I am in my best uniform, standing at attention at the front of the ranks of all of those of the 1^st regiment who are in Manesville for the change of command ceremony. I look at all those in front of me in the drill field as I listen to Colonel Chappy give a brief goodbye speech. Part of me feels sorrow at his going as well as a bit of trepidation. Since before I joined the CDF Chappy was the commander of the 1^st regiment. He was the one responsible for bringing it from two understrength battalions protecting the Co-op to what it is today as part of the Manesville Brigade in the NCR Army.

As he talks, I begin to think about what has transpired in the last day. First, I was present at the ceremony the day before when Star Burst got her Colonel's insignia pinned on her by the Commanding General of the brigade. I have to say it was fascinating seeing how easily those talons of his were able to remove her old Lieutenant Colonel insignia as well as put on the new Colonel's insignia.

This morning I was able to take those same Lieutenant Colonel insignia and I pinned them on my friend and subordinate Kettle Bell. This made her only the second cow to have advanced this high in what was once the CDF, and the first one in the Army of the New Canterlot Republic. As I removed the old ones and pinned on the new ones in front of the 2^nd battalion, I saw tears form in her eyes. When I finish, I step back and we exchanged salutes and I told her, “You have worked long and hard for this Kettle. Congratulations.” Immediately after this, she became the new old Cow for the battalion. I had already cleared out my office and it became hers.

I then realize Chappy has finished speaking and I watch as Star Burst steps up to the podium and begins to speak. She only speaks for a few minutes. “Fellow Members of the 1^st Regiment, it is with great pleasure I assume command of this fine unit. I too once stood in the same ranks as you do now and dreamed of someday becoming the Old Mare. Little did I ever think it would actually occur. But one thing that made it possible for me to make it to where I am now is by listening to the guidance of not only my senior officers but especially of my senior enlisted. While we all will miss Colonel Chappy, It is all of you who have made the 1^st regiment what it is today under his leadership and it is my goal to continue his fine legacy along with your help.”

She pauses and many of us think she may be finished already when she looks up and she continues, “For the last several years we have lived in relative peace.” She stops briefly and says, “Well with the exception of the rare raider or two.” Which gets her a few laughs from the ranks. Then she begins again. “However, in recent times we have begun to hear more from the Enclave Remnants. While we have fought them and won against them before, we can not simply set upon our laurels of past victories. We need to prepare both physically but more importantly, mentally for the challenges we may soon be called upon to face. Remember we are the First Regiment, the First to Fight. For Friends, For Family, For Herd. Thank you. Battalions Commanders, take over your commands.”

As she steps away from the podium, she smiles at me and says, “Ok XO, let's head back to my office. I have a few things I want to go over with you to make sure we are getting ourselves ready for whatever may come.”

When she says this I immediately smile back and tell her, “Sounds good to me ma’am.” But in the back of my mind, I am asking myself, what does she know that I don’t?

Once we are back in her office, she has the orderly bring us in some tea. I notice behind her is her old-style CDF helmet with a dent in one side of it. I smile when I see her coffee cup has the old 1^st of the 1^st logo painted on it. She sees where I am looking and laughs, “Yeah, I know I need one with the first regiment now. Bullocks what a mess this is.”

When she says this, she catches me off guard and I ask, “Ok Ma’am what is it that I have not been told yet?”

She tries to smile but fails as she says, “With your contacts XO, I thought you would have known already.”

I am still not sure what she is getting at. Then she tells me, “Those kids of yours and their Alicorn leader brought back word two weeks ago that the old Enclave is starting to shake the dust off and are spoiling for a fight.”

I nod my head, “Well my kids were brought up in a military home, they know to keep their mouths shut. I just wish they would have told me this time. But what makes this so different from when the rest of their scrubs come spoiling for a fight?”

She sighs and tells me, “Well this time it seems they found a leader to unite their cause. Some former teacher I heard. Who would have thought some teacher would be able to do something like that.”

I smile at her and then reply, “Ma’am, I am not surprised. You remember about 8 years ago the chief librarian for Manesville?”

She nods her head and asks, “Yes why? I never did find out what happened to her, but she was always pretty quiet.”

I smile at her and tell her, “Well, she not only is now married to Captain Sunset of our scouts. But she is now the 1^st sergeant for my husband Badger’s company over in the Second Regiment. Seems she got hooked after her stint in the militia.”

I see her smile, “I guess it is always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”

I nod my head and think, Yeah, just like my wife Magpie and what she had to do to survive in those trenches you sent her to during the battle of Manesville. But I say nothing and instead, I reply, “Yes ma’am, it usually is.”

She then tells me, “Mollygirl, with the rotation schedules for deployments still being kept, I am worried if they catch us with only a battalion in our region. Especially if the 2^nd regiment is in the field.”

When she says this, I feel as if someone has walked over my grave. Well, one of my graves. Frigging multiple timelines. I nod my head and say, “Well we would still have the militia.”

I see her sigh into her coffee cup. Then she looks up at me and replies, “That is a lot to be asking of civilians. Maybe you and I need to come up with a backup plan. You know. Just in case.”

I nod my head and we get up to head to the map room so we can start brainstorming what-ifs. As we go, I see Dull Beak and Kettle Bell are both just outside the regimental HQ, so I ask the Colonel, “Ma’am, what do you say we ask a couple of our battalions’ commanders to join us on this.”

She nods her head and tells the Sergeant Major, “Would you please give the battalion commanders my compliments and invite them to join me and the XO for a planning exercise.”

He nods his head and quickly heads out. Soon afterward the five of us are standing around the table and begin to make plans. Then it occurs to me, perhaps we should involve the head of the Dead Quiet militia as theirs has special training as well as centuries of experience surviving. I mention this to the Colonel and she nods her head and tells me, “XO, I will leave that in your capable hooves. I know you are much more comfortable dealing with them than I am.”

I smile and tell her, “I understand ma’am. If you don’t mind, I will have Lieutenant Bridge make contact for us and have him bring their commanders over.”

She nods her head and replies, “That would be fine. Just make it as soon as possible. I want this done before you head to Hoofington.”

As I look at the map, I then turn my head toward her and tell her, “I will talk to him about it tonight. He, Tar, and the family are coming over for dinner tonight.”

On my way home that night I am met by Millie, Moon Lily, Shadowbuck, Woody, and even Xailynn on their way home from school in White Cloud. We enter the farmyard as a group. I watch them as they all run into the main house laughing and prancing as they go. It feels so good to see them all like this. It makes me miss the older kids too. I would love to see them soon, but they are off with Choo Choo again.

After I take off my uniform and put on a dress, I am sitting by the woodstove just enjoying the heat. I then hear a knock on the door and go to answer it. As I get there, I see Millie has beaten me to it and is already opening it. I smile to myself as she does so, reminding me of our Epona and Xochitl so many years ago. That reminds me, I need to go to her and Ivy’s grave again soon.

I smile as the door is opened and Mille all but bows as she lowers her head and sweeps a forehoof toward the inside of the house saying, “Welcome, please do come in.”

From a young black buck with a white and black mane and tail I hear, “Hi Mills!” and I see it is lil’ Broken. Beside him is his brother Draw. Behind them are both Bailey and Tar, who is carrying her third child, a little green-coated filly with a dark blue and light blue mixed mane and tail, in a chest carrier.

I see the little one and swear I feel like I want another little one again. Right about then, little Covered Bridge begins to cry and I hear Tar say, “Hi Cous, sorry, can I feed her real quick?”

Before I can answer Sumac tells her, “Sure thing Tar, if you want to use the fillies room go ahead. You know where it is.”

I see a look of relief come over her face as she says, “Thanks, Sumac. I will be back in a bit.”

I shake my head sadly as I do not understand why she is so shy about feeding in front of family. But I guess it is all in how you are raised.

Bailey and I go into the living room and are just beginning to talk when I hear both Archer and Badger coming in the door, followed a couple of minutes later by Magpie. Bailey then asks, “So where is Sutures tonight?”

Sumac looks out from the kitchen and tells him, “She will be back home soon. She had a new client she was meeting today, so she may be running a bit behind.”

Both Bailey and I nod our heads. He smiles and says, “That sounds like her alright. I am just glad she was there for our last two.”

As we begin to talk, we are joined by Badger and Archer. I am telling them about how we are looking at new ways to protect our area in case of an Enclave attack, especially if all of our forces except one battalion are gone. We are starting to brainstorm some when Tar comes in and joins us. As she is listening, I can tell she is thinking, so I ask her, “Ok Tar, what are you thinking.”

She looks at me seriously and tells me, “You are not going to like it Mollygirl, but if something like that happens, we are seriously bucked. Especially all the former Enclave members who live here now. You need to consider what to do with them as well.”

Great, another worry I had not thought about. “You are right Tar. None of us had thought of that. I wonder if we could evacuate them at all?” I contemplate this as they are discussing some of the options. Then I hear Bailey ask, “Hmm, I wonder what all our engineers could do to improve our odds?”

“Funny you should ask that Bailey; I was thinking maybe you could go over to Dead Quite in a day or two and talk with High Grade and let him know that the Colonel and I would like him to come visit us in the stable to discuss these matters.”

He takes a drink of his coffee before replying, then he looks over at Tar and tells her, “Love, I will be home late tomorrow night it looks like.”

She smiles back at him and tells him, “I figured as much. Are you going to catch dinner over there, or do you want me to keep it warm on the back burner?”

He smiles and tells her, “Better keep my supper warm. We can save a few caps that way.”

She nods her head in understanding, just as Sutures comes in the door. She turns her head towards our guest and I see a smile on her face as she says, “Goodness it is nice to see you two again.”

I watch as both getup and give her a hug. Then I overhear Tar tell her, “Sutures, I need you to check me again.”

I see a look of surprise on Bailey’s face as well as Sutures and as she blushes Tar quietly says with a smile, “Dang foal heat.”

I see Sutures smile back and I can barely hear her say back, “Gladly Tar, but how about after dinner.”

About this time, I see Sumac stick her head out of the kitchen and she says, “Suppers ready. Could I get you guys to set the table please?”

After supper, we return to the living room. I have returned to my role of reading in the evenings that I am home to the children. It is funny to me as the adults all listen in as well. Earlier, the foals have asked that after dinner we go into the living room where I do my nightly reading to the foals. Tonight, they have asked me to read another story of Mare Do Well. The foals all gather around me as I read to them. I notice that when Tar’s youngest gets hungry again, she is so engrossed in the story she decides to just feed right there in the living room. I smile as I know this is a big step for her.

After I finish reading the story, we begin to listen to DJ pony again. Tonight, he again mentions the Wanderer. Whoever this Wanderer is, they do seem to get around quite a bit. After his report about the Wanderer, he begins to mention the increase in rumors of Enclave Remnant sightings. I do not think much of it until the mention there have been sightings over by Canterlot and further south including by Fort Hope and several other areas in the territory of the NCR.

Eventually, Bailey, Tar, and family leave for the evening. It has been a pleasant time and I really find it funny to see both his and Tar's expression when Sutures confirms Tar’s suspicions that they have another family member on the way. To be honest, while part of me wishes I could have had more. I now am more than happy I only had to carry Millie. The others are more than enough to make up for it to me.

The next day as I am walking to the stable, I am joined by Buttermilk. As she catches up to me at her comfortable pace, she calls out to me, “Hey Mollygirl, slow down for a minute, will you? I need to talk to you about something.”

I stop until she catches up with me and I smile as I see my friend with a bright red scarf on her neck. I instantly tell her, “I like your scarf Buttermilk, is that a new one?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “No, but it is one I don’t wear often. It tends to drive my husband crazy. I grabbed it by mistake this morning.”

I then ask her, “So how are your calves doing?”

She smiles. I swear she blushes slightly as she says, “They are doing fine herd mother, thank you for asking.”

I smile warmly at her and tell her, “I am glad to hear that. I know Epona will want to hear about them in my next letter to her or when I see her next.”

I see Kettle Bell nod her head and she says, “I do miss her and the others anymore. I know what they and Choo are doing is important, but I miss them, especially her.”

I then ask her, “So what is it you wanted to discuss with me?”

She looks around briefly as if to make sure no one else is around and she says, “Uh, Mollygirl, the last couple of weeks we have had a couple of late-night sightings of ghouls around White Cloud.”

I reply casually, “Now Buttermilk, I know most of the cattle have a problem with the folk over in Dead Quiet, but really why would they be suspicious of them being in White Cloud?”

She shakes her head and tells me, “Because they were seen coming out of the woods near the back of your property, and no pony recognized them as the regular ghouls who come through town.”

I nod again as I feel my ears start to go back in worry, “Ok, but let’s not make a big deal about this right now. I will have to check it out some more.”

She agrees and then we change the subject back to more mundane things, such as the upcoming Opening Day celebration and the expected arrival of the Gypsy traveling show. It turns out that Buttermilk and some of the others have come to look forward to their nearly annual return. I know I am looking forward to it also as are the foals. However, the question about the ghouls near the farm does worry me. I will need to check it out soon.”

Two days after dinner at my house, just after formation Bailey Bridge approaches me and tells me, “Ma’am, I talked to High Grade last night. He not only agrees to meet you, but he says he wants to talk to you and the Colonel As soon as possible.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Let me talk to the Colonel and find out when she can meet with him.”

“Ok, ma’am. Do you want me to wait here or shall I head back to my company until you contact me to let me know?”

“Bailey, I will send you a message on your PipBuck when I find out. Thanks for being patient. I am still getting to know how she does things otherwise I would have an answer for you already.”

He salutes me and tells me, “No problem Lieutenant Colonel. I understand how it is. I still remember the difference in how you do things compared to how the Major did before she died.”

I return his salute and as he turns to walk away, I smile and tell him, “I guess it was a bit different.” Then I turn and head back towards the regimental HQ to see if Star Burst will see me. I catch myself sighing as I think about how much I miss being the old mare now.

Once I enter her office, she offers me a cup of coffee, which I gladly take. After we both have drunk some of our coffee, she asks me, “Ok XO, what have you got for me?”

“Well Ma’am, I just talked to Lieutenant Bridge. He says Captain High Grade is eager to meet with us. When would you like to have the meeting with him?”

I see her shiver slightly, but other than that she lets no emotions show. Finally, she tells me, “XO, if he can get here by 1500 hours that would be great. If not have Lieutenant Bridge bring him in tomorrow morning.”

I nod my head, “Ok Colonel. That sounds good I will let the lieutenant know. Anything else?”

She shakes her head at first then I see her stop and she asks, “Mollygirl, what can you tell me about the terrain south of here? Are there any decent fallback positions if we need to?”

The next morning shortly after 9 am I hear a knock on the door to my office. I look up and I see the Sergeant Major looking at me. He then tells me, “Ma’am, Lieutenant Bridge is here with Militia Captain High Grade.”

I put down my pen and tell him, “Thank you I will be right out,” then I put the reports I am working on away and get up to join them.

As I come out of my office into the main headquarters area, I see both Bailey and High Grade. Both salute me and after returning the salutes, I extend a hoof to High Grade which he takes and shakes.

“Captain High Grade it is good to see you again, thank you for coming,” I tell him.

In the gravelly voice, I have come to expect from ghouls when I talk to them, I hear him say, “It is good to see you too Lieutenant Colonel, Bailey has given me a brief heads up about what you want to talk about,” he then pauses and then tells me, “Ma’am once we are in with the Colonel, I have something of a concern that I want to discuss as well. I have not had the chance to discuss it with Lieutenant Bridge yet.”

“OK, follow me then,” I say as I lead them toward Star Burst’s office. Once there I knock three quick raps and look in.

She sees me, smiles briefly and I then see her fight her discomfort as she sees the ghoul behind me. She then stands up and tells us, “Please do come in.”

As we come in, I watch as she goes over to High Grade and extends a hoof as she says, “It is a pleasure to meet you Captain, both my predecessor as well as Lieutenant Bridge have had nothing but good things to say about you.”

I see him look slightly uncomfortable as he shakes her hoof and tells her, “It is a pleasure to meet you too ma’am. I am just a bit humbled and surprised that you all have discussed an old ghoul at all.”

She then tells him, “Really you shouldn’t be. You and your fellows over in Dead Quiet are just as much a part Manesville and the old Co-op as the rest of us. We also now realize how much experience you have that we can learn from.”

I see a smile come on High Grade's face when she says this. “Thank you, ma’am. That means a lot. Not many places where my kind have not been driven out of or made to feel like we are freaks.”

I catch myself nodding my head and I see both of the others with us do so as well. We all know how most ponies and especially the cattle feel toward the ghouls. At least while the cattle feel they go against the order of nature, the cattle tolerate them and seem to believe in live and let be, I think to myself.

“Captain, one of the things that have been of concern lately is the resurgence it seems in the Enclave Remnants. It appears they may have a new leader who has gotten them to put aside their differences and come together against us and the NCR.” Starburst tells him.

High Grade nods his head. “Ma’am, I am glad you are taking this seriously. To tell the truth, many of us are worried about this as well. You have to understand the only thing the Enclave hates more than Dashites is us, ghouls. Our existence may not be great, but we are still here. Yeah, yeah, I know we all are supposed to feel that we have been turned away from Elysium and yeah, we can see the shadows of both worlds. But ma’am. I myself and many of us are not ready for that yet. To tell you the truth, Colonel with some of what I did during the war, I am afraid of where my final destination is going to be.”

I am very surprised at this revelation as the Colonel seems to be also. Then I notice Bailey pat a hoof on High Grades shoulder and I hear him say, “Yeah, I understand exactly what you mean High. I am afraid of that too now.”

Goddess, I think, do we all fear the judgment of what we have had to do in the line of duty? I half-smirk as I think about how much I am afraid I will have to pay to balance those books.

High Grade looks at me and says, “What? You think it is funny that I feel like this?”

I shake my head slowly and I tell him, “No High, I just thought I was the only one who really had those fears.”

He nods his head, “Yeah, I almost forgot, even with your dual shadow, that you too have been turned away. You too know.”

I see a look of confusion come over the Colonel’s face but a nod and a sad one on Baileys. Finally, High Grade says, “Ma’am, why don’t you tell me what you want me here for, and when we finish, I will tell you about a new concern that has been brought to my attention.

The Colonel then tells him our concerns and what we would like to have him help us with. As we begin to talk, I see High Grade's expressions change back and forth between worry, concern, and sometimes just that evil grin of his as he comes up with some devilish idea. It is a joy to see him and Bailey go back and forth on this.”

Finally, I see the Colonel smiles. She then says, “Captain. I think I have enough for now. But I would like to have you rejoin us again tomorrow if you can. I know you still have your civilian business to consider as well, but I really would like you on my staff for a bit.”

I see the surprise on both his and Bailey’s face and in reality, feel surprised myself. But not half as surprised when he tells us, “Colonel, I will be glad to. But I think I need to bring up what I wanted to mention to you earlier.”

I watch as Star Burst nods her head, “Ok, please do.”

“Ma’am, I recently was approached by a pony I have not seen since the war. Well, not a pony per se, actually a mule. He and I served together in no mare's land for a couple of years. Then one day his company was pulled from the lines. I never knew what happened to them since.”

I nod my head, but I see the Colonel starting to get a bit impatient and she moves her forehoof in a come-on manner. Finally, High Grade tells her, “Ma’am, he came here two weeks ago. He told me he has been in this area since the last day.”

Now, this has my attention and my ears are fully on him as he continues and says, “Ma’am, he says he came to Manesville from an underground facility that is near the new village. I think he means White Cloud.”

I can’t help myself as I slip and say, “So that was the ghouls Buttermilk was telling me about today.”

I see the Colonel turn her head toward me and she asks, “So you are aware of these ghouls?”

I shake my head, “Not really Colonel. I was just made aware this morning of there being reports of unfamiliar ghouls in the area of White Cloud. I was going to investigate it first before I brought it up. Just in case it was someponies imagination.”

She nods back, “That makes sense, thank you for your consideration XO,” she pauses and then asks, “Captain, what else can you tell me about them?”

He then tells us, “Ma’am, not much, but he will be coming back tonight. I will ask him to come to visit you if you like.”

"Captain, I truly do appreciate the offer and yes, please have him accompany you here to us, Thank you.”

He smiles back, “Thank you, Colonel. I will be back in the morning. Ma’am, He really has been out of the loop since the Day. How much should I tell him?”

I see her sigh, then she tells him, “Tell him anything you want. He needs to know, good, bad and indifferent. If we hide anything, he will find out eventually anyway.”

I see a surprised look on High Grade's face, then he asks, “What if he refuses to come here?”

I then tell him, “I will go to him then.”

I see the surprise on Star’s face and she tells me, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

I then walk with Bailey and High to the entrance of the stable. Once there I tell them, “Thanks again. Captain, I will see you tomorrow then. “Then as High Grade walks away I head back inside to my office as Bailey returns to his company.

That night when I get home, I see my older two daughters and the ones Fiancé are there. I also see Ginger's SIR and Epona’s SMG hung on the rack. I guess they are done with another mission.

As I come in, I hear Ginger telling the younger children, “I am serious, whatever you do, stay away from that cave on the back 40. You know the one with the broken-up stump and the tree laying across its opening.”

They have not noticed me yet and as I listen; I hear Millie say, “Too late Ging, three weeks ago we went in there.”

“Was the skeleton still on the mattress?” Xochilt asks.

Moon Lily then says, “Yeah, yeah it was.”

Ginger then asks, “So you did not go any further in did you?”

I watch as I see Bucky nod his head and I hear him say, “Yeah, and we shouldn’ta.”

I hear Ginger sigh and she asks, “What did you guys find?”

Mille speaks this time, “We found some old metal doors in there, As well as a speaker box on the wall. Oh, and some kind of ‘puter and screen.”

Then I hear Woody pipe in, “Yeah and we found two ferals too. They came at us, but Moon took care of them.”

My eyes are open wide by this and I can only thank Sweet Cream and the Goddesses that Moon Lily was with them.

As I enter the room, I see all of my children and Xialynn’s eyes get wide. Epona then asks, “Ok Ma, how much did you hear?”

I first hang up my pistol and then I turn back to them. “I heard enough to know I was right all those years ago to tell Ginger, Xochitl, and Sunny to stay away from there.” I then look at the youngest and I tell them, “Now you all know better than to go into the caves like that. You never know what you can find.”

As I say this, I hear Xochitl laugh slightly and he then says, “My apologies Colonel, I just was thinking of George’s cave and when we first met the three sisters.”

I smile at the memory and tell him, “Yeah, that was a good day.” Then I ask, “Ok, so what happened when you were in the cave? Millie you first.”

I see my daughter look down and she twists her back hoof as she says, “Well it was on a dare. Xialynn was with us and we went in together with Moon Lily’s horn lit. Once past the skeleton, we were just barely able to see the doors in the back of the cave when I heard some growling. Then I saw the first feral. He came running at us. I kicked a rock at it to distract it and Moon used her magic to kill it. That is when we heard the one that was between us and the cave entrance.”

I hear Woodrow gulp and I turn to him and he says, “Mama Mollygirl, I am sorry. I know we shouldn’t have. I started to jump out of the way but it caught me and threw me against the wall. It broke my leg even.”

I am horrified when he says this as I remember him limping one night as they came in for dinner. So, I ask, “Who fixed your leg for you?”

I then hear Moon Lily say, “I did Mama Mollygirl. I first killed the other ghoul by disintegrating it so I knew it was done. Then I healed his leg like I saw mom do before.”

I shake my head, Goddesses you can’t cast a spell around this kid without her trying to learn it. Then I tell her, “Dear, I am very thankful you did that and I am proud of you. But you need to let us know. I will have your mother check out his leg when she gets home tonight. Just to verify he is healed up completely.”

I see Moon start to sniffle then as she says, “Mama Mollygirl, please don’t tell Ma, she won’t let me use my magic anymore.”

I sigh and I tell her, “Dear I have to, and you should have done so already.

Finally, Shadowbuck says something again. “Ma, after that I tried to use the computer to get in, but I couldn’t. I heard an adult voice over the speaker say, “Bloody Tartarus, did they send a battlemage after us?”

I snicker a bit at that then he asks me, “Mama what is a battlemage?”

Before I can answer Epona looks at first Moon Lily, then him and answers, “Bucky, a battlemage back during the war with the zebras were unicorns that were exceptionally powerful and who when working together could change the course of a battle.”

As she says this, I notice Moon Lily puff out her chest a little bit with pride. When she notices me looking at her, she blushes and looks down slightly again.

I try not to smile but I put a hoof on her shoulder and tell her, “While you shouldn’t have been there you did really good in a bad situation young mare. I am unhappy with you and your siblings for having gone into that tunnel, but I am very proud of how you handled it. Just let us know next time.”

About this time Sumac and Persimmon come in from the fields as they enter, they see the older kids in the living room with the rest of us as they come in. I love seeing the joy that comes over their faces as they finally see them.

Persimmon hugs her son first then hugs Ginger and she asks, “So Ginger, you ready to learn how to cook a few more of his favorite dishes from me?”

Ginger kisses Persimmon on the cheek and tells her, “You got it, mom.”

Sumac comes in and greets the older children first, then she asks them, “So dears are you going to be home for a while?”

Xochitl answers her, “Hopefully for a bit Mother Sumac, they have had us busy lately.”

I nod my head in understanding. Then I ask, “Do they have you doing anything around here?”

I get a strange look from Epona and Ginger says, “No ma, and you know we could not tell you if we were.”

About this time Sumac says, “Epona, would you like to help me begin to make supper for this herd?”

As they head into the kitchen, I tell Ginger, “I need to talk to you outside, now.”

She does not look happy when I say this, but she follows me outside onto the porch. Once I am sure no one can hear us I tell her, “Ginger, I understand about operational security and all, but dear, I need to know if we have trouble in our own backyard.”

She has a pained expression on her face when she says, “Ma, why are you so adamant on this? You know what we went through and why we are so tight-lipped.”

I then tell her about my meeting this morning with the Colonel and High Grade. When I am done, she sits down and tells me, “Ma, that is why we are home this time. This goes beyond the fabled stable 4B. I have seen the documentation for this place.”

I am surprised in a way that she has admitted this much even. Then I tell her, “Ginger, I am supposed to have a meeting in the morning with High Grade and a ghoul who comes from an installation around here. Would you want to attend this meeting with me?”

I hear her sigh and then she smiles as she tells me, “Ma, I think it best that I am there. Maybe it is best Epona and the rest of the team meet at the stable too. This may help us avoid any misunderstandings.”

I nod my head, “Sounds good dear. So, are you sleeping here tonight or elsewhere?”

She smiles at me and tells me, “Xochitl and I were thinking of staying with his parents as it is not so crowded and they allow us to sleep in the same bed.”

I nod my head in understanding. “I know, that and fewer ponies to have to deal with, right?”

She smiles and nods her head. “Thanks for understanding Ma. It is not often he and I can sleep together by ourselves. I sometimes miss those days on the expedition when I was able to cuddle with him every night.”

“I know dear. I understand that all too well. Now let’s go back in and join the others.”

Tonight, Badger has duty so he misses out on visiting tonight with the kids, but I send him a message to let him know they are back in town. Archer on the other hoof is ecstatic when he sees them as he walks in the door with Sutures.

I see Ginger’s face light up as she sees both of them and she almost runs over to greet them. Epona follows her at a more sedate pace. After they have finished their greetings Archer goes in to check on the rest of the youngsters. As he does this, I pull Sutures to the side and tell her, “Dear I need you to check Woody’s legs. It seems that they ran into a couple of ghouls when exploring a cave about three weeks back, He got tossed around and broke his leg, he told me.”

I see her surprise, then she asks, “How did he know he had a broken leg? Better yet if he did, how come we didn’t know about it?”

I shrug and tell her, “Moon fixed it for him. She told me a bit ago.”

I see Sutures begin to get angry and I put a hoof gently on her shoulder, “Dear, she is so afraid you won’t let her use magic she was afraid to tell you.”

I see her nod her head and she says, “I should put a magic inhibitor on her horn for a month for that. And who the Tartarus taught her how to check a wound and set and mend a broken leg?”

I simply smile and tell her, “I asked her that. She said you did.”

“I never taught her that Mollygirl. Heck, the only time I ever used that spell was when that calf fell out of the loft in the barn over at Trouble’s place the last harvest.”

“Sutures my love, remember that is all it takes with her. She learns so quickly by observing it is scary.”

I see her cringe and then she says, “Yeah, your right. I just keep forgetting how much of a quick study she is. I should know better. I mean ever since the plow shear incident that time.”

When she mentions that I begin to laugh and tell her, “I can still see poor great aunt Haze when she came out of the barn after that. That reminds me, she should be back from Tenpony Tower next week.”

She raises an eyebrow at this and she replies, “Thanks for the reminder, so who is she going to stay with this time?”

“I am not sure; Maybe Trouble and Blondie I think she wants to check out their newest addition. Especially since she is a unicorn.”

Sutures smiles and says, “True, but Well is only a couple of months old. She probably won’t be able to tell much about her power yet.”

I smile at her as I tell her, “Yeah, same as with Moon, right?”

She laughs at this and says, “Ok, point made.”

Right after that Sumac calls out, “Suppers ready.” And we both rejoin the rest of our family for dinner.

The next day I get up early so I can get in a good workout before heading into the stable. I am enjoying the first rays of the sun as they shine on me while I go through my daily martial arts movements as shown to me by both Chain and Xavier, when I hear a gravelly voice from by the road call out. “Good Morning Ma’am.”

I turn to see a first for me. A mule ghoul. He is leaning against the fence on his forehooves. He looks vaguely familiar, then I notice he is wearing a uniform. I grab my towel and wipe off my sweat. Then I cautiously begin to approach the fence. “Good morning sir, Can I help you?”

He smiles and tells me, “It is a pleasure to meet you ma’am, I am Lieutenant Johnny Cake of the Equestrian Army’s 23rd Combat Engineers Battalion.”

I reach out and shake his hoof. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant. So, what can I do for you this morning?”

He smiles and tells me, “Nothing. I was just looking at your home and noticing how much it changed since I first saw it. You know, that it used to be yellow at one time.”

I lean on the fence myself and begin to talk back with him, “No, I did not know that. I bet it was really pretty in its day.” He smiles at me and tells me, “Yeah it was. Back then it was the home of my best friend and his family.”

I nod my head, “I understand how that is, what happened to him?”

I see his eyes get that familiar look of pain as he remembers. Then he simply says, “Ol’ Sweet Corn bought his farm down in no mare's land. I was holding him when he passed over.”

Without thinking I put a hoof on his and tell him, “I am sure Sweet Cream welcomed him and weighed favorably in her judgment.”

He looks at me funny and tells me, “Ma’am, you have ta be the first pony I have ever met that believed in his religion.”

This surprises me that he is familiar with the cattle religion. Then I realize the means his best friend was a bull. In reply to his comment, I simply shrug my shoulders, and then he asks, “So how long ago did that extension get put on your house?”

I smile and tell him “Oh about eight years ago now. Right before we began to have all our youngsters.”

He looks at me funny and asks “Ma’am, no offense, but you don’t look like you carried a whole passel of youngsters.”

I smile and tell him, “Oh, that is because we have two adopted daughters who are adults now, and my sister wives had most of them.”

I see a confused look on his face as he asks, “Sister wives?”

I nod my head and tell him, “Yes, I have three other wives and two husbands. Besides my adopted daughters, I gave birth to one daughter, my wife Magpie had two and both Sutures and Sumac had one each.”

I see him shaking his head, “Ya know ma’am, that back in my day things like that just were not done.”

I nod my head again and I tell him, “Johnny, most of the time nowadays it is not done. I have only known a few other families like that. A couple of them are here in the Manesville region. The others are down in a town you probably never heard of called Harness.”

I see him drop onto the ground and I hop over the fence to make sure he is ok. “Are you alright?” I ask him.

I see him slowly shake his head. Then he answers, “Ma’am, Harness used to be my home town,” He pauses and looks down and I see him getting ready to ask something, but he seems afraid to.

“Johnny, I can tell you want to ask something, please do,” I tell him as I help him back on his hooves.

He looks at me and asks, “Ma’am how bad was it for them down there? I mean on the final day.”

I sigh and I tell him, I am not going to lie to you, Johnny. The village above the valley is not that big anymore. I could see where it used to be much larger. However, from what Milo and his family have told me, most of the people from the company town were evacuated into the private stable there and survived the last day.”

I see him let out a sigh of relief and he says, “Oh thank the Goddesses, that means ma and pa made it then.” Then he asks me, “So just who is this Milo?”

I smile and I tell him, “He and his family are very close to my family. He also is the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of the Harness battalion.”

I see him think briefly and he says, “Milo is a funny name for a pony, sounds more like a mule name.”

About that time Archer comes out of the house and hoofs me a cup of tea and first tells him, “that is because Milo is a mule as is his brother husband and one of their wives. The other two wives are ponies,” he pauses and tells me, “Dear, you need to go get breakfast and get dressed for work, you don’t want to be late.”

I see him looking at Archer’s uniform and he then says, “If you are heading in towards Manesville do you mind if I walk with you?”

Archer smiles at him, “No, not at all, but did I hear you are from Harness?”

He smiles and says, “Yes captain I am.” He stops and puts a hoof out to me and says, “Ma’am it has been really nice to meet you. I hope to see you again sometime.”

I smile back as I shake his hoof, “Lieutenant, it was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to meeting you again as well.

As they walk away, I drink my tea quickly and then head into the house. As I go, I begin to wonder, but no, that would be just too easy. He could not be the one I am supposed to meet today. Could he?

Dear DJ Pon3,

For the last few years, me and those who I am close to have been able to live in relative peace for the first time in almost 200 years. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the way things will stay. On the other hoof, I have to say, we have also begun to finally feel accepted if not cared for. Between the news on the radio and what I have heard from some old friends, I feel the wheel of time-shifting again. If you could please play for me and all of us in the Wastelands, The Times They Are A-Changin'?

Thank you, High Grade, Dead Quiet, Manesville District.

It has been a while since I have said thank you to those who have created the world of Fallout Equestria, a world that has inspired me to add to it. KKat, Somber, Fuzzy Wuzzy, and others your works have jump-started my imagination and inspired me to build upon what you have built, and for that, I must thank you all.
For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90WD_ats6eE