Chapter 82 Movements in the Dark

Chapter 82 Movements in the Dark

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Onboard the Baltimare Colt, The Big River: Ginger Snaps

We have spent the last two days shadowing the Steam Kettle. The whole time she has not stopped. This has made us all question just when and where they will stop for fuel at least. Rust has let me know that if they do not stop today, we will need to as we are starting to run low on wood ourselves.

While the rest of the team is training today, I have been ordered to stand down. Yesterday while we were training, both Choo and Twinks saw me whence when I moved my helmet.

Choo, had let us finish the drill and then I heard her say, “Cookie, come here please.”

I make my way to her, “Yes boss?”

“Cookie, I want Danger to check your head.” She then turns to the others, “Epona, please continue the training for now with the others.”

I see Twinks shrug and she leads me to the ship's medical bay. The ship's doctor is just leaving and tells her, “Let me know if you need anything Danger.”

“Sure thing Doc. Just doing a little check on one of our team members.”

“Well, we have some old med books on the shelf over there if you find something you are not sure about.”

Twinks then has me sit on a table and take off my helmet.

“Okay Cookie, Let’s see this,” she tells me as she stands on her back hooves.

She begins to gently probe it with her magic and I yelp in pain. “Cookie, you still have some swelling.”

She tilts her head, “Cookie, how are you doing overall since you got hit?”

I take a breath and tell her, “Well, I still have that dang headache, but I figured that was just normal.”

I go to shake my head and I wince some more. And she nods, “Okay, so you are a bit motion sensitive too.”

She then takes a look at my PipBuck and I see her eyes close and when she opens them, she says, “Why did I not look at your PipBuck earlier?” She then calls for Choo over her radio set, “Boss, when you get a chance, I need to have you come to the sick bay.”

“Roger Danger, I will be there in a few minutes.”

“What is up Twinks?” I ask her.

She puts a hoof on my shoulder and tells me, “I just need a second opinion, Ginger.”

As we are sitting there talking, I notice a high-pitched buzzing sound and I ask, “Do you hear that Twinks?”

“Hear what Ginger?”

“That sound, you know like when someone fires a gun too close to your ears.”

“No, nothing like that,” she tells me.

I then hear a brief knock on the door and Choo comes into the room. “What is it, Danger?”

“Choo, could you look at the lump on the back of her head first?”

Choo seems annoyed at first but then begins to use her magic to examine me as well. Again, I flinch and this time I cuss some as she gently probes the back of my head.

I see her move her head back and she raises an eyebrow. “Okay Twinks, what else are you not telling me?”

Twinks turns to me, “Ginger, are your ears still ringing?”

I nod my head, “Yeah they just started a bit ago, but no big deal.”

Choo and her exchange a look and she tells Choo, “Take a look at her PipBuck boss.”

Choo examines it and this time I look and I notice the little pony on the screen looks like it is wearing a bandage on its head.

She does not look happy with it. “What is wrong boss?” I ask.

She looks at Twinks and asks, “What are you thinking Twinks?”

“I am not sure boss, but she also has ringing in her ears.”

Again, Choo raises an eyebrow. She thinks a bit and tells me, “Ginger, I think your head injury may have been a bit worse than we thought.”

“Okay, so what do you want to do then Boss?” I ask.

“Ginger, I want you to stand down from the field team until we get back to Manesville and we can have you checked out more thoroughly.”

“Boss, I am not hurt that bad. I can still hack it.”

“Ginger, this is not about if you can hack it. It is about making sure you do not make the injury worse.”

I try to argue, “But Choo, it will leave a hole in my set. Who will fill it.”

I see her think briefly, “Cookie, our team is pretty well staffed right now, and either Diode or Root Valve can cover for now.”

“But Choo, it is only a headache and some ringing in my ears, that is all.”

“Ginger, I am sorry, but it will only be until we can get you checked over. I will be pulling some strings when we get back to have you checked out by the stables staff.”

“Seriously Choo, I can still do my job.”

I hear her sigh, and then she tells me, “Ginger, I am not saying you cannot do your job, but I am saying you are standing down for now. Do not argue with me about this.”

“Fine! What do you expect me to do then?” I ask.

“Cookie, I am going to have you do the same things on the Colt that Zhia does for the shop. I know it is not exciting and it really is not much different. It also means you can still be in charge of training exercises. You just do not lead in combat.”

I look at Twinks and then back at Choo. I take a deep breath, and with my ears alongside my head, I tell them, “Okay, but as soon as I get a clean bill of health in Manesville, I am back on the roster.”

Choo nods with a respectful expression, “That is all I am asking. Thank you for understanding.”

Before we leave, I am made to take a healing potion, though I do not think I really need it. After all, it is just a headache. Besides Papa Archer has told me his ears are always ringing as well.

As I get off the table, I sling my helmet onto my saddlebags and put on my soft cover, then I follow them back to the upper deck where the rest of the team is still training.

As we reach the upper deck, I notice a couple of them look at me briefly and I feel embarrassed as I step to the side and begin to observe instead of participate.

As they practice advancing and falling back by odds and evens, I notice my headache has made it hard for me to concentrate as well as I normally do. However, I do notice a few things that we need to work on, that I would have missed otherwise.

By the end of the day. We have gotten even the newbies used to our normal drills. During lunch, Harts Fire joins me, Xochilt, and some of the others at our table on the mess decks. As we are eating, he asks me, “Cookie, if you do not mind, could I ask you a couple of personal questions?”

“Well, if they are too personal, I will not answer, but go ahead and ask.”

“Thank you, it is about your injury from the other day. I notice you are squinting a bit more than normal as if you are in pain all the time, I also have noticed that you do not seem to be as attentive as you were when I first met you. Are you still having some problems since then?”

I feel myself let out a brief huff of air. What does everyone think I have a problem and cannot hack it.

“Just a headache and some ringing in my ears, that is all.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Cookie be careful for a while, I know you were hit hard enough that you said you were unconscious most of the time until we could rescue you. I knew a couple of the Night Guards that did not take care of themselves after similar injuries and it ended their careers. If I remember right, they called it a traumatic brain injury or something like that. You are young and you're good at this job. Take it easy for a bit and let yourself heal.”

“Did Choo or Twinks put you up to this?” I ask.

He shakes his head and replies, “No, they have not said anything to the rest of us. But remember, I was a member of the Night Guard for several years towards the end of the Zebra War. It was not always a cushy assignment.”

I feel irritated at him bringing it up, but he is actually sharing a bit of his past with us, so maybe I should talk with him a bit more about it, I think to myself.

“Were those kinds of injuries common back then?” I ask, and I notice Twinks is now paying attention as is my husband.

“Unfortunately, yes. Especially with those in the regular combat arms. Those of us in the guard had a bit more protection with those silly-looking ancient armor helmets. The regulars took a lot of head injuries in the trenches. After the first few years of trench warfare, both sides came up with helmets for their normal troops, though the numbers went down, they still happened a lot more than we even realized. They were still common enough that we started calling them TBIs instead of the whole word.”

This gets my attention and I begin to think of Kettle Bell and her head injury from the most recent fighting in Manesville with the Enclave. Goddesses, at least I am not slurring my words are having problems walking. I wonder if she has one of those TBI things. “Can they fix one of them?”

He shakes his head, “Not really fix, but they could treat them. That and over time they sometimes healed themselves. The use of healing spells right after an incident would help to reduce the effects as well.”

I find myself wondering if Choo and Twinks might have a reason to be worried then. Dang it, I hate to have to sit on the sidelines, but maybe this time I should.

“Thanks for sharing that with me Harts, I appreciate it.”

He takes a bite of his lunch and then after swallowing, he tells me, “I felt I had to. Cookie, I know how it is and how warriors all feel they have to tough it out. But sometimes we just can’t or shouldn’t. You are a good team leader, and I do not want to see your career cut short.”

“Thanks Hart. I appreciate it. I just do not want anyone to think I am not trying.”

He grins, “Cookie, none of us would think that.”

After lunch we return to training, this time I run the drills while Choo is in the pilothouse with the captain. We are running some casualty evacuation drills when Choo Choo comes out of the pilothouse and does not even bother trotting but glides down and tells us, “The Steam Kettle has stopped and we believe she may be either refueling or because of the location she may have taken shelter and be making repairs. Fog, Two Bits, I want you two to come with me to the Pilot House. Cookie, have the team stand down, clean their gear, and get ready for a possible mission this evening.”

From further forward on the upper deck I see Mort turn his head and after turning over control of his team to Smiley he trots over and asks, “What is up Princess?”

“Hey Mort, The Steam Kettle has stopped it seems. I am sending two of my fliers to do a brief long-distance recon to see if they are simply refueling or if they are at their base,” Choo tells him.

I see him frown briefly then he suggests, “Talk to Mudwing, you might want Ennie and Meanie in on this. I would suggest Root Valve, but I am afraid she is still a bit green on these ops.”

Choo nods her head, “I concur. Besides, I want to have her continue working with Sunny and Rain a bit more while we wait.”

I find myself agreeing with them on their suggestions. Then I ask, “Boss, do you want me to go get Mudwing too?”

She looks at Mort and they both nod their heads. “Yes, please do Cookie, she should be at one of her team’s stations on the main deck.”

“I will be back in a bit,” I tell her and I trot off to find the third team leader as we prepare the plans for what may be our next op.

*****

Upper Deck, Baltimare Colt, The Big River: Xochitl

I watch as Choo talks with my wife and then Mort and I wonder what is going on as they confer together, then I notice Ginger trot off and when she returns Mudwing is with her. Hmm, this should me interesting, I think to myself.

A few minutes later Ginger comes over to us and tells our team, “Boss says to stand down for right now, get your gear and weapons ready, and catch some Z’s. It looks like the Steam Kettle has stopped.”

I nod my head and we all follow her below decks. I am inspecting my pistol and holster setup when I suddenly have a question and I ask, “Dear, has anyone interrogated the prisoner yet?”

“Why would we do that?” she asks.

“Well, we have been tracking the Steam Kettle via Choo’s tag. However, that prisoner might just know where their base is. After all, with Choo’s special training I am pretty sure she can do it pretty quick.”

I watch as she runs a forehoof down her face and she tells me, “Why did we not think of that before.”

Ginger, quickly reassembles her pistol which she was cleaning, puts it back into her holster, and tells Twinks, “Danger, you have the team. I will be right back.” Then she is heading out the door at a quick walk.

When she returns, she kisses me on the cheek and tells me, “Good thinking dear, the boss is heading over to the Highland Chief to interrogate the prisoner.”

I nod my head and pause what I am doing, “Glad to hear it. I hope she finds out some good info,” I tell her then continue to sew a tear I found in my saddlebag.

A few hours later Choo returns to the berthing and tells us, “Once your gear is ready, grab some sack time, it looks like it will be a late night.”

Mort who is off to the side asks, “What did you find out Princess?”

She grins, “Well, the Steam Kettle is refueling at a small station that the pirates have set up here. As the location I got from him matches the maps. The better news though is we are only another day’s sailing from their main base. Tonight, we take out the refueling depot and the Steam Kettle. Tomorrow, well I have discussed with Rust that tomorrow night we will begin to drop off our infiltration teams.”

There is a hushed murmur amongst the teams at this. I have to admit it will not feel right with Ginger having to remain behind on the Colt during this, but honestly, I am glad she will be safe for the next couple of days.

After this, I lay down on my bunk with Katie and take a nap until dinner. While I am asleep Morning Mist and Root Valve make a flyover of the refueling depot with a belly camera. Once they returned the pictures were developed and Harts Fire assisted Choo and the other team leaders in analyzing them and developing our plans.

An hour after sundown those of us non-fliers find ourselves making our way towards the island while the Colt and the Glow Worm blockade the upstream entrance to the cove and the Highland Chief and the Butternut do so with the downstream access.

Once we land, we follow some paths through the forest and scrub toward where we know the village should be. We are about halfway there when we come to a stockade with a gate that is guarded by several ponies.

I point them out to Morning Glen and we sneak our way close to them. Morning Glen allows himself to be silhouetted in the moonlight and bounces off as I dispatch the one closest to me with my knife and Ember Rose knocks the other one out with her anesthesia spell.

Once Morning Glen returns to us, we slowly open the gate. Beyond it is the village and along the river at the small pier I can see the Steam Kettle. She is currently tied up and few of her crew can be seen.

I then get on the radio and call out, “Big Blue, this is Flower, Big Blue this is Flower, Code Green. I repeat Code Green.”

Right after this I watch as a flare round arcs through the air from the direction of the Colt and burst above the village.

This is it, go time. I then hear Mort yell from behind me, “Go! Go! Go!” as we all rush forward and into the mostly sleeping village

As we run forward, I see what must be a bar to the side. From its doorway I see at least a half dozen pirates stumble and yell as they try to run back to their ship. Some of them see us coming and begin to try to fight us, but there are more of us here than them.

Above us, I hear the weapons fire of our fliers as they engage those nearer the Steam Kettle, while we start to become engaged by many of the locals as they wake up. Over the gunfire and screaming I can hear a bell ringing over and over again from what looks like an old church.

We have made it halfway to the pier before we begin to meet serious resistance. I watch as part of the crew of the Steam Kettle begins to pony the main gun on her and swing it in our direction. But by now the three ground teams have separated some so we are not bunched up and as I look at my EFS I can see them slowly advancing down the side streets.

I am in the middle of a reload when I realize that I do not hear the Hot Shot Two. While I had expected them to do their normal job of supporting us, I had not heard what the plan was for them.

I have just run across the street to a doorway to take cover when I notice the shadowy form of a steamship moving up the channel between the island and the bank. There are no lights on it that I can see and while I am not sure who it is, I do not figure it is a pirate vessel.

Suddenly we are being attacked from behind by the locals as well as what I figure are pirates who have not made it back to the ship yet.

We are engaging them both ways while trying to move closer to the ship as I suddenly see the new steamship go alongside the Steam Kettle and I begin to hear gunfire from the ship as well. I then hear Mort call over the radio, “All Ranger ground team members, advance to the dock as quick as you can.” He pauses and I hear him ask, “Princess, what is going on? If you can, I need you and the Hen’s fliers to suppress these dang hostiles.”

“This is Big Blue; it seems the Buttercup has come up and they are boarding the Steam Kettle. Keep moving towards them, we will provide air support.”

The gunfire from the Steam Kettle tapers off quickly and we are now able to begin to run in that direction, firing behind us as we go to keep the others at bay.

Over my radio, I hear the fliers as they call out to each other on targets and where to avoid. I also hear the other teams and Twinks giving orders to us.

I have just jumped behind several old crates near the pier and turned to cover those behind me when I watch through my nods the fliers begin to make strafing runs down the streets of the village.

However, I am considering removing the NODs as with the several fires I am having them overwhelmed with light and whiting out on me.

I then hear over the radio my wife calling out, “All hooves make your way aboard the Steam Kettle, Tar reports the clan has captured her and they are using a prize crew to pony her.”

I find myself and the others continuing to perform a fighting withdrawal, but then I hear the gun on its main deck fire over us and into the village. After the third round, those who were pursuing us begin to fall back into the darkness with only an occasional round being fired from a rifle or such.

Once we are aboard Tar yells out, “Epona, Tater, to the Pilothouse now!”

As they run, she turns and tells Twinks, “I need you to take a couple more to the boiler and engine room to assist in ponying it for a bit.”

As they go off, she calls Mort over to us and he has us take up positions at several places along the decks. As we exchange shots with those on the shore, I see a few of the other clan members run along the deck with axes and cutting mooring lines, the lines snapping back towards the shore. Soon the ship is loose but for the bowline. I watch as it goes slack as we move slowly forward and it too is cut. Then we begin to move forward into the night with the Butternut nearby and behind us I see another silhouette that I assume is the Highland Chief right behind her. As we come around the bend, we see the other two waiting there for us and we all begin to sail upriver. I then hear the steam whistle let out a long blast as we all reform.

From the side, I hear Grey Water telling Tar, “Good job Tar. I knew it was right to make you the clan war chief. Rough choose well with you to stand in his stead.”

“Thank you, father. I am just glad we were able to pull it off.”

I then hear Mort say, “I thought we were supposed to sink her at the pier?’

Then I overhear Grey’s answer, “Well, if we could not have captured her sure, but I was not about to give up on the prize money from recapturing her. Besides the NCR owes us for the Sassafras Tea still.”

I find myself amused at his logic. I just wonder what the NCRN is going to say. But that is not my problem. I then check on the rest of the members of my set to make sure we are all okay.

As we do, I see Sunny and Rain come and land on the Kettle. Sunny approaches Tar and Grey and he tells them, “Aunt Tar, Gramps, Choo wanted to let you know she and the rest of the fliers are back on the Colt for now. She also has asked what your intentions are now since you two have decided to change the plans without conferring with her, the other team leaders, or Captain Rust.”

I see Tar smirk in the darkness as she tells him, “Sunny, let her know we are back on plan for now. But I would be glad to talk to her again as soon as they feel it is safe.”

*****

Enroute to the Baltimare Colt, The Big River: Choo Choo

I cannot believe that I had not thought to question the one prisoner we captured. Well, at least Ginger and Xochitl reminded me. Goddesses, such a simple thing that I should have thought about. But now we know where they are based. He did try to lie to me of course, but a little bit of Pink Work with my horn got past that. I smile as I remember starting to ask him questions.

After the third time, I asked him something and he continued with his defiant attitude. I am starting to walk around him and am starting to get irritated with him. Then I think a bit and I decide to pull out a spare memory orb that my sister had given me when I last saw her in Whinnyapolis.

As I lift it out with my horn, my MoM badge falls out. When it hits the floor in front of him, I see his jaw go slack and his eyes wide as he asks, “Is that what I think it is?”

“That depends on what you think you saw?”

With his ears flat against his head and panic on his face he asks, “Are you really a Pink?”

This time I smile and nod my head, “Yes, I am. It is a funny story really, but we do not have time to tell you how I became one. Besides, if I have to use this orb, you would not remember it afterward anyway.”

“What do you mean I will not remember it?”

Smiling I tilt my head and tell him with a playful tone in my voice, “Oh, because if I decide I need to use this, I will be removing most of your memories, you know just so I do not miss anything.”

“What if I talk? Will you leave me my mind?”

“Hmm, perhaps, but if I feel you are lying, well then I will do what I must.”

I then begin to ask him some questions. Among them are about how they captured the Steam Kettle and the other steamships with her. That is when things get interesting for me as I learn that the captain of the Steam Kettle had surrendered his ship and most of the convoy, but the Sassafras Tea and her crew had refused to surrender and had been run down by the Dragon’s Horde and her allies.

Most of the answers make sense to me but I still need to know for sure. I nod my head and tell him, “This is going to be painful. I am going to probe your memories, however, I will not be taking them at this time, unless of course, you have been lying to me.”

I see his eyes go wide and his breathing becomes fast and short. My horn lights and I begin my probe. I smile as I realize he was one of the commanders of the steam launches and he even remembered the river charts, including the locations of several refueling stops, villages friendly to the pirates, and the pirates’ main base. I also find out he was the one who accepted the surrender from the captain of the Steam Kettle and how the NCRN captain had set up the convoy and was to keep command of his ship but as part of a growing flotilla for the pirates.

Finally, I stop after I find the memory of them running down the Sassafras Tea and her crew. However, he was not directly involved with that as he and his group of steam launches had led the Steam Kettle back to their port on the river.

Once I am done, I tell Tar Water who is standing at the back of the room, “I have the information we need, we can do whatever you want with him.”

I see her grin, “Thank you Big Blue.”

Panicking he asks, “Who are you ponies? What are you going to do with me?”

Tar smiles and tells him, “Calico Jack and the rest of you pirates not only captured one of our clans’ ships, but you brutally killed the captain and executed his pregnant wife. He was my cousin, and to be honest with you, I am having a hard time not drawing and quartering you. You must understand that I was taught by one of the best how to make death painful and to make you eventually crave the sweet release of death.”

I turn to her and ask, “Silver Spite?”

She gives a slight shiver, “Yes, him.” She pauses and tells me, “I will have him put back in the brig while we go and discuss with the others what we have found out.”

“That sounds good. Would you like me to fly you to the Colt?”

I am almost amused as I see the shocked expression come over her face and she asks, “You, fly me?”

“Yes, Tar. Remember, I have flown Sunset before as well as some others. You should not be a problem.”

“Choo, are you serious?”

I smile and laugh lightly, “Yes Tar, I am. It would be a lot quicker than waiting for a launch to take you, and to be honest, it is a lot of work to get the Hot Shot 2 ready to fly both pre and post-flight.”

I see her cringe slightly then she tells me, “Yes, I guess. But let’s get it over with.”

As we fly to the Colt, I feel Tar shift which brings me out of my woolgathering. I see we are not too far away and we come into land.

I land gently on the upper deck, behind the pilot house. As I do, I see Rust looking out the back door of it with a raised eyebrow. I then lead Tar over to her as she sends a messenger to get the other team leaders. She then asks, “Choo, could you bring the other captains over here this way as well?”

“I suppose if you need me to. But it might make me a bit tired for tonight.”

She nods her head, “Okay, but what do you have planned for tonight?”

“That is why I am here to talk with you as well Rust. It seems things are starting to move fast again. Do you have a river chart we can use?”

“Sure, come on up to our nav table. Mort and Mudwing should fit in with us,” Rust tells her. Then I see Rust stop and think before she asks, “Tar, shouldn’t your father be here?”

Tar shakes her head, “No Rust. Your brother has designated me as the clan’s war chief when he is not available to perform his duty.”

“Really now. That is interesting. Well, having been military, I am sure you are best suited.”

“Thank you, Rust. Now how about we have Choo begin to point some things out to us while we wait for the others.”

Once they arrive, we begin to go over what I have found out during the interrogation. We then come up with a plan for taking care of the Steam Kettle with explosive charges as well as dropping off the prisoner, and inserting a covert recon team at their main base using the Hot Shot 2.

After we were done, I carry Tar to each of the other steamers where we discuss this evening's plans for the attack on the Steam Kettle. Finally, after I dropped her off on the Butternut, I make my way back to the Colt. I stop there to let Rust know I am back.

As I enter the Pilot House she asks, “Did the other captains agree?”

I nod and answer, “Yes Captain. They all agreed. I think this should work really well.”

She looks at me with a raised eyebrow. “Choo, no offense, but have you ever really worked with the clan? I know my kin, and I would not be surprised if they find some way to get more involved than planned.”

I smile shake my head and laugh. “Okay, well hopefully they listen this time.”

She smiles back and then I head back to the berthing to get my gear ready and to catch a nap.

Once I wake up it is near sunset and the teams are rousting themselves to get ready. Shortly after this Mort leads the ground pounders to the ship's boats and they depart as the rest of us move to the upper deck so we can be ready to fly. As this is going on, the ship's crew move to action stations and we prepare for what is to come.

Finally, it is dark and we begin to move. It is about an hour and a half after sunset. The Colt and the Glow Worm have moved to the upriver entrance of the channel behind the island where it is to wait for us to return or to pick us up. That is when I hear over the radio, “Big Blue, this is Flower, Big Blue this is Flower, Code Green. I repeat Code Green.”

I click my mic to let him know I have received his message and I call to Rust, “Captain, it is a go.”

She nods and I hear her yell to some of her crew on the forward upper deck, “Launch the Distress Flare.”

They are next to an old distress rocket flare launcher and one of them uses a match to light the fuse on it and both of them take several steps back.

We all wait expectantly for several seconds before the rocket suddenly launches off the rails and into the sky before it detonates a good mile downstream above where we estimate the village to be.

We begin to hear gunfire and I give the order to all of the fliers, “Take Sky!” After which we all launch ourselves into the darkness and we make our way towards the village.

Over the radio, I can hear the ground teams calling out to each other as well as the yelling, screaming, and gunfire in the background.

As we make our way towards the Steam Kettle, we can hear the cacophony of noise below us including the constant ringing of a church bell. While I want to stop it, I know we have bigger issues as I see the teams begin to have the villagers swarm behind them.

Mudwing and I look at each other and nod. I then give the orders for us to strafe the village.

It is as Harts Fire and I are making a strafing run that one of the unicorns in the village uses their horn to cast a fireball at us. While it is not the first time I have seen it, I am still surprised as Harts Fire catches the ball with one wing and throws it back at the village, landing into one of the buildings and starting a fire.

Twice more this occurs before one of us finally hits the offending unicorn, but by then a large part of the village has begun to burn.

Suddenly from out of the dark I see two more steamships sailing up the channel, one of them making its way alongside of the Steam Kettle, which by now is a hive of activity as its crew tries to make ready to escape.

From over my radio, I hear Mort call, “All Ranger ground team members, advance to the dock as quick as you can.” Then he pauses briefly and asks me, “Princess, what is going on? If you can, I need you and the Hen’s fliers to suppress these dang hostiles.”

I look at the new ships and can make out they are the other two ships of the clan and I answer, “This is Big Blue; it seems the Buttercup has come up and they are boarding the Steam Kettle. Keep moving towards them, we will provide air support.”

Right after I tell him this I roll to my right and dive at the ground with several of the fliers still with me. As we go, I swear I hear Rain Water yelling in joy as we all begin to fire while we dodge and weave during our run.

As we pull up and climb for altitude and to reform, I see Mudwing leading another group as well.

It is as we are reforming, I hear Sunny let out a yip of pain and I turn to see him having difficulty staying aloft.

By now I can see we have taken the Steam Kettle and the mooring lines have been cut and she is on her way. I then tell the others, “All fliers return to the Colt.”

I then hear Sunny say, “Big Blue, this is Blackbird, I cannot make it that far right now.”

“Roger, land on the Steam Kettle and let them know that the rest of the fliers have returned to the Colt, Also, ask Tar for me what her plans are, now that she has changed them without letting the rest of us know.”

“Roger Big Blue,” he replies then he tells Rain, “Okay Stormy, follow me close and when we land, let me do the talking. Oh, and once we hit the deck, I will need you to get a healing potion out of my saddlebags for me.”

“Okay Blackbird, but are you alright?”

I hear him grunt and then he tells her, “Yeah, sure, let’s land before we talk much more.”

As he is saying this, I find myself landing on the Colt and I trot quickly to the pilothouse to report to Rust what has gone on. As I arrive, I see the other three steamers coming up the channel to form on us.

I see her look at me with a questioning expression as she asks, “What happened?”

So, I give her a brief rundown, after which she shakes her head and tells me, “See, this is what I meant about working with the clan. They never can keep to a plan.”

“True. But at least we pulled it off.”

“Choo, my only question is what was the cost to capture that ship compared to if we had just blown it up.”

I shrug and I tell her, “I am not sure, but I had Sunny and Rain land on her after he was shot, so perhaps it worked out for the best this time.”

“Perhaps. Now we wait for the crew of the Hot Shot to return. Hopefully at least that went as planned.”

We have just gone around the next bend in the river when behind us, from about where the village was, I see a powerful explosion reaching into the sky.

Rust looks at the rising cloud of light and smoke and asks, “I wonder what caused that?”

I shake my head, “Same here. Maybe they had an ammo stockpile explode.” I really hope that is it and not that Cowlick had set up a thermobaric charge in a village.

We continue upriver for another two hours before I hear the Hot Shot 2 and her crew returning. By now Sunny and Rain have rejoined us and I have performed a healing spell to assist with what the healing potion did not already take care of.

While she is stoic as I do so, I see Rain paying rapt attention as I use my horn to remove the bullet that is still inside of him. Once I am done, she looks at me with her eyes wide and she quietly asks, “Do you guys get shot a lot?”

Before I can answer, her brother replies, “No, sometimes we get stabbed or bludgeoned instead Sis.”

At which point I cannot help myself and I begin to laugh and I tell her, “Not as often as you would think, but almost all of us have been shot at least once over the last couple of years.”

Sunny nods his head, and tells her, “I will be okay Rain, why don’t you go clean your carbine and then catch some sleep.”

She goes over to him, gives him a brief hug, and tells him, “Okay Sunny, if you say so.”

I then watch her go and begin to clean her weapon alongside of Harts Fire and Morning Mist. Sunny then tells me, “Boss, I hope this opens her eyes enough that she decides to find another line of work.”

By now Ginger and Katie have joined us and I hear her say, “Yeah, I hope so too Sunny, I hope so too.” She then tells me, “Flight Plan said to let you know the cargo was dropped off successfully and the changelings dropped him off by their docks with the letter you wrote pinned to him.”

I find myself smiling as I absentmindedly scratch Katie with a wing tip. “Thank you for letting me know, Ginger. Hopefully, the next part of the plan goes smoother than the last.”

*****

Manesville Hospital, Manesville. NCR: Ball Lightning

As I walk up the steps to the front door of the hospital, I find myself feeling more nervous than usual. Yesterday I received a message from Doc Charity letting me know my presence was requested here today. However, they did not say why, and that has me worried as I wonder if I did something wrong, or if I am in trouble for having opened a day clinic once a week over in White Cloud.

As I arrive, I see one of the nurses I have worked with smile as he sees me, nods and trots on past as he tells me, “Have a good day.”

I wave a wing and tell him the same as I make my way inside. Once there I see Doctor Embolism waiting by the front desk for me. She smiles, “Thank you for being early Ball.”

I smile back, “My pleasure Doctor, what is it that you wanted to see me about?”

“Follow me and I will explain some on the way.”

As we make our way to the stairs leading up, she tells me, “I made the recommendation for you to be recognized as an official doctor hear in Manesville. Part of that certification involves going before a board of other medical professionals.”

I am surprised and I ask, “Do all of the doctors in this area go through this?”

She shakes her head, “No. But understand, just those who become government workers. You will be paid as a doctor and will be treated as such in all NCR medical facilities if you pass the board.”

I feel my stomach knot up and ask, “What happens if I fail the board?”

She answers, “Well, three things, the first, you can keep working as an intern and request to go before the board again at a future time.”

I nod my head, “Okay.”

She then tells me as we reach the second floor, “The second is you could still hang out your shingle, but you would only make what you can earn, and to be honest you would be looked at as someone with some medical training, but not enough to be registered and certified. You would not be allowed to work as a doctor in the official hospitals of the NCR. This is something that has been coming about for the last five years so it does not mean you cannot be a doctor.”

I find myself frowning at this, but I nod and she continues, “The final one would be up to you and that would be for you to decide you really are not interested in being a doctor and leaving the field.” She pauses briefly and then tells me, “However, I really cannot see you doing that last one.”

I shake my head as we make our way up to the third floor, “No, I cannot see myself doing that either.”

Once we reach the third floor, she leads me to the doctors’ lounge there where I see seven other doctors sitting at a desk. Among them is Doctor Charity and a couple of others who I made rounds with.

Doctor Charity stands and tells me, “Welcome Ball, have a seat.”

Once I have sat down, he asks, “Has Doctor Embolism explained why you are here today?”

I nod as I tell him, “Yes, she did.”

“Good, I am glad to hear that. That saves us all some time.” He pauses and then asks, “Before we start, do you have any questions for us?”

I think briefly and then ask, “How come an oral board and not a written one?”

He grins, “Well, some people are not good at written tests. Besides, this allows us to see how you think and react.”

“That makes sense,” I tell him as I see Doctor Embolism take a seat with the others.

“Very well, let us begin. Doctor Tourniquet, being you have special status with us as a member of the Followers and a founding member of the national level boards, you may begin first.”

I watch as a unicorn stallion that I have not met before, but whose name I have heard mentioned by some of the older folk in White Cloud begins to question me.

By the time we finish four hours later I am covered with sweat just like I had a hard workatout. Doctor Charity then tells me, “Ball Lighting, go get something to eat and drink from the cafeteria and return in an hour please.”

I nod my head and reply, “Yes Doctor.” I then get up and leave.

After a brief lunch. I step outside for a bit and just enjoy the sun for a bit. I close my eyes with my face to the sun and just enjoy its warmth and part of me just cannot imagine what it was like for two hundred years having the sky closed.

When I open my eyes, I notice a police officer has stopped and he asks me, “Are you okay sir?”

I move my ears in an affirmative manner as I tell him, “Yes officer. Just enjoying the sun.”

I see him nod and smile as he tells me, “AH, I can understand that. I am so glad we can enjoy it down here now. I still remember the old days.”

I nod my head, “I was young back then and I did not come down from Thunderhead until a few years ago.”

“I figured as much. Well, I guess I should be going Sir. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“Thank you, officer. I do appreciate it, and I hope the rest of your day goes well.”

As he walks away, I check my pastern watch and see I still have ten minutes until I am supposed to be back. I get up and quickly make my way inside, wondering what they will say.

Once I am at the Doctors lounge, I knock on the door. Doctor Embolism leads me inside again and has me sit down.

Once we are all seated again. Doctor Tourniquet nods to the others and he tells me, “Ball Lighting, I would like to thank you for the time you have taken to join us here today. We can all tell you have put in a lot of time in studying, and from what the others have told me gaining experience in the field.”

I find myself nodding along as I wait for the decision. He continues, “That is part of why we quizzed you the way we have today. I will say, that while you have shown an excellent level of knowledge for someone just coming into the profession, I had some concerns about how you would handle yourself in a triage situation. Doctor Embolism has since informed me that not only have you been training in the normal day-to-day tasks we doctors perform, but that you have also partaken in at least one major disaster recently and your conduct during it has led her to recommend this board.” He pauses, takes a deep breath, and lets it out. “Part of the reason for your short notice to attend the board and not being told what it was for was so that I could see just how much you had retained without a chance to study. I will say I am happy overall with your performance.”

Again, he pauses and I find myself leaning forward in my seat as I wait to find out what the final decision is.

Doctor Charity stands next and tells me, “I have recommended you be certified and placed on the registry. In part because since I first met you and we discussed not only yours, but the treatment of your two compatriots who were dropped off with you, I realized you, much like myself had more of an education than most who seek to join the profession.”

Each one stands in turn and tells me what they have found lacking, as well as how I have proven myself to them. Finally, Doctor Tourniquet stands again and has me stand. “Ball please stand and I will administer the Ministry of Peace oath of conduct.”

“Excuse me?” I ask in confusion.

He grins, “All proper doctors take this oath. We swear to use our knowledge to help others and to save lives. You have read it before, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have, many times. But you have not told me your decision yet.”

He laughs lightly and tells me, “Ball, we just have. By swearing this oath, you will join our ranks.” He stops and smiles as he asks, “Are you ready?”

I nod my head and answer with what I realize is a stunned voice, “I am ready.”

We both raise our right forehooves and he administers the oath and I repeat it. Once we have finished the others all stand and I shake hooves with them. “Congratulations Doctor,” Charity tells me, “I am very happy to have you join our ranks.

After this, Doctor Tourniquet uses his TK to lift a set of saddlebags with the three butterflies of the MoP on them as well as a white coat over to me. He then tells me, “The saddlebags once belonged to a doctor from near Ponyville who had served in the trenches by Hoofington. They are stocked with the basic supplies you will need as a doctor. I hope you use them for many years to come.”

I am almost overwhelmed as I take them and put them on. Then he tells me, “Doctor Lighting, the Followers are in discussions about Site Paddock and how to handle what we found there. I have heard you have opened up a day clinic one day a week in White Cloud and we would like invite you to be associated with us there. Do you know much about Site Paddock?”

I smile before I answer and then I tell him, “Yes, I have met some of those who survived there, and working with them would not be a problem for me.”

“Good. Glad to hear it. Now how about we all head over to the the Milk Weed for an early dinner and a couple of drinks,” he tells us all.

As we make our way through the hospital and then the town, I find myself smiling as I think about how far I have come since I have been here, and how I cannot wait for when my family finally makes it here.

*****

Enroute to Hackamore, NCR Territory: Air Burst

I am awoken from my sleep by a gentle hoof shake and I hear Alto tell me, “Hay Cloud, your turn for watch.”

I wipe the sleep from my eye with my wings as he tells me, “I got a pot of coffee keeping warm next to the fire for you and Wind Dancer.”

As I get up and stretch, I tell him, “Thanks Alto, I think I am going to need it tonight.”

He nods his head and once I am ready, he takes my place by the fire.

For some reason, tonight feels off to me. I make my way to Wind Dancer and tell her, “After this cup of coffee I am going to sit on that cloud up there for a bit.”

“Something wrong Cloud?”

“Not sure. Just a gut feeling.”

“Alright, do you want me to wake up a couple of others?”

I shake my head, moving my ears in a negative manner as I tell her, “No, not yet. Maybe talk to the brahmin and see what they think.”

She nods her head and takes her cup of coffee with her into the darkness. I find myself moving to the other side of the wagons so I am not backlit and so my night vision is not interfered with.

I keep looking into the distance while I sip the hot drink. Once it is done, I put the cup away and I make my way to the cloud above.

As I sit there on the cloud I watch the camp below. Twice I swear I saw some movement, but I cannot really tell for sure. Toward the end of my watch, I quietly glide back down towards the camp area where I thought I saw movement.

Once close enough I begin to hover gently as I try to see if there are any tracks. I think I see some hoof prints that are larger than anyone in the caravans, but Lil’ Bit comes flying quickly over to me and her wings shift the dust and sand wiping them away as she asks, “What ya looking at Uncle Cloud?”

I let out a sigh before telling her, “I thought I saw some movement over hear by the supply wagons earlier and I was checking for tracks.”

She looks below her and tells me, “I don’t see anything?”

Again, I sigh. No reason to get upset, she doesn’t know better, I tell myself. To her, I smile and say, “No, neither do I. I must have imagined it.”

As we slowly fly away from the supply wagon, I swear I hear something fall. I quickly turn and look behind me as does Lil’ Bit who asks, “Did you just hear something too?”

I nod my head and we both get our weapons ready as we make our way back to the rear of the supply wagons. This time I do not even see tracks, but I can swear I briefly feel someone breathing on my neck from behind and then the air off of someone’s wings as they fly away.

I give a brief shudder and look to make sure I had not seen anyone or anything. But to be honest with myself, I am a bit bothered by this. I then make my way over to the brahmin and ask, “Hey Guys, did any of you see something over by the supply wagons?”

Bob and George both nod their heads and George tells me, “I thought I saw some movement earlier, but no one was there. Even heard hoofsteps and all, but not a single being.”

I get an uneasy feeling in my stomach as I wonder what it could be. I mean there are not that many creatures that can become invisible. The top of my list is somepony using a stealth buck. Then I think and I remember hearing that blue alicorn Choo Choo talk about how she could become invisible sometimes. Hmm, maybe even a unicorn using an invisibility spell. Is there an invisibility spell for unicorns? I muse to myself.

I make my way back to the fire, pour myself another cup, and start the next pot to boil. As I drink, I keep my eye looking away from the fire. However, I do not see or hear anything else out of the ordinary. It is only a couple of hours until dawn when I wake up Scout and Wind Dancer to take the next watch.

Before I go to bed, I tell them about what I heard earlier as well as George and Bob having said they heard something as well.

Scout and Wind both tell me, “We will keep an eye out Cloud.”

I sleep the rest of the night fitfully, and am woke by Scout as he tells me, “Hey Uncle Cloud, Jambalaya has breakfast ready.”

“Thanks, Scout. Anything else happen last night?”

He shakes his head and moves his ears negative. Then he tells me, “Not really, but Seasoning Salt was telling Jambalaya that we are short a few cans of Cram, two bottles of Sparkle Cola, and a couple of apples. Not a lot, but they think someone in the caravan was sneaking food again.”

“Again?”

Scout nods, “Yep, it seems a couple of days before we met up with those NCR army soldiers, they noticed they were missing some food also. I heard Long Road say he thought it was the ghost again.”

I find myself squinting at him in the growing light, “Scout did they say anything else about this?” I am curious now as this means it has happened before. I just wonder how long it has been going on and who it is? After all, while I have a hard time believing in spirits, no matter what Ball says, if they are real, I cannot see them needing to eat food. I guess I need to talk to Long Road then, I tell myself. I find myself rubbing a wingtip through his main and tell him, “Thanks Scout. I appreciate it.”

After I grab my plate of rice and beans, I make my way to sit next to Long Road. As I get close, he asks, “Can I help you Cloud?”

I shrug my wings slightly and tell him, “Not sure, Scout said you mentioned something about a ghost possibly stealing food and I wanted to hear a bit more about this ghost.”

He looks around first, then he asks, “You really want to hear, or are you just pulling my hoof?”

“I am serious Long. I thought I saw movement last night and I felt something while by the supply wagons I cannot explain, so I am trying to piece things together.”

“Okay then,” he begins, “Now I am a good earthpony and I am not one to take things like the spirits that zebras believe in seriously, but this ghost now; this is not the first or even the third caravan I have worked with that have had experiences with it.”

“Okay, I am listening,” I tell him.

“Well Cloud, they say that there is a forty-mile stretch of the old E3 that has a ghost of a unicorn that died after the Final Day of starvation. Well, her soul is said to try and feed that hunger when it can from caravans that are passing through.”

I find myself with an eyebrow raised as I listen. Sure, it may not be true, but so far it seems like a good story. I nod my head and ask, “So it takes stuff from every caravan that comes through here?”

He shakes his head, “No, not at all. Sometimes the same caravan can pass through this area several times and not have anything happen. But then, bam, right out of nothing they end up missing food.”

I nod and I asks, “When did you first hear about it?”

Long pauses and puts a hoof under his chin as he thinks. Finally, he says, “Oh, I first heard about it on my first caravan through here just over ten years ago. Not too long after the Day of Rainbows and Sunshine. But the old hooves who told me about it said they had even seen her. He told me she came wearing a black cape.”

Interesting, I seem to remember Ball describing a spirit wearing a black cape, but I think that one was an earthpony; not a unicorn. “Have you ever seen it?”

He shakes his head, “No, the only one I have heard that said they saw it was that old timer. No one saw it, but many have found things missing and just in this section of the old E3.”

We then continue, with him and a few others who had since approached telling variations of the tale. There does seem to be a pattern though. As I sit there listening, I begin to think about how one of my old teachers when I first started going dirt side had told me, “Ball, if the locals start talking about their folklore, give it a lesson. Often those stories are based on some sort of facts. We just have to figure out what that is.” He paused, then he added, “It also gives you a bit of insight into a peoples view of the world.”

After breakfast is finished the caravan is once again back on the road. We travel through the day only stopping for a brief lunch break. That night when we stop, we pull off the road into what Trader Jewel explained was called a rest stop. No restaurants or other facilities other than water and what used to be restrooms that look to have had some ponies living in them not too long ago.

Tonight, again I take the midwatch and once I am woken up for my watch I drink my first cup of coffee, then I begin to fly upwards into the night to watch from another cloud. I am halfway up when I think I see movement. So, I begin to first hover and then I glide as silently back down toward the supply wagon as I can.

As I arrive, I see the back door of it is barely cracked. I bring my pistol to the ready and I begin to slowly open the door, and I am stunned by what I see there and I ask, “What are you doing here?”

*****

Welcome to the final hour of tonight’s show, I am Short Wave coming to you live on HRSE from Baltimare.

That last song was Step Around by Velvet Remedy. Thanks again to those at Ten Pony Tower in Manehatten for sending us the copy and several others we have been playing lately.

In tonight’s news we would like to announce the first regularly scheduled train from Junction Town to Baltimare has begun, with the first locomotive having arrived today at noon. For those of you by the old station on the west side of town, if you heard a celebration that would have been it.

As a local reminder, tomorrow we are scheduled for rain for four hours to assist with the new crop of winter wheat that has been planted. This will be followed two days later with 15 to 20 kph winds to dry out the topsoil and roads after the ground has absorbed the moisture.

In local sports, the Baltimare Coil Threaders have defeated the Alfheim Terrors 5 to 3 in Buckball. This means that next week they will be playing against the Legionnaires Fighting Spirits for our regional championship.

Now back to the music portion of our show. Starting with Change on the Rise.

Author's Note

Once again the action is beginning to ramp up for the team and the clan on the river as they begin to catch up with Calico Jack and his band.

We also can see the injury that Ginger took was more serious than she thought, but she keeps trying to hide it as she does not want anyone to see her as weak or unfit. All to often people have been injured and refused to get help for that reason.

As we can see, Ball Lighting advancing in his medical career. For those who think this might be too fast, we need to consider it is a post-apocalyptic world. Additionally, as an example in the United States during the 1800s and very early 1900s there were many different paths to become a doctor. The first was to go to a two-year medical school. The second year was a verbatim, direct repetition of the first year. The second path was to become an apprentice to a doctor and learn the field from them over time. The third was to simply say you were a doctor and begin to treat patients. This last one might allow some others who would not otherwise be able to do so, but it also allowed for a wide number of quacks who may end up harming or killing those they treated.

Finally, we return to AIr Burst and Ball Lightnings family. We can begin to see how much Air Burst has changed over the course of the story. The trip still seems calm. However, there is now the question about the Ghost of the E3. It also brings up the question, just who was it that Air Burst saw in the back of that wagon?

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's song, the YouTube link is: Change on the Rise:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=382BTxLNrow