The trail to New Appleloosa is a well-worn one until we reach the southwestern end of the Rambling Rock Ridge, where Shatterhoof had been built. There it turns into a major road of worn, busted concrete. The chill of the morning quickly burns away as Celestia’s sun rises higher into the sky.

Balanced Books is riding alongside the driver for the lead wagon of the train. Myself, I am walking alongside the column about halfway back. It is only a small train of about 15 wagons, but it is enough for what we need. I have Xavier and Xochitl riding in the last wagon of the train, so they can get some rest, yet still be ready if needed.

About a kilometer ahead we are being led by Blackberry and Chip. Above us, I watch as Serenity and Sky are flying in formation close together. I can see them talking and looking into the distance pointing. Every so often Sky has to come back and land so she could rest her wings. I do notice that Firefly is giving them some distance and keeps flying over the rear of the column above where 1^st Squad is. He seems bored as I watch him every so often do a barrel roll or a loop. I even catch him a time or two flying upsides down looking behind himself at 1^st Squad and waving.

I have the squads under me divided up along the column. Trouble and I keeping our weapons at a loose ready as we chat on our way. Once again, I look up and see Firefly showing off in his flying. Trouble starts to laugh, “What’s so funny?” I ask.

He gives me a rare smile. “Just the kid up there. I see what he is doing. I just wonder if she has realized why yet.” He tells me.

“Who are you talking about Trouble?”

“Dusty, that buck there, I am pretty sure he has his sights set on her. If you pay attention, he does his fanciest moves when she is looking in his direction.” He tells me.

“Well, I wish him luck, I know she is still hurting pretty badly at losing Chance,” I reply.

He shakes his head, “Well he does know she is a widow. I made sure of it when I seen him sniffing in her direction.”

“Ok, I give, how did you notice he was interested in her. The only clue I ever got was when he asked her to dance a couple of times in camp to the radio, but so many others did also, it seemed no big deal.”

He gets a faraway look in his eyes, but also a hint of a sad smile as well, “Well I learned some of the signs. In part from when me and Sunset ran together, but mostly, it was what I learned from being married to a pegasus for a couple of years.”

“You mean your wife was a pegasus?” I asked surprised, especially after what Tar had said about them.

He nods his head, “Yeah Gentle was. She was so sweet and loving too. In fact, we were both kind of surprised when Clear was born and he too was one.”

I smile this time. “Not so surprising to me,” I tell him, “Before we left, my wife Magpie was digging in the archives, the only two pegasuses to be in the stable when it closed had children who got married and well, it seems that their great grand Daughter was our Great grandmother Millie. Turns out her legal name was Wind Mill, but everybody called her Mille for short.”

I see a look of surprise on his face. “I had no idea Mollygirl, wow, what a surprise. I kind of like that idea to tell the truth.”

“Yeah, but I think Tar would hate herself if she heard that,” I tell him.

He looks at me with a questioning expression, “Why do you say that Mollygirl?”

“Well, the day that I meet Xavier she was on a rant against any kind of pony that was not an earth pony. She kept talking about their superior breeding and how they should be in charge. To tell the truth, it stunned me. She seemed to actually hate the others, just for not being earth ponies.”

I see his jaw drop, he gets a serious expression on his face. “Mollygirl, that is not the Tar I know. She, she never would have said such things. Something happened. I mean, as foals she used to pray, she could become a pegasus and just fly away and take me with her.”

After that, an uncomfortable silence comes over us for a while. It is finally broken when Firefly lands near us and comes over to talk while resting his wings.

“Hey Trouble, hey LT,” he says as he gets close.

“Hey Firefly,” we both reply back.

As he gets alongside us, I hear him ask, “LT, can I ask you something kind of personal?”

“Sure Firefly, depends on what it is about though that determines if I answer, but go ahead and ask,” I tell him.

“Thanks, LT. It’s, it’s about Dusty,” off to the side I see a knowing look on Trouble's face as Firefly continues, “Well I really do like her and it’s just, well, I want to be more than friends and I do not know how to even break through the walls she has seemed to have built.”

I sigh at first, “Look Firefly, she is a really good young mare. But right now, she is still grieving about the loss of her husband. Do you even know what happened?”

He shakes his head, “Not really, no pony will discuss it with me. Some act as if they do not know. The others, just do not want to talk about it.”

As I think about that day, I feel my expression on my face change, I see his eyes get wide and he looks frightened, “Never mind LT, I mean if it is going to anger you me asking, forget I did so.”

Trouble puts a hoof on his shoulder, “It’s not that kid, give the LT a few minutes to process and think about it. It was a very bad day for them.”

I see a confused look on the young bucks face, and then I begin to speak, “Firefly, you have to understand it was the Battle of Manesville. Most of the ponies in first squad were not there, they are replacements. Only Pearl, Dusty, Woodrow, Sutures and my wife Magpie walked out of that battle of the twelve that were there to begin with in the squad. In fact, two are still recovering. The rest, well they are dead. Dusty watched her husband get vaporized by a pegasus trooper as he used his body to shield her.”

I see his face go pale, “Oh my Goddesses, I had no idea, and here I am a pegasus trying to get her attention. I feel so bad now.”

At this point Trouble begins to speak, “Firefly, if you want my advice, just take it slow. Make friends with her, and wait to see what happens over time. Allow her to learn for herself the kind of buck you are. Give her a shoulder to lean on or cry on if she needs it, but do not press it. Son, provided we make it back home, you should have a nice long life left, so you have time.”

With that I see a smile appear on his face, “Ok, do you two mind if I go join 1^st squad on the march for a bit, before flying again?”

I smile, “No, but as Trouble said, just take it slow and easy. Her heart is still trying to heal. I have known her since she was a foal, so if you hurt her, I will be forced to hurt you too.”

I see him gulp, “Yes Ma’am. I understand.” He tells me and then he slows his walk as we continue and leave him behind.

I see Trouble Chuckling, “So Trouble, how could you tell he was interested in her.”

“Well LT, one of the biggest giveaways that a pegasus is interested that way in another pony, is that their wings will rise uncontrollably. He is old enough that he keeps them in control, but watch his wings. When he is talking with her, or about her, he keeps having to fight to keep them down.”

It is at this point I turn red myself, “So that was what that was when I meet Sunset.” I say sheepishly.

He laughs, “Yeah, that buck was really interested in you at one time when he first met you. But he has told me that cooled in part because you are married and he has gotten to know your spouses. The other half is he has had his attention drawn to Pages.”

“So, he really is interested in her?”

He nods, “Oh yes, in fact, he keeps talking about her and how wonderful she was when they were back at Manesville.”

“Thanks Trouble, I feel better now about those two. Pages is Magpie's best friend, so I really did not want to see her get hurt.”

He smiles, “Mollygirl, I do not think you have to worry about that. She no longer seems to be the quiet librarian she once was. I remember how quiet she used to be, I ran into her before we left, she was a bit more self-assured than before.”

“Good, I am glad to hear that, I hope it works out for them both.”

The trip to New Appleloosa itself is fairly uneventful. We do have a couple of mild run-ins with raiders. The first time they try to jump Blackberry and Chip. That is actually funny as they are still there when the 2^nd squad shows up just ahead of the wagon train, guns ready. Six raiders against a fully armed squad and my scouts. It ends fairly quickly with nothing more on our side than a couple of grazing wounds and one arrow wound, of all things.

The second one is a true ambush and cost us a wagon and its team. Balanced Books is wounded also, but it is a through and through on his right foreleg. The wagon is a complete write off though as they nailed it with an IED with a hidden trigger plate in the road. The one survivor we capture lets us know that they are part of Colonel Bursting Star’s forces from Red Eye’s army. We bind him up and take him with us to turn over to the law once we get to town.

There is only one really major river crossing before we get to New Appleloosa. As we cross the bridge, I keep hearing various soldiers joking about how much Lieutenant Block Buster would love to blow this one too. Especially as it is a masonry bridge, ya know, just for the challenge.

That night we are still several hours away from making town. We form a circle with the wagons most of us actually placing bedrolls under the wagons rather than in them, although we do have some do that just to give extra firing positions if needed. We make it a dry camp with no fires and have six guards awake at all times.

It is as we are setting the wagons in place that I hear Sutures, behind me talking to Sky and Serenity, “Ok, Sky, let's see your wings. You have done a lot of flying today, I want to make sure you will be fit for flight duty in the morning.”

“Well, if they are too sore, I can always give her a wing rub,” I hear Serenity tell her.

After this I hear Sky, “She really is good at them Sutures, it's too bad you don’t have wings so you could see. She is such a dear when it comes to that and helping me preen my feathers properly.”

“Ok, I’ll take your word for it. But I see you are a bit sore on your right-wing. “

As she says this, I see Xavier reaching into his pack. “Here Sutures, give her some of this. My mother taught me how to make this when I was a foal. It will help with the pain and any swelling.” He tells her as he hands her a bottle with white powder in it. “A little bit should do it.”

“Xavier, I have to ask what is in it?”

“Sutures, to make this you brew a potion mainly of willow tree bark. Then you strain it. What separates should be a pulp that once dried can be taken by mouth or rewet some and applied on the hide under a bandage. If you are in a hurry and do not have time, you can substitute buy chewing on willow leaves, but it is not as effective.”

“That is very interesting Xavier, I had not heard of that before. Are you sure it is safe though?”

He smiles, “Yes, we zebras have been using this for centuries. I know many of the slaves on the farm I was raised on used both. They were both zebra and pony. It helped us to deal with the pain and reduced fevers some.”

“Thank you, Xavier, I will have her use it then, By the way, could you show me how to make it sometime?” she asks.

“Perhaps when we have the time. I will see if there are any zebra shops in town that may carry it once we get there.”

“Xavier, thanks, make sure you get what you need if you can. Let me know and I will reimburse you for your expenses.” I tell him.

He simply nods. “No thanks are needed, but they are appreciated. I was only trying to help a fellow scout.”

That night we sit around listening to DJ Pon3, talking some about what we hear. It is when we first hear about the fighting up north toward home. There are also several reports of slavers raiding the villages further north. It tends to put a damper on things for the night. The highlight for me was when Ginger comes over to me and ask me to read to her from her book.

“But what about your mother?” I ask her.

“It’s ok, I’ll just have you read a different short story, and she can reread this one to me another time.”

“Ok, if you are sure,” I tell her, then I sit beside one of the wagons she and Xochitl both leaning on me as I read to them. Soon we have several more there just sitting there listening to the story. It seems many of the troopers had never heard these stories before and sit and listen with the attention of a foal.

After we are done with the story, I decide to call it a night. I watch as Ginger, Xochitl, and Tweeters go to their spot under a wagon with Xavier. I am joined this time by Sutures, Trouble, Firefly, and Woofers. It is a cool night again so we end up all cuddling for warmth. Woofers once again under my blanket at my feet. As I lay there trying to sleep, I can hear the typical sounds of the camp. I think about the news we heard tonight, and about home again. Oh, how I miss home. I eventually fall asleep and dream again of the life I wish I had and know I cannot.

Come morning we get up before dawn and begin to get everything organized again to finish our march to town. We have grabbed a quick breakfast from our cold rations and are back on the march again as the sun begins to rise. I am still filled with awe every time I see it. To imagine that at one time it was so common that ponies actually took seeing the sun for granted.

We travel for two hours when we finally begin to see it in the distance. The town of New Appleloosa. From the distance, we can see the outer ring of old rail cars that make up a city wall. Behind the wall, we see several different buildings that are built of other rail cars stacked upon each other. As we get closer, we can see bridges running between many of these higher-level cars. Finally, we are able to see the guards stationed around the walls and up high. I also notice several rail lines heading into and out of town, and I swear I even see a locomotive with steam up leaving the town with a couple of cars behind it. I wish Choo Choo was here to see it, I am sure she would be going wild about it.

We are still about a kilometer away when we are met by several armed ponies waving us to stop.

Once we stop, I see a black coated buck with a white mane and tail approaching us. He is wearing leather barding and combat equipment as well as a battle saddle with an IF-9 combat shotgun and a pistol in a holster on his leg.

“Hello the Caravan,” he calls to make sure he has been seen. I see about a half dozen other ponies, all armed taking cover behind him. “Who’s the Caravan Master, here. I need to talk to them. Especially with you all having such a highly armed group.”

Both Balanced Books and I look at each other. “I guess he is,” I say pointing toward Books. “I am just in charge of the escort.”

I see him nod, “Ok, well then I want to talk to you too then. Both of you put your weapons away and come on over here.”

As I put my Angle Bunny back to the stored position on my battlesaddle I see Balanced Books climb down from the wagon he was riding and together we approached the stranger.

Once we are close enough for a normal conversation voice to be used, he looks at us both and tells us, “I am deputy Tin Star. What is your reasons for coming to New Appleloosa?”

I let Books take the lead on the conversation at this point, “Good morning Sheriff, I am Supply Lieutenant Balanced Books, the mare next to me is Lieutenant Mollygirl. We were to meet a supply caravan just over a day’s march north of here, unfortunately, they did not show, so we came to see if we could get supplies.”

“Ok, that explains the wagons, but what about all the hired guns?” the deputy asks.

I cannot help but feel irritated at being called a hired gun, “Deputy, we are not hired guns. We are a proper military escort for our supply train wagons from the Co-op.”

“The where?” he looks with a confused expression.

Balanced Books takes over the conversation again, “The Co-op, Deputy. I am not surprised you had not heard of us as we have tried to remain fairly quiet until recently. It is a farming and defense co-operative between several small towns and hamlets in the Manesville area. We are all members of the Co-op Expedition Force.”

“How do we know you are not here to try and attack us?” the Deputy asks.

I smile at him with my eyes half-closed, and ears starting to go back in a warning gesture, “Because if we did want to take over, we would have brought the other four hundred and seventy of us as well as our artillery.”

I see him gulp, “Ok, makes sense, I will let you go in to pick up your supplies if you can find them. However, due to your large number of armed soldiers, I am going to have to ask you to limit only half of them in at a time. Also, as a way of showing you are not invaders, please have your troopers remove their helmets, regular hats are fine. Also, no heavy weapons, please. Small arms are fine, but no anti-machine rifles, grenade launchers or rocket launchers if you please.”

Balanced Books and I both look at each other, “Sounds good, we will leave the heavy weapons with the wagons that are outside the town. Do you mind if we let some of our soldiers go into town to enjoy your fine town and perhaps to spend some caps?” I ask.

He smiles, “Not a problem Lieutenant, as long as you stick to the rules we just agreed upon.”

Then Balanced Books asks the important question, “Deputy, could you guide us to the area in your town we are most likely to find supplies such as food, medical stocks, and ammunition at?”

“I would be pleased to do that, Mind if we hitch a ride back to town with you?”

“Not at all deputy, you are saving me some time trying to find a place to buy from as it is. It will also allow you to inspect the back of my wagons. If I were you, I would want to make sure we were safe to allow entrance to.”

With that, I stick out a hoof and the deputy shakes it and then Balanced Books also. “It is a pleasure meeting you Deputy,” I tell him.

He turns and walks back to his troops/ deputies? And we do the same, as we turn around, I hear Balanced yell out, “Ok first seven wagons let’s move it, second Seven you will wait here with the LT.”

“First Squad, you’re with me and the Scouts. Second Squad Third Squad, you’re with the first half of the wagons. Helmets and heavy weapons stay outside of town. Wear your soft caps.”

A few minutes later I watch as Tin Star climbs up on the first wagon and one of his deputies on each of the following, as they head into town, I hear the deputy loudly asking Books, “What do you mean prisoner? What do you expect me to do with him?” This makes me have to laugh to myself.

As they head off I have the others stand down and relax a bit, but still keep an eye out for any trouble. After a bit, I hear Balanced Books over my PipBuck, “Mollygirl, we have found some stores and should be able to get almost everything on our list. I swear this one store actually does seem to have just about absolutely everything. I expect us to be back in a couple of hours and then you can take the rest in.”

“Yes sir, sounds good to me,” I tell him back. Then I look at the others, well at least it will be about time for lunch when we get there.”

Behind me I hear Trouble, “Ya know LT, I know a place that has some really good cider there, I could show you and some of the others where it is once we get loaded.”

“Sounds good Trouble. Sounds really good.” I tell him with a smile.

It is four hours later when I see the first set of wagons returning to us. When he arrives, Balanced Books looks at me, “Sorry it took so long, but it took a while to get all of this loaded. I only gave the troops an hour break to get something to eat, I figure as late as it is getting, we will camp here overnight and head out in the morning, that would also allow us to give the troops a couple more hours each in town.”

“Makes sense, I agree Books.” I look at those who have waited with me, “Ok, on your hooves, all heavy weapons, and helmets are to be transferred to the other wagons before heading into town, the quicker you move the more time we have.”

“Oh, and Mollygirl, just so you know the sheriff or one of his deputies will guide you into town to the merchant’s section of the place. We only need to pick up supplies from one store, but the shop keeper is a bit different. Just be respectful and you should not have any problems. I have already paid for all of the supplies.” He tells me.

After the equipment has been transferred and his troops have begun to set up their half of camp for the night I lead my half in. As he told me one of the other deputies is there at the gateway to meet me. Off to the side on one of the cars I see a single crow staring at us.

As we follow the deputy into town, I get a good look around. I notice the wide variety of worn painted on logos on the rail cars. I get a kick out of one that is heavily faded and matches the wrapper on a Fancy Buck cake, so much I have to point it out to Ginger and Xochitl. I see some that advertise Sparkle Cola on their sides as well as one that is very faded but you can still see where it says Ironshod Firearms- How do you like them apples! on its side.

I also see several taverns as well as a couple of restaurants. Finally, we pull up in front of a store made up of three rail cars of various types welded together. The block letters out front proclaiming it to sell Absolutely Everything, below that were several smaller signs, but I was kind of in a hurry so I did not pay any attention to them. Once down from the wagon I walk into the store. I make it about ten feet in before I hear a loud bang. I look at the pony behind the counter. She looks angry and is writing something with a piece of chalk quickly.

When she finishes, she looks up, I first notice she is a ghoul. Then I see what she had written, in large letters it simply says Get out! She stamps her hoof again and points at me and then the door. I am stunned, I try to figure out what I have done wrong, I turn and began to head out the door, still confused, without thinking I called out, “Come on Woofers,” and he follows me back out the door.

As I come out, I see most of my scouts. Ginger comes back out behind me. “LT, you want me to see what is wrong?”

Still confused I simply nod. She turns and walks back inside. Through the still-open door, I can see Ginger talking to a young unicorn mare. Shortly after that, she is talking to the ghoul behind the counter. After a little bit Ginger and the young mare come back out.

“Auntie Mollygirl, I have talked to her and her mother, they say you can come in now, but no enfields.”

Then it hit me, the ghoul is a pegasus, and I have just brought an enfield into her place of business. I can not help but blush in embarrassment. “Thank you, Ginger, for helping me. And thank you and your mother for giving me a second chance. I had not even thought about it.”

After that I enter the store once again, I am still embarrassed and immediately go over to the store's obvious owner and apologize. “I am so sorry ma’am; I had not even realized he was with me. Back home we are just getting pegasi and, well, I am still trying to learn what is rude and what is not sometimes. Oh, and not to be rude any further, I am Lieutenant Mollygirl.”

She tilts her head and I almost go cross-eyed when I try to follow both of her eyes at the same time. After that, I realize I should only focus on the one looking right at me. She then starts to write again. Apology accepted, but please remember for next time. Call me Ditzy, now how can I help you?

“Thank you again Ditzy, I will remember, let me know if there is anything I can do to make it up to you. I am here to pick up the rest of the order that Lieutenant Books left with you earlier today.” I catch myself speaking my reply as if I was writing it back. “Oh, and I was wondering if you might be able to deliver some mail into the Co-op for us?”

She looks at me and writes some more. When she is done, I read it, The Co-op? Where is that?

I smile, “Sorry, I forget sometimes how quiet we kept it. Do you know where Manesville is?”

She nods her head, so I continue, “The Co-op is based around there.”

Behind me, I hear Trouble idly talking to himself, “Hmm, Manesville is not listed in the Wastelands Survival guide, I wonder why?”

She walks over to Trouble and writes some more, Easy one, I was asked not to include it, to protect them.

“Do you mean to protect the ponies living there, or are you meaning the stable?” I ask.

She nods her head again, wipes off the chalk board and writes Both on it.

As we are talking, I see Ginger and Xochitl eyeing the rock candy on display. “Ginger, Xochitl, not too much ok, I do not want you two over-sugared again.”

Ditzy looks at me and writes, Are they yours?

I smile, “No, they are like family though. Xochitl’s father is outside, Ginger’s mother is back with the rest of the CEF, my first is on the way now,” I tell her as I put a hoof to my stomach and think about the little foal I am carrying.

She smiles, puts up a hoof and writes, Be right back.

After a brief bit, she returns. She is carrying a silver foal rattle, on one end is a Bakelite ring, on the bell-shaped rattle end in a fancy script is written foal. I recognize the type. It would be perfect for my little one. “How Much?” I ask.

She thinks for a little bit. And then writes, Will trade for information on Manesville. Have you ever heard of a mare named Millie?

Over my shoulder, I hear Trouble, “No way, Ditzy did you know our Great Grandmother?”

She smiles, and writes, Not well, only met her once, a nice mare, but really upset about something. I met her when I stopped at the stable there, she was one of the ones that asked me to leave Manesville and the Stable out of the guide. Oh, I can take your mail there too, the cost depends on how much you send.

With that, we were back onto business again. We weigh the mail and then determined a price for it, which I pay her right then and there. After that, she shows us where the rest of the supplies are and as the troops load them into the wagon I go back inside and pick up a few things.

I buy some candy for Xochitl and Ginger, a pretty green bow for Magpies mane as well as a black choker with an engraved white mares head on a black background. Then I notice a bow that would look great on Sutures so I pick it up as a surprise for her. I notice a couple of really nice books that I think Badger and Archer might enjoy reading. Then I decided to pick up a pair of binoculars that I had seen Trouble looking at earlier. I have not been on a spending spree in a while, and after all, I am an officer now, so I had a few more caps to spare. Finally, I find a white foals blanket that has little pegasus, unicorns, and earth ponies on it, it will be perfect for my little one. As I am shopping, I continue to tell Ditzy as much as I can remember about Manesville and how we developed. Occasionally she asks me questions and I answer them as best I can.

Once the wagons are loaded, I have everypony go get something to eat. Duke takes the first watch of the wagons while everypony else eats. After the first couple are done and return, he goes and gets something himself.

Once we are all done eating, we take the wagons back outside the gate and rejoin the rest of the supply wagons. As we are setting ourselves up in camp Books and the other half take off for a little R & R in town for the next couple of hours. We try to be patient while we wait but can not wait to go into town ourselves.

After a while, some of them slowly return a few have had a couple of too many ciders, but most have been fairly responsible. Everything seems fine however second squad’s sergeant Broken Hills approaches me, “Hey LT, just a heads up, some yahoo’s in town kept asking us about Trouble, I heard an off hoof comment about a bounty. Have him be careful.”

“Thanks, Sarge for the heads up. I will let him know and keep an eye on him.

Once the rest of the first section returns my section heads off into town, “Remember, I want you all back in camp in three hours. Have a good time, but behave and watch yourselves.” I tell them.

As we are walking into town, I let Trouble know what Sergeant Hills has told me. He raises an eyebrow. “I can stay in camp if you want LT. No need to press our luck.”

“No that will not be necessary Trouble, Besides I owe you a dinner,” I tell him. As we head in the gate, I see Xavier take Ginger and Xochitl with him towards a different part of town.

I notice most of us are sticking in small groups, but not really getting too far from the others. The big exception being Serenity and Sky, who are flying overhead just looking at the town, pointing things out to each other.

I take a side diversion to a bakery and pick up a dozen muffins and as we look for someplace to eat, I go back to the Absolutely Everything store. It is already closed for the evening, but I knock anyway. After a bit the little mare answers the door, “Sorry but as the sign says, we are closed.”

“I understand that. I just wanted to drop off these muffins for you and your mother. Ginger told me you had said it would be a good way to apologize for earlier. Again, my apologies, and have a good night” I tell her as I set the bag of muffins down and leave.

Finally, Trouble looks at one of the cars that has been transformed into a tavern, “I think this is the place. An old friend of mine ran it a while back, not sure if he still does or not. They always put out a good meal. That and they made a top-notch cider.”

While Trouble’s friend no longer runs the place, it turns out he is still right about the food, and the cider is not too bad at all either. I share the meal not only with Trouble but also with Sutures, Firefly, Dusty, Pearl, and Woodrow. In the background, we can hear some of the locals playing instruments and singing. It almost seems like old times.

It happens as we finish dinner and are just in the streets starting to head back toward camp. I am just behind Trouble as he goes through the door and we hear a stallion’s voice call out. “Stop where you are Trouble, and slowly take your weapons out and drop ‘em.”

I step past Trouble to his left; the rest slowly exit toward the right as if they are just normal customers. I call back, “So what is this all about?”

The stallion calls back, “Nothing for you to worry about Ma’am, just this buck here has a bounty on his head and we aim to collect.”

By now my eyes have begun to adjust to the darkness outside. I see six of them all armed with rifles, shotguns, and pistols. Bounty hunters.

Next to me, Trouble calls out, “LT, this is my fight, it’s been a long time coming. No need to get yourself involved.”

As he is talking, I am lining up shots with SATS, I see a couple of them hesitate and back up when they hear him call me LT. It seems they may be placing us together as the ones DJ Pon3 mentioned.

“Nope, too late for that Trouble, you are family. Now for you others out there, I am going to give you one more chance to call this off, no need for anypony to die out here tonight.” I tell everyone.

Behind them I see Xavier and Xochitl on their back hooves, rifles ready, Ginger is right next to them pistol drawn. “Xochitl, remember, no kneecapping this time,” I yell out.

I see him in the back, nod his head in acknowledgment and then shift his aim some.

I have already slowly gotten my battle saddle ready to draw the Angel Bunny by then. Off to my sides, I notice the others of our group begin to position themselves. To stall for a few more seconds I tell them again, “You don’t have to die for this, just walk away.”

I see several of the townspeople who are on the street begin to run, one of them yelling to some others, “Quick, go get the sheriff, if you can’t find him, get Tin Star or the other deputies, and make it pronto.”

Suddenly I see one of the bounty hunters start to bring his shotgun up. I activate my battlesaddle using its bit, as I drop down to the ground. My Angel Bunny SMG shoots forward on its mechanical arms into the firing position. I toggle the trigger on the bit with my tongue and it gives me three-round bursts to the first two to the right, including the one that started it.

The night seems to light up with gunfire from all around. I see all the ponies in the center go down, I see two of ours get hit and drop. It’s done in a matter of seconds.

When it stops, I see Sutures blow the smoke away from the end of her revolver and holster it using her telekinesis before she begins to treat the wounded.

I notice that Pearl has blood on her flank from a gunshot. Dusty has taken a wound on her foreleg. As Sutures treats them, I go to take off my hat and wipe my brow when I notice two nice round holes in the crown, another close one. I find myself once again getting the shakes as the after-battle adrenaline rush begins to run out.

I walk over to those on the ground. “I tried to warn you, I tried to give you a break, you should have listened,” I say as I shake my head, and put my weapon away.

Xavier, Ginger, and Xochitl walk-up “Looks like they were too dumb to realize that they drew a bad hand.” Xochitl says.

Trouble just slowly shakes his head at first then replies, “No, they knew, they just hoped we had an even worse one and decided to go all in.”

At this point, Tin Star comes running up with a couple more deputies all have shotguns at the ready. “What’s goin on here?” he asks as he approaches me.

“Sorry Tin Star, we were just leaving and these six decided to try and collect a bounty on one of my troopers.”

Behind me a white, Unicorn mare, with a charcoal and yellow highlighted mane come up, “I saw it all Deputy. They started it; it seems they drew a Deadmare’s hoof.” She tells him. As she walks away, I see she is wearing a poncho as well as a holster on her hip, as she walks the poncho slides and I see her cutie mark is of four playing cards two black eights and two black aces. On the railcar next to us I see a crow watching us as it starts to preen its feathers and then flies away.

“Who is she?” I ask Tin Star.

“No pony really knows her name. Some say a bounty hunter, others, a troubleshooter,” he tells me. “Ok, seems it’s not your fault, but I am still going to have to have all your people leave town. I want your caravan heading out at first light, got me?”

“I understand Deputy, thank you for giving us till then,” I tell him, then I look at my people, “You heard him, everyone, let's go. Back to camp.”

We slowly walk back to camp under escort. Once there, Books comes over, “I heard gunfire, everything ok?”

“Yeah, just a bit of trouble that is taken care of,” I turn to Tin Star, “Thanks again Deputy, I am sorry about that.”

As he begins to leave, he looks back over his shoulder. “I know, but remember what I said; first light.”

I see the confusion on Balanced Book's face, “Let’s get back inside the wagons and I’ll explain.”

Come morning we are up an hour before dawn. We grab some quick rations and are back on the trail heading north as the sun begins to rise and burn off the dew and chill of the night. I turn my head one last time to look at New Appleloosa and wonder if I will ever be welcome there again. Then I turn back, put my head down, and continue forward. Trouble comes alongside me, “Looks like we are back to business as usual LT.

“Yeah, better let the Major know about gunfight with the bounty hunters though. After all, the last thing I need is for her to hear about it from DJ Pon3.” As I look forward and up, I see Sky and Serenity flying over, in the distance I see some birds flying. I only hope that with that many of them, they are not crows.

Dear DJ POn3, Today I experienced something I never thought I would before. Now I feel a weight on my mind and soul, could you play for my comrades and me, Blood On My Name.

Thank You

Xochitl,

Scout, CEF

Thanks to Kkat for creating this universe. Thanks also to the others who have added to this world and keep expanding it. This world has so much that can be explored and added onto it.

For those who are interested, this weeks dedication song's youtube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz5Mx3a8kRw&list=RDxz5Mx3a8kRw&start_radio=1&pbjreload=10