On my way back to my base, I send out a message to my staff to be ready as well as a few select company commanders who I know have experience in the type of fighting we are expecting.

When I arrive back at my HQ, I meet Captain Brandywine. I quickly tell him, “I need you to put your best platoon leader in charge of getting your company ready tonight.”

He looks stunned, “But why Ma’am? Have I done something wrong?”

I shake my head, “No Captain, the Brigade needs your experience on street fighting. We have done some, but nothing like what you have experience with in Filly.”

He looks at me surprised, “Ma’am, are you saying we are heading into a meat grinder?”

What he says hits me and I remember our brief experience with Targhee. I soberly nod my head, “Sorry Captain, but we are going to help retake Manehatten from the Enclave. I will be taking most of my staff as well as Captain Bridge and Captain Winds from the scouts.”

“Yes Ma’am. Let me tell my company.”

“Ok, make it quick, Here comes the rest now.”

As they arrive, I tell those who can fly, “Meet me at the 2^nd Regiment’s HQ in the stable, I will be bringing the non-fliers by vertibuck.”

When I say this Windy then says, “Mollygirl, you may want to give them a break once we get there. It takes a lot out of the pilot of those things and I have a feeling we will be up in the air for a while.”

Once both staffs are together, we are joined by the brigade staff. Together we verify the plans we had made during training sessions. We only have to adjust for what units and troops levels we have. We quickly discuss our rate of travel and how to set up our camps at night. The old 2^nd Regiment having become as much of experts at this kind of travel as the old CEF due to their fire fighting roll before the balloon went up.

Finally, I have Captain Brandywine begin to talk about fighting in built up areas. He is joined by my old artillery Captain Slide Rule, who would be assigned to the 2^nd Regiment for this operation. Both go into detail on the lessons they have learned during the fighting in Fillydelphia.

Finally, Brandywine says, “Honestly in these kinds of built-up areas, it will be mainly small unit actions. Also, we need to remember that when we knock a building down the rubble can give both us and our enemy cover and concealment. Finally, I will say that when we fought the Enclave in Filly, they mainly fought on the ground. Anyone in the air was a target for anyone with a line of sight on them. We will need to remind all the troops, but especially our fliers, to keep low, keep out of sight and try not to draw attention to yourselves.”

After he says this, I hear the General clear his throat. Once we are paying attention he says, “Very good advice from both of you captains. Thank you. Now let's all go catch a couple of hours sleep. We jump off at noon.”

I take a nap at my HQ after passing on the orders to my subordinates. At 10:30 I am woken up as I hear my units begin to form up. I climb out of the cot in my office and get to my hooves. Paper Work quickly brings me in a cup of black coffee as he puts it, “It will jolt you awake ma’am.”

“Thanks, Sergeant, everything in our HQ ready to go?”

He nods his head, “Pretty much ma’am. But are you sure you don’t want to fly in the Vertibuck?”

I sigh and I tell him, “I would love to; however, I need to be able to judge how those on hoof are doing. I don’t want to wear them out.”

He nods his head and I hear Windy enter downstairs, “Well, it looks like the 2^nd battalion is almost ready, how about your's DB?”

I then hear Dull Beak reply, “I was just coming to report we are ready. I even had my troopers double-check the supply wagons to make sure we did not have any stowaways.”

I see her raise an eyebrow and she asks him, “No. You really don’t think they would do you?”

I hear Dull Beak laugh and he tells her, “Ma’am, you know those youngsters of the Colonel’s as well as I do. I am sure they were raised up on the stories of Ginger and Xochitl on the expedition as well as Epona when she came over and was down in Hackamore.”

I am just stepping down the stairs when I see her facehoof. “Goddesses, I hope my youngsters keep home too.”

Then I hear Chain Lightning say, “Well at least mine is grown up now, so if he were to try and sneak along this time he would be of age.”

Dull Beak laughs at this and tells him, “Ya know, I never did get the full story out of them about that.

Once I reach the bottom of the stairs, they all look at me. I check my watch and see we are getting close to time so I head out the front door. I take one last look at the old farmhouse and cross the road to the parade grounds where most of my troops are formed. As noon comes, I give it 15 more minutes and as I see the first of the sky wagons from the 2^nd regiment fly to our south, I give the order. “2^nd Battalion, take skies. 3^rd Regiment, forward… March!”

The orders are repeated and I watch as the sky wagons from the 2^nd Battalion take to the air and I hear the 1^st battalion repeat the orders to march. Soon we have marched past my home and through White Cloud. We are on the far side of Donovan when we take the first 10-minute break. Then we are back at it again, on our way to Manehatten.

We make our final camp before we reach Manehatten on the backside of the mountains overlooking the wrecked city. Morning Star comes in with the other three bat ponies for a day’s sleep in the HQ wagon. They had been up all night. As she lands and salutes Captain Trade Winds, I hear her say in her high-pitched voice, “Sir, we need to be careful, the only place the Enclave has not taken so far is by the crater.”

“Lance Corporal, how do you know that?”

“Sir, we talked to some ghouls when we went underground.”

This gets me to raise an eyebrow and I overhear him ask, “What were you doing underground?”

I then hear her reply, “We were dodging an Enclave patrol.”

“How large was the patrol?” He asks.

“This one was only ten ponies. 4 of which were in power armor, the others only barding.”

Beside me, I notice Windy is also listening to the report. “Hmmm, now that is interesting. That tells us a few things at least. Either they are trying to put equine faces on their patrols for the locals while maintaining the firepower of part of the squad in power armor, or they are having problems keeping that much power armor in the field,” She says.

I turn to her and tell her, “I wonder which one it is.”

She leans against a nearby tree and sighs, then she replies, “So do I Colonel, so do I.”

Soon we hear Captain Trade Winds call out for more of his scouts to go forward to lead us forward. As I get to the top of the ridge, I see a sight I have only seen once before, and that was in a memory orb. I see the ruins of Manehatten and its crater below us. I feel the same sense of mourning when I see it as I did in the memory orb. Then I look into the distance and see an airship next to what I figure is Tenpony Tower.

I give the order and all of my troops move forward on hoof. I notice everypony is on guard. I even catch myself scanning the sky as I go down the trail and close on the outskirts of the city.

As we get close to the city, I see one of Trade Wind’s scouts trotting up to him. They talk briefly then Trade winds tells me, “Ma’am, better let the General know, we have a representative from the Applejack’s Rangers who needs to talk to him.”

“Thank you, Captain,” I reply, then I sent a brief message by my PipBuck to him informing him.

Shortly after this, I get a reply back, On my way.

Once he arrives, we see a set of power armor with the insignia of the Apple Jack Rangers painted on its flanks where a cutie mark would be.

As the pony gets close enough, I see him salute the General and he tells him, “Sir, I need to inform you to hold your troops back from Manehatten. We have a temporary cease-fire that has been put in place with President Winter Breeze. One of the conditions is that no NCR troops may enter the city.”

I feel the frustration in myself that the General shows on his face when he hears this. He then sighs and tells me, “Colonel, have your troops form at the bottom of the mountain line here and dig in. Leave your artillery up here so we can get better range if we need it.” Then he calls over to Colonel Storm Cloud and repeats the orders for him and his troops as they slowly crest the ridgeline slightly north of us.

I see the Ranger look at the ridgeline there and he asks, “General, just how many troopers do you have?”

Threat Vector laughs and tells him, “Only a couple of regiments and their support. Why?”

The Ranger shakes his head and I hear his mechanical voice asks, “Just where the Tartarus did you get so many ponies?”

He laughs again and says, “Mainly Manesville. But they have beings from all over. I just wish our dragon was with us.”

I see the Ranger step back and he asks, “You really have a dragon?”

I nod my head and smile as I tell him, “Yes, George and I go way back and have flown combat missions together.”

I hear the question in his voice as he asks, “And how do you fly missions Colonel with no wings?”

I tilt my head slightly and I smile more broadly as I tell him, “Oh, I ride her using a special harness.”

He shakes his head again and tells Threat Vector once again, “Sir, I have been assigned to act as a liaison for you and your troops. I am also to verify that you do not enter the city.”

Threat Vector nods his head, then he asks, “Ok, fair enough, now who are you?”

Then I hear the ranger laugh slightly as he says, “Sorry sir, I forgot. I am Knight Pudding Pie.”

“Well Knight Pie, welcome to my HQ, now let’s get this traveling circus off this road and dug in.”

We then turn and begin to move forward once again.

It is two nights later when I hear a vertibuck coming over the mountain. My troops immediately look for it and can not find it with their Eyes Forward Sparke of those who have PipBucks. But I hear the high-pitched sounds of my bat pony scouts and soon I receive a message of, Found it, Colonel, it’s one of ours. You have visitors, ma’am.

I send back a brief message, thank you, bring them to my HQ Morning Star.

I then return to my command tent and am looking at the map trying to decide just how much to push my luck with my scouts this close to Manehatten when I hear, “Hey Ma. It’s good to see you again.”

I turn my head and see Ginger and most of the other Repair Ponies have entered. I immediately get up and greet them. I then ask, “Where is Sunny? Is he ok?”

When I ask this, I hear Xochitl start to laugh and he tells me, “Colonel, he is outside talking to Morning Star. I do believe he is smitten by her.”

Sunny enters slightly later and I notice he is trying to readjust his wings and is blushing. I say nothing as I hear Choo Choo say, “Colonel, we were wondering if we could borrow your batpony scouts to guide us into Manehatten. We have a job to do.”

I am surprised at this and tell her, “I have no problem with that Choo, but we have been told that no NCR troops are allowed to enter Manehatten.”

I see that devilish grin on her face I have come to know and she replies, “But Colonel, we are not NCR troops. We are civilians who have taken a contract with an independent agent to perform a certain task. That it may benefit others, such as yourself is immaterial.”

I grin again and tell her, “Ok, you can borrow them, but have them home before dawn.”

“Thank you, Colonel. We will try to. Now if you will excuse us, we need to get going soon.”

I nod my head and then I remember to tell Epona, “Dear, Purchase order is back home at the farm. Dear, she is really missing you. If you can, send her a letter or better yet, stop by and visit her.”

I see a grin on my daughter's face as she tells me, “Thanks Ma. I have been missing her too. I will see you soon,” she says as she and the others duck back out of the tent and disappear into the night.

During the night I hear some firefights in the distance. However, for Manehatten, this seems normal. Just after dawn, I see my night scout’s return. All four of them are laughing loudly.

As they approach, I hear Trade Winds call them, “Over here. Now quiet down and report in.”

I watch as they all go to attention in front of my chief of scouts. Then I hear Morning Star begin, “Sir we successfully escorted the team into the city, then we caused a diversion to allow them to blend into the surrounding population after we ran into a patrol.”

From the side, I hear one of the other scouts with her, I think her name is Asra says, “One of the patrols heard us and then they saw Morning Star. That is when we really started to laugh because one of them said they heard about these on the radio. They're called Banshees. Then they freaked out and flew away.”

Another one of them then says, “A bit later we ran into another patrol and they decided to chase us.”

I hear Trade Winds ask, “So what did you do?”

That is when Asra says, “We flew under the elevated train tracks and used our echolocation to wake up the bloodwings. They started to chase us, just as the patrol that was following us flew under the tracks.”

Then I hear the stallion Arrats say, "Sir, it was so funny to hear them scream and to watch them try to fly away from the bloodwings. One tried to fly into Tenpony tower and they refused to open the doors because he had so many after him.”

To me this was not that funny, well, maybe Bailey Bridge would have found it so. Especially with all of the tricks he pulled. Honestly, I think he would have appreciated their use of the mutated bats like that. So, I ask, “Ok, so what has you all laughing so hard.”

I watch as I see Morning Star blush and I hear the trooper with the name Ankareeda on her uniform say, “Ma’am, it was when the one they call Sunny kissed Morning Star and told her he could not wait to introduce her to his parents.”

I raise an eyebrow at this as I know he was interested in her from last night. Then I ask, “Ok I guess I can see how awkward him stealing a kiss would be.”

Then Arrats sobers up and he says, “No Colonel, you do not understand. In our culture, he just told her he wanted to court her.”

Both my eyebrows go up, my eyes wide and my ears forward. What had Sunny done? I think to myself.

Then I hear Morning Star say, “I know he did not mean it. After all, who would want one with a coat such as this?”

This time I grin and tell her, “Well Lance Corporal, first off you have the same color coat as his mother. Secondly, he prefers tough mares from what I understand.”

I hear the stunned tone in her voice as she asks, “His, his mother has a white coat also?”

I nod my head, “Yes she does. Her mane is dark gray and yellow striped though. His father is all black like he is. But he is an earth pony.”

I see them all look at me funny then she asks, “How can he be a pegasus then?”

I shrug my shoulders and tell her, “We have pegasus blood in our family’s past.”

I then hear one of the others cautiously ask, “In your family’s past? Are you related to him Colonel?”

I grin at them all and tell them, “Yep, we are distant cousins. But Morning Star, I do hope he is serious. I think you would make a good fit to the clan.”

They all look at each other and finally one asks, “Clan ma’am?”

I grin and tell them, “Our family and extended family is very supportive of each other. Even though some may not be the best ponies. Like Sunny’s grandfather Grey. If you want his respect, and Lance, if you are interested in Sunny, you do. Then you need to stand up to him and be strong. He respects strength and will take advantage of weakness.”

I see her eyes wide as she nods her head. Then I turn and begin to walk away. In the back, I hear the Bat ponies continue to talk to their captain about the events of the evening before as I head back into my headquarters tent. The entire way I smile to myself as I wonder what Trouble and Blondie would think of their potential daughter-in-law.

The stand-off lasts for almost a week. During this time, I find out that the reason we are being kept out of Manehatten is that the Enclave has threatened to use Celestia One if we do so. Goddesses know the last thing I want on my soul is having been the cause of someone using a mega spell. Especially a nasty one like that.

Over the last couple of days, we have seen a large, thick cloud begin to form around the tower. Then we get the word that Celestia One has been disabled from one of the multiple teams sent in. As we get ready to advance, I see several cloud ships and aircraft flying into the city.

Over my PipBuck I hear General Threat Vector, “All Manesville Brigade units, Forward, Let’s drive them out.”

Without thinking I call back, “Roger,” then I switch to my regiment's command band and give the order. I feel my heartbeat quicken with both excitement and dread at what may happen in the next few minutes.

The first battalion trots in on hoof. The Second Is flying in by sky carriage in an airborne assault. I am flying in the Rainbow Dash with the Second battalion and keeping an eye on the 1^st as we go. I look out the door and to our north I see the entire 2^nd Regiment flying along in assault patterns.

We are just landing the 2^nd Battalion when I get the word that Enclave is evacuating Manehatten and that Tenpony Tower is ours once again. Part of me is disappointed by the fact that we only played a minor part. Part of me is thrilled that I have not experienced high casualties. This is not what I was expecting.

We set down in a clearing in a decent sized park that has been returning to nature where I begin to set up camp for my regiment. We wait here for two more days. I realize some balance of normality has returned when I notice that DJ Pon3 is back on the air again. This seems to bring my troopers morale back up some.

I am visiting the Brigade Headquarters on the evening of the third night when I hear over the radio, All NCR units, this is Manesville base, I repeat Manesville Base. We have four raptor craft approaching us at this time. Request all available support!

Threat Vector and I both look at each other. He looks over at his aide de camp and tells him, “Get the orders out, we are going home pronto. The vacation is over. Let all of our troops know they are hitting our home.”

I see the Major nod his head and he begins to have the message sent out.

Threat Vector looks at me and shakes his head, “Colonel, as soon as you are ready, we begin our trip home.”

I nod my head. I send out the required messages to Windy and my support commanders. Then I am off at a gallop. All I can think of is Home is under attack. The Second Battle of Manesville has begun.

We push ourselves as hard as we can. And are making the trip in almost half the time, but we are exhausting ourselves to get there. For the first few days, we can hear reports of the battle in Manesville. Then we hear them say over the radio, This is Lieutenant Colonel Chocolate Chunk, the Stable is being sealed. We are blown blasting charges and burying the rear entrance and closing the main door.

We all feel the horror of what must be happening there and continue to march through the night. Hate for those who have attacked our homes and fear for the safety of our friends and loved ones keeping us going.

As we pass through Donavan, we begin to see the damage. In the distance, I can still see three raptors flying. We push on and do not stop until we reach White Cloud. As we are advancing, we spread out into skirmish formations with only the supply units staying on the road. I am again flying in RD1 and we zoom ahead flying low and fast over the small settlement. I look toward Site Paddock and notice it looks untouched. But I can see my home has been damaged and the barn is going to need to be rebuilt.

As we fly over our base, I notice that most of the wooden buildings have been burned. Well, I guess we will have to rebuild it. Then we are over the Stable. The Enclave is dug in outside of it. I can see them trying to remove the dirt from the back stable door. Then I hear my pilot call out, “Hang on, we have incoming hostiles.”

I hear the door gunners open fire and just over Manesville I see three Raptors. One of which appears to be damaged. We are flying low over the waterfront and I see the pegasi port across the river has been almost destroyed. There are several large craters in the tarmac and I see the remains of three dead Raptors as well as the bodies on the ground of both Enclave troops and what looks like some of the Dead Quiet Militia.

I don’t have much more time after that to look, as we are jinking and dodging as we make a run back for our lines.

I watch as one of my gunners knocks a power suited Pegasus out of the sky. Then I feel a jerk as we take a hit from the other side. The gunner on that side has been hit. I move him from on top of his gun and take his place. Firing the minigun in short bursts.

Our pilot takes us back to White Cloud and lands in a field where I see trenches have been prepared and behind which I see a command tent is being set up.

Soon my troops and the 2^nd Regiment have passed through White Cloud and are in the lines with the survivors of the White Cloud and Manesville Militia. That is when I hear the General call a halt, as it is getting so late in the day and our troops need rest after our quick run back.

The troops begin to dig in. I set up my headquarters and am startled when I see Xavier come trotting in with Raven and several others from White Cloud. He salutes and tells me, “Colonel, I came to report the status of the White Cloud Militia for Captain's Sirocco and Cake.

“Very well Corporal. What is the situation.”

He shakes his head and tells me, “Colonel, they have taken Manesville and have the stable under Siege. Four Days ago they decided to land three of their raptors so they could use the crews on hoof. They thought they were safe. Turns out the Dead Quite Militia had planned for something like that. They had planted at least a half dozen of what they call Thermobaric bombs under tarps on the tarmac. When it went off, we could hear it all the way out here and you should have seen the light from the flash. Goddesses what a mess. Ma’am just so you know those troopers from the 1^st Regiment who could not get in the Stable are in the lines with us. That is why we have had artillery.”

I nod my head. “Thank you for your report. Any word on casualties yet?”

He shakes his head, “Not yet. But your family is doing ok. I had them and Persimmon evacuate to Site Paddock along with most of the Dashites.”

Again, I nod, then I turn and notice that Raven has gained her cutie mark. I am stunned to see what looks like a 40mm grenade round on her flank. I do a double-take and I tell her, “Congratulations on getting your cutie mark. Now how did you get it.”

I see her grin from ear to ear as she pats her grenade launcher affectionately and replies. “Ma, before we could get off the farm they had attacked us. We were holed up in the house and a squad of them snuck into the barn to try and hide. Well, ol’ Badda Boom and I took care of them. Oh, and sorry about the barn Mamma Mollygirl.”

I simply smile and shake my head. “Dear barns can be rebuilt; family cannot be replaced. You did the right thing.”

Xavier then tells me, “She wanted to both show you her Cutie Mark and to explain about the barn. That is why she is with us right now. When I head back out, I am taking her back to Site Paddock.”

I nod my head and tell him, “Thank you, Xavier.”

He nods his head and tells me, “Colonel, I best get her and the others back. We should be getting our daily air attack soon.”

I raise an eyebrow to this and turn my head slightly and tell him, “Ok, be careful my friend.” Then I give a quick hug to Raven and I see them head back out and towards White Cloud.

The air attack comes an hour later as the sun is getting low in the west. I happen to be checking my EFS on my PipBuck when I suddenly see the red dots on it. It’s an airstrike of over 200 pegasi fliers. They even have a few vertibucks with them. I call out, “AIR RAID!” and I watch those near me start to scramble. I then hear one of my troopers has begun to crank the manual air raid siren and I see that those out my voice range are now preparing to counter it.

As they come in low I suddenly see fliers from the militia come up out of the trees to engage them. Soon I see them being fired upon by the ground troops and give the orders for my troopers to assist. I almost smile when I see one of my ponies with a heavy battlesaddle use their antiair rocket and take one of the vertibucks down.

My headquarters tent is strafed in their initial pass and I see one of our ammo wagons blow up. I am just glad Bailey suggested we dig them in, as this directs most of the blast upwards.

This air battle goes on for some time and I grimly smile as the militia commanders drag the fight over our lines. Suddenly I hear the heavy automatic anti-machine rifles open up on the power-armored Enclave troopers. I watch as several fall out of the sky. Unfortunately, it is not all one sided, as I see some of ours go down also.

Once the sun starts to set, I hear my four batponies awaken and they come out from the wagon they normally sleep in. I have noticed the way they treat Morning Star has changed since they went to recruit training. Since she has put on weight as well as her Lance Corporal strips both they and she interact differently. They look around for Trade Winds and when they cannot find him, the other three stay behind as she shyly approaches me, and I see her fight her urge to salute when she asks, “Ma’am, we can’t find our Captain. Do you want us to pursue the hostiles?”

I think briefly and tell her, “Only harass, do not fully engage. I want all four of you back here alive. Use your judgment, Lance.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” she says then she calls something out to the others in their dialect just before all four of them take to the sky and begin to chase the retreating foes. But I notice that they are all using their echolocation. And once it starts in the dark, I notice the few red dots on my EFS all start to move as quickly as possible towards Manesville and what they perceive as safety.

I have them signal the all clear and as I return to my HQ I hear Choo Choo from behind me say, “Colonel, we came as fast as we could. We want to help.”

Behind her I see the repair ponies all ready to go. I smile and gratefully I tell them, “Thank you. I have a feeling we are going to need it. Choo, I think your sisters are with the Militia. For this, I think it would be better if you worked with them.” I turn to the others and I tell them, “If you want to be scouts, report to Captain Trade Winds. I have a feeling we could really use your skills.”

They all look at me solemnly and nod their heads. Then Ginger steps forward and gives me a hug and tells me, “I am glad to see you are alright ma. We have been worried about you and the family.”

I nod my head and tell them, “I have been worried about all of you too. The rest of the family is at Site Paddock. Oh, by the way, Raven got her cutie mark this week.”

They are all curious so I tell them about it and how she got it. Then I see both Ginger and Epona start to laugh. Besides them, I see Sunny cringe and he tells them, “I will get you your caps later. I should have known it was family that did that to the barn.”

Beside him I see Xochitl shake his head and lament, “That is going to take some work to finish tearing down so we can put up another one. And all that lost hay. Father and I put in some serious effort on that during my last visit.”

I nod my head in understanding at his frustration. Soon Epona asks me, “Ma, do you know if Purchase is with the rest of the family?”

I nod my head and let her know, “Xavier said she was last he knew. That was only a couple of hours ago.”

I see her relax. Then I see Sunny look kind of bashful as he asks, “Cousin Mollygirl, how is Morning Star doing?”

I then tell him, “She was fine when her section took off a little while ago. Ah, Sunny, I need to talk to you privately if you don’t mind. Clan business.”

I see his eyes go wide a bit and he nods his head. “Ok ma’am,” he tells me.

I rarely pull the clan business card, so he knows it is something special. As the others leave, he stays behind. Once we are alone, I ask him, “Sunny, did you tell Morning Star, you wanted to introduce her to your parents?”

I see him nod his head as he blushes. I then ask, “Did you know in her culture you were asking her to allow you to court her?”

I see his jaw drop at this. Then he stammers, “Uh, no, not court her. I mean I would like to date her and see where it goes. I mean she really has impressed me and maybe someday I would like to marry her, but it is a bit quick.”

I nod my head. “Yes, I do believe it is a bit quick. However, if you do choose to go down that path, I would approve of her being a member of the clan someday.”

He nods his head and still blushing says, “Thank you, cousin.”

Then I ask one more thing. “Sunny, you know she and the other two mares with her came here to be impregnated with batpony embryos, right?”

He nods his head, “Yeah, who do you think told them about ‘em?”

I nod again, then ask, “So you would understand if she had a batpony foal?”

He grins, “Mollygirl, as long as she wants one with me eventually, I am ok with her having a couple to help keep her breed alive.”

I smile at this and tell him, “Ok, but treat her fairly young buck. The honor of our clan is at stake with this one.”

I see him nod soberly and he raises a hoof and says, “I swear I will do her right. If it doesn’t work out, it will be because we were not a good fit, not because of something I did or didn’t do. Heck, I learned from watchin my ma and pa as well as your family.”

“Thanks. I think,” I tell him in response. Then I shake my head as I smile and tell him, “You better catch up to the others. Oh, and I will talk to your grandfather and Rough as soon as I see them.”

He continues flying towards the tent door but turns his head and says, “Thanks cous, talk to you later, and stay safe,” and then he is gone out into the night.

The next day Myself, Storm Cloud, Sirocco, and now Captain Cake all meet at Threat Vector’s headquarters in White Cloud. He and his staff begin to lay out our plans for our attack to liberate Manesville and relieve the Stable.

Near the end of the briefing, he tells me, “Mollygirl, your third battalion should be arriving by river today south of Manesville. The 1^st Riverboat Flotilla has just radioed that they offloaded them.”

I nod my head, “Thank you, have they told you who they are or where they come from yet?” I ask.

He shakes his head and tells me, “No, not yet. They are keeping operational security pretty tight on this.”

I nod my head in reply and tell him, “Understandable sir. Any idea when we will link up with them?”

He smiles and says, “They are reported to have made their way northeast, so hopefully in a few hours we will begin to see them. But we will be moving forward before then. SO let your people know to be on the lookout for them.”

Once I am back at my regiment, I let them know what is going on.

Windy smiles and says, “Well at least that will help some.”

“I hope so Windy, but I am afraid for the 1^st Riverboat Flotilla. If they get caught by even one raptor they are in trouble.”

Dull Beak has come to my HQ by the time I get there and he says, “Well hopefully they are dependable troops. Any idea who they are?”

I shake my head, “No, not yet. But we will see in a bit I guess.”

Soon After this Gray Tempest arrives and I begin to brief them on what we are doing and when. Our goal is to at least make it halfway to the Stable. However, if we can advance as a unit further, we are to do so. We are the southern flank of the brigade. The remains of the 1^st regiment as well as most of the local militias are on the north flank, the 2^nd regiment is in the middle as it is our strongest one.

“Ma’am, when we go over are you going to be flying this time?” I hear Trade winds ask?

I nod my head, “yes, why?” I ask.

He crosses his forelegs and tells me, “Ma’am with what we are going against I would like to assign an escort flight to you and RD1.”

That makes sense to me, but before I can answer, I hear Captain Grape Shot, my chief of artillery ask, “Ma’am, if you're flying I request permission to send a forward observer with you. That way they can spot for the artillery more easily.”

I nod my head, “Ok, but let’s not overload the vertibuck, ok.” I tell him.

At this they all grin. I then tell Grape Shot, “I want an artillery and mortar barrage laid on just before we attack. After the first couple of rounds, move those guns and tubes. Once those raptors are alert, they will be conducting counter-battery fire.” As I say this I suddenly think of Archer and I worry about how he will fare in this. But now is not the time. I collect myself and tell them, “Ok, let's get our troops ready.”

I am looking at my PipBuck watching the time. Suddenly I hear our artillery begin to fire and I blow the whistle I have with me three times for the others to advance. Just like I was taught by High Grade. As I do this my other commanders hear it and repeat the call suddenly, we all begin to jump up and move forward in mass.

As we jump up, I see several of my troopers go down and I hear the all too familiar call of “MEDIC!”

I see my flying troopers come zooming over in a combat formation and strafing the enemy positions. Once my troops continue to advance, I fall back to the LZ for RD1 and I load onto her along with my Forward Observer Arc Path.

We are in the air; I look below and I see both of my battalions advancing on hoofs. The pegasi among them fighting as ground pounders. As we follow the advance we dodge from cloud to cloud. Beside me I hear Arc Path calling adjustments for the artillery. As I fly over, I call down to my battalion commanders to tell them where to hit and where to bypass.

After several hours we have been stalled several miles from the stables. I meet up with my headquarters staff and send the vertibuck back to White Cloud for repairs and maintenance. Arc Path joins up with the scouts and I begin to direct the battle from a temporary HQ set up in the remains of a forest

The two undamaged raptors have begun to provide fire support to their ground troops. From what I have been told they have been engaging in artillery duels with our ground batteries that have had to resort to shoot and scoot tactics. They can no longer fire more than two rounds before having heavy enemy fire come down on their positions.

As the day becomes night we settle into our positions for the night. Someone near me turns on a radio and I hear DJ Pon3 repeating the story of the Banshee and their wailing. This is followed by the news and then music. After a while, I notice the time and decide I want to hear what the enemy is putting out about us now. So, I turn on my PipBuck radio. I am not disappointed as I hear, that’s right folks the same bunch of NCR Storm Troopers that broke the ceasefire agreement in Manehatten are now having to fight in their own homes. How do you like it Manesville? You have brought war to so many others, how do you like having it brought to your mares and foals. To those pegasi serving in the so-called Manesville Brigade you are on notice that you are all considered Dashites now and there will be no appeals. We have had enough of your vipers’ nest and treachery.

Their treachery goes so far as to fake a surrender ceremony and once three of our raptors landed, they used a one time use megaspell on them. They forced us to attack them so we could hold them accountable for their hideous act.

I am sickened by their lies and turn off the radio on my PipBuck. I shake my head and wonder where my third battalion is. I want to send out scouts to find them but I still hear no word. Instead, I decide to catch what sleep I can. I look over at Windy and tell her, “I am going to catch a couple of hours sleep. You or one of the staff wake me if I am needed.”

“Yes Ma’am. I will let the watch staff know so I can catch a few winks too.”

I nod my head and I go find a spare piece of dirt to lay down on and I am quickly asleep.

As the morning comes, I am awakened by a friendly voice I had not expected. I open my eyes and I see Laura Lee smiling down at me.

I am so surprised I almost jump up into her and I ask, “For all that is holy Laura Lee, what are you doing here?”

She grins at me and answers. “The fourth battalion of the Harness Regiment is reporting for duty Ma’am, sorry we're late.”

I am so stunned I ask, “But what about Harness?”

She smiles and tells me, “Milo has more than enough troops now. They tried to hit us a couple of months ago, right after you passed through. We really bloodied their noses and they did not like fighting a dragon and her young.”

I smile at that and ask, “So how is George doing?”

She grins, “Oh she is fine, in fact, she left her youngsters at home and came with us. She is talking with the General and the three sisters right now.”

I soon get called back to the General’s HQ in White Cloud and am met by the other Commanders as well as George and the Three Sisters. When Johnny Cake sees me, he nods his head and comes over so he can talk to me after the briefing.

Finally, the General approaches us. He looks tired and haggard but determined. He looks at each of us as if judging us. Then he begins, “Everyone, today at noon we make an all-out frontal assault. Every trooper who can fly will do so,” He pauses, “Mollygirl, you will not be in RD1 today, I need you to lead your troops from your headquarters. Besides, I do not want your pilot worrying about a damn colonel when he should be worried about his aircraft and crew.”

I am back at my HQ standing at the makeshift table looking at our positions and trying to decide what to do next. When I suddenly see both Moon Lily and Tek appear. She has the weapon she got in Hoofington with her and he is carrying his Zebra rifle. I notice he is wearing his normal cloak and this makes me raise an eyebrow.

Moon Lily says, “Sorry mama Mollygirl, but we had to come. We heard them calling for help.”

I am stunned and I tell her, “You mean the wounded. Dear the medics are helping them.”

Both she and Tek shake their heads no. This time he answers, “No Colonel, the dead. We both heard them. They are from both sides.”

I am shaken to my core when I hear this, my poor daughter. A filly should not have to experience that. Then I look at the sadness in Tek’s eyes and I feel his pain and I think, perhaps no one should.

“Ok, you two, so why are you here?”

“Mama, we have been giving the blessing of the dead, but we need to stop this. But before we do, I need you to let me contact them on the radio. I have to try for peace like great aunt Purple does.”

“Moon, I can’t do that.”

She looks at me with those haunted, pleading eyes and asks, “Ma, please, we can’t let this keep going on here. They are destroying our crops, our homes, and our people.”

I finally nod my head and tell my radio team, “Bandwidth I need you all to help her. let her try to end this.”

He seems slightly surprised only replies “Yes ma’am,” and he gets her a set of earphones and a mic.

Once she is ready Bandwidth sends out a message on an open frequency several times. Finally, he turns to me and says, “Ok, we got the commodore for the skyships on the line.” Then he turns on the speaker for the rest of us to hear.

“This is Commodore Barrel Roll of the Enclave. Are you contacting me to give me your surrender?” He asks in an arrogant tone of voice.

This time Moon Lily speaks, “Commodore Barrel Roll, my name is Moon Lily, I am a civilian and the daughter of several of the officers opposing you. I am contacting you to negotiate a ceasefire that allows you to leave with all of your troops still alive. An exchange of prisoners of war to be negotiated at a later time.”

He interrupts her before she can continue, “What is this nonsense. Little foal tell your parents that they will pay the wrath for what they have brought down upon themselves. I have still not forgiven them for killing my brother Thunder on his ship the Spring Monsoon. NO little one, skitter back to your mamma's tit and let the grown-ups do their work.”

I see her sigh and I see a tear in her eye as she says, “Sir this is my last warning to you. We used conventional weapons on your other three raptors. We will use everything we can to bring down the rest. I beg you DO NOT MAKE US KILL YOU ALL!” By now she is in tears.

I put my hoof on her shoulder and she knocks it off as I hear him laughing over the loudspeaker.

From behind me, I hear Tek tiredly say, “You tried little sister. You tried.”

Then they both get up and go outside just as the artillery begins to fire from the entire line. I move to the front of my troops and look back at them. Then I blow my whistle and give the command as the entire line erupts with gunfire, MEW’s and every flier in the NCR there takes off at once, I see George leading the way and as they engage the pegasi fliers I suddenly see the three sisters disappear. Shortly afterward they reappear and I see an explosion on the bridge of the furthest away skyship and it begins to slowly drift towards the ground in a low-speed crash that allows most of the crew to begin to abandon ship.

I see pegasi and griffons both take hits and fall out of the sky along with some skycarriges and vertibucks. Then the wounded Raptor turns and tries to limp away. Immediately after they see this it soon has several companies of pegasi and griffons assaulting it at one time right behind George.

Then I see Moon Lily run behind my troops, Tek alongside her with his rifle ready to protect her.

I am trying to catch up with her. As I run forward the rest of my troops charge hell bent for election behind me. Most of them are screaming like some kind of wolves.

Suddenly she stops and plants all four hooves. She moves her forehoof and lips in the Blessing of the Dead as she looks at the sky battle. Next, her horn glows brighter than I have ever seen before and I see the propulsion engines of the skyship that has approached to within a quarter mile from our lines all suddenly stopped.

Her horn goes out briefly and I am almost to her when she replants herself and I see her horn glow once again. I am horrified as I watch the clouds that support the Raptor disappear as if dispersed by pegasi.

From this distance, I can hear the screams of the crew and hear the warning alarms go off. These cause me to look at it as I see a bright flash of light and I swear I briefly see Moon Lily disappear.

I watch as the skyship crashes into the ground crushing the building below it. Then I look over and see Moon Lily laying down in the grass that is suddenly growing under her as I watch. Finally, I hear her say in a weak voice, “Ma, help, my back feels weird.”

Beside me, Dull Beak lands and I hear him say, “Will you look at that?”

Dear DJ Pon3

Since our Stable opened, we have been trying to get back on our hooves and to help rebuild Equestria. We have done our best to help others and to stop oppression and bring peace when we can. However lately we have been lied about and even invaded. Now they have attacked our homes, burnt our fields and killed our mates and children. Those of us who were here before the day of Rainbows and Sunshine do not hold it against our brethren who come from above the clouds, but we do not want the Enclave to rule us. We only wish for peace. Why can’t the leadership on both sides think about the consequences of their actions and talk about it instead of fighting. If you would please play Civil War in the hopes that perhaps it will bring them to their senses.

Thank you

Storm Warning, Manesville NCR

The battle in Manehatten occurred much along the lines as found in the story Survivor's Guilt. In her story, she did not mention any regular NCR forces actually being involved but instead had several teams made up of non-NCR personnel who did the actual fighting there. Like Survivor's Guilt I have retained the "cease-fire" that prevents the Manesville Brigade from entering the city's remains earlier.

However, the 2nd Battle of Manesville is all mine. To me, it follows that this is a war, not just a fight and things are happening at more than just the area we are looking at. Besides, it makes sense for them to try to either capture such a rich farming area or prevent the NCR from using it to supply their own troops.

The pencil drawing of Mollygirl with her cup of coffee was made several months ago by Laura Sikes for me on commission. I would like to thank her once again for her artwork as well.

For those wishing to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqLQRd7qHOI&list=RDQqLQRd7qHOI&start_radio=1