The trip back to our forces is relatively uneventful. However, I do see Sky and Serenity pointing towards the southwest, the direction of Appleloosa. As we get closer to the bridge, in the distance, I see a column of dust rising into the air. I send my fliers closer to see what it is, and I do not like the answer that they give me in return.

Firefly lands near me and trots up to me, “LT, looks like trouble. It seems to be an armed column and support troops coming our way. I saw a flag on one of their wagons that looks like Red Eyes. I do not think they saw us yet. Luckily, they do not seem to have any pegasi or griffons with them. But they are heading this way and towards the bridge, I think.”

“Thanks, Firefly, how many troops do you think they have?” I ask as I see Serenity and Sky land and approach.
Sky answers before he can, “Ma’am. It seems to be three units of about twenty to twenty-five ponies each. Plus, ten wagons. I thought I saw more dust in the distance though, so they may have more coming up.”
Ok, well we are almost to the bridge, and could fight a delaying action, but for how long? I ask myself. I wish my PipBuck could contact the Major so I could find out what she wants us to do.

“Ok, Firefly, I want you to fly as quickly as you can and find the rest of the CEF. Let the Major know we are having company coming.”

“Yes Ma’am. LT do you want me to tell her you will be holding anywhere?”

I shake my head, “No. Let her know we are making best time to her and that we will follow her orders.”

“Will do LT,” he tells me and leaps into the air, flying as low as he can to avoid being seen.

I call over to Balanced Books, “Hey Books, let's step it up to a trot for a while. I want to get across that bridge at least before our company arrives.”

He looks back at the distant dust cloud. “I agree Mollygirl,” and then he calls out, “Ok Teams, let’s stretch those legs you lazy mules, Forward at the Trot!”

As the command finishes being given, I see all of the harness teams lean forward into their tack and step up their pace. The chase seems to be on, as at first, we begin to lead them more and the distance between us and them grows. After about a half-hour though they stop falling further back.

Once we reach the bridge, I have 1st squad grab a case of mines and place them on and around the causeway leading to the bridge itself, I have second squad grab another case and stand by on the other side. Once 1st squad crosses they lay theirs and arm them. Once all are set, they rejoin the column too.

We hardly slow down the wagons for this as we veer off the main road that leads towards Shatterhoof and follow the smaller one we followed earlier towards where we expect the Major. We are only a few kilometers up the road when we begin to hear some of the mines go off. Serenity lands and tells me “Ma’am they have stopped and are checking the road and bridge right now on the far side of the river.” After which she takes off again.

Ten more kilometers down the trail and I hear over my Pipbuck, “Lieutenant Mollygirl, come in please, I repeat Come in.”

Thank the Goddesses. We are back within PipBuck radio range of the HQ. “This is Lieutenant Mollygirl, over.”

I hear a note of relief in the speaker's voice, “Good to hear you again Ma’am. We have your airmail from earlier. The boss says to make best time following your earlier route, do not deviate off of it. Repeat do not deviate off of it. Will have business associates meet you and lead you in.”

“Roger, will comply.” I wonder what that is about.

Next to me on the lead wagon, I see Books looking down, “LT hop on the wagon, please,”

Once I am on, he gives out the call to his teams, “At the Canter, March!” and our speed picks up. Those on hoof in the escort begin to run faster too. To our rear I see the dust cloud getting closer as they slowly gain on us. I notice it is getting late as the sun is starting to get lower in the sky. They must be wanting to take us before dark.

Ahead I see three fliers overhead and it looks like some troopers on the ground with yellow flags, the fliers bypass the column and I see Sunset, Choo Choo, Firefly, and Dull beak heading behind us. I signal Serenity and Sky to join them and watch them all fly south in a low, fast formation, that is swinging wide to the east.

Two of the ground troopers signal us to keep moving forward in column, another one gets out ahead of us and lead us in. Once we are passing them, I see several more of the combat engineers laying mines working their way north toward a brush line ahead. Once we pass the brush line, we slow down to a walk again. Beyond a small hill, I see most of the CEF camped and set up. Looking back, I see the artillery set up and gunners rushing around.

I look ahead again and see a member of the Military Police ahead of us. I am surprised to see it is Taser wearing a CEF uniform with a brassard on his arm that has a large MP on it as well as on his helmet, standing ahead of us, pointing to the right and yelling “D-troop to the right, Supply train straight ahead. HQ next to supply!”

I yell out, “All D-troop, you heard the Stallion,” and point. I look at Books, “Tell the Major I will be over later, I am in the lines,” as I jump down from the wagon.

He nods, “Be careful LT, if not for you, then for that foal,” he calls out and keeps his wagons moving. By then I am already on the run.

From my right, I can see the dust cloud getting much closer and then it slows as they begin to suspect something. It is at this point they hit the quickly laid minefields and our forces open fire. They begin to shift their formations on the run and begin to fire back. It is then as Archers artillery opens fire, I notice sticks in the ground with small flags and shapes on them. My Goddesses, they set out range indicators. I watch the artillery easily begin to focus fire.

They try to dig in at first but then they are hit by our fliers from the rear. Once we begin to destroy their supply wagons we watch as they begin to fall back by ones and twos at first, then full squads. Many dragging wounded comrades with them. Once they fall back, we cease firing. Shortly after this, we see a pony with a white flag approach.

It seems they want a cease-fire to recover their dead and wounded. Over my PipBuck, I hear the Major, “Ok, Two-hour ceasefire. Stand by and be prepared for anything.”

As the sun begins to set and the cease-fire officially ends the enemy forces fall back toward the bridge. As they fall back the Major orders us to head north, the scouts forward first, then D-troop and the supply wagons. Behind the supply wagons comes the volunteer company and the camp followers. After they have begun to move, first H-troop and then E-troop fall back behind us. In the darkness, we slowly make our way to the northwest. Only increasing our rate of march once we have the light of the moon. We march through most of the night until we reach the rail line once more. We are resting there, nearly exhausted when the Major orders us to dig in using the rail line as a part of our fortifications. Once dug in we wait for the rest of our troops to arrive. As I sit, listening in the dark, I hear snippets of several conversations.

I hear Trouble tell Sunset. “Hey Sunset, good to see you,”

“You too. I was hoping it was quite for you, but I somehow get the feeling something happened.”

“Sunset, she is back. I saw her in New Appleloosa.”

“Who Trouble? Who's back?” Sunset asks.

“You know, Her. Blondie, she is back, didn’t say a word to me but we saw each other.”

“Oh Buck, well that should liven things up again,” Sunset tells him.

From another area of the dark, I hear Firefly and Dusty, “Hey Dusty, how you holding up?”

“Making it kid, why do you want to know?” She asks back.

He replies back, “Because I like you and enjoy spending time talking with you.”

“Look, I enjoy talking to you too, but why don’t you get some rest, I won’t be able to sleep anyways…”

From a different hole I hear, “Thanks Xavier for taking me with you and Xochitl in New Appleloosa, I really liked the zebra food we got there, and it was so nice to meet those other zebras too.” I hear Ginger say.

“Your welcome young mare. It was a pleasure having you with us as always. Now try to get some sleep if you can. It seems Xochitl already has.” I hear Xavier tell her.

“Xavier, what does it mean to be spirit bonded to another pony?” I hear Ginger asks.

I hear him choke on what he is drinking and spit it out, “Where did you hear that,” he asks.

“Oh, never mind, not important, just something I heard in New Appleloosa.”

I shift my ear a bit and hear from another hole, “Hey Corporal, how’s the hip holding up?”

Pearl replies, “Sore as all get out, but I am making it Woody. The healing potion took care of most of it, but it is starting to stiffen up now.”

“Dang, Sorry to hear that, you know things were going so good before that. Makes me wonder why they thought they had to capture Trouble so badly.” Woodrow says to her.

“I know, the LT tried to warn them and they still had to go for it. It’s funny I have been in a lot of firefights, but never what felt like a gunfight from one of those old novels I liked to read so much. I am just glad more of us were not hurt.” Pearl tells him.

“Yeah, I understand, but I wish it was not you that got hurt, Pearl.”

“Well thanks, Woody, I am just glad you made it out ok too. Seriously as close as we all were, I thought we were going to lose several ponies there, to be honest. It seems like we were blessed for some reason.”

“If we were blessed, then what about this? Caught betwixt and between two of Red Eyes forces.”

“Yeah, ya’ got a point, but still.” She tells him.
Another ear shift, I hear Duke walking between the holes. “Ok, Summer, Diamond, one of you needs to try and catch some shut-eye for now. I know it isn’t easy, but still, try.”

“Will do Sarge, say, do you think we can get some rations soon?” I hear one of them ask.

“I will talk with the LT, and see what we can do. But until then get some rest.”

As they come in, we extend our perimeter. Finally, near daybreak, the Major sends out runners. She wants to hold an officer’s call.

When I arrive, she looks dead on her hooves, “Ok, it looks like we took some light casualties back there. I need numbers as soon as you can. Give them to Paper Work on your way back to your troops. We are going to rest here for the day. Make sure all your troops get some sleep.”

“Ma’am, do you want minefields laid out here?” Blockbuster asks.

“No, not here, we need to conserve them some, but good question. This evening we will march again, so I do not want to waste them, or leave boobytraps out there for some poor pony to run across by accident.”

“Where are we heading to next?” I hear Oak Root ask.

“Not sure yet, I will be deciding for sure later. That reminds me, Mollygirl, I need scouts out again. Have a couple go back the way we came. I want some heading to the west and others to the north and northwest. Report back to me as soon as they get back to you.”

“Yes, ma’am will do. Ma’am one of my sergeants asked about rations, could we get some soon?”

“Yes, talk to Balanced Books once we are done here. That goes for the rest of you too. Have half the troops rest, while the other half stand to. We need to make sure we are not caught flat hooved, but still need to get some rest.”

“Ma’am, sorry about the trouble in town. I did try to avoid it. Unfortunately, the bounty hunters were determined to fight it out.”

“Mollygirl, make sure you are more careful next time. Also, you may want to keep Trouble away from any settlements for a bit. Let things cool off for all of us on that front. Now get back to your troops, and get my scouts out.”

Once I make it back to the troop, Broken Dreams calls out, “Sergeants call five minutes.”

All of the sergeants show up in less. I listen as he tells them, “Sergeants we will be standing down to get some rest. I want half of the troops sleeping and the other half awake. Each squad will send a runner to the quartermasters to get rations for the rest.”

I see Sunsets face looking hopeful, then I call him over after sergeants call ends. “Sergeant Sunset, we need scouts out again. I want two heading back down the trail we came up on. No more than an hour walk out. I want the fliers up again also. I want to check to the west and northwest for possible hostile troops inbound. Sergeant, you know the condition of our scouts, you decide who goes out and where. Just cover what we need. Also makes sure they all get rations.”

“Yes Ma’am. Can I use the youngsters LT, or do you want to let them get some more rest?”

“Sunset, I trust your judgment. They choose a hard path and if you feel they are in the best shape, use them, but I want them to be paired with an adult at least.”

“Understood Lt. Just making sure. It has been a long night.”

A short while later I watch as the twins take off to the north, followed shortly afterward by Choo Choo and Sky. Then I see Xavier and the youngsters taking off on hoof on the trail we came up earlier. I see both his and Ginger's head sag from fatigue as they head out, Xochitl in the lead, he looks a bit better, but even he looks tired.

Several hours later the twins return. “LT, we saw a group of about a hundred troops to the north of here dug in, to their southeast, or east of us we saw another group but they look like they will be linking up. The dug in ones looked to have some Griffons with them. But the Griffons either did not see us or chose to not engage us.” Firefly tells me.

“Ok, I appreciate the information you two. Have you two had enough time to eat yet?”

“No Lt, we knew you need us out so we figured we could get something to eat when we got back.”

Ok, take ten and I will let the Major know we have forces out there.”
I head over to the HQ and see the Major Talking with Dull Beak and I hear him say, “So you plan on heading out through the Gap? Are you sure that is wise?”

“Do you have a better suggestion Dull Beak?” She asks him.

That is when I choose to interrupt. “Major the first scouts are back. They report two groups, one to the north, another to the east, northeast of here. Looks like they are going to be linking up. Also, the ones to the north look to have some griffons with them, but they either did not see our scouts, or they are holding a defensive posture.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.” She tells me, then asks Dull Beak, “So do you think the griffon saw our scouts? If so, why would they stay on the defense?”

“Major, I would say they probably saw them. If so, they are either following orders, or they are questioning whether their bosses are still within the contract, so they are playing it close.”

“What do you mean questioning the contract?” Quick Trot asks.

“Major, if their talon’s contract was with Red Eye himself, then the contract is over with him dead, they may be working on or under a new one. If the head of their Talon does not feel the commander of that unit is fulfilling their part of the contract, or that they are not covered for some reason by it, they may also be waiting to hear about a new job.” He tells her.

The major then looks back to me. “Ok Mollygirl, have your scouts keep an eye on them.”

Dull Beak then asks the Major, “If they are heading back that way can I go with them to see if I can see what is going on with them?” She gives her permission and he follows me back to the scouts.

“So, what really happened back in New Appleloosa?” he asks me.

“Well everything went fairly well, except I got kicked out of Absolutely Everything, and then when I went to dinner later that night, we got jumped by some bounty hunters who were looking for Trouble.”

He begins to laugh, “Holy cow, you got kicked out by Derpy? I never heard of that before, one of the nicest ghouls in the wastelands, and you got her that upset. Ah hahahahah, only you,” he says as he puts a talon on my shoulder. “Ok, I give how did you do that?”

I let out a sigh, turn with my ears down, “I did not realize that Woofers had followed me inside the store. You know how pegasi are about enfields.”

“Yep, that would do it. Next thing you know though you will be telling me one of the foals with you fixed things up.” He says and then laughs at what he thinks is wit.

I stop in my tracks. “Actually, that is what happened. Ginger went in and talked to Ditzy’s daughter who then intervened on our behalf.”

He cocks his head in thought, “You know that youngster is pretty smart on things. She impressed Gawd, who knows maybe she is a diplomat in the making.”

“Well, she is pretty special. Who knows what she will be? I mean, after all, she still has not found her special talent yet.” I tell him.

He shakes his head, “You ponies really put too much stock in that. What if you are really good at something when you get your mark, but find out later you are even better at something else?” he asks me.

“I do not know, after all, I never even thought about it before,” I reply. Once we get back to the squad, I call over Sunset. “Ok, Sarge, the Major wants a scout back up towards the north again. I want Dull Beak to go with whoever you send.”

Sunset nods, “Sure thing LT. I will take him myself, if you do not mind, I would like one or both of the twins to go with me to make sure we do not miss it.”

“Ok, sounds good Sunset, go ahead and take them. Just be careful.”

“Yes Ma’am,” he tells me and as he is walking away, “Serenity, Firefly grab your gear, you two are coming with me and Dull Beak. Let’s go.”

I watch as they fly away to the north. Silently I pray they all come back safely.

__________

Choo Choo and Sky return several hours later, “LT, we are clear along the tracks all the way to the tunnels under Canterlot Mountain. We also checked the forest just north of the tracks too. It looked clear still. To the west of the tracks looks like a small village around an old hospital though.”

“Ok, Thanks Choo Choo, I appreciate it, now take Sky and get something to eat and some rest, ok,” I tell them.

A short time later Xavier returns with Ginger and Xochitl. However, they are not alone. I see they have the mare from New Appleloosa with them. Behind me I hear Trouble, “Oh buck, speak of the devil and she appears.”

Now my curiosity is really aroused. I turn and ask Trouble, “Ok, I heard you mention her to Sunset last night. Remember what I said about secrets, what’s the story.”

By this time, they have reached me. The mare spits on the ground, “Go ahead Trouble, tell her. Might as well get it all out in the open. I came to ask for yours and Sunsets help anyways.”

“Come on Blondie, it would be better if Sunset was here too.” Trouble tells her.

Behind her I see Xavier raise an eyebrow, “So you really did know her. I suspected as much.”

“Well, would somebody please let me know what is going on? Who is she, and why are you and Sunset so nervous around her?” I ask.

I see the white mare nod her head at me, “So who is she Trouble, yours and Sunset’s newest plaything?” she says with a sneer.

I am stunned, “I don’t care who the Tartarus you think you are, but that is enough. I will not take being insulted like that by the likes of you.”

I see her start to draw her pistol and stop as she hears the click of Sutures revolver behind her. “You pull that gun and I will end you, bring you back and end you again just for fun, now calm your hide down.” I hear Sutures say. When Blondie puts the pistol back fully into her holster and her magic is no longer shining from her horn, Sutures puts hers away.

Finally, Trouble looks at her and says, “Blondie, this is my cousin and commanding officer Lieutenant Mollygirl. She is not a plaything and is a married mare.”

“Believe me, it never stopped those two before,” she tells us all and I see Trouble cringe.

“Ok, so what do you want now?” Trouble asks her.

“You know what, maybe I should wait until Sunset gets back, that would be better.” She tells us.

“Alright, Trouble, since you know this mare, I will have you and Sutures keep her company until Sunset returns.” I tell them, to the others I say, “Any of you who have not slept yet, catch some sack time.”

I am laying down in my hole when Sunset and the others return. They wake me up immediately.

I take their report and am heading over to the HQ along with Dull Beak when I overhear Sunset and Trouble both say at the same time, “What do you mean one of ours foal?”

Well at least that explains why she was so torqued off and seemed to consider me a viable bit of competition, now I just am not sure if I should feel complimented or insulted. To stop this line of thought I look over at Dull Beak as we walk and ask, “So DB, how long have you happened to know Sunset and Trouble?”

He laughs some, “Not as long as you seem to think, but long enough to remember when the three of them split,” he tells me.

“Really they were a couple?”

“Yeah, you could say that. All three of them worked various jobs together, ya’ know, merc jobs, bounty hunting, caravan escort, the like.”

“Interesting, did you work with them back then, or just professional acquaintances?” I ask.

“A bit of both. I know they were both vying for her attention something fierce back then, and then up and split, leaving her behind. She was fit to be tied. Next thing you know she has a little colt. Cute little flyer, but they are nowhere to be seen. That was what? Four or five years ago.” He says.

“Ok, so, do you know how they meet up?”

“Oh yeah, when Sunset and Trouble lead the attack on the raiders at Ponyville all those years ago, well, she was one of their hired guns. She was one of the five that survived.”

“Sounds like they have a history together alright. I wonder why they both left at the same time. There has to be more to it. Thanks, Dull Beak.”

“No problem LT. Now, what do you think the Major will want to do with this information we are bringing up?”

“Not sure, but it should be interesting. If it was me, I would attack the larger force first, then swing into the other afterward. You know not to let them join forces.”

About that time, we arrive at the HQ area. I see the Major talking to the provisional head of the volunteer company, as well as a civilian pony. As I approach, I hear them talking. “All I am saying ma’am is that both the volunteers and civilian supports should each have a leader attend the officers call, that way we can move more efficiently and better support all of you.” I hear a mauve mare with a violet mane say.

“If I do this, and that is a big if right now, you do understand that you will not be influencing policy or my decisions.” The major tells her.

Besides the mauve mare, I see a light blue stallion with a green mane. I recognize him as Clock Work, the provisional head of our volunteer company. While I agree with both of them about representation at officers’ call, I dare not interrupt and try and force Quick Trot’s hoof.

“That is all we are asking for ma’am. The civilians almost got left behind last night as well as us volunteers. Ma’am I know it was an accident, but none of us would have wanted those mares and foals to get overrun by those slaving mules.” Clock Work replies.

I see the Major thinking it over for a bit, “Ok, come back at officers’ call this evening and I will let you know my decision. Both of you are dismissed.”

I see Clock Work stand at attention and salute, then turn around and head with the mare back towards the civilians.

“Good afternoon Lieutenant, Dull Beak, I assume by your presence here that you both have some information for me.”

“Yes Ma’am, all my scouts are back in now. Dull Beak has just returned from the second northern scout so he can give you a bit better briefing on what they saw.”

“Major, the two forces are still about 10 kilometers apart, they can support each other if needed, but will take a while. The southern one is resting right now, the northern one is dug in and has griffons flying over it. However, they do not seem to be aggressive, which leads me to believe either their contract is one that they only defend, or, they are disputing the contract.” He tells her.

“Interesting. We only have a couple of hours till nightfall. Mollygirl, I want some scouts out watching the northern pocket, to watch our flanks, I want more heading toward our southern arc to make sure more of them are not coming up yet. I have an idea, that will have us moving at nightfall. Lieutenant get your scouts out please.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” As I head back to my camp, I am already thinking of who should go where.

I call out for Sunset as soon as I am back. Once he arrives, I tell him what the Major wants. We end up sending Trouble, along with Chip, and Blackberry out on hoof toward the southern group. I have Sky and the twins take the southernmost flank to make sure we do not have any surprises from the direction and I have Sunset along with Choo Choo go off toward the north on hoof, so that they are not sighted as easily and can keep an eye on that flank for us.

Once my scouts are out, Xavier comes over, “LT, I think we should go talk to Blondie. While she is asking for help from Sunset and Trouble, what she wants help with may benefit us all.”

With Trouble and Sunset out of the area, I figure she may be easier to work with, so I agree with Xavier. As I approach Blondie gets up onto her hooves. “LT, it seems we have gotten off to a bad start. I am sorry for the misunderstanding and overreaction on my part,” she tells me.

“Apology accepted Blondie, especially if what I have since heard is true about you three.” I tell her, then continue, “I overheard them say something about a foal as I was walking away, and Dull Beak informed me of your three's working relationship.”

The last part helps her to relax some. She then continues, “If you have any foals, you can understand what it is like. They both left me without warning and then I found out I was carrying one of their foals. Sunny is a pegasus, so I tend to believe that he must be Sunsets, that is unless Trouble has pegasus in his bloodlines, but he never mentioned that before, so I doubt it.”

I smile, “Yes I do understand, I just found out I am carrying my first. As for Trouble, until a couple of weeks ago, he had no idea that we had any pegasus ancestors, so sorry, to add to the confusion but he still may be the father.”

I see her sigh, “Why can’t anything ever be easy in my life?”

“Yeah, I know the feeling. So where is your little one right now?” I ask.

She smiles, "I left him with some friends over by Glyphmark, they tend to trade food to them when they can.”

“Glad to hear the little buck is safe, I hope to meet him someday, especially if he is Troubles. More family is always welcome. Now, what is it you need help with?”

“LT, it involves going into the rail tunnels under Canterlot’s mountain,” she pauses, looks around, and continues, “For years I have heard the rumors about two trainloads of weapons and supplies that were in the switchyard in the caverns there. The two major problems were not knowing which cars to look for, and the ghouls down there. I was also worried about finding my way around down there, but one of your scouts says she has been under there many times, just not recently.”

“Ok, so far so good, but what are you going to do with the stuff if and when we find it?” I ask.

“I plan on selling my share and being well enough off to take care of me and Sunny. I also figured if Sunset and Trouble did the same then they could pay off the debt they owed and get the bounties off their heads.”

“Ok, we will see what we can do, and when, you have to understand we are a military unit on campaign so we can not just come and go when we want,” I tell her.

I see the disappointment on her face, “I was hoping for sooner rather than later.”

“I tell you what, if you are willing to work as a temporary scout in this area, I will pay you for your work as well as feed you. Just let me know if you quit. That should help you until we can get over that way.”

After that, I sit and talk with her, Xavier and Sutures until I have to go for Officers’ Call. Then I head over to the HQ. Once there the Major makes an announcement. “Ok, I had not thought of this before and had my attention brought to it earlier today. From now on we will be having two additional members attending the officers’ call. The first is the leader of the volunteer company, for those who have not met him his name is Clock Work. I have given him a militia commission of lieutenant,” she says as she points a hoof at him. She then continues, “The other is for the de facto leader of our civilian camp followers. Miss Fancy Flourish here will be recognized as their Ombudsman and while having no military authority will act as a mayor for the civilians. This will allow them to plan their movements and actions along with us. Is that understood?” She asks and receives a chorus of yes ma’am from us.

She further continues, “With that taken care of, tonight we are going to hit the southern unit. They are currently resting and do not seem to have dug in much. This is to prevent them from meeting up with the northern group, which I highly suspect is at least in part Silver Spite's portion of Red Eye’s forces. I want D-troop to hit the southern units western flank. E-troop you will hit their opposite one. H-troop, you are to take position in the center and hold until ordered otherwise. The volunteer company, I want you in reserve in case the northern units try to hit D-troop in the rear. Fancy, I want your camp ready to move, so that if we have to fall back, you can keep up. After the assault, we will fall back and swing to the west again, once clear of the northern unit’s west flank we swing north again. We are going to be doing hit and runs, for now, slowly working our way back home. Archer, I want your artillery to use mortars only for this unless it is an emergency. Star shells would be appreciated. Ok, Dismissed, we jump off as soon as the sun sets.”

We head back to the troops. I see Xavier, “Xavier, we are going to attack in a bit. I want you, Ginger and Xochitl to stay back along with Blondie, and the civilians. I will be heading in with the rest of D-troop.”

“What, don’t trust the kids in a real fight?” Blondie asks.

“Actually, I am giving them a break as tomorrow they will be my main scouts and I want them fresh, along with you. These two have seen more combat in the last month than a lot of the old Co-op Guard did in two years. I know they can handle it.” I tell her. Next too her I see Ginger beam with pride and Xochitl shows a serious, yet proud look on his face. “I will see you when I get back.”

I trot off and find Broken Dreams and the rest of D-troop. I put my mothers’ scarf around my neck, I say a brief prayer to the Goddesses and even hope that the Mareigan is favoring us. I hate night battles, too easy to make a mistake and hit a comrade, or trip and break a leg.

As we move forward, I hear little besides the movement of our equipment against itself and us. The moon is still low in the sky so it is not overly bright yet. We move in columns of two until we get to the jump-off point about a klick away from their suspected positions, then we form a line abreast at skirmisher intervals. About two meters, or six feet between each trooper.
As we begin to move forward, I watch as Prairie pauses long enough to load his first grenade into the booper. I see Pearl and Woodrow bypass him, Pearl motioning him to get back into formation. In the darkness, I see the silhouette of Duke as he walks behind the troops of the 1st squad making sure they are still moving forward ok.

We are only about 100 meters away from the forested glen they were last seen in when suddenly a star round goes off about the trees. All of us begin to run towards the woods. I hear a few bullets come near me, but as we run, we return fire. Most of their soldiers seem to have been asleep as at first the only fire coming at us is from those on watch.

Suddenly from behind a tree, they open fire with an automatic anti-machine rifle. I hear screams as several of D-troops ponies go down. Most of us hit the dirt, but I look and see Prairie Fire Calmly standing there taking aim with his grenade launcher. He fires first one round, reloads a second and the auto AM rifle goes quiet.

I hear Broken Dreams yelling for us to charge. I stand up on my hind hooves, wave one hoof forward and yell “You heard him, Charge!” As my front hooves come back down, I am running and have my Angel Bunny firing three-round bursts, two the chest one to the head for any targets that pop out. Suddenly we are among them. Out of the corner of my eye I see one of them leaping at me. I swing my hind end towards them and kick out with both legs. When I make contact, I feel bones give way and see the body sag to the ground screaming.

Beside me I see Dusty leaping a fallen tree and open fire with her IF-64 assault rifle, switching from semi-auto to full auto as they try to counter charge us. Next to her Raspberry Leaf is following her lead with his, only pausing once to dig out an iron apple and throw it into a brush pile that we are taking fire from.

To my other side, I hear Sergeant Duke giving orders and directing fire for his team.

The next thing I know we are in their supply area as I see several wagons full of supplies. The teams and drivers either dead or having runoff. The gunfire begins to die down as I see fewer and fewer red marks on my EFS. “Grab what you can carry, everything else we burn,” I yell out. I watch as two of the larger troopers from second squad tack themselves up and begin to pull a wagon out, then I see several others do the same. Soon we have a train of five wagons heading down the trails that we came in on. After they are clear I provide overwatch as the ten remaining wagons are put to the torch, and then those of us who are left fall back.

Once we are past H-troop, they fall in behind us as we head back towards where we started, and then continue on toward the west. As we march, I begin to take count of the casualties for my three squads. 2nd squad seems to have lost two more ponies and has had a cow wounded. 3rd Squad only lost one pony but had five wounded. Four of which are still able to march after having taken healing potions. Ist squad got off fairly easy this time, with only Raspberry and Angle taking a light wound along with Summer getting shot five times by a pistol, but the rounds not penetrating her barding.

As daylight comes, we are rejoined by our scouts. Sky and the twins reporting that two more companies of troops are approaching the area from the south. Two hours after dawn we stop for the day. We begin to verify casualties. D-troop has lost 10 ponies and two cows this night. We have 8 wounded only one seriously. We also have 1 pony missing in action. Nobody saw him go down and they lost track of him in the dark.

At officers’ call the Major tells us good work, but tonight we head east again and will hit them again. As I tell my scouts they let out a collective groan. I send out Xavier, Blondie, and the youngsters first, letting my fliers get some much-needed rest before sending them out again. Several hours later I begin to send them out again, combing the area to make sure where the enemy forces are, and to make sure none are cutting us off.

Once my first scouts report back in the Major calls all of us together and announces that we will be hitting the southernmost formation while they are on the move. This time we will only be using one troop, E troop, along with artillery support. The rest will be moving to the north again, closer to the gap.

During this downtime, we have a chance to go through the wagons we captured. Among them is the headquarters wagon for Bursting Star, the Colonel in charge of Red Eye’s forces that were operating down towards the Hoofington area. While reading the documents, it seems that Silver Spite was a rear echelon battalion commander who was to protect the supply lines of the rest of Bursting Stars forces. There was much correspondence between the two of them. The one I found particularly interesting was dated over a week ago.

Colonel,
It is with deep regret that I must announce to you that the raiding column from the farming community that refers to itself as the Co-op has, unfortunately, cut me off from the southern side of the river by dropping all of the available bridges for over 45 kilometers. Due to this, I am informing you of their operating in your rear. I have since moved far enough north to successfully cross the river and captured their supply caravan, and confiscated its cargo for our own use. I will remain in the region of the Canterlot- Foal mountain gap to prevent their escape and request that you fall back, so that we may capture these repugnant sodbusters so that they can be used for the further good of Fillydelphia.
Your Obedient Subordinate
Siler Spite
Captain Silver Spite,
CO. 3rd Battalion, Army of Fillydelphia

Well, at least we know their intentions for sure now. Now, what do we do with that information? I am contemplating this information as I hear the artillery begin to fire in the distance and know that another company under Bursting Star is being blooded. I only hope we can keep our own casualties light.

That evening we are moving along the road north toward the gap. As we trod along, we can all feel the fatigue begin to bite into our muscles and the fog begins to come into our minds. Come morning we have set up camp again and are resting when my scouts see a column of about twenty wagons coming down the road towards us from the direction of Ponyville.

The Major orders us to set up an ambush and to make as if we are part of Red Eye's army to lure them in. As we are waiting, I look over at my scouts and 1st Squad. I see Blondie sitting next to Sunset and Trouble and overhear her ask “Is it always like this for you guys?”

I walk closer to her and smile, “Yep, just business as usual,” I look around at the others, “Ok, get ready here they come.”

__________

Dear DJ Pon3,

We are out here fighting the good fight, bringing it right to them. We have been in the field for over a month already and now it is business as usual to us. We have suffered through the heat, dust, low sleep, wounds, and fallen comrades together. They are my brothers and sisters, every one of them. Could you please play Soldiers for me and my comrades in the CEF?

Thank you
Trooper Woodrow,
Door Kickers, CEF

As always, I would like to thank Kkat for creating the universe of FoE. I would also like to thank the many authors who have also written and added to this world. As some will have noticed the time for rest and refit is over for the CEF, I hope you the reader are enjoying this tale, we still have a bit of a way to go before Mollygirl and the gang are home once and for all.

For those who enjoy listening to the chapters song dedication, this chapters youtube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-d5etNrIf4