The first day we clear the pass between Canterlot mountain and the Foal Mountain on the west side of the river. We are following the roads along the river to the next bridge. Originally, we had planned on turning back toward home at this point and crossing back over the mountains on our way home. Unfortunately, this plan has had to be scrapped. My scouts keep spotting Silver Spite's troops shadowing us in the distance.

The one positive seems to be that after they saw we had already escaped; they did not linger at Two Step. Hopefully, this means that the locals did not suffer the wrath of Silver Spite and the rest of his troops. The locals were fairly friendly, even if they were not overly helpful knowing we were leaving soon

The first two days we are making better time than they are due to their having to climb over the western edge of the Foal Mountain. Unfortunately, after that, we are on the outside of the arc and the race is on. By the third day, we are almost even. Divided by the river, they occasionally try to slow us down through air attacks. Most of which do little damage overall, and are thwarted by Sunset, Choo Choo, and Archer’s artillery cows with Nightmare Moon. Archer has his hoofs full because of that, as he returns the favor with running ahead with Celestia and the mortars and randomly hitting their lead troops causing them to scatter and take shelter, slowing their advance also.

On the third night, during officer’s call, the Major calls us all together. “Listen up, we are less than a day’s march from the next bridge. If they take it, we can be easily cut off. If we get there first, we blow it, then continue on to the rail line heading to JR-7. Once there, we will rest the troops and are to rendezvous with the supply caravan.” She pauses and looks at us to make sure we are paying attention, “This means I want the Engineers just behind the scouts. E-troop, you will be next in the line of march. Archer, I want that Anti Air gun with E-troop. H-Troop you will be bringing up the rear with the gear. I want your heavy automatic AM guns to provide AA support to the wagon train.”

Broken Dreams then ask, “Ma’am if it’s that close do we want to just keep pushing, no breaks. It might mean lots of stragglers though.”

She replies, “Good Question Dreams, I think for the first couple of hours we go with our standard rate of march. After that, if it looks close then we go for broke. We must take that bridge first and blow it. Oak Root, While the Engineers are rigging the bridge for demolition, I want your troops to dig in on our side. Put two squads on the bridge to support the engineers if needed, then pull them back. If they rush the bridge I want everyone who can fire a gun, firing down that causeway. OK, we wake up two hours before dawn. That means three for the scouts, got that Mollygirl?”

“Yes Ma’am. Do you want me to send my airborne scouts ahead or just keep them with the column, Ma’am?” I ask.

“Keep them with the column. With only two of them, they do not have enough to come close to holding. Ok, go get some sleep. Dismissed.” She tells us and we all return to our troops.

Once outside I get Broken Dreams's attention. “Sir, Seeing the Door Kickers are so far back in the marching order, I will stay ahead with my scouts if you do not mind.”

“About that Mollygirl, do you want a squad of regulars to support your scouts?”

“While I would like to take 1^st Squad with me, we will have the Equestrian Rangers right behind us.”

He thinks of a bit, “Lieutenant, I hate to say it, but I do not feel comfortable with your scouts having their flanks hanging out in the wind by themselves, even if E-troop is close, every second may count. Run them hard if you have to. Also, Take Sutures with you. I will keep Triage with me. She may not be as experienced as Sutures, but she is still pretty good.”

“Thank you, sir, I will pass the word to both of them when we get back to camp.”

Once back to camp I call the Non-comms together from D-troop and the scouts. I give them their marching orders for the morning. Sergeant Duke looks at me, “Ma’am, you really want us to run with your scouts?”

“Yes, I do Duke. Make sure everyone in 1^st squad is up and ready with the scouts. We are hitting it hard and fast. Right now, I think the only reason we are stopping is because the Major is afraid somepony will trip and break a leg in the dark, otherwise…”

“Makes sense, hate to lose troops for avoidable accidents.” I hear one of the sergeants say.

“Sunset, make sure everyone knows we are getting up earlier than normal. If need be, we carry the youngsters. We have to move quickly.” I tell him.

“Yes Ma’am, That’s not a problem.”

Once back with the scouts he passes on what I have told him. I put down my bedroll. Tonight, I leave my combat harness on, with my battle saddle and saddlebags as a pillow. Shortly afterward I hear Sutures as she puts hers down near me and then leaves again. After that, I hear a bit of snuffling and feel a familiar wet furry nose against my cheek. I pull up my blanket and Woofers climbs into it with me.

A little while later I hear Sutures returning to the 1^st squad area. Quietly I get her attention. “Hey Sutures, I hope you had a good visit tonight.”

“Hey Mollygirl, it was good, just not long enough. You know how it goes,” she replies.

“Yeah, I do. By the way, you and the first squad are with me and the scouts in the morning, sorry, I just hope we do not need you.”

“Amen to that Mollygirl. I would rather you not need me either. How bad is it looking?”

“Sutures, I am not going to lie to you. It’s going to be a real race come morning. But neither of us wants to move in the dark tonight. If we lose this race it may be the end of the CEF and we could all end up as slaves at best. If we win, we may get a couple of days to a week of breathing space as they backtrack to the closest standing crossing.”

I hear her sharp intake of breath. “Do you think we can do it LT? Can we make it?”

“I am not sure Sutures, I hope so. If we had enough Dash it would be great but so far no luck in finding any of that in any quantities.”

“Mollygirl, I am sorry, I wish we did have some though, but normally that stuff is just too dangerous to use. Not to mention addictive.”

“Yeah, I know, but I was thinking how nice it would be to have for a one-time use,” I tell her.

“But that begins a slippery slope Mollygirl, using it once was good, so we could use it a second time when we need it. Oh, and then again and again because excuses are easy to find. That is how addictions begin. Do you think we would want a force full of addicts?”

“No, no you are right. Sorry, just wishing things could be done easier.”

“I understand, same here. Well, we better get some rest then Mollygirl.” She tells me as she climbs into her bedroll, rolls away from me, and lets out a deep sigh.

When we wake in the morning, we pack our bedrolls, grab our kits, and eat our rations on the march. We are already on the move when the others wake up. I am carrying Ginger, Xavier has Xochitl. As we begin to move out, I have a strong feeling of being watched.

I have Choo Choo out front of us as her night vision is so much better than any of ours. Right behind my scouts is 1^st squad of D-troop. As we leave, I hear the rest of D-troop begin to get up and start prepping for the day. The Engineers fall in directly behind us as we start out.

E-troop is camped ahead of us and alongside the road, as we move past them, I hear Ginger, “Hi Mom, see you again this afternoon. Love you.”

Quietly I hear back from the side of the road. “Love you too dear, now keep as quiet as you can.”

Behind me a bit later I hear, Dusty’s Voice, “Hi ma, be careful and keep your head down.”

From the dark I hear Nuggets Reply, “I will dear, you too, no heroics, I want to take both my fillies’ home from this.”

“Thanks ma, I will see you this afternoon.”

Besides them, I also hear some murmured conversations as we pass on. After half an hour the moon begins to rise and we can see more clearly. So, I order everyone to trot. As the moon gets higher, I see the false dawn ahead. Once daylight is here, we can really pick up the pace. I still find it strange to sometimes see Luna’s moon out during Celestia’s day, but it does happen now and again.

Half an hour later in the moonlight, I see a silhouette of an alicorn flying ahead of us. Then over my PipBuck, I hear, “LT, I see movement on the other side of the river. I think they are starting to roust themselves.”

“Thank you, Choo Choo, for the report. Try not to go too high, I do not want them to know we are on the move if we can help it.”

After she replies in the affirmative, I contact the Major and let her know. “Thank you, Lieutenant, the rest of the troops will be moving in a few minutes. Advance at best speed per your discretion.”

We continue at the trot until the sun rises. Then we begin to alternate between 15 minutes of trotting, 15 minutes at the canter, followed by 20 minutes of walking, and then a 10-minute rest. We continue this cycle until we are less than fifteen kilometers from the bridge. The sun is high above us and there are only spotty clouds in the sky. We are on a 10-minute break when just over the ridgeline of the Foal mountain I see two pegasi crest. Behind them are four more griffons.

“Lt, should Train Wreck and I go help them?” Sunset asks quickly.

I watch as they twist and turn with each other, if a griffon gets on the tail of one, they fly in front of their partner so they can clear their tale. After watching for a couple of more minutes, I see they are heading right for the column. They are still a ways away though.

“OK, Sergeant, take her with you and help them, Go!” I order them. They take off, I swear I can hear Choo Choo laughing in joy as they fly away. I see Sunset heading right for them and then I see Choo Choo disappear.

I watch the new pegasi flying for their lives over the river, and then see one of the griffons fall as they are hit by Sunset. After a short fall they recover but you can tell they are hurt. I see Sunset continue on to join the other two pegasi, and suddenly I watch as the wounded griffon that has fallen behind the others seems to be grabbed by a wing and thrown violently at the river below. It struggles to right itself, but to no avail. I watch as it splashes into the water. Then I suddenly see Choo Choo flying all out behind the other three as they chase after Sunset and the new arrivals. It is then that I notice a black crow is flying only a short way off from them.

As the fight continues, I call out to the rest of my troops, “On your hooves, we have a bridge to take. Move it, people.”

We are back on the run again. I can see the bridges three iron spans in the distance when suddenly I feel severe cramping in my belly. I hurt enough that even at a run I stumble and fall, throwing Ginger flank over teakettle. She lands fairly well. I, on the other hand, am screaming in pain. I look up and see my troops slowing. I yell out, “Xavier keep ‘em moving I will catch up. GO! We got to take it first, for the love of all that matters.”

We meet eyes, he nods and starts yelling for them to run again. I watch as Dusty runs up, grabs Ginger, and tosses her onto her back and keeps moving with the rest of 1^st squad. As they run ahead, In the distance I can hear the engineers coming. I struggle against the pain trying to get back up.

I try to regain my hooves but I can’t, I collapse again. I look up and I see her again. The pale mare with the dark mane, wearing that black shroud. She looks me in the eyes. I see her shake her head slowly. She lifts a single forehoof in my direction and the cramping stops and the pain begins to subside. She sees I am looking at her. She then points at the bridge in the distance, stomps a hoof, and then points again. I get back to my hooves fully and begin to run for the bridge just as the engineers come running up. I look back at her and she is gone again.

I am running along with Block Buster and I suddenly look back and see Nightmare Moon Catching up to us. Its cow pullers may not be fast sprinters, but once started they can run all day and night. I drop back and see Kicker. “Sergeant, we have Griffons attacking our pegasi and two others. If you stop to fire, try to only hit the Griffons.

“Yes Ma’am,” she calls back as they start to pick up speed and run a bit faster.

We are almost to the causeway leading to the bridge. Duke and the 1^st squad are on the bridge. They have moved a carriage that was crossing it to block it and are using it for cover. The engineers are already setting the bridge up for demolition. Excellent I think to myself. Across the river and a couple of kilometers upstream I see troops from Red Eyes army running toward the bridge.

Above us, I can see Choo Choo has decided to go hoof to claw with one of the griffons. She keeps frustrating her opponent by disappearing and reappearing in different places. Kicking them and then shifting again. She is such an expert with her invisibility spell.

Sunset on the other hoof keeps taking potshots at them. The two new arrivals still trying to swerve and avoid shots from their opponents as they close on the head of the column. Suddenly I see Kicker stop her gun and they train it on the griffons chasing the new ones, then they fire. They clear the remaining two off of their tail, but as they do so I watch in amazement and amusement and the two pegasi dive toward the ground, pulling up a bit late as they run into each other, landing in a rolling ball of hooves, wings, tails, and dust.

As I run up to the two young adult pegasi, I hear them arguing with each other. “It’s all your fault, I was clear, you zigged when you were supposed to zag Serenity,” says the blue male wearing a Dashite brand where his cutie mark once was.

I watch as the one I suppose is Serenity leaps forward and starts to pummel the other one yelling back, “My Fault! My Fault Firefly! We would not even be down here if it were not for you. My Fault!”

I watch this go on for only another couple of minutes more, “Hey both of you, shut up.” I yell to get their attention.

Both stop arguing with each other and look at me, “Who does she think she is?” the one I guess is called Firefly responds.

I try not to growl, and instead, snort as I pin my ears back. “I am Lieutenant Mollygirl with the Co-op Expeditionary Force, the one who gave the order for my troops to save both of your sorry flanks. Now who are you, and what are you doing here?”

Choo Choo and Sunset have landed behind them by then. The male called Firefly looks at the female Serenity, “And here I thought that the Enclave was the only ones to have pompous asses for officers.”

Suddenly he yelps in pain as Sunset slaps him in the back of the head with a forehoof. “Watch it kid, she a damn good officer and deserves some respect. Now who are you two and why are you here?”

The mare pegasus looks at Sunset, notices his Dashite brand, making a slight face of disgust, then she answers, “I am Serenity, this is my brother Firefly. We are looking for Major Quick Trot of the Co-op Expedition Force. We have messages from the Colonel, as well as mail.”

“Thank you, Serenity, The Major should be up here soon,” I tell them. Just then I see the first of the enemy troops forming in the village on the other side. Duke and his squad begin to fire when targets present themselves approaching the bridge.

I watch as three squad’s worth of troops charge the bridge towards us. They are quickly cut down by our defensive fire as well as by a few rounds from Nightmare Moon. They fall back and try it again with an entire company this time. This attack forces the engineers to stop their work and defend themselves also.

In the background on the other side of the river, I see a familiar unicorn with orange mane and tail as well as his white coat. Silver Spite has arrived and is leading the efforts to take the bridge. Besides him, I see a black earth pony with a familiar-looking black and blue mane.

Beside me, I see Trouble with an expression of pain on his face. He takes his rifle, leans against a tree, I watch him aim, take a deep breath, then he takes his shot. Through my binoculars, I watch as dust kicks up next to the Silver Spite’s hoof, I see him jump for cover as Trouble cycles another round into his rifle and begins looking for his next target. The fight is really on now.

As soon as E-troop arrives they begin to dig in. They are followed shortly by the rest of the artillery who swing the gun into position and fire several shells at the far end of the bridge. The mortars are carried up, the ponies carrying the different parts stop while others help them remove them from their backs and quickly assemble them. Within two hours the entire CEF is up in position, including the prisoners. As we still have not decided what to do with them.

The engineers are finishing their work when one of them is shot and gets hung up by his harness under the bridge. The battle is at its highest, both sides firing at each other from across the river. Suddenly I see an old carriage with heavy timbers and sheet metal nailed on it being pushed ahead of more of their soldiers as they advance up their end of the bridge causeway. It is protecting those behind it and allowing them to advance across the bridge.

I watch as Sunset takes off to help the wounded engineer, he is followed by the new arrival Firefly. As they take fire, I see Choo Choo fly over to them and she has them place the wounded soldier on her back. Then they fly back as quickly as they can away from the bridge but towards our side.

The enemy has advanced over three-quarters of the way across, they have put another company on the bridge firing from the roadway to underneath it, I see some of them trying to get under the bridge to disable the explosives.

Then I hear Block Buster Yell out, "Clear the bridge!" My troops and I fall back at a gallop. I see many of their soldiers begin to try and run from the bridge also.

Once we are clear I start to hear the explosives begin to go off. First, the ones between the support’s underneath, then the ones on the structural supports above. I watch as the metal and concrete from two of the spans begin to fall and then the metal above separates so that both of the dropped sections drop one end of the span into the river, the other end elevated as if on a see-saw from the piling below. Along with the bridge, all of the troops that were on it are either killed or dropped into the wide river below.

Now before anypony can even begin to put a new span on it, they will have to clear away the wreckage that is blocking them. It looks like a textbook perfect drop. Off to the side, I hear Lieutenant Block Buster Screaming in joy. “YES! YES! I always wanted to do that. Great job troops.”

With the bridge destroyed the battle itself begins to slow and fizzle out. There is no real easy crossing available for dozens of klicks. We can catch our breath a bit it seems. I watch as they begin to fall back from the river. I see Silver Spite throwing things, and then I see him hit the black earth pony and then kick her.

Besides me, I hear Trouble, “Son of Mule is beating Tar,” Then he calms himself down, carefully aims, takes a deep breath, letting only half out and then holding it until he lets loose with one more round. I am still watching through my binoculars and I see the round hit Silver Spite in the shoulder. It spins him and he hits the ground. The mare we think is Tar Waters rushes over to him and receives another hoof across the muzzle for her efforts as Silver Spite gets back to his hooves and then still bleeding stares back across the river at us and slowly drinks a healing potion. He then turns his back to us and walks slowly back amongst the buildings and out of our sight. Slowly his remaining troops follow him.

“Buck me to Tartarus, move Tar, let me get a clear shot at him,” I hear Trouble say to himself. In his eye, I see a tear for his sister. “Dang dust getting in my eyes again. Sorry LT, I cannot take another shot at him for you.”

I put a hoof on his shoulder, “That’s ok Trouble, you not only got his attention you let him know you were serious.”

We watch them pull out and begin to head west again. After they have gotten out of sight, we begin to move again ourselves. This time back toward the railroad bridge leading to JR 7.

We are not moving fast. The two new pegasi are marching with the headquarters section and the Major for now. This time I am ordered by Sutures to ride in a medical wagon. She cannot find anything visibly wrong with me. She even tries pressing on my stomach and other areas doing a physical inspection and cannot find anything so now she wants to do more test. But we do not have time for it yet.

As I am riding in the wagon, I assist Sutures and a couple of the other medical ponies and cows with some of the wounded. Again, we get off easy. We have lost a couple more ponies, two more from D-troop, just not my squads this time, and had several cows and ponies wounded. It seems at times to be a death by a thousand paper cuts. We cannot easily replace losses, but Silver Spite, through Red Eye's army seems to be able to easily.

I see Sutures keep looking at me and watching me. I do not want to discuss it with her though. Tonight, I think I need to talk with Xavier again. Also, I want to suggest to the Major that Xavier be bumped up to corporal as I was very impressed with how he handled the scouts when I went down and Sunset was not available to take over.

Sutures approaches me, “after this morning I would like to do some more tests when we get a chance. I know it is an extremely remote chance, but I would like to run a pregnancy test also as well as check your liver, gallbladder, and stomach further.”

I know she is my friend and cares about me, but really, a pregnancy test, she knows the odds. What does she think I am going to miraculously heal or something? I think to myself. To her, I answer back, “Sure, when we get the time. Sutures.”

This at least satisfies her and earns me one of her recently rare smiles. I am getting rather tired and as I sit there for a bit on the wagon, I fall asleep. In my dreams, I am home again. Ivy and Epona are still with us and I am out of the service, just a happy farmer's wife. If only it could be true. I awake quietly wishing for a life I can never have now.

We travel only for another five hours before the Major gives the order to make camp for the night. The usual scramble occurs as it is set up. We send some engineers that are armored and carrying flame throwers into a nearby grove of trees to check for Chitterers. They find one small nest of a couple dozen of them and promptly exterminate them. Unfortunately, it does leave a dark cloud marking the location near us. Because of this I have my two fliers take to the skies again and keep an eye out toward the direction that Silver Spite and his troops passed over.

Each company chooses its campsite, the artillery camping next to the expedition HQ. The supply train in the middle so we can defend it. Each squad building a fire to cook on and to keep warm next to. I leave the medical wagons and rejoin my squads and the scouts.

We all dig in or build breastworks from downed trees and rocks. Once the camp is being set up, I head over to the HQ along with Sunset to talk with the Major. Officers call should be occurring soon anyway, but I want Sunset's opinion on a couple of things.

As we walk over to the HQ I begin, “Good Job today Sarge.”

“Thanks Ma’am, but I have a feeling you didn’t ask me along just to tell me that. What is it LT?”

Embarrassed that he could see through me so well I continue “Sarge, those two fliers that came in today, I was thinking of trying to get them as additional scouts, what do you think?”

He stops and thinks for a bit. “To be honest ma’am, we are fine the way we are, but we have seen more griffons lately, so they could be a bit of help. But to be honest, I do not like their attitudes so far. He is an arrogant little know it all, and that sister of his. She reminds me all too well of why I left the Enclave.”

“Ok, I can agree with that assessment Sundown. Can you work with them?”

“Of course, I can Mollygirl, but I may have to take them out back of the woodshed if you know what I mean. I do not like doing that, but they both seem to need an attitude adjustment. If you get them, let's take it easy and see how it goes. I would recommend splitting them up though.”

“Thank you Sunset. Also, I wanted to ask what you thought of advancing Xavier to corporal?”

“Hmmm, not a bad idea, he is dang good in a fight, and steady headed. I have not known a lot of Stripes over the years since I have been dirtside, but he seems almost more pony than zebra in his attitudes.”

“I take that as agreement then?”

“Yes, ma’am. I have to agree, besides it makes it easier to run the scouts with two NCOs. It will help a lot,” he tells me.

Once we reach the HQ, we both go to the company clerk. The Major is sitting in the background by a fire talking with some of the other staff members. Across from her are Serenity and Firefly.

The clerk sees us and tells us, “Hold on for a moment. I have mail for several of the scouts as well as D-troop.” He then reaches into a pouch near him and sorts through it, pulling out a stack of letters. “Here you go. That saves me a trip to find all of you.”

I have Sunset take them, “Hey sarge, why don’t you take the mail back to the troop and pass it out. I am sure they would all love it. If I got any get it to me when I get back.”

“Sounds good LT. Talk to you later. Ma’am.”

I walk over to the Major, “Good evening ma’am.”

“Evening Mollygirl, pull up a chunk of dirt and have a seat,” she tells me.

I sit down next to her. “Good job today with the bridge by the way. I heard about your problem also. Make sure your medic checks you out fully ok. I can not afford to lose my chief of scouts, much less a leader who actually leads from the front,” she tells me.

While the praise feels good, it is also embarrassing as I feel I do nothing that the others would not have. “Thanks ma’am, but I just did what anypony else would.”

“Maybe Mollygirl, but not only did you do it, but you did it first and faster than them.”

“Thank you again. Ma’am, I was just going to ask permission to promote one of my troopers to corporal. When I went down and the Sergeant was busy in the air, he took over the scouts and worked closely with Sergeant Duke of 1^st Squad to secure the bridgehead.”

“Makes sense, which one?” she asks.

“Xavier ma’am. He really has shown so far on this march.”

“Ah, the stripe. I have heard he has done pretty good, and been fitting in. If you think the others will respect him, then I have no problem. Let him know when you get back to your camp.”

From across the fire, I hear Serenity spit out her drink, “What, you going to let a zebra be in a position of authority, what is wrong with you.”

The Major looks right at her, “I understand you are from the Enclave, and I will make some allowances because of that. But first, the war has been over a long time now, or can you not tell. Second, you volunteered to come to us, we did not ask. If you stay here you better learn some respect, or at least how to mind your mouth young filly.”

I see both her and her brothers’ heads go down and their ears to the side of their heads. The major then looks at me, “Lieutenant if you want these two, they are yours to use as scouts. They are good intentioned, but they just have not been dirtside long enough it seems.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I will take them. If they give me much trouble, we should be able to take care of it.” I tell her.

“Ok, Then, not much to pass on right now. Officers call will be held in a couple of hours, so why don’t you take these two back to your camp and I will see you then.”

“Will do Major, thank you for your time. Ok, you two follow me. I will introduce you to the rest of the scouts as well as the first squad of D-troop.”

Once back to camp I begin to introduce them to my scouts. Everything seems to be going fairly well until they see Ginger and Xochitl. Then I see both of them look appalled. “You are using foal warriors?” Serenity asks in a stunned voice.

Suddenly Ginger is up on her hooves. “Who you calling a foal? We are earning our way. As some of the old ponies here have told us, if we want to be treated like grown ponies, we have to earn our way too.”

Behind her, I see Xochitl get up and put a hoof on Ginger’s shoulder, “Ginger, calm down. She meant no insult; she just does not know us yet.”

Then she sees Xavier, “You really do have a zebra in your ranks. I never thought I would see it. Will you just take anypony who can carry a rifle?”

Behind me, I hear Sky get up. “You're new here, so I will be nice. First, you do not know us and already you want to judge US. However, what you fail to realize is we have fought alongside each other, you two, on the other hand, we have only seen being chased, except when your brother assisted our sergeant, and that was after he followed Sunset. So, I would get off your high and mighty attitude.”

“Well, being groundsiders I am sure you would not understand how a proper military such as the Enclave would do things.” Serenity retorts.

At that I hear Chip start to laugh, “Sweetheart, you really are out of your league and do not even know it. Just to let you know, The Sarge and LT both not only attacked a Raptor, but damaged it enough it had to abandon its mission.”

I see interest on Fireflys face now and scorn on Serenity's. Then Serenity asks, “Oh really, how could a simple earth pony do that?”

Sunset looks her right in the eyes, “She was riding a dragon along with another mare. They got close enough for the dragon to breathe fire inside her landing bay while they were loading up for bombing runs. But hey, it was nothing considering we only had five pegasuses as escorts for them to go against a fully operational Raptor. But if you can do better, feel free to think lower of us. Otherwise, shut up and listen kid.”

Both seemed to want to say something when they see Xavier approach. However, by this point, they seem to have learned to at least think before they speak. “Xavier, come on over here. While everypony is here I want to let you know I have confirmed with the Major your advancement to corporal. Congratulations.” I tell him in front of everyone.

He straightens up a bit and smiles. “Thank you, LT,” he then looks at his son. “See Xochitl, hard work and perseverance do pay off.”

Xochitl looks at him, “Yes father you are correct again.”

Soon the first squad begins to intermingle and congratulate Xavier on his promotion. It is then I am approached by Firefly. “Lieutenant, we seem to have gotten off on the wrong hoof. I am sorry ma’am.”

“I understand Firefly, I do not know how long you have been dirtside, but from the other Dashites I have met, you seem to be fairly new down here. If I were you, I would use the sergeant over there for a mentor. He has been here for over a decade from what I gather. Give him respect and I am sure he will return it.”

He seems a bit dumbfounded. “Thank you, LT., If you do not mind me asking, Did you two really do what they said? You know with the Raptor?”

I smile at him, “Yes, yes we did. But if you really want a story, talk to Dusty, Pearl, Woodrow, and Sutures. They were on the ground during that time. Of the 12 ponies of the squad that was there, other than my civilian wife who was with them, they are all that are left standing right now.”

“Wow, sounds like a rough fight then.” He says.

“It was, it was not that long ago either. Happened on the day of Rainbows and Sunshine. We lost a lot of good ponies and cattle that day.”

“I can understand that. Serenity and I had gone up that way looking for our father when we heard the radio broadcast welcoming Dashites. I was interested, but Serenity would not hear of it. Especially when one of your guard ponies told us we would have to turn in our weapons.”

“Yeah, I can understand that, but I am sure you understand why we did it also.”

He nods, “Sure, but it still does not make it easy.”

“You said you were looking for your father up by the Co-op, how come there?”

“Well LT, he was with the Volunteer Corps and I had heard he was working up by a place called Hereford. By the time we got there, the place was a real mess and we could not find him. He’s a yellow buck named Summer Breeze. I really hope we can find him. I feel bad because he joined the Corps to try and find me.”

The name rings a bell for me. I get into my saddlebags and find the pictures from that pegasus buck we found so long ago. I look at the names on the back, then show the photos to him. “Is this your family Firefly?” I ask him.

He looks at it, his jaw drops some, “Y-yes, it is, but how did you get it?”

I sigh some then put a hoof on his shoulder, “He was killed in Hereford by raiders. I found these in his saddlebags. He was buried properly.”

I see him begin to choke up, “W-was it quick at least?”

I cannot tell him the truth; no child wants to hear about their parent having been tortured. “Yeah, yeah it was quick.” I lie.

As he breaks down in tears, I put a hoof around his shoulder. “I understand how you feel trooper. I understand.” I hold him that way until he can get himself back together. Then I take my hoof back and tell him, “If you or your sister ever need to talk, I am here. I know what it feels like to lose your parents.”

He tries to smile, “Thanks LT. I appreciate it.”

I then get ready to head to officers' call again. As I am leaving our area I see Xavier, “Hey Corporal, when I get back, I need to talk to you about something personal.”

He looks at me kind of funny, “Ok LT. let me know when you get back.”

At officers' call, we discuss the route of march to be taken in the morning as well as the order of troop movement, the usual. The Major then tells us that the folks back home have heard about us on the radio. It seems we have caused quite the stir. The Colonel has also authorized us to modify our mode of operation from a standard raid to one of hit and run raids against any of the Red Eye faction outpost and troops. Then the Major continues, “It seems that this was the better of the two requests from our allies in Manehatten. They wanted to actually throw us into that meatgrinder of a battle in Fillydelphia that is still going on.”

We are all stunned. We have heard the radio reports of the house to house fighting there. The sewers becoming almost safer than the streets above to travel. The first time I actually heard about the severity of the continuing fighting there was an interview by DJ Pon3 and his assistant Homage with an escaped pegasus slave. He gave some pretty good details that made me glad I was not engaged there.

After we break, Archer comes over to me, “Mind if I walk with you Mollygirl?”

“No, not at all Archer, I never have minded your company.”

He smiles, “I figured I could spend some time with Sutures in your camp tonight, it would also allow me to visit with you and a few others tonight.”

“Anytime you want to come to my camp, please feel free Archer. You and I have a long history and I can not repay you or Emerado enough for being there with me while I was hospitalized.”

“Mollygirl, I had to be there. After all these years of serving together and being friends, I had to be there for you.”

We continue to talk on our path back to the scouts and D-troop. It almost feels like old times. The funny thing is a part of me wonders why I never was interested in dating him like I was Badger. I am so glad he has Sutures now for him though.

Once back to camp we part ways when he finds her and I go looking for Xavier. By the fire, I see Serenity is crying and being comforted by Sky. This surprises me some, I had thought Firefly would have been the one to do that. But then I see him off to the side, talking with Sunset and Dusty. Dusty does not seem to be happy to be included in the conversation but she is still participating.

Finally, I find Xavier. He is next to the youngsters, both of which have fallen asleep already. He is reading a letter by the light of his PipBuck when I find him. At least he is not cussing this time.

“Hey Xavier, mind if I sit down and have that chat with you?”

“Oh, Hi LT, no, I do not mind at all. Just another letter from Persimmon. She has finally calmed down. And is no longer calling me everything but a zebra. She is worried about your husband though. I am sure you will find out more information from your letters.”

“My letters?” I ask.

“Yes, Sunset still has them. Two or three at least. But mail is not why you stopped by is it?”

“No Xavier, it is not. I want to talk to you about The mare we saw outside that stable.”

He suddenly looks uncomfortable. “Mollygirl, I already told you we should not talk about them lest we attract their attention to us.”

I put my ears at the side of my head, and look up at him, “I know, but I saw her again this morning. When I fell out. She, she seemed to stop the pain and then pointed at the bridge as if telling me to get moving. Can they do that?”

Somehow, he not only looks more uncomfortable but now he is nervous as well. “Yes Mollygirl, they can and sometimes do. I do not know how or why, but you seem to have gotten its attention. I am sorry Mollygirl, that is not a good thing. Even the spirits that are not evil often are painful to deal with. Whatever you do, do not talk to it. Ignore it if you can. But do not talk to it. It will try to get you to make a deal, and when spirits make deals, the mortals will always come away hurting and on the short end of the stick.”

I sigh to myself. “I was afraid of that. Thanks for talking with me about it. I do not think the others would understand.”

“No, LT, most would not. However, as Ginger, Xochitl, and I have seen it also, we believe you. In fact, Ginger has already told Sutures about what we saw outside the tomb stable.”

“Ok, I have to get going and make the rounds. If you write Persimmon, tell her I said Hi, I am not sure she would want to hear it from me, but I do hope she is doing ok.”

“Ok, LT, I will do that. Have a good night.” He tells me and I wander off to find my bedroll.

When I get there, I find Trouble is already there. He has a bottle in his hooves. He seems to have put a bit of a dent into it too. “Evnin LT, Want a snoot?”

“Evening Trouble, No thank you. Are you ok?” I ask him.

He laughs sadly, “OK, am I ok?” he pauses, looking down, then looking back at me, “Nope, I am not OK. In fact, I am angry and upset with myself because I could not help Tar. I had to watch that bastard abuse my sister and I could not do a thing, not one blasted thing.”

I sit down next to him and put a hoof around his shoulder, “I understand, but putting a bullet in him, especially at that range, I would not call that nothing.”

“You might not, but my family would. They ‘pect me to protect her, and them and to kill her if I haf to. It’s not fair LT, it just isn’t. She was the only one in the whole family that was really there for me growing up. She joined the defense force and ‘s gone so much I left home. I came a bounty hunter cause it meant I did not have to go home to my family.”

“Trouble, I do understand. I am here for you now, and we are family too, maybe not close family, but perhaps close enough.” I tell him and give him a light squeeze.

He smiles drunkenly at me, “You know LT, you should be a mom, you are like a parent to all of us.”

I try not to let the pain of that show on my face, but it is either that or the hoof sliding to my belly that gets his attention. “Mowlygirl, did I say sumten wrong?”

I try to smile at him, but can’t. “No, you said nothing wrong Trouble, just the same son of a mule that you shot today, pretty much took away any chance I will ever have of being a mother away from me.”

I see the anger flash across his face. “I will kill him. He has wronged two of the mares in my family and I will kill him for laying hooves on either of you.” For most, I would just think that was drunken brevity, but for Trouble, I know he just made an oath and one that he intends to keep.

I lean over and give him a peck on the cheek. “Thanks cous, I appreciate that more than you will ever know.”

He smiles, “Your welcome, you know you are nothing like how I expected your part of the family to be. I like you LT.” He says as he puts his head on my shoulder, starting to relax and fall asleep in that position. I sit like that for a while until he falls asleep fully, then I take the bottle out of his hooves. Return the cork to it and slowly lay him down and cover him. Without thinking I give him a light kiss on his forelock. I see him smile in his sleep.

I then go looking for Sunset to see if he is still awake so I can get my mail. That reminds me, I still need to write home again. I am sure missing everyone back home, but at least I have friends and even family here with me. It helps some, but I still long for home.

Finally, I find him. He is sitting by the fire still. As I approach, he hands me four letters. One from Magpie, one from Sumac, another from George, and finally the one that really surprises me, is one from Faith. Before heading back to my bedroll to read them I begin to talk to Sunset.

“Thanks again sarge. I really appreciate your holding the fort down tonight. How are the two new scouts doing?”

“No problem LT. I think they will fit in eventually. They both took it hard learning about their father. I really wish I would have known about that, I hate being blindsided.”

“Sorry about that. I did not mean to. I just had the pictures from their father’s saddlebags with me. They had the names written on them, so I asked. I had no idea until then.”

“I understand LT. I was glad to see Sky and Serenity warm up to each other though. I think that broke the ice for her. As for Firefly, he and I had a long chat tonight too. He really is a good kid, even if still learning the ways of being dirtside. Just a word of advice though LT. I know you have been doing this for a long time now, but do not allow yourself to get to close. The pain of losing them if you are too close can become overwhelming. I worry about you Mollygirl. I know the stress you are under and the pain you have had. If things ever get to you, please come talk to me. I am here for you as all good NCO’s should be.” He tells me and then gives me a wink, which not only gets me to smile but to even laugh.

As I head back to my bedroll, I think about the events of the day. The bridge was a close thing, but all my troopers survived it. I got mail from home. I now feel closer to Trouble than I ever thought I would. I am still a bit spooked about that spirit though. However, overall it has been a good day.

As I lay down for the night, Sutures returns. Archer actually tucks her into her bed, then he gives her a kiss goodnight. Joking I tell him, “Don’t I rate a goodnight kiss also?” I see Sutures nod her head, then I see him lean my way, “Actually, you always have, but you just never asked.” He then leans even closer, his lips touching mine, and without thinking my mouth opens and our tongues meet.

Finally, we break the kiss. I can barely see him in the darkness and hear a smile in his voice “Goodnight my little ponies, see you tomorrow.”

After our previous exchange of kisses with them the night of the wetting down party, I am sure Badger and Magpie would not be mad. It sure felt good to at least feel a bit like a mare again. Yep, overall it was a good day.

Dear DJ Pon3, it has been some time since I last saw my husband. My duty keeps calling me away from home and tonight I am sitting here thinking of home once again. If you could please play for me and him the song It Goes On, to remind him he is on my mind and that I miss him.

Thank you

Quick Trot,

Major, CEF

As usual, I would like to thank Kkat for creating the universe of FoE. I would also like to thank many of the others who have contributed to and expanded it. Showing us so many varied and entertaining tales.

This week I have started to use Sky a bit more. When I first introduced her and her adopted mother, I forgot to thank their creator Skybound1998 for letting me use them and their background stories.

The Youtube link for this chapters dedication song is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQiEmzKjE3g