As the white creature steps toward me I hear it ask in a high-pitched voice, “Are you Colonel Mollygirl?”

I slowly nod my head. Afraid if I speak my voice will crack. I am terrified that this banshee may be here for someone I care about; or even me.

She steps closer again and tells me, “We have been looking for you.”

It is then that I notice the tufts of hair on the end of her ears. Then I see her wings, and I notice that they are not like those on a Pegasus. Instead of feathers, they look like those of a bat. Her eyes are red at the iris and have a slit instead of the typical round pupil. She doesn’t look exactly how I pictured a banshee, but then again, I have never met one before. Soon I finally find my voice and I hear it crack as I ask, “Can I help you?”

She nods her head excitedly and tells me, “Yesss.”

“How can I help you?” I ask.

Then from the main door into the front of the house I hear Paper Works voice as he says, “Oh, Sorry Colonel, I forgot to tell you, they were looking for you.”

My eyes are still wide. I finally notice the other three with her are all dark greyish brown and have purplish wings that I now realize remind me of George’s. Then I turn to Paper Work and ask him, “You knew they were looking for me? How?”

He shrugs his shoulders and tells me, “They stopped here last night. They had a letter of introduction from Choo Choo and the repair ponies.”

I shake my head and this time I ask them “You know who I am, who are you?”

The white one smiles and tells me, “You probably would have a hard time pronouncing my name. From old Ponish it translates to Morning Star.”

I like how that sounds and tell her, “That is a pretty name.”

She looks down sadly and tells me, “Not to my people. To them the morning is something to dread. The day I was born my father is said to have told my mother I was as bright as the Morning Star. So, my mother kept the name.”

I look at her companions and then back to her and ask, “So how come you look so different from the others?”

She sighs again and tells me, “Because my coloring is a birth defect. There were never many of us as your kind call, batponies, but after the day of balefire, all that remained took shelter at our home. Over the last few generations, there have been more birth defects as the bloodlines became too close.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Our cattle have had a similar issue. How can I help you, that others cannot?”

She looks at her compatriots and then tells me, “One called Ginger, who is now a guard of she who looks as Luna told us of the embryos that are being protected here. We have talked to those who watched over them and we want to assist in their defense.”

“Have you talked to Lieutenant Cake? He is in charge of the guard there.”

“Colonel, he told me that the best way was to join and help protect the NCR. He also promised that after the war, he would make sure I was one of the first of my kind to carry one of these gifts from Luna.”

I nod my head in understanding and ask. “So, you and your comrades would like to enlist?”

They nod their heads, and she answers in her high-pitched voice, “Yes, we would.”

I look at the others then back to her, “I will be happy to accept your enlistment. However, I will need you to go through recruit training.” I see them all begin to look upset, then I tell them, “Understand, even she who looks like Luna. I mean Choo Choo went through this training. Once you are done with the training, you will be returned to the regiment and given your final assignments. If you all agree to this, then please go inside with Sergeant Paper Work. He will assist you in your enlistment paperwork and help you find a place to sleep for the night.”

When I say the last part, they all begin to laugh. Finally, they see my stern expression and one of the others tries to speak and I hear a strained voice say, “Sorry Colonel, but we normally sleep during the day and are up at night.”

This gives me an idea but I say nothing about it yet and tell them, “Well we can get you something to eat and, in the morning, before you go to bed, we will have Doctor Treacle give you a physical.”

They all nod their heads and I turn to Paper Work, “You heard me, Sergeant, please take care of them.”

I hear him sigh tiredly as he salutes me and says, “Yes ma’am.”

As they follow Paperwork inside, I see an almost evil grin come over Chain Lighting's face. Then he looks at Windy and she simply nods before she tells me, “Colonel, it seems we have found our own banshees. I know how much they just frightened me, imagine if we begin to broadcast the legend of the Banshee as well as some other folklore, ya know, just for entertainment. Then after this has gone out perhaps, we could begin to have them operating at night behind their lines as our scouts. With those screeches of theirs, I am sure it would terrify some poor souls.”

I nod my head and I hear Chain say, “You mean like we were?”

She nods her head and tells him, “Exactly Sergeant-Major, exactly. Now Colonel, we really need to talk to Paper Work about passing on news of visitors like them. I almost had to change my uniform.”

All four of them enlist. Three of them are mares and the fourth a stallion. It seems they had traveled from down by Hoofington by themselves. Honestly, I want them as scouts. I only hope they do not try to make them combat engineers with the skills they have for night flying.

As I walk home, I can only grin at what Star Burst is going to say. She can keep the stable. I have my people and our prize. I am good with that.

Once home I begin to tell Sutures and the others about them. I notice Moon Lily is paying rapt attention. Then she asks, “Mama Mollygirl, did they use any magic?”

I think briefly and I tell her, “Honestly dear, I do not know. However, I know they are descended from Luna’s royal guards. Oh, and they ran into Choo Choo and your sisters recently.”

When I say the last part, I see a look of relief come over everyponys’ face as this means they were still alright, at least recently. Millie then asks, “Ma, do you think we will ever get to meet the bat ponies?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Perhaps. I know that after the war is done, they plan on coming back to visit Site Paddock.”

When I say this, I notice some of our children just nod their heads but do not really understand what this means. My spouses on the other hoof all understand it. I then tell them, “Morning Star told us they were having the same issue as the cattle are.”

Sutures raises an eyebrow and then asks, “Does this mean I may have to learn about birthing a bat pony?”

When she asks this, I see Moon Lily’s head pop up and her ears go straight at me. I smile and tell her, “Honestly, I do not know. If it becomes safe enough, they may only come up here to be implanted and then return home. However, who knows, maybe some will decide to stay here.”

Archer is sitting next to Sutures and asks, “Dear what makes you think they may decide to do that?”

“Archer dear, two things, the first is food. They all were a bit scrawny, however, Morning Star was skinnier than the rest. The second, they still idolize Luna, and it seems some of that has rubbed off since Choo Choo got her cutie mark and now resembles Luna a bit more.”

Suddenly I hear all of them speak up.

“She got it back?”

“Can alicorns do that?”

“Granny Choo got her cutie mark back?”

“Mollygirl, when did this happen?”

“Dear, you knew and you did not tell us?”

I move my hoofs in front of me to quiet them down. “First off, yes it happened. Secondly, I was not supposed to say anything, even I don’t know what she was doing when she got it. Third, it looks like what I have seen of Luna’s cutie mark, but with a steam engine under the moon.”

I see Badger grinning as he shakes his head. From the other side of Sutures, and Archer, I hear Moon Lily asks, “When can we see her?”

Then I hear Woodrow giggle and asks, “So do we bake her a cake for her cutie mark too Ma?”

Sumac smiles at this and replies, “Well, the next time she is back home we will have to bake one then.”

Later after the younger foals are asleep and we adults are listening to DJ Pon3 on the radio I ask Purchase, “Well dear, how are you settling in?”

She shrugs her shoulders a bit. Then she says, “Ok, I guess. I was just hoping I would get to see more of Epona.”

This time Magpie answers, “I understand how that is, it seems like we are all too often waiting for our spouses to come home. Both Mollygirl and Archer have had to make multiple 14-month deployments.”

I see her jaw drop and she asks, “It, it's not going to be that long for her, is it?”

Now I answer, “Most likely not dear. I can’t tell you for sure, but they seem to pop in and out every so often.”

She nods her head. Then she asks, “Ma’s, Pa’s would you mind if I found a job?”

Sumac answers for us, “Dear, we would never try to stop you from that. Or you could help more on the farm if you would like, but that is up to you.”

Purchase smiles shyly and then says, “Thank you. I do appreciate it. Oh, and I was wondering, would it be ok if Tek and his new mare friend came to visit?”

This time I grin and ask, “I thought he was only interested in Zebra mares?”

She blushes and Archer tells us, “Dear, while you were so busy lately with your regiment, I took him into White Cloud and introduced him to Xyliana and her sisters. They were more than happy to meet him, and; well, he was more than happy to meet them. It seems he likes older mares.” As he says this, he looks at Sumac and winks.

“Oh, so which one is the lucky mare?” Magpie asks.

Archer smiles and replies, “Well Xavier was saying that Barrel Tap had told him that both of Xyliana’s sisters were interested in him, so I am not sure which one it is.”

This time Purchase chimes in and tells us, “Well, his main marefriend is the middle sister, Xzandrea. However, the youngest sister, Xiao has been trying to use our family as an example so she can have a zebra stallion too.

When she says this, I notice my spouses all look at each other. Then we all break out in laughter. We see the perplexed expression on Purchase’s face and Archer tells her, “Dear, that is the first time we have heard of anyone else using our family as a good example.”

She grins and tells us, “Well it does seem to work for all of you.”

This time Sutures tells her, “Yes dear, but it also takes a lot of work.”

Purchase smiles at her and answers back, “Mama Sutures, please understand, I have seen how hard you all work at it. To be honest, if I was not so close to all of you, I would say you make it look easy. But I can see that each of you work on it and make it work.”

This time I notice we are all smiling and I put a hoof on her shoulder and tell her, “Dear, that is the best compliment we have had as a family. Thank you.”

She just shrugs and then says, “Ma, I am only telling you as it is.”

We continue to talk about what all is going on in White Cloud as well as at the main base and Manesville. Finally, we all decide to call it a night.

As I lay down to sleep next to Archer and Sutures. I realize that today was a really good day.

As the days turn into weeks I watch as the 1^st battalion finishes their barracks and while the first half goes on leave, the others continue to build so that they are ready for the members of the 2^nd battalion as they finish training.

I am still waiting on news of when I will get my third battalion, and to tell the truth, I am getting irritated at not getting any answers.

“Colonel Mollygirl, I promise you, you will be the second person I tell after I find out.” The general tells me.

I raise an eyebrow, “The second?” I ask.

He nods his head, “Yes, the first being Major Pin Point, as he will have to begin the paperwork to receive them into the brigade as well as your regiment.”

That makes sense so I nod my head and tell him, “Thank you, sir. I really do appreciate it, and I do not mean to be such a nuisance.”

I hear him laugh, “You’re not really. I just have the other two regimental commanders to deal with as well.”

As I leave Major Pin Point tells me, “Oh, and Colonel, would you let your supply officer know that the paint he requested is ready?”

I smile and tell him, “No problem Major, have a good day.” As I continue to walk on my way back to the base.

As I am heading towards the main atrium of the stable, I see Padre and a bull I have not really seen before coming in my direction. Both are in their full uniform and I notice that the bull has the insignia of the Chaplains’ Corps on his uniform.

Padre waves to me and I approach them. Once I am close, Padre says, “Colonel Mollygirl, I would like to introduce you to your new chaplain Dharma. He has previously served with the 1^st Regiment in the Apple Eaters. After his time of service expired, he applied for and received his commission as a Chaplin based on his religious studies in his off time.”

I raise an eyebrow at this and extend a hoof, “It is good to meet you, Lieutenant. I am surprised I have not seen you before.”

He smiles at me and tells me, “Colonel, I am not. We had over a thousand beings in the 1^st regiment, you may have known most of us by sight, but I tried not to attract attention to myself.”

I nod my head in understanding and tell him, “Yes, that is true. Would you like to join me on my walk to our HQ?”

He looks nervously at Padre, who smiles kindly and tells him, “Take care Dharma, I will see you around.”

He nods back and says, “Ok Colonel, I am ready.”

“Do you need to pick up anything from the stable before you go?” I ask.

He shakes his head, “No ma’am. I will be back later to gather what belongings I have.”

I nod my head in understanding and let my ears relax as we begin to head out the backdoor of the stable and back to my regiment. As we go, we continue to talk.

Finally, he looks around to make sure we are alone on the road and he asks me, “Ma’am, are you really a believer in Sweet Cream?”

I nod my head to him and I tell him, “Yes and at least one of my daughters is also. The others have attended service with me but the one is a true believer and carries her book of Daisy Jo with her everywhere.”

I see him shake his head, “Please excuse me, but since I attended the church over by Donavan. I had not really believed you were a believer too.”

I smile at him as I tell him, “Lieutenant, it is fine, I know I am a rarity among ponies when it comes to that. But the truth is still the truth, no matter what language it is written in.”

He smiles, “So are you really a mother of the herd?”

I feel myself blush slightly and I ask, “Where did you hear that?”

He calmly answers, “Buttermilk told me, she said I deserved a heads up about it.”

I think back to how surprised she and the rest of the cattle with the Others were when they found that out. So, I tell him, “Just so you know, I am not ashamed by it. But I do not like to make a big deal about it.”

“So, the story about you and Nettle’s letter in the Valley is true then?”

I feel my ears go down alongside my head a bit with the memory and I nod my head, “Yeah, I found it and gave it to his mother and wife when my wife Sutures delivered their calf. The funny thing is I never have heard exactly what was said inside it.”

He nods his head and tells me, “I have not read it myself, but I had heard the rumors. Ma’am, I think I am going to enjoy working with you.”

I smile at him and tell him, “Dharma, I hope you continue to feel that way. Oh, and watch your step the second one has a loose board,” as we go up onto the porch and I take him inside to meet the rest of my staff.

Two Weeks later the first of my second battalion begin to arrive. First, I meet my new officers. Some come up from the ranks in the old-fashioned way. A few are experienced officers from other regions.

Among the surprises for me is that Emerado is now going to be one of my new company commanders. She is taking over E Troop. I am coming down the stairs in my HQ when I see her and three other officers just entering the foyer to the house.

Emerado sees me and smiles and says something to the griffin, unicorn, and bull that are with her. Then once I am down Stairs they all go to attention and salute me. As I return their salutes, Emerado says, “Colonel, we the company commanders of the 2^nd of the 3^rd Battalion are reporting in Ma’am.

I smile and tell her, “Excellent. I actually have a bit of time, why don’t you all follow me back to my office and we can talk over some tea.”

As I say this, I see Paper Work nod his head and he gets up and goes to get his tea set. The one that was once Major Quick Trots he turned over to the new clerk of the 2^nd of the 1^st when he transferred out. But he did tell me he passed on its history to his relief. Then he went and bought a new set specially for our regimental HQ.

As they follow me upstairs, I do a quick mental check of what I remember of their service records.

Emerado is getting company E. The Griffon is a dark gray color with a white head. He is a veteran of the fighting in Fillydelphia and is named Brandywine. The unicorn comes with a green coat and has a light green snip on his nose, as well as a yellow mane and tail. He comes to us from Baltimare and is named Terra Nova. Finally, the Bull is named Long Horn, of course, he is from the Co-op, but not our Co-op. He came through with the Others and was only a youngster back then. He still has his light brown coat and white horns and a white stripe down his face that I remember from when he was a calf.

Once we are back in my office, I tell them, “It is good to meet all of you. Normally I would have you accompanied by your battalion commander, but seeing you are all here, I feel this is a good time to get to know you a bit.”

Emerado then asks, “Colonel, who is our new battalion commander going to be?”

At this, I fight a sigh back as I answer, “Your battalion commander is going to be Lieutenant Colonel Gray Tempest. He should be along shortly. He is turning over the command of his battalion in the 2^nd regiment today and should be joining us soon. In the meantime, I will be appointing Captain Emerado as acting battalion commander until he or your new XO arrives.”

They all nod their heads in understanding. Then I tell them, “I have known Emerado for some time. However, the rest of you, how about you tell me a bit about yourselves. Brandywine, why don’t you begin.”

I see him adjust himself in his seat and he begins, “Well Ma’am, I started in the Talons about 12 years ago. When the war began against Red Eye, I was one of those in the first assault wave. Of my original talon of 68 griffons, only three of us are still alive. Since then, I have led attacks against the Enclave remnants as well as participating in anti-raider operations and taking part in several smaller engagements between our forces and outsiders.”

I nod my head and smile at this, then I tell him, “You have a very impressive record Captain. Is there anything special I should know about you?”

He shows the griffon expression for amusement and tells me, “No, not really Colonel. I am pretty simple overall.”

I nod my head and then I turn to Terra Nova and ask, “So what about you?”

He grins and says, “Ma’am I have only been in service about five years.” I raise an eyebrow as it impresses me how fast he made rank. He continues, “I have mainly been participating in anti-raider ops, but have been involved in disputes along our border with the New Lunar Republic as well.”

I have not heard much about them but am very curious. “Interesting. So, what did you do before you joined up?”

He grins at me and tells me, “Ma’am, I used to be a trader. I ran a couple of brahmin with some friends of mine between some stables in Baltimare and Manehatten.”

“So, you know your way around when it comes to going cross country and you have had independent commands?”

He nods his head, “Excellent. That is really good to know.” Finally, I turn to Long Horn and I ask him, “Ok, tell me a bit about yourself.”

He grins and tells me, “Well ma’am, I finished up school in White Cloud and Joined the Second Regiment, I have been serving with them since. I made lieutenant in four years and was promoted to captain when I volunteered for the 3^rd.”

I nod my head in understanding. “Captain Horns, what made you decide to join the second and not the first?”

He grins as he tells me, “I began to dream of flying ever since I saw you and Kettle Belle fly around Hackamore that day.”

“And what do you think of it?”

He laughs, “I think I love it as much as Lieutenant Colonel Kettle Belle does ma’am”

I have to grin at this and then I tell them, “Just so you know, at least part of our regiment is going to be airmobile. That means that the designated battalion will be flying. As I say this, I see Emerado’s face go paler than normal. Finally, she asks me, “Colonel, did you ask for me just to make me fly again?”

I shake my head, and tell her, “No, but at least I am glad you have experience.”

When I say this the others all look at her and Brandywine asks, “You really have experience flying?”

Emerado nods her head and replies, “Yeah Brandy, I do. Just it has been many years since I have flown in combat on George.”

I see the other three all look at each other, finally, I hear Long Horn laugh as he says, “So those weren’t just stories, both you and the Colonel really did fly on George back then?”

She nods her head. “Yeah, it was ok, but not something I really wanted to do all the time.”

I almost laugh remembering how she was after our first flight on George, but I say nothing. Instead, I add, “Yes, she and I flew on George and led half a squad of pegasi against the Spring Monsoon on the day of Sunshine and Rainbows.”

This gets Brandywine and Terra Nova to both look at me and ask, “What is the Spring Monsoon?”

Before I can answer I hear Sergeant Paper Work enter and he tells them, “Sir, the Spring Monsoon was a raptor that attacked Manesville that day. It did some serious damage to Manesville, but it could have been much worse without our fliers that day.”

As we begin to drink our tea, I notice that while Brandywine does not like it, he still drinks it to be polite. A subtle thing, but it means he has learned how to be diplomatic and polite. This is a good sign overall.

Terra Nova tends to look at things pragmatically, having joined the service when things got a bit dicey on his trade routes. However, he and I have a very good discussion on how we both have conducted anti-raider operations which leads me to discuss with him and the others, how we would have countered what we did, as well as how we would conduct guerilla operations and counter them.

While Long Horn knows me from services as he was growing up and from having been friends with Epona, Ginger, and Xochitl growing up. He says nothing about this as do I. But I know he is dependable and he would not have been made an officer this fast if he was not good at his job.

Once our tea is finished I have them report to the barracks locations of their troops so they can begin to move into their offices and prepare for the arrival of their new troops in the next couple of days.

The next morning, I watch as my 2^nd battalion officers march their new companies to our base. As they arrive, I see them form up outside their barracks then carry their equipment inside. Soon the second battalion’s area begins to look as busy as the first.

As they are doing this, I notice the sound of someone landing out front and I am greeted by the sight of Gray Tempest arriving. He looks very uncomfortable as he enters the headquarters building and is told by one of my staff members that I am upstairs. Just before he begins to climb the stairs, Windy comes into my office and tells me, “I hope you don’t mind me being here for this.”

I simply nod and indicate for her to take a seat. Shortly afterward Gray Tempest arrives at my door. I stand up and greet him, “Lieutenants Colonel, Welcome aboard.”

He seems slightly uncomfortable still but nods his head and replies, “Thank you, Colonel.” Then he asks, “May I close the door?”

I nod and after he does so, I indicate for him to take a seat also. Then I ask, “Ok, what’s the problem?”

I see him steel himself and then he says, “Ma’am, I know you, and I do not see eye to eye on some things, but I will do my best to do what is necessary for my battalion and the regiment.”

I nod my head, “So you are saying that despite your personal feelings for me you will do your duty?”

He nods his head and tells me, “Yes Ma’am.”

I smile at this and I tell him, “Gray, that is all I ask. Thank you. Now, would you care to have tea with me and the XO before you take command of your battalion?”

I see him hesitate, but finally, he says, “Yes ma’am, that would be nice.”

“Good, because this way, maybe, just maybe we can get to know each other a bit more. Oh, and I need to let you know, the 2^nd of the 3^rd is going to be our airmobile battalion. I know you helped to develop that technique in the 2^nd Regiment and now I want to use your skills with ours.”

Finally, I get to see him smile as he simply says, “Thank you.”

I get up, open the door and call for Paper Work to bring us some tea. Then the three of us begin to discuss a training plan for his battalion and the rest of our regiment.

While Gray Tempest and I do not feel overly comfortable around each other, as time passes, we both maintain our professional bearing. I find it interesting though that he often uses Windy as a go-between for us when he can. Soon I notice that even Dull Beak does this more often.

The war seems to be in a state of incursions by the Enclave and our forces rebuking them. This is giving my regiment's two battalions time to work together. I am impressed at how well they are doing and I have begun to use the Vertibuck to coordinate their actions during training missions against the 1^st and 2^nd Regiment.

I have to laugh though as the vertibuck has been repainted by its crew. Rather than its original dark grey, it has since been painted a very light blue with a Dashite Brand painted on both sides of it, near the rear of the cabin. The first time I saw it painted like this I could not stop laughing. The Pilot, Long Haul just grins and tells me, “I am glad you like it, Colonel. Colonel Tempest suggested it to us saying if they want us to be Dashites, then we might as well show them we are.”

Once I recover from laughing, I wipe the tears from the corner of my eyes and smile as I tell him, “He was right, besides, somehow it just looks right. Now, did you name her yet?”

He nods and says, “Yeah, because of the color and the brand we have started to call her the Rainbow Dash, but we wanted to see if it was ok with you for our call sign to be RD-1.”

I nod my head, “That is fine. In fact, I would not be opposed to you putting that on her if you would like.”

I see the pilot grin at his flight engineer who grins back and nods his head. Then the pilot asks, would you like a lift home ma’am?”

I grin back at him and reply, “Sure, but let us make a brief circuit around the area first. I need to check out a few things.”

“Ok Ma’am. It will take us about half an hour to finish our preflights, and to have her ready.”

“Sounds good to me, I need to grab a few things from my office first anyway.”

As I am walking back inside, I see Windy and Dharma talking to the side. So, I go over to them and ask, “Dharma, I am getting a lift back home, would you like to join me?”

I see him grin like a young calf. Then he says, “Ma’am, I would never pass that up, besides I had planned on going to White Cloud to visit my family tonight. Just let me go grab a couple of things.”

I grin and nod my head as he trots away. I then ask Windy, “So were you talking about anything that pertains to me?”

She smiles and shakes her head, “No, he and I were just talking about religion a bit. I had not heard about reincarnation before and I will tell you the truth, it does make one wonder. Especially the way you, Kettle Belle, and he loves to fly. He asked me what I thought of him having possibly been a Pegasus in a past life.”

I grin back at her and tell her, “You know Kettle Belle asked me the same thing after her first flight,” I shrug my shoulders, “Who knows, I gave up thinking I knew everything after I met the Mareigan.”

Windy looks around a bit and tells me, “Mollygirl, I feel the same way. Oh, tell everypony I said hi, and if Rain Dancer is over there, tell him to get home for supper, will you?”

I smile, “Sure thing, He and Millie have been spending a lot of time together lately.”

She smiles back, “True, but I think right now they are just really special friends.”

I do not say anything to this, as I am not sure how she would feel if I told her, I caught those two kissing just last week out in the barn. Because of that though, I have alerted my spouses as well as Xavier and Persimmon to help keep an eye on them.

I then get some paperwork I want to work on at home and head back out the door. The flight crew is ready and Dharma climbs in right before me. Once I am on, the engines begin to whine, and the blades spin. I feel the vibration through the machine as we lift off and begin to circle the base.

Through the headset on my radio, I hear the crew talking with Manesville Control. From up here I can even see the waterfront in Manesville and have the pilot take us over that way.

As we fly over the area, I can see the expanse of the base around the stable and the more newly recovered buildings in town. I also notice several buildings being taken apart for salvage of their bricks, wiring, pipes, and even wood.

At the waterfront, I see the Baltimore Colt still undergoing repairs. However, I become aware that the 1^st River Flotilla is gone. I guess Rough is out on patrol again.

As we fly over Dead Quiet, I see several of the ghouls look up and wave at us. Then we fly by the pegasus sky port. There I notice that there seems to be a lot of construction going on. Including the digging of several pits in various locations. I wonder what that is all about? I think to myself.

Finally, we head back over to Dairy Anne and then up toward White Cloud. As we get close, I call the pilot, “Long Haul, set her down in that field next to the graveyard.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Are you sure it is a good landing sight?”

I laugh and I tell him, “Yes, I know it is. That is where the Gypsy Caravans set up each time they come through.”

I hear a chuckle in his voice, “Ok Colonel, by the way, when are they due to come through next?”

I answer quickly, “Not for another six months, but I am sure the war may affect that also.”

“That is too bad. I have heard about their shows but never made it out here. Maybe next time.”

“Sounds like a plan Long Haul,” I tell him just as I feel the blades shift and the aircraft begins to adjust for landing.

Once we land, I get off first, followed by Dharma. I move toward the road, then I turn around and wave to the crew as they take off to return to our base. Dharma looks at me, “Thank you very much, Colonel.”

“Your Welcome herd leader,” I tell him.

He smiles and says, “I will see you in the morning Herd Mother.”

I smile back and wave as I tell him, “I will see you then Herd Leader,” as he walks towards White Cloud and I cross the road to my family.

As I walk in, I can smell the wonderful meal that Sumac and Magpie are preparing. In the dining room, I see our foals sitting at the table doing their homework. I do see Rain there with a wing around Millie. They look up as I come in and I tell him, “Rain, your mom says you need to go home for dinner.”

He looks slightly disappointed but only nods his head and replies, “Yes ma’am.” Then he begins to put his homework into his saddlebags. As I am taking off my uniform and kit, I see Millie walk him to the door and onto the porch. I peek out the window and see them hug and then she gives him a quick kiss. After which he takes off and flies for home.

Soon after this, I am sitting in the front room by the woodstove working on my paperwork when I hear Purchase Order come in from her new job waiting tables for Hard Tack and Stir Fry at the pub. She comes in and greets all the foals first, then goes to the kitchen and asks if she can help any.

“No, dinner will be done in about an hour, why don’t you and Magpie go relax a bit,” I hear Sumac tell her.

Soon I am joined by them and we begin to have a pleasant conversation. Just before dinner should be ready, I hear Sutures arrive home followed by Badger and Archer. I am so happy as I enjoy it so much when our whole family is home. Shortly before dinner is ready, I hear a knock on the front door and I hear Sumac call, “Someone go answer that, Purple Haze is joining us for dinner tonight.”

I see Moon jump to her hooves as she asks, “Magic lessons tonight?”

Sutures smiles at her and says, “No, not tonight. Tonight, we just visit.”

A slightly crestfallen Moon then says, “Oh, okay.” Then she goes to answer the door.

We have a very pleasant dinner of soup and watercress sandwiches after which, once I am done with dishes, I read to the foals.

I have just finished a chapter in the Mare Do Well book we are sharing when I notice the time and Badger goes and turns on the radio for DJ Pon3 as he does so he says, “Maybe we can get some news of how the war is going.”

As he turns it on, we notice that there is nothing but static on the radio. Then he turns the frequency to the one used by the Enclave propaganda and we hear, That’s right mares and gentlecolts. The forces of the Grand Pegasus Enclave have now liberated Manehatten and that viper's den known as Tenpony Tower. As announced earlier the truth about DJ Pon3 has been revealed. Like so much of the NCR, DJ Pon3 has hidden their true identity behind a lie.

The truth is that the original DJ Pon3 is long gone. The one you have been listening to and who has kept telling you and us that they would spread the truth no matter how much it hurts is not even a pony, much less a stallion. The current DJ Pon3 is a zebra mare. Let that sink in mares and gentlecolts. She has lied to you about not only her gender, but her species and she purports to tell the truth. Lies, that is what you get from the NCR and its vaunted leadership.

Thank you all for tuning in to my show. This is Hollowed Dreams bringing you the real truth. Now for those in the NCR, the leaves have turned yellow. I repeat the leaves have turned yellow. For those in the Lunar Commonwealth, the vase has tipped over. I repeat, the vase has tipped over.

Now for some music followed by more news.

As the now-familiar martial music begins to play Badger and I look at each other and Archer just shakes his head. When I look over at Purple, she has an expression of horror on her face. Then she says, “My Goddesses, what have they done.”

I look at her and she at me and we both say quietly, “Celestia One.”

I am now as horrified as she is. At that moment of realization, all three PipBucks for Archer, Badger, and myself go off with a general alarm. I look at it and it is an immediate recall of all the troopers for the Manesville Brigade. We all run to grab our kits. I Give a quick goodbye kiss to both of my husbands as well as my wives as I head out the door. Then I turn and run to the pub in White Cloud and tell those troopers inside, “A general recall has been made. All Troopers report to your units.”

I watch as they scramble and a couple of them tell the others they need to get some of their other troopers. Soon the entire town looks like an ant’s nest that has been kicked over as the troopers all make the dash for their bases.

As I arrive at my HQ, I find Bandwidth, my HQ’s lead radio tech waiting for me at the door. He hands me a message that tells me to report to the Brigade HQ asap. I head back out and tell my vertibuck crew, “Make a quick prep, I need to get to the stable as soon as possible.”

Within minutes I hear the engines winding up and the crew chief comes over and lets me know that they are ready. I see Windy land and run over and tell her where I am going and to take over until I get back. Then I am back on the vertibuck and it takes off.

As we come in to land at the stable, I can see it looks just as busy here as at my base.

I jump out and run all the way to the brigade commander’s office. As I run, I am joined by both Star Burst and Storm Cloud. We slow to the trot just before the doors to the brigade's main office. Once inside we are directed to the General's office.

General Threat Vector is behind his desk when we enter. He then looks up and tells us, “Short story is we are going to Manehatten. We want it quick so it will be airmobile. Sorry Starburst, but the 1^st Regiment stays home for this one. Mollygirl, Storm Cloud. I will be joining you. I want both of your regiments to make movement plans and to be ready to go by morning. Mollygirl, those recruits close to finishing training are being released to you early. Dismissed.”

We all three salute and I stop Storm Cloud and ask him, “Do you mind my bringing my staff over to work with yours?”

He shakes his head, “No, but let’s make this quick.”

I nod my head and head back to my HQ to get the others. As we take off and begin to fly, I suddenly see a black crow take off from the old windmill above the stable and fly towards my base.

Dear DJ Pon3

We have just got the call out for our Regiment. I can’t say where we are going but it is our first deployment as a regiment, even though the fight will have been long joined by the time you probably get this letter. As we prepare for battle, we think of those who have gone before us and those we know are going to fall. With them in mind could you please play Up High for me and my comrades?

Thank you, Trooper Corn Husk, NCR Army.

I hope you have enjoyed this chapter and seeing how things have been going during this lull in combat. Once again the NCR is seen dancing to the Enclave's tune. We can also hear their propaganda as they try to undermine the NCR's war effort.

For those who desire to listen this chapter's dedication song the YouTube link is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfu-saGxnYE&list=OLAK5uy_l8c35vmJ17aTD6U9_L-XXsjjjJsggMYM4