Morning comes and my troops prepare to move to our jump-off points. I kiss my wives and Mille goodbye as they return to their duty stations.

I hear Millie say something to Moon Lily but they are just quiet enough that I cannot understand each of them. Then they shake hooves and I see them hug each other goodbye also. Sutures tells me before she goes, “Dear, some of the Followers are going to be in the follow-up waves to assist with the wounded and civilians we may come across.”

“Dear, are you going to be one of them?” I ask worriedly.

She shrugs her shoulders and tells me and Laura Lee, “Honestly loves, I do not know yet. But if I am, I will keep my head down. And please, for the Goddesses sakes, please, I beg you, don’t be heroes.”

I tell her, “I won’t dearest.”

Beside me, I hear Laura Lee tell her, “I won’t either, but you be careful too. I need you to check me again soon?”

Both Sutures and I stare at each other, then at her. Sutures tells her, “I look forward to it love. In that case, be doubly careful.” And she gives Laura Lee a quick kiss.

Laura Lee hugs and kisses us both back and then tells us, “I need to get going. Almost time for my morning officer’s call. I will see you later.”

I watch as she canters off to her battalion’s HQ. Once we can no longer see her, Sutures kisses me one last time. Then she tells me, “That goes for you too dear, no being a hero. I want to go home with the same number of spouses I came out here with.”

I nod and kiss her on her forelock gently, “You too. Now I need to get things rolling too.”

Once we have reached our jump-off positions, I receive a message from one of my scouts, “Colonel, a Captain Cloud Seeder is requesting to speak to you and General Thrust Vector.”

I promptly send a message back. “Please provide an escort for him back to our regiments HQ.”

It is half an hour later when he arrives. When I see him, I begin to smile. However, while I see him attempt to smile, I also see that he is having a hard time so I ask him, “Cloud Seeder, are you alright?”

He shakes his head, “No, not really.” He then looks at me and asks, “You have no idea what it is like for me to do this. I am sorry, I know I have to, but it is still very hard to violate my duty and honor this way.”

I sigh when he says this, and I tell him, “No, I don’t. But I have done things that I wish I never had to in the name of duty. I pray you never know what that is like either. Besides, which duty is higher, your duty to those officers above you, or to the Enclave people themselves. When the one or the few knowingly endanger the herd for their own gain, they have become predators and the herd must stand against them as they would any other predator.”

He looks at me funny, “Colonel, where did you come up with such an idea?”

I smile at him, “Would you believe it is a tenant of the cattle religion?”

He looks at me funny and asks, “So do you just study that, or do you believe it?”

I smile as I tell him, “I believe it. I am a follower of Sweet Cream and the Goddesses. My faith has helped me make it through some of the most difficult times of my life.”

I see him look at me and all my scars then he shakes his head, “I can only imagine then.”

I shake my head and I tell him, “I am not trying to tell you what you should believe in. I just hope you believe in something, and that it can get you through.”

He laughs, “When I was a colt, I used to believe in the Goddesses, but we see how that turned out for those down here.”

I smile at him as from behind me I hear Moon Lily tell him, “But Captain, I have met them. Well, at least some who live in a different universe. And believe me, they really do care about ponies. They are also very nice.”

I see him seem skeptical for a minute and he asks, “IF they do not live in this universe, then how did you meet them?”

She smiles at him, and asks him, “Where do you think I got the wings to go with my horn? When I ascended, they examined my life.” She pauses and tells me, “Sorry for not telling you before, mama Mollygirl, but I think if they thought I was dangerous, they would have destroyed me.” She turns back to him and tells him, “There ended up being four I met. Including two who ascended in their universe. One was formally a unicorn, the other, a Pegasus. So there is hope for all of us.”

I see him half-smile as he tells her, “Well, here’s hoping.”

I then tell Windy, “Get them ready to move to the jump-off point on time. I am taking the captain back to the General.”

Once we are there, Threat Vector calls for the other regimental commanders of the brigade. As we wait Cloud Seeder tells me, “Ma’am, my family and those of my people will be ready to evacuate as soon as things begin. I really hope that your daughter and mine can meet.”

“I hope so also. But is there any particular reason?”

I see him sigh, “Yes, because of what I am having to do, I don’t think I will be able to live here anymore.”

“Why not? You are remaining loyal to the proper government of the Enclave.” I say and I see the General nodding his head also.

“Some might see it that way, but those who don’t, well, I am afraid they may take it out on my family.”

Then it hits me why. I look over at Threat Vector and nod. He nods back and then says, “Well, we are going to need people to replace all those we have lost. Between this campaign, which to be honest has been light for us so far, and what happened in Manesville a few months back. We are hurting. You could always immigrate there.”

He half-smiles and then says, “Sure that sounds nice, but you were born there so you are used to it. And let’s be honest, I want my children to be educated.”

I shake my head. Then I tell him, “We have schools in each settlement of our region, as well as several in areas that are between the settlements. We value knowledge and education. We also value the land. Our cloud city at White Cloud was heavily damaged in the fighting there, but it is still viable. You just have to be willing to work.”

I see him shake his head in thought, “Well, who knows, I may not survive the day, so then the whole point of worrying is mute.”

“Well, that goes for all of us, but at the end of the day, consider it. Or, somewhere else even. I know of a few places that would welcome some settlers.”

I see him scoff some, “Like my kind would be welcome anyplace dirt side.”

I close my eyes and shake my head. Then I tell him, “You may be surprised. After all, two of my best friends are pegasuses.”

I see him look up at me, “That is you, but what about the others?”

About this time Sirocco has arrived. He has just heard the previous part of the discussion and answers, “Probably the same way they did with me and the other Thunderheaders, they gave us all a chance to prove ourselves.”

We talk for a bit longer, then Colonel Storm Cloud from the 2^nd Regiment arrives. As he enters, he apologizes for being late. “Sorry to keep you waiting, but we just had a regimental service.” He pauses and then says, “Mollygirl, thank you for letting your daughter help Sky Pilot with the service and the blessing.”

I feel ice cold inside when he says this, and hoarsely I say, “Your welcome, but what blessing?”

He closes his eyes and lowers his head, “The blessing of the dead. We are realistic about the assault to come.”

I feel like first crying then screaming. But I keep on the brave face and simply nod.

Then I hear Cloud Seeder ask, “What is the blessing of the dead?”

I try to answer and fail, I just can’t say anything. Sirocco answers in my stay. “Captain, it is a blessing from the cows’ religion that assists the souls of those who have died to cross over to Elysium. You don’t have to believe it. I had trouble at first. But the Ghouls have even said they can tell a difference and ask for it when it is their time.”

Cloud Seeder looks uncomfortable then he asks, “So why is Colonel Mollygirl so upset?”

The General quietly tells him, “Because one of her husbands, as well as many friends of hers, are in the 2^nd. That is why. Captain, in case you didn’t realize it, they have accepted that they have a high probability of not seeing the sunset today.”

I watch as his face goes pale, his eyes open wide and he looks at all of our faces and says quietly, “Dear sweet Celestia and Luna. Then why do it?”

This time I answer quietly with a hint of sadness to my voice, “Because it is our duty. We have to at least try.”

The others simply nod their head in agreement.

Threat Vector then begins. “Colonels, the captain here has brought us some additional information. This may affect how we adjust our plans.” He turns and lifts a talon towards the Enclave officer. “Captain if you would please.”

I see him adjust his wings, then the rest of himself uncomfortably before he begins.

” I have made sure that loyal troops only will be on duty in the lower tunnels. I have also recruited a couple of engineers to make several additional breaches in the outer cloud walls to facilitate more rapid ingress of alliance troops as well as for evacuation of as many civilians from the combat area as possible.” I watch him close his eyes and hear him clear his throat, then he proceeds, “Normally this next bit of information is eyes only, memory wipe stuff. There are four access doors along the lower cloud walls. These were originally used during construction and then were used to bring in supplies during the war. Two of these are located slightly higher along the mountain than the main gate that everypony else knows about. These will allow access into Coltlumbia’s industrial section known to the locals as Flankton. The tunnels there are designed for large transports but are normally shielded so that they are not detectable. My people are already in the position to reveal and open these doors.”

At this point Storm Cloud lifts a hoof and asks, “Captain, where do the other two doors you mentioned open into?”

Cloud Seeder turns to him and answers, “The first one was meant to allow easier resupply of the recreational areas such as Hurricane Bay and Wonderbolts Field. Both are high occupancy recreation areas.”

This time I raise my hoof, “Captain, I can guess as to what Wonderbolts Field is, from the map it looks like an amusement park, but what in tarnation is Hurricane Bay? It does not sound like a place you would relax at.”

He smiles with the expression of someone remembering a pleasant memory. Then he replies, “Hurricane Bay is a beachside resort in the clouds. They actually brought up sand and created an artificial lake and beach for those who lived here to bring their families to.”

This time Sirocco asks, “SO, what you're saying is this area will have a wide-open area and would make an excellent assembly point for those who we are going to evacuate?”

He nods his head, “Yes sir. But remember it is also not far from other buildings and could easily come under fire. Because it is so wide open, it will not be the easiest to defend, and anypony trying to advance from there will most likely make a good target.”

“Ok, Gotcha,” Sirocco turns to the General and tells him, “Sir, that may be a good point to have the alicorn wings go in at as well. We could set up special areas that are no-goes so they have safe teleport target areas. They could also teleport out some of those we need to evacuate first.”

The general nods his head, “I like it Sirocco, but remember, only the purple ones can teleport. They each seem to have their own specialty.” He shakes his head and then says, “The more time I spend around them the more I realize I have to put away my preconceived notions.” He then turns the floor back over to the captain, and we continue on with the briefing.

Finally, the captain pauses to let us digest this information. Then he tells us, “Several small teams have already been assisted in making entry into the city at various points. We have one final team that is making the most important entrance. Once they do so, I will have one of my troopers pop a flare so that you know to begin the operation for your brigade.”

Threat Vector then nods and dismisses him. After Cloud Seeder has departed, the General turns to us, “Ok, so the 3^rd Regiment will make the main assault leading to the access gates he has told us are accessible from the ground. 4^th Regiment, I want you to cover the rear echelon with one battalion, the other two are to go into the city along with the 3^rd Regiment.” He pauses and takes a deep breath. Then he says, “Cloud, you are mainly to provide a diversion for the others. However, if you can make it into those other access gates, then do so. Get into the enemy's rear if you can. That is why you are airmobile.”

He then looks at his PipBuck and tells us, “Ok, get back to your regiments. We are fast approaching go time.”

We all shake hooves one last time before we leave. As I shake his hoof, Storm Cloud tells me, “I will see you on the other side, Mollygirl.”

I smile and tell him, “I will see you there.” Then as he flies away, I realize what he said and how he said it and shake my head. Even he is worried.

Sirocco looks at me and tells me, “You realize you and I are the ones with the most extensive experience in urban combat?”

I shake my head no, and he tells me, “Yeah, even the Baltimare Brigade mainly fought in the less built-up areas on their way here. I am just glad they have our left flank. I am still not too sure about those Applejack Rangers passing through us though. If they mess with Blackberry Crisp this could really get ugly.”

“Yeah, I understand, at least she repainted her armor. Though, I was unsure about her using grays for her camo on it. But it seems that may work in her favor here.”

He nods his head, “I think you are right. Mollygirl, Be careful out there. I got your back, but this could be a real hot one.”

“Worse than Targee?”

“By the Goddesses, I hope not,” he tells me with eyes wide at the thought.

We shake hoofs and both head to our regiments. Me on hoof and him flying.

Finally, I arrive at my HQ. We are ready for the battle to begin. I hold a quick officers call via PipBuck and radio with my battalion commanders during which I tell them that the go signal is a flare.

I then commence to watching the time on my PipBuck. As the expected time for the battle to begin comes and goes I begin to worry. It is five minutes later when I am just looking up again that I see the flare fly up and then begin to drift down. I grab my whistle and blow on it and hear it repeated up and down the lines, followed by the sounds of ponies screaming like timber wolves as they run forward. Then I hear the artillery begin to fire against the few positions that begin to fire against us. Above I see my fliers take off as well as George. In the distance, I can see the sky wagons of the 2^nd regiment take off and begin to fly towards Coltlumbia, and I say a brief prayer for all of them as well as us.

Soon I am up and running myself along with my staff as we close on the large entrance that we know will allow us to go forward into the city itself.

As we run, I notice some of the companies begin to funnel down to fit and I realize we are almost there. As we get close, I see Cloud Seeder there with his troops waving them along giving them directions on where to go.

So far for us, the casualties seem to have been light. Over the command circuit, I can hear that it is not so for some of the other regiments. I can hear the panic in the voices of several of the commanders from the 2^nd Regiment.

I am soon distracted by Cloud Seeder yelling to me, “Colonel, over this way, follow me ma’am and I will get you and your staff to Hurricane Bay.”

I turn to the others, “Ok staff and security, let's follow him.”

Beside me, I see Night Shade has his horn illuminated and ready to fight along with several of the others on my personal security detachment.

We continue to run as the tunnels turn and I notice begin to climb. Soon we come out of the tunnels at a collection of what I would call warehouses. We are now in Flankton. This is when the fight really begins to take shape for us. Ahead of me, I see Trade Winds directing his scouts as they fan out in the air and on the ground? Clouds?”

I am just coming around a corner directing Laura Lee to bring her battalion up to the left flank when I am knocked down by Night Shade and I see several bullet holes appear in the wall behind where I had been standing.

“Ma’am, you gotta be more careful. Let my people go first.” He tells me as he helps me back up.

“Yea, sorry about that Nightshade,” I tell him. Then I begin to direct my battalion commanders on what I want and where.

I have Laura Lee begin to advance while Dull Beak’s troopers provide covering and support. Several times as we advance, we are met with barriers.

Over my Brigade circuit, I hear the General giving directions to us. Finally, I hear, Mollygirl this is Thrust Vector, get those troops moving. Bypass strong points if possible. I need you to the Hurricane Beach location ASAP.

Roger, will comply. I answer.

Then over the same circuit, I hear, “General this is Storm Cloud. We have several Thunderhead class ships and Raptors advancing to counter our attack. I have already sustained heavy casualties. Request permission to call off the attack on our part.”

Storm Cloud, permission denied. Keep 'em flying. A bit longer. Help is supposed to be on the way.

I hear the desperation in Storm Cloud's voice as he says, For the Goddesses sakes sir, we may not last until they get here.

Colonel, shift your focus of attacks from the upper levels to the delivery ports. But do not fall back yet.

All I can think of is all of our fliers. My 2^nd Battalion is assisting in making these diversions as well. My goddesses, he has already stated they have taken heavy casualties. But what does he mean by heavy? I ask myself.

I then return my focus on my mission. Soon I hear Captain Trade Winds calling out, To all Alliance, troops, this is Trade Winds, we have civilians that are in danger and need to be evacuated immediately.

Roger Trade Winds, we are on the way. Do not give up hope. I hear Sirocco call out in reply.

Soon we have almost fought our way through the built-up industrial portions of Coltlumbia known as Flankton and arrive at Hurricane Bay. To expedite our getting there to help assist in the evacuation and to provide cover for those doing it, we use the technique that Bailey Bridge loves to state so often, Bypass or Breach. Most of the time we are bypassing the obstacles, but sometimes we are left with no choice and we have to force our way through them. Oftentimes when we come to positions, we have to breach it is not without consequences for both attacker and defenders.

At one point we have several bunkers that provide mutual support fire for each other. I hear over the radio, BBW2 this is the Big Bad Wolf. I need two flamethrowers up here pronto. Then I hear, Howler 3, this is the Big Bad Wolf, I need to borrow one of your heavy weapons companies Missile launchers. We have to breach this position and it will not be pretty if we have to do it the old-fashioned way.

Roger Big Bad Wolf, this is Howler 3, you will have them momentarily. She replies over the radio.

Soon I hear several large explosions as the missile launchers go to work on the bunkers. This is followed by the roar of several flame throwers. Which when the flames get inside the cloud structures begin to boil them away. But I also hear over the radio a screaming like a banshee’s wailing as one of the flamethrower operators has his tanks hit and he is enveloped in flames as well.

Shortly after this and as we continue on towards our objective, we all hear over all the various loudspeakers in the town come to life as they broadcast, “This is Colonel Fulbright of the Enclave forces in Flankton. I’m giving the order for all forces in Flankton to stand down hostilities against the Alliance and the Enclave Loyalists. If you do not agree with this decision, you will be allowed to leave Flankton and join your allies in Coltlumbia proper. But I know you, I know a lot of you because you served under me ever since we took the city back from the zealots, and I know that you don’t agree with what is going on. I am not going to order you to stand down, but I do ask you, as your commanding officer, to consider the fact that we have to create a better world for our families.''

He pauses in his announcement and I get on my regimental circuit and I command, “You heard them stop attacking the Enclave forces in this part of town unless fired upon. Now move it, we have some civilians to try and evacuate.”

With that, I hear the Wolf Howl go up and I see my troops begin to move forward in mass. They are not careless, but they are now able to move more quickly.

I am with Laura Lee’s battalion when we break out of the city limits of Flankton and emerge on the edge of Hurricane Bay. I stop dead in my tracks, as do several of my troopers as we take in the sight of a beach, sand, and all, in the middle of this part of the cloud city. On the other side of the lake, I can see my scouts as well as many of Sirocco’s that are clearing out an area. And establishing a perimeter around it. Suddenly I see five wings of alicorns and one little black one appear out of nowhere. Then I see groups of civilians being led into the center of all of the alicorns with the greens and the blues moving to outside the perimeter. Once a large group of civilians is there, the guards stop allowing others to enter. Then the purples alicorns and the young black one, along with the surrounded civilians simply disappear with a loud pop.

As I approach, I hear Sirocco call to me, “Mollygirl, can your people assist mine in getting more of these ponies out through the tunnels?”

I shake my head, “Sorry but no. We will be passing through to the far side to establish a defensive perimeter. Have more of your people do it and we will defend them.”

I see the look on his face and I can tell he is not happy with my reply, but he does it anyway. As he gives the orders, I see the alicorn teleporters reappear. I notice that several are starting to look tired and I hear Moon Lily call out, “Colonel, we are not going to be able to keep doing this. We need a short break to rest after this jump.”

I nod at her and the others and I tell her, “Understood. Do what you can.” Then I turn and begin to give orders to my people again as well.

Once we set the defensive perimeter we hold while other alliance forces move towards Wonderbolt Field.

It is during this lull that I look up and scan the skies. In the distance, I can see a massive dogfight between our fliers and theirs. I also see several of their skyships start to move in our direction, one of which is engaging one of the alliance airships. As I watch I see more than one of our skywagons full of troopers fall out of the sky. I am horrified and pray to Sweet Cream that Badger and the others I know are ok.

Then I hear Colonel Storm Cloud's voice call over the all-hands radio frequency, “Broken Saber! I repeat Broken Saber, we are being overrun. For the Goddesses sakes help us!”

This is followed by Thrust Vector ordering, “2^nd Regiment fall back and regroup on the ground. All Manesville fliers assist them now!”

As he says this I watch as first Moon Lily looks at the others around her and she leaps into the air followed by all of those alicorns who were performing the evacuation. As she goes, I see first the bat ponies and the other members of the flying foursome form on her. Then I see all of the other fliers with us falling into formation as they dodge and weave on their way to rescue our brothers and sisters who are in peril. Among those I see falling in are Dull Beak and the General himself. Sirocco runs over to me and tells me, “Mollygirl, I have to go, my XO has command of my ground troops. Good luck and I will see you on the other side.” Then my friend is gone and I watch as Windy and Chain Lightning form up with him.

Shortly after this, I see an odd-looking sky ship pouring fire into the Wonderbolts field. I see a Ferris wheel that shatters. My Goddesses, how can anything survive that I wonder. It is while this is occurring that I hear over my radio, “Here they come again!” I also hear both mine and the 4^th regiments troopers fire increase.

I watch as the civilians at first freeze, then I command, “Get the civilians to Flankton at least. Clear them out of here!”

I watch as one of the companies is screening the civilians as they run down the street to the industrial section of the city. Again, I am horrified when I see stray rounds from our attackers strike some civilians. Many of whom do not get up again. I watch as our medics risk their lives to try and save them.

Beside me, I hear Spit Shine say, “Colonel, another of our airships seems to have arrived.” I turn and look. This one is about the size of one of the Thunderheads, but it looks like a heavily modified version of them. As it comes in, its guns and Magical Energy Weapons are blazing. I watch briefly as it rushes in to fire upon hardliners ships.

Then my attention is shifted back to the ground again when I hear my wife ask, “Mollygirl, where is Moon Lily?”

I shake my head and I point towards where the huge aerial battle is going on. As she turns her head, I suddenly see one of the airships falter and start to fall from the sky as its cloud generators start to fail.

She looks at me and I at her and with tears in her eyes she says to me, “Why Mollygirl, why did you send her into that?”

I shake my head some more and I tell her, “I didn’t she went on her own when the call went out, they were being overrun.” I pause then ask her, “What are you doing here? I thought you would be with the wounded back at the hospital.”

She shakes her head, “They sent me to help with the civilians. We heard they have been hit pretty bad also.”

I nod my head, “Yeah, I saw some get hit by their own people a little bit ago. I am glad the followers have you wearing helmets and barding at least. Even if it has the marking for the Ministry of Peace on it.”

She smiles, “Yeah, I know a bit bright for a battlefield, but hopefully they will respect it some.”

She then gives me a quick kiss and runs off to treat some wounded civilians. I return my attention to what is happening as I hear the gunfire in our area start to die down some. I then move my headquarters further ahead. Off to the side, I can see several members of Applejack’s Rangers on our right flank as they advance into Wonderbolt Field. I give the order for my troops to keep on their flank and we begin to slowly advance forward again.

The fighting is dying down here, but still going on when I see a train in the distance leave the station as it heads towards Emporia.

As it begins to go forward, I get the call from Threat Vector, “Mollygirl, move them forward, take some heat off that train, NOW!”

I get on my Frequency and that of the 4^th regiments and I call out, “All troops time for a general advance, you know the drill, let's show them how it works.”

About this time a Pegasus lands next to me and as I spin to shoot, I see it is Cloud Seeder. He holds out his wings and front hooves and says, “Don’t shoot. I came to offer to help. They are heavily entrenched in the apartment complex and business park next to and slightly behind Wonderbolt Field.”

“Thank you,” I tell him as I nod my head. Then I begin to give orders to my battalion commanders and my scouts XO. I hear them scream as they begin to surge forward, half providing cover fire while the other half advance to the next bit of cover. Then they switch roles.

I look up and behind and I see a glint of sunlight off of glass just before I hear a shot come out of a window. As Nightshade and his detachment set up around me, he tells me, “Be careful Ma’am, we are getting into street fighting again, they are probably going to use snipers just like we are.”

In the distance, I can see the airships firing at each other and I see the shots on both sides causing immense damage. Several are on fire and are falling back. Then I am horrified to see one of the Enclave raptors turn its guns on the ship next to it. The surprise is complete it seems as the recipient of the fire starts its slow descent toward the ground with pieces and parts falling off and trailing smoke and sparks behind it.

The ship that turned against its brethren does not last long either as the other ships alongside it all turn their guns upon it. Soon the ship fighting breaks down. It is no longer formations against formations, but ship to ship. This point is driven home as I watch in horror as one raptor rams into the side of a thunderhead class cloudship. I can not hear the sounds of the impact, but I see the damage and the bodies falling off the ships as they rapidly fall toward the ground, their cloud generators and power systems failing.

While this is going on we continue to move forward. I have just rounded a corner and I see Dharma performing the blessing of the dead with Tek standing guard over him. I am looking the other way when I hear, “Sniper!” This is followed by “The bastards shot the chaplain!”

As I begin to head over to help, Nightshade puts a hoof on my chest and says, “No way Colonel, my unicorns got him.”

I stand there feeling almost helpless as I watch half of my security detachment run out to Dharma, who Tek is applying a magical bandage on and then giving him a healing potion. The security ponies put up shields around them and then I watch as one of them uses their TK to get him out of the line of fire. As they do this, I hear several more shots from the sniper. Then I hear a much louder single shot from an anti-machine rifle that is being used by one of our cattle snipers. After which we begin to move forward again. I look behind and see the medic taking care of Dharma, who then looks up and nods at me.

It has been over eight hours since we began the assault and we are slowly making our way deeper into Coltlumbia. The air battle is still raging above between the airships, but most of my fliers who have survived have returned. They are in our rear area right now resting from the air battle and preparing to go back in soon. Even George has returned and is being treated for several small wounds inside a warehouse to keep her out of sight temporarily.

One thing we have noticed is that as we have moved closer toward Emporia the radio frequencies are starting to suffer from more interference. Suddenly the use of couriers has become more important than ever. I silently thank Sweet Cream for protecting the flying foursome so far. Unfortunately, it seems we have lost a couple of the alicorns who joined us during the fighting.

I am conferring with Sirocco and Threat Vector when I see Choo Choo and the gang passing back through our lines and heading to the front. Ginger runs over to me and tells me, “Ma, I am so glad to see you are ok. Be careful”

I give her a brief hug and tell her, “I will, you also.”

She smiles and says, “I will see you at the Manor Ma. Have a couple of your scouts follow us and they can lead you in.”

“Sounds good Ginger.” As I look at her, I see she has a bandage on one of her back legs. Then I look over at the rest of the Repair ponies and see most of them have also been wounded to one extent or another.

Ginger sees me looking that way and tells me, “We found a rough patch. I will tell you about it later Ma.” Then she is off at a trot with her SIR at the carry position on her battle saddle. While I worry about them, I have to smile as I see them trot off together.

While I watch them go, I see Moon Lily and Slip Stream returning from a run. That is when I notice the bandage on Silver Stream's side. I call them over to me and ask, “What happened Silver Stream?”

She looks embarrassed. “Sorry Colonel, I took a MEW earlier and was knocked out of the fight for a bit. Luckily Moon was able to heal me.”

Beside her I see Moon Lily nod her head. I then ask her, “Ok, how bad was it?”

She looks uncomfortable and then tells me, “I would rather not talk about it, Colonel. At least not right now.” As she says this she shifts her eyes to her friend briefly and I get the message. It was much closer than she wants to think about.

“Ok, you two take a brief break. Grab some rations and water. I will call you when I need you.”

They both salute me and I watch them walk tiredly away. As they go, I see both of Windy’s daughters land also. I then notice one has what looks like a scar on one wing near the root and the other has a magical bandage on her cheek.

They both report that remains of the Storm Tempest battalion have reformed and are making their way back into the city via the Flankton entrance.

The general looks at both of us and says, “Hold tight here for now. Once the 2^nd regiment gets here, then we can advance.”

I nod my head as does Sirocco in reply. Then he asks, “Where is your XO Mollygirl?”

I shake my head, “Sorry sir, but I have not seen nor heard from her since the charge earlier.”

I see him cock his head, “Which charge is that?”

I sigh, “The one where every flier we had raced to save what we could of the 2^nd Regiment.”

I watch as he nods knowingly. Then he asks, “Is this how you felt in the Valley? I heard about your charges there.”

I sigh and I look at him, “Sir, did you expect to survive? Cause when we made those ones, we didn’t. Manesville kept us in the dark that help was even coming.”

I watch as he shakes his head, “I heard about that mess. Honestly, while Colonel Chappy was personable enough, that alone made me want to replace him. But that was out of my talons. I heard about you telling him off. He was not happy about that. But Honestly, I was glad you did it.”

I am about to reply when we get a unicorn courier from the commander of Baltimare Brigade. As the unicorn approaches us, he salutes and says, “With the General's compliments sir, he asks that you advance your brigade to keep on his right flank.”

I hear Threat Vector sigh as he stands back up. “Ok, we better move the troops up some. Mollygirl, can you have some of your MPs direct the 2^nd Regiment into line behind us when they get here?”

“Of course, sir,” I tell him, hoping that means that more are left than I have feared were. With that, we are back on our hooves and I call out “Couriers, I need you to take some messages for me.” As they come I quickly write my orders for Laura Lee, Dull Beak, and Storm Tempest.

The couriers take them and put them in their saddlebags. Then they salute me and are gone.

Emporia, I think to myself and shake my head. Two more hours have gone by as we grind our way forward through Emporia. I can tell the immense difference in class between the haves of Emporia and the have nots in Flankton. So many of the residences in Emporia have comforts and luxuries that I have never imagined having. Beyond the simple things like radios and books. Here they have boxes in their windows that cool their homes from the heat of the day. I look at the apartment I am using as a temporary HQ and cannot believe all the magical and mechanical devices that these ponies seemed to take for granted. I am just taking a bite of bread with sugar on it when Broad Band lifts up his head and says, “Colonel, you are not going to believe this. The jamming stopped and President Winter Breeze just called on all of the Enclave ponies to stop fighting the alliance and to turn against the leader of the Hardliners Cloud Chaser.” He is quiet for a second and I watch as he closes his eyes. Then he says, “Roger Howler 3, Enclave troops are stacking arms to your front. I will report that to the Pack Leader.”

I stand there with a raised eyebrow and tilted head waiting for him to tell me what he has to say. Finally, he turns to me, “Ma’am, the 3^rd Battalion reports that the Enclave forces to their front have come out with white flags and are stacking arms. They also report that the skyships seem to have stopped firing also.”

“Thank you, Sergeant, please let them know I said to grant a truce but stay ready.” Then I step outside and I look down the streets around me. I can see the damaged buildings. The wreckage of war is all over. In the sky above I see the largest airship appears damaged and is listing. I then start to see ponies come out and begin to help the wounded, taking those who need it back to the battalion aid stations and the brigade’s hospital. As I am looking at the shattered city, I wonder where all my family is, and if they are safe.

Soon Windy limps over to me. I see a bandage on her that holds her right-wing immobile against her side. She sits next to me and tells me, “Colonel, they are surrendering. The general just sent us word to accept their surrender as long as they stand down and stack arms.”

It is then I think of my vertibuck and its crew. “Windy, what happened to the Rainbow Dash and her crew?”

She smiles sadly and tells me, “They took a lot of damage, but that Long Haul is a hotshot pilot. He got her down without crashing her. They did some emergency repairs and just requested permission to transport wounded.”

I slowly nod my head. “I hope you gave it to them.”

“I didn’t need to. The General already did.”

I try to smile, but can’t. “Any word on our casualties yet?”

She shakes her head, “We are still trying to sort that out. But I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.”

“Thanks, Windy. By the way, good job. Oh, and what happened to your wing?”

She shakes her head, “I broke it during the big dog fight. If not for George, I would not be holding the conversation with you.” She pauses then she says, “You know, those Pegasus tag games really paid off. We were much better organized and could adjust on the fly so much quicker than they could.”

I look up at the sky and watch the smoke from so many fires drifting upwards. I shake my head as I close my eyes. “I am glad it paid off then.”

As we sit there, Tek approaches me, “Colonel, how are you holding up?”

I pat the ground next to me, “Pop a squat if you’d like.” I tell him.

He sits down next to me and tells me, “I was back at the hospital a bit ago, checking on Dharma and the wounded. The docs say Dharma will survive. He may not be able to continue in service though.”

“That bad?” I ask.

He nods his head, “It was a close one for him also.”

Finally, I tell him, “Tek, I saw you out there. You risked a lot, thank you.”

He smiles and tells me, “I must be getting soft, or I have been hanging around the chaplain too much. I had to do it, Colonel. He is my friend and my mentor.”

At this, I raise an eyebrow and ask, “Are you considering becoming a chaplain also?”

I see his ears go down slightly and he actually appears to blush as he nods his head and tells me, “Yes Colonel. I discussed it quite a bit with Dharma, and ma’am, I have already begun the process of membership in the church, and he has assisted me in beginning the paperwork for applying as a chaplain and not just a chaplains assistant.”

“I have not seen the paperwork for that cross my desk yet. I assume you submitted it a while ago.”

He shakes his head, “No Colonel, it is in my kit back with the supply wagon train. I need to see if I survive this before I bother others with it.”

I nod my head in understanding. Just then Bandwidth calls out, “Colonel Mollygirl, the Brigade headquarters just called, General Cloud Chaser of the Hardliners has surrendered. It’s over ma’am.”

Around me the troops who have heard this go wild and begin to cheer. We made it. We survived. I want to cheer myself, but inside, I am still worried about my family.

The cheering goes on for some time. As it goes, I see some of the Enclave soldiers begin to come out of their shelters and they slowly walk as ponies defeated. Some come and begin to talk to my troops, others I see wander off into the depths of Emporia, their tails low and their heads down.

Beside me I hear Tek call out, “Everyone, any of you who would like, please join me in a prayer to thank the Goddesses for bringing us through this alive, and to pray for our fallen brothers and sisters who have made the sacrifice in the name of the cause they believed in.

As he is saying the prayer, I see Taser leading Lieutenant Colonel Apple Leaf, the XO of the 2^nd Regiment towards me. He looks the worst for wear, but he still has his head up proud. Once close enough he salutes me and tells me, “Colonel, the 2^nd Regiment is reporting as ordered, I have not seen the General yet and as senior officer present, I am reporting to you.”

I nod my head and tell him, “It is good to see you, Lieutenant Colonel. I am surprised the Colonel sent you instead.”

He sadly looks down and shakes his head as he tells me, “Sorry that Storm Tempest is not here to meet you, Colonel, right now he is recovering from surgery. He lost a leg it looks like, as well as a couple of other wounds.”

I look at the small number of troops behind him, hoping to see my husband. But I am not able to. He looks at me and tells me, “I am sorry Colonel, I know your husband and his 1^st sergeant were with us. Their,” his voice cracks, “Their Skywagon was in the first wave. Ma’am, they didn’t make it. We lost almost the entire first wave.”

I feel like I have just been shot. I am stunned and I know it should hurt more, but the pain has not begun yet. I feel tears begin to well up in my eyes and I simply shake my head. My husband. The father of my foal. He, he is dead. I feel myself shake a bit and a hoof begins to go around my shoulder.

Then he reaches into his saddlebags and pulls out several letters. He looks at the envelopes and pulls one out and hooves it to me. “Colonel, Badger had this in his saddlebags, it is for you and your family.”

I look at the unopened blood-stained letter in my hooves and I feel myself begin to sob. Then I hear a scream and several ponies run to me. Tek holding me from one side, Windy from the other.

From the side, I hear someone say, “Yeah, we have peace, but at what cost?”

And as I continue to break down, I ask myself the same question.

Dear DJ Pony, tonight I am writing this letter knowing I will not be alive this time tomorrow. I have been more fortunate than most and was able to spend my last night with most of my family, as well as my troops. I love them all and am only saddened that I will not have more time with them. For all of us writing letters to those we love and our families knowing what is coming, could you please play Black Letters?

Thank you

Captain Honey Badger, 2^nd Manesville Regiment.

Dear DJ Pony,

Tonight, I sit here at home worrying about the love of my life. My wife Pages. We are both soldiers and know the risk. But this time I am the one at home safe. Rumor has it that the war should be over soon, but I am still worried about her. If you could, would you please play Sleepsong, for her so she knows how I feel, no matter where she may be?

Captain Sunset, 1^st Manesville Regiment, chief of scouts.

As we wrap up this chapter I would like to thank RuinQueenofOblivion for allowing me to use this portion of her story in mine. I have tried to integrate my characters into her world of Survivors's guilt. While doing this I have also tried to minimize any spoilers so that my readers who have not read her story but would like to do not have the surprises taken away.

I also would like to thank Kkat for her creation of the FoE universe and all the other authors out there who have built upon and have inspired me to do so as well.

The broadcast from Colonel Fulbright is taken in part from Survivor"s Guilt. As are many of the events of the battle that lead up to the cessation of hostilities. Like real life, the actions of other teams that we are not able to see will influence other portions of the battlefield and the end results as well. I have tried to dovetail my characters' actions into the supporting roles of the Alliance forces that are mentioned by Ruin Queen.

The choices for songs for the dedications for this chapter were not that difficult for me, what was, was choosing which version I felt fit best. In this case, I felt that the version of Sleepsong with the male voices fit better, though I usually prefer the versions by Magpiepony or Secret Garden.

For those who would like to listen to the dedication songs, the YouTube link for the first one is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xekz2fqz98

The Youtube link for the second one is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyDTgconoME

Finally, I have to say that this was a very difficult chapter for me to write, even though I have planned this for some time. I only hope that you, my readers understand the reasoning why I have done so, and appreciate what it adds to the story.