By Trooper

Once I leave the officers call, I first intend on going directly to the hospital. Instead, I begin to make a round of the perimeter and then the compound. I start off by going into the basement of the HQ. There I see most of my scouts sitting there together. Some just talking Others helping each other with wounds that they received that day.

I look over and see Xochitl helping to stitch a wound on his father from earlier in the day. I notice that Chip and Blackberry Pie are off to the side just spending time holding each other. Normally they reserve that for when it is just them around.

Firefly sees me and comes over to greet me. “Ma’am, it is good to see you are alright. Do you know how my sister is doing?” He asks.

I smile some and tell him, “When I was there a couple of hours ago, she was in a bed next to Sky. She is still unconscious but if everything goes well, she should be fine.”

He lets out a sigh of relief, “Thank you LT. I was worried about her. I was next to her when she got hit, it could have just as easily been me. On another subject, Ma’am have you heard if Dusty is ok?”

Again, I smile, “She was not in the casualty reports, so I am fairly sure she is ok.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I do worry about her in the front lines. I saw what happened earlier today, so it does concern me.” He says.

“Firefly, you have reason to be concerned, but we have to do what we can, ok,” I tell him as I place a hoof on his shoulder.

I sit with them and talk for a bit. I really miss being with them as much as I was, then I know I must get going again. I stand up and before I leave, I tell them, “I just want to say thank you, all of you for all your effort. You saved a lot of lives and put in a lot of work. I am proud of all of you.” Then before they can reply I am back out the door.

Then I go back into the trenches of D-troop. I have to see Dusty. I want to make sure she is alright also. I stop at each squads’ section of the line talking to each squad briefly as well as saying hello to those on guard duty. When I get to First squad, I see Dusty sitting by herself.

“Hey Dusty, you ok?” I ask as I put a hoof on her shoulder.

She takes a deep breath, “Not sure really LT. I have a lot on my mind right now. I am so worried about not just my squad, but Ginger and Firefly.”

“Well, I am evacuating the foals in the morning. Ginger will be with them along with Xochitl. Firefly will be one of those taking them out and back home. I hope that helps some.”

She looks at me with a bit of tear forming in her eye, “Yeah it helps. You know it's funny LT, All I ever wanted was to serve the Co-op like mom, and to have a family someday. Now it looks like I may never get the chance.”

I put my hoof to my stomach as I answer her. “I understand fully Dusty but don’t give up hope. Who knows what may happen tomorrow?” I tell her.

“Thanks LT, I appreciate it. I just don’t have your optimism anymore.”

I lift her chin, “Dusty, the first thing that Firefly asked me about after his sister is you. He more than cares about you. To me, that is something worth fighting for. Don’t give up, I am sure if he could be, he would be right here with you, right now,” I tell her.

I see her begin to smile, then I hear a throat clear behind me, I turn and Firefly is there with an embarrassed look on his face. “Thanks, LT,” he tells me, then looks at Dusty,” She is right Dusty, don’t give up, please. I want that family too.”

I look back and forth between them, “If you two will excuse me I have some things I still need to do.” I then continue through the lines.

Once I reach H-Troop's section I am met by Kettle Bell and her sergeant Peach Pit. “Good evening ma’am,” I hear Kettle Bell say to me.

“Evening, I thought you two would be in the bunker still,” I say in reply.

“No ma’am, we have ponies and cattle that need to see us tonight. Just like you. Thank you for coming up here.” Peach Pit says, then he lifts up a bottle.

I take it and sniff at it. Old Overmare, I have to smile, a taste of home. Before I take a sip, I tell them, “Thank you, it has been a while,” I then lift the bottle and make a toast, “To your health and to confusion to the enemy.” Then I take a good size drink. Goddesses how I needed that. Only one, that is all I will have tonight, but it should be enough.

I hoof the bottle back to Kettle Bell and she tells me, “To your health too ma’am. It has been a pleasure serving with you.” She says and holds out a hoof. I take it and as we shake hooves, we both look into the other's eyes, we are both scared, but I can see the determination in hers and only hope she sees it in mine. Then she tells me, “I better let you go, I have a few more post I want to check out. Ma’am, why don’t you stop by the bunkers and say hello on your way through. I am sure the troops would appreciate it.”

“Thank you, Kettle, I will do that. Have a good night you two.” I tell them as I continue on my way.

I stop in each of the bunkers of the Belles, talking, shaking hooves. Even exchanging a hug with a young bull, I found crying in a side trench. He was worried about his mother after his father had died during the Battle of Manesville. I reassured him the best I could. “I understand entirely, can I tell you a secret?” I ask him, He nods his head and then I continue, “I am scared too. I have been the entire time since we left Manesville, but what keeps me going is that I remember, all of our brothers and sisters here have our back. I got your back too, trooper. We all do.”

He sniffles a bit more, “Thank you, ma’am, I am sorry about that. I, I don’t know what came over me.”

I put a hoof on his shoulder, “Hey, we all have our moments, don’t worry about it, just keep my secret and I will keep yours,” I tell him with a wink.

He straightens himself up, “Thank you LT, I got your back too.”

“OK, I have some more troops to visit yet, you have a good night and I will see you tomorrow sometime,” I tell him and continue on.

Next, I find Bailey and his Engineers. They are still improving their defenses, but I also notice a bottle of homebrew that they are sharing. “Evenin LT.” I hear Bailey say before I see him.

“Evening Bailey, how you all doing tonight?” I ask.

“Bout as good as can be expected. We are going to make ‘em pay Tartarus tomorrow ma’am.” He says.

Besides him, another engineer interrupts, “Sure, we may go down, but we figure the bigger the body count on their side, the bigger our entourage in Tartarus when we go before the keeper.”

As he says this he does not sound upset. In fact, he sounds like he is looking forward to it. In fact, they are all acting that way. I begin to wonder what is in the homebrew, then I realize, it is all bravado, they are acting brave for each other.

They hoof me the bottle and for the second time that night, I take a sip. It burns going down, but I can feel the effects of it. I hold the bottle up. “Let’s make ‘em pay for every meter of ground my children, let’s make them pay.”

Behind me, in the dark, I hear one of the bucks say, “We will ma, we will.”

I hoof the bottle over to another of the engineers and tell them. “I need to continue my rounds, but If I get back here tonight, I will see you then, if not, come morning.”

They all cheer a bit and as I am walking away, I hear them beginning to sing Marey Owen as they drink and work.

A bit further down the lines, I begin to meet members of the Volunteers. They too are busy rebuilding their defenses. I run into Trip Hammer as he helps lift another beam back into place over the trenches. “Hey Trip, good to see you all hard at it,” I tell him.

“Thanks, LT. It feels good to be up in the lines now. Almost like we are regulars.”

When I reply, I make sure I say it loud enough for all of the nearby troopers to hear me, “Trip, you guys proved your worth a while ago. After today, no pony can say you guys are not regulars. I am proud of all of you, and owe you each a debt of thanks.”

Behind me, I hear one quietly tell another, “Did You hear that? The Old Mare thinks we are not as good as the regulars, we are regulars.”

“Yeah, I heard, but don’t let her hear you call her the old mare.” He replies.

I shake a lot of the hooves after that, and after one drink several more offer me another, It is then that I point out. “Fellas, I would love to sit and drink with all of you, but it would not be good for my foal. I have to think of the little one too.”

Then I hear one of their corporals ask, “So it is true? You really are pregnant, and you been fighting that way?”

Embarrassed I nod my head yes, then tell them, “I know I should be more careful for her, but I could not let what they were doing stand. I had to help as much as I could.”

Another buck steps up with a mare next to him and tells me, “No Ma’am, you don’t understand. Most bucks in the wastelands would kill for a mare who would stand up next to them in a fight like that. You not only did that, but you also risked everything for us including your child. We aren’t looking down on you for it, we are humbled.”

The mare next to him then adds, “LT, I know what it is like to carry a foal, it is exhausting, yet you do everything we do and then some. That says a lot.”

It is at this point I am becoming embarrassed. “You are my troopers, just like the Rangers, The DoorKickers or the Belles. You are My Volunteers and that means more to me than you realize. It is I who am humbled. Thank you all.”

Behind me, I hear Trip Hammer call out, “Ok, time to get moving again. We still have some work to do before we settle in for the night.” As the others start to return to work, he looks at me, shakes his head with a smile, and tells me, “Thanks LT. That probably did more to build their morale than anything I could have done.”

I am somewhat baffled as to what he means by this and let him know. He then tells me, “And that is why, you really mean it, you’re not just saying it.” He then bids me a good evening and I go a little bit further. There I find Rice Paddy and the few remaining Rangers. They have taken over the last position in the line next to the river.

I see him sitting on the back wall of the trench looking up at the stars. I walk up alongside of him and look at the stars too. “Would you like some company?”

He does not say anything, he just pats the ground next to him with a forehoof. I climb up next to him and sit quietly just watching the sky. After a while, I hear him sniffle, so I gently ask, “want or need to talk about it?”

“Sorry LT, it's, just, please understand,” he pauses, “it’s just, why me? Why am I still alive and the others are not? I mean so many are gone now.”

I move a bit closer and quietly tell him, “Honestly, I don’t know other than it was not your turn. I keep asking myself the same thing.”

I see him shift his body and head to look at me. “What do you mean LT?”

I sigh and put a hoof on his shoulder, “Rice, I died back when Sergeant Ivy and her daughter were killed. They brought me back. I should not be here. Then there are so many times since then I thought I was going to die. The thing is, it was not my time, and right now, it’s not yours either. WE are both here for a reason. We just have to find out what it is.”

He sighs, “LT, can I tell you something, without you thinking I am crazy?”

“With my life, don’t worry about me thinking you are crazy. But what is it?” I ask.

“It, it happened earlier today, after we escaped and went back into the lines. After you found us. We were in the middle of a firefight with some raiders and I swear I saw a white mare in a black cloak, walking through the middle of the firefight. She would stop briefly at some of those lying there. She looked like she was talking, then she would continue on. Ma’am, I swear I saw bullets go through her and nothing happened.” He is very upset when he tells me this.

I sit there and think of what to say, then I proceed, “Rice Paddy, do you believe in spirits?”

He shakes his head no, “Not really ma’am. I know you are friends with the zebra scout, but that sounds like something he would bring up.”

I sigh, “True, but that means you are probably going to think I am crazy for what I am going to tell you next.”

He looks at me funny, “What do you mean LT?”

“Rice, you saw a spirit today. Her name is the Mareigan. She chooses who lives and dies on the battlefield. The funny part is, she also has something to do with fertility and she considers the Co-op her home.”

He is looking right at me, “Ma’am, what on Equus are you talking about? You sound like you not only believe me but know it.”

I nod back and softly tell him, “Yeah, I guess you could say so. I first saw her at the dead stable outside of Good Doer. I along with a couple of others have seen and even talked with her since. If you saw her, she wanted you too. Consider it a blessing. Sergeant, you are one of hers now and she was letting you know you are here still for a reason, same as me. Let’s make those reasons count, what do you say?” I tell him as I hold out a hoof to shake.

He is hesitant at first then nods his head, “Yeah LT, we need to make those reasons count,” and then we shake hooves on it.

We sit and talk a bit more. He tells me about some of those he lost today. Their good times and bad. He tells me about them and what he will miss about them. I sit there and listen. Finally, I notice the time and realize I have to get going again. “Hey Rice, I need to get going, but if you ever need to talk, let me know. Also, when we get back to Manesville I am going to be talking to Moonpie back at the stable. If you would like maybe we can get a few of us together to go talk to her about what we have all experienced here, let me know if you are interested.”

“Ok, LT, take it easy and have a good night. I will see you tomorrow. As for when we get back, let's talk about it then, I still need to think about talking to Moonpie.” He tells me.

We shake hooves one more time and I begin to head my way back to the rear. As I head back, I hear the Volunteers singing now, as well as the Engineers. I stop off at all of the artillery positions and talk to them. I see Kicker and before I can say anything, she gives me a hug. “Goddesses I am glad to see you are alright LT.” she tells me.

“Thanks, Kicker, it is good to see you too. How are you doing?” I tell her.

“Mollygirl, I am doing good, I will be better when we get out of here, but I am doing well. Uh, I got a kind of personal question to ask though.” She tells me quietly.

“Really what is it?”

“Mollygirl, do you think Stitches could do a pregnancy check on me? I am late with coming into my cycle. I should have had two of them since the last time.”

My eyes go wide, “Really, is this a good thing then Kicker?”

She nods her head, “Yes Mollygirl, my husband and I agreed so that we could try and help widen the gene pool for the co-op a bit.”

I smile and congratulate her. “I will talk to Sutures and see about having her check you in the next couple of days then.” I put on a good front, but in the back of my mind, all I can think of is, if we make it out of here alive.

I talk to her and the crew with her for a bit more than I visit the other positions. Once done I head back down to the civilian camp and the hospital. I really don’t want to go there, but I want to see Archer and Sutures so badly. That and I know Ginger is probably still there. I best go see if they have eaten, if not maybe Stir Fry has something cooking still and I can take it to them.

I walk into the hospital and see the well lite stalls being used for surgery. Doc Treacle is assisting Doctor Tourniquet on another surgery. As I am passing, I see that it is a cow on the table. They are trepanning her. It is not a pretty sight to see. But thank the Goddesses one of the medics was able to knock her unconscious for it.

As I get closer to Archer's bed, I see Ginger is now awake but she is still laying against Archer. On the floor below the foot of the bed, I see Sutures has passed out and someone has put a blanket over her. When she sees me, I see Ginger's ears go forward and her eyes wide. She slowly slips off the bed and quietly walks to me and we exchange a hug.

“How are you doing little one?” I ask her.

“Hi ma, I’m hungry, but I do not want to leave them.” She tells me.

“How about we go get something to eat from Stir Fry and then come back. I am sure Archer is not going to be going anywhere for a while.” I tell her.

She looks over at Sutures, “What about mama Sutures? She has been sleeping hard for a couple of hours now.”

“If we can, we will bring back something for her too. But for now, we need to look out for you too.” I tell her with a gentleness that makes me realize just how much I have come to love this little mare. Part of me aches at knowing I will have to send her away and perhaps not ever seeing her again.

“Ok ma, let's go. Have you seen Xochitl tonight?” she asks me as we walk.

“Yeah, he was helping take care of some of Xavier’s wounds when I visited the scouts. Most of them are there still.”

“Ma, after we eat, can we go see them for a bit?”

I smile sadly as I answer, “Sure dear, whatever you want tonight.”

We continue to talk on our way to Stir Fry’s wagon. There is still a pretty large crowd there when we arrive. Stir Fry sees us and smiles as she continues to serve stew out to those in line ahead of us.

When it is our turn, she tells me, “It is good to see both of you. You came at the right time LT, we ran out of the miretank stew earlier, we have a bit of crawdaddy and radhog stew now. I added some extra spices to liven it up a bit.”

“Thanks, Stir, I really appreciate it. Do you think you might have enough to take over to the hospital before it is too late? I am pretty sure none of the staff got anything to eat today.” I request of her.

I see the look on her face of shock. Then she tells me, “Mollygirl are you serious? I had just thought that they were eating regular rations, it never dawned on me that they were so busy.”

“I understand, I had not thought of it until Ginger told me about it earlier on our way over here.”

Stir smiles at Ginger, she looks back at me. Then she says, “Well I am glad she brought it up. I will see if I can get some ponies to take it over to them in a bit.”

As Ginger and I go to find a place to sit down we are greeted by many of the civilians. I notice that almost all of them are now armed. I also notice that they are all carrying themselves a bit different now, not fear or worry, so much as a sort of determination and acceptance of what they will have to do.

I then notice Fancy still there sitting with Sirocco, she has a hoof on his and they appear to be having a nice conversation. “Mind if we join you?” I ask.

Fancy looks at us and smiles, Sirocco waves a hoof at the seats and tells me, “Please do LT, Fancy was just telling me a bit more about you and your adventures from before me and my band joined up with you.”

I smile, but I feel the heat rushing to my face from the mild embarrassment of what she may have told him. Then I tell him. “I hope it has not gotten you too worried about the brigands that you have fallen in with.”

“No, not at all, in fact, it reinforces what my son has said about you. By the way, my people are ready for the operation in the morning. Ma’am, are you sure about it?”

I sigh and before I can answer Ginger asks me, “Ma, what operation?” She has a note of concern in her voice.

So I start to tell her about Operation Foal Lift and she interrupts me. “Ma, before you tell me, don’t waste your breath. Me and Xochitl already talked about it. We aren’t going.”

“Ginger, sweetheart, please, I not only want you safe, but I want you both to help protect the foals. Most of them are going to be upset at being separated from their parents.”

She looks me straight in the eyes, “NO. He and I will guard them until they leave this side of the river, but we are not leaving you or Xavier behind. Ma, I will not lose my family by abandoning them. If you try to force me, I will fight you every hoof step of the way.”

Nugget was never this suborn, where in the world did, she learn to be this way? I start to argue with her, then Sirocco interrupts. “Ginger, while I agree with your mother that you should go, I am not going to force you, and neither will any of my pegasi. Sorry LT, but I am not going to do that to her. She may not have her cutie mark yet, but by the Goddesses, she is as stubborn as any Dashite I have ever met, my son included.”

I know I have lost this battle for now, so I shift the subject, “Speaking of children, how are your daughter and granddaughter doing?”

This brings a large smile to his face. “Both are doing well. Thank you so much for letting us join you and your civilian caravan. Honestly LT, I don’t know what would have happened to us otherwise.”

“Well, I am glad I could help. I am really glad though that I got to meet you and your family. Sunset never talked much about his family, I am not sure why.”

This time I hear Sirocco sigh, “LT, that may have something to do with the enclave scout training. We had it drummed into our heads not to talk about our families when dirtside. Besides, I know he was really upset when his mother died, I don’t think he ever got over that. Part of me is afraid he still blames me for her death.”

I am taken aback by this slightly and ask, “Sirocco, if I may ask, how did your wife die?”

I see Fancy put a second forehoof on his and nod yes. He sighs and tells me, “LT, it should never have happened. We already had two foals, and yet we, because we were a military family and I was an officer we could have another, so we tried for a third. LT. she died in childbirth. Here Dirtside, without modern facilities, I can understand. But we were in Thunderhead, and she died giving birth to my foal. We should have been happy with two. I should never have tried for a third.” He quietly says with tears in his eyes. I watch as Fancy gets up and walks around the table and puts both of her forehooves around him, holding him.

Ginger and I act as if it is nothing unusual. We do not want to embarrass him after he told us such a personal matter. Ginger then looks at my stomach then back at my face, “Ma, is it always that dangerous for a mare to have a foal?”

I sigh, “No dear, but things can go wrong. We are fortunate that Sutures, her mother, and a few others back home in the co-op are experienced midwives. They know how to handle things if they go wrong normally.”

I see her relax a bit at my answer, but I have to admit, it is not something I like to think about, and even something I have feared. No need to have Ginger worry anymore than she already does.

After a bit, Sirocco gets himself back together. “Sorry about that LT. I had not realized it would hit me so hard. Even after all these years it still gets me.”

I smile at him softly and tell him, “I understand, please, do not be embarrassed, we all get hit like that from time to time.” He smiles back at me and then all four of us begin to talk about different subjects.

After we are finished eating, I take mine and Ginger's mess kits to clean them. Stir Fry tells me, “I had a couple of bucks take food up to the hospital already. Thanks for letting me know. If you get a chance later, stop by and I will make some time so we can just talk a bit.”

“Ok, that sounds good Stir, I will try to get back here, but I cannot promise it tonight.”

“I understand. I will talk to you later Mollygirl.” Then she gives me a hug, “If I don’t see you again tonight, have a good one, ok.” Then she turns and heads back into her wagon.

Ginger and I then continue on back to the scouts. But before we go to see them, I run inside the main house and the radio room.

As I enter, I see Specs and Paper Work both by the radio. They are listening to DJ Pon3’s show. But when they see me Specs tells me, “Nothing really new from Manesville. They asked us to verify the casualties and asked us to send a list if possible. They also asked us to come up with an ID marker for all of our fliers, so they could know them when they see them. I had already informed them about Operation Foal Lift and our intention to begin it at the start of the next attack against us.”

“Thank you, Specs, I will discuss it with Sunset in a bit and get back to you.”

“Rodger that Ma’am. I appreciate it.” He tells me.

Then I look at both of them, “Just so you know, I really appreciate all that you two, as well as the rest of the staff, has done for me. I could not ask for a better staff for the expedition, and I am sure the Major felt the same way. Now I need to go down to the basement, Ginger wants to spend some time with the scouts and so do I. I will see you all in a bit.” I tell them, then I head back out and go down into the basement with Ginger.

Once there I can hear DJ Pon3 on the radio there too. Ginger goes right over to Xochitl and hugs him. We all begin to talk again and I take a seat near Sunset and Xavier. After a bit, Ginger comes over to me, and asks, “Ma, do you think you could read one more story from my book to us?”

I smile, “Sure hon, give it here and I will.” She hoofs me the book and as I get ready to read it, I hear the radio being turned down. Ginger and Xochitl lean against me as I read it and soon, I notice the other members of my staff have come downstairs to listen too. It is almost like old times.

We all seem to relax as I read another tale of Daring Do. After I finish first Ginger and Xochitl thank me, then the scouts and my staff. I had not realized how important this part of our routine had been to all of us. In the corner I see Dull Beak sitting there staring at me. He sees me looking at him, smiles, and gives me a nod of his head.

After Ginger puts her book back into her saddlebag, we get ready to leave. I hear Xochitl ask, “Father, can I go with Ginger to the hospital?”

Xavier gives him a hug and tells him, “Yes my son. I only ask that you be back before stand-to in the morning.”

I realize at this point how tired I am becoming but I really want to make sure Archer and Sutures are ok, so I once again make the trek there. Ginger and Xochitl escorting me and chatting the entire way. On the way, we stop at the sinks. While Ginger is inside Xochitl approaches me.

“LT, thank you for letting me come with you tonight.”

“Your welcome Xochitl, I always enjoy having you around.”

“Thank you, LT, I have something to ask you.” He tells me.

“That is fine Xochitl, please feel free to ask,” I tell him.

He looks around and then very quietly ask me, “LT, It’s with all that is going on and we may not all make it out of here,” he stops and sighs, “I know we are too young now, but someday, when we are grown, would you be willing to let me marry Ginger?”

Needless to say, this is not what I was expecting. The silence caused by my surprise makes him uneasy and he takes that as a negative reply. He then looks at me, “LT, I am sorry, I should never even have had such thoughts. Please forget I ever said anything.”

I gently place a hoof around his shoulder and hug him, “No Xochitl, you just surprised me. If you stay as good a stallion as you are, I would be proud to have you marry her someday. But please, just don’t rush it, ok.” I tell him.

At that, his expression changes from that of rejection to that of a smile. He then tells me, “Thank you LT. I have patience, I will not rush it. I promise you. Oh and please do not let her know I asked you this.”

A couple of minutes later Ginger comes out. She sees him smiling and ask, "Ok, so what did I miss?”

I smile at her and tell her, “Nothing dear, don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything yet.”

Once back at the hospital I see both doctors are finally done performing surgery. So, I stop to talk to both of them. Besides both of them, I see half drank cups of tea and a bowl of stew.

“Evening Ma’am,” Doctor Treacle greets me.

“Evening Doc, how are you two doing?” I ask.

Doctor Tourniquet answers first, “Exhausted, to be honest. But we did a lot of good work for what we had. Ma’am, I never saw it like this before. I have never seen anything like this.”

“Yeah, I think it has been a while since most ponies have. Perhaps up toward Fillydelphia you could find it now. I am sure after the Enclave hit Friendship City it was like this. It was like this after the battle in Manesville though too.”

I see the yellow stallion's face begin to go pale as he asks, “This is common for you folks?”

Doc Treacle answers for me, “Of course not. Just, it is not our first experience with it, unfortunately. Last time I had much better facilities, and a larger staff to work with. This, this is damn near barbaric. I hope to never see it's like again.”

I have to agree with Doc Treacle and say so. Then I ask them, “Did you and your staff get enough to eat?”

They nod, Doc Treacle answering “Well most of us, those who were asleep already we left that way. I think they need that more than food right now.”

“Well if I make it out of here, then I will have a very interesting report to make back to the Followers,” Tourniquet tells me.

I smile, “Very true, speaking of that, in the morning I am evacuating the foals using the pegasi. I do believe Choo Choo can carry you across with them. That way you may, both escape as well as provide care to them.”

Tourniquet looks me straight in the eyes, “Ma’am, I appreciate the offer, but it seems those who can’t make it out will need my help more. So, I must respectfully decline the offer.”

“I appreciate that I really do, but are you sure?” I ask.

“Yes ma’am, from what I understand we are only two to two and a half days shy of the Co-op, those pegasi and foals should be able to make it. However, there are those here who will not.”

I put out a hoof, and shake his, “Thank you very much.”

While I am talking both Ginger and Xochitl go to Archer’s bed and once they remove their weapons and equipment gently climb onto the bed with him. Ginger cuddling up to him and Xochitl to her. I see that Sutures has moved some but now has a pillow under her head. I just want to go lay down next to my family so badly right now.

From outside I begin to hear voices singing from the different units. Every once in a while, they will sing the same song.

Both doctors see where my gaze is. Treacle then tells me, “Ma’am, while it is calm, why don’t you go lay down with them. We will wake you if anything happens.

I am so tired and that sounds so good. I nod and without saying anything walk over next to Sutures and lay down. I take my helmet off and then rest my head on her back. I close my eyes for a second, and I am asleep.

I wake up several hours later. One of the medics is watching over the ward. Both doctors are lying down on the tables that they had set up for surgery. The night is quiet, but I can still hear some of the troop’s voices carrying on the night’s winds.

As I wake, I hear hoof steps in the low light. I see her outline first, then she shows herself to me. She lays down near enough I can hear her but not so close we touch. “Good evening my child.”

“Good evening Mareigan. How are you tonight?” I ask without thinking.

She looks surprised at first, then answers, “Concerned. For I know not what the sunlight brings.”

I nod my head, “Sounds like we both feel that way.”

She looks around the ward, nodding at each of the wounded. Then she looks at Archer on his bed along with Ginger and Xochitl. Then she looks at Sutures and me and smiles. “Yes, you do all love each other, don’t you. I can sense a family here.”

That makes me smile again, then I tell her of earlier and how Ginger was so worried about Archer, and how she had started to call Sutures mama also.”

Then she surprises me and asks, “I can sense some upheaval in this mare. Has she decided to change her occupation?”

I sigh, then answer, “Yes, I think so. Mareigan I do not know how much longer she can take the emotional toll on her. The happiest I have seen her in a while was when she helped deliver a foal back in Good Doer.”

“I, I can kin that. Her mother I have known for some time, though she knows not me. Is she considering taking up her mother’s trade then lass?”

“I do believe so. She recently discussed that with me. Mareigan, she is a beautiful mare who would be much happier helping to bring life into this world then trying to undo the damage that the world has caused.” I tell her.

She sighs, “Yes, but her current occupation is to try and prevent me from doing mine. That is not always easy for me to tolerate alas.”

“Mareigan, is there not something that you could do to help her?” I all but beg.

She looks at me sadly, “Mollygirl, I can only do so much, I am but a spirit, not a goddess.”

“I understand, I had only hopped. I am sorry for asking you to do more than you can.” I tell her.

She tilts her head and looks at me as if trying to really see me, “You are a funny pony lass. Most try to get me to do things for them, not others. That makes you different. But then again, so does your walking among your troops an talking like you did tonight. Your opposite number, well he is still belligerent and blaming his troops for not overwhelming you and your forces today. Your troops respect you. His they fear him. Something to think about.”

At about that time Sutures begins to wake, she looks at me, “Hey love, how are you?” she asks.

“Sorry if I woke you, dearest,” I tell her.

“Mollygirl, if and when we get home, I am getting out of the service as quickly as I can, I hope you will not be disappointed if I instead become just a midwife.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the Mareigan smile slightly, like she felt she had just won a small victory. It is then that Sutures looks and seems to be looking at the Mareigan.

At that point, the Mareigan tells me, “Until I see you again, good fortune upon you both my children.” Then she turns and slowly walks back out of the barn.

I see the confused look on her face, “Mollygirl, who was that?”

I smile at her and break the news to her, “You finally got to meet her dear. That was the Mareigan. It seems she approves of your becoming a midwife when we get back.”

“That was her? Really, you’re not just messing with me, right?” she tells me.

Behind her, I hear Xochitl tell her, “Shhh, not so loud, and no, she is not kidding you. I saw her when she walked up. However, it was not me she was here to see, so I kept myself quiet.”

It is then that I look at my PipBuck and notice the time. It is about time to get up for the morning stand-to. I give Sutures a quick kiss on the cheek and tell her, “It's about time to get up anyway,” as I start to get up I tell Xochitl, “Give Ginger a shake will you, we have about an hour to get ready for stand to and I am sure you will both want to eat something.

Sutures and I both give a quick kiss to Archer and Ginger gives him a hug, all of which he sleeps through. We are just getting ready to leave with all our equipment on when he wakes up and asks, “Where are you all going?”

“Sorry dear, it's about time for Stand to, why don’t you get a bit more rest and Sutures will bring you something to eat in a while.”

“Ok, I guess, but I hate being like this. I wish I could get up and join you.” He tells us.

“Dear, we all wish you could too, now get some rest.” Sutures tells him and we all head out of the hospital.

Our first stop is the sinks. After that, we find that Stir Fry’s wagon is closed up, but she still has some stew and bread set out for latecomers. We each grab some and then go sit down together. As we eat, we talk and laugh. Then Xochitl looks at Ginger, and tells her, “She came again tonight. This time Sutures got to see her.”

I see the smile come across Ginger’s muzzle. “Really, what did you think of her?”

I see Sutures look of consternation, “Honestly, I don’t know. She is not what I expected a spirit to be like, but then again, I have never seen one before.”

As we talk, around us we can hear the camp come awake. I see ponies from the various units moving about and performing their morning duties. Then it is time for us to get going again. Sutures has her full kit on and looks at me. I will take some of this back to Archer dear, then I am going to head over to D-troop for the morning stand-to.”

I hate to admit it, but this has me worried, “Ok Dear, please be careful,” I tell her, then I lean over and give her a kiss to match the one I should have given Ivy the last time I saw her.”

Then I look at Ginger and Xochitl, Ok you two. Head on back to the scouts for morning stand to. I want you two to help with the evacuation of the foals. Ginger, I really do want you two to go with them. Please think about it.”

She sighs, “Ok Ma, I will think about it, but that does not mean I will do it.” She tells me.

I guess I will have to settle for that. “Ok everypony let's get moving then.”

Ginger gives Sutures another hug, as well as me, and then Sutures, is off for the hospital, while I head over to the HQ with my tagalongs.

Once there, they go to the basement and I head into the HQ proper. I see a very tired looking Specs at the radio. Next to him, I see Paper Work. They are double-checking a list of names of the losses from yesterday to make sure that they did not miss any. Paper Work then hands me the ID Tags. “Here you go, ma’am. We already sent them but were just making sure we did not miss any.”

“Thank you both, I am so sorry, I was supposed to do this for you last night.”

They both smile, Paper Work hoofs over a cap to Specs, as Specs tells him, “See, I told you she would feel bad about it and apologize.”

I then ask them, “Any word of a relief coming for us?”

“No Ma’am. They are being very quiet overall. More so than normal.” Specs tells me.

Then the first sergeant walks into the room fully kitted out. “Ready to head up to the lines again Ma’am?”

“Yes, I am 1^st sergeant,” then I look at the other two, “Are you two coming along today also?”

I see them look at each other. “Sure, why not,” Paper Work says and they both get up to go grab their equipment.

Before we head up there, we are joined by Sunset as well as Blueberry Crisp. As a group, we go forward to the H-troop section of the lines.

We arrive just as all the troops get into position in case of an attack. I see the sun just coming over the horizon when I start to hear it.

The raiders are stomping their hooves and beating things together. Sunset looks at me and tells me, “Ma’am, those raiders are all building themselves up for an attack. I have seen this before. It is going to be a rough one, I am heading back to the riverfront.”

I watch him disappear into the darkness of the trenches as the sun slowly continues to rise. Before us, I can start to make individuals in the woods as they continue to stomp and even howl. Goddesses protect us.

Over my PipBuck, I begin to hear the opening lines of Winter Wrap Up play and I know that the evacuation is about to begin. Now to protect the foals. Celestia protect and Luna defend us.

Dear DJ Pon3,

Tonight, here in Serenity Valley, I am more scared than I have been in my entire life. The LT, helped me a bit, but I have a bad feeling about tomorrow morning. I don’t regret coming, but I do regret not making it home. To my young bride, I am sorry. To my mother, I tried to do what Dad would have done. To our leaders in Manesville, WHY? why have you abandoned us? I am going to put this letter in my saddlebags so if I don’t make it, it gets sent out. With this in mind could you please play, “If Your Reading This.”

Thank you in advance,

Sincerely Nettle

Trooper, H-troop CEF

Thanks again to those who have created and built up the world of FoE. I also want to thank those who continue to read the story. While this Arc is starting to wind down, there is still more to come.

For those who would like to hear this chapters dedication song the link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVTBj6Som74