Ruby Snow sat in the Captain’s chair, enjoying the show as the frozen land below moved below. The Buttercup was broadcasting the same message on loop.

“Farmers of the Norther Farming District. The is Captain Ruby Snow. The Enclave has declared this ice storm a State of Emergency. We care about you. We care about all of our citizens. We come bearing coats and blankets for your use. Check your local gathering places for more information. Nothing like this storm has ever been recorded. This is for your safety.”

It was as friendly of a message as he could broadcast. The Buttercup was not the only ship heading out. The Red Dawn was hours behind, heading towards the center of the district. The Monitor Lord Clove was steaming along out to the eastern side of the district. Each Net Layer was coming out behind one of the ships. There was another wave of ships coming from the Second Fleet bringing more support. The First was ‘too busy’ in the south.

“Ruby, we are 20 minutes out,” Bronze Valve said.

“Wonderful,” Ruby smiled. “I do wonder if they have spare cherries. A taste of home.”

The shell from where they were parked was still there and holding strong.

“I want to park there,” Ruby Snow stated. “Ready weapons.”

“Bringing the secondary battery online,” Bronze Valve said. “Coming to a full stop. Adjusting heading and bringing gun Number 7 on target.”

“Number 7?” Ruby Snow groaned. “Really?”

“We are too close to use anything else,” Bronze Valve reminded Ruby Snow.

“Fine,” Ruby Snow spit. “Target and fire.”

“Target lock failed. Targeting manually.”

Bronze Valve let three explosive rounds go from side gun 7. Each one slammed into the bottom of the ice shell, crumbling it.

“That felt good, didn’t it?” Ruby Snow asked.

“Yes it did,” Bronze Valve chuckled. “And now they are flooding out because of your stupidity.”

“Bah! Park it at the same spot. It was too good to lose.”

Bronze Valve rolled his eyes and brought the Buttercup into land as requested. The ramp was unlocked and lowered manually from the cargo bay. If it was dropped down on the ice with the automatic system, it could damage it. Ice against steel, one would break.

“I’m going to bed,” Bronze Valve declared as he left.

Ruby Snow giddily slid down the ramp as it finished lowering, hopping off onto the ice in front of the pegasi.

“I’m back!” He declared. “And I have a lot of gear!”

“Very flashy,” Deke said cracking up. “You had way to much fun planning this.”

“Can you blame me?” Ruby Snow asked.

“Yes,” Little said rolling her eyes.

Black was on top of the business. “Lets get these coats distributed here so we can move the Buttercup to the meeting hall for better distribution.”

Ruby Snow was ready for that. A locker was sent sliding down the ramp. Every coat fit each individual perfectly.

“Let’s get everypony in and we can set up at the meeting hall,” Ruby Snow said. “Even the little one. It is warm inside. Nice and warm.”

They scrambled up into the Buttercup.

“Come on Cobalt,” Dream Catcher coxed.

Cobalt was frozen at the bottom of the ramp. A coat was at his hooves.

“Come on colt!” Ruby Snow said. “We are not scary.”

Ruby Snow took a few steps down the ramp.

“Wait, I know your face. Oath. Cobalt Oath. Second Conclave. Never invited you back. Surprised.”

“I was only a consultant for this district,” Cobalt anxiously said, trying to cover nothing up.

“So what. Get in here before you freeze over and I can chip your tail off and then pin it back on your ass!”

“Don’t be stubborn!” Dream Catcher said frustrated. “Just get in. They don’t care. We have been over this.”

Cobalt sighed and grabbed the jacket. He rushed up the ramp and it closed behind him.

“Let me give you all the grand, but short, tour!” Ruby Snow declared.

“I’ve got the bridge,” Little said. “You, Deke, can have weapons.”

“Cool!” Deke said, jumping after her.

“You guys have a treat,” Ruby Snow smiled. “Best ship in the fleet! Maybe. Still, the most fun. The main gun battery is impressive. If you do not want to join the tour, Lavender Mist will take you to the nice and warm lounge.”

Everypony went on the tour. Dream Catcher had to drag Cobalt along. It wasn’t long before they got to the small bridge and crowded in. Deke was in the Captain’s chair and grinning.

“What is going on?” Ruby Snow groaned.

Deke chuckled. “Little over worked the engines and we almost spun. Now I am in charge.”

“Yeah, and now I am here. OUT!”

Deke hopped out and bounded over to the navigation terminal. He preferred it over the weapons terminal. “Little, drop the right engine by 2%, increase torque by .245 on the main transmission.”

A bang sounded out on the right side of the ship. “Is that gun 7?”

“I think so,” Little replied. “Locking down now.”

Little sighed. “Lock down failed. It requires a manual lock.”

“Damn it Captain,” Deke swore. “You know 7 doesn’t work!”

Ruby Snow chuckled. “Bronze Valve chose the gun. I would have used the main battery.”

“I take it back,” Deke chuckled. “The main battery was a worse idea.”

“You better. The Captain deserves a better Lieutenant than that.”

“Also known as, I suck?”

“Now you are learning,” Little grinned.

Deke straightened up. “Little, what is your tactical read out?”

Little typed on the terminal for a minute. “Second battery is half online? Primary battery is locked and loaded?”

“Its not responding here,” Deke said panicking. “Heading to the weapons terminal.”

“What is going on?” Ruby Snow asked.

“Not sure,” Little stated.

“Take the Buttercup up two miles to safe handling height,” Deke said.

“I can’t lock the system down,” Little said. “Moving to Yellow Alert!”

“What is going on?” Lance asked.

“Technical trouble,” Deke said getting up.

“You have the bridge,” Little told Ruby Snow.

Deke tossed Little her coat and they headed out of the bridge. Their first job was the main battery. They had a skeleton crew that was very tired from the trip. They were going to do it on their own.

The main battery required them to disconnect the magazine and then remove the armed rounds. Little took care of the magazine, Deke was forced to open the breach of the guns and drag the heavy rounds out of each action. They were longer than he was.

They had two more cannon batteries to take off line and then 12 side guns. They worked together flawlessly to shut each one down and lock them all in place. They had no reason to have any guns loaded.

“Took you long enough,” Ruby Snow grumbled as they got back to the bridge. Everypony was still there.

“Damn it!” Little swore. “I hate working with you Deke.”

Ruby Snow just chuckled.

“We should have seen a test coming after our, time off,” Deke chuckled. “Especially since he used the guns.”

“Using them was an added bonus,” Ruby Snow chuckled. “You both did better than expected.”

Little pushed two buttons and sent the Buttercup into a spin out for several rotations before she pulled it back into alignment.

Ruby Snow was grumbling after she got him with the spin out.

“You are scaring our guests,” Ruby Snow reminded them.

“You set us up for a Yellow Alert,” Deke shot back. “Besides, we are coming up on our landing. And we are not the first ones here.”

“Crew count?” Ruby Snow asked.

“I’m counting nine,” Little reported.

“Deke, get topside and get this baby set down safely.”

“Yes Sir!” Deke said jumping up.

Deke grabbed the landing gear, popped open a top hatch and dashed to where the could safely launch from. He didn’t mess around, dropping straight down to land.

“Order Sir?” The Chief Petty Officer asked.

“Direct the landing,” Deke replied tossing out gear. Hats with flashers were tossed our, brightly colored vests strapped on over their cloaks and guide lights put on.

The nine of them fanned out, covering all the angles of the Buttercup. Deke and the Chief Petty Officer stayed in view of the bridge. It was Deke’s job to guide the Buttercup in to a safe landing on what little area the had. It was also his job to make sure ponies stayed clear.

The bridge had to rely on Deke and he had to rely on the crew. The Chief Petty Officer could have done it in his sleep twice as fast, but he was on standby, making sure it went according to the plan and that Deke learned it correctly.

The Buttercup touched down and they already had Little ready to lower the ramp. They began to move boxes and lockers down. More farmers were coming in, led by the crew.

“Lunar!” Rain Jubilee called out, dashing down the ramp to meet her daughter.

A newborn foal’s cry pierced the air.

“Is that?”

“Yes Mom,” Lunar Harvest said hugging here. “Ice Tempest here decided the storm was the right time to make her entrance. We are fine.”

“Ice Tempest? She is so precious.”

“Named because she came at the very heart of the Ice storm. This legendary ice storm. But she has already proven to be a hoof full. The storm is in her blood.”

Buck brought a coat over and helped Lunar Harvest into it while Rain Jubilee held her other grandfoal. Ice Tempest was well named, not just for the storm. Her coat looked like the ice that covered their farms, and her mane was pure white. Almost pure white. You could pick out the odd colored black hair here our there easily.

“She is gorgeous,” Early Blossom said coming over to them.

With the Harvests, neither had met the other’s foal. Most there gathered around to meet the two new members of their community.

“Both are beautiful,” A mare said. “Both show the Turnip house’s strong bold coat and mane coloring. Always so crisp.”

“Wait,” another said. “Early Blossom didn’t carry Shadow Heart. Cherry Blossom did. But she strike a very good resemblance to Shadow.”

The mares traded glance. They were afraid to officially put two and two together.

Deke rolled his eyes. There was no denying it now.

“I know you all are not dumb,” Deke declared. “And its well below freezing. For all our sakes lets just dispel any rumors. Yeah, Shadow had to donated his umm, stuff, for Cherry Tart. He couldn’t do it for Early Blossom for obvious reasons.”

“Its a simple procedure that Shadow had nothing to do other than, donate. Simple. Done. None of you would help out and Shadow is a great pony, physically, mentally, and personally. I got to see and know all three sides of him.”

“So when it comes to Early Blossom, you will see little half mes running around because Shadow suggested me and the two of them asked me. I said yes because it was important to Shadow. I am a great pick for obvious reasons. Getting to know them was a lucky bonus and I am even more honored to be asked.”

“Shadow or Early Blossom or Cherry Tart did nothing wrong. Only good, honorable choices. All that matters is that they are raised right, as a family. Their parents are Early Blossom and Cherry Tart. Shadow will probably be a special uncle or something.”

“Special uncle sounds right, even for you,” Early Blossom smiled.

They were happy it was out in the open, and that Deke was handling it.

“No,” Deke grinned. “You don’t want me to be a special uncle. Half mes would naturally flock to me and we would rule the world!”

“You are so fully of it,” Little said pushing Deke.

“At least I know it,” Deke chuckled. “Now lets get out of this cold! More prepackaged food is coming and I hear firelogs are also on that list. Enough to last you years of this weather!”

“Firelogs?” Buck asked.

“Right, you guys use wood. If we want a fire, for looks or warmth, we use composite logs. Wood chips and sawdust that can’t be used to produce anything are bound together by resin and such. They burn well, smell nice, create good heat.

“Since most of the community elders are here,” Ruby Snow called. “Yes, logs are coming. A lot. More cold weather clothing as well. The Enclave is going to be expanding the electricity grid out here for heat, especially for the little ones. We have a good amount of space heaters with us to help fight the cold for the foals like Shadow Heart and Ice Tempest. Your grid can handle their small electricity use.”

“Telephones would be very useful,” Black said. “More of us could make unscheduled meetings and it would make harvest a lot faster and smoother.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Ruby Snow smiled. “I know you don’t think TVs a good to own, but Telephones, yes.”

“They are a fun novelty,” Lance chuckled. “But they are not bad or evil. They have their uses. We never will let our families get centered around them. We would have to afford them to start.”

The ponies laughed, leaving the soldiers shaking their heads.

Most of the farms had come and gotten gear and some prepared emergency food. Every crew member was back. Anything extra was left at the meeting haul. Deke and the Chief Petty Officer were the last in.

The crew brought with them gifts from the farms. Fresh food. As fresh as it could be frozen as it was. Gifts to show their appreciation for all that the soldiers did. Not just during the harvest, but after as they cared for their iced over farms. They often risked their lives in the blistering cold to secure the homes. Despite having no training, they leaped at the chance to do any job necessary.

“Everything is ready,” Deke announced as he came into the lounge. The only pony not there was Cobalt Oath. He had to head back to El Nino.

“I guess that is our cue,” Buck said standing up. “The Turnips won’t take care of themselves.”

“Will they spoil soon?” Ruby Snow asked.

“No,” Buck said shaking his head. “Not with this weather.”

“Then stay,” Ruby Snow said, beckoning with his wing. “Stay with your family in the only house than can handle this many ponies.”

“Come on,” Early Blossom smiled. “If you are feeling antsy, we have more cherries to take care of as well. Lets not split where Mom and Dad want to be in this cold.”

Buck didn’t need any more convincing.

“Deke,” Ruby Snow said.

Deke was already gone, but he yelled down the corridor. “Taking us out!”

Ruby Snow, Lavender Mist, Little and Deke were invited to stay another night. One last night. They had more than enough blankets.

“Did you steal us extra blankets?” Red asked as another locker full of them was brought down the ramp.

“I would not do that in an emergency,” Ruby Snow assured him. “I might have taken on a personal locker full of them for here, but nothing emergency.”

“Personal, got it,” Red chuckled.

“We are allowed some personal belongings,” Ruby Snow continued. We were at our safe weight limit, but one extra wasn’t a problem. Besides, none of what we carried weighed that much. We didn’t have enough room to hit our operational limit for the stuff we were carrying.”

“You don’t have to continue explaining it,” Red laughed. “Especially since Cobalt isn’t here. He doesn’t fully get how we work the system. Things are black and white with him. It has it’s good points to it, but…”

“Too rigid can backfire and be painful,” Ruby Snow finished.

They settle back in the living room. Deke and Little still had to share a blanket. They were finally less awkward about it.

“Grandma Cherry Tart,” Ruby Snow said. “If you want, we can take you to your sister now, or swing back later.”

“Lets make it a bit later dear,” Grandma Cherry Tart replied. “Make sure my expertise isn’t needed as the winter goes.”

“Alright,” Ruby Snow smiled.

“But, we had a deal. Everything went south when the storm hit, but I’ve got cherries for you and the crew. It’s not a barrel full, not by a long shot. But I’ve got some canned cherries and jams set up for you as well.”

“Thank you,” Ruby Snow smiled. “Thank you very much.”

“I wish I could hold up our deal better,” Grandma Cherry Tart stated.

“To me, the deal was off as soon as this became a State of Emergency,” Ruby Snow replied. “Your safety matters way more.”

“And that Sir,” Red smiled. “Is why we appreciate it all the more. You are one of the few who can grasp our way of life. You know when to call for a State of Emergency. And its already been a big help. We never would have thought to call for aid. It was amazing you came at the right time.”

“Equestria sent you here for a reason,” Grandma Cherry Tart smiled.

“And Little,” Cherry Tart said. “I’ve got a few jars of canned cherries set aside for you and your sister, and a can of jam as well. I wish we could do more to thank you all, but its going to be a bumpy year.”

“Its almost dinner time,” Early Blossom stated. “I guess we should try these emergency rations. At least to get a feel for them.”

Deke gagged. “I hate those field rations. We were on them longer than I want to remember in basic.”

Ruby Snow’s laughter overpowered the room. “They do not give those K-Rations to civilians. That would be cruel. These are E-Rations and a lot better.”

“Of course they feed us worse,” Deke chuckled. “And that is why we stopped in the first place. They should really let the public know how bad our K-Rations are. They won’t complain about food after that.”

“Why are they called K or E rations? Yellow asked.

Ruby Snow was the only one who knew. “Each letter is used to designate a type of food. C is basic mess hall food. D is Cloudship food. E is emergency rations. That has a reason behind it’s letter. K is just where it is at in development. It is a later type of field ration. G, H, I, and J have been discontinued.”

“L is Cloudship deployment rations. Deke hasn’t been on a Cloudship long enough to have to try them. We were eating them on our way back to and from here because we didn’t have the staff for the kitchen. That is why we carry them. They is no difference except the letter so that they logistically get where they need to go.”

Being out in the cold like they were took a toll on their bodies. They fell asleep early. Little snuggled up again Deke as she fell asleep. Deke kept telling himself it was for warmth, but he wasn’t so sure that was the case.

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