Olive Pit was lined up fourth in Unit 17’s deployment line. They were making their first run of the day. Unit 17 had been assigned two Field Group Beta. One of the two sides. Alpha was jumping while Beta held the ground. Then they switched. After watching the others jump out, Olive Pit was concerned.

It was a simple procedure, but it still meant stepping off a speeding Cloudship, wings tucked in, and falling. And if you didn’t fall fast enough the ship would hit you. He knew the science was firm, but it didn’t feel that way. Especially as he was standing in the bay, waiting.

The bay’s light turned green and Arrow dashed out onto the ramp she slid to a stop on the X and just stepped off. Gone. And then before he knew it, Olive Pit was on the X and he had to go with the flow.

One

Two

Olive Pit slipped his left wing opened and turned in his fall. After turning 90 degrees he opened his other and pulled out of the fall. The alternated which way they turned as they fell. It was simple to form up. Olive Pit slipped into the seventh member slot.

Olive Pit glanced around. Two dozen Units were in the air. Four of them were clearly out in front, Scout Squadrons. Unit 6 was the Unit in charge of the operations.

Unit 17 wasn’t going to be working with the other groups. They were playing the role of what was being called a Strike Squadron. Hot and Fast, come in hard, blast them all and then gone. It took the right mind to be fearless to the edge of recklessness to strike like that. Arrow suggested the roll. Only three Units were ready for that responsibility.

Arrow rolled in her place, chomping at the bit to join the battle that was erupting below them in the forest. She recognized the tower they held when they tested the other Units in her ACS. And Assault Group 1 was taking a beating from it.

Arrow gave them orders. She was taking one other and going in the back window. The others were going to dive right behind that treeline and stop hard, blasting all of the enemy there. Their Zap Vests had the injury reports on them, so Olive Pit would be busy.

They dove and struck like lightning. It was a hard roll on landing, but they all made it using the agility training. And they ripped through what ended up being Units 45, Unit 77, and Unit 89. Unit 107 was in the building and Arrow blindsided them.

Olive Pit personally downed Bright Starr who was the medic for those Units. They would not be reviving. It was over in less than five minutes and they joined Assault Group 1. Just long enough for Olive Pit to administer aid and then it was back into the sky.

The next strike was less successful. They lost two. And because they came in too close to the battle, one was downed by friendly fire. And the vest let them know it was killed by their side. Friendly fire was automatically a kill.

Their third strike ended them. Again they were too hot and too close. Arrow had been given reports of two Units in the area. It was two up front, with three holding back. They never stood at chance at even getting away.

Field Group Beta lost. Worse than they lasted against Alpha holding the ground. But at least it was lunch before back into the exercises.

Olive Pit had just sat down one of the Nurse approached him. It was Sergeant Red Contour. A beautiful nurse a year older than Olive Pit. She was known for her slate gray coat’s red contour feathers. It matched up with her gray and red mane. But there wasn’t too much red. Just enough to be alluring and sexy. And she knew how to play it just right with her style.

“Commander Olive Pit,” She said. “Stay seated. Everything is fine. Two recruits bumped heads a bit and are being kept in the clinic at least overnight. We have it. But we didn’t want you to find out when you looked at the records.”

Olive Pit breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at her. “Thank you Sergeant. I appreciate it. You guys are amazing. Thanks for coming back out.”

“As I keep telling you, we enjoy it. It’s fun out here. Its pretty, and more.”

She walked away, back to her job. Olive Pit’s eyes were not the only pair trailing after her.

“Damn she is hot.”

“I wish she had been my nurse last year for my sprained wing.”

Olive Pit’s eyes were taken to a different scene playing out. Captain Tight, who was waiting to finish his unit out with ACS graduates, was leading a pretty mare in a simple dress through the crowded mess hall. Not the same allure as Red Contour, but a casual prim that called your eye to waiver on her.

A civilian here was odd. And she knew she didn’t belong here at this time. Still, she held her head up high. Yet, there was a hint of hesitation from her.

“General Shielded Vengeance,” Captain Tight said. “This is Shining-”

“Ire,” General Shielded Vengeance finished. “What brings you out here? I know you know how busy we are.”

“I know,” Shining Ire said, hesitating a bit. “But I’m concerned. I got a bumbling message from Golden Dawn yesterday, so I knew she wasn’t going to swing by. But I never got any response from her about what was up. Not even to deflect it. I tried this morning, before breakfast. But the staff here never saw her to pass a message along. Something is wrong, and she didn’t come to me.”

General Shielded Vengeance didn’t look down the table to the Sixth Counselor. He thought for a second. “I know she didn’t leave here. I know when she leaves.”

He stood up. “Ensign Golden Dawn! Sound off!”

The mess hall quieted down, but no response was made.

“Ensign Gunmetal, sound off!”

“Sir!” Deke said standing. “Ensign Gunmetal is not here. She is hard at work on the project. I just came from seeing her in our cage. Ensign Golden Dawn was not there. I have not seen Ensign Golden Dawn all day. Not since her intrusion yesterday.”

General Shielded Vengeance gave a short nod.

“Ensign, no fuck it. Unit 22 sound off!”

“First Lieutenant Striker here Sir.”

“Ensign Tac here Sir!”

“Second Lieutenant Safe here Sir!”

“Ensign Vengeful Blade here Sir! I am on standby for Ensign Gunmetal to be her test subject.”

All four were standing.

General Shielded Vengeance snorted. “Where the fuck is Ensign Golden Dawn?”

None of them had a response.

“Nopony, fuck! Fuck you Pony Patrol. Nopegasus has seen Ensign Golden Dawn this morning?”

The mess hall stayed quiet.

“The old kissing spots are gone with the construction. Where could she be hiding?”

General Shielded Vengeance shook his head slowly in anger. “Why do I have a missing ACS trainee? Lieutenant Tuff, isn’t that Squad 19’s job?”

“Sir, I have not seen her,” Tuff said. “Marble?”

“I’m thinking!” Marble Falls shot back. “But no. Not since we parted yesterday. Where the hell is Cardinal? She visited her, right?”

“Captain!” Lemon Lime said, standing up on the opposite side of the mess hall. “Cardinal Spitfire is spending lunch observing data. However, she was back to her room yesterday early. I do not believe she met with Golden Dawn.”

“What is going on?” Striker demanded.

“That’s something we now have to talk about,” General Shielded Vengeance stated. “Ensign Vengeful Blade, do you have any idea?”

“No Sir,” Vengeful Blade replied. “I never saw her after. It was a lot from what I could tell. I never expected it to drive home as hard as it did. But plenty of times she sits with others like Pony Patrol and Unit 0 for meals.”

“General,” Chef, the Captain over the mess hall’s nickname, called out from behind the serving live. “She has been missing dinner and breakfasts on and off in no pattern since graduating from Officer School. She was not here for dinner or breakfast.”

“That’s why I love your team Chef, you guys can keep track of that. But where the fuck is she?”

“General?” Little said standing up. “Doesn’t she carry a special free rifle?”

“Yes,” General Shielded Vengeance replied. “She does. But she keeps it secure in her locker.”

“General,” Vengeful Blade said. “I will make sure it is secure.”

“Do!” General Shielded Vengeance said picking up on the danger. “And meet us in Spring Jade Hall, meeting room 201. Unit 22, head to 201 as well. I didn’t expect to have this happen. Now, where could she be? I won’t have a lost soldier on my watch!”

The room was quiet. Nopony knew of any hiding spots or quiet spots any more. Those two had been sadly removed as they expended the buildings and needed the room.

“General,” Cardinal Spitfire called out as she entered the mess hall. Fountain had gotten her. “No sign? I never tracked her down yesterday, and then had stuff to do for today.”

“No, no idea.”

“Fuck!”

The door banged open and Vengeful Blade came back in. “Sir, weapon secured and with me.”

“Head to 201 with the rest of your Unit,” General Shielded Vengeance stated.

General Shielded Vengeance looked at Shining Ire and smiled at her. “Its been a busy, hectic time. And as much as I hate it, I do not get the liberty of knowing where every soldier is at all times. The ones on hold for ACS have a lot more liberty.”

“Nova!” General Shielded Vengeance called.

“Restrict the ACS trainees,” Nova said bored. “No flying, even around the barracks.”

Nova was primary General over the next ACS. General Starry Champron would be backing him up and learn from him. Technically, either could run it in their new positions. Scout Command didn’t restrict Nova from leading ACS.

“Thank you.”

Gunmetal slid into the mess hall. “Is Golden Dawn still missing!” Gunmetal asked, panicking. “Awe fuck! I should have tied Golden Dawn and Vengeful Blade together and dragged them around with me so they didn’t slip away before I needed them. I have no clue Colonel, but I have been all over this fort working things out. I have no clue. I didn’t even sleep. But, I am reachable back in the Quartermaster here, for now. In like 2 hours I have to be back at Headquarters. And I’m out of time.”

Gunmetal took off running back to continue her work.

“I have an idea,” Cardinal Spitfire declared. “But I am going to need the Wonderbolts to join me. Its a lot of area to cover in a short time.”

“Go,” General Shielded Vengeance ordered.

They rushed out of the hall to follow after Cardinal Spitfire.

“Come on dear,” General Shielded Vengeance said softly to Shining Ire. “If Cardinal Spitfire has an idea, well she knows Golden Dawn deeply. They were in Basic Training together, and have been spending more time here as time allowed in between their jobs. She knows her well and they are good friends.”

General Shielded Vengeance led Shining Ire to Spring Jade Hall and then upstairs to the meeting rooms. Room 201. Striker, Safe, Tac, and Vengeful Blade were already sitting down and lounging in the chairs. The Applesnack gun was sitting on the table in front of Vengeful Blade.

They sat down and it took another minute for the Sixth Counselor to arrive.

“I will leave it to the Sixth Counselor to explain the, developments. But I will preface it with two things. First, this never leaves this room. Not even to be conversed in private. Shining Ire, you and Golden Dawn can privately, securely speak of it. You legally are one. But this is not to go anywhere. It is powerful information that can be leverage to be extremely damaging and embarrassing to many ponies, fuck, pegasi. Many of whom are innocent in this.

“The second is that I do not expect this to change the dynamics of Unit 22, in the long run. It will be accepted and will be and I don’t see it ever going further. Golden Dawn is obviously having a bit of a hiccup with it, unexpectedly. But she will come around. She is strong and level headed.”

“Levelish,” Vengeful Blade corrected him. “Levelish. When she is rash, she is rash. But yes, typically she holds her own. I didn’t foresee this.”

“One last thing,” General Shielded Vengeance said. “Shining Ire, it occurs to me you might not know the background. It would make sense for you not to.”

General Shielded Vengeance nodded to the Sixth Counselor, forcing the discussion onto the Counselor.

“I don’t know where to start, but I guess I should begin by staying that Golden Dawn’s mother had a third. A common enough thing that it is not spoken about. They won the right to not abort, but that was all.

“I started out in the department that handled those cases. While a judge was the decider, we juggled the paperwork and many other things to do with fillies and colts, especially those with deceased parents.”

“Your comrade Vengeful Blade was adopted by his parents. They were barren, but the law still allows them to have two children, and they had the opportunity to adopt.”

“Fuck,” Shining Ire groaned. “Yep. That explains what is going on in her head. I know how she took it all as a young filly. And that would wreck so much.”

“I’m lost,” Striker said. “But just come out with it. I haven’t ever seen Vengeful Blade that zoned out, ever. And we were in EWW and damn that got boring some times.”

Vengeful Blade was just looking at the snack gun.

The Sixth Counselor stalled, taking a deep breath in and letting it out before continuing. “Adoptions are done blind, unless a foal’s family can take care of them. And they are placed far away. Vengeful Blade’s parents lived in Las Pegasus at the time. I placed him. We never expected him to join the military, not with how he was doing in school.”

“Fuck you are so slow,” Vengeful Blade spat, not looking up from the gun. “Fuck it all.”

The Sixth Counselor sighed. “Vengeful Blade just happens to be the foal that Golden Dawn’s parents won the right to not abort.”

“So, their blood siblings?” Tac asked. He had figured out where it was going when Shining Ire did.

“Technically yes,” Sixth Counselor said. “But it can never be spoken of. And both claim nothing ever happened between them.”

“Fuck you,” Vengeful Blade spat. “Have a little faith in what your soldiers report face to face to a Counselor.”

Striker wasn’t fully tracking everything. “Why would this be a problem if it was known?”

“Because he shouldn’t be,” Shining Ire said. “He can’t be. Golden Dawn’s parents mourned the loss of their child. They never even saw him. He was ripped from her womb and she was left with nothing. Not even a stillborn baby to hold. It would have been easier for them if he had died in childbirth.

“That’s actually how we met. At a social function raising money for IVF. Golden Dawn has a soft spot for parents that can’t have children because of it. She knows the agony her parents went through. Its effected her deeply. A permanent scar. A missing piece in her view of her family.

“Yes, she will come to terms, but it won’t be easy. And she won’t be easy to find. And she is probably going to yell a lot when they find her, especially if they try and bring her back.”

“Yes,” General Shielded Vengeance nodded. “That’s why the Wonderbolts are on it and only them. It’s easier to control them, as they already are cleared and trusted with more secrets. They won’t even blink at it. We know deeper, more damaging secrets. Things that could rip the Enclave apart. But that is the very reason why we never will tell them. We keep the Enclave from falling apart at those places.

“As to the general public, if they found out. It would be news all over, and they would want a reunion between parents and child. They would celebrate it, and hate the secrecy.”

Vengeful Blade sighed a reinforcing sigh. “I am named Vengeful Blade because I am a thorn in the Enclave’s system. On paper, I am legal. But the reality of it is that I am a Third. I am proof that the system isn’t nice and tidy. My parents are Major Sterile Needle and retired Staff Sergeant Lightning Fortress.

“The blood is only a technicality. I know that, she knows that, but it still is one she never thought she would ever have to face. They track us adopted Thirds very closely. They can’t have incest from their secrecy. And they can’t have the embarrassment and pain the public would ensue if they found out. Hell, the public would destroy my parents for living their life and never seeking her family out. For minding their business and doing their duty.

“I’m doing fine because I grew up knowing and being encouraged to know that I am an adopted Third. It was as it is. I am their son and only child. They love me, I love them, and we are a family. But they never wanted to shelter me or keep me blind to our blood not being the same. Its why I bear my name.

“I learned when I was older what it exactly mattered that I was an adopted Third. My first half of my life I knew I was adopted, but that was all. It was natural. And with both my parents in the military, the name blended. But they encouraged me to love the reason for my name, because they loved me enough to not hide it.

“And now, saying it all, I think my parents would feel guilty if they found out. Feel like they denied me of that… knowledge, seeing it as a right. I only had the right to know I was adopted, and they gave it to me. Blood, the blood doesn’t make family. The rest needs to be left to rest, for all involved. Golden Dawn will let it rest once she fully understands it. She is figuring out how to accept it.”

A knock came at the door. “General Shielded Vengeance, Captain Tuff reporting in.”

“Come in Captain,” General Shielded Vengeance ordered.

Tuff opened the door crisply and closed it behind him. He didn’t salute, but he was at a strong ‘at ease’ stance. “General, Ensign Golden Dawn was located. She was found in the Squad Barrack’s training city. She put up a good fight and chase. Without Lieutenant Command Cardinal Spitfire or Colonel Marble Falls, she would have eluded us. She wasn’t quiet when we finally corned her so we could talk. All Squadrons are in meeting Room 104 for debrief. Lieutenant Commander Cardinal Spitfire has stayed out there with her. Most likely for the rest of the day. Their friendship is strong, and she is helping her sort things out. The Ensign is fine, outside of some processing to do.

“A personal recommendation if I may?”

“Yes,” General Shielded Vengeance said with a nod. “Please.”

“I know her… special somepegasus is living in Wind Hamlet. I recommend that Ensign Golden Dawn be given leave to head to their home there until she is needed for Aerial Combat School. And perhaps leave for a few days to New Heaven as well, for a fresh change in scenery.”

“Thank you Captain,” General Shielded Vengeance smiled. “I will be there shortly for a debrief. I am glad the Lieutenant Commander is staying with her for a bit to sort things out.”

“Oh, and Sir, the Lieutenant Commander has her com in to be reached if she is needed.”

Tuff stepped out.

“Is there anything we need to cover?” General Shielded Vengeance asked.

Unit 22 was good. They understood the situation.

“Lieutenant Striker, please make sure one of you gets Shining Ire back to her home. Ensign Golden Dawn is on personal leave and not to be disturbed without my permission.”

“Yes Sir,” Striker replied. “I think Second Lieutenant Safe is the better escort at the moment.”

“Understood Lieutenant. Now, I have Wonderbolts to go debrief.”

Vengeful Blade chuckled. “She said Golden Dawn would be vocal. At least that place is far enough away from the recruit flight decks so her yelling wouldn’t be heard. I’m not sure why that holds such a special place to her.”

“I’m not sure either,” General Shielded Vengeance said at the door.

He left and the Sixth Counselor made a hasty exit. Safe took Shining Ire back home. Vengeful Blade wasn’t ready to leave the room, not yet. Neither was Striker. Not that there was anything to say, but leaving meant it could never be said. At least for the moment something could be said.

Both afternoon assaults were won by Field Group Alpha. But they were long battles. The biggest changes happened in how the Cloudships deployed themselves. They synced up with the Field Group’s initial deployment plan to better approach it, together. Cloudships would often give artillery cover. All of the military groups were learning to work together.

However, Field Group Beta won high praise for the Strike Squadrons. Unit 17 was blasting apart their targets. They had their failures, and were learning hard, but it was working. The Senior Officers wanted a different name, something more unique.

Olive Pit headed to the Clinic after dinner. He was still in minor pain from the drops and they would be doing the same thing for the next week. Unit 17 was rough, but now they were relying on him for their tactics. Olive Pit needed some light meds to help alleviate the stress on his muscles. An anti-inflammatory med, that wasn’t a steroid. Plus he could check on the two recruits in the clinic.

“Commander,” Sergeant Red Contour said standing up.

“You’re still here?” Olive Pit asked. “Its almost 2100.”

“Late start for me,” Sergeant Red Contour explained. “I had stuff to do this morning at Headquarters, that I couldn’t change around. Same with the others. Routine physicals. Its been spread out and staggered all day. They are accommodating us being here, but I am the only one here today.

“The day’s paperwork is properly filed away in the office. Do you want me to get it?”

“No,” Olive Pit said. “Just in for some AINS meds. Its a killer out there since I’m with 17. And to glance at the charts for the recruits. I trust you all. After all, you guys are the ones that keep coming out here for us. The support is appreciated, especially for your unit always being here.”

Red Contour smiled at Olive Pit. “Well, personally I love coming out here. Its the closest to combat I am ever going to get.”

“Wait?” Olive Pit said setting the chart down. “Close to combat?”

“Yeah, the entire 476 Ward is all Civilian Nurse Corps. None of us are MNs.”

Olive Pit was shocked. “You are a CNC? But your scrubs don’t reflect that.”

“All scrubs are the same. Ward, name, and hospital. On the military bases rank is required. But for dress occasions, I wear a Civilian Nurse Corp uniform.”

“How are a bunch of CNCs working at Fort Wind? The CNCs are for civilian hospitals. You are not even able to be used in field hospitals because you lack any military training. The Nursing Corp was organized when the population grew too large for the Medical Nurses to cover all the required hospitals. I though all hospitals on military bases required MNs, and that the CNCs were not allowed.”

“That’s mostly true,” Red Contour said. “But Fort Wind needs it’s Nurses to be deployable in the field during recruit training. It requires a strong base that doesn’t move, so they use CNCs. And so for here, they are doing the same thing.”

Red Contour smiled coyly and leaned in nice and close. “Like I said, its the closest I get to combat, and its exhilarating. I get off at the top of the hour.”

Olive Pit sighed. “And I will be asleep by then. I have another week to survive. At least. Hopefully phase three won’t happen tomorrow. Besides, you are in Unit 301, with five others.”

Red Contour leaned in to whisper in Olive Pit’s ear. “You have your own place.”

Olive Pit was glad he kept everything locked up. The last thing he needed this week was a distraction like Red Contour.

“I have always been attracted to the doctor in command. You are just as good, and not as old as most of them end up being when they finally start off. But none of them are here. I love my ward, but you can’t even get a drink with a stallion here. And dinner means mess hall. None of these lunk heads can cook. Or have the facilities to cook. You at least have a kitchen, from the rumors I have heard.”

“Look, Sergeant,” Olive Pit said slowly. He had to tread carefully. “My only focus right now is the exercises. And then I have another dozen Combat Medics testing in the next ACS.”

She batted her eyes. “Sergeant? You are not even a little intrigued.”

“Intrigue is not the same as… well a lot of things intrigue me. That doesn’t mean I go after them all. I have limited time in each day and a job to do. Look, you are still young. You could go to Basic Training and become an MN, and you wouldn’t lose your rank.”

“My rank,” Red Contour said annoyed. “It means nothing to be. I’ve been in a little over a year. I was given this sergeant stripe at my induction into the CNC. Its the standard rank where every nurse starts. Look at me, do you think this could make it through basic training? And then I would not be assigned back to my ward. Ward 476 is a CNC ward, not mixed.”

Red Contour was softly yelling. “I love the medical field. I am attracted to stallions in the medical field. Especially the soldiers. The more they are strong and command, the better. But! All of you are so dense! All of your heads are in your asses! I love my post, but it sucks that there is nothing fun to do for an evening.”

Olive Pit groaned.

“Are you attracted to me or not?” Red Contour pushed.

“At least on a s surface level,” Olive Pit replied, frustrated. “But my head is up my ass saving Unit 0 and making sure it doesn’t flounder. If it does, I won’t have a head to stick up anypony’s ass.”

Olive Pit forced himself to not grind his teeth, but he was still frustrated. “Or kiss a mare with. Because yes, I do want to settle down. I just took the right path in Basic Training, and it meant I got a lot more given to me because of it. So I haven’t had the normal life and normal appointments a soldier my age gets. Which means no chance at love.

“I get how you feel about the, scene around here. Its pretty stale for singles. But with Wind Hamlet opening up, we have some new options for a scene.”

The conversation ended as Cardinal Spitfire stumbled in, carry Golden Dawn.

“Olive Pit, a little help,” Cardinal Spitfire panted. “She needs to spend the night here. Its complicated, but all the shit that happened drained her.”

They got Golden Dawn into a bed and Red Contour had an IV bag hung up immediately.

“No,” Golden Dawn groaned. “I need to go home.”

“Too late,” Olive Pit chuckled. “IV has been placed and chart started. You most definitely can’t go home. You can’t make it to Unit 22 from here. You can’t make it out of this building. I have a responsibility to take care of everypony here. And as your friend, I won’t let you be stupid.”

Golden Dawn groaned and tried to sit up. It didn’t take Olive Pit any effort to keep her down with his hoof.

“She will receive light sleep meds,” Olive Pit stated. “I want her to sleep and rest up.”

Red Contour had a fresh chart for Olive Pit. She dispensed the sleeping aid while he wrote it all up. He made sure she would not be leaving unless he cleared her.

“I have shit to do,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “I was helping her all afternoon, so I am way behind. And I have to report in about her current condition.”

“But,” Cardinal Spitfire said, stopping in the doorway. Her attention was focused on Red Contour. “You hurt my Olive Pit, I will make you pay.”

Cardinal Spitfire was just gone, before a reply could be made. Just like a good Wonderbolt. There only when they wanted to be. And gone like smoke.

“I,” Olive Pit stumbled. “I, we are good friends. She means it.”

Olive Pit shrugged and smiled at Red Contour. “But she didn’t say to back down. So why the fuck not? I don’t know how long these exercises will exactly last. None of us know. But by the end, I will have a prospective date for you. I hear Wind Hamlet has a place or two open I would be able to take you.”

Olive Pit saw the clock.

“Shit! I have to run if I am going to get any sleep!”

He dashed out of the Clinic on a mission to jump in bed and get rest before Arrow put them through more hell.

Red Contour sighed. “Head up his ass. Still head up his ass. But at least he recognizes it and is trying.”

Cardinal Spitfire had reported into General Shielded Vengeance about Golden Dawn’s condition. Now she was headed to report it to Shining Ire, who was expecting Golden Dawn to come home on leave. It was late to visit, but it sounded very important to do.

At least the next day was more of the same thing. It would be new groups, after they mixed it up, and mostly new tactics for the deployment of the Cloudships. Gunmetal would be finishing up her prototype the next day. They had time. They didn’t need to be flinging the jumpers as they figured out the logistics of the Cloudship tactics.

Cardinal Spitfire was still in her dress uniform. Medals and all since the Council was still there. Always medal around the Council when it could be afforded. And she wouldn’t be involved in most, if any, of the jumps. The Wonderbolts were not the focus of these exercises.

Cardinal Spitfire cruised into Wind Hamlet and up to the house on the corner. All of the houses were nice and tidy. They were all styled off of cottages and everything felt homey and comforting. Nothing modern. It was nice. And currently quiet as more families slowly moved in.

Cardinal Spitfire heard activity inside and the lights were on. She double checked the house ID and knocked on the door. It was opened a minute later by an older stallion with glasses on.

“Yes?” He asked, looking her over. His eyes lingered on her medals.

“I am sorry,” Cardinal Spitfire stated crisply. “It appears I have the wrong address. I am looking for Shining Ire’s and Ensign Golden Dawn’s residence.”

“No, you are at the right one. Shining Ire is my daughter.” He stepped aside. “Come in.”

Shining Ire had never met Cardinal Spitfire, and lunch was too chaotic for her to remember her. They all were in the living room.

“Yes?” Shining Ire asked. She was confused and very concerned about their visitors.

“Shining Ire, I was dispatched to inform you that from conditioning exercises that Ensign Golden Dawn was apart of for training has left her a bit out of sorts and dehydrated. A simple, routine, overnight stay at the Clinic is all that is required. It is nothing serious. But we were not aware you had visitors. Golden Dawn never mentioned it.”

Shining Ire obviously rolled her eyes. “They arrived in the late afternoon. Both of our parents. For a surprise visit.”

“We never got to celebrate our daughter’s marriage!” Batten Sword stated. “They up and married quickly and out of town. I get that my daughter has a duty to serve, but she couldn’t get two weeks off to come home and get married proper?”

“Not my call Sir,” Cardinal Spitfire stated.

“Are you married?” Batten Sword immediately asked.

Cardinal Spitfire wasn’t ready for the question. “I, I, I, I am. I am married. But he is unfortunately serving at an other military base. I am on special assignment here, dealing with some new training.”

“And was yours fast?”

Shining Ire groaned, frustrated. “She has a job to do. Thank you Lieutenant Commander for informing me. It is a big relief hearing she is safe and secure. And that its nothing that is nothing to be concerned with.”

“No problem Ma’am,” Cardinal Spitfire replied. “And yes, mine was fast and private, with no way for our parents to join us. But we had one that happened a few months back that was more known. And family came because they both had jobs to do here that they couldn’t get a break from. This town, Wind Hamlet, isn’t new out of a fancy. A lot of changes are happening and running us ragged.”

Cardinal Spitfire cut it off there by straightening her uniform with a single tug, doing a perfect 180 and then out the door. She took off, holding back so if they were watching, they were not seeing her panic. General Shielded Vengeance needed to know that Golden Dawn’s parents had arrived. Nothing was ever simple.

Cardinal Spitfire decided she was too tired and too far away to deal with it. Her heart didn’t have it in her wings to pick up the pace. It had been a grueling day.

“All Wonderbolts, this is Squad 12 LC Cardinal Spitfire, ERF 712-096. I need an emergency message passed along to General Shielded Vengeance. Over.

“Roger that LC Cardinal Spitfire. This is Lieutenant General Firestorm, ERF 712-068. What is the message? Over.”

“The message is: Golden Dawn’s family arrived earlier today. The same with Shining Ire’s. A surprise visit since they didn’t see them get married. Over.”

“Fuck,” Firestorm swore. “Alright. I’ll let him know. Sign off. If we need you, we will get you. Over.”

“Roger that. Signing off in 10 when I get back to my room. Over.”

Cardinal Spitfire still didn’t have it in her to push. It wasn’t far with her speed, but she was exhausted. It was a tough afternoon consoling Golden Dawn. Mostly emotional. And Cardinal Spitfire heard it all, including meeting and marrying Shining Ire. Also their plans for their own kids.

Cardinal Spitfire swiped her badge and stumbled into their Unit. She wanted to just tossed her uniform’s jacket off onto the chair, but she took the time to carefully remove the medals and then hang it up properly. She needed it nice and neat. She crashed onto her bed, rolling up into her sheets. Lights out.

“Lieutenant Commander!”

Cardinal Spitfire groaned and rolled over. The lights where on. She hadn’t turned them on. She propped herself up, trying to see what was going on, but it all was fuzzy.

“Lieutenant Commander?”

“What?” Cardinal Spitfire groaned. “What?”

“We hate to wake you dear.”

Dear meant Nova was there.

“Oh my, she does keep his medals right there for her to see before she goes to bed.”

“Leave his medal alone,” Cardinal Spitfire groggily ordered. “What the fuck is going on?”

Somepony flicked the lights out, which helped Cardinal Spitfire see. She only had the light from the hallway. It was at least General Shielded Vengeance, Nova, Firestorm, and the Fifth Counselor, but the Sixth had to be one of the others she didn’t recognize with her groggy eyes.

Cardinal Spitfire almost toss the sheets aside but remembers she had nothing on. Instead she just plopped back down.

“Make it fast and make it clean,” Cardinal Spitfire groaned.

“Not my idea,” Nova said approaching her bed. “I’ll speak for them dear. Golden Dawn is out in the clinic, resting as she needs to be. General Shielded Vengeance didn’t clear her family to visit, his staff did. But that is normal.

“I believe she spoke to you about everything.”

“I know protocol,” Cardinal Spitfire yawned. “So what is so important?”

“How dangerous is it for her to head home and see her parents?”

That woke Cardinal Spitfire up and she sat up wide awake.

“I,” Cardinal Spitfire stammered. “I don’t, didn’t think through it all the way when I sent the message.”

“You had a rough day dear,” Nova said with a kind smile. “We know you couldn’t think of it all.”

Cardinal Spitfire was starting to panic. She was tired and didn’t have much control. Worse, she had let her control go to sleep, safe, in her room. This was where she didn’t have to have it together.

Cardinal Spitfire clamored out of bed stumbled and darted to her desk. She plopped down naked on the chair. They all knew what a naked mare looked like. She couldn’t care. Cardinal Spitfire just snapped the desk light on. She slid one of Shadow Flare’s Silver Medals forward and caressed it for strength.

Cardinal Spitfire took a deep breath in. “They questioned me about my marriage. I wasn’t ready for it. They are a hurting family. Their children up and left and got married. Shadow and I were stationed away from our family with no time.

“I told them that ours was private and fast. And that I was away from him, here for the special training they had to have been warned about. At least that special training was happening. At least that Golden Dawn was waiting for her ACS to start. I added that Arrow and Dipper had time to get their families here, but had to do it here because they both were locked into pieces of that special training.

“I have no idea how Shining Ire is holding up. She was annoyed they asked, but seemed to expect it. At least she wasn’t shocked by it.

“Alright, lets see. I need to walk myself through it. Right. The door was opened by Shining Ire’s father. I went 100% professional, because I thought I had the wrong house. He noticed my medals. Confirmed it was their house, let me in. They all were in living room. Five. Two older couples and then Shining Ire. I keep with full rank and professionalism. Shining Ire had never met me. She was confused, shocked, frustrated, before I came in. It was the last thing she wanted to be dealing with.”

“Dear,” Nova said putting his hoof on her shoulder. “100% professionalism?”

“Yes. Full names and ranks. Crisp. Composed. Report!”

Cardinal Spitfire perked up as her mind kicked into overdrive, beating her exhaustion. But it was only obvious in her ears. She stayed focused on the medal.

“I told her Golden Dawn fell out in routine conditioning. She was safe, normal, fine, spending the night in the Clinic.”

“Firestorm,” General Shielded Vengeance said. “Go, lock Golden Dawn into that Clinic. She can not be released without my verbal consent. I must be there.”

“I have it,” Nova said as Firestorm dashed off. “Golden Dawn is one of mine. I am lead on the ACS, so she is mine. I know what to do. I know how to take care of the family too. Besides, it might be good for her to be away, but be with family. Its a hard toss up. But she is a hardy soul. I want Gunmetal there for when we talk to her in the morning.”

“Alright,” General Shielded Vengeance said. “Go to sleep Cardinal Spitfire.”

“Wake up when you need me,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “I’ll go to bed, but fuck the alarm. When you need me, wake me.”

Cardinal Spitfire wasn’t sure how long they were gone, but it wasn’t long until she slid the metal back in line with the others, and then turned the light off. Back to sleep.

Cardinal Spitfire was gently nudged awake.

“Wake up dear. I have some coffee for you.”

It sounded like Nova, but it looked like a solider. Cardinal Spitfire rubbed her eyes awake. She felt mostly rested as she sat up.

“Nova? What are you wearing?”

“My dress uniform, now go. Get yours on.”

“Damn,” Cardinal Spitfire stammered. “Your wearing a dress uniform. And with full medals. You are supposed to hate those.”

“Dear,” Nova smiled at her. “I do and I do not. Just like Shadow does and doesn’t hate his. Have you seen Deke’s rack? No, because he is only wearing his ribbons. He claims its because he is working, and he can get away with it because of it. He hates his as well. In my younger years I was like him, but I was not a Wonderbolt like you are.

“And things changed. I hate being a one star general not because of the rank, but because I have to present. I gave up wanting to present when she died. It was over. I am still sore about it. But this morning my new, fitted dress uniforms came.”

The new uniform kept Nova’s wing pulled in and looking normal. A black belt was worn around his waste which also had a shoulder strap that crossed his chest. That is what expertly kept his wing fixed in a normal position. The new uniform also included the Blue Beret.

“And with it the new ranks. And all of my ribbons were on a rack, with all their devices shined up pretty. And my medals were also there, mounted proper and with all their devices. But the thing that mattered was the Silver Star on my epaulets and the thick gold sleeves on my flight suits.

“I can not avoid my present. I can not avoid my past. So I present. And I will look fucking stellar doing it.

“Now up. We have breakfast and a seat waiting for us. Golden Dawn can wait for a little longer. And I doubt her family is awake.”

Cardinal Spitfire decided to skip her current one and pulled out her pressed, back up uniform. She always kept one pressed, for emergencies where she had to look the absolute best. After it was on and Nova made sure she was spotless, Cardinal Spitfire put her dress uniforms in the wash and a rush order on them. She needed a backup, just in case.

Breakfast was quiet. Nova wasn’t going to talk strategy. Nova wasn’t going to talk at all. The whole table had been avoided. And it was just as packed as usual. Losing a whole table was tough for this small mess hall.

When they got to the Clinic, Olive Pit, Willow, and Sunset Fury were giving Golden Dawn a full work over. And she was pissed. Some argument had to have gone down, because she was letting it happen with only a scowl on her face.

Gunmetal was snoozing against the wall, General Shielded Vengeance was off to the side with Firestorm, Starry Champron, and the Sixth Counselor. The two on duty nurses were in the office, door close.

Olive Pit nodded to General Shielded Vengeance. It was obvious he wasn’t sure why he was ordered to do the full work over, but he did it. And it would require a verbal response. “General Shielded Vengeance, Ensign Golden Dawn is ready and able to perform any and all duties required of her by her rank and her assigned duties.”

“And mentally?” General Shielded Vengeance asked.

“Her brain appears to be fine, no impaired functions of any kind. If you are asking about her mental state, neither I or my staff are trained to handle any psychiatric aspects of medicine and we will not bother ourselves with learning it.”

“Thank you Commander,” General Shielded Vengeance said. “You can go.”

“Its my clinic,” Olive Pit asserted. “My clinic, I stay. Or relieve me of my duties. As it is, we rushed the other two out of here earlier than I wished. My staff have departed to get ready for their duties. But I am staying. The clinic and I are one. That is my charge. And I know it was what you charged me with.”

General Shielded Vengeance and Olive Pit stared each other down. Neither broke.

“Fine,” General Shielded Vengeance said, not breaking eye contact. “But this doesn’t go in a report. This stays need to know.”

“She is my patient,” Olive Pit reiterated. “My patient. The oath I took stands as is:

“And whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, as well as outside my profession in my intercourse with pony kind, if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.

“Now if I carry out this oath, and break it not, may I gain for ever reputation among all pony kind for my life and for my art; but if I break it and forswear myself, may the opposite befall me.

“I made my entire unit memorize the entire thing. That’s a requirement for all Unit 0 members. We take it seriously. To break it, means to be dishonorably discharged. That is a signed document we all have taken for this Unit.”

“That’s a serious oath,” General Shielded Vengeance said. “Ensign Gunmetal, are you awake.”

“Yes,” Gunmetal groaned. “I am. Do I have to stop leaning against the wall? I might fall over.”

That was good enough for General Shielded Vengeance. “Ensign Golden Dawn, things have gotten, interesting. Once you were located, the Wonderbolt Units here were debriefed. Their oath is solid. Unit 22 was debriefed and Shining Ire was informed. She understood almost immediately. The Sixth Counselor took their sweet time catching the others up.

“You were secure, you and Cardinal Spitfire did your thing, and then you were brought here, spent. I am not sure if you were aware that you have been released from waiting her for ACS, to be at your home in Wind Hamlet while we do the exercises.

“Cardinal Spitfire was dispatched to inform Shining Ire of your overnight stay. It turns out, late in the afternoon, both of your parents made an unexpected arrival, since they could not attend the wedding. We didn’t even know they were coming in. They will be here a whole week.”

“Damn,” Golden Dawn sighed. “That explains the full exam this morning. It would destroy my parents.”

“We can do a few things,” General Shielded Vengeance said. Golden Dawn was lost and obviously thinking very dark things.

“General,” Nova said. “If I may.”

Nova didn’t wait for approval. “Dear, as far as we know, only Shining Ire knows you were released. So we can revoke parts of that. If you do not feel comfortable staying, you can come back and play both sides like you have been, just openly.”

“If you can’t stand even a little right now, we can recall you to unexpected training. We can take that completely away from you, or you can personally deliver the news, hugs, say hi, and come back to us. Or you can take all of the time.”

“Can I come back early?” Golden Dawn asked.

“Absolutely dear,’ Nova smiled. “We can recall you if you need it. And we can be discrete. Either come in for a face to face check in, as ordered, or slip a message to us and we can send a runner.”

“A whole week?” Golden Dawn asked. “That’s most of the exercises. You may recall me before then to start ACS.”

“That we may dear,” Nova nodded. “Its not something we know yet, although I see it taking longer. The Council may not stay that long though. It is tough for them all to be out like this. We are trying to be as fast as possible.”

Golden Dawn took a breath in and was about to say something but stopped. She then looked at Olive Pit who was quietly standing by.

“Olive Pit, do you know what is going on?”

“No I do not,” Olive Pit stated. “I have not been privileged to know, and that is fine. I am here for your health and safety.”

“Well,” Golden Dawn hesitated. “You saw me last night. I didn’t just cry myself out. You have seen me cry myself to sleep. Very long and painful story short, my lost brother turned up. Third. It torn the family a gaping hole.”

Olive Pit nodded. “Your parents won the right to not abort, but then never got to see the foal.”

“Yes. And it turns out, my good friend and squadmate in Unit 22, Vengeful Blade is that brother.”

“Ah,” Olive Pit replied. “I see the catch twenty-two. Home with Shining Ire is where you need to be, but home is also your parents. And you just learned this, so you are in a tight spot.”

“Advice?” Golden Dawn asked. “I really have no idea. I don’t know if I can do it. But I can’t disappoint them by not showing up.”

Olive Pit thought for a moment. “Is Golden Dawn’s dress uniform here?”

“Right here,” Firestorm said. “Including the few medals.”

“Golden Dawn,” Olive Pit smiled at her. “Top barracks, EOD, Heavy Weapons, you rock and roll, terrorizing your enemy with a free hoofed sub machine gun. You can’t be stopped on the field. You stopped a rapist, you held your own against an ungrateful and abusive first lieutenant, and many other things to be proud of. And you went through that EWW training thing I caught wind of a few times.

“You can keep a secret and you can hold your own. You are only thinking of exhausted and tested beyond her limits Recruit Golden Dawn. But you are not that recruit anymore. Your limits were pushed and then expanded because of it.

“You can do it. We can chalk it up to a lot of stress with your job here. It is stressful. You are in a suspension, waiting for the inevitable to happen but being unable to do anything by basic conditioning as you wait.”

“I do know when the training times are,” Golden Dawn said. “Mostly. I’m afraid all I have is a front, and those limits were not expanded.”

“They were,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “I know mine were. I know Olive Pit’s were. Deke wouldn’t really let us know, but his were. And Filly Fooler, is Filly Fooler. We don’t know if he even has a limit.”

Golden Dawn chuckled. “Alright. I will go. I will play it that I don’t know how long I have. I will check back in three days from now. That’s the rule, that’s how it will be going in.”

“Dear, Cardinal Spitfire and I will escort you there. I am the head of this ACS. You are my trainee. So I will be there, and so will Cardinal Spitfire. She will play testimony to the special trainings that are happening here, and give credibility to that side of the, well truth.”

“Fuck,” Gunmetal swore. “I was going to be flinging you from the Buttercup first.”

Golden Dawn chuckled. “Please, family or not, I want to be in that. When will that happen?”

“Eh,” Gunmetal shrugged. “Tomorrow? If I get approval. Which would mean I would need you to prove that I should get approval.”

“I’m doing that. And it will probably be a good respite for me. Some structure, not just open time. So tomorrow morning? Early?”

Gunmetal shrugged. “Mark it after breakfast. 0800. We are all burning out trying to rush this and we have been killed with several set backs. I am aiming to have it installed overnight tomorrow. Last day jumping off the Buttercup by stepping out. But I’ll never have enough time to do the Seventh Task Force. We just need to prove we can do it. That is all. And its more than good enough considering all that has gone on with these exercises.”

Golden Dawn took a minute to breath. “I’m ready.”

Everypony dispersed as they got her out of the bed and then helped her get dressed. Everypony was loading into the Cloudships from the air, so the flight deck was open. But with Nova’s wing, they used the chariot that was on stand by for the flight.

They arrived quickly and disembarked. Golden Dawn had her key ready. The noise from inside the house was obvious.

Golden Dawn let them in and walked deeper into the house. She was confused where the noise was coming from. She wasn’t used to the house. She hadn’t spent any real time here. She finally realized they were in the dining room and stepped into it.

“Hey!” Shining Ire exclaimed with a smile. “You look snazzy, all dressed up like that. I’ve never seen you wear your medals.”

“A lot is happening,” Golden Dawn stated. “But you don’t know either General Nova or Lieutenant Commander Cardinal Spitfire.”

“Ah yes!” Shining Ire’s father said. “The Wonderbolt from last night.”

“Yes Sir,” Cardinal Spitfire nodded.

“I have been to plenty of Wonderbolt shows. Perhaps I have seen you perform. Have you flown any around Twin Clouds?”

“No Sir,” Cardinal Spitfire replied.

“Then where have you performed?”

They knew the questions would come. It was best to let them get out of their system, a distraction from Golden Dawn. The more they could take, the less she would have to.

“I have not performed any shows,” Cardinal Spitfire stated.

“Oh?” He said confused. “Isn’t that what Wonderbolts do? What have you been doing then?”

Cardinal Spitfire chuckled lightly. “I can perform shows. However, Squad 12 has not practiced any routines for shows yet. Currently, I am here, in charge of the special exercises. I am one of the top pegasi when it comes to aerial combat. My focus has been on that.”

“You will get to go home to your husband soon then,” Batten Sword said with a smile.

“No Sir,” Cardinal Spitfire said professionally. “I am still to be here for a while yet. With the Aerial Combat School happening, I am one of the instructors of it. General Nova is head over the whole Aerial Combat School. I just happen to be assigned to him to help instruct this class on all things regarding Aerial Combat.”

“You will be teaching my daughter then?”

“Not directly,” Cardinal Spitfire replied. “We are good friends from time served in conjunction with each other during Basic Training. It’s always best to have an authority figure teach, not a friend. Especially in a combat school where the training means life or death if it has to be applied. I will be instructing other training units.”

“Yes,” Nova said taking a step forward. “I have the Lieutenant Commander placed with another training group. We are here for a few reasons. First, because the Lieutenant Commander was with Ensign Golden Dawn yesterday when she fell out and got her to the Clinic.”

“Fall out?” Bobbin asked.

Nova had to explain the reason why they called it ‘falling out.’

“And I am here to make sure my trainee gets home safely for this special release. We have been keeping the trainees ready for when Aerial Combat School does happen, for it will start suddenly. Overnight.

“We had no idea that you would be visiting, as that part was handled by Fort Wind’s administrative offices. It was a shock to us, but nothing was done wrong. So I have escorted her back here to explain that. She is my trainee, and that is a charge I take very seriously. A special release like this is, well special.”

Golden Dawn took over. “I have to check back in with them in three days. And tomorrow I am needed on a side project that is being done.”

“Side project?” Batten Sword asked.

“Yes,” Nova nodded. “There are two, no four, distinct operations happening at the Squad Barracks at the same time right now. Several training and exercises are happening, along with some supporting projects and such to make sure they go off without a hitch.

“For instance, the General over the entire Aerial Combat Battalion is present, along with his supporting staff. And several high ranking Admirals are here at the same time as well. Full dress uniforms are required unless you require a work uniform.”

“What do you have to do?” Bobbin asked.

Golden Dawn shrugged. “Its too complicated to explain. But I have to help my friend test something. If it works, it can get used, if not, its back to square one.”

Nova never gave them the chance to ask any questions. “My quartermaster for the Squad Barracks is also going to be attending this ACS. She is good friends with Ensign Golden Dawn, as they worked in their same division. So she is using what she knows, and the pegasi she knows well enough she doesn’t need them to stand there and model for her all the time. Its already been several days they have been on that project.

“But we have to get back to our jobs. I know my trainee is safe and okay for this special release. And I know she wont spill any secrets. After all, she first met Ensign Gunmetal at a special, classified training. And she did fine there and after.”

“Excuse me General,” Shining Ire’s Father asked. “I know you have a lot happening, but is there a way we could maybe see these Squad Barracks where she is stationed? I know it is a lot to ask, but I have gotten to see some other bases from my job. And we got to see the main fort area yesterday. Their training courses are impressive.”

Both Shining Ire and Golden Dawn were embarrassed he was so straightforward in asking.

Nova thought for a second. “I have no guarantee, but I will check on things and see.”

Cardinal Spitfire would have tipped her cover at them, but the beret messed that up. She ignored it like Nova did and just exited professionally, before they got held up any longer. They had stuff to do.

Cardinal Spitfire heard Golden Dawn make her immediate defense as they departed. It made her smile. It was the same, level headed Golden Dawn she knew.

“Look, there is a lot going on that I can’t speak on. Not all of it has to do with me, but I can’t even tell a lot of stuff to Shining Ire. Actually, most of it doesn’t involve me.”

“Ensign?”

The door closed behind Cardinal Spitfire. Golden Dawn had deflected it perfectly so they were focused on the new rank.

The Cloudships hadn’t launched when they got back. It was pure coincidence. Nova wasn’t attending today’s exercises. Something else was on his mind. He still had to keep ACS afloat as they did these exercises.

Cardinal Spitfire took to her wings and made it to the Lord Clove before the other ships were underway. All of the Counselors were present, but she wasn’t worried about them. She needed to see the units in action from an outside perspective. The Buttercup was limited in it’s view.

“Good morning,” The Fourth Counselor greeted her. “How are you?”

“Busy,” Cardinal Spitfire said, distracted. “I missed out on yesterday due to an emergency. I have a lot to catch up on.”

“That was an interesting development,” The Fourth Counselor said. “I trust it is all squared away this morning?”

“Yes,” Cardinal Spitfire curtly stated as she dialed in a pair of binoculars.

“Lieutenant Commander, you have made quite an impact here from what I understand.”

Cardinal Spitfire lowered the binoculars. The Fourth Counselor wasn’t making idle chit chat. There was an agenda. And that was more important at the moment.

“Yes Sir,” Cardinal Spitfire said, turning to face him. She smiled. “I guess I have Sir. Just doing my job.”

“Well, its being done better than most ever could do it. Especially with your husband MIA. That isn’t something others experience.”

Cardinal Spitfire took a sharp breath in. “He is doing his duty, so I do mine. When he gets back, its going to be immediate leave for us, as soon as we wrap up debriefs and such.”

“Understandable,” The Fourth Counselor nodded. “But I want to talk about you. You fall under my jurisdiction as the Counselor who oversees the army side of the military. I have heard a lot, and gotten to see even more being here the past few days. I didn’t make these choices on my own, I consulted others. The most simplest of the awards is a good conduct medal.”

“Awards?” Cardinal Spitfire asked surprised. “I,” She wanted to say it wasn’t time for awards. “I am just shocked. My focus has been on making sure this happen without a problem. Its all fallen on my wings.”

“Exactly! And you never blinked, but took up the challenge. And from what I understand, many of this was orchestrated by you at the very start. Which is why I am proud to give you your first Meritorious Service Medal. I hope to be giving you more of these.”

The Fourth Counselor glanced at a piece of paper to double check the awards.

“And you haven’t just stopped there, but you have shown professional development in extraordinary leaps and bounds. You no longer are a hot head who will beat the shit out of somepegasus, even if they deserve it. You have gone above and beyond that. I have here an award for the Professional Development. And likewise, an Officer Commendation Medal for all that you have been doing as an officer and showing what it means to be the next generation of Aerial Combat Battalion Officers.”

“Thank you,” Cardinal Spitfire said, head held high. “But I see you are not done.”

“Not yet. You have impressed me greatly. The Aerial Achievement Medal is the non-combat version of the Air Medal. You can’t prove yourself in combat, but you have proved your skills otherwise. Its an often forgotten medal.”

“The final one is one I am extremely honored to award to you, The Combat Readiness Medal. You are combat ready, you are making sure the others are combat ready, and not many in the Enclave can prove they are actually combat ready. Not just most likely ready, you are ready.

“I have a Unit award for you guys as well. I will let you in on the surprise since I have your attention. The Council Unit Citation for your upstanding job getting Unit 0 combat ready. I have been amazed that they are what they are in these exercises. The first reports were extremely poor.”

“Thank you Sir,” Cardinal Spitfire said saluting with her hoof. “Forgive my poor immediate reaction. It is an honor to receive this at your request, and especially from your very hoof.”

“Oh you are forgiven. I jumped you when you were not expecting it. But I will take this time and pin the medals on you. Since I can.”

Cardinal Spitfire tugged on her uniform to make sure it was perfect before the Counselor pinned each medal on her chest. The order was wrong as he pinned them on above her few others, but it didn’t matter. They were being put on by a Counselor. That was damn impressive.

---

Book 4 Starts Next Week!
Don't forget to read the Intermission for a recap of Book 3. Not only has it taken 4 months to release this book, sometimes information not in the chapters are shared. Like what happens behind the scenes that you don't see.

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