Bushel Basket’s reply should not surprise me, but it still does. He smiles as if remembering a child he has fond memories of, and tells me, “She and the others have been through here several times lately. She is with, how shall I say this, an interesting group.”

If she is still with Choo and the rest of the repair ponies as well as her friends, then that is certainly an understatement. Along the lines of the war with the zebras was a slight disagreement. I nod my head, and ask, “When did you last see them?”

He still seems nervous when he tells me, “Ma’am, they said I was not supposed to tell anyone. That is was a secret.”

I cringe. Yep, she learned quick if the others did not tell him that. I sigh. “Well, if you see her after we leave, tell her I love her and I can’t wait to see her again.”

I see him smile and he tells me, “I will do that ma’am.”

Then I hear her voice say, “Thanks mama Mollygirl. I needed to hear that.”

I look around and can’t see her and then I hear her ask, “Mama are we in trouble?”

I sigh and tell her, “You’re not, but I can’t speak about the other three. Now please show yourself.”

Suddenly she is right in front of me. I reach out and give her a one-hoofed hug. Then I kiss her on her forelock. “It is so good to see you again dear.”

She hugs me back and tells me, “You too Mama Mollygirl.”

Then I look at the officers with me and then back at my daughter. “Moon, where are the others?” I ask.

I see her look down and twist her back hoof back and forth like she does when she knows she is or is afraid she will be in trouble.

I sit back on my haunches and cross my forelegs. And ask her again, “Moon Lily, where are Snow Storm, Frost Glitter, and Slip Stream?”

Then I hear Windy ask, “Moon, are my daughters ok? I am worried about them.”

I hear her take a deep breath and sigh, then she says, “Yes ma’am, sir, they are all here with me. Please don’t be mad at them.”

I see Windy purse her lips some and tilt her head. “Sorry Moon, but while I love them, what they did and how they did it is wrong. Just like when you used the immobilization spell on your mother. They too will have to account for what they have done.”

Beside her, I hear Dull Beak say, “The same thing goes for Slip Stream.”

From a nearby window, I hear his daughter say, “But Daddy, I was just trying to be like you and Mom and like Xochitl and Ginger.”

I see him shake his head, “Slip Stream, come here dear.”

“Dad, are you mad at me?” I hear Slip Stream ask.

He shakes his head, “No, I am not, but your mother is very upset at both of us right now.”

Next, I hear Windy say in a drill sergeants’ tone of voice, “Snow Storm, Frost Glitter, get your feathers out here right now, or it will only be worse.”

I see both of them fly out the door immediately in an almost panic. They skid to a stop in front of their mother and I hear simultaneously from both of them, “Ma, we're sorry.”

She nods her head with a strict expression on her face. Then she tells them, “You are both in trouble. However, I will withhold disciplining you two until we get home. However, you both have some serious explaining to do.”

They both look at each other and then at the Slip Stream and Moon Lily. Then Snow says, “Ma, it’s the fillies code, if one goes, we all go. Just like the Fancy Flight mystery gang in the Fancy Flew novels.”

I see her face hoof and shake her head. Then she asks what I was about to, “Ok, where is Choo Choo and the Repair Ponies?”

Moon Lily answers, “They said they had to get back to their next mission and left us here.”

All three of us parents’ jaws drop, and I hear Lieutenant Broadway Nights ask, “You mean they left you four young mares here alone?”

Moon Lily shakes her head, “No, they left us with the bat ponies from Mama Mollygirl’s regiment. They said she would need them again soon and that they would meet us down the road again.”

I take a breath and sigh. Then I ask, “Where are Lance Corporal Morning Star and the others?”

Slip Stream answers, “Ma’am, they are sleeping for the day. We take the day watches; they take the night ones. If there was any trouble we would wake them up and vis-a-versa.”

I nod my head as that makes sense. I then tell them, “One of you, please wake them and have them report to me.”

I feel a tension headache coming on, but I am trying to remain calm. Soon I see the Lance Corporal come trotting out as she finishes putting on her kit. The others following right behind her. I see the look of nervousness on her face as she sees me right there. She quickly approaches and while not saluting she quickly says, “Colonel Ma’am. Lance Corporal Morning Star and her set of scouts reporting for duty.”

I nod my head and tell her, “Very good Lance. I need you to report in with your company commander and resume your normal duties.”

“Yes Ma’am.” She says, still standing in place.

I look at her with a raised eyebrow and ask, “Yes, is there something else?”

She quickly nods her head and tells me, “Ma’am I would like to give you and your staff a brief on the terrain ahead. Choo Choo gave me some information she felt you should hear, but that was not for general hearing.”

Ah, ok, now I understand. I look at Chain Lighting, “Sergeant Major, take the lance and her scouts back to our HQ on the Glimmer. Have Trade Winds meet me there.”

“Yes Ma’am.” He replies, then he looks at them and tells them, “Ok, scouts, follow me.”

It is then that I notice that the four fillies fall in behind the batponies and that they are all in kit as well. This makes me wonder just what they have been up to. Goddesses, don’t tell me it has been Choo Choo and Ginger’s School of Junior Scout troopers.

As the Sergeant Major leads them towards the landing I watch as they all take flight and fly in formation behind him toward the Glimmer and land almost together on the deck.

I look at Windy and Dull Beak and I hear Dull Beak say, “Mollygirl I know that expression.”

I simply smile at him and ask, “What expression is that Dull Beak?”

“The one that is going to end up with Summer Solstice being ready to kill me.”

I then hear Windy ask, “You really aren’t going to use them for scouts, are you?”

I point a hoof at myself and say, “Who me? I got enough flak from with Ginger and Xochotil,” I pause and look across at the Glimmer, then I say, “They do remind you of them though don’t they DB?”

I hear him sigh and he answers, “Yes they do and I have a feeling if we try to send them back on the Glimmer they will just be back before we know it.”

Dull Beak then says, “How about we keep them around headquarters like we did with Tater and Epona…” I hear him trail off, then he says, “Never mind. I forgot how that turned out,” as he shakes his head.

I then tell Bushel Basket, “It is a pleasure to meet you. Hopefully we will rest here for a few days before moving on. If you don’t mind, I really do need to talk to my daughter and the others.”

He nods his head, “Please do, if you don’t mind though I would like to talk some more to your lieutenant here.”

“No, not at all. Please feel free to ask him or any of the others with us about us and where we come from. I will be back soon sir.”

I then turn to Dull Beak and Windy as I say, “Well, we best go hear from them and determine what we do next for the regiment.”

As we go, I hear Bushel Basket asks, “So what’s up with the youngsters then?”

Broadway Nights answers, “I will give you the rundown later, but the Colonel’s fouls have a tendency to run off and get involved in the fighting.”

“What do you mean by that?” I overhear Bushel Basket ask as I begin to move back to the Glimmer.

Then I hear, “Well three of the older ponies that brought them here are her kin. From what I hear the whole family had a running gunfight in Hoofington a while back. Then that little black mare who just flew back. When their home area of Manesville was being leveled, she left shelter to give a blessing to the dead to help the souls pass over.”

“Yeah, but I am sure she didn’t risk herself for no ghouls.”

“Actually, your wrong from what I was told. She and that cow preacher’s zebra helper, they risked their lives doing just that. I heard she even cried for them. Imagine that, a filly crying for a ghoul?”

After that, I am out of range of hearing, but it does make me think. I just wish the Mareigan was here to talk to about this.

After we debrief them, I now know better what is ahead. I look at Band Width, “Send a message back to Brigade, tell them the gates are open. Only that, nothing more.”

He nods his head and I watch as he heads off to his radio set and I watch him tap out the message on the radiotelegraph. When he is finished, I see him listening to something with one hoof cupped over his earpiece. He is busy mouth writing what he is hearing and after several minutes he tells me, “Message received ma’am. They said they will be coming over for the party, and we should wait for them.”

I grin and nod my head. “Thank you, Sergeant.”

I then go and look for Rough. I find him near the fantail looking over the railing at the rest of his squadron. As I approach, I tell him, “Hey Rough.”

I see him nod and he tells me, “Hey Mollygirl. How are you?”

I grin, “Not too bad. Once we finish unloading our supplies, I will be turning you and your squadron loose again.”

“I figured as much. How is our Moon Lily doing?”

As I lean next to him, I reply, “Overall, not too bad. It seems she had some serious adventures with her siblings and the rest of the repair ponies.”

I see him tilt his head, “You know, it’s not surprising Mollygirl. Not with our clan. So how far ahead did they make it?”

I look around first then seeing nopony close I tell him, “VanHoover. Turns out that is where Hallowed Dreams actual broadcast booth was. Moon said they tried four other places first.”

I watch as he shakes his head. Then he asks, “Ok, so what did they do with this propaganda puppet?”

“From what they told me; he is here in town in the local jail. It seems he felt safer there. Slip Stream told us he was very afraid the Enclave would find him.”

“I can understand why. Those Enclave types don’t play around. He would be lucky if they only branded him and kicked him out of their territory.”

I sigh, “Yeah, I know.” I scan first the horizon and then his flotilla and smile to myself. I think of how only a little over a decade ago our navy back home was only made up of a few patrol boats. Now we have this. As I look, I tell him, “I really am going to miss having you and your River Rats with us. You know we could not have done this without all of you.”

I see him smile and he tells me, “I know, but unfortunately my ships can not go on dry land or in the air.”

I laugh lightly at the thought of the Glimmer floating through the air then I shake my head to clear the image. Then he continues. “But to be honest, we will miss all of you also. I never thought I would see the likes of what we did to that Raptor. In fact, I was sure we were all deaders, especially after you had that flare launched.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. But I really did want to draw them in. Besides, it caused enough excitement and confusion for them that we were able to sneak that bomb onboard successfully.”

“Ya’ know, he may be crazy in the way he comes up with such things, but I really am glad Bailey is part of our clan. I can not imagine Tar being happier with anypony else.”

I nod my head, “Same here Rough, same here. I just wish they had gotten together sooner for both their sakes.”

“Speaking of clan business Mollygirl, I need you to write a letter to Grey and some of the other elders about Oil City. Also, we need to watch those friends of your daughters. They may all be rated as friends of the clan before too long. You know, normally I would not consider it until they were older. But when they followed her like that. Well, we don’t see that kind of loyalty much out here in the waste and you and I both know that.”

I nod my head, “You are right Rough, we do not, not often enough at least. Well, I have to go back ashore soon.”

He nods his head, “Yeah. I understand, but how about we grab a quick lunch together first?”

“Sounds good, after you sir.”

By that evening all of my troops, their equipment, and supplies have been offloaded. The first battalion camps nearest to the landing and covers our northern flank. The second battalion covers our southern flank, while the third is across the river and covers that side of the river.

Before I have Rough leave though I have all three battalion commanders meet me in my HQ on the Glimmer. As they enter, they all take a seat along with their chiefs of staff. Once they are all seated, I tell them, “Ok, we have had some scouts out ahead. They have brought us some critical information.” As I say this, I scan the room and notice Laura Lee seems very calm and relaxed.

“Ok, first off, we are currently waiting for the rest of the brigade to catch up with us. During this time, we are to reinforce our positions here as well as to help to improve the conditions of the local railroad and riverfront infrastructure. This means this will be a major logistics hub for us. What we do now will keep us in beans, and bullets.”

They all nod their heads. “Ma’am, does this mean we will stay behind when the rest of the brigade arrives?” Gray Tempest asks.

I let out a sigh and tell them, “Honestly, I just don’t know the answer to that one. That is up to General Vector.”

“If and when we get going again, there are several more communities between here and the mountains. From what I have been told in two days travel we should begin to see the tops of them in the distance. Most of these communities are made up of ghouls. It seems there was a very high level of magical fallout from the strikes on the Last Day that fell over this region. Those who are not ghouls are descended mainly from those who dared to try and settle here during the great migrations. So, they will tend to be a very independent lot.”

I see Gray’s chief of staff look at me funny and she asks, “Colonel, are the sources for this information credible?”

I have to smile at this as it is really a good question. Then I tell her, “I would say so. The information is less than a few days old. It comes from our batpony scouts as well as a written message to me from Choo Choo of the Repair Ponies. Some of you may remember her?”

I see several of them nod, but again I see the chief of staff for the second battalion look at me funny. So, I ask her, “Yes? You have something on your mind?”

“Uh, ma’am, I know Choo Choo is your friend and as well as relation to a large number of ponies in the Manesville region, but ma’am, are you sure she can be trusted? I mean after all with her memory issues and all.”

I sigh at this. Then I reply, “At one time, that may have held true. But honestly, she has come a long way. This is exemplified by her being in charge of her team. Also, I happen to know that the President herself trusts her in this role. SO, if she is good enough for the president, she is good enough for me.”

I see the mare blush and look briefly at the floor before she looks back up at me and simply says, “Yes ma’am.”

Next, I tell them. “Laura Lee, if it looks like we are the lead regiment when the brigade is together, once we hit the mountains, I want your battalion in the lead. I have seen your mules in rough ground. I know your mules are a bit surer footed than most other ponies.”

Laura Lee and her chief of staff simply nod their heads. Then I hear Gray asks, “What about the 2^nd Battalion?”

“You are my quick response force once we are on the move. Your battalion has speed that the rest of us do not have. However. I don’t want to wear all of you out before hoof.”

“Finally, I know most of our troops are still not fully comfortable with ghouls. However, this is their town, their homes. Make sure our people understand that and treat them with respect. That will go a long way towards securing this as a safe base of operations.”

After this I dismiss them. As the others leave, Laura Lee approaches me and asks, “How is Moon doing?”

I smile, “She and her buddies seem to be doing rather well. Did you know she was here?”

She shakes her head, “Mollygirl, by now you should know that if I had known I would have told or made sure someone let you know right way.”

I sigh again as my ears come alongside my head, “Dear, now the question is what am I going to do with them. I know if I send them with Rough, they will just jump ship and then they could really be in trouble.”

She smiles, “Mollygirl, treat them as junior staff members. Find a job around the headquarters they can do that will keep them safe. You know, like couriers within the regiment.”

I smile again, “Yeah, that makes sense, thank you for suggesting it.”

“You’re welcome, besides, that is what family does isn’t it? I mean help each other.”

“Yeah, your right. But sometimes it is still hard to ask.”

After our meeting, I grab what is left in my cabin and take it to my new headquarters on the shore. As I go, I hoof Rough a quick mouth written letter that he had requested. I shake hooves with him and we bid farewell. Once I am ashore, I hear the order being given to raise the brow.

I walk a bit further onto the piers and then I turn and watch as the River Rats turn and begin to make their way downstream and back towards Manesville to pick up more passengers and supplies.

As we watch I notice a large shadow pass by us on the ground. I look up and see George has flown by. Beside her, I see several pegasi and one of the batponies as they make a circuit of our lines. Then they turn and begin to head out on patrol for the late evening.

After placing my things in my tent, I grab Windy and Chain Lighting and we head back into the village to talk with Bushel Basket and the town elders.

I find Bushel Basket is in the town pub and he is still talking with Lieutenant Broadway Nights. As I approach, I hear Bushel Basket asks, “So you really were in Thoughts of a Zebra Stallion back then?”

“Yes, I was playing the part of Happiness. Unfortunately, the Pinks decided it was seditious and shut us down.”

I see the mayor take a drink, then he says, “That’s too bad. You know that play really made me think of what it was like to be zebra in Equestria.”

As they continue to talk, I order a cup of tea and listen to the side. I then hear my Lieutenant ask, “So you really saw my show?”

The mayor answers, “Yeah, I was visiting some of my family there and they took me to see a few of them. It was the only time I made it to the big city.”

“Well, I am really glad you got to see that show and enjoyed it. It was one of the few that I was really able to show myself back then.”

It is when he says this that I realize that Broadway Nights is actually a zony. I finally notice the faint stripes on his coat. I had expected him to have a glyphmark like Xochitl’s if he is a zony. Who knew that it really could go either way? I think to myself.

Then I hear something that really surprises me, “You know Broadway, your show really helped me understand the way others looked at me once I became like this.”

I see Broadway nod his head, “I am glad it helped you some too. When we were performing it, we just wanted others to understand what we were going through. I had never wished anyone to go through this.”

“No, I don’t think most would have.” He responds back. Then he asks, “Ok, so what is up with the little black Pegasus and her friends?”

This is when I step in. I smile and ask the Lieutenant, “Do you mind if I respond to that one?”

He shakes his head and tells me, “Not at all ma’am. Please do, as I have been hearing things and am not sure what is true and what isn’t.”

I then tell them, “Well, first she is my daughter Moon Lily. She was born to my wife Sutures and our husband Archer.”

That is when I hear him ask, “Ma’am, I thought that Lieutenant Colonel Laura Lee was your wife?”

I had not realized Dull Beak had followed me in and I hear him answer, “Well, technically the Colonel formally has three wives and two husbands. Informally, they combined with another family from Harness that Archer helped sire fouls with. That is the family Laura Lee is formally married into. But the more the merrier it seems.”

Without thinking I shake my head and say, “Thank the goddesses for a good calendar program on my PipBuck.” It is only after Dull Beak begins to laugh and I see the ghouls who are also in the pub have their jaws drop that I realize what I said. Then once again I am so thankful for this dark red coat that my mother blessed me with.

Both the ghouls look perplexed. Then I hear my Lieutenant ask, “No offense Colonel, but did you used to be a raider warlord of something?”

I sigh, then I tell them, “No, some have thought so before, but no. My life is just very complex.”

“Well how complex can it really be?” Bushel asks.

Dull Beak answers for me. “Well, her daughter Moon Lily, ascended just a couple of months back. Her husband Archer has fathered a foul not only with the two mares from her Harness family but also with their Jenny, Laura Lee. That is just the start.”

Bushel Basket cautiously asks, “When you say ascended, what exactly do you mean?”

This time I answer. “She was born a unicorn. The horn is still hers. The wings came right after she gave the blessing of the dead and then destroyed a raptor that was attacking us.”

I hear my Lieutenant say, “You mean she finished it off?”

I shake my head. “No, she did it all by herself. Then she floated into the air and glowed and I swear she disappeared briefly. When she reappeared, she collapsed on the ground and had wings. She then told me she had met Celestia, Luna, and a couple of other alicorns. However, her tale was verified for some of its details by some others. Since then, she has been a full alicorn.”

“Ma’am, if she is an alicorn, then she is a princess. We should have been told. We would have treated her properly.”

I smile at this and I tell him, “Sir, she has told me she had that discussion with Celestia and Luna, and that they agreed. Since the princesses had died in our universe, she did not have to be one. She could just be a citizen like everypony else. She wants to be treated like everyone else.”

I see them both scratch their heads. Then Bushel Basket says, “Well, I guess I can understand that. But she is special then.”

After this discussion, we move to a back room and switch to more mundane ones, such as if they are willing to let us build our supply depot here, and once we do, where they would like it to be set up compared to the town. Soon I have the town constable as well as the village board meeting with us. It seems they are a small community of only fifty ghouls there.

The town treasurer Second Hoof, tells us, “We are not a rich community here. We stayed here because we figured ponies would just leave us be all the way out here. But lately, we have heard the Enclave broadcast. We know what they are like. We also realize that they hate us and will kill all of us if they win this war.” Then Second Hoof looks at Bushel Basket.

Bushel Basket nods his head slowly and tells us. “Ma’am, I guess that means we have no choice but to throw in with y’all. To be honest, I would be a lot more nervous if not for your Lieutenant and my chat earlier. If you have an engineer, we can show you where to put the depot. I would suggest a smaller one also by the waterfront as well.”

I send for Bailey Bridge and we continue to talk until he arrives.

When he arrives, I see Bailey walk in without hesitation. He comes over to me and gives a salute. “Reporting as ordered ma’am.”

“Captain Bridge, I would like to introduce you to the town of Morvarc'h’s mayor, Bushel Basket.”

I watch as Bailey, without thinking extends a hoof and tells him, “It is a pleasure to meet you Mister Basket.”

I see the surprised expression on his face as he slowly extends his hoof to shake Bailey’s also. Then he says, “It is good to meet you too Captain.” He pauses and then asks, “Sir, most ponies do not seem comfortable, even when they try to hide it around us ghouls. How come you don’t seem so?”

I see Bailey smile slightly as he tells him, “You have to understand Bushel, even back home I tend to spend some of my free time over in Dead Quiet. I have several friends who live there.”

Bushel Basket seems to want to ask something, but is hesitant. Finally, he asks, “Are any of those who live in Dead Quiet ghouls?”

Bailey nods his head, “Yes sir. As far as I know, all of those who live in Dead Quiet are.”

“And this doesn’t bother you he asks.

Bailey still smiling replies, “No. Why should it? I mean if they are not feral, then they are just like anyone else. Well except for a bad skin condition. But that can’t be helped.”

I see Bushel Basket and several others from town all nod thoughtfully at this. Then Bushel Basket asks, “Would you mind if I bought you a drink and we can discuss where to put the supply depot as suggested by your Colonel.”

Bailey still smiling says, “Sure, but I get the next round,” He pauses and then turns to me, “That is alright, isn’t it Colonel?”

I nod, “That it fine Bailey. Just let me know when you find a location for it. Oh, and what supplies we may need to forage for to get it set up.”

“Will do Colonel. Oh, by the way, Moon Lily was looking for you earlier. She and her friends wanted to ask you something.”

I nod my head as I tell him, “Thanks for letting me know Bailey. I really appreciate it.”

“No Problem Ma’am. I will talk to you in a bit.”

I then head back out to my headquarters. On my way I run into Moon Lily, Slip Stream, Snow Storm and Frost Glitter. They are flying low over the street and I hear them before I even see them in the hub bub of my troopers and the locals.

As they land, I smile at my daughter and them. Then Moon Lily says, “Ma, the scouts captain said we can’t fly for them.”

“That is because I told him so. He has enough on his hooves as it is.”

“But Mama Mollygirl, we want to help.”

“Moon, you can be couriers for the regiment. But I do not want you as combatants. Also, if you are going to take up that role, you will refer to me as Colonel, not Mama when it pertains to duty. That goes for the others and their parents.”

I see her look crestfallen and then she says, “But don’t you love me Ma?”

I close my eyes briefly as I shake my head. “Moon Lily, it has nothing to do with whether I love you or not. If you serve as troopers, and yes couriers are troopers, then you must obey military customs and regulations. You will be treated as adults.”

I see all four of their eyes go wide. “You mean Ginger and Granny Choo were not kidding about that?”

“No, they were not. You want to do a mare’s job, then you have to step up and do it. However, you will be treated as one also.”

They all four look at each other. Finally Moon looks back at me, “Ok Colonel. We will do it.”

I nod my head. “Ok, then report in with the Sergeant Major at headquarters. He will assign you your duties as needed.”

“Yes ma’am,” they all chorus and I watch as they take off and fly ahead of me to my HQ. I really hope that they listen and obey orders.

On the third day of being here,that I find one of the ghouls who used to be a teacher. Chalk Eraser is thrilled when we meet.

I have the four fillies with me and we are heading to the mess tent with the rest of my staff. When the pegasus ghoul who looked like he should have been retired by the last day approached us. When he sees that none of the fillies or my staff flinch at him, he asks, “Excuse me, but I could not help but notice that you had four youngsters with you who look like they should be in school. I used to be a teacher long ago in Cloudsdale. I was wondering if you would like me to teach them some while they are still here.”

I look at the four of them and they all look at each other. I swear it is like a hive mind with them. Then Snow says, “Thank you for the offer sir, but we would not want it to interfere with our military duties.”

I then tell him, “Actually sir. I think that would be an excellent idea.” I look at the fillies and tell them. “Part of being a soldier is learning.”

I then look back at Chalk Eraser and ask, “How long per day would you want to teach them?”

I see him think briefly and he tells me, “Ma’am, I am not as spry as I once was. Would say four hours a day be good enough?”

I nod my head and tell him, “Yes, that should be fine.”

Then I hear Frost Glitter asks in a tone of wonder, “Sir, did you really live in Cloudsdale?”

He smiles widely and tells her, “Yes young mare. I did. I even got to watch the Ministry Mare when she performed her first sonic rain boom.”

I suddenly see that he has all four of their attention fully. Then he looks at the rest of my staff and tells them, “I best let you all go get dinner, but I tell you what young mares. I will tell you the rest tomorrow.”

While they all suddenly look slightly disappointed they say, “Yes sir.” Then Moon Lily says, “We are looking forward to it sir.”

Later that night, once we get back to our tent and Moon Lily is getting ready to go to sleep she asks, “Do you think he ever saw the Princesses Mama Mollygirl?”

I have to smile and I tell her, “Dear, I am not sure, but maybe you can ask him. Also, take the time to listen to what he says. He may teach you about things that have been forgotten since before the war.

She looks thoughtful for a moment. Then she says, “I bet he has learned a lot over the years. I know Snow and Frost are really excited to hear all about it.”

“What about you and Slip Stream?”

“We are, but not as much as they are. For them having been born in the Enclave, Cloudsdale is almost a mythical town. Almost like the Crystal Empire is for us.”

I smile at that. “Yeah, but dear, I don’t think we had any family who ever lived there.”

I see her yawn sleepily and she tells me, “I know, good night Mama Mollygirl. I love you.”

“I love you too little one, sleep well,” I tell her, then I pull up the blanket and kiss her on her forelock before going to my field desk to finish going over a few more reports before going to sleep myself. Finally, I do so. I crawl into my cot and I look over at Moon on hers, who I notice has brought her stuffed pony with her and is cuddled up to it in her sleep. I can’t help myself and smile. Then I think to myself. It has been a good day.

For the next two and a half weeks we wait. Then one day we hear a steam whistle in the distance. I hurriedly grab my kit and throw it on as I run towards where the depot is and I watch as I see five tall plums of smoke coming in the distance, slowly getting closer.

As we wait, I see George and a flight of scouts take off to make sure everything is safe. Soon afterwards I hear over the radio, “Pack Leader this is Puff. All Clear.”

As the train’s breaks squeal they begin to slow down. By the time they reach the depot area they are almost crawling. Finally, they all stop. As I approach them, I see the first train is all passengers. The second is a mix of passengers, wagons, and artillery. The others have some passengers and more freight.

Bailey Bridge and Captain Widget from supply both come trotting over to me. I watch as those on the passenger cars quickly dismount and form up their units. I first see Sirocco come off the train and when he sees me, he begins to head in my direction. From further back I see a griffon take off and realize the General has taken this train also.

I watch as troopers run and fly along the trains and begin to unload the wagons, caissons and artillery pieces.

Sirocco reaches me first. I shake hooves with him and tell him, “I am surprised that they had enough troops for your regiment to come into the field.”

He spits on the ground, “They didn’t Mollygirl. The first is still hurting so bad, we left them behind to continue rebuilding. My militia troopers are here in their place, as we had more than enough troopers. Oh, and we got their artillery too.”

Right after he says this the General lands and approaches us. He looks from Sirocco to me and he speaks. “I guess you got the word about the 1^st Regiment already. Oh, there has been a slight change in plans also. Once the brigade is all together, we are to skip Van Hoover. We are going even further into Coltlumbia.”

I am thrown off guard by this and ask, “Sir where are we heading?”

He looks right at me and tells me, “We and the rest of the alliance army are going to drive on Emporia. The capital of the Enclave. No more playing hoovsies. Now it is for all or nothing.”

When he says this, my stomach sinks. I remember the last time we went all or nothing. Part of me wants to cry. Instead, I look him in the eyes and say, “Yes sir.” In the distance, I swear I see a crow watching us. Then it flies toward the northwest.

Dear DJ Pon3,

We have sailed to our current location. Our forces are gathering and something big is coming. We all can feel it. As the days pass, we know that soon many of us will no longer be among those on this side of the vale. As we walk among the ghouls, we are reminded of the cost that we will pay and what we will gain. Those we will be facing have ravaged our homes and we will repay them for it by going to their own lands. To let them know why we are coming please play for us Dragonshore.

Thank You

Captain Widget, NCR Army.

While the story is still following my original plan, I apologize if it seems a bit hurried. In part, this is because I have lost the buffer chapters I normally kept so I could further edit them before publishing. It is also partly by intention as I want to convey the feeling of events speeding up also.
For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the YouTube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL9u-GHgi_c