Slice pushed the hatch opened. It groaned before toppling over.

“Yeah, we have to figure out that noise,” Slice admitted. “And we are working on a better opening system. It is six inches of steel. Protection is one thing, this is overkill and our disadvantage. Plus, it can’t recede into it’s chambers if we reactivated the elevator.”

“You will have time after our first mission,” Silent said breathing in deeply. “Sounds really good saying first, finally. Start of week four. This is ridiculous. Everypegasus have their rosemary?”

They all confirmed.

“Rosemary would make a good name for her,” Nor said. “Outpost Rosemary.”

“And so it shall be,” Silent decreed without any further input. It wasn’t needed.

Shadow jumped off the cliff first and took off following the river. It had been decided that he would be their scout on missions unless otherwise arranged. It had its benefits and its curses. When he arrived, he had to wait a while, exposing himself, but he got to fly faster.

Shadow crossed the river and touched down. From here, it was hoofing it. The train tracks came and He told them they had no time to explore the junction under the mountain. He halted a little while later to watch a village.

If it could be called that. Shadow watched as Zebra fillies and colts forced out a pair of Zebras, one young stallion and one a young mare. They were poorly armed and posed no threat. The group was easily hidden, protecting the young Zebras. If it wasn’t for their commotion he would have passed by them without noticing.

Their actions were odd. He pulled up his E.F.S. to track them and watched closely. It was a large enough group, but they were certainly all young. No adults appeared to be with them.

Shadow passed on the word and followed the two. They knew where they were going. They headed into a forest that was near Ponyville and would meet up with a large turn in the river. Shadow

crawled along the ground to find a village on the water. The two Zebras were happily welcomed. They had been expected.

Shadow slipped up into a tree to get a better view. There were at least thirty huts, some on the

ground, others lifted up with the help of trees and they all were centered around a large fire. A palisade

with an abatis base protected them from all but flying enemies. There were several guard posts that were able to see over the palisade, and two on the ground flanking the entrance. They had to have a garden, but it was not visible from his perch.

Shadow backed away and relayed the information.

“Zebras?” Silent asked to confirm.

“That is right,” Shadow confirmed. “Z.E.B.R.A.S.”

“Please tell me we are not going to let Zebras run around free,” Slice begged.

“No, we can’t,” Silent stated. “The young ones will get nowhere but dead without the parent

village. Let them die starving, in agonizing pain for all they did.”

“I will work the southern flank, Thunder the northern,” Shadow ordered. “You four team up and hit the center. Fast and hard. Lets kill these bastards and continue on.”

The others finally arrived and took their positions. Shadow and Thunder hopped the fence and the others just strolled into the village, opening up with weapon of choice. Their guards were the first ones down. The Zebras who scrambled to arms were picked off easily.

The ones who chose to flee found nowhere to run, trapped by their own defenses. Shadow slashed open several with his hoof knife when they found themselves backed into their own corner. He wiped their blood off of the knife on one of their coats. The Zebra was still alive to know what Shadow was casually doing. Thunder and Shadow began to clear the huts.

Shadow lazily jumped up to a lifted up building. He saw the two he had followed cowering in the corner. They were frozen in fear and shaking like he used to during a thunderstorm. Shadow didn’t want to waste ammo. He flipped out his knife to slowly slice open a long, irreparable gash along each of their backs, starting with the colt. A third colored stripe.

He ignored their screams of agony and tears of terror. It was what they deserved. Their stripes killed thousands of ponies and dragged the Pegasus Race into war and death. They didn’t belong here.

“It is late,” Silent said when they were done clearing the huts. “We should take shelter here for the night. It has very good defenses and it gives us a roof over our heads.”

“That hut is clean. No Zebras were killed in it,” Thunder pointed. “Nice and clean. Well as clean as it can be with their kind.”

“Then we shall post up there,” Silent ordered. “Nor, find anything of value, specifically medicinal. Storm and Slice, find anything else of value. We should not leave it behind. Shadow and Thunder, take watch to start. We made a lot of noise.”

“We should burn this place to the ground,” Thunder suggested. “Cleanse the land of their

impurity. Leave the bodies to rot in the center, but burn everything else so nopony can use it.”

“Shadow, you have watch while Thunder sets that up,” Silent said changing the orders. “I will help search out good materials to burn this place to the ground. As soon as their bodies are tossed together, you and Thunder will switch and you can kill their farm.”

Shadow nodded as they went about their business. It didn’t take Thunder long to gather their bodies, but he decided to go the extra mile and set up some outside. He splayed open their coats for all to see their stripes and pinned several heads on spikes.

Shadow looked at their garden. It was ripe for the picking, so he made sure he grabbed dinner and breakfast. Cutting things down would not be sufficient. Shadow grabbed an axe and cut down more wood in the forest. He laid out the wood so that it would burn everything below and hopefully kill any seeds and their chance to spring back up.

The others were done with their collections and helping prepare the palisade for burning. They would be pulling down pieces to help the fire grab hold. Scoring the wood was easy to do and gave it a better chance to burn every bit. The center fire was kept going for obvious reasons.

“I do not think we are ready to burn it yet,” Storm said as they ate. “I don’t think it will all burn.”

“Thunder? Shadow? Thoughts?” Silent asked looking at them.

“I do not think we are looking at much danger,” Shadow replied. “And we have fresh food to

eat.”

“I want this cancer destroyed,” Thunder growled. “Lets make sure it is truly gone.”

“Then we will make sure of it,” Silence nodded. “I will take first watch tomorrow while the rest of you make sure.

“Show and tell from what you gathered,” Silent said passing it off to Slice, Storm and Nor.

“I found this book,” Nor said. “Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-alls That Are

Simply Super. Along with it was that bag full of dried herbs and my saddlebags are full of potions and cures. I also found a Zebra book on more healing and potions. It is pretty worn. It is in Zebra and I think it needs Zebra magic to make anything, but it has it’s value. At least to teach us more about them and their danger. Somepegasus back home must have the knowledge on how to read it. Even if its only in the academic field.”

“Good,” Silent nodded. “That has a lot of promise.”

“We didn’t find anything of value tech wise,” Storm said. “It is too simple here for that. We did collect multiple weapons, including Shotguns, plenty of pistols, a revolver, and two Zebra rifles. A good ammo stock. We want to keep the Zebra weapons for study, but the rest, along with their ammo, can be trashed.”

“We will pull the bullets and mix up their powder to help this place burn,” Slice finished.

“Sounds like a plan,” Silent nodded. “Shadow has first watch, then Nor, then Storm.”

Shadow made a quick breakfast. They raided the huts for more food. They had no use for them before. It was too hard to carry it. Now they changed their tactics and focused on lunch and dinner. Anything packaged pre-war was also collected. They were realizing how fast they would run out of food.

They cut a lot of tinder and split logs further down to catch fire faster. By dinner they were sure it would all burn. As sure as they could be. The center fire was kept alive and ready to be the heart of the cleansing in the morning.

“We are going to burn down the forest,” Nor gulped as they watched it all catch fire from a safe distance.

“If it does? So what?” Silent asked. “Better than letting it live to fuel more resistance. This was the smartest move. Lets move on.”

They headed out on hoof and across the river. They were going to skit the edge of Ponyville. A scout team was slaughtered here, so they were being extra careful. It was all rotting ruins and diseased houses. No value. They took cover as they heard voices.

“Watuv it? I don’t like them Disciple fellows. You pass our territory for 50 caps. You will make up for her with that lot.”

“Fine. 50 it is.”

Shadow nodded and Thunder slipped out with him into the open area in between ruins. It was two gangs about a dozen each and with a group of others grained together. Thunder took one group and Shadow the other.

Thunder opened up with a rocket. Shadow blasted them with his laser rifle. The dove for cover as ponies escaped their sweeps and more converged on the place. They were cut to shreds when the rest of Inquisitors sprung out and jumped them.

“Caps?” Shadow asked confused as he picked up a bag of bottle caps from one of the leaders.

“It’s what is used here for money,” A pony who was chained up said. “Bottle caps from the war and before. You must not be from around here. We don’t care about the caps, just free us please. They are all yours, everything is.”

Silent pointed with his head and Storm and Slice opened fire. Killing them all. They quickly pilfered the caps and any relevant ammo. It was not safe and they had stayed long enough. There had to be others in the area and the gunfire probably would be drawing them in.

“That was creepy,” Nor said as they put Ponyville behind them. “It was a real disease. We only got a small look. I wonder what other ponies hang out there.”

“We don’t have to worry about it,” Silent assured him. “At least not for now. We can report it is a den of thieves and ruffians who care only for their money and care for nothing other than themselves. Let a few units of soldiers purge them. We took a risk hitting them like we did.”

“We should be able to make the gorge in the afternoon if we pick up our pace,” Shadow pointed out.

“On you,” Silent replied.

Shadow set them into a good trot. No point in exhausting themselves, but they all wanted to make it to their target and make it back to safety as soon as possible.

This mission was on Nor’s shoulders since it was for his study.

“Shadow, make a pass through the canyon,” He ordered.

Shadow nodded and took off. The water had cut a thin crevice further in the canyon over the years. His equipment was clicking and beeping. The area was irradiated and the air was filled with toxic chemicals. Shadow didn’t zip through, but he wasn’t strolling either.

Where the Quarray Eels had made their nests had been was dissolved, making a slant and exposing deeper caverns. The toxins got worse as Shadow neared the end, culminating in a dense, green, fog. The gorge had to have been nature’s dumping ground.

Shadow circled back and was told they were being attacked by creatures. He double timed it. Shadow ignored his E.F.S. and put down a solid strafe with his minigun. The things had slim, burgundy bodies with the head of the eels and were running on two legs.

Shadow banked and cut back across to land ahead of the team and hopefully halt the swarm. He switched to his laser rifle and was blasting away at them. It was taking a few shots per creature. A wine red thing got up close and before Shadow could dogged it opened it’s mouth and it spit a cloud of fire at him.

Shadow instinctively used his wing to shield his face and then put the creature down with more shotgun rounds than were necessary. He began to walk towards where they came from.

“I just had one breath fire on me,” Shadow radioed. “How are you guys?”

“Clear,” Thunder responded. “For now.”

“Alright, we know what happened, lets move out,” Nor replied, his voice shaking.

“Buck up,” Shadow pressed. “We wiped off the map a Zebra village, took out two raider gangs and we should have killed all of those Griffins over our supplies. So, we have perky mutated creatures that jumped us. We still need to study a bit more. Like why one breathed fire. Or what their nests look like. I see the entrances to their caves.”

“I guess you are right,” Nor replied still shaken up. “I will start with a pass through the gorge.”

Nor landed with Shadow after the pass. “It is more like a toxic trench than a ghastly gorge.”

“And you have a name,” Shadow chuckled with Nor joining him.

“Guys, lets get camp set up on the train overpass,” Nor ordered. “That way there are only two points to approach us with. Shadow and I are going nest hunting.”

Nor stepped into a hole and walked down. Shadow went in a different one. They did not come out where they expected to and couldn't see each other.

“I have a slick slime,” Nor commented.

“Same,” Shadow replied.

Shots echoed all around as Nor had to blast several of the things.

“Quarray Geckos is a better name,” Nor told Shadow.

“I found a nest,” Shadow announced a little while later.

“I think I know where you are,” Nor replied. “Coming to you.”

Nor soon found Shadow who held up his hoof to have him slow down. Nor slowly joined Shadow who just quietly pointed to the ceiling where several of the creatures were hiding out. They were small, babies, and sticking to the ceiling by their bellies with the help of the slime.

The nest was a slimy mess of solid mud where they had several eggs.

“Lets take two,” Shadow whispered. “We probably just kill their guardians.”

“Better than their bodies,” Nor replied. “They are too big to even carry one back. I will have to dissect one tonight. See if I can unlock more of their secrets. At least I can give further scientists a good starting point.”

Shadow scooped up two eggs and slid them into his saddlebags.

Leaving was impossible because of the slime. They were forced to find the exit to the trench and fly out from there.

“You guys are disgusting,” Silent said as they walked up.

Shadow chuckled looking at himself. It was all over their legs. “It was really dark. I guess we are. Lets wash up in the water below.”

“Risky move,” Nor replied. “The water is harsh.”

“Do you have a better idea?” Shadow asked.

“Fair point,” Nor said taking off.

It took a lot of scrubbing to get the slime off. They had to use the dirt to act as an abrasive scrub and help each other.

“That is better,” Silent said as they joined them again.

“We brought some of them for study,” Storm pointed.

“Good,” Nor sighed. “I hope to have this done quickly.”

He worked until dark. The creatures were flayed open and well prepared for the next day.

It had strong muscles to keep itself upright. It’s spine was small and weak and it lacked hips or pelvic bones. The muscles formed a strong enough one tying in the femurs. The slime was produced in a sack and excreted through several groups of pores.

Nor couldn’t unlock the fire secret. They had shot a few before they could get that close and were good samples, but still nothing. Nor decided the hides were worth it and finished skinning his tests subjects. They skinned several more. They were a strong, thick hide that could prove useful.

“Two days got me all I can learn,” Nor announced at dinner.

“To Appleloosa,” Silent declared. “We will probably find at least one group holding the town. We have to be extra careful. They will have numbers on us so we have to play it delicately.”

“I will scout carefully,” Shadow nodded.

Shadow looked around. “Actually, I am going to head out. I will be able to fly at night. And may be mistake for a griffin in the dark.”

Shadow didn’t rush off. It wasn’t that far of a flight. The city was easy to find in the dark. There was plenty of fires and electronics making light. Shadow made a quick, low pass to find it filled with cages holding ponies. It was well defended and they were easily outnumbered five to one.

Shadow radioed back his report. Silent had taken first watch. He was expecting Shadow to be able to make a report early in the night.

“We will move on and swing past Dodge City then,” Silent replied. “Flip back here and we can get you a few hours sleep.”

They followed the train tracks towards Dodge City. A train coming from Appleloosa caused them to scurry to cover.

“That was too close,” Silent said. “So Dodge is also controlled by raiders and slavers.”

“Lets head home,” Shadow suggested. “Well back to Rosemary. On wings. We can make our run close to Shatterhoof and make it in towards tomorrow morning if we run all night.”

“On you,” Silent ordered.

It felt good to be back safe. Shatterhoof showed nothing from their pass.

“Tomorrow morning we head for Fillydelphia,” Silent said as the stable door closed. “I know that is no time off, but I want to get things moving. I hate it down here, below. There is no freedom in these sky.”

They all agreed and went their separate ways before bed. Shadow went to the hydroponics farm to prepare for their next leave, Storm and Slice to the armory with the weapons, and Nor took the skins to the reactor level to dry them, as well as store the eggs in a place that, if they hatched, they would be contained. Silent would type up his report and then have Storm send it after they woke up.

“You do not look good,” Silent said to Shadow as he came into the cafeteria. Shadow was preparing a meal for them. “Are you sleeping well?”

“Not last night,” Shadow sighed. “I see their faces. We haven’t even tried diplomacy. It has all been scorch and burn tactics.”

“Diplomacy? When?” Silent laughed. “With the Zebras?”

“No,” Shadow smiled. “Those fuckers deserved it all. I added misery to their inevitable death when I could.”

Shadow walked over to serve Silent. “But here. They didn’t turn on us right away. Maybe? Probably not, but maybe. And then chained together. They just wanted their freedom.”

“And they would turn on the Enclave if we gave it to them,” Silent argued back.

“Oh boy,” Nor said joining them. “I was wondering when this would happen.”

“What side are you on?” Silent asked.

“Peaceful coexistent. Redemption,” Nor informed them. “But I have a big fear that what I want and believe, isn’t achievable. We ran into Zebras and then three raider bad guy thing towns. Redeem where?”

“We know Thunder is for exploding everything,” Silent chuckled.

“I say peace,” Slice said coming in.

“But I say fuck em all,” Storm finished.

“Straight split,” Shadow said stating the obvious.

“I will make that notation,” Silent informed them. “This mission as a whole dictates what the Enclave will do. I do not want my bias to overpower your beliefs. I could be wrong.”

“Fillydelphia will be a more straightforward mission,” Shadow pointed out. “Straight in and straight out. We will fight who we have to and run or hide when we can. And pay attention to those bottle caps. No matter where we land, we should pull as many out of the market as we can. It will drive the prices of ammo and guns up, helping us.”

“That we can all agree on,” Slice proclaimed.

“243 caps,” Thunder said surprising all of them. “Shitty pieces of metal, but what matters isn’t the material, but the understood agreed upon value of them. No more stupid than our bits.”

Shadow served Thunder and sat down to join them all in a peaceful meal.

END OF BOOK 2: PART 1 ROSEMARY

Next Chapter: Chapter 36 - Changing Weather Estimated time remaining: 10 Hours, 59 Minutes