Deke was writing the letters in the morning. It wasn’t easy to write. Deke wasn’t having a problem with their deaths. His problem was he didn’t really know what they did at the time of the impact. And the reports from the crew was so fragmented, there was nothing remarkable to say.

Deke also had to avoid directly blaming the Weather Factory or the Chief Meteorologist. At least Deke’s own report didn’t expect the storm to be as powerful. Deke stuck with that fact. Because, all that matters is that it gained strength as it was unleashed and they had to stop it.

An advantage was that Deke knew the crew members quite well. They were part of the original 54, before the new hires. He had lived with them for long enough to get to know all four. He could attest to their courage, to their skill, to their devotion to the Pegasus Race. And to their trust in him as their officer, just as he trusted them as his crew.

The biggest thing about letters to the family was letting them know the officer had a connection with his soldiers. That they were not pawns. They were not numbers. They were living, breathing pegasi and that they were known and loved by their officers.

The testaments from the district Deke was finally receiving about the Buttercup were staggering. And he made sure to transfer the citizen’s thanks into the letters. In the end, it was all he could do. But he felt confident in it.

Deke finished the first letter as he heard different hoof steps approach. His visitors had arrived. Deke looked to the doorway and in walked Cherry Tart and Early Blossom. And they were smiling. Their smiles brought a smile to his lips.

“Hey,” Early Blossom said. “We have been trying to visit but you were off limits. We have been in town for a few days for the discussions, but we couldn’t see you. They wouldn’t confirm or deny you were in the hospital, or even if you were alive. We were so thrilled to see you yesterday.”

Cherry Tart shook her head with a smile. “And it was you to land right on the hospital. That has been hot news as the city waits for a real report from the Council.”

Deke chuckled. “I wasn’t going to make it to Mareland with them on board. The crew was barely alive.”

“Is that what that letter is?” Earl Blossom asked.

Deke sighed and nodded slowly. “That information will be released in time. But there were a few deaths on our end.”

“Damn,” Early Blossom swore. “I am so sorry.”

“You shouldn’t be,” Deke replied, flashing a smile. “They died protecting you and the others. They died honorably, lovingly, and undeniably protecting the Pegasus Race. They will be greatly missed, but if we get more ships, I put in that their names be the names of the first to come. That will happen. They deserve that honor.”

“I never thought about the reason why a Cloudship has that name,” Cherry Tart said.

“It’s never for the dead,” Deke stated. “Nopegasus dies like this, Not since we sealed up the clouds. And rarely its to honor somepony, because nothing phenomenal happens either. Its the same year after year.

“Accidents happen. The Ninth had an accident, but they didn’t die protecting the Pegasus Race. Our crew members did. But, if you visit Little, she isn’t cleared to hear this.”

“We can’t visit her yet,” Cherry Tart replied. “Only you.”

“Thanks for coming,” Deke smiled.

“You had us worried,” Early Blossom said, lingering. “We, knew that something happened. But we didn’t know how you fared. And its not the best, but my immediate thought was you were going to be my donor. Selfish of me, I know. But I was really looking forward to that.”

“Oh,” Deke stammered. “Right, you were not home to get that letter. As soon as I got back to Nellie a few weeks back I went and did my part. But I didn’t know you were not home, so you wouldn’t have heard that update.

“So yeah, if I had died, it still would have been all taken care of. And you can go have as many of my foals as you want. My legacy is secure. At least, in you.”

Deke chuckled. “I really like the idea of little half mes running around with little half Shadows. Its going to be an epic childhood for them.”

Cherry Tart groaned. “Please tell me you were not one of those foals.”

“I was a model foal,” Deke stated. “I had to be once my parents died. I had to take care of my little sister and grow up fast enough to get a job. My childhood ended early. But its okay. Because I had a good adulthood. And its only getting better.

“I need to get them word that I am here, but I know, take it slowly. I grew up here. Which is why I knew how to get to the hospital and how to land on it. They are here, and would immediately visit if they found out it was me.”

“Do you talk to your sister?” Early Blossom asked. “And family?”

“I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle,” Deke nodded. “It was a great relationship. I write often enough, and it was three or four days before the storm that I talked with my sister. The family is doing well. She is doing well.

“They know I contact them as much as possible. They understand that being deployed on a Cloudships makes contacting them difficult because I have to be in port to do. They know that my ship is the Rising Sun, our cover ship. My cover has still held, unlike Little’s."

“The Buttercup is the talk of the Enclave right now,” Cherry Tart chuckled. “After leading the Winter Emergency, and others knowing it was the Buttercup to confront the storm, its known it was the Buttercup. The pride of the Third Fleet. That cover is almost gone, if it isn’t. You guys have saved thousands of lives at this point.”

Deke sighed. “If that’s what they need to hear, sure. But We just did what we had to in order to protect the citizens. And the Ice Emergency was lucky. This I was prepared to do, to some degree.

“After that argument with the Chief Meteorologist, I got stuck on it and I just went to research what it was going to do. I grabbed news articles about the district and such, but it wasn’t until we heard that the First Fleet’s Ninth Task Force had it’s accident trying to escort it that I jumped into action.”

“That’s what Ruby Snow said,” Early Blossom stated. “I mean Admiral Ruby Snow.”

“Right,” Deke chuckled. “They got all of that from Ruby. They only needed us for the final part after they had to abandon ship. Its all a bit muddled for me since getting to the hospital.

“I took a good hit to the head. Cracked my skull. I still have problems seeing out of my left eye and my hearing is spotty. I don’t know how much will be restored. But it is as it is. It won’t stop me from my job. I still have plenty of time to heal.”

“I could tell it was bad yesterday,” Cherry Tart said concerned. “But I didn’t know it was that bad. It explains your bandages.”

Deke chuckled. “If I have problems with my left eye, I’m going to wear an eye patch. I’m going to be the Pirate Captain of the Enclave!”

They all laughed. It felt good to laugh. They needed it. They had been working hard in the district.

They talked for several hours more on various topics. Ultimately, they had to leave to feed Shadow Heart, and then prepare to head back out to the Southern New Cloudsdale District. Their time was extremely appreciated, and their care for him was felt at his very core. They were from two different worlds, but they had been brought together and would always be close because of fate.

Deke got back to writing. Lunch came, but as usual, it was very light. He still was a bit sick for food. The pain meds dulled everything and made him a bit nauseous. Ruby Snow surprised Deke as he was rereading the letters.

“Hey!” Ruby Snow said entering. “There is my favorite Idiot Commander!”

Deke chuckled with him. “It is good to see you. It’s good to finally have some news and some visitors.”

“Purple Breeze said you were going insane. I don’t have much time. Its been a long day. And its going to be a long day tomorrow. Still with the Council. There is a lot of damage control to do. I was expecting to just pop in and saw hi, but Little was barely conscious.”

Deke sighed. “I don’t know what happened to her. I just know I hit the console, felt pain everywhere, had some cuts and a bloody nose, and somehow kept the controls in place.

“But, I also know She couldn’t figure out the new orientation of the Buttercup, after the impact. And then she slipped and broke her arm when she got up to make it to the com terminals. She was on the floor for a while hitting the button until I could finally get up for the brief moment and get her in the chair.”

Ruby Snow shrugged. “I think a good deal of it is psychological. I left that evaluation with her doctor the other day. I get tabs on you two. The whole thing was tough on her psychologically. Barely in command and it all happened.

“And it was you in command. That is always stressful for her. She trusts you, but you are faster than she is. And she is reserved while you are-”

“Reckless,” Deke finished. “At least that’s how it looks.”

“She looks up to you for that,” Ruby Snow said. “She wishes she had more guts.”

“Yet she will make the better admiral,” Deke replied. “And she knows that.”

“Yeah, but you make even me want to be more… blatantly confident.”

Deke chuckled. “It is how I got the Fifth Counselor’s backing. I didn’t realize it was her.”

“She always had a knack for catching talent,” Ruby Snow stated. “I did my first rotation under her, before being moved to what became the Third Fleet and the Buttercup, under Purple Breeze. Under her, I was the First Mate on the Hurricane. Second Fleet, Seventh Task Force. And she was the Admiral over it. The Hurricane which served as the command ship for the task force. Purple Breeze was on… I forget. But Captain of a Raptor in the task force, so I knew her.”

“Seventh Task Force?” Deke asked. “As in the same problematic Seventh Task Force?”

Ruby Snow chuckled. “It is amazing how fast that Task Force went from the pride of the Second Fleet to a disaster. We moved to the Buttercup. She moved from Vice Admiral to Fleet Admiral. Then Admiral Breezy Sky took charge of the Seventh Task Force.”

“To start, the Buttercup was added to the Seventh Task Force. At that time, the Red Dawn was in the Seventh, and still held Unit 731. A few years later and the decision was made to move the Red Dawn and Buttercup. They got the bright idea to put all the odd ships together. We were the Second’s Eleventh Task Force for a while. That is when we got the Lord Clove. Five or so years later, Admiral Purple Breeze succeeded in removing us from the Second Fleet and made the Third Fleet.

“And that is the history of the Third Fleet.”

“So, did you hear about me?” Deke asked.

“We really didn’t keep in contact,” Ruby Snow shrugged. “We both had a lot to do. And she became the Fifth Counselor several years ago. We had the service history and some good times, but no real need to keep in contact. I did see her and speak briefly with her when the Third Fleet was created and the small ceremony that happened. After that, the last time we talked was a few times with the Ice Emergency. But none of that was in person.”

Ruby Snow grinned. “I did get to look at your file. Fleet Admiral kind of gave me that right to see the redacted text. But I didn’t think of it until the other day. Damn Deke. You tore it up. No wonder why you are so good. The letters of backing I read, I was impressed. I was impressed with your performance before your operations began, and I didn’t have the letters then.

“I can see why so many would disqualify it. That is more impressive than the greatest military lineages we have. I have none. Little has some. And the Counselor, she had a big one. She knows the shit they pull. And she saw me and saw my skill in weather. And I was brought up by her.”

“You were brought up in weather?” Deke asked. “We never exactly talked about that.”

“Right, cause you have to learn it all,” Ruby Snow chuckled. “And I had. You were the one in trouble. But yes, I was put at weather against my will because I was already decent at it. Growing up on the farm, all I had to learn was a bunch of technical stuff. I learned it naturally. She saw that I could be more, that I could take that knowledge and be a better navigator and pilot. And I got that chance.

“But I never became a real pilot. Not like you our Little. I can fly. I can do it all. But I learned just enough to lead the bridge from the chair. That is the sad fact. But I got Little, and I got you. I rescued you to foster you like I was fostered.

“And clearly you needed that. Because no captain was going to give you what you had earned and deserved. I am lucky I got that honor.”

“I am so thankful for it,” Deke smiled. “Not to cut it short, but are we getting more ships?”

Ruby Snow shrugged. “They kicked me out. Me and Purple Breeze. All of the Captains had reported in for it because of the incident. The Net Layers are still doing their job, directed by their First Mate. No time to stop. We all got booted. We fought hard. We talked about organization, and what we were wanting to do with the ACUs.

“We do not know the outcome, but they all but said we will get ships. Its not going to be the 18 Little demanded, but we will get ships. The idea of naming the new ships after our fallen crew members, it went over very well. Thank you for that splendid idea. It is perfect.

“Little brought rise to the idea that the Third Fleet wasn’t misfits. It was a home fleet, a defensive fleet. That was something we have never talked about. I had never heard her elude to that idea of a defensive fleet. But it resonated in their minds. Little’s Demands, she cracked their view of our defenses and how good they are, and she gave them the solution. At the same time, she didn’t tear down the Raptors, but built them up with their purpose.

“We will get something. And it will slowly be expanded. The better we do, the more they will put into our development. Its been very slow for building ships over the past few decades. They have been doing repairs and retrofits. But this, this will get those dry docks moving.”

“Expectations?” Deke asked.

“I am guessing 5 Corvettes and Two Monitors. Oh, and three more Net Layers. That will happen. That was already being prepared for. They have three about to be produced. The Buttercup’s repairs are throwing that time line off. But its all spurring them to move faster with those ships in Dry Dock.”

“Damn,” Deke swore. “We hoped for this day to come, but we never saw it.”

Ruby Snow smiled. “I didn’t ever see Little telling the Council, or even a single Counselor, that she wasn’t done talking. If she ever told them off, it would be from her pilot seat over the long distant communications. But that was a stretch.”

“I can’t believe she stood up like that,” Deke state. “But it made a good impression, added weight to her words. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain and she used it. She showed her lightning.”

Ruby Snow chuckled. “No, she didn’t show her lightning. She Deked up.”

Deke chuckled, loving the entire idea. “I can certainly live with that.”

“To show her lightning, she would have to have been defending something or somepegasus. And she would have had to be tearing that Pegasus down. She didn’t attack the Council. She told them what to do. What we needed in the Third. She channeled you instead.”

Deke sighed. It felt good to smile. To laugh a bit. But it was tough. It did hurt at times. And it was draining.

Ruby Snow saw it and got serious before he ran out of time. “Deke, how is your hearing?”

Deke shrugged. “My left is still down. When the doctor came in a few hours ago and tested it, it hadn’t improved. They are bringing in a specialist in the morning. The same for my eye.”

“Well, its not going to ground you,” Ruby Snow confidently stated. “Its only going to make you better, stronger. Somehow. I don’t have those answers. But it won’t ground you if it never improves. You are not that disabled yet.”

“That’s what Purple Breeze said,” Deke sighed. “I… getting used to the idea of never hearing out of that ear again is tough. I went in facing death fine, but I’m discovering injury can be the harder thing to face. We will fight for my hearing, but I’m losing hope in treatment.”

Deke’s smile was sad. “The eye, I could always go pirate.”

Ruby Snow rolled his eyes. “You toting an eye patch would be scary. You would be Deke, but you would be more forthright and fearsome. And you would enjoy it.”

“I would,” Deke sighed. “I would. I also would move the Captain's chair to the left side so I would never be blinded while commanding my bridge.”

“You will have to learn to live with that,” Ruby Snow chuckled. “They are not going to move the chair for you. Even if you are Captain. And its only been a short time. The treatments will take effect. You will heal. Just relax and let your body do it’s job. Magic and potions can only do so much, the body has its own clock.”

Deke was nearly spent.

“It was good talking with you,” Ruby Snow smiled. “I know, it was tough at times, but its good hearing that you are you. It was good to be finally allowed to see you, and then have time. I was afraid that the pony in here wouldn't be the Deke I know and am confident in. But its you. Banged up, but you.”

Ruby Snow pointed to the letters. “Are those the letters?”

“Yeah,” Deke said passing them to Ruby Snow. “They are done. The best I could do. I know, you don’t have to say it. I did a wonderful job. There is no perfect way to write them. That is all I meant.”

“You are learning,” Ruby Snow smiled. “Soon I won’t have anything to teach you.”

Deke grinned. “If we are getting more ships, it better be sooner rather than later. You will need me on the bridge of one.”

“I would love to disagree,” Ruby Snow chuckled. “But its true. But they will take time to build. So I have plenty of time to craft you and mold you into the best. You want to master the sky.”

“I will,” Deke corrected.

“Exactly!” Ruby Snow shot back.

---

Deke sat sulking in his bed. He wasn’t allowed to get up. Over the past few days, he had been able to visit with the others. It was something they all enjoyed. Twice several of them had been able to get together in the common room for a few hours.

Little was still quiet and off limits.

But today, Deke wasn’t allowed to do any visits. And he was getting antsy. He knew he needed to heal, and so did the others, but sitting in bed was not helping. He didn’t strain himself visiting the others.

Military Hoof steps approached Deke’s room. Which meant answers. However, Deke was not expecting the visitor.

“How are you?” The Fifth Counselor asked.

“Hey,” Deke stammered. “I, I mean, I’m okay. I hate being stuck here. But I’m okay. I never expected you to visit me.”

Deke cocked his head. “Did I do something wrong? Wait! I deny doing anything wrong!”

The Fifth Counselor chuckled sweetly. “You did nothing wrong. I watched you do a lot of stuff that pegasi would have said was impossible for somepegasus in your position and rearing.”

Deke crossed his forelegs across his chest. “And that always pissed me off.”

“You were a lot more behaved and professional then.”

Deke chuckled. “I was in charge, at the top. And you were not at some of the meetings with the Board. But now, its still a fight to get in the top position so others will take me seriously. Little and Ruby do. So does Vice Admiral Purple Breeze. But outside of them, I still have to earn it. I was an undeniable Master when I led those projects. Now, I’m just a Commander. And even knowing it all, earning that right… promotions work differently in the Military than it did back there.”

“That is does,” Fifth Counselor replied. “I don’t have much time. I checked in with Captain Lightning, but she still is… unresponsive.”

Deke chuckled. “I forced my way in with a lot of threats to get in there yesterday. I just sat there in my wheelchair for four hours after dinner. She didn’t speak a word. I saw her eyes flash when I came in, recognizing I was there. But nothing more. I just sat with her. She is hurting in more ways than one. I needed to be there.”

“That was wise,” Fifth Counselor stated. “She had some fire at the meeting, but since…”

“It drained her,” Deke stated. “She is sorting a lot out in her head as well. But I’ll get through to her. Maybe this afternoon I’ll try again.”

“You can’t,” Fifth Counselor stated. “For the same reason I have very little time left. I meant to get here earlier. Much earlier. But we released our response to everything. We went the “out of control” angle, which it was. Your warnings were a different matter.”

Deke nodded. “And my calculations were low too.”

“That is facts we used to our advantage,” Fifth Counselor stated. “We also tossed in the military’s new idea of cloud busting. That credit goes to you. Deke’s Method. At the end, we also published the crew list on board, their injuries, and the dead on the Buttercup. The real heroes.”

“Later we will deal with the Ninth Task Force, quietly. But none of that matters right now. At 1300 your family is coming to visit.”

Deke looked at the clock. It was 1223. She was cutting it close.

“That’s,” Deke said taking a deep breath in. “Wonderful. Confusing. But positive all around.”

Fifth Counselor smiled at Deke. “Keeping you tied down in bed is not a good idea. The medical reports indicate you are doing better since we let you see the others. The same thing for them.”

“And about records.”

“Wait!” Deke interrupted her. “Is the Third Fleet getting more ships.”

“Yes. We approved the creation of four Corvettes and two more Monitors. The Corvettes will be named for your fallen crew members. For their heroic actions defending the citizens.”

“Good,” Deke nodded. “The first Monitor needs to be named the Rising Sun. That cover is blown. Keep it in the Third. And that is a powerful name for a powerful ship.”

“That is a good idea,” The Fifth Counselor smiled.

“And one more thing, the Chief Meteorologist?”

The Fifth Counselor took in a deep breath. “Officially, it is still being debated. But I am drawing up orders for every position that I have control over to undergo the proper training. The ones that haven’t undergone training. The same with the Fourth Counselor and the Army. They will go. And the Council will accept that course of action, begrudgingly if they must.”

“Good,” Deke smiled. “Always improve. Never let yourself get stale. Always talk to different positions and never forget about the perspective of the little guy. They can tell you the most, but often won’t have a solution.”

“Back to what I need to tell you,” The Fifth Counselor pushed. “I hear you are not a fan of awards and medals.”

“Humph!” Deke grumbled. “Pointless shiny things to wear that doesn’t show real skill.”

“Not always,” Fifth Counselor replied with a smile. “The biggest thing about some of them, is that if you don’t get them, you are doing something wrong. But I won’t make you go through any ceremony.”

“I won’t wear the pointless ones,” Deke declared.

“I know. Vice Admiral Purple Breeze did relay some of your talk. Just listen and take them for what they are. Like I said, some of them are important for the fact that if you are not receiving them, you are not doing your job correctly. And you want to master the sky.”

“Fine,” Deke mumbled. “I’ll take it like I took Employee of the Month. Extra cash and the poster child for that month for what it meant to be the best employee. Employee of the Year was a much different award. That showed dedication beyond normal and that I had skill and experience to pass on.”

“Good,” Fifth Counselor smiled. “Because that is the Deke we need. On that, I will be coming back later to get an explanation on the Deke verse Derecho situation.”

Deke gave a quick nod. He wanted to get the awards out of the way. He had no problem explaining the names to her.

“Alright,” Fifth Counselor said pulling out a folder from her compact saddlebags. “These are not in any particular order. First is Good Conduct.”

Deke cracked up laughing. It hurt his side, but he couldn't stop. “Good conduct? I have been the opposite of that. The whole incident showed that. I left an important meeting to do my own calculations and was hostile to a high ranking admiral. I might have been right, but not good conduct. Have you look at my file and all the marks! I failed my practicums! Its marked up with conduct issues.

“And don’t throw the Director of Operations at me. You were not at some of the Board Meetings. I was the opposite of good conduct at times. On days full of meetings or a big one, I wore my worst clean work outfit.”

“And it kept you grounded,” Fifth Counselor shot back. “Yes, we all knew it was in protest once you did it enough. It didn’t take long. Just accept the damn medal. Because it’s already been issued.”

Deke took the official paper. “I won’t wear this until I deserve it.”

“Fine,” She shrugged. “You certainly deserved this. The Meritorious Service Medal. You were on probation during the Ice Emergency, so you couldn't earn this one. But you earned it now.”

“Makes sense,” Deke stated. “This one holds value.”

“Every lifer should earn that one. Or else they are not doing what they should be. There is a combat variant. But it was determined that it wasn’t in combat enough.”

Deke nodded in agreement.

“The Buttercup earned the Council’s Unit Citation award. Its not a medal, so only a ribbon. You have one from the Ice Emergency, so you get to wear a bronze star device to denote twice received. Only those who made the final stand earn this.”

Deke grinned. “I am going to paint the bridge, no the hold, no, best place is the mess hall! The mess hall will have the ship awards painted in a very prominent position. And so will our fallen comrades. Least we forget them and their sacrifice. I know its hard to earn this award. So we will display them, to inspire the crew for generations to come.”

“That is the spirit!” Fifth Counselor smiled. “As I am sure you already knew, Purple Heart.”

Deke sighed as he took it and read the full description. ‘Head trauma’ was putting it lightly. The specialist doctors that were working with him were nearly useless.

“I know, its a tough one,” Fifth Counselor stated kindly. “But know this, only five in the Ninth Task Force are receiving them. And another two with black stripes. Because after the accident, they jumped into action, receiving grave injuries fighting the fires and saving lives.”

“As they should,” Deke stated. “An accident isn’t the reason why some should receive it, because they were not directly doing their duty. Those seven were doing their duty to protect their ships and their comrades. As fucked up as it was that they were in that position.”

“Only those seven earned a few others,” The Fifth Counselor added. “For that exact reason.”

The Fifth Counselor read another sheet. “Ah yes. You will call this a pat on the back, but you also are getting the Cloudship Officer Commendation Medal. You are a good officer and have certainly proven that. If you don’t earn it once, you can’t master the sky.”

Deke gave her the stink eye as he took the paper.

“Cloudship Officer Professional Development Ribbon. You got this for showing the new wings how to pilot and communicate between you and Little in a crisis. You have come a long way, and that was a peak moment for you. Got it?”

“Yes,” Deke said, not thrilled. But he couldn't argue with that.

“Distinguished Flying Cross. For your heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight of a Cloudship. You kept the ship flying, as destroyed as it was, and you beat a storm that even Little says she couldn’t of done. That’s why.”

“I’ll wear that one,” Deke chuckled. “Its a skill medal.”

“That it is. Soldier’s Medal for non-combat heroism.”

“Damn it,” Deke spat.

“Deke, that’s the highest act of valor non-combat medal a soldier can earn.

“Fine,” Deke grumbled.

“Legion of Merit, for exceptionally meritorious service.”

“How many hold that?” Deke asked.

“Over the entire Enclave at this moment, 789. You make 790. Its incredibly difficult to receive it below being a Captain. That’s how it is. Its usually reserved for longer service period where the track record gains the approval that over the service history, exceptional meritorious service has happened.”

Deke shrugged. It meant most of the higher ups had it, but it was as it was. And he got it young.

“Order of the Wings. Only 485 others have ever been given this. This is a combination for your service over all aspects: in chivalry, service to the citizens, humanitarian actions, and protection of others despite the guarantee of grave personal harm or death. You mark 486.”

“Me like!” Deke exclaimed.

“Last one.”

“Good,” Deke huffed.

“And all crew members, whether they stayed or were sent on missions to warn others on the ground, all earned the Humanitarian Service Medal.”

“Another one for me?” Deke asked.

“Yep! That makes two major disasters that you directly supported and or took direct action in saving or improving the lives of Citizens. So, you get a bronze start to show you have two. Is that too little?”

Deke groaned. “No. I now have that chest full of ribbons you say I need to be the master of the sky.”

Deke shook his head annoyed, “Now I have more than Shadow.” Deke immediately regretted his words. He pointed at the Fifth Counselor who was about to come down on him. “I know nothing! I did nothing! I wasn’t poking my head into anything! Nopony told me anything!”

“Explain,” The Fifth Counselor ordered.

Deke let his breath out since he was sliding by. “I know you know we did some updates on the Buttercup recently. And we spent a lot of time at Fort Wind and the Squad Barracks. Cardinal Spitfire and I are great friends. I popped into her room once to asked some questions for a project. She answered them, blah blah blah. But on her desk was a set of boxes with the medals and ribbons on them. I never saw any paperwork on them, but I saw the medals. That is all.

“I know they were not hers because I saw her in her dress uniform a little while later, and none of them were put on.”

“She had them out and open on her desk?”

Deke sighed. He might of just gotten her in trouble. “She probably looks at them every night before she goes to bed, to connect with Shadow. A piece of him and what he was doing. Its not like it was planned or she was being reckless. Nopony goes into her room. Its in the Wonderbolt’s Unit at the Squad Barracks.

“Visitors are not welcome! If you are let in, they have their own lounges and such. They are really anal about who can go into their Unit there. You have to have a special key card to get in!”

The Fifth Counselor sighed. “All I will say is that those are all combat medals he earned before they went missing.

Deke shrugged. “I figured. I just had to protest with saying something stupid.”

“I’ll step out now,” Fifth Counselor smiled at Deke. “Your family will be here in a few minutes.” She reached into her saddlebag. “But these are the medals and their ribbons. And a rack to put the ribbons on, including the ones you already have. Along with the devices for multiple awards.”

Deke flashed a smile and gave her a nod in response.

She stopped in the doorway. “And Commander, we didn’t just pass these out to you. Not with your little service track record. You earned these.”

Deke ignored her. He left the medals on the table, but he began to flip through all of the official papers and why it was given. He certainly had that chest full now. The ribbon rack was for 12 ribbons, and he now had 10 Medals to wear.

From least to greatest, the ribbons he had to wear were:

Humanitarian Service Medal with Bronze Star Good Conduct Medal Pegasus Defense Medal with Top Barrack Stripe Cloudship Officer Commendation Medal Cloudship Officer Professional Development Ribbon Meritorious Service Medal Council’s Unit Citation with Bronze Star Purple Heart Medal Soldier’s Medal Legion of Meritorious Service Distinguished Flying Cross Order of the Wings

Twelve Ribbons to flash around. Only a few were things to be proud of. Deke only cared about the Pegasus Defense Medal since it was Top Barracks, Council’s Unit Citation but that was only a ribbon, the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Order of Wings. The rest he would wear under protest, to show he had all the pats on the back he needs to be Master of the Sky.

Deke didn’t have any time to sulk because his family was coming. He heard them from a ways of. They were not being quiet as the worked to find him. But he didn’t blame them. They just found out he was in the hospital

He had to sit there and take a torrent of questions. He didn’t even bother trying to answer them all. He only heard one or two out of the list they fired at him.

“Okay,” Deke said when they quieted down. “First off, patients are trying to sleep and heal. I am not the only one here. Second, I was flying. I was making the choices as the Buttercup made it’s stand. I chose where the guns fired and how deep into the clouds the fired. And then we got the chance to maneuver and survived, most of us.”

“We heard four died,” Aunt Rainbow Jade said, heartbroken.

“They will never be forgotten,” Deke replied quietly. “They died honorably, defending the citizens. A real stand for the Pegasus Race. We have a few Cloudships that are being commissioned. They will carry their names. That’s a rare thing and a high honor.”

“Good,” Sun Shower smiled. “If you had died, that’s something I would value.”

“I should be dead,” Deke state. “We were not trying to live. We were going to bust up that storm until we no longer could. We ran out of ammunition before it destroyed us. We never expected that. And I got us into a position and fate decided to give us grace so that we survived. It was 14 of us left on board.”

“The reports,” Uncle Arching Gale hesitated. “The reports about what you did in terms of destroying the storm.”

“Were massive,” Deke finished. “We busted it up real good and saved lives. And not just the 10 of us who survived, but the 70 that abandoned ship. They, at my orders, carried the news of the danger. They don’t get the recognition they deserve, but they all served an important roll.

“But yeah, what we did, never should have had to happen. But it was a good thing that we could get in front since it did happen. We barely had time, less than an hour once we got in position.

“Now, I know I heard the question about my injuries. I’m still patching up on my left. The whole side. It took the impact. Wing got hurt but is almost patched, and I broke the flight console with the left side of my head. Which also cracked my skull. I still am recovering my sight and hearing on my left side.”

“What are these?” Winter Low asked, picking up the medal statements.

Deke sighed. “I did my job. And I would do it again, and again, and again. Even knowing the outcome and the pain. They decided to give me awards and medals. That’s all.”

“There are a lot,” Winter Low stated.

“They have a lot they can give,” Deke replied. “There is some award or medal for almost everything that could happen.”

“What are you actually proud of?” Winter Low asked.

Deke picked up the boxes and found the the Order of the Wings. A bright red ribbon with black edges and a white center. The medal itself had three layers. A giant gold kite shield was the first layer. On the shield was Silver Pegasus wings fully open and in an upward position. They flanked a red sword, which also formed the connection point for the wings, at the pommel.

Deke explained the medal. He had to explain all of the awards to his annoyance. He was pretty sure Golden Front was asking questions about the ones he hated most to annoy him more. But that was family. And Deke loved his family. It was a relief seeing them.

About 1400 a big commotion was made out in the halls. Somepony was defying guards, nurses and doctors. Deke couldn't hear specifics.

Olive Pit jumped into the room. “You motherfucking idiot! How dare you go and get yourself bashed up without telling me! Not cool! Not fucking cool at all! You had no right to go and do something so brazenly stupid and reckless without my permission!

“I should be patching you up, not some motherfucking medics from New Cloudsdale Memorial Hospital. Who the fuck are they compared to me! I would have gotten here sooner, but I had to finish a head trauma course from a doctor. I came as fast as I could to fix you up right!

“Plus, I only confirmed enough of the rumors four days ago that it was in fact, you. Since there were multiple Cloudships involved.”

Deke couldn't help but grin at Olive Pit. “Olive Pit, meet my family.”

Olive Pit’s face got bright red. He was so focused on Deke that he never caught that they were not medical staff.

Deke rescued him as Olive Pit stalled out, unable to reply. “Olive Pit is my best friend. He was in my Barracks in Basic Training. He is the best combat medic in the Enclave. Or close to it. We had some great times together as I got to watch him do more training recently. I got stuck at a base while they took my ship in for repairs. Well, I chose to stay there and poke fun at him.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” Olive Pit finally said. “Deke and I are really close friends. But um… I’m going to go wrestle your medical file from their hooves and check it out. I’ll leave you with your family. For now.”

“Read the newspaper!” Deke yelled after Olive Pit. “The Council finally released a statement about what happened. And I approve!”

Olive Pit poked his head back in. “One you approve? I will get a copy immediately.”

“He is a really good friend and excellent medic,” Deke smiled. “He had a lot of fun jumping in and yelling at me. He was getting me back for some stunts I pulled on him a while back.”

“I can tell,” Sun Shower giggled. “I can tell. And its really comforting to see and know that you have friends who are taking care of you.”

Deke smiled at his little sister. “Oh, I certainly do. Our group is pretty epic. And we support each other through thick and thin, no matter what. We have since nearly the beginning and despite being split to the four corners of the Enclave. Distance can not pull us apart. No matter where. No matter what happens.”

“Some big things have happened, haven’t they?” Aunt Rainbow Jade asked.

“Oh yeah,” Deke nodded, sighing. “But I can’t talk about those. I have an extremely high security clearance. I frighten others because my clearance is as powerful as it is. I know things, that few know. Of course, it also means I get put into positions where I have to take care of others like the other day. Even putting my life on the line.

“The best way I can put me scaring others with my security clearance is that, ‘Idiot’ is added to my rank. I started that one on a joke or two. And its harmless and fun. But yeah, others don’t trust the ‘idiot’ with the info. Its mostly well deserved mistrust. I am good at what I do, and it can concern others at times.”

Deke chuckled to himself. “What am I saying? You are family. You know that side of me. You helped me shape it into the good it is today.”

Deke’s family stayed until dinner. It was wonderful. Deke had wanted to see them for so long, but also feared how they would react. It couldn't have gone better.

Olive Pit strolled in after Deke had eaten dinner. “I can’t complain. They did everything right. And probably did it better than Mareland would have. Especially with your ear and eye. You got the royal treatment. All of you did.”

Deke gave a single nod. “We were treated with everything they could throw at us.”

“The Military would have gone steroids to start, so I am glad you got health potions. And still are.”

“I still am?” Deke asked, horrified.

Olive Pit chuckled. “They obviously are masking them. Its been dispensed every day. Its down to once a day.”

“Fuck,” Deke swore. “I don’t…”

“Stop!” Olive Pit ordered. “Yes, you do. It sucks, but you do. That eye and ear need all the support they can get. They are not giving up yet, and neither should you. Their treatment plan has been great. I will be catching them tomorrow to discuss more, but I am satisfied. There are some things we can still do. We won’t give up, neither can you. Trust me.”

Deke grumbled. He didn’t want to be wasting something so coveted and irreplaceable. But he should let the doctors treat him. And he trusted Olive Pit to make the right call, without any favor.

“I have to go crash,” Olive Pit added. “I flew straight through the night from Fort Wind. I got a late start because of the seminar. I’ll be back tomorrow.

“I’ll tag along with the specialist to learn from them as well. I am intrigued with their techniques. We don’t give a shit about hearing loss or eye recovery in the field. Perhaps we need to. Which means, more seminars!”

Deke chuckled with Olive Pit.

With Olive Pit gone, and his family gone, things quieted down. But the day was still bugging him. It took Deke a bit before he realized what was bugging him. It was Little.

Deke stood up and swung his IV pole around to the other side of the bed. They had been doing some slow work with him walking. Deke was going to push it. He needed to for Little.

Deke headed down towards her room. He was intercepted by the head nurse on shift. They started with a staring contest. At this point, they knew each other’s arguments.

“Has she spoken?” Deke asked, opening up with a new tactic.

“No,” The Nurse replied. “I know you forced you way in yesterday. And I know you just sat there. But my first concern is you. That you don’t collapse.”

“If I do, it will make me stronger.” Deke wasn’t messing around by saying that. It was no joke. “I need to stand, to move. I’m ready to fall. I’m ready to face it.”

“And you are now,” She said. “And?”

“A little lightheaded,” Deke admitted. “But I have to do this, for her. She is my Captain and at this point she needs a rude awakening. Is there any medical reason she isn’t speaking?”

The head nurse took a deep breath in. “No. There is not. But we can’t get her to talk, no matter what we do. So we do not know if there are any problems.”

“I work alongside her,” Deke stated. “We support each other, and more, we understand each other. We are deep, good friends. We read each other. I’m going to head down there and we are going to talk. And I mean she will speak.”

The head nurse set her jaw and leaned in, poking Deke’s chest with her hoof. “Don’t push yourself. We don’t need a setback with you. And damn it, don’t push her into a setback.”

Deke gave a nod in agreement.

“I will be nearby, ready to respond if something goes wrong.”

“Understood,” Deke said. “And appreciated.”

Deke continued down the hall and then down the other to where Little was. Deke entered her room and walked straight up to the bed. Only her eyes moved to check who it was, and then they moved back to the same place they had been staring at since she had come in.

Deke stood there for a few minutes, right by her bed, making it clear he wasn’t leaving. Little seemed to not be aware he was there, but Little was never that unaware. When everything happened, yes. But now, no.

Deke took a deep breath in, leaned over her bed a bit and then grabbed her gown, bringing her face to face with him.

Deke let out a growl. “Enough. Listen to me. I know you can hear me. I know you are being silent on purpose. And its fucking done! Over! Its foalish and unbecoming of a Captain. Especially a Captain of your caliber!

“You are Captain Little Lightning. Now show it! And before you wave me off, I’m facing exactly what you are having to. The destruction of the Buttercup and somehow shrugging off death! Yes! We should have died! But fate decided otherwise!

“We have a hurting crew who needs their Captain! They need to see you! They’ve seen me and its made them strong! It’s made me stronger! I’m standing now! I know your leg is broken and you can’t, but you can’t just lay here anymore!

“You fucking stood up to the Council and now you are fucking being a lazy ass Pegasus and pouting!”

Little’s eyes snapped to meet Deke’s and she ripped herself from his grasp. She didn’t even have time to settle in the bed before Deke grabbed her and brought her back up to him. She fought but her injured leg gave Deke the upper hoof.

Little used the cast to bash Deke’s shoulder, but the attack backfired and she screamed in pain and tears. The head nurse stepped in but Deke flashed her a warning look to stay out of it. Little went back to trying to pry herself free of Deke’s grasp.

“LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!” Little screamed in his face.

“No!” Deke shot back. “Because you are my Captain, and even more, because you are my friend! You mean so much to me, I can’t let you sulk in here, wishing you were dead! You had your playtime. Its time for reality!”

Deke didn’t just let Little go, he gave her a shove to start her fall onto the bed. She bounced up and down on it, crying.

“You’re alive! I’m alive! We stopped a major storm and only lost four! FOUR! The crew is that good! And they did it for you! For their Captain! Because they trusted you! I trust you! Show them that their sacrifice was worth it! That all of the pain they have and the wounds they are recovering from meant the world to you! Because that’s all that matters to them! How you see them! And they are going to not just survive, but get back on the Buttercup and serve under you! You! And they would do it again, and again, and again, despite knowing the outcome. For you!”

Little’s crying turned from pain to sorrow. Little coughed on her tears and anger. “I CAN’T! I can’t move myself. It’s… It’s too much. I’m afraid of leaving this bed. I’m terrified of what tomorrow brings. I’m terrified of stepping back onto the Buttercup or any fucking Cloudship ever again!”

Deke picked Little up again but this time brought her into a tight hug. He fell forward into her bed as the weight pulled him down. He was almost smothered by her sheets and pillow, and his back legs couldn’t reach the ground because he had been tipped over at the shoulders. But he wasn’t going to let go. Not for Little. She needed to be held. She cried into his shoulder until she had exhausted herself and fallen asleep.

Deke finally, carefully, wiggled free from her death grip. He spent the night in a chair by her bed. He fell asleep after awhile, exhausted from fighting with her, with his head on the bed. He was going to be the first thing she woke up to in the morning.

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If you haven't read Derecho's story. The Anthology's second story.

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