Saturday
0910

To-do List, Saturday:
1. 0630: daily run
2. 0900: Council meeting
3. 1400: Meeting with Aura about Crescent's memorial
4. * Get copy of Pipbuck operational manual
5. * Schedule Pipbuck tracking class for Security

"So, Captain... run this by us, one more time." Councilor Hex sighed. "You were ambushed by Crimson Raiders, costing one of your ponies her life? And then..." She glanced to her M2000. "Crimson had you escorted to... what, precisely? And then he ordered your sister to escort you back here?"

It's too early for this shit.

I glanced down to my Pipbuck.

No, it's not.

Still...

I cleared my throat, repeating myself. "We were ambushed by a renegade faction of the Crimson Raiders. It was an unofficial operation, and the ponies who were involved with that are dead." I sat back, sipping the mint tea somepony - I suspected Aura - had thoughtfully provided. "Crimson summoned us to a settlement to find the truth of what had happened."

Councilor Sheets waved a hoof. "Highlandville, the settlement which your report says was..." She swallowed, thinking of a word she'd probably never expected to speak in her entire life. "Massacred?"

Councilor Hex spoke softly, awed. "The wasteland has changed Crimson." She glanced around and spoke up, more confidently. "Another reason for us to seal the Door. What if his madness is contagious?"

I shook my head. "The settlement had been caught raiding other settlements - a violation of their protection agreement with the Crimson Raiders and entirely unrelated to our actions. As for escorting us back to the Stable, Crimson was worried that another group of his renegades could make another attempt to kill us."

Councilor Rose glanced up from her Pipbuck. "What, precisely, was their reasoning for attacking your team?"

I glanced to the teapot, leaning over to refill my mug.

Two ponies in uniforms, standing guard outside the bedroom of a crimson pegasus, floated to memory as I set the teapot down.

"There could be a variety of reasons, none of which do we conclusively know." I leaned back in my seat. "This could be an attempt to get revenge on Crimson for some slight, perceived or real, in the past."

"Or this could be blowback from your attempt on Crimson." Councilor Hex frowned. "It seems Crimson has personnel problems of his own."

"Yet another possibility." I nodded offhoofedly.

Councilor Sheets spoke up. "Question, Captain - how would attacking your teams be a reasonable way of getting at Crimson?"

"Well, I am his daughter, and Crimson has not forgotten that. Beyond that, as I've mentioned, Crimson wishes to forge an alliance with the Stable, and if his ponies were seen attacking us, we wouldn't be interested in an alliance, would we?"

Councilor Sheets nodded. "Ah. That clears that up, thank you, Captain."

I nodded again. "At this point, though, this is pointless speculation." I sipped my tea. "A more meaningful topic would be... where do we go from here?"

"Dwelling on the past is of no help, though it is good to learn from it..." Councilor Rose nodded approvingly. "What is your next move, Captain?"

"For the next few days, reorganization and recuperation. My ponies from the last mission need a few days to recover, and I need to shuffle some ponies around." I suppressed another smirk as I leaned forward. "Do you remember the alicorns in Deathcon?"

Councilor Hex nodded slowly. "What of them?"

"They were seeking something on Stable 60's databanks, which we now have. We'll go and find out what they wanted, and hopefully forge an alliance with them."

"What could a group of alicorns possibly offer us?" Councilor Copper Filament was an orange, kindly old pony, who thought that opening the Door should only be done for scavenging for repair supplies, and 'once a lifetime' infrequently.

Range spoke, answering Councilor Filament. "When alicorns say something, ponies listen. Having a group of alicorns at our disposal would be an incredible sign of our strength."

Councilor Filament frowned again. "Why would we even need alicorns at our disposal, if we have no need to interact with the Outside?"

I answered that question, carefully avoiding outright contradicting Councilor Filament. "Well, as a backup, we should maintain some alliances with the surface. What if, for example, our water talisman was damaged?"

Councilor Filament shook her head. "The water talisman is perfectly functional, and guaranteed to work for the next century."

Councilor Sheets glanced from her Pipbuck to Councilor Filament. "I believe that was a hypothetical question, Copper."

"Ah." Councilor Filament nodded. "Yes."

"Very well, Captain." Councilor Hex nodded in grudging agreement. "Give us an update on our current alliances."

Not even a 'please'.

"Of course, Councilor." I glanced to my Pipbuck, browsing through it for a moment, before turning and casting a map spell on the wall behind me.

"We have a solid alliance with the town of Haven." I highlighted Haven on the map. "They offer us a location for a surface forward operating base, and we help them defend their town. We've also provided them with assistance - medicine, farming, teachers." I paused. "In short, fulfilling Stable-tec's order for us to help the surface return to what it was before the war. To be fair, though, Haven only exists because of our marketplace event. If we were to seal the Door, I predict that Haven would be completely abandoned within six months."

"Next..." Another circle lit up, in the center of Baltimare, at the farthest point in the bay. "The ponies who run the Central Exchange in Baltimare requested we find them a water talisman."

Councilor Hex spoke up. "If you were to acquire such an invaluable asset that could extend the Stable's life for another century, you would simply gift it away to some mere junk peddlers? Better that we retain it. What if our own water talisman were to break..."

"I would hardly consider the largest trading hub in Baltimare 'mere junk peddlers'." I frowned at Councilor Hex. "As Councilor Filament mentioned, our own water talisman is guaranteed for another hundred years." Councilor Filament nodded slowly, in agreement. "Donating it to the largest trading hub in Baltimare would go a long way towards both of Stable Scout's primary operational goals - generating good-will towards the Stable among the surface population, and helping the surface population to return to Equestria's glory."

"A fair point, Captain. Continue."

I smirked slightly. "Additionally, I did not promise them a water talisman. I simply requested a list of what they needed, and they said they needed a water talisman. Nor did I assure them I would deliver one, just that I would consider their request if I found one." I paused, sipping my tea. "I suspect the Steel Rangers have one."

Councilor Hex spoke up. "So you're going to... barter with the Steel Rangers for a water talisman? With what, precisely? The Stable doesn't have limitless supplies, after all."

"That is the plan, yes. It's not high priority right now, however - we're not on a time limit here. With what, I can't possibly say. Surely we could find something in our databanks that would interest them without endangering us." I glanced back to the map, and another circle, blue, north of the Central Exchange, lit up. "The ponies occupying Redheart General have agreed to purchase medical supplies from us, in exchange for discounted medical services for our ponies. We've also offered them medical expertise. Our first trade mission should start sometime next week, along with some medical ponies for an intelligence swap. Yes, this is somewhat of a bargain for them, but we don't actually lose anything."

Overmare Keeper spoke quietly. "I think that Doctor Mend should be able to handle compiling a list, don't you think, Captain?"

I smiled to her politely. "Of course, Overmare." A radio tower in a green square lit up on the map, west of Redheart General and Baltimare Central Exchange. Next to it, the Steel Ranger's sword-and-gears emblem lit up, also in green. "Next, the radio station has agreed to paint the news in a manner sympathetic to our cause. In exchange, we have agreed to clear a path for them to Ministry of Arcane Science Emergency Broadcast System towers number 41, 46 and 69."

"The very same radio station that happens to be inside the Steel Ranger's main base of operations?" Councilor Rose gestured towards the map.

"Yes, that one. They have no lost love for the Steel Rangers, and likely wouldn't be upset if all of the Rangers simply died." I let that sink in for a moment before continuing. "They are a bit of a wild card when it comes to major powers - they show no sympathy towards the Crimson Raiders, either."

"So you don't actually know who the radio station would support if it came down to choosing sides." Councilor Rose glanced up from her Pipbuck, taking notes.

"It's too early to tell right now, but yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." A red circle appeared on the map, on the northeastern side of the city. "Finally, the Crimson Raiders are friendly towards us." Councilor Hex snorted. I politely ignored her as I continued. "Crimson has made it clear that he wants to form a working relationship with the Stable, now that we're making moves to the surface."

"Captain, are you sure that you aren't..." Councilor Hex paused, looking at me. "Reading a little too much into this? Hoping for a relationship with your father where there is none?"

...

I narrowed my eyes, considering that.

Was it possible?

"On the opposite side of this matter, Councilor, is it possible that you could be seeking to destroy a potential alliance with a major faction simply because you have a grudge for being rejected by Crimson?" Range spoke coolly, looking to the other mare.

What?

Councilor Hex flushed in embarrassment, narrowing her eyes at Range.

"Councilor. Colonel." Councilor Rose spoke up, and both of them looked to her. "I feel both Councilor Hex and Colonel Range both have some valid points, despite their emotional attachment to the matter at hoof." She glanced from Range, to Hex, and then turned her eyes on me. "Captain, seeing as you're the only pony present who's personally spoken to Crimson recently, would you like to comment?"

"Regardless of my feelings on my father, I do think that Crimson is serious about forming an alliance. I can't think of anything that creating an alliance and then turning on us would gain him that he couldn't simply take with brute force, other than possibly personal amusement."

"Crimson's not that spiteful." Range shook her head. "I second Captain Firefly's assessment."

"Very well, Colonel, Captain." Councilor Rose nodded lightly and glanced around. "Unless anypony else has any other matters they'd like to discuss, I would suggest we wrap this up, Overmare."

Overmare Keeper glanced around. "Anypony?"

I raised a hoof. "One thing, Overmare. I would like to recommend that all access codes - doors, weapon lockers, other secured areas - be changed. Codes haven't changed since Crimson was here, have they?"

Overmare Keeper nodded. "I will send out a memo."

"Thank you, Overmare."

"Anything further, anypony?" Everyone said they had nothing. "Very well. Meeting adjourned."

I sipped my tea as the Council rose and left, followed by the Overmare. Finally, the door sealed behind Overmare Keeper, and Range levitated her flask out, taking a drink. "Celestia, do I hate that bitch." She glared at the door.

I glanced to Range. "Hex?"

She nodded. "I don't understand what she saw in your father."

I gave Range a blank expression... and then things came together. "Ew...."

Sapphire Aurora and Amber Rhyme entered the room.

Praise the sun, a distraction.

Mom settled down in one of the now-empty seats, facing me. "How'd it go?"

“Hey, Mom. Amber.” I smiled to them.

Range waved a hoof. "Hey, Saph..." I glanced to Range, and she shrugged. "It... went."

I nodded in agreement. "It went about as well as meetings with the Council usually go."

Amber gave Range a smile. "You and the Council politely but vehemently disagreed on almost every topic, mediated by Overmare Keeper?"

"Wow! How did you know that?" I rolled my eyes at him, sipping my tea. My mother chuckled.

Amber glanced to Range. "Well, Colonel Range is drinking, which she rarely does nowadays."

She scowled at Amber, quickly tucking her flask away. "Everypony's got their vices, Amber."

"I didn't say anything against it, Range."

"So, speaking of things we weren't speaking about at all, what did I miss while I was Outside?"

"Amber and Rose hooked up." Range snickered.

Amber flushed in faint embarrassment. "We haven't hooked up, we've just been... seeing each other... more seriously..." Amber trailed off with a blank expression. "We have hooked up. Dear Celestia..."

"Congrats!" I smiled at Amber.

Range grumbled. "See if you could make Rose be more sympathetic to us, would you?"

"Colonel! Using my relationship with the Lead Councilmare to sway her stance on Security's actions? That would be wrong."

I glanced to Range. "To be fair, Rose isn't really the problem, Range. It's Hex, mostly."

Range nodded, with an annoyed look. "Yeah, well... damn it." She shrugged and rose to her hooves. "I've got things to tend to."

Saturday
0640

I took a deep breath at the sound of approaching hooves.

Okay.

Time to do this.

I trotted out, spotting Firefly out on her morning run, and matched her stride. "Do you mind if I join you, Captain?"

"Of course not, Doctor." She flashed me a pleasant smile as she freed one of her ear blooms, letting it hang from her neck.

"Let's make this casual?" I returned the smile.

"Sure, Cerulean." She flashed me an easy smile - so easy I had to wonder if it was genuine or not. "What brings you to this corner of the Stable this early in the morning?"

I considered, speaking after a long minute. "Ehh... you know." She nodded agreeably, and we continued trotting along. After a few minutes of pleasant silence, I spoke up. "You know... maybe Aimpoint was right. Maybe we should move out of the Stable."

Firefly looked to me, curious. "What brought this up now?"

"I... don't know. Range, I guess. You?"

Another minute passed before Firefly replied, smirking over her shoulder at me. "I don't know why it took you so long to figure that one out."

"It's an unpopular opinion. At least, it was, before you started this Operation Baltimare crap." She lead the way down one of the fortified hallways, and I followed her.

"You? Worried about unpopular opinions?" Firefly nickered. "You're like the poster pony for stating unpopular opinions."

I shook my head. "If I started talking like that, ponies might start talking about having me exiled, like Red..."

Firefly looked to me with a smile, curious but happy. "You didn't seem too worried about leaving the Stable last week."

"There is a difference between 'leaving of your own accord' and 'being exiled'." We passed through one of the checkpoints separating the Atrium from the rest of the Stable.

"True...." She nodded distractedly. "Wait. I thought Crimson left the Stable under orders?"

"He did, but there was talk of him being exiled... They never amounted to anything, because he 'selflessly' left the Stable before anything came of it." I frowned in contempt. I glanced forwards, and noticed we were a hallway over from the Atrium. "Excuse me, Captain." I turned and trotted back the way we'd come.

"Until next time, Doctor."

I passed through the checkpoint, and somepony spoke in my ear. "Clandestine meetings in the early morning, hrm?"

I jumped. "Sombra! The fuck-?" It was Councilor Inertia. "Oh. It's just you."

"You should be more respectful, Doctor. I'm a Councilpony, after all."

I don't know how that happened... surely the entire Stable couldn't have all had an aneurysm at the same time.

...

Well, maybe...

"What do you want, Councilor?" Councilor Nominal Inertia was the Council's pegasus representative, with a coat a similar shade of blue as mine and a purple mane, which he kept short yet slicked back to conceal how it was thinning. A neatly trimmed mustache and a bit of a cider gut - which he was currently unsuccessfully attempting to hold in - filled out his image as full of himself and irritating.

Usually, when he opened his mouth, he confirmed it.

Normally, I don't have anything against mustaches, but hearing him speak made me want to pull his mustache out, hair by hair.

"Just seeing two of Stable Scout's most important members having a clandestine meeting in the early morning, is all. Should I be concerned?"

Me? Most important member of Stable Scout?

Clandestine meetings in the early morning?

Well, it is early morning... One out of four facts right is okay, I guess.

I wanted to laugh, but I knew that'd only annoy him a little.

Now, if I went along with it before laughing at him...

"That's silly, having clandestine meetings in public is the worst idea because ponies will hear you."

"Strangely enough, no. If you have them in crowded public spaces, it's much more difficult for someone to eavesdrop on you. Tradecraft 101, my friend."

Uh huh...

"I have somewhere to be, Councilor. Excuse me." I turned and trotted off down the hall.

"And where would that be?" Nominal followed me.

"There's an annoying asshole who's been bothering me recently." I frowned as he started following me. "I'm avoiding him."

"Oh? And who would that be? Perhaps I could help you... scratch my flank, I'll scratch yours later?"

And owe you a favor in the future? Fuck that.

"His name is Nominal Inertia." I glanced over my shoulder as Nominal stopped following me.

His scowl was priceless. "I know where you sleep, Doctor."

"Duly noted, Councilor." I smiled to him thinly. "I could certainly go for breakfast in bed. I usually wake up around 0700, if you're interested..." I turned and trotted off, smirking.

Yep. Playing along was definitely my best choice this morning.

Saturday
0935

I felt a gentle tug on one of my wings, and looked down to see one of my feathers wreathed in Tawny's tan aura. "Hey!"

"Shush, dear. That one was falling out and you know it." She levitated a knife out of her barding and started sharpening the tip.

Mend looked at her. "Did you just pull one of her feathers out...?"

I fluffed my wings up, and pulled them tight against my flanks. "Yeah, Horn, she did."

"Why...?"

"There's this thing called 'writing', Ceru, you may have heard of it..." Tawny lead us into the Cafe.

"Yeah, I know what writing is." Horn threw an annoyed look at Tawny as he followed her into the Cafe.

"A questionable assessment, considering what some of our colleagues think..." Tawny glanced to me. "Blitzy, what are you going to eat?"

"I haven't decided...." I followed Mend into the Cafe. Scanning the room, I noticed Captain Firefly sitting in a corner alone. "Excuse me, Tawny...."

I trotted over to Firefly. "Captain? Can we talk?"

She looked up from the Pipbuck. "Sure, take a seat. What's up, Blitz?"

I sat down opposite her. "Uh..." I raised my wings, covering my face with them.

Captain Firefly frowned over her Pipbuck. "Spit it out, Blitz."

"Am I... barbaric..?"

Firefly looked to me curiously. "What?"

"What Crescent's mother said. Am I barbaric?"

She set her Pipbuck down. "Pumpkin, you are not barbaric. You're one of the kindest ponies I've met."

I looked down at the table - a Sparkle-cola bottle sat next to her, among the food wrappers. "What about what I told Crescent's mother? And during the ambush? And the thing with Mend during our first mission? I mean, I basically attacked-"

"Shut up, Blitz." I looked up shock. "You're a nice pony. You're also a fighter. That's a rare combination." She leaned towards me. "You're not some bloodthirsty, savage raider - you don't fight for the thrill of killing ponies. You fight to protect your friends. That's a good thing."

"Out of all of the Scouts, I've killed the most ponies..." I thought back through all of the missions I've been through. I couldn't even remember how many specifically. "I've murdered more ponies than anyone else here."

"First of all, that's not murder - that's self defense. Secondly, let's get hypothetical. You find yourself Outside, alone, and stumble upon an injured pony, also alone. She asks you for help. What do you do?"

I blinked, considering that. "Well, I'd help her..."

"There. Those aren't the words of a barbaric psychopath." She smiled to me. "I'm proud of how well you've handled yourself Outside, Pumpkin. You're one of the few ponies in the entire Stable I would unthinkingly trust to watch my flank out there."

"Maybe I don't want to anymore..." I glanced down. "Excuse me, Captain."

"Go talk to Database Error!"

I turned around, going over to Tawny and Mend. They'd settled at a table in the middle of the Cafe.

I definitely enjoyed hurting Mend during that last mission... I felt my cheeks heating up as I thought back. Celestia, that turned me on!

I settled down next to Tawny. "I wish you'd sat in one of the corner tables..."

"Blitzy?" Tawny looked to me in confusion. "What's up?" I leaned over to hug her, wrapping one wing around her. "Pumpkin?"

I glanced in Mend's direction, giving Tawny a pleading look.

"Right then." Mend grumbled, rising to his hooves. "I can tell when I'm not welcome. I'll leave."

"No! Mend, please..." He froze, looking to me in confusion. "Stay, please." He sat back down. "Thank you..." I looked over to Tawny. "I'll explain later, I promise."

She nodded. "You better...." She leaned over to kiss me on the forehead.

"I will, I promise... So, um... what were you two talking about?"

Tawny looked to me in concern for a long time, before glancing to her Pipbuck with a yawn. "I was telling Ceru about the data you retrieved from the Stable under the hospital."

"Stable 60...." I shivered, just thinking about it.

She nodded. "Lots of data. I'm not sure what Captain Firefly is looking for, though. I mean, hermaphrodite alicorns, hivemind queen rituals, radiation hardening. Lots of fascinating stuff, really." She let out a dreamy sigh. "So much knowledge, so little time!"

"You sound so passionate about it..."

"It's fascinating!" She grinned excitedly, before turning to Mend. "Ceru, you're being quiet. Why are you quiet?"

Mend nodded quietly. "It's probably for the best."

"Why?" Tawny frowned at him in annoyance.

"He implied you were a whore when we went out of the Stable." I tossed Mend a scowl.

"Oh please, Blitzy." Tawny rolled her eyes. "Ponies imply a lot of things about me. You know I don't care." She spared him an aside glance. "It's a dick move, but that's Ceru. He's a dick. A rude and abrasive, but mostly harmless, dick."

Mend looked slightly offended. "Hey, so, I'm right here?"

"Yeah, we know." She waved a hoof at Head Researcher Astral Vision. "Hiya Azzy." Tawny prodded me, and I moved over to let Researcher Vision join us as she pulled a seat over from another table.

"Hiya, Tawny. Blitz." Researcher Vision smiled to me politely. "Hello, Doctor." She glanced from Tawny to Mend in confusion.

"Hello, Researcher." I smiled at her, waving a wing. "He's with me."

"I didn't know you two were friends."

Mend cleared his throat loudly. "Still right here?"

"We know, Mend." I shrugged and prodded him in the side. "Yeah, we're friends." Mend scowled at me and shifted over, but his expression softened as I called him my friend. "We left the Stable with Firefly for her first mission to Baltimare."

"So, you mentioned some new project you wanted to talk to me about, Azzy?"

Researcher Vision nodded. "I've been studying Sergeant Cyclone. He's... fascinating. How is he even still alive?"

Mend leaned forward, looking to Researcher Vision. "I've been thinking - is it possible the radiation exposure has supercharged his cells' regeneration? His cells regenerate as quickly as they die?"

Researcher Vision nodded slowly. "I've considered that."

I smirked at Mend. "So, you're saying that his cells are... cancer?"

Mend and Tawny shared a look. "That's not really how cancer works, Blitzy." Mend shook his head in disgust.

Saturday
1020

"May I help you?" The mare at the receptionist desk looked up from her terminal as I approached.

"Paperclip, right?" I smiled to her, and she nodded. "I'm here for an appointment with Chief Researcher Vision at 1030."

Paperclip smiled back, glancing to an older Pipbuck on her desk. "Researcher Vision is out presently, but she should be back soon. You can go on in, though... you shouldn't touch anything. It's the third door on the right."

"Thank you." I turned to move past her.

"Ah, excuse me, sir... This may seem rude, but... you were alive back then, weren't you?" I nodded to her, and she continued. "What was it like? Before the war?"

...

"Your orchards come close, in some ways, but they don't have... the feel of fresh, clean air flowing through your mane, or the smell of..." I thought back, remembering long ago with a fond smile. "The orchards are still delightful, though."

"That sounds... lovely... Thank you." She smiled, and I walked past her, entering Astral's office.

It was as messy as it had been the last time I was here. Based on some of the dust patterns, I suspected it'd been that way for a long time. Possibly even like that way since before Astral took over...

Heh, inherited messes.

I shook my head. Stable ponies...

I looked around, noticing... a feeling. It made me uncomfortable, and I followed it.

It lead to a safe behind her desk. A decent sized safe, though hidden in a fairly obvious place. I returned to the front of her desk.

Researcher Astral walked through the door, in the middle of a discussion with another unicorn. She turned and smiled to me. "Cyclone, you're here! Excellent. We can get started."

"This is..." She turned and gestured towards her companions.

Doctor Cerulean Mend and Officer Pumpkin Blitz followed her companion in. "Sweet fucking Celestia, Mend, I get it, you're right, I'm wrong, I don't know what cancer is!"

"I wasn't..." Doctor Cerulean frowned. "...trying to prove you were wrong, I was trying to tell you about cancer..."

Officer Pumpkin opened her mouth to respond, but Researcher Astral cleared her throat, and the two of them stopped talking.

"Doctor Cerulean Mend and Security Officer Pumpkin Blitz, yes. We've met." I waved to the two of them. "I didn't realize I warranted a Security escort..." I smiled at them.

"Hello, Sergeant." Officer Pumpkin shook her head. "We're off duty."

"And this is Researcher Tawny Forge." I nodded to the orange unicorn mare politely. "Are you ready?"

"One question first." I pointed a hoof at the safe. "What's in the safe behind your desk?"

Researcher Astral followed my hoof with a confused look. "A lot of items... dangerous artifacts I haven't had a chance to identify yet."

"Open it, please." She frowned in obvious concern. "I may be able to identify some things. I've been around for some time, you know..."

She smiled. "Good point." She walked over and opened it, stepping aside.

I trotted over, and an impossible-looking black gem immediately drew my attention.

...

I stared at it as I realized what it was. "That... is a balefire egg."

"A balefire egg? I've heard of-" Researcher Astral spoke speculatively. "Oh. Ohhh..." She trailed off, her eyes getting big, and looked to Researcher Tawny, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "That makes sense."

Researcher Tawny frowned. "Sweet Celestia..."

Officer Pumpkin stared around at us. "A... what now?"

"It's a downsized version of the bombs that destroyed Equestria, designed for infantry use."

Officer Pumpkin gasped and recoiled, taking a step away from the safe.

Researcher Tawny smirked at Researcher Astral. "And you were using it as a paperweight?"

"Shush, Tawny." Researcher Astral frowned at her, before looking to me. "Okay! I think that's enough of a heart attack for right now..." She - carefully - closed the safe and spun the dial. "So, Cyclone... you mentioned...?"

Saturday
1134

I poked my head into the corner of the Security station that served as Captain Firefly's office. "Captain? May I speak with you?"

She looked up from her Pipbuck, and nodded. "What's up, Sands?"

I settled down in front of her desk. "I'd like to request a permanent transfer to the Stable Scout unit, ma'am."

Firefly leaned back, frowning.

Please...

She set her Pipbuck down. "On what grounds?"

"I'd like to offer my services. Stable Scout needs a medic, right?"

"I'm gonna need a little more than that. Why do you want to join?"

"Well... I want to help. Cres died for it, right?"

"Denied."

I frowned at Firefly. "What the hell? Why?"

"I'll tell you why." Firefly leaned forward, bridging her hooves. "I don't need volunteers. I need fighters - ponies who are willing to fight, to kill if necessary. You handled yourself remarkably well during the last mission, but I don't know if that was a just fluke or something more." She shook her head. "Moreso, I don't know if you're really dedicated to the Stable Scout cause, or if you're just hurt and angry over Crescent's death, and this is just a spur of the moment decision."

"Hurt and... " I sputtered for a moment, before changing tracks. "The fuck? It's your fault Crescent's dead, and you're blaming me?"

Firefly winced.

Oh, shit.

I shouldn't have said that.

"No, Mineral, I'm not blaming you for Crescent's death." She sighed. "If you're really interested, here's your assignment: go talk to Database Error and talk to me again in three days after you've had some time to think about it. Dismissed!"

I scowled at her, refusing to move. "You're not even going to consider this?"

"I have, Mineral. I've been expecting this since we returned. You got my answer and my reasoning." She pointedly returned to her Pipbuck.

I ground my teeth together. "Fine..." As I turned to leave, I thought I caught Captain Firefly smirking over her Pipbuck.

That... that bitch! I'll show her.

I trotted out into the main Security station, wanting to buck someone through a wall.

...

You know, that's a good idea.

I headed down to the sparring arena on the third level. A few ponies were scattered around the room. Ivory and Cast were there in the middle of a spar, grappling on the floor.

I approached them, and after a minute, I cleared my throat. "Am I interrupting anything?"

Ivory looked over, pinned underneath Cast. "Oh, hiya..."

"Would you two like some privacy?"

Ivory flushed after a moment. "Uh, we're not like that, Min..."

Cast glared at me, and I smirked.

So... that's a yes, then.

"Mind if I join you guys? I need some sparring practice..."

"Sure thing." Ivory smiled, prodding Cast. "Off, Cas, please..." He grumbled and crawled off of her.

"I'll sit this one out. You mares have fun." Cast settled down on the edge of the mat, buffing one of his hooves against his suit.

"Go easy on me?" Ivory smiled as she faced me. "I'm not as durable as you earth ponies are..."

I nodded curtly. "Blocking practice?"

"Sounds good to me."

We started trading blows - I hitting Ivory, Ivory blocking and then vice versa. My third strike, from the side, missed her entirely.

Ivory snickered as I blocked her strike.

...

That pissed me off.

Fucking Security ponies.

Can they take anything seriously?

I planted my hooves, putting more force into my strikes.

Ivory simply sidestepped my next side strike.

I ground my teeth. "Ivory... I can't practice my strikes if you keep dodging..."

"Sure you can! Battlefield conditions on a moving target!" She smirked smugly. "Advanced practice!"

She darted in, bucked me in the ribs, and teleported away from my return strike in a cloud of pink sparkles.

She appeared a few meters away, smirking.

Just like Firefly... that smug, obnoxious smirk.

"Get over here!"

"Come and get me!" She laughed as she backed away.

I charged her, and she stood there, smirking.

I got to her, and she teleported next to me, bucked me in the ribs again, and teleported away again.

"Kind of like dodging ponies trying to teleport into you, huh?" She chuckled. "Only the opposite - teleporting away from ponies trying to catch you!"

I frowned, rubbing my ribs. "Is this some fucking joke to you?"

Her grin faded, and she looked to me in confusion. "What?"

"This isn't a game, Ivory! This is real life! Crescent is dead! Gone! Do you know what? I spent the entire ambush covered in my best friend's brains!" Ivory's expression changed from confusion to shocked disgust.

I thought back to Ivory's 'demonstration' with the brick. "I could be dead, too! Is that what you want?"

"N... no...?" Ivory's face returned to an expression of stupid confusion. "But... you're not dead. You're still here, Min... I saved you..."

"Yeah? Well, you might not be able to do that the next time if you keep treating this like a fucking game! If you're not going to be serious about this, maybe you should quit Stable Scout now."

"I'm..." Ivory paused, narrowing her eyes. "Why wouldn't I be serious? We're just messing around, right?"

"Sure doesn't look like it right now. I certainly wouldn't trust you to watch my flanks, if this is you being 'serious'..."

A shocked look of pain crossed her face, and she looked away. "I'm sorry I couldn't save Crescent..."

I took a step towards her. "Why the fuck not?"

"I can't do anything right..." Is she crying?

She's crying.

Good.

I rushed her, rearing back and bringing my hooves down.

As I reared back, she screamed and threw up a shield barrier. My hooves slammed down on it instead of her. "Fucking unicorn magic!"

The shield barrier kept my hooves from landing, but I could feel that it was weak.

I grinned.

I can break it.

I slammed my hooves down again, and the shield barrier held.

I planted my hind legs and slammed my hooves down a third time - this time, it shattered.

Ivory screamed again, and disappeared in a cloud of pink sparkles. I growled, hopping back and glancing around.

Where did she go...

Ivory was on the other side of the room, curled up on her side, Cast hurrying over to her. She was wreathed in aura of pink sparkles, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Oh.

Cast lead Ivory out of the gym, tossing a dark glare over his shoulder at me. Ivory was limping.

...

"Serves her right for fuckin' around, eh?" I glanced around, realizing that I was surrounded by Security ponies.

None of them looked happy.

Fuck 'em. Fuck 'em all, if they're gonna tolerate Ivory just fucking around.

"Looking for a fight, Min?" I glanced back to see Pumpkin standing behind me.

She frowned at me as she stretched her wings.

Something about that frown made me wary, but I pushed forward. "Come at me."

We met in the middle of the mat, three meters between us. I started circling to the side, and she took a step sideways towards me - I hurriedly moved the other way, and she smirked, standing there. "You get issued that smirk when you joined Security?"

"Cute, Min." Pumpkin was on her hooves, gently waving from side to side, wings folded.

"Fuck you!" I charged her.

I was pretty fast, but she was faster. She spun out of the way of my hooves, missing by centimeters, and she bucked me in the ribs.

I gasped as I tumbled away from her to open the distance, and she stood there, facing me as I scrambled to my hooves, feeling a sharp spike of pain in my heart.

"Get over here!" I galloped at her, sliding on my side and throwing a hoof at her legs to bring her to the ground.

She spread her wings, hopping over me, and hovered above me.

Oh shit.

We stared at each other for a moment, and she frowned, shaking her head slightly.

She folded her wings and dropped on me, driving her rear hooves between my hind legs and her forelegs down on my solar plexus, scowling at me.

"Go away!" I bucked out at her, and threw myself away from her, rolling away. My attack pushed her away from me, long enough for me to get up. One of her hooves caught my muzzle, but I ignored it as I rolled to my hooves.

I dove at her again, and this time she grabbed me, throwing me over her and slamming me against the mat.

I gasped, looking at her upside down, towering over me. "You talk too much." She stepped back, out of my view. "Get up."

I twisted, grabbing her hooves and twisting her around onto her back, flipping us so I was on top of her.

She flipped us over so I was on the bottom, jabbing her hoof against the artery in my neck. "D-don't-"

"I know. Shut up." She narrowed her eyes at me as she leaned in, scary fury in her purple eyes. "You're not a fighter, Min." She pushed her hoof against the artery a little, and I squeaked. "Stop pretending to be what you're not, before you get someone killed."

Pumpkin got up, glaring at me. "If you're serious about being a Scout, go talk to the shrink and sort your problems out. If you're not, find someone else to vent at. Do not make the mistake of preying on my ponies again, or you'll be back in Medical. I'm not talking about a transfer, either." She turned and stalked off.

I sighed and looked around, wiping some of the blood flowing out of my nose.

Everypony else was going back to what they were doing before.

I blinked, wiping a tear off my cheek. I do have issues... I groaned as I rose to my hooves.

Saturday
1723

"Captain?" I walked into Firefly's office, knocking on the wall. "Are you busy?"

"No, I suppose not." She glanced up from her Pipbuck. "Take a seat. What's up, Charm?"

"I, um... I'd like to request a transfer off Stable Scout outside duty. At least, excursions duty...?"

Firefly frowned, then shrugged, tossing her Pipbuck onto her desk. "Excellent. This simplifies things. Your father wanted me to do that, too."

Aww, dad. Damn it! Stop interfering with my life!

"I... don't want to die..."

"Charm?" I looked to Firefly as she called my name.

"I don't want to die, but I want to help... am I a coward?"

"No, Ivory, you're not a coward. You want to survive, to live - that's good. That's natural."

"What about you? You didn't even react to... to everything. Crescent's death... losing your Pipbuck... why?" I blinked as my vision turned blurry.

"I'll let you in on a little secret, Ivory." She leaned forward over the desk. "I was pretty scared, too."

"How did you...?"

"I focused on what needed to be done. We needed to get out of there alive. So I..." She paused, blinking. "I ignored everything that wouldn't help us, and focused on... just getting us out of there in one piece." She smirked back to me, confident and sexy. "Like I said - I'd do whatever was necessary to bring us home. And here we are, right?"

I nodded, wiping tears away. "My Pipbuck told me I... I was dead." I paused. "Am... am I dead?"

"Pretty sure we aren't, Ivory." She rose, putting a hoof on my shoulder. "You should talk to Database Error - this is really her area of expertise, not mine. You can trust her. But if you ever want to talk to me personally, my door is always open." She paused, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully, before her expression shifted to a sly smile. "How would you like to be the advisor for Field Operations at FOB Haven? You'd be Outside, helping the ponies of Haven and the Stable, but not directly doing external operations to Baltimare."

"Um..." I blinked. "That seems like a lot of responsibility, Captain..."

"Don't worry, you don't have to answer now." She stepped back with a smile. "Take a few days, think about it. It's yours, if you want it. After all, you're one of the few ponies out of the entire Stable with hooves in the dirt experience Outside."

I nodded again. "Thank you, ma'am..."

She returned to her desk. "Anything else you needed?" I shook my head. "Good, good. Don't forget to talk to the shrink. Off you go!"

I rose, saluted and left.

Sunday
0632

"Mornin', Mom." My mother, a beige-coated, green-eyed pegasus named Stack Draft, stumbled into the family's quarters and stepped around Rivets, snoozing on the floor under a blanket.

She prodded me off the couch, collapsing on it with a groan. "Hi, dear."

"Long night?" I settled down on one of the recliners.

"You have no idea." She stretched her wings. "Have you ever tried to hold a clumsy unicorn up so he can climb into an access tunnel?"

"Arc again?"

She nodded. "He's a great pony, but nimble, he is not. How's Firefly?"

"She's been... stressed recently."

"Given the circumstances, I'd be worried if she wasn't stressed out... a mare of her age doing what she's doing."

"She's twenty five, Mom, that's plenty old."

She chuckled. "Calling a mare 'plenty old' is a good way to sleep on the couch, Dashie."

"Well, that's why I don't call her 'plenty old' to her face." I smirked back at her.

"Good colt." Mom chuckled. "When I was twenty five, I was just a maintenance pony, crawling through vents..." She shook her head. "I can't imagine what she must be going through."

"You're still crawling through vents, though."

"No, I have ponies to crawl through vents for me. I've been promoted to boosting them inside." Mom chuckled, before sobering up. "What's it like Outside?"

"Wow, that's quite a change in topic, Mom."

"I'm curious." She smiled, spreading her wings as she stretched out. "Humor me?"

"It's big and open. Plenty of space for everypony..." I looked to her wings. "Plenty of space for you to stretch your wings." I considered. "The sun! You can't imagine what it's like, watching the sun rise over the horizon, clean, cool air blowing through your mane..."

She thought about that, eyes closed, face in a thinking expression. "That does sound lovely..."

I glanced to my Pipbuck.

0645

"Well, I gotta get to work. See you in a few hours, Mom." I rose and kissed her on the cheek.

She pulled me into a tight hug with one of her wings. "Be careful..."

"That's the plan!" I smirked and hugged her back.

I ducked into the Cafe, retrieved a freshly baked apple fritter, and strolled over to Security. "Good morning, Lieutenant..." Dawning Petals and Winter Green were on the third shift, which extended from 0000 to 0800. The Stable ran on three eight-hour shifts, instead of the surface's two-twelve day-night cycle. Some good things to living underground all of your lives, I guess.

"Mornin' Dawn, Minty. I'll take over from here."

Dawn yawned and flicked her braid over to her other shoulder. "Did you sleep well?"

"Pretty well, yeah." I groaned, stretching. "Hey, so, if you ever thought that your bunk's uncomfortable, try sleeping in a sewer tunnel."

"Not a chance." Minty shook his head. "Captain Firefly might be right about all this Operation Baltimare stuff, but I don't plan to leave the Stable if I don't have to. It's dangerous out there."

"Dangerous, but wonderful. There's something... mystical and amazing about watching the sun rise over the horizon, from the roof of a building, fresh, clean air blowing through your mane."

"Wow!" Dawn smiled. "That sounds beautiful..."

Even Minty grudgingly seemed to be intrigued by that.

Finally, third shift left.

I smirked as I turned, looking at the empty Security station, all mine for the next hour until Firefly showed up!

Excellent.

Heh.

Haha.

MUAHAHAHAHA.

First I strolled over to Firefly's desk, studying it.

Hrm... No, it would annoy her even more to not do anything today.

I left her desk alone, leaving everything where she'd left it. I turned, glancing around the station. No, nothing of interest.

Hrm...

I yawned and strolled into Range's office.

Someone walked down the hallway, towards Security.

...

I cocked an ear, and the hoofsteps continued down the hallway, past Security.

Phew.

Colonel Range's office was... as always, pretty bare.

Let's see what she's hiding in that desk.

The top drawers contained nothing of interest.

... but one of the bottom drawers was locked.

Oh, what's in here... I picked the lock.

A pair of fuzzy pink hoofcuffs, and half of a bottle of 'Captain Lyra's Spiced Rum'.

Well, hello there. I wonder when those are going to become standard issue. Wasn't that the alcohol Firefly said she liked?

I tucked both bottle and cuffs away in my tail.

Someone trotted into Security, clearing their throat rudely. I left Range's office, seeing somepony standing in the middle of the lobby.

"May I help you, ma'am...?" She was a purple unicorn with an expression of bored contempt.

Just looking at her I knew I was going to dislike her. She scowled at me and opened her mouth to confirm my hypothesis. "Slacking on duty, I see, Sergeant."

I raised one eyebrow.

Sergeant?

"Blossom. Ruby Blossom, Personal Assistant to Lead Councilmare Diamond Rose." She levitated an older model Pipbuck out of her Stable suit. "The Council wants Captain Firefly to see this."

I saluted her smartly. "Of course, Assistant!"

She stared at me for a long moment. "Are you going to take it...?" Her eyes flicked to the Pipbuck held in her magic.

Perfect.

I leaned over to pick it up in my mouth.

"Oh, right... Never mind." She levitated it away, and set it on the desk. "Wait." She turned and stared at me deeply, eyebrows furrowed in intense concentration. I suspected that was an unusual expression for her.

"I recognize you. You're Crimson's kid's sex toy, aren't you?"

...

"I'm sorry?"

She simply smirked.

That smug look pissed me off.

"I earned my position through working hard and being good at my job, ma'am. Not by being the former Overmare's daughter and being pitied by the Council."

She gaped at me in anger and shock. "How dare you!" She figured out how to close her mouth, and scowled at me. "I'm reporting you to Colonel Range. What's your name?"

Like Colonel Range will do anything.

"Pardon?"

"Your name." She spoke slowly, like she was speaking to a simpleton. "What... is... your... name?"

"I am Lieutenant Rapid Dash, ma'am." I stressed my rank to point out her earlier mistake.

Her scowl deepened, and she left, casting a dark look at me as she did.

"Have a pleasant day, ma'am!" I gave her my best smile, which only deepened her glare.

What a complete cunt.

I gave her another three minutes to begone, and headed for the evidence locker in Colonel Range's office, picking the lock. There were a few new items since the last time I'd been there, so I hoofed through them. Nothing of value, really...

I glanced to my Pipbuck to see it was 0737.

I picked up a Ministry Mare Sparkle figurine and hurried for the front desk, assuming a casually alert stance.

Barely a minute later, Firefly strolled in, nibbling on an apple fritter. Her mother, Sapphire Aurora, trailed her in, a steaming mug of tea in her magic.

"Good morning, Dashie!" Firefly threw me a cheery smile.

"Mornin', boss. Councilor Rose's gofer told me to give you this." I gestured to the Pipbuck sitting at the front desk, and Firefly picked it up on the way past. "Good morning, Mrs Aurora. It's nice to see you up." I smiled to her.

"Hello, Dash. Please, call me Sapphire, I'm not old enough to be 'Mrs Aurora'."

I nodded and left that one alone. Perception is just as important as the truth.

I glanced to Firefly as she walked over to her desk, glaring at it. "Did you sleep well, Firefly?"

"Something's wrong."

"Hrm?"

She narrowed her eyes at it, staring at it for a long moment. "Nothing moved."

"Sup, Firefly...?" I glanced to her, head cocked.

She opened one of the drawers - the one with her bottle of healing potion. "Almost every day for the past year, someone's reorganized my desk. Today, nothing." She shook her head, frowned, and closed the drawer after a moment.

"Isn't that good...?" I suppressed the urge to smirk, instead adopting a look of confusion.

"Oh, whatever." She shook her head and sat down. "Yes, yes."

I glanced to the drawer she'd just closed. "Aren't you going to have your healing potion?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm gonna cut back on it."

Sapphire followed her over. "You're drinking healing potions? Those aren't good for you..."

Firefly smirked to her mother. "I know, Mother. Don't worry about it."

Twenty minutes of the morning shift slowly trickling in later, Colonel Range entered Security with a yawn, holding a steaming cup in her magic.

I glanced around. "Hey, I had a thought. We haven't done anything since Operation Baltimare began. How about we do some sparring?"

Range and Firefly shared a look and Firefly shrugged. "I'm free for the next hour or so. It would be nice to get some training in..."

Range nodded. "Yeah, alright..." She let out a huge yawn, and stretched. "Saph?" She glanced to Sapphire.

Sapphire smiled and nodded. "It's been..." She paused, trailing off sadly, and started again. "Yes. That sounds great."

The four of us headed down to the gym, and did some warm-ups. The gym was a large, open room with various training materials, with mats on the floor for hoof-to-hoof training. Two rooms off to the side were the real-life practice arenas, replicating the effects of training in urban and low light environments.

Firefly groaned as she stretched, rising to her hooves. "Hide and seek?" She waved a hoof at the side arenas.

I shared glanced to Range and Sapphire. "No magic, no Pipbucks?"

Range considered, then nodded in agreement. "No magic, no Pipbucks."

"No." Firefly frowned, glanced to her Pipbuck, and then shook her head. "Magic, but no Pipbuck."

I could tell she was thinking back to the encounter with her father on Friday, when she'd been stripped of both her Pipbuck and magic, and I moved to prod her in the spot. Firefly glared at me, and I smirked back at her while Range gave us a confused look.

Sapphire looked around seriously. "Third option - Range and Dash don't use magic, while Firefly and I do? Both teams have a similar handicap."

"That sounds good." We all agreed. "Capture the flag? Range and Sapphire on defense, Firefly and I on offense?"

Capture the Flag was exactly what it said on the tin - a flag in the middle of the sparring arena. It was offense's job to capture the flag, and defense's to prevent that. Kind of self explanatory, really.

Range nodded. "Yeah, let's do it." She went over to the props locker and retrieved four paintball guns and holsters, distributing them to everyone.

Paintball guns allowed us to track our hits, and give us a way to practice marksponyship safely. Three hits to limbs, two to the torso or one to the head would neutralize a pony.

I adjusted mine as we gave them a minute so it hung against my chest, off to the side, grip in mouth reach.

"Pipbucks down." I glanced to Firefly as she spoke, and she smirked at me. "Ready, Dashie?"

"Hell yeah." I threw her a bright grin. "Been waiting for round two for weeks."

"Let's go." Firefly glanced down to her Pipbuck, and then nodded to herself, speaking quietly as she looked to me. "Take point. I'll follow, five paces."

"Copy." I drew my paintball gun and trotted into the darkened maze, moving quietly, the barely audible sound of my hooves covered by the sound of the engineering equipment that allowed the Stable to function a level below us.

Left, right, left, and we came to a three-way junction.

I cocked an ear at the faint sound of Firefly casting a spell, and faded into the shadows, just beyond the pale blue glow Firefly's spell generated.

She looked to me, then pointedly looked to the left hallway. I lead the way, eyes and ears open.

I heard something to my right and ducked, just as Range went sailing over me with a muttered curse. One of her flailing hooves clipped me in the head, and I growled around my pistol's bit as I hopped backwards.

Firefly raised her pistol and popped off a burst of red paintballs at Range, which splatted against a pale blue shield barrier that appeared in front of her.

I rose, hopping aside as Sapphire came out of the darkness behind me, but her pounce followed me, driving a hoof into my stomach.

I blew out a breath as I kicked out, rolled away from Sapphire and opening the distance as Firefly fired at her again. One splatted against another shield barrier and the second splattered against the wall behind us, visible by the faint blue light Sapphire's shield barrier gave off.

The third hit me squarely on my hind leg. "Firefly!"

"Oops!" She hopped back as Sapphire rolled to her hooves, firing at her.

I turned and rushed Range, firing as I galloped at her. None of my shots landed, but they disrupted her aim until I got to her.

I dodged to the right just as I got to her, going into a leg sweep to kick her hooves from under her - I'd finish her as she fell.

Instead, she hopped towards me, and my hooves only clipped two of her legs, pushing her off balance. I fell into her, and she fell onto me.

She lost her grip on her pistol, but I did not.

I twisted as I fell, bringing my pistol on target and firing again.

Range glared at me as my first shots missed, and she drove a hoof between my hind legs.

I grunted.

A hoof to the balls isn't a kill shot!

I fired another burst at her.

One paintball clipped her horn, another her ear, and a third hit her squarely in the forehead, right below her horn, splattering her face and mane with red paint.

I smirked at her and tried to rise, twisting to bring my pistol on Sapphire as Range went limp on me with a grumble.

A burst of blue paintballs hit me in the chest and neck, and I groaned as I died.

I turned to scowl at Range's pistol, held in a blue aura, before turning to watch Firefly and Sapphire's fight, sliding my pistol towards Firefly.

Firefly scooped up my pistol with her magic, turning it on Sapphire as she hopped to the side, dodging one burst from Sapphire's pistol, right into the path of a burst from Range's pistol.

Instead of trying to dodge again, she swatted them out of the air with her telekinesis, and they splattered against the wall beside her, her expression of confident pride faintly lit by the blue glow of magic, only marred by the faint look of surprise in her eyes.

Nice trick!

Sapphire charged Firefly, dropping to the floor and sliding into Firefly's hooves, and the two of them fell to the ground as a mess of flailing hooves and yelps.

Firefly kicked away from Sapphire, sliding on her flanks as her pistols fired out a short burst. She then smoothly rose to her hooves with a bright, pleased smirk. "You're dead, Mom!"

Sapphire groaned, crawling to her hooves, and Range pushed me off of her as she got up.

I moaned as I shifted, staying on the ground for a moment. "You took way too much pleasure in saying that, Firefly..."

She blinked in shock at that, a horrified look crossing her face for a moment, and she stepped over to Sapphire, wrapping her hooves around her.

Range and Sapphire shared a confused look over Firefly's shoulder, before Sapphire hugged her back carefully.

She did have a habit of muttering stuff about hoping her mother would 'just die already' when she was pissed off... Probably best to keep that to myself.

Range frowned to me, and I shook my head. "You don't want to know."

Range smirked and offered me her hoof. "If I'd had my magic, we would have won, no contest."

I took her hoof, spreading my hooves unsteadily as she pulled me up. "You could have won if you hadn't dropped your pistol, either."

"Like I said, if I'd had my magic..." She smirked as she slapped me on the flank. "How're your balls?"

"The win makes them hurt less."

Sunday
1403

"Captain?" I saluted as I entered her office.

"You have that look, Blitz." Captain Firefly looked up from her Pipbuck with a sigh. "What's up?"

I dug the scroll out of my barding and set it on her desk. "This is my letter of resignation."

Firefly looked to me with a confused expression, leaning forward. "This is really not funny, Blitz."

"No, it's not a joke." I sighed. "I don't like killing ponies, Captain."

"Well, obviously." Captain Firefly rolled her eyes. "I'd be concerned if you did."

"Well... no. That's not true." Firefly's left eyebrow drooped in skepticism, and I elaborated. "When bullets start flying, or... a fight starts, I... go away. And when I come back, they're all dead... and I'm happy about it. I killed them, and all I can feel is... satisfaction. And power." I stopped speaking, glancing at a Pipbuck on her desk. "They attacked me, and they got what they fucking deserved." I paused, going down another track. "I had an incident with Mineral in the gym yesterday."

Firefly glanced to her Pipbuck. "I was just reading the report on that..."

"She... blew up on Ivory. She blamed her for Crescent's death." I paused again. "I beat her flank for it. Roughed her up, scared her, nothing serious. Told her to stop playing around if she wanted to be a Scout."

Firefly frowned in mild disapproval, but said nothing, just listening.

"I don't like what I'm capable of, Captain. From when I was a foal, I was taught, "violence is wrong", and over the past two weeks, I've learned two things about myself: one, that I'm good at hurting ponies, and two, that I enjoy hurting ponies."

"I understand..." She nodded decisively, cutting the seal and unrolling the scroll. "I'll wait three days before I file it, in case you change your mind. You're still going to have to serve the next month, but I'll transfer you back to internal policing matters in the mean time."

"Thank you, ma'am." She paused, and for a moment, we stood there in silence.

"So, Pumpkin... what's your next move?"

"I don't know..." I looked up, considering. "Maybe I'll transfer to Maintenance. Learn to fix water pumps or bake cakes or something."

"Well... good luck. It's been an honor." She considered. "I'm not ordering you to, but I'm serious - I really want you to go talk to the shrink. Okay?"

"I'll think about it."

I exited Firefly's office a few minutes later to see a snotty-looking purple unicorn leaning against the wall, being very obvious that she was pretending she wasn't listening to my conversation with Captain Firefly.

I cleared my throat. "What are you doing here, ma'am?"

"I was talking to Colonel Range about an incident I had with the first shift watch."

I nodded impassively. "I'll escort you out, then."

"Oh, how kind of you, young mare." I gestured for her to go ahead, and she smiled. Her smile was one of those sincerely insincere smiles. I glanced over my shoulder as she moved forward. It reminded me of somepony creeping up behind me with a knife...

She continued after a moment. "So, I hear you're resigning from Security? Might I ask the reasoning behind that?"

So she had been eavesdropping.

Polite or rude...

Polite would be best, I guess. "If that were true, that would be between Captain Firefly, myself and nopony else."

"Ah..." She smiled to me knowingly.

When Lieutenant Dash did that, it was endearingly confident.

When this mare did it, it made her look obnoxiously smug.

I lead the way to the door to the Atrium. "Well, here we are..."

She smiled to me, turning to face me, blocking the door. "Do you have anything to be doing? Perhaps we could get together?"

Somehow I doubt "get together" means the same thing to you as it does to me...

I shook my head and headed down the hallway towards the Cafe. "I have to meet someone."

She followed me. "Maybe I could come along?"

"I'm planning to go have sex with my marefriend in the showers. So no, I don't think you want to join." She stopped following me. "I could ask her, though, she is somewhat open-minded...."

She gave me a faux-pleasant smile. "Ah. Later, then?"

"Yeah, let's not..."

Sunday
1702

Finally it was complete. The kitchen staff and I had spent most of today planning and cooking, but Crescent's memorial was ready on time, despite the lack of preparation time.

It had begun. The food was laid out, the music was playing through the radio. Ponies were arriving.

In a lull in the voices, I heard Researcher Tawny say something. "Calm, Blitzy... calm. It's okay."

I meandered in their direction, and Doctor Mineral, snickered, pointing a hoof at Officer Blitz. "Hey, Blitz. No crying, not at Cres' memorial."

"Don't tell me what to do, Min!" Officer Blitz rose to her hooves, glaring at Doctor Mineral. "You don't get to fucking do that. Not after that stunt you pulled yesterday!"

The room fell silent except for the radio. Somepony coughed.

Researcher Tawny came over and pulled Officer Blitz outside. "Come on, Blitzy..." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting herself be pulled out of the Cafe.

The party continued, ponies trickling in, small groups and individual ponies. They formed small groups, talking quietly amongst themselves as they snacked, until 1730. At 1730, the Overmare rose, stepping over to the podium we'd set up facing the room, clearing her throat. "Excuse me, everypony. Captain Firefly would like to make a statement."

Firefly rose from her seat, approaching the podium and spending a moment fiddling with an older Pipbuck.

She glanced up to the crowd, back down to an older model Pipbuck, then back up and sighed.

"I had a speech." Firefly grandly waved a hoof in the air. "A great speech, one rivaling any of the finest the Princesses gave during their reign! But... that isn't what this event needs. Not some high and mighty speech from the Stable's leadership. This isn't about Security, or the Stable. It's about Crescent Spark."

She fell silent for a moment, setting the Pipbuck aside.

"Crescent is dead, and I regret that it had to be her. I know some of you are wondering, why did she die? She didn't die because the wasteland hated her, or because of something she did wrong. Crescent died because she was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and nothing could have changed that. Crescent died for Stable Scout, and her sacrifice... It allowed her friends to come home safely." She paused, blinking rapidly. "I'm grateful she was there with us, and I... I'm sorry she was the one who died."

"But you're putting the entire Stable in danger every time you open the Door! We should close the Door, before anypony else dies."

"Sealing the Door now would make Crescent's death be for nothing." Firefly smiled sadly. "Everypony dies. Some live longer than others..." She glanced to the ghoul, Sergeant Cyclone. "But death is inevitable. What matters is the life you live in that time." She turned back to the rest of the ponies present. "When we opened the Door two decades ago, we announced our presence to the Outside. Nothing can take that back, and we can't just seal the Door and hope the Outside ignores us, because they're not going to. It's time for us to rejoin the surface, now. On our terms, or theirs."

"How do you know now is the time?" I slipped through the crowd, refilling Sergeant Cyclone's drink. He nodded to me appreciatively.

Firefly smiled at her heckler, and spoke quietly, dramatically. "That is the purpose of Stable Scout."

Sergeant Cyclone raised his drink, speaking up from his seat. "Events are happening on a scale that have not happened since the War. If Stable 30 is to move out to the surface and forge their path from a position of strength, now is the time."

"Thank you, Sergeant." Firefly gestured a hoof towards Sergeant Cyclone. She paused, glancing around at the assembled ponies, who leaned in to listen to her next words. "And that is why Crescent died. To help pave a path for the Stable to survive on the surface... because the Stable is not as secure as it once was - surely you've noticed things. Maintenance being far more active in the living areas in the past few years. Hot water not working in the showers. Other small, little annoyances. Signs that the Stable isn't doing so well."

"But the Wasteland is such a..." The pony broke off for a moment unsurely. "It's dangerous and creepy and messy. And what about the ceiling?"

"The sky, yes. It's dangerous, yeah." Security Officer Platinum Starlight spoke up, and everyone looked to her as she rose to her hooves, walking towards the stage. "But it's... wonderful, too. Have you ever felt the wind blowing through your mane? Real wind, not just the ventilation system circulating air..." She had an expression of awe. "Or watched the sun rise over the horizon? It's... inspiring. Everyone should see it, at least once in their lives."

Many of the gathered ponies looked tempted by that, though some still looked wary.

That did sound kind of amazing...

"Thank you, Plat." Firefly glanced around. "I apologize for making this so somber - this isn't the time to talk about my problems," she smiled, chuckling a little. "This is the time to remember Crescent's life! Is there anyone that would like to speak?"

Sunday
1730

After the speech, I occupied my usual table in the back corner.

Aura came over to talk to me, offering me a steaming mug of mint tea. "That was a pretty good show, 'Fly. Did you plan for your team to join in?"

...

"Yes." I nodded. "Yes, I did. Absolutely." I levitated the tea over.

Aura smiled at me teasingly. "How can someone so good at giving speeches be so bad at lying?"

"Practice." I smiled back at him.

"If I weren't hopeless in a fight, I might consider joining Security."

"Oh, please, Aura. You're just saying that..."

"No, really! I heard some of the kitchen staff talking about it. They were really impressed with it."

"Wait, you're serious?"

He nodded earnestly. "I said it was a good show. A lot of ponies are going to be talking about it tonight." He glanced over his shoulder. "Hey, I gotta get back to work. I'll be back in a bit?"

"Don't get in trouble on my behalf, Aura..."

He smiled and walked off to serve another table.

I sipped my tea, burnt my tongue, and quickly set it down with a sigh. I looked up, and noticed an olive green unicorn glaring at me from across the Cafe. We made eye contact for a moment, and she looked away.

Ah.

That must be Crescent's mother...

Crescent wouldn't be dead if I hadn't taken her out of the Stable.

I wouldn't be here, getting dirty glares from the mother of one of my dead ponies.

A mare whose name I still don't know.

Yet, Crescent volunteered for Stable Scout duty.

But, did she really know what she was getting into?

Yet, did any of us really know what we were getting into?

No, I suppose not...

But, is that really an excuse?

...

The sound of someone clearing their throat broke my line of thought, and I realize Aura had been talking to me. "Firefly? Are you okay?" He cocked his head, looking at me in concern.

I nodded. "I'm okay, Aura..."

"Tea?" He smiled to me.

I glanced down to my still full mug of tea.

It wasn't steaming anymore.

...

How long had I been sitting here? I glanced to my Pipbuck.

1820

"I'll take that as a no, then..." Aura smiled. "Hey, would you like to get together tonight? My shift ends at 2200."

I frowned, glancing to my to-do list. I had a Council meeting at 2000. "Sorry, Aura. I've got a lot of stuff to do tonight... but I'd like that. Tomorrow, maybe? I'll pay?"

"You better." He smiled confidently. "Call me when you get time for us civvies, Captain." He turned and trotted off.

...

When did Aura get so smooth?

I don't have time for that right now.

I rose and left the Cafe.

I found myself sitting on the couch in my quarters, furiously second-guessing every decision I'd made over the past two weeks.

I levitated a shelf over, the shelf my mother and I had knocked over last week, when we had our fight...

"Fucking shelf."

I turned it over, and everything dumped out onto the floor.

"Fuck you."

I disassembled it - removing all of the screws. Within a minute, instead of a standing shelf, I held all of the parts for a shelf.

Screws, supports, shelves.

"You... fucking... shelf!"

I screamed and threw it at the wall.

Supports crumpled on impact, and one of the shelves dented.

...

Only a dent?!

...

I pulled the dented shelf back to me, slamming my hooves on it. On the fourth hit, it crumpled.

I spun, throwing it into the couch.

The couch fell over backwards.

Finally, I crawled to my hooves, venting done.

I have things to do....

Somepony knocked on the door, and I trotted over to it. "I'm coming..."

"Firefly? The Council meet-" Range was standing there, and she broke off as she saw me. "Celestia, you look like shit. Are you okay?" Dashie poked his head over Range's shoulder, and I stepped forward, allowing the door to my quarters to seal behind me.

"No, I'm not." Range frowned in concern at me. "Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer, right? But I have things to do, so my mood is irrelevant."

Range shook her head. "We could delay the Council."

"Ha, sure." I shook my head and trotted past her.

Dashie stepped out of my way. "I could push you down a flight of stairs, boss." Dashie and Range fell in as I walked down the hallway. "Tell the Council you tripped."

"Yeah, that's appealing." I glanced over my shoulder at Dashie. "Ditch my responsibilities by pretending to fall down the stairs."

"The Council would totally buy that." Range grinned. "You're clumsy enough for that to work, Fi." Dashie nodded enthusiastically.

"Thanks for that, boss."

"Great confidence boost, no?" Dashie grinned at me.

"Yeah, definitely. Very ego boosting." I smiled back, then sighed.

"Better?" Range smiled to me with a worried look.

I nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

Sunday
2006

"You constantly complain about needing more ponies, yet you just as constantly turn volunteers down. The Stable doesn't have unlimited resources, Captain!"

Isn't this just a great start.

"I don't need volunteers or police ponies. I need fighters, ponies I can trust to be able to handle themselves Outside. When it comes to 'kill or be killed', I don't want to have to worry about my ponies getting killed by refusing to fight. Dash, Mend and Blitz, Plat and Shine."

"Team reports from your first mission say that Mend was nothing but a problem. He even threatened to abandon your team, because he disagreed with your leadership!"

I suppressed another sigh. "Doctor Cerulean was correct, and you agreed with his recommendation. However! He has the strength of character to tell someone when they're making a bad decision, and that is why I want him on Stable Scout One - his skills and thoughts are more than worth his occasional quirks."

Councilor Hex nodded. "Yes... speaking of Security Officer Blitz. We'd like you to transfer her away from assignments Outside."

"Pardon?"

"We feel Security Officer Blitz is... she may not be the best pony to represent Stable on the surface. Especially after her... meltdowns... during Security Officer Spark's memorial and in the gym yesterday."

I narrowed my eyes. "Pumpkin and Cerulean are some of the only ponies I trust to watch my flanks out there."

"I feel that alone speaks volumes about these Stable Scout teams, don't you think, Colonel?" Councilor Hex looked around to the rest of the Council.

"I trust Captain Firefly's judgment in these matters." Range spoke. "The Scouts don't need a doctor, they need a combat medic, and Mend is the best the Stable has. Blitz has proven herself highly capable."

Councilor Hex glanced to her Pipbuck. "What of the incident at the Stadium, in which Blitz killed an unarmed prisoner and potential source of information on Crimson's Raiders?"

"Again with this, Hex?" Range snorted. "You're implying that a pony who has never left the Stable before and was born after Crimson left the Stable, was secretly working for him? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds, Councilor?"

"No, that's not my point at all, Colonel." Councilor Hex shook her head sadly. "My point is that two of Captain Firefly's most 'trustworthy' ponies are a murderous psychopath who executed an unarmed prisoner and a doctor who was ejected from the Medical department for malpractice. My concerns are that they may not be the best ponies to represent the Stable to the Outside, even if moving out of the Stable is for the best."

...

"The prisoner was bleeding out, and nothing we could reasonably do would save him. If nothing else, Blitz did him a mercy." I coughed, diverting the conversation back towards where it had begun. "I have been turning down volunteers, Councilor, that is correct. Groups always encounter teething issues, especially groups as radical as Stable Scout."

Councilor Hex looked from Range to me. "A valid argument." Councilor Filament nodded in approval.

I smiled as I continued. "I need ponies that have the capability to take the initiative to act when an opportunity presents itself, as Pumpkin did. I'm proud of how my ponies handled themselves during our last mission, but I don't think any of them are in a state to do another mission soon. So! I'd like permission to recruit another dozen ponies to fill out our defense roster. Not as Scouts, of course, but as reserve ponies to fill in less dangerous roles."

Councilor Sheets browsed through her Pipbuck. "We could spare some ponies from Medical and Arcane Sciences."

I nodded. "Ponies with technical expertise are always welcome."

Councilor Rose spoke. "Very well, Captain. You shall have your extra ponies. Is there anything else?"

Councilor Hex spoke up again. "I have one final thing to say, if I may."

Councilor Rose gave Councilor Hex a frosty look, but nodded. "You may."

Wonderful.

"What are we going to do about the Scouts' failure at the hospital? Their purpose is to open diplomatic relations with various factions Outside, not antagonize them. There should be a point in which we agree that enough is enough and Stable Scout should stop, before they get more ponies killed."

"I beg to differ, Councilor." I rose to my hooves. "Operation Redheart was an unbridled success. We set out to open diplomatic relations with the Hospital and negotiate an alliance, which we succeeded in better than I expected. We also opened relations with the Baltimare Central Exchange, and retrieved intelligence from Stable 60, both of which were unexpected bonuses."

"And what of Crescent Spark? And the incident with the Crimson Raiders?"

"We've discussed the Crimson Raiders enough." I sighed. "As for Crescent, every member of Security understands that there may be a time where they will have to lay their lives down for the Stable. This goes doubly-so for those who volunteer for exterior duty, and all of the Scouts are volunteers."

"My concern is, though, are we sure that our children are 'laying down their lives' for the Stable, or for one mare's fantasies about her traitor father?" Councilor Rose glanced to Councilor Hex, and she bowed. "Thank you for listening."

Councilor Rose cleared her throat, drawing attention back to her. "Councilor Hex brings up some valid points."

Range narrowed her eyes in irritation. "All the while implying that we don't have the Stable's best interests at heart."

Councilor Rose turned to face Range, bridging her hooves. "Honestly, Colonel? I'm not completely convinced you do. You keep saying we need to leave the Stable to survive, but I'm not seeing any hard evidence of this. It seems that every time your teams leave the Stable and the more we learn about the surface, the worse it gets. We've lost Security Officer Spark, and half of your team have requested transfers away from Stable Scout. Security Officer Blitz, whom you've said is one of your most valuable ponies, has resigned from Security entirely, to say nothing of her... incident... at Spark's memorial. Why would we want to go back Outside when everything is so terrible?"

I shared a glance with Range, and Range began. "The Stable is old, Councilor. It wasn't designed to operate for two hundred years. It's a miracle that it's still operational. The reactor is well-past its intended service life, and simply keeping the lights on and the hot water flowing is a full-time job for Maintenance. The list goes on - ask Head Engineer Draft if you need more specifics."

Councilor Rose frowned and glanced to Councilor Filament, who nodded regretfully. "Colonel Range has a point - keeping much of the Stable's infrastructure functional is an immense task."

Councilor Hex looked up from her Pipbuck. "Curiously, Mrs Draft's eldest son is the second in command of Stable Scout."

Range looked to Councilor Hex. "Is she? I hadn't realized." She shrugged as Councilor Filament nodded in agreement with Hex's statement. "We should expand into the Outside while we can still do so on our own terms, before we're forced to abandon the Stable due to attrition. In short - it's not because we want to, it's because we feel it is necessary for the long-term survival of the Stable."

"Fair points, Colonel." Councilor Rose nodded quietly. "Hold, please." She glanced to the Councilors around her, and they huddled up in their bubble of silence to debate amongst themselves.

I glanced to Range. "How did they know about Blitz's resignation and the transfers?"

Range frowned in response. "Not sure. We might have a leak."

I rose to my hooves, stretching. "Who the hell would go to the Council with that?"

Range leaned back, then scowled. "Ruby Blossom was in my office to report Dash for pissing her off. She may have overheard something." I glanced to the Council, and Range followed my gaze, cutting off what she'd planned to continue.

The bubble of silence dispelled with a soft sound of magic, and I turned to the Council.

Councilor Rose spoke as they took their seats. "The Council has come to an accord."

Councilor Hex looked somewhat pleased with herself.

Great.

"Stable Scout will be permitted to continue on a mission-by-mission basis, with each mission being confirmed by the Council personally. If there any more ... failures, this experiment will be terminated, and Captain Firefly will accept a demotion or transfer away from Security's leadership."

I glanced to Range at that last, and Range spoke up. "That last condition seems rather personal."

Councilor Rose nodded. "It may seem that way, yes. If Stable Scout is terminated, we want to make sure Captain Firefly doesn't try to continue her agenda."

Sunday
2050

"What about this, Astral?" Paperclip held up a green book with a leaf on the cover.

I looked to the book and levitated it over, reading the inside cover. "Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-alls That are Simply Super." I shook my head. "I don't think the Ghoul Condition is a curse, Clippy..."

A dull boom came from above me, and everyone in the Library sat up from their books, looking around.

Somepony spoke quietly. "What was that?" Other ponies murmured responses, echoing their sentiment or expressing confusion.

The radio from the memorial across the Atrium drifted into the Library.

...

What happened to the sound negation enchantment...?

The sharp chatter of machine gun fire broke the silence, and Clippy fell over, littering the beige carpet with red and grey.

Gunfire!

I ducked down behind my seat.

Author's Notes:

So... that happened.

Tune back next week for StSc15 - Stars and Stripes.