Chapter 3: Door Kickers and Hell’s Belles

"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!" - William Shakespeare

I slowly wake up, the smell in my nose does not smell like my bed in the stable. It smells familiar, and after a few seconds, I smile to myself as it is the scent of Magpie. Then I remember last night and where I am. I reach over to put a hoof around her and notice she is not there. With that my eyes finally open and I see she is not there. For a brief second, I feel a bit of panic. I then calm myself realizing I need to get out of bed anyway and head back to the stable for morning roll call.

As I leave the bedroom and walk into the main room of the apartment and see Magpie, my Magpie, in the corner reading a book with some water on the stove boiling. As I approach, she looks up and smiles at me. “Good morning darling, would you like some tea. I have water going for tea and oatmeal”.

“Sure, I would” I answer. “Do you have any milk and honey for it?” I ask hopefully.

“Yes, Moll” she answers, bringing me a cup of hot water with some tea leaves and milk. She then pushes over a jar of honey to me to use.

We sit there enjoying our breakfast together. I could get really used to this. After I finish, I get up, cross to her side of the table and come up behind her and wrap my forehooves around her. Kissing her on the side of her neck I tell her. “I have to go, dearest, I will be back as soon as I can. Hopefully this evening”

“Ok, my dear, I look forward to it, be safe as you can,” she says turning to kiss me on the muzzle. We break the kiss and I head out the door with only a quick look back and a blown kiss exchanged.

I trot back to the stable with a smile on my face and head to my stall so I can get into my uniform. As I enter the room the first pony, I run into is Ivy. At first, she seems a bit upset with me. Then her eyes go wide and both ears straight forward.

“WELL… Molly, I do not know who he was, but you obviously enjoyed yourself. You really need to cover that bite area with the missing hair on your shoulder before roll call.”

Without thinking I blurt out “Oh bloody Luna, when did that happen, Damn it Magpie!” And then realizing what I just said my eyes go wide, my ears down to both sides of my head.

To this Ivy starts laughing out loud. Twice within a week, I have her laughing this hard. This is not a good thing.

“Sergeant, get yourself ready for roll call will you,” she says to me as she wipes tears from her eyes. "It is not who you were with that has me laughing, it was the expression on your face, oh my Celestia, you should have seen it. Well, now I know why you did not make it back in time for dinner last night. Just to let you know little Epona and Ginger both said they are missing their auntie Molly, and wonder when you will come to see them again” Ivy tells me.

“Hopefully soon” I reply. They both are so cute and you can tell they are half-sisters. “One of these days I really need to hear the full story about how that worked out with you and Nugget getting pregnant by the same buck so close together”.

“Perhaps over a cider when we have time Molly girl” Ivy replies with a grin and a twinkle in her eye.

With that, I quickly get into my uniform just before Nugget and Emerado get back from breakfast. Ivy just looks at me and smiles a bit and heads out the door followed by me. I hear Nugget ask Emerado “I wonder what that was all about?”

Quickly we trot to the assembly room inside the stable. This was one of the first additions to the stable after we separated the security forces from the Guard.

I quickly fall into the right of my squad’s assembly area. Bullet takes my left followed by Badger and Shadowbuck. Next to them is Ivy as the corporal of our other set along with her troops, Saber, Ghost, and Pearl. Our squad is two members short not counting a medic. Good times going into a fight shorthooved. But hopefully, that will not be for a while.

As we are waiting for the roll call to begin Abby the leader for our troop approaches with two of the new recruits who were just sworn in on Opening day behind her. Abby with her no-nonsense behaviors comes straight to our squad and calls Ivy and me out of formation.

“Ok you two, we have two new recruits for your squad. Decide where you want them.”

“Yes Ma’am” we both reply.

She continues, pointing to a large dapple-grey half draft horse, she says “This is trooper Buddy.”

Then pointing to a smaller jack mule she introduces him “This is Trooper Woodrow, you two can figure out who gets who. Just let me know so I can inform the chain of command. Now fall back into ranks”

I quickly tell Buddy to follow me and fall in with my set, Ivy does the same with Woodrow. We fall back in. Shortly after this the troops top kick sergeant approaches and ask for the status of our troops. We reply to all present and accounted for. After collecting the reports from each squad in the troop he steps up to Captain Abby, saluting with his right forehoof and repeats to her “Door Kicker Troop, all present or accounted for Ma’am”.

That is us, D for Door Kickers. Each troop has a nickname that makes it easier to identify via the PipBuck or radio in combat. Some are just more creative than others. A troop is the Apple Eaters, B troop is the Brahmin Busters, which harks back to the days when one of the gangs from out east tried to raid our community. C troop the Cocky Colts. E troop is the Equestria Rangers and so on. Each troop is made up of ten squads of 10 members, plus attached medical ponies and the Troop commander squad.

We have ten Troops; however, I have heard from Emerado that they are talking about adding a couple more to the Regiment or of creating a second regiment and building it up over time, supplementing it with the local militia members. We have tried to maintain a balance in the number of troopers in the Guard with what we can afford to support and what we need. It has not always been easy, but so far we have done it. It seems to me that having us assist in community work during our rotations helps with that too.

After the formal accounting of the troops is performed our troop commanders return to each troop and pass on the orders for the day to the NCOs and the troops. This morning all our ears go forward as Abby looks at us and says the magical words: “Mission briefing in one hour with the Colonel. Do not be late, this is for every one of the Door Kickers. Top Sergeant dismiss the troops”.

The top kick salutes the Captain, replies “Yes Ma’am.” About faces to the troop and barks out “You heard the Captain, Mission briefing one hour, From the right to the right, by file, dis…Missed”.

With that we break ranks and take care of any personal business we can and need to take care of before the briefing.
Oh, Buck, this is another of the tough ones if the Colonel is going to be there, I tell myself, and then I begin to feel my ear twitch like it usually does before a mission.

Less than an hour later we are all seated in what was once the stable theater, but is now used for mission briefings and debriefings. There is enough room in there from about half of the regiment. Today there are only two companies in here. The Door Kickers and the Hell’s Belles. They are mostly draft horses and Bulls or cows in the Hell’s Belles. They may not move fast, but in a fight, they make up for it with sheer brute size. They are considered a heavy weapons company with a machine gun battle saddle for every squad as well as grenades and occasionally some buzz bombs. Buzz bombs being grenades made from hornets nests.

Right on the hour, we hear “Attention” being called from the back of the room. At that point, the Colonel Comes walking from the back of the room to the podium at the front. Stepping behind the podium and placing both for hooves on it. “At ease, take your seats” he calls.

Colonel Chappy is a solid black draft stallion. He has been in the guard for about 25 years. Like all of our officers, he has come up the ranks. It is extremely rare that he attends the actual unit briefings. Off to the side, I see his staff including Emerado standing there, waiting to pass on the information that we will need to know.

“Sorry about cutting your leave rotations short, but with things as they are, we need everypony on the line as you will see. With the events happening out east, we are seeing a surge of refugees and with them, we are getting reports of raiders as well as some attacks in the area by gang members from out of the valley. We have gotten additional information from our source codename Watcher. I will now turn the briefing over to my staff”.

First up is a staff pony named Archer. He has a natural ability to arch things when he throws them. However, he is not the best looking apple in the barrel, if you know what I mean. I mean glasses on a pony can make some ponies look more intelligent, on him, they just look… Um… Awkward. He is an average size in his girth, but his legs are a bit short. He has a red coat and a green mane and tail. Added to that was a voice that is slightly nasally. It is a good thing for him he really knows his stuff.

“Good morning everypony.” He says nodding to the crowd. “First off, this mission is a sweep and clear. We are to go through the area looking for raiders or gang members, that have been rumored to be in the area.” He Pauses to take a breath then continues “According to reports there may be a band between 25-50 raiders in the ruins of Hereford. We will approach the area in two groups. The Door Kickers will approach from the northwest of Hereford, the Hell’s Belles will approach from the west and southwest. Once outside Hereford, the Door Kickers will begin to recon and then enter the town. The Hell’s Belles are to sweep around the flank of the village and block the back door. We need to prevent any raiders from escaping. Additionally, we will be conducting a search of all standing building looking for any survivors or equipment we may be able to salvage.” After this, he steps down from the podium.

Emerado steps up next. “Placing one hoof on the podium she begins to speak “Due to the size of the operation we will be having multiple communication channels running on the PipBucks. Everyone will have one general communication channel open at all times for communications from the commander. However, this will be one way only, from the commander down. Company commanders, you will have one channel for coms with the Commander, a second for your NCO’s and a third for everyone in your Company. NCO’s you will have comms with your Company commanders as well as with your squads. Everyone else, you will be able to communicate with your NCO’s and Company CO’s as well as each other. Minimize communications and remain on the lowest channel that you need.”

After a short pause, she continues “We have received information letting us know that the previously named asset, Watcher, may attempt to pass on additional information to us or assist us in the field by communicating with us using sprite-bots. I know, I know those things are very annoying, however, please refrain from shooting them or otherwise damaging them so we do not lose this information source”.

This continues with various staff members coming forward to discuss the area as well as logistics. Finally, the Colonel returns to the podium. Looking out at all of us he pauses. "We march out of the assembly area in two hours. Good Luck and Good Hunting to all of you” at that point he turns walks to the edge of the platform.

“Attention” is called and Colonel Chappy quickly marches out of the room. Slowly the rest of us start to file out. We head to the armory and supply hubs, each of us alone with our own thoughts. We know that tomorrow some of us most likely will no longer be on this side of the grass. We assist each other putting on our battle saddles and gearing up. Goddess how I hate this part of the job, the waiting, worrying, but it is all part of the job.

We march out of the assembly area on time and in a column. We begin our trek toward Hereford. Because of the distance required to get there, we all know we will be gone for 3 to 4 days at least. The clouds are beginning to build and there is a dampness in the air. Goddess I hope it does not rain on us again out here. We are each carrying several days rations and ammo in our saddlebags. We also have two canteens each as well as an extra blanket under our battle saddles and a large piece of tarred canvas rolled and tied on them to provide some shelter from the rain.

Shortly before dark we stop for the night and go into bivouac. Due to being in hostile territory, we make it a dry camp, with no fires, cold rations only. We designate that one in five troopers will be on picket watch for the night rotating out so that all take a turn and everyone gets a rest.

Before it gets fully dark, I take Buddy and Woodrow aside. I give them a quick refresher on the combat features of their PipBucks. I make sure that they understand that they are for more than storing music and journals on, or to listen to one of the various radio broadcasts we can often pick up. I Remind them that the Eyes Forward Sparkle also called (E.F.S.) allows them to identify whether a creature is hostile, neutral or friendly. Red, hostile, Yellow is neutral or friendly. The drawback is that while it indicates bearing to the target, it does not give range or elevation.

I then go over how to use S.A.T.S also known as the Stable-Tec Arcane Targeting Spell. This is also a handy spell as it allows us to slow down time to analyze the situation. During combat it also allows us to determine which part of a target may be best to shoot at by presenting an overlay of the target with a percentage of the chance of hitting the target at various areas. While using it we can also set up several attacks, all of which are carried out automatically. The biggest problem with S.A.T.S. though is that while handy it needs to be recharged between attacks. This means that becoming too dependent on it may cause a trooper to be vulnerable and less effective when it is down.

During my turn on watch, it is very quiet. My mind turns to Magpie and how things have started to work out. I wish I could have been with her again tonight, but I did tell her I would be back as soon as I could. I even start to muse a bit about how she too is interested in Badger and begin to wonder if someday, someway all three of us could come together. After all, When I was a foal, I would ask my mother “Can I have some treats” and she would answer “Only a couple.” To which I always had to ask “Momma, what is a couple?”. “Two or three Mollygirl” would always be her reply. So, by mommas estimate we could be a couple, all three of us. I pass a couple of hours this way, but it does help me to stay awake and a bit more alert than I would otherwise.

Come morning we get up and reform. We make sure that everyone is accounted for before heading out. We do so in relative silence as we put our battle saddles and saddlebags back on and reorganize ourselves by squads with the pickets coming in and forming up with us.

Rain begins, slowly at first and then picking up. The wind begins to blow hard and lightning begins to flash against the sky. It is a full raging storm we are marching in.

As we approach Hereford, we hear over the PipBuck for us to shift from column to a skirmisher line. Weapons are hot. We make the transition as quietly as possible and do so at the trot. The same is going on with Hell’s Belles as they shift their formations, and begin to set up their ambush zones on the opposite side of the village.

As we advance, I look up and, in the distance, I think I see a Pegasus silhouetted by lightning in the sky. “What the?” I ask and point in its direction to Bullet, but it has gone to ground or hidden before he spots it. “What Molly, what do you think you saw,” he asks cautiously and quietly. I tell him and he shakes his head, he begins to look worried. “Molly that just made me even more worried than normal, Let's be careful on this one,” he tells me.

As we hit the edge of the woods to an open clearing between us and the village we hear a lone bell begin to toll. We have been seen and all hell breaks loose over the pip bucks.

"All Door Kickers, Door kicker 1 Forward”

“Roger” Respond several voices.

“Taking fire from our left”

“Door kickers squad three get up there to those buildings on the Canter, NOW DAMN IT!”

“Yes, Ma’am on it”

Explosions sound as grenades get thrown into the windows.

That damn bell keeps tolling out, someone needs to take them out.

In the distance, I can see some of the Hell’s Belles galloping into the outskirts of the village. They fire at targets as they pop up. Others are just providing suppressive fire. Some of them enter the abandoned homes that seem to ring the village.

We have made it several blocks into the village past the dilapidated homes almost to the middle of the town. Ahead, behind a barricade in the street, I see several raiders. One is a pony with half an ear missing, an eyepatch and blood on his muzzle starting to raise a shotgun at me. Activating S.A.T.S. on my PipBuck, I fire three quick rounds with my carbine on my battle saddle. Two to the chest, one to the head. He flies back with a red spray staying in the air.

I quickly duck back behind the building corner and signal to the others about hostiles ahead and their numbers I watch as Woodrow enters the building across the street and is quickly followed by Ivy, Ghost, Saber, and Pearl. They are clearing the building working their way to the other side so they can cover us from the windows.

I have Buddy right with me. Due to his size, he is carrying a heavy weapons battle saddle with two automatic rifles on it. On the other corner of the building behind me are Bullet, Badger, and Shadowbuck. Badger and Shadowbuck are firing around the corner as targets appear. Bullet is using his scope to find and call out targets and sniping as he can.

Off to the side, through the rain, I see an old abandoned building that is made of solid brick. A faded sign on it reads Agriculture and Mechanics Hall. I call to Bullet and tell him to take the others and advance to it, while Buddy and I provide Suppressive fire.

Once they are inside and signal, they are ready Buddy and I gallop toward the building also. When we are only a couple of pony lengths from the door, I feel a solid kick in my side that spins me and throws me to the ground. Buddy stops in his tracks spins and opens up in the direction the shots came from with both weapons on full auto.

Buck that hurts, thank the Goddesses for the barding I am wearing or it may have been over for me. I start to struggle to get up and feel Buddy’s teeth grab the back of my barding by the neck and lift me. He drags me inside with the others. I quickly check myself, the round did not penetrate the barding, but I can feel the bruising from. It feels like some of my ribs are broken, I did not need this. It is then I take a painkiller and some water.

“Squad one medical check,” I call out.

Shadowbuck replies “I have taken two rounds to the barding but I’m still good”.

Bullet calls out “I am still Good”.

Badger announces “Well for once my luck has held, no injuries”.

Then I hear Buddy. His voice is shaky. “Sorry Sarge, I took two hits in the flank on the way back, I, I..” his voice begins to trail, and as I look, I see his head begin to slowly drop. I force myself up and go over to him. I check is health status on his PipBuck then using my muzzle, I reach into his pack and pull out two magical bandages as well as a healing potion.

Shadowbuck comes over and assists me while Badger and Bullet stand overwatch. I call for a medic to come to our location for a pickup. I know the unicorn medic should be able to get him out of here with a levitation spell. With Buddy’s size, there is no way we can do it during a firefight.

“Ivy” I call over the Pipbuck, what is your situation?”

“Mollygirl we are across the street from you, we have taken a couple of hits to our barding but overall we are good. The hostiles have fallen back a couple of buildings. What do you need us to do”?

I check my pip buck and see we have at least 25 red markers within a couple of blocks of us. I am still hearing the yelling, screaming, and orders being given over the radio. From the sounds of it, our estimate of raiders was a bit low. So much for the best-laid plans of mice and ponies.

We are in a good building for cover, with a wide-open field of fire on three sides and a short one behind. Ivy is with her set across the street and we can provide joint coverage for each other. On the roof,of this building is an observation copula and Bullet tells me he is going high with his rifle and scope to do a little hunting. I nod and Shadowbuck takes Bullet's place by the window providing suppressive or defensive fire when a red bar decides to show itself.

Shortly after that the Medic shows up and takes over with Buddy, she then calls the command circuit to recommend using this building as an aid station and assembly point for wounded in our company. Within a couple of minutes, a few other wounded ponies and a cow show up. About time to advance again, I tell myself. But first I want to take a better look from up high. I enter the copula, Bullet is back from the window with his eye to the scope. I watch him take a deep breath, hold it, and then, his rifle fires.

“Molly from up here I am able to see into the town square. It is not pretty”. He tells me.

I look and from up here I see several bodies tied up with their hoofs spread and their bellies exposed. There look to be bodies strewn in the street. However, even from a distance, some appear to be foals and other elderly. Most have been dismembered to some extent. Thank Goddess I cannot see clearly without the scope like Bullet is using.

“Bullet, it looks like it is about time to advance. We are back to a two by two, you take Shadowbuck and I will take Badger as a Battle buddy. “The Medic is here for Buddy and he is out of the fight for now”. I tell him.

With that, we both head for the stairs and go to the lower level of the building. As we walk through, I take the time to notice that many of the offices are still fairly intact on the upper levels. While I walk down one hallway, I notice a worn and faded poster on the wall showing a Pink Mare with a pink and gray mane and an intense stare. On the poster is the caption “Pinkie Pie is watching you, Forever”.

“What the Buck, was wrong with these ponies” I accidentally blurt out in surprise. I am seriously disturbed by this poster and wonder how ponies could live like that. Who thought that was a good idea for improving moral during a war, I think to myself, and keep walking back to the rest of the set.

Once downstairs I check the PipBuck E.F.S. We are down to only 15 reds now and two yellows. I see the greens begin to advance again toward the town square. Well, time to do our part again.

“Ivy, this is Molly, prepare to cover us. Once we are set, we will cover you.”

“Rodger Molly, we got you covered”

Bullet and Shadowbuck take one side of the door, Badger and I the other.

“Go, Go, Go,” I yell as we file out the door running for the next set of cover.

Badger and I cross the street into a doorway. I am high, he is kneeling low, carbines ready, Bullet and Shadowbuck are next to an old burnt-out carriage, one at each end, both of them on a different end of the carriage, Carbine and rifle ready. When in position, we all call out "set".

I then call to Ivy “Ivy, we are set.”

"Roger that Mollygirl" I hear over my PipBuck.

With that, her set leaves their cover and advances. We leapfrog back and forth getting closer to the town square. At one point I see one of the raiders jump out from a doorway fire two shots in our direction and jump behind a bush. He is followed by rounds from three carbines and a rifle. E.F.S. shows his indicator turns from red to black as it fades away. I cannot help myself. I have to say it “Remember foals the difference between cover and concealment”. That was such a textbook example.

We are at the barricade now and I can see exactly what Bullet meant that it was not pretty. The bodies that are tied up have been dismembered and mutilated, and oh, my Goddess, not all of them are dead. Ahead I see a yellow Pegasus stallion? He is tied up. All the feathers have been pulled off his wings. One of which has not only been visibly broken, but the bone is sticking out of it. He has one eye gouged out. That is not the worst of it. I can see that they have gelded him and stuffed his testicles in his mouth. These sick, sick Buckers. I almost vomit what little I had for breakfast, but am able to fight it.

Before I call for a medic to be ready, I check E.F.S. again. It shows that the number of reds is now only a couple nearby with several still in the area of town where the Hell’s Belles are engaged. I also notice several are escaping from a gap between the Door Kickers flank and that of the Hell’s Belles to the east. Damn it, that should never have happened.

I go to switch to the command circuit to make them aware, of the Pegasus victim and the gap in the line through which raiders were escaping. However, I hit the wrong channel and suddenly I hear “Captain, I have the volunteer in my sights. He looks in rough shape, but the more organized force looks like they are about to reach his area. Shall we attempt to extract him?”

“Negative there are too many of them. Take the shot before those filthy Ground Bounds capture him and he has an opportunity to talk” is the reply.

“Rodger, taking the shot”

I look on in horror as I see the wounded Pegasus’s head snap back and the side of it fountain out. It goes limp and I hear over the comms channel “Target down, will reform”.

Badger being right next to me had heard the exchange, “What the Buck, we could have helped him, and who are they calling dirty Ground Bounds?”

“Us, I guess, must have been the pegasi I saw earlier. I had thought I might have been imagining it” I replied.

By this time Ivy’s section had caught up with us. The E.F.S. only showed a couple of reds left.” Ok, colts and fillies let’s finish it, Follow me.” I call as I go up and over the barricade. Looking for targets I see nothing but a couple of yellows and watch as the last couple of reds fade away.

As the firing in our area starts to die away, we hear some gunfire still on the other side of town from the area of Hell’s Belle’s. We set up a perimeter and secure the area. We begin to look for wounded raiders or civilians in the area. We also begin to assemble the dead into two areas. The raiders we stack together while the others we bring to another pile. Somehow it just does not seem right to place the bodies of the victims next to those who made their last moments a Tartarus on Eques.

We also begin to search the bodies for weapons, ammo or anything else that may be of use. Among the captured items I find several sets of saddlebags. One of them is marked with the name SIlver Spite, besides the normal items carried by most, it also has a small surgical kit in it. I set it to the side for the medics and continue to look through the items for anything useful.

While searching through a pair of saddlebags marked with the name Summer Breeze, I find some photos of the dead pegasus with two younger ones. On the back is written Summer Breeze, Serenity and Firefly. Besides, the photos are some healing potions, a dozen shotgun shells and some rations, I also find a printed pamphlet.

It has a picture of a Pegasus on the cover and says Join the Pegasus Volunteer Corps today. Flipping the cover. I continue to read.

• Are you a conscientious objector?

• Do you still want to serve the Enclave and help those who live below the clouds?

• If so, Join the Pegasus Volunteer Corps.

We will provide you with a solid two weeks of training to assist you in learning how to deal with those poor unfortunates below. Among the classes will be:

• First aid and Psychological First Aid

• How to cultivate crops.

• Checking for radiation levels.

• Ghouls, Zombie Ponies, and Raiders, what are they, and how can you tell them apart?

• Small arms training

Typed in small print at the bottom of the page is the message: This pamphlet is not for general distribution ground side. Any pony caught with it outside of the cloud cities will be considered a traitor or Dashite and will be treated as such.

Over my shoulder, I hear Ivy ask Bullet “What is a Dashite?”

He replies “I do not know, but do they really think you could learn enough to survive down here in only two weeks? That sounds either ignorant or cruel to me”.

“Really you two, reading over my shoulder, couldn’t you wait?” I ask.

“Well, Molly you know I am fascinated by the Pegasi, I cannot help it” Bullet Replies.

Ivy than pops up again with “Well it is the first thing we have seen of the Pegasi in how long? I mean other those old war posters for the Thunderbolts and the Shadowbolts”.

Sighing I shake my head. “I best run this up the chain of command, I think they will be interested in it. You two keep policing the area, will you.” I tell them.

At that point, I call for Captain Abby on the PipBuck and tell her I have some information that I think she will find interesting. She tells me to bring it to her over by the old railroad depot, and I begin to trot over that way after having put the pamphlet in my saddlebags and putting Ivy in charge of the squad.

By this time all the gunfire has started to die away and I can see the other squads and companies finish clearing the area. Hell’s Belles have made a big find of several refuge ponies that were tied up and being kept in an old warehouse. The captain is over there along with Captain Hell Fire. They are discussing options for cleanup operations of Hereford as well as what areas still need to be searched.

As I walk in the door, I notice a stack of crates covered by old canvas tarps. The crates are labeled Iron Shod Firearms. Many of the smaller crates are labeled with R&D on them. Interesting I think, but I need to get this over to Abby.

When I get over to them, I look at Abby and state that I am reporting as ordered. No saluting in the field that is a good way to get someone killed.

“Ok, Sergeant, what have you got for us that you thought was so important?” she asks.

Pulling the pamphlet from my saddleback I tell her “I found this in a set of saddlebacks near where the pegasus victim was.” I then proceed to tell her about the messages over the PipBuck that Badger and I heard.

Both of the captains looked at each other. Neither looked happy to hear that news. Not that I could say I blame them. With that, I also had to ask “Did anyone check out those crates over there yet? I noticed that they were from Iron Shod. That could be a good thing, that and several of the smaller crates are marked for research and development. “

Again, the two exchange looks. I feel like I am missing something. They have me lead them over there and shortly afterward we begin to open the crates. They are not your typical small arms crates that is for sure. As we rip the first of the large creates open, we find an artillery piece and its limber packaged for shipment. I see Captain Hell’s eyes go wide and hear him say quickly “Mine, I got dibs on it as I have the heavy weapons company.”

Abby just turns her head and replies. “oh, they are yours alright, do you think my ponies could really pull it.”

After it has been removed from it crate the gun is moved so that it can be connected to its limber for ease of pulling as well as carrying rounds. We begin to eye the other large create and wonder if it will be something similar. When we open it, we are surprised to see a gun that has a much smaller barrel but has a large opening on it that looks like ammo could be fed into it through. When we open the smaller crates, we find that they are a mixture of rounds for the two guns, however, all of the R&D marked ones are for the smaller gun.

As the operations to clear the town wrap up, I see that the Hell’s Belles are rigging up a set of harness to pull the guns using old rope and some used harnesses found in town. I look over at the Captain who has laid claim to the two guns and I have to ask “Sir, what kind of guns are those? What should we call them?”

Smiling an evil grin with a twinkle in his eye he replies back “How about Celestia for the larger one and Luna for the smaller one”.

Before leaving Hereford, we make sure that we search all the buildings for any remaining raiders as well as anything we can still use, that those who desire to remain behind do not want. We bury the dead refugees and settlers in a common grave. Finally, the commanders begin to talk to the survivors about the possibility of becoming members of our co-op. If they choose to do so they will have to work doing labor in the fields for at least a year before being allowed to move to another occupation. If they choose to remain behind, they are told that we will not be able to guarantee their safety or that of their village due to the distance from there to the co-op.

We are not a conquering force, we strike only when we feel we need to so to protect the co-op and its members. We cannot overextend our forces as we do not have the resources to protect too large of an area. I know though that I do feel some guilt at having to leave them behind, but we cannot save every pony.

After all, is said and done, we reform by squads and begin the trek back to the Stable. The wounded that are fit enough march on their own. Those that are too badly wounded are either pulled on carriages or a makeshift travois, which is two long poles tied together at one end, with a third shorter pole connecting them at the bottom. Add to this a platform made from either blankets or tarred canvas roles and we are able to pull it, usually with the aid of a battle saddle.

After the battle, we had the adrenaline rush for some time. However, after it wears off, we become tired and lethargic. The injuries that we did not notice earlier begin to ache and some of us begin to limp on legs that are bruised or torn.

Before we set out, I scan the carriages and travois for Buddy to make sure he survived. I would hate to lose him on his first operation, but that has happened before. Way too often it has occurred before. Thank Celestia he is still alive. I need to say something to him. Make sure he knows we do care.

“Hey Buddy, how you doing?” I ask him.

“Hey Sarge, I am making it, I guess. Sorry for making such a mess of it” he says as an apology.

“Buddy, you did not make a mess of it, you did fine, in fact, I have to thank you for saving my hide when I got the wind knocked out of me.”

With a half-smile, he looks at me and says “it was nothing, you would do the same for me and I know it. Well, ok, you and a couple of others.” He says chuckling a bit. “I know I am a big boy to try and move”.

“Well I have to get back to the squad before we start the march, you take it easy and we will stop by when we can to check on you at medical. I want you to heal up as well and quickly as possible so we can get you back in the squad again, Thanks again kid”. I pat him on the shoulder, give a quick wave with my hoof and am off to the squad again.

During the march, I keep thinking of Buddy. I feel bad for him. I just cannot shake the feeling that he took those rounds for me. It was my fault he got hit. If I had not gotten hit and gone down, he would not have had to have stopped and picked me up.

This goes along with my thoughts of how I should have been able to have kept that pegasus from being killed. I knew they were targeting him. I should have been able to have done something. I am not sure what, but something.

A couple more stones in my saddlebags for me to carry. I have several from over the years. When I used the memory orb of Millie’s I understood all too well her horror at the death of Jonesy. I too have lost squad members in a similar manner and I am still haunted by each one of them.

I start to think of Magpie again, and even Badger. While it would be great, I just do not feel that I deserve to be loved by either of them, much less both of them. I have done too much wrong. They deserve someone better than me.

While I look forward to stopping for the night and bivouacking, I know it will be another night that I will have a hard time sleeping. As fatigued as I am, maybe I can just fall into a deep sleep tonight. No dreams, no memories. Today had brought to many of those back. I try not to show it or let anyone else know. I cannot have them thinking I am scared or that I am weak.

As we continue the march Bullet comes over to me and starts up a conversation with me.

“Hey Molly, you ok?”

“Of course, I am Bullet, what makes you think something is wrong?” I ask.

“Molly, this is dad talking not your corporal. You never walk with your head down like that unless something is getting to you, now cough it up kid” he tells me.

With my head still down and my ears to the sides I reply “Seriously dad, I am ok”.

He looks at me with that look I remember so well as a foal. It is the look of "I know you are lying young mare." He has me, I know it and so does he.

“Dad, I am sorry, I really want to talk to you about it, but, but, I just can’t right now. Maybe after we get back, we can have a couple of ciders and we can talk about it.” I tell him.

“Ok, Moll,” he says as he puts a hoof around my shoulder. I love this buck so much he is my family as much as I have left at least, I will have to keep this promise.

With that he falls back and starts to chat with Badger and Shadowbuck, leaving me to my own thoughts. I place one hoof after the other in the mud until we stop for the night. The rain still falls but at least the storm has died down and we no longer have to worry about the lightning. I volunteer to take the first watch for our squad as I know I will not be able to sleep right away anyways.

The next morning everyone gets up. We eat our rations cold once again, the good thing about oatmeal, I guess. It does not need to be hot, but it sure does not warm the belly that way. As we get ourselves reformed in the distance, I see the Hell’s Belles with the two artillery pieces. While I see six ponies pulling each one in harness, I also see several who help get them unstuck by pushing on the wheels and the caissons. I guess things could always be worse, at least I am not on that detail.

As we march back home I am still pretty tired, and a little bit irritated at everything. At least the blasted rain stopped last night. I slip back and forth alongside my squad members to make sure they are all ok. I even find time to talk to Ivy a bit. Bullet, while my corporal in the field is still dad to me in so many ways. Ivy, well, Ivy is my best friend. She and I go a long way back. She was there at my cutie mark wetting down party as well as for when I made corporal and sergeant. In fact, I handed down my old corporal stripes to her when I got advanced. There just seems to be so much I want to talk to her about.

We finally make it back to the stable just after nightfall. Again, we fall in at the assembly area. Hold a quick roll call to make sure we have no stragglers left behind. Then we are told that we are to remain in the barracks for the night and a debriefing will occur in the morning after morning assembly.

I am just looking forward to a hot shower and a clean bed to lie down in. A good meal and some hard cider would not be too bad either I tell myself. Well, I wonder if I have any still inside my locker in the stall. I will have to check. But first to the armory and supply to turn in weapons and field equipment. There they tell us to keep our PipBucks this time, that is out of the ordinary too. Again, my ears are full up, but the supply clerk knows nothing more about why, so I just have to wonder.

As I walk back to my stall, Ivy catches up with me. And we begin to talk a bit.

“Hey Molly, you ready for a good shower, I know I am, I don't know if I will ever be able to get all the mud off of me, it seems to be everywhere”.

Laughing I reply “Well, if you hadn’t decided to wallow like a buffalo last night perhaps it would not be that bad”.

To that, she sticks her tongue out at me. At which point we both laugh. Sure, it is a bit foalish, but sometimes it’s the little things that relieve the tension.

She then asks me “Do you think that we will go back on our normal rotation or do you think they might give us a break this time?”

I have to shake my head “Ivy, you know as well as I do, we never have that kind of luck. We probably will pick up right where we left off in our rotation.”

“Yeah, I know Mol, but a mare can hope some. Speaking of that when are you heading into town to see your little filly” She asks.

Putting my head down and looking at the ground I answer in a sad tone “Ivy, do you really think she is mine. Do you really think a mare or stallion would want me anymore? Look at me, I almost got Buddy killed on his first mission.”

She gets ahead of me. Lifts my chin with her hoof and looks me in the eyes “Molly, I am sure Magpie wants you. She marked you as hers already, don’t you realize that. She knows you are a combat pony, but she still wants YOU. As for Buddy, I saw that whole episode. The kid deserves a letter of recommendation at the least. However, that was not your fault. If he had not stopped, most likely you both would have bought a plot. His spray of covering fire got a couple of the raiders and they were armed with a carbine and an auto rifle. No slouches there. I just want to know where they got their firepower.”

She pauses then continues, “So, no Molly, you are not to blame for that, and besides you just happened to notice a couple of nice field pieces of artillery for the co-op to use. I talked to a couple of the Hell’s Belles last night while on picket and they are so excited to have it that they already have a full crew of volunteers for them. They were even bragging, see this is why you guys call us a heavy weapons troop” Ivy says with a tender smile as she releases my head.

At this point, I try and cheer up a bit. I smile weekly. “Ivy, I have an idea that I need to bounce off of you. I just hope you do not feel I am being stupid or selfish with it” I tell her.

As we continue walking, she smiles, “Ok sarge, what is it?” she asks.

Sheepishly I look at my friend “It is about me and Magpie, oh and Badger, just he does not know it yet” I say.

Ivy lifts an eyebrow “Now this sounds both interesting and fun, please go on” she says.

So, I tell her my thoughts from the other night on picket duty. “Ivy, I just do not really know how to explain it. Both Magpie and I are really attracted to Badger. We, at least I, had not planned on having a relationship with each other, that just kind of happened. To tell you the truth that just feels right too. But both of us are also attracted to males, and Badger in particular. I have not brought this idea up to Magpie yet, much less Badger”.

“Mollygirl, how does your life become so complicated?” she asks me. She smiles at me and then suggests “You should ask Magpie first before anything else.” She pauses then continues “Especially if you really care about that mare. Then you need to think of what you will do if she says no. However, if she is open-minded enough to say yes, then go for it. I will even help trip him for the two of you if need be. So, no I do not think you are being selfish or foalish my friend.”

“Thank you, Ivy,” I tell her.

“But remember, Badger still has Memory in his life also so that may complicate things. Just take it slow and be patient.” She reminds me.

At this point, we reach our stall and change the subject as we enter. Inside we see Emerado laying on her bunk reading a book about, of all things, artillery. I guess she knows already.

While I consider Emerado a friend as well as a stall mate. I feel a bit of a twist in the saddle leather to see her so clean and laying on a clean bed after we have spent the last couple of days humping it cross country. Still, I remind myself be polite, she is a staff pony now.

“Hey guys” She calls as she looks up from her book and then sets it aside. “How are you guys doing?”

Ivy answers for both of us “tired as all buck and needing a shower, Em. How are you doing?”

“OH, I am doing fine, just catching up on my reading a bit. You guys really found some good stuff this time. I guess Watcher was just guiding us there for them, he seems to have a habit of pointing us in general direction and then hoping we will find what he thinks we need. The next question is why does he think we need a howitzer and an anti-air gun. I mean it is not like we will be going up against any bat-winged zebra or any Pegasi is it?”

“Wait, what? Em, are you telling me that zebras had bat wings and could fly, don’t tell me you found some more strange propaganda from the war?” I reply.

“No, Mollygirl. Get this, in one of the old intelligence reports I found they talked about Zebra warriors having bat wings and flying like the Pegasi. While interrogating prisoners they said they got them through some kind of spell.”

“Em, perhaps we do have to worry about the pegasi,” I tell her. Then I tell her about the encounter in the village and the pamphlet that I had turned over to Captains Abby And Hell Fire.

She goes silent for several minutes. “That is very interesting. I am glad you told me. I have to see the Major and the Colonel in the morning before the debrief so I will give them a heads up. Anything else we should know?”

“Well Em, there were several crates of ammo marked Iron Shod Firearms R&D with the guns. You might want to find out what type of rounds they are. I know they were making all kinds of specialty rounds for shotguns at the end.”

Ivy takes her turn in the conversation and asks “Em, I know you hear a lot that you really shouldn’t talk about but is there anything that we should know about? “

Em looks like she is thinking “Not really, it seems we have had a couple more flyovers by pegasi but other than that there is not much new. “

“Ok Em. I really need to get cleaned up. We can talk more when I get back if you want.” I tell her and Ivy and I both go to our lockers to get clean barding as well as our kits for cleaning ourselves up. I happen to look in the back and notice that while I do not have any cider in there. I do have half a bottle of Old Overmare rye whiskey in there. Perhaps I will be able to sleep tonight I think to myself and then head off to get a cleaned up for the first time in four days.

Ivy and I both go and get our showers and when we get back Em is engrossed in her book enough that she barely notices we are back at first. Then she looks up and tells me and Ivy, oh, you both got letters yesterday. I put them under your pillows. Sorry, I did not tell you earlier, I was just too excited between having you guys back and the new big guns.

Ivy reaches under her pillow and finds it is a short note from Epona. The letter also has a cute drawing in it that Ivy takes and puts up on the wall above her bed. I have to smile at that. Maybe someday I will have a foal who will do drawings for me I think wistfully.

Curious, I reach under my pillow to see who would leave a letter for me while I was gone. I see a mouth writing that I am not familiar with. Then I see it is from Magpie. Now I am worried. Oh, Celestia please do not let it be a dear Jill letter. I do not think I could handle it right now if it is.

I open the letter and begin to read

My dearest Mollygirl,
I know we have not known each other long, but already you have become somepony special to me. I miss you and cannot wait for your next visit. I just heard yesterday that yours and another troop has gone out into the field suddenly, and while I worry about you, it also relieves me a bit. I was afraid that the reason you had not come to visit me was that I had done something wrong, or that you just were not really interested in me. I have never felt this way for a mare before and to tell the truth, it scares me, almost as much as the thought of losing you so soon. Please come and visit me as soon as you can. You know where to find me. I will be waiting for you.
With all my heart
Your Magpie.

I let out the breath I did not know I had been holding. She really wanted me still. Celestia thank you I pray. I really needed this, perhaps my luck is getting better.

Ivy looks over and she asks “Good news I guess?”

All I can do was smile and shake my head yes. With a tear in my eye, I climb into my bed and fall asleep holding the letter against my chest.

Dear DJ Pon3, we listen to you as much as we can and while we know this letter may not reach you, we would really appreciate it if you could play for us “Hells Bells”. Thanks in advance, the members of Troop H (Hell’s Belles) Manesville Co-op Guard.

Thanks again to Kkat, for creating the world of FoE. I also thank Somber and Fuzzy VeeVee for their further world-building and showing me how we can build into this world, allowing me to create the Co-op in what was once part of the Equestrian Heartland.
11/21/23- I have noticed that I had not given proper credit got thr Enclaves Volunteer Corps. The credit for it goes to Somber, from whom I borrowed it from.

Again I have to thank my test readers for their efforts in helping me with this story.

For those who would like to listen to this chapter's dedication song, the Youtube link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvGeujU6iK0