Shadow closed the armor around him and double checked everything. It was patched up and ready to go. He slid his combat knife back into its hidden sheath. He wished he could use the revolver in his armor, but he couldn’t work the action.

Breakfast had been quick, field rations, and his canteens were all set and ready. The spare ammo concerned him. He would be focusing his tactics around the Novasurge Battle Rifle, but a full assault with only two spare clip of GPER and four spare rockets against these beasts; they would manage, somehow.

Shadow was surprised he was the last one on the deck. It was still dark. Most of the city ponies had arrived for final instruction, ribbons tied on and easy to see. Some had color coordinated their shirts or other accessories.

They parted easily, shocked at his natural intimidation once the armor was on. He didn’t give them a second thought as he walked the edge and began staring down Fort Strong.

The Captain's armor was very similar to the medium armor the ACUs wore. The major difference was that his was sea gray, like the ships. He was packing two machine guns. Shadow didn’t know what caliber. He had never seen their design before. Despite the age, his com system was easily patched in.

A few minutes later, the ponies started the discussion they were there for. Some final request or question.

“Command Sergeant Sir. We want to come in sooner. The tug boats have the mini guns and we can give you support. This is the our home too. We can handle ourselves.”

“I never said you couldn’t handle yourselves,” Shadow replied through the distorted filter of his mask. “Tactics first. We need those tug boats armed as much as possible because they may very well need to cover the retreat of the boats back out. If we get swarmed and forced out, then we can not afford to waste ammo at the start.”

“Perhaps Sir,” The Captain said clearing his throat. “Perhaps they could land right after we secure the exterior. It would allow Red to move to take a defensive position faster and really entrench. Green and Yellow could set up and be ready to give us aid if we fail to secure the interior. They also would be able to get supplies moving faster. Blue would be fully ready to begin loading.”

They couldn’t see Shadow smiling as he turned to face them for the first time. He hoped his body language would portray it through the suit.

“That is a wonderful idea,” He replied as he walked to the rest of the team’s line. “To execute this properly and safely, Thunder, you will take charge of your team and set the line you want. Salt Waters, you know how best to prepare your team. The Captain and Nor will meet you at the docks. The three of us can cover the door as you move into positions.”

“If we are going to do this with the new time scale, then you need to head out now,” Shadow added.

They began to move quickly to their stations.

“How tight are we going to form up?” Nor asked.

“Lose,” Shadow replied. “The Captain and I will push ahead to get in two or three runs before you land. Don’t dilly dally. We can’t let them get a beat on us.”

“We will take the northern area and push to the fort’s guard post,” Thunder stated.

“Then we will drop in at the south east edge,” Slice nodded.

They formed up in a tighter pattern for launch. The Captain took his spot next to Shadow on the left, despite Shadow on point. It didn’t matter. They began a quick trot and took off. Shadow and The Captain sped of as they gained height.

They came over Fort Strong and banked into a dive, targets picked. They opened fire, strafing one, then another, and then a third Super Pony. Their confusion was loud and dumb. They came back around for a second pass, cutting up the few that had just come out of the fort.

Thunder dropped down hard, Nor coming in and around, taking care of his blind side. Storm and Slice made their landing and began moving around the outward side of the fort.

Shadow pulled them around and gave Thunder and Nor more support. They broke apart and Shadow landed in a flanking position for Thunder and Nor. The Captain swung around to pin several of the beasts with Storm and Slice.

“Are we clear?” Shadow radioed.

“I am at the main doors where all is secure,” The Captain replied.

“Checking on something inconsequential,” Slice replied. “Clear along the back.”

“Thunder, get your team. Nor, get yours. I will hold the defense line.”

They rushed off to follow orders. Thunder was back shortly, armed with the mines. They quickly set up their defense line and began deploying them in the open space between the city and the Fort Strong’s front gate.

Shadow joined them at the front door. He took a beep breath in. They were waiting on Thunder, who should have waited to set up the minefield.

The Captain adjusted by ordering his team to begin gathering any usable weapons, ammo and supplies littered around the area, especially what could be immediately recovered from the Super Ponies.

“There you are,” Slice said annoyed as Thunder arrived.

Thunder ignored it and Shadow led them kicking in the door. The main floor was mostly destroyed office spaces. There were only a few Super Ponies inside, despite large quantity of their typical decorative touch.

“Nor and I have the main and top floor,” Shadow ordered. “The rest of you, find and clear the storage areas.”

Shadow headed up the stairs while Nor began to pick through what he could. The others headed down the main hall to the elevators.

All the offices above were trashed. File cabinets were smashed and tossed about. Almost everything had been emptied and the contents had rotted away in these conditions. Super Pony’s makeshift beds were dotted around.

The Colonel’s room was were a lot of the cabinets and desks had been tossed. Glass cracked under his hoof as he approached the broken desk. Behind it was stripped file cabinets, beneath the desk was the bones of what Shadow assumed was the Colonel.

Shadow almost missed it, his HUD made sure he didn’t. The corner of a floorboard was cracked up. Shadow popped it up and found a safe. It was a combination safe. Shadow looked around, underneath the desk. Five numbers were scratched into the corner, almost invisible. His suit picked up the difference.

The numbers were scribbled in reverse, but Shadow opened it. It was sealed against the elements. Everything was in mint condition. Inside he found a folder full of papers, a 44 Magnum revolver just like he just purchased, two boxes of 44 Magnum rounds, a key card and a physical key.

“SHADOW!”

Shadow slammed his head into the top of the desk.

“Ow,” Shadow groaned. Even with a helmet it hurt.

Shadow backed out from under the desk. He didn’t realize he has crushed most of the Colonel’s bones to dust.

“Nor?” Shadow radioed. “That wasn’t over the coms.”

“No,” Nor chuckled. “I do not know where you were poking your head, but the walls below are so dense, they cut off our coms. Hence the intercom system that is still functional in places. Meet me in the main hallway. Thunder just left to his job and The Captain just left to check on things outside.”

Shadow bounded down to the main floor where Nor was. He followed Nor to the elevator where they went down a floor. They exited to the first level and found themselves looking at a huge loading elevator on the left and a massive vault door on the right.

“What is up?” Shadow asked.

“We didn’t anticipate this level of security,” Slice stated. “Storm is trying to hack into the terminal and unlock it. This is the first of five vaults.”

Shadow nodded and walked over to the terminal. “Does it have a key card access?”

Storm shook his head.

Shadow examined the wall nearby. “What is this slit?”

“I don’t know,” Slice shrugged. “I didn’t see that it.”

Shadow looked at the key card he had found and slipped it in. He pulled it out and a hidden panel popped out a few feet away. It was no bigger than a hoof. Storm stopped what he was doing and watched as Shadow opened it.

Shadow opened the hatch as far as it would go. A single keyhole. Shadow pulled out the key he had found and inserted it. Shadow turned it and a second later, the vault door began it’s opening sequence. Bars and locks began to sound as they retracted all the way down the door.

They all stepped back and watched the door swing in and halt at the 90 degree mark. Inside, there were boxes and crates, organized on pallets and shelves. The pallets were decayed, shifting the boxes and crates, some had toppled over. They waited for Shadow to lead them in.

Shadow entered and went straight to the boxes in the center. He opened the top one. Medical bandages. Fresh, sterile, medical bandages.

“Terminal!” Storm announced. “I have a full listing of everything stored. Medical, ammunition, armor, some battle saddles. Everything stored in here is on this list.”

“The loading elevator?” Shadow asked.

“Right,” Slice replied. “Come on Storm. We need that operational.”

Shadow looked around a bit more.

“Here,” Nor said passing him a clipboard. “Hard copies of what is stored here.”

FORT STRONG

VAULT 1

MEDICAL:

250 Crates of Medical Bandages

100 Crates of Magical Bandages

100 Crates of Health Potions

100 Crates of Med-X

150 Crates of Rad-away

150 Crates of RadSafe

FOOD:

500 Crates of D-Rations

5,000 Pounds of C-Rations

5,000 Pounds of Assorted Freezer Goods

WEAPONS:

40 Battle Saddle

100 Service Rifle

10,000 Service Rifle Magazine

100 9mm Pistol

500 Boxes of RME

EQUIPMENT:

100 Pegasus Armor NA

500 Pegasus Armor Chest Plate NA

500 Pegasus Armor Forward Plates NA

500 Pegasus Armor Rear Plates NA

AMMUNITION:

10,000 9mm Round

500,000 5.56 Round

200,000 AP 7.62x51mm Round

2,000 Fragmentation Grenade

50,000 25mm High Explosive Anti Aircraft Ammunition

50,000 25mm Armor Piercing Anti Aircraft Ammunition

Shadow looked at Nor.

“The stores here,” Nor replied elated. “That 7.62 ammo is for the machine gun nests on the ships. But it is here and we can use it. I just tested one of our clips. They fit and work perfectly and the exact same as ours. I put it all back for inventory purposes.”

“They asked what we would be getting out of it,” Shadow chuckled. “All worth it for a few strips of these rounds.”

“Now, head out and take command of your team,” Shadow ordered. “Inform the Captain we will be able up start up shortly. And a verbal report and what is in Vault 1. We will begin with medical, then weapons, equipment, and then light ammunition, before the 25mm cannon shot.”

“Yes Sir,” Nor replied heading out.

Shadow checked out the battle saddles. Solid and in new condition. The guns were the same as The Captain’s. Chambered in 5.56 and using boxed magazines. The armor was in tip top shape as well. There were plenty of replacements for when they got hit. They needed their armor at maximum strength after all.

The freezer had died long ago, but the food was preserved enough to still be moldy mush. Shadow quickly closed and sealed it off. If the ponies breathed in those spore without his filter, the would probably die. He made sure it was sealed off and marked.

The sounds of the loading elevator shifting and coming online pulled him back to reality.

“Slice is checking something out topside, but we are a go,” Storm announced trotting up. “And they have found some moving equipment from the docks.”

They stepped to the side as the area was swarmed in an effort to gather the equipment and ship it back.

Shadow took the elevator to the main floor and exited out the front doors. Now it was time to sit back and make sure it all ran smoothly. But first he wanted to read the file that was in the safe. Shadow launched up to the roof where he would have the peace and still be able to monitor everything.

It was a bunch of files and reports on the Fort Strong and the fleet. Things were redacted, complicating matters. There was mention of not only the Equestrian Naval Academy, but of a Stable 50. It was outside the Academy, but explicitly linked.

Shadow dropped down from the roof, startling ponies. They tipped over boxes in surprised.

“Sorry,” Shadow apologized. “But Captain, I have a question for you.”

“It obviously is important,” He replied. “What is it?”

“What do you know of the Naval Academy and a nearby stable?”

“The Academy is north of us, along the Ponypsco River,” He replied. “The officers and crew for the fleet were being trained there. Or had been trained.”

“Do you know what happened to any of them? Were you the only fleet personnel at the docks?”

“At the time, yes,” He shrugged. “We were only here for a week and to begin doing test runs off the flight deck. We were not set to take on the skeleton crew for a few more days, and then the rest at the docks here at Fort Strong.”

“And what do you know about a stable? Any stables?” Shadow pressed.

“I do not know of any stables nearby,” The Captain replied. “I guess there may be one. I know little about stables. The mission was my focus, making sure that Equestria didn’t need the stables. Stable residence were not always know. They could be very competitive to obtain a residency. No one from Dry Dock City has ever come from a stable to my knowledge.”

Shadow sighed and was agitated. The blacked out text held the answers the same papers had posed.

“Is there a problem?” The Captain asked concerned. “I do not need to see your face to tell you are unstable.”

“Thank you,” Shadow replied. “Information lost to the ages. Stupid shit that deteriorated and only poses questions that can no longer be answered. I am going to go check in with Thunder and the defense team.”

Shadow walked all the way over, letting his mind clear as much as possible.

“Ah, perfect timing,” Thunder said at his arrival. “You can see our minefield laid out.”

“Good pattern and depth,” Shadow nodded.

“Then maybe you can see our curious visitors,” Thunder pointed. “Its between three and five Super Ponies, staying on the fringes of the buildings and just watching. We believe they are oblivious of the minefield.”

“No idea what they are up to?” Shadow asked.

“None,” Thunder shrugged. “If it stays just those five, we will repel them.”

“Sounds good,” Shadow nodded. “Keep me informed.”

Shadow trotted off to find Slice and Storm. The docks were getting full. The teams were loading everything they could for each shipment, but it was taking time and they were back logged. It was better than waiting for the equipment to arrive at the docks.

Shadow finally found Slice on the eastern side of the fort. He was next to what appeared to be a naval gun mounted in the concrete. It was below the concrete barrier, but it was obviously mounted to allow it to be popped up to aim and shoot. Maximum crew and gun protection.

“Ah!” Slice exclaimed. “Great timing. These guns need the rust worked off of them and a good coat of paint, but should work.”

“We care why?” Shadow asked.

“Because this mechanism is the track that rotates them, but this is what raises the gun up, and it can also be elevated several degrees. This gun, it could be taken down to it’s parts, moved back and incorporated into the defense of the city.”

“It is too big. You would have the same problem as the cannons on the ships,” Shadow shot back, confused.

Slice was excited. “No, these are meant to defend this fort from incoming attacks. In a big way, but in a level way. The ones on the ship can’t be brought level over the walls. The ships are too low in dry dock. But with the right placement, these can be used to shoot something between a hundred yards out to two miles!”

“We have better things to do,” Shadow replied. “Their walls have stood very well all these years. So has their defenses and defenders. Besides, one cannon...”

“There are five,” Slice cut him off. “And just because they have stood, doesn’t meant they should go without. It won’t be hard to incorporate them. The hardest part will be moving some of these pieces like the cannon barrel itself.”

“But it is only a 6 inch gun,” He continued to argue. “Its just like the ones on the ships, but mounted on a land design. And a single, shorter barrel. It uses the same rounds. It would not be hard to set this up.”

Shadow sighed and took his helmet off. Slice took his off as well. They didn’t want this conversation to accidentally be carried across the coms.

“We are beginning to put real time and effort into this city,” Shadow quietly growled. “I know we have sins to atone for, but this is getting ridiculous. Having fun killing these beasts for a purpose is one thing. But…”

“But nothing! We don’t need to unlock the other vaults. We have all relevant supplies found and the others are very secure. But we will because they want to and we won’t leave a job half done!”

“Slice, we said we would do it! We didn’t know about the vaults and being that secured. And at this point, it is them doing the work. We are not going out of our way. And we get to reap some of the rewards. They have our rifle rounds. We can replenish here.”

“And you plan to just leave without helping their farming situation?”

Shadow growled in frustration and began to pace.

“We still are facing the same problem,” Shadow growled. “How much do we, as Enclave recon soldiers, put into a city that won’t definitively be our ally?”

“As much as we need to for our peace of mind,” Slice shot back. “And we might need them. If we don’t…”

“NO!” Shadow cut him off. “We can’t begin to put stock in being stuck here. We can’t lose ourselves like that. Even as a contingency plan. We all have family to get back to. A job to quit and old stations to resume.”

“I spent the last few years working on engine pitch and angles,” Slice shot back. “Storm did too. We were experimenting. We got half of the fleet to optimize their engines by up to 2%. It was boring as hell and pointless. Battle will drop efficiency to at most, 90%, negating everything we slaved to do. But we didn’t have anything better to do. At least not for guys so skilled as us. I don’t want to go back to that. Or being that lonely.”

“Pull your head out of the engines and you would find a dozen perfect mares,” Shadow replied. “Same with us all. We just have to surface to breath from our work long enough. I barely got it with Cardinal, but I got it. And so will you.”

“And if I don’t want to stay up there?” Slice asked. He was very serious about the question.

Shadow swallowed a pit, it thudded into his stomach. “You are serious. Why?”

“I will always miss my family,” Slice sighed. “But up there, its nothing special. Not enough for me to have settled down. I had no reason to pull my head out of the engines. We may be expendable for those reasons, but we also were the ones who also won’t typically care. At least not enough for anypony to notice.”

Shadow sat down. He was shaking. He never expected to be having this discussion. Let alone in the middle of the mission, in the field.

“Is your mind made up?” Shadow asked.

“No,” Slice replied. “Its conflicted. Very conflicted. But at least here, I am making a difference. An impact. You grew up doing that. I didn’t. I grew up getting yelled at for opening some appliance up.”

“This place…” Shadow began. “I guess it deserves us putting some effort in. Improve what we can over the next few days. This fort mission, it was fueled but rage and adrenaline, but we can maybe, not only make a difference with their life in the city, but maybe help them see the Enclave in a way that will make it so the Enclave doesn't want to terminate them.”

“For all we know, the invasion might be tomorrow, or next year,” Slice added.

“Or it could be ten, twenty or fifty years,” Shadow replied. “Or never.”

“We have the opportunity to improve their lives, at least for a while,” Slice argued. “If the Enclave comes and kills them all, it isn’t our fault. We can make life better in between. And we should.”

Slice sighed. “I also don’t know if I can go back to just existing up there. With somep… like here. I might brand and banish myself.”

Shadow smiled at Slice. “If we get back, and you really want to leave the Enclave, I know that between the Inquisitors, my Wife and Wonderbolt friends, that we could get you below without being branded. You are not against the Enclave, or a traitor to their, I mean our, ways.”

“That would be nice,” Slice smiled back. “I am not a traitor, I could never be a traitor. But I want my life to mean something. To mean something to ponies who actually care.”

“I agree,” Shadow smiled as he stood back up. “So make a plan to disassemble and move these guns for use in the city’s defenses. IF we get the time. They will be done last and only if the ponies can handle it. On that, I need to check in on loading processes.”

Shadow put his helmet back on and trotted off to the docks. The Captain intercepted him and directed Shadow to Storm. Shadow found him at the first vault’s terminal.

“Ah, Shadow,” Storm said pulling away. “I have things set to only respond to the keys or the master terminal key I developed. The ones we use to reboot our suits, the cloud terminal or Rosemary’s door.”

“Good,” Shadow nodded.

“We are done with vault one,” Nor informed them as he walked up.

They went down to the next level and Shadow opened Vault 2. Inside they found what the had initially expected to find. 300,000 more Anti Air rounds and then the 6 inch shells. 25,000 Armor Piercing rounds, the rest were High Explosive rounds.

“We are out of our league,” Storm said looking at them all. “How are they going to store them all?”

“I do not know,” Shadow replied distracted. He was trying to figure that out.

“The ships have storage for these,” Nor reminded them.

“Yeah, but in their current dry dock situation, they can’t take this weight,” Storm replied. “These rounds are superior to the ones we have in the Enclave.”

“No surprise,” Shadow replied shaking his head to clear it. “We never got these cannons on cloud ships. These were purely for naval and coastal guarding purposes, not anti dragon. But I need to check on the docks anyway. Move the half of the 6s first, then the anti air.”

Shadow moved to the docks. They were packed with supplies, but the boats were back at the city, dropping off their hauls.

“How is it going?” Shadow asked Salt Waters.

“Good,” He replied looking up from the boxes. “The Tugs can’t carry as much as I would like, but the barge has been hauling some really good loads. They are doing an excellent job unloading back there.”

“I never thought about unloading,” Shadow replied. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry,” Salt Waters smiled. “The Captain and Governor made sure that side was taken care of. Including where to put the supplies.”

“I hope you have that covered because the cannon shells are a lot more than we expected,” Shadow replied. “We misjudged the capacity of Fort Strong. Stupid when we think about how many rounds you would want to carry for long term engagements on the seas.”

“Head on back to see how they are handling them,” Salt Waters suggested. “It might be wise to check in either way.”

Shadow nodded and launched. He cruised over the bay at a decent speed. There was no need to rush. They didn’t notice his approach. Most of the city was hard at work moving the supplies. Shadow dropped down near Governor Silver Sifter. They jumped at his sudden arrival.

Shadow removed his helmet to speak and ease their minds.

“How are things here?” Shadow asked Governor Silver Sifter. “I am sorry we forgot about storing things in the city.”

“You were tired, and we did not forget,” The Governor replied. “You have the muscle we never could get assembled, even when more of The Captain's men were around. Now though, this is life, pure living water. I can’t explain fully all that this means. The medical equipment alone will save us for for another hundred years, easily.”

“We certainly did not expect the size of the supply cache,” Shadow replied. “But we are glad that these supplies will go to good use. We have plenty of supplies with us, although we need some of the ammo.”

“The ammo will certainly be given to you,” He smiled. “And if you need some of the medical supplies or D-rations they are yours. If we could share some of the spoils with the Enclave, we would.”

“At this time, you do not want them coming here,” Shadow replied annoyed. “They would strip each ship for the metal, burn the crops and I do not know what would happen to you. I wish it were different, and hope that with time, things will change.”

“I hope that your generosity shows signs of change in the Enclave,” Governor Silver Sifter smiled.

“I wish my heart and mind were not filled with the fears I have,” Shadow admitted. “But I have only been able to see a narrow portion of the Enclave. I know others share my wish for peace. The questions is, will fear or peace be the way the Enclave decides for self preservation.”

“Shadow, we need you,” Thunder radioed.

“I must go,” Shadow stated. “All the philosophy is stated. There is nothing to be discussed further.”

Shadow launched and quickly returned to Thunder. The others were assembled.

“Its getting heated over there,” Thunder told him. “At least seven are poking around.”

“I wish we could bomb them,” Shadow stated.

“You can,” Thunder replied. It was evident he had a fun, mischievous idea, even with the helmet on. “Carry these mines. Arm them and then drop them. If they are close, they go boom! If they are not, we are setting up a minefield for later booms.”

“Load us up,” Shadow chuckled. “My turn to bomb.”

Shadow shaped up to command. “Thunder, hold this line. Nor, back to the docks. Do not send anymore into the vault. Be prepared to close it and retreat. Storm, Slice and I have this.”

They scrambled to follow orders. Shadow took point in their take off. They stayed in a wide formation for optimal bombing location.

Shadow pulled out the first mine, set it and dropped it before the buildings. The others did likewise. A barrier line. He was forced to immediately drop one and toss another. Both were hits. Soon, Shadow had them turn around to drop more. His didn’t want to set up the minefield too deep in. Thicker would be wiser.

Several more explosions went off as more Super Ponies hidden in the ruins stepped out. They finished setting the field up and cruised back.

“Hope that helps,” Shadow said touching down. “We have to be careful. I don’t like sitting here. We have a whole lot to transfer, and not much time with them probing the lines.”

“Command Sergeant Sir,” A guard called. “We can not afford to back down. We don’t want to back down. We can push. We fight them plenty.”

“Noted,” Shadow replied. “We have a lot to do. It may take all night. Its almost lunch and we are only at the second vault. Things are moving at a wonderful speed, but we didn’t expect it to be so expansive.”

“If only we had more boats,” One of them said.

“If only is an if,” Shadow replied. “We have what we have and it is serving us well so far.”

“Shadow,” Storm called. “I am going to play around with Slice for a bit.”

Shadow nodded. “And I am going to the docks. I noticed the boats are back and I wish to over see the loading.”

Shadow hovered over the boats, helmet off, watching as Salt Water and his crew expertly led the loading. The barge was a lot fuller than what Shadow would have liked. But he knew that Salt Waters knew what he was doing.

Shadow watched with a pounding heart as the boats departed. He followed the boats as the navigate back. The bay was calm, but Shadow couldn't help but shutter at every small tip and tilt the barge made.

It passed by soon enough and the boats docked. Skilled hooves began unloading each boat in a neat and orderly fashion. Shadow stopped hovering and set down on top of the closest warehouse to continue watching.

A loud boom echoed from Fort Strong.

“Slice?” Shadow asked annoyed.

“Sorry,” Slice replied. “I had to test it.”

“That isn’t true,” Shadow replied keeping his cool. “You wanted to test it. That is all.”

“Fine,” Slice replied annoyed. “I took a shell and tried to fire the cannon. And it worked. Safely.”

“You are a fool,” Shadow replied pissed off.

“Command Sergeant Major!” Governor Silver Sifter called out very concerned.

“Forgive my foolish Sergeant’s choices,” Shadow called back. There were too many below to easily drop down.

“He has been playing with one of Fort Strong’s naval defenses,” Shadow yelled. “He is convinced it could be put into use for defenses here. I told him to plan for retrieval, last. I guess he got bored and decided a test fire was wise. I wasn’t.”

“We should retrieve those cannons since they work,” The Governor called back. “If they are designed to keep…”

“Their retrieval is scheduled,” Shadow cut him off. “We have a lot more. A lot more to retrieve safely. We will if we can. But its going to be a long day. A very long day. I know they are extremely willing to defend as long as they needed. They have a steel heart. You all do. I can see why you have survived here against any challenges, and will continue to survive. With or without those guns.”

Next Chapter: Chapter 44 - Finishing Strong Estimated time remaining: 8 Hours, 4 Minutes