Shadow was walking through the market. He wasn’t on a particular mission. He had spent the morning with Red Tip, just outside the city. They had shot his shotgun three dozen times, getting the spread of the 00 Buck and some small shot. Then, for fun, they got Red Tip into the saddle and he tried both guns out.

Red Tip was going to be making him 100 magnum rounds. The magnum rounds would be in a white shell casing. Red was the main color for 12 gauge, 00 Buck shells. So Red Tip had to use a different color for identification. There was no company that made white cased shotgun ammunition.

An entire day’s worth of activity over, right before lunch. And Shadow had no idea what his next move would be.

“Mtoaji!”

Shadow looked to where the voice was. An older Unicorn was sitting at the cafe and waving to him. Shadow walked over to him. He had never seen him before.

“Sit,” He said. “I was waiting for you to come by. I had heard you were back in town, and I know this is your go to place to eat. Hence the Sparkle Cola in front of you.

Shadow looked at it, took a sip and smiled. “So, you know me, but I do not know you. My name is apparently well known in this city. What can I do for you?”

“I am Jaborosa. I own The Hive Caravans, the largest caravan company in the wasteland! Well, I mostly let my daughter, Whiskey Rose, do all the work at my age. I did most of the labor, growing the caravan from nothing. A lot of long days on the trail. A lot of shots fired at raiders. A few bullets from those raiders as well.”

A plate was set in front of Shadow from the server. She also set one in front of Jaborosa.

“I figured business should be done over lunch. No? Its what you always order.”

Shadow gave a nod. “It’s impressive, growing a caravan company from nothing. I haven’t seen a store front for you, and I thought most of them were private enterprise.”

“A lot are. But its more stable to work for a company that will guarantee the movement of goods, and cover losses. You make less, but the guarantee is a hard thing to pass up. As to store front, I am in the business of moving good around, not buying and selling. My customers are businesses. I buy and sell to them and only them. Although, I hear your hauls might be big enough for me to purchase outright.”

“Understandable,” Shadow said when he was done chewing. “But if you got to know me, you also know I am a scavenger.”

“Yes, I know you are. I am hiring guards, and if you want to trade that life in, I will gladly hire you. Contracts are as short as you want, so you do not have to work for life.

“But I am not propositioning you as much as I am looking for a delivery. You have a reputation here for a reason. I saw the finals of the Reactive Rifle Course. I believe you can get a special deliver done.”

Shadow took a sip of the cola and nodded for him to continue.

“This past year, we sent three caravans to Fillydelphia. To the small trading post west of the city. Its mostly used by the farmers, and at times, the Fillydelphia Steel Rangers. The first one was successful, but warned us about the Disciples massive growth.

“Caravan two was raided by the Operators, who are a gang in South Filly. They swung out, killed the guards, took everything and murdered all but one of my merchants. They let the last go.

“The third and last, I doubled the guard. The Disciples got around the Steel Rangers and slaughtered them all. We only know what happened because word came back from a caravan heading here. They brought the news.

“Caravan guards are always in demand, and I pay well. They live a hard life. Half the time, their presence stops any shenanigans. Forty percent of the time, they fire a few shots and run the raiders off. The last ten, they die. So I always pay well and always add the extra guard or two.

“But guards are in short supply, and the market is competitive. Still, I have a plan and that’s where you come in. I want you to deliver this contract to that gang in south Filly, the Operators. The Disciples are pushing hard on the other gangs. Fillydelphia has always had a good ten strong gangs, but never an overlord like the Disciple have become. They are killing or forcing the others under their banner. They have to be pushing hard on the Operators.

“So I want you to deliver this contract to them. They walk away from raiding and come work for me. They go legitimate.”

Shadow was shocked. “You want raiders to go legitimate?”

“These guys are in it purely for the caps. That is what matters to them. The caps. The are lovers of money. And I am betting hard that they are getting desperate with the Disciples knocking on their door. Like I said, I already pay my guards well. I get guards who know what they are doing, they get lots of caps. Win win all around.”

Shadow took a long drink to think. “Filly draws my blood every time I enter it. Except the first. That time, it killed my friend. It isn’t that I am afraid of it, but its been bad to me every time I went. I have a huge grudge against it.”

Jaborosa grinned. “I know you like things a certain way. And it’s cost yah a good deal of caps. I believe your pad is still lightly furnished. You do this for me, its 2000 caps. 500 up front, 1500 when you get back after delivering the contract. I don’t need them to sign it, only take it and look it over.”

“That’s a risk,” Shadow replied. “I could just walk and come back without it.”

“Yes, you could. Business requires risk. But what is on the line is your word. I know you know how valuable that is. And if you don’t complete it and claim it, well, I have contacts all through the wasteland. You wouldn’t even be able to trade scraps in any of the cities. That’s just business. You don’t have to take the contract.”

Shadow leaned back and thought. On Jaborosa’s side, it was a good gamble. For Shadow though, it was a big gamble. No, he didn’t need the caps. But he wasn’t sure what his next move was going to be. Perhaps Fillydelphia would provide some new insight on how to get home, once it was time. He still had Dahlia to kill, and that would take some preparation.

“Alright,” Shadow said. “I will take the contract to The Operators. I can leave in the morning.”

They shook hooves.

“A pleasure doing business with you,” Jaborosa smiled. “Here is their contract, and here is our business contract. Sign here, and you get this check.”

Shadow signed everything and took the contract. It was sealed in a nice envelope and wouldn’t be easy to lose. Shadow was all set and ready to go. He had didn’t need to stop and get anything.

As their server came around to clear their plates, Shadow asked if Strawberry was working.

“She is covering the terrace. Did you need something?”

“I just need to speak with her for a quick second. I’ll catch her up there in a moment.”

Shadow finished his Sparkle Cola, nodded to Jaborosa, and headed up to the terrace. Strawberry looked worn out. And not from work as much as it looked like she hadn’t slept. She saw Shadow and that he wanted to speak to him. She got over as quickly as she could.

“You don’t look so good,” Shadow said. “Are you feeling alright?”

“What? Oh yes, I am fine. I haven’t slept well all week, that is all.”

“That’s all?” Shadow pressed. “I thought you had a good place secured.”

“Well, I did. But that ran out. The family I was leasing my room from found out they are having another foal. So, the month finished and I have been renting a room by week at the hotel while I figure out where I am staying next. Its only been a few days. I will find a place soon.”

“What time do you get off?” Shadow asked.

“I work until close, to offset the extra housing cost.”

“Well, take a break to meet me at the bank at 3.”

“Thanks,” Strawberry smiled. “But I don’t need your charity. You have already done so much for me.”

Shadow chuckled. “Its not what I can do for you, its what you can do for me.”

“What do you mean?” Strawberry asked. “I don’t know what I can do for you.”

“Just, show up,” Shadow said, walking away.

Strawberry showed up at the bank shortly after 3 pm. It was mostly empty. She was ten minutes late, but work hadn’t been able to get her there right at three.

“Ah, Miss Sonata Concert,” An employee said walking up to her. “This way.”

Strawberry was show to a side room where Shadow was sitting down with another employee.

“Ah, good,” Shadow smiled. “I was getting a little concerned with the timing, but I knew you would make it.”

“And what am I here for?” She asked, sitting down.

Shadow took in a deep breath. “I took a difficult contract over lunch. I have been juggling with the idea for some time, but I need and heir. Some, one, to look over my stuff and keep it safe on my extended trips. And one to receive my belongings in the unlikely event of my death.”

“Unlikely?” Strawberry asked. “Isn’t supposed to be likely?”

Shadow shrugged. “I’ve take bullets and walked away. Fate prefers me alive. Although, now I am heading back to Fillydelphia, so, things will get interesting.”

“Ah, you are heading out with the big caravan?” The employee asked.

“I didn’t know one was heading out,” Shadow replied. “I was just speaking with Jaborosa over lunch.”

“Nah, this isn’t him. Its being led by Rebel Queen. Her little group is known for taking riskier trips, and allowing anyone to join, for free. No fees. So a lot of private packers head out. Larger in size, but more guns.”

“It would be slower,” Shadow said, with a thinking nod. “But where would I find them?”

“You will find her inside the front gate. Somewhere around the entrance to the city. She is there to speak with. Its been a while since she has swung up here.”

“Thanks,” Shadow said. “But to important things. The heir program. I want to leave it all to you Sonata Concert. I have no one else to give it to. You would get all of my caps, guns, equipment, furniture and most importantly, my home. Its the ten year plan.”

“Ten year?” Strawberry asked.

“Yes,” The employee smiled. “Miss Sonata Concert. If Mtoaji goes missing, with no solid confirmation of his death, you retain protectorate over his holdings. At ten years from the last time he checks in, you will be deeded everything.”

“And during that missing period?” Strawberry asked.

“Your job is to maintain what he has. Mostly, that is just keeping it up for him. You won’t have to worry about his bank account, or most things. In this case, he has nothing that needs direct managing. You would be wise to pop in and clean his home every so often, but otherwise, nothing is needed for you to do. You are not overseeing any business transactions or something like that. This is a really long time, but its straightforward.”

“Is ten years that long?” Strawberry asked.

“We hold almost 700 active heir accounts. Most of those are 2 years, with plenty of 3 and 4 year plans. 125 are 5 year plans, but after that, only 17 are past 5 years. We don’t do longer than 10.”

Strawberry looked at Shadow, wanting an explanation.

Shadow just shrugged. “Ten years is what fate wants. I don’t know why, but ten years is what I have stuck in my head.”

Strawberry sighed and signed the paper. It was all on her, the heir to Mtoaji’s things. Once that was all done, Shadow gave her the spare key to his condo.

“Look, I appreciate you doing this for me. I also have a solution of sorts. Really, a mutual, symbiotic arrangement. I only have a one bedroom place, but half the time, I am not around. I am out doing my job. We can get you a bed and I know Sawdust can whip up some sort of wall we can put in to give you privacy.”

“Well,” Strawberry said. “I don’t… fuck I am so tired. Yes. At least for a little bit. I would prefer to be self sufficient. But I can work that out later.”

Shadow smiled at her. “You are a ray of sunshine to me while I am out here. I’ll get a bed for you for the night. Just come over when you get off from work. And if you need anything moved.”

Strawberry yawned. “Here, this is the key to my room. The number is on the fob. I don’t have much. Thanks. You have been a, just so much to me. A protector, an olderbrother in a lot of ways. Although, I think I am older.”

“Eh,” Shadow shrugged. “A sister just needs a strong brother. It doesn’t matter if its older or younger, so long as he is firm for her, but loving and soft with her. Especially in this broken, forsaken land.”

“Why do you say forsaken?”

Shadow sighed. “The light may come through the clouds, some. But its not really the sun. And really a lot worse, the stars and moon are hidden. They can not force their way through. They don’t care for this land.”

Strawberry leaned in close and whispered. “Have you seen the stars?”

Shadow nodded. “The clouds only cover Equestria. Oh gosh, I don’t even know where it is compared to where we are. My mental map is kind of shot right now. But yeah, I know the stars. I know the moon. I have seen sunrises and sunsets.

“We… that was a nasty fight. A good fight, but tough. Rank, despite being so dry. Damn Zebra ghouls.”

“They didn’t have what you needed?” Strawberry asked.

Shadow took a deep breath in. “Its, they did. But not all of it. In the end, it was a mistake. We got lucky. But we shouldn’t have breached it. No clouds though, that was nice. That was fresh.”

“I can’t image that,” Strawberry said, depressed.

“Yeah, but this place isn’t so bad. The sun can not be stopped. That is a huge surprise. Maybe one day I can take you to the sun, maybe. I would love to, but its more than just a trip.”

“Well, I have to get back to work. You need to focus on that caravan.”

“Right.”

Shadow smiled at her as she trotted off, back to her job. Back to her life, sunless. There was no way for her to walk on the clouds. And a trip south, that far south, would be difficult for her to endure. The Inquisitors were quick on their hooves and traveled well. And they were in the mountains, probably above them.

To remove the clouds, it would strip farms and homes. Foundations would crumble, and thousands would be homeless. They would starve within a year. It would take a lot for a farm to stay together if the cloud base was ripped away. And most farms were big, they would blanket large parts of the sky, permanently.

Shadow was at the gate. He had to turn his attention to the matter at hoof.

Rebel Queen was easy to spot, kicked back in a chair, leaning against the wall. She was in black clothes, with red combat gear. Her pale coat had several long scars on it’s face and neck. Her black mane was pulled back in a bun.

On her head was a yellow crown. It wasn’t just for show. Shadow saw the com system that was connected to it. It was expertly hidden in plain sight. You had to know what to look for though, and he did.

“Well well well,” She chuckled. “Mtoaji himself. What brings somepony of your caliber to me? Here to pay homage?”

Shadow grinned a bit. “You caught yourself up quickly, considering you haven’t been in town even a week.”

“Word about you travels. Trott loves to gossip. You still are hot on that train.”

Shadow shrugged. “Either way, it has come to my attention, that you are leading a caravan to Filly?”

She smirked. “Yeah. But we are going to New Appleloosa first. I got something I need to drop off. I got another dozen who are coming with. But most of them at stopping at NA and will come back on their own. After NA, to Filly. And we are going straight to the Steel Rangers. Or, as close as they will let us get to their precious, precious stable.”

“Stable?” Shadow asked.

“Yeah, their base is a stable. Don’t know don’t care what number. But I gurt some stuff they need. So, yeah. We gurt to go all the way to em. They probably won’t let the norms past the grocery.”

Shadow gave a nod in understanding. “Last time I was in Filly, they were all over the ruins. Where is this stable?”

“Yeah, they have a good hold on the city. And they purtect a lot of farmers. Some of our goods are for em, but we have some special pieces for them rangers.”

She was skillfully avoiding answering what he really wanted to know.

“Well, I have some business in the area around Filly. Not with the Steel Rangers.”

Rebel Queen grinned. “We would be glad to have yah along. But, this doesn’t seem like your scene. Especially with the stop at NA. A little too, slow.”

“When do you head back?” Shadow asked.

“Eh, business will take a few days. Probably the morning of four. If yah can catch us, sure. But if not, well, yah can handle yourself.”

Shadow was unsure what to say back.

“Wait, yah are afraid of Filly, ain’t yah?”

Shadow grinned, annoyed. “Well, she hasn’t been too nice to me. Blood, every time I get within her boundaries. So, I’ve got legitimate concerns with my business there.”

Rebel Queen chuckled twice. “We leave at O 600. The only rule is that you have to stay with the group and follow my instructions. You can only leave when we get to cities or towns. No leaving in the night. No walking too slow. No moving too fast. You step off to shit, you let me know. Capiche?”

Shadow’s eyebrow raised. He assumed ‘capiche’ meant agree. “I agree.”

“Good,” She smiled.

She extended her hoof to be bumped. Shadow obliged, sealing the deal.

With that over, Shadow trotted back in and to Quality Hardware. It wasn’t hard to get a simple, single pony bed for Strawberry. They had a good mattress already made. Shadow got a frame with drawers beneath the mattress. They were the frame style with a headboard attached. He also grabbed two small nightstands.

Sawdust knew exactly what Shadow needed. A privacy screen wasn’t something they usually, made, but Sawdust has several drawings in his books. They worked together to get Shadow the right one. It included hooks on the ‘inside’ so that things could be hung up, like in a closet. The hooks folded in flat so it could be folded all the way in.

Everything but the privacy screen was delivered right away. It was weird to have the bed in the corner, but it was good to have more life in the place. His chair and couch actually would be used.

Shadow pulled his battle saddle out. He broke everything down and cleaned it. He made them shine and ready for battle. The magazines were primed and ready, pristine. Shadow loaded his bags and then set them on the workbench.

Shadow’s next concern was making sure that the Black Widow stuff was hidden. He knew Strawberry wouldn’t snoop, but he had to make sure she wouldn’t accidentally stumble upon anything. They went into the stash under the floorboards. Nice and simple.

Shadow was still up when Strawberry got there. He was at the workbench and was working off of the original black widow pattern to make a new suit for regular wear. He had the extra fabric. And this pattern section had no immediate markers for Mare-do-well or the rest of the design. Only the wingless body suit.

“You’re up,” She said, flustered. “You should be in bed if you are heading out with the caravan.”

“Bah,” Shadow shrugged. “They will be moving slow. Its going to piss me off, but I have done a lot with little sleep. It won’t be a problem.”

“Did you?” Strawberry groaned, pouting a bit. “Did you buy me all of that? Its new! And it has drawers.”

Shadow chuckled. “Look around! I don’t buy used furniture. Only high quality new pieces. I have a privacy screen coming. Its a paneled, folding wall that we can extend or contract, depending on if it’s needed.”

“Mtoaji,” Strawberry pouted, sitting down on the couch. “You shouldn’t have done all of that. I don’t want to stay here a long time. But I don’t want to find a new place. Its so hard. And even when I had a solid place, I was looking for something better.”

Shadow chuckled warmly. “That is why I bought a place. I had the caps, it was worth it.”

“And then spent three times that on renovating it?”

“Well, I wanted to feel relaxed. Safe. This does that. Outside of here, I am sleeping with one eye open. Its… not fun. So yeah, I got the caps to do it. And that’s how I found you, the lighting project. Stop complaining and enjoy it. Because I can only half enjoy it since I am always gone. So enjoy it for me. I’m keeping the bedroom if that makes you happy.”

Strawberry sighed. “That does. It really does. I would throw a real fit if you tried to switch.”

Shadow just chuckled. “Relax. Enjoy not having to worry about a better place for you. Sure, its not your own, and its in the open, but the privacy screen will make a nice wall of sorts for you. And its safe. You won’t get evicted. You won’t have to worry about me selling it. Its all stable.”

“Well, until you finally get to head home.”

Shadow snorted. “When I get to head home, I won’t be needing 3,000 caps. Hell, even selling low at 2,000, I wouldn’t need it. We don’t use them. I had kind of figured on giving it to you once we met.”

“Why?” Strawberry whined. “Why are you so good to me. Getting me out was one thing, but its… you just keep taking care of me.”

Shadow set the sewing aside and sat in the chair. “And I enjoy having someone to share this with.”

“I know you are making a lot off this contract, but you need to have caps to live too.”

Shadow rolled his eyes. “I have enough. More than enough. But I need to head to bed. Its got fresh sheets and a blanket for you. I hope its enough to keep you warm.

“I just have one rule I need you to follow. You can do whatever you need to in here, use the kitchen and everything fully. Eat the food and do the shopping. But don’t poke around in my room.”

“Of course,” Strawberry smiled. “I won’t even go in there.”

“If you could water the window gardens, that would be appreciated. Every other day, just a full can. Its in the kitchen, you can’t miss it. There is one in my room. So, if you could slip in and water it while I am gone, that would be lovely.”

“One can, every other day,” Strawberry said, solidifying it in her head.

“Oh, and there is a lunchbox in the back of the pantry, behind the packaged food shit. If you need it, there are caps in there. Its the house’s spare. Its been there since the start. If you need it, use it. It was created as a backup reserve, in case I needed caps, but can’t get to the bank for some reason. Or the bank gets robbed and I lose everything in there. That’s always a strong possibility. I can’t believe no one has tried. At least, not that anyone can remember.”

“Okay,” Strawberry yawned. “I’ll take care of this place like it’s mine.”

“One last thing,” Shadow said from the bedroom doorway. “The delivery of the privacy screen, I probably won’t be here for that. If you need to, you can give the key to Sawdust’s team to deliver it. I trust them to give it right back to you.

“Oh, and enjoy yourself here. Its nicer to have someone else around. Don’t stress about housing. I would have gotten a two bedroom if I had foreseen you coming along in my life.”

“I will,” Strawberry yawned. “I will. I’m glad you didn’t, but the privacy screens will be nice.”

Shadow closed his bedroom door. He had always been clothed, even behind the locked door. He couldn’t risk his wings being exposed. He would slip them out and stretch them, keeping them warm and capable. But he didn’t trust it. Now he had a real reason to justify his careful actions. Strawberry wouldn’t be a problem, but he didn’t want to have to do that explaining.

He had killed for less compromising information.

Next Chapter: Chapter 124 - Operators Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 19 Minutes