the escort, as well as the signed payment slips. Now, if you have the time, how about you sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee with us?”

I see him smile, and then he pulls a tin cup out of his saddlebag and tells him, “I would really appreciate it.”

A bit later Savanna joins us along with some of her older siblings and Sundancer. As they sit down Savanna asks, “Can you show us what you brought with you through that Doorway now Uncle?”

I see Scout, Scraps, Patchwork, and Lil’Bit all looking just as expectantly as her. I smile and tell them, “Yeah, I think I can. Patchwork could you come here and let me use the light from your horn to find it in my saddlebags.”

I see her smile shyly as she steps closer and her horn begins to glow. I search for only a few minutes before I find it. I smile as I lift it up and remember those few days so far away. I see the wonder in all of their faces as they see the large silver coin in my wingtips. “Thank you, Patchwork.”

“You’re welcome,” she says as she moves closer and she sees it. I see her lips move as she silently reads it and then she asks, “Who is Queen Haven?”

I then begin to tell them about her as well as Zephyr Heights as I pass the coin around for the others to look at. When I finish, I hear Sundancer say, “That coin matches the one that Ball has.”

I smile, “It Should Sundancer, we got them at the same time, at the coronation luncheon, shortly before the ceremony.”

“Too bad you didn’t get to meet her in person,” Trader Jewel says with a smile.

I chuckle a bit and reply, “Yeah, too bad,” however I remember hearing that one of the Repair Ponies had been drinking with and left with a mare who looked just like her. Oh, and I did see her smile briefly at him after she took the crown and was leaving the ceremony. But that is not my story to tell.

The lieutenant examines the coin closely and shakes his head, “And I thought myself and the Others coming through the Doorway was something special.”

I look him in the eyes and smile as I tell him, “Son, whether you realize it or not, it is. You left where you came from for what you felt was a better place. You all got a new start. That really is something when you think about it. I would have considered staying there myself if it was not for the fact that no one but the royal family could fly.”

By now the coin has made it back to me and I wrap it back in the cloth bag I keep it in. Once it is back in my saddlebags we continue to talk for a while longer. Before he leaves for his bedroll for the night, the Lieutenant gives me two letters. One for Epona, and the other for Sweet Potato. Both are addressed to them in Manesville.

I take the letters and put them next to the coin bag, then I tell him, “I will make sure they get them, Sir.”

“I appreciate it. I thought I saw them a while back, but I never got to say hello to them.”

I nod in understanding how that goes. We bid each other goodnight and I take the first watch of the night.

After I am relieved from watch by Alto, I make my way to my bedroll and climb into it. As I lay there listening to the sounds of the camp, I have a hard time falling asleep. After all, after tomorrow we will be back on our own again with no backup. My mind then begins to replay so many of the memories that led me to this point in my life. Finally, I fall asleep and I dream of one of the nights between Manehatten and White Cloud when I was able to lay next to Purple Haze and feel safe and cared about in another’s hooves.

*****

Good evening to all my listeners out there in the Wastelands tonight. I am DJ Pon3 broadcasting to you live from Ten Pony Tower in downtown Manehatten. We have a lot going on for tonight’s show. Among these, we will be having an interview with a new group from out of the Manesville region that have a rather interesting story that will be new to most of my listeners.

We will also be having a surprise guest from the NCR government who will discuss with us some of the new regulations that will be going into effect throughout the NCR in the coming year. Among this will be the establishment of a permanent second river squadron for the NCRN as well as plans for the NCR to offer assistance to smaller communities on the great plains.

Our first sponsor tonight is the community of Broadway. They would like to announce that they are in the last week of their production of Chicacolt, and will be replacing it with a new production of Hinny of the Hills. As such tickets for Chicacolt will be discounted at the door.

I would also like to announce that here in Ten Pony Tower, the tailor Broadcloth has received a new shipment from the Hoofington region of several bolts of dyed wool for a special suit or other attire for the pony with discriminating taste.

Thanks go out to my sponsors for making it possible for me to broadcast to all of you, my listeners.

Before we start our first interview, I would like to open the show with three in a row, starting with Dream On.

Author's Note

A brief thank you to KKat for having created the universe of Foe as well as the many authors who have added to it and inspired me to play in this playground as well.

In this chapter we see the team settling down and getting a brief respite, as well as meeting new team members. Which can lead to some unusual situations as they adjust to each other.

We also get to see Ball Lighting getting thrown into the trenches so to speak, and how he handles it. This part of the story also shows just how dangerous a steam boiler explosion could be on a riverboat. This is based on actual descriptions of 1800's riverboat accidents on the US riverways.

Finally, we get back to AIr Burst, Ball's family, and the caravan as they travel with the NCR platoon and then go their separate ways. But such meetings and partings do occur in the Wastelands, just not always on such good terms .

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song the YouTube link is: Aerosmith - Dream On (Lyrics)