After getting back to the stable I go straight to my stall to make sure I am ready for formation. Emerado is just getting back from her night out also. We smile at each other. I smell a bit of a scent of cider coming off of her and think, did I smell Bullet's scent on her? They must have had a few drinks together last night, I guess.

“Hi Em, how’s it going. Did you have a good time last night?”

“Oh, Hi Molly” she replied to me looking back over her shoulder. “I did not hear you enter. Uh, yeah yep, I had a good time”.

“I’m surprised you were out so late. Must have been a heck of a party to keep you out that late.” I told her.

“UH, yeah, it was an ok party, spent most of the night chatting though, how was your's Molly, did you get to see Magpie again?”.

“Yeah, yeah I did”. I tell her as I make sure my uniform is fit for morning muster.

“That's good,” she says, “I better get going, you know how it is with us staff ponies, have to be there before anypony else,” as she put on her cap and heads out the door.

Right after she leaves Ivy comes into the room. “What was that about?” she ask.

“Not sure Ivy, she said she had to get going quickly. She came in right before me though. I mean she did smell like she had few ciders last night. I guess she had a pretty good time last night”.

“Molly, you don't think that she, no, no way. After all these years I have never seen her raise her tail to either a mare or stallion.”

“No, no way Ivy. She just is not that way” I reply. Then I think, Wait; did I smell Bullet on her, and who was he walking back with anyway. No way that could have happened. “So how was the rest of your night Ivy?”

“It was ok, I ended up coming back and sleeping last night. I guess I needed it. By the way, I owe you a new bottle of Old Overmare. I found yours and finished it. Sorry, Molly.” She says as she continues getting dressed.

"No problem Ivy. By the way, it was really nice having dinner with you. Thanks for joining us.”

“Thanks for having asked me, maybe we can do it again sometime.

“You about ready Ivy? We really need to get moving.”

“Yep, let's get moving she said as she put her cap on.’

As we approach the formation, I see Badger talking to Shadowbuck.

“Really Shadowbuck, you had to say that Memory would bring home an enfield pup. It is your fault I swear because she actually brought home two of them.”

Shadowbuck actually laughs out loud. “No, way, you mean she really did, I am sorry but that is funny.”

“Yes, she even named them already and you know what that means. She calls them Woofer and Tweeter. She said that they were orphaned and that they were crying next to their mother's body. Not sure what killed her though.” Badger said.

“Probably just taint Badg. I mean, while it is worse over west of here from the miss, enough still came down this side of the Hoofrock to leave deposits. Do you know the area she found them in?”

“Believe me, I know how bad taint is Shadowbuck. I have gotten to see what it has done to Memory for how long now. It is really a horrible way to go. At least if we buy the farm it's quick and done with.” Badger replies back.

Ok, I need to break this up, they are starting to get way too deep into the dark right now. Just as I am about to say something, Ivy comes to save the day again and asks “Ok, so who all got laid last night? I mean, with a partner this time. Besides our Sargent that is.”

Just as she asks this question, Bullet comes walking up. His ears go forward, his eyes wide and I swear I see him blush. He smells of cider and, wait, is that Emerado’s scent on him too? OH, hell no. Now my eyes go wide. He just grins sheepishly and preemptively replies “So Molly, you and your little filly had a bit of fun last night? Glad to hear it”

How did this become all about me? Ivy, you are so dead. You owe me big time. Badger looks at both Bullet and me, watching us both squirm with a bit of amusement in his eyes. “Well somebody in this squad has to, it seems no one else can” I reply. This brought on a whole new round of laughs.

“Ok, foals, time to get into ranks for the morning muster,” I tell them, at which we all form back into ranks. Every morning we do this we try to find something to laugh about. I was thinking this time it would be Badger's turn in the barrel, somehow it just did not seem to work out that way today.

At least we should have the next two weeks of working on projects around the stable or on salvage operations. Nothing too exciting but it helps a pony to feel useful as well as reducing the number of laborers needed to keep the old stable up and running. Sometimes we perform simple repairs and upkeep functions, other times we are assigned special tasks such as assisting in modifications to the original stable, like when they expanded the armory. I had not realized how much smaller it once was until I saw Millie’s memory orb.

The muster formation proceeds as normal with no new briefings. Our company is told that for the next few days we will be working on the stable itself doing upkeep and Maintenance. This meant that in the evenings I will be able to go into town and visit Magpie again. But before that, I would have to stop and visit Buddy in the hospital.

As a squad leader, I am in charge of one of the cleaning crews. We start with general cleaning in the passageways. Badger gets pulled away along with Shadowbuck for a while to go help repair a water pump. But it is nothing really difficult or hard. It feels like a respite for us all. Sometimes we all need a lazy day to re-energize us, even while we are doing something that needs to be done.

At noon we all head to the mess hall for lunch. While not always as good as what we get out in town, most of the time we can get plenty of it. Today for lunch we are having dandelion greens salads with a great sweet feed mixture of oats, barley, soybeans, and molasses. I had hoped for some Huckleberries, but no luck today. As we eat the usual banter continued around the chow hall at all the different tables and those who are eating there. Over in one corner, I see Em and wave a hoof at her. She does a brief wave back, then notices Bullet next to me and starts to eat intently and looks at something interesting on her tray. Bullet looks a little flustered also. I really want to know what happened, but am afraid I may open a wound, so instead, I change the subject.

“Hey Bullet, do you want to come with me to see Buddy after we get done today?’ I ask.

“Sure Mol. Why not have a few of us all go. Maybe we can sneak him a bottle of cider or whiskey even, what do you think Shadowbuck?”

“I do not know, Badger, did you hear anything from Whiskey about how long Buddy might be recuperating? I know he mixes up most of the healing potions and that, here in the hospital.” Replies Shadowbuck.

“Nah, he hasn’t said anything about it. Of course, we still have several others that are in there also. We should go to visit the kid. He seems nice enough” Badger replies back to Shadowbuck.

“Hey Woodrow, you want to come with us to visit Buddy too?” I asked.

“Sure sarge, but you guys sure you don’t mind a mule hanging out with you?”

“Son, you are one of us, mule, cow, pony, it doesn’t matter, you’re a Doorkicker now," Shadowbuck tells him. I could see the relief and smile come over his face.

“Now before we get back to work you lazy pack of hellhounds, who has a bottle we can sneak in?” Ivy asks.

Everyone looks my way. “Hey, Ivy killed my last bottle last night. Anyone else?”

Suddenly I hear Pearl speak up “Sure Sarge, I got some. In one of the last trader caravans that came in, I was able to trade for some Wild Pegasus. I was going to save it for a special occasion, but I guess this is as good as any.”

“Thank you Pearl, if no one else has any then we go with that. Pearl, we will wait for you to get it from your locker after working hours and we can all head up to see him together. Ok, lunch is over, time to get back at it” I tell everyone.

The rest of the day passes fairly quickly with no real excitement. I think of how after the hospital visit, I can not wait to rush into town and see Magpie. But I have to make the visit, it is only right and it is a way of making sure that Buddy knows he is now one of us, as well as Woodrow. Every one of us in the squad has experienced it in some form or fashion. Until you go on a mission or patrol where we have been in the manure you really just do not understand the rest of us.

The day ends and we all go back to our stalls to clean up a bit. Then we meet outside the main stable entrance and as squad walk over to the hospital to see our missing member.

As we walk up the stairs into the hospital, we see Whiskey coming out the doors. He starts to shake his head while looking at us. Badger and the rest of us say hi to him as we keep going into the building. He has seen this before with us and just keeps walking. I swear I hear him mutter to himself, “Not this again”. Last time we did this, it was for Saber and Whiskey accepted the invitation to drink with us. He has not wanted to do so since with us, Badger said it had something to do with him almost losing his job.

We stop at the reception desk and ask for Buddy's room number, the receptionist gives it to us, then adds with a stern expression “Remember there is no food or drink allowed to be taken into the patients.”

I smile my sweetest smile back “Of course not, we would never do something like that, would we guys”. She rolls her eyes and points the way to the hallway for Buddy's room.

As we walk up to the door for his room, we see he is lying with this back to the door. He has an IV in his foreleg and looks like he is bored. We notice one of his ears twitching in our direction. This is the cue for the party to start. Dusty goes in first, she is a cute younger mare in Ivy’s section who also happens to be my stall mate Nugget's oldest daughter. She is one of the wildest of us.

Dusty slowly walks up behind Buddy, gently puts a forehoof on his flank, running it up to his neck, she leans forward and whispers in his ear “He big fella, you looking for a good time”. With this, his eyes pop open and he almost jumps out of bed. To which he sees the rest of us looking in from the doorway. But before he can say anything Dusty takes his face in her hooves and gives him a long kiss. We watch as his eyes close, his ears go forward and he draws her closer with one forehoof.

When she breaks the kiss, he asks “What was that for?” Smiling she looks at him and says “that was for saving the sarge for us.” Then she moves forward again and kisses him again opening her mouth just a little to which he responds in kind. After that kiss ends, she looks at him and tells him “And that is for me, you big stud muffin. “

At that all of us are cheering and calling, we pile into the room around his bed. I go up and give him a hug around the shoulder and tell him “Thanks Buddy, I appreciate your saving my ass. Sorry, it cost you though.”

He replies back, “No problem Sarge, it was nothing. I know you would have done the same for me.” Smiling I have to tell him “No Buddy I would not, I would have had to have help to carry you. How did you get so big in the first place? Were you force-fed as a child or what?” I say with a slight laugh.

The rest of the squad comes in and gives him hoof bumps or shoulder hugs. Well except for Ivy who goes up and looks at him “Well if a kiss is good enough for Dusty, am I not good enough for one?”

He laughs at her and says “Sure Corporal” at which point she gives him an even deeper kiss than Dusty, putting one hoof behind his head.

Suddenly from the corner of the room Bullet pops off with “Hey, what am I not good enough for a kiss too Buddy?” at which point Buddy's eyes go wide and his ears flop to the sides. All of us laughing.

After this is when Shadowbuck pulls the bottle of Wild Pegasus out of Pearls Saddlebags. He takes the cap off the bottle and gives it back to Pearl, who then hoofs it to Buddy. “Buddy, you have earned the first drink and as the newest members of the squad, you and Woodrow get the first drinks.” After that, we continue to pass the bottle around continue to joke.

I then notice that the shots in his flank had destroyed his cutie mark, without meaning to while looking at it my ears start to go down. Buddy sees me staring and a sad look starts to come over his face. “Sorry about that,” I tell him.

With a bit of tear in his eye, he replies, “Don’t worry about it sarge, I still have the one on my other flank. Maybe I will get a chance to earn a second cutie mark” he jokes

Oh, no I tell myself, he just gave Ivy an opening. At which point Ivy ears forward and a smile on her muzzle looks at him and says “Yep, we will just call you Second Chance for now on.”

Ghost, who is in the background and normally reserved looks at Ivy and tells her “Second Chance is too long, how bout we just call him Chance”. And with that Buddy loses his name for normal use and everyone starts calling him Chance. It is the small things like this that bind us and make us a family, a herd. I slowly make my way over to the corner and watch my herd, no matter what their ages they are my kids.

Despite how Ivy feels, I still want foals of my own someday. Perhaps like Dusty and Nugget, I will have one of mine serve with me in the guard. The thought brings me some peace and watching everyone together just feels so right. “So, Chance, did the doctors tell you when they are kicking you out of here yet?” I ask.

Looking serious he replies “In a couple of more days they say. The wounds really fractured my hip bone and almost took the ball right off of the bone. So, they want me to stay off of it for a while more.”

“That makes sense, I am just so glad you are still going to be with us Chance,” I tell him.

He smiles “So am I sarge, so am I. Thanks for getting me help so fast too. The doc’s said if the healing potions had not gotten in me so fast, I would have probably bled out. All of you saved my life, so thanks”.

I knew he had been hit bad, but it never occurred to me how close a thing it was. Chance was a good name then. Damn it, another couple of stones for that saddlebag. Thank Celestia and Luna he pulled through.

Shortly after this one of the nurses showed up. “Ok, everyone time for you to clear out and let Buddy here have some rest.” She tells us. As we file out the door to leave, we all say goodbye to Chance. I also notice Dusty talking to the nurse for a bit and then returning to Chances room.

Heading out the door I see Bullet, Ivy, and most of the squad heading out to town. I also see Badger getting ready to head back to his home. I call out to him “Hey Badger, Wait up for a minute.”

He stops and waits for me. “Hey Sarge, what do you need?” he asks. I stare into those big blue, but sad eyes and so want to hug him. Instead, I ask “I was just wondering if sometime you might want to join Magpie and me for dinner, or perhaps hang around with us at the archives?”

With a slight smile he looks back, a bit of hope in his eyes “Sure sarge, just let me know a day ahead so I can make sure things are taking care of back at the house. Besides I always wanted to get a look at the archive as well as the library, I never seem to make enough time to go there.” He begins to look nervous for a second and looks to see if anyone is around, at which point he gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, surprising me, but not at all unpleasant.

“Ok, sounds good, I will talk to Magpie about it, hopefully in two days if you do not mind.”

He smiles back “Me, mind, the opportunity to spend time with two beautiful mares, Nope, not at all. I look forward to it, now I best be getting home. I still have to take care of a few things at the house. Have a good night Sarge.”

“You too Badger, and please, since you already kissed me, call me Molly when we are not with the others, please?” I ask him.

He smiles back and takes my face in his hooves and really kisses me. I swear it rocks me almost as much as Magpies. He breaks the kiss, looks me in the eyes, and says “Ok Molly, now go have a good time with Magpie, I will see you in the morning”.

With that, he turns and starts to walk back to his home. I can not help but smile. My heart fluttering in my chest. I cannot believe that after all this time I finally got a real kiss from him. I hope Magpie understands. I love her so much, but I think Badger could love both of us and both of us him, I hope I do not screw this up.

I then turn and head to the Library and archives to see if Magpie is there. On the way, I start to really look at how much things have changed since I was a filly here. I stop at the bakery on my way and decide to spend a few bottle caps on a couple of cupcakes for us. I think she said she really likes carrot cake so I buy one carrot cake and one blueberry with cream cheese frosting.

Finally, I make it to the library. Luckily, I guessed right and she is there. She is in the archives room reading through some old letters with a box of more letters, notes, and books next to her. I am so excited to see her again this soon. I set the cupcakes down by the door.

“Hey, beautiful” I whisper in her ear as I slide my hoof around her and nibble on her neck lightly.

“Hi sweetie” She replies back with a slight giggle. “How was your day today?”

“It was pretty good Mags. Sorry, I am late but the squad stopped at the hospital to visit Chance, Uh I mean Buddy.”

“Ok Molly, so which one is it?” she asks with a slight frown on her face.

So, I explain to her how Buddy was now being called Chance by the squad and why. “Also, my dear, there may have been some alcohol involved” I admit. This gets her to laugh a little.

“I hope you do not mind, but after our discussion from dinner last night with Ivy and how you seemed to be somewhat interested I asked Badger if he would like to have dinner or visit the archives with us some time, depending on if you agreed to it.”

“And what did he say to that Mollygirl?”

"Well, first he said he would love to spend time like that with two beautiful mares, and then he kissed me,” I said with my head down a bit and my ears lowered. Goddess, why does she not look happy? I thought, oh sea biscuits her ears are flat back, this is not good.

With that, I feel her forehoof slap against my face. “Mollygirl, how could you, I've had such hopes for us, and...” Then I see her face start to change as she realizes exactly what I said. “Did, did he really say with two beautiful mares?” she asks uncertainly. I nod my head. She starts to smile “did he really mean I am beautiful too?” Again, I nod. “I am so sorry Molly, I just thought, you, uh, you know, I am sorry,” she says as she puts her head down and looks at the floor. “I hope you understand, I didn't mean to hurt you, I just got so jealous, I mean, I have just found you and am getting to know you and you say you were kissed by a stallion we both like, and, Then I realized you were asking him to spend time with both of us and he thought we were both beautiful. I am so not used to that, I am so sorry Molly.”

Sheepishly I look at her “I understand Magpie, I am sorry I have given you a reason to worry or feel threatened. If you want, I will tell him no, while I like him and care about him, I am yours. I hope you understand that. I just figured we could all spend time together and get to know each other. If things progressed where we agreed we wanted him too and he wanted both of us, then we could take things a step further.”

“No Molly, it's alright, I would like to get to know him anyways. However, nothing happens between him and us unless we both agree. Do you understand? I mean it Mollygirl. I need you to tell me you understand. If you can't then I hate to say it, but I will have to end things between us, I cannot take much more heartbreak, my love. Now, do you understand what I am saying?”

I look up into her pleading eyes, my head down, as well as my ears “Yes Magpie, I do understand dear. I did not mean to upset you my dearest one.” I look over at the table by the door and with a half-smile, I ask “So, would you like a cupcake Mags”.

At this, she starts to giggle. Finally, I have really made her smile again. I love that smile so much.

Again, I wake up in Magpie's bed. This time is a little different, she is still laying next to me. I look up and see her watching me sleep. “Good morning my love,” I tell her.

“Good morning my beloved” she replied with a smile. “About what we were talking about last night, go ahead and ask Badger to come to dinner tomorrow night with us and perhaps a visit to the archives.”

“Ok, Mags, but only if you are sure you want to. Also, if you do not mind, can we have Ivy along again sometime?”

"Sure Mol, I understand. I saw how you two are together. I can't allow myself to come between best friends like that”. She replied.

“Mags, if you want, I would like to meet some of your friends too, I mean if you want to. I do not want to cause you any problems.” I tell her.

“We will see Molly, I don't have a lot of them, to begin with. But I would be proud for you to meet them sometime. I just know we do not have a lot of time before your rotation makes it difficult to see each other is all.”

“I guess I can understand that. I hate to say it though, but I need to get up and head back to the stable for work today.” With that, I kiss her on the back of her neck and slowly unwrap my hooves from around and intertwined with hers. I then plod to the kitchen and without thinking I ask “Do you want me to try and make breakfast?”

“Oh, no, nope, that will not be necessary” she quickly tells me. “Ivy told me all about your culinary skills at dinner the other night when you went to the restroom.”

“Oh, sorry, I just wanted to do something nice for you in return for all you do for me, is all.”

“Sweetheart, you have done so much for me already, I can not tell you how surprised I was by the cupcake last night. Thank you again for that, and for staying with me again last night. I really enjoy just snuggling up with you and being held.” She tells me with a smile. “Now go clean up and I will make us some breakfast.”

After breakfast, I head back to the stable. I change quickly into my uniform and make a run for it to just make muster in time. I guess I was cutting it too close as Captain Abby gives me the Mare Stare as I am getting my squad to fall in at the last minute. As I get into formation I see Chance has been returned to duty from the hospital. I guess they figured he had healed up enough finally.

I know I have to quit cutting it so close. The last thing I need to do is get the captain torqued off at me. It would be bad enough if it was just me that it affected, but if I really got on her bad side it could carry over to my squad getting the dirty jobs more often.

After muster, we get our assignments again. This time we were down in the hydroponics labs. Some of us cleaning out tanks, others helping with the collection of watercress that was just ready to harvest. Badger has taken Woodrow with him and they are working on the water transfer system for the tanks.

As I am walking around to check on how the squad members are doing, I can hear Badger and Woodrow talking as they work.

“Ok, Woody, remember when you are working on anything that has a thread, lefty loosey, righty tighty. This will cover you ninety percent of the time. Also, when you open a valve, open it fully then back it off a quarter turn so that it is easy for anyone who may come behind you to tell it is already open. This will prevent them from trying to over force it and possibly breaking the valve. That make sense to you?”

“Sure Badg, it makes sense. But what if you still cannot get a…” I hear Woody ask back as I walk by. I do not need to go any closer to know that they are doing ok and have everything in hoof. I will check on them again in a while just to make sure though.

A little while later I hear Ivy “Dang it Dusty, Chance, Get away from those carrots. You know you're not supposed to harvest them yet. “

“But Corporal, these ones just don't look right, I think we should take them out and taste test them just to make sure they are still good.” I hear Dusty reply.

“Dusty quit arguing, and do not teach Chance any more bad habits than you already have.”

There are many crops here that could have supported the entire stable, what we grow here now is used to help feed the members of the co-op, but it cannot feed us all. That is why the co-op farms outside are so important. Any surplus that the co-op is able to grow is either stowed for an emergency or is traded to other communities.

During the lunch break the squad all heads up to the stable cafeteria again. As we are heading that way, I see Badger and Woodrow following us a ways back. “Ivy, I will catch up with you. I have to have a chat with our resident mechanic.”

I wait for Badger and Woodrow to catch up. “Hey guys, how are the preventive maintenance checks coming?” Badger gives me a raised eyebrow and replies “Pretty good so far sarge.”

“Yeah Sarge, Badger is really showing me the tricks of the trade.” Woodrow chimes in.

“Woodrow, why don’t you catch up with the rest of the squad and I will meet you there. I want to talk to the sarge about some problems with the pipes and some supplies we may need.” Badger tells him.

Suddenly I hear that loud mule laugh “Hee Haw, Heee Haaaww, Sure Badg. Good luck with those pipes.” I feel myself blushing. I force myself to not respond. Damn smart asses.

As Woody walks away, Badger looks at me “Hey Sarge, do you think you could get us some more packing for the valves. We have a few that need the rod glands repacked. I also have one broken valve handle that needs replaced, if we can get one.”

Once we can see that Woodrow has caught up with everypony else he relaxes a bit looks around quickly “Hi Molly, how’s it going today?” he asks.

“Not too bad Badger. I talked with Magpie last night.” I feel playful so I decide to pause for a little bit.

He looks at me with a bit of hope in his eyes “And?” he asks.

“Would you like to join us for dinner tomorrow night, and perhaps a visit to the archives afterward?” I ask him.

"Yes,” he answers quickly. “I can't wait”.

“Sweet, I will let her know when I see her tonight, ok. We best catch up with the rest.”

Looking around to see that no one else is around I then give him a quick kiss, and as I move next to him to head to the cafeteria, I give him a quick slap on the flank with my tail and a wink. In reply, I get a lopsided grin.

We then catch up to the rest. I go sit by Ivy, Pearl, and Bullet. Badger sits down with Shadowbuck, Woody, Chance, and Dusty. We had the normal chit chat, but I keep thinking how much I can not wait to get back to Magpie tonight and to tell her that tomorrow night is on.

That night at dinner I tell Magpie about my day and then about Badger agreeing to have dinner and a visit to the archives with us the next night. “Really, are you sure he is interested in both of us, not just you?” she nervously asked.

"Yes Magpie, he really is interested in you as much as me. Besides this is just a visit among friends right now. Relax, Mags, he thinks you are beautiful too. Just wondering Mags, would you mind if I used a memory orb again tonight? I really would like to see a bit more of what it used to be like back then, especially if I can find some of Millie again.”

“Oh, Ok Molly, I was just hoping we could spend some more time alone together tonight. “

“I am so sorry Mags, I was just hoping to get to know Her better, is all,” I told her.

She sits with her hoof under her chin for a minute “You know Molly, I have a couple of things I want to look up anyways, let's do it, However, only one and then home. If it is too late, you have to go back to base. I will not have you late after you telling me what happened this morning.”

“Deal. Thank you, sweetheart,” I tell her and lean over, giving her a thank you kiss.

After we eat, we head directly to the library and its archives. On the way, we pick up a couple of Sparkle Colas and some snacks for later. For the first time in my life, I catch myself walking around in public holding tails with another pony. Once we get to the library, I open the door and let Magpie go in first. As we head down to the basement, we see the main librarian. “Hi Pages,” Magpie says to her. “I hope you do not mind us being her late tonight and possibly tomorrow?”

Holding a small stack of books, she looks at Magpie and me. “Ok young lady, but please do not make too much of a habit of it. Also, I do appreciate you asking ahead of time about tomorrow. Is there anything that I can help you find? “

“Not right, now, Molly wants to look at a memory orb, and once I get her set up, I will come back up and get some help from you, if you don't mind?” Magpie replies.

“No problem Magpie, I should be up in the spellbook section for a bit” Pages tells her.

We head down to the archive room. I notice that there is now a couple of blankets down here folded on a table. I set the food and drinks down next to them and after closing the door I turn around and take my love in my hooves and give her the kiss I have wanted to all night. “Thank you, my love, I really appreciate this more than you know. I promise you I will make it up to you”. I tell her.

After we break our embrace, I follow her to the computer area as she gets the memory orb reader ready for use and puts it on me. “I hope you like this one dear. I really am not sure what is on it, but it was in the box with Twilight Hope’s and Bertha’s memories, the same one that contained the memory orb of Millie’s.” She tells me.

“So how many of these have you used before Magpie?” I ask.

She looks at me with a neutral look on her face and replies back “None, I have always been too afraid to.” And with that, she turns on the memory orb.

With that thought in mind, I am suddenly in another body again. It seems familiar though. Thank goddess it is not Bertha again. I still do not know how those poor cows can deal with carrying those udders all the time. It makes my back hurt just thinking about it.

I look down and see the familiar uncloven hoof and the standard blue and gold stable barding. I am in the radio and communications room of the stable. Next to me is a unicorn stallion wearing a headset and moving the dials.

I hear my ride's voice and recognize it shortly after as being that of Millie. “So, Airwaves, now that we hung up those emergency antennas have you heard anything?”

“Actually Millie, I have. While I have not been able to pick up anything on the military or emergency frequencies, I have picked up a civilian one. It is reliable enough I have the Overmare and Overcow coming in in a few minutes to listen to it. Part of why I had you put that recollector on so we can record their reaction to it.” He tells me.

“Airwaves, that is not fair, you know how I feel about being around them. It should have been the chief of security here, not me a lowly shift supervisor. Here you put it on” she says.

“Nope, no-can-do Millie, I have to wear my headset, can’t do both at the same time.” He says with a grin. At that point, I hear the door open and our head turns and we see Twilight Hope and Bertha come into the R&C room.

“Ok Airwaves, what do you have for us?” Twilight Hope asks. Bertha standing silently behind her.

“It is about time, I will turn it on now and put it on the speaker, just a sec, ok, here we go, and,” he says.

Over the speakers we hear the voice of a stallion “Good Evening Colts and Fillies of the Wasteland, you were just listening to the sweet voice of Sweetie Belle. DJ Pon3 here bringing you the news and truth to the Wastelands. As a reminder to those who are heading to the Hoofington region, the Hoof is going wild with gang fights again. It seems that Deus is on the loose, rumor has it that he is one bad pony to cross. There are reports of increased bandit and raider activity along the roads from Manehatten to Fillydelphia. Finally, we have reports that the Steel Rangers are on the move again. If any of the stables out there can hear this, we remind you; do not reveal your locations if at all possible. Reports are coming in of a recent discovery of an unknown stable, all of them say that there were no survivors after it being attacked and pillaged by the Steel Rangers. I almost forgot for any of you out there with news to share or music and items to trade contact, my associates, at Tenpony Tower and we will see if we can do business to help us all. Now coming up next…”

Twilight Hope had pushed the switch to turn the broadcast down from over Airwaves shoulder. She looks at me and Airwaves, “At this point, you two are not to discuss this with anyone, do you hear me?”

“Yes Ma’am” we both reply immediately.

She looks over at Bertha “We need to discuss this back in the office. “Security Officer Mille, follow us. Airwaves, will you please contact the Security Chief and have him meet me and Betha in our office.”

“Yes, Ma’am, will do,” he replies back.

I watch through Millie’s eyes as we walk to the Overmare and Overcow’s office. The passageways are similar in most areas to what we have now, but I notice a few open corridors that are no longer there. Then we enter the office. I have never been to it, so I really wish I could look around more. Twilight Hope goes to her desk and Bertha to hers. I am still standing by the doorway when the Security Chief enters. He is a large light red stallion with a black mane and tail, on his flank is a badge for a cutie mark.

“Hello, Copper” I hear Twilight Hope say as he enters.

“Good Evening Overmare, Overcow. What can I help you with tonight?” he asks.

Bertha then speaks up “Chief we actually have a couple of things we need to discuss with you. We want your input as well, so please be frank with us”

“Yes ma’am, I always try to be so with you,” he tells them.

“Chief, it has come to our attention that we can now receive some outside radio signals. One of the things that were mentioned was that they are open for trade at the Tenpony Tower in Manehatten. We would like to discuss with you the feasibility of sending a small expedition there to make contact and perhaps open the possibility of trade at a later date.” Twilight Hope tells him.

“Secondly Chief, on the same broadcast, we heard that another stable was possibly found by a group called the Steel Rangers and it did not end well for the original occupants of the stable. So, we will need your opinions on what we can do to prevent being identified and found.” Bertha informs him.

“I will answer the Overmare first. I think we can do it. It is a very long distance away, but I am sure a team of four to six ponies or cattle should be able to make it safely there and back. However, they will need to be provisioned and well equipped to make the trek. It will not be easy or quick, but I am sure they can do it,” He tells them.

“Now for what you mentioned Overcow, I would suggest we try running under the detection spell as quickly as possible. No Stabletec barding to be allowed outside the stable. In fact, we may consider taking all of it, removing the stable numbers and dying it to a color that can blend in easier up there. “he then pauses, puts his hoof under his chin, thinks for a bit, and begins again “In fact, I think we may want to try and move most of the population of the stable out into the surrounding area as soon as we safely can. We will need to try and find weapons also so we can have a security force clear the local buildings of hostiles before we move anypony in there.”

“Chief, I appreciate your recommendations. Would you be so kind as to make a list of those you would recommend sending on this expedition to Tenpony Tower?” Bertha asks him.

“No problem ma’am, would tomorrow morning be too late to get my recommendations to you. I have a couple of officers ready for advancement and I may try them in new positions for shift supervisors, as I may be sending out two of my three shift supervisors on this. Also, you may want to consider talking to the mayor over in Emerald Grove to see if he has anyone with knowledge of that area or who may be able to act as a guide for the expedition.” He replies.

“Very well Chief, thank you for your input. I look forward to your suggestions in the morning, you and officer Millie are dismissed.” The Overcow Bertha tells him.

We both turn and leave the office. As we walk the stable halls with him back to the security office and the small jail, we have there he begins to talk to me. “Millie, I know you have a husband and foal, but I think we are really going to need you and Mootilda on this expedition if we want it to succeed.”

I can feel her fighting the tears down. But she keeps up the façade “Chief if you think it is best for the stable, I will go. Just let me know a couple of days beforehoof so I can let Oatie know and spend time with him and Marey, please?”

With that we reach security. Copper looks over at me. “I am going to call it a night Millie. I am heading back to my stall and do some paperwork there. I hope the rest of your shift goes quietly.” he tells me.

I enter the office, sit behind the computer so that I cannot be easily been from the window and I hear Millie begin to cry and my vision begins to blur. “Dammit, why now, we were talking about having another foal. I was so hoping to stay here. I do not want to leave my family,” Millie says to herself through her tears. She puts her head on the desk and continues to cry.

I feel her body rack with the tears of someone who feels that their life is being ripped from them, and there is nothing that they can do about it. She looks over at the wall and she sees a picture of a Pegasus, besides it, she sees the words that she always took for granted before. “Duty, as heavy as a mountain, Death as light as a feather- Old Pegasus proverb.” She continues crying for a while and then she lifts her head, I watch as her hoof comes up, I feel her find the switch and she turns the memory recorder off.

I come out of the memory orb and see Magpie sitting at the desk next to me. Before her is an old copy of a volume of the Encyclopedia Equestria. She has fallen asleep and while I hate to wake her, I know I need to. It is already dark outside, but at this time of year, the days are getting shorter. I notice that she has already finished her Sparkle Cola and her snack so I do the same before I wake her.

I gently nuzzle her, giving her a small lick on the check. “Sweetheart, time to wake up. We need to get you home, love.” I tell her.

She slowly wakes and smiles at me. How I love that smile. “Ok Moll, let's go home. Sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep.” She tells me.

“Not a problem Mags, I know how tired you are, I am pretty tired myself. Let’s get home and get some sleep.

With that, we both head back to her apartment. I hold the door for her as she enters and we follow what has started to become our routine upon getting to her place. We take turns using the bathroom then we both climb in bed to sleep. As we lay there she moves closer and cuddles into me. I feel so lucky. I do not know what I did to deserve her. With that, I drift off to sleep with the feel of her body next to me and her scent in my nose. I have not felt this good since I was a filly with mom.

Come morning I wake up an hour before my alarm. I gently nuzzle her neck and ears. She rolls over and smiles at me. “Good morning love,” she tells me.

“Good morning,” I tell her back with a smile. “Would you like something special before I leave for work today?” I ask.

In reply, she just shakes her head yes, puts her hooves behind my head, and kisses me more deeply than I can imagine. I can not think of anything but her for the next little while. I so want to please her and let her know how much I love her. Once we are finished, I get up and go clean up for the day. She makes a light breakfast for us of oatmeal and soybeans. She surprises me by pulling out two muffins also.

As I am getting ready to leave, I notice that Magpie is very nervous.

“What is wrong Magpie?” I ask.

“Nothing, Molly,” she says at first. “It’s just, what should I wear tonight? I know it's just a meeting of friends and not a real date, but I still want to look good for him and I want you to be proud to have me on your foreleg.”

“Magpie, you are beautiful no matter what you wear. You could wear nothing at all if you want, or maybe a nice dress that is comfortable, or maybe a blouse. Wear what you feel comfortable with, ok?”

“Alright Molly, are we meeting at J.C. Dobbins again or where do you want to meet up?”

"That is a good question, how about we meet up at the Paddock. We can have supper there and then head on over to the archives from there. Does that sound good to you?”

“Sure, Molly. I'll see you there as soon as I can.” She comes to the door, gives me a kiss goodbye, and as I am heading out the door, she gives me a grin and says “By the way thank you for this morning my little war mare.”

And she closes the door before I can tell her "‘My pleasure”. At which point I look at the time on my PipBuck and quickly trot back to the stable.

This time I am early to formation. I notice both Chance and Dusty seem to have a bit of hair missing from their necks just around the collar line of their barding. I will have to talk to them about being more discrete later. At least I can keep them in different sections of the squad. We fall in as usual. However, I notice that Ivy has a bit of a smirk on her face. Now the question is do I have some explaining to do, or does she?

After muster, we return to the stable for the work detail back in hydroponics. Once they realize that Badger is in my squad and that he knows his way around a wrench our presence was requested by the Hydroponics head, At least that is what Captain Abby tells me. I put Woodrow and Badger back together again on the maintenance team. I figure today I will try and keep Dusty and Chance apart so they can get some work done. I put Chance with Bullet and while I would love to work with Ivy today, I put her with Dusty and have Ghost come along with me.

The day passes fairly quickly with nothing really notable happening. Before lunch, I meet up with Badger and tell him to meet me by the main stable doors when he is finished cleaning up after work. After lunch, the last couple of hours start to drag. Finally, the day is done. I rush back to my stall, clean up, and then meet Badger at the doors of the stable. Together we walk into Manesville.

As we walk, we start to chat a bit. “I hope you do not mind eating at the Paddock with Magpie and I tonight, and then spending some time at the archives?”

“No, I do not mind at all Mollygirl. In fact, I am really looking forward to it.” He tells me. “So, what is she like Molly, I mean really like. I have known you for years now, so I'm comfortable with you. But Magpie has me nervous.”

“Badg, relax, she is a very nice mare. She does get a bit nervous herself sometimes. But she really is a good pony. She is really smart, and has a good sense of humor too from what I have seen.”

“Ok, and are you sure about the idea of the three of us possibly dating someday. I mean I really don't want to screw things up for you either, much less myself Molly.”

“First step first Badger, tonight is just us getting together to get to know each other. If it goes any further, great, if not great. I just want to spend time with my marefriend and another friend right now, does that make things easier?”

“I guess so, but I am still a little nervous is all.” He tells me.

Once we get to the Paddock we enter inside and both get a cider at the bar. We are exchanging stories and talking about old times when Magpie finally arrives. As the door opens and she steps in both of us turn our heads and go dead quiet, while I am not sure if his jaw has dropped open, I know mine just did. She is standing there looking around for us at first. She wearing a cute little blue skirt, with blue and white checking on the edges. She has a very light blue ribbon weaved in her mane which she has braided, and another ribbon that matches tied in a bow on her tail. She is beautiful. I have never imagined having a mare who looked that good by my side.

I hear Badger gulp and he asks “Is that really Magpie?” I can only shake my head. We both get up to meet her. I give her a quick hug and kiss, and tell her how beautiful she looks. After I step aside Badger steps up, he takes Magpies forehoof in his and gently kisses it. “Hello Magpie. It is very nice to finally get to meet you. I have heard so much about you from your Mollygirl.” He says with a smile

Smiling back at him, I swear she bows slightly “It is very nice to finally get to meet you too Badger. Molly and Ivy had nothing but good things to say about you.” At which point he looks at me and I simply shrug my shoulders and smile back at him.

Once we get a table, we all enjoy a wonderful meal of fresh watercress, spinach, carrots, and peas with a nice dressing on it. While Badger and I both have another cider, Magpie asks if we mind if she has a Sparkle Cola instead. For dessert, the three of us share a fresh blackberry pie. Having worked in hydroponics as much as we have this week, I know these did not come out of the stable, I look at the waitress’s name tag and I ask “Hey, Brassy, this pie is really good, where did you get the berries from?”

“Tell me about it. I heard the owner say they came in on a shipment from the Hoof yesterday. I wouldn't have thought they would still be in season, but I guess it is warmer down there this time of year.”

“Good point, I had not thought of that,” I tell her.

After we finish Badger and me at first disagree about who is paying for dinner but then decide to split the tab, with the additional agreement that since I am the sergeant and earn more than I can also pay the tip.

From there we proceeded to the archives. Again, we see Pages and wave to her. Badger just nods at her and looks at me and Magpie with a raised eyebrow. We take him down to the basement. I realize that the blankets are still folded there and try to ignore them.

Now Magpie is really in her element. She starts to give him the same tour of the archive as I had received. I sit down by the computer at the desk and relax for a little bit listening to them in the distance.

“This is great Magpie, do they have any of the railroad manifest or the carriage plant records do you know?” he asks.

“I am not sure Badger, but I can look for them for you, if I can't find any, I'll ask Pages, maybe she can help me find them for you.”

They keep going through the rows of shelves and finally, I hear her ask “Badger, would you like to try a memory orb. We have a small collection here and I know Molly has viewed some of them. “

“Sure Magpie, I'll try one,” he says as they approach, and I swear I see him tap his hoof on her hind quarter just as they came around the corner. Magpie with a big smile on her face.

“Ok, just sit here Badger, let me put this repeater on you so you can see it. Normally only unicorns can use these, but the repeater here allows us earth ponies, and I would suspect pegasi to use them some. “

He sits in the chair with a smile. Magpie reaches into the box that has the memory orbs I have been watching and grabs one randomly and puts it in the machine. “Are you ready Badger?”

“Sure, this should be interesting, let go for it,” he tells her and she turns it on. We see him start to relax and then suddenly tense and his jaw drops open. I wonder if I look like that when I use this thing?

“Magpie, did you explain to him how it works and feels to use a memory orb?”

“No Molly, I thought you had.”

We both look at each other at the same time tell the other “Oh no I hope he did not get Bertha's memory orb for his first time.”

After which we both started to laugh until tears came down our eyes. “This could be an Udder disaster,” I tell her.

Still laughing she looks back at me ‘No it could be a calf-tastrophy.”

“If he gets upset, he can kiss our dairy airs,” I reply.

To which she counters “I guess there is no use crying over spilled milk now.” At which point I lose it, I am on the floor almost crying from laughter.

Finally, after a little while, we finally stop laughing and put ourselves back together. We start to look through the archives then try to see if we can find any of the old records from the railroad or the carriage plant. Granted I am not above playing a little smack on the flank with my tail as we search and we do find time in the back corner for a nice long kiss. I do not know what it is, but this dress on her is driving me crazy, and I finally have to tell her. “Really Molly? You really think I look that good?”

“Yes, my love, I really do. You are absolutely stunning; didn’t you notice how I and Badger reacted when we saw you?” I asked her.

“Yes, I saw it, but I was afraid you were just playing around a bit. I mean no one else ever reacted that way about me before.”

“Magpie, my sweet, sweet Magpie. You are beautiful and while I love you, I am not just saying that. Now tell me how we shut this off after he is done, that way if one of us falls asleep the other can take care of it without waking the other.”

"Molly, are you suggesting we all sleep here tonight?”

“Sure, why not. It is just sleep, not sex. Just like we do in the field. Besides, tell me you would not like to have two ponies cuddle you at that same time?”

“Ok, you got me there Molly, I have to say, I really like the idea of it, but do you think Badger will be ok with it? I mean we did not discuss it with him.”

“I am sure he will be fine with it. We just have to make sure we are up in time to make it back to the stable. Ok, dearest one. In fact, I will set the alarm on my PipBuck right now.”

“Ok, Molly, that sounds good. Shall we continue looking for that information for Badger or do you want to look for some other stuff?”

“Well, he will be in there for a while yet and it is already getting dark, why don’t we just set the blankets down and cuddle for a while,” I tell her and I bump her flank with mine. Besides, maybe we can hear a late broadcast of DJ Pon3 while we are waiting. With that, we go over to the corner of the room and lay one blanket down, lay down next to each other, and put the other blanket over us. I then turn my PipBuck to the radio frequency and we listen to the music on it. After a while, we hear the familiar voice of the stallion known as DJ Pon3.

“Good Evening Fellow Wastelanders. DJ Pon3 here to provide you with your daily dose of truth, no matter how much it hurts. Today we have news coming out of the Hoof that once again raider activity has been increasing. There are reports of slavers along the main roads leading from Ponyville to the Hoof. Try to avoid going out alone along those routes if you can avoid it. And to my dedicated fans in the back 48 acres, who sent me a Blackberry Pie, I just want to let you know that it made it here and is delicious. Thank you again. Now here is a little Highlander style number we just received in from a group called the Hayseeds… ”

As we listened to the music cuddling and nuzzling each other I drift off to sleep. A little while later I awake and notice that Magpie is not next to me. I just lay there and look around and notice her taking off the repeater from Badger and hear him whisper “Really, not only did you change genders on me for the memory orb, but species too? How do those poor cows walk with those things down there?”

"I’m sorry Badger, I didn't mean to do that to you. I hope you are not too mad at me.”

“No Magpie, I was just really surprised, thank you for sharing it with me though. It really gives you a new perspective on history. Is she asleep?”

“I think so. She seems so tired I don’t want to wake her.”

“Well I should head back home for the night I guess,” Badger told her.

“Badger, I, uh, um, it is so late, why don’t you just lay down with Molly and me. She already set her alarm so she would not be late to get back to the stable for muster. You can tell your housemates that it was my fault, you did not know the memory orb would last that long.”

“You know that is more than a little tempting.” He tells her as he steps closer and lifts her head with his hoof and gently kisses her. She knows I would not mind already and while nervous about me, he knows I am not going to be upset with him. I just smile to myself and slowly start to drift off again. Shortly afterward, I feel, Magpie snuggle back against me, raising herself just enough to give me a gentle lick on the cheek and a little nibble on my neck, what kind of surprises me is it was followed from behind me with Badger also giving a gentle lick and nibble before he goes over to the other side of Magpie and lays down facing her with hooves reaching over her and resting on me. Now, this is nice.

Come morning my PipBuck alarm wakes all three of us. I have my back to Magpie, she had her hooves over me and Badger has his back tight against hers. We all wake suddenly to the alarm. I just smile at both of them. “Good morning Darlings,” I tell them as I get up and stretch, I then give both of them a very good kiss before trotting off to the little filly’s room. I am joined a few minutes later by Magpie we both just smile at each other. “I hope you enjoyed last night my love,” I tell her.

“Yes, sweetheart very much, the only way it could have been better would have been for a repeat of yesterday morning.”

“While that sounds really good, do you think he is ready for that yet, or that you and I are?”

“I think so. I noticed you woke up when I was taking the repeater off of him last night. I hope it was not too big a tease for you when I kissed him. Molly”.

"No beautiful it was not. I really enjoyed it actually. I loved seeing you both happy and enjoying yourselves too.”

A little while later we all meet outside the archive room. We fold the blankets quickly. “Badger, I hate to say it but we need to hurry to get back to the stable in time for muster.”

“I know Moll, it’s just hard to end a good thing. Thank you both for having me join you last night. I really hope we can do it again sometime soon. Perhaps next week?” he says, with his ears straight forward and a look of hope on his face.

“We will see,” Magpie answered. “But I know I enjoyed myself and I enjoyed getting to meet you an know you some. Now you two best get going, I do not want you to get into trouble.”

She then comes over and gives me a big hug and a very deep kiss “I love you Mollygirl, have a good day. Will I see you tonight?”

“I love you too Magpie, I was thinking of letting you have a night to relax, besides I need to talk with Ivy tonight if you do not mind. How about tomorrow night?” I ask.

“Ok, sounds good. My love, have a good night then too. I will see you then.” With that, she turns to Badger. Again, she puts her hooves around him to kiss him, he gladly reciprocates and they share as intimate a kiss as Magpie and I. “Goodbye Badger, take care of each other and I will see you both later dears.” She says and goes back into the archives.

Badger and I then leave to head back to the stable. I look at the time on my PipBuck and say to him “Well we best hurry to make it in time.” I quickly give him as good a kiss as I had Magpie, When I break the kiss I look up and see her looking through the window at me with a smile on her face. Then I see her mouth the words, thank you, love.

“Come on Badger, at the trot” I call to him.

‘All right Sarge, but this is going to hurt.” He replies and with that we were off to the stable again. Back to duty and our normal roles.

Dear Dj Pon3, Our squad listens to you every chance we can. I have never made such a request before. If you have it in your archives could you please play I'll Take Care of you for my beloved Magpie and our Badger?

Thank you
Mollygirl.
Manesville Co-op

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