When I awake a couple of hours later, I am still in the HQ area. I get a cup of tea and head over to look at the maps. As I am examining them Sunset walks over.

“Morning LT. What have you got for me now?”

“Morning Sargent, first off, you are fully in charge of the scouts now. I want you to work close with me and the headquarters section.” I point at the map, “I hate to say it, but I need some scouts along the road up to Good Doer. I want to make sure the way is safe if not clear. We also need to put out a couple behind us to find out how far their main body is away.”

“Understandable ma’am, will do.”

“Sergeant, you are now going to need to attend the officers’ call. You may not be able to lead from the front all the time; I am sorry to tell you that.”

He nods his head, “I understand. Could I brevet Serenity to lance corporal to give her some authority, but not as much as Xavier?”

I ponder it for a bit, as I look at the map, “Good idea, she already seems to be a good flight leader, but she is not ready to be a full corporal yet. Let her know along with the rest of the scouts.”

As we are talking Dull Beak approaches us, “Morning LT. I guess This means you are stuck with me for longer eh.”

“Morning Dull Beak, well do you have any suggestions. I still consider you to be on the HQ sections staff.”

He looks at the map alongside me. “Well from what I have heard Good Doer has walls around it, if we can get in there it might give us a good defensive position. However, look at this crossroad from there, that heads east. If we were to take that, then this road here,” He says as he is pointing at the map with a talon, “we might throw them off our trail for a bit longer.”

“That does sound good. We have scouts going out in a bit to check the road ahead and behind. I think we might want to have some begin to check out those routes also.”

“Yes Ma’am, will do, I will get them on it right now,” Sunset tells me as he heads back over to his scouts.

I hold another officers call before we begin to move. During it, I find out we are short on ready ammo for the artillery and many of our troopers need to replenish the ammo on them. So, I delay our move by an hour to allow a quick resupply and then we get moving again.

Once on the road, I let my staff know; that sure sounds funny now, that I am heading to the artillery section for a bit. On my way, I pass through the civilian camp and see several of them wave to me from the wagons as they pass me going the other way. Fancy catches me for a bit.

“LT, do you have a minute?”

“Sure Fancy, what can I do for you?”

“Just wanted to talk to you for a bit, ma'am. We need to get to know each other so we can work together better.”

“Fancy, I have to agree with you on that. I hope the Major understood that as well.”

I see Fancy blush at my mention of the Major, hmm, maybe there was more to her than I realized. “I take that as a yes then.” And she nods with a sad expression on her face.

“LT, we became very good friends as well as co-workers out here. I will miss her, as will her husband. Did you know that she was going to try and actually have a family with him once they got back?”

“No, no I did not. I thought she had given up on that hope.”

“She said if Sergeant Nugget and you both could have a family and still do your duty, then why couldn’t she.”

I am starting to feel uncomfortable with this conversation, but I have a feeling Fancy needs it. “She was a very good officer. I only wish things could have been different.”

“So do I. LT, can I ask you something personal?”

Why not, it seems the rest of the CEF knows my personal life, why shouldn’t she? “Go ahead Fancy, I may not answer though.”

“LT, do you believe in spirits?”

I stop in my tracks and look at her, “Why do you ask that?”

She keeps walking, so I restart again, as I catch up, she tells me, “Because two nights ago Quick Trot told me she saw a white mare with black mane she had not seen before. The mare told her she was a spirit. Quick Trot laughed at her. And now this.” She waves a hoof at our retreating forces.

Without meaning to I tell her, “Son of a buck, the Mareigan, Yeah, I know that one.”

Fancy’s eyes go wide, “YOU KNOW THAT ONE?”

I nod my head, “Yes Fancy, I have seen her several times and met her. She can be kind, but she can be wrathful also. I will tell you the same thing Xavier has told me, do not talk to her if you can, and if you do, do not make any deals with her. Dealing with spirits never goes well for the pony it seems.”

As I tell her more, we are coming to the end of the civilian caravan. I look up and see a single crow standing on the roof of the second to the last wagon. As I look at it, it looks back at me and nods its head, then it just looks forward as we pass each other.

At the last wagon fancy asks, “LT, Can I call on you at the HQ tonight? I want to talk some more about what is going on in the camp.”

“Sure Fancy, and when we are talking privately please, just call me Mollygirl.”

She smiles, “Ok, LT, I will talk to you later.” She turns and trots back toward the front of the civilian Caravan.

The next unit in line is the quartermasters with the service of supply. I see Balanced Books on the first wagon. As I am approaching, he calls out, “Morning LT, let me know if you need to ride for a bit. I need to talk to you a bit about our supply status.”

“Ok Books, catch me during lunch if not before the, ok?”

“Sounds good Ma’am.” He says and waves as I pass the next wagon in line.

I am greeted several more times as we go by the cows and ponies in the SOS caravan as I pass them before I reach the artillery. I can tell I have almost reached them without even seeing them as they are the first group, I have heard singing all morning. They are singing The Caissons Go Rolling Along, go figure. I am glad that they are in such high spirits. Perhaps it will spread to the rest of us.

As I am passed by the last of the SOS wagons, I see Archer standing on the first caisson looking back and singing with them. As I approach Kicker, who is helping to pull that caisson calls out, “Morning LT. Care to join us?”

“Morning Sergeant, Sure.” As I approach them Archer reaches a hoof down and pulls me up. Soon I am joining them in finishing that song and we begin to sing Mareyowen. As we sing, I hear the song start to echo from behind us and then ahead.

As it spreads down the column Archer sits down and pats the seat for me to do the same. Then he looks at me, “Well LT, welcome to your artillery column.”

“Thanks, Archer. I am really surprised that your troops were in such high spirits.”

He whispers his next comment, “They weren’t, dear, they were all marching with their heads down and with despair on their faces.” Then he raises his voice to a normal level, “Kicker suggested we try singing a bit. So, I climbed up here and, well now you see the results. We need to rebuild our morale if we can.”

“Well, thanks to both of you then,” I tell him and Kicker both loud enough for her to hear too.

As he and I talk I hear the members of the CEF start singing the next song. Their voices sounding stronger as they go. It seems we have picked ourselves up from the dust and are getting back on our hooves. I sit there for a while talking to Archer as we grow closer to Good Doer. Unfortunately, at the pace, we are making and the distance, we will not make it there before nightfall. I hope all goes well when we get there.

We travel until just before nightfall. Once again, we set up camp in a square formation with the civilians. SOS, and artillery in the middle along with my HQ. Tonight, we are making a dry camp, no fires. We are going dark.

At Officers’ call that night, I pull out the map. As we are looking at it, Sunset marks down where his scouts saw the hostile forces. There is a small group between us and Good Doer. Behind us, the forces that attacked the fake camp seem to be reorganizing. However, those forces are not only much weaker than before but are moving more slowly towards us. With this in mind, I decide to head to Good Doer and to try and resupply there.

“Ok, we see what we are currently up against, we head to Good Doer. I plan on resupplying there. If all goes well, we will leave the next day and target either Prairie Garden as our next checkpoint or head east towards Targhee. I have no reports about Targhee though, so we do not know what we may find there. I will make the call as more information comes in.”

I see a hoof raised, it Is Kettle Bell the 1^st Sergeant for H troop, “Yes Kettle Bell?”

“Ma’am, I appreciate all that the Volunteer company has done, but do you think that we should switch one of the regular troops into the vanguard, especially with raiders ahead?”

“That is an excellent question Kettle Bell, I was going to address that next. Are you volunteering H-troop for the role?”

I see her think briefly, “Ma’am, I would not mind it, but I figure the heavier forces are still behind us, so we should stay at the rear of the column for now, if things change sure.”

“Ok, that makes sense, Duke, Tenderhoof, do either of you want to volunteer your troops?”

I see the consternation on both of their faces, then Tenderhoof decides, “Ma'am, I'll be glad to take the rangers on point of this one.”

“Very Well then, In the morning we will have E-troop lead off. You will be followed by the artillery, then the volunteer company. Fancy the civilians will be after the Volunteer troops, and D- Troop will fall in there, followed by the SOS train and finally H-troop. Sunset, I want scouts out on hoof an hour early, and fliers half an hour. Is everyone clear on that?”

Everyone nods their heads and agrees. “Very well dismissed, get some rest tonight. Oh, one final thing, I want the guards doubled tonight.”

Then they file off back to their respective areas.

As the others leave Archer and Dull Beak come over to talk. “LT, do you have a minute?” Archer asks.

“Sure, what can I do for you two?”

“LT, have you thought about what you will do if Good Doer is unwilling to help us or if they are already occupied?” Dull Beak asks.

“Yeah, I have been thinking about that. We really do not have the ponypower or the time for a siege, so we may have to bypass it entirely. Not something I really want to do, but we will if we need too.” I tell them.

Next Archer has kind of a hesitant expression on his face, “Mollygirl, about this steel ranger and her family. I know you got to know them at the tavern, but are you really sure about them?”

This actually angers me some, I reply much more coolly than I had intended, “Archer, ten years ago her and her scribe, now husband found the Co-op, they had been looking for stable 4B. They saw what we were doing, and rather than call in the support troops to take the technology, they deserted the order and faked their own deaths. They have been hiding all this time and saved our homes. Yes, yes, I am sure about them, I hope you can understand what it would have meant if they had followed their original orders.”

I see his face flush, “Dear good Goddesses, are you serious, they would have destroyed everything we had rebuilt.”

I simply nod, “Now do you understand why I trust them.”

I see both him and Dull Beak look at each other, “Yeah, I think we both do now. I guess I should just be happy they are here and, on our side,” Archer replies.

“Yeah, maybe, Now let’s go get some rest, I think we all need it. Dull Beak, I really do appreciate your having stuck here with us.”

“LT, not a problem. I want to see this through; besides, you do not walk away from friends who need help.”

I put out my hoof, and he takes it in his claw, “Thanks DB. That means a lot.”

After Archer heads back to his artillery and Dull Beak goes to start talking with some of the scouts. I make a tour of the lines. I am greeted by several of the troopers as I approach them. No matter how I feel I have to appear upbeat and cheerful. Fear and panic have a tendency to spread, as does despondency. I try to call all of them that I talk to by name. How did the Major and Colonel ever remember everyponies names? In some of the squads, I hear quiet singing, others storytelling, and in some, I hear the evening broadcast of DJ Pon3.

Once back I see that Nugget has come to visit the HQ, well actually more her daughter. The HQ staff are all sitting around with the scouts listening to her read another story from A.K. Yearling. It is interesting to see that they react similarly to those in D-troop and are just as enthralled. As she reads, I see Nugget has Ginger on one side and Xochitl on her other. She looks up and smiles at me, then she continues reading.

After the story is done Specs looks over and notices me. “Oh, Lieutenant, we have a message from Manesville for you. Sorry I did not notice you earlier.”

“No problem specs, was it anything important?”

“Not sure ma’am. Here are the decryption codes and here is the message.”

“Ok, I best go figure it out,” I tell him as I take the codebook and begin to figure it out. As I read the message, I become increasingly unhappy, especially with the instructions on how they want us to fall back to the Co-op, it will be at least a week until we can expect any aid. After we reach Good Doer we are to head east then north. They also want us to attack and slow them down whenever we get the chance.

On the positive side, I have been confirmed as commander of the CEF for now. Archer has been advanced also. So, we are both first lieutenants. I am surprised to see that all of the company first sergeants have been temporarily advanced to cadets, as has Sunset as the new chief of scouts. Well, at least we are getting back to a semi-normal rank structure.

Looking at the number of troops who were advanced makes me shake my head some, too many new positions at one time. As I look at my current roster, I realize how much worse it could have been. Thank the Goddesses, that Doc Treacle was too busy with wounded from the day before to attend the supposed surrender. He may not always have the best bedside manner, but he is good.

As I am getting ready to turn in, I notice Trouble sitting by himself thinking. “Bottlecap for your thoughts Trouble?”

“Hey LT. Just a lot on my mind.”

“Yeah, I can understand that. Have you visited Tar yet?”

He shakes his head, “No, I do not even know where to begin with her. I mean After what she has done, but knowing what she has been through. It is all so confusing.”

“Trouble, she will have to face the music eventually. However right now she is scared, she is hurt and she is lonely and mourning the loss of Dreams. I would start by telling her you still love her and missed your big sisters. Let it go from there. Maybe even tell her about your sons, both of them. She was surprised when I told her you had a son. That leads me to believe she never knew you had been married and lost both of them too. I think she could use your emotional support.”

“You really think so Mollygirl? You wouldn’t look down on me for going to visit her?”

I shake my head sadly, “Trouble, she is family. She is your big sister and she needs you. Just don’t help her escape is all I ask.”

He smiles, “I had not thought of that, but I promise not to.”

“Ok, I need to get some sleep, and you should soon too. But if you want to, go visit her for a bit first.”

“Thanks, Mollygirl. I appreciate it.” He says, then he gets up and heads over towards the SOS caravan and the medical wagons where the MP’s have kept a watch on her.

I head over to my bedroll. Sutures and Woofers are already waiting for me. Across the way, in the faint moonlight, I can see Ginger and Xochitl cuddled up next to Tweeters and Xavier. Choo Choo is on the watch for the scouts. I can see the dark outlines of a guard moving among the shadows of the camp in the dark. I hear their hooves on the dirt, and from here and there I hear the voices of some of the troopers talking in the dark.

Sutures pulls me closer, “Time to sleep, dear. It’s not healthy for you or your foal to keep pressing yourself so hard.” She says as she runs a hoof through my mane.

I turn to face her, “I know, but there is just so much to do.”

“Mollygirl, love, you will not be able to make clear decisions without some rest.”

I kiss her gently on her muzzle, “Your right dear, it’s just that I do not feel like I have gotten enough done. Like we should have pressed on and got there by morning.”

“Mollygirl, we are all pretty exhausted as it is. We need a good sleep tonight if we can get it. That is why we have guards posted. I heard Choo Choo talking about going aloft for part of each watch to keep an eye out at a longer distance. Now close your eyes and get some sleep.”

I close them and lay there thinking about what all needs to be done yet. Finally, I can stay awake no longer and hope that the nightmares stay at bay while I sleep tonight.

Morning comes and we begin the routine anew. Breakfast first, a quick officers’ call, during which I announce the promotions and congratulate them on their rise in rank. The scouts go out as ordered and we are on the move again. We are 15 klicks from Good Doer when we run into a band of raiders. Our scouts come across them first. Luckily our scouts are out in force this morning.

When the raiders spring the ambush, they are met by a hail of return fire from both the ground and above, which they had not counted on. I hear both sets of scouts talking over the Pipbuck com channels coordinating their attacks.

Next, I hear the communications as Tenderhoof and E-troop flank the raiders and take them out. While several of them escape, over twenty do not. Unfortunately, we lose two more in E-troop killed as well as two of their wounded and Chip is wounded by of all things again, an arrow. One thing that has changed for sure, there are no prisoners.

The rest of the column finds a small trail and skirts around the sight of the skirmish and continues on toward Good Doer. D-troop shifts to the Vanguard for now, until E-troop can rejoin us. As the fight winds down the scouts disengage and try to get back ahead of the column.

My, our, fliers make it back to the head of the column fairly quickly and we hardly slow down. At noon, we stop for an hour lunch break. I estimate it will be a little over three hours and we should be there. Discussing our route with Dull Beak, Archer, and Balanced Books when Sunset approaches.

“Hey LT, Can I make a suggestion?” Sunset asks me.

“Sure Cadet, what have you got for me.” He looks stunned at the title, even though it was announced that morning.

“Ma’am, I am thinking we may want to hold the fliers in a reserve when we approach, the same with that Steel Ranger. If they refuse us, then we bring ‘em out. Remember, last time we came through we had four less fliers and no Steel Ranger. In fact, that Steel Ranger could be a real bluff if we convince them that the brotherhood is right behind us and that Blueberry Crisp is just a lead scout for them.”

“Sunset, I like it. In fact, I think it is a great idea. Archer if they still refuse us, perhaps we should blow a hole in one of their walls. There are enough raiders in the area that we should give them something else to worry about. What do you two think of that idea?”

I see both of them nod yes. “LT, I like it, it might be a bit brutal, but we cannot let them get away with it. Otherwise, if word gets out, we could be in real trouble trying to get help from other villages.” Archer points out to us both.

“Ok, then that is how we will play it.”

After lunch we begin to move again, we take our normal breaks at the appointed times, and by three in the afternoon, we are about a klick from Good Doer. At that point, I send out Blackberry and a still recovering Chip to make contact with the village.

As we get near, I receive a message over the PipBuck, passed on by Sunset, LT, town of Good Doer is gone, No movement visible from outside.

Sunset, what do they mean by gone? I reply.

After a five-minute pause, I receive an answer back from him, no ponies moving around, the buildings look damaged, a few bodies outside the wall.

I take a few seconds to think and then send it to Sunset, Is Choo Choo available? If so, can she go look while invisible?

Shortly afterward I get the message back, Rodger, should have thought of it. Give us a bit and will have an answer.

I am on pins and needles waiting for the reply as our entire column gets closer to the village. I stop the column when we are still out of sight of it. I am waiting for word from Sunset and his scouts when I hear a single gunshot ring out.

I am worried and it feels like it is killing me to not be able to go see what is going on. I hate this. Things were so much simpler when I was a non-com.

A couple of minutes later I hear Sunset over my PipBuck, We need Sutures up here asap.

Rodger, what’s going on? I ask, worried about my people.

Ma’am, I will get back to you, I am a tad busy right now. I hear Sunset say in a panicked voice.

As I look ahead, I see Sutures running forward with an escort from the third squad of D-troop. While I had not ordered it, I am glad to see that they went forward so fast. As I watch they enter the village walls through a hole that has been blown into it.

As I see the squad go in unopposed, I order the rest of the column up to the village. Once we get there, I am escorted in by Specs with the radio as well as two of the MP’s with shotguns ready and a squad from the E-troop.

As I enter the first thing I notice is that there are bodies all over the place. I see several of the building are damaged. I use my PipBuck to find Sunsets Tag and go to it. I need to know what has happened.

When I get to the building, he is at I enter the room afraid of what I will find. I am completely taken by surprise by what I see is actually occurring. As I enter the room Sunset, has the others leave it except for me, Sutures, and Choo Choo.

Laying on the only bed in the room is a pegasus mare, next to her is a rifle. I can still smell the gun smoke in the air. Then I hear the mare scream in pain. I look at Sunset, "Is everyone ok, did you shoot her?”

He looks at me and answers with his slow drawl, “No LT, she took a shot at me when I entered the door. She missed thank the Goddesses, but she is in labor. The only medic I know of with midwife much less pegasus experience is Sutures, that’s why I called for her.”

“Do you mean she is in labor?” I ask and feel like an idiot as she screams again.

“Yes ma’am. Ya ever seen a foal born before?”

I shake my head no. When Epona was born I arrived just after she was delivered.

He then just grins at me, “See what ya gotta look forward ta LT.”

Oh, sweet mother of the Goddesses, what have I gotten myself into, I think to myself. I then see him start to laugh at me.

“LT you should see the look on your face right now. Not as pretty as you thought it would be huh?”

I watch as Sutures expertly assist the mother telling her to breathe and when the contractions hit to push.

I am stunned and want to stay, but I also realize I have to take care of the rest of my troops. “Ok Sunset, I best get the rest of the troops taken care of. Is there anything else I should know?”

He leads me outside, “Yes ma’am. The mare in there is not the only one here. There are about twenty others here, but they are all refugees from Thunderhead. It seems there was trouble between Neighverro and Thunderhead after we left home.”

“You said that they were from Thunderhead, did you know any of them?”

He nods his head, “a couple of them. That mare in there. She’s my sister Blue Skies. I had not seen her since I was exiled.”

“That is your sister in there? You should get back in there with her then.” I tell him as I put a hoof on his shoulder.

He smiles, “Oh, one more thing LT. The former residents were either all dead or gone when they got here. It sounds like raiders or slavers got ‘em.”

“Thanks, Sunset. Let me know if it is a colt or filly so I know if I should tell everypony you are an uncle or an aunt.”

“Will do LT, then… Wait a minute, ya smart-alec. I will keep ya informed though LT.” He tells me with a smile.

“Thanks Cadet, see you at officers’ call this evening.”

I then head back out to the column with my entourage in tow. I have them enter the village. Each company takes a section of the wall and pony’s it.

Those not on watch and on the wall assist in cleaning up the bodies of those killed here. We take them all outside the wall to the local graveyard. We dig two mass graves, one for those who lived here and one for the raiders. The efforts go into the night with troopers being rotated out so they all can get some rest. I also have Fancy take several of the civilians as well as some of the MPs and medics to check over the refugees.

Just before the officers’ call Sunset lets me know his sister had a little mare. He also brings the leader of the small band of refugees with him.

“LT, this here is Sirocco. He is the leader of the refugees we found here.” He tells me as he points a forehoof at an older yellow pegasus with a jet-black mane and tail that is heavily streaked with gray.

“Good Evening Mister Sirocco. I am Lieutenant Mollygirl. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“It is a pleasure ta meet you too Lieutenant. Ma’am, Sunset here says y’all are heading to the Co-op, is the right?”

I look at Sunset with a raised eyebrow then back at Sirocco. “Yes, that is correct, why do you ask?”

“Ma’am, I would like permission to join your civilian caravan with our ponies. We were already heading that way when we found this place. I heard rumor my son might be up that away.”

“So, what happened here?” I ask.

“Lieutenant, we were a ways away when we saw several bands of raiders leaving the town. Several of the buildings were on fire. We waited until all the bands were well clear and then approached. We found a few survivors of the village, mainly children that had hidden well. They said the raiders hit them the day before last. One of the foals said that they overheard them talking about joining some pony named Silver and collecting a bounty.”

“I have no problem with you and your ponies joining us Sirocco, however, you need to Talk to Fancy Flourish she is the leader of our civilian camp. If she agrees, then you are in.”

“Thank you, ma’am, I do appreciate it. Can you tell me where can I find this Miss Fancy?”

“She should be here soon; the sergeant can introduce you to her. I best get ready for the meeting, if you will excuse me, sir.” I tell him as I turn to go look at the map one more time.

As I go, I hear Sirocco say, “Thanks Sunset, I feel a bit better now.”

“No problem dad. I just want to see you all get there safely. Especially after what you told me happened to home.”

I stop, take one more look and I can now see the family resemblance. I guess I should have known. I have a feeling that things are starting to change back home more than I can imagine.

Officers call goes smoothly. I lay out my plans to rest for a full day than to leave just after sunset the next day. I want to move mainly at night for the first leg, I want to move as quickly as we can with what we have. When we leave, I will leave some fires burning and set up some dummies to make it look like we are still here. I also let Sunset know that during the day we will be sending out scouts to check the surrounding area and to explore our expected route of travel.

After the officers’ call, I begin to walk through the village and check on things. Fancy sees me and stops me.

“Mollygirl, I just want to verify that you ok’d the refugees joining our caravan.”

“Yes, Fancy I have, why is there a problem?”

I see her cringe a bit, “For me, no, but some of the others are not too happy with pegasi joining us. Maybe you could talk to them.”

“Ok, Fancy, give me about an hour, then we can call a town hall meeting, will that work?”

She smiles, “That would be perfect Mollygirl. Thank you.”

As I visit some of the areas that the troops have claimed as shelter for the night I overhear snippets of conversations.

As I pass by one house I hear, “Can you believe what these raiders have done to this place?”

“What you are surprised after what we saw at Two Step? Come on that Silver Spite is a raider at heart all the way, come on he killed his own father for Luna’s sake.” I hear a second voice respond.

Another voice pops off, “Yeah but at least the LT got us out of there.”

Then the first voice, “Yeah but let’s just hope it is not a case of out of the frying pan and into the…”

I continue my rounds. As I get near the artillery, I hear Kickers, “If something happens to me, I want you all to understand how to disable these guns if necessary.”

Then I hear another cow ask, “Why would we need to disable one of the guns.”

Kicker tells them, “Look if it gets bad enough, we may need to abandon the guns. The lieutenants don’t want that, I don’t want to do that, but if we really need to break out and run, we don’t want raiders getting ahold of them.”

I continue on. At another troops camp, I hear more voices, “Did you hear? We got more civilians to worry about now.”

“Yeah, but maybe we can get some volunteers out of them.” another voice adds.

“Yeah, well what are pegasi going to do for us, close the sky again?” The first retorts sarcastically.

“Look they are not all like that, besides, look at how they rescued Tar Water back at Two-Step.” A third says defensively.

“What about it, you think they would have done that if she wasn’t related to the LT.” The first voice says trying to support his argument, making me cringe inside.

“Actually, yes, remember how they rescued that combat engineer at the bridge when he got hung up underneath. Yeah, and I am sure they would do it for me or for your heavy ass.” The third voice says ending the argument.

I continue on my way. Finally, I come to the civilian camp. Fancy welcomes me and leads me to an area where most of the civilians are waiting for me.

“Good evening, as promised the LT is here to tell you what is going on and to answer any questions you may have. Especially relating to the pegasi,” Fancy tells them.

I then look at all of them. I feel a bit nervous, but I have no choice. “Good evening, as Fancy has pointed out, I am Lieutenant Mollygirl at this time we are still heading back to the Co-op. I have a rough outline of our route already planned out and have been told where our troops should meet us. Now I understand you have some questions for me and I will answer them the best I can. Please understand that some of them I cannot tell you due to security reasons.”

I see a hoof shoot up right away. It is a mare in the middle of the group, I point to her, “Yes, go ahead,” I tell her.

“Good evening LT, I am Stir Fry, I run the canteen for the caravan. We are beginning to need more supplies, and with the added mouths that will cut further into our rations, what are we to do about that?”

“First off, I will say we expect to make it to our rendezvous point in a little over a week, if we have enough food, then let’s go with that. If we need to supplement the food rations, well, we have all eaten meat, so perhaps we can have some hunters go out and try to increase our supplies. Also, I will see if we can have a couple of scouts help in that endeavor. Additionally, I want you all to search for any food that may have been left behind.”

I see another hoof go up, this time it is a unicorn buck, “But they are pegasi, you want us to let them join us? What if they only want a free ride.”

I smile at that one, “Well they are pegasi, and to tell the truth, we already have several in the scouts who are fighting to protect you,” I then point a hoof at myself, “In fact, I have pegasi blood in me, as do others in the Co-op, many seem to forget that. As for if they want a free ride, well you and I both know, that just is not going to happen. No pony gets a free ride in the Co-op. They will have to obey the rules of the Co-op just as much as you or I, oh and aren’t you one of the new ponies heading to the Co-op for the first time too. I mean that would mean you technically have yet to prove yourself too. But so far, I have no complaints about you either. So, let’s give them all a chance, ok.”

I see several faces that do not look fully convinced, but most seem satisfied with my answers.

I see another hoof go up, “Ma’am, I have heard the rumors and I listen to DJ Pon3 on the radio, do you really think we can make it?”

I look at them, then I scan the entire crowd, I see a nervous hope on their faces. I was afraid somepony would ask that question. With a smile on my face I lie and tell them, “Yes, I am fully sure we will all make it home safely. Now I need to get going. Have a good night all.” I tell them as I turn and start to leave for my HQ.

Fancy catches me, “Mollygirl, just between us, do you really think we can make it back to the Co-op?”

“Fancy, I think we will, at least most of us, but to tell the truth, I am worried a bit. However, every last trooper will spend their lives to protect your civilians.”

She surprises me with a hug, “Thanks for being honest with me Mollygirl. NOW I feel better. You know what, I think you will get us home.” She says with a smile and then turns back towards her camp and walks away with her head and tail held high.

On my way back to the HQ I stop by the house that Sunset’s Sister was at. I knock on the door and Sirocco answers.

“Yes, ma’am, is there anything I can help you with?” he asks.

“Just stopping by to see how the new mother and foal are doing.”

As I enter, I see Sunset sitting at the table next to the bed. His sister is laying there nursing the young new foal.

“I hope you do not mind my showing up unannounced, I just wanted to say congratulations to you and make sure everything is ok.”

Blue Skies smiles at me, “Thank you for checking on my and little Good Doer. I do appreciate it LT.”

“Please, just call me Mollygirl. Your brother and I have been through a lot and I consider him like family, so I wanted to make sure you did not need anything.” When I say that I see Sunsets jaw drop and his eyes go wide. “Yes Sunset, I just did not want to step over the bounds of rank.”

“Well thank ya ma’am, I really had no idea.”

“Hey, I would not have supported you getting together with Pages if I didn’t. Magpie would have made my life insufferable.” I tell him with a smile.

We talk for a little bit after this then I continue my way back to the HQ.

I return to the HQ and find a chair to sit in. I have my staff and most of my scouts here with me. I notice that Trouble and Blondie are not there and ask, “So where is Trouble?”

Dull Beak answers me. “Trouble took Blondie and Sunny to meet his sister Tar. Sunset is visiting with his family too. They should be back soon.”

“Thanks, DB. I appreciate your letting me know where everyone is. I just saw Sunset and his family. She named the little one after the town here.”

Dull Beak cocks his head and smiles, “You ponies do have some strange naming conventions. But I have heard worse.”

I then head over and take a seat at the main table. The staff and scouts have a fire going in the woodstove, with the door open to let it light the room. I am sitting there enjoying a cup of tea when Nugget arrives along with Dusty to visit with Ginger.

Shortly after this Archer and Sutures both arrive to visit with me. As I am sitting there, They ask me how I am doing. “Ok, I guess, my legs and hooves are a bit sore though,” I tell them.

“If it were a bit more private, we would give you a hoof rub dear,” Sutures whispers into my ear.

“I understand, thank you for the offer though,” I whisper back.

I then turn on my PipBucks radio just in time to catch part of DJ Pon3 before his evening show ends.

Again, for all those out there north of Two Step, there are reports of abnormally high raider activity. There has even been a rumor that the town of Good Doer has been overrun and taken away by slavers. So be careful out there, especially if you are in the Good Doer area.

In related news it seems that the CEF has broken through the raider’s lines and out of Two Step after the self-appointed warlord Silver Spite was wounded. It is said that this pony has killed his own father as well as all military authority from Fillydelphia that was with him. He was last reported seen leaving the Two Step area heading north, by northeast yesterday evening.

This has my attention. I now know that he was wounded, and bad enough to delay his departure by at least a day. This means we still have some distance between us, but I need to move in the morning instead of waiting.

We are sitting there listening to the radio when I hear a knock on the door. Specs opens it and there is a young colt standing at the door. He has a bandage on his side, just under his saddlebags. Specs asks him, “Something we can do for you?”

“Yes sir, I mean, if there is a Mollygirl here.”

“I look over and wave him in, “I am Mollygirl, what can I do for you young colt?”

He reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a letter with his mouth and passes it over to me.

“A pretty Gypsy mare told me to give this to you before they left. She also warned me to hide along with my friends. We did along with our teacher and we are all that is left here.”

“Thank you, what did you say your name is?”

“Oh, Two Bit, Sorry ma’am. I forgot my manners. My teacher Miss Text Book says I should never forget them.” He says with a sniffle.

“No problem, I understand. Are you planning on staying here, or do you want to leave with us?”

“I, I don’t know, you need to talk to our teacher. She should know.”

“Ok, I will do that. Please have her come to see me once you get back to her. Thank you for delivering this note.” I tell him and as he leaves, I open it and begin to read.

Mollygirl,

If you are reading this the spirits have spoken true to me. The cards have told us to leave all of you. However, I have had three possibilities revealed to me. If you follow us north, none of us will make it to your home. If you stay too long at this village, you will be trapped and while we may make it safely, your forces will not. If we stay separate, with our caravan running north and you follow the directions of your orders, you and I shall meet again at your home.

Leave at first light in the morning. Do not dawdle. Do not get caught in that death trap.

May kind spirits guide us and may Celestia and Luna bless us.

Sincerely

Mama Shelta

I look up from the note. Archer looks at me, “What is it Mollygirl,” I simply hoof him the note. I see his mouth drop open as he reads it, he then hands it to Sutures who also looks surprised.

“A change in plans seems to be in order,” I tell him, as I type out the message calling for an officers’ call right way.

Once they all arrive, I let them know we have received new information. We will be leaving at first light. I still want dummies set up on the walls and some fires left in stoves, to give the appearance that we are still here. This may buy us extra time if they prepare for an attack on an empty town before pursuing us.

After they leave Nugget once again reads a story from the book for Ginger and everyone who wants to listen. I, unfortunately, have to step outside the room and meet with Miss Text Book.

She is a light green young unicorn mare with a mane and tail of yellow and green. I let her know we have more raiders on the way and that we are leaving at first light, and that they can leave with us if they want. They also can stay or try and escape on their own. She is very upset, to say the least.

“Lieutenant, I am sorry, but the only chance those foals and I have is to go with you. They may not be able to walk that far; can they ride in a wagon?”

“Ma’am, I am sure we can do that. If not a civilian wagon then one of the wagons from our quartermasters. Some of them should have room.”

“Thank you. Would it be ok to leave a note for the foals’ parents, I mean just in case they do make it back here somehow?”

“Yes Text Book, I think that would be fine. Maybe a couple of them in different places even. Just tell them we are taking them to Manesville.”

She nods her head with a trace of tears in her eyes. “Ok, thank you. You have to excuse me; I have never left home before. It is all I ever knew, and now, and, well now it is gone.”

“It’s ok, in times like this we all feel that way. The best thing we can do is to get back on our hooves, knock the dirt off and continue to survive. Now you best get going to those foals. Please have them ready by dawn.” I tell her, then I turn and walk back inside thinking about what I have just said to her.

Dear DJ Pon3, today we were reminded that even in the face of horror and devastation that life continues and that there is always hope. With that in mind, could you please play Children of the Night, for all of us, especially my new granddaughter Good Doer?

Thank you

Sirocco

I would like to thank Kkat for creating this world of FoE. I also would like to thank so many others who have added to it and enriched it with their own stories and their view of this world and its inhabitants.

I would also like to thank all of you who have stuck with me so far in the telling of Mollygirl's tale. We still have a bit to go yet. I hope you are all enjoying the story. If you do not want to post a comment, but want to say something about the story, please feel free to private message me.

The song of the Caissons go Rolling Along is an old artillery song and really did not need any ponification to it. The youtube link for those who would like to hear it is:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJybwgtR970

This chapter's dedication song may be familiar to many of the FIM-MLP fans, but I felt it was just right for here. The youtube link for it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWZ_ljipFkw